For my next post I had planned on doing a write-up on the beautiful new Morning Benders album, the problem is that the album doesn’t come out until next week, March 9th. My ethical dilemma came when trying to figure out when the appropriate time was to post a review of an album that I “stole” off the Internet. I use the quotes because stealing in terms of digital music is used loosely in the fact that I use digital music as a test-drive for what I want to buy. It used to be that you only got to hear the singles on the radio and you had to base your decision of whether or not you wanted to purchase an entire $20 album, of usually 10+ songs, on just that one song. Looking back on that, it’s ridiculous; the new digital means of buying music is much more consumer friendly, but heavily exploited. Anyway, I will buy the Morning Benders album, Big Echo, when it comes out, but this brings me to the original question that kept me up late into the night. What is an album anymore?
And by that I mean, what makes it worth purchase? What does it mean to the consumer? For me, the album is a necessary experience to my favorite albums, sitting down with liner notes observing what the band wants to put in the booklet and what they don’t can give you a sense of what that certain band is about. Radiohead’s liner notes are filled with spacey drawings, usually symbolic of current political events. And since the release of Kid A, their liner notes have not included lyrics (A decision I don’t particularly like because Yorke can be hard to make out some/most of the time). Yorke has said that putting lyrics in liner notes emphasizes the voice when Radiohead wants the voice to be seen as another instrument, equal in importance to the bass, guitar, drums, etc. Another artist, Black Bear, put into the liner notes for his one album, personal photos of his current self or his childhood that pertains to each song, the lyrics were included and accompanied by his thoughts and inspirations to write the songs. This experience is highly more personal than the Radiohead lyrics, but what does it tell you about the artist? Black Bear is willing to fully open himself up to his fans, his listeners and wants that to be seen.
However, if you look at the latest Miley Cyrus liner notes, I’d be willing to bet her label typed the lyrics in with some cutesy font sprawled against some bright colors and pictures of her (maybe jumping! Or something else fun!). I can only laugh at the music industries inability to even try and deter the funds they are hemorrhaging. Album sales are at an all time low and the record industry isn’t even trying to make the album a valuable commodity to the listening experience. Seriously, how do generic pictures of Miley enhance the quality of the album? I want to believe that more people would be willing to purchase an album if it gave them more than what they are able to obtain online for free (the music), give us a reason, MIley, to go and buy your album, make it a quintessential part of the listening experience (Party in the U.S.A has so many deep meanings just waiting to be explored). The album should be personable, a glimpse into the inner psyche of a band that helps you learn about them as an artist and where the music you’re obsessing over comes from.
Here I am, just like the real “popping the cherry,” about to begin my blogging journey, I’m apprehensive, nervous, but super excited to tell my friends about it after.What do I write about? Am I ready? Do I have any moves?
It seemed appropriate that I would pop this metaphoric cherry, talking about bands that like to write about their own sexual promiscuity. This year’s Post-Nothing, Los Campesinos’, Romance is Boring is brash, loud, and sings/yells about the joys of being young and immature.Los Campesinos’ third studio full-length comes out of the gate slow with “In Media Res,”complaining about being unable to drive due to their drunken state and a lust waiting to be investigated. The album wastes no time after this, exploding with riffs, lyrics exploring sexuality and leaving romance behind. The album will speak to every young college student, how many times do you go out looking to fall in love? I think not, usually a more temporary lust. Los Campesinos prove to produce another fun album with Romance is Boring filled with lines like, “Feels like the build-up takes forever, but you never touch my cock.” Growing more serious as the album progresses, the standout is “The Sea is a Good Place to Think of the Future,” that features a haunting bass line and an incredible strings arrangement and the most sentimental lyrics you’ll find on the album. Besides the latter song’s somber lyrics, this album is perfect for reveling in our youthful state, so I hope that if you’re not already enjoying Romance is Boring, that you’ll give it a shot.
Related links:
-http://loscampesinos.com/
-http://www.myspace.com/loscampesinos
On a side-note:
-We should all be proud to be an American today; silver medal versus Canada is nothing to scoff at.
-Explaining my username: My last name is “Wolf,” also, homage to my favorite band, Radiohead.
-Hope you enjoyed the first “ride,” more to come soon.
A classic Marc Bolan album. Expect glam rock/psychedelic pop or whatever you want to call it mixed with some lush melodies and smooth vocals. If you’re a Bowie fan you’ll probably dig this. It really is too good. Give it a listen:
This stuff is too chill. Darker and a bit more foreboding than their other stuff, but still beautiful. The record also clocks in at 66:06. Coincidence? Regardless, best study music. Srsly.
Swans used to play really harsh and noisy industrial music. The kind that made you want to jam a knife in your ear because it was so brutal and aggressive. And then they pulled a 180 and started playing experimental post-punk kind of stuff. The stuff I posted here, is of the latter. But all that aggression and nastiness… it’s still there, albeit a bit more subtle and subdued. This album in particular is pretty tame compared to some of their other stuff, and if you dig this, make an effort to check out the rest of their discography. One last piece of news: they recently reformed and are due for a new album this year!
The last Pixies album before the subsequent breakup and often the most overlooked. It gets a lot of slack, for being more linear, more generic rockish, and lacking Kim Deal. While these may be true, nothing changes the fact that this record is pretty awesome. It’s no “Surfer Rosa” or “Doolittle”, but c’mon, it’s the still the fucking Pixies. Even at their “worst”, their putting out some really solid if not some of their best material. Get on this.
Note: A late post… but it’s still going up to promote Do LaB!
The Do LaB Presents Lucent L’Amour 2010 on Friday, February 13, 2010 at the Shrine Expo Hall! Do Lab is graciously offering a special student discount at www.lucentlamour.com/student. Tickets will only be $45! All week, KSCR will be playing tracks from the artists!
Some information regarding the event & Do Lab:
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The Do LaB brings its fantastical vision of Valentine’s Day to Los Angeles with the return of the fifth annual art and music festival, Lucent L’Amour 2010. Building on its growing popularity, this year’s festival is expanding to include both the indoor and outdoor areas of Shrine Expo Hall with over 5,000 expected attendees. The event will feature two stages of live music, top DJs, burlesque and vaudeville performances, as well as live art creations and installations.
Celebrated for their one-of-a-kind interactive art environments, The Do LaB has put its signature imaginative experience design stamp on festivals all over the world, including Coachella and Lightning in a Bottle. This year’s expanded festival will include:
* Two Stages of Music featuring Bassnectar, N.A.S.A., Stanton Warriors, Yard Dogs Road Show, Beats Antique, Ana Sia, Lazer Sword, Lynx & Janover and Patricio
* Art Installations throughout the festival:
- A large scale live painting by The Mac and Retna and live digital painting by Andrew Jones of conceptart.org
- Art Gallery curated by Mike Russek, and Deborah Vogt featuring Ekundayo, L Crosky, Liz Brizzi, Luis Sanchez, John Park, Hans Haveron, Kofie One, Shrine, Julio Sanchez, Man One, Walt Hall, Chris Berg, Gareth Stehr, Jocelyn Marsh, Danni Shinya Luo, Izumi Yokoyama, Stefano Novelli, David Haskell, Spectr, Glenn Campbell, Ryan Wegner, Chris Leavens, Michael Pukac, Shira Loa, Brion Topolski, Ando Pndlian, Myong Kurily, Adam Mostow and Motion One
* Lightning in a Paintcan Project: Local artists will transform large mural panels set up throughout the event grounds, using 100% used and recycled paint, into art pieces to be auctioned off through a silent auction with the proceeds going to benefit Sonic Muze, a non-profit that provides underfunded schools with music instruments and art supplies.
* Live performances by Lucent Dossier Experience, The Yard Dogs Roadshow, Suddenly Dapper, as well as numerous fire dancers, circus acts, and general mayhem instigators
Don’t Miss Lucent L’Amour 2010 this Valentine’s Weekend!
Lucent L’Amour
Saturday, February 13, 2009
Shrine Expo Hall at USC
700 West 32nd St. Los Angeles, Ca 90007
8 pm - 4 am / 18+ only
Advanced Ticket: $65
Student Discount tickets @ http://lucentlamour.com/student
