If you're like me, you enjoy some wierd music every once in a while. And it doesn't get any wierder than Lovage, the side project of Dan The Automator,Mike Patton of Faith No More/Mr. Bungle, and Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields. Arguably both eccentric and at times unlistenable, Automator (in full on Handsome Boy Modeling School character Nathaniel Merriweather) and crew nonethless piece together a brooding but often darkly humorous journey through the dark side of the love life. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Lovage: Pit Stop (Take Me Home)

Lovage: Sex (I'm A)

Lovage: Stroker Ace

Lovage: Lies & Alibis

Now that you've been thrown for a loop, why not stay awhile. Have a drink. Bjork is here, singing in the piano lounge. No, you say? Well, see for yourself:

Bjork: Where Is The Line? (Fantomas remix)

Bjork: Human Behaviour (Close To Human mix)

Bjork: I Miss You (Photek remix)

I had wanted to post about The Walkmen a while ago, but I guess I forgot. I was abrubtly reminded however when my iTunes shuffled up "What's In It For Me" off their last album Bows + Arrows. Goddamnit I love that song. I also love the way it segues into the next track "The Rat." Hailing from NYC by way of Washington, D.C. The Walkmen are often described as having the sound of two different bands: one with a chaotic, soaring, and unique live rock sound; and another with a spacious, wide-open recorded sound. However you tag it, it's still a great sound. Or just a great emotional rollercoaster. I swear, sometimes after listening to this album straight through my heart literally feels mlike it's been pummeled. I love it. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

The Walkmen: What's In It For Me

The Walkmen: The Rat

The Walkmen: Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone

The Walkmen: Revenge Wears No Wrist Watch

When I first heard In Search Of, the debut album by The Neptunes alter ego/side project (with high school friend/hanger-on Shay)N.E.R.D. I was hooked. Already a fan of their production work for just about everyone but God himself, this album took things to a more organic level, as they borrow heavily from classic soul, breakbeat aesthetics, and postmodern alt-culture, tying it together with live beats. It pretty much deliberately does everything that most modern rap does not do, and it's hard not to embrace it for that very fact. As every rock critic in the Western world has said in his review of the album, they originally released the record in Europe, then decided it was crap, withdrew it, re-recorded it with a live band, and then released it worldwide. I have the European version as well, and although it still ranks as a great album, it was a good move on their part to re-record it with the group Spymob. Even though the group is now defunct, it's still a pretty terrific listen and one of the most adventurous, intriguing hip-hop albums in a long, long time. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

N.E.R.D.: Lapdance

N.E.R.D.: Brain

N.E.R.D.: Am I High

N.E.R.D.: Stay Together

N.E.R.D.: Tape You


I don't usually take requests, but I couldn't pass this up:

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

When the soundtrack for the classic Talking Heads movie Stop Making Sense was originally issued in 1984, it was only nine tracks in length, even though a total of 16 were performed on film. So when the film was rereleased in theaters and on home video in 1999, a new version of the soundtrack was issued as well, including all 16 songs and sporting an even better remastered sound. Recorded over three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre in December 1983 (during the tour in support of Speaking in Tongues, the usual four-piece lineup was supplemented by Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell, percussionist Steve Scales, guitarist Alex Weir, and backup singers Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt. One of the greatest live albums ever, the 1999 version of Stop Making Sense captures the Talking Heads at the height of their powers. A quintessential purchase. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Talking Heads: Psycho Killer

Talking Heads: Burning Down The House

Talking Heads: Once In A Lifetime

Talking Heads: Take Me To The River


And because someone requested I post it again:

Radiohead: Thinking About You

Lastly, to tie everything in this post together with a nice red bow, the source of their name:

Talking Heads: Radio Head


EDIT: Can you say holy fucking shit!!!!!!

Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while now have probably deduced that I am a pop whore. I LOVE a good pop song. The skill & craft involved in writing a pop gem, to me, is/can be a most extrodinary gift. Neil Finn, formerly of Crowded House and currently solo is; in IMHO one of the most talented songwriters of our generation. Next to Elvis Costello, I really don't see anyone producing the kind of art they do. Finn started honing his craft in Split Enz, perfected it in Crowded House, and mastered it on his own. So, for your listening (dis)pleasure enjoy an acoustic version of the hit that put Neil on the map:

Crowded House: Don't Dream It's Over (acoustic)


Apparently, Chris & I both share an affinity for bitching about Mondays & professing our love of hip-hop. Guess I'll have to follow suit today:

Dr. Dre & Snoop: Deep Cover

Gangstarr: Ex Girl To Next Girl

Missy Elliott: Lose Control


And lastly, let's sample some Foo Fighter's tracks shall we? From the just released double jawn In Your Honour:

Foo Fighters: Best Of You

Foo Fighters: The Deepest Blues Are Black

Foo Fighters: Hell

Foo Fighters: Cold Day In The Sun

Foo Fighters: On The Mend

Foo Fighters: Still

After Elvis Costello heard her debut album and took her on tour with him in 2003, Laura Cantrell repaid his generosity the only way she knew how: she hauntingly covered one of Costello's most beautiful (and this blog's namesake) ballads in his catalogue. And it turned out phenomenally. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Laura Cantrell: Indoor Fireworks

I normally don't post my guilty pleasures on this site, but after Chris got me all krunked up last night by posting possibly the sickest track Missy Elliott's ever done it was too late. I was already in a mood. Boomkat is comprised of the brother-sister duo of Kellin and Taryn Manning. With a slick, radio-ready sound that encompassed elements of trip-hop, urban soul, pop, and danceable hip-hop -- not to mention Taryn's star power as a burgeoning actress (Crazy/Beautiful, 8 Mile) -- Boomkat's seizure of the spotlight was almost inevitable. Basically, their music is crap to the Nth degree. I mean unless you're Prince don't try to substitute numbers for actually words. It doesn't work. But, it's perfect to listen to when you're getting ready to go out on a Saturday night. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Boomkat: What U Do 2 Me

Cake will always be tied to my wife. When we first met, we argued over them. She loved their first album Fashion Nugget, I thought it stunk. The day I proposed, we went to a Cake concert that very night. They've become "our" little inside joke. When we go out to our favorite hole in the wall bar Aero Club the first thing we do is put some Cake in the jukebox. And we laugh at all the different memories the band has created for us over the years. So, for your listening (dis)pleasure, here are select tracks off our favorite Cake album Prolonging The Magic:

Cake: Satan Is My Motor

Cake: You Turn The Screws

Cake: Let Me Go

Cake: Sheep Go To Heaven

Cake: Hem Of Your Garment

Cake: Never There

Cake: Mexico

Spoon
June 14, 2005
Gothic Theater
Denver, Colorado

Intro
The Beast & Dragon, Adored
Chicago At Night
Someone Something
Lines In The Suit
Fitted Shirt
The Delicate Place
I Turn My Camera On
Sister Jack
They Never Got You
Paper Tiger
Jonathon Fisk
Everything Hits At Once
Take A Walk
I Summon You
Anything You Want
The Way We Get By
Me And The Bean
My Mathematical Mind
Held
Metal Detektor
Small Stakes
The Two Sides Of Monsieur Valentine
Metal School

Whenever I hear Depeche Mode, it always brings me back to one specific memory. Even though I've seen them in concert like, I dunno, 5 times since I was 13 it doesn't matter. I'm immediately transported back to the summer between my sophmore & junior year in high school. A friend of a friend of a friend's parents went to Europe for 2 months and left their two children aged 18 & 20 behind to watch the house during their absense. I know what you're thinking. Every kid in my high school was thinking the same thing. PARTY! I spent so much time at this girl's house that summer swimming in her pool that my parents thought I had joined the swim team or something. Anyway, back to my DM memories. Violator had been released that year and pretty much never left my stereo. Rinse. Repeat. Rinse. Repeat. You get the idea. But there was one night, after many bottles of Boone's Strawberry Hill, that I found myself laying on the front lawn with Ashley MacDonald, looking up at the stars. Drunk. We have this thing called "smog" here in So Cal, so when a clear evening sky presents itself us San Diegans are giddy. Nothing happened between me and the girl (shucks!) but the two of us lay beneath the the sky; looking like a blanket had been tossed on top of the earth. A blanket with millions of little tiny holes in it. Millions of stars. It was a night of such pure beauty that it has stayed with me all these years. So today, in honour of July's rapid arrival, here are some select Depeche Mode tracks for your listening (dis)pleasure:

Depeche Mode: Clean

Depeche Mode: World In My Eyes

Depeche Mode: Told You So

Depeche Mode: Get The Balance Right

Depeche Mode: Policy Of Truth

Depeche Mode: Now This Is Fun

Depeche Mode: Halo

Depeche Mode: Enjoy The Silence

Depeche Mode: Walking In My Shoes

Depeche Mode: Everything Counts

I'm going to take a stand. I'm going to throw caution to the wind. I'm going to get up on my soapbox and just say it: I like Antics better than Turn On The Bright Lights. Now, don't get me wrong. As far as debut albums go, TOTBL is a stunner. It's right up there with the some of the best debut albums of all time. With Zepplin. And The Clash. I really believe that. But from the moment my ears were awash with the opening organ chords of "Next Exit" I was hooked. Super hooked. Junkie hooked. And it only got better from there. Realizing there was no way they could improve on their debut, they set out to make a different record, not a better one. The end result is, essentially, an album that sort of resembles the Interpol of old, but more so displays where the band has the capability of going. It's more up tempo. It's got more melodies. It's less droning than TOTBL. That quality served their previous album well, but Paul Banks, Carlos D, Sam Fogarino, & Daniel Kessler realized that either way scrutiny would be aimed directly at them irregardless of how good an album they made next. Though up-tempo songs weren't absent from Turn on the Bright Lights, they were delivered in pensive, steady waves of gloom. The up-tempo songs here aren't nearly as downcast — even "C'mere," in which Paul Banks sings, "The trouble is that you're in love with someone else," turns out to be more charming than self-pitying. I know many people are going to disagree with me regarding my choice of albums, and I'm fine with that. The truth, as alluded to above, is that they will never make a record as special as the debut. What we must acknowledge however, is that in realizing their quandry Interpol ended up crafting something even bettter than they imagined: a different kind of masterpiece. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Interpol: Length Of Love

Interpol: C'mere

Interpol: Slow Hands

Interpol: Next Exit

Interpol: Take You On A Cruise

Interpol: Public Pervert


Have a snack:

Coldplay: God Put A Smile On Your Face (Hernan Cattaneo remix)

Radiohead: Street Spirit (DJ Tiesto remix)

Bush: X-Girlfriend

Blur: Song 2 (Tim Delux remix)

Coldplay: Square One (team9 Small Town remix)

Depeche Mode: Strangelove (Bomb The Bass remix)

Annie: Me Plus One Via Chris

Beck's music makes for great conversation pieces. It really does. Hanging out with my family this past weekend in Los Angeles for my youngest brother's graduation from UCLA, my cosuin Jim & I got into quite an intense conversation about music. Now, it also could've been the Sparks and/or Macallan that got us all worked up, but it was definetely Beck's new album Guero that initiated everything. To properly set the scene for you, I need to describe my cousin and I. I am the music nerd of the family. He is not. He is the smart, NYC living, lamb shank making, Bloomberg employee of the year. I am not. So when he starts off a conversation with me by stating: "Hey, did you know that when Beck is in the process of mixing his albums, he always brings a copy home and listens to it from various rooms in his house? You know, to see what his music would sound like from a distance or through a wall?" Dammnit! I should know this stuff! Not him! But that's exactly what I love about my family. They never cease to surprise and amaze the hell out of me.

So. Beck. Great artist. Amazing songwriter. I mean, who else could go from Odelay to Mutations to Midnite Vultures to Sea Change to Guero. I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it. The man really is quite an enigma. People have said the same thing about me before, but I don't quite think they meant it in the same way. Beck's new album revisits the sounds and styles that brought him initial success, but it doesn't come across as a cold or calculated move. Instead, it sounds as if Beck, now a husband and father in his mid-thirties, is revisiting his older aesthetic and sensibility from a new perspective. The sound has remained essentially the same — it's still a kaleidoscopic jumble of pop, hip-hop, and indie rock, with some Brazilian and electro touches thrown in — but Beck is a hell of a lot calmer, never indulging in the lyrical or musical flights of fancy or the absurdism that made Mellow Gold and Odelay such giddy listens. He now operates with the skill and precision of a craftsman, never dumping too many ideas into one song, paring his words down to their essentials, mixing the record for a wider audience than just his friends. For your listening (dis)pleasure, here are some of The Vicar's favorite tracks off the album:

Beck: Que Onda Guero

Beck: Girl

Beck: Missing (aka Brazilica)

Beck: Go It Alone

Beck: Scarecrow

Bonus tracks for your listening (dis)pleasure:

Beck: Send A Message To Her (Japan Only Bonus)

Beck: Chain Reaction (Japan Only Bonus)

Beck: Crap Hands (Japan Only Bonus)


You can watch the excellent new video (and my favorite track off of "Hot Fuss") for The Killers "Smile Like You Mean It" here.

Two great Hendrix covers:

Belly: Are You Experienced?

P.M. Dawn: You Got Me Floating

Some random tracks The Vicar is bumping at work today:

Spoon: Take The Fifth

The Go! Team: Huddle Formation

Weezer: Island In The Sun (Demo with organ)

A.C. Newman: Drink To Me Babe, Then

Cracker: Shake Some Action

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Catholic School Girls Rule

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Thirty Dirty Birds

The Shins: Turn A Square

Stevie Wonder: I Was Made To Love Her

Stevie Wonder: Uptight (Everything's Alright)

So yeah, this blog is more music than anything else, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to link everyone to the entire first episode of "Stella," Comedy Central's newest half hour sketch show starring former members of "The State" Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, & David Wain. The three have been writing, producing and performing comedy, together and apart, for sixteen years. They met at New York University in 1988, where they helped create the sketch comedy troupe The State which went on to a successful television run on MTV as well as a prime-time special on CBS, a book, State by State with The State, several tours and a comedy album for Warner Brothers Records. After The State, Michael Ian Black co-created the Comedy Central series Viva Variety and was a regular on the NBC series Ed. He as well as Showalter and Wain, was also seen on VH1's I Love the 80's and I Love the 70's.

Showalter and Wain co-wrote and co-produced the feature film Wet Hot American Summer, (Wain also directed) a comedy about the last day of summer camp in 1981, starring Black, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Molly Shannon, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper among others. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001 and was released theatrically that summer. It is now a regular midnight movie at theaters across the USA. For your viewing (dis)pleasure:

Stella first look.

Now that the dust has settled on all the pomp & circumstance, I thought I'd take a moment to talk about the love jones I have for Bloc Party's debut album Silent Alarm. Mixing equal parts of The Cure, Joy Division, Blur, Gang Of Four, and the angular beats of Wire, Bloc Party have managed to perfectly capture their tense/anxious mood swings on tape. The album's opening track "Like Eating Glass" threatens to blow right out of your stereo...something that I hadn't been privy to since Radiohead's last release Hail To The Thief when my roof threatened to cave in from all "the rain drops. And the rain drops." If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're gonna have to go & figure it out on your own. What draws me to this album the most is the obvious sense of urgency coming from these guys. Almost like they felt they had to record this album quickly to capture exactly what was driving them at that particular moment. In any case, if you want a dose of something truly amazing, check out the tracks I have below. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Bloc Party: Like Eating Glass

Bloc Party: She's Hearing Voices

Bloc Party: This Modern Love

Bloc Party: The Blue Light

Bloc Party: The Price Of Gas

Bloc Party: Banquet


Watch Spoon's awful video for "I Turn My Camera On." Someone give these guys a decent budget already!

More ear candy for your listening (dis)pleasure:

Wire: 99.9 (live)

Evan Dando & Juliana Hatfield: My Drug Buddy (live on KCRW)

Scritti Politti: Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)

As reported earlier over on At Ease Web, Radiohead have declined the invitation to play at the second edition of Live Aid (Live 8 - July 2nd). BBC's Jo Whiley spoke to U2's Bono before their gig in Belgium - Bono said he hoped Thom Yorke would change his mind:

Bono: "It's very difficult for people, they can do whatever they want as far as I am concerned. They are that great, they're that special to me. If they don't want to do this, then fair play to them. I would love to see them, Thom if you heard this, I've a little missile on the way."

So, I've decided to make what I'm listening to at work into a series. I'll call this Volume 1. For your listening (dis)pleasure, more of "What The Vicar Is Spinning At Work" Volume 1:

Spoon: Revenge!

Rilo Kiley: My Slumbering Heart

Liz Phair: Why Can't I

Incubus: Warning

The Sugarcubes: Hit

Muse: Bliss

Muse: In Your World (live)

Beastie Boys: Ch-Check It Out (Tribute To Exar mix)

The Rolling Stones: Dead Flowers

Stereolab vs. Gwen Stefani: Whop Hop Waiting For?

John Foxx: Burning Car Go right now to Silence Is a Rhythm Too to read a great write up and grab more mp3's from Ultravox's original singer. If you're a fan of old O.M.D. you will want to hear these tracks.

On a side note, GrapeJuicePlus has mp3's of a band I hadn't thought about/listened to in ages: Nation of Ulysses. If you like punk, you'll totally dig this band:

Nation of Ulysses: Cool Senior High School

Nation of Ulysses: Diptheria

We all get emails from up & coming artists/bands. Some good, some atrocious. I'll spare you the whole rigga-ma-role. What I will not spare you though, is the music of Todd Stadtman. Weaving together key elements of Elvis Costello/XTC/Squeeze/Nick Heyward (Haircut 100) & a healthy dose of California pop, Stadtman's music posesses something that is a rarity in modern pop nowadays: instant accessibility & solid songwriting. Think I'm wrong? I'll prove it to you. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Todd Stadtman: The Clock In My Heart

Todd Stadtman: I Don't Know Why She's Here

If you live in the Bay Area, make sure to catch his next show:

Caffe Sapore
790 Lombard Street, San Francisco
Thursday, June 27th, 7:00 pm

Here's a live version of a new Killer's track entitled "All The Pretty Faces."

Everyone needs to spend more time with Silence Is A Rhythm Too. Sincerely. Posted Friday was a most delicious new track called Chewing Gum from Scandinavian pop-ster Annie's long awaited album Anniemal. Your 13 year old cousin will think you're the coolest thing since Hot Pockets when she hears it in your car. And she will. Because you'll have it on repeat for about the next month.

I am now a happy, happy boy. Spoon has been added to this year's Street Scene lineup.

I miss the old R.E.M. I really do. But hearing this live track courtesy of Stereogum guest blogger Matthew Fluxblog quickly reminded me of how powerful a live act they still remain, even with the absence of former drummer Bill Berry still looming large above them. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

R.E.M.: Me In Honey (live at Rock Am Ring 6/3/2005)

The Fantastic Friday Four (4):

Bright Eyes: Gold Mine Gutted

Blur: Tender

Beck: Mixed Bizness (Sizes n' Bed mix)

Her Space Holiday: My Girlfriends Boyfriend


EDIT: Better late than never:



RADIOHEAD have broken the silence over their new album. Singer Thom Yorke has said sessions for their new album remind him of working on ‘Kid A’. The band recently regrouped to start rehearsing and recording new songs for the follow-up to 2003’s ‘Hail To The Thief'.The album, not due until next year, will be the band’s seventh. Yorke said that early sessions had seen the band changing the way they work, reminding him of the change between 1997 LP ‘OK Computer’ and ‘Kid A’. He said: “It’s going well. It’s a bit like ‘Kid A’ – we’re going through a period of change. But that’s good. We’ll get there”

I'm running on about 3 hours sleep, so this is what you get today. Sorry. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Nina Gordon: Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A. cover)


R.I.P. Regnyouth

Fluxblog has a great review and download of "My Mathematical Mind" from Spoon's recent Austin, Texas show. So choice.

Best song off of Eels new 33 track whopper of a double album:

Eels: Old Shit/New Shit

Feeling basic again today. Some random tracks for your listening (dis)pleasure:

Just because:
R.E.M.: Orange Crush

The 2 best tracks off of Trent Reznor's latest:
NIN: Only

NIN: With Teeth

Some great remixes & covers:
Bloc Party: So Here We Are (Four Tet remix)

Bloc Party: Pioneers (M83 remix)

Bettie Serveert: Lover I Don't Have To Love (Bright Eyes cover)

Before she fell off the face of the earth (ie: started putting out mediocre solo albums) Natalie Merchant rose to greatness in a band called 10,000 Maniacs. Blending graceful execution and pure listenability, the Maniacs churned out 7 albums before Merchant bolted for the door. Long considered to be their breakthrough album and creative high point, In My Tribe offers a survey of social concerns, all tackled subtly and tastefully without too much preaching. Translation: a great album to sing along to in high school while having a bonfire at the beach drunk out of your mind on Zinfandel and trying to score with the cute girl one grade above you. Ummm...nevermind. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

10,000 Maniacs: What's The Matter Here

10,000 Maniacs: Hey Jack Kerouac

10,000 Maniacs: Like The Weather

10,000 Maniacs: Don't Talk


I'm still not sure if I'm completely sold on this total rip off of Terri Nunn & Berlin. Lemmeknowwhatchuthink:

Kelly Osbourne: One Word

Anyone that knows me well enough is accutely aware that I bow at the altar of two singer/songwriters: Elvis Costello & Neil Finn. Don't get me wrong, there are many fine artists out there who compose amazing tunes, but for my $$$ no one can touch either of these two guys. Having said that, let's chat a little about Neil Finn. I first discovered Finn when Crowded House's self-titled first album was released. I was immediately taken with Neil's talents. After I pretty much played that cassette to death, my older cousin gave me an album that further deepened my awe for Neil Finn's talent: Split Enz: History Never Repeats. Yes, there was life before Neil hooked up with Nick Seymour and the late Paul Hester to form Crowded House. And it was good. Very very good. I was now a Finn fan for life. Along with his older brother Tim's quirky but also just as hooky songwriting, Split Enz forged a path in the early 80's with their haunting yet melodic artistic pop. For your listening (dis)pleasure, here are some select tracks to whet your appetite:


Split Enz: History Never Repeats

Split Enz: I Got You

Split Enz: One Step Ahead Of You

Split Enz: Message To My Girl

Split Enz: Dirty Creature

Split Enz: Poor Boy

THIS looks fucking amazing!

"When you go on 'American Idol,' you've sold your soul." -- SIMON COWELL

Architecture In Helsinki: One Heavy February

Bishop Allen: Busted Heart

Mclusky: To Hell With Good Intentions

Squarepusher: A Journey To Reedham

The Bravery: Tyrant Mouth

Pixies: Wave Of Mutilation (UK Surf)


Go see Chris for some select hip hop tracks.

EDIT: Our thoughts are with Dodge and his family.

Remember cassette tapes? I do. Before cd's and cd-r's and cd-rw's there was the trusty 90 minute cassette. How I managed to fit all those expressions of unrequited love to all those girls onto a 90 minute tape still eludes me. I went through many mix tapes in high school. I had plenty of unrequited love. Rummaging through an old box of year books brought me to a blank, scuffed up cassette. Not being able to remember what the hell, or who the hell it was for back in high school, I popped it in my cassette player. I listened intently. To four songs. Why did I stop at four? And more importantly, why did I waste all that excess tape? For your listening (dis)pleasure, this is what was on the tape:

The Cure: A Night Like This

Neil Young: The Needle And The Damage Done

New Order: Subculture (12" Mix)

Smashing Pumpkins: Spaceboy