Cheap Trick perform “Dream Police” on Conan
I’ve never been the biggest of Cheap Trick fans, but I’ve always had an appreciation. My oldest brother cranked the Budokan
album when I was a wee lad. And it was from him that I inherited the Dream Police
record. “Way of the World”, “Gonna Raise Hell”, and of course the title track… at 9, 10, 11 years old, I was eating these songs up!
I’m sure you have a similar album – one where you’re not necessarily a fervent follower of the band, but there’s one seminal album that made a huge mark on you way back when? Count Foreigner 4
among those for me too (and every other preteen and teen in 1981)…
So it was a trip back in the time machine when Cheap Trick dropped by Conan last week. There’s Rick Nielsen (he’ll be buried in that hat, don’t you think?), Tom Petersson on bass, and the ageless Robin Zander on vox. The one missing link in the performance – drummer Bun E. Carlos! I asked the question on Twitter, and someone mentioned that he may have some back problems holding him down. So Bun – get well bro!
Cheap Trick brought along a string section for the “Dream Police”, and they kick some ass during the mid-song breakdown. Good times!
The Flame of Mary
There have been many men that have songs titled “Fire,” most notably Bruce Springsteen who managed to paint a very accurate image of young lust in the timeless 1970s. U2 had a track called “Fire” on their 2nd effort, October, that conveyed the passion of youth as well. Yet a certain magic is released into the world if there is a female leading the artistic expression using the theme of fire. It’s a very old and sacred, feminine energy that is both captivating and comforting.
Twin Cities artist Alicia Wiley has a track called “Fire” on her latest CD titled Both Sides which brings us to that Magdelene place. I’ve been lost in its wonder for the last few weeks and have no desire to escape. When a woman sings about fire, I find myself propelled into a state of heart that can best be described as mesmerized and haunted. That alone is seriously stunning.
But the way Alicia structures the song–a quiet reflection juxtaposed with pulsing and energetic soundscapes –conjures images of that chill out kiss…on the street…outside the club…after a ridiculously mega show at First Avenue. Really it’s universal, though, because it’s the same kiss at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. Or Terminal 5 in New York. Or the Riveria in Chicago.
This is, of course, the world in which the romantic narrative of my life resides…romantic in not just the simplest of definitions but in the most complex way you can imagine….so compelling that it’s warmth resonates for even the bitterest of Minnesota winters.
Check out the video for “Fire” below and buy her CD, Both Sides, on iTunes or Amazon
[vimeo 17172852 w=400 h=225]
Alicia Wiley – Fire from Rapid Water Media on Vimeo.
Wake Up Our Nation
It’s always a treat when Paul Weller releases a new record. Being second only to John Lennon in my eyes, Weller epitomizes my love for Brit Rock. Through his years in The Jam, The Style Council, and now his solo career he has always managed to astound me with his most excellent tunage. Now we can add “completely blows me away ” to the list of reactions. Wake Up The Nation
is Weller’s finest solo CD next to his self-titled debut. It’s that good and you need to own it.
When I first heard the single “No Tears To Cry”, I was wondering if I had bought the wrong disc. The voice coming out of my speakers sounded like a mid-60s Stax singer – full of wonderful soul and deep beauty. It was, in fact, Mr. Weller. A week later I bought the full length and was astounded by it’s diversity. I’m not really sure how to describe this album but here’s a shot.
Imagine if it were possible for Pet Sounds to make love to Low and the resulting offspring was the Superfly soundtrack. That’s the best way to illustrate the dynamism of this record. We hear the direct influence of all three of these records and much more all over the 16 track disc.
The treat of the record (and my favorite track) is “Fast Car/Slow Traffic” which features former Jam partner in crime, Bruce Foxton on bass and backing vocals. It sounds like a Jam song that easily could have been featured on a never-going-to-happen-in-a-million years reunion album. “Trees” is just flat out bizarre in a very wonderful way. “7 & 3 is the Striker’s Name” is another gem with a musical style that, as one insider on the making of the album describes, “Stockhausen meets the Small Faces.” “Aim High” straps us all in for a trip back to the early 70’s and could easily be the theme song to an urban cop film. I can see the moustaches and hear the talk of the man keeping us all down.
“I wasn’t even thinking of making another record,” Weller remarks in the liner notes. In my opinion, that’s usually when the best ones are made. The new Weller disc was just released stateside and, as always, I’m hoping that our nation is somehow woken up to the God like genius of the Modfather.
Buy Wake Up The Nation (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version – Deluxe Edition)
Stream the whole album on its Yep Roc page.
Attention United States Record Executives and Employees!!!!!
As the Chicago Blackhawks made their way to winning the Stanley Cup, did anyone notice the theme song they adopted? “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis, one of many great bands that hail from the United Kingdom. Seeing thousands of Blackhawk fans (and hockey fans) sing this song over and over again warms my heart being the Brit rock maniac that I am. It also serves as a notice. If any of you reading this blog work for US record labels, I am begging you to vanquish that tired old bias that goes back to the Beatles regarding British music. “It’ll never sell here” has been proven wrong time and again and Chelsea Dagger, I’m hoping, is the final piece of evidence that proves that Brit rock is amazing, not just in style but in potential sales as well. Download and ringtone sales have gone through the roof in the last few weeks with this track. Industry people, you are looking at a potential goldmine filled with amazing music that large quantities of American Idol bored people are going to lap up like kittens with milk. Any one of you could be the person to revive a somewhat stale industry that is in need of some serious fire…quality fire! Absorb NME every week and make it a point to give these bands a real chance in our country. You can start with Paul Weller’s new album, Wake up the Nation (review by me coming soon). It has at least two or three hits on it that will sell like salt and butter at a popcorn store. Be King Arthur and take the sword from the Lady in the Lake. You won’t be disappointed.
New Music from Deer Tick, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, What Laura Says
It’s Tuesday, June 8th – also known as a good day for new music in my world. Have a look at this trifecta of aural goodness.
First off, check out Deer Tick‘s new one, The Black Dirt Sessions
(Amazon) now available for only $3.99. Rootsy and gritty rockin’ folk music.
Jamband sexpot songstress Grace Potter & her Nocturnals release their fourth full length record. a self-titled album
($5.99). It seems like I’m am always crossing paths with Grace’s music, and I enjoy it more and more as times passes.
Arizona band doin’ good What Laura Says release Bloom Cheek
today ($7.99). Retro psychedelic sounds, Beatles-influenced harmonies; fresh and unique sounds – definitely worth a listen.
Creating Nostalgia: Midlake at the Cedar Cultural Center
That’s one amazing thing about music, the way it enters people’s worlds to become part of the soundtrack of their lives–Tom Petty, 2009
I agree completely. In fact, I think it goes even further. What if you hear a band that reminds you of a time in your life long before the band was releasing music? That’s just how I felt the first time I heard Midlake.
I had read about the Denton, Texas band in (of course) NME back in 2006.
They were raving about the album Trials Of Van Occupanther, specifically the track “Roscoe.” I listened to it, downloaded the track immediately, and ordered the album from Amazon. The memories it brought back made me that impulsive.
My mind was instantly transported to the late 70’s and my old Realistic radio next to my bed. I had a tiny record player before that when I was four years old but really hadn’t had my own stereo. I listened to my dad’s or my stepdad’s stereo which, with their extensive record collections, was amazing.
Still, I always enjoyed those alone moments with my crappy AM radio…listening to WLS in Chicago…going through puberty…becoming a young man….having whatever the DJ played be the soundtrack to my life. One band I heard quite a bit over the airwaves back then was Fleetwood Mac. The sounds, feelings and texture of Midlake connected me right away to Fleetwood Mac and that exact moment in time…just as Tom Petty describes above.
I missed them when they came through on the Van Occupanther tour so when my friend Brian told me they were coming back, I grabbed the extra ticket that he had. They were playing at the Cedar Cultural Center – a mellow 70’s hippie band for a mellow 70’s hippie venue…combined with that junior varsity gymnasium feel which also contributes to that 70’s aura. I had seen White Rabbits there so I knew that the whole vibe would be insanely mellow. And perfect.
The band played a fantastic set, drawing from their new record, The Courage Of Others
, as well as Van Occupanther. Every song was instantly transformative and transporting. I felt like I wasn’t really there at all. It was 1977…I was 10 years old…I had just seen Star Wars for the 7th time…and a whole world of great music was opening up to me and became the soundtrack to my life. Yet, the music was from thirty years later. Why is that?
Think about the answer for a moment. And that would be why I love music.
Check out the band on the remainder of their tour.
The Month of May – New Arcade Fire
Oh, how sweet it is to a hear a new song from Arcade Fire – an energetic tune called “The Month of May” that instantly grabs hold and takes flight. I frigga-dickin’ LOVE this band and I cannot wait to see them again… Listen!!
This Band and its new song by c20917
You can also hear another new one, “The Suburbs”, over at Bravely Done. I think we should file these under Enjoy While We Can, as I’m not sure they have the blessing of the band. But “Month of May” is very hard to keep to yourself.
The Wig He Made Her Wear
I dragged my feet for a good while before I picked up the new Drive-By Truckers record, The Big To-Do. I finally downloaded it from eMusic yesterday during a nice cool Arizona morning – one of the last before the thermometer jumps over 100 and sends us all scurrying into our sealed, air-conditioned dwellings.
I especially dig the Southern drawl of singer/guitarist Patterson Hood – so I’m drawn to the songs he sings (his Murdering Oscar solo album last year was a 2009 favorite). On The Big To-Do, I’ve been loving “Drag the Lake Charlie” and “The Wig He Made Her Wear”. Yep, the lyrics are one entertaining trip too. Colorful characters and the immoral society they live in are a theme throughout their songs.
“The Wig He Made Her Wear” is the story of the preacher’s wife, who kills said preacher and high-tails it across state lines with their three kids. She’s soon caught and returned for trial. During her defense, she “[s]aid that he berated her about everything / Make her do things that made her feel so ashamed”.
I’ll let you listen to this great song to figure out the verdict, and how “The Wig He Made Her Wear” figures into the story.
I love the rhythm of this tune (has me thinking of Marah’s “Phantom Eyes” from their first record). Dig the sinister, down n’ dirty vibe of this tune, the guitars, and a story enhanced by Patterson Hood’s unmistakable drawl.
Drive-By Truckers – “The Wig He Made Her Wear”
[audio:wig.mp3]Buy Big To-Do
Visit: Drive-By Truckers.com
Another Gem From Kelly and the Lads
It took seven months but the fine folks at Island/Mercury finally released the new Stereophonics album here in the US. Being the absolute geek for the lads from Cwmaman, Wales, I naturally sprung for the import, released last November in the UK, and have been dazzled by it for the last six months. Now that it’s stateside, I highly recommend snagging it. Every track is fantastic and the eternally mythical Kelly Jones has outdone himself yet again on their latest effort. In all the ways that matter, it is a perfect summation of their career and an excellent starting point for people who have never heard the band.The album opens with “She’s Alright”, another tale of an alcohol soaked encounter with a crazed member of the opposite sex. Coming from Kelly, these are always entertaining and, for me, quite serendipitous. Then we have the single, “Innocent”, a track reminiscent of the Language Sex Violence Other era. “Beer Bottle” is the third track and one of my faves. Kelly tells stories about working people that get to the very heart of the human condition and this track is a perfect example of melancholy triumph. “Trouble” is a straight on rocker that really sparkles and “Could You Be The One” is a crush-my-heart wonderful ballad. Every single thing you do is magic baby…every little thing that you do is cool, Kelly sings and we all think of that person that warmly clothes us with this feeling.
“I Got Your Number” is a nice, angry one to be played LOUD. “Uppercut” reminds me of early ‘phonics and could easily be on Word Gets Around. In fact, each track could easily fit on one of the previous six albums style-wise, which is why I say that this record is a nice summation. “Live N Love”, with its “Helter Skelter”-ish opening, has that 70s soaked feel of “You Gotta Go There To Come Back”, as does “100MPH”, which could easily be a thematic and stylistic sequel to “Maybe Tomorrow”.
“Wonder”, a sister song to “Dakota”, is just fucking cool and gorgeous…instantly creating nostalgia for times that never were, and regretful introspection for times long forgotten. “Beer Bottle” and this one are the best on the disc. “Stuck In A Rut” has cool soul feel and “Show Me How”, another instant classic ballad from Kelly, closes out the album with a hopeful tone.
I always laugh when NME releases their requisite ass-reaming of each new Stereophonics release (they will never forgive Kelly for Mr. Writer). I love and worship that magazine but they are way wrong about the lads from Cwmaman. Kelly’s voice is the very essence of rock and roll…whiskey, smoke, sex, and love…all wrapped up in stories you’d hear in a workingman’s pub.
That’s just how it fookin’ should be!
- Check out Keep Calm and Carry On
on Amazon.
- Official Site
- Check out Keep Calm and Carry On
Super Tuesday: Band of Horses, Stones, ACL lineup
May 18th – a date I’ve have had marked on my calendar most of this year, since learning that…
a) Infinite Arms, the third album by Band of Horses, is released (check out the CD
or the Deluxe Box Set
on Amazon).
b) The remastered edition of the Stones classic Exile on Main Street is released (check out the deluxe version
or thr Super Deluxe Edition
on Amazon).
c) The Austin City Limits Music Festival – which I will be attending for the third time – releases its lineup (check out the ACL Festival site). Pre-announcement rumors are pointing to Phish, the Eagles, Muse, and the Flaming Lips, among others. In fact, USA Today posted this on Monday night.
