Friday, November 19, 2004

U2: Irrelevant but what a sexy iPod!?

So, it's true, I'm one of the few people who haven't bought an iPod yet. In the last few months, I've started to think about seriously considering possibly buying one, though. The U2 special edition iPod may be what puts me over the edge. Considering that I haven't really given a shit about U2 for 14-15 years, I find their iPod incredibly compelling. And I actually like what I've heard of their new album - basically limited to a 30 second clip of Vertigo, the first single and featured song in the iPod commercial. Basically, I'd be paying $50 extra dollars for a better-looking iPod with a down payment on their digital box set. So give it to me straight, am I a sucker?

Saturday, November 13, 2004

Lilys; Plus Futureheads/Prosaics Follow-up

Lilys is a band that I've known about for probably a decade but never got around to listening to. Read the reviews, know the story: sole constant member Kurt Heasley has gone from channeling My Bloody Valentine to guitar pop to British Invasion. I've downloaded 2 albums(A Brief History Of Amazing Letdowns, In the Presence of Nothing) so far from eMusic.com. Both are from the shoegazer era. Ginger, the 1st song on A Brief History Of Amazing Letdowns, is amazing (but no letdown)! I swear I've been listening to it constantly for the last few days; I think I just listened to it 4 times in a row tonight! It's available on iTunes. I need to get further into their catalog...

Also, following up on the recommendations for The Futureheads and The Prosaics, I got their CDs in the mail this week and have been enjoying them immensely. The Prosaics' is an EP (Aghast Agape) and there's not a bad song on it (OK, only 5 but still). And The Futureheads remind me of early XTC. Very cool. Gotta love thick Scottish accents.

Total aside: I just watched The Who's Kids Are Alright on IFC tonight. I realize now that I've seen most of it before, stuck in a motel somewhere. Not essential but some fun footage. The best part for me (a former drummer) was watching Keith Moon. He never sat still and was doing 20 things where most drummers would be doing 1. A litle depressing thinking that half the band is dead now. Reminds me of the black humor Onion headline from this summer after death of 3rd Ramones member: "Ramones Reunion Nearly Complete"

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Solace for the post-election blues

Just what the fuck is wrong with this country?

But this blog is about music, so here are 2 songs to cheer the dispirited:

- Bloc Party - New indie Brit pop, don't even have full-length out yet. Sounds like Robert Smith singing. Check out Banquet, free for download at Insound.com here. Read about them here.

- Prosaics - If you like Interpol, My Bloody Valentine, and Joy Division. Read about them here, download great song Teeth from Insound.com here. Once again no full-length yet.