Alternative?
- filed under Misc.
Interesting post over at MarathonPacks about how even “alternative” music creates its own canon. Writer Eric Harvey cites Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes as the two breakthrough artists in 2008 who “represented sepia-toned American ‘values’ and aesthetics most clearly; who, as ‘indie’ artists, gave casual music fans a safe alternative to digging too deeply in the stacks, while retaining a soupçonof hipness.”
Not sure where TV on the Radio fits into that argument, or if their own breakthrough last year undermines it, but there is no question that “indie” is as much a marketing niche as it is a true “alternative.” That is to say that it’s no more or less “alternative” than ‘country”, or “jazz,” or any other category of music created to steer consumers in a certain direction.
Crossing the Delaware
- filed under Misc.
If Barack Obama’s reference to George Washington today has got you interested in reading more about the Delaware crossing you might consider David Hackett Fischer’s “Washington’s Crossing.” A marvelous book that makes clear just how much was at stake when General Washington rallied his weary troops for that heroic crossing.
A New Day
- filed under Music
As we wait for Barack Obama to take the oath of office, Carrie Brownstein (formerly of Sleater Kinney) has a great post running through some of the music made by bands “that wrestled with the fear, uncertainty, disenchantment and frustration that for many people defined the Bush era and the events that unfolded during his tenure.”
The age of Bush was the end of the end of history — the point at which, as Americans, we had to grapple once again with the reality that events — falling towers, wars, hurricanes, recession — would dramatically shape our lives.
Different artists dealt with that growing reality differently. One of the best concerts I ever saw was Sleater Kinney in the winter of 01, as the nation headed towards war in Iraq. The band seemed consumed — the songs grew noticeably longer, the solos angrier, and full of feedback. They needn’t have sung a word to convey exactly how they were feeling.
Here are some songs I might have added to her list:
TV on the Radio — I Was a Lover. The demarcation line opens the song: “I was a lover before the war.”
Pearl Jam — World Wide Suicide. Sometimes protest is explicit….
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
….And sometimes its just a terrible sense that something is very wrong…
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Radiohead — Bodysnatchers
Fleet Foxes — Blue Ridge Mountains. Like forty years ago, some chose to drop out…
…and some decided to make a stand.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Bruce Springsteen — Magic
History hasn’t disappeared with a new President. But at least we will confront it full on.
Boy Bands
- filed under Music
In honor of the Jonas Brothers, who we saw perform tonight at the MCI Center, Ryan Adams covering “I Want it That Way.”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Adams, by the way, has announced he is taking a hiatus from music due to “inner ear issues.”
Movie Watching in 09
- filed under Uncategorized
For a list of movies to watch out for in 09, head to The Playlist’s rundown of 60 that should be on your watch list.
The New Year
- filed under Music
Yes, yes, we know that U2, Springsteen, Grizzly Bear, Beirut, Morrissey and Franz Ferdinand have albums coming out in 2009. Below are some folks who are less well known to look out for in the coming year.
Stricken City
VV Brown
Carl Spidla
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Blk Jks
Liz Green
Lizzy Grant
Rokia Traore
Angela McCluskey
The Everybodyfields
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Mansfield TYA
Multitalent
- filed under Misc.
Dennis Cahill (see top ten below) is apparently a very talented photographer as well as a gifted and sensitive guitarist. See his photos here.
The Pendulum Has Swung
- filed under Politics
After the election conservatives were insisting that this was still a center-right nation. Today, the conservative Weekly Standard is arguing for an increase in the gas tax. The center of political gravity has clearly moved leftward.
Subscribe to RSS