I've been listening to the new Incubus songs quite a bit. This is my favorite:

 

Dead Prez

 

In the car:  Leslie Spit Treeo (their old first album with that punkish version of Angel from Montgomery), for nostalgia purposes.

 

Also, "Civil Wars" : Barton Hollow.  Good sad songs.

http://youtu.be/OP0-LF7bh9w

 

Arcade Fire simply blows my mind.

Don, she really should have taken up electric guitar at some point.  She would have been the nastiest lady blues player around:

^oddly enough, they actually do teach this at the Sibelius Academy! Who knew? http://muka.siba.fi/en/studies/

The problem with classical music is that the whole culture surrounding it is very reserved, and so the drama in the music ends up feeling forced most of the time.  Most students of the music concentrate way too much on simply hitting the right notes, with the character of the playing being an ancillary concern or even feared.  All of the great classic composers, like all of the great classic literature, has all the stuff that became conspicuous in the rock & roll era in it, but all of that is resisted by today's classical music audiences. 

 

I do think that Wim Butler of Arcade Fire is probably the best pop music songwriter going who is under 35, largely because he invented his own subgenre which is centered around the idea of critiquing religion by employing the tropes of religious music.  This is not a new idea at all, it's jus that he has brought it together in a way that is putting butts in the seat. 

 

This idea was itself critiqued in full by the conceptual artist Dan Graham in his short film Rock My Religion:

 

The idea that Rock & Roll and most of Christianity both pursue an ecstatic state, with that same ecstatic state being proof variously of God or of the band's greatness, is a very dangerous one, of course.

 

^“The problem with classical music is that the whole culture surrounding it is very reserved, and so the drama in the music ends up feeling forced most of the time. Most students of the music concentrate way too much on simply hitting the right notes, with the character of the playing being an ancillary concern or even feared.”

 

well, yes, as students they probably do (you have to remember how much more complex classical music is, particularly when an orchestra of a hundred or more is performing a piece lasting an hour), but as mature performers, the best of them bring a distinct interpretation to the score if they’re soloists, as do orchestras under the direction of a dynamic conductor. This makes the music no less exciting than any other genre. Top musicians—ever more in abundance today than ever (apparently piano virtuosos are virtually a dime a dozen these days, according to the NY Times) and seemingly effortless in their respective techniques—are what make a work compelling.

 

4 of the 8 years I took classical piano lessons was from a Korean teacher with all Korean students except me.  The kids generally performed in a rigid fashion since they were exposed much less to American popular music.  Honestly I don't think much of anything is gained from learning how to play classical music for the average child.

 

Any American music, on the other hand, is a much fuller exploration of the mind.  All of our music has an improvisational element, which classical musicians fear.  After having played classical music as a kid, I turned to rock & roll as a teenager and never looked back.  If I were able to get back in front of all those Korean parents and their kids while cranking some Neil Young-type stuff their faces would literally melt off:

 

Neil Young Down By The River

 

 

^sorry you had such an unfortunate experience as a youngster, but I doubt two hundred years from now Neil Young, Arcade Fire and Lady Gaga are going to be revered in the same way Beethoven, Brahms and Tchaikovsky are today. Well, okay, maybe Lady Gaga.

^sorry you had such an unfortunate experience as a youngster, but I doubt two hundred years from now Neil Young, Arcade Fire and Lady Gaga are going to be revered in the same way Beethoven, Brahms and Tchaikovsky are today. Well, okay, maybe Lady Gaga.

 

Those three artists could not be more different from each other and I'm not sure why they'd be mentioned together like that.  Regardless, who's to say what will stand the test of time in the coming years?  This may come as a surprise, but there is actually talent and quality in a lot of music that goes beyond the classical genre that has existed for several centuries.

Sorry I didn't mean to portray anything as having been a "bad" experience.  But to further explain my point, I believe that the way children are brought up in classical piano and violin is quite problematic.  The solo performance of classical music at recitals and at competitions comes to resemble Olympic ice skating, where everyone's watching just to see the falls.  It really is simply an exercise in memorization and executing a series of fine motor movements that differs little from typing an encyclopedia article from memory. 

 

One of the benefits of having moved to the south was seeing how radically different children are brought up in music.  There music is much more of a collective, multi-generational experience, with children encouraged to play with adults from day one.  Hitting the wrong notes doesn't matter, and many don't even learn to read music.  Instead the ear is developed and children know how a tonic, semitonic, leading note, etc. function way before they hear the technical terms for them, if ever.  Also, the kids build a very deep "American" rhythmic sense that very good classic musicians from around the world can't emulate in the same way we never get foreign folk rhythms and time signatures quite right. 

 

Kids raised in traditional gospel, country, and bluegrass also are encouraged to write their own songs from Day 1.  Many of the kids in tortuous classical music programs have the ability to write their own songs, but they are never encouraged to do so and so they never discover that ability.  For me at age 7 or 8 I remember opening a music book and wondering where all these songs came from.  To me the thought of learning how to play these songs was a realistic goal, but I definitely thought that the unseen people who wrote them were the greater talent, and was unsure that I would ever be able to come up with anything.  This thought was a cloud that sort of hung over everything I did learning songs as a kid, because everyone's telling you how good you are getting, but you know that there's this whole world out there you haven't even touched on, and nobody can teach you how to write songs. 

 

Learning classical music does help a lot with transposing and other tedious chores.  I played in a band for two years where the guitarists were all tuned down to Eb, meaning ALL of the songs were in black note keys.  They had to boot the previous keyboard player because he just plain could not play in those keys.  Luckily since I learned ALL of the scales way back, playing in Eb or Ab or whatever was no problem.  But the ability to transpose or sight read or even having perfect pitch certainly does not make someone a great musician.  Since those things are measurable, there is a tendency to measure musicians by them. 

 

Here's The Great Kat. She is a classically trained violinist who went metal. Man she's fast, but it certainly doesn't sound normal for rock 'n roll.

 

Julie Budd - See You In September (1972)

Here's a question for you Cleveland area music fans.  Radio 92.3 recently changed formats and is now sports talk radio.  Anyone know where I can get my alternative rock fix now?

I've been listenting more to 107.3 now, which is branded 'Adult album alternative', whatever that means. Basically it's like alternative rock your parents would listen to, if they listened to alternative rock. Or, alternatively, it's the music that I'm listening to, now that I'm 40 and I'm not so angry and hepped up on the goofballs.

 

I guess another way to describe it is "alternative that your kids can roll their eyes to".

 

What I'm getting at is it's mellow, and I'm officially lame.

107.3 is to alternative rock what Rod Stewart's solo career was to 60's rock and roll.

I tried 107.3 as a guest host for the former 92.3 spot on my radio presets, I kept thinking I was in an elevator. Try the college stations down at the bottom end, below 90.3. It's a bit of a grab bag at times, but there is often good independent stuff that is not regurgitated top 40's Casey Kasem drivel.

 

That being said, 92.3 "the meat-head" blows.

Edit.

 

 

anybody ever look at these 'misunderstood lyrics' videos? kinda funny!

 

 

i just grabbed up joe tex greatest hits

james brown notoriously stole his mike moves...and his wife too!

here's his later disco era hit:

 

Quite by accident I am listening to EDM ("electronic dance music").  I got two older (mid 2000s) CDS on this from the library while killing time waiting for a bus.  Turns out I like this stuff. 

 

One is this "Ministry of Sound Clubbers Guide".  The other is this CD by, I guess, this dutch DJ, Arnim Van Buuren, "A State of Trance", with 'Trance" being, I guess, a type of dance music from back in the "2000s".  The stuff on that "State of Trance" CD is great freeway driving music. 

 

The Clubbers Guide has stuff I actually recognize from this dance club I go to occassionally here in Dayton.  One cut I like is "Star to Fall", which is a remake of a hit from 1988 that I never heard before since I never listened to  commercial radio back then (aside from WOXY).

^I think you just made DJ Orion's day

^

DJ Orion.  Thats right, we do have someone who does this on this forum!

 

I dont know much about this stuff, but I am going out dancing more, this month at least.  Seems the music I'm getting now on the dancefloor is not whats on those CDs.

 

Supposedly there is something called "Dubstep" that is coming.  There is going to be a three DJ dance thing next Thursday for this stuff.  Tempted to go, even if its on a weeknight.

 

 

Haha Jeffery, that's a good start! Although, you listened to some pretty 'mainstream' stuff. :-P

Dubstep is getting really popular and it's growing on me. Some of it's really good, and some of it I can't stand.

^

...Hah..yes indeed...I'd figure it was mainstream if you can get it at a public library in Dayton!

 

Im starting to go out dancing more, just at Masque.  The music is sometimes good sometimes not.  Sometimes things just click perfect and I can really get swept away by the music and energy on the dancefloor.  It's euphoric.  I guess the DJ was having a good night those nights. 

 

I should say I don't know how to dance and it is probably a silly sight, but it doesnt matter much since thats not the game at Masque..there its more about >just< dancing, not impressing. 

 

But this is a whole new game for me, this "new" dance music.  I should see if the club has a website with playlists.

 

 

Trance music is meant to give you that euphoric feeling. If you want to listen to some really good stuff, look up Above & Beyond. Probably the best producers/DJ's in the world right now. They also have a weekly radio show called Trance Around the World and you can subscribe to the podcast. I have been listening to this stuff for over 10 years... It's great. It's also very universal.

 

At the moment?

 

Railroad Earth

 

This is one of those jam bands. 

 

Saw them live at the 20th Century theatre in Cincy (Oakley neighborhood) back last Sunday night. 

 

Wow!

 

That show was Worth. Every. Penny.

 

I pretty much was up dancing with everyone else very shortly after the music started, and didnt sit down until intermission, and did it all over again.  These guys are an outstanding live act. 

 

Thought I say jam band..which implies folky/bluegrassy roots (and yeah thats a big influence)  they did have one tune that almost sounded like they were channeling the Jefferson Airplane of the 'Surrealistc Pillow' era, maybe because the leads voice is siimilar to the male vocalist (Marty Balin?) from the old Airplane.  Also they did some old gospel tunes (?).

 

Just really good energy there in that room that night.  Really good mostly postiive vibe (with one exception...a guy got too carried away and had to be hustled out), with an audience, interestingly enough, having a lot of older graybeards like yers truley as well as that younger jam band set.  The vibe was upbeat, positive, almost ecstacic at moments...I guess this is that contact high people talk about (one could smell the acrid fumes of the noxious weed wafting over us the dancers)

 

I thing this band has people who follow them around...nicknamed "hobos"?  Talked to one guy who was part of this scene.  Tthough not a follower  (around the country) of this particular band, he knew of them, heard them before out west, and told me if I havnt seen a live show I was in for a real treat.

 

Boy was I ever! 

 

 

 

 

Last show I went to was at some indie-type club in NYC and as soon as there was the faintest hint of pot smoke in the air, some suit looking straight out of Men in Black was rummaging through the crowd looking suspiciously at everyone's hands. Somewhat ruined the vibe of the show to see them being so uptight about something fairly normal for this type of event. Cincy seems much more liberal than NYC in this area.

I tried 107.3 as a guest host for the former 92.3 spot on my radio presets, I kept thinking I was in an elevator. Try the college stations down at the bottom end, below 90.3. It's a bit of a grab bag at times, but there is often good independent stuff that is not regurgitated top 40's Casey Kasem drivel.

 

That being said, 92.3 "the meat-head" blows.

 

Since 92.3 switched formats there's been a big void on my radio.  I would say that 107.3 is pretty decent, they occasionally play some of the indie stuff I like, but sometimes they get weird.  I've also found that 88.3 (Baldwin-Wallace) is very solid--when I am able to pick it up on the eastside.  I've also discovered that during certain times of the day and in certain parts of the city, my radio picks up 95.9 out of London, Ontario, which also features a more "classic" alternative format (the good stuff from the 90s).

At the moment?

 

Railroad Earth

 

This is one of those jam bands. 

 

Saw them live at the 20th Century theatre in Cincy (Oakley neighborhood) back last Sunday night. 

 

Wow!

 

That show was Worth. Every. Penny.

 

I pretty much was up dancing with everyone else very shortly after the music started, and didnt sit down until intermission, and did it all over again.  These guys are an outstanding live act. 

 

Thought I say jam band..which implies folky/bluegrassy roots (and yeah thats a big influence)  they did have one tune that almost sounded like they were channeling the Jefferson Airplane of the 'Surrealistc Pillow' era, maybe because the leads voice is siimilar to the male vocalist (Marty Balin?) from the old Airplane.  Also they did some old gospel tunes (?).

 

Just really good energy there in that room that night.  Really good mostly postiive vibe (with one exception...a guy got too carried away and had to be hustled out), with an audience, interestingly enough, having a lot of older graybeards like yers truley as well as that younger jam band set.  The vibe was upbeat, positive, almost ecstacic at moments...I guess this is that contact high people talk about (one could smell the acrid fumes of the noxious weed wafting over us the dancers)

 

I thing this band has people who follow them around...nicknamed "hobos"?  Talked to one guy who was part of this scene.  Tthough not a follower  (around the country) of this particular band, he knew of them, heard them before out west, and told me if I havnt seen a live show I was in for a real treat.

 

Boy was I ever! 

 

 

 

 

 

If there's one thing the Cincy music scene does well, it's the jam band scene.

At my job "blogging" is forbidden but headphones all day is perfectly acceptable.  I've been rediscovering the Beatles and the Stones, as well as the entire genre of early 70s progressive rock.  Ween too.  Ween goes well with everything.

Work your way through the complete works of The Velvet Underground (4 albums) and Lou Reed solo albums (at least 10).  Between them there are at least 50 stunning songs, none of which are EVER heard in public (this one's still got under 1,000 hits):

 

Lou Reed Baby Face (HQ)

 

 

The commercial success of Wild Side was an anomaly, but it also proves that pretty much any Lou Reed song could have been welcomed into the Great American Songbook.  But the music industry was and is run by horrible human beings, so instead we've got you-name-it. 

I love the Velvet Underground, but I admit I haven't explored their catalogue as much as I should. I've never really gotten into Lou Reed's solo material, but I would imagine there are some gems in there.

 

Definitely a band ahead of its time.

 

Lately, I've been getting back into punk. I don't get to listen to it all that much because my partner can't stand it. So I've been listening to it on my commute.

 

Well, tis the Season & all.

Zombina & the Skeletones

and

(Extra footage from Redneck Zombies)

There was a mid-90's ska band from California called The Skeletones.  I think they also don't know that what they're going for was done 30 years ago by a band called The Birthday Party:

Well, tis the Season & all.

Zombina & the Skeletones

 

 

I just discovered them this past summer. LOVE!

Just a tad excited for the release of this track on November 7th:

I tried 107.3 as a guest host for the former 92.3 spot on my radio presets, I kept thinking I was in an elevator. Try the college stations down at the bottom end, below 90.3. It's a bit of a grab bag at times, but there is often good independent stuff that is not regurgitated top 40's Casey Kasem drivel.

Since 92.3 switched formats there's been a big void on my radio.  I would say that 107.3 is pretty decent, they occasionally play some of the indie stuff I like, but sometimes they get weird.  I've also found that 88.3 (Baldwin-Wallace) is very solid--when I am able to pick it up on the eastside.  I've also discovered that during certain times of the day and in certain parts of the city, my radio picks up 95.9 out of London, Ontario, which also features a more "classic" alternative format (the good stuff from the 90s).

I had given up on "FM96" when they added Led Zep two years ago.  They used to have this great series on Wednesdays: "the history of alternative music".  There were dozens of segments.  FM96 comes in better in Independence than it does in Hillcrest.  I don't know why.

 

V107.3 is great and very Cleveland: Creedence followed by the Cure. 

Sheryl Crow is bland, but at least the bland stuff doesn't make me cringe.  I just turn it down for a bit. 

 

"Now the angels want to wear my red shoes" is on.  That's Huey Lewis and the News in the background.

Listening to:

#NowPlaying Xemplify – Morning Call on @Spotify

http://open.spotify.com/track/5hHkpPQ41JKuRXHgUbO8EM

 

One of those songs I could listen to for hours

Anyone want/need/desire a Google Music account? I have 8 invites available. Only posting about it here.

Happy rush hour drive home"

 

Beastie Boys vs CHIC vs Franz Ferdinand (Party Ben mix)

 

Let's try this:

 

 

Just a tad excited for the release of this track on November 7th:

 

yes! epicness! I listen to TATW every week without fail. absolutely wonderful music.

Yeah that track is sick. On #394 it's followed by what I think is the track of the year: Heatbeat - Roses Never Cry. I have been listening to that nonstop in my car all week.

 

#395, which just aired today, has this awesome deep groove starting with the Web Vote Winner around the 58 minute mark. I have been doing projects nonstop since 4PM today and it instantly put me at ease...

Joni Mitchell singing Urge for Going.  This song appeals to my autmnal, melancholy side, and good for this season:

 

I awoke today and found the frost perched on the town

It hovered in a frozen sky, then it gobbled summer down

When the sun turns traitor cold

and all the trees are shivering in a naked row

I get the urge for going but I never seem to go

 

I get the urge for going

When the meadow grass is turning brown

Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in

 

I had me a man in summertime

He had summer-colored skin

And not another girl in town

My darling's heart could win

But when the leaves fell on the ground, and

Bully winds came around, pushed them face down in the snow

He got the urge for going

And I had to let him go

 

He got the urge for going

When the meadow grass was turning brown

Summertime was falling down and winter was closing in

 

Now the warriors of winter they gave a cold triumphant shout

And all that stays is dying, all that lives is getting out

See the geese in chevron flight flapping and a-racing on before the snow

They've got the urge for going, and they've got the wings so they can go

 

They get the urge for going

When the meadow grass is turning brown

Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in

 

I'll ply the fire with kindling now, I'll pull the blankets up to my chin

I'll lock the vagrant winter out and bolt my wandering in

I'd like to call back summertime and have her stay for just another month or so

But she's got the urge for going and I guess she'll have to go

 

She gets the urge for going when the meadow grass is turning brown

And all her empire's falling down

 

The lyrics can be clunky but the tune is great, reminds me of

"She Moved Through the Fair" a bit.  Very early for Joni Mitchell, but not released in her first albums (it was made famous by others).

 

 

 

Heard some of this on the way in to work this morning. Man, what pipes!