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Tuesday , December 14, 2010
Heavy Rotation: Interpol, Josef K, ZZ Top, Neil Young
Interpol, "Summer Well"
Despite my official Interpol-ambivalence, I can't help but have what I call a "bro spot" for them in my heart. We're basically from the same generation of New Yorkers, meaning we first arrived in the city at around the same time and kicked around at the same nightlife parties in our struggling-in-the-shithouse days--only of course they got out of the shithouse and became successful rock stars. Or are they successful rock stars? Strangely enough, judging from their latest, self-titled album, they seem to be going through some doubt or lack of focus or early midlife crises or something about their successful rock star-ness. "Summer Well" is off Interpol, and it occupies the hallowed "track three" position of the record, which I've always said is the "iconic song of the album" position of most albums. That's pretty true in this case, as what's great and what's not with this track epitomizes the strengths and limitations of the record--it begins promisingly, but it doesn't quite gel in a strange way. Overall Interpol sound as dark and stylish as ever, and they may be even a little more vulnerable and revealing in terms of emotional content--but there's something about their songs in this go-round that doesn't quite cohere. Maybe they are sad that their bro gang is breaking up, what with Carlos D taking his gun holster and Latin-Gothic vibe somewhere else? I don't know, because even when Interpol flirted with mournfulness and melancholy, they still knew how to power out a track like "Slow Hands." They need a bit of that back in their groove, along with those nifty little dance-shuffles that they do in the video. Gentlemen of Interpol, if you're reading this: Cheer up! Hugs, not drugs! Go to Hawaii! Something! There's a bro spot in my heart with your name on it when you do, dudes! (Kat)
Josef K, "Fun 'N' Frenzy"
Before there was Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and a million other herky-jerky bands, THERE WAS JOSEF K!!! Seriously amazing post-punk from Scotland back in the day. Check out their anthologies Endless Soul or Entomology, you won't be sorry. Rock critics overuse the word "seminal" for bands like Josef K, but in this case, it's totally warranted. Half of musical 2006 wouldn't have existed without them! (Kat)
ZZ Top, "Balinese"
BUY THIS MP3
On Monday night at the bar down the street from my house I got a Violet Vapor (champagne + creme de violet) and ate strawberries from a plastic bag in my purse and Nick the IT Guy from The Office was there and they played this song. I like this song because I like all songs that were in the movie Dazed and Confused, and also because - according to allmusic.com - Guys' Night Out is my favorite music theme. So let's have a Guys' Night Out sometime. Let's make every night a Guys' Night Out from now on. (Liz)
Neil Young, "When You Dance I Can Really Love"
BUY THIS MP3
I was in a bad mood yesterday! So I went for a walk, like Einstein. After about an hour "When You Dance I Can Really Love" came up on my iPod shuffle and my black mood lifted a little and I made the decision that all discotheques everywhere should always play lots of Neil Young (or bars or whatever, wherever you go dancing on Guys' Night Out).
DJ BLACK EYES'S TOP FIVE FAVORITE NEIL YOUNG SONGS FOR DANCING (with dance-style suggestions)
5. "Are You Ready for the Country?" (the jitterbug - but, like, a slow jitterbug)
4. "When You Dance I Can Really Love" ("generic rock dancing")
3. "Sedan Delivery" (Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club)
2. "Cortez the Killer" (weird ballet)
1. "Cinnamon Girl" (any old way you want)
P.S. "Welfare Mothers" almost made the cut. The suggested dance style for that one would be "new wave." (Liz)
Tags: Albert Einstein, bad moods, bro spots, Dazed and Confused, discotheques, DJ Black Eyes, Guys' Night Out, Hawaii, Interpol, Josef K, Neil Young, sly Mad Men references, the jitterbug, Violet Vapor
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5 Comments!!
Listening: a LOT of Jay-Z. So much that my boyfriend may declare some hours at home Jay-Z free hours. Which is sad, but fair, I suppose. And luckily we spend a lot of time apart, so I can usually get my fix in the car when I'm alone, or with others who either appreciate Hov or don't care.
Watching: Mad Men, I'm on the last disc of Season 2 and looking very much forward to Season 3.
Reading: The second book in The Hunger Games series. SO GOOD. Soon I hope to reading To Have Not by the amazing writer Frances Lefkowitz and also the new Jonathan Franzen book. What's all this fuss about the New York Times Book Review being so in love with Franzen that they ignore female writers? I don't buy it.
Wearing: work pants and cardigans and ballerina buns.
Wanting: a job at which I can work three 12-hour days, like 8 to 8 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and have the other days off, that does not involve sixth graders in any way, shape or form.
Eating (I'm adding eating b/c of Mason): We just signed up for a farm share and the people I babysit for gave me their farm share this week as they are away, so we are SWIMMING IN VEGETABLES. It's so great.
By Sarah on September 10, 2010 11:09 AM
So delighted that someone appreciates Josef K! Actually, there are so many gems from that post-punk period.
By Amy on September 10, 2010 11:30 AM
sarah, you are in pretty much the exact same place as me in Mad Men!
and i am SO EXCITED that someone else is reading The Hunger Games series! i think the second book is my favorite.
YAY!
xo k.
By Kat
on September 10, 2010 1:27 PM
Yes, that whole Postcard Records scene was fantastic, but post-punk in general at that time was pretty phenomenal! so glad someone out there appreciates it, maybe i'll delve into the bowels of my collection to include more...
xo k.
By Kat
on September 10, 2010 1:31 PM
Every night out is a guy's night out with me, as most of my friends are dudes and I get phone calls that start with "We're having a boy's night and you're invited!"
By JP on September 10, 2010 11:11 PM