Schwartzman Back at Ya.....

Remember Jason Schwartzman? You know, the former drummer for Phantom Planet....the dude that was in a couple of decent flicks. (by decent, I actually mean quite decent.....Rushmore and I Heart Huckabees were fantastic).

This dude.

Well, he's back with another band. This time its called Coconut Records....and its composed of him and him only. He writes and plays everything, and sings most everything (Kirsten Dunst actually drops in for some background vocals). He just put out an album, Nighttiming, and its currently available on eMusic. So.....if you likes, you should go gets.

Its quite a diverse pop album, but pop in just about every since of the word. Phantom Planet was pretty poppy as well, but in a good way. I actually liked that "California" song before The O.C. killed it. This album has a very Ben Kweller sound to it.....which isn't a bad thing. It was produced by Michael Einziger (he of the Incubus lead guitar fame), another musician which I've always kinda appreciated. A few of the songs seem straight out of the "Writing Beatles Songs for Dummies" handbook. But, for whatever reason, i don't particularly mind that either. Its not like their cranking out a new record anytime soon. So, if you liked Phantom Planet, or even Ben Kweller.....check out this shizz. Then go watch Darjeeling Limited....which should be coming out soon. Should be a witty good time.

Coconut Records - West Coast
Coconut Records - Ask Her to Dance

RR

Free Wilco Stuff.....

Well, "free" if you've already purchased the Sky Blue Sky album. Apparently, Wilco are releasing a European Tour edition of the Sky Blue Sky album, which contains a five song bonus disc.

Cool part, though, is if you've already purchased the album, you don't need to buy it again to get the five songs. You can download the tracks for free.

All you do (according to the email I received) is insert your Sky Blue Sky CD into your computer, connect to the internet, launch the EXTRAS.MOV section of the special features and follow the directions on screen.

The files come as a 1.30 MB ZIP file.

The tracks are as follows:

1. The Thanks I Get
2. Let's Not Get Carried Away
3. One True Vine
4. Impossible Germany (Live in Denver Sept. '07)
5. Hate it Here (Live in Denver Sept. '07)

Doesn't make much sense to me that the European Tour edition would have two live tracks from a Denver show, but whatever....

I don't have my Wilco CD with me at work today, so I won't be able to download the songs until later this evening, but if you get to them before me, let me know what you think.

I haven't heard any of the first three.

RR

Catching on Waaaaaayyyyyyy Too Late

One of the best albums I've purchased this year is The Hold Steady's Boys and Girls in America. Unfortunately it finds itself ineligible for any Top Ten albums status because it actually came out last year. But I didn't buy it until some point this year. Well, i've loved it and would consider it one of my favorite albums.....EVER. (GASPS are heard in the background....)

This being the case, i just downloaded their previous album, Separation Sunday, which came out way the heck back in 2005. Better late than never, I suppose. Well.....go figure....i love this one, too!! Its another great album. I love their lead singer Crain Finn's clever lyricism and delivery. He sings a lot about growing up in the Minneapolis suburbs, drugs, drinking, going to parties, drugs, and drugs....all while using some very unexpected Christian undertones. Its unlike anything else I've ever heard. Its not a Hold Steady song unless it includes one lyric that makes you think, "Damn, I wish I would've thought of that." The winner from the Boys and Girls album comes from the song Citrus....."lost in fog and love and faithless fear,
I've had kisses that make Judas seem sincere." That's one I wish I had in my back catalog (it would increase the number of clever lyrics I've come up with to an astounding total of 1). I haven't heard much by the way of new albums coming out, but I can guarantee this will be a "buy on the release date" CD.

Anyways....Separation Sunday......here's two tracks that I think are good representatives of the rest of the albums.

The Hold Steady - Cattle and the Creeping Things (good example of the unexpected Christian references)
The Hold Steady - Multitude of Casualties

Love the lyric in this one, "At least in dying you don't have to deal with new wave for a second time." HA! That's great. Suck it, New Order.

You can purchase all their albums for a very reasonable $10 at their website here. Very very worth it.

PS Okkervil River's got some stuff up on Daytrotter's website now....check it out if you get a chance.

Questionable Content

Here's an interesting comic courtesy of my brother. I thought ya'll might enjoy it, though I sure hope Tweedy doesn't end up in a gutter and Sam Beam doesn't break up with his beard. That would suck. See how it ends here.

Thanks for the tip Ian.

AG

Sick MIX

DJ Sab and DJ Sosza think this stuff is sick.

Being a little under the weather on this here Saturday night, I reckoned there'd be no better time than now to make a new, SICK mix. Considering my physical state, along with the chilly November evening, this stuff ends up being pretty mellow. Nonetheless, this stuff is SICK, yo!

The Magnolia Electric Co -- Memphis Moon
The New Pornographers -- Failsafe
Elliott Smith -- Rose Parade
Interpol -- Evil
The Stratford 4 -- Autopilot
Modest Mouse -- Medication
Built to Spill -- Else
Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew -- F--ked Up Kid
Yo La Tengo -- The Lie And How We Told It
Big Star -- Thirteen
The Silver Jews -- Friday Night Fever
The Broken West -- Shiftee
Andrew Bird -- Yawny at the Apocalypse

Hope you enjoy.

One more thing. I wouldn't be a dick if I didn't point out to my fellow bloggers....

Kentucky 27, Vanderbilt 20

YaHoo!

BK

Music of 2007

Magnolia Electric Co

Well, after giving it a good think and a scotch or two, I discovered that I have listened to a few new albums this year, and perhaps I should share them with you. I've listened to this new Radiohead album, which I can't say I disliked. The electronic jazz I can really get in to. The other stuff...well, maybe not. Of course, I've mentioned JJ Cale and Eddie Vedder's stuff already - you know I dig it.

How bout this Broken Social Scene alum, Jason Collett? He's got a couple albums out and a new one in 2007 called Here's to Being Here. You can go to his site and download two mp3 from the album. They've got a BSS-ish sound that I can say I'm digging on.

Then there's Magnolia Electric Co, with Jason Molina frontman that's seems to have been around in the past few years. I've been considering picking up an album (and will do so in good time), but happened across the wealth of live shows downloadable on his website. Pick one and try it out. I recently bought "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" by Neil Young (a classic for sure - damn fine Cowgirl In the Sand) and Magnolia Electric Co seems to transition well from that. If you enjoy Neil, you'll enjoy this.

AG

And the first Top 10 of the year goes to....

Stylus Magazine, who apparently decided that November 1st was an opportune time to kick 2007 out of here, released the first Top 10 that I've come across. You can see their Top 50 here, but here is their Top 10, an eclectic list if I do say so myself.

10. Radiohead -- In Rainbows
9. The Field -- From Here We Go Sublime
8. MIA -- Kala
7. Spoon -- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
6. Kanye West -- Graduation
5. The National -- Boxer
4. Lil Wayne -- Da Drought 3
3. Panda Bear -- Person Pitch
2. Miranda Lambert -- Crazy-Ex Girlfriend
1. LCD Soundsystem -- Sound of Silver

There ya go - a list that spans genres from indie rock to techno-pop to R&B to country. I can say with certainty that Spoon and The National will be in my Top 10 but they are still wrestling with a few other albums for the top spots. I need more time with the Radiohead and I've heard good things about LCD Soundsystem, so I reckon its time to give it a listen. Can anyone persuade me to give these others a thorough listen?

BK

Patience rewarded....

Neko Case, and, oh yeah, The New Pornographers

Ah ha, me 1, impatience 0. If you've spent any time with me at all, then you know that I am quite impatient, in particular to music. I also suffer from music ADD. This is relevant because just today, Emusic picked up The New Pornographers' latest record, Challengers. Released in August, I have held out 1) Because I am patient, 2) I knew Emusic would get it eventually and 3) I was enthralled with other stuff. I just picked up the album and am spinning it for the second time. I had heard My Rights Versus Yours and enjoyed it, so here it is for your satisfaction. The second song I'll post is called Adventures In Solitude, something quite apt considering I just finished Into The Wild.

The New Pornographers -- My Rights Versus Yours
The New Pornographers -- Adventures In Solitude
[buy NP here]

I'll hold off on a review as of now because 1) It's too early to have digested, 2) I suck at reviews and 3) Twin Cinema was a great album and will be tough to top.

These damn supergroups from Canada keep churning out indie/pop rock music that I can stomach. Damn them......

BK

More Daytrotter Goodness....

ME: Uhm, Wayne? What do you do if every time you see this one incredible website, you think you're going to hurl?

WAYNE: I say hurl. If you blow chunks and she comes back, she's yours. But if you spew and she bolts, then it was never meant to be.



This is the way I feel everytime I go to the Daytrotter website. Daytrotter is my Garth's Dreamwoman. Well, now they are back with more goodness. This time its Andrew Bird playing with a band called Dianogah. I'll put two songs below, but remember there's always four, so go to the website and get the other two. They're always great. Actually, if you haven't signed up for the Daytrotter email list, you should do so. I didn't realize they had one until like 5 minutes ago, so I'm hoping they'll send me some regular updates on upcoming bands, etc. I think you'll like the two I've posted here, especially the version of Fiery Crash. Its one of my favorite off the last album.

Now, I'm relatively new to the Andrew Bird scene. So, for those a little more well-versed in Andrew Bird-dom what album to you recommend I check out next. I know he's got a couple. I love Armchair Apocrypha, like possibly Top Ten of 2007 love. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

Anyhoo, here's the trackolas:

Andrew Bird (Daytrotter Session) - Fiery Crash
Andrew Bird (Daytrotter Session) - Plasticities

RR

Just a reminder...

Wilco. Austin City Limits. Premiers tonight. Check local listings here. It'll be worth it just to see Nels rip through the You Are My Face solo. Bitchin'!

BK