I'd Like to Get to Know You Well...

I'll have some reviews of newer offerings soon, but here are some albums that you may not be familiar with and that I think you should get to know a little better. Granted, there are tons more where this came from, but it should be some good stuff to chew on for a while...

JOHN FRUSCIANTE - ‘Shadows Collide w/ People’

This 4th solo offering from RHCP’s guitarist came out in early-2004 and is still receiving regular rotation. Up until John’s return to the Chili Peppers back in 1999, so much focus was always placed on Anthony and Flea…but ‘Californication’ and ‘By the Way’ proved what those of who’ve followed the band for years have know all along: Frusciante is the creative nucleus from which RHCP’s atomic revolves around.

‘Shadows’ is a more polished studio version of the adventuresome lo-fi work done on previous solo efforts, yet remains rife w/ wonderfully creative songwriting. The music ranges from soaring power-chord-laden balladry to electronically-enhanced experimental sound collage…and it all just works together. Personal highlights include ‘Omission’, ‘Regret’, ‘Song to Sing When I’m Lonely’ and ‘Time Goes Back’…but the whole album is great cover to cover.

FRANK BLACK - ‘FrankBlackFrancis’

Released in the back half of 2004, this two disc offering was a cool juxtaposition of both raw and revamped versions of some of the Black’s finest offerings from his days leading the Pixies. Disc one, are solo demos that were recorded on a walkman the day before the Pixies went into the studio to record ‘The Purple Tape’ (some of which would become ‘Come on Pilgrim’). Being that it’s just Black and a guitar, you really get some stripped-down insight into what made him and the Pixies such alt-rock standard-bearers to so many. The lack of the additional bombast provided by the rest of the band shifts focus to Black’s vocals and eventual ‘Black Francis’ persona and the music takes on a haunting angular 50’s-influenced folk quality you don’t hear on the eventual studio release…an interesting fly-on-the-wall view on what was to come.

Disc two had the potential to somewhat soil the Pixies legacy, as it found Black re-working some of the band’s most classic works w/ the help of Pere Ubu’s Two Pale Boys. Instead, for me, it ended up offering a surprisingly fresh approach I didn’t think possible. The fragile version of ‘Caribou’…the ska-like brass approach to ‘Holiday Song’…the drifting space-rock campfire version of ‘Wave of Mutilation’…I guess it just shows that some of the best covers can come from the artist who did them originally. Granted, if you aren’t familiar w/ the Pixies (which really should be punishable by death), it may not be as fascinating…but I still think it would hold up on its own merit.

CHRIS BELL - ‘I Am the Cosmos’

Any card-carrying music geek, at some point, familiarizes him or herself w/ the collective work of Big Star. One of the founding fathers of the musical genre that would eventually be called ‘power pop’, Big Star has been cited as an influence by too many bands to list here. The more well-known member, Alex Chilton, was immortalized in my favorite Replacements song of the same name…but history seems to have proven he was only part of the equation.

Unreleased for over 15 years until 1992, ‘I Am the Cosmos’ (combined w/ work done on Big Star’s ‘#1 Record’) shows the creative impact that original Big Star co-leader Chris Bell brought to the table and shows a different side to his talents as well. The upbeat power-pop that Bell had a large part in formulating as part of the Star is present in songs like ‘Get Away’ and ‘I Got Kinda Lost’…but it’s the introspective nature of songs like the title-track and ‘You and Your Sister’ that make this album such an interesting listen. Knowing how Bell’s life would head down a chemically tragic path upon his departure from the band and eventually end in a tragic car accident, this album serves as posthumous window to Bell’s tortured soul. The schizophrenic nature of this disc is telling and really what makes it so fascinating.

'I'm...Batman.'

Been too busy to post up this week, but went and saw the new Batman flick ('Begins') last Sunday. Definitely more akin to the whole 'Dark Knight' series of graphic novels and the whatnot and, overall, a pretty decent piece of work. As I was more of a Marvel comics kind of guy, i'm not too sure if the whole origin angle in this one is true to form or not...but it added more detail to the whole 'you killed my father, now prepare to die' kickstart to his crimefighting gig.

Christian Bale came off a bit too stiff as Bruce Wayne for my blood, but wasn't horrendous. As the key to a really good superhero flick is it's villains, I would say 'Begins' left me a little disappointed. Not that they were bad, but I really felt they could have done a little more w/ Cillian Murphy AS the Scarecrow. Liam Neeson as (ahem) Henri Ducard was pretty decent, but lacked the pinache that a big screen villain should. Plus, the big scheme to put Gotham City on it's ass became a little tiresome. That said, it was still a lot of fun and visually impressive (filmed in Chicago, you can see Marina towers in one of the sequences).

As far as how it stands up to the other flicks released in the franchise, i'm torn. The last one w/ Clooney as the Caped Crusader blew as bad as a movie could, but I really enjoyed the others. I still think Jim Carrey as The Riddler was one of my favorite performances in a Batman movie and Nicholson's Joker is still a classic. Then again, I loved the TV show in all it's goofy glory as well...so that could tell you something. Anyway, 'Begins' is still a great Summertime Megaplex Blockbuster Whoop-dee-doo and I enjoyed it in totality. Word is, next go around...Crispin Glover as The Joker. Now, THAT would be interesting.

Want to have some REAL Bat-fun? You have to check out BATMAN - THE MOVIE starring the original Batman, Adam West and the classic villain line-up of the Joker, Penguin, The Riddler and Catwoman...AND A SUBMARINE! KA-POW!!!

Big Ol’ Jet Airliner...

For those of you who share my fanaticism for ABC's LOST, it seems the show's creators have served up a website just as much of a brainteaser as the show itself: OCEANIC AIR. It's supposed to be the website for the airline being flown by the Lostaways before it went pinata on their unlucky asses and dumped them out all over the beach of Weirdaritaville. I guess it's been online since May, but I just heard about it yesterday.

You can play around with it and figure it out for yourself. I'll just say that using Hurley's unlucky numbers will open up areas of the site w/ some interesting 'easter eggs' that include some hints (or red herrings) towards the identity of illusive smoke-belching 'monster' and an actual preview for Season II. Looks like that aside from sharing the island 'The Others', crazy french lady and polar bears...there may be some survivors from the OTHER side of the plane.

Again, IMO, best drama on TV...if not the best thing on TV, period. Can't wait for Season II, Fall TV suddenly seems a million miles away.

Working For the Man Every Night and Day...

Got a lot on the plate work-wise and home-wise, so i'm guessing you won't see a lot of new stuff on here over the next couple of weeks. However, i'll try to post up with anything interesting that comes onto the radar screen.

I'm enjoying the new Foo Fighters (In Your Honor) and will post a full review soon. In the meantime, you can stream the entire album HERE . PEACE!

There beneath the blue suburban skies...

We have a new addition to our household...(PRETTY AS A) PENNY (LANE). To clarify, not the loveable groupie played by Kate Hudson, but an 8-week old female golden retriever pup. I'll post up w/ pics later. Carpet has only been desecrated a few times so far and we got a grandiose 3-4 hours of sleep...we're having fun!

To Be Young

I was waxing nostalgic yesterday and (as music geeks are prone to do) got a list in my head I needed to exorcise. So, here you go, irony-free:

TOP 5 MOST INFLUENTIAL LP'S BEFORE I TURNED 13

KISS - 'Rock and Roll Over'

Purchased at a next door neighbor's garage sale when I was 7, while I wouldn't consider it their definitive release...it shaped a perception of what rock'n'roll should look and sound like that still holds fast today. (Like the band itself) the album sleeve was hypnotic, larger than life and absolutely fascinated me. 'Calling Dr. Love' sounded like something I shouldn't be listening to, which pretty much made it the coolest thing ever. It was at this point where Ace Frehley replaced Spiderman as my favorite superhero.

THE BEATLES - '1962-1966'

Around age 6 or 7, I was downstairs playing w/ legos, when my Dad came home from work and (without explanation) handed me this LP. It was my first double-album and my first Beatles recording. I played the thing to death...literally. The wax became so scratched up it was unplayable, not for a lack of trying. I usually didn't receive albums as a gift, unless it was x-mas or my birthday...so it meant a lot on so many levels and,actually, still does.

QUEEN - 'Flash Gordon Soundtrack'

Obviously, this was not Queen's watershed album...but, after receiving it on christmas, it received regular rotation for months and months after. As they were tracks done exclusively by the band versus a collection of artists, this album altered my perception of what a soundtrack could be and the music altered my perception of what a rock band could sound like. Numerous Queen albums would soon follow it on the way into my record stack. 'FLASH! Ahhhhaaaahhhhh.' Killer.

STYX - 'Kilroy Was Here'

My first Styx LP was actually 'Paradise Theatre', transfixing in and of itself for the rainbow colored lithograph on the album's surface, but this is the one I played over and over again. 'Kilroy' was my first introduction to the concept album and, while it's funnier than hell looking at it today, the storyline about the censorship of all things rock and one man's journey back to revive it was engaging as hell. Besides that, 'Mr. Roboto' was quite the popular jam at the rollerink and still makes me smile when I hear it today.

ABBA - 'Arrival'

I didn't actually own this album, but at a young age I would consistently pick it out of my parent's collection of eight-tracks to listen to. It was pop music unrivaled from anything i'd heard before and the orchestral production made me completely overlook just how goofy the music was lyrically. Pretty much the standard-bearer for perfectly crafted pop, it gave me a respect I still have today for what the genre can accomplish if done right.

Honorable Mention:

KISS - 'Alive'

'You Wanted The Best. You Got The Best. The Hottest Band In The World ... KISS!!!' While we should have been outside playing, you could often find me and my best gradeschool friends in my buddy Gregg's basement...lip-synching and using hockey sticks to play along w/ 'Deuce', 'Strutter' and 'Cold Gin'. Like I said earlier, they were superheroes to us and the embodiment of what a rock concert should be (before we had ever seen one). To note, it may be the only live album i've actually enjoyed.

It should also be noted, that Gregg broke his arm falling off a desk while hanging the posters from the KISS solo albums...earning him our upmost respect and a permanent place is the KISS Army fo' sho.

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH

'Clap Your Hands Say Yeah'

Props are 'Hot-lanta' bound towards my compadre GVD, for the heads up he provided me on a relatively new band w/ a name as interesting as the music they perform. CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH seem to be based out of NYC and their self-titled debut is proving to be both refreshing and adventuresome. Versus following the recent trend of paying homage to 80's new wave and post-punk bands like The Cure and Gang of Four or the more mainstream Duran Duran, CYHSY go the artier way of David Byrne and the Talking Heads.

Granted, it's not a complete regurgitation of the Heads sound, but the multi-faceted composition bouncing around from stripped down to cacophony, Byrnes-esque jerky vocals and more intellectual lyricism make it the best comparison out there...throw in some more modern musical touches and there you be. Whatever you want to call it, I like it.

Right now, it seems you can buy their debut CD exclusively at gigs and their website HERE or check them out by downloading the following tracks so kindly offered up on the same site: In This Home On Ice Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood Over and Over Again (Lost & Found). Enjoy.

Bounce wit me, bounce wit me...

In lieu of anything music-related to post up with, I submit this helpful household tip I received from my mom at work re: different uses for Bounce Fabric softener sheets:

"The US Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow jackets away. Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer. Use it working outside. It really works. The yellow jackets just veer around you.

It will also:

- Chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them.

- Repel mice... spread them around foundation areas, or in trailers, cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

- Take the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

- Repel mosquitoes...tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

- Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen...since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.

- Dissolve soap scum from shower doors...clean with a sheet of Bounce.

- Freshen the air in your home...place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet or a sheet in vacuum cleaner.

- Prevent thread from tangling...run a threaded needle through sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

- Prevent musty suitcases...place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

- Freshen the air in your car...place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

- Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan...put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food.

- Eliminate odors in wastebaskets...place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

- Collect cat hair...rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.

- Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds...wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

- Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering...a used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

- Eliminate odors in dirty laundry...place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

- Deodorize shoes or sneakers...place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight."

My sources tell me they will also lift voodoo curses, keep you from burning up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, increase your bust size, teach you how to make millions buying and selling foreclosure properties, allow you to hear the ocean when you hold one up to your ear and give you x-ray vision if ingested properly...and that's a good thing.

Better Late than Never.

As i've only had this blog up for a few weeks, i'd be remiss if I didn't provide a heads-up on a few earlier releases that are still receiving heavy rotation:

SPOON - 'Gimme Fiction'

For those who dig the Pixies, Sonic Youth or Pavement...the latest from Britt Daniel and company is getting a lot of deserved hype in all the music rags. Very angular-sounding indie rock w/ quirky (but cool) lyrical stylings. Not as amped up as some of their previous releases (their last one, 'Kill the Moonlight', is a classic), but like the McRib sandwich...me lovin' it. One of my favorite bands, be sure to catch them live (check out their website in the LINKS section for tour dates and to download the track 'I Turn My Camera On').

LOW - 'The Great Destroyer'

One of my favorite albums of the year so far. Layers of distorted drums, organ, guitar, synth, strings and heartbeat-like electronic drums. Very melancholy at times, it would almost be a depressing listen if the overall composition wasn't so damn beautiful. Be aware, despite all that, this is NOT a snoozer...there are moments where a wave of sound will come crashing down on you like a ton of bricks. You can stream a handful of tunes from this release and their back catalog HERE.

M83 - 'Before the Dawn Heals Us'

Synth-heavy electronic orchestral pop muzak...it's like a film score. I liked the previous effort (Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts) a little bit better, but this is an insanely interesting listen in it's own right. I found it more polished and slightly poppier in spots, barring the wonderfully creepy 'Car Chase Terror' (turn off the lights and listen on headphones for maximum weirdness). Check out the tunes at his website (streaming via Real Player) HERE.

So, enjoy. I've got a lot going on this week, but that should hold the 2 people reading this thing for a while. Whoo.

AMBFAD Book Club

'Mix Tape: The Art of Cassette Culture' (edited by) Thurston Moore

Long before the burning of CD's, bit torrents, podcasting and music blogs, the act of sharing music (and, more importantly, sharing a bit of yourself) was done by way of the compact audio cassette. Like a lump of clay on a potter's wheel, in capable hands, this non-descript combination of plastic and magnetic tape could be molded into a device used to express everything from love to hate...despair to optimism. A lovingly assembled mix tape could be a window to the soul or, worst case, turn you on to band that changes how you look at art, music and maybe even yourself.

That may sound like overly-romantascized pap, but I could cite an assemblage of mix tapes that have come and gone through my life that shaped who I am today. More importantly, allowed me to communicate w/ people on an entirely different level that I couldn't do w/ words. I can't paint, the cassette was my canvas used to express myself. Hell, I still think that a mix tape made for a certain girl my Junior year in college...was responsible kickstarting a series of events that eventually made her my wife.

Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, has curated a collection of stories, essays and images from a collection of tapes compiled by various contributors over the last 20 years. From the Romantic Tape, to the Break-up Tape, the Road Trip Tape, to the 'Indoctrination' Tape...this book isn't a just bunch of tracklists, it focuses more on the stories behind them. Offerings from a diverse bunch that includes Mike Watt, Christopher Knowles, Glen E. Friedman, Kate Spade, Ryan McGinness and Jim O'Rourke, show that a mix tape can leave a lasting impression that goes way beyond the first time you listened to it.

There is no denying that CD burners and artwork software have taken the act of creating a mix to an entirely different level. I still spend hours making various mixes for friends and family. There is a little unibomber inside me though, that longs for the days spent with your stereo assembling one solitary collection of 90 to a 120 minutes of music...with the hope that it could possibly change somebody's life, even if just a little. Great book. Available now. Go get it.

For those mixologists looking for something more interactive, check out THE ART OF THE MIX. A website dedicated to making mix tapes and cds, you can browse through submissions of collections made for every reason (and then some) under the sun OR submit your own.

COLDPLAY

'X&Y'

In many of the musical circles I find myself associated with, any artist pegged by the press to be the 'Biggest Band in the World' is considered hipster kryptonite. Writing anthems? Contrived. Filling stadiums? Pompous. Shipping Platinum? Sell-out. Actually accepting the fact you're a rock star? UNHEARD OF. Where they used to be billed as a either a kinder, gentler Radiohead or a moodier version of Travis...the band you'll hear Coldplay most associated with on the eve of their third release, 'X&Y'? The absolute antithesis of the oft-aloof indie-rock ethos: U2.

So, in a decidedly un-indie move, i'm going to go ahead and say i'm finding this album extremely enjoyable. I was thoroughly impressed w/ the sophomore release 'A Rush of Blood to the Head', but this effort is (at least initially) holding my attention even more. The album as a whole is vast-sounding, stadium-friendly, saurion-esque (heh)...plus, I like the guitar hook on 'Talk'...it reminds me of Big Country. Other standout tunes are the Floyd-esque lead off track 'Square One', 'White Shadows', (the first single) 'Speed of Sound' and the hidden track 'Kingdom Come'. Lyrically, one could challenge it's a little generic in subject matter...meaning, these songs could mean something to anyone. Frankly though, I think that's what they're gunning for...they want to connect w/ as many people as possible. Depending on how ironic your t-shirt, that could be either a good or bad thing.

While I can agree, from the global appeal, penchant for activism and arena-ready sonic-stylings, there is obvious parity between the band and their rock'n'roll forefathers in U2. They have a lot of ground to cover to truly go down on the books as being that important...however, 'X&Y' is a huge step in that direction. I'm obviously hooked, but you can go to MTV.com and (like me) listen to the album before it hits stores on June 7th HERE. 'Biggest band in the world'? Take off the trucker cap, put down the haterade and decide for yourself.