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I downloaded a song in December last year that I have no recollection of at all. It’s really good and I’d love to know who the artist is, but sadly even when I googled the lyrics I got nuthin’. It got me wondering what other ’songs that time forgot’ were lurking in my folders. Well, there were seven, of which four came from the same unknown artist. I was shocked, these poor bands were playing their hearts out and I didn’t bother to give them their proper names. I figured this could make for an interesting ‘What’s My Line’-type guessing game - I’m nothing if not topical. The problem is that I have no clues or hints other than the actual tunes. I don’t even know if it’s ‘bigger than a breadbox’. Aaaawesome, I just made one elderly person chuckle … if I’m lucky.
OK, let’s play What’s My Band! Here are the four songs (I picked my favorite from the one band with four songs) that keep me up at night. The sad thing is that every single one of these songs are really wonderful! I can see why I wanted them in the first place, so if anybody out there happens to have an idea who they’re from and what they’re called, then for the love of Thor, take me out of my misery.
This is the song that started this whole weird post. It’s amazing and more than deserves a name. It’s a little bit punk, a little bit electronic funk, and a whole lotta mystery. I think the phrase ‘Meter Man’ is repeated a lot, but it could also be Meet Her Man, or Meet A Man.
This Biritsh(?) band and song sound familiar, I have the feeling that if I ever find out who it is by, I’ll be kicking myself. It wavers between stomping and folky & angry and sweet - love it.
Mystery song number three is a fresh take on seventies, feedbacky psychedelia.
This song did get a title, “Silver Streak”, but that didn’t do me any good. It was downloaded three year ago and I still have no idea who the band is. It’s sweeping Americana with canned vocals and a spectacular intrumental Lynyrd Skynyrd-type ending.
If you’re in the mood for a band that doesn’t take itself too seriously but makes great music with a massive sound, Pink Widower is right up your alley. When I was little I used to want a Tiki bar in my living room and have Tiki parties with a Hawaïan shirt and/or grass skirt dress code. Years of watching Magnum, P.I. convinced me that that was the height of class. Now, it sounds more like the start of a seventies Key party, but I’d still love that bar. When I first heard Pink Widower’s “The Crimson Eye”, my old Tiki dream sprung to mind, because it’s a brilliant song that has a slighty sleazy, old wood-panelling feel, but in a good way! My favorite song on the MySpace is “Baby Elephant”, a mellow yet riotous song about a baby elephant. But do not miss “Battledogs” for all it’s poppy and theatrical wonder. Oh, and if anyone out there has some free time, could you listen to “The Golden Well” and confirm whether the chorus really is ‘old man vagina’ …
Now some additional Pink Widower facts for your New Band Day scrap books: It’s a 4 to 7 piece band from Portland, Oregon … Yah, I’m not sure how many members they have, but one of their sites said 4 to 7 so I’m sticking with that. They’re fronted by The Jed, formerly of Six Foot Sloth. Their songs sound fun, but complicated; I would love to know how the layers of hand claps, voices, a brass band, bells, and that instrument that goes kgrrrrr in the opening of “Battledogs” (what is that?!?) come together on stage. Their debut comes out in June on North Pole Records and I think it’s going to be a perfect summer record, so keep your eyes peeled for it.
The 1967 Frank and Nancy Sinatra duet “Something Stupid” reached #1 in the U.S. Since then it has been covered countless times. I enjoy it because it seems to stand out as retro even at the time of its release. That, and I just like Ol’ Blue Eyes.
As for poptastic, well, I think it says something when a song is covered so many times by so many easy listening, jazz, folk and world singers, groups and bands. In fact, while searching for some interesting covers, it occurred to me that either musicians in certain genres don’t appreciate “Something Stupid” or Sinatra or, alternatively, “Something Stupid” is just the type of Poptastic Day song that’s best left altered as little as possible.
Something Stupid - Original by Frank & Nancy Sinatra (Old School)
Something Stupid - Covered by Ashley Slater (Hip-N-Jazzy)
Something Stupid - Covered by Global Kryner (Folksy)
Something Stupid - Covered by Rich Little (as John Wayne & Clint Eastwood)
If the Zany Charts seem extra zany and jumbly today it’s because, to us in the know, it’s Bean’s birthday! Let’s celebrate with the song that was all the rage in the year she was born. When she first saw the light of day, it’s very likely she might have heard the incredible, poppy sounds of Blondie urging the world to call them, since it was the number one song of the year. It was written for the movie American Gigolo, starring a very young Richard Gere as the highest paid lover in Beverly Hills.
The tiny Bean sprout might also have come across the song while watching the Muppet Show with aDawgg, a mere puppy back then. They left out the verse about rolling around in designer sheets, but it’s still the Muppets and Debbie Harry rocking out for the kids to a song about a man-whore, which is just a little bit disturbing:
Lastly, a very special, non-zany chart related, but super festive clip that means a lot to our generation. It’s also a good reminder of why the upcoming “new” Beverly Hills 90210 *barf* could never EVER live up to the old classics. Take it away, Lavoiiine!
WARNING: The picture above could be indecent
What to say, what to say. My time management when it comes to the News-ish Round-Up … Well, it simply sucks. While I have tons of stories and happenings to relate, I started way too late yesterday, didn’t get very far, time and work-related pressure overtook me … And I never got the damned thing done. Then, despite my best intentions, it’s such a beautiful day today I can’t bring myself to stay put long enough to complete the News-ish Round-Up.
So, anywho, all I’ve got to report is that 15-year-old Miley Ray Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana) may or may not be America’s little darling anymore now that she’s posed in some racy (again, for a 15-year-old) photos by Annie Liebowitz for Vanity Fair.
Sure, I think the photos are slightly strange. But, isn’t that what art is supposed to do? Move you? Make you think? Apparently, the photos have many involved diving for cover, pointing fingers, and, generally, scrambling about ensuring their dollars, I mean asses, are protected. And observers are left either sticking their nose in shouting about how it is pure child pornography or that people need to get over themselves. As the Bean would say, “I’m just saying.” Talk among yourselves.
For all you cheapskates that just come for the music samples, have at this …
Is it sad that I love this song just because of the line: “They got a lot of great desks and chairs at the government center”? I guess not, since a lot of The Modern Lover’s appeal comes from their slightly absurd lyrics combined with Jonathan Richman’s wonderfully droll singing style. The idea of rocking at the government center - and cheering up those secretaries - puts an enormous smile on my face, but we all know it would just be stupid if someone sang about it seriously. Plus, the song kind of does rock - it’s all peppy chorus and handclaps and makes you want to do the twist on some of those great desks and chairs.
In truth, the whole The Modern Lovers album is a classic, but “Government Center” wasn’t actually on the original release in 1976 (which kind of wasn’t even an album at all - you can read more about the winding road to its release on the wikipedia). Fortunately for us, it was included on the re-releases and it’s definitely my favorite from a classic album.
If you’re looking for something different, give 17 Hippies Heimlich a listen. The 13-member ensemble from Berlin, Germany bring together some interestingly varied influences (Eastern European and American folk to name two of the more obvious) and it makes for an intriguing session.
Having been around in some form or another for 11 albums in as many years, Heimlich is the sound of a mature band that knows what it wants the world to hear.
For funzies, here’s 17 Hippies’ take on the classic (nee Poptastic) “Apache”, which, coincidentially, I wrote about almost exactly one year ago.
Two-thirds of 100b have been massive fans of The Black Keys for since we first heard their glorious sound blasting from our speakers. One-third of us had only listened to them casually previous to this assignment. In honor of their wonderful new album, Attack & Release, our mission was to choose their very best song and justify our choice in 100 words or less. It turned out to be pretty difficult for all of us. If you choose to accept this mission, play along with us in the comments.
aDawgg:
The best Black Keys album is Rubber Factory, which gobbled up six of the 10 tracks on the Long List. Sadly, when forced to pick the best single song, nothing from Rubber Factory made it to the Big Three: “Breaks” (The Big Come Up). “Have Love Will Travel” (thickfreakness). “Modern Times” (Magic Potion). Listening to each one last time right now I still haven’t decided. I guess I prefer musics that tug at my gut. Give me rhythm and memorable guitar play. That’s what it takes to get me hooked. The best of the Black Keys? Just listen to it.
Bean:
When I think about the The Black Keys, the first thing I think of is their incredible live shows. I think of feeling like the music is physically blowing you away. I think of Patrick Carney drumming so hard his glasses fly off and the floor tremors like an earthquake. I think about feeling Dan Auerbach’s guitar in my knees and hearing his voice in the pit of my stomach. These are not the only qualities that make The Black Keys great, but they’ve made the deepest impression on me. “Grown So Ugly” epitomizes that feeling. Listen to it LOUD.
The Black Keys - Grown So Ugly
Tamboosh:
I remember what it felt like to stand in a row to be picked for teams during gym classes. You stand there so vulnerable, exposed, and spotty and pray that you’re not the last one called. It’s dehumanizing and gym teachers who force kids to go through it are cruel. I didn’t want any of The Black Keys’ - whom I love with an almost disturbing passion - songs to go through that so in a low whisper I say, I choose “Set You Free” from Thickfreakness. Sexy, loud, raw, stirring, and passionate, it’s everything I heart about them Keys.
You know how hot people tend to travel in packs? Well, the same goes for hot bands. In honor of our upcoming 100best post, we bring you Tennessee’s own Royal Bangs. They released their debut We Breed Champions themselves in 2006, but - here’s where this month’s 100best band comes in - Patrick Carney checked them out on the MySpace, loved what he heard, and is going to release the record on his label Audio Eagle Records on the 13th of May. They’ve been blogged to pieces so don’t take my word for it, but hot damn they’re good. They have a bleepy, organized chaos-y feel comparable to Whirlwind Heat and Architecture In Helsinki, and Modest Mouse around with experimental vocals and odd shifts in mood. They also get the stamp of approval from at least 50% of The Black Keys, which should really be enough to pique your curiosity.
Listen to the Strokesy “Broke Calculator” courtesy of I Rock Cleveland.
Royal Bangs - Broke Calculator
Did you know that “Jump” was Van Halen’s only #1 hit? And that, according to some stories, it was the catalyst for their split with David Lee Roth? (Who was supposedly against the new synth-pop direction the band took with this single.) The wikipedia explains that this story is unlikely, for various reasons. But if it’s true, it must be water under the bridge and all that, because the wikipedia also says that’s it’s been the encore song every night on their reunion tour with David Lee Roth. Yup, at some point you’ve got to just embrace what the people love and go with it.
A real Van Halen fan probably already knows all of this stuff, but I’m not that. Pretty much all I know about Van Halen is this one song. I’m just a big fun pop song fan, and this is one of the best.
Van Halen - Jump
Due to a tummyache and some general uckiness yesterday, I put Those Zany Charts off until today. I’d already decided to write about the most expensive videos ever made and started doing the research so I’d be ready to write it up today.
I found this wikipedia list and got ready to go find those videos on youtube. Which is when I discovered that someone’s already written my post, and they did a way better job than I had planned to do. Sigh.
If you’re interested in the most absurdly expensive videos ever made, and what exactly made them cost so damn much, go here:
Crazy Topic: 10 Most Expensive Music Videos
And marvel at how you barely remember most of them.
Except for Missy Elliot, she’s badass and her videos (especially around that time) were always pretty awesome.
Missy Elliot - She’s A Bitch
It’s once again time to round up the news-ish! Since we’ve started this post I’m proud to say that we’ve managed to steer clear from commenting on celebrity relationships, because we really don’t give a crap who’s secretly married or not, who’s engaged because she’s pregnant or not. Leave it to me to break this admirable streak, but this love connection made me go whozajiggawhat?!? This news is a bit older, but Devendra Banhart and Natalie Portman, people. That’s almost as strange a pairing as two historical figures from different continents and time periods hooking up, like say … Cleopatra and Mussolini. For the longest time, I’ve had a girl-crush on Natalie Portman, so maybe it’s just jealousy talking but not in a shmajillion years did I expect these two to get it on, to put it grossly. I know she’s been in one of his videos and he made a song for some charity thing she did, but still. I like this couple in an existential sort of way, it reminds me that anything can happen at any time.
I was always under the impression that Bright Eyes was Conor Oberst’s stage alter ego, like Ziggy Stardust, or Mariah’s Mimi, or Lightspeed Champion. But he recently revealed he’s going to be releasing a solo album soon … OK I love his music, but what the hell has he been doing all the other times? I thought Bright Eyes was basically the Conor Oberst show, how much more Obersty can it get? I’m intrigued.
Elvis’ visit to London in 1958 ranks up there with legends like Jesus’ visit to Glastonbury made famous by William Blake’s poem And Did Those Feet. Well, it looks like The King’s feet did indeed touch British soil back then. I bet there’s an old Londoner out there who’s been saying for years that he once shared a pint with him and people would smile, shake their heads, and say ’sure old man, that happened’. Finally vindicated, he must feel pretty good about himself, he probably printed ‘I told you so’ on a t-shirt. Oh, and just so there’s no confusion I’m not comparing Jesus to Elvis, John Lennon’s 1966 snafu taught me better.
The Smashing Pumpkins’ announcement that they may not make another album, is the kind of info we try to cover with the -ish in New-ish. It’s vague and non-descript and oh yeah, I don’t care. I mean, who does? This also goes for Ryan Adams and Lily Allen’s ill-advised new love affair with the peroxide bottle. Apparently working on new albums makes you want to go blonde.
Oh-oh-oh, check out my new favorite video! If the song doesn’t blow your mind, the crafty visuals will. Embroidery, Mexican wrestlers, monkeys, and totem poles are just some of the things that’ll tickle your retina. Here’s Architecture In Helsinki’s “Like It Or Not”:
I’m pee-my-pants excited over Weezer’s upcoming “red album”. The glorious blue album still makes it into my CD player - how come saying that makes me feel like I might as well have been cranking up the phonograph? - a lot. The stoopid good “Pork & Beans” streamed on their site is reminiscent of the glory days, which is a good thing.
Scott Weiland may have left a big gap to fill with his semi-forced ousting, but to the remaining Velvet Revolvers this is an opportunity to cause a big stir and announce they’re looking for a new singer on the internet. If you think you have what it takes to front Velvet Revolver, tape yourself looking over a big hat covering a bushel of frizzy hair whilst exercising your vocal chords and maybe you’ll be picked to do that for a living. The Pipettes lost two whole members and managed to replace them with much less hoohaw then the aforementioned band.
We end with the lyrical whirlwind that is Nas. The wannabe punk in me loves it when people stir the pot for all the right reasons. No other word could cause this much of a ruckuss and has scholars, politicians, as well as talk shows debating it as much as the N-word. Nas new controversially titled album, that may or may not see a release has had people up in arms for a while now. Nahright gives us a preview of shockingly delicious things to come with “Be A Nigger Too”, if the record will be released. I think we should trust that he wouldn’t just do this for the sake of childish attention, as shown with this song. The track starts with a ‘turn the radio up’, but I seriously doubt it’s gonna be getting a lot airplay. He’s taking the power out of the notorious word, as well as other words offensive to different ethnic groups, in the chorus with dull repitition, except that it’s far from dull. I mean it’s Nas, of course it’s amazing, profound and, dare I say, catchy, but even as a ehm ‘chink n-word’, you won’t find me singing it on any street corners just yet.
Nas - Be A Nigger Too
I once got sucked into one of those book clubs from hell that’d punish me if I didn’t pick something from their crappy selection with monthly packages of books I would otherwise never even consider looking at. It took six months to get rid of them, but when that sweet day of redemption finally came I raised my fists to the heavens and vowed I would never EVER join a club again. Yeh, I’m gonna have to break that overly dramatic vow because Slow Club is definitely worth joining. They’re too stomping to be twee, but so cute, I swear I want to stuff them with cotton candy and take them to Disneyland. They play twangy folk with a rockabilly twist, but have moments of almost boombastic Arcade Fire-type outbursts. Strangely, they’re often hailed as the British answer to the White Stripes - probably because they’re a guy-girl duo, but that’s like comparing apples with … Care Bears. I love them both, but in very different ways. I haven’t heard a song I didn’t go nuts over yet, so I don’t even care if they’ll send me books about the joy of scrap-booking, I want in.
Look them up at Moshi Moshi Records and on the MySpace. While you’re there check out the beautiful “Apples & Pears”, it sums up what makes them special in three and a half minutes.
Slow Club - Me & You
“WARNING: Moderate impact coarse language and/or themes”
While 2 Live Crew were busy fucking around and acting the fools on Move Somethin’ [1988] and As Nasty As They Wanna Be [1989], something happened in the world of hip hop. … Boom! N.W.A. moved from relative obscurity to (inter)national prominence with Straight Outta Compton [1988] and 100 Miles And Runnin’ [1990]. I say relative obscurity because N.W.A. And The Posse [1987] went gold. That’s chicken feed compared to the double platinum blowup of Straight Outta Compton, an album that, now, seems mild, but, back then, walked up and smacked you in the face demanding a place in music history whether you liked it or not.
N.W.A. was pretty nearly a supergroup in reverse, with most of the members later taking separate roads on their way toward moderate-to-massive success via platinum solo releases and/or branching out to other areas of the entertainment industry. Ice Cube and Dr. Dre pursued widely successful careers. Eazy-E kept his mug in the limelight enough to garner attention when he succumbed to AIDS. The D.O.C. released the superb No One Can Do It Better before having his larnyx damaged in a car accident. MC Ren went platinum with Shock Of The Hour and cemented a place in hip hop’s underground with his collaboration with Public Enemy and Paris on Rebirth Of A Nation. Only Yella, from among the more prominent members, didn’t see much post-N.W.A. success, though he’s now leveraging his involvement with N.W.A. to pursue his DJ Yella Entertainment porn directing career.
N.W.A. - Express Yourself (Remix)
N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton (Extended Mix)
Earlier this week, I came across Stereogum’s Drive XV, a tribute to R.E.M.’s Automatic For The People. I’m a little bit late to the party, but it’s a wonderful tribute to a classic album. Listening to it reminded me that it’s probably been too long since I last listened to R.E.M., which is a damn shame.
Many moons ago, I wrote about how I’ve listened to Pearl Jam for pretty much my entire life. R.E.M. is the only other band to have such a long-term presence. Like any R.E.M. fan my age, I got into them through the big singles from Out Of Time. I taped that album from a friend, I think, which led me to tape Green and Document from another friend’s older sister.* And here I am, 17 years later, still in love.
Here’s a few songs that might not necessarily be the very very best, but that were and have been important to me ever since they were released. “Nightswimming” has always been, without a doubt, my very favorite or theirs. Until Interpol came along and sang “NYC”, I’d always considered it the most beautiful song ever written. (Now they’re tied.) “Belong” is a little unusual, but those soaring vocal bits give me the shivers every time. And, although “Orange Crush” is probably my favorite off Green now, it didn’t get any better than “Stand” back when R.E.M. first came into my life.
R.E.M. - Nightswimming
R.E.M. - Belong
R.E.M. - Stand
* Yup, killing the music industry even back then. In case any big execs are reading along, let me explain exactly how much money I stole from R.E.M. / the big bosses by taping those those three albums back in the early ’90s. Shortly after, I bought Automatic For The People on cassette (it was yellow, remember? That was cool.) and then Monster on CD. I eventually replaced my tapes with legal, overpriced CDs, plus a few more. aDawgg and I paid not-so-small ticket prices to see them live in 2003 and both bought not-so-cheap t-shirts. The entire staff of 100b saw them again on a lovely summer night in 2005. Because I’m a big dorky fangirl, I bought another t-shirt. I will eventually fill up the missing spots in my CD collection and will always jump at the chance to see them live. So, yeah - that illegal copying sure did some serious damage, huh?
(Doh. Mp3 links now working.)
The five-man, Oxford-based outfit Foals are no longer a secret thanks to their debut, Antidotes. But, this doesn’t mean cool dudes and chicks can’t dig them. Okay, for some of the ultra-coolarazzi once you’re known and enjoyed you’re no longer it. Visitors to 100b are better than that.
Antidotes was recorded last year, released in late this past March, and “Cassius” has had significant UK air- and video-play. That’s why you get a sip from a different cup to help you decide:
Foals - Electric Bloom
For more, visit the official Foals site and, of course, their FoalSpace.
I stumbled across New York band The Postelles during my digital wanderings earlier today, and I fell head-over-heels with their songs. They’re on a European tour at the moment and they’ve toured with Jack Peñate before. They have an EP out on iTunes and their latest single “123 Stop”, produced by Albert Hammond Jr., is out now. They sound a bit like a cross between The Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, and The Libertines but fronted by a fifties rock ‘n roll crooner. In one word they’re lovely, I’m a smitten kitten.
The Postelles - White Night
Oh God. After years and years of nothing but moaning about the profanity and general where-is-this-world-coming-to-ness that is that dirty, dirty hip hop, Bill Cosby offers an alternative. He’s going to have guest rappers on to rap about … sigh … the value of education on his new album. So basically a full CD worth of songs that’ll tell us to ‘be cool, stay in school’. I’m not saying the message is dumb, it’s a good message for the kids, but the holier-than-thou attitude that comes with it is not OK.
Hip hop is a form of music and music is still a form of art. People should be able to express themselves the way they want, whether it makes sense to you or not. There are people out there that make paintings with poop; I won’t look at, or buy their stinky, ass art, but I also won’t start painting toilet bowls to spread the message that poop belongs in the toilet and nowhere else. I said poop a lot in this post, sorry ’bout that. If you’re worried about the children explain to them that songs are forms of entertainment, not recipes to live your life by. Just like Gunther Von Hagens’ Body World Exhibition isn’t an invite to cut people open and look at their still beating hearts.
Erykah Badu ft. Common - Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)
Every time I listen to “Tighten Up”, I wish I was a Drell and Archie Bell would yell out, ‘Come on Tamboosh, tighten up on that kazoo!’. Then I’d play a wicked little solo that would make him do that badass Archie Bell chuckle and say ‘Aww yeah, sock it to me now!’. Hmm, a girl can dream, right?
Archie Bell & The Drells have had more hits but this cooler than cool, soul single from 1968 probably still lines their pockets. The Tighten Up was a dance and a call on friends to play some tunes and feel the funk. Yo La Tengo has covered it on their 2006 covers album Yo La Tengo Is Murdering The Classics and managed to make this supafly song sound adorable.
Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten Up
Yo La Tengo - Tighten Up
Who’s leading the ENTIRE world in singles sales this week? And, I mean WHOLE WORLD!
Thanks to the magic of the Interweb, we know, with at least a moderate degree of certainty. According to the German hit watchers at Media Traffic (which I have to say might be a bit dodgy based on their site), the United World Chart has this week’s Top 5 worldwide singles hits as …
1.Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love (four weeks at the worldwide #1 spot)
2. Madonna - 4 Minutes (ft Justin Timberlake)
3. Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
4.Flo Rida - Low (ft T-Pain)
5. OneRepublic - Stop And Stare
Lewis has blown-up da jernt since winning 2006 edition of The X Factor and, strangely enough, I’m actually glad she’s doing as well as she is.
And what about this week’s albums around the world?
1. R.E.M., Accelerate
2. Exile, Exile Catchy Best
3. George Strait, Troubadour
4. Aiko, Himitsu
5. Vasco Rossi, Il Mondo Che Vorrei
R.E.M. No surprise there. But, I gotta say, Aiko must be mad loved in Japan to make an appearance on the world charts. Unless there is a serious underground market for pop music from Nippon.
Curious about what the Top 5 ALL TIME albums are accordingly to the United World Chart?
1. Michael Jackson, Thriller
2. Eagles, Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975
3. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin IV
4. Pink Floyd, The Dark Side Of The Moon
5. Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
That’s it for Those Zany Charts … this week. Until then, keep those charts alive.
I have to admit I haven’t even heard the full album myself yet, but like a kid at a sugar party, I got too excited. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin’s new album, Pershing came out this week! You can stream it on AOL’s Spinner page or download it from Amie Street. Their last album, Broom, was a 2005 favorite of mine, so this news made my stomach do a double somersault - in a good way. For a sneak-peek of the new stuff listen to this sweetly layered pop song with a misleadingly emo-ish title.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Think I Wanna Die
Due to poor ratings, CBS axed their new reality talent show Secret Talents Of The Stars after only one episode. The American public - well, the handful of people that watched - only got a taste of George Takei’s singing chops. Here he is with his version of the country classic “On The Road Again”. I can’t decide whether I think this clip is so bad it’s good or so bad it swung all the way back to bad, but that shirt is awesome.
Alright, just to set the tone for this week’s collection of non-news stories: a Venezuelan TV station has deemed The Simpsons inappropriate for mid-morning television. Instead, they’ve decided to treat young children to a healthy dose of Baywatch. Yup, that sounds about right.
Moving on. After the absolutely astounding success of Get Rich Or Die Trying (though we all know Tamboosh is secretly dying to see it, that’s why I’m totally going to buy it for her on DVD for her upcoming birthday), 50 Cent is in talks to star in the upcoming movie Spectacular. He’ll play “a death row inmate whose imminent execution has made him a cause celebre”. Oh dear, he may actually have to act in this one. No good can come of this.
In perhaps even stupider news, if it could possibly be called that, a “major music-oriented television channel … that asked not to be identified” has pitched a new reality show featuring Axl Rose, following his attempts to finish Chinese Democracy. (Hmm. Now what music-oriented channel might show reality shows? I just can’t think of any.) Seriously, who do they think is going to watch that? Do we all get a free Dr. Pepper if we tune in each week?
And, oh yeah, just in case you haven’t read it on every other site on the entire internets, Pete Doherty’s in jail. It’s all just too shocking.
Lastly, and all sarcasm aside for just one second, let’s take a moment to celebrate the beauty that is Air’s Moon Safari, a truly wonderful album coming up on it’s 10th birthday.
Air - Sexy Boy
In the mid-nineties there were so many Grunge bands, my high school had little pockets of people that claimed they supported THE band that was ‘all that and a bag of chips’. On a side note, I’m trying to stay with the nineties feel so forgive the cheesy slang. Everybody agreed that Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam were the most slamminest, but the music pond was overgrown with bands that were soft-loud-softly yelling for attention. I was a bit of a band hopper, every time a great new single came out I didn’t care who it was from, I’d be ‘all over it like white on rice’. But to me, Belgian band K’s Choice hovered very closely to those Grunge greats from the release of “Not An Addict” off their 1996 album Paradise In Me. I still love listening to it, and I still feel like I’m onto something beautiful when I hear it. The hypnotizing intro, Sarah Bettens’ gorgeous raspy voice that monotonously builds up the tension, the dark lyrics that tell the story of a lying junkie, it’s grungy perfection - oh I mean, it’s da bomb!
K’s Choice - Not An Addict
I was cleaning out one of my old bags for storage and out came Bad. Shamow! I hadn’t listened to the full album in years, so I stopped what I was doing and popped it in my CD player. When Michael sings ‘your butt is mine’, I’m transported back to the first time I saw the “Bad” video and thought he had to be the baddest gangster ever. I was 6 and my only knowledge of gangsters came from cartoon wolves in zoot suits. When it first came out a Rolling Stone review said Bad is a better record than Thriller, I’m not so sure I agree, but it still is very exciting. It debuted at 1 back in 1987 and claimed that spot the next six weeks.
The video for the eponymous single cost more than the “Thriller” video, but where did the money go? Did the dancers’ fees go up that year? Was the cost of studded leather ridiculously high then? Aside from that financial mystery, it is a pretty cool vid. I love that, like in “Beat It”, Michael’s idea of street gangs had more in common with Bernstein and Sondheim’s Sharks and Jets than anything rooted in reality. Here’s the full 16 minute mini movie directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Roberta Flack and Wesley Snipes:
I prefer the Guys ‘n Dolls inspired gangster antics of “Smooth Criminal”, because I have fond memories of me falling on my nose while trying that leany forwardy bit of the video. And I used to love to play the Moonwalker game on my brother’s Sega. It was awesome, I could kill a man with a fedora! I’m actually a bit surprised so many bands have covered this song, because other than ‘you been hit by a smooth criminal’ I still cannot decypher any of the lyrics. What is it about? Who’s Annie? Why does he pronounce the you in ‘Annie are you OK’ like Ricky Ricardo?
The rest of the album is also still thrilling and a stunning walk down Michael’s wacky but wonderful memory lane. Even the lesser known songs, that are generally considered the album’s filler tracks, like “Speed Demon” and the upbeat duet with Stevie Wonder “Just Good Friends”, are great pop songs and balance out the album really well. Whatever Michael’s next otherworldly stunt, there is nothing he can do that could erase the awe-inspiring musical legacy he leaves behind with legendary albums like these under his belt.
Michael Jackson - Bad
Michael Jackson ft. Stevie Wonder - Just Good Friends
Meet my newest obsession, the fantastically dark folksy tunes of Kid Harpoon. I have no idea now where I first came across this man, but I’ve been absolutely hooked ever since.
Kid Harpoon has released two EPs (First EP and Second EP, of course) on the Young Turks label over the last 6 months. Though, to be fair, at 6 tracks apiece they’re really more like mini-albums, or a full album with an intermission. They are both excellent releases, perfect for anyone who likes their folk-rock with a bit of a growl and a sharp tongue. Although all of these songs aren’t all as vicious-sounding as “Riverside” (below), there’s a delicious darkness bubbling beneath the surface that occasionally crosses over into the sinister. I couldn’t possibly love this more.
Listen to “Riverside” right away, it’s definitely one of Kid Harpoon’s best so far. Who doesn’t love a good murder ballad? If this doesn’t send you straight off to order the EPs (on sale right now for a measly £10 combined!), or grab both over at emusic, I don’t know what will. There’s a rumor (so called because I can’t remember where I read it) that Kid Harpoon has an album in the works, with only this one track as a repeat from the EPs. Good god, I hope it’s true and I desperately hope it’s soon.
Visit Kid Harpoon at myspace or his members-only website (simple registration required for access to “new songs, short films, and pieces of writing”).
Kid Harpoon - Riverside
Whether it’s the shear chutzpah of selecting Elvis as your stage name, stunts like busking at a convention of record company bigwigs to get noticed and signed in the U.S., or releasing your next album on vinyl and as a digital download only, the bespectacled Declan Patrick MacManus, better known as Elvis Costello, has shown he has what it takes to succeed and survive at this wicked game.
aDawgg:
Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives
Perhaps it’s fitting, after listening to Elvis Costello again and again the past couple of weeks, I ended up settling on his first serious hit, one I knew would end up on the short-list anyway. “Watching The Detectives” was a standalone single released in the U.K. in late-1977, before later making it onto releases of My Aim Is True. The rhythms and chorus mask a dark and menacing tale of murder. This single marked the start of a wide-ranging career now in its fourth decade and matched by very few.
Bean:
Elvis Costello - Oliver’s Army
Oliver’s Army” is the kind of hit that indie bands are still trying – unsuccessfully, for the most part – to write. A genuine indie (or post-punk or new wave or whatever you want to call it) / pop crossover is rare. For it to also say something real about the state of the world – and not just some generic Peace To The World drivel – is almost unheard of. And to have it still be loved by people of all tastes, ages, shapes, and sizes over 30 years later? Almost a miracle.
Tamboosh:
Elvis Costello - Lipstick Vogue
A musical chameleon and soldier against cynicism, who nevertheless never resorts to sentimentality, Elvis Costello understands the essence of every single genre he has covered and executes them perfectly. Trying to explain what is lovely about a song is hard to express when limited by words. While listening to his songs, I jotted down my thoughts. I’ve used phrases like ‘pop perfection’, ‘beautifully country’, and ‘heart-breaking gospel’, but “Lipstick Vogue” simply got a heart. I love this song and whatever grand description of the other songs, nothing can win it from a heart. It’s fast, tragic, passionate, and unmistakably Costellian.
If you’re a fan, I’m sorry. But, Barry White is one of the poster boys for Poptastic Day. However, as we have said in the past poptastic doesn’t equate to crap. In fact, quite often, it’s just the opposite. Yes, it may, just as often, be corny or cheesy as hell. That just makes it better.
“You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” may be best known to Generation X as the Biscuit’s theme in Ally McBeal. When I hear it I see that goofball pumping himself up with confidence in the unisex bathroom mirror. Which is why the song is so effective - only a poptastic song would do. And it did. It’s forever burned into my brain because of those scenes.
What is poptastic to one is frequently a hit to many others. “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” was on Can’t Get Enough (1974), an album that featured a #1 (”Can’t Get Enough”), a #2 (the subject of today’s Poptastic Day) and was selected as #281 on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. ALL TIME.
Now, that is The Power of the Poptastic.
Barry White - You’re The First, The Last, My Everything
Postscript - The photo accompanying this post was specifically selected because I couldn’t help wondering who the Special Agent was in the background. Does he not look out of place? I imagine him wondering “How did I end up here?” Perhaps what he’s really thinking is … “That Barry White is one cool cat. I wish I could be more like him.”
There would be no charts and therefore no Zany Charts if Billboard hadn’t made the glorious and innovative decision to document America’s best selling records in a handy weekly list simply named the Best Selling Retail Records 68 years ago. Now Billboard hosts about a gajillion charts selected by theme and genre, it boggles the mind. The Forties were a simpler time, there was only one chart that gave the readers the most popular records in one glimpse. Every self-respecting music magazine all over the world has followed suit since then, and has given us the opportunity to poke fun, scrutinize, and analyze these lists of songs. But it all started with this first chart from the 27th of July 1940.
1 Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers - I’ll Never Smile Again
2 Jimmy Dorsey with Bob Eberly - The Breeze And I
3 Glenn Miller with Ray Eberle - Imagination
4 Kay Kyser with Sully Mason/Trio - Playmates
5 Glenn Miller with Ray Eberle - Fools Rush In
6 Charlie Barnet with Mary Ann McCall - Where Was I?
7 Glenn Miller - Pennsylvania 6-5000
8 Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra - Imagination
9 Bing Crosby - Sierra Sue
10 Mitchell Ayres with Mary Ann Mercer - Make-Believe Island
It’s a regular Big Band-a-palooza! With the exception of Bing Crosby these songs are all credited to the, then extremely popular, conductors and their orchestras. Now the vocalists take center stage, but back then the Big Band conductor was the one that got top billing. This is why different versions of “Imagination” can occur in the same chart. I wonder if there was any rivalry between those that favored the Tommy Dorsey version and the Glenn Miller fans. I imagine Big Band Offs, where the two groups would stand across from each other with their record players and play the different songs while heckling the other side. The sweet and dreamy “I’ll Never Smile Again”, was a huge hit. It topped the charts for 12 whole weeks, but it was only one of forty songs the twenty-five year old Frank Sinatra recorded with Tommy Dorsey. My favorite song here is “Pennsylvania 6-5000″, I LOVE everything about it. It’s to Big Band what The Champs’ “Tequila” is to Rock ‘n Roll, but with the added bonus of a ringing phone.
Yeah, so what. I start all of posts with excuses about why my post might (probably) sucks eggs. This week I have yet another excuse. A good one. For me at least. I bought a refurbished MacBook Pro from Apple and, hot damn, it’s sweet! So, I phaffed about for the past four or five days setting it up. What this meant is I had to export and import all my RSS feeds and all the entries was zapped to Kingdom Come.
Anywho, onto this edition of my disjointed and disconnected collection of news-ish tidbits … a.k.a. some stuff that comes from the Interweb into your feeder reader for people that don’t know the news too good.
I may have nuked my backlogged feeds, but you couldn’t have missed the blow-up over what seems to now be known as the ‘Barack Obama Race Speech’ or ‘A More Perfect Union’ or Obama really taking on the elephant in the corner of his campaign or Obama taking on the even bigger elephant crushing the United States with his big ass. Predictably, the Right - in this instance, the White Right, most notably - is all up in tizzy.
(Beware: This video is the FULL speech, running nearly 38 minutes.)
From the inspiring to the painful. Submitted for your approval, two tales about the pathetic and their attempts to mean something to someone somewhere:
Tale #1: The Smashing Pumpkins are suing Virgin Records over the licensing of their tracks to Pepsi and Amazon.com. Their reasons? Negatively impacting the credibility they worked ever so hard for years to build with their fans. … They still have fans?
Tale #2: NME, the infamous rag that loves a band or artist one week and hates them the next, is making a Robbie Williams-style attempt to become relevant in the U.S. Good luck. Prediction: NME will fail miserably and then write off the U.S. as musically useless.
This month’s 100best of … selection, Elvis Costello, is opting to release his upcoming album (Momofuku) via digital download and vinyl only. Interesting. Somewhere a record exec just pooped herself a bit.
Undoubtedly, the number and variety of reality crap (*COUGH*), I mean, shows is just out of hand and definitely, somehow, at the heart of the decline of Western Civilization. Even so … Oh. My. God. Let this be shown in the U.K.! The concept is so cringable I can’t not look. I’m so gonna be thuggin to this.
Weezer, Justice, The Klaxons, Mars Volta, DJ Shadow. No, that’s not the lineup for an indie/underground festival. That’s a selection of the artists on the Gran Turismo 5 soundtrack, scheduled for release for the PS3 in April.
On March 16, tamboosh clued you into the existence of hip hop at SXSW with some cuts from The Cool Kids. Well, here’s another I bumped into on my travels along the musical backroads of this so-called Information Superhighway (shout out to The Rap Up) …
The Carps (ft The Cool Kids) - Heaven’s Gates & Hell’s Flames
(Warning: 12.28 MondoBites!)
Want to know more about The Carps? Check out their CarpSpace.
That’s it. I’m done. Out.
For perhaps the first time ever, here’s a remix I actually like. To tell you the truth, I usually don’t even download remixes, because I always end up wishing they’d left the original song alone. But here’s the Shoes Mix of the Mystery Jets’ current single, “Young Love”, which I’ve already expressed my love of. This remix adds its own element but doesn’t take away from the dreamy Spring-like sound of the original. Nice.
The Mystery Jets’ Twenty One is out now at record shops near you.
Mystery Jets - Young Love (Shoes Mix)
If you’re like me, you picked up the latest Kills’ release, Midnight Boom the day it came out. And if you’re like me, you love it. Definitely a better album than No Wow (although it had some great songs on it, No Wow didn’t quite live up to what I’d hoped for from their second full-length effort), Midnight Boom strips their minimalist sound down even further than before and adds an industrial element that suits them way better than I could’ve imagined.
But as much as I love the new album, I still think The Kills’ first album will always be their best. I always say that if I were to compile a list of the greatest albums of all time - albums taken as a whole, single piece of art - The Kills’ Keep On Your Mean Side would be one of the first things I’d put on there. Keep On Your Mean Side is just about perfect when considered as a whole - there’s not a single song that feels like it should’ve been left off, there’s no boring middle dip, every single track has enough power to make your heart pound. Sure, The Kills don’t often veer away from their sound and explore new realms the way that some artists do. But they do explore their own sound fully, exposing the guts of what they themselves set out to do. And guts are a big part of why I call this album a Classic. There’s no better album to listen to on Monday morning when you’re pissed off at the world, letting it scream at you as you silently curse everyone in sight. It’ll help you get through a task you loathe or work through heartbreak. It directly connects to your anger, sadness, pain, fear, worries - whichever apply to you at any given moment. This is music that you hear in your heart, not your head. It sounds good on headphones, in a car, from a crappy stereo or the best money can buy - but it should always be loud enough to make you want to sing, shout, and scream along.
The Kills - Cat Claw
The Kills - Wait
I can feel myself entering a hip hop phase again, having drifted away for a few months. In my regular pre-post scramble, the Geto Boys popped into my head. When it comes to the Geto Boys many (if not most) hip hop heads will immediately think of their only truly big time single, “Mind Playing Tricks On Me”, off We Can’t Be Stopped (1991).
This isn’t the best rap track ever. In fact, “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” is very much of its time. But, damn, if it ain’t catchy. Listen to it once and it’ll be looping through your head incessantly, especially if your memory is seeded with it already.
Geto Boys - Mind Playing Tricks On Me
As a special bonus, here is the irrepressible Isaac Hayes’ “Hung Up On My Baby” from the 1974 Tough Guys soundtrack. Listen to it for 10-15 seconds and it’s obvious why I’ve thrown this up as well.
Isaac Hayes - Hung Up On My Baby
I normally go for loud, energetic bands, but it’d been a very hectic day and by the end of it I was so relieved to hear $100’s delicate folk songs. This Canadian band doesn’t yell for attention, instead the singer’s voice floats along like she hasn’t a care in the world, all the while accompanied by some impressive finger pickin’ and slide guitar action. This results in songs that aren’t for the ultra cool and cynical, but are just sincere and lovely. They’ve had a serious set back when guitarist Ian Russell was diagnosed with Leukemia in August last year, but I was glad to learn he’s in remission now and feels well enough to start playing again. The first song that made me stop and listen was “Not For Me”, a song that expresses the fears and hopes of a woman on the brink of insanity. But “Marbridar” almost made me forget I was so frazzled earlier today, I accidentally stole a bottle of lemonade.
$100 - Marbridar
To celebrate the big weekend 100b had, thanks to all you Manic Street Preachers fans, and our first time on the top of The Hype Machine’s Popular Tracks List (well, we’ve been bumped now, but I swear we were #1 for a while there), I’m going to have a look at another great cover song.
Generally speaking, things are most Poptastic when they’re not taken too seriously. A very earnest song that’s really crappy is usually just a crappy song. But when taken with a with a sense of humor, that crappy song can sometimes go so far that it’s good. Absurdity + A Giggle = Poptasticism. If you listened to Styx’s “Come Sail Away” (possibly my all-time Poptastic favorite) literally, it would be one of the dumbest things you’d ever heard. But the ability to laugh with it makes it fantastically fun.
Many moons ago, aDawgg and I referred to this as the Fugly Scale - though it’s really more of a cycle - and it works with all kinds of different things. Jokes can be so dumb they’re funny - this applies to almost anything in the “yo’ momma” or “that’s what she said” areas. Movies can be so horrendously bad they’re hilarious (see also: The Wiz). If you don’t enjoy the dumbassness of them, they’re just crap.
So, following that totally half-baked theory through a little further: if something that isn’t Poptastic (because it takes itself too seriously) is then refurnished by someone who can have a giggle, does it then become Poptastic? Inverse Poptasticism, if you will.
I downloaded this live cover from a blog at least three years ago (I have no idea who, so I apologize for not giving proper credit), and it at least doesn’t disprove this nonsense. On its own, Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated” is just an annoyingly catchy, big dumb pop song. Ben Gibbard has a laugh with it and turns it into an awesome cover version, thus embracing Poptasticism.
Ben Gibbard - Complicated (Live)
Just when I thought I could not get more jealous of all you people who get to go to South By Southwest. The AP tells us that Hip Hop has gotten more and more of a foothold on SXSW. Ice Cube, Bun B, The Clipse, Dizzee Rascal, 2 Live Crew, Talib Kweli, The Cool Kids are just a selection of the mouth-watering acts that grace the festival’s stages. For those of you who are missin’ out as well, let the amazing Cool Kids rub-a-dub-dub some more salt in the wound. Damn, that smarts.
The Cool Kids - Pump Up The Volume
The Cool Kids - ‘88
It’s been a while since we looked at the current singles charts, so I thought we’d check out the UK Top 100 Singles this week. But yeah, the Top 10 was pretty dull. How about we look at the chart’s new entries? Here’s a few of the most interesting singles to hit the chart for the first time this week:
#15 We Are Scientists - After Hours
I’m not a huge We Are Scientists fan, but their singles are always catchy as hell. And they’re always good for a laugh. Plus, dogs are funny.
#30 The Futureheads - The Beginning Of The Twist
I am, however, a massive Futureheads fan. I wasn’t too impressed when this first started playing - it felt like maybe they’d lost some punch. But “The Beginning Of The Twist” worms its way into your brain pretty quickly and by the end of that first listen, I loved it. Like most Futureheads singles, despite my initial reaction, this has anthem written all over it. Plus, it’s always nice to see one of your favorite bands do well in the charts.
#48 Mystery Jets - Young Love
Hmm, I actually thought the Mystery Jets broke up. Shows how on top of things I am. Anyway, this is a lovely single. Absolutely charming. I can’t claim to know how this compares to other Mystery Jets songs - I only know a couple of their songs - but I’m quite taken with this. What a great sound to have floating about as Spring finally starts to break through the grey.
#72 Estelle ft. Kanye West - American Boy
(There’s no proper video available on youtube that I could find, but at least you can check out the song)
Is Kayne West secretly King Midas? Everything that man touches is pure gold. This doesn’t seem like much because it’s so simple - an unpretentious 70s disco feel with an irresistible chorus - but that’s exactly what makes it so good. Sometimes less most definitely is more - I’ve heard it once and I’m still happily humming it to myself.
#88 Manic Street Preachers - Umbrella
And we have a winner. The mark of a truly great pop song (or any song, actually) is if someone can come along and move it to a completely different genre and it’s still awesome. This Manic Street Preachers cover of last year’s massive Rihanna hit is Flippin’ Sweet.
Look at that. There’s enough good stuff in the singles chart this week that I made it through the whole thing without making fun of anyone. That’s nice.
Is it more embarrassing to be a good rapper but a horrible actor, or a bad rapper but a good actor in a movie about a rap legend? I’m thinking the latter, which is why it’s a good thing they went with an actual rapper to play Biggie Smalls in the upcoming feature Notorious. Jamal Woolard, aka Gravy, aka that guy who got shot in the ass, is the lucky man who gets to play the big man. I’m not saying he’s automatically a bad actor, maybe he’ll pull a Mos Def or a Ludacris and light up the screen like a pro, but it is his first attempt at it so it’s gonna be interesting. In small screen news, Britney is going to play a little part in an upcoming episode of How I Met Your Mother. I’ve never seen the show but to answer the earlier question of what is more embarrassing: Britney is. How come nobody tells her that maybe it’s a good idea to have your shiz together before you go out for a part in a comedy? Geez. Didn’t your momma teach you to stop being the butt of the joke before you make your own?
MusicMagpie.co.uk had themselves a poll and the English public decided that Joy Division’s Unkown Pleasures is the most iconic album cover of all time. Yeah, that sounds about right, especially with the recent attention the band’s been getting lately. But I am surprised to see The Velvet Underground & Nico’s banana isn’t even in the top ten, it would definitely top my list. The only problem with these iconic covers is the superbly creative ways in which their popularity is milked. Remember the Unknown Pleasures inspired New Balance shoes?? Barf. I just don’t see how treading on your favorites band’s image is an expression of appreciation.
Some really good music first saw the light of day these last two weeks starting with M.I.A. & DJ Znobia’s collaboration with Buraka Som Sistema on “Sound Of Kuduro”. It’s absolutely mind blowingly amazing. My first reaction was to bust a move, but then I saw the kids in the video … They shamed me into sitting back down and hoping my headnods were on the beat.
Then the Bean alerted me that the band that makes me drool like a Pavlovian German shepherd by the mere mention of them, The Black Keys, lets us sneak a taste of their upcoming new release produced by Dangermouse. Listen to “Psychotic Girl” over on Stereogum. It’s beyond exciting, so incredibly good it hurts.
Nick Cave also has exciting news, but it’s not music related. He’s planning to finally follow up his deeply disturbing gothic novel And The Ass Saw The Angel. Yay, I can’t wait! It took me a while to finish his book, because you have to be in a certain Tim Burtonesque mood to read it, but I was surprised at how much enjoyed it, so I’m looking forward to the next one.
Some of the news was so crazy that it practically forced me to set up a WTF section:
There’s talk of a Libertines musical. WTF?!? I wonder who’s going to play them?? Obviously, John Barrowman would make a good Carl and Ewan Mcgregor could combine his performances in Moulin Rouge and Trainspotting and channel Pete. Yeah, now the idea of a Libertines musical is starting to grow on me. This is followed up with reports that Pete Doherty is going to talk to teenage drug addicts. I actually think this would be a good way to use his celebrity and crack stained past. Yes, it’s on a TV show, which is a bit mweh, but at least he might help out some people.
Equally baffling but in a whole different screwed up way is the robbery surrounding early nineties industrial rock band Cop Shoot Cop. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a single Cop Shoot Cop song, but the fact that this guy was in a band once upon a time, gives me an excuse to talk about this sad sad attempt at robbery. The former guitarist of the band used, as I understand it, a parfume bottle shaped like a gun for a weapon. You either have to have balls the size of melons or brains the size of a walnut or a screwy fruitsalady combo of both to pull a stunt like that.
The final WTF is no surprise. The Enemy’s frontman continues his career in Twatdom as he criticizes Arctic Monkeys yet again, but adds Muse to the list this time while he drools over Oasis and Manic Street Preachers. I know I’m just generating more heat when I give this guy attention, but I just can’t help being fascinated by the whole thing. It’s just so incredibly pathetic the way he continues to go on about how much the Arctic Monkeys are overrated. Well, at least he’s consistent, when I first wrote about them on New Band Day a while ago, I learned they started their band because they were bored with the “shit people” in their “shit town”. He just branched out to adding successful bands to his shit list. Now that’s growth.
My favorite news this week comes from Wale, an MC and huge Seinfeld fan from Washington DC, has made a Seinfeld-inspired mix tape! I don’t even want to get into the whole Seinfeld-Larry King freak out or Michael Richards not so funny stand up freak out. Let’s just say that now that half the former cast are displaying some questionable behavior it’s good to have a reminder of what made the show great.
And finally some sad news, while The Charlatans enjoy their biggest high so far with their free downloadable CD, The Dead 60s announce they split up. I was never a big fan but I did enjoy them rioting on the radio. If you still want to catch The Charlatans’ You Cross My Path you have five more days to go on over to XFM and snatch it up.
The Dead 60s - Riot Radio
Released together with “Phuncky Feel One” as a double a-side, “How I Could Just Kill A Man” was the first single off Cypress Hill (1991) and the absolute B-O-M-B back in 1991-1992. For me at least, it’s one of those tracks which, even at the time, marked the end of the Golden Age of Hip Hop and the start of 1990s Gangsta. Sure there were other albums prior to that, but, for good or ill, releases from Ice Cube and Cypress Hill in 1990 and 1991 seemed to just smack the Golden Age into the history books.
I bought every Cypress Hill release after being grabbed by them back then and have seen them in concert twice. Some albums are better than others, but, for the nostaglia factor alone, nothing beats tracks off that first album. Today you can taste the late-Golden Age production of the original 1991 vintage, the Spanish version from Los Grandes Exitos En Español (1999) and contrast both those with the visceral Rage Against The Machine cover.
Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill A Man
Cypress Hill - No Entiendes La Onda
Rage Against The Machine - How I Could Just Kill A Man