Top 10 Releases of 2010

So...no posts in months. Sounds about right for The Unmade Bed of the internets. Thought I would do a small list of my top 10 album picks for 2010 (without reviews on each)

Here they are:

1) Wild Nothing - Gemini
2) Avi Buffalo - Self Titled
3) No Age - Everything In Between
4) The Splinters - Kick
5) Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Before Today
6) Deer Hunter - Halcyon Digest
7) The National - High Violet
8) Wavves - King Of The Beach
9) The Fall - Your Future Our Clutter
10) The Radio Dept. - Clinging To A Scheme

Yup, Yup!

This day in history...

30 years ago today Joy Division front-man/song writer Ian Curtis took his own life. After a troubled marriage, and suffering from epilepsy, Curis hung himself the day before Joy Division were to start their first North American tour.

Already highly influential, Joy Division could have made an impact on music on a much larger scale had they made that tour. Then again, New Order would never have happened in the aftermath.

He was only 24 years old and had already left his mark.

Dead Kennedys

Where to start?

How about my age. I am 35 years old, and on good day's have some resemblance to being an adult. So with this being said, I took the liberty of dating myself by going out to purchase an album by a band I was fairly fond of in my mid teens. The 1980 debut album by Bay Area Punk innovators the Dead Kennedys. The DK's were amidst a plethora of aggressive bands that I looked to to provide pleasure, guidance, and act as a vessel for typical teenage angst in the late 80's. After all, that is the basis for why punk was formed. Right?

Now, obviously over time my taste in music has progressed. However, there are still old punk and proto-punk bands that resonate with me and more than likely always will. The Ramones, Modern Lovers, The Stooges, and Television are all but a few that where part of the early punk scene that continue to get heavy rotation on my ipod. Naturally, this spawns the idea to grab the DK's debut to add to my ipod. Although you may think that the DK's do not really belong in a list with the aforementioned bands, they were (in their own way) a very important piece of the punk rock puzzle.

So I listen....and listen again, and I wonder to myself, "Self, how in the hell could you have taken Jello Biafra seriously?" Needless to say, the Dead Kennedys didn't translate at the age of 35.

Now, I am not saying there is anything wrong with being in the tail end of your 30's and still listening to hardcore punk. I mean, my hat's off to you for still "railing against the man" whilst putting the final touches on your Power Point presentation from your Bay Street Office, but for me it simply made me a little embarrassed. I just felt I was in a realm I no longer belonged in. I am all for speaking your mind through art, but the DK's and more specifically, Jello Biafra are almost laughable to me now. Don't get me wrong, his rabble rousing was an important factor in solidifying politics in Punk music, but now it just seems to have been overkill.

I love East Bay Ray's riffs and some of the song structure, but just can't seem to shake Jellos yodel-esque delivery. In it's entirety its not a terrible album by any stretch and I am sure there are plenty of fans out there that would consider this post blasphemous, but after all the music I have listened to since my teen years, this just doesn't cut it.

So, in short, if you are looking for 14, one to two and a half minute blistering tracks delivered from a political soap box than this album is for you. If not, stick to punk that doesn't try so hard.

Stand out tracks: (Yes there are still a couple gems)

California Uber Alles.
Holiday In Cambodia.

Adorable

Another late bloomer for me. A band I had heard of several times in the past but had no desire to check out. Bad judgment call on my end. Turns out that discovering Adorable's 2008 greatest hits release "Footnotes: The best of '92-'94" recently was just about one of the best things 2010 has had to offer as of yet. Drawing major comparisons to "shoegazers" Ride and Slowdive, and post punk pioneers Echo & The bunnymen, Adorable deliver a masterful album both original and familiar.

Signed to Creation Records in 1992 the band found a home with a label that were pushing out like minded acts like The Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine. In their short career they managed to release two albums before My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Sheilds bankrupted the label with the creation of Loveless.

Although typically grouped in with the Shoegaze genre, Adorable were much more than that. Sure they were guitar heavy and had a ton of veverb and fuzz in their sound, but their lyrical content was rather heavy at times. With tracks about father-son relationships, as well as topics such as revenge made them a little grittier under the surface. Album opener "Sunshine Smile" is easily their most critically recognized and although it deserved its praise, their strongest efforts can be found on songs "Vendetta" and "Submarine" where guitars glimmer and make depression and revenge seem sublime.

Stand out tracks:

Sunshine Smile
Vendetta
Submarine
Favorite Fallen Idol

Cocteau Twins

As far as Scottish exports are concerned, there are a slew of great artists/bands that hail from the homeland. From Jesus and Mary Chain, Mogwai, and The Delgados to Boards of Canada and Idlewild, there are no shortage of Scottish bands that have made an impact on music today. None in my opinion are as obvious as the Cocteau Twins.

Now, although I am familiar with the Twins from years gone by, they were a band I couldn't really digest at first or even second listen. At first introduction I was listening to My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless" a ton and the Cocteau Twins seemed a little to lush for me. Even for the likes of MBV. I guess that as you get older your musical tastes mature because after a recent listen to "Treasure" I was questioning how I ever got on without having this album in my life.

Formed in 1979 the Cocteau Twins are known for their contributions to helping carve the dream pop genre and were integral in its development and progression. Treasure is the bands 3rd release and have what could arguably be one of the best 1st and 2nd track punches of any album I have listened to to date.

The album as a whole is dense and ethereal and has all the elements needed to be the soundtrack for waking up from a foggy dream. The tracks bleed into one another and ebb and flow effortlessly encompassing you in warm textural melodies. Known for her indecipherable singing style, Twins vocalist Elizabeth Fraser demonstrates a blissful serenade that is both playful and restrained and the instrumental component is so smooth it flows as though made of liquid.

In short, this album is terrific and should be on everyone's "Albums to listen to before I die" list.

Standout Tracks:

Ivo
Lorelei

The Clientele

Like bad teeth, overrated comedy, and the BBC, The Clientele are unmistakably British. There is no denying their geographical origin. It bleeds through their music. These may not sound like complimentary remarks coming from a Scot, but the British do one thing exceptionally well and that is create timeless and excellent music.

Although The Clientele have 6 albums under their belt and a handful of EP's, I am choosing to write about their 2005 release "Strange Geometry." Like Bonnie Prince Billy and Black Sabbath before that, I am not breaking the mould by writing about a band that needs coverage. The Clientele are very well received and have a healthy amount of material written about them out there in print and on the web. This post came to light not only because of the albums strength, but because I am slated to attend their show this month at the Horseshoe.

Right from the onset the album makes its presence felt with an outstanding hooky track in "Since K got over me." Simply put, It is Indie Brit-pop at its finest. The album encompasses you in the feeling that you are somehow an honorary Brit just for listening to it. The lyrical content runs the gamut from love loss to a "virtual walk" through the streets of London. Although you will find some tracks that appear a little melancholy, overall the album manages to come off as sunny and optimistic.

This album is a shining example of knowing what you do best, and delivering exactly that. If anyone can lay claim to perfecting the use of soft dreamlike vocals layered with reverb drenched guitars, it's The Clientele. Each track although not sounding over produced, has The Clientele displaying a fastidious attention to detail and overall tightness.

All and all this album is a great introduction for anyone who isn't familiar with The Clientele as well as for those who are looking for Brit pop with brains.

Stand out tracks:
Since K got over me
K
The Geometry of lawns

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

Next up on my quest to get through my ipod is Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Although I am currently wrapping up the letter 'M' I have some catch up to do and am going back to some of the albums I made a mental note of to write about.

So, here I am. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, a.k.a Will Oldham, a.k.a one of the most overrated indie singer songwriters I have come across. A jack of all trades of sorts. Music artist, Actor, and chronic band name changer.

There was a time that I couldn't look at an Exclaim! newspaper, the NOW, or issues of The Big Takeover or Magnet without Mr. Oldham gracing its covers. Music rag reviewers and bloggers alike sang their praises loud for the singer songwriter. It was as though he could shit on a piece of vinyl and still make that years list of top 10 releases. With all the buzz it was one of those artists that I held out on for quite some time. Which brings me to the 2008 album "Lie down in the light."

At first listen it was a run of the mill singer songwriter album with nothing worth worrying over or getting excited about. However, as the album progressed I realized that this in fact is the problem itself. For an artist so revered by his peers and critics, this album fell quite flat. There was simply nothing exciting or noteworthy about it.

During a discussion with Murphy over a pint one day, we discussed the album and BPB and we both seemed to be on the same page. I pointed out that while listening to the album I felt that his lyrics were almost trying to mock me. There was something about them that made me feel he was telling the listener that he was more intelligent or more culturally important then they were. In conclusion we came to agree that all the name dropping and humming and hawing over him was without merit.

I mean, what was all the buzz about?

I can think of several singer songwriters that deserve much higher accolades than Will Oldham. Was it his "You better take me seriously" hipster beard or his "I'm an extremely reclusive artist" demeanor that had everyone flocking to see him, cop his albums, or write extensively about him?

It is all kind of lost on me.

Then again, you wouldn't find me alone at the back table in a local Queen West or Ossington strip watering hole, balls deep into a Bukowski novel and sipping on a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon either. So I guess it makes sense that I don't get it.

Black Sabbath

So much for keeping the writing to regular intervals. From this day forth, anything I say on here about what I plan to write about or the frequency of my posts should just be taken as a flat out lie. If I were to live up to my exaggerated blog goals I would have to change my "unmade bed" moniker, and I am not up for another name change. So, for the sake of living up to my unmade bed status, I will continue to disappoint those that choose to read this. Ha.

On to the entry:

As you know I have vowed to listen to my ipod from front to back with no deviations from the alphabetical order it is in. As I make my way through each artist I will attempt to write random pieces covering stand out albums (both good and bad) as a public offering to share my personal tastes, likes, and dislikes when it comes to music. There are no guidelines to follow and no specific number of posts per letter. Sadly this will leave a plethora of notable artists and albums out of the mix. I simply just don't have the time nor the desire to write about each and every one.

So, where to now?
None other than the founding fathers of Heavy Metal - Black Sabbath.

The albums on my ipod and (in my opinion) the strongest in their lengthy and legendary catalog are the 1970 self titled debut: Black Sabbath, their 5th release: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and sorely underrated and often overlooked 6th album: Sabotage. Most Sabbath fans (and there are plenty of them the world over) would possibly disagree with the fact that I am leaving out "Masters of Reality" and arguably their most well known release "Paranoid." The truth is, those albums although excellent, have a certain place in my personal history as a teenager and have fallen victim to over exposure. In short - They are played out. So as it stands, although all three albums are worthy to write about, I will focus on the self titled debut.

There are few arguments left in rock history that stir the emotional pot more than the age old question, "Who started heavy metal." From Blue Cheer and Led Zeppelin to Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, they all have strong candidacy for ownership of that title. However, in my opinion the opening chords to track 1 "Black Sabbath" on the self titled album quashes all other front runners and arguments. You can look to most, if not all of your heavy metal favourites and most of these bands would agree that Sabbath are the godfathers of metal.

From beginning to end, the self titled album encompasses you in bass heavy bone crushing riffs and introduces you to a young wailing front man that will eventually change the sound of Rock and it's landscape from here on in. The lyrical content of the album is also unique for that time period. Throughout the album Ozzy laments about sources of evil and despair touching on wizards, demons, and even Lucifer himself. The title track is played entirely in the "Tritone" which is a chord made up of 3 separate tones and is referred to as "Diabolus in Musica" or "Devil in Music." Couple this with Ozzy's screams of torment "Oh, no, no, please god help me" and lyrics of a "figure in black" it is safe to say the music world had not been exposed to such dark and dense music as this.

The album has a total of 7 tracks which include 5 original songs and 2 covers and is claimed to be recorded in only one day in the studio. Although somewhat a commercial success, the album fell victim to unfavourable reviews. Well known critics Lester Bangs and Robert Christgau both had choice words about the release stating that it was "Just like Cream, but worse" and "the worst of the counterculture on a plastic platter." Although both very credible sources in their respective fields, I have to disagree with both of them. Not only do I feel the album is a very strong debut release, but it holds a special place in the development of my musical tastes throughout my teenage and early adult years.

Standout tracks:
Black Sabbath
The Wizzard
N.I.B

R.I.P Jay Reatard

Bummer.
It has been confirmed that high energy Memphis garage rocker Jay Reatard died at the young age of 29 years old.

Reatard, (real name Jimmy Lee Lindsay Jr.) seemed to be having a pretty rough go as of late with the firing of his band, a stage attack by fans in Austin, and his tour van getting its tires slashed by punk band The Liquor Store.

In true Jay Reatard form he outwardly vented his anguish and anger by posting comments on the split up of his band and his tour van vandalism with some subtle words for all parties involved.

On the firing of his band:
"Fuck them! They are boring rich kids who can't play for ahit anyways ... Say hello to your ugly and boring wifes opps I mean lifes guys suck it."

On the slashed tire incident:
“Little bitches in Liquor Store just stab [sic] my tires! I will kill you.”

Oh Jay Reatard...you will be missed. I am glad I got to catch a live performance on his last tour through Toronto.

I saw a soon to be dead guy live.
I think it's a first.

The American Analog Set

First stop on my quest of writing my way through my ipod is Know By Heart, the 4th release from Texan Indie Rock/Drone Quartet, The American Analog Set.

In my opinion, It's the best of the two albums I have on my ipod (the other is The Golden Band) as it has a little more teeth then the other. It is also their first of two albums released on Tiger Style Records, a New York indie label that have released albums by other notable artists like The Appleseed Cast and The Album Leaf.

The first track of the album has one of the most deceiving titles I have come across in terms of title not marrying up with the sound. "Punk as Fuck", the first track of the album, is in my opinion anything but. This is far from a bad thing. It actually works in their favour. It sets you up to brace yourself for something that could be quick paced and abrasive and instead delivers Soft melodic vocals with almost rain-like acoustic guitars. It sets the feel for the album from the get go.

The album as a whole delivers 12 better than average tracks that run the gamut from acoustic tracks and instrumentals, to bass driven indie rock anthems. The album is a little front heavy with the strongest of the dozen occupying the first half of the release with Punk As Fuck, The Only One and The Postman (which features an appearance from Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie) but is not something you would want to turn off half way through. There are strong pieces on the latter part of the album as well. Making it work as a whole from beginning to end.

In total The American Analog Set has released 6 albums on three different labels including their latest album, 2005's Set Free on well known Toronto based label Arts & Crafts. Although I only have a third of their material, I stand behind Know By Heart and recommend it to anyone looking for something a little more authentic to ad their day to day listening.

Plus it will build street cred with your friends.

Take that shit to the bank.

Stand out tracks:
Punk as Fuck
The Only One

The Chixie Dicks

In an attempt to switch things up from the norm I am going to try to refrain from writing my typical "current music fixation" post format, and try to go with something a little different.

Recently, in an effort to get the most out of my ipod and music selection, I started to listen to each and every album on my ipod from front to back. This is in no way a huge undertaking as my ipod currently sits at a modest number of full length albums at 230. This is a huge contrast to my old ipod which had in the realm of 1,300 albums. Unfortunately for me (and Murphy who manually loaded each album) it was stolen from a Vodka bar in Leslieville a little over a year ago...but I digress.

Within each letter of the alphabet there will be selected artists/albums that I feel merit a paragraph or two about its importance, its greatness, or its shortcomings. The albums chosen are not a direct reflection of who I deem as a "favourite" or "best" album or artist. There are too many good albums on the ipod and I simply do not want to write about each one. I'm fat and lazy, what can I say.

So, with this being said, the next several entries will be an alphabetical tour of sorts of "some" of the albums I am currently getting through. Stay and read and learn something about an artist you may not have heard of or given a fair shake, or don't and go listen to whatever buzz band Spin or Blender Magazine force feeds you.

First up:
The American Analog Set - Know By Heart.

Denim on Leather.

If you haven't noticed by now (all 3 of you) I have been slacking on my blog entries and updates as of late. So with that being said, I thought to write up a quick excuse for the lack of production.

My excuse: I hate you all.

No, actually, truth is I have wanted to be more consistent with my entries but came across a somewhat frustrating issue with my posts. It seemed that I unknowingly tampered with my layout settings and all my external links and tags turned a shitty vivid royal blue. Bright blue on black background do not mix. Looking at it gave me a hell of a headache so I took the easy way out and just stopped writing period. Well, today I fixed it. I don't know how...but I did. I am a technological genius!!!!!!!

I will now make an attempt at increasing my post count on a weekly/monthly basis. I'm lazy though so don't hold your breathe.

On another note: I am writing this at the office whilst listening to my ipod docking station.
What am I listening to you ask?
The Appleseed Cast - Low level owl: volume 1.

Such an incredible album through and through. Some of the strongest drum work and symbol usage you will ever find.

No shit.

Current Music Fixation: Days

Once again the Swedes have done it again!

From the first note of the debut EP “Downhill” from Gothenburg, Sweden quartet “Days,” it’s quite obvious that you have stumbled upon almost picture perfect indie pop. Like fellow Swedes “Peter Bjorn and John”, Days seems to have found the answer to perfecting poppy disarming hooks without sounding convoluted and bogged down by over production. Released on Portland/San Francisco based label “Shelflife Records”, this 5 song EP successfully delivers track after track of feel good pop music reminiscent of Demarks “Northern Portrait” and Indie Pop Alumni “The Go-Betweens.” I understand it’s a lofty statement to compare anyone to The Go-Betweens but it’s just that good.

Opening track “Never Came to Last” immediately sets the standard of what to expect. As the distant guitar fades in, it gives you that sense of genuine warmness that you so often look for in music but rarely find. Even though the first line of the song “I keep my dancing away out of site” in all its loneliness and lowliness sounds like something you would hear Morrissey deliver, it does nothing to unhinge the sudden urge to smile to yourself. Track one can easily cast the feeling of it being the strongest track of the five almost from the get go. That is, until track two “Simple Thing” starts in with its “Doolittle” era Pixies base line. The marriage between the simplified rhythm section and the shimmering clean guitars is almost flawless. Add the innocent pitch of vocalist/guitarist Fabian Sahlqvist and you can’t escape feeling as though these three Swedes were destined to make music and more importantly make all of our lives just that little bit better.

The rest of the EP (although not as strong as the first two tracks) effortlessly achieves all of the staple qualities and subtle nuances you wish you heard more of in today’s Indie music scene. In an ideal world this would be the case. However, if everyone was doing it the right way the first time around, Discs like this would lose its uniqueness and the ability to stand out as the brilliant piece of work it is.

Another triumphant gem Murph.

Concert Review - A Place to Bury Strangers.

Once again, I had the pleasure last Tuesday of catching Brooklyn based Noise Pop/Garage/Shoegaze trio A Place to Bury Strangers w/All The Saints and Dead_Confederate at the Mod Club.

This is all thanks to Sarah (teaming up with Murphy) who picked up some surprise tickets late the week before. I can't thank her enough. It was my second time around seeing A Place to Bury Strangers (last time was 2 yrs ago at the Drake Underground) and Sarah’s first experience in what can only be described as a sonic assault and raping of your eardrums.

The opening acts seemed to be handpicked (as most are) according to their complimentary sound of the fuzzed out noise pop of APTBS. Although not overly impressive, the mix of the "shoegazeesque" garage rock of All The Saints and the "Nu-Grunge" angle of Dead Confederate wet the palates of concert goers thirsty for the ear shattering wall of sound of the headliners.

A Place to Bury Strangers took the stage and without word shot into a frenzied feedback-drenched opening track. Although the base and rhythm sections at times made me feel like Murphy was sitting on my chest, I didn't find the volume as abrasive as the first time I caught them. I was prepared for an all out assault on my hearing (which I must say is now on par with Pete Townsends legendary deafness) but surprisingly they came up a little short. In fact they aren't even the loudest band I have seen this year. I caught Earth at the Horseshoe earlier in the year and not only did it erase my ability to hear anything for 3 days, I think it actually shook out a filling or two.

I am talking boarder line seizure stuff here.

Random I.M Conversation # 5

Murphy says:
Your blog...is poo.
You average one update a month.

Michael says:
I know...its pathetic

Murphy says:
If that, it's not even a blog.
You should just mail letters.

Michael says:
HAHAHA
To the internet?

Murphy says:
Exactly.

Michael says:
And who should I address said letters to?

Murphy says:
I have it so i check it every few days.
The director of the internet?
I don't know...you can come up with something.
I hate your blog now.

Michael says:
I'm sending it to William Shatner...maybe he can get it in the hands of the right person.
I'd send the letter to you...but you would just eat it.

Murphy says:
This blog reminds me of your interest in bands like viva voce (i.e., sad and fleeting).

Michael says:
This blog reminds me of our friendship (i.e., overrated)
I kid, I kid

Murphy says:
Uh, overrated?
Who rates this blog highly?
I'd like her name (it's either your bird or your mom).

Michael says:
Guilty

Concert Review - Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Well, It has been some time since I last wrote in here and this entry might be a little dated now (as are the next couple as I am playing catch up) but I will do my best to get up to date and get back to some regularity.

So, a few months back (I think it was August) Sarah and I caught New York based Post Punk/New Wave/Indie trio the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the Kool Haus. For starters, the Kool Haus is definitely not the best venue in the world (its actually somewhere between nightclub and warehouse) and not the best crowd (All ages, MuchMusic/MTV buzz band fans) Although it was an entertaining show, there were moments throughout the night that made me feel like I was attending some rich familys super sweet 16 birthday party where someone spiked the punch and the father of the Birthday girl hired the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to be the evenings special guests.

The performance itself was fairly good and A-typical of what you would expect from a YYY's show. High energy, Dynamic front woman Karen O was on her game delivering a picture perfect version of her soft to screetching vocal style while donning her trademark Punk-Haute Couture fashion sense.

The set list consisted of a equal mixture of mainstream hits and b-side tracks that they blistered through in top form. Popular new(er) songs Zero, Of with your head, and old(er) songs Gold Lion, Y Control, and Black Tongue had the crowd in a frenzy, while staple track "Maps" was stripped down to a softer, slower accoustic version that had everyone in a synched group cumbayaesque sing-a-long.

All and all a good live show in a bad venue. However, with that being said, I guess now is about a good a time as any to catch them as the success of their last album could quite have them playing the Air Canada Centre next time around.

Concert Review - Jay Reatard

Frizz fest 2009?

I caught the Jay Reatard show with Murphy and Sarah at the Mod Club last week.
I am thinking that the prerequisite for taking the stage for this line up was to amass as much follicle fortitude as one venue can withstand. With that being said, Murphy and I were very much out of place as we are both a little short changed in that department.

I was anticipating this show for some time as I was in need of something a little higher tempo/harder than the last dozen shows I have caught. If anything, for the sheer energy, or at the very least to just mix it up a little. Well, I guess I got what I was looking for. Maybe a little too much of it.

The opening bands (and I use the term 'bands' very loosely) were nothing more than a disappointment. So much so, I don't even feel it necessary to look back to find out who they were. I do recall that the 2nd act (a local Toronto band if I am not mistaken) not only left a bitter taste, but had me wishing the attention starved singer would get knocked out mid set. It wasn't to be so we had to endure. The high point was the singer overhearing their own publicist telling Sarah she thought they sucked while meeting in the bathroom. The lead singer made a point of sharing this bit of information with concert goers. No one cared.

On to Jay Reatard.

I have to say, although I am a huge fan of his Matador singles 08 album and it gets heavy rotation on my ipod, it didn't translate very well in a live setting. To be quite frank, it was a disappointment. I mean, I knew it would be balls out energy but I wasn't expecting everything to be sped up tenfold. Songs seemed to bleed into each other with no clear indication that it was even a different track playing. Murphy was thinking a garage band of this nature might possibly put on a show similar to Tricky Woo. This clearly wasn't the case. Two Gibson flying V's, a drummer, and loads of hair just about sums it up.

This will not be making any "best of" lists in the near future.
At least his last outing in Toronto ended in violence and him storming off the stage. That could have been a game changer if it happened again. However, it didn't. So he fails.

Next up - M83

Random I.M Conversation # 4

Michael says:
A bunch of suits just walked in. I think things are going down real soon.

Murphy says:
Take off your pants!

Michael says:
hahahaha

Michael says:
I never wore any today.

Murphy says:
Okay, then...put on a pair of bicycle shorts.

Michael says:
Just to remove them?
Seems obsolete, no?

Murphy says:
I thought you came in with no pants on...and really...the only way one can trump a pantless man is to sport bicycle shorts.

Murphy says:
Those shorts are probably more career limiting than a junk habit.

Michael says:
Dude, the only thing to trump bicycle shorts is the human wang. So I win

Murphy says:
Did you just refer to a penis as a, "human wang?"

Murphy says:
Are you wearing a Tandy t-shirt under your sweater vest?

Michael says:
No, I’m wearing a mesh t-shirt hand cut to just below my nipples.

Michael says:
I changed from a full mesh t-shirt because I looked like this walking around the office:
(See Above)

Murphy says:
Here’s another idea...stumble out of your office shitter all sweaty and yell, "shitter's full!"

Michael says:
hahahaha

Michael says:
That worked well at the xmas party...so I’m sure it will go over well.

Michael says:
It’s one of those timeless office pranks.

Murphy says:
I use it all the time.

Murphy says:
Christmas vacation is definitely underrated for old comedies that still have a few laughs.

Michael says:
Any time a jam of the month club is given out, it's an instant classic in my books

Murphy says:
Technically, i think it's a jelly-of-the-month club.

Murphy says:
And it's the gift that keeps on giving all year long.

Michael says:
You know what else is the gift that keeps on giving?
Open cold sores.

Murphy says:
As is a (Omitted) bound and locked in the truck of my car.

****I removed a word up there in Murphy's last comment as IP addresses are tracked and I don't feel like pointing the internet cops in his direction. I will though if I had to. I would sell him out like that if push came to shove. Shit, I would sell him out for a half eaten hot dog peeking out from underneath a bums sleeping bag in the sweltering city heat.

Don't judge me for having big dreams.

Random email thread # 1 - The Birth of a big white black man.

Murphy - I’d like to have sex behind an amplifier at this show:

18-JUL-09

ICE CUBE

SOUND ACADEMY

ALL AGES

$41.50

Michael - I'd like to be a fly on a glistening jheri curl backstage for this show.

Murphy - You're a racist.

Michael - You're a bigot.

Murphy - My bird is blacker than yours is!

Michael - Are you saying that because she's a baby mama? Who is the racist now?

Murphy - Out of bounds! Out of bounds! This thread = gold.

Michael - You know who would really love this thread? Your chick. I see Maury Povich casting calls in the near future!

***Edit - Please note that I am neither a racist nor a fan of the Maury Povich show. I had to make that clear. As for Murphy, this is him in all his glory.

Current Music Fixation: Ulrich Schnauss

Does it get any better than this?
Sun shining, cool breeze, and the warm blanket that is "Synthgaze"

At the moment, this is all it takes for me.

Although I "had" this CD on my former ipod (again, stolen by some Russians at a Queen East Vodka bar) I have recently had the pleasure of getting reacquainted with a CD that I had on constant play about a year ago. Ulrich Schnauss' "A Strangely Isolated Place."

Born in 1977 in Kiel, Germany, Schnauss (then younger than 20 years old) took his love of Shoegaze and Electronic music and relocated to the much bigger and more accepting city of Berlin. It is here that Schnauss began his mastery of forging an alliance between British Shoegaze influences (My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive etc...) and Electronic and break beat tracks.

Like fellow "Synthgaze" artist M83, Schnauss seems to have found the perfect marriage between introducing shoegaze, Ambient, and electronic music to the masses in a way that makes it feel as though the genres were always destined to be combined.

With a total of 8 tracks, A Strangely Isolated Place is full of epic waves of soft ambiance and up tempo beats and instrumentals. Add the whisper delivery of lyrics from Shoegaze era past and you will feel you find yourself anywhere but "A Strangely Isolated Place" (bad play on words. I'm Human so cram it.)

There are a few standout tracks on this album that should appeal to people not familiar with the genre (On My Own, Clear Day, Gone Forever) but as a rule, the album works best from start to finish to get a full appreciation of the scope of his vision and talent.

If you add the fact that he sounds like he could be a descendant of a Nazi war criminal, you have struck gold. And this my dear friends, Is why Murphy recommended him in the first place.

Concert Review - The Appleseed Cast.

A little late on this one but I haven't been able to come up with an accurate review of this particular concert.

So, to the best of my ability, here it is.

On Tuesday April 21st, Murphy and I took in an appearance at the Horseshoe tavern by Kansas based Indie Rock band "The Appleseed Cast." Introduced to me roughly 6 years ago by Murph (give or take) I was starting to get the faint impression that this particular band would be an elusive show for me to experience. After checking the Rotate site a couple months ago (I do this obsessive compulsively) I came across the show and grabbed some tickets for the two of us to attend.

Although the wait was a little on the painful side (I had the tickets a little over a month in advance) by the time the date came around I was anticipating this show like no other in recent memory. We situated ourselves at the seats we always occupy at the Horseshoe and prepared for the opening band to take the stage. Typically I would give a little blurb on thoughts of the opening bands performance. However, this particular post will be without as not only were they sub-par, but they were forgettable. Seriously, I have no recollection of them whatsoever.

The group, although not the original line up (only two of the founding members remain: Chris Crisci and Aaron Pillar) took the stage in front of a surprisingly dense crowd. With 7 albums under their belt (8 if you consider double album “Low Level Owl 1 & 2 as individuals) they have fairly deep pockets of material to choose from. As Murph is a huge fan of the band and is in ownership of their entire catalogue, I am only familiar with a couple of their releases. With this being said, I was optimistic that they would reach back and play some of the tracks from the 2001 “Low Level Owl” series and from their prior release “Mare Vitalis.” Both of these albums came at the pinnacle of the bands creativity and in my opinion are by far their strongest releases.

The band, an unassuming quartet of bearded/non bearded regular looking guys, wasted little time in ripping into their set and sounded very much as I had hoped they would. Clean sound, articulate guitar and drum work, and singer/guitarist Chris Crisci delivering vocals not far from what you would hear on a finished album.

At only the 2^nd track into their set, the band dropped the opening drum beat from “Steps and Numbers.” Being arguably one of the best and most recognizable Appleseed Cast tracks, the first hit of stick against drum skin had the crowd at their feet applauding in appreciation. Needless to say, I was thankful that the track made the set list and easily made the show an early success. Although I was hoping for more material from the two albums I mentioned earlier, the set list consisted of equal parts new and old releases and were far from disappointing. Standout tracks like "Steps and Numbers" and "Forever Longing the Golden Sunsets" from Mare Vitalis alone could easily push this show into my top 3 for the year. Mind you, we are almost half way through.

***I should mention that this was my first Appleseed Cast show and if I am correct, Murphy's 6th (For The Appleseed Cast, Murphy is on par with one of those Tragically Hip type fanboys who go to great geographical lengths to see their favourite band)

Random I.M Conversation # 3 (Again without permission)

dorsay20: you know today is Star Wars day? Michael: no...no i didn't. Says who? dorsay20: it's May 4 Michael: i just read that on Geekologie dorsay20: ah I didn't know either, until I read that Now I feel lower than bantha poop sliding down a Hoth ice cavern Michael: wow dorsay20: (killing myself laughing over my own joke, btw. But really, when you make a Star Wars joke, social faux pa's like laughing at your own jokes aren't a big deal) Michael: neither is hanging yourself ha! dorsay20: hang myself? To represent how disappointed I was to be left "hanging" at the end of Episode 5? how apt I need to be shot Michael: I'll get the noose ready. Meet me back at the elevator shaft in 5

Satan: Alive and well in Chicago.

In an "unprecedented" move yesterday, Oprah Winfrey pulled her scheduled 10 year anniversary show about the Columbine shootings. She stated that she decided to pull the plug on the show due to the fact that airing the episode "focuses too much attention on criminals and murderers."

Okay, now correct me if I am wrong, but when you hold the star power that Oprah does, isn't making a public press release actually creating MORE attention for what happened in Columbine than if the show aired itself?

I don't know who her P.R firm is, or if it was an angle that Oprah herself came up with, but when you are one of the worlds most powerful celebrities and you make a public statement people listen and more importantly, it gets covered in all mediums. Whether it's online, news broadcasts, radio, magazine, newspaper, or water cooler talk, the attention you pay the horrific and tragic events that transpired in Columbine by making a press release actually command more focus than the show would have ever held if it had aired in the first place.

So my question is why do it?
If you are that powerful and you want to avoid bringing attention to what transpired in Columbine, why even consider making the episode or even talk about it in the first place?

I know why.

You are a publicity whore.

Only Oprah can feed this kind of bullshit to the unwashed masses and come out looking like she is a saint. I don't buy it. Her intentions are transparent and an obvious ploy for yet another projection of her "selflessness" and "sensitivity." Whether it's building schools in Africa, giving struggling single Mothers a new house and car, or canceling coverage of a sensitive topic, your prime objective is publicity. Plain and simple. So much so that coverage and focus on your "charitable" actions far outweigh the coverage of the people and organizations that actually require help and assistance.

For the record: In her attempts to sidestep bringing attention to criminals and murderers with her Columbine anniversary show she has decided A show about mothers released from prison will air in its place.

True story.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have some snacks to attend to.

Current Music Fixation: Mahogany

Ever have an album playing in your earphones and/or stereo and have it unfold in your head like a soundtrack to fleeting thoughts, memories, or whatever is going on around you at that moment?

Well I have. Matter of fact I almost always do when I am playing the album "Connectivity!" by Michigan born "dream pop" band "Mahogany."

As soon as the opening note on the first track of this album makes its way through my ears, I (without warning) get transported into some sort of imaginary audio "How it's made" episode. Images of bottles being capped on a machine operated factory production line, or sped up film of people getting off and on the subway trains in a busy terminal start to play out in perfect birds eye form. It sounds a little crazy I know. That's the beauty of music sometimes no?
The ability to take someones else's creativity and use it as a launching pad for your own?

Only their 2nd album in 10 years, Mahogany's 2006 release Connectivity! finds itself meandering through a plethora of musical arrangements and stylings in an almost unintentional way. From dream-pop vocals not unlike those of shoegaze era Britain, to 80's synth arrangements, and IDM drum timing (both electronic and real.) I find this album to be layered with just about everything. This is "probably" due to the fact that at the time of recording there were 8 members in the band all with their own individual input, and as such plays out like a "smörgåsbord" of sound and material that is sometimes hard to classify or label.

This album, or Mahogany's take on the genres I have mentioned, is not for everyone. It takes a little bit of an open mind and at times some creative listening skills to truly appreciate. If you can ween yourself off the tit of mainstream music and want to try your hand at something a little left of centre, download or head to your local music store and try to find this.

Now, if you don't mind, I have to call Murphy to let him know another of his recommendations made the blog so he can check mark it off his bucket list.

Fatty.

Current Music Fixation: The Modern Lovers

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...Roadrunner, Roadrunner!"
As soon as these words enter your ear canal and pierce your eardrums you know you are in for something special. Lately I have been listening to the first (and only) full length studio album by 70's “proto-punk band” The Modern Lovers, which is simply named well…"The Modern Lovers."

Formed by Massachusetts natives Jonathan Richman and childhood friend John Felice, the band took form in 1970 after Richman moved to New York City to live and be in the presence of highly influential band the Velvet Underground. This in turn spawned the idea for Richman to return home and create The Modern Lovers.

This album plays out like many of the “proto-punk” era releases and has visible signs of creating a unique sound without a musical compass of days past to draw upon (with the exception of the Velvets.) Through the course of the album you can hear undertones of the Velvets and clearly see remnants of Richmans love for Lou and his band of urban outcasts. This is probably equal parts influence and equal parts John Cale production (he produced a handful of tracks on the album.)

Although the album was not released until 1976 (two years after they split up) the self titled album still sounds relevant decades later and the impact it had on Punk, New Wave, and Indie music is clearly identifiable and unmistakable. Case in point are tracks like “Astral Plane” which starts with a guitar riff that could be mistaken for Bay Area surfer punk or something on a Dead Kennedy’s album, or “I’m Straight” could be seen as idealism of Straight Edge living before Washington D.C hardcore punk band Minor Threat’s Ian MacKaye made drug free living an option for doped up teens.

All and all, from start to finish The Modern Lovers is an outstanding album. It runs the gambit of human emotion and covers everything from depression, love, anger, hope and hopelessness. Not to mention a few shout outs to Rock and Roll, Parents, the 1950’s, the State of Massachusetts, and AM Radio.

Has there ever been another band of this caliber to originate in the suburbs of Boston?
I am thinking the Pixies are forever in debt for paving the way out of the state of Massachusetts and into our ears.

Go grab it….I need some more “I told you so” in my life to do my best Murphy impersonation.

****Edit - Murph just pointed out Galaxie 500 as another band to make waves out of the Boston area. Slight oversight by me, slight moment of elite prickism by Murph....I kid cuz I love.

Sham Wizzle

Vince Shlomi of Sham-Wow fame was busted last month for giving a Miami hooker a beat down.

"According to an arrest affidavit, Shlomi met Sasha Harris, 26, at a Miami Beach nightclub on February 7 and subsequently retired with her to his $750 room at the lavish Setai hotel. Shlomi told cops he paid Harris about $1000 in cash after she "propositioned him for straight sex." Shlomi said that when he kissed Harris, she suddenly "bit his tongue and would not let go." Shlomi then punched Harris several times until she released his tongue."

Wonder if he used one to mop up the bloody mess?
Too obvious?
It's Monday morning. What do you want from me?

****On a unrelated note: I just witnessed a Nazi Skinhead purchasing a Grande Non-fat Latte from a Starbucks down the street. I have seen the new face of hate crime.

Current Music Fixation - Northern Portrait

Lately I have been playing the most recent EP "Napoleon Sweetheart" by Denmark trio "Northern Portrait" almost every opportunity I can. Due to it's short length (4 songs totaling roughly 15 minutes of play) this EP is an easy choice for a quick listen on a short streetcar or subway trip.

Formed in Copenhagen only two years ago, the trio found itself gathering some buzz online via their MySpace page and started to field offers from major and Indie labels alike. Fronted by vocalist Stefan Larson, Northern Portrait draws many a comparison to Indie legends "The Smiths." Through Johnny Marr-like reverb soaked guitars, and almost eerie Morrissey-like vocals, I can not dismiss the comparison.

The opening track "I give you two seconds to entertain me" jangles and sways in perfect pop form and sets the tone for the rest of the EP in 3+ minutes of pop bliss. The title of the track itself almost sounds as if it were a lyric written and sang by the king of self doubt himself. Although comparisons between Morrissey and Larson are merited, Larson's delivery seems much more hope filled and optimistic. It almost plays out like what the Smiths would have sounded like if they figured everything out, put aside their dramatic views of the world, each other, and enjoyed life.


Congrats to all the winners.

(Edit*** Murphy read the blog and threatened to eat himself into a coma if I didn't make reference to the fact that this band was offered up on his recommendation. So Murph, there you have it.)

Concert Review - A.C. Newman

Last week I had the utmost pleasure of seeing A.C. Newman (of The New Pornographers) with opening band "Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele" at Lee's Palace.

The opening band although having the word "Magnificent" in their name were anything but. For starters, they played what seemed to be a 4 hour set (it was actually roughly an hour) The entire set list consisted of what sounded like the same exact song played over and over at various tempos. Murphy and I chalked it up to sounding on par with being trapped in a looped soundtrack to Adam Sandler's movie "50 First Dates"

Thankfully Dent May had to eventually make way for A.C. Newman to take the stage. Newman and his band of cohorts wasted no time in letting concert goers know why they purchased a ticket. From the get go they ripped into a high energy show that was equal parts his new album "Get Guilty" and his 2004 release "The Slow Wonder." A Canadian by birth (now residing in Brooklyn, New York) Newman shared some on stage banter with the crowd and had some pretty good one liners and self deprecating jokes as well.

Overall A.C. Newman in all his gingerly glory put on a terrific show. Great set list, clean sound, and tight musicianship made this a concert to remember. To make the night complete, Newman performed a stellar live version of "On The Table" as their closing song. With falsetto like vocals throughout the track and some fairly tricky piano work I feared that "On the Table" might be a little difficult for the band to pull off in a live setting. I was wrong. It was a superb live showing of one of my favourite Newman tracks. To add to the overall nights success, Murphy generously purchased the first piece of vinyl (Get Guilty) for my up and coming collection.

Next up - The Appleseed Cast @ The Horseshoe Tavern.

"Your Ad Here!"

Is anything sacred?

I just discovered to my dismay that my long time web source for all things music review related appears to have made the jump to monetize their site. Pitchforkmedia.com (now just pitchfork.com) made what looks to be a conscious decision to generate revenue streams via the mass sale of advertising space on their site.

After navigating through a painfully busy homepage, I recognized a trend throughout the site - where ever there is free space there is a home for an ad. Now bare in mind, I am not opposed to online advertising in any way shape or form. I work in the industry and understand the value of using it as a medium. However, with this particular website I have a little bit of an issue. Pitchforks brag and boast is that it catered to the elitist music fan whom you would find off the radar of the traditional main stream music masses.

Pitchfork has generated a robust following of slackers, indie music lovers, and collectors who use the site as a source for educated non-biased record reviews. Loyal fans and even musicians flock to the site to see where their album stood in the eyes of the "Mr. Blackwell" of online Music reviews. Opening up the floodgates of mass marketing on the site may (in my opinion) cause a bit of an issue with the type of follower that subscribes to the site. It's my understanding (not that it's not completely obvious) that the subculture that Pitchfork has it's primary stock in is not traditionally the prototypical "consumer" or "subscriber" that advertising as a whole appeals to.

Now I understand that I am making a generalization here, but I believe that the bulk of their target audience consists of people who seek refuge in the warm blanket that a site catering to counter culture/independent music provides. It could be a means to escape the constant bombardment of mainstream advertising and it's messages, or a place to find like minded individuals.

Who knows?

Either way, whether I am trying to find reviews of buzz band "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart" or looking for what "Stephen Malkmus" is currently working on, I shouldn't have to have my review or article served to me with a side helping of American Apparel, the latest ipod, and a tall serving of U2's recent shitty efforts to stay relevant.

Gong!

The Road

After many recommendations and notable buzz, I picked up the well received novel by Cormac McCarthy called "The Road." Let me start by saying - This book has easily moved up as perhaps the best thing I have read in recent memory. Some of you may know McCarthy from his other novel turned Hollywood hit "No Country For Old Men" and already grasp the writers penchant for a bleak and at times helpless outlook of mankind. In "The Road" McCarthy takes this kind of pessimism of modern man to new heights.

This is a post-apocalyptic tale of a Man and his only son traveling through an ashy, burnt out, skeleton of the planet we now know. The story sees the two on a journey and battle of survival through a dark and desolate land with "almost" no signs of life and other than the present, no signs of a past or future respectively.

The novel is an emotionally driven look at an unapologetic earth and a mans unwavering commitment to survive if not for himself, for his only child. As you read through the pages of "The Road" it casts a shadow of skepticism that the planet may be better off without us anyways.

Although the novel never clearly explains what had happened to the earth and it's inhabitants, it does point us in the direction of Nuclear fallout or an all consuming fire. It finds the father and child making their way through unforgiving weather conditions, blinding darkness, bitter cold, ravaged landscapes, and the struggles of trying to survive day to day almost void of food or water and without a drop of optimism in the bucket. They encounter decayed cities laid to rest, the finger print of past human life in the form of charred remains, and to their terror - other humans that have devolved to a barbaric almost animal like state.

After completion I couldn't help to think of "Mad Max" or other "post-apocalyptic" movies/books and compare. The thought made me scoff at their idea of what it would be like to live on a planet almost void of life and food. Mad Max now looks more akin to a romantic comedy placed in the balmy sands of the Australian deserts. Something that would be good for a chuckle, and more importantly a time to look forward to and wear goggles and leather. "The Road" however, makes you want to pray that you do not live to see a life so dark and if so, die as quickly as possible.

Sunshine and rainbows folks...sunshine and rainbows.
That's what it's all about.