.: daehoida®adiohead is a dumb palindrome :.
Originally posted 10/13/07~ (update at bottom)
Well, I’ve made it through four (4) times listening to Radiohead‘s new magnum gratis, In Rainbows. Be forewarned before reading this review that I’m in the “raving fanboy” camp. Perhaps not one who woke up at 2am on 10/10/07 to download it and listen to it 33.8 times in the first 24 hours… but I have loved mostly everything Yorke+Greenwood²+Selway+O’Brien have put out. I will admit that I haven’t listened to Radiohead’s other stuff in a while (alas, perhaps I’m only a mild fanboy), but I have driven 10+ hours roundtrip to see them live. The fact that I bothered to calculate how many times you could fease listening to it in a 24-hour period might show signs of mental instability. And I’m a silly goose who bought the physical product of the album that they gave out as an mp3 for free. (Well, the 2nd disk and the vinyl-side of things made it a no-brainer.)
Anyway, here’s my track-by-track thoughts… personal favorites are underlined:
1) 15 Step: Starts with a fun electronic drum loop not unlike the Kid A/Amnesiac era. They also seem to be back into some guitar soundscaping, which is a welcome return. This is a great lead-off track, and one of my favs on the record.
2) Bodysnatchers: A guitar rock song… fairly straight forward, but with some great sounds bouncing around. It’s what Radiohead’s known for… fairly dense music backdrop for Thom’s oft-whiney voice. 
3) Nude: This song is ancient… at least from a Radiohead fan’s perspective. It’s formerly know as “Big Ideas (Don’t Get Any).” I have it on a b-sides/live compilation I made back in 2001/2002. Slow and moving, aurally pleasing. To me, it really shows off that Thom does have some singing chops, no matter what the detracters think (SC, I’m talking to you). 
4) Weird Fishes/Arpeggi: The “Arpeggi” part of this was played out in their 2006 summer tour. The song has nice musical momentum… maybe from whence the “arpeggi” naming came. Isn’t the plural of fish just fish?
5) All I Need: It opens with slowly bowed-instrument sounds… maybe a cello or even a bowed-guitar (who knows). Drums and droning keys kick in right as Thom begins to sing this melancholic ballad. I really love this song. Maybe my favorite of the lot. I love frenetic Radiohead (“Packt Like Sardines…”), but I also love these tunes that downplay the rock aspect of the band. Another tune that shows that Thom can sing.
6) Faust Arp: This is really the only song on In Rainbows that I don’t. really. like. It just seems too derivative of something from Hail to the Thief. Plus I just don’t think the über-rhyminess works for me. The clean acoustic guitar and strings near the end are pleasant, though. I just don’t think they save the song for me overall.
7) Reckoner: Another old song like “Nude”… and a welcome old friend. Falsetto and Thom mixtures sometimes cause panic. This time, I think it works well. Maybe not Jude Christodal-falsetto level of “works well,” but pleasant and fitting nonetheless.
8) House of Cards: I’m running out of ways to character sounds… and how I feel about the song. It’s another more standard slower song. Nice “wet” sounding on some of the drums… or perhaps vacuous/hollow/distant sounding in spots rather than wet.
9) Jigsaw Falling Into Place: Another favorite track. I really love is the driving opening. This song really epitomizes a Radiohead rock song.
10) Videotape: A droning/rattling way to end the album… I can hear Thom’s grandkids in 2040 asking him “what’s a videotape?” 
Overall: Raving fanboy notwithstanding… well, I love this record. It’s got some of the electronic noise element of Kid A that I love so much. It’s also got some great songs that would fit in with OKC/Amnesiac/HTTT-era Radiohead. I think it’ll grow on me quite well. I’m also really looking forward to the 2nd disc in December… it’s got some great tunes scheduled: Last Flowers, Bangers and Mash, Down is the New Up, and 4 Minute Warning.
To get this record yourself… go to http://www.inrainbows.com/ You can get the entire album for as little as 0.45£ (ie- about $1USD)… legally. You can also pay more… it’s available for free (the 0.45£ is basically to cover server bandwidth, I gather) or whatever you feel it is worth to you. Most people that I’ve heard from are paying anywhere from $4 to $8 (or so)… which if you think of it, is probably similar (or even a better payout) to what Radiohead would have gotten under a major label contract. It’s an interesting smack in the face to the major labels. And for that (and the good music), I applaud the Radiohead gents.
~Dan
-np: christian mcbride – number two express
2/3/08~ (update)
The (free) Radiohead In Rainbows video podcast is pert good (get there by searching on iTunes). I’m about halfway through the (currently available) 10 videos. My favorite so far is “Jigsaw Falling Into Place (thumbs_down version)” which has the gents all wearing helmet cams while playing. Thom and Ed have the best movement. Jonny looks like an alien most times. Phil’s just trying to play drums while wearing gear on his head (bless him). Collin rounds out the cast as the boringest . Alas, a good watch. And FREE. :)
A Perfect Place
Woot!
On March 11th, the 100th release on Ipecac Recordings comes out. It’ll be a special edition CD/DVD combo (score & film) for A Perfect Place, directed by Derrick Scocchera and score by Mike Patton.
CD/DVD on Amazon:
Film Trailer:
OK… back to grading FASB 13/EITF 00-21 cases I go.
~Dan – np: Deal’s Number – Show Me What Ya Workin With
Buffalo vs. Lion vs. Crocodile vs. Buffalo
Nature is wild.
A small buffalo gets taken away by some lions. A group of crocodiles battle the lions for the buffalo. Then a herd of buffaloes come back and kick the lions’ ass.
Go here if’n you want a better quality/size video: Battle at Kruger
I don’t want to ruin it, but it all ends up well in the end… crazy stuff…
~Dan
the guy with the shirt, the other guy with the pipe, and the guy with the hat walk into a bar
Three blogs within 24 hours… oy, not a good sign.
Anyway, I’m exicted about two more shows coming up (I love living in a cool college town)…
NYC trumpeter Peter Evans is playing at Cozmic Pizza on Monday, Feb 4th. He’s adventurous, he’s played with John Zorn in the past (yay), and his band projects (Mostly Other People Do the Killing and Spärks) sound cool, too.
http://www.myspace.com/peterevanstrumpet
http://www.myspace.com/mostlyotherpeopledothekilling
http://www.myspace.com/nycsparks
And then… That1Guy and Buckethead on the same bill (Eugene’s McDonald Theatre on Saturday, March 22nd). Cool. It’s the Saturday after finals… and my wife says she’s up for the challenge (she likes That1Guy enough, but has only really been “confronted” by Buckethead’s calmer stuff… as it’s good for massages and our weddings CDs, but not what he really does “in concert,” per se). :-)
http://www.myspace.com/that1guy
http://www.myspace.com/bucketheadfann
http://www.myspace.com/bucketheadnfriends
~Dan
Thom Yorke & Cincinnati’s MusicNOW 2008 festival (unrelated)
I realized as I was typing the title that… whoa, someone might take that the wrong way. Two separate topics. Two. Separate. Topics.
Thom Yorke‘s got a new solo EP on iTunes with the following tracks:
2) Skip Divided (Modeselektor Remix)
3) Analyse (Various Remix)
And now for the Festival I wish I could attend, but dammit, I won’t be able to attend…
Last year’s MusicNOW Fest (reviewed by me HERE — sorry for the formatting) had a wonderful line-up including Sufjan Stevens, My Brightest Diamond, Pedro Soler, Bryce Dessner (of The National), The Clogs, The Havels, Amiina, David Cossin, Osso… yadda yadda yadda… best show(s) of the year.
This year’s fest’s lineup has now been announced… Thursday and Friday have me drooling… I dig Bill Frisell, Eyvind Kang, and Bang on a Can a bit…
Wednesday, April 2nd
An evening of music and film featuring vintage experimental films from the New York Filmmaker’s Cooperative by Robert Breer, Marie Menken, and Harry Smith along with contemporary artists Matthew Ritchie and Bill Morrisson accompanied by festival performers and special guests at the Contemporary Arts Center.
Thursday, April 3rd
An evening of American Guitar with classical guitarist Benjamin Verdery and Bill Frisell’s 858 Quartet, featuring Eyvind Kang, Hank Roberts & Jenny Scheinman, at Memorial Hall
Friday, April 4th
Dirty Projectors and Bang on a Can featuring Glenn Kotche and Bryce Dessner at Memorial Hall
Saturday, April 5th
Andrew Bird and Grizzly Bear at Memorial Hall.
Unfortunately, I can’t make it (first week of the spring term -and- 2,600 miles away). but if you’re in the vacinity of Cincinnati area… check it out…
http://www.myspace.com/musicnowfestival
http://www.musicnowfestival.org/new/
~Dan – np: Sinéad O’Connor – Theology
* Favorite INSTRUMENTAL Albums of 2007 *
I do mainly music-related blogging. I like lots of different musics. If you want to subscribe to my blog, lick here. With your mouse, not your tongue.
My Other Favorites of 2007 Recaps:
Fav Concerts of ’07 are recapped *HERE*
Fav Local / Vinyl / Internet-Only / Podcasts of ’07 are *HERE*
Fav EPs / Compilations / Music DVDs of ’07 are *HERE*
Favorite Instrumental Albums of 2007
Most of what I’m really enjoying lately doesn’t include vocals. Maybe I’m getting sick of normal music, I don’t know. I still love a good pop song, but I’m definitely more into jazz and avant-garde the past two years. That’s why this “Instrumental” list keeps expanding and my “normal” Fav Albums list seems to be shrinking. Alas, here are my favorite instrumental (or largely instrumental) albums of 2007:
1) Holy Fuck – Holy Fuck LP2 – Brilliant groove-oriented “live electronic” post-rock. I saw these guys (almost twice) in 2007. Brilliant live show, excellent moving melodic-yet-avant-garde songs. Great stuff. Less than fortunate name, I know. Great music, though.
http://www.holyfuckmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/holyfuck
2) Dave Douglas & Keystone – Moonshine – A new one from trumpeter/composer Dave Douglas. This CD also includes interactive stuff online (remix source tracks, videos, bonus tracks). Trumpet is one of my favorite jazz instruments, and Dave Douglas is at the forefront of melodic, compositional-meets-improvisational trumpet in the current era.
http://www.davedouglas.com/
http://www.myspace.com/greenleafmusic
3) John Zorn – Six Litanies for Heliogabalus – A completely powerful noise-rock onslaught from John Zorn’s Moonchild trio (Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn, and Joey Baron) plus a choral, electronics by Ikue Mori, keys from Jamie Saft, and John Zorn himself on saxaphone. This album is not for the faint of heart. It’s all over the place, but completely composed (hard to believe). I saw the trio in Seattle in Nov 2007. It was insane.
http://www.tzadik.com
http://www.myspace.com/theatreofmusicaloptics
4) Floratone – Floratone – This album is a wonderful jazz gem from Matt Chamberlain (who I’ve seen drum for Tori Amos and A Perfect Circle), Bill Frisell (jazz guitarist who needs no intro), Tucker Martine, and Lee Townsend. It also has guest spots from Eyvind Kang (Seattle violinist on my “fav” list), Viktor Krauss, and Ron Miles. This fits with the Barnes & Noble clientele, but it’s enjoyable to a fan of the lower eastside NYC/downtown music scene, too.
http://www.floratone.com/
http://www.myspace.com/floratone
5) Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone – I have a hard time defining “post rock,” but I know I like it. Ambient, wall of sound, momentous… anyway… Explosions in the Sky fits in well with other post-rock favs of mine like Mogwai, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, Euphone, Boards of Canada, and even the borderline post-rock Sigur Rós. Anyway, EITS is a welcome addition to my collection. All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone is quality, moving ambient music.
http://www.explosionsinthesky.com/
http://www.myspace.com/explosionsinthesky
6) Antibalas – Security – OK, not entirely instrumental, but probably at least 90% instrumental. Antibalas is an afrobeat band in the mold of Femi Kuti, et al. Driving rhythm, multi-percussionists, horns, guitars, political lyrics (when there is singing). Quality live show, too.
http://www.antibalas.com/
http://www.myspace.com/antibalas
7) The Tiptons – Tsunami – A sax quartet with drums from Seattle. I just barely missed them when they came through Eugene, but I’ll see ’em next time for sure. Thanks to Jim Wilke’s Jazz NW podcast for getting me into these wonderful musicians.
http://www.tiptonssaxquartet.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tiptons
8 ) The Lithuanian Empire – The Lithuanian Empire – Funky horn-based klezmer jazz. Klezmer music is really interesting. I’m going to blame John Zorn’s Masada quartet and Tzadik label for my fondess. The Lithuanian Empire isn’t connected with Zorn in any business sense, but they connected with my ears. Great stuff…
http://www.thelithuanianempire.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thelithuanianempire
9) Ric Hordinski – The Silence of Everything Yearned For – Ric Hordinski knows how to put layers of guitar down that build slowly, smooth throughout, and hit you with a wall of sound when you’re not paying attention. He’s a true midwest treasure. I’m gonna miss him now that I’ve moved across country.
http://www.richordinski.com/
http://www.myspace.com/richordinskimusic
10) Incubus – Look Alive – OK, this was a shock. Incubus isn’t an instrumental band. They’ve got a fabulous vocalist, Brandon Boyd. This CD was merely a bonus CD with the concert DVD. It contains 11 tracks of musical joy (plus 6 bonus live tracks with vocals, which are good too). These 11 tracks really show off the band’s music writing. I knew guitarist Mike Einziger could write some great instrumental jams (based on 2003’s Time Lapse Consortium live album), and I’m glad he and the band are still up to the vocal-less challenge, even though they’ve got one of my favorite vocalists in rock music today.
http://www.enjoyincubus.com/
http://www.myspace.com/incubus
11) Method of Defiance – Inamorata – A flood of avant-garde mayhem unleashed by Bill Laswell. A mix of music collaborations (whether intentioned or illegal) from usual Laswell friends Buckethead, John Zorn (& Zorn’s Masada Strings), Bootsy… but also unlikely mixes with Herbie Hancock, Pharoah Sanders, and more… masterful and avant-garde, heavy industrial and ambient meets jazz.
http://www.myspace.com/methodofdefiance
12) Hiromi’s Sonicbloom – Time Control – Cutting edge piano-based jazz on the primarily classical Telarc label. Hiromi runs circles around her tight band. a very enjoyable disc… I’m almost embarrassed that I didn’t pay for it (the BMG club system = awesomes).
http://www.hiromimusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/hiromimusic
13) For a Minor Reflection – Reistu Þig Við, Sólin Er Komin Á Loft… – A band from Iceland that is on the same foreign label and same audio approach as another band from Iceland, Sigur Rós. For a Minor Reflection are one of my “best surprises” of the year. They even sent me the CD for free. I said I liked their sound from the MySpace player, and I think they were trying to break into the U.S. or something. I don’t know. I dig their sound a lot, though. Just don’t ask me to pronounce their album title…
http://www.myspace.com/foraminorreflection
14) John Zorn played by Marc Ribot – Masada Book Two: Book of Angels, Vol. 7 (Asmodeus) – A spastic take on new Masada tunes, not unlike Marc Ribot’s other guitar adventures on John’s Tzadik label.
http://www.tzadik.com
http://www.myspace.com/marcribotmusic
http://www.myspace.com/marcribotsceramicdog
15) Pocket Change – 4 – Blues based jazz/funk from Seattle. They play Eugene every once in a while, too… I hope I can check ’em out the next time they’re here.
http://www.pchangemusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/pocketchangefunk
16) Ned Rothenberg – Sync with Strings: Inner Diaspora – A moving set of Jewish music on Zorn’s Radical Jewish Culture category on Tzadik. This set also features string-masters Mark Feldman and Erik Friedlander (who are part of Zorn’s Masada Strings group, among other Zorn incarnations).
http://www.tzadik.com
http://www.myspace.com/nedrothenberg
17) John Zorn played by Erik Friedlander – Masada Book Two: Book of Angels, Vol. 8 (Volac) – A quite moving set of arrangements on new Masada tunes. I’m really enjoying the Masada Book Two songs and the concept of having different artists tackle each batch makes for some interesting listening. I’m still waiting for the Secret Chiefs 3 one, though… next year…
http://www.tzadik.com
http://www.myspace.com/erikfriedlander
18 ) Boris Malkovsky – Time Petah-Tiqva – Klez-classical, but hard-edged in spots (not heavy, though).
http://www.tzadik.com
http://www.myspace.com/borismalkovsky
19) Alex Kontorovich – Deep Minor – More klez-jazz. Again, it strikes my fancy. Sue me. :-)
http://www.myspace.com/deepminor
20) Kenny Werner – Lawn Chair Society – Piano based jazz with Dave Douglas on trumpet & Chris Potter on sax. You had me at Dave Douglas, and Chris Potter made me a fan earlier in 2007 when I saw a show at Raymond Walter’s College in a north Cincinnati suburb. Anyway, Kenny’s piano playing is quite a feast as well.
http://kennywerner.com/
honorable mentions:
Brian Bromberg – Downright Upright / Jonny Greenwood (of Radiohead) – There Will Be Blood -soundtrack- / Eyvind Kang – The Yelm Sessions / Medeski & Martin – Mago / Rob Price Quartet (with Trevor Dunn, Ellery Eskelin, Jim Black) – I Really Do Not See the Signal
myspace/brianbromberg – myspace/radiohead – myspace/eyvindkangeyvind – myspace/martinmedeski – gutbrain.com/
I feel bad due to some likely gems didn’t make their way into my basket this year… David Buchbinder‘s Odessa/Havana, Anat Cohen, et cetera… but I guess you gotta stop somewhere and just make a damn list (or at least I do…).
The “regular” list in a week or so… it’s slow goin’ this year…
~Dan – np: Nellie McKay – Obligatory Villagers
Another Wave of Fave (2007)
My Other Favorites of 2007 Recaps:
* Fav Concerts of ’07 are recapped *HERE*
* Fav Local / Vinyl / Internet-Only / Podcasts of ’07 are *HERE*
Well, this “Round 3” is decidedly less flashy (sans pics)… I’ve got too much homework to do to be putzing around on my 2007 pontifications… :-) I have included MySpace links for artists represented on MySpace, whether officially or fictionally represented (just click their names and check out their stuff).
Favorite EPs
1) Porcupine Tree – Nil Recurring
2) Holy Fuck – Holy Fuck
3) Kelly Evans – Easy
4) The Album Leaf – Green Tour
5) Auragami – +/-
6) Sia – Lady Croissant
7t) Sarah Masen – Magic That Works
7t) Sarah Masen – A History of Lights and Shadows
7t) Sarah Masen – Woman’s Work is Alchemy
8 ) Múm – The Peel Session
Favorite Compilations/Re-issues
1) Secret Chiefs 3 – Path of Most Resistance: In History and Presence
2) Ani DiFranco – Canon
3) Sigur Rós – Hvarf-Heim
4) Peter Mulvey – Notes From Elsewhere : solo acoustic
5) Derek Webb – One Zero (Acoustic & Remixes)
hm) Nick Drake – Family Tree
Favorite Live Albums
1) Dave Douglas Quintet – Live at the Jazz Standard
2) Ken Andrews – Never Say Never – Tour CD
3) Ellery – What I’ve Said Out Loud
4) Dub Trio – Cool Out and Coexist
5) The Cracow Klezmer Band – Remembrance: Live in Warsaw
hm) Ani DiFranco – Boston, 11.10.06
hm) Over the Rhine – Live from Nowhere Farm, Volume Two
Favorite Music-related DVDs (huge tie for 5th, obviously a rigged election… or a sign of getting too many DVD for xmas from family)
1) Sigur Rós – Heima
2) Silverchair – Across the Great Divide
3) That1Guy and the Magic Pipe – Live in the Land of OZ (late-late 2006 release)
4) Ellery – An Evening with Ellery
5t) Ben Folds – Live at MySpace
5t) Estradasphere – Palace of Mirrors Live
5t) Incubus – Look Alive
5t) Kaada / Patton – Live
My final two rounds (Fave Instrumental & Fave Vocal Albums) should be posted next week or so. Yeah, I know. Whatever. :-)
~Dan – np: Crunchy – Loserville
REVIEW: Eric John Kaiser @ Cozmic Pizza (Eugene, OR – – 1/17/08)
Well, this was my first show of 2008…
Eric John Kaiser played tonight at Cozmic Pizza. One of the best things about living in a small town is that we can catch an early show (7pm), have a wonderful meal (pesto, artichoke, garlic, vegan-cheese & kalamata pizza with a wonderful pint of local Ninkasi stout), and still be home by 9pm. Fuck yeah.
Anyway, I literally first heard of Eric John Kaiser {heretofore known as “EJK”} about a week ago. He sent me a potentially (but ultimately not) dreaded “friend request.” You know, those friend requests “from bands” you might like. Well, I usually give them a 4 second listen then mark them “DELTEATED.” Well, EJK’s music ended up being quite good… I’ve got a soft spot for French music (Jeanne Cherhal, Yann Tiersen… um… yeah, those two). And, whoa… he (EJK) is from Portland-OR (though born and raised in Paris-FR). And he was playing Cozmic Pizza in literally a week.
Well, I literally went to the show. And it was literally good. Literally.
We left at the first break (8:30pm or so), but got a good hour+ of music. he played some tunes from his CD (L’ODyssée) that I recognized… “L’animal blessé” and “Le Puzzle” (a least). He also played a french version of “Sweet Home Alabama” and a took-us-almost-all-song-to-figure-out-what-it-was version of André3000‘s “Hey Ya!” :-)
Overall a great show, great performer, and great CD (I heart CDBaby).
Next show(s): maybe UO/LCC Jazz Fest tomorrow or Saturday (if any of the artists strike my fancy)… maybe 3 Leg Torso the following Saturday… or maybe next monf’s PDX Jazz Fest (Ornette Coleman, Dave Douglas/SFJAZZ Collective, and Belà Fleck/Flecktones/Oregon Symphony Orchestra… all of which I’m mucho excitedo).
Upcoming CD(s): ah geez… the first of the 2008 Tzadik‘s have been physically conjured by the best non-for-profit (by design) record company ever… new John Zorn (Filmworks XIX: Dimitri Geller’s The Rain Horse) and Sex Mob frontman/trumpet-feasin’ Steven Bernstein‘s Diaspora Suite…
~Dan – np: The Geologic Podcast 49
the colour-changing card trick…
I heard about this from the Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe podcast…
Fun stuff…
~Dan – np: Tori Amos – American Doll Posse
r o c k i t
As much as I think Herbie Hancock‘s music in the 80s turned into real crap compared to his earlier work in the 60s and 70s (culminating in the über-pwning 1973 Headhunters record)… well, regardless of my lessened opinion of his 80s work, his Future Shock record in 1983 had the veritable groundbreaker “Rock It” on it. “Rock It” alone may have spawned hip-hop for all I know. I know it spawned a bunch of current musically-inclined DJs (or so the Scratch documentary informed).
Anyway, verbal heavyweight Chali 2Na of the rap group Jurassic 5 has a kicking rap mix of “Rock It” on his MySpace page. I dig it.
Check it out —> http://www.myspace.com/mrchali2na <—
That’s all I know…
~Dan – np: Book of Angels, Vol. 8: Erik Friedlander plays Volac*
* – I’m still recapping my 2007 CDs for a blog in the near future… it’s going much slower than normal… too much reading in my new “job.”
Ornette Coleman -and- Dave Douglas (YAY!)
I may have a rare opportunity to see both free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman and current compositional/improvisational personal favorite Dave Douglas (playing with the SF Jazz Collective) on the same day. The Portland Jazz Festival is next month. Woot! Now I gotta see if I can swing it with the wife. *crossing fingers*
Ornette Coleman is a revolutionary saxophonist and a major influence on one of my favorite musicians of all-time (John Zorn). Ornette’s 1959 release, The Shape of Jazz to Come, is remarkable.
Dave Douglas is a brilliant modern composer/horn player. My first exposure to him was with John Zorn’s composed, yet improvisational-driven, klez-jazz quartet Masada. I quick fell in love with his trumpet sounds. His solo work and groups as band leader (Keystone, DD Quintet, etc) are fantastic modern improvisation jazz.
Re: the PDX Jazz Fest… my wife and I are going to the Bela Fleck and the Flecktones show where they’re playing with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra near the end of the fest (Feb 23rd). That should be great (I saw a similar show in Columbus-OH with the BF&tF and the Promusica Chamber Orchestra). Jazz pianist Anat Cohen is playing that same day (but way earlier in the afternoon)… and I know I can’t work that into our schedule… sadly. She’s good…
~Dan – np: Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come
Michel Gondry
Well, I’m excited about his upcoming Be Kind, Rewind with Jack Black and Mos Def. I loved what he did with Björk’s latest video for “Declare Independence” (as I was with his prior work with Björk and others). I’ve loved his prior movies (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep to name a couple). Now he’s already working on a new one…
Although his latest film hasn’t been released yet and he already has several projects in the works, Michel Gondry told the MTV Movies Blog that he’s currently writing The Return of the Ice Kings. Gondry’s still at work on the screenplay, but the name alone sounds fascinating, and the content, well: “I’m writing a story about kids who invent a water that makes you hear music when you drink it,” Gondry said. “It’s going to be a scientific story, but completely unrealistic.” Sounds more whimsical than scientific, but Gondry would probably be the expert on these matters, as he spent last year as MIT’s artist in residence and has come up with some fantastic technologies before.
~Dan – np: Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
The Strike Strikes Back.
So, I wholly think that this Writer’s Guild strike is a just one. They (the writers) have been getting screwed by the big wigs for royalties for their written material on internet and other distribution, while these big wigs are getting advertising money from said internet and other distribution.
Anyway, Speechless Hollywood has some clever videos put together. Here are my favorites:
André3000
Tons of People
MovieFone
Tim Robbins
Woody Allen
Jason & Justine Bateman
Zach Braff
http://www.unitedhollywood.com/
Speechless Hollywood
Clever… yet I’d rather the various production companies, the AMPTP and the WGA settle this damn strike.
~Dan – np: do make say think – you, you’re a history in rust
<prelim.oh.seven.fav.list>
Well, my 17-day vacation/ holiday break/ hustle-and-rent-the-house-2,600-miles-away trip went well… alas, my oft “too time consuming” year-end list of all that is fantastic to my ears is not done/barely started.
Now that I’ll be back to school, I’ll have some time to re-listen to my 2007 music. Expect something in mid-to-late January (perhaps). In the meantime, for those that care (all 2 of you)… here are some preliminary choice tunes from last year (in no particular order, except for likely the 1st two):
2. Radiohead – In Rainbows
Wussy – Left for Dead
Ken Andrews (from Failure/On/Year of the Rabbit) – Secrets of the Lost Satellite
Puscifer (Maynard from Tool) – V is For Vagina
Elliott Smith – New Moon
Antibalas – Security
Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Hiromi – Time Control
Holy Fuck – Holy Fuck LP2
Marc Ribot – Masada Book Two: Book of Angels, Vol. 7 (Asmodeus)
John Zorn – Six Litanies for Heliogabalus
Dave Douglas & Keystone – Moonshine
The Lithuanian Empire – The Lithuanian Empire
The full “Top ??” list will be jam-packed with more info, pictures, and links than you cared to know about said artists… as I would have it no. other. way.
~Dan – np: Gaston Zirko‘s experimental music on myspace
Favorite Concerts of 2007
Well, there are still some 2007 CDs that may or may not arrive in my hands before the year’s over (specifically Eyvind Kang, Dave Douglas, Greydon Square, Radiohead, Doug Pinnick & La Mar Enfortuna — all of which have Top 20 potential); so I’m not ready to post my “Best CDs of 2007” list, yet. Look for that one sometime in early 2008…
This blog is for my favorite concerts of 2007. I went to too many to recount in detail, but these are the tip-top ones…
- Music Now Festival 2007 (Pedro Soler, Bryce Dessner, David Cossin, the Clogs, the Havels, Osso, Amiina, My Brightest Diamond, Sufjan Stevens) at the Memorial Hall, Cincinnati-OH (4/5/07 to 4/7/07) my review
- Masada (John Zorn, Dave Douglas, Greg Cohen, Joey Baron) at the Rose Theatre at the Lincoln Center, New York-NY (3/10/07) my review
- Nellie McKay at the Shedd Institute, Eugene-OR (10/5/07) my review
- Silverchair at the Fillmore @ the TLA, Philadelphia-PA (7/28/07) review snippet
- Secret Chiefs 3 at the Bowery Ballroom, New York-NY (3/15/07) my review
- John Zorn’s Moonchild (Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn, Joey Baron) at the Moore Theatre, Seattle-WA (11/4/07) my review
- Holy Fuck at the Southgate House, Newport-KY (4/1/07) my review
- Antibalas at the Southgate House, Newport-KY (4/29/07) review snippet
- Noctaluca at the Taste of Cincinnati, Cincinnati-OH (5/28/07)
- Blackfield (Steven Wilson & Aviv Geffen) at the Bowery Ballroom, New York-NY (3/16/07) my review
OK, I guess I’ve still got coming up in 2007 Iron & Wine in Portland (12/2) and maybe David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) in Eugene (12/14); but the above concerts were my favorites of 2007…
Happy thanksgiving, yo! One thing I’m thankful for is definitely music… :-)
~Dan – np: npr jazz profiles (podcast) – duke ellington: the bandleader, pt. 1
12/24 Update: wow… I totally forgot the kick ass Zappa Plays Zappa show at Moonlite Gardens in Cincinnati, OH on 7/24/07. I think I forgot because I didn’t blog about it when it happened (gettin’ ready to quit my job and pack up and head west at the time)… but now reading this week’s CityBeat, tons of people listed it as a favorite, and man, I was at that show, too… Dweezil = awesomes! Ray White = awesomes! Frank on a big screen behind the band, singing and soloing with the live band = awesomes! 2nd time seeing the ZPZ tour in 2 years (completely different setlist, too). I think it needs to be a once-a-year thing… in perpetuity.
\\\the future of electronic improvisational music///
This is wicked…
Reactable Demo 1
Reactable Demo 2
Reactable Live in Berlin
Being a fan of improvisational, sound art… this is the good kind of wicked.
~Dan
PS- Bjork Live using a Reactable (2007 Volta Tour)
REVIEW: David Bazan [Pedro the Lion] @ Indigo District (Eugene, OR – – 12/13/07)
Ah… the out-of-place statues, randomly sticky floors, quite decent beer selection and open room with a stage right by the kitchen makes the Indigo District a perplexing place. It’s got great things, weird things, bad things, and ambivalence on top of great music. I’d only been here once before, and that was for the 25th anniversary shindig for Eugene Weekly to which my wife’s boss invited us. First time for a concert… I’m sure it won’t be the last if they get artists like David Bazan coming through more often. But it is an odd place… I just can’t put my finger on why. Eh… it’s gotta be the statues.
I showed up at 8:15 or so. I thought I was going to be late (ie- halfway into the opener’s set). Apparently the artists were late getting out of San Francisco from the night before; so they weren’t on schedule. I had a pint of Deschutes’ Black Butte Porter (sidenote: “butte” is pronounced like the beginning of “beautiful”). It’s fantastic, and it travelled only 2 hours away from Bend, Oregon to get to my mouf. Anyway, as I was sipping my beer, I hear a familiar voice… it was David Bazan ordering a pitcher of Blue Moon for he and his tour mates. The bartender was doing too many things at once and started pouring a pitcher of Blue Moon, then stopped, did something else, then started filling the rest of the pitcher with Pabst Blue Ribbon. Oy! Luckily David and Co. didn’t end up with that concoction. Blech.
Before the music started, I ran into David again in the facilities. After handwashing pleasantries, I asked him if he came through Eugene often, as I just moved here from Cincinnati. To which he said that he liked to stop by here, but it was the first time at this venue. Then we had a small exchange about the Southgate House (a quaint indie rock venue in the Cincinnati area).
By this time, the opener J.Tillman was playing. He played about 45 minutes. He was quite pleasant. His voice was what I’d call smooth, yet right on the edge of raspy… but not raspy. I don’t know. I was trying to characterize it last night, but just couldn’t. I enjoyed his set… check him out on MySpace sometime…
Next up came David Bazan… who has also recorded under the monikers of Pedro the Lion (indie rock) and Headphones (electronic). Perhaps his music can be described as indie rock or electric-fuzzy singer-songwriter fare. I dig him mainly for his poignant lyrics. His lyrics are witty, against the grain, many times religious in a somewhat skeptic slant, and usually full of sarcasm or what people want to say but never do. I also love David’s down-to-earth persona. His banter via the “Q&A” breaks in the set really connect the audience to the performance… and the answers are usually funny.
He only played about an hour, as the venue had a time limit (they had dance time after the show) and David and J got off to a later start than planned. It was just David, an electric guitar and a microphone. Oh, and an amp.
Here’s the setlist:
Cigarettes and Beer
When They Really Get to Know You They Will Run
(No Name) per David [new]
Please Baby Please [new]
Transcontinental
Of Minor Prophets and Their Prostitute Wives
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (with add’l Bazan lyrics)
Harmless Sparks / Fewer Moving Parts
Foregone Conclusions
Curse Your Branches [new]
(something with “look the other way” in the lyrics) I didn’t recka’nize it
Hallelujah [L.Cohen]
Great show. Short, but good nonetheless. I’m glad he still plays “Foregone Conclusions.” The 2nd verse has some of my favorite lyrics of his ever.
If’n y’all want to hear some music from this tour… the show in Asheville-NC is posted here for free download >> hardtofindafriend.blogspot.com <<
Well, that’s all for now…
~Dan – np: Rob Price Quartet – I Really Do Not See the Signal
new musical finds…
Elsiane… she’s like Björk meets Portishead meets the Cranberries… ie- quirky electronic-fused pop with lush vocals, a trip-hop feel and tempo, and a unique vocal delivery. And the fact that Elsiane has dredg as a “Top 8” puts her in good place in my musical interests, per se. Check out this Montreal artiste…
This next artist is somewhat of a “parody” or “tribute” band of a fairly unknown artist… but it’s a fairly unknown artist that I love…
Secret Chefs 3 is a “tribute” band of Secret Chiefs 3. Anyway… the original (Chiefs) is a Mr Bungle spin-off band that does middle-eastern style metal mixed with surf music and dance beats on occasion. I love the Secret Chiefs 3 (led by mastermind Trey Spruance). The Chefs (no “i”) do a middle eastern, surf, metal mix of their own original tunes on instruments made from found objects… whether it be shovels, oars, or kitchen utensils. It’s a fun, original take on it all. And they’re only a “tribute” band in influence, not in actual songs. The Chefs material is comprised of all original compositions.
That is all… for now…
~Dan – np: Richard Dawkins – The Root of All Evil? (BBC documentary)
REVIEW: Reptet @ Cozmic Pizza (Eugene, OR – – 12/9/07)
Well, the first thing I want to say is “shame on you, Eugene.” Just because school is out, that’s no reason to not hang about town to hear some wonderful music!! The crowd at Cozmic Pizza was very small on this particular Sunday evening… which I blame on school letting out only 2 days prior, this being primarily a college town, and Sunday night at 9pm not being conducive to concert-going anyhow. Cozmic is usually hoppin’ (and a great place to get a local Oatmeal Stout and a great slice of pizza). Cozmic also having nutritional yeast available on their condiment rack is niiiice. Regardless of the lackluster crowd size, the band played on and seemed to be having a wonderful time trying out some new tunes for us.
The band was/is a sextet from Seattle comprised of Izaak Mills on reeds (sax & clarinet) & flute, Samantha Boshnack on various horns (primarily trumpet), Christopher Credit on reeds (sax & clarinet) and a (mini) trombone, Nelson Bell on trombone & tuba, Tim Carey on bass (upright & electric), and John Ewing on drums. All members tended to throw their hat into the percussion ring throughout the night. They played for just over an hour solid.
The tunes I jotted down that they played: “Eve of Threve”, “Chicken or Beef”, and “Fish Market.” They also played a latin-sounding number, a rabbit/carrot number and few other tunes mixed in. They were fun on stage, cheering and ranting and even walking around the room on the last number. Solid musicianship, great songs, fun stage presence, and adventurous without “gettin’ all Zorn” on us (not that I’d mind that, though). :) Reptet is not smooth jazz*, but rather an adventurous sextet with great sense of melody and playfulness.
*-Thankfully.
After talking to the band after the show, apparently the whole set was new tracks for the upcoming 3rd album. I recognized some of the names of the songs due to downloading them from the Monktail website (here).
Anyway, I fully recommend both of Reptet’s releases thus far… Reptet (2003) and Do This! (2006). Both are available online for a great package price… ie- “a steal.” I also recommend seeing them live when they come around your neck of the woods… they’re playing down the West Coast as I type this.
/ 
Check ’em out online… Reptet & MCMC…
http://www.reptet.com/
http://myspace.com/reptet (free samples)
http://www.monktail.com/ (their collaborative group/record label… tons of free tunes)
http://myspace.com/monktail (more free samples)
I’m definitely looking forward to Reptet album 3… and more Oregon visits from them. I just hope we [Oregon] show up next time.
Concerts coming up tomorrow… a free jazz show (by the Shedd Jazz Ensemble) at the 5th Street Public Market in downtown Eugene… and then David Bazan (the Pedro the Lion guy) at the Indigo District for $8. Not a bad deal, in either case. Look for a Pedro review later this week…
~Dan – np: Ken Andrews – Secrets of the Lost Satellite Tour
REVIEW: Iron & Wine @ The Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR – – 12/2/07)
Well, the evening started with my wife finding a good parking space for us… not too far from dinner and the venue. Dinner was at the lovely Blossoming Lotus. I had the BBQ tempeh with black bean soup, ginger salad, and quinoa. My wife had the Indian bowl, which had loads of mango something-or-other on it. Pumpkin muffin and brownie parfait for dessert. Belt loosening for dessert as well. ;) Blossoming Lotus is right in downtown Portland (NW). They’re a yummy, reasonably priced, organic café, and they have a delightful cookbook as well (we bought one after our trip out here in Dec ’06).
While not having a good knowledge of I&W song names (outside of the obvious ones), this is gonna be a total “cheater review”… here’s a setlist from another show on this tour:
Peace Beneath the City
Innocent Bones
On Your Wings
Pagan Angel And A Borrowed Car
White Tooth Man *FAV*
House by the Sea
The Devil Never Sleeps
Boy With A Coin *FAV*
Sodom, South Georgia
Carousel
Upward Over The Mountain
Jezebel *FAV*
Wolves (Song of the Shepherd’s Dog)
Resurrection Fern
The Sea And The Rhythm
Flightless Bird, American Mouth
—
History of Lovers
The PDX show was not too far off this one. Well, actually, we left at the song right before the encore (long drive ahead of us in the rain); so I can’t vouch at all for the encore selection. Cheater review, indeed.
Definitely a good show. The opener, Califone, was also enjoyable. I heard some of their selections on their MySpace page, and I wasn’t necessarily giddy. I’ll admit — I was busy that day; so I really didn’t give them a fair listen. Anyway, I really liked their more jammy, experimental elements.
Iron and Wine came on about 10:20 and played for a good hour and half… good mix of songs (as noted by the cheater setlist above). I loved Sam Beam’s whispy delivery, but oft-times the band got in the way of his vocals/guitar. I think it’d be good to see a more stripped down version of Iron & Wine, but this show was a treat as well.
Oh, if you want to hear a streaming concert… NPR has the Washington DC 9:30 Club show from earlier this year HERE. It’s also downloadable if you get their “NPR Live Concert” podcast.
Oh, the venue… weird set-up. Show was on the 3rd floor. The ballroom was split up with a big barrier segregating the drinkers from non-drinkers. There were odd paintings on the wall and pretty ugly plastic-looking chandeliers. Ugly… but they (Crystal Ballroom) definitely get some good artists coming through… heck, just this week: Iron & Wine, Cake, Tegan & Sara, Jon Butler Trio, The Shins.
~Dan – np: Doug Pinnick – Strum Sum Up
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
Amazon.com mp3 downloads
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