Music Staff - The Ears of the Capstone

"Drunk Driving, Don't Do It"

2008-03-04T16:23:00.000-08:00

Wilco Concert
Mobile Civic Center Theater
Mobile, Ala.
3/3/2008

Nothing can really ever prepare you for a Wilco concert, even when you've already seen them before. Nothing prepares you for that feeling when they start playing that song that just gets you. I never fail to get that feeling every time I have seen Wilco.

Fellow music staffers Birdwell and Claire and I headed down to Mobile for the show last night. We also met fellow music staffers Morgan, Logan, and Parker there. WVUA music staff was straight up representin!!!

Wilco opened up the show with "You Are My Face" off of Sky Blue Sky and then went straight into "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart", one of my all time favorite songs ever. While it may seem like it would be impossible to pull it off live, Wilco does it. They can do the impossible.

The first half of the show was slower, mid-tempo songs. Still completely sexy. Highlights for me included "Pot Kettle Black", which I had requested. "Via Chicago" is always incredible live, with Glenn back there pounding like a hurricane on the drums while Jeff still sings coolly upfront.

They aren't in order, but here are the songs they played:
You Are My Face
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart*
Shot in the Arm
Impossible Germany
Pot Kettle Black***
Side With Seeds
Jesus, etc.
War on War
Via Chicago*
Walken
Magazine Called Sunset
Muzzle of Bees
What Light
I'm the Man That Loves You
Heavy Metal Drummer
Pick Up the Change
Box Full of Letters
Passenger Side*
I Got You
Monday
Outtasite (Outta mind)*
Kingpin
Handshake Drugs
Theologians*
Hummingbird
Dreamer in my Dreams
Airline to Heaven*
California Stars*
Hate It Here
Wishful Thinking

The show was incredible. We WVUA kids were lucky enough to meet every single member of Wilco afterward, however individually. But who cares?? We met them all!!

If you went to the show, what was your favorite song?

And they're off...

2008-02-01T00:10:00.000-08:00

I know its early, but I already have two front runners for top album of 2008. #1--Lupe Fiasco-The Cool, #2 King of Prussia-Save the Scene. January has had some good music thus far, which means 2008 should be chalk full of harmonious delights.

CMJ New Music Report 1/28

2008-01-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

The new issue of CMJ has come! Always exciting for a dorky music director. This issue is all about the top records of 2007.I made it in with my personal top 10:

1. Against Me! - New Wave (I mean really, are you surprised?)
2. Chuck Ragan - Feast or Famine (Chuck yeah!!!!!)
3. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (I freaking have one of the song titles tattooed on me.)
4. Weakerthans - Reunion Tour (Who's pumped about the show on March 30??)
5. Two Gallants - Two Gallants (Yes, I am from the city where they got beat up.)
6. Tegan and Sara - The Con (Not Tegan and Stupid as music staffer Birdwell calls them.)
7. Okkervil River - The Stage Names (ATX representin', yo!)
8. Bella - No One Will No (I saw them at CMJ Marathon. I danced.)
9. White Stripes - Icky Thump (Because you can't be a pimp and a prostitute.)
10. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible. (Yeah.)

I forgot about the Snake the Cross the Crown though...and apparently the PSA Homeless Youth of America that Canada from Pirate! included in his list.

Against Me! and the night that changed my life

2008-01-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

http://media.www.cw.ua.edu/media/storage/paper959/news/2008/01/23/Entertainment/Against.Me.Shares.Honest.Music-3162338.shtml

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, on a night unlike any other...

...Okay, maybe it was last March in Austin during the South by Southwest music festival, I was convinced by a hoard of random guys to stay to see Against Me! at the Sire records showcase.

I mean, when a dude with a large red beard tells you that staying to see this band will change you life, you know something is up.

So I stayed. I danced the night away, tried to sing along when I could..and hey, it really was nothing short of magical.

Not even a year later, Against Me! is my favorite band. Yes, right up there with my beloved Wilco. I've seen them 5 times this year in five different cities (Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Athens and Birmingham).

So a few weeks ago, I decided it was a fantastic idea to drive to Athens so that I could go to the Harvest of Hope benefit concert that Against Me! was playing at the 40 Watt. Probably not the best idea in the world, but it worked out.

I talked to the guys for Harvest of Hope for a long time, and that foundation is fantastic. Unlike other benefit shows, these guys are out in the crowd and hanging out. You actually feel like you are at something that matters.

I got to hang out with JJ, one of the promoters we work with at the station before I went to the show...which was completely amazing and where I got kicked so hard in the face I forgot who I was for a second. It was also my first time to hear "Those Anarcho Punx Are Mysterious" live.

After driving through a freaking blizzard in Atlanta (ok, myabe I am exaggerating a little), I made it to Birmingham to interview Tom Gabel. I got some dirty looks from Foo Fighters fans as the manager led me into the backstage at the BJCC.

It sounds a lot cooler that it was, and that's why it was so awesome. While I guess technically it was an interview, it honestly was just two kids hanging out and talking about music. We still kept talking even after my questions. Gabel's a smart guy; he's honest, and he's also truly passionate about what he does. While New Wave is apparently a disappointment to some of the older fans (it was #1 on my Top 10 Records of 2007), it's hard to imagine why. The album is solid, the lyrics are meaningful, and the band is really excited about it..and I definitely trust these guys more than the other clowns that are out in the mainstream right now.

Moral of the story? Trust random dudes with red beards.

End of the Year Lists

2007-12-04T22:56:00.000-08:00

Twenty Greatest Albums from 2007

1. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver
2. Radiohead: In Rainbows
3. Feist: The Reminder
4. The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
5. Burial: Untrue
6: The National: Boxer
7. Dinosaur Jr: Beyond
8. Jose Gonzalez: In Our Nature
9. Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedala
10. Deerhoof: Friend Opportunity
11. Kanye West: Graduation
12. M.I.A.: Kala
13. Battles: Mirrored
14. Sally Shapiro: Disco Romance
15. Okkervil River: The Stage Names
16. The Twilight Sad: Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters
17. The Field: From Here We Go Sublime
18. Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam
19. Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
20. Caribou: Andorra

Does anyone else have a list? If not, you should totally make one.

-Reid-

Soulsavers - It's Not How Far You Fall It's The Way You Land

2007-11-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

Thanks for this.

The question posited to me was whether or not this album was "Christian."

I don't think that a silly question, I took it seriously.

It is, and it isn't- it doesn't have to be and it doesn't have a choice not to be.

Cryptic, but that's the album. It is dogmatic, and dirty and in so many ways what it claims to be.

The Soulsavers are aptly named, as it really does get to the meat of the matter of the soul and the lyrics beg for saving.
,
"Revival" is a good single, but the deeper voice from Mark Lanegan is chillingly reminiscent of Johnny Cash- as is noted on their website concerning the second single "Kingdoms of Rain." The man's voice is enthralling, but the lyrics are simple, roots/americana based. In "Ghosts of You and Me" there is a fair amount of borrowing, but the emotion is felt throughout.

Highlights are certainly "Revival" & "Kingdoms of Rain", but I also fancied "Ghosts of You and Me," the stand out "Spiritual" is simple and a prayer against a man's greatest fear- a lonely death.

The production value is superb, the quality of the entire album is cohesive, this album is tarnished silver with all the functionality despite its aged appearance.

"Jesus of Nothing"is another notable track (it was hard not to note something about every track), but continues the story telling from Mark Lanegan and the Soulsavers, with a biting chorus, probably the track risking the most of a blashphemous label, yet it doesn't desecrate.

The final track is "No Expectations" but it is also an outro for the album, segmented by a significant, but not lengthy pause between the dark and personal lyrics of "No Expectations"- in which the themes and lyrical elements from the previous songs culiminate- and the almost phantasmal instrumental outro.

Consistency this complete for an album is rarely seen, while the few standouts I mention are either the singles or Spiritual- lyrically simple, the whole album exudes a sort of intoxicated dreary divine quality. I recommend watching the videos for "Revival" and "Kingdoms of Rain" as well.

If you like Johnny Cash's recently produced works (or perhaps the Sneaker Pimps/Portishead, some elements are reminiscent) and soulful introspection, this album is for you.

Now, the matter of the content and soul saving?

Art does reflect life, and if the content of this album is evidence enough- then Lanegan's own pain and redemption is in it for the long haul.

As far as Christian? Not terribly, this is a sinner's album, for sinners, but the point of that is that it is Christian dogmatic- dealing with those elements and loads of suffering- which is what blues & country had done alongside gospel, only this is something else, something dark, brooding and very much singular to the Soulsavers.

Chuck Yeah!

2007-11-28T13:42:00.001-08:00

So last night, fellow music staffer Birdwell, his girlfriend Casey and I trekked to Atlanta to see the man, Chuck Ragan (formerly of Hot Water Music), himself doing what he does best: being a badass.

It was a great set, even though he did not play my favorite song "For Broken Ears".

But he did close out with "California Burritos", which made me happy.

Chuck Yeah!

Check out these Chuck records:

Los Feliz
Feast of Famine
Blueprint Sessions

No Idea Records is a good place to look for Chuck stuff.

xoxojennylane

The Latest on Anti-Piracy Issues

2007-11-20T14:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.news.com/Anti-P2P-college-bill-advances-in-House/2100-1028_3-6218834.html

There's legislation about illegal downloading being drawn specifically targeting colleges..read the article and let me know what you think!

xoxojennylane

Please Can You Stop the Noise? I'm Trying to Get Some Rest

2007-11-17T01:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, it's time to do my own list. This should be a band we all know and love, so I expect lots of comments...

Top 10 Radiohead Songs:

1. Let Down - OK Computer (1997)
2. High and Dry - The Bends (1995)
3. There There - Hail to the Thief (2003)
4. Idioteque - Kid A (2000)
5. Nice Dream - The Bends (1995)
6. House of Cards - In Rainbows (2007)
7. Thinking About You - Pablo Honey (1993)
8. Gagging Order - Com Lag (2004)
9. Knives Out - Amnesiac (2001)
10. True Love Waits - I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings (2001)

Ordered Radiohead Albums:

1. Kid A
2. The Bends
3. OK Computer
4. In Rainbows
5. Hail to the Thief
6. Amnesiac
7. Pablo Honey

... Alright, what's the feedback?

--reid--

360 Deal

2007-11-14T15:06:00.000-08:00

Seeing as how the future is looking dull for record labels, especially the crappy ones, some record labels have entered into 360 deals with their artists. This basically means that the record label gets money from not only record sales, but merchandise and such forth. The basis for this is falling record sales, I'm guessing. Record labels aren't making back what they put into making the record. I had heard about the 360 deal with big artists like Madonna, but now apparently Paramore has entered into a 360 deal. I'm not quite sure how to feel about it. It's a really interesting trend in the industry, so read the following article and tell me how you feel about it!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/arts/music/11leed.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

xoxojennylane

Do you still love rock 'n' roll?

2007-11-14T13:27:00.000-08:00

Alright, I'm gonna follow Reid's lead and make a list. Because lists rock. I'm going to start off with the easist one for me: Top Wilco Songs. Duh.

My Top Wilco Songs:

1. Passenger Side (A.M.)
"You're gonna make me spill my beer if you don't learn how to steer." PURE POETRY!!!
2. Misunderstood (Being There)*
3. Sunken Treasure*
"I am so out of tune..I am so out of tune with you."
4. Outtamind (Out of Sight)
I like sleigh bells.
5. California Stars (Mermaid Avenue)*
6. Hoodoo Voodoo (Mermaid Avenue)*
7. A Shot in the Arm (Summerteeth)*
8. I'm Always In Love (Summerteeth)
9. Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway (again) (Summerteeth)
10. Via Chicago (Summerteeth)*
11. Candy Floss (Summerteeth)
12. Airline to Heaven (Mermaid Avenue Vol. II)*
13. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)*
14. Jesus, Etc. (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)*
15. Ashes of American Flags (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)*
16. Heavy Metal Drummer (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)*
17. Pot Kettle Black (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)
18. Spiders(Kidsmoke) (A Ghost Is Born)*
19. Handshake Drugs (A Ghost Is Born)*
20. Theologians (A Ghost Is Born)*
21. Either Way (Sky Blue Sky)
22. You Are My Face (Sky Blue Sky)*
23. Impossible Germany (Sky Blue Sky)*

Wow, that was kind of stressful. I love Wilco. The asterik means that I got to see that %^&@ live!!!!

Christmas Music

2007-11-13T15:57:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year kids! Does anyone have any Christmas music suggestions (new and old) for the music rotation?

Here's what I've got for starters:

Death Cab For Cutie: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Ron Sexsmith: Maybe This Christmas
The Raveonettes: The Christmas Song
Pedro the Lion: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Feist: lo, how a rose e're blooming
Bright Eyes: Blue Christmas
Teenage Fanclub: Christmas Eve
Viva Voce: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Erlend Oye: Last Christmas
Yo La Tengo: It's Christmas Time
The Flaming Lips: A Change at Christmas
The Eels: Christmas Is Going To The Dogs
Low: Just Like Christmas
PAS/CAL: Last Christmas
Mogwai: Christmas Song
The Flaming Lips: Christmas At The Zoo
Dismemberment Plan: This Christmas
Bright Eyes: Little Drummer Boy
Pedro the Lion: I Heard the Bells on Christmas
The Walkmen: Christmas Party

And then there's Sufjan...
Joy To The World
Only At Christmas Time
That was the Worst Christmas Ever!
Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time!
The Little Drummer Boy
Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!
Sister Winter
We're Goin' To the Country!

--reid--

Are you restless like me?

2007-11-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

Yes.
A post about Against Me!
Don't act like you are surprised.

But it is relevant, because I got to see the kids in their prime element last week: the live show. If you haven't seen these guys live, then I don't even really know if my words are worthy enough to capture or relate the experience. A Universal representative once said that it was more of a movement than a show, and I have to completely agree.

I was fortunate enough to get to hang out with drummer Warren Oakes before the show, and we had a lot to talk about when it came to the band, the state of music today, and art. This tiny man with a big beard also has a great mind, and it gave me hope that maybe someday soon we will come out of this music lull we are in today if bands like these keep pushing on and fighting againstthe dull, safe music that we hear on commercial radio today.

Fellow music staffer Birdwell and I made it extremely close to the stage. Actually, I could not get any closer because I was front row center. (I may be short, but seriously, don't mess with me at shows!) The band did an excellent job of playing songs from every album (Reinventing Axl Rose, As the Eternal Cowboy, Searching For a Former Clarity, and New Wave). They even played "Impact" from their Crime E.P.

Birdwell and I most definitely got on stage during "Baby, I'm Anarchist"..and I went back for seconds during the last song "We Laugh at Danger and Break All The Rules".

There is depth to my love for Against Me!. I love a band that is challenging the way things are. I love a band that can evolve and continues to re-evaluate the way they think and approach things.

...and they make me want to rock.

xoxojennylane

The Late Greats

2007-11-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

I sometimes wonder what it would be like to hear a song and not have it affect me in some way. It's a strange thought for me to about music just stopping at my ears and not reaching any other part my body. But I have to realize that there are people out there that don't share my passion for music, but all I can hope is that they at least respect it as the great art that it is.

My goal as music director is not only to ensure that there is quality music getting infiltrating people's speakers, but to also foster a sense of community among those of us that truly love music. I really hope that more people will share their thoughts on this blog. Tell us about your favorite band, a new song you heard, the latest album you reviewed for the station, a kickass show that you went to...something, anything!

I feel like apathy is a big issue in our world today. And I know I've been guilty of being apathetic before, because it's just so easy to do. But where does it get us really? Sitting in the car listening to Nickelback because we're too lazy to turn the knob to a different station?

So let's talk, kids. Tell me your favorite band.

xoxojennylane