The final installment, my Top 5 Songs of 2007. Enjoy. My Top 10 Albums list will be coming...eventually.
5. Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
After the schizophrenia of the previous 9 tracks, the final song from the Dirty Projectors album Rise Above is the most startling for its straightforwardness. On top of your basic “Rock Beat 1,” they lay down little else than frontman Dave Longstreth’s vocal acrobatics, cooing harmonies, and light guitar and bass. The result is extremely effecting and sweet. Most of all, Greg Ginn’s words shine through in the treatment. In the hand’s of Longsteth, they are pleading but hopeful, enticing you “Rise Above” as well.
Download
4. Animal Collective - Safer
A staple of post-Feels live sets, recorded for but left off Strawberry Jam, Safer was destined to be the B-Side to the Peacebone single. Not that it really matters much. Safer’s 9 minutes are heavy. It’d be hard to put a song like this on your album, as it commands so much attention. The first two minutes spin on the heels of a piano a sample as Avey Tare sings about feeling deranged over eerie growling and ghostly voices before insisting with screams that he’s “alright if you’re alright.” Then the song picks up, ditching the the creepy in favor of sending you into a psychedelic swirling shuffle, before slowly taking it out from under you. Animal Collective crafted something very serious here, something that can give you shivers if you pay close enough attention. I’ll take it, on the album or not.
Download
3. No Age - Everybody’s Down
L.A. guitar/drums art-punk duo No Age make a hell of a lot of noise out of a little. Case in point - the majority of Weirdo Rippers jam “Everybody’s Down” is two chords after a brief intro of feedback and backwards cymbals. Just two distorted chords churned out over and over like clockwork. And on top of those two chords is little else, some more strange cymbal noise and the great shout-along vocals. It’s not until after the great “ooh-wah-ooh” breakdown, with less than 45 seconds left in the song, that the drums crash in over the chords and send the song flying. For everybody apparently being down, this song sure makes you feel pretty up. Oh, and I guess they do throw two more chords in near the end for like, a second.
Download
2. UGK - International Players Anthem (ft. Outkast)
It’s highly regretful to be talking about this song after the passing of UGK member Pimp C, but you can’t help but think about what kind of legacy he left with this jam. Right from the get go, Andre 3000 steps up, makes you forget that Idlewild ever existed, and shows you that he is still in high contention for Best Rapper Alive. But in fact, each verse in this song is delivered so well it’s hard to pick one over the other. The pairing of these two acts, as well as the delivery, is perfect. Outkast provide that hip counterpart to UGK’s swagger. Andre makes with the cool, UGK throw down like they know how to throw down, and Big Boi steps in at the end to funk things up vintage “So Fresh, So Clean” style. However, for how good the song is vocally, its the beat that truly shines. The triumphant horns and soulful singing of Willie Hutch are paired with crisp, modern hip-hop drums to create the perfect palate for these guys to work with. And the moment when the beat drops and Pimp C unleashes at the end of Andre’s verse is purely incredible, going way beyond great rap to just great music.
Download
Video
1. Panda Bear - Bros
I can only begin by saying a song as expansive as this is difficult to describe. And expansive is a bit of an understatement. Over its 12 minutes, “Bros,” the centerpiece to Panda Bear’s brilliant album Person Pitch, takes you on a journey - mentally, physically, even spiritually. Simply put, this song is an experience. The first lonely owl hoot makes the onslaught of sound a few seconds later so unexpected and powerful, and from there the song devours you. Everything, especially the vocals, have been dunked in a tub of industrial strength reverb, and the effect is ethereal. Sparkling guitars mix with plodding bass as Panda’s childlike vocals float over it all. Each and every sound in the mix seems perfectly placed, from each touch of shaker to the various sound effects dispersed throughout. The sound effects in particular are fascinating. From children laughing and yelling, to a man and woman crying, to wordless sounds of a baby, to all the other unplaceable sounds, each plays a specific role in the song. Listening, you begin to identify with these sounds like they were characters in a book or movie. Who are these people? Why are they crying? The questions linger as the song crossfades from one brilliant set of samples to another halfway, the second half anchored by insistent guitar strumming. Panda’s vocals continue to shine, and function just as well as any sample in setting the mood of the song. By the time the whistling and fireworks come over the top of the mix, the song is lifting you high into the air, over the clouds and far away from anything else you’ve ever heard, and perhaps will ever hear.
Download
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Top 20 Songs of 2007, Part 3
As promised (though perhaps technically late), Part 3, #10-6. Big finish tommorow! Snap!
10. Kings of Leon - Black Thumbnail
I found Kings of Leon’s album “Because of the Times” to be fairly disappointing overall, but it's hard to shy away from “Black Thumbnail.” Here, Kings put their larger production budget to good use, as the band sounds bigger than ever. There’s reverb on just about everything except that persistent two-chord chugging rhythm guitar. The chorus is also as powerful as KoL have ever been, playing like veteran stadium rock heroes. The crowning moment of the song is the guitar solo, and it’s lead-up: “NOW GITAR, GO GITAR.”
Download
9. M.I.A. - Paper Planes
I’d like to think that this is the first time Joe Strummer is NOT rolling in his grave. It’s at least the first time people are saying he isn’t. M.I.A. takes The Clash’s criminally underrated “Straight To Hell” and turns it into one hell of a banger. Instead of singing about war in the East, she’d rather talk about sticking you. She makes the message pretty clear on the chorus, “All I want to do is *gun shots* and uh*gun cock* *cash register ring* and take your money.” It’s incredibly effective though, as the words, sound effects, and beat make you really think that if you ever saw M.I.A. on the street, she’s going to hustle you for everything you’ve got. Check the Diplo remix in the download, where he adds some crazy sound effects over verses by UGK’s Bun B and everyone’s favorite D-thrower Rich Boy. It’s not much of an improvement on the original, but it don’t hurt either.
Download
8. Grizzly Bear - Little Brother (Electric)
I’ll admit, I slept on Grizzly Bear. I didn’t really find them incredibly appealing aside from “Knife” for a long while. That was about up until I saw them live. Live, they are an incredibly tight and competent band, churning out consistently interesting takes on their record work. The records are far too layered to be played note for note, but these trimmed versions are just as good, and sometimes benefit from this. Grizzly Bear must’ve noticed, as they give space to the “Electric” cut of Yellow House song “Little Brother” on their new Friend EP. The song’s new straight ahead attitude does wonders. Grizzly Bear are terribly fine singers, and the added space highlights just how well they put their talents to use on dreamy harmonies. The conclusion of the song is simply epic, a whirling mix of crashing drums and sky-high guitars - and those vocals. Seriously.
Download
7. Battles - Atlas
As menacing as this song is, it holds a strange place for me. When I’m really bored, I sometimes like to play Sudoku, and this song is my Sudoku JAM. The pulsing drums and tweaked vocals were clearly made for placing numbers into a 9x9 square. The breakdown and buildup in the middle is the clear highlight of the song. The drums drag you forward as effects-laden guitars and basses slowly topple over you until they lock in sync into a driving rhythm. That is, until the chopped and screwed outro leaves you hanging on begging for more.
Download
6. Vietnam - Too Tired
Since I started thinking about this list and writing down some orders, this song has moved up and up and up, and even now I almost regret not putting it higher. I think it’s one of the most moving songs I’ve ever heard. The whole thing is just drenched in raw emotion, each pensive strum of the guitar and drum hit like a wrench in your heart. The lyrics are fantastic, with line of the year: “And honey, I don’t give a flying fuck if you wanna try to save me / ‘Cause I’ll be doing fine here on my own.” Even the wordless choruses drop like heavy weights, and the revved up outro just puts it over the top. It’s short, but it’s anything but sweet, which is a wonderful thing. The album version is great, but I’m upping the cut from their Daytrotter session, which is even fucking better.
Download
10. Kings of Leon - Black Thumbnail
I found Kings of Leon’s album “Because of the Times” to be fairly disappointing overall, but it's hard to shy away from “Black Thumbnail.” Here, Kings put their larger production budget to good use, as the band sounds bigger than ever. There’s reverb on just about everything except that persistent two-chord chugging rhythm guitar. The chorus is also as powerful as KoL have ever been, playing like veteran stadium rock heroes. The crowning moment of the song is the guitar solo, and it’s lead-up: “NOW GITAR, GO GITAR.”
Download
9. M.I.A. - Paper Planes
I’d like to think that this is the first time Joe Strummer is NOT rolling in his grave. It’s at least the first time people are saying he isn’t. M.I.A. takes The Clash’s criminally underrated “Straight To Hell” and turns it into one hell of a banger. Instead of singing about war in the East, she’d rather talk about sticking you. She makes the message pretty clear on the chorus, “All I want to do is *gun shots* and uh*gun cock* *cash register ring* and take your money.” It’s incredibly effective though, as the words, sound effects, and beat make you really think that if you ever saw M.I.A. on the street, she’s going to hustle you for everything you’ve got. Check the Diplo remix in the download, where he adds some crazy sound effects over verses by UGK’s Bun B and everyone’s favorite D-thrower Rich Boy. It’s not much of an improvement on the original, but it don’t hurt either.
Download
8. Grizzly Bear - Little Brother (Electric)
I’ll admit, I slept on Grizzly Bear. I didn’t really find them incredibly appealing aside from “Knife” for a long while. That was about up until I saw them live. Live, they are an incredibly tight and competent band, churning out consistently interesting takes on their record work. The records are far too layered to be played note for note, but these trimmed versions are just as good, and sometimes benefit from this. Grizzly Bear must’ve noticed, as they give space to the “Electric” cut of Yellow House song “Little Brother” on their new Friend EP. The song’s new straight ahead attitude does wonders. Grizzly Bear are terribly fine singers, and the added space highlights just how well they put their talents to use on dreamy harmonies. The conclusion of the song is simply epic, a whirling mix of crashing drums and sky-high guitars - and those vocals. Seriously.
Download
7. Battles - Atlas
As menacing as this song is, it holds a strange place for me. When I’m really bored, I sometimes like to play Sudoku, and this song is my Sudoku JAM. The pulsing drums and tweaked vocals were clearly made for placing numbers into a 9x9 square. The breakdown and buildup in the middle is the clear highlight of the song. The drums drag you forward as effects-laden guitars and basses slowly topple over you until they lock in sync into a driving rhythm. That is, until the chopped and screwed outro leaves you hanging on begging for more.
Download
6. Vietnam - Too Tired
Since I started thinking about this list and writing down some orders, this song has moved up and up and up, and even now I almost regret not putting it higher. I think it’s one of the most moving songs I’ve ever heard. The whole thing is just drenched in raw emotion, each pensive strum of the guitar and drum hit like a wrench in your heart. The lyrics are fantastic, with line of the year: “And honey, I don’t give a flying fuck if you wanna try to save me / ‘Cause I’ll be doing fine here on my own.” Even the wordless choruses drop like heavy weights, and the revved up outro just puts it over the top. It’s short, but it’s anything but sweet, which is a wonderful thing. The album version is great, but I’m upping the cut from their Daytrotter session, which is even fucking better.
Download
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Top 20 Songs of 2007, Parts 1 and 2
I meant to start this yesterday, and promptly forgot, so parts 1 and 2 will be tonight, part 3 tommorow, and part 4 Friday. This weekend/next week will bring my Top 10 albums of the year, done in two parts. Enjoy!
(Also, as usual I'm upping each song [and linking to those with exceptional videos] listed here individually, but I gather I may also post an up of a collection of all 20 for convenience. That is, if anyone cares.)
20. Feist - 1234
I was almost not even going to include this song, but you really have to. This year’s “Little Indie Song That Could” (see: “Young Folks,” “Float On,” etc.), “1234” was without a doubt the crossover hit of the year. Between appearances on pretty much every late night show, the Today show, and of course, the iPod commercial, we’re all probably just as sick of this song now as we were when we started hearing “Young Folks” in American Eagle. But if you remember way back to when you first heard Feist’s delicate vocals over those banjos, you can almost see yourself really, really enjoying the hell out of it and thinking, “Man, I don’t know how commercial radio doesn’t eat this up.” Careful what you wish for.
Download
19. Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction (Sexual Eruption)
This was a landmark song in that it was the first time someone managed to sound MORE sleazy than R. Kelly, and it makes too much sense that Snoop Dogg would be the one to do it. Call it “post-disco” if you will, the smooth synths and hard beat create a perfect bed for Snoop’s vocodered swoon (and, man, I swear, the vocoder is making a SERIOUS comeback between this and Black Moth Super Rainbow). Of course, it wouldn’t be a Snoop-joint if he didn’t lay down some killer up-tempo rhymes, and he more than delivers, with some great, creepy self-hyping in the back. My one beef comes during the last chorus, where Snoop feels the need to whisper “orgasm” in between lines, as if the repetition of “sexual eruption” over moaning sound-effects didn’t give us a hint what the song was about already. Make sure to peep what's also probably the best music video of the year.
Video
Download
18. Bodies of Water - Doves Circled the Sky
Like Arcade Fire with a Jesus-powered flavor injection, Bodies of Water craft some serious anthems. “Doves Circled the Sky” is the best example of this from their album Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink. They actually make good use of the whole "gang of singers" trend, as the four founding members are all confident, capable singers. The lyrics about “I’s and IV’s and V’s” over I’s and IV’s and V’s, rolling drums, and bouncy piano soar, certainly make a case to give oneself up to the Lord. Still not convinced? Wait for the bridge, set off by some ridiculously high notes before charging full-force until its close.
Download
17. White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
I think some people dismissed the White Stripes latest album, Icky Thump, too easily, and this song is one of the primary reasons. "300 M.P.H." could’ve sat alongside other greats within their best effort Elephant. It’s classic Stripes, unless you think classic Stripes is De Stijl, in which case, well you’re probably sore out of luck. The White Stripes have certainly changed. They’re much less of the punky blues that defined their early records. Starting with White Blood Cells, they started adding the chops of great all around rockers, even good popsters, with varying results. Get Behind Me Satan had me convinced had completely convinced the Stripes had not only lost the path, but were far lost in the woods. They reel it in here, evident by "300 M.P.H."'s clean verses and short explosive punches. Its a great balance of their talents, sweet ballad and fiery rocker rolled into one great package. Besides, the last line sounds like something nearly any bluesman from the 30's could’ve said.
Download
16. Deerhunter - Spring Hall Convert
If there was an Inside Edition for indie-rock, Bradford Cox of Deerhunter would be its Lindsay Lohan. Sure, being a complete weirdo can do a lot for your PR, but you do need the chops to back it up. “Spring Hall Convert,” from Deerhunter’s Cryptograms album, is enough to keep these guys afloat itself. The reverb-washed vocals give way to swirling guitars, anchored by pounding drums. The whole thing starts spins around your head so much after about a minute until its end that you almost lose track of everything that's going on. After being immersed in the beautiful mess, you forget every stupid comment Cox has ever made, until he makes another. Then, repeat.
Download
15. Devendra Banhart - Seahorse
makes his pitch for his own “ Another perpetual weirdo (though in a more lovable and less jackass kind of way), BanhartFreebird” on this cut off “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon.” Banhart begins with the usual fingerpicked acoustic goodness we’ve all grown to love, with some light accompaniment that hearkens back to Cripple Crow numbers like “Now That I Know.” But Banhart isn’t content to be light and pretty forever, as the song shifts into fleshes out with brushed drums, jazzy piano, organ and more. After the wonderful vocal breakdown, the song pushes forward until it reaches its breaking point - at which Devendra breaks out the Skynard and goes for some sweet riffage. “I’m scared of ever being born again/If its in this form again,” Banhart sings. Well no duh, we all know he’d be much happier in the 60's.
Video
Download
14. Flight of the Conchords - The Most Beautiful Girl In The Room (live)
Dare I say it.....Flight of the Conchords are...more...funnier.....than Tenacious D. There, I got it off my back. I’ve been wrestling with the thought for some time, but it seems to make sense. FotC are sharper and wittier, but still with a good sense of dumb humor. “The Most Beautiful Girl” is the perfect example, blending overt one-liners with enough dryness to make it seem perfectly natural to call a girl so beautiful she could be a waitress. They’ve also got a great sense for the music, crafting a perfect soft-rock evoking soundtrack to their comical tale. And where else but from a pair of jokester New Zealanders are you going to hear “kabob” in a song?
Download
13. Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat
If there ever was music that sounded like Attention Deficit Disorder, its Dan Deacon. His spazztic mess of electronic drums, synths, and absurdist vocals makes for one of the funnest songs of the year. You think you’re a normal human being, but when you listen to this song and start screaming along with the pitch-bent chorus and dancing around like you’re having a seizure, you’ve entered Deacon’s Nickelodeon-On-Acid world. There’s definately something to be said for making music as effecting as that, and as he gives us a moment to catch our breath at the end of the song before launching into the coda with added bravado, it gives you a second to appreciate how well he does what he does.
Video
Download
12. Cheeseburger - Tiger
“Tiger” is, in my opinion, the best song to get ready for a night out to. I can say without embarrassment that on numerous occasions I’ve gotten dressed while yelling “I’M A TIIIIIIIIGERRRR!!” into the mirror. It’s obvious to look at AC/DC for inspiration for the few-chord guitar stomp and simplisitic drums, but the vocals take equal parts Iggy Pop and Mick Jagger for their own swagger, essentially turning “Tiger” into your best classic rock mixtape in one song, and perhaps even better.
Video
Download
11. Liars - Sailing to Byzantium
Reverbed percussion? Check. Falsetto vocals? Check. Eerie vibe? Check. So much of the Liars personality is in this song, yet they’ve managed to make it sound like nothing they’ve ever done before. Discarding insistant tribal drums for a straightforward trip-hop beat and adding in layers of synth, guitars, percussion, and more, Liars balance the chill with the chaotic. The result is one of their catchiest and best tunes yet. Plus, the sweetest keyboard breakdown of the year. Can’t beat that.
Download
(Also, as usual I'm upping each song [and linking to those with exceptional videos] listed here individually, but I gather I may also post an up of a collection of all 20 for convenience. That is, if anyone cares.)
20. Feist - 1234
I was almost not even going to include this song, but you really have to. This year’s “Little Indie Song That Could” (see: “Young Folks,” “Float On,” etc.), “1234” was without a doubt the crossover hit of the year. Between appearances on pretty much every late night show, the Today show, and of course, the iPod commercial, we’re all probably just as sick of this song now as we were when we started hearing “Young Folks” in American Eagle. But if you remember way back to when you first heard Feist’s delicate vocals over those banjos, you can almost see yourself really, really enjoying the hell out of it and thinking, “Man, I don’t know how commercial radio doesn’t eat this up.” Careful what you wish for.
Download
19. Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction (Sexual Eruption)
This was a landmark song in that it was the first time someone managed to sound MORE sleazy than R. Kelly, and it makes too much sense that Snoop Dogg would be the one to do it. Call it “post-disco” if you will, the smooth synths and hard beat create a perfect bed for Snoop’s vocodered swoon (and, man, I swear, the vocoder is making a SERIOUS comeback between this and Black Moth Super Rainbow). Of course, it wouldn’t be a Snoop-joint if he didn’t lay down some killer up-tempo rhymes, and he more than delivers, with some great, creepy self-hyping in the back. My one beef comes during the last chorus, where Snoop feels the need to whisper “orgasm” in between lines, as if the repetition of “sexual eruption” over moaning sound-effects didn’t give us a hint what the song was about already. Make sure to peep what's also probably the best music video of the year.
Video
Download
18. Bodies of Water - Doves Circled the Sky
Like Arcade Fire with a Jesus-powered flavor injection, Bodies of Water craft some serious anthems. “Doves Circled the Sky” is the best example of this from their album Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink. They actually make good use of the whole "gang of singers" trend, as the four founding members are all confident, capable singers. The lyrics about “I’s and IV’s and V’s” over I’s and IV’s and V’s, rolling drums, and bouncy piano soar, certainly make a case to give oneself up to the Lord. Still not convinced? Wait for the bridge, set off by some ridiculously high notes before charging full-force until its close.
Download
17. White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues
I think some people dismissed the White Stripes latest album, Icky Thump, too easily, and this song is one of the primary reasons. "300 M.P.H." could’ve sat alongside other greats within their best effort Elephant. It’s classic Stripes, unless you think classic Stripes is De Stijl, in which case, well you’re probably sore out of luck. The White Stripes have certainly changed. They’re much less of the punky blues that defined their early records. Starting with White Blood Cells, they started adding the chops of great all around rockers, even good popsters, with varying results. Get Behind Me Satan had me convinced had completely convinced the Stripes had not only lost the path, but were far lost in the woods. They reel it in here, evident by "300 M.P.H."'s clean verses and short explosive punches. Its a great balance of their talents, sweet ballad and fiery rocker rolled into one great package. Besides, the last line sounds like something nearly any bluesman from the 30's could’ve said.
Download
16. Deerhunter - Spring Hall Convert
If there was an Inside Edition for indie-rock, Bradford Cox of Deerhunter would be its Lindsay Lohan. Sure, being a complete weirdo can do a lot for your PR, but you do need the chops to back it up. “Spring Hall Convert,” from Deerhunter’s Cryptograms album, is enough to keep these guys afloat itself. The reverb-washed vocals give way to swirling guitars, anchored by pounding drums. The whole thing starts spins around your head so much after about a minute until its end that you almost lose track of everything that's going on. After being immersed in the beautiful mess, you forget every stupid comment Cox has ever made, until he makes another. Then, repeat.
Download
15. Devendra Banhart - Seahorse
makes his pitch for his own “ Another perpetual weirdo (though in a more lovable and less jackass kind of way), BanhartFreebird” on this cut off “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon.” Banhart begins with the usual fingerpicked acoustic goodness we’ve all grown to love, with some light accompaniment that hearkens back to Cripple Crow numbers like “Now That I Know.” But Banhart isn’t content to be light and pretty forever, as the song shifts into fleshes out with brushed drums, jazzy piano, organ and more. After the wonderful vocal breakdown, the song pushes forward until it reaches its breaking point - at which Devendra breaks out the Skynard and goes for some sweet riffage. “I’m scared of ever being born again/If its in this form again,” Banhart sings. Well no duh, we all know he’d be much happier in the 60's.
Video
Download
14. Flight of the Conchords - The Most Beautiful Girl In The Room (live)
Dare I say it.....Flight of the Conchords are...more...funnier.....than Tenacious D. There, I got it off my back. I’ve been wrestling with the thought for some time, but it seems to make sense. FotC are sharper and wittier, but still with a good sense of dumb humor. “The Most Beautiful Girl” is the perfect example, blending overt one-liners with enough dryness to make it seem perfectly natural to call a girl so beautiful she could be a waitress. They’ve also got a great sense for the music, crafting a perfect soft-rock evoking soundtrack to their comical tale. And where else but from a pair of jokester New Zealanders are you going to hear “kabob” in a song?
Download
13. Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat
If there ever was music that sounded like Attention Deficit Disorder, its Dan Deacon. His spazztic mess of electronic drums, synths, and absurdist vocals makes for one of the funnest songs of the year. You think you’re a normal human being, but when you listen to this song and start screaming along with the pitch-bent chorus and dancing around like you’re having a seizure, you’ve entered Deacon’s Nickelodeon-On-Acid world. There’s definately something to be said for making music as effecting as that, and as he gives us a moment to catch our breath at the end of the song before launching into the coda with added bravado, it gives you a second to appreciate how well he does what he does.
Video
Download
12. Cheeseburger - Tiger
“Tiger” is, in my opinion, the best song to get ready for a night out to. I can say without embarrassment that on numerous occasions I’ve gotten dressed while yelling “I’M A TIIIIIIIIGERRRR!!” into the mirror. It’s obvious to look at AC/DC for inspiration for the few-chord guitar stomp and simplisitic drums, but the vocals take equal parts Iggy Pop and Mick Jagger for their own swagger, essentially turning “Tiger” into your best classic rock mixtape in one song, and perhaps even better.
Video
Download
11. Liars - Sailing to Byzantium
Reverbed percussion? Check. Falsetto vocals? Check. Eerie vibe? Check. So much of the Liars personality is in this song, yet they’ve managed to make it sound like nothing they’ve ever done before. Discarding insistant tribal drums for a straightforward trip-hop beat and adding in layers of synth, guitars, percussion, and more, Liars balance the chill with the chaotic. The result is one of their catchiest and best tunes yet. Plus, the sweetest keyboard breakdown of the year. Can’t beat that.
Download
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
I'm Not Dead Yet!
No! In fact, I'm quite alive. Such is the opposite of dead. Though, with my smoking habbit, enjoyment of red meat, likelihood that half the toys I played with had lead paint, etc. etc. etc., I've probably only got like....6 years left in the tank? I suppose the world's ending in 2012 anyways, so light up kids!
I digress (heavily). I'm taking a break from the near completion of my final paper of this semester (note: writing papers that incorporate lyrics does WONDERS for meeting length requirements), which means I will soon have that ever-so-precious free time I've lacked to update this thing. But by next week I will begin my bombardment of posts relating to my YEAR END EXXXTRAVAGANZA BAZAAR. Or something of the sorts. I've got a lot kicking around my head about the year and music, and since I've got a blog now, I've got someone (somewhere?) to spiel to! So if you've not paid attention to what's been going on, or you just want to see what I apparently think has been going on, tune in. It'll be a nice extensive wrapup with lots of samples of musical morsels for you to savor. Delicious, no? Take that, Ratatouille.
Oh, also, I've added a link to some of my experimental/computer music works of late. Do check.
I digress (heavily). I'm taking a break from the near completion of my final paper of this semester (note: writing papers that incorporate lyrics does WONDERS for meeting length requirements), which means I will soon have that ever-so-precious free time I've lacked to update this thing. But by next week I will begin my bombardment of posts relating to my YEAR END EXXXTRAVAGANZA BAZAAR. Or something of the sorts. I've got a lot kicking around my head about the year and music, and since I've got a blog now, I've got someone (somewhere?) to spiel to! So if you've not paid attention to what's been going on, or you just want to see what I apparently think has been going on, tune in. It'll be a nice extensive wrapup with lots of samples of musical morsels for you to savor. Delicious, no? Take that, Ratatouille.
Oh, also, I've added a link to some of my experimental/computer music works of late. Do check.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Be-All-End-All of Venn Diagrams...
Okay, I've really got a paper to write. And nothing to say here. At this point I'm just waiting to see if 8 Diagrams/Ghostface's album are good, and then I can do a year-end wrap-up. So look forward to that. In the meantime, a whole lot of useless shit like this.
Monday, November 5, 2007
I am(not really)a consumer whore. And how!
I know. I realize you're upset. I haven't posted a thing in days. You need your fix. I'm here. I've just been busy doing my thing. And by thing, I mean endlessly scour the internets for music. So at some point today, looking through blog after blog, I thought, well shit, I might as well update mine. I reached a milestone today. My iTunes now has exactly 10,000 songs in it. I've actually got more to import, but hitting that number and landing at 666 artists at the same time was too sweet to disrupt for a moment (this narrowly beats out the day I had 420 artists and 666 albums. It's the little things that excite me, isn't it?).
But the number actually freaked me out a bit. 10,000 songs? I suppose in the grand scheme of music it's not much at all. And I'm sure people have vastly larger libraries than I do, but that's not the point. It is a strange thing to ponder one's library. How did I accumulate all this stuff? What is it all? Do I really listen to all this? Of course, the answer to the last question, to be frank, is no. I definitely do not listen to all 28-and-change days of music stored on my hard drive. Then why do I have it all? For show? No, I really don't have that much of a vanity problem (a blog is enough). I think its just a compulsive thing for me now. I get bored, I look for music. Now this is the part where I admit that *gasp* I have not legally purchased all of this music. Not even the majority, most likely (RIAA please don't fuck me kthx). I do still buy music and support artists by going to shows, but this age is becoming noted for its extremely easy access to free, good music. If you know the hot spots, the ins-and-outs, tricks of the trade and whatnot, you can really find almost anything you want. In fact, it even becomes a sort of challenge for me. Can I find this album of obscure this-or-that? It's a fun game to play, and the rewards are great - a batch of fresh tunes to digest while you look for the next thing.
This process does become a bit overwhelming and hard to keep up. To help, I've been trying to alter my listening styles as of late. For a long time I was absorbed in keeping iTunes on Random. I know this is blasphemy to many, but I do enjoy it. Or at least I did. With a library now hurdling past 10,000 songs, a fair number of which I haven't listened to or even don't like, the concept of Random becomes daunting. Longs pauses between flipping through songs does not exactly make for great listening. So I have been embracing the album again. This isn't to say I didn't listen to albums before as well, it was just not really my main mode of listening. My problem has always been that when I want to listen to a full album, I tend to gravitate to the albums that I already know I enjoy listening to. Not really a bad thing per se, it just makes me a creature of habit and makes it more difficult to get into new music. Take for instance, the new Dirty Projectors record Rise Above. I had heard of DP around (they played Hampshire last year but I was uh, unable to go) and was especially interested when I found out their album was a "re-imagining" of Black Flag's record Damaged, and by their appearance on the video blog The Take Away Show. So I got the album and listened to a song here and there. And then another song here and there. It wasn't until probably two or three weeks of listening to its bits and pieces that I actually listened to the whole album from start to finish (you'll hear my review at a later time).
To try to get to the point (wait, I've got a point?!) of this long-winded musing, I guess that I think this whole concept of downloadable music actually effects the way we (or at least, I) take in music. Think back to years ago, before Napster made the record industry shit its pants, when you would go out and buy an album and that's all you'd listen to for a week. These days you've heard the leak a month before it's on the shelf. The album has lost a bit of its mystique, especially from the days of vinyl, perhaps the most album-oriented music-media ever. On CDs you could at least freely and easily skip songs. Vinyl is too much of a pain to do that. So you've got to sit through that album. Or at least the side. But I'd finally like to say that I am not completely writing off downloading music. That would make me a complete hypocrite. Downloading is great for the music listener, as it opens our ears to such a vast amount of things we may not have otherwise hear. I think downloading can even work to the industry's favor, as many of the artists whose products I buy or shows I go to are bands that I originally came to from the internet. I just think that we need to be careful about how we treat this privilege.
But the number actually freaked me out a bit. 10,000 songs? I suppose in the grand scheme of music it's not much at all. And I'm sure people have vastly larger libraries than I do, but that's not the point. It is a strange thing to ponder one's library. How did I accumulate all this stuff? What is it all? Do I really listen to all this? Of course, the answer to the last question, to be frank, is no. I definitely do not listen to all 28-and-change days of music stored on my hard drive. Then why do I have it all? For show? No, I really don't have that much of a vanity problem (a blog is enough). I think its just a compulsive thing for me now. I get bored, I look for music. Now this is the part where I admit that *gasp* I have not legally purchased all of this music. Not even the majority, most likely (RIAA please don't fuck me kthx). I do still buy music and support artists by going to shows, but this age is becoming noted for its extremely easy access to free, good music. If you know the hot spots, the ins-and-outs, tricks of the trade and whatnot, you can really find almost anything you want. In fact, it even becomes a sort of challenge for me. Can I find this album of obscure this-or-that? It's a fun game to play, and the rewards are great - a batch of fresh tunes to digest while you look for the next thing.
This process does become a bit overwhelming and hard to keep up. To help, I've been trying to alter my listening styles as of late. For a long time I was absorbed in keeping iTunes on Random. I know this is blasphemy to many, but I do enjoy it. Or at least I did. With a library now hurdling past 10,000 songs, a fair number of which I haven't listened to or even don't like, the concept of Random becomes daunting. Longs pauses between flipping through songs does not exactly make for great listening. So I have been embracing the album again. This isn't to say I didn't listen to albums before as well, it was just not really my main mode of listening. My problem has always been that when I want to listen to a full album, I tend to gravitate to the albums that I already know I enjoy listening to. Not really a bad thing per se, it just makes me a creature of habit and makes it more difficult to get into new music. Take for instance, the new Dirty Projectors record Rise Above. I had heard of DP around (they played Hampshire last year but I was uh, unable to go) and was especially interested when I found out their album was a "re-imagining" of Black Flag's record Damaged, and by their appearance on the video blog The Take Away Show. So I got the album and listened to a song here and there. And then another song here and there. It wasn't until probably two or three weeks of listening to its bits and pieces that I actually listened to the whole album from start to finish (you'll hear my review at a later time).
To try to get to the point (wait, I've got a point?!) of this long-winded musing, I guess that I think this whole concept of downloadable music actually effects the way we (or at least, I) take in music. Think back to years ago, before Napster made the record industry shit its pants, when you would go out and buy an album and that's all you'd listen to for a week. These days you've heard the leak a month before it's on the shelf. The album has lost a bit of its mystique, especially from the days of vinyl, perhaps the most album-oriented music-media ever. On CDs you could at least freely and easily skip songs. Vinyl is too much of a pain to do that. So you've got to sit through that album. Or at least the side. But I'd finally like to say that I am not completely writing off downloading music. That would make me a complete hypocrite. Downloading is great for the music listener, as it opens our ears to such a vast amount of things we may not have otherwise hear. I think downloading can even work to the industry's favor, as many of the artists whose products I buy or shows I go to are bands that I originally came to from the internet. I just think that we need to be careful about how we treat this privilege.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
It's October 31st, could it get any worse?
I mean, right? I've lost interest in Halloween. Well, to be truthful, I never really had a whole lot of interest in it. Sure, as a youngin' I enjoyed it, because you're pretty much required to enjoy free candy when you're 7. But as I grew older Halloween just got to be a pain. I don't really want to have to walk around to all those houses just to get some mini-Snickers that I won't eat. By my teens, I had become jaded with the holiday, and decided it was easier to just go to CVS the day after and get the candy that's on-sale. I get it from my parents, who are equally lazy when it comes to this night. They've given up on giving out candy, and now regularly go out on Halloween or just turn the lights off. Now, of course, I go to Hampshire College, where Halloween is the biggest event of the year. Basically, and excuse for everyone on campus to go ape-shit and take a fuck-ton of drugs and dance to techno in a tent in the rain. It's amazing how much the school puts into an event like this, but oh well. God bless 'em. At least they're not naive about it. And that's not to say it's all terrible. It is at least quite the show. A shit-show, but still. And there's fireworks. I'm down with that. So with 10 or so shots of tequila and some creative use of a pumpkin, sure, I can have a good time on Halloween after all these years. Does it mean I love Halloween? No, I'm not there yet.
For your listening pleasure today, a song off of an EP put out a few years ago, which was put together in part by former Unicorns and current Islands member Nicholas Diamonds, the proceeds of which were donated to UNICEF. It's sort of a "We Are The World" for the indie-rockers, featuring members of Sonic Youth, Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Beck, Devendra Banhart, uh, David Cross, and others. Actually a pretty good song, too, so props. The upload is with Media Fire this time since SendSpace was being douchey. Same deal, change the address, follow the link, download, enjoy.
North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative -
Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?
http://www.mediafire.com/?0gxpw14jzfm
For your listening pleasure today, a song off of an EP put out a few years ago, which was put together in part by former Unicorns and current Islands member Nicholas Diamonds, the proceeds of which were donated to UNICEF. It's sort of a "We Are The World" for the indie-rockers, featuring members of Sonic Youth, Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Beck, Devendra Banhart, uh, David Cross, and others. Actually a pretty good song, too, so props. The upload is with Media Fire this time since SendSpace was being douchey. Same deal, change the address, follow the link, download, enjoy.
North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative -
Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?
http://www.mediafire.com/?0gxpw14jzfm
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Behind the Curve: 2006
This is a segment I call "Behind The Curve." Sure, I read up on music press a bit, enough to jump onto some bands when they're buzzing. But sometimes you don't notice something, for a while at least. This is a list of some of my favorite music that I discovered this year that, well, came out last year. Hey, better late than never, right? (For song samples, copy and paste the link into the address bar in your browser of choice, then click the download link on the page and enjoy)
1. Brightblack Morning Light - Brightblack Morning Light
These guys had me at the album packaging. Inside a recycled cardboard jewel case lie a pair of glasses. On the outside they read "Resisting Babylon System One Rainbow At a Time" with some pot leafs on either side. When you put them on, all sources of light give off colorful rainbows while everything else is a bit fogged up. If that alone doesn't give you an idea of what Brightblack Morning Light sound like, then the thick opening Rhodes chords of "Everybody Daylight" should enforce the message. Members "Nabob" and "Rabob" are no fools, as their silly nicknames may suggest. This is prime source material about taking drugs to make music to take drugs to if there ever was. Brightblack operate mostly on one level - hazy. Don't expect a hell of a lot of variety. The songs move at the rate of molasses, but are just as sweet. They make for great easy listening because of this. Working? Folding laundry? Uh, making out? Yeah, throw on "Star Blanket River Child" at any of these moments are surely you won't be disappointed. And of course, it doesn't hurt if you're resisting Babylon at the same time.
Brightblack Morning Light - Everybody Daylight
http://www.sendspace.com/file/45jonf
2. Beach House - Beach House
Beach House are fairly similar to Brightblack in concept, but quite different in delivery. Both bands features a guy on slide guitar and a girl on electric piano playing slow songs. But while BML will move at the pace of the smoke from your mouth, Beach House offer a little more in the way of emotion. Anchored by the stunning voice of Victoria Legrand, their debut album is a collection of well-crafted, delicate pop songs bathed in reverb. "Master of None" is about as "up-tempo" as Beach House gets, but that's plenty alright. Its straightforward drumbeat and persistent keyboards make it some sort of pseudo-anthem, a fist-raiser for those with small wrists. Other highlights include "Childhood," similarly bouncy and playful as its namesake, and "Auburn and Ivory," a luscious and heartfelt waltz for the 21st century.
Beach House - Master of None
http://www.sendspace.com/file/dc63cl
3. Witch - Witch
I remember a friend of mine who listens to a lot of stoner metal saying something about a band called "Witch" and how "they ripped, dude" or something similar. I wasn't really listening, in accordance with standard conversational practice with people who listen to a lot of stoner metal (aww, don't be offended. It's just a joke. I listen to stoner metal, too.....uhm, bro). Sometime later I came across the band again, this time learning that its members included J. Mascis of Dinosaur, Jr. on drums and two dudes from Feathers on guitars. Uh, wait. Reread. J. Mascis on drums, dudes from Feathers on guitars. In a stoner metal band? Well, alright, you got me, I'll listen. And holy shit. The first time I played this album I felt like I was aurally slapped in the face (no homophonic jokes intended, thank you). Fact is, these guys DO rip, whether you've been ripping on something else or not. Opener "Seer" is a headbanger if there ever was one, "Black Saint" has Mascis showing off his chops on the skins, and fuck, there's even a song about Rip Van Winkle. How stoner metal is that?
Witch - Seer
http://www.sendspace.com/file/vqrqmt
4. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
Sometime or another, I had caught wind of Grizzly Bear's "Knife." Good song and all, but I never really got into the album. This was, of course, until I saw Grizzly Bear live recently. I had gone to the show mainly to see the previously mentioned Beach House, but Grizzly Bear sure caught my attention. They are some seriously good performers. Between their delicate vocal work and rich arrangements, I went home from the show craving Yellow House. And it finally clicked with me. Of course now I'm a bit spoiled and wish for the house-sound drums to kick in during "Lullabye," but even still. "On A Neck, On A Spit" is another highlight, shimmering guitars giving way to rolling drums and soaring vocals, making for some blissful listening. Grizzly Bear also gets props for being the only non-self-titled selection on this list. Alright!
Grizzly Bear - On A Neck, On A Spit
http://www.sendspace.com/file/yw5alj
5. Ladyhawk - Ladyhawk
Ladyhawk are one of about a zillion bands related to the classic-rock-or-bust group Black Mountain. The two share similar attitude to what decades had good music, but where Black Mountain draw more from Brits like the Stones and the Floyd, Ladyhawk reside in the Southern U.S. of A. Like a more indie-friendly Kings of Leon, Ladyhawk craft lighter-raising anthems and boot-stompers. "My Old Jacknife" comes closest to the Kings comparison, sporting some infectious handclaps and sing-along choruses. The real standout, however, is closer "New Joker." A somber acoustic guitar led ballad, "New Joker" is prime tears-in-your-beers material, but with a good fuck-you-too attitude to compliment. The song ends with some crashing glass and messy guitars. I don't think anyone is throwing bottles at these guys, I just think they're a bit too drunk to go on.
Ladyhawk - New Joker
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tht2zz
1. Brightblack Morning Light - Brightblack Morning Light
These guys had me at the album packaging. Inside a recycled cardboard jewel case lie a pair of glasses. On the outside they read "Resisting Babylon System One Rainbow At a Time" with some pot leafs on either side. When you put them on, all sources of light give off colorful rainbows while everything else is a bit fogged up. If that alone doesn't give you an idea of what Brightblack Morning Light sound like, then the thick opening Rhodes chords of "Everybody Daylight" should enforce the message. Members "Nabob" and "Rabob" are no fools, as their silly nicknames may suggest. This is prime source material about taking drugs to make music to take drugs to if there ever was. Brightblack operate mostly on one level - hazy. Don't expect a hell of a lot of variety. The songs move at the rate of molasses, but are just as sweet. They make for great easy listening because of this. Working? Folding laundry? Uh, making out? Yeah, throw on "Star Blanket River Child" at any of these moments are surely you won't be disappointed. And of course, it doesn't hurt if you're resisting Babylon at the same time.Brightblack Morning Light - Everybody Daylight
http://www.sendspace.com/file/45jonf
2. Beach House - Beach House
Beach House are fairly similar to Brightblack in concept, but quite different in delivery. Both bands features a guy on slide guitar and a girl on electric piano playing slow songs. But while BML will move at the pace of the smoke from your mouth, Beach House offer a little more in the way of emotion. Anchored by the stunning voice of Victoria Legrand, their debut album is a collection of well-crafted, delicate pop songs bathed in reverb. "Master of None" is about as "up-tempo" as Beach House gets, but that's plenty alright. Its straightforward drumbeat and persistent keyboards make it some sort of pseudo-anthem, a fist-raiser for those with small wrists. Other highlights include "Childhood," similarly bouncy and playful as its namesake, and "Auburn and Ivory," a luscious and heartfelt waltz for the 21st century.Beach House - Master of None
http://www.sendspace.com/file/dc63cl
3. Witch - Witch
I remember a friend of mine who listens to a lot of stoner metal saying something about a band called "Witch" and how "they ripped, dude" or something similar. I wasn't really listening, in accordance with standard conversational practice with people who listen to a lot of stoner metal (aww, don't be offended. It's just a joke. I listen to stoner metal, too.....uhm, bro). Sometime later I came across the band again, this time learning that its members included J. Mascis of Dinosaur, Jr. on drums and two dudes from Feathers on guitars. Uh, wait. Reread. J. Mascis on drums, dudes from Feathers on guitars. In a stoner metal band? Well, alright, you got me, I'll listen. And holy shit. The first time I played this album I felt like I was aurally slapped in the face (no homophonic jokes intended, thank you). Fact is, these guys DO rip, whether you've been ripping on something else or not. Opener "Seer" is a headbanger if there ever was one, "Black Saint" has Mascis showing off his chops on the skins, and fuck, there's even a song about Rip Van Winkle. How stoner metal is that?Witch - Seer
http://www.sendspace.com/file/vqrqmt
4. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
Sometime or another, I had caught wind of Grizzly Bear's "Knife." Good song and all, but I never really got into the album. This was, of course, until I saw Grizzly Bear live recently. I had gone to the show mainly to see the previously mentioned Beach House, but Grizzly Bear sure caught my attention. They are some seriously good performers. Between their delicate vocal work and rich arrangements, I went home from the show craving Yellow House. And it finally clicked with me. Of course now I'm a bit spoiled and wish for the house-sound drums to kick in during "Lullabye," but even still. "On A Neck, On A Spit" is another highlight, shimmering guitars giving way to rolling drums and soaring vocals, making for some blissful listening. Grizzly Bear also gets props for being the only non-self-titled selection on this list. Alright!Grizzly Bear - On A Neck, On A Spit
http://www.sendspace.com/file/yw5alj
5. Ladyhawk - Ladyhawk
Ladyhawk are one of about a zillion bands related to the classic-rock-or-bust group Black Mountain. The two share similar attitude to what decades had good music, but where Black Mountain draw more from Brits like the Stones and the Floyd, Ladyhawk reside in the Southern U.S. of A. Like a more indie-friendly Kings of Leon, Ladyhawk craft lighter-raising anthems and boot-stompers. "My Old Jacknife" comes closest to the Kings comparison, sporting some infectious handclaps and sing-along choruses. The real standout, however, is closer "New Joker." A somber acoustic guitar led ballad, "New Joker" is prime tears-in-your-beers material, but with a good fuck-you-too attitude to compliment. The song ends with some crashing glass and messy guitars. I don't think anyone is throwing bottles at these guys, I just think they're a bit too drunk to go on.Ladyhawk - New Joker
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tht2zz
Monday, October 29, 2007
what it do
Yeah, so, I decided I needed something more to keep me from doing homework. Something more exciting than Solitaire, less thought-provoking than Sudoku, grander than scouring message boards. Of course, if that also entailed the spreading of my completely unneccessarily needed opinion - well hot diggity I'm in! And thus into the "blogosphere" I enter. I don't know how much attention I'll end up giving to this. It's likely a fleeting hobby, someplace where I can actually jot down the "Top 10 ______" music lists I think of in my head, or just the incoherent drivel of a jaded college boy. So, I suppose this will all become more clear as it fleshes out. You'll see. Or maybe you won't. Depends on how much spare time I have.
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