No, not No Age, more like No Control haha. The disturbing, yet painfully hilarious effects of erasing a young miscreant’s Warcraft account.
Chris
CD Review: Primary Colours
Band: The Horrors
Label: XL Recordings
Release: April 21, 2009
1. “Mirror’s Image” – 9.5
2. “Three Decades” – 9.3
3. “Who Can Say” – 9.6
4. “Do You Remember” – 9.5
5. “New Ice Age” – 9.5
6. “Scarlet Fields” – 9.6
7. “I Only Think Of You” – 8.7
8. “I Can’t Control Myself” – 8.3
9. “Primary Colours” – 9.0
10. “Sea Within A Sea” – 8.7
Comments: This is just one of those albums that’s been sitting in the queue since approx. July waiting to be reviewed. In fact, this is a first-time listening review. Present on this album are very enticing elements of ’80s post-punk. For instance, I thought right away on Mirror’s Image “damnit, this could be a boring one,” but it turned out awesome. There’s no fucking around on Three Decades with the creepy factor turned way up. It’s strangely engaging as well. Who Can Say has a poppy synth that plays at certain points beneath layers of guitar effects. I have to give it up to this band for being at least partially deceiving. Their formula for success is basically combining really dark elements of shoe-gaze with retro upbeat post-punk. A lot of bands have tried out this formula, but The Horrors really seem to possess a “catchy-bility” element like none other; i.e the reverb/delay effect on Do You Remember and the heavy-metal yet noise-pop New Ice Age. Scarlet Fields maintains a scary effect, but has a Pixies-esque bass line that reconciles dark with light. I Only Think Of You had me mistaking Faris Badwan for Calvin Johnson. The title track has a soothing flow to it. The final track has an ambient dance vibe to it that sort of works. Overall, I like this piece of work.
Grade: 9.2
Question of the Week…?
This question is entirely influenced by The Needle Drop, as is this entire segment. Here it is:
What does Punk Rock Mean to You? Examples?
Just to get the ball rolling, here’s what I think. Punk Rock means to me, freedom to act, sound, look, smell, or taste however you like. The elements of attitude, integrity, and passion are clearly displayed. Artists are NOTsigned to major labels, with exceptions to early “Punk” artists. Lastly, music that is cutting edge and/or distinctive. For modern examples, my favorite punk bands are The Black Lips, Jay Reatard, The King Khan & BBQ Show, No Age, Mika Miko, and Wavves.
Pleaseeeee Comment!
Chris
Hey Chris! U2’s Streaming A Show!
Afghan President Agrees To Run-Off Election
Hamid Karzai has agreed to take part in an election run-off in Afghanistan, triggering a scramble to hold a second round of voting in just over two weeks.
After days of intense international pressure, he finally accepted a report which found hundreds of thousands of his votes were fake and agreed to face his closest rival, Abdullah Abdullah, in a two-man contest on Nov 7.
The international community and Afghan officials now have a fortnight to organise the new ballot as winter approaches and large swathes of the country remain under Taliban control. British troops will again be asked to provide security for voters in Helmand province.
Looking tired after days of intense diplomatic wrangling, Mr Karzai said: “We believe that this decision of the Independent Election Commission is legitimate, legal and constitutional and that it strengthens the path towards democracy.”
Western backers desperately lobbied Mr Karzai to accept the results of the fraud inquiry after he threatened to reject a decision he claimed was a foreign plot to weaken him.
Gordon Brown is understood to have spoken Karzai three times in the last 48 hours and warned him he risked losing international support if he refused to take part in a second round.
The prime minister described Mr Karzai’s decision as “statesmanlike”, while Barack Obama said it was “in the best interests of the Afghan people”.
However, diplomats privately fear the second round will be as riddled with fraud and as violent as the August 20 poll.
In related news, my man Ban learned some lessons from this madness.
The U.N. secretary-general says having learned “valuable and painful” lessons from the widespread fraud that plagued the first round of Afghanistan’s presidential elections, the United Nations would do its best to assist the Afghan people in having a credible and free second round.
King Khan & BBQ – 3 Songs
1. “Love You So”
2. “Pig Pig”
3. “Waddlin’ Around”
I might just have to see them two nights in a row. I don’t know how that will work, but I’ll see.
JAY REATARD + PIXIES = GREAT BIG WANG!
Earlier this month, Memphis garage punk Jay Reatard lost his rhythm section. Bassist Stephen Pope and drummer Billy Hayes quit Reatard’s band, an event that Reatard himself addressed on his Twitter with characteristic restraint and maturity: “Fuck them! They are boring rich kids who can’t play for ahit anyways … Say hello to your ugly and boring wifes opps I mean lifes guys suck it.”
But the Matablog reports that Reatard has already lined up replacements: bassist Anders Thode and drummer Jacob Elving, both of the Danish punk band the Cola Freaks. The two will join Reatard on a European tour next week, and in November, they’ll come to the U.S. for more shows, including some opening the Pixies’ Doolittle tour. All those dates are below.
Jay Reatard:
10-28 Paris, France – Maroquinerie
10-29 Cologne, Germany – Luxor
10-30 Munich, Germany – 59 to 1
10-31 Berlin, Germany – Lido
11-01 Copenhagen, Denmark – Loppen
11-02 Oslo, Norway – Parkteatret
11-03 Malmo, Sweden – Mejeriet
11-04 Hamburg, Germany – Logo
11-05 Prague, Czech Republic – Matrix
11-06 Vienna, Austria – B72
11-07 Bologna, Spain – Covo
11-08 Clermont Ferrand, France – Coop de Mai
11-09 Brussels, Belgium – Botanique Rotonde
11-10 Birmingham, England – Bar Academy
11-11 Glasgow, Scotland – King Tuts
11-12 Manchester, England – Roadhouse
11-13 London, England – Underworld
11-14 Bristol, England – Croft
11-15 Liverpool, England – Masque
11-16 Dublin, Ireland – Whelans
11-21 Chicago, IL – Aragon ^
11-22 Columbus, OH – The Summit
11-23 Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
11-24 New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom ^
11-25 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
11-27 Boston, MA – Wang Center ^!!!
11-28 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
11-30 Washington, DC – Constitution Hall ^
12-01 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
12-02 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
12-03 Atlanta – The Earl
12-04 Orlando, FL – Backbooth
12-05 Tampa, FL – Crowbar
12-07 New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks
12-08 Houston, TX – Walter’s on Washington
12-09 Austin, TX – Emo’s Outside
12-10 Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
12-31 Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theatre #
^ with Pixies
# with Spoon – Pitchfork.com
Chris
WERSNews.com Round Up: Oct. 19, 2009
Obama Eases Federal Medical Marijuana Prosecution
Burr Ends Run For Kennedy’s Seat
Minority Police: No Confidence In Menino
Philip Morris Might Fund Chest Scans
More Than 17,000 Qualify For Scholarship
Iran Threatens To Reject Nuclear Agreement
Stimulus Created, Saved 250,000 Education Jobs
UN Audit Forces Afghan Runoff Election
Obama Reveals Sudan Strategy, Sanctions, Incentives
U.N. To Release Afghan Election Investigation
The U.N.-backed commission investigating reports of fraud in Afghanistan’s controversial presidential election is expected to release its highly-anticipated findings Monday.
We just might have a runoff.
Preliminary results indicate President Hamid Karzai leads with 54 percent of the total. But the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) could throw out enough fraudulent ballots so that Mr. Karzai’s total dips below 50 percent, most likely forcing a runoff with top challenger Abdullah Abdullah.
Pakistan Military Continues Offensive Against Taliban
Pakistan’s military says troops are continuing to hit Taliban targets in South Waziristan as the offensive entered its third day Monday.
Pakistan’s government is actually *fighting* the Taliban instead of working with them? Who knew?
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 