To celebrate the last day of 2008, I would like to segue into the new year, by starting off January's Song of the Day theme: Local Artists! I know a bunch of us have already posted on Cloud Cult (ahem: Brenda, Dylan, Myself, Kelsey, etc...)...But - They really are freakin awesome :) and so is The Meaning of 8. This is most definitely an album that I never get tired of listening to, and I think that is mostly due to the fact that there are so many layers to Cloud Cult. This album is also a go-to album for any mood I may be in because the end result is always the same - I feel extremely happy and hopeful and instantly better when I listen to it. I've been lucky enough to see them play live a couple of times already this year, and I really encourage all of you to check them out when they come to/near your town.
Until then, you should have a little listen - if you have those big head phones that cover your ears and can find a comfortable place to sit/lay down that faces a window you can look out of while listening to them, I would suggest it. It will change the way you hear music.
Some of my favorite tracks from this album include: Chemicals Collide, Take Your Medicine, Chain Reaction, Purpose, and Thanks. No more jabbing! time to listen! :)
Sorry for the missed post last week. I was on a road trip to Kansas City with some friends and just kinda forgot to blog. And I'm also sorry I'm a day late. Now that school is done, I don't really have a schedule until I start working, so the days just kind of blur together and I forget which day of the week it is. Anyways.
Today I offer up to you a song I heard when I watched the movie Shortbus. It was written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, the same person who directed (and starred in) Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I recommend it, but be warned it's rather graphic sexually. The rest of the soundtrack is pretty stellar too.
The song is by Animal Collective and is called A Winter's Love. It was originally released on the Animal Collective record Sung Tongs. A while back Kim posted a song by Panda Bear, and he's one of the members Animal Collective. So if you enjoyed that, you might enjoy this as well. The first half of the song is mostly instrumental, and kinda reminds me of chanting. The second half almost sounds like a completely different song, and that's where the lyrics come in. I think I prefer the second half, but the first half of the song sets seems to set the mood so it fits.
I love this light in winter time, The frost cakes in the carpet in winter time we'll have our ways tombstones the mean belong in No falls snowfalls that ruin my day It’s masked up from the street wire and winter’s glow where could she be She’s warm underneath my pocket Just a calm and modern day In early, early morning Rush to her, and rush to him, Am I a better person? even in the whole take on the loss is better said I pulled the boy out of above She made that boy a man
Last Wednesday I had the joy of driving up to the cities with a friend to go to the Kimya Dawson concert. Not only was the drive amazing (we become "the obviously ambiguously gay duo" if that's any indication of said awesome-ness), Kimya was stellar. One downside was that I did not expect the concert to go quite as long as it did. Doors were at 7, and the concert was supposed to start at 7:30. However, the first opener, Angelo Spencer (aka Kimya's lovah and the other parent of her baby), did not go on until a little after 8.
Angelo was alright, he had potential. I really enjoyed his first song, but then after that my general feeling is that he needed to calm down a bit. I did enjoy some of the technical aspects of his guitar playing, and that he played a kick drum and high hat to accompany his guitar playing. Even so, a lot of the songs sounded the same, and he didn't have a set list, he just kinda played whatever he felt like. I'm not completely opposed to set list free concerts, but I also appreciate a well crafted set list.
The second opener was the French band L'Orchidee D'Hawai. They were a little more enjoyable than Angelo honestly. This may have been because there was 1) recreational drug use on stage 2) a blue sparkly guitar 3) the bass player wore a black, furry shoulder/hood item that looked like it was from a gorilla or bear costume. Not to mention I enjoyed their music a lot more. Their style was more jam band from the 50s meets the Edgar Winter Group. Even so, by the time they finished playing I was ready for Kimya.
Kimya finally took the stage, and was stellar. She opened up with a few older songs, "It's been raining" was particularly outstanding. She also played a lot of tunes off her CD that isn't even out yet, it's a CD of children's songs which were pretty hilarious. She also played some of my favorite songs, namely "12/26," "my rollercoaster," and "loose lips." In addition, she played the song "my mom" which I had never heard before. That's the actual song I'm posting in fact. She also talked about furries, and how she was at a hotel that had a furry convention going on at the same time, and how they were fascinating, and how they had elastic holes in the back for "easy fisting action."
I picked the song "My Mom" because it is so deeply personal. By this I mean that the simplicity of the song and the straightforward lyrics are intimate and revealing. The song makes me feel like averting my eyes, not looking at the situation head on. Though that might be the Lutheran in me. In addition, I really like the verse about Bert and Ernie because it seems almost completely unrelated.
Basically, I love Kimya, and I am so excited that I got to see her live in all her glory. In addition, it was at the Cedar Cultural Center which is a fantastic not for profit venue in Minneapolis. If you have a chance to see a show there, you should go.
have you ever had a dream that your favorite baby's drowning and you grab him by his sweater sleeve and pull him up on to the ground and you can hear the water slosh around inside his tiny gut push his belly up and down but he can't cough the water up suddenly a flood comes out his mouth till there is nothing left inside of him he's empty now there isn't even one small breath and he goes limp in your arms all the people's mouths are moving all you hear are car alarms and you wake up and start to cry I will lose my shit if even one more person I know dies so please don't die
my mom's sick she's in a hospital bed I've got a word for all you ghosts in her head and all you skeletons in her closet leave her alone leave her alone leave her alone, please because my mom needs you gone my mom needs you gone as long as she is haunted she'll never get strong my mom needs you gone
you traded all your paper clips for a soap dish that way your best friend's rubber ducky wouldn't slip and slide away but he traded his rubber duck for a cigar box to place your paper clips in Mr. Hooper came to say "oh my dear friends Bert and Ernie here's a little something for each of you from me here are your paper clips and here's your rubber ducky how could I ignore such selfless generosity?"
the human body's made up of good and bad bacteria but the antibiotics and the antibacterials are killing all the good ones and the bad ones just get stronger and become super infections it's harder to destroy them and it's harder to detect them and there's something in her blood and there's something in her leg and there's something in her brain
my mom's sick she's in a hospital bed I've got a word for all you ghosts in her head and all you skeletons in her closet leave her alone leave her alone leave her alone leave her alone leave her alone leave her alone leave her alone, please because my mom needs you gone my mom needs you gone as long as she is haunted she'll never get strong my mom needs you gone my mom needs you gone my mom needs you gone my mom needs you gone
Minnesotans rock. plain and simple. and musicians from Minnesota rock even harder.Tapes 'n Tapes is composed of four dudes who reside in Minneapolis, MN...and they're a riot and a half. i first became introduced to them because one of my good friends from undergrad is dating the keyboardist/euphonium player/tambourine shaker/etc (aka Matt)...and i visited her while i was home for the holidays. we enjoyed a wonderful brunch together and he told me a little bit about his band and that they were currently working on a new cd, as their premiere was such a great hit! he was fairly modest about his band, and we had a good conversation. i got back to DC and promptly did what any 20 something in the 21st century would do, i myspaced his band, naturally. what caught my attention immediately was the fact that they sounded different. i don't typically do dude music...in fact, if you look at my music library, you'll find a wide collection of lady music...often times of the lesbian folk variety. however, i got hooked on Tapes 'n Tapes. these guys have a sound about them that works very well for live shows where you can jump around, sing along, dance all wild, and just have a great time in general. i mean, listening to their music only makes me want more of them...they make me wish i could hang out with them and do some hootenannying. anyway, i am choosing to write about this particular song of their first album, The Loon (how Minnesotan?! yeah!!!). Insistor is my personal favorite of the songs on that album, mostly because after listening to the album, this is the song that keeps popping up in my head when i'm just sitting around...and the drum part. i think it's the drum part that i'm a little bit addicted to because it makes me feel like i gotta hurry up and get things done...which is so true, for those of you who know me. i digress...
most favorite lyric in this song: And don't be terse and don't be shy i mean...how many bands do you know of that utilize their vocabulary this way??? exactly, just what i thought too! not many. second most favorite lyric of the song: So I'll stay here and fight for lover's rights ...enough said.
the first video was filmed in the streets of Paris and the band pretty much jammed and improvised with skills only found in true musicians. equipped with only a glass bottle, a spoon, a large metal pipe, some drum sticks, a guitar and sheet metal siding, tapes 'n tapes gives us their own version of musical communion...and i dig it. the second video is of the same song, but is the official music video. watch and prepare to be entertained!
hats off from one Minnesotan to another. the end. <3, meggo.
p.s. next Minnesota concert will be 04.10.08 in minneapolis, mn @ first avenue...if anyone wants to join me...or in DC on 04.23.08 @ the 9:30 club...i'm excited!!! Tapes 'n Tapes::Insistor Improve in the Streets of Paris Insistor
Tapes 'n Tapes::Insistor (Official Video)
Tapes 'n Tapes::Insistor
Kelly the insistor Your brother is a blister I'll be had if I'm in your dress tonight
When you go and you're all alone Are you still afraid of home Do you lie in bed with fright
Your father said I lost her Your brother said I fought her But I stood still and I'm in your arms tonight
And when you rush I'll call your name Like Harvard Square holds all inane And don't you know I'll be your badger And don't be terse and don't be shy Just hug my lips and say good lies And know that I will be your bail bond
Mickey the ol' lithper Said hey there hey mister My cold razor's edge will meet you in the light
When you go and you're on stage Is your heart still filled with rage? Do you still fight for lover's rights?
Challenge is for lovers But when I run my feet hurt So I'll stay here and fight for lover's rights
And when you rush I'll call your name Like Harvard Square holds all inane And don't you know I'll be your badger And don't be terse and don't be shy Just hug my lips and say good lies And know that I will be your bail bond
Oh Kelly don't you go Kelly don't you go Kelly don't you go I want you to know That I've been trying, I've been lying I've been stealing, I've been hiding I will meet you in the grave Kelly, Kelly, it's not your right To be cheating, fighting and starting life When my head and hands are tied to you so tight Oh Kelly just tell me one more thing Is it mine or is it some other ring That you wear as we lie in bed tonight?
And Kelly, who's the logger? Oh, Kelly, who's the logger? Oh Kelly, who's the logger who's trees were felled with might? And Kelly, hold your water Oh Kelly, hold your water Oh Kelly, Kelly, hold your water tight
And when you rush I'll call your name Like Harvard Square holds all inane And don't you know I'll be your badger And don't be terse and don't be shy Just hug my lips and say goodbye Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye Goodbyebyebyebyebyebyebyebyebye
I saw Yeasayer a couple weeks ago opening for MGMT. I only knew a few songs from each band, but the show was sold out, and I fell into a ticket. How could I say no?
Yeasayer is a Brooklyn-based band that is still pretty fresh to the national scene. They had amazing energy, and really jammed out. The lead singer was freaking with the mic and gesturing wildly, almost revivalist style. It was pretty great. As a side note, they provided excellent indie-style visual stimulation - there was a side ponytail, braided pigtails, moustaches, an a-shirt (a.k.a. wife-beater), a various patterns of layered plaid and check, a yellow hood, sunglasses for a brief period of time, a crustacean forearm tattoo, and a well-worn graphic tee. Terribly stylish. They also like Sriracha (note the green capped jar in image). Men of my own heart.
Anyhow, right now I am way into this song. They describe their sound as "middle eastern-psych-pop-snap-gospel". As much as I don't want to say it, there is something about this band that reminds me of the jam-drum bands I listened to in a previous life...like, uh, Rusted Root. Yeasayer uses a lot of percussive, earthy rhythms, ambient sounds, world music harmonies, and and there is something just slightly new-agey about the lyrics. I kind of feel like I should be at a big hippie festival that has been displaced to a hip club, and instead of patchwork pants, all the kids are wearing expensive boutique denim. I told an enthusiastic, watered down version of this to frontman Chris Keating (he's the one chopping the zucchini). We were standing next to each other in the back while MGMT played. I couldn't help the opportunity to chat him up; I'm not sure what he honestly thought about my assessment, other than saying he'd never been to any of those festivals. He was gracious and introduced himself; if anything, hopefully it gave him a laugh.
Give it a listen! The song starts with a non-optimistic view of the future, celebrates the beauty of the current moment, and then pushes for communal farming with enthusiastic "yeah!"s yelled in unison. Take it as literally or as figuratively as you want...
Lyrics: I can't sleep when I think about the times we're living in, I can't sleep when I think about the future I was born into, Outsiders dressed up like Sunday morning, With no Berlin wall what the hell you gonna do.
(Chorus:) It's a New Year, I'm glad to be here It's a fresh spring, So let's sing.
In 2080 I'll surely be dead So don't look ahead, Never look ahead
It's a New Year, I'm glad to be here It's the first spring, So let's sing.
And the moon shines bright On the water tonight So we won't drown In the summer sound.
If you find me I'll be sitting by the water fountain, Picket signs, letdowns, meltdown it's Monday morning But it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright It's alright, Cause in no time, They'll be gone I guess I'll still be standing here.
(Chorus)
(Bridge:) Yeah Yeah we can all grab at the chance and be handsome farmers, Yeah you can have twenty one sons and be blood when they marry my daughters, And the pain that we left at the station will stay in a jar behind us. We can pickle the pain into blue ribbon winners at county contests.
20080206: I re-read my blog today and was horrified to see the vast number of typos and weird sentences. These have now been corrected, my word.
Hi readers! I apologize for skipping out last week, life presented too many balls and I dropped one. That one ball happened to be this blog. Sorry friends.
This week I am featuring "Take Pills" by Panda Bear. Panda Bear is the alias for Noah Lennox, one member of the band Animal Collective. His album Person Pitch made major indie headlines last year; either you totally buy into his sound or you think he is ripping off Brian Wilson's sound WAY too much and that makes you crabby or you just don't like the general concept. I just got the album a couple weeks ago after coming across one of the tracks. Since then, I have been listening to the entire album obsessively, because that's how I roll. It is jangly and sparkly, psychedelically poppy, and experimental. I think it is full of momentum, despite the repetitive sample looping and dubbing. This album makes me feel good.
Simple as that. I put it on in the car, while I'm at work, while I'm working on projects at home, while I'm in the bath, while I have people over, whenever really. And I'm really excited to listen to it come springtime. Because it feels like spring. But it also works in winter. It may very well be trans-seasonal, and that is rare and beautiful.
Why "Take Pills" if I love the whole album so much? I think is a solid and approachable representation of the album. Some tracks are long - over 12 minutes - and other are short little gems, like this one. More importantly, I like the lyric/music relationship. When I listen to the music, I feel great. It starts quiet, pensive. Half way through, the tempo picks up and he delivers a poppy, repetitive little melody. The lyrics say we should take things one day at a time, that we're stronger than pills, and we don't need to take them to feel good. Listening, I wonder if part of the secret to becoming stronger is absorbing deep breaths and good music.
So, if you like "Take Pills", check out the rest of the album; you might dig it. I think "Bros" is probably my favorite, but it is hard for me to choose. And I love "Good Girl/Carrots". Okay. I like them all for different reasons. Check it.
"Take Pills" lyrics: surely there is no substitute for company my mom's ripping off her hands one flake at a time all her children left the house and left her all alone but just like she'd tell me things get better just wait and you'll see
take one day at a time everything else you can leave behind only one thing at a time anything more really hurts your mind i don't want for us to take pills anymore not that it's bad i don't want for us to take pills because we're stronger and we don't need them
Here's "Bros", because I love it too much and need to share it! This is a 5-ish minute edit of the 12-minute song, so it is just a little taste. Sit back, relax, breathe, and cuddle aurally with Panda Bear.
To celebrate the last day of 2008, I would like to segue into the new year, by starting off January's Song of the Day theme: Local Artists! I know a bunch of us have already posted on Cloud Cult (ahem: Brenda, Dylan, Myself, Kelsey, etc...)...But - They really are freakin awesome :) and so is The Meaning of 8. This is most definitely an album that I never get tired of listening to, and I think that is mostly due to the fact that there are so many layers to Cloud Cult. This album is also a go-to album for any mood I may be in because the end result is always the same - I feel extremely happy and hopeful and instantly better when I listen to it. I've been lucky enough to see them play live a couple of times already this year, and I really encourage all of you to check them out when they come to/near your town.
