I love that free music is becoming such a trend.Especially when NIN is involved.
I was going to see that NIN/JA summer tour up in Buffalo but they took that tour date off the list for some reason....sadness. Oh well, maybe I'll hit up when of the Jersey dates. I'm hoping to get to at least one outdoor rock show this summer where I can take advantage of being 21 and get wasted and rock out. This needs to happen, I cannot emphasize this enough.
Hoping to hit up The Prodigy show in NYC next week, finances permitting. God that would be fucking cool....I heard their unreleased tracks today, and they were really fucking good. You don't beat dance music like that, it's so deep and sexy. I remember seeing them perform at the VMA's years ago, and the guy was running around screaming, with vomit or snot or some sort of goo dripping out of his face, underneath this crazy ass light show. I think I tried to hide for a second or two--but I couldn't help but watch through the mirror.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
3/13/09
So I'm hooked on this one album this week--Mt.Heluim's Faces. I haven't fully figured out how to describe it--I guess progressive rock/metal comes the closest--but this shit is so full of hooks and riffs that I can't shake out of brain (and have no desire to).
I've just loved listening to this record on the train or walking around--it's so full and fierce and vibrant. Every song seems to have a chorus that radiates with an electric sound that's new and original.
The band's members are the same guys that were the Apex Theory--a spacey, proggy, metal group that I enjoyed as well. But the remaining members in Mt. Helium have dug deeper with this project--extracting out the special effects for solid and reliable tension-filled rock music. I was so waiting to stumble across something like that! *Sigh of relief*
Faces goes deep, with majestic, epic moments--plus, they're a trio, so kudos for pulling that off. Kind of the way Muse, or Keane, manages. Standout tracks are "Face Break," "Pins," and the luscious, soaring "Remind." Go on, listen to that track, and then get it out of your head. Try.
Listening to this record has got me thinking about the filtration system of bands who "make it." What's make it, anyhow? It's not like radio airplay really means anything anymore, and MySpace friends can be faked if you try hard enough, and while record sales can clue us in about the number of real fans a group has so much just gets downloaded that there's no accurate way to tell how many people are actually listening to your record as you gave it out.
I suppose it rests on concert attendance and ticket sales--what is presumably the bottom line of a band's financial success anyway. Speaking of, I have to see if these guys are touring....
I've just loved listening to this record on the train or walking around--it's so full and fierce and vibrant. Every song seems to have a chorus that radiates with an electric sound that's new and original.
The band's members are the same guys that were the Apex Theory--a spacey, proggy, metal group that I enjoyed as well. But the remaining members in Mt. Helium have dug deeper with this project--extracting out the special effects for solid and reliable tension-filled rock music. I was so waiting to stumble across something like that! *Sigh of relief*
Faces goes deep, with majestic, epic moments--plus, they're a trio, so kudos for pulling that off. Kind of the way Muse, or Keane, manages. Standout tracks are "Face Break," "Pins," and the luscious, soaring "Remind." Go on, listen to that track, and then get it out of your head. Try.
Listening to this record has got me thinking about the filtration system of bands who "make it." What's make it, anyhow? It's not like radio airplay really means anything anymore, and MySpace friends can be faked if you try hard enough, and while record sales can clue us in about the number of real fans a group has so much just gets downloaded that there's no accurate way to tell how many people are actually listening to your record as you gave it out.
I suppose it rests on concert attendance and ticket sales--what is presumably the bottom line of a band's financial success anyway. Speaking of, I have to see if these guys are touring....
Saturday, February 28, 2009
2/28/09
Today was a good day, because I fell for At The Drive In. This song, Invalid Litter Dept., in particular.
I really like the guitar parts, and the harmony on "dancing on the corpse's ashes" which is a creepy/beautiful line. I used to be really annoyed by the vocalist in this band, but then I started listening to the instrumental parts and really liked it. I suppose, part of learning love songs, it's not always in the lyrics. Emotion and feel is just as essential to every little chosen note behind it, not just every word.
I think back to a lot of the bands from just a few short years ago that no one cares about now--no one wants to read or write about them, no one wants to buy their records. Not saying that these guys are like that--I have no idea where they stand in the structure of rock-band importance--but I think these guys are legit talented and write melodic and moving riffs, and still all bands are just lumped together even if they suck.
Part of this train of thought comes from seeing/hearing about lots of new and upcoming acts. People create buzz about if it sounds "cool", "sellable" and indie rock enough. The whole thing is ridiculous, because so many bands who don't deserve to have tours and reviews in Spin can get them.
Whatever. I'm just bitter, not because I'm a failed musician (I'm not) but just because most music I read about or listen to is fucking cheap and not moving or artistic at all.
Also---Monday I saw Jimmy Eat World play Clarity for their 10th anniversary tour. They played so fucking unbelievably well, and those songs are all amazing. Best concert I've ever been to, not for a second was it lacking. They're fucking professionals. A surprising number of bands aren't--well, it's surprising to me at least.
Anyway, listen to that At The Drive In song, it's a good one.
I really like the guitar parts, and the harmony on "dancing on the corpse's ashes" which is a creepy/beautiful line. I used to be really annoyed by the vocalist in this band, but then I started listening to the instrumental parts and really liked it. I suppose, part of learning love songs, it's not always in the lyrics. Emotion and feel is just as essential to every little chosen note behind it, not just every word.
I think back to a lot of the bands from just a few short years ago that no one cares about now--no one wants to read or write about them, no one wants to buy their records. Not saying that these guys are like that--I have no idea where they stand in the structure of rock-band importance--but I think these guys are legit talented and write melodic and moving riffs, and still all bands are just lumped together even if they suck.
Part of this train of thought comes from seeing/hearing about lots of new and upcoming acts. People create buzz about if it sounds "cool", "sellable" and indie rock enough. The whole thing is ridiculous, because so many bands who don't deserve to have tours and reviews in Spin can get them.
Whatever. I'm just bitter, not because I'm a failed musician (I'm not) but just because most music I read about or listen to is fucking cheap and not moving or artistic at all.
Also---Monday I saw Jimmy Eat World play Clarity for their 10th anniversary tour. They played so fucking unbelievably well, and those songs are all amazing. Best concert I've ever been to, not for a second was it lacking. They're fucking professionals. A surprising number of bands aren't--well, it's surprising to me at least.
Anyway, listen to that At The Drive In song, it's a good one.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
2/19/09
Now THIS is a "super"group I never would have pieced together. I say "super" because I do not at all like the idea of James Iha working with Taylor Hanson in any serious capacity. I still haven't forgiven the 90s for Hanson. In fact, I've been getting to know the 90s in a whole new way lately from listening to Year of the Rabbit.
New group, called Tinted Windows, will be debuting at SXSW in just a few weeks. Members include Iha, Hanson, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos and Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger.
Fuck them though, to debut at SXSW.See here for more.
Anyway, I used to think the Smashing Pumpkins were gods of rock and roll, but in the past few years that image has just been slaughtered--mostly due to Zeitgeist and Billy Corgan being a weirdo and living with Courtney Love. But turns out, like many famous, talented musicians, they're all just a bunch of big-headed, dick-headed fucks. Jimmy Chamberlain is the only one who still jives.
Working at a publicity company is slowly taking the mystery and sweetness and magic out of the music industry. Now it just feels like a spiderweb of opinions and money and power pulls in every direction. Still fun, just a different kind of fun.
New group, called Tinted Windows, will be debuting at SXSW in just a few weeks. Members include Iha, Hanson, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos and Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger.
Fuck them though, to debut at SXSW.See here for more.
Anyway, I used to think the Smashing Pumpkins were gods of rock and roll, but in the past few years that image has just been slaughtered--mostly due to Zeitgeist and Billy Corgan being a weirdo and living with Courtney Love. But turns out, like many famous, talented musicians, they're all just a bunch of big-headed, dick-headed fucks. Jimmy Chamberlain is the only one who still jives.
Working at a publicity company is slowly taking the mystery and sweetness and magic out of the music industry. Now it just feels like a spiderweb of opinions and money and power pulls in every direction. Still fun, just a different kind of fun.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
2/11/09
We're all going to be slaves to electro-pop. Seriously, everyone's after it right now. I like bands... this song got stuck in my head yesterday though. The video is message-filled and awesome and creepy and cool, and I love the power in the lyrics. Just speaking to how people literally pour the guts out, for what, exactly?
I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe
--Santogold, L.E.S. Artistes
Santogold
I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe
--Santogold, L.E.S. Artistes
Santogold
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