2017 Fall Music Preview

Two things that really stood out to this nineties child when giving a once over to the list of albums coming out this fall. First off we are getting dueling Gallagher albums! Okay, this would have been much more exciting if this were 1997 not 2017. And the other thing was an album being released by some guy named William Patrick Corgan. If you have not figured it out yet, that is Smashing Pumpkins Billy Corgan. Apparently he thought Deborah Gibsn's name change was not silly enough so he also added the middle name. In other ninties news, Beck is coming out with a fun album after his super depressing Album of the Year one, Wu-Tang Clan is back with an album anyone can buy, while U2 is also back to making people buying albums again. Oh, and Hootie of the Blowfish fame is still putting out country music while Primus is back with their original lineup since 1995. And of course Weezer is back with their bi-yearly release of disapointing tracks. In other artists you probably did not realize were still releasing music news, oh, hey, Barenaked Ladies, Boyz II Men, and Seal.

 I spent so much time on the nineties because as usually I am mostly meh on current music. I have enjoyed what I have heard from the upcoming Jessie Ware album and Jillian Jaqcqueline and Carly Pearce are a breath of fresh air in country pop music along with Danielle Bradbery who put out a track I kind of like (though weird to release a song called Hello Summer on the first day of fall) but that is about it. I will give at least a Spotify stream to these albums. You can pre-order the albums by clicking the album title or go to their iTunes page by clicking on the artists name.


Last Week
Wonderful Wonderful - The Killers
Side A - Jillian Jacqueline

Friday
Sorry Is Gone - Jessica Lea Mayfield
The Desaturating Seven - Primus
Now - Shania Twain
The Attractions of Youth - Barns Courtney
Let's Play Two (Live) - Pearl Jam
Core (Super Deluxe Edition) - Stone Temple Pilots

October 6
As You Were - Liam Gallagher
Offering - Cults

October 13
Colors - Beck
Every Little Thing - Carly Pearce
The Saga Continues - Wu-Tang
There is No Love in Fluorescent Light - Stars
Carry Fire - Robert Plant
Ogilala - William Patrick Corgan
The Con X: Covers - Tegan and Sara
Holiday's Rule Vol. 2

October 20
Glasshouse - Jessie Ware
When Was the Last Time - Darius Rucker
Under the Streetlight - Boyz II Men
All American Made - Margo Price
Southern Gothic - Tyminski
Fever to Tell (Deluxe Remastered) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

October 27
Pacific Daydream - Weezer
World Wide Funk - Bootsy Collins

November 3
Unapologetically - Kelsea Ballerini
Wild and Reckless - Blitzen Trapper

November 10
Reputation - Taylor Swift
Synthesis - Evanescence
What If Nothing - Walk the Moon
Phases - Angel Olsen
Standards - Seal
Automatic for the People (25th Anniversary Edition) - R.E.M.

November 17
Fake Nudes - Barenaked Ladies
If All I Was Was Black - Mavis Staples

November 24
Who Built the Moon? - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

December 1
Songs of Experience - U2
I Don't Believe We Met - Danielle Bradbery

January 19
M A  N   I    A - Fall Out Boy

March 2
TBD - Andrew W.K.



TBA
Pitch Perfect 3 Soundtrack
Inside a Dream - Echosmith
Untitled Christmas Album - Sia
The All-American Rejects
Arctic Monkeys
Ariana Grande
Bob Seger
Cat Power
Father John Misty
Kid Rock
Paul McCartney
Pistol Annies
Sheryl Crow
Vampire Weekend

And of course this could be the quarter Dr. Dre releases Detox.

I Want My Music Television: 10/15/13

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.


Breakfast Can Wait – Prince


Apparently the internets are no longer over because Prince recently joined Twitter a couple months ago and just uploaded a music video to YouTube. Hopefully he ends up uploading his entire back catalogue. Seriously, just think about how many times you went to YouTube over the past eight years to watch Batdance only to find it was not there or the one that was is some crappy version probably taken from a VHS tape. The video for Breakfast can wait is a little disappointing because it does not feature Dave Chappelle, who is on the single cover. Instead we get some chick pretending to be Dave pretending to be Prince.


Survival – Eminem


When Eminem released Berzerk I called it his best song since Lose Yourself. Well Survival is his second best song since Lose Yourself. The video could have been done without the shameless video game footage.


PrimeTime – Janelle Monáe featuring Miguel


Janelle Monáe released this song last month, so by my math, I am guessing there is going to be a spike in the population next May. I am not sure if the robot strip club themed video helps or hurts.


Barenaked Ladies - Odds Are


Oh Barenaked Ladies, you sneaky Canadians, way to guarantee views by making a music video where you have to watch more than once, once to watch it, and another to read the scroll.

Musings from the Back 9: Music Edition XVI

To put into perspective just how long it has been since Black Sabbath put out an album with Ozzy Osbourne, I had not even been born yet and I am old enough to remember when Dr. Dre started working on Detox. Really, when I think of Ozzy, I think of his cheesy power ballads from the lat eighties / early nineties. Which I guess is better than the generation or two that came after me who think Ozzy only as a reality star. But their reunion album 13 got me intrigued if only because it was being produced by Rick Rubin who may have the greatest batting average among producers since the band last released an album together. Unfortunately unlucky 13 is a rare swing and a miss as it turns out sounding exactly what a bunch of sixty year olds playing heavy metal would sound like. A Johnny Cash redefining album that Rubin produced, this is not. And it is mostly Ozzy’s fault who sounds phoned in (anyone who saw his reality show probably knows why) even though Tony Iommi’s riff are for the most part still haunting as ever. I just wished Rubin pushed them more. The most intriguing song on the album is Damaged Soul where the harmonica sends the song into a bluesy direction before getting drowned out by Iommi’s guitar. I just wished 13 had more moments like that.

13 gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.


Back in the late nineties, electronic music became such a big fad even Eric Clapton and R.E.M. were making albums that relied heavily on drum machines. At the same time, Barenaked Ladies were enjoying their biggest success creating music more organically. Fifteen years later we are in the second electronic boon and the Ladies finally jumped on board with the trend on their tenth studio album Grinning Streak (depending how you count them). They never drop the base or any of those other annoying trends in EDM these days, but the album is easily their more electronic embracing to date. Well that is primarily the opening song Limits, after that all the hints of electrics are tempered down. The rest of the album may have been more interesting if it were more like the opening track. And despite the title Grinning Streak, the trademark wit the band usually has is once again downplayed. I always thought the token rapper Ed Robertson was the fun guy in the group, but ever since Steven Paige has left the group, their album as much less fun.

Grinning Streak gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.



Tom Petty once sang about the ups and downs of being a rock and roll star during Into the Great Wide Open and one line that always stick out to me is when he sings, “their A&R guy said ‘I don’t hear a single.’” That line comes up occasionally when I listen to albums like the last Jimmy Eat World album. Invented was good, but nothing on the album really stood out as being particularly great. Same goes for their latest Damage. You are still getting a solid ten song, which really does not add anything new to their catalogue. But alas I do not hear a single worth downloading and if you already own Bleed American and Furtures, you really do not need to add Damage to your library.

Damage gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

I Want My Music Television: 6/11/13

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.


Everything Has Changed - Taylor Swift featuring Ed Sheeran


They psyched me out, I thought the kids were going to be the younger versions of Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran but it turned out to be their kids, or more likely little siblings. I pretty much ignored Red because it was way too poppy for my taste, but this song reminds me there were a couple good songs on it. It is a shame that there not more songs like this on the album, it would have been much better.


Diane Young – Vampire Weekend


Pot use getsa bad rap for killing brain cells but we all knew that guy who could build a bong out of anything. Though I am not sure how practical the saxophone bong in the Vampire Weekend video is, seems like a lot of smoke would escape the keys holes.


Boomarng – Barenaked Ladies


I know the Barenaked Ladies has not had a big hit here in a decade, but I have to believe that made enough money from the Big Bang Theory Theme that they could afford to make a music video that look better than something that could have been made for the Super Nintendo.


The War Within - Churchill


Churchill were already in the running for the 2013 Peter Bjorn and John Award for Catchiest Indie Pop Song of the Summer with their song Change and they may have some competition with their new single whose outro gives me a very Where the Streets Have No Name vibe. I keep re-watching the video just trying to figure out which famous person the female in the group looks like. A grown up Millie Kentner maybe? But I am beginning to think she is just an amalgamation of every super cute chick I went to college with. If you like this song, you can download it for the low, low price of free on Noisetrade along with four remixes of Change.

Best of the Week vol. XI

Quote of the Week: You’re like the poster child for friendly fire. (Casey - Chuck)

Song of the Week: Africa – Toto (as performed by Jeffster; Chuck)

Big News of the Week: NBC May Bring Back I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!: It may just be a coincidence, but interestingly enough word leaked a day after I posted my interview with John Lehr about his tenure hosting I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! that NBC is considering resurrecting the show for the summer. Maybe NBC agreed with me that the show was before its time. And hopefully the network agrees with Lehr that the show shouldn’t be taken as serious an d let the host mock the contestants. Hopefully the show doesn’t become too successful because we may end up with weekdays of the Jay Leno 10:00 hour preceded by Celebrity at 9:00 next with only 8:00 for scripted shows on the Peacock. Check out our full discussion of Lehr’s involvement in the show:

John Lehr Talks I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!


Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:



Coalition Links of the Week:
Does Nick "Normund Gentle" Mitchell deserve another chance at the American Idol crown? (BuzzSugar)

Vance loved the season finales for Privileged and Leverage. While Leverage has been picked up for Season 2, here's hoping Privileged returns too. (Tapeworthy)

This week, Jace was thrilled by Lost and Damages but also admitted his secret love for animated series like Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Wolverine and the X-Men. (Televisionary)

What's a hipster to do? Marisa pre-emptively fought back against those who would ridicule her devotion to American Idol. (TiFaux)

After watching the Grey’s Anatomy-Private Practice crossover, Jennifer came to one conclusion: Addison Montgomery needs to go back to Seattle Grace. STAT. (Tube Talk)

Raoul talked to Charlie from Hell's Kitchen about making sauce, hitting the sauce and everything Ramsay. (TV Filter)


Free Download of the Week: Barenaked Ladies (Amazon MP3): Amazon is offering up five free songs from those quirky Canadians but keep in mind the songs all come from the Ladies’ children’s album.
Some Fantastic
I Can Sing
Off The Hook
Maybe Not
In The Car

Deal of the Week: TV Blowout Event: Save up to 60% (Pushing Daises, Smallville, Batman)

Video of the Week: In a story I broke a couple months ago, Ben Silverman is batting .000 over at NBC (see: Your New Most Inept Executive Is…) but he may of actually found something watchable to put on his network that may get him close to the Mendoza Line in Kings. Being a history buff (the story is a reimagining of David and Goliath) the show looks epic and appropriately enough premieres on the Ides of March at 8:00 (that is the 15th for those not up on your Shakespearian plays). Here’s a clip:



Next Week Pick of the Week: Tool Academy, Sunday (March 8) at 10:00 on VH1: It has been a fun ride so far and the final three of Matuflex, Shaun and mini tool will get cut down to two for the Tool Academy finale on next week. And if NBC is reading the 9th Green, hopefully VH1 was poking around when I suggested Celebrity Tool Academy featuring Ashton Kutcher, Terrell Owens, Sean Hannity, Pete Wentz, Spencer Pratt, Al Gore, Sean Avery, Donald Trump, and Alex Rodriquez.

Feed Your iPod: Holiday Edition

Certainly some of you have already threw a shoe at your radio for playing All I Want for Christmas Is You for the hundredth time or are completely sick of you’re a Very Special Christmas collection, but luckily I have stayed away for those stations and stick primarily to my Holiday playlist that is currently up to four and a half hours worth of cheer. So before you break your radio, here are some suggestions to start your own playlist (feel free to hit me up with suggestions in the comment section):


Rudolph the Red-Noise Reindeer - Jack Johnson




Ever wanted an island flavored holiday song? Well here is one from Jack Johnson. As an added bonus he even adds a new verse.


Elf’s Lament - Barenaked Ladies




A nice little ditty if only because it’s not the song with Sarah McLaughlin.


That Was the Worst Christmas Ever! - Sufjan Stevens




For you pretentious types there is Sufjan Stevens who has put out an insane amount of Christmas songs. Here is my favorite of the bunch which isn’t as depressing as the title suggests.


Winter Song - Eisley



Less of a Christmas song than just a wintery song (duh) but if are enjoying a white Christmas or just dreaming of one, this song will do the trick. Unfortunately the EP it is on i not currently available on iTunes.

First Impressions: The Big Bang Theory

This Monday during the eight o’clock hour sees the debut of two shows that features a nerd whose life is infiltrated by a token hot chick. Of the two shows, The Big Bang Theory by far handles the geek culture better. But on the other hand Chuck doesn’t utilize a laugh track (more on Chuck Monday). The “audience” for The Big Bang Theory laughed about four times before they actually said something that made me laugh. Sure the laugh track worked on me when I was nine watching Family Matters (Urkel: now there was a real nerd) but I can’t imagine anyone whose age has reached the double digits that doesn’t see through a laugh track. Seriously, if you film before a studio audience, just go with the natural laugh a joke generates. And if a joke doesn’t get a laugh from them, maybe you should think about cutting the joke from the show not artificially creating a laugh.

Crappy laugh tracks aside, being someone who knows whether to use an integral or differential to solve for an area under a curve, the show is right up my alley. Well that is until I found out the show is from the “comic geniuses” behind Two and a Half Men. Yet The Big Bang Theory is surprisingly funny thanks in part of their grasp on nerds. Granted some of the jokes did bomb which were then only highlighted more in the in fallibility by the laugh track. But I wonder if those are actually found funny by people with IQ’s in the double digits who then scratch their head at the jokes I laughed at. Maybe, if my theory is correct, the ingeniously created a show that both morons and smart people can enjoy. Naw.

The show itself centers on a pair of nerds who live and work together, Johnny Galecki (Dave Matthews Band Satellite video) and Jim Parsons (School for Scoundrels) who get extremely lucky when a moderately attractive, but somewhat intellectually challenges, member of the opposite sex moves in next door in the form of Kaley Cuoco (Growing Up Brady). The rest of the cast is filled with more nerdy colleagues including the want to be cool Simon Helberb (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip) complete with old school Nintendo controller belt buckle, and the silent one Kunel Nayyar (nothing). But when it comes down to it, if you have seen the extended promo for the show, you basically have seen all the best parts. And if you are wondering why the people singing the theme sound familiar it is because it is the Barenaked Ladies which is a natural fit for the show. You can actually download the theme on iTunes or on the Amazon MP3site.

Verdict: In the battle between the nerds, Chuck currently holds a slight edge if only because it has the hotter Token Hot Chick. But if you can find time to fit How I Met Your Mother into your schedule, you might as well stick around and watch The Big Bang Theory or tape it as well. At least as long as it stays out of Two and a Half Men territory. The Big Bang Theory airs Mondays at 8:30 on CBS. You can download the Pilot episode for free on iTunes or on Amazon Unbox (see right for ad).


One more television related story, I wasn’t going to mention that you can watch the season premiere of Friday Night Lights over at Yahoo because 1) certainly you have already heard about it by know, and 2) I hadn’t planned to watch it myself because I would rather wait and watch it on my television. Well that was until Herc over at Ain’t it Cool mentioned, “Yahoo has the whole second season premiere, featuring many of the lead actresses cavorting in swimwear here.” So I have a feeling that I will be watching the show sometime this weekend. And if you are still on the fence on whether you are going to watch the show or not, if that sentence doesn’t get you to watch, I don’t know what will.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. IV

Quote of the Week: “Listen, I’m gonna break it down for you alright. If you switch over to my side I’ll give you my solemn word of honor I will have sex with you.” “I long to see the sunlight in your hair and tell you time and time again how much I care. Hello.” “Please, stop singing at me.” “Hello” (Rockefeller Butts trying to change the Token Hot Chick’s vote, Knights of Prosperity)

Song of the Week: One Week - Barenaked Ladies (Veronica Mars; see the scene below thanks to YouTube)




Big News of the Week: The Knights are on the move. Starting this week, ABC is switching the funniest new show of the season, Knights of Prosperity with According to Jim so be sure to turn in a half an hour earlier this Wednesday at 8:30 to see if the Knight get closer to robbing Mick Jagger. Unfortunately this conflicts with Friday Night Lights and Beauty and the Geek but all three are available for streaming on their respective websites so no excuses to miss any of them.

This week should be another instant classic when Eugene has to decide whether he will take one for the team when one of Jagger’s bodyguards comes on to him. I’m not sure if this will be a weekly occurrence but you can catch an extra episode this Tuesday at 9:30 featuring the one where the Token Hot Chick gets the guys some self defense training. And you can always check out the latest episodes of the show over at ABC.com.


Surreal Life Fame Games: I’m not sure what I find more disturbing: Brigitte Neilson hooking up with Chyna or Brigitte Neilson hooking up with Ron Jeremy.

How I Met Your Mother: I really didn’t like how they depicted Barney in the past couple week almost humanizing him, but it was nice to see the original Barney back this week.

Everybody Hates Chris: Chris hauling around an egg brought back some painful memories. Needless to say I failed. Luckily there aren’t any little Scooters running around… that I know of. Hopefully I don’t get a call from Montell or Maury anytime soon. Check out this episode at CWTV.com.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: After a week opening segment, the show gets back into fine form where it is hard to decide which storyline was the best this week, Jordan’s battle with the new VP of Illiterate Programming, Simon battling the new writer, Chandler battling to win the E-bay action, or Ed Asner battling the board. Granted I’m not entirely sure what he and Jack are up to with the Asian deal. Check out this episode over at NBC.com.

The (White) Rapper Show: I loved how the dude from Brand Nubian grilled Jon Brown on that silly Ghetto Revival crap. I guess when you are an entity you don’t need to fully think your catchphrases.

The State of the Union: I peeked in on it during the commercial breaks of Veronica Mars and I love how they show you the name when they do reaction in the crowd shot like it’s the Oscars. I’m just waiting for when one of the networks brings in Joan Rivers for a red carpet before one of these things because who doesn’t want to know where Nancy Pelosi got her pantsuit from.

Veronica Mars: Check out my thoughts of this week’s episode over at I Like This Show, it’s Tawdry week 4.

Friday Night Lights: After the opening scene of this episode, I’m ready to call the Taylor’s the best nuclear family on television. Then I don’t know what was funnier, when coach used the same motivational speech the radio host used or that his offensive coordinator loves that show. One of the great parts about this show is how each character, big or small, is pitch point, but after two episodes, Tyra’s mom is the one misstep. Also two weeks without Landry is two weeks too long. Check out this episode over at NBC.com.

Smallville: Mmm, a superhero who after hit with something then all of the sudden wakes up in a mental institute where the last five years was all a dream. Yeah this was a complete rip off of a season six episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And totally inferior as Normal Again was one of my favorite hours of television ever.


Pick of the Week: Super Bowl XLI - Sunday, 6:25 CBS - Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Prince at halftime, Billy Joel does the anthem, and the best commercials of the year including one moron who dropped $2.5 million to propose to his girlfriend during the game. If you are like me and want to make a day of it, Road to the Super Bowl starts at noon.

I Like This Show, it’s Tawdry week 4

Wow, now that was an exciting State of the Union speech. Just kidding, of course I was watching the new episode of Veronica Mars. Although I did flip over during commercials and was I smoking something illegal or was that Dikembe Mutombo sitting next to Laura Bush? That’s pretty random. But back to show that didn’t give you that creepy feeling that if anything were to happen to George Bush or Dick Cheney that Nancy Pelosi would be the president, Veronica Mars. If you missed the episode, head over to CWTV.com where you can stream the episode for free or hop over to iTunes where you can download it. While over at iTunes, check out the Official Veronica Mars Podcast to hear who was supposed to be the “Meat Is Murder” rocker and why the monkey (as in “Touch My…”) looked so familiar from the writers of the episode.

So six week have gone by in Neptune also and Lamb in Lamb fashion was quickly ruled Dean O’Dell’s death a suicide because, well, it’s more work if you have to track down a killer. And how nice of his widow to decide to find out if it was really a suicide not right away, but after realizing she was going to run out of money fast since life insurance doesn’t cover suicide. Of course the bottle of Scotch that the Dean was adamant about saving remained unopened leading Keith to take the case. Although this brings up the question; since the case was closed a couple weeks ago, why is the Dean’s office untouched?

But this episode really wasn’t about the Dean’s death, no, it was more about mocking our lovely neighbors to the north. It’s great to know in a time of political correctness and when someone says something stupid, equally stupid people come out in droves calling for their firing that it is still perfectly okay to make fun of Canadians, eh? I had the watch the scene again people I was laughing way to hard when Ronnie fired up the Barenaked Ladies and the subsequence dance by the girls. Although I was a little disappointed that back in my college years that I never thought aboot picking Canada for the Around the World; put on some Barenaked Ladies, have some Molson on ice and the latest NHL game for the Playstation all while wearing a hockey jersey.

Equally as entertaining was Dick’s idea of a good time even if it brought back memories of random dude’s junk appearing on my camera back in college. This episode actually brought up even more bad memories for me most notably Piz’s soliloquy to Ronnie that inspired her to go back to Logan even though everybody but Ronnie knew it was about her. I don’t even want to count how many times my speechifying moved a girl to hook up wit a dude that wasn’t me. Also bringing back bad memories was when the plant lady complained about the temperature and said, “If you wanted to see my nipples you should just ask” prompting the dude to raise his hand only for the chick to ignore him. Again, that type of exchanged has happened way too many time. Ladies if you offer, you have to come threw with your threat.

Speaking of Vee running back to Logan, may I point out; Vee with uber-bangs, Logan breaks up with her; Vee without uber-bangs, Logan takes her back. Not a coincidence. On more of this phenomenon, check out my Public Service Announcement. But hopefully this getting back together stuff doesn’t last long because Dick is right about Logan when he is with Ronnie, personally I prefer my Logan as an obligatory psychotic jackass. Will hookers be the final straw for Ronnie; or now that Ronnie seems to figure out what Piz’s speech was really about she will finally ditch Logan for good. Whatever the reason, hopefully it happens. Those two characters are much more entertaining apart.


My Way out Theory of the Week: Professor Landry did it. This is way out there in that it is too obvious. Maybe this mystery will be less about who did it like previous one, but instead how they did it and got away with it. I’m really rooting for this after the scene with Landry and Keith in the bar where Keith tried to get some sort of confession while Landry just swatted him like a fly. Them playing this cat and mouse game for the next couple episodes could be more entertaining than your usual who-done-it style.

Don't Download These Videos vol. III

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I though I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form so here they are courtesy of YouTube. I advise you to watch them before you read my reviews if you don’t want me to spoil things. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available, if not the link goes to YouTube where you can watch the video in full screen). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.


Smile - Lily Allen



My new favorite song that no one else is listening to (overtaking I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)). Just when you think Paris Hilton ruined faux-reggae music forever, here comes Lily Allen to make it entertaining again. And what makes this song great, in a time when Kelly Clarkson is content with getting made at an ex-boyfriend, Allen gets even. The best part is when the intruders trashed the LP’s, but them put them back in the case. Classic.


Gone Dady Gone - Gnarls Barkley



Okay so the song, a remake of the Violent Femmes song, is no Crazy which may sadly send them to one-hit wonder status, but the latest video by Gnarls Barkley may actually be more entertaining than the other one. Granted nothing beats their Star Wars performence at this year's MTV Movie Awards. But seriously, who doesn’t enjoy watching chick on bug lovin’? And what better message than there is no better hallucinogen then bug spray?


Wind it Up - Barenaked Ladies



Where Gone Baby Gone video is a chuckler, the new Barenaked Ladies video is laugh out loud funny. As funny as Earl Hickey’s mustache is, this guy’s may actually be funnier. Plus the song includes possibly the best line from any song this year, “I was a baby when I learned to suck but you have raised it to an art form.” And as great as this video is, there are making one that may top it as the group is gathering fan submitted air-guitar videos to be included in a second version.


Love Me or Hate Me - Lady Sovereign



I really didn’t plan on including two British chicks biting black music, but you got to love anyone who uses Tetris in their video. Granted the song by Jay-Z’s latest find, Lady Sovereign is mediocre at best. Really the only thing worse that white dudes rapping are which chicks rapping. Did she really start sing Phil Collins at the end of the song? So for those keeping at home, as a record executive, Jay-Z is batting .000. No wonder why he is getting back into rap.

Musings From the Back 9: Music Edition II

Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked Ladies Are Me
The Barenaked Ladies were always a band I was a little weary of because my sister always liked them and she really wasn’t a go to person for music with her library of Christian and country music. But those crazy Canadians won me over with their heavy dose of geek rock. The Ladies seemed to lose some steam in recent years but are now back releasing their music independently with the release of Barenaked Ladies Are Me.

The sound on the album is much more mature than previous outings as they have morphed into a folksy band with no pseudo-rapping in site. Even the more humorous song, Bank Job, is a laid back ditty. But that doesn’t mean the ladies haven’t given up rocking as heard on the closing track Wind it Up which also features the band’s best lyric since name dropping the Smoking Man with, “I was a baby when I learned to suck, but you have raised it to an art form.” Ouch. Unfortunately that intensity is lost on the rest of the album asides from the enjoyable tale from Bank Job.

Barenaked Ladies Are Me gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.


Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black
It may not be the best idea to get music suggestions from Kelly Clarkson, but after hearing her perform Shelter, I just had to find out more Ray LaMontagne, the guy who wrote the song. Then throw in his contribution to Zach Braff’s latest mixtape aka the soundtrack to The Last Kiss, just made me even more intrigued. So there were high hopes going into his sophomore album Till the Sun Turns Black. The album doesn’t have anything to instantly attach to like Shelter or Hold You in Your Arms, but the earthy songs on the set are each enduring in their own ways. For most of the album, it sounds as if Cat Stevens had grown up in the American wilderness giving him more of a raspy voice and Ray knows just when the right time to add some strings or horns for the best effect.

The album starts off with the sparse and airy Be Here Now where Ray barely lifts his voice above a whisper the whole song. Empty picks things up, but just a little as the acoustic guitar drives the song more. The funk starts with Three More Days as you can feel through the speakers just how much Ray wants to get back to his lady. You Can Bring Me Flowers continues along that line but with the bass guitar as the star of the song making more dirty than all the other songs here. Gone Away From Me feels like an old folk song that could have fit in with anything Pete Seeger did. The combination of the title track bleeding into Without Out is a great epilogue to the album with the latter having the simple lyrics of, “War is not the answer, the answer is within you.”

Till the Sun Turns Black gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.


Gov’t Mule - High and Mighty
Warren Haynes may be best know as a replacement guitarist for southern rock legends The Allman Brothers Band, but when he’s not cashing in on the old timer circuit or jumping onstage with the Dave Matthews Band, he has a little side project that is pumping out music as good and sometimes better than his day job did in their heyday. His other band Gov’t Mule has pumping out straight ahead rock for over a decade and continued to do so even after the death of original bassist Allen Woody. Their new album High & Mighty is more of the same, but the guitar solos, riffs, and extended songs seem crisper then ever and can only be enhanced under the stars and the band stretches the songs even longer. The album is highlighted by the first track, Mr. High & Mighty which is the best straight ahead rock song in a long time.

High & Mighty gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.