Yuck - Yuck

Find myself laying around the apartment nursing an unexpected headache on the couch...  I made myself a hearty breakfast in hopes of clearing the cobwebs but that didn't seem to do the trick.  So I find myself on the couch, day blogging and listening to the album Yuck – Yuck (Deluxe) by Yuck.  A noisy 90's guitar fuzz/shoegazer album that will remind you of all the bands you wish were still releasing great stuff like: MBV, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, Teenage Fanclub...  

The album sorta got panned for being too derivative, but I'm cutting them some slack because I think the album sounds great, giving that they self produced it and they're fucking really young.

I may be in the minority, but I really dig the sleeve art for this album.

They put out a sophomore effort last year but I never quite got into it.  I may have to revisit it later today tho... I may have just listened to it in the dead of winter and I wasn't in the right headspace.

Stand out Tracks:

Artists: Yuck
Album: Yuck
Producer: Yuck
Label: Fat Possum Records
Recorded: ?

Weezer - Weezer (Blue Album)

Today's album of the day was inspired by the opening lyrics to In the Garage by Weezer.

I've got a Dungeon Master's Guide
I've got a 12-sided die

I spent a good part of my Saturday at Chimaeracon a gaming convention where people get together play board/miniature/role playing games for an entire weekend.

But enough about that...  Weezer in many ways was the perfect bridge band between high school and college.  I slowly transitioned fro listening to a lot of Metal/Grunge to exploring Punk/Post Punk and contemporary college rock between ages 15 to 22.  Weezer is the perfect gateway band for said projection.  

The songs on this album are perfectly crafted for anyone age 15 to mid 20's.  There's an unapologetic awkwardness to every song that helps you figure out heartbreak and growing out of adolescent interests be it - Dungeons and Dragons or KISS.  

The other thing I love about this album is the heavy hand that producer Ric Ocasek (the Cars) had on the sound of the album.  The band would later go on to grow and develop another sound, but his oversight undoubtedly helped shape the sound that everyone recognizes as "the Blue Album".

Stand out tracks:

Artists: Weezer
Album: Weezer (Blue Album)
Producer: Ric Ocasek
Label: DGC
Recorded: Electric Lady Studios

Carlos Vives - Clasicos de la Provincia

Today's album of the day is a special one because it happens to also be my fathers birthday.  In my lifetime, my father has introduced me to only 2 musical artists.

1.) Marty Robbins - a greatest hits cassette, that has led me to have an irrational fear of anything named Feleena.

2.) Carlos Vives - a Columbian artist who gained notoriety for putting out an album of traditional vallentano (Columbian folk) songs.

I don't exactly know how my father heard about this album...  he used to listen to political talk exclusively on his car radio and he rarely watched anything on TV that would have exposed him to Carlos Vives.  He discovered it nonetheless and I can't thank him enough for it.

I think my favorite track on the album is one called "Compa'e Chipuco".  Mainly because my father always has a story that involves a story where he asks a person "Compa, como te llamas?"  

Stand out tracks:

Artists: Carlos Vives
Album: Clasicos de la Provincia
Producer: ?
Label: Phillips
Recorded: ?

Cloud Nothings - Here and No Where Else

A couple of years ago, I discovered Cloud Nothings and ranked Attack on Memories my #7 album of 2012. I sorta knew that they were going to be putting something out in 2014, I just didn't know that they released something this week.   When I went to the record store on Tuesday to pick up my copy of COPE by Manchester Orchestra, I actually saw this on a shelf and put it back when I realized it wasn't the black and white album cover I was looking for.

couldnada.jpg

It wasn't until later that day when I realized that the album I had in my hands was intact the new Cloud Nothings album.   I stopped into the shop earlier today to remedy that mistake.

I can't stress how much I dig this album.   Weighing in at 31 minutes with only 8 tracks, Here and Nowhere Else - makes an incredible impression and doesn't overstay its welcome.

Stand out tracks:

Artists: Cloud Nothings
Album: Here and Nowhere Else
Producer: John Congleton
Label: Carpark Records
Recorded: Water Music

All good things must come to an end. Reality Fantasy Real World Ex-plosion Season Finale

Well...  it took 11 weeks, but Team Ro Ro, put together enough points to over take the Mercernaries and we brought home the REALITY FANTASY League trophy!   The final episode was pretty entertaining to boot.  I need to figure out a way to grade the "Shit they should have shown" episode too.

To View Scores and Rules Click HERE

They're celebrating my Reality Fantasy WIN!

They're celebrating my Reality Fantasy WIN!

Team Ro Ro: 720 total points
Team Mercer: 690 total points

Before we get to Ballerz of the week, I want to quickly recognize some of the Reality Fantasy league leaders.

Highest Point Total in Single Episode: Ashley - 165 points
Total Points Scored in Reality League Season: Corey - 565 points
Highest Points Per Episode: Corey - 47.08 points per episode

Reality Fantasy Real World Ex-Plosion MVP: Corey

Ballerz of the Week 

Brian - 160 Points
Brian brought the goods this week.  He nearly cracked the point total that Ashley put up in week #1.  Brian pulled 100 points by getting into 2 fights and being restrained by security 2 times. 20 points for breaking things and a bed.  20 points for being wicked drunk. 20 points for random verbal fights.

Corey - 80 points
50 points - physical (2 times)
15 points verbal - w/Brian
15 drunk points - professing concern for Jenny

 

Las Cafeteras - It's Time

Got in just before midnight last night and in addition to hearing this record during the work day, I actually got to see this band perform live at the Esperanza Poetry and Justice Center, downtown San Antonio.

The show exceeded my expectations on a number of fronts...  1.) The turn out was freakishly great for San Antonio.  I arrived about 20 minutes after doors open and the show was "SOLD OUT" w/standing room only.   2.) Admission was 5 bucks "mas o menos".  3.) The collective group touring as Las Cafeteras curate an evening of music and discourse that is equally rewarding to the head and heart.

I've engaged in two lengthy discussions about the bands sound and their intended aim...  They've taken the traditions of Son Jarocho and fused it with contemporary tastes and thrown in some zapateado for good measure.   For the uninitiated...  said sounds originate south of the border and have been around for centuries.

They sorta reminded me at times of 10,000 Maniacs... vocally I mean.  One of the only complaints I had about stuff was that their songs had a plurality to them.  I kinda wish they told singular stories about people or themselves.   Specifically the latter...  I'm pretty sure none of them were over 29 years of age and they undoubtedly have emerging thoughts and opinions that deserve to be showcased.

Stand out tracks:

Artists: Las Cafeteras
Album: It's Time
Producer: Alexandro D. Hernandez Guterrez and Eugene Toale
Label: Las Cafeteras
Recorded: Bedrock Studios

Episode 9 of Late Night Conversations

Posted the 9th installment of Late Night Conversations this evening and I'm making it a point to post an update about it on the main blog side...  I posted episode 7 and 8 last week and a few people didn't know I had new episodes up. 

Enjoy.


Manchester Orchestra - Cope

Picked up my copy of Manchester Orchestra's latest offering "Cope" over lunch today.  I've listened to it about 3 times and I can safely say that it's a recommended buy for those of you who are familiar with this band or the band Bad Books.

I'm sorta struggling with whom to compare this band to...  there's a ground swell of indie acts right now and Manchester Orchestra are on the end that is releasing thoughtful and beautifully produced albums.

I read this morning that the album Cope was recorded in the city of Atlanta in a house that the band members used to live in at some point.  They sound proofed the place and made it a recording studio.  I don't know what it costs to do that in 2014...  I'm pretty sure it isn't as cost prohibitive as it once was, but what I'm trying to get at is that bands typically produce some really memorable material when they decide to hole themselves up in a unique space to record music.

There's a very specific sound and tone to this record...  If you don't care for the opening track "Top Notch" - you can pretty much turn your back on this record.   The album leans incredibly forward on whatever guitar fuzz pedal they've decided to leave on for the entire record.   It sorta reminds me of the sound that's on the Weezer GREEN album and Jimmy Eat Worlds - Bleed American.   Not the "fuzz" but there's a very specific tone to those records and they pretty much take their cue from the opening tracks.

I'm looking insanely forward to seeing them play live in Austin in 2 weeks...  

Stand out tracks:

Artists: Manchester Orchestra
Album: Cope
Producer: Dan Hannon, Manchester Orchestra
Label: Loma Vista Recordings, Favorite Gentlemen, Republic Records
Recorded: In a House In Atlanta 

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

Been thinking a lot about the Beach Boys in recent days...  it may have something to do with the turning of seasons.  It possibly has more to do with me listening to the Beatles last week tho'.

Pet Sounds, in my opinion is the most important Studio album ever recorded by an American Artist.  The vocal harmonies on this record are completely ridiculous. I just listened to "Wouldn't it be Nice" for the millionth time and I've never felt compelled to sing along.  I know all the lyrics and I'm sitting around the apartment by myself so I wouldn't be ruining the song for anyone else...  I just don't want to ruin it for me.

My favorite moment on the album is only three tracks in...  the song  "That's Not Me" might possibly be my all time favorite song.  The track completely reaches into my body and shakes me to the core.  The opening lyrics:

I had to prove that I could make it alone
But that's not me
I wanted to show how independent I'd grown now
But that's not me

I could try to be big in the eyes of the world
What matters to me is what I could be to just one girl

Im a little bit scared
Cause I haven't been home in a long time
You needed my love
And I know that I left at the wrong time
My folks when I wrote them
Told em what I was up to said that's not me

I know the band (Brian) experimented with psychedelic drugs during the recording of this record and that sorta explains a number of arrangements, but when you hear the song "I'm Waiting for the Day", I can't help but wonder how he could have lived and loved so much by his mid 20's.

I can't stress how amazing it is for Brian Wilson to craft this album before turning 26.  It's fucking unparalleled.  

If you've never heard the album, please do yourself a favor and listen to it this evening.

Stand Out Tracks: All of them

Artists: Beach Boys
Album: Pet Sounds
Producer: Brian Wilson
Label: Capitol
Recorded: United Wester, Gold Star, CBS Columbia and Sunset Sound

Unrest - Perfect Teeth

When I saw the sleeve art for the Unrest album "Perfect Teeth", I knew that I needed to hear it.  I didn't quite know what to expect.  I dug that the band used the Mexico 68 font and the woman on the album didn't showcase her teeth.

If you've never heard Unrest before... there's a pretty good chance that you're about to hear a band that doesn't really sound like anyone or anything that you have ever heard before.

I don't dig this album out too often, but when I do its insanely rewarding tho'.   I'm not too sure but I think the website Makeoutclub was named after the Unrest song - Make Out Club.  Which was reason enough for me to join it when I was in my early 20's.  

Stand out tracks:

Artists: Unrest
Album: Perfect Teeth
Producer: Brent Sigmeth
Label: Teen Beat
Recorded: ?