Tag: musica

I take my music seriously, and so should you.

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First Listen: New Wilco — ‘Sky Blue Sky’

wilco sky blue sky album coverWilco’s follow-up to 2004’s A Ghost Is Born is finally wrapped up and set to hit stores May 15. Last night, the band delivered the album in its entirety via their Web site, for anyone who wanted a preview.

I took advantage and was very happy that I did. As was evident in the Thanksgiving concert I attended, the band is moving confidently in a new direction, in which both the key ingredients of Nels Cline on lead and Glenn Kotche on drums tighten up. The songs are less experimental sounding than on the previous two records, but still Kotche and Cline’s wildly unique and at times improvisational styles are allowed to shine. This is very much Tweedy’s record, with several 70’s-style, shorter ballady songs. But nothing to slow. I’d say it’s the most definitive Wilco record to date, reflecting their progression from the rootsy sounds of A.M. through the aurally complex and looser compositions that dot YHF and Ghost.

Listen to “Walken” and “Impossible Germany.”

Hear more of the new stuff on this live recording from last November at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. Continue reading “First Listen: New Wilco — ‘Sky Blue Sky’”

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Thoughts + a Song

* Can anyone tell me why Google Reader doesn’t have a search/filter function?

— considering the nature of The Google, I suspect that either a) I’m missing something or; b) this will be resolved by the end of the weekend.

cartoon by RJ Matson.

* The new Secretary of Defense is both demanding and accepting resignations. I wouldn’t call this refreshing — the last SecDef would deny any wrongdoings to the grave, but the Walter Reed scandal could have been handled months ago and only know that it’s been uncovered is action being taken. You go to war with the hospitals you have…, right?

So, Robert Gates, or Bob, as the case may be — I dare you to take preemptive measures and have Halliburton/KBR etc pay us back some money so we can have welfare and education in the States. And democrats, support the troops — but don’t support the contractors!!! Even the troops can’t stand them (not the individuals, but the contracting corps w/ non-bid, cost-plus arrangements). Ok, so I did just watch Greenwald’s Iraq For Sale.

Exhale.

And now, some music, from the new Arcade Fire release, Neon Bible

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Tim Fite’s ‘Over the Counter Culture’

One of the best records of the year cannot be found in stores. It’s not available on iTunes. Last Tuesday, Tim Fite released “Over the Counter Culture” exclusively on his Web site. For free.

Fife is signed to Anti-, the record label currently responsible for releases from such stalwarts as Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Neko Case, and Mavis Staples. But “OTCC” is just too anti-establishment and anti-commercial to NOT be given away for free. Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune wrote an in-depth profile:

“This record is a soundtrack for war, and in many ways it’s a soundtrack for a war that’s waging within everyone,” Fite says. “There’s the war outside, but then there’s the war inside ourselves about how much we acquiesce to market culture. That’s what the record was about for me, finding out what I’m fighting against and being truthful with myself about what I allow myself to fall victim to.”

Interview w/ Fite on “Sound Opinions — why he was inclined to go the DIY route with this particular content (press play):

VIDEO: “Camouflage”

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Bobby Conn, King

I’ve been actively posting elsewhere — check my recent posts at LAist here, here, and here to see what was shakin over the weekend. bobby conn

Meanwhile — I just got Bobby Conn’s latest in the mail from Thrill Jockey, and it’s his best. It stays in the same vein, of the miraculous and unique Freddie Mercury-cum-Weather Report overridden with Chicago-crossed falsetto dream-funk. Very hard to pick one track from this record as it is the most serial of all of his records — a listen-through-all-the-way type. By the end, he proclaims “(I’m Through With) My Ego.” As if. For all you “Winners” out there, you’ll surely dig “Love Don’t Let Me Down.”

See the legend — er, I mean, King — for yourself via YouTube.