sir mix-a-lot
08-16-2006, 07:55 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.
Alex Could Go For Some Music, But He Doesn't Want To Put Away Two Albums. He Can't Be Inserting And Ejecting All Kinds Of Albums And Cleaning Who Knows How Many Lasers: Momus - Forbidden Software Timemachine: Disc 1
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/momus.jpg
Website: (http://www.imomus.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/ottospooky)
Musical eccentrics are few and far between these days. And this week, I've been listening to one of music's greatest, yet hideously under-appreciated, eccentrics, Momus (AKA Nicholas Currie). This is a collection of his best songs from his years on Creation Records, and there are just so many amazing tracks on offer. Literally one of the best lyricists I have ever heard, Momus has such an incredibly vivid songwriting style and a unique grasp of language. No two tracks are the same, yet nearly all are excellent. Take a line from "The Homosexual," a tale of a man whom everybody labels gay, but actually shags all his friends' girlfriends behind their backs: "Why take the nettle? / I'll gladly be the kettle if you're the pot / I take my tea like my revenge: sweet and hot." How very English. How very awesome.
Tim Will Be Set Aflame For Leading The Musical Resistance: Joan Of Arc - Joan Of Arc, Dick Cheney, Mark Twain
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/joanofarc.jpg
Website: (http://www.joanfrc.com) :: Listen: (http://www.joanfrc.com)
Hands down my favorite Joan of Arc album. A lot of people don't get this band, mostly because they don't create the most commercial music in the world -- heck, half of their songs aren't even really songs. Some of the times the band just kind of throws together whatever noises and sees what sticks, but for the most part, it works to their advantage. The Brothers Kinsella are unrelentingly creative and rarely ever do anything that's cringe-inducing, despite the off-key piano slams sprinkled throughout the album. Check out songs like "Fleshy Jeffrey" and the haunting "Abigail" if you're looking to get a glimpse at what real independent music these days should sound like, and check out pretty much the rest of the album for that noise stuff I was referring to. Great stuff.
Michael Phillips (Scene Point Blank (http://www.scenepointblank.com), Escapist Records (http://www.escapistrecords.com)) Finds Cave In's Stylistic Fulcrum: Cave In - Creative Eclipses
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/cavein3.jpg
Website: (http://www.cavein.net) :: Listen: (http://cavein.net/disc/hh66638.htm)
When people speak of Cave In, they normally speak of the band from two major standpoints. There are the metalheads that swear by the band's early catalog, specifically the modern metal-core classic Until Your Heart Stops and its unadulterated aural assault. Then you have your indierocks that praise the space-rock masterpiece Jupiter. But smack dab in the middle of those two equally stellar albums, chronologically speaking, is the Creative Eclipses EP. "Luminance" is easily the most underrated Cave In song. The band's cover of Failure's "Magnified" is spot on. "Burning Down the Billboards" reminds me a bit of Paul Simon and is also quite reminiscent of vocalist/guitarist Stephen Brodsky's solo material. And the interludes provided separately by Brodsky and guitarist Adam McGrath are quite interesting with all their wacky effects and whatnot. But I think they add a lot of character to this short little EP. If you're a Cave In fan, you probably already own this, on both CD and vinyl. For those of you who don't own it yet, I'm sure you can score this for under three bucks used, which is quite a steal as far as I'm concerned.
Chris Conlan's Write-Up Has Almost As Much Mass, Yet Is Just As Barren Of Content, As The Alaskan Tundra: Wilderness Of Tekoa - The Skies Pale In Comparison
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/wildernessoftekoa.jpg
Website: (http://www.tekoamusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/wildernessoftekoa)
If there is one band I would suggest everyone listen to right now, it would have to be Wilderness of Tekoa. I recently came across these guys and ever since then, my iPod is constantly spinning their new album The Sky Pales in Comparison. This is definitely going to be a contender for one of my favorite albums of the year.
Jeremy's Decision To Select This Album Is Sure To Meet With Mixed Reviews, Much Like The Actual Album Did. However, Kamran Most Definitely Will Get His Back: Beck - Midnight Vultures
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/beck2.jpg
Website: (http://www.beck.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/beck)
I've liked Beck a good bit off and on over the years - some albums were hits with me, some not so much. I dug what I heard of this album when it first came out, but didn't really pick it up and listen to it until after Guero. This album is so full of funk that it's about to explode into a saturating rain of funkness and groovility. If I can think of any other words to make up to describe this album, they'd surely mirror the silliness of Midnight Vultures - he kept things light, sexy, and danceable - but he kept it soul most of all. This album makes it very hard to be in a bad mood whilst listening.
Daniel Alcinii Doesn't Realize That, In Actuality, I Don't Hate Him. I've Just Spent The Last Two Months Confusing Him With Alex Davies, But Now I Know They're Not The Same Person. Sure, It Took Me Long Enough, But I Eventually Made The Connection And That Should Count For Something: Stay Gold - Pills And Advice
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/staygold.jpg
Website: (http://www.indecisionrecords.com/bands/staygold.html) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/hc)
Since Ben hates my pick every week, I thought I shouldn’t take a break from annoying him with more shitty music, hence my pick this week. Stay Gold is good. Stay Gold keeps me from wandering into the dark abyss that is my clever little mind and keep me smiling through hard times. Stay Gold is intensely fun. Stay Gold broke up in 2002. That’s a shame.
Jordan Puts Music Into Movie Trailers. Not Sure If You Knew That. Someone Should Ask Him If He Put Mellowdrone Into That Acura Commercial And See If He Flips Out Because He Would Never "Sink Low Enough To Do Some Shitty Car Commercial": Kyte - EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/kyte.jpg
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/kyteband) :: Listen: (http://www.purevolume.com/kyteband)
Every week, I let the friend requests I get from bands on MySpace build up until I have around 15 or 20, then I go through them and add the ones I like the most. Highlight band of this week: Kyte. This band is awesome. Though I've only heard the 4 songs they have on their MySpace page, I was super impressed. Atmospheric, dense, beautifully epic songs. Sounds like Mew, Jeniferever, with hints of Mogwai and Sigur Ros. Just really wonderful stuff and quite a surprise. Check them out and let me know what you think.
Chris Pandolfo Is No Man Of Smoke And: Misery Signals - Mirrors
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/miserysignals2.jpg
Website: (http://www.miserysignals.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/miserysignals)
__ <---- See that? Yeah, that's how close I was to giving Mirrors a 5/5. Buy this album this coming Tuesday or you are seriously stupid.
Kerwin (Beloved Reader, Belabored Board Member (http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/member.php?u=36 )) Can't Decide Which Is Less Attractive: The Album Title, Himself, Or The Album Art: Cursive - The Ugly Organ
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/cursive5.jpg
Website: (http://www.cursivearmy.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/cursive)
What's to be said about this band and album that hasn't been covered already? The Ugly Organ is nothing short of a masterpiece and if, for some reason, you haven't heard it yet, by all means listen to it ASAP. This disc is art.
Ben Dedicates This One To His Mother, Who, Despite Becoming A Music Professor, Never Forced Him To Learn Any Music Theory Or Take Up Any Instruments. Fortunately, She Did Bestow Upon Him A General Love Of Music And Made Him The Accepting Person He Is Today. She Does, However, Not Condone His Use Of Profanity: Shine: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shine.jpg
Website: (http://www.davidhelfgott.com) :: Listen: (http://www.finelinefeatures.com/shine/music/music.htm)
I think about four people in the last week have told me I need to call my mom. Come on! Once every three or four months is enough and she agrees. But, because everyone got on my case about it, I called her. We had a very long chat, which was, as usual, wonderful. She's pretty much the neatest (yes, neatest) person ever. Of course, my listening to the Shine soundtrack doesn't really have a lot to do with that conversation. I'd listened to Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff a few times earlier in the week, which directly relates to this selection.
For those not familiar with the film Shine, it stars Geoffrey Rush in his first major (and acclaimed) role as David Helfgott, a child piano prodigy whose early musical selections were controlled by his abusive, though caring(?), father (played by the always-great Armin Mueller-Stahl). His father forced the young Helfgott (portrayed by Noah Taylor) to attempt Rachmaninoff from an early age, despite pleadings from outside teachers that no young boy should attempt such things, regardless of talent. Eventually, David would perform the "Rach 3," widely considered one of the most difficult pieces of music in history, to perfection during his time at the British Royal Academy of Music. He would then collapse on stage, suffer through several mental problems and vanish from the scene, only to appear out of nowhere in his forties, whacked out of his gourd and almost completely incomprehensible, at some bar in Australia. Rush would portray this eccentric version of the man and would even play the piano during what scenes required it, which is no small feat considering the toughness of the material involved. Scott Hicks wrote and directed Shine and, as a result of its success, Helfgott would go on to record the piano part on Silverchair's epic "Emotion Sickness," as well as put out a fairly sloppy all-Rachmaninoff album before spiraling back into obscurity once more. Anyway, Shine is a great film and the soundtrack possibly is even better.
When I drive in my car and listen to my "weird" music, I often feel embarrassed when I have it playing too loud. However, I will gladly blast this stuff for all to hear without the slightest hint of shame. I'm not sure if that's ironic. I think someone should fill me in. Thanks.
Scott Actively Seeks Out Any And All Alan Arkin Cameos: Midlake - The Trials Of Van Occupanther
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/midlake2.jpg
Website: (http://www.midlake.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/midlake)
Every time I pop The Trials of Van Occupanther into my car's deck and "Roscoe" kicks into high gear, I'm inexplicably reminded of the intro to the show M*A*S*H. Not sure why that's important, but it seems fitting somehow, since I love this album. I don't have time to write more, so please, just be assured that it's great.
Alex Could Go For Some Music, But He Doesn't Want To Put Away Two Albums. He Can't Be Inserting And Ejecting All Kinds Of Albums And Cleaning Who Knows How Many Lasers: Momus - Forbidden Software Timemachine: Disc 1
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/momus.jpg
Website: (http://www.imomus.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/ottospooky)
Musical eccentrics are few and far between these days. And this week, I've been listening to one of music's greatest, yet hideously under-appreciated, eccentrics, Momus (AKA Nicholas Currie). This is a collection of his best songs from his years on Creation Records, and there are just so many amazing tracks on offer. Literally one of the best lyricists I have ever heard, Momus has such an incredibly vivid songwriting style and a unique grasp of language. No two tracks are the same, yet nearly all are excellent. Take a line from "The Homosexual," a tale of a man whom everybody labels gay, but actually shags all his friends' girlfriends behind their backs: "Why take the nettle? / I'll gladly be the kettle if you're the pot / I take my tea like my revenge: sweet and hot." How very English. How very awesome.
Tim Will Be Set Aflame For Leading The Musical Resistance: Joan Of Arc - Joan Of Arc, Dick Cheney, Mark Twain
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/joanofarc.jpg
Website: (http://www.joanfrc.com) :: Listen: (http://www.joanfrc.com)
Hands down my favorite Joan of Arc album. A lot of people don't get this band, mostly because they don't create the most commercial music in the world -- heck, half of their songs aren't even really songs. Some of the times the band just kind of throws together whatever noises and sees what sticks, but for the most part, it works to their advantage. The Brothers Kinsella are unrelentingly creative and rarely ever do anything that's cringe-inducing, despite the off-key piano slams sprinkled throughout the album. Check out songs like "Fleshy Jeffrey" and the haunting "Abigail" if you're looking to get a glimpse at what real independent music these days should sound like, and check out pretty much the rest of the album for that noise stuff I was referring to. Great stuff.
Michael Phillips (Scene Point Blank (http://www.scenepointblank.com), Escapist Records (http://www.escapistrecords.com)) Finds Cave In's Stylistic Fulcrum: Cave In - Creative Eclipses
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/cavein3.jpg
Website: (http://www.cavein.net) :: Listen: (http://cavein.net/disc/hh66638.htm)
When people speak of Cave In, they normally speak of the band from two major standpoints. There are the metalheads that swear by the band's early catalog, specifically the modern metal-core classic Until Your Heart Stops and its unadulterated aural assault. Then you have your indierocks that praise the space-rock masterpiece Jupiter. But smack dab in the middle of those two equally stellar albums, chronologically speaking, is the Creative Eclipses EP. "Luminance" is easily the most underrated Cave In song. The band's cover of Failure's "Magnified" is spot on. "Burning Down the Billboards" reminds me a bit of Paul Simon and is also quite reminiscent of vocalist/guitarist Stephen Brodsky's solo material. And the interludes provided separately by Brodsky and guitarist Adam McGrath are quite interesting with all their wacky effects and whatnot. But I think they add a lot of character to this short little EP. If you're a Cave In fan, you probably already own this, on both CD and vinyl. For those of you who don't own it yet, I'm sure you can score this for under three bucks used, which is quite a steal as far as I'm concerned.
Chris Conlan's Write-Up Has Almost As Much Mass, Yet Is Just As Barren Of Content, As The Alaskan Tundra: Wilderness Of Tekoa - The Skies Pale In Comparison
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/wildernessoftekoa.jpg
Website: (http://www.tekoamusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/wildernessoftekoa)
If there is one band I would suggest everyone listen to right now, it would have to be Wilderness of Tekoa. I recently came across these guys and ever since then, my iPod is constantly spinning their new album The Sky Pales in Comparison. This is definitely going to be a contender for one of my favorite albums of the year.
Jeremy's Decision To Select This Album Is Sure To Meet With Mixed Reviews, Much Like The Actual Album Did. However, Kamran Most Definitely Will Get His Back: Beck - Midnight Vultures
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/beck2.jpg
Website: (http://www.beck.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/beck)
I've liked Beck a good bit off and on over the years - some albums were hits with me, some not so much. I dug what I heard of this album when it first came out, but didn't really pick it up and listen to it until after Guero. This album is so full of funk that it's about to explode into a saturating rain of funkness and groovility. If I can think of any other words to make up to describe this album, they'd surely mirror the silliness of Midnight Vultures - he kept things light, sexy, and danceable - but he kept it soul most of all. This album makes it very hard to be in a bad mood whilst listening.
Daniel Alcinii Doesn't Realize That, In Actuality, I Don't Hate Him. I've Just Spent The Last Two Months Confusing Him With Alex Davies, But Now I Know They're Not The Same Person. Sure, It Took Me Long Enough, But I Eventually Made The Connection And That Should Count For Something: Stay Gold - Pills And Advice
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/staygold.jpg
Website: (http://www.indecisionrecords.com/bands/staygold.html) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/hc)
Since Ben hates my pick every week, I thought I shouldn’t take a break from annoying him with more shitty music, hence my pick this week. Stay Gold is good. Stay Gold keeps me from wandering into the dark abyss that is my clever little mind and keep me smiling through hard times. Stay Gold is intensely fun. Stay Gold broke up in 2002. That’s a shame.
Jordan Puts Music Into Movie Trailers. Not Sure If You Knew That. Someone Should Ask Him If He Put Mellowdrone Into That Acura Commercial And See If He Flips Out Because He Would Never "Sink Low Enough To Do Some Shitty Car Commercial": Kyte - EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/kyte.jpg
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/kyteband) :: Listen: (http://www.purevolume.com/kyteband)
Every week, I let the friend requests I get from bands on MySpace build up until I have around 15 or 20, then I go through them and add the ones I like the most. Highlight band of this week: Kyte. This band is awesome. Though I've only heard the 4 songs they have on their MySpace page, I was super impressed. Atmospheric, dense, beautifully epic songs. Sounds like Mew, Jeniferever, with hints of Mogwai and Sigur Ros. Just really wonderful stuff and quite a surprise. Check them out and let me know what you think.
Chris Pandolfo Is No Man Of Smoke And: Misery Signals - Mirrors
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/miserysignals2.jpg
Website: (http://www.miserysignals.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/miserysignals)
__ <---- See that? Yeah, that's how close I was to giving Mirrors a 5/5. Buy this album this coming Tuesday or you are seriously stupid.
Kerwin (Beloved Reader, Belabored Board Member (http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/member.php?u=36 )) Can't Decide Which Is Less Attractive: The Album Title, Himself, Or The Album Art: Cursive - The Ugly Organ
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/cursive5.jpg
Website: (http://www.cursivearmy.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/cursive)
What's to be said about this band and album that hasn't been covered already? The Ugly Organ is nothing short of a masterpiece and if, for some reason, you haven't heard it yet, by all means listen to it ASAP. This disc is art.
Ben Dedicates This One To His Mother, Who, Despite Becoming A Music Professor, Never Forced Him To Learn Any Music Theory Or Take Up Any Instruments. Fortunately, She Did Bestow Upon Him A General Love Of Music And Made Him The Accepting Person He Is Today. She Does, However, Not Condone His Use Of Profanity: Shine: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shine.jpg
Website: (http://www.davidhelfgott.com) :: Listen: (http://www.finelinefeatures.com/shine/music/music.htm)
I think about four people in the last week have told me I need to call my mom. Come on! Once every three or four months is enough and she agrees. But, because everyone got on my case about it, I called her. We had a very long chat, which was, as usual, wonderful. She's pretty much the neatest (yes, neatest) person ever. Of course, my listening to the Shine soundtrack doesn't really have a lot to do with that conversation. I'd listened to Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff a few times earlier in the week, which directly relates to this selection.
For those not familiar with the film Shine, it stars Geoffrey Rush in his first major (and acclaimed) role as David Helfgott, a child piano prodigy whose early musical selections were controlled by his abusive, though caring(?), father (played by the always-great Armin Mueller-Stahl). His father forced the young Helfgott (portrayed by Noah Taylor) to attempt Rachmaninoff from an early age, despite pleadings from outside teachers that no young boy should attempt such things, regardless of talent. Eventually, David would perform the "Rach 3," widely considered one of the most difficult pieces of music in history, to perfection during his time at the British Royal Academy of Music. He would then collapse on stage, suffer through several mental problems and vanish from the scene, only to appear out of nowhere in his forties, whacked out of his gourd and almost completely incomprehensible, at some bar in Australia. Rush would portray this eccentric version of the man and would even play the piano during what scenes required it, which is no small feat considering the toughness of the material involved. Scott Hicks wrote and directed Shine and, as a result of its success, Helfgott would go on to record the piano part on Silverchair's epic "Emotion Sickness," as well as put out a fairly sloppy all-Rachmaninoff album before spiraling back into obscurity once more. Anyway, Shine is a great film and the soundtrack possibly is even better.
When I drive in my car and listen to my "weird" music, I often feel embarrassed when I have it playing too loud. However, I will gladly blast this stuff for all to hear without the slightest hint of shame. I'm not sure if that's ironic. I think someone should fill me in. Thanks.
Scott Actively Seeks Out Any And All Alan Arkin Cameos: Midlake - The Trials Of Van Occupanther
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/midlake2.jpg
Website: (http://www.midlake.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/midlake)
Every time I pop The Trials of Van Occupanther into my car's deck and "Roscoe" kicks into high gear, I'm inexplicably reminded of the intro to the show M*A*S*H. Not sure why that's important, but it seems fitting somehow, since I love this album. I don't have time to write more, so please, just be assured that it's great.