A Glorious Mess

New Website

2011-06-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Please check out our new website allthingsnext.com

or the free podcast of NEXT on iTunes.

Gold Star 2.17

2009-04-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Wow see what happens when you go out of the country then to Disney World...you get out of the habit. Plus I've got that new time suck Facebook. Which I am enjoying quite a bit.

Robyn Hitchcock - Goodnight Oslo
He has been making CDs since 1979. This one he teams up once again with 3/5s of Touring REM also known as Venus 3. This cd wouldn't change your mind about him. If you like him this cd will make you happy. If you've never heard of him this cd is a good introduction.

Morrisey - Years of Refusal
Damn the man amazes. Years of Greatness.

M Ward - Hold Time
He makes timeless music but this is not even close to his best. His worst is better than most of what is out there though.

also check out
...and you will know us by the trail of dead, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Asobi Seksu and Cranes. All strong just not Gold Star strong. Download the few songs you dig

More later and sooner
Bro

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Now playing: Carla Bruni - Le temps perdu
via FoxyTunes

I don't think I want to twitter but after reading this I may have to start.

2009-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

From: Amanda Palmer
Subject: re-Please Drop Me

my label-dropping game has become very fun. please pray for me.

it’s a lesson in how the future of music is working -
fans are literally (and i mean that….literally) lining up at the signing table after shows and HANDING me cash, saying "thank you".

i had to EXPLAIN to the so-called "head of digital media" of roadrunner australia WHAT TWITTER WAS. and his brush-off that "it hasn’t caught on here yet" was ABSURD because the next day i twittered that i was doing an impromptu gathering in a public park and 12 hours later, 150 underage fans - who couldn’t attend the show - showed up to get their records signed.

no manager knew! i didn’t even warn or tell her! no agents! no security! no venue! we were in a fucking public park!
life is becoming awesome.

also interesting: i brought a troupe of back-up actors/dancers on the tour (we were only playing 300-1000 seaters) and had no money to pay them, so we passed the hat into the crowd every night. each performer walked from each show with about $200 in cash. the fans TOOK CARE OF THEM. they brought us dinner every night, gave us places to sleep. (i couldn’t afford to put up that many people in hotels). all sans label, all using email and twitter. the fans followed the adventure. they LOVED HELPING.

so?
the times they are a-changing fucking dramatically, when pong-twittering with trent reznor means way more to your fan-base/business than whether or not the record is in fucking stores (and in my case, it ain’t in fucking stores).

twitter is EVERYTHING that you explain in your rants: it is a MAINLINE insta-connection with the fans. there is ZERO middleman.
my fans hung out with me all day on twitter today while i unpacked weird tour shit, fan art, gifts and paraphernalia that usually just ends up in my closet or in the trash and took pictures of it for them.

Plamer's Site

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Now playing: Cage the Elephant - Ain't No Rest for the Wicked
via FoxyTunes

Lee Woodruff new book

2009-03-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

Just got this email and thought I'd share.

> Dear Friends:
>

>
> "Perfectly Imperfect" will be published April 21. Just in time for Mother's
> Day. It's a memoir-ish book with chapters about life as a mother, daughter,
> wife, sister, friend, and even an aging gal. There is something for everyone
> (even men) on the pages.
>
> You can order the book in advance on these websites: www.amazon.com
> <http://www.amazon.com/> , www.bn.com <http://www.bn.com/> ,
> www.borders.com
> <http://www.borders.com/> , or www.indiebound.com
> <http://www.indiebound.com/> .
>
> And of course-- its always great to patronize your local book store! The
> book is available as an audio-book, read by yours truly.
>
> I've also created a website-- so you can read more about the book at
> www.leewoodruff.com <http://www.leewoodruff.com/>
>
> And, yes, I am finally on Facebook!
>
> I'll also be touring and may be in your neck of the woods or maybe you have
> friends that might like to attend one of my book readings. I have attached
> the schedule below. Please feel free to forward this email on to your
> friends. And remember.....Books are an inexpensive Mothers Day gift and a
> cheap thrill!
> Order now!
>
>
>
> Events for Perfectly Imperfect
>
>
>
> Friday, April 24
> New York City
> Barnes & Noble/Lincoln Square
> 7:30pm
> 1972 Broadway @ 66th St.
>
> Talk & Signing
>
>
> Monday, April 28
> Kansas City, KS
> Books & Boutiques Luncheon
> 11:30am
>
> Luncheon/Talk/Signing
> A Benefit for St. Lukes Hospital
> Overland Park
> Convention Center
> 6000 College Blvd., Overland, KS
>
> www.booksandboutiques.org
>
> **Ticketed Event
>
>
>
> Wednesday, April 29
> Chicago, IL
> Union League Club
> 11:30am
> 65 W. Jackson Blvd.
> Lunch/In Conversation
>
> **Members Only Event
>
>
>
> Anderson's Bookshop
> 7:00pm
> 123 W. Jefferson Ave.
> Naperville, IL 60540
>
> Talk/Signing
>
>
> Thursday, April 30
>
> Detroit, MI
> Borders
> 7:00pm
> 34300 Woodward
> Birmingham, MI 48009
>
> Talk/Signing
>
>
> Tuesday, May 5
> Washington, DC
> Politics & Prose
> 7:00pm
> 50115 Connecticut Ave. NW
>
> Talk & Signing
>
>
> Thursday, May 7
> Dallas, TX
> Authors at the Adolphus Series
> 12:00pm
> Adolphus Hotel
> 1321 Commerce St.
>
> Talk/Lunch/Signing
>
> **Ticketed Event: $65
>
> Contact: sleonard@adolphus.com or 214-651-3520
>
>
>
> Legacy Books
> 7:30pm
> 7300 Dallas Parkway
> Plano, TX 75024
>
> Talk/Signing
>
>
> Monday, May 11
> Los Angeles, CA
> Vroman's Bookstore
> 7:00pm
> 695 E. Colorado Blvd.
> Pasadena, CA 91101
>
> Talk/Signing
>
>
>
> Wednesday, May 13
> San Francisco, CA
> Book Passage
> 7:00pm
> 51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
> Corte Madera, CA 94925
>
> Talk/Signing
>
>
>
> Thursday, May 14
> Seattle, WA
> Third Place Books
> 7:00pm
> 17171 Bothell Way, NE
> Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
>
> Talk/Signing
>
>
>
> Monday, May 18
> Boston, MA
> Brookline Booksmith
> 7:00pm
> 279 Harvard St.
> Brookline, MA 02446
>
> Talk/Signing
>
>
>
> Wednesday, June 3
> Rye, NY
> Rye Library
> 7:00pm
> Community Meeting Room
> 1061 Boston Post Rd.
>
>
> Talk/Signing
>
>
> Thursday, August 20
> Bay Head, NJ
> Bay Head Yacht Club
> Time TBD
> 111 Metcalfe St.
>
> Talk/Signing
>
> **Members Only Event

CDs of gold for 02.10.09

2009-02-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

hey I finally got up a new Link o Fun. I think it's a good one. I really wanted to post Eddie Vedder doing the karaoke thing at the Best Western during baseball fantasy week but it's already taken down. I bet if you google it you might be able to find it somewhere. Yellow Cub Marines indeed.

On to the tunes.

Lily Allen - It's not Me, It's You
Nice anti Seinfeld title. Dance-y rock from the UK you already know her or maybe of her but man oh man is she huge overseas. It is a bit more than pure sugar.

Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
Another smashing Bluesy monster of a cd from this Ohio dude. He is best known from the Black Keys. On this one he plays pretty much every noise. It is glorious.

Van Morrison - Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl
No overdubs just a classic album live and in full color.

Also out
The 20th anniversary of Paul's Boutique by The Beastie Boys. Nothing added just remastered but a great reminder of the times. Probably the last great "Stolen Sound" cd because after this CD came out - the lawyers came out and after anyone that sampled anything. They had moved out to LA and this was their NYC love letter. For stay-at-home producers check out the bonus cd of Ben Folds "Stems and Seeds". Jorma Kaukonen has a new one too. Miranda Lee Richards turns in a good, soft alt-pop record.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: David Gilmour - Blue Light
via FoxyTunes

New cds from last week

2009-02-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

First off thanks for coming out to the NEXT charity concert series. I will have a complete review of the show soon. It was almost a complete disaster luckily saved by the glorious Evan Toth. Thanks man.

Anyway. On to the tunes.

The Heartless Bastards - The Mountain
Indie punk rock with a tinge of country from Austin via Ohio. 3 main members (but only one leftover from their first two cds) and a bunch of friends make glorious noise.

Ben Kweller - Changing Horses
Boy kid rock genius goes full out country and it sounds great.

Also check out:
The jazz trio The Bad Plus and their latest rock covers. The Fray release another cd of the same cd. Play it safe. Don't mess with a winning streak guys. Nice job. Now for the fans of loud, fuzzy, and heartfelt indie noise pop check out the Pains of Being Pure of Heart. Jim White has a great live ep out too.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Ben Harper - Temporary Remedy
via FoxyTunes

Way super late Gold Star CDs

2009-01-29T07:15:00.000-08:00

It's not like I have a good excuse for being so late. No Super Hoopla but a ton of snow. Does that count? Since I brought up the Super Bowl I guess I want AZ to win.

On to the tunes

Bruce Springsteen - Working on a Dream
Obviously drinking the happy Obama kool aid because he sounds joyful and hopeful on this cd. Great cd but where's my old Bruce? Plus I'm not really happy he did the whole buy this Greatest Hits only at Walmart thing. Dude you use to rip on people that did that and I wouldn't even get into the fact that most of Bruce's old songs boldly went against everything that Walmart is.

Louis Armstrong - Satchmo at the Pasadena
Great re-issue of a live show but sadly not the whole show but oh so worth it.

Mark Olsen/ Gary Louris - Ready for the flood
This is a forever cd. One you'll listen to again and again for the rest of your life. It will be a cd that years later you'll be cleaning out your collection and find it and put it on and just sigh that great music is still made.

Franz Ferdinand - Tonight
A slight return to glory. Get the party started.

The Bird and the Bee - Ray Guns are not just the Future
Edgier then say your normal Grey's Anatomy song but ready for major consumption.

Paul McCartney - Live at Ameba
Like the Satchmo cd not the complete live show. This ep has 4 of the 20 songs Sir Paul performed. He sounds great on this cd. er EP.

Also check out:
More covers from Pat DiNizio. This time he takes on Buddy Holly. Loney Dear is back with more out of left field electric campfire songs. Hey look at this another Strokes side project Nickel Eye. Duncan Sheik has a new collection of non-Broadway tunes out too and check out the re-issues of the Volcano Suns. Raising from the ashes of The Babyshambles is Roses Kings Castles with super slow-mo gentle grooves.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Pogues - Lorca's Novena
via FoxyTunes

Claudia does the answer thing

2009-01-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

Real name: Claudia

Where I live: White Plains, NY

Occupation: Postal Clerk (please, no jokes!)

Favorite movie: Memento

Favorite book: To Kill A Mockingbird

Favorite album: White Album

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Scott Stevens, Mike Peluso, Paul McCartney

One famous person I actually met: Deborah Harry at SNL

Best concert experience: 4 nights in a row seeing Springsteen at Brenden Byrne Arena when it first opened. There was a lottery for the tickets, and I couldn't believe I got tickets for 4 nights! Most luck I ever had
.
Coolest pop-culture item I own: a photograph of Marilyn Monroe that I have never seen anywhere else

And what movie prop would like to own: Marilyn's outfit from Bus Stop

Gold Star CDs for 01.20.09

2009-01-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

I told you things would heat up quickly this year. This week there are 3 cds that have a wonderful chance at being in a lot of top ten lists for 2009. Yes I am serious.

Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Even if you don't like whistling or the violin this cd is just too beautiful. He is also releasing this a double disc with the second cd being all instrumental. He is calling the second cd Useless Creatures. Glorious.

AC Newman - Get Guilty
If there were any justice at all in the world Mr Newman would be beyond famous. He is our McCartney. Treat yourself to his back catalog and his bands too. Especially The New Pornographers.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
I will be the first to say I never really "got" them. I guess I'm just to mainstream but this cd is approachable. I think I may need another listen or two. Critical darlings yes. More welcoming tunes sure but not quite the jump TV on the Radio made last year. Maybe next time but of course like I said I need another listen or two.

Also check out:
Put this group in the same category, for me at least, as Animal Collective. Antony and the Johnsons. I never "got" this either but it might make you happy. Worth checking out. I have a feeling this will be in quite a few top tens at the end of the year but not my list. Bon Iver has new tunes too. Good just not strong. We can also include in that category the North Mississippi All Stars. They will get the party started if you include them on a party CD. Matt and Kim are almost gold but not quite. Also fun when thrown on that party CD. The 1900s clean house and for a "hold me over" it is quite beautiful. Reel Big Fish have a fun covers cd out. Just get the few songs that make you smile.

Enjoy it all
More later
Bro

----------------
Now playing: Morphine - Early to Bed
via FoxyTunes

NEXT Charity Concert - The first one

2009-01-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

If you came out to the show thank you so very much. If you didn't get out to the show you really, truly missed a fantastic show. Please think about making it out to one of these monthly shows. It should be easy to remember now as it's every First Friday of the month. So the next show is Friday Feb 6th. See you there...hell even if you don't like the music support a great cause and play pool instead.

PHOTOs up now and live mp3s up soon.

So Ten Feet Deep opened. They were the first band to play in this series and what a brilliant start. The crowd was so into it that they did an encore. How sweet is that for an opening band? They closed with a fantastic AC/DC song. Hopefully we will see these fine, young and talented fellows again soon.

And speaking of young and talented Jukebox the Ghost came down from Philadelphia and rocked the house. If you didn't see them last Friday let me tell you that you must put them on your "the next time they are in town I need to go see them" list. Brilliant live show. They also did a cover. A Beatles cover that blew me away. Of course I ran out of space on the hard drive but I already told them I need a copy of that tune to play on NEXT. They promised they would sent it to me soon.

Thank you to both the bands and all the fans that came out. Please come next month. Bring friends and help out a great cause with some great music at a teeny tiny price too. It will feel good.

Feb 6th The Rosewood Thieves and a teaser for next month opening act Evan Toth at Rock Island Sound.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Jason Isbell - Seven Mile Island
via FoxyTunes

Gold star CDs for 01.13

2009-01-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

Slowish start to 2009 but things will heat up quickly. PJ celebrating the release of Ten with 4 deluxe editions. New U2 in March and next week Andrew Bird. That is soon what about now (or really yesterday)?

On to the tunes

Amazon.com Widgets

Derek Trucks Band - Already Free
Family and Friends blend blues, rock and jazz into one great cd.

Also check:
Former Love dude Arthur Lee's self titled second solo cd is sadly not as good as it should or could have been but don't be afraid to search it out. It's been out of print for about 3 decades until this remastered re-release.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Asylum Street Spankers - Stick Magnetic Ribbons On Your SUV (Live)
via FoxyTunes

The Week of Live Music

2009-01-06T06:33:00.000-08:00

I love Joe's Pub. Anytime I can get there makes me happy. It's a small (quite tiny) room with good sound and not a bad view in the room. Plus I love the "train ambiance".

I finally got back to Joe's Pub to watch Neil Nathan. I was thinking acoustic night of mellow musing...wow was I wrong. I mean there were mellow musings but he brought with him a full stage. Sax player, Lap guitarist, drummer, percussionist, guitar player and back up singer. They rocked that joint. He is probably best know for this cover of ELO in the Californication series. I have to wait for the DVD but I heard the scene was great.

Also met a guy working on this Lemmy Documentary

warning quite a bit of the naughty words.

So then tonight
Bacon Brothers Peak Performance

Then Wednesday night to Brooklyn to catch some Jazz by Mamady Kouyat

Not quite done...will be back.
Bro

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Now playing: Morphine - Cure for Pain
via FoxyTunes

Response to my Funeral Songs by a NEXT listener

2009-01-04T06:47:00.000-08:00

Hey Chris,

As my extended vacation comes to a close, I'm feeling a strong sense of loss and sadness. Almost like somebody has died. So......I figured I would capture the moment and put together my first effort at songs for my funeral.

I went for aptly titled, contemplative songs. Not necessarily my favorite 15 songs of all time, and it is not like I'm the most reverent or tasteful person out there, but there are reasons you can't play a song like "Hot for Teacher" at a funeral. And these 15 songs......well I would be happy to hear them anytime.

15) Under the Milky Way - The Church. Such a great song, and it says "small person in a big beautiful universe" with a perfect, haunting sound. And come on.......The Church? This one is a natural.

14) Pictures Of You - The Cure. The ultimate movie montage song.......seems to fit with the general idea of reflection for this occasion.

13) Beautiful World - Colin Hay. Colin found serenity, and wrote this pretty little song. Hearing him tell his story, just before performing this one, is a memorable experience.

12) Watching the Wheels - John Lennon. OK. I almost went with "In My Life" or even "Imagine" because you used this song in your first mix. But I checked with the Library of Congress, and they have no record of any application for a copyright on your song list. So I stole it. Because it is near to perfect.

11) Jesus, Etc. - Wilco. First The Church, and now Jesus? What's next......angels? Well, this is a themed list of songs, after all. Let alone this is the most popular song from one of the great albums of my lifetime.

10) What I Am - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Did you ever have a song that you loved for the melody, and later loved for the lyric?

09) How It Ends - DeVotchKa. First heard this song in Little Miss Sunshine......which coincidentally is going to be one of the 15 movies shown at my funeral. Sure, its going to take a while, but I've arranged for an open bar.

08) Mystify - INXS. Two albums that I would consider classics came out when I was in high school. Kick is one of them. And Mystify is a good choice for this occasion. "Need You Tonight" would have been a bit creepy.

07) Everyday I Write The Book - Elvis Costello & The Attractions. What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding that Elvis hit a lot of home runs in his prime. This one went out of the park.

06) If I Were an Angel - Marc Cohn. With this title, you knew this was a matter of time, no? A song from the comeback kid, one of our great songwriters.

05) Celluloid Heroes - The Kinks. One of Ray's many hymns for the everyman. The frailties, the aspirations, the fleeting triumphs.......sometimes you forget this guy is the rock star who wrote "You Really Got Me."

04) Where the Streets Have No Name - U2. The other great album from my high school years. I love the build in this song. And the sentiment.

03) What It Is - Mark Knopfler. There just has to be some Knopfler guitar at my funeral. In fact, his playing is so ethereal, I think he might give lessons to the angels.

02) The Body of an American - The Pogues. If it is good enough for Jimmy McNulty's "funeral" it is good enough for me. And since Shane has been flirting with death for a couple of decades now, he ought to know how to write a good funeral song.

01) Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley. I was unsure of what song to use to wrap things up at my funeral. Mostly because the details on the destination are a bit fuzzy. It was either going to be Buster Pointdexter's "Hot, Hot, Hot" or this classic. But I'm an optimist, so I went with Buckley. Maybe I'll see you at the pearly gates.

Thanks for sharing and I know I'll be showing up for the tunes...and did you mention open bar?

More later
Bro

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Now playing: The Shins - Turn On Me (Clint Mansell Remix)
via FoxyTunes

Opening Band Live and Acoustic

2009-01-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

You should already know about the NEXT Charity Concert Series and that Jukebox the Ghost is the first band on January 10th. Now please welcome the opening band. Ten Feet Deep.

Please come and support a great cause by listening to great music. Oh and bring friends. Lots of friends. Purchase your tickets in advance and print them at home for only $5. This truly is a win-win situation. You help out the kids and you get high class music without driving to Brooklyn.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Peter Murphy - Cuts You Up
via FoxyTunes

The Almost Top 15 of NEXT in 2008

2008-12-27T07:32:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the four mixes of tunes that just missed making the top spots. On any given day these easily could have made the TOP 15. Oh well. Maybe next year. You can stream here.

Almost top 15 of NEXT in 2008 Volume ONE

James – Boom Boom
French Kicks – Love In the Ruins
Kelley Stoltz – Your Reverie
Elbow – One Day Like This
Bloc Party – Signs
Black Francis – Garbage Heap
Robert Pollard - Gratification to Concrete
The Gutter Twins – Circle The Fringes
Carla Bruni – Le Temps Perdu

Son of the almost Top 15 of NEXT in 2008 Volume TWO

Jukebox the Ghost – Hold It In
Wolf Parade – Language City
Conor Oberst – Moab
The Felice Brothers – Whiskey in my Whiskey
Jay Nash – Sweet Talking Liar
Wire – One of Us
The Wood Brothers – Twisted
Supergrass – Butterfly
Midnight Wind - Remember

Almost Top 15 V3

Alejandro Escovedo – Always a Friend
The Western Hotel – Oh World
Bell X1 – Rocky Took a Lover
What Made Milwaukee Famous – For the Birds
Firewater – Borneo
The Dig – Penitentiary
Tokyo Police Club – In A Cave
The Rosebuds – Life Like
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – Festival Thyme

Almost Top 15 v4

Derek James – Lovely Fool
The Break and Repair Method – Won’t Get Worse
The Botticellis – UP Against the Glass
Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue
Blitzen Trapper – Furr
The Fireman – Light From You Lighthouse
I’m From Barcelona – Headphones
Sun Kil Moon – Lost Verses
The Submarines - Maybe

Want to Listen? Head over to NEXT or google "next music"

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Pearl Jam - Crazy Mary
via FoxyTunes

Twas a night with the Peak

2008-12-24T11:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks NEXT listener Ellen.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through that week
Not a creature was stirring, awaiting the Peak

All the radios were tuned to 107.1
In hopes that the acoustic show would be fun

We listeners were nestled all snug in our beds
While visions of Ten at Ten danced in our heads

When out of nowhere, I awoke from my dreaming
I sprang to my laptop and then started streaming

Away to the speakers I leaped in a bound
Reached for the volume and turned up the sound

When what to my wondering ears should I hear
But my Next favorite song: new, perfect and clear

With a lively, young DJ – host of the Next show
I knew in an instant, it must be Chris Bro

More rapid than eagles, the Peak DJs came
And I whistled and shouted and called them by name

Now Arrow! Now Herrmann! Batiste! Fink! And Bro!
Figler, Corley and Mayer-with-the-brother-we-know

To the top of the ratings, the top of the wall
Dash away other stations, dash away all

And then in a twinkling I heard Ten at Ten
And that Peak Performance Playback again

As I drew in my head, I knew that Sunday sound
Over Easy they called it, and that’s what I found

Their voices, they twinkled; their music was merry
We tuned in from Brewster and then from Danbury

They had a small place, but this fun little group
Played music as hot as a bowl full of soup

They were witty and wise; they had style and brains,
These talented elves, right there in White Plains

They spoke many words but no one was a jerk
Filled our ears with good music, and that was their work

Then Chris sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a cheer
And away they all flew for a Rack 'n' Roll beer

But they heard us exclaim as they drove out of sight
May your Peak Christmas be merry and bright

Happy Holidays and may good music find you

Not much in the way of Gold today

2008-12-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Holy balls...little or nothing in CDs today.

Dave Matthews Band Live at the Mile High Music Fest
First concert without LeRoi and of the two Live discs out today I would get this one. I don't think I have to go into much depth. It's DMB live. You have heard them and either love them or hate them. These live discs will not sway one person from either of those camps into the other camp.

Also check out
Bonnie "Prince" Billy's new twangy cd. Never one to be completely normal. Fly this one under the Freak Folk Flag.

Please swing by NEXT and check out the new music show I host. Be Brilliant.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: South - Better Things
via FoxyTunes

Gold Star CDs for 12.09.08

2008-12-15T07:10:00.000-08:00

First off...did you see the POTUS duck the flying shoes? And what took the Secret Service so long in tackling that guy?

Remixed

and I don't even know what to do with this tennis version

ok on to the music and another down week.

Pavement - Brighten the Corners (Nicene Creedence Edition)
Normally the Deluxe Edition is for "Super Fans". Completists. I think this one is good for everybody. It works as an intro or as the "I must own everything by Pavement" cd too.

Also out.
A band called Welcome Wagon for the Sufjan Stevens fans. I am a big fan of Mark Kozelek but his latest just isn't strong enough. You'll find a few gems.

More later
Bro

New partnership

2008-12-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

NEXT is beyond happy to welcome Rock Island Sound to the NEXT family. Rock Island Sound is a perfect fit for NEXT. They are a music store and school in RYE.

Go see Paul and tell him NEXT sent you.

More later
Gotta go shopping for a new guitar
Bro

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Now playing: What Made Milwaukee Famous - For the Birds
via FoxyTunes

Song for my Funeral V4

2008-12-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome to another version of float around my head and try to figure out why this song would be played at my Death Party.

Listen here at the NEXT site.

Enjoy.

Oh! Sweet Nuthin' - The Velvet Underground
I Must Belong Somewhere - Bright Eyes
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads
Things Are What You Make of Them - Bishop Allen
66 - Afghan Whigs
Deadly Handsome Man - Marcy Playground
You Are My Favorite Song - Chris Mills
[Untitled] - REM
Rodeo Clowns - Jack Johnson
Somebody Loves You - Eels
Why Bother - Gomez
Murder - David Gilmour
Not Home Anymore - Whiskeytown

More later
Bro

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Now playing: The Dig - Penitentiary
via FoxyTunes

More Next Listener favorites

2008-12-08T06:26:00.000-08:00

I just got this email from another NEXT listener. Brilliant list here brother man.

Hey Chris,

Well.....today was the day. I had no bills to pay, and no laundry to fold. The kids did not need to be transported to birthday parties, sporting events, or play dates. The groceries were set, my football team's game was blacked out in NY, and I had made my wife a nice dinner last night. It was time to play.

Using most of your rules (I counted both Vampire Weekend and Radiohead as 2007 releases......reluctantly) and trying to use songs previously played on Next (most of these have been on your show), I have decided upon my top 15. Its so hard when you get down to the last few choices........but here goes.

1) Head Rolls Off Frightened, Rabbit
Ahhh....the slow build. I regret that this song can't go on forever. My favorite new song from my favorite new band. Awesome video, too.

2) White Winter Hymnal, Fleet Foxes
This is such an interesting sound and such an interesting band......and they sound great. I think you played a different song on Next.......but they have to be in anybody's tops list for the year.

3) 5 Years Time, Noah and the Whale
We have a New Year's tradition........a year end slide show with our favorite songs from the year. And the songs are happy......sentimental......catchy. This song is such a natural to lead off the New Year's tradition.

4) Undertow, Stars
A late entry that is my latest obsession. I love almost everything recorded by the Stars the first time I hear it.

5) Strawberry Swing, Coldplay
On any given day, I would choose a different song from this same album. But this is the Next song. So I'm picking this one. I think.

6) Dead Sound, The Raveonettes
Nobody confuses the Raveonettes for any other band, and their sound is sooooo good.

7) I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You, Black Kids
My favorite energy song of the year. By a lot.

8) Cape Canaveral, Conor Oberst
Nothing clever here.....just a good song.

9) Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Pt. 2, My Morning Jacket
I love all 8:12 seconds of this song. Admittedly, this song will present challenges in burning any "Best of 2008" cd's.

10) Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?, She & Him
OK.....so Zooey sounds a lot like Helen Reddy. Well, I loved Pete's Dragon. Sue me. (And, she looks nothing like Helen Reddy)

11) Summer Grof, The Spinto Band
They tour with Frightened Rabbit. And I'm not going to pretend to be objective.

12) Modern Mystery, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Small band with a big name......and the result is a great little long.

13) Head Honcho, DeVotchKa
Its not as epic as "How It Ends" but this band remains unique in their approach to Indie Pop

14) Waiting for a War, The Morning Benders
They were on Next twice this year. They have to be good. Right?

15) Crying, TV On the Radio
This band just has to be on the list........and they bumped The Killers, Oasis, and R.E.M......so kudos.

OK.....thats it for today. Tomorrow......I may send a few edits.

Damn this is hard.

-Mike

A few weeks of gold

2008-12-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

Had a glorious time with the Fam for the Thanksgiving break. Now it's time for catch up. We did the whole big "need to do NYC" things. Empire State, WTC, The Balloon blowup the night before the parade, McSorley's and The Little Mermaid. McSorley's was sans kids.

On to the music

We will start with 11.25

The Fireman - Electric Arguments
Paul McCartney hasn't sounded this good in ages. 3rd time Youth and Paul join forces for The Fireman. Perfect? No but that is why it's such a glorious listen.

Los Campesinos - We are beautiful We are Doomed
More hectic and wonderfully wild music from this group. No sophomore slump. In fact, a major jump forward.

Death Cab For Cutie - Something about Airplanes (Deluxe Edition)
To celebrate the 10th year of this cd coming to life they have released it with a bonus disc of DCFC's first concert in Seattle.

Other releases
A leftover EP from Coldplay that is quite good. The Killer's third CD which is a major letdown. If this cd were their first no one would be around listening to them. They would be waiting tables. Scott Weiland goes solo and it's decent. Maybe OK. Hopefully you got your free Dr Pepper because GNR finally released Chinese Democracy. It was going to be impossible for this cd to be great. File it as OK right with Weiland.

Now for the Gold on 12.02

Neil Young - Sugar Mountain Live at Canterbury House
Neil before he was way super famous. I would get Massey Hall First though.

Other releases
Not much here. We'll wait until next week unless Britney floats your boat and in that case you are probably at the wrong site. Although the live disc by Panic at the Disco is quite good. Odd because they are only two cds into their career but I love that they are doing that. I think more bands should follow the Pearl Jam way and start getting all their music out. Fans want more...so give them more.

A few favs from a NEXT listener

2008-12-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

If you'd like to share your favorite NEXT tunes please just email me.

Dear chris
You Are doing very well with your selections of NEXT songs
Let me share my favorite choices of the past few months

Without Again from Elliott Brood,
Lovely fool from Derek James,
Black and Gold from Sam Sparro,
Moab from Conor Oberst.
Can't say no -the Helio Sequence,
Girls don't Know-the Philpot,
Everlasting Gobstopper-Appolo heights,
Come On-the Panderer's,
Owner of my Honor-The Small Hours,
nectarine- Mike Doughty,
Upside-James,
Fuego-Murder by Death,
Just lIke heaven-The Watson Twins,
Someone Like You- I Am Koot.
Shall I go on?
Goodnight California-KAthleen Edwards,
Count to Ten-Tina Dico,
Into the Ground-The Brakes,
Beautiful Life-Yoav,
Your New Twin Sized BEd-Death Cab for Cutie,
Not your Concern-The HUsh Sound
Guilt- The Long Blondes,
Borneo -Firewater Etc.....

You helped me discover these great Bands and artists:
SPOON, MY MORNING JACKET, THE WATSON TWINS, I AM KLOOT, MURDER BY DEATH, SLOAN,
THE OAKS, THE ORANGE LIGHTS, THE CORAL, JAMES, THE RAMBLIN' AMBASSADORS. WE THE PEOPLE.
THE HOMEMADE JAMZ BLUES BAND, FOR AGAINST, BAT FOR LASHES, THE PACK AD.

YES I downloaded or bought these great songs.
Thank you for enlarging my choices. I am forever a Beatles Fan. But it is so great to discover the new geniuses in music.
Thank you,
Dr S.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T09:33:00.001-08:00

Black Watch

2008-11-24T06:21:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I went to see a play in Brooklyn called Black Watch. It was (is) brilliant, funny, sad, interesting, alarming and eye opening. It isn't what one would call a "date" event but worth your time and energy and money. There are bad words...fair warning. I mean they are Scottish so really you shouldn't be surprised. There is a fair amount of the K word and yes I know you really spell it with a "C". Oh and it's LOUD.

now to lighten the mood "Remember this day...music videos are back" B Town.

Remember if you read a book, see a movie or go to a show write up a quick something and I'll post it. Let the people know.

Thanks and enjoy.
More later
Bro

Gold star cds for 11.18

2008-11-21T05:16:00.000-08:00

I just read a laughable and horrible thing. Joe the Plumber will be coming out with a book. Bloody hell. Really? Didn't we already hear enough from him and Bob (sorry I mean) Tito the Builder? Do we really need him to kill off some trees just to keep his 15 minutes going? If anyone I know buys this book I can't be held responsible for my actions.

Amazon.com Widgets

On to the music

Belle and Sebastian - BBC Sessions (Deluxe Edition)
Again for the fanatic and/or the completist but again if you have never listened to Belle and Sebastian it's time for something from them in your collection. Feel free to add this disc but you could also dig into "If You're Feeling Sinister" or "Dear Catastrophe Waitress".

Dido - Save Trip Home
Quiet and powerful. Quietly powerful. Powerfully quiet.

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan - Sunday at Devil Dirt
Dido's quiet and powerful is very clean. Polished. Sadly so is this one. Mark Lanegan works better in the grit. That voice wasn't made for clean. Campbell's voice like Dido's does and works in the "clean" production. What I loved about the first get together for Lanegan and Campbell were the sinister tones. Most of those are gone and I am sure this will be an NPR favorite. A bit of fear but more like a scary movie that isn't quite scary. Still lovely.

Also worth checking
A few live cds. Phish at the Roxy (Atlanta '93) and Jason Mraz has included an DVD to his latest. Stereophonic's release a nice collection with Decade in the Sun. A good intro if you are not aware of them. Also the Definitive Rod Stewart was released but it skims over his best phase (in my opinion) the 60s. The Dude was awesome before becoming a bit stale and safe and mainstream. It basically starts in the 80s but just about every "hit" single is on the disc.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: The National - Apartment Story
via FoxyTunes

Gold this week 11-11

2008-11-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

First we need to give this trailer a look see. Too Cool.

Ok on to the music.

Amazon.com Widgets

Genesis - 1970 - 1975
A box set of Genesis' back catalog. Genesis 1970-1975 offers expanded reissues of every Peter Gabriel era album outside of the earliest.

Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon The Collector's Editon
Cool and Cocky and smart but as mentioned in the title this re-release is just for the mega fan.

Butch Walker - Sycamore Meadows
Hey look at this...a modern non re-release gold star cd this week. He is best know for producing the Pop/Punk cds of Pink and Avril. He mixes great songwriting with Tom Petty style southern rock on this cd while he glam(ed) it up (T REX style) last time around.

Also Check and/or remember these
The 30th year of Cheap Trick's Live at Budokan. This is the third version and each time they add a disc. Oh and they add a DVD too. Man I feel old. Boxmaster's released a Christmas CD. They are Billy Thornton's band and if you care about actor's making music Kevin Costnermade a cd that is better than The Postman...what you thought I'd get lazy and throw Waterworld at you? I know she was mellow before but man this one is mellow - The latest from Tracy Chapman.

More Coyne yumminess.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Muse - Time Is Running Out
via FoxyTunes

Loretta Answers the Questions

2008-11-05T14:05:00.000-08:00

Real name: Loretta
Where I live: Oakland, NJ
Occupation: Mom/Grandma/Hemodialysis Nurse/Retired Non Profit Director (Children/Families local NJ)
Favorite movie: Under the Tuscan Sun
Favorite book: The Phone Book
Favorite album: American Beauty Grateful Dead
Three famous people I'd like to meet: Colin Powell, Bruce Springsteen, Arlo Guthrie
One famous person I actually met: Roger Maris
Best concert experience: Pink Floyd Animals Tour the "old" Madison Square Garden...it's a bit blurry now.

Coolest pop-culture item I own: Hanging Vodka IV Bottle with M.A.S.H. logo, has tubing & clamp!

And what movie prop would like to own: The Lamp Post from "Singing In The Rain".

CDs for today 11.04

2008-11-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

So thanks to the Steelers kicking the Redskins all over the field I guess Obama will win. Why you ask?

If the Washington Redskins win their last home game before election, it means the incumbent party will get to stay in the White House. Since 1936, except for 2004, the outcome of that game has correctly predicted the winner of the race.

Last night the Redskins lost.

Footnote that I found somewhere.
For 52 years — from 1946 to 1998 — the Redskins failed to make the playoffs under a Democratic administration. That ended when the ‘Skins won the NFC East in 1999, when Bill Clinton was president

Ahhh yes nothing says New Music like mixing football and politics.

Amazon.com Widgets

HoneyHoney - First Rodeo
Think Amy Winehouse fronting a Jazzed up Country band. Yes you read correctly. A jazzy country cd.

Also check:
Tired of waiting for a new Strokes cd? Try the drummers side project Little Joy. It is nothing like The Strokes but a nice cd. Travis have a new cd too and sadly they still don't improve upon their first (and my favorite) CD. Still stuck behind Oasis and Radiohead and seemingly unsure how to break away.

The Lucksmiths released a new cd but I have yet to find it but I would think it would be gold but until I hear it...

Vote

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Material Issue - Valerie Loves Me
via FoxyTunes

Happy Candy Day

2008-10-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

Yes nothing says Halloween like the list of top dead celebrity earners.

Have good day/night of collecting candy.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Spoon - Don't Let It Get You Down
via FoxyTunes

Cds for 10.28

2008-10-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

So here we are again. Chatting up CDs that might be on your radar. It's a good day to go shopping.

Amazon.com Widgets

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Cardinology
The man is sober and it shows. Strong and focused music and lyrics. Does anyone else miss the crazy drugged up drunk guy? Yeah me too sometimes but this Cd makes me smile.

The Cure 4:13 Dream
Pure Cure. Plan and simple. Well the Cure were never plain and simple but this cd is. They don't mess with a winning streak.

Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
A "welcome back" cd. Fun and Smart rock. Strange that this cd is coming out now as I've always felt that the Chiefs had more of that Summertime Thing feeling going.

Snow Patrol - 100 Million Suns
Does it matter what I say? Probably not and like the Cure cd this cd will make their fans happy. I still feel that "Final Straw" was their best.

Bloc Party - Intimacy
Just like Snow Patrol I feel like Bloc Party's intro cd was their best. "Silent Alarm" was pure focus. "A Weekend in the City" expanded the playing field but not always in the best way. "Intimacy" firmly sticks a foot in each cd.

Also take a listen to or keep in mind:
So let's say you are in the mood for a bit of the JAMC well you should check out Crystal Stilts. Oh and like "Wolf" last year there are a ton of "Crystal" bands coming our way. Covers you say well then Jesse Malin's US release of his cover album is something for your ears. Want crazy, gypsy rock? O'Death is your new favorite band.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Morphine - Early to Bed
via FoxyTunes

to get you in the mood

2008-10-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

for Halloween

Created by Mingle2.com (Dating for non-zombies)

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Earl Hooker & Charles Brown - Drifting Blues
via FoxyTunes

Songs for my Funeral Part 3

2008-10-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Something for the weekend. Which reminds of this tune. Enjoy this Video then on to the S of F V3.

Yes nothing says weekend like a MIX that one makes to be played at one's "end of it all" party. Really though if it weren't named what it was named you'd just think that it was a typical cool mix of songs. 13 at a time. So Volume 3 includes songs 27 through 39. You can stream it at NEXT.

The Format – On Your Porch
Fleet Foxes – Mykonos
Nil Lara – My First Child
John Wesley Harding – I’m Wrong About Everything
Jonathan Richman – I’m So Confused
The Kinks – Have Another Drink
Spoon – Don’t Let It Get You Down
Manu Chao – MerryBlues
The Secret Machines – Alone, Jealous and Stoned
Michael Franti and Spearhead – Stay Human (Stereo Steambath Remix)
Band of Horses – Is There A Ghost
Gary Jules – Mad World
The Mountain Goats – Love Love Love

Enjoy the weekend
Bro

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Now playing: William Shatner - Common People
via FoxyTunes

10-21 CDs of Gold

2008-10-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Kind People

Gentle reminder to come and hang and drink and eat and listen at the Greater New York Food and Beer Fest this Saturday. Stay late as I will be djing the after party spinning NEXT tunes...and drinking beer.

on to the Gold

Amazon.com Widgets

The Dears - Missiles
These Canadians know melancholy, moody indie rock. Uneven but worth it for when the magic happens as they ramble on and on.

Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Sexy, Arty rock that bounces all over the place and never sitting still. Either their best or most erratic or both. It is quite fun - also uneven.

Gary Louris - Acoustic Vagabonds
If you missed out on Vagabonds or only know Louris from his Jayhawks days check that out then pick up this reworking of his latest cd in acoustic form.

Also Check out
The more things stay the same the more they don't change...or AC/DC finally has a new cd out. Just save the money and skip the trip to Walmart and listen to Back and Black today. Dead Trees are a band to watch as they put Alt Country in the garage. Brett Dennen sounds as soft and frail as an angel on your shoulder. The good angel. Think of this scene from Animal House
Animal House - Angel vs Devil

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Pixies - La La Love You (Los Angeles, CA - 6.2.2005)
via FoxyTunes

Gold Star 10-14

2008-10-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

Whoa...finally getting around to this.

Amazon.com Widgets

Gomez - Bring It On (10th Anniversary Collectors Edition)
Oh my holy balls. 10 years? I remember getting this cd and wearing it out. What you only just heard of this band when they "broke" with "How We Operate". Dig my music lovers. This was incredibly their first cd. A must have in everyone's collection.

Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain
British folk rock with a touch of soul. This surfer rocker gets down.

Johnny Cash - Live at Folsom Prison (Legacy Edition)
2 cds and a DVD.

Try these too
The latest from Keane. Truth be told I am more excited about their next cd. I think this is a step forward for them. I hope they build on this retro 80s thing. I may have to listen to Lucinda William's again. I love her and actually the last time I saw her she was on. Maybe I wasn't in the mood. Wait does that happen to guys? I'm From Barcelona calms down a bit and I'm not sure I'm as "in" to it. The Secret Machines take a huge step back but they did lose a singer/guitar guy. I guess this backwards step was to be expected. Sad :( as they were a favorite of mine.

Enjoy it all.
More later
Bro

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Now playing: Noah and the Whale - 5 Years Time
via FoxyTunes

401 KEG

2008-10-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you will have $49.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $0.00 today. But,if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received $214.00. Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle. It is called the 401-Keg. A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year.

Another study found that Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of
alcohol a year. That means that, on average, Americans get about 41
miles to the gallon! Makes you proud to be an American!

I got this from NEXT listener Loretta.

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Now playing: Wilco - Impossible Germany
via FoxyTunes

10.07 gold cds

2008-10-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com Widgets

Bob Dylan - Bootleg Series Vol 8
Oh so much more than an odds and sods boxset. It's like looking at an artists rough sketches. Most will be happy with the 15 dollar 2cd set but he throws in an extra cd and hardcover book for about 85 more bucks. Not a bad price to pay for a grand tour into his brain.

Oasis - Dig Out You Soul
I still say worst album art of the year but the swagger is back and they are playing loud, heavy rock with undercurrents of the psychedelic. Not world changing but much better than what most are saying about it.

Crooked Fingers - Forfeit/Fortune
Funky instrumentation and wild percussion abound within. You are in for a musical treat.

The Clash - Live at Shea
Not the best recording of them live but it's the Clash and someone still needs the money. I guess.

Also check
Man I am not feeling the new Pretenders CD. Not really. Not at all. The Rosebuds who are taking wonderful baby steps toward great. Sarah McLaughlin has a greatest hits with the required new songs. Why? I mean I know why but really it's not a greatest hit don't put in the cd. I think the Little Ones took a step back but hey if you need a song for a TV show...it's a middle of the road cd. Also check indie darlings The Annuals, Lampchop and the toss off for the record company after a fight, Not Animal, by Margot and the Nuclear So and So's.

9.30 gold

2008-10-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Boys and Girls

Jesus and Mary Chain - The Power of Negative Thought
82 songs of feedback bliss. A wonderful pot of gold at the end of the boxset rainbow. One listen to this box and I'm transported directly to a glorious decade called the Mid 80s to the mid 90s. The foundation of my musical education. PJ, REM, The Replacements, JAMC, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Van Halen, Def Leppard, The Cure, Pink Floyd, Smashing Pumpkins, NIN. I need to go spike my Jolt cola with some "borrowed" rum from Papa and plug in my walkman.

Roy Obison - the Soul of Rock and Roll
My boxset joy.

Ben Folds - Way to Normal
That man is funny and ironic and serious. The Piano kills as do the lyrics. This is the closest to "Five" as he has sounded since that trio broke up. Maybe it's because they played that one off show. Inspired? Who knows. Just enjoy this version of normal.

Joseph Arthur - Temporary People
A nice return to form and closer to basic rock. Still space but not just to show off rather on this one it fits within the song.

Ani DiFranco - Red Letter Year
A shock to the ear on first listen. Beautiful music? Lovely music? Not Ani (don't call me Annie). Surely not the "in your face/maverick" singer and song writer. I'll call this cd serene. First cd since becoming a mom.

Also check
Mercury Rev, MMW, Bella Fleck (for a Christmas LP), The Iguanas, Taj Mahal, and Tom Morello the Nightwatchmen.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Hearts
via FoxyTunes

CDs 9-23

2008-09-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

So much...too much this week.

I was at the Kings of Leon show. Thanks for the tickets Bill. You are my hero. It was a fine affair and these young lads are leaving the South behind and inching closer to U2 territory. They opened with "Crawl" my favorite off the cd. After hearing that the only song I really needed to hear was "The Bucket" and I would have been a very happy boy.

Molly's Chambers

I couldn't find "The Bucket" so here is a different live version.

OK. So great concert. Ears still ringing and head still buzzing. Now on to this week's CDs. Buckle up there is quite a lot of the good stuff.

TV on the Radio - Dear, Science
Off Kilter kings relax a bit and "wax on, wax off" and make their most coherent album.

Kings of Leon - Only By the Night
Looking to be the next U2 and could be. I miss some of the fun but this is high quality.

The Replacements - Second batch of Deluxe Editions
Tim, Pleased To Meet Me, Don't Tell A Soul, and All Shook Down. You already know how I feel about "All Shook Down" but if you are only going to buy one make it "Tim". The bonus' are a bit better but still my fav of these is "Pleased To Meet Me". So I am saying save "Don't Tell a Soul" until last.

Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
Moving way beyond just a pretty face with a pretty voice. She is a full throttle song writer. Pure joy listening to this cd.

Blizten Trapper - Furr
The sun is going down so you throw this cd on. Like mellow Dylan, Neil or The Dead.

Metallica - Death Magnetic
yes this is late but holy balls it's like being in HS school and listening to "Master of Puppets" prior to our soccer match.

Others to check out. I told you there was a lot
Jackson Browne, Everlast and Cowboy Mouth and for your punk moods the All Girl Summer Fun Band. Alt-country/ Indie super group Golden Smog released a best of so if you missed them it's a nice time to play catch up.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Steve Earle - Copperhead Road
via FoxyTunes

Songs for my Funeral V2

2008-09-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Part two of the continuing saga that is the celebration of my "Shuffling off this mortal coil", or my "dirt nap" or my "going to the big Whatever in the sky". If you missed the first one here is the playlist. NOW...

Grab a beer...yes a last request and sit back and listen.

Here is the playlist and here's where you go to listen.

The Beatles – Tomorrow Never Knows
The Twilight Singers – Bonnie Brae
The Black Angels – Bloodhound On My Trail
Cowboy Mouth – Joe Strummer
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Into My Arms
Johnny Cash – The Man Who Couldn’t Cry (live)
John Vanderslice – Exodus Damage
The Replacements – Within Your Reach
Whiskeytown – Sit and Listen to the Rain
Tom Waits – Warm Beer and Cold Women
Ben Harper – Waiting On an Angel
The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
Martin Sexton - Hallelujah

Enjoy it all and more later (I hope)
Bro

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Now playing: Fleet Foxes - Mykonos
via FoxyTunes

New CDs from 9-16

2008-09-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

A few quite close cds but we will shall begin with the Gold Stars

Amazon.com Widgets

James - Hey Ma
A nice welcome back and it's as if nothing happened to them at all. A 7 year break feels like a 7 month pause between great sounding cds. If you are at all familiar with this band you'll be pleased and if they are new well then I think you'll find plenty to like.

Marc Broussard - Keep Coming Back
Swamp pop and blued eyed soul for those nice quiet nights at home. Cuddle up with that bottle of whiskey and enjoy.

The damn near Gold
Lindsey Buckingham is so close I should just move him up a notch. Strong cd. Dead Confederate play southern rock run through Grunge and spacey guitars. Sound like early Silverchair (almost). If they can grow with each cd like Silverchair - this will be one hell of a band.

Get a few key tracks from these:
for those of you in the striped down mellow mood see Leona Ness. For strummy Indie pop try on Noah and the Whale. If you care Mr Hootie (Darius Rucker) went country.

more later
Bro

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Now playing: The Morning Benders - Wasted Time
via FoxyTunes

music for 9-9

2008-09-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

I might have gotten to this sooner but I had to watch Fringe and I torn through the Showtime show Californication. Duchovny plays a wonderful anti-hero. It is smart, witty, biting. There are a few storylines that aren't worth following but overall I am quite pleased with the product. During season 1 as much as you may dislike Duchovny's character you couldn't help but hope he figures it out. You reluctantly cheered him on. I say reluctantly because he is kinda like the un-king Midas. I have a feeling season two will just irk me. I can only picture Season 2 making me hate his character - which is sad.

I have said it before and will again I love watching shows on DVD but they are like crack. You don't care about the time you just want to watch just one more episode.

Amazon.com Widgets

So how about the CDs...there is quite a bit to like maybe even love.

Micheal Franti and Spearhead - All Rebel Rockers
The world needs more Franti's. Cool and intelligent funky reggae with elements of rap/hip hop. I would vote for him in a heart beat. I say Franti/Bono.

Josh Rouse - The Best of the Rykodisc Years
Oh my god in heaven if you don't already own what this man has released count yourself lucky. Only because now you get a very good collection. If you are only going to buy one cd (actually this is 2) this week this is the one. Go...get...it...NOW.

Calexico - Carried to Dust
Subtle southwestern feel. The kinda of cd you will rediscover in 30 years and wonder "why didn't these guys make it bigger?"

Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Welcome to the Rock and Roll circus of smart and brilliant indie pop. They are coming close to another Wilco type band.

The Ettes - Look at Life Again Soon
Garage Rock in it's finest and fiercest form. A trio of NYCers that are not in LA LA Land.

Mitch Hedberg - Do you Believe in Gosh?
This funny man left us way too early and so the "post life Tupac cds" are starting to flow. There are so many great moments in this cd. My favorite right now "Now is a hippopotamus a hippopotamus or a really cool opotamus?"

Emiliana Torrini - Me and Armini
Take a long walk on the beach with this cd and reflect and enjoy. Not her strongest but if you are new to her a great intro.

Others to check out and listen to
The Broken West took a bit of a step back on this cd but you will still find much to love on this Silver Star CD. If there aren't enough poop and fart "children" songs in your life please check out Kimya Dawson's latest. Kellarissa for some late night musings. The New Year for the slowly, softly, building kenetic mess. Trip hop genius Tricky is back too and don't forget that Eliminator by ZZ Top turns 25 and the deluxe double disc is worth checking out. The live tracks just remind you of how cool and slick this studio album was. You get the videos too. Relive MTV's glory years.

More later
Bro

Sports, Sports yet no Sports

2008-09-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I had different people offer up the Mets game, the Women's Finals at the US Open and then the Bears were on Sunday night football. What is a man that thinks high fashion is shorts with no hat to do? That is right go to a friends fashion show in NYC during Fashion Week.
and yes I am somewhere in that video. See if you can see me

So I don't get a chance to see the Bears monster game. Thank you DVR. Why didn't they do that two years ago in the Super Bowl? Oh well. I was hoping for 8-8 (really thinking (5-11) but if the D keeps stepping up the North is screwed.

So I missed this great final

The night was grand and fun and something I never thought I'd find myself at. The after party was stellar. Wow did I just use stellar? I don't know where it came from but I am not in the mood to edit so out into the ether go you unthought...thoughts.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: The Panderers - Come On
via FoxyTunes

cd for 9-2

2008-09-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

Birdmonster - From the Mountain to the Sea
Let's call this one more Mature than "No Midnight". Another winner of a cd from this San Francisco band. They marry the frantic buzz with heady roots rock.

moe - Dr Stan's Presciption Vol 1
Unfiltered live moe. Done and Done. Notice the title includes vol 1. Look for more Dr Stan soon. It's a 3 disc set.

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Also check out
I am sure purists will jump over this but the latest from Brian Wilson sounds like someone who loves Brian Wilson and that person is trying to write Smile. It's not bad but it really isn't that good though either. Apollo Sunshine is kinda in the same boat. Decent cd but not their strongest. It is very 60s trippy so maybe an enhanced mind will get more out the cd than I did. Another almost cd is Dean and Britta's latest. Indie rockers don't fade away they just get sinister. Why not add another down here. Giant Sand. Just add a few of the top shelf and be done with it.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Asylum Street Spankers - Whiskey Love Song
via FoxyTunes

Songs for my Funeral

2008-08-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

This a long time coming. No not my death but my first posted mix. I will not go into a huge description about how the name of the mix came about rather just listen. So here is the playlist for "Songs for my Funeral Part One: Songs 1-13"

The Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored

John Lennon – Watching the Wheels

Sun Kil Moon – Lost Verses

Todd Snider – Alright Guy

Ben Folds – The Luckiest

Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes (Live)

Faces – Ooh La La

Pixies – Dig For Fire

Slobberbone – Lazy Guy

Talking Heads – Road to Nowhere

The Pogues – Love You ‘Till The End

Tom Waits and the Kronos Quartet – Diamond In Your Mind (live)

I Am Kloot - Proof

Another mix will be coming soon(ish). Yes it will Part Two.

More later

Bro

A few tips for fantasy fun

2008-08-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

Get your mind out of the gutter. Actually I'll let it linger there for a bit...ok. Ready?

My fantasy football drafts are done. I think I'll do ok. I have been playing fantasy for quite a few years now. Here are a few things I'd like to see in my leagues. If you are not in any of my leagues this might help anyway.

OK first off Yes I know you're busy. You have a wife, a life, hopefully a good job, kids and you need to drink beer. Luckily fantasy football wouldn't get in the way of that last one. It may enhance it.

Trades. This isn't life or death so trade. Or at least get some offers out there. In fact, if I offer you a trade don't just decline it. Counter offer something or at least give me an email explaining why you declined the trade. I can't read your mind. I like trades. Trades are fun. I like fun.

Post something at least once a week. This is supposed to be fun and a little gentle teasing makes the season go by quicker. It doesn't have to be mean. It could anything...honestly anything. Football topics are prefered but I'll even take a non football post about your love of the latest "High School the Musical" movie. Just stay active on the boards.

Yes stay active. Don't be "The Quiter". Sure your team is 2-8 and you have been out of the playoff race for awhile but there are two teams fighting for that last spot. Don't forget to get your stud rb back into the lineup after his bye week. Don't mess up somebody else's season just because you quit.

Watch the waivers. Thus stay active. Your season can be saved by simply watching who is available. Last year Ryan Grant wasn't drafted I am sure plenty of team rode him into the playoffs. This happens every year. There are always surprises.

Forget the experts. Get who you want but don't be a complete "Homer".

So offer trades, post comments, be active and have fun.

Go get'em tiger
More later and good luck
Bro

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Now playing: Old 97s - Dance With Me
via FoxyTunes

Aug 26 CDs

2008-08-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

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Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine
This band comes at you from so many places. It's timeless rock or maybe Indie Folk Rock with the emphasis on the rock. A fun, multi layered cd.

The Gabe Dixon Band - self titled
Clean Piano Rock. Not the clever, humorous, intelligent piano rock of Ben Folds more like an Indie Rock "Benny and the Jets". Quite the Exuberant cd but not too loud and not too soft just like baby bears radio station.

Matthew Sweet - Sunshine Lies
So this man does remember what his guitar sounded like on Girlfriend/Altered Beast. He always puts out quality but it's nice to hear "classic" Sweet.

Don't forget
JJ Grey and Mofro. Sadly I think his latest cd is way over produced. It's still swampy-like front porch music but this time a bit too clean. Blues Traveler have new music too. Nightmares on Wax gives us some "beach jams". Throw one of these on a mix tape and get happy. I always smile when I see a Tesla Cd. See in college the guy across the hall had such a man crush on this band and I will admit that any lead singer that was a garbage truck driver in a former life and turns into a rock star...well that just makes me happy. Much better than being "Hanna Montana's brother"

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Shade - wide eyed
via FoxyTunes

When 5 was 3 now just 1

2008-08-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

hey look...it's another lost CD. Yes about bloody time and for more Lost Treasures head to NEXT music.

This time I pick Ben Fold's "Rockin' the Suburbs"

Before I begin with my mini rant about radio missing out yet again let me tell you that you must see the man live. Solo? With a Band? It just doesn't matter just do what needs to be done to see him anytime he is close to where you live. He makes stadiums feel like your living room.

Ben, Live. Army.

Ben with just the piano. Army.

Too much fun. Honestly you come out of the concert on a high. The man is truly talented.

So what about "Rockin' the Suburbs" The CD?

Really besides the occasional "Brick" this man gets almost no radio love. Why? I don't know and how strange is it that when he does get radio play its about an abortion. I guess he doesn't test well. That is a good thing. He is man that must be experience in full not some 30 sec clip over the phone. Bloody silly but that is how music on the radio is picked.

So about the cd is it...

Catchy? Check
Intelligent? Check
Fun and funny (yes those are two different things)? Check and Check.

Now this cd really isn't too different from his Ben Folds Five work but the main change was the fact that Ben played almost all of the instruments including guitar and dropped two band members. Guitar is important to note as the trio was piano, drums, bass. Still really no big surprises just classic sounding Ben making mid tempo masterpieces.

Wonderful start to the cd with "Annie Waits".
This song just gets to me. Beautifully written. You can just picture Annie seeing the "headlights cresting the hill" and being disappointed when the car continues past her house...it's not her "friend". Here are two quite good fan vids.

Zak and Sara
Funny. Weird. Not normal. Brilliant. Yes. Plus hidden swearing.

Rockin' the Suburbs
Great video.

the next two songs will be played at my funeral.

If this next song doesn't choke you up you have no feelings. This is why we love music.
The Luckiest

and a song he wrote for his son.
Still Fightin It
Link to "embedding disabled video"

So yes go get this cd. Period. Thats it. Oh and radio get smart before you become an afterthought...opps too late. Well almost too late.

More later
Bro

Better late...

2008-08-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry I was off on a family camping trip. Good time had by all plus it was car camping so really you could bring your whole family room if you wanted to. There is something to be said about occasionally sleeping in a tent. Also building a fire does feel good and right.

On to the music

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After last weeks fairly weak showing a nice follow up.

Juliana Hatfield - How to Walk Away
Ahh the break up album. It is dangerous although I guess if you are dating a singer you have to know there will be songs about soon enough. This one isn't too bitter or nasty but fear not People or Cosmo readers there are juicy moments. Age agrees with her too. It has added an edge to her voice.

Hotel Lights - Firecracker People
Second "solo" cd from the former Ben Folds Five Drummer. The man knows how to write and perform great, wonderful, mid tempo rockers. Now very soon I will write about the Dandy Warhols and how they usually bounce from song to song with a completely different sound...now this cd could have used a track or two with a completely different sound. After a while this cd just bleeds into itself. Still an incredibly strong cd.

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
A musical collective of Gypsy Rock from upstate NY. This cd puts them close to the top of the "promising newcomers" list.

The Stills - Oceans will Rise
A slight shift in sonics on this cd. Big and bombastic are the keys words. Don't worry their songs still have some hooky pop to them.

The Dandy Warhols - Earth to the Dandy Warhols
Closest to 13 Tales then they have ever been. The Dandys seems to love to jump from sound to sound. It makes for an interesting listen but not a complete cd. Earth to the Dandy Warhols is more a completer cd then just a collection of singles. There are, of course, mis-fires.

Donavon Frankenreiter - Pass it Around
What is referring to with this title? Herb? The MP3s? Does it matter? More of the same for CD number 3. Mellow surfer dude music from FOJ (friend of Jack (Johnson))

A bunch to watch for and listen to and download a few favorites of:
Let's start with the ladies. Laura Marling and Jennifer O'Connor. Laura the talented young UK piano tickler and Jennifer the NYC rocker chick. Xavier Rudd released a cd that will probably get kicked up to the Gold Star status the next time I listen. I know there are rabid fans for The Walkmen, The Fiery Furnaces, and Stereolab but none released a "must have" in my opinion. All three released cds that were anticipated greatly.

More later
Bro

Save it for later

2008-08-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

Not much going on this week unless Hanna Montana is a star in your life. The Jonas Brothers released something. I will say one thing...it's gotta suck when you are a horny band and your biggest fans are between 8-13. "Dude in 5 to 8 years this is gonna be Led Zeppelin awesome". I guess the Beatles did start with "I wanna Hold Your Hand". So who is going to be their Bob Dylan and introduce them to marijuana? Or maybe they should just skip to their Peter Fonda LSD stage.

I mean I don't care what anyone tells you the main reason they pick up a guitar, or sticks or the microphone is girls. Maybe their fan's moms make up for it. But that would be weird - "Mom you slept with the Jonas' Brothers. I hate you" Yes that little girl will be on a couch for a long, long time.

So on to the not so hot week in CDs.

Really I can only tell you to download a few tracks from The Pack AD. A female version of the the Black Keys from Canada. They are a band to watch. Each cd gets them closer to fine.

I will leave you something cool/funny. "The Line"

It pays to be a music geek

2008-08-09T00:04:00.000-07:00

Remember when I was moping about not being able to see She and Him on Bro's post? Well, I've been dealt a change of luck.

Thursday night I made an attempt to win Virgin Mobile Festival tickets. At 5:30 pm in the afternoon, the radio station I was listening to (94.7 the globe which is out of DC) wanted the tenth caller. Obviously those sorts of phone contests are impossible to win at times. You have to time things very carefully. Of course, I didn't win. I felt frustrated and thought "shoot, maybe I'll try again during the 8 pm hour." The next give away was going to happen at 8:30 pm during th 80s at 8 pm program. So here I am listening, I have the station's number on speed dial, the dj gets on the air and says "First caller to tell me what year these things happened wins two 2-day passes to the Virgin Mobile Festival." The question was "What year did the beastie boys get censored on american bandstand, the cure released their album kiss me kiss me kiss me..." That's all I heard as I quickly hit dial on the phone. It was ringing, I could hear on the computer the dj also mention that Peter Gabriel's "Sledge Hammer" was a hit. As the phone rang like three times, I thought to myself "Dear God, please let me get this one. Please! I'll give up anything. I'll even give up sex for awhile..." (Sometimes you have to give up things like sex or beer to get something awesome) The DJ picked up my call first! I must've been on a 3 second delay by listening on the net. So I didn't even know my choice of answers. Lucky for me, he repeated the years when he answered the phone. I said "1987." He replied "You sound pretty sure of yourself." I laughed and said "Well kiss me by the cure is one of my favorite albums." and he said to me "Well guess what, it looks to me like you have plans for the weekend..." (for a second there, I thought I was going to lose...when he said guess what) I start freaking out when he told me that I had won. "Oh my god, I can't believe I won!" If someone told me a few days that this would happen to me, I would think they were either nuts or full of it. I just still can't believe it in a way. I will when I get there. But yeah I won tickets that are close to 200 bucks (175 dollars plus ticketmaster charges duh) a piece and it was all because I knew that the Cure's album kiss me kiss me kiss me was released in 1987. See being a music geek works!

I originally asked my sister, but she really only wanted to see a few bands and wasn't sure if it would work out. Our parents' finances aren't the best right now. So I asked Meredith if she would go with me. She can drive and her bf is giving us gas money and I am providing my parents' ford escort and well she has an aunt, who lives in Baltimore (so yeah we have a place to spend Saturday night). Looks like everything is going to work out nicely. She freaked out when I asked her too. I'm quite excited, but I know that I'll be quite exhausted by Sunday night. I've never been to a both days of a two day music festival before. I'm just totally stoked about how this all turned out.

Meredith and I are taking a camera so hopefully there will be pictures to share! and of course, I will post stories on either Monday or Tuesday. http://www.virginmobilefestival.com (check out the line up, it's nuts and yes, I'm sorry but you're just going to have to be jealous.)

ps - On a different note, I watched Superbad tonight for the first time. All I gotta say is that the movie was hilarious, awesome, cute and crude. (Is that even really possible in a film? Apparently it is)

CDs for yesterday

2008-08-06T06:23:00.000-07:00

I took the little man to see Walking With The Dinosaurs Live at MSG the other day. It was brilliant. It reminded me of the first Star Wars. Very un-now. No CGI. Just reality sized computerized dinosaurs. Plus a few maned by Humans in what would be the coolest Halloween costume ever. It is traveling around the States right now. When it comes to town make a little one very happy and take them.

The dinos do "fight" but there is no real interaction thus no blood or really even violence. The pace is slow and plodding but filled with good information. It really is a throw back. Money well spent.

The tunes this week or the more things change the more they stay the same.

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Conor Oberst - Self Titled
He still sounds like Bright Eyes. That could be the whole review. More of the same and that should make all music lovers happy. He went down to Mexico with his "crew" to record this one. It makes for a nice, relaxed, intelligent ride but the folk/rock and country/roll and biting lyrics are all intact.

Randy Newman - Harps and Angels
It has been awhile since a non-Pixar album but again like Oberst more of the same. The wit and wisdom shine through on this low production cd.

Carla Bruni - Comme Si de Rien N'Etait (As If Nothing Had Happened)
It's a joke. The title of the CD because the music is wonderful. The joke is that she is now the "First Lady" of France - as if Nothing has happened. Get it? Yes she is the one that recently married the French President. I wonder what kind of cd our "First Lady" would come out with. No way it would be as cool as this one. I had to listen to the cd, well, because of who she was. The more I listened the more I enjoyed. Give her a serious listen. She may surprise you too.

Also to check
Ida if you are into the Indie Folk thing. Or Mike Gordon if you miss Phish. He was/is the bassist and this is a solo cd. Oh and you get a Legacy Edition of "Fumbling Toward Ecstasy" with includes a bonus CD/DVD.

More later
Bro

CDs for 7/30

2008-08-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

Just in time before a fresh batch of CDs tomorrow. Strange how you need a vacation from your vacation. It takes a bit to get back into the swing...after you have been gone for a bit.

So I finally saw Batman The Dark Knight. Yes I am the last person on Earth to have seen it. Brilliant. I still love the first part of Ironman a bit more but what a dark and wonderful movie Batman was. I understand why they "enhanced" Batman's voice but I still didn't like that. It really isn't that shocking that Heath nailed the Joker. Brilliant job just mind blowing.

I was shocked at the amount of little kids at the movie. Really? C'mon P's it was rated "PG-13"...I don't see how but it was. Yes I know the rating system is a joke but really that movie was much too intensive for youngsters.

The movie does give you quite a bit to talk about too.

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On to the Music, man

Neil Halstead - Oh! Mighty Engine
Shoegaze hero, and all around great singer and songwriter turns in a very pleasant "Summer Afternoon" vibe of an album. He is the Slowdive guy and also part of the always excellent Mojave 3. On this solo project he relaxes. I claim "summer afternoon" vibe because in the heat of the day you don't really want to jump around. You want to spike your lemonade and sit on a rocking chair and listen to this cd.

Also out was
the release of George Carlin's "It's Bad for You". It is the same material as the HBO special but a different recording and maybe a better night for Carlin too. If you care Rick Springfield also released something new. Soccer moms rejoice.

More later
Bro

6 degrees

2008-07-30T19:49:00.000-07:00

So thanks for clicking and reading this. Just for reading I think I have a few tee shirts and/or CDs laying around. I will randomly pick a few "clickers" to mail them to.

This is titled 6 Degrees because well I am hoping that between all of us we will be "connected" to someone that would be able to help.

So anyway I have an idea of hosting NEXT bands at bars in Westchester but no money. Also I want to raise money for Big Brother Big Sisters too. (I do have a way to make this work)

In order to do that I was hoping that a NEXT listener might be able to get me a contact or two to help get this idea off the ground. I am looking for 1 to 3 companies to sponsor NEXT and the NEXT year long monthly concerts and split the cost. I am in negotiations with one company. Wish me luck.

I realize the economy sucks right now but I will be able to work to make this as painless as possible. Email me if you have any leads. Thanks. Bro

CDs for 7/22

2008-07-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

We are getting there. Baby steps to getting the Gold Star cds up for your enjoyment.

The music

Amazon.com Widgets

NIN - The Slip
Trent has had this Nine Inch Nails album available for a while at his website for months. For Free. It is still there too. For Free. This was the week that he released it in the physical form. For those of us that like to touch.

u2- The Deluxe Reissues
Double Discs of Boy/War/October were released. Only U2 fanatics need apply. Normal U2 listeners you have what you need already.

The Avett Brothers - The Gleam II EP
Alt-folk. They channel Woody Guthrie on this EP. It's a sober and melancholy affair and completely worth your time. Sit on your porch with a bottle of moonshine late, late at night and enjoy this one.

Buddy Guy - Skin Deep
He is a legend. Period. I really don't need to go on much more than that. He gets a bunch of friends to help out too just in case you need further help to get this.

Also check out
This man is bursting with good ideas. Or maybe too many ideas. Some of the songs...not so much but a few are brilliant. He is someone to watch. Hopefully. He is Benji Hughes. Also to hold you over until the next Broken Social Scene listen to the solo Brendan Canning.

More later
Bro

She and Him at T5

2008-07-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

So at the last moment I got a few passes to see M Ward and Zooey Deschanel's "side project" called She and Him.

First off as an actress she has a wonderful voice. Mostly when an actor says "I have just recorded a new album" most of us cringe. If only because history has taught us so. The reverse is mostly true too when a singer wants to become a movie star. That might be a post for another day.

I have listened to She and Him's Volume One quite a few times and it does live in top 25 cds of 2008 but live they were Excellent. You could feel that they liked playing music with each other. One of my modern favorites is M Ward and I loved the fact that he mostly just sat back and enjoyed Zooey. It was the "She" part that got the limelight.

Pretty good video of "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here"

The night had that really cool vibe. Imagine if your best friend had a barn out in the country and this was the local band that he got to play his "barn party". They would have blown you away. It had that kinda feel to it.

Of course moonshine and/or a porch and few close friends would be an almost perfect setting for this night of She and Him music.

A small portion of Black Hole

So thank you Merge for the tickets.

On top of the main act there were two opening acts. I had not heard of the Rosebuds but after last night - I am a fan. This track wasn't from last night but it will give you an idea.

I Better Run

Freakwater was just fine. Sorry but they were. Nothing special. Maybe it was a bad night.

Another fine musical night at Terminal 5.
Bro

CD of 7/15

2008-07-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Back from a great vacation that included Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and The Connecticut Shore (which I had a wonderful massage). If you have never been you should go. Martha's Vineyard is a wonderful place to bike to an ice cream shop and relax.

On a sadder/weirder note I also had to appear in court for lawn clippings that were nicely bagged on my curb. A day early?!? Seriously. I had to bite my tongue quite hard (and I'm a very mellow fellow) when after I plead guilty - the judge asked if I had anything to say.

Welcome to the 'burbs of NYC.

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On to (finally) the gold stars from many weeks ago.

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Punk meets classic rock. Yes it is that good. They are the ultra Geek Rockers. They have elements of The Replacements with Springsteen of the 70s. Seriously ever Springsteen fan should be jumping all over this band. And the Replacements are one of my all time favs so I don't throw them in the mix too often. I must mean it. Still a "grower" cd and head into their back catelogue. Brilliance.

John Mellencamp - Life, Death, Love and Freedom
Best in a decade or so from him but a bummer of a cd. A great and regretful look back at mis-spent youth. Pure, Mature Wisdom. "The Kids" might not get it but those "long in the tooth" will truly enjoy (ok maybe not enjoy but dig into) this One Bleak World of a cd.

Also check out and maybe download a tune or two
the Music and Wild Beasts.

Straight Out of the Cave

2008-07-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

Holy Jeapers, Batman! While yes, you probably think this entry is about Nick Cave (might I add I'm seeing him in October at the 9:30 Club...go ahead be jealous) or about music that is all dark and gothic, this entry is all about one thing... Batman. Tonight, I'm hoping to go see The Dark Knight at a midnight showing. If all else fails, I'll go tomorrow or Saturday. Let's be honest, the matinée is much cheaper and I'll still get to have all the thrills. (I told my friends that if anyone emailed me or told me any spoilers, that I'd not have them over for dinner anymore...)

So how about we get the funk up?

As a child of the 1980s (Yes I was born in 1985...I'll be 23 in less than a week *cough*), I grew up listening to Prince and well I also grew up watching the cheesy Batman movies that Adam West did. Obviously, Prince grew up watching those films too. For the first modern Batman movie (way back in 1989), Prince actually did a good chunk of the Batman soundtrack. I guess Tim Burtin was a fan of Prince or maybe Danny Elfman was like "I want to work with Prince for the film's score." Either way, "Batdance" by Prince is rather cheesy, but awesome. Not to mention, it's pretty fun to play around Halloween. Plus, you can't beat Prince at possibly his weirdest with a bunch of Kim Basinger look-a-likes...or maybe you can?

Prince - Batdance [Video] - Prince

For the 1992 Batman Returns, Elfman teamed up with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Okay so maybe I lied about this entry not featuring "gothic" music, but it does make sense that Siouxsie would be used for a Batman movie of some sort. So here's "Face to Face" by Siouxsie and the Banshees. (Notice how there's some keyboard lick that sounds similar to their other hit at the time, which was "Kiss Them for Me")

In 1995, Joel Schumacher took over the Batman series and well started to create crap. Not that Batman Forever was totally terrible. It was awesome, cheesy, and fun. (Oh but Batman and Robin was awful! More about that in a few moments) One thing I don't get is how with Burton the movies were like dark graphic novels, but the soundtracks were more like a film's score, which can be boring. And Yet with Schumacher, the movies were like the terrible cartoon that was on Fox after school, yet the soundtracks had some pretty great choice moments. (In terms of comic books and cartoons, the only cartoon that was close to their own comic book was X-men. Just for the record!)

As a kid, I remembered U2 being on the BF soundtrack (review of "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me") but aside from that seriously overplayed Seal song, I had little interest. A few years ago, my friend was talking about the movie and the soundtrack and to my surprise the soundtrack is quite awesome. I actually picked myself up a copy back in 2006 for a dollar. Who knew Nick Cave (okay so he's actually in this entry for real), The Offspring, U2, PJ Harvey, Michael Hutchence, Sunny Day Real Estate, The Flamming Lips, Mazzy Star, Method Man, and Massive Attack (featuring Tracey Thorn from Everything But The Girl) would all be on the same soundtrack for a Batman movie? Not to mention, there were some good moments from two unknowns - the Devlins and Eddie Reader. In terms of pop music, yes Brandy is on there, but the track was written and produced by Lenny Kravitz. It's rare that a movie soundtrack is half decent, so as you can tell, this soundtrack is one of those stranger than fiction kind of moments.

And now for the song, you've been waiting for...

U2 + Val Kilmer = even better than the real thing. oh yes.

Here's a bonus: Nick Cave - There is a Light

there is a light - Nick cave

Fast forward to 11 years ago, summer of 1997...George Clooney as Batman, which seemed okay. Chris O'Donnell as Robin again, cool. The Governator as Mr. Freeze...um... terrible! This movie resembled the awful cartoon the worst probably. At least the soundtrack, though not as fantastic as BF, was half decent. Loads of Batman fans hated Batman and Robin, and with good purpose, just look at Arnold's lines as Mr. Freeze. Not to mention, people weren't too keen on the idea of Batgirl let alone Alicia Silverstone playing Batgirl. Though I'm sure there are some people out there who would admit Uma Thurman did make a good Poison Ivy.

Enough about the film, how about that soundtrack. Just like the AMG review said, this movie soundtrack only has a few good moments. The rest is rather skippable, especially that terrible R. Kelly song "Gotham City". (I'm not even going to post a link to the music video for that one.) So you got a cool track from the Smashing Pumpkins that would in retrospect be viewed as a taste towards Ava Adore, a good solid track from REM's Monster leftovers, a surprising track from Underworld (it's no Born Slippy, but hey Underworld are great anyway), a good trip hop track from Moloko, and Jewel's "Foolish Games" which was a huge hit - very beautiful song the first few times you heard it, but soon it got overplayed. Then there's tracks from the Goo Goo Dolls and Soul Coughing, as for the rest of the soundtrack, it's rather forgettable.

Because I am a good sport, here's the Smashing Pumpkins:

Since 1997, we've been blessed with the directing talents of Christopher Nolan. Thank God! I actually just saw Memento for the first time a few weeks ago and was totally blown away by it. I now see why everyone made such a huge deal about him directing the new Batman movies. I really enjoyed Batman Begins a lot. It was like how Batman was suppose to be (which is what Burton even did as a director). Yet I'll admit the whole time I was watching the movie, I wanted to hear U2's "Thrill Me..." I guess my only compliant about the newest films is that they don't have much modern music in them. (I could totally see Gnarls Barkley, Interpol, MIA, David Bowie, She Wants Revenge, OutKast, The Alkaline Trio, and AFI being a part of a Batman movie soundtrack!) Then again, there is this wonderful, classic, timeless appeal to just having an orchestra doing the film's score.

I am hoping that The Dark Knight lives up to the hype. But here's a good question, is it possible that Heath Ledger might get an Oscar for his performance as the Joker? I'm saying this not because he's now unfortunately dead, but because the first time I saw him in costume, which was this past November, I got scared. I'm not one to get scared of clowns either! When I saw the previews and trailers, I thought "No way could that be Heath. It doesn't sound or look like him!" Needless to say, I will be not getting any sleep tonight, because 1. I'll be watching the movie very late, 2. I'll have nightmares about clowns (just kidding...maybe) or 3. I won't be able to sleep because I haven't seen the movie yet. Either way, I plan on giving a review once I see it and I promise, not to spoil anything.

In the mean time, here are two good reviews:

The Toronto Star

The Times (London England I do Believe)

ps- For those who need to get a batman fix right away, FX is showing Batman Begins tonight. TNT is showing Batman Forever tonight. and for Tim Burton's Batman ABC Family is showing that one this weekend.

Great time last night

2008-07-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

It was one glorious day of music and beer and food and friends. Thanks to everyone that made this happen. Every year gets bigger and better. Hopefully you can make it next year if you missed this year. Bring the little ones too they will have a blast.

Also I had to leave one last link. Journey at the of the Earth

Best line..."Journey's is melting the Earth!!!"

Be good and enjoy it all
Bro

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Now playing: Bob Schneider - Getting Better
via FoxyTunes

Music then beach

2008-07-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Pleasantville Music Fest then almost 2 weeks at the beach.

Sorry folks, park's closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.

Careful there is the F Bomb at the end of the scene. Brilliant.

Enjoy it all and I'll see you soon.
TTNF
Bro

Music is good

2008-07-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

good music is better.

So quite a bit more this week than last and some big names have released the new tunes.

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The Gold Stars:
Beck teams up with Danger Mouse and actually I guess I was hoping for the "blowing of my mind" but it's just good/great, wonderful classic sounding Beck. What you want more? Actually I did. This might need a few listens but I doubt this will be most listened to Beck cd.

Now this next cd might on the surface seem like a shocker. A pairing that spells certain death but I'll tell you it works. Willie Nelson with Wynton Marsalis' "Two Men with the Blues." A live recording of a concert they did at Jazz at Lincoln Center...which is a place you need to see a concert at before you die.

I will venture a bet that you never thought that you would see Billy Joel written up here but The Stranger turns 30 and the have expanded it to 2cds and a DVD. Sounds like youth. In 1977 it was Rumors and this cd.

Others to give a listen to and purchase the tunes you love
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have another great cd of punk covers. Albert Hammond Jr sounds closer to the Strokes on this cd...I guess he wants a new Strokes cd too. Check Ratatat for some rock instrumental experiments and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones have just released a cd of B sides.

enjoy it all
Bro

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Now playing: Pink Floyd - Not Now John
via FoxyTunes

Two months of Best of the Month

2008-07-03T06:15:00.000-07:00

Well Well well. Holy Balls I just noticed how very far behind I am. So sorry but I shall try to right the boat.

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So the best of May...yes May.

A great month of CDs. One could argue and win said argument with either DCFC or the Alive Elvis. Death Cab for Cutie's "Narrow Stairs" is a classic and wonderful but too easy for NEXT. We throw "Momofuku" in that same "too easy for NEXT" category. Both should be in your collection. Oh and a hardy welcome back to 70s hard rockin' Elvis Costello. It sounds good in the summer time.

So that still leaves me with two cds from which to pick. Firewater or The Botticellis? Two different feels. Two different subject matters. Well I am going with the Sun kissed, 60s vibe, laid back surf music of San Fransisco's The Botticellis. Nothing against "The Golden Hour" and Firewater's well fire and general feeling of "What the hell are we doing here in the US". I love the Gypsy/World Punk thing but I am going for the time tested tunes here. The Botticellis get the best of May nod.

On to June. Not far behind on this one at all.
How Bloody good was this month? Amazingly good. So good, in fact, that I didn't even think twice about My Morning Jacket's "Evil Urges"or Alejandro Escovedo's "Real Animal" as a best of the month. I quickly looked over the month and found four cds that I thought about and listened to again. All of them need a place in your beating muscle located within your chest, iPod and in your collection of cds and/or albums.

I heart the new Jakob Dylan or Baby Dylan and his "Seeing Things". I also hope he sticks with The Wallflowers. Maybe he does like Petty and The Heartbreakers. A little bit of both. Don't be afraid of this solo cd.

Wolf Parade's "At Mount Zoomer" is the ultimate "grower". It doesn't grab you it grows on you with each listen. You will love in love with the cd and it wouldn't leave your cd changer for a long, long time.

It pains me that Sam Phillip's fine and glorious new cd called "Don't Do Anything" wouldn't be named Best of the month but there has to be a winner.

That winner this month is the Fleet Foxes.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: They Might Be Giants - I'm Impressed
via FoxyTunes

A bit of a movie plus the tunes

2008-07-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

so I went to Sex and The City last night. Honestly not too bad. I mean I knew it was the ultimate chick flick but really not too bad. Worst ending ever though. I mean I know it's the ultimate click flick but even my wife thought the ending was pure cr@p. My words not hers.

It was a long a$$ film too. Way too long. The best part (well actually there were a few good moments) but I loved the previews. Three more trailers for click flicks and then a car explodes...a trailer for Will Smith's "Hancock". I guess the thinking was, "ok a few guys (yes like me) had to leave their balls at home and see the movie with the wife...so let's throw them a bone before this looooong a$$ click flick starts."

So yes to answer the question instead of writing up the "gold star cds" this week I was off at the movies.

Tunes we all want the music.

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Earlimart - Hymn and Her
More mid tempo dreamy indie pop from this LA trio. Their best is still "Treble and Tremble" which sounds just like Elliott Smith if Elliott Smith were a boy girl fronted trio.

Also check out
Los Lonely Boys and their just fine Tex Mex family music and John Mayer shows us his three sides in a live CD called "Where the Light Is". Yes you not only get his soft rock side but the folky solo stuff with his rockin' blues too.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Lloyd Cole - Weeping Wine
via FoxyTunes

So we meet again

2008-06-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

Another fine week for lovers of good music.

I don't know why but for some reason I am craving Pudding with whip cream on top of it lately. I can't stop. It's like I'm pregnant as the craving hits and I need (no NEED) the pudding. Strange? Yes. Hopefully it will fade quickly. Soooo on to the tunes.

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Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville (Deluxe Edition)
This one is listed for a few different reasons. One...Just in case you don't already own this blow by blow response to Exile on Mainstreet by the Stones. Now you can remedy this tragedy. Two...it is brilliant in so many ways. Three...The main deluxe part is a Liz directed Documentary about the CD and the 15 years since. Let's hear it for classic Chicago CDs.

Big Blue Ball - Big Blue Ball
Started in 1991 and finished (basically) in 1995. So PG why make us wait? Yes he has put touches on the cd since then but c'mon man. Give me the tunes. Luckily worth the wait. It plays like a great, lost Peter Gabriel CD. Oh I didn't mention that part yet. Well yes it was all recorded at his Real World Studios etc. It must be so cool to have songs like these in the vaults.

Ry Cooder - I, Flathead
A concept album with his wonderful touches of rockabilly and Blues etc. In fact, let's call this one Sci-Fi Americana. The concept? Something about a guy and a car and outer space (maybe). I am sure love, lost, and lust are in there too.

Alejandro Escovedo - Real Animal
Real shame this man isn't huge. No HUGE. A punker from the 70s. The man is a survivor and tells great stories. He talks truth. Maybe that is the reason he isn't huge. People don't like truth. Although it seems to work for Springsteen and it worked for Carlin. Anyway if you don't know this man enjoy the cd and the back catelogue as you work yourself backwards through this old cds. Still gave one of the best concerts I've been at. One sentence for this man? Austin Texas' Bruce Springsteen.

Others to sample
Amos Lee has released a nice cd of campfire songs with his great soulful voice. The Watson Twins were made famous by Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis on their latest cd they do most things right. At least listen to their Cure cover (which has already been on NEXT by the way). Camper Van Beethoven has released a Greatest Hits which is nice to have a bunch of their songs on one CD. G Love returns just in time for summer with shockingly a great summer BBQ cd. Sadly it's mostly background music. Oh and Motley Crue are back and they sound like Dr Feelgood Crue...so if that is your cup o tea you will drink from that cup and be happy.

More later
Bro

R.I.P.

2008-06-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

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Yet Another Good One

2008-06-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry I am so late on this but I will blame the wedding. Hell I just got the other weeks up. Tomorrow I'll try to get CD of last Month up. I think I already know which one.

Ready? Here we go...

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Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
No sophomore slump here. More like a kick a$ follow up CD. Tighter and more mature. Usually in a review if you print "more mature" it's code for "not as good" or "safe". In this case it's almost the opposite. It's confidence more than anything. I think. No immediate "grabber" tunes but this one is one hell of a "grower". Hit repeat and soon this one wouldn't leave the cd changer.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida
What no covers of Ricky Martin? That would have been too cool. Maybe they are saving that for a B side. I'd buy that for a dollar. Not a knockout just another quite solid Coldplay cd. No big changes just classic sounding.

David Bowie - Live in Santa Monica 1972
There may have been better concerts but this one is on tape. This is "The Spiders From Mars" at the top of their game and it's on tape.

Denis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue (Legacy Edition)
The pretty one. The professional party animal. The other Wilson brother. Luckily we can re-write a bit of history with this re-issue. A very strong and sadly under-rated cd. Enjoy it now with bonus material.

Also check out:
Tilly and the Wall and the latest from the Notwist. If you have little ones Jason Falkner has "Bedtime with the Beatles PT2". Speaking of re-issues look for Sebadoh's "Bubble and Scrape" with bonus tracks.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: The Submarines - This Conversation
via FoxyTunes

Can we finally stop now

2008-06-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

with the talk of Kobe being MJ and really no one...even a die hard Laker fan should ever utter the words "24 is better than 23". Stop it. You are wrong.

Bryant is a brilliant offense player I will give you that. Beyond that not much. I think the only reason he got the NBA's All Defensive Team first 5 was because it would help the NBA if they had a Michael Jordan. So we give Kobe that defensive award just like Mike. Sorry but he just doesn't do it.

I realize he doesn't have his Robin yet (MJ would be Batman and Pippen his Robin) but Odom isn't bad. In fact, one might argue that Kobe was Shack's Robin or one could even say Paul Pierce was closer to MJ in this series. Pierce has two Robins though. That helps alot.

MJ doesn't lose games in the Finals by 39. He wins them by 42. In fact, even against what is considered one the greatest teams in NBA history the Celtics of '85-'86 the most he ever lost in that series was by 19. Yes I know this was just a playoff game and not a final...but the Celtics that year are one of the top 3 NBA teams ever. Plus MJ was still skinny then and he was coming back from a broken ankle. He dropped 63 on them too.

oh and the most MJ ever lost in the finals was 21 and 11. The 21 was after Chicago went up 3-0 so an off night isn't that big a deal. Someone, someday will pass MJ (maybe) but not Kobe.

One last thing. Ainge is not the GM of the year McHale is. He hooked up his buddy and his old team and city. Period. What he was demanding of other teams were almost fair market value for Garnett. He gave Garnett away to the Celtics.

Hope you saved up

2008-06-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

those hard earned pennies. Something musically for everyone this week.

"Do you think I have a plethora of CDs? This week you do.

On to the music

Jakob Dylan - Seeing Things
Sounding more and more like dear ol dad. Very strong cd but I hope he works things out with the Wallflowers. He might be the next Tom Petty?

Sloan - Parallel Play
My favorite Canadian Power Poppers. I still don't understand how or why they aren't bigger. Catchy riffs and hooks with intelligent lyrics (well mostly). I guess I can see why people wouldn't like that. WTF? people. Give 'em a try. This cd is almost like a backlash to their double CD from last year. This is 13 songs in 37 minutes. Pure Power Power goodness.

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
This cd will only surprise anyone that is new to them. If you have been listening for any length of time you will love this cd. Yes he does channel his inner Prince (Yes the little purple guy that has changed his name more than most people change their underwear) but this cd is fantastic. Oh and the jam band torch has been passed. New years eve at MSG this year...MMJ. Rejoice lovers of music.

Emmylou Harris - All I intended to Be
Back to the future with this one. Back to her days with a lean toward a more country and folk feel. There are enough traces of "Wrecking Ball" (her work with Eno) to make me smile. What a lovely voice.

The Fratelli's - Here We Stand
Usually when the fun first cd turns into the serious second cd it spells doom and gloom. Not so much on this cd. They have pushed their sound out of the pub and into a proper studio. They may have smoothed out most of the edges but there are quite a few fun "favs" on this cd. Don't forget about this band yet.

Also listen to and for
Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha. It pains me not to include it but if nothing else buy one of this years greatest songs "Butterfly". The Charlatans UK released a close to gold cd too called "You Cross my Path". The Bridges are quite close and you should file them under "someone to watch and hope that they bloom" Don' forget Solomon Burke - "Like a Fire" or Dan Zanes new kids cd "Nueva York". Yes it's all in Spanish.

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Man a ton of great music. Time to simulate the economy everyone.

more later
Bro

Terry's Answers

2008-06-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

Real name: Terry

Where I live: Shrub Oak

Occupation: Machinist

Favorite movie: The Quite Man... John Wayne

Favorite book: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Favorite album: Pink Floyd...Animals

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Kate Beckinsale,
Steven Hawking, Richard Petty

One famous person I actually met: Jimmy Fink

Best concert experience: American Music Festival L.A.
mid 80's

Coolest pop-culture item I own: Foamy the Squirrel
Plush ( illwillpress.com/)

And what movie prop would like to own: 1 or 3 of
Austin Powers "Fembots" ;^)

Released cds this week

2008-06-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

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Fleet Foxes - Self Titled
Wonderful harmonies...you can hear the ghost of Brian Wilson on this CD. A glorious blend of British Folk with Indie Pop sensibilities.

Sam Phillips - Don't Do Anything
One of the great under-rated singers and/or performers of music around. She is lovely. Go ahead...take a listen and fall in love then start on her back catelog. How is she not on the radio? Well even if she isn't on the radio she should at least get a few spins on shuffle on you iPod.

Aimee Mann - Smilers
A "Grabber" of a CD: meaning she doesn't make you work hard to listen or "get it". "Grabber" the opposite of a "grower". "Grower" being a cd you need to listen to a CD few times before you think "damn this is one fine cd". She helps you along with big, poppy hooks and brilliant,bright production. Luckily she is on the radio. Thank you 80s one hit wonder.

Dr John - The City that Care Forgot
He is one pissed off musician. He is also a great musician with famous friends like Eric Clapton and Willie Nelson. He is a New Orleans guy so one guess as to the "City" that Care forgot.

Also
The Futureheads - This is Not the World. They have a nice Clash sound with that post punk dance beat thing going on too. Just download a few key tracks. You'll be fine with that. Radiohead - Best of... really?!? I know it's just a money grab but c'mon if you are friend of Radiohead you already own their hits. Throw the people a bone. Give them B sides or something. A bit silly unless you really, really need all the best known Radiohead tunes in one case. Or maybe your burner is acting funny or you are a bit too lazy.

More later
Bro

Raconteurs at T5

2008-06-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

I almost titled this one "In love with a drummer".

Jack White is quite the guitar god. People know this already. That is a given and he did not disappoint. Intense would be a fine one word review of his guitar style. The dude just flat out plays but it's the drummer (Patrick Keeler) of this glorious, glorious collective that I came away from the concert admiring the most.

Highlight of the show was "Level" bleeding right into "Steady as She Goes". The first song is one of, if not, my favorite tunes of theirs and "Steady" is obviously their best known tune. They really crank it up live. The intro is special in the flesh. In fact, this gets me to a point that I still don't get. Release this live show. Take a look at Pearl Jam. It hasn't hurt them and with digital storage being almost nothing just let the people have the Live Tracks as MP3s. You don't need to release it as a CD. Just get the music out there. I would definitely give you a few of my hard earned pennies for the live tracks.

It was my first time at the newish venue in Manhattan called Terminal 5. It's huge with three floors. I guess in a former life it was a dance club. After I found that I out the general layout and feel of T5 made a lot more sense. Not the greatest sound system but they are getting quite a few good acts. I am sure I'll be back. Every bar on every floor has different beer so search out your favorite then stay close. Also a bit of pain is the "one drink limit per wrist band".

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25 years ago today

2008-06-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

An amazing thing happened exactly 25 years ago. Well, maybe not amazing, but it certainly made an impression on me....and a few others. On June 1, 1983, the Police released their last studio album, Synchronicity. The album, which ultimately sold over 8 million copies in the U.S. alone, was suddenly everywhere. And the band that had succeeded with tracks such as “Roxanne” and “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” was about to chart 4 singles from this one album.

The timing for me was critical, as this record appeared when I was in junior high school. My musical tastes were becoming my own. I was no longer sitting in the back seat of the car as mom tuned into Tony Orlando’s latest hit. In the process of trying to figure out which album would look most impressive when I put it on the record player for my friends, I was also discovering which music I most appreciated. As I reflect, it is so hard to believe this was happening a quarter of a century ago.

The album begins with the track that remains my favorite, “Syncronicty I.” Looking back, it feels like the one track that the band still played together, avoiding the obvious strains that were breaking up the band. This album was famously recorded using separate tracks, with band members often refusing to work together in the studio. You can hear the divergent styles of the band members. In fact, its hard to believe Andy Summers’ “Mother,” Stewart Copland’s “Miss Gradenko,” and Sting’s “Walking in Your Footsteps” all appeared on one record. The styles were divergent, and this group was about to diverge. But for one track, at least, they were a world class rock band.

Sting dominates the album, writing each of the major hits. His voice, which remains one of the great male voices in rock, was featured generously. Everybody remembers “Every Breath You Take,” King of Pain,” “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” and “Syncronicity II.” In fact, this is one of the first albums I grew to love that utilized music videos to promote each of the songs. MTV and The Police were working together to make sure these great songs were planted in the minds of receptive adolescents throughout the country. Now, 25 years later, I could sing them all, word for word. Not well, but you get the point.

Looking back, this album could be used to support the argument that harmony is overrated in rock bands. John and Paul recorded “Let It Be” before parting ways, and I’m happy Dave and Ray didn’t kill each other before recording “Word of Mouth.” I guess, given the current tour, The Police have found a way to get along these days. But I remember a time when this band, about to break at the seams, released an album that continues to be relevant all these years later. And lets face it......you can’t say that about every artist. Especially Tony Orlando.

new releases to look for

2008-05-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Just got back from camping with the kids. It was their first time and it was a huge success. Back to nature for more. I love the way time slows down out there. Even with the bit of rain a glorious time had by all.

On to the tunes

Julie Ocean - Long Gone and Nearly There
got 25 minutes? You've got time for this whole cd although you might want to book a solid hour because as soon as this cd ends you will probably hit "play" again.

I Love Math - Getting to the Point is Beside It
Remember when Alt Country was just a wee little babe? When it was basically the good Uncle Tupelo and few other "no depression" types...well if you miss those days try this cd out.

Lodger - Life is Sweet
This Leeds band is all about the fun, bounce-y Indie pop. They have a nice 80s vibe but not the "one hit wonder, damn I still can't believe everyone loved this tune" vibe but the "cool underground, I still can't believe everyone didn't like this tune" vibe. Think modern day Housemartins.

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Also check
John Hiatt's "Same old Man". In this one he plays the perfect dad...well maybe. I am sure once I listen to this one again it will get "Gold Star" status but for now we'll just leave it here. Hope you don't mind.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Concrete Blonde - Mexican Moon
via FoxyTunes

Angie's Answers

2008-05-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

Real name: Angie

Where I live: Came from Boston to Columbus, Ohio (kicking and screaming)

Occupation: Administrative Assistant – Commercial Real Estate

Favorite movie: .Historically…Some Like it Hot (Jack Lemon makes an awesome woman), Jaws (c’mon…the characters and casting – brilliant!), more recently…The Departed, Atonement (cinematography and music are incredible-pretty darn good story too)

Favorite book: Picky about literature….writer has to be talented..go figure! I’m a sucker for any short stories by Amy Hempel.

Favorite album: Okay, no-one can really commit to this one. There are just way too many. Gosh golly gee….okay I’ll do the island thing…would have to have – Any/All early David Bowie, Boz Scaggs-Next, Billy Pilgrim-Billy Pilgrim, Van Morrison-Tupelo Honey, and then of course anything by Aerosmith.

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Call me selfish but I would tend to want to shoot the ____ with famous people that I can get something from, you know, like knowledge, insight, inspiration, or just a damn good time. So, to that end …let’s get these three at a dinner table with a good glass of vino, 1. The Pope – man-what an interesting philosophical conversation that would be!…the guy’s gotta know a few things, 2. Sting, I think that boy is pretty talented and we’d have to jam, 3. William Shakespeare – just to listen to him form sentences – and fourth (I know only 3 but I couldn’t choose), Sean White – the dude just looks like he’d be fun.

One famous person I actually met: There’s actually a bunch now that I think about it but I guess the most colorful one would have been Gene Simmons from Kiss. He talked to me in the hallway of his hotel while feeling up some leggy blonde.

Best concert experience: God….too many to state and too little time. Funny, but my favorite artists weren’t always my favorite concerts. It’s always the small one’s isn’t it? Well not always, Pink Floyd’s Animals tour at the Garden was pretty impressive (what I remember of it), but the one’s that stand out are: Karla Bonoff at a little intimate club in Cambridge, Mass., The Cars with Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers at the Paradise in Boston, Matchbox Twenty at a tiny little bar here in Columbus before they were known, and last but definitely not least…The Runaways with Joan Jett and Cheri Curry at the Rathskeller in Boston (yah, I was illegal but that’s when it was legal). More recently, Amos Lee was awesome at the Newport in Columbus.

Coolest pop-culture item I own: Okay, now it’s definitely my IPOD. Couldn’t live without the thing. Too bad the sound quality of MP3s bites the big one.

Has anyone found a device that plays them that actually sounds kick ass? Back in the day, it would have been my awesome New York Dolls poster that I can’t find anywhere anymore.

And what movie prop would like to own: Can I get that little black dress that Rene Russo wore in The Thomas Crown Affair?

Cds out today

2008-05-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

Foxboro Hot Tubs - Stop, Drop and Roll!!!
Alter ego of Green Day (one of the worst kept secrets of rock and that is saying something). It's good time fun garage rock. Nice (cheating) way to follow up the hugely popular "American Idiot".

Mates of State - Re Arrange Us
Boy/Girl pure indie pop yumminess.

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Other cds out that might be of interest: Scarlett Johanson covering Tom Waits. It's not bad but not great. She should have started off covering Hall and Oates maybe. Mudhoney has two. The Deluxe Edition (20Years!?!) of "Superfuzz Bigmuff" and a new release "The Lucky One". The Ting Tings are out digitally. CD in June. They are the latest iPod success. Smart Metal gods King's X released "XV" and if you are mellow try a track from Vetiver.

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More later
Bro

thanks

2008-05-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

I love The Peak/NEXT listeners. You are brilliant. Not only do you have great taste in music but you are glorious people.

If you listened to my Sunday shift on the Peak I mentioned that I needed some good vibes sent to me today. I got a few emails sending those good vibes. Thank you. That means a lot. I really does.

Everything went well or good or well enough and good enough. So you've got me for a little while longer. Enjoy me now. Actually life is such a Douche that I know I'll live to be 99. Why? because it wants me to live through hell but just get me close enough to triple digits. I have destroyed and will continue to destroy my body (I still try to play sports like I was 25) and I love beer. Please don't take that from me. Please. Anyway I'll get soooo close and then bang...sorry you can't have what you want.

Wow I just summed up my life in a few short words. I have always joked that if I write a book about my life it will be called "You're a Nice Guy but..."

and remember "maybe" always means "no".

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Enjoy it all
Bro

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Now playing: Mofro & John “JJ” Grey - Brighter Days
via FoxyTunes

Old Guys can still bring the Rock

2008-05-16T06:09:00.000-07:00

The Dude is 50. The Dude is still creative. The Dude has my April CD of the Month

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Larzarus, Dig!!!

Picking up where his wonderful and painfully ignored Grinderman project left off but that shouldn't be much of a surprise since the man himself is painfully ignored on the radio. I will gladly admit that he is not for everyone. You might need to "dive in" and immerse yourself in the cd for awhile. Let it wash over you. Dare I say marinate yourself in NICK and his Bad Seeds. Enjoy the uncomfortable and the grandness and the intelligence. I mentioned Grinderman...here is a taste

This is his 14th studio album and if you don't know The Prince of Darkness from Down Under it is time to expand your cd collection. At a time when Paul is just skating by so that he can pay for divorce court this man will blow your mind. In a good way.

Enjoy the adventure. Plus the man was in Wings of Desire

Amazon.com Widgets

a few cds that were close - that I thought about for CD of the Month were The Wood Brothers, Sun Kil Moon, and of course the Replacements Re-issues. Remember to get "Let it Be" if you only want to purchase one.

Erin's Answers

2008-05-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

Real name: Erin

Where I live: Saddle Brook, NJ (Soon to be Seymour, CT)

Occupation: CEO of the Crazy L. tribe

Favorite movie: I have a meandering top ten list for this one. The Princess Bride or the Holy Grail. So many quotes, so little time.

Favorite book: Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance and The Monster at the End of The Book (By Grover)

Favorite album: I haven't listened to a whole album since The Singles. I like soundtracks, Garden State was a good one.

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Tom Cruise, to publicly ridicule him. Shirley Manson, she's just hot. I can't think of any more. None seem nice or intelligent enough to waste my time on. My kids are MUCH more interesting.

One famous person I actually met: Gene Wilder. We were both at a liquor store in Stamford. He's scary in person. Big drinker.

Best concert experience: Bob Dylan when I was 12 and had front row seats, and Ape Fight, after I had my third baby and finally left the house.

Coolest pop-culture item I own: I have none. If I did, it would have been broken between many moves and wild children.

And what movie prop would like to own: The stereo Lloyd is holding in Say Anything. Dorky, but I am still a woman, and it was the first time I wanted romance. (I was 12 when I first saw it)

Thanks Erin

Happy Ears

2008-05-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
If all you know of this band is "Plans" do yourself a favor. You swing by where ever you purchase cds to pick up their latest also get "Transatlanticism" and continue backwards from there. You can thank me later. It seems on this cd that DCFC has captured a bit of more of their live sound. A bit mean almost. Lyrically you can't beat Ben right now.

Old 97s - Blame it on Gravity
I love saying "new" Old 97s songs. I get as giddy as a little school girl on the last Friday of the school year. Nothing much has changed for this Texas band in the 14 odd years that they have been together. They are still combining Country tinged rock and Pop music. Ears happy.

Botticellis - Old Home Movies
It took them 4 years to make this sun kissed music. Sounds like they plugged in at a family picnic and just pressed record. Throughly enjoyable cd. A summer must...if you like music.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: The Replacements - Here Comes a Regular
via FoxyTunes

When Can I Sleep?

2008-05-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

Holy Balls that place is evil...and good but did I mention the evil. In fact, it's so evil it's pronounced eval. I think that is the quote. Anyway the bachelor party weekend in Vegas was a success - If you measure success in lack of sleep. I really am too old for this. NYC may claim the title of "the city that never sleeps" but they are totally and completely wrong.

Hint: If you are ever in Las Vegas you need to search out the Craps Table at the Palms with Doc working it. The man is magic. I have never played Craps and Doc, my man, helped me out. I have a pretty decent understanding of the game now but I love my man Doc. Pure luck that man is. He probably wouldn't remember me but I'll remember he helped pay for the trip.

One thing I love about Craps is the fact that the whole table wins. If you get on a roll (don't bet big when I'm rolling) the entire table is on your side. They want you to do good. That is how companies should be run. We all win when we win and if we lose we all lose.

Went to the top floor at the Palms to the Playboy Club. A waste of time and money. Really but maybe it was the fact that it was Mother's Day Weekend. I don't know and yes I am still paying for that fact. "You are going where?!? For what?!? On Mother's Day weekend?!?" Yes as best man and thus the man who planned the weekend I will paying for this one for a while. Worth it? Talk to me later - right now I need a nap.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Chris Whitley & The Bastard Club - I Go Evil
via FoxyTunes

Gone for a bit

2008-05-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

On to a bachelor party split between White Water Rafting the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. No Sleep 'til Monday.

but I had to share this with someone...so you are it.

Sweet Breast Pudding.

The Taste Test...with video.

Enjoy your weekend. Happy Mom's day.
Bro

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Now playing: Kings of Leon - Molly's Chambers
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: Kings of Leon - Molly's Chambers
via FoxyTunes

Bounce back week?

2008-05-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

If all that was released was the new cd by "The Alive Elvis" then the week would be worthy of goodness. But there is more than Costello this week to check out. On to the CDs.

Also thank you anyone that read and emailed kind words about the NEXT New York Times Article. Thank you. In fact, if you subscribe to the NEXT newsletter I'll be giving you a thank this week...yay free.

Elvis Costello - Momofuku
Named after the creator of Ramon Noodles...This was a quick recording for Elvis but it doesn't hurt the end product. In fact, it may have helped it. This cd finds Costello closer to his earlier works...at least sonicly.

Barenaked Ladies - Snack Time
A kid's cd and it brings out the good and bad...all the things you love and hate about this group. I really can't believe that this is their first full length Children's CD. They seem the perfect match. Plus you gotta love the fact that little kids will soon be asking their parents for Barenaked Ladies.

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of Understatement
Side Projects are usually side projects for a reason. This one is an exception. the collaboration between the Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner and the Rascals' Miles Kane is simply likeable. It has a great 60s James Bond kinda feel too.

Firewater - The Golden Hour
Angry, Angular, Gypsy Rock or actually closer to "World Punk".

Also out
The Long Blondes - Couples, Midnight Oil's deluxe version of "Diesel and Dust" with CD extras and DVD and Jeb Loy Nichols "Days are Mighty"

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Someone Still Loves You Boris - Think I Wanna Die
via FoxyTunes

Pancake Mountain!

2008-05-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

In a recent comment to Chris, I mentioned Pancake Mountain. For those who are intrigued, I figured I'd post a few things! First of all PM is a children's show that is made in Washington,DC. Another thing, back in Winter of 2006, I was actually in an episode! I wrote about it in an old blog of mine.

So now for a few videos from the show and such...

Here is a little intro clip.

The Go! Team did a pretty sweet dance party for the kids and yes this was at the Black Cat.

And now for my personal favorite The Evens doing "Vowel Movements" (Yes Ian MacKaye is that awesome still!)

My two best friends Sami and Kristy are in this clip. They were the ones who got me involved with PM actually. It's pretty cute clip. All these kids getting down to Jenny Lewis at the 9:30 Club!

As you can tell Pancake Mountain is pretty awesome. Kids are lucky, because they have this and Yo Gabba Gabba - yet another awesome indie rock-ish children's show that is strangely fun. Not like I have anything against Sesame Street, but they've lost their touch.

Enjoy,
Megan

NEXT in NYT

2008-05-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

yes NEXT is in the New York Times. See you were cool before it was cool to listen to NEXT. Enjoy that fact.

Yes there is a picture and yes I stand to do my show and yes that is The Peak's Studio were I do my NEXT thing.

Anything else?

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Jonathan Richman - I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar
via FoxyTunes

Nice b day gift

2008-05-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

How cool are my P's?

I recently celebrated a birthday. A big one is next year. Big blowout. You are all welcomed to help me celebrate the fact that I have not killed myself. Although that might happen before next year. So maybe we should just grab a few beers now.

So anyway I see this big package in front of my door the other day. On it is the claim "that someone must love you". True.

So I open it up and it's frozen Lou Malnati's Pizza. Loaded up on the dry ice to keep it frozen during the shipping. Hint Hint to anyone outside of Chicago. Treat yourself. It tastes soooo good and your kitchen will never smell better.

We could go back and forth on New York style and Chicago but I will just say I love me my 'za but nothing beats a mile of cheese on your pie. When you have to carve up your slice with a fork and knife...glorious.

More later
Bro

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Now playing: Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Brand New Cadillac
via FoxyTunes

Why Listen to NEXT?

2008-05-02T07:05:00.000-07:00

So the other day I was curious about my last couple of years of top ten lists of music.

2003
Here is my top ten. This is 2003 people. 5 years ago.

10 My Morning Jacket--It Still Moves
09 Pernice Brothers--Yours, Mine, Ours
08 M. Ward--Transfiguration of Vincent
07 The Damnwells--Bastards of the Beat
06 Nada Surf--Let Go
05 Drive By Truckers--Decoration Day
04 The Wrens--The Meadowlands
03 The Jayhawks--Rainy Day Music
02 The Shins--Chutes Too Maroow
01 Death Cab for Cutie--Transatlanticism

I did pretty good. Look at how many of those bands are mainstream now. You could have "known" about DCFC or M Ward or Nada Surf all those moons ago. So I nailed number one with Death Cab For Cutie. If all you have is "Plans" time to hit the back catelogue hard. Number two The Shins. The band that will change you life. At number three I still think when people look back at the Jayhawks (like The Replacements) this will be a cd that people will revisit and wonder why it wasn't bigger. This could be a huge year for My Morning Jacket. So in 2003 I did fairly well. Actually I was almost brilliant.

2004
10 Rilo Kiley-- More Adventrous
09 U2--How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
08 Elliott Smith-- From A Basement on the Hill
07 Mark Lanegan-- Bubblegum
06 Loretta Lynn-- Van Lear Rose
05 The Secret Machines-- Now is Nowhere
04 Wilco-- A Ghost is Born
03 Modest Mouse-- Good News for People Who Love Bad News
02 Tom Waits-- Real Gone
01 Snow Patrol-- Final Straw

Let's just say that if I put you at Number one good things are coming. In a big way. Yeah I think Snow Patrol is well within the mainstream now. Tom Waits will never be mainstream but the man is magic and if you care about music even just a little bit you need to listen to something from him. Period. End of story. One of the greatest storytellers out there. Next were Modest Mouse and Wilco...yes both in the mainstream now. I don't know why The Secret Machines never really made it or Rilo Kiley but they might. I would say in 2004...I again did pretty good.

2005
10 John Vanderslice - Pixel Revolt
09 Supergrass - Road to Rouen
08 Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
07 Pernice Brothers - Discover a Lovelier You
06 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl
05 New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
04 Iron and Wine with Calexico - In the Reins
03 My Morning Jacket - Z
02 Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
01 Spoon - Gimme Fiction

Would you look at number one. Game over. Seriously. Bloc Party slumped hard with disc number two I fully look for a mosnter comeback.

So why listen to NEXT? You tell me why you shouldn't.

Have a great weekend.
Bro

Quote from Chris Barron

2008-04-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

I don't think this qoute will make the NYT story about NEXT but I think you'll enjoy it anyway. Thanks Mr Barron for your very kind words.

to whom it may concern,

in this increasingly automated, corporate, formatted world the importance of the old school dj cannot be understated. would that we could return to the days when dj's offered up to the world their discoveries in the wide shores of musical endeavor helping the public to find music they liked and giving unknown artists the chance to break out in one station or another instead of facing one unified, insurmountable wall of big business at radio.

interesting, informative and uplifting, dj's like chris bro are, unfortunately, an endangered species. this tottering and ailing world needs every source of inspiration it can get. deep in the wires and transistors of every radio sleeps the embers of revelation waiting to be gasolined by a dj and a pair of ears.

Chicks rock this week

2008-04-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

Quite a few "almost great" and few "oh yeah they are still around"

Portishead - Third
After a decade or so of quiet from this trio they are back with an unsettling cd. It flows from gorgeous to unnerving. A cd full of pure juxaposition of sound and feeling.

Santogold - Self Titled
No matter how you describe this music you are right. Dub Reggae? Sure. New Wave? It's in there. The second coming of MIA? Actually I like this one better. One thing for sure is this cd is full of butt shaking rhythms.

Also look and/or listen to or download a few tracks from
Mudcrutch. Tom Petty is just too cool. He gets his old band together (which wasn't too hard since most of them are Heartbreakers anyway) to record a new cd. It's a fun, relaxed ride through the back roads of rock. South - You Are Here. I really wanted to put this in the "gold" category but just couldn't. Please at least get a few tracks from this under appreciated band. Robert Forster - The Evangelist. The Go Betweens are sadly no longer with us but this cd captures just enough moments that you should hunt it down for a listen. Def Leppard has a new cd out too.

More later
Bro

A Few Strange Things

2008-04-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

So last night I was at a benefit for Kid Save. The hostess comes up to me toward the end of the night and informs me that someone thought I was Kevin Bacon. I have been told (many moons ago that I looked like Jack Wagner from one of those Soaps in the 80s.)

Any Who...really Kevin Bacon...I guess I'll take that. I just wish I could dance like him.

One more odd thing. There is a woodpecker in the neighborhood. Yes I know that in and of it's self is not weird. The strange part is I think he is in love with my chimney. It's metal people. He bangs on it for awhile then flies off but he always comes back. Really? It can't feel good.

More later
Bro

2008-04-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

This week - a few cds to let wash over your ears

The Replacements - Deluxe Editions
If you are only going to get one get "Let it Be" but if you don't know The Replacements or don't have all their cds go sell some of your plasma and get all of them.

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
They fit nicely between Radiohead's wild, not so experimental side and the Mainstream "safe rock" of Coldplay. This is a another sophisticated, well produced, indie pop cd.

The Weepies - Hideaway
I have said it before and will say it again. Chick music that guys can and should listen too.

Jonathan Richman - Because Her Beauty is Raw and Wild
Another strange, compelling, and very beautiful cd from the strange and compelling songwriter. Get to know this man. This is cd number 20.

I am Kloot - Play Moolah Rouge
Another under appreciated songwriter.

Flight of the Concords -
New Zealand "Funny Funk Folk"

Enjoy and more later
Bro

Just in time for National Poetry Month, I have faced a writing challenge!

2008-04-23T01:18:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone!

I'm actually up early or late depending on how you may or may not look at this. I know that usually we talk about music and pop cultural things on this blog, but I figured that I'd make a post of a different kind.

For those who don't know, I write poetry. I've been writing since spring of 1997. (I was 11 going on 12 at that time.) At first, it was just something I did for fun. Well, it still is something I do for fun, but I became serious about it when I was in high school. Since starting college, I've taken a few different writing workshops whenever possible. This semester I am taking ENGL 499, which at the University of Maryland (aka my school) is the Advance Poetry Workshop. I'm taking the class with Michael Collier, who is this brilliant poet originally from Arizona but has called the state of Maryland home for the past 20 years now. At one time Professor Collier was Maryland's Poet Laurette. In class, the assignment to write a sestina was given. I think the reason my professor gave this assignment to my class was because I mentioned to him how one of my goals for this school year (2007-2008) was to write a sestina. (Back in August of 2007, I figured that I'd try to challenge my writing skills) But don't tell my classmates this or else they'll kill me! (just kidding i think...)

Anyway, I am going to share what I've written. It's the first draft and is going to be workshop this coming Monday afternoon. I'll admit some parts of the thing is weak. (then again, I shall let you decide that actually) The form of the sestina is super difficult to write, but I gave it my best shot. Oh and by the way, it doesn't have a title. If anyone has a title to recommend please feel free to share. Same with any sort of feedback. A little hint about reading it, try reading it out loud. You'll hear the strange repetitions a lot better that way. (And one more thing, I noticed that due to the way the layout is done for the blog, some of the lines go over and don't look like how they are suppose to appear on the page. I'm going to bold the words that are suppose to be the end of the lines. I hope that makes sense!)

An Untitled Sestina by Megan T. Lahman (Draft 1)

In my sleep, I exhale all of these secrets. Last night, I had a dream
that we went swimming during a blizzard. In the water, you smiled and placed your hands
on my shoulders. Somehow your fingers touched the wires in my spine. Is this the new loving
or are you lying? There were cars falling into the ocean, we wept and then my leg muscles
became extremely tight. Yes, it’s true; I had to stop treading the violent waves
and yes, to gain forgiveness I had to make myself like anvils in order to sink.

In real life, when you kiss me, you taste thirsty. It makes me want you go to the kitchen sink
and fill a glass with water. I’d make you drink deeply and dream
about how each time you touch me, it brings back the strange waves
of aching arousal. Awareness isn’t terrible, but when your hands
touch my flesh, I can’t help but flinch and somehow enjoy this. The weeping muscles
inside my womb make me wish I could hate you and the act of loving.

I still crave little aches to flow into my veins and for you to give more loving
glances but we keep on running out of moments for looking. Maybe soon, you will want to sink
into my bed, under my sheets. You know me; I’d make time to touch your muscles
and to smell your thoughts like as if they were blood roses. Sometimes you dream
about the world coming to an end. I can tell by your tremors, my hands
reach out to give you comfort, but it all ends with waves.

I still wake up in the morning with the sound of the ocean waves
and your whispers still buzzing in my ears. Was that a dream or an actual moment of loving
some sort of truth? The last time I tried to kiss you goodbye, you used your hands
to block my aim. I still remember right before I left your house, using the bathroom sink
to wash away my sins. You were out of soap, and this issue became a haunting dream
involving you and me fighting in the sea. Salt water can give you sore muscles.

You have me rub and scratch your back. The muscles
are worn and tired. Light waves
only show how scary the damage is. You dream
at night about being a loving
man, but all you are to me now, is a sink
hole that will trap and bury me. No longer am I your slow hands.

You used to believe in the healing power of your hands
and in the power of your tender fingertips. You would touch my skin and muscles
bringing me relief. Yet, you were yearning for me to save you from your sink(ing)
ship. Instead, I stood on the shore giving you waves
of sorrow and goodbye. I once was a good, loving
girl, but for now, if you want me, you must dream.

Your hopeless dream has made your hand
numb. Not even someone who is loving can give you your muscles’
strength back. The waves have won and you’re going to sink.

(copyright 4/21/08)

ps - if anyone wants to read more of my stuff or cares to see the final portfolio that will be produced from this class, please let me know!

My Morning Jacket-Evil Urges

2008-04-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

The inevitable has happened and the much anticipated new MMJ release Evil Urges has leaked online. On the first few listens, this record is not nearly as much of a departure from the signature MMJ sound as was rumored. Tracks such as "I'm Amazed", "Two Halves", and "Aluminum Park" all register with the classic MMJ feel.

"Highly Suspicious" is the most obvious experiment here with it's Prince-like vocals and groove. "Touch me I'm Going To Scream Part 2" also shows new direction for the band, with it's disco backbeat it sounds like a song Roxy Music would have made in 1978.

A 70's FM radio vibe is all over this record, in a good way, especially on "Thank You Too", "Librarian" and "Look At You".

All the hallmarks of a classic MMJ album are here, the reverb vocals, the epic strings, the moody slow numbers, the crunchy guitars, it all adds up to some very, very good songs.

MMJ in an interview recently cited Wilco, Radiohead, and Pearl Jam as bands they look up to, with Evil Urges, they cement all reasons to join that company. Hype aside, this album will be tough to beat as my favorite of the year. This very well may be MMJ's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or Kid A.

More Later,
HelperMonkey

Jennifer's NEXT answers

2008-04-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

More NEXT survey answers. Enjoy.

Real name: Jennifer

Where I live: Carmel, NY

Occupation: Telecom operator in a hospital

Favorite movie: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Favorite book: This week? The Princess Bride

Favorite album: Again, difficult. Right now, 3-way tie between Mer de Noms (APC), Little Earthquakes(Tori), and Mezzanine (Massive Attack)

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Jon Stewart, Joni Mitchell, Owen Wilson

One famous person I actually met: Jean Grey . . .sort of. Funny story actually...

Best concert experience: The Police last summer at MSG!!!

Coolest pop-culture item I own: Beeker (from muppets) pencil topper.

And what movie prop would like to own: Uhura's uniform. I would settle for her earrings, though. She always had it together for a sci-fi chick. Wow. I really am a geek.

Brilliant answers. Thanks for taking the time.
Bro

Gutter Twins as CD of the Month

2008-04-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

Man I didn't realize that I was this far behind. So this was March's CD of the month. The Gutter Twins' "Saturnalia". Saturnalia is or was a Roman celebration. Started as a day but grew into a week long "party" of tomfoolery. Don't worry I didn't know what it was either.

Exit Afghan Whigs and Screaming Trees.
Sadly after the wonderful and glorious cd "1965" The Afghan Whigs called it quits in 2001. Greg Dulli did a solo CD and a few Twilight Singers CDs after that. Mark Lanegan was in Screaming Trees which also broke up after a stellar CD called "Dust". He went solo (great acoustic songs check them out people) and hung out with QOTSA. He then recorded with the Twilight Singers and Isobel Campbell.

Welcome to the Gutter Twins
A glorious collaboration between friends. Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli have also been collaborating since 2000 and Saturnalia has been rumored since 2003.

In September of 2005, Lanegan performed with Dulli in Italy as the Gutter Twins for the first time.

The MUSIC
It's more feeling and mood. It truly feels like music you would expect to find in a gutter or a movie about the lower rungs of life. Their voices play nicely off each other: Lanegan’s brooding baritone and Dulli’s mellow tenor muse on the absurdities of love and life. Mostly Love. This CD may take a few of you a few "listen throughs" but you will be rewarded with a rich experience and a CD you'll return to again and again.

Think I'm wrong? Think I'm right? Let me know. What is your CD of the Month?

Not the best week

2008-04-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

which is ok since it's make sure you mail in your taxes day. I cut it fine by mailing them yesterday.

The Kooks - Konk
Picking up where they left off. Why mess with a winning streak? They still love and combine Bowie, The Kinks and The Specials.

James McMurtry - Just Us Kids
Good, smart, intelligent acoustic type music

James - Hey Ma
I never thought there would be another but I am happy. I must admit this is just a UK release and I could only find one song (and they wonder why bittorrent is huge). I can't really say much about this cd but this will be a great time to remind you about this group. I think I need to work on a "lost treasure" for these guys.

Also
Asia has a new cd yes that 80s band is back. Original band members too. Not much has changed with their sound on this cd. Brings back a flood of memories for me. A birthday party and the gift of two tapes. Journey's "Escape" and Asia's self titled debut. Chris Bro happy boy. It was all I needed until a school field trip somewhere and Michael Gilson gave me his walkman and said you need to listen to this new tape I got. It was "Pyromania" and the game was over. I never gave him back the Walkman until the trip was over. I fell in love with music. Yes that is where it basically started. So I have a very soft spot for Asia.

Air has reissued the 10 year celebration of "Moon Safari". You'll find 3 discs. A cd of remixes and the DVD is a tour documentary from 1999 called "Eating, Sleeping, Waiting and Playing."

More later
Bro

Best of 2008 in CDs

2008-04-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

Please read, review, comment and let me know: what I am missing, what should be higher, what should be lower and anything else that you can think of. I am only one man. Thanks and Thanks for listening to NEXT.
Updated 10.14.08

THE BEST OF 2008

THE BEST OF 2008

01 TV on the Radio - Dear Science
02 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig Lazarus Dig!!!
03 Fleet Foxes - self titled
04 Kelley Stoltz - Circular Sounds

05 Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine
06 Bob Mould - District Lines
07 Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
08 Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
09 Crooked Fingers - Forfeit/Fortune
10 Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

11 The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

12 The Wood Brothers - Loaded

13 Conor Oberst - Self Titled

14 Blitzen Trapper - Furr

15 Neil Halstead - Oh! Mighty Engine

16 Ben Folds - Way to Normal

17 Buddy Guy - Skin Deep

18 Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

19 Kings of Leon - Only By The Night

20 Juliana Hatfield - How to Walk Away

21 Sun Kil Moon – April

22 Michael Franti and Spearhead - All Rebel Rockers

23 Okkervil River - The Stand Ins

24 Sam Phillips - Don't Do Anything

25 Botticellis - Old Home Music
26 Marah - Angels of Destruction
27 Jacob Dylan - Seeing Things
28 Gutter Twins - Saturnalia

29 James - Hey Ma

30 Carla Bruni - Comme Si de Rien N'Etait

31 Dr Dog - Fate
32 Notwist - The Devil, You and Me
33 The Whigs - Mission Control
34 Firewater - The Golden Hour
35 Elvis Costello - Momofuku
36 Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul
37 The Black Keys - Attack and Release
38 The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
39 Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
40 She and Him - Volume One
41 British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music?
42 Black Francis - Svn Fngrs
43 Sloan - Parallel Play
44 Nada Surf - Lucky
45 Black Crowes - Warpaint
46 Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

47 The Avett Brothers - The Second Gleam

48 The Kooks - Konk
49 The Weepies - Hideaway
50 Otis Taylor - Recapturing The Banjo
51 James McMurty - Just Us Kids
52 REM - Accelerate
53 Coldplay - Viva La Vida
54 Drive By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
55 Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
56 Cat Power - Juke Box
57 Gary Louris - Vagabonds
58 The Kills - Midnight Boom
59 The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust

Thanks
Bro

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Now playing: John Vanderslice - Exodus Damage
via FoxyTunes

Vancouver

2008-04-11T06:58:00.000-07:00

I know this is late but I have a feeling the city hasn't changed that much in a week.

I miss the West. I lived in Albuquerque for awhile and any chance I get I head West. When we were moving to Atlanta from Albuquerque we spent about 2 weeks out West (Yes West of NM) before speeding across the country to make it to ATL to start the job. We hit The Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, LA, Big Sur and Portland. It was wonderful. A Boy. A Girl. A Jeep and Two backpacks.

So I love the West. Oh and I almost bolted from college to Seattle with less than a semester left. I love the West.

Now I had never been to Vancouver. We had tried to get there a few times but life got in the way. Damn you life. This time the fates allowed this passing North or something of that nature and we got there.

Sure the weather wasn't great but it wasn't bad either. I think the Pacific NW lie to the rest of the world just to keep us away. It did snow the day we left. The sun was in and out of clouds pretty much the entire trip. Not much rain but one hell of a hail storm that lasted about 11 minutes. The weather doesn't bother me one bit.

It isn't a huge city and quite easy to get around. A lot of good family/kid friendly things to do and some wonderful food. I love the art there.

We hit Granville Island and the Kid Market there, Stanley Park and the Aquarium there too. It was a great Aquaruim. I know it's a tourist trap but the kids loved it...the Capilano Suspension Bridge. .

I think the biggest hit with the young ones was the Museum of Anthropology. My little guy loved the totem poles and making up stories behind them. He played tour guide and loved it. Plus there were two sculptures that you could touch. Touch something in a museum. Pure heaven.

Food etc

A few of my favorites were:

Caffe Artigiano - Great coffee. Wonderful coffee with pretty designs in the foam. Almost too good to drink. Luckily the coffee matches the looks.

Brioche in Gastown - More coffee but this time with Brunch. Small place but great food and not a surprise but great coffee. Also some great art galleries in Gastown. Head here for Brunch then get pick up a great Bentwood Box.

Vij - Beyond wonderful Indian Food. Worth the up to two hour wait you'll be waiting. They do pass around free apps while you wait. Have a Dark Army for me. This is a must go to. Must. Go.

Cactus Cafe - We were told that this was Canada's Hooters but with good food. And yes it is. It's not as in your face as Hooters but you get the idea.

Lolita's - Good Mexican. Another small place. We had little ones so we got there very early but I am sure the wait gets long quickly. Great staff and wonderful drinks. Their spicy Margarita was interesting. Great guacamole with a surprise layer of Beans on the bottom. It's not "blow your mind" good but if you need a Mexican fix in the 'Couver.

Oh and I haven't even mentioned the airport. Seriously one sweet entrance to Vancouver. Water Water everwhere. A pond. A waterfall. Beautiful totems.

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More later

Bro