Playlist--week of March 4

I did records last time, so let's go with songs:

1.  Argus--Wolves of Dusk from Boldly Stride the Doomed

-Has to be best Pittsburgh band going right now. This is from their second record, which came out last year.  Epic throughout, but the final sequence (Winter's winds... are HOOOOWLIIIIIIING) still puts me into involuntary headbang mode every time.

2.  Bruce Dickinson--Sabbath Bloody Sabbath from Nativity in Black Volume 1

-Iron Maiden's lead singer covering Sabbath, and just fucking owning it.  Everything from that first Black Sabbath tribute is pretty good, particularly COC's Lord of this World and Ministry/Trent Reznor's (or 1000 Homo DJs' if you want to be a stickler) Supernaut, but Bruce is just too dominant on this one.

3.  Enslaved--To the Coast from Vertebrae

-Ground might be the best song on this record, but there is some transcendent quality to To the Coast that keeps me playing it randomly even when I'm not listening to the whole record.  Top 5 metal band today, period.

4.  Faith No More--Stripsearch from Album of the Year

-Faith No More getting all sexy on your ass. 

5.  Primus--Tragedy's a Comin'  from Green Naugahyde

-So happy that this album was good, thought Les might have been slipping a bit based on his solo output prior to Primus' comeback.  The recent 3D tour was fun, and they are even slipping an Anti-Pop song or two back in the set.  Fingers crossed for Natural Joe next time around.   

Playlist of the Week: 2/25

Sorry for the delay (and then the back to back postings) but I was in NYC til early monday morning.  The playlist of the week focuses on one artist and one argument.  Recently my wife and I were debating the top 10 emcees.  In the middle of all this (and after a few drinks) my wife made a comment along the lines of: well if NAS is a potential candidate for the top 10 then Kayne West must be too. 

Needless to say I was stunned by this.  So the first tangible (not, really) thing I did after we realized neither was going to give an inch was to reach out to multiple people to get their opinions.  All I can say is to my surprise the responses were about 50-50. 

So I told my wife I would make her my personnel best of NAS album so she could truly appreciate his work.  Between that creation and the visit to NYC it feels appropriate to dedicate my playlist of the week to NAS:

Song (Album)
No Introduction (Life Is Good)
Make the World Go Round (N.I.G.G.A.)
Hero (N.I.G.G.A.)
Accident Murderers (Life Is Good)
Loco-Motive (Life Is Good)
Halftime (Illmatic)
NY State of Mind (Illmatic)
Testify (N.I.G.G.A.)
Cherry Wine (Life Is Good)
One Love (Illmatic)
Life's a Bitch (Illmatic)
Memory Lane (Illmatic)
The Don (Life Is Good)
Represent (Illmatic)
N.I.*.*.E.R. (N.I.G.G.A.)
Y'all My Ni**as (N.I.G.G.A.)

(Please note that I do not own all of this albums so there may be a few omissions, ie: The Message, Gave you Power, Hate Me Now, and so on)

Email Conversation - Incubus

Here is a newer idea that we want to make a more frequent post.  We will just bounce emails back and forth regarding a specific music topic.  It could be a genre, band, song, performer, performance, etc....

So for the first one we settled on a band that we are both a little unsure about how we feel about them (or at least at this point of their musical career) Incubus:

Original Message-----
From: neil
To: Frank
Sent: Fri, Feb 15, 2013 9:03 pm

So let’s get after it………INCUBUS

 

Just for reference purposes let’s get these facts out of the way:

Band Members:

- Brandon Boyd – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion (1991-present)

- Mike Einziger – lead guitar, piano, backup vocals (‘91-present)

- Jose Pasillas – drums (’91-present)

- Chris Kilmore – turntables, keyboards (’98-present)

- Bed Kenney – bass guitar, backing vocals (’03-present)

Former Members

- Alex Katunich – bass guitar (’91-’03)

- Gavin Koppell – turntables, keyboards (’95-’98)

Discography

- Fungus Amongus/Enjoy Incubus (1995)

- S.C.I.E.N.C.E (1997)

- Make Yourself (1999)

- Morning View (2001)

- A Crow Left of the Murder (2004)

- Light Grenades (2006)

- If Not Now When (2011)

Before I start I have to admit I have not heard one second of If Not Now When so everything said may have to be with a grain of salt. My current relationship with Incubus is strained at best. I think they are a very talent group but as their sound progressed over the years it moved in a direction that I was not total ‘in to’. So I stopped listening. But let’s start at the beginning.

I didn’t know them until SCIENCE but that is far and away my favorite album of theirs. The title fits the concept of the album, a giant science project. They took songs and blended styles rock, metal, punk, funk, blues, techno, electronic, and so on. Their first album(s) you can tell they had this funk/blues/rock influence but didn’t quite know what they were. There are some good songs (still a fan of take me to your leader) but you can tell that in the development of SCIENCE they found their groove. Just think about the back to back song combination of ‘Certain Shade of Green’, ‘Favorite Things’, ‘Summer Romance’ & ‘Nebula’. The intent and combination of styles is vastly different. From strait in your face rock, to rock/electro, to blues/funk, to electro/techno/god knows what. The album as a whole was brilliantly done and dominated my cd player senior year of high school.

Then came Make Yourself. Probably their most know, most popular album. The concept was a little different but you still got that science influence. However, it was more mainstream, more radio rock…..and it was good! Songs like Drive and Pardon Me put them on the popular map. And yet again, this is a fantastic album and I really enjoyed it.

But this is where I think they hit a fork in the road….do they stick to their roots or do they venture down the alternative, pop rock path? Morning View didn’t make the definitive statement but you could tell they took a step away from their funky mix of styles and made some more contemporary rock music. I think the album is above average but you could tell that even in their songs that were still influenced by their SCIENCE style they tried to incorporate more of a popular feel.

Then came Crows….and the wheels came tracks in ’09. And this is where the Incubus train came to a halt. I think the direction of the band has changed, not in a bad way, just not in the selfish way that I wanted.

So the question is, do they ever come back from this or do they just floatoff. They tried to take their old style and bake it into their pop sound. And I didn’t like it. I actually do not know many people that did.

To be honest that was it for me. It was a slow decline from that point forward. Their first three albums were good and all released in a small window of time (3 albums in 5 years). The next three took 8 and I was less and less excited for each. They went on a hiatus and released a best of album with some average bside in the shallow pool of mediocrity for as long as they can hold on? 

Response Message-----
From: Frank
To: neil
Sent: Mon, Feb 25, 2013 10:24 pm

You covered a lot of the background, and I would essentially just echo your sentiments about their early days and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (it is awesome, probably objectively their best, solid front to back), so let me pick it up at Make Yourself. I would agree that there were a few songs on here that veered a bit more towards the mainstream, but I don't see it as a large-scale direction change, and I think this might be my favorite record of theirs. Boyd's lyrics were always a highlight for me (at least early on), and I think his finest work was on Make Yourself--the title track, Consequence, and most of all The Warmth, which would be in the running for my favorite Incubus song period. And though the wild genre changes are lacking, I think the record is still dynamic while tightening the songwriting and not forgetting to rock--there is no song that features the full-scale aggression that made Vitamin or Certain Shade of Green so vital, but I do think the songs are more consistent throughout (whereas some songs on S.C.I.E.N.C.E., like Redefine or Nebula, are remarkable primarily for the distinct parts: the bass solo and the chorus, respectively). Now Make Yourself definitely raised some warning flags for me, in the form of Stellar and Drive, which I detest and skip every time I listen to it. But that wasn't enough to send to make me doubt the band just yet.

And neither was Morning View, despite the greaterprevalence of eminently skippable tracks. Another element of Incubus that deserves mentioning is their ability to write absolute standout tracks. This cemented Make Yourself and even partially saves A Crow...for me, but nowhere was it more necessary than Morning View. For every Blood on the Ground and Wish You Were Here, there is thankfully an 11 a.m., Warning, or Are You In? to rescue it. But outside of Circles, there is really no hard rock to be had here, so I would say this is the record that signaled to me that the Incubus we knew was about to disappear. Besides their stand out tracks, Incubus also was a band that a lot of different people listened to, so their shows would be events where a big crew could gather (as opposed to my default mode of attending metal shows by myself or maybe 1 or 2 other similarly-minded weirdos). I think this kept me in their corner and bought more leeway than maybe they deserved.

A Crow...'s first half is actually pretty worthwhile in my eyes, particularly Talk Show on Mute and Sick Sad World. But the last half is borderline unlistenable, and finally I couldn't hang on anymore and bailed, and also stopped going to their shows. Last time I saw them was the final time Lollapalooza toured around, and I think I spent most of time drunkely heckling them until they played something from Science. I don't think I've heard anything from their last two, so I'm hesitant to judge, but I also haven't talked to anyone or read anything that suggests I'm missing out on much. To answer your question, I doubt they can ever get back to what they were--that band is dead (indeed, the last thing I saw from them was a cover of I Can See for Miles on a Who tribute show, and, um, it was not...good...at all). But I also half-bailed on the Deftones, and they have just come screaming back with the last two, so I won't write the obituary yet. Maybe we should pick up Light Grenades and see if anything's worthwhile as part of this exercise?

I'll leave the next topic to you, though might I suggest best song as the next topic of conversation? Maybe split between aggressive and slower?

Oscars

Guest post by Ryan Lowe

Although the Academy Awards are not a definitive statement on what’s good and right about cinema, they get people to talk. It’s by far my favorite of all the award shows out there. The Oscars just stand out. It was the first American awards ceremony (This may not be a fact, but rather just something I’ve heard before). More importantly, you remember who wins, and you care who wins. 

The more nominated movies you’ve seen, the more you care about what happens on Oscar night. 2 years ago, I viewed a ton nominated films, and I ended up writing a pithy review/ranking of the Best Picture noms. We’re in the same boat again this year, so I figured “why not try it again?”

As I said my before, the Oscars are not the be all and end all, but it does a great job of generating discussion. My commentary on it shouldn’t be confused for legitimate criticism. I’m simply throwing my thoughts out there. Also, I’ll be linking either a scene or featurette from each film. 

Amour – We’re not off to a great start. I didn’t see this. It was the only one I needed to check off for the past month, and I couldn’t bring myself to see it in theaters. I’ll certainly view it eventually, but for the most part I heard it’s an incredibly depressing film. I just wasn’t in the mood. Since I didn’t see this, the clip to which I’ve linked is from Holy Motors. This is apropos of nothing other than it’s also a French speaking film, but one I actually saw.

Lincoln – A fine film. Spielberg stays out of the way for the most part (although, the opening scene is the film equivalent of patting the audience on it’s head). Daniel Day-Lewis is amazing. He should win for best actor hands down. DDL’s performance fit exactly with my image President Lincoln. Also, James Spader should’ve been nominated over Tommy Lee Jones if anyone was to be given a Best Supporting Actor nod. Spader interjected some much-needed humor. I enjoyed this film, but I never need to see it again. This will probably win Best Picture.

Beasts of the Southern Wild – When I saw this over the summer, I never thought it would get any kind of Oscar buzz. I love Quvenzhané Wallis. I mean, if you liked this movie at all, you had to love Hushpuppy. The great thing about Beasts is its huge moments (e.g. when the storm hits the bathtub, the confrontation with the Aurochs). Beginning to end, I don’t think it’s the strongest story, but maybe more than any other film on this list, I’m excited to see it again.

Silver Linings Playbook – I don’t claim to know a ton about bi-polar disorder, but I imagine issues associated with it aren’t resolved as neatly as one might think after watching this nominee. But this has a good story. The pacing is great. You care about the characters. Best of all, when it turns into a stereo typical rom com, things get wrapped up pretty quickly. Plenty of good acting performances. All in all definitely worth seeing.

Django Unchained – Full disclosure. I’m a big Tarantino fan. I’ve seen and own the bulk of what he has made. His creativity surpasses most everyone else in this medium. Django is a ton of fun. Leo and Christoph Waltz should have both been nominated for best supporting actor. That being said, this is probably my least favorite Tarantino movie. This is easily his most violent film, and violent to the point of taking you out of the story. Toward the end, it’s almost cartoonish how violent it gets. Once again, very entertaining, but his worst film I’ve seen. I will admit I need a second viewing.

Les Misérables – I’m not a musical fan. Plain and simple. I loved this film. It’s shot unlike any musical I’ve seen. The choice to get right in the actors’ faces and have them sing live translated so well. It forced the actors to act through and feel the song rather than dubbing it over later. Apparently that doesn’t make for a great soundtrack to purchase (which seems to be the chief criticism of many), but I’d take good acting and mediocre singing over mediocre acting and great singing any day. It’s a bit long, but let’s be honest, most of the Best Picture noms could stand to lose at least 15 or 20 minutes.

Argo – More than anything else I’ve seen this year, I can universally recommend this film. It appeals to a wide audience. It’s funny. It’s suspenseful. It’s just a great time. When we walked out of the theater, my friend John said to me, “Has Ben Affleck become one our best American directors?” I told him to pump the breaks, but Affleck has put together some really, really good movies. I hope this wins for Best Picture, which seems like a 2 horse race between this and Lincoln. Argo would be far more palatable.

Zero Dark Thirty – HEAVY. If I needed one word to describe this movie, that’d have to be it. This is not a fun time. Not funny. Not an easy watch. But my word, it is remarkable how Kathryn Bigelow can take a story that is so current and give it the detail of something about which hundreds of books have been written. The opening is utterly haunting. Everyone in the theater knows what happens in the final 40 minutes, but they’re all on the edge of their seat at the same time. The final approach to the compound is the most intense scene of 2012. (No scenes available, so I just put up the trailer) 

Life of Pi – I’ve thought and talked about this and 0 Dark more than any other films this year. I almost went to go see this in theaters again earlier this week. I didn’t read this book but from everything I’ve heard, it seemed like an impossible task to get this story to translate to the big screen. This film is beautifully shot. The way Ang Lee uses aspect ratio sucks you in. The 3D in this is the best I’ve ever seen. Instead of it just being a money grab, the 3D is there to actually improve the viewing experience. I’ve felt for some time, that the best films are ones that can’t just be “put on in the background.” They demand that you watch in order to get the full effect. This is the type of movie for which theaters were made, so if you haven’t seen it in theaters, I’m sorry. The whole point of cinema is to take you places you can’t go and show you things you can never see. More than any other film this year; Life of Pi does precisely that.

That is all I got for Best Picture films, right now. Here are a couple of other movies worth checking out from 2012

The Raid – Best kung fu movie in years, and my favorite foreign film of the year

Searching for Sugar Man – I only saw a half a dozen documentaries this year, but this was the best

Looper – Dark. Way darker than you think. Maybe my favorite movie of 2012

Dark Knight Rises – Look. It was good. It wasn’t the Dark Knight, but it was good.

The Grey – Surprise of the year for me. Way better than I expected. A lot less wolf punching than I had guessed given the trailers. (Em said to add that this is also, way darker than you think)

Skyfall – Name me a better Bond movie. 

Cabin in the Woods – Not what I thought it would be at all. Most fun I had in a theater this year.

The Master – Not as good as other PTA stuff, but great performances. I didn't love it, but it's worth checking out because of the acting. 

Seeking a Friend at the End of the World – Surprisingly a very upbeat film given the subject matter (the end of the world)

The Impossible – Loved it, but I’m a sap. It got dusty more than a few times in the theater. Also, the greatest natural disaster sequence I’ve ever seen.

Killing them Softly – Crazy heavy handed with it's message, but if you were to take away gangsters constantly listening to NPR, it's a pretty good movie.

Queen of Versailles – Another good documentary. If you want to get angry with people, watch this.

Seven Psychopaths – Solid follow up to In Bruges. I’m excited to see what Martin McDonagh does next.

Flight – A lot better than I thought, but it wins the award for best completely “on the nose” soundtrack.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for indulging me. Since this is a music blog, here are my top 5 albums of 2012 in no particular order. 

Gossamer – Passion Pit

good kid, m.A.A.d city – Kendrick Lamar

Babel – Mumford & Sons

Self Titled – The Lumineers

Be the Void – Dr. Dog

Playlist--Feb 11-18

And we assure you, no one, that we will post a new one every Monday from here on:

Records:

-Royal Thunder--CVI
-Satan's Wrath--Galloping Blasphemy
-Witchcraft--Legend
-Clutch--Live in Flint
-Ihsahn--Eremita
-Woods of Ypres--Woods 5:  Grey Skies & Electric Light
-Gojira--Le Enfaunt Savage
-The Atlas Moth--An Ache for the Distance
-Karma to Burn--Almost Heathen
-Slough Feg--The Animal Spirits

Last set of stuff I bought was heavy on the Decibel and Metalreview.com year end list records that I didn't buy during 2012 proper.  Why I waited so long on Royal Thunder, Woods of Ypres and Witchcraft escapes me right now, but all they are all pretty awesome.

Songs and Randomness:

-Green Day--Lazy Bones from Dos
-Black Keys--Dead and Gone from El Camino
-Pearl Jam--Faithfull from Yield
-Gates of Slumber--Stormcrow EP
-Mindless Self Indulgence--Prescription from If

Playlist of the Week

Inspired by our regular contributor, Frank, this is the start of a recurring post called playlist of the week.  We have not really defined the format yet (# of songs, inspiration, genre, etc..) so my contribution this week will simply be a playlist I put together to listen to at the gym that is inspired mostly by some of the newer music that I have picked up.  You may think its a strange collection of songs and I am a little off.  But if you have been reading this blog my odd music choices should be no surprise at this point:

Childish Gambino - We Ain't Them (Album: Royalty)
Clutch - Mercury (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
Clutch - Profits of Doom (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
Clutch - The Mob Goes Wild (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
Clutch - Escape From the Prison Planet (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
Clutch - Oregon (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
Clutch - Subtle Hustle (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
Clutch - Tight Like That (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
Clutch - Texan Book of the Dead (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
Clutch - A Shogun Named Marcus (Album: Live in Flint, Michigan)
The Roots - Rock You (Album: Phrenology)
The Roots - Sacrifice (Album: Phrenology)
The Roots - Rolling with Heat (Album: Phrenology)
The Roots - Break you Off (Album: Phrenology)

Live albums always rejuvenatse my interest in songs I have loved for years.  Live in Flint did this but also elevated certain songs for me.  Clutch is one of those groups that always sounds better live.  Oregon is the hidden gem of Live in Flint.  However the whole thing is fantastic and I think spending time with this album would be a great use of an hour or two.

Looking ahead

Since the last post was all about looking back on the highs and lows of 2012 I want to take a look at albums to be released in 2013.  So here is a list of the albums where the expectation is they are suppose to be release this year:

Clutch - Earth Rocker (3/19/2013)
Sevendust - Black Out the Sun (3/26/2013)
Talib Kweli - Prisoner of Conscious (4/26/2013)
Kid Cudi - Indicud (2013)
The Strokes - TBD (2013)
TOOL - TBD (2013)
Black Keys - TBD (2013)
Pearl Jam - TBD (2013)
Queens of the Stone Age - TBD (2013)
T.I. - Trouble Man: He Who Wears the Crown (2013)
STRFKR - Miracle Mile (2013)
Eminem - TBD (2013)
Common - TBD (2013)

Some of these stick out more than others (like Clutch and Tool, for examples).  There are also albums that could be the 'break up' album (Common and Kid Cudi).

In typical fashion some of these will be push til the next year and others will pop up so we will see what actually makes it but it is a solid list so far.  Let us hear about any other albums you are looking forward to this year.