I found another ripoff!

Check out 'Sleep' by The Dandy Warhols (recorded in 2000). Now go check out 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' by Green Day (recorded in 2004). Now tell me Green Day didn't make millions off of someone else's song.

Hovaplay (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Mash-Up)

Thank you East of LA! But also, thank you Mick Boogie and Terry Urban!

While sometimes the result of speeding up a Coldplay track to fit Jay-Z's faster bmp rapping leads to mildly annoying vocals from Chris Martin (his voice sounds sort of high...), overall the beats that are on this mix tape are....fucking....good.

Haven't seen a Jay-Z mashup this good since DJ Noodles introduced Jigga to Cobaine.

The Clash - Live At Shea Stadium

The Clash's famous bootleg concert was just officially released over the last week, and I couldn't be happier. The energy of Joe Strummer and the rest of the band tickles your brain stem in a way that would probably be inappropriate in any other social scenario, but it makes everything sound awesome.

This is as close as I'll ever get to experiencing this band live, so I'm never opening my eyes when I listen to it. There's some pretty obvious bias here on my part, but there's a reason why this band was so influencial.

And Every Night Finds Us Rocking And Rolling On Waves Wild And Wide

Lost Coastlines

This is a video of A.C. Newman, frontman of the New Pornographers, and Will Sheff, of Okkervil River, singing "Lost Coastlines," off Okkervil River's new album, The Stand-Ins. I went to see an Okkervil River concert with my brother on Sunday, so I thought it was appropriate.

Their performance was really amazing. The star of the show is certainly frontman Will Sheff - while he may not be the most technically proficient singer, he is incredibly emotive and engaging. It is clear that the rest of the band is a supporting cast, but a capable one. I was especially impressed by the lead guitarist, and I'm not just saying this because I'm usually attracted to female musicians. She plays subtle and beautiful parts that add to the songs not just melodically, but rhythmically as well. It supports my theory that, while technically talented musicians may not make a band great, in the hands of a great songwriter, they can certainly make it better (see also: Nels Cline of Wilco).

I also recommend the new album. My favourite song is "Lost Coastlines," which features a cool bass line and castanets. Altogether, the album is solid, but probably not as good as 2005's Black Sheep Boy, which I think is a truly great album. "Black," for me, is one of the most powerful compositions ever.

Temper Trap

This video is the video for Temper Trap's song "Sweet Disposition".
It has a real sparkly look to it with a very pure and Haunting sound. They're like Bloc Party but without all that suck.

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Music Video) from Moop Jaw on Vimeo.

Post disappearing?

Maybe it's because I'm putting up too many free .mp3s, but my last post was deleted. If you *really* want to hear the MF Doom mix of 'A Milli', and a track from Titus Andronicus, you can still find them if you're my friend on Facebook because it imports these blog posts onto my profile as Notes.

Anyway, more to come later this week when I tell you about Flying Lotus.

Feelin' Fine Friday Fmixtape

I think we can all agree that hangovers aren't fun. Lord knows I don't exactly get the same thrill out of the morning after as I do, say, covering myself in Diane's marinade and jumping into a pit of hungry piranhas.

So! Let's do something different this week. Since I really really can't understand what people see in TV On The Radio, and everyone else has already done the new Kings of Leon to death, I'm going to throw out a small mixtape of indie rock that will hopefully get your toes tapping and provide a smile while you guzzle ibuprofen tablets.

1. Maritime - Parade of Punk Rock T-Shirts

2. Said the Whale - This City's A Mess

3. Cinderpop - Bumblebee

4. Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Black Dominoes Remix)

5. Two Hours Traffic - Stuck for the Summer







*Disclaimer* I do not encourage the illegal distribution of music. I post these in the hopes that people will enjoy the track enough to purchase the full album. If anyone has a problem with these, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention and I will remove the links immediately.

Cold Coffee Doesn't Taste Good

New Justice? Whatt??

Also, a sick new mix tape just came out from Mike Waxx & illRoots that takes MF Doom lyrics and beats and mixes them with contemporary hip hop artists. Any time someone raps over motown, it makes me smile. There's yet another Paper Planes mix on there, but I think this is one of the few ones I actually like.

Justice - Planisphere (Part Three) (Thanks to FYOF for this one.)

J.Rocwell & Sugar Tongue Slim - Mandrake

MF Doom - Paper Planes





*Disclaimer* I do not encourage the illegal distribution of music. I post these in the hopes that people will enjoy the track enough to purchase the full album. If anyone has a problem with these, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention and I will remove the links immediately.

Much, Much Longer

You keep looking for it, find it,
then you move on to the next;
if they try to take it from you,
then you'll break their goddamn necks.
Keep waiting for an answer,
but the truth's eluding you;
it's alluding to the problem
that you don't know what to do.

So the moment keeps you waiting,
much, much longer than it should,
and you wait - for much too, much too long.

Attempt to train your focus,
on the new life that you've found,
but demons haunt your past that
can't be shed by changing towns.
The future haunts you always,
a bright white beacon in your mind.
You mutter to yourself,
"I have the now and that is mine."

So the moment keeps you waiting,
much, much longer than it should,
and you wait - for much too, much too long.

Optimism finds you,
but it fucks you in the end.
See, you got your hopes up,
now you lost your only friend.
You held it for a moment,
so close that you could touch;
you ask for only what was promised,
but it's much too, much too, much.

You only held it in your hand
so you could feel it crush,
and you wait - for much too, much too long.

Intimacy and the Power of Three

Before today's post, a brief aside.

Technically, this still falls within the "post-a-week" paramaters because my last one was on the 11th, so since this is the next Saturday, I'm safe from all you critics and disbelievers.

As always, tracks are at the bottom of this post, in case you don't feel like reading and would rather get to the good stuff.

Now, on with the post!

So our boys from across the pond, Bloc Party, released their third album today: "Intimacy". Having listened to it while I was at work, I can't say I was paying very close attention it, but I feel that I got the jist of it enough to give a semi-decent review.

The album starts off with Ares, immediately setting the tone of the album. We are reminded very much of raw, gritty sound of "Silent Alarm" from the guitar, which also seemed to allude to The Chemical Brothers somehow (or maybe I'm just listening to them too much lately). However, it is a tone that seems to be somewhat of a new direction of the band, employing many electronic techniques. In fact, there was a time that I had to re-check the song on my iPod just to make sure that I wasn't listening to a remix.

A similar style is found on the next track, Mercury, and is heard immediately on the track when Okereke's voice is split. This is the single, so I'm sure you've all heard it before. If not, see below.

On Bico, I was reminded a lot of Waiting For the 7.18 from "A Weekend in the City". So much, that I had to re-check the song on my iPod just to make sure that I....well, you get it. Certainly a departure from the rest of the album.

Better Than Heaven is a great song that pops out in my recollection, and I remember when I listened to it, I loved the way the guitar gave much of what was expected from Ares: grit and roughness. It was like the aural equivalent of my face after a day without shaving. But in a good way. (Ed: that was retarded). I don't know, it was just really upbeat and seemed more in-your-face than the previous tracks on the record.

I've heard complaints that some fans of older Bloc Party don't like this newer stuff because of the new, more electronic sound is so different. I find it interesting that this is being brought up now, being the third album and whatnot. I find with a lot of bands, their sound as a band becomes recognizably-unique and apart from other bands in their genre. "Oh, it's totally The Flaming Lips!", rather than "Are you sure Nickelback and Three Doors Down aren't the same?" I mean, think about it: "Led Zeppelin III", "OK! Computer", "Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. 1: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness", the list goes on. All third albums, all albums that definied what made Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, and Coheed & Cambria the bands they are today (Ed: I mean the music. I am aware that John Bonham is dead).

Could "Intimacy" be Bloc Party's definitive record? If so, the old fans might stop listening, but they'd be missing out. Bloc Party has proved with this record that they can still innovate on an already unique take on post-punk indie music, and a force to be reckoned with.

Hate it or love it, it's worth a listen at least.

Bloc Party - Better Than Heaven

Bloc Party - Mercury





*Disclaimer* I do not encourage the illegal distribution of music. I post these in the hopes that people will enjoy the track enough to purchase the full album. If anyone has a problem with these, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention and I will remove the links immediately.

Should Be Studying...

...but I'm not.

Woodhands - Can't See Straight

Takka Takka - Everybody Say

Four Tet - Ringer





*Disclaimer* I do not encourage the illegal distribution of music. I post these in the hopes that people will enjoy the track enough to purchase the full album. If anyone has a problem with these, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention and I will remove the links immediately.

PineappLoL Express

I know this is my second post this week, which is twice as much as I had planned on, but I wanted to just throw this out there before I forgot about it.

I saw Pineapple Express last night with Seth Rogen and James Franco....hilarious. I especially liked the part when Rogen's character was explaining to his girlfriend about his worries about her developing new tastes in music when she goes away to college. Specifically, she'll "start getting into Godspeed You! Black Emperor and The Shins". These of course are two bands that I got into when I went to school. Rogen is a genius. If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out.





*Disclaimer* I do not encourage the illegal distribution of music. I post these in the hopes that people will enjoy the track enough to purchase the full album. If anyone has a problem with these, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention and I will remove the links immediately.

Art For Art's Sake

I've been thinking a lot about the ethics of downloading music, and, frankly, I don't understand what the debate is about. Artists create so that their art can be shared with the world, so shouldn't musicians be grateful that I want to listen to their music?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Communist; I have nothing against people making money. The record companies saw a need and built a business to fulfill it. That's how Capitalism works, the Free Market in action. People wanted good music, and needed people to select, produce, and distribute it, and record companies provided this service at a fair cost.

However, with the advent and subsequent popularization of the internet, this service is no longer necessary. Musicians can promote themselves, and distribute their music online for free. Music fans have access to a virtually unlimited supply of new music everyday. Record companies are now providing, at a cost, what you can otherwise get for free. This is stupid. Almost as stupid as selling water, but people still pay $3 a bottle.

That's the thing. Record companies and musicians still make money. For whatever reason, be it out of convenience, or sheer charity, people continue to pay for music. It's a wonderful thing to be paid to do something you love. I myself do work that I would continue to do regardless of pay. And, although I've never made a dime off it, I continue to produce and create music. Music will not cease to exist just because selling records is no longer a viable business. Any musician who protests free distribution of their music doesn't deserve to make money.

The whole music industry monopoly stems from our society's worship of expertise. Whether it's singing on American Idol, dancing on So You Think You Can Dance, or even standing-and-looking-pretty on America's Next Top Model, people only want to see the best. They begin to believe that they shouldn't partake in something solely because they aren't an expert. I constantly hear people say, "Oh no, I can't sing." How ridiculous is that? That's like saying "Oh no, I can't laugh." The world is filled with beautiful things, and people should appreciate them for what they are, rather than trying to squeeze out every last penny.

Would you give up sex just because you're not an expert at it? "No thanks," she said, in response to my advances, "I'm not very good at sex. But I never miss an episode of So You Think You Can Fuck."

Back from Hiatus; Conor Oberst and The Black Ghosts

Yes, it's been forever since any one of us has blogged here. I don't know why. Summer fun I suppose. I have since decided, however, that it is time to break the silence and share my thoughts on a couple of new albums that have been released recently.

First, the much anticipated self-titled solo album from Conor Oberst releases tomorrow. Even though it's not cool to like Bright Eyes any more, a lot of people still appreciate his work, so I have a feeling this album is going to do quite well. I was lucky enough to snag a copy a few days early and have gave it a few listens, and I've decided I like it, but it's nothing to really say 'wow' about. Basically, he does the same sort of songs we heard on last year's Cassadega, but with less instrumental depth. That is to say, the songs seem more simple in a way, with more focus on the lyrics and guitar. However, none of the guitar hooks really jump out at you as memorable, and the lyrics seem to be getting somewhat more pretentious and overly-complicated just for the sake of 'art'. Or maybe I'm just not smart enough to understand his poetry. That being said, if you're a fan of Conor, you'll probably like this album. Just pretend it's New Zealand: don't expect too much, and you'll love it.

Next, changing our genres completely, I've discovered a new indie dance pop band called The Black Ghosts. They released a self-titled album last month, and it's pretty decent. I'm in love with the opening track (below) for some reason. The driving string section evokes a certain ambiance usually found in trip hop songs (which I'm a big fan of). Not quite the same but similar. In fact, the beat reminds me of a certain El-P song that I can't quite place my finger on. They also remind me of MGMT for some reason; there's a certain similarity between 'Weekend Wars' and 'Full Moon'...maybe it's the voice. Also, look for Diplo's remix of the single 'Repetition Kills You'.

Mike out.

Conor Oberst - Get Well Cards

The Black Ghosts - Some Way Through This





*Disclaimer* I do not encourage the illegal distribution of music. I post these in the hopes that people will enjoy the track enough to purchase the full album. If anyone has a problem with these, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention and I will remove the links immediately.

Moderate Rock

So I went to see The Deathset at Social last night. They are an incredibly intense band. The whole idea is a punk band for the club scene, and I think they do a really good job of it. They're a three-piece (guitar, singing, drums) + dj, and they set up right on the dance floor (I don't know if this was out of necessity or choice, but it definitely added to the effect). The singer was constantly in motion, one minute he'll be moshing with the crowd, next he'll be dancing on top of a pile of speakers which are nearly falling over, the next he's climbing a pole and singing upside down.

The result of all of this is the crazy throwbacks (Jackson 5?) and seamless transitions we all love from electronic music, and the raw intensity and anger we love about punk music. The crowd just ate it up, doing an odd combination of dancing and moshing. I think it's a really awesome idea, adds some feeling to an often frivolous club-scene, and is much more fun than modern punk, which is almost always 'political' and way too fucking serious. The highlight of the set for me was their finale, a cover (or 'remix') of Nirvana's "Tourette's", which pretty much sums them up for me. If you like that song, you'll probably enjoy a death set.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1a5irwpURkk - check out the video for "Negative Thinking"

No no, I don't even care

Continuing with the trend of getting into good music a year or two after it comes out, I've recently found a band that I think you should listen to if you're like me and are somewhat obsessed with the folk revival in indie rock lately.

Go here and come back.

Oh No! Oh My! have opened for the likes of The Flaming Lips and Gnarls Barkley, and are exactly the kind of thing I could see you listening to if you are into bands like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and the like.

Frankly, the only reason why I even discovered these guys is from watching the movie Juno, which has a pretty decent soundtrack too, albiet the majority of it is songs by Kimya Dawson and her bands The Moldy Peaches and Antsy Pants.

More House Party Music

Steve Aoki, perhaps better known to the music world as DJ Steve Aoki Kid Millionaire, is the brainchild behind Dim Mak Records, a relatively small label that gave rise to the UK indie-pop hit Bloc Party, and recent artists including Scanners and Klaxons. He also owns a clothing line, and organizes parties at night. He's pretty cool.

In January, he finally got around to releasing a mix tape of sorts for the kind of music that you might hear at these parties called "Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles". Apparently pillowface is some kind of reference to an alter-ego of his that doesn't sleep.

Anyway, this album opens up with a pretty old mix of a Refused song, and sets the tone for what is to come: crank up the music loud and party! The title track pumps you up pretty good, and although you'll probably have to tell everyone at the party to give it a chance before they turn off your iPod (there's screaming), it gets you in the right head set.

Along the way, you'll hear mixes from groups such as Klaxons, The Mystery Jets, and Kid Sister, and guest vocals from Peaches, Kim, and Uffie.

My overall impression of this record is that it's the kind of thing that you want playing at your next post-exam house party where people are drunk and want to dance. However, listening to this in my room at 9:00 in the morning leaves something to be desired (and I'm only a little drunk). With each song flowing seamlessly into eachother, the majority of the record is forgettable, which is good in some respects. Weird Science's remix of Bloc Party's Helicopter is the aural equivalent of putting batteries in pie, cooking it, and then pretending that it tastes good when you cut out a slice later. Also, it's not really any S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E. which Justice song made it here, and it's a little dissapointing that Aoki didn't try to break new grounds by mixing another song of theirs, but at least they used MSTRKRFT's version. Frankly, I'll be happy when someone mixes Justice's Genesis with Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel (you know, the band Genesis).

In a nutshell, put this on if you are too lazy to DJ at your next party, but don't be surprised if it comes off as pretty boring (at least in terms of contemporary indie dance-rock anyway).

Crazy Crystal Castles Concert at Circa? Correct!

So Keane and I went to she Crystal Castles at Circa Friday night. Not my favourite group on this scene right now, they're best know, at least to me, for their wicked remix of 'Atlantis To Interzone'. But I mean, it's Klaxons, everyone remixes Klaxons, and it's always good, but their 'Crimewave' single is crazy catchy too.

Anyways, on to the show. I think this kind of music is always better live, it's so much fun to dance around and such. Plus, I love the fact that they bring in a drummer, it's way more real feeling. The singing was not amazing, but the singer was ridiculously high-energy. They didn't play too long, but I guess they don't have that much material. They aren't Justice or anything, it's not the kind of thing where I'd go thinking "hmm, I just feel like sitting and enjoying some music tonight", but I'd definitely see them again if I was in a high-energy fun mood.

That's the other thing, I've never been to Circa before, and I have to say, I have mixed feelings about it for a venue. Likesay, it seems like the kind of place you go if you have so much energy that you can't look at the same thing for more than 30 seconds at a time. But on the other hand, it definitely pumps you up for the show, and they actually play good music (even when the band's not on), like they actually put thought into it, not just top 40 whatever. At the same time, if I was paying to see someone who's music I really wanted to hear, I'd be pissed for several reasons: The dance floor's too small (for the number of people there), the people are annoying (grabbing at me, not paying attention to the music, pushing), the drinks are expensive!

Long and short: fun band, fun place, fun night, just not necessarily my thing. At least, not every night.

Stuff that White People Like

This blog says more than mere words ever could (which is useful because the site is another blog).

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/40-indie-music/

Hilarious!

Their Album Title Rhymes Like This One Doesn't

aRTIST oF tHE yEAR goes beyond what most bands do by going out of their way to give English and Grammar teachers at least three fevered dreams and a tearful phone-call to their mother about the sordid situation of their life.

Why? How the hell should I know?

How? By writing their name with capital letters where non-capital letters should be!

It actually sums up a lot of what they are like as a band. They're part of the French electro scene right now, which I suppose gives you a general idea of what you're going to get when you listen to them. Given my somewhat limited (but ever growing) knowledge of the underground club scene across the pond right now, if I had to describe them to my kidnapper in exchange for my release, I'd probably say that aRTIST oF tHE yEAR is a band that you'd get if you took Digitalism, sebastiAn, and a grade four birthday party and put them in a blender. Although I'm a few months behind, wRECK lA dISCOTHEQUE is their most recent album, closing off 2007 with a bang.

The first impression I got listening to this album was that I no longer have to wonder what would happen if I were trapped on a rollercoaster that happened to be floating in space while people were cheering me on. This is the kind of stuff that you want playing at your party, but only once everyone is out of their mind. It's pretty rave-ish, although about mid-way through the album you end up getting at least one slower-paced song.

Anyway, if you're looking for experimental-electro, these guys are popping up on Top 10 lists (for electro) all over the place lately. Give them a listen. yOU wON'T rEGRET iT!

Awesome Awesome Band Band Poney Poney

I know next to nothing about these guys. According to their Myspace Poney Poney used to be some sort of One man and an ipod deal. They're a 3 piece now and by the sounds of it all business.
Their new track has been produced by Justice which I feel is a pretty good testament to their quality already and they've recently remixed the new Teenagers single Love No.
They seem a little like Paris' answer to the Kalxons, but very worth keeping an eye on.

Nothing Personal, it's just Revenge.

Created by Takashi Okazaki the Story of Afro Samurai follows along a Young warrior bent on defeating and dethroning his father's murderer in a world of Violence Ruled by the One wearing the number one Headband.
Along with his Imaginary sidekick Ninja Ninja (Voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), Afro Samurai (Also Voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) Fends off Bandits, warriors, old friends, and the mysterious Empty Seven Monks while on his quest for revenge.
I can't write summarizations.
I love this Series. The fight scenes are spectacular, the story is interesting and Samuel L. Jackson does not dissapoint. The world it takes place in has this strange mix of Asian and Rap Culture that, although may seem weird, I found worked really well.
Anyways, I can't do it Justice. Here's a clip:

Call The Hairstylist! Call The Deepsea Diver!

I went to see Spiral Beach at the Pepperjack in Hamilton on Saturday night.

"Well, was is fun, or what?" you might ask. I'd be inclined to answer, "yes! it was quite fun", and to do so enthusiastically. Really, they're a very fun band. They play an odd combination of highly theatrical 70's new wave (I think B-52s, for some reason) and high attitude post-punk. The result is something entirely new and refreshing. And not just because it's different, it's also really fucking good. I mean, it's killer guitar licks (entirely different from what you're used to), weird keyboard noises, crazy bass lines, dance-able grooves, and the male/female vocal combo that I'm always partial to.

They played my old favourite Voodoo, but mostly stuff off their new cd, Ball. After hearing sounds like "Astro Girls", I couldn't help but buy aforementioned cd. Most songs don't disappoint, my personal favourite may be "Man Moon", but a lot of the fun and theatrics of the live show is lost in the recording. Don't get me wrong, it's a good cd, and especially strong considering the relative youth of the band, but the strongest suit of this band is definitely the live show.

Unpractical toys for unpractical people

Probably the best investment anyone can make is Realestate.
Generally the value of land and the houses on it are constantly rising. There are a few tricks to maximize the amount of money made versus the amount of money paid in an investment like this as well. Improving flooring, windows and even adding a little paint can bring in a lot of money from prospective buyers.
There is another thing to add that, though a little unorthodox, will add a large amount of value to a house. That thing is a secret passageway.
Started in 2004 a Mechanical Engineer names Steven Humble Creative Home Engineering offers an amazing amount of ways to escape captors, Hide secret documents and just be that guy with a sliding book case (My favourite being the couch slide).
I think the majority of CHE's business is generated by the growing paranoia in America combined with an overwhelming amount of wealth held by people with no practical idea of what to do with it.
Anyways, check out their site.
Hiddenpassageway.com

And Though The Names Will Be Changed To Protect The Innocent...

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Born Ruffians rock. They came to McMaster on Friday, and Team Normal Earlobe was there in full effect (plus one person who's earlobes are abnormal, and who's name would suggest that she resembles Christ, but she doesn't seem to). In case you were wondering, I was the one wearing the white shirt with "BORN RUFFIAN" written in red sharpie and neat printing (kudos Keane). I was also jumping, stomping, and clapping, and mysteriously knowing all the lyrics and shouting them at the top of my lungs. But that's what this band makes you do man, they rock.

The only complaint I have about their set is they didn't have enough time. Great guys though too, they took a picture with Keane, and joked me about my shirt, and recalled me from the last show where I drunkenly told them to play "A Night Deprived."

TPC. Let's just say the high-energy quality of their EP is hard to sustain for a full performance. Also the fact that they thus far have only released 8 songs (to the best of my knowledge) makes recognizable songs a rare commodity. About their new material, it seems to be more of the same, which will likely disappoint anyone who felt that even their short EP life something to be desired in terms of depth. Not an altogether bad performance, but disappointing when you've considered the hype. I expect the Ruffians' long-anticipated album (coming in March!) to make a much bigger splash than any upcoming full-length effort by the Tokyo Police Club.

As for music I recommend, I've really been loving M. Ward's Post-War. I first heard the guitar-based singer-songwriter on the Daniel Johnston cover album Discovered Covered, singing "Story Of An Artist." Despite his obvious passion for outsider music, M Ward really has the pop sensibilities to reveal the beauty in the obscure song. He brings this sensibility to his own compositions, along with a talent for the guitar matched only by the passion which he brings to singing.

I Fear Change

Mike's post about Elliot Smith reminded me of a tendency I have when I really love an album. I've loved Elliot Smith's 1997 album Either/Or, and I agree with Mike's assessment of his vocals, but what really struck me was his amazing and subtle guitar playing. Tracks like "Angeles" inspired me to pick up the acoustic guitar. I mean, Death Cab's "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" is a great song I think, but my first thought upon hearing it was that it sounds like Elliot Smith. That wasn't what I wanted to talk about though.

The thing is, as much as I loved Either/Or, I could never bring myself to listen to any of his other albums. It's a weird and completely irrational fear I have (I have a lot of those): Some albums are so good that I can't listen to any other albums by the same artist, for fear that a later album won't be as good, and its poor quality will somehow taint the good album. It's completely ridiculous, I know, if one album is good, chances are that they'll make more good music. Sometimes I get over it, like with Left And Leaving or I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, and I don't regret it, but I always find myself favouring my original favourite. And Sometimes, like with Elliot Smith, I've never been able to make a serious effort to explore the rest of their catalog.

Call me crazy, but really, what am I if not a loose collection of my many eccentricities ?

Two bands I think you should listen to

No insightful commentary from me today, I just wanted to share two bands that I think Keane and Preston may not have heard of, and also for whatever readers we actually have.

The first is a band called The Mountain Goats led by frontman John Darnielle. The band is basically a guy and his guitar, so expect acoustic folk sort of stuff. The lyrics are very literary and quite poetic if someone were to ask me. Check out the track Broom People off of the album The Sunset Tree, and No Children off of the album Tallahassee.

The second is Elliott Smith, also not so much a band as just a guy. He unfortunately died to stab wounds in 2003, but his recorded music will live on. His distinct vocals can be characterized as melodic whispers, and it's eerily soothing. Last year, an album called New Moon was posthumously released which contained a lot of his early works, and is probably one of my favourite releases from 2007; check out the song Thirteen...it's a cover of someone, but it's definitely worth a listen.

That's all for now. Schwarzl out.

Born Ruffians and TPC at 1/4's?!!! YAY!

I cannot express how excited I am about this show. I don't get excited about much these days, but this show seems too awesome. Like most human beings with ears (and, implicitly, the ability to hear), I became enamored with the Born Ruffians (and, implicitly, their music) immediately upon first hearing their music. I have talked about them before, so I won't go into more detail, but seriously, they fucking rock. Just amazing song writing, while being funky and fun; everything you could possibly want in a rock band, and their fantastic live performance is just icing on the cake. Amazingly awesome icing. They are coming out with their debut album in March, and are number 4 (!) on The Toronto Star's Top 10 to watch for in 2008, so you should see them now for $12 up close and personal before they start selling out stadiums in the near future!

I'm so excited about Born Ruffians, but the show is technically billed as a Tokyo Police Club show, and frankly I'm not disappointed. I really enjoyed their EP, and while it doesn't have that Classic Album quality that the Ruffians stuff has (with TPC, I enjoyed it at first, but after a couple of listenings I thought, "ok, I get it"), still, it's good stuff, and seems like the kind of thing that will only get better live.

So, the main point of this post: if you can get to Hamilton on January 25th, go to this concert. Just fucking go.