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

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.

Kanye Was Right

No matter what you think of the inappropriate or rude nature of the disruption last night, it is clear that Kanye was right and the MTV awards are a sham.  How can Beyonce’s video get best video, but fail to get best female video?  If it is the best video overall then clearly it is the best female video as well.  This would be like an animated movie winning the best picture Oscar but failing to get the award for best animated film-it just doesn’t make sense.  MTV’s choice to give best overall video to Beyonce at the end of the show vindicated Kanye’s rant.

The Experience of Getting a New Sleeping At Last Album

Goes something like this.

Personal Packaging!

Great album artwork.

And a great CD image to boot!

The album is fabulous, by the way.  It is quickly climbing the ladder of my year end list (I’ve had the pre-order digital version for some time).  It is more subdued than most of their previous material, the electric guitars are hard to spot.  But the strings are perfect, and the songs at times seem to be more low-end driven on this record than in the past (especially on songs like Chandeliers and Slow & Steady).  Clockwork is a clear standout not only on the album but for their entire catalogue-one of the best songs of the year!  Get Storyboards and put it on repeat, you won’t regret it.

The Missing Link Between Animal Collective and Fleet Foxes

Here it is, the new bandwagon.  Let’s everyone jump on it!

Dear Record Label: Please sign this band.  Dear Young Buffalo: Please come to Chicago.  That is all.

Kind of Bloop

This is either one of the worst crimes perpetrated in musical history or sheer brilliance.  I am gonna have to spend the $5 to find out.  An odd, if era appropriate, tribute to a classic album on its 50th year in existence.

R.I.P. Les Paul

We wouldn’t be here without you.

Dear readers, if you have never listened to any of Paul’s work from the 50′s please do yourself a favor today and do so.