For the past few days, I've been sitting on the information that Bob Dylan will be releasing a Christmas album on October 13, trying to take it all in. My first thoughts were "Woah, so he's Christian again?" and then "WOAH, how are Bob Dylan's rough-as-nail vocals going to sound to little Jimmy on Christmas Eve as he bops to some 'Must Be Santa?' Grinch-like?"
I never expected Bob Dylan to follow in the footsteps of artists such as Mariah Carey or Amy Grant and make a Christmas Compilation, so I did a quadruple take when I first heard this. Though I shouldn't be surprised, because Bob Dylan is the type of artist who always launches an atomic-bomb sized surprise and then acts like it was just a hiccup. Just another thing Bob can pull out of thin air and pull off flawlessly. Sure, it might not resonate with his entire audience, but that's millions of people isn't it? And Dylan's no people-pleaser.
Oh, and by a simple twist of fate, all royalties will go to the charity Feeding America, so if you're hungry this holiday season, don't think twice, it's alright. He's gotta serve somebody and he might as well sing his Christmas ballads for all those thin men out there who need some shelter from the storm, the hurricanes and the buckets of rain. Dry your tears, sad-eyed lady of the lowlands.
About 5 minutes ago my facebook sent me a message from The Fall of Troy's fan page, alerting me that if I signed up on the mailing list on http://www.thefalloftroy.com/ then I could download their new song for free. So of course I signed up and downloaded.
The new song is called "Panic Attack!" off the album In The Unlikely Event, out October 6. I've been a fan of The Fall of Troy for awhile, ever since a few boys I used to hang out with ranted and raved about them and harassed me until I listened to them. I'll be frank; I hated them at first. The lead singer, Thomas Erak, was very screamy, and I wasn't into that at all. Yet some inexplicable quality led me back a second and a third time, and I began to dig Thomas's shrill scream, and more than that, the amazing layers and layers of guitars. Seriously, what is done with a guitar on The Fall of Troy songs is unbelievable. The notes whip around at break-neck speed with a carnal energy that makes you want to punch a wall. If you were ever to get into any kind of "screamo" at all, this would be the band to do it with. And hey, sometimes Thomas even sings, and his voice isn't half bad.
Within a few months I'd bought Doppelganger, their second full-length album, and played that to death. I even downloaded a few of their other songs, like the demo version of Macaulay McCulkin (a song which follows a stalker/murderer storyline... it's quite creepy, intense, and crazy) and Reassurance Rests in the Sea (which has a break down in the middle that really does sound like you're scuba diving in the middle of the ocean).
Then their next disc came out, Manipulator, and this release brought forth whining fans with it. Me being only a slightly-more-involved casual fan enjoyed Manipulator. The guitars still slapped you in the face and everything sounded a bit more experimental; different elements of sound were used, including electronic, synth, and jazz. And Thomas stopped shredding his vocals and carried a damn good tune throughout most of the songs (screaming was still of course in existence). But fans moaned and complained that The Fall of Troy is now "soft," they've "changed," blah blah blah whimper. "Caught Up," a jazzy, stripped down little number, featuring Thomas almost crooning, probably didn't help, but every other track still sounded like it would punch every baby and grandmother that it came across in the face, and it would enjoy it. I mean, the band refers to themselves as "progressive" and "experimental," and they were surely progressing and experimenting at an alarming rate; they just brought together many musical qualities that old fans were in no way familiar with.
But back to the new record. The song has just been released early by the band today though it's no surprise it's already on youtube. Thomas's vocals sound pretty incredible, in my opinion, and halfway through he's joined by another beautiful woman's voice. And if you've never heard The Fall of Troy before, take a listen and you'll get what I'm talking about with the guitars. Seriously, if you aren't even blown away by how much talent it takes to play that way... you don't have to enjoy it, but at least appreciate it.
You may listen to this lovely song while reading, if you wish. I would recommend it.
Today I woke up to a seemingly ordinary day; yet, when I arrived downstairs, I did a double take when I noticed my dad's record player in the living room. Now I've seen his record player before, it's not like he keeps it hidden. However, it's always hooked up to his laptop. It is there where he takes his enviable collection of vinyl and burns them onto his iTunes. He's even burned a few (crackly and prone to skipping) CDs of The Doors for me. But this was the first time I'd seen the record player hooked up to speakers, and man, did I eyeball that thing like it was a shiny piece of candy.
Never before have I played an album on a record player. It was quite a novelty: setting up the needle and hearing the fuzz before the boom of the music comes in through the speakers excited me as much as a child gets excited on Christmas morning. I've always heard the protests that vinyl sounds so much better than everything new and shiny and digital, and though maybe my excitement over-hyped the experience, I'm not saying it wasn't incredibly enjoyable. It was charming, really, from the presentation to the performance. As a person who only briefly got into the iPod era (one iPod Mini, very few downloads, and a revert back to CDs) I was enthusiastic about the tangibility of it all, the bigness, the artwork, and the feeling like I was touching a preserved artifact.
I first listened to The Jukes by my dad's favorite Southside Johnny and the AsburyJukes. Woah blues, woah vocals, woah horns. And that crackling sound that vinyl makes as background noise? More mysterious, really, than anything.
Then I pulled out The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Electric Ladyland. Oh my. I swear I sat on the couch for all of side B staring at the ceiling. My mother came in and asked me if I was high. "Only on Jimi," I thought. The crackling here gave way to a more psychedelic feel; character, I suppose, is a word to describe it. The highlight for me was of course All Along the Watchtower- it's what had to compensate for my dad not owning any Dylan records.
Next came the Stones' compilation album "Made in the Shade." I had fun trying to imitate Jagger's wail on "Aaaangie. Aaaaaaaaan-geh." I failed.
After my Stones sampling I found the debut album from The Cars which pleased me immensely, and didn't disappoint. Holy man do the synths (or whatever it is they're using- some keyboard settings? I don't know) shine through. I just wanted to get up and dance the Molly Ringwald 80's dance, but refrained because I was not by myself in the house.
Last but not least I popped in (is this the right terminology for records? It is for CDs, but you can't really "pop" a record in anywhere. I guess I just set it down and spun it.) Elvis Costello's debut, My Aim is True. This was the only record where I hadn't really heard any of the songs (though I recognized Blame it on Cain in the first few notes of the verse) and I didn't really know what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised. These songs rocked. This album rocked. Elvis Costello rocked (he still does). This is just great rock and roll music with a great energy. The opener got me going from the start, really hyping you up for what's to come. Oh, and the vocals. AND THE VOCALS. They were not diminished by vinyl, that is for sure. Can't really say much more about them, though, to be honest, though I might compare them to a punch in the gut. The best punch in the gut of your life.
So that was my day. The only disappointment I have is that my father hasn't hooked this up before today. Playing the vinyl for real far outshines burning them onto CDs or smooshing them into mp3s to stick on your iPod. The downfall is that I'll waste an immeasurable amount of time trying to go through 4 crates of classic vinyl records; ha, if that's my biggest downfall, then I have no downfalls at all.
So two weekends ago, I believe, marked the fortieth anniversary of the famous and legendary festival at Bethel Woods (just under 3 hours from my home.. I really should make the trek out there one of these days) and the History Channel had a special to commemorate it. Of course I taped it (if you haven't noticed by my other posts, I have an ever-growing love for the 60's) but I didn't get around to watching it until today.
It was certainly interesting, but if you'd already sat through the 3 hours of the actual Woodstock movie there is not so much new information; most of the footage is taken right from the movie, minus the full performances (the best parts!). The documentary really tried to examine the culture that surrounded 1969, focusing on individuals such as the "famous Woodstock couple" as well as interviewing a gaggle of ex-hippies (though some of these folks hadn't really outgrown the hippie stage-- I am referring to the man with flowing grey hair wearing tie-dye and John Lennon sunglasses) about the Woodstock experience. There were also many up close and personal interviews with Michael Lang, the man behind the whole festival, and it was great to hear his account of how the project actually morphed from idea to reality. I loved the story about how it was funded (basically they hooked up with two young guys who just had money they didn't know what to do with) because I'd always wondered how they must have spent at least 17 inheritances and then put the show on for free.
The most annoying part of this whole segment was the interview with a random group of kids who were attending the real life "School of Rock," as it was actually called. For whatever reason, the show opened with these kids talking about what Woodstock meant to them and ended with them performing Woodstock's hits, and included interviews with the group throughout the show. I understood that the point was trying to be made that Woodstock's music was still relevant today. However, it was a bit disheartening for me to watch a young singer wishing so badly to emulate Janis Joplin's wild vocals, then watching a copycat performance at the end. Take it from someone who's grown up in the 2000's; we have nothing to call our own. This entire decade has gone through an identity crisis, honestly. I can't remember a year where fashion or music hasn't been referred to as "retro," "vintage," et cetera, et cetera. Take a look at the trends since 2000; 70's (flares and things), 80's (spandex is back), 90's (grunge buffalo-check plaid?) and now we're experiencing peace-sign-covered graphic t-shirts and flowy hippie tops reminiscent of the Woodstock scene itself. As for music, this whole "indie music trend" is a bit laughable as well, because an indie band is now any band that sounds like they're right from the new wave period of the 80's regardless of whether they are signed or not.
The only thing we can really claim as ours is the whole digital movement; garage band, auto-tune, techno-dancy beats... though really they're only glorified versions of the synthesizers of the past. I am still holding out hope that some innovation will come in the fast-approaching decade in front of us. The Woodstock-era, that period of the late 60's-- that sweated individuality. No movement that crazy had ever happened before, as it did with the hippies. I do see similarities between today and then; for example, the past and the present are defined by controversial overseas wars (Vietnam/Iraq and Afghanistan), shaky political circumstances (death of RFK, enter Nixon/Bush and Cheney and the chaos they left for this presidency) and the fight for individual rights (gay individuals are still fighting against many right-stripping propositions). Maybe the past is repeating itself; maybe there is a link. Unfortunately, this generation seems to lack the creativity and invention that the past seemed to emit, albeit emitted in a drug-clouded haze. Are we just not as politically motivated or moved to action during trying times? Have we simply just stopped trying? Maybe Nixon really did achieve something, and the War on Drugs subdued most of the adolescents from turning wild and crazy (if you believe that it worked).
Or maybe we just really, really admire the past.
Here's my favorite video from the original film. Enjoy.
Being the recluse I am, I spent this weekend seeking entertainment on YouTube yet again. Being the lazy person I am, I refused to run out to my car to grab The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society and just looked up my favorite songs on the interweb.
Now, let me just warn you, (are you sitting down??) that this wonderful Kinks album may just be THE BEST concept album ever. It's truly great. It's something to strive for, even though it's utterly unattainable by any other artist. Seriously. Elements of humor and sarcasm (found on the track The Village Green Preservation Societywhere Ray Davies touts "God save Donald Duck" and different jam varieties) as well as emotions of longing while reminiscing over the past (like the track Do You Remember Walter; "I knew you then/ But do I know you now?") are pepperred throughout the album. It's an album where people in the present (the present being 1968) remember times that are long gone-- the good old days. The track I sought out first, however, was Big Sky.
This song packs a punch even though it barely plays for 3 minutes. However, it keeps you captivated from the first few notes of 60's-intro-greatness to the positive reassurance given at the last "Don't let it get you down!" chorus. It might be the most philosophical track of the album, making you wonder whether God doesn't exist or if the existing God just doesn't care.
Then, after you're done figuring out what you believe in, go listen to Phenomenal Cat. It may just seem like a joke upon first listen, but there is some brilliant poetry on the inside.
I'm just kidding; it's about a cat that is fat. Could be a Dr. Seuss poem.
So there you have it; the greatness of this album in all its YouTube glory. What? You're saying you want hits? You don't like these random songs you've never heard in your life? Doesn't do for you what The Beatles did? Here, take your stupid Picture Book, and like it!
Seriously, I'm dying here. Not really, but somehow I'm managing to type this out with my eyes half closed and my mouth eternally yawning. Yet I feel the need to resist sleep; as if laying my head on my soft, fluffy pile of pillows would be giving in. And so I am here, determined to surf the web until the wee hours of the of the morning, until my family members awake and find my face plastered to the keyboard.
It will be exciting.
So earlier today I found this link which I found pretty humorous. Mainly I chuckled at the imagery of Bob Dylan just deciding on a whim to take a stroll through a Jersey town in the pouring rain. Just 'cause he was bored before his show; just 'cause he felt like it. And then the image of him being apprehended by clueless young police officers who think he's a mental patient; and then him nonchalantly humoring them by having them perform their duties and take him back where he belongs (really, he just bummed a free ride off these cops back to his concert location, no?).
Maybe Dylan was thrilled at this anonymity, though. Isn't it something he's been trying to achieve for 5 decades? Well, maybe it's really more of a mysterious air that he's after, but nonetheless when I read this I imagine him as more amused than angry or upset. Hopefully he wasn't upset.
But who really knows. It's Bob Dylan. I only wish I could know...
I wonder how these posts would sound if I wrote them while the sun was shining.
Meh, I can't be bothered during the daytime.
Night is more exciting; it's more surreal. It's a time where creaks and shadows crawl out of the darkness to create this new world. Sometimes it feels as though I'm dreaming while awake.
So maybe I'll continue depriving myself of sleep. All that time where thoughts turn rampant and wild might serve to be somewhat interesting.
I've returned; maybe this place will take hold of me after all. I don't really know what to do- I don't even know what I'm doing. But it's all become satisfying, so perhaps I'll keep it up.
Blogging might also become a good time-slayer for when I don't want to fall asleep (which is 24/7), so here I am, at 3 in the morning, getting out thoughts. The thing is, I'm tired as a racehorse (after a race, surely). I just can't seem to bring myself up to bed.
The media of the internet is usually what captures me. Tonight, I played with Youtube, which resides in my top 3 list of internet media. I wonder how many videos Youtube can actually provide- millions? billions? trillions? But I digress; no matter how many videos exist, I found what I was looking for tonight.
Recently, I've been listening to Fleet Foxes, ever since I discovered their debut album around December (?) of last year. Since, I've pretty much spiraled into Fleet Foxes addiction, though I go through this with much of the music I listen to. Anyway, I've done my research, and was once directed to this gem of a myspace from the Foxes' own page. It is what I assume to be Robin Pecknold's (Fox frontman) solo work, though his "False Knight On the Road" appeared on Fleet Foxes' "Mykonos" single. But to get to the point, I was on this site, listening to "Silver Dagger." http://www.myspace.com/awhiteantelope
The cover doesn't disappoint. I can argue this because I must have listened to the song five times; after I got restless with the myspace page I ventured to youtube to prod this song around some more. It was there that I found this, the very same song but with a smashing photo of Robin included. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVcdhUptwDY
It wasn't till I was directed to this next video that I became so so excited. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXFfBGND4iQ Yes, that is live footage of the cover! It was a great find of a pretty recent show on 7.11.09 where a copious amount of covers were experimented with and OLD SONGS were played (Icicle Tusk!!). I could have watched the whole concert (I likely will at some point) but instead I clicked on yet another video on the right side of the page: the famous Joan Baez version, in all its glory.
Joan Baez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjBpH1pGylM This was the first video I watched; there are no pictures, only lyrics included, but with Joan's melodic heaven you don't really need anything else to distract you. Then I travelled here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdQ8s8K8A2g This is a great live version of, again, "Silver Dagger." Different key, different feel, though I was seriously envying her amazing voice yet again. How can a person achieve that perfection while performing live? I cannot answer this.
We are rounding out my internet adventure now; only one last video to run through. I clicked on it because Bob Dylan's face was the thumbnail (Bob Dylan and Joan Baez videos seem to be eternally associated, naturally) and it turned out to be yet another live Joan Baez version, the one off Bob Dylan's "Live" 1964 album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDXtxSVSEmk Bob does no singing though he accompanies a soulful Joan on a mean harmonica; the effect on the ears made me, a musician, feel incapable of achieving any remarkable contributions to music at all. But that's why Dylan and Baez are greats.
So that pretty much ends my Youtube joyride. I hope you enjoyed the six links to the same song (it kept me occupied for an hour or so). Good night now. I will be sleeping- alone, I've decided, after getting those six identical warnings.
Let me be the first to welcome myself to this long-established blogging web-community; I'm pretty sure no one else is planning to step in and do the honors. For at the moment (or maybe a few months or years) I imagine I'll be blogging to a blog with no followers; to empty airspace; to a cyber-wall; to a blank screen. Maybe it will become lonely, but in the meantime, I suppose I'll just use this place to get out a thought or two.
I wonder how people gain "followers" anyway. I would guess they tell their friends who tell their friends and a small base is established. Then, if the blog is more interesting than a pet rock, perhaps the base slowly continues to grow until the blog is a credible source of information/online procrastination. But what if you wish to stay relatively anonymous, like me?
I don't know why I would feel more comfortable posting to random strangers than to my friends and family; I guess because if a person is closer to you, the more critical they can be. Though, really, any person can be just as critical as the next; so, I guess you worry less about what strangers think than acquaintances. At least this is what I reason.
So, maybe a few of you here and there will tune it. All I'm really relying on is random viewers happening upon this little midnight project and choosing to return a second, fifth or seventy-second time. Hey, you never know; sometimes reading nonsense can be fun. Until then, I'll just continue to use this as my public-internet-journal. Works for me.
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