silence is a rhythm too
Tuesday 12/14
I realized yesterday that I left an album off of the list you see below - these things happen. Anyway, the self titled debut by the Secret Machines belongs there, and so the list is now the top 26.
2004 Honorable Mentions - Comebacks
I am happy to report that my brother successfully obtained tickets for us to see Duran Duran on their big Astronaut tour next March in St.Paul. I have to admit that after a few listens I was having my doubts about Astronaut, but I stuck it out and am actually surprised at how much I have ended up liking it. They've been touring for a while now and will be a much tighter act than the one I saw last year. Should be a fun show.
Another band on the comeback trail surprised me this year. The reunited Tears For Fears put out the amusingly titled Everybody Loves A Happy Ending, and I liked it right away. It's a super melodic, beautifully produced pop record, full of Beatle-esque moments and some dodgy lyrics - hey, this is Tears For Fears we're talking about here. All of that aside though, I have to say that I've listened to this album a lot this year and am happy to hear Roland & Curt work together again.
What were some of your favorite records of the year? Leave a comment...
Here is The Rub's Best of '04 list.
Saturday 12/11
My Top 25 26 Albums of the Year
In no particular order...
Secret Machines : Secret Machines
Kanye West : College Dropout
John Cale : Hobo Sapiens
Franz Ferdinand : Franz Ferdinand
TV On The Radio : Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Moonbabies : The Orange Billboard
Scissor Sisters : Scissor Sisters
!!! : Louden Up Now
Automato : Automato
Prince : Musicology
Joy Zipper : American Whip
Snow Patrol : Final Straw
Phoenix : Alphabetical
Luke Vibert : Kerrier District
Dykehouse : Dynamic Obsolescence
Graham Coxon : Happiness In Magazines
RJD2 : Since We Last Spoke
Ambulance LTD : Ambulance LTD
Cut Copy : Bright Like Neon Love
Interpol : Antics
Mouse On Mars : Radical Connector
Dykehouse : Midrange
The Bees : Free The Bees
Dios : Dios
Diplo : Florida
Arcade Fire : Funeral
I based this list largely on the amount of time spent listening to these records. There are some things that didn't make it, and I hope to publish the honorable mentions list sometime in the next week or so.
Sunday 11/28
Massive Attack and The DFA
Massive Attack have composed the soundtrack to the new Jet Li flick Danny The Dog. The band's dark and brooding style carries over very well into the realm of cinema. The soundtrack is a mix of softer, string laden tracks with some big and beefy beat driven cuts. The harder, more metallic sound of Massive's last few records is intact here. I'm enjoying this quite a bit.
I'm enjoying Compilation#2 from ultra hip NYC label DFA Records even more. It's a nicely packaged (in a box and when you line up the three sleeves they make the label's lightning bolt logo - cool!) 3 disc set - 2 discs of unmixed tunes, one disc a mix set by label main man Tim Goldsworthy and Tim Sweeney. It's basically the 12"s that have come out over the last couple of years, and it's fantastic. The roster combines cutting edge dance music with rock and a healthy dollop of experimentalism, and they are adept at keeping you entertained. There are big songs from LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture, The Juan MacLean, Pixeltan and Black Dice. The standout cut for me is the 15 minute epic Casual Friday by Black Leotard Front. You'd think at that length they're pushing it, and they are. Fortunately they pull it off, and every time I listen to it's fat ass groove and repetitious vocals I'm amazed I don't get bored. It pushes the boundaries of dance music, and we need more of that. Thank you DFA.
Time For Some Football
The Vikings pulled off a win against the tough, win-on-the-road Jacksonville Jaguars today to go 7-4 and keep pace with the Packers in the NFC North. The nice thing about today's win was that it was largely due to some big plays by the defense - yes, you read that right, defense. A couple of weeks ago the game plan was simplified for the D, and today it showed up and made plays. There were a coule of fumbles, one returned for a TD by big, rumbling tackle Kevin Williams. The offense had Randy Moss back, and he saw limited use, although he did score a TD. Next week it's off to Chicago, then home for Seattle, and then Christmas eve it's the Packers at the dome to decide the fate of the division.
Wednesday 11/24
All Silence, No Rhythm...
Those words are a pretty accurate desription of what's been happening around here lately, eh? Life seems like it's been busier of late - work has been so busy I haven't had the five minutes to knock out an update, and the afternoons have been filled with my "Daddy day care" responsibilities. Today everyone is sick so I am staying home and taking advantage of everyone's nap time to bang out a few quick words.
There are a few big new releases this week, starting with the long awaited Nirvana box set With The Lights Out. It's 3 CDs of mostly unreleased tunes, some b-sides, demos, radio performances and live stuff, as well as a DVD of performances. When I actually get a chance to listen to it all I will try and give an opinion! The two other big releases are the new U2 record How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, which flat out rocks. By now you've heard the first single Vertigo in the iPod commercial that has been running all over TV - it's a huge riff. The record doesn't go anywhere U2 hasn't been before, but it's a lot less pretentious than some of their latter output - they've decided to get back to the basics that made them so compelling in the beginning. I like it. The other big record this week is the Gwen Stefani solo LP Love, Angel, Music, Baby. I have never been a big fan of No Doubt, although I did buy the last album. That was mostly due to the act that they hired some of my fave producers (Nellee Hooper and Sly and Robbie) to give the songs a dancier, dub wise feel. Gwen has roped in Nellee again, as well as Outkast's Andre 3000, Dr.Dre, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, The Neptunes, Dallas Austin and band mate Tony Kanal. She also works with New Order on a tune that features bassist Peter Hook's trademark riffing, Bernard's backing vocals and Wendy & Lisa on guitar and keys - what a line up!. The end result is a party platter extraordinaire, filled with great grooves that bounce from today's urban r'n'b to '80s flavored electro and a bunch of old new wave (you can't tell me you don't hear more than a bit of Missing Persons in the song Danger Zone!) . I've only given it one spin but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be listening to this one a lot.
This last weekend I actually saw 3 movies, more than the whole rest of the year. I heartily enjoyed the Spongebob Squarepants movie, and I recommend the soundtrack, with new music from the Flaming Lips, Wilco, The Shins, Prince Paul and Mike Simpson (from the Dust Brothers). Shrek 2 was pretty funny, and mostly due to the venerable Brit voice talents of John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett and the brilliant fairy godmother antics of AbFab's Jennifer Saunders. I also finally got to see 24 Hour Party People, about Factory Records' rise and fall and it's insane founder Tony Wilson. It's briliant, IMO one of the best rock movies around. The soundtrack is big, and the portrayals are amazing. The story takes some liberties, but it doesn't distract from the drug ravaged craziness of it all. It's fantastic and I look forward to watching it again and again!
HERE is a link to the Chemical Brothers e-card for their new single Galvanize, featuring rapper Q-Tip on vocals. Very tasty!
Monday 11/16
Muse & The Zutons
Last night's show was fantastic. The Zutons opened with their twin guitar and sax assault, playing most of the tunes from their debut LP Who Killed....The Zutons. The album is so cleanly played and produced that it made a great transition to the live set. The place was packed and the crowd was pretty enthusiastic about them and that helped the atmosphere a lot. The band were super tight and the sax player added some seriously skronking mojo to the proceedings. I was surprised at how much I enjoy their album, and they didn't disappoint me last night.
Muse lived up to their recent Q magazine award as the best live act of 2004. They came out blazing and barely relented - there were softer moments during the few slower songs, but the majority of the set was blistering rock. Matthew Bellamy is a great front man, able to hit all of those high notes and attacking his guitar with a vengeance - from metallic fret work to punk attack, it was all there. The rest of the band is equally strident, and it was truly amazing to hear how much noise 3 dudes can make. They played mostly tunes from Absolution with a few oldies mixed in, and at the end launched giant, feather filled balloons over the crowd. A truly awesome live experience, and the most raging rock show I've seen since, oh, I don't know, Helmet and Therapy? back in the early '90s.
Thursday 11/11
My friend Greg has a knack for coming across some crazy, funny shit when he surfs the net. Lucky for me he sends me the links every now and again. Here are a few that really made me laugh -
Crazy British kids show with unbelievable sexual innuendo - it's real. I couldn't believe it - too damn funny. I called it innuendo, but it's so overt it almost isn't!
The Ukes Of Hazzard's Gay Boyfriend video and the Joan Crawford Megamix are also pretty amusing.
Sunday 11/7
My bro and I bought tickets to see pomp rockers Muse with Brit newcomers The Zutons (a great double bill!) on the 15th of this month at First Avenue. Last week the club shut down after some 30 years. The rumor mill has it reopening sometime in the next couple of months, but so far it's just a rumor. Anyway, a bunch of booked shows have sent local clubs scrambling to fill the void, and until today I didn't know what was happening with the Muse show. According to the band's website it will be at the Quest instead. Now we are ready to rock. I highly recommend the Zutons record Who Killed The Zutons? - catchy tunes that incorporate all kinds of stuff - Merseybeat pop, new wave, disco, ska and a touch of the Super Furry Animals, all rolled into a crazy concept album. Should be a great show.
Friday 11/5
The Immoral Minority
My immense disappointment with my fellow Americans' choice for President this week has been the reason there have been no posts this week. The fact that he didn't steal the election, that so many people actually voted for him - it boggles my mind. In the aftermath it became clear that it was the rural and suburban religious right and their vote for "moral values" that handed GW the win. I clearly do not belong in that column. I am here to tell you that I am proud to be a member of the immoral minority, and that I will continue to support immoral causes like peace and justice, rights for gays and lesbians, a woman's right to choose, more money for education, cleaner air and water and so on and so forth.
The Return Of Music!
This story from Pitchfork made me chuckle. The real US Postal Service had given the band The Postal Service a cease and desist order to stop using the name. In the spirit of cooperative cross promotion a deal has been struck and you may soon be hearing the music of the band in commercials for the USPS, or be able to buy the CD at the post office. The band has also agreed to play at the annual USPS conference. Too funny!
Tuesday 11/2
Music Blggers For Democracy
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE
GET YOUR TUNES HERE
R.I.P. First Avenue
It's 1:45 in the afternoon and I have just learned some very sad news relating to the Minneapolis music scene - legendary local night club First Avenue has closed it's doors. One of my rock 'n' roller buddies had hinted to me about this a few weeks ago but nothing happened until today. DJ Mark Wheat (on local indie radio station Radio K) just announced it on the radio. I don't have any details yet because there really aren't any right now. More to come on this story...
4:30 PM - HERE'S THE CONFIRMATION
Monday 11/1
Music Bloggers For Democracy
GET YER TUNES HERE
Move On.org
Rock The Vote.com
John Kerry.com
Music For America.org
Declare Yourself
Just Vote
My Polling Place
Get Educated
Sunday 10/31
Time For Some Football
The curse of the NY Giants fell on the Vikes again today. Ever since we lost the NFC Championship game 41 - 0 (ouch!) a few years ago they really do have our number. Last year after the 6 - 0 start we played the G-men, they won, and the downward spiral began. This year's team is similarly off to a good start, and WHAM! The Giants are back, and the Vikes are once again their bitches. The schedule gets tougher the next few weeks - at Indy and at Green Bay. Things do not look good. Oh well.
The one bright spot for me on this football Sunday (I chumped it big time in my football pool) was that the Packers beat the Redskins. If you follow the "Redskins election indicator" I wrote about earlier in the week than you know that this translates into a win for the challenger (Kerry!) in this week's Presidential election.
IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN OF VOTING AGE, EXERCISE YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT AND VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2.
Saturday 10/30
Wednesday 10/27
A Call To Action
I finally got a chance to see the video for the new Eminem track Mosh today. The blogsophere has been abuzz about it for days. Taken from his forthcoming album Encore, it's one hell of a protest song. It is essentially a call to action for the youth of America, and it is a scathing, sometimes imflammatory take on the current administration and it's policies, including the war on Iraq and Bin Laden. It's a "must see for yourself" thing so I'm not going to divulge too many details. The Big Ticket has it available for download or you can stream it at The Guerrilla News Network - they are actually the creative team behind the video. I and many of my co-workers were amazed, especially considering the source - it's good to see Em putting his considerable talents to use in the political forum.
Tuesday 10/26
R.I.P. John Peel - a legend in the music world, of a heart attack while on vacation in Peru. He was one hell of an influence on my taste, and so many bands owe him a debt of gratitude for helping to get their music heard. He will be greatly missed.
Monday 10/25
New Releases Tomorrow
The amazingly good self titled debut from The Futureheads drops tomorrow - for fans of British rock and new wave, it's the shit. Also out - Depeche Mode's Remixes 80-04, Luna's last record Rendez Vous, the Dogs Die In Hot Cars and Afrika Bamabaataa albums that I thought were out last week, and the 2 disc remastered reissue of Pavement's Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.
I never had the time to say anything about the big Interpol / Secret Machines show last week, so here goes. Interpol were good - a lot less staid on stage than last time, and the new record sounded great live. The big treat of the night for me was the Secret Machines. They rocked - the drummer is phenomenal, pounding out those huge beats, and the the other two whip up a real sonic assault while trading vocals. I really recommend seeing them live, and if you don't have their album you should!
Friday 10/22
Image via Peace Not War Image Archive. Some pretty funny stuff, and some more sobering stuff too.
Wednesday 10/20
The Kids Are Alright
Every election cycle you hear about all kinds of election indicators. If you're a football fan you probably know about "the Washington Redskins election indicator". I'm not sure about the stats (Google it - you'll find a whole bunch of info!), but the theory involves the Redskins' final home game before the election. If they win the game the incumbent wins. This year's game sees them hosting the Green Bay Packers. Who knows what the hell will happen - both teams are so hit and miss this season.
A far more accurate indicator is one run by the folks at Nickelodeon. I have 2 kids, one of whom will be five in January, so I watch Nick a lot - Spongebob rules! Every Presidential election year they let the kids vote. Today the results were in. Over 400,000 of the little 'uns voted online, and John Kerry was declared the winner with 53% of the vote. Bush finished with 47%. What I haven't mentioned yet is that this kids poll has accurately picked the next Prez the last 4 elections; in 2000 Bush got 55% of the vote, and we all know what happened next. Let's hope the kiddies got it right this year too!
Coldcut Wants You!
Coldcut are at it again. Over the years they've been very active in politics, and this year they are taking on the upcoming US Presidential election in their usual, culture jamming fashion. The website Revolution USA is open for business. The mission of the site:
"We, The People of the Rest of the World, will not get an official say in the appointment of the next Lunatic Representative of Special Interests in the coming US presidential election. And so UK audiovisual pioneers Coldcut have imagined their own way for the multifariously disenchanted American and diasporic publics to take part. Our trusted audiovisual duo are picking up right where they left off with their heroic “Re:volution” single, this time inviting the whole dissenting planet into the mix."
Visit the site, download samples, make your own remix of the tune and upload it for all to hear. There are aleready a whole bunch of 'em up, so go take a look. As always, Coldcut deliver a smart, fun way to make a statement.
