Soundtrack for the Day

/ / Opinion, rantings

First off, my hearty congratulations to the citizens of Egypt for their hard-fought take-down of Mubarak. Now we can begin to hope for a peaceful, switft transition to a democracy.

That being said, I think it’s time we start celebrating their victory with some party music! Here’s a list I’ve compiled so far, all appropriate for the day.

  • Muse – “Knights of Cydonia” What party is complete without this high-energy, soul-shaking, anthemic jump-around song?! “No one’s going to take me alive; the time has come to make things right. You and I must fight for our rights. You and I must fight to survive.” And fight they did! RAH!!!
  • Muse – “Uprising” I swearMatthew Bellamy is bringing back the fist-pump with raging style. You can’t NOT thrust your frist in the air while yelling “HEY!” during the bridge. It’s impossible. Hell, even when I’m *driving,* I still eke out a little non-damaging roof punch. “They will not force us. They will stop betraying us! They will not control us! We will be victorious!” HOLY shiver-inducing. MORE RAH!
  • Queensryche – “My Global Mind” I already touched on this yesterday, so I’ll leave it alone, except to say that it packs a huge punch.
  • Metallica – Don’t Tread on Me. As anthemic as it gets. “Love it or live it, she with the deadly bite. Quick is the blue tongue, forked as the lighting strike. Shining with brightness, always on surveillance. The eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance. Don’t tread on me!”
  • The Bangles – “Walk Like an Egyptian” Come on … you knew this was gonna show up. Right? You had to know that. How can anyone pass up doing that whole arms-cockeyed thing while they strut around? And that whistling. How cool would it be to hear ALL of Tahrir Square whistle that? Eh? Think about that.
  • John Lennon – “Imagine” There has to be at least one lighter-lifting song in the mix. What better song than this? “You may say that I’m a dream, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.”
  • The Beatles – “Blackbird” I love how this has such a “rise above” feel to it. Melodic, simple, but with *such* a powerful message.
  • Pink Floyd – “A Great Day for Freedom” And indeed it is. This song has the emotional punch of an Evander Holyfield shot to gut. Peace is such a noble goal, but how you achieve that peace is as important as the peace itself. And the vast majority of the demonstrators in Egypt pulled that off. How amazing is that!?
  • Not that this is a song, but how about that insane speech from Independence Day? Where President Whitmore takes the mic just before the last aerial attack and says, “… We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on. We’re going to survive. Today, we celebrate our independence day!!!” Still gives me the chills just thinking about it.

I’m still in shock. I stayed up until 2:30 combing through tweets and news clips, hoping that the blood bath I severely feared wouldn’t happen. Thankfully, it didn’t, and it’s turning into an amazing experience for those who are over there. One twitterer who I’ve been following closely has indicated that there are a LOT of foreigners joining in the celebration. What an experience that would be. I mean, it’s hardly fair to come in at the end and say, “Yay! We did it!”, but in the spirit of joining the Egyptians who finally have their country back (hopefully permanently!), I would gladly join them, pat them on their backs, shake their hands, give them all a hug and say, “YOU did it!”

My next goal is to become more familiar with native Egyptian artists. I bet they have amazing music.

Party on, Egypt.

My Global Mind

/ / Opinion, rantings

In light of the events today in Egypt, I feel that writing a post about something so subjectively ethereal as music just doesn’t seem fitting. There is a revolution taking place in the Middle East unlike any of us have ever seen, or possibly will ever see. Hundreds of thousands have gathered in Tahrir Square in Cairo to voice their anger and rage over the Mubarek regime, and they are taking action for change.

While part of me is rooting like crazy for them to overthrow this evil despot who has literally pirated his own country (his net assets off-shore are reportedly in the billions, while his countrymen earn the equivalent of between $2-4 a day …), part of me is terrified of the world-wide ramifications. How will this sit with the rest of the Middle East? Will other countries with despicable leaders rise up and attempt the same? Not to mention the fact that no one knows where the Egyptian army stands. Will they stand with the revolutionaries? Or will they obey orders and turn on their own countrymen, if given the order? How is this going to play out long-term?

These are the questions I worry about today. I worry about the lives of people I’ve never met. I wonderabout how this could possibly de-stabilize that area of the world even further. What if the US doesn’t intercede? Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. For as much as the world hates us for Afgahnistan and Iraq, how will it be viewed if we don’t help Egypt? We’ve kind of shot ourselves in the foot in that respect.

Dear readers, we’re on the cusp of something large–something scary … something new. I hope and pray that this ends well for the citizens of Egypt and really for all of us. Truthfully, I’m less worried about what will happen to Mubarek and his vice president. I’m extremely worried about the possibility of the Tahrir demonstrators storming the presidential palace and attempting a coup, as has already been tweeted about by those I’m following from over there. Their tweets and re-tweets are enough to show that there is already a mob mentality that’s way past brewing; they’re formulating plans.

I hope like hell this ends well. My heart wants it so badly for them. My gut and my brain are singing a different song, and it’s not a pretty tune. God help them if they storm the palace.  I don’t know if anyone else will …

More Upcoming Music for 2011

/ / New Music, Opinion, rantings, upcoming music

I was really just looking for music coming out this week. Instead, I got a pretty large list of things coming out for this year. Check out this link. Isn’t that sweet?! It may or may not be comprehensive. I’m betting it’s not, but it’s a healthy-sized list regardless.

Of interest to me are:

  • Motorhead (actually came out yesterday)
  • Bright Eyes
  • The Dears
  • Mogwai
  • Sonic Youth
  • Dropkick Murphys
  • R.E.M.
  • Green day
  • Soundgarden (*really* stoked for this one!)
  • Mountain Goats
  • The Kills
  • Vivian Girls
  • Lady Gaga*

I’m sure I’ll become excited for more of those bands as I start researching them and seeing what they have to offer, but for now, my list from now until the end of April is looking pretty healthy. Not to mention the unscheduled-yet-semi-confirmed list!

Two interesting CDs from the no-date-confirmed list are from The Cars and Human Leauge. I thought that Human League had all but fallen off the face of the earth. Not too far from it … they’ve only released 3 CDs since 1986’s Crash gave us the hit “Human.” The Cars, on the other hand … they haven’t released a studio CD since 1987, if I remember right. The notable absence on this new release will be Benjamin Orr, who passed away in 2000 from cancer. I’m curious to hear how this new CD sounds without him.

Anyway, happy perusing. I hope your favorite band is on the list!

*yes, crystal … that was my little joke to you. 😉

Super Bowl Half Time Show

/ / Blah-ness, Opinion, rantings

So, to be fair, I’m not at all familiar with Black Eyed Peas. I don’t even know if they use a definite article to define themselves. That’s how unfamiliar I am with them. So it’s with a very large salt lick that I feel qualified to write this review. I hate it when you open the paper to read a review of the <insert favorite band name here>concert you attended the night before, only to read a less-than-favorable article because the write has no clue who the band is or any songs they play. So I’m trying to be favorable here for what I saw.

I guess I know more than I thought. I do know that Will.I.Am and Fergie are in the band, so … there’s that. However, no idea what they sing.

Gah. Ya know what? Forget it. I don’t know them, I don’t particularly care for their stuff, and that’s just  … it. That’s fact.

The best part of the half time show? The dancers off-stage who had those color-changing suits. All of us watching decided that we need to find a way to get those suits for us, then we’re gonna go dancing. Cuz really … who could resist a light-up suit?!

I will say this: they are extremely high energy. If all you’re looking for in your music is something to shake your booty to, then these guys need to be near the top of your playlist. You will shake yo’ ass until yo’ ass falls off! Like I said, I don’t really care for their stuff, but even I wanted to get up and jump around (jump around!). Ha ha ha. I slay myself.

Usher. I …

No … it’s not worth it.

So that’s that. Another half time show come and gone.

Tool Going to the Studio?

/ / Opinion, rantings

I heard a rumor … and it’s goooood.

It is entirely possible that we will have a new Tool CD by the end of the year or early next year. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

In the interest of full disclosure, I pull my source from Kabir at Toolshed. The news update from which I cull this exciting bit of news is dated 8/17/2010, so it’s not even recent news. However, given the fact that Maynard has been busy touring with A Perfect Circle, who knows how much has been accomplished. For that matter, who knows how entrenched he is in the music writing process. The band is so enigmatic that there doesn’t seem to be a definitive definition of which band members contribute what.

After reading that the other day, I wondered what vids I could find on YouTube. Oh … there are some good ones.

I like live videos on YT–fan-shot concert vids. Or professionally produced works too. I just don’t want to see a static image and hear the studio recording overlaying the “video,” ya know? Blah.

For those unfamiliar with the band, this was their first single off their 4th studio release, 10000 Days. This CD had the incredible gift of the title track, clocking in at over 11 minutes of sonic bliss. In fact, here it is.

This song on the CD is a Picasso. It’s more emotive than just about anything you can imagine. The song reflects his feelings for his mom, who reportedly passed away in 2003 (2 years after Lateralus came out).

There are very few bands who come close to matching Tool’s intensity and musicianship. If you’re not familiar with them, I would recommend picking up their 4 studio CDs and their EP (if that’s what you want to call it … it’s more of a full length CD, but whatever). Aenima is dark, angry and bleak. Lateralus–the follow-up–much “brighter.” 10000 Days … masterpiece. Brilliant writing, brilliant music. Amazing stuff.

Hurry up and get that CD out!!

Frissonic Is on Facebook!

/ / Blah-ness, rantings

That’s right. We’ve taken the next step. Don’t see why not, right?

Wanna check it out? Feel free. I’m also gonna try to add some widgety code stuff to this site to link back to Facebook. We’ll see how that works. I’m betting it doesn’t. 🙂

Bronchitis. Hence the no-post Sunday. Kind of irritates me cuz I had a sweet streak going. Oh well. Just have to post more later.

Sorry if this post is lame. Probably is, being that I’m all under the weather like. So it’s off to bed. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day.

Review: Gypsy Death and You – e.p. no. 1

/ / New Music, Opinion, rantings, review

Well, it showed up today. I’ve ordered and won literally hundreds of CDs over the last month. Far and away, this has been the most anticipated one. I have, in my hands, the first EP from Gypsy Death and You. That’s THE BAND–not the song by The Kills.

This is why I’m a big fan of sites like Feed the Muse and Kickstarter. These guys *need* a site like that, if they don’t already have one. If they do, I’m not aware of it, but a search of both those sites reveals nothing, so … hmm.

First off, a big thanks to the band for sending this. I couldn’t imagine working or communicating with a nicer couple.

Gypsy Death and You are Alex Wilson and Emily Cahill. They’re from the Philadelphia area. If they’re any indication of the music scene in Philly, then the City of Brotherly Love is in most excellent musical hands.

The overall sound is amazing,–very raw and un-refined. I consider this to be a beautiful, beautiful thing. Here’s why.

What you hear is what you get. This music is precisely what you would hear if they decided to drop by and perform an impromptu concert in your front yard. It sounds like there is very little, if any, processing or “cleansing.” It’s real. There’s nothing other than the instruments and the band. In baking, raw, unrefined sugar is preferred to processed, white, refined sugar. Unrefined sugar has nutritional properties that are flat-out missing in refined sugars. Processed sugar is useless. I feel the same would be true if GDaY were to run their sound through a bunch of “refinement.” Their energy comes through with all the nuance and precision of a seasoned band, yet this is just their first EP. They’re not bogged down with all the baggage of someone like Bob Rock mucking up their sound (think what Metallica *could* have been if he hadn’t produced the black album. I’m just saying.)

The only exception to this is the beginning of “Capitol Jump,” where the intro is this wonderfully cacophonous noise barrage, filled with pounding drums, raging guitars, and a mix that leaves you shocked when they move beyond. They grab you with this infectious “Ah-ah-ah-ahhhh-ahhhh …” I like. A lot. Then we’re treated to the only song on the EP where Alex performs the primary vocals. On ReverbNation, they’ve uploaded a new version that has a more harmonic intro. Personally, I like the original! At least, I think that’s the original intro. Actually, I don’t know which is new version. Guess I should find out!

UPDATE: Boy was I wrong. I had it backwards. The ReverbNation version is the original. The one on the EP is the newer version. So, to be clear, prefer the newer, love the older. Capiche?

“Smile” has a very 80’s sounding, Molly Ringwald flavor to it. Odd, cuz as far as I know, she has never released a CD in her life. I don’t know if it’s Emily’s vocals or what, but the first thing I thought of when I heard this song was “Pretty in Pink.” I have no idea why. And it’s catchy. “A smile on you is a smile on me.”

The thing I like about “Sound of the Sun” is the tempo. For some reason, this strikes me as a very Lush sound to the music with a Kim Deal (though muffled through the distortion of the guitars) quality to the vocals, all the while maintaining their own sound.

If you’re a fan of The Jesus and Mary Chain, you’ll love their cover of “Something I Can’t Have.” It sounds like they’ve taken it up an octave to play to Emily’s vocal strengths, and it comes off with an awesome vibe.

In a nutshell, I *highly* recommend finding a way to pick up their CD. They’re good, they’re talented, they have more going on upstairs than most bands. They’re young, they’re inspired, and they have the potential to be around for long, long time.

There is just one small, tiny little nagging issue: the lack of availability. These guys deserve to have their music dispersed through some place like iTunes or Amazon … somewhere. They should be getting paid for their music. I don’t want to see them become another “flash in the pan,” you know?! They sent me the CD on their dime, even though I requested a PayPal address to help fund them. Were they to put their music on iTunes, I would buy it just to support them because they deserve it.

Emily, Alex … if you’re reading this, ya gotta get this out there. You are not just some other band. Your music is danceable. It’s at once up-beat and introspective. This has stratospheric potential. I’m begging you … do not quit. Do not give up. Put it on iTunes! Why not?! I can almost guarantee you you’ll have at least a favorable reviews.

Again, I want to thank these guys for the CD. I’m glad to have it, and I can’t wait to hear what else these guys come up with.

Facebook page

Muxtape page

Interview with NWSHoegazing.com

That is all.

In Honor of the Fallen

/ / Opinion, rantings

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger’s final ascent into the heavens. With her, she took Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judy Resnik, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair, Michael Smith and Ellison Onizuka on their final flight. 73 seconds into the launch, an O-ring on one of the solid rocket boosters failed, causing an explosion that destroyed the shuttle.

To those who have served in the space program, I thank you. To those who have lost loved ones to the space program disasters, I thank you for sharing your family, your friend, with us who have so much to gain from the furthering of science and education.

These 7 died in a tragic accident that sure, probably could have been avoided. But in their memory, children from around the country–probably from around the world–have taken up the mantle and have made their career choices early on. Astronauts. Scientists. Doctors. Discoverers. Some of the children who sat in classrooms 25 years ago are the pioneers into new fields of study that weren’t even around in the mid-80s. It’s possible–probable–that those children derived part of their fire and desire from “the seven.”

In honor of the fallen, I choose to remember the shuttle program with this offering from the band Rush, who were privilegdged enough to be in attendance at the first launch. Read the words. Feel them. This was the inaugural flight into a whole new era of education and understanding of space.

Here are the lyrics.

Lit up with anticipation
We arrive at the launching site
The sky is still dark, nearing dawn
On the Florida coastline

Circling choppers slash the night
With roving searchlight beams
This magic day when super-science
Mingles with the bright stuff of dreams

Floodlit in the hazy distance
The star of this unearthly show
Venting vapours, like the breath
Of a sleeping white dragon

Crackling speakers, voices tense
Resume the final count
All systems check, T minus nine
As the sun and the drama start to mount

The air is charged
A humid, motionless mass
The crowds and the cameras
The cars full of spectators pass
Excitement so thick you could cut it with a knife
Technology…high, on the leading edge of life

The earth beneath us starts to tremble
With the spreading of a low black cloud
A thunderous roar shakes the air
Like the whole world exploding

Scorching blast of golden fire
As it slowly leaves the ground
Tears away with a mighty force
The air is shattered by the awesome sound

Like a pillar of cloud
The smoke lingers high in the air
In fascination
With the eyes of the world
We stare…

 Again, a million thank yous to “the seven.” And to EVERYONE who stands up for education, science, and the determination to learn from the past and look to the future.

Take Down the Pimp RIAA!

/ / Opinion, rantings

Okay, I know that sounds a bit melodramatic, but it’s still how I feel, so … I’m leaving it.

My original intent was to write about how it seems like more and more artists are wising up and ditching the standard recording industry method of marketing and distribution for the *much* more up-to-date, modern, intelligent model of DIY distribution and funding.

Marissa Nadler and Samantha Crain are my first two examples. Here we have two amazing artists who want desperately to record music. AND THEY SHOULD. Have you heard these two?! No? Stop what you’re doing. Go to iTunes, Amazon, or wherever you buy your music. Sample their stuff. You’ll be hooked. I promise.

Anyway, these two need your support to record their music. They work hard for their art, and they deserve to be compensated. NOT the RIAA, not some label who will take their talent and rape them repatedly with some pathetic contract that will promise them pennies on the dollar. No–they made the music, they should get the royalties. Long gone are the days where a CD is the required method of distribution. iTunes has gone so far beyond the point of being a good example that I barely feel comfortable using them as an example. PEOPLE WILL PAY FOR THE MUSIC THEY WANT.

And therein lies the rub. How can you get people to want to buy music in an age where freebie sites are literally everywhere? Torrent sites are rampant. Why would someone willingly hand over cash for something that they could probably google and grab for free?

Exhibit A: Marissa Nadler’s site.

Pledge $100 or more

Dying Breeds: Autographed CD and vinyl LP, Digital Download, T-shirt, the never-before-released “Ivy and the Clovers” album on CD, and 4 tickets to a show of your choice.

Did you catch that? 4 tickets to ANY SHOW. ANYWHERE. Now … I’m guessing that if you live in L.A. and you want to see a show in the Catskills, you’re gonna have to pony up the airfare. Or bus. Train. Whatever. You will need to get there yourself. I’m okay with that! Let’s say you live in Denver and the show is in Salt Lake. Plan a road trip! Or if you’re lucky enough to have her come to your city, then you are in *such* luck.

Some of the upper-tier pledge amounts are steep, but hey … free concert? in your home? Yah. That’s worth some big cash. I’d totally do that if had a spare $3500. Not surprisingly, no one has taken her up on that one. Yet.

Exhibit A1. This article. My favorites are the paragraphs about Josh Freese and Moldover. Actually, once you get past the Reznor and Freese portions, it goes in to some amazing stories about others who have used this exact same method. AND this article was written over a year ago. In internet terms, that’s like … 300 years in real time. Or something.

Exhibit B. Samantha Crain.

Similar to Marissa Nadler though not quite on as grand a scale, there are various donation options. $10 gets you a hand-typed note. Nothing big, I guess, other than the fact that you get warm fuzzies for supporting a beautiful musician. Upwards of $75 gets you a song-ette. Now … what I want to know is if that song-ette is specifically written for you, or if it’s just a canned mini-song that says a generic “thanks for your big donation.” If it’s tailored to the person, I’m *ALL* for dropping the money for that. That’s rare, and it’s something NO ONE else will have. To me, that’s worth the money. I’d pay for that. But that might just be me.

So here it is. We’re not even in the age of digital downloads anymore. We’ve past the “free music” era and have moved into the “i’m buying this because I’m getting something rare and unique.” It’s kind of a self-serving notion, but ya know what? We’re gonna buy into this because that’s human nature. We want what others don’t have. We want to have something to call our own. And if that’s a shirt out of Josh Freese’s closet, or a hand-made PCB with light-sensitive noise making CD covers, or a personal concert in your living room, we *want* something unique. We desire to set ourselves apart from others by claiming the right to say, “Hey … someone sent me a personalized song,” or something along those lines. I know I do!

If a CD Disappears from a Band’s Website, Did It Ever Really Exist?

/ / Blah-ness, Opinion, rantings

Today is my birthday. Hooray me.

It is also Wayne Gretzky’s birthday. He’s infinitely more cool than I could ever hope to be. I mean, hi … he’s The Great One. And for a good reason. Oddly, I didn’t know that he and I share the same birthday until today. Also, I assumed he was lightyears older than I am. Not quite so.

I *did* know that I share this special “dia do nascimento” (as say the Portuguese. And Brazilians.) with one Edward Van Halen. Yes–the very same. The guitar viruoso that brought tapping to the forefront. He of “Eruption” fame. Eddie. The chants were deafening. I only got to see him twice, both in support of their For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge CD. For all of you with sensitve eyes, don’t try to make an acronym out of that. You’ll probably cry.

The first time I saw Van Halen was in August of 1991. My buddies Eric, Steve, and Jeff  and I all drove from western New York to Akron Ohio to see them at the beautiful Blossom Music Center. Opening for them was this long-haired, weird sounding freak show that only seemed interested in swinging their heads of long hair around such that their mops would flail around in circles. It looked ridiculous. Oh. And the lead singer? Just sat on a stool. Well, bar stool. Not poop. But yah. Just sat there, wearing sunglasses and sporting short blond hair. They didn’t make it very far into their set before we booed them off stage. I do believe some gesticulations of an avian nature were directed in our direction. By “our,” I mean the entire crowd. Or at least a vast majority of us.

The band? No other than Alice in Chains.

Oh how I hang my head in shame … truly we deserved the bird we were given. In hindsight, I wish we had been more open-minded–more understanding … more tolerant. How is that for a microcosm of how life should be lived?

Alas, we were not. Oh well. Live and learn.

So ANYway, I celebrate my day with Edward. Which made me wonder what’s going on with the band. For those of you familiar with their discography, you’ll know that, after Dave’s departure, they recorded 4 CDs with Sammy Hagar and one with Gary Cherone. Take a look at their website. See the background image? It scrolls through I, II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down,  and 1984, then cycles back to I.  WHERE are 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, Balance, and III?! Do those albums no longer exist in Dave’s, Alex’s, and Eddie’s minds? Did they not make those albums? But where are they?

You know, I’m all for giving the band their due. They were a great, great party band. They were exciting, Eddie was and is an insane guitarist, Alex is … well, he’s a drummer, but he’s not that great. Wolfgang is … what. 19? And ignore the fact that “Diamond Dave” is so far past his prime that he’s become a caricature of himself when he tries to perform. I don’t know … it just seems childish and petty to ignore the music they made with Sammy and Gary under the Van Halen name. If I go out to Amazon, those CDs are still available because they were made. I just don’t get the immaturity factor. “Ohhhh … we had a rift with Sammy, and no one liked III, so let’s pretend those don’t exist.”

FACT: they’ve had more rifts with David Lee Roth than they EVER did with Sammy. Not to mention that Gary Cherone left the band on amicable terms. There’s no drama there. So … what the hell.

I don’t know. If, for whatever reason, I just happened to be listening to the radio, and a Van Halen song came on, I don’t think I’d necessarily kick it off. I don’t have any on my phone or ipod, so I don’t think any will becoming through my playlist any time soon … but I just don’t see myself reverting back to a point where I swoon over them like I once did. Their time has come and gone.

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