chasing coolness

Totally Crushed Out

2009-12-21T06:44:00.001-08:00

A little while ago, I decided to launch a new webzine called Totally Crushed Out. It's not unlike how this blog started, but there's a lot less rambling and a bit more generalized (not so much music, even though that's the majority of the posts right now, though I hope it will change with time). I am also not the only person who is writing for it, which is always a plus (i.e. less stressful). In the new year, we'll have some merch and whatnot, so update your bookmarks. Totally Crushed Out is the new Chasing Coolness.

New Site

2009-10-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

I've been ignoring this blog for a minute. I've even been updating the food blog and the mp3 blog more often. All articles and news is now on my Tumblr. Checkit.

The Loved Ones, "Living Will (Get You Dead)/Distractions" (Live at the Showbox)

2009-09-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Video: Murder By Death, "Until Morale Improves, the Beatings Will Continue" (Live at the Showbox)

2009-09-26T21:37:00.000-07:00

Review: Polar Bear Club, "Chasing Hamburg"

2009-09-24T13:37:00.001-07:00

Polar Bear Club
"Chasing Hamburg"
(B9)

At this point in their career, Polar Bear Club probably hates being compared to Hot Water Music and Small Brown Bike. In fact, other than singer Jimmy Stadt’s gruff vocals, the upstart band shares little else with those other bands. I would liken Polar Bear Club more to Seattle’s defunct Waxwing, the post-hardcore slash emo band fronted by Rocky Votolato and flanked by guys who would go on to form Blood Brothers and Gatsby’s American Dream. With that comparison in mind, it’s pretty much a no brainer that PBC would recruit former Minus the Bear keyboard player and renowned knob twister Matt Bayles to production for their second full-length, first for Bridge Nine, “Chasing Hamburg.”

Lyrically, what I enjoy about all of the band’s recordings, and it’s something that is very apparent on “Hamburg,” is how transparent the words are. The topics on this particular record reflect that of a growing band, which is what Polar Bear Club is.

In “Boxes,” Stadt sings “You don’t have to be an asshole to be an artist.” A similar criticism is explored on “Song to Persona,” where Stadt mulls over the schism between a band, their music and the people who love them. As far as the music itself goes, it’s a natural progression from their last album, “Sometimes Things Just Disappear.” My biggest misconception about the album, based on the teaser 7” “The Summer of George,” was that the band was going to be poppier. But it’s quite the opposite. There are harder parts across the album and Stadt sings much better.

Having just got off a support tour with Set Your Goals and Four Year Strong and an upcoming tour with Crime in Stereo and Strike Anywhere, Polar Bear Club is definitely going to be a band to watch in the coming months and the proof is all over “Chasing Hamburg”

Recommendation: Buy it

Listen to: “Boxes,” “Chasing Hamburg,” “Drifting Thing”

Video: Get Up Kids, "Holiday/I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel/The One You Want" (Live)

2009-09-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

I shot some video of the Get Up Kids Reunion show for Redefine last night. I will be adding more videos on my YouTube channel throughout the weekend. Enjoy.

Review: Raekwon, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II"

2009-09-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

Raekwon
“Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II”
(Icewater)

It’s funny that when people who are held in high regard and hit a bit of a stumble are forced to go back to the well. Unfortunately, Wu-Tang’s gulliest member, Raekwon, has had to be that guy. Arguably, Rae has the strong solo album under his name, 1995’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” Featuring strong guest appearances from all the members of the Wu, as well as Nas, the street-dubbed Purple Tape is heralded as a hip-hop classics.

In subsequent years, Raekwon’s been chasing the strength of “Cuban Linx” and oftentimes with underwhelming results, as is such on “Immobility” and “The Lex Diamonds Story.” While Rae’s partner, Ghostface Killah, has become the most popular solo member of the Wu (Method Man notwithstanding), the Chef has toiled away regaining relevancy with a string of YouTube covers and signing with Dre’s Aftermath imprint.

Unsurprisingly, Dre dropped Raekwon (like he did with Rakim and Lord knows who else); undaunted, Raekwon formed his own label (Icewater) and put out the sequel to “Cuban Linx” himself.

Since 2006, tracks have slowly leaked online and many of them do not appear on this album, which is probably why “Cuban Linx II” sounds so fresh.

The album’s full opener, “House of Flying Daggers” is a return to form for the hungry Wu rappers going over a Dilla beat. The Pete Rock-produced “Sonny’s Missing” is complimented with Marley Marl’s interlude, “Pyrex Visions.”

The dreary Motown vibe of “Cold Outside” is one of the album’s strongest tracks with Suga Bang singing the hook. In fact, I would go as far to say that it’s the definitive moment of the record – Raekwon and Ghostface trading narrative barbs while the horns recall early RZA production techniques.

It’s too early to tell if “Cuban Linx II” will match the popularity and success of its predecessor, but it’s definitely one of the best hip-hop records that’s come out in sometime, as well one of the most gratifying Wu albums in general.

Updates!

2009-08-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a little while since I updated this. I've had a rather busy summer, but it's tapering off now. I still have a few projects that I'm working on, though I imagine that I'll have more opportunity to continue to write some reviews and share my thoughts on stuff once things settle down a little.

Here are some records that I've been enjoying lately:

Hot Water Music, "No Division"
Heartsounds, "Until We Surrender"
Drake, "Whatever Long Title the Mixtape Has"
PS Eliot, "Introverted Romance in Our Troubled Minds"
Used Kids, "Yeah, No"
Tom Gabel, "Heart Burns"
Keri Hilson, "In a Perfect World"
Polar Bear Club, "Summer of George EP"

Check them out, I'll chat with you guys soon, k? Thnx.

What Kind of Asian are You?

2009-07-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, some awesome guy posted a comment in response to my article about single Asian fathers which appeared in both the NW Asian Weekly's print copy and website.

I think I'm more disturbed by the fact that this singular person has decided to make themselves the gatekeeper to who can be considered an Asian or Asian-American. Ignoring the fact that he uses the term "flip" -- which is not only racist and derogatory, but also archaic -- what kind of follow up can someone have? I simply wanted to write a story about being a single father who happens to be from an ethnic group.

This does open up the floodgates of who people consider Asian. Up until the mid-to-late 90s, I've always been identified as "Asian" in legal documents. Afterwards, "Pacific Islander" started popping up in forms and applications, but seeing as how my family has roots in Chinese, Spanish and Indian cultures, I feel that "Asian" is an all encapsulating term. Also, I'm full Filipino, well as full as someone whose parents are both from Manila can be.

I guess, in the end, it really comes down from a source of miscommunication, ignorance and just plain ol' dumbness. But somehow, I'm still left dumbfounded.

Running Playlists

2009-06-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

One of the most awesome features I like about my iPod is that I can craft a playlist that has precise timing. I have two playlists for my morning, pre-work runs, one at 20 minutes and a 30 minutes, depending on how much time I give myself in the AM. I was thinking of making a new playlist and I wanted to get peoples' suggestions. Leave them in the comments, please. Here's what I currently have:

Playlist 1 (20 Mins)
Fireworks, "Show Me Your Vanishing Act One More Time"
Four Year Strong, "Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die"
Brand New, "The Shower Scene"
Big Pun feat. Fat Joe, "Twinz"
Comadre, "I Think We're Alone Now"
Broadway Calls, "Get at Me"
Capone and Noreaga, "TONY"

Playlist 2 (30 Mins)
None More Black, "Oh, There's Legwork"
Modern Life is War, "D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S."
The Lawrence Arms, "Great Lakes/Great Escape"
Shook Ones, "Order Form"
American Nightmare, "am/pm"
Kid Dynamite, "Heart a Tact"
Silverstein, "Vices"
The Bled, "Dale Earnhardt's Seatbelt"
Hour of the Wolf, "Taking Out the Trash"
Crime in Stereo, "I Stole This for You"

HxC Kind of Summer

2009-06-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know why, but I got bit by the hardcore bug again. I'm working on doing songs with my long dormant Blown to Eliot Smithereens project and I've listened to the new Comadre records three times in a row today. At some point I put on "Takin' it Ova!" the record by the International Superheroes of Hardcore (aka New Found Glory).

Surprisingly, the album was much better than I remembered and I kind of wished that more hardcore bands were this fun. Oh well.

International Superheroes of Hardcore, "ISHC Theme Song/Back to the Future"

Comadre, "New Noise (Refused cover)"

Shake the Sheets: Another List of Shit 2009

2009-06-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty lazy at updating this thing. I've probably updated Backed With more recently. Eh, what are you going to do?

Here are my midyear picks for 2K9 (again, in no particular order):

Kevin Devine, "Brother's Blood"
Method Man and Redman, "Blackout 2!"
Raekwon, "Blood on the Chef's Apron Mixtape"
Narrows, "New Distances"
Shook Ones, "The Unquotable AMH"
Manchester Orchestra, "Mean Everything to Nothing"
Sister Cities, "Demo"
Tigers Jaw, "Tour EP"
The Loved Ones, "Distractions EP"
Like Bats, "Demo"
Chase Pagan, "Bells and Whistles"
A Loss for Words, "Whatever the new album is called"
Fireworks, "All I Have to Offer is my Own Confusion"

Video: Kevin Devine and Jesse Lacey, "Tomorrow's Just Too Late"

2009-05-26T07:11:00.001-07:00

Redux: The Ataris, "End is Forever"

2009-05-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Almost everyone I know who's met Kris Roe, the singer and guitarist for The Ataris, have told me he's kind of a douchebag. Actually, that's an understatement. I've definitely heard from one person that he's the biggest douchebag from Indiana and a former roommate tell me that he's a fucking asshole. And I can kind of see that, but the two times that I've spoken to him he was polite, so I have nothing ill to say about him on that level.

The Ataris are probably one of my favorite sophomoric pop-punk bands from the 90s, particuarly their watershed album, "Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits," which served to be my personal soundtrack for the latter part of my high school years.

In my freshman year of college, they released "End is Forever," which was their "serious" album of sorts. There were still some fast pop songs and most of the songs about love were boiled down to a middle school-level, but songs like "Fast Times at Drop Out High" which covers the topic of an adopted child (a lost brother Roe later found out about) and "Road Signs and Rock Songs," which addresses the polarizing effects of being a band on tour and being away from the ones you love. Through these weighty themes, and for better or worse, The Ataris started branching out as a mature band (for lack of a better term).

It's interesting that The Ataris were pretty much castigated because of this (and moreso over subsequent releases, "So Long, Astoria" and "Welcome the Night") in 2000, yet other contemporaries like Sum 41, Blink 182, New Found Glory, and Alkaline Trio followed this pattern in the years to come and while they were not without their critics, they didn't seem to get hit as hard as The Ataris did.

In the last few years, The Ataris sort of fell apart on the weight of their own "vision" (releasing an indie rock album for a crowd of teenagers who know you for a Don Henley cover will do that) with Roe doing solo acoustic tours of "Blue Skies..." and selling off his possessions via eBay. Though the band has always pretty much been Roe, many longtime collaborators, like John Collura, Mike Davenport and Chris Knapp, have been shown the door. A new version of the band has a new record coming out soon, promising to recapture the "End is Forever"-era, so it'll be interesting how this all pans out for them.

"Summer Wind Was Always Our Song"

Video: Descendents, "I'm the One" and Lifetime, "Airport Monday Morning"

2009-05-18T07:13:00.001-07:00

Descendents, "I'm the One"

Lifetime - Airport Monday Morning

Lifetime, "Airport Monday Morning"

This weekend I was jamming out to "Everything Sucks" by the Descendents. It's one of their later-era albums and it seems to be the one that is largely ignored (along with "Cool to Be You"). It's a little bit more polished than the rest of their catalog, but it still holds up. The same could be said for Lifetime's self-titled album, which took me a long time to get into. In fact, I probably didn't really care much for it until after I saw them on their reunion tour almost two years ago. Yeah, it's a little overproduced but it still knocks. I guess for a lot of these older punk rock dudes that's the goal: putting out a solid record that even the most jaded of fans can appreciate.

Video: None More Black, "Oh, There's Legwork?"

2009-05-04T13:53:00.000-07:00

Easily one of my favorite Schevchuk bands, None More Black is far more melodic than Kid Dynamite, but has all the clever lyrics that makes Jason Schevchuk one of the most quotable lyricists in punk rock. This is my favorite NMB song, chiefly because (other than being ridiculously catchy) contains the following lyrics: "We are the brand new beatniks/We are the down and out/We are the bleeding hearts beating syncopated broken rhythms/Our speed is all too breakneck, we need to slow it down/Tired of being sleepless/Tired of being broke and broken." Fucking genius.

Fun while it lasted...

2009-05-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

I haven't had the opportunity to write about "Ashergate 2009" recently, but here's the quick rundown:

My least favorite rapper, Asher Roth, played at Rutgers and tried making light of last years Don Imus/Nappy Headed Hoes comment. Obviously, this did not play out very well. But to give my archnemesis the benefit of the doubt, he was trying to lampoon Imus. Fair enough. Then Roth is quoted in Pitchfork as saying "You guys (other rappers) are disgusting." Again, in all fairness, he was talking about the plight of Africans and how American rappers tend to spend their money. This coming from a guy who basically glorifies date rape on his single about college and used the release date 4/20 as his marketing ploy.

Huh.

Eskay and the Nahright crew weren't having this and issued a Roth ban until homedude apologized, which he did, assuming that Steve Rifkind threw a chair at him or something that he picked up from working with ODB or MOP.

Personally, I think the whole thing was blown out of proportion to a certain degree. More than anything, however, I doubt Asher Roth -- as a white kid from an affluent suburb -- is in any position to talk about how rappers who have typically come from places of poverty should spend their money. Yes, I am being a hypocrite here since superficial musical acts are usually who I talk shit about the most, but given the nature of my upbringing, I feel like I have a much better grasp on the socio-political implications than some severely mediocre college rapper. I'm just sayin'.

That being stated, I'm actually a little bummed that the Roth ban is lifted. The reality is that if the ban had stayed in place, Roth already has such a following (there's no accounting for taste) that just because a singular hip-hop website (even if it's the best one) stops posting about him, it won't hurt his career among fans -- only credible hip-hop heads. Which, as I write this, was probably the point all along. Oh well.

BAN ASHER ROTH!

New Prize Inside Podcast

2009-04-28T19:32:00.001-07:00

Prize Inside, the podcast I host with Corey Be, has a new epsiode (4!!!) which we just uploaded.

Checkit!!!

Review: Manchester Orchestra, "Mean Everything to Nothing"

2009-04-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

Manchester Orchestra
"Mean Everything to Nothing"
(Favorite Gentlemen/RED)

For their debut LP, "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child," Georgians Manchester Orchestra channeled a host of obvious of influences such as Built to Spill, Modest Mouse and Lord knows who else to bring together one hell of a moody album about Woody Allen movies and religion. And as random as it sounds, the combination played up the band's strengths and singer Andy Hull's vivid lyricism.

On their second record, "Mean Everything to Nothing," the Orchestra goes balls to the wall, immediately creating a frantic atmosphere with very little pauses. The second track -- and in my opinion, the highlight -- "Shake it Out" is one of the most aggressive hardcore songs, without actually beiing a hardcore song. The loud guitars and breakneck rhythms may turn some older fans off who liked the melodic fragility of "Virgin," but the sonically challenging nature of "Nothing" further diversifies Manchester Orchestra's sound. Bravo.

[bonus video]

"Shake it Out"

Prize Inside Vol.3 Now Up!!!

2009-04-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

The podcast and Corey and I host is now running into its third (!!) episode. Recognize. Stream it. Download it.

PRIZE INSIDE

Racism Still Exists in America; Chasing Coolness is Not Surprised

2009-04-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

It's a rather bittersweet time to be a person who's interested in American politics. On the one hand, we're witnessing some of the most radical changes to the status quo in quite sometime (and granted it's not as radical as, let's say, the Marcos Exile in the 1980s or Castro taking Cuba, but give America a little credit) and yet it's marred with pictures like this.

These ridiculous tea-bagging (if you haven't seen the Rachel Maddow video, Google it; it's hilarious) parties that have been going on around the country just serve as a reminder of much closer to idiocracy we are as a society. I may not agree with these dumb events, but I'm not going stop them from congregating. I am, however, appalled (though not shocked) that for many people, it was more about their displeasure of having a Black man as our President. People are bullshit.

Prize Inside Podcast 2

2009-04-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

Corey and I did another PRIZE INSIDE podcast.

Episode 2: Superzeroes.
Corey debuts "Ryan Doesn't Know Shit About Sports" and we talk comics (books and stand up) and the Real World (the TV show).

Video: Modern Life is War, "D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S."

2009-04-13T07:14:00.001-07:00

This song is on my AM jog playlist. It rules.

Prize Inside Podcast

2009-04-08T01:39:00.001-07:00

Corey Bee + Ryan P = Prize Inside

A former rapper and a former DJ come together for a new podcast. Episode 1 up now.

Review: Silverstein, "A Shipwreck in the Sand"

2009-04-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

Silverstein
“A Shipwreck in the Sand”
(Victory)

Long running Canadian screamo outfit, Silverstein, is still churning out records like it’s nobody’s business and their latest album, “A Shipwreck in the Sand,” is supposedly decidedly different. Supposedly.

Like the erstwhile other Canadian screamo band, Boys Night Out, Silverstein’s newest album is a concept record based around some story or another. While I’ve never shied away from concept albums (“Winners Never Quit” and “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” being among my favorites) it’s a harder pill to swallow from a pop-punk band.

Not to say that “Shipwreck” is a bad album. It is probably Silverstein’s most polarizing record, in as much as the heavy parts are pretty heavy and the delicate parts are very delicate. But make no mistake, Silverstein do what they do best, which is to write and perform catchy songs with intricate guitar parts.

As much crap as I’ll get for saying this, there’s a consistency in Silverstein’s overall songwriting and this album is no different. Concept record or not, they have a formula in writing songs that are fairly easy to digest and while I can’t say that this is their best album, it is, in essence, a Silverstein album.

Nerdiness Ensues

2009-04-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Last night, a partial list of this year's Bumbershoot participants was released. It's no secret that I kind of hate Bumbershoot for a number of reasons, chiefly the fact that it's gone from a small homegrown celebration to a big corporate fuck party. There are logististics here that I choose to ignore (namely that it costs these super big corporate dollars to run such an event), but I can't help but think that it's kind of like a grown up Bamboozle (aka a giant mall for pop-punk bands).

Anyway, as I was looking through the list of scheduled artists, I saw that S.E. Hinton was going to be there.

Yes, THAT S.E. Hinton.

Hinton is responsible for some of my favorite middle school books like The Outsiders and Rumble Fish and like Harper Lee, J.D. Salinger, Judy Blume and, prior to her death, Madeline L'Engle, Hinton lives in relative obscurity. She's nowhere nearly as prolific as Stephen King, James Frey and Stephanie Meyer, and it really works to her advantage.

I haven't been to Bumbershoot since 2004, but I think I may have to go this year, if only to see S.E. Hinton in person.

Review: Ace Enders & a Million Different People, "When I Hit the Ground"

2009-03-27T11:16:00.001-07:00

Ace Enders & a Million Different People
“When I Hit the Ground”
(Vagrant)

First of all, has Drive Thru rendered themselves to the point where they have do these joint releases with Vagrant? What did the Reines siblings do (or not do) exactly? In either case, bravo for Rich Egan.

Through the albums he’s done with the Early November and I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business, Ace Enders has proved himself to be a rather a prolific and eclectic songwriter. If you’re in the mood for some pop-punk or some country-tinged indie rock, Enders has probably written a song that you’ve liked at one time or another. Personally, I thought he was going to continue the folk-y feel of “I Can Make a Mess…” with his latest solo release, “When I Hit the Ground.”

Taking a cue from 90’s balladeers like Goo Goo Dolls and Third Eye Blind, “When I Hit the Ground” is a more radio-ready pop-friendly rock record. Not to take anything away from Enders and company. In fact, this might be his most consistent work to date.

Through songs like “Sweeter Light,” “Bring Back Love,” and “When I Hit the Ground,” Enders captures modern heartbreak in a way that this album should resonate with teeny bopper kids who are graduating from Plain White T’s to sardonic hipsters.

Dallas Penn = Comic Genius

2009-03-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

One half of the iNternets Celebrities, Dallas Penn, put together this nice little video called "In Search of Asher Roth." I don't think I need to write anymore than that.

Review: Fireworks, "All I Have to Offer is my Own Confusion"

2009-03-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

Fireworks
"All I Have to Offer is my Own Confusion"
(Triple Crown/WMG)

The first entry in the "best pop-punk album" category 2009. This is almost all hits.

Injustice in America

2009-03-16T07:15:00.001-07:00

What kind of a world do we live in where I can find a perfectly good copy of this album for $.99? It's absurd, I tell you. It should've been at least $1.99.

The Obama Deception? Please...

2009-03-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

Alex Jones, who is basically the real life version of Mel Gibson's character from "Conspiracy Theory," has made a movie called "The Obama Deception," and set it free on the internet for uppity college kids and trust fund anarchists to continue living a bunch of bullshit and basically preaching somebody else's words. As if I'm any different, right?

The fact that Jones dumped money into making yet another conspiracy movie is beyond me. Shouldn't he be saving money for when the New World Order (big ups to Hollywood Hulk Hogan) take over and he needs to migrate to France or some shit?

For all intents and purposes, Jones is the kind of person who abuses our freedom of speech by turning to scare tactics to get his message heard. He's kind of like a new version of Lyndon LaRouche in that sense.

Personally, I think that at least 85% of Americans know that they're being spoonfed some BS, so treating them like idiots (whether they are or not) is pretty unnecessary. The fact of the matter is, while Jones is doing something, he's going about it the wrong way. Do you want to see some change? Run for office. That's what Obama did.

I'm not going to pretend like Obama will repave our highways with gold, and yeah, he has his own agenda and his own special interests to take into consideration, but he's not continuing to send millions of Americans into a questionable war and he's not trying to scare people either. At the very least, he's doing something, rather than make a DVD to bitch about shit. [1]

[1] or writing a blog post to bitch about shit.

National Biggie Day

2009-03-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

Over a decade ago, we were robbed of one of my favorite rappers of all time, Notorious BIG. Who knows how many more incredible songs this man could've had, as well as the high standard in major label hip-hop that would've continued on. Instead, we have mediocre dudes like Jay-Z and T.I. to look up to. Here are some of my favorite Biggie songs, enjoy:

Party and Bullshit (from the Who's the Man soundtrack; there's also a sick Lord Finesse Remix of this track)

Juicy (Pete Rock Remix)

Ten Crack Commandments

Warning

Junior MAFIA feat. Biggie - Get Money

Jay-Z feat. Biggie - Brooklyn's Finest

Who Shot Ya (for some reason, only the instrumental version and freestyles could be found, but if you dig around, you'll find it; ill beat by D.dot, though)

Finally! The Hipster Rap Backlash Gains Traction!

2009-03-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

For the longtime readers of this blog, it's no secret that I've long hated the bullshit acts collectively known as hipster rap. M.I.A., Asher Roth, Charles Hamilton and the ilk are something left to be desired; and not to sound like an old man, but seriously, people who buy rap records and have no idea who Big Daddy Kane is need to get checked. Preferribly by Group Home. With a metal pipe.

I know that there are other heads who've shared my disdain for this subgenre that requires its fans to wear bright neon colors and all-over print hoodies. Chicago's Japcity took one of the first aggressive stances and recently, Termanology released the super dope, "Tight Pants are for Girls."

The other day, I was reading Nahright.com and there was a single video clip, no explaination for Big City Philadelphia's "How to Rob an Industry Hipster."

Using an old 50 Cent beat, Big City Philly launches into this killer song that -- if it gets popular -- will have Asher Roth's dumbass trying to suck up to M.O.P. to be his bodyguards or some shit. Now I will never condone violence or abuse on any level, it's just not my style, but if simply threatening people through a satirical track will get them to stop making crappy rap songs, then fuck it, I'll co-sign Big City Philadelphia.

Review: Lil Wayne, "Prom Queen"

2009-03-04T08:21:00.001-08:00

I guess this Lil’ Wang song wasn’t as terrible as I thought, but it’s still pretty bad. I feel like somewhere out there, Papa Roach should be readying a lawsuit of some sort. Between the vocoder usage and the fake guitar playing, Lil’ Wayne should seriously consider giving Mannie Fresh a call to hook him up with some circa-98 beats. In these trying days of terrible hip-hop, they would come off on some Pete Rock shit.

stalking me just got a little easier

2009-03-04T07:53:00.001-08:00

yeah, i bit.

chasingcoolness @ twitter.

Redux: Saves the Day, “In Reverie”

2009-02-24T12:32:00.000-08:00

I’ve essentially owned “In Reverie” three times. I found it years ago, shortly after it was released, at the $.99 bin at Underdawg Records in lower Queen Anne. I listened to it and found a few tracks to be pretty decent, but not enough to keep my attention, or to really keep the CD. I sold it soon afterwards and went along my merry way.

When Saves the Day released “Bug Sessions Vol. 1,” the acoustic version of “In My Waking Life” blew me away and I suddenly regretted parting with my copy of the album from which it came from. Like all great music fans, I found a copy online and downloaded it and fell in love with the album. Not too long ago, I found it for $3 at a Half-Price Books and snatched it up with the quickness.

In many ways, it’s a natural progression from “Stay What You Are” – Chris Conley’s lyrics are still biting, clever and delicate. The polished production is very much in the favor of the album and “In Reverie’s” big rock sound is an accurate of a time when Saves the Day was playing arenas with the likes of Green Day, Blink 182 and Weezer.

Unfortunately, the record tanked for a variety of reasons and the band went into a hiatus for a couple of years before releasing anything new.

This kind of slump from a critically and commercially successful record is something that’s seen often but it’s been happening to several bands like Fall Out Boy and Plain White T’s (who, surprisingly, released the ridiculously catchy “Big Bad World” in 2008). But if they can follow the sample that Saves the Day put forth, it’s that a few years to regroup can lead to some pretty amazing music.

[Related videos]

"She"

"Anywhere with You" (Live on Jimmy Kimmel)

"Wednesday the Third"

Why I am Not Watching "Watchmen"

2009-02-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

As anybody who knows me is aware of, I'm sort of a comic book nerd. And not the kind of asshole who will dismiss every comic book movies because, let's face it, the print medium allows for a lot more leeway in terms of what can be accomplished versus the film medium. I love the Chris Nolan Batman movies as much as I love The Rocketeer and the three X-Men films.

Historically, Alan Moore's work has seldom translated well to film and Moore tends to distance himself from every bit of work of his that has been adapted (see: V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell, etc.). Watchmen is by far most popular work (next to maybe "The Killing Joke") and with all the hype surrounding it, I'm far more interested in watching "I Love You, Man."

The fact of the matter is that Watchmen was a great story for the 1980s, but these ideals that were explored in the graphic novel have been redone and, in the case of Kingdom Come, done much better. More than anything, however, there's about a million douchebags who are just discovering this shit now which makes it all the more anti-climatic.

Boycott the Watchmen.

Review: Two Tongues, “Two Tongues”

2009-02-17T10:37:00.001-08:00

Two Tongues
“Self-Titled”
(Vagrant)

On paper the combination of Say Anything maestro Max Bemis and genre stalwart/Saves the Day frontman Chris Conley is a great idea. Recently, the pair collaborated for a project called Two Tongues (along for the ride, Bemis and Conley are jointed by S.A. drummer Coby Linder and STD guitarist Dave Soloway taking the bass duties).

For the most part, “Two Tongues” is enjoyable. The album starts off pretty strong with Bemis and Conley trading much of the vocal duties. The first two tracks, “Crawl” and “If I Could Make you Do Things” are remarkably good and could be very big radio hits. Midway, however, the album falters and the novelty of a Say Anything-meets-Saves the Day superband gets rather stale.

At the end of the day, there’s really only about an EPs worth of excellent material, but if this project is ever sequelized, it will be interesting to see where Bemis and Conley will go with it.

Special V-Day Video: MxPx, "Want Ad"

2009-02-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

No matter how many crappy albums they put out, the first four MxPx albums (as well as "Let it Happen") will always have a special place in my heart. Enjoy.

breathe easy

2009-02-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Apparently Blink 182 announced their intent to reunite on the Grammys last night. I did not see it live because a) I was eating some sweet apple pie at B&O and b) the Grammys are dumb. Actually, all award shows are pretty dumb. Anyway here are some stray observations:

1. Mark Hoppus is clearly the attention hog between the three

2. Tom DeLonge looked super awkward (and fat).

3. I half expected Travis Barker to rip the envelope open with his teeth. It would've been hilarious if he did.

I could shit on this whole announced reunion as I have done to many other bands in the past (Get Up Kids, Hot Water Music, I'm looking at you), but I won't. The 15 year old in me is too stoked.

Video: This Time Next Year, "Hearts and Arrows" (Live)

2009-01-30T09:04:00.000-08:00

I was a little reluctant to hear a band called "This Time Next Year" because (not by coincidence) it's the title of The Movielife's best album. It would be like if Oasis decided to call themselves Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band or Rubber Soul. Still, my friends Ilene and Mike encouraged me to check them out and I'm glad I did. Their EP, "A Place For You," is easily one of the most enjoyable pop-punk records I've heard in quite some time and their last recording, "The Longest Way Home" features a really great cover of Kid Dynamite's "3 O'Clock." Recently, the band signed to Equal Vision Records which will hopefully get these kids the recognition they deserve.

Come Widdit: P.S. Eliot

2009-01-28T07:24:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty indifferent about anything that has come out on K Records and anything that sounds like it would have the Calvin Johnson stamp of approval is immediately suspect to me. That being said, I found Alabama-based P.S. Eliot on ICouldDieTomorrow a little while back and the shit blew my mind.

I know that I get on my high horse and bash the fuck out of bands like VersaEmerge, Paramore and Hey Monday (probably), chiefly because women in "punk" (at least as we know it to be) are a minority, so why not have something to say? P.S. Eliot is a (mostly) female punk band and rips harder than any of the other bands that I just listed.

Their lo-fi demo, "The Bike Wreck Demo," reminds me of why I love recording on a 4-track so much. It's gritty, dirty as fuck, but most of all, the songs are really catchy and good. It has all the trappings of something that K would've put out 18 years ago, but I suppose looking at a band like P.S. Eliot now, they're everything I loved about DIY punk kids to begin with.

Fuck big budgets and get with P.S. Eliot.

P.S. Eliot -- MySpace

Breaking News: Jay-Z is Boring!

2009-01-21T08:07:00.000-08:00

[Hat Eats Jay-Z; Sauce Money Releases Diss Track]

Jay-Z briefly woke up from his coma of being married to one of the most stunning women on the planet and counting his collection of Fabrege eggs to perform at President Obama's inaugriation ball last night and played a rather subdued, if not totally boring, performance.

I would like to say that he was playing up for the suits, but let's face it, Jay hasn't done very many good records as of late. His last listenable track, "Brooklyn Go Hard," was okay, but it's not on par with "Brooklyn's Finest" or "4 Alarm Blaze;" hell, even "Change Clothes" was pretty good.

I realize that at this point in his career, Jay-Z the rapper is secondary to Jay-Z the celebrity, but if you're famous for being a musician, you should at least practice your craft and try to sound interesting, it's how LL Cool J has managed to stay relevant (not to mention look eternally young) for so long.

Video: Bone Thugs N Harmony w/ Eazy-E, "Foe tha Love of $"

2009-01-20T07:53:00.000-08:00

People all across the United States are going absolutely bananas with both glee (mostly) and disappointment. I'm sure I'm not alone that thinking that the latter part of that group are obviously out-of-touch, probably uneducated and, let's face it, probably fucking racist. Still, with so many people going out of their way to write new songs about how this new presidency will usher in change, the jaded and cynical part of me thinks of this song as one of the most accurate portrayals of what American values are truly built on.

Shameless Self-Promotion: Backed With

2009-01-16T09:58:00.000-08:00

I know I've been terrible at updating it, but I posted a new record on Backed With yesterday. Check it out.

Fuck a Twitter

2009-01-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

A few nights ago, Corey Ball and I went out and somehow in the conversation, Twitter was mentioned and thus spawned this post. Interesting, no?

I guess since most people (myself included) are so self-indulgent and feel the need to share every detail of their day, as if we're all interested in the fact that they had an apple bread panini for lunch, the concept of having a Twitter account is welcomed, if not slight novel.

I, on the other hand, am trying to break away from this Orwellian madness. That is, when I'm not writing in my many blogs. Snap.

The reality, at least for me, is that no one gives a shit about what I am doing because there's not much to tell. In terms of these blogs, I share whatever I feel like sharing and I can control it, which is why I rarely write about my romantic relationships and instead write about eight billion posts about how much I'm in love with french bread pizza and Jets to Brazil. Furthering my selection to a quick jaunt of minute-by-minute updates seems a little egomaniacal, even for me.

Just for posterity's sake, let me give you an example of what my stupid Twitter would look like on a Tuesday afternoon:

Working on a press release. 12:04 pm
Sent press release to client. 12:15 pm
Eating leftover spaghetti. This shit is wack. 12:45 pm
Working on a press release. 1 pm
@ my mom. Stop nagging me. I'll take out the trash whenever. 1:20 pm

My weekends wouldn't be very exciting either

Hanging out with the kid. 8 am
Hanging out with the kid. 8:30 am....

You get the point. I don't really have a problem with the concept of Twittering (as the kids say). The shit's just not for me, dig? It doesn't fit with my sweet lifestyle of talking like a newspaper reporter from the 1920's and the 1960's.

Video: Jets to Brazil, "Sweet Avenue"

2009-01-08T07:16:00.000-08:00

There was this period between the latter half of 1999 and almost all of 2000 where I saw Jets to Brazil for what seemed about five billion times (though in reality it was probably thrice [not the band]). The other day I was thinking about how awesome this song is and it actually bummed me out a little that I'll never see them play again.

2008 Rewind: Music Sucked; if it were a Child, it Should Be Put into Time-Out

2008-12-29T12:54:00.000-08:00

It’s been a minute since I did these of the year recaps, but it allows me to take a breath and look at everything that was wrong with the calendar year so we can avoid it at a later date, so let’s get to it.

Gym Class Heroes put out another record that I would typically lampoon, except for the fact that compared to other rappers, Travis McCoy doesn’t actually sound that bad. Here is a list of “rappers” that are worse than McCoy:

Lil’ Wayne
T-Pain
Asher Roth
Kanye West
The Cool Kids
Etc.

For every Wale, Ludacris or Jake One record that came out, there were about five mixtapes that sucked terribly and have no reason to be associated with hip-hop in anyway. I actually thought that 2008 would have a sense of promise as Blu and Exile release a very sick record, as did Little Brother. But instead, it’s just another year of mostly shitty albums and some good ones sprinkled in between.

It wasn’t just hip-hop that sucked this year, though. Rock music took a very giant hit to the face as musical abortions, Brokencyde, Millionaires and Cash Cash continue a reign of terror that will ensure a new generation of fresh-faced teens to turn into 20-something douchebags whose sole goal is to stay stagnant in a suburban nirvana of extending their collective childhood.

Brokencyde, for those of you who aren’t in the know, is a crunk/screamo band. Yes, finally!!! Someone has taken the two worst musical offshoots in the last six years and combined them so we can only have one band to hate! Thumbs up…no wait, thumbs way down. Brokencyde – with their neon colored shirts and stupid haircuts – remind me of the kind of dudes who own like three rap records, but who are generally afraid of Black people. I’d be willing to bet that the reason they got on this gimmick is because they couldn’t find a drummer.

Millionaires is basically a rip off of Fannypack, with some really young looking girls fronting the group wearing what you would expect from an American Apparel ad. I believe there are two reasons why this group is popular: one, they’re “hot” (by generic scene standards, I guess); two, nobody remembers Fannypack.

Cash Cash isn’t worth any mention beyond my feelings that they’re really, really awful.

All that being said, I’m holding out hope for 2009. One of the most underrated emcees of all time, Freeway, has been throwing out some serious jams lately, as has Big Pooh from Little Brother.

The hardcore band, Horizon, put out a pretty awesome demo and Boston’s A Loss for Words has something bubbling for the new year. All in all, 2009 could possibly erase all the crap we’ve had to put up with, or just turn into another year of stupid music.

Redux: Rilo Kiley, “Takeoffs and Landings”

2008-12-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

(Rilo Kiley, "Science Vs. Romance")

Every now and then, I’ll have a record on heavy rotation and then I’ll put it aside for awhile before rediscovering it at a later date. Between Rilo Kiley’s releases, I’ve always favored “The Execution of All Things.” The production and songwriting are stellar and displays the best collaborative effort between Blake Sennett and Jenny Lewis, the band’s primary songwriters. Not to say anything bad about their debut, “Takeoffs and Landings,” but to paraphrase something that Lewis said in an interview, it’s a glorified demo.

Which is not to say that it’s an incomplete record; in fact, it’s probably a far more realized effort than “More Adventurous” or “Under the Blacklight.”

This morning, in a fit of sensitive artistry, I listened to “Takeoffs” on my iPod and took into the morose ambiance of the album. For all its raw attributes and sonic meandering, it’s a comforting record to listen to on a lonely December day.

Bravo, Rilo Kiley.

Top 10 Movies of 2008 (In no particular order)

2008-12-20T13:23:00.001-08:00

Another day, another list. Perhaps Entertainment Weekly can hire me to write these arbitrary things.

1. Let the Right One In
Vampire romance that is more psychological than that melodramatic trainwreck people call Twilight.

2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
When Jason Segel’s wang was exposed a bunch of teenage boys in unison yelled, “Eww,” to which I yelled back, “Don’t be afraid of something you’ve already had in your mouth!” I got daps from James.

3. Run, Fatboy, Run
David Schwimmer + Michael Ian Black + Simon Pegg = Comedy Gold, though the real star of this movie is Bernard Black himself, Dylan Moran.

4. Quantum of Solace
I never liked the Bond movies until Daniel Craig was in them.

5. Kung Fu Panda
The Asian in me should hate this, but fuck it, this movie was awesome if only for the part where Jack Black’s Po says, “There is no price for this awesomeness or attractiveness!”

6. Wall-E
Pixar’s version of “Clarity.”

7. Zack and Miri Make a Porno/Role Models
I’m a fan of Kevin Smith and David Wain, respectively and even though “Zack and Miri” didn’t do shit at the box office, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it was ridiculously funny. On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Role Models” did tremendously well and was able to combine David Wain’s ultra-nerd humor with viable commercial success.

8. The Dark Knight
Heathus will live forever as he channeled Brian Bolland and Alan Moore’s version of the Joker. Also Gary Oldman’s kinda hot.

9. Definitely, Maybe
Why isn’t Ryan Reynolds in more movies?

10. Iron Man
I love comics and I dig how Marvel is angling to do the Ultimates-version of the Avengers for the big screen. That is, if they don’t get too bloated (Punisher War Zone? Really, guys?).

Chasing Coolness Doesn’t Understand the Appeal of Asher Roth; White People in Uproar

2008-12-15T15:53:00.000-08:00

I never really understood what makes Asher Roth better than, let’s say, Prozack Turner, RA the Rugged Man, Miilkbone or a host of other white dudes who rap whose names aren’t Eminem or Vanilla Ice (that comparison was way too easy). In many ways, I should probably like Asher Roth just based on the fact that he looks/acts like the kind of guy I would hang out with. Except for the fact that that spot is already filled by my friend Corey Ball.

Unlike Corey, Roth doesn’t have a grasp on golden age classics (like the first three Tribe records) and most appalling of all is that his introduction to hip-hop was “Hard Knock Life.” Really? Hard Knock Fucking Life? This dude probably never heard of MOP prior to “Ante Up.”

But as is such, Asher Roth’s backpacker appeal with his Target model good looks has made him a lusted object for bloggers who are too afraid of Scarface to listen to real rap music and chicks who heart Danity Kane (or what’s left of them). Roth’s greatest asset is that he’s the semi-legit/edgy rapper that is there for when non-hip-hop rap fans are ready to graduate from MC Lars and MC Chris to something a little bit more substantial, which Roth is, particularly compared to the other two.

Yet sucky is sucky and I can’t deny that I would much rather listen to someone like Crooked I or Joe Budden than this lame ass carbon copy of the dudes from Lexicon.

Review: Fall Out Boy, "Folie a Deux"

2008-12-15T12:09:00.000-08:00

Fall Out Boy

“Folie a Deux”

(Island Def Jam)

I think it’s safe to write off any hope that the FOBs will ever return to their brash pop-punk roots of “Take This to Your Grave.” With each and every album, from the imitable farce “Evening Out with Your Girlfriend” to this new monolith, “Folie a Deux,” Fall Out Boy grows leaps and bounds, which is oftentimes too distracting to suggest any consistency in regards to songwriting.

With this new record, Patrick Stump and company continue on their journey of becoming a larger-than-life pop band; dare I say, the Beatles for the Hot Topic set. This isn’t hyperbole, either; it’s fucking fact. That being said, I believe that I may be too cynical to accept “Folie a Deux” and its aggressive online marketing campaign (see: Citizens For Our Betterment) as anything else but a publicity stunt in the form of a pop record.

The album’s lead single, “I Don’t Care,” is a direct descendent of Rihanna’s “S.O.S.,” which in itself benefited from a well-placed Soft Cell sample. The rest of the record is typical overproduced fanfare and is a natural extension of “Infinity On High.”

If anything, “Folie a Deux,” is pleasurable for fans who discovered the FOBs within the last three years and do not suffer from living life in a sardonic manner. For the rest of us who like to “up the punx,” as it were, we’ll stick to waiting around for a much better Chicago band called the Lawrence Arms.

Post 601: F(ar)k Face

2008-12-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

When I was about 10, I collected baseball cards. I didn't like baseball per se; I mean, I acted like I did and even memorized random statistics, but in all honesty, I really liked having another hobby outside of comics and my subscription to "Fangoria" (what 10 year old had a subscription to that? Me!). During this age, I found that there were two Holy Grail cards of contemporary baseball -- the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card and the infamous 1989 Fleer Billy Ripkin "Fuck Face" card. At some point, I acquired the Griffey rookie card for nothing more than trading my X-Men 1991 Annual and a bag of chips (really), but the Ripkin card was always difficult to find and just remained one of those legends -- a friend of a friend of a friend's cousin had it and would part with it for a mere sum of $500.

As a teen, I eventually befriended this kid named Brandon who, like me, collected all kinds of crazy shit (like comics, action figures, vintage video games and sports cards). We always joked about finding the "Fuck Face" card. Brandon had everything (at one point he even had the Japanese Megatron -- the black model that looked like an actual gun), so the idea that he couldn't find the Ripkin card was nothing short of astonishing. It's like Indiana Jones NOT getting the idol in the beginning of "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

The reason why I'm writing about all this is because MSNBC is running a feature about the legend that is "Fuck Face" and it's actually a pretty good read. Also, it allowed me to type "Fuck Face" into my blog. I guess in some ways, I'm still 10.

Another Reunion Post...Really

2008-12-11T07:38:00.001-08:00

A few years ago, the Murder City Devils did a couple of reunion shows in Seattle, then some scattered dates. Today, Gabe announced that they were doing a west coast run from Seattle to Los Angeles. This is one reunion tour I can get behind because unlike some other bands (Get Up Kids and Park), they're not trying to shill out for any new or reissued material, but rather to relive their glory days of being that super drunk band. I plan on going to one these shows and if you even remotely liked this band, I would recommend on going, too.

[Related Videos]
Murder City Devils, "Idle Hands"

The Problem with the Wu

2008-12-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

I was fucking around on Nah Right earlier and I saw that there's yet another new Ghostface Killah disc coming out this week. Didn't he just release a new one last year? I'm a fan of Tony Starks and all, but can't we get a proper release date for Raekwon's Dr. Dre-produced "OB4CL2." I realize that for his sheer charisma alone, Ghostface is probably the most likeable member of the Wu, especially since RZA is pretty crazy and Method Man is too busy acting. But that's no excuse to flood the market with throwaway discs. While I have enjoyed "Fish Scale," it pales in comparison to Masta Kila's "No Said Date." Though this little rant has me thinking that a new Inspektah Deck solo album might receive a fairly warm welcome.

Review: Kevin Devine & the Goddamn Band, "I Could Be with Anyone"

2008-12-05T12:48:00.000-08:00

Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band
“I Could Be with Anyone”
(Self-Released)

Right now, this four-track Extended Player is available through Mr. Devine himself on his tour and through iTunes. Whether you believe in the service that Steve Jobs provides for people to download single tracks at a low price, there’s something to be said about the quality of the EP that’s presented, namely that it’s kind of awesome.

To be frank, Kevin Devine could fart over power chords and I’d still buy it. I have all of his records dating back from the early Miracle of 86 records all the way up to 2006’s “Put Your Ghost to Rest.” Serving as a bridge between the last full-length and his upcoming record, “Brothers Blood.”

Anyway, “I Could Be with Anyone” contains three great new studio tracks and a really bittersweet demo called “She Stayed as Steam.” This is probably one of my favorite recordings that has come out in the last year and I really can’t wait for Devine and Goddamn merry band to come out with that new record.

[Related Video]

Kevin Devine, "She Stayed as Steam"

FBR Signs Paramore Rip Off Band! Paramore Busy Counting $$$ to Care

2008-12-04T09:13:00.000-08:00

Isn't a little early for Paramore to have their own tribute band? Not for Floridians VersaEmerge, whose Microsoft-sounding name has earned them the honor of being signed to Paramore's label, Fueled by Ramen, who've been making money hand-over-fist by releasing audio abortions by the likes of equally poorly named bands like Cute is What We Aim For and Panic at the Disco.

I guess if I was in a band with Nicole Richie's little sister, I'd be pretty stoked too. But this kind of reminds me of when Drive Thru was the shit and then all their good bands either jumped ship or broke up and all they had left in the end was HelloGoodbye and that kid from the Early November.

Since Vinnie F. exited FBR, the quality of their bands have just taken the biggest nose dive since Amy Winehouse had a mirror and nose candy in front of her.

As a little pop-punk kid myself, I've always liked the releases on Fueled by Ramen like Jimmy Eat World's "EP," Home Grown's "EP Phone Home," Kane Hodder's re-release of their LP and The AKA's "White Doves and Smoking Guns." But this VersaEmerge shit? You guys can keep that one.

I guess with the rest of the record industry declining because they can't stop signing and promoting shitty bands and "artists" (yeah, 30h3 -- or whatever the fuck your name is -- I'm looking at you), FBR's best bet is to strike the Paramore iron while Hayley Williams' hair is still on fire, I mean, hot.

I've never been the biggest Paramore fan (or a fan at all) but even I think it's pretty tacky that FBR sign a band that sounds EXACTLY like their best selling band while they're still associated with the label (unlike Drive Thru who signed a billion screamo bands in the wake of Finch getting upstreamed to Geffen). And this is the only time that I'll ever admit this but...

Hayley > Nicole Richie's little sister from VistaStupidName

I guess Vinnie had the right idea by taking all his good bands and helping them find labels elsewhere and his new label, Paper & Plastik, an imprint that focuses on vinyl and digital relases, seems to follow where it's actually viable for record companies to stay afloat. I suppose in a few months FBR and their wranglers will actually be fueled by ramen. Or Cup O Noodles.

DL: That Dog, "Old Timer EP"

2008-11-26T15:22:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a post in BACKED WITH for a while now, but I'm going to bring it back. No joke. I have a ton of rare shit that I want to share with you guys. I can't promise that there will be constant posts, but I'm searching out quality out-of-print stuff for you cats.

To celebrate this, I'm putting up a rare and out-of-print EP by That Dog, a band that features Anna Waronker, Rachel and Petra Haden and Tony Maxwell. The quartet's super-cute brand of power-pop is something that I've found pretty comforting over the years and resurfaced when someone close to me reminded me of how awesome they were.

Anyway, here's the link. Enjoy (BTW, they're encoded as AAC files, so you'll have to convert them if you don't have iTunes).

That Dog -- Old Timer EP

Top 15 Records of 2008

2008-11-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

Every year I do this stupid list and this year, I was hard pressed to find anything decent that I immediately fell in love with. There were some fairly decent records, though.

1. Nas, "The Dreaded N-World/Untitled"
2. The Loved Ones, "Build and Burn"
3. 2*Sweet (RIP), "Sleep without Dreams"
4. Brighten, "Early Love EP"
5. City and Colour, "Bring Me Your Love"
6. Wale, "The Mixtape About Nothing"
7. Jake One, "White Van Music"
8. Solange Knowles, "Sol-Angel"
9. Horizon, "Demo 2008"
10. LaGrecia, "On Parallels"
11. Anthony Green, "Avalon"
12. Empires, "Howl"
13. Crime in Stereo, "Selective Wreckage"
14. A Loss for Words, "Webster Lake"
15. Gaslight Anthem, "The 59 Sound"

Review: Kanye West, "808s and Heartbreak"

2008-11-25T07:56:00.000-08:00

Taking a page from Roger Troutman (R.I.P.), Teddy Riley and Snoop, Kanye "Ye" West's newest album, "808s and Heartbreak" recalls the pinnacle of 80s and 90s R&B, utilizing the titular 808 drum sounds that was perfected by the likes of Riley, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Al B. Sure. That being said, this is probably the worst Kanye West record of all time.

I'm not sure how he went from being an underground sensation, producing for the likes of the Molemen to putting out a shit taco of an album. Now to be fair, the songs aren't terrible, but I think they would be better suited for dudes like Ne-Yo or Chris Brown, you know, guys who can actually sing.

West's voice is masked by autotune and a fucking vocoder so much that he totally sounds like a robot. I asked for an album, not "Wall-E," dude. Given the nature of the album and West's tepid attempt to be a hip-hop/R&B star (like R. Kelly), this album pretty much sucks. I don't give a shit what Pitchfork, EW or Newsweek or whoever says. From a hip-hop fan's perspective, this is on some "Blood Money" level of terrible. A turd with a bow tied around it is still a turd, guys.

Review: Twilight (Movie)

2008-11-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

Riverdales Announce New Album! Screeching Weasel Fans Rejoice!

2008-11-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

In light of the last post, a band that has broken up in the past, but reunited and has since taken long breaks in between records, The Riverdales, have announced that they're releasing a new record. So sez the Org:

"In his latest podcast, Ben Weasel has confirmed that he will be once again teaming up with Dan Vapid to record a new record as the Riverdales. The band, formed in the 90s by members of Screeching Weasel released a 1995's Riverdales and 1997's Storm The Streets before splitting up. They reunited in 2003 to release Phase Three.

The band has not yet named a drummer for the forthcoming album, but plans are for a release in 2009 with some live shows to follow."

The Ramones-inspired band is just one of the many reunions to occur (mostly of bands that I have given a shit about in the past), which leads me to believe that I should probably just start a reunion blog.

Anyway, I love Ben Weasel as a song writer and this reunion is one that is obviously not for the money, since very few people gave a shit about the Riverdales when they were semi-popular anyway.

[Related Video]
The Riverdales, "Back to You (Live)"

Thoughts on the Get Up Kids Reunion and Then Some

2008-11-18T11:23:00.000-08:00

I posted about the Get Up Kids impending reunion and little while back and since then, the band has indeed reunited in an impromptu performance (which you can see here) and my personal feelings on the matter has changed very little.

I suppose the inner fanboy in me is completely elated, but chiefly because the bands of the pop-punk persuasion that have been coming out of the woodwork these last few years, particularly in the wake of the Get Up Kids demise, has been pretty fucking dismal. Metro Station? Forever the Sickest Kids? A collective groan is most welcome.

Then again, as a purist, I feel that the band should've gotten back together under better circumstances, such as a benefit, rather than the 10 year anniversary of "Something to Write Home About." That particular album to me is a seminal recording, probably more so than "Four Minute Mile [1]," and yet their attempt to become relevant just falls flat and seems to really be a grasp at gaining back their popularity after the missteps that has been their post-TGUK careers [2].

Of course, I'm not a member of this band and I'm merely a person who is half-cynic and half-fan, so the intentions of this band getting back together outside of milking the "STWHA" reissue is beyond me. But the video doesn't lie and it looks to me that they're actually having fun, which is probably the best thing about those performance clips on the YouTubes.

This all begs the questions that I posed when Ozma annouced their reunion, why break up in the first place if you're going to get back together no more than three years later?

[1] Though "STWHA" is a personal favorite, I believe that "On a Wire" is their best album.

[2] It sucks neither Blackpool Lights, nor the New Amsterdams became more popular. Blackpool Lights' debut is still a favorite of mine and I've never dislked the New Ams or Matt Pryor's solo record.

SoulSchool Remixes

2008-11-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

This morning I was listening to one of the most underrated winter albums (more on this later), The Beatnuts' "Stone Crazy," when I was compelled to find the video for "Do You Believe," when I came up something labelled as a "SoulSchool Remix." Like most videos and random remixes you find on YouTube and MySpace, I didn't expect much, but the remix was actually pretty awesome. I listened to more of these remixes and I was pretty impressed. In the last few years, my favorite hip-hop producers have been these bedroom DJs who've recalled the halcyon days of people chopping up their own beats on shitty Tascam and Fostex 4-tracks and not overhyped names that shall currently remain nameless. Anyway, here are my favorite of the SoulSchool remixes.

Nas feat. Q-Tip, "One Love"

Big L, "Put it On"

Alicia Keys, "You Don't Know My Name"

Masta Ace, Buckshot and Special Ed, "Crooklyn Dodgers"

Beatnuts, "Do You Believe"

related links:
SoulSchool Myspace

Come Widdit: A Loss for Words

2008-10-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

A Loss for Words
From: Boston
Sounds Like: A campfire singalongs with the hXc crowd

I had the opportunity to see Boston upstarts A Loss for Words last week when they opened for Four Year Strong's current headlining run. Personally, it's difficult to sell me on a pop-punk band these days. They all seem to have some gimmick, which is typically highlighted by disgustingly designed bright t-shirts. For every five bands that seem like they're full of shit, there's a band like A Loss for Words, who thrive off of the kind of honesty and earnest aesthetic that has created longtime careers for third and fourth wave pop-punk bands like New Found Glory, Alkaline Trio and Lawrence Arms.

Taking a cue from likeminded bands such as Fireworks and First to Leave, A Loss for Words have their feet planted in the hardcore-cum-pop-punk, as showcased by former genre stalwarts like Lifetime and Gorilla Biscuits. And this was just their live show.

The EP that I picked up, "Webster Lake," reminded me of stuff that the Ataris used to do when they were good. The five track acoustic EP is just a smattering of the band's potential. To get the full effect, you have to watch them engage with the crowd and you can see that they're feeling what they're singing about.

This is a band that you don't want to miss out on.

[Related Links]
A Loss for Words -- MySpace
A Loss for Words, "Hot Hand in a Dice Game"

Full Circle

2008-10-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

My first official published review for the Seattle Times' Mirror was a review of this really lackluster album that MC Breed put out back in 1996. It was so great that the disc had a date with Cellophane Square a few years later. Anyway, I was uploading a ton of shit onto my iPod the other night and I came across the best MC Breed song of all time. Recognize:

where in the world is ryan pangiaiedjklajdsjsj;jajjkak?

2008-10-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

Obviously I've been really bad at posting here. I've flirted with killing this blog, but I kind of like it. It's been running for such a long time that stopping it now would be in poor taste. That being said, I'm going to post on here every now and then. My personal goal will be to do it once a week and it will continue to go back up as a result.

Anyway, I post quite a few times on my personal tumblr blog and for the Seattle Examiner (or is that Examiner: Seattle?), and as always, NW Asian Weekly and Redefine publish the print version of my researched, professional bits.

So if you do see any new posts for a while, don't get all worried like Motley Crue kidnapped me on some "Almost Famous"-type shit (oh, though how I wish...). I'm just working a ton and I have no internet connection at home. Blame Comcast.

Common (Sense) vs. K-Salaam & Beatnick

2008-10-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

Nahright.com posted this video earlier that features a new remix of Common's seminal 1994 single, "I Used to Love H.E.R." by K-Salaam and Beatnick. Overall, it's not bad. I think that I'm pretty much in love with the O.G. version and it's a hard act to follow, particularly since it's had years to find a place in everyone's heart. Shit, it was even the basis for that underrated Taye Diggs movie, "Brown Sugar."

Still, this is a hard-hitting joint and I'll actually give it a pass because the duo rework the song enough without completely bastardizing it. That being said, I won't be too happy if someone decides to take a stab at "93 Till Infinity."

(the) Gaslight Anthem

2008-09-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

So I finally stopped being lazy and picked up the Gaslight Anthem's album last night.

Meh.

It's not terrible by any means. Some of the lyrics are kind of dumb and it's pretty obvious that the songwriters in this band really, really love Bruce Springsteen. In fact, there's one song that totally steals the tune from "Dancer in the Dark." But then again, compared to what passes off as "punk" these days, it's pretty dang good.

Anyway, I'm still listening to it right now to see if there's anything else amazing about this band, but so far...nothing. Maybe this record will be a slow burn and I'll find myself revisiting it in three months.

Come Widdit: One Small Step for Landmines

2008-09-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

One Small Step for Landmines
Location: Florida
Sounds Like: Breaking Pangaea meets Power-Pop (Wait, weren't they a power-pop band to begin with?)

I first heard of this band earlier this year when I was interviewing Jim Ward from Sleepercar/Sparta and I was looking at the band's sparse merch table and there was a smattering of items, including CDs from bands on Ward's Civil Defense League imprint. I thought, "One Small Step for Landmines? That's a pretty cool name." Then I continued to chat up Ward.

I didn't really get around to listening to this band until I was listening to Sleepercar on Myspace and I remember this Landmine band. The image on their Myspace was of this skinny kid who looked like a regular Orgcore dude. What I heard was some pretty well played, peppy power-pop.

As far as the Breaking Pangaea comparison goes, like the Philly-based band, One Small Step for Landmines has some really intricate guitar and bass parts and it's pretty obvious that these guys have a mathematical mind with it comes to writing songs, as opposed to throwing out hooks, breakdowns and choruses everywhichway.

I don't know of too many pop bands like these guys, but they're a real gem and I highly recommend their debut self-titled album to counteract the brooding mood that fall usually brings.

[Related Links]
One Small Step for Landmines on Purevolume

2008-09-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

i love the get up kids. apparently, they're reuniting and i'll probably watch them, but i don't think this revisit to the past will eclipse the way i felt the first time i saw them play back in 1999. as hard as you try, you can't be 18 forever.

uh-uh-updates

2008-09-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

man, it's been a minute since i wrote in this thing.

i feel like stella's finally getting her groove back this week. a few weeks ago, nw asian weekly ran a profile i wrote about judge marianne spearman, who went on to win the lion's share of votes during the king county primary and solidfied her place as a superior court judge. i also wrote a bunch of sweet reviews for redefine and, as always, i lay down the funk on my trusty tumblr.

but lately, most of my writing efforts have been for my next (untitled) book, as well as the print-to-screen adaptation of a war torn letter. i don't know if any other writer has had the kind of issue that i've had with the latter, in which i find myself constantly revising the story. i feel like by the time i get to a workable draft of war torn: the movie, it will be much different.

seattle summer

2008-08-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

For the few of you who remember, "Almost Live" was this long-running sketch comedy show that was based here in Seattle. It was basically one inside joke after another, but it did feature people who would eventually rocket to superstardom (namely: Bill Nye and dudes from Soundgarden, Nirvana, etc etc.) Anyway, I came across this little gem via the youtubes (embbed was disabled, so you have to click the link).

Come Widdit: Empires

2008-08-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

Empires
Location: Chicago, IL
Sounds Like: Your new favorite band

I don’t think I did a very good job trying to describe Empires, but they’re really one of those bands that you’ll get into once you listen to them. Having gained an instant fanbase by boasting a former member of the Academy Is…, Empires is not your run-of-mill pop-punk band. Shit, they’re not even a pop-punk band. On their self-released album, “Howl,” they wear their influences all over their collective sleeves: “Modern Love” is equal parts Elvis Costello and the Police, “Believe” sounds like the Beatles redux, “Spit the Dark” is a less frenetic take on Joy Division or Depeche Mode. That being said, Empires is also one of the most refreshing rock bands in some time.

Like Phantom Planet, Empires is really difficult to peg down in terms of appeal. They can play for the hipsters as much as they can play for the Warped Tour set; they could be your brother’s favorite band or your mom’s. I don’t think I’ve heard too many bands like these guys who can have such a wide fanbase. It’s possible that due to Tom Conrad’s role as guitarist, it would be easy for some narrow minded person to say, “Hey I bet that will sound like that other pop-punk band,” and they’ll spend their career dodging the pop-punk bullet (like Brand New). But I don’t see that. Empires have taken a huge risk by not only self-releasing a record, but by creating a record that is so chameleon-like in nature, I doubt people will try to ask them to play Blink 182 covers.

Related Links:

Empires (Official Site)

Empires Myspace

YOU! BUY REDEFINE! NOW!!!1!

2008-08-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

the new issue of redefine is out. i contributed some interviews with 2*sweet and sleepercar for it, but there's also a really awesome feature about polaroid film and a great interview with one of my favorite bands of all time, saves the day. get one from the redefine webstore or one of the locations listed here.

Summer Jams Video Series: Dove Shack, "Summertime in the LBC"

2008-08-08T07:30:00.001-07:00

Does this video even need an introduction? Dudes, it's "Summertime in the LBC!"

slapping fools in the face just for living

2008-08-05T07:56:00.001-07:00

so a couple nights ago, i posted some shit about why "high school musical" sucks (here's a quick version: "hsm" doesn't have too many non-white kids and it's a glorification of an institution that breaks your spirit and there's no reason why anybody over the age of 15 should like it). long story short: kids got pissed. they jumped to the defense of their favorite whitebread heroes and burned crosses in the name of mickey (okay, i made that last part up, but you get the point).

the former, however, was true and i personally think that kids should be embarrassed for supporting such a film that promotes being a dunderhead.

here are the facts: "high school musical" is not like real life; hell, high school isn't like real life. high school is stupid. the only reason why i would want to go back to high school is just to see if the thing that i left in the panel above my locker is still there (apologies to whoever got stuck with locker number 423).

i have these ideals and i like to rattle the cages, other people seem to have the same idea about teenagers today. save the empire, damn the man.

TOMORROW NIGHT!!! MORE PROMOTION!!!1!

2008-07-30T10:19:00.001-07:00

TOMORROW NIGHT!!! @ Chop Suey, 9 pm, $5, 21+
“Basement Sessions” Release Show featuring:

Dawhud (my favorite emcee since Skee-Lo!)
Nam (proprietor of 2-0-sick)
Can U (kick it? yes, we can)
The Let Go (like the Ultimates, but not…)
Likeminded (Burien duo’s reunion performance. Bill Nye the Science Guy meets Styles of Beyond)
Hosted by: Luvva J (best stage name since Mike Hunt)
DJ’d by: Ryan Fresh (former ITF Contestant, mixtape fanatic and Gilmore Girls fan)

Summer Jams Video Series: The Rocking Horse Winner, "Miss You"

2008-07-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

Before Hayley Williams paramore'd her way into the hearts of teenage America, Florida's Rocking Horse Winner were continuing the tradition of power-pop female fronted bands like That Dog and (latter era) Save Ferris with their sacchrine-induced romantic jams. Though the band has since disbanded, you can find their sophomore album, "Horizon," at most stores, and sadly, in the used section.

FLAVALICIOUS 95!! (I mean, 2008!)

2008-07-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

NEW MIXTAPe! y0! Download it!!!

1. Jackson 5, “It’s Great to Be Here”/Intro
2. Bad Boy All Stars, “All About the Benjamins”/Love Unlimited, “I Did it For Love”
3. Blackstreet, “No Diggity (Ryan Fresh remix)”
4. Vybe, “Warm Summer Daze”
5. Nas, “If I Ruled the World”
6. Pete Rock & CL Smooth, “I Got a Love”
7. Showbiz & AG, “Soul Clap”
8. Classic Example, “It’s Alright”
9. Mariah Carey & Ol Dirty Bastard, “Fantasy (Bad Boy Remix)”
10. Gangstar/Nice & Smooth, “DWYCK”
11. 7669, “Joy”
12. 702, “Where My Girls At?”/Outro

the new blog (again)

2008-07-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

So, I've been keeping this underwraps for a little while, but I'm the new Asian Community columnist for Seattle Examiner. Read it for informative talky talk about the local Asian community (and where I don't make fun of shitty bands).

Review: Nas, "Untitled"

2008-07-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

Nas
“The Unmentionable N-Word Album aka Untitled”
(Def Jam)

Nas hasn’t been a fresh voice for at least 14 years, but nonetheless, when you hear his slight raspy vocals, you know you’re in for a treat. As I was commenting to a friend last night, even Nas’ terrible records, would be a mediocre record for another rapper. I think it’s safe to say that there will never be another “Illmatic.” It doesn’t matter if he titles his next album “Nas-matic” or “Killmatic” or “I Need to Milk Nostalgia to Feed my Kids-matic.” The idea that a 30-something Nas will sound just as hungry as a 19 year old version of himself is absolutely silly.

Because of this notion, the litmus test on grading Nas has shifted the last five years; it’s become less about whether he can recreate the magic of an early 90’s hip-hop opus, and whether he’s still relevant and topical. That being said, “Untitled” might be one of the best of Nas’ recent releases.

The album’s proper starter, “You Can’t Stop Us Now,” is pretty much what you’re going to get throughout the record – thought provoking lyrics, crushing samples and the addition of great guest artists (in this case it was Eban Thomas of the Stylistics and the Last Poets). The generic production on “Breathe” makes it trite enough for radio airplay and the incendiary “Sly Fox” will have you asking for INS to deport Rupert Murdoch.

The legend of Nas is not only cemented in the fact that he’s the only lasting heir apparent to Rakim, but that his career changing approach to becoming a commentator to rile up Americans everywhere allows him to avoid becoming a shell of his former self. Unlike his contemporary, Jay-Z, Nas hasn’t concentrated on backdoor corporate deals (FILA sponsorship notwithstanding) or tried to crafted a boring concept album based on a movie that nobody saw – he wants people to know that he’s pissed, and that THEY should be pissed, too.

Overall, the production on “Untitled” is uneven – at times there’s a lot of promise and other times, it falls pretty flat. But Nas has steered himself to the point where it’s not really about the production, but rather about what he’s saying over those jumbled samples and drum loops that makes all the difference. Nas may be one of the few rappers who could get away with rapping over the most terrible beat in the entire universe and still walk out with his career intact.

“Untitled” is not “Illmatic” or even “It Was Written,” but it’s still worth a listen, particularly if you’re seeking a soundtrack for these turbulent political times.

Bonus Video:

Be a (Dreaded N-Word), Too [Unreleased]

I Can't Believe They Got Signed: Fonzworth Bentley

2008-07-15T15:35:00.000-07:00

Universally known as Diddy's manservant and perhaps the precursor to Kanye's impeccable fashionable style, it was just a matter of time before Fonzworth Bentley was awarded his own record deal. He's been working on some record or another for a few years now and the song, "Everybody" is the first that I've heard of it.

I realize that it's all the rage to be somebody's weed carrier and get signed and put out a brick of an album (see: Rampage, Fatal Hussein and all of G-Unit) and at times they will eclipse their mentor (see: Jim Jones, The Game). Manservants, particularly of Bentley's fantastic demeanor, don't really fit into this category; and it doesn't mean that homedude should have his own album, either.

Not to say that "Everybody" sucks because it doesn't. It's just a really weak song that reminds me of the Soul Glo song from "Coming to America," or a random Ready for the World song.

Everybody

Soul Glo

Busta "Roid Rage" Rhymes Ethers That Guy from Gym Class Heroes; the World Isn't Surprised

2008-07-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

The new Gym Class Heroes song, "Peace Sign/Index Down" features Busta Rhymes, who's probably the most notorious guest rapper for ether-ing you on your own song, bested perhaps by Ol' Dirty Bastard, who -- unlike 2Pac -- didn't record enough material to see posthumous guest vocals outside of Rhymefest's buttercup joint. Don't worry, Travis, it's a rookie mistake.

Gym Class Heroes getting Sonned by Bussa Buss "That Song About a Middle Finger"

Craig Mack featuring Biggie, Rampage, LL and Busta, "Flava in Ya Ear (Remix)"

B-Real, Coolio, Method Man, Uncle L, Busta Rhymes, "Hit Em High"

Tribe Called Quest featuring Leaders of the New School, "Scenario"

Every Popular Rapper from 1994/95, "The Points"

MC Offensive Name Sons Your Favorite Rappers

2008-07-12T23:02:00.000-07:00

Some emcee colorfully named Japcity has a song called "Operation: Purse Snatcher," which is basically a seven minute Lil' Wayne diss. Chock full of homophobic and racial slurs, I can hardly call it the greatest hip-hop song of all time, but at the same time, Lil' Wayne sucks.

More Self-Promotion

2008-07-11T07:30:00.001-07:00

I'm DJing this mother. I'll bring my new mixtape, if you bring da rukus.

Summer Jams Video Series: Skee-Lo, "I Wish"

2008-07-10T07:37:00.001-07:00

I mentioned this the other day in my favorite anti-Katy Perry post and so I felt the need to give Skee-Lo his own post because, let's face it, that song was the jam back in 1995; I would even put this one over Boyz II Men's "Vibin' (Remix)."

I Can't Believe They Got Signed: Katy Perry

2008-07-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

[I Can't Believe They Got Signed is my new feature in which we discuss why an artist shouldn't have released an album and why the current record model is rapidly heading to ruin]

The Offender: Katy Perry
The Evidence: I Kissed a Girl
Perfect Jury: Jill Sobule, Kathleen Hanna, Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, Grace Slick, Kira Roessler

Katy Perry, with her husky voice and Zooey Deschanel doppelganger looks, is the summer’s biggest star, placing her in the upper echelons of other summer anthem makers such as Skee-Lo, Montell Jordan, New Radicals, Vitamin C, Len, Wheatus and Dynamite Hack. The thing about being one of those acts is that if you’re not relegated to Reality TV shows with other D-List celebrities or county fairs, then you’re career is pretty much over (and hey, I liked Skee-Lo’s album).

Perry’s overproduced debut album, with its girlicious single “I Kissed a Girl,” is currently being shucked-and-jived for the Warped Tour crowd, who apparently are just as vapid as Perry herself. Perry’s image – a walking American Apparel billboard – is pretty much the only thing she has going for her. Hell, she could’ve made a fairly respectable “career” being a muse for one of those internet photographers like The Cobrasnake (God knows he’s probably sick of that Cory Kennedy and Steve “The New Long Duc Dong” Aoki).

Instead, Perry’s antics as a musical siren resulted in a plastic disc that costs $2 to manufacture and we’re expected to pay $13+ for. Bullshit. The mere existence of Katy Perry as a musical act is akin to Michael Bay’s existence as a film director. They both have respective roles in entertainment and people pay their hard earned money to indulge themselves in these atrocities that pass themselves off as art, when at the end of the day, it’s really a trite peace of crap with nothing new to offer to the masses.

Katy Perry and her album, the over-sexualized, “One of the Boys,” is the kind of deplorable waste that’s destined for the $.99 dust bin. It spits in the face of women who’ve made strides in popular music despite the male domineering environment (see: 7 Year Bitch, Bikini Kill, or even Eisley). The faux girl power atmosphere that Perry offers is not unlike Foxy Brown and Lil’ Kim’s “sex-as-a-weapon” mantra.

Then again, this time next year, there will probably be some new chanteuse who’s making the hits, while Perry plots out a tour with the likes of Bif Naked (Google that name).

Summer Jams Video Series: Less Than Jake, "All My Best Friends Are Metalheads"

2008-07-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

I figure I'm going to catch a ton of shit for posting this, but fuck it, this song is awesome.

Review: Alkaline Trio, "Agony & Irony"

2008-06-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Alkaline Trio
“Agony & Irony”
(Epic)

Highlighted by their recent appearance by everyone’s favorite fictitious reality sitcom, “The Hills,” the Alkaline Trio backlash couldn’t be any stronger. How many Orgcore kids could this band lose with the following atrocities:

Signing to a major
Showing up on a vapid television show
Getting a signature Nike sneaker

Yet for all that bullshit, it really comes down to the music and Alkaline Trio have made another solid record. The thing about these (mostly) Chicago natives is that they’re pretty consistent when it comes to making albums. They seldom disappoint because they’re notorious for essentially writing the same songs over again.

That’s not to take anything away from Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano or Derek Grant as songwriters; shit, Lagwagon, 7 Seconds and The Ramones were made to be legends off of writing the same tunes for every record.

“Agony & Irony” is extremely catchy and just as grand as their last studio effort, “Crimson.” “Calling All Skeletons” and “Love Love, Kiss Kiss” are going to be the summer’s best pop-punk songs.

There’s nothing spectacular about this album, but it is comforting that no matter how hard kids think these dudes are selling out, they can still manage to piece together a listenable album.

Bonus Vid: Ak3's Shoe Commercial

Summer Jams Video Series: Boogiemonsters, "Honeydips in Gotham (Remix)" and Masta Ace INC, "The INC Ride"

2008-06-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

One of the best part about summer jams is that they're built to be anthems. Whether they're topically about ladies (or mens) and partying, they serve to bring together all types of different people to celebrate the human spirit.

Boogiemonsters' "Honeydips in Gotham" was their second single and was lost amidst a sea of other notable hip-hop groups who (though were regarded as flashes in the collective pan) released something of substance in 1995, which was perhaps the last great year for hip-hop.

Masta Ace's "The INC Ride" was also released in 1995 and freaks the same Isley Brothers sample as the Boogiemonsters song. Unlike the Boogiemonsters' jam, Masta Ace's entry into summer jam status is built on chillin' and driving around in your sick ride. In any event, it's still a great song to listen to while you have the AC blasting on your face.

Boogiemonsters, "Honeydips in Gotham"

Masta Ace Incorporated, "The INC Ride"

Bonus: The Isley Brothers, "For the Love of You"

Download MY Book!

2008-06-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

Two years later, I'm making this crap available for you to download.

If enough people are interested in it, I'm going to self-publish it and then you can have a physical copy you can sell to a used book store.

Enjoy

A WAR TORN LETTER (pdf)

Rivers Acknowledges "Pinkerton"; Indie Rock Fans in their Late 20's Sigh Comfortably

2008-06-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

I snagged a promo copy of Weezer's latest self-titled album (colorfully dubbed "The Red Album") a little over a month ago and I never got around to writing about it because, quite frankly, it didn't really impress me. It was a huge improvement from the misstep that was "Make Believe," but it didn't do much to whet my appetite. My quick rundown is whatever Brian Bell's song is called was my favorite track and that "Pork and Beans" is clear on its way to becoming the new "Gangsta's Paradise" [1].

Weezer's always been a band that's had a strange relationship with their audience. At its best, fans could find themselves at a local skatepark watching the members of the band (Pat) try to skate along with some kids, or playing foosball against them in a grudge match of sorts. At their worst, the ever elusive, Rivers Cuomo, refused to recognize the other members' side projects (Space Twins, the Special Goodness) and the fans collective love of "Pinkerton."

Recently, the band put together Weezer Hootenanny, in which they invited several hundred people to bring instruments and jam with them. There is some video evidence on Youtube, most notably Scott doing a heartfelt rendition of Radiohead's "Creep" [2].

More interesting is the fact that Rivers is wearing an XXL-sized "Pinkerton" t-shirt. Over the last few years, it seems as though Cuomo and gang are warming up to the mega-failure, yet most fawned over record, that was their sophomore release. Just as Liz Phair has pledged to play "Exit to Guyville" in its entirety, maybe a performance of "Pinkerton" isn't too far off.

[1] In as much as you'll get sick of the song come September, but every time you hear it afterwards will conjure fond memories of the summer of 2008.

[2] Eat a dick, Prince.

Bonus Vids:

Creep

Island in the Sun

Pork and Beans

Summer Jam Video Series: Fenix TX, "All My Fault"

2008-06-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard this song was actually in the fall of 1999 (or was it '98?). In any event, it gets summer jam status because the following summer, James and I went to see Blink, Bad Religion and Fenix TX. No more had they barely strummed their guitars before we found ourselves engulfed in a sea of white girls and their boyfriends. I'm surprised we made it out alive.

Summer Jams Video Series: DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, "Summertime"

2008-06-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today (or is it tomorrow?) is the Summer Soltice, so as the season progresses, I will be posting some of my favorite summer jams (all the while, compiling my next mixtape). The first is a pretty obvious entry, yet it is the definitive song for those of us who are in their mid-to-late-20's and remember a simpler time, like when Malcolm Jamal Warner was a big influence in my quest for personal style.

tha vacation blog

2008-06-11T10:02:00.001-07:00

Usually around this time of the year, I spout off my favorite records of the year so far. I'm not going to do that. I am, however, going to let you know that there will be a week of inactivity since I'm going to Chicago next week (Alkaline Trio and Wayne Campbell what up?).

I am working on a summer jams mixtape under the Ryan Fresh moniker and my ongoing acoustic project, yaTp, finally has an EP that will sound listenable.

Otherwise, here are the records that I'm feeling right now:

2*Sweet, "Sleep without Dreams"
This Time Next Year, "A Place For You"
Kevin Devine, "Daytrotter Sessions"
LL Cool J, "Return of the GOAT"
Saturday Knights
Nas, "The Dreaded N-Word Mixtape"
City and Colour, "Bring Me Your Love"

stay off the crack r.i.p.

2008-06-10T22:16:00.001-07:00

it's been a long time coming. i kept it around so you guys could read my food journals or the funny aiden posts, but it needed to die.

now i have this

Review: 2*Sweet, "Sleep Without Dreams"

2008-05-30T22:58:00.000-07:00

2*Sweet
“Sleep Without Dreams”
(C. Walrus)

Last week, I chatted it up with Justin Pence, 2*Sweet’s singer, for an upcoming feature in the next issue of Redefine. In the interview, Pence mentioned that labels weren’t necessarily knocking on their door; “It takes people a while to stomach us and we’ve come to grips with that,” said Pence. And it’s true, unfortunately. The reality is that 2*Sweet’s amalgam of hardcore, pop, metal and punk has the potential to be a giant clusterfuck, but it walks away as its own epic rock genre.

“Sleep Without Dreams,” the band’s full-length debut, is chock full of great pop jams such as “Rested Eyes Tell No Lies,” “Miss You,” and “Bury Me in the Lovers’ Graveyard,” as well as some heavier songs like “Friends Till the Weekend” and “Dateless for Armageddon.” There’s even a 90’s style quiet-storm song in “Tarantula Perfume.”

The album is driven by Pence’s operatic vocal range and vivid lyrical imagery, which can best be compared to other great musical storytellers like Nas and Eric Clapton. Yet at the same time, it’s Pence’s schizophrenic vocal choices that make the album a little harder to swallow. But if you’re able to get around that, then you’d be in for a treat of an album. It’s possible that “Sleep Without Dreams” is a major contender for the best album of the year – it’s just up to the kids to jump on it now before 2*Sweet starts playing stadiums.

Review: Spark is a Diamond, "Try This On For Size"

2008-05-24T07:22:00.001-07:00

Spark is a Diamond

"Try This On For Size"

(Pluto/East West)

Former Come Widdit band, Spark is a Diamond's new debut album, "Try This On For Size," is one of those few records that rides the thin line of really great and mediocre. For bands who chronically suffer from this (such as Comeback Kid and Rise Against) all it takes is one song and for Spark is a Diamond that song is "____ ____ Has a Deathwish."

Early on in their 24 minute debut, Spark is a Diamond comes running out at the gates. The band's well constructed and well produced tracks like "Check Your Lease, You're In Fuck City" and "Try This On For Size" are exciting and fresh enough to make anyone a believer. The steam tends to run out by the time you hit their cover of Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It," but make no mistake, this is still a very solid album.

For all the trappings that could turn them into another run-of-the-mill hipster hardcore band, Spark is a Diamond is great at writing songs and it shows all over "Try This On For Size." The vocal back-and-forth between singer Alison Bellavance and guitarist Matt Boylan are often well-timed and band's inclusion of electronic effects makes you forget that there is no bass player [1]. All in all "Try This On For Size" is a strong record and I'm interested in seeing what the band has up their sleeves in the future.

[1] Probably because I'm a bass player, but I have issues with most bass-less bands, except for these kids; they actually work better without one.

ruining my favorite comics

2008-05-18T13:43:00.001-07:00

last week, james and i saw "forgetting sarah marshall" and the trailer for "wanted" played before the flick. ugh.

for those of you who aren't total nerds, "wanted" was this sweet comic by mark millar that was about a secret league of assassins; this movie makes said group look like a bunch of pussies with morgan freeman as (probably) the only redeeming quality of the flick. angelina jolie's in it but she tends to ruin movies for me (except for "hackers").

a few years ago, mark millar expressed interest in getting eminem to play the lead guy, which would've been much better since homedude looks like marshall mathers in the comic.

anyway, this trailer did not look appealing at all. what a crock of shit.