This Is Not Entertainment

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending March 5, 2010

2010-03-05T10:57:00.003-06:00

01. Mew � No more stories ..., (Columbia/Evil Office.2009)
02. �You Pulled The Rug Out� by Two Harbors, (Susstones.2009)
03. The Raveonettes � In and Out of Control, (Vice.2009)
04. Editors � In This Light and On This Evening, (Sony.2009)
05. Deastro � Moondagger, (Ghostly International.2009)
06. �Drinking With An Angel� by The Suburbs, (Twin/Tone.1981)
07. �She Just Likes To Flight� by Four Tet, (Domino.2010)
08. �Alchoholiday� by Teenage Fanclub, (DGC.1991)
09. Maximo Park � Quicken The Heart, (Warp.2009)
10. Gallows � Grey Britain, (Reprise.2009)

The greatest thing about the greatest songs ever rocked are you take them on their own � there is no need to assess its place in the band's oeuvre or how relates to other songs on the album. It's just that one single song, in solitaire. At least that's how I do it. Let's move away from discussing albums to checking out the songs that have made this week's rotation.

The Two Harbors track is a song that I love to hate to love. At first listen, this is pretty ineffectual Triple AAA/alt-rock radio fetish � just loud enough rock, but mellow enough to be safe; a fairly bland, yet effective melody; that ubiquitous soaring chorus (kinda Oasis meets Coldplay). If you stick with it, the payoff is fairly substantial � the hook cannot be denied, the cool Church-y breakdown just past the halfway mark, the rhythm section is steady. The problem is the verses are absolutely forgettable � which I typically am ok with � I mean to the point of nothing. This frustrates me to no end.

�Drinking With An Angel� is in my Top Five Songs by The Suburbs of All Time. There is a menacing swamp groove that saturates the song, dripping into the melody � which is a total fuck up spoken word sorta drug addled ramble sing song � which gives way to the come down piano-based chorus (?) - which gives way to the swamp groove. This goes on for over five minutes, pushing and pulling � Blaine �Beej� Chaney's vocals and the menacing swamp groove. Then you have this gem of a lyric: �Here the snow is gray/if I were an excitable guy, this would upset me to no end.�

Four Tet's �She Just Likes to Flight� is pure melodic platinum titanium dominance. Typically these electro-organic-a jams feel too �hippy�. What makes this different is the strong melody that isn't simply looped and plotted, but moves. It's like mini-musical-movements, part I gives way to a new melodic idea called part II and then goes back to part I to layer more elements � like a snowball rolling down the hill picking up debris. Except it's not dirty, it's pretty. The song feels like a 2 minute pop song, but it's over 4 minutes.

In 1991 Teenage Fanclub inexplicably � fuck that! Boring � or as Robert Pattinson would proclaim high in his tree: BOTHERED! �Alcoholiday� is near perfect power pop glory � from the languid pace and deliberate chord changes to the simple and memorable melody to the gigantic opening line �There are things I'd like to do! But I don't know if they'll be with you� to �All I know is all I know� hook-mantra-coda to the clever song title. This is a sad song, with our hero wrapped in confusion to the point where he thinks he may be going crazy. It's a side of love that isn't often explored in (power)pop.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending February 26, 2010

2010-02-26T00:07:00.005-06:00

01. T. Rex � Electric Warrior, (A&M.1971)
02. The Brother Kite � Waiting For The Time To Be Right, (Clairecords.2006)
03. Four Tet � There Is Love In You, (Domino.2010)
04. �Olympians� by Fuck Buttons, (ATP Recordings.2009)
05. The Raveonettes � In and Out of Control, (Vice.2009)
06. Talking Heads � Remain In Light, (Sire.1980)
07. �Closer to Heaven� by Polara, (Susstones.2009)
08. Various Artists � Top 50 Favorite Songs of 2009, (personal mix.2010)
09. Best Coast � Make You Mine, (eMusic Selects.2009)
10. Surfer Blood � Astro Coast, (Kanine.2010)

We close February with a mix of old and new jams as I grow jittery, increasingly paranoid and distrustful thanks to the long winter of Minneapolis town. The music helps me cope and it's running the fookin gamut --> the classic T. Rex weird-ass-blues-boogie-pop (on the surface Electric Warrior is a pile of shit � cuz I hate that goddamn blues-boogie, but take time and listen and it's such a freakout) to Fuck Buttons weird-ass electronic experimentalism (I dream for �Olympians� to be played during NBC's coverage of the Winter Games).

The new Four Tet is so, so, so good � especially, �She Just Likes To Flight�, such a gorgeous, dare I say, beautiful melody; already one of my favorite tracks of the year. eMusic has a bunch of classics available for download with the a few major label digital distro agreements they signed. I scored Remain In Light there (a record I've bought about 4 times) � another record I should hate (and at times, I actually do!) with it's worldbeat-percussive-slap-bass-white-kid-funk � ugh � I cannot deny �Crosseyed and Painless�, and �Once In A Lifetime� is such a classic (it's RIL's �Money� - totally doesn't fit, except �Money� is a terrible shitty fuck of a song).

The kind folks over the highway (I-35W) and down the street at Susstones Records hooked me up with the debut EP from the mysterious BNLX. Four solid tracks of boy-girl power pop meets Primal Scream/Ministry. The hooks are huge and everywhere on the record. As I've tweeted (�Do Without� is available for download at the Susstones site): if you like "Do Without", you are gonna LOVE "Row and Row".

If you are in Minneapolis (or near or willing to travel), come check out the debut live performance of the mysterious BNLX on Saturday, March 20th. It is the EP#1 release party at Sauce Spirits & Soundbar (Lyndale & Lake) with Red Pens, Mercurial Rage, Blue Sky Blackout. Music is at 10pm, $5 gets you all that rock.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending February 19, 2010

2010-02-19T01:00:00.002-06:00

01. R.E.M. � Fables of the Reconstruction, (IRS.1985)
02. Annie � Don't Stop, (Smalltown Supersound.2009)
03. Yeasayer � Odd Blood, (Secretly Canadian.2010)
04. �Do Without� by BNLX, (Susstones.2010)
05. �Saturation Wanderers� by The Soundtrack of Our Lives, (Haldern Pop.2009)
06. Paramore � Brand New Eyes, (Fueled by Ramen.2009)
07. �The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald� by Gordon Lightfoot, (Reprise.1976)
08. The Raveonettes � In and Out of Control, (Vice.2009)
09. The Soft Pack � The Muslims, (Hostess.2009)
10. Various Artists � Top 50 Favorite Songs of 2009, (personal mix.2010)

This week has been pure exhaustion. No commentary.

I posted that at 1.00am this morning ... that's pretty lame. Here is a fun link for you - I tweeted this late Wednesday evening. Susstone's latest signing is the mysterious BNLX. You like Primal Scream, Ministry, & Boy-Girl-Power Pop? Me too! Get this track from mysterious BNLX.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending February 12, 2010

2010-02-12T01:04:00.004-06:00

01. Yeasayer � Odd Blood, (Secretly Canadian.2010)
02. Red Pens � Reasons, (Grain Belt.2009)
03. Los Campesinos! � Romance Is Boring, (Arts & Crafts.2010)
04. Editors � In This Light And On This Evening, (Sony BMG.2009)
05. �Day of Wonder� by Deastro, (Ghostly International.2009)
06. Various Artists � Top 50 Favorite Songs of 2009, (personal mix.2010)
07. �Bay of Pigs� by Destroyer, (Merge.2009)
08. �Hide It Away� by Retribution Gospel Choir, (Sub Pop.2010)
09. �There Is No Sun� by Jay Reatard, (Matador.2009)
10. �Message to the Boys� by The Replacements, (Sire/Reprise/Rhino.2006)

Completely unrelated to this week's Heavy Rotation is this tasty press release I got:

�On April 20th, studio obsessed indie-pop band The Apples in stereo will unleash the cosmic happiness that is Travelers in Space and Time (Yep Roc/Simian/Elephant 6). And on April 16, the band kicks off a US tour in support of the album.�

As many of you discerning music listeners know, I am a big time humongous fan of The Apples In Stereo. They were one of several indie bands that brought me back from the abyss, from a several year hiatus from the music snobbery scene. It was their album Fun Trick Noisemaker that captivated me, I fell hard for the tunes that aligned punk, indie (American, as well as, UK & beyond) with major melody and hooks. I am more than thrilled to hear about a new record. Along with this press release came another announcement regarding head Apple, Robert Schneider's Non-Pythagorean Musical Scale. Check this out (I find this utterly fascinating � both the scale and putting this in a press release):

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending February 5, 2010

2010-02-05T00:08:00.002-06:00

01. Deleted Waveform Gatherings � Ghost, She Said, (Rainbow Quartz.2009)
02. The Mary Onettes � Islands, (Labrador.2009)
03. Johnny Foreigner � Grace and the Bigger Picture, (Best Before.2009)
04. Holy State � Holy State EP, (Holy Roar.2009)
05. Swan Lake � Enemy Mine, (Jagjaguwar.2009)
06. The Fresh & Onlys � Grey-Eyed Girls, (Woodsist.2009)
07. Elusive Parallelograms � And Everything Changes, (Rainbow Quartz.2009)
08. �Bay of Pigs� by Destroyer, (Merge.2009)
09. Deastro � Moondagger, (Ghostly International.2009)
10. �I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked� by Ida Maria, (Mercury/Island.2009)

This past month I have spent nearly every spare moment either working into the wee hours at my real job (the curse of having remote access and a tendency towards workaholic-ism) or plowing through all the 2009 releases that I purchased. This is the first year where I downloaded more music than bought CDs or vinyl. I've been a late to the majority-of-music-purchases-being-digital phenomena. I love nothing more than the first listen of a new CD or vinyl LP � I put the record on, give the cover art/packaging a quick look, then sit back and listen. As I get into the record, I pick up the cover art/packaging and read every bit of type, examine every inch of artwork, and then re-read the words. �Ahh, I forgot that Jagjaguwar is based in Bloomington, Indiana.� �I really think Ida Maria could've done something more interesting with that cover photo.� I love thinking about that shit.

The rest of the records on this week's Heavy Rotation were downloaded from the most esteemed, kick-ass enormously great eMusic. The thing that is bugging me, nearly tearing at my insides, is my ritual is incomplete. I miss holding the jewel case, flipping through the CD booklet, reading/re-reading the insert � but I have succumbed. The $40.99 for 100 songs is budget friendly (I used to buy at least 10 CDs/LPs per month at well over $100) and I've got some great stuff I haven't seen at my local record store circuit. I fight as I may against becoming totally digital, but each year I descend deeper and deeper into the lossy compression format. It is kind of sad. It feels more than weird to this geezer. At least I have 2,000+ classic CDs/LPs that will stay with me and soldier on when the inevitable hard drive crash apocalypse strikes. Maybe I need to redo the budget.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending January 29, 2010

2010-01-29T00:11:00.001-06:00

01. Deleted Waveform Gatherings � Ghost, She Said, (Rainbow Quartz.2009)
02. Sonic Youth � The Eternal, (Matador.2009)
03. �Circle Man� by The Telepathic Butterflies, (Rainbow Quartz.2009)
04. The Replacements � Sorry Ma, I Forgot To Take Out The Trash [reissue bonus tracks only], (Twin/Tone.1981)
05. The Morning After Girls � [MySpace Music Player Stream], (MySpaceProfile.2009)
06. La patere rose � La patere rose, (Grosse Boite.2009)
07. �Yr Epic Heart� by Viva Voce, (Asthmatic Kitty.2003)
08. �Everyday� by Yo La Tengo, (Matador.2000)
09. Janey Winterbauer + Marc Pearlman � 25:32:47 EP, (Susstones.2009)
10. Doomriders � Darkness Comes Alive, (Deathwish.2009)

Around 2002-2003 a friend introduced to me a crazy-60s-Beatles-Nuggets loving Israeli indie band called Rockfour. At the time I was listening to Nuggets II near nonstop, falling deeply in love with all that garage/psych/proto-punk. Rockfour was a perfect modern band for the binge. Their LP came out on Rainbow Quartz, my friend encouraged me to check out anything from the label. I have to admit, I did not heed the advice, though I meant to � with the best of intentions, I'd vow to seek out RQ releases on each trip to the record store � but I'd get distracted and � forget � bleh � until a few weeks ago when I came across a sampler on eMusic. I downloaded that fucker pronto.

Norway's Deleted Waveform Gatherings is heavily featured on that sampler. I wasn't going to turn Mr. Forgetful (hardy har har), this time. I immediately picked up their third full-length, Ghost, She Said. The record reminds me of Sweden's The Soundtrack of Our Lives, but dirtier, bluesier, and a bit more raucous. Where TSOOL re-captures the exuberance of The Beatles, the trippiness of early Pink Floyd, and the arena-rock of Oasis; DWG latches on to The Rolling Stones, Badfinger, and The Jesus & Mary Chain. The record is all around heaven great. Check out the power-pop twang of �Miss Missing You�, the Honey's Dead acid-pop of �Why I'm Falling�, and the classic harmony-laden power pop of �This House�. Great songs. None on the record is as terribly, frighteningly, bonkers awesome as �The Doc�. Yesterday, I tweeted this about said song: �huge chorus sneaks up and grabs ya by the cheeks, totally getting in yer face.�

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending January 22, 2010

2010-01-22T00:18:00.004-06:00

01. Various � Rainbow Quartz Label Sampler, (Rainbow Quartz.2009)
02. Sonic Youth � The Eternal, (Matador.2009)
03. Paramore � Brand New Eyes, (Fueled by Ramen.2009)
04. Jay Reatard � Watch Me Fall, (Matador.2009)
05. Jarvis Cocker � Further Complications, (Rough Trade.2009)
06. The Soundtrack of Our Lives � Communion, (Haldern Pop.2009)
07. Mos Def � The Ecstatic, (Downtown.2009)
08. �Come In Alone� by My Bloody Valentine, (Sire.1991)
09. The Hunches � Yes.No.Shut.It., (In The Red.2002)
10. Smith Westerns � Smith Westerns, (Horizontal Action.2009)

This week I have been jamming that Rainbow Quartz Label Sampler quite a bit (�Duh! It's at number one, dumb shit Short.� Simmer down). For those who don't know about RQ � as if any of you, my discerning music listeners, would be unaware of the label � it is a premier purveyor of indie-pysch-pop/neoclassic-power-pop/post-punk-pop/jittery-punk-pop/groovy-70s-beard-power-pop/etc. etc. pop.

That groovy-beard rock comes from the great �Tiger Rider� by Deleted Waveform. You like it jangly and ringing guitar riffs and soaring harmonies? Check out �Sketches of Sound� by The June. How about some bombast-garage-pysch-rock? Immediately cue up �Run for Our Lives� by The Morning After Girls. Pretty cool shit, eh? Not only are the tunes tops, but the roster has some of the best bands you will ever hear spoken: Elusive Parallelograms,Deleted Waveform Gatherings,Broadfield Marchers,The Capstan Shafts, The Pillbugs, The Telepathic Butterflies, & more.

Thanks be given to eMusic for carrying this record.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending January 15, 2010

2010-01-15T00:36:00.004-06:00

01. Jay Reatard � Watch Me Fall, (Matador.2009)
02. Jay Reatard � Matador Singles 08, (Matador.2008)
03. Jay Reatard � Singles 06-07, (In The Red Records.2008)
04. Jay Reatard � Blood Visions, (In The Red Records.2006)
05. Jarvis Cocker � Further Complications, (Rough Trade.2009)
06. Sonic Youth � The Eternal, (Matador.2009)
07. God Help The Girl � God Help The Girl, (Rough Trade.2009)
08. Green Day � 21st Century Breakdown, (Reprise.2009)
09. The Legends � Over and over, (Labrador.2007)
10. Lucky Soul � The Great Unwanted, (Sony Music.2007)

Allow me to be a no-duh for a second: I listen to a lot of music; and I mean A LOT. If you've been reading This Is Not Entrainment for any length of time, you know I'm not a lyrics guy. The quality of a song is in the melody, the hooks, the chorus, and, to a lesser-yet-still-important degree, the uniqueness of the music. Lyrics don�t play a large role in my decision to deem an LP �good� or �bad�. Still, I understand the weird psychic, emotional charge that any art form, including punk-infused-American-indie-rock conjures up within the human animal.

There are several songwriters who �speak� to me, whose lyrics connect with my view of life and how to live it. I have been moved by the songs and words of (to name a few) Paul Westerberg, David Gedge, Billie Joe Armstrong, Jarvis Cocker, Joe Pernice, and Jay Reatard. When I read of the passing of Jay Reatard, I felt deflated like a balloon losing its air; a deep sadness came over me.

What made Reatard so special was his undeniable wealth of talent, the ability to craft the hookiest of hooks in a most chaotic sub-genre, and write words that were as profound as they were sad, that were as hilarious as they were honest. Much like the great Paul Westerberg, he was, unfairly, deemed just a fast-and-furious punk-rock-party-animal. Oh yes, that's part of him. Indeed. But like Westerberg, his songs demonstrated there was an emotional depth (even though he didn't let on). No doubt he was an asshole as much as he was a genius (remember his backing band quitting w/out much of an explanation this past summer). I completely understand that.

For myself, I didn't lose a hero; in a weird, and surprising way (at least to me) I feel I've lost a kindred spirit. Our worlds are a million miles apart, but that's part of the magic of music � finding these weird connections. I loved his DIY ethic (something I covet but can't seem to obtain), his unstoppable energy to give every bit of life into his work, not taking time to breathe (he was so damn prolific with so much being top-notch) � even though he was obviously beat down (see his most recent hit, �It Ain't Gonna Save Me�, hell the whole Watch Me Fall LP, for example). He possessed an odd, existential wisdom in the acknowledgment of life's darkness and absurdity. That had to drive his action to cram as much into living. I love this quote that has appeared numerous times this week: �I�m just trying to get the idea out before the inspiration is gone. Everything I do is motivated by the fear of running out of time.�

My thoughts are with Jay's family, friends, and everyone he touched through his music and his life.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending January 8, 2010

2010-01-08T00:03:00.004-06:00

01. Ash � The A-Z Series [tracks A-E], (Atom.2009)
02. St. Vincent � Actor, (4AD.2009)
03. Johnny Foreigner � Grace and the Bigger Picture, (Best Before.2009)
04. Jarvis Cocker � Further Complications, (Rough Trade.2009)
05. Swan Lake � Enemy Mine, (Jagjaguwar.2009)
06. The Soundtrack of Our Lives � Behind the Music, (Republic.2001)
07. Sonic Youth � The Eternal, (Matador.2009)
08. The Sexy Accident � Mantoloking, (self-released.2009)
09. Jacquemort � Dent De Lait, (Grosse Boite.2007)
10. Tranzmitors � Busy Singles, (Deranged.2009)

Irish punk-pop-rockers Ash are embarking on an incredible musical journey to release a song per each letter of the English alphabet. I love this kind of shit. The Wedding Present Hit Parade series was great fun. Starflyer59's Ghost of the Future 7� inch series was cool. Jay Reatard's Matador Singles series ... awesome. The A-Z Series follows the concept to the next uber-ambitious level: 26 singles in one year, one song released every two weeks on digital downloads and limited edition 7" vinyl with the option to purchase a collectible storage box. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, recalling Factory Records motif. Unfortunately for those of us not in the UK are shit-out-of-luck, the vinyl is sold out, so digital is our only option. Or until they get collected on CD (note: I haven't seen anything about a CD collection, but it's inevitable it will happen someday, in my not-so-humble opinion). Here are my thoughts on tracks A-E.

Track A: �True Love 1980�
Here the band offers their take on the glory years of Euro-synth-pop. On the verses, a delirious simple melody glides above tiny beep-beep synth lines, heavy bass line, and real drums. The song soars on the chorus as guitars and pulsating electro rhythms ascend � it's all classic Ash at their most poptastic.

Track B: �Joy Kicks Darkness�
This track inhabits that larger-than-arena-power-pop majesty. Huge guitar riffs, pounding drums, bonkers solo-ing over big fat riffs, and push-pull/tension-release dynamics. The coolest part of the track is demi-bridge about two-thirds the way through. While the song plays up the drama, it does get a bit repetitive due to the near six minute song length.

Track C: �Arcadia�
This is the best song of the batch. Check this out: twittering ELO faux-classical synths, pounding piano riffs, whoa-oh-oh bgvs, big-sasquatch guitars with edgy post-punk jabs, HUGE chorus, and massive hooks. A melody that is sheer fist-raising passionate inspiration. The way the song revolves around on itself is absolutely sick.

Track D: �Tracers�
Ash have always tread ever so close to pure cheese pop-rock (think all those emo-popsters), and this track is guilty as hell. YET � YET � the songwriting is so strong, yes another amazingly crafted melody and meaty hooks, that it transcends style to enter the realm of classic pop songcraft. �Tracers� is a mid-tempo, sorta-ballad-y tune with nice dynamics and an explosive chorus.

Track E: �The Dead Disciples�
2005's Meltdown comes immediately to mind: near-metal riffage, thunderous bass lines, mini Nirvana-esque angular guitar spasms, and a driving hard back beat. The chorus soars, soars, soars with falsetto harmonies galore. Another song that tugs at your heart in its energy and passion.

Here is a player to enjoy all the tracks that have been released � A through G. Enjoy!

Listomania: Top 100 Favorite Albums of the 2000s

2010-01-01T02:15:00.005-06:00

If you have been reading This Is Not Entertainment in recent weeks, you know that I am busy at work on my Top 50 Favorite Albums and Songs of 2009 lists. This means that there is little to report on the weekly Heavy Rotation. A few weeks ago, I compiled a list of my favorite records of the glorious (hardy har har) past decade. You can see the list is from #100, counting down to #1. I have included the associated AQM Score (a score that indicates the strength of album by taking in several factors such as songwriting, album length and flow, concept/lyrics, packaging, historical significance).

I hope you enjoy the list. Oh yeah, Happy New Year! Thank you (seriously) for reading, I very much appreciate it. On to the list!!

Rank\\Band � Album Title, (Year)\\ AQM Score

100. Los Campesinos! � Hold On Now, Youngster, (2008) 78.07
99. Tricot Machine � Tricot Machine, (2007) 78.08
98. St. Vincent � Actor, (2009) 78.09
97. Lucky Soul � The Great Unwanted, (2007) 78.10
96. Ash � Meltdown, (2005) 73.96
95. Doves � The Last Broadcast, (2002) 74.67
94. The Mountain Goats � The Sunset Tree, (2005) 76.98
93. Ted Leo/Rx � Shake The Sheets, (2004) 78.10
92. Radiohead � In Rainbows, (2007) 78.15
91. Georgie James � Places, (2007) 78.15
90. Elliott Smith � Figure 8, (2000) 76.88
89. D'Angelo � Voodoo, (2000) 78.15
88. Jay Reatard � Singles 06-07, (2008) 78.24
87. Sunset Rubdown � Dragonslayer, (2009) 78.25
86. Dragonforce � Ultra Beatdown, (2008) 78.25
85. Pas/Cal � I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura, (2008) 78.25
84. The Raveonettes � In & Out of Control, (2009) 78.29
83. Starflyer59 � Old, (2003) 78.30
82. Beulah � Yoko, (2003) 78.30
81. Jay Reatard � Watch Me Fall, (2009) 78.38
80. The Brothers Martin � The Brothers Martin, (2007) 78.39
79. The Vells � The Vells EP, (2003) 78.46
78. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart � The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, (2009) 78.50
77. Deastro � Keeper's, (2008) 78.53
76. Starflyer59 � Dial M, (2008) 78.55
75. Johann Johannsson � Fordlandia, (2008) 78.57
74. Les Savy Fav � Let's Stay Friends, (2007) 78.57
73. The Ladybug Transistor � The Ladybug Transistor, (2003) 78.62
72. Asobi Seksu � Citrus, (2006) 78.67
71. Deastro � Moondagger, (2009) 78.73
70. Liars � Liars, (2007) 78.73
69. The Apples In Stereo � The Discovery of A World Inside the Moone, (2000) 78.75
68. Zoos of Berlin � �Taxis�, (2009) 78.84
67. M83 � Saturdays = Youth, (2008) 78.86
66. The Delgados � Universal Audio, (2004) 78.86
65. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals � Cardinology, (2008) 78.92
64. Wire � Object 47, (2008) 79.00
63. British Sea Power � Do You Like Rock Music?, (2008) 79.00
62. Telekinesis � Telekinesis!, (2008) 79.05
61. Malajube � Labyrinthes, (2008) 79.22
60. The Tyde � Twice, (2003) 79.23
59. My Teenage Stride � Ears Like Golden Bats, (2007) 79.24
58. Pernice Brothers � Yours, Mine, Ours, (2003) 79.32
57. Destroyer � Streethawk: A Seduction, (2001) 79.33
56. The Sleepy Jackson � Lovers, (2003) 79.33
55. The Orchids � Good To Be A Stranger, (2007) 79.38
54. 1990s � Kicks, (2009) 79.52
53. Destroyer � Trouble In Your Dreams, (2008) 79.57
52. Ra Ra Riot � The Rhumb Line, (2008) 79.66
51. Spiritualized � Songs in A & E, (2008) 79.67
50. M83 � Dead Cities, Red Seas, & Lost Ghosts, (2004) 79.73
49. Gordon Gano's Army � Gordon Gano's Army, (2009) 79.75
48. Los Campesinos! � Sticking Fingers Into Sockets, (2007) 79.80
47. Mew � � And The Glass Handed Kites, (2006) 79.81
46. The Lodger � Life Is Sweet, (2008) 80.03
45. Scott Walker � The Drift, (2006) 80.15
44. Luke Haines � Off My Rocker At The Art School Bop, (2006) 80.18
43. The Walkmen � You & Me, (2008) 80.21
42. Art Brut � Art Brut vs. Satan, (2009) 80.23
41. The Legends � Over & Over, (2009) 80.55
40. Army Navy � Army Navy, (2008) 80.59
39. The Decemberists � Castaways and Cutouts, (2002) 80.60
38. The Gaslight Anthem � The '59 Sound, (2008) 80.67
37. Luke Haines � The Oliver Twist Manifesto, (2001) 80.86
36. Field Music � Tones Of Town, (2007) 77.33
35. Supergrass � Life On Other Planets, (2007) 81.00
34. The Streets � Original Pirate Material, (2002) 81.18
33. The Shins � Oh, Inverted World, (2001) 68.25
32. Idlewild � 100 Broken Windows, (2000) 69.20
31. The Walkmen � Bows & Arrows, (2004) 73.05
30. Communique � Poison Arrows , (2004) 76.47
29. Maximo Park � A Certain Trigger, (2005) 76.70
28. Teenage Fanclub � Man-Made, (2005) 77.17
27. Creeper Lagoon � Take Back the Universe and Give Me Yesterday, (2001) 76.88
26. Black Box Recorder � Passionoia, (2003) 80.90
25. Sloan � Never Hear The End Of It, (2007) 77.22
24. Teenage Fanclub � Howdy!, (2000) 77.25
23. Radiohead � Kid A, (2000) 81.05
22. Pernice Brothers � The World Won't End, (2001) 77.75
21. The New Pornographers � Electric Version, (2003) 81.42
20. The Tranzmitors � Busy Singles, (2009) 81.48
19. Wolf Parade � At Mount Zoomer, (2008) 81.61
18. Super Furry Animals � Rings Around the World, (2002) 77.40
17. Loretta Lynn � Van Lear Rose, (2004) 75.00
16. The Legends � Up Against The Legends, (2004) 78.82
15. Guided by Voices � Isolation Drills, (2001) 74.72
14. Gallows � Orchestra of Wolves, (2007) 75.38
13. Paul Westerberg � Stereo/Mono, (2002) 73.02
12. Enon � High Society, (2002) 75.43
11. The Shins � Chutes Too Narrow, (2003) 82.48
10. Belle & Sebastian � Dear Catasrophe Waitress, (2003) 82.00
09. The Fall � The Real New Fall LP formerly Counry On The Click, (2004) 77.14
08. Art Brut � Bang Bang Rock N Roll, (2005) 77.33
07. Phoenix � It's Never Been Like That, (2006) 80.09
06. The Hold Steady � Separation Sunday, (2005) 76.36
05. The New Pornographers � Mass Romantic, (2000) 82.50
04. Jacquemort � Dent De Lait, (2007) 83.28
03. Destroyer � Destroyer's Rubies, (2008) 83.60
02. Cinerama � Torino, (2002) 84.33
01. The Soundtrack of Our Lives � Behind the Music, (2001) 84.62

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending December 25, 2009

2009-12-25T10:19:00.008-06:00

01. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass, (Capitol Records.1970)
02. Various - Noel, (Via.1995)
03. Let's Wrestle - In The Court Of The Wrestling Lets, (Schnapple Corpse.2009)
04. The Soft Pack - The Muslims, (The Orchard.2009)
05. Various - The Broken Christmas, (Broken Records.1988)
06. A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Heart, (Mute.2009)
07. The Mary Onettes - Islands, (Labrador.2009)
08. Morrissey - Years of Refusal, (Decca.2009)
09. Martin Carr - Ye Gods (and little fishes), (Sonny Boy Records.2009)
10. Isis - Panopticon, (Ipecac.2004)

Fine. I'll say it. "Merry Christmas, to my discerning music listeners!". As you can see, I've managed to spin a few holiday tunes. Yeah. The Broken Christmas is a compilation by some of the best Christian "alternative rock" artists from the late 80s on the Broken Records label (hence, the edgy album title). Some has aged well - listen to the new-wave-minstrel-folk with heavy evangelical theology of "Born In A Stable" by Level Heads, and the haunting and mournful take on "Angels We Have Heard On High" by Adam Again which is utterly, spectacularly amazing. Most haven't held up. The rest is downright terrible - Undercover's lame ass treatment of "O Come All Ye Faithful" or the rap "Ruby Red" by JC & The Boyz. Nonetheless, it's wonderful tunes to play around the house, but only if you can stomach the heavy-proselytizing/"only son of god" evangelicalism.

Noel is a concept album brought to fruition by christian rockers Derri Daughtery and Steve "Indie Hindie" Hindalong (of The Choir). They enlisted their talented friends to make a very artistic Christmas record; contributors include Riki Michelle (of Adam Again), Brent Bourgeois (ex-Bourgeois Tagg), Jerry Chamberlain (ex-Daniel Amos), Buddy & Julie Miller, Michael Pritzl (The Violet Burning), and Kevin Smith (aka KMax, ex-DC Talk). This is my favorite Christmas record of all time (even though it has a heavy christian message). It is basically designed as a worship album with interestingly arranged traditional carols and incredibly well-written original songs. The style is a fascinating combination of alt-country, pop, gospel, blues, and alternative-rock. This amalgamation makes the traditional carols ("Silent Night", "O Holy Night", "What Child Is This", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "Away In A Manger", "Angels We Have Heard On High") sound different, yet still timeless. The original songs really shine here: "Babe In A Straw" is gorgeous Byrds-ian pop with jangly acoustic and electric guitars; "In The Bleak Mid-Winter" is a soft-sweet ballad sung by KMax, and "Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" is a simple melody drenced in gorgeous layers of reverb-laden guitars (The Church is an obvious influence). This is a start-to-finish album and if you are of the Christian faith, it will move you. If you appreciate a unique, and, dare I say, original take on Christian music, it will move you, too.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending December 18, 2009

2009-12-18T22:54:00.002-06:00

01. Various � To Here Knows When: The History of Shoegazing - 1988-1994, (mix.2004)
02. �Bay of Pigs� by Destroyer, (Merge.2009)
03. The Clientele � Bonfire On The Heathen, (Merge.2009)
04. American Steel � Dear Friends & Gentle Hearts, (Fat Wreck Chords.2009)
05. Echo & The Bunnymen � The Fountain, (Ocean Rain.2009)
06. Let's Wrestle � In The Court Of The Wrestling Lets, (Schnapple Corpse.2009)
07. The Fresh & Onlys � Grey-Eyed Girls, (Woodsist.2009)
08. Smith Westerns � Smith Westerns, (Hozac/Revolver.2009)
09. The Soft Pack � The Muslims, (The Orchard.2009)
10. Ash � The A-Z Series [tracks A-E], (Atom.2009)

I can't believe I forgot to write my Heavy Rotation this week. It's the Holidays � my least favorite time of the year. Or maybe it was my fantasy football team, the Demon Sausages, being upset in the first round of the playoffs. It wasn't apathy, as you can see from the list above, I'm deep into 2009 releases (more on #1 in the next paragraph). I've been busy entering data into my Album Quantifier Model, entering the results into my Top 50 spreadsheet, and adding songs to an iTunes playlist. The work day, too much to do and no time to blog. Early evening is family time � awww, ain't that precious. Next thing I know, the Wife and I got sucked into a juicy episode of 20/20. That fashion designer is just naughty naughty. What is up with the Italian judicial system? Oh shit! Cazart! Get writing, dumbass.

Every day, to and from work, I have been listening to an amazing two-disc/40 track (!!) Shoegazer compilation made by my friend Jared. It sits atop this week's Heavy Rotation. The track selection is simply amazing, from the usual suspects (My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Lush, Pale Saints, Slowdive) to bands that started in shoegaze but made their name in another genre (The Boo Radleys, Sloan, House of Love) to second-wave hype acts (Chapterhouse, Catherine Wheel) to obscure bands (Moose, The Charlottes, The Telescopes, The Nightblooms) to shoegazers flirting with Brit Pop (Adorable) to American indie rockers bent on the bendy lines (Swirlies, Lilys, Starflyer59). This is a �warts-n-all� document of a scene that was mocked more than praised. The songs are sequenced chronologically, so you can see the rise, plateau, and decline.

What makes this even more intriguing and excellent is the weird rise of bands in 2009 exhibiting a serious shoegaze influence. The shoegaze influence seemed to be everywhere in alternative/indie rock. The shocking thing is these bands actually made serious waves among the critics and discerning music listeners alike (see Big Pink, The Raveonettes, Asobi Seksu, The Legends, A Place to Bury Strangers, etc.). Further, isn't shoegaze the perfect soundtrack for icy winter? Yeah, I think so too.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending December 11, 2009

2009-12-11T00:07:00.001-06:00

01. The Raveonettes � In And Out of Control, (Vice.2009)
02. godspeed you! black emperor � Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven, (Kranky.2000)
03. Super Furry Animals � Dark Days/Light Years, (Rough Trade.2009)
04. Various � Indie Dance Party USA, (personal mix.2009)
05. Psyched To Die � Scattered Brain 7�, (Dirtnap Records.2009)
06. �The Tears of a Clown� by Smokey Robinson, (Motown.1967)
07. The Suburbs � Credit In Heaven, (Twin/Tone.1983)
08. �What Matters More� by Derek Webb, (INO/Columbia.2009)
09. Blue Trapeze � Sanctuary, (Fullspeak.1985)
10. HEALTH � GET COLOR, (Lovepump United.2009)

This week I don't have much to say. I'm working my way through 2009 releases to build my Top 50 lists (LPs and Songs). As you can see, I've been distracted by some great oldies. Yeah. Cool. Since content is light, why don't you tell me what your Heavy Rotation looks like. Please, leave a comment. Cheers!

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending December 4, 2009

2009-12-04T00:13:00.004-06:00

01. The Jesus & Mary Chain � Stoned & Dethroned, (American Recordings.1994)
02. Future of the Left � Travels With Myself And Another, (4AD.2009)
03. The Clientele � Bonfires On the Health, (Merge.2009)
04. The Raveonettes � In And Out of Control, (Vice.2009)
05. �Ghost Town� by The Specials, (2 Tone/Chrysalis.1981)
06. Annie � Don't Stop, (Smalltown Supersound.2009)
07. �What Matters More� by Derek Webb, (INO Records.2009)
08. Various � Indie Dance Party USA, (personal mix.2009)
09. Blue Trapeze � Sanctuary, (Fullspead.1985)
10. The Strange Boys � The Strange Boys And Girls Club, (In The Red.2009)

I thought it was stupid and ridiculous when Depeche Mode wore cowboy hats in the �Personal Jesus� video (c'mon). So when I opened the newly released CD (Stoned & Dethroned) by my all-time Top 5 favorite band (yes, The Jesus & Mary Chain) and saw the photographs of Jim Reid wearing a cowboy hat, concern engulfed the small-warm-spot deep in my cold black heart. The mid-tempo alt-pop with prominent acoustic guitar on the opening track �Dirty Water� � shrouded me in unbelief. What the hell was this?

Soon after I saw the video for �Sometimes Always�. There I saw it again: Jim Reid in a cowboy hat (the video stills comprised the photos in the CD booklet). He looked so out of place � that hat sitting precariously on his bushy-teased-up-hair and wiry frame � like a Scottish rock star playing American cowboy cool. Fail. I didn't care how fucking ridiculously great �Sometimes Always� was, I didn't care how damn hot Hope Sandoval sounded and looked in the video, the acoustic guitars and that damn hat was too much. I said �Fuck this record.� And I didn't touch it for many, many years.

It's amazing what some maturity does to the youth of indie-music-snobbery. This week I listened to Stoned & Dethroned every single day, at least once per day (one day three times), and guilt saturated my being. How could I be such a snot to The Jesus & Mary Chain? That wasn't nice. I should not have been shocked by the musical direction taken, �Drop� from 1987's Automatic would've fit perfectly here. The record is chock full of incredible guitar licks and has some of the band's greatest songs ever written, in addition to the aforementioned �Sometimes Always� check out: the Velvets-esque �Come On� and �Save Me� (a wonderful sublime world weary, half-ass, piss drunk gospel cry to God sung by The Pogues' Shane MacGowan), bouncy indie pop on �Between Us�, �She�, and �Girlfriend�, and the slimy/smarmy �Hole� (which recalls �Teenage Lust� from Honey's Dead). We've got seventeen songs here and it doesn't feel like overkill. How could I have been so quick to dismiss this LP? I was so dumb back then.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending November 27, 2009

2009-11-27T00:32:00.002-06:00

01. Tegan & Sara � Sainthood, (Sire.2009)
02. Daniel Johnston � Is & Always Was, (Eternal Yip Eye Music.2009)
03. Kurt Vile � Childish Progidy, (Matador.2009)
04. Mos Def � The Ecstatic, (Downtown.2009)
05. �Die Slow� by HEALTH, (Lovepump United.2009)
06. Maximo Park � Quicken The Heart, (Warp.2009)
07. The Jesus & Mary Chain � Munki, (Sub Pop.1998)
08. Japandroids � Post-Nothing, (Polyvinyl.2009)
09. The Idle Hands � The Hearts We Broke On The Way To The Show, (independent.2009)
10. Girls � Album, (True Panther.2009)

Over the last few months I've been having a fit about the new LP by Kurt Vile (Childish Prodigy on Matador Records). The indie/semi-major press has been giving Vile some mild-to-medium hype as a prolific and original songwriter. No doubt the Matador Records press release with a quote by head honco Gerard Cosloy helped foam the froth where he proclaimed Vile �one of the more important figures in American music circa 2009.� *

In late 2008, eMusic turned my ear to Vile's Constant Hitmaker: I loved the album title and the samples were interesting enough for me to download the record. After the first few listens, I really wanted to like the record {foreshadowing, not really � bleh � lame}. The trouble was I couldn't remember anything I heard. Little has changed on Childish Prodigy. I must have listened to the damn thing about 47 times this week, and still, couldn't get into it.

Here is the rub: Vile shows signs of being tapped into some weird-ass alternative pop songwriting genius (see �Hunchback�, �He's Alright�, �Monkey�, �Blackberry Song�, �Dead Alive�), but that potential isn't enough to make a good record. Too often his songs descend into the inscrutable (�Inside Looking Out�, �Overnite Religion�, �Freak Train�), becoming pointless ramblings, lacking the hooks of his better material. I'm all for challenging the listener, for fucking with convention, flipping the bird at structure and influences, this ambition is clearly evident. The reality is Vile doesn't execute, it's a frustrating mess.

* NOTE: Cosloy discounted that statement in article on Vile in Philadelphia City Paper: �That was an attempt to come up with an easily cut-and-paste-able pull quote journalists much lazier than yourself could use over and over again,� he laughs. �We usually deplore such hyperbole, but we're trying to be efficient. That said, had I heard Childish Prodigy at the time of that press release, I'd have called Kurt 'one of the most important figures in music.'� Shrug.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending November 20, 2009

2009-11-20T00:39:00.004-06:00

01. The Mood Swings � Recessionista, (Susstones.2009)
02. Tegan & Sara � Sainthood, (Sire.2009)
03. The Vivian Girls � Everything Goes Wrong, (In The Red.2009)
04. Bear In Heaven � Beast Rest Fort Mouth, (Hometapes.2009)
05. The Mary Onettes � Islands, (Labrador.2009)
06. Deastro � Moondagger, (Ghostly International.2009)
07. 1990s � Kicks, (Rough Trade.2009)
08. Empire of the Sun � Walking On A Dream, (Virgin.2009)
09. The Decemberists � Hazards of Love, (Capitol.2009)
10. The Thermals � Now We Can See, (Sub Pop.2009)

The Mood Swings are a power-pop-rock group from Minneapolis led by Ashley Ackerson and Sallie Watson (Ackerson's husband Ed plays bass and drummer Mike Reiter round out the lineup). Remember Dressy Bessy � the Elephant 6 female-fronted indie pop band? Think Dressy Bessy meets classic power pop revved up with some serious guitar crunch. The CD's insert has a picture of giant-ass Marshall stack surrounded by angelic glow with the song titles handwritten on strips of duct tape � a perfect image for the tunes contained within.

The album does rock, but its true raison d'etre is melody and hooks. �Recessionista� is a tremendous anthem for thrifty fashionistas adjusting to the so-called �New Economy�, pure classic power pop. �Crush� has Ackerson and Watson channel those glorious Motown girl groups on the chorus with a hint of snotty Joan Jett � this is easily the best track on the record. �It's A Cryin' Shame� is driving garage pop with four-on-the-floor steady backbeat and tons of crazy riffs that revolves around and on itself (think Hoodoo Gurus + 13th Floor Elevators). �It's So Easy� is a five minute track that locks into a psychedelic groove with some filthy garage-pysch solos and nice hazy-lazy melody. It is a nice comedown from the sugar-rush pop of the previous nine tracks.

Now, this is good fun, but I'm not enamored with the vocals that seem a bit disconnected from the high-energy, raw power-pop of the music (check out �Generation Y� for the best example). Other than that, Recessionista is a super fun record of solid pop songwriting with all the hooks and big sing-a-long choruses to love and hold dear to your heart. The tunes rock hard enough to get you up, making an ass of yourself while you rock out in your living room.

###

Minneapolitans, head out to Sauce Spirits and Soundbar tonight (Friday, November 20th) for The Mood Swings CD release gig. They are playing with great Susstones' bands, Blue Sky Blackout and Two Harbors, along with pysch-glam-shoegaze-garage rockers First Communion Afterparty with DJ Marc the Guv (of Sussed!) spinning betweeen sets all night!

Sauce Spirits and Soundbar @ the corner of Lake + Lyndale in Minneapolis
$5 in advance / $7 at the door

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending November 13, 2009

2009-11-13T00:21:00.002-06:00

01. �There Is A Light That Never Goes Out� by The Smiths, (Sire.1986)
02. Various � Rimbaud's Fingernails, (personal mix.2008)
03. Various � [minimalMXv1], (personal mix.2006)
04. �Ghost Town� by The Specials, (2 Tone/Chrysalis.1981)
05. �Alexander� by Charlotte Hatherley, (Little Sister.2009)
06. Bear In Heaven � Beast Rest Fort Mouth, (Hometapes.2009)
07. The Mood Swings � Recessionista, (Susstones.2009)
08. �The Bends� by Radiohead, (Capitol.1995)
09. Various � Top 50 Songs of 2008, (personal mix.2009)
10. Various � Teenage Freakout, (personal mix.2009)

When I posted a lyric from �There Is A Light That Never Goes Out� as my facebook status, the response was immediate from friends (four �likes this� and 8 comments). This is truly a perfect of perfect songs � nothing is wrong. The tune is slightly uptempo with a perfectly complimentary sound for Morrissey's tale of utterly complicated deep love. The words are hopelessly romantic, darkly comedic, and heart-wrenchingly poignant � just pick any line, and your stomach will cave and be filled with a sad gooeyness.

The songwriting is so good, your jaw drops every time no matter if it was the first or millionth lesson. The band matches Morrissey's lyrical perfection � from the teeny mandolin riff that opens the track to the way Johnny Marr fires off lots of perfectly placed guitar hooks to Andy Rourke's punchy bass line that flirts with Marr's guitar licks to Mike Joyce's steady drumming to the gorgeous string arrangements. On the chorus, Morrissey's voice soars with high drama, other times he flips notes up-down-around exemplifying the sound of being at the brink of tears, or letting lines fall off into mournful resignation.

Many find the song to be pure happiness � the ultimate lovers tale to die together. To me, it is about two friends � one deep in the despair of unrequited love. To Moz, it's probably both. I've laughed and cried to this song a million times. I've lived this song, too. As have many others. It is universal. When my friend Monsieur Estey commented on that status update, he confessed that he'd love to write an entire book on the song, having people talk about the feelings that only a couple lines stir within. What a brilliant idea!

Btw, the line I posted was �And if a double-decker bus crashes into us, to die by your side, Is such a heavenly way to die/If a ten-ton truck, kills the both of us, to die by your side, the pleasure - privilege is mine�.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending November 6, 2009

2009-11-06T02:14:00.014-06:00

01. Kevin Clay � Watch Me Fall, (Alarma Records.1996)
02. Various � Hooks & Happiness-Vol. 2, (personal mix.1997)
03. Various � [minimalMXv1], (personal mix.2006)
04. Cheap Time � Cheap Time, (In The Red.2008)
05. British Sea Power � Mpls::03.21.2007, (personal mix.2007)
06. Radio Free Raytown � Episode #17, (podcast.2009)
07. Fuck Buttons � Tarot Sport, (ATP.2009)
08. The Mood Swings � Recessionista, (Susstones.2009)
09. Bad Religion � New Maps of Hell, (Sony.2007)
10. �Children of the Grave� by Black Sabbath, (Warner Bros.1971)

This week I found myself a bit bored with new releases and the six-disc changer in my car and my Recently Added on the iPod. As I was ripping some vinyl, I noticed that I have a lot of iTunes playlists. I had completely forgotten about my attempt at an Indie Pop compilation series ala Nuggets, called Hooks & Happiness. It only made it to two volumes. Going back to 1997-99, I was heavy into anything indie pop (The Apples In Stereo, Papas Fritas, Ivy, Elephant 6 Collective bands, Lilys, etc.) and the classics that informed them (The Four Bs � Beatles, Beach Boys, Byrds, Badfinger). This comp perfectly captures where I was at that point in time. We've got tasty indie pop gems from the late 90s balanced with classic 60s/70s/80s pop classics. Here is the track listing:

01. �Paz En El Hogar� by Lilys
02. �Lucky Charm� by The Apples in Stereo
03. �She Bangs the Drums� by The Stone Roses
04. �Sugar Spun Sister� by The Stone Roses
05. �Sweet Tooth� by The Hang Ups
06. �Captain of the City� by Papas Fritas
07. �Hopeless� by Future Bible Heroes
08. �The Girl from Rosewood Lane� by Joy Electric
09. �Love Will Tear Us Apart� by Joy Division

10. �Here Today� by The Beach Boys
11. �Real Summer� by Future Bible Heroes
12. �You Said That Last Night� by The Apples In Stereo
13. �Bringing Up Baby� by Talulah Gosh
14. �Cornerstore� by The Hang Ups
15. �Since I �� by Tobin Sprout
16. �Your Amy� by Fine China
17. �Holiday Surprise, 1, 2, 3� by The Olivia Tremor Control

How about that Papas Fritas track?! Shoot. I think it's a pretty solid comp that holds up well, even though it's a bit lazy with two tracks for four bands (nearly half the mix).

###

In Memory of Anne Winter - 1964-2009

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending October 30, 2009

2009-10-30T00:36:00.003-05:00

01. �Skeleton Closet� by Holy State, (Holy Roar Records.2009)
02. Martin Carr � Ye Gods (and little fishes), (Sonny Boy Records.2009)
03. �Sea Within A Sea� by The Horrors, (XL.2009)
04. Jay Reatard � Watch Me Fall, (Matador.2009)
05. Radiohead � NOITALIPMOC/DAEHOIDAR, (personal mix.2008)
06. The Hunches � Yes. No. Shut It., (In the Red.2002)
07. �Think I Need It Too/November� by Echo & The Bunnymen (Ocean Rain.2009)
08. Malajube � Labyrinthes, (Dare To Care.2009)
09. Wavves � Wavvves, (Fat Possum.2009)
10. Heartbreak Stereo � Inspiration (Back From The Dead), (Boss Tuneage.2009)

Over the last two-three years, I fell in love with the Montreal Francophone scene. Mostly overlooked by the music press (Pitchfork led the way about Malajube in 2007 with a very positive review of Trompe-l'Oeil LP) due a certain Fire or something band bringing the attention to the English speaking bands. Earlier this year, Malajube released the follow-up to that critically acclaimed. Labyrinthes is a bit more laid back, slightly more straightforward, yet the bonkers changes are still there (just not saturating the record). This makes the outing a bit less immediate and more of a grower. There isn't a bad song here, the best are: �Porte Disparu� a jaunty song with some excellent dynamics and plenty of hooks, �Les Collemboles� is about a straightforward as Malajube gets (still the last minute-thirty is a raucous instrumental movement) �Le Tout-Puissant� is a complex track starts off gently moves to driving indie rock to art-jam-of-sorts and back to gentile melodious pop, and �333� a gorgeous piece of driving indie pop that treads heavily on the precipice of out-of-control (the best track on the LP). It doesn't matter if you comprehend French, the hooks are so apparent, that you pick up on them; the melodies so memorable, that they stick in your head.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending October 23, 2009

2009-10-23T04:09:00.003-05:00

01. �Get Off The Floor� by The Murder City Devils, (Die Young Stay Pretty.1997)
02. The Chambermaids � Down In The Berries, (Modern Radio.2009)
03. Kurt Vile � Childish Prodigy, (Matador.2009)
04. Daniel Johnston � Is And Always Was, (Eternal Yip Eye Music.2009)
05. Guadalcanal Diary � Walking In The Shadow Of The Big Man, (Elektra.1984)
06. Bear In Heaven � Beast Rest Forth Mouth, (Hometapes.2009)
07. Doomriders � Darkness Come Alive, (Deathwish Music.2009)
08. Let's Active � Cypress, (IRS.1984)
09. Jay Reatard � Watch Me Fall, (Matador.2009)
10. �Surf Solar/New Crossbow� by Fuck Buttons, (ATP.2009)

I discovered Minneapolis noise-popsters back in 2005-2006 when they were known as The Shut-Ins via MySpace. I was struck by their combination of icy guitars, proclivity towards the noisy, and a pop sensibility. In 2006, they released their debut self-titled long player, which came in at #9 on my year-end Top 50 Favorite Albums list. After a bit of a hiaturs, the band expanded to a quartet adding new drummer (Mickey Kahleck) and a second guitarist (Nate Nelson) to the band's core of siblings Neil and Martha Weir.

Down In The Berries is a seven song collection (EP? Mini-LP?) of the same � icy guitars, glorious racket, pop hooks and melodies � but with more depth and texture (no more evident in the stellar title track). Where the debut played it fast-and-punk-y, DITB is a bit slower (variety in tempo) with shards of noise, atmospheric touches (near-ethereal/haunting backing vocals, washes of layered guitars), and an allowance for space. The vocals are better too; Neil and Martha both sing, sharing both lead and backing. All seven tracks are worth talking about, but standouts are the slow-burn, nervey/jittery �The East Place�, the nostalgic �1982�, the poppy �Hotel Islington� (a track that manages to merge Dinosaur Jr with The Go-Betweens), and post-punk-groove-uber-catchy �Lily�.

Note: This is a vinyl only release (does come with a digital download). The packaging is gorgeous (I seriously considered framing it): artwork was designed and screen printed by Wes of Burlesque of North America. It is 2 colors, gold and blue on vellum stock which allows the record to show through the sleeve.

Here is a great article from The Onion AV Club with interview and video.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending October 16, 2009

2009-10-16T01:00:00.002-05:00

01. The Murder City Devils � The Murder City Devils, (Die Young Stay Pretty.1997)
02. The Murder City Devils � Empty Bottles Broken Hearts, (Sub Pop.1998)
03. The Murder City Devils � In Name and Blood, (Sub Pop.2000)
04. The Chambermaids � Down In The Berries, (Modern Radio.2009)
05. The Twilight Sad � Forget The Night Ahead, (Fat Cat.2009)
06. Sin Fang Bous � Clangour, (Morr Music.2009)
07. Wavves � Wavvves, (Fat Possum.2009)
08. Heartbreak Stereo � Inspiration (Back from the Dead), (Rookie/Finetunes.2009)
09. Starflyer59 � Dial M, (Tooth & Nail.2009)
10. Paramore � Brand New Eyes, (Fueled by Ramen.2009)

On Sunday night (October 11th), I had the most wonderful and humble opportunity to catch a kind-of-sort-of-reunion show by The Murder City Devils. [I don't know if one could call it a full-blown, proper reunion, being that the band did a West Coast tour in February 2009 � that for obvious reasons, specifically, that I don't live on the West Coast, I could not attend. If I were to call it a full-blown reunion show, this would be the second leg of the tour (thus, I make the assumption that they will continue playing shows) (using the term tour may be generous as well, given they played three shows over the weekend � the 9th in Chicago, the 10th in Austin, TX � what kind of tour planning is that too? From Seattle to Chicago, then down to Austin, then back up north to Minneapolis � oh well, it's their life and planning, not mine � hahahahaha)]. So, yes, I saw The Murder City Devils play a show at the legendary First Avenue club in downtown Minneapolis. And it was � awesome.

The last time I saw the band was in 1999 in Des Moines, IA. Much has changed: lead singer Spencer Moody has a big beard, the band didn't jump around and lean hard into every chord change, the amount of alcohol consumed by the members had to be down 75% (smoking was down too, but not sure if that was due to complying w/the ban on indoor smoking � although, the lovely Ms. Leslie Hardy [keyboardist] didn't give a shit about a ban), no lighting cymbals on fire during �Every Shitty Thing� (I have a story about that from the Des Moines show). The thing that was no different, this is crucial, was the energy � the band tore through their set with rage and passion and attitude. And they sounded great. Yeah, I know discerning music listener, this is punk rock played at high volume, but the changes were tight, the faster songs didn't fall into a spitting-crying-mess on the floor.

The crowd was well-versed in Murder City, singing loud on �Press Gang�, �18 Wheels�, �Bunkhouse�, �I Want A Lot Now (So Come On)�, �Dear Hearts�, �Idle Hands�, �Rum to Whiskey�, and on and on, hit after hit. The best songs of the night were crazy, fist clenching, vitrol-laced performances of �Get Off The Floor� and �Dancin' Shoes� - no doubt, these are curious tunes about dancing at the show and feeling alright. The band pulverized them as if ten years didn't matter a single fuck. The cool part was First Avenue has a balcony, which enabled lead singer Spencer Moody to call out the stoic folks to get �their ass off the floor� and up to the balcony, pointing the way (the applicable lines: �If you're not going to dance, get your ass off the floor� and �people like you are what the balcony is made for�).

Moody still owns the stage � barking out tales of truckers and sailors and cowboys, dancing and drinking, Iggy and Johnny and Eddie Spaghetti, the pain of life and salvation of punk/rock. Sure, the same tricks were on display: obscuring his face with a scarf during a few songs (back in '99 it was pulling his sweatshirt's hood so tight there was only a hole for his mouth), stuff the mic into his mouth while still �singing�, ascending monitors to emphasize points, etc. Yeah, it's all cool. What caught me off guard was how they still connected with the audience (specifically, this nearly 40 year old corporate whore, punk rock fan). You could feel the giving and receiving the collective frustration and the odd comfort of being there in that brief 75-80-90-or-so minutes, because this is the crux of the Devils: those who are there with them get that life is fucked, there is a lot of pain and dysfunction, that punk rock is more than an escape, it's a place to belong.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending October 9, 2009

2009-10-09T00:24:00.003-05:00

01. The Jesus & Mary Chain � Darklands, (Blanco y Negro/WB.1987)
02. Girls � Album, (True Panther.2009)
03. New Order � Power, Corruption, & Lies, (Qwest.1983)
04. �The Perfect Kiss� by New Order, (Qwest.1985)
05. Maximo Park � Quicken the Heart, (Warp.2009)
06. The Twilight Sad � Forget The Night Ahead, (Fat Cat.2009)
07. The Feelies � Crazy Rhythms, (A&M.1980)
08. Why? � Eskimo Snow, (Anticon.2009)
09. Deastro � Moondagger, (Ghostly International.2009)
10. The Hold Steady � Separation Sunday, (French Kiss.2005)

I first heard �The Perfect Kiss� waaay back in the halcyon eighties. It was the time when Substance � New Order's uber-opus collection of kick ass singles released in 1986 � was making waves in discerning music listener circles; I had to get that double disc compilation magic. This song immediately stood out. As you know, the version here is a remix, while not drastically different than either the �original� version from the 12� or LP version from 1985's Low-Life, it is subtly superior. As always, it's the melody and the hook that drive its immediacy.

�The Perfect Kiss� starts off with a cool left/right channel fader club-by production trick that goes straight into bouncy synth-inflicted UK alt.pop with Hooky's awesome bass melodies. Between these verses/hooks comes synthpop breakdowns, then the last half moves through several types of dance music (that gets slammin' at the 2.38 mark). Poly-rhythms, fake hand claps, tempo changes, electro-funk bass lines, atmospheric washes, even a goddam cowbell! In the last 45 seconds, all of the above comes together to a bittersweet fadeout.

This does totally kick ass, but it isn't perfect. I'd be remiss not to bring up the lyrics. In general, I've never thought much of Barney's lyrics, but I cannot � believe this came out of his mouth: �Tonight I should have stayed at home/Playing with my pleasure zone.� Especially within the context of a song about guns, street violence, guilt, and death. Oh Barney.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending October 2, 2009

2009-10-02T00:06:00.003-05:00

01. Vivian Girls � Everything Goes Wrong, (In The Red.2009)
02. The New Pornographers � Mass Romantic, (Mint.2000)
03. Boris � Akuma No Uta, (Southern Lord.2005)
04. �Baby Britain� by Elliott Smith, (Dreamworks.1998)
05. Paramore � Brand New Eyes, (Fueled By Ramen.2009)
06. The Twilight Sad � Forget The Night Ahead, (Fat Cat.2009)
07. Deastro � Moondagger, (Ghostly International.2009)
08. The Bronx � The Bronx, (White Drugs.2003)
09. Girls � Album, (True Panther.2009)
10. �Emma Blowgun's Last Stand� by Beulah, (Sugar Free.1999)

It's been a long week, that began with a longer weekend (no, I didn't party like it was 1999, I had to find a new car � bleh). So I am gonna do the ultimate in lazy ass blogging nazz.

Twitter Roundup!!!

"Akuma No Uta" by Boris is face-melting sludge alt metal @ its best! ++ Oh crap. I actually kind of like that new Pearl Jam tune that is in the Target commercial. #whatiswrongwithme ++ Album of the Day: Vivian Girls-Everything Goes Wrong - I dug the debut alright; #48 in my Top 50 of LY - this LP easily kills that LP. ++ Boris on the drive into work this AM // the new LP by The Twilight Sad at my desk - super heavy in their own unique ways. I feel the weight. ++ "Revolver's been turned over, and now its ready once again, the radio was playing 'Crimson & Clover' �" ++ For some reason, I think Mass Romantic (by The New Pornographers) is gonna be the soundtrack for today.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending September 25, 2009

2009-09-25T01:12:00.003-05:00

01. Starflyer 59 � Dial M, (Tooth & Nail.2008)
02. Peter Bjorn And John � Living Thing, (Wichita.2009)
03. �Skeleton Closet� by Holy State, (Holy Roar.2009)
04. George Harrison � All Things Must Pass, (Capitol.1970)
05. Vivian Girls � Everything Goes Wrong, (In The Red.2009)
06. Sunny Day Real Estate � Diary, (Sub Pop.1994)
07. Zoos of Berlin � �Taxis�, (independent.2009)
08. Brendan Benson � My Old, Familiar Friend, (ATO.2009)
09. The Fiery Furnaces � I'm Going Away, (Thrill Jockey.2009)
10. Kurt Vile � Constant Hitmaker, (Gulcher.2008)

On Wednesday night (09/23), I saw the re-united Sunny Day Real Estate play at the legendary First Avenue. If you follow my Twitter feed, you likely saw some of my reactions in real time. Without getting into the particulars of the show (see link below for a nice review and great pictures), the band sounded solid, tight, and seemed to be having a great time playing their tunes. Jeremy Enigk's vocals were confident, it seems that he's more of a singer, yet still draws out certain notes in that raw-ish rasp. On the records, the stop/start, loud/soft dynamics are always intense and jarring. The performance was even more so, it was truly awesome. For me the highlights of the evening were those three big songs from Diary: �Seven�, �In Circles�, and �Shadows�. [Btw, in honor of the truly inspiring show, I am resisting snarky comments about crying, tight sweaters, beards, black rimmed glasses, and self-hugging. It's tough for me.]

Say what you want about emo (the crimes of the plethora of SDRE wannabes that came out in the mid-90s or the travesty of what is being deemed emo today), SDRE had the songs to match their passion (no matter how pretentious or overdramatic). The kids seem to think the more bonkers the vocals or the idiotic the changes, the better. SDRE had the perfect balance � see �Shadows� for one perfect example. Their influence is undeniable � their music led kids to form bands, they never realized the success that their inferior followers did (i.e. Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, etc.). They are The Velvet Underground of the 1990s.

Let the Emogasm Continue: Recap: Sunny Day Real Estate reunion show at First Avenue from The Onion A.V. Club by Pat O'Brien; Photos: Jenn Barnett

p.s. I was bummed they didn't play a single song from The Rising Tide � a much bitched about and, imho, misunderstood record (prog-emo? Peter Gabriel-era Genesis meets Led Zeppelin with a hint of grunge and classic SDRE? KILLER.) Then again, I believe that was a bad time for the band � then again, they had a lot of bad times. Oh well.

###

Heavy Rotation: Week Ending September 18, 2009

2009-09-18T00:10:00.002-05:00

01. Starflyer59 � Dial M, (Tooth & Nail.2008)
02. The Blue Nile � A Walk Across The Rooftops, (A&M.1984)
03. Murder City Devils � EmptyBottlesBrokenHearts, (Sub Pop.1998)
04. Jay Reatard � Watch Me Fall, (Matador.2009)
05. �Pisshole In The Snow� by The Pernice Brothers, (Ashmont.2005)
06. �Zen and the Art of Being a Fuck Up� by Psyched To Die, (Year One.2009)
07. Empire of the Sun � Walking On A Dream, (EMI.2009)
08. �Spinning for Spoonie� by Neil Halstead, (Brushfire.2008)
09. �Everybody Else� by Care Bears On Fire, (S-Curve.2009)
10. �Touch Me, I'm Sick� by Mudhoney, (Sub Pop.1988)

Way back on November 18, 2008, I wrote about Starflyer59's most recent LP, Dial M. One of the tracks I highlighted was �M23�:

�... [the] melody captures that world-weariness he delivers so wonderfully (the harpsi-synth-y keys are a gorgeous element and the part where he sings, �You made it up, you made it up, you made it up, you make it up� is my favorite moment on the album).�

The song continues to grab my attention, moving me with each listen. This week has been an interesting one, rife with sadness, frustration, surprise, happiness, and uncertainty. �M23� is the perfect song. It is one of J.Martin's most personal songs about how his faith carries him (he sings, �Can I rely, can I?/In the twinkling of an eye � of an eye, we'll rise/So I'll rely on Christ/In the twinkling of an eye�) despite the overbearing burden of work, being tired, worried, let down, and, finally, clearly aware of our undeniable mortality. It is the way he sings the coda (good that Christ works for him): the weariness doesn't leave his voice, but it isn't as heavy as on those verses. For me, it is existential lucidity that fits the emotion and vibe of the track, so I can connect. �Hey man, did you write that for me? It seems like it, that really spoke to me�.

###