Something for the Vacation: Albums While I’m Gone

 

So, I’m off to Hawaii for two weeks and then to All Points West Festival immediately after.  I probably won’t be posting anything for some time, but keep your eye out for some of these albums while I am gone.  It is kind of a coincidence that all of the albums are indie/folk and that two of them are essentially albums about relationships, but deal with it!

New:

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band -Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

The album recently leaked and to be honest, I have no complaints.  Of course, it leans towards the more standard folk that Conor has been working with on his past few albums under the Bright Eyes pseudonym, and with his solo effort (although he always was pretty solo) he brings forth some of the most mature and fun music he has ever made.  It has all the wonderful lyricism expected from Oberst backed by all sorts of folk acoustic guitar based anthems. 

Okkervil River – The Stand-Ins

The follow up to last year’s The Stage Namesis almost a continuation of the beautifully reflective songs found on last year’s disc.  Sheff cannot write a bad song, and this album shows it.  His songs are so poetic and pretty, that its hard to even pay attention to the music and words simultaneously. 

Older:

The Good Life – Album of the Year

Tim Kasher is no stranger to failed relationships, and with this concept album he shows it.  He has produced two albums regarding the issue of complicated relationships, the other being Cursive’s Domesticawith his main project, Cursive.  Both are based loosely off of his own divorce.  The Good Life comes off as a more folky Cursive.  The result is a set of poignant tunes that come together to chronicle a not-so-perfect relationship from beginning to end.  I can’t stop listening to it.

Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy

Definitely Okkervil River’s most ambitious record.  Almost completely based off of a Tim Hardin song, which they cover to open the album,  the album revolves around the character of the “Black Sheep Boy,” which to my estimation is like an evil conscience.  In a way the album chronicles the narrator’s diminishing relationship with a woman, temptations, and his drug.  Again, Sheff creates a set of deeply complex and stirring songs that cannot be fully comprehended all at once.  If you truly pay close attention to the lyrics, which is hard because the music is so damn good, the emotionally trying messages and overall story come to reveal themselves.  Words can’t describe how moving a work it is.

 

Sorry you can’t come to Hawaii, but this is good enough, isn’t it?

Dre “shooting for a November or December release”

DETOX may be coming out this November or December according to Rolling Stone magazine and the Dr. himself.

CONCERT: DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist (The Hard Sell): The 930 Club, Washington, DC, July 16th, 2008

It’s hard for me to judge a DJ performance, having only seen a few. I went to this concert with a love for DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing . . . and respect for Chemist’s work with Jurrasic 5. I had seen videos of Chemist performing, and thought it would be cool. I was mainly there for DJ shadow, however. The show was interesting, but I wouldn’t say it was anything special. Honestly, I would have loved to have just heard some Endtroducing tracks or just a set of darker more Shadowy mixes, but because it was a “Hard Sell” show, there was none of that to be found. What we got instead, which was explicitly explained by the informative video prior to the performance, was mixes of popular songs found on 45″s only. It was very cool to watch the two of them mix these records live, using nothing but some type of tape(used to create live loops), effects pedals, mixers, and record players to do it, but at the same time, the songs weren’t so great. After all, it is about the music, not about how difficult it is to create the outcome. Some of the stuff didn’t even sound so good. For two of the most famous underground DJs of all time, the music did not sound as spot on as it should have. There were, however, some very nice mash-ups, but nothing blew me away, although the songs got progressively better as the night went on. I liked the darker more psychedelic stuff they began working with towards the end. Also, it was very cool when the two emerged from their workspace with portable, neck strap equipped, 45″ players which whirred and whizzed with each scratch.

Aside from the music, the visuals on the screens behind them did catch my attention. Dozens of cameras captured them at work, including one on Cut Chemist’s wrist that contributed a shaky shot of his scratching. All of these shots were at times layered together to create a psychedelic amalgamation of visuals on the two screens behind the DJs.

It was fun to watch Shadow and Chemist at work, I just wish that the music had done a little more for me. Definitely not a bad, show, just nothing extraordinary. What they were doing obviously takes a great deal of talent and hard work, but the music is most important, and it could have been stronger.

Glenn Campbell takes on Velvet Undergound, Replacements, Travis, Green Day

The “Rhinestone Cowboy” himself has put together a contemporary covers album entitled Meet Glen Campbell. Here is a trailer for the album. Since when do albums have trailers? What day is it?

I definitely think it’s a cool concept, but it’s been done before (see Jonny Cash), and I’m pretty sure the Cash man actually chose the songs himself. But at least he looks like a homeless person during a quarter of the video (seriously, what’s with the half-way-on-his-head beanie and way too appropriately matching sweatshirts?) Did they pull him out of a dumpster, put clothes on him, play him some songs, hand him a guitar, and tell him to make a record?

“Good Riddance”:

Tracklist:
01 “Sing” (Travis)
02 “Walls” (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
03 “Angel Dream” (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
04 “Times Like These” (Foo Fighters)
05 “These Days” (Jackson Browne)
06 “Sadly Beautiful” (The Replacements)
07 “All I Want Is You” (U2)
08 “Jesus” (Velvet Underground)
09 “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” (Green Day)
10 “Grow Old With Me” (John Lennon)

It hits record stores August 5th.

And here’s Radiohead covering “Rhinestone Cowboy”

Beck B-Side “Vampire Voltage No. 6″

This B-side from the “Chemtrails 7″” seems to be the hardest rocker from the Modern Guilt sessions.  It explodes but then abruptly ends, at a measley 2 minutes.  Check it out.

New Animal Collective “Lion in a Coma” (Live at Pitchfork)

It seems to be Lion season in the music world, as another Lion themed musical escapade has been unveiled.  This time it comes from Baltimore/Brooklyn professional crazies Animal Collective:

Sex Pistol ain’t havin’ no bloody Bloc Party

Apparently Johny “Rotten” Lydon, of Sex Pistols fame, attacked lead singer of post-punk brit band Bloc Party, Kele Okereke, Saturday in Barcelona. Okereke claims that John told him to fix his “black attitude,” implying that the scuffle was race motivated. Okereke states: that when the African-Nigerian asked Mr. Lydon about a possible reunion of his first band, Public Image Ltd., he became very “intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade, including the statement, ‘your problem is your black attitude’.” This was followed by a three person attack on Okereke.

Here is Lydon’s statement (via guardian):

I feel very sorry for a man that needs to lie about what was a perfect evening … trouble was brought us, resulting in those causing the trouble being physically removed by festival security … If they need publicity so badly this is the allegation universe they run into.

After the show John Rotten and management remained behind to sign autographs, which we did for four solid hours without incident and had a great time talking to other Spanish bands, this seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands. We are in the middle of a wonderful tour, after 30 years we are achieving a true unity in our audience. They are multi-varied, all ages, all races, creeds and colours. When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow.

Grow up and learn to be a true man … It’s a shame that the wonderful world of the media is riddled with nonsense like this.

Several other bands witnessed the altercation including members of Foals and Kaiser Chiefs. Who knows what to believe.

Envy is a Bitch

Devendra Banhart is now flaunting his new love interest before us with his latest video for the Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon track, “Carmensita.” The video is a comical take on Indian ritual, not so different from Portman’s last screen role in The Darjeeling Limited. See video below.

God I hate you.

hold the phone! new facebook design!

As the Facebook crew prep a new design, the world crumbles beneath our feet.  After all, we are just pawns in the facebook game, marveling at every new application and eating it all up one piece at a time.  I mean, what else is there to do nowadays besides post on a friend’s wall and stalk a wall-to-wall between that friend and somebody you barely know (i wonder if they are dating).  No, the world is not coming to an end, facebook just has a new design, and you can look at it here. I can’t wait till google unleashes the new design! (that’s a joke).

Conor plays new tunes in Brazil, sells album

Conor Oberst recently performed in Brazil, debuting some of his new material of the album, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, which isn’t set to come out until the 4th of august.  He claimed that the record, however, was available in Brazil, having seen it at a record store earlier that evening.  The new stuff sounds great.  I don’t know who this chick in the “Eagle on a Pole” video thinks she is, but she won’t shut up and, unfortunately for us, she already knows all the words and wants to show it.  Here are videos of the songs “Get-Well-Card” and “Eagle on a Pole” (with a reworked “Falling Out of Love at this Volume”).

“Get-Well-Card”

 

“Eagle on a Pole” and “Falling out of Love at this Volume”

Dear Science,

After two years since the release of Return to Cookie Mountain, TV on the Radio are back with a comma.  Their newest, Dear Science, (comma intended) hits the US on the 23rd of September.  Exciting stuff, if it’s as good as Cookie Mountain there’ll be no complaints here.

Something for the Weekend: Albums of the Week (7/18)

New:  I really didn’t get anything new this week, but technically the new Hold Steady album, Stay Positive, which I’ve had for almost two full months already, came out this week.  Really, with The Hold Steady, you really can’t go wrong.  Review is to come.

Key Tracks: “Constructive Summer,” “Sequestered in Memphis,” “Lord I’m Discouraged”

Older: Joanna Newsom – Ys.  In 2006 there was a lot of hype surrounding the young harpist, but for various reasons I decided that itYs (pronounced “ees”) was not worth my time.  I think it was mainly her voice that discouraged me at first, but it is definitely something worth listening to.  I will admit, it can sound a bit annoying at first listen, but if you stick it out past more than 30 seconds, that goes away quickly.  The complex arrangements, even more complex lyrics, and overall aesthetics of the album are extraordinary. 

Key Track: “Emily”

Music for the Dark Knight. . .

After seeing the midnight showing of the Dark Knight, I noticed that most of the music in the film was simple orchestral stuff.  I mean, it suited the film, but I got to thinking about what music would inspire the behavior and moods of the characters.  I mean, really, what would Bruce Wayne listen to on his batpod (he’s gotta have a custom one) while “secretly” lurking in the shadows dressed up like some funny looking bird?  What would The Joker want to hear while fishhooking his victims and divulging his anecdotes about his scars? Here are playlists that I have come up with:

Batman.  I get the sense that Batman would have a pretty extensive collection of Dark tunes.  I mean, he’s not the most easy going guy.  His playlist would probably look something like this:

1. Godspeed You Black Emperor! – “Static” 

You want eerie and dark orchestral stuff, I think these are the guys to talk to.  At over 20 minutes, there’s enough of the song to go around. 

2. Earth – “Raiford”

If you haven’t heard these guys, it’s essentially the darkest and slowest metal imaginable.

3. Nine Inch Nails- ”Eraser”

 For some reason, I feel like Bruce would have a dark song by Trent blasting in the batmobile.

4. Sigur Ros - “Flugufrelsarinn” 

Just slow powerful post rock, perfect for a scary superhero.

5. Sonic Youth – “Tom Violence”

Dark, has violence in the title, what more could you ask for?

 

The Joker.  Now the Joker would have to listen to music that combines his insane and dangerous wackiness with utter darkness.  I’ve got just the thing:

1. Battles – “Atlas”

Could get you pumped up, but also has high pitched munchkin vocals.  I think I’ve made my point.

2. Tom Waits – “Hoist that Rag”
The most wacked out and angry Tom Waits gets, which says a lot about how wacked out it is.

3. Liars – Anything off of Drum’s Not Dead

4. Hella – Anything off of Hold Your Horse Is

Explosive hyperspeed guitars and drums.

5. Can – “Augmn”

Basically the freakiest music I have ever heard.  I could see the Joker liking it.

One Day As a Lion – “Wild International”

The first, I’m assuming, from One Day As a Lion has been posted up on the collective’s myspace page. Upon my first listen I noticed that the song is really just a less full sounding and more synth based Rage. The song neither showcases Theodore’s abilities, nor does it have very strong music (basically just a simple synth lick). As is expected with most de la Rocha business, it is a fairly straightforward protest song. I hope for better stuff to come from these guys, because the potential is certainly there.

Elton John on a Cone

 

Ben and Jerry’s has yet again created a rock inspired Ice Cream concoction, this time named after one of Elton John’s songs.  The Ice Cream, “Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road,” is “an outrageous symphony of decadent chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle and white chocolate chunks.”  The Ice Cream has been made to honor Sir John’s first ever concert in Vermont, home of the ice cream connoisseurs.