Slept in your overalls...

ahaha
Sometimes I think the new indie thing to do is to dump on indie stereotypes.
And it's still pretty funny.

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Music + Science = Sexy

I just stumbled upon an old interview with Questionable Content's author and artist, Jeph Jacques, found here. For those of you who don't know about my growing love with Questionable Content, it is a slice-of-life webcomic that follow a 20-something living in Massachusetts. Indie music humor can be found peppered throughout the five year archive. It's a good read, throw away a couple hours and check it out.


"What is your take on indie bands "selling out"? Do you think It's just a handy moniker for bands that just get too popular, or is there something else involved?

"Selling out" is the most ridiculous, overused, pointless term ever, pretty much. The only things that should matter when you listen to a band's music is whether you enjoy it or not- not whether they live in mansions or only four other people know they exist or whatever. If a band makes music I like, I'll listen to them. When it comes to somebody like Modest Mouse or the Flaming Lips, where they're on major record labels and making decent money off their music, I say good for them, as long as they're still making the kind of music they want to be making. I know first hand how difficult it is to make a living doing something creative- more power to anybody who can pull it off, regardless of their medium."

Your thoughts?

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My Space

Please be my friend.

Hello all my dear readers. I have opened up a myspace page for my music. I'll be posting songs periodically (that is after I record them). Please be sure to check it regularly, leave your friendly comments, and show any sort of love that you can.

Thanks,

Ariel

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California's okay but I think I might stay here a while...

I've been sitting on this a while, wanting to write something a little more significant about it, but I might as well just share it. The music video for Death Cab For Cutie's new single, "I Will Possess Your Heart".



I am really excited for the new album especially since "Gibbard claims that they have nothing to prove and that the band simply wants to make a record that they like." -- Behind the scenes

I am really digging this single, but don't think about it at all. I use it as great background music. Like if I were touring the world on public transit.

I'll see you all May 13th.

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Seraphim and seaweed swim where stick-limbed Myla lies

I know it’s late, but finally I get around to making my first real review. Entertaining the request of contest winner Julia, I decided to follow suit with so many other bloggers and throw in my two cents on Vampire Weekend’s debut album.


I first heard about this band around last summer when my friend Emily mentioned them in passing. I made the snap judgement of a local band with a stereotypical myspace page. They had some decent songs but I wrote them off. Then the momentum behind them just started to build and they took off. Is there anything left to say about them (aside from their bassist being Scott Baio’s nephew)?

Sure. It’s my duty to try and find it. So let’s check all the Afro-pop and Paul Simon comparisons at the door.

Like so many before me, I had to listen to this album more than once for it to really turn me. Part of me wanted to love it, so I could fit in with the in crowd. Part of me wanted to hate it, so I could fit in with the even more in crowd.

The album opens with a minimalistic vocal arrangement punctuated with several key piano notes. The rest of the band slowly fills in and introduces one to the sounds that one can expect as the album, as a whole, will go on. I don’t think there is a better track that explains the overall appeal of the band. Yes, there’s a degree of intellectualism but there’s a sincere playfulness that is so inviting, it’s hard not to smile.

I mean, they have a song called Oxford Comma. “Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?” Because I take special pleasure in trying to make heads or tails of English grammar rules (via harassing English majors), there’s a certain extra attraction I find to their second track. But in the words of the coolest persona in the music scene, High Fidelity’s Rob Gordon, “You gotta kick off with a killer, to hold the attention. Then you have to take it up a notch, but not blow your wad…” and I think this is exactly what Vampire Weekend has accomplished.

For the record, I am a supporter of the Oxford comma. It clarifies more ambiguities than it creates. I find it aesthetically pleasing by keeping order and continuity. I find it more proper. But that's just me.

Another personal favorite note is Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa. It’s enchanting and infectious. Enjoy it.

Where the album really loses me, unfortunately, is track 8, One (Blake’s Got a New Face). I find the chorus grating and it snaps me, quite harshly, out of the rest of the song. The vocals seem shrill and strained. It takes more concentration than one would expect to resist the urge for me to hit the skip button.

Despite this stumble, this is strong album from an upcoming band. What they do, in the grand tradition of pitchfork darlings before them, Arcade Fire, is kick the shoegazing crowd around a bit. The 90s are over and Lush isn’t gonna get back together. There’s no reason not to move around a bit. It’s wonderful party music.

But that brings me to an important point. While I find this album entirely energetic and playful, it is not dance party music. Let’s make a distinction: party music is fun, keeps people happy, is memorable but not overwhelming, you play it at a comfortable volume to encourage conversation. Some examples: The Arcade Fire, The Shins, Stars, or Guster. Dance party music is a little more energetic, typically played louder (think close talking and shouting or specifically moving to talk), and is instantly singable, especially in inebriation. Some of my favorite dance party beats: Daft Punk, Ted Leo, and anything pop-tastic (this implies everything from Kanye West, to Kelly Clarkson, to Third Eye Blind, to Rick Astley). At some point in the night, you keep drinking water not to avoid that hangover but because your throat hurts from screaming lyrics and your clothes are drenched in more sweat than your red plastic Solo can hold. If you’re not sweating this much, you’re doing something wrong.

Finally, one of the single most important aspects of any album for me is the closer. The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance successfully lulls me into a state of relaxation, like the friendly unwinding as your guests take their leave. There’s a mess to clean up now, but you’re just reveling in the afterglow of a successful night.

So, my thoughts? This is a good album. It’s not ground breaking but it’s fresh and new, so it kind of is. If you haven’t, pick up a copy; you won’t be wasting your money. It seamlessly fits in with most indie collections yet stands out on its own individuality. Though the buzz may die down, Vampire Weekend will be a band worth keeping an eye on. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing them in a few top 5 of 2008 lists at the end of the year.

Finally, written earlier this year:
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/01/vampire_weekend_backlash.html
because who doesn’t love poking fun at hipsters?

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The Bitran Family: Top 5 Albums to Work/Study to

I gave a challenge to our writers to give me their top 5 albums to work or study to. Their interpretation of the use of the top 5 then followed with a list. In this entry, you'll find mine, my brother, and my sister's list with some glaring genetic correlation.

Alberto Bitran’s top 5:

These are my top five:

1) Dream Theater, Metropolis: Scenes from a Memory
2) Seu Jorge, The Life Aquatic (Studio Sessions)
3) John Coltrane, All grouped: My Favorite Things, Giant Steps, A Love Supreme
4) Luis Alberto Spinetta, Para Los Arboles
5) Sarah McLachlan, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

This is for work, or in college or school doing homework (not for studying).


Debbie Bitran’s top 5:

here they are (in no particular order, except for number one...those two albums are actually my number ones):

1) Bela Fleck- Tales from the Acoustic Planet/ The Bluegrass Sessions: Tales from the Acoustic Planet (i listed both albums under one number)
2) Yann Tiersen- Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulain (Amelie soundtrack)
3) Miles Davis- Kind of Blue
4) Lotus- Germination
5) Thelonious Monk- Round Midnight

This list is agreeable with ALL forms of studying: doing homework, busy work, just plain studying, reading, and all of the above. I have found in my few years of hardcore studying that listening to music is in fact conducive to studying; however, it is vital that the music be instrumental only -- no words. Words are distracting, and, unless you have an uncanny ability to concentrate, which some people do (example: my best friend marci...i'm convinced she has an adderall dispenser built in her brain), music with words will probably be counterproductive.


Ariel Bitran’s top 5:

Here’s my top 5.

1. Germination by Lotus: never-ending drums, spacey synthesizers, and honeyed melodies. No album is better to get your brain shifted into 5th gear. Mike Rempel’s sound-sweeping guitar pulls on the levers and pulleys in my prefrontal cortex and suddenly I’m a machine. Driven and destined. This ElectroniFunkaJamband expands on epic musical journeys that simply get me in the zone. It’s on both Debbie and my Top Five’s for one reason: the album is perfect.

2. Death and the Maiden by Takács Quartet: One of those random albums received in the acquisition between my brother’s music and mine freshman year, this string quartet’s performance of Franz Schubert’s Death and the Maiden provides a sense of adventure and grace to the studying process. When you hear the violinist breath into your ear, it is because he’s there with you struggling to beat that chapter. When he flips a page in his score, you turn one in your textbook and with every resinous bow across the cello, your highlighter slides across the page in such sweet squeakiness. At the latter portion of the album is another piece, Rosamunde I-IV, which is quite forgettable, compared to the exciting first half, but it’s worth the sacrifice.

3. Dead Set by the Grateful Dead: My old faithful of the set, I remember listening to this CD in my sweet CD/tape player back in the 6th grade while writing an essay about Redwall. Though many of the live cuts are edited, something many Dead fans may complain about, the choice cuts are juicy and the Dead boogie down hard. Instead of what could’ve possibly a slightly drawn out jam, you get song after song, keeping you moving. Brent Mydland’s Rhodes solo in the slowed down “Friend of the Devil” is transcendent.

4. Images and Words by Dream Theater: I don’t know what it is about double bass drum pedals, but they somehow make you write faster. This album has one of my favorite Dream Theater songs, “Take the Time” which encourages you to take it easy and not freak out, perfect advice while doing homework. Also, it has some of the most badass keyboard solos ever.

5. Boulevard by St. Germain: St. Germain’s brand of complex house jazz fills my need for pensive solos with a pulsing bass. Some beats are reminiscent of Dr. Dre, like the one on “Street Scene (For Shazz).”

I’d like to note that I cannot study for tests while listening to music, because I have to focus on my work. Primarily music is listened to while doing math-like homework, writing an essay, or any other busy work.

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Ryan Harrington's Top 5 Albums to Work/Study to

When I was first propositioned to make a list of albums to “work/study to” I was little dumbfounded. This is because I interpreted the “work” part of the question to be chores, like cleaning your car, tidying your room, washing dishes etc. Whereas studying is pour over textbooks and notes, reviewing concepts and formulas, writing out equations and solving problems. These are two different things, one very physical and one very mental.

After some deliberation, I went with the more clearly defined idea studying music, and sent off a quick list on my deadline, promising to get a full article in later (I’ve been neglecting blog duties on all fronts, sorry folks). As I worked on fleshing out this list, I realized that I shouldn’t just ignore my duties to you, gentle readers, just because I have “homework,” no, I should get serious about this. And ignore my homework. So, lucky ducks, you’re getting a big two for one deal here.

Now, many of you have read my earlier post (all three of you, perhaps) where I explained a little of my history with music. It happened to include a top 5 list of my favorite bands. Now, in general, what drew me to these bands can easily be identified by pop hooks, evocative lyrics, and an assortment of melancholy ballads and energetic singles amongst their repertoires. It’s easily accessible, yet can still be complex. This all very general because none of this applies to the music in this post at all.

Part of it is that music and mood go hand in hand in such a give and take relationship that it’s hard for music not to influence your mood and vice versa. So, I try and set strict parameters in discussions and avoid absolutes. Or maybe I’m just too scared to jump the fence and pick a side. Either way, you guys get two posts here: the first for gentle, solitary, and perhaps pedantic times, the other for visceral, energetic, and possibly sweaty situations.

The Top 5 Albums I study to:
5. Our Endless Numbered Days – Iron and Wine
There is a quiet, understated beauty in this album. The music has this sort of rustic, folksy charm that evokes images of log cabins and tall pine forests. I saw him live, and though it is not well reflected in his music, he is a very fun loving and endearing individual which always helps the music appeal to me. If I had to use a word to describe this, it would be tranquility.
Tracks to check out: Sodom South Georgia, Sunset Soon Forgotten

4. Mare Vitalis – The Appleseed Cast
Arguably the most upbeat of the albums on this list, which may make it seem a little out of place. Its draw is that its energy and rhythm are driven forward without being vocal centric. Typically, I love to sing along to songs and will get so caught up in what I am doing that I keep reading without actually paying any attention to the text at hand. Yet, I find that the varying intensity in this album perks my oft drooping eyelids without these distractions.
Tracks to check out: Fishing the Sky, Forever Longing the Golden Sun

3. Designing a Nervous Breakdown – The Anniversary
The keyboards are reminiscent of the classic video games of my youth. The vocals remind me of the cool, indie crowd I am still jealous of. The album itself brings back all sorts of memories from high school. Maybe I just listened to it a lot at home while dominating AP classes and feel like maybe, just maybe, the good student in me will poke through again. Maybe it’s just that the repetitive beats are a wonderful background filler that is not too obtuse. Who knows.
Tracks to check out: All Things Ordinary, The D in Detroit

2. Cease to Begin – Band of Horses
I was very hesitant to put this album on this list, especially so high; mostly because it’s still so new. It has over 50 spins though, on this computer alone, so hopefully the novelty has run its course and its sheer sticking power is what keeps drawing me back to it. There is a haunting quality about Ben Bridwell’s lyrics and voice that lingers in my mind and seems so empty. It reminds me of walking in cold, clear winter nights, the winds just howling.
Tracks to check out: No One’s Gonna Love You, Lamb On the Lam (in the City)

1. American Football – American Football
American Football is possibly one of my favorite albums of all time. If this band had a larger catalog, they may have climbed higher in my own ranks. While sounding eerily melancholy and slightly distant or isolating, I feel only a calming serenity wash over me and my mood strangely brightens. Emo lyrics are lost in the soft sounds and varying time signatures. It is this peace of mind that helps me focus rather than distract me, as I am prone to do.
Tracks to check out: Never Meant, For Sure.

The Top 5 albums to Work to:
5. Bleed American (or Self titled) – Jimmy Eat World
I have an unexplainable attraction to this saccharine album that just makes me want to get up and move. I scream along, jump around, and just get enthused. Though I am super awkward and shy, sometimes just cutting loose and having a good time wins out. And my absolute favorite thing is to crank this album and wash my car in the summer sun. It’s so simple, it’s beautiful.
Tracks to check out: The Authority Song, A Praise Chorus

4. Sorry About Tomorrow – Hot Rod Circuit
These are some really good sing along songs. For reals. They are named after a Simpsons quote. For reals. Okay, so I feel a little guilt because they’re kinda…well lame. It’s kinda lame, sure, but it’s a lot more fun. Draw your own comparisons because I don’t want to taint you with mine (which are kinda wrong).
Tracks to listen to: Cool For One Night, Let’s Go Home

3. The Body, The Blood The Machine – The Thermals
I think everyone reads those dystopian themed novels in school, either out of deliberate choice or part of a class. And I think it always makes a small portion of them, secretly, want to be revolutionaries. Rise up and lead a new era. And all that passion is conjured in this dystopian themed album.
Tracks to check out: St Rosa and the Swallows, A Pillar of Salt

2. Kill Them With Kindness – The Jealous Sound
I think the draw to this album is just how infectious it is. The riffs get in my head and I just want to move. Though all these albums have the occasional breather song, the one where you don’t have to be jumping and screaming the entire time, this is probably the tamest on the list. It’s just so goddamn catchy. Maybe I just can’t explain it properly.
Tracks to check out: Naïve, Does That Make Sense

1. Something To Write Home About – The Get Up Kids
I first got this album from my friend Dan, who has music tastes that are beyond impeccable, as a holiday gift along with a copy of, I believe, The Foo Fighters’ There is Nothing Left to Lose. Because The Color and the Shape is so amazing, I was really excited to get this other FF album but didn’t know what to make of this new band. Finally, I was doing homework one day and just put it into my cd drive. Ever since, I’ve been in love. This is so much of who I am: kinda loud and fast, a little emo, a bit childish. It reminds me of high school and that it’s okay to be young and stupid.
Tracks to check out: Ten Minutes, Close to Home

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