album of the week: 1.4

Laura Veirs

July Flame

Raven Marching Band Records (2010)

why you'll love it: vet singer songwriter that doesn't use gimmicks

why you'll hate it: very unmemorable and slow

if there is one musician out there that didn't need to mellow out, it's Laura Veirs. She's already is obscure as someone can be with about 4 albums under one's belt. It's surprising that she would produce something as modest as this. Even compared to her already humble style, July Flame makes very little of a splash. It comes and goes; leaving nothing undisturbed.

I suppose if one were to pen the ultimate album for wallflowers everywhere, this would be quite successful. Laura demands nothing in her lyrics, and confronts nobody; only observes and makes polite requests. "Summer is The Champion" appears to be the only full-band song on the album, with the subtle catchiness of her previous works.

I'm not a lyrics person. I've used this excuse before. Because of this, the album comes off as quite redundant by about 2/3s through. This is a shame because I think the songs are honestly good. Almost all of them I wouldn't skip if I had my iPod on shuffle. But the last half of this album is a chore to get through because of the lack of variance in the songs.

Laura Veirs is a criminally underrated songwriter, and sadly, this album doesn't show enough sides of her for her talent to be fully appreciated by any newcomers.

i love the internet, reason #7152316290

China's Apple News Daily has outdone itself this time. The overseas computer generated current events dramatization organization gained notoriety on Countdown With Keith Olbermann for its coverage of the Tiger Woods fiasco. Now, it's taking a shot at the NBC late night wars.

Wait for 1:45. I won't spoil it...

I just did a bit of research and saw Conan talked about this last night. He didn't even have to make a joke. It's just that insane on its own.

album of the week: 1.3

Love Psychedelico

Abbot Kinney

Victor Entertainment (2010)

why you'll love it - interesting vocals. catchy, upbeat, and accessible

why you'll hate it - very typical mainstream love song pop

Before 10 days ago, I had no idea Love Psychedelico had another album in the pipeline. Not that I've paid much attention to them since their last album (2008's Golden Grapefruit) was a complete failure. I'm quite happy to find that Abbot Kinney is not only a proud return to quality, but the most consistent (if not best) album since their debut.

Keep in mind that by quality, I don't include originality. To this day, the debut album (The Greatest Hits), is still unlike the rest of their catalogue. It's a much darker, groovier album, where as the other albums have been vague upbeat pop. Vague upbeat pop that was on a steady decline until now. They haven't changed anything with their formula on Abbot Kinney; the songs just work. Most of their songs simply rely on a repeated guitar riff and/or catchy line. This time around, they have kicked up a dozen really great guitar riffs and 90% of catch-prases that aren't corny.

The only song on here I would skip is the hinted-at corny birthday song. The rest is very enjoyable and relaxed. This being the band's 10th anniversary, they were probably feeling a bit nostalgic. That would explain "Secret Crush" which aside from the title, sounds like something straight out of The Greatest Hits.

The album closes with a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" It's a good cover, but has been done many times before by others. That sums up Love Psychedelico pretty well actually. They play that kind of American 60's stoner-rock with much love and respect, but to little fanfare. That combination of talent + lack of any kind of polarization or daring risks in the music is a perfect mainstream hit. If they had any kind of stateside representation, they'd slot right in to a Grey's Anatomy soundtrack; and probably see quite a bit of success here.

First awesome music video of 2010

This is "Digzero" by the classic rock band, The Birthday. Like all their albums, 2008's Night on Fool turned out to be a slow burn. I was not thrilled by it at first, and now I think it is a must listen.

Their next, Star Blows, is out next month; and as usual, I've been ambivalent on the leaked singles up until now. "Digzero" is a really cool song, and this music video is fantastic. Strange and creepy as all hell. This is the first time since their debut album that I've been blown away by one of their new songs upon first hearing it, so now I am officially psyched for next month.

album of the week: 1.2

Vampire Weekend

Contra

XL Recordings (2010)

why you'll love it: cool relaxed enjoyable tunes

why you'll hate it: not as exciting as debut, some gimmicky songs

No better way to start off the new releases of 2010 than with a record nearly impossible to review. Not that Vampire Weekend have it any easier - with all ears on them for the first time by previously releasing an album nearly impossible to follow up...

In the last quarter of 2009, we got a taste of Contra with the sanctioned leak of the opening track "Horchata" and the exciting music video for "Cousins". I was a bit let down to find that Contra has much more of the former in it. It's a rather chilled out, relaxed album. I'm sure that those more hip than me were let down in 2008 as well though, when "A-Punk" seemed to be the black sheep of the S/T album.

Vampire Weekend is still doing their preppy white boy melodic calypso pop, which is still fun, but has lost some of its impact. The band still manages to get a cheeky jab in on some of the more self conscious music fans with the auto-tune heavy song "California English". Now I'm not all that familiar with auto-tuning, but popular opinion says I'm supposed to hate it for some reason. If Vampire Weekend's intention was to confuse, impress, or even troll me with the use of voice modulation, it didn't work, because Polysics has done so better many times (sometimes all in one song).

But I digress... Once that anomaly track finishes, the album is pure gold to the end, and surprisingly with nearly all lengthy and mellow songs. Although it would be quite easy to release a manic paced Talking Heads inspired collection of "Cousins" clones, these chilled out songs have more long term appeal and manage to humbly separate itself from the 2008 album.

It should be noted that this is a very short album. Some reviews have complained about that, but I find a half hour to be the perfect length for an album, despite any number of tracks. In fact, I would have even cut two of the early gimmicky tracks to make this album stronger; dropping the count to 8, but length still above 30.

It's a sigh of relief to find that Contra doesn't carry the second album curse with it, but it is more of the same, and in less memorable fashion The well executed, mellowed out, last half of the album offers a cool down to the party that was the S/T album - but it is the same party.

It is after all, a party; so to put it under any more scrutiny is a pointless exercise. Perhaps I've said too much already...

Forget all of 2010 - what to look forward to in the next three months!

2010 is a bit top heavy. Here are the most exciting things that will be all released in the span of three months...

musics -

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Hey, that's tomorrow! Actually, it's only $4 on amazon mp3 right now a day early, and I'm listening to it right now. I'm less hyped for this album than just plain interested to hear if it will be a sophomore slump or not. More on that tomorrow...

Hot Chip - One Life Stand

The sequel to my favorite album of 2008. The band had claimed this album will be much more mellow, but the self titled single released a couple months ago says otherwise. Either way, I'm expecting nothing but greatness from these guys.

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks

Living With The Living was a bit hit or miss. Ted has switched labels and really taken his time with this one, so here's to hoping it will be more in the Hearts of Oak league.

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video games

No More Heroes 2

Suda 51 injects more retro, violence, and crazy shenanigans in what already is one of the best original IPs on the wii. Looking forward to see if the much criticized "hub world" is addressed at all.

Alan Wake

Wiki says this will be out in May, not March. Dammit. Well, the real hype begins now. This much delayed game has long rested on the confidence in Remedy Studio. The good name of Max Payne can only take you so far. Luckily for them, we're only a couple months from release now, and their wild Twin Peaks meets In The Mouth of Madness tale can finally be experienced.

Mega Man 10

2008's game of the year gets a sequel. Thank you, Capcom! Also, there is an easy mode, so you winers have no excuses to avoid.

album of the week: 1.1

Elbow

The Seldom Seen Kid (Live At Abbey Road)

Fiction Records (2009)

why you'll love it: and even better version of a great album

why you'll hate it: only if you flat out hate the band

We're starting off 2010 with some leftovers while the new stuff seeps in... First off is a live rendition of Elbow's much praised 2008 album - The Seldom Seen Kid. This isn't the kind of live release where you'll hear lots of improvisations and changes in the songs. The songs are instead enhanced by the talented BBC orchestra and choir. So if you hated The Seldom Seen Kid first time around, this won't do much for you. If you loved it or were at least on the fence, this will surely win you over.

The orchestra is amazing. The opening blasts of sound in "Sarlings" will still make you jump, and with a full orchestra, maybe even make you yelp a bit. I've never heard an instrumentally performed live event sound so true to its studio counterpart. Big applause for the BBC orchestra, and to Elbow as well.

And Guy Garvey's voice, holy cow... I'm not the kind of guy who looks for, or usually enjoys a "good" sounding voice. I enjoy human flaws, and most vocals that go off into the borderlands of tolerability. But I just cannot believe how perfectly Guy pipes out every note. It's stunning.

Still, this is basically just The Seldom Seen Kid. With all of the same strengths and flaws; only with a beyond incredible production value and a "dude, this is all live!" exclamation provided by the you, the listener.

2009 in videogames

As shitty as the naughties were in the real world, music and videogames sure were great, especially this year. Here is my limited top ten, as well as a bunch of honor trophies for the games of 2009 that I've played...

THE PREDICABLE TOP TEN

Number ten...

Red Faction: Guerrilla

Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC

The final three hours are a total chore, yes - but that doesn't erase the many hours of fun had demolishing buildings in the most fantastically brutal ways imaginable. Breaking shit is fun.

Number nine...

House of The Dead: Overkill

Nintendo Wii

A light-gun game? You're probably thinking this is the result of a lousy year - wrong. I marathoned through this one night with friends, and it was some of the most fun I've had with a game all year. The presentation to this game is absolutely hilarious. 70's horror shlock bullseye.

Number eight...

Dead Space: Extraction

Nintendo Wii

Another light gun game! The cinematic approach to this one is shockingly good. I resold Overkill after I played it one, but this, with its excellent presentation and plot, makes me want to play it again a few months from now.

Number seven...

Mad World

Nintendo Wii

You get to jam signposts through the heads of delinquents in a Sin City atmosphere while Bender Bending Rodriguez screams racist insults. Fuck yes. Light on depth, but oh so loaded with over-the-top style.

Number six...

Punch-Out!!

Nintendo Wii

One of the greatest NES games gets a current gen reboot. It's a great game for nostalgia reasons, it's a great game for its cheeky caricatures, it's a great game for its new surprises, it's a great game to introduce to today's young gamers... It's just a great fucking game.

Number five...

Left 4 Dead 2

Xbox 360 / PC

If not for the fact that I wasn't yet tired of the year old original Left 4 Dead, this abrupt (yet totally improved and still fun as all hell) sequel would be my game of the year.

Number four...

New Super Mario Bros Wii

Nintendo Wii

It's amazing how different this game is with more than one person. Pure chaos. More than any Smash Bros or Mario Kart game could ever hope to offer.

Number three...

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Xbox 360 / PS3

Not just "Good, for a Batman game" - It's a really fucking great game. The Batman universe is laid out for you in exploratory fashion so rich that I wouldn't even need to fight anything to call this an incredible game. But you do fight people in this game, and that is fun as fuck too.

Number two...

Shadow Complex

Xbox Live Arcade

Incredible 2D gaming experience. The plot may be a total bore, but the exploring, the power-ups, and the action are a blast. Lots of replay value, and memorable moments. Lots of weapons and tricky puzzles to find unlockables. A real monster of a game, and only for $15 bucks download.

Number one... The Bit.Trip:Series

Look at that! Just look at it! It's glorious! Sure, I am being quite biased here, but the Bit.Trip:Games of 2009 are a direct laser beam focus on my brainwaves. Yes, it's hard, but mesmerizing on the ears and eyes. Can't wait for the next three games in 2010!

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Honorable Mentions

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Nintendo DS ports from Japan circa 2007

Professor Layton And The Diabolical Box

Translation makes or breaks certain games, and this is one of them. The voice acting is brilliant, and the new puzzles are very fun. The Layton universe alone makes this game a must buy.

Retro Game Challenge

If you grew up on the NES, then this is for you. Robot Ninja Haggle Man rules, and I don't mean that ironically. The fake meta NES games created for this game are actually legitimately fun to play again and again.

Also, GameCenterCX is a great TV show, and the word about it needs to get out there more.

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Games that I haven't gotten very far into yet, but are still quite good.

A Boy & His Blob

Nintendo Wii

Hug button

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Nintendo DS

Still love that Wind Waker Zelda universe

Scribblenauts

Nintendo DS

Vocabulary FTW

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Nintendo Wii

Just started this one last night, and I love all the mindfuckery already.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Nintendo DS

Worst pun title ever! I actually haven't even opened this yet, despite having bought it in the summer. All the critics love it, though. I'm sure I will too.

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Best Xbox 360 Arcade Indie Game

I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1

Also "Best Original Song in A Game"

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Best game of 2007 that I didn't play until 2009

Bioshock

Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC

Do I even need to say anything about this? It's generally agreed as one of the best games of the decade. Too bad the sequel is looking like it'll turn out to be one of the biggest letdowns of this newly arrived decade.