It was a slow day at the radio factory today so I took a long lunch to head downtown and get p to one of my favourite pastimes, record shopping.
Victoria has a few great record stores and my faves are Talk’s Cheap (556 Pandora) and Ditch Records (635 Johnson… but moving to Fort).
Today I was on a quest to continue my 45s collection and bought a combination of both classic and contemporary singles. A great reflection of how i listen to music at home, new and old.
The first song is a cover from the Gaslight Anthem. In November they released this limited edition rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “Tumbling Dice” from Exile on Main Street. Great package and the vinyl is a brown marble-y look. Comes with a download card for the MP3 and the b-side, “She loves You,” is also not from the album American Slang, unless you downloaded it from iTunes… then it was one of the bonus cuts.
The National‘s second single is track one, side one from High Violet. A song called “Terrible Love.” Great song, but not the one I played for you, instead I went with the b-side, “She Was a Kindness.” “She Was a Kindness” was later included on the November re-issue of the album. Being a fan and buying the record when it came out means I get punished so I need to acquire it later. The cover continues the Mark Fox art theme… this single has a picture of Untitled (The Ark). The internet says my National single should be violet vinyl which would be so bad ass, but sadly, it is just plain jane black. Sad face.
Next we travel back to 1964. UK band The Shadows are known for popularizing the four piece rock band. Lead and rhythm guitar with bass and drums. This song is an instrumental.
Also in 1964 (I think), The Blues Magoos recorded their first single for Verve Records, “So I’m Wrong and You’re Right.” I first heard about the Blues Magoos on a 60s on 6 XM show. The DJ Cousin Brucie talked about how they were a favourite of his during the 60s. I thought, “alright, if this old DJ was from the 60s and this is what he listened to, they must be good!”
Moving forward almost 10 years and I found Al Green’s “Let’s Get Married.” I thought this jam from 1973 might be a good wedding type song and Al Green is always popular during my sets at the Veneto Lounge.
The final song is from late 70s Canadian punkers Teenage Head. Formed in Hamilton, Ontario… Teenage Head had a minor hit with 1980 single “Let’s Shake.” Sounds a whole heck of a lot like The Ramones. Its a fun catchy one for sure.
Wow, just like that and Christmas is over. The adventures, good times, family, presents, dinners, treats. All done. Back to the grind.
And what does the DJ who has everything get for Christmas? Music silly.
My lovely sister-in-law Alyx found me a couple vinyl records to add to the collection. The first up is the Japandroids’ second record which is actually a collection of their first two EPs.
No Singles ain’t blowing my mind in awesomesauce. But even a casual reader of my blog should know they are one of my favourites and this record helps in my collection (though oddly I don’t have Post Nothing on vinyl? weird.)
Where maybe the musical immaturity falls a little short, the vinyl packaging is great. Beautiful white vinyl, nice cover and the record comes with a picture book of the Japandroids life circa 2006-2008. Lots of concert shots from little bars mostly in Vancouver and poster art.
It was funny… for Christmas I didn’t really ask for anything… but come to think of it… and it took my brother reminding me, I needed a new amp for my record player. Actually, my brother thought that was what I was gunna for him. Derrrrrr…. hmmm, his 30th Birthday is when? November? Maybe then?
If you see or have an old amp for sale, let me know! I want two of them. One for me, and one for CJ.
Alyx was a doll and got me TWO records… and I guess she reads the blog as she knew that one of my great misses of 2010 was being slow to the resurgence of the Deftones. She said she was going to try and track Around the Fur down for me, but no dice. So Diamond Eyes it is!
My man Jon Williams talked far more eloquently on his Top 10 of 2010 than I will here as I am still new to the record and learning the songs. I only had a chance to drop the needle on this record once and it was Christmas morning, uhhh, yeah, didn’t mesh then. But maybe a different time it will.
Coral and my folks both got me iTunes gift cards! Huzzah… so tonight I took some chances on some albums that got great hype over the year on Pitchfork but I was unsure on.
Sleigh Bells, LCD Soundsystem, James Blake, and Flying Lotus.
Getting a bunch of new music can be blessing (well it is) but also a curse in that of these 6 new records… some will rise to the surface with repeat plays and some sadly will drift away. Maybe I’ll blog in a month on what is still getting plays and what is not.
The Flying Lotus and James Blake will be good electronic music in the lounge for the nights when I feel more modern and less classics. Maybe LCD Soundsystem has a party rocker or two that can go in a progressive dance set and Sleigh Bells will live in the indie/eclectic playlist for now… but we’ll see with repeat listens where they end up.
Lastly a couple singles.
Cage the Elephant‘s new record Thank You, Happy Birthday is out in January… the single is “Shake Me Down” and both Coral and I love it on the Zone… so it can live on my computer for home listening for sure. In fact… this is a 45 I want to find too.
The other single is kinda silly, but I got the song stuck in my head and this is the best I could on iTunes.
Coral has had a fairly hilarious and ultimately fulfilling fascination with the straight to video British tween drama Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging… based on the popular book series Confessions of Georgia Nicolson. I suppose in Coral’s defence, she might have been 16 when the first one came out? So nostalgia compelled her to watch the film adaptation what 3 times? In the last 3 days? Go on-demand video!
The story centres on 15 year old Georgia and you know… boys. errr, they’re so infuriating sometimes you know.
She falls for a one Mr. Sex God and wouldn’t you know it, he’s in a band! The Stiff Dylans… great band name, and they play a song a bunch in the film called “Ultra Violet.”
I searched for the song on iTunes, but no dice… some more searching and I found it by a singer named Joanna. That’s it, that’s her stage name… back to branding school for her… or American idol? or whatever, but the song sure enough is on there. So I downloaded it. And its terrible, not in a good way. Doh, that .99 gone to the Itunes monster.
Now I’m thinking? Do I download a couple Bruce Springsteen records? Some 50s jams? Or call it a night and leave my iTunes windfall for another night?
Instead of jamming out a Modern Rock Countdown this weekend (it being Christmas and all) I thought it would be fun to play some selections from the Zone DJs “Best of 2010” lists. I hope it sounds like a pretty good couple hours of music to be enjoying your Christmas brunch too.
Selections from the Zone DJ Top 10 of 2010 Lists
01) Dead Weather – Die By The Drop
02) Middle Class Rut – New Low
03) Gorillaz – Stylo
04) Deftones – Diamond Eyes
05) Eminiem – Not Afraid
06) Slash – Going Back to Cali
07) Maurice – Robin
08) Tokyo Police Club – Bambi
09) Gaslight Anthem – American Slang
10) The National – Bloodbuzz ohio
11) Sweet Thing – Dance Mother
12) Frightened Rabbit – Swim Until You Can’t See Land
13) Vampire Weekend – Cousins
14) Bedouin Soundclash – Mountain Top
15) Hot Hot Heat – 21@12
16) Infant Sorrow – The Clap
17) Daft Punk – Derezzed
18) Kings of Leon – The End
19) Arcade Fire – We Used to Wait
20) Mumford and Sons – Little Lions Man
21) Kanye West – Power
22) Broken Bells – The Ghost Inside
23) Hollerado – Juliet
24) Black Keys – Tighten Up
I remember watching reruns all the time time as a kid, but I’d be hard pressed to give you an example of what of the shows were about. I am sure if I watched the Monkees now… it would be an unsettling adventure in Deja Vu.
The Monkees were a “rock band” styled after the Beatles to be a TV series that ran for a couple years in the late 60s. They also concurrently released albums which, during the height of the Pre-Fab Four… all topped the pops.
I recall The Monkees being derided as being a joke band or not real. Considering we live the era of bullshit artists… I guess I have softened on what The Monkees are all about.
They did stage a revolution with their corporate overlords for greater artistic control and direction of the Monkees brand. This led the musical mastermind to be fired (or quit). The guy’s name was Don Kirshner and he hated that The Monkee’s were actors and not real musicians (fun fact, the guys actually were decent musicians and song writers). He didn’t treat the Monkee’s well and the boys had no love for him. It came to a head during a meeting were Monkee Michael Nesmith punched a hole in the wall and said, “next time its your face.” Now that is pretty rock and roll.
At some point Kirshner finally fucked up and violated his contract so the Monkees could get rid of him. So what did Don do? Formed a new pre-fab band… ala The Gorillaz. An animated cartoon group called The Archies who could not revolt and wrestle away creative control.
The Monkees music is pretty pop-tastical (well the ones that are famous that I can remember). Walking to the Zone today, “Last Train to Clarksville” popped on the iPod.
The song is very fun, but the story is actually kinda dark. Its about a man asking his wife or girl to get on the last train to Clarksville so they can spend a final night together before he ships off on a dangerous mission where he might die (Vietnam). Heavy.
Growing up, I could never find any in the sprawl of Coquitlam, but whenever I would venture into Washington State I would have to take a stop at an AM/PM to get one. Seriously… I’d go out of my way during a gas or rest stop to make sure it had an AM/PM attached. mmm blue or red?
One of my highlights of Bumbershoot many moons ago was wandering the grounds and finding an ICEE machine. It was late late late in the day, dark and not hot. had to have one. Bought the biggest one in fact!
Today I walked to the Zone. Very nice morning and I was thirsty so I stopped into the convenience store at Dominion and Craigflower for a vitamin water or something equally expensive when I spotted it. An ICEE machine mere blocks from my home! WOW. So 10AM, large ICEE in hand… off to the Zone I skipped.
And now I will never need to visit Washington State again.
Last night I was in a it of a mood and sick so I settled into my book. I drifted off to sleep around 12:30 midnight on the couch… which I do a lot but it always weirds me out. I came to around 3:30AM and shuffled off to bed, but could not sleep to save my life.
I had all these old 60s songs blasting through my head so loud, it was like I was listening with headphones on. I thought for sure listening to music would put me to sleep so back to the living room I went to listen to music.
That was a mistake, I ended up staying awake till 7AM and listened to hours of tunes.
I have said before, 60s music is all weird… and one of the stranger cuts to come up was 1967’s number 1, “Kind of a Drag” from Chicago rockers The Buckinghams.
Using that fine 60s cracker slang to describe how annoying it is when your “baby don’t love you anymore.”
That makes sense till he hits the chorus then dives into creeper stalkerism.
Get nostalgic and listen to this.
“I still love you… I’ll always love you…. ANYWAY!…ANYWAY!… kind of a drag.”
Alriught, I need to crush another Halls and get ready to squeak on the radio for four hours.
I am having a minor obsession right now with a free Axis and Allies computer simulator I found.
I am a super nerd but if you’re into it: Triple A.
I like the game because it has a First World War variant. I have always, always wanted to play a Great War strategy game, and even though this game leaves a lot to be desired, it works and I play it late into the night when Coral and Mads are asleep. (if you know of a great and maybe free World War One simulator for Mac… let me know!).
The great joy I am finding to play my nerdy war game late into the night (aside from crushing the Central Powers) is that I get to play a lot of music during my time.
I was inspired by a couple things I’ve ready over the past few days. One was an article that Ryan sent me. It as an epic odyssey that a thirty-something is writing about his recollection of 90s grunge and mainstream music. I like how he is going back and re-listening to all the old albums he used to love as a kid again with fresh ears and the perspective of time.
The other was Jon William’s Top 10 of 2010 list. He mentioned a couple bands that had records out this year that I used to love, but never listen to anymore.
Deftones? C’mon, those guys rip and I fell off the band wagon.
Last night while invading France (I flipped it around and played the game as the Central Powers) I fired up the Deftone’s most excellent second record Around the Fur.
The record is an amazing adventure in 90s alt-metal and also the home to one of the best Deftone’s songs in their catalog, “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away).”
Deftones – “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)”
The song is so soothing while also being aggressive. The juxtaposition is wonderous on the ear. The story of the song is an emotion that I am sure many of us have felt throughout or lives. I don’t really know what the song is about but to me, its a song about freedom (and girls oddly).
Maybe its the single and album cover?
Such a striking and sexy picture of a girl at a party in Seattle in the mid-90s. I wonder who she is?
The band recorded the album in Seattle and during a party a photographer snapped this shot. Now this girl’s boobs are on my blog.
The interesting part of this album cover to me… is that it primes the record as a “sexual” experience even though none of the songs are about “sex” in a linear way. I have always thought of Around the Fur as a sex record or about grils even though it probably really isn’t about either. Its all because of this image.
The other strong emotional connection I have to the Deftone’s “Be Quiet and Drive” is that a big part of my life from 16 was the roadtrip.
We would constantly take long drives to random places for the sake of the adventure and try somewhere new. I remember one summer, it was really in vogue to go from breakfast in small towns in the interior. Hope or Princeton or Spuzzem or Spence’s Bridge. Somewhere a couple hours out of the city. We’d leave at some ridiculous hour and head east. At 6AM-ish we’d stop, get pancakes and caravan home. Gas also cost like .50 or .60 cents a litre, so you could do shit like that and it only cost a few dollars.
I remember we filmed the trips a few times, I wonder if those tapes live anywhere? Good times, the song “Be Quiet and Drive” always makes me remember some of those drives.
An event that began as Dylan’s Mom wondering why the Zone doesn’t do MORE to help kids has escalated into a great event on Friday, December 17th. DW and Jason will be at the Mayfair Mall parking lot at 6AM till 10 doing their radio show. Please bring new unwrapped toys.
Not that you need another reason to do the right thing, but Future Shop has kindly donated FIVE prize packs that are valued at at least $1,000 each! You can win if you bring toys. Plus Future Shop is starting to fill our Cruze with music instruments for kids that could really use them. Wow.
On top of the $1,500 in Toys from Brett and Dave Wheaton Chevy and Dylan says another $250 from The Real Canadian Superstore.
A Zoner also showed up with TWO boxes filled with Toys as he can’t make the broadcast on Friday.
***
The Killers are on the hiatus… but they are not letting that stop them for jamming out a Christmas song for the holidays.
I do believe it is number 5 in their series of Christmas singles.
What I like about the song “Boots” is that its not overtly Christmassy. I don’t think they say “Christmas” in it once… while still painting a beautiful (and slightly melon collie) holiday song.
The song talks about watching Christmas programs on TV… like “Its a Wonderful Life.”
The Killers – “Boots”
And since I’m feeling a wee bit festive…
I got an email from Ellisa Hartman… I *think* she is a local singer-songwriter… There was no bio on her website.
She did a nice take on “Little Drummer Boy.” Which… and I didn’t know this, is religious. I know now because Treehouse had a cartoon on the other day that was about the little drummer boy being a slave to some fat evil guy… then he ran away to see the baby Jesus. Good times.
I originally got my hands on it when Brett let me take it to Vancouver to see Vince Vaccaro. Then during the snow, I got scared and didn’t want to bike, so I kept it… and NOW we’re going to keep it over the holidays and put it to work for good.
DW and and Jason are taking their show on the road next Friday, December 17th. They will broadcast from the Mayfair Mall Parking lot and want to fill the car (multiple times) with brand spanking new presents for kids that NEED them. The toys will be managed and distributed by the Saint Vincent De Paul Society. Yes the same society that Dylan’s Mom volunteers for.
Brett from Dave Wheaton started this party with A) a car to fill and B) a generous cash donation (no money to advertise, all money they gave us, to the kids). Now we (all of us at the Zone) need YOU. Please spread the word, then come join us Friday morning, a magical week before Christmas to fill the Cruze with toys.
The third studio record from Band of Horses didn’t get the mad crush of love that their previous two records received but I ended up playing at home and during my lounge sets. I will always love the song “Laredo” and so much of what I perceive to be a Old Western?Mexico/Desert vibe.
Band of Horses – “Laredo”
09) Vampire Weekend – Contra
We’ll need to stretch our memory back to one of the first big hyped releases of the year for this LP. Vampire Weekend’s anticipated follow-up Contra is number nine on my list.
VW never had huge traction on the radio with their quirky blend of world beats filtered through privileged Brooklyn/Hipster/Ivy Leaguers. I loved Vampire Weekends first album but I enjoyed this one so much more.
A monster number 1 record and grammy nominated album from the Arcade Fire. When this disc came out, we had it on pretty steady at the Veneto and the single “Ready to Start” enjoyed a residency at number one on The Zone’s Modern Rock Countdown. There was a lot I loved about this record. Mostly the nostalgic story lines of growing up in the suburbs, because hey, I grew up in the suburbs. For a feature song, I will chose one of Simon’s faves off the record.
Arcade Fire – “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)”
06) Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Another record that didn’t receive wide-spread praise or seem to do a whole lot onto further push FR onto the mainstream conciseness.
Being a heavy user of their previous music, I was hungry for a new disc. I was downloading anything that leaked or squeeked out leading up to this record so maybe I was little too primed, but they are one of my fave bands period, this disc got jammed out. It might not have changed my world like the first time I heard Frightened Rabbit, but it is still a great record of melodramatic rock and roll.
My favourite cut was the first single and it remains so today.
Frightened Rabbit – “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”
06) Broken Bells – Broken Bells
The dude from the Shins, that dude named Danger Mouse… joined forces like the Dinobots to create one sexy masterpiece. I don’t even want to speculate how many babies were conceived this because of this record.
Lots doesn’t seem like an adequate word.
Listening to a randomized playlist on my iTunes one time, this song came up and it has become on my favourites off the record. maybe sounds a little more Shins and little less Danger Mouse, but that’s cool. I believe this song made it on Coral and my one year anniversary mixtape.
Broken Bells – “October”
05) Jimmy Eat World – Invented
Another band that does no wrong by me. Since I’ve been with Coral, JEW has held a special place in my heart and they earn that chance to make a record and I immediately go out and buy it.
I like their 7th studio record because I found it enjoyable outta the box much sooner than it too me to get into their previous Chase This Light.
Chase would grow on me but I liked how there were more than a couple song son this disc that I liked right away one listen in. And others that I would grow to love with repeated listens.
My feature cut is a romantic song (but hey, aren’t all JEW songs sappy?) that I believe also made it on the 1 Year Anniversary mixtape.
Jimmy Eat World – “Littlething”
04) Four Tet – There is Love In You
No record had a bigger influence on me from outside my normal perspective than this electronic disc from the UK’s Kieran Hebden… aka Four Tet.
Around this time last year I bought my DJ rig and by January I was experimenting with DJing simple beats. Right around the time this record came out.
A very modern, simple, and relaxing record to put on to soundtrack my days events. Coral bought this record on vinyl and when I do fire up the record player, The is Love In You is a go to.
Its four sides so I almost go right to side D track one so I can hear the most wonderful song on the record.
Four Tet – “She Just Likes to Fight”
I could listen to that song forever on repeat and never go fully insane. Shit, I might get smarter.
03) The Black Keys – Brothers
I was late to The Black Keys party, but when I finally got the invite, I dived in hard.
The whole swampy bluesy core styled rock music happening right now seems to originating from Akron, Ohio.
To pick a single feature is impossible. Pol likes “Howling For You” and Allie likes “Everlasting Light”
I’m gunna go with the more blue-collar dirge.
The Black Keys – “Too Afraid to Love You”
02) Middle Class Rut – No Name No Color
Rock and Roll has returned. For me, the Renaissance was felt with Japandroids. But there are only so many fuzzy retro rocker songs to hear. The Black Keys kept me marching to the beat locked in. Then Dave Sawchuk lighted up Sacramento’s Middle Class Rut during our weekly music meeting… and became evangelical.
Rarely do I hear a song that captures my imagination so completely and immediately. I felt like a little kid with excitement to hear “New Low.” Downloaded it and then the record. And since then, it has become such a huge record in my life.
It is a bit of a grinder and lyrically it can be depressing. but I do find something uplifting to their tales of the working man’s lows. My ultimate fave is the lead off cut from their record. Sometimes I go for drives in the Cruze just so I can play this song at maximum volume.
Middle Class Rut – “Busy Being Born”
01) The National – High Violet
We all have favourite bands and The National is my favourite.
The day this record came out and they had a vinyl copy down at Ditch I went to get it. I remember that day. I rode my bike and it was really nice out. Then I went to Canoe Club to meet with Don about some music stuff. While waiting for him I was chatting with the waitress… she had never heard of The National. WTF?
So I cracked open the record and gave her the free download MP3 card so she could check it out. I hope she did.
The first single “Bloodbuzz Ohio” to me is masterpiece song. But after repeated plays of this album I do have a few key cuts. A song that always stuck out for me has a weird military theme.
The National – “Lemonworld”
Thank you for reading my Top 10 and checking out some new music.
It was a slow day at the radio factory today so I took a long lunch to head downtown and get p to one of my favourite pastimes, record shopping.
Yesterday, it seems someone thought it would be hilarious to drop a canister of dye into Goldstream.
The Morning After 