Static Walls

Buffalo Tom At The Paradise, April 25, 2008

2008-04-27T23:44:35Z

Since I failed to bring my camera to the recent Buffalo Tom show at the Double Door, I figured I would bring it with me to their show at the Paradise in Boston. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You

2008-04-24T22:25:08Z

Every now and again, I am introduced to a band as a result of another artist's cover version. For the Black Kids, that was certainly the case. Kate Nash covered "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" and given my affection for her music and likes (she is dating Ryan Jarman of the Cribs for fucks' sake) I figured I would check them out. They have been all the rage in the blogosperes and indie radio, and though I have had their album for some time I can say I enjoy it, but I would not claim to be enamored with it.

That is until I heard the Twelves Remix of the same song. As far as remixes go, this has to be amongst some of the better remixes of the last couple years. Even calling it a remix seems wrong, as it is simply a more finely produced version of an otherwise under produced and less than enthused track. I absolutely love it and cannot begin to tell you how quickly it will likely end up dominating my playlist.

As I have previously stated, under my watchful eye, my music video for this version of the song would absolutely rule. Flashback 22 years (I am officially old) when John Hughes actually wrote stuff worth seeing, and a young Jon Cryer, Molly Ringwald, and Andrew McCarthy were caught in a classic geek love triangle. One of unrequited love as you watch your girl fall for everything one opposes. This video needs to be a slightly updated version of Pretty In Pink almost exclusively told from Ducky's perspective. You update the cast to modern day look a likes. Ducky needs to still rock the classic Vans. Since I will never make it, I will even share what should be the opening shots. Ducky singing in the mirror prepping for his day, with a hair brush trying for figure out the hair, cut to the bus ride where he is then singing to Andie...I could go on, but alas, I do not have the time, nor coordinating efforts to pull it off at this point. In my alternate universe where I do not have a full time job and other responsibilities, I make the hell out of this video and it would rulesthe web and what is left of any TV music station, and everyone ends up loving the Black Kids (Via the Twelves). Check out the song for yourself. Play, repeat.

On related note, I hope to see folks at the Kate Nash concert coming up at the Vic. Tickets sold out long ago, but you may still get some here.

In addition, be sure to catch the Black Kids at Lollapalooza.

Introducing...The Flobots

2008-04-09T02:09:14Z

Speaking of bands that should be playing Lolla...

During my umpteen hour commute to work the other day, I heard this band on the Left Of Center (Sirius' indie radio station) and was immediately impressed. While hip hop is not normally my thing, one listen to this track and their others, you will immediately figure out they are not a typical hip hop group, and to even include them in the genre would be wrong.

Upon first listen, I was taken a back with the musical arrangement and inclusion of various instruments and singers. While it may be easier to compare them to Linkin Park other bands, you would be wrong and the assessment would be unfair.

Check them out first, you will have this track in your heads for days. The Flobots everybody:

Lollapalooza Line Up Announced

2008-04-09T01:24:26Z

Busy time of year for me, so I apologize for lack of entries. There will be more to come.

For those in the Chicago Area August 1st - 3rd, you may want to check out Lollapalooza this year.

The line up was announced this past Monday. To no surprise Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, NIN, and Kanye West are some of the headliners. And while many have told me it is not as strong a lineup as it has been in previous years, I have to disagree. Now I will not be able to fully suggest a particular day until the actual lineup is announced, here are some of the bands that have to be seen if you are there:

Now it is expected others will be announced, and while you may be questioning my lack of top liners, outside of Bloc Party, these truly are the bands you will be listening to later this year and into next. Sure some of the others are worthy bands and there are obviously others that I have not heard, but while others are jockeying for position to see the headliners, you can (and should) be checking out one of these bands.

Tickets are on sale now, so if you plan on going get them now.

Here is Bloc Party. I wish I had directed a video for this song, it would have ruled.

A Fine Frenzy at Schubas

2008-03-13T23:53:35Z

I did not post anything in advance of this show since tickets were sold out a few days after they went on sale. I had to resort to Craigslist to procure my ticket. Luckily for me, there was a kind gentleman willing to sell me one at a very reasonable price not far from face + Ticketmaster gouging fees.

To start, this was one of the rare shows you see that you know in your heart of hearts, you will probably not have the opportunity to see again in a like venue.

I was initially going to blow off the opening act, Ferras (Alqaisi). I would have been disappointed if I had. He was really solid. If you enjoy mellow male vocals over piano, you will enjoy. Apparently, he had a song recently featured on American Idol, and many are predicting superdardom for Ferras. We shall see.

On to A Fine Frenzy. She was amazingly good. It was her, and two band mates, and for the most part, she played most of her debut album, and a couple covers, including "Across The Universe" and "I Will Follow You Into The Dark." She seems like a very personable and genuinely uber sweet and overall warm hearted person. I had the chance to meet her after the show, and was not disappointed there either, though I forgot my autograph as I was too busy taking pics! It is okay, I have a couple pictures of Alison and I, which will last longer than my lost autographed bookmark.

Okay, it is late, I need to rest but wanted to share my photos from the show. I took well over 250, but I narrowed it down to what I feel were my 16 best. Some have been edited. Click here to access the photos.

Are You Watching Perhaps The Most Entertaining Show On Television?

2008-02-26T22:48:40Z

I do not like watching a lot of television, but when I am on the interweb I like to watch the TV, thankfully I can do both at once.

Now, I have my set shows on Tivo, but when I am online, I like watching live TV; specifically A&E, History, and Discovery. One show that I have recently stumbled upon is Parking Wars. If you are not familiar with the premise of the show, it follows the fine folks of the Philadelphia Parking Authority as they do their job.

I have received two parking tickets in my life, both my fault, I know they were and I would not deny it. While I hate paying them, I know I am deserved them. I do not believe I have actually ever met anyone who has successfully fought one. I am sure it happens, but I personally have not met anyone. In a city, most chalk it up to the cost of urban living.

Like every other police based reality show, they are generally dealing with some very colorful characters as they try to explain why they were not parked illegally under the "No Parking" sign. That, however, is not where the show is at it's peak form.

The best part of the show is the segment focusing on the impound lot, where these folks go to get their car. Watching the show, you gain a greater sense of empathy for your local parking authority, DMV, etc. What these folks have to deal with at the impound is unreal. Like the DMV, there are some very basic things you need to do to get your car back, like license, insurance, registration, and oh yeah, paid off tickets. That is where the entertainment begins.

It seems it is on A&E all the time, check it out.

Ladytron Coming to Chicago

2008-02-25T01:25:21Z

For those Ladytron fans in the Chicago area, I am pleased to inform you that they will be playing the Vic on June 17, 2008. This came as a surprise to me, seeing I try to keep up with the concert listings, and the Vic's site does not have anything listed on the show yet.

You can pick up your tickets here. It appears the band Datarock will be opening.

In other Ladytron news, I ran into what could be the upcoming track list for their new CD Velocifero. The CD drops June 3, 2008.

01 Black Cat
02 Ghosts
03 I'm Not Scared
04 Runaway
05 Season of Illusions
06 Burning Up
07 Kletva
08 They Gave You a Heart They Gave You a Name
09 Predict the Day
10 The Lovers
11 Deep Blue
12 Tomorrow
13 Versus

Interoperability And You

2008-01-24T22:02:08Z

Imagine coming home, looking at your nicely wall mounted TV, and no cable box, no Tivo, no DVD player, no CD player. Perhaps the only thing attached to the TV is a premium sound system, perhaps a gaming machine or two. Even those have potential to be combined

From this TV, you could watch any movie you want, listen to any song ever written, or at the very least access any media file from your non Western Digital hard drive.

Let’s talk about what you can do right now:

You can download just about any movie, even in hi-def on demand via a number of services including, Amazon/Tivo, Apple, Xbox, Netflix, and so on. No DVD required, no wasted plastics. No worrying about choosing HD-DVD or Blu-Ray.

Cable companies provide CableCARDs that allow you to have all the features of the cable box without the box. It is a credit card size card that fits into your TV, Tivo etc.

In Europe and Asia, TVs are being rolled out with built in hard drives and DVRs. TVs with built in computers already? Who knew? Not Americans. We like devices in our entertainment racks.

Getting them all on one device sounds great right? Well it is not going to happen here anytime soon. I will attempt to explain why.

There are simply too many companies offering too many various formats for media. This is slowly being corrected on the music side, but on the movies side it is just beginning. Toshiba and Sony have lots of money invested in their competing dead on arrival formats. With various individual boxes that exist, you can get your HD movies on demand each with their own form of DRM that does not work with your other media devices. There is still no basic subscription service, only individual pay per view.

All these great devices and technologies exists as we speak, the issue being they exist separately.

And that is the crux of my argument. Here is how it can be fixed without too much money being invested in development.

Open iTunes.
I am not suggesting Apple give it away. They have created the best music management system on the market. Now that most songs will be available DRM free, there is no need to keep it locked. Apple should license the software to other manufacturers, and in turn make iTunes compatible with their media device. Second, if you purchase a competing device, and do not want to use their media manager, you can pay a nominal fee for iTunes, let's say $19.95. Apple makes money, iTunes users are not handcuffed to an iPod if they find a competing device they want to try.
TVs Need Hard Drives with built in Wi-fi.
Throw a TB hard drive in every TV. Add a USB port to allow expansion and viola, you have a media center. With a hard drive and wi-fi, we can jump to number 3.
License Tivo Software.
There is nothing worse than someone mis-using the great verb "Tivo'ed" when they do not actually own a Tivo. Tivo and a cable company provided DVR are not the same thing. Not even close. Tivo's software and overall functionality is far superior to any alternative. In addition to the basic recording abilities, Tivo can:
- Act as a media server allowing you to stream your photos, media, and playlists stored on your computer to your TV
- Download movies on demand using Amazon's Unbox service
- View podcasts
- Play games
- Schedule TV shows remotely
- Listen to various radio stations
- Transfer movies/shows to your portable media device
- Check local weather/traffic/etc
- Watch movie previews and buy the tickets
That is just a part of the great functionality of Tivo. As you see, it is a computer disguised as a DVR. What is not great about Tivo? The box. Yes, it is a good looking box as far as boxes go. Far superior to a cable box, but it is still an unnecessary box in your media rack. If Tivo stopped selling hardware, and licensed software to TV manufacturers all you would need is the cable card to access all the programming.

Do no like Tivo? Perhaps you actually want Apple to be your software, or Windows, Linux etc. You could use your software of choice, as long as it was supported by your provider.
Movie and Television Studio Backing
All of the above is useless without content. Providers would partner with the studios to provide content. The caveat? They all have to agree to supply all content to all providers. No one will buy in knowing they cannot watch Sony movies, or can only watch Disney movies. The users can then choose a pay per view, or subscription based model.
Sling!
This might be tough now that Echostar bought Slingbox, but it does not change the suggestion. TVs need to have built in Slingbox like technology so you can access your TV anywhere you can get a high speed internet connection.
For the Audiophiles
Still do not want to have to get a sound system? Why not incorporate a high quality surround system into the TV. I personally do not believe it will ever still sound as great at 7.1 audio, but with the improvements in speakers and proliferation of all in one sound bars, this will suit Joe Consumer.
License Sirius/XM Channels
If you have listened to satellite radio, you know how horrible terrestrial radio is. This is not necessarily needed, but while I am putting together a wish list, I would love to see this. Perhaps you pay a small nominal fee each month to your cable company for the service.

Now, I am sure I am missing other great ideas, but this is a start to having perfect home entertainment system with EXISTING technology. No needing to wait for the technology to be built. It exists now. No need to wait. However, getting all the companies above to play nice together to allow this sort of interoperability? I might as well send my down payment in for my flying car.

Slippery Slope For Hardware Industry

2008-01-24T20:24:54Z

I read an article this evening that referred to an interesting little piece that I somehow overlooked over the holidays.

In short Western Digital supplies software with some of their new MyBook external hard drives that allow remote access to files on the hard drive. The bad part? You cannot access your media files. Citing concerns regarding copy protected materials, they decided to handcuff most movie and music extension not allowing it's owners to legitimately access their media files while they are not near their maincomputer, be it from an external media player, laptop, gaming device etc.

Now ask yourself, "Why would I purchase a tera-bite hard drive to use for anything other than media files?" Well, most people would not. I can honestly say that I am certain that very small businesses would find it helpful to have one convenient central storage drive, and media files certainly could put a damper on employee productivity, but come on, the average WD external hard drive buyer is Joe Consumer. Joe Consumer enjoys music and movies, and will purchase an external hard drive to either back up, or store media they do not want bogging down their primary hard drives.

As an early adopting consumer, I have amassed quite the collection of music and movies on my hard drive. I like being able to access it from my home audio receiver, Tivo, XBox, Wii, laptop, and from secured remote computers. I do not want to have to attach a separate storage device for each, of which I have to update them individually when I add new music. It is a pain in the ass. Now I have an older Western Digital hard drive. It was my first external hard drive and runs quietly and has served as a reliable means of backup. They do make good products, but this software addition is unreal and the move has soured any future WD drives for me.

My advice, if you do not own a portable external hard drive buy one. They are life savers. If you buy a WD external drive (which there are better alternatives anyway), DO NOT install the software. There are far more efficient and effective ways to access your computer remotely.

Want to warm up the house? Ask the Governator first.

2008-01-13T14:01:03Z

In an interesting article in the WorldNetDaily, there is pending legislation in California that would require homes to install new heating controls that would have a non-removable transmitter that would enable the government to control your thermostat during "emergency events." I wish I was joking.

RIAA To Go The Way Of The Dodo?

2008-01-13T13:47:36Z

The good folks over at G4TV reported over the weekend that EMI may be dropping it's support of the Recording Industry Association of America. For those who do not know, the friendly folks at the RIAA have the great reputation of tracking down and prosecuting those they feel illegally distributed and downloaded music from the record labels they support.

In principle, I totally support any companies right to protect it's investment. That being said, the music industry has failed to adopt to a changing business climate by isolating it's consumers and more importantly it's artists. They assume they can use their 1995 brick and mortar business model in this digital age. I predicted at this time last year, that the labels would drop DRM restrictions that limit how users listen to their music, which almost every label has since done. It is just a mater of time before every label is DRM free.

I cannot blame the labels for doing what they could to recover costs. They invest a lot of money to produce their albums, many of which they do not make their money back. However, suing your consumers for a few thousands dollars at a time does not make sense. I know they want to use the cases as a deterrent, but until it gave it's customers the right to download unrestricted music, what did they expect? The smarter customers abandoned the P2P networks for safer alternatives. Does anyone still using a P2P network to download or distribute music think that is a wise move? If you are illegally distributing protected materials, you deserve what is coming to you.

So as artists are going out on their own to distribute music, the record industry faces an interesting future. The obvious choice for them to make their money in marketing the band via tours and merchandise, but if that is the the case, they will be fighting with agents and the bands for a cut of that product. In the age of laptop produced albums, and viral marketing, the need for huge studio and marketing costs is hard to justify. However, as long as there are people who will listen to what ever is served to them, the record studios are not going to go away. They will adapt, consolidate, and yes make money. But if other labels follow suit, they will not be making it by suing it's customers.

Read more about EMI's decision here.

Alex Roy On Letterman

2008-01-13T12:28:12Z

This may or may not interest you, but I am an big car fan, and admire many forms of racing. Sorry NASCAR fans, that is still not racing, and is boring as shit to watch.

Anyway, there are two things I would love to do, drive coast to coast, and race competitively. One of the two I will do, but alas, I do not see myself racing competitively anytime soon. Alex Roy is a somewhat of a cult icon in the Rally scene, having unofficially won seven championships (technically one cannot win a rally since it is technically not a race). Now before I continue, I do not condone the act of racing illegally and putting the lives of innocent others in jeopardy for the sake of going somewhere fast.

This past October he released a book called " The Driver." I picked this up the day it came out, which for me to do for any writer not named Nick Hornby, Max Barry, or Chuck Palahniuk is rare. It was a fascinating piece of non-fiction starting with his childhood and going into painstaking details about his relationship with his father and his need to accomplish something his father always wanted to do but could not. From there we follow Alex as he runs several Gumball Rallys. Over those pages we get a glimpse of a rarely scene world of extravagance, including million dollar cars, exotic locations, and what you could potentially be part of if you had the money, and more importantly time to do so. You learn of the friendships and rivalries he builds though-out his rallying career, all leading up to one challenge, make it from New York to LA in less than 32 hours and 7 minutes.

During his record attempts, like the rest of the book, you feel like you are a passenger in his BMW M5 worrying about speed, fuel consumption, the police, and the safety of others. All the hours countless hours spent planning an excruciatingly detailed route can quickly mean nothing if a deer decides to cross the road at the wrong time. One of the rare times I had white knuckles reading a book. Their final time, 31 hours and 4 minutes.

Again, I am not saying it is a smart move (something the writer also agrees with), but regardless of what your thought is on the idea, it is still a fun read. If you, have, or know car enthusiasts, you should gift this book.

Back to the subject, why am I recommending this book almost three months after it was released? Well, quite frankly I have been meaning to, but I can be lazy, so I put it off. It was prompted by his recent appearance on David Letterman. He is a fascinating guy, so if you have a few minutes give it a shot. You can read a great deal more about his adventures in this great Wired Magazine article.

Best Friends

2008-01-11T02:18:13Z

I came across this story today, and being an animal lover, I found it touching. I apologize for the sentimentality in advance.

The story revolves around two animals, a dog named Oscar and his best friend, a cat named Arthur. The two apparently were inseparable, so when 17 year old Arthur died, poor little Oscar was left without his best friend. After witnessing the family bury his best friend in the backyard, Oscar wanted to save his friend.

In the middle of the night Oscar dug up the poor cat from his grave and brought him in the house carefully putting him in the their bed and cleaning all the dirt off of him.

So sad. The good news Oscar has a new kitten for a friend. Read the full news story here.

First Page/First Link On Google!

2008-01-09T00:15:57Z

My last entry tonight, but I was psyched to see that if you simply google "static walls" this is the first link! Not bad seeing I paid absolutely nothing to do so.

Yes that is the geek in me speaking.

Kate Nash Officially Hits The US

2008-01-09T00:06:09Z

Having obtained this album when it came out in the UK back in August, I fell for the sharply written collection from the UK songstress. This witty album that Lily Allen wishes she could have produced makes you appreciate good pop songs when done properly without the hype. Her music is not for everyone of course, but for those tastes with a wide palette check her out.

Buffalo Tom Coming To Chicago

2008-01-08T23:52:41Z

For those in the Chicago area here is your rare chance to catch one of the greatest live shows your money can get. now, before you hurl accusations of my bias opinion based on where I came from, I can honestly say that as a seasoned concert goer, this is not a selfish vote for a Boston band.

Bill Janovitz and the gang have been around since the late 80's playing to consistently sold out shows in the Boston area and around the country, with some of today's and yesterday's biggest bands opening for them. I have been a fan since I first heard " Taillights Fade" in 1991, and have not let up since, catching them anytime they were in town. Over the years that must be at least three dozen times. There are no fancy lighting schemes, no pyrotechnics, just three guys and their instruments playing great music that you can dance or pogo too.

Now, before I get that "Didn't they once appear on My So Called Life?" question. Yes they did, and got a decent chunk of coin for doing so. Cannot fault a band for trying to get press. Look how many bands now are quickly licensing songs to far cheesier TV shows today. It is money and press. Not bad for a quaint band from the hub. I have never seen the episode, or a full episode of that show, but I am sure they rocked the hell out of it.

If you are interested on getting tickets and dancing the winter night away, get them here. They are playing the DoubleDoor on February 2. Hope to see you there.

My Favorite Albums of 07

2008-01-03T02:13:18Z

This is two, perhaps three days too late, but better late then never. 2007 has come and gone, but it’s music will last well into the future. Below is my list of my favorite albums of 2007. Note, I have not listened to every album released in 2007, and I cannot claim to be an indie scene expert, but I do enjoy new music and I have listened to a ton of albums. There are many other good albums that came out, but to keep the list from getting crazy, I kept it to 30. The list is not ranked, but rather alphabetized. How can one rank a list? Sure some maybe better than others, but love of music is where that album came in your life, and each has it’s own place and significance.

Here are 30 albums that made me want to dance, play a better guitar, and want to share what I just heard:

· The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
Predictable choice and critics darling, but this album made me a full fledged fan.
Listen to: “The Well and The Light House” and “Keep The Car Running”

· Band of Horses – Cease To Begin
WTF Mat Brooke? First he leaves perhaps one of the best bands to ever emerge from Seattle (Yeah, I said that) Carissa’s Wierd and now Band of Horses? Apparenty he has an aversion to prolonged greatness with a single band. Even without Brooke still one of the better albums of the year, but sadly not as classic as the last.
Listen to: “No One’s Going To Love You” and “Is There A Ghost”

· Bloc Party – A Weekend In The City
If I did rank, good lord, this would be up there. Quite perfect album. I wish I could have directed the music video for “The Prayer.” It would have ruled.
Listen to: “The Prayer” and “SRXT”

· Blond Redhead – 23
The beat of the title song will not leave your head once you give this album a chance. Gorgeous arrangement of music and lyrics.
Listen to: “23” and “Silently”

· Dinosaur Jr. – Beyond
No, this did not make the list because of my predilection for bands from my youth in Boston, but rather because J Mascis is a guitar god, with a voice you cannot forget. When many others are trying to make you pogo, J rocks.
Listen to: “Pick Me Up” and “Almost Ready”

· Emmy The Great – EP
Technically she did not release an album, as for some reason she is still unsigned. She uses great prose in her lyrics, is quite witty, and for those looking for a more somber, smarter, and talented version of what you expected from Lily Allen. Let me introduce Emmy the Great.
Listen to: “Canopies and Grapes” and “My Party Is Better Than Yours”

· Feist – The Reminder
Yeah predictable. So she had TONS of success in 07, she earned it especially after the last two albums went largely unnoticed except by perhaps Broken Social Scene fans.
Listen to: “My Moon My Man” and “I Feel It All”

· A Fine Frenzy – One Cell In The Sea
One of these things is not like the other…I first heard of her after I randomly downloaded a song from a random blog that discussed other artists I really liked, so I checked her out and loved this album. Apparently she had some success with one of her songs, but I could not tell you. To boot I am a sucker for a pasty red head and girls and pianos.
Listen to: “Rangers” and “Almost Lover”

· The Fratellis – Costello Music
Technically, I got this album from the UK long before it hit the iPod commercial, but this album is everything I wanted by did not get from the last Arctic Monkeys album. Dance away.
Listen to: “For the Girl” and “Creeping Up The Backstairs”

· The Grand Archives – EP
See The Band of Horses Comment. Mr. Brooke left Band of Horses to focus on the Grand Archives. Fantastic EP, perhaps amongst the best EPs of the year.
Listen to: “Torn Blue Couch” and “Sleepdriving”

· Kaiser Chiefs – Yours Truly, Angry Mob
Took a while to grow on me given my love for their debut album, but once it did I was a full fledged angry mobber. Such a good live show as well. Check out next time they are in town.
Listen to: “The Angry Mob” and “My Kind Of Guy”

· Kate Nash’ – Made of Bricks
Someone mentioned to me one of her songs made Grey’s Anatomy, a show which I can proudly say I have not seen an entire episode, because the moments I have seen, were comparable to walking in on your grandfather getting out of a shower. The show sucks, but Kate Nash is witty, talented, and writes a catchy diddy. Glad she got signed this year.
Listen to: “Foundations” and “Merry Happy”

· The Mary Onettes – Self Titled
Did Joy Division somehow unite? How is that even possible. Brilliant album.
Listen to: “The Companion” and “Lost”

· Jarvis Cocker – Jarvis
My favorite ant-hero. Interesting departure from Pulp, but a great offering from one of the industries most underrated song writers. Have to love some of the anti-breeder songs.
Listen to: “Fat Children” and “Disney Time”

· Jens Lekman – Night Falls Over Kortedala
One of a billion super Swedes who totally blew me away in 07. I could write an entire entry on how much better Swedish bands were than all others in 07, but I refrain. Jens album is amongst the best of the bunch.
Listen to: “Your Arms Around Me” and “A Postcard to Nina”

· Mew - Half the World Is Watching Me
A unique and refreshing follow up album. Can easily be mistaken for wallflower music, but I like to stair at walls.
Listen to: “Mica” and “Her Voice Is Beyond Her Years”

· The National - Boxer
My first go around with the National, but my first reaction was “Holy fuck, where I have been, and why were they not a previous soundtrack to some assorted volume of my past?” Amazing vocal stylings. Cannot wait to fall further into.
Listen to: “Fake Empire” and “Mistaken for Strangers”

· The New Pornographers – Challengers
I really wanted to enjoy their previous efforts, but could not, but I adored this outing.
Listen to: “Myriad Harbour” and “Unguided”

· Okkervil River – The Stage Names
Another critical darling amongst the critics that matter. I discovered Okkervil late in the year, and regret not being hipper to do so earlier. Great album in the vein of Band of Horses with a light touch of Arcade Fire. Plus they are from NH. Represent.
Listen to: “Plus Ones” and “Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe”

· The Owls – Daughters and Suns
Belle and Sebastian had no new album in 07, this nicely took over.
Listen to: “The Way On” and “The Lucky Ones”

· PJ Harvey – White Chalk
Ah, Polly Jean. How one woman can scare me and make me realize how much talent there is in the world. A very quiet record. Thank you.
Listen to: “Silence” and “To Talk To You”

· The Pipettes – We Are The Pipettes
Loved this trio long before a record hit these shores, and I am not afraid to say so. Yes, slightly contrived but absolutely catchy, unabashed, pop songs.
Listen to: “Because It’s Not Love” and “Pull Shapes”

· The Raveonettes – Lust Lust Lust
Too me a long time to really get into the Raveonettes and their sound, but this album reminded me why I got into them in the first place. Good catchy songs, that somehow remind me of Russ Meyer films.
Listen to: “You Want the Candy” and “Dead Sound”

· Rilo Kiley – Under The Blacklight
Jenny Lewis and the band bring back solid pop songs infused with throwback sounds.
Listen to: “The Moneymaker” and “Dreamworld”

· Say Hi To Your Mom – The Wishes And The Glitches
Technically, the physical album comes out in 08, but for those who paid money to Say Hi’s site, you could have downloaded in November. One of my all time fav lo-fi rockers.
Listen to: “Toil and Troubles” and “Northwestern Girls” [Meaning NW US, not the school]

· St. Vincent – Marry Me
Great smoky classic voice, who sometimes reminds me of Bjork without sounding anything like her.
Listen to: “What Me Worry” and “Marry Me”

· Stars – In Our Bedroom After The War
Impressive collection of new music, with Amy’s tracks being amongst my favorites.
Listen to: “Today Will Be Better, I Swear!” and “Bitches In Tokyo”

· Sunset Rubdown – Random Spirit Lover
Some say they sound like Arcade Fire, some say the Arcade Fire sound like them. Okay maybe I only say the latter, but they did appear on many critical top ten lists ahead of Arcade Fire.
Listen to: “The Mending of The Gown” and “The Taming of the Hands That Came Back To Life”

· Tegan and Sara – The Con
They rule. Simple as that. I recall a random day in the formative years (1998 I believe) seeing two girls playing folk music in Harvard Square. They rocked as hard as two folk singers could then, and now screw the folksy roots. They simply rock.
Listen to: “Back In Your Head” and “Dark Come Soon”

· The Wombats – A Guide To Love, Loss, and Desperation
I have been typing for too long. What an awesome album. I cannot wait to see these guys and pogo like no ones business.
Listen to: “Let’s Dance To Joy Division” and “Moving to New York”

That is it for now. Stay tuned for movies and remember elbows.

Music Blog Aggregation

2008-01-03T02:02:30Z

You will soon see me cover some various music artists and bands. Many blogs out there will post MP3’s from the artists. The legality of this is questionable, and honestly illegal. That being said labels have tended to tolerate blogs posting MP3s as a form of marketing for smaller bands, but many blogs do get cease and desist warnings.

As I want to remain in the full boundaries of the law, you will not see MP3s posted in my entries. If this prevents you from coming back, take care.

That being said, if you are interested in MP3s contained in blogs, you may want to try a music blog aggregation site like elbo.ws

With elbows you can search for random up and coming and established artists. You can read posts and yes, occasionally get an MP3. The site will even let you search for MP3s. Note older posts are likely to have the MP3s removed. No you cannot get an entire album through the site so do not bother trying, but it will allow you to sample new music so you can purchase their entire album.

Happy hunting.

Stay tuned for the best music of 07.