music

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2
Jul 09

A Week After…

Last Thursday, when a friend of mine called me to tell me Michael Jackson died, I incredulously thought he was joking. He told me he wouldn’t make this up. However, the news was too unreal, not possible at all, but I confirmed it on Google – the death was breaking news. Somehow, Michael Jackson gained more power and influence in death, as music sales went through the roof and he turned many against Perez Hilton for stupidly speculating his heart attack was a ruse to get out of some performances. I have to give ThePete credit on this one – being victimized didn’t make Perez nice as he did go back to being mean and petty. Of course, the erasing the entry’s original text and being super-sweet about MJ in the following posts didn’t help. Perez’s unique sense of libel and his irresponsibility bit him in the ass as someone made a screenshot. And, no, it was not a hoax. I defended Perez when he got socked, but this indefensible. The main issue was truthfulness, but jokes about Michael Jackson, especially attacks on his character, died with him.

Now, I can’t go anywhere without hearing his music, especially that from the 1980′s. Interestingly, on this week‘s This American Life, the segments were named after Michael Jackson’s songs. No doubt all kinds of tribute like this will soon follow. Then there are those who think MJ artistically peaked at Thriller, but then again, the same has been said about Prince and Purple Rain. Both statements are insulting to the artists who worked really hard to surpass what the public viewed as their masterpieces.

The past week has definitely been a strange one where the ghost of Michael Jackson has been quite busy at work to shape his legacy. He’s also been quite powerful at shaping public opinion, especially as fans have given him the understanding that the real Michael Jackson lacked in the past several years. Rest in peace.

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1
May 09

I Feel So Helpless…

“Helpless” is one of my all-time favorite songs by Bob Mould, albeit with his 90′s band Sugar. He’s completely unrecognizable — he’s the one in the striped shirt. Mould has come a long way since then. However, his sense of playfulness is wonderful here, especially in an era where music took itself too seriously.

Bob Mould has been incredibly busy over the past few years, such as a new album, this time free of the techno touches of the previous three. And it’s good enough to make one feel so helpless.

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24
Jan 09

Erasure: Always (2009 mix)

Found this clip on Erasure‘s official site.

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19
Jan 09

Goodbye to Bu$h Playlist

To celebrate George  W. Bu$h’s final day in office, I’ve compiled this playlist. I’ll be listening to this amongst some other things, but the general idea is that these songs give him the proper send-off he deserves. Special thanks goes out to my East Coast Twitter friend TiMothE, who sent me several songs for this playlist.

One band that has a special place on this playlist is the Dixie Chicks, who suffered from the idiotic backlash and blacklisting from the country music establishment ever since they since they said they were ashamed to be from the same state as the President. Nothing’s more fitting than a high-heeled Texan boot-kick for Bu$h.

Continue reading →

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6
Jan 09

In the works: Goodbye to Bu$h Playlist

The end of an era is coming with George W. Bu$h leaving the Oval Office. Interestingly, he’s concerned with his legacy, which he should have thought of 8 years ago. I have to agree with the sentiment of Joseph A. Palermo, a Huffington Post contributor: Just Go, Mr. Bu$h. Please, Just Go.

To celebrate Bu$h’s leaving, I’m going to put together a playlist with some music that gives the musical equivalent of hitting him with on the ass with the door on his way out. An appropriate choice to be included on the playlist is the Dixie Chicks, who took too much flack for saying that they were ashamed to be from the same state as the President. Let that be your high-heeled, Texan boot kick out the door, Mr. President.

A definitely appropriate selection would be “Mouth” by Bush, because “nothing hurts like yout mouth,” Mr. President. Hearing him clumsily handle the English language was quite painful. The question is, can the trauma from eight years of bad speech be undone?

I’m still trying to figure out what else to play that day, so I’m glad to get some suggestions.

As for President-Elect Obama, I’m going to include that infamous song by Rick Astley because he pulled the ultimate Rickroll with his selection for who would do opening prayer.

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13
Dec 08

Man on the Verge

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Photo by Paul Shoul, courtesy Lloyd Cole

I’ve borrowed a few images from Lloyd Cole‘s website for a fun Saturday post. I’ve made it pretty clear in the past I’m a big fan of his music, as I’ve posted vids from time to time. I’ve also been playing him nonstop on my iPod—some of that stuff is perfect for down moods and feeling worn out. I’m sure quoting him with “Put me in the ground…” is a sign of that, but don’t take me literally. He’s so damn bookish at times. As for the photos, he’s a sexy man at any age.

I check his weblog from time to time to see what’s new with him, and he’s planning to release a compilation of b-sides, covers, and alternate versions of singles early next year. Gotta love the title: Cleaning Out The Ashtrays.

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Photo by David Sims, courtesy Lloyd Cole

For more images, visit Lloyd Cole‘s gallery

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1
Jul 08

Sound and Vision

A few days ago, David Bowie issued a playlist of his all time favorite songs from his body of work. He has a huge string of hits for the past several decades. While those songs are over-anthologized, they don’t find their way amongst Bowie’s favorites. Perhaps, it is because he has sang those songs to death in order to please his fans. The ones he selects are the more obscure, under the radar songs, including a re-worked “Time Will Crawl” (the original coming from one of his less perfect albums Never Let Me Down). He has mentioned in an interview many years ago that he has always wanted to sabotage the Never Let Me Down songs, and, here he gets his chance. The narratives behind all the other choices are just as compelling. Bowie’s always been able to give the gift of sound and vision, and he certainly delivers with this list.

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25
Mar 08

Everything I Say To You Feels Stupid Now

I’ll get to my memes and they’ll strike like a heatwave. I’ve been working on them, perhaps a little too thoughtfully, as I got too caught up in how they sound. Now, I’ve been tagged once again by Chris, which means a chance to get back at Danny. ;)

Bob Mould 3/24/08

Last night, I had a much needed distraction from returning to classes, the car drama, and even the memes I’ve been procrastinating on. I went with my friend Scott to Bob Mould‘s show at the Belly Up in Solana Beach, and he rocked!

Over the past few years, Bob Mould’s been very hard to pin down musically. After the aptly named Last Dog and Pony Show, he took a break from music for a few years. A few years ago, he made an under the radar comeback with Modulate, his experiment in electronic music. Modulate then paved the way for Blowoff, his collaboration with Rich Morel (they regularly host a dj party at Washington DC’s 9:30 club). Mould’s collaboration with Morel didn’t end there, as Morel contributed synthesizer work to Mould’s last two hard rocking albums. Just when one thinks he’s figured out Bob Mould, he manages to surprise.

This was definitely the case with his largely fast paced power pop set last night, which would seem to run counter to Mould’s recent flirtations with dance music. Much of the songs were Sugar-laden or from his Hüsker Dü past. In all fairness, he performed a lot of songs from his solo career, but the amount of songs from District Lines, his most recent release, was minimal. However, Morel was present to contribute some keyboards to some very guitar heavy tunes. Mould also had a fine sense of timing, as he started high, relentlessly kept it going, took it down before the middle of the show, and brought it back up again. Whether he’s spinning records or he’s playing rock music, he can get the guys to dance.

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30
Dec 07

It Takes Courage To Enjoy It

A friend of mine sent me an MP3 of Bjork‘s “Arabadrengurinn.” It’s from her first proper album (not to be confused with Debut) and the song sounds like Japanese children’s music on speed. To quote her from “Big Time Sensuality,” it takes courage to enjoy it.

Click and hear it for yourself.

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5
Nov 07

Music Monday: A Question Of Time

Dave Gahan, best known as the frontman for Depeche Mode, has been interpreting Martin Gore’s songs for years until recently. He did a very un-Depeche album, Paper Monsters and even wrote some songs for the last Depeche Mode’s last album, Playing The Angel. This time around, we’re treated to a more electronic work by Gahan, Hourglass.

It’s fair to say that Hourglass is very reminiscent of Depeche Mode, especially Violator, Ultra, and Playing The Angel, but without a much trace of guitars. Well, there’s some, but definitely less dependent on them than the previously mentioned albums. Also, Gahan at times goes for a dirtier sound with a danceable beat (“Deeper and Deeper” and “Use You”), which has more in common with a Depeche Mode remix than original. “Kingdom,” one of his strongest songs, evokes Depeche Mode in its sounds and rhythm. “Miracles, a lyrically memorable song, evokes many of Martin Gore’s songs about religious doubts, though is is Gahan’s voice, not Gore’s.

In Paper Monsters, Gahan worked out his inner demons. With Hourglass, he takes the time to own the material, tweaks a familiar sound, and has a good time with it.

Shindo’s grade: A-

Reviews for Dave Gahan’s Hourglass

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