What Kind of Music Do You Listen To?

Have you ever asked someone that question? I'm sure you have, and I know I have on many, many occasions. It's the most common ice-breaker we use to initiate conversation and begin relationships. The funny thing about it is, we ask this question, and we usually get the same answer every time! You might be at work with a new co-worker and the jarring amount of silence, calls for you to ask that question.

"Hey, so what kind music do you listen to?"

"Uh, I listen to a little bit of everything. Don't mess with my presets!"

The next time someone says that, you should going quickly reply, "So you like the Twilight Soundtrack too?! Do you like J-Pop?!" Simultaneously, placing your right hand on their shoulder, you look into their eyes-- like you've found a new musical soul-mate. It will not only freak them out, but encourage them to stop being lazy about their life interests. Specifics people!
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By the way I recently saw the film Lars & the Real Girl. It's a wonderful film with an even better original soundtrack, courtesy of David Torn. Got that shi' for my birf'day!

Band of the Week: Allison Weiss

I told my sister Christian, "That the time has come. You don't listen to Allison Weiss? Don't worry you're not the only one, okay? Last night I was listening to her through my neighbor's door, then his young boys turned on their PS2. Its true!

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band of the week #9: Allison Weiss (Official Site)(Myspace)

The guitar is one of music's most popular weapons when embarking on overt musical missions. A favorite of funnyman John Mayer, Canadian indie singers Tegan and Sara, and El Mariachi, who uses his guitar in such a skillful manner that he killed a wanton Mexican General on two occasions. I must not also forget that he used it to serenade the always sexy Selma Hayak, on two occasions as well. Selma Hayak! One two occasions! With a guitar!

Allison Weiss has a similar ability, with the ears of young men and women. Her music is playful, but not sugar coated. Sincere, yet not over-sentimental. Good, and not bad. Her song "Let Me Go" displays a simple sweetness in music, that many yearn for yet don't find. Well you've found Allison Weiss--enjoy!

Erin McCarley - Love, Save The Empty

2009

Official Site

Buy (Amazon)


4/10

From Erin McCarley's Official Site: "McCarley’s brand of honesty doesn’t come without the occasional flash of regret. “I’ve looked back at some of these songs recently and thought to myself, ‘Are you serious? I can’t believe I put that out there!"

Erin McCarley got her start doing music on weekends, covering country music during her undergraduate days. Now at 30 years, she has released a debut album that has a pop-rock methodology. This pop-rock methodology is used to perpetuate an over-sentimental and sadly, a mediocre piece of music. Her first track Pony (It's OK) isn't all that bad, it reminds me of Vanessa Carlton's A Thousand Mile. With its repetitious piano chant and catchy "ladadadadadadadada" hook, it will surely be featured in an Anne Hathaway movie about New York City, relationships, and finding yourself, while wearing $345.00 pair of high-heeled Tod's.

As I listen to her album, I couldn't help but compare McCarly's performance to Weezer's River Cuomos. "Blue Suit" and much of her album features the kind of angst evident when one is in the throes of a relationship. "Oh, wise one/If you knew the answer why'd you ask the question? /Oh, wise one /If you're such a someone/Why do you give nothing to anyone." Yes, there is sadness, but her eloquence as a songwriter is clearly in its infancy. The Washington Times went as far as listing her as their "4 to watch out for" and recommended her to Sheryl Crow fans. Four minutes, I think is what they meant. I also find that insulting to Sheryl Crow fans because the Sheryl Crow I know, has a commanding voice in her music, which is far from "droning".

After listening to the album several times, I found that McCarley's voice meta-morphs into a droning, that sounds like that of a UVA Cypher. In the words of MADtv alumni Keegan Michael Key, Cuomos and Crow, "take it to a ho' nudda' levool! McCarley's debut album misses the mark.

Chris: Top 10 Songs of 2008

In April, scientists at Umeå University discovered the oldest living tree located in Sweden. At 9,550 years old and 13 feet the tree has been able to sustain such a long life by continually cloning itself. When a root stem dies, the tree immediately replicates that stem. Unlike the "tree of life" featured in my last sentence many of the artists featured in 2008 had singles that were not replications of their earlier "incarnations". Wanting to transcend the past and stay relevant, many artists worked with different musicians and utilized unorthodox techniques to ensure longevity in their music.

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#10: My President is Black - Young Jeezy feat. Nas

Def Jam Recordings

Buy (Amazon.com)

Atlanta native Young Jeezy begins his Pro-Obama anthem with, "Yeah, this is the realest shit I never wrote." Referring to his ability of not writing down rhymes, and being able to do it "off the dome", Jeezy and guest artist Nas inadvertently predict the 2008 election. "Mr. Black President, yo Obama for real, they gotta put your face on the five-thousand dollar bill." All the while flowing their rhymes like the Tigris River on a summer day, to the sound of horns fit for a heroic protagonist in a Michael Bay film.

With its tone and intensity, hands down best single about the 2008 election.

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#9: "Nothing Ever Happened" - Deerhunter

Kranky

4AD

Buy (Amazon.com)

When I first heard this song I was reminded of Sonic Youth's "Hey Joni". It was the initial soft opening, which led to 6 minutes of pure rock & roll that did it. Its one of those songs where the music enhances the singing, not the other way around.

I'd buy this as an instrumental.

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8. "Nine In The Afternoon" - Panic at the Disco

Fueled by Ramen

Decaydance Records

Buy (Amazon.com)

"And we know that is could be, and we know that it should be, and you know that you feel it too." I did feel it Panic at the Disco! I also felt much respect for their wanting to distance themselves from the pop-synth of your last album. This song not only is a stark contrast to their previous macabre singles like, "Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off" and "The Only Difference Between Martydom and Suicide is Press Coverage", but much of this year's singles. Paying tribute to bands like the Beatles and Kinks only reinforces my respect.

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7. "I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" - Black Kids

Columbia Records

AlmostGoldRecordings

Buy (Amazon.com)

I got a thing for sing-a-long bubble-gum pop songs. From Miley Cyrus' "See You Again" to Tony Basil's "Mickey" these songs ensure a positive mentality when living life, and driving on our freeways. For me, the Black Kid's single ensured much singing in the shower and on the road. Its the, counting chorus and the "Dance, Dance, Dance" that does it. Fall Out Boy did it a few years ago, and with great success they're repeating the formula that makes a great pop song.

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6. "Go Hard" - DJ Khaled

Koch Records

Buy (Amazon.com)

The 1981 film Chariots of Fire introduced the single, "Chariots of Fire" which became a staple in the running world as a must when running with an iPOD. With the acidic kicks, vitriolic tongue of Kanye West, and auto-tuned chorus, "GO HARD", DJ Khaled has made a new anthem for runners and Rudy-types everywhere!

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5. "Everyone Nose" - N.E.R.D.

Star Trak Entertainment

Buy (Amazon.com)

I had the privilege of seeing the band perform this single live. N.E.R.D. was able to maintain the same funk and smoothness, featured in their recorded single, but magnified it times five. Its the funnest song about cocaine since Grandmaster Flash's "White Lines".

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4. "Love Lockdown" - Kanye West

Roc-A-Fella Records

Buy (Amazon.com)

I once thought to myself, "Is this the year of Kanye West ?" I quickly dismissed this thought after realizing that Kanye thinks every year, is the year of Kanye West. This was before he gave his award to Lil' Wayne. A month or so ago Stephen Colbert created "Operation Humble Kanye", and according to iTUNES the mission was a success. Kanye has a heart and he puts much of it into this single.

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3. "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" - Radiohead

TBD Records

Buy (Amazon.com)

"Before the night owl, before the animal noises, closed circuit cameras, before you're comatosed." I find this song to be haunting and beautiful at the same time. Sung with anyone else's voice, I'm sure that version would only be inferior to Yorke's. No one can drone like Yorke.

It's the high-hat cymbal too.

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2. "Lights Out" - Santogold

Downtown Records

Buy (Amazon.com)

Santogold's homage to 80s greats like Debbie Harry and New Wave in general, is gingerly executed in this song which is surely featured in every hipster's iTunes library. I can only think of one word to describe this song, "avant-garde".

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1. "Shut The Club Down" - Girl Talk

Illegal Art

Buy (Amazon.com)

Greg Gillis was at one point was a bio-medical engineer who saved lives and created hope for those within his community. Now Mr. Gillis is a DJ who goes by the name of Girl Talk, who electronically engineers creations like the single, "Shut The Club Down" which allows people to dance merrily to seventeen songs at one time! One Time!

He creates a concoction of 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s music, which defies the law and angers thousands--if not millions of other "musicians" with his brand of music. Did I fail to mention that it is damn good?

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I hope everyone enjoyed 2008. With its successes and failures anyway you think of it, its another year on Earth. Cherish it! Now let us move onto 2009.

Soulja Boy - iSouljaBoyTellEm

2008
Interscope Records
Buy (Amazon.com)

4/10

The second song on SouljaBoy's sophomore album iSouljaBoyTellEm, "Bird Walk", lyrically demonstrates a dance of the same name. It involves a lot of popping, locking, snapping, and sliding, but eventually metamorphs into a movement that resembles the famous velociraptor. Its quite a relief to know that Soulja Boy knows that there is an ancestral relationship between birds and dinosaurs. What he doesn't know, is that his career is shadowing the life of a Penguin. Soulja Boy can walk, but he will never fly.

Coming off the phenomenom that was his first album souljaboytellem.com--I mean single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)"--Soulja Boy has been written off as a one hit wonder and labeled, "garage". I agree that Soulja Boy could easily be labeled as a one-hit wonder judging by the composition and effort demonstrated on his recent record. Songs like "Wit My Yums On" and "Hey You There" show that Soulja Boy hasn't learned much about producing or artistic progression since his last album. Repetitious snapping, ubiquitous amounts of call and response, along with obnoxious uncreative lyrics, "Hey you there/Hey you there/Hey you there/I see you ova there", compose 75% of the CD. If you bought the CD on Amazon, that would be $9 of your money! I do give props to Soulja Boy on his song, "Soulja Boy Tellem" which weaves an honest portrayal of himself in a playful, humorous, and most of all coherent manner. He talks about his beef with Ice-T, himself (who else?), and admits that his lyrics are recycled. Honesty is always the policy.

I think a majority of the album is garbage but songs like "Soulja Boy Tellem" and the emotionally empathetic single "I Pray", which tells a tale of his family's strife in the first person--show that Soulja Boy could possibly recycle that garbage into something new, like a better third album. I mean that in a good way. With the help of singer Sammie, the song "Kiss Me Through The Phone" which reminds me of Ray-J's "One Wish", romantically beckons a beautiful shorty in a subtle and compassionate way. This is adds a touch of human to our ferocious Gucci wearing, club hopping, mini rapper.

When I was writing this review my 15 year old sister told me she would rather listen to "Chocolate Rain" on a one hour loop, then listen to Soulja Boy's new album. Ouch!

Band of the Week: Pinches Cuerpos

Beto Chapa, Thurston Moore and Magic Johnson play basketball on weekends. For serious.

***band of the week #6: pinches cuerpos (official site,myspace)

Beto is a humble man. I called him in Texas about six months ago to talk to him about his band, Pinches Cuerpos. For almost twenty minutes we talked, mostly asking him questions about his music. He does everything himself, the writing, instrumentals, the legalities, and even the music video to his single, "Bossa, Espionaje y Amor", a personal favorite of mine. During the day he works and when he can, he creates his music. This humble demeanor of course has founds its way to his music. "PC does not fit into any one particular genre. Rather, it is intended to be exploratory in nature & a pure creative outlet."

Songs like "Naufrago Aburrido" off of his album entitled "Instrumentals"--which can be downloaded off his website--Beto effectively incorporates unorthodox sounds like beach waves, breathing, and what I think is a coke can being crumbled.

Beto sings on his album "Digital Lo-Fi", but he sings in Spanish. I regret not paying more attention in class.

Doing The Running Man

So I recently began running again, after a semester hiatus. Starting out it felt very unnatural. My feet hit the asphalt as I made loose aligned strides headed to nowhere. I said to myself, "I know you're about to throw up, but don't. The last thing passing motorists want to see, is a jogger fertilizing the beautiful St. Augustine grass that looks like it was manicured by Edward Scissorhands, with pizza and chocolate milk. So I told my stomach not to throw up and it obeyed!

It was nighttime, about 9:35 pm, so many families adorned their houses with Christmas "bling". Behind a massive palm tree, I saw a house that had an inflated Jesus that connected to a wind machine, so it looked like Jesus was doing a wave dance. For some strange reason Jesus' "Step Up" influenced acrobatics reminded remember that I forgot my iPod. For me and many others, listening to music while running is an essential positive influence on the mind. Its like water, we can't run without it--we just can't.

I opened the door to see that my sister and my dad were both watching C-Span.

"Franklin Raines. Franklin Raines! They should feed him to the dogs! All those CEOs, are nothin' but a bunch of low-life crooks!"

Actually, my sister was watching my dad.

I walked into the kitchen and flipped opened my MacBook, opening iTunes. I saw that I had a playlist entitled, "RUNNING." I decided to create a new playlist called, "My feet B Movin'."

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Track 1: Tegan and Sara - The Con

I'm all about intensity in running. The music I listen to has to have an intensity that's akin to James Brown's love of fine women, alcohol, and car chases. Tegan and Sara's song "The Con" is a song of intense emotion, the strife one has with a romantic someone. Me I don't care about Tegan and Sara cheating on a girlfriend or vice versa. Unless of course if they are cheating with me, cuz that would be, the SHIT!

I know the song by heart and have been known to sing it to my bathroom tiles on occasion. Running is all about rythm and to sing a song in your head simaltaneously with the singers, really helps me to stay concentrated on keeping my feet inline. Plus the double guitars in the beginning starts off synced then out of nowhere, a bass and some drums! I bet you didn't see that shit coming! Booya Bitch! Lesbian musicianship just punk'd yo' Asics wearing ass!

In addition to this, the simultaneous singing of the two sisters creates a rhythm that's reminiscent of my old high school track chant.

Coach: "We are running, yes we are, we are running to get far. How far?"

Runners (in unison): "REALLY FAR!"

Coach: "How Far?"

Runners (in unison): "ONE MILE!"

Coach: "One mile?"

Runners (in unison) : "TWO MILES!"

Coach: "Two miles?"

Runners (in unison): "THREE MILES!"

Coach: "Three miles? Can you do more than that?"

Runner (in unison): "YES SIR! WE ARE RUNNING, YES WE ARE, WE ARE RUNNING TO GET FAR!"

Track 2: Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)

The song is just damn beautiful and, Win Butler's voice accompanying the maniac merriment of the instruments creates the perfect background for a hard foot to asphalt mission. When I listen to the song while running it initially makes me want run as hard as I can--so I do. The lyrics that cause the most reinforcement are:

I went out into the night.
I went out to pick a fight with anyone.
Light a candle for the kids,
Jesus Christ don't keep it hid!

Woohoo! Woohoo! Woohoo!

When you're running competitively, its not just a fight against the 47 year old soccer-mom wearing the Onitsuka Tigers, who's 20 feet in front of you. The true fight is against yourself.

"I have heat heeves, and my shins are splinted like a mutha'. My nose is clogged up like a 7-eleven gas station bathroom. I want to slow down, but I can't."

Track 3: The Chemical Brothers - Galvanize

This track is perfect for running. The strings in collaboration with the drums puts me in the "zone". Q-Tip's rhymes are diabolical as well.

NOTE: Be warned ladies! There is a danger in listening to this song while running. This song's original purpose was to make people dance. There is a high possibility your body will shift from the motion of running to bending down and doing the G5. If this happens don't fret, just continue G5-ing until the song is over.

Track 4: Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind

Why am I running? According to Christopher Cross and Michael McDonald I'm running to be free again, and I have a really long time until I get to the border of Mexico. My community college has taught me that Rate x Time = Distance.

So,
Ride Like the Wind x 43.6 minutes = Mexico

Track 5: Booker T & The MG's - Green Onions

I'm sure as many of you all know, there is a point in running when you are at the most placid. You're relaxed and on cruise control. The only thing you're focused on is the path in front of you and possible cars that could hit you. Your arms are striding back in forth in front of you but you don't even notice them. A character in a book I once read said to his grandson, "Remember to always think, never stop thinking."

"Why grandpa?"

"Cuz' when you stop thinking, you stop living."

Its ironic, because what the old man is said is true, but when you're running your hardest, you're not even really conscious, but you feel like you're living life more than you ever have before.

Track 6: Rod Stewart - Young Turks

The song is pretty damn heartbreaking. Hell, life can be heartbreaking. Look at any actor who has appeared in a Uwe Boll film.

In the song these kids have these dreams, so they leave their town to go onto better things. "Young hearts be free tonight". For me and many runners alike, running is a drug, an addiction that is a priority to everyday life. And like many drugs its an escape from all the drudgery and shit that occurred that day. You messed up at work, your girlfriend is a bitch, your parents are fighting--AGAIN, your professor embarrassed you front of the whole class for being late, India and Pakistan are still fighting over Kashmir! Like these kids who left their family in hopes for a better life, running is an escape in which we organize the events in our lives, and at the same discipline out bodies.

Track 7: TV On The Radio - Staring At The Sun

This songs makes me think of my friend Lisa. I had the biggest crush on her back in high school, but she was a lesbian. Of course this gave me unpleasant feelings, but I later on saw Chasing Amy and saw how funny it really was. One of the things I wanted to share with her was running--share something I loved with someone I loved, but she didn't like the idea of water coming out of her pores and getting into her eyes.

"Ew, gross!"

Track 8: Radiohead - Jigsaws Falling in Place

The Radiohead to me is a distant cousin of Miles Davis, both exercise "The Birth of Cool" persona. There is something cool about running. It is a sport in which you rely entirely on yourself. You are your trainer, teammate, and biggest critic. If you make any mistakes, there is no one to blame except yourself. Not your quarterback, or point guard. Well unless some douche bag spits while running and the wind blows it into your face. Fuck!

There is a coolness that comes from a self-governing lifestyle. I guess that's why all those college kids on campus wear Che Guevara shirts.

Track 9: Story of the Year - Until the Day I Die

This song makes me think of Jesus, God, and forgiveness. I'm a Christian, but the older I get it seems that I have less and less time for God. I'm not trying to make a religious statement here, but we all have existentialist thoughts, and this is one of mine. I was taught that Jesus died for our sins.

"Until the day I die
I'll spill my heart for you, for you"

There is something motivating about a man/deity dying for you.

Track 10: Jackson Browne - Runnin on Empty

This is pretty self-explanatory. Oh, and thanks for the recommendation Mr. Gump.

Joining the Team!

I am very happy on becoming a contributing "lost art of found sound" team member. Andy texted me, about a month ago, at 12:45 in the morning, as I stood in line for Twilight on premiere night, "Would you be interested in joining the blog?" I replied, "Would I? Who wouldn't? You can bet your bottom dollar, that I do!" He then proceeded to go on vitriolic rant on how contractions will not be tolerated on his blog, and that we are not writing Goosebumps novellas!

I cried twice that night.

Note: I have enclosed my Myspace URL, its private for proessional reasons. If you wish to add me as a friend, simply do so. I will be glad to confirm!

Myspace.com/subtlesanders

Chris' Pick For Best Album of 2008

I hate it when I or someone else sings a song from the 90s, or as early as nine months ago, and 7/10 times there is always that one person nearby who says in a derogatory fashion, "That song is old!" Enter Girl Talk's 2008 album "Feed the Animals", which is an amalgamation of those "old" and new songs. The first 30 seconds of track one combines Roy Orbinson, UGK, Spencer Davis Group, and TTC. Towards the end he goes onto combine the strings from Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 You" with Lil' Wayne's verse from "Stuntin Like My Daddy", founded on a solid drum beat. The album I feel is this year's best representation of our youth's future, as well as music's.

Most recently we elected a new president to office, one who happens to be bi-racial. 68, 882, 230 Americans voted for President-Elect Obama in the 2008 election. These Americans felt that it was the right time to create a new era within American history, to really let our nation live up to the acculturation, we constantly boast. Girl Talk is the prime example of acculturation within music, and general society. He's combining artists like Air, Jay-Z, Radiohead, and Rod Stewart to create coherent pieces of music which in turn is a metaphor for our world's intercultural bartering. Also, I'm sure you are all familiar with hipster culture, which is prevalent at most college campuses or art districts near you. This hispter culture has most recently procreated with hip-hop culture to produce artists like Amanda Blank, M.I.A., Santogold, The Cool Kids.

But does it sound good? Why, yes it does! The energy that is made from Girl Talk's music is strong enough to make any pidgeon-toed club-goer lean wit' it, then rock wit' it. For me the best way to judge anything, is to look at its true purpose. "Feed the Animals" purpose is to get you to play your part in shutting the club down! If God was benevolent enough to let you borrow his eyes on a Friday 20 minutes after my last class, you'd see me in my car driving with no hands dancing, making fellow drivers contemplate calling the police or follow me to the next red light to ask, "what's that song you're listening to?"

In the future our world will be akin to Girl Talk's "Feed the Animals." We will all have sampled.

Miscellanea

Hello all, hope everyone had a nice weekend. Just a little bit of housekeeping and updates in this post, nothing special.

First off, I'm very excited to announce that I'm going to have another writer on board here at the lost art of found sound. He's a good friend of mine named Chris Sanders, and he's a very talented writer. He should be starting in early December, and look for a post every week or so.

And, as you may know, last week was the first edition of my roommate's and my radio show "The Insomniac Dance Party" on WCDB in Albany. I had posted a setlist along with a podcast, which, as you may have noticed, is no longer up. This wasn't my doing - I officially got my first DMCA notification, and the content was removed. I guess the upside of that is it means that enough people read my blog that The Powers That Be took notice. I will be posting this week's episode as a podcast, but if that gets taken down, then I'll just call it quits on that front.

Last, but not least, tomorrow is November 18th, which means Beyonce will officially become....Sasha Fierce. Can't. Fucking. Wait.

Hope everybody has a nice week, and stick around - there's exciting things a-happenin'.