I want to say that’s one thing I love about Canada so much:
In Montreal, I made out with about five chicks on stage
and last night was about the same. And that’s awesome.
Shake Real Low w/ the Shrines
The sound and video quality is poor, but nonetheless all other qualities are amazing.
Chris
CD Review: Brothers [2010]
Band: The Black Keys
Release: 5/2010
Label: Nonesuch (Warner)
1. “Everlasting Light” – B-
2. “Next Girl” – B-
3. “Tighten Up” – B+
4. “Howlin’ For You” – B+
5. “She’s Long Gone” – B-
6. “Black Mud” – B-
7. “The Only One” – B
8. “Too Afraid to Love You” – C
9. “Ten Cent Pistol” – B-
10. “Sinister Kid” – B-
11. “The Go Getter” – B-
12. “I’m Not the One” – C+
13. “Unknown Brother” – C
14. “Never Give You Up” – C+
15. “These Days” – B
Comments: “Everlasting Light” is a bit like a spoiled Spoon offering, included in the deal: a consistent drum beat and a steady guitar. It’s about as forgettable as it is good. “Next Girl” is a great title for Justin Bieber’s next release and he can damn well have it. It’s not like Black Keys do a real solid job with it anyway. “Tighten Up” offers more variation than the first two and with good measure. Hardly do I run into a band/album that is this generically good. It’s like getting handed a plate of food. You eat mostly everything on the plate and remark that you like it, but you don’t go out of your way to inquire about what it is that you just ate. Black Keys get some kind of job done. Maybe it’s an obligation to get something done (I doubt it), but I’d get a little bored writing material for this album. By “Too Afraid” I just have had enough! Enough of these games, Black Keys! I’m not asking you to be Black Lips, but fuck, guys. Is the blues-rock genre really this limiting? OR IS IT NONESUCH RECORDS STICKING A PITCHFORK UP YOUR ASS, FORCING YOU TO BE THIS BLAND? COLD WAR KIDS ARE BETTER THAN YOU. There, I said it. Even your damn guitar solos are clean and without flavor. Okay, this is probably a good album for a straight listen. You get your dose of Black Keys and then you go to sleep or listen to Kings of Leon. Okay, good. You never listen to Black Keys until their next album drops in 2012. Then you do the same thing. Okay, good.
Grade: B- (81)
Funny Pic of the Day
Random Listener Words
On Hunx and His Punx: More novelty than music. The music makes me smile. Like cotton candy, I can’t have too much.
On Girls: Best listened to with no distractions.
Kucinich On Afghanistan
This is a bit old, but I’m using it for Poli Sci debate, so I figured I’d post it here for the hell of it. I like Dennis Kucinich a lot and really admire him for his integrity, but I always hate the way him and others like Ron Paul treat these conflicts as “issues” when they discuss them. Don’t get me wrong, they are extremely rare for their comparitively radical views as Congressmen, but comments such as “I like Obama…” blows my mind. HE’S A WAR CRIMINAL, MASS MURDERER! Perhaps they can’t speak out in that manner because they are public officals. I mean they have the right ideas with the knowledge and evidence to back up their platforms, but it’s as if they treat the president’s policies as poor political moves rather than crimes against humanity. Then again, Kucinich valiantly proposed impeachement of Bush as a War Criminal, so kudos to him. I also dig O’Reilly’s line about Obama being closer to Bill on the War, which is absolutely true. Oboma cheerleaders should take note. If you’re Antiwar and support Obama, then that’s fine for you, but it ain’t my cup of tea. I think y’all better choose a side soon.
Chris
The Swamp Rats
Toronto Tocks Interview W/ Cole
Alexander of Black Lips, in case you couldn’t guess.
This guy picks out some great musicians to interview.
Classic CD Review: Revolver
Band: The Beatles
Release: 1966
Label: Apple
1. “Taxman” – A+
2. “Eleanor Rigby” – A
3. “I’m Only Sleeping” – A+
4. “Love You To” – B-
5. “Here, There and Everywhere” – B
6. “Yellow Submarine” – B
7. “She Said She Said” – A-
8. “Good Day Sunshine” – B+
9. “And Your Bird Can Sing” – B-
10. “For No One” – B+
11. “Doctor Robert” – B-
12. “I Want to Tell You” – B-
13. “Got to Get You into My Life” – A-
14. “Tomorrow Never Knows” – B+
Comments: “Start!” oh wait not really. “Taxman” !!! I was very confused at first. Funny little story first. I was listening to a Jam live record before I listened to this and coincidentally the last song played was “Start!” so when this first played I thought what the fuck! It’s an amazing song. I’m not going to make excuses. “Eleanor Rigby” is a pretty sweet ditty with a nice little violin and melody. It’s not something I’m going to constantly listen to for the rest of my life, but it’s already a classic worthy of replay. I like the psychedelia involved in “I’m Only Sleeping,” which is why I gave it such a high mark. “Love You To” is weird and doesn’t excite me. Sorry, “Here” doesn’t do anything for me. It’s too slow. Not a bad song, but definitely not a favorite. “Yellow Submarine” has been noted in many musical circles as a fine song. A fine song, indeed. Just not “Juvenile” or “O Katrina.” “She Said” is rocking and catchy. “Doctor Robert” is funny, but boring. “Got to” is like King Khan and the Shrines! Good stuff! Overall, I like a lot of the tracks on here. I’m not going to say it’s a great record through and through, but it makes for some fun times.
Grade: B+ (87)
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 