Video of the Day

"Skull" by Sebadoh

Album Review: Join Us

Title:  Join Us (Amazon, iTunes)

Artist:  They Might Be Giants (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

They Might Be Giants first non-children’s album opens in classic TMBG fashion with the incredibly catchy “Can’t Keep Johnny Down.”  Sadly though, the rest of the album is pretty hit-or-miss.  In fact I’ve been trying to work on this review for about a week now but am having a real hard time listening to the record from start to finish.  “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” is absolute classic TMBG while “Canajoharie,” “Old Pine Box,” “Celebration,” and “You Probably Get That a Lot” are also really good.  The rest of the album is just meh.

Overall the record is typical TMBG—a mixture of pop, with hints of soul, rock, and funk, that is quirky and off kilter.  If you are a big-time TMBG fan then you’ll probably love Join Us, if not then I suggest getting their two-disc best-of collection Dial-A-Song: 20 Years of They Might Be Giants.

Video of the Day

"Smash It Up" by The Damned

Video of the Day

"On a Plain" by Frank Turner


Thanks to Dying Scene for the find.

2011’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Announced

Spinner is reporting that the 2011’s nominees for induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame have been announced and include Guns N’ Roses, The Cure, Joan Jett, Eric B. and Rakim, and Heart, among others. 

My first response – Guns N’ Roses?!?  WTF?!?  Seriously, how many bands/artists the truly deserve to be in the hall have been overlooked while GNR gets the nod?  At least Joan Jett is finally getting her due.  And Heart.  And The Cure.  And my dismay over the GNR nomination has nothing to do with my feelings about heavy metal.  Anthrax and Metallica were far more influential in the realm of the genre than GNR yet they’re not in the Hall.  *sigh*  

Details/Tracklist Revealed for R.E.M.’s Career-Spanning Greatest Hits Collection

Pitchfork is reporting that recently disbanded R.E.M. have released the tracklisting and details of their upcoming, career-spanning greatest hits collection entitled Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011. 

From the story –

Part Lies will made up of 40 tracks on two discs, collecting tracks from the band's releases on both IRS Records and Warner Bros. Records. It will include three tracks recorded after the release of their last album, Collapse Into Now: "A Month of Saturdays", "We All Go Back to Where We Belong" and "Hallelujah". They were recorded this summer in Athens, Georgia with Accelerate/Collapse Into Now producer Jacknife Lee.

The compilation will be out on November 15 via Warner Bros.

[…]

Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011:
Disc 1:
01 Gardening at Night
02 Radio Free Europe
03 Talk About the Passion
04 Sitting Still
05 So. Central Rain
06 (Don't Go Back to) Rockville
07 Driver 8
08 Life and How to Live It
09 Begin the Begin
10 Fall on Me
11 Finest Worksong
12 Its the End of the World as We Know it (and I Feel Fine)
13 The One I Love
14 Stand
15 Pop Song 89
16 Get Up
17 Orange Crush
18 Losing My Religion
19 Country Feedback
20 Shiny Happy People
Disc 2
01 The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
02 Everybody Hurts
03 Man on the Moon
04 Nightswimming
05 Whats the Frequency, Kenneth?
06 New Test Leper
07 Electrolite
08 At My Most Beautiful
09 The Great Beyond
10 Imitation of Life
11 Bad Day
12 Leaving New York
13 Living Well Is the Best Revenge
14 Supernatural Superserious
15 Überlin
16 Oh My Heart
17 Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter
18 A Month of Saturdays
19 We All Go Back to Where We Belong
20 Hallelujah

Okay, I know that they can only put so many songs on the collection and that a lot of the big and cult hits are included here but it still looks a bit thin to me.  What happened to “Wolves, Lower” (which has gotten shafted each time this band has released a greatest hits collection, despite the fact that it was their first video), “These Days,” “Daysleeper,” “Near Wild Heaven,” “Drive” (which has also gotten shafted on previous best-of collections), and “Perfect Circle?”  Hopefully there will be other things on the collection that will make it worth buying (like all of the band’s videos…that would be cool). 

Trying Out a New Layout

I’m trying out a new layout for the blog. What do you think?

Currently Listening

1. “Hold My Bed” by Austin Lucas & Chuck Ragan (from Bristle Ridge)
2. “Home Sick” by Eugenius (from Mary Queen of Scots)
3. “Here Comes a Regular” by The Replacements (from Tim [Expanded Edition])
4. “Over Now” by Samiam (from Trips)
5. “Hold the Reins” by Wagers (from New Guilt)
6. “Nightcaps” by Great Cynics (from Don’t Need Much)
7. “I Am Disappeared” by Frank Turner (from England Keep My Bones)
8. “Losin’ Everyone” by Drag the River (from Closed)
9. “Heavy Head” by Swingin’ Utters (from Here, Under Protest)
10. “Head On” by Pixies (from Trompe Le Monde)

Video of the Day

"This Little Girl" by Cady Groves

Happy Banned Books Week

This week (September 24 – October 1, 2011) is Banned Books Week.  Celebrate freedom and read something that someone doesn't want you to. 

Thanks to Neil Gaiman for the find.

Album Review: Clash Battle Guilt Pride

Title:  Clash Battle Guilt Pride (Official, Bridge Nine Records, Amazon, iTunes, Interpunk, Wikipedia)

Artist:  Polar Bear Club (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, Bridge Nine Records, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Polar Bear Club is a post-hardcore band from Rochester, NY that sound a lot like Rise Against.  In fact Polar Bear Club’s vocalist Jimmy Stadt could by Tim McIlrath’s vocal doppelganger, but this is not to say that PBC are a cheap rip off band because they’re not.  What PBC is, is an extremely capable and tight outfit that has put out a very, very good record. 

Now if you like or have heard Rise Against then you have a pretty good idea what Clash Battle Guilt Pride sounds like – melodic post-hardcore with big choruses and lots of hooks.  Stand-out moments include “My Best Days,” Screams in Caves,” “Religion on the Radio,” and “Close Knit.”    

Clash Battle Guilt Pride is a great album for fans of the aforementioned Rise Against, Red City Radio, Against Me!, and Hot Water Music.  

Currently Listening

1. “Blocking the Sunshine” by Candy Hearts (from Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams)
2. “Messengers Victim” by Traindodge (from Nice People NMF Preview)
3. “Because You’re Young” by Against Me! (from Daytrotter Session 6/1/2010)
4. “Meet You in the Middle” by Chuck Ragan (from Covering Ground)
5. “Blue Above the Rooftops” by Eugenius (from Mary Queen of Scots)
6. “Chasing Heather Crazy” by Guided By Voices (from The Best of Guided By Voices: Human Amusements at Hourly Rates)
7. “80 West” by Samiam (from Trips)
8. “No Surrender” by Roustabouts (from Midwest Rules, Vol. 2: You’re Weak – We’re Strong)
9. “Hold the Reins” by Wagers (from New Guilt)
10. “My Quiet Lunch Breaks” by Great Cynics (from Don’t Need Much)

Video of the Day

"Dyslexic Heart" by Paul Westerberg

EP Review: The Fire, The Steel, The Tread / Up to Nothing EP

Title:  The Fire, The Steel, The Tread / Up to Nothing EP (Official, Amazon, iTunes)

Artist:  Hot Water Music (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, PureVolume, AllMusic, iTunes, Wikipedia)

This EP is Hot Water Music’s first new original material since 2004’s The New What Next.  “The Fire, The Steel, The Tread” is a re-worked Chuck Ragan solo song (which I wouldn’t have known without reading some reviews of this release, like this one and this one).  The song does have that Americana flare that Ragan has become known for but it still feels like a HWM song to me.  “Up to Nothing” has Chris Wollard taking the vocal duties in a song that would sound perfectly at home on The New What Next or along side any of The Draft’s material (for those of you who may not know, The Draft is basically HWM without Chuck Ragan).  Both songs are melodic, with powerful hooks and driving beats. 

I’m relatively new to Hot Water Music, just having really gotten into their music within the last few years, making The Fire, The Steel, The Tread / Up to Nothing EP the first new material that I’ve ever heard.  That having been said, I really really like this EP and think it is a great tease for what is to come when the band finally puts out a new full-length record in the somewhat near future (hopefully).  

Album Review: Trips

Title:  Trips (BandCamp, Hopeless Records, Amazon, iTunes, AllMusic)

Artist:  Samiam (Official, BandCamp, Facebook 1, Facebook 2, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Samiam is a melodic post-hardcore / pop punk band in the vein of Jawbreaker, Seaweed, Gameface, and Hot Water Music.  Hailing from Berkeley, CA the band has been around since the late ‘80s but Trips is their first album in over five years and third for Hopeless Records.  On top of that, Trips is probably one of the best records of the year. 

The record opens with the incredibly catchy and hugely anthematic “80 West” (which is one of the best songs that I’ve heard this year).  “Clean Up the Messes” and “September Holiday” continue with the high energy up-beat pace while “Demon” takes a mid-tempo melodic turn.  The rest of the album fluctuates from high energy catchy numbers to mid-tempo melodic numbers, all of which are great.  The album closes with the ballad “Happy for You.”  Thematically the record deals with the typical issues of the genre (emotions, relationships, etc.) but without a lyric sheet I haven’t been able to single out what each song is specifically about.  I am planning on getting Trips on CD at some point in the near future and am looking forward to following along with the lyric sheet and diving into the liner notes.  

I some how missed getting into Samiam in the ‘90s.  I think at some point I may have had their self-titled debut on cassette but honestly can’t remember for sure.  That having been said, I have liked everything of theirs that I’ve heard over the years (various songs here and there on YouTube) and LOVE this record, so I suspect that I’ll be getting the rest of their catalog in the near future. 

If you are a fan of band like Jawbreaker, Seaweed, Red City Radio, Hot Water Music, or Gameface then I HIGHLY suggest you check out Samiam’s Trips.   

Video of the Day

"Alex Chilton" by The Replacements

Favorite Song by the Album: R.E.M. (the Bill Berry Years)

Now that R.E.M. have called it a day, I’ve decided to cover them in an edition of Favorite Song by the Album.  I’m actually surprised that I haven’t done one of these already for the band.  Like with my Essential R.E.M. and Ranking the Albums posts, I am only including the records released while drummer Bill Berry was in the band. 

Album:  Chronic Town

Favorite Song:  “Wolves, Lower”

Honorable Mention:  “Gardening at Night”

Album:  Murmur 

Favorite Song:  “Sitting Still”

Honorable Mentions:  “Talk About the Passion,” “Radio Free Europe,” and “Perfect Circle”

Album:  Reckoning

Favorite Song:  “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville”

Honorable Mentions:  “Pretty Persuasion,” “Harborcoat,” and “So. Central Rain”

Album:  Fables of the Reconstruction

Favorite Song:  “Can’t Get there from Here”

Honorable Mentions:  “Driver 8” and “Life and How to Live It”

Album:  Lifes Rich Pageant

Favorite Song:  “I Believe”

Honorable Mentions:  “Superman,” “Fall On Me,” “These Days,” “Just a Touch,” and “Begin the Begin”

-- I consider this to be one of R.E.M.’s best records and it is in my top 3 personal favorites of the band. 

Album:  Document

Favorite Song:  “Disturbance at the Heron House”

Honorable Mentions:  “Exhuming McCarthy,” “Finest Worksong,” “Strange,” “King of Birds,” “The One I Love,” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”

-- This is another one that I consider one of the band’s best moments and a personal favorite.  

Album:  Green

Favorite Song:  “Pop Song 89”

Honorable Mentions:  “You are the Everything,” “Stand,” “Get Up,” and “Turn You Inside-Out”

Album:  Out of Time

Favorite Song:  “Belong”

Honorable Mentions:  “Me In Honey,” “Country Feedback,” “Near Wild Heaven,” and “Texarkana”

-- This is my favorite R.E.M. record and one of their best.  “Belong” is probably my favorite R.E.M. song of all time but trying to narrow down the honorable mentions was nearly impossible since this record really does not have a bad song on it. 

Album:  Automatic for the People

Favorite Song:  “Nightswimming”

Honorable Mentions:  “Ignoreland,” “Drive,” “Man on the Moon,” and “Everybody Hurts”

Album:  Monster

Favorite Song:  “Star 69”

Honorable Mentions:  “Strange Currencies” and “What’s the Frequency Kenneth?”

Album:  New Adventures in Hi-Fi

Favorite Song:  “Departure” 

-- I honestly don’t know this record very well. 

The Most Memorable SNL Music Performances

Spinner has put together a list of the Most Memorable Saturday Night Live Music Performances which includes the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Fear, and Rancid (among others).  It’s a pretty good list with some great performances (I especially love the Beastie Boys/Elvis Costello rendition of “Radio, Radio”).  My personal favorite SNL music performances were by Teenage Fanclub in 1991 (see below) and Peter Gabriel in 1991 (or was it 92?, sadly I can’t find that one online anywhere).

Teenage Fanclub - The Concept / Satan (SNL) from Terje Lynnebakken on Vimeo.

Video of the Day

"Give Peace a Chance" by Sean Lennon and Friends

Video of the Day

"(memento mori)" by Tim Barry

Returning to the Fold

Recently I’ve been having a lot of discussions about the Democratic Party with my good friend Steve of Otter Limits fame.  We’ve discussed political philosophy, the history of the party, our own stances on the issue, and why we each left the party in the first place.  In the post Almost An Ass Steve discussed the validity of his fight against the two-party system in this country.  He and I both agree that the two-party system is completely broken but we have also both realized that the only real way to change the system is from within one of those two parties. 

During our discussion, we both took the Political Philosophy Quiz.  My results reminded me that in my heart of hearts and at my core I am a Democrat.  Now let me clarify that statement – I am a Democrat in the vein of John F Kennedy, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Bill Bradley, and Bill Clinton not Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid.  I left the Democratic Party because its leaders had abandoned what it truly means to be a Democrat and a true liberal and instead embraced stateism and extremely leftist ideology, swearing to not return until the party rights itself.  The only problem is, how can the party right itself if all of the moderates and centrists leave?  That is the question that I have been pondering. 

Then Steve showed me the Preamble to the Constitution of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, which states --

We, the Democrats of the State of Oklahoma, united under the banner of the oldest political party in the world, hereby rededicate ourselves to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. While recognizing the limits of government, we regard democratic government as a force for good and a source of hope. We seek individual freedom in the framework of a just society. We pledge ourselves to uphold the United States Constitution and to work openly and honestly in our efforts to conduct public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free and responsible citizens.

He also showed me the Mission Statement of the Oklahoma Democratic Party which states –

Unlike the far left, we know that less government is sometimes a better government, and that government cannot solve every difficulty faced by our society. But, unlike the far right, we understand there is a role for government to play in finding solutions to our country's problems.

We firmly believe that government at every level has an absolute responsibility to encourage opportunity for success to all its citizens. However, government has no responsibility to guarantee success itself.

We believe in public education as the oldest and best method to improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans. We support improved funding for education at all levels, coupled with meaningful reforms to ensure taxpayers get the most from every education dollar.

I honestly couldn’t agree more with these statements.  And thus it was with s semi-heavy heart that I visited the Oklahoma Democratic Party Headquarters and changed my party affiliation from No Party to Democrat.  I’m still skeptical and unsure if this change but for now I think that it is the right thing for me to do. 

Oh and in case you were wondering, here are my results to the quiz –

The following are your scores. They are based on a gradual range of 0 to 12. For instance, a Conservative/Progressive score of 3 and 0 will both yield a result of social conservative, yet 0 would be an extreme conservative and 3 a moderate conservative
 Conservative/Progressive score: 8
You are a social moderate. You think the progressive movement is overall well meaning, but sometimes it goes too far. On issues like abortion and affirmative action, you see the negatives of both extremes on the issue. You probably value religion, but at the same time you think it should still stay separate from the government
 Capitalist Purist/Social Capitalist score: 8
You are a Moderate Capitalist. You support an economy that is by and large a free market, but has public programs to help people who can't help themselves or need a little help. Pretty much you believe in the American economy how it currently is.
 Libertarian/Authoritarian score: 2
You are libertarian. You think that the government is making way too many unnecessary laws that are taking away our innate rights. You believe that the government's job is primarily to protect people from harming other people, but after that they should mind their own business, and if we give the government too much power in controlling our lives, it can lead to fascism.
 Pacifist/Militarist score: 3
You're a Pacifist. You are angered that the United States thinks it should dominate the world through its military force. You think that the only time war is necessary is when we are in direct danger of being attacked. You also believe the US spends way too much of its money on defense, as we can practically cut it in half and still easily defend ourselves, and use that money to fix all our economic problems.
 Overall, you would most likely fit into the category of Democrat

Too Much Empathy

One problem that I've always had in my "professional" career is that I see things nearly entirely from the customer's point of view and thus have the mindset of putting the customer's needs first. This mindset isn't always in line with "business needs" which has often put me at odds with management. In some cases, the gap between my outlook and that of the company's was bigger than the Grand Canyon and sometimes it's been about the size of a city block. In the first instance (my last employer) that job really took a toll on me morally and ethically. My current job is certainly far more customer centric than any that I've had before but I still seem to find myself at odd with the "business needs." That fact was brought up again last night in my weekly coaching session and it reminded me that I am just no built for corporate America, even a company as good as the one that I'm working for now. My problem is that I'm too empathetic. I have this almost uncanny ability to see things from other people’s points of view and thus can easily sympathize and empathize with them. And it is that empathy that allows me to interact with people the way I do. In turn that connection with people helps me provide an excellent experience for them because I can empathize with them. So once again I'm going to have to pull back those instincts to stay out of trouble. I really do need to find a job with some charity or become a teacher. Yeah...like that's ever going to happen.

Currently Listening

1. “Motor Away” by Guided By Voices (from The Best of Guided By Voices: Human Amusements at Hourly Rates)
2. “I Love Rock N Roll” by The Jesus & Mary Chain (from 21 Singles 1984-1998)
3. “Hollywood” by Austin Lucas (from Putting the Hammer Down)
4. “After All” by The GC5 (from The Singles Collection [1997-2000])
5. “Letter to Memphis” by Pixies (from Trompe Le Monde)
6. “Fall Into Line” by Roustabouts (from The Only One)
7. “Sidewinder” by Teenage Fanclub (from Bandwagonesque)
8. “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by Uncle Tupelo (from 89/93: An Anthology)
9. “Saving Anger” by Armchair Martin (from Who Wants to Play Bass)
10. “Take ‘Em Down” by Dropkick Murphys (from Going Out in Style)

Mental Health Break

Thanks to AOL TV for the find.

Butch Vig Talks Nevermind

Today on NPR's Morning Edition Butch Vig discussed the making of Nirvana's Nevermind.  The interview is great especially for those of us who were there.  

Video of the Day

"Love is My Religion" by Ziggy Marley


This is AMAZING!!!!

R.E.M. Calls It a Day

Spinner is reporting that college rock legends R.E.M. have called it quits.  The band made the announcement on their website on Wednesday September 21^st stating

"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening."

Bassist Mike Mills put the announcement into context and perspective stating

"During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, 'what next'? Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together."

According to the band’s record label, Warner Brothers, R.E.M. will be releasing a “career-spanning Greatest Hits album” this November.  This will be the first greatest hits collection that the band has released that covers both the IRS and Warner Brothers years.  It will be interesting to see what this collection brings to the table since they have already released greatest hits packages for the IRS years and for their first ten years on WB. 

While I recognize the fact that R.E.M. hasn’t been a relevant band for at least 10 to 15 years, they were still a band that had a huge impact on my life and the person I’ve become and because of that it makes me sad to hear that they have called it quits, if for no other reason than I shall never get to see them perform live.  I’ve written a lot about R.E.M. over the years and would rank their 1991 classic Out of Time in my top 5 all-time favorite albums.  Having been a fan of their music for over 20 years, hearing that this band that saw me through high school, multiple treks into college, marriage, and becoming a father is no more fells like one more nail in the coffin of youth. 

Thank you Bill, Peter, Mike, and Michael for all of the great music, your collective voice will be missed.

Here are some videos of my favorite R.E.M. songs.

Currently Listening

1. “I Love Rock M Roll” by The Jesus & Mary Chain (from 21 Singles 1984-1998)
2. “I’ll Never Leave New York” by Polar Bear Club (from Clash Battle Guilt Pride)
3. “Dead Generation” by Roustabouts (from The Only One)
4. “Guiding Star” by Teenage Fanclub (from Bandwagonesque)
5. “Armslength” by Armchair Martin (from Happy Meals Vol. 2 – The Perfect Marriage)
6. “Everything’s Alright” by Hudson Falcons (from Dancing Underneath the Moonlight)
7. “Architects” by Rise Against (from Endgame)
8. “Angel Tears” by Doug McKean (from Unquiet)
9. “Meet You in the Middle” by Chuck Ragan (from Covering Ground)
10. “Favorite Thing” by The Replacements (from Let It Be [Deluxe Edition])

Video of the Day

"Tomorrow People" by Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers

EP Review: The Trip, Side 2: Breaking the Feel

Title:  The Trip, Side 2: Breaking the Feel (BandCamp)

Artist:  Dr. Pants (Official, BandCamp, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Last.fm)

The Trip, Side 2: Breaking the Feel opens with the hilarious and extremely catchy “Calling Chewbacca” perfectly setting the tone for Dr. Pants’ latest EP (which is actually part of a double album along with The Trip, Side 1: Illusion & Truth and two forthcoming EPs, as head Pant David Broyles explained in our interview in May).  The four song release is a mixture of Weezer-meets-They Might Be Giants-esque pop dripping with nerdy references.  “Calling Chewbacca” is an upbeat number while “Magic Airplane” slows things down with its acoustic guitar and leisurely vocals.  “The Live & the Lecherous” is another upbeat and catchy number about social networking.  “The Cassette Song” is a mid-tempo love song about music lovers, cassette tapes, and that yearning for love that all nerds know all too well.  The EP closes out with “This Is What It Looks Like” another slower number about the love a man has for his wife (this one has some very touching lyrics and a great crescendo). 

Dr. Pants is a band with a lot of talent and it will be interesting to hear how the sides three and four of The Trip play out.  The Trip, Side 2: Breaking the Feel is a stronger release than The Trip, Side 1: Illusion & Truth, but my opinion may be based more on personal taste than anything else (I think this is a better group of songs).  Overall I think this is a very ambitious project that Dr. Pants has undertaken and am looking forward to what comes next.    

Video of the Day

"Between Planets" by Noise By Numbers


Thanks to Dying Scene for the find.

Video of the Day

"Hi Fi Window" by Bam!Bam!

More Pretentious Band Photos

They keep on coming…

Here we have the band Woe, Is Me. (via Dying Scene)

Or how about the mighty Blitzkid? (via Dying Scene)

Or Never Shout Never? (via MTV Buzzworthy Blog)

I wonder if any of these bands see these pictures and think “Good lord why’d we do that?” 

Jello Biafra 2012???

It may happen.

From the story –

In 2000, the Green Party of New York nominated Biafra for another political campaign, this time for United States president. In 2004 and 2008, Biafra was heavily active in the Green Party and the presidential campaign of Ralph Nader, but has not completely ruled out a 2012 bid for president.

If he runs and gets on the ballot in Oklahoma, he’s got my vote.

Chuck Ragan Performs Entire New Album

Chuck Ragan performed his fantastic new album Covering Ground in its entirety at Wolfgang’s Vault.  Ragan is joined by long-time bandmates Jon Gaunt and Joe Ginsberg in these raw and passionate set.

You can see the performance here and read my review of Covering Ground here. 

Thanks to Dying Scene for the find.

Currently Listening

1. “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash (from The Legend of Johnny Cash)
2. “Seems We’re OK” by Chuck Ragan (from Covering Ground)
3. “Calling Chewbacca” by Dr. Pants (from The Trip, Side 2: Breaking the Feel)
4. “The Gates of Heaven” by Ryan Harvey (from Blowback)
5. “Bottled Wind” by Polar Bear Club (from Clash Battle Guilt Pride)
6. “Never Mind” by The Replacements (from Pleased to Meet Me [Extended Edition])
7. “The White Shore” by Defiance, Ohio (from Midwestern Minutes)
8. “Hi Fi Windows” by Bam!Bam! (from Unicorn)
9. “Getting’ There” by ALL (from Pummel)
10. “Running Wild” by WAGERS (from New Guilt)

Video of the Day

"Everybody Knows" by Concrete Blonde

Who Knew? Atheists & Agnostics Live Shorter, Unhappier Lives

According to this story, research from a variety of different research journals has shown that atheists and agnostics

…suffer, on average, higher rates of physical ailments, depression, suicide, alcohol use and drug addiction. They have greater marital instability, weaker parent-child relationships, lower lifetime earnings, lower educational attainment and higher rates of criminal activity.

Also according to the story, religious kids tend to behave better and are more well adjusted. 

If you still can’t be a believer, raise your kids to be, if you have any. While it’s no guarantee, chances are that it will help them live longer and be happier.

And, as predicted based on the magic princess example above, religious kids are more likely to be better behaved and adjusted, according to a study. (Although the opposite could happen if parents regularly argue over their faith at home, the study found.) Another study concluded that religious children have higher self-control and lower impulsiveness, and do better at delaying gratification and social adjustment. 

Non-religious people often say they’ll let their children decide whether to be religious when they get older. But if you’re not instilled with religion when you’re young, it’s a lot harder to become religious later on. Better to instill it in them first, and then let them decide.

What I wonder with this last paragraph though is what’s the difference between instilling a child with religious/spiritual beliefs and indoctrinating them into a specific religion?  My kids are very well behaved and seem to be well adjusted but we are not a religious household.  We are however a spiritual household and often talk about spiritual issues.  And even though we don’t go to church, our kids have attended various churches with their friends (and often afterwards we’ve discussed the things that were taught in the churches).  I am raising my kids to be spiritual and to live life by the Golden Rule but I am not telling them which religion or faith to pick, so where does that leave our family in regards to this research?  It’s certainly something to think about.     

Being someone who is spiritual but not a follower of any specific religion (though I’m darn-near a Buddhist) I find this research fascinating and somewhat unsurprising.  In my experience, people who are atheists (more so than agnostics) are quite often angry at much in the world.  That anger leads to stress and stress takes its toll on the body.  This is not to say that those who are religious aren’t stressed (lord knows that I am) but they often have outlets for said stress (prayer, meditation, yoga, etc.) and are possibly able to cope with it better than those that have no belief in the supernatural. 

Since the beginning of humanity, we have looked to the stars and sought answers to the things that we don’t understand from the supernatural.  Even if the atheists are right and there’s nothing out there, it seems to be in our nature to want or need to believe that there is something out there that is bigger than we are and that gives meaning to the world. 

Interestingly, I find myself in the position of defending the believers to the non-believers and vice versa.

In other atheist news, a group in California called the Backyard Skeptics has scheduled an event during which they will tear specific pages out of the Bible. 

Thanks to BeliefNetNews for the find.

Video of the Day

"The Globe" by Big Audio Dynamite II

Album Review: Covering Ground

Title: Covering Ground (Amazon, iTunes, Interpunk, SideOneDummy Records)

Artist: Chuck Ragan (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, SideOneDummy Records, Wikipedia)

The best album that I've heard this year that wasn't released in 2011 is without a doubt Chuck Ragan's 2009 Gold Country, an absolutely perfect alt country/folk punk record. Anytime an artist releases a stellar album, following it up can be a challenge. Chuck Ragan has certainly risen to the occasion with his third solo record Covering Ground.

Thematically, Covering Ground deals with issues of traveling, touring, and growing. Sonically the album is very simple (acoustic guitar, standup bass, fiddle, and harmonica) with Ragan's gruff, gravelly and often heart wrenching vocals (along with some excellent background vocals by Oklahoma's own Audra Mae). This simplified approach is more in line with Ragan's live performances than on his two previous records (based on what I've seen on YouTube and on something he stated in an interview, but I can't remember where I read it).

Covering Ground is an excellent record.  It’s not quite as good as Gold Country, but is outstanding nonetheless and easily one of the best records of 2011.  Fans of Ragan’s solo material should be very pleased with Covering Ground.  My only hope is that Mr. Ragan sees fit to cover some ground in OKC while on the road supporting the new record.  

Video of the Day

"Rocker" by AC/DC

Video of the Day

"This Land is your Land" by Tim Barry

There’s a Castle in Oklahoma City

Seriously.  

Mental Health Break

Video of the Day

"Breaking The Back" by Million Dead

Video of the Day

"1965 GTO" by The Amazing Royal Crowns

Album Review: Ordinary Heroes

Title: Ordinary Heroes (Riot Folk)

Artist: Ryan Harvey (Official, Even If Your Voice Shakes, Riot Folk, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Last.fm)

Ryan Harvey is a folk punk artist that is part of the Riot Folk label/collective. His latest release, Ordinary Heroes, is politically charged folk punk that reminds me of Woody Guthrie. The music is simple, an acoustic guitar with the occasional fiddle, and the singing is heartfelt with a very Gordon Gano feel to it. The politics of the lyrics range from a condemnation of the Tea Party to the Arab Spring to songs about the working class and odes to the likes of Martin Luther King Jr and Woody Guthrie.

Often when you have artists that mix folk and country with punk roots, you still hear the punk heritage in the music.  That is not the case with Ryan Harvey’s Ordinary Heroes.  This is a folk record, pure and simple.  In fact, this record has much more in common with Woody Guthrie than the Ramones.  If you are a fan of Chuck Ragan; Defiance, Ohio; Frank Turner; or Austin Lucas then you should definitely check out Ryan Harvey, just be ready for an actual folk record.  

Currently Listening

1. “Dead Factories” by Austin Lucas (from Common Cold)
2. “All The Time Every Time” by Great Cynics (from Don’t Need Much)
3. “Avenue B” by Hudson Falcons (from Dancing Underneath the Moonlight)
4. “Perspectives” by Ryan Harvey (from Ordinary Heroes)
5. “For All to See” by Buffalo Tom (from No Alternative)
6. “Architects” by Rise Against (from Endgame)
7. “Destroy” by The Eyeliners (from No Apologizes)
8. “Lost Weekend” by Drag the River (from Closed)
9. “Eight Miles High” by Husker Du (from Eight Miles High / Makes No Sense at All)
10. “On and On” by Sinkhole (from Retrospectacles)

Video of the Day

"Who? Where? Why?" by Jesus Jones

CD Review: Nightshades

Title: Nightshades (Amazon, iTunes, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Cobra Starship (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, PureVolume, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Cobra Starship is a pop band that plays catchy songs that seem to be perfectly designed to be Top 40 hits. My first impression of the record was that it was fairly vapid but it does show potential. The song "Fool Like Me" is a great little pop number but so much of this album feels over processed and over produced. The band is very capable and the song "Disaster Boy" with its dual male and female lead vocals gives me hope that this band can do better than this record. 

Nightshades is Cobra Starship’s fourth record and includes a slew of collaborators, which may be a contributing factor to the jumbled feel of the album.  Apparently the band’s modus operandi is that of tongue-in-cheek so it is entirely possible that I just don’t get the joke or I need more time to digest Nightshades (especially since I actually like a lot of Top 40 pop music). 

Currently Listening

1. “You Get What You Give” by Chuck Ragan (from Covering Ground)
2. “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” by They Might Be Giants (from Join Us)
3. “Ordinary Heroes” by Ryan Harvey (from Ordinary Heroes)
4. “Bitter Pill” by Soul Asylum (from And the Horse They Rode in On)
5. “A Lot to Do” by Defiance, Ohio (from Midwestern Minutes)
6. “Fool Like Me” by Cobra Starship (from Nightshades)
7. “Miranda” by ALL (from Pummel)
8. “Sunday Hardcore Matinee” by Dropkick Murphys (from Going Out in Style)
9. “Never Mind” by The Replacements (from Pleased to Meet Me [Extended Edition])
10. “A Sign” by Ziggy Marley (from Wild and Free)

Video of the Day

"I Still Believe" by Frank Turner


This could be my theme song.

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"Ft. Lauderdale" by Cheap Girls

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"Strong Reaction" by Pegboy

Candy Hearts Streaming New Songs

Candy Hearts’ latest album, Everything’s Amazing And Nobody’s Happy, is coming out later this month on Kind of Like Records.  To get folks ready, the band is streaming three songs from the new record on their Facebook page.  The three songs “Tongue Tied,” “Good Enough,” and “Sleepy Kisses” are all extremely catchy and show excellent promise for the record.  I can’t wait for this one to come out!!!

Thanks to Dying Scene for the find.

The Worst Rock Tattoos Ever

 I have to admit that I’ve never gotten into the whole tattoo thing.  For one thing I hate needles and for another they are so permanent that I just can’t see myself ever getting one.  Others out there aren’t so squeamish. 

Loudwire.com has put together a list of the 10 Worst Rock Tattoos Ever, and I have to agree that every single one of these is hideous. 

Thanks to Dying Scene for the find.

Poll Results

The winner of the Who Will Be the First Indie Punk Band Inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame? Poll is….

Sonic Youth (4 votes)

Black Flag came in second with 3 votes, while Dead Kennedys came in third with 2 votes, and The Replacements, Fugazi, and Other all got 1 vote each. 

Thank you to those who participated. 

Currently Listening

1.  “Old Pine Box” by They Might Be Giants (from Join Us)

2.  “Running Wild” by Wagers (from New Guilt)

3.  “Sagacity Gone” by Tim Barry (from Laurel Street Demo 2005)

4.  “Night Caps” by Great Cynics (from Don’t Need Much)

5.  “Burnt Out” by The Loved Ones (from SW19)

6.  “Print on Paper” by Stephen Egerton & Chris DeMakes (from The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton)

7.  “Take My Word” by Uncle Tupelo (from March 16-20, 1992 [Bonus Tracks])

8.  “Freak Out” by Tapes ‘n Tapes (from Outside)

9.  “Talk Me to Sleep” by Red City Radio (from The Dangers of Standing Still)

10.  “Wishing on a Star” by The Eyeliners (from Sealed With a Kiss)

Video of the Day

"Hey Lolly" by Tim Barry

Video of the Day

"Don't Let's Start" by They Might Be Giants

Blast from the Past: Ten

Title:  Ten (Amazon, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist:  Pearl Jam (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Twenty years ago last month Pearl Jam released their debut album Ten, a few weeks before Nirvana released Nevermind.  The record became a cornerstone (along with Nevermind) of the early ‘90s alternative boom.  And while both bands grew out of the Seattle, WA underground music scene and both were labeled as grunge, both were quite different.  Nirvana was a band expressing great rage while Pearl Jam was a band that seemed to just want to play good music.  Not that they weren’t angry about a variety of things mind you, but the rage wasn’t the primary focus of the band.  On top of that, Pearl Jam had much stronger classic rock elements to their music and thus was a far more accessible band to the masses, in fact one could make an argument that Pearl Jam would have had the same success with Ten had Nevermind not exploded the way that it did. 

Sonically, Ten is an album that mixed elements of punk, glam, classic rock, and post punk to create 11 great rock ‘n’ roll songs that sound perfectly at home when played next to Neil Young as they do played next to Fugazi.  That was ultimately Pearl Jam’s greatest strength—they simultaneously appealed to fans of underground and mainstream rock music.  The album’s three singles “Alive,” “Even Flow,” and “Jeremy” were all huge hits but only scratched the surface of what made Ten a great record.  Songs like the incredibly moving “Black” and the rambunctious “Porch” were every bit as good, if not better, than the singles. 

For me, while I enjoyed Ten at the time, it didn’t move me like Nevermind or other ’91 classics like Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin’s God Fodder, Teenage Fanclub’s Bandwagonesque, or R.E.M.’s Out of Time.  That having been said, I absolutely loved their performance on MTV’s Unplugged.  In fact I think that those versions of the songs are much better than those on the record, primarily because of drummer Dave Abbruzzese.  Ten was recorded with drummer Dave Krusen but shortly after the record was finished he left the band and was replaced Matt Chamberlain (who can be seen behind the drums in the video for “Alive”).  Chamberlain toured with the band for a few months and then quit, suggesting Abbruzzese for the spot.  Abbruzzese is a drumming monster that brought elements of funk and jazz to Pearl Jam’s songs fleshing them out in entirely new ways.  Just compare the version of “Alive” from the record to that of the video (which was recorded live) to their performance on Unplugged and you can see and hear the difference.  Abbruzzese stayed with the band through for Vs. and Vitalogy but was fired prior to its release. I always thought that Pearl Jam’s music suffered without Abbruzzese behind the drums (in fact, Vs. is my favorite PJ record).

Pearl Jam is a band that I saw once in 1994 on the Vs. tour (the same summer that Nirvana played OKC…regrettably I missed that show) but stopped following after Vitalogy. They are a band that I still respect and those first three records are ones that I enjoy a lot, but I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Ten is 20 years old.

Currently Listening

Today I’m letting the computer pick the songs.

1. “Weighing in on St. Michael” by Jon Snodgrass & Friends (from Tri-State Record)
2. “Number Seven” by Fos (from We Are)
3. “Guts n’ Teeth” by Old Man Markley (from Guts n/ Teeth)
4. “A Way with Women” by Drag the River (from Bad at Breaking Up)
5. “Answering Machine [Solo Home Demo]” by The Replacements (from Let It Be [Deluxe Edition])
6. “Heaven” by John Moreland (from Earthbound Blues)
7. “Dancin’ All the Way Down” by Doug McKean (from Heels Up)
8. “What I Like About You” by Lillix (from Freaky Friday)
9. “Bolt” by Ben Lee (from Grandpaw Would)
10. “Avoiding Catatonic Surrender” by Tim Barry (from Rivanna Junction)

Video of the Day

"There is Power in a Union" by Billy Bragg

EP Review: Yawin’ in the Dawinin’

Title:  Yawin’ in the Dawinin’ (100% Records, iTunes)

Artist:  The Barry Brothers Band (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, ReverbNation, YouTube)

The Barry Brothers Band (or is it just Barry…I’m not sure) play an excellent mix of folk, rock ‘n’ roll, and Americana with plenty of heart and precision.  The band’s debut EP, Yawin’ in the Dawinin’, is an entertaining mix of the aforementioned genres with a hint of They Might Be Giants thrown in for good measure. 

The EP opens with the title track, a traditional folk number.  “For Your Own Good” is an upbeat number that really reminds me of They Might Be Giants but that may be because of the vocals.  Either way this is an excellent track.  “Carnival(e)” slows things down a bit, while “Three Years in Carolina” (another favorite of mine) is an infectious folksy rock ballady number.  “Drink One More” adds an almost psychedelic harmony to its chorus.  “Love Something Too Much” and “Great Unknown” close out the EP with more lounging-ly laid back grooves. 

The Barry Brothers Band are extremely talented musicians and singers and Yawin’ in the Dawinin’ is a tremendous first release.  Great for fans of Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, and The Jayhawks. 

Currently Listening

1. “The Press War” by You, Me and Everyone We Know (from Party for the Grown and Sexy)
2. “Coma Summer” by Weekend (from Sports)
3. “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by Uncle Tupelo (from 89/93: An Anthology)
4. “Love Junkies” by The Loved Ones (from SW19)
5. “Eight Miles High” by Husker Du (from Eight Miles High/Makes No Sense at All)
6. “This Little Girl” by Cady Groves (from This Little Girl)
7. “Walk Around” by Cory Branan & Jon Snodgrass (from Cory Branan & Jon Snodgrass)
8. “Never Come Around” by Le Sera (from Le Sera)
9. “Freak Out” by Tapes ‘n Tapes (from Outside)
10. “I Was Never Your Boyfriend” by Tigers Jaw (from Tigers Jaw)

Video of the Day

"Don't Shut 'Em Down" by Flogging Molly

Blast from the Past: Seal with a Kiss

Title:  Sealed with a Kiss (Amazon, iTunes, Last.fm, Yahoo Music, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist:  The Eyeliners (Official, Facebook, MySpace, Last.fm, PureVolume, Blackheart Records, MTV, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

The Eyeliners are a three piece, all girl (all sisters no less) pop punk band from Albuquerque, NM.  Their 2001 classic Sealed with a Kiss is nothing short of ‘50s styled pop punk perfection.  The songs are short, catchy, and wicked fun.  The record was the band’s third album and second for Panic Button Records / Lookout Records. 

The record opens with the title track which perfectly sets the stage for the next 11 songs.  “Play It Again” is an ode to the great punk rock songs that influenced the band through a love song.  “It Could Have Been You,” a duet with Screeching Weasel’s Ben Weasel, is probably the best song on the record (an opine to what could have been).  The rest of the album continues with the same themes of boys and love through a lens of ‘50s rock and The Ramones.    

I saw The Eyeliners play at the Green Door in support of Sealed with a Kiss.  The show was fantastic and the ladies were all super awesome and nice.  In 2005 the band released No Apologies through Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records.  Since that time things have been pretty quiet from the band.  Hopefully they will bring us some more of their fantastic breed of rock ‘n’ roll very soon.    

Currently Listening

1. “Do Anything You Wanna Do” by The Eyeliners (from No Apologies)
2. “Something to Say” by The Eyeliners (from Sealed with a Kiss)
3. “We’re Coming Out” by The Replacements (from Let It Be [Deluxe Edition])
4. “Never Mind” by The Replacements (from Pleased to Meet Me [Expanded Edition])
5. “You Get What You Give” by Chuck Ragan (from Covering Ground)
6. “It’s What You Will” by Chuck Ragan (from Feast or Famine)
7. “Long Way Found” by Jon Snodgrass (from Visitor’s Band)
8. “Regi” by Jon Snodgrass & Friends (from Tri-State Record)
9. “Easy Street” by Soul Asylum (from And the Horse They Road in On)
10. “Sexual Healing” by Soul Asylum (from No Alternative)

Video of the Day

"Still Be Around" by Uncle Tupelo

Video of the Day

"Toni-i-hight" by The Arrivals

Video of the Day

"Nickel Bridge" by Avail