No, I'm not dead, just buried...in school work! But seriously, I haven't forgotten about you, dear readers, and I haven't stopped listening to music either. Show me yours and I'll show you mine...
Fuck it, I'll show you mine regardless. (Please note that, yet again, Nicole and I had similar ideas for posts, I swear I'm not aping her previous post.)
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Soul is...Pretty Purdie
Chances are you know a Pretty Purdie song, even if you aren't aware of it. You know that fucking insane drum break in the Beck song "Devil's Haircut?" That's a Pretty Purdie song, titled "Soul Drums." In fact, there are several Pretty Purdie samples throughout Odelay, the Dust Brothers must have been big fans, and for good reason, the man is a fucking beast on the drums. While I've probably been listening to more of Soul Drums, the album, I can't escape this fantastic song from Soul is... called "Song For Aretha" (which was also briefly used in a Beck song, "Hotwax" to be exact). The song builds with Purdie's insane drumming, but just when you think you've reached the climax the fucking string section kicks in. I challenge you to listen to this song and not fall in love. On a side note, I can totally hear some Broken Social Scene in this song. I know its a bit of a stretch, but the way it's constructed, the guitar tone, the epic strings, the emergence of the horns, and the sexy female backup singers. I get it now, Broken Social Scene are what you get when you mix Sonic Youth with soul music. That's something I can dig.
Sonic Youth - Sister
Moving on from a song about "soul sister number one" to an album titled Sister. You should already know by now that Sonic Youth is about the only band that can rival Radiohead for the coveted title of Ryan's Favorite Band, so it shouldn't surprise you to see this album on here one bit. Why Sister over Daydream Nation or Murray Street? Why not? Or better yet, listen to "Tuff Gnarl" and you tell me.
David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
On a recent road trip to catch my favorite indie chanteuse, I threw in the standard Bowie rock record, Ziggy Stardust. It had bout four years since I last listened to it all the way through, four years too many. I know that had I waited another year I could make a delicious pun about it being five years, but I just couldn't make myself wait any longer. I suppose I could have lied to you and said it was five years. Actually, is it too late? Because I really want to say it had been fiiiiiiiiiiiiive years since I listened to Ziggy Stardust. Fiiiiiive years! Ha, I'm on a roll. I'm also drunk, can you tell?
I know, this is definitely the obvious Bowie choice, but fuck, with an album this good, who cares? Here's a song I almost completely forgot about, I'll never make that mistake again.
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
I've been saying Spoon is quickly becoming one of my favorite bands since they released Gimme Fiction back in '05, and that was one of their weaker albums. Can you imagine what I'm saying now that they've got the excellent Ga x5 under their belt? You don't have to, I'll just come right out with it: Spoon is one of my favorite bands. Even though I just saw them in concert a few weeks ago, I'm actually looking forward to this Sunday's show even more. How is that possible? They're a great band, that's how.
The Beatles - The Beatles (aka the White Album)
Oh, that's not obvious enough Ryan. But seriously, how about The Fucking Beatles? Are you gonna argue?
Yes, The Beatles influenced everyone, and it keeps going too. Just listen to "Long, Long, Long" and tell me you don't hear Animal Collective or Grizzly Bear, with maybe a little Doug Marsch in the vocals. I dare you.
While you're at it, listen to "Martha My Dear." You'll be humming it for weeks.
While you're here, you may as well watch this funny homage to The Beatles. They really are the best band.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
What Are You Listening To?
Friday, April 4, 2008
Concert Announcement: Spoon (Again!)
If you were in that impossible line of free passholders wrapped round the side of the Uptown Wednesday night (did they all make it in??), you'll be pleased to know Spoon is returning to the KC/Lawrence area with a 4/20 show at Liberty Hall.
Tickets $22 (when purchased at L.H. window). Show at 7 p.m. And guys, after that show Wednesday night, trust me, you'll want to be there. Who knew "The Ghost of You Lingers" would kick that much ass live?
Plus, it's 4/20... As Mr. Daniel would say, "You got a new bag of pot... that's the way to my heart."
P.S. Check out my oh-so-shitty camera pic from the 4/2 show. Take that, bastard who made me take my camera to the car!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Spoon Makes Good On Promise
So we were a little peeved with Brit and company for bailing on their 10/3 Lawrence show (that's a Tuesday) to play Saturday Night Live. Besides, we all know it's best to see a band when you're "in the glow" with their newest album, right?
Well, as promised, Spoon has made amends by making KC their first stop on their spring tour with The Walkmen and White Rabbits (4/2 at the Uptown). And even though Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga isn't exactly dewy behind the ears anymore, I'm still eager to see the guys rock one of their finest albums to date (lest ye forget it was our sixth favorite album of 2007).
Thanks, Backdrifter, for the good news!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
It's Halloween, the one day where it's acceptable to take candy from strangers. To celebrate, download some the songs we are offering down below.
Sonic Youth - Halloween
Spoon - The Ghost of You Lingers
The Unicorns - Tuff Ghost
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - Witch Mountain Bridge
Flaming Lips - Halloween on the Barbary Coast
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
WHAT THE FUCK?!
Spoon canceled next week's Lawrence gig so they could play Saturday Night Live. Yes, you read that right, our Wednesday night show was axed so Spoon could play New York on Saturday. Am I the only one who doesn't see how this adds up. I could understand canceling our Wednesday show for something like a Conan gig on the same night, but for SNL three nights later? Come on! Between Clap Your Hands... backing out on their midwest gigs for soundtrack work and now Spoon's New York vacation, it's as if the whole indie rock community is making a public statement that playing the Midwest is of no importance to them whatsoever. The band promises to come back in the Spring, big fucking whoop. Excuse me for not being excited, Spoon, but you see, I was looking forward to seeing you play NEXT WEEK, not next year, but try to have fun in New York (jerks).
In the meantime, I guess that means I can go see the either the Black Lips or Midlake, both bands, barring their own cancellation, have shows scheduled the same day as Spoon's former Lawrence gig. And to be fair, Spoon aren't totally ducking out of the Midwest, as their Columbia, Missouri gig is still on at the moment, as well as their Oklahoma City show. Apparently they just hate Kansas. And their bass player is from there. Perhaps he wasn't keen on coming home quite yet. Whatever.
Its only two in the afternoon, and I already need a drink.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Please give a warm welcome to KEEPON!
"During the next tour who would you like to have as your opening act?" A popular question indeed and most bands choose a human being (or group of human beings) to be the appetizer for their tour. Spoon chose a robot named Keepon. Many bands use gimmicks to attract an audience. This may be the best one to date. To see Keepon in action click here.