Radiohead: “Kid A” (part 2)

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Chris Rambo

Describing the sounds that all but constructed an entire world around me while expanding my idea of what music could be and of what music could do feels fairly redundant. The disc started like any other: there was a single beep as I pushed play but then there was a measured pause, pregnant with expectations, before the swirling keyboards, channel-shifting vocals and cryptic lyrics oddly predicted the zeitgeist of the subsequent decade of music listening. The truth is, I never intended to review Kid A, though it is absolutely one of, if not the most influential album of my life: so much has been written about it that it becomes a fool’s errand; still, here I am, reminiscing on the experience as if it were a sacred event. Continue reading →

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Chumbawamba – “The Boy Bands Have Won”

Posted on September 17, 2010 by James Kaufholz

Yes, I’m talking about that Chumbawamba. Yes, the same band that gave us Tubthumping. Please, stay with me.

I was introduced, or I should say reintroduced to Chumbawamba from my friend, Aaron. I’ll paraphrase the conversation with certain highlights:

A: Hey, man. I heard something really great on NPR, but I need you to forget what you’ve heard in the past.

J: Okay. What is it?

A: Seriously, just trust me.

J: Come on, what is it?

A: It’s by Chumbawamba.

J: Dude…

A: No, no, no. Seriously, Jim. You have to hear this.

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Les Discrets: “Septembre et ses dernières Pensées”

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Evan Sherman


“To my grandparents and all those who loved each other until they passed away.”

France has been astounding in their production of bands, this year, that have been consistently engaging my full attention. The French black metal scene has spawned into an entirely different creature that, while it warrants it, screams for my acknowledgment and the acknowledgment of everyone else. Somehow, even though I am doing the opposite right now, I feel that I should treasure this gift; I should hide it away from everyone else so that I can love it, and hold on to it, all for myself. What kind of person would I be if I did that? I haven’t asked myself that question in awhile. There hasn’t been such an experience that has deserved the thought to it’s fullest and most appreciable extent.

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Radiohead: “Kid A” (part 1)

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Chris Rambo

(part 1 of a 2 part article)

Evan Sherman is the best friend I have ever had in my entire life. I love him like a brother and he is included in most of my best memories. I was probably about four years old when he moved in next door and we bonded over a mutual respect for the endless possibilities of our combined collection of Ghostbusters toys. With time, our friendship evolved to support other interests.

For the next eleven years or so, we spent nearly every afternoon, every weekend and the infinite days of Summer together but in my reminiscences it seems it is usually Fall. The air smells cool and crisp with the wafting ashy memoirs of smoky fireplaces through distant chimneys in homes filled with families just like ours; the air was just cold enough to sting the skin around your nose yet just warm enough that you were able to feel safe and comfortable donning only a light jacket. As we ran back and forth between our yards enacting innumerable fantastic scenarios, our footsteps were accentuated by the crunch of the golden leaves. The entire world seemed to be preparing for a respite and our youthful energy cut through it with a starkly contrasting fervor. Our days went on forever as we matured conjunctively.

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Department Of Eagles: “Archive 2003-2006″

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Evan Sherman

After joining Grizzly Bear, touring with them, and then recording what would become their “break-through” album Yellow House, Daniel Rossen’s former band Department of Eagles seemed to be sliding by the wayside after a failed recording session that became known as the “January Sessions.” Little hope remained amongst the two members. That hope, according to Nicolaus, was the song “Balmy Night,” a song that was recorded at the end of the “January Sessions” and eventually showed up on their second release In Ear Park. “Balmy Night” stuck as a constant reminder that the ideas, talent, and resources were there for them to keep the dream of a fully realized DOE record alive. This delicately structured time in the band’s history is on display in the release of the accumulation of the material surrounding and filling the “January Sessions,” now titled Archive 2003-2006.

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