Don’t Be Afraid Of The Art Of Noise

User Hippybear put together an exhaustive, and I mean exhaustive history of the Art of Noise on Metafilter, full of links and info: Don’t Be Afraid Of The Art Of Noise.


Rush, “Subdivisions”

The Single File: Rush, “Subdivisions”. I love the fact that the author also name-checks The Descendents:

In 1982, Milo Aukerman of punk legend the Descendents was spewing sarcastic anthems like “Suburban Home,” with its sneering declaration, “I want to be stereotyped / I want to be classified / I want to be a clone / I want a suburban home.” Then again, Aukerman was 19 at the time. And, you know, a punk—the opposite of what bands like Rush were supposed to be all about.


Jobsless, Brushless, and Shadowless.

Respect

I took in my first figure drawing class last night, and I was all ready to work with ink, but realized I’d forgotten my brushes. I started out really well, but got too much into my own head as the night went on, and my quality dropped off so I left 1/2 hour early.


No word from the roofing guys yet; I’m going to call them tomorrow and find out what the damage will be. Then, I suppose, I’ll call a few more to get some comparison pricing. I’m having them bid on asphalt replacement instead of slate; we just can’t afford new stone up there and the clock has run out. In the meantime, I’m doing some preliminary car shopping to see what I might be able to get for a Slattern replacement with four doors. So far I’m considering

  • A Honda Fit: 31-38MPG, full hatchback, and about a million airbags
  • A Honda Civic: larger interior compartment, roughly the same cost for a comparable Fit
  • A Honda Accord: Even larger than the Civic with almost comparable gas mileage.

I’d like to say I enjoyed the latest DJ Shadow album (after sampling it on Spotify), but I didn’t. Pitchfork says:

…whether The Less You Know was intended to reestablish Shadow as a musician, as a producer, or even as someone with decent taste, he misfires on all counts.

I’d agree with their opinion that the beats are, as always, top-notch. Everything else falls flat, and the annoying insistence on finishing all of the tracks with a faux CD-skipping loop sealed it for me. I don’t need another …Endtroducing; I just want something good.


Pat Metheny on Kenny G

Pat Metheny on Kenny G:

“By disrespecting Louis [Armstrong], his legacy and by default, everyone who has ever tried to do something positive with improvised music and what it can be, Kenny G has created a new low point in modern culture – something that we all should be totally embarrassed about – and afraid of.”


Gnoosic – Discover new Music

I linked to a precursor of this site back in 2002: Gnoosic – Discover new Music.


New Mogwai

Check out Mogwai’s Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. This album is an excellent mix of return to form and pushing the boundaries forward; My favorite standout track is How to Be a Werewolf. Also, the live Special Moves album is like a greatest hits compilation, with feedback.


Eric Avery Interview

I stumbled on this by accident earlier today, and it’s been interesting listening: Eric Avery (of Jane’s Addiction) talks about the reunion and subsequent dissolution of the band last year. I get a personable, honest vibe from Avery, so I’m inclined to believe him: sounds like Perry is still pretty much a dick.

In related news, it was sad to hear about the bassist from Alice In Chains this morning.