Perhaps the most creepy song of all-time
This one is an all-timer, no one has even come close in the past 33+ years
March 3, 2008
February 24, 2008
Behold the beginning
Of the embellished national anthem.
Perhaps the most original yet compelling version of the SSB. Indeed, a singular moment much like Jimi's at Woodstock and Whitney's before SB XXV.
However, unless you can outdo Marvin, you best be singing it as intended:
Straightforward and in 1:40.
February 22, 2008
Concert moments of 2008, ongoing
I'm not sure that there will be that many for me this year.
However, The Police put on a very strong show at the Blaisdell last Saturday.
And the crowd ... Vegas can't party like HNL. Period.
February 20, 2008
Concert moments of 2007, Part 3
Most Funny Concert Moment: This Sucks!!
NIN, this past September
An inside joke it shall remain for the faithful that showed up.
All maybe 1000 or so of us.
February 19, 2008
Concert moments of 2007, Part 2
Most Amazing Crowd/Most Metal Moment/The Sing-a-long
Heaven & Hell, Radio City Music Hall in March
This was an affirmation of the powerful metal riff, and the Sabbath faithful
Great crowd, that we had the privilege to be a part of, that Friday night in New York City.
February 18, 2008
Concert moments of 2007
Most Impressive Crowd Award
Expose, live at Pipeline this past summer
Yes, it was really THAT f'n loud. A hair raising, ear drum busting experience
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Most Impressively Creepy Crowd
Lisa Lisa, that very same night
All the local women, well mostly Jpnse women, in their late 30s+ singing their heads off to All Cried Out. If you're a guy, you're wondering: WTH, am I gonna make it out of here alive. Uhm, let me guess, someone hurt you in high school? Amazingly creepy.
February 17, 2008
Song of the Week: Classic Edition
Never knew this song had a video. Still very fresh sounding at 5 years old.
February 11, 2008
Justice for Milli Vanilli
1990 - Best New Artist
give them back the Grammy. really.
or give it to Charles Shaw and the other session guys
looking back, did the other nominees: Tone Loc, Soul II Soul, Indigo Girls, or Neneh Cherry amount to anything either?
no wonder there was no giving of the award after it was revoked from MV.
give it to them to commemorate the fact that 1990 sucked for new artists
More from the House of Winehouse
Song of the week. Live.
Oh and a little bit of MosDef to lift it higher still.
February 10, 2008
Song of the Week
I really hate the Rehab song. However, this song has really turned me on the brilliance of her album (well, except for Reh). Another discovery courtesy UK radio, to celebrate her big night at the Grammys.
Here's hoping she gets her shit together and doesn't go the way of TTD, down the Wishing Well.
February 5, 2008
Song of the Week
Rooney is back. Love the retro sound.
February 2, 2008
Message of the weekend
You've got no fear of the underdog
That's why you will not survive
January 30, 2008
Song of the Week: Revisiting a classic
Damien Rice. Creep. Enjoy.
January 21, 2008
Song of the Week
Joan As Police Woman, The Ride
So smooth, so very smooth. Brilliant.
January 14, 2008
Song of the Week: Revisiting a classic
Radiohead covers the love theme from "The Spy Who Loved Me"
No one has done it better.
January 9, 2008
Love Adele ...
Lots of buzz for Adele in the UK for 08.
Too bad, no US releases yet. Two release dates this month 1/21 & 1/28, no mention of USA though. Oh well, UToob is my friend this time.
Chasing Pavements video
Daydreamer, fr. Jools Holland
December 5, 2007
The Passion of the Kenny
Yacht Rock Forever!
December 4, 2007
If I programmed an Adult Contempo Station
What kind of world did we live in before UToob? At this point, I can't remember.
November 29, 2007
One Night. Police. Blaisdell.
We'll be there for the 1st show on Saturday, February 16th.
---
Update:
Well, tickets went really fast on main sale day, basically sold out in 37 minutes besides the odd single. Glad to have had a FC membership.
Update 2:
Second show added. The second show will take place on Sunday, February 17th.
Show History
Police with Bryan Adams & Stevie Ray Vaughn, Aloha Stadium. 02/25/84
Police with Fiction Plane, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. 06/15/07
Police with Fiction Plane, Blaisdell Arena. 02/16/08
November 5, 2007
Playlisted
I'm feeling the urge to get the lead out and write. So, for no apparent reason, I will discuss my latest downloads from the iTMS. My first music buys in a while. Feel really out of touch with what's going on. That being said ...
Met Bridge Boots
I suppose curiosity got the best of me last week -- but for a good cause, really ...
I downloaded the two Metallica Bridge School acoustic shows from livemetallica.com. The eternal good about buying these shows is that the proceeds go to a great charity
August 15, 2007
Lennon
Catalog now on iTs -- cool!
Many of the solo albums are in the iT+ format, so it sounds quite good
---
I haven't really been paying a ton of attention to the new stuff lately, but there are two pretty fun singles from HHH, off their upcoming album -- nothing epic and world changing, but a good listen nonetheless
---
As you were
July 27, 2007
07 Concerts Summary
I don't really know why it is, but we have been in the mood to see shows this year. Including some which we went to on a whim. Since I didn't blog them at the time, I will provide a grade and short overview of these shows.
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May 12, 2007
Silversun Pickups
The review that never got written. The show that we didn't see in NYC while we were there.
What we have here is one of the better artists of late, who finally are getting some attention, one year in ... always seems to be the way, doesn't it? Anyway, this has been one of my favorite artists over the past year.
Inside, the reviews of the Silversun Pickups' Carnavas and Pikul
May 9, 2007
New meaning to ...
What the heck are they singing?
So, when you have stopped laughing from all the times you puzzled over what the hell Klaus M. was singing ... as here
Okay, we're all on the same page now
This has been a problem with many of the harder rock genres, so I present to you, some pretty funny stuff ... well, it's a bit off-color at times, so if you don't like that kind of stuff -- get a hold of your curiosity and be on your way -- in other words, if uptightness would prevail in your workplace over comedy vids, well ... hope you got your resume polished up
For you other degens like me, I present pretty funny interps of Meh-TALL staple songs, lyrically interpreted by BSG & CD ... off the U-Toobs
Some Pantera here
Some Slayer, too ... here
And, what the heck, one more from MH right here
December 19, 2006
R. y G.
One of the more amazing bands in terms of sound that I've heard in the last 2-3 months -- and if you like Latin or metal influenced music, even better. Great performance on MBE a few months back, now another flamethrower of one on Mr. L's show last night
See it here
They also do a pretty interesting version of the Met classic from MOP, Orion.
December 17, 2006
Three Nights in December
NIGHT ONE: December 2, 2006
Last show of the tour, The Kings of Leon, two sets of busted up tamborines, the drummer's birthday (The Full Sheet Birthday Cake Tossing Incident ... and a launched towel to clean it up), end of show at 12:45AM ... a lot can happen in 3 hours of show, including a performance for the ages
Who's Afraid of 11 o'clock???
The People's Band. And now I know why. I cannot think of any band in recent memory that I have seen at our local arena that has had an opening act ... AND still played close to three hours. Every band doesn't want to pay the overtime, doesn't want to pay the curfew fine ... oh wait, I stand corrected.
Is my watch right ... Is it really 12:45 a.m.
Just an amazing show, the band had a lot of fun ... lots of sing-a-long moments. Lots of energy from the crowd, lots of energy from the band. And 32 songs later ... really, after a 32 song set, it was time to go home. Yep, I really don't have too many words to say about it, except definitely competing for show of the year.
Anyone notice the orb invasion?
Hey! Wake Up!
The cake, in happier times ... pre-launch
Where's Waldo? (Yes, we are somewhere in this picture)
After 3 hours, what didn't they play?!?!?!
Oceans
Corduroy
Animal
Do The Evolution
World Wide Suicide
Severed Hand
Given To Fly
Love Boat Captain
Wishlist
Even Flow
You Are
Unemployable
Jeremy
Wasted Reprise
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
Hawaii '78 (yes, that Hawaii '78 ...)
Better Man
Porch
---
Inside Job
Man Of The Hour
Last Kiss
Crazy Mary
Black
Alive
---
You're True
Happy Birthday Matt
Smile
Why Go
Big Wave
Life Wasted
Rocking In The Free World (w/ KOL)
Yellow Ledbetter / (Little Wing)
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NIGHT TWO: December 9, 2006
Unos Dos Tres ... Finally
Ahh, the spectacle that is the BIG rock show! We actually met two guys who flew in from Seattle that same afternoon to go to the show, we also met this rich woman from NYC who saw PJ last week and stayed all week. Nice people, and it goes to show that these bands command a world travellin' audience -- a gathering of the loyal, as Mr. Hewson said
Anyways, back to the BIG show. There's something about the BIG show that makes you forget about ridiculously long lines for everything -- from bathrooms, merch, getting in, leaving, parking ... or at least you hope that there are things that make you forget about these BIG show things
Just a few words about the show, I think we got spoiled from last week's marathon last show of the Avocado album tour because just as we were getting into the groove with PJ ... gone, 45 mins ... gone.
As far as the big spectacle that is vertigo, you just get the feeling that everything is completely orchestrated ... even stuff that is supposed to be "impromptu". But much like you don't care when you see some other well choreographed performance, we didn't care here. Just got swept up in the fun that is a you, too show ... as did our other 47,000 friends
Uh honey ... the orbs are back
Paul Hewson, David Evans ... and of course, Adam "No Nickname Required" Clayton
Song about the unnamed streets
We love the edge
PJ's Short Set
Interstellar Overdrive
Corduroy
Life Wasted
Do The Evolution
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
Big Wave
Even Flow
Hawaii 78
Better Man
World Wide Suicide
Given To Fly
Crazy Mary
Alive
Baba O'Riley
Played by You, Too
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In A Little While
Beautiful Day - Sgt. Pepper's - Blackbird
Angel of Harlem
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (w/ random audience pianist)
The First Time
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One
---
The Fly
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
---
Window In the Skies
The Saints Are Coming (w/ Billie Joe of GD)
Rockin' In the Free World (w/ PJ)
All I Want Is You
----------------------------------------------------------------
NIGHT THREE: December 16, 2006
Behind the stage ... no, really
Okay, so here's the deal. If you get a chance to see the piano man from the back of the stage, by all means, go see him. I should have learned this lesson during college, as one of our friends did just that in LA and was real close. Fast forward about
About the show, it's about the music, it's about the storytelling, it's a whole lot of fun ... especially when our man turns away the mic and lets the crowd sing a few lines. I did have one really major revelation and it came during the roadie's performance of Highway to Hell
MAN, THAT CROWDED POPPED!!! The biggest sing-a-long, the biggest action from the crowd
If that little band from Oz played here, judging from audience reaction -- a BJ audience, mind you. Yeah, I'm as blown away by the thought of it. Well, they really need to play here next tour
Back on subject, just a really cool show. BJ and the band play to each portion of the crowd equally ... including facing the back, sides, whatever. Just a neat show, and a nice cap to three awesome nights in December 06
Mr. "Don't Go Changin'" sure has changed
That grey bearded, bald guy sure plays a mean piano
Sing us a song ... you're the obi-wan
What He Played
Prelude/Angry Young Man
My Life
Everybody Loves You Now
The Entertainer
New York State of Mind
Zanzibar
Allentown
Don't Ask Me Why
Just The Way You Are
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
An Innocent Man
Keeping The Faith
She's Always A Woman
I Go To Extremes
The River of Dreams
Highway To Hell (yes, that one ... by his roadie)
We Didn't Start The Fire
Big Shot
It's Still Rock and Roll To Me
You May Be Right
Only The Good Die Young
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Piano Man
August 20, 2006
Tool: Night 2
Awesome ... deafening ... visually interesting
And let me say, the concert hall as a venue for a full on, sans symphony rock show is actually surprisingly good ... and I had my doubts. We had seats a little off center in the first row of the balcony, and these were actually remarkably good as well -- actually I feel converted to possibly sitting here with regularity when we see symphony shows
But that aside, if you could see one band every five years or so -- and could have confidence that the show would live up to and in many ways exceed your expectations going in, this is the band to see.
July 11, 2006
BROTW
I dunno if I will keep up with this, but when I get emails about it, I shall pass on the link for the "big release of the week"
Solo album from R-Head vox ... out tomorrow ... is streaming here
May 30, 2006
Chinese Irrelevancy
Umm, disappointing parody ... words don't even come close to describing this
It's So Easy
Rocket Queen
Patience
Paradise City
Nighttrain
November Rain
Sweet Child O' Mine
Out Ta Get Me
You Could Be Mine
Live and Let Die
And the "We Could Use More Bongos" versions of these classics
Welcome to the Bongo
Mr. Bongostone
And you know you can't wait to be in line at midnight later this year (or next ...) for these Chinese Democracy instant classics
And the Double U - Tee - Eff moment of the night ... just a little patience, you'll see what I'm getting at
(All I can say is it don't get more Mad TV/SNL than that ... and this is like, totally GD serious yet teh totally gay)
Next Stop for Billy ... The Surreal Life
May 27, 2006
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere: B+
After what seemed like an interminable wait, StE finally dropped here in the 48+2. In a year where we have been piling up beats oriented albums such as Go Team's, Mylo's and J-Dilla's -- this one stands out in terms of its great sense of using old school beats and funk, with incredibly soulful vox from Cee-Lo
This is not to say that it is a retro soul based effort -- I think the best description is experimental, with great soul and funk foundation. If you like things like Handsome Boy Modeling School, Gorillaz, or any of the three artists listed above, this will be a great pickup
The standout tracks are the ubiquitous 'our song of the year' Crazy -- which is just brilliant in its simplicity. Smiley Faces is a great 70s soul jam with snappy clean percussion beats. We really like the blend of crashy cymbals and clean guitar sound of Just A Thought ... the late 80s style rhyming of Feng Shui
All around the album is very solid, the only tracks which are skippable perhaps are the ones really out on the sonic edge, like Transformer and Necromancer. I also didn't really get the appeal of the VF cover "Gone Daddy Gone" ... to me, it was ehhh.
I found that I really liked the funky disco of The Last Time, the epic sounding Storm Coming, the psychedelic funk/soul of Who Cares? and Online ... even the creepy weirdness of Boogie Monster was cool.
What I do find interesting is how these guys have taken over the UK charts -- especially in this era of all this frenetic Arctic Monkeys music in the UK. Good gravy, if Steve L. recommends another AM soundalike on Music Exchange, I think I will discontinue my pod sub ... but thats besides the point.
We recommend this album as a changeup album, I don't think that it will shake out as the best album of the year ... but it is different and enjoyable enough to fill time when you want something that is great to listen to, yet is really off the mainstream
May 26, 2006
Athlete - Live Session EP
Athlete: Live Session EP (iTunes Exclusive): A-
We downloaded this one almost three weeks ago, and it was a nice reminder of how great a band that Athlete is. As good as Tourist is, this stripped down live acoustic one is really a fantastic listen -- five great songs, including probably the three best tracks from the album (Half Light - Tourist - Wires), plus the classic 'Beautiful" from the debut album
All those elements that make Athlete great ... emotional honesty; simple, beautiful, and pleasing arrangements; and great songwriting sensibility are evident here in a simple piano and guitar format. Can't really tell if it is live -- sounds like a MBE-type session ... bottom line, sounds really great, very clean.
It has put the Tourist cd back into rotation for us ... this one is really easy to recommend to people who, of course, love Athlete, but equally worth checking if you like Coldplay, James Blunt, or even U2
May 2, 2006
Tool: 10,000 Days
When we last left Tool ... I am more amazed it's been five years since the last one. Weighing in at a whopping 75 minutes and with with most songs north of six minutes, again Tool has delivered a musical experience rather than your run of the mill, present day 40 some odd minute album (if you're lucky)
April 29, 2006
The CRZZ wait is almost over
In another, why does the US have to wait for a postdated release ... we present the groovy song of the year thus far. St. E finally drops on 5-9
Anyways, two fun video versions of the song we've been listening to since late Nov. from Gnarls Barkley
And for the sake of overkill Alt take of Crazy from across the pond
And from their warmup for Coachella this weekend ... too much Crzz
Too bad, they're not scheduled for the live Coachella webcast tomorrow
April 1, 2006
Chinese Democracy Review
Finally, here
March 31, 2006
Declan McManus: The Return of She Devil's Corner
(Image: Star Bulletin)
Nice.
That was She Devil's reaction to last night's pop symphony show with RRHOFer Elvis Costello.
Continue reading "Declan McManus: The Return of She Devil's Corner" »
February 22, 2006
Cat Power - The Greatest
My first knowing exposure to CP was her work in collab with the Handsome Boy Modeling School's "I've Been Thinking", although I think I've heard other stuff by her before ... and that HBM track is just such a cool listen. So given all the critical acclaim and of course free eM D/L credits, I figured why not?
February 19, 2006
The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
And now for something completely different ... so what do you get when you combine breakbeats, funk, 70s style cop show soundtracky music, cheerleaderish raps, high school band instruments (mainly choruses of horns), among other great ideas to mash together?
Continue reading "The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike" »
February 18, 2006
Stellastarr* - Harmonies for the Haunted
Okay, I am the last person to advocate piracy ... so that is not what my first recommendation relating to this album will be. If you buy this CD, it is that fun type of Sony copy protected kind ... so I advise doing like me and grabbiing it off of iTs, if you want it ... well, your computer, your wisdom
That being said ... I have really liked some of the high energy singles from Stellastarr, including "Somewhere Across Forever", "My Coco", and "Sweet Troubled Soul" ... so again, being influenced by that evil goateed, foureyed, tight shirted (must be a Brit thing) pied piper of MBE, I decided to jump in and get this album after watching a studio session
Continue reading "Stellastarr* - Harmonies for the Haunted" »
February 17, 2006
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
Well, I am finally getting around to doing a review of the RK players solo albums. Jenny's solo album with the Watson Twins is quite an adventure.
Continue reading "Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat" »
February 15, 2006
Iron and Wine/Calexico - In the Reins EP
It seems I've been listening to a ton of folky, countrified, understated music as of late ... must be the current trend in indie pop ... I really don't know. So anyways, this was another free eM what do I have to lose pick
Continue reading "Iron and Wine/Calexico - In the Reins EP" »
February 12, 2006
Film School - Film School
And so the search for original sounding bands continues in the overwhelming wave wash of various new artists who play an eerily comfortable retro sound ... that makes it possible for coots like me to follow current music trends without painful listening.
February 11, 2006
Matisyahu - Live at Stubbs
If I can sum it up, this one is based on one word ... this word sometimes gets us in trouble, this word sometimes gets the best of us, this word to stop this blathering is curiosity. I guess I was wondering why this one gets so much play on Star, well I personally wonder no more ... the eMusic free music bonanza begins
February 9, 2006
Echo and the Bunnymen - Siberia
I have read the all the positive reviews surrounding this album. I actually had downloaded the "Stormy Weather - EP" from iTs quite a while ago ... so given some free tracks from eMusic, I figured why not, after all I did at one point many many many moons ago enjoy the music of E&tB
February 8, 2006
U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
I suppose if you have read us enough, you know of my longstanding Joshua Tree-esque boycott of the band that once made me oh-so-thankful for MTV in the early 80s --- one of my favorite bands of the era. I blame Virgin Radio and iPod for bringing me back into the fold
February 7, 2006
WTF Were They Thinking
In minor news today, HB1963, which people may know better as the ultimate fighting ban in Hawaii bill was defeated in committee today. I'm not going to say anything outside the fact that the bill is the most grossly underinformed characterization of current mixed martial arts ... however
DON'T YOU FKG THINK THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO ADDRESS?!?!?!?!?!
damn.
February 4, 2006
She Wants Revenge - She Wants Revenge
Don't get me wrong, I was raised on a healthy dose of dark, post punk synth music. I have always wondered whether there was some kind of inside joke about it that I didn't get ... namely were there people with black everything who took it seriously, and did the bands actually take it seriously
December 11, 2005
The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
Well, I suppose after teasing it a while ago, it's about time that I finally talk about the band that I have been abuzz about for a handful of months. I actually thought that I was going to write something up with the recent set of reviews
Then I thought, you know what? I possibly could be getting tired of this one ... but somehow today, I fell in love with it all over again, so let me write a bit about TMN and their eponymous album