no, not really, I really haven't listened to enough to say i could make a definitive list. Let's be honest, a lot of top 10 lists are crap. It's usually what's been selling to the tweens the most that show up on any media lists. So, since this is my blog and I'm a grumpy old gus, there won't be any tween music on this list.
Random albums that rocked my 2009:
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Doves - Kingdom of Rust
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Die Mannequin - Fino + Bleed
The Airborne Toxic Event - self titled
Jamie T - Kings & Queens
Noah and the Whale - The First Days of Spring
Reverend and the Makers - A French Kiss In the Chaos
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
Metric - Fantasies
Franz Ferdinand - Tonight Franz Ferdinand
Handsome Furs - Face Control
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
disappointments:
U2 - no line on the horizon - just could've been better
Muse - the resistance
Stereophonics - Keep Calm and Carry On
Here's to a good 2010. Music, what they hell do you have in store for us?
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
holy long time posting
enh, that's what happens when life gets in the way right?
random thoughts:
1) Was listening to the Edge's (CFNY) "live" weekend where they play live songs from various edge sponsored. Maybe it's me, maybe it was my head being jostled around in the mosh pit, but i always remembered the live stuff to be really good. Unfortunately, i'd say 80% of the live stuff they played...was pretty bad. ah well
2) AMA's were on yesterday. zzzzzzzzzzzzz ok, I admit, i didn't really watch the whole show. Award shows are invariably inane and filled with artists hocking their next big thing.
- adam lambert - really? REALLY?
- Eminem is still around?
- Timbaland still does his own music?
- i actually made comments to the AMAs????
3) "Meet me at the Equinox" by Death Cab, I want to like it, i just can't for the fact that it was for the New Moon soundtrack.
4) Current song that is way overplayed that keeps on popping in my head - "Check my Brain" by Alice and Chains, ironically, when the Odds came out with "Eat my Brain", that too was stuck in my head
random thoughts:
1) Was listening to the Edge's (CFNY) "live" weekend where they play live songs from various edge sponsored. Maybe it's me, maybe it was my head being jostled around in the mosh pit, but i always remembered the live stuff to be really good. Unfortunately, i'd say 80% of the live stuff they played...was pretty bad. ah well
2) AMA's were on yesterday. zzzzzzzzzzzzz ok, I admit, i didn't really watch the whole show. Award shows are invariably inane and filled with artists hocking their next big thing.
- adam lambert - really? REALLY?
- Eminem is still around?
- Timbaland still does his own music?
- i actually made comments to the AMAs????
3) "Meet me at the Equinox" by Death Cab, I want to like it, i just can't for the fact that it was for the New Moon soundtrack.
4) Current song that is way overplayed that keeps on popping in my head - "Check my Brain" by Alice and Chains, ironically, when the Odds came out with "Eat my Brain", that too was stuck in my head
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Airborne Toxic Event
It’s strange, I’ve lost some faith in the rock (alterna/indie rock, cuz that’s what I review dammit!) album for awhile. In the last few years, the rock albums seems to come out sounding like, well, regular rock albums. Nickelback? Really? Scream at me all the time? no thanks! But something seems to be changing in the last little while. I was rocked by the Franz Ferdinand album, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs album, and now Airborne Toxic Event.
The LA based band comes to us with their first full length self-titled album after 2007’s Does this mean you’re moving on? EP. Fronted by Mikel Jollett, the 5 person band (Steven Chen , Noah Harmon , and Anna Bulbrook)c omes out with guns blazing on this album.
Wishing well – what a great song to start the album off with. Shades of Clap your hands Say Yeah. Good song.
Papillon – I wonder if Jollett is trying to channel a happier Ian Curtis on this song? Such thing? well, as happy as you can sound singing:
"All dressed up, no place to run
No car, no girl, no pills, no fun
Nothing to do in this empty roomI
gotta get my head together soon"
Gasoline – This is old school rock and roll. Reminiscing an angst ridden youth and lost love. My youth was never really angst ridden. I was brought up in a nice Stepford family (look it up kids), so I had to get my angst through music. Now that’s a switch huh? That’s another story and post.
Happiness is overrated – If there’s a song for the alterna movement, it’s definitely this. For what is angst if you can’t sing about how you wish you were dead. Good times my friends good times. I really like Stephen Chen’s guitar solo in this song (Chen? Chinese? Rock band? Impossible!!!)
Does this mean you’re moving on? – taken from their EP in 2007, Does this Mean you’re moving on was their very first single. With it’s radio friendly riffs and catch tune, one can’t help but bob his/her head. Why bob? Because that’s the alternative dance you know. We have no rhythm.
This nowhere –Would probably say this is the weakest track and that’s saying a lot considering it’s not bad.
Sometime around midnight – the current single actually belies the rest of the album, but it’s a great song nonetheless. I mean if Adam Clayton says it was one of his favourite songs, then it MUST be good right? ;o) it actually is.
Something new – And now for something almost different, we have the most pop track on the album. Anna Bulbrook’s backing vocals are a nice change and maybe she’ll get to sing a little more in the next album.
Missy – Missy sounds kind of creepy. Eyes as big as porcelain drapes? Skin as thin as paper drapes? Singing to the lord before sleep? Thank god she’s wrapped in a catchy tune.
Innocence – The final song on the album leads us through an instrumental intro that builds and builds into a rock crescendo. Great ending.
This is a great album and I highly recommend it. It renews my faith that rock music isn’t dead, it was just on hiatus for a little while. You don’t have to scream at me incessantly to make it rock and roll. Just give me my angst and I’m just fine.
NB: they're playing the Phoenix Concert Theatre on October 19th in Toronto
The LA based band comes to us with their first full length self-titled album after 2007’s Does this mean you’re moving on? EP. Fronted by Mikel Jollett, the 5 person band (Steven Chen , Noah Harmon , and Anna Bulbrook)c omes out with guns blazing on this album.
Wishing well – what a great song to start the album off with. Shades of Clap your hands Say Yeah. Good song.
Papillon – I wonder if Jollett is trying to channel a happier Ian Curtis on this song? Such thing? well, as happy as you can sound singing:
"All dressed up, no place to run
No car, no girl, no pills, no fun
Nothing to do in this empty roomI
gotta get my head together soon"
Gasoline – This is old school rock and roll. Reminiscing an angst ridden youth and lost love. My youth was never really angst ridden. I was brought up in a nice Stepford family (look it up kids), so I had to get my angst through music. Now that’s a switch huh? That’s another story and post.
Happiness is overrated – If there’s a song for the alterna movement, it’s definitely this. For what is angst if you can’t sing about how you wish you were dead. Good times my friends good times. I really like Stephen Chen’s guitar solo in this song (Chen? Chinese? Rock band? Impossible!!!)
Does this mean you’re moving on? – taken from their EP in 2007, Does this Mean you’re moving on was their very first single. With it’s radio friendly riffs and catch tune, one can’t help but bob his/her head. Why bob? Because that’s the alternative dance you know. We have no rhythm.
This nowhere –Would probably say this is the weakest track and that’s saying a lot considering it’s not bad.
Sometime around midnight – the current single actually belies the rest of the album, but it’s a great song nonetheless. I mean if Adam Clayton says it was one of his favourite songs, then it MUST be good right? ;o) it actually is.
Something new – And now for something almost different, we have the most pop track on the album. Anna Bulbrook’s backing vocals are a nice change and maybe she’ll get to sing a little more in the next album.
Missy – Missy sounds kind of creepy. Eyes as big as porcelain drapes? Skin as thin as paper drapes? Singing to the lord before sleep? Thank god she’s wrapped in a catchy tune.
Innocence – The final song on the album leads us through an instrumental intro that builds and builds into a rock crescendo. Great ending.
This is a great album and I highly recommend it. It renews my faith that rock music isn’t dead, it was just on hiatus for a little while. You don’t have to scream at me incessantly to make it rock and roll. Just give me my angst and I’m just fine.
NB: they're playing the Phoenix Concert Theatre on October 19th in Toronto
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Muse - The Resistance
I wonder if by thinking of the album title, they were resistant to original melodies. OH SNAP! Don’t get me wrong, the album is not bad, but there are some inconsistencies to the follow up to 2006’ Black Holes and Revelation in what you expect from Muse’s 5th studio album. Where most fans would enjoy much of the same, Muse seems to have decided to branch out a little into genres of Christmas’ past. Some good, some not so good. This is clearly shown in the last 3 tracks, but we’ll get there in a moment.
The album begins with the current single "Uprising". Shades of Blondie fill my mind with some classic 80s beats, but it's all good. Followed up by "The Resistance", an equally strong track.
Then we get into the world of the weird with "Undisclosed desires". This is a tough track for me to define. The chorus is catchy, but the melody seems to be too top 40s pop verging on the brink of being cheesy. Do i like it or do i hate it? I dont' know!
"United states of Eurasia" is the reincarnation of Freddy Mercury. This is what it would sound like if Queen and Muse had an illegitmate love child. Then throw in the classical piece "Nocturne" at the end. Shades of the classical theme that pervades this album.
"Guiding light" is a great song, classic Muse. Top notch.
"Unnatural Selection" starts off well, the higher energy that starts the track is great, but 3:25 into the song, it drops off. Muse has decided that this journey down that speedy highway has suddenly been stopped by a sheep crossing. Very slow sheep. I think this journey probably should’ve been a short trip around the block rather than that long trip where we asked our parents “are we there yet?”.
Unfortunately, "I belong to you" follows a similar path where it starts out well, but then I don’t know what happened, but the interlude inbetween was trying to break into music my mom likes! Matt Bellamy actually made me want to strangle myself or watch some grossly melodramatic movie from the 30s and 40s. AWFUL track
"Exogenesis : Symphony part 1,2, and 3" are all these tracks that start off with a somewhat classical arrangement of piano and symphony. Then break off into Muse’s grandiose sound only to finish off back to the symphony . I'm not sure if I’m into that or whether any other Muse fans would be into it. I’ll give them marks for something different. It would probably play well to some type of “show”. You know, when they show up to the Grammy’s to play with a symphony and everyone thinks it’s so novel?
Bands try out different sounds all the time. U2 tried it out, and in my opinion failed miserably (Pop? Ugh). Although to be fair, they took elements that didn’t make me want to bang my head on a wall and incorporated them into later albums. Radiohead flirted with different sounds to a rounding success. Muse has left me confused. They haven’t truly changed the way their sound is, but they haven’t necessarily maintained what we think Muse is all about. I’m all for creativity and we all have to grow from where we start. I’m just not sure that Muse has grown into something that can sustain itself. Perhaps album number 6 will right the ship?
The album begins with the current single "Uprising". Shades of Blondie fill my mind with some classic 80s beats, but it's all good. Followed up by "The Resistance", an equally strong track.
Then we get into the world of the weird with "Undisclosed desires". This is a tough track for me to define. The chorus is catchy, but the melody seems to be too top 40s pop verging on the brink of being cheesy. Do i like it or do i hate it? I dont' know!
"United states of Eurasia" is the reincarnation of Freddy Mercury. This is what it would sound like if Queen and Muse had an illegitmate love child. Then throw in the classical piece "Nocturne" at the end. Shades of the classical theme that pervades this album.
"Guiding light" is a great song, classic Muse. Top notch.
"Unnatural Selection" starts off well, the higher energy that starts the track is great, but 3:25 into the song, it drops off. Muse has decided that this journey down that speedy highway has suddenly been stopped by a sheep crossing. Very slow sheep. I think this journey probably should’ve been a short trip around the block rather than that long trip where we asked our parents “are we there yet?”.
Unfortunately, "I belong to you" follows a similar path where it starts out well, but then I don’t know what happened, but the interlude inbetween was trying to break into music my mom likes! Matt Bellamy actually made me want to strangle myself or watch some grossly melodramatic movie from the 30s and 40s. AWFUL track
"Exogenesis : Symphony part 1,2, and 3" are all these tracks that start off with a somewhat classical arrangement of piano and symphony. Then break off into Muse’s grandiose sound only to finish off back to the symphony . I'm not sure if I’m into that or whether any other Muse fans would be into it. I’ll give them marks for something different. It would probably play well to some type of “show”. You know, when they show up to the Grammy’s to play with a symphony and everyone thinks it’s so novel?
Bands try out different sounds all the time. U2 tried it out, and in my opinion failed miserably (Pop? Ugh). Although to be fair, they took elements that didn’t make me want to bang my head on a wall and incorporated them into later albums. Radiohead flirted with different sounds to a rounding success. Muse has left me confused. They haven’t truly changed the way their sound is, but they haven’t necessarily maintained what we think Muse is all about. I’m all for creativity and we all have to grow from where we start. I’m just not sure that Muse has grown into something that can sustain itself. Perhaps album number 6 will right the ship?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
ellen deGeneres vs. paula abdul
i can honestly say i haven't watched American Idol since it's first year. In fact i can't believe i just admitted that i watched it when it first came out (is the fact that i haven't watched a Canadian Idol episode in its entirety a good thing? Ben Mulroney gets paid HOW much to host that thing?). So with the announcement that Ellen Degeneres will now be judging how good America's singing talent is, why the backlash? Yes, she had 6 number 1 hits, but were they really that good or was it just what america needed in the 80s and early 90s? Then she came on the idol scene and she was just cuckoo for cocoa puffs. you couldn't take her seriously because she never criticized anyone.
so with her getting the boot and ellen coming on....status quo really. no one will care.
excuse me, gotta check up on my "So you think you can dance" episodes now...(America!! not Canada..that host on the canadian edition scares me...you're too young for botox girl, but you might need a shot of personality)
so with her getting the boot and ellen coming on....status quo really. no one will care.
excuse me, gotta check up on my "So you think you can dance" episodes now...(America!! not Canada..that host on the canadian edition scares me...you're too young for botox girl, but you might need a shot of personality)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
what's the story Noel?
oh sibling rivalry. I can remember a long time ago my sister and I getting into an argument over the TV. It was probably an argument over saturday morning cartoons (Thundercats vs. My Little Pont most likely). Of course, the only way I knew how to win the argument was not through constructive debate or acqueicing (10$ word. Booyah!) to those crazy horses. No, it was to toss the remote at my sister's head. WINNER!!!! well, the subsequent spanking probably wasn't worth it (yes kids, back in the day, parents WERE allowed to punish their children and not by taking away your playstation time). Needless to say, though my sister still brings it up on occassion, it's not like our relationship was scarred for life.
Which brings me to Oasis. When they first came on the scene, they were known for their catchy rock songs, but also for their hooliganism. Liam and Noel were either fighting pub patrons or fighting each other. They JUST couldn't get along. Whether or not this was an "act" to bring about a sense that brit poppers are just as dangerous as grunge rockers or whether or not this internal conflict within the band was bad for mama Gallagher but great for the music created is left to aging brit pop lovers (who me?) or conspiracy theorists.
So with last night's announcement on Oasis.net from Noel that he has decided to quit the band because he just can't work a day longer with Liam, how do you take that? Do you say, "oh it's just brothers being brothers" or do you say "wow, is this the end of Oasis for good?". I'll be honest with you, I've never really been a HUGE fan of Oasis. Their "act" tired me out. I never knew which brother was more angrier than the other and just couldn't let the music speak louder than their words. Don't get me wrong, they had some great songs too. I still get some chills hearing "rock and roll star" and have a place in my heart for "Wonderwall", but am I tearing up with the "breakup" of Oasis? No.
Thanks for the tunes Oasis (if you truly are broken up). Maybe one day we can get together over a pint and some Thundercats/ My Little Pony episodes. After all, if my sister and I can get along, i'm sure you guys can too.
Which brings me to Oasis. When they first came on the scene, they were known for their catchy rock songs, but also for their hooliganism. Liam and Noel were either fighting pub patrons or fighting each other. They JUST couldn't get along. Whether or not this was an "act" to bring about a sense that brit poppers are just as dangerous as grunge rockers or whether or not this internal conflict within the band was bad for mama Gallagher but great for the music created is left to aging brit pop lovers (who me?) or conspiracy theorists.
So with last night's announcement on Oasis.net from Noel that he has decided to quit the band because he just can't work a day longer with Liam, how do you take that? Do you say, "oh it's just brothers being brothers" or do you say "wow, is this the end of Oasis for good?". I'll be honest with you, I've never really been a HUGE fan of Oasis. Their "act" tired me out. I never knew which brother was more angrier than the other and just couldn't let the music speak louder than their words. Don't get me wrong, they had some great songs too. I still get some chills hearing "rock and roll star" and have a place in my heart for "Wonderwall", but am I tearing up with the "breakup" of Oasis? No.
Thanks for the tunes Oasis (if you truly are broken up). Maybe one day we can get together over a pint and some Thundercats/ My Little Pony episodes. After all, if my sister and I can get along, i'm sure you guys can too.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Blip.fm fail
so it didn't work. apparently in some cases outside of the US, the widget for Blip.fm doesn't work. So I went all ghetto and posted the Blip.fm URL up there instead.
So sad.
So sad.
Reverend and the Makers – A French Kiss in the Chaos
The church and I have been at odds for quite some time now. Call it philosophical differences; call it really bland bread and boring wine, I don’t know. Let’s just say that if we were to walk in to a church together, you might either want to a) wear a rubber hard hat or b) walk a few paces ahead or behind me for fear of SMITING.
The reverend (Jon McClure) returns with the second album, A French Kiss In The Chaos for Reverend and the Makers. Whether this album gets me believing once again is anyone’s guess, but it’s a pretty good album.
McClure and his band have maintained the indie feel from their first album into this one. Hell, they’re so indie, they still busked on the streets of London to promote their album.
The album itself is a mish mash of sounds right from the first track “Silence is talking”. Hints of the Chemical Brothers, some oasis, and a sampling of “Low rider” from War for good effect. Fitting given Low Rider’s placement in Ferris Beuller’s day off and our continuing tribute to John hughes no? I’m good with the segues, trust me. A great start to the album
“Hidden persuaders” follows. I like the old 60s/70s sound. Maybe as a child of the 70s I’ve that ingrained like for that weird kitschy sound. Reminds me of classic James Bond movies or something. Are musicians hidden persuaders? If someone is trying to get you to buy something (like a big market advertiser, would musicians not be part of that capitalist steam roller too? Discuss.
“ No wood just trees” is probably the weakest song from the album. I’m not dwelling on it.
“Professor pickles” – A song that screams a 70s maddening trip. Hunter S Thompson would be proud.
“Long long time” – great ballad to mellow the album down a bit. It’s a long long long time before I come home. please don’t try to contact me. The ringer runs the battery from my phone. Still cheeky, I Like.
“No soap (in a dirty water)” – the album’s current single. Has great radio quality and I think that people hearing this song may be confused by the rest of the album, but if you’re going to persuade someone to buy the album, might as well lead with this song right (tying things together people that’s my job).
“Manifesto / people shapers” - this song takes you in two different journeys. The first being another hallucinogenic rock-filled staggered walk which turns into the second part of the journey where you’ve stopped and there’s a moment of clarity.
I’m in love with the notion
I’m in love..
With the idea of giving a fuck
About these things that surround me and stuff
Fantastic song.
“Mermaids” – is not bad. Introspection on what a man has become.
“The end” – is ok.
“Hard Time for Dreamers – good song to end the album after that wild ride.
The album is a crazy mish mash of energy and lulls that seem to work. You’re not leaving this album, after a listen, on a huge caffeine high nor are you so mellow that all you have a craving for are magic brownies. Hmmm it’s Red Bull and Vodka. Yah, that’s it.
No, this album won’t get me back to church. That would take….a miracle, but if the Reverend and the Makers were to show up to a blessing of pets at…oh say a rock concert, I just might be there. Amen
The reverend (Jon McClure) returns with the second album, A French Kiss In The Chaos for Reverend and the Makers. Whether this album gets me believing once again is anyone’s guess, but it’s a pretty good album.
McClure and his band have maintained the indie feel from their first album into this one. Hell, they’re so indie, they still busked on the streets of London to promote their album.
The album itself is a mish mash of sounds right from the first track “Silence is talking”. Hints of the Chemical Brothers, some oasis, and a sampling of “Low rider” from War for good effect. Fitting given Low Rider’s placement in Ferris Beuller’s day off and our continuing tribute to John hughes no? I’m good with the segues, trust me. A great start to the album
“Hidden persuaders” follows. I like the old 60s/70s sound. Maybe as a child of the 70s I’ve that ingrained like for that weird kitschy sound. Reminds me of classic James Bond movies or something. Are musicians hidden persuaders? If someone is trying to get you to buy something (like a big market advertiser, would musicians not be part of that capitalist steam roller too? Discuss.
“ No wood just trees” is probably the weakest song from the album. I’m not dwelling on it.
“Professor pickles” – A song that screams a 70s maddening trip. Hunter S Thompson would be proud.
“Long long time” – great ballad to mellow the album down a bit. It’s a long long long time before I come home. please don’t try to contact me. The ringer runs the battery from my phone. Still cheeky, I Like.
“No soap (in a dirty water)” – the album’s current single. Has great radio quality and I think that people hearing this song may be confused by the rest of the album, but if you’re going to persuade someone to buy the album, might as well lead with this song right (tying things together people that’s my job).
“Manifesto / people shapers” - this song takes you in two different journeys. The first being another hallucinogenic rock-filled staggered walk which turns into the second part of the journey where you’ve stopped and there’s a moment of clarity.
I’m in love with the notion
I’m in love..
With the idea of giving a fuck
About these things that surround me and stuff
Fantastic song.
“Mermaids” – is not bad. Introspection on what a man has become.
“The end” – is ok.
“Hard Time for Dreamers – good song to end the album after that wild ride.
The album is a crazy mish mash of energy and lulls that seem to work. You’re not leaving this album, after a listen, on a huge caffeine high nor are you so mellow that all you have a craving for are magic brownies. Hmmm it’s Red Bull and Vodka. Yah, that’s it.
No, this album won’t get me back to church. That would take….a miracle, but if the Reverend and the Makers were to show up to a blessing of pets at…oh say a rock concert, I just might be there. Amen
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Blip FM
Am trying out this Blip thing (to the upper right of this blog). I don't think i have it right. Enh, time will tell, some cool live stuff stuck in the deep recesses of Blip, so we'll see.
Friday, August 14, 2009
virgin fest moved back to TO
I guess in a recession and the thought of driving up north has made people reconsider buying tickets to virgin fest 2009. It's now moved back to the city at the Molson Amphitheatre. Now you just have to fight traffic to park at Ontario Place or take the TTC!!!!!!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
John Hughes - RIP
So John Hughes passed away today. Heart attack at age 59.
Instead of an obit, i'm going to highlight tracks from some of his movies. Starting with what is definitely in my top 10 of all time:
Ferris Beuller's Day Off
- The Beatles - twist and shout : classic scene on the streets of chicago
- The (english) beat - March of the swivelheads
- Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Love Missile F1-11
- The Dream Academy - Please Please Please Let Me Get What i Want : one of the great Smiths covers and made me want to spend more time in the art gallery
- Yello - O Yeah : mushy gummy bear anyone?
- Big Audio Dynamite - Bad : CLASSIC!
The Breakfast Club
there's really only one song you need to concern yourself with:
- Simple Minds - Don't you forget about me : probably MADE Simple Minds with this song
Sixteen Candles
weirdly, this only had 5 songs.
- The Stray Cats: 16 candles
- Thompson Twins: If you were here
Pretty in Pink
CLASSIC soundtrack
- OMD - If you leave : who didn't slow dance to this?
- Suzanne Vega - left of center
- INXS - Do wot you do
- Psychedelic Furs - Pretty in Pink : did what " don't you forget about me" did to Simple Minds
- New Order - Shell Shock
- Echo and the Bunnymen - Bring on the dancing horses
- The Smiths: Please Please Please Let me get what i want: do you think there's a trend from this to Ferris?
Weird Science
- Oingo Boingo - Weird Science
- Mike Oldfiend - Tubular Bells: some trippy shit you should listen to
- OMD - Tesla girls
- Killing Joke - Eighties
- General Public - Tenderness
John Hughes' movies were a mecca for awesome music. You'll be missed. In the meantime, I might need to put a John Hughes playlist together.
Instead of an obit, i'm going to highlight tracks from some of his movies. Starting with what is definitely in my top 10 of all time:
Ferris Beuller's Day Off
- The Beatles - twist and shout : classic scene on the streets of chicago
- The (english) beat - March of the swivelheads
- Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Love Missile F1-11
- The Dream Academy - Please Please Please Let Me Get What i Want : one of the great Smiths covers and made me want to spend more time in the art gallery
- Yello - O Yeah : mushy gummy bear anyone?
- Big Audio Dynamite - Bad : CLASSIC!
The Breakfast Club
there's really only one song you need to concern yourself with:
- Simple Minds - Don't you forget about me : probably MADE Simple Minds with this song
Sixteen Candles
weirdly, this only had 5 songs.
- The Stray Cats: 16 candles
- Thompson Twins: If you were here
Pretty in Pink
CLASSIC soundtrack
- OMD - If you leave : who didn't slow dance to this?
- Suzanne Vega - left of center
- INXS - Do wot you do
- Psychedelic Furs - Pretty in Pink : did what " don't you forget about me" did to Simple Minds
- New Order - Shell Shock
- Echo and the Bunnymen - Bring on the dancing horses
- The Smiths: Please Please Please Let me get what i want: do you think there's a trend from this to Ferris?
Weird Science
- Oingo Boingo - Weird Science
- Mike Oldfiend - Tubular Bells: some trippy shit you should listen to
- OMD - Tesla girls
- Killing Joke - Eighties
- General Public - Tenderness
John Hughes' movies were a mecca for awesome music. You'll be missed. In the meantime, I might need to put a John Hughes playlist together.
Radiohead - Harry Patch
Radiohead released a song yesterday called Harry Patch (in memory of). Dedicated to the UK's last remaining WWI vet who passed away at 111 years old. All the proceeds of the download (from their website) were to go to the British Legion. Good job fellas. There's been a lot of talk about the way countries treat their vets. The UK has recently been blasted for their treatment of their wounded soldiers from the middle east and I'm sure North America can't necessarily claim some moral highground on that either.
The song itself is melancholic, they sing about the horrors of war and sounds almost fatalistic that we're bound to keep on fighting. I wouldn't say it's their best single to date, but the meaning and charitable work behind it is good enough for me.
The song itself is melancholic, they sing about the horrors of war and sounds almost fatalistic that we're bound to keep on fighting. I wouldn't say it's their best single to date, but the meaning and charitable work behind it is good enough for me.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Reckless Records and the indie record shop
With the advent of digital music downloads, and big record chains either closing down (Sam's, I'll always miss you) or turning to other non-music items (HMV i'm looking at you) to make a buck, there's one thing that still brings joy to my heart. The little indie records stores. I know that someday they will go the way of the dodo bird or for kids in this age, the Sony Walkman/Discman, but still love em nonetheless.
Checked out Reckless Records in Bucktown (there's actually 3 of them in chi-town) this past weekend and it brought up great memories of walking into old record shops and just hanging around to see what the record store guy was spinning on the record player or what weird CD import they got in (the japanese seem to get the best album versions don't they?).
Walking into the store, we were overwhelmed by the sheer number of LPs from golden oldies to the latest releases. Not just that, it's the smell. I don't know what it is, maybe it's the records, the dank musty smell of old stuff, poster glue, fanzines or the music nerd checking out if there was any scratches on the LP he was looking at. I loved it! It was a blast from the past and made me think about the old music indie shops still in Toronto.
They're not all gone. Some are (Edward's record world? Record Peddler?), but some still exist that you might want to check out:
Vortex Records - used to hang out here every once in a while. It's a weird place given the location is the heart of Yonge and inEligible (you see the yoga mom's around, look, but don't touch)
Penguin Music - these guys used to be on Queen West and McCaul (cool little space), but have since moved to Queen and John in the Black Market
Sonic Boom - across from Honest Ed's, get some tunes, 12 pairs of socks for a buck, and then hit some good korean food.
Rotate This - uhm Ibid!!! just west of Honest Ed's
Soundscapes - music and italian food in Little Italy (i'm getting a sense i could get a travel guide for getting tunes and then eating good food)
Lollapalooza 2009
With Lolla coming up this weekend and the fact that I just got back from Chi-town, thought i'd write a post on this.
Here's the lineup for this year's weekend show at Grant Park in Chicago:
- Depeche Mode (they're looking their age)
- Tool (good times)
- The Killers (great album)
- Jane's Addiction (duh)
- Sam Roberts Band (GO CANADA!!)
- King 0f Leon (never got into this band for some reason)
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs (someone should write a review of their latest..oh wait..)
- Lou Reed (he's still alive?)
- Ben Harper
- Thievery Corp (oh yah baby)
- Snoop Dog (requisite hip hop act?)
- Rise Against
- Andrew Bird
- TV on the Radio
- Vampire Weekend (brilliant!)
- The Decemberists (nice)
- Neko Case (no New pornographers?)
- STS9
- Animal Collective
- Band of Horses
- Of Montreal
- Arctic Monkeys (monkeys and animals, and horses, oh my!)
- Coheed and Cambria
- Ben Folds (no five?)
- Fleet Foxes (more animals?)
- Silversun Pickups
- Kaiser Chiefs
- Crystal Castles
- Bon Iver
- Santigold
- Atmosphere
- Dan Auerbach
- Cold War Kids
- Deerhunter
- Lykke Li
- Robert Earl Keen
- Peter Bjorn and John (still think they're a one hit wonder)
- Heartless Bastards (I've been called worse)
- Gomez
- GlasVegas (check these guys out. BLOODY BRILLIANT)
- Federico Aubele
- Dan Deacon
- Passion Pit
- Zap Mama
- The Raveonettes
- The Gaslight Anthem
and a shitload of other bands that i can't type right now.
I fear i cannot do the music fests anymore. The old knees and the fact i'm regressing into a child means i wouldn't have the strength nor the patience to attend a 3 day fest. I'm glad that Perry Farrell still has the drive to hold Lolla, it's a shame that it hasn't been able to travel as it once did.
Here's the lineup for this year's weekend show at Grant Park in Chicago:
- Depeche Mode (they're looking their age)
- Tool (good times)
- The Killers (great album)
- Jane's Addiction (duh)
- Sam Roberts Band (GO CANADA!!)
- King 0f Leon (never got into this band for some reason)
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs (someone should write a review of their latest..oh wait..)
- Lou Reed (he's still alive?)
- Ben Harper
- Thievery Corp (oh yah baby)
- Snoop Dog (requisite hip hop act?)
- Rise Against
- Andrew Bird
- TV on the Radio
- Vampire Weekend (brilliant!)
- The Decemberists (nice)
- Neko Case (no New pornographers?)
- STS9
- Animal Collective
- Band of Horses
- Of Montreal
- Arctic Monkeys (monkeys and animals, and horses, oh my!)
- Coheed and Cambria
- Ben Folds (no five?)
- Fleet Foxes (more animals?)
- Silversun Pickups
- Kaiser Chiefs
- Crystal Castles
- Bon Iver
- Santigold
- Atmosphere
- Dan Auerbach
- Cold War Kids
- Deerhunter
- Lykke Li
- Robert Earl Keen
- Peter Bjorn and John (still think they're a one hit wonder)
- Heartless Bastards (I've been called worse)
- Gomez
- GlasVegas (check these guys out. BLOODY BRILLIANT)
- Federico Aubele
- Dan Deacon
- Passion Pit
- Zap Mama
- The Raveonettes
- The Gaslight Anthem
and a shitload of other bands that i can't type right now.
I fear i cannot do the music fests anymore. The old knees and the fact i'm regressing into a child means i wouldn't have the strength nor the patience to attend a 3 day fest. I'm glad that Perry Farrell still has the drive to hold Lolla, it's a shame that it hasn't been able to travel as it once did.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
It’s Blitz
The radio friendly follow up to 2006’s Show Your Bones is finally reviewed by yours truly. It’s Blitz is definitely a more polished record. The raw angrier sound from Show Your Bones and Fever to Tell have been, on the whole, done away with. It’s inevitable though. As bands move on in their musical life, things change, whether it’s producers’ Dave Sitek and Nick Launay influence or an actual intent to change their sounds into what I’d say is more mainstream. It works.
The album leads off with "Zero". Karen O’s gritty vocals, reminiscent of Siouxsie Sioux (kids, look up Siouxsie and the Banshees). Only not as scary looking. After all, Karen was voted sex goddess of the year in 2004 and 2005 according to SPIN magazine. She’d probably still kick my ass though.
Anyhoo, I digress, yet again (I tend do to that a lot). The song is a good mesh of what the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were in their previous works to what they're leading towards with this album.
"Heads will roll" – What i'm calling, the album’s “dance” track. With lyrics like “off with your head, dance til your dead” it's catchy, but campy. I can picture the alterna-awkward-teens making a strange dance to this song.
"Soft shock" – Great song. I’m going to say this is the album’s “Maps”. Wait for it to show up on Rock Band one of these days I’m sure.
"Skeletons" – Can you have a semi-anthemic song talking about skeletons? Apparently you can and this is it.
"Dull life" – the closest you’re going to get to the angst/anger of the previous two albums. It sounds great.
"Shame and fortune" – I have no gambling blood in me. It’s odd as an asian man, you’d think I’d be known on the Rama bus by now, but I think I’d take this as my theme song when I go to the casino.
"Runaway" – I think i must've lived in a stepford family, i never thought about running away. "Runaway" was Tom Selleck's best movie. Discuss.
"Dragon queen" – probably the album's weakest track. it's not that it's horrible, it's just not memorable.
"Hysteric" – Has anything but hysterical melodies. Nice song.
"Little shadow" – Completes the album with a melancholic finish.
Fans of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs previous two albums may be disappointed with the change in It’s Blitz, but I think it’s a natural progression from the angst. Even Green Day had to grow a little (and by a little, I mean just a bit, new album sounds like every other Green Day album…there I go digressing again. That’s another blog post).
Great album.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Once more around the Bloc
There's something that's been bugging me everytime a new Bloc Party album comes out. It's not whether or not the album is just as good or better than the previous one (there's only been 3). It's not whether or not who i pictured lead singer Kele Okereke to be when I first heard them back in 2004/2005 was totally wrong (wow, did not see that coming). No, what bugs me is why Bloc Party is not bigger than they are?
Granted, Bloc Party has only been on the scene since 2005's Silent Alarm, but whenever I hear an album of theirs, i wonder, why are they not topping the charts when the blackeyed peas or lady gaga are in the top 10 (Yes i know, Intimacy was released last year, but that's not the point)? Right. We all have our own musical tastes and let's be honest, it's not like i'm going to promote a band that i feel totally ruins the intention of what music is supposed to be (then again, i'd probably slag them as opposed to promote), it's all subjective. Can't i just wish that everyone was as subjective like me? CMON PEOPLE!!! work with me here.
What constitutes success? Bloc Party had a song playing for a Saturn commerical (bet you didn't know that), does that mean they've made it? If they had a song on an XBOX 360 game (forza 2), would you consider that the epitomy of what stardom is? probably not.
Some reasons why I think you should like Bloc Party:
1) the melodies and soundscapes - Bloc party takes you along a musical journey (cliched i know), but it's true. One minute you're bouncing off the walls, another minute and you're lying on your bed contemplating just what the hell you were bouncing for. Take a listen to "Ares" on their latest album Intimacy. The harder rock song suddenly breaks and takes you into a beautiful few seconds to catch your breath, then wham, right back into it. "Signs" starts off with some child-like bells then swoops you into a dream-like state for the rest of the journey.
2) the lyrics - Let's take a look at today's current top hit from the Black Eyed Peas: " here we come , here we go, we gotta rock, (rock rock rock rock rock) easy come, easy go, now we're on top (top top top top top)"?????? i think i'm missing something.
Bloc Party's "I still Remember" from Weekend in the City -
"We wrote our names on every train
Laughed at the people off to work
So monochrome and so lukewarm
And I could feel our days were becoming night
I could feel your heart beating across the grass
We should have run, I would go with you anywhere
I should have kissed you by the water
I still remember"
Music and its lyrics are all about invoking a certain feeling or thought in the listener's mind. I always seem to get the sense that today's top 40 songs are not really about invoking thought but more about hearing repetitive junk (sorry BEP, don't beat me like you did Perez. it's all good) and so ingraining that repetition that you can't help but want to listen to it some more..and obviously buy the records. When you get to hear the music and listen to the lyrics from Bloc Party, you're actually FEELING something. Sometimes it's a strange angelic pastoral world like "Zephyrus" , other times its an introspection on what relationships are really about in "This modern love".
Take this subjective blog as you will and listen to more Bloc Party. Their new single "One More Chance" comes out on August 10.
Granted, Bloc Party has only been on the scene since 2005's Silent Alarm, but whenever I hear an album of theirs, i wonder, why are they not topping the charts when the blackeyed peas or lady gaga are in the top 10 (Yes i know, Intimacy was released last year, but that's not the point)? Right. We all have our own musical tastes and let's be honest, it's not like i'm going to promote a band that i feel totally ruins the intention of what music is supposed to be (then again, i'd probably slag them as opposed to promote), it's all subjective. Can't i just wish that everyone was as subjective like me? CMON PEOPLE!!! work with me here.
What constitutes success? Bloc Party had a song playing for a Saturn commerical (bet you didn't know that), does that mean they've made it? If they had a song on an XBOX 360 game (forza 2), would you consider that the epitomy of what stardom is? probably not.
Some reasons why I think you should like Bloc Party:
1) the melodies and soundscapes - Bloc party takes you along a musical journey (cliched i know), but it's true. One minute you're bouncing off the walls, another minute and you're lying on your bed contemplating just what the hell you were bouncing for. Take a listen to "Ares" on their latest album Intimacy. The harder rock song suddenly breaks and takes you into a beautiful few seconds to catch your breath, then wham, right back into it. "Signs" starts off with some child-like bells then swoops you into a dream-like state for the rest of the journey.
2) the lyrics - Let's take a look at today's current top hit from the Black Eyed Peas: " here we come , here we go, we gotta rock, (rock rock rock rock rock) easy come, easy go, now we're on top (top top top top top)"?????? i think i'm missing something.
Bloc Party's "I still Remember" from Weekend in the City -
"We wrote our names on every train
Laughed at the people off to work
So monochrome and so lukewarm
And I could feel our days were becoming night
I could feel your heart beating across the grass
We should have run, I would go with you anywhere
I should have kissed you by the water
I still remember"
Music and its lyrics are all about invoking a certain feeling or thought in the listener's mind. I always seem to get the sense that today's top 40 songs are not really about invoking thought but more about hearing repetitive junk (sorry BEP, don't beat me like you did Perez. it's all good) and so ingraining that repetition that you can't help but want to listen to it some more..and obviously buy the records. When you get to hear the music and listen to the lyrics from Bloc Party, you're actually FEELING something. Sometimes it's a strange angelic pastoral world like "Zephyrus" , other times its an introspection on what relationships are really about in "This modern love".
Take this subjective blog as you will and listen to more Bloc Party. Their new single "One More Chance" comes out on August 10.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
MCA diagnosed with cancer
So the Beastie Boys have cancelled some shows and have delayed the launch of their latest album as MCA (Adam Yauch) was diagnosed with cancer in the throat. ooof. treatable though.
Can you believe the "boys" are now in their mid 40s?? Then i realize how old i am, and then crawl back into my hole..sigh.
good luck MCA.
Can you believe the "boys" are now in their mid 40s?? Then i realize how old i am, and then crawl back into my hole..sigh.
good luck MCA.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
virgin fest 2009 - Ontario lineup
Here's the lineup for Virgin Fest 2009. Venue is Burl's creek north of Barrie. Saw Jack Johnson there, amazing concert, pain in the ass getting out. If you're driving there, be prepared for utter chaos and 3 hours to get home. but hey, it's all about the music right?
Saturday - Aug 29
Ben Harper & Relentless7
The Pixies
Franz Ferdinand
Paolo Nutini
Grizzly Bear
Mates of State
Sloan
Lights
Thunderheist
Rural Alberta Advantage
Down with Webster
Iglu & Hartly
Sunday - Aug 30
NIN
Pet Shop Boys
Our Lady Peace
N.E.R.D
cold war kids
mutemath
mew
Plants and Animals
Coeur de Pirate
Von Bondies
Datarock
hypercrush
trouble andrew
Silver starlings
D'urbervilles
Not a bad lineup of artists, but i'm taking a look at who some of the other provinces get and it looks like we got jipped (sp?) a few artists.
BC gets The Roots, Broken Social Scene, Metric, Sonic Youth, Jarvis Cocker, De la soul (good times de la soul, good times!), and K-OS
Alberta gets Pearl Jam, Arkells, Billy Talent.
Why no Metric love in Ontario (Emily? is it that restraining order thing again?)
Saturday - Aug 29
Ben Harper & Relentless7
The Pixies
Franz Ferdinand
Paolo Nutini
Grizzly Bear
Mates of State
Sloan
Lights
Thunderheist
Rural Alberta Advantage
Down with Webster
Iglu & Hartly
Sunday - Aug 30
NIN
Pet Shop Boys
Our Lady Peace
N.E.R.D
cold war kids
mutemath
mew
Plants and Animals
Coeur de Pirate
Von Bondies
Datarock
hypercrush
trouble andrew
Silver starlings
D'urbervilles
Not a bad lineup of artists, but i'm taking a look at who some of the other provinces get and it looks like we got jipped (sp?) a few artists.
BC gets The Roots, Broken Social Scene, Metric, Sonic Youth, Jarvis Cocker, De la soul (good times de la soul, good times!), and K-OS
Alberta gets Pearl Jam, Arkells, Billy Talent.
Why no Metric love in Ontario (Emily? is it that restraining order thing again?)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Martin Streek RIP
More for Toronto listeners, but apparently Martin Streek, who was recently let go by CFNY (i'm still calling you that, instead of the lame "Edge 102") committed suicide on Monday. What the fuck?
He did the Thursday 30 and some various club gigs. I wasn't a real fan of his, but he was part of an age at CFNY that was pretty cool. Mae Potts, Dani Elwell (oh the sultry voice of Dani Elwell late at night), good times.
RIP Martin.
He did the Thursday 30 and some various club gigs. I wasn't a real fan of his, but he was part of an age at CFNY that was pretty cool. Mae Potts, Dani Elwell (oh the sultry voice of Dani Elwell late at night), good times.
RIP Martin.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Patriotic songs
So I watched the 4th of July celebrations last night as the love of my life is American, and it's our thing (we didn't watch the 1st of July celebrations as they're usually crap anyways and i missed Sarah Mclachlan in Ottawa).
As we're watching the Boston Pops and hearing the various patriotic songs about America (and a rather cheesy song about a girl from Boston), it left me wondering. Why don't we have uber Canuck songs? Why don't we have our own country music stars (sorry, can't name any...shania?) sing about how great Canada is? and how we drive Chevs...err..Fords..err Hondas?
I googled a few things about "songs of Canada", and didn't come up with much other than "O Canada" (national anthems don't count). Sure, we have mentions of provinces and cities/towns in various songs here and there (Bobcaygeon by the Hip comes to mind..damn I love that song), but nothing truly uplifting about our country.
Until.....I'm sitting here listening to Radio 3 and Andrew Vincent comes up..."Canadian Dream". Catchy tune, not country (thank god), and i'm thinking "have i found the music to which all Canadians can light their fireworks too on the 1st of July?" Alas no, Andrew Vincent sings about going to university in Canada. Great song for the young folk, unfortunately, not fireworks worthy (but definitely worth a listen).
Sam Roberts has a song called Canadian Dream as well, but not so uplifting.
Went out on the street today
The Canadian Dream was as far away as it's ever been
As it's ever been
S.O.C.I.A.L.I.S.M.is here to stay
S.O.C.I.A.L.I.S.M. is the only way
Frozen lands, frozen minds.
Frozen hands, frozen time.
Maybe that's just our lot in life? Canadians are quiet and unassuming. Very polite. We don't sing about ourselves?
As we're watching the Boston Pops and hearing the various patriotic songs about America (and a rather cheesy song about a girl from Boston), it left me wondering. Why don't we have uber Canuck songs? Why don't we have our own country music stars (sorry, can't name any...shania?) sing about how great Canada is? and how we drive Chevs...err..Fords..err Hondas?
I googled a few things about "songs of Canada", and didn't come up with much other than "O Canada" (national anthems don't count). Sure, we have mentions of provinces and cities/towns in various songs here and there (Bobcaygeon by the Hip comes to mind..damn I love that song), but nothing truly uplifting about our country.
Until.....I'm sitting here listening to Radio 3 and Andrew Vincent comes up..."Canadian Dream". Catchy tune, not country (thank god), and i'm thinking "have i found the music to which all Canadians can light their fireworks too on the 1st of July?" Alas no, Andrew Vincent sings about going to university in Canada. Great song for the young folk, unfortunately, not fireworks worthy (but definitely worth a listen).
Sam Roberts has a song called Canadian Dream as well, but not so uplifting.
Went out on the street today
The Canadian Dream was as far away as it's ever been
As it's ever been
S.O.C.I.A.L.I.S.M.is here to stay
S.O.C.I.A.L.I.S.M. is the only way
Frozen lands, frozen minds.
Frozen hands, frozen time.
Maybe that's just our lot in life? Canadians are quiet and unassuming. Very polite. We don't sing about ourselves?
U2 blackberry commercial
So I caught the U2 Blackberry commercial the other day. Now I've been a U2 fan for a long time. Not as rabid as some of the people I know (really? drive to Buffalo to see them? Buffalo?), but a fan nonetheless. They definitely put on a great show.
I'm wondering though. Has U2 lost their edge (no, not Edge)? Have they lost their political edge? I'm all for making money, don't get me wrong. And i know Bono still does a lot of political work, but as a band, they don't seem to sing the same types of songs that used to make me think, "wow! i gotta change the world" or "wow, we live in a pretty fucked up world". Instead, I'm listening them telling me to get on my boots. Sure Cedars of Lebanon off the latest album sends a clear message, but I just don't see U2 as the frontrunners for political storytelling anymore.
The Blackberry commercials, the previous Apple U2 Ipod video, I don't know. Bring back the days of War, Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree. Make me want to change the world U2!!!!
Signed, an obviously old, grumpy, curmudgeon of a blogger.
I'm wondering though. Has U2 lost their edge (no, not Edge)? Have they lost their political edge? I'm all for making money, don't get me wrong. And i know Bono still does a lot of political work, but as a band, they don't seem to sing the same types of songs that used to make me think, "wow! i gotta change the world" or "wow, we live in a pretty fucked up world". Instead, I'm listening them telling me to get on my boots. Sure Cedars of Lebanon off the latest album sends a clear message, but I just don't see U2 as the frontrunners for political storytelling anymore.
The Blackberry commercials, the previous Apple U2 Ipod video, I don't know. Bring back the days of War, Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree. Make me want to change the world U2!!!!
Signed, an obviously old, grumpy, curmudgeon of a blogger.
Friday, June 26, 2009
naughts and crosses, hexes and ohs
There's a soft spot in my heart for electro-pop. It makes me feel giddy and if i could dance, I probably would (believe me, you don't want to see that). That's why when I first heard Hexes & Oh's, something clicked inside me and I just had.....to write a music review!
Hexes & Ohs are a Montreal group comprised of Heidi Donnelly and Edmund Lam. The main theme you read about their relationship is that they've been together for over a decade and were in fact high school sweethearts. I'm always impressed by people who were high school sweethearts and have actually stayed together. I know of maybe one or two couples that are in this same situation and you wonder how it is that they've been able to maintain that freshness since clearly a highschool mentality is different from when you're in your late 20s. Of course, I've now turned this review into my theories on relationships. Time to move on.
Ok, one more tangent. What is IN the water in Montreal that seems to breed great music? Arcade Fire? The Stills? Beast? The Dears? Stars (to a lesser degree)? Someone bottle that water up, turn it into beer, and send me a case.
The album in question is Bedroom Madness (available for download at your favourite legal music download site and iTunes). Published by Noise Factory Records.
Heidi and Edmund's vocals play well off of each other. The music is fun, light, pop-py, but the lyrics sometimes belie the happy notes. Something I've loved ever since I heard the dark ominous lyrics the Smiths wrapped around with sugar coated tunes. Heidi's vocals remind me of the melodic sounds Amy Milan puts into Stars and a teeny tiny, little bit of Miki Berenyi (Lush, there's a blast from the past for all you kids out there) and Emily Haines thrown into the mix (I have to put Emily Haines into a post, just have to. Emily, call me!). Edmund's vocals are no slouch either. He'll never be the lead singer of Alexis on Fire, but who'd want him to be screaming with this kind of music (sorry George, i really can't do the screaming).
Hexes & Ohs are a Montreal group comprised of Heidi Donnelly and Edmund Lam. The main theme you read about their relationship is that they've been together for over a decade and were in fact high school sweethearts. I'm always impressed by people who were high school sweethearts and have actually stayed together. I know of maybe one or two couples that are in this same situation and you wonder how it is that they've been able to maintain that freshness since clearly a highschool mentality is different from when you're in your late 20s. Of course, I've now turned this review into my theories on relationships. Time to move on.
Ok, one more tangent. What is IN the water in Montreal that seems to breed great music? Arcade Fire? The Stills? Beast? The Dears? Stars (to a lesser degree)? Someone bottle that water up, turn it into beer, and send me a case.
The album in question is Bedroom Madness (available for download at your favourite legal music download site and iTunes). Published by Noise Factory Records.
Heidi and Edmund's vocals play well off of each other. The music is fun, light, pop-py, but the lyrics sometimes belie the happy notes. Something I've loved ever since I heard the dark ominous lyrics the Smiths wrapped around with sugar coated tunes. Heidi's vocals remind me of the melodic sounds Amy Milan puts into Stars and a teeny tiny, little bit of Miki Berenyi (Lush, there's a blast from the past for all you kids out there) and Emily Haines thrown into the mix (I have to put Emily Haines into a post, just have to. Emily, call me!). Edmund's vocals are no slouch either. He'll never be the lead singer of Alexis on Fire, but who'd want him to be screaming with this kind of music (sorry George, i really can't do the screaming).
The album's main single, H-h-highschool is great! Catchy and definitely brings back those great memories of highschool....Maybe not. When they sing "Awkward and deranged, the same old skinny kid from highschool" I'm thankful I got over the skinny part, the deranged aspect is debatable. Let's be clear here. I went to a Catholic boys highschool. now THAT'S awkward.
The rest of the album is dotted with catchy tunes, from the upbeat Wildfire, Little Bird (great banjo at the beginning), the kon kan (another blast from the past for you kids) beats of Seems so Elementary, Try so Hard, and Not Arriving. The album doesn't let you drop the proverbial pop head sway (you know the sway...bob left and right to the beat, you know it..you just won't admit it).
There are some weaker tracks on the album (you're a hologram, ship going down, still adore you ), but it's not enough to take away from the album's fun and thoughtfulness.
Songs like Suspicion, Looking to fight, and we remain, go through thoughts on relationships and their good and bad (mostly bad) times. Wait, I've got it! The secret to maintaining a highschool relationship for more than a decade....is to write all the bad scenarios in song. If you can sing about it, you don't have to live it! A strange cathartic endeavour? (Karoake bars take note, you have the secret to life long relationships!!).
Notable track: In High Places
This album is great. Definitely catch a listen on their website and if you like it, support some great Canadian music.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
MIchael Jackson 1958 - 2009
RIP MJ. you rocked my world back in Grade 3 and had some really classic songs...then you got weird. Is it wrong that I don't see you as the pop (North American pop) icon that you once were, but the weird dude that owned Neverland Ranch, had that incident with the kids in the bed ALLEGEDLY (acquitted), then HAD kids, but surrogate and the questions around whether or not you really did the deed? It probably is and i'm probably going to some really warm place in the afterlife (if there is one), but i've gone and said it.
Fave MJ songs:
Don't stop til you get enough - apparently now a staple at all weddings
Rock with you
The girl is mine - (just cuz that "doggone" girl is mine)
Human Nature - did you not think he said "doeshedomedatbay"?
Man in the Mirror - do you think he liked what he saw?
(that's about it, because honestly, i thought the rest of his "newer stuff" sucked....oh don't you throw the first stone!)
some thoughts:
- what's up with all this death? Ed? Farrah? now Michael? bad coincidence or conspiracy theory?
- do you feel that maybe the 1st 2 are getting a little ticked off that MJ's stolen their news stories?
Fave MJ songs:
Don't stop til you get enough - apparently now a staple at all weddings
Rock with you
The girl is mine - (just cuz that "doggone" girl is mine)
Human Nature - did you not think he said "doeshedomedatbay"?
Man in the Mirror - do you think he liked what he saw?
(that's about it, because honestly, i thought the rest of his "newer stuff" sucked....oh don't you throw the first stone!)
some thoughts:
- what's up with all this death? Ed? Farrah? now Michael? bad coincidence or conspiracy theory?
- do you feel that maybe the 1st 2 are getting a little ticked off that MJ's stolen their news stories?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Morning Ian, morning Bernie
6am....I'm up. just had enough sleep i guess.
Flip on the TV, wondering what those crazy guys on Breakfast Television are doing...but then i turned the channel and was drawn to....
Joy Division the documentary by Grant Gee. BLOODY BRILLIANT! I really should have seen this awhile ago when it was in town for the film fest a couple of years ago.
There's something odd about watching a documentary at 6 in the morning on arguably one of the most interesting frontmen of the music i grew up with who's demons won out far before his prime. It's unfortunately not a unique story among artists (singers, writers, actors). Perhaps artists are pre-wired to not only have a certain level of creative genius, but on the flip side have a distinct view of the world not in technicolour, but in various shades of grey and black? The documentary itself was about the chronological history of the band. It goes through how the band met up (sex pistols gig....and....i just put "god save the queen" in my head..great), their start up, progression to being on the cusp of being "big", Ian Curtis' suicide, and bands continuation into New Order (NOT a New Order doc). I won't go into details since i think that everyone should watch it.
Interesting tid bit. I'm watching them play "Dead Souls" and seeing Ian getting riled up and pumped in all his psychedelic dance glory (joe cocker had nothing on him) and thinking..."I've heard this song before". It finally clicked. Nine Inch Nails did a cover of it for "The Crow". Didn't even have to google that.
An interesting question is what defines "Pop"? Throughout the documentary, Joy Division is referred to as a pop band. Perhaps living through the 80s, in grade school, "pop" to me was the Michael Jackson's and Whams of the world, but to me the Brit "pop" of the 80s had a darker tone to it. Artists weren't singing about waking up before you go-go, manic mondays (soft spot in my heart for susanna hoffs) or singing in malls to raucaus tween girls. Could it be that the artists that came out of the late 70s and early 80s in the UK seemed to have a darker grip on reality than North American ones? Don't get me wrong, there were some great 80s bands from North America, they just didn't seem to have the darkness that Joy Division, the Cure, Bauhaus, The Smiths (although wrapped in some damn catchy tunes there mr. morrissey!) et al seemed to have....perhaps i'm just a dark guy and need to review that psychology text book again.
With "Atmosphere" playing in my head as i type this, i gained a deeper appreciation for the story of Joy Division and the guys behind the music. Ian Curtis, you left the world too soon, but i'm sure you've already gotten into a few pub brawls with Kurt Cobain.
thought: was Ian Curtis actually the Kurt Cobain of the early 80s? discuss.
thought #2: goth rock, pop rock, brit pop rock, why can't we just all get along? discuss.
Flip on the TV, wondering what those crazy guys on Breakfast Television are doing...but then i turned the channel and was drawn to....
Joy Division the documentary by Grant Gee. BLOODY BRILLIANT! I really should have seen this awhile ago when it was in town for the film fest a couple of years ago.
There's something odd about watching a documentary at 6 in the morning on arguably one of the most interesting frontmen of the music i grew up with who's demons won out far before his prime. It's unfortunately not a unique story among artists (singers, writers, actors). Perhaps artists are pre-wired to not only have a certain level of creative genius, but on the flip side have a distinct view of the world not in technicolour, but in various shades of grey and black? The documentary itself was about the chronological history of the band. It goes through how the band met up (sex pistols gig....and....i just put "god save the queen" in my head..great), their start up, progression to being on the cusp of being "big", Ian Curtis' suicide, and bands continuation into New Order (NOT a New Order doc). I won't go into details since i think that everyone should watch it.
Interesting tid bit. I'm watching them play "Dead Souls" and seeing Ian getting riled up and pumped in all his psychedelic dance glory (joe cocker had nothing on him) and thinking..."I've heard this song before". It finally clicked. Nine Inch Nails did a cover of it for "The Crow". Didn't even have to google that.
someone take these dreams away
that point me to another day
a duel of of personalities
that stretch all true realities
An interesting question is what defines "Pop"? Throughout the documentary, Joy Division is referred to as a pop band. Perhaps living through the 80s, in grade school, "pop" to me was the Michael Jackson's and Whams of the world, but to me the Brit "pop" of the 80s had a darker tone to it. Artists weren't singing about waking up before you go-go, manic mondays (soft spot in my heart for susanna hoffs) or singing in malls to raucaus tween girls. Could it be that the artists that came out of the late 70s and early 80s in the UK seemed to have a darker grip on reality than North American ones? Don't get me wrong, there were some great 80s bands from North America, they just didn't seem to have the darkness that Joy Division, the Cure, Bauhaus, The Smiths (although wrapped in some damn catchy tunes there mr. morrissey!) et al seemed to have....perhaps i'm just a dark guy and need to review that psychology text book again.
With "Atmosphere" playing in my head as i type this, i gained a deeper appreciation for the story of Joy Division and the guys behind the music. Ian Curtis, you left the world too soon, but i'm sure you've already gotten into a few pub brawls with Kurt Cobain.
thought: was Ian Curtis actually the Kurt Cobain of the early 80s? discuss.
thought #2: goth rock, pop rock, brit pop rock, why can't we just all get along? discuss.
Walk in silence,
Don't turn away, in silence
Your confusion,
my illusion,
worn like a mask of self-hate,
confronts and then dies.
Don't walk away
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