The Current Music Blog: December 3, 2007 Archive

The Stream 12/03/07

Posted at 9:28 AM on December 3, 2007 by Barb Abney

Jesus & Mary Chain, Smashing Pumpkins and others to play V Festival in Australia.

Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse have written tune called "You Hurt The Ones You Love."

Portishead to release next album in April.

Today In Music History:
1948 - Ozzy Osbourne was born.
1966 - Ray Charles was convicted of multiple counts of drug possession.
1969 - John Lennon was offered the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar.
1979 - Eleven people were trampled to death at a Who concert in Cincinnati.
1986 - A lawsuit was filed against Judas Priest after two fans shot themselves while listening to the band's music.

Live Blogging 12/03/07

Posted at 9:40 AM on December 3, 2007 by Barb Abney (1 Comments)

10:30 a.m. Tegan & Sara
If you missed their Pantages show you can watch a portion of it here..

10:20 a.m. The National
I check their website frequently because I love to read their "Reminders" on the homepage. Of course, I check it because they are one of my favorite bands and they released one of my favorite albums of the year. Where are they on your list? Vote now.

10:10 a.m. Song Of The Day - Tullycraft
Today on our Song Of The Day Podcast we're featuring Tullycraft with the tune "The Punks Are Writing Love Songs" from their album Every Scene Needs A Center which is in stores now.
More info here.

9:50 a.m. Greg Laswell
We heard "Amazed" from his 2006 in-studio appearance.
Here are his dog forum postings.

9:35 a.m. The Teenage Prayers
If you're in NYC, you can check out their holiday/benefit show Thursday at Southpaw.
More..

9:15 a.m. Local Music - The Honeydogs
They're playing The New Standards Holiday Show this weekend.
Adam will be playing Aimee Mann's Holiday Show next Monday.
More..

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"My 3 Songs" for Monday

Posted at 2:33 PM on December 3, 2007 by Steve Seel

David Bayliss of MN writes today, "OK, the obvious connection betwen these three is that they all have 'book' in the title, but in fact, they are all love songs which describe love or the loved one as a book, which is being read or written. I also find it interesting that all three of these examples are by some of the most literary songwriters of their day. Who wrote the book of love? Perhaps these folks..."

1) Talking Heads, "The Book I Read"
2) Stars, "My Favorite Book"
3) Elvis Costello, "Everyday I Write The Book"

David finishes by saying, "I dedicate these three songs to my favorite book: I love you Kate!"

Does Anybody Really Like Christmas Music?

Posted at 2:45 PM on December 3, 2007 by Steve Seel (28 Comments)

As a follow up to my "snow music" post below -- which was about music that is evocative of the season but not specifically about it in content -- I'm now wondering about Christmas music. Specifically, Christmas songs (not classical pieces like "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring," in other words, but rather tunes like "Jingle Bells"), and whether or not anybody actually likes them. I'm quite serious. There are some classics I can abide, but the insistent sonic pummeling we all receive each year makes them nearly impossible to enjoy (in fact, I sometimes feel like many Christmas songs are actually one of the worst parts of the whole seasonal experience). Some (but not all) of the most heinous offenders are the "AM-radio-classics" -- songs that were written from the 50's through the '70s (spanning "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to Elton John's "Step Into Christmas" and Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime," all of which make me want to set off hand grenades next to my ears), and then when the 80s came along (see "Band Aid") I tuned out completely. I'm sure there have been tons of "modern" equivalents since, but not being one to visit radio stations which might play them, I don't know them (make your "public radio snob!" accusations here). What do I actually like? Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" is still foolproof for me, followed by ... classical. Yep, pretty sparse.

So, what am I missing out on? Who does covers of classics that aren't annoying as hell, and who has written a newer song in the past several decades that isn't completely insipid? Or should I just stick with the making my own sonic soundtrack and continue skipping the Christmas tunes altogether?

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