Category Archives: Music

Black Lips, Music

Hopes + Expectations: Paul Weller + (Black Lips?!)

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Paul Weller
Hopes + Expectations: I hope Paul plays an enjoyable set. I can certainly imagine him doing so.
My favorite Weller (solo) songs that I hope he plays:
– “Come On, Let’s Go” – As Is Now
– “Savages” – As Is Now
– “Wings of Speed” – Stanley Road
– “No Tears Left To Cry” – Wake Up The Nation
– “Changing Man” – Stanley Road
– “Wild Wood” – Wild Wood
– “You Do Something To Me” – Stanley Road
– “Mermaids” – Heavy Soul
– “Whirlpool’s End” – Stanley Road
He’ll probably end up playing a few of the ones that I’ve just mentioned in addition to plenty of new ones from Wake Up The Nation and a couple of Jam classics.

(Black Lips?!)
– This is the the toss-up of the century. After the Paul Weller show, will I be able to make it down to Brooklyn to catch my favorite band? Last time I was in NYC and saw Black Lips, it ended up being my favorite show of all time — on a boat and terrestrially. It’s by the grace of God that decided to hold a “secret show” on Saturday. This would be an incredible addition to a trip that is already shaping up to be great.

7" Review, Music, Wolf Parade

7″ Review: Semi-Precious Stone [2010]

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Band: Wolf Parade
Release: 11/2010
Label: Sub Pop

1. “Semi-Precious Stone” – B+
2. “Agents of Love” – A-

Comments: This 7″ of leftover material from the Expo 86 sessions fits snug with what Expo gave to us. “Semi-Precious Stone” has the electronic elements — synthesizer, keyboard, distorted guitar — that we’ve gotten a taste of. It’s a larger than life, mythical tune sung by Spencer Krug. His vocal delivery is especially Sunset Rubdown-esque (in contrast to, say, his vocal delivery on “Cloud Shadow”).  I’d say “Agents of Love” is one of the more passionate rockers I’ve heard from the group since maybe the Apologies days. It’s not especially heavy or anything like that, but all the instruments are very compact, for lack of a better word.

Grade: B+ (89)

CD Review, Music

CD Review: The Lady Killer [2010]

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Artist: Cee-Lo Green
Release: 11/2010
Label: Elektra

1. “Lady Killer Theme (Intro)” – N/A
2. “Bright Lights Bigger City” – C
3. “Fuck You” – B+
4. “Wildflower” – B-
5. “Bodies” – C+
6. “Please” – C+
7. “Satisfied” – C+
8. “I Want You” – C
9. “Cry Baby” – B-
10. “Fool For You” – C+
11. “It’s OK” – B-
12. “Old Fashioned” – C
13. “No One’s Gonna Love You” – C
14. “Lady Killer Theme (Outro)” – N/A

Comments: Let’s get it straight. “Fuck You” blew up on the Internet. Everyone was sending it to everybody and their grandmother and the rest was history. Of course, the clean version has substituted the rated PG “Fuck You” for the G “Forget You,” which is a million times worse than even “F U” because of the mere amount of syllables involved in saying that. The song itself is not special special. I’ve heard many special special songs in my life…and in the past two months. “Fuck You” comes nowhere near any of those. The rest of the material on here is sort of showtunesy soul and/or slow jamz. “Please” is of the showtunes variety, which reminds me of something culled directly from an action packed cruise musical. Same with “I Want You”. As a musical disciple of the psychedelic soul of Arish King Khan, I can’t say that Cee-Lo’s neo-soul does much for me. Cee-Lo’s tunes are sugary, for certain, but lack any real hooks. I mean, there are sucker hooks — hooks that’ll make the average pop fan smile — but as far as anything substantial…nah, not really. Sorry, Cee-Lo, bro, you are a one-hit wonder in 2010.

Grade: C+ (78)