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Squeezing New Life into Indie

By: Kendall | in: Music | 1 Comment



Auxiliary House

We listen to a lot of music here at The Plugg. A LOT! It’s probably safe to say that our spouses have the right to lose interest in all the crazy things that makes their way onto our iTunes and in our rides. Through all the listenings one strange fact remains true - the accordion has become the hipster’s instrument of choice. Check out Paste Magazine’s article on the subject here.

Weird Al’s First Television Appearance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNlOL8tBVL8

It’s not clear at this point if there is one specific influence that made this unlikely occurrence come to fruition, but fingers should be pointed at a few culprits. The first thing that comes to mind is that Weird Al had an undeniable hand in shaping the minds of youths for the past 30 some odd years. Who can deny the allure of a spazzy polka joke rocker? Apparently Weird Al is even the spokesperson for the digital versions of Roland’s new digital accordion collection.

The Decemberists - “The Mariner’s Revenge Song”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaNV7eCU2R0

A second theory is that the new music elite has been globalized and opened to more styles of musical genres, tastes, and instrumentation. Look at Beirut, who has been travelling the world since a young age honing his amazing skills. For another great example let’s take look at Decemberists who color their stylings slyly with the good ol’ squeezbox, which drops a heavy handed emotional difference whenver it’s used.

Beirut - “Nantes”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc3ZAs17uAg

The third thing could be simply, that everything goes in cycles, and in the search for a “new” sound in a world that has grown bored of typical hip hop and alternative rock, we had to reach back to the dorky and uncool or to an instrument that very few ever hear… until now.

Nirvana - “Jesus Don’t Want Me For A Sunbeam”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWDBFy08NYg


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Posted on July 11, 2008

Son Ambulance - Someone Else’s Deja Vu

By: Kendall | in: Music | 2 Comments



Son Ambulance

It’s been 3 years since Son Ambulance released their last album, and 3 can be a magic number for some, as they have just released their third full length album called Someone Else’s Deja Vu. The band, comprised of Joesph Knapp and Jeffrey Koster, has taken a bit of a turn with this album being more of a solo effort for Koster, while Knapp appears more as a collaborator. The old feel of 60’s and 70’s rock still wafts its way through the record, keeping the familiar close by. Members of The Faint and Tilly and the Wall also make appearances on double bass, saxophone and vibraphone.

Son Ambulance -  Quand Tu Marches Seul

The lead off track is “A Girl in New York City”. An interesting start for a record like this, having a Bossa Nova feel laced with thin 60’s guitars and vocal harmonies. “Quand Tu Marches Seul” which translates to “when you walk alone” is a dreamy instrumental track that washes of keys and acoustic guitar, with a male/female duet singing the same parts sweetly. It’s a song about what love feels like, and what it’s like to be alone. “Juliet’s Son” is a stand out filled with reverse reverb that is a bit reminiscent of the Poltergeist movies. Because of this, it almost sounds like it’s sung in the past, and being brought into the current at the same moment.

Son Ambulance - Juliet’s Son

Overall the album is a triumphant use of retro-vibe and reverb. The song writing is solid, and the instrumentation is a distant draw that will try to pull you in, but it doesn’t happen all it once. It has to draw you in over the course of the record. The band has it summed up well on their bio where the state:

A refreshing pastoral familiarity, think of Someone Else’s Deja Vu as a great accompaniment to a day where your only responsibilities might include reading a book, petting your cat or thinking of an old friend.


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Posted on July 7, 2008

Song of the Week - July 4

By: Charbarred | in: Music | 2 Comments



Every once in a while each of our writers (and esteemed guests) shares the song that made his week just a little bit brighter. Our honoured guest this week is Ryan from Ryan’s Smashing Life.

D Thompson
Meeting in the Aisle by Radiohead
As I passed the coffee stand the guy behind the counter has this really good piece of music playing on his stereo. So, I walk on by but it’s just so good I actually double back to ask who it is. He looks at me like he can’t believe I don’t know and says “It’s Radiohead”. Not wanting to be late I thank him and go on my way. Only later did I realise I’d forgotten to ask for the song’s name.

Kendall
GfC by Albert Hammond Jr.
Albert Hammond is back with a new Solo Record called Como Te Llama?  I wasn’t a fan of his first go round, but on this one the delivery is made, and gives a little methadone to replace the lack of new Strokes material that was my heroin for a while.

Lee H Lee H
See These Bones (Live) by Nada Surf
One of my favorite songs/ videos of 1996 was without a doubt Nada Surf’s “Popular.” I have to admit thought that I wasn’t one of their most loyal fans. For about a decade I forgot that they existed. In my defense this was more the fault of Elektra records than mine. It wasn’t until 2005’s “The Weight Is a Gift” that I remembered just how great this band was and still is. Here is the live, acoustic version of their song “See These Bones (Live at The Dell Lounge at SXSW)” from their new album Lucky.

Ryan Ryan
Red Jacket Orchards by Get Help
It’s not often you can be there when a band begins. That’s what happened this week when the songwriters from two bands came together and hit the stage in Boston forming a new group. Tony Skakily from Boston’s The Beatings, and Mike Ingenthron from NYC’s Strikes Again! got together this week to play a rare show - their debut as Get Help . The pair have been recording  - and that album (while completed) won’t be out for several weeks (early fall).  I have a final copy right now and it’s absolutely delicious.

Yaya Yaya
The Bright New Year by Bert Jansch
It’s amazing how much you can say in 1:34 minutes. It’s unbelievable how gifted can one be, to capture the perfect melody in 1:34 minutes.  It’s unbearable to think that the ability to deliver your emotions can that perfected in 1:34 minutes. It’s strange to assume that after listening to this, one can honestly dream of writing a good song. Even with a bigger length, then 1:34 minutes.

Charbarred
5 Years Time by Noah and the Whale
So it seems that on the 4th of July all you Yanks decided to choose a bunch of downers. To even things out I figured I’d play something a bit more upbeat. And what can be more fun than a bunch of Brits singing about alcohol? Happy 4th of July guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4

So what’s your song of the week?





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Posted on July 4, 2008

Robots Playing Music

By: Kendall | in: General, Music, Technology | 13 Comments



I was digging around recently after seeing a little blurb about robots playing music on a news channel. Little did I know there is more out there than I suspected. Check this stuff out!

Guitar Bot - EmergencyBOT TV Theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOkywQj5hNk



Unamed Robot - Dust in the Wind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlRi77pBYNI



Duet of Drums and Guitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l0qIO7y6Cc



Fast Blue Air - Number 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cIuuplWRIQ



Absolute Machine - Absolute Quartet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e9AJVtuCKc



The Trons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2JChnwv2Ws


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Posted on July 2, 2008

Some of My Favorite Contemporary Comedians

By: Lee H | in: Music | 2 Comments



I started writing this post on June 22nd. I had no idea that 30 miles away from where I was typing that one of the greatest comedians alive was leaving us. In trying to highlight some of my favorite contemporary comedy albums I realized what a huge impact George Carlin had on the art from.

As a child my father always chastised me for listening to music like N. W. A. and Too Short stating that there was too much cursing. I guess he never realized that my first contact with those words was from his record collection that consisted of Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Cheech & Chong and of course George Carlin.

These tracks aren’t meant to be the be all end all of contemporary comedy albums. I just wanted to post some of my favorite bits. There are plenty of other comedians I love that aren’t included but for fear that the list would not stop. Comedians like David Cross, Daniel Tosh, Zach Galifianakis, Doug Benson, Brian Posehn, Dave Attell, Hard N Phirm, Mitch Hedberg (R.I.P.), Lewis Black, Norm MacDonald, Flight Of The Conchords etc.

Who we do have is:

Maria Bamford

Maria Bamford
You might recognize her for the Comedians of Comedy tour with Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifianakis and Brian Posehn. I’m impressed by her ability to channel her neurosis into something that’s actually funny while most people go the easy route and just have nervous breakdowns.

I heart My Country

Michael

We have Michael Showalter tactfully kicking an audience member and a cat out of his show.

Cats

Patton

There’s Patton Oswalt doing his Robert Evens bit which is one of my favorites. FYI: Patton Oswalt doesn’t run his own MySpace page. Don’t ask me how I know.

Robert Evens

Tompkins

There’s Paul F. Tompkins who you may recognize from “Mr. Show with Bob & David.” What’s great about Paul F. Tompkins is that his comedy is 90% delivery. It hardly even matters what he’s saying.

I’m So Rich

Nick

Nick Thune’s first joke on this one kills me every time.

Comedy Death Ray

Mindy

And finally we have Mindy Kaling who plays the woman I would like to marry but you might be more familiar with her as Kelly Kapoor from The Office.

Comedy Death Ray

Thank you Mr. Carlin, you will be missed.

So, who are some of your favorite comedians?


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Posted on June 27, 2008
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