Well, then...

This is awfully...

...

I don't want to say awful but it really kind of is...kind of awful.

Plenty kind of awful.



Alright.

Here's what I think, truly.  It's everything from the last two albums I did not fancy mixed into one track (think Knights of Cydonia (which I really dislike no matter what any of you louts say; that song is mostly lame) plus United States of Eurasia (which as the name implies was full of rot)) but will sound amazing in concert (no surprise) and somehow manages to be ever so slighty less agitating.  As an Olympic Theme, I can give it a pass in its ridiculousness.

What else can I say about it? I can say it's actually typical later Muse and not the dreadful influenced drivel I was expecting since the Unmentionable happened.  I'm still expecting some of that on the new album but it's not present here.  A glimmer of hope, perhaps?

And the end of this song?

It is in no way awesome.  It's in no way a "Whhaauuhhhtt" in your face sort of awesome.

It's more of a "Whhhaaaaatttt" disbelief reaction in its terribleness.

Yep, it totally smells like dog buns.

Currently: Unamused.

This Week: The Rapture

The world may not have ended last Saturday but I certainly had some sort of messed up week.

Two tickets to Arctic Monkeys went to a sad waste, work was less than kind, my good speakers could not console me after a bad day because they decided not to work, and I got my ass kicked by Ghetsis in Pokémon: Black Version.

Seriously...Pokémon.

Yes, it was a trying week but things can always be worse.

I mean, I could listen to this new Arctic Monkeys album I am holding in my hand (more than a week early, mind you! For some reason it was shipped to me ahead of its June 6th release - did they think I was from Rotherham and not New York City? Longer shipping times?) and discover that Suck It and See, sucks and I see what it did there.

What I did there, did you see it?

Or...it could be really great and make me feel even more miserable that I missed the show on Tuesday.

It sure is sounding like a lose/lose situation all around.

Currently listening to: "She's Thunderstorms" by Arctic Monkeys.  Uh... hmm.  This is just okay.  "All My Own Stunts" is sounding like better times and "Library Pictures" is sounding like a win (and a winner is me with number 6, H1).

But this right here?

Wait for it...

This is my jam!!!!!

Observations of the Week

On The Beatles:

I finally busted open my The Beatles stereo box set collection the other day and began listening.  I've managed to go through maybe 4 albums of the 13 thus far and ...how surprising.

Having never heard an entire album on its own I have to say that that LSD is something else (and whatever other manners of drugs were dabbled with) - aside from the stalking, murderous intent and songs about cannibalizing piggies (but who can blame a piggyh for cannibalizing, I say), they were pretty normal those boys.

On Vampire Weekend:

Some while now, I was first introduced to VW through their Stereogum contribution to the 10 year anniversary of Radiohead's OK Computer.  They covered "Exit Music (For a Film)", and while not the greatest it was certainly one of the better covers on that disc.

Then I used to make a point of it to get free music from Daytrotter Sessions.  Hm, I wonder why I stopped that? Regardless, I picked up some live/acoustic music by them from there as well.

It was sometime later that the craze hit.  Everyone LOVED them some VW and I refused to budge.  I found them okay and never bothered to get their first album or at least I forgot to request it from TD5 and I'm surprised he forgot to lend me a listen.

This week saw the release of their second album and at $3.99 on Amazon's MP3 store, I decided I'd take that chance while acknowledging that I should try to not judge having not heard their critically acclaimed first.

After APW, I knew they were great live and was not sure how they would translate to studio.  And my observation was that they sounded musically fun and interesting but there was something just OFF with the vocals.

Something annoying.

Something...hipsterish.

Wiki has confirmed for me what I already feared.

TD5 I will forgive for he knows not much about such things but Beetchie? Oh, sad days...I was stunned by her love of this band.

I spoke to her about it yesterday and she now blames me for ruining a band for her but in the long run, I was looking out for her best interest, I was.

Currently listening to: "Cousins" by Vampire Weekend.  Hmph.  I'll still get the first album in fairness but I am still feeling rather appalled at the moment.

So Far

So Good.

Of course, I've only really listened to one song so things can change.

But damn it, is it a great song!

And now I'm listening to another and it's different...Origin of Symmetry Different?

OoS is my favourite.

I think I'm going to be just fine with this album...

And if nothing else, the LE boxset is beautiful.

Currently listening to: The Resistance by MUSE.

Count so far:

"Unnatural Selection" - great. Love it lots!!!!!!

"MK Ultra" - Better than okay but not greater than that on first listen.

"The Resistance" - This albums KoC. I hate that song. I might be inclined to say I hate this one too. Or maybe just the beginning and the chorus. The verses are fantastic. Chorus...ignore, ignore, ignore the line about "love".

"Guiding Light" - Can't get any more 80's-put-up-your-lighters than this. Fail! Oh, H1. This is number 5 too. Epic Fail.

"I Belong to You (+Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix)" - hilarious and kind of a wtf moment. Then followed by more hilarious. Ahahahahaha. They plugged their own band name in there. That's classic right there. Followed by...French? Actual French? And not cool like "Psycho Killer"? Meh, in Matt's defense, no French will ever be as cool as "Psycho Killer" but way to butcher the language there, Bells. Way to butcher. Matt? Stop going to the opera.

"USoE" - Queen all the way and they know it. I like it because they made it a joke. But will my face be red at the concert when they play it? Yes. Embarrassment awaits.

"Undisclosed Desires" - Guilty pleasure song of the year. It's so bad! Muse does R&B. That alone is greatness but they have no business doing things they have no clue about. Awww, I like this stupid ass song. And stupid ass it is. With a touch of Depeche Mode.

"Uprising" - has really grown on me. I'll sing it proudly next Wednesday and salute bears and all.

"Exogenesis" - ...I have to really listen to the three part symphony that my boy composed on his own. I'm not ready to take in a symphony, so I'll rant about it when I do. I'm expecting pure greatness though. Um, minus...the slap bass I keep reading about?

Well...

This will be an ongoing thing until 9/14 but I have only a few days left to hopefully eat my words but I heard two more tracks from MUSE's new album and this is not sounding good for me.

Love is our resistance?

Oh Matt.

Why so lyrically challenged? More so than usual?

Currently: worried.

Bad 80's, Bad Synth Pop, and All Sorts of Bad

I know...

Hm.

I know I...

::sigh::

Forgive me while I try to spit this out.

Here goes.

I know I really should not have an opinion right now being that I've only had the opportunity to listen to 30 second sound clips of every song.

But...I'm thinking MUSE's new album might just be a tad bit craptacular this the 5th time around.

Every band's allowed one but wtf, man.

WTF.

Less than a month to confirm failure or be truly mesmerized and eat my words.

Please let it be that I eat my words.

Please?

Currently listening to: "Undisclosed Desires" by MUSE. Oh, it was going so good until Depeche Mode invaded. I've got nothing against DM but MB, DH and CW need to stay away!

I should have known this would happen! This is the first album cover I like! Ugh.

Treasure Hunt

Every tour, and in some cities, MUSE would hold a bit of a treasure hunt for their fans.
The conspiracy theorists and crazies, much like Matt, would decipher encrypted messages from the band and go running around town for random bits of things left behind.
I believe there was a bicycle one year.

With the new album almost upon us, MUSE have completely revamped their website and have unlocked a microsite called The Ununited States of Eurasia, and with it a Global Treasure Hunt.

USB keys were hidden in various countries and so far, I think all have been found over the course of this past week.

The codes on the USB keys, discovered by 'agents' (which is what MUSE are calling us) unlock fragments of one of their new songs, "The United States of Eurasia".

So far, I've listened to the bits unlocked and it's very Queen, "We are the Champions" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" like.

With bad vocals.

...

I will continue to comfort myself by the fact that it will be quite the grandiose stadium anthem of their tour or would that be the three part epic piece "Exogenesis: Symphony", that I am also nervous to hear especially since Dom and Chris had reservations doing it and Matt composed (I'm talking symphony here...he. composed. a symphony) himself?

...

In other MUSE news, they're playing the VMAs this year. I am shocked and excited!

Too excited, perhaps.

I went ahead and dreamt that I had tickets to the VMAs just to suffer through all the other bullshit to see them and as soon as Matt spotted me in the crowd he yelled something close to, "you made it!" and proceeded to pull me from where I stood to go hang out.

Ah yes, and thus begins 2009 - 2010's crazy obsession with MUSE on my part.

Aren't you guys just so enthralled?

Currently listening to: Unlocked bits of "The United States of Eurasia" by MUSE.

Crying Lightning

Maybe it's just me and my ears, because two years ago when "Brianstorm" came out, I didn't care for that song on first listen but then clearly I was struck by a small dose of stupidity because that's one of the best songs ever...

...but anyway, as for this "Crying Lightning" which I purposely stayed away from until the release of the new album Humbug but had no choice BUT to go take a listen since the concert's coming up before album release, I'm not sure I'm loving it.

H1, for you -



Well, it certainly sounded better on second go but...

Who am I kidding? I'll be all enthralled in two days or so.

A Bus Out of Town

If you're not watching Flight of the Conchords this season, you can just be like Carol Brown:



And get outta here!

Not Yet Caught Up

I'm not even sure I will be.

It's been an entire week now since U2's album came out (that's right, I don't know if people are still saying 'dropped', but I refuse to use it) and I've not listened.

For all of last week, U2 took over David Letterman's show and Mayor Bloomberg renamed 53rd Street, "U2 Way" to celebrate.

Here's a fuzzy picture taken by our buddy Mahone because things are always happening in NYC and when I can, I try to get my friends to do my dirty work for me...heh.



H1 says U2's album sucks big time, which is why I probably haven't listened yet...

Edit on 3/20/09:

Here's another grainy shot, taken by one of Mahone's weoples (that's my new word - weople):



There's no The Edge, so I'm not truly interested.

And I've still not listened to the album...

It's Only Been a Damned Year and a Half!

Finally!

The 3rd Bleach Soundtrack has been released and it's better than fantastic!
Those assholes did recycle a few songs that are on the movie soundtracks but they are forgiven because I get to hear my Ulquiorra's greatness and my Shinji's sleazy-casino shadiness in music version all the time now after waiting since May 2007 after seeing Ulqui's introduction that involved his smacking Yammi like a little bitch and the first of the great Espada music was played.

Shiro Sagisu is great.



Look at that cover - it's so awesome!

Wheeeeeee!

Thanks Bughie J.!

Currently listening to: "Nube Negra" by Shiro Sagisu, from the Bleach Original Soundtrack 3.

Eh

The Streets did something kind of cool and way crazy. Most of the new album's songs were up on their MySpace with a message that four were scattered on other bands'/artists' sites, prompting a 'treasure hunt'.

I wish I could call it that but I listened to the album and can't say that I'm overly thrilled. Some of the songs are okay, some of them are judgey and as an overall experience, Mike Skinner has totally changed - horribly, I think. Sure he's grown up some and that might be a good thing because it creates a different direction but it just sounds kind of whiney now.

His poor rapping is no longer covered up by wit and cleverness of the content and lyrics which was always forgiveable to me because that's what made it entertaining.

I liked less than half the album from what I heard on the first go but have no inclination to go back. I wrote down the ones I liked and will buy individual mp3s next week when "Everything is Borrowed" comes out.

I feel betrayed but I knew it was coming since the last album was mostly sucky.

Lame.

Again With The Assholery

That is NIN.

So, Trent's been doing a lot of shart lately. Two weeks ago he said he'd stream it live - the 'grand' event of his signing the LE copies of Ghosts I-IV. Umm. Okay. Whatever. Lame but whatever.

Today I get my pre-sale code for a NIN ticket. Hooray! They'll make it all glossy for me and put my name on it, and I can collect so no scalpers can get involved. Brilliant! But not brilliant - NJ. Once again, another effin' concert in NJ. What's with the NY boycott, you assholes? Grrrrr.

Finally, the release of a new album that was, "on me" said Trent. A free download, of songs that are probably rejects from previous albums, maybe? Maybe. I don't know yet because I've not yet listened but I get to the download page and was greeted by elitist behaviour.



Don't you be pointing out my inadequacies, Reznor! Don't you be telling me I'm stoopid, I should download what version then describing my stupidity for me in jargon I don't want to get involved with!

Just so you know, I know what it all means!

...

Currently listening to: "Mis-takes" by The Charlatans. Here's another album that is tossed in the category "Yeah, this really needed to be free", the same as The Slip might be headed for. I won't know until tomorrow.

Sometimes it's a mistake to download things handed to me for free.

Wheeee!

Ah, it's good times when you get 2 packages - one you're expecting and one that you're not. Thought it'd be even more fun times if you didn't buy it yourself. Bitches. Buy me presents.

New MSI cd! It's even more exciting when you think it's out in May but really it's the end of April and you get it days before the release date.

Saweeeeeetttt.

Edit: No Wheeee! or saweeeeeeetttt. I take it back right now. It takes me a little time for albums to sink in so this is my initial impression of this album and that is, that it is not up to MSI standards.

At all.

I blame their association with Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance and that "wife"! Ugh.

I should have known something was up when I saw the track length above 3 minutes for a bulk of these songs.

Alright, hopefully in a few days my opinion will change and that I may attribute this lack of ear bliss on sleepiness and incoherence on my part.

Editing the Edit: Okay, so it's sunk in a bit more. It's not terrible but I still say it's not overly fantastic either. It's growing on me, which in itself is a sign of no good since MSI just hits you like a fucking tornado on the first go. But, I'm sure by the end of next week I'll be all over this. You still can't beat MSI on arrangment sometimes, that's for sure.

Currently listening to: "Lights Out" by Mindless Self Indulgence, which as of now, is the only track worth talking about on this album that's "new".

MSN's Turn To Get Blazed

I saw this article on MSN about a band to watch at Live Earth this weekend (you know the bs concerts around the world about doing our part to save the planet).

The band's The Parlotones, who MSN and some others have been hailing as the next big thing. So, I took a listen because I like to preview new music once in a while, ever since I almost missed out on Arctic Monkeys (again, for the millionth time, thank goodness for Virgin-Atlantic) and they remind me of Thom Yorke gone bad.

It's not so much that the lead singer sounds like Thom or that the music sounds like Radiohead but the style reminds me of Radiohead to an extent. That just might be due to the fact that they did a slight theft of the repetitive "...it's happening". Idioteque, anyone?

That being said, I can kind of get into these people. Possibly. At least that's what I thought until I heard "Dragonflies and Astronauts" and I realize they're just another alternative band with nothing incredibly special.

Also, the next time someone comes out with a song called "Beautiful", I'd like it to be the most hateful thing I've ever heard. I know that may be very contrary but I'm tired of hearing people go on about "…you deserve to be adored" and whatever it is James Blunt was saying.

MSN, you suck.

Thanks for nothing.

Thanks.

Next up: someone needs to get me Editors. I think I might be missing out on some good times involving them. Though it could just be that I could continue listening to Interpol to have a similar experience and possibly, a classier, better experience.

Speaking of Interpol - how are things on the west coast? Ha, no. That's not what I wanted to say. I think their new album is going to kick ass. Big time.

Finally, Cillian Murphy recommends a band called Field Music. Let's see if he's as crazy as the roles he plays. I love that CM. And with good reason. He recommends decent music to us. I mean, it does sound like gddh stuff but that's to be expected from an indie band.

The Kyoto-Ho Japan Chronicles - Day 9

Day 9 - Monday, June 4th

Kyoto had the biggest, frickin' strip mall ever. That damned place was never-ending and scary.

We mostly just hung out around the giant mall and had many good time meals. We also got presents for a lot of you peeps including checking out a music store for the latest in Japanese music. And oo! I found my boys MUSE and Arctic Monkeys on the second floor of Juegia CD store. Awww. Sorry. They make me happy. Stop judging.

Now on to the food because it was the great thing of the day!

The Day's Eats:

1. There was a squashed custard bun incident that I'm trying to forget.

2. Takoyaki

3. X, yep - we did a Sushi Conveyor Belt. Mmmm, we ate 14 plates of sushi with 2 to a plate for 1990 yen. Good times, right X?



4. And now for one of the best eats of the trip and certainly the most expensive meal - the Kobe steak. We had a five course meal that included grilled mushrooms that were fantastic but it was all about the Kobe. Beetchie says it melted in the mouth and it did. It really did. And for 115 dollars, that damned steak better have melted in the mouth!



That's the shoddy picture of the kobe. I was in a high class place, people, I couldn't exactly be flash-photographing the chef and the kobe like a stupid American.

Things We Observed and the WTF Moments - Volume VII:

1. If I hear Avril Lavigne one more time...I'll kick a Japanese person. They are obsessed with her and I cannot understand it for the life of me. Stupid ass, Japanese and their love of stupid Canadians.

2. Those Japanese like to keed. We found this store that claimed it had the funniest things from America. Either the Japanese don't know funny or are trying to rub it in our faces that we're not funny. I hardly find this amusing at all -



3. Beetchie ate the fugu. I actually pointed it out to her like the good friend that I am. She got high off of it.

Meh. Music Post.

I listened to the four songs the band "Air" had up on their myspace today, after receiving a barrage of concert alerts, and reading articles heralding how fantastic they are.

Why do I feel as though I really need to be on drugs and/or a hipster to understand any of their bullshit?

New Band...Or At Least New To Me

TD5! Check out Tokyo Police Club unless you already know them!

Gave it a quick whirl today (you know, quick 'cause I had to get back to Arctic Monkeys), they have a 7 song EP out and the songs are short, witty and catchy.

I like it so far!

Maybe that'll change after May 15th?

I've collected hundreds of new songs and all require my attention... I'm already overwhelmed.

I've A Secret To Tell You, TD5!

Apparently, I have a guilty-pleasure album. I don't think I've any business liking Klaxons but I kind of do. I admit it! And it's shameful. That's my early review.

As for The Fratellis...they're fun but I can't really focus on them too much. I'll have to give them a better spin a few more times. So far, my impression is that they can get annoying. Fun but annoying. You know how I feel about too many 'la la la -s' and other type noises in a song and they're that kind of band. It brings back memories of those stupid Kaiser Chiefs...

Okay.

I'm well aware that it's no secret once it goes on the blog but you other baka shouldn't judge me.

What's Up With Bands and Their Love of The Ocean?

And pirates? And ships?

I saw three videos tonight and one a few days ago that all had similiar themes. Three of those were all those indie type alternative bands: Blue Monday, Modest Mouse and The Shins. I can't say I really cared for Blue Monday but the other two videos were pretty good.

As for the 4th, that was just MUSE being lazy by being on that ship. Far Away. Taking Me...far away.