The Day I Returned

Here I am again re-emerging from too many hours on airplane and too few hours spent walking around tailor's markets and holding beautiful babies. India is intense. India is different. India is crazy and India is beautiful in a wholly unique way. I had the best guide in the world and saw many things I didn't expect to see. Dipped my feet in the ocean, my fingers in food and my camera in people's lives. I visited an orphanage, a tailor's market and temples. I have uploaded a small selection of pictures on my newly upgraded Flickr Page for your viewing please. Enjoy. Click HERE to view them. (Click away and for full size choose the option "all sizes" for a much improved view).



Now I am ready, affected and a slightly different person (oh how trite post-india), to step back into the craziness that is New York city and it's music scene.

Download of the Day
The Flaming Lips - The Machine in India (MP3) via Like Flies On Sherbert
Brian Jonestown Massacre - In India You (MP3) via BigStatic
All India Radio - You’ll Never Go To Bollywood (MP3) via CousinCreep
Stephen Malkmus - Pink India (MP3) via LookingAtThem
John Coltrane - India (MP3) via BananaNutrament

The Day After Siren

Chinatown, NYC - 7/11/06

Everything I write, essentially I write for an audience of one. Everyone else is watching the movie that inevitably will be made at some point starring beautiful actors consulting the ones that were actually there. Remember that old lady that survived and lost her necklace? There will be an old lady that survived and lost her cow because it went travelling through the land in which they worship. And that is a beautiful thing though understandably sad.



Above you can view the new DMX music video for "Lord Give Me A Sign" which is a fascinating excercise in duality and the personal inner struggle to balance the difference aspects of one's personality and beliefs. It's actually a very sincere and strong religious expression. I highly recommend watching it, paying close attention to the lyrics and being fascinated. Even if you don't enjoy rap music. See it as a psychology event.

As World War III has started, or at least Newt would like for us to call it that, it seems for the perfect moment to get away and explore other things. I will be visiting the girl on the elephant in India starting Tuesday. I plan on wearing a manskirt, or mundu, for the entire trip. I have beautiful legs but local customs require humility so I will not show them off.


A miracle happened! I found some music on MySpace that is actually good! Through Nefarious Radio I stumbled upon a song by the now defunct So and So's, not those that play with Margot but those fronted by still active Meghan Toohey. I can't stop listening to their song Please, see below for download, which is a female fronted indie rock popsong of the highest degree. Vocally somewhat reminiscent of the Cardigans and Shea Seger, but musically more crafty and louder. You owe it to your music loving self to at least download Please below.

Download of the Day
The So and So's - Please (MP3)
The So and So's - Tattoo (MP3)
The So and So's - Better (MP3)

The Day of The Roots

AU Campus, Washington DC - 10/11/04

I might forgive, but I do not forget. Sometimes fights can get out of hand. Sometimes it's best to let go. You say you want a revolution but I say you're out of your mind. Or as Ed says: "Why be asleep, if you are alive?" Keep them closer than friends.



Do you ever ask yourself: "Who DiD you exploit today?" Well this toddler goes around Wall St to ask that exact question. Amusing results above.


The Undisputed Heavyweights added two Rockwood shows to what was suppose to be the empty month of August. The 4th and the 25th will be the dates where that little room will be rocked right around 9pm. The EP will not be done by then yet but hopefully it will be ready early September.


The Roots have a new album coming out called Game Theory and it's straight fire, if you will. I saw them perform at Radio City Music Hall and then I saw ?uestlove again with Jay-Z. Today I got a chance to listen to the whole thing and I was very impressed. The stepped their game up for their first Def Jam release and are trademark Roots but one a whole new level. I am very excited about this album and after a few listen it's sounding like this will be a classic keeper to be spun for years to come. Dirty sophisticated beats, effortless flows by Black Thought, interesting left-of-center production with a real musical oldschool vibe and more. See below to download one of my favorite tracks off the album. They even sample Radiohead's You And Whose Army on Atonement. Release Date 8/23. Must buy!

Download of the Day
The Roots - Don't Feel Right (MP3)

The Day of Relief

East Village, NYC - 07/06/06

Children come out of the blue sky and into life with a certain speed and joie-de-vivre that decays with time. Sometimes it doesn't. I hope it won't for me. I hope it won't for you. Can you hear them screaming? Do they know there is always one last light to turn out before they go to sleep? Whose responsibility is it to walk in the dark when the last light goes out?

The last installment in the top 10 favorite music videos.
#10 Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares To You



Previously
1. Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)
2. Johnny Cash - Hurt (Mark Romanek)
3. Blur - Coffee & TV
4. Bjork - All Is Full Of Love (Chris Cunningham)
5. Michael Jackson - Thriller
6. Blind Melon - No Rain
7. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker (Chris Cunningham)
8. Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight, Tonight
9. Guns N' Roses - November Rain

More albums added to my iTunes.



Musiq Souldchild - Aijuswanaseing (2000) :: Eh.
Ella Fitzgerald - First Lady Of Song (1994) :: Wow!
Souls of Mischief - 93 Til Infinity (1993) :: A Classic.



Diana Ross - Blue :: Not so great.
Rage Against The Machine - Evil Empire :: Not their best
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Fear Is On Our Side (2006) :: Ooh!



I really enjoyed Fear Is On Our Side by I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness. They'd been one of my favorite bands for years without me actually hearing their music. That is how much i like their name. I was always kind of nervous about listening to their music because surely it would be dissappointing. Now, 2 years later I discover they make beautiful music. Bbrooding atmospheric rock with substance and actual hooks. Recommended. The play Bowery Ballroom July 19th. I'd be there, but I will be eating lentil soup across the globe.

Download of the Day
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - The Ghost (MP3) via BigStatic
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Last Ride Together (MP3) via BigStatic

The Day of India

As it turns out, I much prefer helping others solve their problems to dealing with my own.

#9 Guns N' Roses - November Rain



Previously
1. Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)
2. Johnny Cash - Hurt (Mark Romanek)
3. Blur - Coffee & TV
4. Bjork - All Is Full Of Love (Chris Cunningham)
5. Michael Jackson - Thriller
6. Blind Melon - No Rain
7. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker (Chris Cunningham)
8. Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight, Tonight

Download of the Day

Devendra Banhart - I Feel Just Like A Child (MP3) via DIYRockstar
Devendra Banhart - Tick Eats The Olives (MP3) via GreatBodyOfWater
Devendra Banhart - Doo Wop (That Thing) (Lauryn Hill cover) (MP3) via IGuessImFloating

The Day of Adam

In a city this big it's extraordinary how small the section is me and mine limit ourselves to for our daily activities. A 6 block radius in the Lower East Side is where most every music venue is and that is all we see. During an early evening walk Chris and I discussed if one needs a reason to venture into the other parts or if the activity itself is reason enough. We decided on the latter.


Above see the prettiest sight in the world. My girl rode an elephant this weekend. Indoors. His butt cheek is the size of my apartment, but over there he can walk around indoors. As she puts it "take a loot at this!!"


In other news look above for the ugliest sight in soccer this month. Pourquoi Zizou? Pourquoi?
Or in video format:



August & Everything After was a big part of the soundtrack to my high school days and Adam Duritz, is still one of my very favorite lyricists. They're a real treat to see live. A few selected favorites below.

Download of the Day
Counting Crows - Mr. Jones (live on KBCO)(MP3) via Jefito
Counting Crows - A Long December (live) (MP3) via Neileslife
Counting Crows - Round Here (live) (MP3) via Neileslife
Counting Crows - Goodnight Elizabeth (live) (MP3) via Neileslife
Counting Crows - Anna Begins (MP3) via Neileslife
Counting Crows - "Winding Wheel" (Ryan Adams cover) (MP3) via IAmFuel

The Day of Poop

In my home there will never be any carpet, though there might be persian rugs. In my home there will be wooden floors and a corner for fire. There will be plants, but not too many, and no television. There will be books that will move to other houses when they are done being read. There will be spring and fall, but never New York City summers. There will be photos and paintings and a very comfortable chair next to a flask of apple juice. Curtains will be drawn on the wall. Seven miles above the earth.



A few months ago we had Cloud Cult play a very special Cross-Pollination and later that week they returned to play a set with the Undisputed Heavyweights. It was a superb performance. Find above a live performance video of "Chemicals Collide", a yet to be recorded new song. Via DailyRefill.

The Undisputed Heavyweights will be playing night deux of our live recording at Rockwood this Friday at 11pm. Lord willing, it shall be quite excellent. Then the world cup final, a dissappointing match up of Italy and France, will take place this weekend as well. If Italy wins I will be very sad. For the grace of the world please let France beat them. In the last minute of stoppage time. Henry, please do it for me.

Download of the Day
Cloud Cult - Living on the Outside of Your Skin (MP3)
Cloud Cult - Who Killed Puck (MP3) via MusicIsArt
Cloud Cult - Moving To Canada (MP3) via SuckaPants

The Day of Independence

The fireworks were much less interesting than the chants and commentary of the crowd behind me. The faces and the fireworks reflecting of their skin shed light. The smileys were most popular. Especially with the frat boys.

#8 Smashing Pumpkins- Tonight,Tonight



Previously:
1. Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)
2. Johnny Cash - Hurt (Mark Romanek)
3. Blur - Coffee & TV
4. Bjork - All Is Full Of Love (Chris Cunningham)
5. Michael Jackson - Thriller
6. Blind Melon - No Rain
7. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker (Chris Cunningham)



Last week I saw the Birdmonster boys perform at the Knitting Factory. As always it was a fun and energetic performance. There's a few stand out tracks with the rest kind of blending together for me. They make up for that, on their way to new and better material I'm sure, by being one of the craziest young rock bands performing out there. They will jump against walls, bang into each other, drop to the floor and all while staying on the microphone long enough to get their point across. Band to keep an eye on. (Photo by Rachael.)

Today Sufjan's new Illinoise leftovers album came out. Downloads below.

Download of the Day
Birdmonster - Resurrection Song (MP3)
Sufjan Stevens - The Henney Buggy Band (MP3)
Sufjan Stevens - Adlai Stevenson (MP3) this and below via Indie4Dummies
Sufjan Stevens - The Mistress Witch From McClure (or, The Mind That Knows Itself) (MP3)
Sufjan Stevens - Pittsfield (MP3)