[tin mad dog]

Bonus points if you know what song that line is from.

[Dave Bing]

Something by the Backyardigans?

[joe servo]

Pump up the Volume.

[tin mad dog]

Bingo for Servo, although I think it may have been sampled from something before that. If so, I don't know the origin.

[Money23]

I remember hearing that the song was pretty much nothing BUT samples, had like 12 or more different songs sampled. I recognize a part from a Eric B. and Rakim song, and I know that the whole "Put the Needle On the Record" line is actually the title of a whole different song that they sampled it from.

[Money23]

So we're looking to cover a few newer tunes, something heavy but cool. Any suggestions? And I HATE PopEvil/Drowning Pool type machismo, scream-o, and Nickelback type pap.

We're thinking of doing that new Green Day song. Catchy. Needs to be faster tempo, though.

[tin mad dog]

I think all the vocals are sampled. I remember the Ofra Haza phenomenon that came out of this. Also, I guess it's "when the drum beat goes like this"

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B87snXgV7Pg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B87snXgV7Pg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[tin mad dog]

Okay, why is this not embedding videos anymore?

[DTH]

Here you go.

[tin mad dog]

Thanks. What did you do?

[DTH]

Originally Posted by tin mad dog

Thanks. What did you do?

I clicked on the Youtube icon and then pasted the embeded link in between.

[tin mad dog]

I don't have a Youtube Icon on my screen.

[DTH]

The icon is not on the "quick reply". You have to either hit "reply" or the "go advanced" option.

[tin mad dog]

Yeah, I've got it now. Woo-hoo!

[tin mad dog]

This has been getting a lot of play at one of the clubs I work at. It's catchy, political and she uses The Pixies' "Where is my mind", which is a good thing. I guess it's not that new but it's new to me.

[Hobbs]

I hate M.I.A. completely and absolutely. I don't understand the appeal at all. Lot of people love her though as she's gotten a ton of press, fairly high publicity gigs and great reviews.

[Hobbs]

I've been listening to The Drones a bit lately. Way more bluesy than I'm usually into, but they pull it off.

[The King]

I don't get this MIA shit either. She's fugly looking, too.

[tin mad dog]

Is she a big star or something?

[Hobbs]

She's not exactly a star, but she's big for an underground/indie type. She performed on the Grammy awards last year (and she was pregnant and wore a tight fitting mini skirt/dress thing).

[tin mad dog]

Oh. It's been probably 10 years since I've watched the Grammy's. The last thing I remember from the Grammy's (I liked it too) was Moby performing with Jill Scott and the Blue Man Group.

[Money23]

Originally Posted by The King

I don't get this MIA shit either. She's fugly looking, too.

"Paper Planes" is awesome. Ripping The Clash and tossing off the catchiest, airiest, most musically/lyrically ambiguous mainstream song of last year. Absolutely MADE the trailer for Pineapple Express. And who gives a shit how she looks? She got more records than the KGB, fool.

[Money23]

Originally Posted by Hack

Sure, Money. That stuff clearly is head-and-shoulders above what's typical. But Cash or Dylan were brilliant, not simply deserving of praise for eschewing bullshit and trashtalk. They conveyed character traits and sophisticated ideas shockingly well for the limitations of the format.

I would definitely argue that Tupac was brilliant, as well. This is like a diary of the street, which would be impressive and brave even without the outstanding lyrical prowess and AMAZING quality of combining the actual sounds of the words with the ability to ring true and keep the meaning of the songs coherent. I don't think anyone has ever been better at setting up lines for the next verse in the line before with the popping and honesty of a street poet. Lots of guys are good at some of it, but he was incredible at all of it. And without the added ability of being any kind of a singer, even on the level of someone who takes as much grief as Dylan, his vocals are focused and passionate. I think his best work is as interesting and fascinating as most work a master of a genre has ever released.

Dylan himself is a precursor to 'Pac more than any other rapper or even R&B guy, because, in Dylan's words, It's the sound and the words. Words don't interfere with it. They punctuate it. That sums up Tupac's entire style. At his best. At his worst, he tried to be what other people wanted him to be and went commercial, but still ended up being pretty much more relevant than any other rapper.

Originally Posted by Hack

Furthermore, they forged the way. Dylan set the standard for everybody, and Cash was one of the prime creators, of not the main catalyst, behind the religion/redemption/temptation theme of so much country music. Tupac doesn't happen were it not for Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, and I think I already mentioned Gil-Scott Heron...

First, we don't know where rap is at in terms of Tupac's overall influence. Some people get it, and they will build from it. Rap as a genre, a fully realized genre, is only really a few decades old, and in that time, he's been a unique and imposing voice, casting a shadow even. So time will tell on that one.

As for who went before, you think Dylan happens without Woody Guthrie?! Nope. There's always a "someone who went before". Dylan's early career is peppered with identical Guthrie melodies and even lyrical ideas. And Robert Johnson begat the whole group of 'em, including Tupac. Johnny Cash got all that stuff from his momma's folk music. He found the country influence in Ernest Tubbs. Everyone takes from someone else and then builds their own thing.

As for Gil-Scott Heron...yeah, of course he was a rap precursor with his spoken word. But in Tupac's defense, never underestimate the power of a dope beat. It's a coupling of all those things; sounds, honest lyrics with syllables poppin', nice beats with sometimes even lush guitar work and a somber, laid back mood that would surprise a lot of people. Reading Tupac's lyrics is really getting probably less than half of the picture, because those songs were designed to flow, with lyrical wordplay based on the actual sounds. Most rap isn't introspective or reflective, and that's why most people who've just heard a few Tupac songs might not get the full spectrum. Partially his own fault, because he was admittedly inconsistent with his work output, but he was very young when he died. Who knows what he would have evolved into?

Either way, I'm satisfied with you saying it's clearly better than other rap. And also, I'm not saying he was in a class with Dylan. But I think he belongs in any conversation with the greats, sure...because he had "hellhounds on his trail", and he was absolutely driven by them and his innate ability to cohesively, even artistically express it, just like so many important artists before him.

[hack]

Are we having an argument? I'm not sure. If so, put it on the list of things I will have to think out and owe you a solid reply on. Meantime:

Everyone takes from someone else and then builds their own thing.

When ``their own thing'' pretty much defines an entire new genre, you're talking not about borrowing but innovating. Nice quote: It's the sound and the words. Words don't interfere with it. They punctuate it. I didn't know Dylan said that, but I've always said that the tone of the sounds and the words always matches very well.

[Money23]

That's why I think you'd respect Tupac a bit more if you heard more of his stuff; the way the sounds play off of the words. And no, I think we're pretty much on the same wave length. We're not so much arguing as I'm just building a case for Tupac's inclusion amongst the greats.

[hack]

The guy released 5 albums, and none of the songs referred to in this discussion touch the level of sophistication of the guys we call the greats. There's nothing I see here that makes him any more than a generous lump of coal perched atop a pile of shit.

[Hobbs]

This is not exactly a high quality video, but you get the point. One of my more liked underrated/unknown bands, The Beatings. Their album Italiano is a minor classic. Kind of a Pixies/Bob Mould feel to their work.

[tin mad dog]

I hadn't heard this band until a few months ago. I really like this song and a few others off this album. Corny video but...

[Hobbs]

I like TV on the Radio as welll, although I can only take them in small bits. A song or two here or there. If I listen to too many it starts to annoy me for some reason.

[Hobbs]

I don't know if I've said this here before or not, but I declare The Modern Lovers by The Modern Lovers to be the greatest album in the history of recorded music.

[bozo the clown]

Yeah, that one was produced by John Cale. He got his hands into all kinds of seminal producing projects for the Modern Lovers, Patti Smith, Stooges, etc.

[Money23]

Originally Posted by hack

The guy released 5 albums, and none of the songs referred to in this discussion touch the level of sophistication of the guys we call the greats. There's nothing I see here that makes him any more than a generous lump of coal perched atop a pile of shit.

Well, if you were a rap fan, you'd likely disagree...but we can leave it at that. Posthumously, he's released a bunch more albums, BTW. He was a whirlwind of creativity. Good actor, too.

[Money23]

Yusuf (artist formerly known as Cat Stevens) has an interesting new record out.

[hack]

I have a surplus of cherries. Why would I bother squeezing lemonade outta lemons?

That said, anyone have opinions on the new Wilco? I like it, but I'm hoping it's a placeholder for a return to something less measured. Some genres lend themselves very well to contentment, precision and craftsmanship, but progish alt-rock is not one of them.

[Money23]

Method Man & Redman's new album is kind of cool. Not as good as their previous, but better than most of the new mainstream rap out. Playful and East Coast street at the same time. "Four Minutes To Lockdown" is a Wu-Tang reunion with horns, which is kinda weird.

[Money23]

Also, the new Yusuf album has been growing on me. One of the songs in particular, "World O' Darkness", kind of evokes Dylan (even vocally).

[Money23]

[Dave Bing]

Some things that I am listening to a lot these days:The new album by the Decemberists, Hazards of Love. Assuming you like smarty-pants prog/alt/folk, you should like this album. I loved The Crane Wife. Wore out the disc. This is a winding tale/concept album with some great riffs. Unusual, original. Other bits of spinning plastic:Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus PhoenixGrizzly Bear - VeckatimestCalexico - Carried to Dust (Hack you would like this one I think)Carll Hayes - Trouble in Mind. Still enjoying this one.MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

[hack]

I been doin the Springsteen '75 Hammersmith Odeon show released in 06. Some amazing extended workouts on that -- 17 mins of Kitty's Back, 13 tight minutes of E Street Shuffle, and tight 10 min Jungleland. It's enough to make you hate Jon Landau.

[Money23]

I hate extended versions now that we've been hosting jam night for 5 years. I've heard some pretty horrific half hour versions of "Johnny B. Goode" and "Stranglehold".

But nah, E. Street can play all night on any song they want. They're amazing.

[Dave Bing]

Money, have you listened to The Demberists' Hazards of Love? It's a rather gothic rock opera, totally out of synch with modern pop hits written for the shuffle. I think that you might like it if you don't find it too pretentious. Kind of Yes, Jethro Tull, ELP, Pink Floyd-style prog-rock. Some great vocals, esp by the witch/queen/mother.

[Money23]

Sounds interesting. I'm gonna check it out. I love King Crimson; anything like them?

[Dave Bing]

I think that their last album, The Crane Wife, is more interesting musically but I thought that you would dig the Sweeney Todd vibe. There could be a bit of In the Court of the Crimson King going on too...

[hack]

[Dave Bing]

rolling stone review

The Decemberists

Hazards Of Love

Hear it Now
RS: 4of 5 Stars
Average User Rating:5of 5 Stars

2009 View The Decemberists's page on Rhapsody

The Decemberists are devoted anachronists. So with the pop album completing its evolution into iPod shuffle–mix fodder, it's the right time for the Portland, Oregon, band to release an old–fashioned prog concept record. True to form, The Hazards of Love brings the glorious excess: There's strummy British folk rock and heavy–metal thunder, orchestral strings and a children's choir.

Guitarist Chris Funk, like Yes' Steve Howe, deploys every stringed instrument in the showroom, from mandolin and autoharp to pedal steel. And ringleader Colin Meloy gathers Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond), Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) and others to sing a tale of a maiden knocked up by a shape–shifting beast who may be her future husband. There's also a psychotic queen and three revenge–seeking ghost kids.The Decemberists approach this kind of pretentiousness somewhat ironically, but they also clearly love their models, Led Zeppelin and Fairport Convention among them.

While Funk's Valhalla–calling power chords on "The Abduction of Margaret" feel a little like punch lines, they're also awesomely rockin'. So are Worden's frightening PJ Harvey–ish queen roars, and even the kids choir. There could be a few more hooks. But great prog concept records are way more about sound journeys than killer choruses. From the glacial, droning opening track to the head–scratcher folk finale, The Hazards of Love takes its time, inviting you to grab a seat in front of the fire, stoke your Meerschaum pipe and take a trip.

WILL HERMES

[Dave Bing]

OK, on the subject of pretentious prog-rock, what is your vote for the most pretentious rock album ever? While there are lots of contenders... early Genesis, anything involving Baroque quartets and of course, Spinal Tap's Stonehenge suite, I have to go with Emerson, Lake and Palmer covering Pictures at an Exhibition. To do that you either have to have gigantizoid balls or be totally out of touch.

[Hobbs]

I like the Decemberists when they're a dorky folk, indie pop group. When they go prog, I can't stand them. I liked almost all of Picaresque, hated almost all of The Crane Wife, and have entirely avoided Hazards of Love because of the heavy "it's a prog hard rock opera" type reviews. Just not my thing.

[Orwellian O.]

Originally Posted by Money23

That's why I think you'd respect Tupac a bit more if you heard more of his stuff; the way the sounds play off of the words. And no, I think we're pretty much on the same wave length. We're not so much arguing as I'm just building a case for Tupac's inclusion amongst the greats.

Tupac is the greatest of rap's mainstream successes. Its all in his pedigree...son of black panthers, step son of one of the imprisoned leaders of the Weather Undergound, classical training....

However, he is nowhere as good as this guy.....

[Dave Bing]

Originally Posted by Hobbs

I like the Decemberists when they're a dorky folk, indie pop group. When they go prog, I can't stand them. I liked almost all of Picaresque, hated almost all of The Crane Wife, and have entirely avoided Hazards of Love because of the heavy "it's a prog hard rock opera" type reviews. Just not my thing.

I love the Crane Wife. Matter of taste I guess. they are still dorky though.

[Money23]

Originally Posted by Orwellian O.

Tupac is the greatest of rap's mainstream successes. Its all in his pedigree...son of black panthers, step son of one of the imprisoned leaders of the Weather Undergound, classical training....

However, he is nowhere as good as this guy.....

Tupac without the charisma and beats. Some good lyrical wordplay.