10) NY 77: The Coolest Year in Hell (VH1)
I was all of seven-years-old when the “Son of Sam,” the first great blackout, Reggie Jackson, Billy Martin and the Boss I heard of before Bruce Springsteen, George Steinbrenner collided all over the cover pages of the Daily News in the summer of 1977. So this other production based upon Jonathan Mahler’s Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning: 1977, Baseball, Politics, and the Battle for the Soul of a City was a good way to fill in the gaps in my childhood memory. Unlike the ESPN series The Bronx is Burning (starring John Tuturro’s prosthetic ears), NY 77 gives a wider cross section of all the events and scenes that breathed life (and a hefty body count) through the city. The Koch-Cuomo-Beame-Abzug mayoral contest, Studio 54, the birth of rap and the great lineup of bands from CBGB are all told with insightful commentary from the people who were there. I certainly didn’t know about Studio 54, hip-hop and punk when I was seven, so much of what is described I discovered for myself years later. But NY 77 still delivered some great surprises, such as turntable crews in The Bronx exploding after the blackout because everyone stole DJ equipment during the looting and the, um, swinging time to be had at Plato’s Retreat. The ads for this club are a must see on YouTube. And the most amazing part about NY 77? It was aired on the same channel that delivered reality shows with Scott Baio, Brett Michaels and some woman who sparred with Flava Flav. Whoever got the budget to make this film (the archival footage they dig up must have cost a bit) from that Viacom property is one smooth talker and is the person I want in more corner when I pitch the reality show about my office.
9) Superbad (Columbia Pictures)
The office of comedy producer extraordinaire Judd Apatow will soon be the place for actors who starred in critically acclaimed sitcoms shot down by network execs before their time. Case in point: the comedic genius that is one Michael Cera. His entire run on the late (sigh) Arrested Development was shining example of the comedy of uncomfortablity (and I know that’s not a word but seems perfect to describe it). Cera doesn’t stray too far from that type of comedic tone in this exceedingly filthy film, giving costar Jonah Hill a wide berth to be completely over the top. Some of the lines that come out of Hill (the stand in for co-writer Seth Rogan) are so dirty I was surprised this movie made it out as an R film in this uptight age. I was also shocked I didn’t pull a muscle laughing.
8) Lost (ABC)
Where to place Lost on this list? Do I subtract about 1000 spots due to perhaps the lamest first half of a season of any show I’ve ever enjoyed? Or do I move it all the way up to the top because of the stunning set of four episodes that closed out the series third season? I tell you, dear reader; it’s a question I pondered for at least two subway rides as I read over pages of fan postings discussing the mind-blowing season finale. I must admit I had no idea until the last five minutes that the usual flashback spots were actually flash-forwards. After hating what the writers did to Matthew Fox’s character all year, Jack’s complete breakdown in the future redeemed him as well. The twist and turns and deaths (sorry Charlie) and (gasp) actual plot points that explain some questions but opening up others...wow. It might be the best season finale I’ve ever seen. And now with the eight months wait in between seasons almost over, I have no idea what the show runners are going to do next. (Well, besides picking up more “On Strike” signs.) They could go almost anywhere with this flash forward premise. And having a set number of episodes left to produce, they really could map out a series finale in 2010 that will actually live up to its billing and won’t just stop in mid--
7) How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Except for The Late Show with David Letterman, I haven’t regularly watched anything on CBS since the days of Northern Exposure. The network always seemed like the home for clean cut old folks shows. (Touched By an Angel was a Top 10 show in this country for four years—God bless the Midwest, indeed.) So imagine my surprise last fall when I was flipping through the channels and heard a snippet of Nada Surf’s “Inside of Love” being played on Ch. 2 (the local affiliate here in New York). I dropped the remote and got very close to the TV just to make sure I hadn’t gone completely insane, and sure enough two of the characters were having what looked like a Friends-like conversation on a fake New York rooftop. The idiot box (wow, I can’t believe that old expression just came into my head) certainly doesn’t need another rip-off of Chandler and crew, so I didn’t expect to come back the next week. But I did and stayed attached to the show because it’s not a Friends rip-off at all. It’s a fast paced comedy that plays with reliability of its narrator (the love seeking Ted as played by Josh Rador) who’s explaining the events of each episode to his kids, relies on the audience to store nuggets about previous episodes (such as ending last season in the middle of a line and having the new season pick up right where they left off) to further the story and has two of the best comedic actors working in TV today—Jason Segal (from the criminally overlooked Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared and a member of the Judd Apatow posse) and Neil Patrick Harris. Yes, Doogie Howser has taken the self-parody he played in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and channeled it into ladies’ man who never fails at delivering some of the most over the top lines I’ve ever heard on a sitcom. Get this guy an Emmy. Oh, and did I mention the Ted of future is voiced by Bob Saget. If a show can overcome that unfunny and incredible filthy man, they must have some inventive and funny people behind it.
6) Knocked Up (Universal)
If I mention Judd Apatow one more time in this list, I think I get a role in one of his films next year! Seriously, the guy and everyone he’s associated with seem to be able to do no wrong. He covered virginity with The 40 Year Old Virgin, pregnancy with this film, raising kids in Freaks and Geeks and sending them off to college with Undeclared. What cycle of life will be next? Maybe a comedy set in a funeral home is on deck for 2009. And if it is, I’m sure Seth Rogan could make it incredibly funny. He’s perfected his everyman stoner persona since starting on Freaks and Geeks and in Knocked Up he gets to show off a wider range of his acting skills as the emotional center of the film. The supporting cast is stellar, especially Paul Rudd. He delivers one of my favorite lines of the year with the perfect look of disdain mixed with comfortable resignation—“Marriage is like a tense, unfunny version of Everybody Loves Raymond, only it doesn't last 22 minutes. It lasts forever.” And any film where a crucial scene takes place during a baseball fantasy draft would secure a place in my brain forever. As does the surprisingly graphic birth scene near the end of the film. If I ever had second thoughts about not wanting children, those 10 seconds erased them permanently.
5) Burn Notice (USA)
I believe USA has taken over from HBO as the king of new summer shows. Monk, The Dead Zone and Psych are all great for watching when I have to have the A/C at about 60 degrees so the paint doesn’t peel off the hallway near my bathroom. Burn Notice just might the best this network has offered up yet. The plot seems taken from a ’70s or early ’80s action show—Michael Weston (played by the sly Jeffery Donavan) is a spy disavowed, a.k.a. given a burn notice, by the U.S. government and dumped in Miami after his final flawed mission. Weston then uses his training to help others in trouble with prodding from his Mom (Cagney & Lacey’s Sharon Gless), and ex-IRA gun runner (the amazingly attractive Gabrielle Anwar) and an old C.I.A buddy (played by the man, the myth, the chainsaw toting legend Bruce Campbell). These four actors know they’re not breaking any ground with this show, so they play the numerous light-hearted moments to the hilt and seem like they are having a genuinely good time. Campbell is so perfect as a retired spook that it’s a wonder someone hasn’t come up with a starring vehicle for him in the past seven years. (At least he’s had work in those Spider-man films.) Burn Notice has echoes of Magnum P.I. and MacGyver (especially all the homemade devices Weston comes up with) and that’s perfectly fine with me. I loved watching those shows in summers past. Burn Notice goes perfect with a huge pitcher of iced tea, a cold sandwich and a pint of Ben and Jerrys. Dammit, now I’m hungry. Time for a lunch break.
4) Chuck (NBC)
Now I’d like to put my doctorate in TV (okay, okay, my bachelor’s degree) to work with a new theory I’d like to call the Adam Baldwin Factor. This actor has a knack for appearing in shows that I absolutely love. (Or he’s got a damn good agent who happens to have a camera hidden in my living room.) Baldwin first caught my eye playing a bad guy on The X-Files. When I say bad, I mean able to kill everything in his path bad because he was “super soldier.” (That whole “super solider” thing was a plot development I still don’t quite grasp.) The next season he was cast member on overlooked Western set in space Firefly playing a trigger happy crew member who had a knack for one liners. After Firefly went to the DVD box set in the sky, Baldwin moved to another show run by Joss Whedon, Angel. Again Baldwin played someone purely evil…who had a way with one liners. After that show’s demise, he did voice work for Cartoon Network’s Justice League Unlimited (yes, I liked it too) the video game Halo 3 (don’t have Xbox 360) and was a regular on two other series, The Inside and Daybreak (in my mind neither shows exist, and I’m sure FOX and ABC execs would agree with me). Now here comes Chuck, a story about a highly intelligent nerdy guy (a well cast Zachary Levi) who accidentally holds all of the government’s secrets in his brain. He’s guarded by a sexy CIA agent (Yvonne Strahovski, who wears a hot dog vendor’s outfit better than any other human in history) and a gruff, trigger-happy NSA agent, who has a way with one liners…played by Adam Baldwin. This guy has found his niche and has worked it well. Baldwin notwithstanding, this latest show from the creator of The O.C. is the best new program on network TV. Its chock full of funny supporting characters that have become deeper and more nuanced as the season has rolled on. (It’s hard not to like a show where one character’s name is Captain Awesome.) I hope this strike is settled at some point soon so the Adam Baldwin Factor, I mean Chuck, can return to the airwaves.
3) The Simpsons Movie (20th Century Fox)
Remember how good The Simpsons was during seasons 4 through 7? Well, this movie recaptures all of that and more. Seeing my favorite characters ever on a big screen was simply a blast, and the way director David Silverman took the Springfield template and made it even bigger than I ever imagined before was no small feat. The multitude of writers that worked on the script got back to what I always thought was the heart of the series—the struggles the family would go through and how Homer and Marge’s love for each other would win out in the end. The best Simpsons episodes were never the ones that had gag after gag that didn’t really relate together. They always had the family’s troubles at the core, and the movie solidly plants itself into the dynamics of the family. Oh, and it’s also kind of funny. I mean barely able to sit up and catch my breath and sweat through my shirt and draw looks from other people in the theater because I’m guffawing at the top of my lungs at inside jokes that only me, my old roommate and fellow Simpsonsaphile Joe and four other people in the audience caught because we have seen every episode and own every DVD of every season they’ve released so far. (Whew, gotta catch my breath after that run on sentence.) And I’m surprised to say it, but I think that storytelling and that mindset of expanding the scope of Springfield visually has bleed into the current season of the show. I’ve enjoyed this season more than any of the past three. It’s good to know that Homer and company aren’t done yet.
2) Flight of the Conchords (HBO)
What Spinal Tap did for heavy metal acts, Flight of the Conchords does the same for comedic folk duos…or something like that. More than a few critics compared this HBO series to another one that debuted a decade ago, Tenacious D. While both shows feature the trials and tribulations of less than successful duos, the Conchords’ subtle humor ages better than the in your face acting of Jack Black and Kyle Gass. It helps that Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie write songs that would be catchy even if they didn’t have absurd lyrics about David Bowie, Frodo and being a part-time model. Each of the videos they made for these songs are hysterical by themselves, but how they carry along the storylines is pure genius. In fact, my favorite episode of the entire season, titled “What Goes on Tour,” featured no videos at all, just a horribly bungled “tour” booked by their manager Murray. Rhys Darby has a breakout role here as Murray, a grunt worker at the New Zealand consulate who calls band meetings and takes attendance when its only the three of them and is perhaps the least qualified band manager in history. And Kristen Schaal is a scene stealer as their one fan, Mel, a stalker who conveniently runs into the guys everywhere. Stalking has never been this funny. This first season of the show used most of the songs Clement and McKenzie had written for their act when they took it on the road, so my only fear is that they won’t come up with enough good songs to drive next season’s plots. But as long as their fictional selves keep failing at success, I’ll be watching.
1) No Country for Old Men (Paramount Vantage/Miramax)
For most folks you could boil down this latest project from the Coen Brothers as Fargo meets 1980 Texas. That would be giving this year’s best film a short shrift. Based upon the Cormac McCarthy novel (and ripping pages and pages of dialogue directly from the book), No Country is an amazing meditation on good, evil, our penchant for violence and the changing state of morality in America the past 25 years. And it does so without offering a tidy ending, just one of the main characters ruminating upon the state of our world. That character, Tommy Lee Jones’ Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is the closest link to Fargo. He spins out some folksy lines about crime with a bit of a twinkle is his eye. When Jones and a deputy encounter a gory scene (I don’t want to give away any more plot than I already have), the deputy says, “It’s a mess, ain’t it, Sheriff?” and the sheriff answers, “If it ain’t, it’ll do ’till the mess gets here.” Jones is joined in his Oscar-caliber acting by one-time Oscar nominee Javier Bardiem, whose Anton Chigurh is one of the most evil characters to appear on the big screen, and Josh Brolin, who deserves an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a cowboy whose moral dilemma puts him directly into harm’s way. As I write this it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen No Country and I’ve been tempted to go back just to watch the acting clinic these three put on. As cliché as the phrase is, I have to say this is a must see movie. It’s the rare film that will leave an impression upon you for a long time.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Top 5 Songs Steve Should Have Never Sung (or Never Should Sing) With Bunnie England and the New Originals
Ed. Note: I thought it would be fun to poll my bandmates as to what their nightmare songs would be if I was on mic and focusing on our lyric book intently. Read on to see how the votes stacked up:
Host Steve Reynolds’ list:
1) Heart - "Barracuda"
I picked this song for them to learn, but I never thought I'd have to sing it. Shots of Jamesons are no excuse to sing in falsetto. I bet Ann Wilson rolled over that night, and probably killed someone in the process.
2) Journey - “Don’t Stop Believin’”
Steve Perry never had balls, right? That’s the only reason he could sing this. Women have a hard enough time covering it, and all I can recall after my take on it was I had strained every muscle below my belt.
3) The Scorpions - “Rock You Like a Hurricane”
I’m pretty sure the band next door to our rehearsal space took their own lives listening to this.
4) Janis Joplin - “Me and Bobby McGee”
I would never sing this song unless forced to be gunpoint, and even then I’d have to think twice about it.
5) Blondie - “One Way or Another”
I thought I knew this song very well until I had to help someone sing it one night. After singing some of the lyrics, I felt, well, very dirty.
Bassist Paul Gill’s list:
1) Janis Joplin - “Me and Bobby McGee”
Well, because Steve’s never menstruated and never been busted flat in Baton Rouge.
2) Led Zeppelin - “The Immigrant song”
Because the cops usually respond to his first two notes, looking for the bludgeoning victim.
3) Bad Company - “Feel Like Making love”
It arouses the cattle in the neighborhood too much.
4) John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John - “Summer Nights” (A special 2005 duet with former LBK co-hostess Michelle)
I keep picturing Steve gyrating his hips, a la Travolta—ugh.
5) Jimi Hendrix - “Fire”
Lots of fun, but reminds one of Chris Farley in Tommy Boy—and he’s dead.
Our former drummer (and current Louisiana professor) Troy Messina’s list:
1) The Scorpions - “Rock You Like a Hurricane”
Because no one should have ever sang this song, not even the Scorpions—EVER.
2) Janis Joplin - “Me and Bobby McGee”
It's the image of Steve and Bobby holdin' hands, ridin' bitch in a pick-up truck with some serial killer.
3) Psychedelic Furs - “The Ghost in You”
Has anyone ever sang this song at LBK? Why break the streak?
4) Counting Crows - “Mr. Jones”
Two words: train wreck.
5) The Go-Go’s - “Our Lips Are Sealed” or “We Got the Beat”
I can't imagine Steve jumping around like a teenage school girl, which is what the Go-Go’s conjures in my head. The paradox is if he didn’t jump around like a school girl the songs would be ruined for me. Actually, maybe Steve should sing these songs.
Guitarist Paul Crane’s list:
1) Aretha Franklin - “Respect”
I have a sneaking suspicion that Steve might be gay. [Ed note: He’s not] If he sang this song, that would prove it. [Ed note: It wouldn’t] Not that there's anything wrong with that, but then we would have to talk about Barbara Streisand and I might have the urge to flirt with him. [Ed note: Paul already flirts with Steve with his sexy guitar playing.]
2) Elvis Presley - “Burnin' Love”
Steve might have the urge to swivel his hips or do some Elvis kicks if he did this song and I can't stand that far enough away.
3) Lynyrd Skynyrd - “Freebird”
Steve's a bastard and he would make us play the full 12 minute live version just to spite us.
4) R.E.M. - “It's The End Of The World As We Know It”
Too many lyrics sung too fast. Steve's head might explode.
5) Tom Jones - “It's Not Unusual”
In the sick, twisted world that is Live Band Karaoke, some GUYS may throw their underwear on stage as a mocking tribute to Tom Jones. Dirty, smelly, skid marked underwear.......on second thought......
Our new drummer Scott Treude’s list:
[Ed note: Like many drummers, Scott didn’t follow the directions. He didn’t list single song on our song list.]
1) Rod Stewart - “Do You Think I'm Sexy”
Despite the fact that Steve is sexy, no one, including Rod Stewart, should perform this tune (especially at a benefit).
2) Rush - “Limelight”
When I was in elementary school, a rumor was going around that Getty Lee sang so high because he was struck in the throat by a volleyball. I always guessed that this rumor was started by the gym teacher, yet I've found no evidence to support this theory. Anyway, I'd hate to see Steve have an aneurism attempting this.
3) “Weird Al” Yankovic - Any song
As funny as he is, there's something fundamentally wrong with covering a parody song.
4) Any Song Sung by a Girl Under 21 Years of Age
I'm not sure that I really have to explain this one. I was going to include any song sung by a woman of any age, but I don't want to discourage Steve from trying “Barracuda” by Heart one more time.
5) Los Del Rio & The Bayside Boys - “Macarena”
Come on, really? Do I need to say “Why?” Forget it.
Host Steve Reynolds’ list:
1) Heart - "Barracuda"
I picked this song for them to learn, but I never thought I'd have to sing it. Shots of Jamesons are no excuse to sing in falsetto. I bet Ann Wilson rolled over that night, and probably killed someone in the process.
2) Journey - “Don’t Stop Believin’”
Steve Perry never had balls, right? That’s the only reason he could sing this. Women have a hard enough time covering it, and all I can recall after my take on it was I had strained every muscle below my belt.
3) The Scorpions - “Rock You Like a Hurricane”
I’m pretty sure the band next door to our rehearsal space took their own lives listening to this.
4) Janis Joplin - “Me and Bobby McGee”
I would never sing this song unless forced to be gunpoint, and even then I’d have to think twice about it.
5) Blondie - “One Way or Another”
I thought I knew this song very well until I had to help someone sing it one night. After singing some of the lyrics, I felt, well, very dirty.
Bassist Paul Gill’s list:
1) Janis Joplin - “Me and Bobby McGee”
Well, because Steve’s never menstruated and never been busted flat in Baton Rouge.
2) Led Zeppelin - “The Immigrant song”
Because the cops usually respond to his first two notes, looking for the bludgeoning victim.
3) Bad Company - “Feel Like Making love”
It arouses the cattle in the neighborhood too much.
4) John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John - “Summer Nights” (A special 2005 duet with former LBK co-hostess Michelle)
I keep picturing Steve gyrating his hips, a la Travolta—ugh.
5) Jimi Hendrix - “Fire”
Lots of fun, but reminds one of Chris Farley in Tommy Boy—and he’s dead.
Our former drummer (and current Louisiana professor) Troy Messina’s list:
1) The Scorpions - “Rock You Like a Hurricane”
Because no one should have ever sang this song, not even the Scorpions—EVER.
2) Janis Joplin - “Me and Bobby McGee”
It's the image of Steve and Bobby holdin' hands, ridin' bitch in a pick-up truck with some serial killer.
3) Psychedelic Furs - “The Ghost in You”
Has anyone ever sang this song at LBK? Why break the streak?
4) Counting Crows - “Mr. Jones”
Two words: train wreck.
5) The Go-Go’s - “Our Lips Are Sealed” or “We Got the Beat”
I can't imagine Steve jumping around like a teenage school girl, which is what the Go-Go’s conjures in my head. The paradox is if he didn’t jump around like a school girl the songs would be ruined for me. Actually, maybe Steve should sing these songs.
Guitarist Paul Crane’s list:
1) Aretha Franklin - “Respect”
I have a sneaking suspicion that Steve might be gay. [Ed note: He’s not] If he sang this song, that would prove it. [Ed note: It wouldn’t] Not that there's anything wrong with that, but then we would have to talk about Barbara Streisand and I might have the urge to flirt with him. [Ed note: Paul already flirts with Steve with his sexy guitar playing.]
2) Elvis Presley - “Burnin' Love”
Steve might have the urge to swivel his hips or do some Elvis kicks if he did this song and I can't stand that far enough away.
3) Lynyrd Skynyrd - “Freebird”
Steve's a bastard and he would make us play the full 12 minute live version just to spite us.
4) R.E.M. - “It's The End Of The World As We Know It”
Too many lyrics sung too fast. Steve's head might explode.
5) Tom Jones - “It's Not Unusual”
In the sick, twisted world that is Live Band Karaoke, some GUYS may throw their underwear on stage as a mocking tribute to Tom Jones. Dirty, smelly, skid marked underwear.......on second thought......
Our new drummer Scott Treude’s list:
[Ed note: Like many drummers, Scott didn’t follow the directions. He didn’t list single song on our song list.]
1) Rod Stewart - “Do You Think I'm Sexy”
Despite the fact that Steve is sexy, no one, including Rod Stewart, should perform this tune (especially at a benefit).
2) Rush - “Limelight”
When I was in elementary school, a rumor was going around that Getty Lee sang so high because he was struck in the throat by a volleyball. I always guessed that this rumor was started by the gym teacher, yet I've found no evidence to support this theory. Anyway, I'd hate to see Steve have an aneurism attempting this.
3) “Weird Al” Yankovic - Any song
As funny as he is, there's something fundamentally wrong with covering a parody song.
4) Any Song Sung by a Girl Under 21 Years of Age
I'm not sure that I really have to explain this one. I was going to include any song sung by a woman of any age, but I don't want to discourage Steve from trying “Barracuda” by Heart one more time.
5) Los Del Rio & The Bayside Boys - “Macarena”
Come on, really? Do I need to say “Why?” Forget it.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Tri-Songs of the Week 12/14/07
Three Figgs shows, three Songs of the Week.
The Figgs - "To Be Announced"
Friday night guitarist Mike Gent surprised me by pulling out a new acoustic guitar and leading the band through an acoustic encore. I hoped that they would do this acoustic-tinged gem from For EP Fans Only and they didn't let me down.
The Gravel Pit - "Sucking on a Holiday Treat"
The Figgs learned a cover of this great Christmas song in hopes that Pit frontman Jed Parish might sing part of it at their Brooklyn show. Alas, he didn't show. I liked the version they did Saturday in Staten Island the best, mostly because I got to hold both lyric sheets.
The Figgs - "1000 People Grinning"
In my intro to the band Sunday night at Magnetic Field, I mentioned how this song written by drummer Pete Hayes never failed to make me smile. As a part of the acoustic set, it did once again.
The Figgs - "To Be Announced"
Friday night guitarist Mike Gent surprised me by pulling out a new acoustic guitar and leading the band through an acoustic encore. I hoped that they would do this acoustic-tinged gem from For EP Fans Only and they didn't let me down.
The Gravel Pit - "Sucking on a Holiday Treat"
The Figgs learned a cover of this great Christmas song in hopes that Pit frontman Jed Parish might sing part of it at their Brooklyn show. Alas, he didn't show. I liked the version they did Saturday in Staten Island the best, mostly because I got to hold both lyric sheets.
The Figgs - "1000 People Grinning"
In my intro to the band Sunday night at Magnetic Field, I mentioned how this song written by drummer Pete Hayes never failed to make me smile. As a part of the acoustic set, it did once again.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Song of the Week 12/7/07
Foo Fighters - "The Pretender"
I must admit I found myself stupefied as I watched the Grammy nominations being announced on Thursday. Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins had just finished reading two sets of nominations when producer Jimmy Jam announced that the guys had just been nominated for Record of the Year for "The Pretender." I knew the song had gotten a lot of alt rock and active rock airplay through the fall, but who knew that would actually sink into the heads of Grammy voters? "The Pretender" had already secured a place in my Top 20 Singles of the Year. (Ed note: coming to a mailbox near you the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.) It's another entry in a long line of catchy singles Dave Grohl has unleashed upon us over the past decade. Did I finally have something in common with the Recording Academy? I had to play it again to get a clearer view.
After a couple more listens "The Pretender" didn't seem that different from the patented soft-loud-louder-soft-loudest template that Grohl helped perfect during his time in Nirvana. Then I searched out the lyrics, and that is where I discovered what won over Grammy voters. "The Pretender" isn't about a girl keeping secrets--it's a spot-on indictment of our current administration. Get a gander at these lines:
"Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend
Keep you in the dark
And so it all began
Send in your skeletons
Sing as their bones go marching in... again
The need you buried deep
The secrets that you keep are ever ready
Are you ready?
I'm finished making sense
Done pleading ignorance
That whole defense
Spinning infinity, boy
The wheel is spinning me
It's never-ending, never-ending
Same old story
What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?
You're the pretender
What if I say that I'll never surrender?"
In light of the CIA destroying evidence and the revelation that we, the people, were being lied to about Iraq...I mean Iran, Grohl's words really take on a new meaning.
Well, that, and that it fucking rocks.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Song of the Week 11/30/07
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - "100 Days, 100 Nights"
You know great those Amy Winehouse singles sound? Well, here's the band that backs her up in the U.S.--and the woman producer Mark Ronson cribbed some attitude from for Back to Black. It's stunning to think soul this authentic could be recorded today. For those readers who remember the Ithaca days, this is the kind of music Bernie Milton wanted to make all the time, if only he had the resources and the top-notch players. I finally downloaded the first single and title track and I've not been able to get it out of my head for a week. I think its destined to become a mix disc staple for the next few months.
You know great those Amy Winehouse singles sound? Well, here's the band that backs her up in the U.S.--and the woman producer Mark Ronson cribbed some attitude from for Back to Black. It's stunning to think soul this authentic could be recorded today. For those readers who remember the Ithaca days, this is the kind of music Bernie Milton wanted to make all the time, if only he had the resources and the top-notch players. I finally downloaded the first single and title track and I've not been able to get it out of my head for a week. I think its destined to become a mix disc staple for the next few months.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Song of the Week 11/23/07
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - "Kitty's Back (live in Boston 11/19/07)"
After getting this news, and then reading this review, I needed to hear and see what I could of this show. I found a decent quality boot online, and kept returning to this part:
Just seeing Clarence, Nils and the Boss himself look on as Danny plays tells you all you need to know about the depth of love and respect within this group of musicians. There's thousands of people thinking of you Mr. Federici. They all hope to see you back real soon.
And hey, nice way to take a bow:
BONUS: This 2002 version of "Kitty's Back" is still one of the Top 5 TV performances of all time:
After getting this news, and then reading this review, I needed to hear and see what I could of this show. I found a decent quality boot online, and kept returning to this part:
Just seeing Clarence, Nils and the Boss himself look on as Danny plays tells you all you need to know about the depth of love and respect within this group of musicians. There's thousands of people thinking of you Mr. Federici. They all hope to see you back real soon.
And hey, nice way to take a bow:
BONUS: This 2002 version of "Kitty's Back" is still one of the Top 5 TV performances of all time:
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Song of the Week 11/16/07
Joseph Arthur - "In the Sun"
Sometimes I think I listen to WFUV too much. I heard Arthur's most popular (arguably) song once in the middle of the night when I woke up during a broadcast of that day's World Cafe. Then it was played during the morning show and then again that night when the "proper" airing of the World Cafe takes place. I've known the song for years but never felt compelled to own it, until now.
I played the song as I wrote the above paragraph, and during that time I realized that Michael Stipe really did an awful cover of it in 2006. But it was for a good cause (Katrina relief efforts) so I'll give him a pass.
But not for Around the Sun. There's no way to forgive him for that piece of crap.
Sometimes I think I listen to WFUV too much. I heard Arthur's most popular (arguably) song once in the middle of the night when I woke up during a broadcast of that day's World Cafe. Then it was played during the morning show and then again that night when the "proper" airing of the World Cafe takes place. I've known the song for years but never felt compelled to own it, until now.
I played the song as I wrote the above paragraph, and during that time I realized that Michael Stipe really did an awful cover of it in 2006. But it was for a good cause (Katrina relief efforts) so I'll give him a pass.
But not for Around the Sun. There's no way to forgive him for that piece of crap.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Song of the Week 11/9/07
Buffalo Tom - "Good Girl"
Geez, this Buffalo Tom album is a grower. Every time I listen to it I seem to have a new favorite. This week it was "Good Girl," which the band did a fantastic version of Saturday night at Southpaw. (Actually, the entire night was pretty fantastic. Bill Janovitz is still one of the most passionate frontmen in rock.)
I wonder what song I'll like more this week?
ALSO: My fellow concert attendee Eric Holland gives his take on the show in vlog form here.
Geez, this Buffalo Tom album is a grower. Every time I listen to it I seem to have a new favorite. This week it was "Good Girl," which the band did a fantastic version of Saturday night at Southpaw. (Actually, the entire night was pretty fantastic. Bill Janovitz is still one of the most passionate frontmen in rock.)
I wonder what song I'll like more this week?
ALSO: My fellow concert attendee Eric Holland gives his take on the show in vlog form here.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Song of the Week 11/2/07
Quicksilver Messenger Service - "Fresh Air"
Ah, the power of rediscovering an old tune. I woke up a little after 4 on Thursday morning when this song came on the World Cafe on WFUV. I got up and wrote down (Ed: hey, that could be a song lyric) "Fresh Air" on a piece of paper just so I would remember hearing the song when I got up for work that day. I'm confident in stating that I hadn't heard "Fresh Air" on the air since 1990, perhaps even 1989. And since downloading it (which I had to do as soon as I got into work) I've played it twice a day since then.
There's nothing revolutionary about the song (except that it seems incredibly dated-sounding 37 years later). It's just one of those tracks that have fallen through the cracks in the age of tightened and over-researched playlists. It does have a have a hard-to-resist chorus:
"Ooooooooooh, have another hit--of fresh air!"
Riiiiiight, that's exactly what a San Francisco band would be talking about.
Ah, the power of rediscovering an old tune. I woke up a little after 4 on Thursday morning when this song came on the World Cafe on WFUV. I got up and wrote down (Ed: hey, that could be a song lyric) "Fresh Air" on a piece of paper just so I would remember hearing the song when I got up for work that day. I'm confident in stating that I hadn't heard "Fresh Air" on the air since 1990, perhaps even 1989. And since downloading it (which I had to do as soon as I got into work) I've played it twice a day since then.
There's nothing revolutionary about the song (except that it seems incredibly dated-sounding 37 years later). It's just one of those tracks that have fallen through the cracks in the age of tightened and over-researched playlists. It does have a have a hard-to-resist chorus:
"Ooooooooooh, have another hit--of fresh air!"
Riiiiiight, that's exactly what a San Francisco band would be talking about.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Song of the Week 10/26/07
Talking Heads - "(Nothing But) Flowers"
This should be filed under Video of the Week actually. I was reading the great Lost in the 80s blog and they did an entry about True Stories and the "Love For Sale" video (which is damn great its own damn self). After playing the clip once, YouTube brought up other related clips. Among them was "(Nothing But) Flowers" and its use of text that predates Van Halen's "Right Now" by many years.
I watched this clip at least twice a day over the past five days. And wasn't even like I was trying to blow off work. I simply got hooked on it. Heck, I watched it yet again after putting in the embed link in this entry. I vaguely remember seeing the video on 120 Minutes in 1988. But 19 years of drinking made me forget that David Byrne was born in Scotland and that Kirsty MacColl and Johnny Marr with both in the clip. Just another brilliant piece of art from Byrne and company.
This should be filed under Video of the Week actually. I was reading the great Lost in the 80s blog and they did an entry about True Stories and the "Love For Sale" video (which is damn great its own damn self). After playing the clip once, YouTube brought up other related clips. Among them was "(Nothing But) Flowers" and its use of text that predates Van Halen's "Right Now" by many years.
I watched this clip at least twice a day over the past five days. And wasn't even like I was trying to blow off work. I simply got hooked on it. Heck, I watched it yet again after putting in the embed link in this entry. I vaguely remember seeing the video on 120 Minutes in 1988. But 19 years of drinking made me forget that David Byrne was born in Scotland and that Kirsty MacColl and Johnny Marr with both in the clip. Just another brilliant piece of art from Byrne and company.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Song of the Week 10/19/07
Josh Rouse - "Domesticated Lovers"
On Tuesday I caught Josh Rouse appearing with High Fidelity author Nick Hornby as part of the Upstairs at the Square series at the mondo-sized Barnes and Noble on the North side of Union Square. It was an entertaining evening (except for the host Katherine Lampert, who made me grit my teeth down to the bone with her condescending interview style) highlighted by Rouse performing "Domesticated Lovers" with his girlfriend Paz Suay. Rouse explained how the song sprung from watching two people eat dinner and not say a word to one another.
Fast forward to Friday afternoon. I'm in suburban hell just South of Albany at a Friendly's. My aunt picks out a couple, one of whom she used to work with at her hospital. And she says, "They've been eating without saying a word for the entire time."
I turn, and I see exactly whom Rouse was writing about.
On Tuesday I caught Josh Rouse appearing with High Fidelity author Nick Hornby as part of the Upstairs at the Square series at the mondo-sized Barnes and Noble on the North side of Union Square. It was an entertaining evening (except for the host Katherine Lampert, who made me grit my teeth down to the bone with her condescending interview style) highlighted by Rouse performing "Domesticated Lovers" with his girlfriend Paz Suay. Rouse explained how the song sprung from watching two people eat dinner and not say a word to one another.
Fast forward to Friday afternoon. I'm in suburban hell just South of Albany at a Friendly's. My aunt picks out a couple, one of whom she used to work with at her hospital. And she says, "They've been eating without saying a word for the entire time."
I turn, and I see exactly whom Rouse was writing about.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Song of the Week 10/12/07
Nada Surf - "Killian's Red"
Thanks to the good folks at Union Hall (You're the best Michelle! And Skippy, you're pretty awesome too) I got the chance to check out my favorite Brooklyn trio at their semi-secret tour warmup show last night. I went with Moria the concert pal, and when the band started this song, I had to lean forward and tell her that I always thought of her when I listened to this song.
For those who know the track, you must be thinking, "Damn, that's a pretty cold thing to say to a woman." That couldn't be further from the truth. My mind has linked Moria to "Killian's Red" because of a story she told me one time that involved the song. I won't go into any detail about the tale (I'm all for privacy, current administration be damned). All I will say that it is a bummer of a story, and that is something I can relate to on many levels.
As for the song itself (for those who have never heard it), it is perhaps the darkest set of words on Let Go. And considering this is the same album that contains "Inside of Love" that is really saying something. The ominous guitar figure that Matthew Caws lays down during the lengthy (more than a minute) intro foreshadows a tale of wanting, loss and cheap beer at a Brooklyn bar. There's a line that always, always gets me in this song: "I almost love this town/When I'm by your side." The second time that couplet comes around in the song you can feel Caws choking on his raw emotion when he delivers it. Then he when howls "siiiiiiide" directly after it, well, its one of those few goosebump moments encoded on a CD.
Eventually every track on Let Go will be a Song of the Week. You can bet on it.
Thanks to the good folks at Union Hall (You're the best Michelle! And Skippy, you're pretty awesome too) I got the chance to check out my favorite Brooklyn trio at their semi-secret tour warmup show last night. I went with Moria the concert pal, and when the band started this song, I had to lean forward and tell her that I always thought of her when I listened to this song.
For those who know the track, you must be thinking, "Damn, that's a pretty cold thing to say to a woman." That couldn't be further from the truth. My mind has linked Moria to "Killian's Red" because of a story she told me one time that involved the song. I won't go into any detail about the tale (I'm all for privacy, current administration be damned). All I will say that it is a bummer of a story, and that is something I can relate to on many levels.
As for the song itself (for those who have never heard it), it is perhaps the darkest set of words on Let Go. And considering this is the same album that contains "Inside of Love" that is really saying something. The ominous guitar figure that Matthew Caws lays down during the lengthy (more than a minute) intro foreshadows a tale of wanting, loss and cheap beer at a Brooklyn bar. There's a line that always, always gets me in this song: "I almost love this town/When I'm by your side." The second time that couplet comes around in the song you can feel Caws choking on his raw emotion when he delivers it. Then he when howls "siiiiiiide" directly after it, well, its one of those few goosebump moments encoded on a CD.
Eventually every track on Let Go will be a Song of the Week. You can bet on it.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Song of the Week 10/5/07
Lucinda Williams - "I Lost It"
I had forgotten how much I liked this song. I listened to it this week for the first time in a couple of years to prep for Williams' show Tuesday where she played Car Wheels on a Gravel Road in its entirety. Unfortunately for everyone in Town Hall (the audience, the band, the guys recording the show to sell as CD's afterwards), Lucinda was in one of her "moods," which meant her complaining repeatedly about her in ear monitors, whining about the show preview that was in Time Out and generally being on edge. It made the band tense (which was apparent from lackluster performance of the album opener "Right in Time") and made me annoyed enough to leave 3 songs into the second set.
Those complaints aside, "I Lost It" still rocks. And at least she didn't break into "Riders on the Storm" like she did a few weeks ago when I saw her at ACL.
I had forgotten how much I liked this song. I listened to it this week for the first time in a couple of years to prep for Williams' show Tuesday where she played Car Wheels on a Gravel Road in its entirety. Unfortunately for everyone in Town Hall (the audience, the band, the guys recording the show to sell as CD's afterwards), Lucinda was in one of her "moods," which meant her complaining repeatedly about her in ear monitors, whining about the show preview that was in Time Out and generally being on edge. It made the band tense (which was apparent from lackluster performance of the album opener "Right in Time") and made me annoyed enough to leave 3 songs into the second set.
Those complaints aside, "I Lost It" still rocks. And at least she didn't break into "Riders on the Storm" like she did a few weeks ago when I saw her at ACL.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Song of the Week 9/28/07
Bruce Springsteen - "Long Walk Home"
I stayed home a bit later than usual today to watch Springsteen and the E Street Band on the Today show. I made it through the cringe-worthy interview by Matt Lauer to see Bruce and the band looking pretty well rehearsed. The highlight was easily the double shot of "Last to Die" and "Long Walk Home." This one-two punch will likely become a highlight of the tour and is part of the closing quartet of songs on Magic that grow greater with each listen. "Long Walk Home" seems to be a young cousin to "My Hometown," with its description of a small town with its closed diners and flags flying at half mast over a courthouse. I really underestimated Magic in my first few listens. Now that my head is past the muddled production, the subtle message about the state of our country is revealing itself with each new listen.
BONUS: A longer version (with two extra verses) of "Long Walk Home" was unveiled near the end of the Seeger Sessions Band tour. I think that it's found a much better home as an E Street Band song, but decide for yourself:
I stayed home a bit later than usual today to watch Springsteen and the E Street Band on the Today show. I made it through the cringe-worthy interview by Matt Lauer to see Bruce and the band looking pretty well rehearsed. The highlight was easily the double shot of "Last to Die" and "Long Walk Home." This one-two punch will likely become a highlight of the tour and is part of the closing quartet of songs on Magic that grow greater with each listen. "Long Walk Home" seems to be a young cousin to "My Hometown," with its description of a small town with its closed diners and flags flying at half mast over a courthouse. I really underestimated Magic in my first few listens. Now that my head is past the muddled production, the subtle message about the state of our country is revealing itself with each new listen.
BONUS: A longer version (with two extra verses) of "Long Walk Home" was unveiled near the end of the Seeger Sessions Band tour. I think that it's found a much better home as an E Street Band song, but decide for yourself:
Monday, September 24, 2007
Song of the Week 9/21/07
Wreckless Eric - "Whole Wide World"
I'm not one to often fall for songs featured in climatic scenes in films (the use of Aimee Mann's "Wise Up" in Magnolia notwithstanding) but damn, the placement of "Whole Wide World" in Stranger than Fiction just floored me. I won't spoil it if you haven't seen the film but it proved to me once and for all that Will Ferrell is much, much more than a great comedic actor. Fiction is a great quirky film that I regret waiting to see until it popped up on cable. And how could I not like a film that uses the music of Spoon throughout?
I'm not one to often fall for songs featured in climatic scenes in films (the use of Aimee Mann's "Wise Up" in Magnolia notwithstanding) but damn, the placement of "Whole Wide World" in Stranger than Fiction just floored me. I won't spoil it if you haven't seen the film but it proved to me once and for all that Will Ferrell is much, much more than a great comedic actor. Fiction is a great quirky film that I regret waiting to see until it popped up on cable. And how could I not like a film that uses the music of Spoon throughout?
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Song of the Week 9/14/07
Wilco - "Too Far Apart"
So I had to fly all the way to Austin to hear this song played live? And to see Jeff Tweedy wear a cowboy hat?
You know, maybe the hat was worth the trip alone.
When Tweedy and company broke out this track from A.M., I was simply stunned. It took until the chorus to register that I was seeing Wilco do a song I had never seen them do live. And this is a band I have seen over 20 times the past 10 years. I looked over at my friend Stacy with my mouth agape, and then found myself singing along.
"Too Far Apart" was part of a tremendous set that was miles away from the last time I saw Wilco in Austin, back on September 22nd, 2001. Flying down to visit Stacy would have been nerve-wracking at any time (my fear of flying was at its peak then), but 1o days after watching the towers fall was almost impossible. (Thanks to my friend, beer, I was able to do so.) Once I got to Austin I was still in a daze from all that had happened the previous week and a half. And when Wilco hit the stage the next night, they seemed like they were in a daze. They were playing only their second ever show as a four piece and the hole left by Jay Bennett's departure seemed too vast for them to overcome. Its still the worst Wilco gig I've ever seen.
This time Wilco in Austin was a joyous experience and easily slides into my Top 5 Wilco shows ever. Ah, what a difference six years makes.
So I had to fly all the way to Austin to hear this song played live? And to see Jeff Tweedy wear a cowboy hat?
You know, maybe the hat was worth the trip alone.
When Tweedy and company broke out this track from A.M., I was simply stunned. It took until the chorus to register that I was seeing Wilco do a song I had never seen them do live. And this is a band I have seen over 20 times the past 10 years. I looked over at my friend Stacy with my mouth agape, and then found myself singing along.
"Too Far Apart" was part of a tremendous set that was miles away from the last time I saw Wilco in Austin, back on September 22nd, 2001. Flying down to visit Stacy would have been nerve-wracking at any time (my fear of flying was at its peak then), but 1o days after watching the towers fall was almost impossible. (Thanks to my friend, beer, I was able to do so.) Once I got to Austin I was still in a daze from all that had happened the previous week and a half. And when Wilco hit the stage the next night, they seemed like they were in a daze. They were playing only their second ever show as a four piece and the hole left by Jay Bennett's departure seemed too vast for them to overcome. Its still the worst Wilco gig I've ever seen.
This time Wilco in Austin was a joyous experience and easily slides into my Top 5 Wilco shows ever. Ah, what a difference six years makes.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Song of the Week 9/7/07
Bruce Springsteen - "Radio Nowhere"
Yeah, I know, its not hip to like Bruce and the E Street Band, but I still do. I first heard "Radio Nowhere" four weeks ago when one of the promo folks at Columbia dropped by to play it for us. I thought it was okay, but certainly not a good as The Rising tracks "Lonesome Day" or "Further on Up the Road." Yet I found myself humming it again and again that afternoon.
Yeah, I know, its not hip to like Bruce and the E Street Band, but I still do. I first heard "Radio Nowhere" four weeks ago when one of the promo folks at Columbia dropped by to play it for us. I thought it was okay, but certainly not a good as The Rising tracks "Lonesome Day" or "Further on Up the Road." Yet I found myself humming it again and again that afternoon.
When the track leaked a week later I of course downloaded it and listened a few more times. It was then I realized its riff sounded suspiciously like Tommy Tutone's "867-5309 (Jenny)." I love that song, but I certainly don't need to hear Bruce ripping that off.
Then last week iTunes offered up a free download of "Radio Nowhere." Having the track in clear fidelity did something to my brain. I could not stop humming it at home, on the subway or at my office. Its not even that good of a song, yet there was no stopping my subconscious.
Oh well--we've had much worse choices for Song of the Week before, and I'm sure we will again.
As for Springsteen's new album Magic, I'd give it an early grade of C+; its slightly better than Human Touch and Lucky Town, but it sounds like any band could be playing behind him with Brendan O'Brien's muddled production.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Song of the Week 8/31/07
R.E.O. Speedwagon - "Keep On Loving You"
Sometimes there's nothing better than some good ol' drunken nostalgia at 3:30 a.m. Belting out "Keep On Loving You" across the bar to someone is a whole lot of fun.
A whole lot.
Sometimes there's nothing better than some good ol' drunken nostalgia at 3:30 a.m. Belting out "Keep On Loving You" across the bar to someone is a whole lot of fun.
A whole lot.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Song of the Week 8/24/07
Elvis Costello & the Attractions - "Blue Chair"
About two months ago I stumbled upon an Elvis Costello podcast titled The First 10 Years that was centered around the 800th reissue (okay, it's just the third, but it seems like more) of his catalog. Every week this brief feature (none clocked over 10 minutes) had some interesting interview clips from Mr. McManus talking about the various stops in the first decade of his career. Monday's podcast focused on Blood and Chocolate, an album best known for the epic, creepy, stalker-like love song "I Want You." Costello's frank discussion of the tension he felt with the Attractions at the time (echoed in his fine liner notes in the 2002 Rhino edition) compelled me to listen to the album on the way home from work. It was the second time I've listened to this bitter masterpiece this year (the first was, well, when I was bitter for some reason) and what struck me this time around is how loud it is. To paraphrase Spinal Tap, every instrument seems turned up to 15, battling to be heard over Costello's shouting. Blood and Chocolate has such a fascinating and unique sound that perfectly compliments Costello's blunt lyrics about divorce, breakups and comfy furniture. I think that's why its aged so well.
The next morning I rolled out of bed and when my feet hit the floor WFUV played the Blood and Chocolate track "Blue Chair." I like it when the SOTW is that simple.
About two months ago I stumbled upon an Elvis Costello podcast titled The First 10 Years that was centered around the 800th reissue (okay, it's just the third, but it seems like more) of his catalog. Every week this brief feature (none clocked over 10 minutes) had some interesting interview clips from Mr. McManus talking about the various stops in the first decade of his career. Monday's podcast focused on Blood and Chocolate, an album best known for the epic, creepy, stalker-like love song "I Want You." Costello's frank discussion of the tension he felt with the Attractions at the time (echoed in his fine liner notes in the 2002 Rhino edition) compelled me to listen to the album on the way home from work. It was the second time I've listened to this bitter masterpiece this year (the first was, well, when I was bitter for some reason) and what struck me this time around is how loud it is. To paraphrase Spinal Tap, every instrument seems turned up to 15, battling to be heard over Costello's shouting. Blood and Chocolate has such a fascinating and unique sound that perfectly compliments Costello's blunt lyrics about divorce, breakups and comfy furniture. I think that's why its aged so well.
The next morning I rolled out of bed and when my feet hit the floor WFUV played the Blood and Chocolate track "Blue Chair." I like it when the SOTW is that simple.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Song of the Week 8/17/07
XTC - "Grass"
Sometimes it is this simple--"Grass" was the first song I heard when I woke up Wednesday. And then by some stroke of fate, the World Cafe played it just as I went to bed Wednesday night. Great song, kind of freaky moment.
Sometimes it is this simple--"Grass" was the first song I heard when I woke up Wednesday. And then by some stroke of fate, the World Cafe played it just as I went to bed Wednesday night. Great song, kind of freaky moment.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Song of the Week 8/10/07
The Hold Steady - "Your Little Hoodrat Friend"
(Photo credit)
"I hope the Hold Steady plays rock and roll like Kent Hrbek played baseball." --The Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn, while wearing an authentic Hrbek jersey, at Brooklyn's Prospect Park last night
I could go on and on about how great this show was, but Finn's Twins analogy is about as apt as a description as I can think of for the band and how much joy they have on stage. (Those in the audience who weren't baseball fans might not get what Finn was saying, but I understood it perfectly.)
Picking one song out of the set to be SOTW wasn't that hard -- I had played "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" the previous Thursday at the Klimpter album release party, and after it was done guitarist Michael Boyd shared a story about seeing the band play that song at Bowery Ballroom before Separation Sunday was released. After that story, I ended up putting the song in a mix I'll be using in a couple of weeks. And the band's performance of it included a very touching story from Craig Finn about Minneapolis.
Someday I gotta go back there.
(Photo credit)
"I hope the Hold Steady plays rock and roll like Kent Hrbek played baseball." --The Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn, while wearing an authentic Hrbek jersey, at Brooklyn's Prospect Park last night
I could go on and on about how great this show was, but Finn's Twins analogy is about as apt as a description as I can think of for the band and how much joy they have on stage. (Those in the audience who weren't baseball fans might not get what Finn was saying, but I understood it perfectly.)
Picking one song out of the set to be SOTW wasn't that hard -- I had played "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" the previous Thursday at the Klimpter album release party, and after it was done guitarist Michael Boyd shared a story about seeing the band play that song at Bowery Ballroom before Separation Sunday was released. After that story, I ended up putting the song in a mix I'll be using in a couple of weeks. And the band's performance of it included a very touching story from Craig Finn about Minneapolis.
Someday I gotta go back there.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Klimpter's Release Party 8/2/07
I was honored that the guys in Klimpter (which includes three buds of mine from the bar) asked me to play some tunes at their album release party. Here's my pre-show playlist:
Buzzcocks - "Everybody's Happy Nowadays"
The Jam - "The Modern World"
The Replacements - "Color Me Impressed"
The Hold Steady - "Your Little Hoodrat Friend"
Dead Kennedys - "Bleed for Me"
Jawbox - "Breathe"
Naked Raygun - "Rat Patrol"
Soul Asylum - "Sometime to Return"
Gang of Four - "To Hell With Poverty"
Bloc Party - "I Still Remember"
Guided By Voices - "Game of Pricks"
Superchunk - "Hyper Enough"
Sugar - "Changes"
Husker Du - "Books About U.F.Os"
Firehose - "Down With the Bass"
Dinosaur Jr. - "The Wagon"
Mission of Burma - "That's When I Reach for My Revolver"
Interpol - "Heinrich Maneuver"
Nada Surf - "The Way You Wear Your Head"
The Undertones - "Teenage Kicks"
The Clash - "I'm So Bored With the U.S.A."
Ramones - "Pinhead"
Dead Boys - "Sonic Reducer"
The Minutemen - "This Ain't No Picnic"
Black Flag - "Rise Above"
Lackthereof - "What a Fool Believes"
Buzzcocks - "Everybody's Happy Nowadays"
The Jam - "The Modern World"
The Replacements - "Color Me Impressed"
The Hold Steady - "Your Little Hoodrat Friend"
Dead Kennedys - "Bleed for Me"
Jawbox - "Breathe"
Naked Raygun - "Rat Patrol"
Soul Asylum - "Sometime to Return"
Gang of Four - "To Hell With Poverty"
Bloc Party - "I Still Remember"
Guided By Voices - "Game of Pricks"
Superchunk - "Hyper Enough"
Sugar - "Changes"
Husker Du - "Books About U.F.Os"
Firehose - "Down With the Bass"
Dinosaur Jr. - "The Wagon"
Mission of Burma - "That's When I Reach for My Revolver"
Interpol - "Heinrich Maneuver"
Nada Surf - "The Way You Wear Your Head"
The Undertones - "Teenage Kicks"
The Clash - "I'm So Bored With the U.S.A."
Ramones - "Pinhead"
Dead Boys - "Sonic Reducer"
The Minutemen - "This Ain't No Picnic"
Black Flag - "Rise Above"
Lackthereof - "What a Fool Believes"
Monday, August 06, 2007
Song of the Week 8/3/07
The Figgs - "One Hit Wonder"
(Photo by Lynn Hanson)
I'd write more about how amazing this performance of the band's 1996 single about being screwed over by the record business was Saturday night at Bowery Ballroom, but I've written so much crap at work in the past few weeks that my brain has kind of short circuited. So this brief entry will have to do.
Holy shit, I never thought I'd see a guitarist and bassist jump off the stage and play amongst the crowd at the Bowery. It was about as rock n' roll and rock n' roll gets.
(Photo by Lynn Hanson)
I'd write more about how amazing this performance of the band's 1996 single about being screwed over by the record business was Saturday night at Bowery Ballroom, but I've written so much crap at work in the past few weeks that my brain has kind of short circuited. So this brief entry will have to do.
Holy shit, I never thought I'd see a guitarist and bassist jump off the stage and play amongst the crowd at the Bowery. It was about as rock n' roll and rock n' roll gets.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Song of the Week 7/27/07
Ryan Adams - "Goodnight Rose"
Sometimes I think to myself, "Gosh, for a 37 year old guy, I'm a bit susceptible to outside forces influencing my life." I could write a book about how that applies to various parts of my life, but for now I'll stick with how that applies to the Song of the Week.
When I first listened to Ryan Adams' Easy Tiger, I dismissed it rather quickly. "There's nothing new here and it sounds like some rejects from Gold," I thought. Then my pillars of public radio -- WFUV here in New York and WXPN in Philadelphia --changed my opinion bit by bit. It seemed like one station or the other were playing Easy Tiger album tracks for most of this amazing summer. And all these spins seeped into my head somehow. The second time I listened to Easy Tiger it still seemed familiar, yet now it was in a good "these chicken wings at Bonnie's are just as good as the first 200 times I've eaten them" kind of way.
The public radio brainwashing reached its apex last week as I heard"Goodnight Rose" every single morning. I kept thinking it was a track from one of the 200 other albums Adams has released this century. Nope, it was Easy Tiger again.
If I ever date a woman named Rose, she's going to get sick of this song really quick.
Sometimes I think to myself, "Gosh, for a 37 year old guy, I'm a bit susceptible to outside forces influencing my life." I could write a book about how that applies to various parts of my life, but for now I'll stick with how that applies to the Song of the Week.
When I first listened to Ryan Adams' Easy Tiger, I dismissed it rather quickly. "There's nothing new here and it sounds like some rejects from Gold," I thought. Then my pillars of public radio -- WFUV here in New York and WXPN in Philadelphia --changed my opinion bit by bit. It seemed like one station or the other were playing Easy Tiger album tracks for most of this amazing summer. And all these spins seeped into my head somehow. The second time I listened to Easy Tiger it still seemed familiar, yet now it was in a good "these chicken wings at Bonnie's are just as good as the first 200 times I've eaten them" kind of way.
The public radio brainwashing reached its apex last week as I heard"Goodnight Rose" every single morning. I kept thinking it was a track from one of the 200 other albums Adams has released this century. Nope, it was Easy Tiger again.
If I ever date a woman named Rose, she's going to get sick of this song really quick.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Song of the Week 7/20/07
Kiss - "Love Gun"
I was certain this week's SOTW would be something by Electric Six. All the determining factors were there: my friend Dave was coming to New York for the first time in a decade to see them twice; we were going to see them play on a boat; and the band had just announced the release date of their new album. Yet when I saw Dave at Penn Station on Thursday wearing a Love Gun shirt, that song popped into my head and didn't leave. In fact, it's still kicking around in my skull four days later. Thankfully I could only remember the drum roll and the band screaming "Loooooove Gun, Loooooooooove Gun" and none of these dumb lyrics:
"I really love you baby
I love what you've got
Let's get together, we can get hot
No more tomorrow, baby, time is today
Girl, I can make you feel, okay"
Oh yeah, that's some pure Gene Simmons marketing genius there.
I was certain this week's SOTW would be something by Electric Six. All the determining factors were there: my friend Dave was coming to New York for the first time in a decade to see them twice; we were going to see them play on a boat; and the band had just announced the release date of their new album. Yet when I saw Dave at Penn Station on Thursday wearing a Love Gun shirt, that song popped into my head and didn't leave. In fact, it's still kicking around in my skull four days later. Thankfully I could only remember the drum roll and the band screaming "Loooooove Gun, Loooooooooove Gun" and none of these dumb lyrics:
"I really love you baby
I love what you've got
Let's get together, we can get hot
No more tomorrow, baby, time is today
Girl, I can make you feel, okay"
Oh yeah, that's some pure Gene Simmons marketing genius there.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Song of the Week 7/13/07
Buffalo Tom -"Tree House"
Bill Janovitz is the most soulful rock singer I have ever seen.
Words have repeatedly escaped me the past three days when I have tried to describe B.T.'s performance of this Big Red Letter Day track. It was as if the song possessed Janovitz, causing him to throw his head back, close his eyes and sing as loud as he could until all of the energy in his body had been expounded. It was one of those magical moments you hope for at every concert yet rarely ever see.
The rest of the show, one of a few the trio is doing in support of the fine new album Three Easy Pieces, was fantastic too. Yet after that mid set moment, it all felt like one long encore. I know there's a bootleg floating around the net, and I can't wait to get a copy.
Bill Janovitz is the most soulful rock singer I have ever seen.
Words have repeatedly escaped me the past three days when I have tried to describe B.T.'s performance of this Big Red Letter Day track. It was as if the song possessed Janovitz, causing him to throw his head back, close his eyes and sing as loud as he could until all of the energy in his body had been expounded. It was one of those magical moments you hope for at every concert yet rarely ever see.
The rest of the show, one of a few the trio is doing in support of the fine new album Three Easy Pieces, was fantastic too. Yet after that mid set moment, it all felt like one long encore. I know there's a bootleg floating around the net, and I can't wait to get a copy.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Song of the Week 7/6/07
Egghead. - "Sukeban Deka"
Remember this post?
Well, it happened Thursday. (And I didn't pay a dime.) And it couldn't have been any better. I would write more, but I'm still overwhelmed by how life-fulfilling a night it was at Lost and Found in Greenpoint. I recall saying to someone during the show that it was like going to a high school reunion, but you actually were happy to see everyone and spend a night in their company. And after taking part in an ending of sorts last week, seeing a reunion was a perfect counterpoint to my last entry.
I can't believe it, but my memories of "Sukeban Deka" had faded over the years. I had forgotten how kick ass of an ending it was. And watching singer-bassist John Bowie pick up his mic stand and hold it up to the crowd is a mental picture that will make me smile until I'm on my death bed.
Sometimes, life is all worth it. I mean, look at this grainy photo of joy (courtesy Joe S.'s cell phone):
(From left to right: Egghead single and album artist Dave Palmer; drummer Mike Faloon; superfan (and bootlegger of that night's show) Joe S.; singer-bassist John Bowie; Go Metric contributor and The In Crowd drummer Brian Cogan; singer-guitarist Johnny Reno; and GenTech vice president Clifford Nash.)
Remember this post?
Well, it happened Thursday. (And I didn't pay a dime.) And it couldn't have been any better. I would write more, but I'm still overwhelmed by how life-fulfilling a night it was at Lost and Found in Greenpoint. I recall saying to someone during the show that it was like going to a high school reunion, but you actually were happy to see everyone and spend a night in their company. And after taking part in an ending of sorts last week, seeing a reunion was a perfect counterpoint to my last entry.
I can't believe it, but my memories of "Sukeban Deka" had faded over the years. I had forgotten how kick ass of an ending it was. And watching singer-bassist John Bowie pick up his mic stand and hold it up to the crowd is a mental picture that will make me smile until I'm on my death bed.
Sometimes, life is all worth it. I mean, look at this grainy photo of joy (courtesy Joe S.'s cell phone):
(From left to right: Egghead single and album artist Dave Palmer; drummer Mike Faloon; superfan (and bootlegger of that night's show) Joe S.; singer-bassist John Bowie; Go Metric contributor and The In Crowd drummer Brian Cogan; singer-guitarist Johnny Reno; and GenTech vice president Clifford Nash.)
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Song of the Week 6/29/07
Cheap Trick - "Surrender"
Bunnie England and the New Originals, Derby Day 2007
(from left: Paul Crane, Troy Messina, Paul Gill)
If you read last years Top 20, then you know of my creative rebirth as a member of Bunnie England and the New Originals. Thursday night we did our usual bi-monthly gig at Magnetic Field. Yet this one was rather bittersweet, as it was the last time we would have Troy behind the drum kit. He took a job as a professor down in Louisiana, making physics interesting for college age kids. (Um, well, that's what he's going to try to do.) I had known about this change for about three months, yet I still don't think I was prepared for how I felt once the night got underway. I found myself paying attention to a lot of the little details in the music; how Paul and Paul would look at each other for guidance in a song from the under-rehearsed depths of our songlist; how Paul G. would turn and make eye contact with Troy when they were going to wrap a song up; how a really great singer made their jobs so much easier; and how the three of them could really lock in and be, at that one moment, the best band on the planet.
I've read stories (and even interviewed some artists) about playing a preannounced final gig with a band. And for all my experience it usually boils down into two camps--it's either the worst night ever or the music gets carried to new heights. Thursday night was one of those nights where almost everything went right. (Well, except for where I jumped ahead a couple of measures in "Tie Your Mother Down" and the horrible take on "Tainted Love" as done by the Field's esteemed owners.) Now it's not like we were doing anything original musically, but there are points when a cover band can really knock your socks off. And I'm proud to say I got to front one of those bands for one night. Heck, I got to front one of those bands for almost two years.
Now it isn't like the band isn't going to continue in the wake of Troy's departure--the guys have lined up another drummer who we plan to start rehearsing with at the end of the month. And Troy himself was a replacement for Dave, who was in the drum seat when I first came on board as a host in 2005. But I truly loved singing and cracking jokes in front of Troy the past two years. He'd laugh at some of the stupidest comments a guy could make while on stage. And knowing that there was at least someone who would be entertained by my ramblings made my part of the gig that much easier. Also Troy had the perfect laid back attitude for when conditions were not at their best (battling drunken Brooklyn law students; battling drunken bandmates; weirdo Upper East Siders who wanted us to do drug deal for them; a tiny room of tiles at the Long Island bar where every note bounced around seemingly forever). And he encouraged me to play tambourine--what was the guy thinking?
The last song the four of us did was also the first song the four of us ever did--"Surrender." I'd pretty much stopped doing that song over the past year as I wanted to come up with some different set closers (and other songs I could actually fake enough so people thought I was singing in a key that humans can hear). Yet I knew that we'd have to bring that one out of retirement. And to prepare, I listened to it last week. A lot. Over and over again I played it in my iPod, wanting to bring out a performance from myself that I would be able to watch down the road and not totally cringe from the minute I opened my mouth. And I think all my listening and practicing worked. (My neighbors must have been tired of hearing me scream "got my Kiss records out.") I never felt more at home singing "Surrender" than I did Thursday night. There was no blanking on words or when to come in. I was able to walk around on stage, put my hand on Paul C.'s shoulder, then move over to Paul G. and put my hand on his shoulder and then skip back to Troy's kit just like it was a tune we did on tour five nights a week. Heck, we even got the "We're all alright" part at the end right for once.
As much as I'm not one for using props when we do Live Band Karaoke (my own duo gigs are something else), I knew I had to add something to make this performance different from all the others. So just before we hit the last verse, I walked towards the trusty music stand and grabbed up the only Kiss-related item I owned on vinyl--the Kiss My Ass tribute. It's a pretty crappy collection of tunes but all I cared about was that the cover showed a family in Kiss makeup. As I started singing the line "When I woke up, Mom and Dad are rolling on the couch" I walked back towards Troy's drum kit and showed him the cover. I don't think I've ever seen a guy laugh that much while playing drums and keep the beat going. That last on stage laugh made the whole night worth it.
The moments after we were done and I had finished packing up are a blur. There were a couple of really attractive women who sang that were talking to me, but I have no idea what they said. The thought that this little time frame in my life was over was just a bit overwhelming for a few minutes. Then I had another beer and I felt a little better. Yeah, beer always makes things better.
Before I close things out, I want to send special shout out to (in as close to performing order as I can recall) all the folks who came down and sang Thursday night: Abigail, Aaron, Barbara, Joe, The Colonel, Delia, Kathryn, Marya, Rad, Karen, Melinda, Monica, Homer Fink, Spike, Khalid, Dave, William, Lee, Todd, Michelle, Devon & Anya, Cassie and Bryan, you each contributed to making it one incredible night. And once again I want to wish all the best to Troy down in the bayou. I look forward to our reunion gig five years from now, so everyone can accuse us of doing it for the money.
Bunnie England and the New Originals, Derby Day 2007
(from left: Paul Crane, Troy Messina, Paul Gill)
If you read last years Top 20, then you know of my creative rebirth as a member of Bunnie England and the New Originals. Thursday night we did our usual bi-monthly gig at Magnetic Field. Yet this one was rather bittersweet, as it was the last time we would have Troy behind the drum kit. He took a job as a professor down in Louisiana, making physics interesting for college age kids. (Um, well, that's what he's going to try to do.) I had known about this change for about three months, yet I still don't think I was prepared for how I felt once the night got underway. I found myself paying attention to a lot of the little details in the music; how Paul and Paul would look at each other for guidance in a song from the under-rehearsed depths of our songlist; how Paul G. would turn and make eye contact with Troy when they were going to wrap a song up; how a really great singer made their jobs so much easier; and how the three of them could really lock in and be, at that one moment, the best band on the planet.
I've read stories (and even interviewed some artists) about playing a preannounced final gig with a band. And for all my experience it usually boils down into two camps--it's either the worst night ever or the music gets carried to new heights. Thursday night was one of those nights where almost everything went right. (Well, except for where I jumped ahead a couple of measures in "Tie Your Mother Down" and the horrible take on "Tainted Love" as done by the Field's esteemed owners.) Now it's not like we were doing anything original musically, but there are points when a cover band can really knock your socks off. And I'm proud to say I got to front one of those bands for one night. Heck, I got to front one of those bands for almost two years.
Now it isn't like the band isn't going to continue in the wake of Troy's departure--the guys have lined up another drummer who we plan to start rehearsing with at the end of the month. And Troy himself was a replacement for Dave, who was in the drum seat when I first came on board as a host in 2005. But I truly loved singing and cracking jokes in front of Troy the past two years. He'd laugh at some of the stupidest comments a guy could make while on stage. And knowing that there was at least someone who would be entertained by my ramblings made my part of the gig that much easier. Also Troy had the perfect laid back attitude for when conditions were not at their best (battling drunken Brooklyn law students; battling drunken bandmates; weirdo Upper East Siders who wanted us to do drug deal for them; a tiny room of tiles at the Long Island bar where every note bounced around seemingly forever). And he encouraged me to play tambourine--what was the guy thinking?
The last song the four of us did was also the first song the four of us ever did--"Surrender." I'd pretty much stopped doing that song over the past year as I wanted to come up with some different set closers (and other songs I could actually fake enough so people thought I was singing in a key that humans can hear). Yet I knew that we'd have to bring that one out of retirement. And to prepare, I listened to it last week. A lot. Over and over again I played it in my iPod, wanting to bring out a performance from myself that I would be able to watch down the road and not totally cringe from the minute I opened my mouth. And I think all my listening and practicing worked. (My neighbors must have been tired of hearing me scream "got my Kiss records out.") I never felt more at home singing "Surrender" than I did Thursday night. There was no blanking on words or when to come in. I was able to walk around on stage, put my hand on Paul C.'s shoulder, then move over to Paul G. and put my hand on his shoulder and then skip back to Troy's kit just like it was a tune we did on tour five nights a week. Heck, we even got the "We're all alright" part at the end right for once.
As much as I'm not one for using props when we do Live Band Karaoke (my own duo gigs are something else), I knew I had to add something to make this performance different from all the others. So just before we hit the last verse, I walked towards the trusty music stand and grabbed up the only Kiss-related item I owned on vinyl--the Kiss My Ass tribute. It's a pretty crappy collection of tunes but all I cared about was that the cover showed a family in Kiss makeup. As I started singing the line "When I woke up, Mom and Dad are rolling on the couch" I walked back towards Troy's drum kit and showed him the cover. I don't think I've ever seen a guy laugh that much while playing drums and keep the beat going. That last on stage laugh made the whole night worth it.
The moments after we were done and I had finished packing up are a blur. There were a couple of really attractive women who sang that were talking to me, but I have no idea what they said. The thought that this little time frame in my life was over was just a bit overwhelming for a few minutes. Then I had another beer and I felt a little better. Yeah, beer always makes things better.
Before I close things out, I want to send special shout out to (in as close to performing order as I can recall) all the folks who came down and sang Thursday night: Abigail, Aaron, Barbara, Joe, The Colonel, Delia, Kathryn, Marya, Rad, Karen, Melinda, Monica, Homer Fink, Spike, Khalid, Dave, William, Lee, Todd, Michelle, Devon & Anya, Cassie and Bryan, you each contributed to making it one incredible night. And once again I want to wish all the best to Troy down in the bayou. I look forward to our reunion gig five years from now, so everyone can accuse us of doing it for the money.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Co-Songs of the Week 6/22/07
I waited until after I saw Wilco at Hammerstein Ballroom Monday night to choose the Song of the Week. Of course, I listened to sooooo much Wilco the past five days that I couldn't just pick one. Damn you for being so good Wilco!
"Side With the Seeds" from Sky Blue Sky rocked at the Hammerstein. Nels Cline's guitar playing was smoking (check out the show here) and Jeff Tweedy really belted the lyrics out of the park--even if I have no idea what they mean.
Alas, they didn't play Sky Blue Sky's leadoff track, "Either Way." (Those lucky enough to go to Warsaw Tuesday night go that song and "Outtasite (Outta Mind)"--lucky bastards!) On Thursday I got some kind of upsetting news that was only cured by three hours of very late night drinking and great conversation with a friend of mine that this year has helped me rediscovered the Jamesons gene in my Irish DNA. Friday morning I woke up with a pretty clear idea that things were going to be alright. And when I heard these lyrics as I walked by P.S. 179 on my block, I knew Tweedy was telling me I was right:
"Maybe the sun will shine today
The clouds will blow away
Maybe I won't feel so afraid
I will try to understand either way"
Crap, now I have to wait until ACL to see them again.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Song of the Week 6/15/07
Queen - "Tie Your Mother Down"
A three weeks ago at Magnetic Field one of our singers broke the bottom of the mic stand. When they were done rocking through The Kinks, I climbed on stage and started joking about how I looked like Freddy Mercury holding this stand that could, well, no longer stand. I had no idea the guys had been fooling around with "Tie Your Mother Down" at their last rehearsal. Paul broke into the riff, I started yelling "oooh yeah", Paul and Troy kicked it in and I spent a verse making up lyrics about our broken mic stand until we hit the chorus.
It was exhilarating. Holy crap, it felt so good doing that song.
So the guys learned it and we opened with it Thursday night.
Oh my, I screamed so loud I didn't need the mic.
Seriously.
I mean, we didn't rock it like this:
But still, I felt like I was on stage at Wembley.
Wow.
UPDATE 6/20: In the comments below Mr. Boyd mentioned Queen (well, 1/2 of) and Foo Fighters (well, 1/2 of) performing it at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in 2001. I was at the ceremonies for work, and I do remember this performance really rocking. Dave Grohl's and Taylor Hawkins' enthusiasm for the song and Brian May and Roger Taylor just shines throughout. And May does some blistering guitar work too:
My favorite part comes at 2:47--they've just hit the end of the last chorus, and Grohl throws his head back and just listens to those distinctive May and Taylor backing vocals. Talk about "kid in a candy store" face.
A three weeks ago at Magnetic Field one of our singers broke the bottom of the mic stand. When they were done rocking through The Kinks, I climbed on stage and started joking about how I looked like Freddy Mercury holding this stand that could, well, no longer stand. I had no idea the guys had been fooling around with "Tie Your Mother Down" at their last rehearsal. Paul broke into the riff, I started yelling "oooh yeah", Paul and Troy kicked it in and I spent a verse making up lyrics about our broken mic stand until we hit the chorus.
It was exhilarating. Holy crap, it felt so good doing that song.
So the guys learned it and we opened with it Thursday night.
Oh my, I screamed so loud I didn't need the mic.
Seriously.
I mean, we didn't rock it like this:
But still, I felt like I was on stage at Wembley.
Wow.
UPDATE 6/20: In the comments below Mr. Boyd mentioned Queen (well, 1/2 of) and Foo Fighters (well, 1/2 of) performing it at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in 2001. I was at the ceremonies for work, and I do remember this performance really rocking. Dave Grohl's and Taylor Hawkins' enthusiasm for the song and Brian May and Roger Taylor just shines throughout. And May does some blistering guitar work too:
My favorite part comes at 2:47--they've just hit the end of the last chorus, and Grohl throws his head back and just listens to those distinctive May and Taylor backing vocals. Talk about "kid in a candy store" face.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Song of the Week 6/8/07
Paul McCartney - "Dance Tonight"
Yup, Paul McCartney. A man, pardon me, a BEATLE (caps required) who hasn't released a single song in the past decade that I've given more than one cursory listen to. A man who has just released his finest album in 25 years (I'm still a sucker for Tug of War). Memory Almost Full (and this is not a full review, just a first impression) sounds like McCartney wanted to make an album made for the iPod that sampled his entire solo career. I've listened to it through regular speakers and it just doesn't have the same impact. But my oh my, its an incredibly addictive pop gem when I'm riding on the F train with the headphones cranked. Some songs remind me of the 1980 quirky entirely solo work McCartney II, others of the great Wings single "Junior's Farm" and at other moments XTC and (I swear) Guided by Voices. This week I couldn't stop listening to "Dance Tonight." Its one of the three weakest songs on the album, yet the mandolin hook kept bringing me back.
If I had to nominate the most surprising Song of the Week--perhaps ever--this one would be it.
(And hey, Natalie Portman looks cute in that video.)
UPDATE 6/13
My junior year roommate Hank has it as his SOTW as well--he sent me this email the other day.
"I had to pick up the CD when it was released for two reasons - 1) I was driving to Philly for the day. 2) Its a new Paul McCartney cd.
As soon as I played the first track Cindy [Hank's wife] adopted 'Dance Tonight' as the song for the baby. As apparently babies an hear music in the womb. She constantly plays the song over and over when driving, when she wakes up and when just in the house. Apparently the baby has responded well to that song (as well as the third track, 'Sunshine').
I know it is a simple song, which to your point, has a great hook.
I also dig 'Mr. Bellamy' from the album as it is pretty artsy."
I do believe this is the first time a baby and I have ever agreed on anything.
Yup, Paul McCartney. A man, pardon me, a BEATLE (caps required) who hasn't released a single song in the past decade that I've given more than one cursory listen to. A man who has just released his finest album in 25 years (I'm still a sucker for Tug of War). Memory Almost Full (and this is not a full review, just a first impression) sounds like McCartney wanted to make an album made for the iPod that sampled his entire solo career. I've listened to it through regular speakers and it just doesn't have the same impact. But my oh my, its an incredibly addictive pop gem when I'm riding on the F train with the headphones cranked. Some songs remind me of the 1980 quirky entirely solo work McCartney II, others of the great Wings single "Junior's Farm" and at other moments XTC and (I swear) Guided by Voices. This week I couldn't stop listening to "Dance Tonight." Its one of the three weakest songs on the album, yet the mandolin hook kept bringing me back.
If I had to nominate the most surprising Song of the Week--perhaps ever--this one would be it.
(And hey, Natalie Portman looks cute in that video.)
UPDATE 6/13
My junior year roommate Hank has it as his SOTW as well--he sent me this email the other day.
"I had to pick up the CD when it was released for two reasons - 1) I was driving to Philly for the day. 2) Its a new Paul McCartney cd.
As soon as I played the first track Cindy [Hank's wife] adopted 'Dance Tonight' as the song for the baby. As apparently babies an hear music in the womb. She constantly plays the song over and over when driving, when she wakes up and when just in the house. Apparently the baby has responded well to that song (as well as the third track, 'Sunshine').
I know it is a simple song, which to your point, has a great hook.
I also dig 'Mr. Bellamy' from the album as it is pretty artsy."
I do believe this is the first time a baby and I have ever agreed on anything.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Co-Songs of the Week 6/1/07
Bright Eyes - "The First Day of My Life" and "Road to Joy"
The best decision I've made so far in 2007: getting tickets to two shows during Bright Eyes seven night stand at Town Hall.
The worst decision I've made so far in 2007: not getting tickets to more shows during Bright Eyes seven night stand at Town Hall.
The shows I saw Monday and Wednesday nights with Moria the concert pal will easily go down as two of the best this year. Like the entire run, both nights had great special guests (Monday = Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis; Wednesday = Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard), great live versions of songs from the fine new album Cassadega ("Soul Singer in a Session Band" kicks ass), a great mix of covers and older tunes and frontman Conor Oberst in a really great mood. Props go to the Bowery Presents folks who convinced Oberst to do this run and try to make it something special every night.
Monday's highlight was a reworked version of "The First Day of My Life" from I'm Wide Awake Its Morning. It could be called a "rocking" version, but that doesn't quite capture the rollicking groove that stellar drummer Janet Weiss injected into the song. It made a happy tune about love even happier. Look for yourself:
I smiled at the end of the song in spite of myself. As I searched for a clip of this performance, I stumbled across the very heartwarming video as well:
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Its sooooo cute I might poop my pants.
Anyway, Wednesday closed with a shake the rafters and rip the seats out of this joint take on "Road to Joy." When Oberst yelled, "Let's fuck it boys, make some noise," the 17 people on stage (yeah, that's right, seventeen) made a cacophony of sound that was still ringing in my ears and my brain the next day. And while I didn't find a version from that night, the version that closed out the entire run Friday night was just as apocalyptic:
I was so pumped after "Road to Joy" I forced Moria to high five me. (Sorry about that MM, but thanks yet again for turning me onto Bright Eyes.) When we got on the F train to head to Brooklyn, I couldn't help but think I had witnessed an artist taking a leap up to a higher level and that fans will be talking about these Town Hall shows in the same way Bruce Springsteen fans reminisce about those legendary shows at the Bottom Line in 1975.
The best decision I've made so far in 2007: getting tickets to two shows during Bright Eyes seven night stand at Town Hall.
The worst decision I've made so far in 2007: not getting tickets to more shows during Bright Eyes seven night stand at Town Hall.
The shows I saw Monday and Wednesday nights with Moria the concert pal will easily go down as two of the best this year. Like the entire run, both nights had great special guests (Monday = Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis; Wednesday = Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard), great live versions of songs from the fine new album Cassadega ("Soul Singer in a Session Band" kicks ass), a great mix of covers and older tunes and frontman Conor Oberst in a really great mood. Props go to the Bowery Presents folks who convinced Oberst to do this run and try to make it something special every night.
Monday's highlight was a reworked version of "The First Day of My Life" from I'm Wide Awake Its Morning. It could be called a "rocking" version, but that doesn't quite capture the rollicking groove that stellar drummer Janet Weiss injected into the song. It made a happy tune about love even happier. Look for yourself:
I smiled at the end of the song in spite of myself. As I searched for a clip of this performance, I stumbled across the very heartwarming video as well:
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Its sooooo cute I might poop my pants.
Anyway, Wednesday closed with a shake the rafters and rip the seats out of this joint take on "Road to Joy." When Oberst yelled, "Let's fuck it boys, make some noise," the 17 people on stage (yeah, that's right, seventeen) made a cacophony of sound that was still ringing in my ears and my brain the next day. And while I didn't find a version from that night, the version that closed out the entire run Friday night was just as apocalyptic:
I was so pumped after "Road to Joy" I forced Moria to high five me. (Sorry about that MM, but thanks yet again for turning me onto Bright Eyes.) When we got on the F train to head to Brooklyn, I couldn't help but think I had witnessed an artist taking a leap up to a higher level and that fans will be talking about these Town Hall shows in the same way Bruce Springsteen fans reminisce about those legendary shows at the Bottom Line in 1975.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Song of the Week 5/28/07
Arctic Monkeys - "You Know I'm No Good"
Amy Winehouse + Arctic Monkeys = a surprisingly great cover. Those folks at BBC Radio 1 know what they're doing--without them I don't think anyone would have covered Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy."
Okay, maybe not.
Amy Winehouse + Arctic Monkeys = a surprisingly great cover. Those folks at BBC Radio 1 know what they're doing--without them I don't think anyone would have covered Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy."
Okay, maybe not.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Song of the Week 5/18/07
Ace Frehley - "New York Groove"
I enjoy turning on "young" folks to some cheesy 70s rock every once in a while. Such was the case early Thursday morning as my friend Brian and some other folks took a slow crawling F back to Brooklyn after a rain-delayed Mets-Cubs game at Shea. One of Brian's friends mentioned he was going to play "New York Groove" at some party, and Brian commented that he never heard the song. I was surprised, since the Mets have played "New York Groove" during parts of games for many years (and Brian is only five years younger than me). So I took out the iPod, scrolled to the "A" section and turned over my headphones. It was funny watching Brian (who's a drummer) start bobbing his head as the slinky, late 70s beat took over during the chorus. It was even funnier when he kept singing the chorus during various parts of our seemingly never-ending subway ride. I'm sure the people sharing our car enjoyed it.
As if the Mets wanted to back up my point, during today's Subway Series game they played it again. Now I have no doubt--"New York Groove" sounds really great coming through big stadium speakers.
I enjoy turning on "young" folks to some cheesy 70s rock every once in a while. Such was the case early Thursday morning as my friend Brian and some other folks took a slow crawling F back to Brooklyn after a rain-delayed Mets-Cubs game at Shea. One of Brian's friends mentioned he was going to play "New York Groove" at some party, and Brian commented that he never heard the song. I was surprised, since the Mets have played "New York Groove" during parts of games for many years (and Brian is only five years younger than me). So I took out the iPod, scrolled to the "A" section and turned over my headphones. It was funny watching Brian (who's a drummer) start bobbing his head as the slinky, late 70s beat took over during the chorus. It was even funnier when he kept singing the chorus during various parts of our seemingly never-ending subway ride. I'm sure the people sharing our car enjoyed it.
As if the Mets wanted to back up my point, during today's Subway Series game they played it again. Now I have no doubt--"New York Groove" sounds really great coming through big stadium speakers.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Song of the Week 5/11/07
I've been listening to the new Wilco album for almost three months now (friendships with publicists do pay off once in a while) and I'd have to rate it among their finest--and definitely the best since Summerteeth. Jeff Tweedy has written his most direct and honest songs ever, and the rest of the sextet have created sympathetic arrangements that make those simple words and phrases shine. Alas, it seems most folks (a.k.a, the ones who bent over backwards for the experimental-leaning Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost Is Born) don't seem to understand the open and tenderly optimistic vibe this album strives for. Oh well, its their loss. "What Light" is the lead track of the album, and it's opening lines seem to sum up its mission statement:
"If you feel like singing a song
And you want other people to sing along
Just sing what you feel
Don't let anyone say it's wrong."
I really hope that critics -- but more importantly -- the high and mighty music bloggers and indie geek fans come around to what is a stunning gem of an album.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Song of the Week 5/4/07
The Who - "How Many Friends"
Ever have a song just pummel you upon first listen? Where the lyrics make you sit still in one place and block out everything going on around you? And when its over you get that feeling deep in the pit of your stomach that things aren't ever going to be the same?
If so, then don't listen to this Song of the Week, cause you're not going to feel any chipper.
I had never heard The Who By Numbers all the way through until this week (I'd heard "Squeeze Box" a zillion times in my classic crock days), and after getting through "How Many Friends" I felt like a total fool for letting this album be the gap in my Who education. I'd go into an in depth discussion about songwriter Pete Townshend's mindstate in 1975 when he wrote this track, but my boss (and in-house Who expert) Ira Robbins nailed it all when we had this email conversation the day I first listened to "How Many Friends:"
SR: I'm listening to Who by Numbers for the first time ever right now, and I gotta say that this album is pretty damn good (especially "How Many Friends"). What were/are your thoughts on it?
IR: The first time I heard it was over the store system at what was the Sam Goody's across the street. I could hear it clearly, and knowing Pete's mind as well as I did then (which is to say more than now, if not very well at all), I found it absolutely heartbreaking. I recall "How Many Friends" brought a tear to my eye. I absolutely love that album (except for "Squeeze Box"). My favorite of theirs after the early ones
SR: Yeah, I always thought "Squeeze Box" was the weakest Who song that was in regular rotation on the rock station in Albany. "Slip Kid" was the only other song I knew on it. Geez, that "How Many Friends" is just a stunner when you read the lyrics on the page.
IR: Absolutely. I think he was close to suicidal.
I can only imagine. Take a peek and judge for yourself:
"I'm feelin' so good right now
There's a handsome boy tells me how I changed his past
He buys me a brandy
But could it be he's really just after my ass?
He likes the clothes I wear
He says he likes a man who's dressed in season
But no-one else ever stares, he's being so kind
What's the reason?
How many friends have I really got?
You can count 'em on one hand
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?
Suddenly it's the silver screen
And a face so beautiful that I have to cry out
Everybody hears me
But I look like a fool now
With a cry and I shy out
She knows all of my friends
But it's nice to find a woman who's keen on living
Now I think I've reached the end
I wonder in the dead of night - how do I rate?
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?
It's all like a dream you know when you're still up early in the morning
And you all sit together to watch the sun come through
But things don't look so good when you could use a bit of warning
Then you know that no one will ever speak the truth
About you
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?
When I first signed a contract
It was more than a handshake then
I know it still is
But there's a plain fact
We talk so much shit behind each other's backs I get the willies
People know nothing about their own soft gut
So how come they can sum us up
Without suffering all the hype we've known
How come they bum us up
How many friends have I really got?
Well you can count 'em on one hand
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?"
Geez, I am SO happy I didn't hear this song last May. I'd be in a looney bin right now, or perhaps worse.
Ever have a song just pummel you upon first listen? Where the lyrics make you sit still in one place and block out everything going on around you? And when its over you get that feeling deep in the pit of your stomach that things aren't ever going to be the same?
If so, then don't listen to this Song of the Week, cause you're not going to feel any chipper.
I had never heard The Who By Numbers all the way through until this week (I'd heard "Squeeze Box" a zillion times in my classic crock days), and after getting through "How Many Friends" I felt like a total fool for letting this album be the gap in my Who education. I'd go into an in depth discussion about songwriter Pete Townshend's mindstate in 1975 when he wrote this track, but my boss (and in-house Who expert) Ira Robbins nailed it all when we had this email conversation the day I first listened to "How Many Friends:"
SR: I'm listening to Who by Numbers for the first time ever right now, and I gotta say that this album is pretty damn good (especially "How Many Friends"). What were/are your thoughts on it?
IR: The first time I heard it was over the store system at what was the Sam Goody's across the street. I could hear it clearly, and knowing Pete's mind as well as I did then (which is to say more than now, if not very well at all), I found it absolutely heartbreaking. I recall "How Many Friends" brought a tear to my eye. I absolutely love that album (except for "Squeeze Box"). My favorite of theirs after the early ones
SR: Yeah, I always thought "Squeeze Box" was the weakest Who song that was in regular rotation on the rock station in Albany. "Slip Kid" was the only other song I knew on it. Geez, that "How Many Friends" is just a stunner when you read the lyrics on the page.
IR: Absolutely. I think he was close to suicidal.
I can only imagine. Take a peek and judge for yourself:
"I'm feelin' so good right now
There's a handsome boy tells me how I changed his past
He buys me a brandy
But could it be he's really just after my ass?
He likes the clothes I wear
He says he likes a man who's dressed in season
But no-one else ever stares, he's being so kind
What's the reason?
How many friends have I really got?
You can count 'em on one hand
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?
Suddenly it's the silver screen
And a face so beautiful that I have to cry out
Everybody hears me
But I look like a fool now
With a cry and I shy out
She knows all of my friends
But it's nice to find a woman who's keen on living
Now I think I've reached the end
I wonder in the dead of night - how do I rate?
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?
It's all like a dream you know when you're still up early in the morning
And you all sit together to watch the sun come through
But things don't look so good when you could use a bit of warning
Then you know that no one will ever speak the truth
About you
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?
When I first signed a contract
It was more than a handshake then
I know it still is
But there's a plain fact
We talk so much shit behind each other's backs I get the willies
People know nothing about their own soft gut
So how come they can sum us up
Without suffering all the hype we've known
How come they bum us up
How many friends have I really got?
Well you can count 'em on one hand
How many friends have I really got?
How many friends have I really got?
That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?"
Geez, I am SO happy I didn't hear this song last May. I'd be in a looney bin right now, or perhaps worse.
Derby Day 2007: Steve's Indie Scrapbook 5/5/07
Wow.
Next Derby Day, please someone remind me not to have Maker's Mark at 4 a.m. Thank you.
Here's the songs you might have heard after the guys were done rocking last night:
The Replacements - “Can’t Hardly Wait”
Soul Asylum - “Sometime to Return”
The Hold Steady - “Chips Ahoy”
Sonic Youth - “Bull in the Heather”
Guided By Voices - “I Am a Tree”
The Figgs - “Bad Luck Sammie”
Nada Surf - “Do It Again”
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians - “Flesh Number One”
The Lemonheads - “The Great Big No”
The Pixies - “Ed Is Dead”
Blur - “There’s No Other Way”
Jellyfish - “The King is Half-Undressed”
Let’s Active - “Every Dog Has Its Day”
Elvis Costello & the Attractions - “Blue Chair”
Echo & the Bunnymen - “People Are Strange”
Hoodoo Gurus - “What’s My Scene”
Teenage Fanclub - “What You Do to Me”
Sugar - “If I Can’t Change Your Mind”
Matthew Sweet - “Sick of Myself”
L7 - “Pretend We’re Dead”
Modest Mouse - “Dashboard”
Morrissey - “Suedehead”
Scruffy the Cat - “You Dirty Rat”
Buffalo Tom - “Treehouse”
The Strokes - “Under Control”
Ryan Adams - “Hallelujah”
The Pogues - “London Girl”
Talking Heads - “(Nothing But) Flowers”
Cake - “I Will Survive”
The Waterboys - “Fisherman’s Blues”
Guided By Voices - “Bulldog Skin”
World Party - “Ship of Fools”
Wilco - “What Light”
XTC - “That’s Really Super Supergirl”
Violent Femmes - “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”
Lackthereof - “What a Fool Believes”
Fountains of Wayne - “It Must Be Summer”
Ben Folds Five - “Where’s Summer B.?”
Next Derby Day, please someone remind me not to have Maker's Mark at 4 a.m. Thank you.
Here's the songs you might have heard after the guys were done rocking last night:
The Replacements - “Can’t Hardly Wait”
Soul Asylum - “Sometime to Return”
The Hold Steady - “Chips Ahoy”
Sonic Youth - “Bull in the Heather”
Guided By Voices - “I Am a Tree”
The Figgs - “Bad Luck Sammie”
Nada Surf - “Do It Again”
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians - “Flesh Number One”
The Lemonheads - “The Great Big No”
The Pixies - “Ed Is Dead”
Blur - “There’s No Other Way”
Jellyfish - “The King is Half-Undressed”
Let’s Active - “Every Dog Has Its Day”
Elvis Costello & the Attractions - “Blue Chair”
Echo & the Bunnymen - “People Are Strange”
Hoodoo Gurus - “What’s My Scene”
Teenage Fanclub - “What You Do to Me”
Sugar - “If I Can’t Change Your Mind”
Matthew Sweet - “Sick of Myself”
L7 - “Pretend We’re Dead”
Modest Mouse - “Dashboard”
Morrissey - “Suedehead”
Scruffy the Cat - “You Dirty Rat”
Buffalo Tom - “Treehouse”
The Strokes - “Under Control”
Ryan Adams - “Hallelujah”
The Pogues - “London Girl”
Talking Heads - “(Nothing But) Flowers”
Cake - “I Will Survive”
The Waterboys - “Fisherman’s Blues”
Guided By Voices - “Bulldog Skin”
World Party - “Ship of Fools”
Wilco - “What Light”
XTC - “That’s Really Super Supergirl”
Violent Femmes - “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”
Lackthereof - “What a Fool Believes”
Fountains of Wayne - “It Must Be Summer”
Ben Folds Five - “Where’s Summer B.?”
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Song of the Week 4/27/07
I never expected to see a great rock show in Washington, D.C. when I booked my bi-annual trip to see the Mets play the Nationals back in February. Yet that's exactly what I got last night at the Black Cat from Graham Parker and The Latest Clowns. Parker was supporting his fine new album Don't Tell Columbus with a star-studded lineup of Boston musicians assembled by The Figgs' Mike Gent...who played drums on Don't Tell Columbus and was filling the same slot on the tour.
(I must admit, I found it odd watching Gent behind the kit the entire time, having to be the steady beatmaster instead of the passionate lead guitarist when The Figgs have backed Parker over the years.)
Don't Tell Columbus doesn't rock as much as Songs of No Consequence, the album Parker did with the Figgs two years ago. It's more of a mid-tempo singer-songwriter affair, with a healthy dose of keyboards. With the new album in mind, Gent pulled together a fine roster of folks to bring Parker's tunes to life on this tour--Rudds guitarist Brett Rosenberg, The Gentlemen and Gravel Pit bassist extraordinaire Ed Valauskas and keyboardist Scott Janovitz. Besides the hand-picked musicians, I'm sure Gent had a little bit to do with the set that featured songs Parker hasn't played with a band in at least a decade. The keyboards allowed Parker to dip into the first album in his catalog I ever heard, 1985's Steady Nerves. "Wake Up (Next to You)" did indeed sound great (with a soaring guitar solo from Rosenberg aptly filling in for the recorded version's sax solo), but "Break Them Down" was easily the best song of the night. This tale about Christian missionaries imposing their will upon Central and South America (which seems like a thinly veiled jab at Reagan's mid-80s policy in the same areas) had slipped through my memory banks for many years until it came up one day while I was listening to the WOXY Vintage Channel. Sunday night the Latest Clowns flat out rocked this track, making me wish that the next release in Parker's official bootleg will be something from this oh too short tour.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Song of the Week 4/20/07
Feist - "1 2 3 4"
My lifelong habit of singing and humming along to songs (especially in a car by myself) is something I picked up from my aunt. While I was visiting her this weekend she was humming along to some song, so I needed to get a tune into my head to combat the noise she was making. All of sudden "1 2 3 4" popped in there...and that was it. This song was stuck in my head for two full days until I was able to pop the iPod on and give it a spin. And another. And then another.
Such a simple chorus about moving on from a crappy relationship never seemed so uplifting:
"Oh, oh, oh,
You're changing your heart.
Oh, oh, oh,
You know who you are. "
You'd have to be even more of a cold-hearted son of a bitch than yours truly not to soak in the joy of this song. And while I know every other blog in the universe has linked to this, you'd have to be dead not top having fun watching the video:
Feist, I think you've reserved a place at the top of my singles chart for 2007.
My lifelong habit of singing and humming along to songs (especially in a car by myself) is something I picked up from my aunt. While I was visiting her this weekend she was humming along to some song, so I needed to get a tune into my head to combat the noise she was making. All of sudden "1 2 3 4" popped in there...and that was it. This song was stuck in my head for two full days until I was able to pop the iPod on and give it a spin. And another. And then another.
Such a simple chorus about moving on from a crappy relationship never seemed so uplifting:
"Oh, oh, oh,
You're changing your heart.
Oh, oh, oh,
You know who you are. "
You'd have to be even more of a cold-hearted son of a bitch than yours truly not to soak in the joy of this song. And while I know every other blog in the universe has linked to this, you'd have to be dead not top having fun watching the video:
Feist, I think you've reserved a place at the top of my singles chart for 2007.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Song of the Week 4/13/07
Guster - "Two At a Time"
If you're a band playing a sold out concert at New York's Beacon Theater the night before the biggest spring rain storm in the city's history hits, how do you mark this once in a lifetime occasion? If you're a great little quartet called Guster, you pull out a an old hidden track about Noah's Ark. "Two at a Time" isn't listed on the CD of Keep It Together (it is listed on iTunes, as you can see clicking the link above), yet when I interviewed drummer Brian Rosenworcel four years ago I felt compelled to ask him about it, even if we would never use that part of the interview for work purposes. The song has a weird keyboard loop that gets it rolling and features a ton of elementary school children singing the chorus. It's just a strange and hypnotic yet very catchy song, one of the many on Keep It Together that turned me into a full-fledged fan. When I asked Brian why the song was tucked away as a hidden track he said (I'm paraphrasing here), "Hmm...a song about Noah's Ark from three Jews with a bunch of kids singing background vocals on it--you try to drop that into an album sequence." I had to admit, he had a point.
During last night's show the band was joined on a few songs by their friends violinist Tom and cellist Jody (I didn't catch their last names). The live strings sounded just about perfect on "Two at a Time." And as I stepped into the rain after a few hours of boozing it up, I couldn't help but have these lyrics in my head:
"I could see the rains a-comin'
To wash away the filth and vermin
Hand-in-hand, we'll watch them runnin"
Alas, the filth and vermin didn't include Mr. Big. I think I'll let someone else tell that story down the road.
SOTW Bonus: Here's the aforementioned strings making "Satellite" sound the best I've ever heard it:
If you're a band playing a sold out concert at New York's Beacon Theater the night before the biggest spring rain storm in the city's history hits, how do you mark this once in a lifetime occasion? If you're a great little quartet called Guster, you pull out a an old hidden track about Noah's Ark. "Two at a Time" isn't listed on the CD of Keep It Together (it is listed on iTunes, as you can see clicking the link above), yet when I interviewed drummer Brian Rosenworcel four years ago I felt compelled to ask him about it, even if we would never use that part of the interview for work purposes. The song has a weird keyboard loop that gets it rolling and features a ton of elementary school children singing the chorus. It's just a strange and hypnotic yet very catchy song, one of the many on Keep It Together that turned me into a full-fledged fan. When I asked Brian why the song was tucked away as a hidden track he said (I'm paraphrasing here), "Hmm...a song about Noah's Ark from three Jews with a bunch of kids singing background vocals on it--you try to drop that into an album sequence." I had to admit, he had a point.
During last night's show the band was joined on a few songs by their friends violinist Tom and cellist Jody (I didn't catch their last names). The live strings sounded just about perfect on "Two at a Time." And as I stepped into the rain after a few hours of boozing it up, I couldn't help but have these lyrics in my head:
"I could see the rains a-comin'
To wash away the filth and vermin
Hand-in-hand, we'll watch them runnin"
Alas, the filth and vermin didn't include Mr. Big. I think I'll let someone else tell that story down the road.
SOTW Bonus: Here's the aforementioned strings making "Satellite" sound the best I've ever heard it:
Monday, April 09, 2007
Song of the Week 4/6/07
The Hold Steady - "Atlantic City (Live)"
(pic borrowed from Fresh Bread)
It's not often I steal from myself, but what I sent in to the good folks at Stereogum about the Music for Bruce Springsteen tribute last night works just fine here:
"Overall, the gig was a snoozer (dear lord, why did someone let Kevin Bacon sing "Streets of Philadelphia") but the show's producers knew what they were doing by putting the best two performances at the end. First old folk legend Odetta came out (was wheeled out, actually) and did the best version ever of "57 Channels (and Nothing On)." And then the closing spot was our Brooklyn-via-Minneapolis guys. Not surprisingly, their version of Nebraska's "Atlantic City" was flat out amazing. Their arrangement was similar to the one Springsteen and the E Streeters used on their 99-00 reunion tour--slow through the first verse and chorus, and then exploding into a wall of sound for the rest of the song. The Springsteen fans in the audience ate it up. Craig Finn's smile and hand interpretations of the lyrics as he sang were infectious. These guys need to record that cover and put it out, maybe as a benefit for the event's charity, Music for Youth.
Then the crowd got the surprise they were waiting for with Springsteen walking on stage.
The Boss did "the Promised Land" and "Rosalita" solo acoustic then invited everyone on stage to do "Rosalita" again with the house band. He asked for volunteers to sing verses, and I felt compelled to yell out Craig's name. So he took the first verse and from my 8th row seat, I don't think I've ever seen Springsteen happier seeing someone else sing his word. Craig nailed it, and then pogoed to the side of the stage. Then as the song got to the fourth verse, Bruce called out for Craig to sing lead again. The best part was when Craig got to the line "There's a little cafe/where they play guitars all night and day," and he pointed to Bruce to do that infamous lick on the acoustic guitar. As a Springsteen and Hold Steady fan, it was a magical moment."
The Boss did "the Promised Land" and "Rosalita" solo acoustic then invited everyone on stage to do "Rosalita" again with the house band. He asked for volunteers to sing verses, and I felt compelled to yell out Craig's name. So he took the first verse and from my 8th row seat, I don't think I've ever seen Springsteen happier seeing someone else sing his word. Craig nailed it, and then pogoed to the side of the stage. Then as the song got to the fourth verse, Bruce called out for Craig to sing lead again. The best part was when Craig got to the line "There's a little cafe/where they play guitars all night and day," and he pointed to Bruce to do that infamous lick on the acoustic guitar. As a Springsteen and Hold Steady fan, it was a magical moment."
Damn, someone MUST have recorded it.
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