If you're looking for new music to enjoy in your backyard this summer, go cop "Modern Vampires of the City." The album is more evolutionary than revolutionary, despite my previous concerns to the contrary--it still sounds like a Vampire Weekend joint. Working this album into your summertime musical evening rotation will serve you well.
Kanye West's new album "Yeezus" (which is a portmanteau of Yeezy, Kanye's nickname, and Jesus, the name of the son of God ... Jay-Z previously did something similar when he called himself "Jayhova the God MC") comes out on June 18 (i.e., tomorrow) and recently leaked to the world through, of all random things, the internet. Kanye gives no fucks at all about this potential copyright misappropriation. I, however, have a long-standing respect for copyrighted material so I haven't listened to the album. You will doubtlessly hear it banged hard this summer at the beach, from the windows of luxury cars driven by the owner's children, and eventually during TV timeouts at sporting events. Get it now so that when the beat to the big commercial jam drops you can nod your head and say "Aw yeah" in synch with the people around you who are at least a decade younger.
Speaking of copyrights ... Mayer Hawthorne's new album drops July 16 and his label must've spent oodles clearing the copyrights for the video trailer:
I remember when musicians had to clear samples, not video, but I'm old. The new album promises to continue Hawthorne's tradition of funky-ass-white-boy-ed-ness but with more of a 70's sound and less of a Motown vibe. For example, Her Favorite Song will doubtlessly remind you of Herbie Hancock's Chameleon (or in Mark's case, Digital Underground's Underwater Rhymes):
And "Reach Out Richard," written for Hawthorne's father, unmistakably sounds like Steely Dan:
"Designer Drug," which may or may not be on the new album, reminds me of MJ's Off the Wall:
I predict that it will be an excellent album for grown-ass-but-funky-ass-old-men like us to tastefully rock in public and in group settings. The album is at least partially produced by Pharrell, who recently played a similar role in Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and its preposterously NSFW video. If "Blurred Lines" doesn't sample Michael Jackson's "Whew!" and rip off Marvin Gaye's Got to Give it Up then I'm Quincy Jones. Regardless, it's a decent summertime confection for the aforementioned grown-ass-but-funky-ass-old-men demographic.
Now go forth and musically dominate your neighborhood block party. But please remember to wear sunscreen.
*****SPECIAL BONUS MUSIC*****
If you really want to pull some grown-ass-man-shit at your next BBQ, Mayer Hawthorne did the legwork for you and put together the following hour-long mix titled "Soul With A Hole Vol. 1."
Monday, June 17, 2013
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28 comments:
The "noise" that Kanye made on SNL a few weeks ago was horrendous and pretentious. It barely qualifies as music. And the multimedia show was equally as self-indulgent.
I had an open mind going in, but came out thinking shit sandwich.
Kim Kardashian birthed Kanye's baby this weekend, 5 weeks before the due date, prompting one commentator to observe "Damn, even Kanye baby leak!"
I can get down with the Mayer Hawthorne, but isn't Vampire Weekend a little too candy-assed for you Z?
free your mind, rootsy, and the rest will follow. underneath all that bubblegummy pop perfection is some good shit.
en vogue. nice.
loved that video.
I tried Rob, I just can't get into it. Those guys sound like they need to spend a year or two digging ditches to me.
VW has stuff happening on the up-beat, and that's a surefire tactic to get my attention.
I think much of TRs beef with what he's heard from Kanye's new album has to do with Rick Rubin's influence. His sound is quite evident on Yeezus.
Rick Rubin doesn't know anything.
This is great, and also for Greg: http://youtu.be/cYNZ1PMdO1M
He knows how to maintain a sweet beard, Z.
He chills White Castle, and it's the best, though.
I think some of us reached Rootsy's ditch-digging conclusion in an Old 97's vs. DBT discussion.
Rhett Miller needs more than a stint at digging ditches. 15 years ago he was in a dark, drunken, bitter place. Made for some outstanding tunes. I hate to wish him ill, but come on, bad times.
Vampire weekend embraces and mocks their upbringing as elitist white kids from the Northeast. I respect that.
And as I (probably confusingly) wrote a while back in a post that referenced Jack Nicholson, they are pro-whimsy. As in, they know when to take themselves seriously, and when not to.
I understand not loving all of their stuff, but I don't know how anybody can not love A-Punk. My 5 y/o and 3 y/o kids rock out to it with me.
according to mr. miller, the new 97s record is much more rocking and up-tempo than recent efforts. not sure about the bad times, but i can dig the rocking part.
the pro whimsy lobby needs support
pro whimsy is not a bad band name
Cell phone bathroom guy is at it again. Apparently he's using his frequent flier miles on a trip to Manilla. Where the envelopes come from, according to Sally Draper's Model UN friend.
I'll confess when I first heard Vamp Wknd that I was intrigued by what they were trying to do and wondered if they'd get good enough to pull it off. Not denying they have a decent hook or two in their catalog, but to my ears they've developed into another boring indie rock band.
But I'm a real codger when it comes to music, so take any commentary I may offer with a bucket of salt (and limes and tequila, if you wish).
I see your curmudgeonly point, but I think they have a pretty unique sound compared to all the fuzzy post-modern indies out there like Beach House, Beach Fossils, Diiv, Echo Lake, etc.
And TR, I think tune you cite is one of theirs I kinda liked, but generally I don't feel the whimsy. They don't go 'beyond the fuck it', which is where I like my rock to go.
elaborate please, sir
Rob, I'll try and come up with an adequate explanation on my evening pedal home. Hard to put that into more specific words at the moment.
Good stuff ZMan. Don't know if I needed to know that Dr. Jason Seaver's kid has a big dick, but the brunette more than makes up for it.
Random Fact: Alan Thicke was the MC for the opening night ceremonies at Sky Dome.
I love watching Andy Murray with British commentators. Their homerism is shameless.
Seasick Steve on palladia!
Random Growing Pains nugget #2: the writers of that show were big Mets fans. Hence the surname the Seavers. And if you remember, they had neighbors named the Koosmans and the Ryans.
And yes, you're right. Knowing that does kinda make me a loser.
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