December 2008
2008...Never Say Never
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 | 1:16 PM
Ironically, Metallica released a single in 2008 called "The Day That Never Comes."
(left: Oh the memories of '08.)
But in many ways, 2008 was "The Day That Did Come," even for the band mentioned above, who released a back-to-form album, Death Magnetic, which included 8-minute songs, guitar solos, and the return of the old Metallica logo (surfaces of high school desks beware).
For those who have ever uttered the word "never," 2008 was a year for them to eat their words:
LUNCHBOX: 2008 Golden Guitar Awards
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 | 12:27 PM
My 10 Favorite Albums of 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008 | 12:39 PM
The following is not a list of the Top-10 Albums of the Year (c'mon, I'm one man, who am I to say if these are the best albums of 2008?), instead, this is simply a list of my Top-10 favorite albums of the year:
10. Girl Talk, Feed The Animals
Yes, he's just a mash-up artist, and what can a mash-up artist do besides layer acapellas over well-known instrumentals? Well, if you're Girl Talk you take hundreds and hundreds of not just instrumentals, but bleeps, breaks, and beats and masterfully intertwine them with the naughtiest dirty south rap lyrics you can find. Feed The Animals isn't just a simple collection of click-and-drag MP3 files, it's an A.D.D.-pop-culture-musical-collage pieced together like a fine work of art.
9. Sons & Daughters, This Gift
Ah yes! They've made their first great album. This was my initial reaction after listening to Sons & Daughters' sophomore effort, This Gift. Their debut, The Repulsion Box, had some "moments," but it still seemed like the Scottish foursome hadn't found their identity. This time, they found it, crafting one of the best rock albums of the year. Adele Bethel's vocals are beautiful, Scott Paterson's guitar licks steal the show on many of the tracks, and each song will leave your feet stomping for more.
'08 WAS GREAT!: Top 5 Shows
Monday, December 29, 2008 | 9:34 AM
Another day, another dollar. Does that phrase work for the whole year? Another year, another $365. Doesn't have the same ring to it. Ah well, another year has come and gone and probably most of us don't even have $365 to show for it. But with the bad comes the good. Let's not forget all the awesome things that happened in 2008.
My personal favorite was of course the summer Olympics. While it may not seem that I would be into sports, I'm obsessed with the Olympics. So much so that when I was younger and able to stay up late--because I didn't need to wake up early for work--I'd watch them in the afternoon and then again when they re-aired in the later evening hours. And of course there was that little Presidential election that occurred in the first week of November. This could go on forever, so to avoid going too far on this tangent, you can see the rest of what happened in '08 on Wikipedia, but I warn you, it's mostly depressing.
As this is the Indie Ear, what's a discussion about 2008 without music? Useless, I say. So, without further ado, here are my Top-5 shows of 2008. I considered doing eight, to be kitsch, but decided to stand my ground and be selective!
Favorite Music Videos of '08
Friday, December 26, 2008 | 11:55 AM
In all honesty, I don't watch nearly as many music videos these days as I have in the past, but c'mon--we're living in a YouTube world baby--music videos are so last century. That being said, a good music video still does something special to me.
Here are my favorites of the past year:
Gnarls Barkley, "Who's Gonna Save My Soul?"
Not only is the relationship dialogue spot on, but the animated heart--which is literally ripped out of the chest--adds another layer of depth to this fantastic break-up story. I also love the fact that Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo are in the video, but only for a brief second (Alfred Hitchcock and the Chemical Brothers would be proud).
'08 WAS GREAT!: Lil' Wayne, Artist of the Year?
Friday, December 26, 2008 | 11:53 AM
Let me begin by saying that I like Lil' Wayne. I've met Lil' Wayne, and, yes, he's a very friendly guy. He's got a magnetic personality, and his demeanor alone could sell a few thousand albums. That being said, it still zaps my mind (much like that vein tattoo on Lil' Wayne's forehead) that he became music's most praised star in 2008. And we're not just talking about Dwayne Carter getting fist pounds from fellow hip-hoppers. He was loved by the pop set, mainstream music lovers, and even--no lie--the indie elite. (A certain Chicago emcee/producer is secretly wiping his brow and readjusting his Pee-Wee Herman suit jacket).
(left: Somehow, someway, Lil' Wayne conquered the world in 2008.)
To be honest, when Lil' Wayne's brand new album, Tha Carter III, was released earlier this year I didn't pay much attention to it. I gave the album a quick listen, wasn't blown out of the box, and continued to listen to all the other music I had to listen to. I was actually a bit disappointed, cause I wanted to love Lil' Wayne's new album. For someone who's not into hip-hop as much as I used to be, it's fun to latch on to a current hip-hop star, cause it makes you feel, well, current.
LUNCHBOX: 2008's Pop Star of the Year!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 | 10:20 AM
CORRECTION: Shortly after taping this piece I realized that I have been mispronouncing the word "vocoder" for years (pronouncing it with an "r," vocorder). I quickly contacted the vocoder's agent to reschedule the interview, but apparently he was already in the studio working on his next hit track.
So to all the technology and vocoder purists out there, I sincerely apologize.
SUPER TUESDAY: New Album Releases (Dec. 23)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 | 10:00 AM
As you probably guessed, the Tuesday before Christmas isn't one of the bigger release days of the year. Why would you wait until now to release an album, when you could reap the benefits of the holiday season?
With many musicians, managers, record label peeps, bloggers, and reviewers having one foot out the door, ready to enjoy their holiday break, this Tuesday isn't even worthy of the "super" title. We trudge on nonetheless:
Savage, Savage Island
If you could judge a book by it's cover, this album really sucks!
Brutha, Brutha
Is this A.) An R&B Group, B.) A Death Metal Band, or C.) A Sufjan Stevens side project? Go with your gut on this one. Click HERE for the answer.
Cash Cash, Take It To The Floor
If you thought this was another redundantly named indie act who could give Man Man, Xiu Xiu, Mirror Mirror, and Gang Gang Dance a run for their money, think again. Click HERE to hear a horrible, horrible song.
'08 WAS GREAT!: Mash-Ups w/ Mash-Up Videos
Monday, December 22, 2008 | 6:01 PM
In 2008, Girl Talk released his brand new mash-up masterpiece Feed The Animals. Not only did we get a collection of mash-up songs this year, but a collection of mash-up videos as well. Nice!
Girl Talk, "What It's All About"
Now Everybody, Have You Heard?
Monday, December 22, 2008 | 1:06 PM
This weekend, Billy Squier (yes, the Billy Squier) wrote me a letter. I guess I shouldn't feel so special, since I am on his fansite's e-mail list and a whole bunch of people received his hand-type letter which was filled with tidings of comfort and joy.
Here's the the good news:
Billy Squier will be touring next year! He's also writing new material.
Squier toured this year as part of Ringo Starr's backing band, but in 2009, he will tour with the spotlight shining solely on him (the way it should be).
A few years ago, I started to really get into Billy Squier, and wanted to know why he seemingly disappeared from the public eye. (When 80's rockers aren't doing reality shows, sometimes we lose track of them.)
Anyway, I've triangulated his position, and you better believe I'll be witnessing the live wonders of Billy Squire come June '09!
Here's a TREAT to keep you entertained in the meantime.
'08 WAS GREAT!: Best Way To Market Music
Friday, December 19, 2008 | 2:56 PM
In 2008 there was no better way to market your music than to get inside of Michael Phelps' iPod. When we wasn't in the water, Phelps could be seen bobbing his head with a pair of ear-buds tucked inside his swim cap. Gold medal after gold medal, reporters asked him what he was listening to before each race.
His answer?
Lil' Wayne.
Before you knew it NBC was shouting out Lil' Wayne like it was a Cash Money class reunion. Phelps won eight gold medals and Lil' Wayne scored eight grammy nominations, becoming one of this year's biggest success stories in music (a phenomenon we need to discuss before the year ends).
IS IT ME? OR...
Friday, December 19, 2008 | 2:31 PM
...is it getting harder to tell the difference between the Kings of Leon and the Jonas Brothers?
Go ahead, take a stab:
Kings of Leon?
Or Brothers Jonas?
1. _______________
2. _______________
3. _______________
4. _______________
5. _______________
6. _______________
7. _______________
8. _______________
Pitchfork's Album Of The Year
Friday, December 19, 2008 | 1:59 PM
Today, Pitchfork Media unveiled their Top Albums of 2008, and surprisingly their #1 was not TV On The Radio's Dear Science.
'08 WAS GREAT!: Best Educational Stage Banter
Thursday, December 18, 2008 | 2:11 PM
In 2008 Public Enemy celebrated the 20th Anniversary of their groundbreaking hip-hop masterpiece, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. The group (with all of their members intact, except Terminator X) played the album in its entirety at select tour stops.
In between songs, Chuck D would drop a little history on the audience. Before P.E. broke into track #9, "Show 'Em Whatcha Got," Chuck told the crowd that the group used to sequence their albums with cassette tapes in mind--creating both an A-side and a B-Side.
(above: Chuck D's stage banter: educational and informative!)
Right before It Takes a Nation was mastered, producer Hank Shocklee decided the album needed some more bass and speed at the beginning, so he swapped sides. If it wasn't for his game-time decision, P.E.'s seminal work would have opened with "Show 'Em Whatcha Got" (instead of "Countdown To Armagedon") and closed with "Caught, Can We Get A Witness" (instead of "Party For Your Right To Fight").
Listening to It Takes A Nation in its original sequence (although, if you ever owned a cassette or vinyl version of it, you unknowingly did this a gazillion times) won't blow your mind, but it will give you a new perspective on the album.
I know, cause after the performance I ran home and did just that.
'08 WAS GREAT!: Best Song About Punctuation
Thursday, December 18, 2008 | 2:01 PM
When I was a kid in school I used to curse out periods, colons, and quotation marks, but in 2008, Vampire Weekend took cursing out punctuation to new heights with their song "Oxford Comma."
Yeah, who gives a f_ck about an Oxford Comma!?!
2009: Year Of The Bouncing Soul
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 | 7:56 AM
The Bouncing Souls, one of my favorite groups of all-time, will be celebrating their 20th year of existence in 2009.
(left: The Pete and Greg chipping away in the studio.)
For those that don't know, New Jersey's Bouncing Souls have been making catchy east coast punk anthems since 1989, and besides bringing a smile to the mosh pit, they have also kept up a steady regimen of touring and have never signed to a major label (though they've been courted several times). For their debut full-length album, 1994's The Good, The Bad & The Argyle, the Bouncing Souls even went as far as plastering their CD's with an anti-MTV logo.
Years later, as MTV and major labels have lost their full-nelson-like grip on the music industry, the Bouncing Souls are looking like geniuses (and have no guilt to hold them down).
As a thank you to their fans for 20 years of support, in 2009 the Bouncing Souls will self-release a brand new song (via download) every month on Chunksaah! Records (their first record label home). Every few months the band will then put out a 7" featuring their latest songs (for those that like hard copies along with their digital goodies).
The Bouncing Souls' first song, "Gasoline," will be released on January 1. And as always, the Bouncing Souls will be touring throughout 2009.
ME LIKEY: Christmas With Weezer
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 | 7:33 AM
For those of you who are tired of throwing non-Christmas Weezer songs ("Holiday," "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived") on your yearly holiday mixes, or if you don't want to recycle "The Christmas Song" or "Christmas Celebration" (the two songs Weezer released in 2000 as a special 2-track EP), you'll be happy to know that the band made available yesterday, their 6-song song Christmas With Weezer EP that was originally recorded for the Tap Tap Revenge iPhone game.
(left: First the Red Album, than this? What a Weezer-iffic year it's been!)
I know it was just yesterday when I was saying how sick I am of hearing Christmas carols, but these rockin' remakes have restored my faith in the genre (and in the holiday season)!
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
The First Noel
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Silent Night
The Thermals Set Release Date
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 | 6:52 AM
Portland-basement-rockers, The Thermals, last released an album in 2006; the catchy The Body, The Blood, The Machine. Since then they've lost a drummer (then added one, Westin Glass) and switched indie record labels (Sub Pop to Kill Rock Stars).
(left: Kathy and Hutch have a new label, a new drummer, and a new album set to be released.)
The Thermals announced that their new album, Now We Can See, will be released on April 7, 2009. Their self titled single will drop on March 10, which will be followed by a trip to SXSW. Here's a peak at the album's track listing:
1.) "When I Died"
2.) "We Were Sick"
3.) "I Let It Go"
4). "Now We Can See"
5.) "At the Bottom of the Sea"
6.) "When We Were Alive"
7.) "I Called Out Your Name"
8.) "When I Was Afraid"
9.) "Liquid In, Liquid Out"
10.) "How We Fade"
11.) "You Dissolve"
LUNCHBOX: Songs That Double as Christmas Carols
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 | 9:35 AM
Best Songs Used in Commercials for 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 | 9:19 AM
Advertsing Age recently released their list for Ad Songs of The Year. Topping the list is one we discussed earlier this year.
(left: A song about reparations used in a sneaker commercial was Ad Age's favorite.)
[VIA]
SUPER TUESDAY: New Album Releases (Dec. 16)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 | 8:56 AM
Fall Out Boy, Folie à Deux (left)
They pushed back their album from Election Day to Christmas time, genius (although doing all this press during the holiday season has got to suck).
All-American Rejects, When The World Comes Down
Just making a point here, but certain people may consider this act and the previous one the biggest American rock bands of the 2000's. I'm just sayin'.
Anthony Hamilton, The Point Of It All
May not be your thing, but this guy can sing his ass off.
Keyshia Cole, A Different Me
Remember when Natalie Cole sang a duet with her father (who had passed away years earlier)? Well Keyshia Cole adds a modern day twist by doing a duet with 2 Pac on this album.
Heavy D, Vibes
Heavy D relying less on the hip-hop and more on reggae-pop.
Saliva, Cinco Diablo
Damn, my wife said she was done with my Christmas shopping. If only they would have released this a week earlier (shucks).
"Never Better" for a free "Goodbye"
Monday, December 15, 2008 | 3:00 PM
Rhymesayers Entertainment's P.O.S. will be releasing his brand new album, Never Better, early next year on February 3, 2009. Here's a track from it, "Goodbye."
Don't say I never gave you anything.
TV On The Radio, Best of 2008?
Monday, December 15, 2008 | 12:39 PM
Lots of people love the month of December. This is the magical time of year for them to partake in the joys of drinking eggnog, singing holiday tunes, and shopping until they're physically unable to walk anymore (yes, believe it or not, some people do find joy in this).
Music critics love the month of December--maybe not so much for the reasons mentioned above--but because this is the time of year for them to release their Top-10 (20,30,40, 50, whatever) albums of the year list. I always find it a tad unbelievable when a handful of music outlets share the same #1 album, this year being no exception.
Rolling Stone and Spin Magazine have named TV on The Radio's Dear Science their top album of 2008. Indie nation--judging by the Pitchfork barometer--also agrees, as Dear Science ranked #1 in Pitchfork Media's 2008 Reader's Poll (this Thursday, Pitchfork will unveil their albums of the year, and I wouldn't be shocked if TV On The Radio topped that list as well).
IT'S LIKE THAT: Songs with St-St-Stutters
Friday, December 12, 2008 | 11:09 AM
Britney Spears' name is not one we bring up often here on the Indie Ear, but I'm not going to lie to you, it does happen from time to time. So if you're against such things, go to your other 5,000 favorite indie music blogs and catch up on all of your favorite redundantly named bands.
Anyway, here goes:
Right now, I'm going to tell you why I like Britney Spears' current single, "Womanizer" (and before you throw stones, just to listen to me for a second). I like the song, because, it gave me an epiphany. You heard me, epiphany. While listening to the chorus--Boy don't try to front, I, I know just, just what you are, are, are--it occurred to me that I absolutely love stuttering lyrics in music, love 'em!
Kids used to get made fun of on the playground for having trouble spitting out those first few words, "C-c-c-c'mon, p-p-p-lease, p-p-p-ass me the b-b-ball." It may not fly at recess, but in music, stuttering is pure gold.
After listening to "Womanizer" I began racking my brain for other songs featuring stuttering lyrics, and boy, there's a bunch. I've only begun to scratch the surface, but here are some of my personal favorites:
Animal Collective on Wax
Friday, December 12, 2008 | 9:24 AM
Animal Collective's brand new album, Merriweather Post Pavillion, will be released properly on CD/digitial outlets on January 20, however if you would like to get the album a couple weeks earlier, you'll be able to do so if you purchase the vinyl copy of the album (yeah, we used to call those records, Animal Collective kickin' it old-school) on January 6. The band will also include a full album download card with the vinyl release, so you can kick it new school as well.
(left: Not that you'll be doing this with your brand new Animal Collective album, but here goes: wiggy-wiggy.)
Here's a list of record stores (speaking of old-school) that will be throwing release/listening parties for Animal Colelctive's Merriweather Post Pavillion:
Metallica's "All Nightmare Long"
Thursday, December 11, 2008 | 6:28 AM
Metallica release another long music video from their album Death Magnetic, because, well, all the songs on Death Magnetic are pretty long.
Here's some VJ-speak I used back in the day, Check it out:
Metallica, "All Nightmare Long"
Brody's Back
Thursday, December 11, 2008 | 5:51 AM
Brody Dalle.
She came into our lives about eight years ago when her last name was Armstrong and she was in a band called The Distillers.
Her last name was Armstrong, you see, because her husband was Tim Armstrong of the punk band Rancid. Tim and Brody were the most punk rock couple around and they both lived happily ever after (but not really).
(left: Smile? Yeah right.)
While on the festival circuit in the early 2000's Brody fell in love with Josh Homme from Queens of The Stone Age and ended up divorcing Tim, marrying Homme, dissolving The Distillers, and giving birth to their first child.
Long story short, today, Brody Dalle-Homme makes her triumphjant musical return with her brand new band, Spinerrette, featuring Tony Bevilacqua (former member of The Distillers), Jack Irons (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Eleven) and Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Eleven).
Spinnerette's first musical offering, Ghetto Love (EP) is available to purchase for download on the band's website. Click HERE.
Four Paws Mixtape
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 | 8:27 AM
Four Paws, a NJ-based publicity company that "celebrates the nurturing of free expression through music," recently assembled a mixtape, highlighting many of the artists they worked with in 2008, including Deerhoof, Hawnay Troof, Xiu Xiu, and Mirror Mirror.
(left: Side A is the dog, Side B is the cat.)
Listen HERE.
LIKE IT? LOVE IT? HATE IT?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 | 7:57 AM
Common and hip-hop pioneer, Afrika Bambaataa doing a Microsoft Zune commercial?
Once again, the only reason I ask is because I'm undecided myself. I'm torn, damn it. Afrika Bambaataa on prime time TV is pretty freakin' awesome, so is the fact that an artist is talking about where he gets his musical inspiration from, but I just don't know about that girl who utters my cringe-worthy word of the month: amazing.
Thoughts?
Girl Talk Exposed
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 | 7:20 AM
I do love me some girl talk, and I'm not just talking about the kind I overhear from the ladies' powder room. I'm also a fan of Girl Talk, the mash-up artist from my hometown of Pittsburgh who not only managed to release an album this year, Feed The Animals, with hundreds and hundreds of uncleared samples (and he wasn't sued once!), but also landed himself a Microsoft PC ad.
His album (the one I was talking about in the previous paragraph) is also in contention for my Top 10 Albums of the year.
All in all, Girl Talk has had himself a successful 2008, however Carles, from the blog Hipster Runoff has done some splendid investigative work and recently uncovered the origin of Girl Talk's musical moniker.
Warning, what you're about to read may shock you. Click HERE to see where Girl Talk allegedly got the inspiration for his stage name.