Culture Greyhound

The Scary Staleness of Truth Telling by Marty Kaplan

John Lennon At 70!

The Human Behind ICP Fans Against Juggalos Speaks

Perhaps it’s my jaded cynical old age catching up with me, but lately I have been exposed to some things in the pop culture world that really irk me. And as a form of self-therapy, I’d like to share them with you today.

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Occasionally I browse the pop music world/charts/blogs and see what the kids are listening to.  Sometimes I am pleased with what I find, most of the time I am not.  This is a journal of my discoveries.
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Overall, 2010 has been an amazing year in the world of music.  My year-end list is swamped, and we’re not even into fall yet, where the majority of hyped and acclaimed releases are dropped.  But alas, like every hit-filled year, there are some misses.  I’ve listened to a lot of albums in 2010, and I’ve heard some fascinating work, some boring duds, and a few completely atrocious, “what were they thinking?” moments.  Sometimes we know what we’re getting into, but it hurts the worst when a highly-anticipated album does not impress.  Here are a few examples of albums from groups that failed to deliver this time around.

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Seven Years As a Freelance Writer Or How to Make Vitamin Soup

-Is this my future?

Austin: Live Music Capital of Cover Songs?

-Sure, we’ve all walked 6th Street and heard the live bar bands playing Journey endlessly, but the Spazmatics have taken it to a whole new, marketable, and sad level.  A great diatribe on the way bands ruin the great name of Austin.

Your Guide to the 11th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos

-Read and weep.

What’s It Like to Sing With Green Day?

-Surreal.

How Sports and Indie Rock Finally Fell In Love

-Inevitable.

Vision Tunnels EP by Brothertiger (2010, self-released)

Since its inception last summer, the term “chillwave” has predictably divided artists and music lovers the way most newly coined subgenres do.  Like the emo and shoegaze forerunners of the past, the crowd is split between those who denounce the word and those who embrace it.  John Jagos, whose stage name is Brothertiger, likely falls in the latter category; last month he told the nightdrive blog, ” I’d definitely be interested in another chillwaver to remix one of my songs!”  And his move from Ohio to Brooklyn appropriately serves to support the argument: Jagos knows his sound, his influences, and his audience.

That’s not to say, however, that Brothertiger’s debut EP is just another chillwave album.  The elements are all there, sure – hazy vocals, synth pop tendencies, and steady dance beats encompass Vision Tunnels.  But a key distinction remains after these five beach-ready tracks – Jagos effortlessly progresses the ever-changing sound in his own way, utilizing 80’s new wave and early 90’s pop in a low-key style largely untouched by his peers.  Washed Out and Active Child come to mind, but so do breezy, laid-back Pet Shop Boys and slow Annie Lennox tunes.

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Fang Island by Fang Island (2010, Sargent House)

It’s only fitting that Fang Island’s debut begins with the sound of fireworks; they are very aware their music goes hand in hand with a kick-ass Fourth of July shindig.  One could imagine if these guys ever rocked Milton Keynes, the sky explosions would last throughout their set, rather than begin immediately after.  Such is the mood throughout this half-hour disc – a relentless, all-American, fist-pumping party.

The Providence quintet has had a busy year.  They packed up and moved to Brooklyn, provided the soundtrack to a few MTV promos, received high-profile praise thanks to a well-received stint at SXSW, and opened for a little band called the Flaming Lips.  The boys are certainly on their way, and it’s a cause for celebration.  Luckily, the perfect soundtrack is one they themselves composed.

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/\/\ /\ Y /\ by M.I.A. (2010, Interscope)

MIA has always declared she has something to say, but the message is usually convoluted and indirect.  When the Internet propelled her to international notoriety, the political standpoint and unverified past were always interesting stories, yes, but the music was always the focus.

After the entertaining introduction (Arular), the follow-up that made her a superstar (Kala), and numerous polarizing interviews, MIA only verified the hunch many had – she was a great artist and entertainer, and the politics were a gimmicky footnote to the whole package.  Still, it didn’t matter.  Innovative production, machine-gun sound effects, and infectious hooks always helped make up for the odd public spectacles or general lack of knowledge MIA was delivering at the time.

Sadly, this is not the case with /\/\ /\ Y /\ (or MAYA).  Whatever confusing message or peculiar declaration she is trying to convey this time around, it’s not going to take, because the accompanying score is her first giant misstep.  Though not entirely flawed, it’s a scrambled, spotty soundtrack with few memorable tunes and occasionally as tacky and lazy as its album artwork and cringe-worthy title.

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Rusko – O.M.G. (2010, Mad Decent)

It would seem that every underground dance-related phenomenon needs a CHR makeover at some point.  What I mean is, after a while, someone comes along, polishes the gritty edges and buries the key ingredients beneath a plethora of lyrics most likely about drinking unaffordable tequila and having unprotected sex.

Ten-plus years in the making, the emerging genre of dubstep would appear to be bursting at the seams, eager for a Scott Storch-like figurehead to propel it onto satellite radio. Leave it to Rusko to step forward, ready to sugar-coat the burgeoning movement for our relatives attending middle school.

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Here is a short list of shows that must forever run re-runs during the afternoon and late at night on those programming-hungry networks, local, national, et al.  Without these quality shows, I would surely go insane.  And some should be shown forever for more important reasons – they give us a glimpse into a time period lost to the past, and help us prepare for the future of television.

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