Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Album / Love / History / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Since I Met You
Posted by Eric Grandy on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 3:37 PM
One of the great things about all the Best of the Decade lists that have started circulatingly lately has been rediscovering records that you may have slept-on or too hastily dismissed the first time around. So it's been for me the past couple weeks with the Avalanches' sampledelic odyssey Since I Left You. Originally released in 2001, I errantly judged the record by the US single "Frontier Psychiatrist," which at the time—and recall, this was a crazy, pre-Girl Talk era in which people still enthusiastically employed the term "turntablism"—struck me as just another scratchy sample collage: a hip hop break, a big looming choral/symphonic part, a mess of spoken samples. (I also recall thinking that the video was annoying—it's in fact awesome.) And so I never really gave the record a chance.
I'd heard the album in passing in the years since—notably on a beach here in Seattle this summer—but I didn't pick up a copy and really dig into it until I saw it ranking so highly on Pitchfork and other publication's decade-end lists. Man, better late than never, I guess. (Turns out I also still really like that first Interpol album.)
So, yeah, it's an amazing album—crate digging as musical world tour, precursor of nu Balearica, etc, etc. Just the vocal on the introductory title track completely kills me. Or the chirpy dial cranking and ducking beat of "Radio." I've even really warmed to "Frontier Psychiatrist" in the context of the album, where it's pomp and chatter and humor land as not a relief but as kind of a detour from the half hour of breezy, beachy beats that precede it. I've come to appreciate the odd aleatoric effect of all those those dialogue samples (and they get bonus points for use of John Waters' Polyester).
I'm leaving on a little trip tomorrow night, and although I'm not sure how I'll be bringing my music with me—burn some CDs? buy an old, disposable iPod?—I know for sure that this record will be coming.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz "Overheard at the Record Store"
Posted by Dave Segal on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Music consumers say the damnedest things. The House of Cat site collects—and will, I hope, continue to collect—some of their LOL utterances. For example:
“This is one of those bands that, thank god no one knows about, so I can keep them private.”“I smoke outside. I don’t care about my lungs but I don’t want to ruin my records.”
Dude. Epic.
One of my favorites from when I was working at Everyday Music in the dark days of 2003-04, directed at me: "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Perry Farrell? Because you do." And then there was the EM classic, "Do you sell CDs?" No, really.
Add your own hilarious encounters in comments, if you wish.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
History / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Witchman: Inspiration for Burial?
Posted by Dave Segal on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Revisiting my Witchman records recently, I came to the realization that some of the material he was creating in the mid ’90s foreshadowed dubstep.
On his 1997 LP Explorimenting Beats and the EPs compiled on the double-CD collection Heavy Traffic, Witchman (Britain’s John Roome) fused illbient with drum & bass, forging expansive tracks that foreshadowed Burial's mournful, desolate atmospheres (but minus the soul/R&B vocal samples). See especially "Offworld" and "Amok II." And titles like "Chemical Noir," "Light at the Edge," "Post Trauma Blues, and "Heavy Mental" are redolent of Burial, too.
Sadly, no Witchman videos exist on YouTube. But the curious should seek out the aforementioned CDs or scan eBay and gemm.com for the vinyl. Witchman's work has aged well; he was a maverick during drum & bass' last really innovative phase.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Song / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Missing the Point About Veteran's Day
Posted by Dave Segal on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 2:03 PM
But what the hell, it's a great track that you should hear, and this is its 30th anniversary.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Two-Block Radius / Tonight / #1 Fan / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz If You're A They Might Be Giants Stalker...
Posted by Eric Grandy on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 1:33 PM
1/2 of the duo (John Flansburgh, foreground in the photo) just left Oddfellows accompanied by the Long Winters' John Roderick. They can't have made it much further than Rancho Bravo yet.
Quick, go ask them something quirky about science!
They Might Be Giants perform tonight at Showbox SoDo.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Classic / Television / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Ode to Cathode: The Best TV Theme Songs Ever
Posted by Dave Segal on Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Below are the greatest television theme songs ever composed, in my brash opinion. Note: I haven’t watched TV with any regularity since Twin Peaks and Cheers; there’s just been too much music to listen to and too many books to read, you know what I’m sayin’?
This is where you come in. Present your favorites in comments and fill me in on what I’ve missed over the last 16-17 years. YouTube links are welcome (however, you must register for your links to work).
Sanford & Son (composed by Quincy Jones; sampled by Diplo for M.I.A.’s “URAQT”; converted into a Baltimore club joint and remixed at least a few times)
Barney Miller (composed by Jack Elliot and Allyn Ferguson)
Dr. Who (composed by Delia Derbyshire [of White Noise] and Ron Grainer)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Take U to Da Movies?
Posted by Kelly O on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Um, best rap lyrics ever? Bangs, you cwazy.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
??!! / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz He Loved "He Loved Him Madly" Madly
Posted by Dave Segal on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 11:13 AM
There's a surprising revelation contained within the Invisible Jukebox interview with Lou Reed in The Wire's October issue. The interviewer, Alan Licht, plays Miles Davis' "He Loved Him Madly," and Reed, seemingly hearing the 32-minute threnody for Duke Ellington for the first time, nearly has a heart attack over how fantastic it is, comparing the lead-off track from Miles' Get Up With It to his own Metal Machine Music—no, really. (Reed later relates a brief meeting with Miles in which the legendary trumpeter/keyboardist complimented his snakeskin shirt. I am absurdly happy to know this encounter happened.)
The funniest part of the piece, though, occurs when Licht tells Reed the LP title, and Reed asks his "assistant" to write it down. Lou Reed has an assistant?
I encourage you to read the whole interview (I don't think it's online, so find a hard copy; Broadcast are on the cover). Lou Reed is a curmudgeon, but an eminently lovable, brilliant curmudgeon who's still voraciously curious about music at the age of 67. Plus, he's written more immortal songs than most mortals have. Recognize.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Last Night / ??!! / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz One More Thing About Craig Finn...
Posted by Megan Seling on Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:16 PM
I realized last night that Craig Finn is the adult version of the hyperactive weirdo/rad kid from the movie Spellbound. He moves like him and twitches like him and I bet if he ever talked in a robot voice, he'd sound like him too.
Right?
It makes me love them both just a little bit more.
(Photo of Craig Finn by Shawn Hinojosa, via Flickr's Creative Commons.)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Gear / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Moby's New York Studio
Posted by Grant Brissey on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 2:07 PM
This video is a serious nerd session, but I'd be pretty stoked to sit around there and play with that stuff for a while, preferably without Moby.
h/t: Chris Cairns
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Fun Game/Cuss Words
Posted by Grant Brissey on Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 10:06 AM
When I search the word "fuck" in my iTunes*, I get 43 results. When I search "shit" I get 3. I've got about 2500 songs loaded. How do you fare in this completely pointless exercise?
*substitute your preferred mp3 player.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
??!! / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Clowncore?
Posted by Kelly O on Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Who would win in a fight? Hardcore clowncore...
...the rave-accordian "hardcordian" stylings of Ed Cox? Or juggalo kings ICP*?
*On a related note, ICP has a new album and tour. The tour does NOT include Seattle.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Love / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Your Vampire Weekend-Related Post For the Day
Posted by Eric Grandy on Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 4:55 PM
- Clayton Ryan
- What, no boat shoes?
Something occurred to me over the weekend: Throw Me the Statue are the closest thing Seattle has to its own Vampire Weekend. Both bands are slightly, harmlessly preppy (with—gasp!—college educations to match), both make pretty and playful pop rock that balances wordiness and/or nerdiness with a not entirely chaste charm, both have a good ear for a hook and an arrangement, etc, etc, etc. This shared musical/aesthetic DNA is no doubt part of why I'm so fond of Throw Me the Statue.
(More on the Line Out-commenter-infuriating Vampire Weekend here and here.)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
??!! / History / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Feedback to the Future: Chicago Transit Authority's "Free Form Guitar"
Posted by Dave Segal on Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 5:09 PM
I've been meaning to tell you this for a while, but it slipped my mind. Perhaps some of you know about it already, but what the hell, here goes: Over a decade before Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo sculpted their first feedback symphony, Chicago Transit Authority's Terry Kath beat them to the idea with "Free Form Guitar" off 1969's Chicago Transit Authority (I just scored the vinyl for a buck, which is why it's fresh in my mind).
Yeah, the same group that went on to record such dentist-office fluff as "If You Leave Me Now" and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" were on some proto-Sonic Youth (hell, proto-Glenn Branca and proto-Rhys Chatham, too) shit. Even Jimi Hendrix, whom Kath was homaging with "Free Form Guitar," reportedly thought the CTA axe master was better than he was.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Overheard In the Office
Posted by Megan Seling on Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Grant Brissey (after singing the chorus to "18 and Life"): "I used to be really into Skid Row. Then I got smart and traded my Skid Row tape for a Metallica tape."
Monday, October 5, 2009
Upcoming / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Got It on Carlock: Steely Dan's Drummer Gives You Some
Posted by Dave Segal on Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Any major dude will tell you that Steely Dan hire nothing but the baddest of the badass instrumentalists when they tour or record. Sitting behind the drumkit for the Dan's upcoming jaunt in which they cover Aja and The Royal Scam in their entirety is Keith Carlock. Check out his skills in the videos below. Tight. Carlock's a fine successor to Steve Gadd, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, and Jeff Porcaro.
(You're welcome, Trent.)
Steely Dan perform Aja (plus various hits from other albums) and The Royal Scam (plus various hits from other albums) Oct. 12 and 13 at Paramount Theatre.
ht: Ryan Richter
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Classic / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz The First Cut Is the Deepest: Best Opening Tracks on Debut Releases
Posted by Dave Segal on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Listening to Neu!’s “Hallogallo” recently, it struck me that this song was an incredible way to launch one’s recording career. It also spurred me to ponder the idea of groups and solo artists bowing into the recording sphere with a sonic nuclear bomb. It’s crazy (and wonderful, too) to realize that some groups peak with the first song they issue into the world.
So below I’ve compiled some opening tracks from debut releases that qualify for that hallowed pantheon of songs that announces to the world, “Head’s up, motherfuckers! We’re gonna be important!”—which is not to say that I think every song here represents these artists’ peaks, although sometimes they do.
Just as interesting to consider is the number of classic artists whose initial efforts don’t merit inclusion here (ymmv, of course): The Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart, Black Dice, Animal Collective, Tim Buckley, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, etc.
Contribute your ideas in comments, if you’re so inclined.
*Indicates an album’s first track after what I consider an insignificant “Intro.”
Neu!- “Hallogallo” (Neu!)
Kraftwerk- “Ruckzuck” (Kraftwerk)
Funkadelic- “Mommy, What’s a Funkadelic?” (Funkadelic)
Hawkwind- “Hurry On Sundown” (Hawkwind)
Can- “Father Cannot Yell” (Monster Movie)
Roxy Music- “Remake/Remodel” (Roxy Music)
The Velvet Underground- “Sunday Morning” (The Velvet Underground & Nico)
Jimi Hendrix Experience- “Purple Haze” (Are You Experienced)
The Who- “I Can’t Explain” (I Can’t Explain 7”)
M.I.A.- “Galang” (Galang EP)
Public Enemy- “You’re Gonna Get Yours” (Yo! Bum Rush the Show!)
Mercury Rev- “Chasing a Bee” (Yerself Is Steam)
The Move- “Night of Fear” (single)
LCD Soundsystem- “Losing My Edge” (Losing My Edge 12”)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Teh Internets / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz How Fucking Lucky is Wavves to be Playing with Zach Hill?
Posted by Eric Grandy on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Catching up on the wacky Wavves vs Black Lips blood feud that's burning up the Internets has led me to an important realization: Wavves is lucky as hell to have Hella's Zach Hill as his new drummer. Just look how dude totally turns Wavves' poppy punk anthem "So Bored" into the fucking Zach Hill Animal Drums Show:
DAAAMN. Now Wavves can take all the ecstasy he wants and still sound awesome! WIN!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Dust Bin / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Nifty, Thrifty Big Dig Scores
Posted by Dave Segal on Sun, Sep 20, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Yesterday was a good day. For $36, I obtained the following nine LPs at the Big Dig Saturday at Lo-Fi Performance Gallery:
Lucifer (aka Mort Garson)- Black Mass (Amazingly, this was the record I was most hoping to find.)
Tonto’s Expanding Head Band- Zero Time (Amazingly, this was the second-most-coveted record I was hoping to find.)
James Brown- Slaughter’s Big Rip-Off
Tony Williams Lifetime- Believe It
Quincy Jones- Walking in Space
Fleetwood Mac- Kiln House
Fleetwood Mac- Tusk (2LP for $1)
Bob James- BJ4 (for $1)
Alice Cooper- Killer (for $1)
Here are the LPs that I dearly wanted, but that were out of my price range or about which I didn’t know enough to risk the gamble, but looked very intriguing:
David Axelrod- Seriously Deep
Cannonball Adderley- Soul Zodiac
Goblin- Tenebre (title track sampled by Justice on "Phantom")
Julian Priester- Polarization
James Blood Ulmer- Tales of Captain Black
Gil Mellé- Tome VI
Alice Coltrane- Universal Consciousness
Alice Coltrane- World Galaxy
You find anything noteworthy?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Album / Bumbershoot / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz This Has Absolutely Nothing to Do with Bumbershoot*
Posted by Eric Grandy on Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 4:36 PM
But, holy shit, Dookie is just un-fucking-beatable when you need a little righteous, nostalgic pop punk kick in the ass—especially the opening combination of "Burnout and "Having a Blast." Here those songs are, albeit at less than ideal audio quality (insert joke about pop punk audiophilia here):
*Sadly, because, even in 2009, Green Day would make outstanding headliners for Bumbershoot.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz In Case Anyone in 2009 Gives a Shit...
Posted by Eric Grandy on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Noel Gallagher has quit Oasis; his statement:
“It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.“Apologies to all the people who bought tickets for the shows in Paris, Konstanz and Milan.
Tough break, Milan.
Sex / MP3 / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz I Got an MP3 Powered Vibrator in the Mail Today!
Posted by Kelly O on Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Those sassy pants over at Babeland, my #1 all-time-favorite-sex-toy-store-in-the-world, um, they sent me a new toy:
DJ your orgasm with the fabulously innovative Freestyle, from our friends at OhMiBod. Freestyle is the world’s first music-responsive vibrator combining state-of-the-art technology, ease of use, and unparalleled satisfaction; just hook it up to your iPod/iPhone/mp3 player/home audio system, and thrill to the rhythmic vibrations your favorite bump-and-grind music provides (or set it on manual to use like a regular vibrator). The wireless controls, shower-friendly insertable body, and 25-foot remote range liberate you to dance, gyrate, and come closer to the music than you’ve ever come before. And when you’re done exploring the seven programmed vibration patterns (adjustable independently from intensity with simple controls), just plug it in for two hours to recharge for up to five hours of continuous use. Perfect for the techie or music lover in your life!
They wondered if I might like to test it out before tomorrow's in-store event, "Sex and Rock N Roll", 8/29, from 3-6 pm, at Babeland, Capitol Hill. Problem is, I can't decide on a song. Please help!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Post For Ellie Greenwich (and Parenthetical Girls, and Modest Mouse)
Posted by Eric Grandy on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Recently, I was arguing with a loved one about the self-evident awesomeness of Modest Mouse. This loved one was trying to dis the band for a variety of wrong-headed reason, one of which was that Modest Mouse should be judged harshly due to the countless crappy indie rock bands they've ostensibly inspired. Obviously, though, you can't hold an artist responsible for what future generations of artists do with their art (why, without the Beatles, none of this crap would've happened!), right?
What made me think of this argument today was not Bumbershoot, which Modest Mouse are headlining this year, but songwriter Ellie Greenwich, who passed away today at the age of 69, and who can only really be held responsible for one of the following songs:
People will do all kinds of things with pop music history.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Politics / Teh Internets / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Mike McGinn - Bigger than Mad Rad?
Posted by Eric Grandy on Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Monday, August 24, 2009
RIP / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Michael Jackson's Death Ruled Homicide
Posted by Eric Grandy on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 3:05 PM
The AP reports:
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press, a finding that makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the doctor who was with the pop star when he died on June 25.
Most Commented on Line Out
-
Local Hardcore Band's New T-Shirt Celebrates Alleged Cop Killer by Megan Seling
-
Helms Alee Out, Git Some In by Megan Seling
-
Also Tonight in Music: Seattle Rock Orchestra Play Arcade Fire's Funeral by Megan Seling
-
The Fall: "Reformation": Or How Drunk Is Mark E. Smith? by Grant Brissey
-
The Moondoggies: Speed Metal>Skynryd by Trent Moorman
-
The Seattle Rock Orchestra Does the Arcade Fire by Megan Seling
-
"Overheard at the Record Store" by Dave Segal
-
The Pixies Play Doolittle at the Paramount by Eric Grandy
-
Very Regrettable Band Photos by Dave Segal
-
RIP Jared Sletager by Megan Seling
RSS
Facebook
Twitter