So….if you didn’t know, the kids are dancing these days, especially in the Tone Zone. If you’ve never been, it’s a glorius place that smells like fabric softner and tastes like fresh watermelon and where The Champagne flows like a heavy menstrual cycle. June is a great time to visit as it just happens to be the celebritory month in which the Zone dropped from it’s mothers birthing canal. The cord was cut, the ass was slapped and the Tone took off, kicking down the hospital doors. The rest is history. So back up off the wall, grab a High Life, slip on those dusty dance shoes, and step into the Tone Zone where it’s always 120 BPM. And, hey…don’t skip over those hip-hop songs…Nater!!! New Shit!!! (insert noon whistle sound).
Musical Morsels III
The Roots Rising Down (feat. Mos Def & Sytles P)
Oh…hello there. Welcome to the Tone Zone. Hope everyone’s packed their towels…it’s gonna get pretty sweaty in here.
The Cool Kids Gold and a Pager
If you aren’t flossin’ in the Zone….then get the f*$% out. Chicago reppin.
The Bird and The Bee Because
Just take a moment to relax, sip on that Champagne of Beers, throw on your swimsuit and get ready to dive in!
Atmosphere The Things That Hate Us
Who needs a rearview? Why pay attention to what’s behind you….just look towards the future. Now would also be a good time to ingest any drugs you may smuggled into the Zone. BTW…you didn’t have to sneak em’ in, and I’m pretty sure noone else wants any from you considering your hiding spot.
J-Live The Zone (feat. Charli 2na)
I play what the f*$# I want.. Yes, Charli please put us in the Zone.
Holy Fuck Royal Gregory
What more can I say, that their name hasn’t already said. No vocalist + 3 keyboardist’s + a drummer + an assload of distortion pedels = I think I’m in love. Please blast the Shit out of this track as loud as possible!
Ratatat Wildcat
WARNING: Couglies are know to attack in the Zone. Please do not feed them food….only booze.
Crystal Castles Crimewave (Crystal Castles Vs Health)
Hey. Hey. Hey. If you don’t like nice breasts in the Zone….then get the f$#@ out!
Baje One Computer Rock (feat. King Cutta & Starpower)
Thuggish.
Musles Jerk
Hey Muscles. I love you. I want to have your babies. Hey Muscles. I Love You. I want to have your babies! We don’t hate…even Australians are allowed in the Zone….escpecillay one’s named Muscles!
Cut Copy Out There On The Ice
I want to throw an orgy swinger pool party and have Cut Copy play. If you* are at all interested please shoot me an email….and only an email*
* Dude’s need not apply….please no dudes.
Neon Neon I Lust U (feat. Cate Le Bon)
Seriously go buy this whole album if you like 80’s concept albums. Collabo between producer Boom Bip & Gruff Rhys, lead singer of Super Furry Animals (if you don’t know, go check ‘em). Also, Neon Neon will be opening up for Cut Copy at the orgy swinger pool party.
Boys Noize Oh! (A-Trak Remix)
If you aren’t already peaking from that pill yet….Boys Noize is here to help.
The Kills Getting Down
Hard not to sing along to this one., the words are very complicated.
Architecture In Helsinki Hold Music
Hypnotic. Do we have a new Talking Heads?
Hercules & Love Affair Raise Me Up
Starting the downward swing, and starting to see the light at the end of the Tone Zone.
Midnight Juggernauts Shadows
This track was almost my opening blaster, but I think I like it right here…a deep killer cut…it’s what the Zone was built on.
Portishead We Carry On
If you’ve been living in a cave, and haven’t dug into Portishead, please do yourself a favor…take a rock off of the wall and bash your head with it. Luckily for you this is only their 3rd album, which only took 11 years between studio albums for them to release.
Portugal. The Man My Mind
By now, let’s cool down. Take in everything we’ve experienced during our time spend in the Tone Zone. I hope all of you are able to experience the Tone Zone live-in-person, because I’ll tell you it’s something else.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
THE OTTOMAN SHOTGUN MIX IS HERE!
This is The Ottoman Shotgun mix. The name may sound bizarre but it fits perfectly for this compilation. It's quite simple, the ottoman and the shotgun, two possessions that all of us should own. Both these products result in kickback, but while one is from a need for relaxation, the other results from tension. And that's what this mix is, a juxtaposition of both those feelings. The release of said feelings result in these 17 tracks, all of which are best played in lounge elements with low-lighting (preferably lime green or reddish tint). Also necessary for ultimate experience, attractive brunettes with blue eyes and a good amount of foul language. Now let's get gutter...
It's audio film-noir; it sounds like it's in black and white and heavily shadowed. With a chanteuse at the mic, the music made is mysterious yet sexy garage rock. Blend Nico and The Velvet Underground with the indie sound and you get this LA band.
THE CLASH, "RADIO CLASH"
The 70s punk legends pull off a funky base riff-saxophone combination of dynamic proportions. Still, the lyrics remain politically charged.
PORTISHEAD, "GLORY BOX"
I used the live version of this song because it simply sounds better than the album version. The strings' progression goes well with Beth Gibbons soprano voice. To top it off, the drum breakdown that smoothy transitions into verse is a thing of beauty. Even the crowd recognizes and gives needed props.
CEE-LO, "UNDER THA INFLUENCE (FOLLOW ME)"
Just after departing from staple Southern rap group The Goodie Mob, but prior to his role in the cross-genre Gnarls Barkley, rapper/singer Cee-Lo put out an eclectic album pushing the limits of hip-hop. It's title, Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections. Here Cee-Lo sings over distorted guitar and chaotic drum patterns. Keep an ear out for the very impressive piano solo.
TV ON THE RADIO, "THE WRONG WAY"
The horn section mixes well with drums from the jazz age. How can you hate on an album with the coolest title ever, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes.
DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH?, "WE ARE ROCKSTARS"
This British band comes across with sirens similar to The Bomb Squad (Public Enemy's production unit). The big difference between the two is that DIOYY breaks out the 80s synth vocals...and of course adds cowbell.
ERIC B. & RAKIM, "FOLLOW THE LEADER"
The rising and falling of the bass, the bell ringing, the fazer effects, the ever increasing trumpet sample, and Rakim flowing over all of this. He's the bridge between simplistic 80s rap and the East Coast hip-hop renaissance of the early 90s.
CLINIC, "DISTORTIONS"
The electronic beat and catchy chorus overcome the droning single note that persists through this track like a flatline. Quite ironic considering this band performs in medical masks.
MASSIVE ATTACK, "PROTECTION"
In the flick High Fidelity, John Cusack placed this song in his top 5 opening tracks to any LP. And why shouldn't he? These are the trip-hop pioneers and this song kicks off the sub-genre quite proper.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE QUEEN, "HERCULEAN"
A super group for music nerds: the bassist of The Clash, the drummer behind Fela Kuti, The Verve's lead guitarist, and at the helm, Damon Albarn (the frontman and brains behind Blur and Gorillaz). Great song writer, great song.
LE TIGRE, "DECEPTACON"
Electro pop-punk with a lead singer screaming soprano. It sounds like a lost track off Kill Bill. This Brooklyn trio brings out a catchy distorted punk bass, upbeat lyrics, and the classic 80s turntable break. How can you go wrong with "Wanna disco?! Wanna see me disco?!"
RJD2, "SMOKE & MIRRORS"
He's a hip-hop DJ who crafts actual songs. Under the independent hip-hop label Definitive Jux, RJD2 has been able to dig in the crates so deep he's made an originally moody masterpiece.
BECK, "TIMEBOMB"
It's not on any of his albums. He just decided to put out a random single that's off the meat rack.
THE RAPTURE, "HOUSE OF JEALOUS LOVERS"
New York rock group that utilizes the cowbell. Plus twangy guitars and a disco beat that makes everyone move.
PENDULUM, "PROPANE NIGHTMARES"
Highly-synthesized house music meets rock. Spanish trumpets to start it off, pulsating drums throughout, and a synthesized hook that never lets up.
BLUR, "AMBULANCE"
The first song off their last album. Some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. Please have patience with this one. It takes a while to kick in but once you hear that horn, it's worth the wait.
DELTRON, "MEMORY LOSS"
Oakland hip-hop legend Del the Funky Homosapien teams up with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala to create a post-apocalypse concept album. The story: Deltron Z, former soldier now government renegade, fights a system of bland music controlled by corporations bent on ruling the universe in the year 3030. The bridge is performed by Sean Lennon (John's son), and he sounds just like his dad. Now can we please, "Get open, like the ocean."
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Impromtu Morsels--Filling in for the Month of May
Hey, I was listening to music and extemporaneously made a mix. I hope you'll listen to it in its entirety. If you already have all of some of the songs, please humor me and listen to the mix as-is anyway. I'll email the link to the songs. The mix has a story to it. All persons and events are fictional. Any similarity to real events or real people, living or dead, is purely a coincidence. I hope you enjoy:
MUSICAL MORSELS: The Story of a Night Out
JUSTICE, “The Party”
You’re going out tonight. The boys are coming over in a bit, and you are meeting up with a group of girls later on at the club tonight. Take a shower, shave in the mirror, and pick those nose hairs. Don’t forget to use the atomizer on your nether-regions; don’t take any chances. You’re excited about tonight. Use starch on that collar, Son: You are going to get laid tonight.
BATTLES, “Atlas”
The boys have arrived and the pre-gaming begins. You are preparing for war. This is a mental game, so use this time to drink as much liquid courage as possible. This song also represents you popping a few pills, because somehow drinking just isn’t enough. Get amped up, buddy! You are going to get laid tonight.
GIRL TALK, “Once Again”
It’s time to go. The drive to the club just never is long enough to hear all of the songs your resident-car-DJ wants you to hear, so he put together this mix for you. See yourself, four dudes in a car, the windows are rolled down, and you all sing in tandem, “Beat the p*ssy up, beat the p*ssy up.” You’re all bad-asses, and you know it. Everyone in the neighboring cars knows it too. Believe me; those people are totally turning down their music so they can hear the shit pumping out of your car windows. You have a big d*ck, and you are going to get laid tonight.
DAFT PUNK, “Cresendolls”
Walk in the club, hear the music; start bobbing your head, PARTAAAAY! The girls are standing over there; start dancing! That brunette is pretty hot, and she’s friends with your friend’s friend, so you can break the ice by saying, “Hey, how do you know So and So?” Dance! Drink Redbull Vodkas. Dance! Pop another pill. She likes you! Holy shit, you might actually get laid tonight.
THE KNIFE, “Silent Shout”
It’s that time of the night when everyone in the club is f*cked up. You’re f*cked up. She’s f*cked up. You’re still dancing together, but now you two are all over each other. She wants you bad. You want her. This song comes on, and it couldn’t be more perfect. This song may as well be an invitation for you to have sex right there on the dance floor.
THE KNIFE, “You Make Me Like Charity”
Somehow you end up back at her place. Things have gotten blurry, but neither of you have slowed down. This song is you and this girl getting it on; the pills have fully kicked in. It’s like sex in some twisted, yet Ecstasy-filled universe (pun-intended).
THE MICROPHONES, “The Moon”
This is the drunk, hazy drive home. You’re not quite sure where you are or what happened, but you know it’s 4. Am and the sun hasn’t begun to crack the horizon yet. The acoustic guitar in this song stumbles just like you stumble to find all of your clothes and the front door. You’re not quite as wasted as you were an hour ago, but still too drunk to drive. The driving, muddled tones of this song are your fuzzy-eyed drive home in the twilight. You see light trails every time you turn, and you think every car is a cop-car.
HOOVERPHONIC, “2 Wicky”
You are finally home. The sun still isn’t up yet, but the moon light is softening and creating a hazy light in your house. This song is you stumbling to bed, without showering, without brushing your teeth, tossing all clothes on the floor next to the bed. You’re head hurts a little, the room’s spinning, but your sleepiness is overwhelming…and you drift away….
MENOMENA, “My My”
Crazy dreams. It’s Ok, you’re just dreaming, Son. You won’t remember the details when you wake up.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND, “Walcott”
WAKE UP!!!!! This is your alarm speaking, you forgot to turn me off! Don’t you want to get outta Cape Cod, and do it all again, tonight? Stumble outta bed, go make yourself some eggs. Last night was crazy, but you’ll take it easy tonight. You got laid last night.
MUSICAL MORSELS: The Story of a Night Out
JUSTICE, “The Party”
You’re going out tonight. The boys are coming over in a bit, and you are meeting up with a group of girls later on at the club tonight. Take a shower, shave in the mirror, and pick those nose hairs. Don’t forget to use the atomizer on your nether-regions; don’t take any chances. You’re excited about tonight. Use starch on that collar, Son: You are going to get laid tonight.
BATTLES, “Atlas”
The boys have arrived and the pre-gaming begins. You are preparing for war. This is a mental game, so use this time to drink as much liquid courage as possible. This song also represents you popping a few pills, because somehow drinking just isn’t enough. Get amped up, buddy! You are going to get laid tonight.
GIRL TALK, “Once Again”
It’s time to go. The drive to the club just never is long enough to hear all of the songs your resident-car-DJ wants you to hear, so he put together this mix for you. See yourself, four dudes in a car, the windows are rolled down, and you all sing in tandem, “Beat the p*ssy up, beat the p*ssy up.” You’re all bad-asses, and you know it. Everyone in the neighboring cars knows it too. Believe me; those people are totally turning down their music so they can hear the shit pumping out of your car windows. You have a big d*ck, and you are going to get laid tonight.
DAFT PUNK, “Cresendolls”
Walk in the club, hear the music; start bobbing your head, PARTAAAAY! The girls are standing over there; start dancing! That brunette is pretty hot, and she’s friends with your friend’s friend, so you can break the ice by saying, “Hey, how do you know So and So?” Dance! Drink Redbull Vodkas. Dance! Pop another pill. She likes you! Holy shit, you might actually get laid tonight.
THE KNIFE, “Silent Shout”
It’s that time of the night when everyone in the club is f*cked up. You’re f*cked up. She’s f*cked up. You’re still dancing together, but now you two are all over each other. She wants you bad. You want her. This song comes on, and it couldn’t be more perfect. This song may as well be an invitation for you to have sex right there on the dance floor.
THE KNIFE, “You Make Me Like Charity”
Somehow you end up back at her place. Things have gotten blurry, but neither of you have slowed down. This song is you and this girl getting it on; the pills have fully kicked in. It’s like sex in some twisted, yet Ecstasy-filled universe (pun-intended).
THE MICROPHONES, “The Moon”
This is the drunk, hazy drive home. You’re not quite sure where you are or what happened, but you know it’s 4. Am and the sun hasn’t begun to crack the horizon yet. The acoustic guitar in this song stumbles just like you stumble to find all of your clothes and the front door. You’re not quite as wasted as you were an hour ago, but still too drunk to drive. The driving, muddled tones of this song are your fuzzy-eyed drive home in the twilight. You see light trails every time you turn, and you think every car is a cop-car.
HOOVERPHONIC, “2 Wicky”
You are finally home. The sun still isn’t up yet, but the moon light is softening and creating a hazy light in your house. This song is you stumbling to bed, without showering, without brushing your teeth, tossing all clothes on the floor next to the bed. You’re head hurts a little, the room’s spinning, but your sleepiness is overwhelming…and you drift away….
MENOMENA, “My My”
Crazy dreams. It’s Ok, you’re just dreaming, Son. You won’t remember the details when you wake up.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND, “Walcott”
WAKE UP!!!!! This is your alarm speaking, you forgot to turn me off! Don’t you want to get outta Cape Cod, and do it all again, tonight? Stumble outta bed, go make yourself some eggs. Last night was crazy, but you’ll take it easy tonight. You got laid last night.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
By the way, Nate...
I was doing X and dancing to house wayyyyy before MGMT; However, I do use MGMT as an excuse to continue to do so.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Beginning
For the beginning, I wanted to take a second to thank Mr. Tots for getting this whole thing up and running. Well done Meistro, not only in the organization, but also in the setting of the bar for the musical adventure to come. Aside from that, the digestion process is still working, but there is sure to be more to follow.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Serving One
1.) BRMC – Shuffle Your Feet
Kicking it off the right way…right in your teeth!!!! Setting the tone and grabbing your utmost interest…TIME WON’T SAVE OUR SOULS!!!!!!!!!!
2.) Okkervil River – Unless Its Kicks
I can’t put my finger on why I am infatuated with this song. It builds well, the playing is good, but nothing amazing. They synergize by forming some sort of mesmerizing rock haze and end in a classic jam. Listen…and then re-listen…
3.) Spoon – Don’t Make Me A Target
Brit is a genius and I love how they kicked off their last album with this song…brilliant!! Freak Out Man….FREAK OUT!!!
4.) Robert Plant & Allison Krauss – Rich Woman
This song is sexy…the timing is hot…the guitar work by T-Bone Burnett is smoking and the synergy between Krauss and Plant is electric!!!
5.) My Morning Jacket – Cobra
This is not the whole song…but merely the outro with one of the sexiest bass lines of all time. I truly believe MMJ is developing as one of the cornerstones of the future of Rock N Roll…embrace their catalog. The Jacket fits perfect…try it on!!
6.) Gomez – Get Miles
This psychedelic jam is one of my favorite songs to drive to and the lead singer’s voice is mesmerizing…GET MILES AWAY!!!!!!!
7.) Cake – Italian Leather Sofa
This classic Cake ditty features some fantastic lyrics and hot guitar riffs not to mention and avant garde horn solo in the middle…desert is served!!!
8.) Devotchka – Queen Of The Surface Streets
A playful fiddle, insightful/meaningful lyrics…sounds like a gay write-up…it is…but the song is super duper!!!
9.) Alice Smith – Dream
Alice Smith is HOT SHIT…soulful, sexy, and an absolute pleasure to see live…she is the next big female vocalist…mark it dude!!!
10.) Citizen Cope – Brother Lee
Cope’s last album was soooo gooood and he blows this song up in concert and it gets my shoulders rising every time…start grooving!!!!
11.) Editors – Smokers Outside The Hospital Door
This is a monster song…like huge!!! It BLOWS UP and builds so well. Massive leg kick and fist pumps accompany this powerful epic!!!!!!!!
12.) MGMT – Time to Pretend
I must admit, this type of track is somewhat out of my normal level of tunes, but it grabs you and the next thing you know you’re in a club doing X dancing to house all night…what happened?!?!?!?!
13.) Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead
These guys…only two of them…from Portland are bound to make it…they are captivating…check out their entire catalog.
14.) The National – Fake Empire
This song has been lingering in my “list of songs to eventually put on a mix” for a long while…glad it found a home…love the horns.
15.) Beirut – La Banlieu
This band sounds like they should be out of Turkey or some oil field in the Middle East but they are from New York. Did you know they call Beer Pong – Beirut in NY…the name was straightforward, leave it to the band! Cheers!!!
16.) Raconteurs – You Don’t Understand Me
Perfection…the lyrics…the melody…and one of the best piano solos of all time…thank you Jack White, you never cease to AMAZE ME!!!!
17.) Pearl Jam – Present Tense
Eddie and the boys closing the set…a classic rarely celebrated. It makes for sense to live in the present tense.
Kicking it off the right way…right in your teeth!!!! Setting the tone and grabbing your utmost interest…TIME WON’T SAVE OUR SOULS!!!!!!!!!!
2.) Okkervil River – Unless Its Kicks
I can’t put my finger on why I am infatuated with this song. It builds well, the playing is good, but nothing amazing. They synergize by forming some sort of mesmerizing rock haze and end in a classic jam. Listen…and then re-listen…
3.) Spoon – Don’t Make Me A Target
Brit is a genius and I love how they kicked off their last album with this song…brilliant!! Freak Out Man….FREAK OUT!!!
4.) Robert Plant & Allison Krauss – Rich Woman
This song is sexy…the timing is hot…the guitar work by T-Bone Burnett is smoking and the synergy between Krauss and Plant is electric!!!
5.) My Morning Jacket – Cobra
This is not the whole song…but merely the outro with one of the sexiest bass lines of all time. I truly believe MMJ is developing as one of the cornerstones of the future of Rock N Roll…embrace their catalog. The Jacket fits perfect…try it on!!
6.) Gomez – Get Miles
This psychedelic jam is one of my favorite songs to drive to and the lead singer’s voice is mesmerizing…GET MILES AWAY!!!!!!!
7.) Cake – Italian Leather Sofa
This classic Cake ditty features some fantastic lyrics and hot guitar riffs not to mention and avant garde horn solo in the middle…desert is served!!!
8.) Devotchka – Queen Of The Surface Streets
A playful fiddle, insightful/meaningful lyrics…sounds like a gay write-up…it is…but the song is super duper!!!
9.) Alice Smith – Dream
Alice Smith is HOT SHIT…soulful, sexy, and an absolute pleasure to see live…she is the next big female vocalist…mark it dude!!!
10.) Citizen Cope – Brother Lee
Cope’s last album was soooo gooood and he blows this song up in concert and it gets my shoulders rising every time…start grooving!!!!
11.) Editors – Smokers Outside The Hospital Door
This is a monster song…like huge!!! It BLOWS UP and builds so well. Massive leg kick and fist pumps accompany this powerful epic!!!!!!!!
12.) MGMT – Time to Pretend
I must admit, this type of track is somewhat out of my normal level of tunes, but it grabs you and the next thing you know you’re in a club doing X dancing to house all night…what happened?!?!?!?!
13.) Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead
These guys…only two of them…from Portland are bound to make it…they are captivating…check out their entire catalog.
14.) The National – Fake Empire
This song has been lingering in my “list of songs to eventually put on a mix” for a long while…glad it found a home…love the horns.
15.) Beirut – La Banlieu
This band sounds like they should be out of Turkey or some oil field in the Middle East but they are from New York. Did you know they call Beer Pong – Beirut in NY…the name was straightforward, leave it to the band! Cheers!!!
16.) Raconteurs – You Don’t Understand Me
Perfection…the lyrics…the melody…and one of the best piano solos of all time…thank you Jack White, you never cease to AMAZE ME!!!!
17.) Pearl Jam – Present Tense
Eddie and the boys closing the set…a classic rarely celebrated. It makes for sense to live in the present tense.
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