Brick by Brick

Here's a cool link with a bunch of album covers recreated in Lego. I think the author may have a Lego-Beatles fetish... or it's just coincidence and they're the band most likely to be eternalized in miniature brick form.

My favourites are the Division Bell and Velvet Underground & Nico

20 album covers recreated in LEGO

And take your money.

Here's another one stuck in my head recently, MIA's "Paper Planes". And it doesn't help that it's being used to promote the new stoner comedy from Judd Apatow - Pineapple Express.

I love when multinational mega-media companies get together and sell youth culture back to the kids!

Hockey Anthem Challenged

I haven't much time to post in the past few days, mostly because I've been listening to the Hockey Night In Canada theme song submissions.

Your first instinct might be to check out the top rated entries, but I suggest starting at the lowest rated and let the hilarity loose.

However, check out this one, which is not only the highest rated, but also outpaces the next highest played by three times! Take a listen and just imagine "Hockey Night In Canada, brought to you by General Motors, Molson Canadian and Tim Hortons!" then tell me that something is missing.



Yeah, this one is really going to get past the board.

House of Cards video

Radiohead has a sweet new video for "House of Cards". Totally camera-less. It feels like watching Tron, or going to the Planetarium. Excellent stuff.



The look of Mr. Yorke's face vaguely reminds me of Trent Reznor in the NIN "Only" Apple Ad... er... music video. I can only hope that this is the start of some extremely heated and ultimately vicious creative war between the two bands that has been brewing for some time... Anti-bush concept albums, free/pay what you want downloads... maybe Radiohead should become the NIN backing band for an album, like the way Neil Young got Pearl Jam to back him up for an album. That's not such a bad idea now that I think about it. And because both parties are free from their record labels, they'd probably be able to do it without much legal trouble. You heard it here first.

Bloggers are idiots

Just needed to vent: I hate mp3 blogs that brand the files they post. Images, album titles, genres... what's wrong with you people? Not only are you giving away someone's hard work for free, you're re-purposing it for your own slimy schemes. Drives me nuts. URL in the comment section will do just fine, thanks.

Oh, and another thing: what's with mp3 files that don't have the right info tags? The person pirating obviously has Internet access, otherwise the files wouldn't get anywhere - so why is the info incorrect? Is the person ripping the file by the byte? Even worse is when the info is wrong! How does that even happen? You'd have to go out of your way to change the info, what, to make someone's life less enjoyable? More irritating to perform the act of pirating?

Bah.

Awestruck: The National Parcs

On Wednesday, I'm interviewing The National Parcs for VoicePrint. From their bio up on their site:

The three young men were born in the backwoods of Quebec, Malawi and B.C., but bred on Montreal streets buzzing with the noise of every nation on earth. For this groundbreaking CD/DVD album, they strip back down to basics, returning to their roots in the bush. The great outdoors becomes their studio, and their songs come alive with all-natural samples of wood splitting, sand slipping, paddles slapping, water dripping. Their cameras and microphones are trained on the trackless woods around them, but their ears have been trained on Grime and Hip Hop, Afrobeat and Baile Funk, American Spirituals and Malian Blues. The resulting Timbervision tracks are an invitation for the world to dance, starting with the half-remembered hum of our own backyards and smuggling in the best that the world has to offer.

Without getting too much into hyperbole, this group is one of the best new things I've heard in a long time. The music and accompanying DVD are fresh, melodic and utterly unique. What more could you ask for? Check out their website - free downloads.

Another version of the truth

A few months back, Nine Inch Nails launched a YouTube film festival for the Ghosts album. Here's a friend's stellar submission:

Affinity pt. 1:



Affinity pt. 2:



On the whole, a lot of the entries to the fest are surprisingly watchable, most taking cues from either the Year Zero concept or Mr. Reznor's quote about Ghosts being a “a soundtrack for daydreams.” Not many of the entries feature a narrative of any kind.

Then, there are videos like this one, "The Craft of SackTapping", made by a group of savage mooks who hopefully were damaged in all the right places during the filming of this one. My guess is safety guidelines are not at the top of their list. Don't watch too much of it. I didn't get past about 10 seconds, but my guess is that it isn't pretty.

Boo-hoogaze

Here's a very interesting post from Wired's excellent music blog, Listening Post. It's about how the term 'shoegaze' is totally bogus, regardless of what Wikipedia says.

Performance, under the weight of the term, came to be valued more than the music behind it. And so its multiple effects were palpable: It effectively marginalized and, in some cases, even doom musical careers.

So-called genres I hate: any 'prefix' genre... 'proto-punk', 'post-punk', 'post-rock', etc. It's a mere label and does more to associate the music with that genre rather than making a distinction.

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This one was used in the excellent Lost in Translation soundtrack, produced by Kevin Shields of the recently reunited My Bloody Valentine:

Geeky list time

Here's an idea I loved so much I had to copy it, especially since I love music lists... An album for each year you've been alive.

It's a hell of a lot tougher than I first realized... some years were much easier than I thought they'd be. Although I love making lists, I hate ranking albums over each other. Take 1996 for example, Rage's Evil Empire was way more important to me at the time, but I've since really taken a liking to GYBE!'s F#A#infinity, which was also a musical awakening of sorts for me, albeit several years after its original release.

The main fault of the list is the timing of it all - as a two-year-old I would never have listened to Psychocandy, much less listened to Loveless at eight, but here's the list. It's a retroactive look at a personal musical history and fun to imagine what I might have been listening to if I was 19 in each of those years. I didn't include compilations, like Adam did... compilations don't count!

Anyway, here it is:

1983 Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues
1984 Prince - Purple Rain
1985 Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy
1986 Peter Gabriel - So
1987 Prince - Sign O The Times
1988 Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
1989 Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
1990 Depeche Mode - Violator
1991 My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
1992 Rage Against The Machine - self titled
1993 Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
1994 Nine Inch Nails - Downward Spiral
1995 Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
1996 Tool - Ænima
1997 Radiohead - OK Computer
1998 Massive Attack - Mezzanine
1999 Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile
2000 Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R
2001 Tool - Lateralus
2002 And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Source Tags and Codes
2003 Manitoba - Up In Flames
2004 TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes
2005 Queens of the Stone Age - Lullabies to Paralyze
2006 The Rapture - Pieces of the People We Love
2007 Joel Plaskett Emergency - Ashtray Rock
2008 Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

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Honourable mentions/By the hair of their chinny-chin-chin:

1984 Weird Al - In 3-D
1985 New Order - Low-Life
1986 XTC - Skylarking
1988 Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Session
1989 The Cure - Disintegration; The Stone Roses - self titled
1994 Kyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley; Portishead - Dummy
1998 Queens of the Stone Age - self titled
1999 Rage - Battle of Los Angeles
2000 Radiohead - Kid A; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - self-titled
2002 Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf; Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights; Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
2003 A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step; Joel Plaskett Emergency - Truthfully, Truthfully; Cansecos - self titled
2004 DFA1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine; Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When You're Gone?
2007 LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

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Interesting to note the toughest years to choose were the "university years", which makes sense, given I have never been more immersed in music than those years, when I had a radio show and plenty of disposable income to buy a couple CD's a week. For more on this type of phenomenon, check out Daniel Levitin's "This Is Your Brain on Music", an excellent book that bridges popular music and popular science.

I've really exposed my rockist tendencies here today... time to go outside and enjoy the terrific weather.

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I leave you with one of my highest played tracks (at least according to iTunes) from today's big list, My Bloody Valentine's "Come In Alone". I could listen to this one all day.

Videos of the world

I was watching the New Music the other day and caught this sweet new video from my third or fourth favourite novelty music act, Flight of the Conchords. Bonus points for the extended instrumental section.

Decent job on the CG as well, which is light years ahead of another video I can think of with similar, yet freakishly grotesque effects, Alanis' "8 Easy Steps".

Ambient bliss

I just learned about this group, Stars of the Lid, who kind of remind me of the Kronos Quartet or the Dirty Three, mixing pop and classical music. They're also on the same label that formerly featured Godspeed You Black Emperor, Kranky.

It's a mellow trip for a mellow day.



Got this from the Radio Lab podcast.

I Met the Walrus video

If you haven't seen it yet, here's the Oscar-nominated short film "I Met The Walrus" based on an interview by a young Toronto lad by the name of Jerry Levitan.

(blogto)

Polaris Short list announced

Sweet article from CBC here.

The Polaris long list had considerably more diversity. If the short list came from the same panel of critics, how did things get so… safe? I can’t fault the Polaris Music Prize for choices made by consensus, but it does make me worry about who makes up that consensus. Maybe it’s time to actively seek out critical minds with more varied tastes.

List of Polaris judges here. Note the wide range of members from major media organizations.

Hot corner

It's been a good year to be a baseball, pop, and gossip fan, with all the inter-medium shenanigans... First it was Roger Clemens with a C-list country singer, and now it's Alex Rodriguez with Madonna.

What a time to be alive.

For my entertainment, someone should start a Wikipedia page about all the ballplayer/music singer affairs. I would read that. Speaking of Wikipedia, what's up with people? I was browsing Madonna's singles list looking for inspiration for a better title (didn't find it), and I found this. Who has the time to give a frame by frame synopsis of the video? I can't imagine a world where I would have that much time on my hands.

Eye of a hurricane

Due to the fact I'm such a masochist, I've been waterboarding myself by reading Naomi Klein's latest tirade, "The Shock Doctrine".

One of the early passages immediately captured my attention, as I had one of those moments of crystal clarity and things began to make all too much sense. Warning: conspiracy theories ahead.

It all started about a year ago, when I uncovered this video:



Scary shit, if you believe it.

Anyway, the part that really freaked me out is this:

Declassified CIA manuals explain how to break "resistant sources": create violent ruptures between prisoners and their ability to make sense of the world around them. First, the senses are starved (with hoods, earplugs, shackles), then the body is bombarded with overwhelming stimulation (strobe lights, blaring music, beatings). The goal of this "softening-up" stage is to provoke a kind of hurricane in the mind, and it is in that state of shock that most prisoners give their interrogators whatever they want."

Is it starting to all come together? Yeah. Yeah... The CIA started Facebook to collect data on your favourite music and compile a comprehensive profile of what music will drive you to "violent ruptures" and Rock You Like a Katrina.

I suggest immediately changing your favourite music on your Facebook, Myspace, Lastfm, etc. etc. to the music that you really hate. That way, when the CIA gets a hold of your profile, they will play the exact opposite kind of music when they are 'extraordinarily rendering', or 'reasonably searching and seizing' you.

Here are a couple suggestions - If you're a fan of Metallica, put down Mozart. If you're a fan of Mozart, put Metallica. If you're a fan of Miley Cyrus, consider yourself lucky, as there is no way that CIA would ever want to interrogate you. What would they get out of it? Your PIN? To get the $3 out of your account left over from your job at the Gap after you spent all your money on iTunes downloads and Red Bulls?

Concert review: Steely Dan

Steely Dan - July 4, Casino Rama

The incomparable Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Steely Dan took to the stage in rather languid fashion, letting their "Steely Dan Orchestra '08" play through a few minutes of instrumentals before casually walking on stage as though they were some kind of religious figures, and judging by some members of the devoted audience, it wasn't entirely unwarranted.

As the for the music itself, if was 10% more of a snob, I'd say, a la Amadeus:

"Emperor Joseph II: My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect."

Donald Fagen... what can I say about this guy. He really wants to be Ray Charles or Randy Newman. Or both. He said he was having throat problems, but why the hell was he sipping Coke? Why? At least take a ginger ale... unless he spiked that coke. Anyway, I always find it hilarious that there's no food or drink allowed in the venue up there, but the artists can flaunt the Rama laws all they want. I guess it pays to be in the Hall of Fame.

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Here's the setlist, as provided by Adam, who has a much more extensive knowledge of the group than I do:

The Royal Scam
I Got The News
Show Biz Kids
Two Against Nature
Hey Nineteen
Glamour Profession
New Frontier
Do It Again
Gaucho
Parker's Band
Third World Man
Josie
Aja
Peg
FM

Encore:
Kid Charlemagne

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Steely Dan concert by the numbers:

"Orchestra" members: 10

Michael McDonald look-a-like sightings at the buffet: 3

Classic rock radio hits not played: 2 (Reelin' in the Years, Rikki Don't Lose That Number)

Classic rock radio hits re-worked: 1 (Do It Again)

Number of sips by Fagan from his two cans of coke: 3

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Here's a highlight for me, "Hey Nineteen"

New home page

Got my new favourite home page, The Daily Swarm, and a new favourite record store, Criminal Records. That I've never been in the store before today is, well... criminal.

Battlestar Rocklactica

I recently caught up with the rest of the television viewing world and started watching Battlestar Galactica. Good show, lotta heart.

In the mini-series, I recognized a familiar face piloting one of the human ships... and my hunch was right, it was John Mann, lead singer of Spirit of the West. Hilarious. Apparently he's been in a bunch of things, and due to the reverse chronological format of imdb, I've learned he makes another appearance on the show. Oh, wait. Spoiler alert.

Taking care of business.

Ahh, post #200 is a good one.

Here's my Canada Day interview for VoicePrint with the legendary Mr. Randy Bachman.

I sound less nervous than I actually was (despite the nervous laughter), and Mr. Bachman was very generous with his time, something myself and VoicePrint are very grateful for.

Let it roll!

I got the news; Steely Dan got the rhythm

From Classic Albums, here's the Making of "Peg". Best part - 6:25. For reasons why, see Yacht Rock
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Steely Dan tomorrow night! That brings my R&R hall of fame count up to... 6. 6.1 if you count Stevie Nicks. And I will eventually review that concert, even if it's a month late.

Walter Becker kinda reminds me of one of my audio profs from university, who is coincidentally or not, a Steely Dan fan.

"Steeeely Dan... Alllllllriiiiiiiiighttt!"

Breaking: Hanson clones released into society; Matt has too much time on hands

There was a right kerfuffle down at the MuchMusic building today, as "throngs" of batshit fucking insane fans of popular girl group The Jonas Brothers gathered to hear the "band" play Bay City Rollers covers.

Check out the report on Disney's latest spawn infesting the city of Toronto here

Happy beer day

I mean... Canada Day.
I can't find a decent clip online for my favourite Canadian song of all time, "Claire", by the Rheostatics, so here's a smattering of videos from some of my other favourite Canadian songs. Grab a Moosehead and enjoy. Among other acceptable beers: Amsterdam, Creemore, maybe Steam Whistle. Molson Canadian is not an acceptable drink for Canada Day.

Rush - Subdivisions

Pursuit of Happiness - Hard to Laugh (put this on repeat)

Blue Peter - Don't Walk Past (hilarious retro MuchMusic rip.. and 'johnmcboston' doesn't get that Blue Peter is the name of the group, not the name of the guy.)

Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind

Gino Vanelli - Wild Horses

Hayden - Bad As They Seem (Thornhill, what what!)

The Guess Who - These Eyes

Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

Martha and the Muffins - Echo Beach

Odds - Someone Who's Cool

Tragically Hip - Gift Shop

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Some other Canada type music links I recommend:

CBC Radio 3
CFNY Fan page
50 Tracks: The Canadian Version
CJXF's Top 100 Canadian Singles of All Time
Encyclopedia of Music in Canada

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And for something different, here's the Kids in the Hall's 'Sex Girl Patrol', try to guess who sings the theme song.