Tonight I'm posting the first installment in a series of three devoted to the music-based films of Christopher Guest: This Is Spinal Tap (1980s heavy metal), Waiting for Guffman (stage musical), and A Mighty Wind (1950s/1960s folk).They are some of my favorite movies and with music so funny and so well done, I thought they'd be great for further discussion as part of the Scenes & Songs feature. We'll kick things off with A Mighty Wind.
Here's a track I've been digging lately that I'd like to share with you. It's called "America's Son" by the band Air Review.
XV – That's Just Me (Prod. by Swiff D)
XV – Smallville (Prod. by J. Cole)
I met up with XV after his show on Tuesday and I'm happy to report he's way cool and extremely down to Earth. I was struck by how genuine and in love with his music he is. It's pretty refreshing to meet a rapper that's totally true to himself and ambitious enough to want to totally change the game.
He was also really amped up about Zero Heroes, which dropped on Friday. Vizzy mentioned how he'd learned something from every one of his last 17 mixtapes and Zero Heroes would be the best yet. He was right. XV's latest mixtape features production from heavyweights like J. Cole and Just Blaze and is his most coherent, ambitious work yet. He's made us Squarians proud.
Download Zero Heroes for free over here.
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Did you know Dee Dee Ramone released a hip hop album in 1989 under the pseudonym Dee Dee King? Did you know that somewhere out there a bluegrass outfit called The Cleverlys tours with sardonic covers of Beyonce, Katy Perry, and The Black Eyed Peas?
It's a sick sad world out there and once again I am baffled, intrigued, and unable to look away. Hold on tight readers because now it's time for something completely different.
Dee Dee King: Mashed Potato Time
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In this latest installment of Label Year, I give some spins to the digital single "You Can Dance" by Chilly Gonzales, which features the original song and several remixes.
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The boys of Holy Ghost Tent Revival will be returning to Erie tomorrow night for a show at the Crooked I. If you missed their show (and our interview) back in October, you have to come out Friday. I can promise high energy. And dancing. And PBR.
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For my money, Paul McCartney is at his best when he checks his emotions at the door and gets down to business.
Why Don't We Do It In the Road is a prime example of how uncomplicated pop music can be and how this simplicity can still be viscerally groovy.
Today's post is a short reflection upon this song and idea. At the end of the day, I don't want a preacher, I want a Pop singer. I also want to do it in the road.
The Beatles: Why Don't We Do It In The Road
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It's time again for another edition of All Time Top 5, Those Who Dig's bi-weekly column for the Paper Crane Collective. This week is my (Steve) first submission and I chose to rank my favorite songs to play on the jukebox. You should check it and all the other great PCC posts out!
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Thought I'd let you cats know that I'll be heading to Cleveland again tomorrow for another great show. The Animal House Tour featuring XV and The Dean's List will be coming to the Grog Shop and it should be bitchin'. If you read TWD regularly (like this article, or this one, or this one), you know Vizzy is one of my favorite MCs right now and I'm pretty amped to see him live. My high five offer still stands if I see any of you there.
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As I write this, the weather in Erie seems to have finally broken. I'm sitting outside on the porch in 70 degrees and sunshine. Hooray! I had some sad, sappy posts planned but those seem inappropriate now so I'll take the opportunity to introduce you to the awesome new album from Milwaukee's indie vets, Decibully.
Decibully – I Want
Decibully – 4 Ever
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