It's true, I have no idea what C$ is rambling on about. Nothing gnu there. I've never seen The Great Space Coaster and from the looks of things I wasn't missing much. But it did help to fill in a pop culture reference made by The Family Guy. And people call me an obscurist wanker. Can't fight the truth, though. C$'s little ramble on did catch my attention when he mentioned one of the GSC characters was named Baxter. The light clicked on in my obscurist wanker dome and I pulled out a file about a band with the same name. Baxter's (the band) self-titled joint was released in 1998. It's your run of the mill, late-90s, drum 'n' bass influenced down tempo electronica but I found it suitably enjoyable to listen to around sunrise (but only after staying up all night to see the sunrise). Thinking back, I saw the sun rise quite a bit between the years 1998 and 2000. And not because I'm a morning person. Check it out:Stuff to Sample: From Baxter's self-titled debut "Television" and "Oh My Love"
July 2007 Archives
I stopped listening to NPR long enough to notice that the folks over at Stereogum had convinced some of their favorite bands to help them put together a complete cover album of Radiohead’s OK Computer in honor of the album’s tenth anniversary. Radiohead covers are nothing new. We’ve all heard them, be they dub or piano jazz, true to the original song or a complete reinterpretation. But Stereogum managed to get some of the best up-and-comers in on the project and the different takes are really good (for the most part). Mobius Band’s indie rock out of “Subterranean Homesick Alien” is probably the album’s highlight. John Vanderslice's and the Cold War Kids’ take on “Karma Police” and “Electioneering,” respectively, are also highpoints. But Vampire Weekend’s 80s synth rock take on “Exit Music (For A Film)” makes me ill. Can’t win them all. You can download the entire record here.What really sort of freaks me out about this project, though, is the fact that OK Computer is ten years old. Ten years!Here’s a question for you, faithful readers: where were you when you first heard OK Computer? Think back, it was 1997, y’all.
Kids, I’m sorry. I’ve been trying. I really have. But I just haven’t been able to get into it. Music, lately, just hasn’t been grabbing me (so I’ve had to grab myself – nothing new there).Seriously though. I was unimpressed with the new White Stripes. Don’t get me started on the new Smashing Pumpkins and the jury is still out on Interpol’s Our Love To Admire. And then there are all the indie releases I should be listening to but haven’t. Summer makes me lazy. But I haven’t been completely depriving myself of auditory pleasure. Please direct your attention to RadioLab. RadioLab is a public radio show that airs on WNYC and some 150 other stations around the country. It is something a kin to This American Life but without all that sentimentality and no pompous host (although Ira Glass’s voice is sort of hypnotic). RadioLab tends to focus more on scientific and philosophical topics. Don’t go to sleep on my now. Give it a try. The show is in depth and very informative but not beyond the reach of the normal, inquisitive adult. It is also quite funny in the weirdest places and can even be a little touching. The best part of the show is the editing. The editing is fantastic – so close to being ADD – it really sets the show apart from anything else I’ve heard. The hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich are also top notch.You can download the show’s podcast through iTunes here or head over to the web site to listen online or download an MP3. My two favorites so far – Sleep and Zoos
Folks, I've been away. But, looking around, it seems eLarceny hasn't been a tizzy of excitement (except over at Bone's place) in my absence. So after a couple weeks of craziness and a little bit of jet setting, I'll try and concentrate on some of the summer's promised magical music. I'm hyped about the new Kanye. Mr. West dropped a mixtape last month but I didn't have time to tell you all about. If you haven't heard it, go get it. If you have heard it . . . would you like a job as a music blogger? The pay is shitty but it comes with all the snobbery you can stuff in your pants and the lofty title of Obscurist Wanker. Stuff to Sample: From Kanye West's mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing "Stronger (Snippet)" and "Us Placers"
