Hip Displeasure: October 2006

Chris » Music » Blonde Redhead - "Misery is a Butterfly"

What is this obsession I have with Blonde Redhead?

Over two years after it’s official release, I still listen to Misery Is A Butterfly, at least, twice a week and has become, without a doubt, my favorite album of all-time. Or perhaps, it‘s not the band I'm obsessed with. Perhaps it’s the album.

I have this ritual of sorts every time I visit a record store. I make it a point to seek out the B’s in the Pop/Rock section simply to take a peek at my favorite album. Considering that I already own Misery Is A Butterfly, I still feel the need to pick it up and look at it. I’d prefer not to think what would happen if I, one day, walked into a store only to find that they’ve sold out of it. I must make sure to have my inhaler with me on that particular day.

I went one step further a few months ago when I actually bought a brand new sealed copy of the album for safe keeping. I don’t plan on opening it, and even though I’ll never listen to this particular copy, it still makes me smile, just knowing that I own it.

On mixes that I make, I must have a song from Misery Is A Butterfly included on all of them. It could be an all-international or strictly flamenco mix, and there is Doll Is Mine or Falling Man, once again, perplexing the listener.

Why do I do it? It comforts me.

Sometimes I think I’d even have sex with Kazu Makino, and I had sworn to myself that I’d never have sex with a woman again. But Kazu is different. To me, she’s become the voice in my head. A beautiful voice.

I keep reassuring myself that everyone has an album they’re obsessed with. As obsessed as I am, I don’t quite know for sure, but I’d like to think so. It’s just an innocent love affair with a special friend. And I’m alright with that.

Blonde Redhead Discography
Misery Is A Butterfly (2004)
Melody Of Certain Damaged Lemons (2000)
Melodie Citronique EP (2000)
In An Expression Of The Inexpressible (1998)
Fake Can Be Just As Good (1997)
La Mia Vita Violenta (1995)
Blonde Redhead (1995)

Website: www.blonde-redhead.com

jasmine » Music » The Long Winters Concert Review

"my arms miss you, my hands miss you"

Guess who saw the Long Winters Friday night?

ME!

From the minute that I read the Long Winters were coming to Chicago, I was happy like a little kid. I listened to my two LW records and memorized all the lyrics. Then, my excitement fizzled. Subterranean is a horrible venue and John Roderick is a grade A prick.

First of all, Subterranean. Why anyone outside of a shitty local band plays Subterranean is beyond me. The set-up is horrible... music's on the second floor, and bathrooms are on the third floor (first floor is frequented by THEM). The sound is absolutely abominable and the sound people seem to be a little on the slow side. So, that's the first gripe.

Second gripe: John Roderick, singer and primary songwriter for the Long Winters and former member of Harvey Danger, is a jerk. One of my biggest pet peeves is being belittled by a band that has taken $12.50 from me. You come to my city and talk to me like I'm the asshole. You're the one playing a shitty venue. Anyway, he mentioned the crowd drinking their "pink cocktails" and even called a guy out for checking his cell phone. Well, Mr. Roderick, perhaps if you talked a little less, the crowd wouldn't lose attention. Just a suggestion. When he was told that he had 25 minutes until curfew, he complained about the curfew instead of tearing through more songs.

Personal attacks over. Let's get to the music.

They brought the rock in a big way. To my surprise, it was an all request show. I was skeptical at first, hoping to God that this wasn't a crowd of morons who only know one song. John and the guys opened with Fire Island, AK, which was to be expected since it's off their latest release Putting the Days to Bed (2006). Somehow, though, the no set list set list became extremely enjoyable. They performed most of When I Pretend to Fall (2003), and I was a happy girl. Highlights from WIPtF include Stupid (singer Sean Nelson of Harvey Danger and formerly the Long Winters provides vocals on the recorded version) and Scared Straight. And of course, the icing on the cake was Ultimatum.

So, I'm giving the show one thumb up (music!) and one thumb down (shithead bandleader and rough venue). Catch them if you can!

Hip-D PodBlast » Mixer » Inspired by TV's "Lost"

While WinAmp was rolling through some random tracks earlier today, a certain song (one of those listed below, in fact) set off the lightbulb above my head to try and put together a Mixer with nothing but songs that could be loosely associated with the hit ABC TV series Lost.

As you'll hear, some of these tracks fit the theme perfectly, while others are a complete reach. Regardless, I hope you have as much fun listening to it as I had putting it together.

If nothing else, maybe it will help satisfy your Lost urges until the next episode airs...

"Plane Crash" - Toadies
"Marooned" - The Webb Brothers
"Jack Never Crashes" - The Deathray Davies
"James" - Josh Rouse
"Shannon" - Volebeats
"Lottery" - Damien Jurado
"O Claire" - Cheap Trick
"Charlie Freak" - Steely Dan
"Smoke Signal" - The Band
"Michael" - Franz Ferdinand
"Do You Remember Walter?" - The Kinks
"Give My Love to Rose" - Johnny Cash
"Ana Lucia" - Sloan
"Desmond Don't Go" - Daryll-Ann
"The Closets of Henry" - Guided by Voices
"From My Own True Love (Lost at Sea)" - The Decemberists

Monday, October 09, 2006

Chris » Music » Blonde Redhead - "Misery is a Butterfly"

Saturday, October 07, 2006

jasmine » Music » The Long Winters Concert Review

Friday, October 06, 2006

Hip-D PodBlast » Mixer » Inspired by TV's "Lost"