While I guess music videos never went away, they're not something to which I usually pay particular attention. Until today. While not all of the following are music videos, they are all videos that contain music, so work with me.
First up we have Department of Eagles with their video for "No One Does It Like You." While this album and single were both released last year, the video received it's premiere last night at MoMA where the band also played a short live set.
The next video is also from a song that is not new. In fact, "Take Pills" by Panda Bear was released off of Person Pitch back in 2007. Not too sure why the video is just coming out now, especially since Panda Bear has only been active in Animal Collective recently and doesn't even have a solo show scheduled until September. But hey, I'm not one to complain about anything this guy puts out so if he wants to release videos at random, please be my guess.
Here is where I start to get a little off topic. Last week was SXSW in Austin, Texas and from what I've read one of the best sets of the week came from the guys in Grizzly Bear. Despite the fact that a low quality of their forth coming album has been circulating the web, "Two Weeks" has been a staple in my recent playlist. Even before the leak, the live version of the song was helping the cause that this was one of my most anticipated albums of the year. Anyway the guys performed the song last week, however it was the first time the song was played with guest vocalist Victoria Legrand. You may know her as the singer of Beach House.
Finally. This is not really music related, but today the first trailer for Spike Jonze's "Where the Wild Things Are" was released today and it is soundtracked by noneother then Arcade Fire. Yes it seems as thought the band has recorded a somewhat acoustic version of their song "Wake Up" for the release of the film. Words cannot really express how excited I am for this film.
March 25, 2009
March 18, 2009
"This Song is Organic, It Contains No High Fructose Corn Syrup"**
This semester I have been taking a course entitled Edible Ideologies. We have focused largely on the way food is produced and consumed in our culture and both the positive and negative aspects. After viewing the documentary "King Corn" for class I have been greatly concerned with my intake of High Fructose Corn Syrup mainly due to the large health risks that occur with its consumption. I have notorious in my life for my soda intake and other beverages of the like. Among Coca-Cola, Snapple was a big part of my liquid consumption. However this semester I have undergone a huge effort to greatly reduce my HFCS intake as much as possible. This is not as easy as I thought since the stuff is in almost everything. However, while I was out this past weekend I looked at a beverage selection and noticed a new look to the traditional Snapple. While Snapple has always claimed to be all natural, the new label that also advertised the fact that it was made from green and black tea leaves, caught my attention. I looked closer at the bottle and the ingredients, as I have found myself doing more often, and noticed that HFCS had been replaced in fact by actual sugar. Much to my amazement I purchased a bottle and went home to do some research. While the snapple website still lists HFCS as an ingredient, I did stumble upon a New York Times article that highlighted the new direction in which Snapple was heading. Indeed, not only has Snapple revamped their outdated look, but they are now producing drinks made with actual sugar and not this chemical substitue. How refreshing! Snapple can once again be not only the official beverage of New York City, but mine as well.
*photo courtesy of The New York Times
** Conor Oberst at Radio City Music Hall November 19th, 2007
March 15, 2009
Whatever Happened to the Modern Age?
When I had the idea of moving to New York I wanted to do it for the stories. New York was supposed to be such a cool place where anything and everything could happen. In 2001 The Strokes released "Is This It?" and my world changed. I was in eighth grade and knew that New York was where I wanted to go. The classic image of the Velvet Underground, The Ramones, Television, Blondie and the rest of the CBGB's scene was reeling me in faster by the moment. Rock and Roll music was back in a new form and this era was about to be reborn. That was the year of rock. The Strokes, The White Stripes, The Hives, and the Vines were all ushering in the new sound of garage rock and it was going to save music.
Well that was 2001 and a lot has changed. The Vines dissappeared after that first album. The Hives released Tyranosaurus Hives which I still enjoyed, but they lost momentum from there. Despite what anyone says Room on Fire was still a great record, but by the time First Impressions of Earth came around the Strokes and pretty much lost their magic to me. They were badass dudes from Manhattan who wrote great songs and looked ultracool while doing it. Now it has been three years and while they state that a new album is in the works, I fear that it will not bring the same energy as their first two. I am hoping to death this is not true. Finally there is Jack White. Perhaps the decades lone rockstar. The White Stripes, while never reaching the excellence of White Blood Cells and Elephant, have continued to make good music. They bring the rock and do it with style. Jack White has the swagger and style that make a great musician. He produces new material at a rate most just dream about achieveing. In fact the man has so much he needed a sideproject, The Racontuers, to display his talent.
Aside from the lack of rock, New York has spiraled as well. CBGB's closed it's doors and John fucking Varvatos moved in. The Bowery was once a place where the ordinary man would not go after dark. It was a place where you had to watch your back. Now it has designer shopping. New York has lost it's edge. A new decade is almost upon us and we need a revitalization. I agree a safer city is best and New York is still the best place to live, I'm just asking for the spark to make it alive.
Well that was 2001 and a lot has changed. The Vines dissappeared after that first album. The Hives released Tyranosaurus Hives which I still enjoyed, but they lost momentum from there. Despite what anyone says Room on Fire was still a great record, but by the time First Impressions of Earth came around the Strokes and pretty much lost their magic to me. They were badass dudes from Manhattan who wrote great songs and looked ultracool while doing it. Now it has been three years and while they state that a new album is in the works, I fear that it will not bring the same energy as their first two. I am hoping to death this is not true. Finally there is Jack White. Perhaps the decades lone rockstar. The White Stripes, while never reaching the excellence of White Blood Cells and Elephant, have continued to make good music. They bring the rock and do it with style. Jack White has the swagger and style that make a great musician. He produces new material at a rate most just dream about achieveing. In fact the man has so much he needed a sideproject, The Racontuers, to display his talent.
Aside from the lack of rock, New York has spiraled as well. CBGB's closed it's doors and John fucking Varvatos moved in. The Bowery was once a place where the ordinary man would not go after dark. It was a place where you had to watch your back. Now it has designer shopping. New York has lost it's edge. A new decade is almost upon us and we need a revitalization. I agree a safer city is best and New York is still the best place to live, I'm just asking for the spark to make it alive.
March 1, 2009
Tokyo Police Club played Webster Hall
Not too long ago Tokyo Police Club released an EP that gave them some attention in the indie world. They gained some popularity, opened for Bloc Party and even signed to the awesome Saddle Creek. Their release "A Lesson in Crime" had some highlights and poppy riffs but nothing too groundbreaking and their show was just the same. Born Ruffians started the night off with some swift beats that kept the crowd bouncing and their unique voices gave an uplifting start to the evening. When Tokyo Police Club took the stage the crowd seemed to explode with an energy not quite reciprocated by the band or even their tunes. These guys definitely appeared to be real crowd pleasers but nothing quite to my taste. However the highlight of the evening came at the encore. During the second song TPC invited Born Ruffians back to the stage to world premeire a song that they co-wrote severl days earlier. Yet something more exciting came next. To add to the stage prescene, opening act Harlem Shakes came out to help cover the Clash's epic end to their flawless album London Calling. While the whole evening was somewhat lackluster, it is hard to walk away dissappointed when the Clash are given tribute.
*video and more photos at Brooklyn Vegan
*video and more photos at Brooklyn Vegan
February 18, 2009
Buke and Gass played Chelsea Markets
While I definitely see my fair share of live shows around the city, I do not see as many local bands as I could and should see. There are so many bands playing good music in New York every day of the week. Last night Margot, John, and I went to see Buke and Gass play a free show at the Chelsea Markets. This duo does a great bluesy folk rock show that is reminiscent of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Compared to the last time I saw them at some loft in Brooklyn, this was quite the shift. The last space (a giant loft over some industrial workshop) seemed much more their cup of tea then before the screening of and independant documentary entitled Full Battle Rattle. Their set was short and the audience was clearly there for the free beer and screening (not a bad way to spend President's Day), but these two put on a really good show. Much more of the lo-fi blusey acoustic rock seemed to come out of them from what I remember and I'm glad. Definitely an act to check out in the New York area.
February 9, 2009
Radiohead Kill the Grammys
I didn't even watch the awards this year since I haven't been impressed by them since my early high school days, but I do pay attention to pretty much all things Radiohead. Once again these guys prove why they are one of the best things out there:
Radiohead - 15 Step (feat. USC Marching Band)
And in other news, Stereogum posted this update on the new Grizzly Bear album. This is one of my most anticipated albums of 2009 and can't come out soon enough. So far we have the album title (shout out to MA!) and the (somewhat) tracklist. The new songs they played over the summer are amazing so hopefully the rest of the album will follow suit.
Radiohead - 15 Step (feat. USC Marching Band)
And in other news, Stereogum posted this update on the new Grizzly Bear album. This is one of my most anticipated albums of 2009 and can't come out soon enough. So far we have the album title (shout out to MA!) and the (somewhat) tracklist. The new songs they played over the summer are amazing so hopefully the rest of the album will follow suit.
January 13, 2009
Top Ten Shows of 2008
Unlike albums which are consistent listen after listen, live shows are consistently changing and nothing is ever the same twice. These were the best shows I saw all year based on my personal experiences. For some these shows may have been better or worse, but these were the ones that stuck out for me.
1. Radiohead - Night One of All Points West - August - New York City
My best friends and I indulged ourselves as we watched my favorite band with the Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline glowing behind us. Less than two hours later I said goodbye to my teenage years.
2. Bon Iver - St. Giles In the Fields Church - June - London
During the last week of my semester in England, in an ancient church, at sunset.
3. My Bloody Valentine - Roseland Ballroom - September - New York City
First non-festival U.S. performance in about 16 years.
4. m83 - Webster Hall - November - New York City
Sonic layers at their best.
5. Grizzly Bear - Night One of All Points West - August - New York City
Perfect blend of old goodies and new ones to come.
6. TV on the Radio - Brooklyn Masonic Temple - October - New York City
Killer horns with electric funk and their last hometown show of the year.
7. Battles - London Astoria - May - London
One of the tightest shows, rhythmically, I have ever seen.
8. Fleet Foxes - Webster Hall - October - New York City
White Winter Hymnal into Ragged Wood with Mykonos snuck in at the end.
9. Broken Social Scene - Siren Festival - July - New York City
Before the show I said if they play "7/4 (Shoreline)" it'll make my day. It did.
10. Vampire Weekend - London Astoria - January - London
Two weeks before their debut LP dropped.
1. Radiohead - Night One of All Points West - August - New York City
My best friends and I indulged ourselves as we watched my favorite band with the Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline glowing behind us. Less than two hours later I said goodbye to my teenage years.
2. Bon Iver - St. Giles In the Fields Church - June - London
During the last week of my semester in England, in an ancient church, at sunset.
3. My Bloody Valentine - Roseland Ballroom - September - New York City
First non-festival U.S. performance in about 16 years.
4. m83 - Webster Hall - November - New York City
Sonic layers at their best.
5. Grizzly Bear - Night One of All Points West - August - New York City
Perfect blend of old goodies and new ones to come.
6. TV on the Radio - Brooklyn Masonic Temple - October - New York City
Killer horns with electric funk and their last hometown show of the year.
7. Battles - London Astoria - May - London
One of the tightest shows, rhythmically, I have ever seen.
8. Fleet Foxes - Webster Hall - October - New York City
White Winter Hymnal into Ragged Wood with Mykonos snuck in at the end.
9. Broken Social Scene - Siren Festival - July - New York City
Before the show I said if they play "7/4 (Shoreline)" it'll make my day. It did.
10. Vampire Weekend - London Astoria - January - London
Two weeks before their debut LP dropped.
January 7, 2009
Top Ten Albums of 2008
Thins got busy in December including school, work, finals, seeing Neil Young, Wilco, and CSS and then the holidays and of course the start of 2009. So in order to kick this year off I'm listing my top 10 albums of 2008.
1. Portishead | Third
Portishead made one of the most daring moves of the year. They could either: return and reclaim their greatness with just replaying all of their old classics or they could attempt to put out their first album in over a decade and hope it matched the brilliance of their previous records. They took the chance and killed all odds. This album touched upon all the greatness that Portishead had left on over a decade ago and went even further. They touched everything from trip-hop on “The Rip” to industrial on “Machine Gun” and finally folkie on “Deep Water”. They took tremendous risks and never looked back, but then again how could you with a voice like that.
2. Fleet Foxes | Fleet Foxes
From the opening harmonies it was hard to deny that this was going to be one of my most listened to records of the year. Everything on it just seemed to flow together so well. The voices are pristine, the rhythms are simple, and the lyrics are touching. It’s folk rock with a southern tinge at it’s finest.
3. TV on the Radio | Dear Science
For the follow up to my favorite album of 2006, TV on the Radio left nothing to chance. Dear Science is everything I love about this band. It’s chopping, crunchy, funky, dissonant and smooth all at the same time. It’s all over the place, but in a concentrated way. They challenge you to listen closely at all they do and they pay the closest attention to detail so why doesn’t the listener?
4. No Age | Nouns
5. Deerhunter | Microcastle
6. M83 | Saturdays = Youth
7. Sigur Rós | Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
8. Beach House | Devotion
9. Vampire Weekend | Vampire Weekend
10. Santogold | Santogold
1. Portishead | Third
Portishead made one of the most daring moves of the year. They could either: return and reclaim their greatness with just replaying all of their old classics or they could attempt to put out their first album in over a decade and hope it matched the brilliance of their previous records. They took the chance and killed all odds. This album touched upon all the greatness that Portishead had left on over a decade ago and went even further. They touched everything from trip-hop on “The Rip” to industrial on “Machine Gun” and finally folkie on “Deep Water”. They took tremendous risks and never looked back, but then again how could you with a voice like that.
2. Fleet Foxes | Fleet Foxes
From the opening harmonies it was hard to deny that this was going to be one of my most listened to records of the year. Everything on it just seemed to flow together so well. The voices are pristine, the rhythms are simple, and the lyrics are touching. It’s folk rock with a southern tinge at it’s finest.
3. TV on the Radio | Dear Science
For the follow up to my favorite album of 2006, TV on the Radio left nothing to chance. Dear Science is everything I love about this band. It’s chopping, crunchy, funky, dissonant and smooth all at the same time. It’s all over the place, but in a concentrated way. They challenge you to listen closely at all they do and they pay the closest attention to detail so why doesn’t the listener?
4. No Age | Nouns
5. Deerhunter | Microcastle
6. M83 | Saturdays = Youth
7. Sigur Rós | Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
8. Beach House | Devotion
9. Vampire Weekend | Vampire Weekend
10. Santogold | Santogold
November 18, 2008
November 14, 2008
Vampire Weekend Covers The Plastic Bertrand
1. Vampire Weekend have been one of the biggest buzz bands of the year. I was lucky enough to catch them at a small venue in London this past January before they started playing much bigger places such as Terminal 5 here in NYC.
2. Back in the 80s there was an amazing French new wave band known as the Plastic Bertrand. They were pretty underground in the states, but from what I remember I think they were somewhat successful in their native France.
What do these things have in common? Well the other night in Paris VW payed homage to the new wave greats and covered their biggest single "Ca Plane Pour Moi" (a song some might remember from the movie European Vacation). Plastic Bertrand were great and I would love to see them live (reunion?) and it's so awesome to see someone pay tribute. If you're not familiar with their work I highly recommend the following: Ca Plane Pour Moi, Major Tom, Stop Ou Encore, and Asterix est La.
2. Back in the 80s there was an amazing French new wave band known as the Plastic Bertrand. They were pretty underground in the states, but from what I remember I think they were somewhat successful in their native France.
What do these things have in common? Well the other night in Paris VW payed homage to the new wave greats and covered their biggest single "Ca Plane Pour Moi" (a song some might remember from the movie European Vacation). Plastic Bertrand were great and I would love to see them live (reunion?) and it's so awesome to see someone pay tribute. If you're not familiar with their work I highly recommend the following: Ca Plane Pour Moi, Major Tom, Stop Ou Encore, and Asterix est La.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)