Dancefloor Resuscitation

Criminally Ignored #4

I'd never heard of Postcard Records until right after Franz Ferdinand released their self-titled debut. Afterwards, you couldn't get away from magazine articles casually mentioning Orange Juice, Aztec Camera, and all these obscure Glasgow bands that served as inspiration for Franz's sound (as well as the sound of the hundreds of jittery post-punk/dance bands that followed years later). Well, one Postmark band that I never felt got as much attention as they deserved was Josef K. While not as typically upbeat as Orange Juice; there's something about their thin white man blend of funk that works so well for them (and for every post-punk band that's aped them for nearly thirty years now). Just listen to the way Malcolm Ross's guitar dances right above Dave Weddell's bass lines ("Heaven Sent") or Ronnie Torrance's drums functioning as a means of keeping the rest of the band boxed in just enough so they wouldn't end up spilling all over the place ("The Missionary"). Vocalist/songwriter Paul Haig's recent solo work alone shows that there was a great deal of creativity that would've no doubt resulted had the band just lasted beyond 81'.

Break Up

I can't stop listening to The Byrds right now. Seriously. It's gotten to the point where I've been late for work because I'm still sitting in my truck waiting for "Have You Seen Her Face?" to finish its fade-out. Anyway, The Byrds are not only responsible for one of my favorite albums (1968's Sweetheart of the Rodeo. I currently have an original copy still in its plastic wrap staring at me as I type this), but also for one of the most upbeat breakup songs I've ever heard.


















The Byrds - "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better"
(from Mr. Tambourine Man)

I could break down why this song is so freaking good, but I think this quote from Tambourine Man's 1996 reissue sums it up pretty well...

"There was always something to unravel in those songs, the non-explanation of the complex feeling. For instance, if you remember I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, it doesn't say: "I'll feel a whole lot better", but "I'll probably feel a whole lot better." For me, that makes the song. There's a statement followed by a hesitation." -Jim Dickson, Byrds' manager.

The Byrds - I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better

Yeah, it's that song again. Sorry.

I don't know how I missed this...



Yeah, that's Jermaine Dupri. This Stereogum session happened last December and not only features Dupri, but a backing band comprised of members of Crash Kings, Alkaline Trio, Yellowcard, Melee, Reeve Oliver, Ozma, flutist Greg Vail and a cameo appearance by a small child.

An Award of Sorts: I feel like honoring Rivers Cuomo in some small way, because this post marks the third time I've featured "Can't Stop Partying" on this blog. Congrats to Mr. Cuomo, Mr. Dupri (for co-writing the song. Really.), Lil' Wayne, Geffen Records, and the entire Weezer family. I never want to hear this song again.

It's Over

Really, it is. I'm out of words at this point...



Weezer - Can't Stop Partying (Feat. Lil Wayne)

Ok, now compare that mess with the acoustic original from last year's Alone II: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo...



The song is still ridiculous, but I actually like it a lot. There's an honesty there that just doesn't exist in Raditude's re-recording. Lil' Wayne?! Really? I guess that novel I'm working on with Lady Gaga doesn't sound so silly afterall.

Drifting

Nosaj Thing - Drift

I really, really dig Nosaj Thing. In fact, he was one of the acts that I really regret not seeing while I was still living in LA. Now to be honest, for whatever reason his stuff was a little hard for me to get into at first, but after a few more listens I was hooked (Please, please, please, listen to "Light #2" in your car before a night out partying, clubbing, whatever. It's perfect.) I've read a few print interviews with Jason Chung, but never actually heard him speak until I ran across this Yours Truly clip on Pitchfork. Yeah, that's right; I check Pitchfork nearly everyday. So there. If you're wearing skinny jeans right now or own a pair of fake Wayfarers, chances are you do too. Judge not fellow posers, judge not...

Better Than Nelly's Shoe

"I love No Age, but do I really want to buy their shoe?"
Well, that's just one of the many indie/mainstream/corporate sell out related questions you can ask yourself (and many others no doubt) for a limited time only! Dean and Randy designed the shoe for Emerica with help from artist and skateboard veteran Ed Templeton. So yeah, they're vegan. Are vegan shoes edible? If I just finished up an hour or two of skating, but ended up stranded in a wilderness by way of a hilarious sequence of events and was without sustenance for an extended period of time, would I be able to rely on my shoes to keep me alive until the rescue choppers can spot me? Man, life brings up some tough questions sometimes.

I still can't get over those Sub Pop Nikes...












I'm still holding out for Lil' Wayne flip-flops.

Searching for God Knows What

You know, it's funny how many of your favorite songs have sat around in record stores, pressed onto vinyl, data embedded on a compact disk, or digitalized on a website available for download without the restrictions of "store hours". All of these media just waiting for a friend's recommendation to drive you to spend your tip money on what might actually end up being your essential listen, the album you spout off during conversation with a guy in a Silversun Pickups t-shirt on $5 pitcher night (guilty), or the song you burn onto the #146th mixtape for that girl you're desperately trying to impress (keep the dream alive gents).

















George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
(from All Things Must Pass)

Ok, so I'm a fool for having never listened to All Things Must Pass, but that's definitly something I plan on fixing in the next couple of days. This song is nothing new. It's 39 years old, and was a #1 single for weeks in both the UK and US. Harrison uses the song as an expression of longing to truly know God. The song is primarily directed towards the Hindu god Krishna, but uses the traditional word of praise "Hallelujah" found in Christianity and Judaism, as well as Vaisnava Hindu prayers as background vocals. Regardless of what you may or may not consider religiously profane (save it for another time), this is one of the most beautiful songs about the human desire to know God and the search for a relationship with Him.



Also: Yim Yames ("ahem," Jim James) has a recent cover that was actually my first exposure to the song. Really nifty, but pales in comparison.

Yup

I saw this coming...

Boomer...

So I'm heading to Norman tonight to see Beach House and Josh Jones (from the truly great Evangelicals), followed by The Walkmen tomorrow night at OU (Yeah, I'm still shocked too). I've missed several opportunities to see these gentlemen, especially during my time in Los Angeles, so Saturday will be quite nifty.

Oh, what's that? You want to go too?

Equality:
Ok, this just made my day...













(Politely stolen from Cali and Jenna Thornhill DeWitt's blog)

Anniversary

I'll probably be spending the next couple of days hoarding my tip money for this...


















The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses: 20th Anniversary Edition

If you haven't listened to this before, you really owe it to yourself to do so. Yeah, now is a pretty good time. Go. Do.

Facts

1. I no longer live here...



















2. I live here now (again)...



















3. But before I left I went to this...

Warm Heart of Africa

This is killer...

Amadou & Mariam - Welcome to Mali

Geez, first Esau Mwamwaya (The Very Best), now this. I've gotta move to Africa for good. Do something nice for yourself and listen to this album. Also, I might be in love with this track...

Sabali - Amadou & Mariam

New Identities

Lately I've been really into old school graphic design work. There's a lot of great stuff out there that far outweighs the kind of ad illustrations most companies use today.

Paul Rand is legit. 

The graphic design focus that a lot of corporations have adopted, wouldn't exist had it not been for Rand drawing attention to the relationship of art and the consumer. Sweet stuff.

Thinking of a Dream I Had

Last night I had a dream that I had tickets to a Crystal Castles show that just happened to be taking place in my neighborhood. Awesome. Then I woke up. Awesome.

Not a Dream: The Replacements' Tim has been a favorite of mine since I was a teenager. No doubt, I was the only kid in my neighborhood listening to that kind of stuff while Ja Rule was doing his best DMX impersonations all over car stereo systems. While usually a great idea, most cover songs suck. So I was a bit apprehensive about Kindness' attempt at the album's social function downer "Swinging Party;" but then I listened to it. The video, a collection of clips from educational films, aborted MGMT music videos (probably not), and at least one scene from Poltergeist, goes really well with the dreamy re-working of the song. Good stuff.

Caveman Drumming

You know those bands that seem like they'd sound pretty good and get positive reviews and your friends all say you should check them out, but you don't because you're too engrossed in last year's Soulja Boy Tell 'Em album (on the record: I hate all things Soulja Boy Tell 'Em), well, that's what Hella is to me. I'll get around to it eventually. In the meantime, Wavves' Nathan Williams has started collaborating with Hella drummer Zach Hill and it's been nifty results so far. I'm sure there's a million music blogs that have already posted this video, but having it on my own blog makes it easier for me to watch.

Selfishness. Enjoy kids.

Also: I really wish I was still in Tulsa for this show...

"Sigh."

No Ego

Texas is the Reason

Texas tissue paper.

Such beauty.

When it's time to party...

Have I ever mentioned how much I love this man?

Andrew W.K. - 55 Cadillac

due September 8

The Tony Robbins of hard rock returns with an album of face-melting uh, piano improvisations.

Yup.

Well, this could actually be good considering that Andrew is a classically trained pianist, but either way, stuff like this can only add to the great man's legacy.

Greatness:

Here's a rare (ok, not really) look into the life of Andrew W.K. filmed in New Orleans during Mardi Gras earlier this year.

Consider yourselves privileged.

Also, be on the lookout for a ridiculous Obama related comment towards the end (sorry, but it's really lame).

Seriously though, Andrew seems like one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. Definitely someone I'd invite over for dinner with the fam, maybe some Frolf or a little Wii Tennis afterwards or something.

I dunno.

Surprise Me

If I had a conversation with Jona Bechtolt regarding the new Yacht album, it would go something like this...

Hey, thanks for meeting me here by the periodicals in this 7-Eleven.

"Uh, sure."

So, I love The Blow.

"Yeah, it was fun working with Khaela..."

I didn't really like your last Yacht album.

"Oh. Well, I'm sorry?"

Yeah, me too. I've got good news for you though.

"Ok. What?"

I'm in love with See Mystery Lights.

"Thanks. That is good news."

It's like asking that cute girl that works at the library during the summer out to dinner, and she actually says yes.

"You know, I've never heard it explained quite like that before."

Want a Slurpee? My treat.

"Yes. Yes, I would."

Yacht - See Mystery Lights

After my disappointment with 2007's I Believe in You, Your Magic is Real (with the exception of the amazing album cover. Seriously, look it up), this sucker comes as a big shock to me.

Buy this album.

Or buy it for someone else. Whatever.

Criminally Ignored #3

Greatness: I want this, but can't have it.

You can own this gem of a tour shirt during the "No Deachunter Tour" that I really wish was coming to LA. Ho hum.

Moving on:

Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - Bavarian Fruit Bread

Recently, I read that Hope Sandoval has stopped sharing an apartment with Miranda Lee Richards (ok, that's not true, but it just seems like they'd make for good roommates) and finally decided to start recording again. Which means there will be another Warm Inventions album coming some time this fall. One of the biggest complaints I've heard about 2001's Bavarian Fruit Bread is that it sounded too much like rehashed Mazzy Star, making the album too predictable as a result. Well, that's true, and honestly I don't expect this upcoming album to be any different. So why recommend it? Well, I'm not recommending it, so much as I'm recommending the fourth track on the album. "On the Low" has been a fav of mine for a while now. I fell in love with it the very first time I heard it on the Sprout soundtrack (several years later, and I still haven't seen the film). Nothing amazing, just so freaking chill.

Exciting

Lord willing, this will be good.

No Age - Losing Feeling EP

Due October 26

In other news: I'm still addicted to this...

Clipse ft. Kanye West

"Kinda Like a Big Deal"

Warning: Explicit, but no Auto-Tune! Yay!

Brothers

Bob Dylan - Desire / John Phillips - John, the Wolf King of LA

Collaboration

Geez.

I just listened to this today and am very pleased.

Atlas Sound w. Panda Bear

"Walkabout"

The track comes from the upcoming Atlas Sound album Logos.

Due October 20th.

Legit.

"It's like the chocolate came out of a full ashtray."

This makes me sad.

Chocolate-covered bacon.

Why America, why?

Criminally Ignored #2

Larry Clark's Kids is a messed up film.

Really.

I first saw it in college a few years ago. Clark took what the public already knew about underage sex, AIDS, drugs, and disillusionment, and exaggerated it to a point where the viewer can't help but be left with something long after the film's ending. Well, not every teenager is having rapid sex with their friends and classmates, but it happens more often than you think. I'm not saying you should run to your nearest Blockbuster and rent it (This shouldn't be used for educational purposes. Trust me.), but it's crazy stuff. The film is far too explicit, but if you've ever taken a look at Clark's filmography that shouldn't be a surprise. He seems way too preoccupied with presenting teenage vice (and shirtless boys), rather than using those existing vices as a means to make change or to at least present an alternative. Negativity will only birth more negativity until we force it into inspiring a positive.

So yeah. The soundtrack is great.

 

It's mostly Lou Barlou songs; a Sebadoh song ("Spoiled," a good choice.) and some Folk Implosion songs. But songs like the silly angst ridden "Daddy Never Understood" or the lost "Jenny's Theme," are just awesome. Then there's Slint's "Good Morning Captain," which actually ended up being my first introduction to the band.

Not totally accessible, but unlike the film, worth going back to.

Bowling

I'll be here tonight.

Ray LaMontagne with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra / Jenny Lewis / Blitzen Trapper

@ Hollywood Bowl, 7pm

Neat.

North American Scum

You should see this, regardless of which America you come from.

Robert Frank's "The Americans"

Until October 19th @ The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

Background: In 1955 Robert Frank traveled across the United States and photographed its society. Upper class, middle class, no class, everything. During his trip, Frank was thrown in jail (in Arkansas), accused of being communist (in Arkansas), and told by a sheriff that he had "an hour to leave town. (not sure where...Arkansas?)" He took his family along with him for part of his series of road trips over the next two years, during which time he took 28,000 shots. 83 of those photographs were published as The Americans in 1958. The book was originally published in Paris, because many U.S. publishers thought Frank's subject matter was too un-American and were unimpressed with his photographic techniques. As a result, the book wasn't published in the states until '59.

So yeah, go.

Oh, and no ill will towards Arkansas. You're alright.

Hendrix, Clapton, uh...Lil' Wayne

Lesson: Owning a guitar makes you proficient at...owning a guitar. Not playing one.

Oh, Weezy.

This is the kind of stuff you do in the basement where the only people that can hear you are either rats or cockroaches...

I bought my first guitar from one of my high school teachers for $100. He only played it during Sunday morning services at church; Assembles of God. So a few hymns, maybe a Michael W. Smith cover or two. Honestly, I just wanted to be a black Pete Townshend (Pete probably just wanted to be a white Chuck Berry). I remember plugging my guitar into the amp for the very first time and expecting a 9 minute solo, but ended up playing something that sounded a lot like Weezy's Guitar Hero-esque attempt.

In fact, it might actually be the same song.

Advice: You should see this show.

The Very Best @ The Echoplex

July 16th

Criminally Ignored #1

Hey,

You should buy this...

All Night Radio - Spirit Stereo Frequency

I was a big Beachwood Sparks fan and was pretty bummed about their breakup at the time (they got back together last year), but then I discovered Dave and Jimi's side project a few years ago. Nifty.

Ok, so at 4:56pm it will be 456789. Earth shattering.

Maybe it was the anxiety from this "once in a millennia" occasion that caused me to roll my ankle this morning? Sure.