I fully realize that it's already a cliche. I mean when NY Mag features their cover and bands like MGMT are headlining festivals, just mentioning Brooklyn is sooo 2006, but what the hell. It is worth noting that New York is and remains the music capital of the world once again (take that Seattle).
Since we are perpetually in an Empire State of Mind, it would be remiss of us here at AM to omit the musical and cultural phenomenon which is Kings county New York. Over the past ten years or so, the gentrification of rough and tumble neighborhood like Wiliamsburg, Greenpoint and Red Hook have given rise to a renaissance in indie music and helped establish Brooklyn as New York's other Ground Zero.
Once Manhattan's Lower East side became a hamlet of square-foot fortune, glass box condos, places like Williamsburg DUMBO, and Bushwick offered an affordable mecca where the next generation of artists, musicians and general hipsters could populate (try renting there now).
As the music industry experienced a major downsizing, the music scene flouished in Brooklyn. The DIY spirit that once rocked CBGB's and Max's Kansas City was reborn nightly at venues like Union Pool and the Brooklyn Masonic Temple.
And the most refreshing and important element of the whole Brooklyn thing? It has not been defined by one style of music. Except for the good kind.
I'm just sayin'.
A small sampling of the Brooklyn scene:
MGMT- Time To Pretent (Oracle Spectacular, 2008 Columbia)
Dirty on Purpose- Summer Dress (Live 2007)
Grizzly Bear- Two Weeks (Veckatimest, 2009, 52:02)
TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me (Return to Cookie Mountain, 2006, 4AD)
Dirty Projectors- No Intention (Live Sirius instudio, 2009)
The Antlers - Kettering (Hospice, 2009 Frenchkiss)
LCD Soundsystem- All My Friends (Live 2007, Later w/ Jools Holland)
Hercules & the Love Affair- Blind (Live, 2008)
The National- Fake Emppire (Live on Letterman, 2007)
I read all the eulogies this past week on Alex Chilton. And while Big Star was a little before my time and I wasn't a die-hard fan, it didn't really sink in till I saw Wilco the other night. Their last song of a three hours set was dedicated to Mr. Chilton, a weighty and stirring rendition of 'Thank You Friends'.
I'm sure if you were to go clicking through Ancestry.com, you'd find a link between Jeff Tweedy and Alex Chilton. Kindred spirits dedicated to good old rock and roll.
So what do you do when some drunk hipster asshole touches your woman? I had the opportunity to find out first hand this past weekend. Me and the Mrs. were in attendance at Radio City for the Spoon show. About 15 minutes before the show, this drunken tool sitting behind us decides to compliment her on her upper back tat. No harm, no foul. But this dick head gets touchy and proceeds to move her hair out of the way to get a better look, then goes so far as to touch her, and run his hand across her ink. Creepy and inappropriate, but excusable considering he was totally wasted and his gf/wife was apologizing up and down for his behavior. So I do nothing. We continue to wait patiently for the Spoon to take the stage. About 5 minutes later, he's at it again. He leans in and reaches towards the back of her neck, and starts to touch her, again. Before you can say misdemeanor groping, I am all over this guy like a cheap suit. I proceed to grab him by the throat and push him back in his seat. He's so out of it, he hardly has any idea he's being throttled. His wife is panicked and begs for me to let him go. After telling him in so many words to keep his fucking hands to himself, I release my steely, death-like grip and turn around. Little did I know I had created a scene. I'm not sure if it was the intervention of security or by their own volition, but the blitzed hipster and his woman beat it outta there.
And now for the review.
On the heels of their latest release, Transference, Austin's darling Indie rockers Spoon have achieved a status that while often coveted, is also frequently shunned. After over a decade of being an 'it' band, they have become and 'are' band. Britt Daniels and the other guys whose names no one has ever bothered to learn have spent the better part of almost two decades sharpening their musical acumen, the results: riff driven and angular, geometrically precise to a point, akin to to an isosceles triangle. A few complimentary angles, but one side just doesn't fit. Ironically, This is what has allowed Spoon to maintain both its congruency and edge at the same time. The thing about Spoon, for me is, I don’t know what you call it, but it’s more than just being under the influence. In their songs you hear bits and pieces that you know you’ve heard before, just not this way. hard to explain, but great to listen to.
After a drawn out and over indulgent sonic assault by Deerhunter, reminiscent of Sonic Youth in their heyday (did they ever really have a heyday?), Mr. Daniels et. all took the stage and almost immediately ripped into the three most biting tracks from Transference; The Mystery Zone, Written In Reverse and Got Nuffin. Suffice to say they can rock, rock very hard.
Considering their incumbency in the pantheon of Indie rock, replete with seven albums spanning their 17 year career, they possess an uncanny ability to deftly move from tune to tune, without so much as a hiccup, or miscued reverb pedal slap. The band, with some help from Fiery Furnaces’ Eleanor Friedberger and Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner displayed the agility to rock a hall as cavernous as Radio City while keeping the affair intimate (and loud) enough to satisfy those of us in the second balcony.
The highlight of the night, outside of physically assaulting a total stranger, was the horn section. They added the necessary oomph required to deliver the goods at a venue such as Radio City.
All and all a good show, if you learn keep your fucking hands to yourself. I’m just sayin’.
Spoon, Radio City Music Hall, 26 March, 2010: Me and the Bean (Britt Solo) The Mystery Zone Written In Reverse Got Nuffin My Mathematical Mind Don’t Make Me a Target Ghost Of You Lingers Love Song (The Damned Cover) Is Love Forever? Waiting To Know You (Fiery Furnaces) w/Eleanor Friedberger of the FF Someone Something (w/ Eleanor Friedberger of the FF) The Beast and Dragon, Adored Don’t You Evah I Summon You Nobody Gets Me But You You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb Rhythm and Soul Jonathon Fisk The Underdog Black Like Me Encore: Trouble Comes Running Modern World (Wolf Parade) w/ Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade I Saw The Light (Dan Boeckner on guitar) Small Stakes
So many lists, so little time. It seems like only yesterday that KID A was making our mouths water in anticipation of what the 21st century had in store. Well here we are 8+ years later and hindsight is 20/20 last time I checked.
It was an amazing 10 years of music. As the potency of traditional pop became weaker and weaker, virulent new strains emerged. Most from down the road in Brooklyn. If nothing else, New York's hippest borough became the epicenter of music in the aughts. But more on that another time. First, the list.
My list is a lot like other lists, but it's all mine. It does not have obligatory inclusions paying homage to stadium rock gods, nor the 'must have Rap album of 2005'. My list contains the records I have not stopped listening to since the decade commenced. Since it's ridiculous and impossible to say one record is better than all the rest, the list is not in any specific order, nor is it numbered. Each holds something intangible to me, and hopefully for some of you as well. If you've not heard of any of the following, not to worry, the decade may be over but the music will be here forever. A truly great album has no shelf life. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot sounds just as good now as it did waaaay back in '02.
That said, we aught to take a little time and reminisce.
Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot/A Ghost Is Born/Kicking Television/Sky Blue Sky/ Wilco, The Album (2002,04,05,07,09, Nonesuch) I know I shouldn't play favorites, but Wilco ruled the decade. YHF, followed up by A Ghost is Born, Kicking Television (best live album of the decade), Sky Blue Sky and the eponomous Wilco. The garnered three Grammy wins (like that really means shit) and are nominated for a fourth for their last release. They fought their label, substance abuse and each other and came out on the other side as America’s rock band. A full-fledged crossover, worthy of the accolades and critical acclaim heaped upon them. On top of that, some seriously talented musicians who are better live and lucky for us, love touring. The best shows I saw over the last 10 years were the half dozen Wilco shows I attended (and the two Radiohead gigs at Liberty State Park).
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds- Abbatoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus (Mute, 2004) Mr. Cave's most ambitious offering of the decade, if not his career. This guy is thisclose to having his own cult.
Get Ready For Love
The White Stripes- White Blood Cells/Elephant (2001, 2003, V2 Records) No sophomore slump from the troubadour of power chords. White Blood Cells, their second release put them squarely on the map, Elephant established them as a sovereign nation of kicking ass. Mr. White runs a close second to Wilco for owning the aughts.
The Hardest Button To Button
The Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002, Warner Bros.) The sonic pinnacle of the weird and wonderous Wayne Coyne & Co.
Beck- Sea Change (2002, Geffen) Blood on the Tracks for a whole new generation of broken hearts.
The Golden Age
Radiohead- Kid A/Amnesiac/In Rainbows (2000, 2001, 2007, Parlophone Capitol Fairly obvious, but this band ruled the aughts and my iPod, with the exception of '04's hiccup Hail to the Thief. Also, two of the best shows I saw all decade. New Jersey was good for something.
Morning Bell
Spoon- Gimme Fiction/Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2005, 2007 Merge) I discovered Spoon early in the decade and have summoned them ever since.
Everything Hits At Once
Danger Mouse (Jay Z/Beatles)- The Grey Album (2004) I pretty much hate rap, but this mashup changed all that for me. The Fab Four as break beats, brilliant!
The Grey Video
Dirty on Purpose- Sleep Late for a Better Tomorrow/ Hallelujah Sirens (2004, 2006 North Street Records) My favorite 'new' band of the decade. I never understood why they didn't blow up, rather they imploded and called it quits last year. Still, I relish their dreamy sounds.
Mind Blindness
Band of Horses- Everything All The Time/ Cease to Begin (2005, 2007 Sub Pop Records) My second favorite new band of the last ten years. Be proud you're a rebel, cause the South's gonna do it again. Two words: Glimmering reverb.
No One's Gonna Love You
The Strokes- Is This it (2001, RCA Records) The right band at the right time. Before Justin Timberlake brought back sexy, these guys brought back garage rock and revived the New York scene. Sort of. IMHO, they were a one hit wonder. But it was a great LP.
Last Night
The Walkmen- Bows and Arrows (2004, Record Collection) The best follow-up album of the aughts. At once coarse and vulgar while still sublime and melodic.
The Rat
Camera Obscura- Let's Get Out of This Country/ My Maudlin Career (2005, 2008, Merge, 4AD) What Everything But The Girl did for me in the 90's, Camera Obscura did for me in the 00's.
If Looks Could Kill
Ivy-Long Distance/In the Clear (2001, 2005 Nettwerk) I stumbled them by accident and fell in love with their clean, lush Synthpop. I don't know what happened to them and unfortunately never got to see them perform live. If you watched any of the twentysomething series on the WB or MTV, chances are there was an Ivy track included.
Edge Of The Ocean
Honorable Mentions-
Elvis Costello- When I Was Cruel (2002, Island) The master maintains his relevance.
Beirut- Gulag Orkestar (2006, Ba Da Bing) Possibly the finest Balkan folk record I have ever heard.
Amy Winehouse- Back To Black (2006, Universal Republic) She is the hot mess. Adding insult to injury, she received the musical kiss of death, Grammy for best new artist, see also: Lauryn Hill.
Various Artists- O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack (2000, Mercury) Old Timey music! I tell you what! Various Artists- Little Miss Sunshine Soundtrack (2006, Lakeshore)
Various Artists- The Royal Tenenbaums Soundtrack (2001, Hollywood)
Various Artists- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Soundtrack (2004, Hollywood) Albeit not all the songs on Wes Anderson's sountracks were recorded in the past ten years, these compilations got me looking for and listening to more b-sides.
Trading in frivolous, screechy guitar-driven songs for lush, complicated orchestral arrangements, the Lips wholly reinvented themselves on 1999's The Soft Bulletin.
Taking full advantage of the concept album concept, Coyne & Co. transformed their sound and in turn transported their listeners to a strange new world. And no, it wasn't Oklahoma.
Not unlike Radiohead's 1997 benchmark, OK Computer, Bulletin was both bold and vast in its aspirations, albeit much happier. It transcended the tenets of 'alternative music'. The attempt was by all means a success, adequately preparing both the Lips and their listeners for the new millennium with some really amazing music. Race For The Prize- The Flaming Lips (Later...with Jools Holland, 11/99)
A Spoonful Weighs A Ton- The Flaming Lips (The Pageant, St. Louis, 08/06)
To celebrate Embryonic, the 12th release from Oklahoma's native sons, The Flaming Lips, AM is dedicating a bunch of postings to the fearless freaks. Join with us as we explore the evolution of the Lips. See and hear how they have matured and mutated from haphazard, callow guitar rock, to intricate, cacophonous exuberance.
We begin with the LP that got me sold on the Lips, 1993's Transmissions from a Satellite Heart. Caught in the maelstrom of the early 90's grunge movement, when just about every major was desperately trying to sign the next Nirvana, Transmissions was a refreshing departure from the typical Seattle angst-ridden fare. It was also somewhat of a commercial success for the band who had garnered a following with their five previous releases.
Loose, raucous and noisy like Flipper, the Lips maximized their slacker aplomb and happy-dicked it through a collection of silly songs. Yes, right smack in the middle of the wails of Kurt Cobain and the growls of Billy Corgan, Wayne Coyne sang happy songs that were fun to listen to. Like one big giggly bong hit, Transmissions delivered a WTF? levity and gave everyone the munchies for more.
Hereto, glimpses of the weird, wondrous things to come? Perhaps.
I'm just sayin'.
She Don't Use Jelly-The Flaming Lips (Live, Late Show with David Letterman, 1995)
Turn It On- The Flaming Lips (Live, SF Union Square, 05.13.95)
On this day in 1957, the duo known as Mickey and Silvia recorded the twangy, tantalizing classic Love Is Strange. The song was released on Groove Records and peaked at #11 on the Billboard Pop Charts.
The song was written by Bo Diddly under an assumed name (Ethel Smith, his wife) and recorded by guitar teacher McHouston "Guitar" Baker and a student of his, Sylvia Vanderpool. Inspired by the success of Les Paul and Mary Ford, the duo would only chart once, but continue to record together until 1965.
Silvia would go on to success as a solo artist. in 1973 her hit Pillow Talk reached #1 on the R&B charts. She is also credited with helping form the first rap label, Sugarhill Records.
As for the song, it has been covered by the likes of Buddy Holly, Lonny Donegan, Sonny & Cher, Paul McCartney and Wings, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton as well as Everything But The Girl.
Still an amazing track, it's sultry melody, latin rhythms and trebly, mono recording have frozen it in time, a time when Rock and Roll was new, and sexy.
There are no coincidences. The same day the monkey goes back online, the world suffers the catastrophic loss of Rock-N-Wrestling's greatest ambassador, 'Captain' Lou Albano.
Courage, we are here for you.
Before the WWF became the frightening, steroid-fueled juggernaut that it is today, a quirky little girl from the boroughs, with a thick Queens accent got a little help from Captain Lou (and WWF owner Vince McMahon) to launch her career and at the same time, successfully merge the world of pop music and professional wrestling.
Whether such a pairing should even qualify as successful is another question altogether.
The pile driver of the Rock-N-Wrestling frenzy was 1985's cover of Wilson Pickett's classic, Land of 1000 Dances. There was more juice on that set than an Anita Bryant commercial.
Thankfully, mercifully, the Rock-N-Wrestling movement was eventually put in a sleeper hold and remained down for the count. Albano went on to manage, among other craptastic bands, the lame 1970's hold-overs, NRBQ. They even wrote a lame song about him.
Considering it's halfway through October and I am just beginning to post again, suffice to say my summer vacation was a long one. Let the erstwhile musings commence.
For all intents and purposes, the summer started back in July, with an impeccable Wilco/Yo La Tengo show at Cyclone Stadium on Coney Island. A perfect way to kick off summer. Unfortunately, not a week later, it came crashing down as I watched the pitiful wreck that was once Bob Dylan mumble through a completely incomprehensible set at the Mecca of all things hippie, the Bethel Performing Arts Center. It's amazing what 40 years can do. Dylan seems to be slipping into dementia while Yazgur's farm is now a money-making memorabilia machine, replete with plush, manicured lawns and $8 Bud lights.
Didn't see any other shows all summer and wasn't really too bummed about it either. Recently, I have been on a deep 70-80's dance kick that was reignited by my return to roller skating. Thanks to my USB turntable and some delving into the depth of the iTunes Store, I have pretty much rounded out my collection of hard to find 12" from back in the day.
With that, I won't push it too hard for this first return posting, but I do ask that you enjoy these very rare and danceable offerings.
His personal life aside, there is no denying at one time Michael Jackson was the undisputed King of Pop. Tell me you didn't own a copy of Thriller. That would be really freaky.
Sadly, today's news doesn't come as a shock.
I'm just sayin'.
MJ, by the numbers: 13 Grammy Awards 13 No. 1 Singles 46 Million copies of Thriller sold worldwide 750 million total albums sold worldwide
On this day in 1969, the Meters scorching soul classic Cissy Strut reaches #23 on the Billboard charts.
The New Orleans based band, fronted by Art Neville, pioneered the Funk. Achieving some moderate chart success, the band was also a favorite among other musicians. In 1974, Paul and Linda McCartney hired the band to play a party aboard the Queen Mary. The following year the Stones took them on tour as an opening act.
Enduring a breakup, lineup and name changes, the band eventually reunited and continues to perform today.
