Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Do I listen to pop music because I'm miserable or am I miserable because I listen to pop music?




Top Five tracks spinning at work today:

Beta Band: Dry The Rain

Ryan Adams: Amy

Cake: Hem Of Your Garment

Lou Reed: Perfect Day

Rilo Kiley: Science vs. Romance


Bonus track via Soul Sides:

Q-Tip: Original (White Label 12")

Friday, May 27, 2005

God Is A Bullette



I'd write a glowing review of Delaware artist Monika Bullette but I think Chris has already done a bang up job. These 2 tracks are my favorites so far, make sure you go visit her site to sample more tracks & purchase her album "The Secrets":

Bullette: Lemonade

Bullette: Uneasy

Some bloody amazing Smiths covers for your listening (dis)pleasure:

The Dream Academy: Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want

Jeff Buckley: The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

LoveSpitLove: How Soon Is Now?

Lastly, to send you on your way this Memorial Day weekend, the Friday (4) four:

Julie Doiron: Snowfalls In November

Jay Farrar: Damn Shame

My Darling You!: Taxi Driver

Brazillian Girls: Don't Stop

It had to be said:

Whose your Daddy now Arizona?

EDIT: Here's one for all you Clapton fans from the Cream reunion show at Royal Albert Hall in London May 2005:

Cream: Sunshine Of Your Love (live)

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Oh, For Christ's Sake...



Your blog is so self-indulgent Stephanie Klein sent you a box of tampons and a note that says, “Get over it.”

Yo Mama jokes but for the blogosphere. Pretty funny actually. The above barb made me laugh so hard my pinot grigio came out through my nose. I keeed. I keeed.

Thursday Three (3) for your listening (dis)pleasure:

Galaxie 500: When Will You Come Home?

Pixies: Caribou

Half-Japanese: 1000000 Kisses

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Take A Left, A Sharp Left, And Another Left.




Feeling slightly under the weather today, so today's post will just be singles, beginning with my most favorite Badly Drawn Boy track. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Badly Drawn Boy: Once Around The Block

A.C. Newman: Miracle Drug

Bloc Party: Banquet

Dressy Bessy: Ringalingaling

Four Tet: Smile Around The Face

Spoon: I Turn My Camera On

Team Sleep: Ever (Foreign Flag)

Aesop Rock: Freeze


I don't have him posted in my link section, but Chris DiClerico is one funny ass dude. He's also insanely talented. Check out his Pixel art if you don't believe me. And his iPod Altoids charger. Anyway, here's a pretty spot on rant about the sorry ass state of the music industry. You may not agree with him, but you've got to give him props for throwing his opinion in the ring.

Lastly, go see Matt to listen to some selected tracks from, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest pop groups in the world: The La's.

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Color Me Stoked




I used to be a huge fan of The Black Eyed Peas. Back when their first two albums; Behind The Front & Bridging The Gap were selling roughly 250,000 copies apiece. I liked that. I liked seeing them in small venues. With their ace backing band. And their dancing. And their freestyling. But then, something vicious happened. They ditched street-cred for mainstream success. They hired former Kids, Inc. muppett Stacie "Fergie" Ferguson. They put out a shameless and quite frankly sub-par album entitled Elephunk. I begrudgingly went to see them perform live for the subsequent tour. I stood in the front row and gave them the finger. How could my beloved Peas do such a harsh 180? Even lead Pea Will.I.Am's brilliant solo jaunts Lost Change & Must B 21: Music To Get A Party Started couldn't satiate my resentment at this dismantling of one of the last true hip hop groups, just so their bank accounts could get a little, or as the case is now, a whole helluva lot fatter.

But then, something quite marvelous occured.

I stumbled across a track of off the Pea's upcoming release Monkey Business And you know what I heard? Q-Tip. Talib Kweli. Will.I.Am. Apl.de.Ap. Rhyming. Stealing. Trading verses with each other. Sampling bits of old school A Tribe Called Quest tracks! My Peas were back! And wait! Was that Cee-Lo eulogizing on the chorus? Wonderfully wacky Cee-Lo? Yes it was! And the beat! Sparse! Yet full! What a groove. To be quite honest with you, my expectations for the new album aren't that high, but just hearing this song makes me catch a glimmer of the old Black Eyed Peas, and for that, color me stoked. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

The Black Eyed Peas: Like That (feat. Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, Cee-Lo, & John Legend)

Also, I'm going to repost a track from yesterday, because quite frankly I went home last night and realized what a fucking gem of an R&B single it is. If Nicole Wray and "If I Was Your Girlfriend" doesn't hit #1 and stay on the charts for at least 2 months, then there is no justice in this world. Dig it:



Nicole Wray: If I Was Your Girlfriend

Hotness for your viewing (dis)pleasure.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Late In The Day




Some select tracks for your listening (dis)pleasure:

The Smiths: How Soon Is Now

Tori Amos: Me & A Gun

Bauhaus: Bela Lugosi Is Dead

Chicks On Speed: Glamour Girl

Animal Collective: Panic

The Decemberists: The Soldering Life

The Wedding Present: YeahYeahYeahYeahYeah

Placebo: English Summer Rain

Wyclef Jean: Party To Damascus (feat. Missy Elliott)

The Dresden Dolls: Girl Anachronism

The Other Ones: Holiday

Man, You Really Freak Me Out. I'm So Afraid Of You.




The White Stripes: My Doorbell

I love love LOVE this track from Jack & Meg's forthcoming album "Get Behind Me Satan." Yeah Jack! Put down the guitar! Tickle the ivories a bit! I wonder what Val thinks.

You can stream the whole disc over at Scenestars.

Dodge isn't a fan of the new Weezer jawn. While I agree that some parts of the album are emotional fluff, how can anyone deny the new wave brilliance that is This Is Such A Pity? Anyone? Bueller?

Coming July 29-30th is San Diego's annual attempt to hang with the big boys a.k.a. Street Scene. Check out this stellar line up. Best part? It's being held right across the street from where I live! Pre-party at The Vicar's! Yeah!

Matt has a great live Killer's show from ze place zey call Berlin. You have to download the whole show in it's entirety, but I promise it's well worth the loss of space on your hard drive.

Michael over at Silence Is A Rhythm Too absolutely just made my day with his choice of tracks. I've been obsessed with the track "1 Thing" by Amerie for a while now. The production on this song is so damned tight, and even though her voice isn't the strongest around it still has something that pulls you in. Plus the beat just slays me. For your listening (dis)pleasure, the "1 Thing" remix featuring J-Hova:

Amerie: 1 Thing (remix featuring Jay-Z)

Also, check out newcomer Nicole Wray's minimalist non-cover of my most favorite Prince song title:

Nicole Wray: If I Was Your Girlfriend

For shits & giggles: take this personality test. NOW.

Friday, May 20, 2005

We've Got Heads On Sticks. And You've Got Ventriloquists.




"I was the only person ever with a coke habit to gain fifty pounds." -- ROB THOMAS

Gee Rob, ever heard of John Belushi? Apparently not. By the way (and not that anyone's surprised) but your solo album sucks, you no talent ass clown.

More of what The Vicar is spinning today. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

  • Duran Duran: Someone Else Not Me


  • Nirvana: Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle


  • Phantom Planet: California


  • Queen: Killer Queen


  • Red Hot Chili Peppers: Warm Tape


  • Red Hot Chili Peppers: Minor Thing


  • Red Hot Chili Peppers: Cabron


  • Radiohead: Kid A


  • Radiohead: There There


  • Radiohead: High and Dry


  • Stevie Wonder: Boogie On Reggae Woman


  • The Cure: If Only Tonight We Could Sleep


  • Graham Coxon: Freakin' Out


  • Fiona Apple: Not About Love


  • Smashing Pumpkins: Mayonaise
  • Thursday, May 19, 2005

    Spinning Round & Round Over You




    In case anyone was ever curious about what kind of stuff The Vicar listens to whilst at work, here's a sampling of what's spinning at the moment. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

  • The Postal Service: Recycled Air


  • Joy Division: New Dawn Fades (Moby remix)


  • Air: Run


  • Weezer: Haunt You Everyday


  • Jeff Buckley: Hallelujah


  • The Smiths: Bigmouth Strikes Again


  • Thievery Corporation: Shadows of Ourselves


  • Weezer: Pardon Me


  • Badly Drawn Boy: River Sea Ocean


  • Madvillain: Pretty Blood


  • Love and Rockets: Lucifer Sam (Syd Barrett cover)


  • Weezer: This Is Such A Pity


  • Queens of the Stoneage: Go With The Flow


  • Foo Fighters: Everlong


  • The Killers: Smile Like You Mean It


  • Weezer: The Damage In Your Heart


  • Ben Lee: Catch My Disease


  • Weezer: Perfect Situation


  • Weezer: Hold Me


  • NIN: With Teeth


  • Weezer: Peace


  • Gwen Stefani: Hollaback Girl


  • Weezer: We Are All On Drugs


  • Depeche Mode: Dream On


  • Weezer: Beverly Hills


  • Thirteen Senses: Into The Fire


  • Weezer: My Best Friend


  • Duran Duran: The Chauffeur (Team 9 remix)


  • Weezer: The Other Way


  • Barenaked Ladies: Pinch Me


  • Weezer: Freak Me Out


  • Billy Corgan: Walking Shade


  • System Of A Down: This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On This Song


  • System Of A Down: BYOB
  • Wednesday, May 18, 2005

    Black Out The Windows, It's Party Time




    I once read an interview with Greg Dulli when he was frontman for The Afghan Whigs. The writer had followed The Whigs to Germany, where they were headlining a show in Berlin. Following their set, Dulli and said interviewer proceeded to get obscenely drunk and hit on the cocktail waitress in the bar they were hunkered down in. Dulli was enraptured with her and asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Speaking to the author later on, she confessed "If he had just asked me to go to bed with him, I would've. But marriage?!"

    It was at this point that I became a fan of Greg Dulli. Through 5 albums with The Afghan Whigs and 2 with his new band/revolving door of musician friends The Twilight Singers, Dulli has managed to create a unique sound that encompasses the white-trash punk/soul of Minneapolis, the dark sensuality of New Orlean's French Quarter and the gritty concrete decadence of Los Angeles. On The Singers last release, 2003's "Blackberry Belle," he managed to create a somewhat thematic journey through the scarred underbelly of love and lust. I absolutely treasure this album, and hopefully you will too. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

    The Twilight Singers: Martin Eden

    The Twilight Singers: Esta Noche

    The Twilight Singers: Teenage Wristband

    I Got A Feeling It Don't Come Cheap




    I'm feeling basic today. Here's some more live Spoon for your listening (dis)pleasure:

    Spoon: Live @ The Garage, Highbury London 2/28/05 (tracks are in flac)

    The Beast & Dragon, Adored

    Small Stakes

    Lines In The Suit

    Fitted Shirt

    Me & The Bean

    Utilitarian

    Anything You Want

    Sister Jack

    Paper Tiger

    Someone Something

    30 Gallon Tank

    The Two Sides Of Monsieur Valentine

    Something To Look Forward To

    The Way We Get By

    The Delicate Place

    Car Radio

    My Mathematical Mind

    I Summon You

    Everything Hits At Once

    Jonathon Fisk


    Some people need to get a fucking life.

    Tuesday, May 17, 2005

    Strange News From Another Star




    New Radiohead album due early 2006?

    News from the “unorganized" recording sessions for Radiohead’s new album have indicated the band may well have a new album out sometime in February or March next year.

    A new report on Radiohead fansite ateaseweb confirms early reports that claimed that the band were working on the follow up to 2003’s album ‘Hail To The Thief’. According to the site, Radiohead are working on fifteen songs at present with two of them described as "Already done and amazing."

    “The band first got together back in January and Thom [Yorke] played a bunch of his new songs for the others,” the report reads, “Having never heard the songs before, the rest of the band just jumped in and started adding their own parts.”

    The recording process itself is described as being "unorganized" and is reportedly very different to the way that Radiohead have previously recorded.

    The report goes on to predict that the new album should be finished by December this year, with a release date in February or March 2006 roughly pencilled in. As for touring, it claims the band will possibly hit the road shortly after.


    At Thom Yorke's recent solo performance at the Trade Justice Movement rally in London he debuted one new song, 'House of Cards' which also surfaced online at ateaseweb


    In other fab news, take a gander at Spoon's live performance on KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" with Nic Harcourt. Britt Daniel rawks out so hard he loses his headphones! I know! Crazy!

    True Love Is Cruel Love




    I've been a huge fan of The Cardigans for almost 10 years now. From "Life" up to "Long Gone Before Daylight," they've managed to mature as a band both musically and lyrically. Lead singer Nina Persson and guitarist Peter Svensson have morphed into a superb songwriting team, with Nina handling lyrics and Peter the music. Here, for your listening (dis)pleasure, is their KCRW (acoustic) show from May 24th, 2004. I managed to see them live the next night at The Troubador in Santa Monica, and what an amazing show that was.

    Morning Becomes Eclectic

    Intro

    And Then You Kissed Me

    Erase+Rewind

    You're The Storm

    For What It's Worth

    Communication

    My Favorite Game

    Outro

    More goodies for your listening (dis)pleasure:

  • Beck: Cancelled Check (live 11/12/02)


  • Babyshambles: My Darling Clementine (live)


  • The Cure: Play For Today (live @ Le Zenith, Paris, France 10/20/92)


  • Garbage: I Think I'm Paranoid (live from Atlanta 4/14/05)


  • Interpol: Mascara (unreleased)


  • Jason Mraz: You & I Both (live in LA 6/17/04)


  • Muse: Endlessly (live in Vienna 10/25/03)


  • Memphis Bleek feat. Jay-Z: Dear Summer


  • Adam Ant: Place In The Country (demo)
  • (via Silence Is A Rhythm Too)

  • Marvin Gaye: Let's Get It On (Paul Simpson & Miles Dalton remix)


  • Stevie Wonder: Signed, Sealed, Delivered (DJ Smash remix)
  • Monday, May 16, 2005

    I've Got A Fever...

    ...and the only prescription is more cowbell!



    This made my fucking weekend.

    Really really dope remix:

  • The Killers: Mr. Brightside (Thin White Duke remix)


  • Good shit for your listening (dis)pleasure:

  • Brazilian Girls: Pussy


  • New Rhodes: You've Given Me Something I Can't Give Back (remix)


  • The Black Keys: The Lengths


  • The Walkmen: Rue The Day


  • Ambulance, Ltd: Country Gentleman


  • Brendan Benson: Let Me Roll It


  • Communique: Cross Your Heart


  • I still don't see what the big deal is.

    Thursday, May 12, 2005

    Yes, I Said It's Fine Before. But I Don't Think So No More.




    Bon jour mes amis! Totalement inondé aujourd'hui, & pas avec n'importe quoi qui est vaguement amusant. Toujours traiter la revue de Spoon. , Ici sont pour le moment des pistes pour votre écouter (dis) le plaisir :

  • 311: Applied Science


  • 311: Nix Hex


  • 311: Visit


  • 311: Gap


  • Ben Lee: I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (Ramones cover live at Maxwell's)


  • Bush: Swallowed (live at Virgin Megastore NYC 1996)


  • The Cardigans: Erase & Rewind (live at Roskild 2003)


  • The Frames: Lay Me Down


  • Gavin DeGraw: Chariot (live at Bogart's 2004)


  • Ian McCulloch: The Killing Moon (live on XFM 2005)
  • Wednesday, May 11, 2005

    Surefire Way To Kill Album Sales




    "I wanted to write songs that make people beat the shit out of each other the first time they hear them." -- FOO FIGHTERS' DAVE GROHL

    Thanks for the heads up Dave. I'll make sure to run right out & buy the new Foos album the day it's released. Mmm-kay? I've got a lot of pent up frustration and I'd like to take it out on some select people. Hopefully "In Your Honor" will aid me in dealing with these intense feelings. By the way, what's your address again?

    Ok,now that we have that out of the way, I hope you all went out yesterday and procured yourselves a copy of Spoon's "Gimme Fiction." I know I did. The clerk behind the counter was beyond ecstatic when I brought him my selection. "Excellent choice!' he exclaimed. "Yes. Yes it is" I replied. I'm in the midst of writing a review of Britt Daniel & Co's latest masterpiece. Look for it next week. In the meantime, some select tracks for your listening (dis)pleasure:

  • Gorillaz: November Has Come (feat. MF Doom)


  • Interpol: Precipitate


  • Misfits: You Belong To Me


  • Ben Folds: Landed


  • While perusing through GrapeJuicePlus I came across a post about the band Hotel Lights. Fronted by former Ben Folds Five drummer Darren Jessee. I am a really big fan of BFF, especially Jessee's drumming. I own this great dvd of BFF live on the now defunct series "Sessions At West 54th St." Check it out if you get the chance. Anyway, this is Darren's new band. I kinda like their style. Very sleepy, subtle pop. Here are two tracks for you to sample:

  • Hotel Lights: You Come & I Go


  • Hotel Lights: I Am A Train
  • Monday, May 09, 2005

    We're In Love With This Perverted World So C'mon!




    I couldn't sleep last night. I tossed. I turned. I had strange dreams about Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis and the Michelin man. Ugh. Must've been those spicy chicken quesodillas. But I'm pretty sure that somewhere in the mix of things, excitement for "Gimme Fiction" contributed to my insomnia. That's right my lovelies! Tomorrow is the official release date for Spoon's new disc! To tide you over, here are some tracks off of their previously released gems. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

  • Paper Tiger


  • Something To Look Forward To


  • Back To The Life


  • Believing Is Art


  • Anything You Want


  • I Didn't Come Here To Die


  • Spoon tracks courtesy of Sixeyes. Go show them some love. Show zem!


    More tracks for your listening (dis)pleasure:

  • Interpol: Public Pervert (Carlos D Remix)


  • Eurasure: Love To Hate You


  • Gwen Stefani: Serious


  • Rilo Kiley: I Never (live in Norway)



  • I want this shirt. Badly.




    Here's
  • allmusic's (4 1/2 star) review of

    Friday, May 06, 2005

    I'm Just A No Class Beat Down Fool




    Ok, so I buckled. For your listening (dis)pleasure.

    WEEZER: MAKE BELIEVE

  • Beverly Hills


  • Perfect Situation


  • This Is Such A Pity


  • Hold Me


  • Peace


  • We Are All On Drugs


  • The Damage In Your Heart


  • Pardon Me


  • My Best Friend


  • The Other Way


  • Freak Me Out


  • Haunt You Everyday
  • Wednesday, May 04, 2005

    Did You Only Want Me For Those 3 Days?




    Via Stereogum, I'm linking to the upcoming live Lucinda Williams album. You can stream the whole album or select tracks for your listening (dis)pleasure. This woman is such an utterly electrifying artist; live or on wax. If she swings by your favorite local venue, do yourself a favor. Go see her. You won't be disappointed.

    Lucinda Williams: Live At The Filmore

    I really don't think I could post anything to top Lucinda, so that's all for today my lovelies.

    Epilogue: Ok, so I lied. I actually found something else that's just as good as live Lucinda Williams. Czech it:

  • Interpol: Slow Hands (Britt Daniel remix)


  • Now go over and see Cellophanegirl and thank her profusely for posting the track. Do it. Do it. Now.

    Tuesday, May 03, 2005

    It Took Me All Of A Year. To Put The Poison Pill To Your Ear.




    Still not really in the mood to post anything of substance. Godamnnit what's the matter with me? Instead, here are some choice singles for the day. Enjoy ya'll:

  • Pete Yorn: For Nancy (`Cos It Already Is)


  • Ray Charles: The Mess Around


  • Possibly my two favorite DCFC tracks period:

  • Death Cab For Cutie: We Laugh Indoors


  • Death Cab For Cutie: Blacking Out The Friction/Brand New Love


  • Bloc Party: Like Eating Glass (Live on XFM)


  • Interpol: Not Even Jail (Live Elysee Montmartre, Paris 12/24/04)


  • Interpol: Public Pervert (Live Elysee Montmartre, Paris 12/24/04)


  • Interpol: Length of Love (Live Transbordeur, Lyon 12/12/04)


  • The Cure: Creep (Radiohead cover)


  • The Cure: Mint Car


  • The Cure: A Letter To Elise


  • The Postal Service: Nothing Better


  • Bright Eyes: Lua


  • The Killers: Smile Like You Mean It


  • The Dears: Hollywood Bedtime Story


  • Radiohead: I Will


  • Weezer: Death + Destruction


  • The Dream Academy: Life In A Northern Town


  • Honeydrippers: Sea of Love


  • Peter Murphy: Cuts You Up


  • The Other Ones: Holiday (12" remix)


  • Duran Duran: Electric Barbarella


  • Fleetwood Mac:Over My Head


  • Elliott Smith: Coast To Coast



  • This just made my day!

    Monday, May 02, 2005

    Do You Wanna Come Over & Kill Some Time? Throw Your Arms Around Me.




    "People think that we're just good-looking guys with big dicks that play hot rock & roll. But we have feelings, too." -- GREEN DAY's TRE COOL

    Former Phish frontman Trey Anastasio covered Radiohead's 'Knives Out' at the Landmark Theatre [April 26] in Richmond, VA. A recording is available via this link.

    Meh. I was gonna post something grand. But all of a sudden I'm not in the mood.

    For your listening (dis)pleasure:

  • Death Cab For Cutie: We Laugh Indoors e.p.


  • Gorillaz: Demon Days


  • Scritti Politti:Early


  • Interpol" Live on Morning Becomes Eclectic


  • Nelly Furtado: Powerless


  • Bloc Party: This Modern Love (live on BBC)


  • Hopefully I'll be more in the mood tomorrow.