Saturday, September 28, 2013

Emotional Listening #34


The Law of Things
The Law of Things - The Bats (Flying Nun, 1990)
I've gotta say, The Law of Things, The Bats' sophomore follow-up to their glorious debut, Daddy's Highway, is by far my least favorite album of theirs yet. That's not to say it isn't good, because it totally is. There just isn't anything like "Block of Wood" or "Mid City Team." Not even close. Still, these jangle pop masters were just getting started in their triumphant run of consistently great records beyond this, and this here backstep is still a valuable entry. I particularly love the perfect meshing of electric and acoustic guitars on "I Fall Away" and "Bedlam," and also the amazing song title that is "Yawn Vibes." The Law of Things is still entirely The Bats, structurally and melodically, the quality just fell off a smidge.
Top jams: "Other Side of You," "Never Said Goodbye," "Yawn Vibes," "Ten to One," "Mastery," "I Fall Away," "Nine Days," "Bedlam"

Anthology
Anthology - Christie Front Drive (Caulfield, 1995)
So emo. Seriously. Christie Front Drive is one of the most classic, perhaps criminally underrated of the mid-90s emo/post-hardcore movement. They were more in line with their slower, more straightforward contemporaries (Texas is the Reason, Mineral) than the more complex and upbeat (and my personal favorites), Braid, Cap'n Jazz and The Promise Ring. As far as I understand, CFD never released a proper full length, only 7-inches and EPs. This particularly release compiles ten of those songs. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the production here, nor the drumming, which is pretty bland. There also are some pretty cheesy, very dated moments, which you won't catch on legendary emo albums like Frame and Canvas or Nothing Feels Good. But, at the same time, there are some really great moments too, most notably the vocal melody during the chorus of "Away," and the guitar interplay on songs like "Pipe," "Slide" and "4010." These guys seemed to be way more into big chords than guitar wankery, which I actually appreciate with these mid-tempo, moody pop jams. It's funny, I don't love any one song here all the way through, but each one has it's own one (or a couple) specific moment(s) that blow(s) me away.
Top jams: "Turn," "Dyed on 8," "Long Out," "Pipe," "Dirt," "Slide," "4010," "Away"

Labour of Lust
Labour of Lust - Nick Lowe (Columbia, 1979)
My interest in Nick Lowe first came about when I first discovered his song "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" thanks to my friend Julian sometime in 2008, I think? Perhaps stupidly, I still have not spent any time with the record that song is featured on, Lowe's 1978 debut, Jesus of Cool (I'll get there eventually). But, I have been enjoying his 1979 follow-up,  Labour of Lust, quite a bit. It is some quality, truly well-produced power pop not unlike Elvis Costello's classics (which isn't surprising, as Lowe has produced for Costello). These songs are blatantly catchy, but, also very smart, which is how I typically prefer my blatantly catchy pop songs. "Cruel to be Kind" is an obvious hit, but the best moments are in "American Squirm" and "Dose of You."
Top jams: "Cruel to be Kind," "Cracking Up," "American Squirm," "Skin Deep," "Switchboard Susan," "Without Love," "Dose of You"

The Comforts of Madness
The Comforts of Madness - Pale Saints (4AD, 1990)
My girlfriend Sara first shared Pale Saints with me on an awesome back deck on a beautiful summer day when we were dog-sitting for some friends last year. Obviously, they stuck with me since I can clearly remember that very moment (I believe I was partaking in one of my fantasy football drafts). Unfortunately, I can't remember which album we listened to exactly, but I do not think it was The Comforts of Madness, their 1990 debut. I don't necessarily love every song, but, this is quite an album, and their sound is very much up my alley right now: an epic mix of melodic, dramatic post-punk (ala The Smiths), twee, shoegaze and dream pop (I feel pompous and dumb for dropping so many hip genre titles, I apologize). Chimey guitars, mostly quicker tempos, catchy vocal melodies, driving bass, but, an overall dreamy atmosphere. "You Tear the World in Two" and "Time Thief" are THE jams. Sara tells me this isn't even close to them at their best, so I am very excited to listen to some more.
Top jams: "Way the World Is, " "You Tear the World in Two," "True Coming Dream," "Language of Flowers," "Fell From the Sun," "Sight of You," "Time Thief"

Thursday, September 12, 2013

2013 NFL Preview

I know this is more than a week late, but I'm gonna do it anyway. I came up with these predictions about two or three weeks before the season started. I am always wrong, and am certain that will be the case again. I'm gonna rush through some blurbage, instead of ramble and rant. Anyway, here we go!

DIVISION PREDICTIONS

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (11-5)
2. Buffalo Bills (5-11)
3. Miami Dolphins (5-11)
4. New York Jets (3-13)

Sure, Tom Brady has lost some weapons, but the Patriots are still the class of the AFC East, if not the entire AFC. Remember when they won three Super Bowls with great defense on little talent but Brady on offense? Not that that's what things are like this year (defense-wise), but I'm just saying. The only other things worth mentioning here are: C.J. SPILLER! And, the Jets are doomed.

AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

Now is the time for the Bengals to take over this division. It will probably be short lived, but I feel like they're on this upward trajectory thanks to A.J. Green, and that will move them beyond the grasp of Baltimore and Pittsburgh, who will both be decent, but definitely have a lot of work to do after all their turnover. The Browns are the Browns.

AFC South
1. Houston Texans (11-5)
2. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
4. Tennessee Titans (4-12)

Between what I consider their underrated passing attack, Arian Foster, and that nasty D, the Texans will legitimately compete for the AFC championship. I think Andrew Luck and the Colts are the real deal who made some moves to get even better. And, the Jaguars and Titans are both terrible.

AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (13-3)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
3. San Diego Chargers (5-11)
4. Oakland Raiders (4-12)

Even before that seven touchdown performance in week one, and in spite of the suspension of defensive super stud Von Miller, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are far and away the best team in the AFC, possibly in the entire NFL. The Chiefs, under Andy Reid and Alex Smith, will be much better, and may even compete for a playoff spot NEXT YEAR. The Chargers should be bad, and the Raiders even worse.

NFC East
1. New York Giants (10-6)
2. Washington Redskins (9-7)
3. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)

The NFC East is a pure clusterfuck. Anyone can win it, but that's not because it's this great division or anything. It is just a mess. My odds are on the Giants or Redskins. Weirdly, I'm sort of rooting for the Cowboys because so many people hate them and Tony Romo. I would also be happy if the Eagles took it. I don't care that much though, this is just the way I think it's going to play out based on the talent these times have. What a vague preview!

NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4)
2. Chicago Bears (10-6)
3. Detroit Lions (7-9)
4. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)

Despite their defensive woes and losing Greg Jennings, the Packers are still by far the best team in the North, and second best in the NFC. The Bears are going to be just about as good as they've been the last three years, and still somehow miss the playoffs. Will their offense finally be as good as it should be? Probably not. My Lions. They're going to be way better, and I am pleasantly surprised by their week one performance. Still, mediocre at best. They need a lot of help. Adrian Peterson is an awesome super human, but even he is not enough for the Vikings to make a repeat performance of last year.

NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (12-4)
2. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-8)

This has got to be the best division in all of football, right? The Falcons' defense is just a little better than the Saints', and that's why they barely pull out the division title. That will be such a fun race to watch. And, I truly believe that both the Buccs and the Panthers are on the cusp of becoming playoff teams. The NFC is just too deep in talent right now.

NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
3. St. Louis Rams (7-9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)

I felt a little guilty of jumping on the 49er bandwagon, until discovering the true depth of Colin Kaepernick's talent in week one. Take away the run game from him, and he will throw the ball all over you and kick your ass. I love this guy, and he makes the 49ers the best team in the NFC. Believe it. The Seahawks will compete big time, but I think the 49ers have the edge. The Rams could be considered in that same tier with the Panthers and Buccs, but not quite yet. Larry Fitzgerald will have a return to fantasy glory, but that is the only good thing coming to this Cardinals team.

POSTSEASON AWARDS

Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick (New England)
Comeback Player of the Year: Maurice Jones-Drew (RB, Jacksonville)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Eric Reid (SS, San Francisco)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Montee Ball (RB, Denver)
Defensive Player of the Year: Aldon Smith (OLB, San Francisco)
Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson (RB, Minnesota)
Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning (QB, Denver)

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

AFC
1. Denver Broncos
2. New England Patriots
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Houston Texans
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens

NFC
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. New York Giants
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Seattle Seahawks

AFC Wild Card Round
Baltimore Ravens over Cincinnati Bengals
Houston Texans over Indianapolis Colts

NFC Wild Card Round
Atlanta Falcons over Seattle Seahawks
New Orleans Saints over New York Giants

AFC Divisional Round
Denver Broncos over Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans over New England Patriots

NFC Divisional Round
San Francisco 49ers over Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers over New Orleans Saints

AFC Championship
Denver Broncos over Houston Texans

NFC Championship
San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl XLVIII
Denver Broncos over San Francisco 49ers

Super Bowl XLVIII MVP
Peyton Manning (QB, Denver)