Crossposting.. but it's worth it--The Provisionals

So, if i haven't already attacked you with all of my retail prowess, here is a post to tell you about The Provisionals' second (and best) CD: Digital Lady. It really is quite excellent and you should buy it. You can get it on iTunes, but i suggest you buy it through cdBaby so that you can get all the artwork i did for it. Yes, all that beauty you see (or will see when you buy it) was created by me at the request of those very talented California musicians (who i must say, have great taste.)
As i pleaded earlier, buy a copy for yourself, your significant other, your friends, your family and your enemies (think of it as the beginning of your reconciliation.)
You can listen to most of it on either their myspace account or at the cdBaby site.
As a special "gift" for those of you viewing it through here.. here are the originals that were used/cropped/written over by those musical sex gods, The Provisionals' for their second CD: Digital Lady. (If, after listening to this indie masterpiece, you have the desire to sleep with one or all of the band members, let me know, I have an in.)

PS: from their CDbaby site (before they change it..) here is a short description of hte album:

Arguably the worst band around - this barely meets the definition of music.

From New York and California, the members of The Provisionals created a velvetine lounge, turned up their amps and mixed bitter-tart melodies with harmonies, practically in tune. They then brought in sordid, checkered rhythms, and continued to drink Assam tea. Unfettered by tiny earholes, The Provisionals listen to The Walkmen, Elliott Smith, The Flaming Lips, The Zombies, and occasionally each other.

Front


Back


Inside (Behind CD)


Inside Cover


Liner Notes Background (foldout)

soulful body parts

It's been a long time since I've fallen in love with an album this quickly and wholly.

It's been along time since I've found an album that I could simply sit and listen to, start to finish. I urge you to buy Elbow's 2004 release "Cast of Thousands".

Breathless lyrics over the top of gospel choruses with electronic bleeps may not be what you would expect to describe my new favorite band but this album is that well done. Every note, beat and word is perfectly placed, planned to evoke the deepest emotional response.

It succeeds.

It's pure indie rock, slower, heavier, deeper. Listen to it love it. I'll write more in a bit.

One More Album Like That and We're Through!

Let me preface this with the statement that all the artists in the following rant are people that I absolutely love and still count among my favorite musicians ever. I also want to make it clear that I do expect artists to evolve and change their style over time and albums.

As long as I like the new style.

Three artists have really (REALLY) disappointed me with their most recent offerings. (Although I have little positive to say about the albums to be mentioned, pick up anything else by these guys and you will be creamily happy with the sounds that sound in your ears). Let's talk about my bitter, bitter disappointment:

Jonah Matranga (formerly Onelinedrawing) and his album "And":
Prior to this album, Jonah could do no wrong. As his solo albums became more produced (and financed?) he threw in a few things I didn't really feel added to my album enjoyment (New York and Portland anyone?), but they were never more than a chance to take a breath before being blown
away with the next song. Will "And" is an entire album where you have time to breathe. Jonah, if you were looking to become a featured artist on Light 97, this is the direction to keep going. To make up for this poor showing, Jonah also released a couple discs of his early recordings
called "Songs from Sacramento". Please, skip "And" and pick up those instead. (The "And" Preorder Bonus disc is decent as well.. his home demos just sound better to me than the produced stuff). All this being said, Jonah is playing at the Mercury Ballroom in Manhattan in early November... I'll be there, you should as well... he is an amazing live show... just pray that he doesn't bring a slide guitar.

Badly Drawn Boy and his album "Born in the UK":
Where did my friend that created the "About a Boy Soundtrack" and "The Hour of the Bewilderbeast" go? How would I have described BDB prior to this album? Quirky and catchy Piano Based Rockpop. How do I describe this album? A rip off of 70s and 80s sad love ballads that make me cry out loud in disappointment. The worst track on the CD? "Swimming Pool" with BDB's spoken word, poetic wax of self analysis followed by a unimaginative song about how you should appreciate the little things. I don't know... this CD is just unlikable. I think I'm giving it to my mother.

Bright Eyes and his album "Cassadaga":
I actually got into Bright Eyes relatively recently and really started to appreciate his twangy folkcountry indie sound. Well with Cassadaga, turn up the twang, throw in a few extra instruments per song remove anything poppy or memorable from the songs. Maybe for the people that came to Bright Eyes from the other side of spectrum (not the post-emo indie rock side) this album is a bit more palatable. Not for me. Sorry Bright Eyes, I tried. I'll go back to "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn" and remember our good times.

So.. if you put any faith in my suggestions, skip these three albums and spend the money on their earlier albums. (Definitely buy those!) Me? Well, I'm rediscovering The Clash and starting to realize how much I really like Elbow.

Sir Elton John, I thank you.

You guys know why music sucks now? It's because of the Internet. I didn't know this until Sir Elton John told me... but now it all makes sense.

"We're talking about things that are going to change the world and change the way people listen to music and that's not going to happen with people blogging on the internet."
"I mean, get out there -- communicate."
"Hopefully the next movement in music will tear down the internet."
"Let's get out in the streets and march and protest instead of sitting at home and blogging."
"I do think it would be an incredible experiment to shut down the whole internet for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span."
"There's too much technology available."

Thank you Elton, for opening my eyes

yrCD-0707

so i did something productive this weekend... lemme tell you about it. i was at feisal's rooftop fourth of july sky moisture extravaganza and found myself (like usual) trading music suggestions with everyone there... invariably, the conversations would end with the promise "i'll burn you a CD" ...
yeah
...
how often does that ever happen.
...
yeah.
so.. i've started yrCD. I found these really cheap 80mm cds that hold 185mb and are infinitely pocketabled and i've loaded the first 25 with shit you should listen to. If it works out (meaning i can find 25 people to take them) i may start doing this with some frequency.. so next time yous eee me, ask if i have any on me. let's listen to some music.
Tracklist of yrCD-0707:
Cold War Kids: Saint John
Cursive: Rise Up!
Death from Above 1979: Black History Month (Sammy Danger Remix)
Dr. John: Cold Cold Cold
Earlimart: We Drink on the Job
Elliott Brood: Second Son
Forward, Russia!: Eighteen
Kings of Leon: Taper Jean Girl
Loney, Dear: I Will Call You Lover Again
Mates of State: Ha Ha
Onelinedrawing: A Ghost
Papercuts: Unavailable
Pedro the Lion: Of Minor Prophets and Their Prostitute Wives
Tapes 'n Tapes: Cowbell
The Dears: Ballad of Humankindness