sir mix-a-lot
05-16-2007, 11:04 PM
This week's Listening Station is bitterness-free!*
Matt Hebert Is A Bad Seed
Grinderman (http://www.grinderman.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/grinderman.jpg:
Grinderman
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/grinderman)
If you're already a fan of Nick Cave's, then you've most likely been acquainted with Grinderman. Built from a group of Nick Cave's Bad Seeds, Grinderman is the product of a songwriting session in the tiny Misere studio in Paris, France. Recorded with Nick Launay, the man behind the boards for the last two Bad Seeds albums, Grinderman is a dynamic change for the members of this configuration. Nick's on the guitars, Warren's on the violin, Martyn's got the bass, and Jim's behind the drums as the band goes places it's never gone before. This album is a different sound and a wholly different approach than any of the members have ever taken, the final product being a far cry from what Nick could have done by himself, a grinding calamity that's almost too good to be true.
Editor's Note: Comma here, bold there, and this motherfucker is done. As bad as I feel for what I did to this kid last week, at least something stuck. Only one awkward sentence and it was because of a typo. Matt Hebert gets the Ben Rice Seal of Approval.
Chris Pandolfo Was Bet He Couldn't Eat Just One. He Lost
Meshuggah (http://www.meshuggah.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/meshuggahmax.jpg:
Discography
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/meshuggah)
Yes, it's true. I cannot stop listening to this band the past week. Just about everything this band has recorded has been pumped into my ears nonstop. I believe that any person who has a passion and love for music should know who Meshuggah is and appreciate what they do. I don't care if you know that you'll never actually sit down and listen to this band, but you just need to recognize that they are better musicians than you and better musicians than whatever band you submitted for you Listening Station this week...with the exception of whatever band Alex submitted.
It's amazing how this band can influence the way you play an instrument too. My drumming this past week sounds like complete Tomas Haake rip offs - It's fucking great. I think 95% of all hardcore/metal is greatly influenced by this band. It's a fact...don't try and argue.
Meshuggah > *
Bjork > Avril Doucheline
Gavin Hayes > Eric Victorino
Dredg > Fall Out Boy
Editor's Note: I normally wouldn't be down with the "everything by this band" pick, but it's fucking Meshuggah. He's right. In fact, I pretty much used this argument with a dude who claims to like metal a few weeks ago. I lent him Destroy Erase Improve and Chaosphere and he was glad I did so. Sure, he doesn't like Jens's vocals, but you're not into Meshuggah for Jens Kidman. You're in it for the astounding musicianship. This band demands your attention, because it's absolutely essential to be there, in the moment, paying attention, to understand just what this band is capable of doing (and does perfectly time and time again).
Oh, and Meshuggah plus Bjork equals Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. Their new album is coming out soon. Buy it. I accidentally ordered a re-release the other day. Fortunately, I was telling my mom about them on Mother's Day, so I think I'll just forward it on to her.
Daniel Alcinii Is Known Around Town As "Kind Of A Loner," A Canadian Maniac Magee, If You Will (Which You Should)
Go It Alone (http://www.legitimatebros.com/main.php?pg=go_it_alone)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/goitalone2.jpg:
Histories
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/goitalonehc)
Go It Alone's Histories didn't really impress me much at first; a couple of songs only shattered my jaw, but with each listen I get excited all over again and it is definitely one of the better releases thus far. Rivalry Records seem to be unstoppable.
Also, everyone should watch the video at this link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceNf-11-ddI) because it's fucking hilarious.
Editor's Note: You heard it here, folks; this is one of the best albums ever. In no uncertain terms! Also, that video is indeed hilarious.
Jeremy Deal Was Kind Enough To Give Me "An Interesting Pic From His MySpace That Didn't Feature Him Looking
Like A Douche"
Goran Gora (http://www.gorangora.lv)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/gorangora.jpg:
Jetlag
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/gorangora)
Surprise - dude isn't American! Jeremy picked someone non-American? What? Sure thing! This Latvian singer/songwriter is different, but in a good way. His album is really all over the place. Some places sound like another songwriter I dig (Jude Christodal - he did the City of Angels soundtrack and was on Craig Kilborn once.. that's about it). Some of it sounds like the brevity and soul of Devotchka's more stripped songs - less orchestra, more soulful bellowing (Check out "Poor Maria" - I love that song and it's readily listenable on the MySpace page). Some of it sounds like The One AM Radio (I found this fellow around the time I discovered TOAMR by doing a review for this very site... it all comes full circle, people). It's very sweet at times and very tart at others ("The Girl in the Backseat" features a biting lyrical feud between a man and his pursuer, given I'm not misinterpreting). I could understand some people calling this music "boring," but then again... they probably like a majority of "core" stuff too. In other words, indie people - this recommendation is moreso for you. (PS - fruitless searches for the cover art to this piece lead me to read about a band called BALKANARAMA. I'm going to have to check this out now too.)
Editor's Note: My god, this house is freakin' sweeeeeeet.
Rick Forgot To Warn You That There Is A Mention Of The Band Earshot In The Following Write-Up And They Weren't Even Mocked. That's Right, Earshot Will Be Mentioned In A Positive Light
doubleDrive. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubledrive)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/doubledrive.jpg:
Blue In The Face
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic)
The mention of doubleDrive in the Decoy review of Drift Effect that was up a couple of weeks ago got me go revisit the hard rock section of my CD collection, namely Blue in the Face from doubleDrive. It’s crazy how bad hard rock has become in the last few years, at least in the form of what’s on the radio. Crap like Hinder, Nickelback, and Smile Empty Soul are polluting rock radio when we should be hearing more Strata, Chevelle, and Deftones. I wonder if things would have been differently if bands such as doubleDrive and Earshot had caught on instead of Chad Kroeger's group of butt-rock phenoms. At least rock radio would be more tolerable if it would have gone differently. I guess all I’m trying to say is that radio rock sucks ass today, so I’m finding myself waxing nostalgic over personal classics such as Blue in the Face.
Editor's Note: No mention of Shinedown in the list of current "it" bands that suck leaves me slightly alarmed. I remember hearing about how they were the saviors of decent radio rock. So one time I forgot a CD on a trip to Jack in the Box and they just happened to come on. Forty five seconds later, my ride went silent. Then rumor surfaced that their acoustic version was infinitely better and I needed to give them a second chance. Stupidly, I did so. It only further cements the stupidity of radio rock in the twenty-first century and my desire to be a dick-headed music snob. I don't even give Shinedown fans a chance. And neither should you.
Oh, also, did anyone ever sing, "Yeah-ah, yeah-ah, we sound a lot uh-like uh-Lit" during that one Nickelback song or was that just me? Fuck, I'm awesome. Except that I liked Lit.
Armand Babian Would Like To Call This Band "Hot Sailors." No, Better Yet, "Hot Sea…" Ah!
Sennen (http://www.sennen.org.uk)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/semen.jpg:
Automatic Writing
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sennenwidows)
I’m likely submitting this too late to make it to the listening station, but by golly if it makes it in then you must listen to Sennen!
Editor's Note: Two n's close together look like an m. Think about it.
Dave Spak Rubs It In That I Lost The Only Album I Had By This Guy Sometime Over The Last Few Months By Bringing It Up Within Days Of This Discovery
Andrew Bird (http://www.andrewbird.net)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/andrewbird.jpg:
Armchair Apocrypha
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/andrewbird)
Bad weather and lack of money kept me from going to the Andrew Bird show tonight. Even though I stayed home, I still gave his new record, Armchair Apocrypha, a few more spins. It’s hardly a substitute for a live performance, but still a solid album. The downside is that it only gave me more time to hear all the great things I was going to miss: atmospheric violin melodies, softly sung vocals, curiously good whistling, and irresistible rhythm. To those unfamiliar with his sound, the preceding describes the main attraction to his unique songwriting. “Dark Matter” is a good example of how well it all works together. This album displays some of his best compositions and some catchy folk/indie rock songs such as “Heretics” and “Simple X,” which have tremendous replay value.
Editor's Note: Bummer. And I've promised myself I can't buy any more music until Tuesday (new Dear Hunter and Maroon 5. And one more I forget right now that I'm pretty sure no one else knows exists. Maybe some new Andrew Bird. Or old Andrew Bird.
Scott Knows They Don't Mean Barry
The Pax Cecilia (http://www.paxcecilia.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/paxcecilia.jpg:
Blessed Are The Bonds
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/thepaxcecilia)
Post-metal can be a tricky genre to grasp, both in understanding its contrived label and in actually enjoying the music found therein. To dumb the style down to its essence (since I'm sure a lot of you folks don't want to read a lengthy lecture on the subject), it's basically "heavy" post-rock, occasionally containing guttural growls and other modern metal mainstays, depending on the band. And, similar in many ways to post-rock (unfortunately), a lot of these bands are boring beyond belief given the self-imposed constraints of their chosen genre.
So, upon discovering The Pax Cecilia, I obviously approached with skepticism. Thankfully, they defy stereotypical analysis right from the start with "The Tragedy" and "The Tomb Song," two tracks that have more in common with A Whisper in the Noise than Isis or Pelican (though riffage does eventually ensue). Each song is a sprawling, structurally diverse testament to the haunting highs and lows that make good music so emotionally compelling.
As if this weren't enough, the band is giving the album away for free - complete with fantastic packaging and bonus artwork - via their website or MySpace.
Editor's Note: Holy Moses.
Ben Could Never Be A Teacher
Unknown Instructors (http://facemop.com/UnknownInstructors.html)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/unknowninstructors.jpg:
The Master's Voice
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/unknowninstructors)
Two words, one name: Mike Watt. If that's not enough, I'll just keep throwing more names at you. Fellow former Minutemen member George Hurley. Joe Baiza of Saccharine Trust. Raymond Pettibon producing, vocalizing (a little), doing the artwork (Black Flag? Anyone? Anyone?). David Thomas from Pere Ubu doing his best Beefheart impression on his numerous guest spots. It's a jazz/lounge spoken word hybrid showcasing a conglomerate of musical masterminds sharing some floorspace and a common vision. It's all here!
Sure, Dan McGuire's lyrics ramble incomprehensibly from time to time, but that's what happens when you try to bring back beat poetry. A success, even if a bit heavy-handed. One of the best rock-oriented spoken word albums of the new century. Right up there with Wil.Shat.
Editor's Note: It's really very good. Too bad most rockers stop trying something new when they get up there in years. Much too bad. Because Unknown Instructors is fantastic and it just makes this other fact that much more depressing.
Additionally, everyone should run out and buy Good God's Urge by Porno for Pyros and listen to Watts's work on "Tahitian Moon."
* denotes this may not be a factual statement.
Matt Hebert Is A Bad Seed
Grinderman (http://www.grinderman.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/grinderman.jpg:
Grinderman
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/grinderman)
If you're already a fan of Nick Cave's, then you've most likely been acquainted with Grinderman. Built from a group of Nick Cave's Bad Seeds, Grinderman is the product of a songwriting session in the tiny Misere studio in Paris, France. Recorded with Nick Launay, the man behind the boards for the last two Bad Seeds albums, Grinderman is a dynamic change for the members of this configuration. Nick's on the guitars, Warren's on the violin, Martyn's got the bass, and Jim's behind the drums as the band goes places it's never gone before. This album is a different sound and a wholly different approach than any of the members have ever taken, the final product being a far cry from what Nick could have done by himself, a grinding calamity that's almost too good to be true.
Editor's Note: Comma here, bold there, and this motherfucker is done. As bad as I feel for what I did to this kid last week, at least something stuck. Only one awkward sentence and it was because of a typo. Matt Hebert gets the Ben Rice Seal of Approval.
Chris Pandolfo Was Bet He Couldn't Eat Just One. He Lost
Meshuggah (http://www.meshuggah.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/meshuggahmax.jpg:
Discography
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/meshuggah)
Yes, it's true. I cannot stop listening to this band the past week. Just about everything this band has recorded has been pumped into my ears nonstop. I believe that any person who has a passion and love for music should know who Meshuggah is and appreciate what they do. I don't care if you know that you'll never actually sit down and listen to this band, but you just need to recognize that they are better musicians than you and better musicians than whatever band you submitted for you Listening Station this week...with the exception of whatever band Alex submitted.
It's amazing how this band can influence the way you play an instrument too. My drumming this past week sounds like complete Tomas Haake rip offs - It's fucking great. I think 95% of all hardcore/metal is greatly influenced by this band. It's a fact...don't try and argue.
Meshuggah > *
Bjork > Avril Doucheline
Gavin Hayes > Eric Victorino
Dredg > Fall Out Boy
Editor's Note: I normally wouldn't be down with the "everything by this band" pick, but it's fucking Meshuggah. He's right. In fact, I pretty much used this argument with a dude who claims to like metal a few weeks ago. I lent him Destroy Erase Improve and Chaosphere and he was glad I did so. Sure, he doesn't like Jens's vocals, but you're not into Meshuggah for Jens Kidman. You're in it for the astounding musicianship. This band demands your attention, because it's absolutely essential to be there, in the moment, paying attention, to understand just what this band is capable of doing (and does perfectly time and time again).
Oh, and Meshuggah plus Bjork equals Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. Their new album is coming out soon. Buy it. I accidentally ordered a re-release the other day. Fortunately, I was telling my mom about them on Mother's Day, so I think I'll just forward it on to her.
Daniel Alcinii Is Known Around Town As "Kind Of A Loner," A Canadian Maniac Magee, If You Will (Which You Should)
Go It Alone (http://www.legitimatebros.com/main.php?pg=go_it_alone)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/goitalone2.jpg:
Histories
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/goitalonehc)
Go It Alone's Histories didn't really impress me much at first; a couple of songs only shattered my jaw, but with each listen I get excited all over again and it is definitely one of the better releases thus far. Rivalry Records seem to be unstoppable.
Also, everyone should watch the video at this link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceNf-11-ddI) because it's fucking hilarious.
Editor's Note: You heard it here, folks; this is one of the best albums ever. In no uncertain terms! Also, that video is indeed hilarious.
Jeremy Deal Was Kind Enough To Give Me "An Interesting Pic From His MySpace That Didn't Feature Him Looking
Like A Douche"
Goran Gora (http://www.gorangora.lv)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/gorangora.jpg:
Jetlag
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/gorangora)
Surprise - dude isn't American! Jeremy picked someone non-American? What? Sure thing! This Latvian singer/songwriter is different, but in a good way. His album is really all over the place. Some places sound like another songwriter I dig (Jude Christodal - he did the City of Angels soundtrack and was on Craig Kilborn once.. that's about it). Some of it sounds like the brevity and soul of Devotchka's more stripped songs - less orchestra, more soulful bellowing (Check out "Poor Maria" - I love that song and it's readily listenable on the MySpace page). Some of it sounds like The One AM Radio (I found this fellow around the time I discovered TOAMR by doing a review for this very site... it all comes full circle, people). It's very sweet at times and very tart at others ("The Girl in the Backseat" features a biting lyrical feud between a man and his pursuer, given I'm not misinterpreting). I could understand some people calling this music "boring," but then again... they probably like a majority of "core" stuff too. In other words, indie people - this recommendation is moreso for you. (PS - fruitless searches for the cover art to this piece lead me to read about a band called BALKANARAMA. I'm going to have to check this out now too.)
Editor's Note: My god, this house is freakin' sweeeeeeet.
Rick Forgot To Warn You That There Is A Mention Of The Band Earshot In The Following Write-Up And They Weren't Even Mocked. That's Right, Earshot Will Be Mentioned In A Positive Light
doubleDrive. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubledrive)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/doubledrive.jpg:
Blue In The Face
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic)
The mention of doubleDrive in the Decoy review of Drift Effect that was up a couple of weeks ago got me go revisit the hard rock section of my CD collection, namely Blue in the Face from doubleDrive. It’s crazy how bad hard rock has become in the last few years, at least in the form of what’s on the radio. Crap like Hinder, Nickelback, and Smile Empty Soul are polluting rock radio when we should be hearing more Strata, Chevelle, and Deftones. I wonder if things would have been differently if bands such as doubleDrive and Earshot had caught on instead of Chad Kroeger's group of butt-rock phenoms. At least rock radio would be more tolerable if it would have gone differently. I guess all I’m trying to say is that radio rock sucks ass today, so I’m finding myself waxing nostalgic over personal classics such as Blue in the Face.
Editor's Note: No mention of Shinedown in the list of current "it" bands that suck leaves me slightly alarmed. I remember hearing about how they were the saviors of decent radio rock. So one time I forgot a CD on a trip to Jack in the Box and they just happened to come on. Forty five seconds later, my ride went silent. Then rumor surfaced that their acoustic version was infinitely better and I needed to give them a second chance. Stupidly, I did so. It only further cements the stupidity of radio rock in the twenty-first century and my desire to be a dick-headed music snob. I don't even give Shinedown fans a chance. And neither should you.
Oh, also, did anyone ever sing, "Yeah-ah, yeah-ah, we sound a lot uh-like uh-Lit" during that one Nickelback song or was that just me? Fuck, I'm awesome. Except that I liked Lit.
Armand Babian Would Like To Call This Band "Hot Sailors." No, Better Yet, "Hot Sea…" Ah!
Sennen (http://www.sennen.org.uk)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/semen.jpg:
Automatic Writing
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sennenwidows)
I’m likely submitting this too late to make it to the listening station, but by golly if it makes it in then you must listen to Sennen!
Editor's Note: Two n's close together look like an m. Think about it.
Dave Spak Rubs It In That I Lost The Only Album I Had By This Guy Sometime Over The Last Few Months By Bringing It Up Within Days Of This Discovery
Andrew Bird (http://www.andrewbird.net)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/andrewbird.jpg:
Armchair Apocrypha
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/andrewbird)
Bad weather and lack of money kept me from going to the Andrew Bird show tonight. Even though I stayed home, I still gave his new record, Armchair Apocrypha, a few more spins. It’s hardly a substitute for a live performance, but still a solid album. The downside is that it only gave me more time to hear all the great things I was going to miss: atmospheric violin melodies, softly sung vocals, curiously good whistling, and irresistible rhythm. To those unfamiliar with his sound, the preceding describes the main attraction to his unique songwriting. “Dark Matter” is a good example of how well it all works together. This album displays some of his best compositions and some catchy folk/indie rock songs such as “Heretics” and “Simple X,” which have tremendous replay value.
Editor's Note: Bummer. And I've promised myself I can't buy any more music until Tuesday (new Dear Hunter and Maroon 5. And one more I forget right now that I'm pretty sure no one else knows exists. Maybe some new Andrew Bird. Or old Andrew Bird.
Scott Knows They Don't Mean Barry
The Pax Cecilia (http://www.paxcecilia.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/paxcecilia.jpg:
Blessed Are The Bonds
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/thepaxcecilia)
Post-metal can be a tricky genre to grasp, both in understanding its contrived label and in actually enjoying the music found therein. To dumb the style down to its essence (since I'm sure a lot of you folks don't want to read a lengthy lecture on the subject), it's basically "heavy" post-rock, occasionally containing guttural growls and other modern metal mainstays, depending on the band. And, similar in many ways to post-rock (unfortunately), a lot of these bands are boring beyond belief given the self-imposed constraints of their chosen genre.
So, upon discovering The Pax Cecilia, I obviously approached with skepticism. Thankfully, they defy stereotypical analysis right from the start with "The Tragedy" and "The Tomb Song," two tracks that have more in common with A Whisper in the Noise than Isis or Pelican (though riffage does eventually ensue). Each song is a sprawling, structurally diverse testament to the haunting highs and lows that make good music so emotionally compelling.
As if this weren't enough, the band is giving the album away for free - complete with fantastic packaging and bonus artwork - via their website or MySpace.
Editor's Note: Holy Moses.
Ben Could Never Be A Teacher
Unknown Instructors (http://facemop.com/UnknownInstructors.html)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/unknowninstructors.jpg:
The Master's Voice
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/unknowninstructors)
Two words, one name: Mike Watt. If that's not enough, I'll just keep throwing more names at you. Fellow former Minutemen member George Hurley. Joe Baiza of Saccharine Trust. Raymond Pettibon producing, vocalizing (a little), doing the artwork (Black Flag? Anyone? Anyone?). David Thomas from Pere Ubu doing his best Beefheart impression on his numerous guest spots. It's a jazz/lounge spoken word hybrid showcasing a conglomerate of musical masterminds sharing some floorspace and a common vision. It's all here!
Sure, Dan McGuire's lyrics ramble incomprehensibly from time to time, but that's what happens when you try to bring back beat poetry. A success, even if a bit heavy-handed. One of the best rock-oriented spoken word albums of the new century. Right up there with Wil.Shat.
Editor's Note: It's really very good. Too bad most rockers stop trying something new when they get up there in years. Much too bad. Because Unknown Instructors is fantastic and it just makes this other fact that much more depressing.
Additionally, everyone should run out and buy Good God's Urge by Porno for Pyros and listen to Watts's work on "Tahitian Moon."
* denotes this may not be a factual statement.