Opinionated Facts

I'm not writing this blog for myself!

2006-06-23T12:23:00.001-07:00

I was so ready to stop blogging, as I have absolutely no desire or need for an online diary. And anyway, if I had a diary it would be much more convoluted and disgusting than random YouTube videos of Genesis songs and Alec Baldwin delivering the best performance of his career.

But I have some comments, and thanks to you, the reader(s), you will be rewarded with songs.

Golden Smog - "A Long Time Ago": Golden Smog is a supergroup of sorts (pictured above), with members of Wilco, the Jayhawks, Big Star and Soul Asylum performing and writing. This one has Jeff Tweedy singing.

M. Ward - "I Go Home": I'm pretty sure that Ward didn't write this one, but he certainly does it some justice. AMG seems to point into the direction of Daniel Johnston writing it. Johnston is a great songwriter, but I don't care much for his voice or performances. Hearing other people cover his music is excellent though, and I'm a big fan of Discovered Covered.

Sufjan Stevens - "Henney Buggy": The only really good song on an otherwise disappointing new album called The Avalanche which is really just b-sides from last year's Illinoise, so I guess he gets somewhat of a pass.

Keep the comments coming, and make requests, and I'll be happy to see what I can do.

I'm finally practicin' what I'm preachin'

2006-06-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

HAHAHA Bless Your Soul

2006-06-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

M. WARD - POST WAR

2006-06-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

New album from Matthew "M." Ward. Three listens in, I'm going to say it's his best work yet. I could retract that statement at any point in time, but don't think I will. His cover of Daniel Johnston's "To Go Home" is the best thing ever.

I don't think anyone reads this blog, so I'm not going to put up any of the songs until someone makes a comment to let me know that I don't just write a pointless e-diary filled with YouTube videos and music downloads.

It's easy, you just click on the thing that says "comments" and make a comment. You can tell me to go fuck myself or that you disagree with me -- although you'd be lying or just flat out wrong if you did the latter.

History in the making

2006-05-31T00:16:00.000-07:00

Oh and the new Thom Yorke album sucks. I'd put up songs from it, but it sucks. And nobody reads this. Do yourself a favor and listen to Kid A or Amnesiac instead of ever trying this one out.

Loose Dimes

2006-05-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

Loose Fur - "Hey Chicken"

Quite possibly the finest hour of the Colbert Report

The Future of American Music

2006-05-17T00:19:00.000-07:00

The future is bright, my friends.

The dubbing will be synced up in the future, too.

Caffeine YouTube

2006-05-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

Wilco on Conan from Friday (incredible):

Late World with Zach Galifianakis (incredible):

"I'm a National Failure" - David Blaine

2006-05-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy of G. Paul Burnett/The New York Times)

David Blaine had a two hour television special on ABC last night. Just so you know, two (2) hours is one hundred and twenty (120) minutes or seven thousand and two hundred (7,200) seconds. I've watched feature length films that have taken less time and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The premise of David Blaine's special was that he has been submerged in a spherical water tank for over seven (7) days or one hundred and sixty eight (168) hours, or ten thousand and eighty minutes (10,080), or six hundred and four thousand eight hundred (604,800) seconds -- if you're keeping score at home. The water was 96 degrees and apparently Mr. Blaine, a "magician" who has developed a forte of just doing stupid shit for an extended period of time and expecting people to be impressed and give him attention, had been feeling serious pain. ABC was sure to show us his horrifyingly wrinkled feet and hands to let us know that this wasn't "magic," rather it was an attention starved dope's attempt to further his reputation and career as, well, an attention starved dope.

The event was hosted by none other than ESPN's Stuart Scott, or the guy who has beaten his own catch phrases (that were never particularly clever to being with) to the same dead state as his right eye.

Anyway, the "stunt" that Blaine was performing was that more water would be added to the sphere that he's been living in, drowning him while he's handcuffed. Blaine would then remove the handcuffs from both his wrists and ankles and remain submerged under the water for nine (9) minutes, breaking the world record of 8:58 by two (2) seconds.

I should take this moment to point out that I don't usually care what Blaine does, and I usually assume his stunts to be both an illusion -- like much of his magic tricks -- and something that nobody would think of doing anyway because they're just not very interesting. I didn't think much else about this particular stunt, however the possibility of Blaine dying or getting seriously injured was present, so I sat through the grueling flashbacks of Blaine's training and Scott's grating commentary.

Well, Blaine did something abnormal, alright. He failed.

After about six and a half (6.5) minutes, Blaine began to struggle with his handcuffs and looked as though he were straining for air. Soon thereafter, emergency help jumped into the tank and helped Blaine undo his leg cuffs and escape from the drowning at 7:08, nearly two (2) minutes short of his goal and the record.

Now this was great, I saw this dope who nearly killed himself on live television fail at his mission and then completely break down and tell the pathetic crowd of what looked like thousands (1000s) that he "loved them" for their support.

After watching Blaine (a man who probably knew he wouldn't get the money to perform another one of these unnecessary spectacles) break down and struggle, the night was highlighted by Stuart Scott's attempted recovery. The following is a quote by Mr. Scott several minutes after Blaine's failing:

"While Blaine did not achieve what he had set out to do, people watched him."

That's right, Stu, people watched him. He can tell his grandkids about how he failed at something he had trained for months, wasted and wrinkled away in water for seven days to do, but people watched him.

The next time something bad happens to you in life, just think about what Lil' Stuey would say. A new mantra could be WWSSS? (What Would Stuart Scott Say?). If you fail a test, tell your parents that you may have failed but at least your teacher graded it. If you lose your job, tell your wife that you may have been fired but you do know how to breathe. If you rob a bank and get caught, tell the police that you may have broken the law but at least other people have money.

Perhaps Scott couldn't think of what to say because he's usually reading off a teleprompter at Sportscenter, but he wasn't done. As the credits rolled and the spectacle's coverage drew to a close, Scott left us with one final thought. Perhaps questioning his own role in covering the event, or maybe his very presence in the world, Scott muttered frustratingly, "Seven-OOO-Eight (7:08)."

And then "Grey's Anatomy" came on and life could go on.

SUMMER IS COMING

2006-05-02T14:06:00.000-07:00

It's now May, and the Summer is just 'round the corner, which means one thing: Lots of awesome concerts. Within the course of one day (yesterday), several huge acts announced at least part of their respective summer tours. These huge acts include Sonic Youth, Radiohead, Wilco which you (or I) can throw on top of free shows all over the New York metropolitan area all summer long including Eels, The Hold Steady, Yo La Tengo, Son Volt, Super Furry Animals, Belle and Sebastian, Mates of State, Okkervil River, and Ted Leo among many others that I haven't taken the time to look up or remember yet. If I can go to half of those shows, it will be a great summer, but I'm planning on shooting the moon this time.

As for the fantastic picture above: if you couldn't already tell, that's Wilco with Christopher Walken (in a tuxedo, no less). In honor of their new tour, and the fact that I somehow overlooked that they played in the area not two weeks ago (I went to a terrible Yankees/Orioles game instead -- great decision!) I'm going to treat you to two live recordings of their new song "Walken." The download was recorded at their show on September 10, 2005 and the video is from their April 21, 2006 performance that I intelligently ignored. Both renditions are insanely catchy. Nels Cline is an excellent addition to this band, and hopefully he'll come through on the album like he does with his lap steel solo.

Wilco - Walken (9/10/05)

On top of all of this, Neil Young's new political record is now streaming online, you can listen to the whole thing for free.

He's also touring with Crosby, Stills and Nash, which I'm also going to. It's going to be a good summer for music, if nothing else.

DON'T MISS OUT

2006-05-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

There is a new, relatively unknown artist who is coming out with a new album. Sure, people might know OF him, but they don't know much ABOUT him. Some might say that he has only been able to spread his art because of who he knows, or that he's slept his way to this level. Well, I think his art speaks for itself, and once you watch this, I think it's safe to say no matter who you are, you will agree. He's also a very considerate individual, as he does some sign language and lip syncing for the deaf people that might be watching. Reeeeaaallll simple.

We like?

On a serious note though, I found a pretty sweet live Fiery Furnaces video on YouTube. I personally love all of their stuff -- even Rehearsing My Choir, the album where Olga Sarantos, Eleanor and Matt Friedberger's grandmother sings -- but I can understand why some people wouldn't. Well, seeing them live is a completely different, yet equally astonishing experience. Apparently Matt hasn't been playing keyboard of late, taking the guitar instead, adding to more rocking out. This video is from Cornell University earlier this year, "Single Again":

TIX MAPE

2006-04-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

This post does not have a central theme or idea. I am just going to put a bunch of awesome things up and all one or two of my readers can go crazy enjoying the perversity of it all.

So fucking enjoy, motherfuckers.

Alex Rodriguez, reigning AL MVP fucking his bat because his bat is fucking sexy. I think he probably grounded out after this, but he sure got some bang for his buck.

AND NOW FOR SOME MIXED, DISORGANIZED MP3's FOR YOUR DOWNLOADING PLEASURE:

Sparks - Perfume: Pretty catchy song. The rest of the album, Hello Young Lovers, is forgettable, and I've never listened to anything else from the band (they have over 30 albums to date)...but this one does it for me like a long, dirty, black bat does it for Alex Rodriguez. (File is in m4a format so you might need to work that shit).

Man Man - Engwish Bwood: Get it!? Like 'EngLish BLood' but there are W's instead of L's! If you like Tom Waits and Rumplestilskin (SP!?) this song may define your very existence.

Fiery Furnaces - Benton Harbor Blues: In all seriousness, this is probably the best song of the year. Absolutely stunning, much like Eleanor Friedberger, the delightful songstress who mouths these fine and endearing lyrics. Tragic, heartbreaking, yet irresisitable...like A-Rod's bat.

Immigrants are people too. Important people.

SLAVES!

2006-04-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

DOWN WITH WILCO

2006-04-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

As anyone who is anyone knows, Jeff Tweedy is the lead singer of the "popular" band Wilco.

What some people don't know is that he has been or is still a member of several other musical projects. And these musical projects are very good because of or in spite of him.

So check them out.

Golden Smog - Please Tell My Brother: Tweedy sings, band also includes members of Soul Asylum, Big Star and The Jayhawks. Expected to release another album sometime this year.

Loose Fur - Chinese Apple: Tweedy's side project with Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche, and producer/engineer/Sonic Youth member/solo artist/reinessance man, Jim O'Rourke. Gorgeous song, one of Tweedy's best.

Minus 5 - Dear Employer: Tweedy isn't singing here, he might be performing. I know that he's performed this solo. Members of Wilco and REM comprise this "supergroup." Great song.

Uncle Tupelo - Wait Up: Uncle Tupelo was Jeff Tweedy's band with his best friend Jay Farrar when he was younger. The band broke up over differences between the two, Wilco and Son Volt were born, the rest is history. So is this song, as in history of Jeff Tweedy starting to develop his own voice and master his craft.

Wilco - One Hundred Years From Now: Alright, so this is Wilco, but they're playing a song that they didn't write, so it counts. Gram Parsons' song from the Byrds' masterpiece Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Wilco does a more rocking, but worthy tribute.

GO FOLK YOURSELF

2006-04-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

As previously mentioned with my Vetiver post, there is good, interesting folk music being made nowadays for our generation. When you think of folk, you probably consider Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs, early Bob Dylan, etc. But folk, like most genres has evolved into folk rock. And with it come artists like M. Ward, Mountain Goats, Eels, Palace Music, the Microphones, the Kings of Convenience, and (obviously) Sufjan Stevens (among many others).

Folk music is literally for and by "the common people," at least according to wikipedia. But I see it as an emotional escape through simplicity and passion. These are some of the most ambitious artists out there, and they don't confuse their ambition with overproduction or heavy instrumentation. The best folk artists are those who can express something deeply personal, significant or powerful without forcing it on you, or trying too hard.

Below are some links and samples to listen to. All of the myspace links play music (otherwise I wouldn't waste your time linking to them). Enjoy, and if you do, support.

M. Ward - "O'Brien/O'Brien's Nocturne" off of End of Amnesia released by Future Farmer (track available for 7 days max)

M. Ward offical site

M. Ward myspace

Mountain Goats - "Alibi" off the forthcoming EP Babylon Springs released by 4AD

Mountain Goats official site

Mountain Goats myspace

Eels - "Love of the Loveless" off Shootenanny! released by spinART

Eels official site

Eels myspace

AT WAR WITH THE CRITICS

2006-04-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

The Flaming Lips new album, At War With the Mystics was released not too long ago, and already it's being killed by backlash. In fact, the album was in bad shape before even hitting the shelves, because of the good ol' internet leaks. I don't understand why, though. The album is pretty great, and definitely better than their last full length, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.

So why the bad press? Well, I think part of it is attributable to "Yoshimi" and the backlash that it endured. When it was first released in July of 2002, it received high praise, widely considered one of the best of a year that saw several fantastic releases. Soon after, maybe six months or a year to be exact, the album stopped being praised and people took a step back and realized what they were saying.

When you first listen to Yoshimi, it's a great album, sure. When I first listened to Yoshimi I was obsessed with it. But after each progressive listen, you start to realize that it really isn't that great, outside of a few tracks ("Fight Test," and the title track especially). I think it's safe to say that the quick judgment occured with the majority of critics and fans. Hell, pitchfork rated it as an 8.4 out of a possible 10.

"Yoshimi" also pales in comparison to the two prior albums, Clouds Taste Metallic and The Soft Bulletin. So with objectivity and perspective taking control, it was easy to see that "Yoshimi" was not quite as good as had originally been thought.

So why does "Yoshimi's" backlash have to continue with this new album? Well, partially because it kind of sounds like a combination of the past two albums (Yoshimi and Bulletin), and probably because the backlash is still in the back (or front) of people's minds. Pitchfork, perhaps trying to compensate for it's overrating of "Yoshimi," deemed "Mysics" a lackluster 6.4, much worse than that of "Yoshimi," despite the fact that it is pretty objectively better than it's predecessor.

For all of it's flaws, and there are some (overproduction, song length, and silliness), At War With the Mystics is a fine album, and deserves more credit than it is receiving.

Flaming Lips' myspace (with tracks from the new album)

Flaming Lips' Official Site

Don't Miss Out

2006-04-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

VETIVER - TO FIND ME GONE

I haven't heard Vetiver before, and chances are neither have many people -- and that's a shame. Vetiver is the project of San Francisco folk musician, Andy Cabic. Cabic has had some exposure opening for and playing with folk singer, Devendra Banhart, but it looks like he's finally making a name for himself. His forthcoming (third) album, To Find Me Gone has recently leaked, and is gorgeous.

Cabic kind of sounds like Eels meets M. Ward, with a bit more pop than those two. Most folk music can be slow, sullen and, for lack of a better word, BORING, but Cabic has overcome that, creating something both interesting and catchy. This album deserves mountains of praise, and should be heard by everyone. Below are a few songs and links to check him out. The album will be released by
Dicristina Stair on May 15th. If you like it, buy it. I know I will.

(songs will only be up for a maximum of seven days)

Vetiver - "Won't Be Me"

Vetiver - "Idle Ties"

Vetiver's myspace

Vetiver Official Site