Thursday, January 26, 2012
Friday, November 4, 2011
90s Live Now - #5 Wild Flag
Before I get started and your inner fact-checker starts nagging, I know that Wild Flag is not a 90s band. But it seems largely appropriate that they should get a mention - nay, whole article - in this blog, because:
1. They're awesome.
2. The band is made up of notable artists from bands that were around in the 90s.
3. They sound like they're from the 90s.
4. As I've said before, they're awesome.
A new project featuring Mary Timony (formerly of Helium), Carrie Brownstein (formerly of Sleater-Kinney), Rebecca Cole (The Minders) and Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney), Wild Flag formed last year as a "let's see how this goes" experiment. And so far, it's gone great.
For those who haven't gotten it yet, Wild Flag's self-titled debut album is fantastic; a taut little 10-song set that is the most guitars you're likely to hear on any album this year, especially on what passes for rock or alternative these days. It's kind of like what Elastica's second album should have sounded like, or possibly would have, had they taken less than 5 years to release it. Not that I don't like The Menace, but it doesn't hold a candle to that first Elastica record.
But the best part of the night was seeing artists who made names for themselves in the 90s making some of the best music of the 10s. Teens? What is this decade, anyway? Yes, it's young, but Wild Flag is probably the second best album of the year behind The Whole Love by Wilco, another 90s band. Suck it, Foster the People. That's what you get for not being around 20 years ago.
Whatever.
1. They're awesome.
2. The band is made up of notable artists from bands that were around in the 90s.
3. They sound like they're from the 90s.
4. As I've said before, they're awesome.
A new project featuring Mary Timony (formerly of Helium), Carrie Brownstein (formerly of Sleater-Kinney), Rebecca Cole (The Minders) and Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney), Wild Flag formed last year as a "let's see how this goes" experiment. And so far, it's gone great.
For those who haven't gotten it yet, Wild Flag's self-titled debut album is fantastic; a taut little 10-song set that is the most guitars you're likely to hear on any album this year, especially on what passes for rock or alternative these days. It's kind of like what Elastica's second album should have sounded like, or possibly would have, had they taken less than 5 years to release it. Not that I don't like The Menace, but it doesn't hold a candle to that first Elastica record.
Even their video looks like it was made in the 90s.
Once again, I made the trek to the legendary Troubadour on Thursday, November 3rd to see Wild Flag on their 2nd of two consecutive sold out shows. Given the fervor in the room and the buzz the band received upon its announcement, it's not hard to believe.
Before I get into it, know that Carrie Brownstein is adorable. Of course, you know this from watching Portlandia. But to see her play in person is something else. She's like a little ball of hellfire on her Gibson SG, which looks even more over-sized than it does on the diminutive Angus Young.
Speaking of guitars, they were on full display, with a good chunk of the show, especially the later part, made up of dueling noise jams from Brownstein and Mary Timony. It's not often you see bands with two female guitarists, but it's even better when they both have full mastery of their instruments. Like Veruca Salt. Or...um...Hole? No, one was a dude. Well, I'm sure there's others I'm forgetting.
SETLIST:
See No Evil (Television cover)
Before I get into it, know that Carrie Brownstein is adorable. Of course, you know this from watching Portlandia. But to see her play in person is something else. She's like a little ball of hellfire on her Gibson SG, which looks even more over-sized than it does on the diminutive Angus Young.
Speaking of guitars, they were on full display, with a good chunk of the show, especially the later part, made up of dueling noise jams from Brownstein and Mary Timony. It's not often you see bands with two female guitarists, but it's even better when they both have full mastery of their instruments. Like Veruca Salt. Or...um...Hole? No, one was a dude. Well, I'm sure there's others I'm forgetting.
SETLIST:
Electric Band
Romance
Future Crimes
Something Came Over Me
Short Version
Glass Tambourine
Winter Pair
Black Tiles
Nothing
Boom
Racehorse
She (Misfits cover)
She (Misfits cover)
But the best part of the night was seeing artists who made names for themselves in the 90s making some of the best music of the 10s. Teens? What is this decade, anyway? Yes, it's young, but Wild Flag is probably the second best album of the year behind The Whole Love by Wilco, another 90s band. Suck it, Foster the People. That's what you get for not being around 20 years ago.
Whatever.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
15 Years Ago Today #4 - 10/18/96
As the alternative rock era continued on, the genre's diversity showed more than ever, as eels' "Novocaine For the Soul" took the top spot despite its bleak lyrics and odd, offbeat (literally) strings. The band's first single, it is the only eels song to date to top the chart, further demonstrating that even unsung heroes like eels could find success through talent and not just hype.
Elsewhere on the list, 311 continued their dominance with "Down", Sublime starts on the near-inexplicable continued popularity they would enjoy for the next 15 years and The Wallflowers get their first chart appearance before they blew up the next year.
Back on the diversity of the popular songs of the era, on this chart alone there are 2 songs that could be considered "adult alternative", one "rap-rock", one "industrial pop" and R.E.M.'s hauntingly beautiful "E-Bow the Letter," which featured Michael Stipe reading a rambling love letter over feedback and acoustic guitar and featuring Patti Smith on guest vocals. The song, 15 years later, remains as unusual and moving as the first time I heard it.
Here's the Top 10:
Elsewhere on the list, 311 continued their dominance with "Down", Sublime starts on the near-inexplicable continued popularity they would enjoy for the next 15 years and The Wallflowers get their first chart appearance before they blew up the next year.
Back on the diversity of the popular songs of the era, on this chart alone there are 2 songs that could be considered "adult alternative", one "rap-rock", one "industrial pop" and R.E.M.'s hauntingly beautiful "E-Bow the Letter," which featured Michael Stipe reading a rambling love letter over feedback and acoustic guitar and featuring Patti Smith on guest vocals. The song, 15 years later, remains as unusual and moving as the first time I heard it.
- eels - "Novocaine For the Soul"
- 311 - "Down"
- Sublime - "What I Got"
- Soundgarden - "Burden In My Hand"
- R.E.M. - "E-Bow the Letter"
- Social Distortion - "I Was Wrong"
- Better Than Ezra - "King of New Orleans"
- Sheryl Crow - "If It Makes You Happy"
- Republica - "Ready to Go"
- The Wallflowers - "6th Avenue Heartache"
20 Years Ago Today #4 - 10/18/91
Back to taking a look at the charts of 20 years ago, and the alternative rock era has started to take shape, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Give It Away" at #3 and Nirvana already at 5th place only 3 weeks after the release of Nevermind. However, the only other band from this list that would make relevant music in the rest of the decade is Blur, whose "There's No Other Way" was fully representative of pre-Nirvana alternative music in the early 90s.
Robyn Hitchcock was in the #1 spot, with a song I have never heard before. The 90s: The Gift That Keeps on Giving.
Here's the Top 10:
Robyn Hitchcock was in the #1 spot, with a song I have never heard before. The 90s: The Gift That Keeps on Giving.
Here's the Top 10:
- Robyn Hitchcock - "So You Think You're In Love"
- Billy Bragg - "Sexuality"
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Give It Away"
- The Cult - "Wild Hearted Son"
- Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
- Tin Machine - "One Shot"
- Lloyd Cole - "She's a Girl and I'm a Man"
- Blur - "There's No Other Way"
- The Smithereens - "Top of the Pops"
- Northside - "Take Five"
Friday, October 7, 2011
Happy Birthday, Thom Yorke!
A very Happy 43rd Birthday to someone whose genius cannot be oversold - Thom Yorke of Radiohead!
To prove it, here's one of the best songs of the 90s - no, one of the best songs of all time - "Fake Plastic Trees"
Happy Birthday, Thom! Hope it's a great one.
Whatever.
To prove it, here's one of the best songs of the 90s - no, one of the best songs of all time - "Fake Plastic Trees"
Happy Birthday, Thom! Hope it's a great one.
Whatever.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Happy Birthday, Matthew Sweet!
A Happy 47th Birthday to Matthew Sweet, who made some of the best, most underrated music of the 90s.
Here he is with one of said songs, "Sick of Myself" from that magical summer of 1995.
Happy Birthday, Matthew!
Whatever.
Here he is with one of said songs, "Sick of Myself" from that magical summer of 1995.
Happy Birthday, Matthew!
Whatever.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sonic Youth to Re-Release Greatest Hits Album
It's a little bizarre to think that arbiters of cool and all things independent could release the ultimate in money-making schemes, a greatest hits record. But, true to their nature, they've put their own spin on it.
First released by Starbucks of all places, Hits Are For Squares will be re-released on October 31st (Halloween, by far the holiday Sonic Youth are most associated with for me), just in time for the busy Christmas shopping season. This will no doubt go into my just-planned gift ideas column.
As mentioned, this greatest hits compilation is unique, as it has been curated by other musicians, actors, various other cool people and Diablo Cody. No doubt her blurb consists of cutesy, Hello Kitty-in-leather-approved portmanteaus and various other bits of LOLspeak. For those who don't know what that means, it's Internetish for "talking like a blithering idiot."
Admittedly, I'm jealous of this woman, who was given an Oscar for writing "your eggo is preggo."
But that's neither here nor there. While I will always promote exploring a band's entire discography over a collection of only their most commercially successful songs, "The Empty Page" from 2003's Murray Street and "Incinerate" from 2006's Rather Ripped don't appear on this album despite being two of the biggest hits they've ever had. Take that, capitalism.
Here's the tracklist with curators:
Whatever.
First released by Starbucks of all places, Hits Are For Squares will be re-released on October 31st (Halloween, by far the holiday Sonic Youth are most associated with for me), just in time for the busy Christmas shopping season. This will no doubt go into my just-planned gift ideas column.
As mentioned, this greatest hits compilation is unique, as it has been curated by other musicians, actors, various other cool people and Diablo Cody. No doubt her blurb consists of cutesy, Hello Kitty-in-leather-approved portmanteaus and various other bits of LOLspeak. For those who don't know what that means, it's Internetish for "talking like a blithering idiot."
Admittedly, I'm jealous of this woman, who was given an Oscar for writing "your eggo is preggo."
But that's neither here nor there. While I will always promote exploring a band's entire discography over a collection of only their most commercially successful songs, "The Empty Page" from 2003's Murray Street and "Incinerate" from 2006's Rather Ripped don't appear on this album despite being two of the biggest hits they've ever had. Take that, capitalism.
Here's the tracklist with curators:
- Bull in the Heather (chosen by actress Catherine Keener)
- 100% (chosen by Beastie Boy Mike D)
- Sugar Kane (chosen by Beck)
- Kool Thing (chosen by Radiohead)
- Disappearer (chosen by actress Portia de Rossi) side note: this is my 2nd favorite Sonic Youth song, behind "Teenage Riot"
- Superstar (chosen by former stripper-turned-blogger-turned-Oscar Winner, Diablo Cody)
- Stones (chosen by film director Allison Anders)
- Tuff Gnarl (chosen by writer Dave Eggers and musican Mike Watt)
- Teenage Riot (chosen by Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder) - little bit of trivia, "Teenage Riot" was the first song played on Self-Pollution Radio, a 3-hour radio program Pearl Jam put on in 1995
- Shadow of a Doubt (chosen by actress Michelle Williams)
- Rain on Tin (chosen by Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea)
- Tom Violence (chosen by film director Gus Van Sant)
- Mary-Christ (chosen by Tobias Funke himself, David Cross)
- World Looks Red (chosen by actress Chloe Sevigny)
- Expressway to yr Skull (chosen by The Flaming Lips)
- Slow Revolution (chosen by Sonic Youth, since it's a new track)
Whatever.
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