First things first: No one expected "Grand Theft Auto IV" -- of
which I attended a midnight sale for and took a day off of work to play
-- to win over the hearts of the nation, but this sequel's scandal is
starting early (well, in addition to the pre-release controversy...):
MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, wants a stricter rating on the
game, The Associated Press reports, because of the ability to make your
in-game character, Niko Bellic, drive drunk.
I support both sides (kind of).
In
defense of "GTA" creators Rockstar Games, after your character becomes
inebriated, an info box pops up onscreen and urges you to hail a cab.
If you ask me, that's pretty responsible; MADD getting, well, mad about this is like blaming Budweiser for you driving yourself home drunk.
On the other hand, as someone who is subject to spells of dizziness (almost to the point of "horking") when it comes to unsteady cams, I don't like this new feature of one of my favorite video game series.
So, to MADD's credit, this inebriation device in the game really isn't welcome anyway.
In other news, check out PETA's anti-Kentucky Fried Chicken "Super Mario Bros." ripoff, "Super Chick Sisters" -- it's actually kind of fun:
A&E FYI: Beck to release new album this summer
Beck has recorded a new album, produced with Brian Danger Mouse Burton
Having met a few years ago, Beck and Danger Mouse had planned to work together at some point, finally convening last December to do a few songs. Encouraged by the results, they decided to make an entire record and over the next few months recorded extensively, with the goal of using only 10 pieces in the end.
The result is a tightly assembled group of songs that range in lyrical tone from introspection and social commentary to off the cuff wordplay and lighthearted humor. Musically, the albums 10 tracks vacillate between economy and experimentation, hybrid and pop classicism, while consistently manifesting Beck and Danger Mouses shared interest in psych-rock, folk, electronic minimalism and orchestration.
The albums diversity of tone is belied by an emphasis on songwriting and musical concision, with the album clocking in at a little over 30 minutes.
The album represents the first new Beck music since last years Grammy-nominated digital single Timebomb. The new songs also mark the first new material Beck has written since the prolific stretch that produced 2005s platinum Guero and 2006s universally acclaimed The Information.
On the
live front, Beck will play his biggest hometown headline show to date
Sept. 20 at the Hollywood Bowl. The bill will also feature special
guests Spoon and MGMT and is the first headline date announced on a
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on May 07, 2008 at 11:54 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
This Week's (Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug + FREE NIN ALBUM!
Homegrown
'08 pictures, Brian Matuszak's Rubber Chicken Enterprises, a
soul-baring column (about video games), Dane Schmidt from Jamestown
Story/Sing It Loud and ... Amnicon Falls again (I guess). Couple these
stories with my appearance with the Duluth News Tribune's Ann Klefstad
on KUWS's "Final Edition" Friday evening and it was a busy week indeed!
"Matuszak Bounces Back with Rubber Chicken"
:: Renegade Comedy Theatres ousted executive and artistic director
(and founder) is already back with a new venture: Rubber Chicken
Enterprises. The well-known funnyman answers our questions.
"Unleash Your Inner Video Game Dork"
:: The monumental release of "Grand Theft Auto IV" last Tuesday has
this Xbox 360 fanboy looking back at his formative years (of playing
video games...).
"Share Your Homegrown '08 Memories!"
:: Whether it's a picture of your favorite band or your pick for the
festival's best set, we'd like to hear how you spent the 10th
anniversary of Duluth's largest music festival. -> Or, if you're
shy, just check out my pictures of Cars & Trucks, Giljunko, Number
One Common, the Surfactants and Greg Cougar Conley.
"Success Won't Change Dane Schmidt"
:: While one of his groups, Sing It Loud, recently signed to punk
powerhouse Epitaph Records, Duluth native Dane Schmidt still plugs away
at his first recording project, Jamestown Story. This Q-and-A is
exclusive to DuluthBudgeteer.com. (p.s. Look for a review of Jamestown
Story's new EP, "The Prologue," in this weekend's Budgeteer!)
"Discover Duluth: Amnicon Falls, Vol. II"
:: Like the majority of its Northland counterparts, Amnicon State Park
outside Superior is alive with the sound of raging rapids. For this
online exclusive, my photo essay series returns to one of my favorite
area parks for a special "spring thaw" edition. (Includes one shot,
"Play Misty for Me, or: Get Your Spring Thaw On," that landed on the
cover of last weekend's Budge!)
And, as promised, information on Nine Inch Nails' new studio album, "The Slip," which is available as a free download at NIN.com (information courtesy of the band):
Trent Reznor to Fans: "Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years. This one's on me."
As of 12:01 a.m. PST May 5, Nine Inch Nails' brand new full length album The Slip is available as free download at NIN.com.
Unlike NIN's recently released Ghosts I-IV, there are NO paid options available for The Slip, nor are there any retail partners. At present, The Slip
is available exclusively as a free download at NIN.com. A physical
configuration on CD and vinyl is in the works for a July release.
The Slip
marks the first time Nine Inch Nails--or any artist of NIN's
stature--has made its new album available completely and exclusively
for free as a DRM-free digital download. The Slip
is available as a high-quality MP3 or in a variety of lossless formats
including, for the first time, a higher-than-CD quality 24 bit 96k
version. All downloads include a PDF with credits and artwork.
Like
the free single "Discipline" released last week to terrestrial radio
stations and their websites and the track "Echoplex" appearing on
iLike, The Slip is a classic straightforward NIN
album, featuring Trent Reznor on vocals and various instruments as well
as Josh Freese, Robin Finck and Alessandro Cortini. The record was
produced by Reznor, Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder. Art direction by Rob
Sheridan.
As with previous Nine Inch Nails releases Year Zero and Ghosts I-IV, the complete multi-track files to The Slip
will be available free at launch, allowing anyone who wants to create
his or her own remixes and reinterpretations of the songs. As always,
the Remix.NIN.com community will provide a sire and infrastructure for
fans to upload, share, stream and download these various remixes as
well as the original masters, all free of charge or restrictions.
The Slip,
like Ghosts I-IV, is being released under a Creative Commons license,
allowing fans to distribute the songs and files freely and without fear
of copyright infringement. More details regarding this license can be
found at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b
y-nc-sa/3.0/us/
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on May 05, 2008 at 11:07 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Video Game News of the Weird: PETA rips off 'Mario' and MADD hates 'GTA IV'
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 30, 2008 at 10:22 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
This Week's BONUS Shameless Budgeteer Plug
It's only Monday, but the online exclusives are already starting to pile up:
"Discover Duluth: Amnicon Falls, Vol. II"
:: Like the majority of its Northland counterparts, Amnicon State Park
outside Superior is alive with the sound of raging rapids. For this
online exclusive, my photo essay series returns to one of my favorite
area parks for a special "spring thaw" edition.
"Success Won't Change Dane Schmidt"
:: While one of his groups, Sing It Loud, recently signed to punk
powerhouse Epitaph Records, Duluth native Dane Schmidt still plugs away
at his first recording project, Jamestown Story. A brief Q-and-A with
the prolific musician. (UPDATE: Since I conducted my e-mail "interview"
with Schmidt, his good buddy Kieren Smith has left Jamestown Story
to concentrate on the continued success of Sing It Loud. A plain shame
for Schmidt, who is now that first group's sole remaining member.)
Finally, two I neglected to mention in previous shameless plugs: Two issues ago I contributed a photo to Tom Kasper's column "Every Day is Earth Day"
and the current issue, which sports a April 27 publication date,
features a photo from yours truly on its cover. A variation of that
image is above. (In case you can't read it, the bicyclist's "humble
little billboards" read KEEP EARTH ALIVE, DON'T DRIVE. As you can tell
from the image, that concept hasn't really caught on in the Twin Ports
as much as he'd probably like.)
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 28, 2008 at 5:42 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
SYS3: If you love Cars & Trucks, you'll REALLY love Riddle of Steel
Only
two days away from the release of "Grand Theft Auto IV." These tracks
are helping me get through this very difficult time. (Like Petty sang,
"The waiting....")Either way, enjoy this latest awesome mix tape:
1. The High Speed Scene - "In the Know"
One of the most frenetic pop songs ever recorded. I can't get enough.
2. XTC - "No Thugs in Our House" (BBC Peel Session vers.)
Recorded in 1982, the year I was born!
3. She & Him - "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"
Forget every preconceived notion you've ever had about attractive actresses cutting records: Backed up by the immortal M. Ward, cute-as-a-button Zooey Deschanel ("Almost Famous," "The Good Girl") is America's answer to Neko Case. One of the most exciting songs I've heard in some time.
4. The Kinks - "Lola"
The definition of "classic."
5. Supergrass - "What Went Wrong (In Your Head)"
And a modern-day successor to that title.
6. Atmosphere - "Flesh"
One of Ant's darkest hours production-wise. Slug and fellow MPLS MC I Self Devine work terrifically together on this one.
7. Del the Funky Homosapien - "Bubble Pop"
More fun than his contributions to the first Gorillaz album.
8. The Beta Band - "Space"
An 11th-hour masterpiece for the late "High Fidelity"-famed space cadets.
9. Apollo 440 - "Crazee Horse"
Like the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" reinvisioned as a rave masterpiece -- get your glow sticks on!
10. The Submarines - "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie"
Charming boy/girl pop.
11. Air - "Radio #1 (Senor Coconut Remix)"
Seeing as it is easily the strangest remix I've ever heard in my life, I just had to include it on one of these here mix tapes. Would've worked well in the 2001 sizzler "Y Tu Mama Tambien."
12. Aesop Rock - "Citronella"
I have no idea how his masterworks translate live, but I am super-excited to see his Soundset '08 set May 25 in Minneapolis.
13. British Sea Power - "Waving Flags"
This year's "Intervention"?
14. Hey Mercedes - "Everybody's Working for the Weak"
Sometimes even the most well-rounded musical diets need a little nameless, faceless emo rock.
15. Dead Milkmen - "Takin' Retards to the Zoo"
Umm ... is there anything you can say about this song without sounding like a complete [EXPLETIVE DELETED]?
16. Yellow Press - "Rubber and Wood"
Recommended if you like older Baboon, select artists on Turn Records.
17. Black Francis - "She Took All the Money"
Pure joy -- despite the song's title!
18. Bill Mallonee - "Life on Other Planets"
This could easily make a dent in the Top 40. Why is it on here, then? I find it enjoyable ... fair enough?
19. Vampire Weekend - "I Stand Corrected"
A harmless, semi-quirky, Strokes-esque midtempo rocker. (Got it?)
20. Turin Brakes - "Underdog (Save Me)"
Man, I'm so sick of this ... these guys should be HUGE!
21. Riddle of Steel - "One Inch Deep"
The St. Louis equivalent of Duluth's Cars & Trucks -- a [EXPLETIVE DELETED]-ing blast if I ever did hear one!
Thus concludes your third dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.
(Original image for show "poster" by Roger Wendell.)
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 27, 2008 at 5:51 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Fly High, Duluth! tagged on new Atmosphere site
... by me. It looks like crap because A) I didn't know what I was doing and B) I had no idea anybody else would have to look at the stupid thing. For this, I apologize. In the meantime, check out Atmosphere's site for their new album, "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that S*** Gold"!
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 25, 2008 at 10:34 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug + FREE MP3S!
KUWS
DJ Walt Dizzo, Two Many Banjos, Coyote (Jerree Small + Marc Gartman),
Doug Hoekstra, the John Sullivan Brigade, Hartley Nature Center (pics
of) and resolving those nasty neighborhood issues.
"Walt Dizzo's Three Eclectic Hours"
:: For the last couple years, volunteer KUWS DJ Walt Dizzo has been
hammering out one of the most eclectic shows in the Twin Ports if not
the most eclectic show in the Twin Ports.
"CD Reviews: Two Many Banjos, Coyote, Doug Hoekstra and John Sullivan Brigade"
:: That's right; four excellent releases covered this week: Two Many
Banjos Trouble in Paradise," Coyotes Times of Drought, Doug
Hoekstra's "Blooming Roses" and the John Sullivan Brigade's A Sound
Opportunity for Your Last Music Purchase."
"CRP Seeks to Resolve Duluth's Community Disputes"
:: No matter how much Minnesota Nice is pumped into the atmosphere,
sometimes community disputes in the Northland just dont play out
civilly. One group, the Center for Rural Planning (through its
Community Alternative Dispute Resolution program), is here to help.
"Discover Duluth: Hartley Park, Vol. III"
:: Though it's only been six months since we last took a look around
Hartley Park, we thought we'd revisit it for a springtime special.
(Exclusive to DuluthBudgeteer.com.)
And, as an added bonus, 19 free MP3 downloads courtesy of your friends at Adult Swim...
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 24, 2008 at 10:32 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
SYS2: A mix tape offering from Fly High, Duluth!
The contents for the second SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES awesome mix tape programme:
A staple of my college years. Funny it took its usage in "The Butterfly Effect" to remind me of its awesomeness.
2. Atmosphere - "You"
Easily the single of the year. In fact, it's so memorable that it kept me up the other night. This [EXPLETIVE DELETED] is infectious: "You love the people that love you / You hear the music they move to / You give your all to the fall through / But you don't you don't you don't you don't know you."
3. The Plastic Constellations - "Floated Down and Flew Around"
As you might've expected, I will once again try to pimp out my album review of "We Appreciate You": "The album, easily their strongest set of songs to date, just happens to coincide with the boys recently announced 'indefinite hiatus.' Its heartbreaking, to say the least in fact, its OK to shed a tear or two when you first experience the aural bliss that is the unmatchable post-punk trio of songs that opens the album, 'Stay That Way,' 'Black Market Pandas' and 'Floated Down and Flew Around.' (Lord knows I did&.)"
4. Does it Offend You, Yeah? - "Being Bad Feels Pretty Good"
Oh, and from my review of "You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into": "Instantly infectious, iPod commercial-worthy tracks like 'With a Heavy Heart (I Regret to Inform You)' and 'Being Bad Feels Pretty Good' bump up next to stylish, Killers-esque 80s throwbacks ('Dawn of the Dead') and ... well, then there are tracks like 'Attack of the 60-foot Lesbian Octopus.'"
5. Baboon - "Lushlife"
A bridge song between the old, noise rock-Baboon and the new, hyper-stylized Baboon.
6. Bumblebeez 81 - "Pony Ride"
One of the last music videos I saw on one of the MTV channels. (Yeah, that was probably 2004....)
7. The Format - "The Lottery Song"
From the group's latest, an odds 'n' sods sort that's almost punk cheap.
8. The New Pornographers - "Falling Through Your Clothes"
Canadian rock royalty. All hail!
9. Hayes Carll - "Faulkner Street"
From this week's Electric Fetus newsletter (I recommend you sign up for it): "If you havent already heard of HAYES CARLL, you soon will. Carll has toured relentlessly (performing over two hundred shows a year), and hes only getting started. On his new album, TROUBLE IN MIND, the 32 year-old Carll navigates his way through both stormy weather and calm, sun-drenched waters with ease, emerging with songs that melt even the hardest heart in town or heat up a roadhouse, all the result of plenty of real world experience. Musically, Carll blends the sound of Tony Joe White and Steve Earle. Check out a few tracks in our pop-up jukebox at efetus.com."
10. Steve Miller Band - "Going to the Country"
Although he declined to be interviewed by yours truly, I still love me my Steve Miller music.
11. Frank Zappa - "Peaches en Regalia"
And then there's Zappa, my newfound obsession. (If you have any old records of his sitting around, drop me a line.)
12. The Beach Boys - "Our Sweet Love"
A "Pet Sounds"-worthy gem from 1970's "Sunflower."
13. George Harrison - "Living in the Material World"
My favorite Beatle can do no wrong.
14. Finest Dearest - "Your Hometown"
Too bad this isn't really an ode to Crosby, Minn.
15. Frank Black and the Catholics - "Valentine and Garuda"
Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. I don't care if he did go "classic rock" for awhile -- I loved it!
16. Danny Michel - "Sweet Things"
Recommended if you like Cloud Cult, mid-period Flaming Lips.
17. Pedro the Lion - "Promise"
Nirvana's "Unplugged in New York" + anything by Cinerama = this gorgeous David Bazan creation.
18. Islands - "The Arm"
Horns, strings and an awkward, Beatles-y solo almost worthy of "Guitar Hero." Sweetness.
19. Dios Malos - "Staring at the Sun" (Daytrotter vers.)
From the impeccable group's upcoming third album.
20. Supertramp - "Dreamer"
One time, driving back from Duluth to said hometown, I hydroplaned listening to my copy of "Crime of the Century." That. Was. Terrifying. (How I remember that, no one will ever know....)
21. Danger Mouse - "Encore"
This Jay-Z/Beatles mash-up, which samples "Glass Onion" and "Savoy Truffle" (and, obviously, "Encore"), is probably the highlight of the illegal art masterpiece "The Grey Album."
22. David Schwartz - Theme from "Arrested Development"
I can't believe I found a decent MP3 of this catchy little jingle!
23. Air - "Another Day"
From the French duo's superb 2004 release "Talkie Walkie," another splendid, trance-inducing lullaby to daydream to. (Don't I sound like a pretty little girl....)
Thus concludes your second dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 22, 2008 at 9:49 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Aesop Rock downloading fun!
{Click on the above image for free downloads of "None Shall Pass," "39 Thieves," "Citronella" and more!}
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 22, 2008 at 8:21 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
A&E FYI: Homegrown 10 to feature 150 bands
Featuring
150 acts, Duluths 10th annual Homegrown Music Festival will be the
largest showcase of local bands in the citys history. The eight-day
festival runs from April 27 to May 4, with events taking place at 23
venues.
Homegrowns organizers released a 60-page guide to the
event in early April, available at various locations in Duluth and
Superior. Schedule information is also available online at www.duluthhomegrown.com.
Returning
to the festival are such longtime favorites as the Alrights,
Retribution Gospel Choir, the Keep Aways, Bone Appetit, Father
Hennepin, Charlie Parr, Giljunko, Mary Bue, Jamie Ness, Lookdown Moon,
Eeriearq, Teague Alexy, Crew Jones and Trampled By Turtles. Among the
bands reuniting for the show is the Mighty Shock Tower, a group that
hasnt performed together in 17 years.
It will be rookies that
start the festival off, however, with a Sunday new-band showcase at
Pizza Luce on April 27. The week continues with a photo exhibit, film
festival and night of poetry on Monday, an all-ages showcase and lineup
of experimental music on Tuesday, and an acoustic showcase and DJ
showcase on Wednesday.
The traditional Thursday night Starfire
Lounge will go on opposite a hip-hop showcase in Duluth, while 14 acts
cross the bay to perform at four locations in Superior.
The
weekend climaxes with 51 bands on Friday, May 2, and 48 bands on
Saturday, May 3, at 15 venues in Duluth. The festival concludes with an
acoustic Sunday Brunch at Pizza Luce on May 4.
Founded in 1999
by Scott Starfire Lunt, the Homegrown Music Festival is in its third
year as a nonprofit. The Bridge Syndicate, an organization committed to
increasing cultural opportunities in the Twin Ports, serves as the
events fiscal agent.
~Information courtesy of Homegrown Music Festival
IMAGE INFORMATION: I took this picture of Taconite's Jamie Ness and Jake Willis after I interviewed them for my "Diorama-rama 3: Bigger, Better, Shinier" article back in January. Taconite will perform at 9:30 p.m. May 3 at R.T. Quinlan's Saloon for Homegrown. Later that night, Ness will also take the stage at the Kozy Bar for a solo set.
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 22, 2008 at 11:45 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Today's Moment of Zen: Duluth's Agent Orange van
My
coworker alerted me to the presence of a mysterious "Agent Orange"
Chevy van on Superior Street, so I hit the pavement with my trusty
camera. Unfortunately, as soon as I finished up taking pictures of the
vehicle (which sports such sage advice as "Don't play leapfrog with a
unicorn"*) I started heading back to the office -- not knowing that the
guy I just nodded at would soon get into it and take off. So, if you
know who this piece of machinery belongs to, please drop me a line at mperrine at duluthbudgeeteer dot com. I'd love to ask him a few questions about it.
*After googling this art project on wheels, I discovered through Dennis Barry's photos of it that its words of wisdom even stretch into the interior.
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 22, 2008 at 10:58 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Introducing ... SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES (a new mix tape series)
Don't Tell a Soul is now SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES. No questions, please. (I have no answers....)
1. Black Francis - "Seven Fingers"
Frank Black is (once again) back to using his Pixies moniker. Does it sound like the Pixies? Not necessarily, but it's my humble opinion that he's never released a bum album.
2. Reggie and the Full Effect - "Girl, Why'd You Run Away?"
Per Wiki: "Reggie and the Full Effect is a Kansas City-based American music project featuring James Dewees who was the former drummer for Coalesce, keyboardist for The Get Up Kids, and former touring keyboardist for New Found Glory and currently My Chemical Romance." It shouldn't work as well as it does -- Dewees approaches "Pinkerton"-esque highs time and time again -- but it just does.
3. Harvey Danger - "Oh! You Pretty Things" (David Bowie cover) [LIVE]
Mr. Bowie couldn't have said it better himself. (Read: One of the best damned covers these ears have ever heard. -> Well done, chaps.)
4. The Long Winters - "Ultimatum"
5. The John Sullivan Brigade - "Beyond this Sun"
Two of the most beautiful songs ever written. The first one is even wife-approved! (Unfortunately I can't say that about "Beyond this Sun," as it's never been put to "the test.")
6. Compulsion - "It's Great"
In all of its faux Wannadies glory....
7. Atmosphere - "The Old Style" (feat. cuts by DJ Plain Ole Bill)
Unbeknownst to me at the time, the clerk at the legendary Fifth Element store who was so friendly during my first visit there was none other than Plain Ole Bill. But that's not why this song is here; it's here because it's good. Damn good. (p.s. My copy of "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that Sh*t Gold" came in the mail today, and it is awesome!)
8. Mac Lethal - "Walkin' on Nails"
A classic from the outspoken Kansas City rhymesayer.
9. Frank Zappa - "We are Not Alone"
One of the most mind-bending instrumentals I've ever come across -- even though its parent album, "The Man from Utopia," is notoriously crap.
10. The Dames - "Only Half"
Recommended if you like Alice in Chains, Cars & Trucks (or any other splendid Anthony "Tony" Bennett project) and, to a lesser extent, the Melvins.
11. Does it Offend You, Yeah? - "Attack of the 60-ft. Lesbian Octopus"
Here's what I said in my album review of "You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into": "Stupid title, for sure, but its one of the most exciting tracks of 2008 so far. While it reminds me of a hyperactive B-52s surf rock instrumental, you could take something else entirely away with your headphones."
12. The B-52's - "Hot Corner"
Speaking of those crazy kids....
13. Malibu - "Yesteryear"
Malibu = Roger Joseph Manning Jr. from Jellyfish/TV Eyes/Imperial Drag. He's remixed artists like Beck, Air and, most triumphantly, Felix da Housecat. Enough said.
14. Jim Noir - "Don't You Worry"
Listen to this description of Jim's music from Barsuk's site: "Imagine a Wurlitzer jukebox stacked with the hits of ELO, Super Furry Animals, Pepper-era Beatles, The Beta Band, The Beach Boys, early Pink Floyd and Supertramp. Now imagine blowing that jukebox up with a cartoon-style dynamite stick and making a record from the exploded fragments of vinyl and luminescent tubing." Spot. On.
15. Two Many Banjos - "Fathers and Sons"
Longtime readers know that I'm not shy about professing my admiration for everything Marc Gartman has a hand in, but this song is different: It's his finest hour yet. No joke.
16. Midlake - "Paper Gown"
A nice companion piece to Gartman's latest triumph.
17. AM/FM - "Call Me Up"
A quiet little piece before ...
18. The Hoosiers - "Goodbye Mr. A"
one of the most Matt-approved groups of all time (well, there's me, Pinfield and Suoja at least...). For fans of Supergrass.
19. Supermodel Stalker - "Speedbumbs & Airbags"
One of the funniest [EXPLETIVE DELETED] songs of all time. Google the lyrics for a good time.
20. Kaspar Hauser - "King Pop"
I was right about to set my latest issue of CMJ on fire until this mesmerizing indie rock gem wormed its way out of my speakers. Congrats, K.H., you guys singlehandedly saved New Music Monthly.
21. Dealership - "Just So"
Like I always say, indie pop just wouldn't be the same without Berkeley's finest.
22. The Breeders - "It's the Love"
Forget what I said last time, this is probably the closest we'll ever get to another Kim Deal-penned "single" in our lifetimes.
23. Ruth Ruth - "Condition"
See, I told you I would make it up to Ruth Ruth after Friday's silly little post!
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 19, 2008 at 4:46 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Today's Moment of Zen: Reality Check '96
I'm
not going to lie, this is some embarassing [EXPLETIVE DELETED]. You
can't run from your past, though ... right? To my defense, I was only
13 at that time. Need proof? I found it in an autograph book I just happened to pick up at Universal Studios Florida while on a family vacation back in the day.* ... And Ruth Ruth?
Really?! (I, for the life of me, can't even name one song to their
credit -- maybe that will be my assignment for my next awesome mix
tape.)
*This is actually the most embarassing part of the whole sad affair: I only stumbled upon the autograph book -- which Doug, Dale and the Daniel Francis Hartman
signed, thank you very much -- whilst looking for my Pog collection at
my parents' house. A HA HA Maybe I should've tried my luck at Geek Prom
this year....
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 17, 2008 at 11:46 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink
dtas75: WE (I) APPRECIATE YOU
*******
1. Dealership - "For Sale"
If someone claims to like indie pop and doesn't list Dealership in their Top 5, don't trust a word out of their MF-ing mouths. (I'm super serial here!)
2. Death Cab for Cutie - "Why You'd Want to Live Here" (+)
3. The Plastic Constellations - "Stay that Way"
Rest in peace, brothers from another mother, rest in peace.... (What makes it even more heartbreaking is that the group's "indefinite hiatus" comes right before the release of "We Appreciate You," easily their strongest set of songs to date.)
4. Atmosphere - "Shoulda Known"
Have you guys been keeping up with Slug and Ant's show on YouTube, "Paint it Gold"? Classic stuff. Make sure to at least check out the latest episode below:
5. Heiruspecs feat. Slug - "In Regrets"
Once again, Sluggo steals the show!
6. The Breeders - "Bang On"
To put it politely, "Mountain Battles" is a challenging record, so this is probably the closest we'll ever get to another Kim Deal-penned "single" in our lifetimes.
7. Fun Lovin' Criminals - "Scooby Snacks"
Doesn't it just bring you back?
8. Throwing Muses - "Portia" (+)
"Like frat boys who sleep together / We party better." (Ha!)
9. Cloud Cult - "When Water Comes to Life"
Read my review of "Feel Good Ghosts" here.
10. Psychotica - "Ice Planet Hell"
Another CMJ find from way back when.
11. Metal Molly - "Orange"
Here too.
12. Iggy Pop - "Heart is Saved"
And here.
13. The Figgs - "Blame It All Senseless"
And here.
14. Jimmy from "South Park" - "So This Guy Walks Into a B-b-b"
This is so bad, but I generally quote Jimmy around the house so....
15. Combine - "Know Regrets"
If you like noise rock, I know you're gonna dig this.
16. Possum Dixon - "Emergency's About to End"
Pop is as pop does. Love it!
17. Gravity Kills - "Guilty"
As you can see, I was feeling awfully nostalgic when I put this one together (so many weeks ago).
18. Cowboy Mouth - "Jenny Says"
Saw these guys when they opened for Cheap Trick at the state fair. Wait, wait ... I think I have a story about that somewhere.
19. Squirrel Nut Zippers - "Put a Lid on It"
Makes me wanna learn how to play an instrument -- you know, besides that plastic guitar that consumes all of my time.
20. Pluto - "When She was Happy"
Helping Canadians escape their Bryan Adams-induced shame since the early '90s....
21. Rasputina - "Transylvanian Concubine"
Marilyn Manson-approved nightmare music.
22. Ho-Hum - "One Out of Ten"
This song always surprises me: It only gets better with age.
23. Love Nut - "She Won't Do Me"
Funny stuff right here. And catchy too!
24. Drew Neumann - "Long Time Iguana (Yay! A Bong!)"
Man, talk about the psychotropic immortality blues....
25. Nine Inch Nails - "Physical (You're So)" (Adam Ant cover)
As far as I'm concerned, NIN is back in style.
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 17, 2008 at 11:22 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug
A
Duluth contender for president, Holocaust drama "Dear Finder," three
cool books, Mac Lethal and another mention of this week's
online-exclusive CD reviews!
"Keep an Eye on Margot Presley (aka What's Your Point, Margot Presley?)"
:: It remains to be seen whether or not Hilary Clinton will break the
White Houses sex barrier, which makes Duluthian Margot Presley's turn
in Whats Your Point, Honey? all the more intriguing. I spoke with
the recent University of Wisconsin graduate about the Project 2024
documentary, which recently debuted at the Wisconsin Film Festival in
Madison.
"'Dear Finder' Revisited for 10th Anniversary"
:: To celebrate the first decade of the award-winning Holocaust drama
Dear Finder, the University of Minnesota Duluth and the plays chief
architect, Tom Isbell, are revisiting it with a brand new set of
players. I chatted up Isbell, who was always one of my favorite
professors during my brief UMD stint.
"Book Reviews: Minnesota's Best Amateur Photographer and Two North Shore Guides"
:: Brad Zellar's Suburban World: The Norling Photos," Stephen B.
Daniels Shipwrecks Along Lake Superiors North Shore: A Divers
Guide and Deborah Morse-Kahns Lake Superiors Historic North Shore:
A Guided Tour reviewed. While I enjoyed all three, I was absolutely
blown away by the quality of Irwin Norling's prints (which showcase the
postwar boom of Bloomington, Minn.).
And, in case you missed this week's shameless midweek plug...
"Mac Lethal Returns to Duluth" :: Brash Rhymesayers rapper Mac Lethal brings his Rotten Apple Pie Tour to The Venue at Mohaupt May 9.
"Also Released 3"
:: Reviewed this go-round: Does it Offend You, Yeah?'s "You Have No
Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into," Hungrytown's self-titled
debut and the soundtracks to "Jumper" and "Penelope."
Posted by: mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com on April 17, 2008 at 10:55 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
