Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Mixtape Oh Eight! track listing

1. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance - Black Kids - Partie Traumatic

2. Run (I'm a Natural Disaster) - Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple

3. Can It Be (Half a Million Dollars and 18 Months Later) - Murs - Can It Be (Half a Million Dollars and 18 Months Later) (single)

4. Tomorrow Morning - Aesop Rock - Aesop Rock and Jeremy Fish Present Ghosts of the Barbary Coast

5. Rising Up [feat. Wale and Chrisette Michele] - The Roots - Rising Down

6. Shake My S**t - Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman - The Fabled City

7. Everybody Get Dangerous - Weezer -Weezer (Red Album)

8. Lovecraft in Brooklyn - The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride

9. Top Yourself - The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

10. Look Out Sunshine! - The Fratellis - Here We Stand

11. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? - She & Him - Volume One

12. Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

13. Fear And Convenience - Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings & All

14. Bowie - Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords

15. Yesterday - Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

16. Viva La Vida - Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends

17. Ara bátur - Sigur Rós - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust

18. Reckoner - Radiohead - In Rainbows


note: Though many would consider Reckoner to be a 2007 song, In Rainbows had its actual physical store release on January 1st, 2008 in North America so I thought its inclusion was pretty suiting for the occasion. However, due to issues with iTunes, Reckoner didn't make it on all of the mixes.



Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Mix Tape Oh Eight! Finished Again!

Ok now there are 18 slices of golden sonic sexiness ready to penetrate the most sensual spaces of your ears packed onto a single CD. I'm pretty sure this is the final version. I've had a difficult time trying to find a balance between a mix that flowed well and a mix that showcased the best songs from each artist. Anyway, as completely awesome as it is right now there were a few songs that were really good that couldn't fit. In a lot of cases it broke my heart to have to choose between songs. If I had enough CDs I would make a Mix Tape Oh Eight Part Deux but I don't, so here they are so you can purchase them/download them at your own leisure if you haven't already:
















Happy New Year's Eve!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Mix Tape Oh Eight! is Finished

I have made the final adjustments to Mix Tape Oh Eight. Here at Blogged Drainpipe, we have toiled endlessly for the last year, creating a well-crafted mix that not only represents the music of the last year, but also is a joy to listen to. The result of that effort is Mix Tape Oh Eight!, a mix that was created mostly with Willy Nissen in mind. Mix Tape Oh Eight! is 16 golden tracks of pop music designed specifically to make you all warm and bubbly inside. While I will not yet divulge the contents of the Tape, I will tell you that it was just recently converted to a CD that can be distributed and shared easily. The track listing with be posted before New Year's Eve and the actual CD will be passed out at the "So This Is New Year's..." shindig. 

O Mc 7" Records presents MIX TAPE OH EIGHT!



...this would've been the post where I announced the line-up for my Best of 2008 CD but unfortunately I just realized I missed a song or two, and as a result I have to reorganize it. So I know all of you were on the edge of your seats waiting for this shit so here's a little teaser to hold you over:






there's gonna be music.











smoke.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Movies: Quantum of Solace


After seeing the last Bond film, Casino Royale, I was excited to see Quantum of Solace. However, my expectations for this film were too high and I was deeply disappointed. Dominated by action sequences, the movie was strung along by a paper-thin plot. Not only did it fail to answer the questions raised in Casino Royale, it added a whole new slew of queries. Essentially, this movie was like the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie: it's only real purpose was to set up another sequel. However disappointing this movie may be for lack of substance, it is indeed an entertaining action movie.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Movies: Zach and Miri Make a Porno

Written and directed by Kevin Smith, this comedy stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. The story finds two friends who, finding themselves broke and in dire straits, decide to make money by making a porno movie. However, not all goes as planned when they find out they have feelings for each other. This movie is both heartwarming and hilarious, however due to graphic sexual content I implore you to not watch this movie with your parents. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I can haz Barack Obama?

It's official! change moves as fast as Kenyans






and there was much rejoicing

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

NJT does Chris Baker

Let's see if anyone actually reads this anymore...
In a recent bit of shocking news, New Japanese Technology has announced that it plans to release an album composed entirely of Chris Baker covers. Although a title hasn't been determined, we can expect there to be about 9 tracks on the CD. 

Friday, October 3, 2008

The Nightwatchman Giveth


In his second release as the Nightwatchman, Tom Morello employs a full band as he continues his political folk journey. In The Fabled City, Tom Morello combines his new folk identity with his hard-rocking past, blending in a bit of funk and reintroducing electric guitar to his work. The album opens with the title track, which sounds a lot like his first album (but that isn't a bad thing). But the album continues on with Morello singing in his low voice over a full accompaniment. The album peaks with the last song Shake My S**t which features Perry Farrell. It's a mad funky song with a classic Morello riffs and a bitchin' solo.

http://www.nightwatchmanmusic.com/main.html

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Music You Should Listen To: She & Him

Actor Zooey Deschanel teams up with musician M. Ward to form She & Him, a duo determined to create old-time folk mixed with modern pop sensibility. Listen to "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"  from their debut album. It is extremely catchy and musically interesting.

http://www.last.fm/music/She%2B%2526%2BHim

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Movies: Choke


Tonight I was lucky enough to be able to attend free screening of the new movie Choke, based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club) and directed by actor/director Clark Gregg. This movie is very funny and very twisted. It follows the life of a sex-addicted colonial re-enactor and his relationship with his friend, his co-workers, and his mother. It is a very sexual movie so you probably shouldn't see it with parents, children, or small animals. It will definitely generate some conversation. Anjelica Hustin gives a moving performance and Sam Rockwell is the man (perhaps even godlike?)


Go see it when it opens muthalickas!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Mashed Up

It seems like anyone who is anyone knows about mash-up sensation Girl Talk, who will be playing several shows in the Boston area soon, turning peaceful college campuses into dance parties. However, not many people have heard of Deskhop, a similarly shirtless mash-up artist who is just about on par with Girl Talk. Mixing typical pop and rap hits with rock samples from the likes of Audioslave, Muse, and Blue Oyster Cult, Deskhop creates fun dance music that is also extremely listenable, something that could not be said for Girl Talk's previous effort, Night Ripper. Deskhop's new album is available for free download at his website here.

Movies: Speed Racer

Wachowski brothers for the loss. LSD Racer was caught somewhere between kid movie and comic book movie without either palpable plot or substance.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Music You Should Listen To: Shivaree


Today I have chosen to highlight one of my favorite groups, a group that is widely unknown and unappreciated. Today, on an adventure to Newbury Comics I was lucky enough to score a copy of Shivaree's I Oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head for Making Me Live in this Dump for only $3 (along with a vinyl copy of OK Computer for $25). Released in 1999, their debut features their most popular song Goodnight Moon, which was featured in Kill Bill Volume 2. Led by Parsley Ambrosia, my favorite female vocalist, Shivaree makes music that sounds like a film noir soundtrack mixed into pop music. Their songs can be mysterious, gentle, and beautiful, dramatic, sinister, and dark, or bouncy, witty, and funky. Highlights of the album include Bossa Nova, I Don't Care, Goodnight Moon, Daring Lousy Guy, and Idiot Waltz.

Also be sure to check out I Close My Eyes (which I suggest that you buy the Breach EP version from iTunes because the album version on Youtube and Last.fm aren't as good) and Little Black Mess on Who's Got Trouble and Flycatcher on Rough Dreams.


Shivaree also has a new album entitled Tainted Love: Mating Calls and Fight Songs 
which is a collection of covers available for streaming here.
 http://www.last.fm/music/Shivaree






Saturday, September 13, 2008

Movies: Burn After Reading

If I were to attempt to describe what happened in this movie, it would mean that the Coen Brothers had utterly failed in gang-raping my senses. However, blsdfjshsfjsdkglfg. This movie is stupid, silly, sad, smart, funny. Go see this movie. "It's a clusterfuck."


Brad Pitt for the win.

and the loss :(

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Good Music You Haven't Heard Yet

From the green depths of New Hampshire comes Indie-Folk songwriter Kyle Oppenheimer, a friend of one of my new college friends. Oppenheimer's compositions boast multiple instruments and sound like a mixture of Neutral Milk Hotel and I'm From Barcelona. Go to his myspace and check out some of the songs and the video of Yuri Gagarin Stole My Thunder. You'll enjoy it, I promise.


get some!


Movies: Hamlet 2


Hamlet 2 is a comedy about the parody of a tragedy that is making a sequel to a tragedy. It's dry, stupid, dry, and ridiculous. It was funny, but was it good? "It's irrelevant."


Well, the important thing to remember is that "no matter where you go, it's going to be better than Tuscon."

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Four Men


Today I will be highlighting a little-known comedy-folk group. While anyone with a life is aware of the folk-comedy-rap-hyphenated-crossover duo Flight of the Conchords, I and a select few have found a comedy outfit that predates Bret and Jemaine by a decade. A few weeks ago, during a trip to Boston, we stopped at Planet Records and found a miraculous deal. 5 mystery CDs in a package for only $1. How could we resist? Well, excited as we were to unwrap our early Christmas presents, we soon saw why these CDs were selling at that price. Most of the CDs were terrible death metal groups or extremely poor rock bands. However, one gem was found in this pile of crap that can only be described as a used adult diaper filled with shards of glass and evil. This gem was a demo CD by The Foremen. While there were only 3 tracks, it was definitely worth 20 cents. The highlight of the disk was a non-album track by the name of Christmas is Pain, which is joyously pessimistic Christmas tune sung as a Bob Dylan protest song from the 60's. This biting satire really puts Bob Dylan in his place, and shows that imitations can be better than the original.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

(New) New Japanese Technology



NJT has just released it's 2nd album, Strobe Lights and Hurricanes, featuring the singles Citizen Hurricane, Electrovert, 1234 Go, and Wish You Were.The full 13-track album is available here for listening and downloading.




B-Sides:
Electrovert EP
Wish You Were (single)
1234 Go (single)
Citizen Hurricane (single)



Also:
The first album, California Blue
The first EP, Parachutes

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

I Hate the Ting Tings

Will someone explain to me how I can hate and love the Ting Tings at the same time? Their songs are catchy and I can't help listen to them, but as soon as I do I regret it as I am utterly repulsed by what I hear. Two good examples: Great DJ and Shut Up and Let Me Go. Great DJ starts out with a terribly redundant chord progression but manages to progress to a decent chorus. However it is totally ruined by unnecessary beeps and guitar riffs. Shut Up and Let Me Go starts out with a catchy rhythm stolen from Franz Ferdinand's Take Me Out, but this time it is ruined by brain-dead verses that rely too heavily on cutesy spunkiness. Can anyone help me?


Take Beat Happening's Our Secret and dress it up in a cute pink bow and you have the Ting Tings.


pink makes me sick

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Dave is a noob

Dave wanted me to blog about him. So, when he reads this, he'll find out that...

Dave, you're a noob.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Movies: Tropic Thunder



“This is the story about the men who tried to make that movie”. Tropic Thunder is an action-comedy film about making an action movie. Five hapless actors (a fading action star, a drugged comedian, an Academy Award-winning Australian method actor, a rapper, and a rookie) find themselves in very real danger in the middle of hostile territory while trying to finish a failing Vietnam War film. Directed by Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder boasts a star-studded cast: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey, and Robert Downey Jr. as the Australian actor playing the black sergeant.  Smart and stupid comedy combines with explosive special effects, celebrity cameos, dance numbers, and a kick-ass soundtrack to make Tropic Thunder a must-see comedy.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Concert Review: Radiohead in Mansfield, MA on 8-13-08



This past week I had the rare pleasure of attending a Radiohead concert, a pleasure I decided I must have before I left for college. I had also purchased tickets for the Friday of All Points West in New Jersey, but unfortunately it took place on the day before I left for vacation with my family. So I settled for the Wednesday show in Massachusetts, which meant that I'd have to interrupt a family vacation anyway but who cares?


Before the concert I pre-gamed by watching Radiohead's Live At The Astoria DVD. Shot in '94, this DVD shows a young Radiohead: Phil had hair, Colin, and Thom's hair was still blond but had come a long way from his early-90's look. The show finds the band at their rockin'-est, thrashing (Thom literally kicks the shit out of his guitar), jumping, and jamming on staples from Pablo Honey, and debuting new songs ("new song, sorry") that would appear on The Bends in '95.


The Mansfield venue, although there was a lot of traffic getting their, although my brother and I easily out-maneuvered two particular douchebloggers and cut through the thick mass of concert-goers. The Comcast Center (formally the Tweeter Center) was a good-sized open-air amphitheater with a large lawn in back. My brother and I were stuck on the lawn, farthest from the stage without being out of visual range. My enjoyment of the concert was hindered by the distance and, to a certain extent, the presence of my brother, who does not like Radiohead. However, it would turn out to be quite funny, as we bonded over our mutual scorn of hippy-college kids and indie hipsters, and debated Radiohead vs. Kanye West.


The opening band, Grizzly Bear, was decent at best, but they served their purpose by making me we want to hear Radiohead more than before. An hour and a half after Grizzly Bear left the stage, Radiohead came on, opening with my favorite song from In Rainbows, Reckoner. The band exhibited great energy throughout the show and had an impressive presentation through the use of video screens and tube lights. The show was dominated by songs from Kid A and In Rainbows, and the highlights from the show included National Anthem, which came on loud and strong as Jonny fiddled with his radio, interjecting snippets of talk radio, and Paranoid Android, with blazing visuals and an over-excited Colin jumping on stage during the slow bridge. The only song that I heard that I didn't like was The Gloaming, however I was able to squeeze some enjoyment out of the performance because I got to see Thom dance.


Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the whole show, as my brother was jonesin' for some hamburgers and wanted to beat the traffic. So, we left after How To Disappear Completely and we heard the band play Thom's Cymbal Rush as we walked to the car. I heard from reliable sources that the band finished with Karma Police and Idioteque. The night stunk of cigarettes and pot, my legs fell asleep, and my brother wouldn't stop bugging me, but damn was it a great night. All hail Radiohead.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Movies: Pineapple Express


Choo Choo! All Aboard! While this movie isn't about a train, it is a bit of a rollercoaster. The movie follows two bumbling stoners on the run from hit men after witnessing a murder. Now if that isn't appealing to you than you probably won't like this movie. Its humor is based widely on slapstick and silly stoner dialogue. I found the movie hilarious, but some stuck-up prudes might look down on its stupidity and violence. Such people would not appreciate a stoner randomly finding a gun hanging conveniently on the wall in a gun fight or a man trying to kick out the window of a car only to have his foot stuck in it. James Franco gives the highlight performance as the loveable drug dealer. "What's down there? A rancor?"

So, in conclusion, if you like ridiculous movies that know they're ridiculous, blaze a philly and jump on the banana boat.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Eric is gay

Wesley.

104.1 Takes the Cake

Normally I don't listen to the radio because even the good stations usually only have 1 good song for every 5 bad songs. Yesterday, due to technical difficulties in my car, I was forced to listen to the radio. So, I proceeded to flip between 99.1 PLR, Connecticut's number one rock stations, and 104.1, the alternative station. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to hear The Distance by Cake. Immediately I recognized it but I couldn't remember when or where I heard it. All I knew was that I liked it. If Flobots and They Might Be Giants got together and had a baby and it made a song, it would probably sound like The Distance.

Take a slice of this





Saturday, July 26, 2008

Apple of my eye


When I watch TV, I am sometimes pleasantly surprised when I hear some of my favorite songs played in commericals, such as "The W.A.N.D." or "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" by The Flaming Lips. Well, it has happened again this time in an iPhone commercial (I think, I don't really remember). I recieved a blast from the past when I heard "Signal in the Sky (Let's Go)" by the Apples In Stereo. Not only is this my favorite song by this band but it also has one of my favorite all time music videos featuring none other than the Powerpuff Girls!


Signal in the Sky (Let's Go) by The Apples In Stereo:

And another video featuring a great band singing about a great cartoon- Courage the Cowardly Dog by They Might Be Giants:
More powerpuff love... Go Monkey Go! by Devo:
Download your favorite Cartoon Network Groovies here:

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Movies: The Dark Knight


After Batman Begins, I had great expectations for the new Batman movie. The Dark Knight did not disappoint. This film went above and beyond your average action movie, bringing into question the concepts of morality, justice, and what it is to be a hero. Without exaggeration, this movie made me laugh, jump out of my seat, and it almost made me cry. This movie has enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat at all times. Heath Ledger steals the spotlight with a phenomenal performance as the Joker.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Sigur Rós: Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust


Though the title of the latest release from Sigur Rós may seem like a mere jumble of letters (or for that matter, a bunch of gobbledigook), it translates into English as "With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly." One could only hope that this Icelandic group does play endlessly, producing more beautiful music for all eternity. Once again, Sigur Rós deliver what they are most well-known for: beautiful, soaring, ambient music. On this Sigur Rós paints a frosty landscape of untold mystery and wonder which is characteristic of their earlier work. However, this does not mean that the group's sound has gone stale. In fact, it is quite the opposite as there are many delightful surprises to be found. The album kicks off at a rapid pace to the sound of hand claps, call-and-answer guitars, and la-la-la's with Gobbledigook, a quick and intensely fun number that still manages to show off their harmonizing talents at a tempo befitting a pop song. The second track, Inní mér syngur vitleysingur opens like a cheerful children's parade, bouncing forward at a joyful pace. Midway through the album lies perhaps the album's best song, Ara Bátur, which really showcases singer Jónsi Birgisson's vocal talents. The song starts with just piano and vocals but eventually peaks in a heavenly, epic climax with the aid of 67 piece orchestra and a children's choir. The final surprise comes at the end of the album with All Alright, the first Sigur Rós song to be sung in English. Overall, the album is beautiful, triumphant, sorrowful, joyful, empty, full, fast, slow, wonderful, beyond description. Listen to it.





Sigur Rós website download page:
Myspace page (featuring helpful audio clips of pronunciatons):
Samples available on last.fm:




Thursday, July 17, 2008

The Eve of the Dark Knight




4th Grade Essay...Why Aesop Rock is my Favorite Rapper

The easy answer here is that he simply is a great rapper. Not only are his flow and lyrical aptitude impressive, his music reaches outside the box of mainstream rap and is both refreshing and plain great to listen to. But, in order to further elaborate on why Aesop Rock is my favorite rapper I prepared a few reasons.

First, he created my favorite rap album, Labor Days. Released in 2001, Labor Days was Aesop Rock's first release as part of the Definitive Jux label with production split between Aesop Rock and Blockhead, with one track produced by Omega One. The overall message of this album deals basically with the idea of labor, from pursuing one's hobbies, to the modern worker's place in society. From beginning to end, Aes unleashes an earnest, intelligent flow laden with delicious nuggets of wisdom and sharp bits of wit over a diverse and changing soundscape. Sounds vary from plucking strings to guitar and bass to slinking jazz to haunting Asian melodies. The lead single, Daylight is my favorite track, showcasing some of Aesop Rock's greatest lyrical work over a warm bassline augmented by a watery organ, a lonely flute, and oddly juxtaposed horns. The result is a near-masterpiece and the cornerstone of the album. Other highlights include Labor, Flashflood, No Regrets, Coma, Battery, Boombox, and 9-5er's Anthem.

Second, he encourages us to get exercise. In a seemingly odd move for an underground artist, Aesop Rock partnered with Nike to create All Day, a 45 minute continuous mix designed to turn a workout into something much more. He accepted the job because he hadn't done something like that before and provided him a challenge which allowed and required him to work with new sounds. The idea was to make the listener feel as though they were moving through a landscape by adding in new sounds and layers as others faded out. The music had to remain new and interesting while continuing to motivate and propel the listener forward at a certain pace. It is fun to listen to and it actually made me want to run.
Third, he just goes beyond a lot of the stupid crap you see in rap music today. He doesn't rock bling and he doesn't slap ho's. He doesn't devote albums upon albums to self-promotion or stories of the thug life. To put it simply, he keeps it real while keeping it strangely surreal.
Labor Days and All Day can be purchased on iTunes


Daylight
http://www.last.fm/music/Aesop+Rock/_/Daylight

A video for Pigs a hidden track on his newest album None Shall Pass


My favorite song from None Shall Pass

None Shall Pass video

The Fratellis: Here We Stand


Tonight I give up my album-reviewing virginity with a look at Here We Stand by The Fratellis. Over the 6 or 7 months I had fallen in love with The Fratellis debut Costello Music. I delighted in its unabashed, youthful pub-rock sound and the catchy story-telling lyrics. It quickly made it on to the list of top albums (most heavily dominated by Radiohead) not because of its innovation or artistic merit, but simply because it was fun to listen to and had a lot of songs that I could enjoy again and again.

When I learned of The Fratellis' sophomore album I eagerly anticipated for of the same high-energy pub-rock from the British trio. However, I was disappointed but at the same time pleasantly surprised. On Here We Stand, the group makes an effort to move away from this sound for better or worse. They experiment with different guitar tones, sometimes opting for a heavier sound than is typical of their earlier work. More focus has been put on guitar riffs rather than just rhythm guitar. Guitar solos are longer and more frequent than on their previous album. Also notable is the use of piano in several of their songs and a broadened range of percussion.

Overall, they have a created a more diverse sound. Even though this shows the band's potential for growth, it also brought them close to music clichés in several songs, with predictable melodies and song structures. However, there are always a few surprises waiting around the corner, and The Fratellis have proven that they always have a few tricks up their sleeves.



Highlights:My Friend John, Baby Doll, Look Out Sunshine!, Milk & Money

Lowpoints: Jesus Stole My Baby, Straggler's Moon, A Heady Tale



Here's a link to the music video for their single Mistress Mable:

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Songs in the Key of R&B

I first heard Alicia Keys' new single Teenage Love Affair on a VH1 video countdown while in a Orlando hotel room. I could never claim to be a fan of modern R&B but this song caught my...ear. Teenage Love Affair gets back to the roots of R&B. Keys' soaring vocals are well-accompanied by an old-school groove infused with her distinctive piano playing. Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSaSDYYwZNM

Charmed

My first music post will focus on a most interesting group. Charming Hostess is a group of multi-instrumentalists and impressive vocalists. I'd label this band under the general genre of World Music even though such a plain description doesn't do them justice. Anyway, instead of me talking about them, here are links to some songs and their website. Check it out!

Dali Tzerni, a wild and upbeat song with an irregular meter:
http://www.imeem.com/obilic/music/GBpEWjLK/charming_hostess_dali_tzerni/

Death is a Job, Bosnian resistance poetry sung a capella over beat-boxing.
http://www.last.fm/music/Charming+Hostess/_/Death+Is+A+Job?autostart




The Charming Hostess website:
http://charminghostess.com/index.html

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Welcome to the Bungle

Howdy ya'll! Welcome to my blog! I started this blog because it seemed like the cool thing to do and I felt the need to be completely unoriginal and entirely hipocritical. Also I was bored. So it may be a week or possibly even a month in which I maintain this blog before I get bored with it and forget about it. But before that I will use this blog to showcase music and other things that I like because I obviously have better taste than anyone else. So enjoy!