You can feel free to ignore this one if you want. Just going to be some random things that I enjoy without much description. I found out recently that my favored file hosting site is going to be shutting down and every mp3 I've posted up until now will be disappearing unless I find a suitable replacement. This will simply serve as a way for me to test out a new service while posting some random nonsense.
Here's the lead singer of As I Lay Dying doing his best Arnold Schwarzenegger impression set to some total brutal music.
Austrian Death Machine - Get to the Choppa
http://kiwi6.com/uploads/hotlink?id=7i98p08b4s" height="27" width="320">
So, did it work? I hope so...
***EDIT***
Well, THAT was a spectacular failure. In the last 2 hours, I've been on google looking for acceptable alternatives and haven't found squat. In all likelihood, I'll end up having to close down this sight or actually learn how to write well. The last thing I want is a ragequit, but we'll see. It's not like anybody actually reads this thing anyway.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
I Miss You More Than You'll Ever Know
Between this, the last post about Boys & Frogs and a little stop-gap filler on this blog's facebook page (which you should probably "like" if you don't already), we're sitting at three posts about music videos in a row. Will this trend continue? If groups I love keep churning out artistic, interesting, erotic and/or simply badass music videos, then yes.
Ladies and gentlemen, this video has a touch of all of those aforementioned adjectives and more.
If you'll recall, when last we saw mr. Gnome, they had just made kinky love to my earholes with their fully engorged rock and roll ding-dongs at the Conservatory. Since they wrapped that tour, they've been busy recording their third album and conceptualizing/shooting/editing their new video for "Vampires." The new album has yet to materialize, but the video launched on YouTube just a few days ago. I'm embedding it here, but I highly recommend watching it on YouTube proper so you can see the full-sized version.
mr. Gnome - Vampires (Content Warning for Language/Violence/Drug Use [see a doctor if you experience an erection lasting more than four hours])
What I love so much about this video is that it's a throwback to the days when music video's could be more than just glorified commercials. "Vampires" is a three-minute-and-change song and this video stretches to the 10 minute mark. To me, this ranks up there with epic videos like "Thriller" or "November Rain," except the song is actually good and they don't have to cramp their style to conform to MTV's lame standards and practices. Hell, I'll agree with a buddy of mine who just watched it and say that this is better than most of the movies I've seen over the last few years. It's obvious that the band had a vision and that they were dead set on executing it to perfection (read their sweet-ass blog for any length of time and you'll figure out really quickly that there's nobody who could have conceived this other than them). If you haven't watched it yet in spite of the fact that I embedded the damn thing in the middle of this wall of text, I'm not going to ruin it for you by getting into details. Suffice it to say that their small cast of characters get their due development in the short 10 minutes and none of them, save the band who are caught off guard and playing on amidst the chaos, are too sympathetic. Seriously, this is the best music video I've seen in years.
Now that I'm done jizzing all over this video's face, I should mention that mr. Gnome are set to play the Conservatory again on December 1st here in OKC and I STRONGLY recommend that you attend, buy a "mr. Gnome: Better than porn" t-shirt (funny story there) and offer to fellate them after (or before) the show. They deserve it after all. And if you don't live in Oklahoma City, peep their tour dates and see where you can catch them on this tour. You won't be disappoint.
Ladies and gentlemen, this video has a touch of all of those aforementioned adjectives and more.
If you'll recall, when last we saw mr. Gnome, they had just made kinky love to my earholes with their fully engorged rock and roll ding-dongs at the Conservatory. Since they wrapped that tour, they've been busy recording their third album and conceptualizing/shooting/editing their new video for "Vampires." The new album has yet to materialize, but the video launched on YouTube just a few days ago. I'm embedding it here, but I highly recommend watching it on YouTube proper so you can see the full-sized version.
mr. Gnome - Vampires (Content Warning for Language/Violence/Drug Use [see a doctor if you experience an erection lasting more than four hours])
What I love so much about this video is that it's a throwback to the days when music video's could be more than just glorified commercials. "Vampires" is a three-minute-and-change song and this video stretches to the 10 minute mark. To me, this ranks up there with epic videos like "Thriller" or "November Rain," except the song is actually good and they don't have to cramp their style to conform to MTV's lame standards and practices. Hell, I'll agree with a buddy of mine who just watched it and say that this is better than most of the movies I've seen over the last few years. It's obvious that the band had a vision and that they were dead set on executing it to perfection (read their sweet-ass blog for any length of time and you'll figure out really quickly that there's nobody who could have conceived this other than them). If you haven't watched it yet in spite of the fact that I embedded the damn thing in the middle of this wall of text, I'm not going to ruin it for you by getting into details. Suffice it to say that their small cast of characters get their due development in the short 10 minutes and none of them, save the band who are caught off guard and playing on amidst the chaos, are too sympathetic. Seriously, this is the best music video I've seen in years.
Now that I'm done jizzing all over this video's face, I should mention that mr. Gnome are set to play the Conservatory again on December 1st here in OKC and I STRONGLY recommend that you attend, buy a "mr. Gnome: Better than porn" t-shirt (funny story there) and offer to fellate them after (or before) the show. They deserve it after all. And if you don't live in Oklahoma City, peep their tour dates and see where you can catch them on this tour. You won't be disappoint.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Micropost 3
Still working on that post about repetitive music from my childhood, but felt this was worth posting. You'll remember Boys and Frogs from a prior post. If you don't remember, woe be upon you. They have a joyous sound which I still maintain reminds me of a scaled back Arcade Fire back when AF was still good. Got a message from one of the guys in the band and they just debuted their first music video in the last few weeks. It's for their latest single, "In Dreams" and I think it's delightful.
Boys and Frogs "In Dreams" from Boys and Frogs on Vimeo.
So yeah. Cruise on over to their vimeo page and watch it there at a larger size. And buy their music if you haven't already.
Boys and Frogs "In Dreams" from Boys and Frogs on Vimeo.
So yeah. Cruise on over to their vimeo page and watch it there at a larger size. And buy their music if you haven't already.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sometimes I Try to Pretend
This will mark my third post about Hurricane Bells and, unless Steve Schiltz goes on a crazy streak of insane productivity (which is not necessarily out of the question given that it's been about a year since the first HB release), it may be the last one dedicated to them for a while. Now, I know in my last post I promised that I would be talking about "bleeps and bloops," but I felt that I needed to move this one to the front burner. I mentioned not long ago that this EP was coming out and, as expected, it's outstanding. More blissful, low-key stuff that's perfect for autumn and doesn't stray away from the formula that, in my opinion, made "Tonight is the Ghost" so great. However, this doesn't really showcase Schiltz songwriting chops as much as HB's debut as 3 of the 5 tracks are covers.
Hurricane Bells - Waiting Song
If you'll also recall when I made the preview post for this EP I was pretty ambivalent about the cover of Blue October's "Into the Ocean" being included on the disc. It turns out that I really had nothing to worry about. Steve takes a song that I didn't really care for at all to begin with and turned it into one of the highlights on the record.
Hurricane Bells - Into the Ocean
See? That wasn't so bad, now was it? If you feel inclined to purchase this, I recommend doing so directly through the band's website. Whether you buy the physical version or the digital download, you'll receive the "Ghost Stories" EP as a free bonus, which is just 5 remixes of previously released material. Being the completist that I am when it comes to Steve's work, I had to have it. And track 3 is actually pretty awesome to boot. Win-win!
Hurricane Bells - Winters in New York (Carlos Anthony Molina Remix)
There you have it. 2 EPs for the price of one. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some 16-bit blinking, blonking stuff to listen to for the next post. For real this time.
Hurricane Bells - Waiting Song
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
If you'll also recall when I made the preview post for this EP I was pretty ambivalent about the cover of Blue October's "Into the Ocean" being included on the disc. It turns out that I really had nothing to worry about. Steve takes a song that I didn't really care for at all to begin with and turned it into one of the highlights on the record.
Hurricane Bells - Into the Ocean
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
See? That wasn't so bad, now was it? If you feel inclined to purchase this, I recommend doing so directly through the band's website. Whether you buy the physical version or the digital download, you'll receive the "Ghost Stories" EP as a free bonus, which is just 5 remixes of previously released material. Being the completist that I am when it comes to Steve's work, I had to have it. And track 3 is actually pretty awesome to boot. Win-win!
Hurricane Bells - Winters in New York (Carlos Anthony Molina Remix)
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
There you have it. 2 EPs for the price of one. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some 16-bit blinking, blonking stuff to listen to for the next post. For real this time.
Labels:
Change of Plans,
Free Music Kinda,
Hurricane Bells,
Threepeats
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
All My Life Spent Alone
Okay, so it's over a week. Congratulations to those of you who bet against me. You've won. Anyway, I had considerable trouble when trying to come up with the subject for this post. Then Autumn happened. I stepped outside Sunday morning and was immediately taken with how crisp and clean the air was. I love this time of year. It makes me want to huddle close to someone on a park bench and watch the sun go down as a brisk breeze blows over us by the lake. It makes me want to fall in love.
And so last night, I did what I always do when I feel all dovey and nostalgic for a past that's not yet behind me. I put James Iha's "Let it Come Down" on the turntable.
James Iha - Be Strong Now
For anybody who somehow doesn't know, Iha was a guitarist in The Smashing Pumpkins before they broke up and subsequently "reformed" without him. He went on to work with an eclectic variety of musicians including A Perfect Circle and members of Hanson and Cheap Trick (yes, THAT Hanson). But in 1998, before the Pumpkins' released "Adore" he quietly released this solo album. Critical reaction was mixed and it didn't sell very well. To be honest, I was a HUGE Pumpkins fan and I didn't bother to buy the album until after the band broke up, but it eventually found its way into my collection.
James Iha - Sound of Love
I remember going to some awful record store on the south side of OKC that was run by a local promoter when I was first getting into vinyl. The shop is long-since gone and the former owner has done less than his fair share of jail time, but that's another story for another day. Anyway, I was thumbing through everything they had when I happened upon a used copy of this record. I'd never listened to it, but I knew right then and there that I had to have it. I put it on as soon as I got home and immediately fell in love with it.
James Iha - Silver String
There are few things that hit the spot like this album does for me. Sure, it's kinda cornball, James' voice isn't the strongest thing in the world and the word "love" makes more appearances than "sun" on a Polyphonic Spree record, but (and this is important) it feels sincere. So often, I listen to a record that's this heavy on "love" songs and it sounds forced or contrived. Not so here. It has that same honest, heart-on-the-sleeve quality that I love so much about all of The Avett Brothers' records. James genuinely sounds like a young dude head-over-heels for some sweet little thing from a small town in the midwest who has a good relationship with her father and loves "Pet Sounds" and Fleet Foxes in equal measure. But enough about me. All in all, this record is a fantastic little slab of alt country that would stand up well next to most of Ryan Adams' and Wilco's early respective outputs. Sappy, sweet and saccharine love songs that would make any feeling person with good taste melt a little on the inside.
James Iha - No One's Gonna Hurt You
The bad news is that It's out of print and it's not on iTunes, but with rumors circulating that he's working on a second solo album (over ten years later mind you), it might be a good time for him to consider a deluxe reissue with bonus tracks and such. Otherwise, it's readily available used on ebay and amazon or, if you feel so inclined, illegally. And since you won't be taking any money out of his pocket by downloading an album that's been out of print for some time now, I see no harm in linking you to this. Yeah, I know that I'm asking for trouble, but whatever. Just don't expect me to make a habit out of this sort of thing. Bear in mind that the songs are probably out of order and I can't vouch for the bitrate. I may up a higher quality version with some bonus tracks eventually if I can track down my CD copy. Just keep checking back and you'll probably see it here at some point.
For a preview of coming attractions: More Nostalgia!!!
**EDIT**
Changed the last link since the video got taken down due to a "terms of use violation." Looks like Square is really living up to their name/reputation.
And so last night, I did what I always do when I feel all dovey and nostalgic for a past that's not yet behind me. I put James Iha's "Let it Come Down" on the turntable.
James Iha - Be Strong Now
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
For anybody who somehow doesn't know, Iha was a guitarist in The Smashing Pumpkins before they broke up and subsequently "reformed" without him. He went on to work with an eclectic variety of musicians including A Perfect Circle and members of Hanson and Cheap Trick (yes, THAT Hanson). But in 1998, before the Pumpkins' released "Adore" he quietly released this solo album. Critical reaction was mixed and it didn't sell very well. To be honest, I was a HUGE Pumpkins fan and I didn't bother to buy the album until after the band broke up, but it eventually found its way into my collection.
James Iha - Sound of Love
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
I remember going to some awful record store on the south side of OKC that was run by a local promoter when I was first getting into vinyl. The shop is long-since gone and the former owner has done less than his fair share of jail time, but that's another story for another day. Anyway, I was thumbing through everything they had when I happened upon a used copy of this record. I'd never listened to it, but I knew right then and there that I had to have it. I put it on as soon as I got home and immediately fell in love with it.
James Iha - Silver String
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
There are few things that hit the spot like this album does for me. Sure, it's kinda cornball, James' voice isn't the strongest thing in the world and the word "love" makes more appearances than "sun" on a Polyphonic Spree record, but (and this is important) it feels sincere. So often, I listen to a record that's this heavy on "love" songs and it sounds forced or contrived. Not so here. It has that same honest, heart-on-the-sleeve quality that I love so much about all of The Avett Brothers' records. James genuinely sounds like a young dude head-over-heels for some sweet little thing from a small town in the midwest who has a good relationship with her father and loves "Pet Sounds" and Fleet Foxes in equal measure. But enough about me. All in all, this record is a fantastic little slab of alt country that would stand up well next to most of Ryan Adams' and Wilco's early respective outputs. Sappy, sweet and saccharine love songs that would make any feeling person with good taste melt a little on the inside.
James Iha - No One's Gonna Hurt You
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
The bad news is that It's out of print and it's not on iTunes, but with rumors circulating that he's working on a second solo album (over ten years later mind you), it might be a good time for him to consider a deluxe reissue with bonus tracks and such. Otherwise, it's readily available used on ebay and amazon or, if you feel so inclined, illegally. And since you won't be taking any money out of his pocket by downloading an album that's been out of print for some time now, I see no harm in linking you to this. Yeah, I know that I'm asking for trouble, but whatever. Just don't expect me to make a habit out of this sort of thing. Bear in mind that the songs are probably out of order and I can't vouch for the bitrate. I may up a higher quality version with some bonus tracks eventually if I can track down my CD copy. Just keep checking back and you'll probably see it here at some point.
For a preview of coming attractions: More Nostalgia!!!
**EDIT**
Changed the last link since the video got taken down due to a "terms of use violation." Looks like Square is really living up to their name/reputation.
Labels:
Alt Country,
Fleet Foxes,
Free Music,
James Iha,
Love,
oop,
Ryan Adams,
The Beach Boys,
The Smashing Pumpkins,
Wilco
Monday, September 20, 2010
Music from Vacation: Volume 2
Well, ladies and gentlemen, it seems that once again it has taken me longer to post than originally planned. Combinations of family illness and the lack of a consistent internet connection have gotten in the way (mostly the internet thing) but no more! The time is nigh for a long-promised post about Owl & Penny label-mates, Boys & Frogs.
Boys & Frogs - Every Daughter's Dance
Now, I know what you're thinking. "What are the chances that two bands from the same greater metro area, on the same label with similar naming conventions would both be very good, much less worth writing home about?" Well wonder no more. These kids are legit. As with Owl & Penny, I picked up their EP "In Desperate Need of a Car Crash" while on a "working" vacation in Phoenix, AZ (and by "working," I mean being a drunken mess of a groomsman at my best friend's wedding for the better part of a week [Danial, I love you man]). This was actually the first disc out of three to which I listened and I was immediately impressed.
Boys & Frogs - Good Sons
If you're into artists like Owen Pallett/Final Fantasy, Arcade Fire or even Morrissey (a touchstone I don't often cite as a positive influence, but it's actually applicable in a good way here), you're going to dig this collection of tunes. The instrumentation throughout is eclectic enough to remain interesting, but not eccentric enough to be off-putting or pretentious. These are all well-crafted indie-pop songs that get under your skin which you will find yourself whistling in public restrooms on a regular basis. Admit it. The reverb is awesome and whistling in the restroom is the easiest way to keep people from trying to engage in conversation with you while you bleed out those 44oz of soda you drank after lunch. The only gripe I have about it is some of the mixing choices, but that's just the ugly, elitist audiophile in me talking. At it's core "In Desperate Need of a Car Crash" is an excellent first effort. Should the EP not sate your appetite, there is also an iTunes-exclusive single called "In Dreams" which I can recommend without hesitation.
Next post is coming in under a week. You can bet on it.
Boys & Frogs - Every Daughter's Dance
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Now, I know what you're thinking. "What are the chances that two bands from the same greater metro area, on the same label with similar naming conventions would both be very good, much less worth writing home about?" Well wonder no more. These kids are legit. As with Owl & Penny, I picked up their EP "In Desperate Need of a Car Crash" while on a "working" vacation in Phoenix, AZ (and by "working," I mean being a drunken mess of a groomsman at my best friend's wedding for the better part of a week [Danial, I love you man]). This was actually the first disc out of three to which I listened and I was immediately impressed.
Boys & Frogs - Good Sons
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
If you're into artists like Owen Pallett/Final Fantasy, Arcade Fire or even Morrissey (a touchstone I don't often cite as a positive influence, but it's actually applicable in a good way here), you're going to dig this collection of tunes. The instrumentation throughout is eclectic enough to remain interesting, but not eccentric enough to be off-putting or pretentious. These are all well-crafted indie-pop songs that get under your skin which you will find yourself whistling in public restrooms on a regular basis. Admit it. The reverb is awesome and whistling in the restroom is the easiest way to keep people from trying to engage in conversation with you while you bleed out those 44oz of soda you drank after lunch. The only gripe I have about it is some of the mixing choices, but that's just the ugly, elitist audiophile in me talking. At it's core "In Desperate Need of a Car Crash" is an excellent first effort. Should the EP not sate your appetite, there is also an iTunes-exclusive single called "In Dreams" which I can recommend without hesitation.
Next post is coming in under a week. You can bet on it.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Music from Vacation: Volume 1
Hey everybody. Long time, no see, eh? I've had some family stuff going on here over the past few weeks and haven't really had time to deliver new tunes to your e-doorsteps. Sorry about that.
Anyway, when last I blurbed about this blog on facebook (which, if you don't "like" this over there, you probably should, especially if you don't have a Blogger account), I mentioned a little something about blogging from the magical land of Phoenix, Arizona. You know, the state that cheated on New Mexico with California? Anyway, it turns out that week was more action-packed than I had anticipated, so didn't really get to do any actual blogging, BUT I did find time to slink off to a local record shop and pick up three CDs by bands native to the Phoenix area. Two of them were outstanding and one of them was bloody awful. Today, you get to learn about one of the great ones.
Owl & Penny - Summerflower
Owl & Penny is essentially a one-man outfit from what I can gather. The dude writes really great, plaintive acoustic folk tunes. Touchstones for listeners would probably be Iron & Wine or Bright Eyes, but less whiney than Conor Oberst and not as literary-minded as Sam Beam. I suppose it falls somewhere in the middle of both if you need that sort of reference point. Either way, these are well-written songs, and while he touches on subjects like homesickness, nostalgia and recreational drug/alcohol use, it never sounds stale or well-trod. Something about it manages to stay fresh.
Owl & Penny - Wooden Rings
The songs here are from the CD version of "Fever Dreams" and I can honestly say there's not a bad song on it. It was hard picking just two. It's online as two EPs, "Fever Dreams" and "Stolen Silver," both of which are on the old iTunes and thinkindie.com. He's also just released a new digital, two-song single called "Two Beasts" from his forthcoming next album, available through the same avenues. And hey, he's even taking pre-orders for T-shirts on his facebook page if you need something with which to cover your jubblies... ladies. And maybe if enough people like this post, I can convince him to come play in Oklahoma City and crash on my couch sometime. Buy it. For the children.
Music from Vacation: Volume 2 coming soon. I'll give you two hints as to who it is: 1) They share a label with Owl & Penny and 2) They're not the band that sucked. Vague, I know, but happy hunting. See you next time (which I promise won't take nearly as long as this time).
Anyway, when last I blurbed about this blog on facebook (which, if you don't "like" this over there, you probably should, especially if you don't have a Blogger account), I mentioned a little something about blogging from the magical land of Phoenix, Arizona. You know, the state that cheated on New Mexico with California? Anyway, it turns out that week was more action-packed than I had anticipated, so didn't really get to do any actual blogging, BUT I did find time to slink off to a local record shop and pick up three CDs by bands native to the Phoenix area. Two of them were outstanding and one of them was bloody awful. Today, you get to learn about one of the great ones.
Owl & Penny - Summerflower
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Owl & Penny is essentially a one-man outfit from what I can gather. The dude writes really great, plaintive acoustic folk tunes. Touchstones for listeners would probably be Iron & Wine or Bright Eyes, but less whiney than Conor Oberst and not as literary-minded as Sam Beam. I suppose it falls somewhere in the middle of both if you need that sort of reference point. Either way, these are well-written songs, and while he touches on subjects like homesickness, nostalgia and recreational drug/alcohol use, it never sounds stale or well-trod. Something about it manages to stay fresh.
Owl & Penny - Wooden Rings
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
The songs here are from the CD version of "Fever Dreams" and I can honestly say there's not a bad song on it. It was hard picking just two. It's online as two EPs, "Fever Dreams" and "Stolen Silver," both of which are on the old iTunes and thinkindie.com. He's also just released a new digital, two-song single called "Two Beasts" from his forthcoming next album, available through the same avenues. And hey, he's even taking pre-orders for T-shirts on his facebook page if you need something with which to cover your jubblies... ladies. And maybe if enough people like this post, I can convince him to come play in Oklahoma City and crash on my couch sometime. Buy it. For the children.
Music from Vacation: Volume 2 coming soon. I'll give you two hints as to who it is: 1) They share a label with Owl & Penny and 2) They're not the band that sucked. Vague, I know, but happy hunting. See you next time (which I promise won't take nearly as long as this time).
Labels:
Arizona,
Facebook Plug,
Fever Dreams,
Folk,
Iron and Wine,
Owl and Penny,
Pedro the Lion
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Well Crap...
Looks like a draft for this epic post I've been working on for the last week didn't actually get saved... which is kind of funny in a way if you know what it was about. So, as a stop-gap, here's an obscure Longwave B-Side. You're lucky it's not a drone track the way things are going right now...
Longwave - Disappointed
Longwave - Disappointed
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Monday, July 5, 2010
You Think You Have What You Own?
I don't expect that this blog will ever be on the cutting edge of what's new and awesome. Hell, I'll be lucky enough to just stay on the bleeding edge of what I like. So, in that very spirit of blood and sharp objects, I want to take a moment to draw your attention to a record I actually picked up a few months ago. That's not to say that there's anything violent about Retribution Gospel Choir. Then again I never claimed to be a master of segue's.
Retribution Gospel Choir - Hide It Away
Retribution Gospel Choir is fronted by Alan Sparhawk, better known as the main man behind Low. It features Low bassist Steve Garrington which leaves drummer Eric Pollard as the only member not doing double duty in Low. With all of this Low cross-pollination, you'd probably expect a very slow and quiet record. Not so here friends. This is toe-tapping, foot stomping, appendage flailing rock and roll at it's finest. These are expansive, bombastic and epic rock songs with soaring choruses to spare.
Retribution Gospel Choir - White Wolf
These tracks come from their latest record, "2." They also have a self-titled first album that's quite good. This one's already in the running for my year end "best of" list. After all, it's already July. You have to start thinking about these sorts of things early. Anyway, pick this one up. Like you would do anything else.
Retribution Gospel Choir - Hide It Away
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Retribution Gospel Choir is fronted by Alan Sparhawk, better known as the main man behind Low. It features Low bassist Steve Garrington which leaves drummer Eric Pollard as the only member not doing double duty in Low. With all of this Low cross-pollination, you'd probably expect a very slow and quiet record. Not so here friends. This is toe-tapping, foot stomping, appendage flailing rock and roll at it's finest. These are expansive, bombastic and epic rock songs with soaring choruses to spare.
Retribution Gospel Choir - White Wolf
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
These tracks come from their latest record, "2." They also have a self-titled first album that's quite good. This one's already in the running for my year end "best of" list. After all, it's already July. You have to start thinking about these sorts of things early. Anyway, pick this one up. Like you would do anything else.
Optimizing Your Assets
Hey everybody, I'm the new other half of the Ears Made Ready staff, here to contribute my two cents' worth of opinion to the (hopefully) diverse portfolio of your musical interests.
Speaking of diversity, how do you feel about bands from other countries? Bands that sing in languages other than English, I mean. When I was younger, I took a sort of secretive delight in listening to, say, Rammstein or Megaherz or Oomph! -- not only did I love the music, but searching out translations of the lyrics gave me sort of a thrill, like I'd deciphered a code, like I was privy to a secret, like I could speak German.
Oomph! - Die Maske
Now, though, it's different. Not that I don't still enjoy the Neue Deutsche Härte (although Rammstein's career has been in the crapper for the last two albums and is, if you ask me, probably there to stay), but I feel differently about lyrics in music now. Not just non-English lyrics, either. I think my days of being "spoken to" by song lyrics are mostly over -- music just isn't the format where I find the kind of writing that really moves me, apart from the odd well-turned phrase -- and unless there's something about a song that really makes me want to sing along, I usually don't pay much attention to lyrics at all.
In a way it's also not-different, though, because I still listen to non-English-speaking bands. Today I'd like to introduce you to one of them. They're from Japan, and they call themselves Ogre You Asshole (hereafter abbreviated OYA for the sake of those of you with sensitive sensibilities).
OYA - また明日
I don't have a lot of information about OYA because, well, the problem with Japanese bands is, their websites are frequently in Japanese, which I can't read. There's some stuff about them on Wikipedia, though.
OYA - クラッカー
What I can tell you (and what you'll have heard for yourself by now) is that they're... sort of like... happy math rock? That's not very math-y? I don't know. I'm terrible with genre descriptors, mostly because I believe they're a lot of foolishness -- the dogma of the religion that is music -- and I think people sometimes get too bogged down in bandying around labels and forget to tell each other what the music is actually like. Anyway, I say "math rock" because I hear echoes of, say, Frodus in their rhythms and in the way the guitar parts sometimes twine around each other. Here, let me play you a Frodus song (and with my luck, probably inadvertently disprove my own point).
Frodus - Out-Circuit the Ending
Hear what I mean? Sort of? Okay, so but I say "happy" because Frodus overall has more of an angsty sound. OYA just sound like they're having a good time. I imagine it'd be hard not to dance at one of their shows, and I'm an inveterate non-dancer. I mean, come on. If you don't at least feel your face breaking into a smile listening to these songs... invite some friends over, have a drink or two, and give 'em another spin.
OYA - ロボトミー
I hope some of this music has moved you. If not, bear with me for a total about-face: I promise my next post'll be about moody music to sulk and stare at the wall to -- not so much because I think you do that, but because I know I do.
Speaking of diversity, how do you feel about bands from other countries? Bands that sing in languages other than English, I mean. When I was younger, I took a sort of secretive delight in listening to, say, Rammstein or Megaherz or Oomph! -- not only did I love the music, but searching out translations of the lyrics gave me sort of a thrill, like I'd deciphered a code, like I was privy to a secret, like I could speak German.
Oomph! - Die Maske
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Now, though, it's different. Not that I don't still enjoy the Neue Deutsche Härte (although Rammstein's career has been in the crapper for the last two albums and is, if you ask me, probably there to stay), but I feel differently about lyrics in music now. Not just non-English lyrics, either. I think my days of being "spoken to" by song lyrics are mostly over -- music just isn't the format where I find the kind of writing that really moves me, apart from the odd well-turned phrase -- and unless there's something about a song that really makes me want to sing along, I usually don't pay much attention to lyrics at all.
In a way it's also not-different, though, because I still listen to non-English-speaking bands. Today I'd like to introduce you to one of them. They're from Japan, and they call themselves Ogre You Asshole (hereafter abbreviated OYA for the sake of those of you with sensitive sensibilities).
OYA - また明日
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I don't have a lot of information about OYA because, well, the problem with Japanese bands is, their websites are frequently in Japanese, which I can't read. There's some stuff about them on Wikipedia, though.
OYA - クラッカー
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
What I can tell you (and what you'll have heard for yourself by now) is that they're... sort of like... happy math rock? That's not very math-y? I don't know. I'm terrible with genre descriptors, mostly because I believe they're a lot of foolishness -- the dogma of the religion that is music -- and I think people sometimes get too bogged down in bandying around labels and forget to tell each other what the music is actually like. Anyway, I say "math rock" because I hear echoes of, say, Frodus in their rhythms and in the way the guitar parts sometimes twine around each other. Here, let me play you a Frodus song (and with my luck, probably inadvertently disprove my own point).
Frodus - Out-Circuit the Ending
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Hear what I mean? Sort of? Okay, so but I say "happy" because Frodus overall has more of an angsty sound. OYA just sound like they're having a good time. I imagine it'd be hard not to dance at one of their shows, and I'm an inveterate non-dancer. I mean, come on. If you don't at least feel your face breaking into a smile listening to these songs... invite some friends over, have a drink or two, and give 'em another spin.
OYA - ロボトミー
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
I hope some of this music has moved you. If not, bear with me for a total about-face: I promise my next post'll be about moody music to sulk and stare at the wall to -- not so much because I think you do that, but because I know I do.
Labels:
First Post,
Frodus,
Happy Math Rock,
Japan,
Ogre You Asshole,
Oomph
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Updates Updates Updates!
Well, well, well. Looks like Mr. Steve Schiltz has been busy readying a new Hurricane Bells EP and that EP is going to be called "Down Comes the Rain." It's going to feature two new original tracks and three covers. The list goes something like this:
1. Make a Deal with the City (East River Pipe cover)
2. The Waiting Song
3. Into the Ocean (Blue October cover)
4. The Deep End
5. Will You Love Me Tomorrow? (Gerry Goffin & Carole King)
Now, he's been playing "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" on tour and I love it. Here's a little taste.
How's that for wonderful? Pretty stellar if you ask me. Now, I'm not going to bother embedding the original version of "Into the Ocean" because... well, it's Blue October and I promised when I started this page that I would try to steer clear of ranting about stuff I didn't like (but here's an external link if for some reason you're interested). I'll be very interested to hear how Steve makes this one bearable, although, I will admit the erhu in the original version is pretty bitchin'. Anyway, what I wanted to do was get you all familiar-like with the original version of "Make a Deal with the City," because it's a pretty good song to begin with.
East River Pipe - Make a Deal with the City
"Down Comes the Rain" is scheduled for a September 7th release date. Mark your calendars.
Now, Hurricane Bells news isn't the only update I have for you here. Turns out The Rosen Association just made their EP available on iTunes and Amazon, so if you're really just not that into CD Baby, you officially have no excuse for not getting this on the down load (you see what I did there?).
Thanks for reading. Always feel free to interact either here or on facebook. Chances are that if you like something you hear, I can tell you where to find more. Stay tuned for more goodness.
1. Make a Deal with the City (East River Pipe cover)
2. The Waiting Song
3. Into the Ocean (Blue October cover)
4. The Deep End
5. Will You Love Me Tomorrow? (Gerry Goffin & Carole King)
Now, he's been playing "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" on tour and I love it. Here's a little taste.
How's that for wonderful? Pretty stellar if you ask me. Now, I'm not going to bother embedding the original version of "Into the Ocean" because... well, it's Blue October and I promised when I started this page that I would try to steer clear of ranting about stuff I didn't like (but here's an external link if for some reason you're interested). I'll be very interested to hear how Steve makes this one bearable, although, I will admit the erhu in the original version is pretty bitchin'. Anyway, what I wanted to do was get you all familiar-like with the original version of "Make a Deal with the City," because it's a pretty good song to begin with.
East River Pipe - Make a Deal with the City
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
"Down Comes the Rain" is scheduled for a September 7th release date. Mark your calendars.
Now, Hurricane Bells news isn't the only update I have for you here. Turns out The Rosen Association just made their EP available on iTunes and Amazon, so if you're really just not that into CD Baby, you officially have no excuse for not getting this on the down load (you see what I did there?).
Thanks for reading. Always feel free to interact either here or on facebook. Chances are that if you like something you hear, I can tell you where to find more. Stay tuned for more goodness.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Micropost 2
Follow-up of sorts to this post. This is the song I was telling you about. This might be my favorite Ali Harter song and it's all probably true.
Ali Harter - Brandy & Joe
More to come later this week. I have some thangs planned.
Ali Harter - Brandy & Joe
More to come later this week. I have some thangs planned.
Labels:
ali harter,
follow up,
gas huffers,
imolation,
true story
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Oh, to See It with My Own Eyes
Local Natives are yet another group who I found out about by keeping my dial set to 105.3 The Spy. I was out on my lunch break when the song "Airplanes" came on and melted my heart. Even now, when I hear the phrase "I bet when I leave my body for the sky, the wait will be worth it," it just kills me in the best possible way.
Local Natives - Airplanes
Not so long ago this band used to call themselves Cavil at Rest and their sound was quite a bit different. The spot-on vocal harmonies were already there, but the music had more of a Minus the Bear meets Drive-Thru Records sound to it. Now as Local Natives, it seems more lush and plaintive. I can still draw some similarities to Minus the Bear, but the emo pitfalls are all but completely gone and they've taken a hard turn toward incorporating more folk influences.
Local Natives - World News
It seems most of the indie music press has been going gaga over the song "Sun Hands." Admittedly, it was a standout track on their first album as Cavil at Rest, but this rerecorded version on "Gorilla Manor" seems a bit underwhelming to me. I honestly feel it's the weakest song on the record, but to each his own I suppose. So instead of towing the Pitchfork Media line about it being one of the best singles of the year, I'll contend that "Wide Eyes" is one of the best songs of the year so far and easily better than "Sun Hands." I will prove it by posting both back to back. You tell me which you prefer. Feel free to due so on the official Facebook page for this blog if you don't have a blogger.com account.
Local Natives - Sun Hands
Local Natives - Wide Eyes
Okay. Opinions. Give them. Here or there. Thanks for listening.
Local Natives - Airplanes
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Not so long ago this band used to call themselves Cavil at Rest and their sound was quite a bit different. The spot-on vocal harmonies were already there, but the music had more of a Minus the Bear meets Drive-Thru Records sound to it. Now as Local Natives, it seems more lush and plaintive. I can still draw some similarities to Minus the Bear, but the emo pitfalls are all but completely gone and they've taken a hard turn toward incorporating more folk influences.
Local Natives - World News
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
It seems most of the indie music press has been going gaga over the song "Sun Hands." Admittedly, it was a standout track on their first album as Cavil at Rest, but this rerecorded version on "Gorilla Manor" seems a bit underwhelming to me. I honestly feel it's the weakest song on the record, but to each his own I suppose. So instead of towing the Pitchfork Media line about it being one of the best singles of the year, I'll contend that "Wide Eyes" is one of the best songs of the year so far and easily better than "Sun Hands." I will prove it by posting both back to back. You tell me which you prefer. Feel free to due so on the official Facebook page for this blog if you don't have a blogger.com account.
Local Natives - Sun Hands
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Local Natives - Wide Eyes
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Okay. Opinions. Give them. Here or there. Thanks for listening.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Walls of Giant Waves and Ice Fleets
Last week I was fortunate enough to see mewithoutYou (one of my favorite bands ever) with David Bazan (one of my favorite songwriters ever) at The Diamond Ballroom and experience an overload of amazing. Both will get their own posts in due time, but this post is dedicated to the pleasant surprise of that evening, a boisterous little band called Rubik.
Now, the term "little" is pretty much non-applicable, except maybe when used in reference to their currently modest fan base, but I get the feeling that's going to change very soon. Rubik is currently touring with eight members and can have a pretty big, celebratory sound when they go for it. These cool cats hail from Helsinki, Finland, which I once heard described as "a land without sun." I guess when you live in a city that averages around 9.8 hours of daylight in June and 36 minutes of daylight in December, you have to create your own sunshine (can you tell a did a little research for this post?).
Rubik - Wasteland
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
The album opener "Goji Berries" is a fun romp through shifting time signatures and what sounds like an army of recorders (probably keys in actuality) that gives you a fairly good idea of what to expect from their second album, "Dada Bandits." Early on they briefly demonstrate their ability to turn from catchy, melodious passages to jarring blasts of not quite consonant joyful noise on a dime, without warning and to brilliant effect. It's the second track "Radiants" that really starts my toes a-tapping, triumphantly bursting forth with bombastic drums and a veritable wall of guitars and synths. It brings to my mind some of the best bits of Grandaddy and the aural theatrics of The Flaming Lips' masterful "The Soft Bulletin," but is still something quite special in and of itself.
Rubik - Radiants
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Now, there's something about the song "Fire Age" that makes me want to ingest a bunch of psilocybin mushrooms and spend a whole day watching children's television (although given the current state of children's television, that might be a spectacularly awful idea). Thus, I feel compelled to post that song here. Let me know if you get the same urges.
Rubik - Fire Age
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Much of the album has this same upbeat, quirky feel and the high energy doesn't let up often. I can't recommend it enough. However, if you're still not sure that this is up your alley, they do have a free EP available to download from their official website, cleverly titled "Data Bandits." You need to have a WordPress account set up (also free) in order to download it, so sign up and get yourself some sweet free tunes. Or, swing on over to the always reliable Daytrotter and nab that live in studio session. Spend some time with these and I can almost guarantee that you'll be ready to drop some dough on the album. Those of you strapped for cash have officially been warned.
Labels:
Children's Television,
Drugs,
Free Music,
Joy,
Rubik
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Someone Else's Dream
It seems I'm just bursting at the seams with "full disclosure" here lately, but here we go again. Erin (Lead Vocals/Keys/Enchantress) is an old friend of mine from college and she is fronting this wonderful little band called The Rosen Association these days.
The Rosen Association - Gum of Beauty
I can't tell you much about their collective history as a band, but I can tell you that I once gave a Deftones button to Erin off of my old satchel for reasons that I can't quite remember. I can also tell you that she and I were both party to a conversation with a gentleman who claims he once took a bath in Bjork's tub. I believe his story to be true.
The Rosen Association - Drones
Back to the subject at hand. This type of music is right up my alley. The guitars are awash with delay and reverb, the rhythm section is tight and the synths are abuzz with warm, gooey goodness. While I shudder to use the word "darkwave," it does have a hint of that flavor to it, though in all honesty, it's the atmospheric kinship they share with groups like Longwave and Asobi Seksu that draws me into it the most. You could conceivably dance to some of this if dancing is your thang. If not, it's an equally enjoyable listen while simply enjoying a glass or seven of wine. Your call really. It's actually a very soothing record. The vocals are smooth, not very acrobatic as a general rule and really suit the overall sound quite nicely.
The Rosen Association - Emergency Broadcast
It's only $6.99 on CD Baby for a digital download of the whole thing. It's not perfect, but it's damn good. I mean, I bought it. If that's not a good enough reason for you to follow suit, I don't know what is. Sure, you could be a contrarian ass-master about it, but you'd be missing out. Do the right thing.
The Rosen Association - Gum of Beauty
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
I can't tell you much about their collective history as a band, but I can tell you that I once gave a Deftones button to Erin off of my old satchel for reasons that I can't quite remember. I can also tell you that she and I were both party to a conversation with a gentleman who claims he once took a bath in Bjork's tub. I believe his story to be true.
The Rosen Association - Drones
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Back to the subject at hand. This type of music is right up my alley. The guitars are awash with delay and reverb, the rhythm section is tight and the synths are abuzz with warm, gooey goodness. While I shudder to use the word "darkwave," it does have a hint of that flavor to it, though in all honesty, it's the atmospheric kinship they share with groups like Longwave and Asobi Seksu that draws me into it the most. You could conceivably dance to some of this if dancing is your thang. If not, it's an equally enjoyable listen while simply enjoying a glass or seven of wine. Your call really. It's actually a very soothing record. The vocals are smooth, not very acrobatic as a general rule and really suit the overall sound quite nicely.
The Rosen Association - Emergency Broadcast
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
It's only $6.99 on CD Baby for a digital download of the whole thing. It's not perfect, but it's damn good. I mean, I bought it. If that's not a good enough reason for you to follow suit, I don't know what is. Sure, you could be a contrarian ass-master about it, but you'd be missing out. Do the right thing.
Labels:
Asobi Seksu,
Darkwave,
Fish Stories,
Homies,
Longwave,
Shoegaze,
The Rosen Association
Monday, June 7, 2010
Take Cover...
Full disclosure: I've been jamming with these guys on violin, so there might be just the tiniest bit of bias here. Either way, this is another one that I've been meaning to do since before said jamming, so deal with it.
Oklahoma City isn't really the place you'd expect to find a great music scene, much less a great instrumental "post-rock" band. Radio Deception is that non-hypothetical band. A few years ago, when the band was essentially just Ryan & Jake (guitars & drums respectively), they quietly released a self-recorded album that was heard in places as far away as Brazil. And there's a reason. It's really good.
Radio Deception - Hope for a New Light
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The audible influences are the usual touchstones, namely Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mogwai, but they also draw on some not-so-usual sources, such as mid-western post-hardcore and emo (the good kind) and film composers such as John Murphy and Ennio Morricone. It all melds into a concoction that is both familiar and original. Themes tend to be meditated upon and explored until their breaking point, at which point the song either ends or moves to something new.
Radio Deception - Pockets of Resistance
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
It's going to be tough to get ahold of the album because it's out of print... and it's not on iTunes. You may be able to sweet-talk Jake in to sending some tracks your way if you're really nice.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Roses, poetry and prose
So far, I've made a point to highlight artists who may not be very well known. Well, today I've decided on a short post about an artist with whom you should already be very familiar. Most of you are probably familiar with Tom Waits' more recent, experimental work. However, most in my generation probably aren't aware that he recorded music before his chain smoking caught up with his voice. Songs from his first album "Closing Time," which is probably his most ballad-heavy record, have been covered by The Eagles, Tim Buckley, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and even Meat Loaf. I wanted to share this particular song with everybody because it's one of my favorite songs of all time.
Tom Waits - Martha
I promise I'm formulating a more substantive post soon.
Tom Waits - Martha
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
I promise I'm formulating a more substantive post soon.
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