Aural Sects: August 2010

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Never Dare A Duke

Let's do this: banish the idea of "guilty pleasures" and the "so-bad-it's-good" mentality. They are both intertwined. They are both extremely misleading.

This all has to do with Barry Manilow.

Copacabana is a ridiculous song. And I love it. I love it because it's cheesy and catchy and because it is a wildly stupid attempt at star crossed lover storytelling. But can I really say that it's a guilty pleasure, that I love it because it's so bad that is holds no value?

In order to declare something bad, or suggest that something is valueless, it must present no form of value to one's aesthetics (by something I only mean what could be considered an artistic endeavor [of course I would not classify murder as good if it was deemed pleasurable {this would also include any activity considered harmful to human beings}]).

We could say that a song is bad according to an accepted standard but, when discussing music, literature, film or any form of art, standards are so fragmented and diverse that it's best to adhere to one's own proclivities and not rely on a notion as fleeting and fickle as an artistic standard. So if some kind of pleasure- even if it that pleasure is a byproduct of cheesiness or irony- is derived from a song than it must have value in accordance to the listener whoever that may be. Therefore a "so-bad-it's-good" argument becomes null and void.

Well that's over with. Let's get this guilty please idea out of the way. It's a little easier.

If you like something, a song, a movie, a book, then claim it. Please don't hide behind calling it a guilty pleasure. Like what you like and feel no guilt. There is no accounting for taste.

Why did I write all of this? Because recently I've become wrapped up in a nasty habit: nostalgia. In lieu of pursuing the new I've taken refuge in the gone by. Late 90s Top 40, music that I could barely stand when it was popular, songs that echoed throughout the gymnasium as we sweat and awkwardly swayed with each other in a hormone induced stupor, is my new playlist. I do not know why I'm listening to Paula Cole and liking it now. I honestly cannot pin that down. At first I tried telling myself that these songs were so bad that they were good but I could not reconcile that argument. The idea of guilty pleasures is the denial of one's self and I have no use for it. So how to account for this? Don't know. Don't care. I'm having fun with it. You should too. That's why I've listed my exact playlist below. Think about Jngos, Kangol hats, Surge, TRL, Monica Lewinski, the animal cracker scene in Armageddon and frosted, spiky hair. Cringe a little. Then succumb.

Friday, August 13, 2010

The Great White North

The playlist compiled for a trip is just as important as the clothes in the suitcase and the snacks in the carry on. Choosing the right music makes the horribly slow boarding process bearable, muffles the crying infant in the front row and prepares the mind and body for the change in weather, culture and cuisine that occurs after leaving the airport. It sets the mood for the incoming adventures.

Sunday morning I leave for a week in Alaska. I will fish, hike and fist fight bears surrounded by mountains, lakes and bear poop. I need a playlist to compliment the experience...so...here it is.

1. Blitzen Trapper- Furr

2. Band of Horses- Great Salt Lake

3. Steve Miller Band- Wild Mountain Honey

4. Passion Pit- Let Your Love Grow Tall

5. Rogue Wave- Permalight

6. Tomahawk- Antelope Ceremony

7. Wolfmother- Colossal

8. Midlake- Core of Nature

9. The Decemberists- The Crane Wife 3

10. Andrew Bird- Anoanimal

11. John Denver- The Eagle & the Hawk

12. Noah and the Whale- Love of an Orchestra

13. Fanfarlo- Luna

14. Monsters of Folk- Map of the World

15. Steel Train- Road Song

16. Doug Martsch- Window

17. Neko Case- I'm an Animal

18. Simon & Garfunkel- El Condor Pasa

19. Eddie Vedder- Society

20. Alexi Murdoch- Orange Sky

21. The Kinks- Strangers

22. Beirut- Scenic World

Friday, August 6, 2010

I'm a Horrible Blogger

I failed. Couldn't keep up my own blog. So instead of recapping releases from the past Tuesday I'm just going to fill you in on what I've been listening to recently.

Click on the pic for a link to more music.

The Wavves- King of the Beach

I wish I would have found this album at the beginning of the summer. Oh well. This is indie rock at its finest. Fuzzy, jangly, full of sound and, most importantly, fun.

Mountain Man- Made the Harbor

If you start listening to Mountain Man looking for a rugged, folksy portrait of masculinity you will be sorely disappointed. When female vocalists infuse their songs with sweetness and sadness simultaneously it is my kryptonite. That's why I'm a sucker for Jill Andrews. The three ladies who comprise Mountain Man are musical minimalists and heart breakers to boot. Quiet and beautiful...give it a try.

Frazey Ford- Obadiah

Frazey Ford, lead vocalist for the Be Good Tanyas, released Obadiah a couple of weeks ago. It's taken me a few listens to decide if I like it. And guess what. I do.

Wintersleep- New Inheritors

Mikey turned me on to these guys and I'm glad he did. Their songwriting reminds me of a miraculous blend of Brand New and Rogue Wave. These days it's tough to find an album that is consistently good from start to finish and this is definitely great all the way through.

Male Bonding- Nothing Hurts

Do you remember when everyone went gaga for Arctic Monkeys? Remember how they were these prodigies who were ushering in a new era of indie rock? Yeah, they were never able to live up to that hype. Male Bonding is not the harbinger of a new brand of music. But they are on the cusp of a resurgence of loud, crashing, indie rock and fore-running the effort. These guys are the Homo Erectus to the Arctic Monkeys, the evolution of a sound.

Endless Boogie- Focus Level

The Black Keys not cranking it out fast enough for you? Do you need more garage rock infused blues in your life? Then listen to this album. These guys are stepping over bands like Clutch and Radio Moscow, shoving their dirty steel toed boots in other bands faces as they climb the ladder of awesome. That may be a bit of an oversell. But rock these guys do.

The Arcade Fire- The Suburbs

You're probably listening to this already...as you read this. And that is a good thing.

Best Coast- Crazy for You

Another album I wish I would have had in June. The LA based trio pumps out warm and fuzzy tunes. They are like a cross between The Jesus Mary Chain and The Go-Gos. It doesn't matter if you're drinking lemonade or tequila, sit back and relax and let the sound wash over you like UV Rays for your ear.

Aural Sects