Top 10 and a Half of 2008: Part I

Ahoy! So the sun sets on 2008. Great year for music. Inspired by Dave Troutman I'm doing a post on my top 10 albums of the year. (Dave & Spencer- if you guys want to cut and paste your lists into the comments section... or heck- do separate posts, that would be fantastic. I just barely read yours after assembling mine...). I have a hard time with best-of lists because my musical discovery is rarely chronological. Not only that, but I'll have albums that will sit on my iPod a year or two before they gestate. A disclaimer: these are my favorite albums of 2008 that I actually own/have listened to. There are albums out there that I really wanted to like.... but just haven't listened to yet. Some guys I know talk about the cars they're going to buy when they finally get real jobs..... I'm catching up on loads of music. For serious.

I've split the list in two mainly because of the limitations of my html mp3 player, but you can think of it as a countdown of sorts. Part 2 will post later this week. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my choices as well as lists of your own.

(Part I mp3's can still be listened to- just click on the song title in each section)

#10.5 A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!!! (Soundtrack)

Yeah, the first song you're hearing on the MixTape is from a soundtrack. I love Stephen Colbert and this hour-long special is an instant classic. "The children are dressed up like elves! The dwarves are dressed up like children! It's magical!" It doesn't crack the top 10 (or even the top 20 probably) because most of the songs just don't work as well outside the context of the video. I just couldn't help tacking it on.

Colbert can sing!!! The first track on the countdown, (What's so funny 'bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?, is a song originally made famous by Elvis Costello. Joining Stephen on this track (and throughout the show) are Elvis Costello (from the belly of a bear....don't ask...just watch), Leslie Feist, John Legend, Toby Keith and Willie Nelson. Somehow Colbert reigns in the comic insanity and brings the show to a somewhat more serious finale. It's been an insane year, and this show/album/song was a perfect coda to the 12 months of relief (comic and otherwise) that have kept us afloat.

#10 Atlas Sound (Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel)

I first heard River Card back when this album was newly released and it put down roots in my middle ear. Atlas Sound is a side project for Bradford Cox, a fine fellow from Atlanta Georgia. He is also the driving force behind the band Deerhunter, a band I gave a second chance as a result of this disc. Cox makes these introverted dream-sequence soundtracks crackle and hum. Plug in your 'phones on a rainy day.

#9 Shearwater: Rook ("Snow Leopard")

I'm not a big fan of Okkervil River, so I was surprised by Shearwater (a side project of 2 of OR's founding members). Who knows, maybe I'll eventually come around and give OR another chance, but whereas Atlas Sound is basically Deerhunter with slightly varied instruments, Shearwater sounds like a different animal to me. Rook is fantastic. Driving operatic multi-instrumental melodies, experimental arrangements and ballads from a guy crazy about birds. What more could you want?

#8 Deerhunter: Microcastle ("Nothing Ever Happened")

Ok, so I haven't heard Wierd Era Cont. (the bonus album you get if you buy the CD of Microcastle.... Holy cow, what a busy year for Bradford Cox...). It's said to be closer to Cryptograms, so we'll see. Microcastle felt to me like Cox was reigning in his penchant for droning on a bit long on some songs. It's definitely the most listener-friendly of the Cox Canon. He's crafted some excellent noisy dreampop here.

#7 Wolf Parade: At Mount Zoomer ("The Grey Estates")

Apologies to the Queen Mary kicked me in the head repeatedly for months and months and still ranks high among my all-time favorite albums. I had high expectations for Zoomer, and was pretty disappointed when it came out. I left it alone for a while and came back with a fresh set of ears and zero expectations and it keeps getting more awesome with each listen. Spencer Krug and Co. continue to make instantly-rewarding, yet challenging music that will gnaw out a little nook in your brain and take you hostage from time to time.

#6 Mount Eerie (with Julie Doiron and Fred Squire): Lost Wisdom
("You Swan Go On")

Anybody who knew me in the late 90's knew of my infatuation with K Records (Olympia, WA-based record label) and my man-crush on founder and Halo Benders/Dub Narcotic/Beat Happening frontman Calvin Johnson. Somewhere between 2000-2002, I dumped Calvin for Phil Elvrum and haven't looked back. The Microphones will always serve as the soundtrack for a couple years of my life (as well as the soundtrack for the wilderness of the Puget Sound region). I could gush for days about It was Hot, We Stayed in the Water and the Glow pt. II, but Phil's music just hasn't been the same for me since the Microphones died and reincarnated as Mount Eerie..... until now. Elvrum's always very personal lyrics are back but paired with the lovely vocals of Julie Doiron (Eric's Trip) and stripped down to very sparse arrangements. Also released this year- Black Wooden Ceiling Opening and Dawn. Prolific! I don't have Dawn yet (!!!) and didn't really take to BWCO (Phil's been on a bit of a scandanavian Black Metal kick lately). Speaking of which- the title and album art for Lost Wisdom are a reference to Norwegian Black Metal musician, Barzum. This aint metal, y'all. (or "the metal" as Spencer would say).

Tune in later this week (?) for Part II and my top 5 favorite albums of 2008!!!!

(Oh yeah, and if anybody is still reading this and has yet to see the Colbert Christmas special, scroll back to the top and click on the picture of the prancing Stephen).

Tinker Bells, Tinker Bells......

My daughter, Indiana, thinks that Jingle Bells is about her little doll, Tinker Bell. So we Tinker all the way now.

'Tis the season and for the last couple of years I've attempted a 12 days of Christmas. Zac asked me the other day if we were on schedule for 2008 and it's probably not going to happen (at least from my end). I'm leaving town tomorrow for some place warm (likely without internet) and won't be back till the 23rd. So, what a great time to do my Pretendo tutorial! I think it would be great if people would post their favorite Christmas songs over the next week and a half. I'm not sure how many people will dive into this, but try to allow each person at least 24 hours with their songs up before putting yours up, ey? You'll notice that the songs on the Pretendo today are recycled from previous years. Truth is I don't have any new stuff this year and I need to set up an file to keep a running tally of everything I've posted/sent out, etc, but I likey these songs.

PRETENDO STEP I: Host site

Ok, so in order to create an mp3 player for a blog you need a host site for your songs. There are a couple free ones (like www.fileden.com, which I use) and numerous pay sites. If you happen to have your own server and are the kind of person who could say more than a thing or two about Linux, you could be your own host. The key is to find a host site that will not only store your songs but give you an web address for each (make sure the address ends in ".mp3").

The html mp3 players will incorporate those URLs into the code. Fileden is pretty easy to use- so if you have no alternative, I'd go there first. Let me know if you have any problems getting URLs for your songs. Sterling is also a good resource for this.

PRETENDO STEP II: Pretendo time

So, I've found a couple sites where you can make html mp3 players, but the coolest skins (Pretendo!) are over at MyFlashFetish. Set up an account, then go to the red tab at the top titled "mp3 playlist" and pick a skin. On the next screen you have to look for the hyperlink "Upload" next to the "Add Songs" section. Here you can paste your URL s (from fileden, etc.). Once you've added all your songs (click the orange button- "add mp3s"), type in a playlist name and click on the green button "Save/get code," which will take you to a screen which will ask you if you want to embed your player on your facebook page, etc. Don't do this- click on the red text below,


"Click HERE for any other website or blog!"


You'll see a box with logos for different websites and below that will be a text box with a little button that says "Copy." Click on this and you will have the whole code for your mp3 player.

PRETENDO STEP III: Embed in Blogger

Ok, so this step is pretty easy. Make sure you're signed in to Blogger- then click on the tab "Customize" on the top right. If any of you for some reason don't have Administrative privileges, shoot me an email and I'll change that for you. If you haven't seen this before- it's the barebones framework for the page. Look for the bubble at the top that says "HTML/Java script" and click on "Edit". This will bring up a window containing the existing mp3 player's HTML code. Delete this and paste in its place the code you just got from MyFlashFetish. Click on the orange tab, "SAVE," and you're good to go!

Ready, Set, Post!

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Axl Vs Dr. Pepper

Where in the world has this man been for the last 14 years??? We have desperately needed this kind of shinanegans in the world! Thank the Maker he's back!

The Little Ones: Growth Spurt?

Back last month with their debut full length album Morning Tide, the Little Ones continue to sing songs and drive your feet into dancing fits (Uncle Lee's Rule of Feet) and summer feel good, even if it's Fall. So it's more like dancing on crisping leaves, kicking them in the air drinking a fine hot chocolate than bare feet on green grass or windows rolled down cruising to the ocean.

I haven't felt so good about a purchase in a long time! Every song memorable, the cd has been in heavy rotation on the iPod for the last few weeks. With two tracks previously released ("Boracay" on Terry Tales & Fallen Gates and "Ordinary Song" as a myspace freebie awhile back) a slew of new ear catchers. I can only sing praises of elation for the magic of Ed Reyes, Ian Moreno and band mates as they continually write infectious tunes.

9.5 out of 10 for releasing something so infectious but releasing it in the UK first.

Department of Eagles

So yeah, it's been a while since I've posted. I've been spending a lot of time and writing a little over at Sterling's blog, Professional Americans (see link in sidebar). WILL THIS ELECTION SEASON EVER END???? Also- I've been in search of a new site to host mp3's for the Pretendo..... and somehow the planets have aligned! I've enjoyed the latest flurry of posts by Jacob and Sterling. Even though I always try to stay on top of all the latest releases, Jake (as long as I've known him) continues to hit me with bands I never saw coming. Thanks, brosef. As a side note- I've been considering doing a mini post on how everyone can post their own Pretendo players. Links are cool, but it's nice to have the music playing while you read.

I've been meaning to do a post on Grizzly Bear for a while but then "In Ear Park", the latest by Department of Eagles came out. Daniel Rossen and Fred Nicolaus, NYU roommates, formed DoE in 2001 a couple years before the former joined up with Ed Droste, Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear as Brooklyn's own Grizzly Bear. (Daniel's involvement in both bands is reminiscent of Spencer Krug's finger-dipping in both Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown).

"In Ear Park" is layered, intricate and atmospheric ear candy. Some have compared it to Sgt. Pepper's or Pet Sounds, but I think that though equally ambtitious and baroque the comparisons stop there. Some songs feel very Grizzly Bear, but there's a warmth and emotional complexity (like in "Floating on the Lehigh") on this album that would feel a little out of place on GB's "Horn of Plenty" or "Yellow House." (This song in particular reminds me a lot of some of Jim O'Rourke's solo work). The cover art is genius. Slip on some headphones, grab a flashlight and head out into the black forest.

Anyway, I'm in love with this album and I can't stop listening to it. It was tough choosing which tracks to feature on the Pretendo, so I put up 4 that showcase the different faces of "In Ear Park." Don't judge a track by its first minute or two, or you'll miss the great whistling and hand claps of "Around the Bay" and the crashing crescendos of "In Ear Park"! Some bands just sound better with some good headphones and DoE definitely fits that category. Hope you all had a great Halloween! Enjoy the tunes.


Below: Video for "Romo Goth" from their last album, The Cold Nose

Department Of Eagles - Romo Goth
Uploaded by epb21

Chinese Democracy

So is this really happening? Chinese Democracy is actually going to be released??? I must admit I've been rather skeptical of anything that Axl Rose would do without Slash, Duff and Matt Sorum.

But the song I just found on their website (http://web.gunsnroses.com/splash.jsp), is actually pretty good. This sounds like Appetite for Destruction worthy, actually.

I don't know, maybe Axl's still got game!

Take a listen and tell me what you think. I may have something else to look forward to beyond the election!

Copeland: You Are My Boring Album Title

Making a transition from long time label the Militia Group to Seattle's Tooth & Nail Records, Copeland returned with Oct. 14's You Are My Sunshine, their follow up to 2006's Eat, Sleep, Repeat. Now on their 4th album (also a debut split ep, an ep of cover songs and a 2007 b-sides release) these Florida rockers follow suite of their last effort.

It's a mellow album, good for driving. My overall impression isn't one that is going to shout about any particular song or encourage you to download before everything else on your list. If you were a fan of third album, you'll enjoy this, if you long for their early two albums, you'll be dissapointed.

Departed seem to be days of guitar rock for Copeland, while much attention is given to keyboard and ambiance but singer Aaron Marsh always seems to deliver in my book and that's a plus.

Check em out here.

6 of 10 for being Copeland.

Dear in drunk Head likes: *%Hic*

Sept. 23 saw the anticipated release (by at least this fan) of Arizona rocker's Dear & the Headlight's sophomore album Drunk Like Bible Times. First off, weird title. I don't support it. Anyways, of the 3 albums I got last week this one is my favorite. I only picked up their first album last October but even up until a few weeks ago I was catching lyrics I hadn't noticed before. Singer Ian Metzger has this way of rattling on and on in his what some-may-need-to-adjust-to vocal style but I dig it, I dig it very much. It climbs unexpectedly up and over and all around like he's trying to always grasp air at the same time he wants to emphasis something.

Really, this follow up album feels like an extension of their debut but if I picked it up having not heard 2007's Small Steps, Heavy Hooves I would still seek out the other album. Again because of his singing style, I'll need some time to really digest the album. Last time there were things about the Thundercats and NES and on and on. Good times.

Musically I'm entertained, from the start of "I'm Not Crying. You're Not Crying, Are You?" whatever studio magic or effects hocus pocus they roll with creates a nice sound between my ears. Especially further down the track list with the songs "Now It's Over", "Parallel Lines" "If Not For My Glasses".

At home on Equal Vision records (one of my favorite labels), Dear & the Headlights is fun. Give a listen here

8 of 10 for knowing I'm gonna keep coming back to listen for more just like last time.

Bayside: Still the Coolest School

Lousy title I know, but I'm in California, the ocean is near. Bayside's latest album Shudder is their 4th full length release (plus an acoustic full length and a live cd under their shiny studded pleather belts available now at hot topic). Seemingly happy at home on Victory Records, this latest collection of rock was released on Sept. 23. Also seemingly happy is themselves with their style. They haven't changed all that much since their arrival in the "emo" scene a few years ago, but honestly I don't mind. I don't listen to them for depth, but for the rock they bring. Fun guitar work cause at least one guy who can hold his own with the guitar solo's.

Favorite song for sure is "I Can't Go On", mostly cause of this fun little guitar thing they do, I can't describe it, check it out. Don't hate me when you realize it's nothing real original. But then neither is this album. The lyrics wreak of crying and self-loathing, breakups and heartache as usual. That's why we kept watching Saved by the Bell though isn't it? Check out some music on their myspace.

7 of 10 for entertaining consistency value.

Joshua Radin: Simple Times

Well, I was looking forward to the new Joshua Radin album Simple Times, which weeks after the digital release, came out on CD Sept. 23rd. Sadly, I was disappointed. With a full set this time, he looses something from the first album, though I don't know what it is. Maybe you don't focus on his voice as much, or his guitar playing just isn't as interesting when complimented with your drums and other layers. He's gone from being a mostly solo act to the full band.

Highlight of the album is "Sky" with Meiko. However you'd be better off to buy his mini-ep that was released on iTunes a few months ago, it has this song but the duet plays better, the album version has Joshua singing through the entire song, and you lose the duality of him singing one experience, while Meiko sings another. Still, great song (plus the ep has another great song that didn't make it to the album but would have been tied for 1st best song by far). Opening song on the album "One of Those Days" is also good.

Terrible song of the album award goes to "Vegetable Car". Sorry, the word vegetable makes my list of words that should never be used in a song, at least he wasn't singing about emailing vegetables. I also hate songs that mention email.

When I saw him on tour last year he actually sounded great with band backing up his first album but sadly, simpler times are over. Joshua Radin's website has a few songs to listen to. Stick with the first album, ep, and handful of singles on Zach Braff movie soundtracks. Maybe next time.

5 of 10 for always having the best female accompaniments, not easy to impress me.

Reckoner Remix

Hey, check this site out. You can download the various recording tracks from Radiohead's 'Reckoner' (one of my favorite songs off "In Rainbows"), and remix it, and then upload it. And you can listen to all the remixes from other fans, and vote on them.

It's a little bit bogus, because you have to pay to get the recordings, and listening to the top remixes, I think Radiohead did just fine with their own final version! But it's a cool idea.

Ladies and Gentleman .....

The Vern Morgus Harmonica Band!!!

Jeff Hanson

Once in awhile I'm caught off guard and don't realize a record is coming out til the day it's released. I'm pretty sure that's what happened the last time Jeff Hanson released an album. Back with a third record Madam Owl, Jeff Hanson expands a bit more beyond the sound he's crafted over the last 2 albums, Son and a self-titled.

At first, you may be confused...is that a guy? I can't tell? Is it? ya, no..yes I'm positive. His name is Jeff after all. If you can handle a falsetto, then you can handle him. Beyond the acoustic guitar driven tracks of cd 1 & 2, Madam Owl delves into the full band throughout most of the cd.

My favorite addition is the trumpet! I love a good song with trumpet. And this one's got two tracks with it. One reminds ya of the Legends of Brass playing at the Mercyhurst College, only more mellow. The other sounds like a low-fi soft hit's jazz trumpet, that make sense?

Sometimes Jeff breaks through the falsetto and a little Jeremy Enigk styling can be heard playing through the Enigk-esque arrangements.

So if you're looking for some nice rock, acoustic or otherwise, check him out. Here's some more songs on myspace. The following video comes from his second album.

Get Paid for Being a Fan

Here's an interesting new business model for all you music fans.

Langhorne Slim: Diggin his way into the Rebel Side of Heaven

I'm a huge Rocky Votolato fan. So last year when I saw him at Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma, a fellow named Langhorne Slim was opening, that being the last night of their tour together. I had seen his name on Daytrotter but hadn't really paid attention.

My first impressions, as he twitched a nervous neck jerk and other stage gallivanting, I though to myself this guy could easily have buried a few people in his backyard one time. Just looked a bit creepy to me. Man those impressions just fled as he and the War Eagles played an amazing set.

I of course rushed him like an fanatic groupie afterwards, begging for him to sign my t-shirt..kidding, but I did go talk to him and he was the nicest fellow. That night I downloaded his session from Daytrotter and consequently became a rabid fan for weeks on end rotating through just 4 songs.

I've discussed it with another friend who too has become a fan and we agree, this man is meant to be experienced live. I haven't heard his latest album, but all his previous recordings just lack something, the production doesn't do justice to what you're gonna get face to face. That being said, check out his latest live session (2 available now-9 songs total) on Daytrotter that was posted just this week! These will give a much better feel to what you'd get live, and if you get the chance to catch a show...I recommend you rush out to it.

The video below is a bit quiet, but it's actually one of my favorite songs by him and it was recorded at the show I attended last July.



Then check out his tuba-fueled video for "Rebel Side of Heaven" off his latest self-titled album.

The Go! Team

Not to be confused with a short Olympia project that Kurdt Cobain was in. Although, if I recall correctly the energy was similar. Brighton, UK based six piece (with two drummers). These guys are like cheerleaders on acid. A nice thing to get you going in the morning without all the refinement of a drug free cheerleader.

The Last Shadow Puppets

A few nights ago I picked up my second-to-latest copy of Death & Taxes magazine. Realizing I was done with the articles (seemed to have a lot of bands with girls in em, an automatic skip) I quickly breezed through the album reviews to find a featured segment on The Last Shadow Puppets. One part Arctic Monkeys, another The Rascals, Alex Turner and Miles Kane, respectively, joined forces to create the great album that is The Age of the Understatement!

The next morning, I visited their album website and began the first clip that loaded. 10 seconds into the song I turned it off and decided to pick up the album that day on my way out to the ocean for the 4th of July. I already knew there would be a few canadians there, so why not a few Brits too? No hard feelings there. So basically, not knowing what was on the album, I bought it based on the reviews, and the rave reviews of the reviews. Oh and cause it mentioned Owen Pallet composed the string section! Can ya go wrong with Final Fantasy? Not really (thanks Alex G. for the introduction). Bart, maybe now I'll listen to Arcade Fire with an open ear...



So ya, this is a fun album, lots of people saying a throwback to the days of early David Bowie (and some other guy I never heard of). Whether you agree or not, they do a great version of his "In the Heat of the Morning" on their EP I picked up that same night on iTunes... If you're into the great British sounds, I recommend this one. I love being completely satisfied with an album I found out about and bought in a 2 day period of time, never having known or heard a thing about it!

the debate that rages inside

So for the longest time now I have been trying to live by the rule "less is more". I take pride in the fact that I can pretty much pack everything I need in the car and move without the help of friends (tricky with the mattress, I do need friends). 20+ moves in less than 10 years might do that to you.

So with this latest move I got rid of my computer desk, it was pretty small really, not the kind of thing that was useful to me and now my computer is sitting on the one thing that hasn't moved with me in 4 years, my storage bins full of cds...

iTunes and the other online stores have certainly made the case for eliminating all the cases compelling... I've been a fan of iTunes since 2004, before I even got an iPod. But since then I am usually still content to buy a physical cd in the $10-$13 range, and usually only resort to iTunes when I have been let down by Best Buys distribution system that doesn't make sense to me; why would you not have a Sub Pop release on the day it comes out when Borders does?

So the question I am asking myself is, when do I fully convert to mp3s and liberate myself of all this plastic sitting in boxes, untouched for the most part after they have been ripped to the computer? Am I only hanging on for the booklet with lyrics? Unlike the LP format diehards, I don't really care if the album art is 10 feet tall or cd size. But with the digital release, I don't seem to get that unless I've been missing something.. I know I can put the lyrics in after they've been ripped, but hey, I still bought a product; someone should do it for me.

If I abandon them, I abandon a collection. Then what am I? Free? Collection-less?

What are you doing? Anyone out there fully make the switch? No cds in your house/apt to speak of? Is there any real reason to hold on to old cds if you have them on your harddrive and you never look at them, not to mention listen to them?

Summer Listening: The Little Ones

Today was such a great day to live in the Northwest! Mt. Rainier stood proud and tall in the distance, crystal clear from where I was, watching over those fortunate enough to steer clear from work and enjoy the weather. On a day like this, you have to have the perfect music to keep the foot tapping and the head boppin' as the breeze pours in through the car windows!

Cue the Little Ones! After taking a break for a few years, veterans of rock Edward Reyes & Ian Moreno joined together once more in 2006 after their previous band Sunday's Best disbanded. The summer of 2002 saw the release of Sunday's Best The Californian, the 2nd and last full length release and a great addition to their catalog of rockin' tunes. Both albums were released on Polyvinyl Records (Headlights, of Montreal).

Last summer, the Little Ones released Sing Song, a sweet ep full of energy and catchy guitar. This spring the Little Ones were back at it with a second ep Terry Tales & Fallen Gates, a six song soundtrack for summer. Together with a few other b-sides released here and there (the original Sing Song has since been re-released with an extra track), we've basically got an albums worth to enjoy!

If you're looking for something upbeat that'll keep ya shakin' and a movin', head to iTunes or eMusic and treat yourself to something great! Even more fun, Jesse LeDoux, the same artist who has done work for the Shins, Bear Colony, Limbeck & more, lends his talent to a few singles and concert posters that I just have to get for my collection. Don't let another summer day pass without the Little Ones!

Check out some more songs on MySpace.

Live the Life: It Sounds Better in Spanish

Picked up the latest Coldplay yesterday. I remember first hearing Coldplay's Parachutes back at school, when those guitar pieces in "Shiver" & "Don't Panic" opening the album just really got into you like some kind of addictive virus you don't want out of you, but you crave more and more and wonder why the songs have to be so short... For me, that's a perfect example of how an album should start!

A few albums later we have Viva la Vida, which every time I hear or say the name I think of Chris Martin "Livin la Vida Loca" in those yacht-owner pants he wears. Anyways. My brief analysis after 2 listens: It's good, not as good as I hoped. The first half isn't as appealing as the second half but even then, that half sounds like they tried real hard. "Strawberry Swing" had me thinking of "Strawberry Fields" even before it got going, and though the two sound nothing alike, I kept thinking this was Coldplay trying to write their bridge to their "Sgt. Pepper".

There's a lot of open songs, jamming or instrumental or I don't know what they really qualify as. I'm not the biggest fan of this on any cd, live...eh whatever so long as it's not 15 minutes. I think they did this for Mr. Martin so he can jump around a lot on stage like he likes to do. Maybe that's why he hurt his knee during practice this week...otherwise how do you do injure yourself in band practice?

Overall, if you like Coldplay, get it, I think you'll enjoy it; and it's on sale this week so might as well- $10 at Target. Discussing Coldplay with my friend, he thinks they've peaked (hasn't heard the latest one) and I agree. From Parachutes to Viva la Vida, Coldplay has the ability to write a few songs that are absolutely great, but the rest of the album always leaves me wondering what happened with the rest of the songs...

The album art is pretty unimpressive. The cover is about the only salvageable part of what looks like the Joker and his cronies came through and painted over in that art gallery that one time.

Anyone out there say otherwise?? Do tell...

6 in 10.

Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes self-titled debut album Fleet Foxes was released last Thursday on SubPop records. Following quickly on the heels of their ep Sun Giant, Fleet Foxes is to me, a more solid and fluid album than the ep. Now don't get me wrong, you should be on your way to owning both as soon as possible, but the ep sounds like a pre-release set of b-sides that for the most part wouldn't make sense on the album.

I was already planning a trip to Victoria last weekend, and anticipating the drive along the edge of Olympic National Forest I wanted to get the album for the roadtrip. The mood of the album was fitting as the skies darkened and the rain fell along the 101, deep woods to the left, the frigid Puget Sound to the right, which Fleet Foxes call home. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect atmosphere and another passenger mentioned the same thing.

I'm not very good at being critical of a band in words. My endorsement to you comes in the mere fact that I am taking the time to tell you about them. I can tell you it's been the only cd I've been playing since I picked it up last Thursday.

Folksy? A touch of classic rock? New Hippies? Dunno. Get yourself over to their myspace for a sample. Both releases are on vinyl for those of you who collect, but I believe the ep is only available in vinyl when you buy the album (combo pack). Check it out on SubPop's store.

What say you? Anyone else heard the mellow sounds of Fleet Foxes?

ps. Here is me bragging: I swear I should be a talent scout for SubPop. Twice now I've raved to friends about a band that was eventually picked up by SubPop, the first being Band of Horses.

9 in 10

Ya Do it to Yourself

I hadn't heard that Radiohead's videos would be released with the non-band-picked greatest hits album this week, so I picked it up while it was on sale for $14.99 at Best Buy (please don't tell me where you found it cheaper...). I haven't watched it yet, but have planned a viewing party with a friend on Tuesday. Nothing extreme, if only they had branded some snacks in all these years so we could watch their videography while eating Radiohead Creepies or Myxomatosis Party Mix (similar to chex mix).

I was a late comer to the Radiohead band wagon. Heard and liked "Creep" at the time of it's release. I remember wanting to get some of their music after hearing "Fake Plastic Trees" in Clueless (HAHA). So I got the Bends, and enjoyed it. I worked at the movie theater and always would walk in early to catch the last few minutes of Romeo & Juliet so I could hear "Talk Show Host". In 1999 I finally heard Pablo Honey and was obsessed with it and OK Computer for a few months of non-stop Radiohead. From there on I was a release week fan!

Created a new survey to the right.

Anyone else pick it up this week or planning to? Thoughts, complaints or accolades on the releases? When did you first here them, begin listening?

O, CARIBOU

Dan Snaith is 30 years old. He is a PhD mathematician from Dundas, Ontario. His thesis at London's Imperial College was titled, "Overconvergent Siegel Modular Symbols." His father and brother are both university math professors and Dan is............ CARIBOU

Snaith primarily composes electronica from his home computer (see the video at the very end of the post for a cool look into the process). He draws inspiration from among other things, a voluminous obscure vinyl collection. His latest album mines pop sensibility from 60's and 70's psychedelia. Though skilled at the keys and the drums, Dan enlists a group of musicians for more traditional recordings and for touring.

Dan Snaith's first couple albums were recorded under the name, Manitoba. In 2004 facing a lawsuit from the Dictators' Richard "Handsome Dick" Manitoba (above right- the self-proclaimed "Handsomest Man in Rock n' Roll"). Unwilling/unable to assemble a legal defense, he switched to CARIBOU. ("Handsome Dick" hadn't recorded anything in 15 years and never as a solo artist).

I stumbled across Caribou watching a video for "Melody Day" from the album Andorra. Next stop: downloaded the song and later the whole album off emusic. I love the hammer/axe synchronization with the beat! Andorra's a beautifully odd album. There's stuff on there that reminds me of early Moody Blues and Pink Floyd (especially "Sandy"). Melody Day wastes no time sinking its hooks. It has a great beat and melody (imagine that!), but it's the little flourishes (the synth flute!!) that drive me nuts. Then there's songs like Niobe that come out of nowhere (absolutely love this song- but due to its length, didn't make it into the post- but if anybody is curious- i'll gladly email it to you.) Niobe is more electronica than psychedelia, starting softly and plodding, building to a crescendo and crashing.... then steadily builds and crashes again. I like how Irene serves to transition from the psych to the electro.

Yeah, ok, so he lives in London now. But note that he didn't change his name to "Hedgehog"!! Anyway, hope ye all enjoy.

Videos:

1) Melody Day (Andorra)
2) Hello Hammerheads (Milk of Human Kindness)
3) Bees (Milk of Human Kindness)
4) BBC Collective Mini Documentary (Niobe plays briefly in the intro)

Best 80's Metal Hair

Now you've done it. You've got me talking about "butt rock". Too bad you can't put comments on things you vote for. Let me start out by saying I've never heard of Jim Gillette from Nitro. Does this not make me a true butt rocker?

Dee Snider has got to be the guy that epitomizes "butt rock". "Butt Rock" is about being a bad ass at the same time wearing ladies makeup and long hair. You listen to Dee talk on the radio without actually looking at him. He has a really deep voice and sounds like a guy you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, alone or no. As for the other guys on the list, not so much. Poison was about looking like a "butt rocker" while attracting as many chicks as possible. Were as Dee Snider was about offending people.

Guns and Roses was a new thing trying to branch out from "butt rock", but an easy mistake for someone that didn't live thru the transformation from Black Sabbath to Grunge really. Although I have to admit I am a little young when Black Sabath was in thier hayday.

Couple of Quick Items

New Islands album is out today! And despite what Pitchfork says, I really like it. At some point in the near future I'm actually going to follow up my Unicorns retrospective with a post about Islands. In the meantime, anybody who doesn't have it should at least pick up their first CD, Return to the Sea.

And what better way to do that with an eMusic account? I'm assuming most of the people that read this blog have one, but if by some strange coincidence you don't, you should acquire one post-haste. As an extra incentive, for a limited time Circuit City is selling 65 download cards (that's cards worth 65 downloads) for $5. In case the math escapes you, that's about 8 cents a download. They're going fast, and in some locations the cards are still ringing up at their original $15 price, but the raw value of this deal makes it worth checking a Circuit City near you.

i warned you that o, canada month might go on for a while. (time is pretty relative up there. heck! the sun doesn't even go down in the summer... at least that's what i've been told)

(oh, and if you want to stop the boombox for some video action, the buttons are really tiny on this one- but right under the cassette tape- you'll see a little square. yes, put your glasses on)

today we look at the vancouver, BC group "the new pornographers." no, not kidding. yeah, probably one of the lamest band names ever. some lame names are fitting. like "scraping fetus from the wheel." or "cannibal corpse" that sums them up rather nicely. but "heavy vegetable"? "new pornographers"!? you see those names without other context and..... you move on. (as much as i love rob crowe and heavy vegetable, i'm glad he moved on to "pinback." although "thingy" "optiganally yours" and "lactose adept" are other pretty retarded names he's used...) some people just suck at picking band names. but dang, if some of these people can't also make sweet sweet music.



TNP are a collective (not the animal variety) of creative hooligans that are were all drawn from other bands/solo efforts forming what is often referred to as a SUPER-GROUP. i guess you could call them a "power pop" super-group. not sure if many bands would openly brand themselves as such, but the wikipedia definition of the form is fitting: power pop "combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. instrumental solos are usually kept to a minimum, and blues elements are largely downplayed. it draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music."

SUPERGROUP

power pop or not, TNP has a distinct, yet freely meandering sound. though red-headed stepchild Carl Newman is the defacto gang leader, the other band members all hailing from other groups or solo projects make this one potent potpourri. Dan Behar (destroyer, swan lake) Neko Case (maow, cub), Carl Newman (superconductor), John Collins (the evaporators), Kurt Dahle (limblifter), and Kathryn Calder (the immaculate machine) bring their skills to the table. (swan lake, coincidentally is Dan Behar's other supergroup- spencer krug (sunset rubdown, wolf parade) and carey mercer (frog eyes) collaborate in that tchaikovskian namesake.



i think my favorite album is twin cinema, but it's tough to call. each album is distinctly TNP, but very different from the last. every album since 'mass romantic' has fans whining and pining for the good old days. go listen to 'mass romantic,' then! this is mostly foot-tapping stuff, sometimes a little too saccharine, but there are definitely moods i'm in when i've got to listen to it. nothing wrong with a well made pop song.

the music on ye boom box (right click, save as...):

1) stacked crooked (twin cinema)
2) jackie (mass romantic)
3) the electric version (electric version)
4) the jessica numbers (twin cinema)


todays videos are from albums not represented in the emailed mp3s ("myriad harbour" up top from the latest CHALLENGERS and down below: "use it" from their second album, "electric version")

(look for david cross! aka tobias from arrested development)

Demos

Hey all,

I posted a couple of demos I recorded after I got home from Afghanistan on the "Professional Americans" blog. They're not really political in nature, and none of them are great to dance to, but if you're interested, take a listen. They're mostly about different experiences or thoughts I had while over there.

To play the songs, just click play on the media player located on the right hand side of the blog page. I'm going to post two more tonight.

Caspian

This band came to Salt Lake City a year ago. A band some friends of mine play in opened for them. It was in a small record store here in SLC called Slowtrain. I brought my three year old son because I knew my friend's band was pretty laid back and Ethan, my son is obssesed with drums and keyboards. I knew he was sure to love watching. It turns out he was really into it all even to the point that he was trying to run up and pound on the drums and keyboards while my friends were playing them.

It came time for Caspian's set. They stood up before us all and the first thing they did was look at my son and say "we get pretty loud" my son and I smilled and stepped back a couple steps. The ethereal rocking rythum started. I thought to myself, "ehhh they aren't that loud". The music began to slowly almost imperceptibly crescendo. We took a couple more steps back. The volume increased, I felt my chest wibrating, we slipped to the front of the store as far away from the band as possible. By the end of the song we were standing outside on the sidewalk watching the steamed up windows of the store vibrate as passers by stared in amazement and asked what was going on inside. I was impressed by this performance, so powerful, so clear despite so much volume. Not listening to it live just simply can't do it justice but here it is nonetheless... Further In

Tim Seely/Actual Tigers

You've probably never heard of the now-defunct band, The Actual Tigers. Their first and only CD, Gravelled & Green, was released in 2001. They broke up a few years later. Now the lead singer/guitarist, Tim Seely, does solo acts at various bars and taverns in Seattle. You can find him perform about once every month or two, usually in Ballard. I like his first solo CD, Funeral Music, but I really enjoy his live shows because he plays a lot of old stuff from the Actual Tigers album.

Here are some one-liners from various reviews over the years:

• [Gravelled & Green] is quite reminiscent of the inquisitive adventures of Simon & Garfunkel, but offers charming soundscapes of early Wilco and the quirky funk of G. Love & Special Sauce.
• Their own musical convention is strictly theirs, and the Actual Tigers waltz into something interesting on "Gravelled & Green."
• Like the best songwriters, Seely smartly pairs his sunny melodies with dour lyrics, even if he has more trouble selling his disappointment and regret than he does his boundless optimism.
• Smooth, picked electric guitars, a gentle, simple bass drum pattern, a warm wash of subtle synthesizers, catchy, well-crafted vocals—“Yardwork in November” epitomizes all that is great about the Actual Tigers’ debut record, Gravelled & Green.
• Beatle-esque harmonies and chord changes abound in a varied mixture of slide guitars, electric pianos, horns, accordions, mellotrons, and exotic percussion rhythms.
• The Actual Tigers blend stream of consciousness lyrics with largely acoustic instrumentation to create inanely catchy songs that come off both well-polished and impromptu.
• The instrumentation is one of the cheeriest and catchiest on the albums. Even in songs about despair or class war, The Actual Tigers put on a happy face. And that is the lure of their music.
• They will catch you tapping your foot, singing along. Gravelled & Green is the album for this summer, and many to come.
• [Funeral Music] as a whole is a decidedly dreamy, late-night affair. Along with the usual noisemakers, Tim and friends conjure up an otherworldly musical landscape using orchestral samples, subtle electronics, steel guitar, layered background vocals, a “tiny bell” and various found sounds.

Anyway, Tim is performing this Saturday (May 3) at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard. Tickets are $8 and I think he goes on last of three bands who start at 9:30. Come check him out! For more info go to his website.

Gifts from Enola

August 6th, 1945. The Enola Gay's big beautiful hulking steel frame glides through the sky over the land of the sun, ready to give birth to her little boy. Her belly swings open exposing the boy. The boy decends on on its mounts like a child crowning. Then, release. Rushing air, a mother fleeing the presence of her newborn. Enola has left her gift. She has changed the world.

This band just released a split with You.May.Die.In.The.Desert. I highly recomend picking it up here. I have been listening to it more frequently than other music as of late. It is really great music to rock out to when you are also trying to think. The lack of lyrics allows the sound to penetrate your subconcious on a sublime level.

I present another gift from Enola... The Suns Condolences

The Uprising of Post-Punk

Call it Post-Punk, Math Rock, Instrumental Wierd Stuff, Etc... It seems I have been listening to a lot of music lately with the same theme to it. No vocals, influenced by the punk and hardcore scenes of the late 80's and 90's, but not in the way you might think, (I find several members of these bands were into this music as youths but don't necesarily play that type of music, although if you are an aficionado you can notice the influence in their songs) and finally to borrow a description pioneered by the Pixie's, the term Loud soft Loud seems to fit.

This is post one of a four week series.

I present: You.May.Die.In.The.Desert

These guys are a three-piece plus sound effects from Seattle, WA. I really should have done this post when I first thought about it a month ago as they were on a west coast tour and just played Portland and Salt Lake City (where I was able to see them)

YMDITD is trance enducing to listen to. Their rhythms are complex and profound. They are also pure enegry on stage. They shift their instruments and contort their backs trying to relieve the fatigue caused by intricate repetitive strumming and picking.

Here is my favorite track from a new Split they just put out with the band I will profile next week. Over and out for now...Clark

04 Seagulls= Sea Eagles

Coldplay Videos

Hey all...I don't know how many Coldplay fans there are out there. Jenny and I saw them at the Sasquatch festival a few years back at the Gorge.

Anyways, not being the avid MTV junkie I used to be (and seeing as they don't play videos anyways), I was wondering if they had any new videos, and found a couple online I hadn't seen.

My favorite is "The Hardest Part". I've heard the song a million times, but the video puts a way different image in my head now! It's pretty funny, if you're not offended by 80 year old women dancing in provocative swim suits.

Enjoy!

Micromegas - New Song "Windfall"

Hey all, I'm in a band called Micromegas. We posted a new song on our website today (http://www.micromegasband.com/). I won't bog down the PRETENDO with it, but you can hear/download it on our site, or you can click on the picture above to download the song in zip file format.

It's called "Windfall", and it's about how really bad things can turn into really good things, given time and perspective.

We've got a couple other songs available for free download, all of which were finished in the last several months. We've also got our debut album streaming on our site. It's on sale on iTunes, Napster, or if you're old-school and want an actual CD, we still have a few left, so just let me know and I can send you one.

Hope you enjoy the songs, and thanks to Bart for setting up this cool new format where I can shamelessly plug my own music. I hope you all do the same.

The Unicorns (week 3 of O Canada month: a continuing series)

The other day Dave and I were discussing our “Desert Island 25,” namely, if we were marooned on a desert isle, the 25 CDs we could not live without. The only problem – both of our lists are over 50 CDs long. So to make a long story shorter, we were looking through Dave’s picks, striving to find CDs that just didn’t make the cut. As we neared the bottom of the list I was surprised to see the Unicorns on the list. “You like the Unicorns that much?” I queried. “Oh yeah,” he responded, “I listen to that CD at least once a week.”

After giving it some thought, I had to agree with him. The Unicorns would have to find a place on my Desert Island 25 (50) as well. I tend to forget the Unicorns amidst the swell of “next big things” crowding my iTunes – after all, they were a short-lived, relatively obscure band that only put out a CD (and a half) and an EP. But the truth of the matter is that if the Unicorns were to come out with their opus Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone? today, it would easily hold its place among The Vampire Weekend, The Dodos, and whatever Pitchfork declares to be the next big thing next week.

That’s no mean feat in a scene that seems to be picking up steam at an exponential rate. As Indie comes more and more to mean mainstream, as record companies desparatly look for the next group to buoy their sinking ship, the music scene today is more fickle than it's ever been (or at least it seems so to me). Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone? came out in 2003. Look at some of the other bands that came out with CDs in 2003 (or there about). The Postal Service? New new wave has come and gone. The Arcade Fire? Don’t get me wrong, I loves me some Arcade Fire, but all you have to do is hear the swelling bombast of “No Cars Go” over an NFL commercial, or hear them imitated by Phantom Planet to know that the Arcade Fire has achieved an iconic status, but they may be victims of their own success.

Part of the Unicorns staying power may be in their limited output and brief life-span, but it also has to do with their music. The Unicorns play pop. Pure and simple, un-pretentious pop, with catchy hooks and toe-tapping choruses. Not to say that their music is for everyone – any band that sings about ghosts and unicorns over the strangled warble of what sounds like a broken Casio probably isn’t going to get top 40 radio play. But to those of us that know and love the Unicorns, they’re a refreshing break from the heavy solemnity that pervades so much music these days.

The Unicorns were formed in December 2000, in Montreal, of course, by Nick Diamond, Alden Ginger and J’aime Tambeur (all stage names). Their first CD, the self-released Unicorns Are People Too, came out in March 2003. Having only made 500 copies of their debut, the Unicorns went back to the studio to record some new songs and rework some old ones, and released Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone? in November of 2003.

The album opens with perhaps the most sincere of their songs, “I Don’t Wanna Die,” in which Diamond tremulously recounts all the various ways in which he doesn’t want to go. The band quickly moves on to a trilogy of ghost songs. Although these songs are probably the catchiest on the CD, my personal favorites come later on, as the band loosens up and starts to spin out of control. “I Was Born (A Unicorn)” finds Diamond and Tambeur arguing back and forth about who writes the music. In “Tuff Luff” Diamond breaks out into a little hip-hop verse mid-song. “Inoculate the Innocuous” has one of my favorite intros of all time, but also some of the most head-scratching lyrics on the CD. “Somewhere in the asshole of my eye, there’s a muscle which relaxes when you cry,” Diamond breathes, sounding tired and worn-down, a far cry from the early energy of the Ghost trilogy and “Jellybones.” It’s almost relief when he declares “bananas help me unwind, watermelon makes it awesome” – I hope so, Nick, having an asshole in your eye sounds unpleasant. The album comes full circle on the short, tropical outro “Ready to Die.” “I’ve seen the world, kissed all the pretty girls, I’ve said my goodbyes and now I’m ready to die.” The Unicorns start the CD afraid of death, confront that fear via tales of ghosts and the sea, grow increasingly frenetic as the realization cements that death will come, and ultimately conclude that - you know what? - they’re ready.

That last song was prophetic. The band released the surprisingly mediocre EP The Unicorns: 2014 before imploding on tour. Their legacy lives on, however, in a fantastic CD and Diamond’s new band Islands, not to mention some great music videos. I don't know how to do the music-linky thing that Bart does, but I included a couple of videos that highlight the band's penchant for wearing pink.

I Was Born (A Unicorn)

Jellybones

Just for fun. You know... for kids!

O Canada, we stand en garde for thee

O canada month: AVANT GARDE

hockey mouth. yeah, hockey mouth. it happens. yes, and it's glorious. look at him!! so what if that puck or left-hook won the battle? you never again have to answer to any mere mortal. the only way win is with that toothless grin.

but is that gem kept hidden in a bushel? do these smash-mouth gladiators strut that gummy smile or dentures do they wear? is that bite-the-bread-but-leave-the-meat grin a badge of honor? riddle me this: are you truly great if you have all 28?

all the women want them; all the men want to be them.... when the jersey comes off, you're still that guy. all you have to do is smile.

(below: the song of the black flies in ol' ontario...io...)

week 2: sunset rubdown

so as advertised last week- looking at spencer krug's side-project. todays tracks come from the second LP: "shut up i am dreaming." (2006, absolutely kosher) back around the initial wolf parade days, krug was recording with a mic hooked up to his desktop PC. the first LP, "snake's got a leg" (2005, global symphonic) is a compilation of these early home recordings. after wolf parade went nuts for a bit, he set to work on phase 2 of this "side project." picking up some other guys to help strum, drum, and hum, "shut up i am dreaming," more fully fleshing out ideas explored in his earlier work. the plan worked and "random spirit lover" was subsequently released in 2007 (jagjaguwar). (so... at what point do you start calling wolf parade the "side project...?)

it's hard to categorize. it's a jumble of sounds, it's schizophrenic. it's a messy orchestra, it's a plodding lullaby. after sunset rubdown, you can go back to wolf parade and much more clearly identify krug's vocal contributions there. like i said last week, he totally sounds like "flight of the conchords" lampooning BOWIE. don't believe me? i was going to save this clip for a future BOWIE post, but there's never any better time than right now.



ok, so not 100% conchords BOWIE, but enough for me to think of jemaine in silver spandex..... oh, bowie's in space! ok, so not that close. but BOWIE would approve. that's what BOWIE would do.


track 1: "they took a vote and said no" kind of pirate rock: the accordian, the sing-along. but then the bells, the chimes, the keyboards!.... and just when you think the song's over, you launch into a minute of instrumental bliss.

piano + guitar + thrashing drum = ear candy

(a huge problem with iTunes and with clips of songs at places like barnes and noble.... just clips.... and sometimes you get an album or a song (like in my emails!) and you listen for 10, 20 seconds.... skip.... next song.... 10, 20 seconds.... where's my hook? no hook? nah, the "hook" songs will invariably drive you insane. (pick just about any top-40 track) "commitment" songs worm their way into your brain, but only keep on rewarding. and yes, you have to commit. some of the greatest albums take 5 or 6 (or more) listens before all the textures and insights reveal themselves. and then comes the anticipation!

for example, joanna newsom's songcraft is about as non-traditional as they come. on "Ys" she's got songs that go well beyond 10 minutes.... no real trace of verse, chorus, verse, but it's incredibly beautiful.... rambling at times, but you close your eyes and go somewhere else for an hour. i didn't have the patience for it at first, but given time...)

track 2: "shut up i am dreaming of places where lovers have wings" probably the most traditionally-structured song on the disc and also the longest. but this one goes through a metamorphosis. layers on layers, coupled with 2 amazing instrumental outbursts. it starts much more gentle than the rest of the album, but the intensity builds to a cathartic crescendo and an ultimately satisfying end to the album.

track 3: "o canada" (in french!!). if you want the english version check this link!

(sorry to those of you with wimpy non-Gmail accounts.... you'll just have to download it yourselves...)


(below: lyrics to "o canada" in ukranian. wicked awesome.)

i love canada and you should too (or else!!)

5 or 6 years ago a long-smoldering canadian music scene split the atom and fireballs of renewable (if somewhat teratogenic) musical energy have been burninating the countryside: wreaking havoc on eardrums, toe-tapping, and the elderly ever since.

the epicenter is MONTREAL (the frenchy-est frenchy-town in all of Royal-Mounted Canadia). home to record labels Alien8 and Constellation (nice post-rock; godspeed! you black emperor)and the Pop Montreal music festival. montreal is a magnet town. yeah, there's plenty of home-grown talent, but just like seattle in the early-mid 90's and chicago of the mid-late 90's, montreal built it and they all came packin'. personally, my favorite "montreal" bands are from British Columbia or elsewhere. ARCADE FIRE, for example: a canadian band? the Butler brothers hail from TEXAS (Win moved to canada to attend mcgill university and the rest is ancient history...) i was born on an air force base in arizona. am i from arizona? heck no. home is where you hang your hat (hi-hat, that is!!)

but i digress... i'd have to say that the montreal and brooklyn, NY "scenes" are probably the most consistently exciting and innovative musical hotbeds right now (although baltimore deserves some attention too).

i prefer a "music community" to any "music scene." (besides, a "scene" always sounds like something that's already happened...) a music community is an environment that is so much more than the mere sum of its parts. you see rampant collaborations, side-projects, multiple-personality disorder, and bursts of prolific recording that you seriously have to hustle to keep up with. it's a nuclear reaction. bands bombarding other bands, energy begetting energy. the music that has most consistently burnt my ears off for the last couple years are members of the montreal community. so......

forget Saint Patrick's day- i'm declaring

OH, CANADA! Month

(per the canadian lunar calendar, this extends from right about now to sometime in april)

THIS MONTH IS DEDICATED TO JACOB

so, i'm not approaching this with any systematic plan. i'm gonna hit you with what i'm listening to A LOT lately.

WOLF PARADE

i first read about wolf parade in 2005 with the release of their debut LP: apologies to the queen mary. i listened to a couple clips. no $$. moved on.

some time later romney gave me a disc of tracks "music what spencer burned for bart," that included this album. sometimes you rhino-charge through a heap of new music and not everything gets impaled on the first pass. this aint no old-country buffet... everything deserves a second taste or two...

anyway, we was on a road-trip to california for a PLANK family vacation and i had my iPod on super shuffle and "it's a curse" hijacked my malleus, incus, and stapes all at once and with a vengeance. what the crap is this?? no hint of 60's or 80's pop-nostalgia? where does that voice come from?!? is it human?? emotion without the inherent whining of EMO?? guinea pigs?!?

yeah, i listened to that song over and over and over and over. (you can't always do this in front of loved ones... i recommend headphones: i'm always paranoid about playing something i'm addicted to too many times in front of leslie...) i finally got around to listening to the whole album and as of late have developed a physical dependency... is there musical methadone???

ok, so back in '03 when ARCADE FIRE were still wee babies, they went on tour promoting their first recording, the self-titled EP. (the tour, "us kids know" is a lyric from "no cars go" which was later re-recorded for their 2nd LP, NEON BIBLE) the Fire-lings contacted ex-Frog Eyes (Victoria, B.C.) member Spencer Krug and asked if he'd be interested in opening for them.

without a band, he hastily assembled one (with only a drum-machine for percussion initially). Krug plays keyboards, and co-vocals with lead guitarist Dan Boeckner (Atlas Strategic). WOLF PARADE was born on the road and songs like "it's a curse" embody that. there's a raw power that emanates as much from the compositions as the gripping voice of Boekner. (i think Krug sounds like the Flight of the Conchords lampooning david bowie...and i like it) (Boekner's got some bowie in there too).

a trio of EP's were released (two self-releases, the third following being signed to SUBPOP). "apologies to the queen mary" their debut LP came out in 2005 and the sophomore release, "pardon my blues" is set to be released sometime this summer.

since 2005, Krug has been all over the map (that dang MONTREAL community!) promiscuously lending vocals and tunes to other artists' recordings (Swan Lake, Fifths of Seven), while forming a "side project" SUNSET RUBDOWN (now with more recordings than WOLF PARADE!). (he even got Frog Eyes back together for another album and did a joint tour with WP)

boekner has also embarked on a "side project"- HANDSOME FURS in a QUASI-esque pairing with his wife, alexei perry. they released "plague park" out last year on SUBPOP.

so, i've emailed you "it's a curse" and "this heart's on fire." i was inches away from sending you "modern world" and "you are a runner and i am my father's son," but i've been fighting the urge to send out more than one or two tracks. the entire album, "apologies to the queen mary" is worthy of multiple listens. as always, if you want some more... i'll send you more. otherwise- download it from emusic.com.


FOR SERIOUS. I'm re-sending you all invites to join emusic for a FREE TRIAL. no strings attached. you sign up, you get 50 free mp3's... if you don't likey... you drop out and don't pay a dime, and you keep the music. if you do hang on for a month... i get 50 too! (but hey, no pressure...) presently, i'm on a year-subscription. $10/month for 30 songs. almost everything from independent labels you could wish for (not to mention just about everything else... yes, even creedence clearwater revival...) NOT BAD, SUCKAS!!

next week: Krug's side project,

SUNSET RUBDOWN

SHINE A LIGHT

FANCY CLAPS

MODERN WORLD

I'LL BELIEVE IN ANYTHING

LATE LATE LATE LATE SHOW

so, check out "this heart's on fire" as performed live on the LATE LATE SHOW. (Boekner on vocals).