There was a time, long ago, when Weezer used to be good. Nay, Weezer was great. 1994's Blue Album and 1996's Pinkerton are among the best albums of the nineties, perhaps ever. Even 2001's Green Album, despite it's many flaws, is a fun and entertaining pop rock disk perfect for summer. Even the videos used to be great. But no more. Somewhere around 2001-2002, Weezer changed. Which brings us to their new video for "Pork and Beans," the first single off of the upcoming Red Album I seem to be dreading more than anything else.
Really guys, Internet people? I wonder how much money it took to get K-Fed out of retirement (not much, I suppose). This video is at best the sequel to previous Weezer efforts "Really guys, Muppets?" and "Really guys does the Playboy Mansion." You see, a good friend once said that the World Wide Web can be easily divided into two seperate categories. The internet is everything that is good; for example the news, porn, and this blog (but no other blogs). The interwebs is all the stupid videos and flash games people seem to love. Basically, all of the plights on society featured in this video. I for one am sick of it, this is the last time Weezer breaks my heart. I'm ending this abusive relationship.
Kevin Clang
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Been a Great While
The blog has been a little static lately with the last entry being my review of the new Flogging Molly album (which is coming out tomorrow). However, I did want to let everyone know that as a loving parent of music, everything's okay. In fact, things are even better than okay. They are great.
After a year that could only be described as "barely more depressing than the last", 2007 sticks in many minds as a mediocre year at best and slated to be stuck with 1978 being one of the most dull years in music history. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot about 1978 and its music. Van Halen and Toto both released self-titled debuts (one more warmly received than the other), The Blues Brothers had their first gig on SNL, Saturday Night Fever was cracking everyone over the head with the record sales stick, and Black Sabbath put out their last album with Ozzy (Never Say Die!, which has recieved underground notoriety for its quality). 2007 had its fair share of triumphs (See "Top Albums of 2007" from both DJ KRA and myself in the blog). I can not forget to mention the return of Led Zeppelin to the stage, Spinal Tap playing for Live Earth, and the Tenacious D movie spectaculary "The Pick of Destiny".
Yet, both 1978 had their down moments. For 1978, everything from Jefferson Starship to "YMCA" to the multitude of disco around (from bands as honorable as Rolling Stones) to the end of the authentic lineup of The Who due to Keith Moon's death. 2007? Oh, it had Amy Winehouse, the flavorless ressurection of Smashing Pumpkins, the drama train called Britney Spears, and the deaths of many wonderful musicians (Michael Brecker, Don Ho, Max Roach, Pavarotti, Kevin DuBrow, and Ike Turner).
But this isn't a pessimistic entry. This is the opposite. I will tell you now: 2008 ought to be a redeeming year. There are a lot of bands, old and new, doing what they can to keep up with the times and churn out the music you want to hear. Don't fret, people.
Finally, 1978 was a tragic year in rock due to the deaths of Louis Prima and Keith Moon. However, looking at the people who were born out of the year (Matt Bellamy of Muse, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, and Karen O of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs), maybe 2007 will have something to contribute after all.
Take luck,
DJ Mattlock
After a year that could only be described as "barely more depressing than the last", 2007 sticks in many minds as a mediocre year at best and slated to be stuck with 1978 being one of the most dull years in music history. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot about 1978 and its music. Van Halen and Toto both released self-titled debuts (one more warmly received than the other), The Blues Brothers had their first gig on SNL, Saturday Night Fever was cracking everyone over the head with the record sales stick, and Black Sabbath put out their last album with Ozzy (Never Say Die!, which has recieved underground notoriety for its quality). 2007 had its fair share of triumphs (See "Top Albums of 2007" from both DJ KRA and myself in the blog). I can not forget to mention the return of Led Zeppelin to the stage, Spinal Tap playing for Live Earth, and the Tenacious D movie spectaculary "The Pick of Destiny".
Yet, both 1978 had their down moments. For 1978, everything from Jefferson Starship to "YMCA" to the multitude of disco around (from bands as honorable as Rolling Stones) to the end of the authentic lineup of The Who due to Keith Moon's death. 2007? Oh, it had Amy Winehouse, the flavorless ressurection of Smashing Pumpkins, the drama train called Britney Spears, and the deaths of many wonderful musicians (Michael Brecker, Don Ho, Max Roach, Pavarotti, Kevin DuBrow, and Ike Turner).
But this isn't a pessimistic entry. This is the opposite. I will tell you now: 2008 ought to be a redeeming year. There are a lot of bands, old and new, doing what they can to keep up with the times and churn out the music you want to hear. Don't fret, people.
Finally, 1978 was a tragic year in rock due to the deaths of Louis Prima and Keith Moon. However, looking at the people who were born out of the year (Matt Bellamy of Muse, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, and Karen O of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs), maybe 2007 will have something to contribute after all.
Take luck,
DJ Mattlock
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
DJ Mattlock Exclusive: THE NEW FLOGGING MOLLY ALBUM!!!
In their valiant return from 2004’s warmly received Within a Mile of Home, Celtic punk rockers Flogging Molly come roaring back onto the scene with the hard-edged Float. The record has been dangling out of reach of many hardcore fans ever since the group performed for iTunes on “Complete Control Sessions” in March 2007. The group released a previously unreleased song on the compilation that confirmed the fan’s hope for new material. Needless to say, from the moment I opened the advance copy WSOE received just the other day to the moment I am writing this review, I have been FLOORED by this album. For all you hungry “Mollyheads” out there, March 4th may be a long time to wait just to wrap your hands around the new FM album, but rest assured, the wait will be worth it.
It kicks off to a great start with one of the premier tracks of the record, “Requiem for a Dying Song”, a heavy sing-along with a near poppy-rhythm that makes your head bounce more than bob. Twanging banjoes, melodic accordion, and heavy snare drum work are all familiar territory for Dave King and the gang. Immediately after the fade-out, a startling punk rock strum bursts out of the speakers, diving straight into my favorite track, “Paddy’s Lament”. “Don’t look back/for what’s dead now” is the first line of the chorus and pretty much sets the mood for the rest of the song, from the classical-style lead into the chorus to the searing guitar solo. The title track shows Dave King in a more sentimental while still keeping in the group’s rustic aesthetic. “Float” ought to be the best drinking song for optimists out of the year. The middle of the album has a short redundant lull with three songs that sound a bit forced as filler. The saving grace for the median tracks is “Lightning Storm”, a pump-up track that’ll make you feel stronger than a Spartan. However, the final four tracks of the far-too-short album bookend it with jackboot to the listener’s face. Tracks like “Between A Man and A Woman”, “On the Back of a Broken Dream”, and “Man With No Country” keep up with the frantic pace of most of the other tracks. Finally, the closer “The Story So Far” is enough to make you believe you’ve experienced all 46 years of Dave King’s life and lived to tell about it. The title of the track can make fans breathe a deep sigh of relief, as it is quite obvious they aren’t done yet.
LISTEN TO MUSIC ANALYSIS TONIGHT AT 10:30 PM ON WSOE TO HEAR THE PREMIERE OF A TRACK OFF OF "FLOAT"!
It kicks off to a great start with one of the premier tracks of the record, “Requiem for a Dying Song”, a heavy sing-along with a near poppy-rhythm that makes your head bounce more than bob. Twanging banjoes, melodic accordion, and heavy snare drum work are all familiar territory for Dave King and the gang. Immediately after the fade-out, a startling punk rock strum bursts out of the speakers, diving straight into my favorite track, “Paddy’s Lament”. “Don’t look back/for what’s dead now” is the first line of the chorus and pretty much sets the mood for the rest of the song, from the classical-style lead into the chorus to the searing guitar solo. The title track shows Dave King in a more sentimental while still keeping in the group’s rustic aesthetic. “Float” ought to be the best drinking song for optimists out of the year. The middle of the album has a short redundant lull with three songs that sound a bit forced as filler. The saving grace for the median tracks is “Lightning Storm”, a pump-up track that’ll make you feel stronger than a Spartan. However, the final four tracks of the far-too-short album bookend it with jackboot to the listener’s face. Tracks like “Between A Man and A Woman”, “On the Back of a Broken Dream”, and “Man With No Country” keep up with the frantic pace of most of the other tracks. Finally, the closer “The Story So Far” is enough to make you believe you’ve experienced all 46 years of Dave King’s life and lived to tell about it. The title of the track can make fans breathe a deep sigh of relief, as it is quite obvious they aren’t done yet.
LISTEN TO MUSIC ANALYSIS TONIGHT AT 10:30 PM ON WSOE TO HEAR THE PREMIERE OF A TRACK OFF OF "FLOAT"!
Monday, February 11, 2008
DJ Mattlock's 10 Albums of the Year of 2007
Nightwish - Dark Passion Play
Nightwish continues to dominate with their own brand of power metal with the sweet vocal stylings of new singer Annette Olzen. A fresh start for a band with enough experience to really explode onto iPods everywhere. Key Track: The fist-pumping sing-along "Amaranth"
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
I overheard it at a barbeque and a Volkswagon commercial...but it's still the new band to take their songwriting to the level of Beatles albums. Key Track: Guitar-lickin' good "Walken"
Daft Punk - Alive 2007
High quality remixes...of their own songs...over their own songs...with parts of their other songs thrown in. I love it. Key Track: Around The World/Harder Better Faster Stronger
Perry Farrell's Satellite Party - Ultra Payloaded
Despite the unneccessary guest spot by Fergie, the guest spots by the likes of John Frusciante and Flea (RHCP) and Nuno Bettencourt make this disc an AWESOME party album. Key Track: "Hard Life Easy"...a Red Hot Chili Peppers song on steroids.
Paramore - Riot!
All the energy and catchiness of a pop-punk album with none of the bloating [ego]. Listen to "Misery Business" and tell that won't be stuck in your head later.
Dethklok - Dethalbum
Metal. Key Track: The ode to maritime homicide "Murmaider".
Bruce Springsteen - Magic
Not even a big fan of the Boss, but this is more Americana than a baseball landing in a hot apple pie. Key Track: "Radio Nowhere"
Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow
A rockin' album that has the potential to rival classics like Boston's self-titled debut. Key Track: "Feathers"
David Gilmour - Remember That Night
David Gilmour, age 61...at the top of his game. His guitar work makes young gunslingers look stupid. Key Track: The first ten minutes (covering "Breathe/Time/Breathe Reprise" better than the original album ever could)
Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere in the Between
Surprise of the year...punk-ska + bossa nova + catchy choruses + intricate breakdowns = win. Key Track: Watch It Crash
Nightwish continues to dominate with their own brand of power metal with the sweet vocal stylings of new singer Annette Olzen. A fresh start for a band with enough experience to really explode onto iPods everywhere. Key Track: The fist-pumping sing-along "Amaranth"
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
I overheard it at a barbeque and a Volkswagon commercial...but it's still the new band to take their songwriting to the level of Beatles albums. Key Track: Guitar-lickin' good "Walken"
Daft Punk - Alive 2007
High quality remixes...of their own songs...over their own songs...with parts of their other songs thrown in. I love it. Key Track: Around The World/Harder Better Faster Stronger
Perry Farrell's Satellite Party - Ultra Payloaded
Despite the unneccessary guest spot by Fergie, the guest spots by the likes of John Frusciante and Flea (RHCP) and Nuno Bettencourt make this disc an AWESOME party album. Key Track: "Hard Life Easy"...a Red Hot Chili Peppers song on steroids.
Paramore - Riot!
All the energy and catchiness of a pop-punk album with none of the bloating [ego]. Listen to "Misery Business" and tell that won't be stuck in your head later.
Dethklok - Dethalbum
Metal. Key Track: The ode to maritime homicide "Murmaider".
Bruce Springsteen - Magic
Not even a big fan of the Boss, but this is more Americana than a baseball landing in a hot apple pie. Key Track: "Radio Nowhere"
Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow
A rockin' album that has the potential to rival classics like Boston's self-titled debut. Key Track: "Feathers"
David Gilmour - Remember That Night
David Gilmour, age 61...at the top of his game. His guitar work makes young gunslingers look stupid. Key Track: The first ten minutes (covering "Breathe/Time/Breathe Reprise" better than the original album ever could)
Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere in the Between
Surprise of the year...punk-ska + bossa nova + catchy choruses + intricate breakdowns = win. Key Track: Watch It Crash
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Calling it Now: Best album of 2008
For some reason, Mark Lanegan gets left out of music thought, yet he keeps creating some amazing music. On the first B-Cuts of the year, we did our rounds and predicted the best album of 2008. I forget what I said (I think it was Opeth?), but it wasn't the Gutter Twins' Saturnalia. Why not? Because I forgot about it. This is something I am slightly ashamed of, because I recently visited The Gutter Twins' myspace and listened to the two songs they've released... only to be BLOWN AWAY.
The Gutter Twins' consist of Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age, and Soulsavers (my 2nd favorite album of 07, beat out only because In Rainbows was amazing) and Greg Dulli of Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singers. Both musicians are on the same label, Sub Pop, and they collaborated on a Twilight Singers EP. They gelled so well they decided to make an album together.
The two songs on their myspace "Idle Hands" and "The Stations" have a sound different from anything either musician has done. Their combined musical forces build up this dark, genre-bending entity ready to kick some ass.
Do yourself a favor and check out this music. Maybe even do a little more digging. Sub Pop has a really interesting article describing their sound and how everything came to be.
"We're just the devil's plaything"
Peace, Love and Keep Rock Alive
The Gutter Twins' consist of Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age, and Soulsavers (my 2nd favorite album of 07, beat out only because In Rainbows was amazing) and Greg Dulli of Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singers. Both musicians are on the same label, Sub Pop, and they collaborated on a Twilight Singers EP. They gelled so well they decided to make an album together.
The two songs on their myspace "Idle Hands" and "The Stations" have a sound different from anything either musician has done. Their combined musical forces build up this dark, genre-bending entity ready to kick some ass.
Do yourself a favor and check out this music. Maybe even do a little more digging. Sub Pop has a really interesting article describing their sound and how everything came to be.
"We're just the devil's plaything"
Peace, Love and Keep Rock Alive
Monday, January 7, 2008
New Years Resolutions
It is January and 2008 (recently declared by the Chinese as the year of the overpriced concert tickets) is officially upon us. We B-Cuts thought that we all did a good job in 2007 (the year of rampant mediocrity), but realize that there is always room for improvement. As most of you know, our 2007 resolution was "World Domination." While we did not quite make it, no one can fault us for having lofty goals. Thus we have a new batch of New Years resolutions that should make our weekly radio show and this blog that much better. So without any more delay, I present the three ways the B-Cuts vow to improve Deadbeat Melodies, our Music News Blog.
1.) More Music - Already we have begun to bring local bands into the studio for intimate interviews and acoustic live performances. We hope to both continue this into the new year and bring more of these special shows into this blog. It is my hope that we have some of the bands post their thoughts here. This will create a sort of radio show/music blog synergy that (to my knowledge) has never been done before by humans.
2.) More News - It is a big world out there in the alternative music scene, and we B-Cuts realize that it is our duty as journalists to cover it. We want to bring attention to the truely creative entertainers out there that deserve all the press in the world but often do not recieve it. Readers have always looked to this blog as a shiny chariot of journalistic and humorous excellence, and this year we promise we will not disappoint.
3.) More Blog - We realize we have been a bit skimpy on the updates. This of course will change. We hereby pledge ourselves to weekly (dare I say - daily?) updates, complete with a variety of outlits for our reporting on the music entertainment world. In addition to more reporting on news, we will also have more of our famous album reviews, genre histories, and top whatever lists. We also want You (no, not You, no, no - yes! You, there!) to participate more, either by calling our show on the telephone or electronic-mailing us at thebcuts@gmail.com.
These are our promises. It is our hope that keeping up with them will bring both B-Cuts and Deadbeat Melodies to qualities of mythic propoertions. This of course will lead us to world domination, where I will be King and all will cower under me. One can only hope.
Kevin Clang
Sidenote: One thing we will have less of - Britney Spears. Barring some unforeseen circumstance where she cures Cancer or something, this should be the last time Ms. Spears is mentioned in this blog. Never has someone been so famous for so long without releasing an actual album (and no, the horrendous Blackout doesn't count - curse all of you who bought it.)
1.) More Music - Already we have begun to bring local bands into the studio for intimate interviews and acoustic live performances. We hope to both continue this into the new year and bring more of these special shows into this blog. It is my hope that we have some of the bands post their thoughts here. This will create a sort of radio show/music blog synergy that (to my knowledge) has never been done before by humans.
2.) More News - It is a big world out there in the alternative music scene, and we B-Cuts realize that it is our duty as journalists to cover it. We want to bring attention to the truely creative entertainers out there that deserve all the press in the world but often do not recieve it. Readers have always looked to this blog as a shiny chariot of journalistic and humorous excellence, and this year we promise we will not disappoint.
3.) More Blog - We realize we have been a bit skimpy on the updates. This of course will change. We hereby pledge ourselves to weekly (dare I say - daily?) updates, complete with a variety of outlits for our reporting on the music entertainment world. In addition to more reporting on news, we will also have more of our famous album reviews, genre histories, and top whatever lists. We also want You (no, not You, no, no - yes! You, there!) to participate more, either by calling our show on the telephone or electronic-mailing us at thebcuts@gmail.com.
These are our promises. It is our hope that keeping up with them will bring both B-Cuts and Deadbeat Melodies to qualities of mythic propoertions. This of course will lead us to world domination, where I will be King and all will cower under me. One can only hope.
Kevin Clang
Sidenote: One thing we will have less of - Britney Spears. Barring some unforeseen circumstance where she cures Cancer or something, this should be the last time Ms. Spears is mentioned in this blog. Never has someone been so famous for so long without releasing an actual album (and no, the horrendous Blackout doesn't count - curse all of you who bought it.)
Monday, December 17, 2007
Local Music Update
Over the past few months I have really tried to jump into the local scene. It took me a while to realize how many GREAT bands are coming out of Chapel Hill and Durham these days. Next year, on B-Cuts, we are going to try to focus on bringing the local scene to WSOE. This year was great with Luego and Bombadil coming into the studio, two amazing bands that I just found out about this year. I'll start with those two, and reveal some other bands that you all might hear on B-Cuts next year.
Luego is an alt-country-ish band featuring acoustic guitar, cello, viola, drums and a vocals that fit seamlessly. Luego is made up of some very nice people who really just love making and playing music. You can find the interview and in-studio podcast on iTunes if you search for WSOE.
Bombadil is a hard band to describe. One of the members, Bryan, actually asked me at a show how I could best describe them and I couldn't. Now that I look back on it, if you combine Beulah with Bob Dylan fronting the Decemberists... that's Bombadil. Even that's a stretch. Bombadil is a fun band to see live because almost everyone plays almost everything. I've never seen some instruments played in a live show before and in certain ways. Daniel played his bass with a drum stick at one point, and it made some cool sounds. They keep it fun and switch it up and they are just one of North Carolina's greatest neo-folk bands.
Bands to look for on future B-Cuts (these will be shorter because we haven't interviewed them yet-sans Old Ceremony and Roman Candle because I saw them live):
Early Morning Swimm is what I can best describe as Joseph Arthur meets Iron & Wine. They are a dark and beautiful folk group. They will be in the studio in early Feb, so listen up!!
American Aquarium takes their name from a Wilco lyric. It fits. American Aquarium is more of a folk version of Wilco, and they do a good job of not being Wilco, which is key in this kind of situation. American Aquarium makes some beautiful music that will bring out your emotions.
Erie Choir is what you get when Elvis Costello makes a pop-indie band or if the Super Furry Animals played folk music. Either way, check them out because they'll grow on you... fast.
The Future Kings of Nowhere is a band that I fell in love with the first time I heard them. They are an anti-folk/acoustic-punk band and their sound is so catchy. Perhaps if you just gave Ted Leo an acoustic guitar and a bit of early Against Me! energy, you'd have Future Kings. The music is very upbeat and fun.
Red Collar or... The Clash of North Carolina. These guys are an interesting punk band in the classic punk sense. They make rock music, and it's great.
The Old Ceremony puts on one hell of a live show. My best way to describe them... is if the Who made Americana music and formed up with Fastball. Again, that's a stretch. If these guys made music in the 60's or 70's, they'd be freaking huge right now.
Roman Candle is what you get if you take Wilco's current "we're just a rock band" mentality and have them re-make A.M. or a more rockin Bob Dylan and the Band. Just like Old Ceremony, if these guys were making music in the 60's or 70's, they'd be huge. Roman Candle is proof that rock is in fact... still alive. For the sake of your life, check out the song "Why Modern Radio is AOK" because it's one of the best songs I've heard all year.
Keep on listening to the B-Cuts next semester to hear these great bands in the studio. Do yourself a favor, go out and support local music at your local venues and you might be surprised at the bands putting on some amazing shows.
Peace, Love and Keep Rock Alive
Luego is an alt-country-ish band featuring acoustic guitar, cello, viola, drums and a vocals that fit seamlessly. Luego is made up of some very nice people who really just love making and playing music. You can find the interview and in-studio podcast on iTunes if you search for WSOE.
Bombadil is a hard band to describe. One of the members, Bryan, actually asked me at a show how I could best describe them and I couldn't. Now that I look back on it, if you combine Beulah with Bob Dylan fronting the Decemberists... that's Bombadil. Even that's a stretch. Bombadil is a fun band to see live because almost everyone plays almost everything. I've never seen some instruments played in a live show before and in certain ways. Daniel played his bass with a drum stick at one point, and it made some cool sounds. They keep it fun and switch it up and they are just one of North Carolina's greatest neo-folk bands.
Bands to look for on future B-Cuts (these will be shorter because we haven't interviewed them yet-sans Old Ceremony and Roman Candle because I saw them live):
Early Morning Swimm is what I can best describe as Joseph Arthur meets Iron & Wine. They are a dark and beautiful folk group. They will be in the studio in early Feb, so listen up!!
American Aquarium takes their name from a Wilco lyric. It fits. American Aquarium is more of a folk version of Wilco, and they do a good job of not being Wilco, which is key in this kind of situation. American Aquarium makes some beautiful music that will bring out your emotions.
Erie Choir is what you get when Elvis Costello makes a pop-indie band or if the Super Furry Animals played folk music. Either way, check them out because they'll grow on you... fast.
The Future Kings of Nowhere is a band that I fell in love with the first time I heard them. They are an anti-folk/acoustic-punk band and their sound is so catchy. Perhaps if you just gave Ted Leo an acoustic guitar and a bit of early Against Me! energy, you'd have Future Kings. The music is very upbeat and fun.
Red Collar or... The Clash of North Carolina. These guys are an interesting punk band in the classic punk sense. They make rock music, and it's great.
The Old Ceremony puts on one hell of a live show. My best way to describe them... is if the Who made Americana music and formed up with Fastball. Again, that's a stretch. If these guys made music in the 60's or 70's, they'd be freaking huge right now.
Roman Candle is what you get if you take Wilco's current "we're just a rock band" mentality and have them re-make A.M. or a more rockin Bob Dylan and the Band. Just like Old Ceremony, if these guys were making music in the 60's or 70's, they'd be huge. Roman Candle is proof that rock is in fact... still alive. For the sake of your life, check out the song "Why Modern Radio is AOK" because it's one of the best songs I've heard all year.
Keep on listening to the B-Cuts next semester to hear these great bands in the studio. Do yourself a favor, go out and support local music at your local venues and you might be surprised at the bands putting on some amazing shows.
Peace, Love and Keep Rock Alive
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