Dial-A-Song Round Up! pt. 2
"Hate The Villanelle" (another TMBG song that will makes TMBG fans feel smarter than those of other bands) was premiered rather brokenly back in June of 2014 at an NPR thing in Brooklyn. The album version feels very Phil Collinsey, mainly in the instrumentation. It's a villanelle about how annoying it is to write a villanelle.
*drops bibliography*
You ever get upset that TMBG hasn't made enough music to which one can jitterbug? Meet "Let Me Tell You About My Operation", a brassy Flans number that, like, "Erase" (lyrically) is reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. Seeing this live at their 2/22 show (with Dan Miller playing the trumpet parts masterfully on his guitar) was one of its highlights, and, while I'd love to see it with real horns, if this is the only live version they roll out, I'm sated.
"Answer" is a very grown-up feeling Linnell number. Reminds me of elements of both his interpretation of Jonathan Lethem's "The Second Longest Night"* and "House of Mayors". If you've never heard those, then you probably now understand how into They Might Be Giants I am. This was debuted at their 2/22 show and went off almost without a hitch, well done, Linnell.
...and then...the bummer...
In April 2013, Flans sent out an email to all IFC members with a "proto demo" of a cover of Jonathan Richman's "I Was Dancing In A Lesbian Bar". He said it was part of a project (called Tres Might Be Giants, featuring bass clarinet, guitar and drums) that was going to happen but never did. It was fun, a slightly more clubby/high-hatted version of the original, but, you know, nothing spectacular; no "New York City" or "Istanbul", yet another cover to add to TMBG's list of covers. I listened a few times and then kind of forgot it. So, how distraught do you think I was to find this to be the 8th song from the deluge of "brand new" They Might be Giants music?
Lots. I was lots distraught.
Yes, this version is slightly different, but it's clear that not a lot changed between this "proto demo" and the final iteration.
But, hey, here's the thing: everything else has been so stellar that I'm willing to accept this as some sort of hiccup and forget it happened. I am, however, very, very anxious about the first DAS release in March.
Next, TMBG just posted a link to their latest fan hug: Flood Live In Australia, which opens with a minute and a half of applause after their "Theme From Flood", a pretty clear indicator that TMBG needs to get there more often.
Strewth.**
Download it for free (as well as their First Album Live) and listen to them back-to-back with the original albums. It's weird and a bit misty-eyed.
And, speaking of live shows, a review (with photos!!!!!!!!!!!!) of their second Brooklyn Stand shows will be up soon.
And, finally, I've managed to find a downside to this overabundance of new They Might Be Giants music (aside from the Week 8 offering and its horrifying implications): Flansburgh announced at their recent Brooklyn show that their new album (entitled Glean and set for release on April 21st) is going to be assembled from the first months of these Dial-A-Song songs. There will be no mystery, no surprise. In other words; there won't be anything new on any of the They Might Be Giants albums coming out this year. Unless they completely blow our fucking minds and release brand new albums alongside their 52 new tracks...which, based on a few statements from Flans, will not be the case.
There.
I knew I'd find something stupid to complain about.
Yay.
I'm an asshole.
P.S. Here's a review of their 2/22 show.
Eels
Eels posted a little taste of the Albert Hall concert film. You can see it here.
And, E has a track on Ben Lee's new mixtape. You can hear that, as well as the rest of the project, here.
Beck
So. Kanye West.
/startrant
Here are some notes I took as this was happening.
Tomorrow's headline: Addled Millionaire Man-Child Embarrasses Jay-Z, Beyonce, Self at 75th Annual Grammy Awards
For one second, imagine that hadn't been Kanye West, just some guy. Shot or just arrested and tasered?
What is it about money and fame that allows rude idiots with no grasp on reality to get away with things like this? Insane vs eccentric.
Then there's the fact that Morning Phase is better than Beyoncé.
Are my concerns because he was rude? No, because the media has given this jackass a mouthpiece and they praise him for this: "He's not unstable...he's wacky! And, seriously, thank Christ for this delightful jester and his outrageous rambling japes! If it weren't for him, we'd have to focus the music and not the people making the music! Which would not be lol!!!!!
If you're so sick and tired of being disrespected in the industry, then leave the fucking industry. The impetus for his pee riot is the same impetus that makes people go on the subway and scream about God when they personally feel people don't go to church enough, only they get ignored, because they're not this rich and celebrated cock. Also, quick survey: how many times, after being forcibly exposed to some God Shouter, have you thought "you know, that screaming zealot is right! I'm going to make a fresh start right now!"? If you answered anything other than never, then you're probably too dumb to even have understood the question, or even read this.
Can we get Kanye to wire his jaw shut again? But, I don't know...tighter this time?
/endrant
And, finally got around to listening to the new Aphex Twin EP, Computer Conducted Acoustic Instruments Pt.2. In two words: Yes. More.
It's dark and sinister and organic*** and funky and jazzy and scary as hell. You can feel James' demon's grin behind every discordant plink and clonk. But there is some beauty, specifically the soft, gorgeous piano piece, "Piano Un10 It Happened"****. There's also the genteel robot playing piano on "Piano Un1 Arpej" and again on "Disk Aud1_12", although, on that second one, the robot is clearly short circuiting. "Diskhat1" feels like the soundtrack for a gangly, razor-wielding psychopath's night out on the town, painting it red. "Diskprept4" is the introduction to a new, insane clockwork villain for the next season of Doctor Who and also feels like Reznor and Ross' Dragon Tattoo. "Disk Prep Calrec2 Barn Dance [Slo]" could be…perhaps…the circus' funeral procession for a dead clown who may have killed a kid.
Hey, remember, ten seconds ago when I said "Yes. More."?...Richard D. James just released a hundred and fucking ten unreleased and/or new Aphex Twin tracks.
If you need to know why, just look at his smile and all questioned will be answered...
Here are all 110, ready for free download.
* Jonathan Lethem developed the "Promiscuous Materials Project". You should check it out.
** Just kidding, they performed the album backwards...like, the song order, not, like, facing away from the crowd... But, still, they really should get to Australia more often.
*** But organic like a cyborg's skin that's been grown in a lab from human peptides could be considered organic. You can really imagine Richard D. James in a huge white room filled with acoustic instruments all being played by metal arms and legs that he's programmed.
**** Yeah, the track titles on this are pretty fucking awesome.
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