I fucking love being introduced to new and different types of music. I mean, it’s a gamble… sometimes I find I love that shit, sometimes I find it isn’t for me. Regardless, it’s totally a gamble I am always up for. Recently, I was introduced to the three member experimental rock band self-evident (Tom Burg-Bass, Conrad Mach-guitar/vocals and Ben Johnston-drums), out of Minnesota. I caught a video made by Northern Outpost (http://vimeo.com/northernoutpost) for their single The Past, the last track on their latest album, endings:
“That’s not half bad, and this video makes me laugh, look at their beards. I totally need to review this album.” I thought to myself after watching. “It’s different, but in a good way. I hear the influence of a band I’ve heard before, but I cannot remember which one. I totally suck at this.” I then decided to check out the rest of the album. “Perhaps if I hear more, I will be able to remember the name of the other fucking band I am thinking of so I don’t sound like an idiot.” I then listened to the rest of the album.
I was super confused. I had not previously been introduced to this kind of music. I decided right then and there that before I started writing something stupid, I better do some research, because that is what writers do. That is when I learned about Math Rock. It’s on Wikipedia. It’s a thing. I learned that this type of music is very guitar and drum heavy, has roots in progressive and punk rock, and is called Math Rock because of critic reactions to it’s asymmetrical time signatures and changing meters. Some real fucking rhythmic complexity and shit. “OMG! That is TOTALLY what this is!” I thought to myself. “Ben Johnston is totally drummering this out hardcore complex.” And it totally is. And he totally was. So with my head full of new knowledge and a new POV I put the album on again.
Ok, so maybe Math Rock isn’t totally my thing. What the fuck do I know anyway? Personally I felt they left the best for last on this album, because even though I may not be totally into this genre, I liked what The Past had to say, and it was a little more familiar to my ignorant eardrums. What I do know for certain is that if you are a fan of this type of music, you would be a shithead to not check these guys out, because they are full on. You can check them out (upcoming shows, albums, and info) at http://doubleplusgoodrecords.com or http://www.myspace.com/selfevident. Do it.
OMG. Remember the 80’s? What is up with everyone totally remembering the 80’s lately? Do you remember dancing? What about 2008? Do you remember 2008? Well that is when Modular Records released 80’s inspired Australian electro dance pop rockers Cut Copy’ s sophomore album In Ghost Colors. It’s amazing. Fucking go buy it. My favorite song on the album? Hearts on Fire. The video is great.
I really wish I had been writing for BTTV in 2008 because I definitely would have just written this then. Unfortunately, in 2008 I didn’t know who Cut Copy was, as I was extremely busy forcing yellow page ads down the throats of struggling small business owners who didn’t need them and spending my commission checks on cab fare, gin & tonics and other assorted bad life choices. I’ve grown up a lot since then. So has Cut Copy. That’s why you need to get fucking excited for their third album, which is slated to drop January 2011. Catch them at the Metro in Chicago on August 6th at the Lollapalooza aftershow. Oh shit. You actually can’t… it’s sold out… CRAIGSLIST! You can still get tickets to catch their Lollapalooza show on Saturday August 7th on the Playstation stage. And if you happen to live in New York and don’t care to travel to Chicago to catch them, you are in fucking luck, because they will be headlining the Jelly Pool Party at the Williamsburg Waterfront in Brooklyn on August 8th. Awesome.
Question: What are three things that are pretty fucking cool? Answer: What are rapping, singing and music producing. Well guess what? Those three things just so happen to be the very three things that artist RJD2 specialize in. If you need to Wikipedia him to find out who he is, please, go right now, because he’s done some cool-ass shit, and you are a moron for not knowing about him. Like, hello, he did the theme to Mad Men. Anyway, now you know. You’re welcome. RJD2 also seems to specialize in making amazing records, as his latest, which was released under his own record label RJ’s Electrical Connections just this past January, is a delight. It’s called The Colossus, it’s distributed by The Orchard, and you definitely need to check it the fuck out. My favorite song? Let There be Horns. Here, watch the video:
Hello!? Cubicles!? Xanax!? Bull in a china shop!? Get it!?!? Right up my Goddamned alley. Thank you RJD2.
Also, be sure to check out his very latest album, Inversions of the Colossus (in stores now), it is 7 instrumental versions of vocal songs from The Colossus plus 7 exclusive new songs.
What if you could like genetically engineer a person to look like Ron Jeremy but with +10 more points sex appeal, have a velvety voice similar to but just a little bit better than that of Justin Timberlake, have even better dance abilities than that of Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing (or Roadhouse) and… and… holy fucking shit, that has already happened. I’d like to shine a brilliant beam of glittering light onto Har Mar Superstar, more specifically his latest album Dark Touches. Do you know who Har Mar Superstar is? Well if you don’t, you better go fucking Wikipedia that shit because I don’t really have the time nor the patience to sit here and explain it to you. Basically all you really need to know is that he’s pretty fucking awesome and this album is kind of a must have addition to your collection or whatever. The best songs are Tall Boy and Almond Joy, respectively. GO. To his website http://harmarsuperstar.com/ and buy it.
Minneapolis’ own Atmosphere ended the first night of this year’s Taste of Minnesota with one of the most fuckingamazing live hip hop shows I’ve ever seen. Local freelance photographer, Joshua Bartz (check out more of his work at http://www.joshuabartz.com) was on hand to get some great shots of the set.
