24 December 2008
21 December 2008
Oy. (More deep thoughts)
Just as I am about to leave San Francisco for an entire month, I discover a playlist being shared on iTunes... this girl, Shannon, has so much in common with me musically, Flight of the Conchords, the Vines*, even Nural! This girl is clearly from Greater Pasadena, or at least the upper Southland.
It would probably do me well to use her as a reference (I think she just got me into the B-52's and the Fratellis in one night) Maybe if she's good looking, I would look into things more thoroughly.
Alas, I am leaving San Francisco for an entire month, and this thought will probably leave my mind, like so many crazy notions before, the moment I step onto the train at Emeryville. Probably sooner.
Whatever.
~s~
*and Winning Days, of all albums! (surprise/concern)
It would probably do me well to use her as a reference (I think she just got me into the B-52's and the Fratellis in one night) Maybe if she's good looking, I would look into things more thoroughly.
Alas, I am leaving San Francisco for an entire month, and this thought will probably leave my mind, like so many crazy notions before, the moment I step onto the train at Emeryville. Probably sooner.
Whatever.
~s~
*and Winning Days, of all albums! (surprise/concern)
16 December 2008
Crash Course
I know my taste in music may seem very limited, but I'm not a professional critic. There are a great many bands I've missed out on this year, mostly because I wasn't paying attention to them in the first place.
Long story short, nobody wants to hear me review a twenty-year-old album without a good excuse. So here it is: along with 2009's new albums, I'll be catching myself up on other artists, in the hope that we can watch for them in the future. It's called crash course. That's about it.
~MP~
Long story short, nobody wants to hear me review a twenty-year-old album without a good excuse. So here it is: along with 2009's new albums, I'll be catching myself up on other artists, in the hope that we can watch for them in the future. It's called crash course. That's about it.
~MP~
12 December 2008
2009: Music to watch for
The musical year of 2008 may be spilling over. There are increasingly high expectations for some of the decade's most popular artists as their release dates draw closer. Some of bands have defined the era, some are returning from a long journey in the wilderness.
OK, I'll stop being weird and academic now. Let's get down.
1. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
Album #3
first album: 2004
Seemingly years ago, I declared high expectations for what would be an inescapably weird album from a fairly mainstream band. With two singles already out from their next album, I can say with confidence that we won't be disappointed. A politically oriented pseudo rock-opera is almost guaranteed to kill a good deal of the fanbase, especially in the U.S., but that may ultimately work out in their favor.
However, I wouldn't be surprised if two or three of the tracks were near-unlistenable.
Expactations:High, with some reservations.
2. Untitled Album (but they've probably got one)
Album #3
first album: 2006
Four men go into the desert. They return with a great album.
Disclaimer: that's probably going to be the beginning of my review when this thing comes out, because the Sheffield's own lo-fi chavmasters have declared their intention to do something "different." Judging by the multitude of leaked tracks, expect something like a cross between Santana and Gorillaz.
But will it be fun? The Arctics started out as Hendrix-style hard rockers in their 2004 demo Beneath the Boardwalk and quickly evolved into irreverent indie-rockers. But their second album was an almost premature departure--- dark and angry, from beginning to end. All evidence is that Turner and Company have found a way to match the brooding quality of their last album with the thoughtfulness of their first.
Expectations: High and loving it.
3. Untitled Album (and the title probably won't be very clever)
Album #6
first album: 1992
Following the seminal (if undersold) 1996 album Tiny Music, Stone Temple Pilots knocked off two schizophrenic albums which got little to no play, and disappeared, after which time they became enormously popular. It's hard to say whether this album will be that good, as all of the new songs the DeLeo's claim to have written are still under lock and key. Expect a few good songs to cherry pick. Nobody's expecting another Purple, but if they can pull it off, the Pilots might redeem themselves after all.
Expectations: Cautiously optimistic.
4. Untitled Album (and the title will probably be very cool)
Album #4
first album: 2001
Throughout the early 2000s, the Strokes were heralded as the band for their time. Casablancas and Hammond were regarded by all as consummate songwriters, and nothing could go wrong.
Then one of their singles got leaked, they freaked out and rushed out their third album, and just kinda blew it. All of their goodwill dried up and they went their separate ways.
Then, out of the blue, Pharell Williams declared his intention to produce their next release, all that goodwill returned, and the five Manhattanites, fresh off assorted side projects, were ready to go; but weren't planning to work on their next album until...now. All evidence is that they've sped up production, or at least are getting a lot press so they can milk the fuck out of all the speculation.
But regardless of when the album comes out, it's probably going to be just as focused and loud as the band's members seem to be right now.
Expectations: Way too high.
Also keep an eye out for the ever-enjoyable theatrics of the Hives, who have been working on their music nonstop since 2004. Nick Arson announced work on their new album almost immediately after finishing a yearlong tour, which is both impressive and kind of fucked up.
Third Eye Blind are also on the warpath. They were a major influence on the already commented-upon Kooks, both in their musical style and passive-aggressive lyrics.
Speaking of the Kooks, there's a good chance they'll just release an album without much notice, so watch it.
~MP~
OK, I'll stop being weird and academic now. Let's get down.
1. Tonight: Franz FerdinandAlbum #3
first album: 2004
Seemingly years ago, I declared high expectations for what would be an inescapably weird album from a fairly mainstream band. With two singles already out from their next album, I can say with confidence that we won't be disappointed. A politically oriented pseudo rock-opera is almost guaranteed to kill a good deal of the fanbase, especially in the U.S., but that may ultimately work out in their favor.
However, I wouldn't be surprised if two or three of the tracks were near-unlistenable.
Expactations:High, with some reservations.
2. Untitled Album (but they've probably got one)Album #3
first album: 2006
Four men go into the desert. They return with a great album.
Disclaimer: that's probably going to be the beginning of my review when this thing comes out, because the Sheffield's own lo-fi chavmasters have declared their intention to do something "different." Judging by the multitude of leaked tracks, expect something like a cross between Santana and Gorillaz.
But will it be fun? The Arctics started out as Hendrix-style hard rockers in their 2004 demo Beneath the Boardwalk and quickly evolved into irreverent indie-rockers. But their second album was an almost premature departure--- dark and angry, from beginning to end. All evidence is that Turner and Company have found a way to match the brooding quality of their last album with the thoughtfulness of their first.
Expectations: High and loving it.
3. Untitled Album (and the title probably won't be very clever)Album #6
first album: 1992
Following the seminal (if undersold) 1996 album Tiny Music, Stone Temple Pilots knocked off two schizophrenic albums which got little to no play, and disappeared, after which time they became enormously popular. It's hard to say whether this album will be that good, as all of the new songs the DeLeo's claim to have written are still under lock and key. Expect a few good songs to cherry pick. Nobody's expecting another Purple, but if they can pull it off, the Pilots might redeem themselves after all.
Expectations: Cautiously optimistic.
4. Untitled Album (and the title will probably be very cool) Album #4
first album: 2001
Throughout the early 2000s, the Strokes were heralded as the band for their time. Casablancas and Hammond were regarded by all as consummate songwriters, and nothing could go wrong.
Then one of their singles got leaked, they freaked out and rushed out their third album, and just kinda blew it. All of their goodwill dried up and they went their separate ways.
Then, out of the blue, Pharell Williams declared his intention to produce their next release, all that goodwill returned, and the five Manhattanites, fresh off assorted side projects, were ready to go; but weren't planning to work on their next album until...now. All evidence is that they've sped up production, or at least are getting a lot press so they can milk the fuck out of all the speculation.
But regardless of when the album comes out, it's probably going to be just as focused and loud as the band's members seem to be right now.
Expectations: Way too high.
Also keep an eye out for the ever-enjoyable theatrics of the Hives, who have been working on their music nonstop since 2004. Nick Arson announced work on their new album almost immediately after finishing a yearlong tour, which is both impressive and kind of fucked up.
Third Eye Blind are also on the warpath. They were a major influence on the already commented-upon Kooks, both in their musical style and passive-aggressive lyrics.
Speaking of the Kooks, there's a good chance they'll just release an album without much notice, so watch it.
~MP~
09 December 2008
District 7
After many months of silence on the issue, I have decided to make the mistake of blogging about Pasadena politics once again.
Full disclosure: I stopped caring about the school board elections when I started going to Catholic School, but from what I can tell, things have improved a bit.
For those of you who are unaware, local badass Sid Tyler is retiring from his seat on the city council, representing a district that contains motorcycle gangs, college students, and the super-rich (Lamanda Park, Marceline, and Oak Knoll, respectively). Though there are a flurry of candidates, the main race is between former County Police Chief (and Mrs. Lance Ito) Margaret York, and planner Terry Tornek. One favors slowing growth overall, another favors taking on growth on a case-by-case basis. Right now I'm throwing my support behind York, as I believe preservation should not be an impediment to smart growth (as opposed to Claire Bogaard and the Taste Police*). I think Todd at Pasadenacenteroftheuniverse.com would agree with me on that one.
Having said that, I seriously regret switching my voter registration to San Francisco, when Pasadena politics is so much more fun. When I was but a young boy, my mom would take me to City Council meetings to watch Rick Cole and Isaac Richard fight each other. It was a magical time. Also, going back to my old precinct would keep me open to run for office there once I get out of college (AP, speculate away!)
~MP~
*that would be a great name for a band.
Full disclosure: I stopped caring about the school board elections when I started going to Catholic School, but from what I can tell, things have improved a bit.
For those of you who are unaware, local badass Sid Tyler is retiring from his seat on the city council, representing a district that contains motorcycle gangs, college students, and the super-rich (Lamanda Park, Marceline, and Oak Knoll, respectively). Though there are a flurry of candidates, the main race is between former County Police Chief (and Mrs. Lance Ito) Margaret York, and planner Terry Tornek. One favors slowing growth overall, another favors taking on growth on a case-by-case basis. Right now I'm throwing my support behind York, as I believe preservation should not be an impediment to smart growth (as opposed to Claire Bogaard and the Taste Police*). I think Todd at Pasadenacenteroftheuniverse.com would agree with me on that one.
Having said that, I seriously regret switching my voter registration to San Francisco, when Pasadena politics is so much more fun. When I was but a young boy, my mom would take me to City Council meetings to watch Rick Cole and Isaac Richard fight each other. It was a magical time. Also, going back to my old precinct would keep me open to run for office there once I get out of college (AP, speculate away!)
~MP~
*that would be a great name for a band.
05 December 2008
No, I'm Not
I'm just a shill for the papacy, and have had issues with women of late. Fear not, readers!
~MP~
~MP~
Am I Becoming a Republican?
I would rather defend the Catholic Church than my own city.
I find that I am reliably conservative on an increasing number of issues.
I take major steps to keep myself from being elitist.
I've taken a liking to Richard Shelby.
I find Republican girls to be friendlier, or at least more submissive.
What should I do?
~MP~
I find that I am reliably conservative on an increasing number of issues.
I take major steps to keep myself from being elitist.
I've taken a liking to Richard Shelby.
I find Republican girls to be friendlier, or at least more submissive.
What should I do?
~MP~
02 December 2008
A Modest Milestone
I was just watching the Seinfeld episode where Jerry brags that he hasn't vomited in thirteen years. Which reminded me that I haven't vomited in thirteen years. I remember it well: August 5, 1995. I had eaten way too much ahi jerky during a marathon of Pee-Wee's Playhouse.
Also: DANCE PARTY!
Also: DANCE PARTY!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
