Music
Connecting with fans is what makes some bands stand out as great live bands. The Arcade Fire is one such band as goes farther than any other to bridge the gap between the band and their audience. They actually get rid of this barrier. Here's the proof:
Take the test for yourself. And yes, that was my actual score. Honestly!
10.0: Must be Radiohead
9.5-9.9: Great enough to play on your college radio set
9.0-9.4: Try playing this one on your guitar all night in your dorm room
8.5-8.9: The CD is pretty good but runs the risk of becoming mainstream
8.0-8.4: You should buy any green washed out retro t-shirts by this band
7.5-7.9: Good enough for maybe a sticker on your guitar case
7.0-7.4: Decent enough to talk about in the coffee shop
6.0-6.9: Needs more white guitarists with black-rimmed glasses
5.0-5.9: Might be good for a fratboy band, those neanderthals
4.0-4.9: Reviewer couldn't find any Cloves before writing and was angry
The summer is in full swing now and with three days left before holidays, I am determined to at get some sort of tan this summer. On that note, I will be cutting back all internet use to the bare-bones until after labour day. I will only be using the net for email, school and necessary searches/work. No RSS Feeds, Blogs, Google News, CBC, NY Times - I might even cut out Pitchfork!
Before I stop blogging for a few weeks, I'll give a quick update on things going on with me or catching my attention. Here goes the categorical list:
Music
Best Album of the Summer (so far): The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Plagiarism is tempting at this time of year.
Actually, that's a lie. However, that is not to say I have not
imagined that "wouldn't it be nice" scenario about term papers more
than a few times...
Rather than plagiarize academically, I'll do it here where it doesn't
matter. I've got to keep this thing chugging along somehow in the
midst of a scary school workload! Enjoy the Pitchfork review of the
new (NEW!!) Radiohead (RADIOHEAD!!) in all of its bootlegged glory.
Rick
Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood
[ft. the Nazareth Orchestra]: "Arpeggi"
genre: rock/IDM
On Sunday, Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke performed a song called "Arpeggi" backed by the Nazareth Orchestra. By Tuesday, thanks to rabid Radiohead fans and a bevy of YouSendIteers, this performance was available to, and heard by, anyone who could click a mouse. There's something amazing and crass about the way an unreleased demo or an album advance or a live track can be downloaded and uploaded and passed on to an exponentially expanding circle of strangers. In some cases, taking advantage of this unbounded access is like seeing your parents put Christmas presents under the tree for the first time.
Alright, since In Medias Res is playing tonight, I thought now would
be a great opportunity to pass this link along:
http://www.amoaudio.com/media/
These files are all off of AMO Audio's site. A bunch of you might
remember Adam and Matt from high school; this is their home-recording
studio's site. Apart from the 30 second demos, The new redone version
of "Idee Fixe" is great and the full version of "We Are Everywhere" is
a good listen. The song always stuck out to me when they played it
Alright,
First, thanks for all the Sabbath feedback, I'm enjoying it. Klammer,
you weren't kidding around about that Stars album! I'm loving the
retro keys, strings and the female vocals aren't hurting either.
Next, today's issue features Damien Jurado, who just so happens to be
playing with the always interesting In Medias Res. The show is at
Trinity of all places. There are a bunch of us going already, so if
you like what you hear, tag along. "Lion Tamer" and "Letters and
Drawings"(thanks Jer!) are attached.
Lastly, Thursday heads off what could easily become a concert binge if
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in
it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."
Genesis 2:3, KJV
This is my Sabbath Issue. And I'm not talking about the Ozzy Osbourne
kind. I'm taking this issue of "MP3 March" (or was that April?...)
off and leaving the music to you, oh faithful readers.
Here is your simple assignment: Send me some music that you are into
that might not be common knowledge. This could be links, MP3's, band
While Iron & Wine is fairly well known within the crowd that I am
sending these emails out to, I don't think that any of you have have
yet to hear anything of his new EP, the Woman King.
Like his previous three releases, the sound has slowly evolved and
stretched. This release still maintains the warm feel of the last
albums but adds much instrumentation and layers. The layered
percussion would seem at home on a Simon and Garfunkel record (think
of Cecelia or Mrs. Robinson).
Although evolving, I find the EP to be a bit of a rehash of previous
I'm in the middle of a big assignment that must be done in the next 20
hours, so I really don't have time to send much.
However, today's song is extra special. Hot off the press (ie. this
hasn't even been out a day) is Dave Matthew's Band's new single
"American Baby". I haven't had much time to digest it yet, although
it is obviously a departure from earlier albums.
Right now, my gut is telling me that they should have stuck with Steve
Lillywhite producing. I'll let you guys have the final opinion.
