tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26548586374193015902024-03-20T21:13:12.445-07:00The Odd Cover VersionMore than anything, this will be a continued meditation on the insights of playing in an unsigned band....
And yes, music will be discussed with my utmost biased opinion....Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-80305088290862552822015-04-08T21:53:00.001-07:002015-04-08T21:53:59.468-07:00Obscure Albums That You Should Hear Before You Die: Part 1As one of the few surviving people of the Digital Apocalypse over the past 15 years, I still buy albums on CD. I have my reasons for this... Reasons that I could elaborate in blog-length form, but I will currently save for another time.<br />
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What this old-fashioned habit of mine does afford me is the revered importance of the music album as a whole. Currently, you can go to iTunes and buy whatever songs like off an album and be done with it and move on to the next one. The problem with this mindset is that you, as the listener, miss out on songs that didn't immediately catch your attention and never truly got a chance to appreciate. I mean really, should we as a the listener be simply content to appreciate only the songs that are immediately catchy to us? For me, some of my favorite albums were ones I had <i>work</i> at liking. I mean seriously, as listeners, we should put a little effort into it!</div>
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Now, I could go on at even further length about this... But that's not the point of <i>this</i> blog update. </div>
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I was once asked by my friend, <i>(and drummer in my band)</i>, to make a list of 5 important albums for him to listen to - specifically ones that he'd never heard or possibly never knew existed. And... as a bonafide music-geek, I had quite the time compiling that short list for him...</div>
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Coincidentally, one of those albums is the one that I'm going to dissect in this, the first of a series of blogs covering obscure albums that <i>you</i>, the mass public should hear..... At least once... And, <i>(whether you enjoy it or not)</i>, should appreciate for their impact on the current music you probably listen to....</div>
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So, without further ado...</div>
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<i>Artist: </i> John Cale </div>
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<i>Album:</i> Fear</div>
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<i>Year: </i> 1974</div>
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Hopefully, you have a vague idea of who John Cale is. If not, we'll make this quick: </div>
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Cale was the counterpart to Lou Reed in the infamous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Underground" target="_blank">Velvet Underground</a>, until leaving the group and pursuing his own solo career, etc... Much like Lou Reed eventually did, as well. </div>
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Classically trained and proficient on the viola and piano, Cale brought an avant-garde classicism to the Velvet Undergound's first two albums and these aspects also came into play with his solo albums... </div>
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Alright, enough history... </div>
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<b><u>Side A</u></b></div>
This album starts off with the track "Fear is a Man's Friend"... What seems to be a simplistic piano-based song, inevitably ends in a dissonant climax with Cale yelling the song's title repeatedly. The guitars in this song are fairly clean-sounding, with little distortion, while the bass guitar has a life of its own, rather becoming an integral part of the sonic framework instead of simply "keeping the beat."<br />
As an opener, this song certainly shows an example of proto-punk tendencies... A good 3 years before "punk" truly existed.....<i>(It should be noted that Cale produced the Stooges' <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stooges_(album)" target="_blank">debut album</a> and Patti Smith's "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_(album)" target="_blank">Horses</a>"... So, in my humble opinion, he's a bit of a Godfather of Punk Music)</i>...<br />
The ending cacophony of the first track suddenly gives way to it's polar opposite in the form of "Buffalo Ballet", a song that shows off the classical beauty of Cale's songwriting, comprised of piano, acoustic guitar, and lush orchestration.<br />
The rest of side A continues with the quirky "Barracuda", which brings back the guitar work and eventually fades out what could be considered a bit of viola solo - then, switching back to piano-based approach with "Emily." This song seems float along, with a timing that is not dissimilar to Brian Eno's "Deep Blue Day"... Not surprising, since Brian Eno played synthesizer and fellow Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera played on this album, as well.<br />
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<b><u>Side B</u></b></div>
The second half of this album holds what could be considered the center-piece of this album - the song "Gun." This song certainly retains some aspects of Cale's traits that were evident in the Velvet Underground, (perhaps more specifically, the Underground's "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Light/White_Heat" target="_blank">White Light/White Heat</a>"). We have a song that's 8 minutes long, partially droning in parts, and some cool guitar riffs throughout. It's vaguely bluesy... But what is really great about this song is the weird combination solo of an electric guitar being fed through a synthesizer being played by Eno in real-time. Basically a two-person synth/guitar solo happening simultaneously.. It sounds perfectly weird, awesome, and enlightening that there were people doing crazy stuff like this 40+ years ago.<br />
This is followed by the strange "The Man Who Couldn't Afford to Orgy" which wouldn't sound out of place on a Queen album like "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Night_at_the_Opera_(Queen_album)" target="_blank">A Night At the Oper</a>a", with its dips into cabaret such as "Lazing On a Sunday Afternoon", albeit that Cale and his band sound more relaxed and less dainty.<br />
"You Know More Than I Know" is back to an almost classicist-pop style, which has intermittently been Cale's main tactic with song-writing - basically a baroque-pop feel. Yet another example of subdued beauty, much like side A's "Buffalo Ballet."<br />
The album closes with "Momamma Scuba" which is a prime example of soulful rock and roll - filtered through an art-rock sound. It's strange, unsettling, and not an expected closer for an album. But what this final song accomplishes is the ability to make the listener wish there was more. It almost feels unfinished as the the final song fades. But it indeed leaves the listener feeling a bit uneasy, which is a not uncommon tactic with Cale's musical output over the years.<br />
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The good news is that Cale went on to do a string of critically acclaimed albums in the rest of the 70's. My personal suggestions for further listening are: "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Dazzle_(album)" target="_blank">Slow Dazzle</a>", "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_of_Troy_(album)" target="_blank">Helen of Troy</a>" and ...<i>(if you can find it or manage to get your hands on it)</i>... "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabotage/Live" target="_blank">Sabotage/Live</a>" recorded at CBGB's in 1979.<br />
One last particular that I should mention, is that when listening to this album - listen for the production style. These songs cover the range from simplistic rock band set-up to lush beautiful orchestration. Yet, each song exhibits a lot of space in the recording. In the first track, for instance, you can plainly pick out each individual instrument in the mix. And in the more complex songs, despite their lushness, you can still pick out individual instruments and parts. No ginormous Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" business here... Just a carefully produced and mixed album that still sounds amazing and relevant. So, please... Listen to this album with headphones... And enjoy... Or appreciate...<br />
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Till next time, take it easy!<br />
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Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-63443371252954146192015-01-01T20:31:00.001-08:002015-01-01T20:31:20.375-08:00Top 10 Albums of 2014... (More Or Less)... Oh, it's that time again... End of the year lists of this and that... And my inevitable... <i>(drum roll please)...</i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Top 10 Albums of 2014</span></b></div>
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First! <i>A preface</i>..<br />
Unlike last year... This year has proved to be a bit more difficult. Great pop albums were harder to come by. But there were several albums that had great staying power with me throughout the year, and even a nearly dead-last release date that made the cut-off point by only a week or two that made so I could round off this list.<br />
As always, this is a list of the most listened to and enjoyed albums I have had the opportunity to hear over the past year. If you're asking "Why didn't the new Ryan Adams or Tom Petty album make the list?" Well, it's because I haven't gotten the chance to listen to either of those yet. So keep your anger/frustrations for the comment section.<br />
So without further ado... Here they are...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World </span></b></div>
When I heard these guys were doing another album 10 years after their debut album, I was kinda excited already. For a band with one album from 2004, a remix album, and then a band-break-up under their belts, a new album is something of a miracle. But what is also a miracle is how f*cking good this album is!<br />
It's just 2 dudes with fuzzy bass guitar and drums and some minimal synths, but these guys have greatly exceeded expectations. Highlights are the already-on-the-radio "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrZxt476ef4" target="_blank">Trainwreck 1979</a>" and the killer "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zNh1lJkVRo" target="_blank">Right On, Frankenstein</a>." And it doesn't let up from there. Tired of the continually experimental Queens of the Stone Age? Well, these guys are making stoner-rock that you can shake your ass to. So pick it up!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Old 97's - Most Messed Up</b></span></div>
Admittedly, I've never been a huge fan of these guys. Don't get me wrong, they're a good band. But I found them as a band that my Best-Of compilation would cover most of the high points. And believe me, they have had some high-points, (i.e. "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcRc7Ng2ui0" target="_blank">Doreen</a>", "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is83WB7Ue1Y" target="_blank">Time Bomb</a>")... But I never felt they were an album band.<br />
So after 20 years of recording albums, these guys somehow made the best damn through and through alt-country album of their career this year. Hell, the first track, "Longer Than You've Been Alive" is a full-on homage to those 20 years in the band. But it's songs like "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dlmnVMTbC0" target="_blank">Let's Get Drunk and Get It On</a>" and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2OnZeMI0yo" target="_blank">This Is the Ballad</a>" that really show you how great of a songsmith Rhett Miller has become. And the band itself is in fine form with what sounds like literally live-in-the-studio recordings of these songs, giving them a sense of energy that I can only imagine is in full-force with their live shows.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">La Sera - Hour of the Dawn</span></b></div>
I stumbled on this album by accident, simply by walking through Music Millennium and they happened to be playing this very album. I had to go over and ask them who it was over the stereo.<br />
Needless to say, I walked out of there with this album.<br />
As a whole, this album sounds like it was recorded in 1992. Sorta like a hybrid between the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ronettes" target="_blank">Ronettes</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Breeders" target="_blank">Breeders</a>, this band makes music that will fit in with your Best Coast albums, but also shines brighter than those with <i>way </i>better guitar work, (see "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9riZ3HxmSzY" target="_blank">Losing to the Dark</a>" for some sweet Dinosaur Jr.-type soloing)...<br />
This album is best heard during the summer and gives off the feel of road trips to the beach. So, if you missed it this past summer, pick it up and be prepared for this next year!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Flaming Lips - With a Little Help From My Fwends</span></b></div>
Well, this one is going to divide a lot of people, (kind of like the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion), in that you either see it as a interesting and sometimes brilliant view of a classic album.... or.... a complete sacrilege and desecration of a classic album.<br />
If nothing else, you should at least give this album a listen to see which camp you're in. Obviously, I'm of the former camp. I really do enjoy this technicolor/acid-trip version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. With a wacky guest list that includes the likes of My Morning Jacket, Dr. Dog, Miley Cyrus, Tegan and Sara, Moby, Phantogram, etc...<br />
Sure, it's not the best thing the Lips have done in the past 10 years, but it's still a lot of fun!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Damon Albarn - Everyday Robots</span></b></div>
After years and years of work with Blur and the Gorillaz, we finally get a taste of the the first true solo album from Damon Albarn. And it's excellent.<br />
The songs are a perfect culmination of what Albarn's been doing in other projects over the past 10 years or more. Songs like "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9MMJgFKv24" target="_blank">Lonely Press Play</a>" and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODG3VRkncBc" target="_blank">Mr. Tembo</a>" have the feel of Albarn's world-music excursions and the subtle electronic elements of recent Gorillaz efforts - all the while providing basic everyday observations of isolation and modern life.<br />
The album is a great listen, if not a somber one. And if we're not getting a new Blur album anytime soon, it's go to know we have this solo effort to tide us over... <i>(Plus, having <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Eno" target="_blank">Brian Eno</a> guest in on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCUfitpIsW8" target="_blank">Heavy Seas of Love</a>"is just the cherry on top)...</i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Foster the People - Supermodel</span></b></div>
The bad news first: there's no "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ" target="_blank">Pumped Up Kicks</a>" on this album. But the good news is that Foster the People really sounds like a band now with good cohesive songs that dig into your ears upon further listens. Granted, I wish they had something as ridiculously catchy as "Pumped Up Kicks" - but I can be sufficed with a really solid pop album from these guys.<br />
The album isn't ground-breaking, but then again.... neither was their debut. But it does sound good, and the songs are definitely well-crafted - although not irritatingly catchy... Which in the long run, will serve this band well.<br />
In fact, maybe that's what I like about this album. There's no standout "single" on it. The songs are all nicely done, but none jumps out and says "Oh hey! <i>I'm</i> the single off this album!" One could argue that maybe it's not as good as the previous album, etc.. but that's really beside the point. It's a different album, made under different circumstances... Of course, it's not going to be the exact same thing we loved a couple years ago, and really... Should it have to be?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams</span></b></div>
I'm always stoked when I hear that there's going to be a new Hold Steady album. This year had a lot of build-up for this band and Teeth Dreams definitely comes through. This album is certainly a return to form, (sounding more like "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stay_Positive_(album)" target="_blank">Stay Positive</a>" or "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almost_Killed_Me" target="_blank">Almost Killed Me</a>"), and that could be due to less keyboard work on the album - (they seemed to be heading this direction after the departure of keyboardist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Nicolay" target="_blank">Franz Nicolay</a> anyway... Although, I enjoyed "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven_Is_Whenever" target="_blank">Heaven Is Whenever</a>" more than most critics/fans did, I suppose)...<br />
But with songs about doomsday preppers, ("<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttpYd5qN3dE" target="_blank">I Hope This Whole Thing Didn't Frighten You</a>"), isolated people in the big city, ("<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He6p6IITy7M" target="_blank">Spinners</a>"), Craig Finn takes us on welcome lyrical journeys that are at once unnerving <i>and</i> fascinating and all together extremely real.<br />
So for all you folks who can't handle Finn's talking/singing voice... Get over it! You're missing out on some intensely good song-writing here, and Teeth Dreams is an excellent place to start.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Various Artists - Guardians of the Galaxy Soundtrack</span></b></div>
Okay, it's not technically an album recorded this year - but it was compiled this year and is probably the most-listened to album in the past year for me... So much that my kids even became obsessed with it and had their own particular favorites.<br />
But honestly, this soundtrack is great.... If not just for Blue Swede's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrI-UBIB8Jk" target="_blank">Hooked On a Feeling</a>", but also for Redbone's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkr77jE5GFY" target="_blank">Come and Get Your Love</a>", and/or Elvin Bishop's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyMMEmwFQUE" target="_blank">Fooled Around and Fell In Love</a>" <i>(which I hadn't heard since back when I saw "Boogie Nights" for the first time...).</i>.. This soundtrack is just amazing on an impromptu road trip.<br />
You <i>should</i> already have this album..... And if you don't, I suggest you sneak off and pick it up...Your friends will be none the wiser...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cracker - Berkeley to Bakersfield</span></b></div>
This one slipped in a couple of weeks before the end of the year. In fact, I almost missed it's arrival. Cracker hadn't made an album since 2009, with David Lowery focusing more on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camper_Van_Beethoven" target="_blank">Camper Van Beethoven</a> stuff.<br />
But luckily, I found out about this release in the nick of time.<br />
So after 5 years since their last album, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_(band)" target="_blank">Cracker</a> releases a double album that showcases the 2 sides of this band. Disc 1: Berkeley tends toward the mid-90's alt-rock that Cracker has dappled with over the past 20 or more years, and even pulls out some funkiness with "El Cerrito" that is reminiscent of "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbbYp7dcYFo" target="_blank">Get Off This</a>" from their 90's heyday.<br />
Disc 2: Bakersfield trends more to the alt-country leanings that have become more and more predominant for this band. Johnny Hickman takes the mic for "California Country Boy" and "The San Bernardino Boy" which are some of the strongest he's sung since "Lonesome Johnny Blues" in 1993.<br />
Overall, the band wraps this all up in a nice package that despite being a double-album, it feels shorter and doesn't overstay it's welcome. And it's also nice to know that David Lowery is still the king of quirky, almost dada-esque, lyrics... <br />
Sometimes it's the things that don't change that give me the most listening joy... And the fact that Cracker is still making albums how they want to and when they want to gives me a nice a cozy feeling inside... <i>(Like a nice glass of whiskey).</i>..<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Perfume Genius - Too Bright</span></b></div>
Sometimes I find a good album that sneaks up on me... I found this album from internet perusing, and I'm glad I did. Probably the most soulful-sounding pop album I've come across in awhile.<br />
Starting things off with a sparse piano ballad with "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pip38Sbr31s" target="_blank">I Decline</a>" that sounds like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thom_Yorke" target="_blank">Thom Yorke</a> with a hell of a lot more soul, this album heads out into dark synth-pop tinged explorations. This is melancholy listening in it's finest form.<br />
There's certainly a minimalism to these songs that still manages to sound full and beautiful... Hmmmm.... Maybe imagine Lorde with less sparseness and...well.... way better songs. Or maybe like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatics_(band)" target="_blank">Chromatics</a> album, but less icy-cold. That's about all I can come up with.<br />
Well, words are going to convey how good this album is. So go hear it/experience it for yourself... Start with this track... "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7OSSUwPVM4" target="_blank">Queen</a>"...<br />
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So there's my top 10 albums... Now, bear in mind there were some other really good releases this year:<br />
The Black Keys' "Turn Blue" was quite good.<br />
Skrillex released a pretty damn good electronica album that wasn't completely overwhelmed by dubstep.<br />
Beck's "Morning Phase" was quite good, as well - the same for Lana Del Rey's "Ultraviolence"...<br />
Even Tweedy's release "Sukierae" was great, <i>(which I had had my doubts about).</i>..<br />
And one of my favorites was Wilco's "Alpha Mike Foxtrot" collection of rare tracks from the past 20 years... <br />
But for better or worse, those were my top 10 for this last year.. now yours?<br />
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Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-79378764754995307732014-12-20T09:43:00.003-08:002014-12-20T09:43:50.217-08:00"Bulletproof Coffee" - Take 1...So, since I can't seem to keep this blog updated consistently, I've decided to make a bit of New Year's Resolution with it and update it with all sorts of crap in the coming months... <i>(I give this about 3 months tops before I lose momentum and it ends up in the stack of my other old New Year's resolutions... hanging out there with "Run More", "Be Nicer", "Don't Make Fun of People", etc...)</i><br />
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So rest assured that within the next week there's gonna be my totally unbiased list of top albums of 2014... But till then... Let me tell you about the time I made Bulletproof coffee... <i>(uh... that time being 3 days ago)...</i></div>
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It'd be nice to say that I came across the whole <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulletproof_Coffee" target="_blank">Bulletproof Coffee</a> thing on my own, searching for something to make my body work more effectively and improve it's performance - as if I scoured the internet or went on my own journey to Nepal to see a bunch of Sherpas ingesting their ethnic variation of it. But no.</div>
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I read about it in Men's Journal....<br />
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Obviously, I'm not some fitness fanatic. Or nutritional nazi. I drink a bit more than I should. I sometimes eat horrible food, (rarely I might add). But I'm not without the vague interest of self-improvement. Thus, this article mentioned the possibility of this coffee giving me more energy <i>(God knows I need that)</i> and increase my IQ <i>(I definitely need that)</i>... So what the hell, I'll give it a shot.</div>
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All you apparently need is brewed coffee, coconut oil, and grass-fed butter. </div>
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Luckily, two of those ingredients are easy to find. The grass-fed butter required some quick internet searching while in the "Organic" section of Fred Meyer... <i>(Mainly, I was too damn cheap to head over to New Seasons or Whole Foods, and I didn't have any of my hipster friends to lead the way in this journey)...</i></div>
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But nonetheless, I found some "probably" grass-fed butter from New Zealand that should work... </div>
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Now, I know what you're thinking... "Dude... You're putting butter and coconut oil in coffee. Weird. Sounds like some sort of self-help fad." And yes. It smacks of an Atkins/grapefruit/South Beach diet fad from over the years. BUT.... </div>
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When I work 12 hour shifts, I tend to skip a morning meal and drink coffee before work anyway... And usually end my day only having had a lunch somewhere between 11:30am-2:00pm... So, an early morning alternative with some <i>(possible)</i> nutrient adjunct and <i>(possibly)</i> increased energy, is at least worth a try in my book.</div>
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Here's a quick breakdown of how it went...</div>
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0645: Well.... I pulled my ass out of bed, and before I woke the kids up for school I started the coffee a-brewing...<br />
Roughly 2 tablespoons of "grass-fed" butter... Unsalted, (by the way)... If you want it to get really weird, I suppose you could try it with salted butter... But I wouldn't suggest it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_EXZJmcUf_XPRufcHDkML6mowRJzn91mUY5434YrBXsUI4LswB4OBeaqkQFpZ3ADi5Nf7D7lTSnMEQDncipZg0XjJwPq0Fno5RVdRPO1ZVMiuIi-RUhNdHmo9oyEfe8ijUpmga3nzhvn/s1600/IMG_20141217_070705_594-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_EXZJmcUf_XPRufcHDkML6mowRJzn91mUY5434YrBXsUI4LswB4OBeaqkQFpZ3ADi5Nf7D7lTSnMEQDncipZg0XjJwPq0Fno5RVdRPO1ZVMiuIi-RUhNdHmo9oyEfe8ijUpmga3nzhvn/s1600/IMG_20141217_070705_594-1.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a> Then, I toss roughly 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in there as well... <i>(these all went into my wife's Magic Bullet for ease of blending purposes)</i>....<br />
The coffee's done, so I pour that into the ol' Magic Bullet there, and blend the hell out of it because I'm not too keen on having chunks of butter in a morning beverage.<br />
Surprisingly, it blends pretty well and and has a cool layering effect when viewed in a cup...<br />
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It doesn't look half bad... So, I toss this so-called "bulletproof coffee" into a mug and at long last.... give it a try.... <br />
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Honestly, it's not that bad.... In fact, it's quite good.... Kind of like a latte, in a fashion. So taste-wise... I can handle it and it's no big deal.<br />
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0830: I head to the gym... Run a couple miles<em>...(which I probably would have done anyway)...</em><br />
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0940: I head to Music Millennium to pick up some new music... I'm not hungry...yet....<em> (Oh, I should mention that this Bulletproof Coffee is to be used in place of eating a huge, carb-heavy breakfast.... Did I leave that out? Oops..)</em><br />
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1200: Alright, by about noon I'm getting hungry, but not ravenous... So, I have a normal lunch and spend most of the day not being energized, but somehow I don't feel as tired as I normally do in the late afternoon, <em>(where I would usually just drink another couple cups of coffee)....</em><br />
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2032: Alright... So, Bulletproof Coffee didn't change my life significantly... I'm still tired by the end of the day, but not completely exhausted.<br />
So maybe there's a bit to this crazy concoction...<br />
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Final Verdict: Okay. So it might not be a cure-all for making my body work better, but I did find it helpful for energy when used in place of a breakfast. Thus, I'm going to give this a secondary experiment over the next days that I work 12 hour shifts and see if there is a noticeable difference in my energy level throughout the day....<br />
It warrants further investigation... But on the other hand, it actually tastes pretty good. Just simply a variation on the ol' creamer added to your coffee. I guess those crazy Sherpas might be on to something.... But as far as the "life-changing" qualities go.... I'll get back to you in 5-6 days... I'll either increase my productivity... Or... Gain 50 pounds from all this butter.. The sky's the limit!<br />
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Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0Southeast Portland, Portland, OR, USA45.505177870525557 -122.5097995814453545.460669870525557 -122.59048058144535 45.549685870525558 -122.42911858144535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-49608523641422333772014-08-18T23:19:00.001-07:002014-08-22T20:16:27.217-07:00If 4 Were 6... or ...(How I Survived the Spokane to Sandpoint Relay)<span style="font-size: large;"><i> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Appropriate soundtrack to reading this week's blog, would be My Chemical Romance's "Desolation Row"</span></b></i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Where to begin again?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b><br />
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<b><u><i>Friday, August 15th, 2014 - Approximately 10:45am</i> </u>- Spokane, Washington</b><br />
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So, some how or another, I opted to do another relay race this year. Where this finds me is in my Chevy Traverse with 4 other people at the Spokane Airport, picking up our 6th member, Sarah.<i> (The names of all parties may or may not have been changed in order to protect the innocent... Although there weren't that many innocent people in our van) </i><br />
And as soon as Sarah's in the van, it's full throttle to our first check-in point on the outskirts of Spokane. Our counterpart in Van 1, <i>(also a group of six other classy individuals)</i>, has been running their legs of this crazy relay since approximately 8:15am this morning.<br />
Our course looks much like this:<br />
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So, it's going to be a long 24+ hours...<br />
We arrive at the first exchange point, and proceed to decorate our van with the only thing available, which happens to be washable chalk. So, to the windows we write our team name "Scrambled Legs and Achin'" and make labelled tally marks regarding how many kills* we've made, and/or how many beers have been drank, and how many Honey Bucket* visits have been accrued by our elite team.<br />
However, our first debacle of the day is when we realize that none of our directions and street names make any sense to the exchange point where we're located. We then realize that we have arrived at exchange point 7, not exchange point 6 at Sontag Park. We urgently pile in the van and take to the road in order to be in the appropriate spot to meet our teammates before their runner crosses the exchange.<br />
We're in luck, and we have a good 20 minutes or more of downtime in the park, which looks like this:<br />
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Then it really begins. Erik crosses the exchange, trading off the wrist wrap baton, <i>(if you will)</i>, that looks like these cool bracelets from the 80's, but with less neon colors. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rx6IzipWV1mag0GOmChnb6JbbLRIZRW0hHVkD1W7RDFBtTsQMZQh-xCIOqlZSEb8H58NnOj4oAFvflIcJQ2jjLlGxsCmmTQ_XbAhUduOEsqlccsqHaa3Me7D7BwrA2d_SVj-pL4t410y/s1600/80s-slap+bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rx6IzipWV1mag0GOmChnb6JbbLRIZRW0hHVkD1W7RDFBtTsQMZQh-xCIOqlZSEb8H58NnOj4oAFvflIcJQ2jjLlGxsCmmTQ_XbAhUduOEsqlccsqHaa3Me7D7BwrA2d_SVj-pL4t410y/s1600/80s-slap+bracelets.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
We greet Erik with our gift of the most disgusting, wussy-type drink we could purchase from a 7-Eleven earlier in the morning: a Bud Light Raz-Ber-Rita. And amazingly, Erik chugs the whole thing upon immediately handing off to Jacob - elliciting cheers from our team as a whole.<br />
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And Jacob is the first one to go from our van. He's got 3.5 miles, and the weather looks like it's about to rain and/or thunderstorm, so there's a touch of apprehension on what the weather is going to do. We load-in and head to the exact same spot where we were before, and await his arrival. <br />
Jacob burns through the 3.5 miles and hands off to Shelley, who has 3.66 miles to go. There's some sporadic sprinkling, but it hasn't rained yet. And then it's me.<br />
So, a bit of background here: I'm still not a very fast runner, but I've improved since last year. I've been training with 4.8 to 5 mile runs for this, and can easily do those. Thus, I'm as prepared as I could ever be, since my three assigned legs are all 4+ miles, and not over 5 miles.<br />
<i>This</i> is where I'm wrong.<br />
The next exchange point is at a place called Bowl and Pitcher State Park, and has a beautiful bridge that looks like this: <br />
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There's a bunch of stairs at the far end of that bridge. But I'm fine with that.<br />
However, after conversing with the volunteer at my exchange point, she has a look at her map of this leg and I find out that this stretch is not the Moderate 4.3 miles I had anticipated.<br />
The map shows a leg that is rated as "Very Hard" and is 6.32 miles instead. It's roughly about this time, that we realize the print-outs I had of my "assigned legs" were old 2013 maps that were no longer accurate.<br />
So, after a mild panic attack, Sarah talks me down with words of encouragement, and then Shelley arrives and I'm off.<br />
Despite my apprehension, the leg is a beautiful winding run that is partially gravel that then gives way to concrete, and then paved bike trail. And it truly is one of the most scenic runs I've ever done, <i>(I even ran right past a deer that was hanging out on the edge of the bike path)</i>, although there are numerous ascents and drops in elevation throughout. <br />
However, the worst drawback is that there are little to no directions on where exactly to go. The signage is terrible, and only sporadically appears about every mile or so - giving me at least 5 or 6 opportunities to worry that I may have taken a wrong turn and ended up lost somewhere out here in the woods. Luckily, at each little area there finally comes a small pink little flag that at least re-affirms that I'm not completely lost. <br />
Somehow or another, I make it to the next exchange point and I trade off to Bruce and I've finished... And by some miracle, I finished in exactly an hour. <br />
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After a granola bar and water, we load-in and head to meet Bruce at his exchange, which is coincidentally at the No-Li Brewhouse parking lot. So, the trade off occurs, and the first thing mentioned by Bruce, (in between ragged breaths), is: "Perfect! A brewhouse. First round's on me. I'm buying!!"<br />
Supportive and loyal teammates that we are, we decide to get a couple sampler beers for everyone to share.... in Matt's absence as he runs his 6.17 miles.<br />
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<i><u><b>Friday, August 15th, 2014 - Approximately 8:45pm</b></u></i><br />
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After all 6 of us ran our legs, we met the other part of our team at the van exchange and they had bought us Krispee Kream donuts,<i> (which we found out later that one donut may or may not have been tea-bagged by someone in their van)</i>, which we eventually threw out. This seemed to keep in pace with their first "gift" to us at the first van exchange in the morning which had been a bag of pork rinds and a bottle of Olde English 800 Malt Liqour.<br />
We had a little over 3 hours to eat and/or sleep at McEuen Park before the next van exchange - so, after dinner at some wood-fired pizza place, <i>(which seemed to be strangely run by only teenagers)</i>, where this picture was taken, and where most of the conversation was built around discussing definitions from Urban Dictionary - we finally attempted some sleep at the next van exchange point.<br />
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That, of course, was made difficult by someone's brilliant idea to set off colorful fireworks across<i> (what I can only assume was)</i> Lake Coeur d'Alene while all the runners were supposed to be resting up for the next leg. <br />
Thus, no sleep here.<br />
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<i><u><b>Saturday, August 16th, 2014 - Approximately 12:50am</b></u></i><br />
<br />
My next leg is in complete darkness over 4 miles of what I assume is a paved bicycle trail. This is where the headlamp came in handy. However, upon starting the run, the red strobe light I have hooked to my reflective jersey keeps pummeling my chest with each stride - till I make the intelligent decision to hold the damn thing, rather than have a ginormous bruise on my chest by the end of the run.<br />
The sky wasn't particularly clear, but it was fantastic to run in complete darkness - and a couple Arcade Fire songs on my iPod made this run even a bit more surreal. Definitely the best run I've ever done. Ever. <br />
Somehow, I score 3 kills on this run - and actually arrive at the exchange point a minute or more before Bruce even had his shoes on.<br />
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So, after carb-loading with a beer from the back cooler -<i> (I believe I forgot to mention that there was an unholy amount of beer in the 2 ice chests we had in the back of the car. It's as if we were on our way to a frat party... But basically an absolutely ridiculous amount of beer, which Bruce, [well, all of us], had been going through at a fevered pace)</i> - we elected to start watching the movie "Zoolander" at the next exchange. Which we did. And endlessly quoted for the next 2+ hours, whilst giggling like the bunch of sleep-deprived individuals that we were.<br />
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<u><i><b>Saturday, August 16th, 2014 - Approximately 4:15am</b></i></u><br />
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After Matt and Sarah finish their legs, <i>(7.56 and 6.65 miles, respectively)</i>, we head to Priest River High School where we find that we have the opportunity to sleep on a gym floor for a few hours while the other team finishes their final legs. After you've been in a van for 18 hours, a gym floor sounds absolutely amazing - plus, they had<i> free</i> showers at the gym which was unheard of in the last relay I did.<br />
I went to sleep listening to the Future Sound of London's "Lifeforms" album... and passed out exhausted.<br />
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<u><i><b>Saturday, August 16th, 2014 - Approximately 9:30am</b></i></u><br />
<br />
After waking up in the gym, (and after gathering my surroundings), I stumble outside to blazing sunlight, and a ridiculous amount of people. There's still a lot of teams in the parking lot, waiting for their own individual hand-offs.<br />
So, I buy a hard-boiled egg and an "endless" cup of coffee from the donation food cart that is selling breakfast food to a bunch of starving runners. Three cups of coffee later, I'm more or less ready for the next few hours.<br />
We load-in again, and Jacob tackles an 8-mile nightmare on a two-lane road, and in no time at all - it's my last run.<br />
By now it's getting closer to noon, and the sun is already ridiculously hot - even though I'm doing a little under 4 miles, I'm losing it. My hips are sore, my calves are on fire. The last 24 hours have started to take their toll. It's the longest 3+ miles I've <i>ever</i> run.<br />
Somehow, I manage to make 1 kill on this last leg. But it's all I have. I'm done. And of course, I made the <i>smart</i> decision to wear a tank top without using sunblock - thus, I end up with a terrible tank top-shaped sunburn as a special prize for finishing my last leg. <br />
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Bruce finishes his leg with flying colors, and returns back to being our official iPod DJ of the van, and Matt heads out on another lengthy run. It's at this time that we decide we should drive up ahead and offer the runners free beer while they're in mid-leg, and of course, we decide that we do the "<a href="http://youtu.be/8dU68enUUwU" target="_blank">slow clap from Rudy</a>" as runners come around the corner of where we're parked - which of course ends with us cheering incessantly and offering them free beer as they pass by, of which a few partake. <br />
Of course, after Matt passes us, we hop in to get Sarah to her final leg, and we head into Sandpoint to the finish line. Van 1 is already there, looking moderately rested, and before long Sarah comes down the hill, and we all run in together to cross the finish line - and it's over.<br />
We pose for a team picture, we get 1 free drink token, a running shirt, and medal. And then we all have to figure out our way back home from Sandpoint.<br />
So, at the end of it all, I didn't really learn any new life changing lessons - but I had found myself more prepared for the non-stop, traveling circus of debauchery that 6 people in a van can endure over a period of a day and half. And again, I learned that I packed <i>way</i> too many clothes. We certainly had enough beer to go around this time, so that was an improvement over a year ago. And, I learned that Bruce is a pretty sweet iPod DJ. Overall, I'm still not sure if I'm up for another year of this, next August, when Eric plans on doing the Cascade Lakes Relay again... The jury's still out on that, for me.<br />
<br />
But hell... I'm considering it.<br />
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*<b>Kills</b>: <i>a reference for when you pass a runner from another team on any given leg of the relay race</i><br />
*<b>Honey Buckets</b>: <i>a reference to the multitude of plastic contraptions known as port-a-pottys that are found to be at every exchange point throughout the relay</i> Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-28657444034811901682014-01-06T17:23:00.000-08:002014-01-06T19:27:33.388-08:00Top 10 Albums of 2013.... (One Week Later)...It seems I'm always late with getting this blog posted... Usually a couple of weeks... But hey, 6 days into the new year isn't too bad... <br>
So, without further ado.... Here is my completely "unbiased" opinion of the best 10 albums that came out last year... <i>(In no particular order)</i>...<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yeezus - Kanye West</b></span></div>
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I'm not a big Kanye fan. </div>
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In fact, I'm pretty sure he's lost his mind and is completely out of touch with reality. On the other hand, Yeezus is pretty damn awesome. Sounding like early 80's rap taking its cue from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraftwerk" target="_blank">Kraftwerk</a> records and creating a freakin' icy, cold vibe throughout - this album surprised me. It has a scattering of samples, but is mostly dominated by squelchy, minimalist synths with Kanye rapping about (<i>seemingly</i>) anything that comes to mind - whether he's ranting about consumerism/racism on "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT3swdCJrrg" target="_blank">New Slaves</a>" or about hurrying up with his damn croissants on "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViGNBLQpGWE" target="_blank">I Am a God</a>"... The whole thing sounds like a mental breakdown on tape... Which is actually, <i>(possibly unintentionally)</i>, the allure of this album. </div>
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Egotistical maniac he may be, but Kanye has made an album that seems an attempt to weed out true fans and, <i>(in it's own way)</i>, stand alone as a piece of art - just take a look at the album's packaging and artwork, <i>(or lack there of)</i>...</div>
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People are gonna hate it, but this album is impressive. <br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Silver Gymnasium - Okkervil River</b></span></div>
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I was lucky enough to get this album as a birthday gift on my 33rd birthday during an epic pub crawl, <i>(tune back in another week or so for more on that)</i>....</div>
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Anyway, this album is a brilliant Americana album, with every song telling a story in a grand hometown sorta feel... (see the songs "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56T0DeDL0rw" target="_blank">Pink Slip</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBBU9VpoKVE" target="_blank">Where The Spirit Left Us</a>" ).... Every time I sit and really listen to this album, I think Bruce Springsteen. Hell, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mjb0V9IgGI" target="_blank">Down Down the Deep River</a>" has a keyboard lick that brings the essence of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQSn26zCXYQ" target="_blank">Hungry Heart</a>" to this album. Not to say that the rest of the album doesn't solidify the Springsteen-esque inference, but that song pretty much seals the deal - and it's only the third track!</div>
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Seriously. Do yourself a favor and run down to <a href="http://www.musicmillennium.com/Home" target="_blank">Music Millenium</a> and pick this up. No, seriously.<br>
Pick up a physical, "in your hands" copy. Cause if there was an award for cool packaging and album artwork design - this album would win. Hands down.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Spreading Rumours - Grouplove</b></span></div>
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Yes.</div>
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I have a bit of a soft spot for this band. Not that I feel guilty for loving them, cause they're pretty damn amazing,<i> (and if you have the opportunity to catch them live, do it... They're freakin' awesome!)</i></div>
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But this album was one of 2 that I anticipated for this last year, and it was certainly worth the wait. This album defies your expectations of what pop music should be.<br>
We have strangely perfect electro-pop ("<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGvHnDeS12o" target="_blank">Ways To Go</a>"), the best Pixies song since 1992 ("<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mldevqBA4HM" target="_blank">Raspberry</a>"), weird Muse-like awesomeness ("<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaFBodtDJk" target="_blank">I'm With You</a>"), and riffy guitar alterna-rock worthy of a 90's grunge band, ("<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgF9knPeReo" target="_blank">Borderlines and Aliens</a>"). </div>
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Rolling Stone gave this album 3 stars....<i> (Which isn't too bad).</i>... But I say fuck that... Five stars all the way. This is a great pop album that doesn't mind changing genres even between songs, yet remains cohesive. </div>
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And the interplay between Christian Zucconi and Hannah Hooper's vocals is textbook <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Black" target="_blank">Frank Black</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Deal" target="_blank">Kim Deal</a>. That combination seems to only come along every 15 years or so, so check it out and enjoy it while you can....<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bankrupt! - Phoenix</b></span></div>
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Where to begin... </div>
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This was the other hotly anticipated album that I waited impatiently for.... And it totally delivers.</div>
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This one isn't a big surprise. Phoenix has an impressive track record of shifting styles a bit, but making it feel natural...<i> (and if all you've heard is "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Phoenix" target="_blank">Wolfgang Amadeus"</a>, I encourage you to dig a bit further in their back catalog)</i>....</div>
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If there's a psychadelic new wave album, this one is it. Covered in synths, and practically mutating into each following song - this album hits every milestone from their career and moves it further into the unknown... ("<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OePvsCfKHJg" target="_blank">Trying To Be Cool</a>" sounds like it should be on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphabetical_%28album%29" target="_blank">Alphabetical</a>, and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JEx1lJpsA0" target="_blank">Don't</a>" from "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_Never_Been_Like_That" target="_blank">It's Never Been Like That</a>" to name a couple)...</div>
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These guys got a lot of credit for this album, but it's deserved. They've done a solid job on creating a good album, and making it enjoyable. It's not a challenging album, but it's impressive none the less.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>AM - Arctic Monkeys</b></span></div>
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I've been saying this for at least two years - Arctic Monkeys are the sh<i>*</i>t. </div>
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Yeah, I might've come to the party late,<i> (liking their first album, but losing track of them since)</i>. But after "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbug_%28album%29" target="_blank">Humbug</a>" these guys have continually impressed me with their willingness to experiment. <i>(Plus, hanging out with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Homme" target="_blank">Josh Homme</a> can't hurt)</i>...</div>
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And after the perfect pop of "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suck_It_and_See" target="_blank">Suck It and See</a>", these guys created a dark and sensuous masterpiece here. Attention should be drawn to the sleek opening track "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOSxM0rNPM" target="_blank">Do I Wanna Know</a>", and the Black Sabbath inspired "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoKd98AslF4" target="_blank">Arabella</a>." </div>
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Enjoy this album, and then wait impatiently for their next one.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>More Than Just A Dream - Fit and the Tantrums</b></span></div>
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I'm a sucker for good pop music. You should already know this by now. </div>
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But these guys followed up a R&B-flavored debut album - (<i>which was great in it's own right</i>) - with an album that added more synths to the mix, making them sound more like an updated <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg6J5VT5VRM" target="_blank">ABC</a>, than Motown revivalists... (Case in point: "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHf9GupmgVU" target="_blank">Fools Gold</a>")...<br>
These guys could've just done a repeat of their previous album, but they pushed it a bit further and made a cool pop album that has paid off well for them, (<i>as evidenced by their increase of radio play</i>)...<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sunbather - Deafheaven</b></span><br>
Ever wondered what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigur_ros" target="_blank">Sigur Ros</a> or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chaYm2TqfHM" target="_blank">My Bloody Valentine</a> would sound like if they played black metal? Well, that's basically what <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIHH9THNRQA" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a> sounds like.<br>
Anthemic and beautiful, with buzz-saw guitars and unintelligible vocals.<br>
This type of style is bound to turn off a lot of people - but honestly, those people need to experiment a bit more with their musical palate.<br>
Despite my name-checking description above, these guys have made a metal album that dapples liberally in the shoe-gazing and post-rock vein. with several songs reaching the 10 minute mark, and a few short songs that are ethereal interludes - there <b>are</b> moments of calm on this album that are epically beautiful...and the whole thing is a cool sonic experience. <br>
Whether this is your type of music or not, this album deserves your attention.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions - Franz Ferdinand</b></span><br>
Ha!<br>
I'd say it's been easy to write off Franz Ferdinand. These once reigning kings of the mid-2000's post punk revival released their 4th album this last year. And needless to say, I didn't rush right out and buy it, <i>(though the reviews I'd read were positive)</i>. <br>
Kind of a loss for me - cause this album is freakin' great! They've certainly not lost any of the appeal that they exuded on their 2004 debut. They're still sarcastic and/or snarky in their lyrics,<i> (as evidenced by the shout-outs of "You randy bastard!" that punctuate "</i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIR5vBiC3ig" target="_blank">Evil Eye</a><i>".... Or the possibly serious "</i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFY8_fmDAuE" target="_blank">Goodbye Lovers and Friends</a><i>" that seems like a sly song to end their career on...)</i><br>
<i> </i>There's some cool acapella vocals at the apex of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlXUNjOxzw0" target="_blank">Stand On The Horizon</a>" that make it sound like the most mature song these guys have written.... (<i>But don't worry, it's still easy to dance to...</i>) <i> </i><br>
The main stand out for me, is the quirky "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG60VdQhiAw" target="_blank">Fresh Strawberries</a>", which turns a few odd little phrases, and ends up being a cool pop song - that only these guys could do. <br>
Sure, these songs still sound like Franz Ferdinand - but at times, there is something to be said for creating a working formula and then adding the tiniest of tweaks to make an album familiar, but different. The whole album goes down easy, doesn't hang around too long, and makes itself easy to revisit. And in that regard, it's fantastic.<br>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reflektor - Arcade Fire</span></b><br>
Despite my initial concern about this upcoming album being partly produced by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Murphy_%28electronic_musician%29" target="_blank">James Murphy</a>, <i>(and don't get me wrong, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve9Y-dl40sQ" target="_blank">LCD Soundsystem</a> is absolutely amazing... But I wasn't so sure I wanted to hear an overly dancey Arcade Fire</i>), I really had nothing to fear. Arcade Fire doesn't sound more dance-like than they have on previous albums.<br>
I remember reading an interview somewhere with Win Butler regarding "The Suburbs" as trying to sound like Depeche Mode meets Neil Young... Well, I would definitely say that that's a better description of "Reflektor", rather than "The Suburbs."<br>
Either way, it's probably already dividing fans - but it's still a fantastic,<i> if not darker</i>, journey with these guys. Stand outs are of course, the<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E0fVfectDo" target="_blank"> title track</a>, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcKinnMXuKg" target="_blank">Afterlife</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eepfdrU55KA" target="_blank">Here Comes the Night Time</a>"...<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> More Light - Primal Scream</b></span><br>
Well, this album basically works as a best of Primal Scream primer, in that it pretty much explores every facet this band has ever shown - but in the form of 13 new songs.<br>
Starting off with "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdCraT9_wk4" target="_blank">2013</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXWaP6qyftk" target="_blank">River of Pain</a>", the first two tracks mine the psychadelic rock of their mid 90's explorations - (i.e. "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanishing_Point_%28Primal_Scream_album%29" target="_blank">Vanishing Point</a>" and "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Give_Out_But_Don%27t_Give_Up" target="_blank">Give Out But Don't Give Up</a>") - the second of which breaks down into a spatial orchestra arrangement, before heading back into it's acoustic guitar and drum-loop.<br>
Other songs find the dark electronica elements these guys used way back in 2000 on "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XTRMNTR" target="_blank">Xtrmntr</a>" and smooth out some of the atonalness of it. <i>(see: "</i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w8gH8oHqE4" target="_blank">Cultercide</a><i>")</i>.... There's straight-ahead rockers here, too - (<i>see</i>: "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5pRjUT8e4M" target="_blank">Hit Void</a>", "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czjCoj7IXMQ" target="_blank">Invisible City</a>", and "Turn Each Other Inside Out"). The whole album is a dark, druggy trip into psychadelic-electro-rock, that comes out at the end with "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty-IJ3qz-GE" target="_blank">It's Alright, It's OK</a>" shedding a bit of light on the precedings - and giving more than a generous wink to their classic "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screamadelica" target="_blank">Screamadelica</a>" album.<br>
It's not the best album of the year, but it's one of the most interesting.<br>
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So, there's my 10. And yes, you're asking "What about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Vampires_of_the_City" target="_blank">Vampire Weekend</a>'s album? Or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_Access_Memories" target="_blank">Daft Punk</a>'s album? They should be on there."<br>
And yeah, they would be if I could choose 12 albums - but I've kept myself to 10. And I have my reasons why they didn't make it on here,<i> (of which I won't go into now...)</i>...<br>
But, these are my totally subjective top 10 - the ones I listened to the most, and enjoyed the most.<br>
So, what are your ten?<br>
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Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-64545343301978489352013-12-18T16:53:00.003-08:002013-12-18T16:59:53.349-08:00Sound + VisionNo, this isn't a blog in honor of the genius of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IJsAuUgSgc" target="_blank">David Bowie</a>,<i> (although I would love to get around to writing that one)...</i><br />
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What I'm talking about is the cerebral connection between the visual aspects of movies and their,<i> (in my opinion)</i>, even more important auditory counterpart - the music. Even when I was a kid, it was the music in films that I grew up loving - not just the movies themselves. I remember the first soundtrack on a tape that I owned - "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Last-Crusade-Williams/dp/B001J32H6W/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1387413263&sr=1-1&keywords=indiana+jones+and+the+last+crusade+soundtrack" target="_blank">Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade</a>." Yep, an overzealous John Williams soundtrack, but a suitable one for a nine year old kid.</div>
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And of course, over the years I've grown appreciative of the key part that music plays in movies - enriching the cinematic experience, etc...blah, blah, blah...</div>
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But every now and then, you a see a movie where the director and whomever is organizing the sound track gets it perfect - an exact moment of cinema that is flawless and sends chills up your spine. Oftentimes this is most impressive when the music being used is an old pop song of some form.... And oftentimes, it hooks you visually to a form of music you may have never heard before.... <i>Please allow me to digress...</i></div>
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Awhile back I had the opportunity to finally watch Nicolas Wending Refn's "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronson_%28film%29" target="_blank">Bronson</a>" which had a fantastic opening set to the tone of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walker_Brothers" target="_blank">Walker Brothers</a>' "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9ScZsKoBgo" target="_blank">The Electrician</a>", (in fact there are other such moments throughout, including a song by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_candy" target="_blank">Glass Candy</a>, and New Order's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so-L12LFRR8" target="_blank">Your Silent Face</a>"). The song just blew me away, and I initially thought it was Nick Cave singing.... But after some careful<i> (ahem... Wikipedia) </i>research, I was able to track this song down and find out who sang it.</div>
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But this doesn't stop there. Let's look at "Breaking Bad" and specifically it's final episode. Using Badfinger's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r__KtMPSnn4" target="_blank">Baby Blue</a>" was perfect and fitting for those final scenes. Who the hell didn't like that ending?</div>
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How about "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_Translation_%28film%29" target="_blank">Lost In Translation</a>"? Aside from numerous great scenes with an awesome soundtrack, the scene at the end with the Jesus and Mary Chain's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bd2RE0OjyE" target="_blank">Just Like Honey</a>" playing along? That's movie magic there, not some blue-screened crappy CGI garbage<i> (ahem... George Lucas)</i>...</div>
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Think about every Quentin Tarantino movie - those songs in the soundtrack don't set the mood for scenes - they're practically another character in the movie! There's a whole slew of director's who are following in those footsteps - Guy Ritchie and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Wright" target="_blank">Edgar Wright</a> being two of the most impressive ones.</div>
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And for all you other geeks out there, think about "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_darko" target="_blank">Donnie Darko</a>" without all the cool 80's songs that really put it in motion. For instance, the scene of Donnie and Gretchen coming down the stairs to Joy Division's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuuObGsB0No" target="_blank">Love Will Tear Us Apart Again</a>"? Again.... Perfect scene, perfect song..</div>
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Alright, so you can hopefully get my point. However, there is a downside - sometimes in the wrong hands, it doesn't work particularly well. Case in point, the Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie "50/50". While not a bad movie, and pretty likable, there is a part where Radiohead's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BciOfJsqh7M" target="_blank">High and Dry</a>" is played during a small montage - and for whatever reason, it feels hollow. Don't get me wrong, I freakin' love Radiohead, and "High and Dry" is my jam from my early teenage years. But it feels more like an after-thought, rather than a song that fits those scenes.</div>
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There's plenty of other examples of this - numerous soundtracks that simply are a mixed bag of "hot indie" artists that are more for drawing in cash, rather than an integral part of the movie. For some reason, the movie "Garden State" comes to mind - but since I haven't actually seen it, I'm not going to weigh in whether it works cinematically - but this idea doesn't require lots of examples, you barely have to look farther than the "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" soundtrack. It's a marketing tool at that point. </div>
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Now, I'm not completely against these "cash-in" soundtracks. The problem is that these soundtracks generally have the feeling of being tacked-on to the movie. And usually the guys actually making the movie don't have the good sense to use the music appropriately....</div>
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Alright.... That's it for my soapbox this week. As always, I appreciate any feedback or comments - even if you disagree...</div>
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See you next week...</div>
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Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-16613370454400620542013-08-06T15:54:00.001-07:002013-08-06T16:13:25.214-07:00Next Time I'll Bring More Beer... or... (How I Survived the Cascade Lakes Relay)<div dir="ltr">
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Appropriate soundtrack to reading this week's blog, would be the Old 97's "Timebomb"</span></span></i></b></div>
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Where to begin? Well... </div>
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<u><i><b>Friday, August 2, 2013:</b></i></u> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Somewhere in Bend)</i></span><br />
So, we wake up around 7:00am,<i> (we being Jacob and I)</i>, in my parents' RV, <i>(whom were kind enough to let us stay the night with them)</i>, desperately hoping our rented/borrowed van hasn't been<br />
<b>A.)</b> Stolen<br />
<b>B.) </b>Broken into<br />
<i>and/or</i><br />
<b>C.) </b>Towed away by the decent folks who own the Wendy's parking lot that we left the van in.</div>
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Somehow the van is still there, along with all our belongings. It's looking to be a nice day, and our first legs of the <a href="http://www.cascadelakesrelay.com/" target="_blank">Cascade Lakes Relay</a> start in the next few hours.</div>
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By now our other half in Van #1 have already started off the line, and we're due to be down near Diamond Lake in a short time frame. We start things off by picking up most of our 6 person team, and then hitting up breakfast at the <a href="http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/" target="_blank">Original Pancake House</a> - narrowly avoiding a peanut allergy incident in the process. I end up chugging a large quantity of coffee, and then we're off picking up our last 2 team members from the south side of Bend.</div>
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Then, it's all road till Diamond Lake. We'll be doing a relay that's approximately 216.6 miles with a team of 12 people, split between 2 vehicles. It looks like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7sPZlFf6eiMRcqfL87uYbq7VlG8Lh-5jErp-Hy7TOcjTLN4BFypP1F2UUCilG4kTOXZIiHojnFUtPOAiywkOuDv9OSfYd668KARGYjik_xw0dIZ8H3NGnvolED-v_n3slcToHmcyoLcb/s1600/PgetReadyRelay-g1-051313.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7sPZlFf6eiMRcqfL87uYbq7VlG8Lh-5jErp-Hy7TOcjTLN4BFypP1F2UUCilG4kTOXZIiHojnFUtPOAiywkOuDv9OSfYd668KARGYjik_xw0dIZ8H3NGnvolED-v_n3slcToHmcyoLcb/s400/PgetReadyRelay-g1-051313.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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My team in Van #2 lucked out in having the 15 person van, filled to the brim with supplies, protein bars, PB&J sandwiches, Gatorade and water bottles, and 1 twelve pack of Blue Moon. </div>
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We pull into the first van exchange point. Van #1's team hands off the relay wristband to Rob, who kills the first 5.54 miles easily. And then it's me...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Bear in mind, I've only started running in the past 4 months or so. Not exactly an athlete. But I've gotten to the point where I can run a good 5.5 miles, and not die... So I figured I could give this relay a shot. </div>
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My first leg is 3.98 miles long - easy. </div>
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Not so. The elevation of our location is a factor. A clear difference in the altitude is the first thing that hits me in the the first leg, along with the blistering heat at 2:30 in the afternoon. Thank God for random other teams with insect sprayers filled with what I assume to be water, standing along the roadside to spray runners. </div>
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I make it to the next exchange point, and hand off to Erik who breezes through the next leg.</div>
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I'm thirsty and a bit exhausted, but I chug some water and Gatorade, and we're good to go. </div>
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We follow our Van #2 teammates as they run their legs, occasionally spraying them with water from our bottles, and always cheering for them before meeting them at the next exchange point. It looks more or less like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnzJ7uomY-FvmKCvF9Q_zkPIVcAEdry7UukPAuOmYTjb-4-8YjyPsCdh-jYESvT4U1W_GQXPf8a9l6-si2QvKYamz-Q8wDIe7rPkYyCouzy3EcO6whuCVdkPRlL1nBof9MJj6m_YW1niH/s1600/Handoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnzJ7uomY-FvmKCvF9Q_zkPIVcAEdry7UukPAuOmYTjb-4-8YjyPsCdh-jYESvT4U1W_GQXPf8a9l6-si2QvKYamz-Q8wDIe7rPkYyCouzy3EcO6whuCVdkPRlL1nBof9MJj6m_YW1niH/s320/Handoff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also find that our borrowed van has been tagged by the other teams. We end up with a painted turtle on the back of our van, along with some blue doodle on the passenger side window. Even better, there is a sticky moustache that is placed on the front hood of the van as well. </div>
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Nearly all of the vans/vehicles of teams are decorated with some theme or statement regarding their team name. We see a team with a giant turtle on the top of their van, with speakers attached, blaring Avril LaVigne at one exchange point. Another team is an all-female group wearing fake moustaches and driving a van that states they give "free moustache rides", thus our moustache tagging, I'm sure. </div>
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Our van is plain white with a Christian-based company's logo emblazoned on the side, so our options of making our vehicle cooler are severely limited.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><b>5:50pm</b></i></div>
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The sun is beginning to set as our last 2 teammates finish their legs. It's a continuous stop-and-go routine, in which we intermittently sit along the wide shoulders of the road with our van, (careful to not get too far into the loose gravel along the edges), and take in a bit of the scenery. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABEOdovejz8dsnQ9LiyD7b-M4-TRKIGdLm2_jeCgcWA57mfM3SslNNd16ANHbSVule740oTrYyko2xMQ9Z16jyvm26jo44vCsF4oo6BuRJ62gXJx7PRzngOwjw-eCPdfI-wkzqpj_KbQb/s1600/Bend+deserrt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABEOdovejz8dsnQ9LiyD7b-M4-TRKIGdLm2_jeCgcWA57mfM3SslNNd16ANHbSVule740oTrYyko2xMQ9Z16jyvm26jo44vCsF4oo6BuRJ62gXJx7PRzngOwjw-eCPdfI-wkzqpj_KbQb/s320/Bend+deserrt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>7:00pm</b></i></div>
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We hit Silver Lake and then proceed on an expressionless 50 mile drive to La Pine. The only signs of civilization out here is a creepy mini-mart that has "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deliverance" target="_blank">Deliverence</a>" written all over it. We wisely continue on without stopping, only to find a few miles further a sign pointing off to a secluded dirt road towards "Cabin Lake." We all find this amusing in it's cliche horror-movie title, but again wisely elect to not stop and check it out.</div>
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Sometime closer to 8:30pm we arrive at La Pine High School, where we find our temporary lodgings. There are cots in the gym and showers available for a donation. Most of us elect to just stink, and begin preparing for a couple hours of sleep while Van #2 continue their legs. </div>
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</div>
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<i><b>11:45pm</b></i></div>
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Erik, Jacob, and I slept in the seats in the van, and woke up more or less at the same time and found it time to get moving to the next van exchange point - a good 30 minute ride away. Everybody gathers up their stuff and we're off again. </div>
There's a bit of a joke regarding the showers at the La Pine gym,<br />
which looked more or less like these:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVawx56kpD-wDRlbAv9ajqDazTivD17kqMWP5NAJDFb0uk_cr0oUTCpUZebGR70WMiM-bAPS2wBw3GgdUZea70363JwZicRKGTW3-IujO2Tei6J71XTOLFBuo5p5LxfVOG-ONNavMUi-pA/s1600/shower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVawx56kpD-wDRlbAv9ajqDazTivD17kqMWP5NAJDFb0uk_cr0oUTCpUZebGR70WMiM-bAPS2wBw3GgdUZea70363JwZicRKGTW3-IujO2Tei6J71XTOLFBuo5p5LxfVOG-ONNavMUi-pA/s320/shower.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think it was Joey who referred to this style as "Locker Rooms Designed by Jerry Sandusky"... </div>
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<br /></div>
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Again, Rob is the first to go on the 2nd leg, and has to tackle 7.34 miles that on a topographic map seems oddly reminiscent of the outline of Mt. Hood: straight freakin' up, and then straight freakin' down. It's around this time I realize it's ridiculously cold, somewhere in the 42 degrees range. </div>
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It's 2:15am, and I'm running out under a bed of stars. It's beautiful and absolutely clear, and it's just me, a flashlight, and an envelope of darkness. Probably the coolest run I've ever done - 3 miles, easy. </div>
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Well, easier than my first leg at least.</div>
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<u><i><b>Saturday, August 3rd, 2013:</b></i></u></div>
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<i><b>6:00am</b></i></div>
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Next van exchange, and it looks like this outside:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32XD4QewV5B02oqifdqYYPqdqb40Gpx_1q14EzM4_JVu_M7um96aez9Q5EocBSzmyxBzeKGU1cue5QHeo7duqSFImpI1Lfv0S3kJa5ROcASmrt_GOCtO6-6JredXmWZnSbbdZD17RigNg/s1600/Foggy+Morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32XD4QewV5B02oqifdqYYPqdqb40Gpx_1q14EzM4_JVu_M7um96aez9Q5EocBSzmyxBzeKGU1cue5QHeo7duqSFImpI1Lfv0S3kJa5ROcASmrt_GOCtO6-6JredXmWZnSbbdZD17RigNg/s320/Foggy+Morning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our next sleepover point is at Elk Lake, and we take what seems like hours to arrive there. At one point I'm leaning forward with my head against the seat in front of me, and then I'm awake and the sun has fully come out.<br />
We arrive at Elk Lake and again, half the team sleeps outside - and the other half stays in the van. I take a quick picture,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwZ8vZC5ukc6uGQJIofGcc24jXlntzcMuBbCOvcCyF49NdwdCwTOANki8Yy0weuZGuqFUuS_kcTkZ8jpxWwUsJaPFL5sOF5pF_o-MhmGLG2zRiemvfsJ2EKL1uWTpKOXQa2hQg-gXb5X9/s1600/Elk+Lake+in+the+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwZ8vZC5ukc6uGQJIofGcc24jXlntzcMuBbCOvcCyF49NdwdCwTOANki8Yy0weuZGuqFUuS_kcTkZ8jpxWwUsJaPFL5sOF5pF_o-MhmGLG2zRiemvfsJ2EKL1uWTpKOXQa2hQg-gXb5X9/s320/Elk+Lake+in+the+morning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and then become comatose. I end up sleeping in the front passenger seat, and surprisingly this works out well. <br />
I wake up close to 10am, and down a wonderful cup of coffee. It's around this time that it's noticed that several of the mass port-a-pottys are out of toilet paper. This is a bit discouraging, but being that I've been living on a steady diet of protein bars, granola, Gatorade, and water - it doesn't make much of a difference to me.<br />
My leg this time is 4 miles and is graded as "Very Hard", (as my previous ones were "Easy"), and it goes up a hill with a total elevation of 918 feet over that distance. At the van exchange point, one of the "Moustache girls" asks "Who pulled the shit straw for the next leg?" The rest of the team points to me and chuckles. Sure, the weakest link in Van #2 gets the brutal uphill leg - but that's fine, I signed up for this and I'm going to do it - or keel over in the ditch.<br />
My parents show up before I start the last leg, and then by-pass me on the road, along with my team in Van #2 - yelling encouragement at me. Somewhere around two and half miles, they've pulled the van over and are waiting for me to pass. Using a series of charades that indicates to them that I need water and a gummi bear or something, they hand them off as I continue uphill. I attempt to masticate a couple of Swedish Fish, but my mouth's so dry that they eventually just end up goobered like mortar in teeth, and I'm at risk of aspirating a piece of gummi candy. Using the water bottle in my hand, I manage to break through some of the build-up in my mouth and continue pushing on.<br />
I finally make it to the exchange point, and take a moment to not fall over.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0LAkq7Th08sj427BeZnupiULubVD-Omvat5VoR34HQlJECm3zAlkvC5fJlbvpr9bjTWgMHtD0F5ImHhZ0_OI7yD7HXtqFH0q5um7LYlRWyIuIWtqG_ZxjOQSJ9QCfCX3s916ZfhZu24f/s1600/After+the+4+miler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0LAkq7Th08sj427BeZnupiULubVD-Omvat5VoR34HQlJECm3zAlkvC5fJlbvpr9bjTWgMHtD0F5ImHhZ0_OI7yD7HXtqFH0q5um7LYlRWyIuIWtqG_ZxjOQSJ9QCfCX3s916ZfhZu24f/s200/After+the+4+miler.jpg" width="200" /></a>We're now down to the last 4 legs. It's all downhill from here - sort of.<br />
<br />
<i><b>12:50pm</b></i><br />
Joey is a little over half way into his leg, and we pull the van over onto the gravel portion of the shoulder. We yell and cheer as he passes us. We pack into the van to head for the next exchange for Jacob......And disaster strikes.<br />
The driver's side back wheel digs a hole nearly 6 inches into the gravel, and we're stuck.<br />
We try pushing, and all that does is dig us in further. Luckily, Jacob brings out a trusty camp shovel to use and dig the wheel out. In the meantime, Jacob runs up to another vehicle from another team pulled over and bums a ride to the next exchange, (and luckily they're kind enough to do so).<br />
But, that leaves the 4 of us to somehow get this van back onto the concrete. After a series of failed attempts at placing chunks of road-side wood under the tire and pushing, we're running low on ideas.<br />
One final time, we find a large trunk of wood and use it brace the back-end of the van like a lever, and gently accelerate over onto the previous chunks of wood - winding up back on the pavement, and narrowly missing a mile-marker.<br />
With a ridiculous amount of cheering from the 4 of us, (and after definitely earning our "Man Cards" for the day - per Peter), we pile in the van and race to the exchange to pick up Joey - who's wondering where the hell the rest of the team is.<br />
Jacob and Peter run their final legs, and by 3:30pm or so, it's over. We meet up with the rest of Van #1, and cross the line with Peter.<br />
<br />
So, in a nutshell, it was worth it. The lack of sleep, the money, the expended energy. And the more I think about it, I'm pondering doing another one... One day... Maybe...<br />
But if I did again, I'd do a lot of things differently. First of all, I'd pack a lot less stuff, (i.e. extra clothes, extra pair of shoes, etc..). Packing the bare essentials would be more ideal.<br />
Second of all, I'd pack more beer, too. For all those lonely exchange points and sleepover areas, there's no better way to get your carbs post-run.<br />
Third of all, we would need to decorate our van up with crazy stuff, at least giving it some sort of graffiti to set it apart from the other 100+ white vans involved in the relay.<br />
Fourth, and last, of all, I would make an effort to not forget Jacob's camp shovel along the shoulder after using it to dig out our tire.<br />
That is all.<br />
<br />Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-72726589158331592922013-01-01T11:47:00.003-08:002013-01-01T11:47:43.770-08:00My Top 10 Albums of 2012.... (A Day Late or So).... So, at long last I'm returning to blogging by getting a quick top 10 list in at the last minute.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i> (But hey, better late than never...)</i></span><br />
Now, I will admit my list is not a perfect example of everything that got released this last year... I'm sure I'm missing some key good albums of the year, but I strictly compiled this list of albums that I<i> bought</i> and that got many repeated listens from me.<br />
And another thing,<i> let's be honest here</i>... This wasn't a fantastic year for new, cool music anyway... Sure there's lots of little indie bands who are awash in synths, or sounding like Of Monsters and Men, the Lumineers, Avett Brothers, etc... But not much has moved me this year. However, I have found at least these 10 that were quite good - if not a bit eclectic.<br />
So without further ado.... Here they are!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZ2DgCMuWsU3758cgclwW8RxDzlWZF9tqsZAQ7Ev-WWQvfsR8lAqRd7ewm61mp2k2USIGpH2p2AZCPGuHLTmd1aJQdIbHa1CLku8DxwnAOM4pmY1r581uxSg8LTOrGWadb4rJknv_nX_A/s1600/Bloc-Party-Four.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZ2DgCMuWsU3758cgclwW8RxDzlWZF9tqsZAQ7Ev-WWQvfsR8lAqRd7ewm61mp2k2USIGpH2p2AZCPGuHLTmd1aJQdIbHa1CLku8DxwnAOM4pmY1r581uxSg8LTOrGWadb4rJknv_nX_A/s1600/Bloc-Party-Four.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Bloc Party - Four</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This de<span style="font-size: small;">f<span style="font-size: small;">init<span style="font-size: small;">e</span>ly got the most plays from me <span style="font-size: small;">this year. <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Now, I'd always been a fan of Bloc Party since their debut, and continued to do so through their s<span style="font-size: small;">ubsequent<span style="font-size: small;"> albums<span style="font-size: small;">. A<span style="font-size: small;">fter hearing this band <span style="font-size: small;">stretch their sound from post-punk<span style="font-size: small;"> angularity<span style="font-size: small;"> to dappling in full-blown electronica<span style="font-size: small;">, you found <span style="font-size: small;">a band that was breath-takingly experimental and original<span style="font-size: small;">.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">But also<span style="font-size: small;"> a bit difficult to <span style="font-size: small;">listen to in one sitting. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">But</span> this ne<span style="font-size: small;">w <span style="font-size: small;">album finally <span style="font-size: small;">b<span style="font-size: small;">rings <span style="font-size: small;">back a bit of balance to <span style="font-size: small;">the Rock Vs. Experimental ratio. Truly a fantastic return to form, and certainly their most cohesive since <span style="font-size: small;">their <span style="font-size: small;">"Silent Al<span style="font-size: small;">arm</span></span>."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0nbs_ExaEhHH99c0mschNf5krEFjs8pgKA8QcpSmIeDIcQxh_RlpFXfg5Gafcp1aI3Y8l5K88pNFLy6aTMjPsb8vnrdB2I4QtmDi7nNs-Mgpa4soNsUrjx3v-_hoRMDI7KWTr0pQt5vE/s1600/some-nights-fun-L-SBNmXh.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0nbs_ExaEhHH99c0mschNf5krEFjs8pgKA8QcpSmIeDIcQxh_RlpFXfg5Gafcp1aI3Y8l5K88pNFLy6aTMjPsb8vnrdB2I4QtmDi7nNs-Mgpa4soNsUrjx3v-_hoRMDI7KWTr0pQt5vE/s1600/some-nights-fun-L-SBNmXh.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> Fun - Some Nights</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Oh, yes.. The album you c<span style="font-size: small;">ouldn't escape from over the past year</span>.... <span style="font-size: small;">I'm including this pick begrudgingly<span style="font-size: small;">. Not to say that this is a bad band<span style="font-size: small;"> - they <span style="font-size: small;">certainly have so<span style="font-size: small;">li<span style="font-size: small;">d song-writing<span style="font-size: small;"> and good chord changes. It's just that I have an aversion to auto-tune, <span style="font-size: small;">and this album has a bit to<span style="font-size: small;">o much of it for my taste. So<span style="font-size: small;">, it makes my listening experience<span style="font-size: small;"> less enjoyable.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> However, <span style="font-size: small;">it is <span style="font-size: small;">hard to deny the hooks of all these songs, and it's<span style="font-size: small;"> all done in a pretty smart way with a clear, pop production style. <span style="font-size: small;">While I certainly don't like everything about this album, I can say that it<span style="font-size: small;"> is a well-crafted pop album, and the vocals of Nate Ruess soar<span style="font-size: small;"> in <span style="font-size: small;">a way reminiscent of Freddie Mercury, <i>(</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>which makes the</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i> use of auto-tune </i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>on the </i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>vocals all the more redundant and</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>/or ridic<span style="font-size: small;">ulous</span>, in my </i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>opinion)</i>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> So, although you<span style="font-size: small;">, me<span style="font-size: small;">, and nearly everyone else on earth i<span style="font-size: small;">s probably sick of he<span style="font-size: small;">aring "We Are Young" or "Some Nights", it should <span style="font-size: small;">still be noted th<span style="font-size: small;">at these guys did make a good album<span style="font-size: small;"> that is<span style="font-size: small;"> undeniably catchy - which<span style="font-size: small;">, I assume<span style="font-size: small;">, was really the point.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WRSkhGOVbRe5FKUDg6S40ZvrZgU7GFry9j-rjmgR8YbMZvy-urLh1gSCXjxau2sO9yYkuwxHzI9GZL1cUsEn5P2JF4VQwhEJa_MQhoSLLCMo3LTAYQ78QF8njRp1X2N44JsEEynTgzxg/s1600/OF-Tape-Vol.-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WRSkhGOVbRe5FKUDg6S40ZvrZgU7GFry9j-rjmgR8YbMZvy-urLh1gSCXjxau2sO9yYkuwxHzI9GZL1cUsEn5P2JF4VQwhEJa_MQhoSLLCMo3LTAYQ78QF8njRp1X2N44JsEEynTgzxg/s1600/OF-Tape-Vol.-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Odd Future - The OF Tape Vol. 2</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A<span style="font-size: small;">l<span style="font-size: small;">right, I'm the first to admit<span style="font-size: small;"> that I have very few rap albums in my collection<span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="font-size: small;"> So this one is the odd-one-out in my top ten list. But it's pretty freaking awesome<span style="font-size: small;"> - as far as rap albums go. We've basic<span style="font-size: small;">ally got a collective of hip<span style="font-size: small;">-</span>hop stars, <i>(i.e. </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> Tyler, The Creator, Hodgy Beats, Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis, Mike G, Frank Ocean, etc...)</i><span style="font-size: small;">, making<span style="font-size: small;"> a cool mixtape here.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span>I don't have any truly great reason why I like this album,<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(rap is </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>still an underexplored territory for me...)</i></span>, but it's a cool release, an<span style="font-size: small;">d enjoyable on repeated listenings.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScN-PUsQ7sYRaVtLRVOxbAu9jP60oBYS0tEBYoUJWAfWUSykwF4fRo3nqY3oa6ycdDIcSIkhyDXpCuxS4ACziJhy1ati_meT3LzInpvwYS7ylzSf83g61vHOstIlwfI73sRbJgrhcFLYM/s1600/muse_the_2nd_law_packshot_rgb3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScN-PUsQ7sYRaVtLRVOxbAu9jP60oBYS0tEBYoUJWAfWUSykwF4fRo3nqY3oa6ycdDIcSIkhyDXpCuxS4ACziJhy1ati_meT3LzInpvwYS7ylzSf83g61vHOstIlwfI73sRbJgrhcFLYM/s1600/muse_the_2nd_law_packshot_rgb3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Muse - The 2nd Law</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> About <span style="font-size: small;">two albums ago<span style="font-size: small;">, I <span style="font-size: small;">kind of b<span style="font-size: small;">egan losing interest in Muse<span style="font-size: small;">. I still liked them, but they were moving <span style="font-size: small;">in a direction <span style="font-size: small;">focusing more on synths, and bit less on the guitar work<span style="font-size: small;">. And then, "<span style="font-size: small;">The Resistance" came out<span style="font-size: small;"> and more or less pro<span style="font-size: small;">ved my suspici<span style="font-size: small;">ons right. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> So, I app<span style="font-size: small;">r<span style="font-size: small;">oached another album by them with some trepidation, (specifically with "Madness" as a lead-off single<span style="font-size: small;">). However, after giving into my curiosity, I found a pretty good album<span style="font-size: small;"> here. <span style="font-size: small;">A little bit of everything - "<span style="font-size: small;">Panic Station" sound<span style="font-size: small;">s like a Faith No More pop song<span style="font-size: small;">, "Supremacy" sounds like a Led Zeppelin<span style="font-size: small;"> rip-off, "<span style="font-size: small;">Survival" sound<span style="font-size: small;">s like <span style="font-size: small;">Queen <span style="font-size: small;">and<span style="font-size: small;">..... <span style="font-size: small;">well.... Muse for that matter. <span style="font-size: small;">The only parts where this album falls short is <span style="font-size: small;">in it's odd flirtations with dubstep, which sorta feel like a cop-out<span style="font-size: small;">,<i> (like a good band trying <span style="font-size: small;">to </span>sound relevant)</i>. While others have <span style="font-size: small;">disagr<span style="font-size: small;">eed with me on this point, I<span style="font-size: small;"> stand by my opinion. Though, with th<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">at</span> minimal amount of short-comings<span style="font-size: small;">, </span> th<span style="font-size: small;">e whole album does give a goo<span style="font-size: small;">d and interesting listen.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Darkness - Hot Cakes</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Who expected these guys to come back? I sure as hell didn't. After<span style="font-size: small;"> the less th<span style="font-size: small;">an triumphant arrival <span style="font-size: small;">of </span>"One<span style="font-size: small;"> Way Ticket to Hell<span style="font-size: small;">.... and Back", and the <span style="font-size: small;">subsequent trip to rehab for Justin Hawkins<span style="font-size: small;">, I'd pretty much written off th<span style="font-size: small;">is band<span style="font-size: small;"> - thinking, <span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="font-size: small;">Hey, at least we got 2 cool albums out of these guys before they dis<span style="font-size: small;">appeared.<span style="font-size: small;">"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> And unexpectedly, arrives this album<span style="font-size: small;"> several years later. Imagine <span style="font-size: small;">all <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">the best</span> parts of AC/DC, Queen, Electric Light Orchestra, and Jou<span style="font-size: small;">rney all rolled into one band - and that's these guys. Each song is filled with back-to-back<span style="font-size: small;">, air-guitar solos<span style="font-size: small;"> and high-pitche<span style="font-size: small;">d vocals that <span style="font-size: small;">will quench <span style="font-size: small;">your thirst to rock. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Yeah, it's cheesy. Yes, it's over-the-top. But nobody does <span style="font-size: small;">it</span> better than these guys<span style="font-size: small;">. Don't believe me? Check out the cover of Radiohead'<span style="font-size: small;">s "Street Spirit <span style="font-size: small;">(Fade Out)" which not only gets an Iron Maiden<span style="font-size: small;">-like workout, bu<span style="font-size: small;">t also a guitar-solo break that pulls <span style="font-size: small;">from the solo in Radiohead's <span style="font-size: small;">"Just"<span style="font-size: small;"> - Absolute geni<span style="font-size: small;">us!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> You could say it's not serious music, and you'd be right - but<span style="font-size: small;"> it's<span style="font-size: small;"> non<span style="font-size: small;">-serious music done by serious musicians. C<span style="font-size: small;">h</span>eck it out....</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Big Pink - Future This</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This is a pretty surpr<span style="font-size: small;">ising follow-up for this band. Whereas their debut alb<span style="font-size: small;">um was equal parts electronica and shoegazer guitar<span style="font-size: small;">-drone combined, this new album focuses more on a sound very much akin to their only breakthrough <span style="font-size: small;">US single "Domino<span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;">." So, really upping the ante of pop hooks here with<span style="font-size: small;">out going completely in<span style="font-size: small;">to <span style="font-size: small;">near-self-parody,<i> (like</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>, the Fun album mentioned e</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>arlie</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>r</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>)</i>, is the name of the ga<span style="font-size: small;">me.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> However, <span style="font-size: small;">this album has <span style="font-size: small;">a great fe<span style="font-size: small;">el to it,<span style="font-size: small;"> and it's easy to lose your<span style="font-size: small;">self in <span style="font-size: small;">it's swi<span style="font-size: small;">rl of synth<span style="font-size: small;">s and guitar-feedback. Think of it<span style="font-size: small;"> as an electr<span style="font-size: small;">onic rock album with a<span style="font-size: small;"> psyc<span style="font-size: small;">h<span style="font-size: small;">a</span>delic touch.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Beats. Fuzzy<span style="font-size: small;">, high-gain power chords.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">That's the backbone of what Sleigh Bells is. Oh, and the chick lead singer. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> All that <span style="font-size: small;">aside<span style="font-size: small;">, th<span style="font-size: small;">is albu<span style="font-size: small;">m is a more than worthy follow-up to "Treats<span style="font-size: small;">." Granted<span style="font-size: small;">, there's no "<span style="font-size: small;">Rill Rill" on this album, but it's got a<span style="font-size: small;">n awesome</span> track list<span style="font-size: small;">, and it's fun<span style="font-size: small;">. With the razor-sh<span style="font-size: small;">arp guitars, and speaker-rattling beats<span style="font-size: small;"> - this album c<span style="font-size: small;">an</span> become hard on the ears at times, but with Alexis Krauss' vocals and it's<span style="font-size: small;"> short<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">length, this album doesn't overstay it's welcome.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Alabama Shakes - Boys and Girls</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">There's plenty of information on the web about how good this band and album<span style="font-size: small;"> is. So<span style="font-size: small;">, if you don't already own it, you really should go out <span style="font-size: small;">now and pick it u<span style="font-size: small;">p<span style="font-size: small;">. No other band mixes up <span style="font-size: small;">rock and soul like this<span style="font-size: small;">, and sounds so natural. Pi<span style="font-size: small;">ck it up. You need this.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Santigold - Master of My Make-Believe</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a mix of<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>world music, <span style="font-size: small;">hip-hop, r<span style="font-size: small;">eggae, etc... </span>A super-fine pop album - This is the kind of album Gwen Ste<span style="font-size: small;">fani wishes she could make<span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="font-size: small;"> Every<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">song is <span style="font-size: small;">great, but specifically check <span style="font-size: small;">out "The Keepers" for it's odd, new-wavey vibe. Oh, and a guest appearance by Karen O f<span style="font-size: small;">rom the Yeah Yeah Yeah's? Count me in....</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT_fJ91gixg5_xx3GIjmTlq2lDGWEGsLl5cbNafXbPH-kh6WMRjH45Jdix1exK8JKfw2lwp6XgaGLBWUudtvHZMffuXuU6qeRaXvBrwWjyknL2ahKZ6go9oALYitBDa_ypB2xAsjYI8-_/s1600/Lana-Del-Rey-Born-To-Die.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT_fJ91gixg5_xx3GIjmTlq2lDGWEGsLl5cbNafXbPH-kh6WMRjH45Jdix1exK8JKfw2lwp6XgaGLBWUudtvHZMffuXuU6qeRaXvBrwWjyknL2ahKZ6go9oALYitBDa_ypB2xAsjYI8-_/s320/Lana-Del-Rey-Born-To-Die.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lana Del Rey - Born To Die</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Another odd one<span style="font-size: small;"> for me,<i> (in fact I've found more interest in the odd pop album<span style="font-size: small;">s being released this year than the standard indie<span style="font-size: small;"> or a<span style="font-size: small;">lt-country bands I'm more inclined to like<span style="font-size: small;">.... It really has been a sad year for music<span style="font-size: small;"> when the mainstream pop albums are more interesting than the latest<span style="font-size: small;"> Mumford and Sons album)...</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> But I digress...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Su<span style="font-size: small;">re, I hadn't listened to <span style="font-size: small;">Lana <span style="font-size: small;">Del Rey until reading <span style="font-size: small;">internet chatter about how crappy her performance on SNL was earlier this year. I watched it. It wasn't <span style="font-size: small;">great, it wasn'<span style="font-size: small;">t horrible. It was just an e<span style="font-size: small;">x<span style="font-size: small;">cuse for people to bitch about something<span style="font-size: small;">, <i>(like most internet chatt</i><span style="font-size: small;"><i>er...)</i>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> No matter. I read a Rol<span style="font-size: small;">ling Stone review of this album as well before buying it.<span style="font-size: small;"> At the very least, they were uncomplimentary of it.<span style="font-size: small;"> I picked it up anyway.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">It's clear from the outset that her songs are <span style="font-size: small;">cool little <i>noir</i></span></span> dramas <span style="font-size: small;">that are w<span style="font-size: small;">ay more interesting than<span style="font-size: small;"> anything by Taylor Swift, K<span style="font-size: small;">e$ha, or <span style="font-size: small;">Lady Gaga, etc... Plus,<span style="font-size: small;"> these <span style="font-size: small;">songs a<span style="font-size: small;">ll feel like they were pulled from a soundtrack to a David Lynch movie - <span style="font-size: small;">all 50'<span style="font-size: small;">s/60<span style="font-size: small;">'s Americana with large amount of darkness and absurdity. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>...(Lana Del Rey also recently released<span style="font-size: small;"> an EP with <span style="font-size: small;">a</span> cover of <span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="font-size: small;">Blue Velvet"<span style="font-size: small;">, which<span style="font-size: small;"> adds even more to the Lynchian motif <span style="font-size: small;">she has going on with her type of pop music<span style="font-size: small;">)...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> So<span style="font-size: small;">, maybe the critics dislike it<span style="font-size: small;"> - maybe some of her fans were disappointed in her live performance... blah blah blah...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> What<i> is</i> i<span style="font-size: small;">mportant is the strange, sleazy world her songs create <span style="font-size: small;">in one sitting. And as far as that is concerned, this album<span style="font-size: small;">'s pretty d<span style="font-size: small;">amn cool.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-48313812596239063852012-07-25T13:21:00.001-07:002012-07-31T09:51:57.408-07:00How to Explain an Album... (Side 2)<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I figure we'll pick up right where we left off...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blacklight Serenade Part 2:</span><br />
This was a completely different song from the aforementioned "Part 1", and really their only similarities are in regard to a few lyrical connections. Overall, this was to be the true soft moment on the album, (in the vein of "Failing Street" on the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/reland/id508307048" target="_blank">Reland</a> EP).<br />
We had <a href="http://letmegetmyboots.com/" target="_blank">Bryan Daste</a> record some banjo on the song, and even threw in a mid-section for a sort of banjo solo. Since pedal steel would be the obvious addition to this song in feel, I specifically decided that we would steer clear of the obvious instrumentation - and have a different instrument that we hadn't had on record before. Thus, the banjo on this song.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Secret History:</span><br />
I've come to the understanding that every album session, (for me, anyway), seems to have one unfinished song. That's not to say that the song isn't completed for listening, it's that the so-called "artistic vision" of the song wasn't fully realized. "Secret History" is that song for me.<br />
With a lyrical lean towards the early/mid 70's Kinks, this song morphed from a palm-muted rocker to a strange little pop song. I'd initially made a suggestion that it'd be cool to have a mellotron on the song, and in the magic of production we did just that.<br />
However, when all was said and done, (after drums recorded, in the midst of mixing), it didn't quite turn out how I'd imagined it. That's not to say I dislike the song, it's just that there's still stuff I want to do to it. But at this point it's a bit late, and it is what it is.<br />
On the other hand, a song like "Secret History" does translate well into the live setting - sounding a bit different form the record but retaining the clear recognition of the original. So, as we schedule out more shows, this one will definitely be popping up in our setlists.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where's My Soul?:</span><br />
This song dates back to an early incarnation of our band and is still floating around the interwebs in it's premature form off our first demo album. Another example of a song that I felt was unfinished all those years ago, and that we revived for this album.<br />
This version of the song is pretty much perfect in my opinion. Andy's more rhythmic approach gives the song a better feeling of movement, under the piano and guitars. My favorite part, of course, is the guitar solo. We spent a good chunk of time ironing out the solo for this one, and after a number of takes, finally got what we needed. This was the hardest solo to record for the record, but it turned out perfect, (in my opinion, of course).<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nothing Fades:</span><br />
In the mixing notes I gave to Bryan Daste for this song, I stated that I wanted it to sound like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_%28band%29" target="_blank">Television</a>'s "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlbunmCbTBA" target="_blank">Marquee Moon</a>" album, and I would have to say that it turned out exactly as planned.<br />
I love the fact that all the guitars sound nice and warm but also very clean, and not over-loaded with distortion. And again, the other solo that I'm most proud of on the record, slowly composed and organized over a few weeks. This solo was specifically recorded on my Epiphone Flying-V and using my Vox AC-15.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">No One's Home:</span><br />
This song is my favorite one on the album - and the one I'm most proud of.<br />
When I started writing this song, I'd been listening to a lot of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can_%28band%29" target="_blank">Can</a> albums and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAXYMOgHQI4" target="_blank">Neu</a> discography - this should easily explain the krautrock comparisons that it may receive. I had always planned to have the first part of the song quiet and calm, and then have the last half of the song be driven by a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorik" target="_blank">motorik</a> beat. Obviously, this idea for a song has been done before, using the same influences, I assume - (see: early <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereolab" target="_blank">Stereolab</a>, or Wilco's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu6f4dAaXpc" target="_blank">"Spiders (Kidsmoke)"</a> for reference)...<br />
Again, the pedal steel part was provided by Bryan Daste, and the last half/outro of the song was a jam specifically arranged and created in the studio. The intention for the outro jam was also to have a song that we could play live and make it any length we wanted. However, in the recording setting, you don't want to make it boring for the listener, thus we kept the outro down to about 4 minutes or so.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rock and Roll Life:</span><br />
Another song that has existed in demo form since around 2006, with some intermittent live performances of it.<br />
The intention of this song was to have a cool, psychadelic burnout at the end, with a multitude of noises jostling the listener. A mixture of the discordant and some bit of melody to end the song. This song idea came from 2 sources: the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_at_the_gates_of_dawn" target="_blank">first Pink Floyd album</a>, and the Flaming Lips' "<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hit-to-death-in-the-future-head/id298114054" target="_blank">You Have To Be Joking (Autopsy of the Devil's Brain)</a>".<br />
This song is also "the little song that could" from the mixing sessions. The explanation for that reference is because on the first day of mixing, the noisy outro part sounded underwhelming, while the first part of the song felt... well... bland upon first listen, with only the acoustic drums, guitar and vocals.<br />
I went the next day and recorded a quick lead guitar part, with the full intention of reversing it - thinking we could add the backwards guitar to the track during the outro. I also recorded a small spoken word segment, that I distorted slightly and reverbed out through a little Orange guitar amp. I handed these small recordings over to Bryan Daste for the final day or so of mixing, and also requested a possible filter on the drum track in the first portion of the song - I used Radiohead's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLQ9S5D_mxw" target="_blank">The National Anthem</a>" as an example of the drum sound that might make the track.<br />
After the new tracks were mixed in, and the weird synth and keboard parts in the outro were even more reworked - the final mix was there, and it sounded, (to me), light years from the original. And I felt confident again in this song, and that it was definitely worthy of being on the album.<br />
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And thus concludes the write-up of our album... Remember - You can purchase "From A Transistor Radio" via the following retailers<b>:<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/static/id535330853?i=535330865" target="_blank"> iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/From-a-Transistor-Radio/dp/B008B5518W">Amazon.com</a>, <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hutson3">CDBaby</a>.</b><br />
You can also check it out on <b><a href="http://www.spotify.com/us/desktop-splash/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=start">Spotify</a></b>....Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com017530-17544 SE Tibbetts St, Portland, OR 97236, USA45.500571941572261 -122.4824523925781245.478319941572259 -122.52193439257813 45.522823941572263 -122.44297039257812tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-79286166278268975902012-06-29T09:57:00.001-07:002012-06-29T09:57:20.786-07:00How to Explain an Album... (Side 1)<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In a past life, I wasn't really meant to play music or work in the medical field. I was meant to <em>write</em> about music - reviewing albums and shows, talking about musicians, doing write-ups on people, etc...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Years ago, in that weird span of time between high school graduation and starting my first year of college, I heavily considered being an English major,<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <em><strong>(What really happened, was a thwarted attempt at a double major for Music and Nursing... That lasted for about a year...),</strong></em></span> in order to continue my love of writing that I had developed from grade school</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>....(In hindsight, perhaps a double major with English and Music would have been more appropriate...)</em>...</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Either way, I have the sneaking suspicion that I might have a had a life reviewing music for any form of publication, and would've been at least partially okay at it... No matter the limited amount of money I would make</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...<em><strong>(That's not to say I'm unhappy with the way things turned out; things ended up pretty damn good - But it's nice to imagine an alternate timeline, eh?)...</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My reason for explaining all this is because I'm going to do a little write up on the new </span></span><a href="http://www.hutsonrock.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hutson</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> album "<strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/From-a-Transistor-Radio/dp/B008B5518W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340984248&sr=8-1&keywords=hutson+from+a+transistor+radio" target="_blank">From A Transistor Radio</a>*</strong>"... I'm doing this because it's my album, and I feel like talking about it, (<em>now that it's completed, and due to be released on June 30th</em>).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This isn't going to be so much a review, as it is an explanation of the underlying info regarding the songs... So, here we go...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Blacklight Serenade 1:</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I had the chord progression of this song for close to a year, and snippet of the first verse and half of the chorus already organized. Initially, this was one that I liked the lyric parts of, but felt the chord progressions might end up sounding tedious. Luckily, when Andy and Tony came in for their parts, they organized a much more rhythmic approach underneath the straight palm-muting and strumming guitar part. Also, the pedal steel, (played by <a href="http://letmegetmyboots.com/" target="_blank">Bryan Daste</a>), added an unforeseen Jayhawks feel tho the choruses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This song was a prime example of when you write something with your predisposed idea of how it should sound, and then come out the other end with something different - and better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Ready To Run:</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This is a song that was written and mostly organized in the band setting, so much that we were playing it regularly in our sets at the beginning of 2011. By the time we hunkered down and put it to tape, we had a pretty solid idea how it would turn out. Mostly acoustic driven, I felt the need to overlay a large amount of feedback in the background in order to move the song away from a standard folk-song variation - <em>(this is specifically a trick I nicked from old <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPZmJ7oAOfc" target="_blank">R.E.M. songs </a>from the early 90's)...</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> As far as the lyrics, this song is another example of my fascination with the apocalypse and paranoia over our current status in society, much like the song "Smokescreen" from our <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reland/dp/B007IJI0GM/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340984284&sr=301-1" target="_blank">Reland</a></em> EP, <em>(in fact, this song has a line or two specifically written to link it to "Smokescreen", so that it's a continuation of the same idea)...</em> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><u>Kill Your Scene:</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> This song was built around a bass line of Tony's, and I simply augmented a chorus and middle section around it. This is another song that came about of it's own accord during the recording process. The early demo of this song didn't have the mid-section - but I eventually latched on riffy middle area, feeling the need to have something reminiscent of early Black Sabbath records and/or a Queens of the Stone Age feel to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Also, there's a bit of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ennio_morricone" target="_blank">Ennio Morricone</a> in this song, with it's over-dramatized feel, much like those old spaghetti-western soundtracks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Initially, the plan was to call it "Kill Yr Scene", with the mis-spelling intentionally in there as a throw-back to Sonic Youth's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PU1pIJJGeM" target="_blank">Expressway To Yr Skull</a>"... Definitely a music-geek thing that few people would appreciate. However, in the midst of completing artwork, and organizing liner notes, the song title got spelled correctly - and thus, it is what it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><u>Static:</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The second of 3 songs that were basically written and organized prior to our recording sessions, "Static" was in our set for probably a good six months before we took our break from live shows. This song was written after listening to a bunch of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hold_Steady" target="_blank">Hold Steady</a> albums, <em>(which seems a bit obvious to me).</em> At one point in time, there was talk of adding some horns to the bridge section build-up, but due to time constraints and forgetting about the suggestion - we weren't able to add any. Which is fine, because I feel the song stands pretty well on it's own. This was also the first song we started on in the recording process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><u>Porch Swing:</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The oldest song on this album, "Porch Swing" has been written, (and existed), in a demo form since 2004. We've been playing this song in our sets since probably mid-2010, and we finally were able to record it. This was one of the easiest songs to record, probably because we all had our parts organized and it required little extra work to translate it to tape. Again, the beautiful pedal steel on this one is courtesy of Bryan Daste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><u>Riot Saturday Night:</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Oh yes. There is a stupidity to rock music. There always has been, that's why it's fun. Don't get me wrong, I like serious music. I appreciate it as a form of art. I get that people want to put part of themselves into the music they create. But I also think that too much of that ends up being really pretentious, and over-thinking - So, to balance out the times our songs are a bit overly serious, I really wanted a song that was just a good rock song - It doesn't take many brain cells to rock - and that's exactly where this song came from. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> I initially wanted it to be a scrappy late 70's punk song, but as always, it turned into it's own thing. And as for the lyrics, well... it's a bit tongue-in-cheek... But it's fun. Because that was the point - <em>(my personal favorite part of this is the hand-claps in the mid-section)...</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>To Be Continued With Side 2....</strong></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>*It should be noted that the following guitars were used on this album: Fender Telecaster, Fender Jazzmaster, Epiphone Flying-V, and Epiphone SJ-220 acoustic guitar.</strong></span></em><br />
<br />Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-22027207251038802042012-05-26T16:38:00.000-07:002012-05-26T16:38:26.684-07:00It's Such A Drag When You're Living In The Past...<div>
It cannot be said enough how much Tom Petty affected my early musical education in my teenage years.<br />
It was probably sometime in late 1994 when I got my tape of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits... <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>(yes... a tape...The dividing line between the two sides of the album being between "You Got Lucky" and "Don't Come Around Here No More")</b></i></span>.....<br />
While my friends were immersed in Green Day and the Offspring, in the aftermath of Nirvana... I found something that clicked with me in Petty's songs. Teen angst was fun and all, but I'm guessing that I was subconsciously trying to find something with more background.... <i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(in later years, I found the background/influences for most of these mid-90's acts to be of interest as well... oftentimes way more interesting than the bands of my generation.....)</span></b></i><br />
Now, I'm not writing this to explain the intricacy of the music, because.. let's be honest... Tom Petty's songs aren't complicated. But there's something nicely brilliant about these simple songs that get their point across without dumbing down too much for the listening audience.<br />
Looking back on it, most of these songs by Petty were no less angry than the average grunge band on the radio at that time. It was just that the anger was more controlled and joined alongside other emotions, rather than the one-dimensional aggression that was exhibited by anything on the so-called "alternative" radio stations.<br />
Petty's lyrics touched on loss, resentment, and their own kind of anger; "You Got Lucky" being a prime example of a pithy kiss-off to a lover. "Don't Come Around Here No More" illustrates just that and I'm still not sure what "Mary Jane's Last Dance" is specifically about...<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i> (however, that's part of the beauty of it, I think)</i></b></span>....and "Here Comes My Girl" hits all the bitterness of living in a small town, all the while producing a glimmer of hope by each chorus.<br />
Which brings me to the point that these songs always seemed to have a bit of hope in them, <i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(mostly by the time you got to the songs from "Full Moon Fever"</span>)</span></b></i>... An element that didn't really fit into most of those 90's band's vernacular... <br />
I listened to that tape constantly - so much to the point that the song-listing on each side was worn off, making it nearly unreadable for anyone except for myself. <br />
And then as years passed, I didn't listen to it quite as much. I moved onto other music and other bands. Yet those songs were always there, part of my teenage DNA. Even now as I'm a hell of a lot older, I <i>still</i> remember the words to every single song on the tape, (which is kind of a rarity for me).<br />
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Several years later, I moved up and got an audio CD of that album, then it moved to my iPod., so it's never really left. As for the actual tape, it's still at my parents' house somewhere, along with its tattered insert. Which to me, seems like a fitting place. After all, if my parents hadn't sprung the money for a broke teenager, I might not be writing this particular blog entry.<br />
</div>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com5Portland, OR 97236, USA45.4796668 -122.514606145.4351328 -122.5935701 45.524200799999996 -122.4356421tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-31893350997736731862012-02-06T10:52:00.000-08:002012-02-06T11:04:10.993-08:00Some Reflection... (or) Altering Your Perceived Musical Paradigm (A.K.A Giving Your Musical Taste A Shot In The Arm)<div>
It's certainly time to wake this blog up a bit... I've been incommunicado for a while as my band <a href="http://www.hutsonrock.com/">Hutson</a> finished up our first LP, "From A Transistor Radio" -<i> (due out in March 2012)</i>...<br />
Since that job is done for a bit, I have returned to the blogging sphere.<br />
<br />
What I'm going to talk about is the life-changing aspects of certain albums. I'm sure most of you who are true music fans, (and even those who are casual listeners), have at least an album or two that "changed your life"... Or an album that you continuously come back to for inspiration, etc...<br />
However, here is where I need to make a distinction... There are those albums whose discovery<br />
coincides with certain events in one's life... <u><i>An example:</i></u> you bought album "<i><b>x</b></i>"
in 2003 after a bad breakup with your girl-friend/boy-friend of 4 years, and it helped you get through a tough time, etc ...
While I'm sure everyone has plenty of those, that's not the kind of life-changing album that I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is when you've bought an album, and upon listening to it - it has shifted your paradigm or changed your understanding of music from that point on.<br />
Albums like this, are not as common....<br />
In this blog, I'm going to examine one album that did this for me.<br />
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I'm guessing that it would be in the first couple of weeks of January 2000, in my first year of college. Me and my girl-friend at the time had seen "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl,_Interrupted_%28film%29">Girl Interrupted</a>" at the theater, and I had the urge to purchase the soundtrack to this movie. Now, in hindsight, the movie has made little impact on my life and seems to have been only a means to an end to purchase the soundtrack. As far as that soundtrack goes, it's a fairly solid collection of late 60's rock and pop tunes, (<i>see:</i> Petula Clark's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKCnHWas3HQ">Downtown</a>" and/or the Band's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN6FY0jRA48">The Weight</a>")... Some good songs on there, but nothing necessarily mind-blowing... Except for one song.<br />
The odd one out is a song by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilco">Wilco</a>, called "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DlWyTpD3hM&feature=related">How To Fight Loneliness</a>."<br />
I found this song most interesting on the soundtrack, simply cause I knew it was a current band at the time, and yet the song sounded almost as if it had come from the same time-frame as the aforementioned song by the Band. I'd heard of Wilco, read some random magazine articles, etc... but hadn't picked up any albums by them. Still, I found it kind of invigorating to hear a band playing this type of music now, so I decided I should track down an album by them.<br />
Probably a few weeks later, I made the trip into Walla Walla to the only good record store in town, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hotpoop">Hot Poop</a>, (say what you will, but Hot Poop was, and still is, a seriously awesome independent record store)....<br />
I found the Wilco album that also contained the song I loved so much. That album was "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summerteeth">Summerteeth</a>."<br />
This was a fairly big leap of faith for me, cause in most articles I'd read of Wilco, they were portrayed as an "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_country">alternative country</a>" band, (and yes, I'm aware how stale and over-used this genre term has become in the past several years - especially since my understanding of it was that it was a rock/country hybrid, but it turns out to be mostly a bunch of boring-ass folk music in the past decade... but I digress...).<br />
The idea of anything "country" being anywhere close to rock music gave me reason to shudder at the tender age of 19.... My reasoning? I grew up in Oklahoma long before I moved up to Oregon, and was exposed to a ridiculous amount of country music, and by the time I hit my teenage years I found anything in the genre revolting - having grown into my teenage years with the so-called "alternative rock" music of the early-mid 90's.... <i>(It should be noted that the "country music" that is played on heavy rotation on CMT or on nearly every country station in town is still equally revolting to me, but for different reasons....)</i><br />
So, while I enjoyed "How To Fight Loneliness", I was a bit skeptical if I would dig this entire Wilco album, but I figured it'd be worth the 15 bucks to find out.<br />
Now, at this point I could easily do a track by track breakdown of the album to explain all the great things about it, but I think a listen on Spotify could fill in all that information for you. But there are certain important aspects about it that made it life-changing for me. First, and foremost, it changed my perception and disdain for "country music." The type of "country" music that was incorporated into these songs was that of the 60's and 70's, even the earlier Johnny Cash stuff. This type of country I could tolerate and even like - mostly because it wasn't the glossy, Nashville garbage that had been going on for the last 20 years -<i> (I'm looking at you, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8RrQEJRHcw">Garth Brooks</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJL4UGSbeFg&ob=av2e">Shania Twain</a>...)</i><br />
After hearing this album, instruments such as banjo or pedal steel became less foreign and added a fascinating touch to what were basically straight-forward pop songs, buried beneath some cool studio flourishes.<br />
Case in point, the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7lgner6IO0">Via Chicago</a>" that ripples beneath waves of feedback and intermittent squalls of detuned guitars - accompanied,<i> (at times)</i>, by drums that sound like they were recorded in the apartment next over... These are all tricks that Sonic Youth had been doing for years, but at the time, it was rare to hear these being incorporated into a sad acoustic ballad. Not only that, with lines such as "I dreamed about killing you again last night, and it felt alright to me" - Jeff Tweedy was writing cryptic lyrics that held way more weight to me at that time-frame than anything from the KornBizkitNickelSum182 bands that covered the radio...<br />
So, I guess in a nutshell - "Summerteeth" made me not afraid of country music anymore, which opened me up to a broader range of music and artists, (i.e. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpcB2xsXRv4">Son Volt</a>, the ever amazing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy3WkIfgkSQ">Uncle Tupelo</a>, the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phwqp2uxGSI">Byrds</a>, the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ioiFqPqnQ">Jayhawks</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0F2aYivCmU&feature=related">Jerry Reed</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA7eYENK_OA">Cracker</a>, etc....), that I wouldn't have found otherwise.<br />
And really, it's just a freaking awesome album. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUrJLQ8cHbRmqn-KmVVNU_T0uTO65CwNLZDrHqrR4JtpnrVe3UnELYraOIfXMKiE7BH-FKPBGAUVuGmGO8aQq3KE_jpIQR8ODbvb4O5lnKRjL48UCcnzqyG9BHEUn3zpum5PQn9MimG_q/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUrJLQ8cHbRmqn-KmVVNU_T0uTO65CwNLZDrHqrR4JtpnrVe3UnELYraOIfXMKiE7BH-FKPBGAUVuGmGO8aQq3KE_jpIQR8ODbvb4O5lnKRjL48UCcnzqyG9BHEUn3zpum5PQn9MimG_q/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-60077480936836651472011-07-19T20:48:00.000-07:002011-07-19T20:48:56.340-07:00A Creative Process: Part 2<div>So why the hell hasn't this blog been updated?<br />
I'll tell you why... Recording... Along with finishing up our commitments to a slew of shows over the past 3 months. But here we are now, on the other end of things, with no shows scheduled for the moment.<br />
Initially, we planned to stop doing shows after finishing off in January of this year, in order to concentrate on recording the new Hutson album. That lasted till about March, when we had ended up with another 4 shows scheduled till the end of June.<br />
Luckily, we've gotten all the guitar parts recorded in between gigs and practices... <i>(Which is a somewhat tedious process... Especially when there's 14 guitar-based songs to work on....</i>)...<br />
Currently, we have all the main guitar tracks and overdubs completed for the 14 songs we chose for the upcoming album. From this point, we start heavy work on the keyboard parts. This includes synth parts, piano, organ.... The last 2 weeks of July will be spent on drum tracks and bass tracks, so that by the beginning of August, I'll be recording vocals for the songs, followed by backing vocals, etc...<br />
As far as the timeline, I think we're only about a month behind my projected date for recording vocal tracks... Which really isn't too bad, as far as DIY recording goes. Technically, since we started recording this album in February of this year, we're not doing bad at all - as far as progress.<br />
So when do we expect to take the album in for mixing? Well, I would estimate it to be in early September or so... But, (as with everything else), the timeframe is subject to change.<br />
That's the status of the record at this point.<br />
Now, for the other part of this update: About the songs on the album.<br />
I'm not going to spend any time to discuss the lyrical content, or any aspects of that - Because, (like I've said before...), there's no way to talk about your lyrics without sounding pretentious and/or mildly retarded. Suffice to say, the lyric-writing has been approached in the same way it's always been for me. So, if you liked the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/reland/id363392440">Reland</a> EP, then you'll like the LP as well, in that regard.<br />
As for the types of songs we've been working on... For those of you who've made it out to any of our shows since March, you'll have already heard the songs "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQaHBd-TGCE">Static</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW0-BRGQTN0&feature=related">Ready To Run</a>".... These may or may not make the final cut on the album, but they are 2 of the 14 songs we've been recording in our sessions.<br />
Other songs that we have been recording include the two-part "Blacklight Serenade"; a song, (tentatively titled "Demo Song #16"), that has a "Marquee Moon"-era <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7L0IYPXKj8">Television</a> feel to it, <i>(in my opinion)</i>.... A couple of songs that have our alt-country leanings, (i.e. "Porch Swing")...<br />
About half the songs were pretty well organized prior to starting recording, but the other half have been in-studio creations... More of a "make the song here, and figure out how to play it live later"-type ethic... This is pretty evident on the songs "Broken Record" and "No One's Home" - specifically the dappling of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAXYMOgHQI4">Neu</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorik"><i>motorik</i></a> beat demonstrated in the latter song.<br />
At numerous points during the process I've jokingly referred to this LP as "our Pink Floyd album." This isn't to say that we've gone prog-rock, or are trying to make some epic, pretentious statement on things... We just plan to make this album a bit more of a headphones record... Something you can listen to and be surprised aurally, and not just musically. <br />
I'm not going to spoil all the surprises that will come to light when the record's done, but suffice to say that there will be some new things we're trying with these songs, and,<i> (in the most cliche sense)</i>, this album truly does feel like a natural progression from where the EP left off. Most of all, this<i> is</i> going to be a rock album.<br />
So, that's a quick snapshot on where we're at now. We'll let you know where we are at the end of August...<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Song Of The Week:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Monkeys">Arctic Monkeys</a> - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zqTI6S-pMI">Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-ZpxKCQ-jCYihwLUQGPJh6-6l_YrYPhcCR6-9ZLFdU7C_LlubvgNZ-y9Ef4X2XAlIJ16lxzUz-GROmeBV_nqHAqiRqVJV-7awbMoJd3xlHcF9Hcb8eiAb9HDjaYRhpFyOUSVHS1JnC-s/s1600/Suckitandsee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-ZpxKCQ-jCYihwLUQGPJh6-6l_YrYPhcCR6-9ZLFdU7C_LlubvgNZ-y9Ef4X2XAlIJ16lxzUz-GROmeBV_nqHAqiRqVJV-7awbMoJd3xlHcF9Hcb8eiAb9HDjaYRhpFyOUSVHS1JnC-s/s320/Suckitandsee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Honestly, I can't figure out this band. I bought their first album, and enjoyed it. But didn't really feel interested in buying their follow-up, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favourite_Worst_Nightmare"><i>Favourite Worst Nightmare</i></a>. I had pretty much written them off as a one-trick pony.<br />
And then, (for some reason), I happened to pick-up their second album, and was totally blown away. Then, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbug_%28album%29">Humbug</a></i> came out, and I approached it with the same unwarranted trepidation. I'd read that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Homme">Josh Homme</a> had helped in producing it so I thought, "What the hell?" and bought a copy.<br />
Again.... Blown away......<br />
And then, (after having not learned my lesson the first couple of times), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suck_It_and_See"><i>Suck It And See</i></a> came out, and I again didn't rush out and buy it.<br />
Luckily.... I was in a Target on my lunch break and happened to spy a copy and purchased it.<br />
And yes... Again, I'm completely blown away by this band. At this point, I can honestly say this band can pretty much do no wrong by me....<br />
So, here is my pick for one of the best cuts off the album, "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair." The song is great, and if it didn't already sound like an early 90's Britpop song, the pseudo-psychedelic music video certainly makes it's case.<br />
One can only wish that Oasis had been making music this good over the past decade or so....<br />
</div>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-44961258691849005372011-03-18T20:57:00.000-07:002011-03-28T09:21:37.673-07:00Why the Jukebox Matters<u style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b>Matchbox Lounge, March 3, 2011 - 11:20pm </b></i></u><br />
<br />
First of all, they have a couple of Ween albums - one of which is "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_Golden_Country_Greats">12 Golden Country Greats</a>", so I can tell this jukebox was put together by someone willing to say "fuck off" to the faint of heart.<br />
But I'm not in the mood for "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tvJvh_87i4">Help Me Scrape the Mucus Off My Brain</a>" tonight.<br />
Instead, from this small - but varietal jukebox, I'm going to pick 4 songs. The following:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. <b>Outkast</b> - "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWJjgLA8N8c"><i>Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac)</i></a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. <b>Rolling Stones</b> - "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sh-fMOecSE"><i>Tumbling Dice</i></a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. <b>Brian Eno</b> - "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP-RFsuv-8Q"><i>Here Come The Warm Jets</i></a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. <b>Sonic Youth</b> - "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvDuATZCY8I"><i>Teen Age Riot</i></a>"</span></div><br />
You can tell a lot about a bar by its jukebox.<br />
The particular type of bar I like will usually have a jukebox that has its share of 90's rock music and old punk albums from the late 70's; with a third of the selections being straight-forward pop albums that most everyone recognizes, (i.e. the first Van Halen album, or an Oasis album, etc.)...<br />
The rest will be the harder to find classic albums from various eras, and a few oddball music-snob choices, (i.e. Pavement's "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wowee_Zowee">Wowee Zowee</a>", or David Bowie's "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lodger_%28album%29">Lodger</a>", etc.)...<br />
As far as the decor... It doesn't matter a whole lot to me. Most places can have a dive-bar element to them that I can appreciate. But, <i>(having said that)</i>, there<b><i> is </i></b>a fine line between a "dive-bar element" and actually just being a dive-bar.<br />
It seems that beers on tap are a good way to distinguish which side of the line you're on. I mean, we live in Portland - and if your only choices are Miller, Budweiser, PBR, and, (<i>at it's most exotic</i>), Widmer Hefeweizen - then it should be pretty clear where you are.<br />
Back to the jukebox....<br />
The idea of having a jukebox with a limited amount of selection is enticing to me. And here is why it's better than bars who have a digital downloading jukebox device, (or whatever the hell you would call it).<br />
The ability to pull up any damn song you like and have it blast all over the establishment has a major downside. If I'm in a bar that I enjoy, (with it's dive-bar element), the last thing I want to hear is a Lady Gaga song or,<i> (God forbid)</i>, anything by Kenny Chesney. Not only would that type of music not fit in with the "essence", <i>(if you will)</i>, of the bar - it some cases it can actually be aurally offensive to music aficionados...<br />
A place like the Matchbox Lounge works well on multiple levels, but the jukebox shows that someone, (maybe the owner, maybe the bartender, who knows?), has sat down and taken the time to make musical selections that mean something.<br />
Whereas, the internet-connected, digital jukebox will never have that kind of soul.<br />
So, maybe I'm a bit pissy, and old-fashioned about this... But if I'm going to go out and get a drink, I need a place that has some care put into it. I want a place with a list of drinks that are all individually named after the titles of Buzzcocks songs from "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singles_Going_Steady">Singles Going Steady</a>" - where <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSsqavYIgNc&feature=related">Motorhead</a> plays over the room.<br />
I want a place I can remember.... Cause otherwise, what's the point of going out and getting a drink?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Song Of The Week:</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranglers">The Stranglers</a> - "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7R7q1lSZfs">Golden Brown</a>"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZlsqkjYoKekm55WQGfcOl4RRwe_yAQCwutgmBS9e3cW1Z01H9lg9CYsuf42YXLY-HPLbV0IXFZFbGCfXvRUObEOr3xqxpt8Zgx3KfutfJeiiWj1ExwxareDkZTWhpPYlFIGbH2TUc4Pn/s1600/the-stranglers-concert-olympia-paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZlsqkjYoKekm55WQGfcOl4RRwe_yAQCwutgmBS9e3cW1Z01H9lg9CYsuf42YXLY-HPLbV0IXFZFbGCfXvRUObEOr3xqxpt8Zgx3KfutfJeiiWj1ExwxareDkZTWhpPYlFIGbH2TUc4Pn/s1600/the-stranglers-concert-olympia-paris.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Now, while there are a huge amount of other Stranglers songs that would qualify, this song is still amazing. It doesn't have any inclination towards the new-wavey punk stuff these guys were doing in their previous albums, (the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aI9k06dGpg">Peaches</a>" comes to mind). But I think that makes it all the better.<br />
Yes, it's quite possibly about heroin.<br />
Yes, it's in 3/4.<br />
Yes, the first time I heard it was in a movie in 2001. Which means I was only 20 years late in appreciating it. So, listen to it now, so you don't make the same mistake.Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-52047838414786570552011-03-07T12:27:00.000-08:002011-03-07T12:34:29.927-08:00Thoughts Vaguely Referring to Baroque Pop (or) A Review First of all, in order to read this blog, you will need to go to the following link: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ</a><br />
We'll see you back here in about four minutes and sixteen seconds...<br />
<br />
I rarely buy anything off of iTunes, instead preferring to buy hard copy versions of albums I like, and <i>then</i> import them into my iTunes. Why? That's a long story for a different blog.<br />
Suffice to say, I've bought maybe 2 albums off iTunes over the past few years. But yesterday, I bought the new 3-song EP by <a href="http://www.fosterthepeople.com/">Foster The People</a>.<br />
Though I enjoy trying to find old albums, (and even old <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Papa_qi7evU">Blur singles</a> - in order to gather a collection of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_side">b-sides</a>), I didn't feel like putting in the time to find a 3-song EP in CD format.<br />
...(besides, this band has a full-length due out in May, of which I can pick up a copy then)...<br />
Anyway, I bought it because I'd heard the single "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ">Pumped Up Kicks</a>" on the radio, (which is kind of a rarity for me to even listen to the radio). But I happened to catch this song and got hooked on it.<br />
So let me tell you what I like about this song. First of all, it has a strange <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_pop">baroque-pop</a> feel to it. Case in point, the heavily-reverbed vocals during the chorus and the bassline that drives the song. The tone on the bass guitar part has a definite late-60's sound to it, (i.e. listen to an old <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGG1yb3BvUY">Byrds</a> album and hear how the high-end on the bass notes seems to punch through the mix more).<br />
These traits are really similar to the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIRE6iw-ws4">Young Folks</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Bjorn_And_John">Peter, Bjorn, and John</a>, and let us not forget the use of whistling notable in both of these songs. ....(As a sidenote, if you're only familiar with the "Young Folks" song from Peter, Bjorn, and John, then you should do a bit more research on them - they've done some truly cool things with simplistic song ideas, sparse arrangements, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5uOfj7ukjU">straight-forward dance beats</a>. Just goes to show that Sweden is good for other things , not just IKEA, ABBA, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfz_XIkCSf0&feature=fvst">metal bands</a>)....<br />
Which brings me to my next point: This is basically indie-dance music, as far as I can tell. The other two songs, ("Houdini" and "Helena Beat"), on the EP solidify this sentiment.<br />
For those of you disappointed by MGMT's last album and hoping for more synth-pop music, you may find something to like in this band, in that their sound has more in common with "Kids" and "Electric Feel" than any of the other songs off of MGMT's "Congratulations"....(although I still stand by the fact that "Congratulations" was one of the best albums of last year)....<br />
In reality, this EP isn't going to change the world musically. It's not some boundary-pushing sound, it's just good pop music that you can groove to. It's hard to say if their full-length will live up to the EP, but in today's digital environment, it doesn't really matter. Most people buy individual songs rather than whole albums anyway. Which brings me to the idea of singles and their impact on popular music...<br />
But that too, is for another blog... Maybe next month...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4QQYK1J0k9Y60NA23E3tvBBtAg-udZFwrmqn5qfxS3LULOS8s1-BfnCp1JAd4hQO_Vs1vvnXCGFxtp-pfALHiVt4cc1XYQLDF1ePyxaGacu6Tk9rNawlEylvBQCrQ1yVXJqVti6Hi7vO/s1600/Foster-The-People-EP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4QQYK1J0k9Y60NA23E3tvBBtAg-udZFwrmqn5qfxS3LULOS8s1-BfnCp1JAd4hQO_Vs1vvnXCGFxtp-pfALHiVt4cc1XYQLDF1ePyxaGacu6Tk9rNawlEylvBQCrQ1yVXJqVti6Hi7vO/s1600/Foster-The-People-EP.jpg" /></a></div>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-78180623535429678182010-11-27T20:58:00.000-08:002011-03-07T12:38:39.360-08:00The Guilty Pleasure - Part II<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtp14ikRvxo">Southland Tales</a><br />
2. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYCkFTyADJ0">Love Actually</a><br />
3. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVg59F1tdgo">Bad Education</a><br />
4. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0mDGxWC2VQ">Welcome to Woop Woop</a><br />
5. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVrGMnk5E_M">The Matrix Reloaded</a></span></div><br />
And yes, here it is. The list of movies that I don’t recommend to people or friends. The guilty pleasure movies that I love, but don’t openly admit. In many ways, this list is more embarrassing than my list of top 5 Guilty Pleasure Songs. <br />
So, let’s dissect this list…<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b>#5. The Matrix Reloaded</b></div> This one is always hard to admit. Damn near everyone loves the first Matrix movie, as do I. But nearly everyone hates the last two movies, (and with fairly good reason - Matrix Revolutions is terrible).<br />
But why do I like this one? Well, because half of this movie lived up to my expectations. Half of this movie had some good ideas. For instance, the freeway action sequence is still pretty cool-looking and, (in my opinion), just as good as anything in the first movie. While it’s plot is hindered by some extraneous side notes - (i.e. the odd rave/orgy sequence in Zion, any of the scenes including Persephone and the Merovingian) - the plot is at least average and no worse than any other huge-budget Hollywood movie, (with cheese ball lines included).<br />
And while there are some ill-conceived CGI, (the Neo versus a million Agent Smiths, comes to mind), most of the special effects are pretty solid.<br />
Though I enjoy this movie, I will admit that the cliffhanger ending is especially irritating - given that the movie that followed was a much bigger steaming pile of crap.<br />
Now on to the next one!<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b>#4. Welcome to Woop Woop</b></div> Ah….This one.<br />
There’s a bit of pride in this Australian B-movie. By that, I mean that very few people have seen this movie, (probably for good reason).<br />
The plot is straight-forward and simple: <br />
Guy is on the run. Guy meets girl. Girl insists on marrying/kidnapping guy and taking him back to a creepy, middle-of-nowhere outback town inhabited by super-crazy, Rodgers & Hammerstein-obsessed locals. Guy tries to escape…Etc…<br />
This movie directed by Stephan Elliott, subsequently after the success of “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventures_of_Priscilla">The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert</a>” - (which nearly made this list, by the way), is hilarious in a disturbed sort of way. I mean, with lines like “Part me beef curtains” and an awesome soundtrack made up of late 90’s artists covering Rodgers & Hammerstein tunes, you can’t ask for a more insane movie.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(and for all you B-movie aficionados - the plot is oddly similar to the movie “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_boy_and_his_dog">A Boy and His Dog</a>”)</i></span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: red;">#3. Bad Education</b> <i>or </i> <b><span style="color: red;">La Mala Educacion</span></b></div> First of all, this is not a B-movie. It is an absolutely perfectly done film, in a strange Hitchcock-esque vein, (think a transgender <i>Vertigo</i>, in Spanish - that flirts with the idea of metafiction). <br />
While that description doesn’t do it justice, suffice to say that this movie is one of the first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_almodovar">Pedro Almodovar</a> films that I saw, and I immediately had to go out and watch his other movies.<br />
So why is this one on the list? Well, to begin with, it’s initial release was rated NC-17, (which in many ways immediately puts it at some form of cult status). And with it’s depiction of transsexuality, drug abuse, and other taboo topics - it would probably make a lot of right-wing folks uncomfortable, (presumably, that’s why this film got the rating it did - when in reality it has nothing worse than what can fit under an R-rating anyway).<br />
Which is a shame really, because this is definitely one of the best films of the decade, and it proves that Almodovar is a master at the art of cinema.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b>#2. Love Actually</b></div> I know I’m going to catch havoc for this one, but nonetheless, I love this movie.<br />
Basically, it’s an ensemble of every reasonably good British actor in the early 2000’s. While this movie is so sickeningly sweet that it’s likely to cause diabetes within the first viewing, it’s also the over-the-top king of the British romantic-comedy fold.<br />
Yes. It’s embarrassing to admit that I love this movie. But even it’s detractors would have to admit that it’s got some great moments of dry British humor. And for me, there is nothing funnier than hearing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_nighy">Bill Nighy</a>’s washed-up rockstar character say “Now let’s get pissed, and watch porn!”<br />
<br />
And finally…<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b>#1. Southland Tales</b></div> I don’t know anyone who likes this movie. And if you’ve seen it, you probably have numerous valid points as to why this is a terrible movie.<br />
It could be the completely near-incomprehensible plot - or the blatantly weird music throughout with oddball references to song lyrics and Robert Frost poems within the dialogue - or the bizarre casting, (Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson? Really?) - You could say “It doesn’t make any sense.” - And you would be right.<br />
Coming off the success of “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N49ISZ4LpkU&feature=related">Donnie Darko</a>”, Richard Kelly wrote and directed this insane movie…. And it was panned by damn near every film critic, and was a box-office disaster.<br />
But…<br />
I really do like this movie. The whole thing is a mess, but it’s kind of interesting to see a director try to fit way too many ideas into nearly 2 ½ hours. Yes, it’s a train wreck - but it’s hard to look away.<br />
It’s like listening to the Clash’s “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandinista%21">Sandinista</a>” album. It’s basically the sound of a band throwing in everything and the kitchen sink into a triple-LP. In the end, you end up with a sprawling album that has moments of brilliance, and it’s equal share of utter failure.<br />
Well, that basically sums up this movie. It’s trying to be a comedy, a dystopian-end-of-the-world film, a cool-looking music video, and a thriller - all at once. <br />
Likewise, it does have moments of brilliance: the eccentric lip-syncing of the Killers’ “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZTpLvsYYHw">All These Things That I’ve Done</a>” by none other than Justin Timberlake, or it’s strange ruminations on time-travel, or the long panning room-shot inside the blimp that moves at the pace of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG1c6em62fg">Howl</a>”…. <br />
There are reasons to like this movie. You just have to work with it a bit. <br />
<br />
So, yes…. These are the movies that I don’t readily recommend to casual friends, (or even some of my close friends), for fear of them thinking I’m crazy and having the worst taste in movies.<br />
Now, your turn.<br />
What’s your top 5? I promise not to laugh…<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Song of the Week:</i></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmcXyLhdZIFgDDEDHEfHN8iGJMzwuxRQx1lnXh0GO09Z2ZhKTPD24jVstcUy6v_TdFcsF5XBwByxqW4-fezkdiRtsibWIFctlol26Y1-rOLpTt3GFoO76YQoW3McckadMK4wXtEhxglBD/s1600/3316-the-futureheads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmcXyLhdZIFgDDEDHEfHN8iGJMzwuxRQx1lnXh0GO09Z2ZhKTPD24jVstcUy6v_TdFcsF5XBwByxqW4-fezkdiRtsibWIFctlol26Y1-rOLpTt3GFoO76YQoW3McckadMK4wXtEhxglBD/s320/3316-the-futureheads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuPVM6xMGwc">Hounds of Love</a>" - by <i>The Futureheads</i></span></div><br />
A pretty freakin' sweet cover of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" by these guys from England, and awesome backing vocals in a sort of call-and-response pattern. Go out and buy their self-titled album from back in 2004 for blissful harmony-soaked pop songs with odd post-punk tendencies....Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-9012789147741483272010-11-16T17:03:00.000-08:002010-11-16T17:03:08.176-08:00A Creative Process?This will be one of those blog entries that is specifically tailored to people who listen to/know about my band <a href="http://www.hutsonrock.com/">Hutson</a>. So, for all others, beware....The following is a semi-extensive description of how the next Hutson album will come to exist.<br />
To begin with, every band is different, and their process of conceiving songs is equally as diversified. But here is how <i>we're</i> doing it.<br />
<br />
In the early years of the band, it was usually me bringing a fully-structured song to the band, and everyone adding their parts around it. And even still, that method still remains - although it has been altered significantly.<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Part 1: </b></span></i> I'll record a basic song structure, (with or without lyrics), choose an approximate tempo, (ex. 135 bpm), and then upload the this file and recording to a folder, (i.e. "Demo Song #1"), on the server we're using. Tony and Andy then take a listen and start constructing their individual parts, (bass and percussion, respectively - although keyboards and/or other instruments are encouraged). By the time we end up at practice the next week, we've got a rough idea of the song idea.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> Part 2: </b></i></span> At this point, the song structure may go through numerous alterations. Verses and/or choruses may be added or deleted, dynamic changes may be moved around, and then discussion occurs regarding "the Feel" of the song.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> Part 3: </b></i></span> Yes, as retarded and cliche as it sounds, we actually spend quite a lot of time discussing this. For me, "the Feel" goes hand in hand with whatever influence I'm coming from with the initial song idea - and as anyone who knows me is aware, most of my songs end up being a game of "Name the Influence." I don't intentionally go in with that mindset, but it's just part of my own creative process.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> Part 4: </b></i></span> We manage to get a demo song idea in a working format, and record our practice in order to remember what version of the song we were most pleased with. Then, we move on to the next recorded demo song idea. This allows us not to get too attached to each individual song as we continue gleaning through our material. <br />
At this point, our overall plan is to get 20 demo songs to this stage in the next 2 months. We currently have 8 songs uploaded/recorded, and about 5 more ideas not recorded yet, so we're moving along at a good rate.<br />
After we've got our 20 songs, we'll sit down and choose which 11 or 12 songs we want for the full-length album. After we've picked the specific songs, we'll truly start organizing song structures and "feel" in order to to make the album cohesive.<br />
Then the recording sessions start.<br />
<br />
That is the basic outline of the process we've chosen to use for the song-writing for the new songs. Now, bear in mind that if Tony comes up with an idea for a bassline, (or Andy with a drum part), the process works inherently the same way - Tony uploads the recorded bass part and Andy and I start work on complimentary parts, (for those of you interested, "<a href="http://www.stagedive.com/hutson/videos/240/Shallow-Grave">Shallow Grave</a>" was created this way).<br />
I'm not going to go into lyric-writing here, because there is nothing more mind-numbing than listening to me talk about how my lyrics are written or where they come from. Besides, most questions regarding lyric-writing end up with either pretentious or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ0fK8VLEK0">completely retarded</a> answers. Thus, I'm not going to get into that here.<br />
Now, this may not seem like the most spontaneous method of creating music between three people. But then again, we're not exactly the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvq2JTWdJ1U&feature=related">Grateful Dead</a>.<br />
Don't get me wrong - jam sessions are helpful, but for our three-piece, a clear method of organization is needed to construct the songs.<br />
And that's how the songs are being made for the next Hutson LP. When we get around to the recording stage, I'll go in-depth on how we'll be going about it, but that's a story for another blog.<br />
<br />
And this week's <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Album of the Week</b></span> is:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDd4Ti-A0fcO6VGZAeQrDQUn3mtxBppvRcv64fLzzWTkZ6Nwe5PNhft1jd3HV5RUvEIicL2UdQe47lhpRIlf2g661rhX-pkS0Sb33X_yaMw762a5TehjLNj42VWcBwjRU0oroTsnnqYJb/s1600/Jamiroquai_-_High_Times_Singles-1992-2006-%2528FRONT%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDd4Ti-A0fcO6VGZAeQrDQUn3mtxBppvRcv64fLzzWTkZ6Nwe5PNhft1jd3HV5RUvEIicL2UdQe47lhpRIlf2g661rhX-pkS0Sb33X_yaMw762a5TehjLNj42VWcBwjRU0oroTsnnqYJb/s1600/Jamiroquai_-_High_Times_Singles-1992-2006-%2528FRONT%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"<i><b><span style="color: red;">High Times: Singles 1992-2006</span></b></i>" - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamiroquai"><b>Jamiroquai</b></a></span></div><br />
While I'm not admittedly a big fan of this band, there is a lot to like in this basic collection of singles. Like nearly everyone I know, I was only aware of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JkIs37a2JE">Virtual Insanity</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGjC0wbUXzk">Canned Heat</a>" from this band. And not that those aren't great songs, they simply require me to be in a specific mood to listen to them.<br />
At any rate, I picked this CD up for about 10 bucks, because I was curious about the time frame. 1992? I vaguely remember "Virtual Insanity" coming out in 1996, but otherwise I was unaware of this band.<br />
Turns out, Jamiroquai is pretty big in the UK, (which is where they're from)... And their first few albums represent a band associated with "<i>the London-based "acid-jazz" movement in the early 90's</i>"... Who knew?<br />
While the later albums since 1996 appear to delve deeper into 70's disco/funk and electronica, this collection pretty much sounds great and has gotten plenty of repeat listens from me over the past week since I got it.<br />
Like I said, I'm not a huge fan, but as a collection to show off what this band is capable of, this CD really hits all the marks.... It could even make me more than just a casual fan.<br />
Besides, a white guy who sounds like Stevie Wonder? Awesome.Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-62481656345640633292010-08-17T13:40:00.000-07:002010-08-17T13:40:05.141-07:00Tourblog #1 (or How The Hold Steady Saved My Life)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><i><span style="font-size: large;">Prologue</span></i></u></div>Sometime in 2005, I picked up a copy of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Separation-Sunday-Hold-Steady/dp/B0008KLW2C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1282076568&sr=1-1">Separation Sunday</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hold_Steady">the Hold Steady</a>. The music critics had liked this album, and based on some of that recommendation -I purchased a copy. I listened to it for a couple of weeks, but ended up selling it thereafter.<br />
Don't get me wrong. I loved the music. I loved the lyrics. I liked everything about it..... But for some reason, I couldn't handle <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Finn">Craig Finn</a>'s sorta-shouted, sorta-monotone vocal delivery. So, I sold the album, and kind of forgot about them.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday, July 20th, 2010</b></span></div> Hutson got picked, (along with 7 or 8 other bands), by a local radio station, (who will remain unnamed), to play for a certain summer concert series.<br />
Normally, this would be great thing - but it does have a crappy side to it. <br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">#1.</span></i></b> First of all, they don't provide a P.A. system for your band to use. Whereas most venues around Portland, (even the dive bars), have some sort of a P.A. system for live music, the folks behind this event did not.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>#2. </b></i></span>We were informed that we needed to fill a 2 hour time frame in an outdoor place, and that we could provide our own tent in the case of rain. The people at the station made it known that they wanted the show to happen rain or shine, but offered no help in the case of inclement weather.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>#3. </b></i></span>The radio station would have a small press tent set up to promote the radio station, and they would allow us to sell our merchandise, (after said merchandise was okayed by an advertising company), but would not be able to assist with any sales on our behalf.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>#4. </b></i></span>We found out later that said radio station was being paid by the outdoor mall in order to have "local bands" play for 2 hours from 6pm-8pm. And of course, all of these 7-8 bands received no form of monetary payment. What we did get were a few 15-second promos on the radio promoting the show a couple of days before it. I suppose <i>that</i> was our reimbursement. <br />
Now, when you've done shows at coffee houses that were more lucrative than this event, this kind of experience, (with even a well-known, and presumably professional radio station), leaves a bad taste in your mouth. And when the radio station advertises this band selection as a "contest" for local bands to give it a shot, it leaves you wondering "What did we win?"<br />
But one way or the other, we did our show for 2 hours. It didn't rain. And we met a guy named Chris who had heard our spot on the radio and made the trip to Tanasbourne to hear us and buy a copy of our CD. So, in that respect, it was worth it.<br />
But in regards to playing outdoors for disinterested mall-goers, I would elect to never repeat this event with this radio station. In fact, if I'm going to play for disinterested passersby, I'd rather do that in a dive bar, cause at least I'll get drink tickets! <b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;"><i>(Oh, yes... The station also notified us that we were to not consume alcoholic beverages during our 2-hour stint at Tanasbourne)....</i></span></b><br />
As the first show of four in a 2 1/2 week period, I found this worse than the old dive-bar days. To make it worse, I was in the midst of an awful upper respiratory infection that made singing extremely difficult and nerve-wracking, (waiting for that moment when my vocals would go out completely and emit so many atonal frequencies).<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, July 29th, 2010</span></b></div> We hit the <a href="http://www.dougfirlounge.com/">Doug Fir Lounge</a> on a Thursday night, and I wasn't in a great place to enjoy myself. Hutson had been boosted to headlining by the booker, (a move I'm still puzzled by), and we were definitely the "odd-band-out", as we aren't quite the straight-ahead rock act as the other two on the bill.<br />
A large amount of our friends and fans came out for this show, but by the time we took the stage at 11pm, a good chunk of our crowd had to leave. Being a Thursday night and the inevitable baby-sitting and "work tomorrow" issues, our head-lining stint was difficult, but we went through it, and overall had a better experience than our Summer Concert Series show, but far from the most enjoyable show I've ever played.<br />
We had about nine days off after this show and I needed the time to fully get over my cold. But I found myself a bit underwhelmed about the two previous shows. It's not that we played bad or anything, but I certainly wasn't having any fun with them, and in short, I was feeling pretty miserable.<br />
<br />
Funny enough, the next day or so, I picked up a used copy of the Hold Steady's "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Girls-America-Hold-Steady/dp/B000HIP3X4/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_c">Boys and Girls In America</a>."<br />
This was a band I'd written off earlier on, but based on a reference of a good friend of mine, I gave them another try.<br />
I immediately fell in love with this album. The damn thing completely blew me away, and basically re-invigorated me with what we could do at our live shows. This album is definitely in my top 10 list now, and somehow rebooted the creative/artistic slump I felt surrounding me. I could give you a detailed review, but that's not the point of <i>this</i> blog.<br />
What I will say is that this album, (and band), marked a turning point for me, and for whatever reason, I was supposed to hear <b><u>that</u></b> album at <u><b>that</b></u> particular moment in time.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Friday, August 7th - Saturday, August 8th, 2010</span></b></div> So, our next show was another outdoor thing at the Whole Foods on Burnside. This time we were notified that we would need to provide our own P.A. system. And this time, it nearly rained on us. Luckily, we rigged a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaQvBbzslJE">MacGyver</a>-esque umbrella covering that was able to keep any rain off the electrical equipment, thus keeping us all safe from the impending threat of electrocution.<br />
This show in particular went really well, even though it had a lot of things that could have gone wrong.<br />
The rain was minimal and the clouds burned off towards the end of our set. The folks at Whole Foods were gracious and gave us free drinks, food, and gift cards for all our band members as payment, and seemed to genuinely like us.<br />
The next night was our opening set at the Doug Fir Lounge again, this time opening for <a href="http://www.myspace.com/violetisle">Violet Isle</a>'s CD release show.<br />
Still riding high from the positive experience of the show from the day before, we did a great set that night, and most of all -<b><i> It felt good</i></b>.<br />
I was over my cold, we'd made some new fans, and I'd totally been rejuvenated by rediscovering a band and an album that reminded me why I try to do all this band-related stuff. I remembered that even though you might have a crappy show every now and then, (i.e. the Streets of Tanasbourne), there'll always be another one that'll wipe that experience from your memory, and that finding a great album can <b><i>still</i></b> change you <i>and </i> your point of view.<br />
(And yes..... I'm probably going to have to repurchase a copy of the Hold Steady's "Separation Sunday"...)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoWM9VlBW3n167uHUeDUNT7PzXvf7OCb4_X2bUn1ZducgVXxWEVFdukKicKYfUoK6cz57bygvxtW1REHOIgytlwZcp5yKUot00XJs2I1oG_Ju41T7oRx_E74PMxfNZiuW5zeSBnviDbMx/s1600/album-boys-and-girls-in-america.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoWM9VlBW3n167uHUeDUNT7PzXvf7OCb4_X2bUn1ZducgVXxWEVFdukKicKYfUoK6cz57bygvxtW1REHOIgytlwZcp5yKUot00XJs2I1oG_Ju41T7oRx_E74PMxfNZiuW5zeSBnviDbMx/s320/album-boys-and-girls-in-america.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Song of the Week:</b></u></span><br />
<i>(I'm sure you didn't see this coming.....)</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Hold Steady's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCZB3nSoNbU"><b><i>Chips Ahoy</i></b>!</a>"</span></div><br />
My favorite song off an album that has no bad songs whatsoever. Listen to this song, and watch the video... (cause it's fairly amusing... and overly tongue-in-cheek)... And who doesn't like backing vocals that go, "Whoa, whoah, whoaoh"?<br />
And if you dig it, do yourself a favor and go buy this album... Cause this song's great, but "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbZ1SEy_wxk&feature=av2n">Stuck Between Stations</a>" or "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfQ_xQS_7mA">Chillout Tent</a>" could have easily been the song of the week...Have I mentioned how great of an album this is yet?Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-90852008033266745512010-07-20T12:34:00.000-07:002010-07-20T12:34:29.349-07:00Momentary Hiatus....Okay, for all you wonderful people that actually read this blog... This is a quick note...<br />
<br />
I'm taking a break from the blog for a good week and half or so...<br />
<br />
There won't be any blog updates until after August 8th.<br />
Why? Cause I have four <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hutsonrock">Hutson</a> concerts going on between now and then...<br />
But fear not, I shall return... And I'm sure we'll have a brand new blog out on the August 9th detailing the misadventures of this string of shows...<br />
Until then, visit <a href="http://www.hutsonrock.com/">www.hutsonrock.com</a> for more info on on these shows - and be sure to make it out to the Doug Fir Lounge on Thursday, July 29th for our headlining concert... I promise you it's going to be freakin' amazing!Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-90777873154560888702010-07-06T16:21:00.000-07:002010-07-06T16:49:05.419-07:00Oh...the Horror! I'm sick of people who don't like horror movies.<br />
Or rather, I'm sick of people giving me crap because I enjoy horror movies.<br />
It seems a widespread notion that if you like horror movies, then you don't have any taste in films, or that you don't particularly like movies that are devoid of exploding heads or gratuitous blood-letting.<br />
This perception is completely inaccurate.<br />
First of all, my list of top 5 movies of all time doesn't even include any horror films, (although my top 10 would), and most of them would be categorized as "drama." But, that's a list for another time.<br />
What I find more frightening than horror films is the large amount of people who have to have happy endings to their movies, in order to enjoy them. I mean, really. Do you truly need to have your movies all tied up in a nice package with a pretty bow on them? This is the type of movie-goer that I personally abhor, as well as an example of the type of movie that isn't worth my time.<br />
How did I get this way? How did I come under the sway of the dark side of cinema?<br />
Easy. When I was a kid, I was deathly afraid of the dark.Seriously. Scared to death.<br />
One definite experience I remember was seeing the end of the movie "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliens_%28film%29">Aliens</a>" on TV late one night, and being scarred forever by the sight of the android Bishop being impaled and torn apart by the alien. This, (amongst other things), haunted me forever.<br />
And then, somehow, somewhere in 5th or 6th grade I started reading Stephen King books, and other writers of that ilk - and then I slowly made the transition to celluloid. I distinctly remember watching horror movies throughout college <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmb_VLszno">rabid</a>ly, (as well as films like "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h86rkxtMrC4">Magnolia</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8FRBYOFu2w">Fight Club</a>" that actually changed the way I looked at films).<br />
Now....why? Why do I like horror movies?<br />
Well, let's face it.....Life is hard. We all deal with random stuff that comes up in our everyday lives that simultaneously disappoints us, depresses us, or hurts us, etc. Not only the standard life stressors like money, job security, or dealing with ignorant people are difficult - sometimes there are huge things like a car accident, cancer, other health problems, etc. The horrors of everyday living are sometimes much more frightening than anything a horror film can show us....<br />
So, sometimes it's nice to see people who are having a worse day than you are. I mean, when was the last time I was chased down a dark hallway by a deformed madman with a chainsaw?<br />
See? It's a way of re-aligning your perspective.<br />
Also, it's nice to know exactly what you're going to get. If I watch a slasher flick, then I can expect an ever-increasing body count in the next 90 minutes or so; no deep thinking required. And after a long 12-hour shift in the E.R., all I want to do is turn my brain off, make a drink, and enjoy something that doesn't require a large amount of thought.....(This is also my reason for watching "South Park" after work - because absurdity can be refreshing)....<br />
And now, people are going to disagree with me on this.... But....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Horror movies <i>are</i> <b>art</b>.</span></div> Yes. Just like real art and music, horror movies can be dissected by genre and appreciated in certain ways.<br />
Now, there are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWVeHFxqsyg">crappy horror movies</a>, (just like there are crappy artists and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNrdmjcNTc">crappy musicians</a>). But sometimes you have to understand the genrefication of these films.<br />
Here's a crash-course:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Zombie Film</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This requires no explanation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Slasher Film</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">a'la John Carpenter's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5unH8gOhydY">Halloween</a>", or any movie about a psychopath going around killing innocent victims, <i>(usually young beautiful college-age students)</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Supernatural/Sci-Fi Horror Film</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Your standard ghost/alien movie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Campy Horror Film</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a strange mixture of comedy and horror that includes all the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6mEiJRiXqc">Evil Dead movies</a> and such classics as Peter Jackson's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIsLSj-z4UM">Dead Alive</a>"</div><br />
<i>And finally, I personally think there's another category-</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Art-House Horror Film</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This would be a horror film that, (oftentimes in the hands of a good director), can transcend the horror stereotype and actually require deeper thinking. I feel "28 Days Later" is a perfect example of this. What's scarier than blood-thirsty zombies? Why human nature and British soldiers intent on continuing the human race by any means necessary, of course.</div><br />
Having said that, my top 5 Horror Films are:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Danny Boyle's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eunaclr-WgU"><b>28 Days Later</b></a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. John Carpenter's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouZkkIsLiNg"><b>The Thing</b></a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. George A. Romero's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVPJU5XrF_I"><b>Day of the Dead</b></a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. David Cronenberg's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qUIdeiyxwA"><b>Scanners</b></a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Dario Argento's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlww8Yk2ASY"><b>Suspiria</b></a>"</span></div><br />
If you've never seen <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carpenter">John Carpenter</a>'s "The Thing", then you're really missing out on a classic that feeds off the paranoia of the characters <i>and</i> the viewer.<br />
As for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cronenberg">David Cronenberg</a>'s "Scanners", it's another great tale of science gone wrong, (of course "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAgHWj0sQAo">Videodrome</a>" nearly made the list at 6th place....), from a fantastic Canadian director, who continues to make high-quality movies, (i.e. "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBerc2JwN4I">A History of Violence</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq_M8EOC4zA">Eastern Promises</a>").<br />
And though <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_A._Romero_filmography">George A. Romero</a>'s filmography is a bit spotty, no one makes a zombie film like him. I personally have the slight preference for "Day of the Dead" over "Dawn of the Dead", (<i>and</i> it's inherent samples that have been used by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9lTeW0ZmXM&feature=related">Gorillaz</a>).<br />
And of course, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dario_Argento">Dario Argento</a>'s "Suspiria" is still just as creepy and obsessively bloody as it was back in 1977. Almost all slasher flicks owe a huge debt to this Italian director.<br />
I couldn't really say anything more about "28 Days Later", but suffice to say that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Boyle">Danny Boyle</a> has certainly made a name for himself as a director who has a knack for making great films in nearly any genre.<br />
So give us horror-lovers a break. If you have to have a happy ending and no blood in your entertainment, then fine. Sure, it's not your cup of tea, but keep it to yourself - and I will do my utmost to not make fun of you for <i>your</i> truly terrible taste in films.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://drewviews.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/neonbible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://drewviews.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/neonbible.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Song of the Week:</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Arcade Fire's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTJcUaE-v8&feature=related"><b>No Cars Go</b></a>"</span></div><br />
And truly the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_fire">Arcade Fire</a>'s "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Neon-Bible-Arcade-Fire/dp/B000MGUZM0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1278459977&sr=1-2">Neon Bible</a>" will be on my top ten albums list forever. But this song is beautiful, and some how feels hopeful..... Epic? Yes..... Anthemic? Yes....... Perfect?<br />
Definitely.Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-58304910653187937712010-06-11T15:49:00.000-07:002010-06-11T15:56:32.143-07:00The Sophomore Slump I’ve met a few people lately who aren’t overly pleased with the new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGMT">MGMT</a> album. And mostly the reason for their distaste is because: “It’s too different from the last album.”<br />
Okay… Fine. <br />
Personally, I love “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Congratulations-Mgmt/dp/B0037W68F4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1276294105&sr=1-1">Congratulations</a>.” The whole album sounds like a crazy psychadelic mash-up of 60’s pop and 70’s art-rock. “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvSMp7T2Kes">Flash Delirium</a>”, for instance, sounds like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivFM0pYyUcY">E.L.O.</a> doing a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-VF-Fz3n8w">Roxy Music</a> song, and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRXwTuR_ABc">title track</a> sounds blatantly reminiscent of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9L30lEoQOw&feature=channel">Sleepy Jackson</a>’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Sleepy-Jackson/dp/B0000A2ZV9/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1276294886&sr=1-3">first album</a>. <br />
However, I should offer the disclaimer that I didn’t like much of anything I’d heard off of “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIEOZCcaXzE">Oracular Spectacular</a>.” Don’t get me wrong, the music wasn’t bad, but it seemed to have this sorta indie-synth-pop feel to it that didn’t really win me over…. (and I’m sure most people disagree with me - so hold your comments till the end, please….)<br />
Now, I’m not going to try and convince all you nay-sayers that “Congratulations” is a better album than “Oracular Spectacular” - (although, I believe it is…) - What I really want to talk about is the Sophomore Slump.<br />
Generally, this term is associated with a second album that doesn’t live up to the promise of the first one, (much like the whole “One-Hit-Wonder” phenomenon). There’s lots of examples of this, so there’s not really any need to list them.<br />
Now, the complaint that most people have is that the follow-up album is too different from the last album, (otherwise implying), it’s not as good as the last album. <br />
I guess the problem I have with this “<i>different = not as good</i>” argument is that it sounds like a weak reason for disliking an album at the first couple of listens.<br />
For my side of this argument, allow me to present to you this question:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Do we really want a band to make the same exact album as the last one?</b></span></div> Personally? I <i>don’t</i>. <br />
Now, (on that note), would I love to hear Radiohead make another “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG-adf3Z7_A">The Bends</a>” or hear Wilco do another “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjdQ9VO1ho4">Summerteeth</a>”, or even have Pulp make another “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXbLyi5wgeg">This Is Hardcore</a>”? Hell, yeah! I love those albums.<br />
But, let’s think about it for a second….. The sound of a band repeating their breakthrough album, is the sound of a band that is bored. And besides, if any of those bands did try to make any of those albums again, they wouldn’t sound the same and, (in all honesty), would probably lose the specialness I’ve associated with them.<br />
What happens if a band does make an overly similar-sounding album to their breakthrough album, (presumably in the interest of sales)? <br />
I draw your attention to:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Exhibit A:</b></i> Sugar Ray</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Exhibit B:</b></i> Smash Mouth</span></div> Both of these bands had their breakthrough albums in 1997, and then had sophomore albums that did as well, (if not better), than their debuts. Why? Because they’re basically the <b>SAME DAMN ALBUM</b>!<br />
Now you might be continuing your cash flow by making the same kind of music that the mass populace wants you to make, but sooner or later the fickle mass populace is going to move on to the next big thing. And really, who takes either of the afore-mentioned bands seriously anymore? <br />
What we should <i>really</i> want is for our bands to actually let their sound grow - to not always have that next album full of singles, so that the band can remain still relevant in the next 5 years…<br />
Most times, a major change in sound doesn’t equal out to good record sales. However, the history of rock music does show something interesting. I’ll give you two examples:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i><b>Exhibit C:</b></i> Lou Reed’s “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Berlin-Lou-Reed/dp/B00000637V/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1276295598&sr=1-1">Berlin</a>” from 1973<br />
<i><b>Exhibit D: </b></i> The Byrds’ “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetheart_of_the_Rodeo#Legacy">Sweetheart of the Rodeo</a>” from 1969</span></div> Both of these albums were commercial failures at the time of their release. Lou Reed was expected to do another “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wNknGIKkoA">Walk On The Wild Side</a>”, while the Byrds’ weren’t expected to take a left-turn into country music. Most of the buying public didn’t get it. <br />
However, in the years since, both of these albums have become classics in their own right. “Berlin” has received tons of critical praise and is considered one of Reed’s best works, while “Sweetheart…” has been touted as the genre-defining album that started the present alt-country music scene.<br />
So, while the new MGMT album may not be anything as dramatic as a genre-defining masterpiece, what I would venture to say is that it’s the sound of a band reaching further out of their comfort zones and trying new things, (even if the cost is low album sales). <br />
And if “Congratulations”<i> is</i> a commercial failure, I would have to say that I’m enjoying it more than I would have an exact replica of “Oracular Spectacular”, because even the sound of failure can sound pretty damn cool.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/Takeecstacywithmecover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/Takeecstacywithmecover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Song Of The Week:</span></b></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoOcrF2ceUQ">Take Ecstacy With Me</a>" - !!!</span></div><br />
Yes, you can pronounce it "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%21%21%21">chk-chk-chk</a>" in order to put the band name into words. First of all, these guys are a great-sounding band. And this particular cover of a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_GzdN9ouYE">Magnetic Fields</a> song is just amazing. The original is cool, too... But as far as covers go, !!! really gave it a sweet rave treatment here.<br />
<br />
Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-51876635580165619772010-05-29T16:01:00.000-07:002010-05-29T16:01:36.433-07:00Dancebeats and Street Fighter II: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Music/Pix/pictures/2008/11/05/manix460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<i><b>Thursday, May 26th - 10:45pm<br />
Location: Doug Fir Lounge</b></i><br />
In the midst of a sample of the Specials’ “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVcD1xAMTo8">Message To You Rudy</a>”, the euphoria of the moment strikes me. <br />
We’re maybe six songs into <a href="http://www.doubleplusgoodnews.com/">DoublePlusGood</a>’s set, and I’m two beers in. If I went for a third, I’d probably start dancing like the guy over to my left - (a sort of flailing about that includes gratuitous trunk and arm movement, not just the feet) - But currently, I’m happy doing my “white-boy-nod-and-shuffle” dance.<br />
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a little bit out of my element with this. My knowledge of electro-pop is limited, (at best). I do have the first two <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdLAhLqItwQ">Fischerspooner</a> albums; I love the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUIBnmdJJ50&feature=related">Postal Service</a>, (and I have a deep-seeded dislike of Owl City because of it). I know my way around the mainstream late 90’s Big-Beat electronica folks - Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, Fatboy Slim, etc…. I even have an obsession with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbPkxg69KAs">Underworld</a> and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIx2X8MSZF4">Orb</a>. I know my 80’s synth-pop pretty well - Hell, I even like the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28w2LVzxVkU&feature=related">KLF</a>, for God’s sake… So, I wouldn’t say I’m completely retarded in regard to this kind of music.<br />
But, seeing DoublePlusGood play live was more transcending than the term “electro-pop”, that might be tossed about as description.<br />
The beats are completely danceable, (even to an uptight white-boy, like myself). The synths are ever-changing and layered, not just a fat Moog sound with a disco-beat. Andy’s live drumming notches up the intensity of several songs with near-primal tom usage that strays away from the kick-snare-hi-hat combination.<br />
By now, a couple of my friends have moved up closer to the stage, mere inches from the moniters, now leaving me in the 2nd row as the music pulsates away. I’m fine with this. <br />
Up on stage, Eric is singing and master-minding the synth and computer-work during the whole set. Between each song there’s barely a break, usually a scattering of samples that work to immerse the audience - giving me the feeling that I’m seeing/hearing/feeling the greatest mix album ever… (and yes, that means that Lo-Fidelity Allstars’ “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Floor-at-Boutique-Fidelity-Allstars/dp/B00004HYMZ">On The Floor At The Boutique</a>” has fallen to 2nd place, in my book….)<br />
To sum up my viewpoint of what I’m hearing is this:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Morrissey fronting the coolest electro band ever.</span></div> Because not only are you getting hit with the beat and the music, what you’re also hearing are great songs. No, not just something to shake your ass to, but perfectly executed songs!<br />
Being nearly 30 and having three kids makes it difficult to get out and see local shows, (and if you’re single or don’t have any kids, then you really have no excuses). But, the stars had aligned and I was able to come out and make this show at the Doug Fir. I found this show rejuvenating and, (most of all), a hell of a lot of fun. As serious as the songs are, there’s a bit of tongue-in-cheek, exemplified by the Street Fighter samples or a Rihanna cover.<br />
So, thank you DoublePlusGood - you made my week… <br />
Two things though….<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">1. Please, please, please play “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbw10_bZUJE">Red Light Green Light</a>” live sometime…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>and</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Please, please, please cover New Order's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D8eqh1iciQ">Temptation</a>".... And then my life will be complete.</div><br />
Now, on to that third beer…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Music/Pix/pictures/2008/11/05/manix460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Music/Pix/pictures/2008/11/05/manix460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This week’s song of the week is: “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KorgBXpe20I">Faster</a>” by Manic Street Preachers<br />
This song was the only single off their album “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_Bible_%28album%29">The Holy Bible</a>” back in 1994. I’d put every song on that album up here, but I will try to contain myself. With song topics ranging from anorexia, the holocaust, and hopelessness - this album deserves your attention. This album is a stroke of intelligent lyricism and scathing brutality that I still don’t fully understand… And it makes me feel like I should be reading way more books on existentialism…<br />
Either way, here it is - the Preachers before Richey Edwards disappeared off the face of the earth, leaving the rest of the band to UK super-stardom and, (unfortunately), less vital music…..Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-48426360996701319612010-05-01T19:52:00.000-07:002010-05-01T19:55:50.113-07:00Inside the Process….(Part 2)After last week's show, it's probably a suitable time for me to finish up on the topic of Booking.<br />
We covered the dive bars last time, so now we're looking at:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Legitimate Venue </b></span><br />
The focus of playing these nicer venues is to have better exposure to new fans and to encourage old fans/friends to come see you in a better <i>(nicer)</i> environment. As far as nights to play at these venues, the old rules apply, (Friday and Saturdays are best), however, you should be happy with any night they offer you - seeing as how these venues generate a different kind of clientele.<br />
So you want to <i>get</i> a gig at one of these places? Allow me to elaborate.... First, (for your viewing pleasure)...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT4B3YlDB8hmHupifwx8u8qwqOB88e7HAQe2pzytxxW7tjTEQygm_XhW33tO6DsileaheBOj-S_yKI7BejapNfTVhyphenhyphend0ctsRasXYAdHFKz9GT9uIS2bpCHmSFM3Zo_1YT9Ze-SNlV9G6j/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT4B3YlDB8hmHupifwx8u8qwqOB88e7HAQe2pzytxxW7tjTEQygm_XhW33tO6DsileaheBOj-S_yKI7BejapNfTVhyphenhyphend0ctsRasXYAdHFKz9GT9uIS2bpCHmSFM3Zo_1YT9Ze-SNlV9G6j/s400/scan0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The easiest way to get a show is to kindly, (but persistently), pester other bands who frequent that venue. Or, even better, if you know someone who knows someone in said band, perhaps you can get a show via that route. If you're able to score a gig through either of these ways, don't expect much more than an opening slot, and keep in mind that random acquaintances and luck play a huge part in this method.<br />
The other, (more complicated), way is to directly contact the person who does booking for the venue. This'll mostly happen via e-mail. <i><b>If</b></i> the booker is receptive to having your band play, they may allow you to pick the line-up for that night.<br />
Now, this is where it gets tricky. The venue wants to make money on whatever night they give you, so they're going to pay attention to how many people you bring in. If you don't pull in enough people, the booker is going to note it, and this can adversely effect the possibility of your band playing said venue again.<br />
So, if <i><b>you</b></i> are organizing that night's line-up, you need to consider getting some bands who can generate a crowd on the bill. Also, you definitely need to promo your ass off in order to get as many people to that show as possible. With these kinds of venues, first impressions are <i>super</i> important, so do your best to pack these shows.<br />
Now, venues sometimes have a bigger band than yours *possibly* scheduled for a night that the venue has set aside, (perhaps a Friday night, for example.....) The booker may offer you <i>that </i>night and have your band as a<i> "second hold." </i>If you and your band can organize your bill and get confirmations for the show before the bigger band gets their stuff together, then your band'll probably get that night. <span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">....(My band <a href="http://www.hutsonrock.com/">Hutson </a>had a similar situation with booking our CD release show at the Someday Lounge)....</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another thing to consider when playing these venues is the issue of over-exposure. Since it's easy to get booked in dive bars, you can book your band out to play 2 or more shows a month around your local metropolis. The problem with this, is that you've now spread your fanbase out to too many shows and now your turnout is going to be low for those scheduled shows. So, try to pace yourself with scheduling these shows at the good venues. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Okay. So that's all I know about the Process - at this point. Where it all goes from here, who knows? Past this point, we'll just have to see....... So, ask me in a year.......</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHNlix_OesRQiRm042yGFtp5avZiQH6aspKy1QGn4rERC6iIf84hithUHwnFytEyOFwhmqLfuS21eTX0ojkKviCfTE49kCebe-HOGO2ZXbnSRCEnucjbTvSO20LDkwpxiTnqR6sPApuYD/s1600/fear_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHNlix_OesRQiRm042yGFtp5avZiQH6aspKy1QGn4rERC6iIf84hithUHwnFytEyOFwhmqLfuS21eTX0ojkKviCfTE49kCebe-HOGO2ZXbnSRCEnucjbTvSO20LDkwpxiTnqR6sPApuYD/s320/fear_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Album Of The Week:</b></span></i> John Cale's <b><i>"Fear"</i></b> is perfect. A weird, beautiful, and strange pop album that verges on being "proto-punk". Lyrically intense and sometimes plain baffling, this is truly<b> the</b> masterpiece from this former Velvet, and "<a href="http://popup.lala.com/popup/432627043554508372"><i>Fear Is A Man's Best Friend</i></a>" is as brilliant and strange a lead-off track as any. I could go on and on..... but I won't... Find it, buy it, steal it, download it... Anyway you can get it, and be amazed that stuff as cool as this was being made in 1974.... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-36720404366364265472010-04-06T13:28:00.000-07:002010-04-06T13:28:51.448-07:00Inside the Process….(Part 1) Let’s talk about booking. How does this process work? Well, in a city inundated with unsigned indie bands, the process is two-fold. We’ll discuss this in 2 parts….<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Dive Bars</b></span><br />
In order to get a gig playing music in a dive bar, it’s fairly easy. The only things you need are an e-mail address and a Myspace profile. Most bars that fit in this category range from creepy to moderately nice. They’re places that are looking to bring in more people with the promise of “Live Music.”<br />
When you first start out as a band, these kinds of venues are good to get your feet wet - get used to playing in front of people, get free drink tickets, and expose, (generally), your close friends who make the trip out to see you.<br />
Most people booking these bars are pretty easy to contact via their e-mail address/web page, etc… If your band has a <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hutsonrock">Myspace profile</a>, (or better, your own <a href="http://www.hutsonrock.com/">website</a>), that has some of your music posted - you just e-mail’em and give’em some links with a small amount of persistence, and they’ll probably give you a Tuesday night.<br />
Now, night’s you ACTUALLY want to play are Friday and Saturday nights, or maybe a Thursday…. But generally the other nights are harder to get people, (“fans” if you will…), out to see a show.<br />
So, you start out on a Tuesday night - get your friends out, and then hopefully you get the chance to do a gig there on a Thursday or Sunday night in another month or two. There are plenty of bars that fit in this category, so it’s pretty easy to schedule out at least a show or 2 a month.<br />
However, the major cons of playing dive bars are this:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> 1. </b></span> You’re paid with drink tickets, and not much else… You may get a cut of the bar, but don’t expect much. If you get $20, you’ve made a killing.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> 2. </span></b> Crappy sound systems…. Nothing can make your folk-rock band sound like an atonal Sonic Youth feedback jam, than performing through a junky sound system. <br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. </span></b>Friend exhaustion… No matter how wonderful your friends are, sooner or later they’re going to get tired of seeing your band play at dive bars.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> 4. </span></b> And finally, dive bars are a vicious cycle that pretty much sucks the dignity from you and slowly wears down your joy of playing in front of people.<br />
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You may ask, “Isn’t it enough to just be out there performing?” <br />
Well, yeah… To a point. It’s great at first, but do it for nearly 2 years and you’ll see that you’re really playing for the regulars at these places, (who generally could care less about your music), and for 1 or 2 friends that you guilt-tripped into coming out on a Wednesday night. It gets really discouraging over a period of time.<br />
As gloomy as that sounds though, it is a process that every DIY band has to go through. At first, you actually <b><i>NEED</i></b> to play these places, cause they’re the only places that’ll book you, and they’re also useful to get to know other local bands and to get your name around town. <br />
But what you have to be careful of, is to not get caught in this cycle permanently.<br />
The process of breaking out of the dive bar scene and playing better venues gets a bit more complicated… <i><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(To Be Continued…..)</span></span></b></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmuvqhyphenhyphenUalV9BcXx5hqi6K5523sogRdJFFKQNiiLjNeByyYMd8V_-3DBBIedY6dIvJ_Ks29_Tg4a2XeLmCmpwXho0CunxScLEXAbCQf8NUhGq_C9DIZuOfwkrcpkTXowKz8Q_Wk8le_GJ/s1600/peter_bjorn_john_01_420x284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmuvqhyphenhyphenUalV9BcXx5hqi6K5523sogRdJFFKQNiiLjNeByyYMd8V_-3DBBIedY6dIvJ_Ks29_Tg4a2XeLmCmpwXho0CunxScLEXAbCQf8NUhGq_C9DIZuOfwkrcpkTXowKz8Q_Wk8le_GJ/s320/peter_bjorn_john_01_420x284.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Song of the Week</b></span> is: Peter, Bjorn, & John’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxVRhcLXftg"><i><b>“Objects Of My Affection”</b></i></a><br />
Why? Because it sounds beautiful, and who doesn't like whistling?Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654858637419301590.post-86558683892110110752010-03-20T08:29:00.000-07:002010-03-20T08:29:23.488-07:00Soapbox #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So I heard Broken Bells on the radio and thought of two things: <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhsMY8uO240">Ian Brown</a><br />
2. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiZHmwzNAqE">The Dandy Warhols</a></div><br />
“<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWBG1j_flrg">The High Road</a>” sounds like a pretty standard song from Ian Brown’s solo career, (but with better song-writing). And “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkI8QQkFA2k">The Ghost Inside</a>” sounds like an outtake from the Dandy Warhols’ 2004 album “Welcome to the Monkey House.”<br />
Upon these comparisons, my initial reaction is- “Well, it’s not bad, but I’ve heard other bands/artists do it better.”<br />
However, I thought about it a little bit more. Really, James Mercer and Brian Burton have some good music here - (honestly, I think it’s 75% Burton, cause this guy seems to have the Midas Touch nowadays)……{cue production credits of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_Mouse#Discography">Danger Mouse</a>}……. But I’ll also say that James Mercer’s song-writing is a near equal in this collaboration.<br />
But why that reaction of “I’ve heard this before from another band that did this”?<br />
Well, it’s simple……. There’s nothing new. Everything is a rehashing of influences.<br />
Now, this isn’t exactly a bad thing. The thing that frustrates me is that people fail to see/hear the history of the music they’re currently listening to. When people listen to a song they really love and fail to realize that it’s clearly derivative of another band from 10 years ago, it seriously irritates the crap out of me!<br />
Now, there are casual listeners who wouldn’t understand this, and that’s fine. But I’ve known people who have the same love of music as I do, who don’t even comprehend this concept. Every piece of music we listen to has some form of history behind it.<br />
Example: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ok0expLH1o"> Muse</a> has a distinct <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irp8CNj9qBI">Queen</a> fetish and they clearly listened to a lot of early <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCPDiEz-GcE&feature=related">Radiohead</a>, (if you haven’t noticed this, then chances are you’re probably deaf). Now, Muse sounds derivative of both of these comparisons, yet they <i>don’t</i> <i>sound the same</i> as them. That’s the beauty of those influences, maybe you haven’t listened to Queen or early Radiohead - then Muse can be your gateway-drug to some other amazing music…<br />
More Examples:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkBAUqp6NKg">Interpol</a> = <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPirCH2f2PQ">Joy Division</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIoyTuvqHAs">The Strokes</a> = <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3G4D3FKNg&feature=related">Television</a>/Velvet Underground<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFVlJAi3Cso">Pearl Jam</a> = <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gfjoAyqfLs">Neil Young and Crazy Horse</a></div><br />
I could make a longer list, but the point is this: Whatever you’re listening to now, there are some really great artists/bands behind them that you should check out. Stop <i>just listening</i> to music and find out why you like it. Do a little research, and you’ll be glad you did.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uq3Wym-WsEEWVq-0HbUQhyFnnsNW7Z8pr4JkLlmFfTdV8_KS-dEB_ltH511qlI1UQc6i_R6NelxDpH_uiNqYrqNDdMNspT104w_Jz30YmMC1lCc_8rySE5ACE8hPolhl2klCzUOVJhDL/s1600-h/Echobunny_bp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uq3Wym-WsEEWVq-0HbUQhyFnnsNW7Z8pr4JkLlmFfTdV8_KS-dEB_ltH511qlI1UQc6i_R6NelxDpH_uiNqYrqNDdMNspT104w_Jz30YmMC1lCc_8rySE5ACE8hPolhl2klCzUOVJhDL/s320/Echobunny_bp.jpg" /></a></div><i>(And this blog’s Song Of The Week is: <b>“<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX1PwkgwsG0">The Killing Moon</a>” by Echo and the Bunnymen</b> )<br />
For all you Donnie Darko fanatics - like me…</i></div>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06876685989297026727noreply@blogger.com4