Just found this cool documentary about Flying Nun Records. Anyone into the label (or its many awesome bands, e.g. the Clean, the Chills, Verlaines, etc.) should check it out.
The Best Show on WMFU is something I only recently discovered via the magic of the Internet. For that, I am both saddened and delighted--saddened because it's taken so long for this comedic genius to become a part of my life and delighted because it finally has. The Show is hosted by Tom Scharpling, a comedy writer and music guy, on free form radio powerhouse WFMU Tuesdays at 8PM EST. It consists mostly of random call-ins by listeners, a smattering of music, funny rants by Tom, and a roster of regular callers. The highlight, and the real meat of the show are the calls from characters played by Jon Wurster (aka the drummer from Superchunk). Wurster typically plays some bizarre person with a weird background or idea to which Tom plays straight man. My favorite Wurster character is called Philly Boy Roy, a silly, bragging asshole of a guy who works at the Wawa selling hoagies and Tastykakes and speaks with Tom in a most obnoxious South Philly accent about how much better things are in Philadelphia than in New Jersey. It's funny, trust me.
The show is broadcast live online in iTunes (and of course over the air in NJ/NY), but is also available as a podcast now. In addition to the weekly broadcasts, Scharpling and Wurster release the best bits of their broadcasts on CD via their label, Stereolaffs. They also have a sharp new website at scharplingandwurster.com
Here's a track from their latest release, The Art of Slap. It really hit home for me since I do computer stuff for a living. Too bad I can't bench more than a few pounds.
Bonus Links:
Check out the podcast in iTunes
Read some interviews on Fluxblog [1,2,3]
I bought a scooter recently. Just a 49cc deal, but it's pretty damn cool not having to take the bus everywhere. It's silver and pretty and the first brand new vehicle I've ever owned. And with the appropriate soundtrack, it sometimes makes me feel like a badass.
Yep--as fun as it is to ride (when it's not raining, at least), I still gots to have my music. I've been honing a little road mix playlist lately and aim to share with you some of my favorite scooter music here. I recommend taking these tracks on the road with you (you can listen in a car if you have to).
If you're like me and you love The Clean (the best band to come out of New Zealand), chances are you'll like the Bats. Their vocalist, Robert Scott, is/was a member of that awesome band (playing bass, mostly), and they have similar jangly sound. This particular song is one of many that I enjoy from the Bats. It came to me on the excellent compilation Thousands of Tiny Luminous Spheres (2000, Flying Nun) but originally appeared on their fifth album, Couchmaster (1995, Flying Nun). It's great for riding, and not just for the oh-so-appropriate lyrics. Not so much jangle here, but some great distorted/wah-wah guitar and the perfect tempo for spinning wheels.
The Black Angels: "Black Grease"
What
better song to listen to while riding around town than this, a song
that would make even a guy riding a busted 10-speed feel like a badass. The Black Angels
are from Texas. This makes little sense to me, but ok. They have a big
sound...Texas = big...ok, I'll give you that. But what about the psych
stuff? These guys sound like hog-ridding, peyote-pounding desert
nomads.
If you like this song, definitely check out their debut record, Passover, on Seattle's own Light in the Attic. It's like a soundtrack for the Hell's Angels.
I will post more here! Indeed.
Next up: Scooter Music - Songs You Can Listen to While Riding My Scooter
My New Favorite Song (to be henceforth known as MNFS) is a series of posts covering the latest in momentary greatness. (And yes, only according to yours truly.) It is here that I will stumble my way through sharing with you, dear reader, my current favorite listening--via poorly formed sentences (or sentence fragments), many commas and parentheses, and an undying love for music.
When it comes to music, favorites are almost certainly fleeting. As with everything else in life, they tend to fade with time and exposure to direct sunlight. But that's where the magic of discovery comes in. One guy's forgotten record collection is another guy's newfound treasure. Like this:
Though, as you can see, this record came out exactly 30 years ago, in 1977--the year of Elvis' death, the release of Star Wars, and the birth of myself--I only heard it just last week. A friend was visiting from out of town and mentioned this band. She played me a few songs which piqued my interest, and the rest is history. A New Favorite Song was born.
I must point out "Fire For Awhile" is a bit of an exception to the rest of the album's (Black Vinyl Shoes) power-popishness, and I dare say it might not make anyone else's list of current favorites, or anyone's favorites of the past for that matter. But right now it's mine, and that's all that matters.
Do you love or do you not?
The things you give to me are never what I want.
You say let go,
I cramp your style.
But we set ourselves on fire for awhile,
On fire for awhile.
I thought that maybe love was something I could hold onto.
I thought that maybe you were something I could hold onto.
Read more about Shoes on Wikipedia
Buy this album (CD-r only) from the band
I've been waiting for LA's Lavender Diamond to release their debut album ever since hearing the excellent song (and still personal favorite) "You Broke My Heart" sometime early last year. That particular song came into my life at just the right time and really resonated.
The waiting is almost over now, as the band is set to release their first full-length, Imagine Our Love, on May 8 here in the states on Matador Records and May 7 in the EU on Rough Trade. I've had a copy for a few weeks now, and I have to say it's a pretty strong release. Lots of piano, tambourine, strings, and lead singer Becky Stark's lovely vocals in a sort of late 60's (i.e. the Mamas and the Papas) /early 70's vibe is what you get. There is one very up tempo number, "Open Your Heart," but most are of the more mellow variety. Many of the songs are mid-tempo torch songs about love and peace and other good things. Though none of its tracks live up to that first wonderful encounter (you had to be there), there are plenty of stand-outs throughout the 12 songs presented here.
One stand out is this song. "My Shadow Is a Monday" could've come out like 35 years ago (not necessarily a bad thing in my book). It's a classic torch song, lamenting the loss of someone dear ("my heart is in a shadow without you"). Becky can really sing it, too. Enjoy!
Those of you who've heard her previous work (e.g. the indie hit album Let it Die) are sure to dig this one. The Reminder is a bit more rock oriented than her previous lounge singer-ish material. While there are a still a few of those numbers on the new record, it contains many more acoustic elements (guitars, live drums, etc.) than the synth-heavy debut. It's still got those lovely vocals, of course, and that's what I'm guessing is the main attraction here.
As for "I Feel It All"--well, as I said, it's a perfect pop song (or pretty damn close). It clocks in at just over 3 1/2 minutes and has a very danceable "Hey Ya"-esque tempo. And I can't forget Feist's gorgeous vocals (check that "oh-oh-oh-oh..." breakdown, por ejemplo). I'm not sure why this wasn't the lead single. It's certainly the "Mushaboom" of the new album. "My Man My Moon," the album's apparent single
I dare you not to tap your feet to this at the very least.
on I Feel It All