Ten Tracks for Ten Lessons ( Or Things I've Learned This Week)
1. The indie community is more eager to shun the Black Kids then they were to embrace them. From next big thing to bargain basement binge in a matter of months. My low-rent taste rather enjoyed
Partie Traumatic...
2. Common Market still has it;
Tobacco Road, released 9/9, is worth some spins.
3. After listening to it again, I discovered I love Goldfrapp on
Felt Mountain.
4. Andrew Bird sounds absolutely perfect at any time of the day.
5. Sam Cooke is "so prolific," as my dad puts it. It's absolutely amazing the scope of his catalog. And not only his recordings, but his sheer number of #1s. I knew that Cooke's untimely death in 1964 at some seedy motel has always been considered sort of a mystery. Was it murder or was the motel owner defending himself? Many have claimed a bogus investigation. Rubin Carter round 2 anyone...? I did learn this week that Cooke lost his young son tragically in a drowning accident in 1963. At the peak of his career, Cooke was unprecedentedly financially successful for an African-American male singer, the loss devastated Sam, forcing him out of the studio for months. In November of 63, he assumed creative control of his music and started producing more of the material that mattered to him, including the groundbreaking "A Change is Gonna Come," shortly before he was killed.
6. RAC can't make a boring remix. Not possible.
7. People are accusing 5+ album alum Christina Aguilera of copying Lady GaGa's style (whose debut album hasn't hit stores yet) in her new track "Keeps Getting Better." HAHAHA. I pretty much despise this song and think Lady G is sounding a lot better.
8. When artists write f**k-you songs, I cheer. Jem's subtle slap at the corporate bitches who held her latest release back in "I Always Knew" off
Down to Earth has been putting a smile on my face all week.
I always knew I would one day be here / But I couldn't be / A puppet on a string / I've had my fights / Often I've been K.O.'ed / But I've got back up / No I won't give in /And now I know how it works / If you're too nice / Then you lose...
9. I am not as excited for the new Kings of Leon album as I probably should be.
10. Neutral Milk Hotel's
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is the best Indie album ever. At least that's what the blogosphere voted thanks to
Berkeley Place. Pavement was definitely in the top 20 though, as was The Hold Steady, Arcade Fire, The National, The Postal Service, DCFC, Spoon, Bloc Party, Elliot Smith, Built to Spill, The White Stripes, Interpol, The Pixies, Sonic Youth, and more.
10.5 And finally, I've realized I never want to sound as pretentious as half the bloggers out there. Give me a good smack if this ever becomes the case. Somehow the "indie" community has evolved into an elitist organization, shunning those whose taste don't meet their standards. Once upon a time, music was about freedom, acceptance, and love. Not who has the most tracks, latest remix, or best collection. A little more love I say...
Music wise, 007 has been on a bit of a rollercoaster as well. Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Moby, and most recently Chris Cornell (with Casino Royale's "You Know My Name") have all contributed to Bond themes over the years. Now Jack White and Alicia Keys can add their names to the star-studded list, as their cacophonous rock/bluesy duet, "Another Way to Die" has exploded across the blogosphere. I wasn't a fan at all of the last Raconteurs album, but if anything this entirely redeems Jack in my eyes. What a choice collaboration - it only makes me more hyped for the new film.
