sir mix-a-lot
04-12-2006, 07:22 PM
You've stumbled upon the wonderful world of Decoy Music's weekly Listening Station. So plug in your iPods or whatever you use and get ready to fill it with items selected by staff, readers, and bands you know and love. You could also buy an album, even. I know, far-fetched.
Dave Uses This As A Pet Name For His Penis: Dinosaur Jr. - Where You Been
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/dinosaurjr.jpg
Website: (http://www.dinosaurjr.com) :: Listen: (http://www.freesofree.net)
Most of the focus for Dinosaur Jr. is on their early catalog from the 80s on SST Records. Their self-titled debut, You’re Living All Over Me, and Bug were all reissued last year through Merge Records. But in 1993, when everyone was focused on the Seattle grunge scene, Dinosaur Jr. released one of their best and most progressive albums, Where You Been. “Out There” starts the album with a somber rock ballad containing classic J Mascis guitar shredding. The second song, “Start Choppin’,” has an incredibly catchy riff and contains one of my favorite solos ever. Another standout is the heartfelt “Get Me,” which I can’t get myself to stop listening to as of late. Naturally, the entire album is full of amazing Mascis guitar work and insightful lyrics. After listening to this album several times, I had come to the conclusion that is it one of my favorites of the 90s and surprisingly underrated. With an expanded reissue coming later this year through Rhino, I urge everyone to check this out and hear some of the best alternative/indie rock.
Brent Needs To Check Out Mr. Nelson's Guest Spot On Tin Hat Trio's Rodeo Eroded Now That He's Finally Gotten Around To: Willie Nelson - Songs
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/willienelson.jpg
Website: (http://www.willienelson.com) :: Listen: (http://www.livewillie.com)
While I was in Texas for SXSW, I was formally introduced to Willie Nelson's music. I'm now a fan.
This collection is the best of the best of Nelson's music (or so it claims to be; I'm still getting familiar with his catalog). Highlights include "Crazy," which Patsy Cline recorded and made a hit some 40 years ago, "Mendocino County Line" with Lee Ann Womack, "Good Hearted Woman" with Waylon Jennings, "Good Times" (this is where the sang comes from), and perhaps one of my favorite love songs of all time: "Always On My Mind."
Nelson is a God.
Marc Sits Awake For Hours Every Night Trying To Figure Out Which Color They Chose: One Dead Three Wounded - Paint The Town
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/1dead3wounded.jpg
Website: (http://www.onedeadthreewounded.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/onedeadthreewounded)
"...our youth is dust on the side of the road. Let it bury the seeds of regret..."
Philadelphia has been known to be the home of some of the best bands in hardcore and metal. Blacklisted, Horror Show, A Life Once Lost, All Else Failed, Turmoil, Passion, and the list goes on. One band that is always on this list is One Dead Three Wounded. In 2004, they released the classic metalcore album, Paint the Town. After the band signed to 1X1, they released it again with two new songs and a much better distribution. With the addition of "Cardia" and "Soldiers," the album became that much better. Not many metalcore bands can be sincere with their music and lyrics and these guys do just that.
I really can't think of too many bands that have the southern influence One Dead has. Don't expect these guys to use the typical breakdowns. They add flavor with a dash of originality. It is what separates them from the pack. This is definitely worth a listen. I have listened to Paint the Town countless times and it still feels brand new. Now go cop this!!!
Truman Keeps It True, Man: MC Lars - The Graduate
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/mclars2.jpg
Website: (http://www.mclars.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/mclars)
Last week I recommended a country album, so this week I’m shifting gears to recommend MC Lars - The Graduate. I just got this album and it has some good tracks on it. I like this album because it showcases a different kind of rap and it’s always interesting to see how people can expand a genre of music. This album also features some good collaborations and the track “Roommate from Hell” featuring MC Chris is probably my favorite track on the album. This album is full of funny tracks but also has some serious songs. The track “Download This Song” points out a lot of flaws in the record industry. All in all, a fun listen and worth a check out.
Jared's Taste In Music Is The Exact Same As This Album's Title (Ooh, Burn!): Across Five Aprils - A Tragedy In Progress
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/across5aprils.jpg
Website: (http://www.acrossfiveaprilsrock.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/acrossfiveaprils)
Having recently re-released their full length A Tragedy in Progress, Across Five Aprils has made a resurgence in my listening lately. I’d forgot just how good they really are. This band straddles the line between hardcore and rock like no other. At one moment, they’ll be banging out some very brutal hardcore and the next, there’ll be cleanly sung vocals and casually strummed guitars. Somehow it doesn’t come off sounding like a two-faced mess.
It’s been too long since this band has released any new material. They are planning a 2006 LP through Indianola and I’ll be one of the first in line to pick it up.
Dant Is Great: Circa Survive - Juturna
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/circasurvive.jpg
Website: (http://www.circasurvive.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/circasurvive)
Let me just admit that I am a whore for anything that Anthony Green is in. Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer's first EP, Audience of One, Saosin's first EP, The Sound of Animals Fighting, Jeer at Rome, and, of course, Circa Survive. Their first and only full length, Juturna, is one of the catchiest things I have heard in a long time. The vocals are great, the lyrics are great, they play well together, and they're just straight-up great.
Brandon Hopes You Don't Confuse This With DC Talk: Atmosphere - God Loves Ugly
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/atmosphere.jpg
Website: (http://www.rhymesayers.com/aDetail.php?aId=3&cT=Bio) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/atmosphere)
This is one of my favorite Atmosphere discs. If you aren't yet familiar with Slug, then get with the program. Once called emo-rap by several music magazines, these are some of the most honest rhymes put on disc. If you've tried You can't Imagine... and you've not yet checked out this disc, then do yourself a favor and check it.
Jayme Picks Up Change While You Pick Up All The Names He Drops Whenever He Talks About: No Trigger - Canyoneer
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/notrigger2.jpg
Website: (http://www.notrigger.org) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/notrigger)
All week long I’ve been stoked on seeing Set Your Goals and Crime in Stereo, which has, in turn, rekindled my love for fast-paced melodic hardcore and punk. While a bunch of older CDs saw some play this week, namely Lifetime’s Hello Bastards and Floorpunch’s Fast Times at the Jersey Shore, the one that stuck with me was No Trigger’s new album, Canyoneer. Canyoneer is a twelve track powerhouse of fast-paced punk and driving melodic hardcore goodness that touches on varying subjects that affect the music scene today (one such topic being the lack of a “female” voice in our underground). No Trigger steps it up a notch on Canyoneer and joins the likes of up-and-coming bands such as A Wilhelm Scream, Comeback Kid, Set Your Goals, and Crime In Stereo, in creating a sound that recognizes the brilliance of bands from yesterday like Lifetime, Gorilla Biscuits, Strung Out, and Kid Dynamite; however, these guys are not simply copying their predecessors. Instead, No Trigger plans on further revitalizing their genre (and can do so!) with their latest effort, Canyoneer.
Kamran Is Probably As Sad As I Am That They Were Wrong: Refused - The Shape Of Punk To Come
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/refused.jpg
Website: (http://www.burningheart.com/refused) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/refused)
In preparation for the Refused Are Fucking Dead DVD to be released later this month, I've been jamming the totally essential Shape of Punk to Come. I'd find it hard to believe that any of Decoy's regular visitors haven't listened to this album, but in case you haven't, stop what you're doing right now and make your top priority listening to this album. It is a total 5/5 album and an essential for anyone that loves hardcore, punk, and, well, if you like quality music in general. By the way, the preview for the DVD, which can be seen over at Epitaph's official site, is so fucking sweet! I've watched it at least a dozen times. DYEAH!
Eric Gets Delusions Of Grandeur When He Plays: Visions Of - I Through IV EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/visionsof.jpg
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/thevisionsof) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/thevisionsof)
Electronics and grindcore? Sounds like they would make a good combination, right? Well, they definitely co-mingle quite efficiently in I Through IV, the debut extended play by these methamphetamine-filled grinders. I Through IV is a healthy dose of technical disarray reminiscent of The Assailant and humming electronics found mostly in strange European techno. Even clean vocals are heard in this potpourri of grindy-goodness, and an even more astonishing fact is that they're actually good, harmonizing quite effortlessly with the high-pitched buzzing electronics.
Ben Can Barely Hit A Change-Up; What Makes Him Think He Can Handle: Fastball - All The Pain Money Can Buy
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/fastball.jpg
Website: (http://www.fastballmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.fastballmusic.com/music.html)
All the Pain Money Can Buy was one of the first albums I ever bought. I bought it for the smash single "The Way," which, upon hearing it for the first time in years, still sounds pretty great. I always liked this album before I became an elitist prick. Once I hit that particular peak of my life, this album never left the shelf. Be it my desire to reminisce or the fact that I'm listening to every album I own in alphabetical order, I rediscovered this album. It is, in fact, "Better Than It Was." This is how you do Southern-baked alt-country with touches of The Monkees and giant slices of Cake. It's got everything you could ask for, really: Sad songs, upbeat songs, funny songs; wit, charm, songcraft. It kind of makes me wonder if their other albums are worth a damn.
Dave Uses This As A Pet Name For His Penis: Dinosaur Jr. - Where You Been
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/dinosaurjr.jpg
Website: (http://www.dinosaurjr.com) :: Listen: (http://www.freesofree.net)
Most of the focus for Dinosaur Jr. is on their early catalog from the 80s on SST Records. Their self-titled debut, You’re Living All Over Me, and Bug were all reissued last year through Merge Records. But in 1993, when everyone was focused on the Seattle grunge scene, Dinosaur Jr. released one of their best and most progressive albums, Where You Been. “Out There” starts the album with a somber rock ballad containing classic J Mascis guitar shredding. The second song, “Start Choppin’,” has an incredibly catchy riff and contains one of my favorite solos ever. Another standout is the heartfelt “Get Me,” which I can’t get myself to stop listening to as of late. Naturally, the entire album is full of amazing Mascis guitar work and insightful lyrics. After listening to this album several times, I had come to the conclusion that is it one of my favorites of the 90s and surprisingly underrated. With an expanded reissue coming later this year through Rhino, I urge everyone to check this out and hear some of the best alternative/indie rock.
Brent Needs To Check Out Mr. Nelson's Guest Spot On Tin Hat Trio's Rodeo Eroded Now That He's Finally Gotten Around To: Willie Nelson - Songs
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/willienelson.jpg
Website: (http://www.willienelson.com) :: Listen: (http://www.livewillie.com)
While I was in Texas for SXSW, I was formally introduced to Willie Nelson's music. I'm now a fan.
This collection is the best of the best of Nelson's music (or so it claims to be; I'm still getting familiar with his catalog). Highlights include "Crazy," which Patsy Cline recorded and made a hit some 40 years ago, "Mendocino County Line" with Lee Ann Womack, "Good Hearted Woman" with Waylon Jennings, "Good Times" (this is where the sang comes from), and perhaps one of my favorite love songs of all time: "Always On My Mind."
Nelson is a God.
Marc Sits Awake For Hours Every Night Trying To Figure Out Which Color They Chose: One Dead Three Wounded - Paint The Town
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/1dead3wounded.jpg
Website: (http://www.onedeadthreewounded.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/onedeadthreewounded)
"...our youth is dust on the side of the road. Let it bury the seeds of regret..."
Philadelphia has been known to be the home of some of the best bands in hardcore and metal. Blacklisted, Horror Show, A Life Once Lost, All Else Failed, Turmoil, Passion, and the list goes on. One band that is always on this list is One Dead Three Wounded. In 2004, they released the classic metalcore album, Paint the Town. After the band signed to 1X1, they released it again with two new songs and a much better distribution. With the addition of "Cardia" and "Soldiers," the album became that much better. Not many metalcore bands can be sincere with their music and lyrics and these guys do just that.
I really can't think of too many bands that have the southern influence One Dead has. Don't expect these guys to use the typical breakdowns. They add flavor with a dash of originality. It is what separates them from the pack. This is definitely worth a listen. I have listened to Paint the Town countless times and it still feels brand new. Now go cop this!!!
Truman Keeps It True, Man: MC Lars - The Graduate
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/mclars2.jpg
Website: (http://www.mclars.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/mclars)
Last week I recommended a country album, so this week I’m shifting gears to recommend MC Lars - The Graduate. I just got this album and it has some good tracks on it. I like this album because it showcases a different kind of rap and it’s always interesting to see how people can expand a genre of music. This album also features some good collaborations and the track “Roommate from Hell” featuring MC Chris is probably my favorite track on the album. This album is full of funny tracks but also has some serious songs. The track “Download This Song” points out a lot of flaws in the record industry. All in all, a fun listen and worth a check out.
Jared's Taste In Music Is The Exact Same As This Album's Title (Ooh, Burn!): Across Five Aprils - A Tragedy In Progress
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/across5aprils.jpg
Website: (http://www.acrossfiveaprilsrock.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/acrossfiveaprils)
Having recently re-released their full length A Tragedy in Progress, Across Five Aprils has made a resurgence in my listening lately. I’d forgot just how good they really are. This band straddles the line between hardcore and rock like no other. At one moment, they’ll be banging out some very brutal hardcore and the next, there’ll be cleanly sung vocals and casually strummed guitars. Somehow it doesn’t come off sounding like a two-faced mess.
It’s been too long since this band has released any new material. They are planning a 2006 LP through Indianola and I’ll be one of the first in line to pick it up.
Dant Is Great: Circa Survive - Juturna
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/circasurvive.jpg
Website: (http://www.circasurvive.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/circasurvive)
Let me just admit that I am a whore for anything that Anthony Green is in. Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer's first EP, Audience of One, Saosin's first EP, The Sound of Animals Fighting, Jeer at Rome, and, of course, Circa Survive. Their first and only full length, Juturna, is one of the catchiest things I have heard in a long time. The vocals are great, the lyrics are great, they play well together, and they're just straight-up great.
Brandon Hopes You Don't Confuse This With DC Talk: Atmosphere - God Loves Ugly
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/atmosphere.jpg
Website: (http://www.rhymesayers.com/aDetail.php?aId=3&cT=Bio) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/atmosphere)
This is one of my favorite Atmosphere discs. If you aren't yet familiar with Slug, then get with the program. Once called emo-rap by several music magazines, these are some of the most honest rhymes put on disc. If you've tried You can't Imagine... and you've not yet checked out this disc, then do yourself a favor and check it.
Jayme Picks Up Change While You Pick Up All The Names He Drops Whenever He Talks About: No Trigger - Canyoneer
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/notrigger2.jpg
Website: (http://www.notrigger.org) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/notrigger)
All week long I’ve been stoked on seeing Set Your Goals and Crime in Stereo, which has, in turn, rekindled my love for fast-paced melodic hardcore and punk. While a bunch of older CDs saw some play this week, namely Lifetime’s Hello Bastards and Floorpunch’s Fast Times at the Jersey Shore, the one that stuck with me was No Trigger’s new album, Canyoneer. Canyoneer is a twelve track powerhouse of fast-paced punk and driving melodic hardcore goodness that touches on varying subjects that affect the music scene today (one such topic being the lack of a “female” voice in our underground). No Trigger steps it up a notch on Canyoneer and joins the likes of up-and-coming bands such as A Wilhelm Scream, Comeback Kid, Set Your Goals, and Crime In Stereo, in creating a sound that recognizes the brilliance of bands from yesterday like Lifetime, Gorilla Biscuits, Strung Out, and Kid Dynamite; however, these guys are not simply copying their predecessors. Instead, No Trigger plans on further revitalizing their genre (and can do so!) with their latest effort, Canyoneer.
Kamran Is Probably As Sad As I Am That They Were Wrong: Refused - The Shape Of Punk To Come
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/refused.jpg
Website: (http://www.burningheart.com/refused) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/refused)
In preparation for the Refused Are Fucking Dead DVD to be released later this month, I've been jamming the totally essential Shape of Punk to Come. I'd find it hard to believe that any of Decoy's regular visitors haven't listened to this album, but in case you haven't, stop what you're doing right now and make your top priority listening to this album. It is a total 5/5 album and an essential for anyone that loves hardcore, punk, and, well, if you like quality music in general. By the way, the preview for the DVD, which can be seen over at Epitaph's official site, is so fucking sweet! I've watched it at least a dozen times. DYEAH!
Eric Gets Delusions Of Grandeur When He Plays: Visions Of - I Through IV EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/visionsof.jpg
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/thevisionsof) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/thevisionsof)
Electronics and grindcore? Sounds like they would make a good combination, right? Well, they definitely co-mingle quite efficiently in I Through IV, the debut extended play by these methamphetamine-filled grinders. I Through IV is a healthy dose of technical disarray reminiscent of The Assailant and humming electronics found mostly in strange European techno. Even clean vocals are heard in this potpourri of grindy-goodness, and an even more astonishing fact is that they're actually good, harmonizing quite effortlessly with the high-pitched buzzing electronics.
Ben Can Barely Hit A Change-Up; What Makes Him Think He Can Handle: Fastball - All The Pain Money Can Buy
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/fastball.jpg
Website: (http://www.fastballmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.fastballmusic.com/music.html)
All the Pain Money Can Buy was one of the first albums I ever bought. I bought it for the smash single "The Way," which, upon hearing it for the first time in years, still sounds pretty great. I always liked this album before I became an elitist prick. Once I hit that particular peak of my life, this album never left the shelf. Be it my desire to reminisce or the fact that I'm listening to every album I own in alphabetical order, I rediscovered this album. It is, in fact, "Better Than It Was." This is how you do Southern-baked alt-country with touches of The Monkees and giant slices of Cake. It's got everything you could ask for, really: Sad songs, upbeat songs, funny songs; wit, charm, songcraft. It kind of makes me wonder if their other albums are worth a damn.