Blog

I didn't do one of these last week because my charts were pretty bland and my listening pretty run-of-the-mill (with the huge exception of discovering one Mary Margaret O'Hara). This week, though, I rediscovered a lot of artists I had written off on first listen and got back into some old favorites. There are also a few new discoveries thrown in the mix. I'm going to do the top 15 artists this week as I listened to quite a variety of stuff.

1. Mary Margaret O'Hara - 46 plays
I first listened to her stuff last week and was blown away. Definitely one of the best things I've heard in awhile. Her voice and the things she does with it are awesome. I've already gushed extensively over her here, though, so I won't go on and on.

1. Tori Amos - 46 plays
After my previous journal entry on her, I felt extremely inclined to listen to her music which honestly, I haven't felt like doing in a long time. Her older stuff is just amazing and up until To Venus and Back, absolute perfection. I wasn't as thrilled as I thought I would be when I found out about the live shows she was releasing and I still don't plan to buy them anytime soon, but I am really looking forward to the DVD coming out next week.

3. Veda Hille - 43 plays
I really don't recall playing her music that much this week. I thought my obsession had died down a bit, but my charts prove otherwise. Geez, I'm so obsessed with Veda, I'm listening to her music without even remembering now. Either way, she is fantastic and I've already gushed multiple times about her as well.

4. Faun Fables - 30 plays
I downloaded Family Album awhile ago and thought it was good, but never listened to it again until this week. I don't know why I waited so long because this is amazing music. Dawn has such a great voice, very rich and earthy sounding. It perfectly compliments the music, which could overall be described as folk, but there are also hints of celtic and gospel music, among others. Good stuff.

5. Maria Mena - 24 plays
I bought her CD, White Turns Blue, soon after it came out in... 2004, I believe. I listened to it once, thought it was too poppy and average, and left it to gather dust for a long time. Over the past few weeks, I've noticed that quite a few of my friends on here have been listening to her, so I was in the mood to give her a second chance. Most of the CD is pretty forgettable pop stuff, but a few of the songs I really like - "You're the Only One", which I originally bought the CD on the strength of, and "Take You With Me" and "Your Glasses", which both have more of a kick to them and a bit more attitude than the other tracks. So, I'll at least listen to those three songs again.

6. Sarah Slean - 21 plays
I'm always in the mood for a little Slean. With the release of a live album this year and possibly a new studio one as well, I definitely see her gaining a lot of momentum in the future.

6. Damien Rice - 21 plays
Damien is the only male artist that I could listen to for hours on end and not get bored or annoyed with his voice. Technically, it isn't fantastic, but his quiet intensity and the way he puts so much emotion into every single word he sings - that's what gets me. It also helps that I have a huge crush on him and find his Irish accent incredibly sexy. A little birdie told me that he may finally be releasing something new this year and I really hope that's true.

8. Ane Brun - 20 plays
I am obsessed with her song "Balloon Ranger" right now and eight of these plays can be credited to that. It's really quite a simple song, but the lyrics and the way she delivers them make it incredible to me. This week, I listened to some of her other stuff and quite liked a lot of it as well. Very soon, "My Lover Will Go" may be competing with "Balloon Ranger", as it's quickly becoming a favorite as well.

9. The Ditty Bops - 16 plays
While listening to CocoRosie for the first time, I got the sudden urge to listen to their album. I used to be quite obsessed but haven't listened to these girls in awhile. Their songs are short and sweet and you can't help but smile when listening. They are also extremely fun to sing along to.

10. Lisa Germano - 14 plays
Another one where I listened to them once and then put them away for awhile. She didn't strike me as amazing at first and the only song that really stuck with me was "... A Psychopath" but I gave Geek the Girl another listen and enjoyed it quite a bit. I do have to be in a certain mood to listen to her, though.

11. The Dresden Dolls - 13 plays
I don't listen to them often anymore because I seriously overplayed their debut and pretty much everything else they've ever done. I'm getting really excited for their new disc though. I will not listen to it before it comes out. I will not listen to it before it comes out. I WILL NOT LISTEN TO IT BEFORE IT COMES OUT!

11. Bic Runga - 13 plays
She was a brand new listen this week and I found her stuff a bit too poppy and inside of the box to really like it. I think I would have liked her a few months ago, but right now, I'm really looking for unique and refreshing music. I did like a few songs, but not enough to listen to her much in the future.

11. Camille - 13 plays
I love this girl. I love the many different ways she finds to use her voice. I love how her entire album is tied together by one constant hum. And even though her songs could be labelled as "weird", they are extremely catchy.

14. Rasputina - 10 plays
They are a bit hit-or-miss with me, but my sister absolutely adores them because of the cellos even though they fall outside her weird mash-up of emo/country/rap that can usually be heard blasting from her bedroom. Anyway, I've also been getting into them a bit more recently.

14. CocoRosie - 10 plays
To round out the list, a new discovery this week that I actually liked. Yay! The vocals are Joanna Newsom-esque and the lyrics are fun and interesting. I definitely need to check out more from them in the future.

1. What are you listening to right now?
Xiu Xiu - La Foret

2. What song makes you sad?
A fair few, most recently Cursive - Staying Alive and Kevin Devine - Ballgame

3. What is the most annoying song in the world?
My Humps.

4. Your all time favorite band?
Doesn't really fit with the music I generally listen to but either Alkaline Trio or The Lawrence Arms.

5. Your newly discovered band is?
I've just got around to listening to Spoon's new one and I'm enjoying that. Other than that probably Sufjan Stevens just before Christmas.

6. Best female voice?
Joanna Newsom perhaps, maybe Jenny Lewis or Regina Spektor.

7. Best male voice?
Colin Meloy. Other than that I bum gravely voices so Brendan from The Lawrence Arms or Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio.

8. Music type you find yourself listening to most?
Either melodic punk/stake punk or indie. Really partial to the early to mid 90's emo sound too, i.e. The Promise Ring, Saves the Day, The Get Up Kids, Braid, etc.

9. What do you listen to, to hype you up?
A Wilhelm Scream.

10. What do you listen to, to calm down?
Something instrumental, perhaps Sigur Ros or Explosions in the Sky.

11. Last gig/concert you went to?
Erm, I really can't remember. I think it was The New Pornographers might have been a local band though.

12. Band you find yourself listening to the most right now?
Saves The Day.

13. Most hated band?
I don't really hate bands, but the most overhyped and overrated flash in the pan bands these days are My Chemical Romance, Avenged Sevenfold, Panic! At the Disco etc.

14. Song that makes you think?
Xiu Xiu is weird shit. Same with Animal Collective.

15. Band that you think the world should love as much as you do?
A Wilhelm Scream. The Get Up Kids.

16. Coolest music video?
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine, hands down.

17. Music video with the most babe watch?
Girls Aloud - Biology. Hell yeah.

18. What "do you play/would you play" in the bedroom to spice things up?
I have a sex CD. Blatantly Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On. I like the idea of fucking to The Velvet Underground - Oh! Sweet Nuthin' though.

19. Can you play a musical instrument?
The most basic guitar you have EVER heard and some fairly basic drums.

20. Ever been in a mosh pit?
Yep.

21. Are you in a band?
No.

22. If yes, what kind of music does your band play and what is your role in it?
...

23. Ever dated a musician?
No, but you'd think she was the way she blew it.

24. If yes, what kind of music did he/she/they play/instrument/band?
...

27. If no, would you consider?
No problem. Fiona Apple please.

28. Do you wish yourself that you were a musician?
Definitely.

29. Best chick band you know of?
Retarded question.

30. Best guy band you know of?
Again, retarded.

31. Last song that you heard on the radio/cd...etc...?
Saves The Day - Deciding.

32. What do you think of Classical music?
Inspiring.

33. What do you think of Country music?
Never heard any true country but the music I like that is influenced by it is some of my favourite.

34. What do you think of Death metal?
I enjoy the drums, beyond that it's not my thing.

35. Last BIG band that you saw live?
Alkaline Trio if they count, beyond that, Bob Dylan.

36. Are you a groupie?
Hell yeah.

37. Do you listen to music in foreign languages?
Same as music in English, as long as I enjoy it.

38. What famous musician would you like to fuck!?
*Shrugs* Paramore's lead singer, Fiona Apple, Jenny Lewis, ya know, if they wanted it.

39. Worst concert moment?
Losing a shoe when I saw Alexisonfire.

40. Funny Concert moment?
Conor Oberst forgetting the words to June On The West Coast.

41. Sad Concert moment?
When The Good Life finished playing.

42. Best local act you can think of?
Plans & Apologies.

43. If you were a musical instrument what would you be?
Drums.

44. Do you listen to the radio?
Only on car journeys with my rents.

45. Do you watch music TV?
Only at work.

46. Do you follow the music charts, like the top 40?
Not at all.

47. Have you meet any famous musicians?
Only ones from the bands I've seen.

48. Are any of your friends/family etc musicians?
Not really. Couple of mates in bands and that.

49. Song that best describes your feelings right now?
Bright Eyes - First Day Of My Life, or Saves The Day - Three Miles Down.

50. Song that describes your life?
Oooh, tricky. None really, just parts of it. Perhaps The Lawrence Arms - The Ramblin' Boys Of Pleasure is the closest.

51. Do you know the names of all the band members that you listen to?
Nah, just my favourites.

52. Does a musician’s physical attractiveness play a role in the music that you listen to?
No.

53. What famous musician do you want to marry?
Chris Conley or Tim Kasher.

53. Favourite movie sound track?
Garden State or Vanilla Sky or High Fidelity.

55. Any musician pet hates?
...

56. What do your parents listen to?
My Mum listens to Pussycat Dolls and Will Young, whilst my stepdad listens to David Gray, Coldplay, Badly Drawn Boy and Damien Rice. Mainstream rock stuff.

57. What are you listening to right NOW?
Saves The Day - Hot Time In Delaware.

58. Do you wear band etc T-shirts?
Now and again.

59. What do you think of people who do?
Couldn't really care less unless I like the band in which case I can talk to them.

60. What music sub-culture do you feel like you belong to?
Indie probably. Although I rock the three quarter length skate punk shorts like a bad-ass.

61. What song is stuck in your head right now?
Saves The Day - Sell My Old Clothes, I'm Off To Heaven.

62. Do you sing in the shower?
Yep.

63. If so, what? If not, why not?
The song that is stuck in my head at that time. Usually Holiday by The Get Up Kids.

64. Would you rather marry a musician or be one yourself?
Neither, they'd never be home.

65. What is in your walkman/discman right now?
Since the dawn of the technological age and iPods I don't think I have a DiscMan anymore. The albums I've been listening to mostly though have been Spoon - Gimme Fiction, Antony & The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now and Xiu Xiu - La Foret.

66. How important is your partners taste in music to you?
It's funnily enough, not that important, however it's REALLY important they have an open mind and will engage in my hobbies with me.

67. Hanson moves in next door to you, do you go introduce yourself, or do you arrange to beat them up?
Ask if I could jam with them and then fuck the hot little one. He is legal right? I don't want to go to prison, I want to be the one doing the bumming.

68. Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll, you dig?
I don't get the question.

69. Do you cook to music?
I would if I cooked.

70. Do you sing in the toilet?
Hell yeah.

Total Tracks: 1023

Sort By Song Title:
1st: "En Gallop" - Joanna Newsom
Last: "zero - Smashing Pumpkins

Sort By Time:
Shortest: One Last Whoo-Hoo! for the Pullman - 0:06 Sufjan Stevens
Longest: Death of a Loved One - 20:51 Martin Grech

Top 10 Most Played:
1. PDA - Interpol
2. Sprout and the Bean - Joanna Newsom
3. Not Even Jail - Interpol
4. End of a Century - Blur
5. Evil - Interpol
6. C'mere - Interpol
7. Bridges and Balloons - Joanna Newsom
8. Roland - Interpol
9. Lately - Stevie Wonder
10. DIA - Billy Corgan

1st Five Songs on Shuffle:
1. Vast - Pinknruby
2. Don't Fail Me Now - Ryan Adams
3. One of These Mornings - Moby
4. Inverse Midas - Mansun
5. Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen

How Many Times Do These Words Come Up When Searched:
Sex - 1
Love - 58
You - 102
Death - 2
Hate - 0
Wish - 3

Oh, how good is Joanna Newsom!? I received The Milk-Eyed Mender in the post this morning & have listened to nothing else since. I'd heard a few of her songs before (namely This Side of the Blue, which appears on an Orange advert) & although very interested, I was a little apprehensive.

I'm sure many people dislike her voice (I've certainly heard people complain!), but there's something about it I find so beautiful. & harp playing!? What more could I ask for? I shall definitely investigate further.

I've been despairing recently, all I've wanted to do is yack about music to all my friends, but it's becoming increasingly apparent that not many of them really give a shit about it as much as me. Then I remembered, you can babble on about it on last.fm and loads of people will respond! Well I say respond, most of them just feel intimidated by your opinions and want to tell you you're wrong.

Well that aside, what have I come to bitch about today?

I like Merzbow again. Oh yes. I don't know if I really like this guy, or just really like Merzbird, I've enjoyed plenty of his other releases but I always seem to come back to Merzbird. Of course, I can't bring up Merzbow without bitching about the small group of kids out there who listen to this guy because he's "noize" or the way forward for music or some shit. Really, after you get over the fact that it's comprised mostly of electronic screeching, it kinda starts to sound like some kind of Zorn-esque free-jazz band, only instead of a band, it's some crazy jap with a copy of adobe audition and a mac. Of course, that's just my crazy outlook on it and naturally that perspective is wrong, because music isn't subjective. Right? Right.

It's also becoming increasingly apparent that what I originally thought as the duller Esoteric album, is starting to become my favourite. Admittedly, the only reason I listened to it before was because of the song "Bereft" but the rest of the album is starting to really grab me. I always thought the greatest appeal of Esoteric was that it's so easy to get lost in it, it's not long before you're a minute or so into a song and it's lost your attention, depending on how little energy you have, it just swallows you up in this big, warm, all-engulfing soundscape. I've always said you know when this band does a good riff because you won't notice it, I think I was listening to the pernicious enigma (by same band of course) and they did some really dodgey riff and that started to bug me a lot.

It's also just hit me, that I haven't named said album...well...it's Esoteric, so it's the album with the most unnecessarily long title. Go figure.

That's another thing getting right up my ass, the whole concept of lyrics in music. I never like to think about myself as an elitist (tsh, well not anymore) but I always thought there was little to no point in music lyrics(except in rap, obviously), but after hearing the latest Immolation album, I'm starting to think otherwise. Metal, being one of the most overblown genres in the world of music, is usually packed with ridiculously technical crap, so why is it the lyrics have to be bland and dull? I'm not saying they shouldn't be, but if you're not going to berp down the mix like everyone else and do your best to make your voice sound coherant yet hardcore, then if your verse is balls then it really makes it hard to enjoy the music. Almost reminds you that some metal really is for 16 year old boys without girlfriends. Even my beloved Esoteric spit some utter bollocks at times, you'd think with the surreal album covers and the far more surreal album titles, that would suggest some damn interesting lyrical themes! But no...it's all the same generic Doom-Death tripe...

But at least Esoteric have the courtesy to make it impossible to understand what they're saying!

Hmm, I think I may have liked that The Jesus Lizard album I heard the other day. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not, but I can usually tell come the second listen. I think I'm getting into the whole dinky little tru-indie scene. Bands like Deerhoof and that other one I can't remember are really stickin' to me. I don't think I can get into Joanna Newsom though, you'd think as someone who claims they could listen to Om all day, defends Khanate vocalist Alex Dubin from the horrorific butchery of Tom Dissonance and writes a positive paragraph about Merzbow in his last.fm journal, I could appreciate Joanna Newsom, but no...either I'm missing the ball on this one or she just pisses me off...

I also saw a Bleeding Through video the other day on scuzz, I don't know if talking bad about this band is seen as uncool around the scene elitists, but fuck them, that shit was fucked! I actually kinda enjoyed the video, it was fun to watch, but it'd be a lot more entertaining if it wasn't the visual aid to this shitty we-can-implement-numerous-different-styles-into-our-music style metalcore band. A part of me just wanted to mute that shit and put Pig Destroyer on, lord knows I would've either really gotten into it, or just pissed myself laughing (the video was pretty crap too now that I come to think of it).

Although, nothing's going to be as funny as Aidan muting Slipknot's video for duality and playing Runescape's Sea chanty BGM midi over the top. Comic-mother-fucking-genious!

Well anyway, time to wrap this one up and give Psycroptic's past two albums a good listen before I decide I bitterly hate the band after declaring their upcoming third album a diabolical failure. A part of me just knows it's gonna happen without Chalky on vox. =P

Later

-Toxx

I suppose I'll start using this journal for something. No one ever visits my page anyway, but what the hell. Lets talk about music I've been listening to recently. Now, my musical opinions are just that, opinions. You may not think they're very good ones. But what the fuck. I don't care.

Black Tie Dynasty: Even though they sound eerily like The Cure, I have been quite enjoying this band lately. It's like the Hourly Radio-Radiant phenomenon: they're not The Cure, but they'll do in a pinch. But Die and Crime Scene from the EP This Stays Between Us have both been liquifying my brain lately.

Butterfly Boucher: I am not a HUGE fan of female vocalists, unless you count classic French females or jazz. Though the females that I do like, I like a LOT. Aimee Mann is one. Joanna Newsom is another, like any good indie kid. Dominique Durand of the fabulous Ivy (a.k.a. the band that Adam Schlesinger didn't sell out...) and Nina Persson of The Cardigans, as well as various other female twee sources. But, and you can tell by looking at my chart, most of what I like is bands with male vocalists or at least predominantly male with the females used for enhancement. Rock and roll is a boy's club! I can admit that. Yeah, girl power and all that, but hey. Men did it first, and they usually get it right.

That said, I stumbled upon this girl Butterfly Boucher on a whim. She was recommended to fans or Rachael Yamagata (another female I like, though she was discovered through The Man, Ryan Adams) and Gavin DeGraw, so I decided to give it a shot. I am definitely impressed by her. She has the upbeat energy that I love (I DID mention twee, didn't I?) and her lyrics are poignant without being complicated. She sings with the ironic innocence that I love in female vocalists, as well; a mood more similar to Nina Persson or Joanna Newsom than to Alanis Morissette or Liz Phair, with whom she is often compared. The instrumentalization of her songs also leans toward the uncomplicated, though she obviously has a good command of everything she plays, she seems more concerned with crafting a song than showing off her performance abilities.

OK, that's all for today, kids. I have some new Postal Service and Built to Spill to give a listen to, so I'll write about those next. Or something else. Or nothing at all. Who knows? I'm fickle sometimes.

So it seems that the new trend on last.fm seems to be making an A-Z list, and before it gets old in a week or two, I'm going to get mine out there...

A: This one goes to Trey Anastasio, Phish's lead singer. Currently, I'm very disappointed by his band the 70-Volt Parade. In my opinion, he is an exceptional guitarist, who thinks musically. I'd say Trey Anastasio Band is his best solo project.

B: I can't imagine any 'B' other than the best band of all time... The Beatles.

C: would be Clapton, but I used him as my E... Instead, Les Claypool takes the cake here. Best slap-bassist I think I've ever heard.

D: The Doors. Jim Morrison makes any band better, and I consider the Doors all stars without lyrics... The only competitoon came from Robert Zimmerman a.k.a. Bob Dylan

E: One of the best song writers/guitarists in my lifetime, Eric Clapton

F: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones

G: Without them, all the bands I listen to would've never came to be, one of my personal favorites, the Grateful Dead

H: Jimi Hendrix obviously he's something when considered the best guitarist of all time... I can't imagine a superior guitarist

I: Interpol? I don't really listen to any I's...disappointing

J: Janis Joplin, my favorite female musician

K: The Kinks underrated band... underrated by myself as well

L: Led Zeppelin-this obviously needs no explanation

M: moe., I've seen them four times now, and they're probably my favorite jam band currently on the circuit (another favroite being the Breakfast)

N: Unfortunately, I don't care for too many 'N' qualifiers, so I give this to Joanna Newsom, although she doesn't quite make my favorite sounds all the time, she's plays an intense harp, and her voice is very much an acquired taste

O: Undoubtedly the best part of Phish's 2001 hiatus was Oysterhead. This all-star superjam band is one of my favorites, even though they only existed for the production of one album and one tour. If Phish doesn't get back together, I will wish for an Oysterhead reunion.

P: If you've been reading, I bet you can guess this is going to be Phish. Especially if you checked my stats... obviously my favorite band. I highly endorse this band's live music

Q: I think I listen to enough different artists, but unfortunately not enough to give a band I love for every letter of the alphabet. Queen had a couple of singles that I used to love and will always remember the lyrics to, so they are my Q.

R: Rolling Stones are the champions, the competition coming from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Radiohead.

S: Sublime was my favorite band for a good 3 years in my early adolescence, and I still think they're one of the most fun to listen to even though I rarely endulge these days.

T: Fall semester this year I really got into the Talking Heads, who have quickly become one of my favorites. Way ahead of their time, I think they have yet to be fully appreciated.

U: Uncle Otter is a band I bet you haven't heard of. I have heard about 15 of their songs, and can't get over the speed of the jams, and complexity in some of them from the minimal 3 members. If you come accross them somehow (or can see them in PA), I reccomend it.

V: One of my favorite songs all-time is Heroin, and the Velvet Underground are simply a real good band.

W: The Who, whom I never really listened to until last year, are definitely the best W-band. Keller Williams and Victor Wooten received nominations from me, but I had to put the Who on top.

X: I really don't listen to any X's, I've been meaning to listen to more Xavier Rudd, and I guess he's my #1 on this letter.

Y: Neil Young is just an incredible musician, and anyone who has an appreciation for multiple types of music must enjoy him.

Z: Although I feel like I'm not into him enough yet and I will soon be, Frank Zappa is quickly gaining street credit on my charts.

If you read all my explanations, I'm a little suprised. But I wrote this for myself really. And I think trends on this website are funny, and a friend of mine made one of these and I wanted to see how many we'd have in common (you Garrett).

So there you have it, I hope someone listens to at leats one new band because of this...

This is mandatory, right ?

#

1. 65daysofstatic
2. 13 & God
3. 25 ta Life

A

1. Anti-Flag
2. Alkaline Trio
3. Ryan Adams

B

1. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy in all his forms. Undeniably my favourite one of all...
2. Devendra Banhart
3. Vashti Bunyan

C

1. Casey Jones
2. The Cure
3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

D

1. dEUS
2. Bob Dylan
3. Deep Purple

E

1. Eels
2. Everlast
3. Explosions in the Sky

F

1. Sage Francis
2. Facedown
3. The Faint

G

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor
2. José González
3. Grand Buffet

H

1. Jeff Hanson
2. Ed Harcourt
3. Herbie Hancock

I

1. I Am Kloot
2. The (International) Noise Conspiracy
3. Ignite

J

1. Daniel Johnston
2. Norah Jones
3. Jack Johnson

K

1. Kings of Convenience
2. The Killers
3. Kent

L

1. Lunascape
2. Less Than Jake
3. Low

M

1. The Moldy Peaches
2. Mogwai
3. The Mars Volta

N

1. Nirvana
2. Joanna Newsom
3. NOFX

O

1. Osker
2. Owen
3. Ozark Henry

P

1. Pink Floyd
2. Kelley Polar
3. The Postal Service

R

1. Rage Against the Machine
2. Rise Against
3. Reel Big Fish

S

1. Elliott Smith
2. Songs: Ohia
3. Set Fire to Flames

T

1. Thievery Corporation
2. Tomàn
3. Tortoise

V

1. Venetian Snares
2. Violent Femmes
3. The Velvet Underground

W

1. M Ward
2. Tom Waits
3. Wilco

X

Xiu Xiu

Y

1. Yonderboi
2. Yo La Tengo

Z

Frank Zappa