The name of the band is a pretty good reflection of the music…it’s vapid, it fills space…it’s there but you might not notice it. There is alot of crap (biography) on their website talking about how they are modernists, and of course french, and how this album is very different than the last one, and they are trying to get away from writing pop songs etc etc. End result, they have a new album filled with quality pop songs, perhaps less lyrics and more “soundtrack” in style. It’s not bringing on a revolution, but they are quite good at what they do and the songs are soothing…like good fresh Air. Here is a somewhat lackluster (performance style) video for the single “Once upon a Time”. Visit their website for a few more videos, it’s a very nice website. Really it is.

Air iTunes:

Here is an interesting series of videos from the DIY channel taking you inside the factory where they hand make the Moog Synthesizers and other Moog products. Also be sure to check out the really great documentary on Moog from last year, and remember to give thanks to the great Robert.
Moog: Documentary
Moog: Trailer

DIY Moog Voyager Special pt. 1 of 4

Moog: DIY Moog Voyager Special pt. 2 of 4
Moog: DIY Moog Voyager Special pt. 3 of 4
Moog: DIY Moog Voyager Special pt. 4 of 4

Hella started out as a side project duo for Zach Hill (drums) and Spencer Seim (guitar) out of necessity as they put it. The music was initially too difficult to translate and perform for more than two members. They state thay had always intended it to grow into a larger entity and this year it seems to have solidified as a 5 piece. This is an interesting decision as much of their success in the press came from the fact that they were a duo playing complex and fascinating music. I guess they must have felt they had run that angle dry and were ready to expand on their ideas. Two of the new members of the band are from a previous effort, and they breathe life into some of the older material for a new release from Ipecac. The band as a duo was interesting enough, however the addition of other musicians will certainly help them vary some of the sound and dynamics, which at times were a tad repetitious with only the two players. I found a nice older video of the band as a duo, and an mp3 of their new line up for you to compare. Catch them out on the road now.

Hella - Republic of Rough and Ready (Live)

MP3 The Ungrateful Dead:

Hella: THERE’S NO 666 IN OUTER SPACE
Hella: Official Website

This is a band you need to see live to fully appreciate. They have been compared to Zappa, Beefheart, and Waits among others. Some of their chaotic percussion heavy tunes, with falsetto yelping vocals like “Push the Eagles Stomach” reminded me of the great Japanese band Boredoms (a bit less intense). The show last night was a damn good one, and showcased a well oiled sweaty mustached bunch of Man Men dressed in their white polos, war paint, and headbands. Man Man is simply amazing in the fact that all the members are multi-talented, playing numerous instruments, as well as non instruments with a wild abandon that sometimes veers out of control. That is to be expected and hardly even noticeable as there is so much going on at any given time onstage that it’s often difficult to keep track of whose singing. Main Man Honus Honus does active duty as front man most of the time pounding his rhodes and belting out his husky vocals over the cacaphony of clanging, banging and yelping, often leaving his seat to levitate far above his comrades. Check out these videos, the second being a comical and actually decent cover of Bulls on Parade, which would probably put a smile on Zack De La Rocha’s face.

Man Man - Push The Eagle’s Stomach

Man Man - Bulls on Parade

MP3 Van Helsing: : Download
Man Man: Great Video for Banana Ghost
Man Man: Official Site
Man Man: Pitchfork Album Review

The band Adult have recently returned to a duo (husband and wife). their music is a well researched product of electronic music from the late 70’s early 80’s, you’ll hear some Devo, some Residents among others all of which has been nicely packaged for modern listening consumption. The new album seems pretty dark, and this interesting video captures the feel nicely. Folk Electro Goth…or something, I am oddly reminded of that other great husband and wife group The Handsome Family who drive more towards country macabre, but who paint a similar surreal American Gothic landscape. One final thought, I think the video illustrates clearly that you shouldn’t lose focus when carrying your hand woven devil quilt down the cellar stairs.

ADULT: “THE FOLK TRILOGY”

Official Website: ADULT

Amazon: Why Bother?

iTunes:

This 2 disc DVD from Thrill Jockey is a couple years old, but packed FULL of interesting interviews (112 different musicians to be exact). The roster is long and i’ll link to a few REAL reviewers insights below. The interviews are one on one personal reflections/recollections lead by one question “to tell a story about a musical moment that inspired” Check out this pretty nice plunderphonic style video below and then make some popcorn.

Thrill Jockey (product page): Looking for a Thrill
All About Jazz: Review

Fresh off the release of their new wicked badass toy comes this creepy fun video for The Talking horse, from their Ipecac (Mike Patton’s label) release of 2006.

Nothing new really from the Melvins, just the same ass dragging ear busting metal sludge they are best known for. There is something to be said for consistency, and longevity, and the Melvins have really provided us with both of those things. In the words of the man Buzz himself here is a great description of the entity

The Melvins are family entertainment on another level. Some people say The Melvins are the wave of the future. Some people think The Melvins have already influenced a huge wave of music on a global level but most people expect The Melvins to totally fuck up. Most people think they should be called “The Fucks” because they’re fucked.

Amazon: A Melvins Senile Animal

All you need is a drivers license to control that midi software program! Well that and a bit of good old fashion ingenuity. I’d like to see a board with like 20 of them on it all wired up…The Frankenstein Midi Monster! Ableton Live just keeps getting better and better, this software is so great, both easy to use and extremely complex. Join the musical evolution.

Using a Credit Card to Control Live:

Using Popsicle Sticks and Pennies:

Musician’s Friend: Ableton Live 6 Music Software

This seems to be right around the time this band really peaked out…two drummers, dancing girls covered in green goo, video of auto safety gone terribly wrong. Combine that with an audience of tripping kids and you had a little slice of punk rock nirvana. The Buttholes live performances are legendary, and the band was really one of a kind, the perfect rock combo of a great front man and a mind blowing original guitarist, infected with an attitude overflowing with fevered insanity. I saw a few shows in this time period and they always had an inherent sense of danger to them. Cherub is one of my favorite songs of theirs, it’s simple yet trance like bass drone really sucks me in. The obviously low budget home made video has that really nice 80’s type theatrical intro.

Butthole Surfers - Cherub

Here is a kind of dumb interview, with a pretty great performance of Mexican Caravan at the end:

Just in case anyone mistakes you for Johnny Ramone, you can now sport his classic T-shirt courtesy of Worn Free, which oh so clearly states the obvious. Worn Free recreates classic shirts that once graced the immortal flesh of such deities as Zappa, Joan Jett, Lennon (John…duh), and others.

Worn Free: Johnny Ramone