The Zimmermann Note

Yes, for  some of you out there that listen to Post 80’s Indie-Lo-Fi-Pre-Post-Punk bands this album will not be for you, although whatever genre you are listening to Janelle Monae has probably had a chance to listen to it. 

Her debut full-length album ‘ArchAndroid, Suites II and III’ pulls off one of the more ambitious records in memory, finding a way to make a proverbial tour through the history of Rock and Pop music.

When I started paying attention to music, it was artists like Prince and Michael Jackson who were offering crossover appeal, music that was as much Rock as R&B and often the tents of one genre would not always cross over into the other.

However, it is bold moves such as albums like Monae’s which offer to reawaken what is possible in the era of pop music.

This is not just an album but a statement. It is a statement not to the music industry but rather to the listeners out there that are stuck in their boring rut of music and once again ask themselves why in the hell does this pile of fuzz really mean anything? I mean I am asking myself this question all the time. This album does not fit my nice little comfy niche of music that I appreciate and yet it is everything that I appreciate about music.

Consider the subject of the album: This is actually the 2^nd and 3^rd parts to a 4 part play. What is the play about? A rebellious Android from the future that risks disassembly by falling in love with a human. Er. . .wait a minute. Am I serious? Yes, I am. The first part an EP: ‘Metropolis: The Chase Suite” was released in 2007 and while this opening act did not get the same appeal, it does give a glimpse at what Monae was positioning herself from.

What I have caught myself doing is trying to find as much as possible about this 24 year old artist from Kansas. What are her influences? What are her desert island discs? What is playing on her iPod currently?

The single, ‘Tightrope’, which piqued my interest of her music brings back the old school funk and grove from the 70s with equal parts James Brown. If you think that her performance is a bit smoke and mirrors check out the debut live television performance of her performing the song on David Lettermann.

For some of you that might read my blog on occasion and question my love for an R&B artist I wish to offer this quote from her.

When you’re transitioning to a different stage in your life, there definitely is a fine line you have to walk. At the end of the day, I’m an artist– I love ideas over politics and fame. At the same time, as a black woman in today’s music industry, it’s important that people understand that we’re not all monolithic. It’s time that we just break past this notion that if you’re an African American female you have to stick to one genre. One boring genre, at that.

What a breath of fresh air. 

When I began my journey of studying the music of R.E.M., I found that R.E.M.’s “Teachers”, i.e. the music they appreciated was a wide and eclectic group and part of the treat was not finding old singles and B-Sides but also exploring their influences. Listening to this album we realize that Monae’s influences are far beyond the genre she is part of. She is a black woman that is breaking the invisible barriers of her peers and offering a new and diverse musical offering that should make everyone excited.

But what actually makes this even more exciting is how she is able to link the premise of her character as Cindi Mayweather is that they are both attempting to break through the traps of their existence.

I warn you that there is a bit of theatrics to this album. There are moments of classical music, others when you think you are listening to an old classic soundtrack from a black and white movie with the and on the other side of the spectrum there is Kevin Barnes from Of Montreal, offering up a track.

The album is not an easy sell and there are moments where you will feel that the album drags on a little long, but the treats are worth it if you are willing to listen to it. What I am so impressed with however, is that this 24 year old artist is going to be a star. 

I figure that about 6 months through the year that it would be a good time to reach out to the few out there that enjoy rolling around in my urine to actually get an idea of what I am listening to.I always remind myself that I need to write more and thus to keep it fairly short I have offered a 1 sentence review for the 15 top albums so far. Of course, maybe all you need is a sentence to know that you will love it.

Top Albums of the Year (So Far)

1.             Janelle Monae – Archandroid

Genre-Bending album that’s studies popular music over the past 50+ years. If you give this album time, it should grow on you.

 

2.             Caribou – Swim

Dan Snaith reinvents himself once again throwing away the Psychaedelic Pop of Andorra for an underwater electronic experience.

 

3.            The National – High Violet

Fall into the category of writing smart rock songs, that are catchy, thoughtful and deserve oft-repeated listens.

 

4.             Beach House – Teen Dream

The production quality on this improves and only enhances their sound. Victoria Legrand’s unique vocals however, steal the show.

 

5.            LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening

James Murphy’s follow-up to Sound of Silver is tighter, raucous, and at times a bit hilarious. This album feels a bit like Talking Heads meets Joy Division meets the 21^st century.

 

6.            Method Actors – This is Still It (Reissue)

This album is a treasure for those enjoying that great post-punk 80s sound.

 

7.             Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM

Bringing Beck’s talents to this album, Gainsbourg reminds me a bit like St. Vincent’s album Actor as she plays different characters and roles throughout.

 

8.            Tame Impala – Innerspeaker

This album quickly making it’s way up my charts reminds me of Pink Floyd’s ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn”. Psychaedelic at it’s best.

 

9.            Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles II

It’s that electronica music that they play at that uber hip club that you never go to, cause well you are just not cool enough.

 

10.            Titus Andronicus – The Monitor

Great Alcohol-Fueled Summer Tour Punk meets Bruce Springsteen. “You’ll Always Be A Loser” will be screamed by every fan at every show that they perform at.

 

11.            Owen Pallett – Heartland

Mixing Electronica and Strings, it feels a bit like Grizzly Bear’s ‘Veckatimest’.

 

12.            Radio Dept – Clinging to A Scheme

I always felt that this band was born during the wrong decade. Always feels like that 80’s Goth Rock feel.

 

13.             Spoon – Transference

Probably would be higher on the list if not for their awful show at the Aragon. I think my ears are still ringing.

 

14.            Morning Benders – Excuses

Promising record with one of the best songs of the year, ‘Excuses’ reminiscent of the old “Wall of Sound” recordings.

 

15.            Netherfriends – Barry and Sherry

Chicago-band that after a couple listens has to be one of the more intriguing finds this year. Animal Collective – Psychedelic pop.

 

Best of the Rest

Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes are Roaring the Night

Sleigh Bells – Treats

Massive Attack – Heligoland

Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma

Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be

Gil Scott Heron – I’m New Here

Fang Island – Fang Island

Whenever a band is able to produce several stellar records in a row, they are considered for one of the enviable positions amongst my favorite music on my Facebook Page for Mark Zuckerberg to take and share in a capitalistic manner all over the Internet.

Caribou has reached that point already and their latest album “Swim” has to be listed amongst on of my favorites so far this year.

Caribou, the Dan Snaith project is almost into its 10^th year has produced several incredible releases. Caribou’s growth as an artist from “Up in Flames”, “The Milk of Human Kindness” and “Andorra” have not truly led in any one logical progression.  But anyone that is sincere about LCD Soundsystems album should definitely check this out.

Snaith, an accomplished drummer and mathematician would also be part of my All-Star Fantasy Band.

Other Members?

Thom Yorke

Noah Lennox (Panda Bear)

Bradford Cox (Deerhunter, Atlas Sound)

 

I am not picking these members by instrument they play but more so on what they have brought to the table insofar as expanding the horizons of music and were ironically the first 4 artists that I thought of. However, the point of this is not to get off topic but rather specify just how important Caribou is to the current music scene.

Caribou’s 2010 release, “Swim” seems to be more than just a title but a theme. In songs such as Kaili, there is almost a warbling underwater feel to its electronica setup. In some manner, it would almost be like taking the backdrop of the dance floor and combining that with Olivia Tremor Controls ‘Black Foliage’ album.

The stellar track “Sun” is primarily an instrumental dance track with Snaith repeating the word “Sun” several times. On the surface it sounds simple but again, it plays with your emotions. Listen carefully to the uneasy feeling, almost as if you were underwater and looking up at the surface diving in and out of the water, the word “Sun” blurred until you get to the surface and its as crystal clear to the ear. What does it feel like? Um, like you are swimming.

 

What is surprising about Snaith’s direction is how he pulled back in fear of becoming too mainstream.  There seemed to be a direction that the albums were taking, while keeping with some of the psychedelic influences intact. A song like Melody Day for example is reminiscent of classic 60’s pop and yet feels fairly modern.

 

Take the most accessible track off Swim, the opening track ‘Odessa’ and you get a funky beat and yet it still has time to pull some strings. Odessa feels as if it should be played at the darker end of the dancefloor, its murky, scratchy feel keeping you off balance while the percussion keeps your head bobbing.

 

‘Swim’ is not the pop follow-up to ‘Andorra’. Instead, Caribou digs you deeper and farther underwater. The transition song ‘Lalibela’ appears to borrow from Caribou’s own ‘After Hours’ becoming much briefer and off-kilter but leads to the intriguing ‘Jamelia’ featuring Luke Lalonde from the Born Ruffians on lead vocals. Changing tempos several times, it feels as if it approaches world music.

What is very much apparent is the combination of conventional instruments as well as electronica in the same breadth, something that Snaith pushed the boundaries on this particular album. Take into account that during their live shows, there are two drummers featured in the front of the stage. While I have seen the element of the Electronica genre feature a drummer, few will put two on stage and even fewer will stuff the back row with individuals that play conventional instruments.

‘Swim’ is not a conventional album, however, and it should be noted that I will be keeping notes when the band plays it’s free show at Pritzker Pavilion here in Chicago this summer.

Lastly, I have found myself relating to this album on a deeper level with the recent BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. While there are no direct ‘Spooky’ correlations as with Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot after 9/11 you still do not help but wonder about humans relationship with the water and our senses of this pure source of life (and death). This album will not give you answers but it will make you ask a couple questions along the way.

 

If someone were to ask me today about the status of quality music that is coming out, my answer to them would be there is a plethora of great music of all shapes and sizes being released to the public. The problem of course is finding that music.

 

While word of mouth is still a strong component of the music that you listen to, the other sources of finding out about new music have largely changed. 25 years ago, people would rely on MTV, the Radio and Music Magazines to get their fill. Today, conventional radio is a fraction of what it used to be, MTV doesn’t even play music anymore and like the rest of the Newspaper and Magazine market, most people prefer blogs and websites to magazines.

 

On top of this the number of bands have multiplied several times over when it has become difficult to follow a handful of bands closely. Stadium-filled shows have been replaced by festivals, which can attract a greater amount of fans to experience and explore the sounds around them.

 

Being a “Thirtysomething” that has a steady job outside of writing on this site and others, my music fill is both one that relies on time and need. I just do not have the time in the day to rely on every single music release and base my own thoughts around friends, cohorts and sites that promote music.

 

One of those sites that I have used is Pitchfork. Pitchfork has built upon a solid Indie Rock Formula of good reviews, a level of irony and a lack of acting “Too Corporate”. While they might go to bed with certain bands like Radiohead, Vampire Weekend and Animal Collective, I do not take their word as “Holier than thou” but a word nonetheless.

 

Recently they reviewed the inagural release ‘Treats’ by the band Sleigh Bells, one of those “Buzz” bands. These bands will have a paragraph or so in their reviews about somehow being the talk of the hip indie community as being one of the next big things. Discovery is important and to put it in writing is even more important so that they can reflect on that years later about how they gave certain artists high grades early on.

 

What of course I noticed about the release was that Pitchfork gave the Sleigh Bells new album the title “Best New Music” and a score of 8.7. This title is given to any album that receives a score above 8.0 on their grading chart. They are fairly tough reviewers as you see very few releases above 9.0 on their grading system and since 8.7 is pretty high up there, it meant that I should check it out.

 

Another factor in my immediate purchase was that they were planning on playing Pitchfork Music Festival which I am attending. What better way to get acquainted with my music listening decisions that weekend than checking out the talent.

 

My initial reaction to this album was one, which would make me call it one of the best albums of the year or one of the worst. If anything it is one of the most intriguing releases of 2010 which will probably command a lot of disparate opinions across the internets. 

 

At first listen to this album, my deepest fears were being met. A combination of the “Pussycat Dolls” and “Heavy Metal Guitars” with an equal amount of electronica to make Lady Gaga have an orgasm. Not that I have a huge problem with ‘Lady Gaga’ or her talents withstanding, but better to the point that it reminds me of those yuppie bars I would attend in my youth.

 

No there is no doubt talent on this record and there will no doubt be many thoughts and reactions about this album. But how do you write about something that you are either going to admit is a “Flash in the Pan” – Jesus Jones moment or something that is a genuine record of the year candidate?

 

According to Wikipedia, they have been defined as “Dance Punk”, what that means, I have no clue. Sorry if I find that there are more music genres in music these days than bands.

 

For me the moments of annoyance are when Alexis Krauss’s vocals venture into the “Pop Stardom” vs. sticking with the Miki Berenyi-Lush stylings such as my favorite song on the album so far “Rachel” which combines that Spooky/Gala style on top of some great electronica. Personally, I prefer the latter but also understand there is more money in the former. 

 

However, the guitars on this album is why it was posted to Pitchfork to begin with. Derek Miller’s guitars on ‘Infinity Guitars’ among others are meant to bleed eardrums and what makes this album from being a favorite at the yuppie clubs and also the indie rock circuit. When the initial shock wears off, you understand the conflict in the music. Alexis Krauss would have no part in a Heavy Metal/Punk outfit in her life and yet, this odd combination actually works on many levels.  It tries to break barriers in the same way that Prince did by bringing R&B and guitar-driven rock together. It is a combination that you do not expect and at times abhor but you listen anyhow.

 

And that is half of the problem. You finish listening to the album and it slightly kicks you in the ass and you are really not sure if the ride was worth it or not. For me, the album has not been immediate but rather bone-jarring. The opening to the song ‘Straight A’s’ for example would have heavy metal fans on their feet. Ever pissed at a neighbor? Play this track at 11 and you will be noticed.

 

There are other songs such as “Ring, Ring” or  “Rill, Rill” depending on where you are getting your knowledge from. which provide a gentler, luscious side, that should be a mainstay at Proms if they have a pretty good DJ.

 

Its strength’s are in the music and the vocals and would provide a thumbs down to the lyrics, which I would characterize as pedestrian. This is a blaring, sweaty party album. It’s an album that will do well on the tour circuit on a hot summer venue.

 

This album crosses genres and based on your own musical preferences, I would suggest the purchase if only to experience it and create your own opinion. This is not your average “Boring” rock record.  This record takes chances and for that I applaud it.

 

But as any music listener will attest to, opinions change. The Buzz today could be in the trash tomorrow.

This mix was inspired by a friend of mine, Adam, who is part of the Dirty Avocado’s, which is not your mother’s Guacamole. Instead they are a Adventure Racing Team, braving the environmental factors such as the weather, terrain, and their equipment.

 

Per his request in asking for a nice mix of songs to play while battling the extremities, I came up with a “Relatively Small” list of songs (50 to be exact) that would hopefully put him in his “Happy Place”.

 

I will hopefully post a “Podcast” or three of these songs for your listening pleasure later on but I thought I would offer this as an eccletic mix of Happy Songs.

 

In coming up with these songs, I tried to loosely base it off a “Psychaedelic” theme. However, even in dealing with that theme, we do cross over into other genres of music from time to time.  You can read, critique, and lambast here and then later on I will let you sit back and relax and enjoy the ride.

 

Song Title  – Band

 

Why wont you talk about it – The Radio Dept.

Calvary Scars Ll / Aux. Out – Deerhunter

Zebra – Beach House

Paranoid Android – Radiohead

No Surprises – Radiohead

Already Yours –  Curve

Sunbathing – Lush

Comfy In Nautica – Panda Bear

The Crystal Cat – Dan Deacon

Silence            – Portishead

Three Days – Jane’s Addiction

So You’ll Aim Toward The Sky – Grandaddy

Sometimes – My Bloody Valentine

Skunks            – Caribou

Deeper into Movies – Yo La Tengo

The Way You Dream – 1 Giant Leap

No. 6 Von Karman Street – A Sunny Day In Glasgow

Bright Tomorrow – Fuck Buttons

Infinity – The XX

Where I End And You Begin (The Sky Is Falling In) – Radiohead

I Have Been Floated – Olivia Tremor Control

You Are The Blood – Sufjan Stevens

…And the World Laughs With You (feat. Thom Yorke) – Flying Lotus

The Trees – Max Richter

Don’t Let Your Youth Go to Waste – Galaxie 500

Wait in a Line – Now It’s Overhead

Red – Mission of Burma

The Rat – The Walkmen

Wholehearted Mess – Bear In Heaven

Dead Souls – Joy Division

The Murder Mystery – The Velvet Underground

Hearing Damage – Thom Yorke

Texico Bitches – Broken Social Scene

We Were Born The Mutants Again With Leafling – Of Montreal

Get Innocuous! – LCD Soundsystem

In the Flowers – Animal Collective

Inertia Creeps – Massive Attack

Indoor Swimming At The Space Station – Eluvium

Roscoe            – Midlake

Starla – Smashing Pumpkins

je t’aime… moi non plus (en duo avec Jane Birkin) – Serge Gainsbourg

Hard World – Overflower

A Rush and Push and the Land Is Ours – The Smiths

Sun – Caribou

Whatever Happened – Glenn Mercer

Archangel – Burial

Astronomy Domine – Pink Floyd

Your Blood in Mine – Serena Maneesh

Everythings Alright When You’re Down – The Jesus & Mary Chain

Instrumental – Galaxie 500

 

When do you start working on the setlist they play at your funeral? While this is something that I have not started thinking about, I did feel the need to work on a setlist of songs that seem to be budding up this springtime.

 

Springtime in Chicago is exciting with several good shows coming up (Thom Yorke, Spoon/Deerhunter and Air) several shows that I enjoyed (Woods and Netherfriends) and some shows I wish I went to (Deakin).

 

There are many shows to look forward to this summer, (Pitchfork, Monday Free Shows at Pritzker) and that does not count the plethora of new music to look forward to this year.

 

Every once in a while there is always a need to put my mouth behind the microphone and speak to my imaginary friends as to what I have been listening to. Anyone that is willing to put up with this trainwreck, feel free to indulge yourself in the fractured fairytaile mind of a 37 year old deviant who is just trying to find sense to the maddening world we live in.

 

And any time that we can find ways of escaping the monotony is a good thing. For my imaginary friends out there wondering what is good and listenable I would encourage you to check this out. The podcast is a mixture of young and old. Some artists reflect the nature of Generation X, boombox over your head music like Peter Gabriel. Some reflects the younger generation musicians/audiophiles listening to their angels and demons make music and interpret that how they may like, (see Woods and Netherlands). Still others are dug up relics finding their light of day (The Method Actors) and finally there is always plenty to celebrate the bands whose movements are still being examined 40+ years after they started making music (Velvet Underground).

 

So here you go. An imaginary podcast for an imaginary world

As I sit here and listen to the first song by Dan Deacon, I wish it was about 90s degrees with about 50,000 fans out somewhere in the middle of a field jamming out to this. Instead I am alone in my urine sitting behind a computer screen typing this out while the outdoors is frigid. We can dream can’t we?

 

With such a positive outlook, it would seem to be the perfect first song to this 3^rd new music podcast for 2009. This podcast has inspired me at some point to do one based on the biggest disappointments from the Aughts or as I will refer to as “The Aught for Naughts”.  That will be at a later time.

 

For those of you excited about the prospect of hearing a Decemberist song as one of my favorite songs for 2009 you will be disappointed. I could only include 2 Irish Bands/Artists on this particular mix. Sorry folks!

 

Download Here.

 

1.             Dan Deacon –  Build Voice

2.            Grizzly Bear – I Live With You

3.            U2 – FEZ – Being Born

4.            Morrissey – When Last I Spoke To Carol

5.            Wilco – Wilco (The Song)

6.            Beirut – The Akara

7.            Radiohead – These Are My Twisted Words

8.            The Books ft. Jose Gonzalez – Cello Song

9.            Sunset Rubdown – Silver Moons

10.             Minus 5 – Vintage Violet

11.            The Pains of Being Pure At Heart – Young Adult Friction

12.            Bear In Heaven – Wholehearted Mess

13.             Weird Tapes – The Heavens

Things worked a little better this time around vs. last time. However, here is the second podcast for your enjoyment:Artist – Song

Artist – Album

 

1. Bibio – Jealous of Roses

2. R.E.M. – Seven Chinese Bros. (live)

3. Phoenix – Rome

4. Girls – Summertime

5. Andrew Bird – Oh No

6. Pisces – Dear One

7. Deerhunter – Famous Last Words

8. Japandroids – I Quit Girls

9. Lotus Plaza – What Grows

10. Dirty Projectors – Useful Chamber

11. Robyn Hitchcock – Your Head Here

12. Weird Tapes – The Heavens

13. Fuck Buttons – Olympians

This will be the first of I hope of a handful of new and re-released music so far this year. Click here to access the podcast. It’s been awhile since I have done one of these so I apologize for the fact my voice is a bit low on this. Something to improve on the next time.

 

Band – Song

Animal Collective – In the Flowers

Yacht – The Afterlife

Atlas Sound – Sheilia

The XX – Infinity

Wavves – Mickey Mouse

St. Vincent – Black Rainbow

The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms

Circulatory System – Woodpecker Greeting Worker Ant

Yo La Tengo – Nothing to Hide

Pylon – M-Train

Ida Maria – I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked

R.E.M. – Carnival of Sorts (Boxcars) – Live

As the years have gone on the chances of me receiving daily mail from the AARP have increased. In fact, it’s very problematic that AARP thinks that targeting a 30-Something sweet short (and graying) haired boy. 

There however, is always time for a little rock and roll. Better yet, go to a festival riddled with hipsters. Last year I went to one of the days of Pitchfork and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go to the entire weekend. For the money, the value, and the fact it does not “Feel” corporate, I can appreciate it.  

Figure that when you go to a festival, you start having to create priority lists of what are the most prominent acts that you “Need” to see and then go from there. Here is my list for the 3 day Pitchfork Festival that is starting tomorrow.  

1. Yo La Tengo – It’s been about 10 years since I got into them and over that time I have always appreciated their integrity. If started a band, I would say, ‘I want to do it like Yo La Tengo”.
2. Grizzly Bear – Their new album is far and away one of the best new albums of this decade. It will be exciting to see them live.
3. Jesus Lizard  – First hometown show in over a decade plus fans write the setlist. This should get pretty crazy!
4. Women – I have really been listening to their album quite a bit lately and might have to make some changes to my 2008 Best of List.
5. The National – I thought that they stole the show when I saw them open up for R.E.M. last year. Given the Saturday headlining slot, I am excited to see what they will pull off.
6. The Flaming Lips – First the set was fans choice, then it wasn’t and now it is. Question will be whether the fans are “Pink Robots” fans or are they going to want the Lips to play some of their older songs?
7. Blitzen Trapper – Last years album ‘Furr’ is truly one of those great “crossover” albums that can be appreciated by fans of many different genres.
8. Wavves – I love them actually but I am curious as to how this will all play out. Nathan Williams self-destructed in Spain recently and now just this past week broke his wrist skateboarding.
9. Beirut – Never seen Zach Condon live, but love their music. I think this could be a lot of fun if really done the right way.
10. Pains of Being Pure at Heart – There is a lot of Shoegaze being featured at this years show and this is another good up-and-coming band with a bit of sugar added to their sound.

Biggest Game Time Decision  

Japandroids vs. Walkmen – True it is the Walkmen but I am currently leaning towards the Japandroids as they seem much more exciting at this point.