Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward

The billing and shipping weren't the same. You didn't have to, but I do thank you.










I received this in the mail as a kick in the ass to write more of these. I wasn't expecting it, but then again, I don't expect a lot of things that happen.
It's true, I'm not familiar with Depeche Mode's Some Great Reward. Well, I was with ONE of the songs. You would think that with all this 80's that I'm exposed to, plus the fact that the 80's are cool until next year (the decade that is two decades past is always the "in" thing), that I would have heard all of this at some point. Well, I often disappoint. Here goes though, broadening my past.

I first played this through a few times in my car, and I felt like John Hughes was telling me where to drop off Judd Nelson so that we could pick up Molly Ringwald to go get dinner. Meaning: it's very 80's feeling. Which is easy for me to say, because that's what I imagine the 80's were like. So, in my mind, this is the way things were and are.
Something To Do starts out the record by making me feel like I'm supposed to be running. I don't know what I'm running from though. Oh, right, because I'm running to something. Fast paced and so fucking catchty.

Lie To Me, no, please don't. This is totally an 80's gettin' it on song. More mellow and darker than Something To Do, it has a great swaying feel to it.

People Are People is the only song I knew on this record. I never knew it was Depeche Mode though. I used to hear it when Louisville had an 80's station. Then it turned to country, then I got an iPod and left behind radio. You've heard it. If I've heard it, then you've definitely heard it before. No explanation necessary.

It Doesn't Matter comes next and makes me think that if I went to a cool music-nerd 80's prom that I would be dancing to this and then making out to it later. It's a slower one kids, but it's still a good one. Guess I'm a sucker for the slower mellow ones. That's what old age does to me. My days of pop-punk are done for.

Stories Of Old starts out slower but then brings in catchy synth and vocals. A good little kick is in this one.

Somebody slows it down again, and that is not a bad thing. It's a slower one, so of course I love it. The piano in it and ambient background noises make this a nice and relaxing song. The vocals are just as flowing as the piano, and together they sound very smooth.

Master And Servant is completely different than the last track. More of a feeling like Something To Do made me have. For you kiddos out there, this sounds like a Faint song. You know them, right? One of you is seeing them tonight! I really can tell that they got a lot of their sound from this song. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I just thought of their sound when hearing this song.

If You Want starts out slowly until the noises start happening. Picks up with a jumpy beat after that. Most of these songs make me feel like I should be at a club somewhere at 2 in the morning, this one has that feeling too. I'd still be ordering drinks for everyone because we're all doing strange dances in a dark room, even though we know it's almost time to go.

Blasphemous Rumors is the last song on this party mix. It's a long one too, but I don't mind. It has that good epic feeling that I expect of a longer song. I really love the dark but light sound of this song. Makes me feel fine that I've reached the end of the record. Not all the way fine, but it's something that I can handle.


I am happy to have heard this record, and to be able to be back at writing. No matter how much drivel there may be. As always, enjoy.


Two favourite tracks:
Lie To Me
Somebody

Death Cab For Cutie 4-10-09 Louisville Palace

Videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/jflispart

An overall great show. I was very impressed by Cold War Kids, and a little sad I was too late for the outstanding Ra Ra Riot. I did catch Sarah from Murder By Death and told her how I love her so. I mean, how I love her band so...

No, this is not a review. Go watch the videos

The only 2 clear pics (hey, I took mostly video until I was told to stop):

And we're back...

I think it's about time to get back to this after being on sabbatical due to my Morrissey pilgrimage. It was worth the sudden impulse to drive 8 hours round trip on a "school night" to see him play Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. Some things just cannot be explained.

I just want to say, oh I haven't been away. I am still right here, where I always was. So one day, if you're bored, by all means send me CD's...

Steve Martin - Let's Get Small

I'm still trying to think of how I'm going to write about this record, but I guess I like to start out by doing one thing that is impossible. Steve Martin is such a genius and a legend that it will be hard to begin describing why that is so. It just is so. Deal with that.



Let's Get Small is of course Steve Martin's first and only record. The label only pressed 11 copies on vinyl due to lack of interest. I was fortunate enough to find one while in Atlanta at a great little place called Wax N Facts. He was only 12 and a half when he wrote and recorded this record and it was only performed once before an audience of his immediate family. Such a shame that this talented comedian's life came to an end when a savage fan shot an arrow through Steve's head. This is captured on the cover artwork, even though the record label tried to hide this by superimposing a balloon animal over his head. What a tragic end to his life. He will always be remembered by the Martin family.


But seriously folks...
I played side B for my parents earlier today and my dad was telling me how when he first heard it he really didn't think Steve Martin would catch on with people. I'm very happy to say he was incorrect. It starts out with Steve playing the banjo, which is actually quite incredible. He is a very talented banjo player. Banjoist?

After the banjo playing he states to the audience that he likes to start out by doing one thing that is impossible. So he decides to suck a piano into his lungs. Since this is a record, I could not see it happen. Though by the sound of the audience I could tell it was a sight to see. Steve asks the people in the audience how much they paid to get in the show. "Four dollars?" This is strange since that is exactly what I paid for the record. Well, I had to pay tax and everything, but you get the idea. It was fate that put the $4 price sticker on the record.

Overall this is a great record. It will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. Even if you don't like his minimalistic approach to music, it is great. It's a raw, live, rough cut, but very well played. Highly recommended, but only if you have the ability to laugh.



Two favourite quotes:
"Mind if I smoke? No, mind if I fart?"
"...and I really didn't want to drive her home, so I shot her."

Recent Purchases 3-9-09

I cured my Morrissey cancellation sadness by comforting myself in music buying. Some buy clothes, some eat food, some drink. I buy music, fucking music:

Steve Martin - Let's Get Small 12"
Explosions In The Sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place 2x12" (I beg to differ)
Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night 2x12"
The Paper Chase - God Bless Your Black Heart 2x12" (Finally)
R.E.M. - Reveal 12" Clear Orange
New York Dolls - Live In Concert Paris 1974 12"
My Morning Jacket - Chocolate And Ice 12" Blue and White Splatter
Raymonde - These Boots Are Made For Walking 12" (Find of the week)

Joy Division - Permanent CD
Talking Heads - Remain In Light CD
Built To Spill - Time Trap CD Promo
Tom Waits - Heartattack And Vine CD
Twin Peaks - Soundtrack CD
Radiohead - Kid A CD Special Edition with Book
Morrissey - Southpaw Grammar CD ...again

Stars - Sad Robots

Reader, please note that this is not your usual musical tour guide and a young tippler has usurped the electronic quill and is anxiously writing down reflections of meaning; the quill's ink is not well administered, thoughts are not collected. Yet the youth relishes each moment knowing the former scribe will return to his study at any second...

Pitchfork granted in a holy declaration: Sad Robots, 6.2/10. As I have no power vested in me by the consumerism gods, I will not attach any scale of preference to the album other than to say I enjoy it. There is no narrative structure or concept linking the songs together, so you can listen to it on shuffle if you please. The album opens with Maintenance Hall, 4 a.m. A brief instrumental that although only two minutes and eighteen seconds manages to trudge around your home leaving a trail of gasoline while you're out watching Disney movies with your ex. As the song wanes away it flicks a match over its shoulder, this match's glowing arc consumes the oxygen rich night air and lands playfully, nearly not in reach of the gasoline wick.

The next song is nearly six minutes, it keeps the same melodic drone throughout. Your thoughts wander as you head home. You reach your driveway and find your home ablaze. Amy joins in halfway through the song and lends her greatness. Torq comes back in and the song reaches it's full potential. Bass lines support delicate piano riffs, snares accent guitar distortion, the world is alright. You take a shot of canadian club, a whisky you normally would not purchase due to it's price, but for some reason you've treated yourself this time. As you feel the alcoholic heat expand through your blood into your fingers and toes Amy's voice questions "When will it stop?" in the song "Undertow". A crowd has formed around your house that is burning down, no one is calling the fire department, everyone is treating it as if it's a large bonfire and they've been needing a get together. The house is burning steadily, the foundation is still stable and the flames are licking all the crevices, exploring with great excitement.

The fire grows at this point in ways you don't see. The band is covering their own song. "Going, going, gone". "There is nowhere to move on." Geeky synth drives the song. Countless bad jokes are being made about the burning down house... "Hot Party!"

What's the point? The next song is "14 forever". The bands strange balance between growing old but still playing songs that appeal to young people and the paradox of young people finding the appeal of their songs. The band is growing up, the crowds are staying the same age. I can't begin to articulate the emotions involved. "The revolution starts in a sea of paper cups".

You have several more shots, a few beers, and time begins to blur. Laughter piles upon laughter and everyone is dancing. The contrast between the dark and the burning house is so incredible you have no idea what to do. It begins to rain. Songs are sung in french. The rain, in a final twist of fate ends the party early, cutting short the perverted enjoyment of the house burning. The flames are dowsed, but the damage to the house is irreparable. The music ends before you know and the everyone but you is ready to go home. The excitement in your muscles feels like a ditched date leaving you with handfuls of confused energy. A robot is being rained on and it is going to rust and die. "Sad Robot" explains "My heart will turn from steel to dust". A primal instinct floods your brain with sleepy chemicals and you feel comfortable in the wet grass. You fall asleep.

You wake in the morning rain. Everything is different in the light. All the people are gone. You loved the party, you are lost now. Your muscles ache, your nose is runny, your clothes are wet. Your home is gone and your heart is sore.

However there is still some whisky and still some friends with whom you plan a series of nocturnal arson attacks...

You've learned a very valuable lesson: the complex nuances of emotion, youth, and love are not discovered through thought. You are a sad robot.

Contextual Details: I've been a fan of a Stars for several years now and it would be hard for me to not enjoy something they created. It's early March 2009. The world's markets are failing splendidly. Spring is still springing, people are still laughing. Amy's voice is heaven.

Submitted by Zach

Update

I've been on a break due to work and my upcoming Morrissey pilgrimage. Going to Atlanta tonight and Asheville on Monday. Then New York City in a few weeks. My friend Zach wrote a review that I will post here in just a minute. I'll try to be back at this in April.

Enjoy.