Well, the semester is finally over and I finally have a void in my schedule previously occupied by a continuous bombardment of miscellany. So, here I am. Back in business with more musical releases, some sad news, and a request. – scroll to the bottom if you are only interested in my request.
First, the sad news. The iconic Atomic Records in Milwaukee is closing this coming February. According to Rich, the owner, the store has been hit hard by the declining record industry (a problem induced both by online sales, internet downloading, and popular stores such as Barnes & Noble who make themselves the one stop shop). The trend has, unfortunately, been slowly squeezing out the small, independent shops. Atomic isn’t the first, or the last. Apparently, Rich didn’t expect the turn out that he has since received after making the announcement, but he still intends on closing the store. Please frequent the store this break (20% off for the month of December) and other assorted promotional blow out sales will be announced later. (Now is probably a good time to go though. They are not quite sure when they will stop ordering music … I just special ordered Hank Williams: The Unreleased Recordings for my dad this Christmas …. Sooooo, sooner rather than later is wise if you want to make sure you will get what you want).
P.S. Sorry, hun. I know you love the place.
http://www.atomic-records.com/index.html
Unfortunately, I would rely heavily on Atomic for new album releases (weekly email) and now I have to go internet hunting on my own again. This is some of the best music I have found lately, and I hope to keep it going. Enjoy…
Foals
Antidotes
I most recently discovered this band after seeing them on Last.fm’s top of 2008 list. I was tragically procranistinating on YouTube and Last.fm while trying to study for a neuropathology exam and was attracted to their:
1. catchy sounds
2. danceable beats
3. a math rock combo that fits somewhere between Mute Math and LCD Soundsytem
Unfortunately, they didn’t help me pass my neuro exam. But damn did it put me into a good mood. Oh, and a downside. As good as the music is, all of it flows. If were not paying attention, the whole album could be one long electrorock beat movement. Not necessarily bad, but not good if you were looking for some depth. P.S.: The louder played, the better the sound.
www.myspace.com/foals
The Blue Van
Man Up
Yes, they have a hit song on a Samsung commercial. “Silly Boy” is a wonderful song. But unlike many other bands, that one song that made it commercially was not the only song in their repertoire. The Blue Van produces blaring song after blaring song. I feel as though JET seemed to collide with elements of Kings of Leon and my local favorite The Wildbirds. All three bands have one thing in common, the sound on their debut album stunned me. They are Danish. I am Danish. We must be related.
www.myspace.com/thebluevan
Cornershop
When I Was Born For the Last Time
This one is an oldie back from 2002, but you’ll recognize the now popular song “Candyman” as featured on the Lebron James “Chalk” commercial. Not knowing what to expect, I discovered the majority of the album sounds like true Indian-Brit electronic dance. Even many of the lyrics are spoken in another language (I won’t pretend to even know what language it is in fear of offending someone … like Raman). Personal favorite: the Indian cover of Norwegian Wood … just as beautiful as the first time around.
www.myspace.com/cornershop
Coldplay
Prospekt’s March
We all know Coldplay. What you need to know is that this release followed Viva La Vida … arguably the best album release of 2008. Regardless of where Viva stands on the charts, Prospekt’s March is a direct follow up, containing unreleased tracks, mixes, and even “Lost +” which features Jay-Z. In some ways, it’s almost better than the album itself.
Brett Dennen
Hope For the Hopeless
His vocals are different, but his acoustic melodies are reminiscent of Donavon Frankenreiter, Jack Johnson, Matt Costa (Brushfire Crew) and has some of the pop influences similar to Eric Hutchinson. Definitely worth a few good listens on Christmas Day while you look at all the white stuff.
www.myspace.com/brettdennen
That’s it for now, I need to find more music first.
And now my request. From what I have heard, my next semester will be pretty laid back. Which means that I will surely come up with a way to procrastinate my studies (the same ones the dictate the rest of my career). We recently lost Studs Terkel to the God’s continuous soul flushing. He was a great man who documented the lives, thoughts, and feelings of generations past and present. As far as I know, there is no one else who is going to pick up where he left off. He never saw us go into this recession (or depression) and we need someone to start new. We are the undocumented generation and I want to start.
I am first going to start with college students (as many of you are obviously my peers). I would like to hear any stories you have for me regarding any of the following areas of your college life.
- College life lessons (including but not limited to drinking 15 shots in one hour) … but seriously, you can include that, but also discuss failing, or stressing, or loves lost or gained, anything … which leads me to
- Loves lost or gained (or friendship problems)
- Recent/and former thoughts about Pres. Elect Barack Obama (We were the people he struck the most in my opinion, so I want to hear from the generation who elected him …. Why you voted the way you did, and what change do you see
- The direction of the United States and the World
- Economic strife, the challenges we now face in an economic crisis for paying tuition, working jobs, and balancing your lives
- College miscellany
I would appreciate any replies. Thanks in advance guys and gals.
You can either post the replies here, message me, email me at jplindsey@gmail.com , or give me a call at 414-921-8016.
JP
