My favorite music that either came out this year or that I listened to heavily this year:
1) Radiohead - In Rainbows
Sorry to say I paid 0 cents for the best album of the year. You've read all the reviews on how revolutionary their selling method was but most have generally overlooked the music. Thom Yorke's never sounded better and his voice KILLS me on "Nude" which I think may be the best track on the album. Greenwood & co. have their arrangements down to a science. Love love LOVE this album, what more can I say about the greatest living band on Earth?
2) Bjork - Volta
Obviously Bjork can do no wrong in my book. One of my songs of the year would definitely have to be "Wanderlust" which I played the hell out of. Plus I finally got to see her live at the Apollo of all places and she was as deliriously amazing as I knew she'd be.
3) KRISTEENYOUNG - The Orphans
Let's get it over with: the bitch is half-crazy but man can she sing. I saw her open up for Morrissey and thought she was alright but it was when I saw her in closer proximity opening for Ted Leo that I found her to be genius. Her on-stage banter needs work but her songs are so extremely operatic/glam and her style so unique that I couldn't help buying an album. Though her style is so over-the-top to the point of abrasive, one of her favorites of mine is "(But it's all just) Imagined", a ballad that can be heard at http://myspace.com/kristeenyoung
4) Bob Mould - Blowoff
Bob Mould is my own personal god. Blowoff is his collaboration with Richard Morel and it's totally dancey/bear intensive yet with a rock edge. It got major play on my stereo this year.
5) Sigur Ros - Hvarf/Heim
This was one of their new releases this year, a double album of old faves done acoustically or differently and then new material on Hvarf. Another band that can do no wrong for me.
As far as old stuff I discovered or rediscovered, I listened to a helluva lot of Nirvana Unplugged, the usual mix of Husker Du/Bob Mould/Grant Hart, got into the Jam and listened to Judy Garland live at Carnegie Hall so many times I should've been arrested and of course the Gay Pimp's "For the Fellas...".
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
BLOWOFF
So basically I can't get over Bob Mould and I'm obsessed with his Blowoff project made with this dude Morel: http://myspace.com/blowoffmusic
Their main site is at http://www.blowoff.us/
The site is totally bear-intensive. The music is dancey with hints of his old rock self. Bob Mould's blog is at http://modulate.blogspot.com - He'll be playing some solo shows that I'll definitely check out (in the band will be Brendan Canty a.k.a. GOD) but I'm still debating whether to go to the Blowoff shows because I'll kill the Bear audience groove. I'm gonna get that DVD signed by Bob and mutter to him something about how Husker Du is one of the greatest bands ever before doing a marathon run out of there.
Their main site is at http://www.blowoff.us/
The site is totally bear-intensive. The music is dancey with hints of his old rock self. Bob Mould's blog is at http://modulate.blogspot.com - He'll be playing some solo shows that I'll definitely check out (in the band will be Brendan Canty a.k.a. GOD) but I'm still debating whether to go to the Blowoff shows because I'll kill the Bear audience groove. I'm gonna get that DVD signed by Bob and mutter to him something about how Husker Du is one of the greatest bands ever before doing a marathon run out of there.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Q & A
Okay, I'll bite. Taken from CerealBot:
List 10 artists/bands that you've seen live in concert
1-Sigur Ros
2-Bjork
3-Erasure
4-Morrissey
5-The Adicts
6-Goat Explosion
7-Rufus Wainwright
8-Green Day
9-Inspecter 7
10-The Adicts
Answers:
Song you wish you'd seen number 2 do?
Bjork did most of my faves but I would've loved to have seen her do "Cocoon" live or "Pagan Poetry".
How many times have you seen number 3?
Seen live or in concert? First time was at the Beacon all the way in the back, twice at Irving Plaza (one of my favoritest concerts ever was on Andy's birthday and I was by myself and still had a blast!) Then I saw them on Carsick Daily a day later I got autographs at Borders. Then I saw them on their acoustic tour at some weird church-like thing and most recently I got autographs at Virgin. I <3 'Rasure!
Where did you see number 9 play?
Jesus. The one I remember most was at the SweatGlands.
Favorite song number 8 played?
DISAPPEARING BOY (OMG!)
Who did you see number 7 with?
Cerealbot. I drag her to all the Rufie shows!
Favorite venue you've seen 4 play?
The Apollo was the better show.
Favorite concert memory from number 6?
How unhip the band looked thereby making them ultrahip. Also how there were like ten fans there.
Song that always goes off when you see number 10?
Chinese Takeaway I guess?
Best thing about number 1's performance?
Just when you think no band or concert could be unique, Sigur Ros comes along. A true original. Love them.
Why did you go to see number 5?
Cuz they're the Adicts! They rule dude!
How old were you when you saw number 2?
Uh same age as now.
Favorite concert memory from number 8?
My first concert! Dying my hair with spray. :)
Best cover song you've seen from number 4?
He doesn't do many covers live but I guess it would the Dolls' "Subway Train" segueing into "Everyday is Like Sunday".
Would you go to see number 7 again?
Yes. if his frikkin shows wouldn't sell out now that the whole world and their mother is on the bandwagon!
Song you never really liked until seeing number 1 in concert?
Sigur Ros makes aural masterpieces. There's something new to discover in each song. Also, I don't really know the names of any of their songs except for "Svenf-G-Englar" and "Glossoli". XD
Which albums do you own from number 6?
Augh!! They don't have any albums!
Best dance sequence you've ever seen from number 10?
Monkey's jaunty little sidestepping? Actually, I have no idea.
Worst thing about number 3's concert.
The people who do not move!!! Come on, it's frikkin Erasure!! This was a problem at the Beacon and the Church-thing but not at Irving. Also, the annoying guy who is tone-deaf that sings every song at the top of his lungs. Wait, I think that's me.
The only three songs that number 3 would have to play to make a concert?
Love To Hate You, A Little Respect and for all the desperate fans FINGERS AND THUMBS!
How far did you travel to see number 5?
Just Manhattan
List 10 artists/bands that you've seen live in concert
1-Sigur Ros
2-Bjork
3-Erasure
4-Morrissey
5-The Adicts
6-Goat Explosion
7-Rufus Wainwright
8-Green Day
9-Inspecter 7
10-The Adicts
Answers:
Song you wish you'd seen number 2 do?
Bjork did most of my faves but I would've loved to have seen her do "Cocoon" live or "Pagan Poetry".
How many times have you seen number 3?
Seen live or in concert? First time was at the Beacon all the way in the back, twice at Irving Plaza (one of my favoritest concerts ever was on Andy's birthday and I was by myself and still had a blast!) Then I saw them on Carsick Daily a day later I got autographs at Borders. Then I saw them on their acoustic tour at some weird church-like thing and most recently I got autographs at Virgin. I <3 'Rasure!
Where did you see number 9 play?
Jesus. The one I remember most was at the SweatGlands.
Favorite song number 8 played?
DISAPPEARING BOY (OMG!)
Who did you see number 7 with?
Cerealbot. I drag her to all the Rufie shows!
Favorite venue you've seen 4 play?
The Apollo was the better show.
Favorite concert memory from number 6?
How unhip the band looked thereby making them ultrahip. Also how there were like ten fans there.
Song that always goes off when you see number 10?
Chinese Takeaway I guess?
Best thing about number 1's performance?
Just when you think no band or concert could be unique, Sigur Ros comes along. A true original. Love them.
Why did you go to see number 5?
Cuz they're the Adicts! They rule dude!
How old were you when you saw number 2?
Uh same age as now.
Favorite concert memory from number 8?
My first concert! Dying my hair with spray. :)
Best cover song you've seen from number 4?
He doesn't do many covers live but I guess it would the Dolls' "Subway Train" segueing into "Everyday is Like Sunday".
Would you go to see number 7 again?
Yes. if his frikkin shows wouldn't sell out now that the whole world and their mother is on the bandwagon!
Song you never really liked until seeing number 1 in concert?
Sigur Ros makes aural masterpieces. There's something new to discover in each song. Also, I don't really know the names of any of their songs except for "Svenf-G-Englar" and "Glossoli". XD
Which albums do you own from number 6?
Augh!! They don't have any albums!
Best dance sequence you've ever seen from number 10?
Monkey's jaunty little sidestepping? Actually, I have no idea.
Worst thing about number 3's concert.
The people who do not move!!! Come on, it's frikkin Erasure!! This was a problem at the Beacon and the Church-thing but not at Irving. Also, the annoying guy who is tone-deaf that sings every song at the top of his lungs. Wait, I think that's me.
The only three songs that number 3 would have to play to make a concert?
Love To Hate You, A Little Respect and for all the desperate fans FINGERS AND THUMBS!
How far did you travel to see number 5?
Just Manhattan
Thursday, June 21, 2007
I NEED ADVICE, I NEED ADVICE
"...because nobody ever looks at me twice."
My fellow droogs, ponies, clownettes and saints: please advise me on this pressing matter. Whorrissey is taping Letterman this Monday and I am debating whether to go or not. Should I wait 6 hours for the possibility of being within the same TV studio-sized space as His Most Unholiness? I have nothing doing on Monday since I'm on paid vacation. Is my Smiths-addled brain warping all common sense? I have no intention of meeting him, I heard he's a bitch.
My fellow droogs, ponies, clownettes and saints: please advise me on this pressing matter. Whorrissey is taping Letterman this Monday and I am debating whether to go or not. Should I wait 6 hours for the possibility of being within the same TV studio-sized space as His Most Unholiness? I have nothing doing on Monday since I'm on paid vacation. Is my Smiths-addled brain warping all common sense? I have no intention of meeting him, I heard he's a bitch.
Monday, June 18, 2007
"If you're loud people step back. If you're quiet people step forward."
Ian MacKaye for the win:
http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/music/music.aspx?iIDArticle=12323
This is why I think Fugazi is one of the very few genuine bands out there. It wasn't about money, it wasn't about bitchy alliances and arguments or someone having some inane heroin overdose or groupies or any bullshit. It's just straight-up about the music. "Merchandise" has to be one of my most favorite songs of theirs, along with "Bulldog Front". They just mean what they say and it's so hard to find that in the world of music. A band that's real, not a facade. A great fucking album, not a monotonous hit single. That's why I'm so passionate about my favorite bands. I wouldn't waste my time, money and energy on something that didn't come directly from the heart.
Speaking of which, check out some Bob Mould at ifc.com where he recently played live on the Henry Rollins show. Two of my faves in one, does it get better than that?
http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/music/music.aspx?iIDArticle=12323
This is why I think Fugazi is one of the very few genuine bands out there. It wasn't about money, it wasn't about bitchy alliances and arguments or someone having some inane heroin overdose or groupies or any bullshit. It's just straight-up about the music. "Merchandise" has to be one of my most favorite songs of theirs, along with "Bulldog Front". They just mean what they say and it's so hard to find that in the world of music. A band that's real, not a facade. A great fucking album, not a monotonous hit single. That's why I'm so passionate about my favorite bands. I wouldn't waste my time, money and energy on something that didn't come directly from the heart.
Speaking of which, check out some Bob Mould at ifc.com where he recently played live on the Henry Rollins show. Two of my faves in one, does it get better than that?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Talking Smiths
That's a clever play-on-words referencing the title of a series of monologues written by Alan Bennett. Okay, maybe Morrissey would've gotten that. But I'm not here to talk about him (for once).
The other half of The Smiths are featured in a DVD that will see its release sometime in July. It's called "Inside the Smiths", and neither Morrissey nor Marr agreed to be in it. Which leads the average fan to ask, 'what's the point'? I understand that Morrissey and Marr are the bedrock behind the Smiths, but unlike other fans I do realize the important roles that Joyce and Rourke played in the band. They were not session musicians. The Smiths sound would not be complete without them.
The NME has an interview with Johnny Marr. Here's a segment:
Q: The six things I guarantee I'll never do are...
1) Allow my music to be involved with advertising McDonalds or any meat product.
2) Wear winklepicker shoes.
3) Wear a tie onstage.
4) Have a fringe that faces North instead of South.
5) Lend a drummer my money.
6) Reform The Smiths.
Number one is a good one, glad to know Morrissey's habit has stuck with him even though he hasn't. I don't know what number two is. Number three is either a clever dig at Morrissey or those new hipster emo bands that care more about fashion than music. Number four is definitely a dig at Morrissey while number five is a clear jab at Joyce. Or maybe all drummers are crazy, who knows.
I waver between Number 6. Sometimes it sounds like the best idea in the world, but at other times (and more often) I think they should leave The Smiths dead and buried. I can't see any of them doing a reunion for the right reasons. Joyce and Rourke would do it for the money. Morrissey says he'd rather eat his own testicles than reform the Smiths, but I think his big ego would like to see what would happen if they did do it. If it ever happened there's no way I'd get tickets to see it, so I'd rather it didn't. There is an energy and bravado that they had in their Smiths days that can never be replicated this many years on. I could talk forever on this point, but best to leave it at that.
The other half of The Smiths are featured in a DVD that will see its release sometime in July. It's called "Inside the Smiths", and neither Morrissey nor Marr agreed to be in it. Which leads the average fan to ask, 'what's the point'? I understand that Morrissey and Marr are the bedrock behind the Smiths, but unlike other fans I do realize the important roles that Joyce and Rourke played in the band. They were not session musicians. The Smiths sound would not be complete without them.
The NME has an interview with Johnny Marr. Here's a segment:
Q: The six things I guarantee I'll never do are...
1) Allow my music to be involved with advertising McDonalds or any meat product.
2) Wear winklepicker shoes.
3) Wear a tie onstage.
4) Have a fringe that faces North instead of South.
5) Lend a drummer my money.
6) Reform The Smiths.
Number one is a good one, glad to know Morrissey's habit has stuck with him even though he hasn't. I don't know what number two is. Number three is either a clever dig at Morrissey or those new hipster emo bands that care more about fashion than music. Number four is definitely a dig at Morrissey while number five is a clear jab at Joyce. Or maybe all drummers are crazy, who knows.
I waver between Number 6. Sometimes it sounds like the best idea in the world, but at other times (and more often) I think they should leave The Smiths dead and buried. I can't see any of them doing a reunion for the right reasons. Joyce and Rourke would do it for the money. Morrissey says he'd rather eat his own testicles than reform the Smiths, but I think his big ego would like to see what would happen if they did do it. If it ever happened there's no way I'd get tickets to see it, so I'd rather it didn't. There is an energy and bravado that they had in their Smiths days that can never be replicated this many years on. I could talk forever on this point, but best to leave it at that.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Holy Shit
I just saw the setlist for Morrissey's recent show in Vegas. He played "Whatever Happens, I Love You", which is in my top 10 Morrissey songs of all time. If he plays this in Philly, my head will fly right off.
Notice the James Dean backdrop. Golden.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
When I got the music, I got a place to go
Well, not in this case. I'm listening to Rufus Wainwright on a livestream because I couldn't get tickets to his show. It's very modern but a little depressing. Much like the whole blog phenomenon.
So this is the music blog that I always wanted to start up. Already I hate the name I've chosen but at least it's simple and tells it like it is. The Bouncing Souls held a similar credo in the mid-90s. I don't care to kill MTV, I just don't care for it.
So this is the music blog that I always wanted to start up. Already I hate the name I've chosen but at least it's simple and tells it like it is. The Bouncing Souls held a similar credo in the mid-90s. I don't care to kill MTV, I just don't care for it.
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