General Musing

Listened to Today: February 15th, 2009

2010-02-16T06:11:00.000-08:00

Now Listening:The Damned - Machine Gun Etiquette

2010-02-12T14:17:00.001-08:00

Thanks Henry Rollins, for the recommendation.

Now Listening: David Bowie - Space Oddity

2010-02-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

Now Listening: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

2010-02-12T12:37:00.001-08:00

Now Listening: Machines of Loving Grace - Gilt

2010-02-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

I probably need to fully write up a review of this CD. I love every CD I own, but around 20 or so, such as this album, are truly prized possessions. Every listen, and I don't listen to it often is as good as the first time. This was a great band, and I never got to see them live. At least they left a great legacy.

Now Listening:June of 44 - Tropics and Meridians

2010-02-12T11:04:00.001-08:00

I have no idea what genre this is, but I like it.

Now Listening: Rocket From the Crypt - Group Sounds

2010-02-12T09:51:00.000-08:00

The second to last full LP from Rocket From the Crypt, and much better than the far too commercial (for my tastes) RFTC.

Now Listening:Metallica - Ride the Lightning

2010-02-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

The first three Metallica albums are amazing. Lyrically excellent, fast metal, just sheer emotion. It falls off a little as they become better song writers, which is unfortunate. In any case, every song on Ride the Lightning is a winner.

Now Listening:Local H - Here Comes the Zoo

2010-02-12T06:36:00.000-08:00

This is the album that made me a real fan of Local H. Seeing them however, will make you a true believer.

Now Listening: Faith No More - King for a Day ... Fool For a Lifetime

2010-02-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

"It's always funny until someone gets hurt, and then it's just hilarious" - Faith No More, Ricochet

Now Listening: Harvey Danger - Little By Little

2010-02-11T14:35:00.001-08:00

I really like this CD. I wasn't familiar with the band except for that one hit. This is good stuff.

Now Listening:Slip This On and Rock Hard

2010-02-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

I do not recommend this. Most of the stuff on this CD is horrible, I listen to it because I think its funny.

Here's a sample of the "special" lyrics you can find on this compilation, and by special I mean short bus special:

From Rorschach Test's "Satan"

Man you want to talk about a horrifying past
but don't judge me incapable of looking less
ask around you'll find out
what a fool I've been
they'll tell you that I got a
heart as black as sin

What's another name for nothing left to lose
I'll rip your head clean off
although my heel you burrs
whats another name for my insanity
whats another name for me

you me us,Satan,you me us,Satan

Wait, then there's my all time favorite, Clay People's Car Bomb:

In this mega twist of fate,
Know that help will come too late.
How many more there?
How many more can there be?
If you hear a freaky sound,
And all the spooky scary's all around
And they're coming after you...
But you don't know what to do!

This can't be happenin'!
And then you start to scream.
Is it getting hairy?
Is it spooky scary?
This can't be happenin'!
And then you start to scream.
Is it gettin' scary?

Love me pretty
Love me pretty
Am i, human?!

And you feel you are insane
Because this can't be happening
Am i to believe
Or are your eyes just decieveing
Run but you can't hide
Come on come alive
And its coming after you
But you don't know what to do,
But you don't know what to do!

Love me pretty
Love me pretty
Am i am i
(am i, am i, am i)

And in the midst it ignites
And what is said by dynamite
And all the pieces scattered
And that chilling laughter
And it seems like halloween
And it spooky scary scene
Fighting all around around around around
Grab you take you upside down

This can't be happenin'!
And then you start to scream.
Is it getting hairy?
Is it spooky scary?
This can't be happenin'!
And then you start to scream.
Is it gettin' scary?

Love me pretty
Love me pretty
Love me, pretty
Love me, pretty
Am i am i human?!

No!
Am i human?!
Can this be happening?
Am i human?!
Could this be happening?
Am i human?!
Could this be happening?
Am i human?!

Mastercard says "We scalp the good tickets early!"

2010-02-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

This is some real bullshit.

The Inaugural MasterCard ® First Chance Pre-Sale offers Chicago Cubs fans the first opportunity to purchase individual tickets at a premium for all Cubs home games, including Opening Day, in advance of the February 19th on-sale date.

Starting Monday, February 15th at 10am CT, fans will have first access to all Chicago Cubs 2010 regular season home games by going to Cubs.com and paying a 20% premium on the face value of the ticket. However, if you use a MasterCard card during this Pre-Sale promotion you will save 5% on the pre-sale price. In addition, you will receive a 20% discount on your next purchase with your MasterCard at the Cubs.com Shop when you enter this code (CHC20FEB) and use your MasterCard card.

This access to purchase tickets in advance of the on-sale date will be available through Thursday, February 18 at 12 pm CT. Act quickly, as there will be a limited number of tickets made available to every regular season home game for the MasterCard First Chance Pre-Sale.

That's right! For 20% markup (15% if you buy with MasterCard) you can get good seats early. 20% markup? Scalpers on game day sell for about the same. And realistically will you get tickets? No, it will still all go to scalpers who will now feel obligated to charge you the additional 20% they paid.

Now Listening: Fu Manchu - Start the Machine

2010-02-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

Fu Manchu is straightforward hard rock by the cool kids who worked in auto shop. Everything they write feels like its either meant to be used in NASCAR, downhill skiing, Tony Hawk games, or anything extreme. Being caught speeding while listening to Fu Manchu should not be a crime. "But officer listen to this song. See?"

Now Listening:Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime

2010-02-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

Mike Watt, D Boon, George Hurley!
I wish I had the chance to see these guys before D Boon died. I totally recommend seeing We Jam Econo

Now Listening:Sugar - File Under Easy Listening

2010-02-11T10:23:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves Bob Mould.

Now Listening:The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

2010-02-11T09:42:00.001-08:00

This is not my favorite Beatles album, but there's some great stuff on here. But you knew that...

Now Listening:Placebo - Battle for the Sun

2010-02-11T08:46:00.000-08:00

I'm a fan of Placebo, and I think this is a nice return to their older style. Nothing more to say really.

Now Listening:Iggy Pop and the Stooges - Raw Power (LP Version)

2010-02-11T08:11:00.000-08:00

The CD version is good, but I'm not as happy with Iggy's revision of history. As is well recorded, Raw Power was produced by David Bowie and many people think it was overproduced and lost the actual raw sound the Stooges were known for. I think it is the production that makes it more timeless. On the original LP you can hear why so many alternative bands of the 90s were influenced by it. I realize this album was the death of the band, and their recent reunion album was absolute crap. This, on the other hand... is bliss.

Now Listening: Cake - B-Sides and Rarities

2010-02-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

Cake is a great band. My friend Brian was into them in college and when I got the chance to see them at Lollapalooza they blew me away. They played once more in Chicago, and haven't been back since. Come on guys!

The song "War Pigs", which is a cover of the song you think it is, is totally awesome.

Now Listening: Pitchfork - Eucalyptus + Saturn Outhouse

2010-02-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

John Reis and Rick Froberg's first band together. For fans of Reis like me this is a great listen. You can definitely hear how Hot Snakes was formed and you can hear the guitar work that was going to go into Reis' next band, Rocket From the Crypt.

Now Listening:Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures

2010-02-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

The critics were not very nice to this album. This album is exactly what it is advertised to be. Josh Homme singing and on lead guitar and it sounds like it. John Paul Jones on bass, and sounding a lot like work he did on Led Zeppelin. Dave Grohl on drums sounding like the best living drummer I can think of right now.

Easily one of my top 10 albums of 2009.

Now Listening: Silverchair - Neon Ballroom

2010-02-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

I love Silverchair. They've calmed down now in their later years, but man this was a fierce album. It may be dated (see Anthem for the Year 2000) but it's still fun to listen to. And Spawn Again is by far my favorite track on this album. Easily one of my favorite songs of all time in fact.

Now Listening: KMDFM - XTORT

2010-02-10T11:44:00.000-08:00

The last full album with En Esch, and in my opinion probably their best effort. You can identify a KMFDM song pretty easily, and they do talk about themselves in third person as much as some old school hip hop artists did. Anyway, they haven't put out anything nearly this good since this album, but their newer albums usually have at least one or two good songs.

I've always like the lyrics to Dogma on this album.

We owe so much money we're not broke we're broken
We're so poor we can't even pay attention.

Now Listening:Pixies - Bossanova

2010-02-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

There is nothing I can say that hasn't been said before. I will say however I saw them on their reunion back in 2006 I think, and they sounded very tired and I wasn't terribly impressed, but then again they were at the end of that tour, it was Lollapalooza which is a shitty venue, and they haven't been friends in a long time.

Now Listening: Boris - Smile

2010-02-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

Yay! Boris!

Now Listening:Pinback - Offcell

2010-02-10T09:24:00.000-08:00

If you like the Postal Service or Beck, you should really be listening to Pinback. These guys are just amazing. Pinback member Rob Crow just makes gold with everything he touches and this is no different, this is a great vehicle for his voice. Great background music, with some real depth.

Now Listening: Cursive - Domestica

2010-02-10T08:49:00.001-08:00

Cursive's concept album about domestic abuse. Cursive at their best is a band obsessed with how important they think they are. This is the first album they made which was completely listenable and while I don't think its nearly as important as it would like to believe it is a good listen.

I have to admit however, I hear a lot of the DC sound in this album, which is probably why I like it so much. Cursive has slowly moved into other territory, and I find myself really only enjoying this period in their development as a band.

Now Listening:Beck - Midnight Vultures

2010-02-10T07:23:00.001-08:00

Beck is one of those artists who you have to shrug, buy the album, listen to a few times and realize you quite like his latest experiment. This album is a great throwback to the funk of the 70s and Prince's excellent Diamond and Pearls album.

I think it also has the most Beck-isms. Which Futurama excellently parodied with the following:

Now Listening:Russian Circles - Geneva

2010-02-10T06:49:00.001-08:00

Although I love Enter, this is another exceptional album by Russian Circles and I like it far more than Station. This is a far more quiet album, with introspective moments. I was concerned when I saw them live that they were going to be more focused on distortion, but I now chalk that up to the shitty venue rather than the band, whom having seen quite a few times, are really quite the band.

Now Listening:Baroness - Red Album

2010-02-09T13:53:00.000-08:00

I love this album. The cover is excellent. The music is excellent. This band is going places.

Now Listening:St Vincent - Marry Me

2010-02-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

I like her new album too. Every time I listen to this I have the absolute urge to run out and listen to Ella Fitzgerald.

Now Listening:Shellac - At Action Park

2010-02-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

I have a theory, that this album cover is the direct reason that Terraform had such an elaborate cover. I have a lot of love for Steve Albini, and I'm very happy that Shellac is touring again. If you've never seen Shellac, its a cheap show, and its always amazing.

Now Listening: Ministry - The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste

2010-02-09T10:02:00.001-08:00

Although I still credit Psalm 69 as my favorite Ministry release, it has to be said this is one hell of a good disc. For a long time I credited Ministry as my third favorite band of all time. Al has subsequently deep sixed my opinion of the band around the same time that Paul Barker left. After his farewell show in Chicago in which he decidedly only played one track from this disc (the excellent "So What") and then had the nerve to have the lead singer of Fear Factory sing instead, well Al, he succeeded in ensuring I will never pay to see him again.

Funny how the other members of the band on Mind have continued to put out quality music.

Now Listening: ISIS - Panopticon

2010-02-09T08:38:00.001-08:00

So sludgey...

Now Listening: David Bowie - Young Americans

2010-02-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

It's been too long since I last listened to some Bowie. I own the complete Rykodisc versions of these discs, and every single one is well loved. Bowie really didn't make a bad album until the mid-80s. No person has changed styles so successfully. The plastic soul stuff didn't last long for Bowie, but man, its good.

2010-02-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

I think for most people "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" is the track they are most familiar with. And it's a good track, but this is a great album through and through. And its starts with probably one of my favorite Rev Co tracks (I won't call it a song) with "lyrics" which sounds like they were written on a coke binge after talking to William S Burroughs, someone Uncle Al hung out with around this time. The lyrics:

Hey kids!
You want a soundtrack that's gonna make you feel tense?
Let you express your frustration?
Make ya scared, wanna run out and buy a gun?
You're looking for another rock'n'roll record that'll make you
feel like a victim.
You're like a victim - you love to be a victim.
You love the United States prime time victim show.
Hey, bells, helicopters, machine guns.
Listen to that! Listen to that!
Kill for Allah. Kill for Jesus.
1980's shit - turn it down.
Tone it down

Hey! Listen to me!
All that 1980s shit is over.
Brothers and sisters - we'll turn the volume down.
Brothers and sisters - we're gonna shut down this mechanical
stuff,
that makes us feel like victoms.
Take those machine guns, and turn 'em down.
Yeah. Turn off those cop shows.
Listen to those helicopters, listen to the sirens.
Makin' ya feel nervious, and anguish.
1980s shit - turn it down.
Tone it down.
Now I ask you -
I ask you in quiet tone of voice:
Is the helicopter a machine of pleasure?
Is the helicopter a love machine?
Turn it on.
Silence those church bells.
Fuck the sirens.
Lets have some quiet, quiet silence
Yeah.. Yeah... I wanna hold you close.
You wanna hold someone close.
Hey. We wanna- we wanna feel good!
I wanna make you laugh.
Turn down that victom shit.
Oh yeah. Yeah thats better.
Hey- we wanna look each other in the eye.
Doing a high-five.
When I whisper. When I whisper it sorta stings in your ear.
I wanna tremble your earbones.
Open your trembling earbones.
Listen.
Turn that helicopter off baby!
We will not be angry victoms no more!
We're gonna- we're gonna say yeah...
Turn it off! Turn it off!
Turn that helicopter down!
We're gonna say yeah. We're gonna say yeah.
We're gonna say yeah. We're gonna make it all.
We're God!
We're gonna have a moment of silence now.

Turn down the machines.
Turn down the helicopter.
Turn down the prime time.
Shut those guns down.
Yeah. yeah...
Isn't that better?

Now Listening:Theatre of Tragedy - Storm

2010-02-09T06:15:00.000-08:00

They have a cooler name than Evanescence, and are far more Eastern European. I have no idea why I listen to this, its not very good. Considering my unfamiliarity with Evanescence I can't tell you who is better. I can say that lyrically I think I read better high school poetry.

Check this crap out from the song "Storm":

Can you see the storm getting closer now?
Tell me how it feels being out there

A moment's glimpse of his vignette
As he shone a light on the falling wall
Instant pictures form shattered persons
Whenever he leaves there's a tainted mark
Flashbacks of his stark sleep filter out through smoke
Revoking from the past things less provoked
Any which day, there is no relief
Adhesive words, spoken silently
The shattered man

Can you see the storm getting closer now?
Tell me how it feels being out there
I want to stay with you, and I see it clear now
You are giving me no choice
Let the rain pour down

He's holding for the moment of the fall
Stolen knowledge by minds unformed
Regulate the demolition of annexe for the differing thoughts
Discarded sparks left years ago
Evoked a language much more austere
Reverberating with figments
He left a trace of translucence

Shattered man
There's a shattered man in a shattered land

Now Listening:Garbage - Version 2.0

2010-02-08T13:53:00.001-08:00

Over produced, british pop music from the 90s. I happen to like it, but I wonder if we traced this forward if the end result is the Auto-Tune crap we hear now...

Now Listening: Rocket From the Crypt - Group Sounds

2010-02-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

THIS
IS
ROCK
AND
ROLL.

Now Listening: The Crow Soundtrack

2010-02-08T11:33:00.001-08:00

Hello high school me, it's me 32 year old self. This disc is still good, thanks for buying it. You can stop drawing comics, you won't be doing it as a career.

Now Listening: Nirvana - In Utero

2010-02-08T10:48:00.002-08:00

Quote: "There is nothing I can say that I haven't said before".

Now Listening: Dinosaur Jr - hand It Over

2010-02-08T10:48:00.001-08:00

Now Listening:Wipers - Is this Real

2010-02-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

Do you like Nirvana? Did you know that Kurt was a big fan of The Wipers?

Now Listening:Cursive - Burst and Bloom

2010-02-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

I love this EP.

Now Listening: ... and You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Worlds Apart

2010-02-08T07:29:00.000-08:00

What has to be the longest band name in history... makes some damn fine music.

Now Listening: Reverend Horton Heat - Liquor in the Front

2010-02-08T06:35:00.001-08:00

Punk-a-billy.

The Rev's studio albums haven't been nearly as good in recent years. But live he is still the man.

Now Listening: Sugar Ray - Floored

2010-02-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

Technically when I ripped my CD to mp3 I cut Fly. And I intend to keep it that way. Its a fine song, but I don't like it. The rest of this CD is really heavy. I'm waiting for Mark McGrath to decide his 15 minutes are up, and get back to making some really good heavy rock. Until then this, and Lemonade and Brownies will just have to do.

Now Listening: Barkmarket - L Ron

2010-02-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

If I made a list of the most underrated bands, these guys would be near the top. If you like Soundgarden, this is better. Tis a shame they broke up.

Now Listening: Fugazi - Steady Diet of Nothing

2010-02-05T06:24:00.000-08:00

Easily my favorite title for a Fugazi LP. This is a great disc, so many good songs. Especially "Long Division". Subtract and divide.

Now Listening: Rob Crow - Living Well

2010-02-05T05:55:00.000-08:00

I am a huge fan of Mr. Crow, which started last year when I downloaded Goblin Cock's excellent LP: "Come With Me If You Want To Live". In my eyes Rob Crow has supplanted Beck as the premier experimental artist of our generation. He has a distinct sound which persists across the genres he crosses (similar to Beck) but while Beck has been sticking to electronic sound as of late, Rob Crow flirts with everything.

My favorite track is "Leveling", but the only videos from this disc I can find are "UP" and "I Hate You Rob Crow". Take a listen, Rob Crow is the man.

Now Listening:Big Black - The Hammer Party

2010-02-04T14:22:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to talk about Steve Albini, if you know music, you know what this album is, who Steve Albini is, and nothing I say will add to it.

Now Listening:Ozzy osbourne - Blizzard of Ozz

2010-02-04T13:37:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know. More Ozzy. *sigh*
Have you listened to "Crazy Train" lately? That song still holds up. If there was ever a quintessential Ozzy disc, this is it.

Now Listening: Ministry - Filth Pig

2010-02-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

I have so much to say about this album. In my opinion as much as I love the real hardcore industrial Ministry sound, in the end I think this is their most technical and best album. From this album it was a slow decent downward, with the "W" era music being pretty much just crap.

Oh yeah, look closer. That's a piece of bloody meat on his head. You people are sick.

Now Listening:Sugar Ray - Lemonade and Brownies

2010-02-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

Now Listening: Veruca Salt - Resolver

2010-02-04T09:16:00.000-08:00

After "Eight Arms to Hold You" Nina Gordon left the band, and people assumed VS were done. So when this came out, its not surprising it didn't sell as well since most people stopped watching VS. It's a shame, this is a really good disc. In fact as their LPs go, this is my favorite.

It's filled with angst, covered with Louise Post's lovely sweet voice.

Oh, and in case you weren't aware, they still make music, and they are still good. Nina Gordon leaving may have lost them some fans, but it didn't kill the sound. It's still there, and they are still really good. (And worth seeing live.)

Now Listening: Rocket From the Crypt - Paint as a Fragrance

2010-02-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

The cover to this disc is insane. RFTC's first disc, and you could tell they were going to be something, a lot of what made this band awesome is present in this album. The sense of humor, the speed punk, that 50s sense of cool, all present and accounted for.

There's a lot of criticism that RFTC was better with the horn section, and this album lacks that. If you are into that kind of thing, so be it. I think you are missing out.

Now Listening: Deltron - Deltron 3030

2010-02-04T06:50:00.000-08:00

Dan the Automator + Del tha Funky Homosapien = Masterpiece. Alone, Del made some good albums, although lately he hasn't been nearly as prolific. Automator has been on some excellent projects, Dr Octagon and Handsome Boy Modeling School are probably my favorites from him. But neither of them match the perfection of this disc.

If you liked "Clint Eastwood" by the Gorillaz, Deltron 3030 is basically the origin of that sound. In fact, I'd go as far to say that adding Damon Albarn to this sound lessened the song. Everything on 3030 is superior to anything the Gorillaz would ever put out. The lyrics are more clever, the deejaying is layered, and the story is interesting. When Dan and Del work together, on any album they are paired up (Gorillaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School) the result is always the best song on the album. This is just an album of one great song after another.

Another note: this above any other album is what got me into hip-hop. If there was a branching tree of rap musicians I listen to, it would easily start here, and no rap music I enjoy would be unconnected in some way, probably in less than 3 connections to this very album.

Now Listening: Fugazi - In On the Kill Taker

2010-02-03T14:44:00.001-08:00

Everytime I listen to Fugazi I think to myself, why in god's name, why haven't I listened to them recently? The only answer I come up with is that they are so good, it makes me feel bad that I don't just have an iPod filled with Fugazi songs. That would of course require Fugazi to make something on the order of 65,000 songs.

If you haven't heard Fugazi... you aren't reading this blog either. In my eyes they are the perfect punk band. Maybe not the most influential, or even important, but every song is perfect in every inch. The lyrics, the music, the singing, the message. There isn't a bad Fugazi song.

I've seen them live too. At $5 a show, its a great value. I saw them with Shellac and Blonde Redhead. I recall not liking Shellac (what was I thinking?) and running out after Blonde Redhead's set to buy up their catalog of music. I haven't seen Fugazi since, but I've seen Shellac and Blonde Redhead countless times. Here's hoping they get back together someday...

Now Listening: Ned's Atomic Dustbin - Brainbloodvolume

2010-02-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard of Ned's... somewhere on the list of British bands played on alternative radio in the 90s, right under Oasis, Pulp, Blur, and Radiohead you'll find Ned's Atomic Dustbin. And yse you have heard them. Remember "Kill Your Television"? It is not your fault, but you missed out! And this album got killed by distribution, and not because it isn't good. Song 1 is one of my favorite song for a song 1 on any mixtape, the listener will crank it up because it is so soft, and then BAM it goes to 11.

The songs here were a bit of a diversion for Ned's and I guess it tore the band apart. It's a shame, I'd love to know where they'd go from this album. Thankfully they do yearly reunion shows, but only in England. So my exposure to seeing them live is sadly listening to bootlegs and official live releases. Guys! Come to the states!

Now Listening: Killing Joke - Love Like Blood

2010-02-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

Oh yes... the quality isn't the best but you can't expect much from a bootleg. The band however, they are note perfect. I never got to see the band in this era, I got to see them sometime in the late 00s and they were good, but not as great as the band you hear on this album.

Now Listening: Black Sabbath - Never Say Die!

2010-02-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

I have the iPod on Random, and it went from Ozzy to Black Sabbath? The translation was so seemless I didn't initially notice. Ozzy was the man. He's kind of a joke now, but man when this album came out, he was untouchable.

Now Listening: Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman

2010-02-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

This is a great disc. The early Ozzy stuff, really up to and including No More Tears, was excellent stuff.

Now Listening: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

2010-02-03T08:19:00.000-08:00

I went a long time without having ever heard it. Once I became a fan of A Place To Bury Strangers and they were compared to MBV, I took a listen and was hooked. This is brilliant stuff.

Now Listening: Mastodon - Crack the Skye

2010-02-03T07:17:00.000-08:00

Day 2 of listening to this album. I've gotten over my criticism of the singer, this is good stuff.

Someone should really let me start my own festival, with days devoted to various types of awesome music. Hard Metal Day: High On Fire, Mastodon, Baroness, Russian Circles, The Fucking Champs, The Sword, Goblin Cock, and Isis. I'd invite someone like Slayer or Megadeth, but I don't care for either. And Metallica, as much as I love them, I don't think their fans would appreciate the rest of the bands as much. It'd be like the time Marilyn Manson was on the Ozzfest tour, that was a nightmare.

Now Listening: Mastodon - Crack the Skye

2010-02-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Another new album I recently picked up from eMusic, I'm not entirely familiar with this band, but it's been recommended to me many times, especially since I like Baroness so much. I have to point out... man, is it me, or does the guy on the cover look like Shinnok from Mortal Kombat 4?

Put a beard on ol' Shinnok there...

Update 1:33PM: I like the guitar work quite a lot but man the lead's voice is a bit hard to get used to. Does he want to be Ozzy, or Layne Staley?

Now Listening: Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy

2010-02-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, better late than never right? This was one of my purchases on eMusic last Saturday, and my first time going through the disc properly.

Now Listening: Neko Case - Middle Cyclone

2010-02-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

Listening to this for the first time. It got a lot of accolades last year, and that album cover certainly does strike at me. My fellow Chicagoans have recommended Neko Case to me many times over the years based on my love for Jenny Lewis.

Update 8:22AM: It's a little more country than I think I expected, which is not a knock against it. She has a really pretty voice. I know Katy will love this disc.

Update 9:23AM: Well, I'm sold. It's great stuff, and I can see how someone might consider the work Jenny Lewis did on Rabbit Fur Coat with Neko Case. This is definitely better than Jenny Lewis' latest effort Acid Tongue. Giving this album one more listen.

Now Listening: Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II

2010-02-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

If I could relive a moment in time, certainly one of them would be listening to my dad's copy of II
. As I recall my dad had bought me a copy of IV and an acoustic guitar, and I fell in love with IV. And he mentioned he owned a copy of II, and let me borrow his record. Now I don't know what I thought at first, but to this day song one, "Whole Lotta Love" it just KILLS, it is just fierce in its intensity. And the raw sexuality of "Living Loving Maid" and the "The Lemon Song" is something I didn't understand, but I wanted it. "As the juice runs down your leg..."

Now Listening: Mos Def - The Estatic

2010-02-01T10:57:00.001-08:00

This album is $5.00 to download on Amazon? What are you waiting for?

(I got mine from eMusic, and probably paid that much, and its worth far more.)

Now Listening: Matson Jones - Matson Jones

2010-02-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

I love this song. I found this band onthe Rough Trade Counter Culture 05 CD, and loved the song "New York Fuck Off". A band with 2 cellos, 1 bass, and a drummer making modern rock music? Sign me up.

Now Listening: MC Chris - Life's a Bitch, and I'm her Pimp

2010-02-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

MC Chris is the man. I'll admit, this is my favorite disc and not just for "Fett's Vette". "DQ Blizzard" is one heck of a fast song and really clever filled with more references than your average Family Guy episode (and funnier). The skits on his albums I could do without, especially his later stuff, when I want to listen to music and get a 6 minute skit.

The 4 actual songs on this disc are great, and I didn't pay a dime for them. MC Chris was one of the first artists to offer his music free online, and it worked. I've happily paid for his newer efforts, and if he rereleased this disc I'd buy it.

Now Listening: Pitchshifter - www.pitchshifter.com

2010-02-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

This album is retarded. Its really hard, fast, industrial with some exceptionally bad lyrics. But it is a guilty pleasure for me; simply put the last three Pitchshifter albums are a lot of fun to listen to.

But don't take my word for it: take a listen to to "Genius". For those playing at home, yes that lyric is "If disfunction is a function, then I must be a genius". This song is slightly less complex than "I Got My Mind Set On You", but it is a much more entertaining song.

Now Listening: Propellerheads - Decksanddrumsandrockandroll

2010-02-01T08:13:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I don't typically like the techno, big beat whatever you call this, and I tire of it quickly. This album however is just brilliant. This is soundtrack music to some movie that never came out, but has been used many many times for various soundtracks such as The Matrix and Something About Mary. My favorite song on the disc is "Bang On!" which is just a perfectly loud fast electronic sound.

Now Listening: Mondo Generator - Dead Planet

2010-02-01T07:21:00.000-08:00

Now Listening: Foo Fighters - One By One

2010-01-29T12:06:00.000-08:00

Dave Grohl makes excellent pop rock music. Everything he touches is practically gold. I find this album superior to "There's Nothing Left to Lose" and much better than every album which followed this one. It's really a matter of which version of FF. If you like heavy FF, this is the album for you. If you like the sweet and sappy FF, well... you may find this lacking.

And if Dave Grohl ever reads this blog... bring back Probot, thx.

Now Listening - Russian Circles

2010-01-29T08:47:00.000-08:00

Instrumental, math rock, metal stuff. I saw these guys at a festival in Bucktown. My friend Greg and I were listening, and by the second song we agreed, they had sold us an album. By the fourth song, which was "Death Rides a Horse" we agreed, they also had our money for any show they cared to put on in the city.

Now Listening - Chris Connelly - Shipwreck

2010-01-29T07:46:00.000-08:00

When I was in my late teens I used to frequent a store named Discs'n'Dats and the owner was really cool. He used to recommend CDs to me, and after introducing me to David Bowie (for which I owe him a great debt) he told me that this was Bowie's best album not actually made by, sung by or having anything to do with Bowie. While I hear a lot of Lou Reed in Connelly's work as well, this is a great album.

Oh yeah, I also forgot. When I was 17 my friend Joe and I were into Ministry and heard Connelly was doing an acoustic set. Not yet familiar with Connelly's solo work we assumed he would sing an acoustic version of TV II. Chris, if you read this, feel free to take that idea. It'd be awesome. Feel free to follow that up with "July". I'd be in heaven.

Now Listening: Van Halen - Van Halen II

2010-01-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

My first introduction to VH was 5150. While I stopped listening to the Hagar incarnation of VH, Roth Van Halen never disappoints. A great start to the day.

Now Listening: Swervedriver - Mezcal Head

2010-01-28T09:49:00.000-08:00

I love this band, its a shame they broke up. The good news is, most of their catalog appears to be getting reissues.

Now Listening: Dinosaur Jr - Bug

2010-01-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

J Mascis ran into me in England once. I got knocked over and didn't know who it was at first, and I must have been dazed because by the time I realized it was J Mascis, he had apologized and left. I also saw D Jr that evening, they were excellent.

Now Listening: Desert Sessions V9&10

2010-01-28T08:02:00.000-08:00

Calling it demos for Queens of the Stone Age is a misnomer. There's some great stuff here. I love the Josh Homme gathers some great artists around him, they jam and put these wonderful CDs out. The PJ Harvey stuff on here is some of the best works she's done this century. Experimental, not always successful, but always worth a listen.

Now Listening: Radiohead - In Rainbows

2010-01-28T07:13:00.000-08:00

I certainly like this disc better than their previous release.

Let the iPad hate begin

2010-01-28T06:46:00.000-08:00

I'm holding off judgement although my excitement has waned significantly.

But this made me laugh heartily.

http://jezebel.com/5458338/that-time-of-the-month-the-internets-best-period+related-ipad-jokes

Now Listening: Project 86 - ... and the Rest Will Follow

2010-01-28T06:12:00.001-08:00

A mediocre release from Project 86, nothing new here, but good if you want something nice and heavy.

Now Listening: Living Colour - The Chair in the Doorway

2010-01-28T05:22:00.000-08:00

Living Colour proves to anyone who forgot, they aren't just that band who dressed up in yellow spandex and have that one hit with Martin Luther King in it. Ask any musician about Living Colour and they will talk about how skilled the band is rather than, as most people remember it, the first metal band featuring an all African American line-up. A great album from 2009.

But yeah, those spandex did look retarded...

Now Listening: Girls Against Boys - Freakonica

2010-01-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

A lot of people didn't like the direction the band took here. I love this disc, and everyone who dislikes it is welcome to their opinion. This album is sexy. (It was also my introduction to the wonders of GVSB.)

Now Listening: Queen - News of the World

2010-01-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

Yes it does contain "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions." The rest of the disc is equally good, especially "Sheer Heart Attack".

Now Listening: Project 86 - Truthless Heroes

2010-01-27T12:56:00.000-08:00

Drawing Black Lines is the better album, but this has some great stuff on it. And really if this is Christian Rock (which I think the band denies) more Christian Rock should be this cool.

Now Listening: Ministry - In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up (Live)

2010-01-27T12:00:00.001-08:00

Now Listening: Big Black - The Rich Man's Eight Track Tape

2010-01-27T11:07:00.000-08:00

Now Listening: Hot Snakes - Audit In Progress

2010-01-27T09:18:00.000-08:00

John Reis, twice in one day!

Now Listening: Jesus Lizard - Head

2010-01-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

Now Listening: Metallica - S&M

2010-01-27T06:09:00.000-08:00

Say what you want, especially you Mr. Rollins. The version of "Of Wolf and Man" and "One" on this disc are far superior with an orchestra in my opinion.

Now Listening: The Sultans - Ghost Ship

2010-01-27T05:49:00.001-08:00

Now Listening: The Beatles - Let it Be

2010-01-27T05:13:00.001-08:00

Now Listening: Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications

2010-01-26T15:13:00.001-08:00

Now Listening: PJ Harvey - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea

2010-01-26T15:04:00.000-08:00

Now Listening: Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights

2010-01-26T13:45:00.000-08:00

Now Listening: Neutral Milk Hotel - On Avery Island

2010-01-26T13:09:00.000-08:00