Today's Music That Jason Likes But Doesn't 'Like' Like is Turquoise and Crimson, by Vast. Now, I don't really know anything about Vast, except that a friend recommended them to me some time ago, so I picked up this double album on a whim. So here are my thoughts.
This album is probably not going to classify as my favorite anything, but it's still very listenable. It's rock, definitely not heavy metal but probably enough to make John Mayer wet his pants at the very least. It makes me think of a darker U2, as though this band heard "New Year's Day" and decided that they would make albums that expanded on that same sound. The singer actually has a comparable vocal range to Bono, though he doesn't have quite the voice. Still not bad by any means. The band incorporates piano very well in many of the songs, particularly "Don't Take Your Love Away From Me", which has a fairly awful title but is probably my favorite track on either disc.
I suppose there has to be an explanation for why I'm not over the moon about this album. It's interesting, dark and driving enough to be really enjoyable though probably not uptempo enough for the gym. Some of the songs are a little too similar in structure and overall sound, and there isn't always enough tension built up to make the release in each song particularly gratifying. The band doesn't really do anything wrong; I suppose it's like having a date with someone who is agreeable and pleasant, even attractive, but not at any point unpredictable or especially stimulating.
In other news, I'm late for something. See you later.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
everybody in the place can just GET OUT
So today, I was toying with the idea of posting a somewhat less positive review. Just about all of the music I've discussed here so far has been things that I have a favorable opinion of. But the negativity, or at least less enthusiasm, is on its way. I was thinking about The Shins, specifically; they're a group that has some good songs and also some unaffecting soggy-cereal kind of songs. They aren't awful, but I wouldn't say their music would 'change my life'.
Enough. Let's get down to business.
Today's Music That Jason Keeps Locked Away Until You're Older is Elephant, by The White Stripes. I could go on and on about Jack and Meg themselves, but let's talk about the album today. This album is from a period in the White Stripes' existence where Jack was really getting into old blues and country, ran around with Loretta Lynn for a while, and incorporated some of these elements into the music. The result was probably the best White Stripes album (some people would argue in favor of De Stijl or White Blood Cells, certainly not baseless claims). The songs here jump around a little, stylistically: straight-forward dirty rock songs ("Seven Nation Army", "The Hardest Button to Button"), slow bluesy songs that get loud and squeal a little bit ("Ball and Biscuit", "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself") and even songs with Jack being cute and flirting with Holly Golightly ("It's True That We Love One Another"). It makes a whole that manages to be cohesive without reaching for any kind of uniformity.
I even like the song titles and lyrics on this album. The lyrics aren't exactly Stipesque, but they fit exactly with the style of music. This album is fun and rambunctious, but doesn't deny its roots. Underneath all of the songs is a sense of latent danger that you don't get in most records. There's always that possibility that each song might be the one where the White Stripes decide to go to 11 and ROCK THE HELL OUT OF YOU. I want to tell you that I have a favorite song on this album, but I couldn't pick just one or even two. The uptempo songs are fun and almost perfect workout music, the downtempo songs make for good contrast and offer a nice slow burn. Basically, if you like modern rock that doesn't blow, this album is for you. Not recommended if you like your bands full of late 20-somethings who still write songs about being in high school.
Someday, maybe, there will be a post about the greatness of the White Stripes in general, about how they are exactly who they are on stage and how they might not have 'saved' rock but they didn't let their image get in the way.
In other news:
As reported by The Onion, America's News Source, death is still 100% fatal. No cure in sight.
Enough. Let's get down to business.
Today's Music That Jason Keeps Locked Away Until You're Older is Elephant, by The White Stripes. I could go on and on about Jack and Meg themselves, but let's talk about the album today. This album is from a period in the White Stripes' existence where Jack was really getting into old blues and country, ran around with Loretta Lynn for a while, and incorporated some of these elements into the music. The result was probably the best White Stripes album (some people would argue in favor of De Stijl or White Blood Cells, certainly not baseless claims). The songs here jump around a little, stylistically: straight-forward dirty rock songs ("Seven Nation Army", "The Hardest Button to Button"), slow bluesy songs that get loud and squeal a little bit ("Ball and Biscuit", "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself") and even songs with Jack being cute and flirting with Holly Golightly ("It's True That We Love One Another"). It makes a whole that manages to be cohesive without reaching for any kind of uniformity.
I even like the song titles and lyrics on this album. The lyrics aren't exactly Stipesque, but they fit exactly with the style of music. This album is fun and rambunctious, but doesn't deny its roots. Underneath all of the songs is a sense of latent danger that you don't get in most records. There's always that possibility that each song might be the one where the White Stripes decide to go to 11 and ROCK THE HELL OUT OF YOU. I want to tell you that I have a favorite song on this album, but I couldn't pick just one or even two. The uptempo songs are fun and almost perfect workout music, the downtempo songs make for good contrast and offer a nice slow burn. Basically, if you like modern rock that doesn't blow, this album is for you. Not recommended if you like your bands full of late 20-somethings who still write songs about being in high school.
Someday, maybe, there will be a post about the greatness of the White Stripes in general, about how they are exactly who they are on stage and how they might not have 'saved' rock but they didn't let their image get in the way.
In other news:
As reported by The Onion, America's News Source, death is still 100% fatal. No cure in sight.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Gulag Orkestar
Today's Music That Jason Will Probably Get Into A Fight About At Some Point:
It's easy to nitpick. Nothing is ever perfect and criticism comes easy to most people, whether we like to believe so or not. If only this sandwich had more mustard, if only it were not so humid, if only so-and-so were a little more blonde. But is anything really above criticism?
YES.
Earlier this year, after having heard a couple of songs from Gulag Orkestar at The Lift one night, I purchased the CD. This album immediately endeared itself to me; through my first listen, I could tell that this was something monumental, on the order of the Arcade Fire's Funeral or even Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. This album is fantastic, inspired music, the kind of music that puts so much simple popular music to shame. But enough gushing, what does it sound like?
It sounds like a bunch of drunken gypsies who really know how to play their instruments, sitting around a fire, not really talking about what songs to play because they don't have to. There isn't much in the way of traditional rock instruments on this album; it's mostly horns, accordion, mandolin, and so on. The vocals will never be as smooth as say, Marvin Gaye, but they work perfectly with the casual theme of the whole album. It does have a bit of a dark tone to it, but it's hard not to fall in love with this album. There isn't anything contrived here to speak of.
Beirut is releasing an album on the 9th of October this year, and you can believe I'll purchase it as soon as I can. If anyone made a movie about my life, it might be lame, but the soundtrack would be awesome.
In Other News:
Saturday's plans fell through so I went to see Once. I wrote a gushing note about it already, but it's good, really good. Go see it!
Yesterday I had probably the best tuna sandwich I've ever had. I also took a dozen or so pictures of the sunset peeking out from the tail of a thunderstorm, giving the sky an interesting honey color.
This weekend went by way, way too fast, and it doesn't seem like I accomplished much of anything. It wasn't bad, really, I just couldn't keep up with anything in particular.
It's easy to nitpick. Nothing is ever perfect and criticism comes easy to most people, whether we like to believe so or not. If only this sandwich had more mustard, if only it were not so humid, if only so-and-so were a little more blonde. But is anything really above criticism?
YES.
Earlier this year, after having heard a couple of songs from Gulag Orkestar at The Lift one night, I purchased the CD. This album immediately endeared itself to me; through my first listen, I could tell that this was something monumental, on the order of the Arcade Fire's Funeral or even Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. This album is fantastic, inspired music, the kind of music that puts so much simple popular music to shame. But enough gushing, what does it sound like?
It sounds like a bunch of drunken gypsies who really know how to play their instruments, sitting around a fire, not really talking about what songs to play because they don't have to. There isn't much in the way of traditional rock instruments on this album; it's mostly horns, accordion, mandolin, and so on. The vocals will never be as smooth as say, Marvin Gaye, but they work perfectly with the casual theme of the whole album. It does have a bit of a dark tone to it, but it's hard not to fall in love with this album. There isn't anything contrived here to speak of.
Beirut is releasing an album on the 9th of October this year, and you can believe I'll purchase it as soon as I can. If anyone made a movie about my life, it might be lame, but the soundtrack would be awesome.
In Other News:
Saturday's plans fell through so I went to see Once. I wrote a gushing note about it already, but it's good, really good. Go see it!
Yesterday I had probably the best tuna sandwich I've ever had. I also took a dozen or so pictures of the sunset peeking out from the tail of a thunderstorm, giving the sky an interesting honey color.
This weekend went by way, way too fast, and it doesn't seem like I accomplished much of anything. It wasn't bad, really, I just couldn't keep up with anything in particular.
Friday, August 10, 2007
No Blog Today.
Support Your Local Catgun was cancelled today on account of nice weather and life being too short. Please try back at a later date. Thanks?
...I actually thought about blogging about the Black Keys today but perhaps later.
...I actually thought about blogging about the Black Keys today but perhaps later.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Now Here is Nowhere
Today's Music That Jason Thinks You Should Like is Now Here is Nowhere, by The Secret Machines. This music, not surprisingly, was recommended to me by a fellow music dork. I guess the best way to describe it would be as indie arena rock. It's boisterous and unapologetic, certainly not as dumb as the music we'd describe as 'hair-rock' or 'rap-metal' or 'nu-metal' or even some 'alternative' but it has a little swagger to it. In this case, I think that's a good thing. The band rocks fairly hard, but doesn't feel the need to keep anything radio-friendly; the opening song ("First Wave Intact") clocks in at exactly 9 minutes, and probably half of that is drums over 16-measure guitar chords.
It's hard to listen to this album and not think of some other bands: Who's Next-era Who, pre-Joshua Tree-era U2, maybe even Billy Idol. Maybe not. Anyhow, I think they're more conscious than their predecessors; they might be pretentious about some things but the songs generally back up their beliefs. Many of their songs find their way into my workout music, but they stand up to dedicated listening just the same. The real standout track is "The Road Leads Where It's Led", as driving and poetic a rock anthem as anything released in the past ten years, but there isn't really a song on this album that draws my ire. I think this album might be too open about what it is and what it wants for some people, but there isn't anything wrong with being accessible. Who knows? Maybe Roger Waters would have written music like this if he wasn't so intent on proving how little everyone understood him.
Just listen to the album. It isn't quite far enough removed from popular rock standards to be considered post-rock, but it's too clever to lump in with the Limp Bizkits and the Puddle of Mudds and even the Strokeses of the world. Just listen to it and enjoy it. You used to be fun, you remember what it's like to rock.
I actually saw the Secret Machines when they came through Ames in February of 2005, they were all kinds of amazing. The drummer had lots of hair and made me think of Animal (from the Muppets).
In other news:
I made a wonderful smoothie last night and succeeded at making crepes this weekend! I like cooking, but it's always more fun when things don't go horribly wrong.
It's hard to listen to this album and not think of some other bands: Who's Next-era Who, pre-Joshua Tree-era U2, maybe even Billy Idol. Maybe not. Anyhow, I think they're more conscious than their predecessors; they might be pretentious about some things but the songs generally back up their beliefs. Many of their songs find their way into my workout music, but they stand up to dedicated listening just the same. The real standout track is "The Road Leads Where It's Led", as driving and poetic a rock anthem as anything released in the past ten years, but there isn't really a song on this album that draws my ire. I think this album might be too open about what it is and what it wants for some people, but there isn't anything wrong with being accessible. Who knows? Maybe Roger Waters would have written music like this if he wasn't so intent on proving how little everyone understood him.
Just listen to the album. It isn't quite far enough removed from popular rock standards to be considered post-rock, but it's too clever to lump in with the Limp Bizkits and the Puddle of Mudds and even the Strokeses of the world. Just listen to it and enjoy it. You used to be fun, you remember what it's like to rock.
I actually saw the Secret Machines when they came through Ames in February of 2005, they were all kinds of amazing. The drummer had lots of hair and made me think of Animal (from the Muppets).
In other news:
I made a wonderful smoothie last night and succeeded at making crepes this weekend! I like cooking, but it's always more fun when things don't go horribly wrong.
Monday, August 6, 2007
NO MUSICS TODAY
The music blog was rained out today. I know there wasn't much rain, but on Monday it doesn't always take very much. Today's blog will largely consist of Other News.
This weekend was a lot of fun. I bought clothes at thrift stores, saw two decent movies, and played pool competently for the first time in years. I had good pizza, visited the art center, and kinda got hit on by a female bartender. She was pretty but I was just glad she wasn't some dude. Also I found the last piece of my Halloween costume. I'm such a dork, that's all I have to say about it.
I enjoyed the thunderstorms this weekend as well. There was some really spectacular lightning on Saturday night and even early Sunday morning.
Finally, I got back to writing my novel last night. I'm to the point where plotwise I think I know what happens but it's going to take some time with my notebook to get the rest of the words out. I'm sure when something actually happens it will be well-publicized, at least in my tiny corner of the world, but it's not yet, anyway.
This weekend was a lot of fun. I bought clothes at thrift stores, saw two decent movies, and played pool competently for the first time in years. I had good pizza, visited the art center, and kinda got hit on by a female bartender. She was pretty but I was just glad she wasn't some dude. Also I found the last piece of my Halloween costume. I'm such a dork, that's all I have to say about it.
I enjoyed the thunderstorms this weekend as well. There was some really spectacular lightning on Saturday night and even early Sunday morning.
Finally, I got back to writing my novel last night. I'm to the point where plotwise I think I know what happens but it's going to take some time with my notebook to get the rest of the words out. I'm sure when something actually happens it will be well-publicized, at least in my tiny corner of the world, but it's not yet, anyway.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Mass Romantic
Man am I tired today. I think tonight I'm going to go home and just read until I don't feel like reading any more, and then just sleep. I'm finally trying to read Marilynne Robinson's Gilead. This book is exceptionally well-written, but I haven't enough of it yet to tell you more than that. I'm also reading Terry Pratchett's Reaper Man, which is humorous though without the gravity of Gilead, to be certain.
Today's Music That Jason Talks About All The Freakin' Time is the first album from The New Pornographers, Mass Romantic. This album isn't really the first exposure I had to the NPs - that would be "July Jones" from Electric Version - but when I finally got around to purchasing all (three) of their albums, I made a point to listen to this one first.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the New Pornographers, and shame on you, they're sort of a Canadian indie-rock supergroup. When they formed, they all had previous music careers (A.C. Newman with Zumpano, Dan Bejar with Destroyer, Neko Case solo, etc.) and this was simply a side project for them. Newman wrote most of the songs, with Bejar contributing a few. What happened was that they made some smart and extremely catchy indie power-pop that took on a life of its own and somehow managed to be bigger than the collective works of all the involved parties. It sounds like a group that doesn't quite have direction, but that makes up for it by having more talent than any one group probably should.
The album doesn't take itself too seriously; it really sounds like a bunch of musicians having a good time without straying from the song structure too much. The record is somewhat inconsistent, but even the lows are hardly a burden. The strongest track is easily "Letter From an Occupant", though "The Fake Headlines", "Slow Descent Into Alcoholism", and the title track are excellent as well. So many good songs on this record! The NPs make albums that I can listen to without having to skip a single track, which I can't say about even some of the better CDs in my collection. I easily see "Mass Romantic" as being the soundtrack to a carefree day at an amusement park or campground with a lot of my friends. Before my recent promotional testing, I listened to music that I knew would put me in a good mood - it's no coincidence that the NPs were the most well-represented group in the playlist I made for the event.
I'm sure I'll review the other NPs albums at some point, but Mass Romantic is a good place to start if you're interested. This album doesn't quite have the maturity and depth of their later works, but if I were to give it a letter grade, it would have to be 9/10 at the very least.
Today's Music That Jason Talks About All The Freakin' Time is the first album from The New Pornographers, Mass Romantic. This album isn't really the first exposure I had to the NPs - that would be "July Jones" from Electric Version - but when I finally got around to purchasing all (three) of their albums, I made a point to listen to this one first.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the New Pornographers, and shame on you, they're sort of a Canadian indie-rock supergroup. When they formed, they all had previous music careers (A.C. Newman with Zumpano, Dan Bejar with Destroyer, Neko Case solo, etc.) and this was simply a side project for them. Newman wrote most of the songs, with Bejar contributing a few. What happened was that they made some smart and extremely catchy indie power-pop that took on a life of its own and somehow managed to be bigger than the collective works of all the involved parties. It sounds like a group that doesn't quite have direction, but that makes up for it by having more talent than any one group probably should.
The album doesn't take itself too seriously; it really sounds like a bunch of musicians having a good time without straying from the song structure too much. The record is somewhat inconsistent, but even the lows are hardly a burden. The strongest track is easily "Letter From an Occupant", though "The Fake Headlines", "Slow Descent Into Alcoholism", and the title track are excellent as well. So many good songs on this record! The NPs make albums that I can listen to without having to skip a single track, which I can't say about even some of the better CDs in my collection. I easily see "Mass Romantic" as being the soundtrack to a carefree day at an amusement park or campground with a lot of my friends. Before my recent promotional testing, I listened to music that I knew would put me in a good mood - it's no coincidence that the NPs were the most well-represented group in the playlist I made for the event.
I'm sure I'll review the other NPs albums at some point, but Mass Romantic is a good place to start if you're interested. This album doesn't quite have the maturity and depth of their later works, but if I were to give it a letter grade, it would have to be 9/10 at the very least.
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