All posts by freealonzo

Friday Music Day

FMD — “New” old bands

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So I recently came across a band called the Vulgar Boatmen. They had a couple of albums out in the late 1980s and 90s that didn't get a lot of play, broke up, and then released a complilation album in 2004. I had never heard of them. The thing is they are pretty cool. Kinda like a Murmer-era R.E.M. and I even think The Beths may have even been inspired by then. Anyway definitely check out Please Panic and You and Your Sister (which was rereleased in 2015).

So any bands out there that you missed but came across years later?

As always drop 'em if you got 'em.

Friday Music Day

FMD — Live Music

11 Comments

So it's no secret that I go to a bunch of live music shows and 2018 was no exception (see full list in comment below). By my count I will have seen well over 50 live acts this year, although a lot of that was due to my Memphis and Nashville trips where I saw over a dozen acts on Beale Street and Broadway. I have only one regret, I missed the David Byrne show at Northrop, which I heard was excellent. I had a chance to go, but the $140 price tag turned me off. Now I'm kicking myself.

Some Highlights:
Most fun show -- The Posies
Artist having most fun -- Liz Phair
Most visually stunning -- Thom Yorke
Most anticipated -- Guided by Voices Dec 30 (duh).

2019 promises to be fun too as I already have tickets for Neil Young solo acoustic, Teenage Fanclub, two different Billy Bragg shows, and the Flesheaters. Also the Blue Ox festival in Eau Claire looks really good too.

What shows did you see this year? What was your favorite?

Hope to see you at a show sometime in 2019!

Friday Music Day

FMD — Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

31 Comments

So the Rock and Roll 2019 Inductees came out yesterday. Here they are:

• The Cure
• Def Leppard
• Janet Jackson
• Stevie Nicks
• Radiohead
• Roxy Music
• The Zombies

I guess no big surprises. Well Def Leppard is a surprise. I like big dumb hair metal like anyone else but in the Hall of Fame? Whatever.

Was surprised The Zombies weren't already there. Can't be many boomer-centric bands left who haven't been inducted.

What do you think of the inductees? Upset Devo didn't make it?

Drop 'em if you got 'em.

WGOM Videos

Superchunk — Break the Glass

Video 3 Comments

This is really in honor of an entire album. Superchunk's What a Time to be Alive is a 32-minute blast of political punk(y) rock that's accessible musically. A genre that was common in the eighties but rarely heard these days. If you like this song, check out the whole deal. It will make you jump up and down, who knows maybe even break something. But be careful, wouldn't want to throw your back out or have the neighbors talk.

3 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 103 votes, average: 8.00 out of 10 (3 votes, average: 8.00 out of 10)
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Friday Music Day

FMD — The White Album

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Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of The Beatles releasing their album The Beatles, or as it is commonly known The White Album. In celebration of the anniversary, the album was re-released with a remaster of the original, a bunch of demos and alternate takes, and other studio arcana. Here's a hagiographic article on it I highly suggest reading if interested.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-accidental-perfection-of-the-beatles-white-album

The common refrain of The White Albums was this was when the Beatles starting to break up. Many of the songs appeared to be one or two Beatle composing and recording on their own. One thing the re-release has shown as that they were much more collaborative than previously advertised. The so-called Escher Demos really point this out. I wish that the Escher Demos were in fact released as a stand alone. I would definitely pick that up.

My own history with The White Album goes back only 40 years or so. As a teenager, I listened to The White Album a lot, stoned, in my bean bag chair, with headphones. Which is what white suburban teenage boys did a lot of in the late 70s and early 80s. So I know this album intimately. Even as a teenager and into adulthood, some of the one-off songs bugged me so when I was able through I-tunes, I eliminated what I considered the crap songs. That left me with a solid 18 song album in the 55 minute range. It had a nice mix of the rockers and softer songs. I've listened to this version of The White Album for the last 10 years or so.

Reading some of the articles on the making of The White Album, I learned that there was discussion among the Beatles to release two albums instead of one double album. This intrigued me. My 18 song version could probably be broken down to a two album hard and soft version, in fact I could probably add Martha My Dear to the soft version to make it a bit longer, instead of an EP.

So below is my "Rock" version of the White Album. It's 12 songs, 37 minutes long and pretty much every song is a killer. Savoy Truffle makes it because the song rocks, even if the lyrics are dumb. Why Don't We Do it in the Road and Everybody's Got Something to Hide make it for the same reason. The order is the same as the original album except I put Revolution #1 at the end. It also follows the basic structure of mostly Lennon-McCartney songs, with a smattering of Harrison, and a Ringo song. The White Album is beloved because of its sprawling, druggy, vibe. If they had released my Rockin' White Album version, who knows how history would've been changed :o)

Back in the U.S.S.R.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Happiness Is a Warm Gun
I'm So Tired
Don't Pass Me By
Why Don't We Do It in the Road?
Birthday
Yer Blues
Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
Helter Skelter
Savoy Truffle
Revolution 1

Friday Music Day

FMD — Low

15 Comments

From the Oxford Dictionary:

Low

5. depressed or lacking in energy:
"I was feeling low"

Duluth's second most famous band (behind Trampled by Turtles), Low has been around for 25 years and has generally developed a pretty strong cult following. Although I wouldn't call their music depressing or lacking in energy, it certainly has a certain somberness quality to it. It's great for more a chilled listening experience. I've seen them at First Avenue, where I had to stand up, and it seemed uncomfortable at times, I had to spend to too much energy standing to really let the music wash over me. (That's a compliment btw). I've also seem them at music halls, seated, which seemed much more appropriate. Also their Drone not Drones shows at the Cedar are famous for letting you just be in the music. Even their noisier records lend themselves to listening more than dancing.

Anyway, Low has a new album out which is just excellent, I encourage you to check it out. Below is a review from the Strib. They play tonight at the Fitzgerald, which I missed out on getting tickets to. Fortunately, The Current is broadcasting the show on the radio and streaming it as well. If you just want to spend some time tonight, chilling out listening to music, I strongly encourage you to check it out.

http://www.startribune.com/in-its-25th-year-duluth-trio-low-goes-even-further-with-bold-new-album/499300311/

Oh and drop your lists.

MLB

World Series Game 1 — Dodgers at Red Sox

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It’s opening night of the 114th World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Two teams with the top payrolls in baseball representing two of the top nine media markets in the country. Two teams with long, storied histories. West Coast cool versus East Coast angst. One would think that the Dodgers would have a better history in the World series but even though both teams have participated in 12 World Series each, the Dodgers are 6-6 versus the Red Sox overall 8-4 World Series record. Dodgers haven’t won a World Series since 1988, Red Sox 2013. The teams have met once in the Worlds Series -- 102 years ago as Babe Ruth's Boston Red Sox took down the then Brooklyn Robins (and their offensive star Casey Stengel) 4 games to 1.

Clayton Kershaw v. Chris Sale so it should be quite the pitcher’s duel. First pitch scheduled for 7:09p from Fenway on Fox TV.

MLB

League Champion Series Tuesday: Sox at ‘Stros/Brewers at Dodgers

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You get a rare two game LCS today, including a late afternoon game.

The Red Sox will be at Houston for game three of that series, all knotted up at 1-1. Eovaldi on the mound for Boston and Keuchel for Houston. Keuchel hasn't had much luck against the Red Sox, except for last year's playoffs. First Pitch at 4:09p Central.

Brewers will be at Chavez Ravine (does anyone call it that anymore) to take on the Dodgers after last night's bullpen-filled outing by the Brewers. Gio Gonzalez up against Rich Hill. Will GG only pitch a few innnings like earlier in the playoffs? It will be interesting to see if the Brewers can continue too use its Bullpen as effectively in a longer series. I'm sure the Jack Morris' of the world hate it, but the Brewers are two wins from the World Series. First Pitch at 8:09p Central.