Saturday, August 13, 2011: Explosions In The Sky - Last Known Surroundings

Explosions In The Sky is a post-rock band from Austin, Texas, and Last Known Surroundings is the first track off their 2011 album Take Care, Take Care, Take Care.

Those are the facts, and they are not in dispute.

What is up for grabs is pretty much everything else. Their sound has been defined as "Post Rock", described as "cinematic", and veering from "delicate soundscapes to all out guitar squalls."

I'm sure a dozen music critics would have thirteen different definitions of what each of those mean.

This is a band that not only bucks the convention of contemporary music, but it just completely ignores it.  Kind of like that table of nerds at Denny's at 3 in the morning too deep into their own discussion of where the splash page of Bane breaking Batman's spine would ultimately fit in comic book lore to notice the table of beautiful and slightly tipsy women eyeing them at the next table over.

EITS does only instrumental music. Unless you're into Jazz, I would guess the last all instrumental song you've probably heard was Jessica by The Allman Brothers.

Next, their songs are rarely under five minutes, most hovering anywhere between 7-9. Again, unless you're into Jazz, I would bet the last all instrumental song you've probably heard which was over 7 minutes long was Jessica by The Allman Brothers.

So, what is up for grabs, ultimately, is this question: Is their music cool? No question.

However, what I see as the problem with EITS is that one full minute after I listen to an EITS song, I couldn't hum you the melody even if you paid me one million dollars.  Now, obviously, there are far worse criticisms a band could be accused of.  But it does bring up one other thing that's up for grabs - will their music last?  I do hope so, I think most of what they produce is lush and gorgeous, even if it is mostly superficial gloss and texture.

So, do enjoy today's selection, and get to know more of this wonderful band.  Who  knows, maybe you'll have a better memory than mine.

Friday, August 12, 2011: Liquid Stranger - Destroy Robots (G'iz Rocah Re-Edit)

Never underestimate my power.

Here's a top track for testing the mettle of your sound system, as well as testing the quality of your neighbors taste in music.

The robots just might destroy all of us this weekend, let's use the time we have wisely

And party our @$$3$ off.

Destroy.

Thursday, August 11, 2011: Blue Swede - Hooked On A Feeling

Greatest opening of a song ever.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Fault Line

This really is unprecedented.

Just before going on hiatus for June and July, I posted a song by the group Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

The thing about it is, it was the wrong song. It really was.

I didn't realize it at the time because, without going into too much detail, my head was really in a bad place. I took my eye off the ball, I was preoccupied by other things.

Excuses.

Don't get me wrong, Whatever Happened To My Rock N Roll is a fine song. Somewhat. But it's just not the RIGHT song. If that makes any sense.

Here is the song I should have posted by BRMC.

There, that feels better

Enjoy.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011: How Cool Are: They Might Be Giants

Remember, kids, the old TWOfer Tuesdays have been replaced with our new segment, How Cool Are:

For today, How Cool Are: They Might Be Giants

Are you kidding me? I can't even come close to explaining how cool They Might Be Giants are. Not even within a thousand miles. Not even close.

They Might Be Giants are an alternative pop/rock duo from Massachusetts, formed in 1982 by John Linnell and John Flansburgh.

Now, more than likely if you've heard of They Might Be Giants (assuming you have heard of them), it's probably because you've crossed paths with at least one of these: The theme from the TV series Malcolm In The Middle titled Boss Of Me, or, you had a cool friend or college roommate in the early 90's who had Flood, a gold album containing their highest ranked chart topper "Birdhouse in Your Soul" which reached number three on the US Modern Rock chart in 1989, and also had a couple of minor hits with an old, off-beat classic "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)", and this wonderful ditty, which may or may not be inspired by the melody from Spider Man: Particle Man



And this, for me, is what makes TMBG so frickin' cool.

While there are many other sucka MC's claiming to drop the science, here is a group that really delivers.

In fact, one of their most recent releases is a "kids" album (don't invest too much heed to that term, gentle reader) that extols the virtues of science. In fact, Here Comes The Science is a total throwback to those wonderful Schoolhouse Rock shorts that people of a certain age remember growing up with, with most still being unable to recite the preamble of the US Constitution without breaking into song.

Here Comes The Science takes topics that kids, and most people frankly, find obtuse and boring, and through really great music (see the 2nd selection below) manages to make the subjects fun and, more importantly, makes the listener curious, and wanting to learn more. Amazing.

Ultimately, what makes TMBG the coolest isn't that they sing great songs about science, what makes them cool is that they are genuinely, wonderfully inspired by the world around them. While a large majority of music is so self-centered (I'm hurt, I'm in love, I'm cool, I'm disillusioned, blah, blah, blah), TMBG reminds us that the best parts of the world are outside of ourselves.

They are so very cool. Enjoy.

Monday, August 8, 2011: Reel Big Fish - Sell Out

Monday posts are usually centered around work, going back to work, starting the work week, etc

I appreciate that this is slightly unfair to those who have to work weekends, or those who work different shifts than the day shift.

But, regardless of your work schedule, work is a large part of our lives. Getting education to find a good job, looking for a job, being at a job, getting fired/quitting a job, looking for another job or whatever, employment encompasses a large part of our world.

So, if that's the case, why not just do what you love?

And, hey, if you can sell out while doing it, even better

No, I'm serious. Would you rather flip burgers, have nothing and retain your "values", or play music for a living, and get to have a pool, go to Europe, date hot chicks, and get comped at clubs?

Well?

Something to think about for your Monday.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

No blogging on a Sunday.

See you Monday!