Keep me guessing

Sometimes I hear something that sounds like nothing I have ever heard before. I can sit there and attempt to "label" it, or even try to guess influences, but it never makes any sense.

But really when you think about it, isn't that the beauty of art? When you can create your own meaning and find inspiration within the music that applies to you personally. When it trips you out every single time and never gets old.

I urge you to listen to these two tracks. Animals as Leaders somehow managed to sync every element that I love about music. It's rock. It's edgy. It's trippy and even "electronic" at moments. It's instrumental. It's progressive. It's emotional. It keeps me guessing. It's dramatic.

If you are a true music fan and appreciate true skill, you will notice the talent of guitarist Tosin Abasi immediately. It's not even debatable. He's a genius.

And if you agree, you might want to check them out live. Animals as Leaders will be on tour this fall with Circa Survive, dredg and Codeseven. I'll be at their House of Blues show in Chicago on November 19.



Animals as Leaders - On Impulse



Animals as Leaders - Behaving Badly

-

Hello habit, welcome back!

Last night, it occurred to me the exact reason why I have been neglecting my writing. I mean, geez, look to your right and scroll down to my posts in 2009. I posted something almost everyday! Now, I'm lucky if I get in a post a week. I should be ashamed!

Anyhow...back to my original thought. So as I sat in the car and smoked a hitter, I listened to this track by Modest Mouse. My mind wandered to places it hasn't been in quite some time. And I started analyzing the strangest elements of the music. It suddenly occurred to me that I haven't been writing because I haven't been smoking!

That being said, I look forward to sparking up a fatty at SummerFest this Saturday while Modest Mouse hopefully plays this track and others that don't suck. (Please don't play Float On, please don't play Float On!!)

This is exactly the kind of track a stoner can appreciate. It's mellow, it's slightly repetitive, it's got those sinister strings and the lyrics reflect something so sad yet uplifting at the same time.

"So long to this cold, cold part of the world..."

So haunting. It reminds me of the moment you realize you need to say goodbye to a bad habit.

But me? I'm saying, "Welcome back!" to a habit. Otherwise, I'll have nothing more to say ;)



Modest Mouse - The Cold Part

-

When something is missing - Pt. 2

The song changed, and so did my mood.

I didn't intend for this to be a continuation of yesterday's post, but I think it fits. As I was driving this morning, I listened to these two tracks. And I felt this weight released off my shoulders. No more obstacles, and no more objections. They don't exist to me.

This particular variation of "classical" music is a bit harsher and more aggressive than yesterday's A Silver Mt. Zion, but it's just as powerful and emotionally charging. It's amazing how feelings of sadness later transform into anger and aggression. I guess it's part of our growth, and if you can't grow from pain, then you're not healing properly, right?

Those feelings of despair and weakness I was feeling yesterday became anger and antipathy with this first track today ("Autorock") and then finally strength and release with the second track ("Friend of the Night").

As these songs play in my "movie," a quote comes to mind that I feel expresses this message perfectly: "When you come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to step off into the darkness, faith is believing one of two things will happen: Either there will be something for you to stand on or you will learn to fly."

I think I'll learn to fly...


Mogwai - Auto Rock


Mogwai - Friend of the Night


-

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

-

F*ck you, it's over

Have you ever loved someone with all you had in you and had that love taken for granted? Have your feelings been dismissed or never even considered in the first place? Do you know what it feels like to revolve your world around someone who was only capable of lying to, cheating on or abusing you?

As you may already know, I hold nothing back. I wear my heart and emotions on my sleeve. Some may say it's a fault, but that's how I was built. If something's on my mind, I have no problem sharing it. No shame in my game. So here goes nothing....

I heard this song for the first time as I was previewing the bands that are set to perform at Lollapalooza next month, and Glasvegas definitely caught my attention right away. You can hear the Scottish accent immediately, and the music was very intense. It's raw. This song, "Fuck You, It's Over," doesn't leave much to the imagination. This guy got BURNED, folks.

I sat in my bedroom alone, turned off all the lights, crawled into bed and blasted this track. It's the type of song you want to play on repeat until you're done with the emotional release it propels. I sang along with the few lyrics I could recall, and I wailed that chorus. All I could do was cry.

I wonder if Glasvegas will perform this song at Lollapalooza. I'm sure it'll hit me hard. But isn't that the point of music (or art) in general? To strike a nerve in the listener?

It's funny how just a simple lyric, a melody, a voice can take you back to a memory you thought you had forgotten. It's probably not the best idea when those memories are traumatizing. But whatever the case, memories of a relationship gone bad consumed my mind. And all I could imagine was this person in front of me while I wailed out those words: "Fuck you, fuck you, it's over!"

If you're out there and you're reading this, you don't even deserve to have any more of this blog space dedicated to you. But know, just know that the damage is done. And there's no turning back. "You're dead to me."

Glasvegas - Fuck You, It's Over

I'm waiting for my moment

Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone is down in the dumps lately? I've been going about my days as usual, and I've witnessed so much sadness, anger, turbulence, frustration, etc. And I'm still smiling. But I'm the only one it seems.

I'll admit I was pretty depressed last week. The whole situation in Iran had a huge effect on me, and it continues to worry me. And then a series of pop culture icons passed away. Not to mention the usual daily struggles—crummy economy, political woes, and so on.

But my sadness faded away rather quickly, and I have my friends and family to thank for that. And even though you may be struggling right now too, I hope I can help you out of that funk.

I spent the entire day with a very close friend of mine this past Sunday, and this time we spent together made me feel so special, blessed and loved. Like you and so many others, I have things I'm worrying about right now. I have plenty of work to do, personally and professionally. I could sit here and go on all day about the negative things surrounding me, but that won't do anyone any good. So when I feel myself get discouraged or upset, I think about all the positive things in my life. For me, the key is to not take all the love around me for granted. I know things may be sour right now for myself and for many others in the world. But I know it'll get better, or at least I'll try to make it better. I can't change everything, but I can change my attitude.

And I hope those of you out there going through painful situations right now are able to do the same. I dedicate this song to you.

Such a positive, uplifting, catchy track. And it couldn't have played at a more perfect time. A few hours into my Sunday with my pal, thinking how lucky I am to have this friend in my life. I've known this particular friend for years, and we've been through so much. There were times we were not on good terms. There were times that we hurt one another. But now we have reached a point where we can leave the past in the past and focus on the future. And it's friendships like these that are proof that even when life seems unbearable and you feel like you don't have a true friend in the world, things can change. Things can always get better.

So I heard this song playing and immediately jotted down the name because I wanted to share this moment with you. This moment of clarification. All it took was this moment to turn my mood around. The vocal's start off with these lyrics: "I'm waiting for my moment to come, I'm waiting for the movie to begin, I'm waiting for a revelation, I'm waiting for someone to count me in."

These are words I can absolutely relate to at this point in my life. Many days pass when I cry to myself, "Where's MY moment? Why hasn't it come yet?"

We all have dreams, and we all want them to come true so badly. The song ends with the questions: "Did you wanna be a winner? Did you wanna be an icon? Did you wanna be famous? Did you wanna be president?" And finally, "Did you wanna be in love?"

Anything is possible, my friends. Don't let the sour times drag you down. Think about the opportunities that present themselves. Think about the great things you can achieve once your moment arrives!


Keane - Spiralling

I'm surrounded

Photo: Raphael Gendron Martin

I had the pleasure of having an enlightening Q & A session with the man behind the mic of Chicago's very own Republic of Lights. Gosh...I'm such an insider! I suppose it may help that I've known Alan Snider, lead vocalist and guitar pro, since I was 11 years old. I'm pretty sure we intended to start our own rock band and call it The Broken Llamas. Oh, what I would give to see the disturbing — yet tantalizing — cover art we designed during our 7th grade lunch breaks! Anyhow, I digress. Back to Republic of Lights (or what should be The Broken Llamas, if I stuck to my aspirations of becoming a rock star)...

This young, fresh, electric band will be performing at The Bottom Lounge this Saturday (May 30) with Har Mar Superstar. And I'm pumped! Alan even gave me permission to rush the stage and throw my undergarments at his band mates. Or did he? Hhmm...I suppose we'll find out. Here's what Alan had to say:

Jazzy Juice: As an enthusiastic and passionate music lover, I've been disappointed (as you might already know) with rock music recently. What are your thoughts on rock music?

Alan Snider: Well, I think that, in general, rock music has flourished since 2003. The internet, while killing revenue, has created an audience for a ton of bands who wouldn't otherwise have had one. Traditional methods of finding and distributing music made nu-metal happen, which was absolutely the low water mark of American pop music. Even though there was a ton of good music being made at that time, I think that was probably the worst time to be a fan in pop music's history. The democracy of the internet diminishes the need for million-dollar marketing binges. They still happen, but buzz on music blogs seems to happen more and more around deserving artists, regardless of their label affiliation. The downside of that is that those same, deserving bands are old news by the time they release a second album, which makes it difficult to have a semblance of a career.

Maybe it's for that reason that, nationally, I haven't been disappointed in rock music at all. I got to see Jack White, Grizzly Bear and Radiohead play in Chicago on the same day last summer. Of Montreal's record was excellent. Phoenix's new record is so much fun. Animal Collective made a great record. And I feel like Spoon has perfected their sound... so there's a lot to be excited for if you're a fan of rock music. Watch your feet for all the name-dropping I just did.

JJ: Ha! And as a proud Chicago resident, I've been even more disappointed with the latest rock bands that come from this great city. I haven't seen anything like the Pumpkins in ages it seems. What do you think, specifically, about Chicago rock?

AS: When it comes to Chicago acts, I can understand your hesitation. The hip-hop community is thriving right now, and that makes for a rough comparison. There's definitely an under representation of Chicago in national pop-rock scene. When we spoke before, I said that Pete Wentz makes a poor Billy Corgan, but that's not entirely fair. Fall Out Boy is more a DuPage County band than a Chicago band. I don't mean that to slight them, it's just that I think they've completely captured the essence of what it means to be a kid from an affluent suburb who's into punk rock. It's not for me, it's not for a lot of music critics, but I think that it's unfair to burden a band who does one thing well with something as ridiculous as the musical aspirations of a city with an inferiority complex.

That said, I have a hard time thinking that Chicago will ever dominate the national music scene for a stretch of time like Seattle and L.A. have done, and that New York sort of always is doing. The very nature of the way that our city is laid out, geographically, can hinder that sort of creative community. Our venues are scattered like buckshot, and they become destinations rather than scenes. I think that influences the fact that our city only seems to produce random pockets of eclectic, excellent music in bursts here and there.

There's still a lot to like here, though. Company of Thieves, my brother's band 1997, Empires, the Redwalls, the now defunct Wax On Radio... all good stuff.

JJ: Well put, and I think you just put me in my place (which is mighty hard to achieve!). How, if at all, does Republic of Lights intend to fill this void in modern rock music?

AS: Well, we don't. I don't have any aspirations of SUPER RAWK STARDOM. I think I'd make a bad superhero superstar. I talk too much. I drink too much. I have questionable morals. It's great that Chris Martin can bask in the glow of that lifestyle — I think I'd ruin it pretty quickly. Look at all the talking I've done already. That doesn't exactly help you look mysterious.

JJ: Good point. I admire that about you, pal...I'm such a cheeseball. Can you tell me then what's special and unique about your sound?

AS: As a band, when we're right, what makes it work is the right combination of ominous tension and energy. That's also what makes a good nightclub. And a good cocktail.

JJ: I love a good cocktail! Now I'm thirsty. Thanks. Anyhow, are you competitive with other local bands? What is your relationship with them?

AS: In that some of them make the marketing aspect of our jobs easy, yes. I can get jealous of that because my band is terrible at it. Awful. But creatively and in terms of success, not at all. It would be sour grapes to begrudge anyone's success when they're trying to do something as ridiculous as being a musician in an age where no one pays for records.

Still, I wish that our scene were more collaborative. It's incredibly insular. I write with my band members, and sadly, that's it. It seems like it's like that all over town, at least from where I'm standing.

JJ: What is the focus of your music? Do you have a message?

AS: There's no message. We try and capture a feeling. It can be difficult, and it's always fleeting. But it's electric when it happens. I'm not interested in preaching my morality at people. That's what churches and talk radio are for.

JJ: Indeed. So what should I expect to see at your show at The Bottom Lounge? Will you at least take your shirt off and call me on stage to dance with you?

AS: At any other show, I would certainly take my shirt off. But look at Har Mar. Would you compete with that? Too much sexy for me to handle.









JJ: I don't know Alan. I think you might have him beat. I'd be willing to pay to watch you two gentlemen duke it out in your underwear...perhaps in oil. Ok, I'll stop talking now.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. And for letting me post these awesome tracks! I can't wait to see you guys perform them live. My personal fave is "Landmines." Sexy sexy!

Republic of Lights - Got You Surrounded
Republic of Lights - Landmines
Republic of Lights - 38 and First Street

She's such a charmer, oh no!

I've heard a lot of hype about Kings of Leon recently, and I just couldn't get into it. I asked a few of my friends what they knew about this band, and they were all in the same boat as me. They've heard of them but never really listened to any of their songs. Finally, this past weekend, I was pretty much forced to sit down and really absorb their music.

If it wasn't for "I Want You" I may never have given them a chance. This track blasted through my friend's house, and I sat on his couch and let the goosebumps take over my body. I closed my eyes and took in the beautiful melody and profound lyrics. The singer's vocals hit me, hit me hard. This may be one of the sexiest songs I've ever heard. I am most serious.

Once that track finished playing, my friend decided I needed to hear "Charmer" and "Molly's Chambers" as well. "Charmer" is a twisted song. I love it because I can really feel the singer's emotion. It's hard not to! Just listen to the track. You'll quickly understand what I'm saying. And "Molly's Chamber" reminds me of a dusty surfer track. It's so catchy. I'm not sure if this is correct, but I'm almost positive I've heard this song in a commercial. And if I'm wrong, someone really needs to play this in a commercial, an iPod commerical preferably.

And if you've got a minute to spare, you should really check out the story behind Kings of Leon. They have an interesting background, which may pique your interest even more.

So after listening to these three songs, I realized I need to pay more attention to this band. With so much horrible rock music being overplayed on the radio and television, it's so refreshing to hear such a talented rock band. Their sound is diverse and pleasantly distinct. I know I can recognize that voice and that sound anywhere now. And I absolutely cannot wait to see these guys perform at Lollapalooza this year. What a treat!

Kings of Leon - I Want You
Kings of Leon - Charmer
Kings of Leon - Molly's Chambers

I need you to want me, to hold me, to tell me the truth

A lot of people ask me why I post so much electro and house music on here, and not as much rock. The answer is easy:

Rock music these days is pitiful. Well, the garbage they play on the radio hurts my ears. But I'm confident that there's quality rock music out there. I hear it from time to time. But MTV and pop radio have damaged rock music in a way that may be irreversible. But no words can explain the joy that consumes me when I hear a contemporary rock band that actually sounds like a real rock band. None of that whiny, emo garbage. I'm sorry, but I just can't stomach the cheesy songs that bands like Fall Out Boy, Death Cab For Cutie, and Coheed and Cambria put out. The only reason I know these bands exist is because I do occasionally turn on the radio. Then I immediately regret it when I hear these degenerates playing what they call music. I mean, seriously, why do they sound like their man parts were cut off? And why do people like this?

I hear MTV's TRL is no longer on television. That makes me happy. I'm pretty sure TRL is to blame for the rise in popularity of this nonsense. Maybe now they'll go back to playing real rock music. Or not. They're too busy airing pathetic reality shows. But I digress...

So, my pal George Carson (who happens to be a part of an awesome rock band: Loaded) suggested I check out Ghostland Observatory. They've been around for a few years now, and I can't believe I never heard of them. But I downloaded a handful of their songs, and they rock! They remind me of Wolfmother with a dash of MGMT. So thank you, George, for proving rock music still exists. You just gotta look for it.



Ghostland Observatory - Sad Sad City



Ghostland Observatory - Piano Man



Ghostland Observatory - Rich Man

My prophecy is realized when I get to the green building

This blog has been live and kickin' for the past two months, and I cannot believe I haven't posted anything about Electric Six yet. This just occurred to me in the shower last night as I was jamming to a mix CD I burned. I heard the "Future Is In The Future" riff, and it hit me like a slap in the face: I have yet to blog about my FAVORITE band!

So here it is...

Let me tell you something about Electric Six. You probably won't like them the first time you hear them. As a matter of fact, you might think their music is silly and inappropriate. But that's the way they work. Just wait a minute, an hour, a day, whatever, and go back and listen to a few more of their tracks. Electric Six will grow on you. Not only will they grow on you, but they will reel you in slowly until you realize you're hooked! I kid you not.

I had the pleasure of watching them perform live at the Double Door in Chicago in October 2007 with my pal, Justin, who at the moment is one of the few friends I have who is as into Electric Six as I am (but that will all change now that I am introducing you folks to the brilliance of E6). To be completely honest, this was absolutely hands-down my favorite live show I have ever witnessed. The venue is small, stuffy, smelly, etc., and none of that mattered once Electric Six took the stage. These guys are fun and active up there. Lead singer Dick Valentine even stepped down into the crowd and sang right there with us. It was amazing. Their performance of "Future Is In The Future" was definitely their best. The lengthy instrumental solo gave Dick Valentine the opportunity to just talk to the crowd and talk about life, introduce the band members and spread his message about living in the moment. That moment will forever live in my brain as a perfect memory.

My cousin/roommate heard "Future Is In The Future" for the first time a few days ago. She is absolutely not into this kind of music. She's into soul, jazz, deep house, reggae...real chill stuff. But as soon as she finished listening to this track, she immediately asked me about it. "Who is this? Where are they from? Do you have anymore of their stuff?" She likes this particular track because of its story-telling element. Dick Valentine doesn't just sing a catchy phrase and call it a day; his vocals get you hooked as he tells you his story. Sometimes E6's songs are hard to interpret, but I usually just make up my own story. I can relate to all their songs somehow; I create a story in my head based on Valentine's narrative. And that's what makes them so great. Electric Six tells a story, your story.

I also posted a live version of "When I Get To The Green Building" so you can get a little taste of their live performance. Absolutely enthralling, fascinating, riveting, enchanting, gripping, enlightening and so much more.



Electric Six - Future Is In The Future



Electric Six - When I Get To The Green Building [Live in Brooklyn]

Get yourself LOADED

I'm grooving in a different direction today. Sorry, my fellow house junkies, I gotta show some love to my rockers out there...

So I recently was introduced to the musical stylings of Loaded, a local Chicago band. It took me a minute to let it digest. It's a bit heavier than what I normally listen to, and the vocals take a brief moment to grow on you. But after you finish listening to one song, you're so glad that you did.

Rotting Temple has a wild chorus, very catchy: "Why did you come here? Why did you waste your time?"

Ride Me Baby is a song for the ladies in the audience. It's quite erotic for a rock song. And it's got a funky instrumental solo at the 3:17 mark. Please check it out, even if you don't listen to the whole song, you must listen to that last minute!

And if you're in the Chicago area, Loaded will be playing at Cobra Lounge on Thursday, March 26, at 9:00pm. I hear they put on a stellar show...and it's free!


Loaded - Rotting Temple


Loaded - Ride Me Baby

Blast from Pearl Jam's past

Pearl Jam is definitely not a band you will see on this blog often, if ever again. But this is a song that I just had to share. No matter what kind of music you listen to, I feel this is a song anybody can jam to and appreciate.

It's drum heavy and extremely mellow, well, until the guitar kicks in and Eddie Vedder starts wailing. I have no idea what Vedder is even howling, but it puts me in a trance every time I listen. My favorite line, probably because it's the only line I can understand: "Jesus greets me, looks just like me..."

It really sounds nothing like their typical music, although I haven't actually listened to Pearl Jam since their last quality album, Vitalogy, which came out in 1994. But like I said, this song is one of a kind and deserves a listen. Let me know if you disagree.


Pearl Jam - W.M.A. (Download)