2010 IN REVIEW: Top Music

by J.C. Stephens

10. The Roots – How I Got Over

The Roots have always been a critically acclaimed band and are very highly thought of and received by others in the music industry, even if they aren’t as popular with the general public. The Roots’ most recent album is something the genre of hip hop desperately needed. Unlike the majority of the genre which is widely defined by money, violence, bitches and hos, The Roots take a more positive interpretation of hip hop. Boredom is not a feeling you will have while listening to this album; the music and lyrics are eclectic and constantly fresh. Embrace the uplifting rap.

9. MGMT – Congratulations

MGMT has one of the most recognizably unique sounds in music today. Their newest album is a nice deviation from their previous release Oracular Speculation, but not too far in the opposite direction as to lose their identity. Personally, I was expecting this album to be garbage based on their huge success with “Kids” and “Time to Pretend” and would be completely phoned-in, riding on the wave of their own pop phenomena (kind of strange there is a character surfing on a wave on the album cover). I could not be more wrong, this album is just a great followup to a fantastic record.

8. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter’s most recent release is quite different than the Deerhunter I’ve heard in the past.  The new album is a lo-fi melodic Sonic Youth-esque sound, but much more accessible and far less obnoxious. The tracks roll together like a continuing broadcast from beginning to end. The melodies make you feel something – whether it be good or bad, and I think that “something” is different depending on the listener…which is wonderful. Deerhunter is Radiohead for the next generation.

7. Maps & Atlases – Perch Patchwork

Maps & Atlases is a four-piece band from Illinois. They have an interesting style similar to Minus the Bear but more progressive. Perch Patchwork is a beautiful folky progressive experimental journey. Every track on this album has its own unique charm (particularly The Charm) narrated by smooth distinct vocals. The arrangement and instrumentation are rare and fantastic.

6. Jukebox the Ghost – Everything Under the Sun

Jukebox the Ghost is a three-piece indie rock group from Philadelphia. I have written about this band’s previous album in one of my Embrace the Obscure posts and praised them very highly. Their most recent release does not fail to meet, even exceed my expectations. If you are a morose melancholy individual, try listening to this album. It may motivate you to put down that eye liner pen and re-enter society with a smile. You cannot listen to this album in its entirety without smiling.

5. Ok Go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky

Ok Go is a Grammy Award-winning four-piece rock group from Illinois, and they’ve been making music for over ten years. Of the Blue Colour of the Sky is easily their best album to date. It’s a serious deviation from their previous endeavors, but they wear it well. The band’s evolution from their self-titled album is pretty remarkable. Of the Blue Colour of the Sky has a level of diversity you don’t hear too often: each track has its own set of fun entertaining attributes.

4. The Black Keys – Brothers

The Black Keys are a two-piece blues/rock band from Ohio. Not since BB King has a blues band attracted this much mass appeal…it’s hard to believe. The music they write has an immense amount of soul (especially for two white guys from the mid west). I believe every word that is belted out in that weary voice. Their most recent album Brothers is THE blues record of this young generation.

3. Menomena – Mines

Menomena is an experimental rock trio from Oregon. Their newest contribution to the art form we refer to as music is nothing short of a masterpiece. Every track is so intriguing and captivating, it’s impossible to begin one of these tracks without hearing through to the finish. The songs vary from a creepy dirge to the beautiful and melodic, and easily possess some of the most intelligent song writing I have ever heard.

2. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West…the last thing this man needs is for America to stroke his unrealistically gigantic ego. That having been said, he just released one of the best hip-hop albums of the past decade. I hate popularity contest and I don’t necessarily like Kanye West as a person, but love him or hate him, he makes amazing music. Each song on this record has an interesting commentary and an even more melodically riveting beat. The compositions and guest artists on each track keep things constantly fresh. I appreciate how honestly he approaches the idea of money and fame and how they can easily corrupt. “Everybody knows he’s a mothafuckin monsta”

1. The National – High Violet

High Violet is one of the most beautiful and intelligent albums I have ever heard. The album is definitely a work of art and should be listened to as a whole. The vocals are low and haunting but sound incredibly genuine. Every song has an extensive and exquisite atmosphere with perfect builds. The lyrics are a mix of culturally relevant commentary without the opinion and just enough mystery, as well as a wonderful anecdote of love and need. This is probably not the most technically amazing album of last year, but no other album comes close to invoking this level of emotion. I love this album.

References

http://hiphop-n-more.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/the-roots-how-i-got-over.jpg

http://inversehiphop.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/roots_large060303.jpg

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2010-03-31-01_mgmtcopia.jpg

http://cdn.mos.musicradar.com/images/artist-news/MGMT/MGMT-congratulations-review-1-530-85.jpg

http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/wp-content/images/2009/01/deerhunter.jpg

http://thetapeisnotsticky.com/uploads/2010/10/Deerhunter-Halcyon-Digest-518902.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RNDRTh6wvew/TGcBFtVrEqI/AAAAAAAAAXM/JGHq8WqtrIY/s1600/folder.jpg

http://www.manchesterscenewipe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/MapsAndAtlases1.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VZN1v4y6WPg/SOLr7oLcFRI/AAAAAAAAEko/qzCstQZJEj0/s400/Jukebox+The+Ghost.jpg

http://music.is-amazing.com/sites/music.is-amazing.com/files/covers/jukeb.jpg

http://www.jsbox.net/wp-content/photos/okok.jpg

http://mp3passion.net/uploads/posts/thumbs/1262862854_cover.jpg

http://www.rollogrady.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/the-black-keys_l.jpg

http://www.ninebullets.net/wp-images/2010/black-keys-brothers.jpg

http://www.rollogrady.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Menomena.jpg

http://www.thewildhoneypie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Menomena_Mines_1500px_300dpi.jpg

http://www.zmemusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/kanye_west.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XsW-4euQAC8/TQfYBvQw0eI/AAAAAAAAAfo/DYob2w8wyPI/s1600/Kanye+West+-+My+Beautiful+Dark+Twisted+Fantasy.jpg

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/17773509/The+National+2.jpg

http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/blogs/onthedownload/TheNational-HighViolet.jpg

http://www.youtube.com

Embrace the Obscure, Part Christmas: I Already Said it’s Part Christmas

by J.C. Stephens

In an attempt to get into the holiday spirit, I decided to search for some off-the-beaten-path Christmas music. I feel like every Christmas song has already been written. The golden age of having a band releasing a Christmas album died with Eazy-E, and for good reason. Modern musicians just can’t live up to the classics when it comes to the holidays. So, I wanted to share some bizarre and obscure tunes for the yuletide. Also, these songs may (probably will) make you cringe upon hearing them, that is the normal response, you’re fine. I chose them not based on my own personal taste, but for the following reasons: they are culturally hilarious or genuinely creepy and strange.

The Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”

I for one am not a huge fan of The Ramones, but they do hold some significant place in the lineage of music as a whole. The idea of listening to The Ramones belt out some heartfelt festive merriment is something I needed to experience. The song alone is pretty much what I expected but the mid seventies music video makes it a little more humorous.

Wham! – “Last Christmas”

Holy shit this song blows, but it had to be included due to how 80′s it is. Assuming you saw the band photo or are familiar with this song and more importantly this music video then you already know it doesn’t get anymore 80′s. I think this video was a direct influence to the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. Don’t listen to this if you’re prone to feathered hair-induced nausea.

Eazy-E – “Merry Muthafuckin’ Christmas”

If you’re a fan of Christmas and an unheard of level of vulgarity, then you are in for a treat. This may be one of the most offensive songs I’ve ever heard, and it’s celebrating the birth of our Lord! I honestly cannot think of any other Rap songs centered around the holidays. Although, this song is more centered on drug use, sex, group sex, blow jobs, hand jobs, murder, robbery, and the use of the N word during the holidays. This is the best version of the song I could find to link.

Gayla Peevey – “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”

Lets change gears, in fact, lets just get out and walk. Because that is how different this next song is from the previous. If you haven’t heard this song there are two possible outcomes. You will love it as a charming youngster dreams big for her Christmas wish or you will hate it and hate me for putting this haunting creepy child voice deep in your mind. Love it or hate it, you may find yourself singing this song until the only way to remove it from your mind, is with a bullet.

The Superions – “Fruitcake”

Nothing says Christmas like fruitcake and no one says the word fruitcake like Fred Schneider from the B-52s, and if you listen to this song in its entirety you will never want to hear this word ever again. The Superions which is a side project of Fred Schneider’s released this just in time for the holidays.

The Kinks – “Father Christmas”

The Kinks will always be one of my favorite classic rock bands and when they attempted to create a song about Christmas I was on board. The song is essentially the band begging Santa for cash and threatening to beat him up if he does not comply. I apologize for the quality of the video but its the best I could find.

Bing Crosby and David Bowie – “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy”

I think we should end on a good note and what is a more soothing sound at Christmas than Bing Crosby…that’s right, Bing Crosby and David Bowie. David Bowie sings Peace on Earth and Bing Crosby sings Little Drummer Boy but the two songs are blended together perfectly. I have nothing to say about this other than “it’s awesome.” Watch it or you hate Christmas.

References

http://www.youtube.com

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_baFNZc2GZbE/SSqgDrQGF5I/AAAAAAAAAKs/Wg8AF9brjkc/s320/0500_eazy_e_a.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_78JDmf4UuZA/SVBgy9O0G4I/AAAAAAAAAcM/buvc0g5ecos/s400/ramones.jpg

http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID6592/images/bowieandbing.jpg

http://rnd2pics.com/view.php?q=Gayla%20Peevey&url=http://yule_rejoice.tripod.com/c-lyrics/hippo.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2W0jQpBiFaA/THwThz9KBYI/AAAAAAAABN4/yMlyAxVmApk/s400/superions.bmp

http://www.hearsaynow.com/images/reviews_interviews/14-04-11-10/Albums-Superions.jpg

http://kara.allthingsd.com/files/2010/03/0wham.jpg

Embrace the Obscure, Part Two: Totally Sounds Like

The expedition to find new and interesting music is something I love, but at the same time this task can be quite the chore. There are countless websites and ads that will lead you to the next big hit in music, but very few that dig deep to find the unsung and off-the-beaten-path artists. Music is like the DVD section of a Wal-Mart, everything they want you to buy is on the shelves next to a giant poster of itself. Next to these over-marketed blockbusters is the giant bargain bin of shit they don’t care about and somewhere amongst the slew of Christian Slater and Steven Seagal titles you’ll find a gem. I wanna dig through Music’s bargain bin of shit to find the gems, and then tell you about it.

1. The Drums - The Drums

If The Cure ever made a surf rock album, it might sound like The Drums. The Drums are a three piece group from Brooklyn, New York. The Drums’ self-titled album is their first studio release and I think they’re off to a great start. As I mentioned in the opening statement, they have a unique blend of influences. While certainly having a fresh indie surf rock feel there is a clearly distinguishable 80′s sound therein, specifically reminiscent of The Cure. You just have to hear it for yourself. The musical progression and sound can be similar across the album as a whole, but what The Drums do, they do right.

2. Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes – Up From Below

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes are an indie folk band from Los Angeles, California. The band is a catchy alternative rock/indie folk hybrid that blends the sounds and vocals of its whopping ten members into charming folk train you want to ride through all the stops to the last station. It is almost impossible not to picture Clint Eastwood or Lee Van Cleef engaging in western shenanigans as you listen to this album. This album is a brilliant synthesis of two genres and one of my own personal favorites of 2009. Get it now.

The origin of the band’s name is an interesting anecdote. Apparently, the founder of the band Alex Ebert created this sort of alter ego Edward Sharpe to be a messiah figure who was sent to Earth to save all mankind, but immediately forgot his goal after arriving and became distracted by falling in love with the right girl.

3) Stardeath and White Dwarfs – The Birth

Stardeath and White Dwarfs are a four piece ensemble from Norman, Oklahoma. Their album The Birth is a trippy psychedelic beast that will motivate you to tell your friends about it, if only to tell them what the name of the band is. The music is incredibly accessible but remains very deep and many of the tracks have a progressive feel. The grungy distorted guitars and haunting vocals will remind you of psychedelic rock from the 60′s while still sounding fresh. One thing you will never be while listening to this band is bored. I rarely hear this much diversity on one album from the same artist. Listen to this album, it’s good.

The acting in this video is pretty bad, but they’re musicians and the music awesome. Listen to the music.

References

http://www.pitchfork.com

http://www.youtube.com

http://www.wikipedia.org

http://www.vimeo.com

Picture References

http://letssexyfighting.blogspot.com/2009/07/drums.html

http://www.myspace.com/thedrumsforever

http://brooklynrocks.blogspot.com/2010/08/edward-sharpe-magnetic-zeros-release.html

http://citizendick.org/2009/07/27/edward-sharpe-and-the-magnetic-zeros-up-from-below-album-review/

http://stardeathfans.com/

http://www.oklahomarock.com/blog/?p=1726

Embrace the Obscure, Part One: Hook the Catchy Indie

by J.C. Stephens

Recently my desire to discover new and interesting music has led me into the strange and absurd areas. I wanted to share three of these new artists and highlight an album from each of them. I hope to make this a recurring piece with a new set of artists each post. If you enjoy the lighthearted and unique, the following bands are something you should investigate.

1. Man Man – Rabbit Habits

Man Man is self described on their web site as “Viking-vaudeville, maniac Gypsy Jazz.” I would assume that you are intrigued by this description, and you very well should be. Man Man lives up to this description and could very well be the most unique sound in music I have ever heard. Man Man is not strange just for the sake of being strange, it is genuinely technical while remaining catchy and accessible. The members names are as curious as the music they create, with names like Honus Honus, Pow Pow, Critter Crat, Turkey Moth, Chang Wang, and Jefferson. What other band can implement a xylophone, marimba, and a sousaphone while singing a narrative involving an unfortunate young woman? This band is something that cannot be clearly described in words, it needs to be heard. Embrace the symphony of obscure instruments and the cacophony of carny melodies.

2. Architecture in Helsinki – Places Like This

Architecture in Helsinki is an experimental indie band from Brunswick, Australia. The band makes use of a huge range of instruments. Their use of woodwinds and brass is refreshing and yet still keeps the music from sounding classical or dated in any way. The unique arrangement makes for a diversity within the album, making each track something new though they share similarities as a whole. The upbeat pop-folk-indie sound cannot help but make you smile. The lyrics are easy to sing along to, but often difficult to understand. The music also retains a high level of re-playability for me, I have listened to “Places Like This” all the way though multiple times and it has yet to become stale. All in all, this band succeeds in creating a cohesive, colorful, and catchy sound that will stay on your ipod for quite some time.

3. Jukebox the Ghost – Live and Let Ghosts

Jukebox the Ghost is a pop indie trio from Washington D.C. I would describe their music as the most upbeat indie sound I have listened to in quite some time. The band comes very close to the line of being annoyingly positive and poppy but never crosses over it, so you end up with a piano driven alternative to the droves of moody, sad, and melancholy indie music that fills the shelves of the genre and that Pitchfork.com can’t stop raving about. I for one welcome the bright and sunny diversion from the norm. Jukebox the Ghost is another band that I cannot stop listening to and I dare anyone to listen to their album just one time through.

References

http://www.wearemanman.com/

http://www.last.fm/

http://blog.kwur.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

http://www.sharetera.com/music/Full-Discography—Architecture-in-Helsinki-43473.html

http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/05/06/interview-jukebox-the-ghost/

http://www.youtube.com

Radio Killed the Radio Star

by J.C. Stephens

The radio. How many hours have you spent sitting in traffic continuously pressing the seek button, trying to find some semblance of pleasing auditory distraction until after it seems you’ve exhausted every station and the thought crosses your mind “maybe I’ll switch to the AM bands and see if there is any stimulating talk radio.”  You stumble across a song you can sing along to.

Radio was invented around the end of the 1800′s and was commercialized in the following decades. It was the beginning of the end. Those of us who are not stimulated by hearing these songs we love reaching a play count higher than Bob Marley and Afroman after a visit to their local medical marijuana distributor. There are songs and artists that seem to be excluded from this inevitable played out death. These exceptions are usually almost always the rock classics we all know and appreciate (Led Zeppelin, Queen, etc.) or the gimmicky obscure songs we’re aware and like due to their unique nature but probably don’t know the words to (Ballroom Blitz by Sweet, Wave of Mutilation by The Pixies come to mind). These classics have stood the test of time and attained an immunity to the destructive power the radio holds over newer music. A more recent development in the radio realm are websites such as Pandora or Last.FM that allow the user to control the medium him or herself, and if you’re one of those lucky few who have a smart phone with the ability to support it you never have to stoop to the this AM/FM dictatorship. I know many of you are probably thinking “why are you ranting about the prehistoric radio waves when I can load up a weeks worth of mp3′s in my shiny iPod” and this is true, but I only inherited a used iPod a short while ago. So, I’m just going to focus on Radio for now.

I’m just going to start referring to radio as if it were a mad scientist, evil genius type with sole objective to ruin something you used to like, much like the small new foreign exchange student being introduced to the wall of judgment and persecution that is junior high. The newer music seems to to take all the beating from Radio. Radio doesn’t know any better, its like the 7 year old with Asperger’s who just wants to watch the first five minutes to A Bug’s Life over, and over, and over until the DVD player becomes sentient and shoots out the disc at the child’s head like a shuriken. I understand Radio wants to make money, and to do so he needs to have companies pay for air time. The more listeners that Radio has, the more he can charge for this air time. I can excuse the “Hey, I’m a business and I need to make money” aspect of the whole thing, and that is my main concern, because it is no longer just an aspect but has become Radio’s all encompassing desire. So, Radio hatches a malicious scheme to appeal to the droning masses without upsetting them and also draw in advertising money.

How? Well, Radio plays songs that are immediately recognizable, usually from Billboard’s chart toppers. These songs are then looped 10 to 15 times a day for the next five years. During this time Radio is distracting the listener from his stale play list by bribing you with contests for concert tickets, or sharing the latest celebrity news. Let’s just break down a standard 10 minute selection of radio on a more popular rock station.

Station ID>STATION ID!>Linkin Park>New Metallica?>followed by new Weezer?>Win tickets to see Rise Against!>ad for Depression Medication>Ad for Chase Banking>”blah blah Lindsey Lohan, say what!?”>Ad for that new sitcom that is probably already cancelled>STAAAATIOOON IIID!>

All in all, it’s pathetic and only seems to destroy the hope of one group of individuals, the music fans. The people that the commercialized invention was intended to entertain are now left with this marketing robot jukebox with criminally insane people trapped inside who refer to themselves as disc jockeys.

Sometimes, when I hear the first ten seconds of Date Rape by Sublime just before I hit the seek button in utter disbelief that this song is still wasting air time, I think to myself, did radio listeners in the 50′s ever think “If I hear Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry one more time I am going to start a riot!” I hope so.  Radio killed the radio star and its the end of the public radio world as we know it, but I feel fine.

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Photo sources:

http://textually.org