(THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARS ON THE TWIN CITIES BLOG NEWEST INDUSTRY)
America's number one statistical faux pas...
Hello again, free music fans!
Welcome to Flatbasset Radio: Episode #20! For those of you who are unaware of
the Flatbasset Radio format, here's what you're looking at:
TCDroogsma is our resident MP3 junkie. As you've probably noticed in
his Songs Of The Week column, he's not always the most positive music
fan. In an effort to prove that he is, in fact, a fan of music, we
give him an hour each week to play the songs he's digging and talk a
little bit about them. Once he's recorded his podcast we put it
right here on the website for free to stream!
In this week's edition TCDroogsma remains laid up, dedicates a song to his new TV addiction, explains the name of his latest Newest Industry column, incorrectly predicts the outcome of a hockey game, pines for the hospital lifestyle, goes to the well of "Nineties-sounding" repeatedly, and explains how a film helped him remain confident before going under the knife.
You can download the podcast for free by clicking the episode's title or stream the episode by clicking on the Mixcloud player below.
Flatbasset Radio - Episode #20 01. The Helio Sequence - October 02. Dem Atlas - A Happy Sad 03. SOKO - First Love Never Die 04. Fury Things - Glasgow 05. Guided By Voices - Your Name Is Wild 06. The Underachievers - Leaving Scraps 07. 12 Rods - Chromatically Declining Me 08. BlakRoc - Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) 09. Ras Dude - Queen's Gold 10. Speedy Ortiz - Tiger Tank 11. Graham Parker & The Rumour - Discovering Japan
There you have it, music fans! Enjoy!
For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).
He can also be found right here on Newest Industry reviewing singles in
our Songs Of The Week column. Previous episodes of Flatbasset Radio are
archived on his Mixcloud page.
For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors. More importantly, we have a Facebook page here. Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.
Everybody! This post originally appears on the Newest Industry blog. I contribute to Newest Industry relatively frequently. Please check it out if you get the chance.
Patterson Hood, Azure Ray, The Helio Sequence, The David Wax Museum, & Meme
Hello, MP3 junkies and welcome to the eighth installment of Songs Of The Week. For those of you who are new to the post, we've asked a couple of our regular contributors to review the 5 songs given away via The Current's free Song Of The Day Podcast. As always, we recommend that you download the podcast for yourself here and play along at home.
Fortunately for both us here at the blog and you loyal readers, MinneSarah is back after a week-long absence. To the chagrin of fans of thoughtful commentary and the English language in general, TCDroogsma proved yet again to very available. Like every week, they have not read what the other has written about the tracks beforehand.
So, take it away, kids...
01. Patterson Hood - Disappear (from the album Heat Lightning Rumbles In The Distance)
MinneSarah:
Everything about this sounds like a
hipster Dave Matthews Band song. The tempo, the strings, the
piano, the lyrics. I like the guy from Drive By Trucker's voice
at times, but there is no saving it in this song. The lyrics
are either about fighting with your girl and withdrawing into
yourself, or a literal metamorphosis about turning into a mouse.
I loved the 90's and am somewhat nostalgic for a DMB revival.
However, honeys, this ain't the Clinton era.
TCDroogsma:
I've never totally understood why singers or songwriters leave bands in which they are a lead singer and songwriter to record solo albums that sound exactly like the band they just left. I didn't understand it when Jason Isbell left The Drive-By Truckers to go solo and I don't understand it now that Patterson Hood has, at least temporarily left The Drive-By Truckers. Maybe this band is a bunch of assholes.
Anyway, if you're familiar with The Drive-By Truckers version of Southern indie rock you can probably hear this song in your head before you even click play. The lyrics are actually pretty touching, with the "disappear" of the title referencing his ability to go inside his own head during trouble (evidently with his parents?). The songs clinching line, "sometimes I hear words spoken underneath the song and I
associate completely," is a killer.
Final Score: MinneSarah - 1/5 TCDroogsma - 3/5
02. Azure Ray - Red Balloon (from the EP As Above So Below)
MinneSarah:
The stilted electronic backdrop and
lulling vocal verses are intriguing. However, the
chorus is so boring and predictable. I'm giving Azure Ray the
benefit of being one of the few Saddle Creek bands that does not
whine on all their songs. However, this song is pleasant and
not much else.
TCDroogsma:
It took me a half a dozen listens to figure out exactly why I like this song. It's a semi-endearing love song, but the production is what really makes it. The cavernous drums of the verses sound exactly like a pounding heart when someone's eyes take you, "by surprise like a summer rain." When the those drums drop out for the first chorus, the synthesizers envelope's the song with the same warmth as the realization of the connection made. The rest of the song, in which the drums and warm-blanket synths combine, paints a fully-realized picture of hipsters in love. I'd bet even money that this song will be played as a first dance at the most tattooed-up wedding you've ever been to.
Final Score: MinneSarah -2/5 TCDroogsma - 3.5/5
03. The Helio Sequence - October (from the album Negotiations)
MinneSarah:
Helio Sequence are a good band for epic
poppy ballads. This song is not as epic as I would have hoped.
The guitar is nice, but the lyrics are hackeneyed relationship
advice and have nothing to do with the month of October. Still,
expect the intricate guitar build ups which are always a treat.
TCDroogsma:
Is it weird that, even though I've never owned a Helio Sequence album, I knew exactly what this song would be like before I even heard it? Kinda indie, kinda dynamic, lot's of echo-ey "whoa's." I suppose this isn't a bad thing, just a predictable thing. If you've liked previous Helio Sequence songs than you will like this one. The vague, "keep in mind" statements that start of each verse are kind of annoying. That's the type of shit you say when you want to make a point to your girlfriend but don't want to seem petty by bluntly pointing out some trivial slight from a previous fight. Or am I the only one that does that? Wait, that actually explains a few things...
Final Score: MinneSarah - 3/5 TCDroogsma - 2.5/5
04. The David Wax Museum - Will You Be Sleeping (from the album Knock Knock Get Up)
MinneSarah:
This is an uber-catchy song with a lot
of distinct elements. Usually this is a bad thing, but horns
sort of speak to each other and it works. The lyrics are
realistic yet lighthearted about couples' insecurities yet are not
that annoying. There is a boy/girl chorus, which actually works
together and mirrors the lyrics in a way that symbolizes the duality
of the lyrics. A little too hipster for my tastes, points off
for the tambourine.
TCDroogsma:
Wait a minute, dude's girlfriend sleeps all day while he's out doing stuff and wakes up just long enough to wrap herself in a sheet and wait by the window for him? C'mon, girl. At least get dressed. Maybe fix up some toast and have some orange juice. I can't say I blame her though. I mean, he's enabling this type of behavior. Dude's careful not to wake her up when he kisses her as he leaves. He even asks that she leave the bed unmade! If my significant other spent their days writing reggae-tinged, cliche-ridden "love" songs I'd stay in bed all day too.
Final Score: MinneSarah - 3/5 TCDroogsma - 1/5
05. Meme - Young (from the album Young)
MinneSarah:
This song is electronic-y and mellow,
but with acoustic-y sounding guitar. It sounds surprisingly
sophisticated. The vocals really carry the song, and carries
through the lulling background. The lyrics are about being young, but
maybe because I'm old, they capture a nice mix of action and
nostalgia. I love the barking "oh, oh, oh's," Damon
Albarn would be proud.
TCDroogsma:
I miss Digitata.
Final Score: MinneSarah - 4/5 TCDroogsma - 4/5
There you have it, everybody. Another week of free music judged and discarded. Please remember that this neither this blog nor its contributors or is any way affiliated with the artists, The Current, or Minnesota Public Radio.
Be sure to cast your vote in our poll for which song was your favorite of the past week.
For more MinneSarah be sure to give her a follow on Twitter and Instagram (@MinneSarah). She's currently coming to grips with the difference between alarm clocks and cats.
For more TCDroogsma you can follow him on Twitter and Instagram (@TCDroogsma) or check out his personal blog Flatbasset where he's currently counting down Morrissey songs. We've been searching for the right psychiatrist do deal with this development.
Of course this blog can be found on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) and on Facebook here. Be sure to stop by and give it a 'like' if you have a chance.
