Saturday, August 30, 2008

Look At What's Happening On Sept 9th

Hey there are some killer albums coming out in September...

Fujiya and Miyagi - Lightbulbs
I don't know about you but I can't get enough of their funk inspired electronic sounds. Their last LP Transparent Things was excellent. It was an excellent album to put on and just chill. I've heard what I think will be their single called "knickerbocker", and although I can't decipher what the lyrics could mean, it's a great groove.

Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
I haven't heard anything from this album yet, but I've read some people opinions about the leaks and it seems to be received pretty well. The name makes me think that it will continue in the same style of The Stage Names due to the play inspired title, heh. Either way, really excited for this one.

Metallica - Death Magnetic
Yep, from what I heard, I would say Metallica is back. I've heard three of the leaks and it is so comforting that they are playing metal again. If you head over to Hype Machine you can stream the songs. Although I haven't listened to Metallica in a while, I'm pumped to hear this in all it's glory. I'm also excited to hear what all the haters have to say.

Some other interesting ones coming out later in September include:

The Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty
Tom Morello - The Fabled City
and who could forget
George Clinton - George Clinton and some Gangsters of Love...

Looks like September is gonna be a good month for my Best of 08 list.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Music Vid: Grand Ole Party

Well yesterday I posted the video from Flight of the Conchords, today I have another video from that same show I watched. However, I didn't catch the name when I saw the video. Needless to say, I found it. It was actually a song by a band named Grand Ole Party and it's called "Look Out Young Son". Lately I've had a pretty shabby connection and not knowing the name of this killer tune has been bugging me.

Glad I found it, check it out.



I think her voice sounds like Jack White served warm with a side of Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Now if only mtv/mtv2 will get back to playing music, but that's a whole different topic.

Ewok Gospel Vid

Ha, a friend of mine just sent me this video. The world is finally realizing that the bar of humor has ewok on tap, and it's happy hour. Ewok gospel, check it out.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

I Made You a Sweet Mixtape

So yesterday I was checking out the hype machine and I really forgot how much I enjoy that site. I was checking out some of the new bloc party, of montreal and some others. Then, I saw an ad to check out their new merch and figured why not check it out. The first thing to catch my eye was the cassette tape inspired flash drives. Ahem, or the new reusable mixtape if you will. I then followed it back to makeamixa. They let you upload your own design or pick from their previously made designs and clip art. That is such a stupid/fun/quirky idea, it makes me kinda like it. Hmm, decent Christmas gift idea, no? Is it bad that I want a 16gb version? Get on it Mixa!

On the flip side, that device would look pretty damn stupid coming out of a laptop/desktop, but then again, sorta funny/cute. Regardless, I dig the idea.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

This Goes Out To All the Ladies

Today I was watching the show Subterranean on mtv, or 'MUSIC TELEVISION', and I now have a new favorite music video. Although I haven't been able to watch many of the Flight of the Conchords episodes due to lack of HBO, I have been a huge fan of everything I've heard/seen. The guys are pure comedic genius. Although I've heard this live, on youtube, and on their LP; this has got to be my favorite incarnation. The video is so good that it offset the 14 billion "free x-box" and "text 'PATHETIC' to 6886 to find out if you truly are an idiot' commercials.

Have a look:

Friday, August 22, 2008

ton-e-wok #4

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Wrath of the Lich King Trailer

Although I've been clean for a little over than a year now, I've gotta say, the new trailer looks amazing. Gotta hand it to ya Blizzard, it is truly a work of art. The nerd inside of me got a little giddy while I watched it. I'm going to have to try extremely hard not to buy this once it is released. Anyway, check it out..

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Some Lolla Photos For Ya

Well, it has actually taken a year to get some photos up from Lollapalooza. But, I finally got a hold of them and I'd like to show you a few of my favorites. Blogger kills a lot of the quality so feel free to click the image to see it in it's true form.

Also, when you don't have a super expensive/awesome camera it is hard to get decent band photos because of how hardcore you have to be to get up front. So, I focused on some of the other happenings at Grant Park as well. Enjoy.

loogadatlogo

broken social scene

radiohead blur "art"


holla we want prenup,"WE WANT PRE-NUP!" ..."YEAHHH"


chi town whaz good?

patrick on the drum kit

crowd involvement

radiohead LED

glowin'

paintin'

rage

foals

some friends of mine.





Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Relevant Comic: The Music Nerd's Burden

Saw this over at Dustinland. No one know our struggle, haha.

Feel free to click to enlarge.

Monday, August 18, 2008

ton-e-wok #3


Click image to expand.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

What's Good? (concert edition)

Holy crap! there are some excellent shows coming up. Although my concert spending budget right now has been reduced to nothing, I'll list some of the shows that caught my eye in the upcoming months.

8/19 Handsome Furs - Skully's
8/22 Aesop Rock - Skully's
8/28 Silver Jews - Milo Arts
9/12 The Mars Volta - The LC ***3rd re-schedule is a charm
9/15 The Walkmen - The Basement
9/16 Maps and Atlases - The Basement
9/20 Sunset Rubdown - Skully's
9/23 Evangelicals - Skully's
9/29 Born Ruffians - Skully's
10/6 Fleet Foxes - The Wex
10/6 Death Cab for Cutie - The LC
10/7 The Black Keys - The LC
10/12 The Cold War Kids - Newport

... and that's far enough into the future. Anyway, it is going to be challenging cutting back on shows with acts like that coming through town. I do really need to make it to Skully's at least once, I've never been there.

7 FOOT NINJA APES!!!

Remember like a week ago when TV got a hold of the "Mountak Monster"? There's no way you do, it was like a whole week or two ago. Well, regardless, networks have learned a valuable lesson; People LOVE THAT SHIT. I am included, I wanna see just as much crazy stuff as the next guy. I got google reader on lockdown, son.

Anyway, did you see Bigfoot? I'm really pulling for this one, although I feel a minimum amount of confidence.

I was really hoping for a blonde bigfoot, something more along the lines of Dr. Zaius. Anyways, check out CNN's really uninformative article here.

Friday, August 15, 2008

ton-e-wok #2

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Gonna Go See Clone Wars...

Going to see the new Star Wars: Clone Wars tonight. * ended up not going... My expectations are mediocre, I'm just hoping for a respectable effort that leads into a decent cartoon that I will catch from time to time. I don't think that is too much to ask. But, I couldn't help but check it's MetaScore, and it currently has a 40/100, which is NOT very good. However, it doesn't have many reviews yet and from it seems people are almost expecting/wanting it to be bad.

I'll hit ya back with a review asap.



It's got to at least beat that trailer...

pretty funny/interesting star wars countdown article at rotten tomatos...

NAMU FEST

Welp, apparently sometime in the past 2 weeks I have become a Gnarls Barkley fanboy, heh. I ended up seeing them at Lollapalooza even though I didn't plan on it. They happened to be on before Kanye West, and wow I made the correct accidental decision. I've been a fan of Danger Mouse productions for quite some time, but for some reason I always dismissed Gnarls Barkley. Then last weekend they played at the New American Music Union, which was close to the same set, but still amazing. Yet another band that I've learned to appreciate after a live show.

Anyway, my friend still has all my pictures from Lollapalooza on his computer (FAIL). So, I don't know when I will get around to posting those. But, in the meantime, here are some pictures from NAMU-fest (heh, we decided that was easier to say). Unfortunately I forgot my camera for Fridays show, so I don't have any pictures of The Black Keys or The Roots. Having seen The Black Keys I knew what to expect from them, but the Roots, wow... That was some of the best live music I have heard.

Black Mountain's sweeping, epic soundscapes were a pleasant surprise to the festival.

Gnarls Barkley sure is something something else. I've been listening to them constantly since. Not only do Cee-Lo and Danger have great chemistry, but the backing band is excellent as well.

Spoon was great as usual. This time was even more enjoyable with the addition of a brass section.

I listened to The Raconteurs first album Broken Boy Soldiers quite a bit when it came out. For some reason I never got around to listening to the new album Consolers of the Lonely all that much. But all of it sure was impressive. Jack White alone brings so much energy to the stage, throw in the rest of the band and you have a deserving opener for Bob Dylan.

I never thought I would ever get a chance to see Bob Dylan. Although due to aging, his voice has taken on a Tom Waits-esque raspiness, he still puts on quite a show. Although he sticks to vocals/harmonica/keyboards, it is still nice to see one of historys most influencial musicians.

Monday, August 11, 2008

What's With Car Commercials These Days?

I have developed a talent for recognizing songs in commercials. Although it is somewhat of an invaluable talent, I have noticed some things. Car commercials "GOT IT GOIN' ON", as the kids say. Perhaps I should go into the "car-songing" industry.

But seriously, it seems a lot of car companies are going a more indie route. I'm not sure if it's just because they are catchy, cheaper to use, or just the taste of the marketing folks.



The above video shows Dodge giving the band Grandaddy some love... I've been listening to them a lot recently, and I commend their choice. Oh yeah, do you guys recognize this song from the grocery store scene from 28 days later?



And he is another one from Dodge rocking some Apples In Stereo. The song is "The Sun Is Out" off of their critically acclaimed LP New Magnetic Wonder. I also heard a song by them on the Instinct cell phone commercial. And The Colbert Report has been more than supportive due to their song titled "Stephen", which is a tribute to the man himself.

I also noticed Chevy and Pontiac both rocking The Silversun Pickup's "lazy eye". Could this be a sign of a huge change in American pop music, the beginning of a new era? Only a matter of time until songs like the above mentioned will be getting more mainstream air time. Once the present radio industry dies, things will become very interesting.

This leads me to another question; What will classic rock stations be playing in 20 years? Who will be "our" Poison? My guess would be Nickelback... Love or hate them, they own them charts single after single.

Oh yeah, kinda got distracted, I really wanted to tell you all about this website I have been going to for the past year or so. It's name is Adtunes and it is perhaps one of the greatest tools of our day...forums to find out tv commercial music.

Sorry, I've been watching a lot of tv during my stay in Columbus...

Feel free to comment any tv commercial music you like?

The Rundown

Well, I am currently in Columbus without my computer, camera, or car. I think that counts as being stranded, but I'm staying at a friends house, so it's all good. The pictures for Lollapalooza and NAMU-fest are going to be a little delayed. So, hang in there, I know you are dying to see my semi-ok pictures. Next festival I go to (which will probably be forever from now), I am going to attempt to get a press pass.

Oh yeah, and I guess I never explained the comic...

Well, me and my pal Fill came up with an idea for a comic, and I figured you guys wouldn't mind checking it out. We'd really appreciate comments, but go easy on us, heh. So, I'm hoping it will be a weekly or 2-a-week kinda deal.

Anyway, it's the story of an ewok who is attempting to find his way home to Endor, but gives up to pursue an ordinary urban lifestyle. It makes complete sense...

shut up

tony

Friday, August 8, 2008

Ton-E-Wok #1: 8/8/08

Keep checking back as the story unfolds...

heh

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Reviewing Pitchfork's Review of Lolla-Sunday

Pitchfork...

Usually a pretty good source of information in my opinion, but when it comes to reviews my respect dwindles a tad. But then again, I suppose it depends on the person. Regardless, my new least favorite Pitchfork reviewer would have to be Amy Phillips...

My photos from Lollapalooza are still on my buddies computer so I figured I may as well read what Pitchfork (article) has to say about it.

On the topic of the Gnarls Barkley performance:

"...But the party was just not getting started. These "fun" songs felt labored, like everybody was trying too hard..."
-Amy Phillips of Pitchfork

First off, I'm not sure what Gnarls Barkley performance she saw, but the people around me were definitely feeling it. I suppose there is the possibility of her looking solely at the people that were waiting around for Kanye who *didn't* like Gnarls. Regardless, I can pretty much confirm that the people who were actually interested in seeing Gnarls Barkley really enjoyed it. Also, I'm fairly confident that the "trying hard" impression is part of the "prep school uniform" act (see pitchfork photos).

Unfortunatley that isn't the worst part. She goes on to review the Mark Ronson performance. I heard this one from a distance while securing a good spot for Kanye at the Bud Light Stage. I don't hide the fact that Ronson's Version is undoubtedly my favorite album to put on to get liven up the party, nothing hits the spot like those jazzy energetic covers. Needless to say, that made this next quote the nail in the coffin for me, heh.

"...After all that, it was actually a relief when Alex Greenwald of pop-punk band Phantom Planet stormed the stage in true rock star fashion. Though his and Ronson's cover of Radiohead's "Just" is dreadful..."
-Pitchfork

Wow, me and Amy must be polar opposites. That is probably close to, if not, my favorite cover of all time. She also goes on to say...

"...The whole thing was a huge clusterfuck, the music was mostly terrible, and the crowd didn't know the words to songs that might have been huge hits in England, but barely registered here in America..."

I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I'm having a really hard time respecting hers. Needless to say, I'm through reading Pitchfork's coverage of Lollapalooza. I encourage you all to check out this track or go to youtube/AT&T blue room and decide for yourselves.



more to come,
tony

Monday, August 4, 2008

More to Come...



Well, I'm not back yet, but here is a video of some happenings during the festival. The video is so fitting for the song. I'll be back with more pics and reviews tomorrow or the next day.