I should probably stay on topic, as I am a serious writer of serious posts, but I would like to post a brief word to the spammers of the world, who seem to be a bit down in the dumps. I have been getting many half-hearted messages from our spamming community. They no longer address our erectile problems, our need for Nigerian funding, our desire (apparently) to see 'T_rann_ie Sedx'. Now, they are telling me all sorts of factoids, in endearingly broken English. Today, some kind spamhole sent me a message warning me against the danger of wild dogs. This [...]
I'm not always good at foreseeing trends, or even what I may like in 6 months time. I remember when I first heard Bon Iver's 2008 debut, For Emma, Forever Ago . I was distinctly underwhelmed and bored. I can see why some people might still find that, but for me, these songs got under my skin. This was mostly due to me having the chance to see them live, opening for Iron and Wine. In a full band setting, the songs blossomed into something much more haunting; in ways, it almost reminded me of Sigur Ros. [...]
I was a big fan of Arab Strap. I loved Aidain Moffat's lyricism, and the music met with my then current nihilistic tendencies. One thing I wondered was how he would age, and now I have the answer: quite wonderfully. We all get older, and even the cynical among us start to recognise the need and desire to be part of a romantic view of the world, no matter how scarred it is. To be honest, I was disappointed in Moffat's 2009 album with the Best Ofs. It just sounded a bit tired. So, I didn't expect much [...]
Lou Reed and Metallica are collaborating. Actually, it's worse. They have collaborated. I feel like the poor asshole politicians in Dr. Strangelove who know the wheels have been set in motion for nuclear annihilation and there's not a damn thing they can do about it. Christ. And I say this as a fan of both Lou Reed and Metallica, but I have a bad feeling about this horrific Frankenstein's monster birthed from too many egos riding on past accomplishments. Apparently, two formerly great sets of musicians decided to get together, based on the 'chemistry' [...]
The Globe and Mail, Canada's only newspaper that's left that's worth half a damn, reported some interesting new bits on Steve-O Harper thumbing his nose at anybody not in his Conservative cabal. Hell, this guy has some sort of messianic complex. He's no longer content just with ruining Canadian democracy! No, now he's taking on the world! You go, Stevie! Show 'em all! The entire rational world is backing Barack Obama's avowal that the 1967 borders between Israel and Palestine are what should be respected in peace negotiations, and everybody sane supports him in this, including the leaders [...]
So, news hits today that Transparency International found Canada to be the WORST of the G8 in terms of policing against corruption (but hey, we're neck and neck with Bulgaria!). Although they're examining different things, it seems fitting that it comes mere days after Little Stevie Harper again thumbs his nose at Canadian democracy by appointing new Tories to the Senate just a few weeks after voters rejected the exact same people. He did this in spite of the fact that he's ostensibly all for Senate reform and, presumably, not running Canada like a tinpot dictatorship. Not only that, he [...]
Hello, Good reader, So apparently the apocalypse has hit. I can vouch for this fact (or 'triangulate the data' for you insufferable positivists) as I heard a car alarm, and I'm pretty sure it rained a bit. But you know, shit, I thought the apocalypse would be a little more exciting. A volcano in Iceland? I cannot even see that, and I'm not very far away! Come on God, or Satan, or whoever is running this show, give me some sturm und drang! I want a 60 metre tall succubus descending upon us and sucking the blood out [...]
I ran Killrockmusic, somewhat diligently, for 2 years. During that time, I had about 3 worthwhile comments (2 of them from friends), and most people spending 30 seconds on the site as they stole MP3s I was kind enough to post. During the last year, my life has changed, as I went from general dilinquent to general dilinquent who is expected to show up somewhere 9 to 5, and Killrockmusic fell into disrepair. One Portuguese man fell into a terrible depression as a result. Music criticism is a fool's game. Now, people have access to everything and thus [...]
It's pretty easy to get lost in your own national music scene. Sure, there's some international crossover, but it tends to follow pretty well-trodden, mostly linguistic, paths. American bands predominate, the British do quite well for themselves and Canadian nip at various heels. Throw in the odd Irish or Australian band, and you pretty much have the Top 50 covered in any English-speaking country. I think sometimes that gives us as English speakers some sense that ours is the only music out there. Okay, we recognise that things like Tuvan throat singing and Eastern European accordion music exist, [...]
Sorry for the long hiatus Kill Rock Music has taken, dear reader. The man, as always, has been trying to keep me down. On with the show… Let's talk about nostalgia. It's something we all do, usually alone and behind closed doors. Catholics are likely guilty about it. It can make you go blind. Nostalgia is not a singular thing, and I have recently noticed that most of my favourite bands often dwell on some form of nostalgia or another. While I don't think this is an inherently negative thing, it's fascinating (for me, [...]
I have been inundated with millions of e-mails, letters and phone calls from irate fans angry at me for ignoring the Grammys (well, the other side of my split personality figured it deserved a mention). Yes, I forgot to mention the Grammys in my last post, mostly because I don't care. I really don't want to sound snobby about it (and I'm only parroting what everybody else already says) and this is painfully bleeding obvious, but the Grammys aren't exactly about the music (duh!). I'm fine with that, but at least be honest with people. You're honouring sales figures and [...]
I've been meaning to do a post on great song titles for a while now, and a more comprehensive post on the subject will come at a future date. At the moment, I am listening to a great death cowpunk (or something like that) band called Murder by Death, which in itself is a pretty great, if nonsensical name (they're named after the 1976 movie of the same name, a spoof whodunit written by Neil Simon). They have a real knack with album and song titles, so I decided to do an all Murder by Death version of a great [...]
JD Salinger, seminal author of the seminal book 'Catcher in the Rye', has died. This prompted an outpouring of responses from every corner of society, ranging from 'we have lost a true literary icon and the purest encapsulation of man's coming of age from idealistic teenager to weary cynic' to 'Wait a minute - he wasn't dead already?' Salinger was struck down in the prime of his life, at the tender age of 91, leaving disaffected teenagers everywhere without a misanthropic shut-in to idolise. In tribute to Mr. Salinger, I present you an extra-special, Holden Caulfield-inspired list of [...]
Eels – End Times Emotion isn't always seen as a positive thing in music. These days, accomplished but detached music is de rigueur, with bands like Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective (but surely an Animal Collective should include a Grizzly Bear?), Vampire Weekend and Dirty Projectors ruling the roost. I've never got the music of these bands. It's well played and often tuneful, but there is a sterility to their joy. If bands DO dare to show real emotion, it better be a [...]
Well, with snow blanketing apparently the entire world, I thought a winter-themed post would be apt. Wintersleep I suppose it makes some sense that the Canadians are good at producing some quality wintery bands. 2007's Welcome to the Night Sky was excellent, and these boys have set May 2010 as a tentative release date for their next album. Matt Mays & El Torpedo – Wicked Come Winter [...]
Well, a new year is upon us and with it comes hope for great new music. Here's a list of some upcoming releases that have me excited. Given the topsy-turvy nature of the world in which we live, all release dates (when given) are tentative and subject to change. Spoon – Transference (18 January UK, 19 January Canada/US) 2007's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga was a big ol' slice of excellent, and I [...]
And here are the top ten albums of the last year in music. As always, my choices are based on no scientific method or claims to objectivity. It's just what I loved. 10. Editors – In This Light & On This Evening In my mind, the Editors have always been the best of the new generation of post-punk bands drawing on the Joy Division school of songcraft. Their music was overly portentous at times, but managed to package up the doom and gloom in [...]
Welcome to the present! Over the next week I will outline the best albums of 2009, upping the number to 20 for no discernible reason. Now, I present you with 20 to 11. 20. Rock Plaza Central - …At the Moment of Our Most Needing Chris Eaton is sort of like that homeless guy you run into on the street corner. He's ranting on the street apparently nonsensically, until you listen to his words and realise that they are, in fact, quite profound. The [...]
Historical Context Fidel Castro resigns, leaving Mick Jagger as the longest running and leatheriest megalomaniac around. Bill Gates steps down from Microsoft to concentrate on philanthropy, proving that it's the company rather than the man that may be evil. Iceland goes bankrupt. Sigur Ros cry. Some other guy is elected president of the USA. 2008 was also the International Year of the Potato and the International Year of Sanitation, apparently. Was there honestly nothing better we could celebrate? Also, after a couple of bum years in music, 2008 gave us many great albums. [...]
Kill Rock Music
The Kills on Letterman (Video)
Download: James Blake Live Album (Unofficial)
My Funny Valentines
Lana Del Rey - Without You (Kill Paris Remix) [Dubstep]
