Hi everyone,
So, first of all: thanks to everyone who's been reading the site. It's generated WAY more interest than I expected when I, virtually on a whim, got it started a few months ago. Along the way I've found some fantastic writers and some fantastic readers as well. Which is why we're closing down.
Just kidding.
Actually, what's happening is that we're moving, in a way. I was recently asked to become the music editor for Pajiba, a site I've been working with for a while now. As such, me and the writers of TMITM shall be over there, Monday through Thursday, posting at 5:00 PM every day. Look for more album reviews, live concert write-ups, you name it. Thanks for reading, and we'll see you at Pajiba!
Later gators.
-TK
ps - click here for the official Pajiba announcement!
Showing posts with label TK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TK. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
They Call It Rebel Music
For the most part, this is not a political blog. It's a musical blog. But it's foolish to think that the two shall never meet. Music has always been an important part of history, of politics and of the national and international landscape. Music has been both revolutionary and a tool of revolution.
To think that the election of Barack Hussein Obama last night was not a revolution of some sort is to misunderstand the scope and importance of it. So I figured I'd do a little post today on music about the revolution, about change and politics and all of the great things that music can show us about the world around us.
Bob Marley - Rebel Music:
Public Enemy - Brothers Gonna Work it Out:
The Beatles - Revolution:
Flipsyde - Someday:
Living Colour - Fight the Fight:
Tracy Chapman - Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution:
Take care everyone.
To think that the election of Barack Hussein Obama last night was not a revolution of some sort is to misunderstand the scope and importance of it. So I figured I'd do a little post today on music about the revolution, about change and politics and all of the great things that music can show us about the world around us.
Bob Marley - Rebel Music:
Public Enemy - Brothers Gonna Work it Out:
The Beatles - Revolution:
Flipsyde - Someday:
Living Colour - Fight the Fight:
Tracy Chapman - Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution:
Take care everyone.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Burst and Bloom into beauty
First of all: GO FUCKING VOTE!
Do they still teach kids to write in cursive? If so, why? Teaching a kid to write in cursive is basically the educational system saying, "here's a good tool to ensure that you'll have fucked up writing later in life." Because eventually you're going to start printing, and then you're gonna end up with some screwed up amalgamation of cursive and print that's going to just be a goddamn mess and no one's going to be able to read it. Next thing you know, your signature looks like a coked-up apoplectic tried to draw a straight line, and people are making jokes about you not being able to read your own writing. Fucking bastards.
(deep breath)
Anyway. That started out as a simple build-up that was going to end in a nice, easy segue, but clearly I have some shit to work out.
Cursive is a four/now five-piece rock outfit from Omaha, Nebraska of all places. I'm always amazed at the number of quality musical acts that come out of Omaha, and Cursive is another notch on the big O's musical belt. Formed in 1995, Cursive frequently finds themselves the victim of the dreaded "Emo" label, which to be honest, isn't entirely accurate (not to dump too hard on emo music - there's some decent stuff out there. You just have to dig. A lot. Really deeply. Like, China-deep). Truth be told, they're a little too smart, a little too self aware, and frankly, a little long in the tooth to be labeled Emo. See?
In reality, Cursive is a sumptuous blend of sounds, as if Fugazi and Built to Spill mated and threw in some piercing, jangly guitars... yet they are distinctly their own band. They've clearly got some punk rock in their roots, but also a flair for creative instrumentation and clever, ascerbic lyricism. Similar to another favorite of mine, Murder By Death (sans the awesome gothic/country flavor), they also incorporated a cello that was featured featured in their stellar album Burst and Bloom. Between torturing their guitars into a beautiful sound, they are fronted by the versatile Tim Kasher, equally at home with gentle murmers and cacaphonous caterwauls. With six albums over the last 13 years, they've gone through a series of break-ups and reformations, always keeping most of their core croup together, and always coming back strong with new and innovative material, including adding a brass section to the engaging concept album, 2006's Happy Hollow (the last album they've released). Very true to their indie roots, they consistently put out strong, interesting music and are deserving of more attention. Here's a few tracks:
One of my faves, here's "The Recluse" from The Ugly Organ (2003):
Rocking out a little more, here's the brilliant titled "Art is Hard" from the same album (read the lyrics here.... they're brilliant and wickedly funny):
"A Little Red Handed Sleight of Hand" again from The Ugly Organ:
"Dorothy at Forty" from Happy Hollow:
The wonderful "The Martyr" from Domestica:
Enjoy (and don't forget to vote!).
----------------
Now playing: Cursive - The Great Decay
via FoxyTunes
Do they still teach kids to write in cursive? If so, why? Teaching a kid to write in cursive is basically the educational system saying, "here's a good tool to ensure that you'll have fucked up writing later in life." Because eventually you're going to start printing, and then you're gonna end up with some screwed up amalgamation of cursive and print that's going to just be a goddamn mess and no one's going to be able to read it. Next thing you know, your signature looks like a coked-up apoplectic tried to draw a straight line, and people are making jokes about you not being able to read your own writing. Fucking bastards.
(deep breath)
Anyway. That started out as a simple build-up that was going to end in a nice, easy segue, but clearly I have some shit to work out.
Cursive is a four/now five-piece rock outfit from Omaha, Nebraska of all places. I'm always amazed at the number of quality musical acts that come out of Omaha, and Cursive is another notch on the big O's musical belt. Formed in 1995, Cursive frequently finds themselves the victim of the dreaded "Emo" label, which to be honest, isn't entirely accurate (not to dump too hard on emo music - there's some decent stuff out there. You just have to dig. A lot. Really deeply. Like, China-deep). Truth be told, they're a little too smart, a little too self aware, and frankly, a little long in the tooth to be labeled Emo. See?
In reality, Cursive is a sumptuous blend of sounds, as if Fugazi and Built to Spill mated and threw in some piercing, jangly guitars... yet they are distinctly their own band. They've clearly got some punk rock in their roots, but also a flair for creative instrumentation and clever, ascerbic lyricism. Similar to another favorite of mine, Murder By Death (sans the awesome gothic/country flavor), they also incorporated a cello that was featured featured in their stellar album Burst and Bloom. Between torturing their guitars into a beautiful sound, they are fronted by the versatile Tim Kasher, equally at home with gentle murmers and cacaphonous caterwauls. With six albums over the last 13 years, they've gone through a series of break-ups and reformations, always keeping most of their core croup together, and always coming back strong with new and innovative material, including adding a brass section to the engaging concept album, 2006's Happy Hollow (the last album they've released). Very true to their indie roots, they consistently put out strong, interesting music and are deserving of more attention. Here's a few tracks:
One of my faves, here's "The Recluse" from The Ugly Organ (2003):
Rocking out a little more, here's the brilliant titled "Art is Hard" from the same album (read the lyrics here.... they're brilliant and wickedly funny):
"A Little Red Handed Sleight of Hand" again from The Ugly Organ:
"Dorothy at Forty" from Happy Hollow:
The wonderful "The Martyr" from Domestica:
Enjoy (and don't forget to vote!).
----------------
Now playing: Cursive - The Great Decay
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Change Is Bad
Look, I'm all for innovation. I'm all for new and interesting things. Without trying new things, without evolving, we'd never have achieved important modern accomplishments like hybrid cars, purple roses and edible condoms. But... it's not for everyone.
You see, one of the things that makes me cringe is when certain bands try to branch out. It works for some. Take bands like The Beatles, Faith No More (or any Mike Patton project, really) or any other band that has had a successful, ever-changing sound. It can be a beautiful thing. At the same time, there are bands that have a formula, and a great formula. Sometimes, when you have such a formula, when you've gathered a perfect storm of sound, it's best to simply tweak it periodically, but not to try to overreach. When that happens, for some bands, well... the suck begins.
So without further ado, here are three bands that were brilliant in executing their formula... but then fucked with it, and now are pale shadows of their former selves. Sadly, these are also three of my all-time favorite bands, bands I've seen in concert multiple times, and bands that have now been letting me down for years.
1) Metallica
The lovely Boo already talked about their new album, "Death Magnetic." It's not bad. It's an attempt to re-establish themselves closer to their roots. But the thing is, they should never have moved away in the first place. Metallica has two near-perfect albums, "Master of Puppets" and "Kill 'Em All," and one near great one, "Ride The Lightning." Many people love "...And Justice for All," whereas I see it as the beginning of the end. Metallica's bread and butter was always speedy, thrashy, arena-metal with a penchant for headbanging and lyrics about drug use or goofy mythology. Then they started trying to write about Very Important Issues, and consequently, their sound rapidly shit the bed. They tried to appeal to a wider audience, and in the process watered down what made them so great. But, here are some of their best works, from back in the day:
From Kill 'Em All, my personal favorite, The Four Horsemen:
Same album, here's "Seek and Destroy"
"Damage, Inc.", from "Master of Puppets"
2) Helmet
Oh, God, Helmet. How I loved Helmet when I was in high school and college. I still throw in "Meantime" or "Betty" to this day and rock the fuck out to them. Helmet, led by virtuoso Page Hamilton, was a force of nature in their prime. Known for rapid-fire riffs, barking vocals mixed with monotone singing, and some truly amazing, innovative drumming from John Stanier, their first three albums are classics for alternative/hardcore lovers from the early to middle 90's. Betty, while a great album, also signified their efforts to change it up again, and much like Metallica and "Justice," it marked the beginning of their decline. Once Stanier and drummer Henry Bogdan left the band, Hamilton tried hard to recapture the magic. He came close on the near-miss album "Aftertaste," but ultimately, Helmet just never was the same. Here's one track from each of their three great albums:
"Bad Mood," from "Strap It On"
"Ironhead," from "Meantime"
"Biscuits for Smut," from "Betty"
Incidentally, the best song on Betty, and a spectacular example of Stanier's drumming skills, is easily "Rollo," but I couldn't find an embeddable video. So go look for it.
3) Social Distortion
Social D is one of the granddaddies of punk rock. A bunch of white trash heroin addicts from Orange County, Social Distortion created a fascinating hybrid of country, rock and roll, and punk that spoke to kids everywhere. Plagued by heroin addiction for years, frontman Mike Ness was a incredible performer who would eventually clean up his act. They sustained their sound and their greatness for a solid decade-plus, starting with the nasty-sounding "Mommy's Little Monster" in 1983 and getting good results out of 1996's "White Light, White Heat, White Trash," which was probably their most heavily produced album, but still a solid effort. Four years later, guitarist Dennis Danell would die of an aneurysm, and Ness became the last surviving member of the original lineup. Since then... not so much with the good records. 2004 gave us the weak "Sex, Love and Rock and Roll" and while there's another album due in 2009, I don't have very high hopes. But they still put on a motherfucker of a show (or so I hear - I haven't seen them since 1996), and their punk rock legacy will live forever. Here's a few of the classics:
"Mommy's Little Monster" from the album of the same name:
The popular, radio-friendly Johnny Cash cover, "Ring of Fire" from fire, from their eponymous album:
"I Was Wrong" from "White Light, White Heat, White Trash"
Interestingly, Ness has put out a couple of solo albums that are really, really good and definitely worth your time, especially if punk's not your thing. They're much more mellow.
So there you go. Three bands that either danced with, or achieved greatness based on a perfect formula, that ruined themselves through trying too hard to change or grow. It's not always a good thing, people.
----------------
Listening to: Helmet - Rollo
via FoxyTunes
You see, one of the things that makes me cringe is when certain bands try to branch out. It works for some. Take bands like The Beatles, Faith No More (or any Mike Patton project, really) or any other band that has had a successful, ever-changing sound. It can be a beautiful thing. At the same time, there are bands that have a formula, and a great formula. Sometimes, when you have such a formula, when you've gathered a perfect storm of sound, it's best to simply tweak it periodically, but not to try to overreach. When that happens, for some bands, well... the suck begins.
So without further ado, here are three bands that were brilliant in executing their formula... but then fucked with it, and now are pale shadows of their former selves. Sadly, these are also three of my all-time favorite bands, bands I've seen in concert multiple times, and bands that have now been letting me down for years.
1) Metallica
The lovely Boo already talked about their new album, "Death Magnetic." It's not bad. It's an attempt to re-establish themselves closer to their roots. But the thing is, they should never have moved away in the first place. Metallica has two near-perfect albums, "Master of Puppets" and "Kill 'Em All," and one near great one, "Ride The Lightning." Many people love "...And Justice for All," whereas I see it as the beginning of the end. Metallica's bread and butter was always speedy, thrashy, arena-metal with a penchant for headbanging and lyrics about drug use or goofy mythology. Then they started trying to write about Very Important Issues, and consequently, their sound rapidly shit the bed. They tried to appeal to a wider audience, and in the process watered down what made them so great. But, here are some of their best works, from back in the day:
From Kill 'Em All, my personal favorite, The Four Horsemen:
Same album, here's "Seek and Destroy"
"Damage, Inc.", from "Master of Puppets"
2) Helmet
Oh, God, Helmet. How I loved Helmet when I was in high school and college. I still throw in "Meantime" or "Betty" to this day and rock the fuck out to them. Helmet, led by virtuoso Page Hamilton, was a force of nature in their prime. Known for rapid-fire riffs, barking vocals mixed with monotone singing, and some truly amazing, innovative drumming from John Stanier, their first three albums are classics for alternative/hardcore lovers from the early to middle 90's. Betty, while a great album, also signified their efforts to change it up again, and much like Metallica and "Justice," it marked the beginning of their decline. Once Stanier and drummer Henry Bogdan left the band, Hamilton tried hard to recapture the magic. He came close on the near-miss album "Aftertaste," but ultimately, Helmet just never was the same. Here's one track from each of their three great albums:
"Bad Mood," from "Strap It On"
"Ironhead," from "Meantime"
"Biscuits for Smut," from "Betty"
Incidentally, the best song on Betty, and a spectacular example of Stanier's drumming skills, is easily "Rollo," but I couldn't find an embeddable video. So go look for it.
3) Social Distortion
Social D is one of the granddaddies of punk rock. A bunch of white trash heroin addicts from Orange County, Social Distortion created a fascinating hybrid of country, rock and roll, and punk that spoke to kids everywhere. Plagued by heroin addiction for years, frontman Mike Ness was a incredible performer who would eventually clean up his act. They sustained their sound and their greatness for a solid decade-plus, starting with the nasty-sounding "Mommy's Little Monster" in 1983 and getting good results out of 1996's "White Light, White Heat, White Trash," which was probably their most heavily produced album, but still a solid effort. Four years later, guitarist Dennis Danell would die of an aneurysm, and Ness became the last surviving member of the original lineup. Since then... not so much with the good records. 2004 gave us the weak "Sex, Love and Rock and Roll" and while there's another album due in 2009, I don't have very high hopes. But they still put on a motherfucker of a show (or so I hear - I haven't seen them since 1996), and their punk rock legacy will live forever. Here's a few of the classics:
"Mommy's Little Monster" from the album of the same name:
The popular, radio-friendly Johnny Cash cover, "Ring of Fire" from fire, from their eponymous album:
"I Was Wrong" from "White Light, White Heat, White Trash"
Interestingly, Ness has put out a couple of solo albums that are really, really good and definitely worth your time, especially if punk's not your thing. They're much more mellow.
So there you go. Three bands that either danced with, or achieved greatness based on a perfect formula, that ruined themselves through trying too hard to change or grow. It's not always a good thing, people.
----------------
Listening to: Helmet - Rollo
via FoxyTunes
Friday, August 15, 2008
HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME!!
Hopefully, you all enjoyed our first go-round of Friday themes. Sadly, we're done with party music, so it's time for a new Friday theme. This time it's... guilty pleasures. That's right, the stuff you listen to when no one's around, the stuff you pretend you hate but secretly love. The music that, when your friend finds it on your iPod, you're all redfaced and "I have no idea how that got there. My wife must have put it there!"
Since I believe in leading by example, I shall go first. All of these will actually be found on my hard drive, and in some cases, on my iPod. Heeeeeere we go.
Queensrÿche: Sadly, they're probably best known for the soul-suckingly horrendous "Silent Lucidity," off of their "Empire" album. While the bizarre, fascist/political intrigue/hitman concept album Operation: Mindcrime is far from a classic (in fact, it's pretty terrible), when I was 14? That shit blew my mind. So... um... I still, you know, know all the lyrics. I've also been known to listen to it at alarmingly loud volumes in my car, and even rock out a little, despite it's gratuitous cheesetasticness. Ahem.
Christina Aguilera: I'm not proud of it, OK? She freaks me out, and she might actually be a cyborg. But damn if she doesn't have a serious voice on her. There's really only one song that I like, mainly because of the background music and in it. Here's an excellent live version of "Ain't No Other Man":
Mandy Moore: I'm killing myself here, aren't I? Fuck it, that's the point. OK, look: Mandy Moore is beautiful, and she's actually an excellent actor. She's also got a great voice, which I really realized in this song, "Umbrella," which is actually a (gulp!) Rihanna cover. The original kind of blows, but this version - give it a listen before you judge, you pricks:
Megadeth: There was a time when Megadeth fuckin' rawked.. I actually had a giant Megadeth patch on my denim jacket when I was 13 (that my (incredibly patient) mom sewed on for me, of course). I thought that they and Metallica were the coolest bands on the planet. I still have great affection for Dave Mustaine's weird, whiny voice. Here's "Holy Wars," featuring them in all their shirtless, tight-pantsed, metal glory. I've been known to throw my head around while listening to this... and perhaps toss up a goat horn or two.
Boston: Oh, fuck me. This is probably the reason fucking Itunes keeps recommending shitty classic rock albums to me. Look, it's not out of some sense of regional appreciation - I don't care that their name is Boston. I'm not that much of a local fanboy. I just... I just dig 'em. And not just "More Than a Feeling" and "Peace of Mind," either. I genuinely and unironically listen to the entire eponymous album (and sing at the top of my lungs. I get a lot of weird looks when I'm in the car). I can't help it. I'm a moth and Brad Delp is my flame. Here's what's easily the best track, "Let Me Take You Home Tonight," from a time when calling women "mama" wasn't weird or creepy at all.
Nuclear Assault: Speaking of throwin' up a goat... the worst of old-school speed metal. Seriously. They're awful. Up there with Testament, and yet... and yet, a few months ago I found myself trying to track down their old albums. God forgive me. Here's "Critical Mass," their sad effort to be environmentally conscious. Hey, at least I didn't pick "Hang the Pope."
I'd say I've shamed myself enough for one day... or lifetime.
Since I believe in leading by example, I shall go first. All of these will actually be found on my hard drive, and in some cases, on my iPod. Heeeeeere we go.
Queensrÿche: Sadly, they're probably best known for the soul-suckingly horrendous "Silent Lucidity," off of their "Empire" album. While the bizarre, fascist/political intrigue/hitman concept album Operation: Mindcrime is far from a classic (in fact, it's pretty terrible), when I was 14? That shit blew my mind. So... um... I still, you know, know all the lyrics. I've also been known to listen to it at alarmingly loud volumes in my car, and even rock out a little, despite it's gratuitous cheesetasticness. Ahem.
Christina Aguilera: I'm not proud of it, OK? She freaks me out, and she might actually be a cyborg. But damn if she doesn't have a serious voice on her. There's really only one song that I like, mainly because of the background music and in it. Here's an excellent live version of "Ain't No Other Man":
Mandy Moore: I'm killing myself here, aren't I? Fuck it, that's the point. OK, look: Mandy Moore is beautiful, and she's actually an excellent actor. She's also got a great voice, which I really realized in this song, "Umbrella," which is actually a (gulp!) Rihanna cover. The original kind of blows, but this version - give it a listen before you judge, you pricks:
Megadeth: There was a time when Megadeth fuckin' rawked.. I actually had a giant Megadeth patch on my denim jacket when I was 13 (that my (incredibly patient) mom sewed on for me, of course). I thought that they and Metallica were the coolest bands on the planet. I still have great affection for Dave Mustaine's weird, whiny voice. Here's "Holy Wars," featuring them in all their shirtless, tight-pantsed, metal glory. I've been known to throw my head around while listening to this... and perhaps toss up a goat horn or two.
Boston: Oh, fuck me. This is probably the reason fucking Itunes keeps recommending shitty classic rock albums to me. Look, it's not out of some sense of regional appreciation - I don't care that their name is Boston. I'm not that much of a local fanboy. I just... I just dig 'em. And not just "More Than a Feeling" and "Peace of Mind," either. I genuinely and unironically listen to the entire eponymous album (and sing at the top of my lungs. I get a lot of weird looks when I'm in the car). I can't help it. I'm a moth and Brad Delp is my flame. Here's what's easily the best track, "Let Me Take You Home Tonight," from a time when calling women "mama" wasn't weird or creepy at all.
Nuclear Assault: Speaking of throwin' up a goat... the worst of old-school speed metal. Seriously. They're awful. Up there with Testament, and yet... and yet, a few months ago I found myself trying to track down their old albums. God forgive me. Here's "Critical Mass," their sad effort to be environmentally conscious. Hey, at least I didn't pick "Hang the Pope."
I'd say I've shamed myself enough for one day... or lifetime.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
New additions
Hey kids,
A bit of site news: Please join us in welcoming the newest writer for TMITM, The Ursine Calamity, aka Bear. Bear blogs (and eloquently so) over at The Ursine Calamity, and will be a regular contributor around these parts. So please, raise your glasses, tip your hats, whatever it is you do.
Welcome aboard.
----------------
Now playing: The Kills - Dead Road 7
via FoxyTunes
A bit of site news: Please join us in welcoming the newest writer for TMITM, The Ursine Calamity, aka Bear. Bear blogs (and eloquently so) over at The Ursine Calamity, and will be a regular contributor around these parts. So please, raise your glasses, tip your hats, whatever it is you do.
Welcome aboard.
----------------
Now playing: The Kills - Dead Road 7
via FoxyTunes
Monday, August 4, 2008
"I don't even know what the hell that means"
In the quest for compelling new music, sooner or later you're going to find yourself bored. It inevitably happens. I don't know how many times I've stood in front of my CD shelves, or perused my music hard drive, looking at thousands and thousands of songs and thought to myself, "I don't want to listen to any of this."
It's hard to figure, but eventually it led me to finding music from other cultures, and more specifically, music in other languages. It's a strange idea, listening to music in a foreign tongue. I'm one of those people with absolutely zero affinity for language. I've studied four, not counting English, and can read, write and speak exactly zero. Yet I love some of the music I've discovered.
I used to not bother - my thinking was, music in another language would be the equivalent of watching a foreign film... without the subtitles. But there is a beautiful mystery to it. The obvious, immediate appeal is the music, the instrumental arrangement, which is frequently very different from what I'm used to. Yet I also find myself riveted to the vocals - in some cases, even singing along - taking the "Excuse me while I kiss this guy" concept to the nth degree.
Anyway, to make a short story long, here is my list of songs that I love... that I have absolutely no idea what they're saying.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - A native of Pakistan and a master of Qawwali music, Nusrat had one of the most captivating voices I've ever heard. Here's "Intoxicated."
Bebel Gilberto - Brazilian singer of incredible grace and sensuality, Bebel is not to be missed. As an added bonus, she does have some songs in English - but I love this one, "Momento."
Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band - Zydeco is one of those genres that makes you immediately grin and start stomping your feet. It's perfect party music. Here's "Rosa Majeur."
CéU - OK, so clearly I have a thing for female Brazilian singers. But seriously, she's incredible. This is "Malemolencia."
Federico Aubele - So, there's a guy who decided to start mixing dub, ambient, hip hop beats with some tango (among others) thrown in for good measure. Hailing from Argentina, Federico Aubele is the definition of "genre-bending." Here's "Postales."
Panjabi MC - Indian hip hop? Fuck yes. With some Knight Rider thrown in for good measure, here's "Mundian To Bach Ke (Knight Rider Remix)."
In honor of my homeland, we'll close out with some South African artists:
Most people are already familiar with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. If you're not, you should be (and not just their "Graceland" stuff). They probably have the greatest sense of timing and harmony you're likely to see.
Here they are again with South African diva and vocalist extraordinaire Miriam Makeba, as well as a little of the trumpet great Hugh Masekela (please ignore Paul Simon). This is "N'Kosi Sikelel' Africa," the South African national anthem (which used to be a song of resistance and the anthem of the ANC back in the Apartheid years), a song that always has and always will make me cry a little. The lyrics are in Xhosa.
Finally, to completely change gears, here is Zola, a hip hop, "Kwaito" performer. This is the new blood music of townships and urban South Africa. The lyrics are mostly in Zulu. This is "Mdlwembe." Feel free to shake your ass.
As you can see, I tend to skew towards India, Pakistan, South Africa and South America. So any and all recommendations are, as always, very welcome.
It's hard to figure, but eventually it led me to finding music from other cultures, and more specifically, music in other languages. It's a strange idea, listening to music in a foreign tongue. I'm one of those people with absolutely zero affinity for language. I've studied four, not counting English, and can read, write and speak exactly zero. Yet I love some of the music I've discovered.
I used to not bother - my thinking was, music in another language would be the equivalent of watching a foreign film... without the subtitles. But there is a beautiful mystery to it. The obvious, immediate appeal is the music, the instrumental arrangement, which is frequently very different from what I'm used to. Yet I also find myself riveted to the vocals - in some cases, even singing along - taking the "Excuse me while I kiss this guy" concept to the nth degree.
Anyway, to make a short story long, here is my list of songs that I love... that I have absolutely no idea what they're saying.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - A native of Pakistan and a master of Qawwali music, Nusrat had one of the most captivating voices I've ever heard. Here's "Intoxicated."
Bebel Gilberto - Brazilian singer of incredible grace and sensuality, Bebel is not to be missed. As an added bonus, she does have some songs in English - but I love this one, "Momento."
Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band - Zydeco is one of those genres that makes you immediately grin and start stomping your feet. It's perfect party music. Here's "Rosa Majeur."
CéU - OK, so clearly I have a thing for female Brazilian singers. But seriously, she's incredible. This is "Malemolencia."
Federico Aubele - So, there's a guy who decided to start mixing dub, ambient, hip hop beats with some tango (among others) thrown in for good measure. Hailing from Argentina, Federico Aubele is the definition of "genre-bending." Here's "Postales."
Panjabi MC - Indian hip hop? Fuck yes. With some Knight Rider thrown in for good measure, here's "Mundian To Bach Ke (Knight Rider Remix)."
In honor of my homeland, we'll close out with some South African artists:
Most people are already familiar with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. If you're not, you should be (and not just their "Graceland" stuff). They probably have the greatest sense of timing and harmony you're likely to see.
Here they are again with South African diva and vocalist extraordinaire Miriam Makeba, as well as a little of the trumpet great Hugh Masekela (please ignore Paul Simon). This is "N'Kosi Sikelel' Africa," the South African national anthem (which used to be a song of resistance and the anthem of the ANC back in the Apartheid years), a song that always has and always will make me cry a little. The lyrics are in Xhosa.
Finally, to completely change gears, here is Zola, a hip hop, "Kwaito" performer. This is the new blood music of townships and urban South Africa. The lyrics are mostly in Zulu. This is "Mdlwembe." Feel free to shake your ass.
As you can see, I tend to skew towards India, Pakistan, South Africa and South America. So any and all recommendations are, as always, very welcome.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Party at Ground Zero
Party music, eh?
Well, that's a bit of a dilemma for me, since I'm not really the kind of guy who hosts parties very often. We pretty much have two kinds of parties at the Meat Factory: summer barbecues and winter Christmas parties. We don't cotton to people coming over in the spring or fall. And while the Christmas parties can be fun...
Clearly, Christmas music is a little inappropriate for right now. So let's kick things off with Music for Summer BBQ's. Please note: there will be no Will Smith tracks on this list. Also note: if you were expecting Will Smith tracks, you are visiting the wrong motherfucking site... or at least reading the wrong motherfucking writer.
Be forewarned: I don't believe that party music needs a theme, a rhyme or a reason. If it makes people tap their feet, snap their fingers, shake their ass, pump their fist, throw a goat or bang their head, it goes on the list. Usually my friends are too sauced to pay much attention after the 3rd or 4th track anyway. This is just a sample of what you might hear at my place.
AC/DC: Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution - only one of the top three greatest AC/DC songs... ever.
The Gourds: Gin and Juice - a cover that borders on genius.
The Arcade Fire: Keep the Car Running - best track on Neon Bible.
Blackalicious: Powers - speaking of shaking your ass...
Monster Magnet: Space Lord - "Now open wide and SAY MY NAME!"
Prodigy: Smack My Bitch Up - Is this song misogynistic? More importantly, do I care? Also, this is an awesome video.
Rilo Kiley: Portions for Foxes - when Jenny Lewis belts out "C'mere!" during this, you're gonna wanna grab the person nearest to you and lay one on them.
Roots Manuva: Witness (1 Hope) - not even worth listening to unless you have some really kickin' bass.
Mr. Bungle: The Girls of Porn - because all parties need a little Patton... and a little porn.
Filter: Hey Man Nice Shot (Horns Remix) - track this remix down - it's a vast improvement. Sadly, no video.
Kanye West: Stronger - two words: DAFT PUNK. Speaking of which...
Daft Punk: One More Time
Fishbone: Party at Ground Zero - because the world needs more bonin'
Say Anything: Woe - "I can't get laid in this town, without these pointy fuckin' shoes..." I love this lyric
So there's a glimpse into what it's like to party at my house. Just picture me drunk, probably something spilled on my shirt, stuffing my face. Chances are Ervie's there, and chances are he's ripped the sleeves off his t-shirt and he's making somebody blush.
Rock on, people.
Well, that's a bit of a dilemma for me, since I'm not really the kind of guy who hosts parties very often. We pretty much have two kinds of parties at the Meat Factory: summer barbecues and winter Christmas parties. We don't cotton to people coming over in the spring or fall. And while the Christmas parties can be fun...
Clearly, Christmas music is a little inappropriate for right now. So let's kick things off with Music for Summer BBQ's. Please note: there will be no Will Smith tracks on this list. Also note: if you were expecting Will Smith tracks, you are visiting the wrong motherfucking site... or at least reading the wrong motherfucking writer.
Be forewarned: I don't believe that party music needs a theme, a rhyme or a reason. If it makes people tap their feet, snap their fingers, shake their ass, pump their fist, throw a goat or bang their head, it goes on the list. Usually my friends are too sauced to pay much attention after the 3rd or 4th track anyway. This is just a sample of what you might hear at my place.
AC/DC: Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution - only one of the top three greatest AC/DC songs... ever.
The Gourds: Gin and Juice - a cover that borders on genius.
The Arcade Fire: Keep the Car Running - best track on Neon Bible.
Blackalicious: Powers - speaking of shaking your ass...
Monster Magnet: Space Lord - "Now open wide and SAY MY NAME!"
Prodigy: Smack My Bitch Up - Is this song misogynistic? More importantly, do I care? Also, this is an awesome video.
Rilo Kiley: Portions for Foxes - when Jenny Lewis belts out "C'mere!" during this, you're gonna wanna grab the person nearest to you and lay one on them.
Roots Manuva: Witness (1 Hope) - not even worth listening to unless you have some really kickin' bass.
Mr. Bungle: The Girls of Porn - because all parties need a little Patton... and a little porn.
Filter: Hey Man Nice Shot (Horns Remix) - track this remix down - it's a vast improvement. Sadly, no video.
Kanye West: Stronger - two words: DAFT PUNK. Speaking of which...
Daft Punk: One More Time
Fishbone: Party at Ground Zero - because the world needs more bonin'
Say Anything: Woe - "I can't get laid in this town, without these pointy fuckin' shoes..." I love this lyric
So there's a glimpse into what it's like to party at my house. Just picture me drunk, probably something spilled on my shirt, stuffing my face. Chances are Ervie's there, and chances are he's ripped the sleeves off his t-shirt and he's making somebody blush.
Rock on, people.
Monday, July 21, 2008
You owe me a scream
"It's an art form unto itself," I once said to Ervie a few months ago. Ervie, bless his goofy heart, agreed that while it's not his thing, it certainly is a special talent.
I speak of screaming, of course.
There are many things that Mrs. TK and I don't agree on: Olives, for example. I've yet to be able to get her to see the genius of Big Trouble in Little China. She doesn't get my addiction to t-shirts. I don't get her addiction to furniture. I can't handle spinny carnival rides - she treats them like she's going down a kiddie slide. But one of the big ones is music - specifically, what she calls "angry screaming music." She doesn't see that it is an art. It's a skill. It's not just anyone who can scream non-stop for a 3-5 minute song. It's even harder to do it set to a rhythm. Harder still to do it for a 90 minute concert.
I fucking love it. I was once discussing "Collision Course," the Jay-Z/Linkin Park collaboration album with my friend Chris.
"I dig Jay-Z I guess, but I can't stand Linkin Park," remarked Chris
"I kinda like 'em... actually, really I just like the screamy parts," I said.
"There's a fuckin' shock," he replied.
Clearly my reputation precedes me.
It's true though. I like all manner of screamers, if they can do it right. By "do it right," I mean not just scream or roar themselves into a cacophonous, incoherent fury, such as Napalm Death, or a lot of death metal, for that matter. Chester Bennington of LP, while his band is kind of lame, gets a pass for being a truly outstanding screamer. I like those who can actually use the scream as an instrument, to play off of the harmonies in the song. I realize that Mrs. TK is never going to appreciate it, because she doesn't like the music type in general... hell, none of my friends really do (which is why Boo and I need to spend an evening getting hammered and talking about metal some time). But I like punishing guitar chords with a wailing lead and pounding, rapid-fire double bass drums and yes, a good screamer layered on top of that. One of my favorite things? Bands with two singers, so they can do that "one guy screaming/one guy singing" thing, a la Thursday's "War All The Time" album.
Thursday, incidentally, is what the kids and the Wikipedia folks call an "emo-core" or "screamo" (one of the most hysterically funny tags ever) band. They're terribly earnest and have really angsty lyrics like:
"Rupture the wall around my heart
I feel so lost,
I've been shaking, you can't save me"
I know, right? Terribly cheesy. But I forgive all of this, because right at the beginning of that verse, when lead singer Geoff Rickly begins to tearfully sing out "Rupture..." another band-mate screams out "RUPTURE!!!" simultaneously and it just fucking... works. It's almost beautiful. For the record, I'm not talking about your regular, Metallica-esque heavy metal shouting, or just singing real loud. I'm talking screaming. Like, borderline agony screaming. I know it sounds weird but I'm telling you - there's a certain magic to it.
So. With that excessively lengthy introduction, here are some of my favorite screamers.
Faith No More: "Cuckoo for Caca," from King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime (Mike Patton is a master of vocal gymnastics - a beautiful voice with a stellar scream mixed in)
Thursday: "For the Workforce, Drowning," from War All The Time
The Dillinger Escape Plan: "Milk Lizard," from Ire Works
From Autumn to Ashes: "Pioneers," from Holding a Wolf by the Ears (Another brilliant entry in the "one guy screaming/one guy singing" sub- sub- sub-genre)
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster: "Darkest of Kin," from II (Ervie and I saw these guys open for Clutch, and they are damn impressive live)
The Hope Conspiracy: "They Know Not," from Death Knows Your Name
Linkin Park: "Faint," from Meteora (I know, OK? I know. But I'm telling you, this dude is a near-pantheon screamer)
Flyleaf: "I'm So Sick," from Flyleaf (incidentally, this album is a massive disappointment, and this is the only screamy song. I was furious. But still, this song kind of rocks).
Bad Brains: "Banned in D.C.," from Rock for Light
Marilyn Manson: "Rock is Dead," from Mechanical Animals (say what you will about these guys, but they know how to entertain and he knows how to scream)
Murder By Death, "Devil in Mexico," from Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them?
(interestingly, this isn't a metal or hardcore band, and they rarely scream. But when they do, such as in the end of this song? Chills, I tell you. Sadly, I couldn't find a video.)
Nine Inch Nails: "Happiness in Slavery," from Broken (the grand master, never to be replaced: Trent Reznor)
Hope you've enjoyed. Scream 'til that shit hurts, people. That's when you know you're doing it right.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Hip hop started out in the heart
C'mon baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
How come we ain't gettin' no higher?
Now tell me your philosophy on exactly what an artist should be
Should they be someone with prosperity and no concept of reality?
-Lauren Hill, "Superstar"
There is no more frustrating, infuriating, upsetting musical genre than hip hop. I firmly believe this to be true. What started out as essentially street poetry has gone through a thousand iterations, become turned and twisted and spun around and knocked up and down, to finally reach the sad state of affairs it's left in today. In truth, though it's certainly had a shorter life than country music, there are many parallels. This may sound strange, especially for you country fans who have nothing but disdain for hip hop. But like country, what started out as basically poor people's music evolved and changed over the decades. What used to be a movement, a message (to borrow a phrase), has become bastardized, drowned out by the commercial, the mindless mass of modern hip hop monsters.
It's why it's not uncommon for people to blatantly state, "I hate rap music," or "all hip hop sucks." In truth, if all you know is what you hear on the radio, well then based on your experience you're probably correct in that assertion. It may sound like reactionary griping, like the old man who's watching modern society pass him by, but the truth is that modern, commercial, radio-friendly hip hop, with a couple of exceptions, is mostly crap. Amateurish, misogynistic, derivative, weakly produced crap. It's developed on the equivalent of a musical assembly line, by predatory producers and executives who prowl cities and audition halls and neighborhoods, looking for someone with the basic abilities and a badass attitude. Those "artists" are paired with a producer or DJ, and a couple of weeks later, the next Li'l Jon or Flo Rida is born.
Six months from now, they will vanish into obscurity. But for six months, another brainless zombie album full of sex, drugs, and violence - bitches, money and guns, if you wish - will be foisted upon us. The music industry feeds on them like wild dogs, and they've somehow convinced people - everyone from urban school kids to suburban white kids to fraternity brothers to the average radio listener - that this is what black music is about, and what's worse, that this is the best hip hop has to offer.
What you hear on the radio is an insult to hip-hop, a slap in the face to Run DMC and KRS-One and everyone who came before or after them. I'm not going to waste your time telling you to go back and find the old-school stuff, because actually much of that music hasn't aged terribly well. Unless you're a real hardcore hip-hop fan, much of it is going to be wasted on you. Hell, I love hip hop and I can't tell you the last time I dusted off an old Eric B and Rakim album. But you don't have to go back 20 years. There's great, moving, intelligent, thought-provoking and fun hip hop coming out all the time. Music that still has something to say, that hasn't been corrupted by fame and fortune, and that you can still shake your goddamn ass to. Good hip hop is sexy, it's smart, it makes you want to dance - and sometimes it makes you want to revolt. It's what we should be asking of all music.I'm not enthusiastic about it, but shit I make it happen
"Man, fuck that shit, I pay my taxes when I'm asked to
Yeah, it's last minute, but goddammit they cash it
This is fiscal harassment! They keep touching my assets!
Now I imagine I might be feeling different about it
If it was given outright, witnessing it helping somebody
But it just so happens in life, the school district's too crowded
There ain't no teachers in sight, that's why the kids are so rowdy"
-Lyrics Born, "Stop Complaining"
I'm leaving off the likes of Tupac and Biggie and Jay-Z and some others - those are guys who are still popular that actually do have a lot of talent - in favor of some perhaps lesser known, and less divisive, artists. Make no mistake, these folks are artists. Because of the sheer volume of crap out there, it's often thought of as a lazy or simple genre. That couldn't be further from the truth; as writer Ta-Nehisi Coates said recently, "hip-hop is a lot more complicated than rhyming couplets and stolen drum riffs... I would not, from a mere sample of Kenny G or even John Coltrane, make any broad statements about jazz. Those of us who were shaped by hip-hop are only asking the same."
So indulge me for a moment and let me throw together a quick and dirty playlist of modern hip hop that doesn't, well... suck.
| Artist | Song Title | Album |
| Aceyalone with RJD2 | Cornbread, Eddie & Me | Magnificent City |
| Atmosphere | Breathing | God Loves Ugly |
| Blackalicious | World of Vibrations | The Craft |
| Brother Ali | Win Some Lose Some | Shadows On The Sun |
| Bullfrog & Kid Koala | Reverse Psychology | Bullfrog |
| Cee-Lo | The Art of Noise (with Pharrell) | Cee-Lo Green... Is the Soul |
| The Coup | Hip 2 The Skeme | Genocide & Juice |
| Cunninlynguists | Caved In feat. Cee-Lo Green | A Piece of Strange |
| Danger Doom | Basket Case | The Mouse and the Mask |
| Danger Mouse & Jemini | Omega Supreme [DM Remix] | Ghetto Pop Life |
| Dead Prez | Police State | Lets Get Free |
| Deux Process | Compatibility | In Deux Time |
| Diverse | Big Game (feat. Vast Aire) | One A.M. |
| Dr. Octagon | Waiting List [DJ Shadow/Automator Mix] | Dr. Octagonecologyst |
| Flipsyde | Someday | We the People |
| Ghostface Killah | Back Like That (Feat. Ne-Yo) | Fishscale |
| Gift Of Gab | Way Of The Light | 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up |
| The Goats | Hip-Hopola | Tricks Of The Shade |
| Hieroglyphics | Chicago | Full Circle |
| King Geedorah | Krazy World feat. Gigan | Take Me To Your Leader |
| Latyrx | Latyrx | The Album |
| Little Brother | Slow It Down (Feat. Darien Brockington) | The Minstrel Show |
| Lyrics Born | Callin' Out | Later That Day... |
| Masked Avengers And Maylay Sparks | Small Time Thing | So Wonderful EP |
| Mos Def | Zimzallabim | The New Danger |
| Mr. SOS | Don't Know My Neighbors | The Pre-Op |
| Murs And Slug Present | Rick James | FELT: A Tribute to Christina Ricci |
| One Be Lo | Sleepwalking feat. Ka Di | S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. |
| Sage Francis | Climb Trees | Personal Journals |
| Tonedeff | Porcelain | Archetype |
"I want to be free to live, able to have what I need to live
Bring the power back to the street, where the people live
We sick of workin' for crumbs and fillin' up the prisons
Dyin' over money and relyin' on religion for help
We do for self like ants in a colony
Organize the wealth into a socialist economy
A way of life based off the common need
And all my comrades is ready, we just spreadin the seed
-Dead Prez, "Police State"
Go ahead, tell me that's not poetry.
As always, suggestions and recommendations are always welcome.
----------------
Now playing: Dead Prez - You'll Find A Way
via FoxyTunes
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