Since this is *my* blog, I can structure it however I want to. I guess I didn't realize that until recently. I previously thought that I had to write one long entry on one band/album/etc. but it doesn't have to be that way. And so it won't be, from time to time. Like now, for instance.
- I'm really starting to lose faith that Queens Of The Stone Age will release a new record this year, as has been implied recently. Not that I'm complaining about some of the side projects that have sprung forth from band members in QOTSA's absence. Them Crooked Vultures and Sweethead are both great, but five years is way too long to wait!
- Through obtaining more albums by Godspeed You! Black Emperor, I've re-discovered my love for Thee Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra (or whatever they go by now). It might be bleak, but their arrangements are devastatingly gorgeous. Now that's a super talented group of Canadians right there.
- It wasn't until I bought Stephen Malkmus' most recent album last fall that I realized how unique he is; he went from fronting a pioneering group in his genre (Pavement) and seamlessly transitioned into a consistently good solo career. Even if all of his songs aren't amazing, he's Stephen Malkmus, and he can be forgiven for any and all musical sins. Plus, the guy is still ten kinds of adorable and has aged wonderfully. And Mirror Traffic is a really excellent album.
- I recently got a bootleg from Craig Finn's current tour and it's fantastic. Combining his charming between-song banter and still-excellent songwriting (plus pedal steel guitar), the show is a real treat to listen to. As much as I want a new Hold Steady album this year, if it takes longer because of Finn's solo work, that's fine with me.
- There have been a few Leonard Cohen cover songs by current artists floating around the interwebs lately, some of which have been lovely. The best ones so far have been John Darnielle's (OK, The Mountain Goats) cover of "This Smokey Life" and Bill Callahan's cover of "So Long, Marianne". If there's one artist Bill Callahan should be covering, it's Leonard Cohen. Maybe a Leonard Cohen cover album is in the works later down the road? I certainly hope so. And hearing John Darnielle with nothing but a piano is pretty amazing, too. However, as much as I like Rhett Miller, I wasn't impressed with his cover of "Tower of Song". Much the opposite of Bill Callahan, Leonard Cohen is an artist that Mr. Miller should not be covering.
- I'm slightly disturbed at some of the not-so-good reviews that the Mark Lanegan Band has been getting for Blues Funeral. There have definitely been some favorable ones, but that album was yet another example of Pitchfork ripping something to shreds just because they can. They did the same with Craig Finn's Clear Heart, Full Eyes. Mind you, that was basically the only negative review out there. Congrats Pitchfork, once again.
- My birthday might not be for almost two months, but I've already decided what I want: the recently announced Billy Bragg & Wilco Mermaid Avenue box set being released at the end of April. It's been a long time since Mermaid Avenue Volume II and from what I had understood about the project, Billy Bragg and Wilco initially had access to thousands of Woody Guthrie's song lyrics; they just cherry-picked the best ones for Volumes I and II.
Interestingly enough, Tweedy's former Uncle Tupelo bandmate Jay Farrar has gotten into the Woody Guthrie tribute game recently. Perhaps a Jeff Tweedy/Jay Farrar reunion could come out of this - I know that's what this fan would want. While I ended up on the Jeff Tweedy side of the fence, I still think Jay Farrar is an excellent musician and songwriter (and he has that voice).
Regardless of how things turned out for both of them, Uncle Tupelo's Anodyne is still one of my top 50 favorite albums. There was certainly magic between them once.
No comments:
Post a Comment