Gearing Up For Summer

Ah, summer music. I earmarked some of my favorite summer albums last July. After having a small taste of nice weather a few weeks ago and having a forecast of sunny days in the upper seventies for the coming weekend, it's time to get back in that mode. This spring has not fallen short in delivering some new albums that are sure to join the list. First up is a frequent flier in our home. Josh Rouse has just put out an album entitled El Turista that is just dreamy. The once Americana-pop troubadour has become a citizen of Spain and has been living there for five years now. Regional influences have been creeping into his music for some time now. With this album, he blends those influences with Brazilian stylings. The result is unique, but familiar.

Along those Brazilian lines, I have also been enjoying Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook. The Girl From Ipanema is a fantastic collection of Brazilian Samba and Bossa Nova coolness. Thanks Greg.

And I have been way into the indie take on sixties beach music stylings. Real Estate have somehow managed to capture the melodic essence of the Beach Boys and deliver it as if it were played by Mogwai or Death Cab For Cutie. That is quite a feat, especially for a band for Jersey.

I was going to skip making a summer mix disc this year, but with this crop, I may have no choice but to.

Rock and Holy Rollers!

What does the Pope rock out to? Alright, I don't know the answer to that, and I probably don't want to. However, a Vatican newspaper has gotten us as close to the answer to that question as we may ever get. When I came across the news link reporting that this newspaper listed what Vatican City claims to be history's ten most essential rock albums, I couldn't resist. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised.

Here they are listed in the chronological order of their release:
"Revolver" by the Beatles, described as more innovative than any of their successive albums.
-definitely one of their best, but Sgt. Pepper is possibly the most innovative album ever
"If I Could Only Remember My Name" by David Crosby. Its songs used experimental musical forms to express an "existential fragility," the article said.
-uh, sure
"The Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd, which the newspaper called an "amazing" and eminently enjoyable milestone in the history of rock music.
-I'm still picking my jaw off of the floor that this is a list from catholic central
"Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac, which the article said mixed the sounds of blues, pop and country.
-hell yeah!
"The Nightfly" by Donald Fagen of Steely Dan. A niche album, but "brilliant and ironical," according to the Vatican newspaper.
-Is ironical even a word?
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson. The article described this album as "the masterpiece of the king of pop" and said its original approach went against the stereotypes of black music.
-great, no doubt. I don't tend to think of it as a rock album.
"Graceland" by Paul Simon, who used South African music with his own to create a multiethnic album that marked the birth of "world music," the newspaper said.
-why did he want to be called Al?
"Achtung Baby" by U2, a disk that stands out for its music and lyrics, and remains a symbol of the '90s, it said.
-hmmm? Flip a coin with Joshua Tree
"(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" by Oasis. The group picks up the great tradition of the Beatles, but with a harder edge of punk and rock, it said.
-wtf?
"Supernatural" by Carlos Santana, seen as an avant-garde mix of blues, soul, salsa and rock.
-an extra big wtf?

Rumours I flat out agree with. The rest wouldn't make it on my personal list, but for the most part it is a pretty comprehensive list with very notable and interesting recordings. Well, for the first 8 anyway. the Oasis record is great, but the ten greatest? Even their own justification discredits it's historical merit. And Supernatural described as avant-garde? I think someone got lazy with that one. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed, given our current Pope, that there was no krautrock present. Perhaps Kraftwerk - Radioaktivitat should have taken the avant-garde spot.

I'm forming my list, but would love to hear what other people have to say. What was missed?

It's a mad, mad, world

First up. "We are the World" was a great idea. Let's pool together some real star power to draw attention to a serious problem and raise money to help the cause. When it was USA for Africa in the 80's, great. They raised some money and brought the plight of African nations into people's thoughts. Mission accomplished!
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for helping Haiti in their time of need. I just think that this effort is bewildering. In the 80's the song served the mentioned purpose. It made people aware. However, in 2010, you would have to be deaf, blind, and locked away in a sound and light proof box on a deserted island to not be aware of the tragedy that has befallen Haiti. Next comes the money. The original version happened in a day when music made real money and included artists that were as current and big as you could get. MJ, Sting, Bruce, Stevie, etc. these were artists with real selling power at the peeks of their popularity. Not only that, but you had to buy a record. You paid a handsome sum and had the record and the twelve inch glossy photo on the cover that you could look at with friends and play name that pop star. The current version is a mere $1.29 on iTunes and what do you get for it? Nick Jonas may be at the top of his game, but he is by no means in the same league as The Boss. A digital copy of an inferior version of the song with contributions from "big" stars of the disposable music era. I'm sorry, but without the original line-up and novelty of it being a new song, "We are the World" is a glorified Sunday school choir song. What perplexes me the most is that there are so many outlets to contribute aid to the cause that are easy more substantial. You can donate ten bucks by sending a text message and having the bill be part of your cell phone bill.
With that said, I do respect anyone willing to use their notoriety and talents to help those in need. There are some cool compilations and such with the proceeds going to help Haiti. For what it's worth, great! Here is a very cool song with an outstanding cast of rocks seediest characters worth purchasing. I Put A Spell On You

Jibber Babber

I keep debating letting this site dissolve and then I find myself here again.

I realize that there is a very small reader base, but I actually enjoy looking back on my thoughts and when I was listening to what, so I guess there is still some purpose to the site.

I am very excited for the Retribution Gospel Choir show in two days. The new album is such a departure from the Low stuff. For the week, RGC 2 is up on Spinner and worth a listen. I'm not looking forward to the ride home from Milford at 1 in the morning however.

I've also been in a huge Beatles kick. It's pretty new for me. I've always been a fan of the White album and I love Abbey Road, but I've never been inspired to dig deep into the context that brought it all about. That is until last summer when Rolling Stone ran an article about the Let It Be sessions and the beginning of the end for the Beatles. For the first time they were real people and not just pop icons for me. Subsequently, my in-laws gave me a copy of Let It Be-Naked (the intended version of the album that was scrapped forty years ago). It is absolutely amazing. Such great songs in such raw form. I've even been reading "The Love You Make" one of many books that traces the history of the band. It's like watching a perfect storm. Unbelievable talent and timing and luck and hard work. It's really tempting to order the box set off of Amazon.

Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom was another Christmas gift that I've been hooked on lately. If you are a fan of Tom, it's must have.

Worst Album Covers of 2009

On a lighter note, Pitchfork has posted it's 20 worst album covers of the year. Very funny.

R.I.P. Chris spacewolf Feinstein

Today Chris Feinstein was found dead in his apartment. Chris was a fine musician and will be missed. He was the final piece added that made the Cardinals complete. I'm glad that I got to enjoy your art in person on more than one occasion.

So tired

It has been like forever since I have made a post here. A new house and baby have not impeded my opportunities to listen, but have greatly impeded my ability to reflect. So tired, but here is what is going on...

I was very excited to unpack the music archive at our new house. Virtually all of my music had been packed away for a good 6 months. Having everything displayed before me is like being a kid in a candy store. The timing is especially good because there isn't an album that I can't stop listening to at the moment. I have been rediscovering all sorts of great stuff on my way to and from work.

The Sisters of Mercy have been a frequent flyer lately. Great early 80's goth! Really good late 80's goth. Spotty early 90's goth. Some Girls Wander By Mistake is such classic post punk goth.

Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure found its way into the rotation. Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno at their best and most promising. This early 70's gem is such a great time capsule. Ferry's lyrics are absurd and even profane as he rambles them like he is almost making them up as he sings them in his crooning vibrato. And Eno just creates these complex and dense soundscapes that ride underneath every track. The album is this crazy blend of much of what was going on in music at the time. Self indulgent 8 minute stoner jams. Acid rock guitar riffs. Pre-disco boogie. Crooning balladry. A song about the complications of a romance with an inflatable sex doll. Awesomeness!

Low - The Great Destroyer. Just intense. One of my favorites from this decade.

Bob Mould - Body of Song. Circles is just amazing. I think I played this song eight or nine times while listening to this album this week.

The Cure - MSG '08. Pictures of You is the best song ever written. 20 years after its release it is still just as stunning as the first listen.