This came up in conversation so figured I'd let it fill in a little history to the origins of Desmond Troyer. Enjoy.
Hell City Love - Forced Entry (buy some!)
Swell things in the mail...
Swell (myspace page) are one of my favorite bands... and they're horribly underappreciated. I think I like having bands like this who never really bubbled up to the masses, that way I can feel like it's something special to me... but whatever the reason, I think they're amazing. Ever since I saw the video for "Forget About Jesus" on Citylimits I liked them and 41 (as I've said before) is among my top albums of all time.
A while ago Pitchfork they mentioned a new album and "lost" collection but I sort of forgot about it until a friend reminded me. I ordered them and they arrived today in the mail putting me in a good mood despite also finding my roommate home. The Lost Album is made up of tracks that were recorded in the Too Many Days Without Thinking period, I have most of them as b-sides but they're all great. While I've only had a quick listen to the new album; South Of The Rain And Snow, it still has all the elements I love from classic Swell. It's made up of more raw recordings that remind me of the early days, I can't wait to get more acquainted. Go Buy Them NOW!
Easy from The Lost Album
Saved By Summer from South Of The Rain And Snow
Here's the video that got my attention.
A while ago Pitchfork they mentioned a new album and "lost" collection but I sort of forgot about it until a friend reminded me. I ordered them and they arrived today in the mail putting me in a good mood despite also finding my roommate home. The Lost Album is made up of tracks that were recorded in the Too Many Days Without Thinking period, I have most of them as b-sides but they're all great. While I've only had a quick listen to the new album; South Of The Rain And Snow, it still has all the elements I love from classic Swell. It's made up of more raw recordings that remind me of the early days, I can't wait to get more acquainted. Go Buy Them NOW!
Easy from The Lost Album
Saved By Summer from South Of The Rain And Snow
Here's the video that got my attention.
just a little longer
I'm waiting until my dumb roommate moves out on Saturday...
Genesis - Counting Out Time
...then wait a bit longer and my lady gets back in town.
Ron Hawkins - Waitin' On My New Heart
In the meantime, I'm keeping busy with various pursuits.
Reid Paley - Never Drink Alone
Genesis - Counting Out Time
...then wait a bit longer and my lady gets back in town.
Ron Hawkins - Waitin' On My New Heart
In the meantime, I'm keeping busy with various pursuits.
Reid Paley - Never Drink Alone
been a while for a mix....
Okay, figured I'd do a new mix.
Features the new Portishead single (quite exciting), new Tindersticks and bunch of other goodies. Love the School of Language (Field Music guy), Martina is great, Breeders shows promise for the new album, a Malcolm Middleton b-side, PJ Harvey live... etc.
Enjoy it HERE
1) Tindersticks - Intro
2) Sea Wolf - The Cold, the Dark & the Silence
3) The Breeders - It's The Love
4) The Gutter Twins - Bete Noire
5) Ken Reaume - In The Day
6) Martina Topley-Bird - Valentine
7) Malcolm Middleton - Pick Me Up
8) Portishead - Machine Gun
9) The Big Sleep - Bad Blood
10) School Of Language - Disappointment '99
11) American Music Club - I Know That's Not Really You
12) DeVotchKa - Along the Way
13) Tom Waits - Little Drop Of Poison
14) The Weakerthans - Sun In An Empty Room
15) PJ Harvey - You Come Through
16) Great Northern - Low Is A Height
Also, reposted a couple of old ones:
Total Lee: The Songs of Lee Hazlewood (original post)
Ex-Drummer soundtrack (original post)
I seen a bunch of punx
First off, The Gutter Twins show was great (as I expected), I won't give a full review since there are already some that get the point across. However there were some surprises at this show.
I had expected much like with The Twilight Singers that the setlist wouldn't deviate much between towns, especially since there's just one album's worth of material to play. It kind of works for Dulli as he almost aims for that soul revue kind of format going from town to town; some bit sof the show may be rehearsed, but it's only to make it more entertaining. Since I've been listening to the show from Paris I expected pretty much the same thing. It was true for the proper set but when the encore started with I'm Ready it was a welcome surprise. And in lieu of No Easy Action they pulled Hit The City from the Lanegan catalog with Dulli hitting the PJ Harvey parts. Great stuff.
Saturday was when the punks came into the picture. First off with Doomsday, which is a perfect big screen b-movie. Don't expect anything too new (unless you've never seen Road Warrior, Escape From New York and the likes) but it's good for a fun night out.
Sunday was when it was time to be among the punks and see The Vandals. Never been a huge follower but the show was a really fun time. A tight, melodic and very funny band having a good time with a very enthusiastic crowd. I know, that review is generic as shit but it's all I feel like writing. let the music do the talking I guess.
The Vandals - Girls Turn 18 Every Day
And I was there with a good friend of mine who used to be in a great Vandals-influenced band...
The Dean Malenkos - I Just Wanna Make A Fuss
I had expected much like with The Twilight Singers that the setlist wouldn't deviate much between towns, especially since there's just one album's worth of material to play. It kind of works for Dulli as he almost aims for that soul revue kind of format going from town to town; some bit sof the show may be rehearsed, but it's only to make it more entertaining. Since I've been listening to the show from Paris I expected pretty much the same thing. It was true for the proper set but when the encore started with I'm Ready it was a welcome surprise. And in lieu of No Easy Action they pulled Hit The City from the Lanegan catalog with Dulli hitting the PJ Harvey parts. Great stuff.
Saturday was when the punks came into the picture. First off with Doomsday, which is a perfect big screen b-movie. Don't expect anything too new (unless you've never seen Road Warrior, Escape From New York and the likes) but it's good for a fun night out.
Sunday was when it was time to be among the punks and see The Vandals. Never been a huge follower but the show was a really fun time. A tight, melodic and very funny band having a good time with a very enthusiastic crowd. I know, that review is generic as shit but it's all I feel like writing. let the music do the talking I guess.
The Vandals - Girls Turn 18 Every Day
And I was there with a good friend of mine who used to be in a great Vandals-influenced band...
The Dean Malenkos - I Just Wanna Make A Fuss
Gutter Twins tomorrow night
I've been waiting for the The Gutter Twins album for quite some time. I'm very happy with it and I'm very happy that the tour has also come this way. Tomorrow night is the big night. I was thinking about making the trip to Montreal to see them the next day but it looks like that isn't going to work into the plans this time. When the Twilight Singers came through here last I followed along to Montreal and had an amazing time at the show and out drinking with the Afterhours boys after the show.
There's a very succinct and kind of funny interview with Mark Lanegan HERE.
And a slightly longer interview with Greg Dulli HERE.
So, here's that live show from Paris in one convenient file:
The Gutter Twins - Live In Paris
Also, the album The Screaming Trees were working on before they called it quits...
Screaming Trees - Unreleased Album
Unrelated, but I've just re-uploaded this one from a much earlier post. It's an amazing album, my favorite by him by far.
Tim Buckley - Blue Afternoon
The Wire
So the final episode of The Wire is airing tonight.
There's really no other show quite like as far as the quality and the scope of the storylines. The characters all have their own importance and there is no clear "hero" or lead in the show. It's a far cry from crap like 24 and even a step up from shows like the Sopranos.
I've seen the hour and half finale and it's certainly a fitting and worthy and to the show. There are only a few storylines that seem a little contrived in how they tie them up and what they do with them, but it's still a wholly satisfying end. Ok, more satisfying would be for it to keep going, because of course the stories won't actually stop here.
Here's a few versions of the theme song and the opening credits from Season 2 (feat Tom's original recording from Frank's Wild Years).
Tom Waits & Kronos Quartet - Way Down In The Hole
Blind Boys Of Alabama -Way Down In The Hole
Steve Earle - Way Down in the Hole
There's really no other show quite like as far as the quality and the scope of the storylines. The characters all have their own importance and there is no clear "hero" or lead in the show. It's a far cry from crap like 24 and even a step up from shows like the Sopranos.
I've seen the hour and half finale and it's certainly a fitting and worthy and to the show. There are only a few storylines that seem a little contrived in how they tie them up and what they do with them, but it's still a wholly satisfying end. Ok, more satisfying would be for it to keep going, because of course the stories won't actually stop here.
Here's a few versions of the theme song and the opening credits from Season 2 (feat Tom's original recording from Frank's Wild Years).
Tom Waits & Kronos Quartet - Way Down In The Hole
Blind Boys Of Alabama -Way Down In The Hole
Steve Earle - Way Down in the Hole
CMW
CMW or Canadian Music Week is a happening this week in Toronto. Sadly this year it's a bit less impressive to me than in the past as most of the bands playing ome through town regularly or are from here. The only thing that really caught my eye is The Breeders but it's already starting and I'm just not into trucking across town and paying $30 for a show that I'm only half into. So tonight I will venture out into the blizzard that's hitting and go see Dog Day and few other folks from my old stomping ground.
Here's a couple of new tunes that excite me.
The Notwist - Good Lies I loved Neon Golden, been waiting patiently for a proper release to come along. Not much longer now.
dEUS (feat Karin Drejer) - Slow They've always been floating under the radar, were kind of hit and miss for me at first, then I sort of ignored them for a while until I heard Pocket Revolution. The first track from that, Bad Timing, was this epic song that just builds and knocks you on your ass. Slow is really great too, very promising for the new album. I love the contrast of Karin's (from The Knife) voice. Good shit.
And in my early prep for next Friday's Gutter Twins show, here's The Twilight Singers live with Mark Lanegan.
Live With Me
Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Here's a couple of new tunes that excite me.
The Notwist - Good Lies I loved Neon Golden, been waiting patiently for a proper release to come along. Not much longer now.
dEUS (feat Karin Drejer) - Slow They've always been floating under the radar, were kind of hit and miss for me at first, then I sort of ignored them for a while until I heard Pocket Revolution. The first track from that, Bad Timing, was this epic song that just builds and knocks you on your ass. Slow is really great too, very promising for the new album. I love the contrast of Karin's (from The Knife) voice. Good shit.
And in my early prep for next Friday's Gutter Twins show, here's The Twilight Singers live with Mark Lanegan.
Live With Me
Where Did You Sleep Last Night
the past two weeks.
It's been a while again, this time due to being away and spending time with a special lady. Here's a recap of the past little while.
I saw Be Kind Rewind, which was good, but not the home run I was expecting. The "Sweded" bits were lots of fun, and there were some great moments but the story lacked anything resembling heart or an emotional draw. I may have laughed my ass off from time to time but when it was over I really didn't take anything away from it.
I managed to check out some good rock n roll (Cuban Assassins, The Hot Springs) and some cute indie pop (The Superfantastics); they were good but I didn't stay for the whole set, I guess a guitar being in tune is just a big thing for me.
Cuban Assassins - Baby C'mon
The Oscars happened, the people I really wanted to win did (Marion Cotillard for La Vie En Rose/La Môme, Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová for best song) but I would have liked to have seen Lars and the Real Girl win best screenplay.
I ate some delicious beef and pork.
I watched episode 9 of The Wire's 5th and final season. Pretty great stuff, have to say possibly the best show on TV and sad to see it ending, but better than having the quality dive like in Rescue Me or Saved By The Bell. It's great to see stories span beyond seasons and things roll out in realistic timelines (fuck you 24). It's an investment to get into but completely worth it. This is the perfect show for DVD. Now if only The Shield season 7 would hit the air.
I found out what Sarah Silverman was doing with Matt Damon a little while ago... but what Jimmy Kimmel was doing with Ben Affleck really caught me by suprise (details here)
The Big Sleep's new album is out now.
So is R.I.P.; Rocket From The Crypt's last show ever in recorded bliss. Of course, you're better off going HERE or to your local indie record shop and buying the actual disc as it comes with a DVD too. There's a couple songs and some info at The Choir Croaks
Lastly The Gutter Twins is coming tomorrow. It'll be in stores and on iTunes.
I've got mine already and it's all I could want from the parties involved. Something familiar but yet still very much new. You can download a full live show over at Captain's Dead. And be sure to check them out on the road if you can.
The Gutter Twins - I Was In Love With You
Figured I'd mention the new Goldfrapp ... I really liked Felt Mountain, then they went all shiny disco... the new album is good but reminds me too much of other things. At times Janis Ian or Phoebe Snow, sometimes Martina Topley-Bird, and at its worst Lisa Stansfield. Also, synths are never going to the job strings do with the same effect.
Goldfrapp - Little Bird
Black Mountain are playing in a couple days... I may go, the new album is good and I love this song.
I saw Be Kind Rewind, which was good, but not the home run I was expecting. The "Sweded" bits were lots of fun, and there were some great moments but the story lacked anything resembling heart or an emotional draw. I may have laughed my ass off from time to time but when it was over I really didn't take anything away from it.
I managed to check out some good rock n roll (Cuban Assassins, The Hot Springs) and some cute indie pop (The Superfantastics); they were good but I didn't stay for the whole set, I guess a guitar being in tune is just a big thing for me.
Cuban Assassins - Baby C'mon
The Oscars happened, the people I really wanted to win did (Marion Cotillard for La Vie En Rose/La Môme, Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová for best song) but I would have liked to have seen Lars and the Real Girl win best screenplay.
I ate some delicious beef and pork.
I watched episode 9 of The Wire's 5th and final season. Pretty great stuff, have to say possibly the best show on TV and sad to see it ending, but better than having the quality dive like in Rescue Me or Saved By The Bell. It's great to see stories span beyond seasons and things roll out in realistic timelines (fuck you 24). It's an investment to get into but completely worth it. This is the perfect show for DVD. Now if only The Shield season 7 would hit the air.
I found out what Sarah Silverman was doing with Matt Damon a little while ago... but what Jimmy Kimmel was doing with Ben Affleck really caught me by suprise (details here)
The Big Sleep's new album is out now.
So is R.I.P.; Rocket From The Crypt's last show ever in recorded bliss. Of course, you're better off going HERE or to your local indie record shop and buying the actual disc as it comes with a DVD too. There's a couple songs and some info at The Choir Croaks
Lastly The Gutter Twins is coming tomorrow. It'll be in stores and on iTunes.
I've got mine already and it's all I could want from the parties involved. Something familiar but yet still very much new. You can download a full live show over at Captain's Dead. And be sure to check them out on the road if you can.
The Gutter Twins - I Was In Love With You
Figured I'd mention the new Goldfrapp ... I really liked Felt Mountain, then they went all shiny disco... the new album is good but reminds me too much of other things. At times Janis Ian or Phoebe Snow, sometimes Martina Topley-Bird, and at its worst Lisa Stansfield. Also, synths are never going to the job strings do with the same effect.
Goldfrapp - Little Bird
Black Mountain are playing in a couple days... I may go, the new album is good and I love this song.
remember me?
I have been piss poor at posting lately.
It's not because I've been incredibly busy or anything, just pretty lazy. I've been seeing some fun shows, listening to some good stuff and getting ready for a great week.
It's not because I've been incredibly busy or anything, just pretty lazy. I've been seeing some fun shows, listening to some good stuff and getting ready for a great week.
A bit of catching up...
Started the month helping a friend move in the midst of a blizzard. Next day I went hardcore with Sick Of It All and Madball in a sweaty little mess of a show on a snowy night. I'll freely admit I'm not a huge hardcore guy or anything but it's always good to see impecably tight musicians playing to a full house of fans who know all the words and go nuts for every song on the set list, showing off all the ways they know to dance. There are so many shows these days with lifeless crowds who just sit and stare, which works for some music, but really sucks the life out of something as visceral as a good rock show.
I ended up sick in bed after that which led me to watch the first season of Damages. It's a great show, there's plenty of twists and plot devices but they're far more credible than anything you'll see in the movies these days (Fracture, I'm looking at you). It's not going to replace The Shield in my must watch list, or contend with The Wire as far as being completely mindblowing but with those series ending I have to keep my eyes open for new things.
I know I did some other stuff, likely drank a bit much sometimes and eventually had Valentine's sneak up on me. I spent it with a lovely lady... while she is not my lady it was a nice evening to see a long awaited Nina Nastasia show. Local boy Ken Reaume opened the night in a very nice way, reminds me subtley of Elliot Smith, but with nylon string guitar as the weapon of choice. His style and approach really manage to make him really stand out from the usual guy with a guitar singer/songwriter, highly recommended by me (for whatever that's worth). The main problem with Ken and Nina's sets were outside of their control, they were playing the El Mocambo which had another band playing upstairs and when you have so solo singers with acoustic guitars you can't drown out the bleed through of crappy music. In spite of that, Nina's set was still a very beautiful thing, there's just something in her voice that makes you feel like she means every line she sings and never considers going through the motions. It sort of feels intrusive to be watching her as it appears she is simply playing, and not for the sake of those who came to see her but more in service of the songs. Definitely a different crowd from the Sick Of It All show but the performances were equally intense.
I'll be heading East to see my lovely lady very soon, so I may or may not be around here. Either way, here's some tunes.
Nina Nastasia - Why Don't You Stay Home? (Daytrotter Session)
and in honour of Valentine's past The Rentals - The Last Romantic Day
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