Dismemberment Plan : Memory Machine

Lead singer Travis Morrison contemplates the fact that if computers can make our life easier, could they someday be connected to us? "If they can make machines to save us labor / Someday they'll do our hearts the very same favor / The wails of ruined lives brought to a halt" but by connecting "Red wire: right temple / Black wire: left temple" could this be washed away? Could human emotions be overruled by logic? Or would it destroy who we really are? Do we know when emotions are controlling us more than when our mind and thinking faculties are? What makes human so vulnerable to brooding over past upsets and not being able to forget? A machine can just delete information that has become irrelevant and move on. Sometimes it would be nice if we could just wipe it clean too. "Someday, I'm telling you / They'll make a memory machine / To wax our hearts to a blinding sheen / To wash away the grief"

The Decemberists :: Picaresque

This album caught me immediately when I heard it. The lead singer Colin Meloy has a distinctive voice (there is a definite Morrissey influence) and an art for story telling. Each songs has a story about sailors, pirates, child princes, and sports heros. Even the slow songs like “Eli, the Barrowboy” are sincerely haunting and atmospheric. But quite a few of the songs are rollicking and upbeat. Overall, a very solid album and a worthwhile listen.

Devendra Banhart :: Rejoicing in the Hands

Two years ago, I would have told you that the only think that came out of the 60s that I liked was Neil Young. Everyone else had died or didn't make it. So, in a sense I dismissed an entire generation of music. Of course now I realize that a lot of the music I listen to is inspired by the 60s garage rock movement and psychedelic. I was reacting against the hippie stereotype and flower power in general. And Beatle mania while I was at it. Of course, it is hard to completely dismiss any music. Some is just more worth my time that other stuff. But since a few of the bands I always like said they were influenced by folk, I was always respected the style. Devandra is probably the closest to an actual folk record I have really liked. If you want to call it folk. It reminds me that the acoustic guitar can be more that just an instrument to play an “soft” version of you loud guitar rockin' hit. With the right vocals and engaging strumming, truly good music can be created. New Weird America, here I come. And “Fall” is my favorite song here.

R.E.M. : Country Feedback

I think I would call this my favorite R.E.M. song. It is sad, brooding, emotional, and has become a live favorite. In fact, live it can run 3 minutes longer as Buck takes opportunity to solo at the close (which may not seem much for most bands, but is quite unusual for this band). Probably R.E.M. at their most Neil Young-ish, and that is a good thing. The album version makes good use of a pedal steel guitar and minimal percussion. Vocals are shared with Stipe, Berry, and guest Kate Pierson. But, Stipe's vocals standout as he tells us "You wear me out" but "I need this".

LCD Soundsystem : Losing My Edge

It's like a hipster's cheatsheet! Where else can you find a list of some of the best overlooked and obscure but influential and important must of the last 40+ years. I have made it project to look up the artist I don't know and find out more about them. James Murphy also shows his musical diversity by namechecking everyone from Captin Beefheart to Daft Punk. And the outro list..."This Heat, Pere Ubu, Outsiders, Nation of Ulysses, Mars, The Trojans, The Black Dice, Todd Terry, the Germs, Section 25, Althea and Donna, Sexual Harrassment, a-ha, Pere Ubu, Dorothy Ashby, PIL, the Fania All-Stars, the Bar-Kays, the Human League, the Normal, Lou Reed, Scott Walker, Monks, Niagra, Joy Division, Lower 48, the Association, Sun Ra, Scientists, Royal Trux, 10cc, Eric B. and Rakim, Index, Basic Channel, Soulsonic Force ("just hit me"!), Juan Atkins, David Axelrod, Electric Prunes, Gil! Scott! Heron!, the Slits, Faust, Mantronix, Pharaoh Sanders and the Fire Engines, the Swans, the Soft Cell, the Sonics, the Sonics, the Sonics, the Sonics." Even forgetting the lyrics, that bassline is lots of fun too.