i spent most of my morning driving all over oklahoma while going to and from, ada. the back country roads are really nice to get lost in, while listening to decent music. i find it all to be somewhat relaxing and stress free. (something nice to have when you think about huge hospital bills...) i like seeing old, abandoned buildings and farms. there is a certain uniqueness to them that makes me interested in their history. if that show, American Pickers, came to oklahoma, they would most definitely find some interesting stuff.
so, while driving i listened to some more twinkly stuff. coming home i thought of this one band who are very awesome and very good. they are called, Colossal.
this is for those, American Football fans again. straight up, this band kills it with the same mathy/indie/twinkly/90's emo style without being from the 90's. they formed in 2001 and hail from elgin, illinoise, which always seems to be the state with the best midwest emo bands and punk bands. they released an ep and a full length before going on hiatus in 2006 i think. the music they made is so enriched with the midwest emo sound that it's freaky. you think of Cap'n Jazz and other bands like Braid, Boys Life and newer acts like, Algernon Cadwallader, Look Mexico, and Hightide Hotel when listening to them. this band also had members from other notable acts like, Slapstick, The Lawrence Arms, Tuesday, The Falcon and The Smoking Popes. mix in some simple trumpet playing and the low voice of lead singer, pat ford, and you have an eclectic collection of wonderful music here.
so, for those who want, here are the bands releases. first is the ep, some times self titled, but most of the time called, Brave the Elements and then the awesome progression into what the band would really become, the full length, Welcome the Problems. it's a one-two punch that can take you on a trip and is something to be cherished and eaten up. for those who care, try this out!!!
i totally missed church again this morning. i'm upset with myself, but it's no going to kill me. i just need to get to bed earlier on saturday night. no more staying up late knowing that i have to get up around eight something.
time for a little nostalgia. here is a one-off band that made an impression on me when i was a youngling. they made music for one of my favorite childhood television shows and because of that, they have stayed with me ever since. here is the band, Polaris.
not to be confused with the british 90's emo band with the same name, this united states band from connecticut was an one-time project that formed from the band, Miracle Legion. led by singer/guitarist, mark mulcahy, the band made all the theme music for the cult classic nickelodeon show, The Adventures of Pete and Pete.
there was a time in my childhood where things weren't as crap as they usually were. these moments are often not remembered by me, but for some reason i really remember watching nickelodeon, as might any kid from the 80's and 90's. the programs were often unique and quirky with their messages and gags. nick had several live action shows for kids back then. some of my favorites were, Salute Your Shorts, Clarissa Explains It All, Double Dare, Wild and Crazy Kids, and of course, The Adventures of Pete and Pete. what struck me so much with this show was the music. not only did it have music from polaris, it also featured several alternative 90's acts like, The Magnetic Fields, The Gothic Archies, The 6th's, (*all stephen merrit projects*) Nice, Drop Nineteens, Luscious Jackson, and The Apples In Stereo. WOW!!! what the heck kind of kids show was this??? well, for me, it was one of the best and nothing in these latter years comes close to it's brilliance. it showcased kids being kids and not computer tech/emo bastards you see all over the place now. heck, the show wasn't even a merchandise gimmick like almost everything that the MOUSE shows. (you gotta say the mouse because they might be standing right behind you, at this moment, ready to sue...)
one album was released by polaris and it's right here for your enjoyment. it contains all the songs they played on the show and a few more as well. it's great indie pop and something everyone can enjoy. songs like, "hey sandy" "waiting for october" and "she is staggering" ring with great vocals and nice guitar plucking. it's all so warm and fuzzy and to prove it, watch the video below. it's the opening to pete and pete and is perhaps the best opening to a television show ever!!! (okay, Freaks and Geeks was a good one too...) oh, and the lyrics below are for my favorite song by the band. they are freekishly relatable.
http://www.mediafire.com/?nxwy2t1ynhy
Are you crazy, man? You didn't notice her? You must be blind It's all I do now Just think about how She will be mine
I couldn't stand up I couldn't sit down One look at her and I stumble around
One look at her I get irrational She ties my tongue I saw her downtown On a cloudy day She brought the sun She's not a part of the scene She don't socialize She does her own thing She's ahead of her time Just the right speed She is staggering
I couldn't stand up I couldn't sit down One look at her and I stumble around She is staggering She is staggering
She's uncommonly heavenly She is so rare She's beautiful, exceptional She doesn't care
I couldn't stand up I couldn't sit down One look at her and I stumble around I couldn't get to sleep And then I couldn't eat She's all that I want She is all that I need She is staggering She is staggering She is staggering She is staggering
i have made a great fortune in the knowledge of stuff that most would think isn't worth much. why do i know a ton of stuff on music, but when it comes to politics i come up short??? i'm a video game master, but i am such a schmuck when it comes to noticing if girls like me. are my priorities in the wrong order??? maybe so, but i guess this is what makes me who i am. and now you know something...
a little more indie rock 101. here is, Archers of Loaf.
simplistic music made with simplistic quality made with simplistic minds. archers of loaf started in 1991 and ended in 1998. they made four albums and several ep's before calling it quits. they were well known in the college rock scene along with bands like, Pavement, The Pixies, R.E.M. and Butthole Surfers. today their short legacy lives on through outlets such as my mentioning them and other people mentioning them... (what???)
i really like their first two albums, so here they are!!! first is the album, Icky Mettle and then the album, Vee Vee. try these out and see if you like them. it's really great rock music for those alternative nation kids. (you know who you are...)
starting on march 14th, there will be a brand new television series starting on HBO. this series is called, The Pacific. its the follow up to the award winning mini series, Band Of Brothers. i'm a big WWII buff, and i think it's great that they are finally going to give those who battled in the pacific a chance to tell their stories. this is all based off fact, and it also gives great insight to those who fought hard and died during the bloodiest battles of WWII. this ten part series seem to take it all up a notch and the production value really shines through just from watching the short trailers on youtube. when this finally comes out, i'm going to be a busy man. ooh, i got goosebumps!!!
since i mentioned something really heavy like WWII, i think some heavy music is in order. i've mentioned this band a few times before, so now it's their due. here is, Botch.
i love math rock. math rock is sometimes heavy and sometimes nice. it's the combination of rhythmically complex song structures and dissonant harmonies all rolled into one big package. early acts to do this were Rorschach, Cave In, Coalesce, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Botch. botch are held up high in this regard because of their legendary status and intense live shows that often left the audience in confusion. (those are the best shows!!!) they started in 1993 and ended in 2002. after they split, members went on to form bands like, These Arms Are Snakes, Narrows and Minus The Bear. often copied, but never good enough, many bands owe huge debts to botch. if it wasn't for botch, we wouldn't have artists like Norma Jean, and Underoath. (some might think that's a good thing...)
today you will find their two official full lengths. now i know i'm leaving out a lot more of their material, but if you are interested you can Get if frOm yOur friend Greg, in LakE, illinoise. first album to check out is American Nervoso and after that is the mega popular and genre defining album, We Are the Romans. watr is an album of slow buildup with huge efforts and massive endings. this is one of the most important metalcore/math rock/hardcore albums ever made. GET INTO IT!!!
a lot to be done these days. time is short. must accomplish something worthwhile...
i wanted to post some twinkly emo for ya. here is the band, Castevet.
here was one of the best surprises of 2009 for me. this little band from chicago came out from nowhere with a very awesome, three song demo, and got the attention for many a punk rocker/emo kid. their style is a combination all the best things we love from the underground genre's of punk and emo as well as indie. taken straight from their myspace itself, it says that their influences come from bands like, American Football, Small Brown Bike, Braid, Collosal, Dianogah, Ghost's and Vodka, and The Appleseed Cast. throw in some Hot Water Music and Explosions In the Sky, and you have the best examples of what this little band sounds like. this is great music that can fill in the backgrounds, or be used when working on something. if you like the twinkly stuff and the emo stuff and the post-rock stuff, then you will like this stuff. trust me on this. i don't post on just ANY band...
we have here everything they have put out so far. since they are relatively new to the scene, (i think they may have started in 2007 or so...) they have just a little collection of sorts, but this is pure gold. first we have the three song demo, I Know What A Lion Is. after that comes the official full length that many had been waiting for, Summer Fences. this is such a great album. it now ranks up there with the american football albums for it's emotional response when listened to. seriously, it made my summer of 2009 much better than what it was. i remember listening to it when i went to california for a college workshop. the plane ride was much more relaxing. you can't help but feel at ease when jamming it. try it out and take a closer look at the world around you. and in last place is the newest album by the band called, The Echo and The Light. i personally haven't listened to this yet since my computer is broke down and the one i'm using doesn't have my itunes, but whatever. i'll eventually get to it. enjoy!!!
tonight is another new episode of LOST, so i'm stoked on that. i missed last tuesday, so i have to play catchup tonight. let's see how things are going on the island this time. are they being messed with by aliens, or is it all just a dream??? if it has an ending like that, then i believe there will be an uprising with the hardcore fans the likes of which nobody can fathom. be warned, you lost writers you. this is a message from the fans. if we get some cheap cop-out ending then we will rain down upon you and make 2012 come early!!!
okay, so with a little bit of steam gone, now is the time for music. today is another episode in what i like to call, "indie rock 101". if there was just one band that defines indie rock, look no further than, Pavement.
these guys have recently gotten back together for touring, so now is the time to get them on the blog. they are playing at some major festivals this year, like Coachella and Pitchfork Fest, so if they are near you, then go check them out. by the way, those aren't the only dates they are playing. they actually just started a world tour, so everybody pretty much has a chance to go see them.
oh yeah, i forgot to give you your 101 lesson. this is strictly for those who don't know. pavement originally started in 1989 and broke up in 1999. they are responsible for setting the blue print in indie rock. they demonstrated simple songwriting and musicianship. it was a smack in the face to all the bands at the time. alternative music was here and it brought upon an entirely new style. artist could make their own personal, experimental and fanboyish music without all the gripes from the mainstream or records companies. pavement, in their early days, were often compared to bands like, The Fall and Swell Maps, but the band themselves preferred artists like, The Replacements.
the band released five albums and several ep's over the course of their career. they had a minor hit on college radio and mxtxvx with the song, "cut your hair". this would be considered the bands high point, but fans say otherwise. there is a certain epicness that comes from legends like pavement, and the desire to see them again has finally taken center stage with them reuniting this year. they never left people's thoughts and feelings towards them, and with that comes the greatness of music.
today you will find all their full length albums. we first start with the wonderful debut, Slanted and Enchanted. this album is where it all started and it's held up there in high regard. the production and song craft is indie rock 101, and there is no mistaking it's status as one of the best albums ever made. it, along with the next album, are included in the Rollingstone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. and speaking of that next album, we now come to, Crooked Rain, Crooked. this is, (in my opinion) the bands best album. it contains the song, "cut you hair" as well as other great songs like, "gold soundz" and "range life". in third we have the album, Wowee Zowee and then the album, Brighten the Corners. in fifth and last place is their final effort, the album Terror Twilight. that's it for now. there are rumors that the band might be getting back in the studio to make new recordings, but i'll hold that with a grain of salt. so, until then you have these albums to settle your stomach. enjoy!!!
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q4HS88UD
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YPUR03ID
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZM97B7J3
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BI1GEEI7
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WKY0NX35
Darlin' don't you go and cut your hair Do you think it's gonna make him change? "I'm just a boy with a new haircut" And that's a pretty nice haircut Charge in like a puzzle Hitmen wearing muzzles Hesitate you die Look around, around The second drummer drowned His telephone is found
Music scene is crazy Bands start up each and every day I saw another one just the other day A special new band I remember lying I don't remember a line I don't remember a word But I don't care, I care, I really don't care Did you see the drummer's hair?
Advertising looks and chops a must No big hair! Songs mean a lot when songs are bought And so are you Let's run down to the practice room attention and fame a career career, career, career
i'm gonna leave and go to ada, oklahoma again. this time it's for an appointment with the behavioral health center and also an appointment for some blood work. we'll see how things turn out this time. i really hope we can figure out what on earth is wrong with me, if there is anything wrong. i feel like there is, but i'm not the professional here. it's just that i know when my body is acting up and this is that sort of thing. it's finally time to get some healing and get better, not only for myself, but for everyone else as well. i know this business with me has been a trying time for everyone, so here's some hope that things will become clear and fixed soon enough.
while on the drive down to ada, i'm thinking about listening to some softer music. here is the group called, Bright Eyes which is led by, Conor Oberst.
in the 90's, there was an emo band called, Commander Venus. it consisted of conor oberst, tim kashner (*who went on to form the band Cursive*) and a few other musicians who all came from omaha, nebraska. after that band broke up, conor started the group bright eyes, and it first consisted of just him and some home recordings he made himself. in later years, the group would enlist many members who have come and gone.
the music of bright eyes is all over the place. not so much emo, as it also consists of folk, pop, rock, and electronic styles. in the later albums the music would go for the folk-rock style and mostly stay that way, but this isn't a bad thing. this is great americana music made in today's modern times. conor oberst has been labeled as, "the next Bob Dylan" by some music scholars and that is a nice title, but a hard one to agree on. it's up to you to decide on that. but as for me, nobody can top bob dylan because that man is one-of-a-kind. conor oberst, though, is a fantastic musician and one of the best going right now. after the bands 2007 album, Cassadaga, conor would start making music under his own name and the Mystic Valley Band, moniker, (a funny thing since bright eyes is mostly solo stuff anyway...) and release an album in 2008 and a second one in 2009. in 2009, oberst announced that he wanted to "retire" his bright eyes moniker and make one more release to end it all. that album is planned for sometime this year, so be on the lookout!!!
i have here, four album by bright eyes. these are my selected favorites and probably considered the best by the band. first is the album, Fevers and Mirrors. after that we come to the back-to-back albums both released in 2005 called, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. the first of these two albums is my all time favorite bright eyes album. the song, "lua" is probably the best, most simplest song written by oberst. and the second album of these two is a more electronic fare. the song, "take it easy (love nothing)" was a hit along with "lua" that same year as well. and finally in last place is the 2007 album, Cassadaga. this is the last album by the band until this announced, "final" album appears whenever. so with that, try this out and see if you like it. i know a lot of girls do, so guys, take a note. pump some bright eyes for your special someone and watch as they go all kafkaesque on you!!!
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