Anika

Fela Kuti

Choosing the perfect soundtrack to wash the aural background while painting abstract expressionism is a tricky thing. But I've narrowed it down to three as of today: Brian Eno, The Ex (and Tom Cora), and Nigerian Afro-beat pioneer Fela Kuti. Though today is a day for Kuti, as his energy and rhythm match what I'm trying to accomplish through my painting. Plus it's just so easy to dance to.

I'm enjoying this renewed interest that Fela Kuti has been generating as of late. The off-Broadway production Fela!, which is set to go on tour of the U.S. later this year, and a film based on his life is also set to go into production this year. A Fela Kuti vinyl box set that was just released is calling my name....and I might add a bit louder than a new mp3 player that I so desperately need. And all of this newfound interest is rightfully deserved. He was a pioneer and innovator of the Afrobeat sound, whose outlandish stage performance and political views saw him through incredible persecution from the Nigerian government. Even his mother was thrown from a window to her death by Nigerian soldiers for crying out loud. But despite brutal beatings and eventual imprisonment, Fela Kuti still retains his musical genius to this day. And with songs ranging from the 10 to 20 minute range, I don't have to get up constantly and change the album with oil paint-covered hands. That's a pain...

Ninten D'oh

I'm old enough to actually appreciate this now, but still. Where was this game when I was 10 years old?!?!

Toy Division

A friend of mine shared this video with me a few days ago. I love how Joy Division still manages to show up from time to time with various face lifts and reincarnations. They are probably the most influential band of their time, along with the latter Joy Division manifestation, New Order. So it just goes to show that when your band can still create buzz after thirty-plus years, you're gonna have a stop motion lego band or two overdubbed to your classic tv appearances. This is only enjoyable for the lego Stephen Morris, his drumming is almost spot on.



And, while I'm on the subject, I remember seeing this video a while back, and I think it may have been the only time the word "nonplussed" was ever appropriate in it's usage, and the only time I've ever used the word for that matter. This is probably the best cover of any Joy Division song, and the only time I've ever appreciated the use of the steel drum.

I Want to be a Richman

If I were a Richman, I suppose I would be able to take the night off and go see perhaps one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the last 30 years take the stage....but, alas I am a poor man, and probably will have to spend my evening playing Jonathan's library on shuffle on my trusty mp3 player at work. What better way to spend Valentine's Day eve?

Jonathan Richman is one of those artists that has undeniably influenced a great many musicians and song writers over the years, but does seem to just miss the recognition he deserves. He was the founding member of The Modern Lovers, whose "Roadrunner" has been covered countless times, but still manages to retain it's fresh Velvet Underground-esque rock appeal after all these years. He sadly, may be best known as the chorus man in the film There's Something About Mary, a side note that has probably been attached to almost every little bio written about him. The Dallas Observer sighted that an artist such as Richman should be playing larger venues, and that such recognition of Richman would be a reflection as such. The venue that will be housing the show tonight is rather small and out of the way, but it's not without it's charm. And a larger venue would probably subtract from the intimacy that is part of Jonathan's appeal. Anyhow, it doesn't matter, a crowded ballroom, or a dim street corner, Jonathan's performance is definitely worth seeing, and perhaps worth skipping out of work for. I can feel a cough developing, ahem.





I'm missing the show okay? Sheesh, one more video won't kill you.

Dream Baby...Dream?

Last night I dreamt about Suicide. No, no, no, not the act of, but the song "Dream Baby Dream" by influential protopunk band Suicide. It was playing in my tapedeck of an old beat-up Chevy, and I think I was going to school inside a Coca-Cola factory, but that's besides the point. Alan Vega was a weirdo, but he was at a level of weirdness that approached genius status with his highly influential minimal electronic music. Suicide was among one of the first bands to coin the term "punk music", and one of the first acts among the current scene to incorporate synthesizers and electronic drums into their sound, neither of which are considered to be synonymous with today's traditional "punk music". And Bruce Springsteen even did a version of "Dream Baby Dream" closing his shows in 2005. Maybe my favorite thing he's ever done...

Anyhow, I only saw Incepetion once, so I don't know all the rules about the different sub-levels of dreams, but I thought it was kinda interesting nonetheless. And I just realized this post just turned into perhaps my version of a "slow news day." Man dreams about songs about dreams, and local dog gives birth to 15 puppies, all this and more at 11.

Lousy Teenagers

Two years ago, in the summer of 2009, I took the long drive down to Pensacola Beach Florida, and brought with me what would be my summer audio background for the week, the debut release by Chicago youngsters, The Smith Westerns. I think the combination of discovering a new musical achievement coupled with a serene beach environment went to my head, and this summer soundtrack soon turned into my fall, and even winter season tunes. Their Marc Bolan-esque guitar-riffery was refreshing, albiet a little dumbed down, but charming nonetheless. And to add insult to injury, these band members were still in high school at the time, rendering my high school day's music writing pale in comparison. But I think I just needed to own a guitar as edgy as my pathetic teenage mustache to complete my mysterious ensemble.

The Smith Westerns will be performing tonight, and alas, although I am free for the evening, I think I'll pass. It's sad in a way, and call me what you will, but I just can't bring myself to see them live. As good as their debut album was, it just doesn't outweigh how bad their new one, Dye It Blonde , is. Okay, it's not all that bad, and their are certainly way worse albums being released nowadays, but for me, some of their magic is gone. They cleaned up their production, and perhaps that's where they lost some of their charm...at least for me. I guess it wasn't just the music, but also the image of basement production value done by group of kids who are still a little unsure of themselves, but still have a good time while doing it. Dye It Blone is still getting rave reviews throughout the blogosphere, and I may be alone in my opinion, so don't take it from me by any means. I prefer to just play the "lousy kids and your music" card than to actually try to appreciate something for what it really is.

This video was my first exposure to the Smith Westerns, and may still be my favorite song of theirs. The guitars are so oversaturated in overdrive fuzz that it's almost unlistenable. But just writing that put a smile on my face.

Monday Morning Jam

Hearing this track, "Breeze Up" by The Midnight Express Show Band, I imagine myself cruising the strip on a hot summer night, instead of sniffling and reviewing my tax return on a cold Monday morning.

Midnight Express Show Band - Breeze Up by Mexisota Kid

Saturday Showdown

These are my three personal favorites from the new Great Showdowns series by artist Scott Campbell.

I'm mildly upset I'll be missing a show tonight by one of my favorite acts hailing from the great land of L.A. Abe Vigoda's last effort, 2010's Crush, came out of nowhere, and is indeed an old story. The incorporation of dance pop into their already interesting sound seemed completely out of left field, and normally would disappoint me, but it didn't seem like a lazy new direction hastily done just to jump onto the dance pop bandwagon. Ugh, oh well. There will be other shows featuring LA acts that do musical 180's and pull it off with ease I'm sure.



How is this the same band?

Snow Schmo

I used to love snow days as a child. I would stay out all day while my ears would get painfully numb building crude snowfriends and having glorious snowball fights with my sister. I say glorious, but snowballs actually hurt quite nicely when hit in the face at close range. Ahh, tears and blood...glorious. But nowadays, ugh, I curse my dog's inpenetrable thick coat of fur not allowing one degree of cold air to touch her skin, thus maximizing her allotted outside time while I freeze towing her leash. Oh well. Deep down I'm still a Calvin, even though lately I've become more a Calvin's father. What was his name anyway?

Real Estate's debut album was my summer soundtrack last year. This was before Best Coast and Wavves, or whatever else that is now the current trend of hipster surf rock, and their style seems to just narrowly fit into this genre. But their songs seem to have a timeless quality that wasn't exactly predisposed for a short life span, as is the way this style of music naturally lends itself. I just hope they can maintain their sound amidst their growing popularity....