Today's Music of the Day is A.C. Newman's Get Guilty. No history lesson here, just that I found out about this album a few months ago via the New Pornographers' mailing list and have been eagerly anticipating it ever since.
I want to start by not comparing this album to The Slow Wonder, Newman's previous solo effort, which was excellent. I really do. But I just can't do it! Slow Wonder and Get Guilty have a similar sound, but Slow Wonder was definitely more bare-bones and intimate. I don't know that Get Guilty has any tearjerkers like "Come Crash" (though "Elemental" comes pretty close). The big thing that I notice is that Get Guilty is so complicated and busy - there's just so much happening, even from the beginning - that there is a lot to digest, even with Newman's wonderful melodies and lyrics still running the show. (It does settle down a little towards the end of the album, only to pick up again with the closer.)
However, this isn't such a bad thing. Get Guilty has some wonderful songs - there really aren't ballads here, but neither do the songs have that trademark New Pornographers energy. Everything seems to fall in a fairly consistent range of tempo, just marching on, down into the depths of my brain until I can't remember what it was like without ever not having it there to begin with. This is the kind of album that is easy to listen to and like, in spite of how much it occupies the aural palate; when it ends, the silence resonates just as hard as any song.
I do like to think that an album is only as good as the last song, as pretenders stack the first half with singles and hide the crap towards the end, but a solid album has a lot of great moments and leaves on a soaring high or a moment that makes you wish it wouldn't end so abruptly. Get Guilty has the second kind of ending, a steady groove by the name of "All of My Days and All of My Days Off". This song has just enough going on, and a chorus that feels like driving home from the best vacation of your life: looking back, savoring the memories, wondering how everything came together so well and why it had to end so soon, even though you knew there was no other way.
I don't think there's a bad song on the album; I do have my favorites, but this is the kind of album that rewards those listeners who still appreciate the concept of an album. It starts well, ends well, and has a lot of wonderful moments in between; this is probably my favorite album in the past six months if not more. Will you enjoy it? Maybe. I hope so.
In Other News:
I wrote this while eating lunch and then there were like 4 straight hours of chaos.
I also listened to Neutral Milk Hotel this morning and it made me happy.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Iron & Wine / Calexico, plus some other miscellany
Today I don't really have an album review; I'm listening to a pair of radio concerts(?) from Calexico, one with Iron & Wine, from NPR's All Songs Considered. Their sounds are a little different - Calexico has more of a mariachi-band influence, for lack of a better description - but the two go together well. The sets are simple and fairly organic in sound; there are a couple covers here, but these are mostly original tunes. (Which is a good thing - the covers are nice, but both of these artists have such strong original material that the covers would detract from the experience, given more of a presence.)
As much as the Calexico tunes are wonderful - and they are - the real treat is hearing the more robust versions of the Iron & Wine tunes. I could go on and on about Sam Beam's sound, as it might be limited in range but certainly not in effect, but it's interesting to hear some of his tunes with drums and, mercy, trumpets. Songs like "16, Maybe Less" and "Burn That Broken Bed" really jump from the speakers with the more elaborate arrangements. My personal favorite song from this bunch is still "He Lays in the Reins", even with the bizarre operatic interlude. I could be persuaded to part with these songs, as I think they are somewhat public domain; if they aren't, though, may the RIAA have mercy on my pirate soul.
In Other News:
Maybe tomorrow, there will be a review of A.C. Newman's new album, Get Guilty. It's really freakin' good, in spite of the somewhat questionable title. It's a little different from The Slow Wonder, which I loved, but it might even be better. Hard to say - there's not a wrong choice between the two.
I think I broke up with my coffee shop last night, due to its maddening random closures. I might still go back there for a crepe sometime, but I expect that until the weather changes, you can find me sitting by the faux fireplace in Caribou Coffee, right under the heat vent.
Canadian Pilgrimage, step 1: complete.
Somehow, I may find myself with a week of vacation in March. Sinister plans are afoot.
As much as the Calexico tunes are wonderful - and they are - the real treat is hearing the more robust versions of the Iron & Wine tunes. I could go on and on about Sam Beam's sound, as it might be limited in range but certainly not in effect, but it's interesting to hear some of his tunes with drums and, mercy, trumpets. Songs like "16, Maybe Less" and "Burn That Broken Bed" really jump from the speakers with the more elaborate arrangements. My personal favorite song from this bunch is still "He Lays in the Reins", even with the bizarre operatic interlude. I could be persuaded to part with these songs, as I think they are somewhat public domain; if they aren't, though, may the RIAA have mercy on my pirate soul.
In Other News:
Maybe tomorrow, there will be a review of A.C. Newman's new album, Get Guilty. It's really freakin' good, in spite of the somewhat questionable title. It's a little different from The Slow Wonder, which I loved, but it might even be better. Hard to say - there's not a wrong choice between the two.
I think I broke up with my coffee shop last night, due to its maddening random closures. I might still go back there for a crepe sometime, but I expect that until the weather changes, you can find me sitting by the faux fireplace in Caribou Coffee, right under the heat vent.
Canadian Pilgrimage, step 1: complete.
Somehow, I may find myself with a week of vacation in March. Sinister plans are afoot.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Alpinisms
Today's Music of the Day is Alpinisms, by School of Seven Bells. A little background may help here: School of Seven Bells is the band of one Benjamin Curtis, formerly of the Secret Machines. The Secret Machines are still active, though I have to admit that Ten Silver Drops wasn't the greatest album (but I still bought a t-shirt for it). Still, the first Secret Machines album, Now Here is Nowhere, was great enough that its good karma (and some positive word of mouth) was enough to convince me to give Alpinisms a listen.
With the Secret Machines sound leaning towards some kind of indie arena rock, anthemic not unlike, say, British Sea Power, I expected Alpinisms to be a fairly straight-forward rock album. As it turns out, I was completely wrong. Alpinisms bears the name 'Benjamin Curtis' on its tracks, but there's not really a guitar or drums or even male vocals to be found anywhere on this album. The overall sound is somewhat futuristic, if the future was 1997, maybe; it's all electronics and ethereal female vocals.
I would have to file this somewhere between Zero 7 and perhaps Ladytron in my mental music catalogue; the overall sound owes a debt to Portishead, and possibly Blonde Redhead as well. It's not quite laid-back enough to be background music, but it doesn't quite demand attention strongly enough to be anthemic. I don't know if this album will stand up well in two or three years, but it's a nice change of pace, and I'm enjoying well enough for now. It's worth a listen though I couldn't recommend it to someone who enjoys a more, shall we say, traditional style of music.
In Other News:
Somebody fix my shoulder because it is getting on my nerves.
My Neko Case crush flared up hard today.
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/01/neko-case-drives-us-batty.html
Enjoy!
With the Secret Machines sound leaning towards some kind of indie arena rock, anthemic not unlike, say, British Sea Power, I expected Alpinisms to be a fairly straight-forward rock album. As it turns out, I was completely wrong. Alpinisms bears the name 'Benjamin Curtis' on its tracks, but there's not really a guitar or drums or even male vocals to be found anywhere on this album. The overall sound is somewhat futuristic, if the future was 1997, maybe; it's all electronics and ethereal female vocals.
I would have to file this somewhere between Zero 7 and perhaps Ladytron in my mental music catalogue; the overall sound owes a debt to Portishead, and possibly Blonde Redhead as well. It's not quite laid-back enough to be background music, but it doesn't quite demand attention strongly enough to be anthemic. I don't know if this album will stand up well in two or three years, but it's a nice change of pace, and I'm enjoying well enough for now. It's worth a listen though I couldn't recommend it to someone who enjoys a more, shall we say, traditional style of music.
In Other News:
Somebody fix my shoulder because it is getting on my nerves.
My Neko Case crush flared up hard today.
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/01/neko-case-drives-us-batty.html
Enjoy!
Friday, January 23, 2009
American V: A Hundred Highways
Apologies in advance for the language here.
Today's Music of the Day is American V: A Hundred Highways, by Mr. Johnny Cash. This album, like the other American recordings, comes from the period near the end of Mr. Cash's life - this was the last one.
Let me be clear about my stance on Johnny Cash: I'm a big fan. I prefer the younger, "Now they're recording this, so don't say any bad words like 'damn' or 'shit'" Cash to the older Cash, but I still appreciate a lot of things about the American recordings. It's easy to want old Johnny Cash to sound more like young Johnny Cash, but the fact is that we're fortunate that the American recordings exist at all.
American V isn't as adventurous as the other American recordings; it has a much more reverent and somber tone. Gone are the duets and the covers of popular songs from days past - this album's sound is as sparse and austere as anything Cash has probably done. The spiritual element of his music - ever present, to varying degrees through the years - is openly available here, though the mood is far too introspective for any sort of preaching.
In hindsight, American V is bittersweet. These are gentle songs, words and guitar from somewhere deep in the man himself, resigned words from a life full of regrets. It's a bit sad to listen to, knowing it would be his last album, but it also serves as a fitting farewell. It's like leaving a party and not getting a huge cheer from everyone still there, but having a few people you care about tell you it was nice to see you again and to take care.
So there. American V is kind of a historical curiosity, a rainy day, and a sad goodbye all at once. Worth a listen, to be sure, but I had a hard time just thinking about the songs for what they are.
In Other News:
Wednesday went pretty well. And I got souvenirs!
Giving some thought to visiting the twin cities next weekend. Maybe.
Today's Music of the Day is American V: A Hundred Highways, by Mr. Johnny Cash. This album, like the other American recordings, comes from the period near the end of Mr. Cash's life - this was the last one.
Let me be clear about my stance on Johnny Cash: I'm a big fan. I prefer the younger, "Now they're recording this, so don't say any bad words like 'damn' or 'shit'" Cash to the older Cash, but I still appreciate a lot of things about the American recordings. It's easy to want old Johnny Cash to sound more like young Johnny Cash, but the fact is that we're fortunate that the American recordings exist at all.
American V isn't as adventurous as the other American recordings; it has a much more reverent and somber tone. Gone are the duets and the covers of popular songs from days past - this album's sound is as sparse and austere as anything Cash has probably done. The spiritual element of his music - ever present, to varying degrees through the years - is openly available here, though the mood is far too introspective for any sort of preaching.
In hindsight, American V is bittersweet. These are gentle songs, words and guitar from somewhere deep in the man himself, resigned words from a life full of regrets. It's a bit sad to listen to, knowing it would be his last album, but it also serves as a fitting farewell. It's like leaving a party and not getting a huge cheer from everyone still there, but having a few people you care about tell you it was nice to see you again and to take care.
So there. American V is kind of a historical curiosity, a rainy day, and a sad goodbye all at once. Worth a listen, to be sure, but I had a hard time just thinking about the songs for what they are.
In Other News:
Wednesday went pretty well. And I got souvenirs!
Giving some thought to visiting the twin cities next weekend. Maybe.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
M83 Live
Sunday night, I had the privilege of seeing M83 in concert! I traveled to Omaha and walked around the Old Market during the early evening, which proved to be cold and uneventful, seeing as how everything there (save for a few restaurants and bars) closes around 6.
The show took place at the Slowdown, a newer bar and concert joint north of the Old Market, near the Qwest Center. I'm fond of the Slowdown, which has a reasonable beer selection and has proven to be a solid if undersized venue for a concert. It's not uncomfortably small, but latecomers will be lucky to have a decent view of the stage.
Anyway, the opening act was some boy, probably 20-22, named Landon. Landon played guitar and sang, and while he did neither poorly, I couldn't say I enjoyed his set much. He was, frankly, just a little too pathetic for me, between apologizing for potential screwups in a song or trying weakly to rail against his hecklers. I wanted to feel badly for him, but I think he felt badly enough about himself for everyone there.
Thankfully, Landon didn't stay on stage too long, and soon gave way to M83. I really didn't know what to expect, with M83 being something of an electronic post-rock group, but I enjoyed the show a great deal. The music was mostly live, though a dusty black Macbook was present for some recordings and effects. Thankfully, Anthony Gonzalez and company are a pretty decent band.
M83 seems to be embracing the 80's / New Wave Redux part of their image, from the Breakfast Club-looking posters to the feathered-hair-and-bandanna-on-the-neck headshot adorning the backdrop of the stage. It seems as though the crowd was buying this, to some extent; most of the people there looked like average concertgoers, but there were a few younger people who only danced to the more recent (i.e. 80's-influenced) M83 songs. These people also had tragically bad hair and fashion choices.
Aside:
I am not sure what I think of M83's current 80's-influenced direction; I want to like it, but it seems just a little too nostalgic, and I think that Anthony Gonzalez is too talented and creative to need such a gimmick. I suppose that if it results in a decent band gaining exposure and fans, I can't begrudge them success at such a price, but I hope that the success is a byproduct of the direction and not the reason for it.
Anyway, M83 did play songs from their entire catalog; I don't know that I have a favorite M83 song, but it was great to hear 'Moon Child' and 'Gone'. The show was surprisingly brief - not a complete surprise, given the venue and the fact that it was a Sunday - but I didn't feel cheated out of a concert. Being at a show without any vocals was a little unusual, but M83's uplifting style helped to keep the crowd lively.
All things considered, it was a good show! I should have taken earplugs, but I'm glad I went, and the chance to visit my favorite haunts in the Old Market was a bonus.
In Other News:
I picked up some fun beers in Omaha! How long will they last? Who knows.
I absolutely love having a record player again. I do need something I can store records in, but this is a small part of the equation compared to actually being able to listen to them.
The show took place at the Slowdown, a newer bar and concert joint north of the Old Market, near the Qwest Center. I'm fond of the Slowdown, which has a reasonable beer selection and has proven to be a solid if undersized venue for a concert. It's not uncomfortably small, but latecomers will be lucky to have a decent view of the stage.
Anyway, the opening act was some boy, probably 20-22, named Landon. Landon played guitar and sang, and while he did neither poorly, I couldn't say I enjoyed his set much. He was, frankly, just a little too pathetic for me, between apologizing for potential screwups in a song or trying weakly to rail against his hecklers. I wanted to feel badly for him, but I think he felt badly enough about himself for everyone there.
Thankfully, Landon didn't stay on stage too long, and soon gave way to M83. I really didn't know what to expect, with M83 being something of an electronic post-rock group, but I enjoyed the show a great deal. The music was mostly live, though a dusty black Macbook was present for some recordings and effects. Thankfully, Anthony Gonzalez and company are a pretty decent band.
M83 seems to be embracing the 80's / New Wave Redux part of their image, from the Breakfast Club-looking posters to the feathered-hair-and-bandanna-on-the-neck headshot adorning the backdrop of the stage. It seems as though the crowd was buying this, to some extent; most of the people there looked like average concertgoers, but there were a few younger people who only danced to the more recent (i.e. 80's-influenced) M83 songs. These people also had tragically bad hair and fashion choices.
Aside:
I am not sure what I think of M83's current 80's-influenced direction; I want to like it, but it seems just a little too nostalgic, and I think that Anthony Gonzalez is too talented and creative to need such a gimmick. I suppose that if it results in a decent band gaining exposure and fans, I can't begrudge them success at such a price, but I hope that the success is a byproduct of the direction and not the reason for it.
Anyway, M83 did play songs from their entire catalog; I don't know that I have a favorite M83 song, but it was great to hear 'Moon Child' and 'Gone'. The show was surprisingly brief - not a complete surprise, given the venue and the fact that it was a Sunday - but I didn't feel cheated out of a concert. Being at a show without any vocals was a little unusual, but M83's uplifting style helped to keep the crowd lively.
All things considered, it was a good show! I should have taken earplugs, but I'm glad I went, and the chance to visit my favorite haunts in the Old Market was a bonus.
In Other News:
I picked up some fun beers in Omaha! How long will they last? Who knows.
I absolutely love having a record player again. I do need something I can store records in, but this is a small part of the equation compared to actually being able to listen to them.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Sorry!
No actual blog today. Still excited about the M83 show; I should be able to download some music this weekend so more blogs are coming.
I feel like myself today, mostly - still a little on edge but this far better than any day in the last week. I have good friends, that's all there is to it. If you're really curious, just ask, but don't worry.
See you space cowboy
I feel like myself today, mostly - still a little on edge but this far better than any day in the last week. I have good friends, that's all there is to it. If you're really curious, just ask, but don't worry.
See you space cowboy
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
This Just In
I'm going to see M83 this weekend! I'm really looking forward to it. The show is in Omaha, so it will be a chance to visit some of my old haunts and also buy exotic beers.
Somehow, I've managed not to get the new M83 album, which seems to be immensely popular among the kids with its 80's inspired sound. The stray tracks that I have listened to are pretty good, though.
I really need to blog about an older album, possibly something R.E.M. did.
I busted a guitar string two days ago! Tonight I go in search of guitar strings; please wish me luck. The guitar was basically all that kept me sane this weekend; I don't need it right now like I did a few days ago, but I still want to play.
Sorry today's blog was just things in my head rather than focusing on any actual album. Maybe tomorrow?
Somehow, I've managed not to get the new M83 album, which seems to be immensely popular among the kids with its 80's inspired sound. The stray tracks that I have listened to are pretty good, though.
I really need to blog about an older album, possibly something R.E.M. did.
I busted a guitar string two days ago! Tonight I go in search of guitar strings; please wish me luck. The guitar was basically all that kept me sane this weekend; I don't need it right now like I did a few days ago, but I still want to play.
Sorry today's blog was just things in my head rather than focusing on any actual album. Maybe tomorrow?
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