Heavy Sweetness Karate Chop

Oh no. Please… no.

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:43:10 -0500

Oh no. Please… no.

This has to be worth $500 to so many people.

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:29:11 -0500

This has to be worth $500 to so many people.

Obama’s Second Act - Charles Krauthammer

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 11:27:36 -0500

Obama’s Second Act - Charles Krauthammer : Solid Krauthammer

Here’s a video that was just released as a promotion for...

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:20:00 -0500

Here’s a video that was just released as a promotion for Of Montreal’s new album, False Priest. The video was made by David, Nina and Kevin.

Of Montreal’s past two releases, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? and Skeletal Lamping on first listen brought me to question whether Kevin Barnes had gone off the deep end or not. I’m getting the same impression of False Priest from what I’ve heard of it.

Thankfully both of their previous albums grew on me as creative, outside the box dance music. To fully enjoy the schizophrenic movements of the albums, you first had to learn them subconsciously- to teach your brain to not be assaulted, but to appreciate the abrupt changes.

But being initially abrasive is a shortcoming- not a necessary sacrifice to achieve these stated successes. Don’t let any artsy bullshitter tell you different. Songwriting and production can be innovative and cohesive. This is not to say that it’s easy to do. Albums of the like come around ever few years at best, and usually become landmarks in the progression of popular music.

Albums like Beck’s Odelay. Nothing like it had ever been made. It carried lively, tight beats, Beck’s signature quirky samples, pseudo rap, folk guitar stylings, rhythmic lyrics and wide ranging moods. Characteristics which, taken by themselves, can be heard on any number of mediocre albums. But Beck did these things first, he brought them to light together. And it was done in an approachable way, where the average music listener was invited to hear simple, clear musical ideas, balanced together to express a new level of interpretation.

This is just one of many examples. And this is not to say that this is the only kind of album worth making, or that it is even a goal which one can consciously pursue. These types of albums have as much to do with the environment of popular culture and timing as they do with an artists skill.

But Of Montreal seems more intent to push Music where it’s not ready to go(at best) or isn’t meant to go(more realistically) instead of just writing good albums. They used to make good, simple songs and recently the lyrics and music have become more vague and pretentious. Chalk it up to emotional safeguards(Cuomo), reactions to fame or simply trying too hard, who knows. But it’s not fluid inspiration.

Is writing a good album that sounds familiar such a sad waste of effort? Things will never be expressed the same way twice, and interest lies in the way you are able to express it.

Maybe inspiration and clarity are the two elements an artist must strike a balance between to create a good work. The level to which it effects the world is simply out of their hands. Sorry Kevin.

weeks101: topherchris: OMG YOU GUYS TOMORROW IS THE DAY FROM...

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:32:23 -0500

weeks101:

topherchris:

OMG YOU GUYS TOMORROW IS THE DAY FROM BACK TO THE FUTURE LOOK

Oh snap!

My question is: would Marty McFly be disappointed?

Misery is a Butterfly by Blonde Redhead

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:47:27 -0500

Misery is a Butterfly by Blonde Redhead: Here’s a link to one of the last good examples of...

MP3: Blonde Redhead - "Here Sometimes"

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:44:00 -0500

minneapolisfuckingrocks: *MP3: Blonde Redhead - “Here Sometimes” Blonde Redhead’s new album,...

rackattack: The 100 Greatest Movie Insults of All Time I...

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:04:16 -0500

rackattack:

The 100 Greatest Movie Insults of All Time

I ENJOYED THIS IMMENSELY.

(via pajiba)

Certainly not a definitive collection, but good fun none the less.

MP3: of Montreal - "Coquet Coquette"

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:04:13 -0500

minneapolisfuckingrocks: *MP3: of Montreal - “Coquet Coquette” The new album from of...

in-n-out: In-N-Out 4x2 macro (by billaday)

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 21:09:51 -0500

in-n-out:

In-N-Out 4x2 macro (by billaday)

Ice cream headache makes VP sensitive.

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:43:45 -0500

Ice cream headache makes VP sensitive.

“Eh Bill, can you believe people bought our shit for so...

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 21:54:34 -0500

“Eh Bill, can you believe people bought our shit for so many years?”

Here’s a pretty sweet cover of Of Montreal’s...

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:29:14 -0500

Here’s a pretty sweet cover of Of Montreal’s Gronlandic Edit by Punch Brothers via Big Ugly Yellow Couch.

David Byrne Reblog

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:16:00 -0500

David Byrne talks about his recent trip to Minneapolis and Chicago, our impressive biking trails...

Line of the Week

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:31:26 -0500

This week the award goes to… Soleil Ho for her summation of the new Uptown Cafeteria and...

I’m sorry I missed you David. Next time you’re in...

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:27:37 -0500

I’m sorry I missed you David. Next time you’re in town, the party is on me.

Fry Day

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:30:00 -0500

My new cutter: I’m loving the 1/4” fries, four at a time. Prepared in tedious...

Quick Review...

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:59:00 -0500

of Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s new album, Mojo. He’s going to be 60 on October...

Post Script

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:34:24 -0500

I also received my fancy enzymes in the mail today and soon we will engage in French Fry Porn.

Monday Evening Burger Porn

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:27:00 -0500

I am going mad in the best of all possible ways. The more I make burgers, the better I make them,...