This is the first of many times for both these artists on the list. Here the Weeknd provides his eerie tortured-party R&B before the beat drops and Drake laments.
The first verse of this track more or less describes my life right now – realizing we are not unique snowflakes but small cogs in a machine we don’t know about yet. Simple, yet poignant.
From the maniacal laughter to the thumping stomp of that chorus to those wailing guitars, Joy Formidable claim the throne as the loudest new band of 2011.
A play on an old R-rated cheerleader chant becomes a boogie-worthy ode to the end of the world. In typical Yacht fashion, it makes you wanna dance around the flames.
There are quiet moments, but overall this year’s song countdown is crazy upbeat; you’ve gotta be an uptight jerk not to enjoy at least some of what’s here. For the most part, this collection of songs from 2011, while decidedly less diverse than in past years, still perfectly captures my mood and preference. I’ll be counting down until Friday – feel free to browse, listen, discover, disagree, etc. I’ll publish a Spotify playlist at the end with most of the tracks on there; the rest can be found via YouTube below and on subsequent posts.
Fun Fun Fun Fest begins tomorrow – just typing that makes me so happy – and I’m sure you wild and crazy partiers have filled out your schedule and convened with fellow fest-goers. What you may not have done, however, is adequately prepared yourself to maximize the fun level. Here are some tips from an FFF veteran, myself, which will hopefully prepare you for the onslaught of awesome you’re about to digest.
1. Wear sunscreen and bring a jacket
Should be a given, but some people forget, and man oh man, when they forget, their weekend is ruined. I know all about it, trust me. The UV rays will be hitting hard because this is Austin, but it might get chilly in the evenings – sometimes we forget down here in Central Texas that it’s November.
2. You’re on your own with parking
Parking was so easy at Waterloo – there were three garages directly across the street. This isn’t the case with the Shores, so I recommend ponying up some cash for one of the downtown garages on 5th street. Since I live on the East side, I will be utilizing the free shuttle and walking down to Red River in the evenings. Neato!
3. Show up early if you want to see the band
Each stage is actually two stages, and they’re setting up one while someone’s playing on another, so I recommend standing near the front in the middle for the best vantage point. If you’re dying to see a particular band, get there early, find a good spot, and sit through the band before, who probably isn’t that bad. All the stages are genre-specific, so you might discover something similar that you like!
4. Make your money count
I know on Friday you’re gonna wanna get wasted and try all the vendors’ food and maybe buy your favorite band’s new record and a collector’s item screen-print FFF t-shirt. I will too. But we must remember that our cash has to last us three days this year, not two. So if you’re unable to partake in the third Fun on Sunday, it’s because you went overboard on the first Fun on Friday. Be wise with your monies. Because festivals aren’t cheap.
5. Stay hydrated
Being on a budget helps to prevent one’s self from consuming too much festival-priced alcoholic beverages. But sometimes, man, you just wanna rage! I wanna be buzzing for Major Lazer!, etc. I understand. Just plan accordingly. Check the time and judge your intake. If you’re getting embarrassing in the evening, make sure you drink plenty of water in the daytime.
Go here for more tips and rules and info about the fest, and I’ll see you there!
I’m going to chalk it up to boasting too much last week, because my most awesome weekend in sports probably ever was followed by one of the worst. And my only certain team, the Green Bay Packers, the only team that could have lifted my spirits, didn’t even play this week.
4. Dallas Got Embarrassed
After a great showing against the Rams, the Cowboys let themselves get torn up by a struggling Eagles team. Philadelphia dominated on both sides of the ball; Michael Vick threw for two TDs, and LeSean McCoy easily reached 185 yards rushing. They looked like the dream team everyone was talking about in Week 1. Tony Romo….well, he looked like Tony Romo. 18 of 35 passes, one interception, and one touchdown, the lone score for Dallas.
3. Texas Tech Got Embarrassed At Home
It seems like every time Tech gets a number by their name, they immediately blow their chances of that number getting any smaller. I mean, I’ve seen the Red Raiders too high off a big win, but wow….what a lousy game. By the first quarter, I didn’t want to watch anymore. It was just pitiful. Iowa State owned us. Is it obligatory for us to pull off an unlikely win and lose what should be a given every season?
2. Game 7 Was the Nail In the Coffin
See number 1 for the night before, but after that heartbreak, I knew we didn’t have it in us. Wash was shaken, and he made bad decisions. Where was Feliz? Why start Harrison, who has been pitching like crap lately? With the exception of Pujols superhuman Game 3, we were either neck and neck or completely dominating the Cards throughout the series. But on the night that it counted, we phoned it in. Too easy of a win for an unlikely Wild Card team.
1. Game 6 Was Fun to Watch Until the Very End, Then It Hurt Like Hell
Everybody’s already saying this might be the most exciting World Series game ever, and I don’t disagree. For St. Louis, it’s fulfilling. For Texas, well, we were the reason it was so riveting, but not in a good way. We gave up one pitch, and it tied the game for extra innings. Next inning, we did it again. And it couldn’t go on forever. When Joe Buck declared with his usual insufferable snark, “We will see you tomorrow night,” I had a gut feeling it was already over. You can’t come back from a loss like that.
Bonus: The Tebow Hype Machine Settles Down…For Now
Apparently everyone forgot the Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL, or at least they did when Tim Tebow manufactured a comeback against them last week. Tebow was hailed as Denver’s saving grace, but lo and behold, he and his same old offensive line choked hard this weekend against the Detroit Lions. Tebow completed only 18 of 39, threw one TD, one interception, and was sacked seven times. The Broncos lost 45-10, so maybe that will shut everyone up for a while. At least until next week if they win against Oakland.
Just wanted to remind you guys my favorite team is still the only undefeated team in the league and Aaron Rodgers is a touchdown-throwing beast. 24 of 30 passes, three for TDs, and a mere 335 yards. Discount Double Check!
4. Cowboys Beat Rams
The story here isn’t the quarterbacks (although Romo certainly played better) but DeMarco Murray, who set a franchise record with 253 rushing yards. And while it should be a given to win against the Rams, it still was nice to see my second-favorite team, who have had their share of embarrassing losses this year, earn the W for this week.
3. Pujols Sets World Series Records (And I Was There!)
As crappy as it was watching the Rangers get stomped at home in Game 3, I can honestly say I was impressed with Albert Pujols three home runs. Afterwards I learned that is a World Series record shared only with Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson. And I saw it happen in Rangers Ballpark. So that was pretty cool.
2. Holland Pitches Like a Champ (And Did I Mention I Was There?)
Of course it was even better being in the ballpark last night, as the key player of the night was Texas’ Derek Holland, who only allowed two hits and no runs in 8 and 1/3 innings. It’s because of Holland the series is all tied up, and hopefully it will be because of Wilson that we come ahead after tonight.
1. Texas Tech Wrecks Oklahoma in Norman, Shocks BCS
While watching the Rangers get beat, I moseyed into another office, and they happened to be showing the Texas Tech/OU game, which I was almost certain would not lift my spirits. Oh me of little faith; like the rest of the country, I was surprised to find my Red Raiders wrecking the Sooners after a lengthy weather delay. Even though it wasn’t the game I was attending, it did feel good to celebrate something Saturday night. And now we’re in the Top 25 for the first time since a little duo with the names of Harrell and Crabtree beat a guy named Colt McCoy back in 2008. I was pretty worried about this season, but after this away-game upset, who knows what this young TTU team is capable of? Should be a fun remainder of the season, and a promising one next year.
Bonus Overrated Event – Tim Tebow Wins Some Game For Broncos After Playing Like Crap For the Majority of It
In what was undoubtedly the worst NFL game of the week, one horrible team (Denver) played another (Miami), and the result was a low-scoring, punt-filled snooze fest worthy of napping through. Then, like the blessed pigskin messiah he is, Tebow decided to play football in the fourth quarter and started throwing passes that were in the general proximity of his intended receivers. Tebow racked up a not-so-dazzling thirteen completed passes for 161 yards. But of course he rallied his team to win, and I suppose that’s all that really matters in the NFL, but as they do, the media blew his performance way out of proportion. Lest we forget the other 45 minutes of the game where he played like crap; before everyone gets all crazy, let’s focus on the obvious fact that there is a lot of room for improvement. And the Dolphins still suck.
Once every three months I list the best of what I heard in albums/songs/remixes for the quarter. I do this to personally keep up with all the awesome music I hear, as it ultimately helps me at the end of the year when I do my overall listing for the previous twelve months. I also do it to introduce you cool cats to tunes you may have missed independently.
With yesterday’s lineup announcement from Transmission, my heart is still a-flutter. Â Though I’m not crazy about the move to Auditorium Shores, this year’s roster of talent has eviscerated any worry I had that this year might not be so fun fun fun. Â The lineup is crazy good; though I’m not familiar with the Black stage as some of you (as is the case every year), I do have some picks from the other stages that you will most likely find me at come November 4-6.
M83
This is the one I’m flipping out over. Â I’ve been dying to see an Anthony Gonzalez show for about three years and there’s no way I’m missing this one. Highest priority.
Hum
I’m a big fan of “Stars” and the rest of that seminal, yet somehow forgotten album You’d Prefer An Astronaut, and the kids at Transmission are like daytime talk shows for bands – they always can make a reunion happen. Â I’m there expecting some spaced-out shoegaze rock.
Childish Gambino
Community might just be the best comedy on television, and Donald Glover’s Troy might be my favorite character. Â But when Glover isn’t making me laugh (he’s also doing a stand-up routine on the Yellow stage), he’s wowing me with crazy wit rhymes. Â Dude is a solid rapper, and this show should be nothing but fun.
tUnE-yArDsÂ
All I keep hearing is how amazing this girl is live, and I finally have the chance to witness it for myself.  Fest-goers and critics called her the indisputable highlight of Pitchfork in Chicago this year, one to not sleep on.  And as awesome as that new album is, you can bet I won’t.
Cold Cave
I saw them in 2009, but since then they’ve dropped the Depeche Mode/New Order thing for the most part – now the vibe, at least on their latest album, is more of a Bauhaus feel, and I’m curious to see how it translates live.
Radio Dept.Â
One of my favorite albums of last year – Clinging to a Scheme – had that sweet, jangly shoegaze electro that I love so much down to a high-minded science. Â This group has been around for a while, but they’re finally getting the hipster love they deserve, and I’m pumped to see the show they put on.
Cloud Nothings
If you’ve never seen Cloud Nothings kick out the jams, you’re in for a treat. Â Just be prepared – you will not be able to stand still. At all. Â Show is a rapid-fire blast of percussion and sweet hooks.
The Joy Formidable
One album most people have slept on this year is the surprisingly rock’n’roll Big Roar – I’m curious to see if these newcomers can translate their loud studio sounds and big choruses to a big ol’ park in downtown Austin. Â I’ve got high hopes.
Public Enemy
This is probably the festival’s entire highlight – the one for the newspapers and bloggers and whatnot. Â Austinites, riddle me this: if you had the chance to see one of the most influential, seminal, and downright badass hip-hop groups of all time, you’d go, right? Of course you would. Believe the hype.
Diplo
America’s Producer is gonna rock your world, along with his Major Lazer crew on the Blue stage. Â And I thought I was getting spoiled when I saw A-Trak last year!
Neon Indian
I’m gonna hold off on this one until I hear the new album in October, but if it’s good, you can bet I’ll be wanting to hear those new tracks live.
Spank Rock
Fuck yes. Â If any band can bring the fun x3, I’d place my bet on these guys. Sex jams and x-rated hip-hop. Â Someone had to pick up where 2 Live Crew left off, and these guys do it properly.
Baths
One of the most legit producers I’ve seen in a long while, the beats and collages this guy cooks up just blow my mind, take a listen to Cerulean if you don’t believe me.
Purity Ring
I’ve been raving about this group for awhile – their music is encompassing of great pop and subtle sounds thrown in to create a pretty progressive, yet undeniably infectious, feel. Â I’m very curious to see how they bring that studio texture to the stage.
WTF Award – Turquoise Jeep
I’ve slept on this, mainly because I’m not an Internet meme-chaser or whatever, but apparently these guys are a YouTube sensation and have been for a year or so. Â Turquoise Jeep is a mysterious record label, headquarters location unknown, featuring a strange roster of artists that put out hilarious R&B/rap songs and post super-low-budget videos for them. Â With a straight face…it’s hard to tell if these guys are in on their own joke or not, but I’m willing to bet they are. Â Anyway, they’re booked for Fun Fun Fun, which is….well, it’s not the strangest thing Transmission has ever done, but it’s likely up there.
There are a ton of other bands on the lineup that I’m excited to see that I didn’t list here – these are just the ones that rank as high priorities for me (except for that last one, which I just thought was pretty damn funny.) Â Once the schedule drops in September, there’s sure to be some nail-biting conflicts. Â Like I said, I’m not too familiar with the Black stage roster, which is usually the case every year – not a big metal/punk/Danzig guy. Â What are your picks for the fest? Â What did I miss? What Black stage bands are you pumped about that I can’t miss? Educate me!
Once every three months I list the best of what I heard in albums/songs/remixes for the quarter. I do this to personally keep up with all the awesome music I hear, as it ultimately helps me at the end of the year when I do my overall listing for the previous twelve months. I also do it to introduce you cool cats to tunes you may have missed independently.
JT’s sophomore solo album was miles different from the R&B-influenced debut Justified. Â For one, it was dirtier, sexier, raunchier. Â Timberlake had all but washed himself clean of the boy band label he had established in ‘NSync, and on the other side was a sharp dressed man with smart production and crisp, Prince-leaning erotic pop. Â The surprisingly simple, yet undeniably infectious “SexyBack,” the album’s first single, is producer Timbaland at some of his most creative, and catchy, creations.
