Vic Chesnutt 1964-2009

Fifteen years after the completion of college I often get nostalgic for the times my high school friends and I would get together during the winter holidays. Often my friend Dave, a student at the University of Georgia, would mention some new band he'd seen or met in Athens. Now Dave knew of what he spoke - he roomed with Elf Power's Anderw Reiger his freshman year and ended up as a close friend and collaborator with many of the Elephant 6 crew. Dave also introduced me to the music of fellow Athens resident, Vic Chesnutt.

In October of 1993, I got my first chance to see Vic as he opened for Bob Mould in Amherst, MA. What I remember most about that night was Vic's dark sense of humor, the earnestness of his singing and the gratitude he expressed to a fan who ran on stage to give him a grape soda. I followed Vic's career on and off over the years, always impressed with the number of artists I greatly respect with which he has worked (Kristin Hersh, Michael Stipe, the aforementioned Elf Power) . I've enjoyed the last two records immensely that feature his collaborations with Guy Picciotto from Fugazi and Thee Silver Mt. Zion. I got the chance to see him perform one last time on 10/29/09 in Baltimore.

A few weeks ago I was visiting my parents and my mother was listening to an interview with Vic on Fresh Air on NPR as she sewed. One focus of the interview was Vic's previous suicide attempts, which really struck a chord with my mother. Sadly, yet another attempt by Vic to take his life was successful and he died on Christmas Day.

Warm (mp3)
Rustic City Feathers (mp3)
You Are Never Alone (mp3)
Flirted With You All My Life (mp3)
Philip Guston (mp3)
Chain (mp3)

Top Tracks of the Decade

Spoon

100. Cursive “The Radiator Hums” (2000)
99. Gallows “In The Belly Of A Shark” (2006)
98. The (International) Noise Conspiracy “The Reproduction of Death” (2000)
97. Interpol “Obstacle 1” (2002)
96. Antony and the Johnsons “Hope There’s Someone” (2005)
95. Death Cab for Cutie “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” (2005)
94. Channels “Chivaree” (2006)
93. Rise Against “Give It All” (2004)
92. The Mendoza Line “Catch A Collapsing Star” (2005)
91. Outkast “B.O.B.” (2000)
90. The Hold Steady “Stay Positive” (2008)
89. Belle & Sebastian “Funny Little Frog” (2006)
88. The Von Bondies “C’mon C’mon” (2004)
87. Koufax “Why Bother At All” (2005)
86. Band of Horses “The Funeral” (2006)
85. The Thermals “A Pillar Of Salt” (2006)
84. Erin McKeown “Rhode Island Is Famous For You” (2007)
83. Gnarls Barkley “Just A Thought” (2006)
82. Bad Religion “Heroes & Martyrs” (2007)
81. Johnny Foreigner “Our Bi-Polar Friends” (2007)
80. The Clientele “My Own Face Inside The Trees” (2005)
79. Radiohead “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” (2007)
78. M.I.A. “Paper Planes” (2007)
77. Okkervil River “The Latest Toughs” (2005)
76. Palomar “Our Haunt” (2007)
75. Feist “1 2 3 4” (2007)
74. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “The Toro And The Toreador” (2007)
73. Jennifer O’Connor “The Color And The Light” (2005)
72. Cat Power “Lived In Bars” (2006)
71. Interpol “The Heinrich Maneuver” (2007)
70. The Hold Steady “The Swish” (2004)
69. The Murder City Devils “Idle Hands” (2000)
68. Peter Bjorn and John “Young Folks” (2007)
67. Okkervil River “Our Life Is A Movie Or Maybe” (2007)
66. The Mountain Goats “Sax Rohmer #1” (2008)
65. The White Stripes “Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground” (2001)
64. Sufjan Stevens “Casimir Pulaski Day” (2005)
63. Stars “Bitches In Tokyo” (2007)
62. Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone” (2004)
61. The New Pornographers “My Rights Versus Yours” (2007)
60. Tortoise & Bonnie “Prince” Billy “It’s Expected I’m Gone” (2006)
59. The Shins “Kissing The Lipless” (2003)
58. Gnarls Barkley “Run” (2008)
57. The Murder City Devils “Bear Away” (2001)
56. Crooked Fingers “Your Control” (2008)
55. Thao with The Get Down Stay “Swimming Pools” (2008)
54. Neko Case “This Tornado Loves You” (2009)
53. Parts & Labor “Nowheres Nigh” (2008)
52. The National “Mr. November” (2005)
51. Feist “I Feel It All” (2007)
50. Plus/Minus “Leap Year” (2006)
49. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Timorous Me” (2001)
48. The Thermals “A Stare Like Yours” (2004)
47. The Mountain Goats “No Children” (2002)
46. Bon Iver “Blood Bank” (2009)
45. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Parallel Or Together” (2001)
44. Andrew Bird “Plasticities” (2007)
43. Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros “Coma Girl” (2003)
42. Trail of Dead “Another Morning Stoner” (2002)
41. The Twilight Singers “Teenage Wristband” (2003)
40. Rainer Maria “Ears Ring” (2003)
39. Bloc Party “Helicopter” (2005)
38. Pretty Girls Make Graves “Speakers Push The Air” (2002)
37. The National “Mistaken For Strangers” (2007)
36. Eric Bachmann “Lonesome Warrior” (2006)
35. TV on the Radio “Staring At The Sun” (2004)
34. Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Maps” (2003)
33. Polvo “Beggar’s Bowl” (2009)
32. Sleater-Kinney “Entertain” (2005)
31. Pretty Girls Make Graves “All Medicated Geniuses” (2003)
30. William Elliott Whitmore “Dry” (2006)
29. Neko Case “That Teenage Feeling” (2006)
28. The White Stripes “Seven Nations Army” (2003)
27. The Walkmen “The Rat” (2004)
26. Spoon “The Underdog” (2007)
25. Anders Parker “Innocents” (2004)
24. Cat Power “He War” (2002)
23. Iron & Wine “Such Great Heights” (2004)
22. The Hold Steady “Constructive Summer” (2008)
21. Les Savy Fav “The Equestrian” (2007)
20. Eric Bachmann “Little Bird” (2006)
19. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Me And Mia” (2004)
18. PJ Harvey “One Line” (2000)
17. The National “All The Wine” (2005)
16. Sufjan Stevens “Chicago” (2005)
15. The Gang “Sea So” (2008)
14. The Hold Steady “Stuck Between Stations” (2006)
13. Canyon “Blankets And Shields” (2002)
12. Rachel’s “Last Things Last” (2003)
11. Crooked Fingers “Under Pressure” (2002)
10. Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Biomusicology” (2001)
9. Bon Iver “Skinny Love” (2008)
8. The New Pornographers “The Bleeding Heart Show” (2005)
7. Arcade Fire “Intervention” (2007)
6. At The Drive In “One Armed Scissor” (2000)
5. The Wrens “Hopeless” (2003)
4. Pretty Girls Make Graves “By The Throat” (2002)
3. The Wrens “Everyone Choose Sides” (2003)
2. Arcade Fire “Rebellion (Lies)” (2004)
1. Spoon “The Way We Get By” (2002)

Top Tracks of 2009

Polvo

Alright, here's my annual attempt at ranking my favorite tracks of the year. I'm sure the list will be completely different in a month after I've had a chance to read all the different lists the interweb provides. Enjoy.

Honorable Mention: Screaming Females – “Bell”; Flight Of The Conchords – “Sugalumps”; Morrissey – “It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore”; Phoenix – “1901”; Sonic Youth – “Sacred Trickster”; Black Moth Super Rainbow – “Born On A Day The Sun Didn’t Shine”

20. Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions – “Blanchard” – The Mazzy Star front woman returns from the dead 15 years later. Fade into you, indeed.

19. Tortoise – “Prepare Your Coffin” – The COOLEST band in the world.

18. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band – “Anchors Dropped” – I was sad that The Oxford Collapse broke up, luckily these guys sound very similar.

17. The Submarines – “Waiting For A War” – My buddy Mike used to live in the residence above the male half of The Submarines, John Dragonetti (aka Jack Drag) in Somerville, MA so I owe him a big thanks for introducing me to this band.

16. Thao with The Get Down Stay Down – “When We Swam” – I saw Thao last month at the Black Cat. She can’t be but five feet tall but holy crap, once she gets going she’s a one woman wrecking crew.

15. Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is The Move” – OK NPR, I’ll give you credit for convincing me to listen to this one.

14. Andrew Bird – “Fitz and Dizzy Spells” – The highlight of a really great album, Noble Beast.

13. Spoon – “Got Nuffin” – Like I’ve stated before, Britt Daniel is this decade’s Paul Westerberg.

12. Polvo – “Lucia” – This is my Stairway to Heaven of 2009.

11. Superchunk – “Learned To Surf” – The best thing they’ve done since 1995’s Here Where The Strings Come In.

10. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes – “Home” – The crew on NPR’s All Songs Considered wouldn’t stop talking about this band after SXSW, but surprisingly (or not, depending on your NPR proclivities) this song is great.

9. The Mountain Goats – “Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Grace” – This Darnielle cat can write some seriously good songs even when he’s copping from the Bible.

8. Telekinesis – “Coast of Carolina” – For what it’s worth, this was Carrie Brownstein’s song of the year.

7. The Very Most – “Today It Is Even Better” – The second best pop song of the year next to #5.

6. The Thermals – “Now We Can See” – The best sing-along chorus of the year.

5. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Young Adult Friction” – see #7.

4. Animal Collective – “My Girls” - It has taken years for me to give these guys a chance. This song was the breakthrough.

3. Neko Case – “This Tornado Loves You” – Best live show of the year (4/8/09 at the 9:30 Club, WDC). Amazing song about a tornado falling in love with a child.

2. Bon Iver – “Blood Bank" – Recorded during the For Emma, Forever Ago session it would have battled for best song on that album. How’d it get left off?

1. Polvo – “Beggar’s Bowl” – I was eagerly awaiting the return of Polvo after their 12-year layoff and those of us who were patient were rewarded with an amazing collection of songs on In Prism highlighted by “Beggar’s Bow”. If “Lucia” was my “Stairway to Heaven” for 2009 then “Beggar’s Bowl” is my “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. Driving bass, odd time signatures, four musicians who can play the shit out of their instruments ~ Viva la rock mathematique!

Tuesday Afternoon Mix

Flight of The Conchords

I'm keeping up my glacial pace of one post per month, so here's some songs to keep you sated. I'm going to see The Wrens and The Pixies over the next couple of weeks so hope to get some good posts up. thanks, mike

Denali - Gunner (mp3)
Beach House - Norway (mp3)
Volcano Choir - Island, IS (mp3)
The Promise Ring - Red Paint (mp3)
Flight of the Conchords - Sugarlumps (mp3)
Edsel - No. 5 Recitative (mp3)
Dinosaur jr. - I Want You To Know (mp3)
Jets to Brazil - Resistance is Futile (mp3)
Nirvana - About a Girl (mp3)
Girls Against Boys - Basstation (mp3)
Milemarker - Frigid Form Sells You Warmth (mp3)
Cloak/Dagger - Don't Need A (mp3)

Sunny Day Real Estate 9/30/09 - 9:30 Club

I recently jotted down a list of the 15 bands that I regretted never getting the chance to see live and SDRE was unquestionably on that list. Their first album, Diary, remains one of my top 10 albums of the 1990's and holds up well. Last month Subpop reissued the first two SDRE albums on vinyl and the boys and I have been listening to them down in the basement.

My wish came true this past Wednesday as the original Sunny Day line up came through DC to play the 9:30 Club. They were, to quote the great Fishbone bass player John Norwood Fisher, tighter than a mosquito's ass. Hear the show as broadcast by All Songs Considered here.

Setlist

1. Friday
2. Seven (mp3)
3. Shadows
4. Song About An Angel
5. Grendel
6. Guitar and Video Games
7. Iscarabaid
8. Theo B
9. 10
10. 47
11. J’Nuh
12. Sometimes
13. In Circles (encore)
14. Spade and Parade (encore)
15. 48 (encore)

New Yo La Tengo

I am heading off to Connecticut tomorrow for my 15th college reunion. Music played a huge role in life during those four years. One of the great highlights of my time in college was working at the radio station both as a deejay and later as the promotions director. Through both roles, I got to meet a ton of bands and artists and see some pretty amazing shows. Some artists were incredibly friendly - Mike Watt, Laura Ballance of Superchunk. Some were incredibly arrogant - Eric Gaffney and Lou Barlow of Sebadoh. Some were totally fun and hilarious - Archers of Loaf and Velocity Girl. Some were a little scary (but totally cool) - Mule. And some were so unassuming and down to Earth, it was hard to believe they were a rock and roll band - Yo La Tengo.

It turns out that the Hoboken three piece has a new album coming out on Matador on September 8th entitled Popular Songs. So in celebration of my 15th college reunion, I offer you a sneakpeek at the first single. Have a great weekend.

Periodically Double Or Triple (mp3) from Popular Songs
Pass The Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind (mp3) from I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass

Happy Birthday To Me - 37 Years Of Music

The Pixies

Since I have been described as a list-obsessive, I thought I'd put one together on the occasion of my 37th birthday. So for each of my 37 years, I selected my favorite song and album. Some were my favorite then. Some are my favorite now. And some have always been loved. Enjoy.

Song

2008 – The Gang “Sea So”
2007 – Arcade Fire “Intervention”
2006 – William Elliot Whitmore “Dry”
2005 – Sufjan Stevens “Chicago”
2004 – Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Me and Mia”
2003 – The Wrens “Everyone Choose Sides”
2002 – Spoon “The Way We Get By”
2001 – Ted Leo/Pharmacists “Biomusicology”
2000 – At The Drive In “One Armed Scissor”
1999 – The Get Up Kids “Holiday”
1998 – Refused “New Noise”
1997 – Rainer Maria “Tinfoil”
1996 – Jawbox “Mirrorful”
1995 – Superchunk “Detroit Has A Skyline”
1994 – Weezer “Say It Ain’t So”
1993 – Fugazi “Walken’s Syndrome”
1992 – Buffalo Tom “Taillights Fade”
1991 – Nirvana“Smells Like Teen Spirit”
1990 – Deee-Lite “Groove Is In The Heart”
1989 – Bob Mould “Wishing Well”
1988 – The Pixies “Gigantic”
1987 – The Replacements “Never Mind”
1986 – R.E.M. “These Days”
1985 – Husker Du “Celebrated Summer”
1984 – The Replacements “Unsatisfied”
1983 – Michael Jackson “Wanna Be Starting Something”
1982 – R.E.M. “Carnival Of Sort (Box Cars)”
1981 – Queen & David Bowie “Under Pressure”
1980 – AC/DC “Back In Black”
1979 – The Police “Message In A Bottle”
1978 – The Who “Who Are You”
1977 – The Sex Pistols “God Save The Queen”
1976 – Boston “More Than A Feeling”
1975 – Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody”
1974 – Big Star “September Gurls”
1973 – The Stooges “Search & Destroy”
1972 – David Bowie “Ziggy Stardust”


Album

2008 – Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago "Skinny Love"
2007 – The National The Boxer "Fake Empire"
2006 – The Hold Steady Boys and Girls in America
2005 – Spoon Gimme Fiction
2004 – Arcade Fire Funeral
2003 – The Wrens The Meadowlands
2002 – Pretty Girls Make Graves Good Health "Speakers Push The Air"
2001 – Ted Leo/Pharmacists The Tyranny of Distance "Squeaky Fingers"
2000 – PJ Harvey Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
1999 – Rainer Maria Look Now, Look Again - "Breakfast of Champions"
1998 – Elliot Smith XO
1997 – Pavement Brighten The Corners
1996 – Versus Two Cents Plus Tax
1995 – Superchunk Here’s Where The Strings Come In
1994 – Archers Of Loaf Icky Mettle
1993 – The Afghan Whigs Gentlemen
1992 – Sugar Copper Blue
1991 – Superchunk No Pocky For Kitty
1990 – Fugazi Repeater
1989 – The Pixies Doolittle
1988 – The Smithereens Green Thoughts
1987 – The Replacements Pleased To Meet Me
1986 – R.E.M. Life’s Rich Pageant
1985 – New Order Low Life
1984 – Prince & The Revolution Purple Rain
1983 – U2 War
1982 – Violent Femmes Violent Femmes
1981 – Men At Work Business As Usual
1980 – The Cure Boys Don’t Cry
1979 – The Clash London Calling
1978 – The Police Outlandos d’Amour
1977 – Elvis Costello My Aim Is True
1976 – Ramones Ramones
1975 – Aerosmith Toys In The Attic
1974 – Big Star Radio City
1973 – Stevie Wonder Innervisions
1972 – Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street

Bob Mould/Juliana Hatfield Birchmere 4/7/09

Juliana Hatfield

To celebrate the release of his new album The Life and Times (Anti Records) Bob took to the stage at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. Opening for this date only was Juliana Hatfield fresh off an 8 hour Boston to DC Amtrak ride. Juliana, joined only by her Gibson SG, was battling a bit of a cold but plowed through a set of mostly new songs from both 2008's How To Walk Away and an as not-yet-titled effort that she describes as acoustic in character (despite being played on an electric). Not to shy away from deeply personal lyrics, her new songs appear increasingly so on the heels of the release of her memoir When I Grow Up. Her voice suffered from her cold until she made the decision half way through the set to offer a blistering cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Cover Me". From that point on, everything clicked.

Bob hit the stage with a little pep in his step, presumably related to the release of his new record. Jason Narducy (bass) and Amy Domingues (cello) joined Bob on stage for what started as a 20th anniversary celebration of Bob's 1989 solo debut Workbook. This album was of great importance to me as it transformed me from casual Husker Du fan into Bob Mould obsessive. Six songs from that landmark release started the evening and I was on my way to night of bliss.

Had the night ended with the Workbook retrospective I would have more than received my money's worth. Bob brought out longtime collaborator, Rich Morel (keyboards), and ran through four songs from the new disc all of which translated well to the semi-acoustic renderings offered. With seven songs left in the program, Bob switched over to his trusty blue and white Stratocaster with its signature sound (a sound I have spent the last several years trying to recreate on my own).

It has been Bob's habit ever since I first saw play an acoustic show in April of 1991 to play a number of songs with his electric guitar. I have often felt these songs suffered at times in comparison to the beauty of the acoustic offerings. Even with the addition of keys and bass for these songs, something was lost. I like my Bob Mould both ways - acoustic and electric - but I think if it is going to be electric bring Brendan Canty along for the ride.

Setlist: Wishing Well/See A Little Light/Sinners And Their Repentances/Poison Years/Lonely Afternoon/Brasilia Crossed With Trenton/Life And Times/The Breach/Bad Blood Better/I'm Sorry, Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore/Walls In Time/Circles/Hoover Dam/The Silence Between Us/Your Favorite Thing/I Apologize/Celebrated Summer//encore//If I Can't Change Your Mind/Makes No Sense At All

The Silence Between Us (mp3)

Bob Mould Daytrotter Session

In advance of next Tuesday's release of Life and Times, Bob stopped by the Daytrotter Studios to play acoustic versions of a few songs from said long player. I'll be seeing Bob perform on the evening of the album's release at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. Should be exciting as the ever-intriguing Juliana Hatfield is opening. Enjoy.

The Breach (mp3)
I'm Sorry, Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore (mp3)
Life And Times (mp3)
Bad Blood Better (mp3)

Monday Morning Mix

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir

Like Barry bringing in his Monday Morning Mix into Championship Vinyl in High Fidelity, I offer you all the following. While it might not offer the same level of debate as to who has the better version of "Little Latin Lupe Lu" (the correct answer is Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels), it should help get the week started.

We start with a hefty dose of indie pop to allow the muscles to warm up. Stop and stretch during the quick instrumental interlude courtesy of Dexter Romweber of the Flat Duo Jets - he has a new band with his sister Sara (Snatches of Pink, Let's Active) on drums and a new album due out on Bloodshot Records this spring. Once your muscles are limber and your stretching complete, check out the final four tunes courtesy of the good people at Jade Tree Records. Usually by this point on a Monday morning I'm ready for a little post-hardcore. Enjoy these free and legal mp3's.


The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Everything With You - mp3
Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine - mp3
Say Hi - November Was White, December Was Grey - mp3
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - Lamp Post (demo) - mp3
Crystal Stilts - Shattered Shine - mp3
Sexy Kids - Sisters Are Forever - mp3

Pedro The Lion - Discretion - mp3
Dex Romweber Duo - Black Christmas - mp3
Cloak/Dagger - Runways - mp3
These Arms Are Snakes - Horse Girl - mp3
Fucked Up - Baiting The Public - mp3
New Mexican Disaster Squad - Tightrope - mp3

Big Shoulders Ball w/ Andrew Bird, Ted Leo et al

Andrew Bird & Tortoise

After taking a day or two to reflect on the Inauguration (as well as thaw out) I thought I'd drop a quick review of Monday's pre-Inaugural Big Shoulders Ball at the Black Cat in DC. Sponsored by Hideout Chicago, the "Ball" featured a number of Chicago artists as well as Ted Leo who records for Chicago-based Touch & Go Records.

My buddy Mike and I arrived around 9:30 to hear the music of Sun Ra interpreted by Jeff Parker and John Herndon of Tortoise and jazz saxophonist Ken Vandermark. Looking around we found an odd array of the usual Black Cat crowd combined with those in actual Ball garb (both ironic and formal). Tortoise, for whom I was most excited to see having never seen them live before, were next. They ripped through five or six songs in their alloted 25 minutes including Along the Banks of Rivers and Seneca although I was a little sad that Herndon didn't bring his vibraphone, cause really who doesn't love a vibraphone?

Andrew Bird, who for all intents and purposes, was considered the headliner hit the stage at 10:30 with Tortoise backing him for the first few songs - as well as Sally Timms of the Mekons and Janet Bean of Freakwater and Eleventh Dream Day on vocals. I don't Andrew was given enough time (~25 min) to hit his stride although his rendition of Syncthian Empires was really quite amazing.

After a bizarre set of covers by the Waco Brother - a sort of TexaCali rockabilly outfit fronted by a set of aging Brits - Ted Leo hit the stage. Ted, to no one's surprise, was the rare performer who expressed a degree of cynical reservation about the new administration before launching into some of his more cautionary tales like Bleeding Powers and The High Party.

After another drunk ranting by Ball emcee Tim Tuten, Eleventh Dream Day hit the stage. By this point in the evening it was past midnight and Mike and I knew we had to rise early to hit the Mall for the Inauguration so we left mid-set although what we heard sounded awesome.

I don't have any comments about the Inauguration to share here that haven't been shared by
others in far better terms. Let's just say I'm cautiously optimistic. Enjoy the music.


Andrew Bird performing live on the UK show From The Basement (video)
Ted Leo performing The High Party at Rolling Stone Studios (video)
Tortoise Eros (mp3)
Eleventh Dream Day Writes A Letter Home (mp3)