Fillmore Jive | Duluth Music, Politics and Ramblings

On this New Year's Eve day I've decided to compile some lists and other stuff for reasons that can be directly attributed only to extreme boredom. This year has been an awfully strange year for a number of reasons. Reason number one is that it seems that the year has gone by ridiculously fast compared to years past. What this is due to I haven't the foggiest, though it may have something to do with having a girlfriend again. I went a couple of years without one and that being the biggest change in my life since last year I will blame the time flying by on that event. So what were the best albums of the year? Like I fucking know! I think that it's funny that all the end of year lists are always "Best of..." when they should all really be qualified with "My." Believe me, I tried to listen to every record that came out this year and it's nigh impossible. What with all the drinking and smoking and copulating to do, not to mention catching up on some artists that I ignored in the past and seeing movies and reading books and working so that I can afford to see movies and read books and drink and listen to music and have the occasional cigarette. So anyway, here are some of the records that caught my attention this year, along with some that I'd really like to check out that I missed.

Records That I Enjoyed:

The Strokes-Room on Fire
Anyone that gives The Strokes shit is probably just jealous that their band isn't as good. Sure, Room on Fire isn't a drastic departure from This Is It, but it is a departure nonetheless in that it is better album. Songs like "Reptilia," "Under Control," and "12:51" are proof that not only can The Strokes write good rock, they're going to be doing it for a long time.

The Shins-Chutes Too Narrow
I had no idea that The Shins had it in them. Following up Oh, Inverted World was a big challenge, but James Mercer & co. proved more than up to the task with tighter production and (gasp!) better songs. Chutes Too Narrow almost makes you forget "New Slang"-almost.

The Wrens-The Meadowlands
Good indie-rock children waited seven long years for this album and were not disappointed. I got rocked and good poetry all in the same breath. Wonderful.

Broken Social Scene-You Forgot it in People
Idiosyncratic and nuanced though burdened with a little too much filler. Worth it, however, for "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl" alone.

Grandaddy-Sumday
People keep saying that Sumday is no Sophtware Slump. It's the same logic that had people complaining about Kid A at first. Sumday makes me feel happy and sad and glad that I shelled out the bucks for a vinyl copy.

Guided By Voices-Earthquake Glue
I'd thankfully buy this record again for "The Best of Jill Hives" alone, but Earthquake Glue proves again that Bob Pollard's prodigious well of music is no threat to run dry anytime soon. My kind of soldier indeed.

Radiohead-Hail to the Thief
There is little more that I can say that hasn't already been said about this album. I believe that Radiohead are physically incapable of making a poor record. I shelled out $400 for 2 pit tickets to see Oxford's finest in Wisconsin and would gladly double that they are so good live.

My Morning Jacket-It Still Moves
Drive By Truckers-Decoration Day
I like both of these Southern rock records, but I like MMJ's more. Jim James can rock your block off ("One Big Holiday" is one of the best songs of the year) and make you cry your eyes out all in the space of...oh, like 70 minutes-It Still Moves' only drawback.

Steve Malkmus & the Jicks-Pig Lib
I'm a little biased due to my Pavement addiction, but I despised Malkmus' self-titled solo debut. Pig Lib is a fun record to poke around to on a sunny summer day when you've got nothing better to do than get blasted at noon by the lake.

Zwan-Mary Star of the Sea
Overblown? Sure. Dave Pajo and Matt Sweeney overshadowed? Mmm-hmm. But, then again, would you expect anything different from Billy Corgan? While Mary Star of the Sea didn't offer anything close to the Pumpkins in their heydey, it was a solid album with a bevy of good material and a couple guitar solos to end all guitar solos.

The Microphones-Mt. Eerie
I'm pretty sure that Mt. Eerie came out in 2002, but I got it this year and was enchanted by the primal atmosphere that the album creates to evoke a feeling of calm admist the fear of death.

Low-Murderer
Duluth, Minnesota's finest prove once again why (even from their basement in limited edition 10" vinyl EP way) they are the best at what they do.

Fair-Weather Friend-Each in a Place Apart
Another product of Duluth,MN that is begging for a break. This EP proves that they've got the songs to make a dent in the indie-rock world. I say get these guys in the studio with Albini and watch them jumpstart.

We Invented Tornadoes-s/t
Hard rock from Minnesota hasn't sounded this good in a long time. Well, since the last Dames release anyway. It's time for these guys hit the road and blow up in a big way.

My Favorite-The Happiest Days of Our Lives
Synth-pop from New York that would be silly if it were from anywhere but New York. Tales of strangulation by bicycle chain swirl amidst the ghosts of dead teenagers, keyboards swells, and a throbbing rhythmn section.

Outkast-Speakerboxx/The Love Below
Overhyped is not an appropriate enough description of this double solo effort from Outkast. It is as if no had ever heard of Prince before. Heck, this album does't even match up to Aquemini or Stankonia track for track. But, then again, those albums are themotherfucking shiznit while Speakerboxx/The Love Below is merely one of the best of this year.

Albums that I didn't hear, that I wish I would have:

The White Stripes-Elephant
The Decemberists-
Sufjan Stevens-
Turbonegro-Scandinavian Leather
The Dirtbombs-

There are probably other that I'll add later based upon something or the other.

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James | 12/31/2003 10:11:00 AM

Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Before New Year's Christmas Wrap Up

Things that I got for Christmas:
-Official Scrabble Dictionary
-The Cure Trilogy DVD
-Joy Division Boxset
-New putter (yes I think that golf is fun)
-Money

That's about it. Christmas Eve I spent in Coon Rapids (the worst place on Earth) at my grandmother's with my mother's side of the family kicking everyone's ass at Scrabble and eating cookies. It was nice to see my little cousin who is 2 and some other people. By the way Italian women are, if you've never experienced them during the holiday season, the loudest humans on the planet. My little brother was home when we got back to my mom's which was unexpected. He was supposed to be at his dad's place but came home early for unspecified reasons. He's not much into talking about anything very definitive these days preferring to speak in vague one word responses or playing dumb instead. An example:

Me: Why are you home so early?
Him: I don't know.
Me: How was your dad's?
Him: OK.
Me: Well why aren't you still there?
Him: I don't know?
Me: How was dinner?
Him: Huh?

Since he's 14, I'll cut hime some slack and just let him do his own thing because I remember how much I hated that shit. I still feel complelled to kick his ass around even though he's bigger than me know. The next day I hit the road at 4 for Duluth after trying to burn CDs on my mother's computer for 4 damn hours. I finally got their program to not fuck up the copies of The Replacements Let It Be and MBV's Loveless that I was determined to not leave my mother's without. Which brings me to another point I should talk about. I got those CDs for the little guy for Christmas, though hardly an eye was batted at them by the dude. I only wish someone had given me those CDs when I was in 9th grade the prick. It would have saved me from listening to Everclear or the Gin Blossoms. Oh well, hopefully he'll listen to them at some point and realize that Linkin Park are shit. Anyway, I needed to burn them because my copies got stolen somewhere along the road by someone. In Duluth I had probably the coolest Christmas day/night ever...for a while anyway. I met up at my dad's house with my two cousins(ages 20 and 22) and my uncle. My uncle is a carbon copy of Fletch-era Chevy Chase. His smart ass comments used to drive my gradma crazy whenever we'd gather at her house for the holidays and always made me crack up. So, needless to say, it was good to hang out with those guys and my dad for the day/night. We ate pizza, I kicked more ass at Scrabble, we played poker(I got my ass kicked here), ate pizza, and watched the Lakers lose to the Rockets. All in all it was a beautiful night. Then came the party at my house that was turning out to be a lot of fun until my girlfriend called at 2am begging me to drive her to the emergency room with sever chest and back pains. We sat there until 6am for her to get a prescription for some extra strength Maalox type shit that made her feel a lot better. The doctor thinks that she may have an ulcer, but so far we've gotten no answers. I feel awful because she really hasn't had a damn thing go right for her in the past couple of months between her car accident, new car problems and now this. However, I hooked up the new DVD player that I bought her for Christmas last night and we watched the second season of the Simpson's-so I think that she's feeling a little bit better. What else can I say? I think that I'm getting an interview for a job that I applied for a while back which makes me feel pretty good. The job pays around $32,000, which isn't a whole lot, but pretty good for Duluth. I also think that since it is for the University of MN, that I would get a deal on grad school courses. That would be fucking HUGE because grad school is EXPENSIVE. I cannot believe how expensive it is actually. Anyway, if that job doesn't work out, who knows what I'll do. New Year's plans? None right now, but I don't think that I'll be in Duluth. If I am, I'm going to try to make it down to the Tap Room to have a whiskey shot with Erik from The Dukes of Hubbard, then cap it all off with some Black-Eyed Snakes at Luce. Thursday I'll probably be back in town and am going to try to make it down to Shark's since a)I've never been there and b)Podland is going to be playing. I've never heard them live, but since Steve seems to be the only visitor to this blog I gotta show the band some love. That reminds me, I'm going to download some of their MP3's from their website to prime the engine. That's all from this corner of the world. Hopefully I'll remeber to start posting more often in the New Year. Also, if anyone knows how I can put pictures up on this thing please email me or post a comment and let me know the secret. Thanks. Take care and stay warm.

Playlist:
Bright Eyes-Lifted...(CD)
Broken Social Scene-You Forgot it in People(CD)

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James | 12/30/2003 07:54:00 AM

Sunday, December 28, 2003

A Promise

I promise a full update tommorrow as I've got nothing to do then. In the meantime I got wildly intoxicated last night at work then Pizza Luce then Hippie Dick's(until the cops busted it!) then back at Luce again then at Peter and Seth from the DT's house. Smoked too much, drank too much, talked much too loudly, but had a great time doing it. At Peter and Seth's we listened a bunch of old Iron Maiden records and I got to Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica for the first time in a long time. We also broke out some Zappa. I sometimes wonder what the fuck was going on in that dude's head. Fair-weather Friend played at Luce and it was good to see them play again as it's been quite some time. I still think that they may be the best band in Duluth besides Low. Oh and the Vikings are the worst sports team on the planet. I will be really suprised if Tice is back next year. Hmmm...game is decided by one point. Betcha Tice really misses that chip shot field goal he passed up in the first quarter. Fuck it though, I've got better things to do than get an ulcer over the Vikings. Big props, however, to Mr. Moss. If he's not recognized for having one of the finest seasons EVER for a wide reciever someone has been smoking too much Turkish hash. Anyway, until tommorrow...

Playlist:
MBV-Loveless(CD)
David Bowie-One/Changes(LP)

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James | 12/28/2003 07:20:00 PM

Thursday, December 25, 2003

Merry Christmas

Yeah, it has been a long time since last we talked. Spare me the grief. There is a Christmas party going on at my house as I type, though I am not a part of it as of yet. Right now I am sitting comfortably in my room sipping a Grain Belt Premium and listening to Elliott Smith and The Rapture trying to get all revved up. Wish me luck. I'll fill you all in on my comings and goings the past two weeks tommorrow. Hope Santa was kind to all you out there in Bloggerland (Should this be capitalized given that it is not a real place? Fuck it Dude, let's go bowling.).

Playlist:
Elliott Smith-x/o (CD)
The Rapture-Echoes (CD)

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James | 12/25/2003 09:36:00 PM

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James | 12/25/2003 09:36:00 PM

Friday, December 12, 2003

Warm and Fuzzy

happens to be the exact opposite of how I am feeling today. Instead I am panicked, tired, and cold. I have big decisions to make that are not going to be very cheery. Damn the holidays can be a real bummer. On a brighter note I got a job application mailed off today. I really hope that I get this thing. It'd be great.

Playlist:
We Invented Tornados-We Invented Tornados(CD)
Black Rebel Motorcyle Club-Take Them On, On Your Own(2xLP)

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James | 12/12/2003 12:37:00 PM

Thursday, December 11, 2003

My Last Couple of Weeks

My life in a nutshell the past couple of weeks:

1) Wake up
Between 8am and 10am unless major amount of alcohol were imbibed the night previous. In which case probably closer to noon.

2) Breakfeast
Ususally consisting of a cup of yogurt, bowl of cereal and glass of OJ or two eggs, toast, and glass of OJ. Both are always accompanied by a Gingko supplement and followed by two or three cups of coffee

3)Internet
Cup of coffee firmly in hand 2-3 hours of internet surfing begins. This usually includes visits to: a)perfect duluth day
b)pitchfork media
c)salon.com
d)NYT online
e)The Dames, Both and Bone Appetit messageboards
f)McSweeneys
g)The Onion

3a)Music
A selection of the finest in music always accompanies my web surfing.

3b)Scrabble
I have been horribly addicted to playing Scrabble online for two weeks now at games.com.

4)Reading
Motherless Brooklyn(Lethem), the first one hundred pages of Ulysses, Time, Sports Illustrated, Harpers, Adbusters, The Big Takeover or Magnet

5)Shower

6) Lunch

7)Work

8a)Drink
As of late blackberry brandy and club soda, but also Crown Royal and club soda. Also a spattering Grain Belt Premium, Summit, and Fitger's Brewhouse Double Hopped IPA.

8b) Don't Drink
This usually involves watching either a movie or Conan. Lately I've watched Finding Nemo, Easy Rider, Chris Rock-Bigger and Blacker, Amlie, Fight Club, Pink Floyd at Pompei, U2-The Unforgettable Fire documentary

9)Sleep
Wondering if I am ever going to get another job, where, how much it may pay, what I will spend that money on...

Playlist:
Neutral Milk Hotel-In the Aeroplane Over the Sea(LP)
Neutral Milk Hotel-At Avery Island(LP)
Black Rebel Motorcyle Club-Take Them On, On Your Own(LP)
Elliot Smith-either/or(CD)

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James | 12/11/2003 10:05:00 AM

Friday, December 05, 2003

Trying to React to Comments in Real Time is a Bitch!

OK, let's nip this thing in the bud. While I was posting my last post I see that I've gotten some comments. Here's the deal. I just don't like looking at the Reader, that's all. It seems to me that every single week there is stuff that isn't wasn't there the week before or it is on a different page or something else. Also, as I mentioned before, I find it bland and simply not visually appealing. What do I like about the Reader? The fact that it can present so many articles from local people about local issues every week-something that the Ripsaw just cannot do. So there it is, an olive branch. Richard, I'm sure you bust your balls for free(or close to it) to do what you do. Steve, no hard feelings. As for Shark's, I've just heard from people that they don't exactly treat their bands well as far as money is concerned. However, this was months ago and though it came straight from members of Bone Appetit and The Keep Aways, things may have changed since then. Mostly, just be aware that some bands have had not so great experiences there(which I know can probably be said of just about anywhere). Hopefully all goes well for Podland. I need a rest.

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James | 12/05/2003 02:34:00 PM

Newspapers

Richard Thomas, webmaster for the Northland Reader, recently posted some comments regarding my recent critique that the Reader is "so confusing and disorganized that it is damn near impossible to find anything." For the record I was speaking of the print edition, but Thomas went on to state that:
"we're a public access paper, so if it blows, as a member of the public its your fault."
Sorry Mr. Thomas, but I would have to vehemently disagree and instead of taking so much offense to my criticism, maybe your design department would be better off reevaluating itself. Believe me, I know as well as anyone what a shoestring budget most of the publications around Duluth are on, but that's of little excuse. What it comes down to is how much pride you have in your product and what you're willing to do to make it the best. To blame your paper's problems on me, just because you are "public paper" is even more reprehensible than a confusing and bland layout. It's a cop out pure and simple. I've got nothing against the Reader and in fact think that it's a paper that has a devoted readership because it fits its niche well-as does the Ripsaw. But if its members are going to resort to posting petty, unjust, irresponsible remarks to a valid criticism of its paper I would suggest that they find a new calling or grow some thicker skin.

(Just as a measure of kindness towards the Reader and due to my newfound realization that they now have a website, I've included it in my sidebar.)

Playlist:
Radio K

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James | 12/05/2003 02:20:00 PM

Sea Change

Did I not just say yesterday that DVD 5.1 was the future of major label releases? Well, turns out now that Beck is repackaging last year's Sea Change remixed in 5.1 with videos and extras. While for now it may only be a little marketing strategy to squeeze more money out of relatively sucessfull albums, I think that it represents a larger shift in media. Digital music DVD mixed for 5.1 and 7.1 are going to be the standard very soon for all major releases. Mark my words.

Playlist:
My Favorite-The Happiest Days of Our Lives(2xCD)
The Shins-Chutes Too Narrow

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James | 12/05/2003 09:12:00 AM

Thursday, December 04, 2003

Recap Modetti

It's been all Fugazi, all morning and early afternoon. That and about three cups of coffee. I watched that new Paris Hilton reality show at work last night and have to say that it is boring as hell. It may seem strange, but work is the only time that I ever watch T.V. Imagine, if I didn't have such an easy job I'd never get to indulge in the mindless fun that the OC, Extreme Makeover, Survivor, The Bachelor, and Paradise Hotel have to offer. One of my buddies commented that he doesn't think that Paris is very good looking. Hey, I think that she is kind of an idiot as well, but I've got to admit that she is an extremely attractive girl (a couple of cheeseburgers would probably do her some good however). What I need is to get the Fugazi movie The Instrument, Westy's Come Feel Me Tremble, and that Wilco movie I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. I just got the Pink Floyd Live in Pompei Director's Cut DVD and am pretty disappointed. There is not really too much new footage and they didn't even bother to remaster the sound in Digital 5.1. Unless you really want to upgrade, there's probably no real use buying it. If you don't have it already though, the DVD is the way to go since it has the director's cut and the original. Lucky that I didn't pay for it or the live U2 DVD that I also got. That one worth it if you like the band. 5.1 sound, it includes The Unforgettable Fire documentary and there are some other features if you put it in your computer. It is a bit heavy on the new album, but all the hits are there. The only strange thing is that they added "Mysterious Ways" as a bonus cut, but didn't mix it in 5.1 sound. Strange. For those who have not experience 5.1 sound it is pretty amazing. I'm trying to get the lastest Flaming Lips record Yoshimi because they've just put it onto DVD format with 5.1 sound. I wish that I didn't already have it, but I really want to hear the difference. I think that 5.1 sound and other features are going to be the wave of the future(for the majors labels anyway). With all the money being lost through downloading and stuff, large record companies are going to have to start giving people an incentive to actually buy the music in the store rather than getting it for free in their computer.

Playlist:
Fugazi
-In on the Kill Taker(LP)
-Red Medicine(LP)
-The Argument(LP)
-End Hits(LP)

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James | 12/04/2003 12:01:00 PM

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

New Day Rising

It's a brand new day and I sure feel weird. Yesterday was one of the strangest days that I've ever been around to soak in. Now that that is behind me, I think that there are quite a few projects that have been swimming around in my head that I should probably unload. I've got the time after all. I've been trying to contact as many web publications as possible in order to line up some freelance work. Who knows though. I've got a little pile of CDs that I should review. I guess the only problem is that the Ripsaw is about the only place that would print them since most other places have already. Maybe I'll contact the Northland Reader about doing some stuff...even though I do not really care for their paper. I guess it's not so much the content or writing, but the layout is absolutely horrible. It is so confusing and disorganized that it is damn near impossible to find anything. I guess they don't do too many CD reviews, so maybe that's somewhere to start. The CDs that need reviewing are
The Shins
The Wrens
The Strokes

I was thinking of doing a Strokes/Shins review sinced it is both bands sophmore record. We shall see. Another project mulling around is a story about selling out in the music industry and if that term is even applicable anymore. Good coffee this morning. Beaner's blend...need to get working on shit and quit playing online Scrabble (fuck, I lost 385-350 last night. Dude pulled BREEZY with the B starting on a double word and the Z hitting a double letter. that's like 58 points! I was really pissed.) I'm out.

Playlist:
The Strokes-Room on Fire
Low-Things We Lost In the Fire
The Wrens-The Meadowlands

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James | 12/03/2003 07:59:00 AM