Break out the glow sticks

I don't know what it is, but every time I turn on the radio - oh who am I kidding, I fire up my internet machine - I hear some band adding a 5th member, who was previously known as "manager Steve," bringing in the Korg they bought from a garage sale last Saturday off Van Nuys, and dubbing themselves electronica rockers. 

Although I consider myself a person with very limited knowledge in the world of electronica, I did dabble in an a cappella techno group in college. We couldn't handle our quick rise to success. It was like No Doubt - our "soloist", Dave, was on the cover of every magazine and the remaining members of the group all got jealous. In late 2003, after only being on the scene for a year, the magazine "A Cappella Techno Weekly" put out a raving (yes, pun, check) article about Dave selling out.  He is a sell out. WE DON'T NEED CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE SEQUENCES DAVE! 

Eventually we broke up, but we remain friends...right. 

Well, notwithstanding my nonsensical rants, I have noticed a good amount of programming-based rock entering the scene.  Tooth and Nail's most recent signing are just that - enter And Then There Were None. ("ATTWN").  I'll have to admit I am not behind throwing a bunch of prepositions in a band name, they are decent enough to check out.  While listening to them, I find myself more and more interested in finding a big industrial storage unit and throwing a little partay to 6 hours of loud beats with the sounds of whales mating playing over it.  

After a couple signings that were simply sticking with the same old standard, I think ATTWN will be a welcome change.  First, because nothing says rock like 5 white kids from New Hampshire.  Second, its just something different. Like I have heard multiple times, "this world needs a new 'Power Pop.'" Maybe this electro-techno-raveish rock is just that. 

For fans of Ghostland Observatory,  Seattle's own Sleepy Eyes of Death, and Settings - ATTWN is just for your ears.  I, personally, can't wait to see them live.  Now...just need to work on my ol' glow stick skillz (with a z). 

Welcome #44

Congrats to President Barack Obama. A particularly moving 18 minute long speech that I hope to one day tell my grandkids about. Regardless, its now time to get to work. Good luck, sir.

Madeleine Albright's letter to the new President

Transcript of Obama's speech

On a musical note, Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman provided an amazing soundtrack.   As per my original concern of "how the heck do you tune those things in 17 degree weather," the musicians played to a recording - now bringing the total of "things that Yo-Yo Ma and Ashlee Simpson have in common" to a whopping two (the other being that they both do Hip-Hop Abs. Got to keep lean.)

Finally, if you want the soup-to-nuts insanity that is the press coverage of this event, check this out. Political cyber stalking at it's finest!

Out.

Thank you Martin

It's MLK day so I figured I would try to reflect on that particular topic. The fact is that, tomorrow morning, Barack Obama will become the first African-American president. Whatever side of the metaphorical political fence you fall on, it's a big deal. 

Given the current horribleness that is our country right now that is the result of our failing economy, war, and so forth, I wish him the very best. 

I thought I would provide a little music that mirrored the reason you didn't go into the office today.  Music has played an interesting little role in race relations in the US. I think Motown's history is particularly interesting. 

So back in the day (circa 1959), Berry Gordy snuck a loan of $800 from family and friends to start the first ever record label owned and ran by a black man. Always the innovator and without an apparent talent in naming things, Gordy named his label as a tribute to its location - "Mo" and "town" being a combination of "Motor town" or, for those who don't know where the automobile came from - Detroit. Motown left Detroit for the sunny skies and gridlock of Los Angeles in 1972.  Motown was eventually bought out by Universal and relocated to the grey skies and Sabarro'd NYC where it currently finds itself. 

The 1950's, apparently, were a tumultuous time in our short history. Who knew right? In fact, Jim Crow Laws (which mandated the false dichotomy of "separate but equal") were still in effect until the mid 60's. Initially, Gordy steer his artists away from the race "issue," but after MLK rose to prominence, it was unavoidable. Motown stepped onto the civil rights scene by the release of Stevie Wonder's "Down to Earth"  album (1966) and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", followed shortly the number one single by the Supremes "Love Child."  In fact, Diana Ross gave one of King's many eulogies. 

A particularly poignant and brilliant song from a young Stevie Wonder of off the "Down to Earth" release is "A place in the sun."

Friends that have their ear to the ground on this stuff tell me that The Shadows of Motown and Only the Strong Survive are pretty powerful documentaries on the history of Motown. They are on my list - whatever that means. 

The civil rights movement also was the birthplace of many American folksongs that crossed racial boundaries. The oft-cited example is Bob Dylan's "Blowing in the Wind."

Dylan's song surprised a lot of black artists who described their astonishment at how a young white artist could accurately capture the plight of the African-American community (see wiki-goodness).

In more modern times, Rage Against the Machine's "Wake Up" actually quotes MLK ("How long? Not long, because what you reap, is what you sew"). Although more closely associated with Malcom X, Rage often cited the teachings of MLK as lyrical inspiration. Thoughtfully, Rage has provided all of us you with a little civil rights history book-esque song. My brother thoughtfully reminded me "Renegades of Funk" is actually a cover of Afrika Bambaataa's song with the same name. He is good for something I suppose. 

I hope everyone enjoys the day - even if just for a day off. At a minimum, everyone has a homework assignment to check out "Soundtrack for a Revolution."

It is an amazing documentary. 

Out. 

Greetings

So I would like to think that I enjoy all types and styles of music.  I can find something redeeming in almost every song and discard any type of snobbery that may be associated with a band "selling out" or "getting too big."  In fact, I would dare to say I "love" music. It, and peanut butter, are what sustain me in life. 

Accordingly, I try to stay on the front lines of new bands and new music.  Although my little blog here pales in comparison to more legit blogs, but I thought I would throw my hat into the virtual ring.  

I tend to try to keep things simple because my brain can only handle so much stimuli.  So this blog is just that - simple.  I'll try to put up some music that means something in particular moments in my world.  Maybe some tidbits in here about items I feel that have any other type of cultural or social relevance. 

Realistically, I know many folks won't read or care to read this.  It will, if anything else, selfishly provide me with some bookmarks to look at on at a later point. I could use a pen and paper, but this requires me to burn more calories.  I have a body image problem. 

ENJOY!