Black Lips Guerilla Marketing
All posts by G. Gordon Gritty
Songs Reminding Me Of Spring
Since it’s supposed to be 60+ today, I have some songs that year after year remind me of the spring season.
1. “Someday” – The Strokes – LINK
2. “Objects of My Affection” – Peter Bjorn and John – LINK
3. “Funny Little Feeling” – Rock N Roll Soldiers – LINK
Back when I was a youngster (in high school), I used to wake up really early and play these songs (and others, which I will post later) while doing homework.
Song Review: “Blood on the Sand”
Band: Ganglians
Label: Woodsist
Year: 2009
Comments: This is probably one of my favorite new discoveries of the past few weeks. This song stuck out to me when I saw Ganglians open for Wavves back in September, but I completely forgot about it until two days ago. It’s got a catchy surf vibe and a drum beat that I’ve spent quality time trying to emulate. If you are looking for some fun garage rock to dance to then definitely listen to this.
Grade: A+ (97)
One Year Ago: 3/7/09
The Black Lips rocked the Middle East Downstairs.
The best show ever…I think.
In 18 days, they will be back again…this time with Box Elders. Hopefully, that entire show will be just as good (and better) than the last time.
Alex Fine Illustration
Pretty spiffy illustration right there. Actually, basically every illustration at this guy’s site is awesome.
http://www.alexfineillustration.blogspot.com/
CD Review: Reform School Girl [2010]
Band: Nick Curran
Release: 2/2010
Label: Eclecto Groove Records
1. “Tough Lover” – A-
2. “Reel Rock Party” – B
3. “Reform School Girl” – A-
4. “Kill My Baby” – A-
5. “Psycho” – A-
6. “Sheena’s Back” – A-
7. “Baby You Crazy” – A-
8. “Ain’t No Good” – A-
9. “The Lowlife” – B+
10. “Dream Girl” – B
11. “Flyin’ Blind” – B+
12. “Lusty L’il Lucy” – A
13. “Filthy” – A
14. “Rocker” – A
Comments: Without a doubt Curran is one of only a handful of musicians today that effectively does the ’50s thing pretty good. He makes no effort to modernize the record in any aspect. I’m not really a purist so I can’t say that I’m completely taken aback by everything on here. Curran and gang are comparable to King Khan and BBQ Show, if only the Show tried harder to limit itself to just playing oldies. Curran has got the ADD of King Khan (and Little Richard and so on) and the sheer power of Sultan. He also has a back-up group that possesses all the instrumental goodness of the Shrines. That said, this thing doesn’t really make me overly excited. I can’t really understand why not and that alone bugs the shit out of me. A good majority of the tracks don’t have much “replay” value. They are pretty awesome when you play them the first time, but after that I have no burning urge for more plays. “Lusty L’il Lucy” is a funny little ditty. She’s the town’s best friend. She’s also the album’s best song. “Filthy” describes Lucy, I’d imagine. Definitely, the last three songs alone are probably as cool as the first eleven…and that’s fine. I’m glad I got to experience this one. I’ll be coming back to it every now and then because it just might better tickle my twine at a later listen.
Grade: A- (90)
Leonard Peltier Compilation
Pitchfork
In 1995, a benefit album to raise funds to fight the allegedly wrongful imprisonment of convicted murderer Leonard Peltier was supposed to come out on Columbia. The record– dubbed Exiled in the Land of the Free— was to feature feature rare, live, and unreleased tracks from Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, Superchunk, Mike Watt, Josh Homme, and more. (Via Billboard.) Well, the compilation never came out, and everyone moved on.Well, almost everyone, apparently. American Indian Movement member Peltier is still in prison for killing two FBI agents. And now a former Columbia employee has made a website that offers the whole album to download for free, in the hopes of inspiring support for the cause.
Leonard Peltier, it’s tough.
Classic CD Review: Everyone Who…
Title: Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone
Band: The Walkmen
Release: 2002
Label: Startime International
1. “They’re Winning” – A
2. “Wake Up” – A+
3. “Everyone Who Pretended” – A+
4. “Revenge Wears No Wristwatch” – A
5. “The Blizzard of ’96” – A-
6. “French Vacation” – A
7. “Stop Talking” – A
8. “We’ve Been Had” – A
9. “Roll Down The Line” – A-
10. “That’s The Punch Line” – A
11. “It Should Take A While” – A-
12. “Rue The Day” – A-
13. “I’m Never Bored” – A
14. “Don’t Be Long” – A-
Comments: This was hardly a debut record in the traditional sense. All five members arrived in the band in 2000 after performing in one of two polished bands: Jonathan Fire*Eater or The Recoys. Fire*Eater landed a major label deal with Dreamworks and were a significant influence on The Strokes while The Recoys were less of a big deal, but drew their sound from “vintage” garage groups like the Troggs and Standells. The group wasn’t really young at the time of this recording. All members were at least 25 and had significant experience at their individual schticks. They had, what seems evident now, a great handle on how they wanted to sound. Even now critics are at a loss in terms of how to really describe the band in words and labels that modern listeners may feel comfortable with. It’s bare bones and minimalistically dreamy, but very real. Just enough keyboards, just enough lead, just enough bass, barely surfacing rhythym, and penetrating vocals. When I first bought this record last summer, I remember I wasn’t as enthusiastic as I am now. It definitely takes a few listens to just take in what the Walkmen have to offer here. This isn’t the best album from the group, but it does give kids like you and me a pretty good look at the beginnings of a band that hasn’t matured all that much since their formation. That’s saying a lot.
Grade: A- (93)
Quick Thought On Lyrics
I don’t really pay attention to lyrics…not going to lie. Even if I get to know them, I usually don’t look into them. It does depend on the song, though. Fast and heavy garage rockers or punk jams are just too intense to keep up with while slower post-punkies like shit from The Walkmen are more digestible lyrically. So yeah chances I don’t care or know what most songs I listen to are about. Whatever!
King Khan and the Shrines
This isn’t really relevant to the Boston area or any area in the United States for that matter, but I thought the depiction of the cheerleader was kind of funny.
On a side note, I had a fucked up dream last night that I was singing Nobunny songs with King Khan at a huge convention center in New Hampshire. Chris was getting squashed in the front row.
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 