Michael Moore critiques “capitalism,” but what he really means is corporatism.
All posts by G. Gordon Gritty
The 4 Issues Dems/GOP Don’t Get
As stated and agreed upon by third party leaders:
1. Foreign Policy – End war in Iraq/stop being imperialistic
2. Privacy – Repeal PATRIOT Act; revision of FISA; end torture
3. National Deficit – Reckless government adventurism
4. Federal Reserve – Out of control; not controlled by Congress
Nov./Dec. Shows
There may not be a stretch of as amazing shows as the ones I attended in the period September 1 through October 31. That said, November and December look to be pretty awesome months for rockers. The next concert that I am excited for most is Sonic Youth November 22 at the Wilbur Theatre. The perennial alt-rock noise band released a pretty well-received album in 2009 called The Eternal on Matador. They’ll be back the next day for another show. The Feelies, a Velvet Underground influenced group that disbanded in 1992 and reunited in 2008, will be opening. Then just four days later on the 27th, Pixies will be performing their classic album Doolittle in its entirety as part of a big 20th anniversary tour. The two-day show will take place at the Wang Theatre and will feature Memphis garage-pop king Jay Reatard as the opening act for the first night. Three or so weeks later on December 13th the Arctic Monkeys, who made a trip to Commonwealth Avenue back in August for a Paradise show, will be at the larger House of Blues for a second go-around in as many months. Noisy-punks Screaming Females will open.
Marketing = Anti-Market
Marketing is anti- free market. I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently and I’ve found only one other guy that has willed to write about this subject online. Here is a portion of his rant:
“A capitalist system consists of a producer and an INFORMED consumer. As I said before, advertisements are increasingly informing less and marketing image more. This allows companies to maintain a monopoly of image contrary to the blindness of market forces. What do I suggest to remedy the situation? Do as they do for drug advertisements in Australia, set up a governemnt advisary board to regulate advertisements to limit them to purely or at least primarily substance based. This would not only create a more informed consumer, but it would get rid of all those bullshit, “buy this kitty litter cause it’ll get you laid” commercials. And that’s good for everyone.” LINK
What’s happening is consumer rights are being violated due to the forces of marketing and its presence in public spaces. I don’t mind advertisements on private property (example: storefront signs advertising low prices), but things like billboards and commercials are invasive and create artificial demand, just like the Federal Reserve creates artificially low interest rates. Both are anti-free market. Anti-saving. Pro-consumption. Pro-spending.
Promotion For Promotion’s Sake
This album probably kicks ass. Get at it.
Fed Audit Reaches Majority
WorldNetDaily
Less than 24 hours after WND reported a proposal from U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, to audit the Federal Reserve was approaching majority support in the U.S. House, he is confirming the plan has reached that “crucial benchmark.”“The tremendous grass-roots and bipartisan support in Congress for H.R. 1207 is an indicator of how mainstream America is fed up with Fed secrecy,” Paul said shortly after U.S. Rep Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, became the 218th cosponsor, giving the plan, technically, majority support in the 435-member House.
“I look forward to this issue receiving greater public exposure,” Paul said.
This is not enough…END THE FED!
CD Review: Still Night, Still Light
Band: Au Revoir Simone
Label: Moshi Moshi Records
Release: May 2009
1. “Another Likely Story” – 8.3
2. “Shadows” – 7.2
3. “All Or Nothing” – 8.9
4. “Knight of Wands” – 8.9
5. “The Last One” – 7.5
6. “Trace A Line” – 9.3
7. “Only You Can Make You Happy” – 8.7
8. “Take Me As I Am” – 8.3
9. “Anywhere You Looked” – 9.5
10. “Organized Scenery” – 8.9
11. “We Are Here” – 8.0
12. “Tell Me” – 9.0
Comments: One has to expect a band with the name Au Revoir Simone to be artsy and have at least two girl members. Right? When it comes down to it, this is the kind of obscure pop act that’s sure to be considered rather household in that genre, comparable to toned down electro-pop outfits like the German quartet Lali Puna. Whereas bands like Handsome Furs, Editors, and most recently Clap Your Hands Say Yeah offshoot Uninhabitable Mansions (of which ARS’s Annie Hart is a member) have embraced elements of this genre in putting together instantly catchy tunes, Au Revoir Simone requires some patience on the part of the listener. The best songs that ARS has on this album are infectiously dreamy and fast paced. I’d be lying, though, if I said that there is a lot of lasting appeal to these numbers. They are great if you want a quick mix of quirky electronics and attractive female vocals.
Grade: 8.5
Bringing Back The Old Jams
12 Old-sounding classics in the tune of Garage:
1. “Peeping Through Your Curtains” by The 4 Counts – Rockabilly Revival
2. “Zombies” by King Khan and BBQ Show – Blues/Punk Influences
3. “Tenleytown” by The Walkmen – Punk Influences
4. “Pie In The Sky” by Frank Black – Rockabilly Revival
5. “Beautiful Girl” by Mark Sultan – Hard Swingin’ Rhythm
6. “Getting Thin” by Sleeping in the Aviary – Aggressive Male Vocalist
7. “Getaway” by The Giant Robots – A Light Swing Groove
8. “A Clean X” by Three 4 Tens – Basic Rock Structure
9. “No Way Out” by Three Head Coats – Unusual Vocal Sounds
10. “We Who Wait” by Jay Reatard – Mild Rhythmic Syncopation
11. “Que Lindo Sueno” by King Khan & His Shrines – R&B Influences
12. “(When In Doubt) Turn It Out” by The Dirty Novels – Extensive Vamping
CD Review: Real Estate
Band: Real Estate
Release: 2009
1. “Beach Comber” – 9.5
2. “Pool Swimmers” – 8.7
3. “Suburban Dogs” – 8.3
4. “Black Lake” – 8.8
5. “Atlantic City” – 8.8
6. “Fake Blues” – 9.2
7. “Green River” – 9.4
8. “Suburban Beverage” – 9.3
9. “Let’s Rock The Beach” – 9.3
10. “Snow Days” – 9.4
Comments: For all you Boston area folk the best I can do in describing Real Estate is to say I hear Faces on Film. Real Estate is less minimalistic, heavier, and generally more accessible than Faces to the non “zomg I <3 folk” diehards of the world. I also hear a little Built to Spill here and there and I might as well throw in Cotton Jones as a similar band as well. I’m not going nuts over this album, but it doesn’t lack in the chill department. It’s soothing, depressing, and exciting. I like hearing songs called “Atlantic City” that remind me of the old boardwalk and the feel-good resort casino atmosphere. Speaking of feel-good, how can the “Fake Blues” riff not make someone smile? “Green River” is almost a perfect tune for this time of year. It’s sad in a way, at least for me, because it reminds me of opportunities missed. The instrumentals make the latter part of this album. Just awesome stuff.
Grade: 9.1
Pic of the Day
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 