Saturday, June 14, 2008

Brain Notes - Volume 5
 

Without going in to a stunning array of details, let me say this - it’s been a rough couple of weeks.  There’s been a lot of transition, a lot of good things coming to an end, and the looming fear of a future uncertain.  The skies have been pretty grey here in old Sea-town, and I can’t help but think it might just be a reflection of the gloomy mood that’s hung over my shoulders these last few days. As it always has been, music is the universal salve that’s gotten me up and moving on even the grimmest of days. Thus, as always, for you my weekly smattering of thoughts, critiques, and snarky comments on this wide world of music.  For your enjoyment, my grey matter, briefly exposed.

There's A Guy In Nada Surf With Dreads?

Now, we here at Side One: Track One pride ourselves on eschewing the negative side of music criticism.  There’s too much good stuff in the world to get all bogged down by the multitude of shit that seeps in around the edges. 

With that said, I’ve never been a huge fan of Nada Surf.   I remember briefly bobbing my head to Popular when I was 12, and then pretty much blacking out on them for the next fourteen years.  Bits and pieces of news about new albums and singles have flitted in and out of my head, but nothing’s really stuck, and almost unable to muster even the slightest bit of interest in them.

Well, now I know why:

Ew, dreads.  Not even like well put together dreads, just a natty mess of dirty hair.  I’ve got nothing against dreads in certain situations (i.e. Rastafarians) but when the bassist of a mid-90s indie-pop band is still sporting them, I can’t shake the whole Spin Doctors image out of my head.

Well at least one mystery in my life has finally been solved.

Explorer's Club: What Exactly Is The Point?

Let me get this across first: I’m really enjoying the new album Freedom Wind by Dead Ocean’s The Explorers Club. It’s light and poppy and cleanly produced in a way that evokes white beaches, sun tan lines, and scantily clad beach-combers. My issue with album revolves not around the quality of the music, but instead with its near exact replication of The Beach Boys sound.

There’s nothing wrong, especially in these days of post-modern retooling, with digging around in other bands sonic sandboxes. Even better it’s nice to see bands pay homage to their more direct influences.  But what exactly is the point of crafting an album that sounds exactly like an older artist?

Freedom Wind is more than homage, it’s an experiment in replication, as if these South Carolina folk wanted to test themselves in their ability to be their favorite band. And sure, they’ve definitely succeeded in sounding like the more surf-rockish incarnation of The Beach Boys, but again, what’s the point?  Even more so, what does a band like The Explorers Club do for round two?  Ape another era of a favorite band’s discography or maybe just move on to another band?  Does a band like Explorers Club end up being the indie version of a cover band?

I have no clue, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

:Explorer's Club - Do You Love Me?:

Weezer: Why Is Everyone So Down On The New One?

After all the negative hoopla surrounding the new self titled Weezer album, I was expecting a pretty big travesty when I started scouring about the internet for leaked tracks.  It’s been years, YEARS since I’ve cared enough to track down a new Weezer album even though at one point in my earlier years I would’ve said they were my favorite band.  But the steady decline in quality, and seemingly caring, since Pinkerton has turned me irrevocably off of the one time charming nerd-rockers.

Thus, when rumors were being bandied about the internet that the newest album was by far their worse - and one of the worse of the year - my interest was peaked: what could these guys have done to top the shite-heap that was Make Believe?

After searching and listening and pondering, I’ve come to this conclusion: I have no idea what everyone is talking about.  Yes, it’s not anything special, the same problems with shallow lyrics and confusedly pop-rocky instrumentation, but it’s typical Weezer of the last five years.  No offense Weezer fans, but this is how the band has sounded since, well, Pinkerton, and though that is certainly sad, it’s nothing to get our collective panties in a bunch about. 

Those halcyon days of The Blue Album have come and gone and what remains is something that we old fans will never understand.  Perhaps something better will come, they’ll surely make more albums, hopefully of varying quality, but for now we’ll just have to wait, quietly consoling our inner middle-schoolers with softly hummed Say It Ain’t So lyrics.

Shameless Promotion Of My Other Job

I interviewed a bunch of great musicians this week over at Light In The Attic and I’d love if you headed over and read them:

Here is my sit-down with Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater. 

This one is with Nedelle and Chris from Asthmatic Kitty.

- Noah Sanders -



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