Early Xmas present for my music club

Another Vampire Weekend cover!

http://www.abeano.com/file_download/207/Fight+For+This+Love.mp3

2010 - It was a very good year for music

My favorite albums:

1) The National – High Violet
2) The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart
3) Roots – How I Got Over
4) Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
5) Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues

December Music Club Date?

Gina hits town on December 18th. What does everyones schedule look like?

Birthday request?

My birthday is Tuesday, November 30th. There is nothing I would rather do than have my music club over for champagne, pizza and beer.
What do you guys think?

Oh yeah, no theme just the idea of a helluva good playlist!!!!


Takers?

Mr. Smith

My favorite Elliott Smith song "Waltz #2" played on the radio as I was driving into work today. I realized I haven't submitted any of his songs yet for music club. How can that be? A few personal nuggets regarding ES.

Ali and I sauntered up next to him at Sorry Charlies which was all kinds of awesome except that he seemed so very forlorn.

I played "Either/Or" at least once every day in 1997 (except for the two weeks I was in Italy). I was fed up with work and took a leave of absence. Instead of shuffling paper around, I played this album while drinking coffee in my pj's.

Gina, Politi and I went on a roadtrip to Portland for a concert (Coldplay, can you stand it?) in 2001. We ended up in some bar where I met another ES super fan (we are many, especially in Portland). He regaled me with all sorts of great stories about RS (sadly I don't remember any of them). It may still be my favorite conversation I've had with a stranger in a bar.

You Have Chosen Wisely.

I'm not saying there aren't mistakes. I'm certainly not saying there are.

Let me know if I have confused your excellent choice with someone else's equally awesome selection. Let me know how it looks.

Sincerely-

Jim the Registrar

Music Club 14: The List

1 Night, 15 Songs, No Cover

Of course they're all covers.

Also I made a cover of Carol's corn chowder. You may need to add salt.

Also I have a theme in a theme. Just to help narrow it down.

Also I will see you then.

Year End Music Club Theme

yeah, yeah, yeah, so we haven't even held the October 28th music club meeting. I think the final music club of 2010 should be a bold breakthrough for us. 3 songs released in 2010 that struck a chord with us.

Sufjan Stevens puts out an electronic album

Pat,
I had no idea you had such pull with the indie boys.

Canoodling?

Are the newlyweds still canoodling?

Are we going to meet anytime soon to talk about music?

It's Tuesday and I'm obviously low on wit.

You know what else?

More music, that's what else.

I saw Dirty Projectors Thursday night. Didn't really know what to expect. Heard an album before. Can't say I liked it. Very mathy. Lots of time signatures that seemed anti-know-what-the-hell-is-going-on. I tried listening to them Thursday morning before catching the bus to work. Made me tense. Listened to some NPR podcast instead. Calmed me right down.

Anyhow, went with a couple South Park neighbors. Met one of their touchy-feely friends. Nice enough guy, but, "Dude, you can look but keep your hands to yourself." You know what I'm saying? No? Forget that part then.

Surprise! Dirty Projectors were good. Not great music so much, though they obviously know what they are doing. It was arty. Very, very arty. Asymmetrical as all get out. People were dancing the shit out of the place, though. I liked them. Respect them. Ipod listening still makes me a little tense, but I actually bought one of their CDs at the show.

Did I mention it's a CD of covers?

You know what?

Music, that's what. That is totally what.

So I have had Arcade Fire on my ipod a while. Deb talked about how awesome they are. I have other friends who talk glowingly about seeing them at some hole-in-the-wall or beautiful theater or small club or whatever. I finally got the Funeral CD to play at home. Carol really liked it, actually read the lyrics.

"Next time they come to town I want to see them, " she says.

"You got it," I say.

I didn't realize they were coming in 2 weeks. And they were already sold out.

Craigslist, while it may be a delivery system for psychos, is also a great resource when it comes to purchasing tickets for sold-out things. We bought 2 tickets from a potential psycho outside Wholefoods in Bellevue. It was awkward. She was texting up to the us, made the exchange, texted while walking away. Told us she got the tix free from a radio station. That kind of made Carol stiffen. Paying for free tickets is not part of Carol's life strategy.

We had so much fun. They were kind of theatrical, but not phony. They were fun. I yelled/sang so loud to Wake Up: The Encore. It was at the Key Arena, which I feared was too big for them, but it was not.

It was fun. I thank Music Club, in part, because you really reinforced the whole I-should-see-more-live-music vibe I've been feeling lately. Also, you said Arcade Fire was good in particular and you did not lie. So much fun.

The Roots / Jon Legend

Heya,
If you liked The Roots / Jon Legend song I picked for music club, they are putting out an entire album and Jim, there is sax! NPR is previewing it.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129782654

Love Makes the World Go 'Round

Oh, how I love walking my dog on Thursday nights listening to Swinging Doors on KEXP!

What happens when I am bored in a meeting

I come up with potential themes!!!

• Songs Best Listened to Alone (maybe while drinking a glass of whiskey in an easy chair or for Greg, more sad songs!!!!)
• Songs About Family (how you define family people!)
• Most Played songs in your library (coudl be embarrassing)
• One Song Artists in your library

How does September 15 or 16 look for the next meeting?

Happy Birthday Declan McManus!

Just in case you google yourself every once in a while and stumble upon our delightful music blog, Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

"You'll be young enough for ever"

The Problem

It's Saturday. Just going to work, you know? I'm not messing with no one. I take my earbuds out of my ears when I step into the GD Starbucks.

Venti drip. Bold. Room.

I don't say all that. They ask and I confirm. I pretend like I have to think about it for a second. Like I haven't ordered the same thing everyday this week. Last week. Before that for as long as I can remember, I guess.

Anyway, the problem occurs when I am reaching for the 1/2 & 1/2. "What is that song," I say? "It sounds cool. Not familiar, but something I would like."

I add the cream and walk over to that screen they have that tells you what's currently playing.

It's GD Mark Lanegan with Isobel Campbell.

What the WTF? I'm not even trying. I'm not searching it out. It's hunting me down in a coffee shop. Why can't that guy's music just leave me be?

I just downloaded the song. "Come Undone" it's called. I like it.

10:09 in the AM and I need a drink.

We did what now?

Did we really just make a theme of 15 R.E.M. songs that we're already going to know? That is like the anti-Music Club. I think we just got caught up in both wine/beer and the moment......but really, 15 songs from a band we all know?

A modest proposal. Let's scrap that sucker.

I suggest the theme of three songs with one word of the title in common.

I promise not to make my word 'tango'.

Music Art

Hi-

Do recognize the album cover that was inspiration for this painting? Unfortunately I don't think it is one of the paintings we will be showing at the gallery, but we may be showing others like it.

Also, the above painting is a transcription of the guitar solo from Sweet Child O' Mine into color. Now that I say it you totally see it, right?

The Upcoming Summer Songs

So, just out of curiosity, what exactly is a summer song?

Keep your finger on important issues

I thought I’d follow up on the Elvis Costello discussion by (of course) ranking his albums and in the spirit of Jim’s post also listing the best and worst tracks from each. I didn’t include Almost Blue since it’s all covers and also very little past Spike because I just don’t know them well enough (except for The Delivery Man).

And really, how the hell did it take us so long to have an Elvis conversation?

1) Trust. Best song: Watch Your Step. Worst song: Shot with His Own Gun. Depending on the day you might be able to get me to say Strict Time is the best song here. Or New Lace Sleeves. Or Clubland.....you get the idea.

2) Imperial Bedroom. Best song: Beyond Belief. Worst song: Shabby Doll. I am coming around to the idea that Beyond Belief could be his very best song.

3) Taking Liberties. Best song: (I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea. Worst song: Wednesday Week. Yeah, it’s a compilation of b-sides but I think that top to bottom it is probably the disc I’ve listened to most over the years. Night Rally is really solid as well.

4) My Aim Is True. Best song: Watching the Detectives. Worst song: Pay It Back.

5) Get Happy!!. Best song: Opportunity. Worst song: New Amsterdam. Riot Act is a really close second for best here.

6) Armed Forces. Best song: Party Girl. Worst song: Goon Squad.

7) This Year’s Model. Best song: Pump It Up. Worst song: Little Triggers.

8) The Delivery Man. Best song: Bedlam. Worst song: Needle Time. This was such a nice surprise.

9) Punch the Clock. Best song: Everyday I Write the Book. Worst song: The World and His Wife.

10) Blood & Chocolate. Best song: I Want You. Worst song: Crimes of Paris.

11) Out of Our Idiot. Best song: American Without Tears No. 2. Worst song: Shoes Without Heels. Another compilation of random stuff is hit or miss, but the best here is better than the original version on King of America.

12) King of America. Best song: Brilliant Mistake. Worst song: Poisoned Rose. Yeah Marcy, I know you love it, and it’s OK but nowhere near my favorite.

13) Spike. Best song: Veronica. Worst song: God’s Comic. I remember playing this a lot when it came out, now looking back on it there is just not a ton that I want to hear again.

14) Goodbye Cruel World. Best song: Inch By Inch. Worst song: Love Field.

15) The Juliet Letters. Best song: Jacksons, Monk & Rowe. Worst song: everything else. I just listed this because I do think Jacksons, Monk & Rowe is a really great song.

As always, feel free to argue! You’ll be wrong, but it's fun to talk.

Best & Worst

I like the idea of not just the best by a great band, but the worst as well.

http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2010/07/13/tomorrow-never-knows-what-goes-on-the-best-and-worst-beatles-and-velvet-underground-songs

Next up: Best and Worst by The National, The Decemberists, Mark Lanegan, Vampire Weekend, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Rolling Stones, Clarence (Thomas) Carter, Steve Malkmus, and the Ting Tings.

Pat, Is there a reason you didn't yell this one from the mountain top?

Thursday. Aug.19.10

Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven

Neumos

HIgh on High Violet

I am loving The National's new album.

Favorites today:

Runaway

Bloodbuzz Ohio

Sorrow

Thoughts on the next meeting

As much as I love the music baby theme, I'm wondering how you guys feel about swapping it for something that requires less thought (it is almost summer and all)? The last theme was so maddening for a few of us! I think Greg brought up bringing some of our favorite music from the first have of 2010 and hell, it is a stand out year so far. That could be a super fun mix.

Thoughts?

Also, does June 24th work for everyone?

I remember

...his hat tilted forward
His glasses are folded in his vest
And he seems like the kind of man
Who beats his horses
Or the dancers who work in a bar

Apple shuttering Lala online music retailer??

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36875721/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

oh no...

Music Club suggestion

OK guys, I got an idea. Let's take this gig on the road and attend the No Depression Music festival.

Sat., Aug. 21: No Depression Festival, featuring The Swell Season, Lucinda Williams, The Cave Singers, Alejandro Escovedo, Chuck Prophet, Punch Brothers, Sera Cahoone

Greg kind of Blogs about the NEW New Pornographers

NEW new pornographer's on NPR?

why can't i paste a link from NPR into this text box, WHY? WHY? WHY?

hello, friends.

Preview the new Hold Steady album on NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126023882

Yeah, Pat and Greg, this is for you.

The Theme Proposal Thread

As all of you know by now, I'm not a big 'theme within a theme' guy.

However, I quite enjoy just coming up with themes, and thought it might be nice to have a place to document them. Thus this thread.

I'll start with an idea that I mentioned to Deb on our seventeenth trip (and thank God next to last) to Cheney last weekend:

Names in a hat. You draw a name (not yours) and then assign that person their theme for the next meeting.

Example: I draw Marcy's name and say "Marcy, your theme is to find three songs that reference Music Club members". Marcy then says "Man, I hate this theme!". Hilarity ensues. (For the record, I have that exact theme ready to roll at some point).

Feel free to add your own ideas for themes in the comments.

In hindsight

I probably should have had "House Of Cards" by Radiohead in my top 40.

Music Club #9 - All kinds of Love

You Have Shown Me What Love Is

and I am thankful for that but I think I'm missing a couple of the selections and I don't know which ones they are because we didn't have a list to read off of last night though we should have asked the neighbors if they could post the selections on their reader board then we could all read it at the same time but since that isn't how we did it then I simply don't know what I was supposed to get and I'm not complaining I'm just saying.

Also the tacos were good.

Oh Hey!

http://www.ontheboards.org/index.php?page=special_events_detail&perfID=266

I went to that one before. I was awkward and standoffish, so I'm not going again, but, you know, do whatever you want.

OH YEAH!

http://www.nwfilmforum.org/live/page/calendar/1257

Two weeks until the next music club

Are you inspired yet?

Oh yeah, you know how I usually microwave some random Whole Foods frozen snacks and provide a beer opener? Not this time. In other words, bring an empty belly.

Love is ageless and evergreen.
or
My heart is made of gravy.

You pick.

Inspiration for the next meeting!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123564323

I love this song because

a) The kids recorded the album in their dorm room

b) The song references a television show which aired before they were born

c) These lyrics "this whimsy has put me to sleep"

Weren't we just talking about?

http://www.avclub.com/articles/dub,37601/

& The Rest.

It was pointed out to me that my single act of laziness (not learning how to post the music from Lala on this site) was depriving others of their acts of laziness (just clicking on a link I provide instead of searching for each individual song) and that the sacrifice of the one (me) for the good of the many (you) is the way to go.

Well I figured out how to get 30 of the 40 onto a playlist. As my Granny used to say, "3/4 of a sacrifice is better than none."

Enjoy.

21. No Moon At All by Julie London (1:53)

“What a perfect chance to park and there’s no moon at all”

Oh, Julie, I'm blushing.

22. Now And Always by Rockpile (1:57)

A pleasant little guitar part backing a guy talking about how he is so afraid his current situation is going to last forever. He talks about punching the wall and wanting to commit suicide. It’s a pretty song, though.

23. Judy Is A Punk by The Ramones (1:33)

So many Ramones tunes to choose from in so little time. I chose this one because the background vocals stick in my head.

24. Look To Tomorrow by Now Time Delegation (1:10)

Man, I like her voice.

25. Teenage FBI by Guided By Voices (1:39)

Sometimes you need someone to tell you why you do the things that you don't want to do when you're a teenager. Someone with powers of deductive reasoning. Someone with all the resources that the FBI has, only for teenagers. But, more likely, you would end up in some Teenage Gitmo.

26. Love Is All Around by Hüsker Dü (1:48)

I like the part where I see Bob Mould spinning around in the street and tossing his hat into the air. He's gonna make it after all. You know?

27. Three Girl Rhumba by Wire (1:23)

Pink Flag is one of those albums with 20 or so songs, 18 or so less than 2 minutes long.

28. Political Song For Michael Jackson To Sing by Minutemen (1:31)

The Minutemen specialized in short songs. Punk because they only sound like themselves not because they sound like other punks. I think the Minutemen actually confused a lot of punk kids, because they didn't fit the mold.

29. Bombed by Mark Lanegan Band (1:09)

"When I'm bombed, I stretch like bubblegum." I believe Mark has had extensive experience being bombed.

30. Her Majesty by The Beatles (0:23)

When I sing along, I always sing the last note of the guitar.

31. Come On Now by The Kinks (1:49)

The Kinks were in a hurry. This was also written as So Tired Of Waiting For You.

32. Karate by Tenacious D (1:07)

In 1:07 they mention Tieneman Square, pubic hair and Motherfucker a couple times each.

33. Man by Yeah Yeah Yeahs (1:50)

Seriously, who doesn’t have a man that makes them want to kill or die or whatever. Am I right? High-five!

34. The Wind by Cat Stevens (1:42)

I think this is used in commercials now. To sell cars or banks or something. If you learn just one thing from this song, it should be that swimming upon the Devil’s lake is a mistake you should not repeat.

35. The Happy Prole by Quasi (1:42)

We need the money so we’ve got to play it dumb. But if you play it long enough, that’s just what you become.

36. What Can I Do? by Antony & The Johnsons (1:41)

Antony and Rufus Wainwright, two singers that have annoyed independently, now do so in tandem. Call me crazy, but they are both awesome.

37. Thinkin' Man's Girl by The Swinging Neckbreakers (1:54)

You can tell he's a thinking man, because he says things like, "Your face and your figure are top shelf." What a Smartypants.

38. Just You, Just Me by Ray Charles & Betty Carter (2:00)

Betty Carter has a weird voice. I can’t sing along with it. It’s like she’s trying to invent a new way to sing. Try playing a piano duet with Thelonious Monk.

39. Road Rage by Rotten Apples (1:31)

This almost went to Boss Hog. They had a yelling part I enjoyed. I suspect Rotten Apples are not as good as I would like, but I so relate to the sentiments in this song. "If it weren't for me we would both be dead."

40. Your Mouth Is Open And Your Eyes Are Shut by Sultans (1:20)

GHOST SHIP by the Sultans is 13 songs in less than 22 minutes. I had a hard time choosing just the one.

11 through 20 with slightly less particular order

11. Happiness Is A Violator (For Condoleezza Rice) by Joan As Police Woman (1:54)

This is the only Joan As Police Woman song I like, so far. It's not her, it's me. It's a little bit her.

12. Where Eagles Dare by The Misfits (1:59)

“An omelet of disease awaits your noontime meal

Her mouth of germicide seducing all your glands”

No, seriously. He says that.

19. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths (1:51)

I never really got the feeling he really wants that thing he said he wants.

13. England Swings by Roger Miller (1:55)

This was one of my possible directions when I was putting together my “Song About A City “ theme. Then I remembered that England isn’t a city.

14. Tame by The Pixies (1:56)

The bridge is a duet of rhythmic breathing. You’re welcome.

16. Career Opportunities by The Clash (1:53)

It was hard in England back then. Not like now, but kids these days still complain. Whatcha gonna do?

17. Watcha Gonna Do About It by The Small Faces (1:59)

Speaking of Watcha gonna do...

20. You're Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl) by The White Stripes (1:50)

I have no idea what any of this means, but I like it a lot. Let's dance.

18. In The Valley by Marty Robbins (1:51)

It was either this or El Paso, but El Paso is, you know, like 4 or 5 times longer.

15.Silver Bullet by The Briefs (1:08)

In the center square of downtown Detroit there is a statue of Bob Seger. In one hand he holds an old record he has just taken down of the shelf. In another hand he holds something like a rock. In a third hand that no one has bothered to explain to me he holds naked pictures of your Mama. Ooh! Burn!

1 through 10 in no particular order

1. It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones (2:00)

Grandpa and Grandma had a rec room with a full bar in it. On one side of the door Grandpa had a blue velvet painting of a bare-breasted Polynesian girl. On the other side Grandma had a black and white poster of Tom Jones singing in a tuxedo. I miss that painting, but do have some Tom Jones playing every once in a while.

2. Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie by Black Flag (1:47)

At my old job, Mike would reminisce about Black Flag shows he would see where Henry Rollins would punch the faces of people in the front row. "It was so cool", Mike would say. Being a born again Christian, Mike was conflicted.

3. Cat Walk by Beat Happening (1:59)

I put this song on a mix tape for Carol when we first started dating. This is the only song I think she liked. I’ve listened to that tape a couple of times. This is the only song I think I like.

4. If It's In You by Syd Barrett (1:57)

I like the part when Syd starts singing and then stops because he came in too early. I do that, too.

5. Surrender by Elvis Presley (1:55)

When Carol and I visited Graceland, we met a man named Jesse. Jesse said he was “Elvis’ real Pappy.” He told us a long sordid story about his one night stand with Grace Presley. He went on to tell us about being in the CIA and being one of the “original Top Guns.” Jesse really started to creep us out after a while.

6 Reno Dakota by The Magnetic Fields (1:05)

Pantone 292 really is quite a nice blue. Soft and quiet.

7. If It Were Left Up To Me by Sly & The Family Stone (1:59)

“If it were left up to me/ It would take more than a notion”, but I always thought they said it would take more than an ocean.

8. My Funny Valentine by Elvis Costello (1:30)

This was my introduction to Elvis Costello. In college, I found Miles Davis’ version at the library, but I couldn’t hear the melody in it. I was disappointed. It was another 3 years before I could listen to Miles again.

9. I'm In Love With A Girl by Big Star (1:48)

I tried putting together a Makeout CD. This was on it. The CD was really hard to do, and it never really came out the way I wanted it to, but children by the millions sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round. The CD was titled GLOBAL WARMING, but I'm thinking of changing it to PARTYING WITH DON HART.

10. Bloodstains by Agent Orange (1:53)

Joe and I went to see Agent Orange at the Washington Performance Hall. I was driving up 14th and had Joe keep a lookout for the cross-street, Fir Street. We passed it twice before finding it because he was looking for Fur Street. When the band played Bloodstains all the kids in the balcony jumped down to the dance floor. It was raining punks.

2 Minute Warning

Some person might choose to post a top 40 of something and along with each entry say a little something. Say something about how the music moved him, or accompanied him through significant moments in his life, or perhaps even reveal something about his innermost feelings and goals and desires.

Rest assured I am not that person. Ask anyone who knows me. I reveal nothing.

Although, that lack of revelation may reveal more than I know.

Also, I have no idea how Pat did that connecting-streaming-music-to-this-site thing he did. It really is quite mystifying. I would ask him how to do it, but, something else those who know me will tell you, I don't like asking people how to do things. If I did, I might be expected to do those things.

Trust me, it's just easier this way.

I am gonna do that 10 at a time thing, though. I enjoyed that.

A moment of silence in our cafeteria

And I heard a few bars from maybe Bread's best selling hit "I Want to Make it with You."
Then I thought, "Did that one even come up at club Tuesday?" Yes, Larry. We talked about Bread.

Pat! Listen to the new Spoon here!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122279793

Marcy is

Listening to the new Vampire Weekend album while toying with the concept of leaving the house at some point.

Upcoming Music Club: Genre Slam

So where does one send one's genre choices? Because, even though it is not a race, one has won and is prepared to send in one's selections. Kind of awesome, I think.

I'm a sucker for a montage...

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-top-25-pop-hits-of-2009-all-in-one-terrific-ma,36650/

"Yacht-punk"??

"The key to enjoying Contra, Vampire Weekend's second collection of blissfully erudite yacht-punk... "

http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-01-05/music/operation-ivy-league-on-vampire-weekend-s-vastly-bewildering-contra?src=newsletter

I love the idea of this category! What defines it? Can you guys think of other examples of yacht-punk? Marcy and I just came up with a few this morning:
The Decemberists?
Tom Tom Club?
Cake?
They Might Be Giants?
Ben Folds Five (but NOT Ben Folds solo)?

Who defines the genre?

Itunes? It's so subjective, right? Is R&B and Soul interchangeable? Who wants to swap? You can save the group from more D'Angelo!

Year End Music Club Output

Til we meet again...