sir mix-a-lot
12-13-2006, 08:15 PM
Hey. How's it goin'? Getting a kick out of our sweet-ass Year End Top 50? So is the Decoy staff. So much are they enjoying it, that they managed to completely forget about this little dealie mabob. Mabober? Anyway, for those who remembered: You are awesome. Unless your name is Scott.
Alex Davies Gets Caught In A Daydream: Ben Rice - Ben Rice
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/sololovesessions.jpg
Website: (http://www.decoymusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.decoymusic.com)
This week, I have been listening to Ben Rice. Taking me under his wing, "Ricey," as he likes me to call him, provided me with not only all the life lessons a growing boy could ask for, but also the emotional crutch my fraught pschye so desperately needs; he accompanied all this with lilting acoustic melodies and floating piano crescendos to fittingly underpin his utter wisdom.
Editor's Note: I would use lilting falsetto, siren-like shrieks, and foghorn-loud bass to get my points across, if this were ever to happen. Or I'd just talk in my standard near-monotone.
Jeff Was Bet He Couldn't Pick Just One. He Won: David Bowie - Young American
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/davidbowie.jpg
Website: (http://www.davidbowie.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/davidrobertjones)
...and no, I don't mean the Young Americans album by David Bowie, although it's a fine collection of tunes. I mean just that song - "Young American." You see, I recently fixed up my ladyfriend's record player for an early Christmas present and proceeded to buy tons of cheap records at the used store downtown. One of which was the Young Americans album, of which the title track is the first song. In the past week I've listened to all the albums I bought, all the ones we already had, and even a stack of classical albums I stole from my Mom. But that one song keeps getting stuck in my head and, for some reason, I keep listening to it over and over. Did you know that he doesn't say, "She was a young American" like it sounds, but actually "She WANTS a young American??" Changes the whole meaning, doesn't it???
That's the type of insight you get from having a song stuck in your head for a week straight...
Editor's Note:Normally, I wouldn't post a pick that only features one song. Unless I got a link to the cover of the single. But those usually have B-Sides. Unfortunately, as you will see below, I had no other choice, because this article pretty much wouldn't exist without this entry. Read our top 50 list. Mine's the best, if you were wondering.
Scott Made Me Feel Bad About Making Fun Of Him Constantly, So I'm Going To Say Something Nice This Week. Therefore, I Say That Scott Does Not, Repeat, Does Not, Smell Like Elephant Urine Left In A Sauna With Dung Beetles For Three Weeks: Small Leaks Sink Ships - Until the World Is Happy; Wake Up You Sleephead Sun
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/smallleakssinkships.jpg
Website: (http://www.smallleakssinkships.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/smallleakssinkships)
Online music sharing has allowed for some truly great accidental discoveries. Mine for the week came in the form of Small Leaks Sink Ships, an intriguing little indie outfit that, according to their ambiguous MySpace entry, were apparently influenced by "everyone." It shows in their uniquely varied style, as each new song brings a myriad of new and intense sounds to the forefront; one track may be reminiscent of a progressive indie rock version of The Blood Brothers - complete with dueling vocalists - just as another hits the highest crescendos of Explosions in the Sky-inspired post-rock, only to be followed up with a bongo-driven folk song. After just a few listens, Small Leaks Sink Ships seems as though a bit of maturity as a band could definitely work to their benefit, but they already have little trouble expressing themselves despite a very eclectic sound.
Editor's Note: Scott really is an A-plus fella. I'm only mean to him because I have trouble giving compliments. You can ask anyone. This is probably why I'm considered the world's kindest asshole or the world's most assholian nice guy. It is this duality that allows me to thrive, so I'm not changing anything.
Chris Pandolfo Puts Forth A Herculean Effort: Saosin - Translating The Name
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/saosin2.jpg
Website: (http://www.saosin.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/saosin)
Ben complained there were only THREE submissions at this point. Here is me showing how much I care. Saosin rules. I listened to them in the past week. So this is my listening station. Happy, Ben?
I should have repped one of my 4 bands just to piss you off!!!
Editor's Note: Chris and I never agree on anything, yet we don't hate each other. I think it's the fact that everyone here just accepts that I'm much more advanced than they are that makes this such a great site. That and they let me be a condescending asshole in these Editor's Notes. But mostly, it's that people realize how fucking awesome I am in all respects. I'm glad they can accept their vast and utterly apparent faults.
Ben Has Boney: Elbow - Cast Of Thousands
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/elbow.jpg
Website: (http://www.elbow.co.uk) :: Listen: (http://www.elbow.co.uk)
What's not to love about a band that writes astonishing music that absolutely cannot be replicated, even by themselves? Oh, I suppose a lot. Elbow is woefully inconsistent. However, the times they truly hit their mark are amazing. Upon a quick glance at the tracklisting, here are the most awesome of awesome tracks on this, what I consider their best album: "Ribcage," "Fallen Angel," "Fugitive Motel," "Snooks (Progress Report)," "Switching Off," "Buttons and Zips," "Lay Down Your Cross," and "Grace Under Pressure." The others five tracks can pretty much be overlooked. I should watch the bonus disc stuff at some point… Oh, they kinda remind me of Coldplay kinda. Kinda. But they're also not really like them. It's mostly piano-based, though, but the singer's a touch more raspy.
Editor's Note:Since I used the word "boney" in my intro thingy, I'd like to state, for the record, that Grumpier Old Men is absolutely fantastic. Burgess Meredith in his best role ever. I don't know how many ways it's possible to quote his outtakes in both Grumpy Old Men pictures. Nothing will ever beat, "Why don't you come back to my place? I'll show you my…boney macaroni." Nothing. Plus Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are a great comedic duo. I try to watch these films at least once a year.
Jared Thinks Ben's Grammar is Bad Sometimes: Darkest Hour - Hidden Hands of the Sadist Nation
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/darkesthour_hiddenhands.jpg
Website: (http://www.darkesthour.cc) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/darkesthour)
Just like there is comfort food, this is my comfort CD. If I ever have a problem deciding what to listen to from my enormous music collection, Darkest Hour is usually is one of the bands that first comes to mind. Years after it's initial release, I still find myself enjoying Hidden Hands. I've listened to this album countless times, and it has never gotten old. Front to back, Hidden Hands is packed with some great metal songs culminating in the epic "Veritas, Aequitas." Every time I listen to that song I get lost for 13 minutes. "Epic" only begins to describe it. I get chills every time I hear the closing solo. If you're a metal fan, you owe it to yourself to listen to this record at least once. I highly doubt, you could come away from it without liking at least one of the songs.
Editor's Note: I'm a late addition tonight, but I totally have an excuse. I was at a Children of Bodom show (with Sanctity, Gojira, and Amon Amarth opening) tonight taking pictures for the viewing pleasure of Decoymusic. Look for them shortly.
And just so everyone knows, I wrote this last Thursday so I wouldn't for get this week. Then what do you know, I go and forget to email it.
Alex Davies Gets Caught In A Daydream: Ben Rice - Ben Rice
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/sololovesessions.jpg
Website: (http://www.decoymusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.decoymusic.com)
This week, I have been listening to Ben Rice. Taking me under his wing, "Ricey," as he likes me to call him, provided me with not only all the life lessons a growing boy could ask for, but also the emotional crutch my fraught pschye so desperately needs; he accompanied all this with lilting acoustic melodies and floating piano crescendos to fittingly underpin his utter wisdom.
Editor's Note: I would use lilting falsetto, siren-like shrieks, and foghorn-loud bass to get my points across, if this were ever to happen. Or I'd just talk in my standard near-monotone.
Jeff Was Bet He Couldn't Pick Just One. He Won: David Bowie - Young American
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/davidbowie.jpg
Website: (http://www.davidbowie.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/davidrobertjones)
...and no, I don't mean the Young Americans album by David Bowie, although it's a fine collection of tunes. I mean just that song - "Young American." You see, I recently fixed up my ladyfriend's record player for an early Christmas present and proceeded to buy tons of cheap records at the used store downtown. One of which was the Young Americans album, of which the title track is the first song. In the past week I've listened to all the albums I bought, all the ones we already had, and even a stack of classical albums I stole from my Mom. But that one song keeps getting stuck in my head and, for some reason, I keep listening to it over and over. Did you know that he doesn't say, "She was a young American" like it sounds, but actually "She WANTS a young American??" Changes the whole meaning, doesn't it???
That's the type of insight you get from having a song stuck in your head for a week straight...
Editor's Note:Normally, I wouldn't post a pick that only features one song. Unless I got a link to the cover of the single. But those usually have B-Sides. Unfortunately, as you will see below, I had no other choice, because this article pretty much wouldn't exist without this entry. Read our top 50 list. Mine's the best, if you were wondering.
Scott Made Me Feel Bad About Making Fun Of Him Constantly, So I'm Going To Say Something Nice This Week. Therefore, I Say That Scott Does Not, Repeat, Does Not, Smell Like Elephant Urine Left In A Sauna With Dung Beetles For Three Weeks: Small Leaks Sink Ships - Until the World Is Happy; Wake Up You Sleephead Sun
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/smallleakssinkships.jpg
Website: (http://www.smallleakssinkships.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/smallleakssinkships)
Online music sharing has allowed for some truly great accidental discoveries. Mine for the week came in the form of Small Leaks Sink Ships, an intriguing little indie outfit that, according to their ambiguous MySpace entry, were apparently influenced by "everyone." It shows in their uniquely varied style, as each new song brings a myriad of new and intense sounds to the forefront; one track may be reminiscent of a progressive indie rock version of The Blood Brothers - complete with dueling vocalists - just as another hits the highest crescendos of Explosions in the Sky-inspired post-rock, only to be followed up with a bongo-driven folk song. After just a few listens, Small Leaks Sink Ships seems as though a bit of maturity as a band could definitely work to their benefit, but they already have little trouble expressing themselves despite a very eclectic sound.
Editor's Note: Scott really is an A-plus fella. I'm only mean to him because I have trouble giving compliments. You can ask anyone. This is probably why I'm considered the world's kindest asshole or the world's most assholian nice guy. It is this duality that allows me to thrive, so I'm not changing anything.
Chris Pandolfo Puts Forth A Herculean Effort: Saosin - Translating The Name
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/saosin2.jpg
Website: (http://www.saosin.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/saosin)
Ben complained there were only THREE submissions at this point. Here is me showing how much I care. Saosin rules. I listened to them in the past week. So this is my listening station. Happy, Ben?
I should have repped one of my 4 bands just to piss you off!!!
Editor's Note: Chris and I never agree on anything, yet we don't hate each other. I think it's the fact that everyone here just accepts that I'm much more advanced than they are that makes this such a great site. That and they let me be a condescending asshole in these Editor's Notes. But mostly, it's that people realize how fucking awesome I am in all respects. I'm glad they can accept their vast and utterly apparent faults.
Ben Has Boney: Elbow - Cast Of Thousands
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/elbow.jpg
Website: (http://www.elbow.co.uk) :: Listen: (http://www.elbow.co.uk)
What's not to love about a band that writes astonishing music that absolutely cannot be replicated, even by themselves? Oh, I suppose a lot. Elbow is woefully inconsistent. However, the times they truly hit their mark are amazing. Upon a quick glance at the tracklisting, here are the most awesome of awesome tracks on this, what I consider their best album: "Ribcage," "Fallen Angel," "Fugitive Motel," "Snooks (Progress Report)," "Switching Off," "Buttons and Zips," "Lay Down Your Cross," and "Grace Under Pressure." The others five tracks can pretty much be overlooked. I should watch the bonus disc stuff at some point… Oh, they kinda remind me of Coldplay kinda. Kinda. But they're also not really like them. It's mostly piano-based, though, but the singer's a touch more raspy.
Editor's Note:Since I used the word "boney" in my intro thingy, I'd like to state, for the record, that Grumpier Old Men is absolutely fantastic. Burgess Meredith in his best role ever. I don't know how many ways it's possible to quote his outtakes in both Grumpy Old Men pictures. Nothing will ever beat, "Why don't you come back to my place? I'll show you my…boney macaroni." Nothing. Plus Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are a great comedic duo. I try to watch these films at least once a year.
Jared Thinks Ben's Grammar is Bad Sometimes: Darkest Hour - Hidden Hands of the Sadist Nation
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/darkesthour_hiddenhands.jpg
Website: (http://www.darkesthour.cc) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/darkesthour)
Just like there is comfort food, this is my comfort CD. If I ever have a problem deciding what to listen to from my enormous music collection, Darkest Hour is usually is one of the bands that first comes to mind. Years after it's initial release, I still find myself enjoying Hidden Hands. I've listened to this album countless times, and it has never gotten old. Front to back, Hidden Hands is packed with some great metal songs culminating in the epic "Veritas, Aequitas." Every time I listen to that song I get lost for 13 minutes. "Epic" only begins to describe it. I get chills every time I hear the closing solo. If you're a metal fan, you owe it to yourself to listen to this record at least once. I highly doubt, you could come away from it without liking at least one of the songs.
Editor's Note: I'm a late addition tonight, but I totally have an excuse. I was at a Children of Bodom show (with Sanctity, Gojira, and Amon Amarth opening) tonight taking pictures for the viewing pleasure of Decoymusic. Look for them shortly.
And just so everyone knows, I wrote this last Thursday so I wouldn't for get this week. Then what do you know, I go and forget to email it.