Monday, September 7, 2009

"Home is wherever there is you..."

I just felt like putting up the Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros performance from the other night when they paid a visit to David Letterman's show. Dynamic, cult-like, and energetic - I find that larger piece bands usually have interesting hair and a front man with a Jesus-like persona. Everyone's been posting the video on the interwebs, and so I thought to join in.

Also, if anyone has the live mp3 of this performance, shoot me an email, as I'd love to have it. It's much better than the album version. I especially appreciate the minor chorus change in the live version to "Home - you are me and I am you" and how smiley the entire band is, to the point where I was mildly creeped out but very intrigued. I applaud the musical genre change up from a former member of Ima Robot.

Friday, March 27, 2009

"I'm known for runnin' my mouth, I will not be accountable for what comes out..."

NASA featuring Kanye West, Santigold, and Lykke Li - Gifted



I enjoy the production, and Lykke Li's small but ethereal contribution. However, I must say that I feel Santigold really shines on this track.


Also, I miss calling her Santogold.

Friday, March 20, 2009

"Seven days in hell..."

Here's how I feel about P.Wolf's new video.

Patrick Wolf - Vulture


I have not read/researched anything much about Patrick Wolf's "Battle" in an effort to hear it feverishly and without bias when it comes out. I did the same with U2's No Line on the Horizon, Yeah Yeah Yeah's It's Blitz, and Metric's Fantasies. I got the lead single off each, but that was it.

Anyway, moving on.

Not knowing much, this is what the video throws at me:

1) I like P.Wolf's hair. Not the long Legolas/Thor thing he has going on, but the mad scientist/Egon from the Real Ghostbusters cartoon/Agyness Deyn diva do that's intercut with him sprawling out in bondage gear with normalized hair. The normal floppy hair adds to the sense of vulnerability. The awesome up-wave adds to the sense of drama. I'm feeling it.

Here's Egon, btw


2) The licking of lips and camp gestures makes me worry for the current incarnation of Patrick Wolf's stage persona. I miss Wind in the Wires Patrick, or Lycanthropy Patrick where the sense of dark romanticism was there, and the drama, but not the overt staging of it. The focus felt more on the music than the thematic display in order to make a good viewing for audience members and people who are more visually entertained. Really, people will understand the music without contextualizing it that way.

3) From what little I have heard, Battle has some LA influence in it from his time there. That's pretty obvious.

4) I don't know what others drew from the video, but the dominance issue didn't appear ultimately sexual to me, but rather a conflict of personality. I felt like Patrick Wolf was postulating that the man being pushed down and subjugated in some form or another was his real self. The daily P.Wolf that none of us know (unless you legit know the guy), and right now, the rest, the flashes of dramatic shine and flash that we see are what we're going to get and who is currently reigning supreme. I feel like there's a reason why there's a vulture cape and a disco-y dare devilish suit - these are heightened sense of vicarious authority figures - mythic gods and heroes and glam rock or adrenaline fueled thrillseekers. But to me, the person who felt the most authentic was strapped down in the dog collar.


Anyone else? Thoughts?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

"Makes me feel like a madman on the run..."

Links to what I cannot embed.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero video


It came out two days ago, so if you haven't seen it, do so now.

I enjoy this new direction that they've taken. Yes, it's softer. Yes, it's more 80's-ish, but hey, I love the 80s. And wow their drummer lost a bunch of weight. I'll have what he's having.

Metric - Pre-Order Fantasies

New Metric album is dropping soon. They've had it announced for quite a bit, so again, if you haven't taken advantage of digital downloads, or getting the limited fan edition, might as well.


Also.

Also.

One of my life goals came true.

I met Bono. The musical love of my life. He signed my "All I Want is You" record.


He wrote "Yum..." underneath his name.

I, like the fangirl that I am, took the time to draft a heartfelt letter to the band, and he took it from me gladly, for which I am very grateful. He actually took the highly decorated Indian envelope from me and looked at it and began to sign it and I gasped "No no, this is for you."

And he looked up and smiled and said, "Oh, this is for me? Like a gift?" And I said yes, and he said thank you, and put it into his pocket and said he'd read it later.

I hope he did. It kind of rocked, if I do say so myself.

The photo I uploaded makes him look old, but I figured it'll be there for all the haters, or all those who aspire to greatness as a reminder that everyone is human and we all have our flaws despite years of rocking, tons of money, and excessive fame. So, to my fellow poor college grads, at least we're young and pretty!


I really need to make it a point to post more, because I still love discussing music as much as ever. Life has kept me a bit busy, but hang in there, folks. In a few months, I Wake Up Late will be back in full swing.