Containing, among other things, my humble effort to bring my fellow sixty(ish) year olds up to date on some current, and frankly, not so current, pop music.
There’s nothing that says “I’m Forcing You to Listen to the Music I Like One Last Time” more than planning your own Wake and Funeral Soundtrack. I’ve had less than flattering things to say about wedding and gift CDs in the past, so you might think me a hypocrite to suggest something similar for my wake. But so what? I’ll be dead.
And there are some who might consider such a project to be the ultimate in procrastination – after all, there’s got to be something else that requires more urgent attention than a playlist I'll never get to hear. Estate planning, showering, etc.
But I happen to think it’s a worthwhile exercise.
Do you want to make ‘em weep? “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” might work. (Nothing says Do like Don’t)
Are you resentful of some people in your life? Try Big Star’s sarcastic “Thank You Friends”. They’ll end up glad you’re dead, which, when you think about it, is very considerate of you.
There’s also Warren Zevon’s “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”. Much more appropriate for those dying young, this might get a snicker since a more appropriate title for me now is “I’ll Sleep Right Here Where I’m Sitting”.
Of course, there are some songs that are best left out:
The Beatles “Getting Better All the Time” - Even I’m not that sarcastic.
Frank Sinatra “High Hopes” – A barn door closed too late, if ever there was one.
So here's my official list:
"Fox in the Snow" by Belle and Sebastian:
It's just so freaking sad, I had to include it. I want to make sure somebody’s crying.
"My Friends" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers:
Since it's not all about me, I guess I should say thanks, as I have to make up for Big Star.
“The Story of My Life” by the Velvet Underground:
The music is so unassuming and sweet that you could miss the despairing lyrics.
“My Life” by Iris DeMent:
Of course, if you think your life’s been a waste, it might help to put this on It'd make you feel better, if you were still alive, that is.
"At Last" by Neko Case:
This one's a little more defiant.
"When it’s Cold, I’d Like to Die" by Moby:
Wish granted!
"My Weakness" by Moby:
Moby's just so good at this kind of thing. This one's good for either death of alien abduction.
"Casimir Pulaski Day" by Sufjan Stevens:
This one ought to get them crying again.
"When I Get to the Borderline" by Richard and Linda Thompson:
But let's not despair. Richard's good for a rueful grin, if not exactly a laugh.
"Wall of Death" by Richard and Linda Thompson:
Another F*ck You Death! song.
"That Day is Done" by Elvis Costello:
Co-written by Paul McCartney, it's an uncharacteristically direct look at death. You can play it instead of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".
"Don’t Forget About Me" by Dusty Springfield:
If you want to haunt your relatives and friends.
“Boundary Rider” by the Go Betweens:
It has nothing to do with me, other than that I love it, but it sounds nice. You can chisel those lyrics on my headstone if you like.
But for the mourners themselves I’d suggest playing most of Funeral by Arcade Fire, but I think I’d be presumptuous to assume that anyone would get that excited about my passing, except in maybe a good way. Your choice.
"Sweetness Follows" by REM:
It's going to be all right.
"Underneath the Weeping Willow" by Grandaddy:
Maybe the saddest song I’ve ever heard. But at the end you get permission to be happy again.
“It’s Summertime” by the Flaming Lips:
The Lips repeat that idea. You can play this on June 22 following my wake. If anybody still gives a damn, that is.
And that's that.
Mrs. Jaybee thinks this line of thinking is nuts, but I think not planning this is like not getting ice for a party. The iceman cometh. Twice! Lucky him.
So there I was at my son’s Pre-Prom Parent’s We-Hope-They-Don’t-Have-Sex get together, when Nutboy snuck up on me. I had spotted him earlier, and was on my guard. But I let my guard down (i.e., stuffed my face) and before I knew it, there he was standing right next to me.
I had met Nutboy previously but didn’t realize it at the time, because he was disguised as his alter ego – Responsible Adult. But then I found out that he liked music that an actual Responsible Adult would never listen to, like Modest Mouse and My Morning Jacket.
But on this night he would reveal his true identity – Nutboy, middle aged music fanatic– in other words, a guy just like me, only better looking. Now I don’t want you thinking that this is just my fanciful way of describing myself. You know those movies where the narrator describes a character who turns out to be him? I must state clearly that this is not me. This is another human being, very similar to me.And that thought just brings chills.
So we begin chatting and it turns out he also likes bands like the Go Betweens and the Flaming Lips.He even likes obscure Bob Dylan songs (you know the ones that cause your spouse to roll their eyes?)!
Then we started going on about how very few of our friends share our enthusiasm.I said that someone really ought to try to bring these people up to speed. You know, do a blog or something. Then I remembered that I was already doing that, but I hadn’t been doing anything with it for a while… Why? It’s a long story, and really, who cares?
But essentially, Nutboy reminded me of why I began blogging (aside from the narcissism) in the first place. And in one of life’s great ironies, Nutboy OF COURSE finds the link to the blog in my email signature, and starts reading my blog without me even telling him about it. Him being the one person who is in the least need of it. So that shows me that maybe another reason to do it is to make people like me (and Nutboy) feel like they’re not….well, nuts.
We met again at the Post-Prom Oh-My-God-We-Think-They-Had-Sex Dinner, where I met his fiance, who had the same patient, enduring expression that I sometimes see on my wife’s face (usually when I talk about what Built to Spill CD I should get…) But that may have been my fault because I think I was asking Nutboy what Built to Spill CD I should get.
We found the women drinking at the bar several hours later. We hadn’t decided on the best BTS album yet, but they told me what I could do with it once I got it.
In any event, jaybee is back, or will be back, or will try to be back, or something very committed sounding like that. I have to be, what with Nutboy now breathing down my neck, and maybe thinking of starting his own blog.
While the country was deciding to go to war again, I was too confused and overwhelmed to know what to think.Maybe everything I thought was wrong.
So I retreated into my first vice.But pop music wasn’t going to cut it, so I tried a different time and place - jazz and world music.
Although I usually need a few listens to get a grip on a new jazz record, I liked “The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume One” right away.Bud played piano during the advent of bebop, but rather than feel challenged by his music, I felt welcomed.So my first reaction was enjoyment, then wonder at how the hell he did it.I prefer this order of events to what usually happens with virtuosos – you appreciate them first and forget to get around to liking them.I’m usually cautious about recommending jazz, but this one if great, even for a non-enthusiast.
----------------Now playing: Bud Powell - Bouncing with Budvia FoxyTunes
On the same trip to the store, I picked up “Specialists in All Styles” by Orchestra Baobab.I know even less about world music than I do about world history, so when I heard the term Afro-Cuban music, I can only imagine an island in the middle of the Atlantic where these guys meet to play.These guys were stars in Senegal, broke up for twenty odd years, and then picked right up where they left off.The sharp guitar playing helps me get past the words I don’t understand.And again, it didn’t require any time to “get”.
----------------Now playing: Orchestra Baobab - Bul Ma Miinvia FoxyTunes
Now deluded into thinking I’d mastered these two genres, I overreached into classical.The Musical Heritage Society - having forgotten what a lousy customer I was in the eighties - wanted me back.The offer was so good I didn’t make them beg.I grabbed the buy-six-for-a-buck-a-piece offer and ran.
The first two discs were Elvis Costello-recommended requiems by Brahms and Mozart.Not party music, they’re both perfect for early mornings when it’s miserable out and your conscience is bothering you.Listening to them is like being locked in a church where the choir has taken over.And not the rollicking African American gospel type choir either.The solemn life sucks type, which was right up my alley.I still can’t tell one from the other, but I kind of like it that way.If they could wait hundreds of years for me to listen, I can give them a few spins.
Two more discs were comprised of Yo Yo Ma doing “Six Suites For Unaccompanied Cello by J.S. Bach” (link), or for you MASH fans, Ahhh Bach.Morning music.Solitude music.Sanctuary music.It’s functionally similar to the requiems, except that you’ve done nothing wrong.I rarely play it all the way through, but for whatever length of time you have it on, it’s like unplugging from this all too plugged-in world.I’m still trying to decide whether to file it under Y, M or B.
And finally, the last two were the Complete Rags of Scott Joplin.There is a – joy is too strong a word - serenity to this music that makes it irresistible.It functions in a similar way to the Bach Cello music.The former can bring you peace and the latter can point you to happiness.
----------------Now playing: Scott Joplin - Maple Leaf ragvia FoxyTunes
Gifts:
One of the downsides of family life is that one of those family members is bound to ask for a CD for Mother’s Day that you’d rather not have to listen to.Such was Coldplay’s “A Rush of Blood to the Head”.In other words, not my idea.But my wife asked for it, and so she’s going to get it, right?Even if I think it’s going to pollute the record collection.(Hey, my records are carefully researched choices.)So I didn’t want to like it.But, you know, it wore me down.It was just different enough to entice me.The chord changes were less than obvious, and the textures varied enough to keep my interest.The vocals, not too wimpy (unlike too many of their later songs), and the words, ignorable.Even I’ve bought worse records.
----------------Now playing: Coldplay - God Put a Smile on Your Facevia FoxyTunes
Another would-be present was Shakira’s “Donde Estan los Ladrones?” which I thought was Spanish for “Laundry Service”, which is the other CD my wife asked for.Niente.This one came out before Shakira became a major crossover artist.Although it’s too commercial and generic, I admire how she drops in a rock and roll guitar here and there.
Ultimate Yardbirds was a Father’s Day present, and it was going to be my attempt at resolving my Eric Clapton/Jimmy Page/Jeff Beck issues, and finally get into a band that I just kept missing.And there’s no doubt that the band’s got it going on.Check out the live blues covers, like Smokestack Lightnin’, but the singer’s just not there. Your assignment: Compare and contrast:
----------------Now playing: The Yardbirds - Smokestack Lightnin'via FoxyTunes
It’s hard to believe it now, but while the world was going to hell, my immediate surroundings were becoming more pleasant.There’s nothing like a terrorist attack to make you appreciate the little things.
My memories of that summer are bittersweet, and The Flaming Lips’ “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” represents it perfectly. (link).Instead of just being pretty, it’s also haunting and eerie.Wayne Coyne’s eerie voice singing "Everyone you know someday must die" seemed like a forewarning.And it was.
----------------Now playing: The Flaming Lips - Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell via FoxyTunes
The Drive-By Truckers are the first “southern rock” band I’ve had the slightest interest in for over thirty years.They emphasize songwriting over guitar histrionics.“Decoration Day” mixes Rolling Stones type guitar-crunch rock and roll with hard-edged country music.The songs are about disreputable people, and you get to hear their side of it.“My Sweet Annette”, about an elopement and a betrayal, is brilliant
---------------- Now playing: Drive-By Truckers - My Sweet Annette via FoxyTunes
Miles Smiles because he’s making a fool of me – this time by pushing his music in places I may never be.Check in with me in ten years, which is when I may have caught up with him.Sure.
Wilco’s “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” had won many Best Album awards the year before.I really liked their collaboration with Billy Brag on “Mermaid Avenue”, so I decided to try my first Wilco album.I found it weird, vague and pretensciouss - exactly what I normally like, but this time I wasn’t buying it.They were going for Big Star’s “Third” album vibe, but without enough hooks.And I prefer Alex Chilton’s voice to Jeff Tweedy’s.“I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” is a great lead-off track, but it takes half the album before they reach that level again.So I put it aside for a while.A year later, during a very dark period, it was virtually the only thing I could listen to. ---------------- Now playing: Wilco - I Am Trying To Break Your Heart via FoxyTunes
Fall:
By my next trip to the record store I still hadn’t learned my lesson about balancing experimentation with enjoyment.
Arthur Blythe’s “Lenox Avenue Breakdown” is probably the best of the bunch.
This jazz record has a nice balance of accessibility and experimentation.The cuts are long and easy to get right away.The solos are sharp and never commonplace.
The Moldy Peaches take precociousness to new depths.You alternately want to hum along and then smack them.They’re very, very raw, talented and not interested in letting it go down easy.They force you into their little world, so it’s not for every occasion.Definitely pre-9/11 music, so I just don’t have the patience for it now.
James Carter’s “Conversin’ with the Elders” has a young saxophonist interpreting tunes from the masters.Not that I’m all that familiar with the originals, mind you.Although I have no reason to do so, I’m always surprised and disappointed when a jazz album doesn’t hit me right away.But here I was doing it again.But after several years, I think I can finally hear it.
For those of you who think Iggy Pop makes the end of western civilization official, I must admit that I agreed with you at one time.Having finally sampled his best-of “Nude and Rude” about ten years ago, and enjoyed it, I’ve since taken two dives into the deep end.The first, a few years back with “Fun House”, his second record with the Stooges, and this time with his third, “Raw Power”, which was produced by David Bowie.My version is remixed by Mr. Pop himself.The opener, “Search and Destroy”, is one of the most ferocious rock songs ever, and I can’t say anything else comes close to it.The primitive lead guitar playing seems detached from the context (ie, whatever tune is being played at the moment).This irritates some people.And let’s face it - we still wouldn’t introduce Iggy to our wives or daughters.But if you can get past all that, there’s a real primal joy to be had here.Followed, perhaps, by some hot monkey-love.
---------------- Now playing: Iggy & the Stooges - Search and Destroyvia FoxyTunes
One of the big disappointments of the trip was Chris Bell’s “I Am the Cosmos”.Chris was the co-founder of Big Star, who died a few years after he left the band.This posthumously released solo album was getting good press, so it seemed a natural.The main problem is Chris’s high voice, and the strain shows more than once.To be fair, there are some gems, like “Speed of Sound” and “You and Your Sister”, with Alex Chilton singing harmony.Talk about your warm Hollywood-type reunion-before-tragic–accident-moment.
---------------- Now playing: Chris Bell - You and Your Sister via FoxyTunes
Bad Moon Rising:
My wife further eroded the record collection with Enya’s “A Day without Rain”.One of the deeper mysteries of marriage is how I somehow conveyed to her to not play this CD around me.Yes, I am aware that many humans find this music to be good, and I accept that.But just look at that cover!She’s got a tail, for God’s sake!It merely proves what I’ve always suspected: she’s actually Ursula from the Little Mermaid.And her music is just the anesthetizing poison she sprays you with BEFORE SHE EATS YOU!!..........I’ve been told to stop it.Okay, I will, but no, I will NOT apologize to a fish.Or ever go near water again.I admit that some of this is pretty, but I refuse to be coerced into liking it.It works well in those Lord of the Rings-type movies, though.
She also got Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising”.There are at most four songs here that do anything for me at all.Bruce has his heart in the right place, but the subject is just too big for him, and the music is dated.
Some nice person got me “Johnny Cash: The Heart of a Legend”, one of those knock off best-ofs you find in your local big box store.It’s a shame that I already had almost every song on it.I’d give it away if it weren’t so damned good.
Crash:
And then - nothing.It all goes black.Sometimes things happen that even music can’t fix, even if you wanted to hear some.Besides, why poison the memory of the music with what was going on around it?
And that kind of busted up the year for me.I loved nothing unconditionally.
The title of this Year End Roundup is more of a plea than a statement. My son’s and my wife’s 2008 music keeps intruding on mine.In 2007, it was Queen, Aerosmith and the Killers.This year, it’s Avenged Sevenfold and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
So let them write their own entry.Here’s my year in music:
Loves:
None yet.It’s a shame that no music has indelibly stamped my year.But there was enough joy in real life to keep me going, so I’ll not complain.Besides, it’s when the going gets tough that the un-tough (me) go for their music.That’s when I’ll need it.
Highlights:
Nuggets: This four CD set Father’s Day present is the American version of the 1960’s British Invasion (okay, maybe a little later).Well, talk about your fun!There are not many “great songs” here, but there are a ton of “great records”.I still couldn’t tell you the names of 75% of them because not all of them have names like “Louie, Louie” and “Woolly Bully”, but most of them are in the same vein.Not for the pretentious.
Well, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, thanks to my son.He played their Greatest Hits for us and I was surprised how pretty it was.My original impression of them had been all energy and rhythm, but no melody or songs.I recommend this record or By the Way as a way of bonding with your annoying (not you, Mike) teenager.
The New Pornographers “Mass Romantic”: Neko Case’s striking “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood” led me to her other band, where she shows off her voice in a more chaotic pop setting.It can get to be too much, like a friend who’s had too much coffee, but when you’re in the mood – or had a few yourself - it’s quite a ride.
The Flaming Lips “The Soft Bulletin”: This one’s got a lot of good tunes, but I still prefer the more spare, gentle Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. But quite enjoyable.
Modest Mouse’s“Good News for People Who Like Bad News”:Or as I like to think of it, Bad News for People Who Like Easy Listening.With titles like “The Good Times are Killing Me” you’ve got to love this guy’s attitude.He sings how he feels and he doesn’t feel too great.But the guitars ease the pain, and his gentle side takes a bit of the edge off.They remind me of early Talking Heads, only from the Midwest.What?
Django Rheinhardt’s “Djangology” – This little $6.99 miracle effortlessly brings to you back to a time you never actually went through, except maybe by way of the soundtrack to the Little Rascals.But then that band didn’t have anyone playing an awesome guitar, violin or piano.
Discos Matador – Intended Play 2007, which was a free sampler from Matador records.My wife found this in my bag when I got home from the record store.I didn’t see the lady at the counter put it in.I was too worried about her reaction to what I bought.(As usual, she was totally unimpressed.Those sixty year old Russian women are awesome cool.)The ten or so bands, the high point among them Lavendar Diamond, range from good to excellent, and I’ll be looking forward to their other work.
Disappointments:
LCD Soundsystem’s “The Sound of Silver”: This 2007 “punk disco” Pazz and Jop winner is not a bad album, but I just don’t go to dance clubs, where I suspect it sounds fabulous.
My Morning Jacket’s“Z”: Strange as it may sound at this point, I don’t like this guy’s voice.It undermines some of his tunes, which aren’t bad, but rarely striking.
Challenges/Homework:
Burial’s “Untrue”: Well, I’ve listened to this 2007 electronica Metacritic winner about 20 times and still don’t think I hear it yet.It’s not bad – I’m just a little dense sometimes.
Steinski’s“What Does it All Mean?”: This is like a hip hop version of Nuggets.Steinski samples music and all sorts of other sounds and puts it all together for your dancing pleasure.Fortunately for me, I can sit and enjoy it anyway.
Welcome to the strange but wonderful world of the Flaming Lips.This band hails out of OklaCover via Amazonhoma, but you’d never know it.My guess would have been Mars.
The Lips have been around for about twenty five years doing strange stuff – not limited to music - out on the fringes.Occasionally they would surface on the radio.They first hit my radar - and tried my patience - back in 1995 with the song “She Don’t Use Jelly”.They plead innocent to the most obvious interpretation, which I’m only now ready to believe.Their lead singer and mastermind, Wayne Coyne, has only a passing acquaintance with pitch.And it’s taken me a number of years to hear it as pure innocence.
Their next hit was 1999’s “The Soft Bulletin”, where Wayne shows a little more control, and a lot more melody.It’s almost great, but to me, their follow up, “
Well, Wayne still misses some notes, but by now I don’t mind.Did I mention that he likes to hang out in the higher registers, so he sounds like he’s been inhaling helium?When combined with the beeps and crackles that a science fiction theme tends to encourage, things get odd real fast.You might expect the result to be cold and sterile, but instead, with the help of some very melodic songs, we get something warm, emotional and beautiful.
The story, such as it is, involves Yoshimi who, well, battles some pink robots.I understand that the story was inspired by a friend’s losing battle with cancer, although no mention is made of this on the album, or in their documentary “Fearless Freaks” (a pretty apt description, by the way). Nor is the other possible inspiration - 9/11 (it was recorded from 2000 through to 2002).This may be why I genuinely enjoy the music rather than feel like I’m obligated to.
The record kicks off with the irresistible “Fight Test”, which is about how some things are worth fighting for, even if you realize it too late.This is followed by a few songs that more or less tell the story.They’re done relatively straight (for the Lips, anyway) and are quite nice (except the one about the actual battle with the robots, which makes me feel like I’m stuck inside a video game).
The rest of the album, though - about dealing with loss and regret – is beautiful.The seemingly serene “Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell” becomes heart wrenching as the words sink in.The delicate “It’s Summertime” is about finding a way to move on after terrible loss.You may have heard the gorgeous “Do You Realize???”, which encapsulates the main themes of the record.
The remainder of the album drives home the point that the only valid response to our mortality is to love now.This is not an original idea, but it is delivered with such sincerity that it blows right through my normally oversensitive sentimentality detector.
The Lips have been at it for so long, surviving out on the fringes, that they may not even be aware of how strange they can sound.Go ahead and laugh at the weirdness, but they wouldn’t even notice.This record is a great example of beauty for beauty’s sake.It’s when the weirdos come in from the cold, and tell you what a wonderful world it is.
I bought Luna’s “Penthouse” and liked it right away - so much so that I immediately lent it to a co-worker. (By the way, don’t ever lend anything to anyone.). This young lady (twenty-Cover of Penthousesomething) scoffed at it, and pointed out everything that was “wrong” with it. The spaced out, almost shell shocked vocals, the weird lyrics, and maybe the occasional extended instrumentals that she felt had no point.
What? Now it’s got to have a point? If that’s the requirement, it’s time to get rid of the stereo (Remember those?) altogether. Point! I’m not even sure if I have one…
Anyway, I realized that, despite my thinking otherwise, there was stuff that I found perfectly normal that others found weird. That’s okay for me, but a problem when I’m recommending stuff to people.
For instance, I seem to have no problem with weird voices (Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction or Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips, even Freedy Johnston), but I just seem to accept it as part of a package. Indeed, sometimes it’s the essence of the package.
When I read a negative review for an album I like, I’m often amused to find that the supposed flaws are the very things that I consider to be the record’s defining characteristics. In fact, they’re the things I like the most about it, or, at the very least, the very things that makes the album unique.
I mean, what’s more fun? Abiding by the rules or breaking them? In fact, the flaw would appear to be the …point. If the record has nothing unique about it, what is its reason for even existing?
And getting back to Luna (remember Luna?), I found those shell shocked vocals to be quiet appropriate for the times – I bought it right before 9/11. And yes, some of the lyrics were strange (especially the “Meows” at the end of my favorite song), but the guitars were right up my alley. So those instrumental breaks were wonderful
I LIKE the fact that Big Star’s original of “September Gurls” (greatest pop song ever?) ends with a missed beat. The Beatlesque cover by the Bangles is smooth as silk, and thus, merely excellent. Alex Chilton’s guitar solo in the original, is practically absent of technique – but thrilling, while the fancy break in the cover version is technically perfect, but only…nice.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing at all wrong with something that’s smooth and well executed. There’s nothing wrong with balance and harmony. But songs are like friends. After a while the perfect ones get on your nerves. It’s the imperfect ones that are more endearing, and leave the more lasting impression.
and liked it right away - so much so that I immediately lent it to a co-worker.