Part I (draft)
Sometimes I get the feeling that we’re all just protecting ourselves because that is all there is left to protect. At college (the institution), the competition is stringent and rightfully so as the instructors are particularly discerning in even what constitutes a spectacular student and ‘just’ a good one. Perhaps this microcosm that is the institution is a reflection of the greater and even more depressing reality but per my scruples, may I avoid digressing further as I have already—I have not yet explored sufficiently the world that surrounds me. I am however quite confident that the institution is the vehicle of the so-called “American equality,” not in the sense that it is actually an egalitarian method for creating a single class social structure but in the sense that it gives just about everyone hope and opportunity. Oftentimes I find hope quite the vague concept and ‘America, the land of opportunity’ sickeningly cliché—to understand this equality then, it is crucial that we do not misconstrue it as everyone is also everyone. To clarify, not everyone is equal but most everyone has an equal opportunity and hence the beauty of American social mobility.
Recently a good friend of mine linked me to his blog. Like most adolescents the topics of discussion revolved around friends, interests in girls, rejection from girls, misunderstanding women, angst, but the most recent post of the 6 or 8 posts total held a related discussion on the institution. Now, the blog even with its dearth of posts sufficiently balanced itself with overlong prose, it was also riddled with grammatical and spelling errors and interspersed with gaps of reasoning and logic—needless to say, it was a largely imperfect affair. At the same time, it held in its voice the simple honesty and down-to-earth posture of a best friend speaking to his confidant—if I may, the post is arguably a stream-of-consciousness piece in the truest sense of the term. Perhaps this was why he had made it ‘private’ and limited the amount of users viewing his thoughts—after all we’re all just protecting ourselves these days. Possibly the most ironic twist is that in introspection it is the institution that has most helped hone my skills in manipulating the ever-malleable instrument that is the English language into what is seen here—a veil blanket over a disfigured child of my thoughts. Again, with the cumbersome metaphor, disposable simile, and overly-florid imagery...
After perusing the post, I had come to the conclusion that we had much in common. In the “post,” he called the competition at the institution “fierce.” He also complains in a blunt manner that the instructors here “suck (which I disagree somewhat).” Most importantly, he recognizes that he feels out-of-place. From a purely utilitarian standpoint, it can be assumed to that he too is here only for a chance at elevating himself within the social ladder because all this education and preparation and tests and courses and reading certainly does not help people discover themselves as so many have claimed. Discovering yourself through the educational system rarely occurs if ever and it is just a modest euphemism for, ‘Fuck yes, I had a 4.0 GPA and graduated from an Ivy League. With my degree in Astrophysics, I make millions and get blowjobs during my lunch break from underdeveloped high school chicks.’ Forgive the exaggerated parody, I only hope to illustrate my point—the goal is simple and universal. Generally, everyone is the same, therefore everyone is protecting themselves—their goals and interests. But while I agree with many of his key points, our ideas do eventually diverge. Unlike my friend, I understood that the institution would be a logical and consequently more demanding next step in the educational system so the increased challenge was to be expected. Competition I suppose is actually beneficial in that it creates an environment which catalyzes advancement in the myriad fields contained within any institution. What I did not expect was that I would flounder from its sheer magnitude and that I would not be able to mentally adapt to my newfound context.
On my journey, I have found people like my friend who is similar in predicament as I but I have also found people that succeed at just about every level of the institution. To those people, I would like to express my sincere respect for you and your accomplishments because I know there are many sacrifices that must be made in any process that results in success. To my professors, I express a similar reverence. Although I confess that I make comparisons to between me and others, some purely based on academic performance, these comparisons have little consequence—most of the time, I am just aware and I seldom alter myself because of how others do. What needs to be understood is that my experiences here do not speak for the experiences of others.
In my narcissism I shall revert the focus of the effects of the institution to myself. To further my self-indulgence, I shall say this: I am thoroughly frustrated with the institution but even more so, I am frustrated in my inadequacy, my incompetence. Every time I bemoan these frustrations, the coincident of wishful thinking occurs—I’ll do better next time. Optimism are of parental origin I assume because my parents have never let up hope on me—this I take solace in. Tran, who is a high school friend of mine, occasionally calls me to wish me academic wellness. This I also take solace in. His enthusiastic extroversion regarding the institution is something to behold as is his successes in Cal Poly Pomona. By reasoning with me, he concludes that only by extinguishing my reliance on the internet would I be allowed to potentially succeed in the institution. His admonishments and encouragement are meaningful and logical. Perhaps, my troubles do stem from my reliance on the internet—maybe it is time to acknowledge that I have a chronic addiction to the online contraption but this oversimplification is a misstep in reasoning.
At this junction, please allow me to quote Gnarls Barkley,
“Everybody is somebody but nobody wants to be themselves… Whenever you want to understand yourself, you got to talk to somebody else,”
“Why is this my life? That’s probably everybody’s question… and I’ve tried everything but suicide but yeah it’s crossed my mind”
At this point, I think I’ve reached the coming prelude of nadir because I have sunk low and I only hope to live until I experience a meaningful climax in life. The inclusion of lyrics in this discussion is admittedly jarring but their simplicity beautifully encapsulates the goal of the institution, which is to change ourselves and my having invested more than a year into institution realizes that, for lack of a better word, even within the context of the institution nothing is easy—there are no shortcuts.
They say the soul’s organ lives inside the head—I can hear it swelling it up with uncertainty. It’s easy to lump yourself into the group that had so much potential. There’s the much alluded ‘failure to live up to his potential.’ It must be difficult for anybody to confront that and come to terms with it.
Neither the lyrics nor the lazy moral-of-the-story interlude serve as the topics of discussion however, they do highlight my deterrent psychology.
I realize these are nothing more than scattered ideas and subplots—I’m just trying to be honest like my friend (name withheld). There is a pop song that somehow parallels my frustration. (How embarrassing to have life relayed through a fleeting pop song?) Like most pop songs, it is a song about a broken relationship. The male counterpart is thoroughly frustrated and we hear it from his standpoint. The song is called “The Past is a Grotesque Animal.” How unlikely that a pop song about a heartbreak could somehow relate to my situation—very. My relationship with the institution has been a longstanding one and through most of its course has been fruitful and even rewarding.
(To be continued)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
First Installment
Good/Decent/Crap
Good: Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer
Best Song(s): The Past is a Grotesque Animal, She is a Rejecter
Comments: Kevin Barnes churns out goofy concept album after concept album but with Hissing Fauna it all becomes personal--the album was supposedly the product of his breakup with his wife. For the trivia inclined, the name of the band is also a reference for one of Barnes' failed romances with a lady from Montreal. Incidentally, most of Of Montreals' albums were comprised of songs of short narratives, instead Hissing Fauna relies on an autobiographical approach. The pop-funk is especially rewarding and climaxes at the centerpiece song, The Past is a Grotesque Animal which clocks in at an unwieldy 12 minutes. For pop sensibility's sake, Barnes, word of advice, it would help you don't reference 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," "The Story of the Eye" and use the word parhelion and that's just one song! I literally had to crack open a dictionary. The vocals are bleak with the effective use of contrasting upbeat melodies.
Decent: Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
Best Song(s): The Stars, The Magic Position, Accident Emergency, Overture
Comments: The Magic Position is a hit-and-miss ordeal. By the second half of the album, the sound seems tired and tedious. Wolf loses his enthusiasm. The great songs are great but the fillers are obvious too.
Crap: The Fray - How to Save a Life
Best Song(s): How to Save a Life
Comments: Perhaps the Fray suffer most from unoriginality. How to Save a Life is perhaps one of the most derivative works to hit record store shelves. It is not a requirement to reinvent music but so many have done this kind of album and done it so much better. The vocals are sufficient and the backing instrumentation also proficient but the result is flat. There is little depth in what the Fray strives to be an album of pop love songs. In fact, much of the songs sound the same that it is difficult to select a 'best song.' Unless the marketing executives are really going to push this, I highly doubt this will ever be popular.
I assure you, I've listened to these thoroughly and to their entirety.
-dwa9 "First Installment"
Good: Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer
Best Song(s): The Past is a Grotesque Animal, She is a Rejecter
Comments: Kevin Barnes churns out goofy concept album after concept album but with Hissing Fauna it all becomes personal--the album was supposedly the product of his breakup with his wife. For the trivia inclined, the name of the band is also a reference for one of Barnes' failed romances with a lady from Montreal. Incidentally, most of Of Montreals' albums were comprised of songs of short narratives, instead Hissing Fauna relies on an autobiographical approach. The pop-funk is especially rewarding and climaxes at the centerpiece song, The Past is a Grotesque Animal which clocks in at an unwieldy 12 minutes. For pop sensibility's sake, Barnes, word of advice, it would help you don't reference 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," "The Story of the Eye" and use the word parhelion and that's just one song! I literally had to crack open a dictionary. The vocals are bleak with the effective use of contrasting upbeat melodies.
Decent: Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
Best Song(s): The Stars, The Magic Position, Accident Emergency, Overture
Comments: The Magic Position is a hit-and-miss ordeal. By the second half of the album, the sound seems tired and tedious. Wolf loses his enthusiasm. The great songs are great but the fillers are obvious too.
Crap: The Fray - How to Save a Life
Best Song(s): How to Save a Life
Comments: Perhaps the Fray suffer most from unoriginality. How to Save a Life is perhaps one of the most derivative works to hit record store shelves. It is not a requirement to reinvent music but so many have done this kind of album and done it so much better. The vocals are sufficient and the backing instrumentation also proficient but the result is flat. There is little depth in what the Fray strives to be an album of pop love songs. In fact, much of the songs sound the same that it is difficult to select a 'best song.' Unless the marketing executives are really going to push this, I highly doubt this will ever be popular.
I assure you, I've listened to these thoroughly and to their entirety.
-dwa9 "First Installment"
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Vanity and The Golden Ratio
I'm not all about academics per se. I always keep myself busy or rather occupy myself with pet side projects that take too much time. My fare into academics hasn't been the rainbow I hoped it to be as of late but it's coming along, I think.
But you'd be a fool to disregard the epiphanies I've had working away at these pet side projects, they're amazing and hopefully I'd get paid for making such broad social generalizations and stereotypical even-racist assumptions about the world around me.
For example, do you guys ever wonder what's makes an attractive guy? Sure you do! But there's rampant, and blatant homophobia running wild in the contours of our world. Don't want to risk being ostracized by your male peers, or asking the queer dude what's hot and what's not, do you? I have been too and I suppose we men all innately wish we knew what made our opposite wet themselves in between..
And even for chicks, as bizarre as this sounds, you know you are already checking each other's mammaries out as it is. But wait, don't blind yourself with confidence especially from those contrived bullshit quizzes from Cosmo, know how ugly you really are. (or how hot, whichever matters--please don't lie to yourself)
Before I decide to boast on my exemplary achievements in this field, I must say the Rule of the Golden Ratio came to me at the spur of the moment. I mean this wasn't my only stint into scientific absurdity but the empirical evidence is astounding.
Check out the wikipedia article I wrote on my Law. And test yourself.
Also try these. Pic1 Pic2 (Picture of what YOU should be doing)
Dividing your face in 1/3. Divide again and again, measure the standard deviations from God, assuming that God is perfection.
Unfortunately since the Law of the Golden Ratio does not account for how intelligent you are so as a footnote for all those who are incurably dumb, God is the dude with the beard and an interesting history of dying as a dude and coming back to life.
Divide away!
By the way, I ended up with a golden score of 9/10 which I presume is not too shabby.
Update: The research into the the Law of the Golden Ratio is going well. It's applications are numerous and widespread.
As a corollary to finding attractive human beings, the Law of the Golden Ratio could also be applied to say, goats. It's predictive accuracy is currently unchallenged by any other Law we know of.
Is this female goat specimen hot? In 98.3% of the tests, using the method of the Golden Parameter, we predicted correctly which female companion the male goat preferred and subsequently banged the shit out of.
I mean, if you were a goat, you wouldn't want to fuck this piece of shit either.
More to come!
But you'd be a fool to disregard the epiphanies I've had working away at these pet side projects, they're amazing and hopefully I'd get paid for making such broad social generalizations and stereotypical even-racist assumptions about the world around me.
For example, do you guys ever wonder what's makes an attractive guy? Sure you do! But there's rampant, and blatant homophobia running wild in the contours of our world. Don't want to risk being ostracized by your male peers, or asking the queer dude what's hot and what's not, do you? I have been too and I suppose we men all innately wish we knew what made our opposite wet themselves in between..
And even for chicks, as bizarre as this sounds, you know you are already checking each other's mammaries out as it is. But wait, don't blind yourself with confidence especially from those contrived bullshit quizzes from Cosmo, know how ugly you really are. (or how hot, whichever matters--please don't lie to yourself)
Before I decide to boast on my exemplary achievements in this field, I must say the Rule of the Golden Ratio came to me at the spur of the moment. I mean this wasn't my only stint into scientific absurdity but the empirical evidence is astounding.
Check out the wikipedia article I wrote on my Law. And test yourself.
Also try these. Pic1 Pic2 (Picture of what YOU should be doing)
Dividing your face in 1/3. Divide again and again, measure the standard deviations from God, assuming that God is perfection.
Unfortunately since the Law of the Golden Ratio does not account for how intelligent you are so as a footnote for all those who are incurably dumb, God is the dude with the beard and an interesting history of dying as a dude and coming back to life.
Divide away!
By the way, I ended up with a golden score of 9/10 which I presume is not too shabby.
Update: The research into the the Law of the Golden Ratio is going well. It's applications are numerous and widespread.
As a corollary to finding attractive human beings, the Law of the Golden Ratio could also be applied to say, goats. It's predictive accuracy is currently unchallenged by any other Law we know of.
Is this female goat specimen hot? In 98.3% of the tests, using the method of the Golden Parameter, we predicted correctly which female companion the male goat preferred and subsequently banged the shit out of.
I mean, if you were a goat, you wouldn't want to fuck this piece of shit either.
More to come!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Top 50 Albums 2000-2006
The first decade in the new millenia is more than half over. 4 more years left and that means a lot of music has been released. Albums are a dying breed although music enthusiasts and audiophiles insist on their Compact Discs or better yet, the undeniable superiority of the vinyl--this is the age of the mp3. So I decided to compile a list of some of my favorite albums because the future of the album is tenuous at best.
Sadly, I realize I have overlooked both world music and jazz and "indie" music overwhelmingly dominates this list. I should note I despise the genres of "world" and "indie (which means independent), because the 'labels' make no sense to me. World music is supposedly music, I assume from the 'world' and the world happens to be in Africa and 'indie' simply describes what kind of label a band is signed onto and has nothing to do witht he music stylistically. Before I digress further, I confess, I am not a big fan of world music. As for Jazz, check out Miles Davis.
With so many albums released in the last 6 years, it has been difficult to compile the list and although I've tried to put the albums in a fairly decent 'order,' it is more or less arbitrary.
1-10
Ah the top ten, I'm pretty confident with these ten. These are the must listen albms of the new millenia methinks.
In the 60s, it was Revolver, Pet Sounds, My Aim Is True...
In the 70s, artists Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, David Bowie would take those roles
In the 80s, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation, Pixies...
In the 90s, Nirvana, Modest Mouse, Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, Neutral Milk Hotel...
There's literally tons. Artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Miles Davis, Pulp, Blur, Cocteau Twins, Nine Inch Nails, the Jesus Lizard, Funkadelic, They Might Be Giants, Yo La Tengo, Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, NWA, Oasis, Bjork, Aphex Twin, The Futureheads, Joy Division, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Depeche Mode, The Clash, The Ramones, old school Greenday and Weezer, Dr. Octagon, Super Furry Animals, Built to Spill, Jimi Hendrix, Dr. Dre, The Shins, The Cure, Alice in chains, John Lennon... it goes on and on. The following albums I'm trying to list, I attempt to make sure are of that quality. They have the quality of 'timelessness'. These are the albums that you got to listen to before you die. (I listed the names of artists that made such albums.)
1. Radiohead - Kid A
There is one thing that I'm sure about this list and that is, Radiohead's Kid A deserves to be number one. After OK Computer set the bar so high, we had all assumed for the worst, they can't possibly beat OK Computer. When Kid A was first released, I prepared myself to be disappointed and I was. Where were the guitars? Where's the rock when there's scarcely any guitars. To a degree, my favorite Radiohead album is still OK Computer but Kid A has grown on me and its effect on music is highly significant. It is the claustrophobia and paranoia wrapped in a tight little package that blows you away. It tops this list and will be one of the most important albums of this decade definitely.
2. The Avalanches - The Avalanches
You take thousands of obscure records and sample them and then you come up with Frontier Psychologist. It's not like it hasn't been done before. We saw it Entroducing but The Avalanches does it with a certain elegance and beauty. This album is good.
3. The Arcade Fire - Funeral
Holy mother. A debut album that blows the shit out of many 'more' established bands. That's right, Arcade Fire's brand of ochestral indie rock is flipping good. It is one of the most powerful, most cathartic, debut albums ever made.
4. The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic
Pop hooks and Neko Case, need I say more?
5. The Notwist - Neon Golden
6. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
While Soft Bulletin stood on that one Vaseline song, Yoshimi is more of a four legged creature,it's got way more 'good' songs. Still experimenting with noise and sound, the Lips successful outdo themselves.
7. Jay - Z - The Blueprint
8. Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem was Marshall Mathers, Slim Shady and of course, Eminem. He was all three and this was the album that dissected the characters and explored the psychology of 'Eminem.' Admittedly kids love hating this album but seriously, people you try too hard.
9. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
The act of putting synths in country music. Jeff Tweedy is one hell of a songwriter and this album is a pop gem.
10. Sigur Ros - Agaetis Bygrun
I have never heard anything quite like it. Alternately named 'Victory Rose,' Sigur Ros proves that good music is still being made today and Icelandic/Hopelandic are insanely beautiful. They prove once again, there is beauty in the things you don't understand.
11-20
11. The Decemberists - Picaresque
Yes they do sound like Neutral Milk Hotel. Except Colin Meloy, a skilled poet, writes stories without talking about the Holocaust. That helps. Really it helps.
12. The Wrens - Meadowlands
13. The Streets - Original Pirate Material
14. My Morning Jacket - Z
Heralded as America's Radiohead. Whatever happened to Wilco?
15. Explosions in the Sky - Earth is not a Cold Dead Place
Loud-soft atmospherics, this is the post-rock album from the band who did the soundtrack for that one movie.
16. Mastodon - Blood Mountain
Metal. Rocks.
17. Songs Ohia - Magnolia Electric Co
This is Jason Molina's magnum opus. Alt-country at its finest.
18. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
I have no problem with 20 minute songs as long as they're good.
19. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
Thom Yorke seemed t apologetic when this album was released. It's a throwback to the old "Bends" days, yes but in a good way. He promised us weirder stuff after this album. Hmmm.
20. Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird and the Mysterious of Eggs
Disaffected voice. Check. Funny animal album art. Check. Intricately written lyrics. Check. Whistling. Check. Whistling? What the fuck?
21-30
21. The Go Team - Thunder Lightning Strike
The happiest album out there ever since Polyphonic Spree.
22. The Roots - Phrenology
Smart rap music. Otherwise rap music that relies less on 'samples' and more on real live instruments.
23. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
24. Outkast - Stankonia
Rap music was getting a bit stagnant so two southerners decided to add some more of that funk and dabble in electronica, jazz, amongst other things to create one piece of work. Previously ignored by critics, this album sold like hot cakes.
25. Primal Scream - Exterminator
THIS album is fucking awesome. It's like Kid A but aggressive.
26. Joanna Newsom – Milk Eyed Mender
Milk Eyed Mender is under the newly coined "anti-folk" movement, whatever that means. The album sees Newsom, a classically trained harpist sing in one heck of a quirky, yet endearing voice. This album packed the hooks where Ys packed the pure pretension.
27. And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – Source Tags & Codes
28. Interpol – Antics
What if Joy Division was still around. Then this is what they would sound like.
29. The Postal Service – Give Up
Mr. Gibbard's Postal Service>Mr. Gibbard's Death Cab for Cutie. Just trying to be controversial.
30. M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas, and Lost Ghosts
The post-rocking, shoegazing M83 creates anthemic electronic songs with whispered vocals. This is an epic album.
31-40
31. Basement Jaxx – Rooty
32. Stars – Set Yourself on Fire
Stars have continually refined their sound with each subsequent album. Set Yourself on Fire is a leap from 'Heart.' So along with Arcade Fire, are these Canadians really going to save pop music from its inevitable doom? In short no. Kangaroos will.
33. Sigur Ros – Takk
Songs that actually clock in under 7 minutes, this is an achievement for Sigur Ros. Although this was not a revolutionary departure from their groundbreaking Agaetis Bygrun, the album packs uplifting and hopeful melodies where Agaetis was a mournful dirge on a CD.
34. Cursive – The Ugly Organ
35. Kanye West – The College Dropout
36. The Strokes – Room on Fire
The Strokes wanted to be popular and 'different.' Somehow Room on Fire managed to be that.
37. The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
38. Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary
Spencer Krug sounds like Modest Mouse meets Arcade Fire except not.
39. Sufjan Stevens – Illinoise
I always thought that I would never get into 'Christian' rock and although Sufjan doesn't claim to be a 'Christian' rock band, the fact he's a devout Christian has its influences on his music. Folk meets pop meets twee meets overlong titles for songs. The formula never fails.
40. Madvillain - Madvillainy
These are the meanest villains on the streets. The dream collaboration between Madlib and MF Doom, this is rap like never before. Enough said.
41-50
41. TV on the Radio – Young Liars EP
42. Bright Eyes – I'm Wide Awake and It's Morning
Conor Oberst folkish outing of an album strung up heartfelt one-liners to create one of the most beautiful 'emo' albums. The man sings as if he's on the verge of tears.
43. Kanye West – Late Registration
44. The New Pornographers – Electric Version
45. British Sea Power – The Decline of British Sea Power
Brit-pop rocks out about "nature." Hmmm. Surprisingly the results are superb. Watch out for "Carrion."
46. The Unicorns – Who Will cut Our Hair When We're Gone
Nick Diamond and his fellow bandmates attempts to construct the perfect, pop gem. Full of indie rock cliche including the lo-fi production, the the distorted vocals, and an overall playful demeanor--what Nick achieves is one of hell of a fun ride. Quirky pop gems fit the bill more precisely though.
47. Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf
48. Four Tet – Pause
49. Aimee Mann- Bachelor No. 2
50. Coldplay - Parachutes
Sure, A Rush of Blood to the Head was better but this is where it all began. Besides, 'Rush' was just an expansion on an already established sound. Coldplay strive to become the next U2, this album shows that they have the potential.
Underrated/Honorabe Mentions
Mostly albums that I couldn't fit in the top 50.
1. Gorillaz - Demon Days
Sure the only good song was 'Feel Good Inc.' No that wasn't it. People wanted Blur so badly that they couldn't see that this album was actually pretty darn good.
2. Architecture in Helsinki - Fingers Crossed
Another pop gem. The lead sings in a feminine whisper falsetto or something like that. Utilizing a bunch of quirky instruments, Architecture manage to make a beautiful pop album that is oh so very twee.
3. The Pernice Brothers - Yours, Mine, Ours
It's always hard to recommend pop albums especially since most pop goes on a formula. Pernice Brothers is on formula. But they do it so well, we forgive them.
4. System of a Down - Mesmerize
Fans cried foul. Dumb as hell lyrics. But that was precisely why it was genius other then the cool ass drumming and guitar playing.
5. Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther
6. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
Just because people lump them into the 'emo' genre doesn't mean this album doesn't merit a look. Not too bad. I was surprised.
7. Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
8. Delgados - Universal Audio
9. Modest Mouse - Good News for People who Love Bad News
The 'selling out' album. Stupid Indie kids. Sure it will never top The Moon and Antartica or the Lonesome Crowded West... but this album was full of freaking good songs like Float On and Bukowski to name a few. Besides Mr. Brock ripped the Pixies sound and tweaked it to something else and this album is the culmination of all that tweaking. Heh.
10. Bob Dylan – Modern Times
11. the decemberist – crane wife
12. Tenacious D – Tenacious D
Funny. Very funny. Jack Black.
13. Elliott Smith – From a Basement on the Hill
14. U2 – All that You Can't Leave Behind
Yes U2 has been going downhill and I guess this must have been overlooked or something because this album was no fluke. It's good. Sure it mines the same old sound but it's good. Like Bono with stupid goggles good.
15. Iron & Wine - The Creek Drank the Cradle
16. The Hives - Veni Vidi Vicious
17. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it In People
Worst/Most Overrated
I'm going to skip discussing Kevin Federline, Black Eyed Peas, Keane, Jet, Paris Hilton, Evanescence, Nickleback, Linkin Park... because that would be too easy.
1. Bloc Party - Silent alarm
Overrated
2. the Artic Monkeys - whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not
Terribly overrated. Damn blokes
3. Joanna Newsom - Ys
Just because it sounds like shit doesn't make it avante-garde folks.
4. U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
After Achtung Baby, we enter a phase now termed the downward spiral.
5. Red Hot Chil Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
Terribly disappointing
6. The Who - Endless Wire
Also suffering from terminal my band is too old to rock syndrome
7. Clap Your Hands and say Yeah - Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
Not bad. Cool voice even though this kind of voice would get you thrown off american idol (not that it really matters). But yes, overrated.
8. Radiohead - Amnesiac
Radiohead's second biggest blunder. Well first blunder actually. Pablo Honey was not up to par mostly because they were starting out but Amnesiac is like Kid B, the b-sides that sucked. Still better than most albums out there but not Radiohead good.
9. Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock and Roll
Are you sure this is music?
Sadly, I realize I have overlooked both world music and jazz and "indie" music overwhelmingly dominates this list. I should note I despise the genres of "world" and "indie (which means independent), because the 'labels' make no sense to me. World music is supposedly music, I assume from the 'world' and the world happens to be in Africa and 'indie' simply describes what kind of label a band is signed onto and has nothing to do witht he music stylistically. Before I digress further, I confess, I am not a big fan of world music. As for Jazz, check out Miles Davis.
With so many albums released in the last 6 years, it has been difficult to compile the list and although I've tried to put the albums in a fairly decent 'order,' it is more or less arbitrary.
1-10
Ah the top ten, I'm pretty confident with these ten. These are the must listen albms of the new millenia methinks.
In the 60s, it was Revolver, Pet Sounds, My Aim Is True...
In the 70s, artists Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, David Bowie would take those roles
In the 80s, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation, Pixies...
In the 90s, Nirvana, Modest Mouse, Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, Neutral Milk Hotel...
There's literally tons. Artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Miles Davis, Pulp, Blur, Cocteau Twins, Nine Inch Nails, the Jesus Lizard, Funkadelic, They Might Be Giants, Yo La Tengo, Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, NWA, Oasis, Bjork, Aphex Twin, The Futureheads, Joy Division, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Depeche Mode, The Clash, The Ramones, old school Greenday and Weezer, Dr. Octagon, Super Furry Animals, Built to Spill, Jimi Hendrix, Dr. Dre, The Shins, The Cure, Alice in chains, John Lennon... it goes on and on. The following albums I'm trying to list, I attempt to make sure are of that quality. They have the quality of 'timelessness'. These are the albums that you got to listen to before you die. (I listed the names of artists that made such albums.)
1. Radiohead - Kid A
There is one thing that I'm sure about this list and that is, Radiohead's Kid A deserves to be number one. After OK Computer set the bar so high, we had all assumed for the worst, they can't possibly beat OK Computer. When Kid A was first released, I prepared myself to be disappointed and I was. Where were the guitars? Where's the rock when there's scarcely any guitars. To a degree, my favorite Radiohead album is still OK Computer but Kid A has grown on me and its effect on music is highly significant. It is the claustrophobia and paranoia wrapped in a tight little package that blows you away. It tops this list and will be one of the most important albums of this decade definitely.
2. The Avalanches - The Avalanches
You take thousands of obscure records and sample them and then you come up with Frontier Psychologist. It's not like it hasn't been done before. We saw it Entroducing but The Avalanches does it with a certain elegance and beauty. This album is good.
3. The Arcade Fire - Funeral
Holy mother. A debut album that blows the shit out of many 'more' established bands. That's right, Arcade Fire's brand of ochestral indie rock is flipping good. It is one of the most powerful, most cathartic, debut albums ever made.
4. The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic
Pop hooks and Neko Case, need I say more?
5. The Notwist - Neon Golden
6. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
While Soft Bulletin stood on that one Vaseline song, Yoshimi is more of a four legged creature,it's got way more 'good' songs. Still experimenting with noise and sound, the Lips successful outdo themselves.
7. Jay - Z - The Blueprint
8. Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem was Marshall Mathers, Slim Shady and of course, Eminem. He was all three and this was the album that dissected the characters and explored the psychology of 'Eminem.' Admittedly kids love hating this album but seriously, people you try too hard.
9. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
The act of putting synths in country music. Jeff Tweedy is one hell of a songwriter and this album is a pop gem.
10. Sigur Ros - Agaetis Bygrun
I have never heard anything quite like it. Alternately named 'Victory Rose,' Sigur Ros proves that good music is still being made today and Icelandic/Hopelandic are insanely beautiful. They prove once again, there is beauty in the things you don't understand.
11-20
11. The Decemberists - Picaresque
Yes they do sound like Neutral Milk Hotel. Except Colin Meloy, a skilled poet, writes stories without talking about the Holocaust. That helps. Really it helps.
12. The Wrens - Meadowlands
13. The Streets - Original Pirate Material
14. My Morning Jacket - Z
Heralded as America's Radiohead. Whatever happened to Wilco?
15. Explosions in the Sky - Earth is not a Cold Dead Place
Loud-soft atmospherics, this is the post-rock album from the band who did the soundtrack for that one movie.
16. Mastodon - Blood Mountain
Metal. Rocks.
17. Songs Ohia - Magnolia Electric Co
This is Jason Molina's magnum opus. Alt-country at its finest.
18. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
I have no problem with 20 minute songs as long as they're good.
19. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
Thom Yorke seemed t apologetic when this album was released. It's a throwback to the old "Bends" days, yes but in a good way. He promised us weirder stuff after this album. Hmmm.
20. Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird and the Mysterious of Eggs
Disaffected voice. Check. Funny animal album art. Check. Intricately written lyrics. Check. Whistling. Check. Whistling? What the fuck?
21-30
21. The Go Team - Thunder Lightning Strike
The happiest album out there ever since Polyphonic Spree.
22. The Roots - Phrenology
Smart rap music. Otherwise rap music that relies less on 'samples' and more on real live instruments.
23. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
24. Outkast - Stankonia
Rap music was getting a bit stagnant so two southerners decided to add some more of that funk and dabble in electronica, jazz, amongst other things to create one piece of work. Previously ignored by critics, this album sold like hot cakes.
25. Primal Scream - Exterminator
THIS album is fucking awesome. It's like Kid A but aggressive.
26. Joanna Newsom – Milk Eyed Mender
Milk Eyed Mender is under the newly coined "anti-folk" movement, whatever that means. The album sees Newsom, a classically trained harpist sing in one heck of a quirky, yet endearing voice. This album packed the hooks where Ys packed the pure pretension.
27. And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – Source Tags & Codes
28. Interpol – Antics
What if Joy Division was still around. Then this is what they would sound like.
29. The Postal Service – Give Up
Mr. Gibbard's Postal Service>Mr. Gibbard's Death Cab for Cutie. Just trying to be controversial.
30. M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas, and Lost Ghosts
The post-rocking, shoegazing M83 creates anthemic electronic songs with whispered vocals. This is an epic album.
31-40
31. Basement Jaxx – Rooty
32. Stars – Set Yourself on Fire
Stars have continually refined their sound with each subsequent album. Set Yourself on Fire is a leap from 'Heart.' So along with Arcade Fire, are these Canadians really going to save pop music from its inevitable doom? In short no. Kangaroos will.
33. Sigur Ros – Takk
Songs that actually clock in under 7 minutes, this is an achievement for Sigur Ros. Although this was not a revolutionary departure from their groundbreaking Agaetis Bygrun, the album packs uplifting and hopeful melodies where Agaetis was a mournful dirge on a CD.
34. Cursive – The Ugly Organ
35. Kanye West – The College Dropout
36. The Strokes – Room on Fire
The Strokes wanted to be popular and 'different.' Somehow Room on Fire managed to be that.
37. The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
38. Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary
Spencer Krug sounds like Modest Mouse meets Arcade Fire except not.
39. Sufjan Stevens – Illinoise
I always thought that I would never get into 'Christian' rock and although Sufjan doesn't claim to be a 'Christian' rock band, the fact he's a devout Christian has its influences on his music. Folk meets pop meets twee meets overlong titles for songs. The formula never fails.
40. Madvillain - Madvillainy
These are the meanest villains on the streets. The dream collaboration between Madlib and MF Doom, this is rap like never before. Enough said.
41-50
41. TV on the Radio – Young Liars EP
42. Bright Eyes – I'm Wide Awake and It's Morning
Conor Oberst folkish outing of an album strung up heartfelt one-liners to create one of the most beautiful 'emo' albums. The man sings as if he's on the verge of tears.
43. Kanye West – Late Registration
44. The New Pornographers – Electric Version
45. British Sea Power – The Decline of British Sea Power
Brit-pop rocks out about "nature." Hmmm. Surprisingly the results are superb. Watch out for "Carrion."
46. The Unicorns – Who Will cut Our Hair When We're Gone
Nick Diamond and his fellow bandmates attempts to construct the perfect, pop gem. Full of indie rock cliche including the lo-fi production, the the distorted vocals, and an overall playful demeanor--what Nick achieves is one of hell of a fun ride. Quirky pop gems fit the bill more precisely though.
47. Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf
48. Four Tet – Pause
49. Aimee Mann- Bachelor No. 2
50. Coldplay - Parachutes
Sure, A Rush of Blood to the Head was better but this is where it all began. Besides, 'Rush' was just an expansion on an already established sound. Coldplay strive to become the next U2, this album shows that they have the potential.
Underrated/Honorabe Mentions
Mostly albums that I couldn't fit in the top 50.
1. Gorillaz - Demon Days
Sure the only good song was 'Feel Good Inc.' No that wasn't it. People wanted Blur so badly that they couldn't see that this album was actually pretty darn good.
2. Architecture in Helsinki - Fingers Crossed
Another pop gem. The lead sings in a feminine whisper falsetto or something like that. Utilizing a bunch of quirky instruments, Architecture manage to make a beautiful pop album that is oh so very twee.
3. The Pernice Brothers - Yours, Mine, Ours
It's always hard to recommend pop albums especially since most pop goes on a formula. Pernice Brothers is on formula. But they do it so well, we forgive them.
4. System of a Down - Mesmerize
Fans cried foul. Dumb as hell lyrics. But that was precisely why it was genius other then the cool ass drumming and guitar playing.
5. Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther
6. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
Just because people lump them into the 'emo' genre doesn't mean this album doesn't merit a look. Not too bad. I was surprised.
7. Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
8. Delgados - Universal Audio
9. Modest Mouse - Good News for People who Love Bad News
The 'selling out' album. Stupid Indie kids. Sure it will never top The Moon and Antartica or the Lonesome Crowded West... but this album was full of freaking good songs like Float On and Bukowski to name a few. Besides Mr. Brock ripped the Pixies sound and tweaked it to something else and this album is the culmination of all that tweaking. Heh.
10. Bob Dylan – Modern Times
11. the decemberist – crane wife
12. Tenacious D – Tenacious D
Funny. Very funny. Jack Black.
13. Elliott Smith – From a Basement on the Hill
14. U2 – All that You Can't Leave Behind
Yes U2 has been going downhill and I guess this must have been overlooked or something because this album was no fluke. It's good. Sure it mines the same old sound but it's good. Like Bono with stupid goggles good.
15. Iron & Wine - The Creek Drank the Cradle
16. The Hives - Veni Vidi Vicious
17. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it In People
Worst/Most Overrated
I'm going to skip discussing Kevin Federline, Black Eyed Peas, Keane, Jet, Paris Hilton, Evanescence, Nickleback, Linkin Park... because that would be too easy.
1. Bloc Party - Silent alarm
Overrated
2. the Artic Monkeys - whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not
Terribly overrated. Damn blokes
3. Joanna Newsom - Ys
Just because it sounds like shit doesn't make it avante-garde folks.
4. U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
After Achtung Baby, we enter a phase now termed the downward spiral.
5. Red Hot Chil Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
Terribly disappointing
6. The Who - Endless Wire
Also suffering from terminal my band is too old to rock syndrome
7. Clap Your Hands and say Yeah - Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
Not bad. Cool voice even though this kind of voice would get you thrown off american idol (not that it really matters). But yes, overrated.
8. Radiohead - Amnesiac
Radiohead's second biggest blunder. Well first blunder actually. Pablo Honey was not up to par mostly because they were starting out but Amnesiac is like Kid B, the b-sides that sucked. Still better than most albums out there but not Radiohead good.
9. Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock and Roll
Are you sure this is music?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
I always cry at endings.*
*Belle and Sebastian If you're feeling Sinister
-The Test and the Beginning-
Greetings from Life on Earth
by: dwa9
Here again, we're down and empty in war-torn District 13--Cyberpunk City
It's pitch black and the stars are out and there's a congregation of faces veiled in clouds of dust
These magician's clouds appear with faces hidden, plastered on walls of infamous villainy
If it's the cathode ray tubes that shone a light and framed the wanted--I've the unwanted
Only in legends and only there did heroes reside--we've got every fake and phony
So we're led down twin boulevards of different names and spellings, in parade. Charade!
Into a corner of black, musky odor--the corridor and vagrant's refuge only to find a cul de sac
And alleyways studded with shut doors and wane glowing--nothing but faces in clouds of dust
Praise and adulation rained upon this free nation, ruled by chosen lords wearing tidy neckties
Ever pleased to meet the killers with viper's eyes, shimmering behind warm tidy collars
Them murderers walk in line; suave, sly, saunter--their knives are arcing and kissers smiling
I was running past clubs and cabarets, along droves of ghost car trolleys, running only to stop
Look up only to be lost in walls and walls of buildings, architecture, & streets-murals of sky & air
I'm the surrealist. I'm the upstanding citizen with some pocket change and an expensive cigar
It's a ghost town down here--But need no despair, the monolith at the center carries the moon
A candle stands in the skyline and its light points in the direction of stolen cars, follow!
Whilst I thought I was on my way and the papers I held spontaneous combust, burnt to lint
Senseless, it's information and data and information and data and data and--brilliance!
Storyteller tells history in a tale of mice in a maze, well-groomed and wearing white lab coats.
I'm deaf. Experimental. Test tube bottle rocket, case study: a hooker getting fucked in the ear.
But time is unrelenting and past. I do not doubt my dreary days that passed me one October
On through my doleful December next. I pull my red baseball cap down to hide my weary eyes
My salty eyes, I'll not cry as long as I can still see, mother--I'm convinced & eyes I'll deceive
They're sweating, mother and in the cold. I'm afraid as long as I can still see, mother.
So all those who've survived: street musicians, fools and fugitives walking by
Wearing them old, shriveled, black plastic bags over those silly little heads; always murmuring
My heart is marching slow and marching with the fellow cadavers drifting in black disguise
Holding steady, hand in hand with her dead Siamese twin who died in alabaster youth & beauty-
Answer me, dear Siamese friend as we wait besides the engine's long tired road,
Smile for me, with sweet cotton candy melting against his Rosy cheeks atop his snow white skin
So I dressed him in winter clothes--he giggles and smiles with his lovely, ghost face
Why leave our secrets hidden & in between-hidden in beautiful broken hands, in tiny fingernails
I pull my red baseball cap down to hide--If I cannot see you, you cannot see me
And walked on over to join the lonely folk who stood in long, perfect straight lines waiting
Like sweet Jewish families in 1945 with brothers and sisters and a father and mother too
A chain that linked over a wide expanse--a wonderful snowy landscape of slopes and hills
That's what I see papa, that's what I see in that little city trapped inside an eternal winter
In that tiny snow globe--papa did not answer, he slept with his pipe on his red scarf
On a park bench, he slept with his mouth agape, like an infant with fat, silly fingers.
He slept, with clouds over and up shielding the sun and prophesies after death.
We had our promises pen-scratched and wrapped in our sweaty palms.
Promises carved into the hearts of trees--the ones kept inside pockets so deep.
They were skin-mapped with tiny bridges and narrow roads; all besides little rivers
Only a fool wears red in winter, stands idly and kicks repeatedly at his own feet.
Childhood friend, I know. She's the one that's got paperclips in her bosom--holding us back
Come meet me alone by the sea, at the foot of magnificent Pharos: the lost lighthouse
Here it is, atop a wind-swept cliff; the last outpost of man shines like a beacon forever
Pay close attention and listen, as the stone monolith gives in and simmers its final flicker
I hold my right index like a single candle to the tip of my nose as if to caution my lips
And then whisper to think: I will make her my sweet, lovely mistress dressed in ribbons
She will be my young bride, mother with child and we shall live under the sheets--
Far away from the scary monsters living in darkness and underneath our beds
In God's tower, He holds the bloody sun on one and the starless moon on the other
He is the watcher and observer. He is arbiter resigned. He is my lover and confidant
Read this letter to the well-loved, well-meaning, well-to-do, well-wishers
Tell them ghosts, demons, and devils--do not disturb our naked soul-less bones
And so finally I've disappeared-a solitary signpost remains holding tenuous its' red flag
Hello my old friend holding hands with foolish ghosts, smiling demons and mischievous devils
A hearty laugh escapes along with a heavy pat, pardon necrophilia's momentary sin of a kiss
Lovers need no apologies and she's waiting and gone--we've both missed the engine's call
(Last Edited:12/27/2006)
-The Test and the Beginning-
Greetings from Life on Earth
by: dwa9
Here again, we're down and empty in war-torn District 13--Cyberpunk City
It's pitch black and the stars are out and there's a congregation of faces veiled in clouds of dust
These magician's clouds appear with faces hidden, plastered on walls of infamous villainy
If it's the cathode ray tubes that shone a light and framed the wanted--I've the unwanted
Only in legends and only there did heroes reside--we've got every fake and phony
So we're led down twin boulevards of different names and spellings, in parade. Charade!
Into a corner of black, musky odor--the corridor and vagrant's refuge only to find a cul de sac
And alleyways studded with shut doors and wane glowing--nothing but faces in clouds of dust
Praise and adulation rained upon this free nation, ruled by chosen lords wearing tidy neckties
Ever pleased to meet the killers with viper's eyes, shimmering behind warm tidy collars
Them murderers walk in line; suave, sly, saunter--their knives are arcing and kissers smiling
I was running past clubs and cabarets, along droves of ghost car trolleys, running only to stop
Look up only to be lost in walls and walls of buildings, architecture, & streets-murals of sky & air
I'm the surrealist. I'm the upstanding citizen with some pocket change and an expensive cigar
It's a ghost town down here--But need no despair, the monolith at the center carries the moon
A candle stands in the skyline and its light points in the direction of stolen cars, follow!
Whilst I thought I was on my way and the papers I held spontaneous combust, burnt to lint
Senseless, it's information and data and information and data and data and--brilliance!
Storyteller tells history in a tale of mice in a maze, well-groomed and wearing white lab coats.
I'm deaf. Experimental. Test tube bottle rocket, case study: a hooker getting fucked in the ear.
But time is unrelenting and past. I do not doubt my dreary days that passed me one October
On through my doleful December next. I pull my red baseball cap down to hide my weary eyes
My salty eyes, I'll not cry as long as I can still see, mother--I'm convinced & eyes I'll deceive
They're sweating, mother and in the cold. I'm afraid as long as I can still see, mother.
So all those who've survived: street musicians, fools and fugitives walking by
Wearing them old, shriveled, black plastic bags over those silly little heads; always murmuring
My heart is marching slow and marching with the fellow cadavers drifting in black disguise
Holding steady, hand in hand with her dead Siamese twin who died in alabaster youth & beauty-
Answer me, dear Siamese friend as we wait besides the engine's long tired road,
Smile for me, with sweet cotton candy melting against his Rosy cheeks atop his snow white skin
So I dressed him in winter clothes--he giggles and smiles with his lovely, ghost face
Why leave our secrets hidden & in between-hidden in beautiful broken hands, in tiny fingernails
I pull my red baseball cap down to hide--If I cannot see you, you cannot see me
And walked on over to join the lonely folk who stood in long, perfect straight lines waiting
Like sweet Jewish families in 1945 with brothers and sisters and a father and mother too
A chain that linked over a wide expanse--a wonderful snowy landscape of slopes and hills
That's what I see papa, that's what I see in that little city trapped inside an eternal winter
In that tiny snow globe--papa did not answer, he slept with his pipe on his red scarf
On a park bench, he slept with his mouth agape, like an infant with fat, silly fingers.
He slept, with clouds over and up shielding the sun and prophesies after death.
We had our promises pen-scratched and wrapped in our sweaty palms.
Promises carved into the hearts of trees--the ones kept inside pockets so deep.
They were skin-mapped with tiny bridges and narrow roads; all besides little rivers
Only a fool wears red in winter, stands idly and kicks repeatedly at his own feet.
Childhood friend, I know. She's the one that's got paperclips in her bosom--holding us back
Come meet me alone by the sea, at the foot of magnificent Pharos: the lost lighthouse
Here it is, atop a wind-swept cliff; the last outpost of man shines like a beacon forever
Pay close attention and listen, as the stone monolith gives in and simmers its final flicker
I hold my right index like a single candle to the tip of my nose as if to caution my lips
And then whisper to think: I will make her my sweet, lovely mistress dressed in ribbons
She will be my young bride, mother with child and we shall live under the sheets--
Far away from the scary monsters living in darkness and underneath our beds
In God's tower, He holds the bloody sun on one and the starless moon on the other
He is the watcher and observer. He is arbiter resigned. He is my lover and confidant
Read this letter to the well-loved, well-meaning, well-to-do, well-wishers
Tell them ghosts, demons, and devils--do not disturb our naked soul-less bones
And so finally I've disappeared-a solitary signpost remains holding tenuous its' red flag
Hello my old friend holding hands with foolish ghosts, smiling demons and mischievous devils
A hearty laugh escapes along with a heavy pat, pardon necrophilia's momentary sin of a kiss
Lovers need no apologies and she's waiting and gone--we've both missed the engine's call
(Last Edited:12/27/2006)
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