A Band to Check Out: Here We Go Magic
I have been having trouble discovering new bands that I want to listen to lately. Thankfully I came across the band Here We Go Magic the other day. From start to finish, their self-titled album is solid.
We like the way the name sounds so we set it to music. Our own Luke made a beautiful record and we joined him to make something together. We are creating songs from melodies that can turn from gorgeous to challenging to a little scary and back again. Sounds are driven and shaped by, but hopefully never grounded by, rhythms that entrance before performing a somersault. It all seems silly on paper, but there are no dirty words: groovy, psychedelic, pretty etc… are all fair game. It is our hope that we generate something generous and surprising, crafted but instinctive, even as it coalesces. So far it is a lovely ruckus.
- Here We Go Magic
Give em a listen below.
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The Brian Jonestown Massacre Live at the Metro Chicago 3/28/09
If anyone has seen the movie DiG!
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Forgotten Albums: The Vines Highly Evolved
Back in 2002 the music scene was hit with an influx of “The” bands who all were staking out their claim as “rock revivalists.” There were The Strokes, The White Stripes, The Hives and the Vines. The Vines are for the most part forgotten. It is a shame because their debut album “Highly Evolved” was fantastic.
I can’t really say that as a band, The Vines were any good. I saw them in concert back around 2002 and it was probably the worst concert I have ever seen in my life. Sloppy and under rehearsed, the band plowed through songs that were indistinguishable from each other due to lead singer Craig Nicholis screaming non-sense over each song. It made for an entertaining show, seeing a wack job try to “out rock star” himself, but after enjoying the high quality of the songs on the album, it left me unfulfilled.
Where The Vines lacked the skills to perform their songs live, they sure made one hell of an album. Highly Evolved swirls through a mixure of Nirvana inspired grudge, Revolver era Beatles Psychedelia, Beach Boy harmonizing and November Rain style anthems. When it first came out, the band was most compared to Nirvana due to a couple of their songs being straight up grudge, but I think what really makes the album stand out is the quality of “Beatles-esque” songwriting. Songs like Autumn Shade, Sunshinin and Homesick are exactly the kind of dreamy, hazing 60’s style pop songs that I love.
After seeing the band perform live, I wondered to what extent the album excels due to help from producers and a modern studio. But there is no doubt in my mind that Craig Nicholis is a highly gifted songwriter. The band has released three albums since Highly Evolved, but none of them were any good. If you have never heard Highly Evolved, check it out. If you used to listen to it and enjoyed it, hopefully I have remained you of it. If you have heard it and don’t like it, you probably think No Age and Wavves are amazing. Yes, they are decent, but nothing special. Just sayin.
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MP3: The Vines: Autumn Shade
New Vampire Weekend Song on Jimmy Fallon (Video)
I first heard this song, “White Sky” played at the Pitchfork Music Festival last year and it was a joy to hear it on a nice summer day. It sounds great on Jimmy Fallon as well. I have kind of gone in waves liking Vampire Weekend. When their album first came out, I got really into it, but after a couple weeks it had no real staying power for me. But there is no denying these guys write some perfect pop songs. “White Sky” takes the Paul Simon influences to the next level. I also kind of enjoy how these guys really push their whole ivy league school image. At the Pitchfork Festival, the guitarist was wearing a lacrosse mesh tank top. Not too many bands can pull that off. In this clip, the singer is wearing what looks like one of those late 1990’s Patagonia fleeces. Niooozce.
Why Rolling Stone Magazine’s Album Reviews Suck
First off let me start by saying I could really care less about how many stars Rolling Stone gives certain records. They are horrible reviews with little substance. The little thing that does annoy me about Rolling Stone’s record reviews is their issuing of 5 star albums. This is the maximum amount of stars a record can receive and when Rolling Stone gives an album 5 stars, it is designating this album as a “classic album.” I definitely don’t loose sleep over this issue, but today after realizing Rolling Stone had given Bruce Springsteen’s new album 5 stars, I felt obligated to write something about this.
Continue Reading after the jump….
Paul McCartney & Wings - Let Me Roll It (Seattle ‘1976)
Paul McCartney is a big dork, but it doesn’t really matter when you write songs like this.
My Name is Con and These Are My Picks
What is the best blog on the planet for all your electro/dance/disco-punk/freakout/etc needs? That is an easy question. It is CON’S PICKS.
VISIT CON’S PICKS.
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An MP3 Found on Con’s Picks: 25 Hours a Day: Mother Afrika
Phosphorescent - A Picture Of Our Torn Up Praise
Ram On LA
One of my favorite music blogs, the fantastic Aquarium Drunkard has released a high quality cover compilation of my favorite post-Beatles solo album, Paul McCartney’s Ram. Featuring cover versions of all the songs off of Ram by well known Los Angeles artists and lesser known’s, Ram on LA is a fun listen.
I have gone back and forth between what is my favorite Beatles Solo album. Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band and Imagine and McCartney’s Ram and Band on the Run all all amazing. While my favorite Beatle has always been John, I have come to realize I tend to be drawn more to Paul’s solo output. I remember being 11 or 12 years old digging through my parent’s record collection and coming across Ram. I was first drawn in by the colorful album cover but soon realized I couldn’t stop listening to Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey.
