I Am Trying To Break Your Heart - Wilco (2002)
Isn't it great that the little album that almost never was turned out to be Wilco's biggest hit? Isn't it great that the late great Jay Bennett, though fired from the group by the official release date, gave this album so much in terms of multi-instrumentation? Isn't it great that the leading track, today's actually, is one of the best, just like leading tracks used to be when we were kids? Isn't it great that Wilco has never sucked, from their Alternative Country beginnings up to the present day, where they are revered in the same breath as Radiohead for originality, quality and substance?
Yes, Yep, Yeppers and Uh Huh, respectively!
And Jeff Tweedy rules as a human being........seriously!
Hmm, I think I have to check this band out now.
Monday, March 7, 2011
JDIZZY's 365 # 301: Breaking Up
Breaking Up - Rilo Kiley (2007)
Rilo Kiley's blend of intelligent singer/songwriter/70's AM pop meets disco on this crushingly brilliant jam from their last studio effort Under The Blacklight. The band has gone on hiatus it seems, what with Jenny Lewis' rising attention to her solo projects. However, 4 insanely strong albums and an E.P. are enough to keep any music fan busy with captivating listening for quite some time!
The dance break in this fan made video never ceases to bring a smile to my face!
As a bonus, let's pay tribute to the childhood acting careers of band members Jenny Lewis & Blake Sennett! I wonder if they are still friends with Fred Savage?
Rilo Kiley's blend of intelligent singer/songwriter/70's AM pop meets disco on this crushingly brilliant jam from their last studio effort Under The Blacklight. The band has gone on hiatus it seems, what with Jenny Lewis' rising attention to her solo projects. However, 4 insanely strong albums and an E.P. are enough to keep any music fan busy with captivating listening for quite some time!
The dance break in this fan made video never ceases to bring a smile to my face!
As a bonus, let's pay tribute to the childhood acting careers of band members Jenny Lewis & Blake Sennett! I wonder if they are still friends with Fred Savage?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
JDIZZY's 365 # 300: The Battle Of New Orleans
The Battle Of New Orleans - Johnny Horton (1959)
Although it removed some fun curses and a few verses of historical fact, Johnny Horton's cover of Jimmie Driftwood's classic established him in the late 50's as the king of the country story song. It even took him to the top of the pop charts. For an artist who died so young and released so little, Horton's work still holds up and compilations are cheaply and readily available wherever you kids buy your fuzzy warbles these days.
And while seeking out said warbles, check out the work of former High School Principal Driftwood as well. The man had a way with the historical hoedown!
Three covers, a parody and an English ears version, oh my!
Although it removed some fun curses and a few verses of historical fact, Johnny Horton's cover of Jimmie Driftwood's classic established him in the late 50's as the king of the country story song. It even took him to the top of the pop charts. For an artist who died so young and released so little, Horton's work still holds up and compilations are cheaply and readily available wherever you kids buy your fuzzy warbles these days.
And while seeking out said warbles, check out the work of former High School Principal Driftwood as well. The man had a way with the historical hoedown!
Three covers, a parody and an English ears version, oh my!
Friday, March 4, 2011
JDIZZY's 365 # 299: Lady Fantasy
Lady Fantasy - Camel (1974)
First the synth grabs you, followed quickly by that stabbing electric guitar. Then less than a minute later the song has gone into a completely different direction involving acoustic guitars, subtle electric keyboards and lyrics sung in a gentle baritone about a dream woman.
Folks, that's the first 2 minutes. The song still has 10 to go.
What I've always loved about Camel is that throughout their career, of all the progressive bands, they have stayed the truest to their chosen path, even if their profile has been considerably lower. I assure you, Andy Latimer and Co. will honestly never disappoint.
If you love this formerly woebegotten genre that I write about so often on this blog, you must be a pretty big music fan. Prog doesn't reward the casual listener. Yet somehow its star seems to be rising, as critics, musicians, radio stations and labels continue to mine its riches. I promise you: One day Camel will be mentioned in the same breath as Floyd, Tull, Yes, ELP and Genesis.
Now you can say you were already a fan, as one listen to "Lady Fantasy" is all you will need to become one.
First the synth grabs you, followed quickly by that stabbing electric guitar. Then less than a minute later the song has gone into a completely different direction involving acoustic guitars, subtle electric keyboards and lyrics sung in a gentle baritone about a dream woman.
Folks, that's the first 2 minutes. The song still has 10 to go.
What I've always loved about Camel is that throughout their career, of all the progressive bands, they have stayed the truest to their chosen path, even if their profile has been considerably lower. I assure you, Andy Latimer and Co. will honestly never disappoint.
If you love this formerly woebegotten genre that I write about so often on this blog, you must be a pretty big music fan. Prog doesn't reward the casual listener. Yet somehow its star seems to be rising, as critics, musicians, radio stations and labels continue to mine its riches. I promise you: One day Camel will be mentioned in the same breath as Floyd, Tull, Yes, ELP and Genesis.
Now you can say you were already a fan, as one listen to "Lady Fantasy" is all you will need to become one.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
JDIZZY's 365 # 298: War Pigs
War Pigs - Black Sabbath (1970)
The Beatles birthed heavy metal with "Helter Skelter".
Black Sabbath nurtured its pointy little head to fruition.
The importance of today's track cannot be overstated. "War Pigs" opens up their second album Paranoid, probably the most heralded metal lp ever released. It is an antiwar anthem that can just as easily be head banged along to at a party. It is progressive in its scope, rocking across almost eight minutes of changing tempos, never letting up its aggressive stance until the sped-up tape outro. Rage and satanic references have never sounded so melodic. Sabbath would continue to produce genre-defining records (with or without OZZY!!!!!) for years to come after this, but it's still the moment where the promises of their debut turned into a cataclysmic sophomore classic.
Rest in peace Dio, but this is Sabbath. Always has been and always will be!
Cover pigs, start turning the war machine!!!!
The Beatles birthed heavy metal with "Helter Skelter".
Black Sabbath nurtured its pointy little head to fruition.
The importance of today's track cannot be overstated. "War Pigs" opens up their second album Paranoid, probably the most heralded metal lp ever released. It is an antiwar anthem that can just as easily be head banged along to at a party. It is progressive in its scope, rocking across almost eight minutes of changing tempos, never letting up its aggressive stance until the sped-up tape outro. Rage and satanic references have never sounded so melodic. Sabbath would continue to produce genre-defining records (with or without OZZY!!!!!) for years to come after this, but it's still the moment where the promises of their debut turned into a cataclysmic sophomore classic.
Rest in peace Dio, but this is Sabbath. Always has been and always will be!
Cover pigs, start turning the war machine!!!!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
JDIZZY's 365 # 297: Tonight
Tonight - Sibylle Baier (2006)
It's funny how great music sometimes refuses to lay unheard.
Today's track, like the rest of the album Colour Green, was recorded somewhere in between 1970-1973 by a former German singer/actress named Sibylle Baier. It is the only material she ever recorded and it was never released. She moved to America and became a wife and mother, with probably not a second thought about her music. In 2006, Mrs. Baier's son gave the tapes that make up the album to Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis, who flipped over their hauntingly beautiful sounds.It was released to near universal acclaim on the blogosphere that year, which is how I was directed to it.
Now listen up, 'cause I try not to say this without meaning every single syllable of it.
You need to purchase this disc.
It's gonna blow your mind.
Sibylle Baier could have been just as important as Vashti, Joni or Carly if she'd wanted to. Instead, she chose a quiet life of friends and family.
Fate had other plans.
Of course you covered this Kevin Barnes, because you are a genius!
It's funny how great music sometimes refuses to lay unheard.
Today's track, like the rest of the album Colour Green, was recorded somewhere in between 1970-1973 by a former German singer/actress named Sibylle Baier. It is the only material she ever recorded and it was never released. She moved to America and became a wife and mother, with probably not a second thought about her music. In 2006, Mrs. Baier's son gave the tapes that make up the album to Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis, who flipped over their hauntingly beautiful sounds.It was released to near universal acclaim on the blogosphere that year, which is how I was directed to it.
Now listen up, 'cause I try not to say this without meaning every single syllable of it.
You need to purchase this disc.
It's gonna blow your mind.
Sibylle Baier could have been just as important as Vashti, Joni or Carly if she'd wanted to. Instead, she chose a quiet life of friends and family.
Fate had other plans.
Of course you covered this Kevin Barnes, because you are a genius!
JDIZZY's 365 # 296: You Make It Easy
You Make It Easy - Air (1998)
Like Daft Punk before them, Air made us re-think our ideas on French music. Through the course of their debut long player, Moon Safari, the french retro electronic duo made us feel as if we were in the coolest 1960's version of a space age bachelor's pad, complete with Moogs, gently strummed acoustic guitars and the voices of sirens. This format gels perfectly on today's track, which features Beth Hirsch on vocals. For a genre noted for its cold shoulders, the song delivers a beautiful message of love that has not an ounce of ice on it. Air has continued to show the beating heart of analog machines throughout their career, and there really isn't one of their 9 releases that I can't recommend enough.
Here be wedding music for Mars.
Like Daft Punk before them, Air made us re-think our ideas on French music. Through the course of their debut long player, Moon Safari, the french retro electronic duo made us feel as if we were in the coolest 1960's version of a space age bachelor's pad, complete with Moogs, gently strummed acoustic guitars and the voices of sirens. This format gels perfectly on today's track, which features Beth Hirsch on vocals. For a genre noted for its cold shoulders, the song delivers a beautiful message of love that has not an ounce of ice on it. Air has continued to show the beating heart of analog machines throughout their career, and there really isn't one of their 9 releases that I can't recommend enough.
Here be wedding music for Mars.
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