Current Playlist: Talk About a Revival

Lately I've been profoundly unsatisfied with popular music.  I keep hearing all this buzz around certain songs and then I go and listen to them, and time and again, I. Don't. Get. It.  So, instead, my playlist has been filled will all sorts of oldies, but goodies lately:

1. "Jolene" by Dolly Parton
2. "Rave On" by Buddy Holly
3. "Zombie" by The Cranberries
4. "A Little Respect" by Erasure
5. "Beds are Burning" by Midnight Oil
6. "Opportunities" by Pet Shop Boys
7. "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac (which is always on my playlist)
8. "Jeepster" by Marc Bolan & T. Rex
9. "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
10. "Pictures of You" by The Cure

Anyone have any other good New Wave or 90's revival suggestions?  I've been totally in the zone with it lately!

My New Workout Playlist

I just got a gym membership.  I used to be a complete gym rat, but sometime since my move to New York, that has totally taken a backseat to everything else in life.  And that totally shows whenever I try to get up in the morning and make it to the gym.  So I've decided to make a killer new playlist to help get me moving in the morning, thought I'd share part of it here:

• "Army of Me"- Bjork
• "Baptism"- Crystal Castles
• "Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued"- Fall Out Boy
• "Telephone"- Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce
• "The Dope Show"- Marilyn Manson
• "Perfect Drug"- Nine Inch Nails
• "U + Ur Hand" - Pink
• "Sleep Now In the Fire"- Rage Against the Machine
• "Le Disko"- Shiny Toy Guns
• "Seven Nation Army"- The White Stripes
• "Baba O'Reilly"- The Who

So what gets you motivated at the gym?

The Soundtrack of My Life: Edition 1

Lately, I've been going through a rather obsessive compulsive music phase.  Now, I am not an obsessive personality.  I can quit nearly anything if I put my mind to it, and can change habits quickly.  However, with my music, I like what I like, and lately, it's been a lot of the same things.

So, in light of my recent personal situation, and in light of being a 23 year old in New York City, here are a list of the 10 songs that I cannot get enough of right now in my life.

10. "Purple Rain," by Prince.  Duh.

9. "Falling Down" by Scarlett Johansson.  Yes, her album was not spectacular, but every time I hear this song come over my headphones when I'm walking through the city or in the subway, I am instantly calm and nostalgic for another life.

8. "Over It" by The Dandy Warhols.  One of my favorite bands, this song is my go to I don't give a damn anthem.  If only I meant it half the time...

7. "1901" by Phoenix.  Except I feel so super uncool liking this song now that it's in a car commercial.

6. "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac.  I've been harboring a deep love of Fleetwood Mac since college (I know, I was a little late), and this song always reminds me of my friend Mark.

5.  "The Recluse" by Cursive.  A friend of mine once told me, in a reference to film noir, that I might be a black widow.  Apparently, that means that I may have the ability to get people caught in my web before I gobble them up.  I'm not sure if this is a compliment or not, but with a line like "you're in my web now, I've come to wrap you up tight, til it's time to bite down," this is one of those songs that takes me back to that memory.

4. "Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z.  Yes, it's cheesy, and it doesn't really mean a whole lot, but there is no better song to listen to when I'm walking down the bustling streets of this amazing city.

3. "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin.  Last week, at Harlow's Hideaway, I watch a great burlesque performer do a comedic piece to this song.  I've been listening to it non-stop ever since.  But that's what I love about Janis Joplin, you can forget about her for years, but the minute you need her, she's there.

2. "Nightingale/December Song" by Sunset Rubdown.  "You are a vast explosion and I am the embers." Uhhh, yeah, I feel that way a lot.

1.  "West Coast," by Coconut Records.  I can remember the first time I ever heard this song and the completely visceral moment I had with my friend Josh.  We looked at each other and instantly knew that we would both love this song forever.  I still get that feeling every time I hear the opening bars.

This list seems kind of weak to be perfectly honest, maybe I'll have to keep working on it.  I hope edition 2 isn't quite this pathetic...

New York Band to See: Schaffer the Darklord

The first Monday of every month, there is a burlesque/variety show in the basement of Fontana's that I cannot wait to attend.  Comedians, musicians, and naked chicks, oh my!

And why do I want to attend?  People like Schaffer the Darklord (STD).  Yes, upon hearing the name I was expecting long hair, all black, basically Andrew from "Kell on Earth," what I got was so much better.  Part Mike Skinner, part Screech Powers, Schaffer the Darklord is officially my new crush.

Being post-Easter, STD performed "Night of the Living Christ," officially winning my heart with his tale of a zombie christ and his followers.  Quick as lightening, and as entertaining as hell, STD is the real deal of the nerdcore hip-hop scene.  Having had the opportunity to chat with STD in the bathroom line post-show, he is a genuine and down-to-earth artist.

I've since requested that my friends make sure he appears at my birthday party, and if that doesn't work out, then I definitely intend to catch his next show in New York.

For tour dates, music, and more info, check out his myspace here:  http://www.myspace.com/schafferthedarklord

On My Playlist: Casey Shea

Lately, I've been obsessively playing Casey Shea's album, In Search of Seas.  An album I downloaded for free (not stealing, promotion via website), has now become a mainstay of my music delight.

This American singer/songwriter who is a huge presence in the live music scene here in New York, sounds like Matthew Perryman Jones, Paolo Nutini, and The Beatles got thrown into a blender and out came a Casey Shea smoothie.  Or in otherwords, he sounds exactly like the type of music you would hear on an episode of One Tree Hill.

Songs like "Elephant," "Wave of Walls," and "Good Man," give the album a mellow vibe, perfect for when I'm trying to get some writing done.  But Shea rounds out the album with "Pretty Good Shape," and "Oh Nancy!" which just make you want to get up and dance.

With a consistent billing at the Rockwood Music Hall in the next couple months, I cannot wait to get an opportunity to check him out live.  Might you join me?

For More Info on tour dates, his blog, or to download some of his songs for FREE, check out his website here:

http://caseysheamusic.com

Best Album Ever (Right Now): Sunset Rubdown's Dragonslayer

I don't know why I try to write music reviews.  I can't ever describe the genre of a band (outside of iTunes generic alternative, hip-hop, etc., labels), I'm completely misinformed about what is going on in mainstream music, and in the grand scheme of things, my music knowledge is miniscule.

But I know what I like, so I'll write about that.

As I've mentioned before, I'm obsessed with Spencer Krug, and more importantly, his band Sunset Rubdown.  I've been listening to them for years, have seen them in concert a handful of times, and have introduced nearly all of my friends* to them.  But for some reason, I did not have the album, Dragonslayer, until a couple months ago.  I know, what kind of fan am I?

I heard it at my favorite bar (The Black Rabbit) where my favorite bartender (Kent) was playing it, and I knew all the words, but knew I didn't have it.  So I went home and downloaded it, legally.  I'm sure my roommate and friends would attest to this, but it has not left my speakers since that day.

Lately, it's been my album I listen to when I'm cooking, when I'm writing (it may or may not be on right now), when I'm walking, and when I'm drinking.  By far their best album yet, Dragonslayer, still embodies the experimental sounds that Spencer Krug is known for.  Combine those with amazing beautiful and touching lyrics, and the instrumental technique, and the album becomes highly addictive.

There is not a single track I do not like.  Since downloading this album, I have begun checking the Sunset Rubdown website obsessively, waiting until they announce new concert dates.

In fact, I'm not sure I can even relate to anyone who hasn't listened to this album (there goes my Gemini over exaggeration), but in all seriousness, go, go get this album, spend the $7 or whatever it was on iTunes, and keep it on repeat until you know all the words.

I promise you won't be disappointed.

*All the worthy friends

Currently Idolizing: Janelle Monae

I generally refuse to idolize anyone.  I feel like most of the celebrities in our modern culture are kinda vapid and boring (and addictive), and the other half are sort of flash in the pan and then they do something stupid and I give up all hope.  With Janelle Monae, that is not the case.

I first heard about Janelle Monae sometime last year after P. Diddy made some comment along the lines of "Janelle Monae is the most important artist of the decade" (I could be making this up, but I thought I read that at the time).  Well, if P. Diddy thinks she's super important, I have to listen to her and disagree.

Only, I didn't disagree.

Janelle Monae is awesome.  She started out working with Big Boi, is classically trained in musical theater, has opened for No Doubt, and is signed to Bad Boy Records.  And you thought that was impressive? How about the fact that she has probably the coolest conceptual album since The Grey Album.  Monae's concept album is divided into four parts (or suites) and it is based on Blade Runner and Fritz Lang's Metropolis.  Yeah...I'm gonna let that sink in.

Now pick your jaw up off the floor, and continue reading.

Her music is danceable, fun, and completely addictive.  I've had the first suite, Metropolis: The Chase Suite on my iPod for about a year, and although I've listened to it a million times, I listen to it every morning to get me pumped for work.  The second suite is dropping on May 18, entitled The ArchAndroid.  Her first two singles from the album are available for purchase, or to just check out on her website.

If you haven't check her out yet, I suggest you go do so immediately.  It's not every day a girl from Kansas City makes an album based on two of the greatest and most influential science fiction films ever.

Artistic Love of my Life: Spencer Krug

Okay, so I have been mulling over this posting for months, but have never really had the guts to write it. I am a very well-known love for singer/songwriter Spencer Krug. I'm not talking a crazy stalker love, or obsession, but more of an extreme musical appreciation, that can be overwhelming at times.

Krug is the lead singer for Canadian experiemental rock band, Sunset Rubdown. I discovered Sunset Rubdown while in university in Victoria, BC, and have had a long standing love affair ever since. My concert experiences are so:

1) I missed my mothers birthday party in Montana to attend their show in Victoria, BC, unfortunately I was unable to attend the show anyway.
2) The first show I saw was at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, two days after I had moved to New York. At the time I knew nobody, went by myself, and took the subway home to 207th street, alone, at 4 AM. This was also the night that Spencer Krug walked into the empty bar I was sitting in and I was too big of a pussy to say anything.
3) Going to a second show in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, by myself, while my parents were visiting from Montana. <--this was like two weeks ago.

And now I'm contemplating a third show in September, in Ireland. I have the travel bug and I figure what's the harm it coinciding a trip with a show of my favorite band?

For those of you that haven't had the opportunity to listen to Sunset Rubdown, then I suggest you go out and do so, right now. If possible, try to experience it on vinyl, because the Random Spirit Lover album doesn't compare electronically to the vinyl version. The lyrics are pure poetry, the format is unconventional, and the systematic layering and changing of sounds is arguably unprecedented in modern indie rock.

If Sunset Rubdown isn't your thing (not sure how I feel about you), then listen to Krug's other band, Wolf Parade. A little less experiemental, just as amazing. And rumor has it that Wolf Parade will be back in the studio in October 2009 recording a new album.

This post doesn't do Krug or either band justice. This is probably why I've hesistated to write it for so very long, I cannot find the words to describe the ebullience that comes over me when I listen to Sunset Rubdown. I swear, if they ever get mainstream, I'm not sure what I'll do :)

Current Playlist: Paolo Nutini

Whenever I discover a new band or artist, I become quickly obsessed and very possessive. While I know that most of my obsessions are well-known in many other musical circles, in my social circle, I am usually the deliverer of musical gospel.

A few nights ago I was flipping through four hundred channels of completely useless reality tv, b-rate movies, and overrated cop/law drama. I stumbled upon an old recording of the Glastonbury festival. Immediately, the catchy guitar riffs, danceable beats, and the oh-so-adorable indie boy on stage, I was hooked. So began my love of Paolo Nutini. Shortly afterward I checked concert listings, wikipedia, and his own site for information on him.

I've been slow on sharing this discovery, I have a few friends I know would love him. But I fear having too many friends share my musical interests. Perhaps it's my iconoclast nature, or maybe I'm just being a bit selfish, but am I alone in this? Does anyone else covet music/film/books for fear that if they become too popular they will soon get tossed to the wayside like so many other overnight sensations?

For more information on Paolo Nutini, check out: http://www.paolonutini.com/