You are so creepy and dear to my heart

I’d like to thank the following artists for making my Halloween shift at work totally awesome:

the Cramps
Danny Elfman and the cast of the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack
Deadbolt
Every artist on Monster Rock ‘n’ Roll
the Misfits
The entire Gravewax Records roster

And, despite the fact that they are not Halloween-y at all, Dance Hall Crashers. There’s only so much spooky music one can take before lighthearted ska makes an appearance… unless you’re goth, and I don’t care about you anyway.

Dance Hall Crashers – “I Did It For the Toys

Don’t call it a ghetto

You! You there, sitting in your desk chair, browsing for porn and pirated mp3s!

The Architects have made a video for “Don’t Call It A Ghetto”, off their most recent album Revenge. It rocks the face off… Zach could stand to put a shirt on, though.

Watch it. Now!

The band is playing the Granada on October 30 with the Esoteric and it will be the shit. Do go and get rocked with me, won’t you?

Download the mp3 for “Don’t Call It A Ghetto

Ghoul’s night out

Halloween parties are par for the course this weekend. Looking to liven yours up? First, you should tune into this tonight at midnight, Central Standard Time at 90.7FM (for those of you in the Kansas City / Lawrence area) or listen online at KJHK’s web site….

halloween flyer

Failing that, there are scads of mp3 blogs willing to help you with your spooky partytime fun. Scar Stuff has Sounds to Make You Shiver for download. Coincidently, this is the same music I’ll be using for background on Sunglasses After Dark tonight.

Oddio Overplay has two compilations for download, both of which are guaranteed to get your party rocking from dusk ’til dawn. There’s Calling All Fiends, whichis “frightening, damaging, and disturbing” Halloween music or Ghouls With Attitude, a slightly more traditional, “fun” mix.

Dave’s Free Halloween Sounds is loaded with .wavs for your mix cd pleasure. Plenty of creepy, oddball, and fun shit.

Failing that… you can always download a shitload of Misfits bootlegs and spend your evening getting your scare on like that.

the Misfits – “Monster Mash” (live)

Thanks to Nuthousepunks you have the soundtrack for your Halloween party, now all you need are wicked costumes to wear. Get creative and go as the Misfits with a kill devillock, some black leather and plenty of white make-up. There are so many adult costumes that you can wear that run the gamut from strange to sexy, or horrifying to goofy. If you happen to be throwing a party, turn your place into a haunted
house with some killer Halloween decorations that will surely be remembered by everyone who attends.

What’s grosser than gross?

Blender has produced the list of the 12 filthiest lyrics of all time. Now, while I understand that most of the choices are pretty vulgar, it’s an interesting choice, as all the lyrics are sexual.

The argument could be made that “filthy” is relative. D12‘s “Shit On You” is probably more expletive-laden than Peaches‘ “Fuck the Pain Away.” Hell, anything Eminem ever did (especially, say, “Kim”, “’97 Bonnie & Clyde”, or “Guilty Conscience”) trumps the simple “beat da pussy up” retardation that is the Ying Yang Twins‘ “Wait.”

Shocking’s easy. Any asshat can string a series of offensive words togetehr and make a career out of it. *cough*Li’l John*cough* It takes talent to do something that’s shocking, vulgar, and actually has meaning beyond repeated profanity. Christ, Jack Grisham wrote “Code Blue” 25 years ago, and it’s still something I know I’m going to have trouble explaining to my kids when they get older.

T.S.O.L. – “Code Blue” (live)
the Ying Yang Twins – “Wait (The Whisper Song)

Fucked Up – “Hidden World”

This cd? Oh, man… epic hardcore that despite most of the tracks being well over five minutes (and some in the 7-9 minute range) never bores. It’s like the antithesis of Paint It Black.

Whereas Paint It Black strips down hardcore to its base elements and plays songs that mostly clock in under two minutes, Fucked Up takes it to this whole new level of grandiosity. Amazing. It’s rare that I would use genius to describe anything, especially a hardcore cd, but this band has genius in spades.

Drawing lyrical inspiration from politics to the Bible, yet never preaching, Hidden World is one of those rare cds that had me digging out the encyclopedia to understand more fully from where the band was coming. I’ve looked forward to this album since its announcement six months ago, and it did not disappoint me for one split second.

Jade Tree officially has a solid gold, A+, #1 record on their hands. If you like hardcore, punk, phenomenal lyrics, or just fucking music at all, for the love of God… go get this record. it’s in stores now, and it will be the best money you’ve spent on a new release this year.

Baiting the Public

Capsule reviews

R.E.M. – “And I Feel Fine…” (Capitol)
The best of R.E.M. on IRS Records is sort of an expanded Eponymous– most of the same tracks, but a whole lot extra, as well. Let’s be hones: either you know these songs or you don’t (and if you don’t know at least one of these songs, why the hell are you calling yourself a music fan?). The first disc is pretty much all the old stuff you know, the second disc is alternate takes of some of the same songs, as well as stuff that was popular, but not singles. Make sense? Probably not… but it’s R.E.M., and if you like them you’ll probably find a track or two that tickles your fancy.
Download “Finest Worksong.”

The Doxies – “In Search Of…” (Co-Opt Records)
Waaaaaaaay poppy. Not like Wilco, as the sticker on the back states. More like a little Guster mixed with the Anniversary. Based on the cover art (the same fella who’s done a couple This Bike Is A Pipebomb releases), I was expecting something a little grittier. When they say they sound like the Kinks, it’s latter-day, “Come Dancing” era Kinks. The Doxies are such a middle of the road wanting indie cred kinda band, it hurts. The opening from “Ghost” totally rips off “Breakdown” by Tom Petty, then the vocals rip off the Get Up Kids, for example. You could do worse, but you could also do better.
Download “Goat” and “Touch & Go.”

The Black Keys – “Magic Potion” (Nonesuch Records)
They’re back, with more of the same. It’s a cleaner recording sound, as opposed to the dirty lo-fi of the Big Come Up. Magic Potion sounds more like it’s studied lo-fi, as if the producer decided to mess it up a bit after it was all said and done: “Hey, let’s slap some reverb on the vocals!” It’s low-down blues-rock that the Black Keys play, but the novelty seems to be wearing thin on their fourth full-length. A bass guitar or keyboard wouldn’t hurt to mix things up.
Watch the video for “Your Touch.”

Ima Robot – “Monument to the Masses” (Virgin Records)
Might just going out on a limb here, but I’m gonna guess that Ima Robot really likes Devo. Just a suspicion. They do the whole new wave synth rock thing well, tho’. You’ll want to make with the robot rockin’ when you throw this disc in the player. It’s good, but the schtick requires an ability to look beyond the fact that the lyrics are a tad too serious. It’d be better if they sang about robots and spaceships and stuff. Maybe a song about Godzilla or something. I understand the whole idea of making the revolution accessible to the people, but “Stick It to the Man” had me laughing my ass off.

Street to Nowhere – “Charmingly Awkward” (Capitol Records)
Think of this album as a meeting place halfway between the chaotic joyfulness that is Against Me! and the self-absorbed songs about girls of Dashboard Confessional. When Dave Smallen and company get their shit together (as in “Tipsy”), the music is a joyful singalong. When Street to Nowhere fails (as it frequently does), you’re stuck with whiny songs about girls. Stick to the tracks like “Boxcars Boxcars Boxcars”, which have a strength to them that tracks like “Screamin'” do not, and you’ll be much better off.
Download “Boxcars Boxcars Boxcars.”

By starting in with musical education early children have a better chance of a musical future.

Captured! By Robots – live at the Jackpot

Ever think you’d be rewarded for smoking? Not me, but evidently that happens at a Camel-sponsored show. Not only did I get free smokes, but I also snagged a free Captured! By Robots cd. Niceness.

The show was, of course, the most awesome thing which mine eyes have ever had the pleasure of feasting upon. Wild Chipmunk & the Cuddly Poos? Hilarity and talent- a fine mix. It’s a rare band that can use Wurlitzer and cover both Cher UK and Motorhead. The capes, tuxedos, and afro wigs only enhance the experience to the point of open, near-tears laughter.

The Spores… hot bass player, but they needed more puppets.

And, of course… C!BR. Fantastic. As soon as the show got going, I wandered in from outside. I stood there in full jaw-dropping awe at a stage full of robots, all playing music. Well, and JBOT. Photos of the show could not possibly do it justice. Buy their new cd and watch the videos that come with it. Or buy the DVD from the Bottom of the Hill performance. It will still be absolutely nothing like standing in a crowded room watching a stage packed with robotic musicians and a crazy man on keytar.

It was their wedding show, thus every song was a wedding song. Journey, Rick James, the Village People, Billy Idol– all were represented. When “Don’t Stop Believin'” got going, there was a full Jackpot singing along, completely without irony. Several people got married, and being the wedding would not be complete without it, there was cake. Much was smeared across my face and the faces of others. I think there’s still some stuck in my right nostril.

Fun night. Fucking fantastic night that now has me rarin’ to go see C!BR any time they ever come through our Midwestern neck of the woods. Highlights of the evening included my friend Rodney sniffing the shirt of one of our friend’s friend… while it was in her purse; Scott Born demanding of one of the Camel guys “What ordinance states that?” when he was told he couldn’t bring his son Alex in to see the Cuddly Poos; and the aforementioned cake fight.

Captured! By Robots – “Passover

It might not necessarily be easy but learning to read music can be very important for musicians.

Capsule reviews

The Decemberists – “The Crane Wife” (EMI)
There are those who say that this is a step back for the Decemberists. There are those who say this is simply a continuation of Picaresque. I’m inclined to view it as a combination of both, which to me implies a step forward. Combining the best of the past with what worked from the new ought to be a slam dunk. Unfortunately, Colin Meloy and company seem to have abandoned their R.E.M. fetish and moved on to emulate another band. Maybe it’s just me, but in the intros to certain songs, I hear a Phil CollinsM-era Genesis influence that bothers me. It bothers me greatly, as a matter of fact. That’s the musical end of things- the lyrics are frankly, creepy and evil, and they make me shiver in a delightful “ooh!” sort of way. Songs about killers, death… the usual. The last two tracks are the best, and probably only “Sons and Daughters” will ever get college radio play because “The Crane Wife 1 & 2” is eleven and a half minutes long.
Download “Summersong.”

The Sadies – “Tales of the Rat Fink” soundtrack (Yep Roc)
This is not the Sadies you know. Well, yes, it’s the same band that’s backed Neko Case and recorded several quite wonderful albums on Bloodshot Records. However, rather than playing their particular brand of lonesome alt.country, this is in more of an instrumental surf vein. It’s also faster and more energetic than most of the Sadies’ solo stuff, but thanks to playing with Ms. Case and Andre Williams, the band knows how to play a wide-ranging set of styles, and they do surfin’ trucker music just fine. The album is the soundtrack to the movie of the same name, which is about kustom kulture icon Ed “Big Daddy” Roth.

Los Straightjackets – “Twist Party” (Yep Roc)
Oh, seriously, how can you hate this cd? Every track has its own dance. EVERY TRACK. Sadly, the dance instructions are included on the DVD that comes with the cd, and I didn’t get that in the promo. Bastards. Anyhow, the album is full of great, short songs. The musicians are Kaiser George on vocals, the greatest masked luchador surf band in the world Los Straightjackets on the instruments, and the addition of Mr. Deke Dickerson (of Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-Fonics) on baritone sax. Frickin’ awesome twisty surfy goodness that ought to have you workin’ out your mojo something fierce. Much love for the cover of “Peppermint Twist,” as well… closing the disc with a classic ends everything on a very classy note.
Watch the video for “Gorilla Twist.”

To keep you reading

Sorry about this. Y’know- the whole “not posting with any sense of regularity” thing. School, work, family… they take up a lot of time, and by the end of it all, the last thing I want to do is sit down at a keyboard and punch out some entertainment. Once again- sorry.

There is a STACK of cds sitting on top of the computer case right now, numbering about eight, that need to be reviewed soon. There are SCADS of articles and news bits that have come and gone this week that I ought to have shared with you.

Please bear with me, as the transition from working adult to working adult / student isn’t going as smoothly as I’d like. I promise that everything ought to be on some sort of schedule by the time Halloween rolls around. That includes the podcast page, the photo page and this blog. Hopefully, you’ll be able to access everything by one domain around that time. I have my fingers crossed.

In the meantime, I plan on getting reviews knocked out two at a time until they’re DONE and then getting back into some sort of schedule, as I said. However, there are plenty of folks making with the funny. The MW Blog drinking game for Pitchfork is fucking perfect, spot on shit. Start there, begin link jumping, and see me back here tonight. Agreed?

Good.

Because it isn’t on mine, here the Rolling Stones’ “Time Is On My Side.”