I Wasn’t Trying To Break Your Heart

Dear Hipsters,

I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve last written. I swear I wasn’t trying to break your heart; these things just happen sometimes. Things change. People move away. Personally, I’ve just been busy kicking television and foxtrotting–you know, Dixie Cup drinkin’ and assassining down the avenues. Besides, it’s been a long, hot summer. And we all know that when it’s hot in the poor places at night, I’m not going outside.

The good news is that I’m back, and I won’t leave you again (at least for the forseeable future). I also got you something. For those of you who secretly love Wilco, but publicly disdain their critical acclaim, mainstream appeal, and increasing Dad-rock status–this is for you. I give you some bands that are Wilco without being Wilco. Let’s go through them one by one, shall we?

Loose Fur is a band of the men who basically brought you Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This side project, made up of Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, drummer Glenn Kotche and YHF mixer Jim O’Rourke, has released two albums since 2003. The first is the self-titled Loose Fur. My favorites from the six-track album are “Laminated Cat” and “Chinese Apple.” “Laminated Cat“ is a re-working of a song written for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but left off the album, called “Not For the Season.” This vibey, drum-driven number about the shifting seasons suits Tweedy and Kotche well. You can check it (and Jeff Tweedy‘s standup-worthy banter) here:

“Chinese Apple” will be somewhat familiar to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot aficionados. Part of Tweedy’s initially semi-improvised lyrics in this low-key folk tune assimilated their way into the very dissimilar “Heavy Metal Drummer.” Over the finger-picked guitars, soft percussion and distant organs, Tweedy sings “Unlock my body and move myself at last / in the warm liquid, flowing glowing glass / Classical music, blasting masks are ringing in my ears.” Hear (most of) it here, accompanied by adorable cartoon animals:

On Loose Fur‘s newest release, Born Again in the USA, comes the infectiously catchy “The Ruling Class,” a song best suited to those not politically correct or only ironically homeboys with Jesus. Tweedy spins the tale of the second coming of Christ in modern day America over jangly steel guitars and a whistling line sure to get stuck in your head for days on end.

Also available on Born Again in the USA (but sadly nowhere I could find on Youtube or elsewhere on the interwebs) is “Answers to Your Questions,” a highly-relatable, melancholy folk tune about a slightly-bitter ex-lover who doesn’t want to write you back. Jim O’Rourke‘s low, clear vocals plod along with the bass atop Tweedy‘s buoyant acoustic guitar. It’s a shame I can’t find it–guess you’ll have to buy the album.

Let’s move on to the next one, pronto. Pronto is a side project with Wilco keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen. I can’t claim to know much about this New York-based group, other than that I like what I hear. I also like Jorgensen‘s glasses. Anyway, they’ve released two discs, All Is Golden and (very recently) The Cheetah, filled with catchy tunes, many of which (but not all) sound like pop-rock throw-backs to the 70s, all signed with Jorgensen‘s signature key-tickling. Here’s a taste of one of my favorites, the sunshiney “When I’m On the Rocks:”

Another non-Wilco Wilco group is made up of Wilco multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone and long-time Uncle Tupelo/Wilco bassist, John Stirratt. Both are highly talented musicians, singers and song-writers, so the combination naturally results in a great melodic soft folk-rock duo, The Autumn Defense. The group cites musical influences of Cat Stevens, Nick Drake and Simon & Garfunkle–take a listen, and it’s not difficult to hear where these influences come in.

Well, hipsters, this is the end. I can’t tell if this brings my heart the way I wanted when I started writing this blog to you. But it will have to do. I’ll write again soon. I’ll write you a box full of letters.

Sincerely,
the man who loves you,

Paul A. Ab-Dul

For more on:
Loose Fur – http://www.dragcity.com/artists/loose-fur
Pronto – http://www.myspace.com/prontonyc | http://www.facebook.com/Prontosphere | http://prontosphere.com/
The Autumn Defense – http://www.myspace.com/theautumndefense | http://www.theautumndefense.com/

For other Wilco side projects:
Nels Cline: http://www.myspace.com/nelscline
Pat Sansone: http://www.myspace.com/birdyonthemoon
Glenn Kotche: http://www.myspace.com/onfillmore | http://www.myspace.com/glennkotche
Jeff Tweedy: http://www.goldensmog.com/

Mix(tape) It Up! Challenge: Bobcat’s Response

A bit delayed, as usual. But here it is, my response to the challenge! I’ll try to get versions of the songs, but I do have ninty percent of them on my iTunes, so if you really want I can send you the MP3 via email or which ever method you choose. Now, the Mix(tape) It Up Challenge!
 

1. A song with an impressive intro: Stronger- Kanye West.

Who doesn’t love some good Kanye West? Especially with a nice collaberation between him and Daft Punk? This makes for a lovely intro.
 
2. A song with a literary allusion: Peter Pan- Patrick Wolf

Patrick Wolf and Peter Pan, what a combination. Peter Pan was a book before the Disney Movie, but I’m sure you all knew that. So, this is my literary allusion. Patrick Wolf’s music fits the part, I believe, with the violins and the beautiful melodies he manages to produce.

(I couldn’t find this one, so, good luck with that. Sorry!)

3. A song released 20+ years ago: Guns of Brixton- The Clash

There were so many options for this one, but this song came on my iTunes when I was talking to Paul about it. Who doesn’t love a little bit of The Clash? I know I do. The song was released in 1979.
 
4. A rap song that fits within the realm of hipsterness: Good Friday- Why?

Yoni Wolf once again produces a great song that manages to fit perfectly in this category. This song is a perfect blend of rap and hipsterism, sweet music to my ears. This song has racked up the plays on my iPod and my computer, so give it a listen.
 
5. A song by the first band you saw in concert: Take Me Home Please- Reggie and the Full Effect

I’m not going to comment. I could have gone the more embarrassing route and picked a My Chemical Romance song, but I have some pride. I was young and, surprisingly, it was a decent concert.
 
6. A song that mentions or alludes (clearly) to a historical figure: Cape Canaveral – Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

Don’t get me started on Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band again. I would have used this for #14, but I ended up using the Mystic Band and Bright Eyes by the time I got there. In this song, Socrates is mentioned and a Greek philospher, though in a different way, still counted. 
 
7. A song employing a foreign language either in part or whole: Qué Onda Guero -Beck

When we decided on this track, I thought this would be difficult. But then I remembered good old Beck. So, Beck was chosen for this track. 
 
8. A song that describes your hometown: Devil Town- Daniel Johnston

What a perfect song to describe my hometown. This song  just fits everything that is my hometown. It was covered by Bright Eyes and is featured on his album, Noise Floor Rarities. Daniel Johnston’s original is wonderful, but the cover is almost just as good. I recommend both.
 
9. A song that mentions fruit: Lime Tree- Bright Eyes

I surprisingly had many, many options for this one. I was going to use “Peach Plum Pear,” a cover by Final Fantasy, but I decided on this one. There was also another Bright Eyes song, “Bowl of Oranges.” Fruit is clearly mentioned in the title.
 
10. The most heart wrenchingly sad song you know: Trouble (Cover) – Elliott Smith

There were so many options for this one, and I think I had to change it at least five times. This one won it though. Elliott Smith’s cover of the Cat Stevens song is brilliant and heart-wrenching, but you can’t help but listen to it. It brings tears to my eyes every time.

11. A song containing alliteration: On the Bus Mall- The Decemberists

The alliteration varies in this song, switching between verses. I read the lyrics and found the examples and the pattern seems to be two or three words with the same letter. Makes for lovely alliteration, if I do say myself.

(I only could find covers and since I didn’t feel like listening to them all, you can find it. Plus, a cover is hardly ever as good as the original.)

12. An unlikely cover: Hurt- Johnny Cash ( Originally a Nine Inch Nails song)

Nine Inch Nail’s song, “Hurt” is a great song to begin with. Then, Johnny Cash comes and makes it incredible. He took the song and changed it, for the better. It is beautiful and full of emotion and one of the best songs, ever.

13. A song that name drops another artist: Grace Kelly- Mika

Another song that gave me some trouble, but then I thought back and this song popped out. Freddy Mercury is name dropped and this is a fun little tune that gets stuck in your head.

14. A song by the band you most swoon over: Music When the Lights Go Out- The Libertines
 
Conor Oberst would be in this place if I didn’t use him already. However, The Libertines are a close second, as the whole band is lovely. So, Pete Doherty may be a heroin addict and doesn’t hang out with the best people, and maybe Carl Barat was a bit hypocritical when he kicked Pete out of the band as he was on coke, but lets face it: they are some of the most attractive men in the world. They both earned a place on the Top 5 in my book. You may argue, but this is my opinion. They’re hot, and their music is great, even in the spin-off bands, Dirty Pretty Things and Babyshambles. 

15. A song about endings: Casimir Pulaski Day- Sufjan Stevens

Another song that almost made it into the saddest song category, but I decided it was fitting to be here as well. This song is beautiful and sad, pretty and meaningful. A classic example of Sufjan Stevens, and if you haven’t heard this song, you better listen.

So, there it is! My response. Man, that was fun. Sorry that the videos are iffy, but most of the songs are there! Have a ball, folks.