I sort of always fought really liking the White Stripes.  I have always respected Jack and thought that they were relevant.  I even went so far to think that he is one of the most important musicians in recent memory not just for his work with the White Stripes, but for all of his other side projects, but I'm reassessing my opinion of them.  Not only is his music valid, and right up my proverbial alley, but his stage presence and enthusiasm are unreal!  I guess that since I've been such a big Black Keys fan, I didn't want to accept that there was another blues based, two piece rock and roll outfit out there that could compare to the boys from ohio, and when it comes down to it, they shouldn't be compared to one another.  White Stripes kinda kick ass and this video is a pretty righteous example of just how much.  Hope you enjoy.

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks

Out of the rubble of the collapse of Pavement, Stephen Malkmus reappears with the Jicks

Acoustic cafe

I'm sitting here at the acoustic cafe waiting for open mic to start. I'm jazzed about seeing some local music, but I'm skeptical about the venue. I'm getting more enthusiastic about the scene here in ct, but it's taking me some time. We will see.

the wombats lets dance to joy division

I love the Wombats, a great feel good band.  Fun Songs with great hooks.

who do you rock on a rainy day?

Prior to having kids, there were certain things that I absolutely LOVED to do on a rainy day.  I want to preface this by saying that I still love rainy days, but they're decidedly different now that I have other things that need to get done.  One of the two things i loved doing was reading.  I always loved to read under normal circumstances, but when it rained I loved to read novels, particularly Moby Dick.  I think that the feel of the narrative went well with a cold and gloomy day.  The other thing was listening to solid tunes.  Slapping on the headphones and gazing out of the window into the dark and wet day is somehow cathartic.  For me, it rejuvenates the soul.  So the question I pose right now is;  Who do you listen to on a rainy day?  For me, I like to find something familiar.  Something that transports me to another time.  Perhaps something that my parents listened to when I was young, or something that I listened to when I first started forming my own opinions on music.  One record in particular always pops up and I tend to listen to it over and over again.  That record is Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti.  Like Moby Dick (the novel, not the tune), there are so many songs on this record that just feel like a rainy day, like Bron-Yr-Aur, Kashmir and Ten Years Gone.  Even the harder songs like the Wanton Song are amazing songs that I love to hear during a driving rain.  So that's my pick.  Would love to hear what you listen to on a rainy day and why.

Sunday night rambling...

Everything that we do in our lives, every waking breath, every decision we make, from what we put on our feet to what we have for breakfast, to what route we take to school or work defines us.  On some level, none of these decisions are random, they are a series of very precisely thought out acts that we use to let other people know what kind of person we are.  Every single thing we do inevitably defines us, whether we like it or not.  It's the truth.  Even people who actively go out of their way to buck trends and try and be unique.  You know those people I'm talking about.  Some of them I find to be quite irritating, and others I tend to think are inspiring.  Either way, it's all a studied  and deliberate way of presenting yourself to the world.  Originality is the worst culprit, it's saying that by not falling into a trend and being original, you define yourself by that originality.  But, any way you look at it, we are all defined by everything that we do, say, wear, drive, look at and listen to.  It's unfortunate, but true.  But the good news is, that this is rarely more evident than when it comes to who you listen to.  People that are really into music are proudly and admittedly a walking definition of the type of music they're interested in.  Then there are the passive listeners who are subtly influenced by what they listen to.  Those who tap their toe or bob their head along to a favorite tune, or rock out in the shower singing Hilary Duffs latest single, and while they don't go around pondering the deeper meaning of everything written by Shania Twain, they tend to absorb a certain style based on the artists they listen to.  Look around, and see if you can guess what someone listens to based on how they are presenting themselves, both physically and socially.  It's lame and pigeon-holing and I'm an ass for bringing it up, but seriously... I dare you to disagree with me.  There are those of course who don't fall into a specific category, but you can pick them out too if you look closely enough.  But, I will undoubtedly always have a rather long and drawn out conversation with someone on the topic of music and it will always come around to a fundamental truth.  Like what you like.  Don't let anyone else influence you.  It's like wine.  It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks; if it blows your hair back, and gives you the chills, you're better for the experience.  And to hell with anyone that will try and make you feel foolish.  Anyone who tries to tell you that you're wrong for liking something, or that what you like isn't worthy, aren't people worth talking to...  play your music loud, and sing it louder.  Dance like a maniac, and wink at the kids who are too cool.  be yourself and be proud.  After all, there is a reason they call it pop music, and you can be sure that it's all pop music.

Bad As Me

Just listened to the first four tracks on the new Tom Waits record, Bad as Me.  This being the first record in 7 years, I'm really excited about what I've heard so far.  I hope that tonight I'll listen to the rest of it.  The official release date is October 24th, but thanks to this modern age, I was able to sign up on Toms website to receive a special code so that I could listen to it in it's entirety for a week free of charge.  I have mixed feelings about this.  While I love the fact that I get to hear this record prior to it's release date, and I'm able to talk about it hear and tell everyone to go out and buy it when it comes out, because it's awesome, and Tom Waits is awesome and if you love him like I do than you're really going to love his new stuff.  But...  There is part of me that thinks that this just further devalues the piece, in the sense that in the age of now now now!  now you don't even have to wait for a digital release.  I did the same thing with the new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah record.  I was able to listen to it for free, streaming on NPR radio.  Don't get me wrong, I love that I can do this.  I love that these bands are making it possible to hear the record, and maybe the theory is that it will generate a buzz and that will translate to sales.  But what happened to the days when a record release was a HUGE deal?  There was fanfare and anticipation.  The record company created demand by keeping things a secret, and you had no idea what to expect, and I for one used to get tingly with anticipation when I'd hear that a favorite band was reported to be back in the studio.  Now you can watch them record the record then hear what it sounds like and decide if it's to your liking, all before it's released.  I understand both sides, I really do.  But it's a sign of the times.  There is no patience any more.  If it's not available immediately it will slip through the cracks and be gone without being noticed.  The public attention span is a nanosecond, and it's kind of a shame.  I would love to hear about a band going into the studio secretly, recording a monster record, building anticipation and not leaking ANYTHING until the actual release date.  The only things released prior should be rumors.  But I digress.  What I've hear so far of Bad As Me, is dope!  Tom Waits at his finest.  Instant gratification wins. I lose.

Harlem

There's something so inspiringly awesome about a good lo-fi rock band.  I love it when I can just grit my teeth and bob my head to some raw, visceral rock tunes that were recorded by a guy, or a couple of guys in their basement, or their garage.  Where ever it's recorded, or whatever it's recorded on (a computer, an old tape deck, reel to reel), more than anything it's the sound, and Harlem has an amazing sound.  Loads of distortion, jangly hooks and lyrics that speak to the lonely and disillusioned.  They are a band that harkens back to a time that disregards production value for quality songwriting and a love for music and a desire to have their voices heard.  When I listen to Harlem, I think of the Kingsmen and the Troggs, two of my favorite bands of all times that were amazing garage bands that inexplicably made it to the mainstream, if only for a fleeting moment.  I think that what we call "lo-fi" today is what they called "garage" in the '60's.
Harlem's 2009 debut, Free Drugs, is an excellent example of the indie spirit, and I for one am extremely excited about what they will do going forward.  Check them out for sure!

morning teleportation

When I first started listening to Modest Mouse several years ago, there were a few songs that I absolutely loved.  It was generally the radio friendly, more straight forward rock songs that lured me in, since I tend to buy full albums, and not just single songs, I grew to love their whole body of work.  And now, they are without question one of my absolute favorite bands.  The same thing holds true for Morning Teleportation. I guess the irony here is that Morning Teleportation plays on Glacial Pace records, which is Isaac Brocks label, and Mr Brock is the front man for Modest Mouse.  Morning Teleportation has a frenetic sound that tends to be jumpy and psychedelic, but with roots in classic rock, citing influences like James Gang and Crosby Stills Nash and Young.  There were only really one or two songs on their debut, Expanding Anyway, that I really liked, but the more I listen to them, the more all of the songs grow on me.  I guess that another large part of it is that I wanted to like them.  It sometimes works that way.  There are always things that come along that aren't that accessible right up front.  Sometimes it takes work to appreciate something, and that makes the experience more rich and fulfilling.  Morning Teleportation is like that, you will have to work at it, but in the end you will be better for the experience.

Liam Finn - Better to Be (live) (official high quality)

This is a great version of Liam Finn's Better to Be. I have been a big fan of Liam Finn for quite some time now, his father is Neil Finn of Crowded House, a band that I really enjoyed as a wee lad in New Jersey. What I like about his music is that it seems so effortless. That the songs are pleasant and poppy, and not pretentious. It almost feels like he's doing something that anyone could do, but at the same time the simplicity is what's so difficult. What he does is tells a nice story to a great tune, and beckons you to join him in his journey. It's nothing that's going to blow your hair back. It's not something that makes you jealous, or make you think that you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing. It isn't unique or by any means avant garde, but it's good singer/songwriter music that will leave you with a good feeling in your soul.

L'oie Insidieuse: Whirlwind Heat

L'oie Insidieuse: Whirlwind Heat: Somewhere between Sonic Youth and Mudhoney, there is a band called Whirlwind Heat. A band that is on Jack White's Third Man Records label (...

Whirlwind Heat

Somewhere between Sonic Youth and Mudhoney, there is a band called Whirlwind Heat.  A band that is on Jack White's Third Man Records label (surprise, surprise), but while the former two bands have a decidedly experimental bent, the later tends to be a little more poppy and accessible.  Air Miami and Up-Tight are two tracks in particular that resonate with me, reminding me of the lo-fi 90's sound that I really gravitate to.  Thurston Moore and Stephen Malkmus are two names that come to mind when I listen to these guys.  Of course, I have only really listened to one record, Types of Wood which has great and provocative cover art, so I'm only really qualified to discuss this one moment in time for this band, but I will listen to more of their body of work and post again when I can speak more intelligently on the subject. but what I've heard so far is something that impresses me and I'm jazzed to hear more.

The Kinks - Alcohol - Live '77 London

Again with the punk pioneers. The indie spirit. without whom none of it would be possible. the tune Alcohol that proves that there is more to the band than just Lola and 20th century man. This is off one of the Kinks greatest records that really went outside the box, Muswell Hillbillies. taking a very american idea and making it decidedly british. Alcohol being a great track and Here Come The People in Grey coming in at a close second. enjoy the clip.

Elvis Costello Beyond Belief 1983 Rockpalast

it's important to look back to look ahead. there are people like Elvis Costello who paved the way for the snotty indie point of view, the punk pioneer who didn't give a damn what anyone said, and became one of the most influential rock stars, and an unlikely one at that. He was instrumental in creating the intelligent side of the rockstar personae. His songwriting was literate and poignant, but still had the hard edge of the angry young man british punk. it's hard to make any comparisons with him, because he broke the mold and did it all on his terms. Always fun, always inspirational.

LOU REED 'rock'n'roll' 1974

it might be a little crazy of me, but Lou, as whacked out as he is, gave a great performance here.

Brett Dennen (Sydney I'll Come Runnin') 2/17/2011 Hipcooks

i'm a fan. There are a lot of singer/songwriter types out there who annoy the hell out of me, but Brett Dennen makes me feel like there is something out there to believe in again. He reminds me of a more upbeat and fun Nick Drake, in the sense that he's doing this wholly for himself and that he's not in it for the fame and fortune, but he legitimately has something to say and says it well. dig it

The Wombats - Kill The Director

I love the Wombats. They have a really fun vibe, really good sing along pop. The infectious tunes and witty songwriting make for a great feel good band. I posted something about this type of brit-pop, and how there are so many bands with this sound out there right now, but all of them I really get into. I love all of their songs, and think that they are poised for greatness. "Let's dance to joy division" is genius, as well as this song, "Kill the Director". definitely worth a listen, and then a second listen, because they keep getting better every time I put them on.

Laura Marling - Rambling Man

Laura Marling is the real deal. At just 21 she's got the chops of a whole generation of folk singing women who paved the way for her to be where she is, and you can even hear the ghosts of Joni Mitchell in her heart felt lyrics. I think that she's going to be a big star... soon...

Los Campesinos

There is a recent trend, or perhaps not so recent, but I seem to be digging a certain kind of brit-pop, but really, I think that it's really the only brit-pop out there at the moment.  When it comes to other types of music, when everything sounds the same I get annoyed, and turned off, but of late I am really liking a couple of bands that if you aren't familiar with them you would think that they are the same band.  To name a few I would say Arctic Monkeys, The Wombats, The Kooks, A Band of Bees and the band I'm talking about tonight, Los Camesinos.  They have the whiney angry young man vibe and all seem to be reared by the early days of The Who, The Kinks and The Clash, but make it more contemporary pop and less blues based, but they all seem to have a great time making silly feel good music that's easy to dance to.  Ultimately they aren't anything special, but they are fun, and have really witty songwriting.  Once you start listening to them you can hear distinct differences, but any way you look at it, it's wicked pop stickiness.  But I do like Los Campesinos, and the fact that they are keen on the glockenspiel.  I don't think that there is enough glockenspiel in the world today.

Titus Andronicus perform A More Perfect Union

something disappointing

I tend to go out of my way to try and find new music, and while I spend a lot of my time listening to older music, I get really excited about new artists. There are several outlets I go to find out about new bands, and one of them is from a company called Manic Productions, based in New Haven, CT. They put on some pretty good shows here in Connecticut and while I'm here I was glad to see that there was good music here and good places to see it. About six months ago, the manic productions web site had a listing for a show that was all young, unsigned acts, and all from right here in CT, so I took a look at the lineup. I'm not going to lie, like wine, I can be a label buyer from time to time, and if I don't like the name of a band, I won't even give them a chance. I think a lot of this is a direct result of the fact that there isn't enough time to listen to, and investigate every band that is brought to my attention. There was one band in this showcase that got me so incredibly psyched. I thought to myself "wow, these guys have got to be great!" and I got it into my head that I had to check them out. I thought that there were very few bands out there today that would have that respect for the pioneers. The band was called "Split for the City". Arguably, one of the most influential records in rock history is Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, and my favorite track on said record is That's Not Me, and one of the lines in this song is "I once had a dream, so I packed up and split for the city." I got so excited that there was a young band out there doing something that was important. Something that I could get behind, and that they were here in Connecticut. When I finally got around to listening to them, I was utterly disappointed. Maybe this is where they derived their name, but they don't pay any homage to the band at all. Perhaps they will grow into the name. Or, maybe I should stop being a snob and give them another listen and try and find something redeeming about them. But really, how can you name your band something so profound and then fall so short?

Ryan Adams

In a previous segment I wrote about Death Cab for Cutie, and how not only did I love their music, but I greatly admired Ben Gibbard, the primary songwriter guitarist and singer. Now I will track to the opposite end of the spectrum, and talk a little bit about Ryan Adams. I have difficulty here, because I so desperately want to love his music. He successfully revives the alt-country genre with a very distinct Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers vibe. Most of the time I can allow myself to disconnect my personal feelings about him and enjoy the music for what it is, but then there are other times when I can't look past the fact that he's a pretentious wind-bag. I watched several interviews of him, and always came away feeling like he was an idiot, and unfortunately that has skewed how I listen to him. His first band Whiskeytown is right on, and really hits the right groove, and because it's not a solo effort I don't feel as strongly, but with his solo records like Gold, Heartbreaker and Easy Tiger leave me feeling disappointed and a little hollow inside. Easy Tiger is a very solid work, but I still can't get past my personal feelings. It bums me out to think that I'm the kind of person who lets these things get in the way, but he's just so lame that it hurts. And if he was just a pompous jerk that would be one thing, but he just sounds like a dope when he's talking about his music. He's an extremely talented guy, that's for sure and don't let any of this deter you from buying his records because they are quite satisfying musically, just don't let the personality get in your way.

The Black Keys

I don't think that I'm saying anything in this one that people don't already know, I mean, who doesn't love the Black Keys? They blew up right around the same time that The White Stripes hit the scene. And while there are many similarities that can be made between the two outfits like the heavy blues based rock and roll, stripped down with just drums and guitar yet those surface similarities can be pulled back to see two very different bands, one steeped in tradition, and the other well versed in experimentation. But the Black Keys with traditional blues riffs have remained somewhat true to the genre since they began. I remember when I first started listening to The Black Keys I had a very distinct image of what I thought they looked like, but then when I saw a dvd of a live show was totally shocked that it was two young white kids. I'm not sure what I expected, but that wasn't it. The sonic force of the fuzzed out guitar and the soulful yearning of Dan Auerbach combined with the frenzied drumming of Patrick Carney make them one of the best two piece acts around. It's not unusual for a band to be long time friends, and The Black Keys are no different, but what is unique is the This is the only band that either of the members have been in. In an interview, Dan was asked what the challenges were in a two piece band as opposed to being in a band with more people, and his response was that he would know, the Black Keys is the only band he's ever been in. I think that's pretty cool. Not to mention that it doesn't seem that success and fame has tarnished their friendship either.

I'd like to think...

I have said this all before. Probably more than once. But I really want to think a little bit about those artists that we've lost while in their prime. It's an easy thing to go out on top. You're legend will live on forever. In the past I have talked about the likes of Marc Bolan, but today I want to talk specifically about John Lennon. Unlike Bolan, Lennon had a full career and navigated his way through several styles and cultural changes. What makes John Lennon so important isn't that he was a Beatle, or The Beatle if you like, you don't even have to like him, his music or his politics. What made John Lennon special was his ability to adapt. The Beatles didn't do one thing for thier whole career, they evolved to remain relevant, and when the Beatles couldn't keep up with Lennon's need to be creative, he went out and found his own voice, independent of what made him a star, even though it effected his relationship with his dear friends. There are few other artists that have had the courage to drastically reinvent themselves for the greater good, more than once. I don't trust anyone who says they are a lover of music, but never really got the whole Beatle mania thing, or that John Lennon was overratted. It's counterintuitive for one to be a lover of art and disregard one of the most stalwart purveyors of a particular genre.

YUCK

Straight from sunny old england is a band called YUCK! While they are a young bunch of kids that were probably not even born i the time that they are emulating, but they have a shoe gazer/slacker rock vibe of late 80's early 90's indie rock. Think Smashing Pumpkins Dinosaur Jr and Nirvana. I think that Yuck has quite a bit of potential when they find their own sound. That's not to say that I don't like them now, I do. I just think that what they are up to now is only the beginning. I am confident that their sophomore attempt will be their breakout. they have all of the elements of a great rock and roll outfit and when they tighten up, grow up and pull it all together in a professional manner there is nothing they will not accomplish. unfortunately perhaps this means that one or more of the members must move on, but I won't pretend to know where that is going to go, but as all superstar rock bands, there must be a change in line up to make the jump from a band with a lot of potential to a band that sells out major festivals alone. bands that tour at places like Giants Stadium. They may even change their name. But mark my words; keep an eye on these guys.

the good life

just pre-ordered my copy of The Good Life EP by Howlin Rain on vinyl. can't even begin to talk about how excited I am about this. Howlin Rain kicks so much ass, I don't even know where to begin. I have talked about them here before, so I won't go into much detail, but I can't wait to get this limited edition release and add it to my collection. yahoo!

radio sucks

Radio sucks. Not that there is anything wrong with the concept, and if you're into that, that's cool, but really. Radio sucks. Unless you want to change the station every thirty minutes, you're doomed to listen to the same 15 or 20 songs over and over again, even the stations that claim to be progressive and to play only the best rock/pop/metal/whateverthefuckuyoulike it's still the same shit over and over again. I guess it's the politics involved in programming, and the fact that for a station to survive it needs good ratings, and they are scared that lesser known bands and b-sides aren't going to provide enough interest to sustain ratings. I don't fault stations for this, but don't call yourself an independent, progressive station and then fall into the same old trap. give me something new. give me something exciting. give me something i haven't heard. i love my music on my ipod, and i can listen to that all day long, and usually do, but when i need it, radio fails me.

dcfc

I was going to start by saying something along the lines of "I'm not sure why, but..." however, thinking about it I think that it's irresponsible to do that, not to mention kind of a trite, high school start. I don't think that I will ever start anything like that again... no, I don't think that I will. On to the point, recently, not only have I been listening to a lot of Death Cab For Cutie, but I have been watching an exorbitant amount of interviews with Ben Gibbard. I am addicted. I love to hear him talk about his music, and talk about his influences, and basically anything and everything. He is a very sharp and eloquent person. In particular, there was one interview where he was asked about why his songs tend to be dark and depressing, and he said to the person that he is a happy person and tends not to brood or be depressed, but that when writers write they go to dark introverted places, and that's more interesting. I don't remember totally what was asked or what was said but I was impressed by him. He was himself and didn't try to play the tortured artist card. I love DCFC and regardless of what I think of the personalities in the band, I would still love them, but it's great to admire the individuals as well. sorry for the rambling nonsense.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

There are some bands that I listen to on a regular basis that I'm totally in awe of. I'm totally in awe of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. I will passively sit and listen to them and enjoy the experience. I will be happy and I will sing along, because I know all the words. And then there are other times that I feel utterly defeated when I listen to them because I know that I will never be able to write a song as well as Alec Ounsworth. It's completely humbling, and quite depressing for that matter. There are other bands that I feel this way about to a degree, but none that really compare to CYHSY. I'm not really sure why, I mean Modest Mouse and Death Cab For Cutie are two that come to mind as far as song writing and lyrics and painting a verbal picture, but none of them have ever really depressed me like CYHSY... just sayin

deer tick @ daniel st

last week I went to see Deer Tick at a little rock club in Milford, ct. For some time now, I have heard about the place and heard that it was a great venue, amazing sound system and all the rest. But this place is so self righteous and lame that it brings tears to my eyes. And it could be the best sound system on the planet with the best techs and engineers, it still wouldn't change the fact that the design is so poor and shortsighted. I see the theory behind what they did and why they did it. The theory, i think, was to have the bar facing the stage so that you can sit at the bar and watch the band. But in this sort of situation, make up your mind. you can't have it both ways. it's either a bar, or a rock club. The set up creates an acoustic nightmare, where the din and chatter from the bar overshadow the performance. terrible... very disappointed.

gone too soon

Gone too soon. It seems that's used way too often when talking about a great artist. Gone too soon. Not that I think that it's a good thing to lose a talent young and in their prime, but is there something inherently necessary about it? Would those artist continue to be relevant if they lived long lives? would we study them? Listen to the records over and over again? watch their movies or visit their paintings in museums? Would they continue to intrigue us? Would we create scandals, or discuss the actual scandals that were there? If Chevy Chase were to have died young would we be hailing him as one of the great comedic talents of our time? If Elliott Smith had gotten healthy and continued to make music, would he be making the heartbreakingly beautiful music that he had? Pain and struggle seems to be the common denominator in genius, and if that's gone would it still blow our hair back? If Nick Drake were around today would he make us think? When someone ceases to evolve artistically, do they continue to be talked about? Gone too soon. Tragic and illogical, but perhaps necessary?

neon trees

i'm sitting here, freshly home from florida and an excruciating trip to disney with the children. if they didn't love it, it would have been a total disaster, but since they had such a great time, it was all worth it. but now, i'm home and spending alil alone time on the couch with my pup and watching conan, and the neon trees performed. i don't have anything against them. when they come on the radio i don't immediately change the station. they have a reasonably good sound, proficient song writing with good hooks, but I was surprised to see them. I don't really know what I was expecting, but they have a total throwback 80's style. their stage presence was superb. they won't make my ipod, but a fun band all in all