Monday, January 31, 2005
Damon on Religion
Johnny Damon, on comparisons of his appearance to that of Christ: "Even being mentioned in the same sentence as Jesus or God... I mean, those guys are awesome. I'm just a knucklehead."
His book, Idiot... Or How I Stopped Thinking and Beat the 'Curse', is released on April 4th. He's contractually obligated to keep his hair long until after the book tour.
Johnny Damon, on comparisons of his appearance to that of Christ: "Even being mentioned in the same sentence as Jesus or God... I mean, those guys are awesome. I'm just a knucklehead."
His book, Idiot... Or How I Stopped Thinking and Beat the 'Curse', is released on April 4th. He's contractually obligated to keep his hair long until after the book tour.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Mind Zappa For Sure
In the eighteen months we've lived in Boston, there have been only two events that I've strongly wanted to buy tickets for. One is the U2 concert at the Fleetcenter this May, the other is the Braves-Red Sox series at Fenway the same week. Of course they both went on sale at the exact same time, this morning at ten am, and of course both U2 shows sold out almost immediately. They added a third show, on May 28th, and that sold out within five minutes. Meanwhile, I've been in a Red Sox "Virtual Waiting Room" for fifty minutes now. Once (if?) I get through, I'm not even guaranteed that any of the Braves games will still have tickets available. Legal scalping services run rampant up here, and I'm sure those assholes are the ones snatching all the tickets up. There's a ticket place a block or so away from my apartment. It's in the back of a music store that has this awesome mural of Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and Jerry Garcia in outer space painted on their storefront. We went in there once just to see how much they were selling REM tickets for. We figured since absolutely nobody gives a shit about REM anymore we could maybe get some relatively cheap tickets. The guy at the counter admitted that there'd been very little demand for the show, and yet they were still asking twice face value for shitty nose-bleed seats.
This seals it. SF's a definite go. I shall zap and be zapt.
In the eighteen months we've lived in Boston, there have been only two events that I've strongly wanted to buy tickets for. One is the U2 concert at the Fleetcenter this May, the other is the Braves-Red Sox series at Fenway the same week. Of course they both went on sale at the exact same time, this morning at ten am, and of course both U2 shows sold out almost immediately. They added a third show, on May 28th, and that sold out within five minutes. Meanwhile, I've been in a Red Sox "Virtual Waiting Room" for fifty minutes now. Once (if?) I get through, I'm not even guaranteed that any of the Braves games will still have tickets available. Legal scalping services run rampant up here, and I'm sure those assholes are the ones snatching all the tickets up. There's a ticket place a block or so away from my apartment. It's in the back of a music store that has this awesome mural of Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and Jerry Garcia in outer space painted on their storefront. We went in there once just to see how much they were selling REM tickets for. We figured since absolutely nobody gives a shit about REM anymore we could maybe get some relatively cheap tickets. The guy at the counter admitted that there'd been very little demand for the show, and yet they were still asking twice face value for shitty nose-bleed seats.
This seals it. SF's a definite go. I shall zap and be zapt.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
worst fifteen dollars ever
I just ordered my copy of Bob Pollard's "comedy" album. Review in a few weeks.
It can't be any worse than David Cross's records.
I just ordered my copy of Bob Pollard's "comedy" album. Review in a few weeks.
It can't be any worse than David Cross's records.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
been twelve years since my last blizzard
For once we actually had plans. There was a radio station meeting and some dinner party on Saturday night, and the football games at a friend's house the next day. We were actually going to do something this weekend other than watch tv and go shopping. And then a couple feet of snow got dumped over all our hopes and dreams. It started around three o'clock on Saturday, and didn't let up until almost 24 hours later. So we stayed in, watching the third season of Curb Your Enthusiasm (pretty good), The Graduate (first time; liked it okay), Paul Giamatti on SNL (unspectacular), and the NFC championship (I knew I shouldn't have let myself get excited about football). The missus read a bunch, and I played Metroid Prime 2 until my eyes hurt. I bought a couple of fantasy baseball magazines and dreamed endlessly of Johan Santana (a keeper for both my teams). I didn't have to work yesterday, and so I shovelled our car out of the snow (first time I ever did that, and my arms still hurt). All thoughts of Chinese nationals and dirty bombs disappeared. I only left my house twice over three days. Oh, what an amazing blizzard!
For once we actually had plans. There was a radio station meeting and some dinner party on Saturday night, and the football games at a friend's house the next day. We were actually going to do something this weekend other than watch tv and go shopping. And then a couple feet of snow got dumped over all our hopes and dreams. It started around three o'clock on Saturday, and didn't let up until almost 24 hours later. So we stayed in, watching the third season of Curb Your Enthusiasm (pretty good), The Graduate (first time; liked it okay), Paul Giamatti on SNL (unspectacular), and the NFC championship (I knew I shouldn't have let myself get excited about football). The missus read a bunch, and I played Metroid Prime 2 until my eyes hurt. I bought a couple of fantasy baseball magazines and dreamed endlessly of Johan Santana (a keeper for both my teams). I didn't have to work yesterday, and so I shovelled our car out of the snow (first time I ever did that, and my arms still hurt). All thoughts of Chinese nationals and dirty bombs disappeared. I only left my house twice over three days. Oh, what an amazing blizzard!
I have absolutely no opinion on those Oscar things
Of all the major categories (picture, director, actor, actress, screenplay), I've seen one film, and that's only up for actress and screenplay.
C'mon, folks, face it, movies are over. There hasn't been a good one in over a decade. Who gives a shit anymore? Flipbooks are the way to go.
Of all the major categories (picture, director, actor, actress, screenplay), I've seen one film, and that's only up for actress and screenplay.
C'mon, folks, face it, movies are over. There hasn't been a good one in over a decade. Who gives a shit anymore? Flipbooks are the way to go.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Messy Ecl Top Ten List Power Rankings
I hope everybody that had designs to turn in a list already did so, because my man Zig up and calculated the dang on results. Check out the e-mail I just got:
"Well, I finally found some free time at work and calculated the power rankings. It didn't take very long at all with my new power rankings formula I like to call RATTNS (reverse assigned top ten numerical score). For the people that didn't rank their lists, I just did the average value for a top ten score which came out to 5.5. Of course, some people thought it would be cool to give a top twelve, so I had to lower the value using GSMNS (guesstimations).
1. Animal Collective - Sung Tongs (55 RATTNS)
2. Joanna Newsom - Milk-Eyed Mender (37 RATTNS)
3. Lil' Flip Scoldjah - Out Francin' Yall (33 RATTNS)
4. Brian Wilson - Smile (24 RATTNS)
5. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands (20 RATTNS)
6. Kanye West - College Dropout (19)
6a. Panda Bear - Young Prayer (19) [I wasn't sure how to include this, since some people listed Animal Collective and Panda Bear as one entry, while some listed them seperately]
7. The Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned (17)
8. Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse (16)
9. Comets On Fire - Blue Cathedral (15)
10. Crime Mob - Criminy (15) [Comets of Fire is ranked ahead since it received more indivual votes]
Barely missing the cut (in RATTNS order): Bugs Eat Books, Ariel Pink, Dungen, Wolf Eyes, Xiu Xiu, and the Fall."
Well, shit. There you have it. OJ, time to start thinking about those mix cd's.
I hope everybody that had designs to turn in a list already did so, because my man Zig up and calculated the dang on results. Check out the e-mail I just got:
"Well, I finally found some free time at work and calculated the power rankings. It didn't take very long at all with my new power rankings formula I like to call RATTNS (reverse assigned top ten numerical score). For the people that didn't rank their lists, I just did the average value for a top ten score which came out to 5.5. Of course, some people thought it would be cool to give a top twelve, so I had to lower the value using GSMNS (guesstimations).
1. Animal Collective - Sung Tongs (55 RATTNS)
2. Joanna Newsom - Milk-Eyed Mender (37 RATTNS)
3. Lil' Flip Scoldjah - Out Francin' Yall (33 RATTNS)
4. Brian Wilson - Smile (24 RATTNS)
5. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands (20 RATTNS)
6. Kanye West - College Dropout (19)
6a. Panda Bear - Young Prayer (19) [I wasn't sure how to include this, since some people listed Animal Collective and Panda Bear as one entry, while some listed them seperately]
7. The Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned (17)
8. Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse (16)
9. Comets On Fire - Blue Cathedral (15)
10. Crime Mob - Criminy (15) [Comets of Fire is ranked ahead since it received more indivual votes]
Barely missing the cut (in RATTNS order): Bugs Eat Books, Ariel Pink, Dungen, Wolf Eyes, Xiu Xiu, and the Fall."
Well, shit. There you have it. OJ, time to start thinking about those mix cd's.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
MB and Rip's Faves (Oceanchum Repost)
Rip's
yearender (beginninger)
happy new year, everyone! and but of course!
i thought that i'd drop my top ten records of
2004 here on ye old oceanchum. some topnotch shit
came out this year. here goes:
1. sonic youth - sonic nurse
2. animal collective - sung tongs
3. ariel pink's haunted graffiti - doldrums
4. joanna newsom - the milk-eyed mender
5. devendra banhart - rejoicing in the hands
6. the dears - no cities left
7. arcade fire - funeral
8. tortoise - it's all around you
9. xiu xiu - fabulous muscles
10. the go! team - thunder lightning strike
i'm sure there's great stuff that i'm forgetting, but i do well to remember to flush the toilet after myself, so conjuring up 10 records that i liked in 2004 is quite a feat.
MB's
My best of 2004:
hmmmmmm, seems that I have still followed my trend of not keeping up with what's hip or even new, for the most part. my list won't be comprised of totally new stuff, but just stuff that was either re-issued or I picked up this year. Here goes. Also, order is irrelevant.
(1) Crime Mob: "Knuck if you Buck was definitely the crunkest single of the year and the record hits other highs with "Stilletos", "I beat Yo Ass" and "Crunk Inc." were also pretty straight.Too violent, though.
(2) Animal Collective Sung Tongs: Duh....this is probably on everyone's list
(3) Sufjan Stevens: Seven Swans is awesome but I truly dug Greetings from...Michigan. He really turned my interest back towards pop.
(4) Wolf Eyes Burned Mind: Probably not their best but this shit rocks so goddam hard.
(5) Devendra Banhart: Rejoicing in the Hands.... great live show as well
(6)Eddie Gale: Black Rhythm Happening...highly recommended if you dig a little soul and gospel wit yo freedom jazz...It's a Blue Note reissue on 4 Men With Beards. Great soulful female vocals as well.
(7) Ghost:Hypnotic Underworld: I received this one as a gift a month or so ago and it keeps on giving. Best psychadelic folk band around. period. This one kinda reminds me of some of the Leo Smith stuff on Tzadik at times.
(8)KMD: Mr Hood: Okay, this one was reissued back in 2000 or 2001, but it remains the most underrated Daisy era hiphop record ever. Serious shit from the man who is now MFDOOM and DJ Subroc, who died before Black Bastards was suposed to be released.
(9) 600% Dynamite(released near the end of 2003) and Studio One Funk (comps): Soul Jazz reissues are almost always awesome, and these two follow the traidition. 600 Percent Dynamite, the 6th installment in the series (duh!) covers more ground than some of the earlier Dynamites. The title track by Alozade and Hollow Point is probably the most off-the-chain dancehall song I've ever heard. The rest of the cd is kinda all-over the place, ranging from an 80's soulful rendition of "Ready or Not" to some funny techno/reggae song by someone whose name I can't recall. Studio one Funk is pretty awesome, but probably not the best of the Studio One series. The cover of the Shaft theme is pretty ggod, though.
(10) The Black/Grey albums. How could both of these not make the list?
(11) Skygreen Leopards: 1000 Bird Ceremony. Part of the Jewelled Antler Collective, the San Francisco hippies go out into nature to record their acoustic psychadelic pop. Yep, that's really a goat or sheep baaahhhhing on the first track. Yep, those are real birds and yep, this isn't from the late 60's. Good mood stuff for the green of mind. Ya dig?
Other mentionables that crossed my path this year: The Homosexuals (reissued at the end of 2003), Arial Pink, Ludacris(red light district), Kanye West (College Dropout), The Third Unheard (a Connecticut hiphop comp. circa 1980-82 on Stones Throw) and ??????????
Rip's
yearender (beginninger)
happy new year, everyone! and but of course!
i thought that i'd drop my top ten records of
2004 here on ye old oceanchum. some topnotch shit
came out this year. here goes:
1. sonic youth - sonic nurse
2. animal collective - sung tongs
3. ariel pink's haunted graffiti - doldrums
4. joanna newsom - the milk-eyed mender
5. devendra banhart - rejoicing in the hands
6. the dears - no cities left
7. arcade fire - funeral
8. tortoise - it's all around you
9. xiu xiu - fabulous muscles
10. the go! team - thunder lightning strike
i'm sure there's great stuff that i'm forgetting, but i do well to remember to flush the toilet after myself, so conjuring up 10 records that i liked in 2004 is quite a feat.
MB's
My best of 2004:
hmmmmmm, seems that I have still followed my trend of not keeping up with what's hip or even new, for the most part. my list won't be comprised of totally new stuff, but just stuff that was either re-issued or I picked up this year. Here goes. Also, order is irrelevant.
(1) Crime Mob: "Knuck if you Buck was definitely the crunkest single of the year and the record hits other highs with "Stilletos", "I beat Yo Ass" and "Crunk Inc." were also pretty straight.Too violent, though.
(2) Animal Collective Sung Tongs: Duh....this is probably on everyone's list
(3) Sufjan Stevens: Seven Swans is awesome but I truly dug Greetings from...Michigan. He really turned my interest back towards pop.
(4) Wolf Eyes Burned Mind: Probably not their best but this shit rocks so goddam hard.
(5) Devendra Banhart: Rejoicing in the Hands.... great live show as well
(6)Eddie Gale: Black Rhythm Happening...highly recommended if you dig a little soul and gospel wit yo freedom jazz...It's a Blue Note reissue on 4 Men With Beards. Great soulful female vocals as well.
(7) Ghost:Hypnotic Underworld: I received this one as a gift a month or so ago and it keeps on giving. Best psychadelic folk band around. period. This one kinda reminds me of some of the Leo Smith stuff on Tzadik at times.
(8)KMD: Mr Hood: Okay, this one was reissued back in 2000 or 2001, but it remains the most underrated Daisy era hiphop record ever. Serious shit from the man who is now MFDOOM and DJ Subroc, who died before Black Bastards was suposed to be released.
(9) 600% Dynamite(released near the end of 2003) and Studio One Funk (comps): Soul Jazz reissues are almost always awesome, and these two follow the traidition. 600 Percent Dynamite, the 6th installment in the series (duh!) covers more ground than some of the earlier Dynamites. The title track by Alozade and Hollow Point is probably the most off-the-chain dancehall song I've ever heard. The rest of the cd is kinda all-over the place, ranging from an 80's soulful rendition of "Ready or Not" to some funny techno/reggae song by someone whose name I can't recall. Studio one Funk is pretty awesome, but probably not the best of the Studio One series. The cover of the Shaft theme is pretty ggod, though.
(10) The Black/Grey albums. How could both of these not make the list?
(11) Skygreen Leopards: 1000 Bird Ceremony. Part of the Jewelled Antler Collective, the San Francisco hippies go out into nature to record their acoustic psychadelic pop. Yep, that's really a goat or sheep baaahhhhing on the first track. Yep, those are real birds and yep, this isn't from the late 60's. Good mood stuff for the green of mind. Ya dig?
Other mentionables that crossed my path this year: The Homosexuals (reissued at the end of 2003), Arial Pink, Ludacris(red light district), Kanye West (College Dropout), The Third Unheard (a Connecticut hiphop comp. circa 1980-82 on Stones Throw) and ??????????
Friday, January 21, 2005
a snort off my own hose
I know y’all’ve been waiting for this shit, and I apologize for taking so long. But you’ve got to understand one thing: I’m a busy man. Every day I have countless obligations to fulfill. People are counting on me. Who’s going to read that newspaper, if I don’t do it? Who will stand up for our right to take a longer lunch, if we want to, if I’m not out there, every day, staying out for an extra fifteen, maybe thirty, minutes? Shit, guys. Metroid Prime II Echoes isn’t going to beat itself. There’s much more going on in my life than this stupid on-line opinion stuff. Hell, if you guys were working hard like me you wouldn’t even have time to complain about my lack of posting, much less actually read whatever shit I do throw up here. So get off my back, Sean, ‘cuz it’s starting to hurt, and really, you don’t want to be around me when my back starts to hurt, ‘cuz I can really get slightly kind of annoying, sort of.
I don’t have anything new to add, anyway. My favorite records have all been written up by somebody else here over the last few weeks. I doubt my recommendation will finally inspire somebody to go give Joanna Newsom a listen. But what the shit, let’s give it a crack of the ol’ leather.
In no real order, of course.
Animal Collective: Sung Tongs
Panda Bear: Young Prayer
Collectively the record of the year. I wouldn’t say that Sung Tongs is dramatically better than previous AC albums, but it feels more fully realized as an album. Corralling their indescribable sound into more straight-forward, song-like forms led to their most consistently listenable record, which pretty much dominated my jambox from April on. One of only four cds I uploaded to my work pc’s hard drive, for eternally ready access. And for people who say that these guys are too contrived and precious and are not earnest or passionate, I say listen to Young Prayer, and repent.
Joanna Newsom: The Milk-Eyed Mendor
I was supremely skeptical. Everything I had read primed me for some totally affected, pretentious, self-satisfied art project, devoid of feeling and sincerity. Instead The Milk-Eyed Mendor is beautiful and enchanting and transfixing and all that shit. If Cat Power’s mental problems didn’t feel forced and half-assed she’d maybe be half as good as Ms. Newsom.
Liars: They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Excellent noise-prog no-wave pop music. Infinitely creepier than anything in Salem, which is the cheesiest town north, east, or west of Orlando.
The Mae Shi: Terrorbird
The Mae Shi’s schizophrenic debut is almost a guilty pleasure for me. I recognize that it isn’t really as good as I give it credit for, but I’ve probably listened to it more than any other record this year, outside of Sung Tongs. If any band represents the ideals that Twilight Delirium should stand for, it’s these guys, much more so than the France, even.
The Fall: The Real New Fall LP, FKA Country on the Click
The Fall’s been pretty consistently okay the last decade or so. They’ve had a couple of highlights in that time, though, and this is one of ‘em.
Oneida: Secret Wars
Another great record from what’s probably my favorite band. Not as strong as 2002’s Each One Teach One, but that’s one of the two or three best records of the century thus far, so that’s understandable.
Wolf Eyes: Burned Mind
Gives me a headache, but it’s all fucking good. I like taking them pills.
Paivansade: Puhalluspelto
Primitive forest folk from Scandinavia. True Nordic blood. They’ve got one eye and an eight-legged horse to see them through. Could be half-assed fucking around, but if so, is of the highest order.
Comets on Fire: Blue Cathedral
Ridonkulous noise-boogie. As heavy as a few dozen of them fat twins on motorbikes. Probably more accessible than Field Recordings from the Sun, but none the worse for wear.
Volcano the Bear: The Idea of Wood
Beautiful, haphazard cabaret-noise-folk. Seems constantly on the verge of collapse, but never wavers. A right stinker.
Also dug: Crystal Fantasy/Hair Police split 10”; Arktinen Hysteria comp; Les Savy Fav: Inches compilation; Black Dice: Creature Comforts; Sonic Youth: Sonic Nurse; those Devendra Banhart records; Summer Hymns: Fool’s Gold ep; Acid Mothers Temple: Mantra of Love; Dead Raven Choir: Selenocast Wolves; Klondike and York: Holy Book; Demos Yellow Swans: Live in the Police State Capital.
Not so hot: Wilco: A Ghost is Born; Sunburned Hand of the Man: Rare Wood; Guided by Voices: Half-Smiles of the Decomposed.
Almost admirable in its abject awfulness: Gwen Stefani: Love. Angel. Music. Baby..
Best record I played on by a band I haven’t been in for four years: Bugs Eat Books: Ghosts of Leaves.
I know y’all’ve been waiting for this shit, and I apologize for taking so long. But you’ve got to understand one thing: I’m a busy man. Every day I have countless obligations to fulfill. People are counting on me. Who’s going to read that newspaper, if I don’t do it? Who will stand up for our right to take a longer lunch, if we want to, if I’m not out there, every day, staying out for an extra fifteen, maybe thirty, minutes? Shit, guys. Metroid Prime II Echoes isn’t going to beat itself. There’s much more going on in my life than this stupid on-line opinion stuff. Hell, if you guys were working hard like me you wouldn’t even have time to complain about my lack of posting, much less actually read whatever shit I do throw up here. So get off my back, Sean, ‘cuz it’s starting to hurt, and really, you don’t want to be around me when my back starts to hurt, ‘cuz I can really get slightly kind of annoying, sort of.
I don’t have anything new to add, anyway. My favorite records have all been written up by somebody else here over the last few weeks. I doubt my recommendation will finally inspire somebody to go give Joanna Newsom a listen. But what the shit, let’s give it a crack of the ol’ leather.
In no real order, of course.
Animal Collective: Sung Tongs
Panda Bear: Young Prayer
Collectively the record of the year. I wouldn’t say that Sung Tongs is dramatically better than previous AC albums, but it feels more fully realized as an album. Corralling their indescribable sound into more straight-forward, song-like forms led to their most consistently listenable record, which pretty much dominated my jambox from April on. One of only four cds I uploaded to my work pc’s hard drive, for eternally ready access. And for people who say that these guys are too contrived and precious and are not earnest or passionate, I say listen to Young Prayer, and repent.
Joanna Newsom: The Milk-Eyed Mendor
I was supremely skeptical. Everything I had read primed me for some totally affected, pretentious, self-satisfied art project, devoid of feeling and sincerity. Instead The Milk-Eyed Mendor is beautiful and enchanting and transfixing and all that shit. If Cat Power’s mental problems didn’t feel forced and half-assed she’d maybe be half as good as Ms. Newsom.
Liars: They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Excellent noise-prog no-wave pop music. Infinitely creepier than anything in Salem, which is the cheesiest town north, east, or west of Orlando.
The Mae Shi: Terrorbird
The Mae Shi’s schizophrenic debut is almost a guilty pleasure for me. I recognize that it isn’t really as good as I give it credit for, but I’ve probably listened to it more than any other record this year, outside of Sung Tongs. If any band represents the ideals that Twilight Delirium should stand for, it’s these guys, much more so than the France, even.
The Fall: The Real New Fall LP, FKA Country on the Click
The Fall’s been pretty consistently okay the last decade or so. They’ve had a couple of highlights in that time, though, and this is one of ‘em.
Oneida: Secret Wars
Another great record from what’s probably my favorite band. Not as strong as 2002’s Each One Teach One, but that’s one of the two or three best records of the century thus far, so that’s understandable.
Wolf Eyes: Burned Mind
Gives me a headache, but it’s all fucking good. I like taking them pills.
Paivansade: Puhalluspelto
Primitive forest folk from Scandinavia. True Nordic blood. They’ve got one eye and an eight-legged horse to see them through. Could be half-assed fucking around, but if so, is of the highest order.
Comets on Fire: Blue Cathedral
Ridonkulous noise-boogie. As heavy as a few dozen of them fat twins on motorbikes. Probably more accessible than Field Recordings from the Sun, but none the worse for wear.
Volcano the Bear: The Idea of Wood
Beautiful, haphazard cabaret-noise-folk. Seems constantly on the verge of collapse, but never wavers. A right stinker.
Also dug: Crystal Fantasy/Hair Police split 10”; Arktinen Hysteria comp; Les Savy Fav: Inches compilation; Black Dice: Creature Comforts; Sonic Youth: Sonic Nurse; those Devendra Banhart records; Summer Hymns: Fool’s Gold ep; Acid Mothers Temple: Mantra of Love; Dead Raven Choir: Selenocast Wolves; Klondike and York: Holy Book; Demos Yellow Swans: Live in the Police State Capital.
Not so hot: Wilco: A Ghost is Born; Sunburned Hand of the Man: Rare Wood; Guided by Voices: Half-Smiles of the Decomposed.
Almost admirable in its abject awfulness: Gwen Stefani: Love. Angel. Music. Baby..
Best record I played on by a band I haven’t been in for four years: Bugs Eat Books: Ghosts of Leaves.
Are Camper Van Beethoven the Stupidest People Ever?
It must suck to get your gear stolen. To have it happen twice in a matter of months, though, points to some greater underlying problems.
It must suck to get your gear stolen. To have it happen twice in a matter of months, though, points to some greater underlying problems.
Athens on the Rise
You know, Athens can be a real slippery motherfucker. And that's a big part of what I miss about the place. As expected from a town inhabited by people, the social/music/bar/art/restaurant/college sports scenes are always in flux. Out of the blue a landmark restaurant, band, venue or party house will close up shop or a star athlete or coach will go pro or get his ass fired. But unlike other places, the ATH doesn't waste any time feeling sorry for itself. Hunan closed, but now the city's blessed with Fowlhorns. Good old Skye starts getting old, we get Billy Bennet just chillin' and running sound at shows. Blue sky closed, and that double barrel cannon got together with the tree that owns itself, and guess what they came up with? Mother fucking hot corner, that's what. So now if you find yourself on the 40 Watt side of Washington kicking it late night, enjoying some Buds with some buds and you get the page from the fowlhorn wangs you ate a few hours earlier, don't worry. There's no reason to cut then night short because blue sky's clean toilets are no longer at your disposal. Just saunter on up to Hot Corner. Clean toilets and open 24 hours. Man, what a town.
Anyway, Back in December I should have known the old town had something up its sleeve when I left the unofficial XXXXmas after party party at 6am only to be told by S.G. things were still ragin' at 10am. And then the following night me and my pal MB found ourselves finessing beer out of a tapless keg with a screwdriver whilst marveling at the newfound camaraderie that seems to have developed between some of the frat types and the college radio crowd.
Well something was up. And here's what it is -- The Olivia Tremor Control is getting back together. The town was just responding with approval and festivity. Now, I love this band despite the fact one of its leaders can be pretty flakey. They've blown my mind live and on record and I hope their reunion isn't just a one off show in England. Any why are they playing in England? Cuz Vinny "Mouthfucker" Gallo asked them to reunite for his weekend at this year's All Tomorrow's Parties Festival.
Go Dawgs!
You know, Athens can be a real slippery motherfucker. And that's a big part of what I miss about the place. As expected from a town inhabited by people, the social/music/bar/art/restaurant/college sports scenes are always in flux. Out of the blue a landmark restaurant, band, venue or party house will close up shop or a star athlete or coach will go pro or get his ass fired. But unlike other places, the ATH doesn't waste any time feeling sorry for itself. Hunan closed, but now the city's blessed with Fowlhorns. Good old Skye starts getting old, we get Billy Bennet just chillin' and running sound at shows. Blue sky closed, and that double barrel cannon got together with the tree that owns itself, and guess what they came up with? Mother fucking hot corner, that's what. So now if you find yourself on the 40 Watt side of Washington kicking it late night, enjoying some Buds with some buds and you get the page from the fowlhorn wangs you ate a few hours earlier, don't worry. There's no reason to cut then night short because blue sky's clean toilets are no longer at your disposal. Just saunter on up to Hot Corner. Clean toilets and open 24 hours. Man, what a town.
Anyway, Back in December I should have known the old town had something up its sleeve when I left the unofficial XXXXmas after party party at 6am only to be told by S.G. things were still ragin' at 10am. And then the following night me and my pal MB found ourselves finessing beer out of a tapless keg with a screwdriver whilst marveling at the newfound camaraderie that seems to have developed between some of the frat types and the college radio crowd.
Well something was up. And here's what it is -- The Olivia Tremor Control is getting back together. The town was just responding with approval and festivity. Now, I love this band despite the fact one of its leaders can be pretty flakey. They've blown my mind live and on record and I hope their reunion isn't just a one off show in England. Any why are they playing in England? Cuz Vinny "Mouthfucker" Gallo asked them to reunite for his weekend at this year's All Tomorrow's Parties Festival.
Go Dawgs!
Thursday, January 20, 2005
How 'bout some help biatches
So as most of you know I work at this radio station WNNsomething, and there is a show that comes on every morning at 9 called...hold it now...the 90's at 9. What I wanted to find out was if there were some awesome 90's songs that needed to get rocked on that show. Y'alls need to step up with some gems, 'cause I'm gonna compile a list and those jams will begun to get brought. And fuck off with the obvious shit like "cannonball" and "cut your hair." We need some tight requests like the second Blind Melon single on that No Rain album, or Dig's "Why don't you believe." I want to see what you guys can bring to the table. We should easily be able to break the comment record on this one. I think it stands at 74 or something. No excuses. Step it up!
So as most of you know I work at this radio station WNNsomething, and there is a show that comes on every morning at 9 called...hold it now...the 90's at 9. What I wanted to find out was if there were some awesome 90's songs that needed to get rocked on that show. Y'alls need to step up with some gems, 'cause I'm gonna compile a list and those jams will begun to get brought. And fuck off with the obvious shit like "cannonball" and "cut your hair." We need some tight requests like the second Blind Melon single on that No Rain album, or Dig's "Why don't you believe." I want to see what you guys can bring to the table. We should easily be able to break the comment record on this one. I think it stands at 74 or something. No excuses. Step it up!
This Thursday is Fuckin' Killer!
Today’s been the best day ever! It’s warmed up, all the way to 21! The sidewalk on the bridge to work wasn’t shoveled, so I got to hear that awesome crunching sound the whole way! And we got this new temp, Carlo, who’s the greatest guy ever! He let me borrow his date-stamper. And he brought a box of Munchkins in today! What a swell fella. Here’s a pic!
Who knew folks in Boston could be so sweet?
Today’s been the best day ever! It’s warmed up, all the way to 21! The sidewalk on the bridge to work wasn’t shoveled, so I got to hear that awesome crunching sound the whole way! And we got this new temp, Carlo, who’s the greatest guy ever! He let me borrow his date-stamper. And he brought a box of Munchkins in today! What a swell fella. Here’s a pic!
Who knew folks in Boston could be so sweet?
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Crewsin' 4 A Brewsin' 04 Styles and Smiles
Crews sent this to me electronically and asked that I make it public.
15. Of Montreal: Satanic Panic in the Attic – One of my students gave me a copy and said it was different and better than their other stuff and I have to agree. Its pretty dancey and, dare I say, rocking, at times
14. The Streets: A gram don’t come for free – This is rare that I actually like a hip-hop album, but this is pretty different than most stuff. Probably not worthy of The Beat, but really, other than DJ, who gives a shit about The Beat? “Dry your eyes” is one of the better melodramatic songs in a while. “Fit, but you know it” is funny.
13. Fiery Furnaces: Blueberry Boat – This made the list because I really like them live.
12. Camera Obscura: Underachievers Please Try Harder – Really good pop. This entry has a sub-entry of Biggest Blue Hi-Fi which was a great re-release on Merge.
11. Arcade Fire: Funeral – Once again a band that is better live than on album, but in this case the album is still really good. This band has so much hype, that their show in Chapel Hill in a couple of weeks sold out around Christmas time.
10. Joanna Newsom: Milk-Eyed Mendor – Weird year in which I saw lots of bands/performers that I had never heard of and was blown away. Joanna Newsom was fucking incredible and this cd is really great.
9. Devendra Banhart: Rejoicing in the Hands - He was the headliner of the Joanna Newsom show and had a tough act to follow, but damn, that hippie can turn a tune. Me and my friends in Houston also convinced him to do keg stands before he left. This record is really good, particularly “This Beard Is For Siobhan” and “This is the Way”
8. Bugs Eat Books: Ghosts of Leaves – Rob can write good songs. If he didn’t sing like someone stomped on his throat this would be better (jus kidding). Bugs Eat Books writes great songs that are lyrically really awesome.
7. Lil’ Flip Scoldjah: Out Francin Y’all – I got flip-scolded!
6. Brian Wilson: Smile – Yeah, he pulled it off. Something kind of makes me feel like it shouldn’t have been done. Its like straightening the leaning tower of Pisa or something. I like that I had a bootleg copy and it was incredible, now everyone has this record. Still one of the greatest records of all time.
5. Bonnie Prince Billy: sings Greatest Palace Music – Palace, Nashville-Style. Great classics with some good ol’ county music.
4. The Thrills: Let’s Bottle Bohemia – Lost in the shuffle of “the” bands this band is really good. This record and their previous one, So Much for the City, are really awesome. I recommend them to everybody.
3. the Delgados: Universal Audio – The song “Everybody Come Down” is one of my favorites of the year. This band has always flown just under my radar, but I finally gave these Scots a chance and listened to their record and then saw their show and they are good, Pop rules.
2. Mountain Goats: We Shall All Be Healed – One of my homies, fellow Durham-ite John Darnielle delivers on this album. Great songs but the added bonus of less tape-hiss than usual. Don’t hate because he finally went into a studio and also added a few instruments here and there. I saw him play recently with John Vanderslice and band and dammit, if he didn’t stand-up and rock a few numbers. Fucking Awesome
1a and 1b. Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain and Guided by Voices: Bee Thousand- Yeah, they’re technically re-issues, but fuck it! Its my list, dammit!
Crews sent this to me electronically and asked that I make it public.
15. Of Montreal: Satanic Panic in the Attic – One of my students gave me a copy and said it was different and better than their other stuff and I have to agree. Its pretty dancey and, dare I say, rocking, at times
14. The Streets: A gram don’t come for free – This is rare that I actually like a hip-hop album, but this is pretty different than most stuff. Probably not worthy of The Beat, but really, other than DJ, who gives a shit about The Beat? “Dry your eyes” is one of the better melodramatic songs in a while. “Fit, but you know it” is funny.
13. Fiery Furnaces: Blueberry Boat – This made the list because I really like them live.
12. Camera Obscura: Underachievers Please Try Harder – Really good pop. This entry has a sub-entry of Biggest Blue Hi-Fi which was a great re-release on Merge.
11. Arcade Fire: Funeral – Once again a band that is better live than on album, but in this case the album is still really good. This band has so much hype, that their show in Chapel Hill in a couple of weeks sold out around Christmas time.
10. Joanna Newsom: Milk-Eyed Mendor – Weird year in which I saw lots of bands/performers that I had never heard of and was blown away. Joanna Newsom was fucking incredible and this cd is really great.
9. Devendra Banhart: Rejoicing in the Hands - He was the headliner of the Joanna Newsom show and had a tough act to follow, but damn, that hippie can turn a tune. Me and my friends in Houston also convinced him to do keg stands before he left. This record is really good, particularly “This Beard Is For Siobhan” and “This is the Way”
8. Bugs Eat Books: Ghosts of Leaves – Rob can write good songs. If he didn’t sing like someone stomped on his throat this would be better (jus kidding). Bugs Eat Books writes great songs that are lyrically really awesome.
7. Lil’ Flip Scoldjah: Out Francin Y’all – I got flip-scolded!
6. Brian Wilson: Smile – Yeah, he pulled it off. Something kind of makes me feel like it shouldn’t have been done. Its like straightening the leaning tower of Pisa or something. I like that I had a bootleg copy and it was incredible, now everyone has this record. Still one of the greatest records of all time.
5. Bonnie Prince Billy: sings Greatest Palace Music – Palace, Nashville-Style. Great classics with some good ol’ county music.
4. The Thrills: Let’s Bottle Bohemia – Lost in the shuffle of “the” bands this band is really good. This record and their previous one, So Much for the City, are really awesome. I recommend them to everybody.
3. the Delgados: Universal Audio – The song “Everybody Come Down” is one of my favorites of the year. This band has always flown just under my radar, but I finally gave these Scots a chance and listened to their record and then saw their show and they are good, Pop rules.
2. Mountain Goats: We Shall All Be Healed – One of my homies, fellow Durham-ite John Darnielle delivers on this album. Great songs but the added bonus of less tape-hiss than usual. Don’t hate because he finally went into a studio and also added a few instruments here and there. I saw him play recently with John Vanderslice and band and dammit, if he didn’t stand-up and rock a few numbers. Fucking Awesome
1a and 1b. Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain and Guided by Voices: Bee Thousand- Yeah, they’re technically re-issues, but fuck it! Its my list, dammit!
Saturday, January 15, 2005
What's Tops To Me '04 Rewind
Stuff I liked best this past year. Presented in no order.
V/A -- Nice Up The Dance
Soul Jazz went and dug up some more mind blowing tunes. This comp focuses on Dancehall/Hip Hop fusion type stuff, and man does it wail. My fav track is "synthesizer voice" featuring Pompidu and his so gruff voice. It makes Prince Far I sound smooth as Sade. This one should be required listening for the members of Still Flyin'. It'll totally help out that dude who wrote Jah Va.
Bugs Eat Books -- Ghosts of Leaves
I can't get enough of this record. Thanks for tossing a copy my way last summer, Rob. It's been in ultra heavy rotation ever since. I agree with what SA wrote about this one.
Drive By Truckers -- The Dirty South
Not sure if this one is for everyone who reads this weblog, but I think it's great. Southern Rock, and man, can they tell some tales. Songs of moonshine, gambling, drug running and Buford Pusser.
Crime Mob -- Crime Mob
Crime Mob does not beat around the bush. These kids from Ellenwood Area are just too crunk for metaphor or clever wordplay. They lay it out plain and simple with songs like "I'll Beat Your Azz," "Knuck if U Buck," and "Stillettos (Pumps)."
v/a -- The Third Unheard: Connecticut Hip Hop 1979-1983
Old Connecticut rap compilation put together by Peanut Butter Wolf. Ultimate party jams from Mr. Magic and the 11 year old Pookie Blow.
Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf -- Big Shots
Another killer reish from P.B Wolf's stone's throw label. These dudes were signed to a major in the early 90's and just as this record was set to drop and blow the lid off the world, Charizma died and the record was shelved. Some great stuff on here. Recurring subjects include apple juice and hitting skins.
Animal Collective -- Sung Tongs / Panda Bear -- Young Prayer
As good as everyone says. If the song "Our Prayer" on Smile lasted 40 minutes, you'd have P. Bear's "Young Prayer." And Sean, what the fuck kind of classical music are you listening to? this shit ain't no Mozart! maybe xenakis or stockhaussen's orchestral stuff?
Aerial Pink -- Haunted graffiti
This is the first record I've heard in a long time that initially struck me as "weird." I don't think I can even accurately describe this one. Sounds kinda like ELO recorded on an answering machine, with beatboxed drum sounds. A Fave of the Animal Collective.
--- side story connecting 2 entries on my list ---
so I'm browsing the jan '05 ish of "fader" mag looking for the cover article on Dungen, but berore I get the scoop on the sweed, I find an up and coming artist profile on Aerial Pink. It's one of those bands on the rise things. Ol' Pink seems much more coherent that I expected. Oh well. so I turn the page to find a similar article on that Athens' band the Whigs, and they're just chillin at Calente cab. Unexpected. but when I actually read the thing I realize that half the article is them talking about their friend Billy Bennett and how they played on the Jomo Jam cruise this past year. While I can't say I'm a huge fan of their music, I do admire their choice of friends, residence and lifestyle.
Dungen -- Ta Det Lungt
Turned on to this one by SA days before the year ended. Found a copy in Wuxtry. Rulz.
Brian Wilson -- Smile
Like everyone else, I was totally amazed that the awful idea of completing Smile 30 years later actually worked. And worked so well it did.
Joanna Newsome -- The Milk-Eyed Mender
What's not to like about a lil' harp playing elf singing about blowjobs given in roadside ditches?
Devendra Banhart - all that '04 stuff Pete Seeger for the LSD crowd.
Songs I just couldn't get enough of:
Huffman Prairie Flying Field -- Guided By Voices
The last song on GBV's final record. A fitting end to the band's discograpy. While the 4 or 5 preceding songs kinda suck, this one blazes righteously into forever. A near perfect anthem. Bob Pollard sounds so tired as he sings the final refrain of "for far too long" which goes on for about a minute and a half before fading out. But honestly this hook wouldn't get old even if it went on for an hour.
Little Rage -- The Mice
Another great band from Ohio. They put out 2 records in the 80's which were just recently reissued. Anyway, this is just a great pop song worth checking out.
Snoop Dogg -- Drop it like it's hot
I really like this one for its pro-gang message.
Alozade and Hollow Point -- Under Mi Sensi
This song is featured on the comp 600% Dynamite, and I'm not sure if it even came out in 2004, but I was introduced to its might in MB's Mazda Tribute early last January on the way to Jay and Amy's post new year's fondu/karaoke-a-thon. The song, which is some sort of odd electro-funk-reggae thing with a speak and spell into about cocaine and marijuana, set the tone for the night, except the cocaine and marijuana were replaced by gin and those giant steely japanese beers and falling down on the MJQ dancefloor. The night was a real barn burner (Alozade and Hollow Point deserve some of the credit) that could only rightly be followed up with a rejuvenating trip to endless shrimp at Red Lobster the next afternoon.
Jay Z -- 99 Problems (Dangermouse version)
The Rick Reuben version is pretty good, but this one jsut blows it out of the water and gets me really riled up.
Stuff I liked best this past year. Presented in no order.
V/A -- Nice Up The Dance
Soul Jazz went and dug up some more mind blowing tunes. This comp focuses on Dancehall/Hip Hop fusion type stuff, and man does it wail. My fav track is "synthesizer voice" featuring Pompidu and his so gruff voice. It makes Prince Far I sound smooth as Sade. This one should be required listening for the members of Still Flyin'. It'll totally help out that dude who wrote Jah Va.
Bugs Eat Books -- Ghosts of Leaves
I can't get enough of this record. Thanks for tossing a copy my way last summer, Rob. It's been in ultra heavy rotation ever since. I agree with what SA wrote about this one.
Drive By Truckers -- The Dirty South
Not sure if this one is for everyone who reads this weblog, but I think it's great. Southern Rock, and man, can they tell some tales. Songs of moonshine, gambling, drug running and Buford Pusser.
Crime Mob -- Crime Mob
Crime Mob does not beat around the bush. These kids from Ellenwood Area are just too crunk for metaphor or clever wordplay. They lay it out plain and simple with songs like "I'll Beat Your Azz," "Knuck if U Buck," and "Stillettos (Pumps)."
v/a -- The Third Unheard: Connecticut Hip Hop 1979-1983
Old Connecticut rap compilation put together by Peanut Butter Wolf. Ultimate party jams from Mr. Magic and the 11 year old Pookie Blow.
Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf -- Big Shots
Another killer reish from P.B Wolf's stone's throw label. These dudes were signed to a major in the early 90's and just as this record was set to drop and blow the lid off the world, Charizma died and the record was shelved. Some great stuff on here. Recurring subjects include apple juice and hitting skins.
Animal Collective -- Sung Tongs / Panda Bear -- Young Prayer
As good as everyone says. If the song "Our Prayer" on Smile lasted 40 minutes, you'd have P. Bear's "Young Prayer." And Sean, what the fuck kind of classical music are you listening to? this shit ain't no Mozart! maybe xenakis or stockhaussen's orchestral stuff?
Aerial Pink -- Haunted graffiti
This is the first record I've heard in a long time that initially struck me as "weird." I don't think I can even accurately describe this one. Sounds kinda like ELO recorded on an answering machine, with beatboxed drum sounds. A Fave of the Animal Collective.
--- side story connecting 2 entries on my list ---
so I'm browsing the jan '05 ish of "fader" mag looking for the cover article on Dungen, but berore I get the scoop on the sweed, I find an up and coming artist profile on Aerial Pink. It's one of those bands on the rise things. Ol' Pink seems much more coherent that I expected. Oh well. so I turn the page to find a similar article on that Athens' band the Whigs, and they're just chillin at Calente cab. Unexpected. but when I actually read the thing I realize that half the article is them talking about their friend Billy Bennett and how they played on the Jomo Jam cruise this past year. While I can't say I'm a huge fan of their music, I do admire their choice of friends, residence and lifestyle.
Dungen -- Ta Det Lungt
Turned on to this one by SA days before the year ended. Found a copy in Wuxtry. Rulz.
Brian Wilson -- Smile
Like everyone else, I was totally amazed that the awful idea of completing Smile 30 years later actually worked. And worked so well it did.
Joanna Newsome -- The Milk-Eyed Mender
What's not to like about a lil' harp playing elf singing about blowjobs given in roadside ditches?
Devendra Banhart - all that '04 stuff Pete Seeger for the LSD crowd.
Songs I just couldn't get enough of:
Huffman Prairie Flying Field -- Guided By Voices
The last song on GBV's final record. A fitting end to the band's discograpy. While the 4 or 5 preceding songs kinda suck, this one blazes righteously into forever. A near perfect anthem. Bob Pollard sounds so tired as he sings the final refrain of "for far too long" which goes on for about a minute and a half before fading out. But honestly this hook wouldn't get old even if it went on for an hour.
Little Rage -- The Mice
Another great band from Ohio. They put out 2 records in the 80's which were just recently reissued. Anyway, this is just a great pop song worth checking out.
Snoop Dogg -- Drop it like it's hot
I really like this one for its pro-gang message.
Alozade and Hollow Point -- Under Mi Sensi
This song is featured on the comp 600% Dynamite, and I'm not sure if it even came out in 2004, but I was introduced to its might in MB's Mazda Tribute early last January on the way to Jay and Amy's post new year's fondu/karaoke-a-thon. The song, which is some sort of odd electro-funk-reggae thing with a speak and spell into about cocaine and marijuana, set the tone for the night, except the cocaine and marijuana were replaced by gin and those giant steely japanese beers and falling down on the MJQ dancefloor. The night was a real barn burner (Alozade and Hollow Point deserve some of the credit) that could only rightly be followed up with a rejuvenating trip to endless shrimp at Red Lobster the next afternoon.
Jay Z -- 99 Problems (Dangermouse version)
The Rick Reuben version is pretty good, but this one jsut blows it out of the water and gets me really riled up.
Friday, January 14, 2005
newspaper wars
I wish every city could have at least two major daily newspapers, so that the inevitable petty sniping and backbiting could be enjoyed by Americans everywhere. A big brouhaha has broken out up here over the last ten days or so. The New York Times Company, the Boston Globe's corporate overlord, announced last week that they were buying 49% of the Boston Metro from their Scandinavian owners. The Metro is a free weekday tabloid best known locally for its single paragraph stories and as the most efficient source of subway litter ever devised by man. They also employ the most annoying newspaper barkers I've ever encountered. The Metro is truly a most pathetic excuse for a newspaper; it makes the Red and Black look like the London Times. Since the Metro's introduction to Boston a few years ago, the circulation of rival (and not free) tabloid the Boston Herald has plummetted, forcing them to try several different makeovers. For a while, apparently, the Herald even tried to write about real news, and not just focus on local sports, spectacular crime, and why the liberals want to rape Jesus. Seriousness failed as miserably as everything else they tried, though, so eventually they reverted back to a typically shrill, pandering, and inflammatory tabloid. That might be a disservice to the intelligence and understanding of their readership, but it guarantees at least one headline a week that just fuckin rocks.
Anyway, the Globe and the Herald have been mortal enemies for years, and although both were taking some massive hits, the Herald was struggling mightily even before those meddlesome Swedes and their Metro struck at the Herald's bread and butter. When the Times Company announced they were buying into the Metro, and would share some editorial resources between that paper and the Globe, the Herald, somewhat understandably, went ballistic, and threatened an antitrust lawsuit, despite owning over one hundred local and regional paperes throughout Massachusetts and New England. This is all pretty boring stuff, to be sure, unless you're interested in the internecine squabbles between two dying dinosaurs.
But then, this past Monday, a story broke on MediaChannel.org about racist jokes told by Metro executives at various company meetings. The folks at the Herald, who obviously aren't as stupid as they believe their readership to be, broke out the Pearl Harbor font-size for Tuesday's headline about the Metro's institutional racism. The Herald has had two headlines about it this week, and if you didn't know better you'd think it was the biggest story since Fatty Arbuckle mislocated his bottle. The Herald has been screaming with the sort of moral indignation they normally reserve for Catholic priest abuse scandals and John Kerry campaigns. The Globe, meanwhile, can barely tear itself away from its costume balls and society luncheons to offer a response, while the general populace of Boston refuses to give even a fraction of an iota of a shit. One Swede got canned, another got relocated (and promoted), but the Herald, and the African American groups it usually despises but is currently aligned with, are not placated. The African American groups rightfully demand an overhaul of the Metro's corporate culture, whereas the Herald won't rest until the Metro has been eviscerated, burned to the ground, and its barren fields salted and paved. It is all very trivial, unimportant stuff, but due to the Herald's reliable awesomeness at exaggeration and crisis manufacturing, it's been an interesting story to keep an eye on the last few days.
Dan Kennedy at the Boston Phoenix (which is about as hopeless as the Herald and Metro) has been doing a good job of covering this whole situation from the start over at his media log.
I wish every city could have at least two major daily newspapers, so that the inevitable petty sniping and backbiting could be enjoyed by Americans everywhere. A big brouhaha has broken out up here over the last ten days or so. The New York Times Company, the Boston Globe's corporate overlord, announced last week that they were buying 49% of the Boston Metro from their Scandinavian owners. The Metro is a free weekday tabloid best known locally for its single paragraph stories and as the most efficient source of subway litter ever devised by man. They also employ the most annoying newspaper barkers I've ever encountered. The Metro is truly a most pathetic excuse for a newspaper; it makes the Red and Black look like the London Times. Since the Metro's introduction to Boston a few years ago, the circulation of rival (and not free) tabloid the Boston Herald has plummetted, forcing them to try several different makeovers. For a while, apparently, the Herald even tried to write about real news, and not just focus on local sports, spectacular crime, and why the liberals want to rape Jesus. Seriousness failed as miserably as everything else they tried, though, so eventually they reverted back to a typically shrill, pandering, and inflammatory tabloid. That might be a disservice to the intelligence and understanding of their readership, but it guarantees at least one headline a week that just fuckin rocks.
Anyway, the Globe and the Herald have been mortal enemies for years, and although both were taking some massive hits, the Herald was struggling mightily even before those meddlesome Swedes and their Metro struck at the Herald's bread and butter. When the Times Company announced they were buying into the Metro, and would share some editorial resources between that paper and the Globe, the Herald, somewhat understandably, went ballistic, and threatened an antitrust lawsuit, despite owning over one hundred local and regional paperes throughout Massachusetts and New England. This is all pretty boring stuff, to be sure, unless you're interested in the internecine squabbles between two dying dinosaurs.
But then, this past Monday, a story broke on MediaChannel.org about racist jokes told by Metro executives at various company meetings. The folks at the Herald, who obviously aren't as stupid as they believe their readership to be, broke out the Pearl Harbor font-size for Tuesday's headline about the Metro's institutional racism. The Herald has had two headlines about it this week, and if you didn't know better you'd think it was the biggest story since Fatty Arbuckle mislocated his bottle. The Herald has been screaming with the sort of moral indignation they normally reserve for Catholic priest abuse scandals and John Kerry campaigns. The Globe, meanwhile, can barely tear itself away from its costume balls and society luncheons to offer a response, while the general populace of Boston refuses to give even a fraction of an iota of a shit. One Swede got canned, another got relocated (and promoted), but the Herald, and the African American groups it usually despises but is currently aligned with, are not placated. The African American groups rightfully demand an overhaul of the Metro's corporate culture, whereas the Herald won't rest until the Metro has been eviscerated, burned to the ground, and its barren fields salted and paved. It is all very trivial, unimportant stuff, but due to the Herald's reliable awesomeness at exaggeration and crisis manufacturing, it's been an interesting story to keep an eye on the last few days.
Dan Kennedy at the Boston Phoenix (which is about as hopeless as the Herald and Metro) has been doing a good job of covering this whole situation from the start over at his media log.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
it makes the airport bearable
As a part of their year-in-review coverage, the Flagpole asked their writers to submit a list of their favorite sounds of the year. I wasn’t able to get anything turned in on time (I was too busy making up for all the years I’d been saving myself for marriage), but that doesn’t really matter, because there was only one sound I truly loved in 2004. I had to hang out at Hartsfield (or whatever they’re calling it now) on a few occasions this year, in April, July, and August, and every time I found myself entranced by the hum made by those auto-compacting trash-cans they have. It took me an hour to realize what the tone was the first time I encountered it; every five minutes or so I would hear this mechanical whirring, followed by a bright, inviting drone that would last for a few seconds. It almost felt like a flash of light more than a sound. It made me think of warm autumn afternoons, riding in the back of a wagon full of hay, rolling over verdant fields covered in red and orange leaves. I had no idea where it was coming from, and for a while I thought I was maybe going insane and hearing things in my head. I was both relieved and excited when I found out what was making the sound. I am proud to live in a country that has musical trash-cans that sound like LaMonte Young. In the future, radio, tv, and the internet will be replaced as the prime disseminators of popular music by automatic trash-cans, and at that time a new era of American cultural preeminence shall have arrived. Even if the damn things are made in Japan or somewhere.
As a part of their year-in-review coverage, the Flagpole asked their writers to submit a list of their favorite sounds of the year. I wasn’t able to get anything turned in on time (I was too busy making up for all the years I’d been saving myself for marriage), but that doesn’t really matter, because there was only one sound I truly loved in 2004. I had to hang out at Hartsfield (or whatever they’re calling it now) on a few occasions this year, in April, July, and August, and every time I found myself entranced by the hum made by those auto-compacting trash-cans they have. It took me an hour to realize what the tone was the first time I encountered it; every five minutes or so I would hear this mechanical whirring, followed by a bright, inviting drone that would last for a few seconds. It almost felt like a flash of light more than a sound. It made me think of warm autumn afternoons, riding in the back of a wagon full of hay, rolling over verdant fields covered in red and orange leaves. I had no idea where it was coming from, and for a while I thought I was maybe going insane and hearing things in my head. I was both relieved and excited when I found out what was making the sound. I am proud to live in a country that has musical trash-cans that sound like LaMonte Young. In the future, radio, tv, and the internet will be replaced as the prime disseminators of popular music by automatic trash-cans, and at that time a new era of American cultural preeminence shall have arrived. Even if the damn things are made in Japan or somewhere.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Wait a Minute, Chester
I think there are more proper names in the Band's "The Weight" than in every Bob Dylan song and British indie-rock song-title combined.
I think there are more proper names in the Band's "The Weight" than in every Bob Dylan song and British indie-rock song-title combined.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
please explain something to me
Why the fuck does anyone like the Fiery Furnaces. This band is so incredibly iritating I want to punture my ears with a pencil. "Taco-Lettuce crunch" shut the fuck up! AHHHH
Why the fuck does anyone like the Fiery Furnaces. This band is so incredibly iritating I want to punture my ears with a pencil. "Taco-Lettuce crunch" shut the fuck up! AHHHH
ZIG
I've already spent way too much time on this list- especially when considering how many of these albums I haven't heard yet (The Streets, Futureheads, RTX, Comets on Fire, Dungen, and The Arcade Fire (though I did just order that last album after hearing only one song, "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)"). Since it's occasionally difficult for me to put things in a definite order, I've simply broken my list into tiers and then organized them alphabetically.
Honorable Mentions:
Animal Collective: Maybe this would have been higher on my list if I hadn't heard that it was the "Album of the Year" by about 10 different people before listening to it. There are some fantastic songs on here ("Leaf House" is one of my favorite songs of the year), but the album's a bit too uneven to make it into a higher echelon for me.
Brian Wilson: I just got this one recently, so I haven't been able to listen to it enough quite yet. This one might be higher in a few weeks.
The Fiery Furnaces: This is definitely the most original album of the year and I'm continually surprised and amazed by it when I listen to it. But it loses a few points with me because I have to be in the right mood to listen to it.
Kanye West: Yep, Hillary was right on this guy from Day 1. While he won't ever be as wacky and interesting as Andre 3000, this album's pretty damned awesome in its own right.
Secret Machines: There are some pretty epic songs on this record and I'm looking forward to their upcoming show.
Sonic Youth: Had Murray Street not been so great, Sonic Nurse might have been higher on this list.
The Walkmen: I know that there's a backlash against bands like this now, but song for song, this is one of the most solid albums of the year. I'm pretty amazed by how much mileage they get out of so few words on their more recent single, “Little House of Savages†(which is also one of my favorite songs of the year).
Numbers 2 –
5:Joanna Newsome: Hillary gave this album to me a couple of weeks ago and I listened to it on the drive home to Warner Robins, which was probably the perfect way to hear it since this is one of the most emotional albums of the year.
The Liars: I was pretty shocked by how much I ended up liking this album- one of the few things that really lived up to the hype for me this year.
Lil Flip Scoldjah: If only the Masta Cylindaz would have been as good as this album…sigh. If we suck again next year, I may have to retire from the Footbizzle League out of guilt for letting Croxton down.
Xiu Xiu: Like the Animal Collective's entry, this album's a tad bit uneven. However, the highs are higher on Fabulous Muscles and I tend to respect or admire its lows moreso than on Sung Tongs. Besides, “I Luv the Valley†is my favorite song of the year.
Album of the Year:Loretta Lynn – Van Lear Rose: There's not a single song on this album that isn't good—at the very least. And half of them are great. As a matter of fact, this album's so great that it's one of the reasons that I recently rejoined BMG; I wanna hear some of Lynn's older stuff now. Not liking the White Stripes and/or Jack White is not a reason to avoid this album. If anything, it's more of a reason to go back and re-listen to the White Stripes to give them more attention.
Zig
I've already spent way too much time on this list- especially when considering how many of these albums I haven't heard yet (The Streets, Futureheads, RTX, Comets on Fire, Dungen, and The Arcade Fire (though I did just order that last album after hearing only one song, "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)"). Since it's occasionally difficult for me to put things in a definite order, I've simply broken my list into tiers and then organized them alphabetically.
Honorable Mentions:
Animal Collective: Maybe this would have been higher on my list if I hadn't heard that it was the "Album of the Year" by about 10 different people before listening to it. There are some fantastic songs on here ("Leaf House" is one of my favorite songs of the year), but the album's a bit too uneven to make it into a higher echelon for me.
Brian Wilson: I just got this one recently, so I haven't been able to listen to it enough quite yet. This one might be higher in a few weeks.
The Fiery Furnaces: This is definitely the most original album of the year and I'm continually surprised and amazed by it when I listen to it. But it loses a few points with me because I have to be in the right mood to listen to it.
Kanye West: Yep, Hillary was right on this guy from Day 1. While he won't ever be as wacky and interesting as Andre 3000, this album's pretty damned awesome in its own right.
Secret Machines: There are some pretty epic songs on this record and I'm looking forward to their upcoming show.
Sonic Youth: Had Murray Street not been so great, Sonic Nurse might have been higher on this list.
The Walkmen: I know that there's a backlash against bands like this now, but song for song, this is one of the most solid albums of the year. I'm pretty amazed by how much mileage they get out of so few words on their more recent single, “Little House of Savages†(which is also one of my favorite songs of the year).
Numbers 2 –
5:Joanna Newsome: Hillary gave this album to me a couple of weeks ago and I listened to it on the drive home to Warner Robins, which was probably the perfect way to hear it since this is one of the most emotional albums of the year.
The Liars: I was pretty shocked by how much I ended up liking this album- one of the few things that really lived up to the hype for me this year.
Lil Flip Scoldjah: If only the Masta Cylindaz would have been as good as this album…sigh. If we suck again next year, I may have to retire from the Footbizzle League out of guilt for letting Croxton down.
Xiu Xiu: Like the Animal Collective's entry, this album's a tad bit uneven. However, the highs are higher on Fabulous Muscles and I tend to respect or admire its lows moreso than on Sung Tongs. Besides, “I Luv the Valley†is my favorite song of the year.
Album of the Year:Loretta Lynn – Van Lear Rose: There's not a single song on this album that isn't good—at the very least. And half of them are great. As a matter of fact, this album's so great that it's one of the reasons that I recently rejoined BMG; I wanna hear some of Lynn's older stuff now. Not liking the White Stripes and/or Jack White is not a reason to avoid this album. If anything, it's more of a reason to go back and re-listen to the White Stripes to give them more attention.
Zig
Putting '04 to rest
OK, so I finally got around to doing a list also, and while I don't have the patience to write as much as DJ did about each record, I thought I would toss a few notes about why I liked these records.
1. Interpol - Antics
Working at a radio station, I find myself coming home with handfulls of records practically everyday, but more often than not I will give a record a listen or two and then leave it be. With the new Interpol record I found myself coming back to it again and again. I wanted to put records on this list that I knew I was going to be able to enjoy for years to come, not just to be able to name drop cool bands here and there. Say what you want about Interpol, but at the end of the day they write great songs and put on a fantastic live show. My favorite thing about this record is that it's only 10 songs deep, so I really feel like I get to spend time with them and not have the gems get lost in a record that 18 tracks deep or 75 minutes long. Keep up the good work men, you have yet to dissapoint.
2. Mastodon - Leviathan
Another reason the ATL is never going to called Atlantis. The greatest metal band in the world, Mastodon calls this place home. They wrote a record based around Moby Dick, how fucking rad is that. I'm going o be checking these guys out on New Years at the Clairmont Lounge. Aparently, they are only the fourth band to ever play there besides Shellac, Smoke and the Rent Boys. That could be some misinformation, but but either way they will be bringing in the new year proppa like. For those of you that normally don't like metal, there will be a song of theirs on the Year end best of comp, so listen with open ears. They are an amazingly complex band, and even though you probably can't understand them the lyrics aren't your typical metal bad fare. (p.s. I saw them they ruled.)
3. The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free
No this isn't just a white dude from England rapping. Mike Skinner is an amazing story teller and his concept album about losing $1000 only to find it in the back of his television is brilliant. I wish the version of "Dry Your Eyes" with Chris Martin was the one that made the record, but oh well. I also gotta say that all the English chicks on the records sound really hot. They probably aren't though. Oh well. Cheers on a great record Mike, but watch the gambling bro, I heard you've got a bit of a problem.
4. Kanye West - College Dropout
Thankfully someone came along to shake up the mainstream hip-hop scene. Kanye's unique production was a breath of freah air on the radio, and the depth of his record was suprising coming from Roc-A -Fella. Kanye also stepped up the hip-hop style ditchin' the throwbacks for some Izods. College Dropout is also a record that has song after song that rules. I think there were 6 singles released off this record and some of those songs asre great, there are at least 6 other tracks that I liked better than Jesus Walks or Slow Jamz. It'll be intersting to see how he follows all the hype.
5. Je Suis France – Tittania EP
I hope Ryan, Chris and Sean enjoyed this as much as I did. Nice work gents.
6. The Fall – The Real New Fall LP
Sparta F.C. is probably one of my favorite songs of the year, so is this album. I didn’t really start getting into these guys until this year. Not too shabby for an old geezer and a bunch of hired guns
7. Guided By Voices – Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Speaking of old geezers. I didn’t dislike this record as much as a lot of other people did. Sure it’s not their best, but a great record none the less. I wish I could have been there at the last show.
8. Comets on Fire – Blue Cathedral
DJ wrote a better review than I could
9.Death From Above 1979 – You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
This beats ass. (Period)
10.Secret Machines – Now Here Is Nowhere
I want to see what these dudes will be able to do to follow up this record. I think they are amazing, but I think I’m more interested to see where they can take it from here. They have the potential to anything, especially from a live perspective. Both times I’ve seen them they have been really good, but I think that they could add so much more to make it a total mind fuck show. Solid official debut
OK, so I finally got around to doing a list also, and while I don't have the patience to write as much as DJ did about each record, I thought I would toss a few notes about why I liked these records.
1. Interpol - Antics
Working at a radio station, I find myself coming home with handfulls of records practically everyday, but more often than not I will give a record a listen or two and then leave it be. With the new Interpol record I found myself coming back to it again and again. I wanted to put records on this list that I knew I was going to be able to enjoy for years to come, not just to be able to name drop cool bands here and there. Say what you want about Interpol, but at the end of the day they write great songs and put on a fantastic live show. My favorite thing about this record is that it's only 10 songs deep, so I really feel like I get to spend time with them and not have the gems get lost in a record that 18 tracks deep or 75 minutes long. Keep up the good work men, you have yet to dissapoint.
2. Mastodon - Leviathan
Another reason the ATL is never going to called Atlantis. The greatest metal band in the world, Mastodon calls this place home. They wrote a record based around Moby Dick, how fucking rad is that. I'm going o be checking these guys out on New Years at the Clairmont Lounge. Aparently, they are only the fourth band to ever play there besides Shellac, Smoke and the Rent Boys. That could be some misinformation, but but either way they will be bringing in the new year proppa like. For those of you that normally don't like metal, there will be a song of theirs on the Year end best of comp, so listen with open ears. They are an amazingly complex band, and even though you probably can't understand them the lyrics aren't your typical metal bad fare. (p.s. I saw them they ruled.)
3. The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free
No this isn't just a white dude from England rapping. Mike Skinner is an amazing story teller and his concept album about losing $1000 only to find it in the back of his television is brilliant. I wish the version of "Dry Your Eyes" with Chris Martin was the one that made the record, but oh well. I also gotta say that all the English chicks on the records sound really hot. They probably aren't though. Oh well. Cheers on a great record Mike, but watch the gambling bro, I heard you've got a bit of a problem.
4. Kanye West - College Dropout
Thankfully someone came along to shake up the mainstream hip-hop scene. Kanye's unique production was a breath of freah air on the radio, and the depth of his record was suprising coming from Roc-A -Fella. Kanye also stepped up the hip-hop style ditchin' the throwbacks for some Izods. College Dropout is also a record that has song after song that rules. I think there were 6 singles released off this record and some of those songs asre great, there are at least 6 other tracks that I liked better than Jesus Walks or Slow Jamz. It'll be intersting to see how he follows all the hype.
5. Je Suis France – Tittania EP
I hope Ryan, Chris and Sean enjoyed this as much as I did. Nice work gents.
6. The Fall – The Real New Fall LP
Sparta F.C. is probably one of my favorite songs of the year, so is this album. I didn’t really start getting into these guys until this year. Not too shabby for an old geezer and a bunch of hired guns
7. Guided By Voices – Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Speaking of old geezers. I didn’t dislike this record as much as a lot of other people did. Sure it’s not their best, but a great record none the less. I wish I could have been there at the last show.
8. Comets on Fire – Blue Cathedral
DJ wrote a better review than I could
9.Death From Above 1979 – You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
This beats ass. (Period)
10.Secret Machines – Now Here Is Nowhere
I want to see what these dudes will be able to do to follow up this record. I think they are amazing, but I think I’m more interested to see where they can take it from here. They have the potential to anything, especially from a live perspective. Both times I’ve seen them they have been really good, but I think that they could add so much more to make it a total mind fuck show. Solid official debut
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
this isn't just hometeam bias (i think)
So Bonds is a lock for the Hall, the "clear" and the "cream" be damned, and I'm sure Pete Rose will eventually wind up there, as well. Those two inevitabilities will only serve to further highlight the injustice of Dale Murphy's exclusion from the Hall of Fame.
I don't understand how so many writers can vote for a player one year but not the next. It's not like Murph's stats have changed any. It's unreasonable to compare players from the past with those from today, so the fact that four or five more guys have hit their 500th home runs over the last few seasons shouldn't impact a vote for Murphy, especially in light of BALCO and the overall steroids scandal. The whole damn thing is just a dirty low-down shame.
So Bonds is a lock for the Hall, the "clear" and the "cream" be damned, and I'm sure Pete Rose will eventually wind up there, as well. Those two inevitabilities will only serve to further highlight the injustice of Dale Murphy's exclusion from the Hall of Fame.
I don't understand how so many writers can vote for a player one year but not the next. It's not like Murph's stats have changed any. It's unreasonable to compare players from the past with those from today, so the fact that four or five more guys have hit their 500th home runs over the last few seasons shouldn't impact a vote for Murphy, especially in light of BALCO and the overall steroids scandal. The whole damn thing is just a dirty low-down shame.
Monday, January 03, 2005
it's already wrong
I've got a comment-free list of what I done liked up at DOA. I've already had to revise it some. Will repost with comments here in a day or two.
One record I did not add during the revision: Gwen Stefani's fashion line advertisement. Some of the music is great, and much of it is fair to bad, but the lyrics are pretty much the worst shit ever. The thing the Neptunes did, "Hollaback Girl", might be the worst event since Phil Hartman's death. The wife bought the record this weekend. She likes it less than I do.
I've got a comment-free list of what I done liked up at DOA. I've already had to revise it some. Will repost with comments here in a day or two.
One record I did not add during the revision: Gwen Stefani's fashion line advertisement. Some of the music is great, and much of it is fair to bad, but the lyrics are pretty much the worst shit ever. The thing the Neptunes did, "Hollaback Girl", might be the worst event since Phil Hartman's death. The wife bought the record this weekend. She likes it less than I do.
