Need to let out a little angst?
Trent Reznor sure has done his share of venting. For all of the tortured songs that Nine Inch Nails has recorded over the years, few have matched the level of breakneck sonic annihilation that is 'March of the Pigs.' From NIN's 1994 album, The Downward Spiral, the song captures all the industrial nihilism Reznor could muster in a 3-minute single.
But it's not the rapid-fire drum beats or dehumanized noise that make 'March of the Pigs' so brutal. It's the two rare moments of Reznor's unaccompanied clarity that break from the grind to create a subtle, pop hook.
The music video for 'March of the Pigs' was stripped-down to a single, shaky camera shot, with the band performing live in a white room. The minimalistic video emphasizes the raw sound quality and aggressive nature of the band's performances.
What makes such a simple concept work so well here is Reznor's full-on rockstar takeover. He screams, he stumbles into the other band members, and he throws his microphone more than once - causing stagehands to enter the frame to fix problems. The video seems completely unrehearsed, and embraces its awkward flaws to emerge as a strong (and amusing) declaration of defiance.
Watch below to see what I mean:
There. Now, doesn't it make you feel better?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
New Snow Patrol Album Out in October
Snow Patrol will release a new album, 'A Hundred Million Suns', on October 27.
The Scottish band will precede the release of the album with a single, 'Take Back The City', out October 13.
Read the full article here.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Steeples - 'Britney's Tears'
'Britney's Tears' is a tune that sounds like a bumpier version of a song that could have been done by The Kooks.You can stream below. But beware, it's quite catchy:
The Steeples - 'Britney's Tears'
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Envy Corps - 'Party Dress'
'Party Dress' is probably one of my favorite cuts off of The Envy Corps' Dwell. The Iowa-based band has been compared to Modest Mouse, but this track comes out on the Radiohead side of things.Give 'Party Dress' a spin, by streaming below:
The Envy Corps - 'Party Dress'
Jim Noir - 'Look Around You'
Psychedelia is back in this wistful, summertime tune by Jim Noir. 'Look Around You' is full of thick British accents, various woodwind loops, and a feel good melody.Stream 'Look Around You' below:
Jim Noir - 'Look Around You'
Monday, August 04, 2008
Santogold - 'L.E.S. Artistes'
Bearing strong resemblance to Tegan and Sara, 'L.E.S. Artistes' is catchy and bumpy. And if Gwen Stefani were to ever return to the alt rock scene, it is easy to envision her covering this tune.Stream Santogold's 'L.E.S. Artistes' below:
Santogold - 'L.E.S. Artistes'
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Dick Prall Concert Recap - August 2, 2008
Weatherwise, it was a nearly perfect evening when Dick Prall took the stage at the Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater last night in Des Moines, Iowa.It was my first time seeing Prall live, and I'm very glad I did. His entourage included an electric cellist, as well as a sax player. And Prall's voice was in tip top pitch. The ambiance was very chill and relaxed---especially with the Honker's Ale flowing freely. At the end of his set, Yours Truly and his girlfriend had the opportunity to meet Prall, as he autographed a newly bought copy of Weightless. Prall was a very classy guy.
As you may recall, I previously posted a stream of 'The Cornflakes Song.' This time around, I'm including a few other choice cuts from Weightless. Overall, I think its quite a solid album.
The music streams are below:
Dick Prall - 'Side by Side'
Dick Prall - 'Halfway to Hollywood'
Dick Prall - 'If it Bends'
Monday, July 28, 2008
Forgotten Gem: Simply Red - 'Something Got Me Started"
By the time Simply Red released its hit 1991 album, Stars, it had already been around for half a dozen years - building success through tracks like 'Holding Back the Years' (1985) and 'If You Don't Know Me By Now' (1989). However, it was Stars' opening track, 'Something Got Me Started,' that got me started listening to Simply Red.
The song's dance grooves and jazzy keyboards were a pleasant shift from the group's easier-listening, soul-pop leanings. The album as a whole was funkier than the group's previous three offererings. While the album's title track went on to become the bigger single, 'Something Got Me Started' still deserves recognition for its pure clubability.
To start your own 90s dance party, click the song below:
Simply Red - 'Something Got Me Started'.mp3
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Kenny Loggins - 'Playing with the Boys' - Video
Taking a page out of Title IX litigation, Kenny Loggins pleads for athletic gender equality with his eighties video, 'Playing with the Boys.'
The video's storyline is pretty cliche: cocky-jock men challenge a modest group of women to a game of volleyball, in a gymnasium packed full of spectators. The men have no problem in the beginning running up the score and partaking in outrageous dance celebrations. But the women refuse to give up, keep working hard, and tie the score toward the end of the game. Who ends up winning the match? Think "Mentos Commercial," and you can easily figure out the answer.
'Playing with the Boys' may be cheesy and dated, but its a sweet song nonetheless. Watch the video for 'Playing with the Boys' below:
The video's storyline is pretty cliche: cocky-jock men challenge a modest group of women to a game of volleyball, in a gymnasium packed full of spectators. The men have no problem in the beginning running up the score and partaking in outrageous dance celebrations. But the women refuse to give up, keep working hard, and tie the score toward the end of the game. Who ends up winning the match? Think "Mentos Commercial," and you can easily figure out the answer.
'Playing with the Boys' may be cheesy and dated, but its a sweet song nonetheless. Watch the video for 'Playing with the Boys' below:
Friday, July 18, 2008
Fleet Foxes - 'Blue Ridge Mountains'
Fleet Foxes is arguably one of my favorite new bands of 2008. An amalgamation of folk-gospel, soft-rock and Brit-pop, the band's retro stylings fall somewhere among the likes of America and Iron & Wine.
'Blue Ridge Mountains,' a track from the group's self-titled June release, builds from acoustic strummings and subtle vocal harmonies into a full-fledged piano rocker.
The band makes such a convincing argument here for Southern-fried folk-rock, it would be hard to peg Fleet Foxes as a Sub Pop act from Seattle.
You can stream 'Blue Ridge Mountains' below:
Fleet Foxes - 'Blue Ridge Mountains'.mp3
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Dick Prall - 'The Cornflakes Song'
Iowa-born, Chicago-based Dick Prall's 'The Cornflakes Song' is one of 2008's sleeper hits. Lo on the fi, and high on the cheer, the song is a breezy indie tune.Stream 'The Cornflakes Song' below:
Dick Prall - 'The Cornflakes Song'
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Journey - 'Something to Hide'
Journey's Infinity first introduced the band to FM audiences with such hits as 'Wheel in the Sky' and 'Lights.' But it was the album's deep cuts that really shaped the album into one of the band's best.One such track was 'Somethin' to Hide.' Not only did Perry's incredible vocals shine through, but Schon's bluesy guitar riffs and Rolie's keyboard arrangements provided perfect complements as well.
You can stream 'Somethin' to Hide' below:
Journey - 'Somethin' to Hide'
Monday, July 14, 2008
New GNR Song Featured on Rock Band 2
A new Guns N' Roses song, "Shackler's Revenge," apparently from the decade-in-the-works album "Chinese Democracy," will be included in the video game "Rock Band 2," according to a report in the New York Times.
The game will be released in September.
Read the rest of the article here.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Pigeon Detectives - 'This Is An Emergency'
Like its other alt-rock analogues, the secret ingredient to 'This Is An Emergency' is its chorus. Frolicking and rollicking, this raucous song can be streamed below: The Pigeon Detectives - 'This Is An Emergency'
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Plants and Animals - 'Bye Bye Bye'
The first track to begin Plants and Animals' Parc Avenue is 'Bye Bye Bye.' Endearing and melodic, the song channels The Beatles and Arcade Fire.Stream 'Bye Bye Bye' below:
Plants and Animals - 'Bye Bye Bye'
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Dresden Dolls - 'The Kill'
For a song with such a simple title, "The Kill" is excitingly intricate. Lyrically, zingers like "Say what you will / I am the kill" and "Put Pat Sajak back in office," and "But the sun still sets on you / And your retarded party" provide plenty of cerebral fodder. Musically, the disjointed song parts shatter the radio rock paradigm.You can stream The Dresden Dolls - 'The Kill' below:
The Dresden Dolls - 'The Kill'
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Estelle Featuring Kanye West - 'American Boy'
America and Britain's hip-hop scenes are bridged in this ultra-chill, ultra-cool collaboration between Estelle and Kanye West. Kanye's always killer lyrics, and Estelle's smooth vocals combine to spawn a chic summer tune.You can stream 'American Boy' below:
Estelle Feat. Kanye West - 'American Boy'
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Coldplay - 'Viva La Vida'
What can I say, I'm a sucker for strings and Apple commercials. Coldplay's title track from their forthcoming Viva La Vida features violins, and is the latest band to appear in the always-trendy iTunes commercials.Stream 'Viva La Vida' below:
Coldplay - 'Viva La Vida'
Sunday, June 08, 2008
The Ting Tings - 'Shut Up And Let Me Go'
'Shut Up and Let Me Go' sounds like a retro version of a Yeah Yeah Yeahs tune. The song is actually by The Ting Tings, whose album was just released on Tuesday. At just under three minutes, it's quite catchy.Spin the tune below:
The Ting Tings - 'Shut Up and Let Me Go'
Thursday, June 05, 2008
NIN Releases Free Tour Sampler EP
2008 has been the year for Nine Inch Nails to give back to the fans.Just three months ago, the band released the four-volume instrumental collection, Ghosts, for a mere $5 digital download, with the first volume available for free.
Last month, the band surprised everyone with the unexpected release of a new, full-length NIN album, The Slip. That album is also currently available for a free download, with the note, "Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years -- this one's on me."
So, it's not surprising that Trent Reznor would already follow that up with yet another free offering.
Lights in the Sky is a 5-song EP featuring new music from bands supporting NIN on its summer tour: A Place To Bury Strangers, Crystal Castles, Deerhunter, and Does It Offend You, Yeah? The Nine Inch Nails track "Echoplex" is also included, along with bonus album art and web graphics.
The EP can be downloaded for free, no strings attached, at the band's official website, NIN.com
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