Ka-blamo!
I'm having some trouble with this one, because I've got it down to either Kanye West or Keane, but they're both pretty well known. I don't know if anybody else actually listens to Keane though... I think they're great.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Just like clockwork...
Jesus, that's one shitty clock.
J is for Joey Chaos! Joey is pretty much my brother in law, and I've been around to listen to his music since he first started the project in high school. I thought his music was awesome then, and it's only gotten better since. It started out with some pretty heavy industrial influences, but it's grown into it's own electronic rock sound. Between Joey's keyboards and sequencing, and Walker's guitar and bass, they're a pretty badass duo. Joey recorded an album a few years back, but was unhappy with the result, and has been working on a re-release.
Here's a new and improved track from Beyond the Shadows of Autumn.
Look At You Now by Joey Chaos
On top of that, there's a whole new album on the go!
Here are a couple of the new demos:
Maybe I Miss You by Joey Chaos
Joey Chaos - Glitch (2011 Demo) by Joey Chaos
Glitch is one of my favorite Joey Chaos songs, and it's gone through a couple incarnations since I first heard it. I don't know if this is the final cut, but it's definitely pretty badass in my opinion.
The recordings are one thing, but there's also something to be said for the Joey Chaos live experience. I'll try to keep everybody posted when the next show comes up. Also, check out the website for more info and songs!
That's all for now.
J is for Joey Chaos! Joey is pretty much my brother in law, and I've been around to listen to his music since he first started the project in high school. I thought his music was awesome then, and it's only gotten better since. It started out with some pretty heavy industrial influences, but it's grown into it's own electronic rock sound. Between Joey's keyboards and sequencing, and Walker's guitar and bass, they're a pretty badass duo. Joey recorded an album a few years back, but was unhappy with the result, and has been working on a re-release.
Here's a new and improved track from Beyond the Shadows of Autumn.
Look At You Now by Joey Chaos
On top of that, there's a whole new album on the go!
Here are a couple of the new demos:
Maybe I Miss You by Joey Chaos
Joey Chaos - Glitch (2011 Demo) by Joey Chaos
Glitch is one of my favorite Joey Chaos songs, and it's gone through a couple incarnations since I first heard it. I don't know if this is the final cut, but it's definitely pretty badass in my opinion.
The recordings are one thing, but there's also something to be said for the Joey Chaos live experience. I'll try to keep everybody posted when the next show comes up. Also, check out the website for more info and songs!
That's all for now.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Inconcievable!
I never realized it, but there aren't too many bands that start with I. On top of that, I'm sure everybody's already heard plenty of Incubus and Interpol. I considered reviewing Inspiral Carpets, but beyond "This is How it Feels" is pretty good, I don't have a lot to say. We're switching it up this time, and I'm going to talk about a record.
I is for I, by The Magnetic Fields. It's always hard to describe The Magnetic Fields... bizarre as it may sound, the best I've been able to come up with is "Beat Happening meets Morrissey!" What the fuck, right? Right. You may think that 69 songs about love would be a pretty exemplary repertoire, but not Stephin Merritt! I swear to god, a good 80% of everything this guy's put out has love as it's theme. Make no mistake, I am not complaining. It's pretty great, in my opinion.
I is a fantastic album, and is no exception to this love theme. The concept's pretty simple: every song starts with the letter I. It may come as a surprise, but this record has no synths to speak of. It says right in the liner notes! I have the feeling that might be slightly erroneous, but for the most part, it is legit instrumentation. That's actually pretty cool, considering all the strings and such. Stephin Merritt has a devilish wit to him, and it shows in "I Wish I Had an Evil Twin" and "I Don't Really Love You Anymore." This record is worth listening to for it's lyrics alone. Unfortunately, a lot of my favorite songs from this album are pretty difficult to find streamable copies of. If of the songs I've linked so far have piqued your interest, I implore you to pick up a copy of this album! If you're on the fence, come over and listen to it.
I is for I, by The Magnetic Fields. It's always hard to describe The Magnetic Fields... bizarre as it may sound, the best I've been able to come up with is "Beat Happening meets Morrissey!" What the fuck, right? Right. You may think that 69 songs about love would be a pretty exemplary repertoire, but not Stephin Merritt! I swear to god, a good 80% of everything this guy's put out has love as it's theme. Make no mistake, I am not complaining. It's pretty great, in my opinion.
I is a fantastic album, and is no exception to this love theme. The concept's pretty simple: every song starts with the letter I. It may come as a surprise, but this record has no synths to speak of. It says right in the liner notes! I have the feeling that might be slightly erroneous, but for the most part, it is legit instrumentation. That's actually pretty cool, considering all the strings and such. Stephin Merritt has a devilish wit to him, and it shows in "I Wish I Had an Evil Twin" and "I Don't Really Love You Anymore." This record is worth listening to for it's lyrics alone. Unfortunately, a lot of my favorite songs from this album are pretty difficult to find streamable copies of. If of the songs I've linked so far have piqued your interest, I implore you to pick up a copy of this album! If you're on the fence, come over and listen to it.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
How Jou Like Me Naoh!?!
Hell you guys, this is a lot harder than I thought. It's really hard to find the time, between work and hanging out with all my awesome friends. Motherfuckers.
H is for Headphones! Headphones is David Bazan and Tim William Walsh of Pedro the Lion, and Frank Lenz of Starflyer 59. While this trio wouldn't be recognized by anyone else as a Superband, that's the way I look at it. I followed the projects of David Bazan and TW Walsh for a long time, and couldn't get enough! And Starflyer 59 is pretty exceptional as well. Both Pedro the Lion and Starflyer 59 tend towards guitar and drums rock. Headphones however is nothing but electronics, drums, and vocals. So right there, I was fucking sold.
Also, songs like this sure don't hurt.
I Never Wanted You by David Bazan
It's not your conventional electronic act either. Some of the melodies are fucking pheonomenal, but it might take a bit for most to get into it, because it is pretty minimalist. Bazan's lyrics and delivery pull it all together though. I can't get enough of this guy. Listen to Gas and Matches. Okay look, you and I both know what's coming next: "It reminds me of video game music."
It shouldn't be that surprising, I'm a classic gamer, and up until around the Playstation era, any music found in a video game was likely 100% synthesized. That's just how it worked, and half the reason I'm more into the old school games anyway.
Listen to Natural Disaster, too. It's pretty great. Ignore the Disneyland video. I don't know what the deal with that is.
Edit:
I don't know how I managed to review Headphones without linking this song. Pretty dark subject matter, and I'd like to say I can't relate. But I'm pretty sure it's common knowledge that I've been stepped on before... a lot. When faced with such flagrant disregard for your feelings, it's hard not to be fucking livid.
Unfortunately, Headphones seems to have been a one time deal, and on top of that, Pedro the Lion split up, and while David Bazan is still touring, I don't think he's put out any new records in a couple years. Starflyer 59 put out an album last year though, and here's proof!
Well, I'm all caught up for now... time to go do something with my Saturday.
H is for Headphones! Headphones is David Bazan and Tim William Walsh of Pedro the Lion, and Frank Lenz of Starflyer 59. While this trio wouldn't be recognized by anyone else as a Superband, that's the way I look at it. I followed the projects of David Bazan and TW Walsh for a long time, and couldn't get enough! And Starflyer 59 is pretty exceptional as well. Both Pedro the Lion and Starflyer 59 tend towards guitar and drums rock. Headphones however is nothing but electronics, drums, and vocals. So right there, I was fucking sold.
Also, songs like this sure don't hurt.
I Never Wanted You by David Bazan
It's not your conventional electronic act either. Some of the melodies are fucking pheonomenal, but it might take a bit for most to get into it, because it is pretty minimalist. Bazan's lyrics and delivery pull it all together though. I can't get enough of this guy. Listen to Gas and Matches. Okay look, you and I both know what's coming next: "It reminds me of video game music."
It shouldn't be that surprising, I'm a classic gamer, and up until around the Playstation era, any music found in a video game was likely 100% synthesized. That's just how it worked, and half the reason I'm more into the old school games anyway.
Listen to Natural Disaster, too. It's pretty great. Ignore the Disneyland video. I don't know what the deal with that is.
Edit:
I don't know how I managed to review Headphones without linking this song. Pretty dark subject matter, and I'd like to say I can't relate. But I'm pretty sure it's common knowledge that I've been stepped on before... a lot. When faced with such flagrant disregard for your feelings, it's hard not to be fucking livid.
Unfortunately, Headphones seems to have been a one time deal, and on top of that, Pedro the Lion split up, and while David Bazan is still touring, I don't think he's put out any new records in a couple years. Starflyer 59 put out an album last year though, and here's proof!
Well, I'm all caught up for now... time to go do something with my Saturday.
Gonna run out of steam at this rate.
Going easy on myself this time... just gonna flap my lips about a band that I'm gay for.
G is for Grandaddy. The first thing I noticed about Grandaddy was how expansive their songs tend to be. More often than not, a song will have a pretty extensive interlude with no vocals, just focusing on the melodies and chord progressions. Also, I can't say it enough; I love synth. Grandaddy is pretty much 100% rock with keyboards, and the interludes often remind me of some cross between a symphony and a Super Nintendo game. I'll throw out a few examples so you can get a picture of what I'm getting at.
At my Post from "Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla"
The Final Push to the Sum from "Sumday"
These guys are great. A lot of the songs are a little on the depressing side, and I'll be honest, that's actually what I look for in an artist. If a song can evoke an emotion from me, then all the better. It's not all sad shit though. They have some pretty upbeat songs, and truthfully, they're some of my favorites too! Take a listen to Now it's On.
I enjoy the hell out of that song... and the orchestral hits remind me of Starfox. Lol
Also, check out this sweet fan vid for Pull the Curtains!
I'd like to emphasize again how much this stuff reminds me of video game music. Listen to Florida, too. That song makes me lol.
Grandaddy songs tend to have a recurring theme of disregarding the machinations of modern society and appreciating nature.
Have a listen to The Group Who Couldn't Say.
You should also hear The Warming Sun.
The Warming Sun reminds me of me, because I suck at girls.
In summary, go buy all their records. Right now.
G is for Grandaddy. The first thing I noticed about Grandaddy was how expansive their songs tend to be. More often than not, a song will have a pretty extensive interlude with no vocals, just focusing on the melodies and chord progressions. Also, I can't say it enough; I love synth. Grandaddy is pretty much 100% rock with keyboards, and the interludes often remind me of some cross between a symphony and a Super Nintendo game. I'll throw out a few examples so you can get a picture of what I'm getting at.
At my Post from "Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla"
The Final Push to the Sum from "Sumday"
These guys are great. A lot of the songs are a little on the depressing side, and I'll be honest, that's actually what I look for in an artist. If a song can evoke an emotion from me, then all the better. It's not all sad shit though. They have some pretty upbeat songs, and truthfully, they're some of my favorites too! Take a listen to Now it's On.
I enjoy the hell out of that song... and the orchestral hits remind me of Starfox. Lol
Also, check out this sweet fan vid for Pull the Curtains!
I'd like to emphasize again how much this stuff reminds me of video game music. Listen to Florida, too. That song makes me lol.
Grandaddy songs tend to have a recurring theme of disregarding the machinations of modern society and appreciating nature.
Have a listen to The Group Who Couldn't Say.
You should also hear The Warming Sun.
The Warming Sun reminds me of me, because I suck at girls.
In summary, go buy all their records. Right now.
Far Behind
First things first, I'd like to point out that I had a pretty tough time picking a band this time, so I'll list off a couple artists you should hear if you haven't already.
Fischerspooner, The Flaming Lips, and The Format. Now that that's out of the way, on to the main attraction.
F is for Fake Problems. This is a weird one, because they took a while to grow on me. I do like some good rock now and again, but it has to be pretty unique for me to get really into it, and I found Fake Problems somewhat run of the mill the first time through. That said, they really pull through lyrically. I know not everybody's gonna agree with that, but I for one find them marvelously clever and I think I can relate to much of the subject matter. I've only listened to Real Ghosts Caught on Tape, but I do intend on checking out their older albums.
Here's a video of the lead singer playing Songs for Teenagers in a public washroom.
Definitely talented musicians and solid songwriters... I think the issue I have is that they're not what I typically listen to. I'm definitely a huge fan now though, and if you haven't given Real Ghosts Caught on Tape a listen yet, you really should. Here's another song I really like, and here's a pretty sweet music video.
Later, HV Penetrator!
Fischerspooner, The Flaming Lips, and The Format. Now that that's out of the way, on to the main attraction.
F is for Fake Problems. This is a weird one, because they took a while to grow on me. I do like some good rock now and again, but it has to be pretty unique for me to get really into it, and I found Fake Problems somewhat run of the mill the first time through. That said, they really pull through lyrically. I know not everybody's gonna agree with that, but I for one find them marvelously clever and I think I can relate to much of the subject matter. I've only listened to Real Ghosts Caught on Tape, but I do intend on checking out their older albums.
Here's a video of the lead singer playing Songs for Teenagers in a public washroom.
Definitely talented musicians and solid songwriters... I think the issue I have is that they're not what I typically listen to. I'm definitely a huge fan now though, and if you haven't given Real Ghosts Caught on Tape a listen yet, you really should. Here's another song I really like, and here's a pretty sweet music video.
Later, HV Penetrator!
Everybody knows I'm a mother fucking procrastinator.
Egads! It's saturday and here I am plugging away at Wednesday's post. Get used to it, I guess.
E is for Erasure, a group that I've been listening to for most of my goddamn life. For those of you that don't know, I'm a big fan of Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, and gay dance music in general. That all started with my Mom. While my family was strictly pentecostal in my earlier years, it definitely mellowed out when we moved away from our congregation in Sherwood Park, Alberta. I don't know exactly when my mom started listening to Erasure, but she loved them! Of course, Andy Bell is gay, and I think that's something that got my mom questioning how "wrong" that really is, and looking at our religion with more scrutiny. I remember when I was around 14, my mom telling me that whether I came home with a girlfriend, or a boyfriend, she would always love me just the same. I wish more people were so lucky.
So back to the music! I suspect that a lot of you will recognize this tune, whether you have heard of Erasure or not:
That's right! It's the song from Robot Unicorn Attack! Admittedly, that's half the reason I was so stoked about this game.
I guess the fandom is kind of ingrained... when I was a kid, we had two cats named Always, and Sometimes. That aside, it's synth pop, and it's Vince Clarke's synth pop! Dude worked with Depeche Mode, among his other projects. I don't expect everybody to like it, but I hope you'll give them a chance.
Next time, Gadget!
E is for Erasure, a group that I've been listening to for most of my goddamn life. For those of you that don't know, I'm a big fan of Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, and gay dance music in general. That all started with my Mom. While my family was strictly pentecostal in my earlier years, it definitely mellowed out when we moved away from our congregation in Sherwood Park, Alberta. I don't know exactly when my mom started listening to Erasure, but she loved them! Of course, Andy Bell is gay, and I think that's something that got my mom questioning how "wrong" that really is, and looking at our religion with more scrutiny. I remember when I was around 14, my mom telling me that whether I came home with a girlfriend, or a boyfriend, she would always love me just the same. I wish more people were so lucky.
So back to the music! I suspect that a lot of you will recognize this tune, whether you have heard of Erasure or not:
That's right! It's the song from Robot Unicorn Attack! Admittedly, that's half the reason I was so stoked about this game.
I guess the fandom is kind of ingrained... when I was a kid, we had two cats named Always, and Sometimes. That aside, it's synth pop, and it's Vince Clarke's synth pop! Dude worked with Depeche Mode, among his other projects. I don't expect everybody to like it, but I hope you'll give them a chance.
Next time, Gadget!
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