A couple photos of mine were used in Saturday's Wall Street Journal (both online and in print). There were from a Cloud Cult concert here in Minneapolis and have been among my most requested photos (the band uses them on their site, too).
Radiohead has released the pieces and parts (or stems) of their song Nude on iTunes iTunes Store URL you can remix the song however you wish and submit it to a contest at RadioheadRemix.com (more than 400 so far). If you buy all 5 stems by the 8th of April you will be given access to download special GarageBand project file to make it easier to get started.
It was hard to take the latest blaspheme hurled in the Beatles direction with American Idol contestants, by and large, butchering Beatles songs for two straight weeks. Sure there were some standouts such as Brooke White's rendition of Let It Be, Carly Smithson's version of Come Together, A Day In the Life and Across the Universe by Michael Johns, and Yesterday by Syesha Mercado but nearly all the other performances were bizarre? What do all those songs have in common? They are good. Hello? Why pick the crappiest Beatles songs to sing? If I Fell, Michelle, I Should Have Know Better, Day Tripper, The Long and Winding Road, She's a Woman, Back in The U.S.S.R., and Eight Days a Week are all terrible.
I've Just Seen A Face (Chikezie) and You Can't Do That (Amanda Overmyer) are two possible exceptions, as I thought they took poor songs and at least made them interesting.
Almost without variance the judges and the call-in voters like performances more if they like the songs being sung. That is why there are cover bands. That is also why, according to the Guinness Book of Records, "Yesterday" has the most cover versions of any song ever written. The song remains popular today with more than 3000 recorded cover versions.
As I sit in the office today listening to the songs I have heard thousands of time before, I am reminded of how good the Beatles were and how good their music still is. Here are a few achievements, feats, and fact from various Wikipedia entries on the Beatles and their music:
More from Wikipedia:
List of All Beatles Songs including composer, initial performers etc.
I could spend a lot of time trying to figure out what songs are being referenced by the charts at the Song Chart Flickr group pool. Now so can you. The image at right is my simple submission. Some are much harder to figure out. Most are much more clever.
On Monday night Jena and I took my Dad to see Rain: The Beatles Experience, or less cryptically, a Beatles tribute band. Year's ago I had the opportunity to see Paul McCartney in concert thinking that was as close as I would ever come to seeing my favorite band live. Turns out Rain is a hell of a lot closer than I thought possible.
Joey Curatolo is amazing as Paul. There was never a moment when he was off, from melodies and more guttural sounds to the banter between songs. Just about the only flaw I could find was that John played guitar left-handed and so it was a little weird seeing him up there playing with a right-handed guitar. Joe Bithorn (aka George) was also great. George Harrison doesn't get to sings as much but there were still some great songs, with the stand-out being While My Guitar Gently Weeps, in which he is also wonderful during the longest and most difficult guitar 
solo to appear in a Beatles song. John and Ringo were performed well, but Steve Landes (aka John) and Ralph Castelli (aka Ringo) had perhaps more difficult tasks. John's vocals changed so much from the early years through to the end that I imagine (no pun intended) it would be hard to be dead-on throughout (though he was mostly on - Come Together being perhaps the weakest in the set). As for Ringo, with only one vocal part, and only drums, it is hard to tell how accurate Castelli's renditions are - though there was certainly nothing that came to mind.
Due to the no photography policy at the Orpheum for this show, I only had my little point and shoot with no flash. Needless to say the photos I got were not good. Luckily Flickr user hddod has come through with the wonderful photos included in this post of a show in England.
You can buy and download the new Cloud Cult album Feel Good Ghosts at their site now. They are doing a lot of touring in the next few months so there will probably be a show near you soon.
If you are going to be at SXSW next week you can catch one of their six scheduled shows there. For those in or around Minneapolis, you can catch up with them at their CD release party on Tuesday, April 8 at the Electric Fetus, where they will also play a free, short acoustic set or see them at First Avenue on April 26th.
And now for your viewing and listening pleasure Cloud Cult playing at the 89.3 The Current studios last year:
Perhaps this one of him doing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody is more famous/impressive but I just liked the one above because I liked how well farting hand noises can approximate Axel Rose's vocal stylings, plus the guitar solo is pretty amazing/good for duck hunting.
Where it took about 4 hours for me to beat Guitar Hero III on Easy, Medium took a couple nights this past weekend - a couple of nights and something I call note triage - to pass. The most difficult songs for me on this level were Slayer's Raining Blood (which I skipped until the end) and Metalica's One (which I played for about 45 minutes straight one night before giving up) The next night I beat it on the first time through using my new strategy of triaging notes - or just choosing any three notes for the toughest sections of the songs and ignoring the fourth. You can do this on virtually any song (like Raining Blood)
Like Jason, I find that Medium is exceedingly difficult because of my pinky's level of coordination and uselessness. I don't think I can, or will be able to move up a level and play with any success. And while I felt a bit like that after playing my first two easy songs, I don't want to memorize the notes. My favorite song to play is actually one of the hardest in the game (and longest): DragonForce's Through The Fire And Flames. If you can fight through the fatigue that can set in it is actually pretty fun, despite it's cheesiness. This dude makes it look pretty easy - check his concentration!. Playing it on Guitar Hero is pretty impressive but check out the actual video of it being playing in "real life". And just look at all that hair. Dang.
On another GH3 Note: This hacked together "Scratch Blaster" is pretty cool - though it really should have a different game to go along with it.
After I go down to hear Horst Rechelbacher speak at the Social Capital Collective meeting tonight, I will be headed out to the Vita.mn One Year Anniversary "Concert Event" at the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown (Minneapolis). I saw Cloud Cult there months ago and it was a great show so I am excited that they are back. I am also interested to see Doomtree, First Communion After Party and DJ Espada as well. It should be a fun, busy night.
In the interview Butler addresses why he smashed his guitar on Saturday Night Live a couple weeks ago (it was cutting him and he hated it) and speaks about society and religion today (not to mention how much being a kid sucks). He sounds smart and thoughtful and it goes a long way to helping me forget the smashing of the guitar - plus I really love their new album Neon Bible and their show a couple years ago was among the top 2 or 3 concert experiences of my life..
Here is something he told the interviewer at the very end of the interview that strikes a chord with me because it captures a big part of why I am so angry with the way things are going in our country and in me.
When you read Martin Luther King's speeches about Vietnam, it could be today. Just change the word, and you're talking about the exact same situation. We're basically causing spiritual death in our country by doing what we're doing. At a certain point, you become morally unable to do good in the world, because the country gets so cynical and depressed, there isn't the force of will to try and change things. I definitely feel that in my generation, this kind of fatigue. And I feel that myself. You've got to fight it.
Last night I watched the last episode of the TV series, The OC and afterward, felt is was time for a more personal diary-like post here on Alt Text; a post where I get to provide a bit of a window into my soul, however embarrassing that may be. It has been a while and that isn't good.
Yesterday, I was quite surprised to hear that the series was ending. Not only that, but the series finale was on that night. Now, I haven't watched The OC in a while - at least two or three seasons - but I will admit that it made its way into, an albeit guilty, region of my heart. Yes, despite being the type of cheesy, teen drama that I so often ridiculed I couldn't stop myself from caring about these (mostly) rich Orange County residents, many with very few redeeming qualities. I could try to play it cool now and say that I like the show for the hot girls and great soundtrack* , but the truth is, it was more than that. Mind you not much more, but in almost every episode I saw, there were moments of honesty and emotion that seemed so very contradictory to the backdrop and to the personalities of the characters.
Like so much of seasons' past, however, the finale had many gag worthy moments, actually many more than the average episode. This is due in part because the show, more even than it usually did, mocks itself mercilessly. The writers and creators of The OC know what it is. They know they aren't creating art. That is part of the reason they ended the show after 5 seasons (undoubtedly another part is ratings drops though I haven't checked into that). They understand that the show is cheesy and, for most viewers over 18 (a vast majority) a guilty pleasure.
In this, the final episode, the ridiculous builds upon the plain stupid toward the crescendo ending that isn't. Part of the plot supposed the viewer feel sorry for this wealthy family because their mansion on the ocean is deemed unsalvageable after an earthquake. They even cut to each family member's face as this news is delivered, creating the ultimate in cheese. Other plot points, try to draw out drama from whether a serial adultery and marry-er decides to marry her second 60 year old, husband, or the guy who player Hercules in that UPN show of the same name. Clichés and inside jokes fly out of the character's mouths for about 40 more minutes until they they settle into a series of flash-forwards to see what becomes of our heroes and heroines. All of this is quite predictable and rather boring until, in classic OC style (if not somewhat predictable as well), in the last scene the troubled kid from the wrong side of the tracks (who is now all growed up) is leaving his job site and sees a kid who was just like himself when The OC began. He knows where he is and he asks him if he needs help. This moment, too, is high on sappiness, but, with the music in the background and the history I have with this show, I can't help but feel good about it and even though I gave up watching years ago, I couldn't help but mourn a little for the loss of The OC. Just knowing it was there has been a comfort to me I guess. Ugh.
There are many sites showcasing the music of The OC, like this official site, an unofficial site that breaks the songs down by episode, and also a comprehensive Wikipedia entry of the songs featured on the OC.
You can buy her box on ebay, too. Keith Oberman made mention of this on air. Awesome. I love the internets.
iPod, phone, camera, computer running OSX, bluetooth, wifi, and no buttons*. I am glad my Cingular contract is up in May, just in time to pony up for this amazing phone.
UPDATE: Now play around with it on the Official Apple Site.
* A fact that I am sure will get a whole cadre of usability professionals crying foul, but you know what, its all about sexiness and by and large buttons are not sexy.
After a bit of a down year for music that you may not have noticed because you were still so happy with the great crop from 2005. The year 2007 is set to be a great year for new stuff. In the first 4 months alone there will be new albums from the following artists.
Jan
Clinic (Visitations)
Of Montreal (Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?)
The Shins (Wincing The Night Away)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (Some Loud Thunder)
Feb
Apples In Stereo (New Magnetic Wonder)
Bloc Party (A Weekend In The City)
Magic Numbers (Those The Brokes)
Mar
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists (Living With The Living)
Low (Drums And Guns)
Modest Mouse (We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank)
Arcade Fire (Neon Bible)
Apr
Bright Eyes (Cassadaga)
I have been listening to their single Dashboard on repeat on Modest Mouse's site. More on the upcoming Modest Mouse album from Pitchfork
Brock doesn't seem content to have just one star collaborator in new Modest Mouse member Johnny Marr. The Shins' James Mercer guests on three We Were Dead tracks: "We've Got Everything", "Florida", and "Missed the Boat". Other song titles include "Fire It Up", "Steaming Genius", "Parting of the Sensories", and "Spitting Venom".
Also the Arcade Fire is set to play some shows in New York (not all of them will be in churches either though it would be great to see them in a venue like this), if you are in the area get to the show, they are amazing live. Possibly the only band not named Radiohead that I would travel a half a day to hear. Though it appears that their reputation for live shows is really jacking up the value of their tickets. Also worth seeing in NYC: David Bowie and Daniel Johnston. [Brooklyn Vegan]
Bush sings Sunday Bloody Sunday. This is a bit older but still brilliant. (via Brad Frederick's blog)
Last night's Bobby Bare Jr. show at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis got off to a late start. From the sound of things it sounds like we were lucky the show went on at all.
For a show with 8pm doors, we sure got home late (quarter past 2am). It turns out that was because the headliner, Bobby Bare Jr. and his band (the Young Criminals' Starvation League) were pulled over and detained somewhere in South Dakota (I never like that place :). 3 members of the 5 person ensemble made it to the Minneapolis venue just as the 2nd band (Radio On) was finishing up. Their was even an emergency performance by Michael Morris with a group of people with whom he had never played (including the guitarist from The Pines) to fill the time. Both of these first acts were good. Michael Morris was an unexpected surprise and I was really impressed. I enjoyed Radio On's set but at times front man Dan's antics got a little out of pocket - think a more flamboyant Iggy Pop (is that possible).
Back to Bobby Bare Jr...so he and his band are somewhere along the side of the road in SoDak. All their gear is strewn about the shoulder and police are searching their vehicle. Sure enough, some pot and some cash turn up and two of the members are booked and taken to the jailhouse. Bobby and his bassist and drummer then cruise eastward to Minneapolis just in time to knock out a nice little show. I, for one, didn't mind the lack of the full band. When Bobby Bare Jr. rocks he rocks hard and the 400 Bar is small enough to make that a little unpleasant (I guess I am old). While they did have some rocking numbers, including a couple where the bassist played lead guitar...on his bass, there was a large part of the set where it was just Bobby up on stage with his acoustic guitar. That was sweet. He played some new stuff and some old stuff. There were a couple of covers that were highlights, including Pixies tunes: Where is My Mind and Wave of Mutilation, and Come on Feel the Noise (Quiet Riot?). Know any good lawyers in the middle of South Dakota? I think I know of a couple opportunities for client work.
I was blown away by the Cloud Cult Show on Friday night at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Craig Minowa and the band have great energy and everything sounded great. I really think this band is going to blow up - well as much as a band that produces all of its own small independent releasers can blow up. The band mentioned a new CD but I am not sure when it will be out. Hopefully before the end of the year but i am not sure they will be able to swing that with their current tour schedule.
While I don't see any videos of last night's show on You Tube just yet, here are some from the show they did at the Varsity four months ago. (more)
EXTRA: Check out this fan-made music video of the Cloud Cult song, Transistor Radio.
I was ready to get behind and support the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Album list, after all the top 10 are hard to argue with. But then I go through the top 20 and 50 and even 100 and I saw no Radiohead! I have to get to 110 to find The Bends and then all the way to 162 to find OK Computer a full 10 spots AFTER the f'ing B-52's, that's right, the B-52's
Come out and see me (the guy with the camera), local band Moonshine Flush, and the new Guthrie space. Show's at 10pm. Buy the album (just released on September 18th) too.
From the Flaming Lips concert at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, which rocked! I didn't get any of my own photos of this show so I will send you over to some others posted on Flickr:
Another set. And another. And one more.
All photos tagged with Flaming Lips
Be sure to check out the gopher mascot dancing with the alien go-go dancers or Wayne in a bubble.
I am disappointed to hear that the word on the street doesn't have the new Shins album coming until 2007. Bummer.
I am excited, however, to see that ex-Smyths guitarist, Johnny Marr has officially joined Modest Mouse and that thier new album, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank is due out sometime in the third quarter of this year.
On Monday night I took in the Sigur Rós show, It was the first time I had seen them live. They put on a good show, the feeling of which, is something akin to going to a new age religious service. For the most part, people are pretty subdued. Everyone is seated, they clap and cheer at the end of songs, and are generally entranced by what happens on stage. Occasionally, the spirit will move someone into the isle in a fit of convulsion and dance. All the while, lead priest in the church of the Victory Rose, Jon Thor Birgisson, wails out in a tongue perhaps only he understands.
It was a good show. The effects were great. I had never seen the screen pulled down in front of the band playing and so the huge silhouettes and the effects projected onto the screen were very cool. Birgisson's voice is amazing.
Having forgotten my camera I was only able to capture a few really bad shots with my camera phone so the best I can do is link to some photos of others (from other concerts) on Flickr.
Set list:
takk...
glósóli
sæglópur
njósnavélin
mílanó
olsen olsen
hoppípolla
með blóðnasir
viðrar vel til loftárása
svo hljótt
heysátan
hafssól
-- encore --
dauðalagið
popplagið
Amina opened the show and was joined by some others (they also ended up playing most of the show with Sigur Rós) and it was very low key but very good. Jena and I remarked that it was like watching a group of pixies playing musical instruments they had found over the years at some woodland retreat somewhere. No we weren't on anything at the time.
Here is a little video taste of what the show was like, though the quality is pretty raw.
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
Mark's recent post of video showing Shatner "performing" Rocketman while difficult to watch and at the same time pretty damn funny, can't compete (for my money) with the absolutely bizarre Leonard Nimoy music video called Bilbo Baggins:
I am not sure who should be more embarrassed by this - yeah I am, it is those girls dancing around Spock like a bunch of fools.
For one reason or another, I have never been much of a consumer of magazines. In many respects I am grateful for this. Time is always an issue and I can rarely get through a full magazine before the next one comes. But I also do not like the waste magazines generate. It is very visible and apparent to me as I retain stacks of magazines and then have to recycle them. That being said, there are a few magazines to which I really ought to be subscribing:
The New Yorker - I am always impressed with the content of this magazine and the esteem that it has throughout my network of friends and beyond. It hits right on most of the issues it tackles, and does so much better than the daily newspapers.
Paste - I love to find new music and film and Paste makes it easy. Not only can I read about a ton of great artists and projects that are just coming out, but I can also see and listen to them thanks the CD or DVD included with every issue. They are right on with my tastes too.
Aperture - The few times I have seen this magazine I was very impressed and since I would like to be a better photographer it would help me out.
National Geographic Traveler - Travel magazines are hard for me. I really feel like I need a good one and this one seems very good (though I am tempted to want the traditional National Geographic instead).
Make - I am curious and love to build stuff (or rip stuff apart. Is there another magazine that is better suited to those types of activities?
Wired - The only magazine on this list that I actually do get. I like it, I really do, but more and more often, I get this type of news via the osmosis known as being online.
These were all listed in the order I would like them. If anyone knows how I can get any of the following delivered free for a year let me know. Anything else missing?
A couple that didn't make the list but were very close were:Dwell, Real Simple mostly just because I don't think I would have time.
The Korean company, Gamepark Holdings, makers of the GPX2 probably did not know that their product would catch on, as it has. Because it runs Linux, it is easy to customize, add to, and hack. And despite a slew of shortcomings (no wi-fi, lack of mainstream games, less-than-stylish design, and short battery life – rumored to be fixed), the GPX2 can do many things that the more popular Nintendo DS and Sony PSP cannot (support for many common file types – mp3, mpg, DivX, bmp, jpg, etc, the ability to emulate classic games) - all because it is open.
When will device manufacturer's learn that opening up their products will make them infinitely more attractive to, hackers and developers at first, but then later, as more hacks and mods are available, to the mainstream market? Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and mobile phone makers should be embracing freeness and openness as a means of being more profitable. Stop the arrogance (of thinking you can do it better) and start the acquiescence (and yield to the open movement).
I finally succumbed and put all the recent posts "inline" here on the homepage of Alt Text. While I work through some more kinks regarding how to best post one off links and such (like the one below, feel free to check out some of my latest ratings of some media I have consumed (at right).
I love Defective Yeti and can relate to an entry like this.
I have this post as a draft for so long that many of these bands aren't new but that doesn't diminish what I feel has been quite a musical revival in 2005. Most of the bands listed below have released new albums this year and have helped to provide a fresh soundtrack for my life. Are we really in a musical renaissance or are the internet and music services such as Napster and iTunes changing they way we find new music and specifically how quickly acts get "out there" to music lovers? The idea is certainly worthy of further consideration.
First Ave's 7th Street Entry is hosting the Third Annual Anti-Columbus/Indigenous People's Day concert tonight. Only $5 at the door. It's a show of all Native American hip-hop artists, headlined by Los Nativos.
The Minneapolis hip-hop scene could be ready to take off in a big way with the new Atmosphere album hitting the stores (big stores like Target and Best Buy) on the Ryhmesayers label. It is a great album that some are calling emo-hip-hop or alt-hip-hop. I think it sounds bigger in many ways than past Atmosphere records and love the lyrics. Slug (lead vocals) takes shots at big drug companies, people with hockey hair, LL Kool J, and himself on a great "break-through" album. Somehow the new album album, You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having sounds both old and new at the same time - taking the best of past artists and forging it into something fresh. Listen to it!
Last Thursday night I went to the Arcade Fire concert at First Avenue in Minneapolis and was rewarded with an excellent show. The opening acts Bell Orchestre and Wolf Parade were very good and am looking forward to listening to each more. But on to the main attraction...
When Arcade Fire took stage they did so with a couple members from Bell Orchestre so there were at times 10 to 12 people up there most of them playing instruments (often switching instruments) or otherwise banging on things with sticks (literally). The sound they produced easily filled the club without sounding overly loud as some shows can. Most AF songs are both boisterous and exuberant at times and then fade to quite melodies and lyrics. Combine this style of song with the great instrumentation and overflowing energy of the band's members (and cohorts) and it makes for a show that is uncontainable on stage and it spills out and infects everyone within earshot with giddy feelings and body movements. I could not find one person who wasn't jamming along with the songs - all the songs. From beginning to end there was not a lull and when it was over most, I believe walked a way with a sense that they had not only seen a great show but greatness growing up before their eyes. The Arcade Fire is for real and I expect nothing less that one I got that night from any of their live performances.
Just about the only bad thing to come from the show is the sense I get now, when listening to their mp3's and cd's is a sense that the sound is too contained and too small. When compared to the big sound from last Thursday night, that is certainly true.
More show info:
The Minneapolis Star Tribune's take on the show.
Here are some great photos of the show.
Upcoming tour dates (most sold out) Try to get tickets if you can!
Here's a few bits of news and links I have been collecting the past few weeks, relating to my home state of Minnesota. Don't ever say I don't represent!
By now the flap over Nike's ill-advised use of album art from Dischord Records and Minor Threat has died down a bit. Nike has offered an explaination and an appology.
Some have (mis)characterized this illegal use of artwork as an homage. Nike's statement that the poster was made, not by Nike employees or creative advertising types but of actual skateboarders lends some credence to this notion. However, this is trickier than that. Regardless of who created Nike's promotional material, the facts of the matter remain unchanged - had this been Dischord Records using the Nike swoosh in homage to classic tennis shoes there would have been a team of Nike lawyers dispatched to Dischord's offices within minutes. Nike (rightly) must protect the investment it has made in building one of the most recognized marks in the world - and, although smaller and less recognizable (especially to those of us who aren't cool enough to be in the know) Minor Threat's album art represents their investment in branding themselves. To have that brand co-opted by a skatepunk on his website, for example, would be one thing, but to have a huge multinational corporation do it, brings about an entirely new set of issues.
Recognizing the absurdity of the homage spin some folks have created a little "contest" where you can submit other corporate messages that "pay homage" to famous album covers. My contribution is shown above.
Rap group brings realism home regarding war in Iraq in new video (warning: very graphic) - 4th25 (pronounced 4th Quarter) is a rap group comprised of soldiers that recently served in Iraq and now are telling their "soldier stories".
Guster
WSU McCown Fieldhouse
Winona, MN
Fri, 04/22/05
Bright Eyes and The Faint
First Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
Thu, 05/12/05
Fri, 05/13/05 (got tickets to this one already)
Thievery Corporation
Quest Club
Minneapolis, MN
Sun, 05/15/05
Keane
Northrop Auditorium
Minneapolis, MN
Tue, 05/17/05
The Futureheads
Fine Line Music Cafe
Minneapolis, MN
Sat, 06/11/05
Since first seeing the video of the "fat kid" grooving to some catchy techno-pop (which admittedly was not long ago) I have been obsessed with finding out more. I wanted to know who this kid was (Gary Brolsma - his site), what that song was (Dragostea Din Tei originally by O-Zone [mp3], later by the Italian group Haiducii [mp3] which is the one used in Gary Brolsma's video.), what the lyrics meant, and why it seems to be such a phenomenon (featured on The Tonight Show, CNN, VH1, Good Morning America, and The New York Times).
It would seem I am not the only one who is fascinated:
A classroom watches and participates in video.
A site with more links than this post.
The online game World of Warcraft apparently has a filmmaker’s guild comprised of people who make films based on "footage" they get "in game". Oh yeah, they did an in-game version of the video.
Napoleon Dynamite dancing to Dragostea Din Tei.
Other stuff:
Interpol, Mar 12, First Avenue, Minneapolis
The Decemberists, Apr 9, Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis
The Shins, Apr 11 & 12, First Avenue, Minneapolis
Less Than Jake, Apr 16, Quest Club, Minneapolis
Iron and Wine, Apr 22, First Avenue, Minneapolis
Atmosphere, Apr 30, First Avenue, Minneapolis
Built To Spill, May 4 & 5, First Avenue, Minneapolis
The Killers, May 6, Quest Club, Minneapolis
Snow Patrol, May 11, Quest Club, Minneapolis
I have been having a bit of a musical renaissance after a long spring of stagnation. Some of the music that has helped to break me out of my rut is:
The new Beastie Boys Album: To The 5 Boroughs. Reminds of the old school stuff they used to serve up. The 'Boys are still the best at throwing nonsense words and lyrics into rhymes and still sounding cool.
The last three Wilco albums: A Ghost is Born, Yankee Foxtrot Hotel, and Summer Teeth
Still in the rotation:
Modest Mouse: Good News For People Who Love Bad News
The Grey Album by DJ Dangermouse
So the, very well spread, rumor is that on Monday Apple is going to hold a press conference to announce iTunes Europe. Where it gets interesting, is that it has also been rumored that Steve Jobs is going to announce that he bought the rights to the Beatles songs and he is going to announce this in London on Monday. I would guess that Apple is really only getting the online distribution rights to the songs, if that. I don't know if Michael Jackson can afford to sell all the rights to the Beatles songs any time soon.
An interesting side note from this Reuters article is that Apple has been embroiled in a legal dispute with management for the Beatles, Apple Corps. since September.
The Beatles management have said Apple Computer broke the agreement when it used the logo and trademark to promote its iTunes online music store, the most popular Internet download service in the world.
You won't have to guess which side of this I am coming down on. Even if its only Paul and Ringo, I'll take it over Steve.
I am thinking it's a sign that the freckles
In our eyes are mirror images and when
We kiss they're perfectly aligned
And I have to speculate that God himself
Did make us into corresponding shapes like
Puzzle pieces from the clay
True, it may seem like a stretch, but
Its thoughts like this that catch my troubled
Head when you're away when I am missing you to death
When you are out there on the road for
Several weeks of shows and when you scan
The radio, I hope this song will guide you home
They won't see us waving from such great
Heights, 'come down now,' they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away,
'come down now,' but we'll stay...
- The Postal Service, Such Great Heights
Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in.
In my head, in my heart, in my soul.
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again.
Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Don't think so.
...
The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?
In your head, in your mouth, in your soul.
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old.
Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I hope so.
...
Well that is that and this is this.
Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed,
when the ocean met the sky.
You missed when time and life shook hands and said goodbye.
When the earth folded on itself.
And said "Good luck, for your sake I hope heaven and hell
are really there, but I wouldn't hold my breath."
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?
You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?
- Modest Mouse, Ocean Breathes Salty
I should mention that their new album, Good News For People Who Love Bad News is really good. I especially like the tracks: The World at large and Float On (current single).
On another musical side note I really want to get my hands on the new Iron and Wine disc, Our Endless Numbered Days as I have heard good things.
Other bands to checkout: Tullycraft (twee band — full of energy), The Owls (a great group from Minneapolis), Kloey (another local act that is bustin' out), Snow Patrol (reminiscent of some of my favorites, including: Travis, The Shins, The Flaming Lips, The Doves, and even Nick Drake), Guster (even though I can hear these guys on the radio they still don't suck), and Clinic (reminds me of a cross between Radiohead and someone a little less brilliant — which is still very good and great to listen to)
Finally for some good, sweet, artistic expression through song, check out, ultra-indie duo The Sunshine's Beautiful (mp3) and Pure Projection (mp3)
Jason has posted some thoughts in the past about "conversations via comments on his site (or any site for that matter regarding who "owns" them. By far the most commented on post here at Alt Text was one from August of last year about how the emo/indy/sweet band Modest Mouse could be "selling out" via, of all things, a minivan commercial.
There are nearly 50 comments on this thread (paling in comparison to Jason's Matrix thread but impressive nonetheless) with the last one being from yesterday. Like Jason I feel that the comments and ensuing discussion have been of a pretty high level and I am fascinated that people keep finding this post and find it interesting.
Now the question of course is do I think Modest mouse sold out? No — we all would have done the same thing in their shoes. Why can't a band be great and make some money? Why can't I get paid for what I do and love it? Well there are some things standing in the way but I am working on it.
Live in New York and want an unforgettable telephone number? Possibly named Jenny? Bid on eBay now.
Grand Royal Records is up for auction - and its only up to $12,000 - I have been really good this year (hey its only been 16 days) you think you could all pitch in and get this one thing for me?
On Halloween I went to see Belle & Sebastian with some friends at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. While we were waiting for the show to start in our sweet balcony seats (thanks Anne!) we were looking around for people we knew and cool costumes (Frank of Donnie Darko fame and Popeye I'm talking about you here)
We were all so pumped after the opening act we didn't know if Belle & Sebastian could top it. We didn't even know the band's name until halfway thought the B&S set when they thanked them for playing with them. The Hidden Cameras put on what I now find out was probably one of their tamest shows ever, but for us, was full of energy and fun. I liked every song they played and at points they had everyone up and dancing.
While we didn't see Hiromi there, who do you think strolls in right before Belle & Sebastian take the stage? None other than Trik and Jamie Eversweet (what ever happened to Trik.org! Trik was the one who, by way of Jesse, got me into Belle & Sebastian, and now he was sitting in the balcony right next to us. What are the chances?
I have had my minions sending me links to bits of great videos and commercials etc.
First off we have some short films and music videos by Ruben Fleischer. A few of my favorite music videos include:
electric six - dance commander (filmed in MN?)
gold chains - i come from sf (that dude is funny)
dj format - vicious battle raps
and (not least)
dj format - the hit song (what a great video)
Then there is a band I had heard of (barley) but never heard, Junior Senior. Their Move Your Feet video is genius. Dance little squirrel, dance!
In other squirrel related video news: the Squirrel Tag spot that is currently running at the Onion is also genius, and so damn funny to boot. While you are there check out the Tri-Runner Demolition Derby spot as well.
This sounds crazy and so it probably is. Robert Cringely throws out an idea and waits for the bobber to go down. Cringely suggests the following (greatly paraphrased):
1. a company should buy one copy of every CD on the market. (100,000 CDs at $14 each requires $1.4 million)
2. the company has to be a public company
3. measures would be taken to maintain a stock price of roughly $20 - at which price all users would own at least one share.
4. because each share carries ownership rights to those 100,000 CDs it also carries the right to download backup or media-shifting copies
5. wild success follows.
Could such an idea work? For about 10 minutes - which is about how fast the record industry would take to get an injunction against the company. I just don't think the solution to the recording industry rests on this sort "loophole" - there really needs to be a change in the mindset of media licensing and ownership.
I liked Radiohead's Hail to the Theif when I heard the unmasterd version a while back - but the mastered version is so much better. I can see why Radiohead was pissed about the leak there was still a lot of work to be put into the final release.
Obviously creating a list of the Top 100 Songs from the Past 25 years is not without its perils, but for VH1 to miss the mark so badly on so many songs, is inexcusable. Do they spend any time researching this or do they simply get 5 people in a room and punch out a list in 30 minutes?
For simplicity and brevity I will only pick on thier top 20 list. It's almost too easy.
Ok so I am not going to bicker on Nirvana, U2, Michael Jackson (although I think he had better songs), Madonna (though the same criticism applies), Prince, Pink Floyd, Whitney Houston, and The Police.
I would even cut some slack to Guns N' Roses (though not at #3), AC/DC, Sinéad O'Connor, and R.E.M., but then there is Def Leppard, No Doubt, Van Halen, and Eminem at #4! (and I really like the song 8 Mile). I leave the best for last however: Waterfalls by TLC at #13!!!! And I know I was going to stick in the top 20 but Britney Spears was at 28 for Pete's sake!
Where are all the artists like: Radiohead (#84), The Pixies, Elliot Smith, and even bands like Oasis (#95)? How can songs like MMMBop by Hanson, Ms. Jackson by Outkast, Hot In Herre by Nelly, and I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys be considered anywhere near the BEST 100 SONGS!
I have been playing with HyperScore today and it is pretty amazing. I know there is other "music making" software out there but HyperScore's power is in its simplicity. The interface used to compose complex musical compositions can quickly be mastered by an 8 year old - though it is taking me a bit longer.
HyperScore was developed at MIT and I saw it in action on a PBS show: Scientific American Frontiers with Alan Alda. I really love that show. It covers such varied topics as Native American diet, to communicating with animals, to wearable computers.
If it wasn't for PBS I may only watch TV for 24 and the Simpsons.
I had nearly given up hope in getting my hands on the unreleased Radiohead album: Hail to the Thief. All my attempts at downloading it had failed with my previous repertoire of file sharing software, then in stepped Hiromi to save the day. He recommended SoulSeek and it worked like a charm.
Radiohead and their record label are understandably pissed off about the theft and subsequent leaking of their latest work. They are such a perfectionist band that having a rough copy of their music out there must trouble them.
Regardless of the purported poor technical quality or unfinishedness of the songs I like the latest work from my favorite band.
Today's Musical Fun Fact: Radiohead began as a band of Oxford students (all current members) named On a Friday.
On another music software-related note: the new WinAmp 3.0 is a step backwards. I am sticking with 2.8 until they fix some of the usability features of it. WinAmp's strength has always been that it wasn't bloated, didn't try to be a media library on your computer and focused on Playing and organizing playlists. Great features like double-clicking to add songs and select all has been replaced with slow-to-render menus and a clunky interface. No thanks.
