I feel slightly depressed when I read rosters like this. Sad, because half of these bands are great in their own respect, but will be (un)patiently watched in anticipation for...things like Ke$ha and relatively irrelevent Hanson. I understand the placement of MGMT on there (even though I've heard they were begged to play), I understand the eternal presence of Girl Talk. Hell, I can even find some hope in Kevin Devine playing. On the other hand, is it too much to ask for a lineup that actually reflects the audience?
I mean, Emmure stuck between a DJ (what?) and years-late mindfuck band that sounds like it's at a high school talent show covering Taking Back Sunday (and then breaks off into epileptic, anachronistic musical directions forty times in a three minute span)? What? What is this? We Came As Romans have a large enough fanbase to get them on a festival? Why isn't nevershoutnever! (is that even how it's written anymore?) one of the first performers? Guy's got like 9 gazillion fans. This doesn't make sense to me. I feel old.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Inspired by Alanah, I thought it might be nice to compile my own list of 2009 favourites. I haven’t been as actively seeking out new music as I normally do, but I’ve still discovered some gems.
THE XX - ISLANDS
This is one of my favourite songs ever. I especially love the man’s voice (I have no idea which of the two male members sings). It’s one of those voices that make me weak at the knees. When I first found this song I just listened to it over and over and over again and it never gets any less beautiful. Despite that I can’t seem to get into their other songs. CRYSTAL FIGHTERS – XTATIC TRUTH
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song. This band is so unlike anything else I’ve heard, they’ve got such a unique sound. The lyrics are amazing and their bleak depression contrasts beautifully with the upbeat music.
THE DRUMS – LET’S GO SURFING
It took me quite a while to give this band a chance because I tend to be mistrustful of hyped bands, but I’m so glad I caved in and listened to some of their songs. This is by far my favourite, because it reminds me of a range of great sixties music and it just makes me feel happy and in the mood for some dancing. Also, nothing beats a running video.
CROCODILES – SUMMER OF HATE
To me, this is again a total throwback to the sixties. I’m usually not the biggest fan of noise, but I will gladly make an exception for Crocodiles. I love nearly all of their songs, which rarely happens.
To be completely honest, I’m mainly listening to electro and classical these days. It’s quite hard to find videos to that kind of music though.
Best of 2009? I guess this is one of those lists. No Girls, I watched them in Rough Trade one time and it was a bit ehhhh. No XX, although I do own one of their singles (50p in a bargain bin in Manchester... and I still haven't listened to it. Embarrassing.) Cold Cave? I want American Nightmare back more than ever. La Roux? Ugh. This isn't really a best singles, best albums, sort of list. Just what summed up music for me this past year.
We were in this freezing cold film set/warehouse for a good 7 hours. Most of that time was spent watching my sister and her friends get pissed, racing chairs down a hallway, and hanging out in a fake police station. About 45 minutes of this time was actually doing any work. Such a good time though. None of the crowd shots in this are remotely faked, in fact a lot of the time the director had to calm everyone down. Hate on them all you want, Cancer Bats are the best dudes and this video sums up everything I miss about seeing them.
Blur FINALLY reuniting? WITH GRAHAM? Seeing them in London after not living in the country for 12 years? Probably the best night I could have asked for, to be honest. Not only did I get to hear all the songs I could possibly want to (going as far back as She's So High) but it was just like seeing them in their prime. They were jumping around with smiles on their faces, almost as big as my own. It looked straight out of any live footage I've seen from the mid 90's. Plus, Alex James still had that cig hanging out the side of his mouth and was STILL bopping the exact same way he did over a decade ago. With pretty much the same haircut.
Like most of the world, I have been won over. I actually properly loved Pokerface, but it was this video that opened my eyes to the artist, and how bonkers she really is. Plus, like the previously mentioned, the song is by all means, a TUNE. Not to mention the lyrics are borderline psychotic. Wait, borderline? They're simply mad. Bad Romance may be one of the best music videos in the last five years, but Paparazzi opened the doors to letting Gaga truly be Gaga.
It would be really easy to fill this whole list with just bands from London. After all, they make up a large majority of the overall music I've been seeing and hearing this year. Seeing as I live in London now, that's a bit obvious. Oddly enough though, of all the hype and names I've heard about in the years building up to moving over here, Hatcham were not one I really paid attention to. In fact, it wasn't until late summer when a friend of mine played their record in her DJ set. To their dismay, when they walked in five minutes after. Then I caught their set at 1234, it was one of the few highlights of a pretty washed out day. I don't know what it is, but they've got something really special going on. This is their most recent video, and it's probably my favourite track of theirs so far.
I still love this band. The first time I came down to London was to see them. The gossip, the critics, the hate from those who once worshiped them- it's all taken too seriously. This community is a bit weird, in that sense. I do admit though, sometimes I miss the days when they looked like cartoons...
I love the Strokes, have since their early days. For some reason, it always takes me ages to actually pay attention to anyone's solo projects. Julian Plenti? Aw, I should probably get around to that one. Julian Casablancas came to mind in a clothing shop of all places. I remember being pissed off because all the shoes were made of leather and the ones that weren't were too small. Trivial things. Anyway, this song came on. I felt like I had heard it before, but not really. It's one of those sort of sounds. He's borrowing about a million sounds but with a voice like his, it's hard to mistake who it is. The whole album sounds like he's gone a bit Wendy Carlos. And I love Wendy Carlos. That synth line is epic. Well done. Side note: Does Julian actually age? He's been around for almost ten years (holy shit) and he looks just as young. Side note 2: I'm way late on this, but he also contributed to THE BEST CHRISTMAS SONG IN YEARS. Covering an SNL sketch? AMAZING.
People think my Gaga obsession is a bit off, but personally this one surprised even myself. I mean, I've never HATED Kasabian. In fact, I used to love them. Especially Tom Meighan. Or Serge. I'm not picky. I mean. Anyway, what I mean is that they've got a bit of a bad taste in the fact that they're absolutely everywhere here. They're typically seen as a total lad's band, but behind the swarms of festival boozers and Gallaghers of the world, there's hints of "psychadelica, yeah?". Plus every interview I've read with them has been some of the funniest nonsense I've read. Points for that. Fuck it, I'm not even going to try and defend this. They write TUNES. TUNE. TUNE TUNE. Innit.
I have been talking about these shows to a friend recently. Surprisingly, in completely positive manner. I used to resent the music scene back in Ontario, but there's something I miss about it.
I am somewhere up front in all of these, which was always a bit out of character for me to do. Plus, especially in the first one, I can pinpoint so many friends I know. The best part of the last video is when the person shooting it goes "underwater" (when everything goes black due to 500 kids trying to pile on him). I was actually just to the left of this shot, I'm probably in it at some point. I remember it specifically because I had been hoisted against my will onto the stage and remained there for the rest of the set. It hurt to a ridiculous extent, but it was fun. This was just over a year ago now. It sort of sums up how the best shows went for me in London, Ontario. Most of the local scene became pretty pathetic over the last few years compared to say, 2005-2006. 90% of the bands that came around sounded exactly the same, most of the venues closed down, and the ones that stuck around had the worst sound you could imagine. When it was good though, it was the best times. All the same, I was pretty desperate to finally get out of there and be surrounded by new sounds, music that I would appreciate a lot more. As fun as all these shows were, there were only a handful of bands I actually enjoyed musically. I've found it here, but only to a point. Within a sea of copycats and pretentious nature, I have met the most passionate musicians I ever have. The unfortunate thing is that I'm barely able to say the same thing about the audience. Back in Canada, the GREAT shows only made up a small percentage of the events happening in the area. Since living here, I have been going to see amazing bands on quite a regular basis. But there's no community in this crowd. Or at least, I still need to find it.
Alright, in an attempt to keep this beast alive and breathing (switch that order around, perhaps), I'll review the Monsters of Folk show I went to.
Anyone who has ever discussed music with me knows that I love Bright Eyes. Fuck, if you saw my first Last.fm (or the second, for that matter), you knew that the 3000+ playcount of Oberst-related material was an indication that I love me some Saddle Creek. Hell, half the stuff I've posted on here is related to Conor Oberst. Still, I had yet to see him (much to my displeasure, because I believe I would've made the Cassadaga tour if I wasn't 16 and had an exam the next day), so I jumped (literally) at the chance to see him with Monsters of Folk. Imagine my joy when I found out that they weren't just playing the songs from their self-titled album, but solo sets were intermingling with covers and their collective material. Imagine my joy when I read reviews from previous dates telling me that they sounded harmoniously insane, ridiculously good together, and put on amazing performances. I NEARLY SHAT MYSELF, OKAY? There, now it's out there.
I arrived at Massey Hall 15 minutes before showtime, only to see a fairly empty theatre. As it turns out, they started at 8:18 (not 8, so to hell with you, punctuality!) and opened with 'Baby Boomer', which is a gloriously knee-slapping number that showcases the entire band's individual talents. Segue into another song before M. Ward took the stage alone to play 'One Hundred Million Years' from this year's impeccable Hold Time, which gave way to Post-War's 'Chinese Translation'. Side note: this is my favourite song off that album, which already was/is one of my all-time favourites...so picking from that lyrically astounding bunch is like, I don't know, choosing between pears and grapes. Needless to say, I was elated. M. Ward's voice is this smoky drawl that sounds beautiful in any format; imagine early Tom Waits with a bit of butter. I have previously said it's like chocolate, and it really is.
More MOF songs, and then Jim James and Conor Oberst came out to sing 'I Will Be There When You Die'. I had a feeling it was a My Morning Jacket song (and no, I'm not familiar with their catalogue and don't particularly plan on becoming acquainted), but it was beautiful. Sad and poignant, James was possibly close to crying by the end. Either that, or it was the drugs - apparently a border guard let him into their confiscated drug room and said, "Take your pick!" More MOF songs, then Conor did his bit. Oh lord, I swooned. His voice has gotten stronger as the years have gone on - he's not the 13 year old kid singing on cassette anymore, but the warble and nasal edge that made him the "Dylanesque singer-songwriter" came out at the perfect moments during his little solo set; he covered all the right bases, from I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning's 'We Are Nowhere and It's Now' (the performing of which excused the fact that it was featured on the Knocked Up soundtrack, of all fucking places), a gloriously upbeat version of 'At the Bottom of Everything', the personal and profound (I sound like a twat) 'Lenders in the Temple' from his self-titled album, as well as a complete and delicious surprise: 'Kathy With A K's Song (Love Is Real)'. As far as I know, that last one is rarely performed live, and the fact that it was only just rehearsed in the dressing room before the show made it that much more incredible. I fanboy'd a bit and cheered...along with the other Bright Eyes fans recognizing it. All three of them.
Not being a fan of My Morning Jacket had me feeling skeptical about Jim James' solo bits, particularly because I know he's vocally adept but I wasn't about to applaud music I'm not crazy about. I don't know though, he managed to sway me. There were more than a few touching moments during his songs, and he has a range that impressed me. When they all came back out for their encore after ten minutes of standing ovation, he breezed through 'His Master's Voice' (easily the second best song on the MOF album, in my opinion, right after 'Temazcal') and even though they're a folk band...the crescendo into a crashing, plausible wall of sound was welcome end to a beautiful night.
Where to begin? There's a considerable gap between this post and the last one - over two months, at that. A lot happens in two months.
I'll take the opportunity to say that I'm not particularly sure if I like university, as I find myself enjoying everything besides it much more. Of course parties are usually more fun, as are excursions to the market and participating with a shadow cast to Rocky Horror, but the pedantic mediocrity that has become my schedule is wearing me out to the point of annoyance. I was consdering dropping out for a bit there. I whole-heartedly intend on getting involved in the things about my school that interest me: there's a rather kitschy newspaper that reads a lot like this blog, for example, and I suppose joining a task force of sorts for, I don't know, homeless people or kittens would be a good occupant of my time. I keep meaning to do something productive, but then I go outside. Then again, half of my time AT school is spent trying not to laugh at the people I'm in class with - as usually, within one class, there's such a hilarious spectrum of intelligence that it's more educational to watch the resulting dynamics as opposed to, say, reading Shakespeare (again). Example: a course I'm taking on critical writing has the very typical airhead blonde girl who's incredibly fast at sending texts from her iPhone. Politely put, that's where her speed ends. She ain't so bright, and on occasion, her interjections to the class conversations visibly irritate the Bitch United (as I fondly call them, because I think they're fascinating). The Bitch United being these two girls who sit together all the time and cross their arms and, as often as they can, make references to their gender's historical oppression and sneer at any general comment they deem st00pid. Actually, I just made the name Bitch United up, but they are bitchy. Funny bitchy, and they do always sit together. My second theory is that they're lovers, and there's more than a few kids in the class who feel the tension. Maybe it's anger, maybe it's lust, maybe it's an oncoming case of swine flu.
Anyway, there's been lots to do in Toronto. But that's for later, or another blog.
Oh my goodness. It's the Radio Says. Like that weird friend you have that you don't think about often enough to keep in proper contact with but you can't quite shake and only call up when you're horrendously bored. I used to complain about being that friend in high school. Hooray for run on sentences though!
Anyway, here's my version of the list Ben JUST POSTED. THE LIST THAT MADE SUMMER 2009.
1. BIG BROTHER: Oh yes, that little thing that everyone says they hate but actually watch just as obsessively as I do. It's the tenth series, and actually the first of the UK version that I have ever seen. It's the most ridiculous thing I have ever witnessed--- stalkers, wanking, nudity, contestants breaking out of the house, dressing up as aliens and lots of yelling. Brilliant. 2. BLUR: I finally got to see my favourite band, play my favourite songs. In LONDON. In the summer. Perfect. 3. LONDON: I live in one of the most notorious neighbourhoods that isn't Brixton. Still, I love everything about this place. 4. FREE SHOWS: I'm pretty poor. The only show I've had to pay for this year has been Blur. Otherwise, I've been very lucky and extremely greatful. 5. ROSIE: She probably won't read this, but best room mate ever. In fact probably one of the nicest people I have met in years, genuinely. Lesson learned these past few months- FINDING OUT JUST HOW FAR I CAN STRETCH MY FUNDS: I swear I managed to live off £1.28 for an entire two weeks. Thanks, Sainsburys. Worst thing ever- SLUGS: No. Stepping on slugs barefoot takes the cake. That's what I get for repeatedly walking into the kitchen without turning the light on. I have learned. In fact, there are three in there right now. Don't ask me why this is a common occurance, though. Song of the summer- LADY GAGA "PAPARAZZI": Anyone who can listen to this all the way through and not find anything they like about it is blatently ignorant to brilliantly crafted pop music. Plus, she's bonkers and I love the crazies. Gaga, I salute you.
I am moving soon, and I guess that's reason enough to post. I was debating on whether or not I should just write a list of quotes from the summer; working at camps for individuals with developmental disabilities and diabetes led to some rather notable one-liners. Or, I could brag about an rather excellent cache of vinyl that I stumbled upon the other day (well, week)...which brings me to one of the original purposes of this blog (because I suppose we had a postulated agenda at some point): Destroyer's Bay of Pigs EP is rather excellent, although it could be the weather, or the mood I'm in, or sheer happiness at being able to use my record player again.
I had something lovely to say here, and I'm forgetting it all. Here's a list to pass the time:
TOP THINGS OF THE SUMMER THAT ARE SOMEWHAT RELATED IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
1. SKINS. Seriously, it was once described (by an actually-British nurse who cared for me while I had the flu) as "the O.C. with actual drugs and real problems...like Vicky Pollard's imagination". Television on the laptop is always a good thing. 2. Rachel Getting Married. Without getting too excited, I haven't been so pleasurably numb after watching a movie in a long time. Move the fuck over, Kate Winslet. 3. The OneTouch <> Insulin Pump. The joys of camp for diabetics included, for me at least, testing a brand-new insulin pump. My street cred is going nowhere as a result, but who can say they were one of the first people in the world to try one out?* 4. ICE CREAM. 5. Harry Potter. Thankfully, the second driest book in the series translated well. Of course they left stuff out, of course DanRad is an awful actor, and of course Ginny is a dank. At least Hermione's not gasping every time she opens her mouth. The more forced laughter, the better! 6. Uh..
I'll get back to this eventually. Not that he;s an afterthought, but it just doesn't seem right for me to do a tribute post to Michael Jackson. I mean, it would go: header, Michael Jackson Tribute, David Carradine Memorial, random post about an Elton John concert I went to, and another post noting a particular, veering car.
That's all for now.
* I was on a saline solution, bot actual insulin. Camp wasn't THAT fun.
It is with great sadness that I must write about the passing of a legend. In fact I've already made an appreciation post about him some time back. David Carradine, kung fu legend, actor, BILL, has passed away while filming in Thailand. I am absolutely devastated. I can't remember the last time I actually screamed when I find out such news. I'm not even going to comment on how it happened, why or whatever. Nothing has been confirmed. I am just utterly gutted.
Is it wrong of me to be slightly disappointed that Elton John can't hit the nasally falsetto that makes "Oh, but they're weird and they're wonderful" such a memorable lyric? Is it wrong of me to be kind of dismayed that he cannot hit anywhere near the notes he once could - albeit that he still can perform for over an hour non-stop?
I don't know, Billy Joel was more impressive. Then again, I (still) remember the words to We Didn't Start The Fire, and to end the concert with the entire arena singing Piano Man...well, the bitch can go back for all I care.
B-B-B-BENNIE AND THE JETSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSO this blog is not dead. Not yet.
