Music
Bright Eyes- The People’s Key (Feb 15)- It’s been three years since Cassadaga was released and while that album didn’t really rev my engines as previous Bright Eyes efforts, I’ve been chomping at the bit for this one. Sure, Conor Oberst has been around for the last few years with other side projects, but there’s something nostalgic about the Bright Eyes moniker and I’m a softie.

TV
The Chicago Code (Feb 7)- Shawn Ryan has won me over time and time again. Frankly, I’m still smarting over the loss his last show, Terriers. I’m just hoping this one can live up to near that pedigree and the previews make it look like it has a few of the elements that made the greatest crime show of all time (The Wire) so brilliant. It looks like there’s a tough cop doing ACTUAL detection and corruption and CHARACTERS. All of this means that it’ll probably be off the air after it’s first run.

Wow! Some cool stuff to take in this month. What a drag that you’ll be making kissyface. Or studying the shadow patterns of a rodent. Or feeding all of those birds. Maybe next month…

Round 1- Jim, Brad, Greg, Seth

1. Robyn- “Dancing on My Own”
I’m going to start things off with my indisputable #1 kick-ass track of 2010 so far.  That track is “Dancing on My Own” by Swedish teen-pop-sensation-turned-indie-pop-genius Robyn.  To like Robyn generally, you need to have somewhere deep down a 13-year old girl that just wants to rock the Tiger Beat style and kill it at the upcoming Middle School Dance.  Personally, Robyn has helped me discover this part of myself (a part I never knew existed…), but this song shouldn’t even require that.  “Dancing on My Own” is a pop-gem, a completely un-ironic, pure, soulful expression of what it means to lose yourself on the dance floor.  It has all the elements of a great song, a killer hook (I’ve opined at length about the resurgence of “Whoah” as the ultimate musical word elsewhere), unintrusive use of auto-tune, and a break down to end all break downs (the snare run at the end of the bridge is just jaw-droppingly perfect).  Ultimately, in a time when pop music is for the most part utter poo, Robyn is here to remind us that there is a reason we all (however secretly) dug Britney and *NSYNC and Backstreet back in the day.

2. LCD Soundsystem- “Dance Yrself Clean”
First why it rocks. Well, it emphasizes what LCD Soundsystem is like when they’re hitting on all cylinders–drawn out, unforced, beatastic, intrinsically danceable, weirdly nostalgic. Sometimes the lyrical approach James Murphy takes to his jams are a little on the sloppy side, but this is an example of a song where the beat and melody call for his simple, direct line reading.

Why it comes next? Well it follows the theme (albeit a bit more closely) of the cleansing power of dance in forgetting yourself and your situation. You could even maybe argue that Robyn is singing to James and this is his rebuttal. He’s probably somewhat intoxicated during his rebuttal, which explains his inability to be as forward as Robyn is during her song.

3. The National- “Bloodbuzz, Ohio”
Whoa whoa whoa!  There’s too much carefree, upbeat happiness going on here.  Time to dial that back.

This band came really out of nowhere for me and I have been burning this album up since it came out, no track more than this orchestrated, washed out love story with it’s simmering slow build and swooning vocals. It’s all slow-rolling, quietly-building then heart-filling Brigade of Sound (Take that Phil Spector). And as far as content goes, what’s better than a love song about a relationship from start to finish and when I listen to it I hope I’m lucky enough to have something as sweet and complex as their relationship and this tune.

This took me awhile to think of, then I kicked myself for not thinking of it immediately. I personally love shouting aloud at this song. It just rocks. And despite the repetition of the chorus, this is what rock n’ roll can sound like when you just don’t know better than to lay on heavy reverb, shout into the microphone, and kick over amplifiers. It’s a sound I missed and it’s infectious on the whole album, but this song epitomizes the effervescence of a band that just doesn’t know better and still has the spring in their step to show us some muscle. They stay true to their surfer roots and explores what they can do when they just let it all hang out. We could use a little more derring-do in our lives and this song supplies it.

This guy is folksy metaphysics straight out of unplugged Bob Dylan only more reflective than protest/commentary.  Set to a gently twanging guitar this song exudes hope  in the face of hardship and frustration.  Stripped down to just a guitar and a voice, the melody repeats itself throughout but remains engaging.  You get this image of driving down the highway of life and a series of metaphors for the varying troubles a man can encounter.  A basic premise but it all comes together well.

Let’s keep this in the good ole USA WITH THEEEE SUMMAAAAA HIIIIIIT! Just cuz, we’re seven songs in–we gotta throw people a bone.

This one’s gonna be a little off the wall, but I’m pulling the theme of nostalgia from BoB and taking it farther back in time to the Civil War with Titus Andronicus’ Bruce Springsteen-meets-Iggy Pop uber anthem “A More Perfect Union”.  These guys are the shit.  Front man Patrick Stickles has this great knack for scuzzy but catchy riffs and profanity laden gutter poetry that is at once grouchy old man and tough young punk.  The tune also appropriates the Boss in such a way that borders on cheesy but somehow works.  “Tramps like us, baby we were born to die!”

I’m sticking with the mature nostalgia theme and going with the standout track from Acrade Fire’s just released album.  Almost every review I’ve read has picked “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” as the best track, and, well, they’re all right.  The track shows AF dropping the sort of over-the-top drama act for a pulsating disco number that reminds you of Blondie or Depeche Mode.  This album is overall a really good album, better I think than many even expected, and I for one was really surprised that the strongest track was one of Regine Chassagne’s (wife of head mopester Win Butler) tunes because I’ve always been of the opinion that her songs were the weaker ones.  This song, and the killer rendition of Funeral’s “Haiti” at the Mann     Center last Monday have converted me.

I’ma go with my main men so far this year–Frightened Rabbit with “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”. Mind you, I don’t think this is the best song on the album, but it really is the most representative of their anthemic abilities. Also, I may not think it’s the best cuz I played the CRAP out of it when the single came out last November. Frightened Rabbit, much like The National, are a perfect cold weather band. Anyways, this jam is really just taking the Arcade Fire song another step–going from needing to be out of the encompassing and suffocating framework of urban development and saying “YEAH? Well how about I just forget land altogether and disappear into the ocean? Suckers.” That’s probably exactly what the song is about.

3. Crystal Castles- “Celestica”

Not sure why I love this song so much but I do.  In the world of disco pop, these jokers slant more towards the disco end of the spectrum.   Its hard to describe this song without a little context.  This band shifts between dance inspired electronica with a great set of vocals and ear shattering noise with distorted scream/singing.  Strange, I know.  This is one of the pretty ones. It’s based on a solid beat that’s not too fast and well layered melodies and counters.  From the lyrics and music you get this feeling of the duplicitous nature of life toying with the desire for stability and insecurity.  The back and forth of one of the counter melodies as they play with the stereo function, changing the direction of sound nails this well. I can’t say I know many bands to compare them to so I won’t try.  Check it out.

An atypical VW song which works in their sound with a more beat-heavy, electronic sound. I think it might be a sign of things to come because it was one of the only songs Rostam really got pumped for when I saw them in April. It’s heavier on beats/electronics than guitars backing Ezra’s smooth vocals and it works to create a nice little dancey tune. I’m currently bobbing my head along with it. It also has one of the best videos released this year.

I mean I don’t really know what to say about this one other than it’s a love story involving a mummy. I love the sentiment of this song not because it’s sweet and dialed-in, but because it’s real. In essence (in my mind) it’s about a guy (the mummy), who’s been turned off love and then he meets a girl who wakes him up out of his love slumber (cheesiest term ever). Once she fixes him, they are together but grow apart. And then she dies! WTF! But seriously I love this song, it will DEFINITELY be in my top 5 come end of year countdown time.

I had some problems with this last pick but this song is money.  What can I say, I love the Lips and even though it wasn’t written entirely by them, it has their fingerprints all over it.  No surprise this song is all about revenge and its corrosive qualities.  A chill tune with several parts that compliment each other well.  A warbly electronic twitter in the background with direct and sincere lyrics, with a sparse chime for punctuation.  The outro lead by a marching snare drum gives a great ending statement.

This song is musically a nice companion to “Revenge.” This is probably the strongest song on the album (see: most likely to win her new fans). In it, she effortlessly moves between bouncy, melancholy, then back to bouncy. One of those seven minute songs that doesn’t feel like seven minutes.

I have mixed feelings about this album, it’s the first one they produced on their own, and I think they indulged their studio quirks a little too heavily, but this song has all the tightness of “The Way We Get By” or “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” and reminds you that there’s no better groove machine in music today than this lock-tight group.

My reasons are short and simple. This is one of the few albums I’ve dug this year, even though it’s not nearly as good as their last one. There’s a few stand out tracks but this one is the catchiest. Kinda of a sad sentiment, but peppy beyond belief. Also named after a funny character on Mighty Boosh.

Although I have no business identifying with a song about overcoming the rough streets of indifference, it’s a damn good song and I enjoy it.  This song is everything we’ve come to expect from The Roots combining old school R&B with modern hip-hop.  Great rhythm section at the core with a sweet organ melody and earnest lyrics.  Good.

This song is the song playing at the party that happens to be about that very party. I love the over-the-top, 70′s referencing gloss rock that these guys employ and this song combines those leanings with some pop sensibilities to create for me the strongest song on one of the best albums of the year. You’ll recognize all the riffs immediately and that’s part of the good feeling about this band. They lay it down like they’re from another era and all they want do is soak up every ounce of the evening. Can’t help but feel the same way when I hear this jam.

Fuzzy electronica. With a disconnected voice. Weirdly it sounds so much warmer than how I just described it. This song could easily have been released during the 90′s, but I love it. I’m ashamed I forgot it.

The chill closing statement to a solid electronica album.  This tune backs off some of the more unique turns they take in the album but it’s a fitting end.  Mellow sounds throughout with meandering guitars and sparse percussion this song is made for quiet reflection.

3. Gorillaz- “Superfast Jellyfish”

Well for my final one I have to go with really the only track I liked off the Gorillaz release–I mean “Stylo” is ok, and I’m sure if I gave the record a more dedicated listen then I might find others, but “Superfast Jellyfish” was really the first one to pop off the record. Just really stupid imagery but multiple hooks so I gave it the benefit of the doubt for my last pick.

4. Future Islands- “An Apology”

I’m gonna polish things off on a weirder note.  This band is from Baltimore.  The lead singer has one of the most awesomest voices.  It’s like a more melodic Tom Waits.  The way he delivers the line “We move in precarious ways” is just perfect.  The music is synthy, cinematic, but not overburdened in any way.  Definitely something to groove to.

24 Songs to map out a year. Well 2/3 of a year. Lots of electronica, some good dance jams, some audacious rock. I’d say that overall, the electronic-dancey music is winning so far. Listen to the 2/3 mixtape at the top of the page and tell us what you think!

TV

The guy from GLEE loves Sbarro. That’s definitely what this show is about. (via AMC)

Rubicon- AMC, Sundays- Those of us who pay attention to AMC have already seen half of the pilot (it’s a full two hours) and it was a subtly done, gripping start. I know I’ll be setting my watch to these episodes in expectation. I hope the series lives up to the AMC standard and if it does, we’re in for a great ride. Rubicon follows a government employee as he traces a secret arm of the government. Here we go rabbit hole!

MUSIC

The Burbs never sounded so good.

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire- August 2- Can’t wait for this. Their releases have been epic in scope and sound and The Suburbs looks to be another in the line of hits.  So far we’ve heard a few tracks and I think it’s safe to say that we are getting more of the awesome from Arcade Fire. AHHHH. I haven’t been this excited about singles from an upcoming album in a LONG time and if there’s one thing AF does really well it’s composing a whole album.
Also look for: Land of Talk’s Cloak and Cipher

MOVIES
The Expendables and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World- Looks like August 13th is gonna be pretty epic.
The Expendables is every guy my age’s dream movie. All of our favorite action stars from our youth coming together for one epic body-counting, compound-detonating, gun-playing romp. Just get ready for everything over the top. It’s the third film this year featuring a group of specialized commandos. We’ll see what happens and if this group can pull it off any better than the previous two. My vote’s on YES.


Scott Pilgrim vs. The World- I’ll admit I haven’t read this comic and have had literally every intention of doing so since I first read about it about 2 years ago. It for some reason has slipped through my cracks. But I think I’m going to pick it up and read it before I see the film.  There is so much going for this film, the cast and director alone are enough to get me in the mix. Combine that with the way people are talking about it and I can’t even contain myself. Looks fun, funny, and COMPLETELY unique. I may just have to have a double feature on August 13th.

That’s it for August, should be a pretty great month guys, so buckle up. Now I’m going to watch Children of Men again after I get some WaWa. Go on be jealous.

And finally, I think the only way to solve this is to each nominate ONE opening line with a short defense. Then I will post them to PR and we’ll let the heathens decide. It’s only fair. You know what they say “Heathens Know Best!”

Caroline: Don’t blame me for this…I didn’t know I could throw down the gauntlet with a gmail status.

While my “best ever” comes from my tendency to hyperbolize in the moment…I’m gonna stick up for my choice. This is because Beck rocks and his lyrics in general have that wonderful combination of smart yet sad humor. “In the time of chimpanzees, I was a monkey” sets up the song brilliantly by throwing the theme bluntly on the table. For all the emo, poetic mumbo-jumbo songs can do, I really dig songs with lyrics that are smart and vicious.

However, I am biased towards any chimpanzee reference. That has tainted my choice. A couple of you on this panel know that one of the easiest ways to rile me up is to call a chimpanzee a monkey. The fact that Beck understands the distinction between primates makes the nerdy fan girl in me swoon.

Sherman: Yeah, Caroline, we know you love when Mark Salling sings the Beck line.

Mine poses something of an existential challenge to the concept of “pop-culture”, so I’ve got a back-up in case it’s disqualified.  I go back to pop-culture of yester-century and nominate “Batti, batti o bel Masetto” from Mozart’s Don Giovanni.  Translated, it means “Beat me, beat me, oh dear Masetto!” (followed by, “beat your little lamb, Zerlina”) and sung by Zerlina, a commoner who has been seduced on her wedding night by the titular Don Juan (Juan=John=Giovanni).  Masetto is her dumb straight man of a husband who by dumb luck manages to appear just before Don Giovanni seals the deal and is angry and heart-broken.

So how does Zerlina respond?  With a kinky, S&M themed aria, of course!  “I’ll stand here as meek as a lamb and bear the blows you lay on me,” she goes on to sing, but in that very first, very catchy “Batti, batti o bel Masetto!” Zerlina has already won her victory and made the “good” girl of the opera as intriguing as the “bad” guy.

Brad:Well no matter what follows that will sound dumb. So I may as well try.

As in most music related questions I can really only summon that which I’m diggin’ at the moment. After checking my current Grooveshark playlist I have to say that Fever Ray’s “When I Grow Up” has a KILLER opening line (as well as many other subsequent lyrics).

“When I grow up, I want to be a forester and run through the moss in high heels”

WHAT?!?!? Just an extremely conflicting image but still one that summons a singular scence: giant lumbering trunks and a dainty little forest nymph just lilting over and through the dewey underbrush. In my mind she’s wearing a fire man’s outfit (huh?) as well. I figure, if she can sing a line like that then I can add whatever imagery I want to it. And why does she have to wait until she’s grown up to do it?

Certainly not the best, but just an example of what it takes to really make me listen to lyrics (which I sometimes overlook/neglect in favor of ROCKedness).

Chase: My goal was to identify songs that had both a badass first line and a first line that summed up the entirety of the entire song, my choice….
“Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street…”   from Joe Jackson’s “Is she really going out with him?”

This song is a classic and has been covered by critically acclaimed groups like Sugar Ray… come on i know you guys all owned the Floored CD.  But really what draws me to this line is that it sums up the whole point of the song and the inner monologue of all of us Pop Culture dorks had/have about hot girls. Bonus points for the ape reference.

ALSO, this comes up when you Google Image it- Sherman

Caroline: It is settled. Primate references for the win.

For the record Mark Sallings could sing the phonebook to me and I wouldn’t really be listening with my ears. (Random Caroline tangent– I don’t think singers should be all that attractive, it takes away from their music. They are better odd looking. In fact, I cant really think of a conventionally hot singer I adore. Not a challenge.)

Patrick: Beastie Boys – “Sabotage”

“I can’t stand it. I know you planned it!”

The lyric should be written ”AAAAAAAAAHHHHIII can’t stand it …”  With the accompanying guitar, drums, and bass this opening lyric has more energy than the sun.  This lyric sets up the song well in that is about angry possibly justified paranoia .  I’m not sure who’s sabotaging the beasties. It could the Man, their parents keeping them from partying, or the Reds.  Whoever it is I wouldn’t want to be them. Immediately recognizable, incredibly energetic, encompasses the entire song.

Karla: The song that I first thought of comes from a place I never would have expected it to.  It’s “The Good Kind” by The Wreckers.

Do you want to run away together? I would say it was your best line ever. Too bad I fell for it.

I hope that you all will let me slide because it’s maybe the first two or three lines to the song. It’s not particularly cool, or deep, or esoteric. It does rhyme… sort of.  But it’s something that resonates.  It immediately drew me in.  I never got into Michelle Branch or even this duo, but this line alone made me sit up and take notice.  Maybe it’s just because I’m a girl, but I instantly felt and understood it.  Musically, I don’t think it’s a great song. I don’t really even like it all that much.  I think you could pretty much delete the rest of the song because the opening line backed by simple acoustic strumming is better than the over-engineered body.  But that opening line always gets me. 

Kevin: Man Seth, This post just killed a day and a half at work doing an archeological dig through my iTunes, which lead to me saying “Holy s***, I love that song!” alot to things I had forgot about/haven’t had in rotation much lately. This has been tough-I feel like most my favorite songs have great lyrics in the chorus/hooks/2nd verse etc…it’s harder to find one that really hits it out of the gate. I also found that its hard to seperate great opening lyrics (i.e. clever such as the Beck suggestion) vs. recognizable lyrics. I was searching for clever lyrics or those that set the tone of the song to come perfectly. I think I found both with the opening lyric to “Guarantees” by Atmosphere on the last album, When life gives you lemons, you paint that shit gold. This is a great bare-bones song with Slug rapping/singing over a blues guitar about his father’s difficult life working dead-end jobs, struggling with his income, toublesome son (the author/narrator), ex-wife, and overall the commercialism of the USA. The songs starts:

“Man, these wharehouse wages killed the ends’ introduction…”.

I think that it’s just an increadibly clever way to use a familiar phrase and turn it just slightly to fit the song, it’s also increadibly somber-which carries through the song perfectly. I absolutely love Atmosphere and especially this album, and this song is one of his best. I think he is by far one of the most poetic artists let alone rappers currently out there. I think this song and first line illustrates it perfectly. If you don’t have any experience with his music, or this album-get on it. You are guaranteed to find a track you love (no pun inteded). Check the video-my personal favorite line is actually later in the song (“Kill me in my 30′s in the name of progress…”).

Jim: This took me about a day and a half to come up with.  I argued with myself over a number of newish songs about this, but finally settled on a classic.

“We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout” from the song “Jackson” by Johnny Cash.  The song is a duet with June about a marriage fizzling out and the partners separately skipping town for Jackson, where they expect to raise hell.  There is no doubt this is the best Johnny/June song, especially since they recorded it later in their marriage during a kinda rocky time.  Also, if Wikipedia is to be believed, Cash originally had this line at the end of the song.  His songwriter, Jerry Leiber, upon hearing an early cut of the song said “these verses suck, put that last one at the beginning”.  Cash protested saying he couldn’t start a song with the climax, to which Leiber replies “Oh, yes you can,” rest is history, yadda yadda.

But really, they don’t write these things like they used to.  To me, this line is nothing short of literary.  By itself, it is the quintessential mid-20th Century American story (1968 — lots of WWII marriages had imploded, and now their kid’s marriages were doing the same).  The sort of sarcastic neo-romanticism of Johnny’s baritone is balanced perfectly in this line by June’s brassy overtone.  It really is the climax of the song, but it also sets the table for a song that is both an insightful comment on a marriage and a raucous good time.

Seth: Well, I’m going to try to defib this discussion since I think it’s worthy of more responses. And here’s my choice. I go with the antithesis of Caroline’s original offering, except it still fits the “clever and vicious” claim. From Brand New’s “Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don’t”:

“I am heaven sent, don’t you dare forget”

I think Jesse Lacey’s delivery really makes this lyric stand out for me. It’s quiet and foreboding and it offers the kind of confidence and assurance that smacks Beck’s lyrics in the face. The song meanders between his feelings of ROCK Superiority, but really it’s a mock to all those who think they’re the bee’s knees because they sell out arenas. Taken on its own, it’s a great line about a relationship between a musician and his audience, but taken with the rest of the song it’s the clearest line of mockery in what is an honest piece of music.  Also I just like it. And the title of the song is a line from Home Alone 2. Which is awesome. If you haven’t listened to all of this album, you missed out. Emo or not, it’s one of the best from the early aughts.

Creepy Astronaut!!! Still should listen to this

Chase: Throwback to Sophomore year….
“When it’s time to party we will party hard”- Andrew W.K.

Josh: I could never understand what Andrew W.K.’s message was in that song. But then again, how many people can really understand the nuances of his music?

Not only does this euro-pop group remind us of the soul’s innate need to party, but also that “hey now, hey now, hear what I say now, happiness is just around the corner”. It really drives home the importance of hope in the future and……… and…….. that the Vengabus is coming?

Brad: I would also like to point people towards another of WK’s finest moments, “It’s Time to Party”:

“It’s time to party, Let’s party
Hang out with yourself and have a crazy party
Hey you, let’s party
Have a killer party and Party!

It gets better from there, but I think those speak for themselves.”

Poet Laureate

Let me present one other addition to my favorite opening line that I just remembered today, from Failure’s “The Nurse Who Loved Me”:

:Say hello, to the rug’s topography”

The song’s about a drug addict falling in love with she who gives him his fix, but that line just really captures those times when (due to a variety of reasons) you may be face down on the floor and just really exploring the various tracts of rug/floor beneath you. We’ve all been there.

Seth: Brad loves heroin.

Summer: For some reason, the first thing that comes to mind is:

“She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean, she was the best damn woman I had ever seen” -You Shook Me All Night Long, AC/DC

Not sure its my favorite or the best, but it stuck with me!

Stevo: Although I think Seth’s choice may be the best so far, mostly because I think it’s probably my favorite Brand New song. These may not be the best, but I like them. I have 2 other choices essentially saying the same thing. They both stress being true to yourself, in varied ways. One comes from 311 and the other from Brand New.It’s more like two lines but talking about staying true to yourself, although in a very strong statement:

“You know I’ll not renounce my views and do what others do. I’d rather tweak the hemlock than be like you.” -Still Dreaming, 311

“Who do you carry the torch for young man? Do you believe in anything?” -Archers, Brand New

Greg: I’m a little ashamed of my friends that this did not come up:

“Tonight, I’m gonna have myself a real good time, I feel ali-i-i-ive.” Queen, Don’t Stop Me Now

Freddy Mercury and Friend having a good time

Personal Fave:

“Everybody’s talkin bout the stormy weather and what’s a man to do but work out whether its true?” Sonic Youth, Teenage Riot (this is on the longer side but I feel it still applies because there’s no pause in between clauses)

Well if there’s one thing that I’m certain of, it’s that that cat is very please to be with Freddy (R.I.P). But how are the lyric selections? I want everyone who reads this to vote for their favorite opening line and the winner gets a prize to be named a later date (it will almost certainly be a high 5!) Ok I need to run along and find someone who loves me as much as that cat loves Freddy. Also, thanks Caroline for unwittingly spurring  a topic that lasted almost two weeks!

Making Sweat sexy: Me and this guy!

What’s not gross is what Hollywood/New York/Parts Unknown have cooked up for you in the coming month! NAILED IT.

Review Snippets from April’s Entries:

Movies

Iron Man 2- Haven’t seen it. Fire me now.

Music

Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene- Really good, not great. Probably listened to the least of all the music this month, but that is in no way a marker on its quality! Check it out for yourself, what do I know? 7/10

Together by The New Pornographers- If you like this band, you’ll like this record. Things haven’t changed much, which is actually a good thing with this crew. 7/10

Heaven Is Whenever by The Hold Steady- I like this record! It’s good, they have yet to live up to Boys and Girls in America but when you set the bar THAT high it’s easy to miss. Definitely grab “Hurricane J” and “The Weekenders,” both of which have made it into my like top 6-7 fave THS songs. 7.5/10

High Violet by The National- GOOD GOOD album. Just not right for this time of the year, if this had been released 5 months ago I would be gushing about it. I still am kinda gushing about it because it’s real good, but it’s just a really broody album it’s like the Ryan Atwood of indie rock albums.8.5/10

The High Violet of Teen Heartthrobs

Infinite Arms by Band of Horses- K, I love this band, but I think this is their worst record, the more I listen to it, the less it sticks with me. Don’t get me wrong, some good tracks, but it lacks the punch of the first two albums, that being said “Blue Beard” is one of their best songs. 6/10

This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem- Destined for the upper reaches of many end-of-the-year lists, this is a good album, one that I’m sure will be pumping in my backyard all summer. Fun dancy jams. 8/10

So Runs The World Away by Josh Ritter- My fave of the month actually. Something old and familiar and new and expansive about this album, it has grown on me from day one and “The Curse” is my favorite song released this month. Really pretty stuff. Highly recommended to those of you who like their troubadours clever, soulful, and cocky. 8.5/10

TV

The end of LOST- While I let my younger, smarter sister do the legwork for LOST on the site, I love it almost as much. Here’s my thoughts on the finale, it ended the way it had to. Personally I was satisfied, in fact about 3/4 or more of the way through I thought I was watching what was potentially one of the best finales ever filmed. The END didn’t really tickle me but then again I am notoriously difficult to tickle. I will ardently disagree with anyone who says the show was a waste of time and that it’s legacy is tainted by not answering questions. Actually I will simply say “DID YOU ACTUALLY watch!?  They never answered questions. What exactly would have been a fitting end to the show for you!?” They made a habit of not answering anything, so why expect answers to come marching out two by two Noah’s Ark-style in the final 2.5 hours? I was satisfied. I found the end to the people I was wrapped up in and for me that was enough. I respect your opinion if you feel differently, but I was happy.

On to JUNESIES!

Movies
Toy Story 3- HANDS DOWN. I’m not going to rave about Pixar again. Just read someone else’s take on how great they are. I literally just had several to choose from by googling “why pixar rules.” That says it all. Our favorite characters are back and here Pixar tries something new in going for their first trilogy. I, for one, will be there with 3D glasses on.

I miss these. They made me feel like I was in Back to the Future.

Music
American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem- If they’re good enough for The Boss, they’re good enough for me. For some reason I’m avoiding listening spoilers for this album. I have high hopes that they will blow me away as they did with  The ’59 Sound. And if they don’t then I won’t have to go to another concert where I’m the oldest person there by a solid 5 or 6 years.

Destroyer of the Void By Blitzen Trapper- One of my favorite albums of the last few years was this group’s effort, Furr. A nonstop wild ride of neo southern rock/folk/electronics (?), yeah I think I’ll take another dose of that. Also isn’t the title suppppppppppper cool. That was pronounced like SUPER not SUPPER. That title is Dinner Cool, RIGHT?

TV
Season finale of Breaking Bad- Well, if you haven’t started watching this show yet, you have now missed out on three season’s worth of EPIC TV-making. The beginning of this third season started with a slow, creeping burn and has accelerated into a full-on conflagration. The writing and acting on this show are probably the best on basic cable and while the show is crazy, it never seems too far out there. Bryan Cranston has again given an impeccable performance, but I’ve been really floored by his TV wife, Anna Gunn’s performance and his partner in crime, Aaron Paul. Paul has really come into his own this year and has been on a tough road of his own warped brand of redemption turned revenge. I honestly think that Breaking Bad is the best show on television right now and the end of the season will surely be a doozie. It’s so good it ALMOST makes me want to take up meth. Or drive around in an RV. Or open up a chicken joint. You would understand all of these references if you watched!

Potential Future Employer

Guilty Pleasure
Entourage- (returns 6/27 to HBO)- I don’t know what bugs me more, how good this show used to be or that I still watch it. I’m married to these clowns for no discernible reason. I honestly can’t give you a solid why. But I’m okay with that if they turn it around. The show has been less funny and more aggressive every season for the last 3 seasons. Yet I’ve continued to watch in hopes that they would turn it around. I’m not delusional about what this show offers it is like GUY porn. 4 dudes living the “dream.” I get it, but it also used to be funny and insightful, where now it just seems like they are lazy and really went with the guy porn idea completely. Here’s to hoping that my once beloved can turn it around.

Unlike Jon Moxon, I DO WANT. YOUR LIFE.

Anything special you’re looking forward to in June? I know there is a lot coming down the pipe, so share with Rambling nation what’s on your agenda!

Jim: “Forced to Love”  - Broken Social Scene, lots of guitars, catchy as all hell and even finds the appropriate use of the flute in a rave up.

“Drunk Girls” – LCD Soundsystem, I’m all kinds of excited to see these guys at Pitchfork in July.  Also, this has got one of the best Spike Jonze vids in a while:

“Spill the Wine” Eric Burdon and War – Mexican grass, sunshine caressing your face, hollywood movie dreams, what else do you want?  The Hall of the Mountain King???

“Get it On (Bang a Gong), T-Rex – get it on, bang a gong, get it on, get it on, bang a gong, get it on HEY NOW!

Brad: “Waltz” by Fiona Apple is a great lazy summer song. As far as new songs go, I’ma go with “Nothing Like You” by Frightened Rabbit. Just too fun and to the point to leave off this list.

Patrick: “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus — It’s not lyrical poetry or musical genius but it definitely gets people moving and singing along, which is what a summer song should do.

“Folding Chair” by Regina Spektor — This IS lyrical poetry and some musical genius and it’s beach-themed (sure it’s a metaphor, but so what).  It’s upbeat without being frantic.

“Swimming Pools” by Thao and the Get Down Stay Down — This evokes images of youthful summers spent getting pruny in the pool.

“Hot in Herre” by Jenny Owen Youngs — Hands down the best cover of a Nelly Song ever made.

Surfer Blood-”Fast Jabroni”. Jabroni is the best word ever, and a fast one is always better than a slow. I got into this album through Seth, and even though it’s  gotten a Brooklyn-hipster following (and I have severe issues with hipsters), I gotta love old school surf guitar in modern day. and they’re Floridian.

This guy likes it too!

Karla: My two new ones are Sally Seltman’s infectious and sweet song “Harmony to my Heartbeat”.  I imagine that I will hear this song play in my head when I think about the guy I marry.   It’s light and fun, just like summer should be.  But it doesn’t lack depth.  Which music (and marriage) should not.And also Josh Rouse’s “I Will Live on Islands” which is so so danceable and which I had the pleasure of hearing live not too long ago.  It makes you want to move to the Costa Blanca and just figure it out when you get there.

Toto’s “Africa” is a pick because it totally rocks and I will play it more than once on my 15 hr flight to the eponymous continent on Memorial Day Weekend.

Summer: This was made for me.

Windows Down Song: “Summer Girl”- Jessica Andrews — Bringing in the girly country music that my brother will tease me for. But nothing makes me want to roll down my windows and belt it out with my girlfriends like this song. It’s just a happy, upbeat song about enjoying the summer with your girlfriends.

These guys get it. PUPS!

It’s 9pm, 90 Degrees, and Still Light Outside Song: “Snails”- The Format — You know that perfect time of night only available in the summertime. It’s late, but the sun is down so it’s warm but not uncomfortable, and it is still light out. Fireflies are out, you’re sitting on the porch with your best friends just hanging out. That moment is encapsulated in this song.

Chilling on the Beach Song: “Flake”- Jack Johnson — Jack will always be the perfect beach music to me. So chill and relaxing.

Amped that the Weather is Warm Song: “Free Energy”- Free Energy — The power poppiness of the band just screams summertime to me. In fact, every time I listen to it I just think about how much better it will sound blasting from my speakers by the pool in July.

Also, for the record, my top 4 SUMMER songs:
4) Summer Girls, LFO
3) Summer Skin, Death Cab for Cutie
2) Summer Breeze, Seals & Croft
1) Summer Girl, Jessica Andrews

And for your listening pleasure.

Steve: Jack Johnson is phenomenal and I thought of him almost first given the surfer vibe and all. I can think of 3 songs off the top of my head:

“Summertime” – Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff: We all remember back to the 90′s when Zack, Kelly, AC, Lisa, Jessie, and Screech took that trip to Hawaii to save the Hideaway. Summertime brings me to that place, thinking of the ocean, palm trees, and beaches. Somehow, at the same time, because it references so many Philly locales, it takes me to the backyard BBQ’s, cycling down Kelly Drive, and all around awesome summer nights on the town in Philly. Great summer tune for me.

“Stay (Wasting Time)” – Dave Matthews Band: Just describes a hot summer day with your favorite girl wasting time together. Sounds like a solid summer afternoon.

“What I Got” – Sublime: I think it’s just the sound of this tune. Something about it makes me think summer. The whole thing makes me think BBQ on the beach with your best friends. I know that’s not at all what the lyrics say, but the vibe of the guitar and all just brings me to that place.

“Cousins” – Vampire Weekend: Not sure why but I just think of a summertime BBQ out on the back porch.  Such an upbeat tune and fun at the same time.

Andy: Totally agree with Jack Johnson, couple that come to mind for no particular reason are: PM Dawn – “Set a Drift on Memory Bliss” and Isley Brothers – “Summer Breeze”

Karla: I’d like to add one more to my list.  And it’s not cheating because I only had three:  “In The Summertime” by Mungo Jerry.

This guys SCREAMS "Summer"

Sherman: “Treme Song” – John Boutte: The theme to HBO’s spectacular Treme – a must for anyone with the slightest fondness for jazz or music as art – is new to me, but already feels like the theme of summer.  In the spirit of just getting down and having a good time with friends, it hits the nail on the head.

“Doin’ Time” – Sublime: Since Kevin Thompson already snagged “What I Got” I’m going with another Sublime (“The official band of summer”) song, the group’s dub of the Ella-sung, Duke-penned masterpiece “Summertime (And The Living’s Easy)”.  It’s got all the smooth lethargy of the original, plus Sublime’s modifications that add a modern perspective. Apparently that means drowning your girlfriend, but that gangsta-shit always sounds so chill from Sublime (see: Santeria)

“Stars and Stripes Forever” – John Phillips Sousa: Maybe it’s a product of growing up close to the District, but it’s hard to imagine a hot, sticky summer day without an armed forces band playing the Sousa classics on the Mall.

“Window Seat” – Erykah Badu: If Sousa is summer’s heat and humidity, Erykah Badu is the cement slab in your unfinished basement that you lay down on spread eagle to keep cool.  Seriously, this song deserves to be known for its own merits, not its sensationalist video.  It’s so smooth.  Also, what’s summer without the police needlessly hassling black people?

Nathan: Wilco – “Heavy Metal Drummer”- I have a friend who once claimed that he would only likes to listen to Wilco in the summer. I’m not sure he still adheres to this belief, and I hope he doesn’t because I think it’s silly. However, I agree with him that they’re a great summer band. “I miss the innocence I’ve know/ Playing Kiss covers beautiful and stoned” is also a great summer lyric.Iggy and the Stooges- “Search and Destroy”- “I’m a street walkin’ cheetah with a heart full of napalm” is one of my favorite opening lines for a song. This song is fast and great for those summer car chases.

Vampire Weekend – “A-Punk”- Their entire first album is great for Summer, but, as Musso would attest to, it’s pretty  hard not to feel upbeat when this song is playing.

Local Natives – “Airplanes”- I caught this band listening to internet radio and they slowly grew on me. Technically a 2010 pick because their album didn’t release in the US until February 2010 although it had been out in the UK since 2009. Their sound has been compared to Fleet Foxes and Arcade fire. This song fits the mood of summer very well.

Seth: “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” by John Denver- Not much sounds better than Denver crowing about how good he’s got it down on the farm when the temperatures rise. It’s a song most people know and that helps in BBQ settings. I grew up listening to Mr. Denver and there’s something that calls me back about this jam, I can’t help but think about running around without shoes on (which I love), wearing overalls (which I don’t), and sitting on a porch with an ice cold drink (which I do).

Summer Fashion DON'T

“Constructive Summer” by The Hold Steady- I can’t help but think of my friends when I hear this song. And the fact that I don’t drink “double whiskey, coke, no ice” doesn’t stop me from wanting one every time Craig Finn says it. And despite the fact that I’ve never climbed up the water tower and drinked and talked doesn’t mean I couldn’t. I love the nostalgia in this song, even if its his; the message still applies, “we’re gonna build something this summer.”

For the April Win!

Top Chef Masters- ERRR. Incomplete grade. I’ve only seen like 15 minutes of one episode. Whoops. Maybe that speaks for itself though, Masters lacks the drama of the original and often times the chefs come off rather pompous. Regardless, incomplete grade.

The Hold Steady- Heaven is Whenever (5/4)- listened to a few of these jams so far and I can tell you that “The Weekenders” is already vying for my favorite THS song and that’s saying something.

Josh Ritter-  So Runs the World Away (5/4)- If you haven’t been a Josh Ritter fan yet, this one can push you over the edge. I have been waiting for this album with bated breath and the first listen through was lovely, quiet, and spacious.

Band of Horses-  Infinite Arms (5/18)- I just love this band, if you don’t love them well then sorry. But I’ve listened to this album a bit and I know that “Older”, which I’ve heard in concert several times and loved,  is on there and it’s a great, great tune. It has a kind of wistfulness and whimsy that BOH sometimes lack.

The Wizards in their Words Lair

Big Echo is The Morning Benders’ second studio album, following Talking Through Tin Cans and is aptly named as the whole thing just kind of reverberates. To me, there are a few standout tracks, but the album as a whole is outstanding. The quickest little pop glory nugget is “Cold War (Nice Clean Fight)”, it clocks in at a whopping 1:44, but based on the amount of times you will listen to it over and over, it might as well be about 10:00 long. Lead singer Chris Chu only needed about only needed about 20 seconds to work in one of my favorite lyrics of 2010 so far, “If you catch my drift, hold it close to your heart..” he sings as he works through a breakup scenario. He begs his opponent to keep the war cold even at the very end and the serious tone of the lyrics is belied by the upbeat hand-clapped rhythm.

On “Promises”, Chu and his mates start out cool and calculated and build toward the chorus from the verse. The organic growth of oral percussion, drums, and guitar strums is what really gets me on this track. It rises and crests just like a wave until it crashes down and the fuzzy guitars mount on top of each other again and reunite with the drums to form a pulse almost only to scatter again.

And on the track which will stay with me, with you, forever, “Excuses” they really do something special. “Excuses” is just like, remember the scene in Walk Hard when Dewey Cox has like 1000 people in the studio of all different shapes and sizes. Well this is the song that came out of it. It’s just like everything piled on top of each other, but in the way that cheese fries do it (awesome), not in the way that dumps do it (gross). Layering strings, percussion, vocals, guitar over and over to create this force of sound is just really impressive. You can see how something like this comes together, which makes it all the cooler (Thanks to Adam G. for this link):

Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders “Excuses” from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

So that’s awesome. I just love what he says about the song. It makes me hopeful in that way that very few tunes ever do. Very cool.  And that’s only three tracks. I’m not going to spoil the rest for you, just listen to it. It’s going to be a great one to fill your lazy summer days and your bocce games at your cookouts, I promise.

The OTHER album you should be listening to in preparation for the summer is Free Energy’s Stuck On Nothing. It is the party anthem album of the year. Free Energy likes to pull on the tunes from bygone eras and it chooses the most bombastic and guitar duelingest ones with excellent results. In fact, sometimes you might feel like the record you’re hearing is from the 70′s.

Free Energy have been compared to several bands of the 70′s especially Thin Lizzy of “The Boys are Back” fame and that’s a good thing in this blogger’s estimation. There is something familiar and fun about almost every one of their tunes but something expansive about them too. This is a band I just have a super good feeling about whenever I listen to them. Ok, my 3 songs for them: “Free Energy”, “Bang Pop”, and “Dream City”.

I’ll start with “Dream City” which has perhaps one of the best ripped-off openings and backbeats ever. Listening once, you’ll be able to pick up the “Rock N Roll Pt. 2″ vibe rather quickly, but the song takes a couple different steps than that stadium anthem winding up and winding down in parts. It’s a cool song and it ends with a saxophone? Yes it does.

“Bang Pop” is the kind of song you immediately hang on to and shout along with. It sounds like a Weezer track if Weezer had decided to throw in a bunch of guitar soloing and a pulsing rhythm. It’s also a pretty sexy tune and one that keeps you slapping your knee and clapping your hands or vice-versa.

But for me the best is the opening track, “Free Energy” which has a little AC/DC meedley-meedley action, some fantastic solo action, and a super-positive vibe. I love listening to this song when I walk around the city, it kinda gives life to everything. It might help that they are now based in Philadelphia, but I like to think they might be singing about the street I’m walking on.  Also, do you have a fever? This track has the requisite prescription to cure it.

I’m going to find that street, looks like they’re in my old basement, except a lot less creepy. Anyways, that tune gives you a good idea of what I mean. This album will be in heavy rotation all summer because the tunes are just really positive, semi-nostalgic, and certifiably power-classic-rock-pop jams.

Start listening now, so you can sing along when you come over for a PR cookout. Otherwise, you will be super left out when we do karaoke.

My cleverness knows no bounds.  This is really the time of year when we start to get geared up for our summer jams and our popcorn movies and it’s all very exciting. Here’s what I’m pumped for in April:

Movies
Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D- (April 21, 2010)- When a few 3D concert films were released last year (Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers) I thought to myself, when is Kenny Chesney going to get in on that? Because he is like the KING OF CONCERTS. He is like Jimmy Buffett Jr. or Jimmy Buffett II: Jimmy Buffetter. I don’t know if his legions of fans have a catchy name like “Parrotheads,” but they are just as crazy and to be honest they deserve the 3D experience just as much as the teen girls at the above mentioned concert films. Or maybe they don’t. Who am I to judge. JUST MAKE SURE YOU SEE THIS THE DAY IT COMES OUT.

THIS BUS IS GONNA BE 3D, WE NEED THIS MOVIE Photo via Flickr user auburnxc

Music
Insane Clown Posse- Bang! Pow! Boom! Nuclear Version (April 6)-ONLY one more week until the Nuclear Version drops y’all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting since the Radioactive Version of Bang! Pow! Boom! dropped for the Nuclear Version to come and BLOW ME AWAY and here it is. I mean seriously these guys have to be the best  group dressed like killer clowns in the rap game today. Because for them it’s not about the show, it’s about living the life. You know: tiny cars, water-spraying flowers, squeaky noses, cocaine, shenanigans, balloon animals, balloon animals full of cocaine. That such a seminal album (B!P!B!) gets a Nuclear Version should be no surprise. It basically changed the rap game forever, ICP FOREVS. BANG POW BOOM!

They LIVE THE LIFE! Via Flickr Bludgeoner 86

TV
Real American Stories on Fox News (April 1)- This is almost too good to be true. When I heard the show debuted on April Fool’s I thought: “TOO GOOD to be true. Good one Fox News. Just a brilliant joke, but you could never get this show off the ground.” Then I found out it was real. So duh! I’m so excited to see the REAL America that Sarah Palin is going to show us. I think basically this is going to be like Profiles in Courage: 2K10 Edition: Now with more Palin! Sarah Palin is truly the REAL American, she went from Governor of a state that most people can’t name 2 cities in to vice-presidential candidate/mother of a pregnant teen whose baby daddy later posed in Playgirl magazine. If THAT isn’t a REAL AMERICAN STORY, what is?! She is the everyman/woman. Palin for President!

Alaska's Current Governor via hickerphoto.com

Guilty Pleasure
Bacon Mugs- What is a bacon mug and how does it relate to pop culture in any way you might ask? Stop asking questions nerd and feast your eyes and mouth on this:

Photo/Clogged Arteries by K8 Via thisiswhyyourefat.com

Have a great April! This stuff is totes gonna rock your socks off. Until May!

Actually looking forward to: Kick-Ass, MGMT’s Congratulations, and Friday Night Lights Season 4, Top Chef Masters.

First and probably only Twilight reference, ramblers. March is a great month. I have mixed emotions about March.  First, it’s still cold, then it’s like kinda warm sometimes, but never like realllllllllllly warm enough to make you feel comfortable in wearing warm-like clothes. Also, rain. Rain happens. All that snow that was pretty and white (except this year, too much snow El Nino. PACK IT IN!) turns into nasty rain because of the kinda warm weather. But also, March Madness. And THIS is why we call this blog Pop RAMBLINGS.  Love it or hate it, thanks to a calendar created 500 years ago, we get this month, semi-appropriately named for the Roman god of war.  Since we’re stuck with it, we may as well go ahead and GET FIRED UP, here’s why:

Movies
Green Zone (March 12th)- Matt Damon. Paul Greengrass. You remember them from a little movie franchise tagged with the name “Bourne.”  Well, from the trailer it appears this dream team has taken Bourne to Iraq.  When speaking about this film to a few of my friends last week I said “It’s the guys who brought you Bourne and if that’s not enough, Matt Damon takes out a helicopter by himself, so there.”  And that’s really how I feel on the subject. Helicopter vs. Man where the man wins is always a draw for me. I’m a simple man, folks.  Especially, with recent news that there will not be a Bourne 4 with these two involved, this may be our last taste of the this dynamic duo, so drink up while the drinking’s good.
Also: Hot Tub Time Machine (March 26)- This movie is singlehandedly trying to bring back the high top fade. I’m in.

TV
Minute To Win It (March 14)- Tapping into that vein of innovation and ingenuity we all have, Minute To Win It pushes contestants to their very edges whilst playing games that no one has ever played before. Or if you have, it was probably when you were either so bored or so intoxicated that your creative juices were running high.  It reminds me of the episode “Office Olympics” of The Office where they have made up every game like “Flonkerton.”  I think the Average Joeness of the athletes and games is really fun and funny.

Music
Broken Bells- Broken Bells (March 9)- Danger Mouse teams up with The Shins’ James Mercer for a new project. One song I’ve heard a LOT, called “The High Road” promises really great things from this pairing.  Is it a weird pairing? Yes. But we all know that Danger Mouse is kinda a wiz (See: Barkley, Gnarls), who seems to pull new things out of people and given that Mercer is one of my fave musicians (<3 The Shins), I think we are all in for a big treat.  On the last Shins album, you could hear a bit more play with rhythm and beat (“Sea Legs”) so Mercer was clearly looking to explore some new sounds. I am pumped.
Also: March 9 is a BIG day, new Gorillaz- Plastic Beach, new Frightened Rabbit- The Winter of Mixed Drinks, The Morning Benders- Big Echo, and PR fave Ted Leo and the Pharmacists releases The Brutalist Bricks. And also a little harmonizing vocals paired with some banjo explosion in the form of Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More on March 2. Great month for tunes.

Remainders
God of War 3 (Playstation 3)- As far as cinematic, uber-violent, Mythology-based video games go, it’s pretty much impossible to beat this franchise. Kratos returns to just keep beating people up. This guy’s bed doesn’t HAVE a right side. He just doesn’t know when to stop slaying everything because he really just does that constantly. So fun to be had while taking down those lambs rocking your lion head gloves.

Oh wow! Did you see what I did there? Lions, lambs. March baby. Pure madness.