How They Might Be Giants changed my life

So for the past couple of months I have been reliving my junior high school days. Watching Doctor Who, wearing shorts, vests and Chuck Taylors. Remembering the days when I was the king of geeks and friend to all. Most of my junior high school was spent musically trying to break away from my earlier obsession with Huey Lewis and the News and The Nylons. And trying to sing the Choir. Anyone who has spent anytime with me knows I can't sing, nor have any musical abilities whatsoever.

I first saw TMBG on MTV's 120 Minutes. I was at Sean Lawler's house. The song was Ana Ng, from Lincoln, I was hooked. The thing that hit was the video. It was so weird. In fact so you can all see it with me here it is:



Lincoln was the first CD I actually bought with my own money. It was in Rockford at the Cherryvale Mall. I popped it in once I got home and was amazed. Two guys, guitar and according, hell I don't think I knew what an according was. Songs like Cowtown, and Kiss Me Son of God, I was truly blown away. I knew from that moment on I would not be listening to Bon Jovi or Poison. No They Might Be Giants would lead me down the road of geek rock. It really started me off on the path that I am today. In fact They Might Be Giants was my first concert (that I paid for). Which is a lot better to say now then Queensrych. I can't imagine what life would have been like for me. I can't imagine coming to college and thinking the greatest band in the world was Led Zepplin. Of course I did like Sting, but you can't blame me.

So for your listening pleasure I have put up Lincoln and They Might Be Giant's self titled debut. I recently listened to them again. They both hold up quite amazingly. Download them and listen to them. I would also be interested in if anyone has a story of a similar story of a band that changed your life. If anyone says the Shins I will find you and kill you, you Zach Braff loving bastards.

***This post updated while listening th Bitter Honey by Eef Barzelay***

Modern Times

Here's Dylan's new album. Just came out today.

Posted while listening to Modern Times on my record player. (Yes, I bought it on vinyl, too. I'm a little crazy that way. That's nothing, considering I have Blonde on Blonde on CD, SACD, stereo LP [reissue], mono LP [reissue], and mono LP [original first pressing].)

herbie hancock - head hunters

classic herbie circa 1973 - pushing the synth envelope. jazzy, funky, groovy... fusiony.

my favorite dish washing soundtrack of all time.

posted while watching shaolin soccer.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Letting Go

I've posted The Letting Go, Will Oldham's 9th full-length album under the moniker Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. He's recorded previously as Palace, Palace Songs, Palace Music, Palace Brothers as well as under his given name. Most recently, he released an excellent album with guitarist Matt Sweeny called Superwolf. Will Oldham talked with The Current's Mark Wheat about his new album and his recent record store tour. You can listen to the interview and performance here. The Letting Go will be available from Drag City Records on September 19.

Posted while I should've been working.

Ugly Casanova - Sharpen Your Teeth

This is an Isaac Brock's (Modest Mouse leader) solo project. Califone's Brian Deck and Tim Rutili help out and make it a very interesting record. It was release in May, 2002.

The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

Their first major label record, Colin Meloy and gang did not follow all the rules. The Crane Wife is an hour long with just 10 songs, two of which are more than 11 minutes each. The album switches back and forth between melancholy-folk and prog-rock, often times in the same song. The addition of organ and accordion give The Decemberists more meat to their sound and more weight to Meloy's dark lyrics. While it's not my favorite album, it will surely grow on me. The song "Yankee Bayonet" highlights a great duet with Meloy and Laura Veirs. Also, the last three songs are amazing. The Crane Wife comes out October 3. Enjoy.

I've also reposted 'The Magic Numbers' and 'They Shoot Horses Don't They' for Matt.

Posted while listening to Califone - Roots & Crowns.

M. Ward - Post-War

I don't know much about M. Ward. I know that he sometimes collaborates with Bright Eyes and that there has been a lot of buzz about his yet to be released album, Post-War. The intimate lyrics are written in such a way that they define the context of the current social climate. Ward sounds as though he's singing to you from both across an ocean and with you in the same room. Highlights for me include To Go Home, Right In The Head, and Chinese Translation. This album is quickly becoming one of my favorites of 2006. Post-War will be released on September 12. Enjoy.

Posted while listening to The Decemberists - The Crane Wife.

Califone - Roots & Crowns

I uploaded Califone's most recent album, Roots & Crowns, a couple of days ago and neglected to post about it. Lead singer, Tim Rutili, was apparently inspired to write this album after listening to the The Orchids by Psychic TV on repeat for several hours. That song is included as a cover and is one of the many highlights of this album which comes out October 10th. If you aren't aware, Califone is a blues/folk/rock experiment from Chicago. Their 2003 release, Quicksand and Cradlesnakes, was arguably one of the best of that year. Listen to this album and support this band. You won't be sorry.

By the way, this is a good opportunity to welcome Scott (aka Sloth) to Steal This Song. I share an office with Scott and he is the one who introduced me to Califone as well as several other amazing bands. Hopefully he will be posting his first contribution soon.

Posted while listening to The Decemberists - The Crane Wife.

The return of Patton

Posted is Mike Patton's – of Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and Tomahawk fame – latest offering. This time around, Patton has teamed with a different musical artist on each track.




A few artists he collaborates with:
Odd Nosdam
Rahzel
Dan the Automator
Massive Attack
Kid Koala
Dub Trio
Norah Jones (I know you all have been dying to hear Norah drop a few f-bombs in a song. Here is your chance!)

The album has been described as possibly on one of grooviest albums of the year. Patton's sound comes through in each and every tune, but this time around, Patton's work highlights the some of the strongest tallents of is collaborators. If there is a downside to this album, it is that the the album sounds more like a collection of singles. Also, if you never liked Patton's work in the past you may not be down with this one either. But for those of you who were faith No More fans, I am guessing you will find it entertaining.

Give a listen.

grant-lee phillips - nineteeneighties

Grant Lee Phillips former leader of Grant Lee Buffalo covers some of his favorite 80's tunes. Mostly performed semi-acoustic, his interpretations of songs by: The Cure, Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, Psychedelic Furs, Robyn Hitchcock, etc., bring much of his own character to the mix. Love my way, track 6 is great.

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins -Rabbit Fur Coat

I bought this album on a whim. Mainly making my choice on a recommendation from NPR's All Songs Considered. (On side note the podcast is great). One of the best albums of the year they say. Hey I had a credit of $4.02 in the iTMS and thought what the hell. So I got it.

Jenny Lewis is one of the driving force behind the indie pop group Rilo Kiley. Now with Rilo Kiley I have not heard one note of their music. In fact I thought it was a girl power pop trio, but I guess it is Jenny singing and a bunch of dudes.

I have heard a lot of hype surrounding this album. There are a lot of fanboys out there who totally love Jenny. It reminds me of how people drool over Neko Case. The comparison to Neko is not unfounded. Both Neko and Jenny are similar in style and voice. Jenny's voice is a little softer and her writing style is a tad more whimsical. This album is closer to the earlier stuff Neko has done, rather then the noir pop of the excellent Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.

Jenny has veins of Loretta Lynn and Cat Power. Rabbit Fur Coat came out a week prior to Cat Power's white woman soul album The Greatest. Every critic loved The Greatest. I did not. I think Chan Marshall is an overrated nut job. She so badly wants be Dusty Springfield, but is not, not by a long shot. Chan's voice annoys the piss out of me. But that is another story. Me thinks that Rabbit Fur Coat was over shadowed by the undue praise that The Greatest got.

I have listened to this album five times, three of them in a row two nights ago. If you know me I rarely listen to an album more then once maybe twice in a row. Hell, I have a problem listening to the same artist in a row. Damn you iPod and your shuffle function! Rabbit Fur Coat is a solid album. There are some great songs on it, one with a nod to one of my favorite song writers, Jeff Tweedy. Special bonus points for anyone who can tell what the reference is. Jenny also does a great cover of Traveling Wilburys'"Handle with Care" with M Ward, Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), and a couple of the dudes from Rilo Kiley. The album is good, the album is damn good. Right now it is definitely in my top 10 my top 5 of the year.

Enjoy this album.

***this post was updated while listening to/watching the Cubs v Brewers***

Ok Go! - Here It Goes Again

So the first time I have ever heard of Ok Go! was on a special This American Life episode, for their 10th anniversary or something. They were the "house" band when Ira and gang took the show on the road. I pretty much thought the band would be going nowhere, but 6 years later they are every where. Kmart ads, and of horrors upon horrors VH1's Best Week Ever. This is where Ok Go again crossed my path. They showed the video I posted. The song is ok. It is straight ahead power pop. Nothing too ground breaking. Catchy, fun but very forgettable. The greatest thing is this video. Done in one single take with some amazing choreography, all on tread mills. No blue screens, no stunt actors, just the dudes from Ok Go.

Playing around on their site they have some other great videos. Enjoy, I just wish their music was a bit more adventurous, like their videos.

**this post updated while listening to Rabbit Fur Coat by Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins