Week 33: Richard Hell and the Voidoids - Blank Generation

I was saying get me out of here before I was even born

It's such a gamble when you get a face

Now that is how you open a song. Besides the fact that Richard Hell basically invented the look of punk as we know it (he was the first to spike his hair, wear ripped clothes and use safety pins as an accessory), he also penned what is possibly it's greatest anthem. Blank Generation is nothing short of a monster of a song. Catchy, raw, and lyrically potent - it packs a real punch. If it reminds you of the Sex Pistols' Pretty Vacant, there's a reason for that - Malcolm McLaren and the Pistols purposely tried to make a song that sounded like Blank.

It's been on repeat all week for me. Maybe it will be for you too. Then again, maybe it won't. What do I care. It's not punk to care.

Richard Hell and the Voidoids - Blank Generation

Week 32: Modest Mouse - King Rat

Sometimes it's hard to pinpoint what's been your most-listened to song of the week. There are just weeks that pass by as hiccups. You know they happened but can't think of any specifics, although you're certain that it had to be chalk-full of them.

Okay. Got it.

Modest Mouse plus Heath

It took a few minutes. But there is one song that I listened to on repeat for a bike ride home (I know, not safe...) the other night. Lyrically, it's as strong as the rest of their catalog and the video was actually directed by the late, great Heath Ledger during his 'dark period' before his early demise. It pays to be Modest. Mouse.

Modest Mouse - King Rat

Week 31: Eminem - Survival

Remember when a certain Detroit native spit "A plaque in platinum status is whack if I'm not the baddest"?

Seems like ages ago to me. Sure, he's put out bangers in the last couple years, but did it ever really feel like he was back? Last album, Recovery, felt like a step in the right direction (finally), but still didn't really feel all the way there. I don't think I was alone in worrying that the 'scripts had zapped the fire out of one of the games best.

Well, new track (for the Call of Duty soundtrack - but who cares what the reason is), Survival, has got me excited. It's not perfect start to finish (little bit in the middle, especially the "butt!" part, doesn't fit in my ears) but it feels right. It feels like Slim. The anger and the fire are there. And for the first time in years, they don't feel like they are being forced through a cloud of xanax, valium or whatever he spent those years on. In fact, Eminem's DJ Alchemist has been heard saying that the last two albums were about Em getting back on his feet, but that he's now squarely there and he is "going to further territories... I think now - he's Eminem".

So let's throw a middle finger and let it linger for one of the great kings of controversy and hope that we get some more of this before he retires his jersey.

Week 30: Pond - Giant Tortoise

TAME IMPALA
MELODY'S ECHO CHAMBER
POIND

How much good music can one group of friends put out? Over a lifetime, there's a myriad of examples of 'art collectives' or 'scenes' that have produced cauldrons of hit/iconic records - but in what timeframe?

There's something in the water in Perth. People have probably been saying this for decades, the difference now is that I mean it in a good way. Tame Impala has already conquered the indie earth (and could very well break the North American mainstream if they set their sights on it), Pond has had feet a tapping while they relentless put out albums and Melody's Echo Chamber may be overshadowed by their contemporaries but are far from a mere footnote.

All these names have already been dropped in this blog. But today marks new territory. Until now, Tame Impala were the clear leaders. Psychedelic trip-rock that can switch from oozy zoning to heavy rocking like a smashing vase - drops in almost slow motion but then explodes with a riotous yelp. It may only be one track, but there's a new king in town. This crown is heavy and is not for the weak of neck. Pond, with the first single from the forthcoming fifth album (Hobo Rocket - out August 6 in US/CAN), may have usurped their brother. Of course, two members of Pond are in Tame Impala so it's all quite insestuous - I, for one, am not complaining.

Enough fancy words. Play this. Loud.






Pond - Giant Tortoise

Week 29: Massive Attack - Angel

Trip-hop may not have made the global impact that some thought it would. Launched out of Bristol as a dark, brooding response to the 90s rave culture, it did have a strong and lasting impact on the UK music world, but not so much Stateside. Kings of trip-hop, Massive Attack, put out a string of increasingly acclaimed albums (both Mezzanine and Blue Lines feature in Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time) which still resonate to this day.

There is no question that 1998 single Teardrop is their calling card. A beautiful song start to finish. In fact, the entire Mezzanine album is unsettlingly beautiful. A great album to fall asleep to, to relax on a bus with, to cry in the dark to or listen to during 'quality' romance time (all those steady, pulsating, erotic rhythms). If you don't own it - get it immediately. Of the 12 songs offered up by Mezzanine, my favourite has always been and will always be Angel. The album opener never ceases to evoke some sort of emotion in me. Amazing considering it's just a couple of guys from Bristol (named '3D' and 'Daddy G' no less).

So take a moment out of your busy day. Get out of the sun. Maybe get in a nice air-conditioned room or cool basement and just take a few minutes and transport yourself.

Massive Attack - Angel

Week 28: Glasvegas - If

Remember when Glasvegas was touted as the world's 'best new band'? Maybe not. There may not have been that many of us (especially on this side of the pond) who believed - but boy were we swept away. James Allan's gloriously unique and accented voice brought us a strange dismal hope for the future of guitar music. The wash of reverb and simplicity of the music was nothing short of amazing. Of course, followup album EUPHORIC///HEARTBREAK\\\ was, most definitely, short of amazing. The all-white Jesus look did not help matters much either.

James Allan onstage with Glasvegas in his full Jesus whites.

But now Glasvegas is back! And they sound good again! Listen for yourself below. This is only a demo version (couldn't find official version YET) but it still is drenched with emotion. And if you find this at all interesting, good, intriguing or anything of the like, then be sure to check out their self-titled debut album. It's a personal favourite.

Glasvegas - If

In other, less exciting, comeback news. The new Babyshambles song has emerged online (not due out for another week). Now, in their heyday, Babyshambles were a less romantic, more drug-fueled, less iconic Libertines. No one will ever pretend they compared to the Libs, but Pete managed plenty of good tunes under the Babyshambles moniker. Even his haters have to admit that the guy has a knack for melody.. well on this track the haters have right to hate. It's bland. There are no shambles involved. It has none of the chaos that we've come to associate (and love) with Pete's music. At his best, he's either off his kilter (or on the verge) OR writing beautifully melodic and poetic ballads. This is neither. It's boring and bland. There's some nice words in there, but not enough. I'm worried about the forthcoming album... but I'll still buy it. Listen and see what you think:

Babyshambles - Nothing Comes to Nothing

Week 27: Kanye West - I Am A God

Kanye is back. And he's not shy about letting us know how he feels about himself.

The comparison to God, Jesus and the like have always been there, but never this (omni)present. Some say Kanye's latest album Yeezus is too much - too raw, too horrific, too misogynistic. But I, for one, am happy that he's continued to move forward. As much as I love the early albums, I don't want to hear him to continue to pump out different renditions of 'Jesus Walks' and 'Gold Digger'. I want to hear change - good or bad. And Kanye keeps giving us that. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was an absolute smash. By putting out a concept album that abusive, Kanye continued to push himself and 'the game'. Now he's stepped up again and taken us further down his rabbit hole. I, for one, will continue to follow - regardless of how ridiculous some of it sounds.

Ladies and gentlemen, here he is. He may not be the most high, but he's a close high.




Kanye West - I Am A God