May 2008 Archives

The state of electronic music is scary right now. It's right on the verge of just taking over and I'm hoping and praying it does turn into another repeat of the 1990s. I couldn't stand all the raves and rave kids and glow stick and plastic jewelry and general douchebaggery that happens when you mix baggy pants, fluorescent colors and too much X. This time around it will be much the same, except the fashion is inspired by late-80s hip-hop trends (think big glasses, Starter caps and more bright colors) and they will all be riding the white horse like it never went out of style (with that hat or those pants) right around 1991. 

All that slick isht that dominated the 90s electronic music scene is out the door. Trance is dead. House is passé. Techno and the big 80s beat is back in fashion and as an added bonus there is a lot of rock bouncing around on these records. And this makes for a weird combination. Glossy 80s nostalgia mixes with down and dirty indie rock with a smattering on techno glitch and you gets this music that is instantly recognizable yet completely new. It's only a matter of time now. The folks in the advertising industry have already started using it to push cars and that normally signals the beginning of the end. So when you're friend shows up wearing a bright yellow hoody, a Charlotte Hornets cap circa 1992 and leg warmers, be sure to kick him in the groin for me.

If you know about Justice, and you should by now, then get with Does It Offend You, Yeah? for a higher dose of rock. Or Neon Neon for lots of 80s nostalgia. Or Simian Mobile Disco for something less organic. Or Steve Aoki's Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles for a superior mix of the latest trends. Also look into any group on the Ed Banger Records label and their Ed Rec Vol. 3 compilation, due out later this month. There is also Crystal Castles for the avant-garde, Girl Talk for those of you with ADD and Hot Chip if you like a little white boy soul.

As a big bonus, Spank Rock and Amanda Blank seem to pop up quiet a bit in this circle to add a little hip hop flavor.

Web Site: Use Google or something.

Stuff to Sample: From Steve Aoki's Pillow Face and the Airplane Chronicles "We Are Rockstars" by Does It Offend You, Yeah? featuring Spank Rock and Amanda Blank. Also, "Find Me In The World" by DSL off of Ed Rec Vol. 3

It's springtime in suburbia and that means the sun is shining and the grass is growing (not the fun kind, just the regular kind).

I find myself looking at other peoples' lawns and wondering what it can tell me about them. It's been said that the state of one's lawn is directly related to the state of the home life.

Good Lawn=Happy Family. Bad Lawn=Alcoholic Mommy and Absentee Daddy.

It's a bit more nuanced then that, probably. And it got me wondering if there really is  correlation between happiness and a nice lawn. Can your yard really be a window into your soul? My lawn is pretty green, fairly weed free and thick as all get out. I mow it once - twice a week tops. The folks across the street have a scraggley looking lawn, tons of weeds, mow it once a month down to nothing and beat their kids with a tire iron. But that's just a fluke right? What about all these people in fancy subdivisions who pay for lawn service, have immaculate yards but dwell in constant state of depression and angst because they are unable to escape the existential hell of white picket fences and PTA meetings? These are the things I wonder about on sunny suburban days.

Stuff to Listen To: while pondering the connection between your lawn and your soul - The Gandharvas'  "First Day Of Spring"

PS. If you live in the city and have no lawn - you are a soulless monster.

Although, I have to tell you, I have a ton of respect of Trent Reznor. Not for his music, which has become derivative at best, but for his new approach to the music industry. Since he ditched his record label he's released five albums worth of material in the last four months, which is more then he's released in the past decade. First came Ghosts I-IV, which, from what I've heard is a isth-load of moody, instrumental stuff. I couldn't be bothered to listen to it - first, its four albums long and second, if I really wanted to depress myself I'd go out and fill up my gas tank (although I was motivated enough to steal it, even though he was giving it away for free).

Reznor's next release this year is The Slip. He is also giving this album away for free, which is nice of him but completely takes all the fun out of stealing it. I was motivated enough to listen to The Slip but mostly because I was bored and mostly because it was Monday so I might as well wallow in my self pity with a little help from Mr. Moody-Pants McGee.

Here's a fun fact. As part of the Ghosts I-IV release, Reznor offered up a limited edition, deluxe version of the album for a whopping $300. The limited run of 2,500 sold out immediately. This tells me that there are at least 2,000 douchebags out there who would probably pay that much for a turd straight from the man's ass. The other 500 are just the people buying up the merchandise to sell it on eBay to the people who missed their chance to a buy turd straight from the man's ass - only this time the price will be inflated.

For a free download of The Slip, go here.