Check it out here.
hearts...
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Scarlett Johansson review
My lastest review on Fanbolt of Scarlett Johansson's recent foray into music is up.
Check it out here.
hearts...
Check it out here.
hearts...
Monday, March 17, 2008
Handheld Shows
The blog world seems to be becoming increasingly more interesting and diverse. What was once overrun with mid-30's corporate slaves and old journalists looking for a forum to rant has begun to get a bit creative and expand into all realms of culture. With the creation of such programs as Stumble, Del.icio.us, Digg it and many others; the world of the Internet and blogs is attempting to become a bit more organized and customized to your preferences and interests.
It is also creating a community. Sure, it is a bit of an artificial community since interaction is done completely through electronic means, but nevertheless it is a form of people coming together around an idea, a news story, or just a funny video and promoting it in a certain way. Never have we had such an ability to control what we want to read, listen, or watch. While a lot of crap came come from that, I think in the end it is a good thing. Its a power that is controlled more by the average internet user and less by a board of directors. Good thing right?
On the occasion, I will let myself "stumble" through a series of blogs and sites in search of something interesting. When something catches my eye, I usually put it up on the links in the sidebar to the left. (Which if you haven't already, check out Awesome Tapes from Africa and or the Post-Secret blog)
My most recent discovery is Handheld Shows. I believe that it is based in Denmark...or at least one of those Scandinavian countries. Basically, they film bands playing tunes in random places. I like the spontaneity and the move from this controlled area where there is a divide between band and audience to a more unstructured, natural setting. Its kinda like having a show in your basement, which for those who have experienced such, know that the lines between audience and band often become blurred or totally erased. Plus, I feel like it takes the concept of the annoying dude on the corner strumming too hard on his guitar as he tries to remember the lyrics to a Beatles song and makes it brilliant and worth stopping for a minute or two and watching.
Here is a video from the blog by Wildbirds & Peacedrums called "Doubt/Hope". This was also recently featured on Pitchfork...enjoy.
It is also creating a community. Sure, it is a bit of an artificial community since interaction is done completely through electronic means, but nevertheless it is a form of people coming together around an idea, a news story, or just a funny video and promoting it in a certain way. Never have we had such an ability to control what we want to read, listen, or watch. While a lot of crap came come from that, I think in the end it is a good thing. Its a power that is controlled more by the average internet user and less by a board of directors. Good thing right?
On the occasion, I will let myself "stumble" through a series of blogs and sites in search of something interesting. When something catches my eye, I usually put it up on the links in the sidebar to the left. (Which if you haven't already, check out Awesome Tapes from Africa and or the Post-Secret blog)
My most recent discovery is Handheld Shows. I believe that it is based in Denmark...or at least one of those Scandinavian countries. Basically, they film bands playing tunes in random places. I like the spontaneity and the move from this controlled area where there is a divide between band and audience to a more unstructured, natural setting. Its kinda like having a show in your basement, which for those who have experienced such, know that the lines between audience and band often become blurred or totally erased. Plus, I feel like it takes the concept of the annoying dude on the corner strumming too hard on his guitar as he tries to remember the lyrics to a Beatles song and makes it brilliant and worth stopping for a minute or two and watching.
Here is a video from the blog by Wildbirds & Peacedrums called "Doubt/Hope". This was also recently featured on Pitchfork...enjoy.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Its bigger than hip-hop
from a recent point-counterpoint article published in The Rearguard:
“I’m just trying to innovate and stimulate minds.” -Common
There is nothing wrong with hip-hop that are solely products of its culture. All aspects considered “wrong” with hip-hop are products of a society that existed well before an M.C. started making up rhymes over the beats of an old record. So why is it so often singled out?
The media often isolates the sometimes misogynistic or violent imagery contained in hip-hop lyrics as a source of the problems that plague America. These stereotypical portrayals of hip-hop are often given by commentators who aren’t experts on the culture A recent example is sportscaster Jason Whitcock who linked hip-hop as a possible source for Michael Vick’s participation in dog-fighting, calling it a culture that is “destructive to young people.” Such critics are often misleading and full of generalizations who largely ignore positive aspects of hip-hop and fail to take into account the entirety of what hip-hop embodies or its positive aspects.
Essence magazine in 2005 started a project called “Take Back the Music,” aimed at cleaning up the negativity towards gender in rap lyrics. Media outlets often fail to take notice of the socio-political consciousness of acts such as Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Common and many others. When superstar Kanye West declared that George Bush “hated black people” in the post-Katrina aftermath, his statement was largely disregarded.
The reality is that socially conscious, progressive mediums of art and entertainment don’t sell. The type of hip-hop that gets the most coverage is often that which also sells the most. Hip-hop artists are producing what we are buying and it would be economic suicide to stop creating a product that earns millions of dollars. We are a culture attracted to violent and sexist images. Accusing hip hop of being the single originator of these images is unfair and naively fails to take into consider the violence and sexism in American pop culture.
Music journalist Orlando Lima recently wrote that; “blaming hip-hop for our societal addiction to drugs and violence is like hypothesizing its Lindsey Lohan's fault every time an athlete gets pulled over for drunk driving.”
Or was it hip-hop that made Lohan drive drunk?
By contextualizing the situation within a framework of popular culture in this country to prove that the finger pointing is biased and unjust. Violence and sexism still does exist within its genre but it’s cause goes beyond the music. It’s bigger than hip-hop.
To better understand the problematic aspects of lyrics in hip-hop, they must also be examined within the framework of black American (youth) culture. And as the good Dr. Michael Eric Dyson points out in his book Know What I Mean?, the metaphysical roots of hip-hop culture lie within the ghetto.
“The ghettos functions as an intellectual organizing principle of expression and the logic of the ghetto – or at least the logic of legitimating the ghetto in rap discourse-depends on understanding the complex and contradictory interests of the people who live there.”
Rappers are storytellers that seek to express a true portrayal of urban life from the point of view of an oppressed and marginalized minority, complete with all the emotionality and controversial iconography that is connected to that experience. The stories of ghetto life in America contain guns, drugs, money and violence. It is disturbing and offensive, but it is all a part of the necessary elements to the “mythopoetics” of a realism that hip-hop lyrics find foundation within.
Hip-hop often recounts tales of success; a theme most Americans obsess over. In these stories, an individual’s hustle, desire, and talent often lead beyond the ghetto to a new life filled with “bling” and an endless supply of materialistic wants. This new life embodies the triumph of the individual who was able to succeed, to ascend up the economic ladder. It is the fulfillment of the American dream without any help from America.
Of course these “success story” and this mythology does not represent the entirety of hip-hop or American black culture. However, these aspects are vital and must be understood before undertaking a critical analysis of hip-hop culture and some of its more offensive lyrics.
here is nothing within these lyrics that is anything new to American culture or other genres of music. Hip-hop is only more explicit about it. As Dyson explains,
“…it ain’t hip-hop that’s teaching the broader culture how to dog a woman; it’s the broader culture’s ways and rules that are keyed in by hop-hop lyricists.”
In an attempt to eradicate sexism and violence from our society, hip-hop isn’t the place to start. Guns and violence are expressions of urban life where hip-hop finds its roots. Music videos of “Cristal” champagne and Porsches are images of success by an individual with all the odds against them. Some may take offense and others might be inspired, but before you start pointing the finger, start looking elsewhere first. The source of all it stems from something larger: What you are buying.
“I’m just trying to innovate and stimulate minds.” -Common
There is nothing wrong with hip-hop that are solely products of its culture. All aspects considered “wrong” with hip-hop are products of a society that existed well before an M.C. started making up rhymes over the beats of an old record. So why is it so often singled out?
The media often isolates the sometimes misogynistic or violent imagery contained in hip-hop lyrics as a source of the problems that plague America. These stereotypical portrayals of hip-hop are often given by commentators who aren’t experts on the culture A recent example is sportscaster Jason Whitcock who linked hip-hop as a possible source for Michael Vick’s participation in dog-fighting, calling it a culture that is “destructive to young people.” Such critics are often misleading and full of generalizations who largely ignore positive aspects of hip-hop and fail to take into account the entirety of what hip-hop embodies or its positive aspects.
Essence magazine in 2005 started a project called “Take Back the Music,” aimed at cleaning up the negativity towards gender in rap lyrics. Media outlets often fail to take notice of the socio-political consciousness of acts such as Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Common and many others. When superstar Kanye West declared that George Bush “hated black people” in the post-Katrina aftermath, his statement was largely disregarded.
The reality is that socially conscious, progressive mediums of art and entertainment don’t sell. The type of hip-hop that gets the most coverage is often that which also sells the most. Hip-hop artists are producing what we are buying and it would be economic suicide to stop creating a product that earns millions of dollars. We are a culture attracted to violent and sexist images. Accusing hip hop of being the single originator of these images is unfair and naively fails to take into consider the violence and sexism in American pop culture.
Music journalist Orlando Lima recently wrote that; “blaming hip-hop for our societal addiction to drugs and violence is like hypothesizing its Lindsey Lohan's fault every time an athlete gets pulled over for drunk driving.”
Or was it hip-hop that made Lohan drive drunk?
By contextualizing the situation within a framework of popular culture in this country to prove that the finger pointing is biased and unjust. Violence and sexism still does exist within its genre but it’s cause goes beyond the music. It’s bigger than hip-hop.
To better understand the problematic aspects of lyrics in hip-hop, they must also be examined within the framework of black American (youth) culture. And as the good Dr. Michael Eric Dyson points out in his book Know What I Mean?, the metaphysical roots of hip-hop culture lie within the ghetto.
“The ghettos functions as an intellectual organizing principle of expression and the logic of the ghetto – or at least the logic of legitimating the ghetto in rap discourse-depends on understanding the complex and contradictory interests of the people who live there.”
Rappers are storytellers that seek to express a true portrayal of urban life from the point of view of an oppressed and marginalized minority, complete with all the emotionality and controversial iconography that is connected to that experience. The stories of ghetto life in America contain guns, drugs, money and violence. It is disturbing and offensive, but it is all a part of the necessary elements to the “mythopoetics” of a realism that hip-hop lyrics find foundation within.
Hip-hop often recounts tales of success; a theme most Americans obsess over. In these stories, an individual’s hustle, desire, and talent often lead beyond the ghetto to a new life filled with “bling” and an endless supply of materialistic wants. This new life embodies the triumph of the individual who was able to succeed, to ascend up the economic ladder. It is the fulfillment of the American dream without any help from America.
Of course these “success story” and this mythology does not represent the entirety of hip-hop or American black culture. However, these aspects are vital and must be understood before undertaking a critical analysis of hip-hop culture and some of its more offensive lyrics.
here is nothing within these lyrics that is anything new to American culture or other genres of music. Hip-hop is only more explicit about it. As Dyson explains,
“…it ain’t hip-hop that’s teaching the broader culture how to dog a woman; it’s the broader culture’s ways and rules that are keyed in by hop-hop lyricists.”
In an attempt to eradicate sexism and violence from our society, hip-hop isn’t the place to start. Guns and violence are expressions of urban life where hip-hop finds its roots. Music videos of “Cristal” champagne and Porsches are images of success by an individual with all the odds against them. Some may take offense and others might be inspired, but before you start pointing the finger, start looking elsewhere first. The source of all it stems from something larger: What you are buying.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Best Singles? Here is a start...
This Brooklyn based band is bringing back disco with no shame whatsoever. I am totally fine with this, especially since they are bringing to muppets along as well. Best single of the year? Top 10 for sure...not to mention the video is amazing as well.
Oh and if you didn't catch the Snoop video...here it is again(oh and yes, definitelyalso one of the best singles of the year. Holy shit. Snoop impersonating JT???amazing) :
Oh and if you didn't catch the Snoop video...here it is again(oh and yes, definitelyalso one of the best singles of the year. Holy shit. Snoop impersonating JT???amazing) :
Sunday, December 09, 2007
the 10-er...musically speaking
So the Top 10 is pretty cliché and everyone has on and no one cares. And besides everyone is already listening to all these albums anyways right? Sure, there probably isn’t anything on here that you haven’t heard but looking back it will be great to see what the hell was so hot in 2007.
Possible surprises of 2007 that I haven't heard yet that might make it onto this list.
Food for Animals-belly
Clipd Beaks-hoarse loads
These are Powers- terrific seasons
Saturday looks good to me-fill up the room
Daft Punk-alive 2007
gui borotto-chromophobia
we'll see....
In addition, there are still some records out there I haven’t heard that might blow my lid. (new MIA, Celebration, We are Wolves, White Williams, etc) And really, it is rare for my favorite albums of a specific year are even the albums that get the most play on my stereo. For example this year, I definitely bumped the latest Clipse album and Young Jeezy’s Thug Motivation more than anything else. Nevertheless, this is what I got so far on top…
*Jens Lekman- songs over kortedala
If you are fan of any kind of pop whatsoever, then there is a 99 percent chance you will find this record irresistible. There are parts of this record that sound almost like a Swedish Neil Diamond or dare I say Barry Manilow and yet it is still amazing. It must be his sincerity and awkward lyrics that are clincher. Best live performance of the year.
*Twilight Sad-fourteen autumns and fifteen winters
What? You didn’t download this yet? Well, you better get to it. Four nerdy Scottish guys play earnest rock with a cascading wall of guitar and drums reminiscent of OK Computer at its loudest and loosest. Oh but wait…its just four dudes and one doesn’t even play an instrument. In a year seemingly marked with a slow return to sincerity, this got me the most. Lyrically moving with just the right musical accompaniment where you don’t feel like your being told how to feel but rather just helping you express it. All Music’s review of this album finished by stating, “The density of the Twilight Sad's sound evokes wide open spaces, yet the louder they are, the more intimate they sound -- these kinds of paradoxes make this album a powerful debut.” Well put. This band has the ability to outlast most bands I have encountered over the last couple years. Let’s hope they do it.
*Electrelane-No Shouts, No Calls
Is this last album from them? I hope not. Apparently they have gone on what they call “indefinite hiatus”. It would be a shame but if it were true they would be going out after releasing their most focused and best LP yet. Electrelane has always been a bit of a mish-mash of different styles that never are fully realized to their potential. Here, they are able to perfectly blend it all into a focused and beautiful album that was originally hinted at on their first LP “the lights out”. I think Electrelane is my favorite rock band…if that is what they can even be called.
*Love of Diagrams- mosaic
You got to love the bands that keep it simple sometimes. This Australian trio brings female vocals a la Siouxie Sioux-esque backed by an angular post-punk sound with a touch of surf rock for kicks. I know it sounds like nothing special and admittedly the lyrics feel very much like poetry written on bathroom walls of an art-school. However, these are also part of the reasons why I love it so much. Stripped down, no-nonsense relentless rock that perfectly comes together to create an almost flawless album. These kids aren't doing anything new, but damn if they don’t do what has already been done perfectly.
*The Original Silence-The First Original Silence
Holy shit. I don’t think I have ever wanted to repeatedly listen to a live, improvisational jam so much in my life. (Well…maybe not including some key jazz records.) This is a heavy, moody, eerie and beautiful LP by Thurston Moore, Jim O’Rourke, two members of NY free jazz group The Thing and Terrie Ex from the Ex live in
*Silver Daggers-New High and Ord
This album is essentially one relentless, apocalyptic noisy no-wave jazz onslaught of a song played eleven different ways. A mean and convincing example that one can be successfully heavy and intense without the use of peddles or by being a metal band. These kids sound like they recorded this in an abandoned warehouse using found instruments and somehow they pulled off one of the most angular and intense albums of the year.
*Talib Kweli- Ear Drum
Okay…there is a lot on this album that I feel like only Talib can get away with. (Holy Holy, I got to get some religion in me like a/like a /holy moley)ß--- Frankly, this is one instance of some corny lyrics that Kweli brings. However, it’s Talib. When he steps up to the mic he is going to be nothing but himself. And that is respectable and makes you like it. Not to mention that there is some great production on this record. I have a soft spot for drug/gangster rap but on EarDrum Kweli seems to often bring the angst and energy of a drug rapper with the mind of an MFA student. I am pretty sure that Kweli is well into his thirties and I think he might have just made the best record of his career. Shake your ass and get educated all in 70 mins or less with EarDrum.
* Prodigy (of Mobb Deep) - Return of the Mack
Did I mention gangsta rap? The solo record of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy is exactly that. However, Prodigy’s laid back delivery and the 70’s soul-drenched blaxplotation influenced production give this record an interesting mood that is both eerie and seductive at the same time. It helps you forget the sometimes not so creative lyrics of Prodigy and allows you to just roll with it for a good 40 mins. However, to give him some credit Prodigy brings back the grime and sweat and hustle of a gangsta that in today’s hip-hop is often overshadowed by gold chains, fast cars and poolside parties. Ain’t nothing glamorous about this record and that is seemingly refreshing.
*Panda Bear- Person Pitch
I have a series of friends that refuse to listen to anything new that is just “re-hashing” something that has already been done a couple of times. While I partially am like this, I do listen to a lot of stuff that would definitely be considered 2nd or even 3rd wave knockoffs of past-sound. However, much like this recent album, some bands take an old sound and add or alter it just a bit to create something that is both familiar and entirely new. Sure, he is totally influenced by The Beach Boys and 60’s pysch. That doesn’t mean this sounds anything like that. I can’t help but feel that this album is the direction that I wish Animal Collective had gone-strange, organic, loopy experimental pop pysch. I also must mention that Person Pitch contains probably the most accessible thirteen minute song I have ever heard.
* !!!-myth takes
Oh I bet no on saw this coming. The sad thing about this album is that by the time it came out, !!! had already lost half their fan base with the slow death of dance-punk and their politically disco misstep, “Louden Up Now”. Myth Takes is their fullest and most intelligent record yet. An intense and energetic attack that rarely lets up and at some moments creates the same atmosphere felt on “Remain in Light” or even “Little Creatures” by the Talking Heads. I have a bad feeling this record will quickly (if not already) be forgotten. It would be a shame because its probably the only record(so far) of this entire dance-punk revival that tried to NOT just make white-belt wearing hipsters dance but actually create a lasting, and musically legitimate album that can be appreciated outside the genre. And besides, Nic Offer even shuts the fuck up a bit on this album.
Seriously Seriously Honorable Mentions:
Caribou-Andorra (pop songs influenced by 60’s pysch drowned in reverb and repeated rhythms. Organic, melancholy, lush…great.)
Shocking Pinks- s/t (I am still not entirely sure what this kid is doing on DFA…moody, low-fi post-punk for fans of Josef K, factory records, c-86 stuff.)
Black Moth Super Rainbow-dandelion gum (if Air listened to the Flaming Lips instead of classical music growing up)
King Khan and His Shrines-What is!?(I think this band has more soul and is way more interesting than any other garage-revival band out their. Fun, soulful and even has an ode to Jacques Dutronc!)
Health –s/t (oh
Ponytail- Kamehameha (probably most closely associated with Deerhoof, I can’t help but argue that such comparison doesn’t do this band at all justice. This is surf music for the 21st century led by a female vocalist who sounds like she is either swallowing the mic or is doing a drunken Mickey Mouse impression. This record is by far the most fun I have heard in awhile.)
Boris with Michio Kurahara- Rainbow (Boris is really good at being heavy in a million different ways. Here they do the laid, back nighttime, after party heavy.)
Justice-cross (This might contain the single of the year...i dunno. Nevertheless, I do have a love for electronic music. I think the first cd I ever bought with my own money was Daft Punk's "homework". I have definitely had a love for it ever since. This is dancy, rocking and moody all in the same. Great stuff...)
Stars of the Lid -and their refinement of the decline (describing good ambient music can be hard. The best I feel is when it creates a solid mood but is never asks for too much attention. This record does that perfectly.)
The Angels of Light- We Are Him (Michael Gira maintains his creepiness filtered through Waits and Cave-esque moods to create his own brand of down and out curmudgeon music. Highlights include Gira yelling, “I am the God of this fucking land!! after a momentary pause in the rhythmic pounding of a piano and drums.)
Radiohead-in rainbows (probably most focused album since The Bends. Turns out pretty good. big surprise I know...
*****************************************************************************Possible surprises of 2007 that I haven't heard yet that might make it onto this list.
Food for Animals-belly
Clipd Beaks-hoarse loads
These are Powers- terrific seasons
Saturday looks good to me-fill up the room
Daft Punk-alive 2007
gui borotto-chromophobia
we'll see....
Monday, August 27, 2007
Worst albums I own (on a lighter note...)
Okay, enough seriousness and reflections on death and life. A conversation began the other day at work about the worst records we ever owned. Surely, I have blocked many out of my memory. However, I decided to come home and find the worst records I STILL own. Even better, I decided to pull out the worst records I still own that i still ENJOY! here is the embarrassing list....
First, most embarrassing records I still own and i have no idea why:
Aztec Camera-"high land, hard rain"
This is one of those records I bought because they existed during a time and place where other bands where good. Whoops. Fans of Bruce Hornsby should check this out...
Commodores- "Natural High"
I must of bought this because"three times a lady" is on it. But seriously, that isn't even a good song. This is their 6th studio album and feels like it. Boring, and lackluster, The Commodores obviously forgot to this record while doing coke but choose to after they had been up all night and had already run out of blow.
Cursive-"the ugly organ"
once again, one good song. Other than that, its just a bunch of whiny songs about how hard it is to be an artist. Fuck you Tim Kasher...stop crying on stage.
Devo- "Oh no! It's Devo"
Oh no is right. I love Devo but no one...and i mean NO ONE listens to them past the third album (maybe even the 2nd). This is like their fifth and its only redeemable quality is the cover. Check it out:
yep thats right...they are all potatoes, and for whatever reason Mark Mothersbaugh has decided to wear fake glasses with fake eyebrows on them.
Truely a misunderstood genius.
Note: check out their video discography...the video from this album is equally absurd, hilarious, amazing??!
John Denver- "poems, prayers and promises"
uh. uuuuuuuuuuh. uh...
Foreigner - "double vision"
this might be able to go
under the "embarrassing records I own but still enjoy...". However, i dunno if I do enjoy it or if I just know the entire album by heart because its something I heard growing up. Another amazing album cover...nice jacket asshole...
Styx- "the grand illusion"
see above.
Hot Hot Heat- "knock knock knock" e.p.
something about this album makes me want to believe that in like 20 years it will be cool and kids that are my age now will want to dance to it.
But there is also something that makes me want to puke knowing that I even own it...
Slapstick-discography
some 3rd wave ska band from Chicago that alot of actually good bands came out of . However, it reality, there is no reason for me to own this. Its not enjoyable anymore, the songs are stupid and frankly no one should own any 3rd wave ska anymore no matter who the founding members are and went on to become. (that includes skankin pickle...give me a break and give it up)
Sublime- "40 oz. to freedom"
yeah this is pretty bad. i tried to defend this to myself but i cant even listen to it. i grew up with it and at some point was a 14 year old snotty surfer who thought this was cool. oh well...
the decemberists- "castaways and cutouts"
I actually know why I still own this and it is because of one, really good song that the singer was never able to re-create. Other than that, this album is pretty impossible to listen to all the way through. An easy listening version of Neutral Milk Hotel. In fact they don't even deserve that...how about Phil Collins fronting a bar band from a small harbor city. I know this may offend some of my friends but guys...guys...really...c'mon....no really....they all look like math teachers...and not in that good way.
Aston "Familyman" Barrett- "Cobra Style"
I dont own a lot of reggae or dub. I am more a fan of rocksteady(jamaica's version of soul music). Although, I think there is some good stuff out there. Unfortunately, this is not it. Made up of various tracks of awkward reggae songs recorded in the late 70's and early 80's, its sounds like some of these bands are doing an interpretive Brian Eno songs....so awkward!
Medeski Martin and Wood -"the combustication" and "the dropper"
these are albums that phish fans listen to when they want something "heady". these guys may be amazing musicians...but it just sounds like a jazzy version of yngwie malsteem. (i.e. lots and lots and lots of wanking...) why i own TWO of them...is still a mystery.
The Get-Up Kids- 3 records.
Get up kids? 3 of them!!??! At one point this shit was something I loved. Then I grew up a bit...went back to it...and realized how much they suck and were directly ripping off SO MANY BANDS that are way better. barf. i must still own these because the record stores wont buy them back.
____
Ok now to the really embarrassing stuff:
Most embarrassing records I own and absolutely love (or still somewhat enjoy.)
Eddie Money - "s/t"
Fuck all of you. Eddie Money's first record is so hot. Nothing gets me going like "two tickets to paradise". I have honestly never met someone in my generation that likes Eddie Money. I love him forever though. Nothing can take Eddie from me.
the Eagles-"one of these nights"
Jeff and I are the only people we know who dig The Eagles. Maybe its because we are from California and so are they. I dont care how much they may have ripped off southern rock....I still love them.
I'll take "lyin eyes", "one of these nights" any day.
Bob Seeger- "against the wind"
whatever...so the guy sold one of his songs to chevy. he was probably just thinking about paying his children's college tuition. I like stuff that has no B.S. too it. Just straight up, sweaty shirt, no pyrotechnics rock. That's what Seeger is and i appreciate it and even like it. Have you seen these guys teeth? They are horrible...total rocker...not rockstar.
Alkaline Trio-"s/t"
I can sing every song, word for word on this record. Honestly, it still baffles me that this guy wrote these lyrics when he was in his mid-20's. They sound like they were written by a 13 year old. Maybe thats why I love it still....
Basement Jaxx- "kish kash"
I dare you not to dance to this record!
The Blow "paper television" and Feist " let it die"
I put these together because I have been called a "fag" more than once for listening to these albums. So be it...
Saves the Day- "stay what you are"
yeah, i cant say much to defend myself on this one. Nostalgia definitely plays a factor but I seriously have tried to sell this back and decided not to at the last second more than once. I know all the words too...seriously embarrassing....oh well...
note: i visited a friend in D.C. that I hadn't seen in ten years.(so when we were like 12.) She had a mix in her car made up entirely of music she listen to in High School. The first song on this record was the first song on her mix. Needless to say, we shamelessly rocked out.
gogogo airheart- "exittheUXA"
Probably most people dont know these guys but those of you that do are definitely shaking your heads. I dunno if there is actually anyone in the world who still likes and even listens to this band...but I will always be a fan. I have no excuses...
Cornershop- "when I was born for the 7th time"
Is this embarrassing? Pretty much...but only because they are known as a one-hit wonder with a song that talks about wanting to have a bosom for a pillow. Nevetheless, I still rock this every now and then. Who doesnt want to listen to a cover of "Norwegian Wood" entirely in hindi?
Okay that is pretty much it. I am sure there is other stuff you could come over and see that I have and laugh your ass off about. But this is all you get...
First, most embarrassing records I still own and i have no idea why:
Aztec Camera-"high land, hard rain"
This is one of those records I bought because they existed during a time and place where other bands where good. Whoops. Fans of Bruce Hornsby should check this out...
Commodores- "Natural High"
I must of bought this because"three times a lady" is on it. But seriously, that isn't even a good song. This is their 6th studio album and feels like it. Boring, and lackluster, The Commodores obviously forgot to this record while doing coke but choose to after they had been up all night and had already run out of blow.
Cursive-"the ugly organ"
once again, one good song. Other than that, its just a bunch of whiny songs about how hard it is to be an artist. Fuck you Tim Kasher...stop crying on stage.
Devo- "Oh no! It's Devo"
Oh no is right. I love Devo but no one...and i mean NO ONE listens to them past the third album (maybe even the 2nd). This is like their fifth and its only redeemable quality is the cover. Check it out:
yep thats right...they are all potatoes, and for whatever reason Mark Mothersbaugh has decided to wear fake glasses with fake eyebrows on them.Truely a misunderstood genius.
Note: check out their video discography...the video from this album is equally absurd, hilarious, amazing??!
John Denver- "poems, prayers and promises"
uh. uuuuuuuuuuh. uh...
Foreigner - "double vision"
this might be able to go
under the "embarrassing records I own but still enjoy...". However, i dunno if I do enjoy it or if I just know the entire album by heart because its something I heard growing up. Another amazing album cover...nice jacket asshole...Styx- "the grand illusion"
see above.
Hot Hot Heat- "knock knock knock" e.p.
something about this album makes me want to believe that in like 20 years it will be cool and kids that are my age now will want to dance to it.
But there is also something that makes me want to puke knowing that I even own it...
Slapstick-discography
some 3rd wave ska band from Chicago that alot of actually good bands came out of . However, it reality, there is no reason for me to own this. Its not enjoyable anymore, the songs are stupid and frankly no one should own any 3rd wave ska anymore no matter who the founding members are and went on to become. (that includes skankin pickle...give me a break and give it up)
Sublime- "40 oz. to freedom"
yeah this is pretty bad. i tried to defend this to myself but i cant even listen to it. i grew up with it and at some point was a 14 year old snotty surfer who thought this was cool. oh well...
the decemberists- "castaways and cutouts"
I actually know why I still own this and it is because of one, really good song that the singer was never able to re-create. Other than that, this album is pretty impossible to listen to all the way through. An easy listening version of Neutral Milk Hotel. In fact they don't even deserve that...how about Phil Collins fronting a bar band from a small harbor city. I know this may offend some of my friends but guys...guys...really...c'mon....no really....they all look like math teachers...and not in that good way.
Aston "Familyman" Barrett- "Cobra Style"
I dont own a lot of reggae or dub. I am more a fan of rocksteady(jamaica's version of soul music). Although, I think there is some good stuff out there. Unfortunately, this is not it. Made up of various tracks of awkward reggae songs recorded in the late 70's and early 80's, its sounds like some of these bands are doing an interpretive Brian Eno songs....so awkward!
Medeski Martin and Wood -"the combustication" and "the dropper"
these are albums that phish fans listen to when they want something "heady". these guys may be amazing musicians...but it just sounds like a jazzy version of yngwie malsteem. (i.e. lots and lots and lots of wanking...) why i own TWO of them...is still a mystery.
The Get-Up Kids- 3 records.
Get up kids? 3 of them!!??! At one point this shit was something I loved. Then I grew up a bit...went back to it...and realized how much they suck and were directly ripping off SO MANY BANDS that are way better. barf. i must still own these because the record stores wont buy them back.
____
Ok now to the really embarrassing stuff:
Most embarrassing records I own and absolutely love (or still somewhat enjoy.)
Eddie Money - "s/t"
Fuck all of you. Eddie Money's first record is so hot. Nothing gets me going like "two tickets to paradise". I have honestly never met someone in my generation that likes Eddie Money. I love him forever though. Nothing can take Eddie from me.
the Eagles-"one of these nights"
Jeff and I are the only people we know who dig The Eagles. Maybe its because we are from California and so are they. I dont care how much they may have ripped off southern rock....I still love them.
I'll take "lyin eyes", "one of these nights" any day.
Bob Seeger- "against the wind"
whatever...so the guy sold one of his songs to chevy. he was probably just thinking about paying his children's college tuition. I like stuff that has no B.S. too it. Just straight up, sweaty shirt, no pyrotechnics rock. That's what Seeger is and i appreciate it and even like it. Have you seen these guys teeth? They are horrible...total rocker...not rockstar.
Alkaline Trio-"s/t"
I can sing every song, word for word on this record. Honestly, it still baffles me that this guy wrote these lyrics when he was in his mid-20's. They sound like they were written by a 13 year old. Maybe thats why I love it still....
Basement Jaxx- "kish kash"
I dare you not to dance to this record!
The Blow "paper television" and Feist " let it die"
I put these together because I have been called a "fag" more than once for listening to these albums. So be it...
Saves the Day- "stay what you are"
yeah, i cant say much to defend myself on this one. Nostalgia definitely plays a factor but I seriously have tried to sell this back and decided not to at the last second more than once. I know all the words too...seriously embarrassing....oh well...
note: i visited a friend in D.C. that I hadn't seen in ten years.(so when we were like 12.) She had a mix in her car made up entirely of music she listen to in High School. The first song on this record was the first song on her mix. Needless to say, we shamelessly rocked out.
gogogo airheart- "exittheUXA"
Probably most people dont know these guys but those of you that do are definitely shaking your heads. I dunno if there is actually anyone in the world who still likes and even listens to this band...but I will always be a fan. I have no excuses...
Cornershop- "when I was born for the 7th time"
Is this embarrassing? Pretty much...but only because they are known as a one-hit wonder with a song that talks about wanting to have a bosom for a pillow. Nevetheless, I still rock this every now and then. Who doesnt want to listen to a cover of "Norwegian Wood" entirely in hindi?
Okay that is pretty much it. I am sure there is other stuff you could come over and see that I have and laugh your ass off about. But this is all you get...
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