There is some seriously weird (and wonderful) stuff going on in this one. Pedigree aside, Beck’s output as of late has been astounding. Definitely a top-notch player of this past couple decades.

But I suppose that’s what you do if your entire life is related to music. Ahhh, one can only dream…

Here’s a few clips to bang off this Friday. First up, Moby’s absolute obsession with nerdy drum machines. Can’t help but be a lil’ bit envious of his setup. Next, a lighthearted tune from your favourite Fresh Prince character, and those ultra-pop Swedes. Enjoy!

Inauguration Day 1961
“The president’s father beamed with pride and the King of Pop listened intently that cold, windy day when JFK suggested they ask not what their country could do for them, but what they could do for their country.”

“Art too bad to be ignored”.

I can’t get over this concept. It’s entirely genius in itself, but oh how I wish it existed in Montréal instead of Massachusetts (mainly because it would be the ultimate First Date location). The Museum of Bad Art rivals other more “well-known” museums, with a concept that’s perfectly unique in it’s own way…

Eileen’s Uncle Phil by Anonymous
16″ x 20″
Oil on Canvas
Purchased by Mike Frank 5/19/07

He Was a Friend of Mine By Jack Owen
18″ x 24″
Watercolor
“Who else thinks it’s a good idea to eat from my bowl?”

Ronan the Pug by Erin Rothgeb
18″ x 24″
Acrylic on Canvas Board
“Ronan the Pug could hardly see straight after lapping up all the spilled egg-nog at the holiday party, but brought tears to everyone’s eyes with his clear tenor rendition of Danny Boy.”

Check out more examples on museumofbadart.org or buy something from their online shop

The BJTIn Simpsonia

They’ve derived their name from Brian Jones + the Jonestown Massacre, over the years they’ve had 19  various members, and the band’s leader Anton may be criminally insane. But they write good tunes. It’s a shame, you used to be able to download a good majority of their 12 major releases, in Ogg Vorbis quality no less – thanks to the band’s not giving a shit policy. Now you’ll have to scrape the net to find it, or actually buy the albums (go figure). Oh well!

It’s a gloomy, rain-filled Friday here in Montréal, and Let’s Pretend It’s Summer seems quite suiting. I’ll throw in Seer for a comparison of the bands late 90’s sound with a more modern 2005 sound.

ps. Go watch Dig! if you haven’t already.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Let’s Pretend It’s Summer – Album: Strung Out In Heaven
{ Released: 1998 }

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Seer – Album: We Are The Radio { Released: 2005 }

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – When Joker’s Attack – Album: And This Is Our Music { Released: 2003 }

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Here It Comes – Album: Their Satanic Majesties’ Second Request { Released: 1996 }

Spain – I Lied – Album: The Blue Moods Of Spain { Released 1995 }

Madeleine Peyroux – Blue Alert – Album: Half The Perfect World { Released 2006 }

Chuck here. Just finished watching Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Yes, we’re catching up on all the old films prior to Friday’s release. But, that’s not what this post is about…

You just have to dig jazz album covers, so formulaic yet strangely appealing. I’m going to go out on a limb here and claim that no modern Western music collection is complete without some blues. Spain is a lesser known Stateside band, who had the good grace of Mr. Johnny Cash himself covering one of their tunes. Madeleine brings us to a chilling & mischievous place. Each listen of Blue Alert brings me back to my days of dance.

Hopefully these tunes complement your Sunday evening (or Monday morning, or whatever point in time it may be).

Mercury Rev is one of those bands who seem to fall just under the mainstream radar, yet maintain a wide variety of tunes for hepcats to enjoy.  In my humble opinion they are one of the groups that really kick started the whole indie trend of the 2000’s.

Menomena’s Under An Hour is one of the lesser heard collections from the trio. This gem took me a while to indulge & absorb, as it was written as an accompanying piece for a Portland dance company. Now, it finds itself on high rotation for when I want to shut my mind off and glaze to some nice instrumental’ism.

Mercury Rev – Opus 40 – Album: Deserter’s Songs { Released 1998 }

Menomena – Water – Album: Under An Hour (Music for Modern Dance) { Released 2005 }

There’s some classic Rev videos after the jump!

The listenings have been mighty nice here at the SF studios lately. Recently our speakers have been outputting the sounds of St. Vincent, the primary project of Ms. Annie Clark. She’s got a little bit of experience behind her (just a bit). Ms. Clark gained her multi-instrumental skillz from Berklee… as in College of Music. I’m not sure if its true that you’re judged by the company you keep but if so judge away… In the past Annie Clark has played with the likes of super-band The Polyphonic Spree and the ear pleasing Sufjan Stevens.

St. Vincent’s album Marry Me has been getting some excellent rotation on the iPod.  Oh and guess what? She’s slated to release her new album Actor May 5th. Perhaps I’m a little impatient but I couldn’t help but surf the interwebs for some music blog previews and am very pleased by what I’m hearing.

Enough talk from me, here’s one track from Marry Me and one from Actor. I hope she doesn’t hate me too much for sharing. Annie if you’re reading this we should hang out sometime.

St. Vincent – Jesus Saves, I Spend – Album: Marry Me { Released 2007 }

St. Vincent – The Strangers – Album: Actor { Released May 2009 }

You probably would like an official link by now wouldn’t you? Well then aren’t we demanding! Just kidding, I love you.

Enjoy: http://www.ilovestvincent.com/.

Back in ‘07 I decided that Vancouver was the place to spend the mid-summer month of July. To escape the heat for one night, I queried my pal Kate about any shows we could go check out. She had mentioned that Band of Horses were riding through town, and at the time I hadn’t heard of them but decided it was better than sittin’ around doin’ the thumb twiddlin’ thing. The Horses and their Band were alright, but the opener A Decent Animal is what caught my attention. Three elder, slightly fugly gentleman who can really play their instruments and get the crowd in a hex. I’ll take that over B-Spears anyday.

A Decent Animal – Rabbit Hole – Album: Rabbit Hole EP { Released 2007 }

A Decent Animal – First We See If It Fits – Album: Rabbit Hole EP { Released 2007 }

The blue w/ orange flames is still one of my favourite tshirts, even if it’s been used in the cycle shop one-to-many times. (If anybody has the credits for these posters/photos we’ll gladly add them to the article).

As a kid, I could watch a flick over and over again, no matter how bad it was (chalk up 30 some-odd sit-throughs of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York). These days though, it’s rare that I’ll watch something I could repeat view again and again. In the case of The American Astronaut, it could be the spectacular comedic timing on Director/Writer/Actor Cory McAbee’s part, the black & white space-cowboy musical motif, or the complete disregard for typical cultural conventions we’ve built up over the years that keeps me so entertained. I’m not sure what does it for me exactly, but the mixture of those has me more than intrigued.

And the music! Oh, the music. To myself, it’s strange how rare it is to hear melodies that challenge my mind. Take the tune ‘Hey Boy Hey Boy’ in the bathroom scene above. For the most part, the vocal melody is repeated over and over, while each ‘verse’ adds another section of lyrics to the beginning; creating one helluva mouthful. Make sure to give that clip your attention until at least 2 minutes in for possibly the most wonderful dance portrayal to ever grace film.

Looking forward to seeing Cory’s new film Stingray Sam (trailer). Also, check out the short Billy Nayer right now. on the TubeYou.

Loose Fur is the lesser-known collection of Jeff Tweedy & Glenn Kotche (from Wilco), with the oh-so-pronounced Jim O’Rourke. It’s a supergroup worthy of your aural attention.

It’s a rainy Monday morning out here in Montréal, so I thought this was an apt way to start off the week. Here’s the 8 minute escapade dubbed ‘Wreckroom’. (hardrock warning past 3 minutes, ambience kicks in at 4:45)

Loose Fur – Wreckroom