The Flock of Rock

Some supergroups are worth recognizing (Cream), while others are easy to forget (Traveling Wilburys, anyone?). And while rock supergroups come and go, the newest collaboration to enter the realm of supergroups seems to promise some staying power.

Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and John Paul Jones have something to say. And their message is conveyed through inventive guitar effects, groovy beats, and quite possibly one of the greatest rhythm sections a band could boast.

In the midst of touring the US, the rock triumverate also known as Them Crooked Vultures are giving eager listeners a peak at what will soon be swooping onto record store shelves next week. In preparation for its release next Tuesday, November 17, the self-titled debut album is now available to stream online for free.

Track Listing:

No One Loves Me & Neither Do I
Mind Eraser, No Chaser
New Fang
Dead End Friends
Elephants
Scumbag Blues
Bandoliers
Reptiles
Interlude With Ludes
Warsaw or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up
Caligulove
Gunman
Spinning In Daffodils

Happy listening. And preorder the debut album, Them Crooked Vultures, now!

Image provided by: Them Crooked Vultures, LLC
7095 Hollywood Blvd #1190 Hollywood, CA, 90038, USA

Even More Reason to Love Radiohead

As if you didn’t enough already.

The band is at it again, offering their newest single, “These Are My Twisted Words,” as a free download on their official website. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood comments, “We’ve been recording for a while, and this was one of the first we finished. We’re pretty proud of it.”

I’m pretty proud of it, too, boys. I’m going absolutely crazy over this, and I’m sure you will, too.

Visit Radiohead’s website to download the audio or torrent directly, or preview it below.

Anxiously awaiting more to come.

Cheers.

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Radiohead, “These Are My Twisted Words”

Can ya dig it, eh?

So maybe I’m just a little biased towards Canadian rock bands. But how is a listener to resist when the country spits out so much talent…Land of Talk, Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, The Besnard Lakes, Stars, and Wolf Parade are among my favorites, to name a few.

But these aren’t the only Canucks making waves (sweet and aurally blissful sound waves, if we’re talking specifics here) throughout the music community. Indie songbirds Emily Haines, James Shaw, Josh Winstead, and Joules Scott-Key, otherwise collectively known as Metric, are the lovechildren of glamor, experimentation, mystery, and fantasy.

And while we’re on the topic, Metric’s fourth studio album, Fantasies, embodies everything the band has accomplished in their sound thus far…and then some. It is an album that wholly characterizes their ten-or-so years together as a band…with a twist.  It’s fun, it’s mature, it’s different.

The production behind this album is brilliant.  The percussion is well-developed, the synths shine brightly, and lead vocalist Haines is stronger and more consistent than ever.  What once was a voice drenched in innocence is now a little rough around the edges, as though it has endured the years and was hardened by them.

Just like Haines, Fantasies showcases a darker, more mature sound for the quartet.  Four albums in, I think it’s safe to assume that Metric is beginning to find their element.

Highlights include the intriguing first single “Help I’m Alive,” the dreamy and synth-driven “Twilight Galaxy,” and the hopeful “Gimme Sympathy,” in which Haines courageously ponders with utmost clarity, “Who would you rather be, The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?”

I’m advising you to be neither, kids. You’re fine just the way you are.

Be sure to catch Metric on tour this summer throughout the US.  You know I’ll be there.

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Metric, “Gimme Sympathy”

Expand Your Musical Horizons Today

Ever heard of the indie group BLK JKS?  Well, you should.

Click here to read up on Larry Fitzmaurice’s article in Spin Magazine Online, where you can also listen to and download the band’s single, “Lakeside,” for free.

You’re welcome.

A Dedication to Dr. Natura

Dear Dr. Natura,

I spent $138 on your cleansing program, because I was wowed by the hundreds of positive reviews and your exceptional return policy: 60 day full refund, even if you opened and used the product.  So I jumped in feet first, and embarked on this journey with you, putting up with the bad taste you left in my mouth, and your neediness in the morning.  I have to say, I wasn’t impressed.

Then one morning, I swore up and down that Dr. Natura was the best. You are like that, you tease.  You give a girl positive attention one day, and it leaves me wanting more, and even worse! -thinking its possible.

I thought that maybe, if I showed my commitment to you, things would progress.  So in a giant leap of faith, I took you to a wedding with me, back home.  And what did you do?

You made me sick to my stomach and were absolutely useless the whole weekend.

So, Dr. Natura, I thought you should know why my first day back in California, I packed you up, paid seven dollars, and shipped you back to Nevada, never to fall prey to your ways again.

It breaks my heart, but I have to be strong for me, and not give into your false promises.

All the best,

Nicole

Up Next:  Do I really get this stellar return? Find out soon…

Dear Colonix: Day Two

So, I’m on day two and nothing to interesting to report.  I’m not going to get into any of the real gory details (if you want some more info, please leave a comment and we can chat one on one, rather than me list every bodily function online for the whole world to read.) Do you like how I assume more than two people are reading this ? I do!

Anyways….

The pills in the morning are easy enough.  Wait 15 mins, and then you take the powder.  Which is still disgusting, on day two.  But I did find that since I know how long it takes me to chug it, and that the bad taste doesn’t stay in your mouth, it went a lot better.

Something wonderful that I have discovered, however, is the KleriTea.  This tea you are supposed to drink before bed, and it should help get everything moving around, as well as promote “restful sleep.”  Now, maybe it’s because I had a long day, but I went to sleep 30 mins after drinking the tea and didn’t move until my alarm went off this morning.  For those of you that like to ‘tusin every once in a while (my personal favorite, NyQuil, when I want to sleep like the dead and feel like it the next day), it is the same sort of sleep, but without feeling like absolute hell the next day.  Possibly abusable=always a plus in my book.

To Colonix or not to Colonix…that is the question.

When I look back over at 2008, I would be lying if I said I didn’t cringe at a few memories.  It was, after all, my last semester of colllege, as well as my “big move” to California.  And I would have to say, that throughout 2008, I consistantly treated my body like shit   But alcohol can be so amusing…

Anyways, in a manic state after eight straight days of Holiday Eating, I did some quick “make sure this isn’t total bullshit” research and then sacrificed $138 for two months of Dr. Natura’s Colonix program.  Now, I’m sitting here staring at the box that arrived two days ago (hey, free shipping atleast) scouring the internet for any reason that I should return it and get my money back.

I’m cheap, and the way I shop, that is easily multiple pairs of shoes.

But after a word of encouragement from Zach (Just Do It…I guess that’s actually words of encouragement from Nike…) I did it. So at 10:41 PST, the great experiment began.

10:41: take two of these pills with water. Wait 15 mins.

11:00: take 1/2 scoop of the “intestinal cleanser” (ew.)

I have just opened the powder, and the nauseating smell is intense.  At least they DO warn you that it is gonna taste like shit, so mix it with something not water and chug it.

Can I mix it with Jack and Coke?

I decided on cran grape juice…that may have been a bad choice.  Either way, it tastes pretty sick, but its not a lot that you have to drink, so just slam it.  I’m pretty sure I’ve tasted worse in the name of a good buzz.

I now will be sitting through an 8 hour training class and have to drink 2 liters of water.  It’s gonna be a good day, I can tell.

The great experiment has commenced: let’s see how you stack up, Dr. Natura.

25 Best Albums of 2008

I sometimes find myself wondering if digital music tracks can become “worn out,” similar to the inevitable scratches and smudges on vinyl or discs, or troublesome wear-and-tear on cassettes. The nature of digital media, of course, eliminates any possibility for such degradation to occur, but if the laws of physics were to occasionally bend (i.e. if the Earth were to pass through a black hole, the Lions were to win a game or Gov. Blagojevich showed up in a Catholic church confessional), then the following twenty-five albums, all released this past year, would skip, hiss, crackle, grunt, groan and wheeze like a 75-year smoker from the colossally disgusting amount of plays logged by myself in the past twelve months.

Without further incoherence, I present to you the albums I loved, cherished, worshipped and generally hugged in 2008. Any additions or subtractions (or multiplications or divisions, for that matter) are encouraged, so please, all six of you readers out there: speak your minds.

25] The Odd Couple by Gnarls Barkley

Insanely inventive and provocative, the album explodes with enough soul to fill the chests of an army. Cee-Lo doesn’t just sing, he throats.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Going On” ~ “Run (I’m A Natural Disaster)” ~ “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul?”

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24] Intimacy by Bloc Party

Substantially tighter than their previous effort, A Weekend in the City, the band’s latest reeks of bold electronica and plenty of angst to go around the table.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “One Month Off” ~ “Halo” ~ “Signs”

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23] 808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West

Kanye becomes “unrapped.” The hip-hop equivalent Philip Glass, he shows more raw, unfiltered emotion in 52 minutes than he has in his entire career.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Heartless” ~ “Love Lockdown” ~ “Coldest Winter”

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22] Un Dia by Juana Molina

The only comical thing about the former Argentine comedienne’s fifth album is the insane level of ambient, subdued genius on display from start to finish.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Los Hongos de Marosa” ~ “Un Dia” ~ “Vive Solo”

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21] Crystal Castles by Crystal Castles

Breaking out the Atari and cranking the volume is the closest auditory comparison to this wholly infectious collection of blips, beeps and joy.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Vanished” ~ “Untrust Us” ~ “Courtship Date”

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20] Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket

By far the band’s most accomplished and eclectic offering, R&B and synthpop are just two of the genres spliced with their trademark pseudo-southern rock.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Evil Urges” ~ “I’m Amazed” ~ “Highly Suspicious”

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19] Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay

Via several deviations from the Coldplay norm (i.e. Martin’s booming baritone on “Violet Hill”), one of the biggest bands in world catapults to their career best.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Violet Hill” ~ “Viva la Vida” ~ “Lost!”

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18] Hercules & Love Affair by Hercules & Love Affair

Drenched in glammed-up sex appeal, this New York gang of time travelers (circa 1978) throw us an emotional and heartbreaking curveball via the tinted lens of disco.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Blind” ~ “Hercules Theme” ~ “This is My Love”

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17] Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie

Unexpectedly (although we should expect it) progressive, we’re treated to an aural prism; disjointed, segmented and lyrically lush. A career highlight.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Cath…” ~ “Long Division” ~ “Pity and Fear”

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16] The Devil, You + Me by The Notwist

One of the most overlooked bands imaginable, Germany’s favorite sons follow up 2002’s brilliant Neon Golden with another ambient, indietronic masterpiece.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Boneless” ~ “Good Lies” ~ “Alphabet”

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15] Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust by Sigur Rós

Infinitely more lighthearted and playful than their minimalist offerings, we see just how musically talented this Icelandic band is.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Gobbledigook” ~ “Við Spilum Endalaust” ~ “Med Sud Õ Eyrum”

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14] Only by the Night by Kings of Leon

Watching a talented band like this grow and evolve melodically and spiritually is one of music’s greatest pleasures; they’ve never sounded better.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Closer” ~ “Sex on Fire” ~ “Use Somebody”

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13] Modern Guilt by Beck

Cloaked in confusion and longing, Beck continues his artistic quest for purpose with easily his best offering since 2002’s heartache classic Sea Change.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Gamma Ray” ~ “Youthless” ~ “Profanity Prayers”

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12] Cardinology by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

No other musician today has quite the same knack for quiet reflection through the filter of classic rock. Country-tinged rock and roll at its finest.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Magick” ~ “Born into a Light” ~ “Let Us Down Easy”

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11] Made in the Dark by Hot Chip

Substantially refined, this is an immeasurable poptronic treat. One of those albums that, upon hearing it for the first time, refuses to leave the depths of your heart.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Ready for the Floor” ~ “Touch Too Much” ~ “Shake a Fist”

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10] Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes

One of the tightest and most evocative debuts in recent memory, this sonic voyage through nostalgia will leave you aphonic and breathless.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “White Winter Hymnal” ~ “Your Protector” ~ “Ragged Wood”

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9] Third by Portishead

Completely unexpected and stunning, the tension on this is drawn out so much by the seminal trip-hop group, that even Hitchcock would be envious.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “The Rip” ~ “Machine Gun” ~ “Silence”

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8] Alpinisms by School of Seven Bells

A touch of Secret Machines, a dash of electropop. The result is a sort of subdued gothic ambience of which there is no escape. Seriously, don’t try. No, really.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Half Asleep” ~ “Prince of Peace” ~ “Iamundernodisguise”

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7] A Hundred Million Suns by Snow Patrol

Continuing the trend of “bands having fun in 2008,” exuded here is a genuine confidence, expressive and poignant in its egoless nature.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Take Back the City” ~ “If There’s a Rocket Tie Me to it” ~ “The Lightning Strike”

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6] III by Milosh

The best-kept secret in music, Mike Milosh shows a vulnerability here that was virtually unmatched all year. The perfect balance of glitch and ambience.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Remember the Good Things” ~ “Hold My Breath” ~ “Awful Game”

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5] In Ghost Colours by Cut Copy

Hang on to your head when listening to this stylistic triumph, or it may float off of your body. Optimistic and gorgeous elecronica from start to finish.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Feel the Love” ~ “Lights and Music” ~ “Hearts on Fire”

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4] For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver

Recorded in the seclusion of a Wisconsin cabin, Justin Vernon weaves a poetic tour de force. Ultimately bleak and isolated, yet intimately beautiful.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Skinny Love” ~ “re: stacks” ~ “Lump Sum”

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3] Day & Age by The Killers

More apparent on every successive listen that this is the Las Vegas band’s War. Building off of where they trekked to on 2006’s Sam’s Town, another realm awaits.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Joy Ride” ~ “Spaceman” ~ “A Dustland Fairytale”

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2] Stay Positive by The Hold Steady

Incredible how the “greatest bar band in America” continues to up the ante, this time with an even more impressive lyrical and compositional genius.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Constructive Summer” ~ “Lord, I’m Discouraged” ~ “Stay Positive”

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1] Dear Science by TV on the Radio

The unquestioned album of the year is no surprise: TOTR is hands down the most original band of this era, this time impressing with the perfect fusion of experimental and pop music.

ESSENTIAL LISTENS: “Golden Age” ~ “Dancing Choose” ~ “Halfway Home”

10 Best Songs of 2008

For one reason or another, categorical lists ranking the best, worst, most worthy, most worthless, tastiest, most bitter, most tragic and funniest aspects of our world are a mainstay in the lexicon of our positions as cultural ambassadors. “Our,” of course, meaning “human beings” in general, and not some elitist group that enjoys a monopoly on what may or may not be better or worse than something else. We want the best. We can’t help it. Further, we love preaching what we think is the best. So, without any further rant, the following are the ten songs that I feel most embodied the spirit of popular music in 2008. The list isn’t the Holy Grail; just another opinion out of the thousands that exist or will exist.

Let me know what you guys think. What songs struck you upside the head this year?

10] “Viva la Vida,” by Coldplay

I implore you to forget for a moment the inevitable overexposure of any great song. Now go back and take a listen. This little sliver of orchestral bliss succeeded in capturing the world’s attention (with a little help from Steve Jobs*). An arena-ready anthem, laced with melancholy, not to mention capturing the title as arguably the catchiest song of the year, the tune will be remembered for years to come. Eat your heart out, Joe Satriani.

*

9] “Blind,” by Hercules & Love Affair

A dance record of epic proportions. Stuffed with disco, sadness, glee and a little trumpet, Antony Hegarty’s voice oozes with the ruminations of a lost soul, reaching as high as possible for a return to normalcy. A true masterpiece of the genre.

8] “Love Lockdown,” by Kanye West

It’s always refreshing to see a disgustingly popular artist take a couple creative risks over the course of his/her/their career. Despite being one of the most successful voices in rap music, Mr. West threw us this brilliant curveball with *gasp* not one rapped syllable. A minimalist masterpiece, the song showcases tribal drums and the Auto Tune vocal manipulator, used to highlight the heartache conveyed in the track. Bravo.

7] “Kim & Jessie,” by M83

A long lost track from the soundtrack to an unproduced John Hughes film from 1986 (no, not really, although it works surprisingly well set to Donnie Darko*). This New Wave romp through a chronicle of love is Tears for Fears-inspired, with a dash of XTC flavoring; pop music in its purest form: emotional, delightful and utterly mood-altering.

*

6] “Disturbia,” by Rihanna

Darker and more twisted than most R&B fare, this angst-ridden summer mainstay combines superbly crafted lyrics (written by Rihanna’s squeeze Chris Brown and his songwriting team) and a fantastically catchy hook to form one mentally unstable hell of a good time. Bonus points for being accompanied with one of the best music videos of the year.

5] “Reckoner,” by Radiohead

Not necessarily upbeat. Not necessarily somber. Just Radiohead. A track of pure beauty, the song weaves in and out of agony and miscalculations, tracing a line of percussion through Thom Yorke’s sweeping falsetto. Barely released for one year, the song has already been recognized as stellar and has joined the set list of another musical giant, Gnarls Barkley:

4] “Golden Age,” by TV on the Radio

Conversely, this optimistic jaunt down a lively road in outer space with Prince and David Bowie in tow could not be more jubilant. In combining so many different genres of music (pop, funk, symphonic, and new wave, to name the ones that exist in the present day), this track confirms TOTR’s permanent seat at the head of the creatively-accessible-yet-astonishingly-experimental table.

3] “Electric Feel,” by MGMT

Again, we visit the funktastic side of 2008. Light, airy, rapturous and ultimately heart-warming, the song exhudes the Brit-pop and ambient whispers that the Brooklyn-based band has become known for. Arriving on stage to one of the biggest crowds of the entire festival, a collective “whoa” to the Lollapalooza crowd escapes, followed by “Thanks, we are Radiohead*.” Keep putting out songs as lovely as this, and the comparison may not be as full of jest as it seems, guys.

*

2] “Gobbledigook,” by Sigur Rós

A stark departure from the atmospheric, introspective sounds the Icelandic band is typically known for, the song features an almost flamenco, driving drumbeat combined with schizophrenic, animated vocals and accompanying handclaps. The result is a layered, visceral and textured composition that clings to the linings of your soul and refuses to pry itself to freedom. We certainly don’t mind.

1] “Feel the Love,” by Cut Copy

Pop music never sounded quite as quaint, poignant or sweet this year as it did in the contour of this song, bursting from the speakers or headphones with a synthy, breezy and segmented genius reserved for the likes of New Order or the Pet Shop Boys. The line between “danceable” and “loungeable” had silver lining in 2008, all in thanks to this perfectly structured and executed four-and-a-half minutes of sublime gratification.

Flashing Lights, City Streets, & Instrumentals

Greetings from Nashville. A city that, contrary to popular assumption, is a very musically diverse place. A city that happily welcomes bands that fall outside the typical ‘country’ genre…bands like Broken Social Scene, who, in my opinion, are one of Canada’s most noteworthy exports. The innovative indie group was in Music City this past Tuesday night, performing in the Cannery Ballroom and well succeeding expectations…

Unforgettable from start to finish.

They opened their set perfectly, kicking things off with “Late Nineties Bedroom Rock For The Missionaries,” followed by an unbelievable rendition of “Shampoo Suicide.” The two songs compliment one another quite favorably, also appearing in this same order on the band’s sophomore disc, You Forgot It In People.

From there on, the band was entirely on point throughout the show’s duration. Lead singer Kevin Drew was, as always, confident, relaxed, and even somewhat inattentive, his aura radiating an immediate cool. It’s hard not to like this guy. “If your heart’s been broken, it will be broke again…and you will break somebody’s,” he proclaimed, along with many other noteworthy words of inspiration, before the band broke into “Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day).”

“This one’s for your government that’s leaving as we speak,” Drew also announced to a cheering crowd. “Canada loves you.”

Adding to the exciting and talented cast were Brendan Canning, Justin Peroff, Andrew Whiteman, Charles Spearin, Sam Goldberg, touring saxophonist Leon Kingstone, and Land of Talk frontwoman Elizabeth Powell.  The reluctant star of the show, Powell followed in some well-defined footsteps of other Broken Social Scene female leads, including Feist, Emily Haines of Metric, and Amy Millan of Stars.  But her alluring vocal melodies and inspiring take of “Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl” proved she’s more than qualified.

Songs that were left out of the setlist, including “Lover’s Spit” and “F-ed Up Kid,” were also included in the show, having been fulfilled by Drew’s ‘vocal melody’ of all the songs that weren’t played – a slurred, amusing recap of lyrics from “Safety Bricks,” “Swimmers,” “Hotel,” “Windsurfing Nation,” “I’m Still Your Fag,” and “Stars and Sons,” a song whose lyrics are apparently difficult to remember… “I can never remember the words to that song,” Drew muttered as he trailed off during the song’s chorus.

Eventually, all good things must come to an end, and unfortunately, Broken Social Scene’s vacation to Nash Vegas was no exception. Finishing the show just as strongly as they had began it, the band performed an epic, marathon depiction of “It’s All Gonna Break,” a performance that left me conclusively speechless.  The unexpected progression of the song and the heavy emphasis on the horns make this song one of Broken Social Scene’s most brightly shining efforts.  I didn’t want the greatness to end.  And judging by the song’s endurance, it was obvious the band didn’t want to let it go either.

So do yourself a favor and invest the mere 20 dollars it costs to see these guys live. Not only will you receive a great show out of it, but a true experience…one that’s never going to escape your memory.

Other songs in the setlist…
KC Accidental
7/4 (Shoreline)
Fire Eye’d Boy
Looks Just Like The Sun
Superconnected
Almost Crimes
Cause=Time
Churches Under The Stairs
Hit The Wall
Farewell To The Pressure Kids
Love Is New