Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Common - Universal Mind Control
This is going to be short.
I just picked up the new Common CD "Universal Mind Control". Even though it's a bit of a different direction from his previous work, it's still an amazing piece of work. A lot of the songs are more dancey club style songs but still with more style than most of the shit on the radio.
Go take a listen...the whole album is available on his MySpace.
Common's MySpace
Monday, November 17, 2008
Spacious Thoughts
Sweet Baby! This collaboration has got me all giddy.
Kool Keith and Tom Waits.
Oh man just listen.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Lights In The Sky at The Forum
This is a pretty good review of the show from Saturday at The Forum. I took it from www.artistdirect.com
It's hard to forget a Nine Inch Nails show. Each NIN tour has become legendary in its own right. In 1994, the Self Destruct Tour saw the band become an arena rock juggernaut in the wake of their essential classic, The Downward Spiral. The trek culminated with NIN's famous 1994 Woodstock set, which left a mud-covered crowd salivating for more. In 2000, the Fragility 2.0 trek saw the band emerge from years of silence and leave a trail of stunned, sold-out audiences behind them. Their 2005 headlining gig at Coachella caused jaws to collectively drop across the Indio valley, as did the With Teeth tour that followed. Those instances all have a healthy amount of time between them, and NIN's career seems marked by that prolonged quiet before the flashes of recorded brilliance.
However, since 2005, it's seems as if NIN hasn't left the road. So with that, Mr. Reznor has to keep crowds guessing. As prolific as ever—both Ghosts I-V and The Slip were released online this year—Trent decided to step his game up even more. It's because of that mentality that Lights In the Sky happened this summer. It's quite possibly one of the most thrilling aural experiences of the year. The show shouldn't even be called a simple "concert." It's much more than that.
Along with Kanye West's Glow In the Dark Tour, one of NIN's best attractions on this run is the light show. It's hard to compete with Reznor's epic vision on record, but live, it's even harder. At The Forum in Los Angeles, NIN kicked off a two-hour plus set with the pummeling combination of "1,000,000" and "Letting You." Immediately, a bombast of strobe lights ignited a sensory overload. The lights' intensity matched the music's staccato, industrial punishment. Reznor, clad in a blood-red shirt and black pants, commanded the death march. His razor sharp wail sounded more pained than ever, and he synched up with the gnashing guitars through each and every howl. Then came "March of the Pigs." As the band tore through the classic, the crowd went unequivocally crazy for the first time that night. From 666-emblazoned goth girls to blackberry-wielding L.A. industry types, everyone lost his or her mind to the din of Reznor's apocalyptic industrial thrash. When the keyboards took over, and he screamed, "Now doesn't it make you feel better," all eyes couldn't leave the stage. At the end of the song, he brought the audience back to 1994 again as he violently whipped the mic stand, throwing it across the stage. Meanwhile, the lights opened and closed like some kind of bionic curtain fluttering in the winds of pure aggression.
"The Frail," from the band's arguably most underrated album The Fragile, gave a slow, moody reprieve. Reznor took over the keyboards alone. One lone spotlight shone on him, as he strangled the crowd's attention with a maudlin, neo-classical piano melody that could serve as the most beautiful funeral dirge ever. The song's buildup was big and ominous, chronicling NIN's darkest hour within it's brightest show. During a heavier jam on the depressive stripper anthem "Closer," red lights bent back and forth, and everyone in the crowd chanted the song's church-prodding chorus.
"Gave Up" exploded with a viral intensity that flooded the crowd like a shockwave. It was a fiery explosion of energy, and then the curtain dropped. Sticks of light began dancing and gyrating, as Reznor and Co. stood behind a transparent screen. Their shadows resembled a gothic painting as the lights flashed around, faintly illuminating them during "The Warning."
After "Vessel," the band played an instrumental acoustic set culled from Ghosts. The set was quiet and trippy. It proved to be a bit long, but the outdoor backdrops gave the stage an entrancing depth that made up for the quaint ere. However, Trent quickly turned things around with a creepy, almost-acoustic rendition of "Piggy" at the end of the Ghosts section. Even though the instrumental section wasn't as powerful as the rest of the set, it still saw NIN pushing their own limits.
Suddenly, the snowy red foreground on the screen was erased like a skyscraper window cleaner, and the opening strains of "Pinion" began. Trent launched into "Wish," and its avalanche of lights and distorted energy simply bludgeoned. The raw feedback and massive groove were enough to spark equal amounts of moshing and dancing. "Head Like A Hole" resounded like a goth national anthem, while on "Only," Trent appeared within a snow of lights in front of the screen, washing away the fuzz. "Survivalism," "The Hand That Feeds" and "The Big Comedown" all proved equally incendiary.
Near the end of the set, Reznor spoke for the first time, asking, "Do you want to hear something happy and light or something depressing and horrible?" With a smirk, the band began the rarely played "Reptile," and its sensually strangling chorus ripped with a vile sexuality. The green lights and smoke functioned as the perfect foreground.
"Hurt" proved ever the poignant closer. As the last feedback strains rotted through the silence, it felt like NIN had become stronger than ever. A more positive ending, "In This Twilight" came as an encore, pushing NIN into the stratosphere. Lights In the Sky was nothing short of epic, and, in true Nine Inch Nails fashion, it'll be talked about for years to come.
—Rick Florino
09.08.08
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Straight To Hell in some Paper Planes
When I first heard Paper Planes by M.I.A., I found the song slightly annoying but slightly catchy. Actually, the only thing I found really catchy about that song was the riff that repeats itself over and over in the song. There was something familiar about it but I couldn't put my finger on it.
Lo' and Behold, here I am today listening to The Clash after watching "The Future Is Unwritten" last night and the song Straight To Hell comes on. I haven't heard this song in quite a long time. And there it is! The same riff!
So, I'm kinda torn now about how I feel about Paper Planes as a song. I still find it catchy. But it's the same thing I found catchy about Straight To Hell. Now I'm curious if she is paying homage to The Clash and their message as well, since there are similarities in her's. Of course, they are definitely two different songs if you listen to the structure but that riff...without it Paper Planes would be damn boring to listen to.
As an addendum, I'd like to add that I find it a bit disconcerting that people think the song "Paper Planes" is about getting high and smoking weed. To quote M.I.A. from a recent interview: I was having this stupid visa problem and I didn't know what it was, aside from them thinking that I might to fly a plane into the Trade Center - which is the only reason that they would put me through this. I actually recorded that in Brooklyn, in Bed-Stuy. I was thinking about living there, waking up every morning - it's such an African neighborhood. I was going to get patties at my local and just thinking that really the worst thing that anyone can say [to someone these days] is some s--t like: 'What I wanna do is come and get your money.' People don't really feel like immigrants or refugees contribute to culture in any way. That they're just leeches that suck from whatever. So in the song I say 'All I wanna do is [sound of gun shooting and reloading, cash register opening] and take your money.' I did it in sound effects. It's up to you how you want to interpret. America is so obsessed with money, I'm sure they'll get it."
Friday, July 25, 2008
Amon Tobin
There has been recent updates made to Amon Tobin's website. I received word from his management company and I figured I'd relay the info to the tiny handful of readers who peruse this blog. Amon Tobin's site can be found here. The overhaul is pretty impressive.
Below is the press release I received from Amon Tobin's management:
There are run-of-the-mill artist websites where nothing ever changes and flash looks disguise lack of content. That’s around 90% of them accounted for. Then there are those few where you get stuff you’re not getting anywhere else.
Once a month for the next six months, Amon Tobin will be releasing one exclusive track (not previously released on any album) made available for sale directly through his web site at http://www.amontobin.com. But not only is there exclusive material, there’s the chance to generate your own exclusive material. Site users are being invited to submit videos for these songs for compilation on an eventual DVD release.
Tobin’s web site already features a community element. The Fans’ Videos section of the site provides a platform for people to submit their own films for his tracks. Tobin’s music is known for being cinematic and providing a perfect accompaniment to moving pictures (as evidenced in his score of films such as “Taxidermia” and games such as “Splinter Cell 3: Chaos Theory”). You only have to look at the list of his scored and licensed works (also on the site, in the Media section) to see that. Amon Tobin has decided to embrace this marriage of music and image and see what results are forthcoming.
Don’t get us wrong, though – Tobin’s site has enough bells and whistles to keep any midget-attention span satisfied. Check out the game that’s prominently featured - through a 360 degree search and a series of clicks, you can unlock the creatures that live within the site to witness a unique demonstration of 3D animation in synch with Amon’s scores. Set up the right speakers and note that the whole experience is in surround sound.
In addition to the exclusive tracks in the coming months, Tobin will be offering a digital release of his soundtrack to “Taxidermia”, live mixes, ringtones and ringbacks, as well as new designs for t-shirts, hats, posters, desktops, CDs and vinyl. You can stay posted by grabbing the Amon Tobin gydget (link).
Stop reading, log on, enjoy.
www.amontobin.com
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Tom Waits: Glitter And Doom
It's almost been a week since I left for Phoenix to visit with an old friend and see Tom Waits perform at The Orpheum Theater and I have finally found some time to sit down and recap that experience.
My friend dropped me off on Wednesday evening in plenty of time to stand in the line that had already formed outside The Orpheum. It was an ungodly kind of heat that I was being subjected to. I can't even imagine what it's like to live there and deal with it being 115 degrees out daily. I could already tell by the crowd in line that this show was going to be awesome. A Tom Waits show brings out a variety of circus freaks, goths, bikers, and folk music fans.
When I finally got inside, I made a b-line directly to the tshirt booth. Leave it up to Mr. Waits to do things differently. The three shirts that were on sale had no mention of The Glitter And Doom Tour on them. Instead, there were three different oil stain paintings that Tom Waits created at random dates in random locations. Accompanying the image is his signature. On the backs of each, had the name of the oil stains all Untitled, where they were created, and the date. The shirt I purchased was a black one with what looked like a peg legged man shooting a gun. With that, I also purchased the chapbook containing the Tom Waits True Confessions interview conducted by Tom Waits himself.
I eventually made my way to my seat which was Section A, Row 11. I was something like 150 feet from the stage! I sat there staring at the stage which looked a bit vaudville and a bit gypsy-ish. There were a variety of old bullhorns put together in what looked like an art installation along the back of the stage. I took a few pics that came out horribly from my phone. Cameras weren't allowed in and later I found my phone in jeopardy of being confiscated.
My row became more and more crowded and I can best sum up the people I was sandwiched between as a scenario sung about in a Tom Waits song. To my left were a rotund bald white man in overalls. He looked like a biker. His friend was a stickly asian man in acid washed tight jeans, a black shirt tightly tucked into said jeans, slicked back ponytail, and a skull patch covered fanny pack that held his gin beverage disguised as vitamin water. He smelled like how I remember my dad smelling the few times I was around him. Then to my right was a group of five russians. They gave me the circus folk vibe. The girl sitting next to me had jet black hair and porcelain skin. Her friend was a 2 1/2 foot tall dwarf. The show hadn't even started and my experience so far was amazing.
I heard from the usher that on Tuesday he had played for 2 1/2 hours so I was even more excited and expecting a long night. A half hour late, and finally the lights went off. The crowd around me went fucking nuts, as did I. See...I'm always surprised when I meet a Tom Waits fan. You're either a fan or you're not. Since the man hardly performs, I was excited. Multiply that by the capacity of this venue. I can only imagine the energy is the same at every venue of his "PEHDTSCKJMBA" tour.
His band took the stage, soon followed by the man himself who waves his long fingers at the crowd. He stepped up to the elevated part of the stage where the microphone was. Immediately beginning a lovely combo of Lucinda/ Leadbelly's Ain't Goin Down to the Well
Those clips above give you the general feel of the performance. I'm curious how the person got away with taking those clips. If you still want a taste of the song live, here's his performance from Conan in 2006
I remember watching that clip on Conan and got shivers when Tom Waits came out and stomped with the dust rising. He reminded me of a preacher or carnival barker from the era of The Great Depression. By the way, a combination of his music and the tv show Carnivale is very lovely together.
From there, he proceeded to play for about 2 hours. Here's the complete setlist:
Lucinda/Ain't Going Down To The Well
Down In The Hole
Falling Down
All The World Is Green
During Misery's The River Of The World , he had the audience shouting "Everybody row" which was awesome as his band changed up the song to include a waltz as the chorus.
Day After Tomorrow
Sins Of The Father
Trampled Rose
Metropolitan Glide
Dead & Lovely
Cemetery Polka
Dirt In The Ground
Hoist That Rag
A Little Rain [on piano]
During Innocent When You Dream [on piano], he had the audience sing along much like previous live performances of this song.
Lost In The Harbour [on harmonium]
16 Shells From A Thirty Ought Six
Jesus Gonna Be Here
After which, the band left the stage. There was a brief period of stomping, cheering, and clapping from the audience followed by the band retaking the stage.
I was pleasantly surprised at the choice of the songs for the Encore. He played November off The Black Rider which is my favorite song off that CD.
He then followed that with an 8 minute version of Eyeball Kid as the closing song. During the few breaks in the song, Tom Waits took off his bowler hat, the lights went out, and then four spotlights shown on him as he put on a mirror ball bowler. The pieces of glass on the hat then reflected out in the audience as his spun around in circles.
Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Sure, he played longer the night before but to keep a show fresh, I'm sure he wanted to mix things up. Afterall, he has over 30 years of material to work with. Highlights of the show was Lucinda, Down In The Hole, Cemetary Polka, Dirt In The Ground, 16 Shells From A Thirty Ought Six, and November.
I'm hoping this won't be the only time I see this man play live. But if it is, I am happy to say I was there.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Countdown To Tom Waits 4: The Poet
Ok I think I've made my point thus far that I'm a bit fan of Tom Waits and why. But the music stems from the writing. The man is a great writer. He tells stories. But it stems from a poetic mind.
I leave for Arizona tomorrow. I will be seeing him live on Wednesday. The next Tom Waits blog entry will surely be a review of that show.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Countdown to Tom Waits: The Storyteller
If it's one overall thing I like most about Tom Waits' music, it's that every song tells a story. Some creepy and dark, others sorrowful, and even others paint a hopeful picture through nursery rhyme-like wonder.
He's one of my main inspirations when it comes to my own writing.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Countdown to Tom Waits 3: The Old School Shit
To fully appreciate the music of Tom Waits, I believe one must also appreciate Jazz and Blues music since this is where his music originated in its style. He has later said that his early music career was something that seemed a bit copied and misguided as he had yet to truly discover his own voice. I'm sure the alcohol played a part. I'm also sure meeting and marrying Kathleen Brennan also played a huge part in his growth. To appreciate the Tom Waits genius of today, I think you must also appreciate the sloppy Jazz Blues music he made in the 70s and early 80s before the Frank's Wild Years trilogy.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Countdown to Tom Waits 2: Big Time
This video is an excerpt from the hard to find movie Big Time. It's accompanied by a live CD as well and contains all of Tom Waits' hits up until that point. I wish I had this movie. I'm not a big fan of live recordings but there has been exceptions and he surely does make these songs larger than the original recordings lives.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Countdown to Tom Waits
In less than seven days, I will be in Phoenix, Arizona. I am staying with an old friend. I'm looking forward to spending time with her, catching up on old times, and having a mini vacation. But on top of this, I will also be seeing Tom Waits perform at The Orpheum Theater for his Glitter and Doom tour.
This is a big deal for me as Tom Waits is one of my idols. He is a big inspiration.
So I decided to begin a countdown of sorts. Every day until Tuesday, when I leave, I will post a favorite video/song/or image of Mr. Waits.
And now, "Going Out West" from the album Bone Machine. It was his first album working with Larry Taylor where he incorporated more industrial noises. The album's overall concept is Armageddon.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Saul Williams
I recently found out an old friend of mine who is an actress and singer just got married to Hip Hop Artist/Spoken Word Poet Saul Williams. I was surprised and thrilled by this. Saul Williams is one of those few hip hop artists that always blows me away with the words he speaks.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Scarlett Johansson does Tom Waits
Obviously I pick Tom Waits. For those who don't know, Scarlett Johansson will be releasing her album mostly comprised of Waits' cover songs. I took a listen to what she has on her profile here Anywhere I Lay My Head
My first thought while listening to the tracks on the profile was that it vaguely reminded me of The Cocteau Twins. Then I heard a hint of David Bowie (he is featured in the background of a few tracks) but his voice is diminished to a hint of an echo. Dave Sitek from TV On The Radio produced this album. I can hear the TV On The Radio sound a little on here. It still sounds too gothy shoegaze for my tastes.
Of course, I think Scarlett Johansson is hot and the idea of her doing a Tom Waits cover album makes me happy. Part of me doesn't even care if the album sucks. I mean, it's Scarlett Johansson. She's a great actress, she's gorgeous, and she likes Tom Waits.
What more could I ask for?
I suppose I can ask for it to be good. But from what I heard, it's not horrible.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Two Things That Made My Monday!
I sign into my computer at work and find in big letters on the NIN blog on MySpace that there's a new album for free download. I nearly crapped my pants. It's called The Slip. It awesome. Download it, everyone. It's free. The Slip 
If the new NIN wasn't enough, I then get a link to this video:
He's having a frickin' tour!?!? Dagnabbit! It starts the week of my birthday. I just may have to trek over to Phoenix to see him. I need to see this man perform live before he is no longer performing!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Discipline by NIN
Click the link below to download the new NIN single "Discipline" for FREE!
Trent, I love you.
Discipline
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Something In Common
Gotta love the C O double M O to the N
Something about him, it's a Common day for me.
Enjoy.
And some old school shit, for good measure:
Can't wait for the new album to drop in a few months!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
To Hell In A Handbasket
This bitch gets a reality tv show, starts her own clothing line, is working on an album, and voting for John McCain.
Ahhh...America.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tunes,Tacos, and Trannies
This past Friday, I ventured out to Das Bunker with some friends. For those of you out there who don't know, Das Bunker is a dance club that specializes in all forms of Industrial music. Their site can be found here: Das Bunker
I haven't been out in quite a while so it was nice to head out and get sweaty to hard noisy beats.
Here's a video example of the music I am referring to:
It was a good night. Sad thing was, I wanted to leave by 1. I drove people there and the people I drove decided it was best we leave at 1:30, which meant we actually left at 2am. By that time, I was worn out and once again reminded of my age. I just wanted to go to bed. It's been quite a long time since I've been out clubbing, let alone out till 2am near Crenshaw Blvd.
I was happy we were leaving until the decision was made to go to Del Taco. I offered to take them to the one near our houses but they opted for the Del Taco on Santa Monica and Highland.
Great.
I knew this wasn't going to be some easy 'go in, get food, and leave' scenario. I was reminded again of how much I had grown out of certain things like this. But we went.
Here's where the story takes a turn to the 'Friday Night in Hollywood' stereotype. We get to Del Taco at 2:20 and there's a line of cars from the drive thru so the decision is made to go inside and order. We walk in to find an army of gay men in front of us in line. I'm serious when I say army. They were all in different military garb. I make eye contact with one in particular who is sizing me up. This little Asian guy is wearing what looks like a cheap version of a US Air Force worman's outfit. It was one of them one piece things that zipper up the front. We make eye contact and I recognize this guy.
I then bust out laughing, almost in his face.
It was Bobby Trendy.
Yeah...that guy above. That little turd burglar. Anna Nicole Smith's stylist guy that was featured on her train wreck of a reality show. I'm staring at him. I then realize, my staring at him is making him think I am interested cuz he is now giving me the Devil eyes.
Quickly, like the wind, did I look away.
For the next fifteen minutes, we wait in line, we order our food, and we wait for our food whilst the gay army continues meandering about the Del Taco. My friends go to the restroom and while they are gone, some drunk fat mexican guy walks up to the counter and takes their food. This proceeds to more waiting.
We finally get our food and I'm excited because I thought this meant we were to leave but no, they wanted to eat there. So I sat down and ate my food and listened to my angry friend talk about how he wanted to kick the fat mexican's ass who was just sitting oblivious one table over.
At this point, the shady looking guy by the window is staring out the window, not moving. Almost in a statuesque state. So I follow his stare and see a transexual prostitute dancing for him outside on the Del Taco lawn. I couldn't see the shady guy's face to see his reaction but my gaydar wasn't going off. I wanted to warn him that this was a dude shaking his bony ass at him through the window. I didn't say a word though, because this is Hollywood at 2:30 am and I don't wanna get shot.
We finally finish our food and head to the car to find what looks like a tranny fight on the Del Taco lawn in progress. There were about 6 of them and I saw one removing her big hoop earrings yelling obscenities to the other who was just five minutes earlier shaking her lack of goodies at Mr. Shady Man. On top of this, there was a passed out guy on the grass lying on his back in the middle of this throw down.
This video isn't that far from the visual I am trying to convey to you:
Bizarre. That's Hollywood for ya. I had a good time but it reminded me why I don't go out to Hollywood at night much anymore.
That,and why I always take separate cars.
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