An Inside Joke I Don't Get, Music, Random

An Inside Joke You Don’t Get (Segment Two)

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The following is the second segment of An Inside Joke You Don’t Get, which has me asking a complete outsider for his/her opinion on songs, music videos, and other such entertainment that you might find while browsing KLYAM. The outsider’s opinion could, at times, be harsh, derogatory, and inappropriate. Such is life so I haven’t censored any commentary. It’s interesting and humorous to witness reactions to stuff that we all know and love; it is truly obscure and random to the greater majority. 

How was the video for “Vomit”?
It was excellent. I’m afraid to call it the best, as some have called it.
How about the song itself?
It was done by who?
Girls.
You know to me, it sounded like two songs. I didn’t see the first part connected to the second part. Although it works. The first part is “I’m looking for you” and the second part is “Come in to my heart.” He’s looking for somebody in the first half!
Did you think it sounded like a classic rock song?
No. Classic rock songs usually suck. This was actually good. Well, actually, that’s unfair. There are some good classic rock songs.
How about Honey Bunny?
Good tune. It has something memorable. “Da da da girl that I love” (Humming to himself)
What about the video? Did you notice any re-occuring themes amongst the videos (“Vomit” and “Honey Bunny”)?
Gay men like nice cars.
Care to elaborate?
He wasn’t rubbing himself all over the seat. He was just doing cool guy stuff. Sitting up in the convertible.
But how do you know he’s gay, wasn’t he with a girl?
Isn’t the name of the band Girls? And there are all guys in it. Either it’s something they like or something they are… and they haven’t figured it out yet. I’m going with the are. They have to be careful to not overproduce the video. They have to watch out for the Brady Bunch tile-o-rama. Corny video tricks. But they didn’t go too far, but they could have.
So what’d you think of Girls live [on Jimmy Fallon]?
An appropriate song for the Fallon show. “Oh God, I’m tired. What time is this show on?”
What’d you think of the back-up singers?
Under-utilized. I felt they didn’t have a big enough role. But that’s not up for me to say. Sometimes all you need is a pinch instead of a spoonful.  Oh yeah what is it? My ma, ma ma, or mommy?
My Ma
He’s looking for his mother. Like much of Jimmy Fallon’s audience. “Can I have a drink of water?” “No Fallon’s on, shut up.”
What about Nobunny’s “Blow Dumb” video?
Mercifully short. It would help if I got the reference, “Blow Dumb'”. What does this mean? Am I showing my age or my intelligence?
Okay, Nobunny live.
They’re a musical group, right? There was no music in this video. There was one good guitar playing and bad cymbals. Everything else was visual. I could’ve turned on the blender and it would be fine.
I’m sure the song had vocals and a tune. The video didn’t do it justice. Or maybe it did?

How was “Bug”?
I actually liked it. The only thing that bugged me: is that an upside down Oreo symbol on their album cover? On the right, sticking out of his back. Is that off an Oreo cookie? Does that mean infinite oreo cookies? They should get together with Girls and sing “I wish I had an oreo and a oreo and a glass of milk.”
What are you thinking about their live performance?
Two stoner pedophiles and their twelve year old lead singer. Did you see the two old guys and the kid singing? What, do they pay him in candy?
Who comes up with the songs?
I don’t think there’s a brain cell between the three of them. Probably the quiet one on guitar.
[Interrupts song…]
Why, you tell me who’s the retard in the back, boppin’ away? The manager or the parole officer?
(The song “No Hope Kids” ends)
I probably have to apologize for the last comment because they’re a very good band. Just keep the kids away from them. See that’s a second impression.
If they zoom into his (Billy Hayes) courdoroys any more I’d say the video was payed for by Levi’s.

So what about “Lovers Lane?”
How did his boyfriend die? AIDs related car crash? That’s how they died in the ’50s.

Burger Records, Gravys Drop, Music

Gravys Drop – “Made To Love” (Everly Cover)

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Gravys Drop is Billy Grave, who I know as the drummer of Nobunny (circa 2009 Shattered Tour). Also of Rock N Roll Adventure Kids. Great dude. Great tunes.

There is a Gravys Drop cassette out on Burger Records.

CD Review, Music, The Rifles

CD Review: Freedom Run [2011]

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Band: The Rifles
Release: 9/2011
Label: ATC
Comments: There comes a time in a music reviewer’s life when it’s clear as day that a band has softened up. I like to call this trend ‘going softie’. Now, I heard a couple cuts off this record before it was officially released and held off posting them on here. I thought, well, The Rifles can’t be going softie! The rest of the new record won’t sound like this, right? Well, admittedly, The Rifles aren’t the brashest of rock and roll bands in the world. I don’t think they ever claimed to be. They are well-rooted in The Jam and maybe some of Weller’s other projects, including solo. So, yes, we aren’t talking classic punk rock here. Freedom Run is boring. The Rifles take some of their past tricks, which have been terrific, and dumb them down for a more mainstream audience. Shame! It’s hard to listen to them descend into some kind of Coldplay schtick. I won’t give them all the blame, though. As a fan of music, maybe it’s me after all. Maybe I’ve grown tired of the bright and twinkly stuff that I loved two years ago. Maybe this album is better than I’m making it out to be. Or maybe I just miss the heavy-hitting, rock N roll of “She’s Got Standards” and “Repeated Offender.”

Grade: C/C-

Uncategorized

CD Review: Mikal Cronin – Mikal Cronin [2011]

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Band: Mikal Cronin
Release: 9/2011
Label: Trouble In Mind

1. “Is It Alright?” – A-
2. “Apathy” – A
3. “Green and Blue” – A-
4. “Get Along” – A+
5. “Slow Down” – A-
6. “Gone” – A
7. “Situation” – A
8. “Again and Again” – A-
9. “Hold On Me” – B
10. “The Way Things Go” – A+

Comments: Mikal Cronin. Get used to that name. For those of you particularly in-the-know, you might not have to put that much effort into getting to know Mikal. In his own right, he is quite prolific. Perhaps not to the degree of friend Ty Segall, but still prolific at that. Now Ty and Mikal, I’m sure they both listen to the same kind of music. I don’t think picking a song to jam to on a crisp California night has been at all difficult. Hell, when you live in the same state as Oh Sees John Dwyer, it’s tough to imagine anything less than a spectacular event of music making. Of course, we have Dwyer’s flute on the first song and a — oh snap is it that a saxophone? — on “Apathy”. So yes, Cronin has been fed a healthy diet of mixed greens and fuzz rock by farmers near and wide. The bent, so to speak, that Cronin has is a bit more melodic than what we’ve historically seen from Ty. The core of the apple we call pop is ever present on Mikal Cronin. Even in such a heavy assault as “Green and Blue,” we get a drained out sort of Radiohead at their heaviest kind of thing going on. “Get Along” deserves a place right next to the “My Sunshine” and “Melted” of the world. It’s the heavy strumming, brah. Brah-Naymith. “Slow Down” is like “Get Along” slowed down seventy-five percent. Like that time Justin Beiber was slowed down to sound like Animal Collective. Gangsta slowcore shizz. Sounds like an organ/reed to me. A droning one at that. Notes are held. Chord progressions change like seasons. The Beach Boys revival ode “Situation” features Ty Segall on drums. “The Way Things” is particularly odd, but really great bait for the experimental at heart. If you like slow, heavy, weird, funny, etc, this is a particular nice one. There’s like six song ideas all combined into one closer. Good way to go out, I’d say.

Grade: A- (92)

humor, pictures, Random, rant

The Music Nerd Declaration

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We are music nerds, music geeks, whatever you wish to call us. I prefer the term “radical nerd,” but whatever. We follow in the footsteps of a long list of Music (radical) nerds that have enriched all of our lives. We are a different branch of geekdom, often more socially acceptable than your average dork- often, not always. Instead of cherishing “World of Warcraft,” “Dungeons and Dragons,” and “Star Trek,” Our Band Could Be Your Life (2001), the oft-nauseating, but totally relevent blogosphere/message board apparatus, and endless hours of Sasha Grey videos are our treasureed jewels. Instead of spending are teen years chasing hunnies or developing better social skills, we spent entirely way too much time debating whether or not major labels were good or evil. We are the proud, the few… the few that actually give a fuck about whatever we’re yapping about. We may never sleep with as many women as Gene Simmons, but we will know how many women Gene Simmons has slept with (4,600 approximately). The following is a list of some of my favorite music nerds.


Lester Bangs


Chuck Klosterman


Nadwuar, the Human Serviette


Anthony Fantano of the Needle Drop. Forever.

The dudes from High Fidelity (2000)

and who could forget…


Steve Albini, the “Noam Chomsky of Music Nerds.”

Art, Books, pictures

My Friend Dahmer

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This looks like it could be the weirdo-bizarro cousin of “Spidey’s Curse.” “Dahmer’s Curse,”  a future Black Lips B-side, what a wonderful concept!

*Note this is not an actual plan or future release, but rather an odd fantasy of mine.  This comic is the work of John Backderf aka derf, a comic book writer that was acquainted with the serial killer Jeffery Dahmer in high school.  This came to my knowledge through Chuck Klosterman’s amazing, “low culture manifesto,”  Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs (2003). I highly recommend both.

Comedy, humor, reviews, TV

My Thoughts On It’s Always Sunny Premiere…

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“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” has been my second favorite TV show for quite some time, second only to the glorious “Simpsons.” A full list of my top TV shows can be seen here:  https://klyam.com/2011/01/10/chriss-top-tv-shows/  , though there have been some differences in their order since the time I published it.  Anyway, as some of you may or may not know last night was the seventh season premiere of Sunny and unfortunately I was unaware of this, initially.  So, when I read on Facebook  that Alvin (from “The Cosby Show!”) made a second appearance on Sunny, I went bonkers! Seeing that it was 11:10  P.M. I rushed to my TV set and tried to catch the following 2/3 of last night’s premiere. Now, I know I said I was (am) a gigantic Sunny fan, but I must say I felt let down about last season. In fact, I will not purchase it on DVD as I consistently have for every other season, but to each his own, I know folks that adore Season Six. So, going into this premiere- missing the first ten minutes to boot, I was not sure how I would feel twenty minutes later. As I watched with my eyes glued to the boob tube, with the utmost fascination, all I could think about  was how more fucked up, dirty (figuratively and literally), and deranged can these characters get? Seriously, we have watched these people sink to the lowest of the lows, and I realized as this puke, crack, and has been-micro TV celeb drenched episode came smashing to its conclusion that that is specifically what every doe eyed sunny fan loves about this show. The fact that seemingly nowhere else will you ever see such high quality, live action sitcoms involving characters that are unabashedly immoral, to say the very least. It’s cathartic. Honestly as a viewer, there’s nothing greater than sitting back with an icy cold beer  (or several) after a long, tiring day and just watching four people fuck over everyone they encounter, including themselves. Every other show people are either acting nice or searching for a moral (even “South Park,” obviously). Sunny doesn’t give a fuck, it serves as a mirror for our own fucked up society, but in the form of a comedy, so we don’t have to take it too seriously. But, when I saw that dead hooker, just left abandoned, lying on the floor of Frank and Charlie’s shady, seedy apartment buidling to the tune of “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison I had to applaud the creators for reigniting the spark that I missed last year and that kept me invested in the series in the first place. If this level of dark and savage comedy is any harbinger of what we can expect from the rest of  the season then I am totally excited and relieved from last year’s dissapointment.  It’s just that over the top satire that makes the show what it is. Dead hookers, crackheads, the whole nine. If you were channel surfing last night from 10-11:30 P.M. you may have came across a similar nasty scene on the news. In this horrible (yet hilarious) world, there is nothing much left you can do, but point, laugh, and make a pop culture reference. 

P.S. I dig fat Mac!

Comedy, Entertainment, News, pictures, TV

All Simpsons Channel!!!!!

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http://splitsider.com/2011/09/wow-fox-is-considering-an-all-simpsons-channel#more 

If you couldn’t tell already from viewing this site, I am a humongus Simpsons nutcase and the idea of a whole channel devoted to the greatest television series of all time and my personal favorite show is simply thrilling.  It is not a certainty yet, but Fox is contemplating it and I for one am all for this. Let’s pray.

Boston based shows/fests – DIY, punk, noise