In My Mind My Dreams Are Real...

I gave up video games years ago. I had an epiphany one day while I was on my laptop updating the spreadsheet containing the running statistics of four seasons worth of video game Minnesota Wild seasons featuring versions of my friends I’d created and given nearly inhuman hockey skills. It struck me as I was updating these stats that if any girl I dated eventually asked about this, and that this would probably be the last conversation I would ever have with that girl. For some reason winning four straight Norris trophies is not that impressive. I wonder if Bobby Orr had this problem?

Anyway, over the last couple of weeks I’ve read glowing review after glowing review of the new Rock Band: The Beatles game and I’ll admit, I’m intrigued, especially by the story mode (evidently you play at The Cavern Club in Hamburg, The Ed Sullivan Show, Abbey Road…). I’ve never played either Rock Band or Guitar Hero. In fact, I don’t own a television or a video game console. If I do decide I want to see what all the fuss is about I’m going to be looking at a roughly $400 tab. Frankly, I don’t care that much. At least not about The Beatles. This got me thinking about what bands would make me willing to throw down $400 just for the privilege of living their story and singing their songs with Margo in my living room. I came up with these 15. They’re judged on 5 criteria (Rating 1-10): Instrumental Complexity, Vocal Complexity, Storyline, Fun Factor, and the inevitable X Factor. I'm also working under the assumption that their entire catalog would be included in the game.

15. Rock Band: The Hold Steady

Instrumental Complexity: 4. While the songs aren’t the most complicated, Tad Kubler does manage to pull off a few great solos. Plus you’ll have to figure out how to play a Rock Band harpsichord for “One For The Cutters.”

Vocal Complexity: 2. Let’s be honest, we can all sing like Craig Finn. The highs ain’t high and the lows ain’t low. Adding a couple people for the backing vocals on “Chips Ahoy!” and “Slapped Actress" would help liven things up.

Storyline: 1. Move to New York, start band. Unless they decide to use the graphic capabilities to tell the story that’s told in The Hold Steady’s songs, in which case the score hits a 9. Who wouldn’t want to see a digitally rendered Charlemagne in sweatpants?

Fun Factor: 8. The Hold Steady is a band designed for rolled down windows and steering wheel drumming.

X Factor: 7. There are very few in betweens when it comes to Hold Steady fans. Get 4 or 5 diehards into your apartment and stock the fridge with PBR.

Party Track: Massive Nights (Just so the whole room could get in on the chorus)

14. Rock Band: TV On The Radio

Instrumental Complexity: 8. Half the time I can’t tell what the fuck’s going on. As long as I get to play whatever makes that elephant noise at the beginning of “I Was A Lover.”

Vocal Complexity: 6. Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone are vastly overrated as vocalists. Still, a song like “Province” would be plenty of fun with a couple of mics.

Storyline: 0. Already in New York, start band, never pay any dues because you’re adored by critics from the beginning. Rough.

Fun Factor: 7. TV On The Radio’s catalog runs the gambit from rockers (“Wolf Like Me”) to dancy (“Crying”). If nothing else this game would keep your toes. Plus you’d have to get about 4 drum kits and some rhythmic friends to play “A Method.”

X Factor: 8. Bring a date over and duet on “Lover’s Day.” If you can pull that off, you’re gold.

Party Track: “Halfway Home” (Make all your friends do the “buh buh buh ba ba ba ba buh” bit)

13. Rock Band: The White Stripes

Instrumental Complexity: 5. I know, Jack White’s hellbent on proving he’s the best guitar player on earth and you’d be left to figure out the solos. Still, the first half of this catalog is incredibly simple.

Vocal Complexity: 7. Between the high notes and the affectations, Jack White is one tough nut to crack.

Storyline: 6. A couple of left turns (moving to Nashville, Jack breaks hand, Meg has a panic attack, Brendan Benson shows up in the middle of the game for no discernible reason) make this one more interesting than you might think. You better learn to love the Conan O’Brien set though.

Fun Factor: 6: Tough one. On the one hand, the songs are not that difficult and loads of fun. It’s been like 7 years and I’m still not sick of “Black Math.” On the other hand, only room for two people. Unless you have a bigger room.

X Factor: I hope you have a wardrobe heavy on black and red.

Party Track: “It’s True That We Love One Another” Better have a couple mics.

12. Rock Band: Editors/Interpol

Instrumental Complexity: 2. Guitar player, can you do angular? Bass player, can you do pulsing?

Vocal Complexity: 4. Vocalist, have you ever heard of Ian Curtis?

Storyline: 3. The most interesting thing about either of these bands is that they claim to not be each other.

Fun Factor: 7. I make fun, but between the two of them there are at least 20 tracks that absolutely kill. “Slow Hands,” “The Heinrich Maneuver,” “Smoker Outside The Hospital,” “Munich…” It would be a good time.

X Factor: 6. The Carlos D animated character would be priceless.

Party Track: “Obstacle 1” (Especially when the song climaxes and falls back to earth during the “she floats away” bit).

11. Rock Band: The Clash

Instrumental Complexity: 7. Runs the gambit from deceptively simple (“Clash City Rockers”) to needlessly, uninterestingly complex (pretty much all of “Sandinista.”)

Vocal Complexity: 4. Not the most technically difficult, but who doesn't love telling the Queen to sod off?

Storyline: 3. A little drab, but it would be pretty cool to see the foggy waterfront from the “London Calling” video and unveiling that big The Clash! banner from the top of the Capitol Records building.

Fun Factor: 5. Really only fun until the end of London Calling. If they didn’t give a fuck about making Cut The Crap you certainly don’t have to give a fuck playing along.

X Factor: 7. Watching your friend sing, “He who fucks nuns will later join the church!”

Party Track: “Rock The Casbah” (I really want to say “Train In Vain,” but you know this will get everyone going.)

10. Rock Band: Oasis

Instrumental Complexity: 3. Everyone knows that a good chunk of Oasis’ charm comes from the fact that it’s just big, stupid rock n’ roll.

Vocal Complexity: 4. “Sun-she-yiiine” Again, not rocket science, but a damn good time.

Storyline: 7. You’d get to play all those big Glastonbury gigs. Plus, that unplugged gig where Liam sat and heckled Noel. Bonus points for whoever can come up with the most creative way to insult Blur and/or your own brother.

Fun Factor: 8. The number of tracks that will get you and your friends going is ridiculous. “Live Forever,” “Supersonic,” “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back In Anger…” Classic.

X Factor: 5. The songs get noticeably worse as the game progresses. If you want to make things interesting you could always tackle whoever’s playing Noel during the first verse of “(What’s The Story?) Morning Glory?”

Party Track: “Champagne Supernova” (Honestly, who hasn’t got drunk and sung this song with their friends anyway?)

9. Rock Band: Pixies

Instrumental Complexity: 7. Frank Black gets too much credit for this band’s schizo energy. Without Joey Santiago’s guitar work Black Francis would just be Isaac Brock.

Vocal Complexity: 7. That equation works both ways though. Black’s yelping to crooning to barking to yelling style is not easily imitated (at least not well). Just imagine trying to sing something like “Broken Face” or “Wild Honey Pie.” Plus, you HAVE to have a female to sing Kim Deal’s parts. You can’t have the echoey bit from “Where Is My Mind” without a good Kim Deal.

Storyline: 4. Not the most interesting. You’d get to play in Steve Albini’s studio? Is that cool? It would be cool to see the digitally rendered fatter, balder reunion tour Pixies though.

Fun Factor: 7. You’d only be able to invite people 26 or older, but singing “Here Comes Your Man” with a few friends would be a ball.

X Factor: 4. If you nail enough songs you unlock the phone number to send the same fax Frank Black sent to notify everyone else that the band was done.

Party Track: “Monkey Gone To Heaven” (Gaaahhd is seven!)

8. Rock Band: The Mars Volta

Instrumental Complexity: 10. I can barely process those jazz-to-metal guitar freakouts while listening to the albums let alone trying to play along.

Vocal Complexity: 10. Godspeed you! aspiring prog-rock vocalists.

Storyline: 9. While I doubt much of the mythology Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez have spun around the content of their albums, it would be fun to see the stories of dead friends diaries, comatose suicidal artists, and Israeli legends all played out. And the drugs. Don’t forget the drugs.

Fun Factor: 3. Let’s face it, The Mars Volta is not a band for everyone. Logically, their Rock Band would not be a Rock Band for everyone. However, the diehards would love it. I think that Rock Band junkies unfamiliar with the band would learn to love it for the intricacies as well.

X Factor: 5. Can you grow an afro?

Party Track: “The Widow” (I guess?)

7. Rock Band: Blur

Instrumental Complexity: 8. Deceptively high for a band known for “Song 2” and “Park Life.” Graham Coxon was no slouch though. Good luck with the second half of 13.

Vocal Complexity: 8. Again, deceptively high. Just because Damon Albarn is able to sound so casual in his style doesn’t mean he is being casual. Trying singing along to “Beetlebum” sometime. Make sure no one is in the car with you.

Storyline: 6. Blur used their songs to tell stories of the English middle- and lower-class. I’m guessing they may have done this because their lives were not that exciting. Some “Reader Meets Author” type stuff. It might be fun to watch the Damon Albarn character mope around after he broke up with Justine Frischmann.

Fun Factor: 9. Just try to picture yourself and a couple of friends singing “Coffee & TV.” Honestly, how much fun would that be?

X Factor: 6. Do you have friends who knew who Blur were before “Song 2” broke? If you don’t, then this game may not be so fun.

Party Track: “Song 2” (If you’re in America), “Girls & Boys” (If you’re in the UK)

6. Rock Band: Low

Instrumental Complexity: 8. Low is the perfect band to flip Rock Band on its head. Their music is all about subtlety. Speed counts for nothing. Pacing is everything.

Vocal Complexity: 8. Same story. Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker’s spare, sparse harmonies would reward those who understand patience and attention to detail.

Storyline: 1. I love Duluth as much as the next guy, but c’mon…

Fun Factor: 5. I put this in the middle because people who either A) Like Low or B) Would like to see Rock Band turned on its side would probably think this game was incredible. People who have never played Rock Band or (unfathomably) dislike Duluth would probably be bored to tears.

Party Track: “Broadway (So Many People)” (An endurance test based on structure, pacing, harmonies, and the rewards of what isn’t being said.)

5. Rock Band: Prince

Instrumental Complexity: 8. Prince is either the most underrated or overrated guitar player on Earth (depending on your view of guitars and Earth). Since Rock Band has become a generation defining example of instrumental prowess, we’ll settle this once and for all.

Vocal Complexity: 7. Very little in the way of backing vocals, but whoever you put in charge of singing better know their way around some high notes.

Storyline: 9. Digitally rendered First Avenue! Morris Day and his black man-servant Jerome! Writing “Slave” on your face while simultaneously changing your name to an unpronounceable symbol. Super Bowl halftime show. Sex with a list of “protégés” much too long for this space. Good times.

Fun Factor: 10. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together to celebrate this thing called life…” Every party should start like that.

X Factor: 7. The game would have to have an option for “Hits” & “Everything Else.”

Party Track: “Purple Rain” (This is the second best drunken singalong song ever written. Sidenote to Pheezy: Remember Trash Bar? Tell me I’m wrong.)

4. Rock Band: Radiohead

Instrumental Complexity: 10. Starts out simple enough, then grows and grows until you’re trying to figure out how the fuck to play “Treefingers”

Vocal Complexity: 9. There’s a reason Thom Yorke is always on the top of lists of the best vocalists of our time. No one can do what he does. It would be fun to try though.

Storyline: 3. The one big drawback of this game. The Radiohead story is just not that interesting. Five guys who turn up every couple of years and rewrite what “pop music” means.

Fun Factor: 9. I was going to put this lower, but the fact that these songs are universally beloved coupled with watching your friends do that twitchy Thom Yorke dance bumped it way up.

X Factor: Once you beat the “Expert” level your reward will be finding out exactly what the fuck that guy said at the end of the “Just” video.

Party Track: “Creep” (I’m sorry, but you know I’m right.)

3. Rock Band: Wilco

Instrumental Complexity: 7. Much like the Radiohead model, the tracks start nice and simple and grow increasingly more complicated (at least until Sky Blue Sky). Summerteeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and A Ghost Is Born will leave plenty of tricks to be figured out.

Vocal Complexity: 7. Not unlike the Damon Albarn model. Jeff Tweedy’s smoky rasp comes off casual and easy, but turn the radio down and try to sing along with “Ashes Of American Flags.” It’s not pretty.

Storyline: 7. After every album you get to replace at least one band member.

Fun Factor: 8. While a lot of these songs are lyrically dark, they can be a lot of fun to sing (case in point: “Say You Miss Me.”) Plus, I’ve been listening to these guys like crazy for years and I’ve yet to get sick of them.

X Factor: 6. Every half an hour you get to press the “Ignore” button on virtual Jeff Tweedy’s phone when the caller ID comes up “Jay Farrar.”

Party Track: “I’m A Wheel” (Wilco usually doesn’t play this fast. They should do it more often.)

2. Rock Band: The Replacements

Instrumental Complexity: 7. Half the time I don’t think Bob Stinson had any idea how he was tearing off those solos. Good luck.

Vocal Complexity: 6. Paul Westerberg’s rasp is one of a kind. And his melodies are very, very underrated. Nailing the hooks on “Kiss Me On The Bus” or “I Will Dare” is a lot more difficult than it seems.

Storyline: 9. Drugs, alcohol, every venue in the Twin Cities, Bob Stinson in drag, drugs, on stage fights, five night stand at the Entry, firing Bob Stinson, alcohol, signing to a major label, alcohol, playing the American Music Awards, alcohol, opening for Tom Petty, drugs, breaking up, alcohol…

Fun Factor: 10. It’s tough to think of a band that would suit this game any better. From the early punk stuff (“Shiftless When Idle”) to the mid-period zenith (“Alex Chilton”) to the dark pop at the end (“Achin’ To Be”), this whole catalog was built for air guitars and singalongs.

X Factor: 9. Game comes packaged with two flannel shirts, a carton of Camel Lights, and two cases of Premium. Enjoy the ride.

Party Track: “Bastards Of Young” (Just to hear the whole room do the scream at the beginning.)

I can’t believe you actually read this far. Thanks. You kick ass.

1. Rock Band: The Smiths/Morrissey

Instrumental Complexity: 9. If it took Jonny Marr seven different guitar bits to make “Still Ill,” just imagine trying to reassemble it with one fake guitar. Also, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce were no slouches.

Vocal Complexity: 10. Lord knows, we all have our own version of “Morrissey” that turns up everytime “Hand In Glove” comes on. I’m willing to bet that most of us aren’t even close.

Storyline: 7. Personally, I’d put it at a 10, but I’ve read 3 books detailing the career of The Smiths. I hope you enjoy hiring managers and bickering with GeoffTravis.

Fun Factor: 10. The catalog is soooo deep. You could probably stretch this into two games if you wanted. You could even package The Smiths version with a tacky badge.

X Factor: 9. Unless you live in England, this catalog may not be well known. However, if you do have a few Mozzer loving friends, I can’t imagine anything more fun than watching them sing “Bigmouth Strikes Again” with a bouquet of flowers in their back pocket.

Party Track: The Smiths “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” (Close second: “Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others”) Mozzer “Suedehead” (“I am a-so sick-en-da nowwww”)

Well, that’s that. You’re never getting those 15 minutes back. Check back again when they figure out a good way to make a hip-hop version of Rock Band.

Flatbasset-September '09

Hey, I realize I haven't gotten around to posting a track by track of those Minnebasset posts from last month yet. I'll get there. It's been a busy month. Once I get internet hooked up at my apartment you'll probably be hearing from me more than you ever wanted.

Anyway, I don't need the internet to put together a mix, just deliver it. So here's September's. I tried to make it exclusively with artists who haven't appeared on any other mix. I nearly succeeded (Damn that clever Aesop Rock!)

Flatbasset-September '09

Letters, numbers, dinner, bed...

Alright, update.

01. Uncle Tupelo - Gun

Before they broke up, Uncle Tupelo wrote a handful of classics. This is the best of them. I’m sure it drives Jay Farrar nuts that one of Jeff Tweedy’s songs is the defining Tupelo song. Even though Tweedy’s lyrics are a little obtuse, I love the way the chorus ranges from angry (“Don’t tell me which way I ought to run…”) to self-pitying (“My heart, it was a gun, but it’s unloaded now…”), perfectly capturing the conflicting emotions of a break-up.

02. Portugal. The Man – People Say

I had always though Portugal. The Man was one of those bands that was not immediately accessible. I still have no idea what the rest of their catalogue sounds like, but this song goes down like sweet, sweet candy. Even if the lyrics seem to have come about 4 years too late (“I’m a president’s son, I don’t need no soul…”), that 70’s groove of a lead guitar bit and a singalong chorus are more than enough to keep this one coming out of my Taurus’ speakers.

03. I Self Devine – Sunshine

One of the things I love about I Self Devine is that no matter how lush the beats are, his delivery always sounds as cold and hard as Lyndale North. Stone cold flow aside, Ant is the star of this one. I would love to have the instrumental version of this song.

04. Refused – Summerholiday Vs. Punkroutine

If you somehow lived the last 11 years without a copy of Refused’s The Shape Of Punk To Come, do yourself a favor and pick it up. Before they broke up, they were really onto something. This one's so good that P.O.S. stole the chorus for his on track.

05. Greycoats – Goodbye, Sweet Youth, Goodbye

This month’s favorite Minnesota-based track from The Current’s Song Of The Day. Obviously, with a title like “Goodbye, Sweet Youth, Goodbye, the song is inviting a contemplative vibe. It’s energetic, yet somehow resigned. As someone who’s getting to the age of saying goodbye to youth, I can totally relate to that feeling.

06. Public Enemy – Rebel Without A Pause

This song is so good that, even though Flava Flav has since used his 15 minutes of fame to realize his true dreams of being an absolute jerk off, it still sounds groundbreaking 20 years later. Plus Terminator X has more cuts than a six pack of Bic razors.

07. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – Who Do You Love?

Although I love this song, it always kind of disappoints me because it stands as an example of the fact that Ted Leo seems to have hit some sort of wall. That little harmonizing bit at the beginning is what passes as a new twist to a Ted Leo song. That’s disheartening. However, he still does what he does better than just about anybody else, and for that we should be grateful.

08. Daft Punk – Veridis Quo

The first time I heard this song I thought it was going to be great and then about halfway through I just got bored. Nothing was happening. Then, the more times I listened to it, the more I realized that that’s the beauty of it. Things fade in and out, the little keyboard line gets harmonized, and that’s that. It’s hypnotic.

09. Pulp - Underwear

“If fashion is your trade, then when you’re naked, I guess you must be unemployed…” You should see me singing along to this in my car. I think I might be Jarvis Cocker for Halloween.

10. El-P (w/Aesop Rock) – Run The Numbers

El-P’s I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead album is one of my absolute favorite albums of the last 5 years, but if you told me I’d be saying that after the first time I heard it I would have probably quit talking to you for five years, only to come back with my tail between my legs. You can almost feel the boundaries of “hip-hop” disintegrating in your ears.

11. Magic Wands – Black Magic

This month’s favorite non-Minnesota-based track of The Current’s Song Of The Day. I get the impression that Magic Wands might be one of those indie bands that only strikes on genius once, but that’s enough. When they get around to doing a 2000’s indie version of that Nuggets series, this will definitely be one of those brilliant, forgotten, um, nuggets.

12. Beastie Boys – The Move

“Dogs love me ‘cause I’m crazy sniffable!” I love the Beastie Boys.

13. Cursive - Caveman

I’m really loving the new Cursive album. It makes me feel like I’m 18 years old again. Who doesn’t feel like burning it all down and starting fresh every now and then?

14. The Clash – Rudie Can’t Fail

This is one of my all-time favorite songs of all time. Talking in my Top 10, man, I put that on the hood. Somehow The Clash wrote the second greatest two-tone song of all time, despite not being a two-tone band. That's a real testament to the brilliance of the band during the London Calling phase of their career.

15. Hot Hot Heat – Get In Or Get Out

I realize that this song is not actually about Minneapolis (I think it’s probably about Vancouver, in which case, the vote seems to be “get out.”). Still, after listening to people at bars and at work talk about how it’s getting cold and they hate the winter and they want to move to Seattle, I’m co-opting this song. I didn’t want it to come to this, but you’ve left me no choice. I’m pulling the alarm. It’s our city, so get in or get out.

Flatbasset-August '09

Here's a very special Flatbasset mix(es) for the month of August. When I left Minnesota I posted two mixes worth of Minnesota music on my last.fm site. To celebrate my return to the land of snow & purple rain, here's two more mixes filled with local love.

Minnebasset (Pt. I)
Minnebasset (Pt. II)

Click the link, type the letters & numbers, click regular download, sit back and listen with a plate of tater tot hotdish and a cool bottle of Premium.

Flatbasset-July '09

Last month I received complaints that the mix was too obvious and the songs were all kinda played out. I tried to dig a little deeper for this one.

Click the link, type the numbers, download, enjoy!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZEE4C46K

So I'm 20 days late. It's not like anyone reads this blog anyway.

01. Sage Francis - Strange Fame

"I wake up with a kitten in my face and that's not innuendo..." God I love indie rap.

I picked this up off Sage Francis' new mixtape Sick Of Wasting... You can download it free at the Strange Famous records website. The record is pretty spotty, but it's a free mixtape, what do you expect?

02. Viva Voce - Rose City

This was my favorite song from The Current's "Song Of The Day" selections for June. Even though I'm sick to death of hearing about how great Portland is, I thought this was a pretty endearing, non-hip-hop "big up to my home city" type song. I especially like the line about bands in basements multiplying and exponentially dividing. Seems to me that that's a pretty good way to describe the Portland scene.

03. Descendents - When I Get Old

Throwback! If you had the good fortune of knowing me between the ages of 17-22 you know that I was absolutely obsessed with the world of Descendents/All. I finally grew out of it, but I still sing every word of those songs while I'm driving. This one struck me because I probably heard it first about 10 years ago and, now that I'm old, I find that I still have no idea what it'll be like when I get old. Ah well...

04. Jeremy Messersmith - Virginia

I don't always go for the singer/songwriter thing. In fact, some days it's the last possible thing I want to hear, but The Silver City is probably one of my favorite records of the last year. I bought it on the strength of "Franklin Avenue," but found the whole album to be enjoyable. I could probably put one song per month from that album on the Flatbasset mixes, but it would probably alienate the three people who actually download it.

05. Paper Tiger - Cannonade

As you have no doubt noticed by now, I will buy and talk up anything put out by the Doomtree family. This one is for people who haven't dug any deeper than the MC's. Paper Tiger, Lazerbeak, and MK Larada are stellar producers in their own right. Paper Tiger's False Hopes is only 8 tracks long (and only one with a Doomtree MC), but it's half an hour of beat junkie bliss. Definitely worth the $7.99.

06. New Order - Round & Round

A couple months back I put the Pet Shop Boys "West End Girls" on a mix and talked about how enjoyable the "Best Of..." albums from those old British dance groups are. Well, guess where this one came from. If you guessed Singles, give yourself a gold star.

I realize that this song sounds particularly 80's (those keyboards at the beginning made me cringe the first time I heard them), but that chorus is sooooo good. Bernard Sumner famously puts little thought into his lyrics, but damn can that man wrap his voice around a hook.

07. Haley Bonar - Something Great

Big Star got a lot of love from the Twin Cities press when it was released last year, but I just never got around to it. I was actually trying to download a Big Star album the other day and this one came up. I downloaded it on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. The album avoids the mistake of presenting any big ballads and just kind of hums along at this breezy pace. The first time I heard it i thought it was a perfect complimentary album to Messersmith's The Silver City.

08. Buck 65 - Way Back When (K-OS Remix)

Goddamn Canadian Rap Music!

09. The Stone Roses - Going Down

I'm such a junkie for this late 80's/early 90's British stuff. I particularly like this song because the Roses slow things down from their usual Madchester dance shuffle and let the hooks speak for themselves. I wish they would have done this more often.

10. Motion City Soundtrack - Better Open The Door

I don't give Motion City enough love. They're really one of the better pop-punk bands out there. This song is basically about living it up in MPLS on the weekend with your friends. I can get behind that.

11. Big Quarters (w/Nomi) - Stories High

Medium Zach & Brandon Allday came up with an fairly clever plan to help Big Quarters survive in the uncharted waters of the music industry. They created BQ Direct. For $5 a month you get five tracks e-mailed to you on the 5th of each month. The songs aren't always fully formed, but it's something to look forward to each month. And sometimes you get tracks like this. Plus both of those guys are pretty cool dudes. If you see 'em at the Turf Club, say hey.

12. Digitata - Marinos Amores

I took this one off of the Musicapolis 2007 compilation that I picked up at, believe it or not, the Musicapolis hip-hop show back in 2007 at the Minnesota Institute Of Photography (that may not be its official name, either way, it no longer exists. RIP Musicapolis). Phil and I were there covering it for a music blog on a super fucking hot day in MPLS. Digitata opened the show, playing directly under the sun. I remember we all stood about 50 yards away from the stage because that was the nearest shady area. Good times.

Sidenote: We also discovered Caffrey's Deli that day. Musicapolis, the gift that keeps on giving.

13. Kanye West (w/Pharrell & Lupe Fiasco) - CRS

Kanye West has stated several times that he's a huge fan of Radiohead & Thom Yorke specifically. He views them as one of the few contemporary artists that's on the same level he is (nevermind that The Bends came out while he was stealing khakis, but I digress...). I feel like Kanye could chop up Radiohead records all day and put out a brilliant record. Bringing Lupe & Pharrell along for the ride is just gravy

Sidenote: I have no idea if this is the actual title of this song. This is what I got when I downloaded it.

14. Constantines - On To You

Goddamn Canadian Rock Music!

I put this and Buck 65 on in celebration of Canada Day. It's not all Feist records people!

15. P.O.S. - All Along The Watchtower

Alright, I know I've put about 40 P.O.S. songs on this mix in 5 months, but I couldn't resist this one. I found it on the Meat Tape mixtape I picked up at Fifth Element. I never thought I'd hear a version of this song that I'd want to hear twice. Maybe if Dylan had dropped a line about the Triple Rock...

16. Two Harbors - You Pulled The Rug Out

This was my favorite of the Minnesota songs from The Current this month. One of my favorite things about the Twin Cities scene is the rough-around-the-edges sound that so many of the rock bands lifted from The Replacements. I think this song sounds like a Band Of Horses song if they had spent more time in the Twin Cities.

17. Elvis Perkins - Sleep Sandwich

A nice, slow burning closer. I saw Elvis Perkins a while back and, once I got over the lovely "While You Were Sleeping," I found this song to be my favorite on his Ash Wednesday album. The drumroll leading into the chorus and the surprise appearance of a theremin are the types of little things that turn a good song to a great one.

Sidenote: Ash Wednesday is my "go to" record when I'm hungover. If you ever see that it's been played on my last.fm site, you can bet I'm in rough shape.

Flatbasset - June '09

Here it is folks. Only 8 days late. I was feeling upbeat, summer songs, so I didn't dig too deep. Chances are you already know at least 4 of these songs. That doesn't make them any worse, though. Play this one loud in your car.

Flatbasset - June '09

Click on it, type in the letters and numbers, you know how this goes.

Flatbasset - June '09 Track List

01. Graham Parker & The Rumour - Discovering Japan

I actually got turned on to Graham Parker in a very roundabout way. Back at my old job we were doing Secret Santa one year and one of my co-workers who astutely noticed that I read books, bought me a couple books from a dollar bin. One of them was a collection of short stories by Graham Parker entitled Carp Fishing On Valium. It's just a bunch of short stories about growing up and living in England. Not the most exciting book I've ever read, but charming in its own way. Kind of like a wide-angle Fred Basset strip. Anyways, turns out nothing gets written about Graham Parker without mentioning the album Squeezing Out Sparks. Well, a cult-classic British album from the late 70's? Twist my arm why don't you? I tracked it down and found it thoroughly enjoyable. Parker draws lots of comparisons to Elvis Costello, both good and bad. It seems that he's put out a few great albums and plenty of clunkers in which he dabbles in other genres. Believe it or not, I haven't pursued those yet.

A quick note for my friends in MN, Parker plays a free annual Bastille Day show on the Brit's Pub lawn. It's usually just him and an acoustic guitar. Why a British guy would travel halfway around the world to play at a faux-British Pub on Bastille Day is beyond me. Just one of the perks of living in MPLS, I suppose.

02. Jeff Hanson - If I Only Knew

I put this one on here because Jeff Hanson died a couple of weeks ago in St. Paul. By all accounts he was a very friendly and well-respected fellow. If memory serves, Sarah interviewed him a couple of years ago of the UW music pages. Unfortunately, she's not here to give me any of her impressions.

03. The Cribs - My Life Flashed Before My Eyes

Sarah and I caught The Cribs last summer at the Varsity Theatre and they definitely lived up to the quality of their records. Drunken, shambolic, unpredictable... They tore through a version of "Bastards Of Young" that really got the crowd into it. They also called Babes In Toyland their favorite Twin Cities band. Also, if memory serves, I was told they covered "Princess & The Pony" while touring with Sean Na Na. If nothing else, this band has fantastic taste. Both The New Fellas and Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever are stellar, sloppy British punk albums that should definitely have a spot in your collection. Since their last album (Men's Needs...) they've added Johnny Marr to their lineup and promised a more mature sound. I love Johnny Marr (I mean, he does turn up later in this mix), but a "mature" Cribs albums sounds like a terrible idea.

Sidenote: If you ever want to see me make an ass of myself (I mean, y'know, moreso), get some alcohol in me and put one of the two aformentioned records on. I am incapable of hearing them while drinking and not singing along like I'm in a pub in Wakefield. It's not pretty.

04. Sugar Ray - Fly

I don't know how many of you are the right age to remember this, but every year from about 1998 to 2003, Sugar Ray would unveil a new single/album for the summer. These were such a guilty pleasure for an aspring punk like I me, but they were some fantastic songs. "Fly," "Someday," "When It's Over..." These songs are all brilliant little pop gems. Anyway, it wouldn't be summer without Sugar Ray.

05. Nellie McKay - The Dog Song

A song written by a quirky vegan New Yorker claiming that hounds can cure everything from rampant profanity to alcoholism? How could I not love this song?

I played this record while Sarah was home the other night and she couldn't believe it. She said it sounded like "showtunes" or "cabaret," which, I suppose, is true. Nonetheless, I've enjoyed just about everything Nellie McKay has released.

06. Talking Heads - Lifetime Piling Up

I'm no Talking Heads junkie. The only album I own is Sand In The Vanseline, a career retrospective that came out 18 years ago. This album is chronological and if I've learned one lesson from chronological greatest hits records, it's that the quality usually decreases the nearer you get to the end. That's true with this album, with this exception. Seems to me that this one was maybe one last gasp to remind everyone how great a band they once were before they burned out.

07. Jake One (w/Freeway & Brother Ali) - The Truth

This was a Current "Song Of The Day" a while back and, much like a 13 year old suburbanite, I just had to go to the store to buy the unedited version. White Van Music is basically a complilation album produced by Jake One and featuring a ton of good MC's (from De La Soul to Slug to Young Buck to DOOM to Busta Rhymes). The beats are all stellar. This album makes me miss owning a car.

Sidenote to Pheezy: Freeway (Philadelphia), Brother Ali (Minneapolis), and Jake One (Seattle)? This should be your theme song!

08. Wilco - Outtasite (Outta Mind)

Back before Wilco became "the American Radiohead" they were just a really, really good; forward thinking alt-country band. Don't get me wrong, I love pretty much their whole catalog, but they haven't sounded like they're actually having this much fun since Being There. Plus, tell me this one doesn't fit the "summer song" theme of this mix?

09. Dan Deacon - Snake Mistakes

Believe it or not, a couple of months ago I actually got a little bored with indie rock and hip-hop. I know, I didn't think it could happen either! So, in my desperation for something new, I downloaded a couple of Dan Deacon records (Spiderman Of The Rings & Bromst). I'm not really a fan of electronic records, but I needed a change of pace. Anyway, I wasn't sure an electronic album would be able to hold my attention (I always lose interest in Daft Punk albums after about 4 songs), but these two albums are actually pretty great. There's enough going on to hold your interest and enough left field sing alongs to make it fun.

I've heard that Dan Deacon live shows are more a circus then a concert. I read a review of his recent show at the Triple Rock and, apparently, at one point a giant conga line went from the stage through the bar, outside the bar door and back into the venue door. Good times.

10. Exit Clov - Sing Your Life

In celebration of Morrissey's 50th birthday last month, music blog TheMusicSlut had a bunch of indie groups record covers of Moz/Smiths songs and then gave them away over the course of the month. Unsurprisingly, the quality of the covers varies greatly. I thought this version of "Sing Your Life" (a vastly underrated Mozzer single) was just too charming not to share. Apparently Exit Clov is a SF-based psych-pop group fronted by two asian girls. Adorable!

TheMusicSlut is one of only two music blogs that I check daily (Culture Bully being the other). Definitely a nice site to stay up on things. Check it out if you get a minute. http://www.themusicslut.com/

11. The Replacements - I'm In Trouble

Oh Paul Westerberg... Such an asshole.

12. Mike Mictlan & Lazerbeak (w/P.O.S.) - Shux

In "Savion Glover" P.O.S. raps, "Smoking on kush made cats so apathetic/Can't beat 'em with a bat so we join 'em and spit the ethics." What P.O.S. meant by "ethics" is the DIY punk rock ethics that he grew up on and that the MPLS hip-hop scene has embraced to great success. This track off Hand Over Fist (which, if you haven't already, you should ABSOLUTELY pick up. In a year where Cecil Otter, Doomtree, and Atmosphere put out career-defining albums, this one was the best) is just an extension of those ethics. "We don't need no egos to be dope we just need a couch to crash on." Is this hip-hop or a H2O record? Good stuff.

13. Modest Mouse - Missed The Boat

This is a track that you've all probably heard enough times. Well, make your own mix. We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank was released within a month or two of my initial move to Uptown. I used to blast this record with the windows down while I was shooting down 35W trying to get to work on time. The whole album is such a "summer in Uptown" album to me. Nothing but warm memories. Also, this track always makes Phil cringe. He knows why.

14. Outkast - Behold A Lady

Poor Andre 3000... Here he is trying to pull a decent girl while Paul Westerberg just tosses them aside. Life's tough, homey.

15. Kaiser Chiefs - You Can Have It All

This is pretty much the only track I enjoyed off the Kaiser Chief's first album Employment. I think it has a nice summer vibe. I love that looping synthesizer line that flows through the song.

Just for fun, here's a couple of Noel Gallagher quotes regarding Kaiser Chiefs:

"I did drugs for 18 years and I never got that bad as to say, 'You know what? I think the Kaiser Chiefs are brilliant'."

"I'm right into the Blur reunion, 'cause it'll finish off the Kaiser Chiefs" and put them to bed. There's nothing worse than a shit Blur. And at least the original shit Blur are back to finish off all these other shit Blurs. I'm bang into the Blur reunion."

Ha! That Noel. He's something special.

16. Atmosphere - Horny Ponycorn Horns

Margo Basset - She plays her horn!
Mack & Pee Wee - They play their horns!
Theodore Lawson - He plays his horn!
Joey Owen - He plays his horn!
Domino & Penny - They played their horns!
Tasha & Pinkerton - They play their horns!
Mikey Westphall - He plays his horn!
Buster & Rico - They play their horns!
Trixie & Soggy - They played their horns!
Hammy & Sherlock -They played their horns!

Some Things Will Always Be Great...

Last week The Mercury Lounge was declared an "irony-free" zone as Art Brut was in town for a week long residency. Thanks to an uncharacteristic amount of foresight, I managed to talk Sarah into buying tickets for the last night of the stand months ago.

I've actually seen Art Brut once before, when they were the openers for The Hold Steady at The State Theatre in Minneapolis. That was a fun show, but The State is waaaaay too big a venue to enjoy this band. However, The Mercury Lounge is about the size of the Triple Rock, which is a pretty small space for a band that has gotten fairly big.

This isn't technically a review, so it's going to be a bit scattered.

First, there was a couple of guys billed as "DJ's" providing music in between sets. I don't recall the name of these two jerk offs, but they were the saddest excuse for DJs I've ever seen (and I'm immediately skeptical of anyone calling themself as a DJ). There were two turntables, but zero vinyl, merely one cord plugged into the table and two guys with iPods. Two iPods, one plug. They actually took turns. And, evidently, neither one of them as ever used an iPod before, because they had the volume all the way up, distorting everything into a fuzzed out mess. AND they would randomly switch songs in the middle (again, a real DJ does this on turntables, sequencing and fading songs into each other. This was just a full stop, followed by a new song). Have you ever been in a car with someone who was hellbent on playing songs for you, so they just keep clicking new songs and you can't tell what you're listening too? Don't you hate that guy? Actually, that rings a little close to home... I digress...

So, if you've ever heard an Art Brut record (and if you've downloaded my podcasts, you have) it's easy to see how well these songs can translate live. The show was an absolute blast. Lots of energy (despite this being the fifth night) and lots of fun.

I was surprised by how much personality the rest of this band has. The show would have lacked quite a bit if it was just Eddie Argos doing his post-Jarvis Cocker strut, but each member of the band was fun to watch and didn't seem at all like Eddie's "backing band."

Here's the track list (sorry, it's not in order) followed by whatever random Eddie Argos quotes I can remember about/during/relating to each song:

Alcoholics Unanimous ("I can no longer just shout for coffee and tea when I'm hungover. All my friends think I'm just singing now.")

Rusted Gun Of Milan ("Here's a song about how bad I am at sex.")

What A Rush ("I've since overcome my sexual problems. Here's a song about that.")

DC Comics & Chocolate Milkshake ("Even though I'm nearly 30!")

The Passenger ("I used to think Iggy Pop's 'The Passenger' was about riding the bus but then I found out it was about doing heroin in a limousine. So I thought I should write a song about how much I love riding the bus. Here's the real 'The Passenger.'")

Demons Out! (Everyone should go out and start a band. Look how much fun we're having! Look at our faces! We're all hungover, but we're having loads of fun! Here's three reasons you should start a band: 1. More records in record shops 2. It's loads of fun 3. If you don't, I'll kick your head in!)

Slap Dash For No Cash ("My sex...is on fire...My SEX is on fire!...Am I human or am I dancer? Millions of dollars and this is the best they could come up with?!?)

Summer Job

Formed A Band ("Then we're going to write the song that brings the Indians and Pakis together. Easy Peasy.")

My Little Brother ("He's downloaded nothing but bootlegs and B-sides. He burned them onto a CD, which he then taped and gave to me." Absolute crowd favorite. Everybody was loving it.)

Emily Kane ("I've actually met Emily now. She's got a boyfriend and I've got a girlfriend, so we're both happy in our own way, but this song helped me meet her. Can you believe it? So this song in no long about Emily Kane, but about the power of rock n roll." Also, the fade out featured Argos singing "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out." Clever.)

Modern Art (Actually performed twice, first as "DC Comics Makes Me Want To Rock Out." He prefaced this new version with a story of going to the DC offices and how great it was. "Of course, I phoned my mum right afterward and I was very excited. 'I've just gone to the DC Comics headquarters!' To which my mum replied, 'Oh that's nice. Did you meet Spiderman then?'"

Good Weekend (Still very enthusiastic about seeing this girl naked twice. Twice!)

Bad Weekend

St. Pauli (Allegedly this wasn't on the set list. A couple of superfans who had been there all week got them to play it.)

Nag Nag Nag Nag

"On the bass guitar: Art Brut!"
"On the lead guitar: Art Brut!"
"On rhythm guitar: Art Brut!"
"And on drums: Art Brut!"

So that's it. I was actually a little disappointed they didn't play a little more from It's A Bit Complicated, but that's minor complaint. If they turn up in your city, be sure to catch them.

Oh yeah, and one quick piss off to the hipsters standing behind us who acted too cool to buy into the "encore" routine. "Oh yeah, I'm going to cheer. Like they're not coming back out." Art Brut returns, "Oh yeah! Three more songs!" Listen, we all know it's kind of ridiculous, but just shut the fuck up. You're not more clever then the rest of us for realizing they'd probably come back out regardless of the amount of applause. If it bothers you that much, just leave after the intial set. Or vote with your dollars and don't go to shows featuring bands who perform encores. Or better yet, stay the fuck in Williamsburg and just be too cool for any show that's in a proper venue.

Flatbasset Mix - May '09

Hey, I realize this is a day late. However, since my dad is the only one to comment on any of the previous mixes, I'm willing to wager very few of you were up late on a Friday night, frantically refreshing the Flatbasset blog, "Where's the mix? Where's the mix? I need sleep, but I need tracks! WHERE IS THE MIX? I swear to god, I'm never checking this blog again!" and so on and so on...

Anyway, it's Saturday. Have some songs.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1W4I1Q3P

Click the link, put in the number/letter combo that proves you're living, click download now and delete everything else on your iPod. You won't need it any longer.

Flatbasset - May '09 Track List (click track titles to download individual songs)

01. The Alarmists - Little Hands

I was reading The City Pages "Best Of The Twin Cities" issue the other day. You can imagine my surprise when the award for "Best Band To Break Up In The Last 12 Months" went to The Alarmists! I had no idea they'd broken up! I miss being at the center of the MPLS scene. Here I am getting my news from "best of" issues of the City Pages. Sad.

Anyway, it's not like they were the second coming of The Replacements or anything like that, but I thought they were a good band. I saw them play a great mini-set at The Fetus to celebrate the release of The Ghost And The Hired Gun. Plus, when Sarah heard this song, she told me she thought it sounded like "Counting Blue Cars" by Dishwalla. The fact that you and I can both still sing the chorus of that song means this must be a compliment, right?

02. The Cool Kids - The Delivery Man

I downloaded this song for free of a site called Green Label Sound. As near as I can tell, it's Mountain Dew's attempt at cross-promotion with pop music. Now, I understand that the music industry has gone pear-shaped in the last 5-10 years and that even the most established acts are having to resort to new means to get their music out and make money. The part I really don't understand is Mountain Dew's approach. I mean, I didn't even have to buy a Mountain Dew to get some stupid code from a bottlecap to download the song. I just went to the site. I still have no desire to purchase or consume Mountain Dew, but I do have a new Cool Kids song. How exactly does Mountin Dew come out ahead on this one?

03. Bruce Springsteen - Girls In Their Summer Clothes

If you don't know why this song ended up on the mix you probably should've put on some pants and gone for a stroll around the neighborhood at some point last week.

04. Animal Collective - Who Could Win A Rabbit?

I've never claimed to understand hipsters and their fickle tastes. Try as I might, I just can't figure out why everybody is lining up to jerk these guys off. I got sucked in by the hype and tracked down copies of both Sung Tongs and Feels. This is the only track off either of those albums I wanted to listen to twice. I think it shows what an interesting band they can be when they change the rules from within a typical pop song structure, rather than trying to rewrite the rules at the expense of hooks.

05. Why? - The Hollows

I was a little late to the party when it came to Alopecia, but fuck it. Lord knows it's got my attention now. I love the "all my homies warned me..." bit. It's the type of situation that would only happen to Yoni Wolf, and only he would make you feel jealous of the experience.

06. Sean Na Na - Photo Booth

This is off Sean Na Na's Family Trees album, which I thought was criminally underrated by the local and national media. I sometimes wish we could all completely forget that Har Mar Superstar even exists (nothing against Har Mar, I dig those records). But nothing done under the "Sean Na Na" moniker is ever judged on it's own merits and that's a damn shame. He's written at least one of my ten favorite songs of all time and at least a half-dozen other classics.

07. Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls

Over the course of reading a couple of reviews of the new Pet Shop Boys album, I couldn't help but notice that every review mentioned their Discography: The Singles Collection, um, collection. I downloaded it and I have to say it is pleasantly enjoyable. It's certainly a very "British" album (and if you know what I mean by that, lucky you), which always helps in my book.

So, usually if I downloaded an artist's "Best Of" album and enjoyed it as much as I did this one, I'd go back to the beginning and check out their first album and start putting the puzzle together. However, I've learned something about dance music over the years: There is almost no reason to go back and explore the, for lack of a better term, "deep cuts." New Order, Depeche Mode, these guys... Their singles are brilliant little things to enjoy. The rest usually ranges from "boring" to "drivel." Don't say you weren't warned.

Also, if you ever wondered where Flight Of The Conchords got the idea for "Inner City Pressure," here ya go.

08. DOOM - That's That

I have to be in the right mood to enjoy MF Dooom/Madvillain/Viktor Vaughn/DangerDoom/DOOM and, honestly, this whole Born Like This albums does it for me. Unlike most hip-hop critics, I wasn't waiting and wondering what had happened to MF Doom since he disappeared a few years back. If he turned up again, great. If not, he left a nice body of work. So when I listen to this album, without all of the "comeback" weight attached to it, I find it to be refreshing. There are almost no choruses. Most of the tracks are constructed just like this one, just a good beat and DOOM pressing the accelerator.

Plus this track has a Christopher Lloyd sample. I'm not sure why that scores points in my brain, but it just does. And DOOM does rock grandma like the kumbaya.

09. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Satan Said Dance

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (or CYHSY if you're an idiot) got chewed up and spit out by the post-CD music industry a few years back. I always see this band and Tapes 'N Tapes in the same light because each band was thrown under the spotlight when, after thin but interesting debuts, they just weren't ready. Each put out more interesting and complex second albums that were dismissed almost immediately. Seriously, if you're an indie rock fan (or a fan of either of these bands first albums that was put off by the bad reviews), do yourself a favor and block out the blogosphere for half an hour and judge the albums on their own.

10. The Roots - The Seed (2.0)

If Satan commanding you wasn't enough to get your sexy ass on the dance floor this should probably do it.

11. Soul Asylum - Runaway Train

I was at a bar in Brooklyn a few weeks back when I was caught in the throes of a serious case of jukebox fever. As usual, I immediately started looking for Minnesota bands to play repeatedly. Amazingly, Soul Asylum was all I could find. So, fuck it, I thought, it's time for one of the classics.

As I was listening to it, I realized that I really like this song. In fact, Soul Asylum was a pretty great band. And that's not irony. This is my real blogging voice. With the exception of a dozen Prince singles and one Lipps, Inc. single, this is the biggest song to come out of Minnesota. I mean, "Closing Time" put up a good fight, but you and I both know Dan Wilson didn't have sex with Winona Ryder. And not just that, but Grave Dancers Union sold more copies than all The Replacements albums combined. Obivously, Soul Asylum isn't The Replacements. Lord knows, no one is The Replacements. My point is, it's time to embrace this band and their contribution to Minnesota's national reputation. To paraphrase David Bowie, "Fuck You. I Like Soul Asylum."

12. RJD2 (w/Blueprint, Vast Aire, Aesop Rock, & Murs) - Final Frontier (Remix)

I don't really know what to say about this one. If I have to explain why I put a song with Print, Aes Rizzle, and Murs on one of my mixes, you probably don't really know me that well.

It always cracks me up when Aesop Rock turns up on other people's tracks. I'm a big fan of Blueprint and Murs, but I'm always blown away when Aes is right next to them. It's like I put myself in a different headspace to listen to Aesop Rock albums, so when he turns up on more straight-ahead tracks, I'm just not prepared for it.

13. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Lie Down Here (And Be My Girl)

I was reading about Nick Cave the other day and I read that he's a devout Christian who sometimes preaches. Could you imagine Nick fucking Cave preaching! That "Red Right Hand" voice going on about fire and brimstone and some nonbelievers-be-damned type stuff?!? Yikes!

14. Kidz In The Hall - Mr. Alladatshit

I caught these guys opening up for Mictlan & Lazerbeak at the Hand Over Fist record release show at the Entry last winter. I thought they were really sharp. I kind of wish Mark McKinney was somehow involved, though.

I suppose it's appropriate that my sister actually commented on this playlist, as this is the second Chicago hip hop track to make the mix this month. That means Kanye, The Cool Kids, and Kidz In The Hall have all thrown down for Chi-Town on Flatbasset. Don't feel bad, Common. You'll write a song I want to hear twice someday.

15. Buffalo Springfield - Broken Arrow

I bought this record (Buffalo Springfield's Again) when Sarah and I went to Nashville over the summer. Every now and then I become obsessed with it. Neil Young is as hit-and-miss as they come and with this one I thought he wrote a great closer. Keep in mind, this was in the days of the LP, when the opener and closer on each side of the album was prime real estate. In a band full of songwriters, Young got the first spot on the album and the last. Then he left the band. Now he writes songs about electric cars. I'd like to see a chart of his career arc.