The May 2005 issue of Esquire has a feature on “21st Century Rock” by the entertaining Chuck Klosterman. In this article he states:
”I listen to rock’n’roll music. This is because I don’t have a real job. People who have real jobs don’t listen to contemporary rock music. People who have real jobs watch network TV and go to sleep; that’s pretty much their entire social life…The moment you stop buying music is the moment it becomes alienating. That’s why everyone insists that good music was (coincidentally) recorded between their sophomore year in high school and senior year of college. This will never happen to me. This will never happen to me, because I will never have a real job.”
I think the same could be said for me as well. I can’t imagine stopping buying music, and I can’t imagine working 12-hour days. Anyway, he goes onto list 21 high quality albums of which I have 4: (Drive-By Truckers, Southern Rock Opera (2002), Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002), Belle and Sebastian, Dear Catastrophe Waitress (2003), and The New Pornographers, Electric Version (2003).
My latest purchases/suggestions are:
1) The Libertines, Up The Bracket (2002): I was so impressed with the eponymous album from last year that I figured I’d like this one, which many people said was better. I’ve heard it less than 10 times, but at this point I prefer the newer album, which seems to have a more vital, breathless immediacy to it, but I’d say it’s only marginally better than this effort, which has plenty of excellent songs as well. They’ve been said to sound like an amalgamation of The Clash/The Jam/Sex Pistols, which is fairly accurate, incidentally produced by former Clash member Mick Jones. Some of my favorite tracks include: “Begging”, “What A Waster”, “Time For Heroes”, “Horrorshow”, and “I Get Along.” The Japanese CD has extra bonus tracks as well. Unfortunately, they might not be around for another album since one of the two genius singer/guitarists, Pete Doherty, stereotypically-has a bit of a drug problem.
2) Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning (2005): One of two albums released by Omaha’s indie darling, Conner Oberst, this year. He has become a rock critics’ favorite and while he is an impressive young artist, I don’t think he quite lives up to the hype yet. He reminds me of Jonathan Saer Froer, the anointed one in contemporary literature, there ‘s a lot to like, but he is still a bit unpolished. The standout tracks include: “Another Travelin’ Song”, “Road To Joy”(which builds up a to a crescendo and really gets rocking halfway through), “Old Song (For A New World Order)” and “Landlocked Blues”(with Emmylou Harris).
Pat,
I've not heard the libertines, but i think your analogy btwn. Bright Eyes and Foer is pretty right on. I like both albums, though it pained me some to admit it. I do think the Wide Awake, is better than the Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. How pretentiously post-modern or post-post-modern is it to release two completely differently "en-genred" (I just made that word up - how pretentiously post-modern is that?) almbums on the same day?
Plus, I heard him in an interview talking about how he decided to use Emmylou Harris on this album. Dude, your like 16 years old or something, you don't decide whether to "use" Emmylou Harris on your album - she decides if she wants to sing on your album. That annoyed me somehow. All that being said, the guy's pretty good.
Posted by: phatrick | May 04, 2005 at 07:17 AM
The Libertines really rock, I can't say enough about them, I've really been listening to them a lot lately-in fact I just sang "Don't Be Shy" at karaoke the last time I went.
It sounds like that Oberst interview was kind of annoying, he's been getting so much press, and those albums aren't even on a major label are they?
Posted by: MC | May 04, 2005 at 04:22 PM
Nope. He has his own label too. You have to hand it to the kid.
Posted by: phatrick | May 05, 2005 at 02:41 AM
hey Pat, would you copy and send me the entire Chuck Klosterman “21st Century Rock” article? I too find him entertaining but cannot access the article without joining something, which I cannot do. thanks dude. Bright Eyes kinda sucks. You should check out Songs: Ohia, or Maquiladora.
Posted by: lou | May 10, 2005 at 02:27 AM
I think I can handle that. I'd be curious as to how many of Klosterman's recommendations you have.
Are you a Ryan Adams fan? I've been getting more and more into him since picking up some of his backcatalogue while on vacation. I'm excited to hear his new release with a backing band, The Cardinals.
Posted by: MC | May 10, 2005 at 08:35 AM
i'd be curious too.
i don't think i've ever heard Ryan Adams. i've heard Brian Adams though. awesome tunesmith!
Posted by: lou | May 12, 2005 at 07:56 AM
Dude-Whiskytown, dated Winnona Ryder, and is now dating Parker Posey...once walked off stage after a fan yelled "Summer of 69." Nuff said.
Posted by: MC | May 12, 2005 at 03:19 PM