One of the best produced "indie" bands of the early 90's was the Kitchens of Distinction. They were gay, though they played songs about male and female lovers, but they eschewed the synthesizers and drum machines of many outwardly gay acts of the time, and instead layered guitars and effects as well or even better than many more well known shoegaze bands. They flat-out rocked.
The first song I heard from the Kitchens was the next one on this page, Drive That Fast.
They never sold a lot of records, probably due to that whole homophobia thing, but their influence can be heard in quite a few bands who came down the road later.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
"7am. Dusty Road. I'm gonna drive until it burns my bones"
Lately, I've been having these horrific dreams. The kind of nightmares that wake you up in a cold sweat. I can't really find an answer, or a reason for these dreams. I go to bed at a reasonable hour, I don't drink, I don't do drugs, I don't eat a whole lot of mushrooms. I just have these, really, truly scary, horrible, nightmares.
How do you encompass the compassion that you have for another human? How can you shoot someone? How can you end a life? What does it take to harm another living, breathing, thinking being, human or not? What is in the minds of someone who can stab a child, rape a cripple, slit a horse, murder someone, someone who is a single mother of a young child...someone who is struggling to support someone they love, someone who is going through there own problems, struggles, tribulations. How is it? What makes someone turn like this? Maybe the mind is so complex, or maybe it is so basic it simply sits on the tip of our egotistic noses.
When I lived in Brooklyn, I used to have this argument with this girl that the tap water in NYC is extremely clean, the cleanest in the world, even as far as good for you. Now I was on the premise that no tap water is clean, it is in fact, filthy. By filthy, I don't mean full of human waste (it very well could be, correct me on this) but rather, full of chemicals, and bleaches that shouldn't go into anyones bodies, not even her more pronounced self. There is a lot of speculation going into tap water, there are people who approach it from the angle that tap water is processed locally, therefor saving thousands of pounds in carbon emissions that would potentially destroy the eco-system with nation shipping, or in the case of artesian waters, international. Now this is a wise and educated approach. Obviously you should not support global shipping on something as luxurious as bottled water. Not to mention the plastic that is used taking upwards of five hundred years to compost. However, you do not have to sacrifice your health and well being and substitute the element that makes up the most part of you for highly bleached water. You have two options.
1. Buy a water purifier. There are a couple different approaches to a water purifier. You can get some that simply taps right into your existing faucet, or you can buy a pitcher that you fill up as it filters.
2. Buy local. This way is less cost efficient, but supports your local economy. Which you should already be treating like gold, or perhaps, Iridium. But you already new that.
My pick? Always buy local. If you have invested interest in the well being of this country, which, if you haven't noticed, is completely going for not, fast. If you do make this wise decision most areas have a local water supplier. If not in your area, pick the closest to cut transportation and shipping emissions.
Onwards to music. What do M83, Yaz, Mogwai, The Tuss, and Ladytron have in common? Well, I dunno. But they all sound pretty good these days.
I posted my all time favorite two Mogwai tracks. I don't LOVE this bands, but I LOVE these songs. I know, I know, one is white noise and one is a remix...how insulting.
Ladytronica is still the proverbial godess of semi-seductive, resistant electronica... I have no idea what I mean by that. I just picture them playing whilst the fine residents of England protest the Queen or something. Errr...
As for M83, I promised no tracks. But, uh...oh, you just need to hear it. Jaw is still dropped.
The Tuss? Aphex Twin? Oh, the enigma. Not.
Regardless, interesting stuff to get all tangled up in your ear drums.
Dear old, Yazoo. This song is covered alot, but will never sound as awesome as the wonderfully simple original. Give me some drums, a synth or two, and someone who will sing about yearning love past by.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Last Song
When I was just a young music snob coming up, before I had a fake id and could get into clubs in NYC, I would go to a little underaged club in a terrible stripmall in Brewster, NY. It was dirty, dark, and falling apart, but I wouldn't give up those memories for anything. We had some great DJ's from the local college radio station, WXCI, who played brilliant music and stayed sober while the rest of us snuck in booze and Lord only knows what else.
The last song was always something a little slower, a little louder, a little darker, and usually lasted long enought that the DJ could pack up the rest of their records before this one was finished and the lights came up, revealing the sweaty goth kids pawing at each other's clothing in the darker corners and beginning the inevitable trek to a plate of cheese-fries at any one of a dozen local diners.
Here's Liz Frazer with a great band called Felt. This is one of DJ Jeff McKay's favourites.
This one goes back to 1984, I think. It's another of Jeff's favourites (Jeff, who I still email today, was obviously a man of style and taste, who had a vast influence on my musical taste.) It's the Chameleons UK with Swamp Thing.
Back in the '90's, I used to claim, usually when I was stoned to the bajeezus, but also on occasion when I was sober, that if there is music playing in Heaven, it would sound like Liz Frazer's voice, and the rest of the Cocteau Twins music.
New music later, it's bedtime.
peace
The last song was always something a little slower, a little louder, a little darker, and usually lasted long enought that the DJ could pack up the rest of their records before this one was finished and the lights came up, revealing the sweaty goth kids pawing at each other's clothing in the darker corners and beginning the inevitable trek to a plate of cheese-fries at any one of a dozen local diners.
Here's Liz Frazer with a great band called Felt. This is one of DJ Jeff McKay's favourites.
This one goes back to 1984, I think. It's another of Jeff's favourites (Jeff, who I still email today, was obviously a man of style and taste, who had a vast influence on my musical taste.) It's the Chameleons UK with Swamp Thing.
Back in the '90's, I used to claim, usually when I was stoned to the bajeezus, but also on occasion when I was sober, that if there is music playing in Heaven, it would sound like Liz Frazer's voice, and the rest of the Cocteau Twins music.
New music later, it's bedtime.
peace
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Humid
Saturdays = Youth = Best major release since Sigur Ros - Takk. Hands Down.
I have pretty much heard the entire album, and-actually, words aren't gonna do it justice. Just buy it when it comes out. I will refrain from posting any songs. GET THIS ALBUM, Fuck it....PRE-ORDER IT NOW!!
Thats all, goodnight.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Fridays = Movies
I keep getting more and more excited about M83's 5th studio album; Saturdays = Youth. From what I've heard it is very much a departure from the most recent Digital Shades album, but not entirely to far from Before The Dawn Heals Us. Most definitely more attention to a classic song structure, more lyrics. I hope it can only be for the better.
Beautiful Elizabeth Fraser style vocals against Anthony Gonzalaz classic shooting star-like beats and echoing synths makes for a fantastic 6 minute masterpiece. Did I mention I am excited about this album?
M83 - Couleurs
This one is an epic 8 minute swell laying instrument over instrument, building up to a fantastic "slo-mo" breakdown while untranslatable vocals shriek till the track seemingly sinks to the bottom of the ocean.
Two tracks from one of the greatest bands ever formed.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Weezy Baby
I originally wrote out a very long, drawn out post about how white Americans love Lil' Wayne this year just like they loved T.I. last year. They love Wayne! I had points, arguments, the whole deal. I started to search YouTube to find a video to collaborate with my post, but my mind wandered, and I deleted the entire thing. Truth is white girls want to be him, white boys love him. to death. "No Homo."
Instead...
Carl Craig - I was going to write about how much respect I have for him, his history in bringing up the second wave of the Chicago house scene, etc. But the truth is, I don't know much about him. I do know, however, I find our relationship to be "hit or miss". I don't much like his originals, and he remixes alot of funk house stuff that I'm just not that into. But he has made some serious bangers that earn him as spot on my top DJs list. Im always up for listen to a new Carl Craig, C2, Carbon-whatever-he-calls-himself, track. Minimal bouncy round sound, long 10 minute tracks are what he is all about. Stuff you can just groove too, no ear piercing breakdowns, no moaning french cut-and-paste vocals. Pure groove tech-house.
The first track is his recent remix of Junior Boys hit, Like a Child. I like Junior Boys well enough I suppose. My favorite track is "So This Is Goodbye" off of the album carrying the same name. But his re-edit of "Like a Child" is pure bliss. It couldn't be long enough either, clocking in a little over ten minutes you completely drown into the song, only to be awakened right at the end with a little surprise freak out. I can't get enough of this song. A lot of times I hear a quality remix (which isn't so often btw), I eventually move on from it. This was released last year and I still can't get enough of it. Its totally engrossing, the beat is so infectious the synth line so perfectly subtle and the vocals complement perfectly....
"...I think of you, and then I know what went wro-What went wro-What went wro-What went wrong." Boom Boom Boom Boom. :D
The second track is a remix he did for Throbbing Gristle. I retract my bit about how no lame french moans. Well, the moans aren't french, but there are moans...yep...lots of moans. Mainly by a supposed German neo-nazi. Mutant TG is one of my favorite remix albums of all time...Ratcliffs remix of Hot On The Heels of Love is by far the best track on the album. But we are talking about Carl Craig, so credit where credit is due this song is another Carl Craig banger. A little less fluctuation between basslines and song structure. This one is a simple beat accompanied with the original pulsating hight treble synth line. We get another little Carl Craig signature freak-out towards the end too. Enjoy.
Enough of music. (Actually, never enough of music, but...)
Pinapple Express. I didn't really like Superbad. Actually, I thought maybe one part of it was funny and that was when the two cops (one of which was Seth Rogan) asked Christopher Mintz-Plasse, or, "McLovin" how old he was and he timidly said "Old Enough". "Old enough? Old enough for what?!" to which his squeamish reply was "Old enough to party". Yeah that was the best part of Superbad for me. Actually this is how I will put it. That movie had so much potential but it was really Jonah Hills script that ruined it for me. Sure, it was very realistic sounding the way he said "Man", and, "Fuck, Shit, Fuck" after every single line, But mix that with the unrealisitc aspect of two cops taking on a boy they know is underage and letting him shoot up cars? I just didn't like the mix. Now, Pineapple Express is co-wrote by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg the exact two people who co-wrote Superbad. Same combo exactly, alot of the same actors as well. HOWEVER, it happens to be directed by my all time favorite director; David Gordon Green as a result, I will see it in theaters regardless of "tomato-meters" or "meta-critic" percentages. Like I said, Superbad had so much potential, being writing by Seth Rogan, who I think is funny, and directed by Greg Mottola (Arrested Development)...just one little script really fucked the whole thing up for me, it made it a little uneasy to watch. The whole spermicidle lube thing didn't bother me...shit...kids talk about stuff like that...get over it. Its just, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, shit shit shit, fuck for every single line...man, I got a little tired after 2 hours.
I'm really counting on Pineapple Express to be, well, a better Superbad. Instead of prepubescent sex it will be about weed. I could laugh about that.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Spellbound + Siriusmo
First off...Ghost Town DJ's dancing in beach towels...
***NEWS FLASH***
This video is simply amazing. These girls have skills. She was beat boxing for like eight minutes, holy shit. That INOJ drum beat is so infectious...haha this is great. Please watch, Im begging you.
...Ok I was gonna make this post all about my So So Def Bass All-Stars albums...but instead I started listening to Siriusmo, and, I can't get it off my speakers. It's infectious, that's the best way for me to describe it. Im enthralled by the beats, they start out all funky, then the bass synth kicks in and, what! I dunno, man, this is good stuff, much groovier and easier on the ears than anything coming from France right now. So there you have it. Germans know how to create something timeless, trendless, and kick-fucking-ass all at the same time. Did I mention how terrible Kavinsky's new creations are? I mean, I love him, I think he is a a funny guy, he's great. But 1986 was um, just fucking boring. Didn't Uffie make a song called 1984? Don't even get me started on that. I think Uffie was born in like...89 or something.
So the Germans still have "it" by way of techno music, reigning techno champs as if there was even a competition. (I exempt Daft Punk from this hypothetical competition, if their followers could only take Daft's cue).
So this post will not be about my love for INOJ, or the Ghost Town DJ's...instead, get entranced my Siriusmo. I guarantee you will.
Siriusmo - Wow! [ZSHARE] - Wow is right. Things track starts out alot like I think a Hot Chip track would start, then...drrr dra drra draaa. zzzddraa draaa. Yeah, the bass kicks in.
Here are three more tracks if Wow! doesn't earn a spot on repeat.
Siriusmo - Simple [ZSHARE] ***So Recommended***
Thursday, March 6, 2008
What does "prognostics" even mean?
***For the music, skip right to the bottom, for mis-info on "Enter The Void" keep reading***
"Prognostications on Gaspar Noé's Enter the Void
It's been a half decade since Gaspar Noé has made a feature film. He has been quiet since Irréversible with only a short film and other small projects to his credit so every fan of Gaspar Noé has a right to complain that it has been too long since Gaspar Noé has been seen in theatres around the world. Buzz has been building since rumours hit as far back as 2005 that Gaspar Noé has another feature film in the works. Information is sketchy but the buzz has it that the film will be shot in Japan and the script, approximately a hundred pages in length (Irréversible had only a three page treatment) and deals with a set of siblings involved with drugs. Influenced by the Tibeten Book of the Dead and termed by Gaspar Noé as psychedelic, the siblings are in their teens or early twenties and are experimenting with sex and drugs. Intriguing indeed!
Since we have waited such a long time for the movie, we here at Exposure Online Magazine have decided to look into our crystal ball and predict what the movie will contain. We believe Gaspar Noé will mix techniques from both his previous films (Seul contre tous and Irréversible) to create a truly disturbing film. The film will have flashing and seizure inducing opening credits. It will containg a narrative from the male lead describing whats going through his head when he is consuming large amounts of drugs. He will either rape his sister or the two will have consensual incestuous sex. The sex will be both tender and violent. The cinematography will be disorientating using colour scemes of deep reds during the violent scenes and aqua-marine blues during the more tender moments. A handheld camera will be used for some scenes and flash editing will jump in throughout the 90+ minute length.
There will be a small part in the film for one of the main characters from his previous film Irréversible. We believe Philippe Nahon character of the Butcher will not appear but the actor himself may have a small part. The film will be Gaspar Noé's most complex. It will be hard to follow as dream sequences and reality will be almost interchangeable. Many scenes will be shot with a static camera and some takes will be over the 10 minute mark The film will end with either sibling mudering the other and it won't be surprizing if the brother is the one to commit it.
In order to bring his film making to the ne of the film, Gaspar Noé will show the incest occuring between family members which he failed to do in Seul contre tous. He will also introduce a religious element to the imagery and we would not be surprised if necrophilia will be perpetrated by the male lead after he realizes he murdered his sister. It will take the form of a guilt ritual with the male lead shedding tears as he pumps himself inside her. "
Hmmm. I am really not at liberty to say anything. But incest? Ha!
In "Me" news starting Wed. I will be sporting railroad tracks for 1 year now. Mhmm - braces. Better now then never I suppose though. They are clear so it wont be so bad, I think Tom Cruise wore braces a couple years ago, gimme a break, I can do this. Can I?
I was almost to lazy to post some music, but I did it, I DID IT OK! Ok so Dead Prez. It's def. not mainstream rap, thats for sure, they have a couple solid tracks ("Fay-Fake Recor-Records" anyone?) and yeah, the idea of a rap about good foods seems a little juvenile, but maybe we need more of that. Obviously Sigur Ros hasn't brought us world peace yet (I think we need to play Glosoli in loudspeakers every morning, this could work you know). Anyways, the money virus bit M1 and that other guy and there new album sucks RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta'...less hate man, seriously, less hate. I don't hate Germans. I don't hate Jihad. Revolutionize with the current times, the past is irrelevant, all you have is right now...right fucking now and nothing else, act in this moment and plan for a better future. Positive strides for change. Guns are murder weapons, hate heals nothing. Remorse, anger, regret, are all emotions that will halt everyone including yourself to obtain a brighter future. Don't fight fire with fire, you will only burn down the entire house. Forgiveness breads friendship, friendships create loving relationships, loving relationships ensure peace between two. If you can rap about fresh fruits, you sure as hell can rap about one love with everyone all over the globe.
Be sure to hit up this track, follow these basic simple words. You will be much happier with yourself.
The Super Villain! Viktor Vaughn! More commonly know as Doom. MF Doom. Definitely one of my favorite english born MC's his real, thoughtful, smooth and never nerdy lyrics. This dude is never quite getting the respect that his music deserves. This one is a Dangermouse Remix, even though Dangermouse severely damaged my interest in him with his C-Lo collab producing the bitch-lame-baby-child; Gnarls Barkley. I'll get over it. I love you Mr. Burton. Always knowing how to create a well orchestrated, melodic beat. This is one of my favorite tracks involving the two artists.
I give to you:
A Couple dance tracks to keep you occupied:
i:Cube - Prophetization (Demo) [ZSHARE] Secretly I am the biggest Daft Punk fan ever to walk the Earth, I am even barely to cool to revel this. I however, wasn't happy with the i:Cube remix of Around The World. It was just, blah, um...boring? Anyways, I wanted to see what else i:Cube had to offer, being from France, I figured they had a little dance blood in them (How did this ever come to be?). I happened upon this song, and it really rocks my socks off. I love how a dance track can just jump right into a groove. I think this is how i fell in love with The Field so much. No five minute solo drum intro here...right smack into the song. Killer drums, interesting chant thing going on. 5/5. Good work for wining back my respect from the shoddy Daft Punk remix.
Sasumu Hirasawa - Meditational Field [ZSHARE] We all have guilty pleasures. We all do. ALL OF US! For some people its Lil Bow Wow, for some people its Blink 182 (I openly LOVE this band), for some people its Victoria's Secret, for some people it's as dull as caramel bars...for me it's the soundtrack to Paprika. I watched this film the other day...apart from it making absolutely no sense what-so-ever, I was captivated by the soundtrack. Fuck, this song is so upbeat, Japanese, blah-da-fucking-blah. I like it. It really hits home for me since I spent over 3 months there. Susumu Hirasawa creates something that, if it where created by anyone else on this earth would be considered happy hardcore or full on trance or something. But since its Japanese, and they dont have that stuff (they just have beautiful instrumental, shitty copy-pop-rock-rap, or Animae)...so it works! I really recommend Paprika, it's an extremely captivating film, the imagery is so intense and wild. But this song just pops up at random during the movie and it gets me everytime.
Japanese Trailer
I'm putting together a "Vocoder Best Of" for an upcoming post...gonna be ILL. Peace.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
So Many Y's, I'm losing Blood.
There is definitely a fork in my road. I have choices to make, decisions to decide, I need to make wise decisions. I need to make very, very, wise decisions. It doesn't help that I have a less then average IQ, and am extremely indecisive. I have to decide what to put on my playslist's week by week! It's not like that is easy! I have to decide what to wear in the morning, I have to decide what to do during the day, I have to eat, I have to drink, what do I eat!!
Ok, more seriously, I really have to put my shit into perspective. I have been blessed to have been offered so much at such a young age. I worked my first job at a vineyard halfway across the world. I have been to every single US state, save for Alsaka. I have ridden my bike all over the country. I pretty much ran away to NYC, and it worked. I was a decently successful model, I have been a manager of a big socially conscious clothier since I was 17. I landed a lead role in a movie by a prominent French director. I have so much going for me and Im just shy of 20 years old. What do I do? I am now at a Y, I'm at a bit of a crossroads, you know, like B-Spears...I'll prolly get pregnant now and do whatever Brittany did in that movie, like, I didn't see it...but from what I've gathered in the previews, she drives around in what looks like an old convertible Buick or something. Fuck, I dunno.
Anyways, I am trying to make the right decisions, and I'm tearing my limbs off trying to make it.
In other, more relevent- no, more important news...Did Hilary win Ohio? I said I would leave the country if Bush got re-elected. He did, and I'm still here. But really, if Hilary gets elected what am I gonna do. Quite frankly I think she is a bit loose in the head. If leaving the country was only as easy to do as it is to say. L-E-A-V-I-N-G T-H-E- C-O-U-N-T-R-Y. Thinking about it.
Let's get into music.
I will most likely get sued by NBC or something for what is gonna pop up on my playlist tomorrow. We'll see...hope it makes you laugh. Link is at the top of the page.
I have this little phase where I have to listen to ultra cheesy dance music from a country of my choosing. This go-round Australia came up, and since I lived in a nearby country for quite some time, there is a bit of sentimental value in the completely ridiculous sexually fueled, hormone rocketing, dance-pop.
H2O - Is basically two English producers that probably not many people who aren't in tune cheesy UK techno would know about. They got there hands on some overly sexual kids who call themselves 'Platinum', made a single that sounds a bit like Aqua...or else they haven't been updating the soft synths on there music producing programs. Its cheesy, but I couldn't bring myself to post the original song. The theme is the AU remember, so instead Im gonna post up a song by Melbourne based Vandalism. This shit is heavy, ZZZZZ. ZZ. ZZZ. Brtzzzz. ZZZZ. They remixed H2O's "What's It Gonna Be". Now this song is a little more interesting. A bit trance, totally cheesy, but its a hit on the dance floor. And that's really what matters with this music.
Dirty South - If we could all just stop doing Coke for a bit in the US, and take a cue from the rest of the world. There is good dance music, there really is. Its funky, its fun, and no, its not Chromeo. Its a DJ from Australia, and he calls himself 'Dirty South'. A-Town has nothing on this guy, this is the real, REAL, South. Pulsating soulful dance grooves with no obvious nods to Mr. Flagio, No two step arpeggiators...just crunchy, dun-dun-dun's. I like. Zip-zipppp-drrr-drrr-drrr-wump-wump-wump-dawump, zrrripzrrripppprrr. There is no pretension in this music, I think he genuinely want's you to just fucking dance. Yep, it's possible. Maybe the US will appreciate this dude like the Japanese appreciate Daft Punk. Woaaahhh, slow down, there is no comparing that type of respect. Dirty South just knows how to bang out a killer dance tune.
An extra Vandalism goodie:
Chicken Lips - He Not It (Vandalism Remix) ZSHARE ***Recommended***
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