I think The Hold Steady said to themselves “How do we up the stakes from being a totally kickass band of kickassery to being rock gods?” What they did was cut a track about hooking up in Memphis venue bathrooms [Apparently they’ve never been in a Memphis venue bathroom, ewww. – JD] with Ben Nichols singing backing vocals on the chorus. No, REALLY. I didn't make that up in a haze of bourbon and weed late on Sunday night after ingesting vast amounts of fried chicken and corn pudding.
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Boys and Girls in America is on constant rotation in Casa la HCT. I've mentioned it before, but they are the band that gets the most curious queries of “who's this band?” by drive by weirdos who flutter through the living room (there are a lot of weirdos in the living room on a constant basis). The Hold Steady is pretty much the band I would invent for myself if I was in an actual band. They write songs about being drunk fuck ups whose girlfriends have serious drug problems and name drop Kerouac and William Blake. The fact they are real makes the world a better place.
This band is one of the few that are universally loved by all the HCT ladies. The endorsement is hardcore. GO BUY THEIR RECORDS. [No, really. Drop whatever the hell you’re doing, grab the keys and get thee to a record store. Repay us in drinks later. – JD]
So, a review. I love this record and will listen to it on repeat interspersed with Midtown for the foreseeable future. Sadly, you can't buy it until July 15th, because the world is a sucking void of suckitude, but let me tell you what you're missing!
I listen to my iPod on random, so I miss album construction. If you care about things like that, why are you even reading this? You're too old skool for me. [Back in the day, we had to listen to BOTH sides of a record. There was flipping and everything. – JD]
Let's start with “Slapped Actress” since my iPod just did. The song name drops Ybor City. This was where, on first listen, I just gave up and decided I wanted to blow this record. I'm a native Floridian and love random Florida references in things because that makes everything all about ME. [Ybor where? – JD] [Dude, I hyperlinked it, are you that lazy? CLICK. ~Mimi] Did you eyeball the name of the song? I mean, what about that title doesn't make you want to at least download it and give it a listen? The outro is also this strange a capella WHOA-OH WHOA-OH chorus. Delightful in all ways.
The album overall isn't as frenetic as Boys and Girls In America, but the title track is a beautiful, upbeat ode to living the life (the rock and roll one) and youth culture in the scene from the perspective of an aging hipster. Yeah, being a scene nanny can get old, so thank you for writing an anthem of encouragement for those of us who tend towards misanthropy and cynicism, The Hold Steady. It's like you wrote that just for us.
“Two Crosses” is sort of this band summed up in one song. There's random intellectual garbage “baby, let's transverberate.” Look it up and reflect on the fact this song is a long extended metaphor about Jesus and Peter and an examination of religion from a jaded sort of “blah, this is important, but whatever, I'm hung over” sort of cynical detachment. Yes, I told you this is the band I would make myself! I wasn't being hyperbolic.
I am surfing the internet so you don't have to, and it appears some over the top fans have made a The Hold Steady wiki . Hours of random fun. *clicks the tattoo entry*
“Sequestered in Memphis” not only is about drunken hook ups in venue bathrooms with Ben Nichols on backing vocals (still not over that!!!), but it also has hand-clapping. And a really great use of dual audio where a fuzzy guitar plays in the left speaker and a sharp little riff plays over it at .35. Way to rock the fuck out, dudes!
And if all this wasn't enough, there's a song called “One For the Cutters” [That doesn’t stop being funny. – JD] on this record. I can't tell if this is an intentional mocking of emos, but I will assume it's totally intentional. You know about the Mexican emo riots, right? I find the world endlessly surprising and baffling. Zoot suit riot, omg wtf idek! Since I sort of totally dress like that this is self-mockery, no worries.
So, should you buy this album? I think it's pretty clear I think you should. You should buy the record and join us at Avalon [Where you will buy us all those thankyou drinks. – JD] when they come through LA in July (no Nashville date, boohoo! What the hell? Maybe Cric should call them.) Also buy Boys and Girls In America if you don't have it and do yourself a favor, too cool to be cool hipster. I know all your friends love this band — something can still be cool if everyone knows about it.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Being from Jersey Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry
You know how, being cynical, jaded music consumers you expect wanktasticness from pretty much anything sporting the label “cool.” Ok, granted, if you read Pitchfork and take them seriously, maybe you don't get that, but we're assuming you're not that person.
This is from Eyeball Record's website:
To be perfectly honest with you, we don't listen to "all" the demos. Sometimes a band name is too stupid or the band is just too awkward looking and we don't open it. Try not to look like a jerk or name your band something stupid[.]
I want to make out with whoever wrote that. Stop being jerks, dudes in bands—Tampon on Fire is NOT a super rockin' name for your blahcore band. Actually, **** On Fire is played out, just don't do it. None of these words should ever be in your band's name: massacre, rape, cock, anal, or moist (I put that one in for all the moist-haters, a much loathed word.) [Also, try doing your future marketing and PR people a favor by not using the work 'Fuck' in your name. (Do you hear me, Fuck Buttons?) - JD]
Why was I on the Eyeball Records site, you might be wondering. Basically, I'm currently having a very odd love affair with New Jersey. Generally speaking, Jersey is a punchline. It's the Alabama of post-industrialism--shorthand for a concrete and toxic sludge wasteland. Bleak urban/suburban landscapes breed existentialism and disaffection, so it's only natural that Jersey would produce wave after wave of struggling youth looking for meaning beyond the weeds growing through cracked asphalt. If you can't find meaning through bible-thumping old-time religion or surfing, you gotta make it yourself. Poof: instant music scene. Jersey's scene grew organically and with the kind of synergy that happens when a lot of people aggregate and focus on one endeavor. Break out your Misfits t-shirt and shredded jeans, man, we're gonna start a band!
I sound much more flip about this than I actually am. Sometimes when you get a bit too close to your own awkward earnestness, the easiest way to counter that is to be ironic (see: the music industry today, looking at you, Williamsburg.) Lots of screaming over a steady beat and iffy guitar work is my comfort music. I have actually had an earnest conversation over Green Day selling out, and I have seen more than one hardcore kid come near tears over their favorite band signing to a major-backed “indy” imprint.
When we started HCT, the idea was to promote bands people would otherwise probably not hear about because scenes are individual and (frankly) musicians are crap at self-promotion (for the most part.) That was done out of love of the music and an unadorned sentimentality. Stripped down, acoustic music is easier to be effusive over than loud rock music. Very little effort needs to be expended to be overwrought about a singer-songwriter because his heart's on his sleeve, so yours can be too. Somewhere along the way someone started promulgating the edict that anything that can have the “emo” label slapped all over it wasn't worthy of being taken seriously. Really? Why is that exactly, American Apparel-clad hipster? Is it because it hits home a little too hard and you're afraid your friends at the coffee shop might see inside that carefully constructed facade of vegan militantism and vague hauteur? Gimme a freakin' break! Anyone under the age of 50 has been influenced by some wave of punk music, and the names change but the shoes never do. Put on your Chucks and own up to the fact that you, like me, know the words to at least one Green Day song , and we all owe a debt of gratitude to the fine state of New Jersey for holding it down for guitar-string breaking and shredded vocals. [I find it very, shall we say, INTERESTING that Green Day is your example in a post about owning up to liking unhip bands. I'm just saying. - JD] [Everyone knows Green Day, so they are the obvious example of ubiquity. Hrmph.- Mimi]
Don't be ashamed of pop punk just because tastemakers tell you that it's kids' music. Just because a 14-year-old likes something, I shouldn't? I hate to reducio ad Beatlem here, but I seem to recall their demo also skewing young. Viva la Jersey, and check out that Eyeball Records site if you want to hear the next round of bands that are going to get gobbled up by the majors so you, too, can say “I knew them before they sold out!” We all love doing that, just own it.
So, some bands on Eyeball, a review (who knew we did that around here?):
When I opened this window to write this, I expected to like MAYBE one band currently signed to this label, mostly because I'm a jerk and hate everything, but also because I really am a jerk and hate everything. Much to my shock and excitement, I like MORE than one band on the label currently and don't have to pad this out. To be clear, this label isn't a home to a bunch of screamo and grindcore acts (I just included those terms for my friend Fiona who hates niche music terminology). There are a couple of screamy bands, and very little of anything I'd call punk, so don't let my ramblings about pop punk/emo/Green Day confuse you--also, Green Day is not even from New Jersey! My point about Green Day still stands.
E For Explosion: This is a tad bit emo for me, but that could be my mood since its gorgeous outside and I'm looking at huge puffy clouds and wide blue sky listening to lyrics like "I'm still dying anyway." I love that the guy comes right and calls his music shoegaze which cracks me up. He clearly has a sense of humor. I think this is the kind of music that a guy like Pete Wentz would probably write if he dropped all the too-clever puns and just got real with his feelings. There's nothing wrong with liking emo, give this one a shot.
Baumer: Ah, yes, this is more up my alley. (Oh, and they're playing at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville on the 6th, terrible venue for this kind of act...I wish there was a way for bands to know about he venues their bookers are picking for them...wouldn't that be great? See: here soon.) Their press kit compares them to Muse. I guess that's mostly music critic shorthand. I really don't like that whole "if you like X, you'll like Y" style of criticism because usually it's wrong. Music is more personal and unpredictable than that. Listening to this band in light of the Muse remark, I'm trying to ferret out what would make someone say that, and I suppose it must be some of the vocals...and the fact they're a rock band. Fine, they have a couple songs that are Muse-y. Oh, guys, hire me to write your press kit because it really doesn't do you justice. You're much better than comparisons to other bands. The vocals are pornographic in their rich tonality and toothsomeness. This is another band in the current (blissful) trend of layered rock music that is subtler than craptastic, packaged bands like Nickleback, and are face-blowing. This is how highly I recommend this record: I bought it. Yes, *I* paid MONEY for this record. Now, you, too, do the same. (Ok, fine, they sound enough like Muse that if you like Muse you should dl their record.)
Kiss Kiss: Electric violin, screaming, and rock-klezmer. How can you not at least give it a chance? A theatrical act that probably takes a sense of humor combined with a love of the outlandish to appreciate. [Panic at the Disco who? Personally, I think there are more than a few bands that could only be improved with a few classical instruments thrown in their mix. - JD]
Pompeii: There's a girl in this band. Orchestral pop-rock that I will give a few listens before I settle on how I feel about it. Most importantly, there's a girl in this band and now I will address something else they're getting right: their myspace. Their myspace doesn't make me hate them. The background isn't black and the writing isn't blue or purple. The graphic for their album is reflected by the graphic on the header of their myspace. This graphic is simple and eye-catching. There are no dumb flashing lights and seizure-inducing strobing swirlies. Please, for the love of everyone who has to look at your myspace, copy this model. [Ok, just emailed everyone I know in Austin about this band. - JD]
Sleep Station: This one is getting it's own review.
This label comes pretty close to reflecting what would happen if I was given free reign/rein (the usage here is debatable) as an A&R person.
This is from Eyeball Record's website:
To be perfectly honest with you, we don't listen to "all" the demos. Sometimes a band name is too stupid or the band is just too awkward looking and we don't open it. Try not to look like a jerk or name your band something stupid[.]
I want to make out with whoever wrote that. Stop being jerks, dudes in bands—Tampon on Fire is NOT a super rockin' name for your blahcore band. Actually, **** On Fire is played out, just don't do it. None of these words should ever be in your band's name: massacre, rape, cock, anal, or moist (I put that one in for all the moist-haters, a much loathed word.) [Also, try doing your future marketing and PR people a favor by not using the work 'Fuck' in your name. (Do you hear me, Fuck Buttons?) - JD]
Why was I on the Eyeball Records site, you might be wondering. Basically, I'm currently having a very odd love affair with New Jersey. Generally speaking, Jersey is a punchline. It's the Alabama of post-industrialism--shorthand for a concrete and toxic sludge wasteland. Bleak urban/suburban landscapes breed existentialism and disaffection, so it's only natural that Jersey would produce wave after wave of struggling youth looking for meaning beyond the weeds growing through cracked asphalt. If you can't find meaning through bible-thumping old-time religion or surfing, you gotta make it yourself. Poof: instant music scene. Jersey's scene grew organically and with the kind of synergy that happens when a lot of people aggregate and focus on one endeavor. Break out your Misfits t-shirt and shredded jeans, man, we're gonna start a band!
I sound much more flip about this than I actually am. Sometimes when you get a bit too close to your own awkward earnestness, the easiest way to counter that is to be ironic (see: the music industry today, looking at you, Williamsburg.) Lots of screaming over a steady beat and iffy guitar work is my comfort music. I have actually had an earnest conversation over Green Day selling out, and I have seen more than one hardcore kid come near tears over their favorite band signing to a major-backed “indy” imprint.
When we started HCT, the idea was to promote bands people would otherwise probably not hear about because scenes are individual and (frankly) musicians are crap at self-promotion (for the most part.) That was done out of love of the music and an unadorned sentimentality. Stripped down, acoustic music is easier to be effusive over than loud rock music. Very little effort needs to be expended to be overwrought about a singer-songwriter because his heart's on his sleeve, so yours can be too. Somewhere along the way someone started promulgating the edict that anything that can have the “emo” label slapped all over it wasn't worthy of being taken seriously. Really? Why is that exactly, American Apparel-clad hipster? Is it because it hits home a little too hard and you're afraid your friends at the coffee shop might see inside that carefully constructed facade of vegan militantism and vague hauteur? Gimme a freakin' break! Anyone under the age of 50 has been influenced by some wave of punk music, and the names change but the shoes never do. Put on your Chucks and own up to the fact that you, like me, know the words to at least one Green Day song , and we all owe a debt of gratitude to the fine state of New Jersey for holding it down for guitar-string breaking and shredded vocals. [I find it very, shall we say, INTERESTING that Green Day is your example in a post about owning up to liking unhip bands. I'm just saying. - JD] [Everyone knows Green Day, so they are the obvious example of ubiquity. Hrmph.- Mimi]
Don't be ashamed of pop punk just because tastemakers tell you that it's kids' music. Just because a 14-year-old likes something, I shouldn't? I hate to reducio ad Beatlem here, but I seem to recall their demo also skewing young. Viva la Jersey, and check out that Eyeball Records site if you want to hear the next round of bands that are going to get gobbled up by the majors so you, too, can say “I knew them before they sold out!” We all love doing that, just own it.
So, some bands on Eyeball, a review (who knew we did that around here?):
When I opened this window to write this, I expected to like MAYBE one band currently signed to this label, mostly because I'm a jerk and hate everything, but also because I really am a jerk and hate everything. Much to my shock and excitement, I like MORE than one band on the label currently and don't have to pad this out. To be clear, this label isn't a home to a bunch of screamo and grindcore acts (I just included those terms for my friend Fiona who hates niche music terminology). There are a couple of screamy bands, and very little of anything I'd call punk, so don't let my ramblings about pop punk/emo/Green Day confuse you--also, Green Day is not even from New Jersey! My point about Green Day still stands.
E For Explosion: This is a tad bit emo for me, but that could be my mood since its gorgeous outside and I'm looking at huge puffy clouds and wide blue sky listening to lyrics like "I'm still dying anyway." I love that the guy comes right and calls his music shoegaze which cracks me up. He clearly has a sense of humor. I think this is the kind of music that a guy like Pete Wentz would probably write if he dropped all the too-clever puns and just got real with his feelings. There's nothing wrong with liking emo, give this one a shot.
Baumer: Ah, yes, this is more up my alley. (Oh, and they're playing at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville on the 6th, terrible venue for this kind of act...I wish there was a way for bands to know about he venues their bookers are picking for them...wouldn't that be great? See: here soon.) Their press kit compares them to Muse. I guess that's mostly music critic shorthand. I really don't like that whole "if you like X, you'll like Y" style of criticism because usually it's wrong. Music is more personal and unpredictable than that. Listening to this band in light of the Muse remark, I'm trying to ferret out what would make someone say that, and I suppose it must be some of the vocals...and the fact they're a rock band. Fine, they have a couple songs that are Muse-y. Oh, guys, hire me to write your press kit because it really doesn't do you justice. You're much better than comparisons to other bands. The vocals are pornographic in their rich tonality and toothsomeness. This is another band in the current (blissful) trend of layered rock music that is subtler than craptastic, packaged bands like Nickleback, and are face-blowing. This is how highly I recommend this record: I bought it. Yes, *I* paid MONEY for this record. Now, you, too, do the same. (Ok, fine, they sound enough like Muse that if you like Muse you should dl their record.)
Kiss Kiss: Electric violin, screaming, and rock-klezmer. How can you not at least give it a chance? A theatrical act that probably takes a sense of humor combined with a love of the outlandish to appreciate. [Panic at the Disco who? Personally, I think there are more than a few bands that could only be improved with a few classical instruments thrown in their mix. - JD]
Pompeii: There's a girl in this band. Orchestral pop-rock that I will give a few listens before I settle on how I feel about it. Most importantly, there's a girl in this band and now I will address something else they're getting right: their myspace. Their myspace doesn't make me hate them. The background isn't black and the writing isn't blue or purple. The graphic for their album is reflected by the graphic on the header of their myspace. This graphic is simple and eye-catching. There are no dumb flashing lights and seizure-inducing strobing swirlies. Please, for the love of everyone who has to look at your myspace, copy this model. [Ok, just emailed everyone I know in Austin about this band. - JD]
Sleep Station: This one is getting it's own review.
This label comes pretty close to reflecting what would happen if I was given free reign/rein (the usage here is debatable) as an A&R person.
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