AWmusic

When I choose a piece of music to listen to, be it folk, classical, hip-hop or glitchy fucktronica, it must create that swell in my chest, and leave me lusting for more of the same.  Falling in love with a piece of music, however, is entirely different because there is no choice involved, and I typically stumble across such a track without really intending to spend much time on it at all.  All that being said, Clogs has churned out such a song that drew its fingernails across my neck and whispered against my ear, leaving me stunned and hitting the “<<” button to repeat it over and over.  Berninger’s gorgeously baritone vocals are flawless, and Dessner’s finger-plucking accompanied by Padsome’s viola and background vocals sweep over and then engulf you.  Think of a night – one where you’ve possibly had a couple of drinks, and you’re walking home because the bar closed and it’s a little chilly but not too chilly or far to walk.  And you’re walking, and you’re thinking about your misaccomplishments, and you start thinking about that girl; no, not the one that got away, but the one that you wandered away from because you were young, and you were impatient.  And you’re thinking about the way that she fluttered her fingers when she talked, and how she would call you at four in the morning to “go for a stroll because you can see the stars and you can see your breath”.  And you’re thinking about your job at the firm, and you’re thinking about how you saw her the other day, but she didn’t see you, and you pretended to search for something in your briefcase because you wouldn’t want her to see you as this person.

Clogs – Last Song
www.clogsmusic.com

Clogs is comprised of Bryce Dessner and (occasionally) Matt Berninger from The National, as well as three other members.  Their newest album was released on March 2nd, entitled The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton.

Here are this week’s posts:
Jess wrote a tribute to Pink Floyd’s Rick Wright.

Nancy did one mother fucking long post. Covering some key concerts happening this fall in the T-dot.

Kojo spread the word on Amanda Davids a Canadian soul artist.

Christian reviewed the not-yet released on this part of the world, Glasvegas’ self-titled disc.

I also sucked up the courage to listen to MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular.

The National’s Virginia EP is solid. At least I thought the Pitchfork review was not cool.

Joe reviewed Ray Garrison’s EP.

Adam reviewed Toronto ska/reggar band Rebel Emergency‘s EP.

I just found out about Siberian’s break up last week and wrote on my sadness.

I shared my input on the critically acclaimed You & Me by The Walkmen.

We Landed On The Moon are an upcoming band with a frontwoman who sounds a great deal like Jenny Lewis.

Ghalib covered rica-review/”>The Wiper’s Youth of America. Ghalib also proves that he likes to go out a ton with another concert review.

News around the blogosphere:
Pitchfork dropped a 1.6 on The Airborne Toxic Event. The band apparently didn’t like that. One thing for sure though, it caused a lot of discussion between bloggers… because TATE’s open letter was sent through their PR firm (Big Hassle) in an effort to make the review a publicity stunt (it worked). I didn’t care before, I don’t care now.

I guess I’m done…

One review of the Virginia EP was Pitchfork “awarding” it a 4.3, it’s a bit misleading though as there are a lot of positives given in the review. I really don’t bother with low scores, though sometimes it’s rather painfully obvious when album deserves to be panned. I didn’t think this EP was so bad to be honest.

The EP title for this disc is also misleading; it’s the length of a full release including 3 live tracks, some tracks used before as B-sides but still some new stuff as well. There are also two covers, one of Caroline Martin’s Without Permission and Bruce Springsteen’s Mansion On The Hill. I haven’t heard of either so it’s a little strange hearing the cover version before the original. Both songs are great with the latter, being a live version. I actually found myself unsatisfied with the live version of Fake Empire. It has a grandiose type ending but the performance itself with the crowd reaction seemed to lack the emotion of the song. The other two live tracks were much more lively though.

As for the reusing of songs from previous B-sides, I’m not all that mad at that, if you’re paying EP price for this disc, 12 tracks each of which are over 3 minutes long, it’s probably worth your money as a National fan.

The only real problem with this EP is that it’s not amazing, great or whatever other hyperboles you could come up with. It’s plainly average all the way around, not specifically standing out lyrically or musically. It’s not fair in this case to compare to Boxer or Alligator as they plainly state that the Virginia EP is meant to be full of b-sides.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5
I’d say this EP is great for hardcore fans of the National, for those few tracks that they don’t already have and the 3 live tracks of course. Rest of Years is still my favorite track off the EP as it was my favorite demo track previously. If you aren’t a National fan, but you are still interested, I strongly recommend last year’s Boxer.

Mp3s for your pleasure:

Rest Of Years by The National
Without Permission by The National

The Pineapple Express soundtrack which can be found here, I found sort of disappointing. For one the trailer which featured MIA’s Paper Planes is seemingly left off from the soundtrack and is no where to be found in the movie. Generally the use of the songs from the movie are background fodder. It also doesn’t help that I know very few of the tracks myself and a lot of them seem to be for the older crowd as well.

Here’s my own playlist for the movie instead:

Paper Planes by MIA
How I Became Paranoid by CSS
Stress by Justice
Freak Out by Liars
Midnight Runner by Cut Copy
D is for Dangerous by The Arctic Monkeys
Start A War by The National
The Green King Sings by Blitzen Trapper
My Girl Is Calling Me (A Liar) by Chromeo
Highway of Endless Dreams by M83

As for the movie, it was funny but it definitely wasn’t on the same level of funniness as the other films we’ve been accustomed to. I would say not to have your expectations too high because you are probably bound to be disappointed. It’s a solid film that doesn’t get too ridiculous with the marijuana jokes. It plays a factor in the movie but the action is actually pretty solid and most of the time it’s funny. Some things are a little bit over the top and recounting of events is a bit unnecessary and seems like filler script at best.

An alright summer movie to enjoy with some friends. Potentially better to go under of influence of some “help”. 3.5 out of 5.

I saw the film today with a few friends…more along the lines of doing something as I am admittedly never much of an Iron Man fan in my childhood. With the good reviews, I obviously did not protest seeing the movie at all. The movie itself was good but not great in my opinion. There are some funny moments and it the best part of the movie is the creation of Iron Man itself it follows the difficulties of Jason Stark to actually make a superhero. The graphic and special fxs are really cool and seeing the Iron Man itself is probably one of the cooler super hero moments. Robert Downey Jr. is a believable superhero unlike other superhero’s who are always looking to “serve and protect” and are stuck up bitches…Iron Man has much more personality. The problem that lies in this movie from making this “great” is that the plot is quite non-existant…nothing really happens in the movie. I can sum it all in a few sentences and there are certain points that take away from the movie like the sex with the reporter. An addition problem which my friends pointed out was that there wasn’t really a villian to make Iron Man that “super hero”. I secretly love villians and heels (in wrestling). The problem is that he had an enemy and was more against the destruction caused by war. By villian I mean someone you can feel for and can understand why he/she is evil…that duality is a key aspect I look for.

This movie seems to be more prepared for a sequel and like I said, it’s a good movie but not great. It’ll produce a few laughs and some cool action scenes but if you’re expecting “the great fucking thing ever” you’ll be disappointed.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

I was not that keen on the soundtrack so like last week, I’ll make my own. (You can find the actual soundtrack here)

1. Iron Man by Black Sabbath (I have to put this up)
2. MX Missiles by Andrew Bird
3. Start A War by The National
4. Killing Armies by Wolf Parade
5. Put Us Back Together Right by Headlights
6. The Great Escape by We Are Scientists
7. Fire It Up by Modest Mouse
8. You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine by Death Above 1979
9. Know You’re Enemy by Rage Against The Machine
10. One Man Army by Our Lady Peace
11. Air War by Crystal Castles