OK Go - Here It Goes Again

Since everyone in the world has seen this video, I thought I should post it for the YouTube illiterate. This has been viewed over 14 million times and recently was awarded as "the most creative video" during the YouTube awards (I didn't know there was such a thing). I'm not usually a huge fan of music video's, but this one is very cool. This can be best described as synchronized treadmill gymnastics, if this was filmed in one unedited take, this is truly amazing...see for yourself!

Hear About "Traffic and Weather" Now

The date for the highly anticipated release by Fountains Of Wayne is set for April 3, but I have the album in advance. This has spent only about a week on the ol' Pod and I'm going back for repeated listens, this is a good sign, usually it takes me a while to warm up to anything new, but with so much new stuff on the Pod I'm forced into forming quicker opinions. The new Son Volt album, The Search, I talked about last post is outstanding, it gets better and better every listen, ever song has something to offer, I highly recommend you get it!

Traffic and Weather is the first release of new material (2005's Out Of State Plates was a b-side compilation) since 2003's breakout disc, Welcome Interstate Managers. That CD put FOW on the radar of commercial radio and MTV and earned them a couple of Grammy nominations, including "Best new artist", which was kind of bizarre considering this was their third album and Fountains of Wayne have been recording since 1996. This disc has more of the same, a little bit country, a little rock 'n' roll, their sound rings flashes of Beatlesque 60's, riff heavy 70's, New Wave 80's, and a very detailed narrative style that is distinctly their own. This disc is as catchy as hell, infectious even only after a few listens and everyone that I have played this for has started to hum along or bob their head, this is Power-pop at it's best! I just hope there isn't a huge hit like "Stacy's Mom" on this one, I grew to hate this song after it was played at every sporting event, shopping mall and on crappy light-rock radio stations.

If you want to see the "animated" Fountains of Wayne, check out Hey Joel, a short-lived show from 2003, it's now playing on the Teletoon network (in Canada, VH1 in US?), they play themselves and sing little 20 second song narratives between scenes. They provided the theme song and two new songs every episode. Watch it while you can, it's not too bad.

Traffic and Weather (to be released April 3, 2007)
Someone To Love
Yolanda Hayes
Fire In The Canyon
This Better Be Good
I-95
myspace.com/fountainsofwayne (listen to: '92 Suburu)

Jeff or Jay? You Choose..

When Uncle Tupelo broke up 13 years ago it was sad, we were losing a truly great band with two extremely talented songwriters. This loss turned out to be a blessing, as both Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar split to form two separate bands, Wilco and Son Volt. Both bands have explored different musical styles and directions, both bands have undergone many personal changes and both songwriter's have enjoyed successful solo ventures. I own all their albums and CD's, but I'm definitely more of a Wilco completist. I have at least three boxes of Wilco's live recordings, two Wilco books ("The Wilco Book" and "Learning How To Die"), one DVD (I Am Trying To Break Your Heart) and have seen the band 4 times (twice in Minneapolis and twice in Winnipeg).

It's appropriate that Son Volt and Wilco are releasing albums a few months from each other, since I saw both bands live last summer. Wilco at the Burton Cummings Theatre on Canada Day (July 1) and Son Volt at the Winnipeg Folk festival a week later, both excellent shows.

SON VOLT - The Search (released March 6, 2007)
On Son Volt's 5th album, they tone down the driving guitars of 2005's Okemah and the Melody of Riot and have released probably Jeff's most mature work to date. Farrar pulls together a full and powerful sound offering a finer balance of piano, organ, guitar and even horns. I've only listened to this disc once through and my first impression is it may not rock as much as Okemah, and it may take repeated listenings to really appreciate it, but so far I'm not disappointed.

The Picture
Adrenaline And Heresy
Satellite
Automatic Society
( myspace.com/sonvolt - listen to the Search, Circadian Rhythm, Metamphetamine)

WILCO - Sky Blue Sky (to be released May 15, 2007)
A few days ago I read that the upcoming Wilco CD has leaked and has appeared on various blogs and torrent file sharing sites. Worried about being caught out of the loop, I immediately searched and found the complete recording of Sky Blue Sky. There is an uncertainty whether this is the recording that will actually appear on the upcoming disc in May or if it's a preliminary mix. Either way, I've had a quick listen and it's not bad, I've literary only had a chance to listen to this at work today and at home while making dinner. I'll have to sit down and have a listen with the headphones to get a much clearer idea. First impressions: It seems mellower, a couple songs recall earlier Wilco (alt-country-ish), extended guitar solos (similar to Ghost), more keyboards, a little sparser sounding...you be the judge, comments?

Either Way
Sky Blue Sky
Side with Seeds
Shake It Off
(myspace.com/wilco - listen to What Light)

Geez, These Kid's Nowadays!

I love to go out and listen to live music, but it's a special treat when it's one of your kids, and it's a bonus when it's two of your offspring. Last Thursday night at the Academy Bar and Eatery in Winnipeg, my son Jesse performed as the opening act for his friend's band, Locker 369. His group (with band-mates, Leif on drums and keyboards and sister Alex on vocals) played 8 songs to a packed house mainly of school friends and curious relatives. They handled themselves quite well exhibiting a wide range of musical styles with a mixture of originals and covers. Jesse has only about a year's worth of experience performing music live having played at other coffeehouses, the Fork's and the Winnipeg Folk Festival, as part of their Young Performer's Program.

I'll keep you informed of any future gigs, but for now I'm posting part of the show to download and listen to. If you have any comments, please click the highlighted comment button on the bottom, I'll make sure he reads them. If you want to hear the whole show (in better quality WAV form), let me know and I'll make sure you get a copy)

Jesse Miki And Friends
Winnipeg March 1, 2007
Audience recording-setlist
Pathway To the Moon
Wet Ground (Sondre Lerche)
Modern Nature (Sondre Lerche)
Miss Spelled Desire
Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendrix)
Locked In The Dark
Johnny, Let Me Go (Sondre Lerche)
Calling For