Album Grades: Anatema by Labirinto - C+

Sao Paolo outfit, Labirinto (meaning "Maze" in Portuguese), are slow, epic noise-scapers in the vein of Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed You Black Emperor!  I feel obligated to say that most of these bands owe heavy allegiance to scottish band Mogwai for pioneering the medium, but that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate it.  That being said, there are some bright moments to the 70 minute album, like the 4-minute mark to the opening track, Reverso, where very creative ideas make strong contributions to the genre.  And there are slower points to the album that come off as almost too soundtrack-y like the beginning of the fifth track Flagelo.

As far as the grade goes, this is the first album I've graded.  So, I'm sure that criteria will evolve.  I gave it a C+, which means that if you are doing something else, you can put it on in the background and it will be a pleasant experience.

So, maybe not a dinner party, but working at your desk could be epic with this disc on.  Check them out.

Grade: C+


Let me know your grade when you get a chance:

Letter Grades
Grade	100 Scale	Definition
A or A+	100	This is worth listening to over
A-	91	and over and over.
B+	83
B	75	This is worth listening to.
B-	67
C+	58	Doing something else? Put me
C	50	on in the background.
C-	42	At least it's not David Hasselhoff
D+	33
D	25	El Terrible
D-	16
F	0

Happy Thanksgiving from the 90s and Adam Sandler

This came out when I was in high school.

Who did it better? - the Pixies vs. TV on the Radio

In many circles, the Pixies are called the godfathers of indie rock.  I would agree with this wholeheartedly.  They are seminal, epic, understated, atypical and all genius.  Today, we are comparing their version of "Mr. Grieves" with the version that TV on the Radio did.

The TV on the Radio version takes the original and turns it on it's ear by eschewing guitars entirely in favor of an almost barbershop swagger.  It's heard to know who gets the edge in this case, but it's not up to me. Please let me know...

Who did it better?

"Mr. Grieves" by the Pixies


"Mr. Grieves" by TV on the Radio

Indie Scoop News - Girl Talk's new album All Day drops for free

Girl Talk, fine purveyor of energetic mashups from Greg Gillis, released their new album today for free.  It's called All Day, and so far it's pretty great.  Download it here:
http://illegal-art.net/allday/

If you don't know Girl Talk, think about all the songs you know coming at you at once.  That's Girl Talk.  As an FYI, Girl Talk is pretty well known because he doesn't get permission to use any of the samples he uses.  He just does it... to great effect.  Here's a sample:




If you want a list of samples, that's being crowdsourced in almost real-time here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Day_(album)

Indie Scoop News: I'm Not A Pilot releases "Need Money For Rocket Fuel" today!!!

Hopping a jet plane to Milwaukee today for the CD Release show of my old band, I'm Not A Pilot.  All the details can be found here.

The band is great, and this weekend should be a blast.

Peace!

Indie Scoop News - Fever Marlene releases new all digital EP

If you know local Milwaukee music, Fever Marlene is arguably one of Milwaukee's most popular bands.  Known for only having two members, Scott Starr performs live by singing vocals, playing guitar with his hands and then playing the bass parts using foot pedals ripped from an organ.  This is done just how I appreciate it to be done; without fanfare, without gimmicky promotion and with an earnest desire to let the music be as full as possible.

This is not to say that Mr. Starr isn't without fanfare.  I've definitely seen him jump on stage and grab the mic from another band to sing along to what the other band was playing without permission.  That being said, one of the members of that other band and a friend of mine, A.J. Fink, played on their latest EP.  So, alls well that ends well, right?

Kevin Dunphy lays down the drums backing vocals, and as much as I can tell digital beats, as well to great effect.

This latest EP, the way we broadcast, sees them working hard to get their material to market as soon as possible instead of working for months on a full length album.  Interesting ideas here about continued engagement with your core audience by bringing smaller amounts of material to market quicker to maintain and sustain interest.

There are definitely some bright moments to this EP.  The song that has been sticking in my head this week so far has definitely been "Eastside City Kids".  There's something epic and mournful about it that I appreciate.  Listen below:

Who did it better? - Leonard Cohen vs. Jeff Buckley

For many people, myself included, this song is immense and dense and blow-your-house-down beautiful.

Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen originally wrote the song for his 1984 album, Various Positions.  I've always had a soft spot for Leonard Cohen and songs like "So long, Marianne", "Sisters of Mercy" and "Chelsea Hotel".  Undoubtably, Leonard Cohen is a consummate close, quiet night performer.

But Hallelujah is a song that has been loved and covered over and over since its penning.  Rufus Wainwright did a weak version for Shrek, but Jeff Buckley's haunting version captures the emotion along with a thick layer of his own very well.

But again, this isn't up to me to decide.  It's up to you.  Please let me know...

Who did it better?


Leonard Cohen "Hallelujah"


Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah"

Indie Scoop News - As Tall As Lions splits and Blocks emerges

As Tall As Lions

The band has split into two different groups.  Do I write a eulogy?  I'm not good at knowing release dates, but I'm good at knowing when a band hits me.  And As Tall As Lion's self-titled 2006 release, As Tall As Lions, hit me and my record player for the end of the end of 2008 and a good portion of 2009. Songs like, "Ghosts of York" still move me.  Take a listen:

They've split into two separate groups:

(1) Kilimanjaro
The following went to Kilimanjaro:
Saen Fitzgerald - Guitars 
Julio Tavarez - Bass Guitar. 
Duncan Tootill - Trumpet and Keyboards 
Cliff Sarcona - Drums

Kilimanjaro is best described and self-described as "improvised jazz".  Personally, this was a bit of a let down because what I most appreciated about ATAL was their concise songwriting and ability to burn their hooks and melodies into your brain and make them appear when you are doing the most mundane of tasks.  But don't take my word for it.  Check out Kilimanjaro here:

(2) Blocks
The following went to Blocks:
Dan Nigro - All

I'm not sure why the two groups broke-up, but it seems clear to me that the songwriting sensibilities that I connected with ATAL resided with Dan.  This project is exciting, and I'm pumped to see where it goes.