Cowboy Junkies perform “Sweet Jane”
PerformanceKlok: Big Haired Cowgirl
Written by John on October 17th, 2009
A-ha to break up (didn’t know they were still together)
Written by John on October 16th, 2009A-ha, best known in the US for the seizure-inducing video (not really) for their hit “Take On Me” has announced that they’re breaking up after 27 years, following a UK comeback. The band reportedly announced that its members will now pursue “other meaningful aspects of life.” Read the story here.
In other news, Leona Lewis is reportedly all right after being punched in the head at a book signing.
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Top 5 songs sung a cappella
Written by John on October 15th, 2009The idea for today’s Top 5 comes from a good friend and singer/song-writer Janine Talbot. It should be noted that she thought of it way before “Glee” premiered.
A cappella. A force for evil? Probably. But there’s just something about it that brings out our inner geek, and it seems to be undergoing a renaissance. Ben Folds recently released versions of his music performed by university a cappella groups, and Fox’s “Glee” appears to be making waves.
What’s the reason for this (dare we call it) fad? Who knows. What made swing music so popular briefly in the late ’90s? Much like what goes on inside the head of Glenn Beck, it’s a mystery.
Top 5 songs sung a cappella:
1. “Star Wars (John Williams Is The Man),” John Williams; performed by Corey Vidal
There’s a lot of these multitrack videos circulating on YouTube, but Vidal seems to have struck gold by singing dialogue from the original Star Wars films to the melodies of the better-known John Williams scores.
2. “Spider Pig,” Hans Zimmer; performed by the Dordt College Concert Choir
How else could you possibly improve one of the best parts of “The Simpsons Movie”?
3. “Bitches Ain’t Shit,” Dr. Dre; performed by UC Berkeley’s DeCadence
“Bitches Ain’t Shit” began life as a salvo in the ongoing feud between West Coast rappers Dr. Dre and Easy E. In 2005 Ben Folds released a more melodic version, but it’s only when performed by UC Berkeley’s DeCadence that “Bitches Ain’t Shit” achieves its fullest flower. Warning: The following contains some very bad words.
4. “Stacy’s Mom,” Fountains of Wayne; performed by the Colby College Blue Lights
There is an unsettling number of YouTube videos of college a cappella groups performing this Fountains of Wayne tune, likely as part of some conspiracy that will lead to the destruction of western civilization. Enjoy!
5. Themes to “Speedracer,” “Underdog,” performed by The Blanks
One of the more charming recurring gags in the sitcom “Scrubs” was The Blanks, Ted’s a cappella group which started out singing cartoon themes before moving on to other genres.
What songs do you dig, instrument-less?
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Romantic crooner Martino dead at 82
Written by John on October 14th, 2009Al Martino, who hit is big with songs such as “Spanish Eyes,” and was also known for playing Johnny Fontane in “The Godfather,” died Tuesday. Read the story in the New York Times.
This is … a Paul Anka song?
Written by John on October 14th, 2009“This Is It,” the song that is heralding the Michael Jackson film of the same name, was written in 1983 by crooner Paul Anka, the BBC reports. The current version of the song is available for streaming on the Jackson website, and features Jackson’s brothers on backing vocals.
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The most metal and non-metal moments in ‘Some Kind of Monster’
Written by John on October 13th, 2009Today’s post is in conjunction with our sister blog, Bed Time Movies. See the way Metallica brings families together?
Between the time bassist Jason Newsted left the metal giant Metallica in 2001 and the release of the album St. Anger in 2003, a documentary was made, basically chronicling a band who seemed to have lost its way. Much of the film involved conflict between front man James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, with guitarist Kirk Hammett timidly caught in the middle, like a child watching his parents divorce.
“Metallica: Some Kind of Monster” received a better critical reception than St. Anger, an album undermined by mixing that made a murky and incoherrent soup out of intense rhythms (Metallica would later get back to basics on 2008’s Death Magnetic). Meanwhile, the doc secured a 74 on Metacritic, with the New York Times calling it “a psychodrama of novelistic intricacy and epic scope.” The Washington Post also heaped on the praise: “Absorbing, funny, exhilaratingly entertaining ride through two years in the life of the most successful heavy metal band in history.”
“Some Kind of Monster” brings Metallica’s rock star gods down to a more human level. It’s ridiculous to expect any band except for the most hard-core satanic Scandinavian bands to be metal all the time, but it’s still a little disappointing to see Metallica as so … mortal.
Bed Time Movies and theFiver presents: The most metal and non-metal moments in “Metallica: Some Kind of Monster”
In 2001, Metallica seeks therapy
You don’t talk about your feelings if you’re metal. You only about death.
Lars talks about his paintings
Lars doesn’t paint guts exploding out of a decayed carcass. They’re more abstract. When he auctions off his work, he doesn’t use the proceeds to buy machine guns.
Kirk replaces drinking and drugs with surfing
His surfboard does not contain spikes, nor are the edges razor sharp.
Metallica comes up with a mission statement of what they want to accomplish in therapy
Mission statements are not metal.
Kirk appears wimpy throughout the film
He enjoys horseback riding on his beautiful and pristine ranch. It’s not a death-ranch, and I don’t think he eats the horses.
Lars says he wants James Hetfield to be “the best person he can be”
Former member Dave Mustaine’s teary confessions of inadequacy in a therapy session with Lars
You’re Dave Freakin’ Mustaine! You front a band called Megadeth!
Hetfield comes back from rehab wearing geek glasses
Also complains the documentary makes him feel like he’s “in the spotlight all the time.”
Hetfield attends his daughter’s ballet recital
The ballet isn’t about death, nor is it performed to symphonic metal.
Lars goes running for exercise and enjoyment
No fans are killed during Fan Appreciation Day
Hetfield talks about “abandonment issues”
He complains he cannot “get close” to people.
Kirk gets all zen.
He tries to be “egoless.” You’re the lead guitarist in Metallica, dude. You ought to be wearing giant bat wings and breathing fire. Also, showing off your wang.
Lars complains about getting ostracized by fans after suing Napster
Hetfield performs voice and scale exercises
Ought to have been performing growling and blood-drinking exercises.
The band talks about using “positive energy” to make the album
The album is called “St. Anger.”
The band gets all weepy now that the album is done
You don’t get weepy. You drink awful American beer and do horrible things for which you will need to a powerful defense attorney.
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Newsted quits the band
Quitting the band is so metal!
Hetfield drives a hotrod and gets pulled over
He also rides a big freakin’ chopper.
Hetfield’s vacation photos
He killed a bear while in Siberia. Killing and bears are both metal. Killing a bear is the most metal thing you can do on vacation.
Lars calls Hetfield “a complete dick!”
Metal!
Hetfield storms out of recording studio, slamming door
Also metal!
Lars’ dad
Totally metal! He’s got a long beard, a funny accent, and he hates the new album!
Newsted’s band Echobrain
When his former band mates come to see Echobrain at a club, Newsted completely blows them off, after which, Lars laments, “I’m in f—ng hell.”
The lyrics “My lifestyle determines my deathstyle.”
That’s Metalocalypse-metal.
During a band meeting, Lars complains about “all the f—ing rules!”
Also throws an f-bomb right in Hetfield’s face. Very metal.
Lars makes the best metal face while recording drum tracks
Band hires ugliest bassist they can find to replace Newsted
Image from music blog Stereo Warning
Shot video for new single in a maximum security prison
That’s pretty freaking metal.
PerformanceKlok: Birth control music
Written by John on October 10th, 2009Ben Folds performs “Learn To Live With What You Are” upon request.
Top 5 songs for the fall fair
Written by John on October 8th, 2009
Autumn. Here, in the Northeast, it is a time where the air seems crisper and cleaner, the trees practically explode with fall colors, and it’s our last chance to enjoy the outdoors before Old Man Winter lays his icy, bastard hands on us. I hate that guy.
Autumn is also the time of year where we celebrate the harvest with local fall fairs, steeped in history. For example, that delicious root beer you get at the fair, right from the barrel? That harkens back to the days of puritans, who would drown heretics and witches in their version of the tasty beverage.
And what about all those apples? Well, early colonists would often barter with the natives using apples as currency or, if the local tribe refused to trade, that Red Delicious would make a handy projectile.
What fair is complete without the oxen pulls, wherein beasts of burden drag weights under their master’s whip? You can trace that sport back to the early American farmer’s obsession with sadomasochism, as the the whip was an integral part of any sexual humiliation and the cry of “oxen-free!” often resonated throughout the rafters of the barn, as that was the preferred safe word of the time.
This is, of course, all bull. I hope. As of this writing, I’m getting ready to attend the Fryeburg Fair, one of the most popular fairs in New England. And to get me in the mood, I’ve compiled the following Top 5 songs for the fair:
1. “Going to the Country,” Steve Miller
Going to the Country.wma – Steve Miller Band
2. “Soulful Shade of Blue,” Neko Case
Soulful Shade Of Blue – Neko Case
3. “Cluck Old Hen,” Alison Krauss & Union Station
4. “Dance Tonight,” Paul McCartney
Dance Tonight – Paul McCartney
5. “Honeyed Out,” Kris Delmhorst
Runners Up: “Shine” (Cover), Dolly Parton; “Girl from the North Country,” Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash; “100 Miles to Charleston,” Martha’s Trouble.
Have you been to a local fair lately, no matter how sick or demented your reason? Share …
Top 5 Super Happy Songs Number 1!
Written by John on October 6th, 2009
War, recession, unemployment, Glenn Beck … with such darkness surrounding this day and age, how will we ever see the sun? Sometimes all it takes is a song.
1. “Fisherman’s Blues,” The Waterboys
There’s nothing bluesy about “Fisherman’s Blues,” and despite the longing in the lyrics, it’s a song that makes you want to smile.
2. “Just For Me,” Blues Traveler
Blues Traveler knows a thing or two about struggles, but they also know how to put it in perspective and how to celebrate with music.
3. “Headlong,” Queen
“There used to be a man with a stick in his hand/there used to be a woman with a hotdog stand!” So goes the lyrics to 1991’s “Headlong,” an oft-overlooked rockin’ tune by Queen. What does it mean? Who cares, just boogie down, man!
4. “There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You,” Ben Folds
Although it sounds like a put-down, “There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You” is the furthest thing from it. This song is about the joy that can be found simply by letting go.
5. “Top of the World,” Shonen Knife
If you’re going to sing a super-happy fun song by The Carpenters, you ought to be part of an all-girl punk band from Osaka, blaring it away with a heavy Japanese inflection. Only then does “Top of the World” achieve its fullest flower.
Discuss: What do you play to make you feel better?
Update
Written by John on October 4th, 2009We’re making a couple of minor changes to the schedule on theFiver. Top 5 lists will be updated Tuesdays and Thursdays, and newsbits and editorials will be updated throughout the week. PerformanceKlok will still be posted Saturdays. Wackiness and shenanigans will occur as before. We now return you to your regularly scheduled web browsing, already in progress.
