Ted Shred - December 31st, 2008

Dec. 31st, 2008

01:46 pm - Best of 2008

2008 was an incredibly strong year for releases, a welcome change from 2007. Here’s a short list of gems from the past year on repeat in my headphones. Let’s hope for an even better 2009. Cheers.

The GASLIGHT ANTHEM
The ’59 Sound

Every year, there seems to one release that’s on repeat since the day I get. This year, that release is clearly The GASLIGHT ANTHEM – The ’59 Sound. I have to really prevent myself from playing this because I will wear it out. I didn’t think this Jersey crew could top Sink Or Swim, but to me this release does just that. It’s the type of album that I must listen to in its entirety. Every song on here is damn catchy, particularly “The Patient Ferris Wheel,” which is what SOCIAL DISTORTION’s “Far Behind” was in 2007: my single of the year. These guys are poised for big things to come. Recent shows with the Bouncing Souls point to a bigger following. The GASLIGHT ANTHEM is one band to watch. Mad talent & choice songwriting here. Easily my favorite release of the year.

NICK WARREN
Lima: GU 35

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Nick Warren has proven to be the highlight of the Global Underground series, & his latest mix for Lima, Peru, only validates this further. Some truly tasty cuts are served up, most notably on the first disc. Seamless mixing, beautiful tracks, clean production – it’s no wonder Nick Warren has a mad following. Count me in this lot. Always setting the standard with each successive mix, Nick Warren presents the future of electronic music.

MARCEL DETTMANN
Berghain 02

While the tech-electro sounds have never really appealed to me, Marcel Dettmann’s mix has me doing a double-take. I was a bit biased in picking this up because Kate Simko is on it, & anything she does is golden. Well, this mix just shows how compelling tech sounds could be. Who knew? Dettmann’s take on this fairly dark sound has made me reconsider what it’s all about. Import only, so if you’re looking for it, expect to pay a bit.

SOS
Balance 013

Last year’s release by Luke Fair stands as one of my all-time favorites. So could the Balance label really continue releasing high quality mixes? The latest from the trio known as SOS affirms this. This 3-CD mix starts off ambient & brooding, taking its sweet time to build up to dancefloor-worthy bpms. I expect nothing but the best from this label, & this release just shows why: with a choice record pool & top-notch producers, the Balance label has consistently been brilliant. SOS has succeeded in creating beautiful soundscapes.

The (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY
The Cross of My Calling

Perhaps one of the most anticipated releases for me, I have been following The (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY since REFUSED broke up. I was even more eager for this release when I found out Rick Rubin was behind the mixing board. And true to form, the (I)NC does not disappoint. Although the volume of A New Morning is long gone, what replaces that is more intricate songwriting. The production is slick, which you would expect with Rubin, but this actually enhances the 1960’s vibe I got from my initial listen, right down to the “groovy” artwork. The lyrics are intelligent & political, a welcome respite from all the vapid music being releases ad nauseum. Definitely worthy of your time. Now what about that tour?

SATOSHI TOMIIE
Renaissance Masters Series

Underrated. Overlooked. Severely talented. These are descriptions that hit me whenever I read the name Satoshi Tomiie. What really made me take notice was his Nu Breed mix years ago on the GU imprint. Since then, Tomiie has evolved much the same way as Nick Warren. The Masters Series is a fitting home for Tomiie, as this mix is without a doubt pure butter & then some. From the track selection to the incredibly fluid mixing, Tomiie shows he is a producer of experience. If you get this, try & get the CD version, as the brief Q&A section shows just how much Tomiie works to keep his love of music going. I get mad inspiration from this mixer. Crucial.

GREYBOY
15 Years of West Coast Cool

While not necessarily “new music,” Greyboy makes it no secret his love for old funky sounds & rare groove gems. 15 Years of West Coast Cool further exhibits this. If you were ever curious as to where producers get the bulk of their funky samples, you need to do some homework like Greyboy. This comp features Sharon Jones = ‘nuff said. Get it on double-LP.

Q-TIP
The Renaissance

I’ve been missing hip hop for years, so when I heard Q-Tip was finally going to release another solo album, I knew I would not be let down. Sure enough, “The Renaissance” is easily the best hip hop album of 2008 for me. No misogyny, no blatant profanity – just laid back beats with smooth flows & a high-quality guest list (Norah Jones, Amanda Diva) that isn’t 5 pages long. I don’t know why other hip hop artists can’t sound like this. Q-Tip makes it so easy to get into these grooves. His vocal stylings continue to sound unique. “Move” & “Dance On Glass” are stand-outs. The entire release is solid. I want more singles from this album!

MARK FARINA
Mushroom Jazz V.6

If the laidback beat scene ever needed a leader, Mark Farina stands as candidate #1. Mushroom Jazz 6 further exemplifies the skills we’ve heard years ago. Farina no doubt impresses with this new chill mix. It’s a bit more hip hop than earlier volumes, and Farina also has been using more & more of his friends’ works (J-Boogie, Colossus, The Jazzual Suspects). All of this results in an absurdly solid mix, with some funky gems I may need to work into my own sets (FLASH “Wasn’t Really Worth My Time” = unbelievably catchy). It’s no small wonder he is so highly revered. You need this.

The CURE
4:13 Dream

Has it really been 3 decades of creating music for these guys? I still have that very first Fiction Records single from 1979. Fast forward to 2008, & I am still listening to The Cure. "4:13 Dream" continues the dream guitar work & Blue Boy songwriting I always look for whenever they release a new album. As long as they keep writing music, I will continue to follow. Don’t let this one slip beneath your radar.

NAKED MUSIC
Re-Creation

What? An all new Naked Music release in 2008? I was just as surprised as anybody who follows this label to learn that Jay Denes was working on new material for a full-length release. After all, it’s been years. Listening to Re-Creation (& the 12” single for “Hurry”) made me nostalgic for these modern sounds. I really miss premium electronic sounds like Blue Six. No one is really making music like this anymore, which makes searching for these vibes ever more elusive. Buy get, get it, love it.

The VERVE
Forth

Let’s face it. Despite Richard Ashcroft’s distinctive voice, The VERVE is nothing without master guitar player Nick McCabe. That’s the only way this album was going to work: Nick McCabe must be on it. Thankfully, we get a return to form with this long-overdue release. If you’re looking for the volume of A Northern Soul, you better try again. However, the lush guitar sounds & Ashcroft’s uplifting voice are all present. Huge riffs & gigantic song structures still abound ("Appalachian Springs"). It’s as if The VERVE has never left. I hope it doesn’t happen – again.

V/A All Aboard: A Tribute To Johnny Cash

This fairly obscure tribute comp could have easily gotten lost among the countless tribute albums, but with appearances by the BOUNCING SOULS, The GASLIGHT ANTHEM & Russ Rankin, I am surprised that it remains somewhat hidden. The music reflects a real tribute, & not sub par cover versions of a stellar songwriter. The vinyl is a double-LP, so go to interpunk for that.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS
Little Honey

Lucinda Williams has always been compelling to me. Her off-key southern drawl & heartfelt lyrics just always grab my complete attention. “Little Honey” is perfect for those cross-country road trips across the I-10 westbound. Images of desert roads & searing heat always hit me whenever I hear her voice. Another crucial album from this roots songwriter.

MARY-ANNE HOBBS
Evangeline

If you follow Mary-Anne Hobbs on BBC’s Radio 1, then you’ve probably heard most of these sounds already. Hobbs has this uncanny knack of focusing on some challenging tracks that still maintain solid grooves. The dark dubstep vibes on “Way of the Gun” by Cult of the 13th Hour clearly showcase her penchant for difficult electronic listening. Look for it on vinyl – that’s a 4-record set.

U2 box set

The first 3 albums remastered. If you like them, then you probably already own this. Revel in it. If you could care less, then I cannot explain it to you. It’s an incredibly long box set full of nostalgia.

DISCHORD reissues

DISCHORD has reissued much of their earlier catalog (Dag Nasty, Minor Threat, Faith), most notably on vinyl. You should look for the vinyl reissues, as 1) the prices are still low & 2) each vinyl release contains the necessary code for you to download the entire release as an mp3. I have to admit: that’s a smart move on their part, since it appeases turntable-philes are well as those who gravitate towards their iPod.

Current Mood:

working

Current Music: The VERVE "Forth"

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05:13 pm - New York for a day

This past Sunday, I decided to venture out to New York City (a 4-hour drive one way). I had been thinking about going up there for a bit, partially because the Virgin mega store (the last music retailer worth anything) was closing its doors to all 8 of its stores for good by Feb 2009, but mostly I had grown quite tired of seeing my area a bit too much. I need that change of scenery to refresh my outlook. It’s as simple as that.

I got up early & was out the door by 5:30 AM. I surmised that there would be little to no traffic the entire drive. Sure enough, the drive up north was as easy as pie. The only interference I encountered was the long line for coffee at a rest stop in Delaware (what in the world is going in Delaware at 7:30 AM?). Cruise control was my standard driving mode for the vast majority of the northern trek. It was a bit uncanny to encounter little to no traffic on I-95, one of the more hellacious interstates in this country. This was a great opportunity to check all the new music I had recently acquired. For some reason, all that music seemed a bit more compelling than usual. Perhaps it was because I could actually pay attention to it. It’s the little things.

Driving through the Lincoln Tunnel while listening to Q-Tip seems borderline cliché NY, but it just works. There is a parking lot for the Manhattan convention center that is almost too convenient. You could walk to Times Square from it (which is what I did on the way back to my car – just a few city blocks). I took a cab to Times Square & immediately chatted up the driver. It’s 10:15 AM.

Driver: “Are you from here?”
Me: “No – I just drove up from DC.”
Driver: “Ah – DC – is there anything happening down there?”
Me: “Nope – quite boring actually.”
Driver: “Well, what you see here is quiet for NYC (streets are still crowded). But it’s a good place to have fun, see beautiful places, meet beautiful women – it’s all here.”
Me: “Well, I doubt I will meet any women, but I’ll keep that in mind. I’m not going to hit any clubs or anything.”
Driver: “Ah, but see, you will not find good women in clubs. Good women do not go to clubs. They go to family gatherings, social gatherings – these kinds of places.”
Me: “I totally understand – it’s the same in DC, albeit a bit tougher, as men outnumber women there.”
Driver: “Really? Are you sure?”
Me: “Well, government jobs are absurdly male-dominated. It’s really boring.”
Driver: “But that does not mean there are more men overall, does it?”
Me: “Well, you could easily get this impression by just walking streets. Plus, I can’t think of a club right now that will charge a female for cover.”
Driver: “But you should not go to clubs anyway. The people there are not the types you want to meet. You will meet a good woman at a family gathering, or the grocery store. This is how it happens.”
Me: “I agree with you, plus I am not looking. I believe that if something like this happens, it’s quite random.”
Driver: “Hmm – maybe, but you just need to be where they are, then you will randomly meet a good woman.”

He seemed genuinely concerned about telling me how to try & meet women, which I found somewhat cool but also inapplicable. My mind simply does not work that way. When I think of NYC, I think of music long before women come into play. Still, he is an example of a welcome persona I simply do not encounter at all in DC.

At Times Square, some of the metal barricades had already been set up for New Year’s Eve. Teenage tourists loitered around that stage area in the middle of Broadway across from MTV. Everyone had their digital cameras out. I heard quite a bit of German, some French & I think Farsi. The clouds did nothing to somber the mood. It’s just another day in the biggest city in America. I went to the Virgin mega store & upon immediately entering the place, my ears were attacked by God-awful rap music at an obnoxious volume. Not hip hop – but rap. Yes, I am one of those who think there is a difference. Do people listen to this stuff? Anyway, some sections had been moved around since my last visit, so I went straight for the vinyl bins. There were some gems to be had, but I will admit I already had most of their good stock. While a feeling of slight disappointment set in, it also reminded me that doing my homework has paid off. After browsing all the sections briefly, I called Rick/Reehee to see if he needed anything (we are both not looking forward to the demise of music retail). I ended up getting him a couple things.

One of the enjoyable things about huge places like this is not necessarily the stock to be found but moreover to see the people here. It was a complete mish mash of teenagers, parents trying to be hip & senior citizens who just don’t care. I identified most with the seniors. As I was trying to remember my mental list of things to look for, I kept getting distracted by a guy who insisted he was “dope,” i.e., he was “rapping” while walking all throughout the store. Look everybody: it's MC Virgin Mega Dogg. Ug – so boring. He seriously acted like a camera crew was following him around. He was alone. I then modified my definition of hell. At first, I always dreamed that hell is working at a Wal–Mart in Kansas in the middle of August with no air conditioning. Now I also think hell is being stuck with Mega Dogg in this store with no way out - & I must film him as his personal assistant. It’s the stuff of nightmares for sure.

After getting quite a few things, I realized I had not eaten in the past 10 hours. I definitely wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square, so I opted to walk back to my car, hoping to find some hole-in-the-wall local spot to have my next meal. I ended up at Monetti’s NY Pizza, home of Gino’s Italian Ices. Places like this may seem forgettable, but to me it’s exactly the kind of place I look for when I’m in a city where I don’t live. This place is small yet personable. Lots of pizza choices. Little shakers of red pepper flakes everywhere – definitely my kind of place.

After my meal, I decided to head back to DC. For some reason, I didn’t feel like driving without the sun. Well, that plan was a bust, as traffic was absolutely horrible from the NJ border to all throughout Delaware. Again: what in the world is going on in Delaware? I feel like I’m missing something. What is it about the second smallest First State that creates the environment for all this? I could have traveled faster on a bike. Needless to say, NY in a day was done. I got back to DC not too late but exhausted from just sitting in my car in Delaware, like I had just flown from San Francisco to DC but I didn’t sleep on the plane. Getting tired from doing nothing – that’s a new one for me.