Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer (2008)

First solo outing from the voice of the Dresden Dolls. This is a major album by a hugely talented artist. Swooping strings and pounding piano interspersed with ballads of the old school - Palmer rips open your chest with "Astronaut" and seizes the still beating heart with the beautiful "Ampersand". The fact that the next song, in bloodied hands is called "Leeds United" is simply the icing on a confection of majestic and life affirming glory. Songs to die for...

Over the next week or so there will be exciting interviews with the likes of veteran ivory tinkler Ben Folds, a conversation with Scottish noiseniks The View, a pre Ting Tings support slot interrogation with Fight Like Apes, a little laisse faire with french scenesters Nelson and a good old chin wag with Of Montreal.

There will also be record reviews for Rose Kemp, o'death, Windy & Carl and Steve Gullicks fantastic Tenebrous Lair. Incidentally Steve's been playing guitar for Soulsavers who frankly had the best record I heard last year!

On top of all this though is the clearly surreal possibility of a chat with Welsh lothario Tom Jones... apparently back with a new seriousness. All knickers to be thrown should be forwarded to.......

jx

67. Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs

68. Ben Folds Five - Forever and Ever Amen

Den senare köpte jag först, kom över den billigt på nån skivmässa tror jag. Den tidigare kom ut senare och där har Ben Folds dumpat övriga bandmedlemmar (två stycken, inte fyra) och kör solo. Men det låter ungefär likadant - svängig pianopop. Det är två riktigt trevliga skivor som fortfarande låter bra i mina öron.

69. The Beta Band - The Three EP's

Beta Band var väl 1998 års stora hype, eller en av dem iallafall. De höjdes till skyarna överallt, särskilt i riktigt creddiga sammanhang (som Pop). Under året släpptes tre EP som tokhyllades. De samlades så småningom på den här skivan, precis som namnet antyder. Jag måste säga att det här är lite för konstig musik för mig. Ett par av låtarna går att lyssna på, men merparten är bara jobbiga.

70. Bikini Kill - Pussy Whipped

Orsaken till att jag äger den här heter Kathleen Hannah. Låten Deceptacon av hennes andra band Le Tigre golvade mig fullständigt när den kom... ja, när det nu var, 2001? Det föll sig då naturligt att kolla upp vad denna geniala kvinna hade pysslat med tidigare och då hittade jag denna skiva. Det är en utmärkt punkskiva med feministiska texter. Inledningen är grym - tre riktiga kioskvältare på ca en och en halv minut vardera. Fortsättningen är inte lika stark och dessutom tycker jag personligen att punk funkar bäst i lite mindre doser, en hel skiva är lite tröttsamt att lyssna på. När jag plockade fram den nu var det länge sen jag lyssnade på den sist och den var bättre än jag mindes den. Jag ska nog lyssna på den mer.

71. Björk - Debut

Jag minns tydligt när Björk slog igenom 1993. Min enda tillgång till MTV var på skolan och jag tog varje tillfälle som fanns att kolla, inte för att det spelades så mycket bra musik utan för att det var MTV. På den tiden hade kanalen högt anseende och det kändes fortfarande häftigt att kolla på den. Jag tyckte redan från början om Björk, men inte tillräckligt mycket för att köpa några skivor av henne. Jag köpte den här skivan långt senare, men jag minns inte alls när. En gissning är nån gång i slutet av 90-talet. Dessutom har jag till och med ägt en Björk-t-shirt som gjorde stor succé när jag var på Island. De är mäkta stolta över henne där.

Den här skivan återfinns på plats 92 på Pops lista över världens bästa skivor. Och när jag ändå är inne på placeringar på den här listan kan jag tillägga två placeringar som jag missade när jag gick igenom mina Beatles-skivor. Självklart har de placerat sig på den här listan, närmare bestämt med Rubber Soul på plats 16 och den vita skivan på plats 26.

Några smakprov från dagens artister hittar du här.

Mill Shoals, Illinois was once the home of a thriving barrel-making industry which depleted nearby virgin forests and turned to agriculture until 1939 when oil was discovered.  By 1970, the oil was gone and Mill shoals returned to its agrarian roots.

So, Mill Shoals...not big on the sustainability of the environment.  Just use it up til it's gone.  Must be Republicans.

My run yesterday went significantly well, although I had to run on the treadmill due to the pouring rain.  Still, I covered almost 3 miles in my 32:00 on the treadmill which is very, very promising.  I also lifted a few weights in the hopes of strengthening my legs.

In other news, I have not watched the debate yet.  I do have it on TiVo though...so, I will be watching it soon.  I was busy playing Mario Kart Wii with the Neighbors last night and was therefore preoccupied.  Also, I may not be posting as much next week as we will be in Philadelphia for the week.  But, you never know...so don't just assume I won't be saying anything.  You know, the Interwebs go to Philadelphia too...or so I've been told.

See you in the funny papers!

Way to Normal is definitely Folds' worst album, but it isn't bad by any means. It just feels like a big step down from the wonderful Songs for Silverman and Rockin' the Suburbs — not to mention his work with Ben Folds Five.

This is a post-divorce album, which usually bodes well. So many artists are inspired by the failure of a relationship to do great and moving things. Folds, too, has been inspired but in a different direction. This is his most bitter and juvenile album, with anti-man song 'Errant Dog' and anti-woman song 'Bitch Went Nuts' typical of the sentiments here.

He does find room for a couple of elegant ballads, 'Cologne' and 'Kylie in Connecticut,' that feel a little out of place among their rhythm-heavy neighbors but are worthy additions to his catalog. And one song here, first single 'You Don't Know Me at All,' is among the better tunes Folds has written in years. It's a duet with indie singer-songwriter Regina Spektor that is propelled by a bouyant string section and one of his catchiest choruses.

Elsewhere, Folds does more with percussion than he has on any other release. 'Free Coffee' is an oddball, static-soaked track that's among his most experimental work. 'Dr. Yang' and 'The Frown Song' are propulsive piano-rockers in the vein of early classics like 'Uncle Walter' (though not quite as good).

After five listens, I'm happier with the album than I was at first. Folds has an undeniable knack for melody and his piano playing is always superb. It's the theme and lyrics that are the biggest letdown here. He has always had an angry and sarcastic streak, but in the past it has been tempered by his more earnest and sentimental side. I'm hoping his next release will truly find him on his way back to normal.

Ben Folds + Regina Spektor

I love Ben Folds. And I mean LOVE. Every since the Ben Fold's Five 1995 album, "Whatever and Ever Amen," I've been addicted. We don't have many musicians these days that can play a piano and sing a song with as much heart as this guy. Yes, he's kinda dorky. Yes, he's kinda funny. YES, he's absolutely amazing!

See above for his rendition of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" from his 2005 album "Ben Folds Live". Love it.

Somewhat confusingly, New York is now home to not one, but two very large buildings called Terminal 5 - both of which hosted major events in the same week.  One is a music venue that opened last year on West 56th Street in Manhattan.  The other is a JetBlue terminal at JFK Airport that launched September 23, 2008, with an official opening scheduled for later this month.  Of course, Mazza First Hand Source was on both scenes to keep you covered.

Grammy-nominated UK perfomer Estelle was the surprise featured entertainer at the Opening Party for JetBlue's Terminal 5, singing about flying to exotic locales with her American Boy, Kanye West.  (Hey, Estelle, you might want to rethink traveling with Kanye in airports).  The party featured a bizarre an eclectic collection of attendants (and we don't mean the retired flight attendants, who were there modeling their original vintage '60s uniforms - classy!).  We're talking about the fact that the Rockettes were already decked out - or should we say, decked-the-halls out, in Christmas gear.  (Is it that time already?  It seems to get earlier every year.  It's not even Halloween yet, folks!)  Oh, and Mayor Bloomberg was there, too.  Aside from the celebrities, JetBlue also invited its own employees and former employees of the now-defunct TWA, which once called the iconic JFK terminal home.

 Despite the party and ribbon-cutting ceremony, the terminal will not be open to the public until October 22.  In the mean time, construction crews are at work on a collection of restaurants and stores - including Muji and Lacoste.

 Meanwhile, Ben Folds was rockin' the urbs in Manhattan at the other Terminal 5, jamming out to a packed house.  The September 30 concert coincided with the release of his latest album, "Way to Normal," and Folds played many songs from the new album in the evening's set.  The majority of the crowd was hearing these songs for the first time, but remained receptive to Folds and to his opener, Australian songstress Missy Higgins.

I'm loving "Cologne" -- it's such a beautiful, simple song. And, as always, it's like one swift kick to the heart. I can't get enough of those moments where you're listening to something innocently -- maybe driving along in your car, maybe on your iPod at work -- and a tiny bubble of realization hits you: this is a song that could very well change your life. I know other people feel like that, too. This song will change the way you see yourself, the way you see others -- this song will change the way you view relationships past and relationships yet to unfold.

Ben Folds has a lot of songs like that.

*~*~*

Cologne
"Way To Normal," Ben Folds (2008)

Here in Cologne,
I know I said it wrong.
I walked you to the train
And back across alone
To my hotel room
And ordered me some food
And now I'm wondering
Why the floor has suddenly become a moving target

Four, three, two, one
I'm letting you go.
I will let go
If you will let go.
(Four, three, two)

Says here an astronaut
Put on a pair of diapers
Drove eighteen hours
To kill her boyfriend,
And in my hotel room, I'm wondering
If you read that story too
And if we both might
Be having the same imaginary conversation

Four, three, two, one
I'm letting you go.
I will let go
If you will let go.
(Four, three, two)

Oh, weightless as I close my eyes.
Oh, why? The ceiling opens in disguise.

Such a painful trip
To find out this is it
And when I go to sleep,
You'll be waking up.

Four, three, two, one
I'm letting you go.
I will let go
If you will let go . . .

- Quem vai ser o primeiro a apresentar o trabalho de Geografia? Zezinho?
- Professora, eu... ahhhnnn, é que...... hhhhmmmmm... então, eu não fiz.
- Zero.

- Quem vai ser o primeiro a apresentar o trabalho de Geografia? Zezinho?
- Professora, eu fiz o trabalho e ficou tão bom mas o cachorro comeu!
- Que pena! Zero.

- Quem vai ser o primeiro a apresentar o trabalho de Geografia? Zezinho?
- Professora, a mãe do Zezinho falou com a minha mãe e ela pediu pra avisar que o Zezinho tá doente e só volta pra aula semana que vem.
- Meu Deus, está tudo bem com ele? Espero que não seja nada grave. Na dúvida, nota Dez!

- Quem vai ser o primeiro a apresentar o trabalho de Geografia? Zezinho?
- Professora, o Zezinho morreu.
- Oh meu Deus! *desmaio*

Como se vê, há improvisos e improvisos. Essa arte (que é, na realidade, apenas um movimento dentro da grande arte do migué) requer muita prática para que se atinja a perfeição. E nada melhor do que aprender com aquele que é o expoente nessa área: o ImprovEverywhere.

Talvez vocês já tenham ouvido falar desse grupo nova-iorquino por causa de sua criação mais famosa, o "No Pants" day. Uma vez ao ano, eles organizam um passeio pelo metrô da Big Apple, no qual todos os participantes cometem uma mesma gafe: eles "esquecem" suas calças em casa, e acabam andando por aí com suas roupas íntimas à mostra. Detalhe: durante todo o percurso, os participantes devem fingir que genuinamente esqueceram suas calças em casa. Nunca se deve revelar aos curiosos e transeuntes que é apenas uma grande pegadinha.

Tá bom, legal, mas o que isso tem a ver com improvisação? Tudo. Explicando melhor: o grupo foi criado por Charlie Todd, que, por possuir certa semelhança física com o cantor americano Ben Folds, decidiu numa noite fingir que era de fato Ben Folds. Assim, de supetão mesmo, foi a um bar e testou suas habilidades improvisacionais. Deu certo - a história completa você confere aqui, aqui e aqui (vale a pena ler).

Alguns anos depois, rendeu até uma pegadinha com o próprio Ben Folds.

Com seus amigos, Todd criou então o ImprovEverywhere. Auto-denominados "agentes", os membros do grupo começaram a organizar as chamadas "missões". Estas consistem em eventos e situações públicas criadas com o intento de surpreender as "pessoas comuns", que acreditam estar presenciando um fato único e improvável. Embora premeditadas, as missões lidam com o improviso, pois os agentes devem não somente enfrentar a reação do público (que é imprevisível) como também impedir que o acontecimento seja descoberto como uma ação pré-planejada (ou seja, deve sempre parecer espontâneo).

Um exemplo recente e emblemático? Todd recrutou agentes gêmeos idênticos, que vestiram-se de forma idêntica e foram ao metrô. O resultado?

Um improvável espelho humano. Outro exemplo? Todd recrutou centenas de agentes e os mandou até o Grand Central Terminal, maior estação de trem de Nova Iorque. Todos sincronizaram seus relógios e, exatamente às 2 e meia da tarde, congelaram como estátuas. O resultado?

Além do ato em si, um dos grandes atrativos das missões é o feedback do público. É impagável ver a reação das pessoas frente ao inusitado. Há aqueles que riem, que ficam confusos, que ficam bravos e até aqueles que ignoram completamente o que está acontecendo.

Diversas missões estão disponíveis no site oficial. Minhas favoritas? Difícil dizer, mas com certeza estão entre elas a The Moebius (na qual o grupo simula uma alteração no espaço-tempo ao repetir a mesma seqüência de acontecimentos, no mesmo local, durante uma hora) e a Even Better Than The Real Thing (na qual eles fingem ser o grupo de rock U2 e fazem um show no topo de um prédio em plena Manhattan). Vale a pena conferir todas elas.

Portanto, da próxima vez que você for a NY (rerere) e presenciar algo fora do comum, cuidado: pode ser o ImprovEverywhere em ação.

I just recieved a pair of tickets to the Okobos Festival in Green Bay next week. Amongst the performers are Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Folds and M. Ward. If you are interested in winning these tickets, please leave your name and email address in the comments box.

You will be notified by me if you won on Tuesday! The festival is next week, on Saturday October 11th,  so make sure you can go before entering.

Good luck!

Check out the Okobos Festival and its lineup here.

Not So Fast Cavs Haters

With NBA training camp beginning last Tuesday, I figured I would give Cleveland fans something to smile about. I won’t lie, I am all smiles when thinking about the 08-09 Cavs season, but can’t help but think about the future of LeBron James. Take a listen to this 1:40 clip. This is something that you won’t see on ESPN because it’s positive for the Cavs. ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and everybody else on the planet wants to talk about Bron wearing Yankees hats, and how he’s going to leave in two seasons, but nobody wants to listen to what he says positive about staying. “I ain’t going anywhere”. Say what you want, but the Cavs are going to be a powerhouse this season. A full season playing together with the new line up, Mo Williams lights out shooting, and a Mike Brown that’s looking to push the ball, get your popcorn ready. We’ll talk more Cavs as soon as the Browns are 2-6, it’s only a matter of time.

Around the NFL

Felix Jones is my favorite running back in the NFL. This rookie is playing like a veteran, and it’s showing weekly. I think he’s the front runner for the rookie of the year. He rushed for 96 yards yesterday on only 9 carries, and a TD. Is there a faster running back in the league?

Let’s give Kerry Collins some more credit. He is the reason Tennessee is off to their best start in franchise history. Collins orchestrated a game winning drive against the Ravens on Sunday by completing an 11 yard TD pass to Alge Crumpler, giving the Titans a 13-10 victory.

Is Trent Edwards actually an awesome quarterback? I am thinking so, especially after he was Kimbo Sliced out of the game Sunday, and the Bills quickly crumbled. Did anyone see that fight on Saturday night? Slice, the mammoth street fighter, was abused by some dude with pink hair just 14 seconds into the fight.

What the hell was Sage Rosenfels doing on Sunday? He played like he took shrooms in the desert with the Entourage boys, good episode by the way. Maybe, Sage (who names their kid Sage?) needs to play more Madden. All he had to do was protect the ball in one of three possessions with four minutes to go, and his lousy Texans get a win. Go Colts, and go Peyton Manning. Indy is going to be in a world of trouble next week as they play the Ravens, a team that can run the ball and is terrifying defensively.

The Bears, Panthers, and Giants weren’t kidding around Sunday as they demolished their opponents, the Lions, Chiefs, and Seahawks. Eli Manning is looking more and more like his older brother these days. Not a good sign for Browns fans as the G-Men roll into the rocking city of Cleveland Monday night.

I hate the Steelers. How do they consistently pull out wins? I’ll tell you how….COACHING. Although it hurts me to say it, Mike Tomlin is the type of coach that I dream of having in Cleveland. Have you seen him on the sidelines? The guy’s always fired up and inspiring his players to play hard. Let’s try something out there. Compare Romeo Crennel in the fourth quarter, and compare Mike Tomlin in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Tomlin will do anything he can to make sure his players are ready to go out there on the final drive and win the game, whereas Romeo Crennel is just focused on making it home before dinner gets cold.

Who would have thought the Redskins would be the leader in the NFC East? There isn’t a team in the league playing better than the Redskins. I feel like I heard London Fletcher’s name called a million times Sunday. Jason Campbell has played very well, and has been excellent using his leagues to help the Skins. Can the Redskins keep this up for a full season is the question? Their next three games consist of teams that have a combined 1-12 record in Detroit, St. Louis, and Cleveland.

Monday Night Money Man

VS

Minnesota @ New Orleans (-3)

This is by no means a lock, but after a solid weekend of wagering, I am going to try and pick this one. New Orleans is 2-2, and lost their two games to Denver and Washington by a combined total of 7 points. Minnesota is 1-3, but with losses to Green Bay, Indy, and Tennessee. This game is going to be close, and in a close game, you have to go with the home team, especially on Monday night. I like the Saints.

Browns Blurb

I am not sure what to say about the Brownies. With the Giants striking on all cylinders, and Eli Manning looking like the best quarterback ever made, the Browns should be prepared for 60 minutes of hell on Sunday. Maybe the Browns can call these guys for some advice on motivation, look, I promise you might chuckle. You know what makes things even scarier for me? The Browns follow up a Monday night game with the Super Bowl champs with games against Washington, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Buffalo. We very well could start the season off 1-8. Just thinking like a realist, not the dreaming Browns fan I usually like to be.

Entourage

Yes, I liked last evening’s episode, but it was the worst one of the series so far. Entourage creator Doug Ellin should be giving Soprano’s creator David Chase a cut of profits from Sunday’s episode, because it couldn’t have been more copied. Remember Tony taking they peyote before his escapade into the heat? I need the boys from Entourage to start getting somewhere with their careers. The show doesn’t go anywhere at times, and it’s somewhat frustrating to me. Jeremy Piven (Ari) is hilarious though, and the show is worth watching for Piven alone. I think that Vince is going to go talk to Alan Gray, and smooth things over, and end up on Smoke Jumpers. Just a guess.

Tune Time

Ryan Adams – Wish You Were Here

I have been listening to this song non-stop for the past week or so. It’s such a great tune by one of the most versatile artists in the music industry.

Britney Spears – Womanizer

It’s a pop single. Nothing more can be said about it, except that it’s a number one hit. The song is catchy and fits the sound of music today. This will be Britney’s start on her trek back to the top of music charts. Britney Spears is back, and will definitely be one of the top stories of 09.

The Game – Can Never Say Goodbye

I finally got around to listening to LAX, and wasn’t necessarily blown away by this album, but think this track deserves some play because it pays homage to three of raps greats.

Ben Folds – You Don’t Know Me

Another pop single from Ben’s newest album, Way to Normal. There are some other good tunes on this CD, and might be something worth looking into if you like the sounds of Ben.

The Killers - Human

The 80’s are coming back, and Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers is going to get the party started with this tune. Fall Out Boy will be the next band to follow suit. I like this tune, and am interested to see the public's perception of it.

Crank Dat….YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU

You might not think this is funny, but it makes me laugh sometimes.

Shout Out

I don’t really have anyone to give a shout out to, but just wanted to ramble. Er, thanks for the Croc story in my last entry. I am going to update again later in the week, and might even but something up short on Tuesday or Wednesday while I’m in class. I have been staying at home and hanging out with the roommates a lot lately, and basically relaxing. I hate drinking lately too. A hangover, spending absurd amounts, and acting like an idiot aren’t appealing to me these days. Well, it’s late, and I have to work in the AM.

Ben Folds has a new album!  It's called Way To Normal.

The way I learned about this is through the modern technology of Tivo.  I've told my Tivo to record any show on which Ben Folds appears, and he was on Conan last week.  You can watch him perform "You Don't Know Me" feat. Regina Spektor on NBC.com, though you probably have to watch a commercial first, then fast forward to the fifth section of the show.

Anyway, I picked up Way To Normal today and have listened to it twice so far.  It seems to be about Ben's divorce and how to get over it and get back to normal and, as you can imagine from the post immediately below, you can see how that would resonate with me.

Anyway, so you should watch the performance.  Ben is my favorite musician and Regina Spektor is also on that list.

I also was a pretty big fan of the Killers back in the day, so it's interesting to see them try to return to form. I saw them once on an episode of SNL that I did standby for. Good times.

Also on Hulu, they have these SNL backstage things with Fred Armisen. There's a fun one with James Franco up. Watch it!

Cold Open!: Everyone's favorite part of the show, right? The Tina Fey appearance? Man, SNL is really going to go downhill after the election. But hopefully after the election we never have to hear about Sarah Palin again. Queen Latifah! How many random guests can we have in a season? Blake Lively, Cameron Diaz, Chris Parnell, William Shatner, Debbie Phelps and now the Queen. We're only on episode four here, too. It's a sad state of affairs when you know that half of it is because SNL is severely lacking in the female and race departments. "As my mother would say, God love him, but he's a raging maniac." Tina's Sarah Palin is much better than it was last week. I wish that Biden would call him "John" instead of "John McCain," because that's what he did the whole debate. And boy, do I love Sarah Palin's "No, I don't want to answer your questions, but I do want to give a shout out." Get mavericky with it. There really is a problem on the set with people wearing glasses. So many reflections! Sarah Palin loves the Jews and the Cuban food. The talent portion bit is AMAZING. And Sudeikis is being the crazypants Biden we all know and love. Mentions of debate drinking games. Yes, SNL is back. For now. We're back in the era of the 12 minute cold open, and it feels good.

Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals: Wow, Andy Samberg has something to do! "You eat apples right? I produce Entourage." This impression is pretty solid, actually. Color me surprised. I'm proud of ya, Samberg. "A lot of people want to eat you, but I just want to talk to you, okay?"

Mary Poppins: This is a pretty genius idea. Anne Hathaway kind of looks like Julie Andrews, and she has impersonating her down from all of those "act like your grandmama!" scenes in The Princess Diaries. Intriguing. Who knew that she could sing like that? I'm disappointed that Bill Hader doesn't do a better Dick Van Dyke, though. Mary Poppins is a slut!

The Killer - "Human": So I'm pretty sure Anne Hathaway loves the Killers. Or is just very, very enthusiastic. I do love their back from commercial photo. So many plants. Is Brandon Flowers really wearing a fur-trimmed blazer? I enjoy this song. Flowers looks so nervous. So nervous. I feel his voice is mildly restrained because of his nerves. However, I haven't heard the song before, so maybe his voice is always restrained in this song. Wow, here's some awkward dance moves to rival Duffy's last week. Okay, I really like this. Welcome back, Killers.

The Lawrence Welk Show: This is one of those sketches that I suppose you need to be familiar with the original show to enjoy. Kristen is perpetually playing the weird, creepy lady. I can think of about five sketches off the top of my head. It's grating sometimes. Amy Poehler cannot conceal her pregnancy at all, but that's okay. Anne Hathaway should sing in films more often.

C-Span Bailout: I forgot that Sudeikis has replaced Forte as GW Bush. Forte needs a Mark Wahlberg character before he falls off the face of the earth. Wiig is a good Pelosi. I never realized how much they looked alike. Bush's reactions to everyone's stories are phenomenal. He is hiding out in the background and still going all out. Go, Sudeikis. Baby Mama shout out!!! Man, Amy Poehler, that pregnant belly is out of control!

Extreme Challenge Digital Short: Um, this is amazing. In so many different ways. Right down to the random ass "Becoming Jane" joke. Will Forte hates himself more than any of them. Kristen Wiig looks so tough in that outfit, too. When did that happen? Chair pin! Seriously, I could watch this all day. It's a million times better than Space Olympics. Final Tallies -- Andy: 6, Kristen: 4, Will: 2. Although "Do This" had no winner. Way to go, Samberg! You win with your digital short and your Mark Wahlberg impression.

Since I did not see the rest of the episode, including I hear, a sketch with Jason Sudeikis singing (my favorite thing ever! he has a great voice..), I will leave you with a video of him playing the trombone for Ben Folds and Regina Spektor. You can watch it if you fastforward to the last segment here. Besides the fact that Ben Folds is awesome, Regina Spektor is precious and a drummer randomly walks on in the middle, do not take your eyes off of Sudeikis. It's times like these that make me wonder why he isn't a million times more famous.

We'll be back soon with Josh Brolin and Adele. Though I will be out of town, so mayhaps a delayed (instead of instant?) review is in order. Wonder if Brolin will do his W?

- shiny silver, odd green or jet black.

All have this unique sound, but all different versions have a slightly different way to interact.

Nevertheless a good Muff is worth to be used as often as possible.

With a guitar or with a bass.

For DEAD HI-FI the best sounding Muff is the big black russian model. Combined with a telecaster thru a little tube combo you have instant Smashing Pumpkins flavor. All of the Ben Folds bass players used and still use the big black thing on nearly every recording. Eels didn't complete a song without his Muff and Metallica's and Muse's bass players are not able to impress the mobster without it. And that are just a few examples.

Why do we modify something which seems to be that perfect?

Good question - simple answer:

The sound of the black Big Muff is a unique (as mentioned above), smooth and warm fuzz.

So to say it sounds perfect!

But it suffers from the quality of it parts: The pots are crappy, the bypass is often everything but not true bypass, there is no dc jack, the wires are kind of shitty and the input/output jacks didn't withstand more than 100 times, because they are out of cheap plastic.

Here comes the ITC YELLOW CAKE MOD:

Replace all the crappy parts with high quality and durable parts without changing the unique sound.

• handcrafted in Germany

• professional rewired with new cables and proper soldering

• Yes, now it's true bypass!

• custom yellow knobs

• Alpha pots

• Switchcraft or Neutrik jacks

• powered by a 9V battery

• additional 9V-dc-jack

...and your Muff is ready for the rough world of late night club concerts!

Independent Tone Control is a collaboration of two cologne session musicians from the independent music scene together with an electronics specialist and with the intention to get the unique sounds and stomp boxes of the sixties and seventies back on track. Long time unaccounted sounds combined with handcrafted quality and a true bypass switch - made for daily studio work and rough live situations and way ahead back to the time when a good sound was analog and Zappa was still alive.

No further reproduction, usage and copying of the text without permission of the author. Commercial use is strictly prohibited!

It began with her music. I love it. I was flipping through my playlist with another fervent question. Her song was my answer. It's a beautiful lamentation of the things we hold on to, long after they're gone.

The flowers you gave me are rotting and still I refuse to throw them away
some of the bulbs never opened quite fully
they might so I'm waiting and staying awake

Things I have loved I'm allowed to keep
I'll never know if I go to sleep

I'm taking the knife to the books that I own and chopping and chopping and boiling soup from stone

Oh even music is not enough to make me love you. Oh no. I wanted to show you the song but instead I fell in love at exactly 3 minutes and 29 seconds.

Regina Spektor - The Flowers
from Soviet Kitsch (2004)

So. ADORABLE!!1!
She wins the title of CUTEST RUSSIAN WOMAN EVAR. Hands down.

I asked another question and this time Ben Folds joined in to answer.

You can figure out what I asked if you're smart.

Ben Folds featuring Regina Spektor - You Don't Know Me
from Way to Normal (2008)

ALSO SO ADORABLE. Where are these people? I need to hunt them down and make them join my Legion of Infinitely Cool Kids.

Disclaimer: Mom, i know you secretly read this. I was kidding. I am straight. Please don't worry. Love you.

Here's a Springsteen sound from a relatively new band.  The music is desperate and emotional.  Among my favorite indie bands, this one sits comfortably between Arcade Fire and The Hold Steady.

Music I've carefully considered this week: Damien Jurado's Caught In the Trees

I've long held out on listening to much of Jurado's music, because I've been a little uneasy about some things he's said in interviews.  However, if I'm going to call myself a big fan of compatriots like David Bazan, Rosie Thomas, Dennison Witmer and the like (ilk?), it's about time I dove in...and what an album this is.  Not that it's the sole measure of a good record, but listen to "Gillian Was a Horse" and just try not to sing along!

Music That the Jury is Still Debating: Ben Folds' Way to Normal

I've been a big Ben Folds fan since the first trio (quintet?) record more than 10 years ago.  Lately he seems to be moving more in the ironic smartass slash nerdy gangster direction, rather than, IMHO, being ok in his own skin of writing beautiful and catchy songs.  It's almost like he's parodying himself, apologizing for what he really is: a talented singer and songwriter. 

That's what I found in Ben Folds lastnight. He's a decent singer, a fantastic pianist, a clever songwriter, and a captivating performer. After the show I wanted to simply go home, sit down with a notebook and a guitar, and write an entire album's worth of music in one sitting.

I didn't, but he made me want to...a sign of a great musician.

Check out Regina's OBAMA belt :)

das lied macht tierisch laune. empfehlenswert ist regina spektor generell :)

zwar nicht so gute launemäßig, aber definitiv empfehlenswert: the strokes mit regina spektor - modern girls and old fashioned man

get it! (strokes + regina spektor)

and get this shit! (ben folds + regina spektor)

(wie immer alles in der downloadbase)