buster's blog

Röyksopp

Before my end of the year list turns into a recap, let me backtrack a little bit.  I will, however, continue with my "2 degrees of the Knife" series.

What Else Is There?

This song, and its video, are just stunning.  I had heard a couple of Röyksopp tracks, and a few remixes they did for other artists, but I really was not expecting something like this.  Karin Dreijer, of the Knife, does vocals on this track and the result is heavenly. 

I hate youtube and its horrible video quality, so I really do suggesting forking over the 1.99 to get the video in hi-res on iTunes or wherever you can find it.  If I wasn't lazy I would upload it myself.  After getting over my initial obsession with this song and video (I'm still not), I ventured onto more Röyksopp songs and eventually full albums.
 

Poor Leno

Their first album, Melody AM, is good.  There are a few standout tracks, but overall it's very solid.  The video for "Poor Leno" is to the right.  Naturally, I wiki'd the shit out of them and "Eple" was used by... Apple!  Can't remember if it was for a commercial but something about the sound when you log on.  Sorry, I should provide accurate information, but I told you, I'm lazy.  Anyway the video for "Remind Me" is really good too, but THAT was used in a Geico commercial which I have yet to see.  I bet it's on youtube though.  Lazy.  I found the 2 disc limited edition version of this at Amoeba and it has some remixes.

Circuit Breaker

Royksopp

The Understanding, however, is pure genius.  Everything about it is just gorgeous.  I mean, look at the album cover!  I really don't feel like I should say anything further.  But I will.  It's very lush and dramatic, which I think is epitomized by the track I've posted to the left.  There is also a limited edition version with 6 extra songs, those included, not a single song I would skip.  I mean I listen to certain ones on repeat, but I can also listen to it the whole way through, and this shit is long, and just start over from the beginning without a thought.   Seriously, I should take a screen shot of my iTunes most played playlist.

They also have a live EP, a Back To Mine comp, and several singles and remixes (most notably, the What Else Is There single, even more notably, the Trentemoller remix) and I suggest you find them all anyway you can. 

emmon

i love this woman.  her name is emmon.  she did a remix of "you take my breath away" by the knife.  and i'm sure she did other things, but she has an album called "the art & the evil" and i've been playing it to death.  you should check her out.
 

Friends

Emmon - Rock d'amour

misha

Misha

I have been listening to Teardrop Sweetheart by Misha on non-stop for a couple weeks now.  I stumbled across a copy of their album at my place of employment and almost immediately fell in love.  It's such a fun, sincere, lush sounding record.    Quiet, catchy, glitchy, dancey, mellow, sad, happy pop.  Is that enough contradicting adjectives for you to want to listen?

The album is officially released today, but unfortunately, it's only available (physically) on amazon.  But iTunes and emusic has it too. 

Scars

The Book Of Glaciers

Vox Hunt: So Far, So Good

Audio: Show us the best album (new or old) that you've bought this year.

volta

Most Memorable Performances Part 2

Bjork at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / Vespertine Tour

temporary member of greenland choir

OK so two shows from the same tour, but this one is memorable for everything that happened but the show, not that the show was BAD at all, it was a great show.  But this is the event that I met my bff Laura for the first time and we had so many good times.  We also spent after the show stalking Bjork with no success, hanging out with Christina and her crew, seeing Matmos and Beck and Margaret Cho rumors.  Eating some really expensive leaves.  Laughing at the Greenland choir who were all outside smoking, and later taking a picture with them. 

Sleater-Kinney at that place at Hollywood + Highland

pride and joy

This was our (mine, Dan, Laura) first S-K show ever, and that counts for something because it triggered a series of events that our easily some of my most cherished memories.  At this particular show I met Nikole (who was also at the last show).  The venue got moved at the last minute, so we were there waiting, and we got in and it was so beautiful.  There were curtains surrounding the circular stage and they started playing One Beat and the curtains opened and my life was changed forever.

Sleater-Kinney in Portland/Seattle x 2

hot rock

We took a trip out to the Pacific Northwest for 3 Sleater-Kinney shows.  We saw Sleater-Kinney Rd, and took our own version of the Hot Rock cover.  Man, we're cheezy.  But yeah.  The first time we heard Giraffe, and so glad I have boots of these shows.

Veruca Salt/PJ Harvey in Chicago 95? 96?

I have almost as many memorable Veruca Salt experiences as I do S-K but I have to mention this one because it was my first VS and PJ show and seeing them back to back was almost too much to handle.

I'm only mentioning the good ones because there were definitely some bad ones (cough S-K in LA cough) but yeah, I've been to a lot of fucking concerts.

QotD: Thanks for the Memories

What are the 10 most memorable music performances you've seen? (Remember, "memorable" may not be good.) 
Submitted by Bill. 

This is very difficult because the majority of the memorable moments in my life have taken place during concerts.  But here goes:

Sleater-Kinney in Portland, OR / Both farewell shows

Words + Guitar [live in Portland 8.12.06]

Seriously.  I felt like Milhouse when Moe turns the "R" in Toys R Us around.  Every Sleater-Kinney show was the best and I met so many amazing (and a few creepy) people and it was like a party.  A fucked up emotional drama party but still, a party.  So glad I went because I never would've forgiven myself if I hadn't.  Here's to a Corin solo album and a reunion?

U2/PJ Harvey in Chicago
This is probably my most referenced show ever, competing only with the show below.  Dan, Colleen, Jess, and I went to see PJ Harvey and U2 at 1 of 39048243 shows they were playing in Chicago.  We all love the PEEJ but only Colleen loves the U so we had shit seats and couldn't see.  Colleen convinced me (she didn't have to try very hard) to go with her to another night for which she scored pit tickets.  She had the brilliant idea of camping out in line.  I was all for it because that was when I liked things and had no responsibilities.  So totally unprepared, we were about 8th in line, or the 3rd group of people.  Something like that.  Here's just a list of what ensued:

-Freezing cold (no blanket)
-Scorching Heat (no sunblock)
-Rain (no cover/change of clothes/etc)
-Worst sunburn I've ever had
-Peeing into a gatorade bottle
-Ending up front and center in Bono's crotch
-Making a sign that said "We <3 Polly"
-Not getting killed by U2 fans for said sign
-Polly laughing at said sign and saying thank you

It was worth it, but I never thought I would survive the 13+ hours we were sitting outside

Bjork in Chicago / Vespertine Tour

The weekend prior to this show involved Margaret Cho, 500+ mile road trip, meeting my friend Belen, and not having tickets to see Bjork at the Lyric Opera House.  Scalpers were selling tix for 500 bucks and my bf and I had all but given up when we saw a short line of people at the box office.  So we went in, got in line for about an hour, and what do you know they're releasing tickets!  So I bought 2 for face value and all was right in the world.  Until the usher walked us to our seats.  I kept looking at our tickets and like wtf why do we keep walking.  She showed us our row, I looked at the stage, and almost started crying.  We sat down and I could hardly breathe.  We had front row tickets.  FRONT ROW.  That we got DAY OF the show, while scalpers were selling nosebleed seats for 500$.  Definitely one of the proudest moments in my life

Bjork at Red Rocks in Colorado

Mouth's Cradle [Live at Red Rocks 8.18.03]

This show was special for so many reasons.  First of all, Denver is one of my favorite places in the world.  Second, it's Red Rocks.  Bjork.  At Red Rocks.  Come on.  Third, I was with my bf and my bff.  Fourth, it was my birthday.  Fifth, it was my 21ST BIRTHDAY.  We had really good seats, and the weather was crazy and unpredictable, but this was probably my favorite Bjork show I've seen yet.  I got a poster at a record store there for the show, it's hanging in my living room.

Tori Amos in Denver, CO

Yeah.  I'm so over Tori.  But there was a time that I was teetering on the edge of EWF.  But the show was such a small part of what made this experience memorable.  First, Colleen, Jess, and I in a car for 19 hours, me going 100mph, Jess falling asleep at the wheel, having no money, eating Papa Johns with Rachael in a dirty hotel room, meeting Christina and Sara, having pictures to prove it.  Oh yeah we met Tori too and blah blah.

Underworld in Chicago / Two Months Off tour

I should've been at this show with Colleen but for whatever reason we weren't talking (this used to happen all the time, not just with her, I'm sure it's a problem that I have but that's another post) anyway, it was unbelievably amazing.  I don't dance.  Unless I'm drunk or everyone around me is horrible.  But omg.  I was drenched in sweat, dancing with frat boys and raver girls and everyone and I have never been to a show where I was just so completely taken over by the music, it was like there was nothing else.  Very hard to put into words, but I will never forget this show.  And they're touring again this fall what do you know.

This is going to have to be like a 5 part series because I'm not even close to being done.

 

Vox Hunt: Dancing Machine

Video: Show us some great dancing.

Sleater-Kinney meet Ratso/Chic-A-Go-Go

best movies of 2006

10.  The Science of Sleep

The Science of Sleep

Michel Gondry.  A movie about dreams.  It's as confusing and beautiful as you would expect from that criteria.







9.  Inside Man

Inside Man

A solid Spike Lee film with an excellent cast and more plot twists than you can count. 











8.  Shortbus

Shortbus

Shortbus is the second full length film from John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig & The Angry Inch) about love and life in NYC and the dis-connect that comes with it.  The highlight of the film is Sook-Yin Lee (remember Kwahng-Yi from Hedwig?!)








7.  The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

I am slightly biased because I adore Asia Argento, but this movie which was adapted and directed by Asia, also starring her, was extremely disturbing but totally beautiful.  The imagery was spot-on and I don't think anyone could've done it better.  You will be comforted knowing JT Leroy was a hoax. 







6.  An Inconvenient Truth 

An Inconvenient Truth

The "Al Gore" documentary.  Global warming in a nutshell, in simple, easy to comprehend terms.  It's almost laughable that we are still fighting to convince people that global warming is a real threat and is happening now.  But this film will easily open many peoples' eyes who think otherwise, or think that it has nothing to do with them, or even that there is nothing they can do. 






5.  Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls

I like a lot of embarassing things.  American Idol is not one of them.  I hate that show.  But when my bf pointed out Jennifer Hudson on one of the seasons I got way too into it.  She has one of the most amazing voices I've heard in recent times.  She is just a natural and this role was made for her.  l remember seeing a preview for this movie over a year ago, the teaser trailer that was out, and it was impossible to contain myself.  And that continued every time I saw it.  Jennifer as Effie makes this film, she outshines everything else about it.  Overall it's just a decent movie, but her parts make it amazing.  If you are not remotely affected by her rendition of "And I Am Telling You..." please check your pulse.


4.  The Descent

Descent

There is nothing I love more than a good horror movie.  So often though the hyped films end up being so incredibly disappointing.  But the fact that this movie kind of went under the radar, it wasn't American, and the cast was all female piqued my interest.  We went on a double date to see this, and my bf and I were clinging to eachother the whole time.  The other 2 we were with spent most of the movie laughing at us.  I was curled up in my seat, yelping, on the verge of tears several times.  It was that scary.  But oh so exciting.  Aside from some questionable plot lines (would this group of people really be friends?) and some catty drama, these are NOT horror film stereotypical damsels in distress.  I haven't seen a horror movie this good in years.  And I can tell you that I will never, ever go spelunking.  Ever.

3.  Volver

Volver

Like Dreamgirls, Penelope Cruz steals this movie.  Almodovar just keeps getting better and better.  I have to say I expected something totally different from the previews and reviews I had seen, but was pleasantly surprised.  It's almost Hitchcockian at times, lots of dark comedy, and lots of cross-generational female bonding.  I was shocked, SHOCKED, that this did not get nominated for an Oscar for foreign film.  But at least Penelope got her props.





2.  Children of Men

Children of Men

Mmmm.  The year of Clive.  So you can probably gather that I like horror movies, musicals, and anything to do with women overcoming adversity.  But I also love cautionary tales when tastefully done.  And Children of Men is kind of a watered down 1984 for our generation.  The threat of not being able to reproduce is really one of the least threatening concerns this movie raises, but it is the main focus, as it would be in today's society which I think says so much.  In a world where immigrants and treated like cattle, and the war against the poor is overt, what scares people in 2027 is when the youngest person in the world dies.  That in itself, and the possibility of it, is truly frightening.



1.  Pan's Labyrinth

Pan's Labyrinth

Hands down the best movie of the year.  A girl in post-civil war Spain is caught between a fantasy world she has created and the reality of fascist militia.  Part historical drama, part fairy tale, each aspect of the film stands completely on its own.  Very gory, and very real, with some of the most stunning characters ever created, most notable being "Pale Man" and Pan himself.  Reading this interview with Guillermo del Toro and seeing some of the sketches really put the film in new perspective for me and made me appreciate it that much more.  But don't read it until you see it!  Highly, highly recommend this film. 

Best Albums of 2006

I usually start working on my year end lists the first time I hear a good new album, so that means in January, as was this case this year.  Looking at last year's list, it's not totally accurate, meaning I only listen to about half of what was on it still, but last year was a really good year.  This year, not so much.  But the first two make life worth living so I can't say it was bad overall.  Anyway, here are my favorite albums of 2006.

10.  The Dixie Chicks - Taking The Long Way Around

The Long Way Around

All the political fallout, corporate sponsorships, and drama aside, I never would've guessed the Dixie Chicks were actually good musicians.  I appreciated what they did, because they sacrificed a lot considering their background, by standing by what they said (that is after apologizing for it, then changing their mind again) but this album is just great.  There are a few tracks that it could've done without.  But the good definitely outweighs the bad.  They have a lot of gorgeous harmonies and what separates them from the majoriy of country artists today is that their music has depth.  Anyway, I hope they continue down this path as respectable musicians.  It's amazing what people are capable of when they don't have the pressure of trying to please everyone from their fans to their record executives.  Standout tracks: Silent House, The Long Way Around, Everybody Knows

9.  Cansei De Ser Sexy - CSS

Patins

Brazil's CSS had a kind of hit with "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above" but it's surprisingly one of the weaker tracks from this album.  It's a simple, fun dance/rock record that crosses the line a couple times with songs like "Meeting Paris Hilton" but make up for it with the rest.  This is an album I found myself listening to over and over, and dancing crazily by myself to.  Standout tracks: Patins, Alala






8.  Nelly Furtado - Loose

Do It

It's a shame Nelly Furtado's last album got overlooked because it was really fucking good.  Loose is kind of a hybrid of her first 2.  The problem with Timbaland productions is that he does so many and he has such a distinct style that it all starts to bleed together and become repetitive.  But that doesn't happen here.  As with the others at the bottom of my list, there are a few tracks that make you stop and say wtf is this doing here.  But you'll find that on any Nelly album really.  Promiscuous is probably the most overplayed song of the year which will unfortunately cause the rest of the album to get overlooked.  Maneater should've been the single people paid attention to!  Anyway, standout tracks:  Do It, Glow, Wait For You



7.  Jenny Lewis - Rabbit Fur Coat

You Are What You Love

7, 6, 5 are really a three way tie...  But Jenny Lewis' solo album (well solo + the elusive Watson Twins) is very similar to a Rilo Kiley album but stands on its own quite well.  It has Jenny's trademark blend of indie country and some gutwrenching harmonies with the Watson twins, and a slightly out of place cover of "Handle With Care" that features everyone in the history of music on vocals.  Standout tracks: Born Secular, You Are What You Love, Rise Up With Fists!!!






6.  TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain

Wolf Like Me

Harmonies really seem to be my thing this year, eh?  TV On The Radio have a very unique style.  Add one of the best singles/videos of the year, guest vocals by David Bowie, and an amazing opening to the mix and you have Return to Cookie Mountain.  Every song is like an orchestra, even the ones that are a capella.  Standout tracks: Wolf Like Me, I Was A Lover, A Method






5.  Aco - Mask

不安なの･ (New Version)

Aco is a Japanese electronic artist with hints of pop and R&B.  I was really, really disappointed when I read that Mask was originally supposed to be half remix album half new songs and it got cut down to a 6 track EP.  But the fact that it still made my top 5 is telling of how much I like her.  The song to the left is one of her first singles, it was an extremely cheezy song, but this new version you would never guess is the same song.  Standout tracks: Basically all of them







4.  Pretty Girls Make Graves - Elan Vital

Selling The Wind

PGMG are one of those bands that just keep getting better with every album.  I honestly didn't like Elan Vital at first but the more I listened to it the more I appreciated it.  Seeing them live a hundred times helped (by a hundred I actually mean 3).  It's very polished and not as straight-forward as their previous albums, but all of the elements together work so well.  Standout tracks: Selling The Wind, Pictures of a Night Scene, Parade







3.  The Thermals - The Body, The Blood, The Machine

Returning To The Fold

The Thermals are a power-punk/indie rock trio from Portland, OR.  This album was recorded entirely by the only 2 original members Hutch & Kathy, taking turns playing instruments.  You couldn't tell listening to it.  It sounds like something that was done completely raw, in one take.  The album is an imagined, cautionary tale of what the world would be like if it were over-run by christian fundamentalists.  Every song is sincere, urgent, desperate.  It successfully captures that feeling of fear, and the current state of things in the world.  It's a very exciting album, and at its core, just a great punk album.  Standout tracks: Returning to the Fold, St. Rosa and the Swallows, Power Doesn't Run on Nothing



2.  The Gossip - Standing In The Way Of Control

Yr Mangled Heart

This is the album I was referring to that was the first to make my list in January.  It might've been December actually because I had a promo before it was released.  I love the Gossip, they're one of my favorite bands, but this album just blew me away.  I had heard a few of the songs live in the past couple years and I knew it would be huge but was not prepared in the least bit for how huge it was.  From the opening beat to the quiet closer it's got all the makings of a classic album.  They are finally starting to get some recognition, and rightfully so, it's just long overdue.  This is easily my most played album of the year, and one of the last several years.  The addition of drummer Hannah Billie completed the sound and took them in a whole new direction.  I really hope they stay together long enough to pop out a few more of these babies because DAMN.  This album fucking rocks.  Standout tracks: Yr Mangled Heart, Keeping You Alive, Coal To Diamonds, Standing in the Way of Control

1.  The Knife - Silent Shout

One Hit

I first heard the Knife sometime in the summer, on Myspace of all places.  Heartbeats was the song that played when I clicked on their page, intrigued by their user picture.  My first reaction was omg, the beat and synths sent me into a frenzy.  When Karin started singing I melted.  I listened to it over and over.  I would think about it at work, wondering who they could be.  I eventually gave in and downloaded Deep Cuts and I had barely made it through Pass This On when I decided I had to have it.  It was extremely scary how fast I fell in love with them.  Everything was perfect.  They had every element I love in musicians.  Every.  One. 

We were in Louisville, KY for one of Sleater-Kinney's final shows when I stopped at a record store to pick up Silent Shout, which had just come out.  I didn't think it was possible but it was even more amazing than Deep Cuts, and basically anything else I've ever heard.  You can hear influences in their music at times, but for the most part it's so new and refreshing and completely restored my faith in music, which I desperately needed at the time.  Silent Shout is so dark and haunting, ethereal, chaotic, epic.  It's so hard to describe.  Every single song on the album is totally relevant.  Silent Shout is hands down the best album of the year, and easily one of the best albums I've ever heard in my life.  I can not begin to give it justice.  You just have to listen.  Then it will all make sense. 

QotD: Top 5 in '06 - Television

What were your top 5 TV shows of 2006?

Ugly Betty takes the top 3 spots.  Then the Simpsons.  Tied for 5th would be Project Runway, Amazing Race, and I guess Lost just because I watched it even though it sucked.