Out of my brain on the five fifteen

...and the envelope please.....

2011-01-31T15:01:00.002-06:00

Yes, it's Jan 31st and I'm well overdue, but you cannot rush perfection. This installment is dedicated to the Best of 2010--which, like last year's list(s), is based on listens, and is NOT related to any magazine/publicized lists:

Listed alphabetically, but in no quantitative order, here's my list for Top 20 Albums of 2010.

The Arrivals Volatile Molotov

The Black Keys Brothers

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Beat The Devil's Tattoo

The Broken Numbers Band Strange Street

Deftones Diamond Eyes

Grindermand Grinderman 2

High On Fire Snakes of the Divine

How To Destroy Angles How To Destroy Angels EP

Johnny Cash American VI: Ain't No Grave

Kylesa Sprial Shadow

Melvins The Bride Screamed Murder

The Null Corporation The Social Network

Off With Their Heads In Desolation

Open Hand Honey

Red Sparrowes The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies The Answer

Slash Slash

Spoon Transference

The Sword Warp Riders

Torche Songs for Singles

Valient Thorr Stranger

and a couple of honorable mentions:

Neil Young Le Noise

The Toadies Feeler

Cancer Bats Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones

Against Me! White Crosses

Ben Folds & Nick Hornby Lonely Avenue

Norma Jean Meridional

Avenged Sevenfold Nightmare

Helmet Seeing Eye Dog

That's all I have. Enjoy.
-Uncle J

Has he lost his mind, can he see or is he blind?

2010-11-19T14:12:00.005-06:00
It's been some time, my minions.....but I'm back and I'm in love with music again...

because it's been a bit since i've sat and LISTENED to a full record, here's a list of things i've been playing repeatedly as of late (in no particular order)
.... you can sink your fangs into this until I return with a new installment.

Cancer Bats "Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones"

Off With Their Heads "In Desolation"

Mike Ness "Cheating At Solitaire"

The Sword "Warp Riders"

Valient Thorr "Stranger"

The Stooges "Fun House"

David Bowie "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars"

rock n roll,
Uncle J.

One For the Money, Two For the Show....

2008-07-26T20:34:00.000-05:00

Elvis Presley - Elvis 56

These recordings mark the beginning of a new era for 'The King', and music all together. Rock n Roll was born, or at least, more accessible than ever; but this wasn’t your typical Rock n’ Roll. If you listen, it has a sort of country swagger to it--a real down home feeling giving these songs a new-yet-familiar vibe, like giving an old pair of boots a good polish. The term ‘Rockabilly’ was the perfect name for this.
In an interview that can be viewed at the Experience Music Project, Barbara Pittman states that, "It was so new and it was so easy. It was a three-chord change. Rockabilly was actually an insult to the southern rockers at that time. Over the years it has picked up a little dignity. It was their way of calling us hillbillies."
Although the term was in common use even before the Burnettes wrote "Rock Billy Boogie", one of the first written uses of the term "rockabilly" was in a June 23, 1956 Billboard review of Ruckus Tyler's "Rock Town Rock".
The first record to contain the word "rockabilly" in a song title was issued in November of 1956, "Rock a Billy Gal". Notable tracks, aside from the staples (“Heartbreak Hotel”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes”), are Little Richards’ “Tutti Frutti”, “Ready Teddy” (which was also done by Buddy Holly 2 years later), and a great version of Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman.”

Nine Inch Nails - The Slip

To sum this album up in two words: “He’s Back.” Yes, I’m well aware that “He’s” a contraction of two words, but this isn’t a grammar lesson. If you’ve been waiting for a Nine Inch Nails record better than the last two releases on Interscope, look no further. “Ghosts I-IV” was great, but more of a Trent Reznor record, not necessarily a NIN record. “Year Zero” and “Year Zero Remixed” were decent, at best, but “The Slip” is a perfect follow up to “With Teeth” (which I thought was a great album reintroducing NIN/Trent Reznor).
“The Slip” opens up in typical NIN fashion: “999,999” which is a whirring, swelling, indescript, and machine-like noise, blending and morphing into the apex of mumbling and what sounds something like “…and I’m slipping.” Transitioning right into “1,000,000” which makes you want to jump around because it sounds like Nine Inch Nails should. Some may argue that it’s not what it used to be, but my question to them is “if it all sounded the same as Pretty Hate Machine or The Downward Spiral, what good would it be?” Trent Reznor/NIN has always pushed the boundaries and tried new sounds, techniques, and approaches to releasing his music. That’s why they are where they are now: releasing music on their own, with no record label. Just look at the guerilla marketing used for the Year Zero release. As soon as NIN’s contract with major-label Interscope Records was up, there was already a release available. A free download from the NIN website, along the same lines as Radiohead’s In Rainbows. There were physical album pre-sales, complete with different packages: double-cd, vinyl/cd-combo, etc. All of the physical pre-sales came with an instant digital download. The Slip was release the same way.
The transitions in this album are flawless, from one song to the next. The sequencing of the tracks are perfectly ordered and gives an ‘old school’ record feel—i.e. listening to the album from front-to-back, instead of the neo-technological fad of ‘shuffle’ and listening to the album in piece-meal. The Slip is a breath of fresh air for music fans, as well as NIN fans—it sounds great everywhere: in the car, at home, in the nude, in a HASMAT suit, or in the shower. I highly recommend multiple listens with a decent pair of headphones in the dark. You can hear all the texturing, and you’ll find new things with each subsequent listen. Tracks to remember: “Echoplex” with the eerie ‘la la la la la la’s’ in the foreground starting at the 2nd verse. “Corona Radiata” and it’s droning low-end frequencies, with spiraling effects of what sounds like wind blowing in a field, but the subtle changes about 4:08 in, give way to some light at the end of this dark, sonic tunnel.

Dead Boys - Young Loud and Snotty
The perfect punk album--it has it all--from top to bottom. Raunchy guitars, steady backbeat, smart (ass) lyrics, and the devil may care attitude of a generation long since overshadowed by a barrage of over-merchandising. 1977 was a huge year for punk rock: The Ramones "Leave Home" and "Rocket To Russia", The Damned's "Damned Damned Damned", Sex Pistols' "Nevermind the Bollocks", The Jam's "In the City", not to mention the Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop released 2 albums that year, as well: "Lust For Life" and "The Idiot". For the Cleveland, Ohio quintet, they played hard on stage and off.

I hadn't heard the band until I read the book Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain. After reading stories of the band, listening to the record, and seeing photos, they truly are the epitome of Punk. They were one of the first bands to escalate the level of violence, nihilism, and pure ugliness of Punk rock to extreme new levels. Despite receiving a fair amount of coverage in the US Rock music press, Punk was still misunderstood by most Rock fans in the U.S., which resulted in the album not performing up to expectations sales-wise (despite having spawning one of Punk's great anthems, "Sonic Reducer").

I can't really discredit any of the tracks on this album, they're all great. Ones that are most memorable for me, though, would be (obviously) "Sonic Reducer,"--which amongst many, was covered by Pearl Jam, who did a great job, but still pales in comparison to the original--"Not Anymore", "Caught With the Meat In Your Mouth", which has a bit of early-Aerosmith feel to it, and probably my number one track on this album: "High Tension Wire". I highly suggest either picking this album up or revisiting it, as it's a gem and an album I'll revisit every so often.

Scarlett Johansson - Anywhere I Lay My Head

I know what you're thinking: "What the hell?!" Well, it's true, actress Scarlett Johansson released a record this past summer, all of which are Tom Waits songs. I'm not the most avid of Tom Waits fans, but do enjoy him from time to time. As most who know me would agree, I'm not a "judge a book by its cover" type of person, but if the album art was any indication of what the record was going to sound like, I'd have needed a cold shower for each track. Without looking at the cover, I can close my eyes and see the image of it burned into my memory; Scarlett looking much like a 1950's Pinup/housewife model. Lustful red lips with platinum blonde hair, laying seductively--feigning that "i don't mean to be so sexy" look--in a bed of grass. This should paint an image for you, and after listening to the record, it's not far off.

She chose some less popular Tom Waits songs, and one would have to wonder what it would sound like. Scarlett's speaking voice has a naturally low and raspy timbre, maybe it'd be a good fit; maybe not. After drooling over the photos, I popped in the record and I'll admit, it takes a couple of listens to really sink in. There are really some sleeper-albums out there, especially from female vocalists where I'm not sure I'll like it or not. I try to give them a try. My preconceived notion of what this record was--even before knowing much about it, especially the fact that all tracks were Tom Waits songs--"oh great, another actress making a record and ruining the industry further. What girly, bubblegummy tracks are we going to have to put up with all for the MTV-reality show generation?" To my surprise: the answer was alarmingly none. There is not one crappy, 'sugar and spice and everything nice' track on this record.

The production has a darkness about it, and eerily layered feel but with a hint of uplifting momentum. This has slowly become one of my favourite records to listen to--especially through headphones. The track that hooked me, which apparently was the "radio single" was "Falling Down". The music has a sort of broken merry-go-round feel to it, with a touch of marching band on crack tone. I feel like if I were on cough syrup, this song would last for hours, which would be perfectly fine with me. The surprise within the song is the addition of layers as the momentum picks up. After the first verse, a banjo comes in, and the air lightens a bit. After the second verse, a music box-like interlude into the bridge, a subtle key change, then back up to the main key and enter David Bowie for harmonizing vocals. I nearly lost my shit when I heard it, and checked the liners to see that Bowie did this as well as a couple of other tracks, too.

The culmination of this song, along with the instrumental opening track, "Fawn", "Fannin Street", "Green Grass", and "No One Knows I'm Gone" make for a strong album. A forest sound is thematically heard throughout the entire album, which adds a comfort to the already eerie tonality. I highly recommend giving this record at least 4 listens, preferably in the dark on headphones; maybe with a candle or 2 lit for effect.

Betty Davis - Betty Davis

Probably one of the BEST purchases I've made in the last 6 months, musically. This album has it all: funkiness, sexiness, coolness, and fun. Married to Jazz great, Miles Davis for a year, Betty was very into Funk, Soul, R&B, and had style, to boot. Supposedly she had introduced Miles to Sly & The Family Stone's music, which may or may not have had an impact on the sound of his release "Bitches Brew."

After first listen of this record, I immediately wanted it on vinyl, which I'm still trying to track down, but not very actively. From the beginning track "If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up" there's a cool, funky vibe, and I guarantee each track on this album has been sampled at least once in the past 25 years. The soulfulness isn't that of veterans like Otis Redding but it is more along the Booker T & The MG's-ilk. Her voice can be sweet, but also have that throaty James Brown "yeah!" feel, which is as fun as it is cool.

If you want to talk perfect party record, this is it. Tracks like "Walkin Up The Road", "Anti Love Song", the more soulful "In The Meantime" which closes up the record, and my personal favourite, preceding it, "Game Is My Middle Name". You can't help but bob your head, tap your foot, and just feel, in the words of Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction, like a "Bad M.F."

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2008-06-26T17:42:00.011-05:00
So, in deciding what the first 5 albums I review should be, I've been going back and forth on a couple ideas. One: '5 summer albums you may/may not have heard (of)'; Two: 5 Classic albums; Three: Review only new releases; and the list goes on. In talking w/ my lovely sister, Abbie, I may have come to a conclusion. I will review whatever I feel like, but try to put at least 1-2 new release reviews in for good measure. If all 5 records happen to be new releases, well, then maybe it was either a great month, or the industry is turning around....

..so without further adeu:

Here are some albums I like to listen to either in the summer or they remind me of summer:

Dick Dale - King of the Surf Guitar: The Best of Dick Dale and His Del-Tones

Surf Music. What's more to say?? The heavy reverb of the amps, rumbling of floor toms, and urgency of rushing waves translated through the medium of Dick Dale's double-picking technique. This album, albeit a compilation of tracks from a few different albums, is a must-listen for summer sounds. Tracks like "Mr. Peppermint Man", "Banzai Washout", "Night Rider" and the Pulp Fiction-revitalized "Miserlou". If you don't have it, find it, borrow it, stream it, anyway you can, give it a listen.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

This album came as a surprise to me; after the subpar release of X&Y, I was skeptical. I had heard "Violet Hill" on their myspace and had mixed feelings. I didn't quite know what to think, but realized I'd gone back and listened a few more times. If it was worth the repeated visits to listen, then I'll drop $9.99 on the album. It's DEFINATELY a Brian Eno-produced record, but it still sounds like Coldplay. I'd venture so far to say that it reminds me of a Peter Gabriel album, and THAT is not a bad thing. Some album favourites are the opening instrumental "Life In Technicolor" which is comforting and homey like an 80's pop song of Echo or late-80's Cure-ilk. The bleacher-stomping, organ-backboned track "Lost!" is an eye-opener as it starts to open your eyes to the progression that's about to take place. Imagine smoke or clouds rising, the production gets a little crisper, and brightens up a bit. By far, my favourite track is "Strawberry Swing" which is where you'll see the Peter Gabriel-parallel. I'd say as far as new releases go, this is a definite 'must pick up'.

Muchacha - Plug In and Go!

Hailng back to an easier time in spring of 2001, before I was old enough to drink legally, before the 9/11 attacks, and before Bush was voted into a 2nd term. This, their 2nd full length album, makes me think of summer b/c it's fun and you don't have to think about anything when you listen to it. BBQ's, some cold brews, friends, and a pair of shades. From the opening track "Transmission Suicide" there's a hit-the-ground-running attitude. "Two Out of Three" is a fun track w/ a great, simple riff, while "Dominate" starts with the rhythm section pummeling out fun, pop-punk 4-count and throaty bass. Check Amazon for this record, and maybe even a used record store (i.e. Reckless). Muchacha doesn't play nearly as often as they used to, but if you're lucky, you may be able to catch a show around Chicago.

Beck - Modern Guilt

The word 'ecclectic' comes to mind when I think of Beck. You can get an idea from album to album, that Beck is a multi-genre beast. His newest effort (hitting stores July 8th), has instantly become my favourite Beck album. I feel like it's his The Bends or OK Computer. Co-produced by Danger Mouse, this album has a 60's pop album tonality which gives it a versatile quality you don't get with a lot of modern records. The opening drums on the title track, "Modern Guilt", the drums sound as if they were lifted right off T-Rex's "Jeepster". This is a good thing, as it gives some familiarity, or aural comfort, that you can't quite place. Another notable track is "Soul of a Man", which sounds like Beck, plain and simple. Modern Guilt is the quintessential Beck album: you can listen to it in the car, in your house, and I would definitely deem this to be a headphone record.

Hot Water Music - The New What's Next

A friend just recently got me into Hot Water Music this past winter. I listened to the entire catalogue, and then came upon their last release, The New What's Next from 2004. I'm not quite sure what about this album I love, but it makes me think of summer, that's for sure. The guitar riffs on some of the tracks seem simple, but when paired with Chuck Ragan's voice, it's a perfect match. "All Heads Down" and "This Early Grave" are two of my favourite tracks off this album. I recommend this album, summer or winter, it's a great listen, all the way through.

Links
Allmusic.com: Dick Dale
Coldplay
Allmusic.com: Muchacha
Beck
Beck's Modern Guilt
Allmusic.com: Hot Water Music

Welcome To the Jungle (An Introduction)

2008-06-08T18:20:00.002-05:00
A friend of mine suggested I start writing a music blog. To which I replied, "I've already got one, and I barely write in it." He said that I should do actual albums, not just compilations. Keep a somewhat of a format for the blog itself.

I discussed this idea with another friend of mine who agreed and said I should start with some classics. This recommendation got me to thinking: "How can I do this and enjoy it while getting people to read it?" After a few beers and further mental deliberation, this idea bore fruit.

This is the my Five-Fifteen. Within this endeavor,I will (attempt) to review 5 albums per blog, but keeping the reading time to 15minutes or less. This should be interesting as A) there are no boundaries to what albums I review and B)it will take me longer than 15-minutes to not only listen to albums, but write the blogs as well.

I'm no Kerouac, but I'll do my best to entertain, and maybe even educate, through my words and passion for music. If you feel I should hear something, I am definitely open to suggestions--reader be warned, I have a penchant for sticking to Rock n Roll and genres of similar nature.

Wrap your legs round these velvet rims, and strap your arms across my engines!