Archive for February, 2009
Friday Mix 73
Onthe way up to Paso for the first time since Christmas. That somehow doesn’t seem like it was 2 months
ago.
WTF is up with noise being the new in thing? I thought this had originally peaked in 2007 when Pitchfork gave Wolf Eyes a glowing review but apparently not. WAVVES is arguably the hottest blog band out there at the moment though by listening you can understand the draw in comparison to Wolf Eyes which can never, nor do they desire, to have this level of following. It is rhythmic and thus the noise aspect of it goes away to some degree. The lyrics are not readily accessible but are there and not to be confused with a synth turned on its side next to a sub.
I can’t wait for the full length. This is a voice I have missed for two years or so now. Another take on an upbeat musical number with downbeat lyrics. Phoenix in a nutshell. I do have to give it to them for naming their album, “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix”. That takes balls and I love it. Well, I might be considered a hypocrite for what I’m about to write about the next artist so hold your opinion.
I’m not sure who thought of adding this old time country beat to this song but I like it. I can’t say the same about the rest of “its Not Me, It’s You” as an album. There is some crap on there. “Him” is an alternative take on what Joan Osborne sang about on “What if God was One of Us” except even worse and more insulting. “Do you think He’s ever done smack or cocaine?” is amongst the gems on that song. I have no idea the motivation behind it as I don’t know anyone who would be that naïve so I realize it is likely a song about being a snot on purpose. Back to the song I like on this album. “Not Fair” is in its essence a song about being a brat again. A brat who isn’t satisfied in bed and thus finds the guy to be bad and ultimately “not fair” because she’s given him head too long. I understand the sentiment behind the song but giving it this title goes right back to the implied bratiness of Lily which is apparently the purpose.
Martina McBride – Independence Day
This is what I would consider to be right on the cusp of when country radio when in the toilet. Sure, there are some good things still coming out every once in a while but not much. McBride had a relatively big hit with this song in comparison to other artists of the day in the early 90’s. It ends up being another nostalgia trip for me remembering this song being played on the radio in the summer on the way to town. Ahhhh, the good old days when there was no change.
Friday Mix 72
This mix of down beat sad sack songs is brought to you buy…nothing! I’m in a really good mood and really enjoy life. It’s just fun to listen to depressing songs every now and again. I guess it is a way of making you have a mix of emotions which I feel is rather healthy. Rather than simply stifling any sad feelings you have from time to time it’s good to preemptively go about remembering what those times were. Keeping you in check to some degree. This probably sounds really unhealthy, either that or like something I’m just randomly typing out very quickly at the end of a workweek. Probably a little of both.
Readymade FC – Snow Lion (Featuring Feist)
Yeah, I put in the fact that Feist is featured on this to make you actually pay attention to this trip-hop song. Readymade FC is something David got me in to several years ago. It’s also one of those artists I go back to sporadically and don’t really know why. Don’t get me wrong, I love both albums I have but it just doesn’t seem like something I would normally be drawn back to time after time in such differing moods/settings. The minimalism in this track lends itself to Feists usual playful cooing in such a way it wouldn’t be out of place on one of her albums upon first listen.
Ryan Adams – La Cienga Just Smiled
Yes, Gold was a successful album for Ryan Adams. Yes, there was that song about loving New York (ok, it was really about an actress/girlfriend but I’ll let you go on thinking it was a tribute to NYC pre/post -9/11) and yes, the stars do go blue. This is still a great lyrical album that seems to be shunned unfairly by critics. It isn’t Heartbreaker but what is? This track stands out for me for it’s tough to figure out exactly what he is going through. I tend to think of this as the author being in a relationship and realizing there is something else out there to have fun with and his relationship with this person is routine and lacking. “Jeans, jacket and a shirt” is the routine clothing for going out and that is what it has become, a routine. Sorry, I rarely do that so you will have to pardon me pontificating on the subject of a songs true meaning. Just think of it as a great song about LA.
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Lonesome New Mexico Nights
Sappy and depressing. The new album (well, new in the sense that this is the first time all these songs have been available on one disc…aka it’s a singles & rarities comp), Advance Base Battery Life, will be out on March 10th. I’m a sucker for this stuff though many of the songs are less than a minute and because of the sing/speak are often times hard for me to classify as “songs”. This is one of my all time favorite CFTPA songs.
This song is perhaps the song that really got me reacquainted with country music. I’m surprised it hasn’t come to my mind previously when I’ve been grasping at straws trying to find a new song to post in this slot week after week. (Skip the rest of this as it is likely only interesting to me.) I first heard this song sometime in the late 90’s as it was being sung live at the Mid-State Fair back home in Paso. I don’t often remember the place I was when I first heard a song but I can still picture the place and time with this song, well I guess the place and relative time as I have no clue what the exact year was. It was around 10pm on a weekday night and I was walking up the hill to go back to my car with some friends. After crossing the railroad tracks I remember looking back over the entire fair grounds and hearing this song and having it stick with me. Yes, I know a song about a recovering alcoholic is an odd choice but I’m over it. The music, time, place and people all got to me in this perfect storm of reminiscing. This song takes me back to all those times, places and people. Do with it as you wish even though I told you to skip this part and you didn’t listen.
Friday Mix 71
Still on track for a perfect record in 2009 (minus that first Friday which really doesn’t count.) Last weekend’s Charlie Louvin show gave rise to me picking my Lucinda Williams albums up again. I felt the show was remarkably less fulfilling than 2007’s show at the Mint but still a great time. The power went out 30 minutes in which did manage to give rise to an acoustic version of “The Christian Life” to end the show which was the best song of the night. Somehow a fitting way to end things. And for the last time he didn’t tell a racist joke. An anti-Obama joke is not inherently racist because the president is black. All the hipsters would have been cheering if the same joke would have been said about Bush this time last year. And on that note….
Komar & Melamid and Dave Soldier – The Most Unwanted Song
This song comes about by some Russians who wanted to find out what sounds/music/song Americans hated the most. They then took that information and put together a 21 minute opus to these generalizations. Now that I’ve given you the name of the song and the premise behind it you are already in a “I’ll love it” or “I’ll hate it” reactionary state. There is no way to be unbiased towards this song unless you knew nothing about it. Having known what it was about when I first went into it I was inclined to like it, and I do. The cheesy kids chorus screaming out “AT WALMART” makes me crack up every time. Lyrics that mention cowboys…love it. Long sustained music…love it. Shifts in tempo….love it. Tuba…eh. Of course everyone has their own distinct tastes in music (unless you listen to the radio) and this will be unique to you. Still an interesting idea.
The new single off of their forthcoming album. I really enjoy Mastodon as a change of pace from my normal fair of music. Lamb of God came out with a new metal album this week as well which is growing on me but I’m not sure I’m going to go down this road again anytime soon.
Phosphorescent – Can I Sleep in Your Arms
This is a superb album that I thought would ultimately be extremely corny and/or non-original. I wasn’t. This track in particular stands out with its minimal arrangement and makes you almost want to sing Amazing Grace. Subtlety is what lends itself to the listener and makes you want to come back for just one last listen.
Lucinda Williams – Passionate Kisses
My all time favorite Lucinda Williams song off of herself titled album. You most likely know this song though not as sung by her. Mary Chapin Carpenter sang this and gave the song it’s real following. Lucinda did win a Grammy for writing and later got some acclaim in her own right for singing it as well. I only wish this was the duet she did with Charlie on Saturday though I can only imagine how that would have sounded in her rather inebriated state.
Top Artists of 2008 (Per my last.fm account)
I’ve been using last.fm and the aggregator since roughly January 2006. I thought it was an interesting concept and I enjoy keeping track of random things such as the music I am listening to so long as I don’t have to actively do it and that I’m not going to be marketed to with spam for my doing so. Since that point I’ve made it a necessity to include the background app on all my machines. Even my ipod gets into the game with all the music “scrobbled” to the site when I dock it.
After the break I dissect what I actually listened to from the 12 and 3 month stand point and what may have caused that as well as why Lonely Island is completely overrated. (Note: I would say this is 95% accurate as I will rarely listen to a CD in my truck anymore since I got my iPod hook up. On top of that I’m also listening to sports talk radio, judge me all you like, almost exclusively in the truck.)
Friday Mix 70
Charlie Louvin at Spaceland tomorrow evening. Everyone in LA should be there who has even a faint interest in what real country music is all about. When he headlined the Mint in 07 he stood out in front signing autographs and talking to anyone who would listen and smoking quite a few cigarettes. In other news, as per the photo above, I have once again managed to obtain a Canon 24-70 f/2.8L lens. It took a few Christmas present returns and some eBay work on my part but I have it. I honestly never thought I’d have this lens again unless I started to get much more serious with photography or won the lottery. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Off of his release in 2008 this is the original single that I’m only now really getting into. The album at first listen was different from what I was expecting and thus a little hard to get into. After having rediscovered it I very much enjoy it, this song in particular.
Animal Collective – My Girls (Mexicans with Guns Remix)
This will likely be the last Animal Collective song I post for some time. I just had to post this remix as it really hooked me this week. It doesn’t drastically alter the theme of the song but adds an even more playful element to it. Worth the time even if you are sick of Animal Collective’s constant praise around the blogosphere. And most importantly, who doesn’t like a remixer who goes by “Mexicans with Guns”?
Port O’Brien – Is This Really What Its Come To?
Port O’Brien is apparently releasing a new song for every season this year. First up is winter 09. I haven’t heard much new material from these guys since their rerelease last year. While there are still a few ocean/sea/water analogies it gets away from the strictly nautical nature of their last album. Pardon the obvious reference to this as being head phone music but this song really is.
Apostle of Hustle – National Anthem of Nowhere
While not a true “country” song this will due for the week. I resisted putting yet another Charlie Louvin song up even though I will be at his show at Spaceland on Saturday night. This song has been one which I again don’t have a clue where I downloaded it. Mellow yet has some interesting vocals and arrangements when you really listen to it.
