I can taste opportunity near

How fitting.

How fitting that I chose to download the new Zero 7 album today. How fitting that I'm going to the Zero 7 show this Friday. How fitting that this song entered my life at the most appropriate time.

Every once in a while, I discover a song that turns my world upside down. A song that provides me with this whole new transcendent experience. It somehow fits. If my life were a book, this song would be the chapter you forgot to read.

"Pop Art Blue" has been on repeat since I first heard it a couple of hours ago. Zero 7 took the words I couldn't say, the picture I couldn't paint, and created this beautiful work of art.

I was a bit skeptical about this new album, Yeah Ghost, by Zero 7. But then the fifth track played, and I'm able to say those 4 minutes and 23 seconds are worth the entire album. So I'll definitely be at their show this Friday at The Metro. If you're in Chicago, check it out. Come baked.

Zero 7 - Pop Art Blue

What's so great about a buckeye?!

It's that time of year. Holiday season. Everyone is freaking out about how they're going to celebrate the New Year. This whole ritual pretty much disgusts me. New Year's Eve is just another day, folks. I mean, c'mon, what are we really celebrating anyway? Great, we made it to another year alive. Big deal. Now I must say, this is a completely new revelation to me. I used to be one of "them." But for some reason this year, I'm over it. Priorities have changed. I urge you to give it some thought as well.

Anyway, on that note, I've recently discovered my favorite (current) band is playing a show on New Year's Eve in Chicago at The Double Door. I missed their last two Chicago shows because I was out of town, but there's no way I'm missing them this time. New Year's Eve has become just another day to me, and I figure going to an Electric Six concert is something I'd do anyway.

I've included some of my favorite tracks below (listed by album), concentrating mostly on songs off their most recent album Kill, which I'm sure they'll be promoting. I neglected to include anything off their Flashy album; it was a bust.

Do me a favor, though. Don't listen to these tracks just once and write them off. I pretty much hated Electric Six the first time I gave them a listen. But I listened again and again, and they grew on me. So much that they're now one of my absolute favorites. Check 'em out, and ring in the New Year with me! C'mon...the whole hotel and dance club package thing is way overrated and not worth the money. You know I'm right!

P.S. Pay close attention to the track "Escape From Ohio." I couldn't have put it any better myself. The entire track is about how much Ohio sucks. Here are some lyrics: "Lord, please send some mercy down to me, fifty miles south of Bowling Green. This will clearly never be my scene. Why does every city start with C?" Oh, and they get political on us too: "They say that what you give is what you're gonna get. It's no wonder everything's gone to sh*t. Because they've given us John Boehner, you better believe they've given us Jean Schmidt!" Ha! And my absolute favorite line: "What's so great about a buckeye?"


Kill


Electric Six - Escape From Ohio


Electric Six - Steal Your Bones


Electric Six - I Belong In A Factory


Electric Six - Rubbin' Me The Wrong Way


Señor Smoke


Electric Six - Devil Nights


Electric Six - Future Is In The Future


Electric Six - Vibrator


Fire


Electric Six - I'm The Bomb


Electric Six - Dance Commander


Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage



I Shall Exterminate Everything That Restricts Me From Being Master


Electric Six - White Train


Electric Six - Lucifer Airlines


Electric Six - Down At McDonnelzz


Switzerland


Electric Six - Infected Girls


Electric Six - Rubber Rocket


Electric Six - Pulling The Plug On The Party

-

Steady walking but bound to trip

I was introduced to The XX a few weeks ago, and I must say I don't think I have ever been so moved. The XX is a quartet out of London, and they can't be much more than 20 years of age. That's what impresses me the most about these artists. They have so much soul, and the dynamic between the male and female vocals is so intense and beautiful.

I wrote not too long ago about fall being the time for lovers. It's finally getting chilly out there, folks. And I can't imagine a better soundtrack for the start of a new relationship. I listen to these songs, and I get lost in my daydreams. They capture so many emotions, no words need to be said. Just hit play, and let your hands do the talking.

My personal favorite: "Night Time." Now that is some serious baby-making music right there.

*If you're in the Chicago area, you might want to check these guys out at Bottom Lounge on Dec. 1. Unfortunately, I snoozed and didn't purchase tickets in time. Sold out already! However, if you're one of my well-connected friends and you have an in, please hook me up.*



The XX - Night Time


The XX - Crystalised


The XX - Islands


The XX - Stars

Everyday is Halloween

As I was walking out the door this morning, my roommate said to me, "Hey cuz, have fun at the 80s dance party." I looked at my reflection in the glass, and sure enough, I definitely resembled Pat Benatar... or perhaps Joan Jett. Either way, it was totally unintentional on my part.

Sure, I may look like I'm stuck in the "Love Is A Battlefield" video, and so what? Before there was Lady Gaga there was Debbie Harry; it's a cycle that will continue into future generations. I dig the music and the fashion of that ridiculous decade. It's inspiring. And my style probably reflects that. For me, "everyday is Halloween." (The lyrics to that Ministry track pretty much explain everything.)

So hell yea, I'm at an 80s dance party... In my cubicle, blasting these tracks through my headphones. Join me?


Ministry - Everyday Is Halloween


Echo & The Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar


Blondie - Tide Is High


Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To Deserve This?


Talk Talk - It's My Life


The Pretenders - Kid


The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again


Prince - Controversy


Berlin - The Metro


Dramarama - Anything, Anything


ABC - The Look Of Love


The Police - Message In A Bottle


The Cure - Never Enough

-

Life danced right out of me

I cannot even remember the last time I wrote a blog entry on a Monday. The only time I've ever been motivated to write on a Monday is when I have a wicked weekend. And finally! My head is still bobbing, my hips are still swaying, my toes are still tapping. I'm on a high.

I was fortunate to spend most of my weekend with a new friend who has just as diverse a music collection as my own. Since I've already shared my music library with him, he decided to return the favor and introduce me to something new. It's trippy how you pick up on others' musical preferences; it's so rewarding when they actually like what you recommend. I wonder what it was about me that gave him the notion that I would like Hercules And Love Affair. I'm glad he thought of me, though. When I walk into a room, I want "Athene" to play in the background. And I want to dance until I can no longer feel my legs.

I'm sitting here right now, listening to "Time Will," and in my mind I'm reliving the brilliant moments I shared with friends these past three days. There's nothing else I would rather listen to. Something about that voice and that funk... it captures sentiments I thought were lost.

The thing I love about Hercules And Love Affair is that they transcend musical boundaries. It's house, it's jazz, it's synth-pop, it's soul. I could hear these songs mixed at a dance club or performed live at a loungy piano bar. And that's something I can definitely appreciate. Just like I don't like to classify music, I don't like to be classified myself. If I were a song, I'd be...


Hercules And Love Affair - Athene
Hercules And Love Affair - Time Will
Hercules And Love Affair - Raise Me Up
Hercules And Love Affair - Blind

-

A phoenix rising

I like to pride myself in the fact that I condemn all things "pop" for their damage to modern society. My friends call me a hater; it is what it is. So I don't normally attend any radio-sponsored concerts and events, but this one is an exception. Well, especially because it's an XRT show—not your typical pop radio.

My cousin Alexa discovered XRT's Holiday Concert is taking place on her birthday, December 11. The Flaming Lips, Phoenix and Pete Yorn will be performing. We're buying our tickets today, but you know I spent all day yesterday previewing tracks by each of these artists.

Phoenix has always been one of my favorites, since the first time I heard "If I Ever Feel Better." That song has the power to pick me up when I'm down every time. As a matter of fact, I played it this morning and it pretty much hit the nail on the head on my current state of mind. It's amazing how a song can do that. Do yourself a favor, and Google the lyrics. You'll thank me.

I have also added a few new favorites to the list, after yesterday's download frenzy. "Love Like A Sunset" is magical. You have to listen to it the whole way through to appreciate it. If you're an impatient type, go ahead and fast forward to the 2:45 mark; if that still doesn't work, go ahead to the 3:45 mark. That's when it drops! Now that's some snarlin' music!

As for the other XRT performers: The Flaming Lips are insanely trippy, and I had no idea I could get this into them. Up until yesterday, I was totally unaware that they have been around since the early '80s. It's definitely the older, grittier sound I like. And I'm surprised I am digging Pete Yorn as much as I am right now. I would typically label his style as a bit too sappy for me, but there's something about it. He has such a beautiful voice.

So check out the tracks, and if you like what you hear, come celebrate with me!

Phoenix - If I Ever Feel Better
Phoenix - Love Like A Sunset
Phoenix - 1901
Phoenix - Too Young

The Flaming Lips - Okay I'll Admit That I Really Don't Understand
The Flaming Lips - The Strange Design of Conscience
The Flaming Lips - Mountain Side

Pete Yorn - Lose You
Pete Yorn - Splendid Isolation

-

You love her, she loves him

It's a pretty simple equation. And it happens all the time. Why do we always want what we can't have? Something about the impossible that makes us even more hungry for that which is unrequited.

"Cause maybe you want him. Like you want me. Only truly." Ouch.

"It hurts when you rule me. And the whole world can see through me." Damn.

I don't have much to say today. This track is sick, and it possesses so much power, passion and intensity. The remix is heavy. The more I listen to it, the more it stings. Don't worry, it's a good sting.


The American Analog Set - The Green Green Grass


The American Analog Set - The Green Green Grass (Telefon Tel Aviv Remix)

-