Welcome to my side of the 'net. I ruminate over music, books, movies, places, or people that have somehow made me what I am or continue to influence me to this day. I usually post links to mp3s of songs I find interesting.
ATTENTION:
The mp3s linked to this site are for evaluation and sample purposes only. The files are only hosted temporarily, so if they're unavailable, it's gone for good. If possible, some of these links are sourced back to the musicians's official website. Please make sure to support the musicians featured herein by buying their records, going to their shows, and purchasing their merch.
Totally psyched to catch the Spike Jonze film adaptation of Maurice Sendak's children's book Where The Wild Things Are. The weekend can't get here soon enough.
The film preview teaser also wisely used one of the best songs off Arcade Fire's debut album Funeral. Check out the acoustic version of Wake Up.
The first time I ever got to listen to the heavy onslaught of Converge, it was when they opened for Mastodon on the Blood Mountain tour. I never imagined that a guitar sound that heavy could come from a Fender Telecaster. I'll have to thank axe-wielder Kurt Ballou for giving me newfound respect for the instrument.
Speaking of axes, the groups new album Axe To Fall is due to drop on October 20. Here's a taste of what will be pummeling through your head. You may also have to go and see these guys open for High On Fire, Mastodon, and Dethklok on the Metalocalypse tour.
Bad Lieutenant isn't only a dark independent film by Abel Ferrara, it's also the jump-off point and inspiration to former New Order frontman Bernard Sumner. Taking the film namesake, Sumner soldiered on after a very ugly public falling out with bassist Peter Hook. The group just released their debut record Never Shed Another Tear.
If y'all have been wondering where I've been, you can now also track me on Facebook. Be my friend out there. I do more of the microblogging effort over there where I give my two cents about more than just music.
I'll still post here from time to time. That's when the urge hits me to compose something/anything more long-form.
Phonogram is an Image comic book created by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Jamie McKelvie. What's great about this book is that it captures what it's like to be a music fan. The book takes it to another level. The characters end up having powers that are related to the music they spin or listen to--the hypnotic effect one gives to somebody else--a shared connection.
The first series, Rue Britannia, focused on Britpop and how much it was celebrated. It also imparted a more literal explanation of why it should stay dead...at least for now.
The present 7-issue story arc deals with events surrounding one evening close to the end of 2006. Musical references run rampant from Elastica to CSS to The Pipettes. I was particularly intrigued at how Scandinavian pop singer Robyn was also mentioned in this lineup. I finally broke down and picked up her namesake album. My conclusion: this is the record that Black Eyed Pea Fergie tried to make and miserably failed at duplicating. The songs on this album were bangers all over the European charts. In the US? This stellar collection of music was barely even given any attention.
Here's Be Mine! as just one example out of the set. This can give Kelly Clarkson's Since You've Been Gone a run for it's money
I'll have to admit that Wilco's Sky Blue Sky album didn't get much play on the personal stereo. Walkin' seemed to be the only standout track in the set. The band now returns with Wilco (The Album). This group of songs from Jeff Tweedy and his crew really changed things around in terms of arrangement and disposition. The songs are definitely lighter and more bouncy. Check out the rather humorously titled Wilco (The Song) which opens the record and sets the overall tone of the collected set big time.
Them Crooked Vultures is a fantastic supergroup that's made up of Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and the legendary John Paul Jones. What's got me really psyched about this band is that Dave is back behind the kit, hitting really hard. Another is that we get to hear John Paul Jones play heavy rock again like when he was with Plant, Page, and Bonzo.
Here's some footage from the Pukkelpop festival in Europe. The song is called Elephant. It is huge.
If you link up to their Facebook account, you'll be swept into the deluge of viral shit about where they are, what they're doing, and what merch is available for purchase.
If you want to check out the latest Radiohead track These Are My Twisted Words, you can head over here to pick up the free download. The band continues with the experimental route on this tune. I'm well pleased myself.
We eagerly await every Quentin Tarantino film that makes a theatrical debut. His latest film Inglourious Basterds (yes, note the spelling) is no exception.
Part of the fun about QT's movies is anticipating the soundtrack. Once you get your hands on the new collection, you can't help but speculate where in the movie a particular song will be used. This time around, I'm trying to figure out where David Bowie's Cat People (Putting Out The Fire) will be inserted.
All will be revealed by Friday as every fan's patience gets rewarded.
