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.

Recent Purchases 2-25-09

The New York Dolls - The Early Years Live 12" blue vinyl
The New York Dolls - Red Patent Leather 12"
Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You 12" picture disc
Kings Of Lean - Because Of The Times 12"
R.E.M. - Monster 12"
Deerhunter - Cryptrograms/Fluorescent Grey 2x12"
Louisville Is For Lovers 2x12" of local bands on red vinyl
Donna Fargo - The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A. 7"

Overall, a pretty good night of record buying.

Tom Waits - Rain Dogs

I've always heard of Tom Waits, but I've never actually listened to Tom Waits. I guess the time has come to do so. I've actually been listening to this album for the past week or so, but haven't written about it yet due to being still ill. I think I was in a coma or something. I know, I know, it's serious. Here is the long-awaited (well, for some of you) review for Rain Dogs.



When I first heard Rain Dogs start off, I felt as though I had entered a circus or carnival. I was surprised about this because I hadn't anticipated leaving my car to see clowns, bearded ladies, or Karnov breathing fire. That's what Singapore sounds like to me. Either that or Insomniac with Dave Attell. The second song, Clap Hands, is something I should have heard before. I think this is one of my favourites on this record. The best point in the song is when I realized where Radiohead got the lyric:
"We all went to heaven in a little rowboat"
I never knew that's where it came from. One of my favourite songs ever (Pyramid Song) wouldn't have been the same if it wasn't for that song.

The next song, Cemetery Polka, takes me from that circus I was at earlier, to a pirate ship. I wasn't sure how I made that transition, but I don't think I minded too much. This song makes me want to grab a mug of grog, wear a puffy shirt, and shout insults at people while waving a sword. Maybe not all of those things, but it is close. Very close. Arrrrrgggg...
After letting go of being a pirate comes another song I had to mention, I won't mention every song, but this one is especially smooth sounding. Jockey Full Of Bourbon is the name, don't wear it out. The guitar is simply incredible. A smooth surf sound to it, but much darker than just that. A bit like Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet (that's right, I name dropped them) only darker, and with words.

Listening further into the record, I realized Amnesiac (one of my favourites of all time) may not have been real if this whole album wasn't created. The sound of the song Tango Till They're Sore reeks of the wonderfully familiar horns heard in Life In A Glass House. The "New Orleans Funeral Song" sound as I've heard it referred to. The broken piano intro to it really changes your mood to conform to the song. That's right, you're going to get into it. You have no choice.

On Big Black Mariah, I expected for him to bust out some skat skills. I was a bit disappointed that it didn't happen. Oh well, maybe on another record. The song has a nice jazzy feel to it, like something you would hear when you walk in a jazz club where you don't belong. Silly wizard, hipsters don't belong in jazz clubs.

Blah blah blah, I promised these reviews wouldn't be too long. This is definitely different from what I've reviewed so far, but such a nice change. I really enjoyed listening to it. It has a gritty, real feel to it. Not a perfect sound, it's not supposed to be perfect, nothing should be. I do believe I'll pick up some more of his recordings some day.


Two favourite tracks:
Tango Till They're Sore
Gun Street Girl

Years Of Refusal - Released Today

This was released today in the U.S.
Go buy it. That's what I'm doing with my evening. No review on it since, well, let's just say I've heard this one before.






If you don't buy it, Morrissey will get angry with you. You wouldn't like him when he's angry...