New Music Video: Jenny Lewis - "See Fernando"

Coolest video of the year? Up there. I'm getting to the point where music videos are becoming obsolete for me. I'm all for music and art and creativity and whatnot, but this has been a rough year for solid videos. Show me a moving video. Go ahead. Can't? That sucks. Any who, this is a really cool one. I like these vintage-style spoofs on 60's spy films. Fernando seems like the coolest guy under the Dos Equis' "Most Interesting Man in the World" and there's plenty of glorified chicness in Miss Lewis throughout this trailer. Spoiler Alert!: She kicks some ass. Plus, the Watson Twins make a star-studded appearance, so that's neat. And to get in my pig comment of the post: damn, she looks amazing. Does she ever not? Enjoy the new video.

Jenny Lewis - "See Fernando"

Jenny Lewis "See Fernando" from Team G on Vimeo.

Acid Tongue is out now via Warner Bros./Rough Trade.

WTF Is MTV2 Doing Now...

Late night channeling surfing prompted me to do some research on MTV's latest attempt to restore order and purity to their networks. Apparently their bringing back some nostalgic clips of failed cartoons and 90's music videos to the late night MTV2 timeslot. For me, that's better than reality shows and no music videos whatsoever. Here's the article that was apparently already written last month. (I don't get MTV/MTV2 with my normal cable anymore. Damn recession.)

From MTVU.com:

MTV2 LEGIT Resurrects Classic ’90s Shows
Posted June 12th, 2009by mtvU

In the ’90s, MTV released a string of shows that, although short-lived, quickly became cult classics.

The channel is finally giving in to demand and bringing many of those great shows back from the dead. MTV2 LEGIT showcases groundbreaking talents from shows that defined MTV in the 1990’s like Beavis & Butthead, Celebrity Deathmatch, The State and clips from Liquid Television including Aeon Flux and The Maxx.

MTV2 LEGIT opens the MTV archive and delivers a whole decade’s worth of music videos and on-air promos, including Denis Leary rants and awkward rides with Jimmy The Cab Driver, plus commentary from Method Man, Redman, Tom Morello and more.

To relive all these cult faves and more, tune in to MTV2 on Friday nights at 10PM ET.

- MTVU.

Okay, I'm going to place a bet and say this won't last past the summer. Who wants bet against me? Despite all this, I enjoyed these two videos that were played in their entirity last night, with some comentary from members of 311, The Roots, and Street Sweeper Social Club.

Foo Fighters - "Big Me"

Foo Fighters - New Music - More Music Videos

R.E.M. - "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?"

R.E.M. - New Music - More Music Videos

Meh. I hate copyrights.

200th Post: Best Of '09 (So Far)

Wow, our 200th post. Where does time go? We're not even technically a year old yet. Let's get right into this, shall we?

2009 is shaping up to be a very interesting year; half way over and so much has happened already. New music is bursting out of every medium and the direction of alternative and indie rock themselves, is certainly questionable yet thrilling nonetheless. Our separate lists may spark some surprise, but us being music critics (of sorts), have pretty decent opinions and valid reasoning. Feel free to comment if you agree or disagree.

Jim's Top 4 1/2 Albums Of The Year (So Far):

The Antlers - Hospice

Once you hear this album you'll be asking yourself why you didn't hear it and love it earlier, even though it was impossible because the re-release isn't out yet. But do yourself a favor and get it. Legally or illegally, I don't care, I'm looking the other way.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank (EP)

As good as For Emma? Some think not. I happen to disagree. It is every bit as good and touching, if a little less snowy, and who knew Justin Vernon could make music outside of a cabin?

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

The soundtrack to your sunny days and summer bike rides is here, and god damn is it good.

St. Vincent - Actor

Following up her amazing debut album (Marry Me) with an amazing sophomore effort, Annie Clark shows that beauty and brains can totally mix in the world of indie music. Oh, and LOUD FUCKING GUITAR.

The Thermals - Now We Can See

"Pop punk"? Sure. Fucking Awesome? You know it. Your favorite Portlandian three piece is keeping it simple once again, but it doesn't matter, because they're still the best 4 chord band there is.

Close Calls/Need More Time With:

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Strand Of Oaks - Leave Ruin

Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

Jim's Top 5 Songs Of The Year (So Far):

The Antlers - "Bear"

The most nonsensical verses combined with one of the best choruses of the year. Perfect for the man just about to turn 21 ("We're too old/We're not old at all").

Jamie T. - "Sticks 'N' Stones"

As I said in my previous post about Jamie T., this has been kicking around in my head as my song of the summer. And I still stand by that fact. Give it a listen, you won't regret it.

Justin Townes Earle - "Can't Hardly Wait"

Cover of the year so far. The acoustic full band take (Daytrotter version is just guitar and mandolin) on the Replacement's classic tones down the intensity but keeps the sincerity.

Wilco - "Wilco (The Song)"

Catchiest song Wilco's done in years, and as the song tells you, it loves you back ("Wilco will love you baby")

Yeasayer - "Tightrope"

A favorite of mine since I saw them perform it in a Paris apartment on their Take Away Show. Debuted this year on the Dark Was The Night comp. and still sticks out in my mind as the best new track on the album.

- Jim.

Well done, co-host. Solid tunes, especially the latest from Wilco. Rest assured, readers, if Wilco loves us back then we are all going to be just fine in these trying times. Now here's what I got brewin'. Prepare to be shocked...? Those who know me, know that I dwell in music of the past, but here's some current stuff that's making me enjoy the present. Read on.

Mike's Top 5 Albums Of 2009 (So Far):

M. Ward - Hold Time
The soothing songsmith and one half of She & Him, M. Ward feeds you his soul through folk-heavy guitar tunes that capture rock and roll's bluesy side. Zooey Deschanel (the other half of She & Him) appears on certain songs and the two cover Buddy Holly's classic track "Rave On".

Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
The foolish Glasglow quartet is back and believe me, they haven't missed a stride. Seriously. They're music is still great British indie and deserves to be picked up by all guitar fans.

Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King
Blasphemy! No, but for real, this is a solid record. It's always a somber and upsetting time when a member of a great band passes away, but Dave and the gang have rallied back with a re-vamped line-up, proving that talented musicians and "everyman" songwriting still has a poignant place in rock 'n' roll.

Various Artists - Dark Was The Night
It's nice when you hear such a great compilation that is for a good cause anyway. Arcade Fire, Beirut, Conor Oberst, The National, Spoon, Yo La Tengo and many more important bands play important original/cover tunes on the spring's best soundtrack.

Bruce Springsteen - Working On A Dream
Nothing put out by any other artist(s) has been able to match Bruce Springsteen since his return two years ago (via Magic) for me. I've been in a real Boss kick all year and rightfully so: Working is a manifested American record.

Close Calls/Need More Time With:

Bell X1 - Blue Lights On The Runway

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

Mike's Top 5 Songs Of The Year (So Far):

Bruce Springsteen - "What Love Can Do"
An uppity, jangly side of Bruce. A story of wild love and romantic offers puts The Boss's talented music abilities to the test. He passes with flying colors.

Coldplay - "Life In Technicolor II"
Another bold move here. Mainly for the instrumentals, this tune off their EP titled Prospekt’s March resembles what would happen if The Cure ever decided to mash-up and write a piece of beauty with U2. Needless to say, it'd never happen, but this is intriguing.

Kings Of Leon - "Notion"
2008/2009: what a big time span for these guys. Thanks to New York City radio, these guys and this song has been blaring out my windows for the entire summer. I don't care what others may think, I like watching this family take off.

Feist & Ben Gibbard - "Train Song"
A cover of a Vashti Bunyan song, this is a magnificent collaboration of two of indie rock's most powerful individuals. A folk tune that takes you on a trip to an emotionally scenic past.

Bruce Springsteen - "Life Itself"
This is the best song of the year for me. And it means a lot to me. I think it's because the meaning of the song changes for me every time I get into it. In general, I like to believe it's about the struggles of life, particularly relationships with others, and how those can affect a person. An internal battle among Bruce's many glorified tales of strife. "Life Itself" is rushing over me in 2009.

We'll see how this all plays out. There are plenty of more days, weeks, and months left in the year for our minds to change. What are your thoughts? Let us know! Here's to 200 posts in the book and many more to come!

Bruce Springsteen - "Life Itself"


Coldplay - "Life In Technicolor II"


Phoenix - "1901"


Wilco - "Wilco (The Song)"

The Most Annoying Song Of The Summer

Hey, how's your summer going? Mine's going okay. But enough about me, let's get on with this thing:

Here on the blog, we sometimes like to rant about bad music. Really, really bad music. However, this is bittersweet. For you see, the song we're going to feature is from a once respected duo of musicians (including one slamming hot lead vocalist). They had a terrific, funky single out in late 2008, but their latest tune is now hitting mainstream radio and destroying the group. And what an annoying song this is. Lyrically, it's up there with "My Life Would Suck Without You" or "I Know You Want Me" for quite possibly the year's worst poetry. If this particular group busts this tune out at All Points West, I'm going to lose my mind, by blasting a shotgun shell through my skull. Rest assured, they're going to play it. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the most annoying song of Summer 2009:

The Ting Tings - "That's Not My Name"

And just for shits, here was the most annoying song of last summer:

Duffy - "Mercy"

Happy 4th Of July! (2 Days After The Hangover)

There's no point in being modest (we never have been, anyway): The United States of America is the greatest country in the world. No one can touch us Americans. We're just that damn awesome. Everything we do is so sweet and we pretty much rule the world. And it was our nation's birthday this past weekend, so happy birthday to "The Land of the Free and The Home of the Brave". Suck it, all those who hate and certainly do not appreciate. Here's some great music videos about the U.S., a ton of American pride, and patriotic obnoxiousness. Enjoy:

The Alarm - "Spirit Of '76"

Davie Bowie - "Young Americans"
Jimmy Eat World - "Bleed American"
Simon & Garfunkel - "America"
Weezer - "Surf Wax America"

And of course...
God Bless America.

New Music Video: Bloc Party - One More Chance

I'm not going to lie here, folks, I'm still trying to figure this one out. And it's become quite apparent that Bloc Party has developed into an extremely experimental/dance/post-punk quartet keen on the element of surprise. Last week, the boys dropped their latest single "One More Chance" on BBC Radio. If you missed the blog post, check it out here. The song itself incorporates some intriguing piano liners and definitely one of Kele's most effective and poignant vocals on a dance track. Well, low and behold: the music video is out. Another shocker (but then again, we have to begin expecting these things from now on, if the band is going to come out with surprise singles).

Check out the video below. The meaning is up for interpretation. I like to think that the guys are mere side-players, or "good friends", to the other characters (as kooky as they may seem) and their situations/struggles: whether it be overly ecstatic about playing keyboards, getting ready for an old person date, training to be like Billy Elliot, or becoming possessed by a ouija board.

Bloc Party - "One More Chance"

The ending provokes a sad truth: maybe one more chance is not enough to save a failing relationship. Although I have to admit, I miss the animated music videos during the Silent Alarm era. Still, they're cool enough to let the video be embedded on YouTube for all of us to enjoy and post on our blogs. It's a solid tune. More to come? We'll see. Enjoy.

OK Computer: 12 Years Later

12 years ago today, one of my favorite albums was released in the US. Radiohead's OK Computer took Radiohead from England's best guitar rock band, to one of the best bands in the world. With their previous release, The Bends, they set themselves up for a harder rocking, loud follow up. But as we know expect them to do, Radiohead for the first time, went against expectations. Instead, they made one of the most interesting albums of the "modern rock" era. This album, year after year, consistently finds itself in my Top 5 albums of all time. But instead of talking about it, I'll let you see for yourself. Here are some selections from the album, along with my favorite B-side ("Polyethylene").

"Airbag"

"Paranoid Android"


"Climbing Up The Walls"


"Polyethylene"

Classic/Current: Duran Duran

Those who know me fairly well (and peak at my iTunes play count), know I have a profound appreciation for new wave pop. From The Cure, to Echo & The Bunnymen, to Flesh For Lulu, to Psychedelic Furs, to Wang Chung - I find something great in their music. Call it what you will, but this was a new and exciting genre that ruled the underground pseudo-dance/pseudo-post punk scene in the early 80's. Some haters would put it up there with the disco, glam metal, or pussy punk genres of today, but I'm here to say: that's a fallacy. They were truly influential (Notorious B.I.G. obviously loved it). And one band that really took charge and claimed glory out of the movement was Duran Duran.

They were a group of young, good-looking English lads who were eager to make a name for themselves. They used the power of music videos to their advantage, filming and starring in exotic videos shot in some of the world's most remote and tropical places. It was a quick seller and MTV viewers ate it up. Some may be quick to doubt them on looks alone, but the guitar work paved the way for new wave bands to follow. Their success was huge with the classic album Rio in 1982.

Duran Duran - New Music - More Music Videos

I'm writing this because they're back with one of the sexiest videos of the year. They may be passed their prime, but come on, just check out the women in this one. I'm a big fan. I saw this one VH1 Classic the other morning and said to myself, "it's not the 80's anymore, but this group can still make a hell of a video." I also thought, "these chicks got serious issues". Here's their latest off Red Carpet, "Falling Apart".

Duran Duran - New Music - More Music Videos

Red Carpet is out now via Epic Records.