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April 28, 2006

Hey Hey it's Some Monkeys!

When I was a kid in the pre UPN/ WB days (and certainly before anyone ever thought of consolidating all the "urban" sitcoms and "35 year olds performing high school student kabuki" shows into one CW behemoth) there were just anonymous non-network stations called Channel 47 or something, trying to get by on really low end syndicated programming. Timeless classics like Too Close for Comfort, One Day at a Time, Small Wonder, etc.

One of the weirdest staples of the mix and match line-up had to be Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp, a campy sixties spy show acted out entirely by chimpanzees. I think this program somehow stunted my development into a fully functioning adult. I hadn't thought about it in so long that I may actually have repressed it, blissfully, for many years.

Oh, You Tube.

Lancelot Link & the Evolution Revolution
(live on the Ed Simian Show)

What song are they playing? Sounds like a pretty standard entry from the Nuggets box. Any super nerds out there? Considering the generally pretty low bar for a new band to get blog love, I bet an mp3 of this track would be poised to make waves among 60's pop throwback apologists everywhere.

Also terrific is this bon mot from the You Tube comments section:

"that monkey was spinnin around! hahahaha

a really good shoe!"

Oh, "soulpony".

Tags: Lancelot Link, Secret Chimps, Evolution Revolution, Chimpanzee Spy Shows in General

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 04:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 27, 2006

Wolf Notes

Are there multiple Spencer Krugs? Have the bio-engineering talents of French Canadian seperatists been used to first win us over with an undying stream of kick ass rock music, figuring to keep us busy with air guitar while they seperate quietly in the night? How else do you explain a man with two albums in the can (Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake) that he somehow managed to finish while touring the world with his first band (Wolf Parade), and his second band (SR), and his old school part-time band (as keyboardist in Carey Mercer's Frog Eyes)? Compounding our incredulity, with thanks to I Guess I'm Floating , are live bootlegs of Wolf Parade shows from earlier this month yielding mp3's of new material, written by, you guessed it, Spencer Krug.

Seriously, time travel?

Wolf Parade - Things I Don't Know (live)

Starts with a nest of unfocused guitar which builds up ominously. Turns out it's a MacGuffin, as a dead stop swings the song into focus w/ Spence crooning over repeated piano stabs in a way that reminded me of Dylan's "Ballad of a Thin Man" until I went back and listened to that one again, and it totally didn't. Maybe I was reacting to the dramatic effect of the repeated notes, paired w/ the vocal? Anyhoo, the guitar nest does return, eventually straightening out into a more conventional riff on it's way towards an amped up climax, and then a denouement with SK softly pleading, "I sing you in songs/ I sing you in songs/ You hold my hand and/ String me along."

Ultimately though, it's solemn and not much of a pounder.

Wolf Parade - Bones (live)

The more polished of the two tracks, this one might be a bit older, as I remember it being played by the staggeringly drunk band when I saw them last Rocktober. Now, with the Krug persona more fully articulated, I wouldn't have been surprised to see that this was a leftover from Shut Up, I am Dreaming. It's just got that mid-tempo, nightmare feel to it. But, I guess the Wolf Parade-ness shines through in the way the sloppy guitar line mimics the equally sloppy roundabout synth melody, building to a series of impassioned "Oh, Come On!" 's.

This one gets the nod if you're way into direct competition, but both are encouraging signs for the continued health of our old favorite band in the face of SK's fractured attention.

Handsome Furs - (unknown title)

But what's up with Wolf Parade's second vocalist, Dan Boeckner? The only proof we have of the not-Krug's continued creative existence comes in the form of a Said the Gramophone post, providing a demo of a non-titled track recorded under the name Handsome Furs. Rumor has it that the Furs are releasing an album this fall on the Parade's Sub Pop label. Just one side project album? What the fuck Boeckner? How hard is it to form a super group in the Canadian indie wilderness? Can Alden Penner be that busy?

Super stripped down sonically, this track suggests DB's wallowing in his solitude. Folk-y strumming set deep into the red sets us up for an atonal beard fest that thankfully never quite arrives. Electric guitar brings some light into the shack when it's needed most, and Dan's breakdown is propped up by a virtual wailing wall of echo-ing Boeckners. It's all we have for now, and the vague nature of the whole thing gives Handsome Furs a mysterious element to contrast to Krug's ubiquity.

Keeping up his ultra high-profile, Dan and the Furs are touring Scandinavia in May, while Spence and Sunset Rubdown tour away on their own, in sensible places like the US and Canada:

Handsome Furs
2006-05-09 Garage Oslo Norway
2006-05-10 Mejeriet Lund Sweden
2006-05-11 Wish Gothenborg Sweden
2006-05-12 Debaser Stockholm Sweden
2006-05-13 Club Gang Helsinki Finland

Previously: Frog Eyes for the Wolf Guy, Sun Rises on Sunset Debut

Tags: Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 05:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

BBC Website relaunch to rival MySpace, News Corp Angry | Pot meet kettle

The BBC is revamping their website.

The BBC, has announced plans to relaunch its website to incorporate more user-generated content such as blogs and video, as well as developing new broadband portals in areas including sports, music, health and science. -- -- The BBC says it hopes its new site will attract unsigned bands hoping to showcase their music — one of the key successes of MySpace.com.

"We have one of the best Web sites in the world, but it's rooted in the first digital wave," BBC director-general Mark Thompson told staff on Tuesday. "We need to reinvent it, fill it with dynamic audiovisual content, personalize it, open it up to user-friendly material." (Via Wired)

James MacManus, an executive director of News International, accused the BBC of “blatantly commercial ambitions” and of seeking “to create a digital empire”. So let me get this straight, someone from the giant media conglomerate at News Corp. is accusing another company of creating a digital empire?

I don't really have a comment on this. Sound like a complicated public vs. private funding issue. I just enjoy using the "Pot calling the kettle black" phrase. That, and it relates to music.

Tags: BBC Relaunch, News Corporation, MySpace

Posted by Merry Swankster at 04:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Barring distance and exhaustion - Merry Swankster's Coachella Plans

This is my rough plan for bands this weekend. The reality will vary, greatly. Jeff suggested a teleportation device. I would add an IV for hydration and a protein/carb mixture in pill form for sustenance.

Stay tuned next week for the results. I'm hoping for a story on how I snuck into the VIP area and confronted Alec Ounsworth & Alex Kapranos on their flakiness in responding to my emails.

Sat: Celebration > White Rose Movement > Lady Sovereign (Ghosts of MIA's '05 show will haunt the tent. Prediction: underwhelming) > Wolfmother > Animal Collective > Deerhoof (Would like to see CYHSY in the Coachella element, but seen them twice already) > My Morning Jacket or Kanye (MS = card carrying member of shuffle generation) > *Chill time with either* Devendra Banhart or Sigur Ros > Franz Ferdinand > Depeche Mode (Only because I will be passed out following the Franz dance party and will need to recover before..) > Daft Punk

Sun: Giant Drag > Mates of State > Magic Numbers > Minus the Bear > Wolf Parade > Opening notes, err power chords of Sleater-Kinney > *Dash across grounds* > Gnarls Barkley > *Dash back* > Yeah Yeah Yeahs > *Partial sets of* Madonna, Mogwai, or Editors > *contact high @* Coheed & Cambria > Dungen > Art Brut if feeling saucy, Scissor Sisters if feeling sassy.

Tags: Coachella, Coachella Schedule, Teleporting

Posted by Merry Swankster at 12:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Coachella's 'Small Font' bands | MP3s

A MP3 sampling of the bands in tiny print. A tribute to the music many will sleep in and miss. Suckers.

Day 1

MP3 - Celebration - War
MP3 - Animal Collective - Bees
MP3 - Animal Collective - Here Comes the Indian
MP3 - TV on the Radio - I Was a Lover
MP3 - TV on the Radio - Playhouses
MP3 - TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
MP3 - Deerhoof - Sealed WIth a Kiss
MP3 - Deerhoof - Wrong Time Capsule
MP3 - Wolfmother - Mother
MP3 - The Duke Spirit - Cuts Across the Land
MP3 - Nine Black Alps - Cosmopolitan
MP3 - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Upon this Tidal Wave of Young Blood
MP3 - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Over and Over Again (Lost & Found)
MP3 - The New Amsterdams - The Spoils of the Spoiled

Day 2

MP3 - Giant Drag - Kevin is Gay
MP3 - Giant Drag - Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover)
MP3 - Mates of State - I Got This Feelin
MP3 - The Dears - We Can Have It
MP3 - Minus the Bear - The Game Needed Me
MP3 - Youth Group - Skeleton Jar
MP3 - Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?
MP3 - Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Me & Mia
MP3 - Seu Jorge - Rebel Rebel (Bowie Cover)
MP3 - The Magic Numbers - Mornings Eleven

Tags: Coachella, Coachella Schedule, Animal Collective, TV on the Radio, Deerhoof, Wolfmother, Duke Spirit, Nine Black Alps, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, New Amsterdams, Giant Drag, Mates of States, The Dears, Minus the Bear, Youth Group, Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Seu Jorge, Magic Numbers,

Posted by Merry Swankster at 02:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Coachella Set Times Up | Kanye Added!

Time schedule posted. Read it and weep. So I really wanted to see My Morning Jacket. But now Kanye is playing at the same time. This is the kind of shit that happens. Double-u tee eff?!

[Saturday]

[Sunday]

Tags: Coachella, Kanye West

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:16 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

April 26, 2006

Neil Young - Living With War

[Posted on behalf of MS.com Neil Young expert, Yonah Korngold]

Neil Young’s 10 song “Metal Folk Protest” record Living With War will stream on his website beginning on Fri, Apr. 28th. The album will then be available at digital retailers beginning May 2nd. The actual plastic CDs will be available in stores early May.

The lyrics, released even before the music, follow in Young’s tradition of straight to the point/brutally honest writing style apparent in effectively hard hitting songs like “Shock and Awe”:

Back in the days of “Mission Accomplished”
Our chief was on the landing deck
The sun was setting on a golden photo op
Back in the days of “Mission Accomplished”
Thousands of bodies in the ground
Brought home in boxes to a trumpet’s sound
No one sees them coming home that way

The album, recorded and released in a whirlwind through Reprise Records, has been the subject of much anticipation due to Young’s frenzied attention in getting the word out through new media outlets. The album seems to be grabbing some of the headlines it deserves.

My favorite being CNN’s Neil Young: 'Let's Impeach the President' (04.18.2006). CNN’s gripping headline would probably hold a little more water if not followed later in the week by: Seacrest: I'm not speaking to Abdul (04.26.2006) and breaking news that John Lennon was communicating beyond the grave, Lennon's message from beyond: Peace (04.25.2006). CNN of course chose Lennon’s message of peace during wartime rather than their scrapped original headline, Lennon's message from beyond: Happiness is a Warm Gun, Bang Bang… Shoot Shoot, Oh Yeah.

[Yonah can be found roaming the streets of Philadelphia or enjoying the Jim Beam & PBR specials at Bob & Barbara's]

Previously: Movie Review - Neil Young: Heart of Gold

Tags: Neil Young, Living With War, Iraq

Posted by Merry Swankster at 04:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Britney Spears - America's trashy Popstar | Very Fertile

Britney is preggers again. This K-Fed character sneezes and someone gets pregnant. Spread the seed young lad, spread the seed.

According to Us, a visibly pregnant Spears was spotted at the swimming pool of the Caesar's Palace casino in Las Vegas over the weekend. Sources later confirmed the pregnancy to the magazine.

Can we start referring to her as Britney Spears, former child star yet? I think the bigger story is the Chicago Sun-Times sourcing Us Magazine for articles.

[Disclaimer: This post was just an excuse to post a picture of Britney with Snoop, after the jump. Photo captions requested!]

Tags: Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, Snoop Dogg

Your best captions requested in comments. Winner receives deathbed enlightenment.

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Retrohump Day - Ghost of Coachella Future

Last week, Mssr. Swankster gave you a sampling of legendary acts that have been reconstituted especially for Cali's mammoth Coachella festival. Hot off of lazarus acts by Gang of Four, the Stooges, and the Pixies, this year the Coach scores, Depeche Mode, and Tool? Clearly a renewed focus is needed. Some acts that have yet to reform, and possible future targets for the festival organizers.

the Smiths - "Hand in Glove"
(live in Madrid 1984)

The white whale of reunion concert fantasies, is probably never going to happen. Some Spin jerk wrote a whole book about it. But, then again, Morrissey's supposedly rethinking the whole celibacy thing, and how long can he hold out on that claim of never going to Canada again because of the poor seals? His historic resolve may be cracking yet.

My Bloody Valentine - "Only Shallow"

A more reasonable prime target, and one that'd definitely give you Stooges/ Pixies type crowd furor. Imagine a two day desert sun demented audience when those waves of lovely guitar radiation filter out among them. They didn't so much break up as disappear, so painful personal reconnections could largely be avoided. Live footage, not so much, but this video gives you an idea, albeit one obscured in a visual approximation of the layers of noise cradling the melody.

Jesus and Mary Chain - "In a Hole"
(the Old Grey Whistle Test, 1985)

They only actually broke up in 1999 and all, but every year that "Lost in Translation" lives on in DVD form a new group of kids waiting to freak out to "Just Like Honey" is spawned. Maybe rope Primal Scream-er Bobby Gillespie back to man the stand up drum kit, make it an event? It probably won't be as cool as this clip's threat to completely disintegrate at any moment (and nobody wants old pros faking amateurism), but I'll still take it over "Stinkfist."

Elastica - "Waking Up"
(Live @ "Festival Bar" 1995)

This one might just be me, but hot damn would I be all over an Elastica concert. Judging from the soccer game level reception they get from the anonymously European "Festival Bar" crowd, they might be a sleeper crowd favorite. I think it'd be perfect. I mean, what was Elastica good at if not taking hip but unwieldy post punk influences and sexing them up for the dancefloor? Isn't that what a large swath of celebrated 00's indie music has set its sites on? They were derivitive ten years ahead of their time! Maybe we'll get an uptick in interest when the Long Blondes LP finally drops.

Elastica enthusiasts old and young are encouraged to also check out the video for "Car Song" in which the girls are ghostbusters in retro futuristic Japan, here. Criminally left of of that recent Spike Jonze DVD, saved by You Tube.

...and looking far into the future...Coachella 2014:

Unicorns - "I Was Born a Unicorn"

Tags: the Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain, Elastica, Unicorns, Coachella,

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 09:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 25, 2006

Prefix Coachella Survival Guide

I find it interesting that the SxSW festival got so much pre and post event coverage on the blogosphere compared to Coachella. While SxSW is arguably the launching pad for acts that may grace the Coachella stages in the future, the PR flacks that work in tandem with Austin's conference and the often touted "playing for the suits" feel can leave one jaded for a more blissful musical experience. Say one in the desert with 50,000 people?

A heavy east coast slant to the big influential music blogs can be a deal-breaker for an opposite coast festival, but the minimal print text dedicated to Coachella still surprises me. Lucky for our loyal readers, MS dot com is far reaching and willing to spend copious amounts of money providing insight to all corners of the musical landscape. Just this morning David Hasselhoff called requesting coverage of a planned German tour. We respectfully declined, burning bridges is a no no.

Anticipation for the coming weekend jaunt in Cali is rapidly creeping into all aspects of the Merry Swankster's daily activities. Energy level is high and all preparations have been made. The only thing left to chance is the well-guarded performance schedule. This last piece of information is a mixed blessing. The schedule is welcomed sweetly for allowing planning during the weekend, but bitterly as well when the crushing confirmation that two must-see bands will play at the same time. Happens every year. Inevitable, like the free swag and gossip hounds in the expansive VIP area.

We wanted to produce an exhaustive guide to this weekend's Coachella festival, but international modeling commitments took up our time. Lucky for you, Prefix concocted a spot on preview for the festival. Less than 4 days away now...

Prefix Guide to Coachella 2006

Coachella 2006 (Part 1): Festival Overview: Things to do in Indio Before you're Dead
Coachella 2006 (Part 2): The Big Names
Coachella 2006 (Part 3): Beats for (Two) Days: The electronic portion
Coachella 2006 (Part 4): Hip-hop/Soul/World beat
Coachella 2006 (Part 5): Rock, of the indie and other varieties
Coachella 2006 (Part 6): The Sleepers: Why not take a chance?

//Coachella - site

Previously: Retrohump Day -Coachella Resurrections, Post Coachella Swank (2005)

Tags: Coachella, Coachella Guide, prefix, California, Wicked Sweet Stuff

Posted by Merry Swankster at 05:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Radio JACKasses and Hypocrisy | NAB

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) industry conference is under way this week in Las Vegas. The well attended event is a big schmooze fest for the entire boadcasting, television, and radio industries. Proclamations are made, bold plans unveiled, and a few snippy remarks target the competition. The muck is freely tossed when preaching to the choir.

David Rehr, president and CEO of NAB had some unpleasant words for their satellite radio rivals.

"Satellite radio has supposedly 10 million subscribers total. But 260 million people listened to broadcast radio last week alone. Its (satellite radio) business model is bankrupt. And this is even before our own digital HD radio has kicked in," he said.
"Our localism, our connection to the community, is also an advantage, an irreplaceable advantage. Helping the community is obviously a social good. Helping the community is also broadcasting's business plan and, frankly, it is our brand. We must continue to be evangelical about our community service and about our community content."

While the numbers don't lie, the commitment to "localism, connection to the community" is a load of bull. More than ever, "local" radio stations are being distributed from a central location and distributed to affiliates. Call it the Clear Channel approach.

Example from Corpwatch article:

"Since Clear Channel came into our community and consolidated the stations there, [they] eliminated the local news department from those stations. Clear Channel now broadcasts news that originates from Baltimore over 100 miles away, and that centralized news agency has never had a reporter in our community," said Patrick Clawson, a Philadelphia reporter.

"We had a industrial plant accident in our area not long ago, where the plant manager called the stations at about 3 o'clock in the morning because they need to get the word out to tell the community about the accident and also to advise the employees not to come into work, but he was greeted with an employee [of Clear Channel] who said: 'Sorry, all our programs are delivered by satellite, and we can't anything on air until six in the morning.' With the elimination of local programming, how does this method of operation serve the public interest?" added Clawson.

I am not promoting Satellite radio (full disclosure - MS is a happy customer of Sirius Radio), though as I am employed by a large media company I pay attention to this stuff. Traditional radio people may trump their local roots, but they are starving their listeners of quality entertainment with draconian program rules and shitty programming. Is it even possible to listen to the radio these days without throwing up in your mouth a little?

Funny that JACK FM's "shuffle" format is one of the few bright spots in the free radio world. Take a look at the website, I count over 30 markets carrying the station format. The Marion Daily Republican in Marion, Mississippi, ran a story yesterday about their town's new JACK FM station.

The article states that the "station has no disc jockey, no weather reports and no talk shows." It also quotes Chad Elliot, Operations Manager at Mississippi River Radio Group, with what has to be the dumbest most obvious conclusion to a research study. Ever.

"A radio company which did a research project found that people wanted a radio station that played more music."

No shit? In other news, little kids enjoy playing with toys.

Read more about JACK FM at Wikipedia.

Tags: Radio, NAB, JACK FM, Clear Channel, David Rehr

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 24, 2006

Gnarls Barkley Album Stream

Gnarls Barkley album streaming on myspace. Not working for me, but Internet and I have been duking it out during most of 2k6.

For those keeping track at home - Merry Swankster 1 - Internet(s) 4.

Previously: Gnarls Barkley - Best. Promo Photos. Ever

Tags: Gnarls Barkley, St Elseshere

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Roger Waters Touring | Performing 'Dark Side'

While Pink Floyd's Live 8 (Aid) reunion did not spark the world tour fans were expecting, Roger Waters is taking his show on the road in the US this fall. Perennial bestseller Dark Side of the Moon will be performed during the second set in its entirety. Sound will be full 360 degree quadrophonic. Other than relating to the number "4", I don't exactly know what quadrophonic sound involves. However, it sounds right to pump Pink Floyd's music through something called quadrophonic. How very Whoish. More on Quadrophonic sound at wikipedia.

Tour dates after the jump.

Tags: Roger Waters, Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon, Quadrophonic Sound

Roger Waters US Tour Dates

09.06.2006 - PNC, Holmdel, NJ - On sale: May 19th
09.08.2006 - Tweeter Center, Boston, MA - On sale: April 29th
09.12.2006 - Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY - On sale: May 15th
09.13.2006 - Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY - On sale: May 15th
09.15.2006 - Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY - On sale: May 19th
09.16.2006 - Tweeter Center, Camden, NJ - On sale: May 13th
09.18.2006 - The Palace, Detroit, MI - On sale: May 6th
09.20.2006 - Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON - On sale: May 1st
09.21.2006 - Bell Centre, Montreal, QU On sale: May 1st
09.23.2006 - Nissan Center, Bristow, VA - On sale: May 20th
09.24.2006 - Post Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA - On sale: May 1st
09.27.2006 - Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH - On sale: April 29th
09.29.2006 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL - On sale: May 1st
09.30.2006 - Verizon Wireless, Indianapolis, IN - On sale: May 1st
10.03.2006 - Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ - On sale: April 29th
10.05.2006 - Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA - On sale: April 30th
10.08.2006 - Theater Under The Stars, Las Vegas, NV - On sale: TBA
10.10.2006 - Shoreline Amphitheatre, San Francisco, CA - On sale: May 7th
10.12.2006 - Key Arena, Seattle, WA - On sale: May 6th

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 21, 2006

the Fiery Furnaces - Live @ the Bowery Ballroom, New York City, 04.19.2006

photos by Devon Banks

The Fiery Furnaces are perhaps the most unpredictable live band in existence. I've seen them four times, and those shows were not even remotely like one another. On the heels of their debut, they were a fairly traditional keyboard and guitar combo, toying with their songs occasionally (and striking gold as with the psych pop version of "Tropical Ice-Land). Seeing them presenting the towering Blueberry Boat they were unlike any band I'd seen, drawing parts from their multifaceted tracks and shuffling them unexpectedly; marrying part C from song one to part F from song two, dropping that for old song three (which was once a ballad, and is now hoe down) before a reprise of the part C startpoint. Concert three was horrible. An ominous portend for the grandma album to come, it focused mainly on unbearable keyboard noises. Brother Matt set up for twenty minutes to ensure the most excrutiating key tones possible, and led to me literally checking my ears for blood on more than one occasion (I was kind of stoned, to stem your incredulity). Much to my relief, concert four saw the siblings Friedberger stripped of their pet synths.

Touring a piano dominated album, what's the next permeatation? Heavy classic rock band. Obviously.

The set opened with Boat opus, "Chris Michaels." The most Who like epic in their corner forseeably shined when played by a straight up rock band. I found myself unwittingly headbanging, and waiting for the next tone switch to amp up the bombast. Segments like the clarion "I'm on the top of American Dam!" burst were easily transformed into fist pumping mini-climaxes. As a four piece, without an army of odd keyboard tones to fall back on, Matt Friedberger was thrust into the role of guitar hero all night, and it fit him surprisingly well.

Next (to warm up, according to Eleanor) they played some more older tracks. The strong foundation laid by borrowed Sebadoh bassist Jason Lowenstein made "Crystal Clear" and "Straight Street" sound bigger and surer than they ever have. Some of the singular eccentricity of Matt's compositions was sacrificed. Sacrificied on the alter of hard rock! I had no complaints.

"Police Sweater Blood Vow"'s Dylan-y charm went electric easily, with nary a yelled "Judas." The propulsive piano arrangement of the original works even better when driven by guitar, lending needed swagger to the "Na Na Na Na" climax, and some weight to Eleanor's heartsick vocal.

What would this sludge monster do with a fragile ballad, though? In the case of "Benton Harbor Blues" (and every other torch song in the set) the answer was simply speed it up, rock it out. Cut it down too. The slow and sleepy Motown refrain at the song's heart was transposed to guitar and sped down the line, refusing to get derailed by the sonic diversions and backwards asides that disrupt on CD. If some of the melancholy was missed, it was in favor of less patience testing distractions.

Then, Matt said that they'd play one from "that other record, you know everyone's favorite." In defiance of Rehearsing My Choir's deserved "the album that shall not be named" status, the band really sacked up in turning a mess into a winning monsterpiece with the "Slavin' Away/ Rehearsing My Choir" medley. Obviously gone was the gruff spoken narration of Olga Sarantos, which is really the main barrier to enjoying those songs in the first place. All the hyperactive keyboard squiggles were killed and reincarnated as guitar solos. But, the squiggly detours always rallied back to Matt and Jason's deep-end Sabbath strut and gave focus to Eleanor's commanding voice. Kudos deserved for taking a overly cerebral and pretentious expirement and transforming it into prehaps the set's toughest entry.

Then it was a medley of the first six songs from their newest release, Bitter Tea. Alot of the pleasure to be gained from listening to the FF's comes from the intricacy of the lyrics, and their innate gift for melody. When all the songs are stuffed through a rawk filter, those joys can be lost. This was the case with some of the new material (though Eleanor does get some degree of difficulty points for attempting to sing in phonetic backwards-ese once or twice). Sure, you gain in consistency, and cut down on the annoying quotient, but folks like me who have come to adore the Furnaces' records in spite of themselves might miss their prickly strengths when they are all balls out rockers.

The biggest tragedy of the night was the mangling of "Teach Me Sweetheart." On record, the song is gently paranoid. Eleanor tries to wrap her head around the hostility she feels from her in-laws, imagining them as beasts calling for her blood to be spilled. There is an isolated vulnerability there that is key to the song being so beautifully affecting. Huge riffs don't equate to vulnerability, and the mismatch tanked one of their career best. The following, "Waiting to Know You" ended the medley redemptively, recasting its slowdance as a high energy pogo.

Surprisingly the other pitch perfect ode to isolation, "Evergreen," came out of Extreme Makeover: Riff Edition relatively unscathed. Sure it was a bit faster and less achingly pretty, but the melody is too big to be trampled. EP mate "Single Again" was built on a simple repetitve keyboard line to begin with, so its transition to neanderthal strums only gave the marital death wish lyrics more frazzled power. Thus ended the pre-encore set.

They were off stage for probably less than two minutes. Obviously, they didn't really need any down time and were begrudgingly playing out an old rock tradition. Upon their return, they blasted through two Gallowsbird's Bark tracks before making a swan song out of their anti-piracy (literal, not music) lament, "Blueberry Boat." In accordance with the night's more rock, less talk motif, they played the 8 minute track in about 3 1/2, making anything that hindered its trajectory walk the plank. That was that.

It struck me leaving that if they actually recorded an album fully suited to a traditional rock approach, it would probably expand their fan base significantly. Of course, chances are that tour would feature only a grand piano and a kazoo band.

Tags: Fiery Furnaces, Bitter Tea, Bowery Ballroom, Sebadoh

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 01:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

YYY's tonight at Fillmore | Denver

Going to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs tonight at Denver's famed Fillmore Auditorium.
This will be my first time seeing the band outside of NYC. Should be interesting.

Local media has an article on the group. Nothing too exciting. Full review with pictures to follow.

Remaining tour dates after the jump.

Previously: YYY Live @ Bowery, NYC - Review 1, Review 2

Tags: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fillmore Auditorium, Denver

USA:

04.22.06 - Olpin Union Ballroom Salt Lake City, UT
04.24.06- Orpheum Vancouver, BC , Canada
04.25.06 - Paramount Theater Seattle, WA
04.26.06 - Roseland Theatre Portland, OR
04.28.06 - Warfield Theatre San Francisco, CA
04.29.06 - Warfield Theatre San Francisco, CA
04.30.06 - Coachella Festival, Empire Polo Club Indio, CA
05.02.06 - Roseland Ballroom New York, NY
05.03.06 - Roseland Ballroom New York, NY

Euro

05.13.06 - Camber Sands UK, ATP Festival
05.16.06 - The Forum - Kentish Town, UK
05.17.06 - The Forum - Kentish Town, UK
05.19.06 - Barrowland Ballroom - Glasgow, Scotland
05.20.06 - Manchester Academy - Manchester, UK
05.21.06 - Birmingham Academy - Birmingham, UK
05.23.06 - Melkweg - Amsterdam, Netherlands
05.24.06 - Elysee Montmartre - Paris, France
05.26.06 - Immergut Festival - Neu-Strelitz, Germany
05.27.06 - Postbahnhof - Berlin, Germany
05.29.06 - Live Music Hall - Cologne, Germany
05.30.06 - Elserhalle - Munich, Germany
05.31.06 - Rolling Stone - Milan, Italy
06.02.06 - Primavera Festival - Barcelona, Spain

06.18.06 - TBD - Detroit, MI United States 89X Birthday Bash

09.03.06 - Stradbally Hall Co - Laois, Ireland

Posted by Merry Swankster at 12:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 20, 2006

Getting Ripped

As the "alternative rock" name that Sonic Youth helped create was rapidly Marcy Play-grounded into the dirt in the late nineties, the band's major label albums felt a bit limp and most of their passion seemed reserved for their nearly impenetrable SYR EP's. The expirementally bad New York Ghosts and Flowers LP subsequently landed with a resounding thud, and it was a common assumption that the band would recede into noise-jazz wankfests. So when 2002's Murray Street was pretty damn good and 2004's Sonic Nurse was fully terrific, it was a pleasant surprise. No shock now when leaked tracks from the forthcoming follow up, Rather Ripped, make it three for three in the post-millenial consistency sweepstakes. Gone for the most part are the sheer noise blasts that were once a trademark. In their place we find an emphasis on melody and more subtle guitar in service of concise, intelligent pop songs.

What's more punk than burning out, when burning out has become a punk cliche? Aging gracefully, fucker!

Sonic Youth - What a Waste

We start with a supremely conflicted Kim Gordon giving a case for squaresville;

"Hey give me hollow stimulation/ It's so sleazy to be free/ Let's invest in dull creation/ Thrill city cheap legacy"

Then before we have a chance to even consider, the distortion voiced Anti-Conscience comes in to mock with, "What a waste/ To be so chaste/ I can't wait/ To taste your face." While she admits her confusion renders the picture "as clear as mud" it is gloriously apparent that the following bridge at the 2:20 mark features one of Kim's most beautiful Nico-hoarse peformances in the group's sizable catalog.

Sonic Youth - Incinerate

Here, an even keeled vocal by Thurston Moore and Steve Shelley's subdued but steady drumming serve as anchor to a deceptively dynamic guitar workout. The half-melody and casual delivery of a number of "I'm burnin' up" lyrical variations might suggest that the elder statesmen were phoning it in, but the sheer proficiency of the guitar arrangement is incredible. Swinging around a basic motif, TM and wingman Lee Ranaldo are continually in flux, erupting into solos and falling back in line at will. I could listen to these two digress into the night indefinitely...wait a second! Did Sonic Youth turn me into a jam band fan? If so, can I sue?

Sonic Youth - Do You Believe in Rapture?

Pre-album interviews suggest that this track was inspired by the perfectly legitimate qualms one might have over the fact that the country is being run by folks that are just killing time waiting for the impending End of Days. Thurston here gives one of his most overtly pretty line readings, detailing apocalyptic imagery in a lilting tone;

"Terrible hit comes today/ Terrible hit for the parade/ Burning eyes see Jesus coming/ Jesus comes to pave the way/ Do you believe in Rapture, babe?"

Behind him, creeping distortion and icy, oddly strummed guitar (evoking a harp, perhaps?) cut down on the duplicitous vocal pleasantry. After a brief snippet of Velvets guitar chug, it's back to an unsettling background until its finish. Fitting, I mean shouldn't the end of the world be a bad thing, after all?

Well, I might not believe in Rapture myself, but in the midst of a renaissance topped only by the holy EVOL, Sister, Daydream Nation trinity, I have every reason to believe in Sonic Youth.

Rather Ripped is released June 13th on Geffen Records.

Visit the band's offical site here.

Tags: Sonic Youth, Rather Ripped

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 09:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 19, 2006

Retrohump Day - Coachella Resurrections

Coachella organizers have consistently booked established (and/or washed up) acts and scheduled them with plum set times for maximum exposure. Last year Gang of Four, Bauhaus and New Order ushered the old school pioneering sounds that many young up-and-coming bands take a page from. Perhaps it was not just a coincidence that Bloc Party was playing to a packed tent before Gang of Four took to the main stage. All rich fodder for smuggy rock fans to comment on.

Today's Retrohump takes a look at some of the past acts to grace the "oldie but goodie" tag at Coachella.

Nine Inch Nails - "Terrible Lie" Live @ Lollapalooza, 1991 (2005 Festival)

A skinny Trent Reznor joined by freaks onstage sings to to freaks in the crowd at the premier American rock festival of the early 1990s. The traveling musical circus envisioned by Perry Farrell eventually anchored itself in Chicago, but the vision of a diverse multimedia musical happening lives on with Coachella.

New Order - "Transmission" Live @ Festival Les Vielles Charrues - Carhaix, France, 7.22.2005 (2005 Festival)

Joy Division's remnants sounded good last year, and from the looks of it kept it going strong through the European festival circuit.

The Pixies - "Tame" Live in London, 1988 (2004 Festival)

A thinner Frank Black, with hair, a less smiley Kim Deal join Joey and Dave on stage nearly 20 years ago at this UK show. The Pixies would go on to influence a young man named Kurt and proceed to break up shortly thereafter. Sparked by a headline slot at 2004’s festival, they triumphantly returned to adoring audiences the world over while cashing in on a windfall of revenue during subsequent tours.

Iggy Pop - "The Passenger" - Live @ Manchester Apollo, October 1977 (2003 Festival)

Is it ok to have roadies "set up" a limp lead singer next to the mic so he can peform trademark freakouts interspersed with likely drug aided frightening focus? It sure is!

Gang of Four - "To Hell With Poverty" - Live on Old Grey Whistle Test (2005 Festival)

Thank God for You Tube as I not only discovered this gem, but also the Old Grey Whistle Test show that aired on the BBC in the late '70s to early '80s. If you never heard the Gang of Four influences in the Bloc Party sound, this track should change that.

Tags: Retrohump,Pixies, Nine Inch Nails, Gang of Four, Iggy Pop, New Order, Joy Division, Coachella, ld Grey Whistle Test

Posted by Merry Swankster at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 18, 2006

Diagram of an Indie Rock Show | Crossing over to Satellite Radio

Borrowing liberally this afternoon from the Modern Age and CYHSY. This post includes the clever and true picture-slash-diagram called "Anatomy of an Indie Rock Concert."

[Click for larger version.]

Its funny for sure. Being the music blogger extraordinaire that I am (cough cough), part of my daily ritual is to peruse the Internets for nuggets such as this. So understand my excitement, surprise and shock to hear Reno, DJ and host on Sirius Radio's "Left of Center" (ch. 26) describe the above picture to a tee without referencing the source!

Am I being a stickler now? Perhaps, but why not give credit where credit is due? Weirdness of hearing blog posts on the radio aside, it struck me very cool that this Reno chick checks the music blogs. Further proves satellite radio's superiority towards terrestrial radio. These people have their fingers on the pulse.

Skeptics may like to know that tonight at 8pm ET Left of Center will be broadcasting a Wolf Parade performance and interview. Clearly, they know their audience.

-- -- --

There is something to be said here about "new media" content (blogs) crossing over into hybrid/traditional media (satellite radio). I'll leave those musings for MS.com contributor, and PRWEEK.com star editor, Keith O'Brien.

It is my pleasure to announce that Keith recently launched his own, long awaited, marketing/PR blog with a heavy focus on youth/alternative culture called Ubiquitous Marketing.

Tags: Sirius, Left of Center, Modern Age, Anatomy of an indie rock concert, Wolf Parade, Music Blogs, Ubiquitous Marketing, Keith O'Brien

Posted by Merry Swankster at 02:20 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Jack White's Coca Cola commercial

Scaring consumers into drinking a tasty carbonated beverage? Jacky boy I just don't get you anymore.

Best comment: "I love how, in the back there, you can see Jack digitally jumping the shark." (VIA the Modern Age)

Previously (in Coke news): New Flaming Lips - You Gotta Hold On

(The 'douchebaggery' technorati tag is getting a workout today.)

Tags: Coca Cola, Jack White, Douchebaggery

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

CYHSY Sticklers (or D-bags?)

My good friend the Naughty Elephant was at Saturday's CYHSY show in NYC. He emailed me a story about an odd exchange his girlfriend (Ms. Naughty Elephant, naturally) had with a fellow concertgoer.

In his own inimitable words:

"Just thinking back to the CYHSY show on Saturday. [Ms. Naughty Elephant] was having a good time, having some vodka tonics, and as the show progressed, was dancing more. She loves the song "Over and Over Again (Lost and found)."

After they ended a song, she yelled "you look like David Bowie." Which was her way of asking them to play that song. It was loud! Some guy nearby came over, tapped her on the shoulder, and said to her in an incredibly smug tone:"

"Actually, they're nothing like Bowie. More like the Talking Heads".

"Her response was subdued - just said she wasn't comparing to Bowie, rather [singing] a lyric. Quite funny - probably some snotty NYC blogger."

The jig is up NYC bloggerati! We have spies everywhere! The Merry Swankster is making a list and taking names! Note to those of you "correcting" others, mind your own business and don't tap strangers on the shoulder. Seriously, that is beyond lame. Plus, you never know when the Naughty Elephant will revert to his wild stampeding ways. Trunks up, ears out!

Tags: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Douchebaggery, Naughty Elephant

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Ladytron - Live @ Irving Plaza, New York City, 04.15.2006

The storm trooper efficiency of the Clear Channel employed goons working at Irving Plaza threw me for a loop. First, the gig started on time. On time! Next, as we were filing in to the venue a fashionable ten minutes late, our nervous heart drums matching the precise electro beats already coming from above, we were discovered to be in possession of a comically giant Cold War-era digital camera, and forced to delay the scramble upstairs with a charming give and take at the coat check counter to pen the beast up.

So, two apologies. This will not be an entirely complete account, and I have shamelessly Flickr-napped the accompanying images. They belong to the photo set of one sneakier concert goer, "Aphrodite-in -NYC," that I now feel morally compelled to mandate you view in its entirety here.

When we'd finally successfully burrowed into the main room, the sound and vision was in full force already. Russo propaganda prints flashed on the big screens behind a wall of musicians. Red lights bathed the room. Nobody looked at anything but the girls. Ice cold British sex bots from the not too distant future, Helen Marnie and Mira Aroyo were front and center, as much the visual focal point on stage as they are in the band's album artwork

Unfairly branded with the hot pink E that accompanied any synth band in the early 00's, Ladytron always seemed to be a cut above the likes of talent-lite spokesmodels W.I.T. and their ilk. Their latest album, last year's the Witching Hour, finally fulfilled the promise of their earlier efforts with a greater emphasis on songwriting and production successfully enriching the Tubeway Army rock synths and Roxy Music bored decadent lyrics that have always been their trademark. The set drew heavily from that album, and live the songs packed even more of a punch than they do on tape. The crisp execution of more complex arrangements was exemplified by the goosebump generator "Beauty #2" whose mid song shift in tempo was lifted from minor alteration on record to full on rush to ephiphany in concert.

Older numbers that previously relied solely on Moog lines to carry them, were even greater beneficiaries. Back catalog champs, "Playgirl" and "Blue Jeans" set the crowd in motion as easily as they did in their skinny tied heyday, but the heavy drumming and guitar thrust far surpassed their plastic forefathers.

But with all that the band brings, the focus is still, always, on the ladies 'tron. Helen's crystalline wail is a formidable instrument, often carrying songs just in the pitch shifts of a sustained "Aaaaaaaah." It seemed to be aided by a distorted mike, which may have added an extra layer of distance to the already chilly proceedings, but it did sound pristine. In contrast, Mira Aroyo had a more ironic deadpan delivery reminiscent of 80's alternate universe starlet, Cristina. The band's Softcore Jukebox compilation went along way to reviving interest in the should have been Madonna, so the comparison holds up. She wins extra points for perfectly enunciated Russian during "Fighting in Built Up Areas." The interplay between contrasting vocal styles was consistently compelling as well.

I was deathly afraid that the price of lateness would be missing what seems like an obvious opening number, elite '05 single "Destroy Everything You Touch." As song after song passed by, I grew increasingly resigned to the fate of the tardy. But, kismet was on my side, friends, and the gurgling keys that announced my salvation began the closing number of the set proper. An absolute killer as produced by the muscular live instrumentation, "DEYT" is also a prime example of Ladytron's evolving songwriting ability. The driving beat whipped the crowd into a froth immediately, then the cool-down bridge let us aerate. You knew the bedlam would soon return, but the anticpation caused by the empty space was like the whistling heard before the impact of a dance bomb. It was a triumphant faux climax.

The obligatory encore gave us the only Witching standout not covered in the regularly allotted time, the fittingly titled "Last One Standing." It was easily the equal of its willowy album counterpart, and even saw what may or may not have been a smile creep across Helen's face at its enthusiastic reception. To dance out the faithful once and for all, the band turned to reliably repetitve (not that) oldie "Seventeen." With locked recurring musical motifs, and the mantra-like insistance that "They only want you when you're seventeen/ When you're twenty-one/ You're no fun," the recorded track bears no small similarity to seventies kraut kings Kraftwerk. In concert, miraculously, it was finally a moment for the band to exude some warmth, with the girls even dancing and mugging to the crowd back to back. It was a welcome thaw, and hopeful sign that despite their repeated assertion, Ladytron will only get better with age.

Tags: Ladytron, Irving Plaza, Cristina, Roxy Music

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 11:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

California Waiting - Coachella Countdown

Less than two weeks away from the uber festival in the California desert. Anticipation is growing, confidence is high, giggity giggity.

Fittingly, the Kings of Leon started my morning:

"California waiting, Every little thing's gotta be just right"

Kings of Leon - California Waiting

//Coachella - site

Tags: Coachella, California, Kings of Leon

Posted by Merry Swankster at 09:01 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Mongolian Cow Sour Yogurt Super Girl!

While reading a few articles on the Stones in China, I find that the biggest music event in China 2005 was their version of American idol, called Mongolian Cow Sour Yogurt Super Girl.

The show seems destined to destroy Communism, unravel the country's tight cultural controls and inspire a representative democracy from those enthralled by text message voting. Not to mention sell a shit ton of the ever so delicious Mongolian cow sour yogurt.

I said it once and I'll say it again. Nothing beats Mongolian cows.

I'll wait for the lupine and ursine band names to start rolling out before discussions of any Chinese rock scene.

Tags: Mongolian Cow Sour Yogurt Supergirl, China, Clap Your Pandas Say WTF

Posted by Merry Swankster at 07:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 17, 2006

Boy Least Likely To - Live on KCRW | Tourdates, US Release

My favorite cutesy, cuddly, British band recently performed a live set on LA's KCRW. Take a listen here.

Boy Least Likely To's album, "The Best Party Ever" will finally be available in US record stores on May 2nd. The US release allegedly contains bonus tracks the UK version omits. The band will then hitch their apple wagon to the stars and tour the US.

Boy Least Likely To - Tour Dates

04.19 London, England - King's College
04.20 Cardiff, Wales - Barfly Club
04.22 Leicester, England - The Charlotte
04.23 Leeds, England - Joseph Wells
04.29 Barrow-in-Furness, England - Canteen Media & Arts Centre
04.30 Manchester, England - Academy 3

05.30 Vancouver, British Columbia - Plaza Club
05.31 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
06.01 Portland, Or - Doug Fir Lounge
06.02 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
06.03 Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
06.06 Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
06.08 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
06.09 Chicago, IL - Schubas
06.10 Toronto, Ontario - Revival
06.11 Montreal, Quebec - Cabaret du Musee Juste Pour Rire
06.12 Boston, MA - TT The Bears
06.13 New York, NY - Knitting Factory

//Boy Least Likely To - site
//Boy Least Likely To - Best Party Ever - buy
//Boy Least Likely To - myspace

Tags: Boy Least Likely To, Best Party Ever

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 13, 2006

Quarterly Report, 1st Quarter of 2006 - Podcast

We at MS.com are pleased to bring the first in a long line of podcasts, beginning with tracks released in the first three months of two-thousand aught six. As distasteful as it is for us ultra enlightened types to define art with something so bourgeois as it's commercial release date, it's kind of the only way to do things in this internet age music free for all. Long leaked but untimely releases from artists like Islands, the Fiery Furnaces, Voxtrot, and TV on the Radio will have to wait for the next 'cast for their moment in the sun. Released singles (digital and physical) will count, but tracks posted on blogs such as this one, or only on artists' MySpace page were for our purposes disallowed. Also imports count. We don't want to be the Ugly Americans here.

The end result seeks to mine tracks from the best albums, and rescue tracks from questionable ones, in service of creating an unstoppable time capsule of a season's worth of music. Music in my personal sweet spot of indie rock, pop, and electronica that is. Sorry Ghostface.

Album of the Quarter : Liars - Drum's Not Dead
Runners up: Belle and Sebastian - the Life Pursuit, Love is All - Nine Times That Same Song

Merry Swankster, Q1 2006 Podcast [66.46 MB]

Tracklisting :

01: Belle and Sebastian - "Dress Up in You" (from the Life Pursuit album)

Most convincing narrative from B & S comeback record just happens to be the traditionally sad twee one among the sunny pop workouts.

02: Liars - "the Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack" (from Drum's Not Dead album)

The first time Belle and Sebastian could easily transition into a Liars song. Surprise emotion and empathy from the art brutes.

03: Sunset Rubdown - "Three Colours II" (from Sunset Rubdown EP)

Wind ravaged EP standout is a dorsal fin ominously foreshadowing '06 Spencer Krug feeding frenzy.

04: Figurines - "the Wonder" (from Skeleton album)

Built to Spill left on the stove long enough for the guitar solos to cook off, from Denmark.

05: Television Personalities - "I Hope You're Happy Now" (from My Dark Places album)

TVP mastermind Dan Treacy, after getting released from boat prison, turns in a really weird album. Really weird. This ballad though, has all the hallmarks of his old time-y classics.

06: Danielson - "When it Comes to You I'm Lazy" (7" single, upcoming Ships album)

Ships placeholder sneaks in due to 7" single release. Sweet, slow, and only occasionally spastic.

07: Destroyer - "European Oils" (from Destroyer's Rubies album)

A bloated album full of digressions, it makes sense to go with the track that contains my favorite Rubies moment. For the record, that would be the aside about the Hangman's daughter, followed by one of Bejar's vaunted "monster riffs."

08: Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - "Ramblin' Man" (from Ballad of the Broken Seas album)

While the ex B & S belle's album evokes classic duets like Nancy & Lee and Serge & Jane, the rebel country twang on this Hank Williams cover comes closest to Johnny & June. When Isobel's kitten whisper twists around Mark's gravel growl it's pretty sexy to boot.

09: Les Savy Fav - "When You Wake Up a Snake" (eMusic exclusive single)

Pensive piano driven digital single from usually freak out centric Rhode Island castaways. Not mentioned is what happens when you wake up a snake...on a plane. I wouldn't suggest it, even if he has an aisle seat and you need to use the restroom.

10: Pink Mountaintops - "New Drug Queens" (from Axis of Evol album)

Black Mountain's fraternal twin with psych rock in the Hobbes mode; Nasty, brutish, and short.

11: Stereolab - "Interlock" (from Fab Four Suture compilation)

Signs of life in the otherwise redundant Fab Four Suture compilation.

12: A Sunny Day in Glasgow - "the Best Summer Ever" (from the Sunniest Day Ever EP)

Densely layered are strangely ethereal cut and paste indie pop from Philadelphia, PA.

13: the Pipettes - "Your Kisses are Wasted on Me" (single)

Girl group devotees avoid one note status with help from cartoony Go! Team production.

14: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - "Young Shields" (from Etiquette album)

Confused depressive lyrics paired with clear headed dance party background.

15: the Knife - "Neverland" (from Silent Shout album)

Dark Scand-y electro pop that would have been a better follow up to Homogenic than that throat singing bullshit.

16: Shogun Kunitoki - "Daniel" (from Tasankokaiku album)

Finns wring new electronic ideas out of ancient analog equipment, live playing, and old psychedelic records.

17: Liars - "the Wrong Coat for You Mt. Heart Attack" (from Drum's Not Dead album)

Double dip not so gratuitous since its icy heart is closer to the rest of the record than the previous, out of left field ballad. Plus, Liars totally owned it this quarter, so there.

18: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Cheated Hearts" (from Show Your Bones album)

Pretenders pop gold from the mixed bag that is Show Your Bones

19: Giant Drag - "Wicked Game" (bonus track for UK release of Hearts and Unicorns album)

No matter how tempting they make it with their middle school song title wit and their "ironic" cover choices, it's really hard to write this stuff off as a joke when it sounds so good.

20: Love is All - "Felt Tip" (from Nine Times That Same Song album)

Brilliant slow burner from the Swedish sweethearts, and a fine end note.

Enjoy.

Tags: Belle and Sebastian, Liars, Sunset Rubdown, Figurines, Televison Personalities, Danielson, Destroyer, Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan, Les Savy Fav, Pink Mountaintops, Stereolab, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, the Pipettes, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, the Knife, Shogun Kunitoki, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Giant Drag, Love is All, Music Podcasts

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 07:00 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

April 12, 2006

Attention Music Industry - Even Mickey Mouse gets it!

Spotlighting conventional wisdom at Bruno & the Professor, The Contrarian points how television networks are rolling with the punches versus getting their asses handed to them (see: music industry) with regards to technological challenges to the business model. Prompted by Walt Disney's plans to make television shows available for free online, our blogger compatriot muses