Extra Extra

Maybe it's just our culture, but Americans seems to want want want, more more more. This year that gluttonous concept might be a little more difficult to pursue, as the economy is currently SOL. Sure gas prices are now under $2.00 in Seattle (AH-mazing!) but with the holidays fast approaching, wallets are growing emaciated and families are finding themselves hard-pressed to give their kids the kind of Christmas they hope for.

Gym Class Heroes - Extra Extra [mf]

On the inside, I'm rejoicing. For too long the holidays have revolved around commercialism, with the spirit of good cheer taking a backseat. Why would Americans care about things like friends and family when we can be at the mall watching a grandma spit in the face of minimum-wage employee because they don''t have Tickle-Me Elmo in stock. It's sickening how materialistic such a special day has become, despite honorable intentions. By gifting loved ones their material desires, we get to express our love in physical form. Hopefully though this year, necessity/scarcity will force us to be more creative with our expressions. Instead of saying I love you THIS much in dollar signs, we can pick one of a million ways to show we care without spending a cent.

Madonna - Material Girl [mf]
The Dandy Warhols - All the Money or the Simple Life Honey (Remix) [mf]

So where was I going with all this? The extra extra/excess theme has even surfaced in music. When Coldplay released The Prospekt's March EP this week, I thought nothing less of another attempt at capitalizing on Viva La Vida's succcess. Then, when my MPR podcast free song arrived this morning, "Champagne in Paper Cups" from Death Cab's deluxe edition of Something About Airplanes, I found myself getting an odd twinge of irritation. DELUXE, SPECIAL, BONUS, COLLECTOR'S EDITION; these were labels that, as I scanned through my music library started to both amaze and frustrate me.

DCFC - Champagne in a Paper Cups [mf]

Coldplay - Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun Mix) [mf]

Coldplay - Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground [mf]

What's with the whole supersize mentality? When did we get so hungry for more more more? Particularily in art/music - wasn't it intended to be minimalist? Maybe we need to feel like we're getting more for our dollar, but in reality we're just getting more for more dollars.

• Number of LTK's songs with SPECIAL EDITION in the album title: 79
• Number of LTK's songs with BONUS in the album title: 106
• Number of LTK's songs with DELUXE in the album title: 186

And that's not counting everything I've been too lazy to properly label...

Peace, Love, and Excess Excess (But Optimistic for Change),
LTK

Electronic Renaissance

YouTube has gone bananas with this whole live feed thing. Broadcasting live from San Francisco this past Saturday is just the beginning of the newest electronic movement. I mean who watches TV on a television anymore? People stuck in the twentieth century apparently!

Belle & Sebastian - Electronic Renaissance [Protected]

So Katy Perry performed, Akon, stupid as ever Soulja Boy, and a bunch of other people I don't care too much about. But one bright spot was the always adorable Julia Nunes, who first become famous with a series of YouTube videos of her covering awesome songs with her ukulele. Yes UKUELE. How badass is that? They should call it U-cool-ele. Yeah, I really went there...

If you haven't seen her awesomeness yet, scoot on over to YT and check out some more videos. Then listen to a few shwanky covers here, and after you promptly fall head over heels, hit up iTunes for her first original album (her latest release has yet to make it on the music service).

Julia Nunes - All My Loving (Beatles Cover) [mf]

Julia Nunes - God Only Knows (Beach Boys Cover) [mf]

Julia Nunes - Bye Bye Bye (N'Sync Cover) [mf]

Julia Nunes - Flagpole Sitta (Harvey Danger Cover) [mf]
Julia Nunes - Jesus Walks (Kanye West Cover) [mf]

Peace, Love, and Wishing for More Unusual Instrumentation,

LTK

Chasing the American Dream, Up on the Big Screen

Whether you're a hater or an appreciator, America can't stop talking about Kanye these days. The man attracts more controversy than Zac Efron does 12-yr old girls (and sexuality disputes). With his latest album release standing as no exception. Out this Sunday, November 23, 808's & Heartbreaks seems to have broken the glass ceiling on critique. Love it? Hate it? Can't make up your mind about it? Maybe my track by track breakdown will help.

1. Say You Will

If robots could sing love songs, ballads more like it. In the over 6-minute record introduction, Kanye uses the most minimal of lyrics (maybe 20 different words) on the CD's most expansive track. "When I grab your neck / I touch your soul / Take off your cool / Then lose control / Hey, hey, hey / Don't say you will / You will, you will / Hey, hey, hey / Don't say you will / If you will / I pray you will..." The second, instrumental half of the track is actually preferable; akin to sitting in on some new-wave electronica choir practice.

Bottom Line: C

2. Welcome to Heartbreak (Featuring Kid Cudi)

Despite the ominous opening, this is the closest thing to actual melody I could find in eleven attempts at West singing. Maybe I should attribute the success (?) to the soundtrack-like chord repetition, or the fact that West allows an actual singer with vocal range into the mix. With all that the rapper has been through this year, I don't know why he chose to attribute "Welcome to Heartbreak" to a series of visions about the hardship of having too much wealth. It's a little less relatable than heartbreak should be. Whereas losing someone close to you, or the pain of a failed relationship - both of which Kanye has experienced very publicly - would have made more compelling subject matter than telling us how painful it is to leave your Godsister's wedding before they cut the cake. He probably had to catch a plane to Tokyo. Rough, right?

Bottom Line: C +

3. Heartless

If you haven't heard this one than you're probably not living in a cave, just ignoring everything after "Love Lockdown." It's been difficult for most of us fans to move past the Good Life into this unknown creative territory. Certainly not Top 40, "Heartless" still delivers in many ways. That crazy inescapable hook grabbed me from one second in. "In the night / I hear 'em talk / Coldest story ever told / Somewhere far along this road / He lost his soul / To a woman so heartless..." I guess this is the Heartbreak portion of the album, although a fair share of the 808 seems to be utilized. Crazy keyboard synth creates the effect of flute pipes, in partnership with thudding bass, it's enough visual for this listener to feel implemented into some tribal circle singing cautionary tales about the danger of the female species. Yeah, I loves it.

Bottom Line: B +

4. Amazing (Featuring Young Jeezy)

My favorite track off the album. The lyrics are simple, and nothing less than what you'd expect from K West. Despite some self-posturing, this is Kanye's response to 808 critique; as if he anticipated the outcry against the use of the auto tune and penned this in preemptive retaliation. "It's amazing / I'm the reason / Everybody fired up this evening / I'm exhausted / Barely breathing / Holding on to what I believe in / No matter what, you'll never take that from me / Me reign is as far as the eye can see." Though the song could do without the obnoxious cameo by Young Jeezy, I love the anthem-like quality of this track. I feel like war painting my face, throwing a paparazzi against the wall for looking at me funny, and getting gratuitously arrested. The last part being what Kanye does best.

Bottom Line: A -

5. Love Lockdown

I don't watch the VMAs unless there's promise of a crazy episode and/or Ms. Spears. And since last year had both (I was hoping Kanye would verbally assault Brit Brit for stealing his thunder yet again) I tuned into see the premiere of "Love Lockdown" in the finale. I have to admit I was impressed by the performance, thinking to myself what a risk this was for Kanye artistically. I also believed naively that it would be one genre-breaking track nestled in the middle of several familiar College-Dropoutish hits. How silly of me... Still, based on his live performance, a visually compelling music video, and the T-minus 321 remix (and 501 others) this song pushed T-Pain out of the way for the special auto tune section of my heart.

Bottom Line: B

6. Paranoid (Featuring Mr. Hudson)

Upon first listen, I thought I might have taken a Forget-Me-Now and ended up in some 1980s dancehall. Leaked onto the internet as "Anyway," this is one of the most danceable tracks on the record, which isn't saying much. With a schizophrenic beat, unapologetic synthesizers, and haphazard harmonizing I would need to be on something to really get down to this one. Still, "Paranoid" manages some sort of let's just dance appeal.

Bottom Line: C

7. RoboCop

As a woman, I felt some obligation to hate this out of the gate based solely on lyrical content. After a couple of listens though, the thumping bass and ridiculous sentiment grew on me. I won't pretend to fully understand wtf he's saying; like what exactly is a robocop? How does one move it like a robocop? Is it just some crazy obnoxious girlfriend who asks too many questions, is all up in your business, and thinks robotic 2-stepping is dancing? I'd invent my own crazy concise term for that mouthful too. Despite heavy use of the auto tune, and one methodical beat (a formulaic approach to the entire album), this one is slowly growing on me. As long as I turn the speakers way up and put my female conscience on mute.

Bottom Line: B -

8. Street Lights

I would find this track more redeeming, if once again, it was instrumental. Kanye's monotonous recitation is more than enough to make me want to rip my hair out. I know this song is supposed to be some great metaphor for knowing your destination in life and blah blah blah but I just can't tolerate enough of the boring delivery to stay awake for the message.

Bottom Line: C 

9. Bad News

A definite bright spot after it's predecessor. And here's why: A talented someone could make the most badass dance remix of this track. Although relatively quiet, and subtly masochistic, this song has one of the most promising beats. Maybe it's my inner DJ calling, but a girl can still dream of finding good news in an RAC or A-Trak reworking.

Bottom Line: C +

10. See You in My Nightmares (Featuring Lil Wayne)

I know everyone kisses the ground he walks on, but Lil Weeze doesn't add anything to this already anemic track. Leaked as "Tell Everybody (That You Know)," boring synth, no percussion, and overly-repetitive (and ridiculous) lyrics make this a complete fail. "Tell everybody that you / that I don't love you no more / and that's one thing that you know..." Childish and unoriginal. Auto tune or not, this is not the insight I expect from West.

Bottom Line: D

11. Coldest Winter

This is West's most admiral attempt at a ballad, perhaps saved for the finale on purpose. "On lonely nights I start to fade / Her love's a thousand miles away / Memories made in the coldest winter / Goodbye my friend / Will I ever love again?" Instead of alienating his female audience, West embraces the sorrow of a lost love (his mother), putting himself in a much more vulnerable position than the angry, female-hating stance heard on earlier tracks. Though still lacking that special ingredient to make the song completely memorable, the listener is left with a resolute, even serene acceptance as the album comes to a close.

Bottom Line: B

12. Bonus Track: Pinocchio Story (Live from Singapore)

Since this is a live track, I'm itching for the accompanying video. Never having personally caught a Kanye show (budget-breaking), I have heard that he doesn't disappoint. From the rhymes alone, I'm intrigued. The album as a whole lacks substance on this front, so it's nice to hear West freestyle from the heart. Delving into the philosophical realm with questions about the ever-fading line between reality and celebrity, West talks about his Pinocchio-like desire for flesh and blood. "Do you think I sacrifice real life / For all the fame? / And flashing lights? / There is no Gucci I can buy / There is no Louis Vuitton to put on / There is no [ ] that they could sell / To get my heart out of this hell / And my mind out of this jail / There is no clothes that I could buy / That could turn back in time / There is no vacation spot I could fly / That could bring back a piece of real life / What does it feel like ... / To live a real life ?" Now why did it take a bonus track to get my Kanye back?

Bottom Line: A -

LTK Says:
As much as I want to give Kanye's artistic risk a double thumbs up, the content supporting the adventure was an utter disappointment, save for a few standout tracks. Although we at GDM support creative endeavors, we believe just doing something different for difference sake is not enough. Change should be made in the name of evolution, forward momentum, or growth. Someone as big as West has reached a career pinnacle where artistic freedom knows no bounds. He has free reign to do whatever he wants, but it doesn't mean that he should. Although I commend his effort, the prowess of West's earlier work has set such high expectations, I'm left wanting more.
Bottom Bottom Line: B / B -

Peace, Love, and Moving like a RoboCop,
LTK

Superstar

Pretending is posh. We all love to do it. So just for today I'm putting on my best coked-out celebrity impression and serving you up the greatest gift ever: my completely pretentious and at times contrived iTunes celebrity playlist. Seriously, how many songs do you think these people a.) chose themselves b.) listen to on a regular basis c.) select out of hipster obligation? I don't know where an individual celeb's music taste begins and the image they're trying to portray ends...

Sonic Youth - Superstar [mf]

You listen to Miles Davis, Nick Cave, Jeff Buckley, and MGMT? We get it, you're cultured and yet also cool. Oh and yes, that's a nice big picture of my face on the right to go along with my selections. I got to do it up just like my money loving friends @ Apple.

Lydia's "I'm Effortlessly Cultured & Cool" (and Coked Out) Celebrity Playlist

But seriously, these are some of my favorite tracks. And my publicist didn't have to tell me so...

1. Otis Redding - That's How Strong My Love Is

I hesitate to say "greatest recording ever" because of the finality implied in that statement. But I will say this track literally moves my heart each time it's played. The very epitome of love song, Otis's earth-shattering declaration of sentiment inspires my faith in music, and men.

2. The Clash - Clampdown

My all-time favorite band, and favorite album. With lyrical content beyond the zeitgeist, London Calling defines punk-rock with it's politically-charged rebelliousness. Joe Strummer is a cultural icon, self-proclaimed punk-rock warlord, and my personal hero. I miss him everyday.

3. Sigur Ros - Staralfur (Live)

For only being around about 10 years, their music is both groundbreaking and timeless. This live track shocks me into silence with its beauty.

4. The Smiths - There is a Light That Never Goes Out

Another legendary group - God Bless the Queen. Anyone who can inspire romanticism with lyrics about dying in a horrific car accident deserves props.

5. The Magnetic Fields - I Think I Need a New Heart

Stephen is a genius. This set - 69 songs in all - was so conceptually brilliant it changed my entire outlook on "love song." Some people can say more than enough in 27 seconds.

6. Battles - Leyendecker

I didn't even know what my ears were hearing before I loved this experimental/prog rock. Even more amazing is the blitzfest that is their live show. You won't know what hit you...

7. Animal Collective - Peacebone

8. Sam Cooke - Nothing Can Change This Love

Once I dupe some poor sap into marrying me, this will be our first dance. I plan on emphasizing the "Leave me and run" part for my hubby in case he needs an escape clause. Sam Cooke is up there with my all time favorites. Everything he touches turns to instant classic.

9. Radiohead - Talk Show Host

Some haters try and deny it, but Pablo Honey changed alternative music forever. Thom Yorke and the boys lent even more awesomeness to Baz Luhrman's stunning Romeo & Juliet.

10. JR Walker and the All-Stars - Shotgun

Further proof I should have been born in the 1960's.

11. Ray Charles - Hallelujah I Love Her So

12. Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song

I gotta go out for my Seattle friends. This album was beyond huge on it's own, but when it made No. 53 on KEXP listener's list of Top 903 albums, their success only solidified. Built to Spill I wanted you on here too - you know I love you.

13. Mavis Staples - We Shall Not Be Moved

14. Nina Simone - Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out

Besides no one being able to TOUCH Nina on the talent front, can't we all relate to these lyrics?

15. TV on the Radio - Stork & Owl

16. Carole King - Beautiful

Another amazing album from start to finish. Still, more powerful is the memory I have of my mother singing this one to me everyday before school. She knew her voice wasn't beautiful, but it was the sentiment, and the message of the song more than made up for it.

17. The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar

Dad needs a place on my list too. I've never met anyone who knows more about 1960's music then his encyclopedia of a brain. I'm so thankful he can relive some of the magic of that decade with me; his favorite band, his favorite rock song of all time being a good start.

18. Beck - Tropicalia

19. Gang of Four - Damaged Goods

It was really difficult to decide between tracks on Entertainment!. This is one CD I picked up in a quirky used store and never looked back.

20. Brenda Holloway - Every Little Bit Hurts

I don't know much about Brenda other than she was beautiful, underrated, and makes my heart break for her in under 3 minutes.

21. The Kills - Getting Down

Tribalisitic rock as my dad calls it, The Kills have the "return to golden times" in rock n roll feel about them that's hard to ignore, even if you wanted to.

22. Bruce Springsteen - For You

Whatever female masochism I possess makes me love this song. Every girl wants someone to save them from themselves at some point in their existence (Don't lie); it doesn't hurt if that someone is sexy 1984 tight-denim dressing Bruce Springsteen.

23. The Black Keys - I Got Mine

24. Neutral Milk Hotel - Oh Comely

I think this record changes the life of whoever covets it.

Yeah, it's a long one. But for today I'm famous and I can do whatever the "F" I want. Pass me some more of the good stuff Lohan...

Peace, Love, and Total Pretension,

LTK

Breaking it Up

Stay tuned for my track by track break down/breaking it up of K West's controversial 808's and Heartbreaks this Saturday (I'm currently listening to only this on repeat) - the album ia out next Tuesday. Times are hard; you deserve to know if this one's worth your hard-earned Abrahams...

In the meantime, snag this shwanky Lykke Li remix, as well as a bonus Friendly Fires cover of Lykke's "I'm Good, I'm Gone." Darn, no voice box here...

Lykke Li - Breaking it Up (Punks Jump Up remix) [mf]

Friendly Fires - I'm Good, I'm Gone (Lykke Li Cover) [mf]

If you didn't catch Lykke as itunes' free video of the week, please watch this artistic ah-mazingness on YouTube. I feel like I just swallowed a whole bottle of crazy pills... and am loving it!

And this sweet live perform! Yeah that's Robyn! And Adam and Bebban of The Shout Out Louds! Friends in high places...

Peace, Love, and Air-boxing in Institutions,
LTK

Hopelessly Devoted to You

Time for Confessions (Pt. 2). No I didn't have a baby with my secret lover Usher, but I do have some shameful obsessions that I've been inspired to share. Maybe you've seen variations of this post around the internet, but now it's my turn for the can't-live-without-it purge...

Favorite Overused Phrases @ GDM

1. Loves It

2. Eat Your Heart Out

3. Shwanky

4. Peace, Love, and ____

5. Ah-mazing

6. OMG 

Runner-Up: Wtf

Favorite Guilty Pleasures /Songs I Pretend to Hate When People Are Around

1. Danity Kane - Bad Girl

2. Janet Jackson - Escapade

3. Katy Perry - Hot n Cold

4. Ashlee Simpson - Rule Breaker

5. New Kids on the Block ft. Lady GaGa - Big Girl Now

6. Asia - Heat of the Moment

Favorite "From the 90's" Tracks

1. Eminem - Role Model

2. Bloodhound Gang - Bad Touch

3. N'Sync - Just Wanna Be With You

4. Spice Girls - Who Do You Think You Are

5. New Kids on the Block - Hangin' Tough

6. Outkast - ATLiens

Runners-Up: Vanilla Ice - Ninja Rap, The Magnetic Fields - Absolutely Cuckoo

Favorite "From the 80's" Tracks (This was way too hard; So much awesomely badness!)

1. Corey Hart - Sunglasses at Night

2. Eddie Money - Take Me Home Tonight

3. Rockwell ft. MJ - Somebody's Watching Me

4. Rob Base ft. DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two

5. The Outfield - Your Love

6. Tommy TuTone - 867-5309 / Jenny

Runners-Up: Paula Adbul - Straight Up, Anything  M Jackson, Quiet Riot - C*m Feel the Noize, Jermaine Stewart - We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off, ABC - The Look of Love Pt.1

Favorite Cover Songs (Also, rough)

1. The Boy Least Likely To - Faith (George Michael)

2. Devendra Banhart - Don't Look Back in Anger (Oasis)

3. Friendly Fires - I'm Good, I'm Gone (Lykke Li)

4. The Morning Benders - Lovefool (The Cardigans)

5. Lemar - I Believe in a Thing Called Love (The Darkness)

6. Death Cab for Cutie - There is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)

6.5 Hot Chip - Sexual Healing (Marvin Gaye)

Runners-Up: Sam Sparro - American Boy (Estelle), Ben Folds - Tiny Dancer (Elton John), Eric Hutchinson - I Wanna Dance With Somebody/How Will I Know (Whitney Houston)

Favorite Guilty Pleasure Records

1. Lady GaGa - The Fame

2. Mariah Carey - 1#s

3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once More With Feeling Soundtrack

4. Spice Girls - Spice Girls

5. Britney Spears - Blackout

Runners-Up: Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway, Green Day - Dookie, Van Morrison - Greatest Hits

Peace, Love, and some links for you tomorrow,

LTK

What Do You Think Will Happen Next?

... I'm honestly curious. I have been embarrassed to call myself an American for several years now, but with election of Obama (My first presidential vote!!), and the subsequent wave of enthusiasm for change, I feel a renewed optimism in both our country and it's citizens. 

Final Fantasy - What Do You Think Will Happen Next? [mf]

This song is full of "Yes I Can"s, but the real American sentiment of the zeitgeist is Yes We Can. That bright, bright, bright sunshiney day might not be so far away... And in the spirit of change, or the anything is possible, I'm changing our name. Goodbye UAFT, hello Get Down Moses. If you haven't guessed by now, The Clash is my all time favorite band, Joe Strummer is my complete idol/hero/marital fantasy, and this song title off Streetcore just seemed appropriate.

Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Get Down Moses [mf]

Joe Strummer - Without People You Are Nothing [mf]

From the soundtrack of The Future is Unwritten, an amazing documentary about Joe. Just listening to his words about the power of the individual, the impact we have on each other, and the potential in each one of us for change, gives me chills. Miss you everyday JS...

Lydia's Yes We Can Mixtape

A Fine Frenzy - Hope for the Hopeless [mf]

Pink Floyd - High Hopes

Clipse - Hello New World [mf]

Ozomatli - Love and Hope [mf]

The Kinks - Something Better Beginning

Eric Clapton - Change the World

Ben Harper - Better Way [mf]

Stars - Today Will Be Better, I Swear [mf]

Common - It's Your World Pts. 1 & 2

Cold War Kids - A Change is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke Cover) [mf]

Albertina Walker and the Caravans - Put a Little Love in Your Heart

Jimmy Cliff - Wonderful World, Beautiful People [mf]

Peace, Love, and name-changing HOPE,

LTK

Small Town

Small town? The Nextdoor Neighbors are anything but.

John Cougar Mellencamp - Small Town [mf]

Hailing from Olympia, Washington this cute-as-punch duo are every indie label's dream. In the history of Casio keyboards, two girls have never been so badass. Self -defined "Electro-folkhoppers," Jessie's vocals capture the spirit of a raw Sandi Thom, or at times a younger, quirkier Leslie Feist, while Kathy (who I'm pretty sure I got to work with at Starbucks!) channels the quirky electro-genius of Stephin Merrit on hip-hop. Think younger generation of Stars, Metric, Little Dragon. Or as Bicycle Records puts it:

Jessie Hill supplies the words and melodies, framed by the electronic alchemy of Kathy Cote. Whether you call it folktronic or electro-folk-hop, the psychic link between these two neighbors is clearly heard in this organically-grown bedroom pop.

I love the idea of bedroom pop. What's garage band revival anyway? We all know the best tunes come from the heart and soul of the house. Lucky for us Northwesterns, we seem to have caught the lovebug for The NN right away. Maybe it's because East-Coasters don't have the advantage of attending badass showcase performances like the one @ the U-District Barnes and Noble this Thursday, November 20 @ 8 pm. I encourage all long-term or spanking new fans to attend the performance which will dent your wallet all of ZERO dollars.

When you inevitably fall in love with what you hear/see, swing by the amazing West Seattle Easy Street records on December 12 at the same time. This one will cost you (only) five big ones, but The Nextdoor Neighbors are headlining! You know you want to...

Visit their MySpace HERE. 

Watch cool videos and sample their CD!

Listen to/Buy their awesome record Magic vs. The Machine HERE.

Peace, Love, and the Music Nextdoor,

LTK