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Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood is perfect for 17 or 18 reasons. Daniel Day-Lewis and arguments utilizing milkshake analogies are two of these reasons. Jonny Greenwood’s (the real genius behind Radiohead) intensely unsettling soundtrack is a third. Dissonant string compositions and violent dynamics (along with the fact that the soundtrack is an integral part of the film, not just background noise) will help cement these scores right up there with Nino Rota’s music for the Godfather films and any of John William’s work. If you don’t remember the music, you either didn’t see the movie or were too busy trying to touch Jenny’s inner thigh. Anyway: Excerpts from Greenwood’s BBC award winning piece “Popcorn Superhet Receiver” can be heard, and fit perfectly. Pick it up and give some paranoid classical music a try. Personal suggestion: Don’t listen while trying to get to sleep. It just makes things ugly.
–Billy Yost
I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be writing. My band takes off for Spring Break tour right after I give a speech on the futility of human effort. I was loading up my iPod for break and realized I needed some new tunes. Luckily, former Marvelous 3 frontman and (gulp) current Pink/Avril Lavigne hit-maker/producer, Butch Walker, has offered up his new double album, Leavin’ the Game on Luckie Street, for 5$ or nothing. Walker writes the best pop songs of our time, straight up. That’s all about Butch.
If you stop by Saul Williams’ (Trent Reznor junkie) website you can also pick up a cheap (or free) copy of his critically acclaimed (and Reznor produced) The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust. Sounds too much like NIN to you? It’s okay. Just let it happen. Happy Spring Break. See you in the cities.
–Billy Yost
I haven’t heard it yet, but judging by Trent’s inability to say anything particularly well in the past few years, I’d say that things could go either way on this release. The big news on NIN’s Ghosts I-IV is that it can be downloaded for free or, for those of you with dignity, can be purchased for $5. Following Reznor’s split with his major label, it was obvious that he was excited to stick it to the man, women, or transvestite. This Radiohead-esque release certainly works (bias sources tell me Reznor was a little peeved that he didn’t get more of Radiohead’s credit for the “free” idea because he did it (sort of) first). A $10 CD or a $70 conglomeration of stuff (disc, Blue Ray disc, DVD) is also available at the band’s website and, rather than going to execs in suits, your cash will probably be geared more towards former junkies and sex addicts. That is something I support. For you hardcore fans with the makeup, the leather, and the whatnot, a $300 “ultra-deluxe-limited edition” can be purchased and includes vinyl, probably some more leather, and Reznor’s own John Hancock. Did I mention the album is instrumental? Seeing as this writer’s favorite NIN track is “Just Like You Imagined”, I’d say we’re in biz.
Life is hard. Especially when you wear leather undies.
–Billy Yost
As previously mentioned, my capacity for local local local local independent music is little to none, namely because I’m involved in the local music scene and most of it is terrible. That leaves Tom to sort out that mess. That’s the nature of most music, though, so don’t get down. 99% of the garbage you hear is…well, garbage. It’s searching for that 1% that defines your mornings, your walks to class, your first sexy time episode; those bands and songs stick with you for the rest of your life.
The UK’s Arctic Monkeys are my antidote for modern living. If you haven’t heard, their first release, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, became the fastest selling debut album in the history of British music. They’re keen on releasing music (releasing a 5-song EP only months after their blockbuster album) and take themselves as seriously as someone who doesn’t take themselves seriously at all. When introduced on British television, frontman Alex turner introduced the band as “We’re the Arctic Monkeys. Don’t believe the hype.”
They’re latest effort, Favourite Worst Nightmare, features the Monkeys taking a few new sounds without digressing heavily from what made them famous. However, the softer side of Turner is heard on such beautifully crafted songs as “Only One Who Knows .”
For you die hard fans, I suggest jumping on your favorite file sharing program and searching for the hard-to-find demos that made the Arctic Monkeys a huge Internet sensation. The band made money (lord knows gigs are paying less and less these days) by cutting demos and selling limited (due to monetary constraints, not a crappy Pearl Jam move) copies at shows.
While you’re at it, check out Youtube for their great covers of The Strokes “Take it or Leave It”, Amy Winehouse’s “You know I’m no Good”, and whoever’s “Diamonds are Forever.” Check it.
–Billy Yost
Editorial Note: Billy boy was called out for sure on the AM not actually charging money for their demos. They gave them out, which makes them even cooler. A quick Wikipedia check would have sorted this out. My b-b-bad.
It’s difficult to be familiar with the local music scene and not know the name We All Have Hooks For Hands. They’re undeniable. But, this post is not about the quality of their music, nor is it a review of their 2007 album The Pretender. This post was created to alert the dear readers of a phenomenon that occurs once in a blue moon… a Hooks show in Vermillion. Alas, the nine eccentric members of We All Have Hooks For Hands have decided to give a little love to their USD fans by having a show at Maya Jane’s this Friday the 29th at 7:00pm. Given the raw energy and stage presence that comes with a live Hooks show, I recommend that everybody and their mamas get down to Maya Jane’s on Friday. Shows in Vermillion have a history of being unexpectedly 21+, so minors beware. To the rest, get off your butts, get on your feet, get to Maya Jane’s, and get hooked on Hooks.
- Tom Crouse
Two words (combined into one word): TuneGlue.
This new online “music map” serves as one of the most complete music suggestion sites on the web. It seems that places like www.pandora.com have opened the floodgates for music recommendation. TuneGlue is a powerhouse of RIYL information, combining knowledge from both Amazon’s and LastFM’s relationship data. And it’s oh so easy to use! 1. Think of an artist you like. 2. Type that artist in TuneGlue’s search bar. 3. Watch as a little “pod” appears. 4. Click on the “pod” and hit expand. 5. Watch as a flurry of similar artists erupt in all directions from your original search. 6. Lather, rinse, and repeat. Enjoy!
BTW, here’s the address: http://clients.onyro.com/tuneglue/
