This morning, I put my copy of Dark Was The Night into the player in my car on the way to work. It had been a while since I had listened to it.
Remember DWTN? It was a dandy little 2-disc compilation album produced by Bryce and Aaron Dessner of the National for the Red Hot Organization. It benefited HIV/AIDS awareness, and had a lot of big name indie bands recording originals and covers. Arcade Fire's original track, "Lenin", is one of my personal favorites off the album, along with the Decemberists' original, "Sleepless".
But there was a song in the first disc (titled 'This Disc') that I either forgot about or never listened to enough. This song was the National's "So Far Around the Bend". Considering the producers of the album were from the National, it is expected that they have a fantastic track. And they delivered.
"So Far Around the Bend" features a variety of instruments, driven by simple acoustic strumming. As far as the rhythm section goes, there is a simple, consistent bass line of mostly root chords that match up well to the guitar. We are also treated to a little woodwind (clarinet, I believe) during the chorus. It's somewhat of a somber tone, but it compliments Matt Berninger's very distinctive baritone voice. Overall, it's a well put-together track. A little nugget of greatness hidden (not really) in DWTN.
It's a cool song. You should listen to it. If you don't have a copy of Dark Was the Night, pick one up A.S.A.P. It's good shit.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
I have found my local paradise.
I don't want to waste your time with personal stories. But I live in a small town in rural northern Vermont, with not much for a local indie scene. But today, on a trip to Burlington (the biggest city in VT, population about 40,000), I found a little record store in the basement of an H&R Block called Pure Pop.
I walked in, and was greeted by a sale copy of Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Airplane Over the Sea (which I proceeded to buy, along with a copy of Arcade Fire's eponymous debut). To the left, I instantly saw a massive selection of CD's, including sizable sections of Radiohead, Pavement, and Interpol, three of my favorite alternative bands. To the right, an equally large vinyl section, fronted by Islands' Return to the Sea.
It was hard to believe I had never been to this little store. There are only three or four other vinyl stores in all of Burlington. The only type of sign they have is a bright red awning three or four feet above street level, covering an incredibly steep staircase to an old wooden door.
If you live in northern Vermont, be sure to check this place out. Most that would enjoy Pure Pop have probably been there already, but if you haven't, stop in. Buy some vinyl. It smells delicious.
I walked in, and was greeted by a sale copy of Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Airplane Over the Sea (which I proceeded to buy, along with a copy of Arcade Fire's eponymous debut). To the left, I instantly saw a massive selection of CD's, including sizable sections of Radiohead, Pavement, and Interpol, three of my favorite alternative bands. To the right, an equally large vinyl section, fronted by Islands' Return to the Sea.
It was hard to believe I had never been to this little store. There are only three or four other vinyl stores in all of Burlington. The only type of sign they have is a bright red awning three or four feet above street level, covering an incredibly steep staircase to an old wooden door.
If you live in northern Vermont, be sure to check this place out. Most that would enjoy Pure Pop have probably been there already, but if you haven't, stop in. Buy some vinyl. It smells delicious.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A Tribute to a fallen indie warrior... rest in piece Mark.
I've only just found out about this, but on the 6th of March, the rock universe lost a star.
Mark Linkous, best-known for fronting Sparklehorse, recently shot himself in the heart in Knoxville, TN, at age 47.
Mark grew up in Virginia and first got into music to avoid being a coal miner, like the rest of his family. In 1980, he formed an indie band called the Dancing Hoods after moving to New York City. They released an EP and two albums on Relativity Records and Combat Records. After they broke up in 1988, Mark moved back to Virginia to write songs. In 1995 he founded a band called Sparklehorse.
Sparklehorse went through many, many lineup changes, with Mark being the only consistent member. He released the first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot (what a great title!), with Bob Rupe. It was a college radio favorite for a bit. They toured Europe with Radiohead in '96. His next album, Good Morning Spider, was recorded and released after an drug overdose on the aforementioned tour nearly cost Mark his legs.
2001 saw the release of It's a Wonderful Life, a star-studded album with appearances from Tom Waits, Bob Rupe, Vic Chesnutt, PJ Harvey, and more. Linkous himself said that this was his favorite record, having been produced exactly how he wanted it. In 2006, he released Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain, collaborating with Danger Mouse, Christian Fennesz, and Steven Drozd.
Mark also produced several albums, including Daniel Johnston's outsider album Fear Yourself. He curated and produced an album dedicated to Johnston, a notable outsider artist who battles bipolar disorder, yet still maintains strong art and music careers. This album features appearances by Tom Waits, Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips, and more.
Mark ended his own life at 1:20 p.m. on March 6. He will be remembered by those who loved him, including Colin Greenwood, Chris Walla, and Steven Drozd, who all have been publicly mourning him and encouraging all to remember Sparklehorse and all the fantastic things Mark did for music.
Rest in Piece, friend.
Mark Linkous, best-known for fronting Sparklehorse, recently shot himself in the heart in Knoxville, TN, at age 47.
Mark grew up in Virginia and first got into music to avoid being a coal miner, like the rest of his family. In 1980, he formed an indie band called the Dancing Hoods after moving to New York City. They released an EP and two albums on Relativity Records and Combat Records. After they broke up in 1988, Mark moved back to Virginia to write songs. In 1995 he founded a band called Sparklehorse.
Sparklehorse went through many, many lineup changes, with Mark being the only consistent member. He released the first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot (what a great title!), with Bob Rupe. It was a college radio favorite for a bit. They toured Europe with Radiohead in '96. His next album, Good Morning Spider, was recorded and released after an drug overdose on the aforementioned tour nearly cost Mark his legs.
2001 saw the release of It's a Wonderful Life, a star-studded album with appearances from Tom Waits, Bob Rupe, Vic Chesnutt, PJ Harvey, and more. Linkous himself said that this was his favorite record, having been produced exactly how he wanted it. In 2006, he released Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain, collaborating with Danger Mouse, Christian Fennesz, and Steven Drozd.
Mark also produced several albums, including Daniel Johnston's outsider album Fear Yourself. He curated and produced an album dedicated to Johnston, a notable outsider artist who battles bipolar disorder, yet still maintains strong art and music careers. This album features appearances by Tom Waits, Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips, and more.
Mark ended his own life at 1:20 p.m. on March 6. He will be remembered by those who loved him, including Colin Greenwood, Chris Walla, and Steven Drozd, who all have been publicly mourning him and encouraging all to remember Sparklehorse and all the fantastic things Mark did for music.
Rest in Piece, friend.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Pavement Reunion... sweet, sweet victory.
When I heard the news last September that Pavement was playing their first concert in ten years, I teared up in joy. For those of you don't know who Pavement is (did you sleep through the 90's?), they are perhaps one of the most influential indie bands. Ever. And for good reason; although their most popular (not necessarily their best) single "Cut Your Hair" only made it to 10th on the US Alternative charts in 1994, their 5 albums and countless EP's were amazing. Once again, the silly, unappreciative American mainstream missed out on a gem. Their loss.
Last September, word got out that Pavement was slated to play several shows during the fall of 2010. The indie planets aligned and news spread like wildfire. The first show announced for September 21 sold out in two minutes. No surprise. This show will be part of a few consecutive concerts in Central Park, NYC. Tickets are still available for the September 22 show and a few others as well. Get them while they are hot.
Soon Pavement confirmed a world tour, which they started March 1 in Auckland, New Zealand. They're heading for Australia and then on to the UK. They are also playing Coachella, Sasquatch, Primavera Sound, Roskilde, and Pitchfork Music Festivals.
Also, sometime this month we're expecting a 'best-of' album from Pavement. Huzzah.
I will get ahold of the album ASAP and report back. Until then, buy tickets for one of their Central Park shows. I know I am.
Last September, word got out that Pavement was slated to play several shows during the fall of 2010. The indie planets aligned and news spread like wildfire. The first show announced for September 21 sold out in two minutes. No surprise. This show will be part of a few consecutive concerts in Central Park, NYC. Tickets are still available for the September 22 show and a few others as well. Get them while they are hot.
Soon Pavement confirmed a world tour, which they started March 1 in Auckland, New Zealand. They're heading for Australia and then on to the UK. They are also playing Coachella, Sasquatch, Primavera Sound, Roskilde, and Pitchfork Music Festivals.
Also, sometime this month we're expecting a 'best-of' album from Pavement. Huzzah.
I will get ahold of the album ASAP and report back. Until then, buy tickets for one of their Central Park shows. I know I am.
Lets get this straight, we don't hate MTV... yet.
Firstly, some of you might remember a blog about a year ago of the same name. That was my old music blog, which got shut down because I was posting torrent links. And that is frowned upon. Like masturbating on an airplane.
Second, don't let the title fool you. I don't hate MTV. I hate the music on it. It's mostly generic, Autotuned bullshit about how good some guy is at getting laid and how much junk can possibly fit in one trunk. It's all the same, and it's all garbage. Occasionally I see a good video or two from a decent band like Modest Mouse, but it's typically one of the group's worse songs. So, all in all, I don't hate MTV. But hatred is subject to change at any time. Try me.
Second, don't let the title fool you. I don't hate MTV. I hate the music on it. It's mostly generic, Autotuned bullshit about how good some guy is at getting laid and how much junk can possibly fit in one trunk. It's all the same, and it's all garbage. Occasionally I see a good video or two from a decent band like Modest Mouse, but it's typically one of the group's worse songs. So, all in all, I don't hate MTV. But hatred is subject to change at any time. Try me.
Starting Strong with Air Traffic
I would say that the majority of other blogs start their first post by explaining who they are or what the blog is about. Fuck that. We here at Keep Me Off MTV want to get right into it. This is a blog about music. And that is what we shall write about.
Lets talk about Air Traffic. You may have heard of them... a fantastic threepiece from Bournemouth, UK. Frontman Chris Wall has a phenomenal voice, seamlessly blending low notes and high notes, falsetto and vibrato. But I think his greatest asset is his piano. The majority of Air Traffic songs are heavily piano-driven. Wall mixes the keys so well with the rest of the instruments. And unlike similar bands with pianists, Wall typically plays an acoustic piano rather than an electric. Good thing, because it sounds a hell of a lot better.
Air Traffic's debut album, Fractured Life, came out July 2007 from Tiny Consumer, a branch of EMI. It charted 42nd in the UK, but it deserved better; the album is full of great tracks. The most popular, "Shooting Star", had a video (directed by Terri Timely, who has done multiple videos for Air Traffic as well as Modest Mouse and St. Vincent) that was a visual extravaganza of reversed footage and slow-mo shrapnel. Other top tracks include "Never Even Told Me Her Name" (originally released on a 2006 EP of the same name) and "No More Running Away".
There is reason to believe they are planning on releasing a second album in the near future. We will keep you posted. Until then, check out Fractured Life. And their website at www.airtrafficlive.com. Its got a nifty blog.
Colin
Lets talk about Air Traffic. You may have heard of them... a fantastic threepiece from Bournemouth, UK. Frontman Chris Wall has a phenomenal voice, seamlessly blending low notes and high notes, falsetto and vibrato. But I think his greatest asset is his piano. The majority of Air Traffic songs are heavily piano-driven. Wall mixes the keys so well with the rest of the instruments. And unlike similar bands with pianists, Wall typically plays an acoustic piano rather than an electric. Good thing, because it sounds a hell of a lot better.
Air Traffic's debut album, Fractured Life, came out July 2007 from Tiny Consumer, a branch of EMI. It charted 42nd in the UK, but it deserved better; the album is full of great tracks. The most popular, "Shooting Star", had a video (directed by Terri Timely, who has done multiple videos for Air Traffic as well as Modest Mouse and St. Vincent) that was a visual extravaganza of reversed footage and slow-mo shrapnel. Other top tracks include "Never Even Told Me Her Name" (originally released on a 2006 EP of the same name) and "No More Running Away".
There is reason to believe they are planning on releasing a second album in the near future. We will keep you posted. Until then, check out Fractured Life. And their website at www.airtrafficlive.com. Its got a nifty blog.
Colin
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