Hockey has been one of my favorite discoveries of 2009. And 'Too Fake' is one of the reasons for the joy.
'Too Fake' contains chic electronic beats and subtle (but effective) synths. It's a great tune to both rock out and dance to.
View the video for 'Too Fake' below:
Monday, September 21, 2009
Inward Eye - 'Day After Day'
'Day After Day' is worth at least one spin, if only for its quite infectious chorus.
Watch the music video for Inward Eye's latest high energy release below:
Watch the music video for Inward Eye's latest high energy release below:
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Cage the Elephant - 'Back Against the Wall'
Cage the Elephant's 'Back Against the Wall' is a seductive blend of Blind Melon, Jane's Addiction, and The Kooks. The influences of Perry Farrell and Shannon Hoon are apparent as soon as the tune begins. Even the video for the song pays homage to the sub par video-grade and trippy effects of many grunge vids of the nineties. (Think 'Black Hole Sun' and 'I Stay Away').
You can watch the grunge-inspired video for 'Back Against the Wall' below:
You can watch the grunge-inspired video for 'Back Against the Wall' below:
Saturday, September 12, 2009
How To Be A Jukebox Hero
Chances are, it's happened to you. You're out on the town, enjoying a tasty drink and good company when a song comes over the speakers that makes your skin absolutely crawl.
"It's okay," you say. "The next one will be better." But it's not. Some lush across the room has just pumped his life savings into the jukebox and the ear-torture shows no sign of ending. Ever.
As a public service announcement, we here at The Lonely Note have compiled a short list of the Top 10 Rules of the Jukebox, with the hope that this sort of behavior never has to happen again. Let the rules commence:
RULE #1. Pick songs that fit the general atmosphere of the establishment (ie: dive bar = classic rock/hair metal). You can't please everyone all the time, but don't go into a biker bar and play Spice Girls. Unless, of course, you enjoy getting your teeth kicked in.
RULE #2. Don't take over the jukebox by playing 10 songs in a row. Let someone else have a go at it. If you want to throw your money away, that's your prerogative. But, if you want to be a DJ so bad, throw a house party with your iPod or get a job with the local radio station.
RULE #3. Don't play more than a couple songs by the same artist, and when possible, try to space those apart. It just gets monotonous, and isn't terribly original.
RULE #4. If the jukebox has a "Play Next" option, use it sparingly. If the guy in front of you just played something, wait your turn. It's like jumping ahead in the line to the bathroom. Nobody wants to wait two hours and never hear their song. However, skipping someone else's song may be acceptable if that person has carelessly violated any of the rules on this list.
RULE #5. B-Sides and hit singles are both acceptable, but show some creativity and mix 'em up. The Rolling Stones have a lot of great songs, so don't feel obligated to play "Start Me Up" every single time.
RULE #6. Longer isn't always better. In other words, don't play "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" or "American Pie" unless the mood absolutely calls for it. It's probably one of the biggest jerk moves in the universe to monopolize an entire third of an hour with one long prog-rock song. Making somebody listen to a craptastic epic can be quite cruel.
RULE #7. Don't try to be an adjunct music professor by playing your obscure, super-niched music that nobody else has heard about. While you and your indie-trash friends may love to stay home and jam out to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or The Fiery Furnaces, most people's musical universes haven't expanded beyond Top 40 Radio. If they wanted to be schooled, they would have stayed home and watched Ken Burns' Jazz documentary on dvd instead of going out.
RULE #8. Don't be afraid to indulge your guilty side. So what if you want to spend your hard-earned dollar on the cliche jukebox song that everybody always seems to play whenever you're out? The reason some songs are constantly spun in bars is because they are timeless classics that everyone knows. These tunes may be cheesy, but they'll get the ladies (and fellas) dancing in no time. And that's the whole point of a jukebox, right?
RULE #9. Don't expect the neighborhood Irish pub to accommodate you when you experience a jukebox malfunction or other rip-off. Anymore, most of these machines are rented by the establishment, and complaints have to be taken up with the jukebox company itself.
RULE #10. When you step into a bar, you need to realize that you are likely to get screwed on the jukebox. Don't get too upset if it isn't playing your favorite music all of the time. Some people just have bad taste, but those people pay for songs too. And they have just as much right as you do to express that. So, stay calm. Your best bet to avoid this scenario is to frequent bars with old-school jukes - ones preloaded with good albums. Touch-screen internet machines are bound to have a wider selection, but the downfall is that other patrons can request just about anything they want.
Now, most of these "rules" are common courtesies and etiquette that you should have learned in grade school. However, when booze is involved and emotions run high, these rules are likely to be abused. Don't be that person. Take the higher path... and be a Juke. Box. Hero.
Do you have an important rule that we let slip through the cracks? Please share!
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Dan Fogelberg - 'Missing You'
Like a lot of kids, I grew up listening to my parents' music collection. Early on, I developed a fondness for a lot of artists from before my era.
One of the favorites in our household was always Dan Fogelberg, the Illinois singer/songwriter who had success in the late '70s and early '80s with poignant, introspective hits such as "Old Lang Syne," "Longer," and "Leader of the Band."
One of my personal favorites from Fogelberg is "Missing You" - an uptempo jam with a rock groove not often heard in his bigger singles. Fogelberg, a talented multi-instrumentalist, was able to show off his guitar chops well with this track.
Dan Fogelberg passed away from cancer in late 2007, but left behind a legacy of classic songs few artists ever achieve.
Dan Fogelberg - "Missing You" (as performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, 1987)
*postscript: I had originally intended to write about Fogelberg following the sad news of his death. Instead, I am writing this as a 'Happy Birthday' to my mother, who first introduced me to his music. Thanks, Mom.
One of the favorites in our household was always Dan Fogelberg, the Illinois singer/songwriter who had success in the late '70s and early '80s with poignant, introspective hits such as "Old Lang Syne," "Longer," and "Leader of the Band."
One of my personal favorites from Fogelberg is "Missing You" - an uptempo jam with a rock groove not often heard in his bigger singles. Fogelberg, a talented multi-instrumentalist, was able to show off his guitar chops well with this track.
Dan Fogelberg passed away from cancer in late 2007, but left behind a legacy of classic songs few artists ever achieve.
Dan Fogelberg - "Missing You" (as performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, 1987)
*postscript: I had originally intended to write about Fogelberg following the sad news of his death. Instead, I am writing this as a 'Happy Birthday' to my mother, who first introduced me to his music. Thanks, Mom.
Friday, September 04, 2009
The Duke Spirit - 'Lassoo'
If Grace Slick had stayed sober, she would have sung for The Duke Spirit. Although the British-based outfit has been on the scene for at least a couple of years, the group is just now finally starting to get the attention it deserves.
Maybe its the band's Dandy Warhols-influenced arrangements? Or maybe its the fact The Duke Spirit has scored the opening gig for recent Incubus concerts here in the States? Or maybe, just maybe, it's Carson Daly?
Whatever it is, I'm not complaining.
Check out the video to 'Lassoo' below:
Monday, August 10, 2009
Brokencyde - 'Freaxxx'
I had no idea who Brokencyde was until I watched a recent episode of The Digg Reel, featuring the band's video for 'Freaxxx.' If you've ever wondered what auto-tune plus roaring equals...well, just listen to the video below:
Friday, August 07, 2009
Caught On Tape: Face To Face - 'I Won't Lie Down'
In case you were wondering what I was doing any random afternoon in the fall of 1996, there's a good chance I was playing roller hockey up the street with my friends.
It was sort of a ritual with us - we'd strap on our 'blades and scrap it out for hours, shouting, "Car!" and "Game on!" every 2 minutes or so.
I'd lug my boombox up to my friend's front porch and we'd all take turns broadcasting our favorite cds to the whole neighborhood. It was all about finding the best skating tunes - something hard and fast to get the blood flowing and the puck sliding.
Face To Face's eponymous LP - and in particular, the single "I Won't Lie Down" - was always one my favorite selections for such an occasion. The SoCal rockers played a brand of punk that was velocious and angry, yet not at the expense of tunefulness. Their songs had pop hooks without being part of a genre which has since been labeled "Pop-punk."
In the dozen or more years since I first heard "I Won't Lie Down," my musical tastes have shifted some and the old neighborhood street games have ended. However, I often long for those days, and the fond memories held in a song that I still consider to be one of my favorites.
Face To Face - "I Won't Lie Down"
It was sort of a ritual with us - we'd strap on our 'blades and scrap it out for hours, shouting, "Car!" and "Game on!" every 2 minutes or so.
I'd lug my boombox up to my friend's front porch and we'd all take turns broadcasting our favorite cds to the whole neighborhood. It was all about finding the best skating tunes - something hard and fast to get the blood flowing and the puck sliding.
Face To Face's eponymous LP - and in particular, the single "I Won't Lie Down" - was always one my favorite selections for such an occasion. The SoCal rockers played a brand of punk that was velocious and angry, yet not at the expense of tunefulness. Their songs had pop hooks without being part of a genre which has since been labeled "Pop-punk."
In the dozen or more years since I first heard "I Won't Lie Down," my musical tastes have shifted some and the old neighborhood street games have ended. However, I often long for those days, and the fond memories held in a song that I still consider to be one of my favorites.
Face To Face - "I Won't Lie Down"
Thursday, July 30, 2009
White Rabbits - 'Percussion Gun'
White Rabbits originally hail from Columbia, Missouri, even though they've since moved to New York. And 'Percussion Gun' is the first track from their latest It's Frightening. The New-Wave inspired beats of the track, coupled with its pleading vocals, make for a helluva tune.
Watch the video below:
Watch the video below:
Amazing Baby - 'Headdress'
If you're a fan of neo-psychedelia, then 'Headdress' by Amazing Baby is the song for you. I'd say the intermittent guitar riffs are the tune's highlights.
Watch 'Headdress' below:
Watch 'Headdress' below:
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Jay-Z - 'Death of Auto-Tune'
Jay-Z takes it back to the golden age of jazz in his newest single and corresponding music video. As it's title suggests, 'Death of Auto-Tune' is a verbal backlash against hip-hop's current addiction to the now ubiquitous studio recording feature.
Attempting to single-handedly save rap, Jay-Z masterfully mixes in soulful clarinet with a sonic drum beat--in other words, he goes old school. And as always, Jay-Z reproves his lyrical genius with such zingers as:
and:
The video also features a couple of cameos from a couple of well-known actors and athletes. But I'll let you watch the video on your own to find out who the guests turn out to be.
Watch 'Death of Auto-Tune' below:
Attempting to single-handedly save rap, Jay-Z masterfully mixes in soulful clarinet with a sonic drum beat--in other words, he goes old school. And as always, Jay-Z reproves his lyrical genius with such zingers as:
You rappers singing too much, get back to rap you T-Paining too much.
and:
I know we facing a recession, but the music y’all making going make it the Great Depression.
The video also features a couple of cameos from a couple of well-known actors and athletes. But I'll let you watch the video on your own to find out who the guests turn out to be.
Watch 'Death of Auto-Tune' below:
Monday, July 06, 2009
The Takeover UK - 'Ah La La'
'Ah La La' is a boisterous--and catchy--three minute romp from the It's All Happening EP. The disc came out over a year ago, but this addicting single is just now garnering some serious radio play. Stream a 30 second sample of 'Ah La La' by The Takeover UK below. If you want to hear the entire song, click on the link in the player:
Ah La La [Explicit Version] (Album Version) - The Takeover UK
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
SWV - 'Right Here'
To demonstrate just how pervasive Michael Jackson's musical influence was, here is one fine example. 'Right Here' by Sisters With Voices (SWV) blatantly implemented MJ's 'Human Nature' as its backing melody in the early nineties. To say the least, it worked quite nicely.
Watch and listen below:
Watch and listen below:
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Michael Jackson - 'Stranger in Moscow'
It has been impossible this weekend to avoid discussing the untimely death of Michael Jackson. As the tributes begin and the music elites speak out, it will be the prescribed course of action to begin identifying which one of his songs are his very best.
Undoubtedly, monster hits such as 'Thriller,' 'Billy Jean,' and 'Bad' will surely rise to the top. Notwithstanding these pop successes, however, it is some of MJ's deeper tracks that hold a special place in the collective music listener's consciousness. One such deep cut is 'Stranger in Moscow,' the King of Pop's captivating ballad from 1995. In the video, dramatic slo-mo shots of baseballs shattering windows, insects fluttering in the wind, and the pitter patter of rain drops show the viewer that whenever we may feel alone there is still music in the world. We sometimes just have to listen hard enough for it.
In sum, 'Stranger in Moscow' is but one example of Jackson's incredible gift to convey the beauty of the world through music. And for that, he will always be remembered.
Undoubtedly, monster hits such as 'Thriller,' 'Billy Jean,' and 'Bad' will surely rise to the top. Notwithstanding these pop successes, however, it is some of MJ's deeper tracks that hold a special place in the collective music listener's consciousness. One such deep cut is 'Stranger in Moscow,' the King of Pop's captivating ballad from 1995. In the video, dramatic slo-mo shots of baseballs shattering windows, insects fluttering in the wind, and the pitter patter of rain drops show the viewer that whenever we may feel alone there is still music in the world. We sometimes just have to listen hard enough for it.
In sum, 'Stranger in Moscow' is but one example of Jackson's incredible gift to convey the beauty of the world through music. And for that, he will always be remembered.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Nickel Eye - 'You and Everyone Else'
Nickel Eye is the side project of Strokes bassist Nikolai Fraiture. Although the new venture retains its root Strokes essence, you can almost feel The Cure creeping through on a few of the tracks.'You and Everyone Else' is a great example of this.
Stream 'You and Everyone Else' below:
You And Everyone Else - Nickel Eye
Sunday, June 07, 2009
The Boxer Rebellion - 'Flashing Red Light Means Go'
A little bit of Verve, a little bit of Radiohead, The Boxer Rebellion creates weighty treks that spiral quite nicely through space and time. Stream a sample of 'Flashing Red Light Means Go' below:
Flashing Red Light Means Go - The Boxer Rebellion
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Phoenix - 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix'
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is the latest offering from the French band Phoenix. Rather than writing a full-scale review on this amazing new disc, I think it's much better to listen to it yourself. Below is a sampling of the entire disc. They are in 30-second increments on this site, but if you click on the "play full song" link within the widget, it will take you to the host iMeem page where you can stream all songs in their entirety for free. Some of my favorites are '1901,' 'Lasso' and 'Rome.'
Stream below:
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Behind The Sample: 'Summer in the City'
"Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty"
Chances are, you've heard those lyrics before. They belong to none other than The Lovin' Spoonful's 1966 hit, "Summer in the City."
The single jumped to #1 on the Billboard charts, and has since gone down in the classic rock history books for its signature keyboard and organ structure.
You probably already know that the single was a big hit and that it's still played regularly on classic rock radio. You may even recall cover versions of the song by BB King and Joe Cocker. What you might not have known is the influence it has had as a sample in popular music.
In 1973, legendary producer/songwriter Quincy Jones did a smooth-jazz interpretation of "Summer in the City," which emphasized the keyboard/organ interplay of the original.
Jones' seminal take on "Summer in the City" was able to cross over into future generations when hip-hop wordsmiths, The Pharcyde, broke onto the rap scene in 1992 with their iconic single, "Passin' Me By."
The song, recounting boyhood crushes and heartbreak, was built on a recognizable sample of "Summer in the City," as well as The Weather Report's "125th Street Congress," and Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?"
Three years later, Jones' cover was the basis for the Nightmares on Wax trip-hop/electronica song, "Nights Introlude," from its 1995 album, Smokers Delight.
In 1998, Massive Attack furthered the sample's use in trip-hop with limited use in the song, "Exchange."
But as if that wasn't already enough evidence of the sample's popularity...
Joe, a popular R&B singer, had a #1 single in 2001 with the remix of his track, "Stutter." The song finds the singer calling out his girlfriend for lying over an affair. Beyond the familiar keyboard loop itself, one recognizably stuttered lyric is, "My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me, but I know you very well, now let me tell you that I c-c-c-c-caught you."
Joe - "Stutter (remix, feat. Mystikal)"
Sound familiar? If not, listen again to that last verse of The Pharcyde's, "Passin' Me By."
At one point, The Pharcyde's lyrics speak of a love letter that reads, "My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me but I know you very well, now let me tell you about the feelings I have for you..."
Hmm. So, I suppose this would mean that Joe's best hook is based off of The Pharcyde's hook, which is based off of Quincy Jones' hook from his song which covers a classic rock single by The Lovin' Spoonful, who were influenced by the British Invasion movement in the 1960s. Interesting.
It is a test to just how far a good musical idea can reach. A well-written song can recur and be interpreted through generations of new musicians.
Chances are, you've heard those lyrics before. They belong to none other than The Lovin' Spoonful's 1966 hit, "Summer in the City."
The single jumped to #1 on the Billboard charts, and has since gone down in the classic rock history books for its signature keyboard and organ structure.
You probably already know that the single was a big hit and that it's still played regularly on classic rock radio. You may even recall cover versions of the song by BB King and Joe Cocker. What you might not have known is the influence it has had as a sample in popular music.
In 1973, legendary producer/songwriter Quincy Jones did a smooth-jazz interpretation of "Summer in the City," which emphasized the keyboard/organ interplay of the original.
Jones' seminal take on "Summer in the City" was able to cross over into future generations when hip-hop wordsmiths, The Pharcyde, broke onto the rap scene in 1992 with their iconic single, "Passin' Me By."
The song, recounting boyhood crushes and heartbreak, was built on a recognizable sample of "Summer in the City," as well as The Weather Report's "125th Street Congress," and Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?"
Three years later, Jones' cover was the basis for the Nightmares on Wax trip-hop/electronica song, "Nights Introlude," from its 1995 album, Smokers Delight.
In 1998, Massive Attack furthered the sample's use in trip-hop with limited use in the song, "Exchange."
But as if that wasn't already enough evidence of the sample's popularity...
Joe, a popular R&B singer, had a #1 single in 2001 with the remix of his track, "Stutter." The song finds the singer calling out his girlfriend for lying over an affair. Beyond the familiar keyboard loop itself, one recognizably stuttered lyric is, "My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me, but I know you very well, now let me tell you that I c-c-c-c-caught you."
Sound familiar? If not, listen again to that last verse of The Pharcyde's, "Passin' Me By."
At one point, The Pharcyde's lyrics speak of a love letter that reads, "My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me but I know you very well, now let me tell you about the feelings I have for you..."
Hmm. So, I suppose this would mean that Joe's best hook is based off of The Pharcyde's hook, which is based off of Quincy Jones' hook from his song which covers a classic rock single by The Lovin' Spoonful, who were influenced by the British Invasion movement in the 1960s. Interesting.
It is a test to just how far a good musical idea can reach. A well-written song can recur and be interpreted through generations of new musicians.
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