Old School Flaming Lips (Sorta) vs. Au Courant Flaming Lips (Kinda)

In an epic battle of old and new Flaming Lips, we pit the screeching psychedelic sounds and bassy vocal hook of Talkin' Bout the Smiling Deathporn Immortality Blues (Everyone Wants to Live Forever) from Hit to Death in the Future Head against the exploratory soundscapes and storytelling of Fight Test from Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Yes they had four albums before Hit to Death and an album after Robots, but this is my blog. It's all undeniably Flaming Lips, but their sound took an unequivocal turn with The Soft Bulletin in 1999 (with Zareeka being the true bridge between old and new . . . in my not-so-humble opinion). Let's have a good clean fight!


Talkin Bout The Smiling Deathporn Immortality Blues [Everyone Wants To Live Forever] (Video) - DAVE FRIDMANN

Fight Test (Music Video) - The Flaming Lips

Stop Brian Cancer Benefit: May 17th at the Eclipse in Avondale

Final Confirmed Lineup:

Live Performances Donated by:

• Shangrala (first show in a year)
  
• Thumbnail Sketch
  
• Mike Katilius
  
• And a Special Guest Performer
  

Art for Auction Donated by:

• Mark George
  
• Ian Chase
  
• Eric Gillyard
  
• Mark Estlund
  
• Donald Dusinberre
  
• Shannon Estlund
  
• Pete Henry
  
• Morrison Pierce
  

See the work in person at Burrito Gallery, bid on it online at the Facebook Group Page "Resurrection of Booga B" or simply attend the show:

May 17

Eclipse in Avondale

Doors open at 8 p.m. 

$5

Interpol: Public Pervert

There are really no missteps on Antics. Interpol has carved out their own sound and possess a certain swagger that moves me to designate them as modern rock's answer to Frank Sinatra. Paul Bank's delivery may not be as grandiose, but he has that unique phrasing and a certain confidence that lends itself to crooning. But chiefly, it's in the lyrics. Can't you hear and picture Old Blue Eyes with scotch in hand singing this:

Oh, so swoon baby starry nights
May our bodies remain
You move with me, I'll treat you right, baby
May our bodies remain

There is love to be made
So just stay here for this while
Perhaps heart strings resuscitate
The fading sounds of your life

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen:

Mounting up for that hot date. Yeah, you know, the cologne has been splashed, you actually ironed your date shirt and you perused the news online as to appear up-to-date with current events.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

What a stunner, Frank Sinatra.

Click Below to Listen to Public Pervert

Public Pervert.wma

Europe: The Final Countdown (Like you've never heard it)

This just may be my new favorite thing:

Kings of Leon: Fans

Kings of Leon possess a sound that explores everything from Southern snarl and indie pop to big stadium rock and alt-country. Expanding from the earlier southern fried punk swagger of their first two albums, Because of the Times showed a nod towards bands with a massive sound like U2 who they supported on a leg of the Vertigo tour and Pearl Jam (Eddie Vedder interview: "I had disappeared onto some little island to write and surf and the only record I had besides the Pearl Jam stuff I was working on was that [Aha Shake Heartbreak]."

"Fans" is probably the most radio-friendly track to jump out of the speakers on Because of the Times with a bubbly, infectious bass line, vocals that have a Southern drawl and delivered almost as if they are a question and sparingly, but perfectly injected guitar bursts.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time to Listen:

Road trip, but only when taking the scenic route.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Colonel Harland Sanders

Click Link Below to Play Fans:

Kings of Leon - Fans.wma

Atlas Sound: Recent Bedroom

Somewhere from the 4AD shoegaze movement to the ethereally intense sound of Spiritualized falls Atlas Sound and their only record Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel. This side project of Deerhunter vocalist Bradford Cox and contains obvious My Bloody Valentine influences. From The Velvet Underground die-hards to Sigur Ros fans, this big experimental sound offers something for everyone.

More gentle than Deerhunter, but as exploratory, this is a fantastic record full of blanketing fuzz and whimsical vocal stylings.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time to Listen:

Take the song's title as a cue . . . after a long night of hitting the town (you know what I'm talking about you hipster), play this song, lay in bed and come back down to Earth.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Tim Burton

Recent Bedroom - Atlas Sound

Dinosaur Jr.: Little Furry Things

Dinosaur Jr. with Mike Watt in town at the Freebird tonight! So instead of the usual rigamarole and to celebrate their brand of , here is a selection of some of my favorite Dinosaur Jr. tunes.

Little Fury Things - Dinosaur Jr.

Feel The Pain [2007 Remastered LP Version] - Dinosaur Jr.

Sebadoh: Magnet's Coil & Drama Mine

Yep, that's right, a two-fer. So in the spirit of getting jazzed up for the Dinosaur Jr. show, some Sebadoh today and some Jay tomorrow. Bakesale may be Sebadoh's most celebrated album, and in my opinion, for good reason. These indie angst anthems employed the Pixie's quiet - loud dynamic and lyrics of dissolution all in fuzzy guitar wrapped 3-minute indie rock gems.

Although "Magnet's Coil" possesses a more uptempo beat and poperiffic sound, it's just as angry as any of the other songs on Bakesale. "Drama Mine" (notice clever wordplay, bravo Lou!)builds on a muted guitar riff, to a simple but arresting progression to the climax where the lyric "It's like wasting everything on someone else's dream," are screamed to your heart's acrimonious content. Both songs classics off of a timeless record.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time to Listen:

Anywhere you are feeling indignant and better than those phonies . . . with PBR in hand.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Dennis Hopper

Magnets Coil - Sebadoh

Drama Mine - Sebadoh

Cat Power: I Found a Reason

This song has an almost innate presence, as if it is supposed to be there. It's got this unexplainable organic quality as if its an extension of your own emotion. Chan's pacifying voice over the gentle piano arrangement creates a song that is powerful in its poignancy.

Originally a Velvet Underground song from their album Loaded, Chan lent her transformative powers to it and in that way she does, making it her own. The perfect prescription after a challenging morning of congested highways, bad radio DJs and allergies. You playing your violin for me? Pfft, I don't care, I've got Cat Power and that's all I need, and this cup of coffee, and that's all I need...the song and the coffee.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time to Listen:

If a vinyl copy exists, on your trusty record player, in your favorite chair consoled by a breeze from an open window.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Mother Nature. Absolutely no correlation to "Earth Day."


I Found A Reason -

Pedro the Lion: Options

Guest Writer on Listen Up! My boy Lil Coco (AKA: Apollo, That Emo Kid and The Gould)representin' Kansas style. Great post Gould! Thanks and enjoy:

Dark, Melodic, Heartbreaking.

"Options" by Pedro the Lion (David Bazan) is a force to be reckoned with on any day of the week. From the beginning guitar lead, all bets are off. A "How to Guide" in dealing with one's significant other, molded and intertwined in a melodic, epic, genuine masterpiece. Beyond the subject matter, there lies an intricate pop sensibility that overwhelms the listener from the opening chord. As one of today's most prolific songwriters, Mr. Bazan clearly addresses an issue that many face on a daily basis. Very much like their peers Built to Spill, Death Cab For Cutie, Low and Elliot Smith, Pedro the Lion plays what some might call "indie rock," while others see it simply as sheer genius. From going through a divorce of my own, this song definitely hits close to home on many levels. Instead of buying that new Nickelback (Listen Up Suckas does not condone the purchase of a Nickelback record) record, pick up Pedro the Lion's Control and turn yourself into a real sissy.

"....But it was only in my head
Because no one ever says
What they really mean to say
When there's so much at stake
So I told her I loved her
And she told me she loved me
And I mostly believed her
And she mostly believed me..."

Song Breakdown

Best Time and Place to Listen to Song:
A fall day in the Northwest, beer in one hand and axe in the other. What you do with the axe is up to you (Listen Up Suckas only condones ax use for chopping wood, stunt throwing and showing off)!

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:
Donny (Steve Buscemi) from The Big Lebowski

Click Link Below to Listen:

Pedro the Lion - Options.wma

Frank Black: Headache

It's my theme song today. I have a gigantic headache and you know what's up with Frank Black, so I'm gonna let the song do the talking.

Headache - Frank Black

Red House Painters: All Mixed Up

I missed my Sunday post, so here to make up for it, The Red House Painters with one of the most transformative covers of all time, "All Mixed Up" originally by The Cars. It's incredible that he even heard the possibilities in the original in creating this steadily ascending, timeless mix tape for that girl your crushin' on gem.

All Mixed Up - Red House Painters

Miniature Tigers: The Wolf

"The Wolf" appears on Miniature Tigers first full-length album Tell It to the Volcano. I first heard them on a SXSW mix and have enjoyed their quirky, sunny brand of rock ever since . . . for an entire month as a matter of fact. I find their sound to be influenced by the early 90s alternative bands made good and the simplicity but undeniable infectiousness to fuel thoughts of The Beta Band. It's Saturday and the weather is beautiful. If ever there was a sunny Saturday song, it is "The Wolf." The entire album is strong with bright metaphor, fantastic hooks and good ol' fashioned (see early 90s) indie pop.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen:

Group picnics that involve kickball and Southern Comfort.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Fozzy Bear.

The Wolf - Miniature Tigers