MTV to Remake The Rocky Horror Picture Show?

This is some weak ass shit.
What the fuck?

High Fidelity

Top Five List

Opening Tracks

El Capitan's List

1. King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1 - Neutral Milk Hotel-->In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
   
2. Everything In Its Right Place - Radiohead-->Kid A
   
3. Neighborhood #1 - Arcade Fire-->Funeral
4. Only Shallow - My Bloody Valentine -->Loveless
   
5. Fake Empire - The National-->Boxer
   

BAM!s List
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana -->Nevermind
2. King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1 - Neutral Milk Hotel-->In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
3. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 - Bob Dylan-->Blonde on Blonde
4. Darklands - Jesus and Mary Chain-->Darklands
5. Did You See The Words - Animal Collective-->Feels

Modern Classics

Music Has The Right To Children

Radiohead is considered by many to be "the greatest band in the world."  Most would consider them to be groundbreaking and cutting edge . . . . but, which artists have had the largest influence the "greatest band in the world?"  Radiohead's first two albums, Pablo Honey and The Bends, are no doubt greatly influence by the 90's grunge scene and 80's classics such as R.E.M., the Pixies, and the Smiths.  But, then something changed when they released Ok Computer in 1997.  With Ok Computer (which is truly one of the greatest albums of all time) Radiohead began to dabble in electronic music and lay the groundwork for their later more experimental work.   Then in 2000 with the release of Kid A and in 2001's Amnesiac Radiohead found themselves thoroughly blending the world of ambient electronic music and alternative rock.  These are my two favorite Radiohead albums, so I wanted to find out a little more about the artists who inspired them.    

  

Thom York has mentioned several electronic acts which have influenced Radiohead over the years: Autechre, Aphex Twin, Massive Attack, Squarepusher, DJ Shadow, and Boards of Canada.  So, I began listening to several of these acts and found myself really liking what I heard . . . and one stood out above the rest.  Boards of Canada.  Boards of Canada is a Scottish electronic music duo who's deep mysterious sounds never fail to fully captivate.  I find myself time and time again lost in their world of rich atmospherics and organic beats.  Boards of Canada's first major release in 1998, Music Has the Right To Children, takes listeners on a rare and relaxing journey and is best enjoyed with some nice headphones.  

Boards of Canada - ROYGBIV

Radiohead  - All I Need

    

BILLBOARD-IN'

Nas has taken control of the Billboard Top 200, unseating fellow rapper Lil' Wayne. This is awesome, because Nas is awesome...and probably more relevant than Lil' Wayne even still. The greatest gainer this week is the soundtrack to the film adaptation of the Abba inspired musical Mamma Mia.

1. Nas--Untitled
2. Lil' Wayne--Tha Carter III
3. Mamma Mia--OTS
4. Coldplay--Viva la Vida...
5. Camp Rock--OTS


Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl" still rests atop the Hot 100 singles charts (either in spite of or because of her striking vocal similarity to Kelly Clarkson) followed by Rihanna, Chris Brown, Lil' Wayne, and Coldplay.



The Foo Fighters are atop the Hot Modern Rock Tracks list with their single Let it Die followed by Weezer's Pork and Beans. Some crappy, marginal songs round out the list including singles by Disturbed, Colplay, and the Offspring (which is completely surprising to me they are still allowed to make music...even more surprising is people are spending their money on it).

'Til next week...

07/24/2008: Terrible Song of the Day

This song is so bad, I just don't know what to say. I am at a complete loss for words. Is this song a comment about our obsession with fortune and fame? Then why is the video filled with the fortunate and famous?

Be sure to listen around the 3:20 mark for the obligatory Nickelback acoustic breakdown, followed by the reintroduction of a somewhat heavy guitar sound and metronomic drums--a delicious package wrapped up in about 4 minutes. If this is really what being a rock star is about, count me out.

Modern Classics

Brawler? Bawler? Bastard?

About a year and a half ago I uploaded Real Gone, the nineteenth album from Mr. Tom Waits, onto my computer. I must admit that at the time I really had no idea who Tom Waits was. I remember thinking, "is this the guy who was in Mystery Men?" Over the next few months those sixteen songs simply sat in my computer with a play count of zero. Then about a year ago while I was sitting in my classroom (during my plan period of course) wishing that I had some edgy new music to fill the room with, I decided to give Real Gone a try. The first thirty seconds of "Top Of the Hill" (the albums opening track) had me questioning my choice, but fortunately I had recently adopted the practice of listening to albums in their entirety before passing judgement. So, I sat and listened to Tom Waits for the first time while frantically clicking the mouse in a mean game of solitaire. Then, about seven minutes into the album, I found my self completely engrossed with the deep, raspy, choking voice that was singing over the spanish influenced guitar and maracas in "Hoist That Rag". By the end of the album I was hooked. I could not wait for school to get out so I could head across the street and buy a few more of Tom Waits albums.

I had spent the remainder of my planning period researching which albums to purchase and had decided on Rain Dogs and Heartattack And Vine. I immediately went home and listened to my two new CD's. I was completely blown away with Rain Dogs and "Ruby's Arms" (which appears on Heartattack) had me in tears. (Hey, I dare you to listen to that song and not at least swell up a little). I felt a strange connection to the songs that were pouring from my speakers. I could not, and still cannot, explain this connection. For, I have never left my lover at a train station or danced in a Birmingham Jail. But, for some reason I do feel an extremely strong connection to Tom's portraits of life's stranger characters and saddest moments.

Now, for the past year Tom Waits has remained one of my favorite artists of all time and my love for this mans work grows every day. Every time I look at my CD collection I am little surprised at how many of Waits' albums are on the shelf but, I truly love each and every one of them. Now I will leave you with some of my favorite lyrics from Mr. Waits:

Never Let Go

Well, ring the bell backwards and bury the axe

Fall down on your knees in the dirt

I'm tied to the mast between water and wind

Believe me, you'll never get hurt

Our ring's in the pawnshop, the rain's in the hole

Down at the Five Points I stand

I'll lose everything

But I won't let go of your hand

Well, Peter denied and Judas betrayed

I'll bail with the roll of the drum

And the wind will tell the turn from the wheel

And the watchman is making his rounds

Well, you'll leave me hanging by the skin of my teeth

I've only got one leg to stand

You can send me to hell

But I'll never let go of your hand

Swing from a rope on a cross-legged dream

Signed with One Eyed Jack's blood

From Temple to Union, to LA and Grand

Walking back home in the mud

Now I must make my best of the only way home

Molly deals only in stone

I'm lost on the midway, I'm reckless in your eyes

Just give me a couple more throws

I'll dare you to dine with the cross-legged knight

Dare me to jump and I will

I'll fall from your grace

But I'll never let go of your hand

I'll never let go of your hand

((Hopefully this will be the first blog post of many where, rather than find the coolest new band or song, I share with you some of my all time favorite artists or albums. During this (in my humble opinion) slow year for new music I have dedicated my "music time" to exploring the roots behind the great "Indy" music we love today... and I can not wait to share it with you.))

Dear Science,

A New TV On the Radio album is slated to be released via Interscope on September 23, 2008.

And according to Pitchfork the comma is part of the album title, which is kind of weird taken by itself--but makes a lot of sense when speaking about TV On the Radio. Can't wait. More details as they emerge...

07/21/2008: Terrible Song of the Day

I'm not of the persuasion the Beatles never recorded a bad song, and "Ob La Di..." is one of them. This song is baffling, it isn't like any other song by the Beatles, it is almost completely senseless, annoying and generally stupid.

Forget how nostalgic you feel when you hear this song and think about Corky from the 80's television show of the same name, and listen to this song a few times and see if your skin doesn't start to crawl.

Discover: Lupe Fiasco

Unless you couldn't possibly be concerned with hip hop or too stubborn to listen to anything other than terrestrial radio, you've probably already at least heard of Lupe Fiasco and how he's probably the greatest MC living today, breathing fresh air into hip hop (a loosely quoted Jay-Z comment). For those of you that haven't heard either him or of him--sit back and enjoy.

07/17/2008: Terrible Song of the Day

Apparently a song about paparazzi and the spreading of any and all types of gossip, "Dirty Laundry" is flat-out awful. Part half-assed attempt at satire, part armchair social commentary, completely unbearable. All this song does is bring home the point the American public's fascination with the lives of celebrities isn't a recent occurrence. What's mind boggling is why anyone would be that interested in the life of Don Henley...oh wait, didn't he sleep with Stevie Nicks? Ohhhh, now I get it.

Rolling Into Rehab

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has entered rehab according to various news outlets. This recent development comes on the heels of the report good ole' Ron ran off to Ireland with a 19 year old cocktail waitress during the middle of an incredible drinking binge (what a pimp). Ronnie Wood's wife speculates he's been drinking two bottles of vodka a day, which is pretty heavy, especially for a 61 year old.

All kidding aside, it's good to know he's getting the help he needs. When the other Stones ask him what he's thinking, its safe to assume his situation is in need of repair.

Of Montreal: Skeletal Lamping Artwork Revealed

I mean, there's naked people and hungry plant-like creatures...and a totem pole. But come on, how can one not be excited about this upcoming album (release date set for October 7). The mood of the new record is an exciting conversation piece. I'm curious if it will be more music similar to Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? and the Icons, Abstract Thee EP. Which wouldn't be disappointing, because Hissing Fauna...is on of the best "breakup" albums ever produced.
Time will tell.

07/16/2008: Terrible Song of the Day

Come on, it's deliciously bad, and I bet the next time you wake up you'll still be playing that song with the stereo in your mind. Before you leave John Waite, be sure you won't miss his touch, his earring he stole from my mother, and his ability to sing with fervor without even squinting his face--because he is not missing you at all!

Can a man maintain his dignity by trying to convince himself he doesn't miss his girl when he really does? Telling your ex you don't miss her at all, when she isn't even there to hear you...is just...weird. But the electronic drums kick ass...little kid ass, but asses are being kicked nevertheless.

The most impressive part of John Waite's career isn't the fact he also was the frontman for Bad English, but rather, the ability to bleach his hair and sing front vocals for Roxette.

BILLBOARD-IN'

The Billboard charts are almost always interesting, mainly to see what music the nation is purchasing and subsequently listening to. However, the Billboard charts are not an indicator of good music, talented musicians, or interesting songwriters, but simply (as stated) the tangible, mathematical proof of what is being purchased with the most frequency across the land.

Whether your motives are to scoff, sneer, cheer, jeer, or discover, the charts are a great source for entertaining yourself. Elitists prep yourself, mainstreamers prepare to rejoice and revel in your own self-righteousness.

Billboard Hot 100 Top 5:

1. Katy Perry--"I Kissed A Girl"
2. Rihanna--"Take A Bow"
3. Little Wayne ft. Static Major--"Lollipop"

4. Leona Lewis--"Bleeding Love"
5. Coldplay--"Viva La Vida"

Billboard Albums Chart:

1. Lil Wayne--The Carter III
2. Coldplay--Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
3. Camp Rock Official Soundtrack*
4. G Unit--T.O.S. (Terminate On Sight)
5. John Mayer--Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles**

*Uhm...what the hell?
**It's not enough people get The May-May crammed down their throats, they have to purchase the live disc to come close to satisfaction.

For additional information feel free the visit the Billboard website here. The Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is particularly humorous.