Music
A neologism?
If a musician is stoned, and is just going through the motions (or, phoning it in) on his playing, would we call that "stoning it in"? (The album that inspired this thought.)
Music
Music
An article to learn & sing
CNN gives Echo & the Bunnymen the respect they deserve.
Music
Walking music: XTC
Tyler Cowen of Marginal Revolution asked a couple of weeks ago, "Does anyone listen to XTC anymore?" I do. I even take them walking every now and then: 1. Wrapped in Grey 2. Ballet for a Rainy Day / 1000 Umbrellas 3. Pale and Precious 4. Chalkhills and Children
Houston
Tuesday night at the Meridian
After years of being a They Might Be Giants fan, I finally saw them in concert this week. I wish I hadn't waited so long. The show was at the Meridian, a new club in an old warehouse on Chartres Street. About 500 fellow TMBG and/or Homestar
Music
Lyrical surprises
As I was listening to the Beatles' White Album recently, for only the third or fourth time since high school, I realized that "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey" is about sex. Somehow I didn't pick up on
Music
The shorter White Album
Many Beatles fans question the group's decision to release The Beatles ("The White Album") as a double album. Was there really enough good material to justify four sides? What might a single album crafted from that material have sounded like? Compact discs and computerized playlists make
Music
Walking music: Squeeze
I usually bring a CD along when I take a long walk (I used to bring a paperback, until I realized that that was why my hands were so cramped when I got home). Depending on my mood, I bring one of three kinds of music: folky pop (like mid-&
Music
The Heart of "The Heart of the Matter"
The local Kroger's supermarket played Don Henley's "The Heart of the Matter" earlier this evening. Henley wasted that song. It runs a bloated five minutes, 21 seconds. Cut the pretentious, meandering crap out of the lyrics, strip down the arrangement, and add a gospel
Music
It's an HOMAGE, okay?
Two pairs of songs that are…interesting to listen to back-to-back: "Pump It Up" by Elvis Costello (1978), followed by "My Sharona" by The Knack (1979). "Dreams" by Gerry and the Pacemakers (1965), followed by "Lucky Ball & Chain" by They Might
Music
Cover songs
Cover songs can be fun, which is probably why everyone has been writing about them lately. Three kinds of covers stand out for me: Covers that re-make. Gifted musicians can take a song with a good basic structure and translate it seamlessly into a different style. Stevie Wonder's
Houston
Friday night at Helios
Jason Smith, bass player in Strangelight and a friend from high school, helped put together a show at Helios Friday night, featuring Alan from Dallas and Pale from Houston. I enjoyed both bands -- standouts were Alan's fiddle player and closing song (called "Sigh"); and Pale&