The World We Live in (and the best of April 2014 music)

Maybe these things should be called "worst" of...

That isn't to say my World and the World around us, is not filled with joy and beauty.  I can sit here and rattle off a dozen things that put a smile on my face.

The green grass, and white buds that have enveloped Main Street.

The first sip of an overdue coffee.

The laugh from your child when she thinks what you said was funny.

My dogs reaction to us returning home.

The smell of hot peanuts on a cold New York City evening.

My wife's head on my shoulder at the end of a long day, or at the beginning of a new one.

Reading something my daughter has read.

NHL playoff hockey.

Portlandia.

When the hair stands on end listening to your favorite band kill a song.

A nice pint.

The vicarious thrill watching my middle schooler compete.  Not just sports either-  I mean compete.  She studies to make the grade.  She navigates the social World of school, adolescence and this brutal, unforgiving section of the Northeast.

It's a battle.  But one worth fighting.

But there are times, and boy do I try to ignore them, that I wonder.

For instance, I do a bit of youth coaching.  This year I took over my daughter's schools middle school softball team.  They had not won last year.  I had a bit of success with the basketball team.  A marriage was formed.

It is a terrific group of girls, and easy to root for and attempt to lead.  The season is short, too; it is 8 games and a playoff.  After 2 games we hadn't lost.  Things were looking up.  Before spring break I held one more practice before everyone went to an Island.  We did too, work in Manhattan, but who is keeping score?  Right, everyone.

As the practice ended and we gathered our gear to leave, one of the kids mothers approached me.

"Hi, Im (insert mom name).  How are you?"

Soon I was being told where her daughter preferred to play.  And that she played there "all last year."

Yeah, well, that is not very safe anymore.

Then she gave me the line of the year:  "I was not aware it was merit based."

Huh?  Isn't everything?  If not, what the hell are we doing here?  I can get a bowl cut and be Kim Jung Un's bitch I suppose.  Or I can try and work real hard to get ahead in life.

And you better be sure I am not telling my kid to sign up and expect greatness.  Some kids are not capable to do ONE certain thing.  If we keep telling them to try everything and expect to excel.  And if, for some crazy reason, you are let down or fail- blame everyone else.

My girl is not a scholar.  If I sent her to the math bee and had her school's reputation on the line there would be a lot of unhappy people around.  Most of all my daughter would suffer psychological wounds.

All these kids want is an opportunity to succeed.  We, as parents, need to present options that best suit  them, not us.

There are 30 NFL quarterbacks, maybe 15 that are talented.  Clearly not every kid playing Pop Warner is gonna make it.

Lets let these things work themselves out a bit, shall we?

Nurture skill sets.  Teach them to wake eye contact and communicate with words and complete sentences.  Make sure they are polite and respectful.

Steer them in, what you think, is the right direction.  It is understood that there will be issues along the way.  We can't all agree on things and what fun would that be anyway.

But do we want them to end up like the other story that resonated over the Easter season.

A friend of mine is a City cop in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  He does some serious shit.  Task force stuff.  Buying drugs and making arrests.

Whether I agree with the efforts or not, I can assure you he works hard.  Maybe harder than anyone I know.

We shared some beers a few nights back and he told me of his latest shift.

It was a good one.  He took weapons off the street and made dozens of arrests.  Dozens I said.  1 shift  I said.

As he was bringing one of the suspects back to the precinct house his captive had some chilling words.

"Yeah, you did good tonight copper.  You did good.  I will do 3, maybe 5.  But I'm 23, I will be back out here.  And when I come back, I will still be your worst nightmare."

Lovely.

I have got a pal out there busting his ass and risking his life.

And he is chasing after kids who value NOTHING.  They go to school in Wilkes-Barre to learn how to sell drugs.  Gangs from Philly and New York send their youth there to nine their craft.  Once they learn how to deal with a hard scrabble town of 30k they graduate to the big leagues.

Funny, they have minor league hockey and baseball up there too.  They can only wish to be as successful as the drug trade.

Ok, so that is pretty freakin gloomy.  We are all better than that, right?

We are all going to prioritize and make sound decisions.

Or die trying.  Starting.....  now!!!




In other news, let's keep pushing new music.  The following are the 10 tracks that have caught my attention.  Use them wisely.  On the treadmill, or in the car. or chilling in your favorite easy chair, these songs represent what is hot or at least should be, in all things alternative.  Enjoy.

And don't be scared to share your opinions.  What are you listening to?  What do you love?  Hate?

Who are you seeing on tour this summer?   What is the best festival?  Worst?

Happy Spring all.  Let's all shake off the winter from hell, shall we?

From Fun, to maybe the most fun song of 2014- Jack Antonoff from Bleachers.

Bleachers "I Want To Get Better"

Jack Antonoff is today's "It" alt rocker.  He is on sabbatical from his immensely popular band Fun.  Nate Ruess might get all the headlines from that act, but Jack plays lead and writes his share of music.  He is also dating Lena Dunham, who is herself the "It" girl of TV.  He grew up among privilege in New Jersey and attended exclusive schools including NYC's Professional Children's School (where he took Scar Jo to prom.)  I should probably hate him.  But nope, I root for him and respect the hell out of someone who could come out of that scenario with hit after hit.  And this song, and the video his girlfriend directed, are a joyous romp.

Lily Allen "Sheezus"

A cockney accent, little bit of attitude, and a penchant for talking shit- yeah, I missed Lily Allen.
Here she takes on Lorde, Gaga, Katy Perry and of course Kanye.  It is as much spoken word as anything.  But when you speak "Give me that crown bitch/I want to be Sheezus" you have my attention.  Love it!

Paramore "Ain't It Fun"

Sometimes a pop song just knocks me out and puts a smile on my face.  Maybe it was because Hayley Williams impressed the hell out of me at MSG last year.  Whatever the case, this simple pop diddy (with some gospel thrown in) is infectious.  She said it was written as an anthem of adulthood after her band went through some inner turmoil.  Or at least that is what my 11 year old told me based on her Instagram knowledge.  There are worse sources, believe me.

Gardens & Villa "Colony Glen"

Yes, I am a sucker for synths.  In particular, I dig me 80s inspired synths.  Harold Faltemeyer and Thomas Dolby must be endorsing this track from California "Galactic rockers" Gardens & Villa.


Kongos "Come With Me Now"

I know I heard this song sometime last year promoting a cable show.  Was it Vikings?  Or something else on AMC?  Point is, it is not all that new.  It is gaining in popularity, that is for certain.  Toe tapping arena rock performed by Aussie brothers- yes they all share the last name Kongos (Johnny, Jesse, Dylan, and Daniel.)  A little pedal steel, organ, and wait, is that an accordion??  Totally digging it.

In The Valley Below "Peaches"

LA duo Angela Gail and Jeffrey Jacob have created a moody, 90s inspired, synth power ballad.  Both kids sing, trading verses and harmonies effortlessly.  Just when you thought you heard the definitive "Peaches" song this thing comes along.  A nice, easy going mediation on fruit, and the feeling one gets enjoying it.

Swedish sisters First Aid Kit have a new record coming out.  Dig it!

First Aid Kit "My Silver Lining"

A few years back these Swedish sisters rocked not only my World, but the alt World as a whole, with their dreamy and elegant debut record.  One wonders how they became so polished, so fast?  Their influences are clearly rooted in 70s alt country like Gram Parsons and their muse Emmylou Harris.  They could sing the phone book and I would be interested.   When everyone these days seems eager to mimic the 80s, 90s or otherwise let the auto tune do the work, these ladies are a welcome throwback.  Hell, the repeating lyric in this first single from their sophomore effort is "Try to keep on/keeping on."  Old school indeed.  And I am very much on board.

Lykke Li "Gunshot"

Another Swedish songstress, Lykke Li will be releasing her third LP, I Never Learn, in the very near future.  This is the third single released and it is easy to tell she is a Stevie Nicks disciple.  Having seen her live it is as much visual as her singing.  She favors dark lighting, long flowing clothes, and more than a little mystery.  When the Fleetwood Mac tribute album was released a few years back she destroyed (in the best way) Nicks' wonderful "Silver Springs".   She will be playing Brooklyn Bowl Monday 5.5 to promote the new album.  Wishing I could be there!!

Real Estate "Crime"

NJ band done good.  These guys are labeled a lot of things, repetitious and monotonous is one.  I for one dig the low key, surf rock sounds they are pushing.  Their latest record is full of god vibes and chill tunes like this one, which is probably my favorite.

Lydia Loveless "Really Wanna See You"

A few years back I stumbled out of a lifeless Tanlines show at Webster Hall.   Before leaving the venue I walked through the Studio (Webster Hall's intimate basement club.)  The evening was instantly transformed by a spirited set by Lydia Loveless.  It comes as no surprise that her debut record is full of life.  This is country rock, make no mistake.  Like First Aid Kit, Loveless herself is a throwback.  Simple lyrics.  Simple chords.  Simple happiness.

Enjoy all!  Remember to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter

Best of January, 2014

It is Super Bowl week here in NJ.  For the first time ever the big game is being played in a "cold" weather City.  The irony is my beloved Seattle Seahawks are participating.  Ok, beloved might be a bit strong.  I am not one of those body painting, stats obsessed, maniacs.  Let's just say I have an allegiance to them.  I have followed them since a little past their inception (1976.)  For whatever the reasons they were broadcast a lot on the East Coast way back when.  The old AFC West battles were mesmerizing to me.  Don Coryel's Chargers.  Madden's Raiders.  Dan Reeves Broncos.  And my boys (and their dazzling colors and raucous Kingdome.)  I even looked past Brian Bosworth and the 12th man's wave.  Sunday they battle one of those old rivals, the Broncos, will battle them for pro sports greatest prize.  

I don't get too worked up over it.  Its a) kinda cool they are in it and b) even cooler that the game is about 20 miles from my house.  But I have no interest in all the hype.  I mean seriously, a toboggan in Times Square?  Its a little much, no?

What bothers me most is how the host State is (again) short changed.  It's easy to talk of corruption, mob hits, swamp pollution, and the endless negative cliches that stigmatize and mostly discount the Garden State and its inhabitants.  But I have spent the majority of my life in this State- and have grown to love it.

True, we have a huge amount of sleaze bags.  But show me a state that doesn't. 

I like to think of New Jersey as an accurate example of a melting pot.  We have some big cities, with a mostly storied past.  Jersey City and Hoboken are now more Yuppie suburbs than urban wastelands.  Where others like to poke fun at Camden, I am quick to think of Princeton.  You say Trenton, I say Asbury Park.  Newark has never been the same since the 1968's race riots.  However Newark and the majestic Prudential Center were the site of Tuesday's bloated Media Day.  Newark is a tough town.  Its a blue collar town.  Yet, underneath the dirt and grit there some shine remains.  The Ironbound section has several notable Portugese restaurants and a distinct charm.  Seton Hall and Rutgers have both locations in town and a calming influence.  City Hall and Penn Station, a classic structure and major transportation hub, are impressive to say the least.  

And all this does not speak to the good, good people that live here.  

They are our doctors, artists, small business owners, tycoons, housekeepers, teachers, drivers, union carpenters, bodega workers, bankers, musicians, housewives, brothers, sisters, friends.   Did I forget attorneys?  Ha.  I guess they count too.

We talk a lot about what's wrong with the State.  How about what's right with it?

It's the folks still digging out from Sandy and never relenting when the chips are down.  It's a good Taylor Ham bagel sandwich or a Rutts Hut dog.  It's a quiet breeze walking the boardwalk.  It's digging your neighbor's car out of the snow.  It's good, honest work.

For those who brave the train, or traffic at the Helix, or pay the astronomical real estate taxes a toast to you.

We are hosts to the greatest spectacle in sports.  Hell, maybe the greatest spectacle period.  The World's eyes are on us for a few weeks.  Sochi take notice.

We know about security.  We see Ak-47's on our walk to work.  We are used to elevated threat levels.

No problem.  We put our collective heads down and get the job done.

Oh, our families tend not suffer much as a result.  All the sacrifices are for them anyway.  Because we try and give our kids every advantage possible.  We send them to the best schools we can.  We coach their sports teams.  We make every effort to be engaged.

And it's perfectly fine if the media makes this "New York's" event.  When the dust settles New York City is built with New Jersey DNA.  We built their buildings years ago, and work in them now.  We support Broadway and those 2 NFL teams that put NY on their logos.  Hell, most of Wall St fattest cats call New Jersey home.  No shame here.  

We are comfortable in our own skin.  Maybe that is why everyone laughs at it.  Honesty makes them all very uneasy.

In terms of the game, this Seahawks fan is objective.  How can I not be?  Jim Zorn and Steve Largent were my boyhood heroes.  My neighbors were busy rooting for Terry Bradshaw/Lynn Swann or Roger Staubach/Tony Dorsett.   What did they know?  All those guys did was dominate and win titles.  What fun is that?

So my team is here for just the second time.  In 2005 they faced the America's franchise, the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Now, they face the American quarterback icon Peyton Manning.

Tall task.

Their defense is good enough to keep them close.  But in the end Manning will do enough to win.  Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is still too young, too small and (nothing to be ashamed of) not Manning's equal.

Broncos 27 Seahawks 17

Don't get me wrong, Richard Sherman and his LOB are a live dog.  If Manning gets off to a slow start it could be interesting.  

Also, Manning has way more on the line than Seattle.   Should Peyton lose this game and never get back he will be forever questioned.  True, he will still have 1 Super Bowl win(something Dan Marino never got.)  But so does Trent Dilfer.

This should be his coronation.  This should cement his legacy.   

To the business at hand.   January was a soft month for live music.  Earlier this month we took in Against Me!

Last week was Dr Dog at Terminal 5.  Long one of my least favorite venues, it again lived up to its reputation.  Is it oversold?  Are there just too many young people?  Or is it all about the poor sight lines?  Those blasted columns are a good way to kill a buzz.

The crowd was enthusiastic and for the most part engaged.  Dr Dog were way more jammy than I expected. That is not to say they were bad, it was just unexpected  In fact, they sounded pretty darn good.  

Fact is dinner and drinks earlier in the evening were a lot of fun.  

Next time a smaller venue.  Or a warmer night.  

Dr Dog Term 5 1.25.14

VIP at Term 5 is really the only way to go.  Now how do I get it for every show?

Dr Dog "That Old Black Hole" Term 5 1.25.14

Dr Dog "Broken Hearted" Term 5 1.25.14

Below please find this years first installment of "Best of…"

We try to find 10 songs for you to put on your Sunday cruise, workout or whatever floats your boat playlist.  Lots of new material coming later this year from artists like Foster the People, St Vincent, and, GASP, Eels!  CAN? YOU? DIG IT???

Have a great month all.  

Courtney Barnett "Avant Gardener"

DIY Aussie singer/songwriter/record label creator has two EP's under her belt.  Late last year this track started making the alt radio rounds.  Now it is just about everywhere.  Sardonic lyrics performed with deadpan goofiness.  If Steven Wright had an Aussie niece who grew up on Liz Phair it might sound like this.  A very catchy song to say the least.

The War On Drugs "Red Eyes"

Philly guitar rock Indies will release their 3rd LP, Lost in the Dream, in March.  Moody and melancholy not unlike their Philly counterpart Kurt Vile.  Lord Huron shares this sound too.  Our next band too…   Its roots are in 70s Fleetwood Mac and the California sound.  If you listen close enough you can hear Lindsay Buckingham nod his approval.  Imitation as flattery.

Real Estate "Talking Backwards"

Like The War on Drugs, these kids from New Jersey will release their 3rd LP, Atlas, in March.  Singer/guitarist Martin Courtney is in fine form on this, the first single.  Breathy and soft melodies play along with dreamy, laid back guitar licks.  If you need a soundtrack for a sleepy Sunday morning this would be a lovely track 1.

Lydia Loveless "Really Wanna See You"

Columbus, OH folk country gal Lydia Loveless is ALSO releasing her 3rd LP, Somewhere Else,  this year.   Geez, what is with all the 3rd records?  We remember catching her in 2012.  This new track is fiery and adrenaline pumped.  Where the last couple bands borrow from the 70s California sound, Loveless channels Linda Ronstadt a bit.  Keep a look at for the new record.  This girl rocks.

Lily Allen "Air Balloon"

Amy Winehouse, Adele, Kate Nash are among the British wave that hit America about 10 years ago.  Lily Allen was in that mix for sure and found some radio play with hits like "Smile", "The Fear" and her anti-Bush anthem "F*** You."  She is 28 now and has seen it all.  She too has started a label.  She opened a clothing store with her sister a few years back.  The limelight, which once seemed to anger her, has softened a bit.  That might explain her new music.  It is time.   Expect a new record from her this year.  The lyric video above is worth a look.

Against Me! "Fuckmylife666"

This band has been covered a bunch here.   Their new record just arrived and tells the story of singer/guitarist Tom Gabel's transition to Laura Jane Grace.  This ain't no Ziggy Stardust thing either.  Laura is all in.  The voice is the same.  So too is the narrative- raw, edgy and deeply exciting.  It's punk rock with an all inclusive message.

Wooden Shjips "These Shadows"

Hard to find much online about these SF based "space rockers."  What I can tell you is this song kicks a little ass.  The guitar has a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young thing going for it.  The long solo at the end and keyboard fills have a certain nostalgia like a warm blanket (on such a winter's day!)

Reputante "Deep Set Eyes"

NYC rockers Reputante have some nostalgia too.  This time its 80s emo.  The Cure and Morrisey come to mind on this synth laden, baritone chirping gem.  Somewhere Andrew McCarthy is snapping his fingers to this.

Skaters "Miss Teen Massachusetts"

More NYC punk and rock represented here.  Skaters are the trio Michael Ian Cummings, Noah Rubin and Joshua Hubbard.  They will hopefully release their debut LP later this year.  We saw them way back when (when they opened for Caveman years ago.)   This new single pops with energy.  The video has a sardonic charm.  Enjoy.

The Orwells "Who Needs You?"

The Orwells are a Mid-Western (Illinois) trio who formed in high school.  It seems like they have been around forever, but they are still like 23 or something.  The song above is from an EP released last year.  But it is picking up steam.  Simple and straight forward punk rock.  Take a look at the video above for David Letterman and Paul Schafer's reactions.  The whole episode is odd.

Foster the People "Coming of Age"

California darlings sophomore record, Supermodel, will be out in March.  Both the song, and highly entertaining time lapse video, are worth visiting.  The album was delayed and there is talk of label interference.  That is, "Where is the single?"  The debut record and the buzz that surrounded them in 2011 was so epic you cannot help but expect some letdown.  This track however does not indicate anything less than groove, heart and positivity.

Lydia Loveless, Tanlines, Supreme Cuts @ Webster Hall 11.29.12 (in that order)

NYC's finest

Supreme Cuts

Tanlines

Lydia Loveless

Every generation has a type of music that confounds them.  Hell my parents have distaste for The Beatles and The Stones.  Once Elvis and Sinatra were not viable anymore things went downhill for them.  "All that drug music!  I don't get it!" my dad can be overheard telling his buddies during coffee time at McDonalds.

That's ok.  They like what they like.  Old habits die hard, right?

I like to think I am more open minded.  Over the past few weeks I have seen Grimes, moe., M83, Miike Snow, Matt and Kim, and tonight Men Without Hats.  If there is music playing and the timing, venue, and libation is right, count me in.

However, I am finding it more difficult to embrace club music, or dubstep, or whatever the hell they call a few guys on stage with computer monitors and HUGE bass lines.  That describes most of last nights main event at NYC's wonderful Webster Hall.

Hometown boys Tanlines had a homecoming of sorts after about 10 years touring in support of their debut album Mixed Emotions.  Funny, that is exactly how I felt after the show.  I happen to love the record and think the duo, Eric Emm (guitar/vocal) and Jesse Cohen (percussion/computer device) are two likable and talented chaps.  "Not the Same", "Brothers" and "All of Me" are all first rate tracks highlighting the 80s synth resurgence.

On stage last evening the two Brooklyn boys (back by no one) did a nice enough job recreating the sounds from their album.  But too often during their quick (55 minutes) set I kept asking where the music was coming from.  Emm was playing a guitar, but I could barely hear it.  Cohen was drumming some sort of drum pad, but it was lost in the computer mix or soundboard.

It is the same thing that hurts Sleigh Bells.  The absence of a drum kit makes it hard to rally behind this live act.  You cannot throw so much bass and drums at an audience without the inclusion of a real bass and/or drum.

Well, it turns out you can; but it hardly feels like a rock show.  By no means was it an offensive evening or even without its merits.  But with so many techno/synth acts bringing much more energy and musicianship to their live game (see M83, Miike Snow, Naked and The Famous to name a few) this Tanlines show was lacking.  This tour and debut LP is now behind them.  Here is hoping we will be getting some more terrific cuts from them, and that they cultivate a more polished and rousing live show befitting the talents they are.


Chicago duo Supreme Cuts started the evening with bowel shaking bass lines.   They hunched over keyboards,  twisted and turned knobs, and shaked their heads like kids at a death metal show.  It was a confounding mess.   Mind you, there were a handful of thrashing teens determined to let loose to the cacophony of beats and boops befitting a Todd Solondz inspired nightmare.  Again, this is precisely the kind of thing that escapes me.  Play an instrument!  More than likely this set put a damper on my feelings for Tanlines.  It was really that bad.

Thankfully as we headed toward the exits we stumpled through "The Studio at Webster Hall."  Located  in the basement "The Studio" stage hosts small acts on there way up.  Small town/rural Ohio alt country artist Lydia Loveless was the headliner last night.  Think geeky, younger sister of Mary Chapin Carpenter or aw shucks niece of Lucinda Williams if you will.  She has a big voice, writes smart lyrics and has an overall good sound.  Her husband plays the upright bass.  We were happy to leave the club after seeing/hearing some drums and the twang of a guitar.

Thanks Ms. Loveless.  We will be meeting again.