Tuesday, August 28, 2007

I'm At the Beach for the Last Week of August

The Fair Harbor bay at sunset:

I will not be writing for the next couple of days, for I am lounging at the beach on Fire Island (Fair Harbor.) It's beautiful and sunny and perfect for sleeping, eating, catching up on work, and certainly not looking at the clock for any kind of a reminder of a routine [that I am oh so accustomed to in the city.] Although, today at around 4pm, little ant-sized shrimp invaded the ocean. Why? I don't know. This happened a couple of years ago as well, and man do they spoil the fun of a beach day. Hopefully the waves will get rougher and take them away from here.

I lament:

Robert Johnson - Dead Shrimp Blues.

He's amazing. Good for lounging too, too.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Professor Murder in the Washington Post

Check out this article from the Washington Post: They haven't gone away at all!

PROFESSOR MURDER'S KILLER BEAT
Saturday, August 18, 2007; Page C06



D.C. concertgoers regularly get grief for not dancing enough. Maybe the problem isn't that the locals are uptight; they just save their shimmying for worthy acts. Rhythmic rockers Professor Murder, who kicked off an eight-city tour with a show at the Black Cat's backstage Wednesday night, more than fit the bill. There was a whole lot of shaking going on as the Brooklyn quartet delivered a dynamic performance filled with propulsive drum-circle jams.

During most of the evening's eight songs, three of the group's members could be found pounding on something. Professor Murder is a fine name (taken from the cult
HBO comedy "Mr. Show"), but you might as well call them White Man Group. Drummer Andy Craven bashed away on his standard kit, Jesse Cohen handled electro sounds on a drum pad and frontman Michael Bell-Smith took turns on snare, tom, cymbals and cowbell. Instead of blurring into one cacophonous rumble, the beats were perfectly complementary, and the slinky grooves provided by bassist Tony Plunkett held everything together, especially on the standouts "Champion" and "200,000."

Bell-Smith's vocals were mostly chanted, and he broke out a whistle on a few occasions, which only added to the tribal feel. At times it felt more like something you'd hear at a soccer match than a nightclub. There were definite hints of Animal Collective's percussion-heavy folk and the Rapture's energetic dance-punk, but Professor Murder was mostly working with a sound all its own. It was never boring, always funky and, perhaps most telling, made 100 or so folks in the nation's capital dance.
-- David Malitz


I know Andy Craven! I went to a Yankee game with him when I was 9 or 10. Crazy!

Professor Murder - Free Stress Test (always a nice song)

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Daft Punk's Electroma

Ever seen a movie that screams art! {?}
Even though it was what I expected from Daft Punk, I didn't really enjoy it to its fullest potential.



The beginning scene, however, where the two of them are in the company of gorgeous montains and the ranges that go with them, with Brian Eno playing in the background, is fantastic. The camera merely focuses on the cliffs, the shapes of the stringy road, and the rest of the desert with which you might not be entirely familiar.
The movie, in essence, is how the two DP Robots wish to be human. And, they do in fact mold human faces over their robot helmets, and indeed walk around the western robot town that is shown in the beginning-to-middle section of the film.
But to state the obvious if you see it, there is just way too much walking with no talking. Walking and walking and walking and walking in the desert in the house in the mountains in the town in the bored part of my nervous system.
Don't get me wrong though. I would absolutely love to appreciate this movie when I'm in the mood to zone. Seriously.
Daft Punk are still great, whatever.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Last Day at the Office

Today is my last day of work!

pictures of my office on W39th St.
If I turn my chair around, this is what I see.

My beautiful view...and what is that on my computer screen?! It's MY BLOG!
This is dedicated to those who I worked with this summer: Christina, Philip, Molly, Jon, Richard, Yufen, Jaron, and of course Rick.
Thanks for a good summer.

I'll leave you all with this:

WooHoo!

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Songs of the Month

August is ending (it's the 23rd, I know I know,) and I have decided that their should be a list outlining the best songs of the month. The songs of summer will arrive to you on September 21st, the truly last day of Summer. In addition, I will now be posting my own mp3s, despite my meager knowledge of how to do it. I have been trying to submit my blog to The Hype Machine, and I was informed that hotwiring to other people's mp3s is not a very kind thing to do. What have I done? I am now a recovering thief I suppose, so, enjoy these last hotwired mp3s.

To clarify, the songs of August have not been necessarily released in August. (These are merely things that I listened to frequently.)

1990s - You're Supposed to Be My Friend
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Kiss, Kiss
Junior Senior vs. Lil' Jon - Can I Get Low
Roxy Music - Virginia Plain
M.I.A. - 20 $ (below)
The Beatles vs. Fatboy Slim - Trippin' Up
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Christine (there's always room for this song.)

Bye Bye August...

Moby and Q-Tip on dueling turntables

Check out this Village Voice article from this week. (August 22-28):
A quick excerpt:
Alife Sessions, the private concert series that kicked off last year with a counterintuitive pairing of John Mayer and Just Blaze, once again filled the Lower East Side haunt Alife Rivington Club's courtyard over the weekend for Sound Clash—three hours of Moby and Q-Tip on dueling turntables. There were sneakerheads. And booze. And a lotta smoke. Turtle would not have been out of place.
Actually, Entourage similarities aside, it did feel a little bit L.A., due in part to the perfect 75-degree weather and all the smiling—this was one happy bunch of trainspotters. The crowd quickly formed a circle around Little Brooklyn designer Brad Digital when he briefly broke out his b-boy moves. Cheers went up when neighbors, perched on roofs and fire escapes, sent down paper airplanes. New York's urban tastemakers—Jeff Staple, Futura, Ace Boon Kunle, nitro:licious's Wendy L.—happily mugged for the cameras.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Looks and Listens / August 23-29

Courtesy of Time Out NY:

The Pierces play Mercury Lounge on Tuesday the 28th
Camera Obscura play two shows / SoundFix (FREE) and the Seaport (FREE)

The Liars' new album is reviewed (Click on the article, and it will blow up in size.)

The Fiery Furnaces play Socrates Sculpture Park (FREE)



MORE MORE MORE EXISTS TOO

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Doodle

Look at this doodle I did in the office today:

Main Entry:
extraordinary
Part of Speech:
adjective
Synonyms:
amazing, bizarre, boss*, curious, darb, exceptional, fab*, fantastic, flash*, gnarly*, heavy*, inconceivable, incredible, marvelous, odd, outstanding, particular, peculiar, phenomenal, primo, rare, remarkable, singular, some, special, strange, stupendous, surprising, terrific, tough, uncommon, unfamiliar, unheard-of, unimaginable, unique, unprecedented, unthinkable, unusual, unwonted, weird, wicked*, wonderful.


How's that for a description?


This is an amazing song - but not as profound as my old crazy laydee

Hey Hey My My Yo Yo

This seems overdue; so....
What a fantastic dance album, Junior Senior. I'll say.
If one feels nostalgic for a disco daze or yearns for something new to deck his/her dance moves out with, you have Hey Hey My My Yo Yo. I do love Junior Senior. (notice the emphatic "do.)


FIERCE!



The video for "Can I Get Get Get" is posted below...check it out.

Dirty Projectors' new song

Even though I missed The Dirty Projectors' graces at Death By Audio (I think) two weeks ago, I heard a song of theirs on WNYU yesterday from their new album, Rise Above. The song, also titled "Rise Above," is a complex and certainly respectable piece of music. Just when you thought "ART! music" (with a capital A R T and an exclamation point) could go no further, this song somehow steps forward. With hypnotizing fade-ins and fade-outs of background harmonizing vocals, on top of the lead singer's voice doing his Dirty Projector's thaang, you most definitely have something that you may observe, and not listen to casually. In a nutshell, "Rise Above" is like a SoHo art gallery in a song...And the theme of the gallery would be "big fat trip."


Sunday, August 19, 2007

The softer Pixies are back with the Hair, the TV, the baby, and the Band


Imperial Teen just released their new album, The Hair the TV the Baby and the Band, and its like child's play. This, being a backhanded statement, doesn't mean that its great or bad- I actually enjoy it a lot, but compared to 1999's What is Not to Love, or even 2002's On, The Hair... seems somewhat elementary. It could have been Imperial Teen's first attempt at an album in the early 90s, when they first started. Heavily inspired by the Pixies to a certain extent, one could extract from their music. They developed a catchy, slick style over the years, and the only song that seems somewhat evolved from their past stuff is their newest single "Shim Sham." Similar to their hits, "Ivanka" or "Yoo Hoo" it has a beat that you find somehow compelling, additionally packed with all the nonchalante, half-assed emotive vocals you love to hear. The vague enthusiasm that is common in all of Imperial Teen's songs is certainly present in the album as it always has been. In "Do It Better," the band laments about their lack of abilities compared with someone else - show me how you do it better... etc. It's all very cute.

For nostalgia's sake- here's the music video for "Yoo Hoo"-- featured, is Rose McGowan as Courtney Shane-the bitch of the school. It's a cool vid.





Here's some music to listen to:

Imperial Teen - Shim Sham
Imperial Teen - Do It Better
Imperial Teen - Yoo Hoo

Friday, August 17, 2007

Blonde Redhead: The Making of 23



watch them watch them watch them.

Get Get Get Happy

Junior Senior's newest triumph, "Can i Get Get Get"



It's a piece of work. It's nice to see real people in music videos though--similar to Dave Matthews' "Everyday" video with that big guy hugging everyone, or Len's 90s smash "Steal My Sunshine." --Wait, am I wrong with that one?

Film School's Hideout hits in September


What I've heard from people who listened to Film School's first, and not as well recieved Film School, is that Hideout is a prodigious jump in the right direction in terms of their music. Their stuff now is more "Blonde Redhead's 23 / Slowdive / The Jealous Girlfriends' Heiroglyphics"-ish. The shoegaze bomb has exploded all over them, and they are now coated in thick guitar licks, dreamy and slightly filtered vocals, and an overall better rock n' roll sound. In the words of someone I know very well, referring to Film School,

"Have you ever said that you really didn't like a certain band or artist even though you hadn't really taken a real listen to their material, only to find that you might actually be into it? The song was by the band Film School, who I chose to hate a year or so ago."


Their very good now, very good.
mp3s:
And while you're in the mood for this kind of noise, here's a Slowdive song ( a tad more profound than Film School's tracks,) I remembered hearing-but didn't know who it was by until last night!

The NY Times is going to Warsaw


The New York Times is just as excited as we are about Wolf Parade's concert at Warsaw. I'm not going, (it's sold out,) but good for them! It got a star in the listings.


mp3s:
Wolf Parade - I'll Believe In Anything (From Apologies to the Queen Mary )
Wolf Parade - Disco Sheets (From Wolf Parade - EP )

Thursday, August 16, 2007

If I fell in love with you, would you promise to be true?

The Beatle's A HARD DAY'S NIGHT.

I watched this masterpiece again last night for my mother's birthday and I was reminded yet again of the utopia I felt I had entered as a child watching John, Paul, Ringo, and George (my personal favorite as a youngin.) Their rich Liverpool accents, their antics, the fantastic club scenes in London to "All My Lovin'," (something that should be played more often in clubs today,) and everything else. Paul's clean granddad played by the gifted Willfred --I wish I remembered his last name--completely blew my mind seeing it as a more competent human being after being in an acting conservatory for 3 years. He makes it seem effortless. The movie's a classic. The special features on the DVD are quite cool too.






Download these:
The Beatles - Tell Me Why (A Hard Day's Night)
The Beatles - All My Loving (Meet the Beatles)
The Beatles - I Wanna Be Your Man (Meet the Beatles)

"Are you a mod or a rocker?"
Ringo replies: "I'm a mocker"

One more picture: John and Paul composing "If I Fell"

New Rogue Wave song

mp3: Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan
We all remember the likes of "Publish My Love," a favorite of the OC mix CDs that everyone pretended to not like, even though he/she downloaded the majority of their mainstream indie rock collectives found on each album.
The song is mighty catchy. A spacier Third Eye Blind with an independent label.

M.I.A. Buzz

I know, I know, I've been writing about this bootylicious Sri Lankan too much, but what can I say? Kala is getting some of the best album buzz of 2007. Take a look at this review from Time
Out NY:


Sweet jesus, and she's saving the world too.
I'm all over this woman.
Don't anybody take her visa away ever again, otherwise...you don't know the power I possess.

Marvelous
Is
A girl from Sri Lanka who started a music career, and she calls herself M.I.A.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Bowery Presents...Another Club

Terminal 5! The new concert venue/club on 610 W 56th StNew York, NY 10019.

Not an ideal neighborhood, (I work in it every day,) but good lineups. All-age shows --nothing pretentious or exclusive...tra-lalala-lalala-lalala- tralalalala-lalah!

These shows seem like they'd be fun, depending on the capacity of the venue. (Let's pray for small!)


M.I.A.
Friday, October 19th, 2007 / doors 7pm / all ages / tix on sale 8/17. M.I.A. struts her stuff, showing her acclaimed chops from the new KALA, which Rolling Stone gave 4 1/2 stars. Yowza!

M.I.A. - XR2

Justice
Saturday, October 20th, 2007 / doors 7pm / all ages / tix on sale 8/17. Justice blows the roof off of T5 with their bubblegum electro dance rock. d.a.n.c.e., 1 2 3 4 5, stay to the b.e.a.t. get ready to ignite...you are such a p.y.t., catching all the light, justice knows their a.b.c's that's how you make it right... (i think I made half of that up)

an oldie: Justice- We Are Your Friends

The Shins
Tue 10/23 / Doors 7pm /all ages/ $39.50 on sale 08/18 12:00 pm. Yeah Shins!

The Shins - Australia.

I'll be going perhaps.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Jonny Greenwood's 'Popcorn Superhet Receiver'

I was reading Brooklyn Vegan this morning, and I found a curious article that caught my interest. Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood will be, in essence, commanding the graces of the Wordless Music Orchestra on January 16th and 17th, 2008 at the The Church of St. Paul the Apostle in NYC.
Here's the article from BV:

Commissioned by the BBC in 2005, when Jonny Greenwood was named the BBC’s Composer-in-Residence, and premiered in November 2006 at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London by the BBC Concert Orchestra, “Popcorn Superhet Receiver” is a 20-minute work inspired by the phenomenon of white noise and the music of Krzysztof Penderecki, György Ligeti, and Olivier Messiaen. For its U.S. premiere, the work has been revised by the composer and will be performed by a string orchestra comprising 18 violins, 6 violas, 6 cellos, and 4 double basses.
The Wordless Music Orchestra will be led by conductor Brad Lubman, known for his work conducting the Steve Reich Ensemble, and will feature a one-time gathering of 50 instrumentalists, who represent many of the brightest talents in New York’s classical and new-music community. They come from a diverse group of bands and ensembles who have drawn inspiration from the music of Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead throughout the group’s 15-year history, including members of Alarm Will Sound and So Percussion.


Jonny Greenwood above.
It sounds like quite a stirring experience, considering the saintly surroundings that will be apparent during the concert. I used a lot of s-words there...but nevertheless, it will be quite a show. I anticipate great things.
First UK Performance: 23 April 2005: BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Robert Ziegler

Monday, August 13, 2007

weeds vs. californication

for the record:

weeds: 97 % vs. californication: 3 %

we all know our showtime schedule now; turn the tv off at 10:30 on Monday nights.

Whats Happenin' Monday?

First of all, it's the Weeds Season 3 Premier. What fun!

New York Magazine had a fun article about Mary Louise and her trials, tribulations, gang of a cast, and other tidbits regarding her fantasmic career. Read if you will-



And to celebrate, here are some mp3s in celebration of the great Mary Jane in all her provocative glory and/or a suggestive title I'm purposely misunderstanding for the sake of this blog.

Band of Horses - Weed Party (from the upcoming Cease to Begin (October 9th release date))
The Little Ones - There's a Pot a Brewin' (new single)
Brazilian Girls - Pussy (the chorus features "marijuana.")

Sunday, August 12, 2007

I'm Back From The Beach! // Why I Wasn't Writing

I'll begin writing many many entries this coming week.

Look forward to it...



cool picture.

mp3:
The B-52s - Rock Lobster.

The B-52s played Coney Island while I was away...oh well.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

WinterKids - Marzipan & Ribbons EP



These guys are really fun.

WinterKids - Brainwashed Since 17
WinterKids - Tape It
WinterKids - I'm Not Used to You

The Best Sex is Blonde Redhead

I can't even believe what I just saw:



When I got to McCarren park Pool, it was right before I'm From Barcelona, a true delight, came rushing onto the stage like an army of birds migrating elsewhere in the winter. The first step in pulling off a fantastic presentation was certainly demonstrated by the wild bunch of Barcelona; they pulled out at least two-three dozen beach balls and threw them into the audience, along with some canfetti following their big opening of "Treehouse," a big hit. They had my complete adoration. I took a video of their perfomance; the first time a handful of canfetti hit the breeze as well: Beach balls, canfetti, cheery people, and an eclectic display of music = fun time. I'm From Barcelona


A completely canfettied floor.

As for Blonde Redhead, it was the most sensual experience I had ever had. Truly, madly, and deeply, I felt as though I stepped into an utterly magical world, where BR's music told a story that I could completely emerse myself in. Starting with "Dr. Strangeluv," merely tuning their guitars, the twins and Kazu managed to ultimately command the entire Pool Party audience. I have never been in a venue where everyone remains silent untill the first chord is struck by the magnificent Simone Pace: A wise man, Pace tunes his guitar with mastery.



I was informed mid-concert, as Kazu and Pace controlled their guitars with passion, dignity, and worship, that Kazu and Pace are in fact lovers-and sometimes they just kiss each other on stage during the hypnotic guitar coated music breaks before the chorus of "S/W." They completely blew my mind. It was, if I can express myself correctly, like a poignant (lack of a better word) cane of sugar, that had the power to completely control every limb and muscle in my body, including my mind, which i assuredly consider to be a muscle. I was in a state of complete relaxation. It almost went too far, however, and if you know me, then I don't even need to say how effected I was by the music. Blonde Redhead are extraordinary, and that is all anyone needs to know. If ever they appear in my hood again, I will without a doubt, rain or shine, sleet or hail, monsoon or gun crossfire, wild bear attack or a serial killers' meeting, attend their next concert.

Here's some videos of the beautiful Blonde Redhead. One of the ones I took was too long, and I wasn't able to transfer them onto the computer. I suppose you'll only know how enthralled one could be in their presence if you were there, and not relying on my filmmaking skills. This is, however, my gift to you.
meeting Kazu


I'm in love with her
let the music prevail

Blonde Redhead - Dr. Strangeluv !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Wish I was at Lollapalooza

I wish I was at Lollapalooza.

www.lollapalooza.com

When you go on the website, watch the live webcast of the whole concert. Here's the schedule:

Time: Artist:
12 : 15 Dax Riggs
01 : 15 Heartless Bastards
02 : 15 Lupe Fiasco
03 : 15 Blue October
04 : 15 Kings of Leon
05 : 15 Paolo Nutini
05 : 30 Amy Winehouse
06 : 30 Interpol
08 : 00 Pearl Jam
half of deadboy & the elephantmen, Dax Riggs

This is for today. I'm watching Dax Riggs right now, the ex-lead singer of deadboy & the Elephantmen, a band who played Siren Fest last summer, but didn't get much further. He's got an Eddie Vedder (how ironic, for Pearl Jam are the last band to play,) quality to his voice. Then it fades into a Beck-sea change-mode, but then makes you fight with yourself about whether its moving or completely unoriginal.

"demon tied to a chair in my brain" is one of the lyrics. Do have cheers or jeers?

ah well.


Let's wish him good fortune on his solo debut.

BOWIE

Ziggy Stardust Tour Bowie


"Ashes to Ashes" Bowie


Labyrinth Bowie plus "Bowie's In Space"



YES!
This show is wonderful.

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Whoa - Mashuptown's Mashup of the Week

Amy Winehouse vs. Peter, Bjorn & John.

"Young Folks in Rehab"

check it out- it's dope.

Mashuptown's words:
Probably our favorite of all the Amy Winehouse or Peter Bjorn & John mashups, is the one we found over at GYBO a few days ago by DJ Topcat. Mr. Topcat is a skilled DJ who has recently been devoting the majority of his time to remixing.



sing it girl.

Blonde Redhead vs. My Awful Computer

You know what sucks so badly?

I had an entire blog written on my copy clipboard about Blonde Redhead, and now it's all gone because my computer crashed.

Thanks Windows for your disrespect, lack of endurance, and fuckassness.



Here's B R live in Rimini, Italy "Doll is Mine"



and go see them tomorrow at McCarren Park Pool with I'm From Barcelona.

here's an mp3:
Blonde Redhead - SW (Kazu doesn't actually sing, but it's still mighty fine.)

and for the record, I'm really pissed I couldn't send across what I wanted to say--I'm too bitter to reorganize my thoughts. I basically said I didn't like Misery is a Butterfly that much when I first heard it--plus, my cousin that went to Oberlin and saw them told me they weren't that fantastic. But then-I heard 23 and my criticisms were all smothered by Kazu Mikano's vocals-utterly hypnotizing me-my significant other burned me their unmastered album before its release date of April 10th, 2007, and I felt all special and listened to it quite a lot. I learned to like their other albums of the 90s, 2000's Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons, and 2004's Misery is a Butterfly. Exciting stuff.

go see them tomorrow at the pool (b/w Bayard and Driggs, williamsburg, bklyn.)

and also- read James Pollis's blog on them. It's good. He also mentions I'm from Barcelona, the opener, who I find to be very entertaining and Sufjan Stevenz-y with a cup of the Polyphonic Spree added to the batter. Don't you like my phrasing of that?

Nothing

no blog yesterday//no interesting blog today




give me something to write about//


come on //


i've got nothing to say // i've got nothing to say // i've got nothing to say // i've got nothing to say// don't be a coconut, god is trying to talk to you //


The Strokes - Ask Me Anything





Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass - I Aint Got Nothing but the Blues

Whitney Houston - I Have Nothing



catch my drift?

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Could be interesting?

THE KARMA POLICE: A Tribute to Radiohead @ B.B. King's Blues Club & Grill in Times Square, Sunday at 11pm. advance $1, day of show $5.

Cheap...is it worth it?

Thom Yorke with a different face?


what if?


mp3:
Radiohead - No Surprises

Iron & Wine - No Surprises (cover)

What ever happened to Foxy Brown [rapper]?

I was listening to "Candy" on my iPod, and I thought, damn, this chick's krazy with a k-r-a-z-y. what ever happened to her? Even though she definitely copied Lil' Kim's groundbreaking "How Many Licks"-She deserves some credit.

The latest with this fine sister-

On February 15, 2007, Brown was arrested for Beauty Salon incident in Broward County, Florida. According to the Florida arrest report, Brown was applying beauty products in the bathroom when a Queen Beauty Supply employee told her the business was closed and it was time to leave. She refused and threw hair glue at the employee, the report said. Brown soon then spat on the man as he called 911, staining his shirt. A police officer found her in the shopping plaza and tried to get her to return to the store. When the officer placed a hand on her arm to escort her to the store, Brown swatted it away, then started swinging her arms and struggling with the officer, the report said. The officer had to "use a takedown maneuver to gain control" of Brown, according to the report. No one was injured.

thank jesus

She is, after all, a Park Slope, Brooklyn native, meaning she is cool by association.

mp3:
Foxy Brown - Back in the Day (30 second sample-that's all you really need anyway)

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Party Ben is really cool

Party Ben just keeps supplying the world with some of the best mashups. And it makes one wonder, how original are we really?


courtesy of Spin Magazine

Start August off with a Badang-Boom

Skimming The Village Voice and Time Out NY, I came across some curious listings...

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3rd:
Dancey-Fun:
Consult-Your-Scalper-Fun:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4th:

Dumpy-Abstract-Fun:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th:

Amazing-Free-Fun:

MONDAY, August 6th
Tranquil-Zoney Fun:
I'll post mp3s later, but enjoy reading for now.
A new month of music...