Fin de 2010

Always proving to be more difficult than anticipated, here is my personal "End of Year, Best of" list. Because I'm all for instant gratification and I hate suspense, I'm beginning with my ultimate fave album of 2010 and I'm just going down the list sequentially until I get bored.



1. Arcade Fire, the Suburbs: Before its summer release, this album was being hailed as indie rock's most hotly anticipated album. Do I hate being predictable? Yes. Is this album fantastic? Yes. Win Butler, Regine Chassagne, and Co. don't set the bar low. The album's a concept: childhood life in suburban America (Win grew up in Houston). While ambitious to the core, the Suburbs still manages to hit emotional cords on a tiny and intimate level. Taken one at a time, the songs are like miniature vignettes, and when woven together, they create a grand, sweeping tapestry. I feel like I'm waxing uber poetic on this one, but I think that's Arcade Fire's point. They make you feel something, even if its just the lumpiness of your ponytail hitting the headrest while you bounce your head to the vibrant beat of "Ready to Start." http://thewildernessdowntown.com/

2. The Black Keys, Brothers: The Black Keys have a surprisingly deep catalogue for a band that's only been around since 2001. Brothers is the sixth full-length release by the band, and the first to hit real mainstream success; production by Danger Mouse is largely responsible for the latter feat. This time around, the Black Keys' usually heavy-handed blues rock is lightened up with readily accessible pop and Motown sounds. The result is a fantastically catchy album with not a throwaway track to be found. As I've said, I'd be just fine being Dan Auerbach's Ex Girl. http://pitchfork.com/tv/%23/musicvideo/8911-the-black-keys-next-girl-nonesuch

3. Yeasayer, Odd Blood: Released at the beginning of the year, this album could have been easy to overlook for a "Year's Best" list. But no way, it's just too great. While not explicitly an album about heartbreak, it is funny how certain sounds and lyrics can remind one of certain places, people, and emotions. This record is an interesting amalgam of many sounds from many places; specifically, Indian instrumentation cloaked in a blankie of chillwave and weird. When I listen to Yeasayer these days, I find myself reflected in Kristen Bell's character from the "Madder Red" video: burying those boogery, bloody, hairy pet rocks. http://pitchfork.com/tv/%23/musicvideo/8528-yeasayer-madder-red-secretly-canadian


4. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So it is with Kanye. The man spews shit, then he produces pure gold. While his ego is almost repulsive enough to make you ignore him completely, the music he makes is undeniably fresh and creative. Add to that equal parts controversy and celebrity quest spots, and you have a mega-hit of a record. Pitchfork gave MBDTF a 10.0 (almost unheard of), and while I give the Chi connection significant weight in that review, the album flows, well, beautifully, with every track catchier than the last. It really is an enjoyable album to listen to, and at least Kanye has enough self-perspective to know he's a jerk.

5. Janelle Monae, the ArchAndroid: Upon first listening to the ArchAndroid, I was strongly reminded of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Less of an MC and more of a singing whirling dervish, Janelle's first full-length release is diverse, long, and ambitious; we're talking 18 tracks revolving loosely around the story of a messianic android sent through time to rescue her people. That idea was lost on me as I listened to the music, and instead found myself awed by the beauty of Janelle's voice and the pure strangeness of the album's progression (in a good way). She goes from wailing over Big Boi's rap in "Tightrope" to sounding like a futuresque Sleeping Beauty singing about leaving her underpants in "Wondaland." Absolute fave track of the album, and possibly my #1 song of the year is "Cold War," with a bassline lifted right from under Outkast's "Bombs Over Baghdad" and a disarming one-take video to match. http://www.jmonae.com/video/cold-war-music-video/

6. Woods, At Echo Lake: 2010 was a year full of retro sounds...surf rock and psychadelia ga-lore! And if I had to hand out an award to my favorite throwback album of the year, Woods would get it. I don't have a problem with artists paying homage to their infuences, but I do have difficulty listening to a record that doesn't acknowledge like 5 decades-worth of musical evolution. This is where Woods gets it right. The band is heavy-handed with the Neil Young emulation, and At Echo Lake is heaped with Byrds-y guitar lines and harmonies. However, their sound does give way to more current inspiration. Listen to "Time Fading Lines," and you can hear the Shins taken to a 60's psych-folk field filled with lavender and willow trees (at least that's what I get).

7. Darkstar, North: Darkstar is my darkhorse this year. I probably wouldn't have even known about this electro duo's release if it were not for NPR's "First Listen." Listen I did, and love as well. Darkstar is signed to Hyperdub records, which is a lable that reads acts like a who's who of the glitchy, dance club sound. On this go-round, Darkstar slow down and smooth out the frenetic pace. It's an electronic album no doubt, but a finely tuned and chilled out one at that. Listening to songs like"Aidy's Girl is a Computer," "Deadness," or "Gold" puts me in a hyper-aware state of calm, kinda like I'm a passenger on a high-speed train sitting with a mug of chamomile tea in my hands. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJE-hUlvUVMUUQu_JQwPacXr5tC3QYY0Gxb6cgxnfypE2HOtZk51VbfuY9hKcndHUCXP8KPT2UCaRqK_5CeCYjXYrqWyS2AA0BI7WH3uA2nB5wQisMTiUILBFNNWaSDTuqOTMiCINzSM/s200/DarkstarNorth.jpg" />

Under Byen, "Unoder"

Obsessed with this video:



Under Byen is a Danish post rock band with something like 11 members. Translated, their name means "Under the City," fitting for their otherworldly sound, which is ironically produced using fairly traditional instruments like piano and strings. Absent is any sort of guitar and minimal digital sampling. Beautiful.

Salem

Ugh, so I totally should have written about this band a week and a half ago when the time was totally apropos (I feel the need to "sleep on" my music, or something). Instead, I'm writing about Salem's King Night well over a week post-Halloween. Oh well, it's still a great album.

So this band is highly electro, with hardly a human sound to be found on the entire thing. It's all time-warped beats, Gothic-style chants, down-revved raps, and skittery samples. I knew I loved this music from the first listen...I heard it on the radio and remembered the band's name, only to find I had noted them on a sticky note months before. Salem is at the forefront of a Chillwave sub-genre (thanks pretentious Indie rock) sometimes called Witch House, Ghostwave, or Reapgaze...I get a huge kick out of these names, by the way.

I tried to understand what it was that caught my immediate attention regarding bands that have this very distinctive sound, and came to the conclusion that I'm reminded of dreaming. Kind of like those flying or paralysis dreams where you can't seem to control your movements and everything seems oddly slowed-down. That's how I'd describe Salem's creepy sound.

A little more research, by way of SiruisXMU and the NY Times, I gained some insight into the fittingly dark origins of this sub-genre. DJ Screw was a hip-hop pioneer of the "chop and screw" style of record spinning at clubs back in the 90's. He'd spin a record at a pace so sluggish, it resembled the liquid consistency of prescription-grade cough syrup, which was, and continues to be, a popular mode of intoxication for many hip-hop clubbers. DJ Screw ended up dying ten years ago of a Codeine overdose, but the influence of his sound is more present than ever (read this great article to see what I'm talking about: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/arts/music/07witch.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&emc=eta1).

Listen to a few Salem tracks here:

"King Night"

http://www.aquariusrecords.org/audio/salemknghtking.m3u

"Trapdoor"

http://www.aquariusrecords.org/audio/salemknghttrap.m3u

The Hold Steady, live

One of the best shows I've been to this year, and what a way to open up what has turned out to be a month full of live music! The Hold Steady played at the Vic on October 1 (I'm three weeks late in writing about it) and what a great show they put on! But what makes a concert so memorable? I think the answer boils down to several criteria, and they all have to align to create a great and memorable live experience.

A. The band has to be into it! The Hold Steady are known for their relentless touring and they have quite clearly grown comfortable with playing to a live audience night after night for months on end. However, their show was anything but routine for concert-goers; their stage presence was great and they looked like they were really having fun up on stage. The above picture was not taken by me, but, I assure you, Craig Finn really does move, wave, and gesture like that the entire time.

B. The right tunes need to be played. Sometimes artists play new material or their personal faves in lieu of what they know fans crave to hear. The Hold Steady did a great job of incorporating songs from a smattering of their collection. They also played the stuff that gets the crowd moving. "Chips Ahoy!"was a personal fave, and the 4-song encore and mini jam was a nice way to close out the show.

C. The right friends. It's always fun to go to shows with a group of friends, but sometimes it can be difficult to keep everyone together--some people want to be close to the stage, others want to hang back, others make frequent drink/bathroom trips. I went with Murph; we stayed in a spot with a good view, and we were quite content to just chill and listen (I think I may have gone to the bathroom once though). An unexpected bonus was the predominance of male attendees...we were two chicks in a sea of boys, yay!

D. Miscellaneous. Factors like the temperature of the venue, the behavior of the crowd, and the ambiance of the hall/arena/room all contribute to overall satisfaction or disappointment. Also, psychological well-being is important; when I get to a show thinking "Poo, these heels hurt," I know it's gonna be a long concert. I'd much rather go in thinking "Woohoo, Hoegaarden on tap!"

She's an Iconic Artist

And her name is Britney Spears. Those titular words were spoken by none other than the luckiest/most recognizable manager in recent pop music history: Larry Rudolph. To quote him fully, "She's an iconic artist...she's like Madonna. She's here to stay." While the first part of that statement is certainly true, I hope with all my heart that Brit is here to stay.

However, when I first read that bit, I found my emotions flickering between excitement and embarrassment. Why am I so sheepish about my love for Britney?...I mean, I'm not really; all of my best friends know that my iTunes contains a nearly complete archive of her musical catalogue. Yet, I am always initially hesitant to admit this.

Perhaps it's the pop-readiness/sell-out factor of her work...perhaps it's her 2007 head shaving incident...perhaps it's her cringe-inducing usage of the English language. But all of these things end up making her more likable, more relatable, and more human.

The woman is clearly business savvy, as she's been THE pop princess since 1998's "Baby One More Time." She has, albeit errantly, steered her career in the most lucrative of directions. Everyone wants to work with her, and we all want to be her too. She's one of the world's biggest celebrities, and she's been that way for over a decade. She's fought personal demons while the world watched, only to come back with another chart-topping record...and another.

It's easy to find celebrities otherworldly: they're incredibly beautiful, really rich, and driven by Texas-sized ambition. But, for some reason, Britney still seems kinda like the girlfriend who always has your back. Perhaps it's her very human missteps that make her seem real...I mean, who hasn't wanted to crack an umbrella through a windshield?...it's just that Britney CAN.

To drive home my point of Ms. Spears' appropriate place atop the pop-cultural mountain, here's what she's workin' with:

• 100 million album sales world-wide
• Estimated net worth of $150 million
• Production by the likes of Bloodshy & Avant, Max Martin, the Neptunes, Moby, and the Outsyders.
• Total concert performances entertaining more than 10 million spectators
• Really toned legs

Alexander, "Truth"

Been waiting weeks for this! Alexander is Alex Ebert a.k.a. Edward Sharpe

Of Montreal, "Sex Karma"

Catch a filmed performance of Of Montreal's "Sex Karma" featuring Beyonce's lil sis, Solange.




http://pitchfork.com/tv/%23/episode/2826-of-montreal/1

Deerhunter, "Helicopter"

My fave song from Deerhunter's latest album Halcyon Digest is given the video treatment. Low-fi but nice.



http://pitchfork.com/tv/%23/musicvideo/8371-deerhunter-helicopter-4ad

Dance Yourself Happy, My Life Motto

If Psych Today tells me so, it must be true. What I've hoped for for years is confirmed by numerous studies from around the world: dance makes you happy!

I'm going to keep pretending nobody can see me while I'm jamming on the road and in my apartment with windows wide open.

I wonder if study results would prove the same for getting take-out from Cozy Noodles...

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201008/mind-your-body-dance-yourself-happy

OK Go, "White Knuckles"

These dogs have gumption!

Sufjan Stevens, All Delighted People

Last month, seemingly out of the blue, indie darling Sufjan Stevens released his All Delighted People EP. Almost simultaneous was the announcement that he would release a full-length record as well. Titled Age of Adz, the album will be released on October 12, 2010.

I have downloaded All Delighted People and was, indeed, delighted by it. A couple singles from Age of Adz have also hit the airwaves, and that project seems just as promisingly wonderful. Alternative radio stations are abuzz about Sufjan, and so it's made me wonder, "Who is this person, creating such a stir and so recklessly purging all this music out to the masses?"

Sufjan certainly is an intriguing figure. I've compiled some interesting facts, gathered from careful research (Wiki really). Read on to find a bit more about the man:

• Sufjan's label, Asthmatic Kitty, is a family affair. He and his stepfather founded the label in 1999, and named the business after their kitten Sara. Both the label and the kitty were based in Lander, Wyoming due to the latter's need to breath thin, dry air.
• Sufjan (SOOF-yahn) was not named by his parents. The founder of the spiritual community Subud gave him his name, meaning "comes with a sword." Sufjan's parents later gave him the option to change it, but he couldn't think of anything better.
• Sufjan seems to have a strong fascination with animals. Label name aside, his work was greatly effected by the sudden death of his childhood dog, and he's written a song about the supposedly extinct ivory-billed woodpecker.
• The title of his new LP is easy to mispronounce. The last word in the title "Age of Adz" should be pronounced like "odds," not what Don Draper does.
• "Age of Adz" was inspired by the schizophrenic artist Royal Robertson. Much of Royal's work depicts his vivid dreams of aliens & apocalypse and uses media like cardboard, markers, and glitter. Sufjan made a conscious decision not to create a Royal biography but, rather, focus on broad themes like love, anxiety, and death.
• Sufjan's older brother, Marzuki, is a nationally recognized marathoner.

Check here for news on Sufjan and other Asthmatic Kitty artists: http://www.asthmatickitty.com/

Download singles here and here:

http://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/track/too-much

http://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/track/i-walked

Robert Plant Still Sounding Good

As much as I love Robert Plant, there are certain times when I have a difficult time listening to him sing. After Led Zeppelin broke up in 1980, he started releasing material on his own, and I've never been a huge fan of that stuff...I thought his voice was whiney and oddly falsetto. I was so relieved to hear he still had it in 2007, with the release of Raising Sand, the great and memorable album he did with Alison Krauss.

He's back at it with his new album Band of Joy, which just so happens to be the name of his very first band from back in the '60's. The record's a collection of cover material and in a similar vein sound-wise as the Raising Sand stuff - old-school, blues, bluegrass. Not quite Zeppelin-style rocking out, but the man's 62 anyhow.

A couple instant faves are "Silver Rider" and "Harm's Swift Way." Listen here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129178865

Band of Joy's official release date is Sept. 14.

Lars-y Bling

Over the past couple weeks during my twice-daily city/burbs commute, I've observed a new car phenomenon. Candy-colored rims! Last week alone, I counted 4 cars sporting 'em. Differing from the more generic murdered-out black, the colored rims I've seen come in shades of chartreuse, cotton candy, and blueberry, and are most usually sported on white cars.

Well, lucky me, my little VW GTI, Lars, happens to be white! I'm thinking that if I can find the right shade of purple, I can tape off certain areas of my wheels and spray paint away. I can also imagine this "simple" DIY project going terribly amiss. See my vision for Lars, below.

Pre-modification:


Lars-ified!:

Flip Cup Failure

This weekend I played several rounds of Flip Cup. I was very upset with my performance...I hate losing at Flip Cup! I'm so glad I don't have anything to do after work today because I think I'm going to practice.

Owen Pallett a.k.a. Final Fantasy a.k.a. Arcade Fire Guy

Owen Pallett came onto my radar after watching his A.V. Undercover clip (see August 4 post). He was one of those artists I had read about a lot, due to buzz surrounding the release of his album Heartland early this year, but until that one-song performance I had never actually listened. I was an immediate convert. Turns out he's immensely gifted - one of those people who just opens his mouth or picks up a violin and, like magic, pretty sounds!

So his sound is certainly orchestral, with theatrical vocals, but he also throws in some electro elements. While listening to Owen, I'm reminded of the Magnetic Fields.

Owen has his hand in quite a few musical projects. He's released three solo albums, one under his real name and two under the name Final Fantasy. He's contributed string arrangements to Arcade Fire, including this summer's The Suburbs. And he's had numerous collaborations with artists like Grizzly Bear, Beirut, and Arctic Monkeys.

All these things are really great, but what actually made me purchase some of Owen's music was my discovery of the title of his second Final Fantasy album: HE POOS CLOUDS!!

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Kate Bush, Queen of the Universe

Kate Bush is quite possibly my favorite artist ever. I can't think of anyone more creative, risk-taking, or beautifully unusual. I understand how her music is an acquired taste for some (the woman's a huge quirkster), but I'm always struck by how much of an unknown she is here in the States.

She's epic in the UK, and has been since she was a 19-year-old chart-topper. Kate was signed to EMI records in 1976 after a little help from a family friend named, oh, Dave Gilmour. A few years later she released her first LP titled The Kick Inside, which is a surprisingly mature album, considering that Kate was just 13 when she penned some of the tunes.

She quickly rose to fame across the pond, in no small part due to her unusual voice and knack for taking really nice pictures (see above, she's lovely). But Kate's career was carried by her own determination and willingness to push the bounds. She took control of her music's direction by learning about production and sound engineering. The result was the creation of her landmark album, Hounds of Love (1985), a concepty double disk, the second half of which details a drowning victim's last night in the water.

Her last release was 2005's Aerial, another great double album. I'm not aware of any more current material, but I'm always in anticipation something new from Kate.

Here's "Wuthering Heights," Kate's debut single:
http://www.giantpanther.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Kate-Bush-Wuthering-Heights.mp3

Active Child

Loving this song by Active Child:

Cover Love

Here are a couple covers to ponder. I'm putting up Cee-Lo's cover of "No One's Gonna Love You" by Band of Horses and Barbara playing Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness." I chose these two because they reflect a musical style negative-image of each other: an R&B star covering an alt-country tune and folk-rock upstarts taking on hip-hop. LOVE both of them!

Cee-Lo, "No One's Gonna Love You"

Barbara, "Pursuit of Happiness"

Instantly Loved Songs

Here is a series of songs I've recently heard, mostly through Sirius XMU, and instantly loved. Some bands (hello, Animal Collective!) have taken me dozens of listens to actually appreciate; then there are others that you instantly start bobbing your head to. Hope you enjoy as much as I do!

Menomena, "TAOS"
http://barsukmusic.blaireau.net/Menomena_TAOS.mp3

Cloud Nothings, "Hey Cool Kid"
http://www.carparkrecords.com/heycoolkid.mp3

The Vaselines, "Sex With an X"
http://assets4.subpop.com/assets/audio/7308.mp3

Les Savy Fav, "Let's Get Out of Here"
http://fakepennycomics.com/blog/LSF_LetsGetOutOfHere.mp3

The Search for the Perfect Pair...

Some people are on a ceaseless hunt for the greatest pair of jeans, like, ever. Accomplishing this feat is nearly impossible for several reasons: styles and tastes change; bodies have issues (flat bums will never be transformed into Beyonce bums no matter how perfectly positioned the pockets are); occasions differ - work jeans are different from concert jeans are different from bar jeans. Besides, the thrill is in the chase!

However, Gap has made the hunted slightly less elusive recently. The global retailer has gone back to its roots to focus on denim created for comfort, style, and affordability. I've found two great pairs over the past couple months, and I've spent under $90 for the bod'uv'ums, thanks to great sales and promo deals. I also have sources who claim that a design head for the premium denim company Joe's has defected to Gap, breathing new designer life into the fit and cut of what has maybe made Gap denim passe in recent years.

I'm a particularly big fan of the "Legging Jean." They're full of stretch, and come in a variety of colors; the blues are good for everyday, the black is work-appropriate, and, my fave, the light gray gives off a great punk rock vibe...I wouldn't be surprised if Iggy himself has a pair.

Last Nite...Every Bit as Good as I Remember It

Like some people remember the assassination of JFK, I recollect my introduction to the Stokes with vivid clarity. It was 2001, and I was working out on a stationary bike in my basement when those beautifully garage-y chords to "Last Nite" were first strummed through the tv speakers to my ears, courtesy of MTV. I knew that they were something new, and I liked it. And I've liked it ever since.

The Strokes were at Lollapalooza this weekend, and I was for sure in attendance. In classic cool kids fashion, their hour-and-half set began 15 minutes late and ended 15 minutes early (granted, they probably couldn't have filled that span of time even playing their entire catalogue). The band sounded great and acted just the right amount of drunk. Julian's voice was in fine form, sounding, more than ever, as if he were singing from the depths of a cardboard fridge box. Albert and Nick took turns taking Strokes-sized guitar solos (little, fast, and nicely articulated), while Fab and Nicolai kept good-looking time in the background. Red, white, and black LED-style back lighting kept the boys silhouetted in dramatic and impersonal Rock Star fashion.

The band has a new album slated for release in March of 2011..it's already been delayed, so don't hold your breath unless you've got Michael Phelps lungs.

Here's that earth-shattering video. It's just as good and instantly classic as I remember, complete with subliminal messages, burning cigarettes on fret boards, whiskey swigging, and mic throwing.

Gogol Bordello, Tiny Desk Concert

These days the indie music landscape is littered with chillwave and surf rock and dream pop and electro-lounge. How refreshing, then, is Gogol Bordello, a self-described band of "gypsy punks"? Leaving all pretense of cool behind, Gogol Bordello, led by Ukrainian-born singer/guitarist Eugene Hutz, imbues Russian folk tradition (lotsa fiddle and accordion) with a heavy dose of American rock. It's exactly what this country's "melting pot" notion was build upon, combining contradictory elements to create something that works well...and is incredibly fun.

Gogol Bordello's "Tiny Desk Concert," recorded in NPR's office space, clocks in at slightly under 23 minutes. I can liken watching this segment to hanging out with an emotionally tolling friend: small doses are the way to go.



These guys are playing Lollapalooza this Saturday, and I can't imagine their live show would be a disappointment.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128111544

A.V. Undercover

This summer the A.V. Club is holding a contest of sorts called "A.V. Undercover." The premise is 25 bands throughout the course of the stunt get to choose one song of 25 to cover. As the contest progresses, the pickings get slimmer. A couple real gems have been produced so far.

As a rule of thumb, I love cover tunes. I like hearing familiar songs being performed by unfamiliar or unexpected bands.

One of my favorite "A.V. Undercover" products is the Antlers covering Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here." The Antlers' ambient, ethereal sound quality and Peter Silberman's frail, sorrowful voice lend themselves perfectly to the song. "Wish You Were Here" has become one of those cliche classic rock songs, simply derivative of the fact that we've all heard it so much. But the song really is beautiful and wonderfully written, and the Antlers were able to give it a fresh reworking while maintaining the song's original integrity.


The Antlers cover Pink Floyd

Other great "A.V. Undercover" results are Wye Oak's stab at the Kinks and Owen Pallett doing Guided by Voices. See all performances here:
http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-wedding-present,38876/

Jack, Alison, & Co.

Last night's events cemented in my mind what I've been reluctant to admit for some time: my destiny is rock stardom. I'm not sure why I've been in denial; I guess admitting the truth and accepting your eminent fate are weighty issues that sometimes just stare you in the face like the occasional public transportation-riding goon sitting across the bus aisle.

Let me follow up with last evening's actual happenings. A dear friend and I attended the Dead Weather show at the Congress Theater. The opener was some surf rock three-piece, I think called Harlem...not bad.

Then Jack White, Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita, and Jack Lawrence took the stage. Minds were blown. I'm hesitant to say this was my favorite show thus far in the year, as it's difficult to beat Ray Davies opening with "This is Where I Belong" while you listen with your dad, but the show was fantastic. The group plays live like they sound on record, and they do it for the crowd as well as themselves...hallmarks of a well-performed concert.

Tired from the week, sweaty, and wearing 5-inch wedges, I just wanted Alison, in all her stringy-haired glory, to keep singing. Her confidence and sex appeal are infectious, and I've contracted.

Sweet Cheesus

Is it possible that Velveeta Shells and Cheese is the perfect comfort food? It's easy to cook (though I have messed up the recipe in recent days. note to self: wait for water to boil before adding noodles), reminds everyone of childhood, and is endlessly satiating in its warmth and creaminess. I don't think I'll ever get sick of mac and cheese; I mean, I could go on the most turbulent of ocean journeys or ride every vertigo-inducing roller coaster at Six Flags, and I'd still be happy to down a bowl.

PB&J doesn't even hold a candle.

Gettin' Kinky Wid It

Great and lasting rock bands have certain things in common: talent, a knack for writing catchy hooks, and an affinity for drama. The Kinks have Ray Davies.

Watch below to see one of Rock 'n Roll's most gifted song-writers dedicating "Waterloo Sunset" and "Days" to recently departed Kinks band member Pete Quaife. Ray played this year at Glastonbury to a crowd of thousands; despite England's World Cup loss the crowd still gets into it.

Note: have tissues on deck.

Additional note: watch for the curly-haired choral singer at the 6:17 mark...epochal life moment for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6hMWM_zW70

Oh, How I've Missed Thee, Juve!

This song brings me back to the Cash Money Millionaires era, circa 1998:

http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/juvenile-drop-that-azz/

Juvenile's "Beast Mode" was released 07/06/2010, and I've linked "Drop That Azz." Listen for the sweet MCA "Drop!" sample throughout!

At Least MGMT Got Something Right

This post is dedicated to the contemporary artist Anthony Ausgang. I discovered his work when all the hype surrounding MGMT's latest release, "Congratulations," was swirling about. For better or worse, the cover, which Ausgang designed, turned out to be the most fruitful component of that entire creative venture.

Ausgang is influenced by an intriguing array of sources. Hot-rod car culture, specifically the animated rodent cartoon character Rat Fink, and his mother's love of high-art forms like the symphony and classic European fine art were impactful to Ausgang. Looking at his stuff, it's clear to see where and how his ideas were formed. His work is bright, full of movement, and psychedelic. While most of his product is blatantly cartoonish it is still articulately crafted, and Ausgang quite clearly puts significant thought and effort into his paintings.

Also reflective of his diverging artistic influences, Ausgang uses both old- and new-school media. He begins the design process on his computer and then finishes the work on an easel with paint. The result is eye-catching, unique, and mind-bending (see "Congratulations" album art above).

Rock Star Crushes

I look back on my days as a young woman and like to reminisce about my past loves. The majority of my significant relationships have been with Rock Stars. These boyfriends have caused happiness, admiration, frustration, heartbreak, and eventual resolution. I must also note that all of these relationships have occurred completely in my own mind. I've listed some of the more memorable ones below, chronologically:

MCA, the Beastie Boys:

I remember being quite young and seeing the video for "Sabotage." I didn't know why, but this guy made me feel strange. A decade and a half later, the Beastie Boys still make me rock out, in no small part due to MCA's great lyrical delivery and pure sexiness. This crush is hard to describe, as MCA doesn't posses that typical "Rock Star" look. He's actually fairly clean-cut in appearance, and I think that's the charm; he's normal but manages to spit some of the wittiest rhymes ever recorded.

Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin:
This one is predictable, Robert is the epitome of Rock Star. I'm not gonna go into details with this one because a) everything I'll say is already obvious, and b) it'll get me too worked up to get any work done after this lunch hour is up.

Dan Hawkins, the Darkness:

You may remember "I Believe In a Thing Called Love," one of the most memorable songs of 2004. If you do, Dan was the man behind the campy genius of the Darkness. He was not the flamboyant frontman, but, rather, the more obscure rhythm guitarist. This crush was long-lived and intense, mostly because Dan seemed like a normal guy just trying his hand at fame. It didn't work: the band broke up several years ago. Dan is no longer a Rock Star, and I no longer have a crush on him.

Dan Auerback, the Black Keys:

Dan is one half of the blues rock outfit the Black Keys; he also possesses the whole of my heart. This love has nothing to do with Dan's appearance. Again, not very physically Rock Star--Dan is slightly chubby, not outrageously good-looking, and hails from the decidedly normal state of Ohio. His voice and musical skill are mind-blowing, however. The Black Keys just released the full-length "Brothers" and I long to be Dan's "Next Girl," heck I'd die a happy woman just to be his ex-girl.

D1Y: Sample-based Music

My love of NPR was once again confirmed when I happened upon RJD2's World Cafe clip. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, National Public Radio has a segment which features a musically/socially relevant artist in the studio. Host, David Dye, will usually chat with the artist for a period of time about sound direction, inspiration, etc. and then ask to hear some live tune-age.

RJD2's World Cafe appearance was formatted slightly differently. Dye asked the electronic virtuoso to explain the creative and technical processes behind his songs. Over the span of 30 minutes, RJ talks about digging through piles of albums in record stores, scouring them for interesting and isolated sounds, queueing and tuning his found sounds, and layering them up to create, for lack of a better term, original un-original music. There is also a 15-minute video clip that shows RJ at the tables, exhibiting his craft.

I enjoyed this World Cafe segment so much for several reasons: A) RJ's electronic format can, with some practice and equipment, be replicated on a simple level by even the most musically talent-lacking individual. If you can find a series of interesting sounds, you can clip them together to make your own sample-based song. B) David Dye's interviewing style is really great. He always asks questions that a fan would ask, and this is because he really is a huge fan. His love and understanding of music always comes through, but in a way that connects with listeners. C) RJ is so darn cute. His earnestness is unmistakable; he wants his fans to understand where he comes from. After listening to him describe his technique, I was left with a new-found appreciation for his style...and a huge crush.

Listen/look here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126513428

Ryden High

Mark Ryden's art is some of the trippiest stuff I've looked at in a while. He paints beautifully intricate and delicate images with recurrent themes of femininity, pop culture, life & death...and bloody meat. His work lures you in with beautiful colors and baby-like subjects and then throws you off balance with an unexpected twist, like a raw pork shank; see his "Incarnation" above.

His stuff is wonderful, perplexing, and disgusting all at the same time. The parallels to Hieronymus Bosch, of the 15th Century, are fairly endless, and I'm sure that Ryden is fine with that. (See below for Ryden's "The Magic Circus," 2001 and Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights," 1504)

Psyched Out

I'm not a dog owned by a man named Pavlov, but I have developed a unique response to certain stimuli. Yes, the spring shoe collection at Nordstrom and boys who play guitar make my mouth water, but what I'm talking about here is my obsession with psychologytoday.com. I love that website.

Psychology Today's site is an amalgam of the articles featured in their monthly published mag, blogs, cognitive quizzes, et cetera. Every day a topic is chosen and four appropriate articles are selected to represent the topic at hand. Psychologist bloggers also continuously post, so content is always new and exciting; some blogs detail experiments, some blogs attack other posts, some blogs are entertainingly poorly written. If you're not into any of that, and you question whether you're a completely uninteresting person, you can take a quiz to find out. Always a good time.

Unapologetic Rock

The question is common, the answer is predictable:

"What's your favorite kind of music?"

"Oh, I'm down with everything."

Even if you believe you've got the most eclectic taste in tunes, you know there's something that just gets you going a bit more than everything else.

For me, it's always been rock, tinged with disobedience, machismo, and humor...and when I say tinged, I mean slathered.

This thought occurred to me a few days ago while listening to J Roddy Walston and the Business. You see, I immediately knew I would be all over their recently released EP "Don't Break the Needle". J Roddy sounds as if he were spitting his vocals into the mic after a weekend bender, possibly still inebriated and certainly in for a nasty hangover. On "Brave Man's Death," he sings about stealing his mother's hard-earned cash and being unable to love his kids. J Roddy, thank you for keeping this beautiful thing we call Rock 'n Roll alive.

http://www.theburningear.com/media/2010/06/J-Roddy-Walston-and-The-Business-Brave-Mans-Death.mp3

S. Carey

I happened across S. Carey while reading one of my favorite music blogs, prowling for something new to listen to. As I read the small description of S. Carey and his featured tune "In the Dirt" I realized that this guy's full name is Sean Carey. If you're familiar with Bon Iver you may recognize this name; Sean has been drumming with Justin Vernon's band for several years. If you graduated from Badger High School in Lake Geneva, WI you may also recognize this name; I went to school with this kid, and I'm so excited he's getting a shot.

"In the Dirt" is dreamy, sorrow-tinged, and acoustic, not far from the sound of most of Bon Iver's work. This particular tune also reminds me of one of my favorite local (and now defunct) Madison bands, the Profits.

Sean's full-length debut, titled "All We Grow," is slated for release on August 24 through Jagjaguwar. I wish him all the best with it!

http://nofearofpop.net/downloads/S.%20Carey%20-%20In%20The%20Dirt.mp3

Mustang, You Had Me at "Hello"

I can think of some pretty gripping car commercials--Cadillac instantly comes to mind with their use of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" and Phoenix's "1901," while Lincoln was memorable with Cat Power's "Space Oddity" cover--but I have to say that Ford's 2011 V6 Mustang ad has me.

The song is Band of Skulls' "Light of the Morning," and, played while images of America's most recognizable sports car rip dirtily across the screen, the result is indelible. I want a Mustang; Ford marketing, job well done.

It's the inherent sexiness of this fast machine paired with the Skulls' passionate and wanton sonic delivery. The throwback look of the restyled Mustang is similarly echoed by the retro rock feel of "Light of the Morning" and perhaps it's this nostalgic yearning for better, more carefree times that strikes an emotional chord...work is the furthest thing from sexy, but it's amazing how a minute-long spot, viewed from my drab little cube, gets my blood pumping.

Hi-Fructose is Eye Candy

Hi-Fructose is a quarterly contemporary art publication I somehow happened upon. I initially discovered the magazine through their webpage and was so transfixed by the art that I immediately bought a subscription for $26/year...I just had to.

As an Art History major, I feel ashamed to say that I rarely concern myself with the happenings of the current art world. I felt instantly reinvigorated and fascinated by what I spent the better part of four years doing: looking at interesting images.

The stuff featured in Hi-Fructose has a coherent theme: vivid colors, graphic line, fantasy-like characters, and twisted situations (Take a look at Alex Pardee's "Digested Rainbow" above). Sure, there is social/political commentary if you're into analyzing that sort of thing, but, if not, the art is just plain cool to look at.

Browse or subscribe here: http://www.hifructose.com/home.html

Sleigh Bells vs. Christianity

Track after track on Sleigh Bells' debut album "Treats" possesses the Holy Trinity of a great song: fat beats, dirty guitars, and saccharine vocals. I'm on a mission to spread the good news.

I was first introduced to Sleigh Bells via "Rill Rill," a low-key, Funkadelic-sampling, acoustic tune. I was pleased, but wrote the band off as one of those dream pop acts that seem to have infiltrated the music scene of late. Then I heard "Crown on the Ground"...

Guitar/beats man, Derek Miller lets it fly right from the beginning with a screaming little guitar riff, while singer Alexis Krauss joins in with a jittery, pep-rally vocal chant. The bass is heavy and the lyrics are singable. What's not to like?!

The album more or less follows suit, with 2- and 3-minute tracks that deliver infectious, danceable beats throughout. This album is perfect for my morning commute, and I plan on rocking out in my car well into the foreseeable future.

I also plan to see them perform live at Pitchfork on July 18. Will you follow?
http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/index.php?d=sunday

Listen: "Crown on the Ground"
http://tympanogram.com/files/Sleigh-Bells-Crown-On-the-Ground.mp3

Dear Chicago: Driving in You Sucks!

My car was pooped on this weekend. No, no it wasn't a pigeon nor was it Dave Matthews' tour bus pulling a quickie refuse dump. I was flashed by a Red Light Violation Camera at an intersection for a right turn during a red light...that's right, bullshit.

I expect the $100 ticket to come in the mail any day now; it'll tell me to make my check payable to the Chicago Dept. of Revenue.

The laws of physics have us here, citizens of Chicago. Unless you're featherfoot McGee and have a knack for reading obscure traffic signs, everyone who drives in the city regularly is bound to get flashed by the robotic red light brigade. As a matter of fact, I bet I'll have racked up two more by 2011.

My experience this Memorial Day Monday immediately set my veins aflame, and my blood was still boiling hours later. I already pay IL income tax, city property tax, the highest sales tax in the country (10.25 %), and an annual $120 zoned parking sticker. I don't have much more to give; my June budget is now ruined, and I won't be able to afford those gray skinny jeans I've been eyeing at Anthro.

I need to take a stroll...and I won't be jaywalking.

Blitzen Trapper: Wolves in Dylan's Clothing

From the poetic, emotive writing to the vocal delivery and phrasing, Blitzen Trapper's "Destroyer of the Void" has their influence plastered from floor-boards to crown moulding. I mean, the first line on the title track/album opener goes something like "Here's to the lone and wayward son, for to love is to live for to roll like a rolling stone." The album is cohesive and clear in a way that dear Bob may no longer have the the brain cells or vocal cords to pull off.

Blitzen Trapper hail from Portland, OR and are signed to Sub Pop, but Southern- and folk-rock are what these guys are all about on this album. Evoking the sounds of the Grateful Dead and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, lots of vocal harmonizing and a healthy dose of guitar combine with tight production to create a decidedly retro-sounding album.

Standout tracks are found mid-album in "Love and Hate" and "Heaven and Earth." While the listener's brain gets lulled into a steady, twangy groove, "Love and Hate" opens with a heavy riff that commands the body's attention just like a nice guitar line should. And while they've got your ears, the band continues with the beautiful piano ballad "Heaven and Earth." Singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Early's writing style is put on exhibition nicely here: all melancholy and oblique, the song begs a second listen as soon as it's over.

Consistency is king on "Destroyer of the Void;" the album is a smooth listen, the caveat being exactly that: tracks tend to pile together without much differentiation.

Listen below through NPR before the album's release June 8:

Hello!

In my recent search for a creative outlet and, after perusing a friend's well-written and witty blog, I've decided to create my own little page ("Way to join the computer age!" you say? Yes, I realize my techy tendencies have been latent).

I hope to share some of my own perspective on things I am passionate about, fascinated with, and entertained by, which is bound to include music, fashion, food, animals, and other fun stuff.