Me and my friends are like the drums on "Lust for Life” 
We pound it out on floor toms 
Our psalms are sing-along songs 

And this whole town is like this 
Been that way our whole lives 
Just work at the mill until you die 
Work at the mill, and then you die 

We’re gonna build something, this summer 
We’re gonna build something, this summer 
We’ll put it back together- raise up a giant ladder 
With love, and trust, and friends, and hammers (This summer!) 
We’re gonna lean this ladder up against the water tower 
Climb up to the top, and drink and talk (This summer!) 

Me and my friends are like “Double-whiskey-coke-no-ice.” 
We drink along in double time; might drink too much, but we feel fine 
We’re gonna build something, this summer. 
Gonna build something, this summer. 

This summer, grant us all the power to drink on top of water towers, 
With love, and trust, and shows, all summer (Get hammered!) 
Let this be my annual reminder that we can all be something bigger 

I went to your schools, I did my detention 
But the walls are so gray, I couldn’t pay attention 
I heard your gospel- it moved me to tears, 
But I couldn’t find the hate, and I couldn’t find the fear 
I met your Savior, I knelt at his feet, 
And he took my ten bucks, and he went down the street 
I tried to believe all the things that you said, 
But my friends that aren’t dying are already dead. 

Raise a toast to St. Joe Strummer 
I think he might’ve been our only decent teacher 
Getting older makes it harder to remember…we are our only saviors 
We’re gonna build something, this summer .

Constructive Summer, The Hold Steady - Stay Positive 2008

This was the lyric from the song "Lord, I'm Discouraged."

"Lord, I'm sorry to question your wisdom
but my faith has been wavering
Won't you show me a sign,
And let me know that you're listening?"

I was drawn to the words of lament that sounded as if they came straight from the book of Psalms. I found the lyrics on-line, and I listened to the song again. The song follows the story of a girl who'd ill and not getting better. The narrator is grieving a lost chance at love. He's questioning how this could ever happen. And the song climaxes with a cry of lament from a heart willing to speak the questions so many of us have at so many points in our lives.

This may be when we see the thousands displaced by yet ANOTHER natural disaster. Hasn't the Gulf Coast had enough disasters for a lifetime? Hear about the hundreds of thousands displaced by war, corruption, and famine all over the world...

We've thought the words when after months and months of waiting with baited breath and increased excitement yet find disappointment when it comes down to the last minute. A house not selling and needing to make new decisions, an adoption falling through and starting from square one, or a job just not working out as expected.

This is the cry of the world looking at a brokenness around them. I have no idea of where the band is coming from spiritually, but The Hold Steady gave voice to the cries of the masses. We sometimes cringe at questions like these; they're ugly and full of doubt. Or are they?

Moses fought with God for the people of Israel. Abraham fought with God over Lot and his family. Paul questioned God's plan when He wouldn't take away an issue. Even Jesus himself asked for the cup to be taken away. And sometimes God does, and sometimes God doesn't. I do know that prayer works: houses do sell, grace is given by unexpected aid, adoptions do pull through in the final hours. That is the beauty of the fight on our knees.

In all honesty, and this may get me in touble, but I'm not sure it's wrong to question God anymore. I've faught hard with him over depression for both Jenna and me. Yet I've found peace spoken through his word, through the community he's brought into my life, and especially in the answers given in hindsight. That basic fact that I can't always know the heart of the Father, but I can rest in the comfort that he knows the plans better than I do. That he will and DOES bring beauty from ashes.

It's after Labor Day - the summer is now officially over, culturally if not astronomically. So here's a set of end-of-summer songs, all with a tinge—or more—of autumnal melancholy.

MP3: The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer

MP3: Belle and Sebastian - I Know Where the Summer Goes

MP3 link: Kevin Drew - Summer Time Dues (at RCRD LBL)

Image: End of Summer by Flickr user Jim Wallace, reposted here under its Creative Commons license.

And now.... The News!

-Helen Mirren Loves loved Cocaine.

-Sufjan Stevens recently scored Natalie Portman's directorial debut Eve. Read more at Stereogum

-Man pinned under blankets for three days! Read more!

In an effort to find anything negative about Sarah Palin, a Post article for your pleasure.

-Manchester City have somehow managed to sign Robinho from Real Madrid. This comes after a month of speculation regarding Chelsea and the Brazillian. Too bad... 

-Dimitar Berbatov has joined Manchester United.... Sigh.

-Wilco and Fleet Foxes covered the Bob Dylan tune, "I Shall be Released" at their Spokane, WA show. Here's a video!!!

Hey This American Life,

Please listen to this and hire me!

Dramatic Monolouge

I swear, the guitar solo on "Joke about Jamaica" might be one of the best things to happen to me this summer. I just sit there and go, "wait for it. Wait For It. WAIT For It. WAIT FOR IT. OH NO IT'S HERE!!!! MIND BLOWN!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

Enough. You get it. I like distortion, awesome solos and chunky riffs. But here's another thing that you probably didn't see coming--they have some straight up excellent lyrics. Sure, it's all about drugs, decrepitude, staying positive, etc, but I like to think of them as the Faulkner or Vonnegut of bands. Instead of Jefferson or Illium, they have Minnesota. I know that's the state, but I'm still working out the lyrics and I can't figure out yet if this is all happening in St. Paul, Massachusetts, or some place called Igor City (sic). In the future, I think I want to annotate one of their songs, not only so you can see what I'm saying, but also for the sake of making sure that even I understand. Their sing along songs are quickly becoming my scriptures.

They also go on tour in two days. I may be saying this as if it were going to happen, but I really want to spend all day tomorrow scouring Brooklyn for them. I don't even know why I would do such a thing. "Hey, Craig, Tad. You've given me hope for a record deal. Thanks for being awesome, now go out there and get 'em" Or maybe I'd try to get a picture with them. In retrospect, this seems like a very misguided idea.

Oh, also, I know they kind of get looked down upon for being a bar band. Well, I like bars, beer and great guitar work a lot. So there. Perhaps it's appropriate that one of the best rock bands in America is a bar band. Perhaps that's also why most of America doesn't know about them.

[mfr]

So there it is: my year in festivals. Latitude, Rock IM Park, V and Leeds. It’s been emotional; I’ve laughed, I’ve cried; I’ve urinated in places my mother would be disgusted to hear about and I’ll probably do it all again next year...

Either that or I’ll sod it off and go somewhere warm for once.

What I'm listening to this week: Florence and the Machine and Kings of Leon

What I'm reading this week: The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

Stay tuned.

sP

Hey, so what's up? I know you guys are like, you know, doin' stuff, but I wanted to check in, see how things are going. Hey B___, remember that one time you joked when your other friend came here? I'm sorry I don't remember her name, I was busy manhandling my skillets and I was shocked that I, like a complete dumbass, shook her hand while I still had egg on mine. Remember after that when you were walking out the door and you joked, "Bye dad!" and I yelled, "Bye, daughter!"? I'm worried that our joking could have been nothing if not true. You may be black and a year older than me, but--surprise!--I'm your father.

No, seriously though, I'm worried that our jokes secretly hinted at the truth. I'm afraid I'm the house dad and I want to apologize in advance for some of the shit that I put (or will put) you guys through. Even T___'s mom, who was here today, was making jokes. She goes, "Are those cookies?" I'm like, "You can definitely have some." She says, with eyebrows raised, "You baked cookies?" To which I replied, "Yes I did." "That's very domestic of you." "I am very domestic." "Could you give T___ some tips?" I chuckled and continued slaying the guitar I was playing (more on that later). That's right; I bake cookies. Peanut Butter with chocolate chips from scratch on the daily. Get excited.

Back to what the shit I was talking about. I can't help but worry where you guys are when you go out at night. You're like my surrogate family--which is why we really need to get on that family photo we talked about--and I honestly worry about you. You think those texts that say, "Are you alive?" or "Are you going to respawn at home base or are you OK?" are jokes--and they kind of are--but I'm pretty much dead serious (wow, in retrospect, that is a terrible pun). I don't want to claim you at the morgue. It's just more fun just hang with you (good gravy, this is terrible. Next topic).

I'm sorry I clean the dishes all the time. That's something I'm going to try to reign in. I know it's secretly awesome for you guys but it kind of causes a lot of stress for me. I see a full sink or a full drying rack and, for some reason, I simply have to clean them or empty the rack.

Interesting tangent--when I graduated from college, my uncle gave me a couple of graduation presents. One of those presents was the secret to cooking ribs properly. Another was worcestershire sauce. One of the best was the following sentence: "No stress, man." "Uncle F___, what do you mean?" "I mean, 'No Stress.'" So here's my promise; I'll clean my dishes as long as you clean your dishes. I'll try a whole lot harder to let you do your own dishes, even if I do find cleaning dishes oddly relaxing.

Also, since we all have different schedules, wanna have like Sunday night family dinners or something? I know we don't really have enough chairs to "gather 'round" the dinner table, but it'd be nice to have some unity since I'm the only person who hangs out in the common rooms. Is it because I've been playing The Hold Steady non-stop for the last month or so? I'm sorry, this is just how I learn music. I listen to it until I can finally hear the lyrics. Interesting story; whenever I hear a CD for the first time, all I can hear is the guitar riffs, keyboard trills, bass lines and drum beats (not necessarily in that order, of course). And you know who provides awesome amounts of all of the previous? Yep, so I'm sorry I don't know the lyrics yet.

On a related note, J___ and T___, I'm sorry, and I don't know how to say this to you (which is why I'm typing it), but I cannot stand country music--alt or original blend. I'm going to do my best to tough it out because you guys did the honor of asking me to play lead guitar in your alt-country band. I mean, I reserve the right to play loud, distorted blues riffs and secretly (well, not so secretly anymore) attempt to make our band more profitable, but I'm going to give it the old college try. I can be Robert Johnson with the distortion of Jimi Page and you guys can be Willie Nelson or Wilco or whatever it is you kids are listening to these days.

Oh, also, J___: my mom says you're not allowed to smoke your cigars in our apartment. Her words, not mine.

See you in the common room,

Chris

tad kubler of The Hold Steady even said they had “lost the plot” and something about In Rainbows being emotionless and drone. ironically the sole reason I’ve never had a lot of motivation to listen to The Hold Steady often is because I find that exact feeling in their music. sure, I’ll jam out to one or two of their tunes that have been shared with me by friends, but that is where I draw the line. the only thing I can imagine when I put on ‘Stuck Between Stations’ is sitting in my favorite local pub (www.mcnallys.biz).  In Rainbows is possibly the most intricate and beautifully composed album of the year and its contrasting moods, complexities and emotions set it apart from any other albums in Radiohead’s discography.  Each song on the album is completely unique and interesting. Music is about motion and progress and creation and discovery. I can think of no artist that better exemplifies those attributes. Radiohead has consistently grown as a band throughout their career. They learn from each piece of music they compose and expand their ideas and abilities to continue to create new sounds and feelings.

if you don’t like Radiohead, you’re doing it wrong.

So, in the name of the First Amendment and Barack Obama's vice presidential announcement, I've decided to make my voice heard.  This is a change I can believe in.  

 

David Berman: To me, what I would like to hear from Radiohead would be something besides a feeling. I would like it if Radiohead would sing something that you could take with you.

Pitchfork: That you could put in your pocket.

 

I just got my computer back from the shop, and was startled when I looked in iTunes and realized that I've listened to "15 Step" and "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" ten times each.  Besides the buckling drums that kick off "15 Step" (the first ten seconds of the album, in other words), I couldn't really tell you much about In Rainbows.  When I put my top ten list together back in December/January, it didn't even cross my mind to put Radiohead on the list (and I was reaching for things to fill it out, too: I included Akron/Family's Love is Simple, a record that I still don't think I've listened to the whole way through).  I couldn't quote more than two or three lines of lyrics for you, and I could possibly pin the title on one or two other tracks.

I listened to In Rainbows again today, and I still feel the same way that I've felt since it came out: nothing.  And that's where I disagree with Berman; he thinks that they're only singing about feelings, and I get nothing but frost.  This is a cold, cold record.  With the exception of the minor rock-out that closes "Bodysnatchers," there's very little emotion here at all.  "All I Need" was lauded when the record initially dropped as being Thom Yorke's first straight-ahead love song.  If this is what he thinks it sounds like to be in love, then someone needs to wake him up; there's not an ounce of passion anywhere in here, from the ship-rowing bass piano to the sheer boredom in his voice.  In their review, Blender said that In Rainbows is "primarily composed of love songs ... that are starving for human connection but generate all the interpersonal warmth of a GPS system."  I agree with the GPS image, but if these would-be lovers were really starving, wouldn't they cry out to be fed?  Wouldn't there be pain, aching, or at the very least some sense of want?  The computer voice in "Fitter Happier" sounds more passionate.

This is Radiohead, though, so the record sounds great.  The production is beautiful; the cymbals in "Reckoner," in particular, sound wonderful, even if the verse is kinda a rip-off of Midlake's "Roscoe."  And I think that that's how Radiohead got by on this one -- they made a record that sounds like a great record, even though it isn't.  Its universal acceptance says something that Radiohead themselves would appreciate: we're not really paying attention, are we?  With ears at half-mast, In Rainbows sounds like it's probably pretty epic, and it fits well in the small spaces behind Facebook and Tumblr.  I'm sure that that's not Radiohead's intention with In Rainbows -- though I do think that they're clever and talented enough to pull something like that off -- but I do think that it's true, and it gets at what Berman meant when he said that he wishes Radiohead would make "something that you could take with you."  This music does not stick; it's been slicked up in production and it slides by on a combination of name recognition and mute buttons.  In Rainbows?  Sounds more like Greyscale.  

There's another quote from Berman, much further down in the interview, where he says

Never before has there been a "greatest band in the world" who had so little to say about anything. 

And he's right.  I don't feel like Radiohead have anything to say.  Are they great musicians, composers, arrangers, and producers?  Of course.  But so is Steve Vai, and I don't see anyone making his case as World's Greatest Artist.  And that's because he's not making art, and he may not even claim to (beats me; I've never read an interview with him); he's just flexing his talent, and I can respect him for that.  But Radiohead do fancy themselves artists, or it's at least the banner that's at constant peril of being shrugged off of their apathetic shoulders.  And they certainly looked like artists eight years ago, the last time they released a record that had any teeth.  Listening to "Everything in its Right Place" (an ironic title by now), and listen to Thom's moaning and the swirls and groans that slurry behind him, and try not to be drawn in.  That was -- and still is -- great art.  But at this point in their career, Radiohead have become some sort of sly self-portrait, a fancy frame done up to distract you from the fact that there's nothing going on on the canvas.  In fact, there may not be a canvas there at all.

Simple, sometimes unknown, pleasures.

People, I have some bad news. This will not be another of my misanthropic rants. There are no eff or c words here. I've just experienced something very unfamiliar; an epiphany, if you will.

Let me explain. Through a series of SNAFUs too tedious to explain here, I have found myself temporarily music player-less, so have resorted to using my partner's only half jiggered old one, which has no display. Now, whilst we obviously have some stuff in common, I am happy to say we are not one of those sick-making couples who regard themselves as "one mind", and we are happy to keep our musical proclivities very separate. We approach our players in very different ways – I fill mine with my favourite bands' back catalogues, whilst he is much happier to pick only his very favourite tunes, from anywhere, old or new.

Hence the epiphany. I have just spent the last hour being in turn surprised, delighted, puzzled and intrigued by some of the stuff I've found on the old player. And the beauty of it is there is no screen, so I have no idea what or who some of this stuff is. Now, in this age of information overload this is not a normal experience, and I have to say I was beginning to find it more than a little frustrating. But I decided to surrender myself to the fates, enjoy the liberating feeling of not being blasted with information about every-little-bloody-thing, and try very hard not to judge (I did marry him, after all).

And so it has come to pass, in the past hour, I have listened to:

• The Bloodhound Gang (don't know the name of the song, but it's got a lot of shouting on it, and is not crap)
• Stars  - My Favourite Book (This was the highlight of the last album for me – simple, and a little bit sugary, just like Amy Millan's voice)
• Bruce Springsteen - Hungry Heart (You have got to love the boss. If you don't, you have no soul)
• Heart – Alone (This needs no explanation or justification)
• The Hold Steady - Banging Camp (Predictable, but good)
• My Morning Jacket - the one that starts "a ree rum rum rum, a ree rum rum" (What a great tune – why didn't they do more of this on the new album?)
• A nice indie type tune, chorus goes "I can't find these easy pieces" or "I can't find this easy peasy"?
• Neutral Milk Hotel – the one with the kazoo at the end, and something about holy water (Achingly hip, for those in the know, apparently. Listening to this, I can't figure out why they weren't huge)
• Bright Eyes – a song I've never heard, with loads of fiddles, and something about satan and whores of Babylon (I probably should have heard this before, but I haven't. Glad I have now though, it's very good)
• The Ramones – Beat on the brat (See Heart, above)
• The theme tune from Scrubs (which, in its entirety, is a lovely lickle tune)
• The Lemonheads – Tenderfoot (What a tune! I had completely forgot how great this is)
• The Little Ones – Lovers Undercover (Now, when he discovered this he played it. A lot. So I never have, but it really is a top tune – In a Jilly Goolden stylee, I'm getting hand claps, shouts, and some lovely percussion – all the factors needed for a top pop song)
• PiL – Rise (This really is a very good song, which, when you think about it, is a bit of a surprise.  A wee cockney shouting shouldn't be this good.)
• The Postal Service – The District Sleeps Tonight (I take full responsibility for this one. It is a great album, get it if you don't have it already)
• Paul McCartney – Ever Present Past (From the starbucks album, which I do think is a bit overlooked. Losing the legless bint obviously did his songwriting the power of good)

Now, these may not be obscurities, or rarities, or even forgotten classics, but to my ears I've heard them anew, and I've remembered all of the reasons I love music so much. And for that I thank a crappy MP3 player with a faulty screen. Oh, right, and my other half. I urge you to try it – I'm not suggesting you deliberately damage your shiny ipod or whatever, just steal someone else's (or, for the less larcenous among us, borrow) cover your screen, don't touch "skip" and listen.

Now, I'm going to have to go and find someone to call a c**t, before people think I've gone soft.

(To clear up a few points; The Bloodhound Gang song was the immense 'Going Nowhere Slow' from the One Fierce Beer Coaster. A touring song containing the great line 'if you were not entertained, you didn't drink enough booze'. Quite. The My Morning Jacket song is 'The Way That He Sings' from At Dawn. The nice indie toon was 'Three Easy Pieces', the title track from the criminally underrated last Buffalo Tom album. The Bright Eyes song is the fabulous 'Four Winds'. Mr Scant Regard.)

Note: 4/5

Apparently, there are some indie rockers taking pot shots at mega-huge-but-retaining-indie-cred band Radiohead. The guitar player for The Hold Steady, Tad Kubler, & lead singer for The Silver Jews, David Berman, both ripped Radiohead in the past week. As a Radiohead fan, I completely disagree with them both. I haven't listened to The Silver Jews but I hear they are pretty good. I do have one Hold Steady album ("Boys & Girls In America") & I like it. However...they can't hold a candle to Radiohead. Their music is pretty damn catchy & it definitely rocks...but all they sing about is boozing & chasing girls...not that there is anything wrong with that.

*Subscription music: Is iTunes Unlimited, an all-you-can-listen music option rumored to someday cost $130/year from Apple, imminent?

*Beer: Jessica Simpson has become the spokesperson for Stampede Light Plus beer. Personally, this does nothing at all to diminish my love of beer. People: I am resolute. [buzzfeed]

*Pop music: Mountain Dew has started a singles-only record label, Green Label Sound, that will feature bands such as Cool Kids. You know what's even better than Mountain Dew? That Red Alert stuff. Or Code Five or whatever the fuck it's called. [listening post]

*Gadgets: The Apple Walkpod: a cassette-playing iPod. [bb gadgets]

*Local: The Bryant Lake Bowl is throwing a block party. The Rock for Democracy block party is set for Saturday, September 13 from 4pm-10pm, and will feature Brass Messengers, Prairie Sons and a surprise headliner. Also: roller girls! [mfr]

*Bar bands: NPR interviews the Hold Steady. (Craig Finn does not tell Thom Yorke to "Eat a dick." Which is a prime indicator that this is not, in fact, Grade A beef.) [heavy critters]

*Idol: People who are either insane or are hardcore American Idols fans (I would love to see the Venn diagram of these two groups) can now Sajaya-ize themselves. Of course, that's a Cardinal sin. But still.

The Hold Steady

Vocalist/guitarist Craig Finn (ex-Lifter Puller) formed the Hold Steady in New York in 2004. Wanting to capture the sound of bands such as The Replacements and The Grifters, he recruited guitarist Tad Kubler (also ex-Lifter Puller), drummer Judd Counsell, and bassist Galen Polivka. In 2005 the band grew to include Franz Nicolay on keyboards and Bobby Drake took over on drums following Counsell’s departure. The band recently finished recording their fourth album, Stay Positive, recorded again with Boys And Girls In America producer John Agnello.

The Hold Steady might just be the best bar band in America. With its riff-heavy mixture of classic rock and Craig Finn's lyrically dense storytelling, the group crafts intricately detailed musical universes that have already made it a critical darling and fan favorite. - NPR

The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer

Drive By Truckers (you may remember them from when they played at Headliner's and ear x-tacy back in March)

On Brighter Than Creation's Dark, the Athens, Ga.-based band Drive-By Truckers offers an epic and emotional 19-song rock statement. The roots-music powerhouse knows its way around thundering Southern rockers, country ballads and, lately, Stax-inspired soul. -NPR

Drive By Truckers- Daddy Needs a Drink (Live)

Thursday, October 30th
Coyote's @ CityBlock
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
18 and over
Adv $23 / Dos $25

And now, in a weeks' time, I've gone from Donna Reed to jamming to local indie-rap, working on a deadline, feeling energized by the challenge to get creative on a tight timeline.  I get a sick kind of high from doing the work I do -- when I have what I need to get done what is asked of me, I love it.  And I'm good at it. 

It's not like I prefer one over the other... I loved being home with my ladies, and I love doing this work, and they are both passions of mine and they both enhance me in different ways.

Entirely unrelated: The Hold Steady + Drive-By Truckers.  November.  First Ave.  I am considering this the reward for surviving through 2008.  Hoist up your gin in your jam jars, friends.  I may make it through this year.

Here are some dates to keep in mind:

August 21 (yes, Thursday):

Surprise! Bloc Party will release their third LP, Intimacy, all digital-like via Atlantic. It follows the deservedly successful Silent Alarm and A Weekend in the City, both of which top many critics’ lists in 2005 and 2007. Fittingly, the producers from each album, Paul Epworth and Jacknife Lee, respectively, teamed up behind the boards. It aims to be a combination of the raw sounds of their debut and the layered U2-lite balladry of last year’s disc. Post-AWITC singles “Flux” and “Mercury” hinted at new directions and we can’t help but be excited about the progress of one of our favourite bands. Bloc Party recently came through SF Gordon Moakes-less, but look forward to seeing them again this year.

October 28:

Intimacy gets a physical release.

November 23 – 24^:

The Hold Steady and Drive-By Truckers will be at the Fillmore. This is the first under-21 THS show since mid-2006 and will be promoting Stay Positive. DBT will headline the first night and THS the second. Presales begin tomorrow.  Drive-By Truckers are certainly not the Counting Crows.

The tracklist for Intimacy's Thursday release:

1. Ares
2. Mercury
3. Halo
4. Biko
5. Trojan Horse
6. Signs
7. One Month Off
8. Zephyrus
9. Better Than Heaven
10. Ion Square

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