silence is a rhythm too
Saturday 3/29
I am so enthusiatic about the new BENT album this week that I've put up a couple of mp3's for you to sample. One of them is the first single Magic Love, which samples an old Captain & Tenille tune.It sounds crazy but it works amazingly well.Enjoy!
Friday 3/28
I was a little relieved to see today that British police have dropped all charges against Massive Attack's 3D.
Thursday 3/27
The protest song is alive and well. Here's a bunch...
+++ Zack de la Rocha and DJ Shadow +++ R.E.M. +++ John Mellencamp +++ Beastie Boys +++ Lenny Kravitz
Wednesday 3/26
I'm not sure exactly what I did, but it worked and I am able to do this from my computer at home again - yay for me!
Some great records came out last week and are fighting for heavy rotation. BENT's The Everlasting Blink is super, removing some of the goofiness of the last album, but retaining the lush eccentric sounds that made that debut so much fun. Top album of the week. Right behind it is a trio of rock records...The LIBERTINES' Up The Bracket is a terrific punk/pop/rock record, produced by The Clash's Mick Jones, and definitely inspired by that band, as well as bands like The Jam. BETTIE SERVEERT's Log 22 is a great mix of all the different styles they've tried over the years with some new tricks, like touches of electronics, a little disco, and a lot of horns. Fab. Also pretty entertaining is STEPHEN MALKMUS & The JICKS' Pig Lib, which is loose and jangly and fun.It sounds like he's been spending a lot of time on the beach, smoking pot and listening to The Grateful Dead and some other '70's radio stuff. The bonus CD / EP is also really nice.
Look for the Fight Test EP from The Flaming Lips on April 22. It features a cover of Radiohead's Knives Out and of Kylie Minogue's Can't Get You Out Of My Head, and a version of Beck's The Golden Age with the man himself on vocals.There are also 2 new songs and a remix of Do You Realise?? by Scott Hardkiss.I eagerly await my copy...
Also great news is the return of ZE RECORDS, one of the '80's great labels.They will be re-issuing the whole back catalog.YAY!!!
Friday 3/21
I still have not been able to figure out what the hell is wrong with my Mac, so I just wanted to let people know that updates are not going to be happening this weekend as usual.
Thursday 3/20
For some reason I can't get the stupid Geocities HTML editor to work on my Mac at home this week so that explains why updates have been non-existent this week -I think it might be Java related but am clueless really...hopefully I can get it all sorted out soon!
Sunday 3/16
I'm planning on watching the TV broadcast of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony tonight on VH1.I like a lot of the acts being inducted. I'm looking forward to seeing The Police reunited, and will regret that The Clash's Joe Strummer didn't live to see this night. I also think it'll be fun to hear what Elvis Costello and AC/DC will have to say and play, and whether anyone says anything about the impending war.
Thursday 3/13
Me and the wife had a 'date' night last night and went and saw RÖYKSOPP do their live thing. It's just the two guys with their techno toys and a guy who played bass on a few numbers, but it turned out to be pretty entertaining. It was loud, it was funky, and the band looked to be enjoying themselves, as did the crowd. They did a good job of recreating their album's lush soundscapes, while pumping up the dance beats.They also played a few new tunes that sounded pretty good, so maybe a new album isn't too far off.
DJ MUGGS is probably best known as the guy behind the music of Cypress Hill.His new LP Dust is a blend of downtempo and hip-hop and rock.I'm not sure how I feel about this one yet.Sometimes it comes off as a less sophisticated Massive Attack, other times it sounds like Mazzy Star / Cocteau Twins goth-rock.Greg Dulli from Afghan Whigs sings on one track as does Everlast. Part of me wants to say "ugh...trip hop", but the other half wants to listen some more.We'll see who wins...
One more thing...if you're a fan of modern hip-hop / rap and r'n'b, that Ms. DYNAMITE is where it's at. A huge record.
Wednesday 3/12
Last week I was surfing around and came across a video on BET by Ms. DYNAMITE.The song (It Takes More) was what grabbed me, a positive rap over some funky ass beats interspersed with some wicked tango samples.Her album A Little Deeper (last year's Mercury Prize winner for best album in the UK) was released here yesterday, so I picked it up.Two spins later and I'm impressed.It's a great blend of ruff hip-hop, reggae, r'n'b, and even a little garage.It will be interesting to see how well it will fare in the US...
Wednesday 3/12
The BEASTIE BOYS are long time political activists, and they're back in action with a new anti-war tune, In A World Gone Mad which is available for download from their website.
Monday 3/10
The FOLK IMPLOSION have a new record out entitled The New Folk Implosion.Lou Barlow has got some new band members to help him out here, and the record rocks a lot harder than the previous couple have.The electronic sampling/beats are all but gone (one of my favourite things about this band) but it still sounds like a Folk Implosion record should.I like it.
The NOTWIST's Neon Golden has also been getting maximum exposure, and it's great.It both rocks and is dance-y, it's got some way catchy songs and some abstract moments, and bridges synth-pop and indie rock.It reminds me of Capitol K a little, although it's a lot more accessible.Highly recommended.
Also high on the recommendation list is the Baxter Dury album of spaced out Brit rock jams and the Casino Versus Japan album Whole Numbers Play The Basics, which is so chock full of electronic goodness that I can't stop playing it.
New releases tomorrow from....Ms.Dynamite, Turin Breaks, and DJ Muggs.
Thursday 3/6
I was listening to BAXTER DURY's album again today and realised my comparison to T.Rex was inaccurate.It's actually more like Pink Floyd doing San Tropez with some sonic help from Portishead in the beats / cinematic atmosphere department.Very tasty.
Also grabbing my attention is the Casino Versus Japan album Whole Numbers Play The Basics.This is a guy from Milwaukee doing electronic instrumentals, sort of along the lines of what Boards Of Canada do, but with more hip-hop flavored beats.Excellent stuff.
Wednesday 3//5
A few interesting new purchases: I came across a bootleg copy of 2 Many DJ's As Heard On Radio Soulwax Part 3 at my local and snapped it up.It's another mash-up set featuring 45 tracks of party fun,and this time there's a lot more Prince, some Van Halen & Led Zep, plus Missy Elliot over New Edition and a bunch of other tasty electro stuff.
I also picked up BAXTER DURY's album Len Parrot's Memorial Lift. Son of Brit rock legend Ian Dury, Baxter has taken a different sonic road than his dad.Instead of funky pub rock it's funky space rock, with Portishead's Adrian Utley & Geoff Barrow helping out with instrumentation and production.It does (like his dad) sound very British, and reminds me a bit of T-Rex in some of it's rockier moments. It's only had a couple of plays so far, but I'm liking it.
Sunday 3/2
The scoop on last night's show...Out Hud no-showed (due to being booted from the tour - thanks for the tip Paul!), so a big boo to them.Ladytron were cool looking in their black outfits and all, but I thought that it all sounded a little too loud and murky.I didn't stay for the whole set, and ultimately would rate them as so-so.It's too bad, because I really like the records.Openers SIMIAN were great.These guys have released 2 albums, filled with electronic-folk-psychedelic rock-Neptunes style beat jacking and a little bit of everything else, and live they did a great job of recreating all of it.There were plenty of keyboards & electronics, and they rocked.They also did a good job with all of the vocal harmonising from the records.They played a lot of the new record and a few choice cuts (Mr.Crow / The Wisp) from their debut, and ultimately left me wanting to hear more.I'd definitely go and see them again.Fun website too.
Saturday 3/1
I'm going to see Ladytron, Simian and Out Hud tonight.It's one of those rare multiple bill shows where I want to see everyone, so I'm excited.I'm sure you'll be reading more about this in the near future...
Friday 2/28
Watch Jackie Kashian on Comedy Central tonight (see links below)
The RUB has an mp3 up by Evan Dando called Waking Up.Taken from his upcoming LP Baby I'm Bored, this is a fun and funky song that bodes well for the rest of the record.I'm a fan of his from the Lemonheads days, and was disappointed when he lost the plot at the end of the '90's.The track will be gone tomorrow so go check it out.
Some more peacenik links...
Musicians United To Win Without War / moveon.org
Thursday 2/27
My very good friend JACKIE KASHIAN is a stand up comic, and tomorrow night she's got her very own special on Comedy Central.She's a very funny person, so you should watch it.
A few new purchases I'm formulating opinions on...
TOSCA's Delhi9 is sounding pretty good, with plenty of dubby,funky grooves, and a few more vocals than last time.I'm also enjoying (finally - this was out last year everywhere else in the world) The NOTWIST's Neon Golden, which is a very nice blend of indie rock and glitchy electronics - it kind of reminds me a bit of Capitol K.
Monday 2/24
I watched the Grammys last night, and have to say that I actually enjoyed some of it.There were several cool musical highlights.Coldplay's performance of Politik with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra was pretty amazing, with singer Chris Martin attacking his piano to the point where I thought he might push it right over.I also enjoyed Eminem being backed up by The Roots on Lose Yourself.The band was as tight as always, and really cranked it up towards the end of the tune, rocking the tune like no DJ spinning records could do.The finale to the show was the big Clash tribute, with Dave Grohl, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen and Steve Van Zandt trading lines on London Calling.It was raw and rocking, and it was cool to hear their four guitars cranking out that classic riff.Norah Jones winning was no surprise...she's the perfect, safe Grammy artist.A few of my faves did win tho', with Coldplay getting best alternative rock album (is this even a valid category any more?) and The Flaming Lips getting best instrumental rock track.Dirty Vegas won best dance act - yuck.
The thing I was most impressed by was the amount of anti-war sentiment displayed...Sheryl Crow's peace sign necklace and guitar strap emblazoned with the words NO WAR...Bonnie Raitt's "let's build some peace" comment, Roots drummer ?uestlove's T-shirt with a picture of G Dubya that said "American Psycho", and even Fred Durst got into it saying he hoped the war would go away ASAP.It was good to see and important to hear.
It's a big day for new releases tomorrow with new stuff from A BAND OF BEES (UK act formerly known as The Bees), ALPINESTARS, ADRIAN SHERWOOD, THE MUSIC, FISCHERSPOONER, ECHOBOY and the LO FIDELITY ALLSTARS Present Abstract Funk Theory compilation.Happy shopping.
Tuesday 2/18
ERLEND ØYE's Unrest album has been getting a lot of spins lately, and I have to say that I really like it.It's a nice mix of electronica styles, from old school electro to glitchy techno.Despite the fact that he's collaborated with 10 different artists it's a very coherent listen.If you liked the songs he sang on the Röyksopp record or the Kings of Convenience remix record you will be able to appreciate this.
Some random linkage for you...
DJ Martian's Page is an insanely comprehensive music site.I thought I was a music geek but this guy has me whipped.
The Village Voice Pazz n Jop Poll is their annual best of list...
Vote To Impeach needs no explanation.
The War Ticker & Where Is Raed are also pretty interesting.
Sunday 2/16
I've picked up a few oldies but goodies in the last few weeks.The early Simple Minds catalog has been reissued.My personal 2 faves of theirs are from the period right before they "made it in America" and went all bombastic.Sons & Fascination / Sister Feelings Call, is a nice mix of edgy synth-rock & mellower ambient tracks.They used their synths and beatboxes to good effect here, and in my world it's their best stuff.I also picked up New Gold Dream, where a lot of their edge is glossed away.I still like it pretty well, and it is notable for featuring a guest performance from Herbie Hancock.
I also picked up Public Enemy's Fear Of A Black Planet which I've only ever had on tape, and The Time's What Time Is It?.These are two classic records, both funkier than shit, and in entirely different ways, one being party politics and the other all about getting it on.The sounds of producers The Bomb Squad and Prince at the top of their games.
Wednesday 2/12
ALPINESTARS are yet another British electronic duo.Their debut from 2000 B.A.S.I.C. finally got a US release this week on Guidance Recordings.This is a really enjoyable set of dreamy electro / electro-pop.It ranges from bleepy upbeat techno to lush,folky downtempo.It reminds me a lot of early '80's synth pop (Jump Jet), and I hear elements of Ladytron, AIR and even Röyksopp in the mix.A very entertaining listen, look for the 2002 release White Noise which is coming out on Astralwerks on February 25th.
I've also got to say that I have to disagree with the critics who panned the new MASSIVE ATTACK.I've given 100th Window a couple of spins now and it sounds pretty good to me.It seems like a more electro version of Mezzanine,dark and brooding and lush as always.Horace Andy is back on vocals, and the diva of choice this time is Sinead O'Connor, who fits in very nicely.Nothing new, but then I wasn't expecting anything new.
Saturday 2/8
TRUTH HURTS released one of last summer's most memorable songs, Addictive.Featuring a cameo from the rap legend Rakim, the tune was built around a sample from a 20 year old Indian song by Lata Mangeshkar that producer DJ Quik sampled off of the TV one night.Well, they never cleared the sample, and now there is a $500 million dollar lawsuit being brought against Interscope Records and executive producer Dr.Dre over clearance rights.Ouch!
Saturday 2/8
ERLEND ØYE's upcoming new album Unrest sounds very intriguing.Better known as the half of the duo Kings Of Convenience (who's tune Toxic Girl can be heard in the AT&T ad with the kids on the bus), and also as the vocalist on RÖYKSOPP's Poor Leno, he's recorded tracks with 10 different electronic artists.Some of the collaborators include Morgan Geist, Schneider TM and Prefuse 73.I loved the Kings' album and it's companion remix set so I think I'm going to like this one.
Friday 2/7
Next week is big for new releases with new albums from SUPERGRASS, THE MUSIC, FUNKI PORCINI, ERLEND OYE, and MASSIVE ATTACK.Massive get the link because their website has undergone a redesign.Definitely cool looking.They are heavily involved in Euro-politics, especially anti-war efforts, and the website reflects quite a bit of that.I've heard a few tracks from 100th Window and it sounded pretty good to me.
Sad to say I watched the freakshow that is Michael Jackson last night.The footage was pretty bizarre, but the most priceless moment for me was when my 3 year old caught sight of a close-up where MJ had some facial hair, turned to me and said "Daddy,does she have whiskers?".Too damn funny!
Wednesday 2/5
AXIS OF JUSTICE is the website set up by former Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello to spread the word on peace and justice issues.A great resource with links to all kinds of stories.
I have to admit that I'm really enjoying the ZWAN record Mary Star Of The Sea.It being Billy Corgan & Jimmy Chamberlin, it does sound a lot like the Pumpkins (circa Gish), but somehow it's a much more loose and jangly affair than the Pumpkins were.I think it sounds like Billy's decided to stop being so serious and decided to just have fun.
Saturday 2/1
I'm so enthused about those Human League records that I've put a few tracks up over on the mp3 page for you to sample this week...oh yeah, and a Zwan song too. [ 2/8/03 - these are down now]
RIP space shuttle Columbia and it's crew of 7.
Friday 1/31
I came down with a wicked case of strep throat this week,so have been confined to my bed and quarantined from the wife and child.It's sucked royally - I'm not a "good" sick person! Anyway, today is the first day that I've been up,and I got a chance to nip out for a half an hour to the closest record store where I picked up the new ZWAN record Mary Star Of The Sea.This is Billy Corgan's new band,and even though I've only given it a quick spin through I have to say I'm impressed.It's definitely got some Smashing Pumpkins feel going for it, but it spins it off in other directions too.
The other big (for me) releases this week were orignally released in 1979 & 1980.They are THE HUMAN LEAGUE's Reproduction and Travelogue, both of which have been remastered, and both featuring 7 or 8 extra tracks.If you are a fan of electronic music it is your duty to go out and get these records.Pretty forward thinking music from 20 plus years ago, some of it hasn't aged all that well, but a lot of it has.Most people know this band because of the 1981 hit album DARE,which contained their big hit single Don't You Want Me.That record was the first album after the original incarnation of the band had split up (Martyn Ware & Ian Craig Marsh went on to form B.E.F. / Heaven 17), and was a much more pop oriented record.The 2 older albums are raw and experimental, with all kinds of blippy ambient excursions, weird cover tunes (You've Lost That Loving Feeling / Rock'n'Roll / Nightclubbing), and some genuinely exciting stuff like Empire State Human or Being Boiled or The Black Hit Of Space.The extra tracks are the singles & B-sides that were never on any of the LP's.These records meant a huge amount to me at the time they originally came out, and I got shivers listening to these remasters.Crucial stuff.
Saturday 1/25
SUPERGRASS are back with Life On Other Planets,which is getting a US release on February 11th.These guys have a great ability to write catchy,rockin' pop tunes,and this latest record is filled with them.Nice production too,with just the right amount of gloss added.Why these guys haven't made it huge yet is beyond me...
I was at my fave record shop this week when the guy behind the counter (who knows my music tastes pretty well!) said his band had put out a new CD.They are called SIGNAL & REPORT,and the record is called No New Rome To Burn.He described it as post punk,listing a bunch of early '80's acts dear to my heart (PsychFurs/JoyDiv/Echo+Bunnymen etc...),and he was right.This could have come out in 1982.They recorded it in a church in Duluth,so it's filled with that big natural reverb-y sound.If you are a fan of early '80's British indie rock (one of my co-workers thought that it was Joy Division when I played it at work this week...),this will be right up your alley.Big melodic rock tunes with synths and sax in the mix.Nice packaging too!
GROOVE ARMADA are also back in action with Lovebox.Reviews have not been to kind,with the band's move towards a rockier edge being singled out as the reason.I like it,but then I'm a fan of the dance-rock hybrid thing anyway.Guests vocalists this around include Neneh Cherry (always welcome!),Nappy Roots,Sunshine Anderson and Richie Havens.Yeah,there are a lot of guitars on it,but there are also a lot of killer grooves,from the blissful downtempo they excel at, to hip hop and house.
I was doing a little surfing yesterday,and stopped by THE THE's website.I was very pleased to see a whole host of anti-war information there,from articles to important links to more info.If you're like me and think that invading Iraq is a load of shit,do yourself a favor and check out the site.
Friday 1/17
THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES are part of the new wave of Scandanavian acts that are being so mightily hyped in the music press lately.The Swedish combo's album Behind The Music was released in Europe a couple of years ago and came out here last year.This record rocks.They straddle a fine line between classic rock and indie rock,and I hear all kinds of influences,from the Who,The Beatles,Pink Floyd and the Kinks,to tracks that sound like Supergrass or even the Super Furry Animals.The songs are insanely catchy,the production is tight,and I am left wondering why it took so long for me to get this!I really can't recommend this highly enough.
I'm also enjoying a couple of other new rock records this week.It's been a few years since I 'd bought a PAUL WELLER album,so I picked up his latest, Illumination.It's not exactly new territory,but it's a solid effort,and the bonus DVD of live stuff is pretty cool.I also am really digging the new IKARA COLT record Chat And Business.A Brit 4 piece,these guys do the post-punk funk-rock no-wave (how's that for some genre abusing!) thing very well.Sharp,angular shouty music to jump around to,with a cool design-it-yourself cover to boot.
Wednesday 1/15
I went and saw INTERPOL last night.They played for a little over 45 minutes,debuted one new song,and were done.I thought they sounded pretty good,replicating the big sound of the record.Not an overly animated bunch,the bass player was easily the most entertaining guy on stage.Looking like he just stepped off of the cover of Kraftwerk's Man Machine album,he attacked his bass with the same ferocity as New Order's Peter Hook,and even slings his bass down low like him.I really dig the bass riffs on the record,so he kept me pretty entertained.I'd say they're worth going to see.
Sunday 1/12
NEW ORDER's 4 CD (5 if you get the free promo disc) set RETRO was released this last week,and being an avid fan I had to buy it.Some reviews have been less than favorable due to what's been omitted,but that's always going to happen with these sets.The discs were each compiled by friends of the band,with 2 discs of hits & stuff,a disc of remixes,and a disc of all live cuts.The packaging is really nice too,with a book full of photos and stories,all of it designed by Peter Saville.The music is great as always,some of the remixes are classics,and with the live set you are reminded of how much this band can really rock.If you're a fan you'll love this!
RIP Maurice Gibb.
Thursday 1/2
Happy New year to everyone.It's been rather hectic in my world the last couple of weeks,what with holidays and two sets of out of town visitors.As a result things here have slowed down a little.Let's hope this year is as good as last year for music!