Bottle Rocket – The Go! Team

I was minding my own business when: Digging through my collection I stumbled across a compilation with a few tracks I wanted to get in my list for the day, and opted to listen to the whole thing. This sweet jam surprised me with horns that screamed 70′s movie magic, a record scratched, the beats kicked in, and it went totally apeshit from there. The lyrics spread like hot butter over the tightly woven tapestry of samples and drums. And those awesome horns? They just don’t stop. It’s disco funk, classic rap, peppered with soul.

Look for: In at about a minute fifty, harmonica solo. There’s also a guitar sample or something early in (within the first 15-30 seconds) that I recognize but I can’t place. It’s maddening.

I recommend it if you like: Girl Talk, any of the Bootie crew mashups, (and to a lesser extent) The JAMs.

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfx4UH659kQ

This poppy, energetic, tightly executed ditty grabbed me in the first few seconds the way few songs have in a while (since the Fleet Foxes’ White Winter Hymnal, I reckon).

It’s a super catchy balance of techno precision and warm pop sensibilities, wrapped up into three minutes fifty-odd seconds of awesome. The vocals have the adorable lilt that makes people fall in love with artists like Feist, and the kind of simple but well crafted lyrics that make an absolute classic song. I detect little airs of Fleetwood Mac, or maybe Heart or Pat Benetar. There’s a throwback aspect here that I haven’t quite pinned down, but I’ll be happy to listen to again and again to discover. Little disco notes bubble up here and there, adding that particular flavor of jubilant funk to this heady brew.

If you bounced along with Freezepop’s addition to Guitar Hero (or just listened to their albums!) you’ll probably really enjoy this tune’s grin-inducing hoppy beats. It’s not all techno though, throughout you can hear the slide of fingers on guitar strings, providing little organic clues to the musicianship at work.

I’m excited to check out the rest of this album and highly recommend you press play above!

Also, nerd bonus I just noticed: Ender’s Game reference at about 0:45! :D

P.S. Their five song EP, The Robots in Love is only 5$ on Amazon MP3.

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Good evening, it’s your friendly neighborhood cyst Sketch here bringing you an article for your Internet Arts & Leisure feed. Today we bring you a review on “Sex In The City: The Movie”… sorry, wrong drugs. Now that we’ve changed substances a proper review is in order. Last night the one man band Trent Reznor stopped into Manchester, NH with co-conspirators Robin Finck, Alessandro Cortini, Josh Freese and Justin Meldal-Johnsen to assemble the band Nine Inch Nails. They stopped in Manch-vegas as part of the second leg of their Lights In The Sky Tour Over North America. I arrived at 6PM, half an hour before they opened the doors. In that time I got moist from the weather, exchanged words with some of the other patrons and watched planes fly over closer than they should’ve. About five minutes prior to them opening the doors one of the security guards got everyone’s attention to inform us of some of the rules — no smoking, no food or drink from outside, no knives, no chains etc. When he mentioned the knives and chains I was looking around for the people with chains seeing who was gonna get screwed for entry. Behind me was a guy wearing Tripp NYC pants which had a chain on them, which couldn’t be removed. To which he ironically responded by saying, “I would get it off but I left my knife at home.” So I got in, bought a shirt for $35 because I’m daffy and wanted some schwag. Now before I get to reviewing Nine Inch Nails’ performance I must mention the opening act.

As it can be shown from my previous entry reviewing the Rock & Shock Festival with Mushroomhead and Gwar, I have a predisposition for disliking opening acts. I believe that many of them are hired deliberately because they suck and make the headliners infinitely greater. This opener was no different. The band was called Health and came out of Los Angeles. I felt their name was ironic since after their set was over I WANTED TO KILL MYSELF! To save you the trouble I’ll let you know what you’re in store for with this group. Imagine three skinny Hot Topic Emo kids screeching on Fender guitars and stomping on distortion pedals while singing like a seven-year old girl in one microphone and screaming into another microphone; while the drummer, who looks like Chino Moreno of Deftones (IMAGE) if he was built like a brick shit-house and had a pony tail, actually plays his instrument. To say that I wanted to slit my wrists after hearing their “music” would be both an offense to my wrists and the blade I would’ve used. They were nothing more than a garage band that was trying to rip off Nine Inch Nails and Muse and any other industrial band you can think. Now I’ve never been to a Nine Inch Nails show before but from my understanding the opening acts are mostly noise bands, that’s all they were minus the band part. Trent Reznor should get his $20 back. But one thing I noticed is that the “singer” had two microphones – one mounted on a mic stand where he let us hear his girly voice and a pink microphone from the ’50s which he screamed into. And it occurred to me that one of the microphones was auto-tuned, either to make him sound very girly or like he has testosterone in his system. I’m thinking the first one since at one point toward the end of their “set” the “bassist”/(long haired douche who pounded a drum stick on a single electronic drum pad that was never heard through the speakers and danced around on stage like a ballerina) went up to the mic stand and screamed like a little girl. Now me being a somewhat rational man at this point hysterically laughed like the dozen others around me. During the encore Trent said to the crowd, “Buy their album, take mine for free.”

Now on to the main event. House lights get killed and the ambient “999,999″ gets cued up which leads into them playing “1,000,000″ off their new album “The Slip” (which can be officially downloaded for free and purchased here.) They then proceeded to do two more songs off the new album, “Letting You” and the single “Discipline”, both which were a powerhouse on the audience. One thing I learned about the show is that it is oddly one of the more tamer shows I’ve been to, though the concerts I’ve been to have been straight-up metal bands and have a very aggressive tone to them. With NIИ it carries many tones to it, start off aggressive then become very serene and then back to aggressive. Also Trent doesn’t really interact with the audience like many front men do. Then again I’m sure that’d just be one more thing in the arsenal he’d have to deal with due to the intricacy of the show. But as much as it lacked in band/crowd interaction the theatricality of the show is definitely worth seeing even if you don’t know of Nine Inch Nails or their music or even if you don’t like it, the visuals are amazing.

First of all, in order to truly take in the visuals you are best to be toward the back of the crowd, maybe even sit in the bleachers (as much of a cop out as it is.) I neglected to remember this so my dosage was a bit low. The highlight of their visuals is three large LED mesh curtains (one at the rear, one in the middle and one in the front of the stage) that go up and down for each song to accentuate it. For instance their song “Vessel” (a song with almost no practical instruments involved except guitar), the five men stand in front of the forward curtain which flashes distortions of red to the beat of the song (EXAMPLE, best viewed in high quality.) When they did instrumental tracks off “Ghosts” they stood in front of the middle screen which was dropped and contained a desert, while the front screen was elevated so to show the grey clouds sifting through black above the amber dunes. (“Word?” Word.) The sight of it was truly beautiful, but would’ve been better if people hadn’t have used this time to talk among themselves since there were no lyrics being sung. To those who attended and did the aforementioned crime, fuck you. (5 GHOSTS I) And the screens don’t just serve as pre-rendered images to highlight the narrative of the songs since they are fully interactive. The stage has sensors strategically placed so at any time Trent can manipulate the screen. For instance during “Only” the front curtain is dropped and projects TV noise and when he passes the sensor he can open up a hole in the static (YIKES.) Truely gorgeous use of technology. During their performance of “The Greater Good” off “Year Zero” they projected on the front curtain what looked like a blue microscopic organism reacting to the music. However it got really amped up when an embossed blown up version of Trent singing was pulled up. As I said, it was an interactive show which used sensors and other pieces of technology to make it what it is. When it made that turn I froze in awe. (To freeze in awe at your computer, LOOK HERE.)

“Survivalism” was probably one of their more pulsating songs due to it being a rather ferocious track. And the screen in the back projected rather comical images. For those who have never seen the video, it is a constant camera motion going to various security feeds watching the band perform and an apartment building with the tenants either being submissive to the totalitarian government or committing crimes against it (homosexuality, graffiti, and other things against the good Christian country that it is in this alternative reality.) One monitor housed the Bureau of Morality censoring something, one of a camera on Trent, two of a camera on the audience, and three others with prerecorded footage (most likely) featuring a couple having sex in the bathroom, a man walking down a stairwell and I believe the inside of a bathroom stall. Never a dull moment in the three hours that Nine Inch Nails was on stage. From “1,000,000″ to “In This Twilight” it was a proverbial narcotic the whole place was taking in. They closed their set with their classic single “Head Like A Hole” then dropped the front curtain which held the NIИ logo for a good minute or two with droning ambiance over the PA. I knew the show wasn’t over but the suspense for the encore was grinding over me and the rest of the patrons. After a while they raise the screen and kill the picture. On the middle screen was three rows of white boxes. The drummer, Josh Freese, came out from behind the curtain and interacted with it by turning some of the squares all red to start up “Echoplex”. They went on to do “God Given”, “Hurt” of course was a must, and finally closing with “In This Twilight” which was truly beautiful. For those unacquainted with the song it has a heavy tone to it but Trent melodically singing it making it rather eerie and surreal. On the back screen they projected a metropolis with a large factory in the background emitting smoke from two giant stacks. Across the city bombs were going off showing an attack from either terrorists or members of the resistance, couldn’t be known. At the end of the song a white hot flash of light came from the factory and panned up until “the sky is filled with light.” My first show with Nine Inch Nails and hopefully not my last. That’s all I got for this round. See you on the other side, folks.

Oh, and to close out this piece I’ve enclosed another video. This didn’t happen at the show I was at but I figured it’d be interesting to see regardless. Enjoy.

=Sketch/Ed

“Something’s Gonna Get Broken”

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In this mix, for your listening pleasure, I thought I’d slow things down, and stretch things out a little. Kind of get you all in the mood for some late night philosophy and spooning. I’m too cheap to ply all of you with booze so I thought I’d make you a mix tape, kind of give you a little something to ruminate on before I discuss the merits of an open view of love in this century and bum drinks off you all night. Hope that’s cool, ’cause we’re totally friends right broham?

Anyway, the background image for this tape is Sisters G from Gatochy’s flickr stream. I can think of no nicer image to go with the theme of “everything is better in pairs”. Except for maybe some extra-adorable mittens, but it’s Spring now and no more of THAT! Anyway, for the sake of not writing all over the lovely ladies’ faces, I just titled the tape “Pairs”.

Pairs are exactly what you’ll get on this tape. Let’s explore the contents, shall we?

1. Jesus and Mary Chain – April Skies
• I listened to this song the other day on the way to work and it improved my mood like nothing else could at that very moment. Music to soothe the savage neurotic.
2. Jesus and Mary Chain – Darklands
• The second J&MC track is one of my favorites. “I wanna move, I wanna go, oh I wanna go, do-do-de-do-do-doo…”
3. Donovan – There is a Mountain
• Heard this on the radio the other night and thought “WOW, Donovan was on a lot of drugs“. Pure listening enjoyment, here.
4. Donovan – Epistle to Dippy
• I went with one I’m unfamiliar with, to avoid the folly of ignoring deep tracks. It’s got a bit of a Velvet Underground feel. Check the pedigree though!
5. Jonathan Richman – Satisfied Mind
• I chose this track because it’s a classic (1955 by Porter Wagoner), and Richman’s treatment of it is a great introduction to his style.
6. Jonathan Richman – Springtime in New York
• Truth be told, all I can think of when I read this is Stephen King’s The Wastelands. It’s all those dreams about NYC they have.
7. Cocorosie – By Your Side
• Takes a helluva woman to offer to wear someone’s black eyes. I love the way they layer sounds.
8. Cocorosie – Butterscotch
• Why DOES butterscotch taste so good? Dig the sweet singing and electronic rooster noises.
9. Harry Nilsson – You’re Breaking My Heart
• The guy who wrote “one is the lonliest number” says fuck. Several times. AWESOME.
10. Harry Nilsson – Moonbeam Song
• From the sounds of this song, you can see where he fits with Richman and Donovan. Rich metaphor paired with a bare-hearted, literal approach combine for maximum enjoyment.
11. Jeff Tweedy – California Stars
• Just Jeff and the guitar singing a lovely tune from Mermaid Avenue that was originally penned by Woody Guthrie.
12. Wilco – Jesus, Etc.
• Rounding out this mix is Jeff with the rest of his usual band, Wilco, in a tune off of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. The opening violin reminds me of Yoshi’s Island.

I hope you all enjoy this! What are some of your favorite pairs of songs?

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Although Guided By Voices were around between 1983 and 2004, there is a good chance you’ve never heard of this band. I know I wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for the combined efforts of a cover by …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead and Ian‘s prodigious musical knowledge.

The song I’m sharing with you is the one I’m desperately, madly in love with these days. Clocking in at a meager 1:45 (2:14 on the Trail of Dead cover), it’s hard to believe it could be so moving. This brief sampling off of 1994′s Bee Thousand is slow and delicate like an aged alley cat and just like that old cat it still resonates like the graceful killer living at its core. That, and you know, there is all that rusty yowling.

The lo-fi buzz permates the latter half, sending the song from a quiet mystery into a trip into the past, when records were cut in one take or bust, all the instruments in one room, and you’d better hope the drums were properly muffled because we aren’t doing this again, dammit.

I highly recommend giving the rest of Bee Thousand a listen. If you have an interest in early R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, or perhaps some of these newer lo-fi and indie darlings like The White Stripes or Trail of Dead, then you should really be listening to Guided By Voices. For those less interested in the actual audio aspect, you can stun all your hipster friends with your new found, old school indie cred, you trend whore.

For musicians, the Guided By Voices website has the chords available for a bunch of their songs (Caution: Frames! T_T). In that same section are MP3s and Real Audio files of live performances, as well as a couple videos.

Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory (lyrics by Guided By Voices)

Cold hands touching my face
Don’t hide… the snake can see you
Old friends you might not remember
Fading away from you
The Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory
The Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory

And we looked
And we passed
Through the hallways of shatterproof glass

She runs through the night as if nobody cares
She screams and she cries and ignores all the stares
She wants me to come, but I’m never going there
The Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory
The Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory
The Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory

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Blender magazine recently named rapper Common #36 on its “The 40 Worst Lyricists in Rock.” Not that Blender ever held much credibility for me, but this atrocity is enough to discount anything the magazine will ever say again. Among others included on this list: Jim Morrison in at #10, Ian Anderson at #18, Robert Plant at #23, KRS-One at #25, Paul McCartney at #38 and Billy Corgan ranking in at #39.

I get it. Oohh how controversial of you Blender. Their rationale for naming Common #36: “Never Trust a Rapper in a Sweater Vest.” Because, that’s what we judge musical quality on these days. Let’s be serious for a minute here: a sweater vest? Who does this guy think he is? Black people aren’t supposed to wear sweater vests! Why, Common’s just a white guy in blackface!

Now I get it.

Poor disillusioned Blender. As proof of Common’s “earnest neo-soul thoughts,” they quote his “worst lyric ever” from the track “Making a Name for Ourselves.” It’s a fun, upbeat track and somewhat removed from most of what Common generally raps about. The verse, “I’m your worst nightmare squared/That’s double for niggas who ain’t mathematically aware,” does not necessarily evoke the “earnest neo-soul thoughts” they seem to have a problem with. Way to back up your claims, guys. Worse still: The verse happens to be split between Common and Canibus, who is the guest rapper on the track. If you’re going to make bogus, unfounded claims, at least get your bullshit straight. 

This crap got me thinking. There are so many voices in hip-hop that are underrated, misunderstood or simply unknown. Now, I’m not saying that Common is any of the above. He’s won numerous awards for his music and lyricism. He’s pretty mainstream and certainly well loved. But I’m sick of real hip-hop (No Lil’ Bow Wow here) not getting the credit it deserves in the musical world.  I don’t purport to be an expert on the genre. Not even close. However, I love hip-hop. I want to share some of my favorites with the hope that you’ll [ignore anything Blender Magazine ever has to say] check them out yourself.

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http://folk.ntnu.no/wiborg/tableofgods/index.php

There are a lot of issues with this site, but the concept is neat. I went to update the ereshkigal info, but it looks like all the comments go under the god “A” for right now.

http://www.aracnet.com/~kbuxton/discordia/discordianquotes.html

Courtesy of meccaneer in #ormgas. Neat list of “dischordian” type quotes. Lot of lyrics and unattributed movie quotes. Lot of interesting gems, and it’s a lot of fun trying to place the quotes you’re familiar with to their film or song.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/specklet/sets/72157594204828139/

Last but not least… Tiny Animals on Fingers! What more can I say?

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1) visit alwaysontherun.net for all your awesome people lyrics needs. And because they're just cool.

2) Listen to the self-titled Velvet Underground album. It'll make you groove in all the right places. Dig it.

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