My "Childhood" Mix

Now for part two in my Mix CD series. This is my Childhood Mix. These are all the songs that remind me of when I was a young lad. I tried to include mostly cheesy 80's songs. Think 100.3 FM Pillow Talk (that's DETROIT radio) on the way home from fireworks shows...or watching music videos on MTV on sunny afternoons when you should be outside playing in the sandbox. Some of these might have been in my collection of 45 records (I used to prefer them to cassette tapes. I knew my shit even as a little kid!).

The one thing tying these songs together is that they all make me nastalgic. They all send me back, one way or another, to a simpler time. A time when life's important choices consisted of a blue popsicle vs. a red one, and when a Disney cartoon could be viewed every single day and never get old. This music is classic in a way. It might not hold as much importance to you, but I think some will still get a kick out of this collection. Once again, I'd be happy to burn this mix for anyone.

1) dire straits - money for nothing
2) a-ha - take on me
3) johnny hates jazz - shattered dreams
4) tears for fears - everybody wants to rule the world
5) duran duran - save a prayer
6) the church - under the milky way tonight
7) naked eyes - always something there to remind me
8) phil collins - take me home
9) huey lewis - stuck with you
10) journey - lights
11) madonna - live to tell
12) michael jackson - human nature
13) cyndi lauper - time after time
14) steve perry - oh sherrie
15) pet shop boys - west end girls
16) real life - send me an angel
17) fine young cannibals - she drives me crazy

My Winter Mix

Now I'm going to begin a series of Mix CD's devoted to different subjects. The first one is a 2 disc compilation of all my favorite winter music. I tend to associate music with different seasons. It all gets arranged in my head autobiographically (see High Fidelity). Hearing certain songs reminds me a of a season in a specific year, people I was with, places I went, feelings I experienced. This list is arranged into two main themes. The first theme is what I think of as fireside music. These are tracks I would put on if I had a warm fireplace, a glass of wine, and someone to cuddle with in the dead calm of a snowy, winter evening. This first disc starts off with British rock, then works in some American artists (including a quick waltz), and finishes with some spacey sounds. The second theme is more like outdoors, ski/snowboard music. This is indie rock, dream pop, electronica...and then some jazz cuts squeezed in at the end (which don't fit thematically, but are necessary in winter). This is all tied together by some Jon Brion tracks from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

This is actually a second coming of this compilation, with a few minor changes. Regardless, this music is very special to me, and I hope that it gives you something to be excited about during these cold, cloudy days. I know that you won't have the same memory associations (like laying on my roof looking at the stars, sitting in my MSU dorm room watching snow fall outside, or skiing in the Colorado mountains), but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.

If anyone is interested in having these compilations on CD, all I ask is that you send me blank CD-R's (email me for my address) and I would be happy to burn them for you. (That's legal...right?). So here it is...

Winter Mix

Disc 1

1. jon brion – eternal sunshine theme
2. doves - rise
3. coldplay - sparks
4. radiohead – knives out
5. the shins – pink bullets
6. supergrass – late in the day
7. badly drawn boy – once around the block
8. nick drake – at the chime of a city clock
9. john mayer – 3x5
10. iron and wine – sunset soon forgotten
11. the decemberists – the engine driver
12. dave matthews/tim Reynolds - granny
13. cat stevens – the wind
14. …and you will know us by the trail of dead – to Russia my homeland
15. the smiths – asleep
16. bjork - aurora
    
17. sigur ros – staralfur

Disc 2

1. jon brion – phone call
2. yo la tengo – Madeline
3. my bloody valentine – come in alone
4. sea ray – revelry
5. aloha – with the lights out, we sing
6. the American analog set – the kindness of strangers
7. death cab for cutie – title and registration
8. Sunday’s best – don’t let it fade
9. Copeland – coffee
10. pinback – sender
11. the flaming lips – one more robot/sympathy 3000-21
12. the album leaf – the audio pool
13. air – mike mills
14. jon brion – elephant parade
15. ben folds five – selfless, cold, and composed
16. dave Brubeck quartet – take five
17. charles mingus – jelly roll
18. john Coltrane - spiral
    

Make Believe - Shock of Being (Flameshovel; 2005)

I don’t know much about Make Believe, but hints to what they’re about are immediately provided. The band's name makes me think of two things. One is that they create a fantasy world (sort of like Muppet Babies) for the listener. The other is that they have the ability to make you believe in them (or at least completely control your attention). As for the title of the album, I have a feeling it came from a J.G. Ballard quote.

I saw them open at Beat Kitchen in Chicago in November. I was completely awe struck. I felt as if I'd stumbled across something earth shattering purely by chance. Shock of Being is a 13-song collection of incredible Chicago music, not to mention the creative album artwork (the CD insert, when folded out, is their interpretation of a U.S. $1 bill). I can honestly say this is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. Granted I’m sure there are prominent influences (even I can admit that I haven’t heard everything). There is a clear nod to Metallica (note the print style of Amscaredica on packaging). There are also elements of punk and indie rock scattered throughout.

The album is a whirlwind of sound that never really lets up. There’s a sheer virtuosity in the guitar work and a sense of experimentation. However their sonic explorations remain tight and their style is actually extremely well-defined. The social commentary is lathered on strong in songs like “Amscaredica” and “Television Cemetary.” “The Storm on Her Birthday” begins on a familiar note (by familiar, I mean in the context of the album), but then delves into a hypnotic multi-instrumental array that’s sure to occupy every inch of your mind. "'Boom!' Sounds Like '-Hiss-' From Inside It" is another standout track and a smooth closer for the album.

Every new song gets the better of you. By all rights there should be a point where the album falters and fails to completely amaze. There are only one or two flaws I can even suggest. One is the sometimes rough-around-the-edges vocals of singer Tim Kinsella (check out “Fumio Nambata Had a Farm”). But really, I wouldn’t want the vocals to be any different. Furthermore, I’m learning about the vast presence of Kinsella in the Chicago music scene and coming to respect him even more. The second flaw is only that their songs are often anticlimactic. The listener is left with the impression that the songs could be much more powerful if everything came together to a peak of meaning and sound.

Make Believe’s music is not easy to absorb. However, it suggests that there is something far beyond what was prior known to be the realms of music. It is, in a sense, a breakthrough. It affirms the hope that every music junkie holds dearly inside of them, that it is possible to abandon all trends and patterns and create something wholly unique and special.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Try if you like: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Aloha, 80’s Metallica

To get audio and video, or order the CD, go to www.flameshovel.com.

Quick Welcome and Explanation

I thought I should give a quick explanation for this blog. I have a tattoo. It's an indian with a head dress (not unlike this fine fellow). So when I was forced to come up with a name, it was the first thing that popped into my mind. Why would I have that as a tattoo you might ask???

Well, I got it for my 21st birthday...partly because of my Native American heritage, partly because I saw a similar one on a certain admirable actor. It is a token of my passage into manhood. It was also a gift from my best friend.

Last night I decided that this blog will be largely dedicated to music...bands I find, CD's that amaze me, and impressive live shows. I will also make room for movies and books (I've been on a reading rampage lately). Hopefully it'll prove to be a useful way to spend my time, and an enjoyable read for everyone else. I felt limited by the myspace blog...and I have a feeling this will work out better for me.

My 10 Favorite Albums of 2005

Hello. I decided to branch off of My Space blogs in hopes of a more rewarding internet information experience. I hope you enjoy the result. For my first post, I will tell you all about my favorite albums of 2005. I say "favorite" instead of "best" because I believe that these sorts of things involve OPINION and not FACT. These are two concepts that many people get confused.

This is a celebration of the worst year of my life. But don't worry...this list will provide something for anyone to be excited about. These lists have carried me on road trips, long jogs, sad days, happy days, etc. Although I can say that 2005 was personally the most difficult year for me yet, it was by no means a bad year in music. Allow me to convince you...

(in order of increasing importance to me)

10. Deerhoof - The Runners Four : Abstract music stylings and child-like vocals create a wildly artistic adventure on this album. At times it's testing, but they get A+ for effort in breaking the mold. Sometimes it reminds me of Belle & Sebastian or The Cardigans...sometimes like nothing I've ever heard. It's not for everyone, but it's one of the most interesting musical endeavors I've heard this year.

9. The Clientele - Strange Geometry : Altough slightly repetitive, this music is 100% rewarding. I'm actually looking forward to rainy April days just so I can listen to this album and look out the window, glad that I'm dry and warm indoors. This is tremolo-ridden music with bit and pieces taken from other decades (specifically the 60's).

8. Gorillaz - Demon Days : One song can sometimes make or break an album. On this album, the song that makes it is "Dare." I was a huge fan of the Gorillaz debut. This is definitely a departure of sorts, but some change is never a bad thing. They stick to their guns (note iPod commercial blaring "Feelgood Inc").

7. The Decemberists - Picaresque : Not their best work, but definitely their most dramatic. This Portland group is progressing towards something increasingly unique. With the cutesy vocals, 12-string guitars, accordians, and other various instruments, things turn out enjoyable. Not to mention the stories of revenge, unrequitted love, and child labor...involving pirates, British boys and ghosts (not in respective order). Trust me...it all works out. Plus I'm in love with Petra, the newly added violinist/vocalist. Oh sweet sweet Petra.

6. DangerDoom - The Mouse and the Mask : Not until a couple years ago did I learn that not all hip hop is bad hip hop. As with most genres, I had only been exposed to radio crappola. This album reminded me of the best Jurassic 5 (and occasionally music found in the best ski movies). In a word, it's fucking SMOOTH. I think it's based off of an Adult Swim cartoon. No matter...It's creative and intriguing.

5. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois : Reportedly the 2nd in an attempt to make an album for each of the U.S. states (never gonna happen!), this is an excellent summer CD that accompanied me on many a trip to/from Chicago. Sometimes densely orchestrated a la Stereolab, sometimes bleak and foreboding...but always captivating. And who knows, you might even learn something about a serial killer or Honest Abe.

4. Broken Social Scene - (self titled) : Not one piece in this collaboration is striking on its own. What is striking is the result when this large group of Canadians combines their powers. It's a painting in progress that changes slightly with each listen. It's a mesh of feelings and pictures in your mind. Soft summer afternoons and fond memories of teenage years. Not to mention a well-used sense of humor to accompany their musical integrity (I believe the last line of the album is "why are you always fucking goats?"). My favorite song is "Swimmers".

3. Of Montreal - The Sunlandic Twins : I revised this list two months later to include this album. I don't know how it escaped me before. Anyways, I saw them live at Metro in March and they were unbelievable. I guess I needed that live performance to show me this group is no fluke. At the show I tried to think of how to describe the band. I came up with "Electro Psychadelic Disco Indie Dance Rock." And that fits this album just the same as the live show. Song highlights are "The Party's Crashing Me," "I Was Never Young," "Wraith Pinned to the Mist & Other Games," and.....wait....they're all amazing. Get this CD!!!

2. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm : Angular loud British indie rock at its best. Some songs are lovey dovey, some songs have a political point, and some just say "hey, we're British, and that makes us important". Yes, there was a lot of hype about this band...and yes, it was well deserved. Their tightly wound arrangements will leave your head in a frenzy wanting more. At least, that's what happened to me.

1. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike : Grab a box. Place in it equal parts indie dance rock, electronica, Kung Fu soundtrack, playground chanting, and harmonica...now stir and brace yourself. This album rocked my socks off completely. I have not been so addicted to a CD in a long time. I WISH so badly that I had seen them at Metro on Halloween weekend. Why the hell is the UK so far away?! Trust me...just get this CD and be happy you're alive. (note - this CD was released in the UK in 2004, but in the US it was 2005)

Honorable Mentions:
1. Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak : Southern NYC-style indie rock makes me want to break beer bottles and knock over tables.
2. My Morning Jacket - Z : The opening track ("Wordless Chorus") is one of the most lush and hypnotizing songs I've heard in a while. The CD opens like Flaming Lips crossed with Coldplay, but ends with too much American trad rock.

Chicago Album Award:
Make Believe - Shock of Being : I can't really say anything about these guys yet. I saw them live and I was really impressed. The guitar work is like nothing I've ever heard. I ordered their CD. I'll write something about it once it comes. All I know is it's the coolest Chicago band I've found yet.