Currently listening to: The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds. Finally broke down and bought it after almost 40 years (holy crap!) of rave reviews. I really like most of it. Could do without stuff like Lets Go Away For a While. I got the version with the original mono mix and the 1996 stereo mix. The stereo mix is almost too cleaned up. When you have that first drum hit at the beginning of Wouldn't It Be Nice, the original has just a little distortion on it which gives it a nice kick, a little crack. The new undistorted mix with too much reverb on it looses the impact. I love the timpani, there just isn't enough timpani on rock albums these days. Sweet album, I could go over all the highlights but you already know them, and if you don't you should buy this album!

Just got back from Everyday Music (the one on W Burnside) and bought these...
Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Primal Scream - XTRMNTR

I'm so tired of music critics and supposed alt-indie-better-than-thou-hipster-rock-fans spewing off about how some new band or album sounds like their favorite band, and how they discovered the most original band first when they were only 12 and everything since is just a rip-off of that. Well, to all those folks, blow it out your ass. I don't care if something sounds vaguely like something else. Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin were just ripping off American Blues which was ripping of traditional African music so this is all a moot point, I just covered the history of pop/rock/rap/R&B/techno/soul/metal/punk in one sentence. Which brings me to Kasabian. I'm tired of people saying they sound like The Stone Roses and Primal Scream and then dismissing their album. Yes, if you look down a couple posts I do the same thing... or do I. Go ahead read it, I can wait a couple minutes.... no really go ahead, its short.... you done yet? ok, So you'll notice I DID NOT do the same thing. I used a little something I borrowed from CMJ: RIYL, that's right Recommended If You Like! Its a quick and easy starting place, lets you know if you like those bands you'll probably like Kasabian and vice versa. I tried to explain their sound before I even got to the RIYL, but used it as a nice little summation. So, does Kasabian's album have some resemblance to those other bands? Yes. But also, does Kasabian's album rock? Yes! Is it good? Yes! Should you buy it? Yes! If you'd rather worry about what your hipster friend thinks, then piss off, if you want a great album, whith great tunes, a swagger, some funk, a little darkness, some in-your-face groove, then go buy Kasabian!

On four.... FOUR! The thumping 4 on the floor rhythm kicks in. Burried layers of guitars and fuzzed synths hide behind Guy's smokey half speed vocals, and thus Fallen Angels by Elbow sucks you in to it's droning haze. You may not even realize for a few listens that there are extremely few chord changes in this song, but when they hit... its oh so rewarding... who's ever heard of a one chord chorus, then bam you get sucked in just as the chorus fades. Mid-way through after one such chord change, a slapped guitar 'solo', more like tasty specially chosen notes, signals an instrumental break with more layers of ooohs and aaahs. I gotta say I really dig this song. It is repetitive but never boring, straight forward but has many hidden angles. There are so many layers of sound in this song, you could listen to it 10 times in a row and find something new each time. Then at the end, you keep thinking you're gonna your reward and they drag you out, no chord change, you get nothing and you'll like, like a big tease, so you hit rewind and start all over and over and over!

Woah, saw Kasabian at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland last Wed. What a great gig! They had lots of energy. The set was a bit short as they were opening for The Music, who I found less exciting. Kasabian is a great mix of high energy rock and roll and techno. So many bands coming out right now are trying to outdo each other in how low-fi they can sound, but Kasabian bask in the technology, use it to their advantage. Pumping basslines, driving guitar, funky beats and catchy vocals, very sweet. Of course that's just the first song, they can slow it down a bit, make things a bit spooky, dramatic, darker, but always with a great beat and an underlying energy. Check out the long intro to ID, then the drums kick in, propelling the song forward. Recommended If You Like:: Pop Will Eat Itself, Primal Scream, The Stone Roses, Oasis, Chemical Brothers, LCD Soundsystem, Junkie XL.

Holy carp, The Poppies are back and are playing 5 gigs in England.... wwwoooooaaarrrgghhhh. First shows in 9 years. If you aren't familiar with Pop Will Eat Itself, think Buzzcocks meet the Beastie Boys meet 808 State. They were one of the first to blend rock/techno/rap. I first came to know them on their classic album This Is The Hour, This Is The Day, This Is This! But didn't get to see them until the Dos Dedos Mis Amigos tour at the Metro in Chicago in like 1993, then they dissapeared up their own asses, Clint doing soundtrack work, the other dude in Bently Rhythm Ace and the rest doing bugger all. Anyway, if you're into Kasabian and wanna know about their influences check out PWEI!!!!

Blogging's kinda dumb. I never read anyone else's blogs, why should anybody read mine?

1st on the lighter side of life.....
Autolux!!!! new album Future Perfect... it rocks!!! Think Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, new Fugazi and later day Beatles. Very sweet, Very Good. Erg Mooi!


This in from the NYTimes... Bush is unConstitutional!!!
Nov. 8 - A federal judge ruled Monday that President Bush had both overstepped his constitutional bounds and improperly brushed aside the Geneva Conventions in establishing military commissions to try detainees at the United States naval base here as war criminals.
Imagine that!!!??!?!?

Just in case you need a refresher here is the Constitution of the United States of America. This is actually some pretty good stuff. The cats who started this country were on to something. Its amazing how well this things holds up over 200 years later. We really should pay more attention to our Constitution! Read it a couple of times, print it out, staple it to your wall, keep a copy in your car. It might come in handy!!!

Here are some more goodies that are handy to know about.....

• Ever wonder where all those pesky laws come from or where the tax rules reside that you run into every April 15th? Check this puppy out: US Code
• Man they go off on the King. Wouldn't want to be in his shoes: Declaration of Independence. National Archives version
• The pre-amble to our current Constitution, not so bad either: Articles of Confederation
• Some good PR for the Constitution: The Federalist Papers, another version
• And don't forget there is a pretty big world out there, too! Here's some thoughts from the Geneva Convention. It gets a bit wordy, but remember, it's the tought that counts! Also see the next link under "Humanitarian Law"
  
• and finally the good folks at the UN are keeping a eye out for ya! International human rights documents
  

and on a lighter note....

This Thursday... Puerto Rico Islanders vs. Portland Timbers A-League soccer! 7pm at PGE Park in beautiful downtown Portland.

So far a most triumphant weekend....
Thurs.... Timbers beat Calgary 2-1 to qualify for the A-League playoffs. Game winning goal came from Fadi Afash in the 89th minute.

Fri..... John Kerry rally in downtown Portland brings 30,000-50,000 people to sweat with the next President of the United States

Fri night.... 2004 Olympic games opening ceremony features a pretty groovy 90 minute set from DJ Tiesto!!!!

sweet, sweet and sweet

OK two more things today....
For good music and good politics go out and buy Rock Against Bush Vol. 2 from the good folks at PunkVoter and Fat Wreck Chords

here's an interesting page... Cost Of War. This site also has many good links to good info... Let's educate ourselves and fight the right-wing conservatives who are mis-representing our country.

Listen up Portland people.....
Thursday August 12th... Portland Timbers Vs. Calgary Mustangs A-League soccer at PGE park 7pm. Come join the fun... hang out with the nutters of the Timbers Army in section 107 behind the north goal post. Join up before and after the game for drinks at the Bullpen (across 18th Ave from PGE).

Friday August 13th.... John Kerry at Portland's Waterfront Park 10am, in the bowl just south of the Hawthorne Bridge. Guests include Theresa Heinz-Kerry, Jon Bon Jovi & Leonardo DiCaprio. For more info... Dems of Oregon. This rally is open to the public, come one come all!!! No tix necessary, just bring a friend and your enthusiasm.

Howdy, I'm back!!!
The Portland Timbers beat the Minnesota Thunder 3-0 last night, way to go boys. Looks like John Kerry will be in the grand state of Oregon next week. He'll be in Medford on the 12th of August and Portland on Friday the 13th. What will make Friday the 13th scary though is that Bush Jr. may be here also.

This just in... seems the number of smog action days may be on the rise for eastern cities in the future. Maybe the Repugnant party will start paying attention to our destruction of the environment once it starts affecting their voters where they live. Lets hope we all wise up before its to late for us or future generations!

Crap... lesson one, don't click on links in preview, cuz then you loose all your work. Ok I was ranting about how bad the Timbers-Flounders game was yesterday, but its gone so nevermind.... 5 games left, Timbers rule, Timbers Army rulez... whatever

Portland Timbers Vs. Seattle Flounders
Saturday July 24th @ PGE Park 7pm

We are the Timbers Army
We are mental and we are barmy
True supporters forever more!

Come join the lunatics in section 107

In the car this morning...
Rancid - Indestructible
listening to now....
Tricky - Blow Back

This is a call to all Portlanders to get out a support the Timbers, our A-League soccer team. There are rumors of MLS interest in Portland!!! How exciting would it be to have top level soccer in PDX??!!!?! I know there are rumors of Major League Baseball in PDX, but I'm not optimistic about that. One major difference is that a major soccer team would not require a $400M brand spanking new stadium. So get out to the Timbers next game July 24th versus hated rivals the Seattle Sounders. In the meantime here's some links for the Timbers... and as always feel free to stop by Sec 107 to sit with the lunies of the Timbers Army, America's fiercest soccer fans!!!
Portland Timbers Official Site
Soccer City USA - have a chat on the Timbers message board, game recaps and great pix
Timberlog - Timber fan's blog
Timbers Army
Timbers Army - Drumman's site
Timbers Army Newsletter
Timbers Fan Page

Just got back from the Portland Timbers game. They lost 3-0 to MLS's SJ Earthquakes. This was the first time in the WoodShed with the Timbers Army. What a great time, it rivalled the student section at U of Iowa Hawkeyes games (although smaller).

Currently listening to....
Air - Talkie Walkie
Boards of Canada - Geogaddi

Wednesday July 14th Portland Timbers Vs. San Jose Earthquakes in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
In town Thurs July 15th - Sonic Youth @ the Crystal Ballroom

Baseball starts for real today...SWEET!! Go Mariners.
Recent Tunes:
The Libertines - Up The Bracket. Very nice, sort of a mix between the Yardbirds, The Kinks, The Strokes. Some people say The Clash as well, but I'm not getting that. Should quickly move to the head of the pack of bands starting with "The"
Also Listening to The Clash's London Calling. Now when people say this is PUNK they don't mean Blink 182, Rancid, or Government Issue. This is punk circa 1979, which nowadays sounds like good old fashioned ROCK N ROLL with just a touch of attitude... A VERY NICE ALBUM, as they say in grand ol'Blighty.. Buy Or Die! Apparently they're saying that in Portland too. Or maybe I'll just start a trend. A nearly useless trend mind you, but these things have gotta start somewhere, now don't they??!!?!?!?! Does anybody read this thing anyway?? What the heck are you doing wasting your time with my jibberish??? Well, thanks for stopping in, its downright nice of ya!