Songs To Get Stuck In a Snow Bank To: The Unfortunate Sequel
February 1st, 2012 • Uncategorized • No comments
Almost a year later and I have only learned one thing new about cars — AAA responds faster when you crash into a ditch on a highway rather than on a back-road. So here we go — a shorter playlist than last year’s of songs that I enjoyed while stuck in a snow bank (eventually I will learn how to drive in the snow). You’ll notice this one is a little less winter folk and a little more “I’m kinda grumpy about my new car spinning off I-95.”
Leonard Cohen — There is a War
Dead Kennedys — California Uber Alles
Defiance, Ohio — Anxious and Worrying (you bet I am)
Velvet Underground — Heroin
Violent Femmes — Kiss Off
Lou Reed — Street Hassle
If you find yourself in a similar situation, these will definitely help make the wait better! Or if you just want to look at a banana and listen to Lou Reed being awesome:
Top 10 Albums of 2011
December 30th, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
This is my very biased Best Albums of 2011 list (note: no Bon Iver or Beirut- sorry, folks, just didn’t love them).
10. Destroyer: Destroyer’s Rubies
Kind of an interesting and new sound going on here that’s definitely different from anything I’ve heard– some kind of gypster in a good way, if possible.
9. Idaho: You Were A Dick
I just like this band a lot.
8. Mountain Goats: All Eternals Deck
I didn’t know this album came out until about two months after it did, but it kind of just fit in with the Mountain Goats collection. I hadn’t heard new music from him in a while and was really glad that he made some!
7. Bill Callahan: Apocalypse
From that opening lone voice “the real people went away” to closing lone guitar strum it’s nothing but classic Bill Callahan throughout.
6. Bonnie “Prince” Billy: Wolfroy Goes To Town
See review below!
5. Andrew Jackson Jihad: Knife Man
Fun, folky, punky, generally a great band and great album. It’s different enough from older stuff to be interesting but along the same track enough to not warrant a “I like their older stuff better…”
4. Radiohead: King of Limbs
This album is only 8 songs — chances are Thom Yorke wrote more than 8 songs since In Rainbows. It might not be your favorite Radiohead sound, but the select songs make this an excellent cohesive album, rather than just a collection of songs (which, it should be obvious from previous reviews, is one of my biggest music pet peeves).
3. Deer Tick: Divine Providence
Just listen to it. You’ll know why.
2. Wilco: The Whole Love
These guys can do no wrong.
1. Okkervil River: I Am Very Far
See earlier review. This is just the best.
Home Theater Set-up
December 8th, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
Putting the finishing touches on a new home is like putting the icing on the cake.
After months of building and decorating our brand new home, we couldn’t wait for
the best part: the basement.
Our plans for the basement included a full home theater installation, snack station,
exercise room and full bathroom. In short, we had a lot of work to do.
We had the entire scene thought up in our minds. It included a rainy Friday night,
cozy blanket, popcorn, chocolate (salted chocolate preferably) and maybe a bottle
of wine or two. For comfort and entertainment we envisioned a brand new home
theater, fresh leather chairs and sparkly TV. The movie? Maybe an action thriller or
suspense thriller-perhaps even a RomCom.
There’s the amazing feeling of getting settled, hearing the THX noise rev up and
shake the floor, sipping wine, popping popcorn and parking in a recliner for the next
two and half-hours. Yes, we were sold.
First Things First
We put a priority on the theater installation because, honestly, who wants to work
out when you could sit and watch movies?
We knew the basics of what we wanted for our theater. We wanted the wiring
hidden inside our walls, permanently fixed with wall bushings or wall plates, a
mounted TV and 5.1 surround sound system.
Furniture wise, we definitely wanted to do individual chairs. Leather recliners
with cup holders, to be exact. We tested out several models instead of just ordering
blindly online. Carpet and wall insulation squares are great for theaters to help
absorb the sound. If you can enclose your theater to cut down on noise, we suggest
that too.
Common Blunders
There are a few pretty common mistakes people make when designing and
outfitting their home theaters. You should get a TV or screen depending on how
far away you plan to sit from the screen. You should be about 2 times the distance
from your TV as the width of the screen. For instance, if you have a 42-inch TV, you
should sit about 5 or 6 feet back.
Avoid having windows in your theater as it causes glare, this one typically isn’t a
problem for basements. After you shell out the money for the theater, don’t skimp
on the speakers. You may think that sound quality is a good place to save money, but
the truth is, your ears will know the difference.
Make sure you only buy equipment you’re confident you’ll be able to use, read the
manual and pay for any service plans or warranties. That way, if you have problems
down the road, a professional can come out and fix it without you having to shell out
more money than you already have.
And the biggest blunder: telling people that you’ve just installed a home theater.
They’re going to want to come over all the time now.
Richard is from the Hoosier state so all styles of music appeals to him. He also has a website called artroommelody.com where he writes about art in every form.
Album Reivew: Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s Wolfroy Goes To Town
December 4th, 2011 • Album Review • No comments
Bonnie Prince Billy
Wolfroy Goes to Town
Drag City, October 2011
50:21 min
Every finals “season” brings me an new album to put on repeat for about two weeks straight. It’s a tricky business– the choosing of a whole album that at times acts as non-intrusive background but at other times provides a break from the work, demanding whole concentration on the song. I have been saving Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s Wolfroy Goes to Town just for this time – and the wait was totally worth it.
Anyone dedicated to Will Oldham’s previous works, whether it be as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Palace Music, Palace Brothers or other more allusive Palace side projects will find solace in Oldham’s newest album. While they’ve been used a hundred times to describe his sound, we must return to words like haunting and minimalist as Oldham has managed to stay true to “his sound” without simply producing a carbon-copy of previous work. Listening to Wolfroy Goes to Town we are reminded of “Ain’t You Wealth, Ain’t You Wise” in “No Match” or “I See A Darkness” in “New Tibet.” Listening to these songs, however, does not make you want to simply retreat into the past and put on Beware or Master and Everyone. Wolroy Goes to Town stands on its own as another work in Oldham’s repertoire, rather than simply the latest installment of interchangeable wintery folk.
The album, rather, is perhaps a caricature of what Oldham knows his audience looks for in his work. It abandons any fullness previously experimented with as it, instead, relies on the more subtle companionship of voice and guitar. The album wants to be listened to on a Maine island cabin in winter without isolation but with enough blankets to feign warmth; there, Wolroy Goes to Town is at home.
An easy album highlight is the shockingly upbeat “Quail and Dumplings.” Maybe it’s the shock factor of a second song on the album with a very noticeable “fuck” in it or maybe we’re just caught off guard by a BPM of more than 49. Regardless, it’s a welcome surprise that surely warrants your eyes to lift from work briefly to gaze and just listen.
While it’s already become my 2011 Finals album, it is sure to endure once the final paper is turned in.
Check out “Cows:”
Anytime Won’t Do, Baby
November 8th, 2011 • Narrative, Uncategorized • No comments
We’ve all been there, or at least I think we have. You know what I mean, waiting patiently in line to get food (because that’s your style) while watching your Commons Crush selfishly pick all of the pineapple out of the fruit salad. Although it’s tempting to take this time to reevaluate why you’ve been crushin’ on ‘Selfish Joe,’ we both know what you’re really doing is suppressing the urge to break out in a love song.
Maybe you don’t have a Commons Crush, or maybe you think breaking out in song isn’t “cool” (although it is), but what I’m really asking is what song would you choose?
I just wrote the latter, and then reread it so now I can pretend I was the one who was asked this question.
Anyway, thanks me, what a great question!
Answer: “Will Do” by TV On the Radio. Nine Types of Light is the name of the album; it is TV On the Radio’s newest album. Will Do by TV on the Radio
If “Will Do” isn’t your cup of tea check these songs out:
1. Valentine by The Moths Valentine
2. This New Year by Big Tree (they came to Bates!) This New Year
3. How Are You by Bombay Bicycle Club How Are You
4. Dearest by The Black Keys Dearest
5. Bear by The Antlers
Want some more beats?
1. Right On by The Roots, Joanna Newsom and S.T.S.
2. Skinny Love (Das Kapital Rerub) by Bon Iver
3. Sun of a Gun by Oh Land
Best (or at least pretty damn awesome) Years in Music
November 4th, 2011 • Commentary • No comments
I was recently asked the “age-old” question, “if you were to go back in time when would you go to?” After remembering how slow rocks change, I ignored my geologist instincts to go back to the Late Paleozoic to see the Appalachian Mountains created and grow large. I decided to base my answer, rather, on what was happening musically during different times. This still proved challenging. Presented here are some of my finalists (focused rather on specific years rather than decades or eras…)
5. 1839: Pablo Casals finished recording the Bach cello suites. Before this, they were used as practice/warm-up pieces for cello. Casals made them stand-alone pieces to play. Where would Master and Commander be without Suite 1: Prelude? More importantly, where would we all be without the entire collection? Well, we’d probably all be right where we are but without some of the best cello pieces accessible.
4. ~1985: Stephen Malkmus, David Berman and Bob Nastanovich met. They all worked at the Whitney together in the late 80s. With others, Malkmus, Berman and Nastanovich, in different combinations, make up Pavement and Silver Jews. If Pavement was never a band, then Built to Spill may not have ever been a band. If Built to Spill was never a band, then maybe the Microphones wouldn’t have been a band (who knows?). And if Silver Jews had never been a band then Silver Jews would never have been a band and that’s bad enough by itself.
3. 1993: I was three and had no idea what was happening. In Seattle, In Utero was released by Nirvana. Seattle’s the best. In Omaha, Saddle Creek Records was started.While Conor Oberst has a pretty bad rep, his record label produced bands such as Cursive, The Good Life, Rilo Kiley and now is home to Rural Alberta Advantage, Big Harp, Maria Taylor and some other stars. Omaha is not the best but has created some pretty awesome music.
2. 1981: The Clash play their historic show at Bond’s. Welcome to America, boys.
1. 1983: The Smiths.
In summary, if I were to go back in time I would go back to about 1980 and stay there until about 1995. Sounds fun!
Review: Tori Amos, Night of Hunters
October 3rd, 2011 • Album Review • No comments
Night of Hunters is the twelfth solo studio album released by singer-songwriter Tori Amos, a classically trained pianist who has never shied away from the weird, elaborate, or less conventionally popular. To wit, Amos broke away from musicians with whom she had worked in the studio or on tour for more than a decade. She chose to enlist lesser-known talent on Hunters, including her daughter, Natashya Hawley; her niece, Kelsey Dobyns; and principal clarinetist with the Berlin Philharmonic, Andreas Ottensamer. The result is a strong album that begs to resonate from your speakers. Turn up the volume: Tori is back.
Amos has released several concept albums since her 1992 solo debut, Little Earthquakes. Hunters is no different. Inspired by classical music made famous by greats like Bach, Chopin, and Debussy, the album follows the journey of a woman dealing with the end of a relationship in which she has lost herself for the sake of her lover’s happiness. The musical themes and detailed story behind the album, which includes the appearance of a mythological creature who guides the woman’s journey through figurative and literal light and dark, reminds one of an operatic heroine.
Hunters is Amos’ first release on German classical music label, Deutsche Grammophon. “Edge of the Moon” and “Job’s Coffin” are especially stunning. The latter is one of several songs that features Amos’ daughter, who was also featured on 2009′s Midwinter Graces. In “Coffin,” Amos can be heard singing, “Since time why do we women / give ourselves away / we give ourselves away / thinking somehow that will make him / want to stay / make him stay,” leading the listener to think, perhaps, of an opera’s mournful melody that plays before the heroine’s all-too-early and tragic demise.
Though Hunters isn’t rife with “deep weirdness” – that is, the oft-odd lyrics and atypical instrumentation that drove earlier albums like 1996′s Boys for Pele – the album is solid in its delivery and hearkens back to the inspired storytelling and earnest instrumentals that brought Amos her worldwide following. Learn more about Tori Amos and the tour supporting Night of Hunters at http://www.toriamos.com/.
Richard of artroommelody.com
SHAKEY GRAVES!
September 21st, 2011 • Uncategorized • No comments
I have a challenge for you. Google “Shakey Graves” and see what you can find. Basically nothing right? You can google my own high school band and get more results. The most valid thing is the bandcamp (WHICH YOU SHOULD GO TO NOW AND DOWNLOAD THIS ALBUM) but seriously…everyone has bandcamps. I had been listening to him for a few months when I met a guy in Austin who, when he saw that I had him in my library, got excited saying that “Shakey” was a childhood friend of his. So, despite his absence on the internet I have confirmation that the guy does exist and the music isn’t just coming from the gods.
Get this now and SERIOUSLY pay for it. I know it’s name your own price but throw a few bucks to the guy. I think he might have a studio recording coming out around Christmas this year (“but hey who really knows?”).
http://shakeygraves.bandcamp.com/album/roll-the-bones
Fall Concerts
September 21st, 2011 • Concert Calendar • No comments
So many really exciting things are happening in Maine this fall.
Although not chronologically first, the MOST exciting thing is that PIXIES are coming to Portland. No Joke. It’s sold out. Also no joke. BUT it’s Nov 2 and I bet we can all scrounge tickets by then, yeah? Work in progress. See you all there.
But really — more cool stuff is happening. Check it all out at hilly town:
http://hillytown.com/showlist/
Some highlights –
Mount Eerie this Saturday a Oak and the Axe
Astronautalis/Lady Lamb the Beekeeper at SPACE
Drive by Truckers at State Theater
Gillian Welch at State Theater
OH AND DID I MENTION THAT PIXIES ARE COMING?
Concert Review: AudioDax at the Vogue
September 14th, 2011 • Concert Review • No comments
AudioDax is a two man Electronic Hip Hop band comprised of Thomas Balcom (Temble) and Matt Rivera (Krypton Flo). They met in College and their musical bromance began. Thomas and Matt make up a perfectly seasoned odd couple. Temble and Krypton Flo pass their songs back and forth; Temble crooning out smooth vocals among Krypton Flo’s clever lines. The resulting sound is fresh and catchy and party inducing.
They played at the Vogue in Indianapolis, IN on August 12th a grungy concert hall with some history. It opened in the 1930′s and acted as a cinema and adult movie theater before slipping into its role as a dance club and concert hall in the late 70′s. AudioDax performed first, opening up to cheers from a rowdy fan base. They performed mostly from Pop Rocks their 2nd mixtape but peppered their concert with older songs as well, but are free to download or stream online. My favorite tracks being “One Night” and “September.”
Charming their mostly younger crowd the shows vibe was energetic, upbeat and dance-friendly respective to the music itself. It was a solid turn out, fans filling-up the Vogue’s open dance floor. The band experienced some mic trouble, a few songs cutting in and out, but they recovered effectively. The duo performed for just under an hour before handing the stage over to Nappy Roots, the night’s following act.
AudioDax states their goal as crafting music for “good feelings and even better times.” A mission I feel is well accomplished. AudioDax’s tracks are fun, the music is bouncy and really fresh. Currently, the pop/hip hop drift towards electronica in popular music is obvious, giving AudioDax current relevance. Their timely mix of an emcee and singer should also help to carve out a unique place in the industry.
AudioDax’s vibe is impossibly upbeat. I think it’s part youth, part passion and a lot of talent that gives them the crisp edge. I also appreciate how they’ve played with their genre. It’s not that their songs are without roughness or some of the general themes common to pop and hip hop music–you’ve got the expected partying, sex, drinking and drugs—but these guys don’t lean on it. Additionally, the sweet flavor of their songs makes each track seem somewhat innocent and light, creating an approachable summer party sound. With their talent, enthusiasm and creativity I find AudioDax quickly painting themselves as the good guys of hip hop and look forward to the evolution of such a young group.
Richard is from the Hoosier state so all styles of music appeals to him. He also has a website called artroommelody.com where he writes about art in every form.