Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear

Sung by Scooter and Fozzie.

Happy Kid A Day

It was 9 years ago today (Oct 2) that an album changed my life.  I was in college at the time, and having grown up on a diet of mostly Christian rock and Oldies, I had no acquaintance with Radiohead.  I was up visiting my friend Topher who lived on the dorm floor above me, and he had just returned from purchasing Kid A.  I remember the peaked curiosity followed by the listening ecstasy that accompanied hearing the first few chords of “Everything in it’s Right Place.”  It was love at first sight and there’s been no turning back since.  This album is phenomenal.  Everyone always mentions the titillating electronics as the groundbreaking drawing factor, but for me it’s the band’s use of conventional instrumentation within that electronic frame that seals the deal.  The angry horns in “The National Anthem”, the driving bass line that arrives at the end of the title track, and the chugging guitar in “Optimistic”–these are the things that remind you why this is a rock album and not a pop album.

Do yourself a favor and put this on tonight–real loud–and celebrate one of the defining albums, nay one of the defining moments (all 50 minutes of it), in rock and roll.

The Verdict Is In

Built to Spill are killing it this year!

You locked the door and put them old records on, I hear you crying along

Must see flick of the weekend?  No, it’s not Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs.  It’s Magnolia Electric Co: Recording Josephine.  It’s a great look into the process that went into one of the best albums of the year.  There’s also a fair amount of songs that didn’t make the record (um, can I get a copy of Arrabelle, like right now?  It sounds like the perfect Fall song: “the pumpkins nearly jump the vine.”)  Additionally, if you stick around until the end of chapter 10 you’ll see yours truly, and my Beard colleague Mr James Wales, in the crowd at the Abbey Pub.  Molina’s metaphor for the album near the end of the film is apt, and the films ends perfectly.  Seriously, this is well worth your time.  Let this film deepen your appreciation of a soon-to-be classic album, or use it as an excuse to fall in love with Jospehine.

Recent Vinyl Purchases: To Lefty From Willie

Billy Corgan is trying to convince you he is not an asshole.

He’s sorry. He’s really sorry…

Look at that smug face. Those are the cold dead eyes of killer. or the eyes of man who is releasing 44 free songs for you to download. In October. Released one at a time. That given the Pumpkins recent work may or may not be worth the hard drive space. Apparently, it’s going back to  “the original psychedelic roots of The Smashing Pumpkins: atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty.”  Sure, Billy. Whatever you say.

Mountain Goats are going to out wit Steven Colbert, live.

Well sorta live. It’s going to be taped. You know how John Darnielle likes to pull out his penis in concert. ANYWAY. October 6th, NBA 2k10 comes out and the Mountain Goats play on The Colbert Report. Sounds like a good day.

Kanye West interupts Hall of Famer.

I have no idea who the bald dude is but apparently he’s in the Basketball Hall of Fame. I do have to agree with Kanye though, Jeff Hornacek was a great guard.

Pavement Pavement Pavement Pavement!

Looks like someone’s going on a New York road trip in 2010.

That is, unless they come to Chicago.  Cut your hair, ya jerks.

Coldplay v Joe Satriani

Coldplay settled with Joe Satriani today. In case you didn’t know, Joseph sued the brits for supposedly ripping off one of his guitar rock gems.

No one cares.

What a fucking douchebag.