2011 is over and I hope we can all agree that it was a great year for music. I must admit that certain discoveries made in 2011 were from prior years, but aren't we all working from our own chronology? I discovered Led Zeppelin in 1992 when I had to stay home from school for a few weeks after getting Mono, and that's when it is etched into my mind. I digress...
SOTW took a bit of an obscure turn this year. Turquoise Jeep was crankin' out hits like Tyson. Sam the cat won several hard-fought battles, much to my dismay. Kreayshawn rapped like NWA...except a bit more catty. How could I turn a blind eye?
I think 2012 may take SOTW back to its roots, riffing on 80s standards. We can all relate to it's over-the-topness. Hearkening back to the 90s Grunge, Motown Phillery and Gangsta Rap. The 2000s were a bit of a lost decade, at least the first half. Maybe we'll appreciate it later.
Getting down to brass tacks the SOTY comes from the AOTY (M83's "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming"). I must admit, this album was in the running before it came out, but critics agree that it delivered. I was reading the Wall Street Journal "best of 2011" last week, and I couldn't believe my eyes...the WSJ agrees with SOTW that M83's double-disc is the greatest album of 2011! Needless to say, I was absolutely floored by this. Sure, some of the tracks are radio-friendly, but there is a nearly 1-minute monologue by a 5-year old girl about a magic frog in one of the tracks! Such tom foolery is expected from SOTW, but WSJ!? I can just picture some 50-year-old Managing Director at Goldman Sachs reading this in the WSJ on the subway on the way home from work / universe mastery, and picking it up on iTunes. Oh man is he gonna be pissed!
So as to be more inclusive, I came up with this list of SOTW's top 10 albums of 2011 from various sources (Pitchfork, Time, Prefix-mag, my head, etc.) in no particular order:
1) SBTRKT - SBTRKT (seriously, this is the jam. It's R&B with easy drum n' bass)
> Fave Track: Wildfire - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-LEiOzXHWM
2) AraabMuzik - Electronic Dream (similar to SBTRKT but heavier on the electronica with hints of trip-hop and more complex beats)
> Fave Track: Feelin' so Hood - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZDtV6KDUis
3) TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light (one of my fave bands continuing to dominate with their unique brand of strange rock)
> Fave Track: Will Do - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXLpXu9T7j0
4) Jay-Z / Kanye - Watch the Throne (I'm just playin'. This album sucked ballz)
> Better - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlJbELikY-g
5) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues (more ambitious follow-on album. It's good...real good)
> Fave Track: Helplessness Blues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyP0DACgdgc
6) Shabazz Palaces - Black Up (I'm probably not allowed to like this album. It's REAL Black Panthery, but also real good/experimental/hip-hop. Remember Digable Planets (#coollikethat)? Well, one of em is in this band, and he's pretty angry about lots of stuff. Worth a listen)
Fave Track: An Echo From The Hosts That Profess In Infinitum - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOvu0wGSBho
7) St. Vincent - Strange Mercy (Annie Clark went to Lake Highlands and she's the real deal. This album is weird and good.)
Fave Track: Cruel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itt0rALeHE8
8) Girls - Father, Son and Holy Ghost (rock that is kinda sad / kinda awesome)
Fave Track: Alex - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9KLSaDaLQM
9) PJ Harvey - Let England Shake (folky baroque rock...this was the runner-up to AOTY. I finally got around to listening to it a month ago, and it's been in heavy rotation. It's a concept album about World War I, specifically, from the England viewpoint. It will go down as one of the greatest concept albums of all time...at least in my book)
Fave Track: The Words That Maketh Murder - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va0w5pxFkAM
10) Radiohead - King of Limbs (Radiohead can do no wrong. Some people didn't like this album as much as past albums. I did. It takes some time to grow on you, but it's a very impressive album, musically)
Fave Track: Little by Little - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDpiJ7cyWz4&feature=related
A nice sample from the Album of the Year: M83 - "Midnight City"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX3k_QDnzHE&feature=relmfu
"Citeh is ma Chhuuucchh!"
SOTW shout out to the Mayans, Rick Santorum (I'm just playin'...Rick, you so craaazzzy) and 2012. Looking forward to another year of great music!
Hope you dig,
JZ
Monday, December 26, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Song of the Week - X-Mas Edition (Sleigh Bells - Riot Rhythm)
Is it weird to say that I'm not really a Christmas music guy? Maybe not. When you think about it, Christmas music is so strange. There isn't a whole lot of innovation. It's basically just new (and old) artists singing old covers. Can you think of another event or genre that is covered and re-covered this much? Just type "Christmas music" into google and tell me this isn't insane. The whole imagery is strange too. Most of it isn't even religious. It's just lyrics about weird traditions, mythical beasts that fly and an ancient red ninja that lives in the permafrost.
My Mom used to tell me and my sister stories about Melvin who is a young giraffe. Typically, these stories were parables invented on the fly. Melvin had an arch-nemesis named Micah who is a snake. Micah was always trying to get Melvin to do bad stuff (cheat at the carnival, be mean to his sister, steal toys). Clearly this was my Mom's way of teaching us ethics (occasionally retrospectively) through mythology/trickery. My point here is (religion aside), Santa Claus was invented on the fly by someone's "Mom" to trick their kids into being nice. This is my theory.
Lastly, wouldn't it be strange if someone wrote a bunch of songs about the adventures of Melvin? And then artists went on to cover and re-cover these songs ad nauseum. Real strange, but I'd check that out...for sure.
With all of this in mind, I give you a completely unrelated song by the misleadingly Christmas-esqu Sleigh Bells (Riot Rhythm)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6OhdzB843w&feature=related
This video is pretty strange (aren't they all?). Basically, this guy with a beard teaches a young kid how to dominate in chess. Pretty standard. Sleigh Bells was either #1 or #2 on the most dominant concerts of 2011 list. So, coupled with their festive name, they get the rarely awarded SOTW: X-Mas edition shout out. Maybe I do like Christmas music?
Stay tuned for:
1) SOTY (Song of the Year)
2) That secret SOTW I've been working on
Shout out to Jesus.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
My Mom used to tell me and my sister stories about Melvin who is a young giraffe. Typically, these stories were parables invented on the fly. Melvin had an arch-nemesis named Micah who is a snake. Micah was always trying to get Melvin to do bad stuff (cheat at the carnival, be mean to his sister, steal toys). Clearly this was my Mom's way of teaching us ethics (occasionally retrospectively) through mythology/trickery. My point here is (religion aside), Santa Claus was invented on the fly by someone's "Mom" to trick their kids into being nice. This is my theory.
Lastly, wouldn't it be strange if someone wrote a bunch of songs about the adventures of Melvin? And then artists went on to cover and re-cover these songs ad nauseum. Real strange, but I'd check that out...for sure.
With all of this in mind, I give you a completely unrelated song by the misleadingly Christmas-esqu Sleigh Bells (Riot Rhythm)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6OhdzB843w&feature=related
This video is pretty strange (aren't they all?). Basically, this guy with a beard teaches a young kid how to dominate in chess. Pretty standard. Sleigh Bells was either #1 or #2 on the most dominant concerts of 2011 list. So, coupled with their festive name, they get the rarely awarded SOTW: X-Mas edition shout out. Maybe I do like Christmas music?
Stay tuned for:
1) SOTY (Song of the Year)
2) That secret SOTW I've been working on
Shout out to Jesus.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Monday, November 7, 2011
Song of the Week (Dave Matthews Band - Crush)
I know what you're thinking...WTF JZ! Dave Matthews? I mean seriously...
Lay off kimosabee! This is a special dedication to my boy C. Scott. As some of you know Chris got married last weekend, and his favorite band is DMB. I have to admit, Scott is dedicated. He's stuck with Dave through the Lilawhite (sp?) sessions. He's been to over 50 Dave shows all over the U.S. And he remains a devoted fan to the bringers of late 90s-style partyness.
You remember those days. You smuggled an Ozarka bottle of vodka into Coca-Cola Starplex circa 1999. You probably almost got into a fight with some "dudes from HP" cuz they were "talking sh!t". But don't worry, Larry and Kenneth had your back so you could show those punks what's up. You probably attempted to makeout with a girl during "Say Goodbye", with your vodka-sprite in one hand and camel light in the other (so f'n classy). "Oh man, is that Ants Marching? Oh shhhheeeeiiittt! That's my track! Dude...if they play Dreaming Tree, I'm gonna f'ing lose it!" At this point you've "Said Goodbye" to whatever grrl you were hollerin' at, cuz Dave's jammin' a 10 minute version of Watchtower. Bizzness!
Yes those were certainly times in our lives.
Say what you will about DMB, but them dudes can play. Carter Beauford is arguably the greatest guy hitting the skins today, Dave is no slouch on the acoustic and the supporting cast is all top-shelf.
On a personal level (isn't it always personal?), Dave is firmly etched into my High School experience. I wasn't the biggest fan, but man, those guys dominated the airwaves for a spell. And guys like C. Scott and Dallas Gall rocked it endlessly. No regrets there.
I give you "Crush":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elUwSHjfA94
This was one of my fave Dave tracks, probably due to Stefan's fat bass line. It also feels a little darker than other Dave tunes...which, in this case, is a good thing.
Shout out to Christoph on getting married. Well played sir. And birthday shout out to Wong and Green. You're just gonna have to support Dave this week, damies. Prouda y'all.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Lay off kimosabee! This is a special dedication to my boy C. Scott. As some of you know Chris got married last weekend, and his favorite band is DMB. I have to admit, Scott is dedicated. He's stuck with Dave through the Lilawhite (sp?) sessions. He's been to over 50 Dave shows all over the U.S. And he remains a devoted fan to the bringers of late 90s-style partyness.
You remember those days. You smuggled an Ozarka bottle of vodka into Coca-Cola Starplex circa 1999. You probably almost got into a fight with some "dudes from HP" cuz they were "talking sh!t". But don't worry, Larry and Kenneth had your back so you could show those punks what's up. You probably attempted to makeout with a girl during "Say Goodbye", with your vodka-sprite in one hand and camel light in the other (so f'n classy). "Oh man, is that Ants Marching? Oh shhhheeeeiiittt! That's my track! Dude...if they play Dreaming Tree, I'm gonna f'ing lose it!" At this point you've "Said Goodbye" to whatever grrl you were hollerin' at, cuz Dave's jammin' a 10 minute version of Watchtower. Bizzness!
Yes those were certainly times in our lives.
Say what you will about DMB, but them dudes can play. Carter Beauford is arguably the greatest guy hitting the skins today, Dave is no slouch on the acoustic and the supporting cast is all top-shelf.
On a personal level (isn't it always personal?), Dave is firmly etched into my High School experience. I wasn't the biggest fan, but man, those guys dominated the airwaves for a spell. And guys like C. Scott and Dallas Gall rocked it endlessly. No regrets there.
I give you "Crush":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elUwSHjfA94
This was one of my fave Dave tracks, probably due to Stefan's fat bass line. It also feels a little darker than other Dave tunes...which, in this case, is a good thing.
Shout out to Christoph on getting married. Well played sir. And birthday shout out to Wong and Green. You're just gonna have to support Dave this week, damies. Prouda y'all.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, November 4, 2011
Song of the Week (AraabMUZIK - Feelin' so Hood)
A lot of the music that has interested me lately has been largely beat driven. Well, it has to sound good too, but I'm especially impressed with creative beats. Dubstep seems pretty played out right now, which means my Mom is about to ask me: "Son of mine! Have you heard about this new dubstep music?! I heard this band called Skittllesaurus Rex (Skrillex) It's kinda like Ghostparty (what my Mom calls Ghostland)."
AraabMUZIK is pretty f'n legit. My man Eric Zimmermann told me to check em out, and so I did. I hope this style is the next iteration of dubstep. Don't get me wrong, I can dig some wobble-bass, but after 1,000 wahwahwahwah...wabawabawabawaba....wahwahwahwah(s), I get a little bored.
Check out: "Feelin' so Hood"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZDtV6KDUis
Admittedly, the video was probably put together by a USC film student (Freshman), but the song is the bombtrack. Best enjoyed when one is feelin' hood.
2 - 3 more weeks...oh man
Hope you Dig,
JZ
AraabMUZIK is pretty f'n legit. My man Eric Zimmermann told me to check em out, and so I did. I hope this style is the next iteration of dubstep. Don't get me wrong, I can dig some wobble-bass, but after 1,000 wahwahwahwah...wabawabawabawaba....wahwahwahwah(s), I get a little bored.
Check out: "Feelin' so Hood"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZDtV6KDUis
Admittedly, the video was probably put together by a USC film student (Freshman), but the song is the bombtrack. Best enjoyed when one is feelin' hood.
2 - 3 more weeks...oh man
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, October 28, 2011
Song of the Week (Turq Jeep - Cavities)
So many topics to cover this week: Rangers, Explosions in the Sky, Occupy Dallas, Halloween. I'm just playin' this is the HALLOWEEN edition, FAM!
Yes, it's that special time of year where kids ring stranger's doorbells in hopes of obtaining something sweet and non-razorbladey. It's the time when a young man can dress up like a Nintendo game character or a Carrot or Phil Specter or Bobby Flay and feel totally secure. It's also that time when girls dress up like Baron's mom...OHHHH FFFAAACCCEEE! (Baron is my friend who has a really hot mom who dresses like a slutty Kreashawn).
I'll be honest, I thought about just half-@ssing Halloween this year. I've been busy at work, insert excuse and insert excuse. I was just gonna wear a suit and be an investment banker or Robert Palmer. As an aside, I think Robert Palmer used to work for JT Marlin...
Then I snapped out of it, partly because I found my secret costume just hanging in the back of my closet, and partly because I'm not quite ready to hang up the matador jacket/wig/blaster arm. There's something radical about Halloween. When people dress up like crazy characters, they just have more fun. It's true. In my late-night partying phase, I had a box (still do) full of "funny hats", which would be distributed routinely to revelers. This takes you into Level 1 Fun (the highest level of fun).
Level 1: Fun when you're doing it and when you remember it (Halloween)
Level 2: No fun when you're doing it, but fun when you remember it (Climbing Mt. Shasta)
Level 3: Fun when you're doing it, but no fun when you remember it (they call this the "moral hangover")
Level 4: No fun when you're doing it, and no fun when you remember it (feeding my cat Sam)
This week's SOTW is strictly to be played in Level 1 Fun zones: "Cavities"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXUF8GdD_0E
Your boys Flynt Flossy, Pretty Raheem and Watchyamacalit are at it again.
"I got that light saba
Darker than Darth Vada
More power than the maya
Call it the dragon slaya"
#subtle
I know what you're thinkin': boy Pretty Raheem sure has put on some lbs...I know, totally.
This is the Halloween anthem cuz babies will be gettin' cavities this weekend...
In other news, the quasi-climactic SOTW is nearly complete. Stay tuned.
Shout out to Ron Washington and the Texas Rangers.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Yes, it's that special time of year where kids ring stranger's doorbells in hopes of obtaining something sweet and non-razorbladey. It's the time when a young man can dress up like a Nintendo game character or a Carrot or Phil Specter or Bobby Flay and feel totally secure. It's also that time when girls dress up like Baron's mom...OHHHH FFFAAACCCEEE! (Baron is my friend who has a really hot mom who dresses like a slutty Kreashawn).
I'll be honest, I thought about just half-@ssing Halloween this year. I've been busy at work, insert excuse and insert excuse. I was just gonna wear a suit and be an investment banker or Robert Palmer. As an aside, I think Robert Palmer used to work for JT Marlin...
Then I snapped out of it, partly because I found my secret costume just hanging in the back of my closet, and partly because I'm not quite ready to hang up the matador jacket/wig/blaster arm. There's something radical about Halloween. When people dress up like crazy characters, they just have more fun. It's true. In my late-night partying phase, I had a box (still do) full of "funny hats", which would be distributed routinely to revelers. This takes you into Level 1 Fun (the highest level of fun).
Level 1: Fun when you're doing it and when you remember it (Halloween)
Level 2: No fun when you're doing it, but fun when you remember it (Climbing Mt. Shasta)
Level 3: Fun when you're doing it, but no fun when you remember it (they call this the "moral hangover")
Level 4: No fun when you're doing it, and no fun when you remember it (feeding my cat Sam)
This week's SOTW is strictly to be played in Level 1 Fun zones: "Cavities"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXUF8GdD_0E
Your boys Flynt Flossy, Pretty Raheem and Watchyamacalit are at it again.
"I got that light saba
Darker than Darth Vada
More power than the maya
Call it the dragon slaya"
#subtle
I know what you're thinkin': boy Pretty Raheem sure has put on some lbs...I know, totally.
This is the Halloween anthem cuz babies will be gettin' cavities this weekend...
In other news, the quasi-climactic SOTW is nearly complete. Stay tuned.
Shout out to Ron Washington and the Texas Rangers.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, October 21, 2011
Song of the Week (Guest edition: Elton John - I'm Still Standing)
JZ: Ladies and gents, I have a very special guest submission from my sister (Zard). Please don't make fun of her for referencing Highlandettes or for being a blockhead.
Zard: Thank you to JZ for graciously allowing me to do a guest post this week. It may be just me, but he has had a string of songs that I have never heard before. Hope that you enjoy a familiar song this week.
Zard: Thank you to JZ for graciously allowing me to do a guest post this week. It may be just me, but he has had a string of songs that I have never heard before. Hope that you enjoy a familiar song this week.
I’m not the biggest of Elton John fans, but something about Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” makes me wanna strap on my old Highlandettes boots (I promise drill team was cool) and neon spandex and dance around the streets. Somehow, I wouldn’t be surprised if I fit right in at the Occupy Philly protest at city hall. I saw a guy the other day holding up a sign that said “Pay for my College Tuition.” Really?!
This song was on the 1983 album, Too Low for Zero, and Elton sings about making a comeback despite the problems in daily life. I have a lot of daily problems that I have to make a comeback from, such as:
1. 1) JZ tuning out the family in Jackson Hole with games on his iphone (granted it was during a marathon drive to Yellowstone) (JZ: Puhhhlllleaaazzze)
2. 2) The Corporate lifestyle aka filing papers according to my boss’s son
3. 3) Philly public transportation
4. 4) Hurricanes and earthquakes
5. 5) Our parent’s cat, Sam, terrorizing our dog, Camper (JZ: Intercepted wires have suggested that Sam the cat was sponsored by Muammar Gaddafi, until very recently...)
Please take some time to watch the music video. A couple of noteworthy clips include Elton tipping the hotel bellhop with glitter (genius and thrifty), the rockin’ 80s dance moves (strutting around, shoulder movements, and flailing arms and legs), painted bodies, human dominoes, crazy glasses, and all things French. WARNING: This video contains excessive use of speedos. I don’t endorse the use of speedos, but just wanted you to prepare yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHwVBirqD2s&ob=av2e
I would like to dedicate this SOTW post to the Texas Rangers, who are still standing after an amazing 9th inning comeback to beat the Cardinals in game 2 of the World Series last night. I’d like to think that Nelson Cruz had an Elton John song running through his head as he hit 6 homeruns in the ALCS series. Go Rangers!
Now that you are in such a good mood from watching such a rocking video, watch this and be prepared to be overwhelmed by its cuteness. Too bad we didn’t see something like this in Wyoming on our family vacation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDvjoIUNYtU
Have a happy, Fall weekend!
In keeping with recent foreshadowing, look out for an epic SOTW in the next few weeks, not be confused with the always anticipated, occasionally decent, Halloween edition.
Hope you Dig,
JZ & Zard
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Song of the Week (Naked & Famous - Punching in a Dream)
Welp, that game sure sucked. Am I wrong? Rest easy, SOTW won't feature football until next October when the real Showdown occurs. Last weekend was just an anomaly...
This song is dedicated to Occupy Wall Street. You guys are fighting the good fight...right?
Excerpt from the "Good Neighbor Policy": OWS will limit drumming on the site to 2 hours per day, between the hours of 11am and 5pm only (OHHHH NOOOO THEY DIDN'T!)
In all seriousness, if I didn't have a job, I'd probably wanna party...I mean occupy, too.
Naked & Famous understand what you (occupants) are going through, and they empathize: "Punching in a Dream"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCcUXEC5_eU&feature=relmfu
Personally, I heart this song so much because it sounds so happy, but the lyrics are so frightening. Sort of the opposite of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day". The lyrics are happy but overlaid with a haunting arrangement.
Naked & Famous will be dominating at the Granada circa next Thursday night. It's a sold out show, but you should still try and get tickets because this band both legit, and nearly peaking right now. Kinda like Foster the People, except enjoyable.
I hope to see many of you at the Black Angels tonight. Oh Man...it's going to destroy!
So, we are one week closer to a very special SOTW. Here's a hint: There will be synthesizers...
Hope you Dig,
JZ
PS...it is very funny to be a frog (@M83)
This song is dedicated to Occupy Wall Street. You guys are fighting the good fight...right?
Excerpt from the "Good Neighbor Policy": OWS will limit drumming on the site to 2 hours per day, between the hours of 11am and 5pm only (OHHHH NOOOO THEY DIDN'T!)
In all seriousness, if I didn't have a job, I'd probably wanna party...I mean occupy, too.
Naked & Famous understand what you (occupants) are going through, and they empathize: "Punching in a Dream"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCcUXEC5_eU&feature=relmfu
Personally, I heart this song so much because it sounds so happy, but the lyrics are so frightening. Sort of the opposite of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day". The lyrics are happy but overlaid with a haunting arrangement.
Naked & Famous will be dominating at the Granada circa next Thursday night. It's a sold out show, but you should still try and get tickets because this band both legit, and nearly peaking right now. Kinda like Foster the People, except enjoyable.
I hope to see many of you at the Black Angels tonight. Oh Man...it's going to destroy!
So, we are one week closer to a very special SOTW. Here's a hint: There will be synthesizers...
Hope you Dig,
JZ
PS...it is very funny to be a frog (@M83)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Song of the Week TXOU Edition (ELO - Showdown)
You know what time it is: TX/OU Weekend, sun! Every October, 2 arch rivals travel to Dallas to battle it out in the Red River Shootout. Not since Brown v. The Board of Education has there been a more anticipated matchup. Not since Sam the cat v. JZ "This Time It's Personal" has there been a battle so fierce. But what song to choose from? What song truly articulates the mayhem that will certainly ensue in full purview of Big Tex? Showdown Biatch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_IYTTSLsWw
Yes, you've heard it before and you'll hear it again. Electric Light Orchestra ("ELO") brings us the ultimate in battle anticipation: "Showdown"
Songs like "Showdown" just aren't written anymore. Quasi-Anthemic blues tunes like this with orchestral arrangements? Who's doing this? Don't say Polyphonic Spree. They have more in common with the Hale-Bop comet than ELO. Seriously though, I heard a Nicki Menaj song the other day. Are we all familiar with the Menaj. All the youngsters are talking about it. See below for an excerpt from the chart topping "Superbass":
"And he ill, he real, he might got a deal
He pop bottles and he got the right kind of build
He cold, he dope, he might sell coke
He always in the air, but he never fly coach"
Case closed...
Something I often discuss in SOTW is the aspect of "Business Time" in great songs. I'm referring to that opening lick that let's you know what time it is. ELO's "Showdown" is the perfect example: The strings start low, get higher, and with more layers, then they slip into this funky / bluesy feel. Oh man...so much f'ing business...
Stay tuned the next several weeks for a very special SOTW. I've been working on this particular SOTW for nearly 2 years, and I think it may just be ready. More on this later...
Hope you Dig,
JZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_IYTTSLsWw
Yes, you've heard it before and you'll hear it again. Electric Light Orchestra ("ELO") brings us the ultimate in battle anticipation: "Showdown"
Songs like "Showdown" just aren't written anymore. Quasi-Anthemic blues tunes like this with orchestral arrangements? Who's doing this? Don't say Polyphonic Spree. They have more in common with the Hale-Bop comet than ELO. Seriously though, I heard a Nicki Menaj song the other day. Are we all familiar with the Menaj. All the youngsters are talking about it. See below for an excerpt from the chart topping "Superbass":
"And he ill, he real, he might got a deal
He pop bottles and he got the right kind of build
He cold, he dope, he might sell coke
He always in the air, but he never fly coach"
Case closed...
Something I often discuss in SOTW is the aspect of "Business Time" in great songs. I'm referring to that opening lick that let's you know what time it is. ELO's "Showdown" is the perfect example: The strings start low, get higher, and with more layers, then they slip into this funky / bluesy feel. Oh man...so much f'ing business...
Stay tuned the next several weeks for a very special SOTW. I've been working on this particular SOTW for nearly 2 years, and I think it may just be ready. More on this later...
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Song of the Week ACL edition (TVOTR - various)
It's that special time again: ACL! Thus marks the end of summer and one of the greatest weekends of the year. Needless to say, I'm on pinz and needlz.
The receiver of the coveted SOTW endorsement is clearly TV on the Radio ("TVOTR"). Seriously, who else could it be? Sure Arcade Fire are peaking right now, and who could argue the awesomeness of Death from Above 1979 (both previously featured on SOTW), but TVOTR is just too dominant. I've clearly been listening to them a lot lately. I'm just so in awe of how different they sound than every other band out there today. If there was a Venn diagram with Unique over one circle and Rad over the other, TVOTR would be firmly in the middle, capturing equal shares of each. I've been doing some graphing lately...
If you aren't traveling to Austin this weekend (I wish you would), fret not. TVOTR is playing in Dallas Friday (TONIGHT) at HOB! As an aside, Explosions in the Sky is also playing in Dallas tonight. I'm almost grateful that I won't be here because I would have to decide between 2 of the greatest bands of the last decade. I implore you: go see one of these if you are in Dallas, and you don't have to cat-sit this weekend. If you aren't in Texas this weekend...I feel bad for you, sun...
Here's a semi-old school fave (Wolf Like Me):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1-xRk6llh4
It's a quirky video, and baller. If only I was as cool as the least cool member in TVOTR...
Even older-school and the first TVOTR song I heard whilst living in Sydney (Staring at the Sun):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uo2WLQ2LVA
Yout tube comment: "damn. black people rule"
More recent (Second Song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwYM2t22h_E
Killer
Bday shout out to Scarff...thanks for keeping me honest on the SOTW
Hope you Dig,
JZ
The receiver of the coveted SOTW endorsement is clearly TV on the Radio ("TVOTR"). Seriously, who else could it be? Sure Arcade Fire are peaking right now, and who could argue the awesomeness of Death from Above 1979 (both previously featured on SOTW), but TVOTR is just too dominant. I've clearly been listening to them a lot lately. I'm just so in awe of how different they sound than every other band out there today. If there was a Venn diagram with Unique over one circle and Rad over the other, TVOTR would be firmly in the middle, capturing equal shares of each. I've been doing some graphing lately...
If you aren't traveling to Austin this weekend (I wish you would), fret not. TVOTR is playing in Dallas Friday (TONIGHT) at HOB! As an aside, Explosions in the Sky is also playing in Dallas tonight. I'm almost grateful that I won't be here because I would have to decide between 2 of the greatest bands of the last decade. I implore you: go see one of these if you are in Dallas, and you don't have to cat-sit this weekend. If you aren't in Texas this weekend...I feel bad for you, sun...
Here's a semi-old school fave (Wolf Like Me):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1-xRk6llh4
It's a quirky video, and baller. If only I was as cool as the least cool member in TVOTR...
Even older-school and the first TVOTR song I heard whilst living in Sydney (Staring at the Sun):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uo2WLQ2LVA
Yout tube comment: "damn. black people rule"
More recent (Second Song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwYM2t22h_E
Killer
Bday shout out to Scarff...thanks for keeping me honest on the SOTW
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, September 2, 2011
Album of the Week (M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming)
When I came across an advance copy of M83s instant classic album: "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming", you might as well have told me in your Maury voice that "I'm not the father!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt2i0ts-uck
The Intro track alone, blew my mind. I implore you all to go out and get this album. My itunes tells me I've listened to at least 5 of the songs more than 20x. That's some pretty heavy rotation.
You know what I love about M83? They deliver every time. I've come to realize that I'm not a big believer in bands that "reinvent" themselves. M83 delivers the same lush, synthy awesomeness every time.
Think about it: would you continue buying Coca-Cola if one day Coke decided to make it taste more like high-end cat food? Probably not. This is how I feel about countless bands who had a winning formula and decided to "branch out":
Modest Mouse going Pop
Dream Theater trying to go more Hardcore/Screamo
Kanye West talking
People like consistency, and M83 is f'ing consistent. Let's not confuse this with a distaste for growth. Growth is a great thing. Metallica came a long way from Kill em All to the Black Album. Am I wrong?
In like fashion, M83 went from no vocals, to some vocals, to primarily female vocals, to primarily male vocals. But M83 never lost its sound. Sometimes radio-friendly 80s-ish, but mostly just good old-fashioned radio-phobic shoe-gazey dream-pop.
Sadly there aren't any decent new videos from the new album yet, but don't fret. Here's some audio for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDyonn3mQj8
As an aside, last week I went to Jackson Hole with my family. Shout out to my family. We saw some pretty sweet buffaloes / geysers. Anyways, I listened to this album when I was mountain biking in the Tetons...pretty much one of the most legit things I've ever done alone...until I fell end-over-end, which didn't really matter, because Track 5 was playing when I scrambled up.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt2i0ts-uck
The Intro track alone, blew my mind. I implore you all to go out and get this album. My itunes tells me I've listened to at least 5 of the songs more than 20x. That's some pretty heavy rotation.
You know what I love about M83? They deliver every time. I've come to realize that I'm not a big believer in bands that "reinvent" themselves. M83 delivers the same lush, synthy awesomeness every time.
Think about it: would you continue buying Coca-Cola if one day Coke decided to make it taste more like high-end cat food? Probably not. This is how I feel about countless bands who had a winning formula and decided to "branch out":
Modest Mouse going Pop
Dream Theater trying to go more Hardcore/Screamo
Kanye West talking
People like consistency, and M83 is f'ing consistent. Let's not confuse this with a distaste for growth. Growth is a great thing. Metallica came a long way from Kill em All to the Black Album. Am I wrong?
In like fashion, M83 went from no vocals, to some vocals, to primarily female vocals, to primarily male vocals. But M83 never lost its sound. Sometimes radio-friendly 80s-ish, but mostly just good old-fashioned radio-phobic shoe-gazey dream-pop.
Sadly there aren't any decent new videos from the new album yet, but don't fret. Here's some audio for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDyonn3mQj8
As an aside, last week I went to Jackson Hole with my family. Shout out to my family. We saw some pretty sweet buffaloes / geysers. Anyways, I listened to this album when I was mountain biking in the Tetons...pretty much one of the most legit things I've ever done alone...until I fell end-over-end, which didn't really matter, because Track 5 was playing when I scrambled up.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Song of the Week (Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames)
OK...I know most of you don't like metal. And that's totally fine...this week's post is not primarily about metal. Well, a portion of it is...oh man...
So, there we were in our ocean blue Toyota Camry cruising by Kreayshon through the Golden Gate Bridge in sunny Northern California to commence the road trip that would define a generat...errr...a week in our lives. We had caught the proverbial tiger by the tail and we were on our way...down the coast, through the mountains, through the forest. Oh what's that PT...you get extremely car sick?! Just one of a few bumps in the road to a higher purpose.
While on the road, we blew through hours of music. I created 4 Road Trip Mix Tapes:
1) Road Trip Chill
2) Road Trip Electro
3) Road Trip Nu School
4) Road Trip Old School
I tried to tailor it to my audience as much as possible. There was air guitar, there was air drums, there was singing out of tune (all from PT), and various iterations of head bobbing. On the coast, it was pretty laid back (M83 / Cass McCombs). In the Redwoods, upbeat and nostalgic (Soundgarden / TV on the Radio). For the mountains, we went a little harder...
If you know me and you know PT, you know we are in the minority (Chris and Wong, you guys are in here too) who care for the metal genre. So, on the way to Mendocino, PT asked me if I had ever listened to Dragonforce. I hadn't. It was as if I slapped his mother. He spent the next 20 minutes talking this band up to me. About how much they destroy. About how over-the-top awesome they are, etc., but he didn't play them yet. It wasn't the right time.
A day later, on a climb through some mountains, the time had come. PT put on "Through the Fire and the Flames"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgrCKhxE1s
I gotta say. It rocked. Hard.
The whole time I listened to it, I was thinking of that scene at the end of Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey where Bill and Ted go back in time to learn how to rock. I think Dragonforce came from the future and traveled to the past (aka present day) a la Marty McFly in the Johnny B. Good scene.
This band has it all: fast guitars, double-bass drum mania, power stances that rival crabcore and a power vocalist that doesn't scream (more like Maiden...less like pain to my ears) and of course, mythical imagery (a must for any legit metal band).
So why now? The road trip was completed months ago. Well, much like Dragonforce (in the metal world), PT has achieved greatness through a different road trip (in the Philosophy world). That's right folks, through the fire and the flames, PT has become a doctor. He sits atop the mountain of intelligentsia with the likes of Messrs: Aristotle, Locke, Dre, Octagon and Pepper.
Shout out to Patrick Todd for this awesome achievement. As for Mt. Shasta/related misadventures...my bad, sun.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
So, there we were in our ocean blue Toyota Camry cruising by Kreayshon through the Golden Gate Bridge in sunny Northern California to commence the road trip that would define a generat...errr...a week in our lives. We had caught the proverbial tiger by the tail and we were on our way...down the coast, through the mountains, through the forest. Oh what's that PT...you get extremely car sick?! Just one of a few bumps in the road to a higher purpose.
While on the road, we blew through hours of music. I created 4 Road Trip Mix Tapes:
1) Road Trip Chill
2) Road Trip Electro
3) Road Trip Nu School
4) Road Trip Old School
I tried to tailor it to my audience as much as possible. There was air guitar, there was air drums, there was singing out of tune (all from PT), and various iterations of head bobbing. On the coast, it was pretty laid back (M83 / Cass McCombs). In the Redwoods, upbeat and nostalgic (Soundgarden / TV on the Radio). For the mountains, we went a little harder...
If you know me and you know PT, you know we are in the minority (Chris and Wong, you guys are in here too) who care for the metal genre. So, on the way to Mendocino, PT asked me if I had ever listened to Dragonforce. I hadn't. It was as if I slapped his mother. He spent the next 20 minutes talking this band up to me. About how much they destroy. About how over-the-top awesome they are, etc., but he didn't play them yet. It wasn't the right time.
A day later, on a climb through some mountains, the time had come. PT put on "Through the Fire and the Flames"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgrCKhxE1s
I gotta say. It rocked. Hard.
The whole time I listened to it, I was thinking of that scene at the end of Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey where Bill and Ted go back in time to learn how to rock. I think Dragonforce came from the future and traveled to the past (aka present day) a la Marty McFly in the Johnny B. Good scene.
This band has it all: fast guitars, double-bass drum mania, power stances that rival crabcore and a power vocalist that doesn't scream (more like Maiden...less like pain to my ears) and of course, mythical imagery (a must for any legit metal band).
So why now? The road trip was completed months ago. Well, much like Dragonforce (in the metal world), PT has achieved greatness through a different road trip (in the Philosophy world). That's right folks, through the fire and the flames, PT has become a doctor. He sits atop the mountain of intelligentsia with the likes of Messrs: Aristotle, Locke, Dre, Octagon and Pepper.
Shout out to Patrick Todd for this awesome achievement. As for Mt. Shasta/related misadventures...my bad, sun.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, August 26, 2011
Song of the Week (Daft Punk - One More Time)
All apologies for taking a few weeks off. I had to go to NorCal with my travel partner (not to be confused with life partner) PT. Normally, I would do some sort of road-trip or vacay-inspired SOTW submission, however, this week is dedicated to High School.
As some of you LHHS Wildcat blog subscribers may already know, this weekend is the Class of '01, 10-year HS reunion. Coincidentally, it's also the Class of '81, 30-year HS reunion...I digress.
Some of us have been waiting for this moment for 10 years...others have been waiting since 10 minutes ago. I'm certain a reunion means different things to different people. Some people will enjoy seeing some of the old friends they haven't kept up with or F-book stalked. Some people are dreading seeing the one-that-got-away. Some people will recall bittersweet memories of starting a lawn mowing business out of a buddy's PT Cruiser and tearing the garage door down because "someone" left the back hatch open. That person may recall his Mom making him sleep in a cot in the driveway as punishment because his Dad was out of town... Many will hearken back to a time when your biggest worry was getting a coveted spot in someone's car for the weekend, en route to some parking lot, conducive to booze consumption. Others won't even attend. One thing is a near certainty: it will be interesting.
I don't think these were "the times of our lives" as some of us would like to believe. But they were definitely times. Sure, we'll see a few Uncle Rico's at the reunion. I bet we'll also have some Jerry Springer moments, but personally, I like life post-HS way better. Although, I wouldn't mind having unlimited time again...and a nicer cat named Sam...
Daft Punk's "One More Time" was our Senior Song, if there is such a thing. Looking back, I'm a little surprised we got that one through the gauntlet. Who would have thought with all the terrible music out there, we could achieve such a classy song from that French electro-powerhouse known as Daft Punk? I'm talking about 2001, before Kanye and T-Pain butchered the vocoder, in a pre-Kesha world. 2001 had it's share of awfulness, but we're not here to remember that are we. Can you feel the teen angst coming back? I hope I get a date to the Sadie Hawkins Dance...
As with all Daft Punk vids, prepare for some cartoon/weirdness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGBhQbmPwH8
As an aside, I give you the Friday Song (Battleflag by Lo Fi Allstars to be played in a black 4-Runner at approximately 4:30pm on Friday after school / wrestling practice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuwWvPGul3o
Pretty cool video, that I didn't see until this week.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
As some of you LHHS Wildcat blog subscribers may already know, this weekend is the Class of '01, 10-year HS reunion. Coincidentally, it's also the Class of '81, 30-year HS reunion...I digress.
Some of us have been waiting for this moment for 10 years...others have been waiting since 10 minutes ago. I'm certain a reunion means different things to different people. Some people will enjoy seeing some of the old friends they haven't kept up with or F-book stalked. Some people are dreading seeing the one-that-got-away. Some people will recall bittersweet memories of starting a lawn mowing business out of a buddy's PT Cruiser and tearing the garage door down because "someone" left the back hatch open. That person may recall his Mom making him sleep in a cot in the driveway as punishment because his Dad was out of town... Many will hearken back to a time when your biggest worry was getting a coveted spot in someone's car for the weekend, en route to some parking lot, conducive to booze consumption. Others won't even attend. One thing is a near certainty: it will be interesting.
I don't think these were "the times of our lives" as some of us would like to believe. But they were definitely times. Sure, we'll see a few Uncle Rico's at the reunion. I bet we'll also have some Jerry Springer moments, but personally, I like life post-HS way better. Although, I wouldn't mind having unlimited time again...and a nicer cat named Sam...
Daft Punk's "One More Time" was our Senior Song, if there is such a thing. Looking back, I'm a little surprised we got that one through the gauntlet. Who would have thought with all the terrible music out there, we could achieve such a classy song from that French electro-powerhouse known as Daft Punk? I'm talking about 2001, before Kanye and T-Pain butchered the vocoder, in a pre-Kesha world. 2001 had it's share of awfulness, but we're not here to remember that are we. Can you feel the teen angst coming back? I hope I get a date to the Sadie Hawkins Dance...
As with all Daft Punk vids, prepare for some cartoon/weirdness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGBhQbmPwH8
As an aside, I give you the Friday Song (Battleflag by Lo Fi Allstars to be played in a black 4-Runner at approximately 4:30pm on Friday after school / wrestling practice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuwWvPGul3o
Pretty cool video, that I didn't see until this week.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Song of the Week (Type O Negative - Summer Breeze)
Feel that? That's that summer breeze fam. I know I know, it's a 114 degree summer breeze, but a breeze nonetheless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmE_Zek4e1o
Summer Breeze was originally written by Seals and Croft. It's the song you hear on your way home from summer camp and you're like "F yes". You crank up the music as your mom finally stops asking you why you didn't write her any letters so you can listen to the song. John Graeber wrote his mom letters...
The windows are down, and leg drumming ensues with a brief air guitar solo. You can't wait to dominate some Megaman 3 when you get home.
Fast forward to 1999. You download some sweet new (to you) Type O trax via Napster. Oh here's a hidden gem called "Summer Breeze." I wonder if it's a cover of the Seals and Croft track. It is...and it's the most awesome cover of all time? Perhaps. FYI...cool people call them "Type O" because the "Negative" is implied.
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Type O was one of the most successful bands to come out of the Goth-Metal movement, with their album "Bloody Kisses" going platinum. That's pretty mind blowing if you think about it...such a niche genre. Type O had an incredible stage show, led by the towering (6'8") frontman, singer and bassist Peter Steele. Unfortunately, Peter Steele passed away on April 14th, 2010 from heart failure.
Some people are afraid to like a band like Type O, for fear of what people might think. I think I'm more afraid not to like them, for fear of an undead Peter Steele. RIP Peter Steele.
Seals and Croft (the original, and also awesome)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsHuV3Aj1os
Shout out to Erik Greene for the rec. He's loves this song...to death.
Also, a shout out to Mark and Benny. If you popped into any house (potentially Travis') with a piano and Mark circa 1999, you would have heard a legit rendition of "Christian Woman" featuring Mark on piano and vocals, with Ben and JZ on bud lite / backup vocals.
Last shout out, I promise: Shout out to PWigz. It's your birthday! You're older! In all seriousness, SOTW thanks PWigz for his legit submission last week. Very solid track and write-up.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmE_Zek4e1o
Summer Breeze was originally written by Seals and Croft. It's the song you hear on your way home from summer camp and you're like "F yes". You crank up the music as your mom finally stops asking you why you didn't write her any letters so you can listen to the song. John Graeber wrote his mom letters...
The windows are down, and leg drumming ensues with a brief air guitar solo. You can't wait to dominate some Megaman 3 when you get home.
Fast forward to 1999. You download some sweet new (to you) Type O trax via Napster. Oh here's a hidden gem called "Summer Breeze." I wonder if it's a cover of the Seals and Croft track. It is...and it's the most awesome cover of all time? Perhaps. FYI...cool people call them "Type O" because the "Negative" is implied.
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Type O was one of the most successful bands to come out of the Goth-Metal movement, with their album "Bloody Kisses" going platinum. That's pretty mind blowing if you think about it...such a niche genre. Type O had an incredible stage show, led by the towering (6'8") frontman, singer and bassist Peter Steele. Unfortunately, Peter Steele passed away on April 14th, 2010 from heart failure.
Some people are afraid to like a band like Type O, for fear of what people might think. I think I'm more afraid not to like them, for fear of an undead Peter Steele. RIP Peter Steele.
Seals and Croft (the original, and also awesome)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsHuV3Aj1os
Shout out to Erik Greene for the rec. He's loves this song...to death.
Also, a shout out to Mark and Benny. If you popped into any house (potentially Travis') with a piano and Mark circa 1999, you would have heard a legit rendition of "Christian Woman" featuring Mark on piano and vocals, with Ben and JZ on bud lite / backup vocals.
Last shout out, I promise: Shout out to PWigz. It's your birthday! You're older! In all seriousness, SOTW thanks PWigz for his legit submission last week. Very solid track and write-up.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, July 29, 2011
SOTW (Wugazi - Sleep Rules Everything Around Me)
Song of the Week: Sleep Rules Everything Around Me (Fugazi & Wu-Tang Clan)
Hey sports fans. P-Wigz here filling in for JZ, who’s in the city of brotherly love, presumably loving brothers.
If you know me, you know I love a good mashup. I came dangerously close to posting “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse with Pharoahe Monch rapping over it, but decided that topic is about as predictable at A-dub’s untimely demise.
Instead, please enjoy the soothing sounds of Fugazi, accompanied by the sick-tight rhymes issuing forth from Raekwon the Chef, Method Man & Inspectah Deck of the Wu-Tang Center for Advanced Studies in Mathematics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs79tXcK1Og
This song has been smangin’ my earholes for a couple of weeks now. As a matter of fact, there’s whole album of Wugazi mashups assembled by two enterprising DJs that I’ve kept pretty heavy in the recent rotation.http://wugazi.com/
I’ll note that the Fugazi component of S.R.E.A.M. is atypical of Fugazi. “Soothing” is not a type of sound they typically make (see, e.g., “Great Cop”). Their post-hardcore and subsequent art rock tunes would seem an unlikely compliment to the lyrical stylings of the brothers Wu. It totally works though, in a big way.
You can download the album, 13 Chambers, at the link posted above, where you can also feast your eyeballs on a Wugazi fan video comprised of clips from The Wire. Omar comin’!
Hope you dig,
P-Wigz
Hey sports fans. P-Wigz here filling in for JZ, who’s in the city of brotherly love, presumably loving brothers.
If you know me, you know I love a good mashup. I came dangerously close to posting “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse with Pharoahe Monch rapping over it, but decided that topic is about as predictable at A-dub’s untimely demise.
Instead, please enjoy the soothing sounds of Fugazi, accompanied by the sick-tight rhymes issuing forth from Raekwon the Chef, Method Man & Inspectah Deck of the Wu-Tang Center for Advanced Studies in Mathematics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs79tXcK1Og
This song has been smangin’ my earholes for a couple of weeks now. As a matter of fact, there’s whole album of Wugazi mashups assembled by two enterprising DJs that I’ve kept pretty heavy in the recent rotation.http://wugazi.com/
I’ll note that the Fugazi component of S.R.E.A.M. is atypical of Fugazi. “Soothing” is not a type of sound they typically make (see, e.g., “Great Cop”). Their post-hardcore and subsequent art rock tunes would seem an unlikely compliment to the lyrical stylings of the brothers Wu. It totally works though, in a big way.
You can download the album, 13 Chambers, at the link posted above, where you can also feast your eyeballs on a Wugazi fan video comprised of clips from The Wire. Omar comin’!
Hope you dig,
P-Wigz
Friday, July 22, 2011
Song of the Week (RWR - The Honey Badger Dubstep Remix)
You knew it was coming...
It's been lighting up the airwaves. It's topped the "Animal Documentary" Billboard charts for most of 2011. It's inspired a new dance craze. I give you: The Honey Badger (RWR Dubstep Remix).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7OqIqH34Fk
Thanx for the remix stupid!
And the original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg
For those of you who are new to the internet, the honey badger is a critically acclaimed animal documentary about the life and times of the honey badger. Once thought to be a German Art-haus drama, the honey badger follows the honey badger on his quest for...honey and cobra snakes. One of the more startling scenes occurs when the honey badger gets bitten by a venomous cobra snake. James Lipton called it: "the most tearful scene I've watched since I caught my wife smanging it with my dentist..." Not to worry Mr. Lipton, after a brief venom-nap, the honey badger comes to and is ready for more honey badgery.
Best times to listen to the H-Biz dubstep:
1) At a lakehouse circa 3am
2) At the zoo
3) In Africa
4) At a Silent Disco
Tonight marks the second emergence of the Silent Disco onto the Dallas scene. Undoubtedly, The Honey Badger (RWR Dubstep remix) will be in heavy rotation. So, if you haven't already done so, purchase your ticket (it's at the Green Elephant), dust off your slow-motion karate / badger moves and enjoy the silence.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
It's been lighting up the airwaves. It's topped the "Animal Documentary" Billboard charts for most of 2011. It's inspired a new dance craze. I give you: The Honey Badger (RWR Dubstep Remix).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7OqIqH34Fk
Thanx for the remix stupid!
And the original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg
For those of you who are new to the internet, the honey badger is a critically acclaimed animal documentary about the life and times of the honey badger. Once thought to be a German Art-haus drama, the honey badger follows the honey badger on his quest for...honey and cobra snakes. One of the more startling scenes occurs when the honey badger gets bitten by a venomous cobra snake. James Lipton called it: "the most tearful scene I've watched since I caught my wife smanging it with my dentist..." Not to worry Mr. Lipton, after a brief venom-nap, the honey badger comes to and is ready for more honey badgery.
Best times to listen to the H-Biz dubstep:
1) At a lakehouse circa 3am
2) At the zoo
3) In Africa
4) At a Silent Disco
Tonight marks the second emergence of the Silent Disco onto the Dallas scene. Undoubtedly, The Honey Badger (RWR Dubstep remix) will be in heavy rotation. So, if you haven't already done so, purchase your ticket (it's at the Green Elephant), dust off your slow-motion karate / badger moves and enjoy the silence.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, July 15, 2011
Song of the Week (Mr. Ghetto - Wal-Mart)
We goin' Wally Wally Wally Wally Wally Wally Wurld!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wRjc2Qg-3Y
In this song, Messr. Ghetto espouses some of the fringe benefits of shopping at Wal-Mart.
"Man forget goin' to a club to meet some'n new, when I want me some'n new, I go get me a basket and I walk around Wal-Mart." Well said Mister Ghetto.
Clearly Mr. Ghetto is fed up with his prior dating rituals. He tried the club circuit. He tried Match.com. He tried J-Date. No luv. Then an enterprising Mr. Ghetto asked some tough questions such as: Where do the ladies get their stretchy pantz? LIGHTBULB! Wally Wurld!
Indeed Messr. Ghetto, and they LOVE to shake it all up and down the Wal-Mart isles. Let there be no mistake, girls don't move like this at Target.
A few of my fave lines:
"She got the Louisiana Purchase!" (someone was paying attention in History class)
"She buyin' panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh HOZE!" (I didn't realize how much I like panteh hoze until I heard this)
And the dubstep remix (I've heard better, but I'm trying to prove a theory that every new song has a dubstep remix):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxxQKH3Lbhs
Shout out to M. Turner for introducing me to the Bounce-tastic poetry of Mr. Ghetto.
Bday shout out to P. Bear. I'll see you at Wally Wally Wurld.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wRjc2Qg-3Y
In this song, Messr. Ghetto espouses some of the fringe benefits of shopping at Wal-Mart.
"Man forget goin' to a club to meet some'n new, when I want me some'n new, I go get me a basket and I walk around Wal-Mart." Well said Mister Ghetto.
Clearly Mr. Ghetto is fed up with his prior dating rituals. He tried the club circuit. He tried Match.com. He tried J-Date. No luv. Then an enterprising Mr. Ghetto asked some tough questions such as: Where do the ladies get their stretchy pantz? LIGHTBULB! Wally Wurld!
Indeed Messr. Ghetto, and they LOVE to shake it all up and down the Wal-Mart isles. Let there be no mistake, girls don't move like this at Target.
A few of my fave lines:
"She got the Louisiana Purchase!" (someone was paying attention in History class)
"She buyin' panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh panteh HOZE!" (I didn't realize how much I like panteh hoze until I heard this)
And the dubstep remix (I've heard better, but I'm trying to prove a theory that every new song has a dubstep remix):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxxQKH3Lbhs
Shout out to M. Turner for introducing me to the Bounce-tastic poetry of Mr. Ghetto.
Bday shout out to P. Bear. I'll see you at Wally Wally Wurld.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, July 8, 2011
Song of the Week (Com Truise - Sundriped)
Prepare to ride the chill wavves. The smooth sounds of Com Truise wash over you like the most baller shower you have ever taken. Are you playing a video game? Yes...it's called life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOz5dNtAJd0
If programmers had employed Com Truise to develop video game soundtracks, maybe for Double Dragon or Zelda or something, I would have never left my house. Full disclosure, when Super Mario Bros. dropped, in the Zimmermann household, circa 1989, me and my sister didn't leave the house for 3 days. My parents finally made us go outside and play...which we did...begrudgingly...I was Bowzer.
I digress...I read somewhere that the U.S. Military used music as a weapon to induce Noriega to surrender in Panama. I've decided to employ this tactic in an upcoming battle I have at 6:30pm tonight with a cat named Sam. Through the use of extreme chill wave technology developed by Com Truise, I will lull Sam into a false sense of chillness. At this point, I will pick Sam up like a docile lamb and thrust him back into his garage/lair. Before he has a chance to retaliate, via bites, slaps to the face and lazers, the garage door will be closed and I will be riding the chill wavves all the way back to my crib. HaHa...charade you are Sam!
Hope you Dig,
JZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOz5dNtAJd0
If programmers had employed Com Truise to develop video game soundtracks, maybe for Double Dragon or Zelda or something, I would have never left my house. Full disclosure, when Super Mario Bros. dropped, in the Zimmermann household, circa 1989, me and my sister didn't leave the house for 3 days. My parents finally made us go outside and play...which we did...begrudgingly...I was Bowzer.
I digress...I read somewhere that the U.S. Military used music as a weapon to induce Noriega to surrender in Panama. I've decided to employ this tactic in an upcoming battle I have at 6:30pm tonight with a cat named Sam. Through the use of extreme chill wave technology developed by Com Truise, I will lull Sam into a false sense of chillness. At this point, I will pick Sam up like a docile lamb and thrust him back into his garage/lair. Before he has a chance to retaliate, via bites, slaps to the face and lazers, the garage door will be closed and I will be riding the chill wavves all the way back to my crib. HaHa...charade you are Sam!
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Song of the Week (Kreayshawn - Gucci Gucci)
Oh Kreayshawn...why ist thou such a bad b!tch? Let me count the ways:
1) Thine robes are darned of the finest silks in the land, far exceeding the likes of such basics as Gucci, Fendi, Prada, etc.
2) Thou hast vanquished thine enemies...such basic b!tches could never touch thy crown!
3) Thou snatch-eth everyone's b!tches at thine leisure. Such behavior could only be perceived as colder than the mist of Mordor...rather...than a fridge/freezer.
4) Thine floss-ability knows no bounds as thou floss-eth like Ivana Trump!
Kreayshawn, we saluteth thee, as thou the keeper of the pearl-handled kitty-cat, who mightest be found on Google maps, will give birth to the true heir of thine throne...Swag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WJFjXtHcy4
One big room...full of bad b!tches! What more could a man ask for?
Shout out to all the bad b!tches out there...you know who you are. And an extra-special shout out to America. You're all groweds up...prouda you.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
1) Thine robes are darned of the finest silks in the land, far exceeding the likes of such basics as Gucci, Fendi, Prada, etc.
2) Thou hast vanquished thine enemies...such basic b!tches could never touch thy crown!
3) Thou snatch-eth everyone's b!tches at thine leisure. Such behavior could only be perceived as colder than the mist of Mordor...rather...than a fridge/freezer.
4) Thine floss-ability knows no bounds as thou floss-eth like Ivana Trump!
Kreayshawn, we saluteth thee, as thou the keeper of the pearl-handled kitty-cat, who mightest be found on Google maps, will give birth to the true heir of thine throne...Swag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WJFjXtHcy4
One big room...full of bad b!tches! What more could a man ask for?
Shout out to all the bad b!tches out there...you know who you are. And an extra-special shout out to America. You're all groweds up...prouda you.
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, June 24, 2011
Song of the Week (Pretty Raheem ft. Flynt Flossy - Can He Move It Like This)
In a stunning conclusion to the Turquoise Jeep Trifecta - T. Rex-ploration, Pretty Raheem and Messr. Flossy bring the pain to some unsuspecting "busta". The lavender polo-wearing Carlton-esqu busta didn't even have a chance. Seriously, just look at Pretty Raheem! How could any woman deny his worldly charms and keen fashion sense. Note: my solid neon-lime green suit is on order. And the moves?! Sweet sassy molassee!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaCd5Y9xP3k
Interestingly, Pretty Raheem's opus raises more questions than it answers. Riddle me this Pretty: what if her boyfriend can both do it AND move it like "this"? This makes me think Pretty Raheem has a more limited appeal. Perhaps he exclusively targets women who's boyfriends (on good information) can neither do it NOR move it like this. Flynt Flossy, on the other hand, can clearly move better than anyone on the planet. Thus solidifying his superiority in the Turquoise Jeep hierarchy.
F. Flossy: "Your heart beatin' fast, coma-sex-heart-attack. Forget where you been girl. I'm where it's at."
The Kid n' Play move at the end: Genius. To be followed by a Flynt Flossy spinning roundhouse!?
Slappy pappy weeeeaaahhh weeeaaaayyyy!
Hope you Dig,
JZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaCd5Y9xP3k
Interestingly, Pretty Raheem's opus raises more questions than it answers. Riddle me this Pretty: what if her boyfriend can both do it AND move it like "this"? This makes me think Pretty Raheem has a more limited appeal. Perhaps he exclusively targets women who's boyfriends (on good information) can neither do it NOR move it like this. Flynt Flossy, on the other hand, can clearly move better than anyone on the planet. Thus solidifying his superiority in the Turquoise Jeep hierarchy.
F. Flossy: "Your heart beatin' fast, coma-sex-heart-attack. Forget where you been girl. I'm where it's at."
The Kid n' Play move at the end: Genius. To be followed by a Flynt Flossy spinning roundhouse!?
Slappy pappy weeeeaaahhh weeeaaaayyyy!
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, June 17, 2011
Song of the Week (Flynt Flossy - Did I Mention I Like to Dance)
Alright now, we're gonna "Keep the Jeep Ridin'," Turquoise Jeep that is. No lengthy narrative here. I give you "Did I Mention I Like to Dance" (a Tummy Scratch beat).
Until I saw this video, I thought these dance moves only existed in the future...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxi73RQlLB8
Hope you Dig,
JZ
PS...my purple jumpsuit is on order. Oh snap! Is that a Yung Humma cameo?
Until I saw this video, I thought these dance moves only existed in the future...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxi73RQlLB8
Hope you Dig,
JZ
PS...my purple jumpsuit is on order. Oh snap! Is that a Yung Humma cameo?
Friday, June 10, 2011
Song of the Week (Yung Humma ft. Flynt Flossy - Lemme Smang It)
What? You don't know how to smang it? Smang it = Smash it + Bang it. Yung Humma and Flynt Flossy are really taking rap to the next level with their hit song: "Lemme Smang It (grrrrl)".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt5ghXdq6Z0
Seriously, not since Dre / Snoop came out with the instant-classic, The Chronic, has an album changed the game so dramatically.
Full disclosure...this will make 8 times I have watched this video in the last 24 hours...seriously life-changing sh!t. PLEASE just watch how disinterested the girl looks as Yung Humma attempts to simulate smangin' it while she's in a chair! O-M-G
Here are a few of my fave rhymes:
1) "Heeeeeeeyyy little lady how you feelin'? It's Humma-boo at the crib just chillin'" - awwww
2) "The way I work that kitty, gonna make your heart sang" - genius
3) Flynt Flossy: "Kiss ya to ya toes til ya git that sin-sation. It's a love scene baby with no communication." - what!?
These guys can't make videos fast enough...I'm seriously considering doing a Turquoise Jeep 3-week special to celebrate the hottest new artists of 2011.
Have I practiced the Smang it? Yes...several times...grrrl. What?
The Smang It...coming to a dancefloor near you
Hope you Dig,
JZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt5ghXdq6Z0
Seriously, not since Dre / Snoop came out with the instant-classic, The Chronic, has an album changed the game so dramatically.
Full disclosure...this will make 8 times I have watched this video in the last 24 hours...seriously life-changing sh!t. PLEASE just watch how disinterested the girl looks as Yung Humma attempts to simulate smangin' it while she's in a chair! O-M-G
Here are a few of my fave rhymes:
1) "Heeeeeeeyyy little lady how you feelin'? It's Humma-boo at the crib just chillin'" - awwww
2) "The way I work that kitty, gonna make your heart sang" - genius
3) Flynt Flossy: "Kiss ya to ya toes til ya git that sin-sation. It's a love scene baby with no communication." - what!?
These guys can't make videos fast enough...I'm seriously considering doing a Turquoise Jeep 3-week special to celebrate the hottest new artists of 2011.
Have I practiced the Smang it? Yes...several times...grrrl. What?
The Smang It...coming to a dancefloor near you
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Friday, June 3, 2011
Song of the Week (Z-Trip Supernatural and Murs - Breakfast Club)
Do you like Saturday morning cartoons? No, silly goose, not the whack present day cartoons. I'm talking about a little something called Voltron. Let's not forget Thundercats who have achieved cult-like status. What about some of the lesser-known Hanna-Barbera classics like Johnny Quest or the Herculoids or even Birdman? And you call yourself a liker of cartoons?
Ask my sister, Saturday mornings were sacred in the Z-mann household. From 7:30am to 11:30am, Sammy (the 1st) and I dominated the TV room. Such domination must be fueled by something...but what? It's gotta be something with enough awesomeness to last me for a good 4 hours of serious toonage. Perhaps something one could go Cuckoo for? Cocoa Puffs...F Yes!
This didn't stop in elementary school. I watched 5 seasons of Dragonball Z straight, on TV, during my Senior year of High School. Keep in mind this is in a pre-TiVo world.
Where am I going with this? Oh yes, the SOTW: Z-Trip and Murs - Breakfast Club. In this song, Murs sheds the Hip-Hop bling-bling / pop-pop gangsta culture and raps about a different side of said culture: eating gangsta cereal and watching gangsta cartoons. The hook is downright infectious, and the subject matter is firmly in many of our wheelhouses.
Here's a nice remix with some very nice artwork:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-JSuQP7FEs&feature=related
Actual full-length track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP4u4I96DVQ
Thunder Thunder Thundercats! HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
F to U Mummrah!
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Ask my sister, Saturday mornings were sacred in the Z-mann household. From 7:30am to 11:30am, Sammy (the 1st) and I dominated the TV room. Such domination must be fueled by something...but what? It's gotta be something with enough awesomeness to last me for a good 4 hours of serious toonage. Perhaps something one could go Cuckoo for? Cocoa Puffs...F Yes!
This didn't stop in elementary school. I watched 5 seasons of Dragonball Z straight, on TV, during my Senior year of High School. Keep in mind this is in a pre-TiVo world.
Where am I going with this? Oh yes, the SOTW: Z-Trip and Murs - Breakfast Club. In this song, Murs sheds the Hip-Hop bling-bling / pop-pop gangsta culture and raps about a different side of said culture: eating gangsta cereal and watching gangsta cartoons. The hook is downright infectious, and the subject matter is firmly in many of our wheelhouses.
Here's a nice remix with some very nice artwork:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-JSuQP7FEs&feature=related
Actual full-length track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP4u4I96DVQ
Thunder Thunder Thundercats! HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
F to U Mummrah!
Hope you Dig,
JZ
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Song of the Week (Sagat - Funk Dat)
Sagat's 1994 hit "Funk Dat" changed my life. I first saw this video on Beavis and Butthead circa 7th grade. I was at a very "Funk Dat" age in my life. I regularly Funk Dat-ed my parents and teachers. Homework got a Funk Dat. Our girls dating the "older dudes" got a big Funk Dat. It was truly a song of the times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOFKU_hwj2o
In this song/video Sagat raises some valid "questons". There's a lot to love about the song: the hip-hop beat, the danceable organs, the diatribe of an angry Sagat. The video clearly has it's own merits as well. Who doesn't like a little kid acting like grown-ups?
Sagat caused me to ask some tough questons as well:
Queston: Why is it that every time I go to Freebirds, I get the girl who screws me on the meat?...c'mon maaaaaan FUNK DAT!
Queston: Why is it that every time I use the bathroom and I see the guy from the mortgage company, he doesn't wash his hands? FUNK DAT! Wash ya handz ya filthy animal!
Queston: Why is it that whenever my parents go outta town, I gotta come over and play with Sam the cat? FUNK DAT! He doesn't even like to play...he just likes to bite me! That hurts!...my feelings.
Queston: Why is it that every time I go to the Granada, a hipster looks at me like I raised my hand too much in Geometry class? Maaaan FUNK DAT! Your haircut is stupid!
Queston: Why is it that every time I turn on the news, people be talkin' bout spend this and tax that! FUNK DAT! Balance tha Budget!
This song is dedicated to the late, great Randy Savage. Ohhhhh yeeeeeaaaaahhhhh! RIP Macho Man.
Can you dig it?
JZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOFKU_hwj2o
In this song/video Sagat raises some valid "questons". There's a lot to love about the song: the hip-hop beat, the danceable organs, the diatribe of an angry Sagat. The video clearly has it's own merits as well. Who doesn't like a little kid acting like grown-ups?
Sagat caused me to ask some tough questons as well:
Queston: Why is it that every time I go to Freebirds, I get the girl who screws me on the meat?...c'mon maaaaaan FUNK DAT!
Queston: Why is it that every time I use the bathroom and I see the guy from the mortgage company, he doesn't wash his hands? FUNK DAT! Wash ya handz ya filthy animal!
Queston: Why is it that whenever my parents go outta town, I gotta come over and play with Sam the cat? FUNK DAT! He doesn't even like to play...he just likes to bite me! That hurts!...my feelings.
Queston: Why is it that every time I go to the Granada, a hipster looks at me like I raised my hand too much in Geometry class? Maaaan FUNK DAT! Your haircut is stupid!
Queston: Why is it that every time I turn on the news, people be talkin' bout spend this and tax that! FUNK DAT! Balance tha Budget!
This song is dedicated to the late, great Randy Savage. Ohhhhh yeeeeeaaaaahhhhh! RIP Macho Man.
Can you dig it?
JZ
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