Friday night I stood for two-plus hours in awe as I watched The Appleseed Cast perform their entire 2001 double album Low Level Owl. The Lawrence, Kansas emo band played to a packed crowd at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge, and gracefully played the criminally overlooked double album, with a brief intermission breaking up the two volumes and … [Read more…]
Anyone who complained about Jim DeRogatis’ review of The Pixies’ Doolittle-themed show because DeRogatis focused on the band’s rampant commercialism must be shocked by Pixies’ frontman Black Francis/Frank Black’s interview with Quietus [via Pitchfork]: “We’re interested in anything that’s going to earn us a fair wage. It’s not to say it’s not about art, but … [Read more…]
PBS aired an hour-long documentary on sampling about an hour ago, featuring one very odd talking head. “Copyright Criminals” had a fantastic array of characters involved in sampling music, including a pretty interesting discussion with Clyde Stubblefield, who’s “funky drummer” beat has provided countless hip-hop hits with one intense breakbeat. Stubblefield’s inclusion in the doc. … [Read more…]
It’s been well over a week since Jim DeRogatis reviewed the first night of The Pixies’ three-night Doolittle retrospective at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom. DeRogatis caused quite a stir among Pixies fans with statements like: …it’s hard to consider them anything but a cynical corporation cashing in on blatant nostalgia–a hipper version of Creedence Clearwater Revisited … [Read more…]
I came across this odd post entitled “The Origin of Emo” on an unusually blank WordPress blog (though the thing appears to be written by a Thom Lloyd, which is the gmail address at the bottom of the article). It’s the only post, and it’s written in a pseudo-term-paper light, with citations that don’t really … [Read more…]
What good is romance in America if there isn’t a mixtape to express said feelings? In honor of Valentine’s day, here’s a little mix for you all… and it ain’t all emo (remember, blues and rock were wearing themes of love and romance quite well and long before emo came through). Enjoy: 1. Volcano, I’m … [Read more…]