LITTLE BROTHERS-Nostalgia Trip 2011 (EP)

Posted on June 9th, 2011 by ekko

Everyone with a computer can be a musician at Bandcamp.  But not everyone can be good.  It’s that little corollary that makes me happy when I hear Little Brothers.

Yeah, there’s a lot here you’ve heard before at the hands of Clap Hands Say Yeah, Arcade Fire, and any number of blog-fave indie rock bands: Shouting and shrieking, fast guitar, driven bass-and-drum lines, male-dominated vocals…But there’s also some new stuff.  “I Miss Those Days” combines an island rhythm and a reverence for the past with the afore-mentioned modern indie conventions to create a truly new sound.  Kinda like indie calypso.  This is the tune that sold me on Little Brothers.

Then I heard “Seeing” and I was sold again.  Indie heavy metal soul?!?  Who the hell are these guys, and why aren’t they all over the blogosphere?

Oh yeah, and there’s sax on this thing, too.  All buttah, baby.

Buy it at Bandcamp.  You can name your price.  Hint: If you name zero dollars, you’ll get some free tunes.  But you’ll also be an ungrateful music scrounger.  Let your conscience be your guide.

Seeing

Tags: Extended Player (EP), Indie

MURS-Varsity Blues 2 (EP)

Posted on June 8th, 2011 by ekko

Back in 2002, Murs was really, really good.  He’s just separate from his band Living Legends, and he dropped an EP built around blues singles that’s become an underground cult classic: Varsity Blues. Right after that, he dropped his collab with 9th Wonder (producer of Little Brother), “Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition,” one of the greatest underground rap albums ever.

Then, he got a major label deal and immediately fell off.

Earlier year, though, he returned with an album with Terrence Martin that was full of deft lyrics, hot hooks, and . . . Humor!  Now, he’s dropping another EP, the sequel to the one that helped him make his solo mark.  Varsity Blues 2 isn’t quite as good as the first one–but what sequels are (especially sequels to classics)?  But it’s still got lots to recommend it.  It’s got production by Aesop Rock, and his influence is clear on the verses to Bummed Out Blues–although, interestingly, the chorus is like it’s from a different song (much more R&B swing, a la Bruno Mars). There’s still a little bit of “commercial Murs” left in here, but lyrically he’s on fire and returned to form.  I’d say that between this EP and his “Melrose” album, 2011 is a good year for Murs fans.

Bummed Out Blues

Tags: Extended Player (EP), Hip Hop

MORE DC REBOOT NEWS…OF BATMEN AND GREEN MEN.

Posted on June 7th, 2011 by ekko

The post-Flashpoint announcements keep coming.  I’ll start with the least first.   After Flash saves everyone from evil Aquaman, we’ll see four GL books:

* Green Lantern by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.
* Green Lantern Corps by Peter Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin.
* Green Lantern: The New Guardians by Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham.
* Red Lanterns by Peter Milligan and Ed Benes.
Not a lot of new stuff here, but we all hope that Red Lanterns don’t suck as
hard as Red Hulks.  But now the real news . . .

HOLY NEW BAT-TITLES, BATMAN!

The “new” (i.e., returning with a number 1 until they hit a milestone number when they will probably revert to the old numbering) Bat-titles are listed below, in the order of which you should give the least to most sh!t about them . . .

·         Batman and Robin by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason.  No changes here, except that Dick isn’t Batman anymore; there will be only Bruce.  Damian Wayne is still Robin.  There is little doubt in my mind that this book will continue to suck wind.

·         Batwing by Judd Winick and Ben Oliver.  This will star Africa’s Batman—DC’s answer to Black Panther.  Winick’s certainly a good writer, but if nobody bought the groundbreaking Unknown Soldier book, why would someone buy this?  It promises to be completely irrelevant.

·         Nightwing by Kyle Higgins and Eddy Barrows.  Dick Grayson returns to the role.

·         Detective Comics by writer/artist Tony Daniel.  I didn’t buy Tony Daniel when did Batman.  Now they’re moving him to Detective, and putting the Detective team on Batman.  Just to f^C# with my pull list…

·         Birds of Prey by Duane Swierczynski and Jesus Saiz.  Batman’s answer to X-Force.  Can’t say I’m a big fan of Duane (he killed the Immortal Iron Fist comic, for one thing), but he did do well with Deadpool…

·         Red Hood & The Outlaws by Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort featuring Arsenal and Starfire.  And speaking of Deadpool, how much does this look like a DP book?

·         Catwoman by Judd Winick and Guillem March.  Now here’s the first new one I’m excited about.  A fantastic artist and writer team on what promises to be a dark, off-center superbook.

·         Batman: The Dark Knight by writer/artist David Finch (no changes here).

·         Batwoman by J.H. Williams III, Haden Blackman and Amy Reeder.  I’ll believe it (and buy it) when I see it, but if they ever actually get around to publishing it, it’ll be genius.

·         Batgirl by Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf/Vicente Cifuentes.  Gail Simone?  Hmmm.  This may end up on the pull list…Batgirl is Barbara Gordon again, with her legs working.

·         Batman by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo.  Best bat-team working right now, in my opinion.

What all of this means for all the Incorporated dudes isn’t clear, but that title is off the roster.  It will complete its run after issue #10 (which Grant Morrison promises will be a game-changer), and then will disappear for a few months until 2012, when it will return as Batman: Leviathan–a 12-part “conclusion” to Morrison’s entire Batman run.  Presumably, that will be GM’s last work with the character (as he takes over Superman).  And I’m sure it will be phenomenal.

Tags: Comic books, Green Lantern, The Caped Crusader

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Posted on June 7th, 2011 by ekko

The art of Chow Hon Lam. Great stuff!

Tags: Picture of the day

THE BEST OF 2011 SO FAR….

Posted on June 7th, 2011 by ekko

After Labor Day you shouldn’t wear white.  Or you should.  There’s some stupid rule about that.  Just like after Memorial Day, you’re supposed to publish a “best of so far” list.  It’s a rule or something.  If you don’t do it, they kick you out of Blogger Club.  Or they electroshock your balls.  Something like that.

So in the spirit of conformity, compliance, and protecting my junk, here’s my best of 2011 so far.  Mostly, this is an album-review site, so mostly, that’s what I’ve included here.  But there’s a few other things that snuck in.

Disclaimer: This list has nothing to do with what will (or will not) appear on my actual best of 2011 list this December.  I didn’t do a “so far” list in 2010 (and boy am I sore), but in 2009 my “so far” list had a ton of stuff that didn’t make prime time.  It’s because, over time, stuff doesn’t keep my interest–or because newer, more interesting stuff comes out.

In short, this list is nonbinding.

THE TOP 10 MUSIC RELEASES OF 2011 . . . SO FAR

The three bubbling under:

1.  “Beast of Burden” by Wild Flag.  Merge Records’ “supergroup of four chicks from Sleater-Kinney, Helium, and The Minders, are rough and rugged punkers.  And their cover of this Rolling Stones classic is terrific.

2.  The Heat (American Language Remix)-P.L.O. featuring Has-Lo, Zilla Rocca and Curly Castro.  Best rap single of the year so far, maybe.

3.  Javelin-Canyon Candy.  Definitely the oddest album of the year…..

10.  The Beastie Boys-Hot Sauce Committee Part 2.

No, it’s not independent, but the Beasties have been a part of my world since their first album.  A Beastie Boy went to the College I graduated from.  A Beastie went to the High School I graduated from.  And two of the Boys went to the High School I was kicked out of.  And so did Luscious Jackson, a sort of beastie girl band who went on to become a pop group with one big hit (“Naked Eye”).

Plus, this may be MCA’s last album…There’s no sign of part 1 (this was supposed to be a double-release, originally), and he’s not getting any healthier.  So they deserve to be on here.

Plus, the album is probably their best since Check Your Head.

9.  J. Mascis-Several Shades of Why.

Dinosaur Jr. genius goes solo and makes a sad, acoustic singer-songwriter record.  His experience as a musician, and the reason why he’s one of the most influential artists of the 1990s, is abundantly clear.

8.  Matt The Electrician-Accidental Thief.

A genuine electrician’s foray into indie folk is much, much better than you’d expect.

7.  “All I Wanna Do” by Grynch. From his Timeless EP, an altogether solid record–but this anthem goes the extra mile.  Great pop tune, great party rap.

6.  Deep Dark Robot-8 Songs About a Girl.

Great stuff.  Yeah, Linda Perry is on a major label.  But she kicks ass like an indie grrrl.

5.  Imaginary Cities-Temporary Resident.

When I last reviewed this, I compared lead singer Marti Sarbit to Macy Gray and called her “amazing.”  In retrospect, I think I undersold her. But to be fair to my abilities, I also said this was easily a candidate for best pop album of 2011. Still true.

Ride This Out

Say You

4.  Colin Hay-Gathering Mercury.

I told you once.  Now I’m telling you again: This is his best release of original material since . . . Ever.

Send Somebody

3.  “Get Away” by Yuck. This should have been the hit of the summer–it’s all hook and attitude, a great rock and roll song.  I can’t say I love the album as much as this one song, but you’ve got to hear this single.

2.  Jason Isbell-Here We Rest.

When we last discussed Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s second album (and Jason’s third effort without the Drive-By Truckers), we noted that this is a genre-crossing record: R&B meets Americana. We also noted that only an idiot (or a Pitchfork reviewer) would even bother to try to compare this to the man’s DBT work.  It’s nothing like it.  It’s fresher, incredibly different, and far, far more interesting.

Alabama Pines

1.  If By Yes-Salt on Sea Glass.

Here’s what I told you before.  Here’s why I’m telling you again:  If Petra Haden doesn’t do it for you, how about Yuka Honda of Cibo Matto?  Still no?  Then add David Byrne.  This album is a revelation.

Three As Four

Tags: Best of 2011, Exception to my no major labels rule, Hip Hop, Indie, Indie Pop, Indie rock

JUSTICE OF THE UNICORNS-Animals Will Be Stoned

Posted on June 6th, 2011 by ekko

Okay, so there’s this song “Blood on the Wings” on Justice of the Unicorns‘ new album, Animals Will Be Stoned.  It’s not about getting your redwings, though.  It’s about all these dudes who died in plane crashes like Buddy Holly and Big Bopper.  “There’s gas in the air!  And blood on the wings!  And crying!”  I’m listening to the lead singer, whose low, deep voice sounds like a little like Lou Reed on acid, and I’m laughing, and I’m wondering….Is this supposed to be funny? Then there’s the song about “Mary Jane,” whose dog has her shoe and the police are laughing.  And “Old Man Jesus”–”When his tombstone cracks, the girls are gonna laugh at him.  They’re gonna laugh all night.”  Then there’s the album cover by Boris Vallejo. And shout outs to John Wayne and Peter Jennings. And requests to “jump start my baby.” It never stops. Relentlessly brilliant one-liners. Better than Emo Phillips, ’cause it’s got rhythm. Great music. Great vocals. There’s nothing bad about this album. You hear me, nothing?

This band has to know they’re hysterically funny, right?  I mean, like King Missle: Good music, great lyrics….The album is a tribute to 1970s rock, and it’s fucking awesome.  If you don’t like this album, you’re an idiot.

On Little Lambs recordings.

Animals Will Be Stoned

Stairway to Hell

Tags: Indie rock

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Posted on June 5th, 2011 by ekko

Tags: Implied Penis, Picture of the day

YUCK-Yuck

Posted on June 5th, 2011 by ekko

I really don’t want to like Yuck.  The band name is stupid, the music is young and full of quick drum clips and the vocals use effects and the songs aren’t really about anything and Pitchflurrk gave them an 8.5 and . . . Dammit, it’s good stuff.  It’s not surprising Dinosaur Jr. let Yuck be their opener.  This is noisepop/postpunk at its most cheerful, it’s most unabashed, and it’s most exuberant.  Relentless, power-chord blasts like Get Away, The Wall, and Holing Out are strong cuts for a first side of a debut album, and slower tunes like Suicide Policeman don’t end up being toss-offs—which is to the band’s credit.  After the first few songs, you start to wonder whether Yuck can pull off anything else, and Suicide Policeman proves they can, as does the quiet instrumental Rose Gives a Lily.  I hope this isn’t a one-album band–like so many similar ones before them (Franz Ferdinand, e.g.).  I truly hope.

So, what’s next boys?

Get Away

Tags: Indie rock

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Posted on June 4th, 2011 by ekko

Best video EVER!

Tags: Video of the day

THE DC REBOOTS: Update

Posted on June 3rd, 2011 by ekko

I probably should have waited another day before posting about the new DC, since now they’ve released ten covers of the new #1s and have confirmed/dispelled several creative team rumors…Here’s what we know/think we know (and what I think):

I’M EXCITED!

• Superman by Grant Morrison.

• The Fury of Firestorm by Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone, with art by Yildiray Cinar.  I have to be honest: I had no idea Van Sciver was a writer.  But Simone?  I think I’d follow her here.  Secret Six is far and away my favorite DC book on the stands right now.  (Although even her name couldn’t get me to buy Birds of Prey—just not interested.)  And when I was much younger, I loved Firestorm—back in the Ronnie Raymond days.  That issue where he meets Plastique and makes all her clothes disappear was probably one of my favorite stand-alone comics of the 1980s.  Seriously, you should try to go find it.  Lots of fun.  (Remember when comics were mostly fun?  I miss those days!)

I’M CURIOUS, BUT NOT READY TO SPEND THREE BUCKS AN ISSUE . . .

• Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang.  Azzarello’s “Joker” graphic novel was good, as was 100 Bullets.  If this series actually makes it past ten issues, I’d be willing to shell out for the trade.  Of course, DC’s trade publication schedule is just about the only thing they do worse than their actual comic book publication schedule.  (Where the next issue of Dark Knight?  Where’s Batwoman?)  The only reason this isn’t in my “excited” ranking is because, well, it’s Wonder Woman.  She’s only been good once, for about five issues, during George Perez’s run.  Then again, if she’s really going to be sleeping with Superman…Oh, and the cover looks great—it’s the first time her new costume looked good on her.

• Justice League International by Dan Jurgens and  Aaron Lopresti.  The lineup this time will be: One (or several?) of the Batmen (Bruce, Dick, International or otherwise), Booster Gold, Guy Gardner, Vixen, Fire, Ice, a member of China’s Great Ten superteam, Rocket Red(?!), and what appears to be Donna Troy (at least based on the cover).  Sorry, but without the original creators on this book I am exceedingly skeptical.  JLI was easily the best version of JL in history, but it was mostly due to the brilliant writing of Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis (along with Kevin Maguire’s wonderful art).  This goes in my “wait and see” pile.  Especially since the cover is so humorless.

MEH.  IF LOTS OF FOLKS DIG IT, I MIGHT TRY IT IN TRADE.

• Aquaman by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis.  I think I’m over Geoff Johns, and I think I can safely say that Aquaman will never, ever make my pull list.  But if the reviews are truly raves….
  Justice League by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.  The only big name who has gotten more boring than Geoff Johns is Jim Lee.  But both have had past greatness, so there’s potential here.
• The Savage Hawkman by Tony Daniel and Philip Tan.  Love Tan.  Don’t love Daniel all that much.  Don’t care about Hawky.  Sorry.
• Green Lantern, still by Geoff Johns.
• Teen Titans, possibly written byScott Lobdell.  They keep sucking me in because I so want this book to be good again.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.  NEVER.  NO THANK YOU.

• The Flash by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato.  Flash is a nonstarter for me. Everyone says he’s never been better than he is now, with Geoff Johns at the reins, and I find the book wholly unimaginative.  And the cover for the new #1?  It’s Flash running toward the reader with lightning all over.  Like I’ve never seen Manapul draw that before.
• Green Arrow by JT Krul and Dan Jurgens.  Krul is maybe the biggest hack at DC.  No thank you.  Story-wise, it’s being promoted as a new origin book.
• Mister Terrific by Eric Wallace and Roger Robinson.
• Captain Atom by JT Krul and Freddie Williams II.
• DC Universe Presents featuring Deadman by Paul Jenkins and Bernard Chang.
• Birds of Prey, creative team unannounced.  See above.  If Gail Simone couldn’t bring me in, I doubt anything could.

I HAVE QUESTIONS!

• So there’s an ongoing Search for the Swamp Thing but no Swamp Thing #1?
• Where the heck is Judd Winick?  I haven’t been able to read it (due to DC’s afore-mentioned horrible trade publication schedule), but I understand his JLI work was very good.  Why was he fired?
• Mr. Terrific?  Captain Atom??  Really???
• What’s going to happen with all the Batman books?
• Will we finally (ever) see the Batwoman title?
• Will we finally get a good Legion of Super Heroes series?
• So with all the origin stories, and what looks like a Firestorm with Ronnie again, did Crisis on Infinite Earths never happen?  What about Zero Hour?  What about Infinite Crisis?  What was the point of all that, then?  I get the sense that anything Geoff Johns didn’t write or approve of is being erased from history.  I guess that’s not a big deal—superheroes do need to be refreshed and reimagined for new generations (otherwise they’d all be in their seventies by now)—but it does make the reader wonder why bother reading “important” series like Flashpoint, which I am reading solely because it is supposed to be so important, if they’re not really going to matter anyway in a few years.

Tags: Comic books