Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Soulwax


Soulwax plays New York City on November 2 at Webster Hall.

Interview with Krist, Dave and Butch Vig


There has been so much buzz surrounding the 20th anniversary of Nevermind by Nirvana. Understandably so, the record changed the direction music was heading at the time. It put a steak through the heart of hair bands everywhere and it even knocked the King of Pop off the top of the charts. In part with all the press surrounding the anniversary, Sirius/XM radio created a temporary Nirvana channel in which they had a wonderful "Town Hall" gathering lead by The Daily Show host Jon Stewart talking with former Nirvana members Krist Novocelic and Dave Grohl as well as Nevermind Producer Butch Vig. It is a nice long piece where the group tells stories about making the record and the fame that follows as well as take questions from the audience. Below is a link (via Rock it Out!) to listen to the entire segment.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Beck: Live in Tokyo (2000)


This was on incredibly heavy rotation when I came across this ten years ago. It found back in my ears today. This funky, sexually charged set by Beck and his band during the Midnite Vultures tour, which I did not see and now regret terribly, is solid from start to finish. There are even wonderful teases of Michael Jackson and Black Sabbath. This type of high energy show may be no more when it comes to seeing Beck these days but that is not a guarantee. The man has broken down musical barriers time and time again. Who knows what is in store down the road.


Alice in Chains: Nutshell



Recorded April 10, 1996 in Brooklyn, New York.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Nirvana: Endless, Nameless

Nirvana: Pine Street Theatre (1990)


This recording was included in the reissue of Bleach. Recorded on February 9, 1990 in Portland, Oregon with original drummer Chad Channing. The sound quality is perfect and it certainly is a must hear.

Intro 
School 
Floyd the Barber 
Dive 
Love Buzz 
Spank Thru 
Molly’s Lips 
Sappy 
Scoff 
About a Girl 
Been a Son 
Blew

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Andrew Bird

Aphex Twin: Selected Ambient Works 85-92


Argued to be second to none when discussing ambient electronic music, Aphex Twin made a record with almost zero reference points. Even with its low-fi sound, since these tracks were recorded directly onto cassette, this record is viewed as original of an album as it gets. Repetitive yet strange beat patterns with strange synth sounds that wash over each track. This record has been on heavy rotation this week and it is one of the records that finds its way to surface from time to time. Originally released in 1992 this record still sounds fresh and exciting for it is a record that will never sound dated. 

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Friendship


Jean-Michel Basquiat & Keith Haring

Prefuse 73: The '92 vs. '02 Collection EP


I was in college, hosting a funk & soul show on the college radio station, when I walked in a saw this record in the "reject box". Essentially it was a box of music that was shipped to the station the directors felt for whatever reason felt this particular music did not have home at the station. I was aware of Prefuse 73 after hearing (and loving) Vocal Studies & Uprock Narratives. I immediately grabbed this record knowing nothing about it. What I found out it was that each track was wonderfully beat-filled and because of that I have been listening  this record ever since. I threw this record on the stereo the other day and went down musical memory lane. If you have not heard this record in some time or even at all, I recommend checking this one. It is not as glitchy as his later records where this one is just stacked with futuristic grooves.
"Love You Bring" by Prefuse 73



"I'll Believe in Anything" (Cover)

I was recently sent this cover of the Wolf Parade song "I'll Believe in Anything" by Her Space Holiday. The original is up there with one of my favorites but there is something about this cover draws me in.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Pearl Jam: "State of Love & Trust"



Recorded in March 1992.

$86,400


Ryan Adams: "New York, New York" (Solo)


The good folks over at TwentyFourBit informed me that Ryan Adams recently stopped by WNYC. It was there where Ryan Adams started talking about the reaction his song "New York, New York", from his 2001 release Gold, to the terror attacks on 9/11. It was then Ryan performed a stripped-down rendition of the song alone at the the piano. Below you can listen to the interview and the performance. As wonderful as the original version is, this solo performance can easily be described as beautiful.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute


Released in 2001, this record has some high profile names covering one of the greatest in country music. You have Beck performing "Your Cheatin' Heart". Ryan Adams is on here, so is Bob Dylan and Keith Richards. There is no question of the influence  Hank Williams had on musicians. This is just a small example of how influential he was on such phenomenal talent.