Dear Brah

My friend Lisa posted a link to the HeTexted site recently on Facebook and it stirred up quite a bit.  Is this something that women really need?  If I "Ask a Bro," am I really just "Asking a Douchebag"?  Am I just old and don't get that the younger set might want to display all their heartbreak publicly with no qualms?  Is it actually empowering?  If your friends are sick of hearing about this guy, is it smart to keep feeding the monkey?  If you're having trouble moving on, how healthy is it really to open the wound exponentially?

I know it's hard when you're in the middle of a heartbreak or in the thick of trying to DTR to see the bigger picture, but I have to state the obvious: if you're going on a website to ask if he's into you, HE'S PROBABLY NOT.  I know it sucks, but it's probably true. If a guy wants to call you, he will.  If he wants to spend time with you, he will.  He's not thinking about ANY of this as much as you are. And, maybe he is busy.  If he is, and he likes you, he will be in touch.


I get that the website is designed to help a sister out in her time of need.  I have had many of occasion to dissect a text or lack thereof from a boy, but I just don't see how taking a sidebar of that obsession to the internets would have helped any.  In fact, I think it would have made it worse.  To be able to obsess and dwell with an audience of millions would have exhasperated what was already a touchy situation.  At least if I only had my friends to annoy with my constant analysis, it would keep it all in check.  Most of the time, you're just looking for someone to say it's ok to call him or that he really does like you, he just couldn't find one minute in the previous two weeks to do anything about it. With an infinite audience, you can escape and focus on it all the time.  Not good.

Then there's the internet.  Do you really want the same trolls who comment on Yahoo articles to give you love advice.  Eww.  Or the douchey guys in those pictures?  No thank you.  I wish all the lovelorn women the best and hope that they are able to find the answers that they are looking for.  Go with your gut.  Do it right.  Think locally; ask a friend. 

He's either in or in the way. 

I Fell, So What?!

When was the last time you fell on your ass?  Sober?  Mine was today.  It was a little shocking.  I was out for a run and had stopped to switch songs and put on my new favorite "If So" by Atlas Genius when I tripped over an uneven sidewalk and face-planted.  "You shouldn't be texting and walking," my sister said to me.  Well, I wasn't.  And, it's still not cool.  The Student Driver who passed by as it happened slowed down, made sure I got up and then went on her way, but it was still a little embarrassing.  I haven't busted my ass in a long time.  It's a little jarring.  My knuckles are all scraped up (saved the iPhone) and my left knee has a scrape about the size of a half dollar (that's bigger than a quarter to all you younguns).  But, most of all, my ego is bruised.  It's been a rough couple of weeks and this just kind of cements (pun intended) what a shit time it's been. 

BUUUUUUT, I'm not going to let it get me down.  To write this, I needed an appropriate song as the soundtrack.  I looked on Spotify for "The Fall," "Fell" and then "Falling Down" by Muse popped up, from their BEST ALBUM EVER Showbiz...which made me put it on and reminded me how obsessed I used to be with this record and how fucking amazing it is.  I know that Muse are superstars now, marrying actresses and selling out arenas, but back in 1999-2000 when this record was new, no one gave a shit.  Except for me.  I cared.  I loved.  So, that was a nice flashback.  I am now listening to Showbiz and reveling in its greatness, like catching up with an old friend. 

So, I guess that falling wasn't so bad after all.  It was an annoying bookend to a really crappy few weeks, but I guess it reminded me to get back up.  Which I did.  After I fell, I dusted myself off and ran the rest of the way back.  And, it inspired me to write something.  And, now I have some cool battle wounds.  But, most of all, it made me realize that even after being dumped once again, I will get back up and get back out there and all will be okay.  A little hydrogen peroxide, Neosporin and some Malbec and I'll be back on track in no time.

New Single: Jim James

I feel as though I’ve lamented about my love of Jim James from My Morning Jacket before.  He will forever hold a special place in my heart since he wore the moon boots with skulls on them at Coachella a few years back.  Above that, I am also a huge fan of his music which means that I am beyond excited that he has a solo record coming out on February 5^th through ATO Records.  The two songs I’ve heard from Regions of Light and Sound of God lead me to believe that this is going to be one helluva a baby makin’ record.  “A New Life” was released today and is streaming on RollingStone.com.  I think I’ve listened to it about twenty times already this morning, and I have to say that it’s one of the most romantic songs I’ve heard in a long time.  It’s starts out slow and parlays into a catchy ditty that almost sounds like a Johnny Cash song and then ends with a 60’s doo-wop, surf-rock, Beach Boys vibe.  But, the words.  Oh, the words.  Here’s a preview:

Hey, open the door

I want a new life

Hey, and here’s what’s more

I want a new life

A new life

Babe, let’s get one thing clear

There’s much more stardust

When you’re near

I think, I’m really being sincere

I want a new life mmmm

A new life

With you

Hey, open the door

I want a new life

Hey, and here’s what’s more

I want a new life

A new life

Babe, let’s get one thing clear

There’s much more stardust

When you’re near

I think, I’m really being sincere

I want a new life mmmm

A new life

With you

Can’t you see

A perfect picture of you and me

But you know

It won’t come easy

And what’s more

It’s worth working for

Babe, open the door

It starts your new life

Babe, open your door

It starts your new life

Once more

COME ON.  I can’t even.  It’s just so good…it makes me want to get married just so I can play it at my wedding.  And, that’s the ONLY reason I want to get married.  Yeah right.

The first single is “Know Till Now” and it’s also pretty awesome.  We’re talking 70’s AM radio meets Afghan Whigs sexy meets late night downtown.  I’m VERY MUCH picking up what Jim James is putting down.  Let’s do this.

Download it now.  And then go find someone to get busy with on February 5^th. 

 

Braziliantly Perfect Record: Weezer - Pinkerton

Weezer - Pinkerton

There was a period of time in my life where things were a little sideways. I was coming to grips with life not exactly working out how I had planned, nursing a perpetually broken heart and working through some general shit. Weezer's Pinkertonwas there for me. Like a good friend telling me to buck up. Things were going to get better. And, they eventually did.  Which makes me love this record even more than normal.

I can't tell you how excited I was when, after breaking up and basically being dead in the water, Rivers decided to get the band back together (sans Matt Sharp, sorry) and hit the road. I'll never forget hitting Warped Tour with throngs of screaming teenagers and feeling so happy to hear all my favorite songs played live. I am willing to say that I cried at least once.  That was the first of many shows I got to see (including some really awesome ones at small venues). Say what you will about Rivers, but he can write a fucking song. He may have gone a little too poppy and  lightened up now that he's married and with child, but he has written some of my favorite songs of all time.
This is a quintessential record for Weezer and one of my favorite records of all time.

Listen: "Tired of Sex," "No One Else," "Good Life," "El Scorcho" and "Falling For You"

See also:  Weezer's self-titled debut album aka the Blue Album (also completely perfect)

New Music: The Walkmen

I'll start by saying that I love The Walkmen.  I fell in love with them when they released "The Rat" back in 2004.  It had the right mixture of angst, sexiness and bravado that I was looking for back then.  Like The Walkmen, my palate has changed.  JUST A LITTLE BIT.  But, I'm glad.  Because I feel like the band and I are both in a place of settling down, not being so angry and, while they are wanting to write and and perform them, I am wanting to listen to romantic hyperbolic indie rock love songs. 

Heaven is The Walkmen's seventh album in their ten years as a band and is easily one of their best.  The record is pretty solid from start to finish.  Heaven starts out with "We Can't Be Beat," which starts out like a lullaby and builds up and then leads into "Love Is Luck," a typical amazing Walkmen song.  "Heartbreaker" is another favorite of mine. 

"I'm not your heartbreaker
some tender ballad player
I'm not your heartbreaker

These are the good years
all the best we'll ever know
these golden light years

I'm not your heartbreaker
some tender ballad player
I'm not your heartbreaker

You know I'm hopeless
oh no, no you're wrong
its not the singer, it's the song

You know I'm helpless
oh no, no you're wrong
it's not the singer, it's the song"

LOVE.  There are still a couple Walkmen signature slow burning tracks: "The Witch," "Southern Heart" and the gut wrenching "Line by Line."  And then there's "Song For Leigh," a cute little love song where Hamilton wails "I sing myself sick about ya."  Cute.  "The Love You Love" is also another stand out track on my shortlist of favorites of all time by them. 

Hands down, my favorite song on this album is the title track.  "Heaven" has been stuck in my head for weeks.  I just can't shake it.  It's just the sweetest song and I can't get enough.  It just makes me so happy.

"Don't leave me
oh, you're my best friend
all of my life
you'll always be"

For a career of over ten years and seven albums, The Walkmen have tried different directions, yet have stayed consistently good.  They've also kept the same lineup throughout this time.  That's pretty rare for a band.  I can't wait to see them perform this and many of my other favorite songs by them when they tour this summer.  You can also check out the foxiest guys in indie rock at any of these spots:

June 27                 Louisville, KY                    Big Four Lawn, Waterfront Park

June 28                 St. Louis, MO                     Plush

June 29                 Milwaukee, WI                  Summerfest 2012

June 30                 Minneapolis, MN               First Avenue

July 5                   Salt Lake City, UT              Twilight Concert Series

July 20*               Vancouver, BC                    Deer Lake Park

July 21*               Auburn, WA                       White River Amphitheatre

July 22*               Troutdale, OR                    McMenamin’s Historic Edgefield Manor

July 25*               Morrison, CO                     Red Rocks Amphitheeatre

July 29*               Indianapolis, IN                 The Lawn at White River State Park

July 30*               Cleveland, OH                   Jacobs Pavilion

July 31*               Detroit, MI                         Fox Theatre

August 2*            Toronto, ON                       Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

August 3              Montreal, QC                     Osheaga Music and Arts Festival 2012

August 5              Chicago, IL                         Lollapalooza 2012

August 10            San Francisco, CA             Outside Lands Festival 2012

*With Florence and the Machine

New Single: The Walkmen

The Walkmen have been one of my favorite bands since I first heard "The Rat" on MTV2's Subterranean in 2004.  It's not just because they are the HUNKIEST guys in indie rock today (which they are).  I love their music.  It makes me happy.  And, sometimes it makes me sad.

ENTER "Heaven."

"Heaven" is the first single from their upcoming album by the same name and three seconds in became my new favorite song.  Hamilton Leithauser's sultry and sexy howl singing this song is like a drug to me.

"Our children will always hear
 romantic tale of distant years
our guilded age
may come and go
out crooked dreams will always grow

Stick with me
oh, you're my best friend
all of my life you've always been
remember, remember
all we fight for
remember, remember
all we fight for


Don't leave me
you're my best friend
all of my life
you've always been

Don't leave me now
you're my best friend
all of my life
you've always been
remember, remember
all we fight for
remember, remember
all we fight for"

COME ON!!!  This shit is like kryptonite to me.  SO FRICKING GOOD.  As if that wasn't enough, they also released "Heartbreaker" this week, another new favorite song from Heaven.  The record is out May 29th on Fat Possum/Bella Union.  I'm not sure if I can wait that long!

New Movie: Shut Up and Play the Hits

Seeing LCD Soundsystem at the Hollywood Bowl during their farewell tour was not only one of the best concerts of 2010, but it was one of my most favorite concerts ever.  It made me so sad that LCD mastermind James Murphy decided to throw in the towel on LCD, but grateful that I was there for their final Los Angeles show.  My friend Brian is so hardcore that he flew to NYC and went to the Madison Square Garden show.  I was so bummed I wasn't there in person, but glad now that all of the shenanigans were documented and put into the film Shut Up and Play the Hits, directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace.  It was such a disappointment to LCD fans that the band was dismantled and this film should help to quench that thirst.  The film premieres at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, but no theatrical release date has been set.  The trailer alone gets me so hyped up, I CAN'T WAIT until the film is finally released.  "All My Friends" is my most favorite song by them. LOVE.LOVE.LOVE.

New Single: Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks

Pavement are one of my ALL TIME favorite bands ever ever and ever.  I have had a longstanding love affair with Stephen Malkmus and his lazy style of playing wicked riffs on the gee-tar, as well as his poetic and metaphor-ridden indie rock anthems.  Pavement's break-up was like going through your parents divorce.  There were those shows where you could tell that none of them were speaking anymore and would literally fight on stage.  It was uncomfortable for everyone in the audience, like just get your shit together and play.  The domestic bullshit was not working and they sadly called it a day.  That was when Steve went solo and eventually founded Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks; the Jicks being a ragtag group of musicians he met in Portland - one of which was his new girlfriend who my friend Melissa referred to as Yoko and thankfully is no longer in the band.  Like all bad divorces, you kind of pick sides.  I chose Pavement.  Despite my love for all things Malkmus and that I liked his first record, the rest of the solo stuff never really inspired me the way Slanted & Enchanted or Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain did.  It was sad, but I had to let go.  But, then something cramazing happened.  Pavement reunited for a tour last year.  LOVE.  And, voila, my love of all things Pavement was renewed.  I even told a friend that I couldn't wait for Steve's solo stuff, thinking that his time with the old stuff would inspire him to produce some Pavement-esque ditties.

So, here we are, post-reunion, with the first single from Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, "Senator."  Despite the timing being a little queer, what with Weiner-gate and all (the hook is "what the senator wants is a blow job"), the song is pretty good.  In fact, after a few whirls, I'd even dare say that it reminds me A LOT of Pavement; thus whetting my palate for Mirror Traffic, produced by Beck and out August 23rd on Matador.  I think Pavement fans will be quite pleased.  I know I can't wait!  Download "Senator" at Matablog.

Mirror Traffic tracklisting:

01. Tigers

02. No One (Is As I Are Be)

03. Senator

04. Brain Gallop

05. Jumblegloss

06. Asking Price

07. Stick Figures In Love

08. Spazz

09. Long Hard Book

10. Share The Red

11. Tune Grief

12. Forever 28

13. All Over Gently

14. Fall Away

15. Gorgeous George