Author Archives: admin

equilibrium

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Some weeks are better than others when you write about music. Sometimes the perfect album appears early on and you’ve finished your post in short order. On the flip side, sometimes you have to trudge through a lot of records to find the one that sparks something. Lately the latter has been true for me.

I started out with Holy Ghost! by Holy Ghost!. First of all, the punctuation included in their name pisses off the grammar lover in me. I just had to put a period after an exclamation point. While it’s technically correct in this case I just feel creepy now. Anyway…

These guys are doing the 80s dance revival thing that’s so popular right now. That’s not really my thing, so this album wasn’t so exciting for me. The music is done well and all but in the end bands like this just make me want to break out my Welcome To The Pleasuredome album. That’s right, Frankie Goes To Hollywood for the win.

I did pass this along to some friends who secretly wish they were Molly Ringwald, and I know some of you may be interested in the group, so here’s a track. If it’s your bag go pick up a copy and tell everyone how awesome it is and how out of touch kilter is. I’ll be ok. Really.

Click to play Holy Ghost! – Wait And See

Next up was Silverstein and their album Rescue . I was thinking, “they’re Canadian, they’re post-hardcore, they like Shel Silverstein enough to name their band after him; how bad can they be?” Well, again, they may be wonderful for some of you out there but this is what happened when I queued up the first track:

Click to play Silverstein – Medication

I’m just not that into them. It’s not them, it’s me. They’re obviously very talented musicians (listen to the drummer) but I’m over anything that even resembles emo/screamo/whatever. My angst levels are low enough that this doesn’t get my blood boiling or even intrigue me. What does intrigue me is how “post-hardcore” as a genre can include this kind of music alongside, say, Fugazi. We’re painting with an extremely wide brush there, folks.

I had just about given up and gone back to Girl Talk or The Cave Singers to match my general mood, then the new Explosions In The Sky album came my way. These guys are probably my favorite post-rock band so the timing couldn’t have been better.

The new album, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care is a 6-song instrumental journey on par with anything these guys have put out. They build lush, extended (most songs are over 7 minutes long) soundscapes that really draw you in. This is, in my humble opinion, what the post-rock movement is all about. You can sit back and let the music swirl around you or you can listen intently to the thickness of the production and catch all the little nuances. I’d love to post multiple tracks from this album but it would be practically giving the thing away. Here’s one, which should be enough to convince you to buy the record.

Click to play Explosions In The Sky – Be Comfortable, Creature

So, even though I can’t say it was a wonderful week overall for my musical tastes, I’m sure there’s something here for everyone. Grab one (or all) of these albums this week and enjoy.

Oh, and here’s the full Silverstein track, in case you’re interested. I’d hate to leave you hanging.

Click to play Silverstein – Medication

I’d Have To Take A Thousand Pills To Find Out Where Their Headlights Lead

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I have to rebuild a lot.
I lose things, and I have to find them again.
I forget a purpose, and I have to regroup.

But for today, I will just talk about the rebuilding and the losses I sustain via my iTunes. Yes, I have said it nine and a half times in this blog. But I am going to say it again. I was listening to the new Thursday album, and I thought, doesn’t this sound like Deftones? Let’s pull up some Deftones and… what? Am I spelling it right? Shit. What happened to my Deftones?

And for that matter, this is Thursday I am listening to? I thought it was some random new band I was discovering, called No Devoluciòn. Ah, shit. I’m not qualified to review Thursday, am I? I literally have no idea who they are. OK I have an idea. One idea. They’re that band. That band that kid was going to see, or maybe they were opening for that band that kid was going to see, who was going to play all their albums. And I thought the name of the band Thursday was actually named November. Yep. That’s all the history on this band I am giving you. I am not going to pretend to know their roots, and I am not going to reWikitate stats for you.

Mayday, ground control to no one
Empty the seats and put away the maps
You’ve been away past the far horizons

There is someone else they sound like, but I can’t put my finger on it. In the opening track for this, the 6th studio album, No Devoluciòn, they are sounding a bit like Lovedrug. This album will travel back and forth between Lovedrug, Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones, and Chiodos.

Screaming from a stage or at a pay-phone in the rain
Trying to find the words I always think I need to say
Please, bring it back to the moment before you left
I never felt the sting.
The louder the ring, the less the thing.

Click to Enjoy Thursday – A Gun In The First Act

Then there are the times you think you are going to lose something, so you grasp too desperately at it. And make it wish it were lost.

You’ll probably never get it right. That’s all I’ve got for you.

Kid, you need some thicker skin,
You don’t take punches well.
You’re just like your old man
But you’re young and scared.
You’re weak in your beliefs
And you’ve got so much to prove
And not a lot of time
Before they get to you.

Disregard those clapping hands.
They’ll turn to punches when you’re down.
Disregard the critics’ praise.
They’ll be the first to tell the news
That you’ve sold your soul.
Disregard those dollar signs.
They’ll buy the biggest house in hell
Where you’ll live alone.
Just keep your head down,
Keep your friends close,
Hold fast to your beliefs
And, whatever else you do,
Stay True.

Click to Enjoy Thursday – Stay True

4/20 is another day.

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I may be one of the few non-potsmokers out there. The ridiculousness of a “holiday” just annoys me, though. I couldn’t care less about people that smoke. It doesn’t bother me. This notion of a “holiday”? Bothers me. I understand why some do it. Legalizing marijuana. Bla bla bla. Fine. Hell, I sort of agree with you. Tax that shit. Help get us out of the financial rut our country is in. Guaranteed that if it was legalized and taxed? Potheads would bitch about that, too. It’s our pastime.

So just to be a complete jackass, at first I was going to post the following song.

Why? Well, Adolf Hitler was born on 4/20. Somewhere, some little stupid prude would get all huffy and up in arms over how “offensive” it was, though. That and I didn’t have the song. So instead, I wanted to post something happy I was listening to to get my mind off of a whole bunch of bullshit. It really has nothing to do with 4/20. Or pot. Or much of anything. I just like the song. So go listen to it. And afterwards? Bitch me out for being “insensitive”.

Click to Play Cassius – La Mouche (DJ Falcon Mix)

Shut Em Down. Seriously. Do it.

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Seven years ago, while the DNC was here in Boston, I got to meet a childhood idol at my workplace – Chuck D. I’m not lying. I met the man. The man that, back in ’89 and ’90 while listening to Public Enemy, helped me learn who people like Huey P. Newton were. Who helped me understand what it was like to actually sacrifice to gain ground. I work in a restaurant and walked up to the table he was at and, as politely as I could, simply said hello and thanked him. He was very gracious and shook my hand, and it’s still a source of pride for me.

Years later, I’ve re-learned those lessons, as I’ve certainly become a hell of a lot more selfless. It’s something I certainly don’t like to say so publicly, but for the sake of this post, I think there’s a need for it so that people understand who I am.

Now, my own feelings come from not just a musician, of course. His lyrics certainly resonated within me and made a difference. It was really only that way because of my upbringing, which I understand fully. The two people that laid that foundation in me internally at such a young age are unfortunately no longer with us, any more, but it doesn’t lessen the importance of the lessons they taught me. The music was simply a vessel to launch it into another area of my life – that of equality issues.

Last week, we witnessed Congress – namely Tea Party backed Republicans that strongarmed the rest of their party – nearly shut down our government within the House of Representatives. Now, when I blast Republicans, I have to say that I know that blame isn’t 100% on one side or the other. It takes two to dance. In this instance, we nearly had a shutdown of our government over a distorted moral agenda led by Tea Party backed Republicans. The supposed 11th hour deal that was made is simply stripping more social programs, but the Tea Party is still not happy.

Now, Planned Parenthood is there for a reason. To help a certain cross-section of our society with what is a difficult decision, but also to help provide other resources for women that are simply not available otherwise due to what is still a more subversively sexist society. The fact that we have Senators like Jon Kyl making misinformed statements about the role of Planned Parenthood in abortions is even more disgusting. He made the claim that “over 90%” of what they handle are abortions. Don’t believe me? Watch for yourself:

Disgusting. Which makes Stephen Colbert’s take even better. Take a look at a small part of it:

And that, people, was the sticking point for the budget. A bunch of lying politicians distorting numbers just so they could get a little facetime and suck up to the morally twisted far-right. And yes, that group is led my many involved in the Tea Party. Now, for those saying, “Well, thank God that’s over”? Nope. We have more coming. Hell, perhaps today, even.

Check out the news about how the “debt-ceiling” can affect you.

Why are we even in this mess, to begin with? The fact that a lot of Republicans – Tea Party or not – are willing to basically refuse to let our country to function normally because of a bill that passed – legally – in the Health Care reform bill should frighten all of you. Seriously. These are grown men and women. Stomping their feet and throwing a temper tantrum. One that started over lies about Planned Parenthood and abortion and is ending with people simply throwing words like “ObamaCare” around and continuing to be allergic to facts. One of those facts? Our taxes are historically low. Maybe not for you or I, but for the rich, they are. Taxes are how we pay for everything! And we’re in this mess because a bunch of puppets – and they’re on both the left and right – have pandered to the rich and culled their favor for far too long. Maybe they should have shut down.

Click to Play Public Enemy – Shut Em Down

girl/boy

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I know I stood you up last weekend. Again. I can picture your sad little face, wondering what you ever did so wrong that I would hurt you this way. Baby, it’s not you, it’s me. I’m not the blogger you thought I was. But I can change, baby, I can change. Or at least I can try to cover a little more ground this week to make up for it.

The last few weeks I’ve been paying attention to co-ed duos for some reason. It’s not something I would particularly seek out but a couple of respectable albums dropped recently, so let’s call it a pleasant coincidence.

First up, The Submarines, a duo from Los Angeles. They’ve apparently been releasing albums since 2006 but their newest, Love Notes/Letter Bombs is the first chance I’ve had to hear them. I’m glad I did. This is a pop album but it’s full of fuzzy bass and guitar, as well as lots of little ambient flourishes that make you feel like you’re in space or (who knew?) a submarine. Here’s the opening track, which I like.

Click to play The Submarines – Shoelaces

My only complaint is that the vocals don’t seem to need as much spacey reverb as they’re treated with. That’s just my opinion and it doesn’t distract from a solid album in the end.

The Kills just released a new album as well. It’s called Blood Pressures. Due to an unpleasant incident involving touring with a band, lack of sleep, high tensions, and a long late night drive with one song on repeat, I went into this album with a pretty solid dislike for this band. I’m happy to say I’ve changed my tune a bit. This is a nice little garage-rock-infused record with lots of attitude. Here’s the track “Damned If She Do,” a tune that recalls the swagger of T. Rex in my mind.

Click to play The Kills – Damned If She Do

And of course everyone’s darlings TV On The Radio have a new album coming out this week. I’ve only had time to preview a few songs and, while there are some departures from what we’ve heard before, this is still the unique, crazy cool band we all know and love. You’ve probably heard the first single “Will Do” so here’s another teaser track.

Click to play TV On The Radio – New Cannonball Blues

These guys are always worth the listen, so be sure to pick up the album.

Information travels faster in the modern age

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The new Death Cab For Cutie album is unexpectedly melancholy.

…

I know. Right?

Go ahead; I will give you a minute to chuckle and/or contemplate that statement. Melancholy? Death Cab? Surely you jest. The band from the City of Subdued Excitement? The band who emphatically sported blue ribbons to protest Auto-Tune? That fun-loving band has released a melancholy album?

I know. You and me both. I love listening to their music at night, but there have been songs on past Death Cab albums that will rouse me from my sleep and force me to just go ahead and start bawling. As a matter of fact, there is a track on the new album that could cause me to wake up at night too. I swear I had to pause no less than sixteen times while previewing “Underneath the Sycamore” because I thought I heard a kid hacking to death.



Codes & Keys is Death Cab For Cutie’s upcoming seventh full-length full-band album. Where Narrow Stairs was a more uptempo collection of brooding, I really think this one goes back in the opposite direction and really slows it down.

“You Are A Tourist”, Track 5, is the first release from this album. By the way, the album actually doesn’t come out until May 31, but you can order presale packages now.

Where most songs by DCFC are long narratives with descriptive metaphors or insights, this song is more of an opening of the pain inside and the simple, barely-formed thoughts that come out of it. What’s amazing about the song is how somehow, the music is what provides the actual narrative. The sharp, stinging wit is delivered in the bridge.

Click to Enjoy Death Cab For Cutie – You Are A Tourist

From this point, the album does pick up on intensity. Ben Gibbard’s earnest voice and shallow breaths just never get old. The backing music is like an orchestra of broken hearts who are serious about getting their message across to you.

Make sure you have the collection.

Bringing Back Memories

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I had this urge to go find a song the other day. When I start looking? I get the damn song. I mean it. Well, this is not the most exciting post. I give you that much. It is a great song, and at least there’s a story behind it. You see, I think some folks here know I DJed. And I don’t mean this half-assed way where guys look at a computer screen and “DJ”. No. Vinyl. And it took a long while for me to even become any good at it. Granted, I was playing around at home for probably an average of five to six hours a day for the first six months, but it didn’t come easy. It’s something to say I’m proud I learned how to do.

Well, this song is actually one of the first I picked up on vinyl. Now, when I bought my turntables back in early 2001 – which I still have, by the way – the kid I bought them from also gave me about 20-30 pieces of wax. Some of it I never touched. This one, I used to practice with all the time. And for some reason, it gave me fits. So I would stop. Start. Try mixing again. And fuck up again. It’s not a difficult track to play, in retrospect. Who knows why I had so much difficulty with it. Perhaps the other ambient sounds in the track confused me. Perhaps my sound system to use as a monitor speaker were crap – and they were. Bottom line is, I learned how to do it.

And I have to say, I don’t think I ever played this song out at a gig, which is a shame, because I love it so much. I looked for this version for a couple of days. The dub version just isn’t the same. Yet it was all I could find. I did find the vocal mix, and I give it to you here. The track? “South Side” by Moby, and this is the Pete Heller Park Lane Vocal mix. I don’t know what it is about this mix I love so much, but maybe that’s a good thing. I simply love it. Now I pass it along to you guys!

Click to Play Moby – South Side (Pete Heller Park Lane Vocal Mix)

Home!

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Note: Click here if you would like to donate to help me with my fundraising minimum for the Run to Home Base. Below is more on it.

Okay, so this will be an unconventional post by me. On Saturday night, I signed up for a short 9K road race. Why 9K? Well, baseball season is upon us. Anyone that knows me knows what a baseball nerd I am. I mean, I will get the most random trivia questions right with regard to baseball. For example, I could tell you the home run leaders by decade going back to the 1920’s. Sad, but true.

Well, being that I’m in Boston, it’s now time for the Red Sox season to start, and one of the best parts of the Red Sox organization is their fundraising effort – the Red Sox Foundation. They help many organizations, including the Jimmy Fund, which helps kids – and adults – in their fight against cancer. Last year, I took part in an awesome event – the Red Sox Foundation’s Fantasy Day, and look forward to doing so again this year.

However, this time around, I signed up to take part in their 9K “Run To Home Base” to help their Home Base Program. The program helps returning soldiers with their battles with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. Many know that I am staunchly anti-war. However, I feel that if we’re going to send these kids – and many are kids when they go to fight – to war, that we should also take care of them when they return, which simply isn’t happening. This is a great cause that I think any of us can support, regardless of how you feel about war and our role in it. So since it’s the “Home Base Program”, why not choose a song entitled “Home”, eh?

To donate, please click here.

Click to Play LCD Soundsystem – Home

Ante Up!

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See my niggaz don’t dance we just pull up our pants and, do the Roc-away.
Now lean back, lean back, lean back.

Girl Talk, aka Greg Gillis, just wrapped up 48 live shows where he would get on stage, play, mix, splice, and drop samples at a frenetic pace, sweat his ass off, and inspire the masses to dance their asses off.

If you still don’t know what Girl Talk is, I am not talking about a DJ who matches up the end of one track with the beginning of another.  I am not talking about a DJ who makes the crowd scream with the drop of “Livin on a Prayer” in the middle of “I Gotta Feeling.”

Greg Gillis applies just as much micro-management and analytic skills that he once applied to his trained field in biomedical engineering, to the intricate weaving and grafting of upwards of 35 samples in one track.  Mookie explained just how many samples are used when he reviewed the latest Girl Talk album, All Day, back in November.

You may have noticed two weeks ago when I shat upon the Strokes show that we saw at Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan. We didn’t know what to expect when getting ready to see Girl Talk at the same hotel. Different venue, but who knew if the same standards for sound and management applied out at the Boulevard Pool as apparently did inside at the Chelsea ballroom? And were we to be standing around the pool? Near the pool? Las Vegas, and this blog, is not stranger to an outdoor pool concert. The space for the Boulevard Pool, at least in the pictures released up to that point, seemed a little more confined.

Oh hell.

Oh shazam.

The Boulevard Pool is the New Standard in wet entertainment in Las Vegas. “Dayclub” is the word to describe the trend that has been developing in Las Vegas over the last few years as cabana culture has tried to find exactly the formula for attracting the bikini and board short-clad folk who are seemingly gainfully employed but able to spare a weekday for a pool party. I can’t even begin to explain all of the amenities amenable to partying that they’ve arranged at this Stripside pool, but check it out. It is a Stripside pool.

Drained for concerts.

All 11 inches of it.

If you want to swim, go to the hotel’s other pools.  The Boulevard is designed for the social scene.  Foosball, ping pong, cookouts, makeouts, and live music.

I would definitely recommend going to another show.  Robyn, Mumford & Sons, Nas & Damian Marley, Cake, and The Flaming Lips are on the calendar for the next couple of months.

Back to Girl Talk.

Our other concern: The crowd.  Who were we going to be trying to get our groove on with at this show?  Never to worry.  Girl Talk’s fans are awesome people.  Dancing, throwing hands in air, wearing crazy 80’s getups or wearing noueveau-grunge hipster wear, it’s all good.

The sound was good.

The energy was good.

And do not fret.  Girl Talk is only taking a month off.  He’s got plenty of festivals and appearance scheduled from late April on through the summer. So hit a show.  Hit a few shows in a row.  There’s nothing wrong with that.

But no gangster lean.

You need to dance, y’all, dance.

Click to Enjoy Girl Talk – That’s Right

the L word(s)

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Click to play Lea Lu – Intro (So Jazzy I Could Cry)

I heard that song and I fell in love. It’s jazzy yet fun, and the lyrics are witty in a geeky musician kind of way. The voice that rises above it all is Lea Lu, a Swiss singer/songwriter who I happened across in my journeys around the wonderful mess we call The Web. No, not Lykke Li, not Lucy Liu, and not even everyone’s favorite Teletubbie, Laa-Laa. It’s Lea Lu.

Lu’s new album, Colours will be available April 5th so I wanted to give you a chance to get to know her before that happens. Her songs are folky, always centering around an acoustic guitar, but she sneaks in some very heavy Brazilian Jazz influences. Think “The Girl From Ipanema” with a more pop-based twist and a bit sillier sense of humor. Here’s a fun little song called “Tucataca Song.”

Click to play Lea Lu – Tucataca Song

See? It’s fun stuff.

Lu also has some very introspective tracks on the album. She’s often understated and haunting, in a way that coincidentally reminds me of Lisa Loeb. That’s not a bad thing in any way.

Click to play Lea Lu – Gone

All in all Colours is a solid album. It’s a good listen and is just the kind of thing to put on in the background while you’re hanging out with friends discussing the diversification of your stock portfolios, or whatever it is kids discuss when they’re hanging out these days.

I wish I could tell you more about the artist herself but my German is nicht so gut these days, and that’s pretty much what you get when you visit her official site and most sites about her. That’s alright, her music speaks volumes and I will be on the lookout for her in the future. And now I’ll frame this post just like her album, between her intro and outro tracks.

Click to play Lea Lu – Outro