Wonder Twins: The Moth Detroit StorySLAM, Review: Amy Millan

It's been a few weeks now, but today's Metro Times features the latest Wonder Twins installment. We went to Cliff Bell's for the first ever Moth Detroit StorySLAM. It was really fun, yet packed to the gills. There will be a StorySLAM on the first Thursday of every month, and I'm looking forward to the next one. Anybody have a sleeping bag I can borrow? I'm going to camp out in front of Cliff Bell's next time around so I can get an actual seat with a table and wait staff.

Also in this week's MT is my review of the new Amy Millan record Masters of the Burial. If you only like records that Pitchfork likes, then you have probably not given this a chance after their 5.8 rating and are too busy trying to convince yourself to like Volcano Choir. But I assure you, they're just being bullies. Masters of the Burial is an understated and great record. She's playing tomorrow night at the Pike Room with Bahamas. I am assuming that means the entire country, so expect a lot of calypso. I guess maybe it's this band, but my money's on the whole country.

Wonder Twins: Johnny Headband, Pop Project and Office at Small's 7/25

This week's Metro Times has another Wonder Twins installment - an evening with Johnny Headband and friends. It was a great show, but D'Anne was EXHAUSTED the whole time due to the fact that she and her wife had a BABY on July 20th! My little nephew is the cutest guy ever and I'm so happy for them. They're destined to be the best moms ever. For real. This kid's in amazing hands.

Of course it also shows how very different MY maternal instincts are from my sister's, as I thought that since the baby was born Monday, that would give D'Anne plenty of time to get situated and stuff so I could drag her out to a rock show that Saturday. Though I know she enjoyed it, I've never seen a more deliriously tired person at a show. But that added to the fun in some ways. Well, for me.

Also in this week's MT is my review of the new Zoos of Berlin. So, so good. They're playing that amazing BBQ bonanza at the Crofoot this Friday and using the occasion as a CD release. I hear they're the last band of the night, so don't like, have a baby today and expect to be up for it. But otherwise, you should go.

Record Review: Deastro

The last thing you need is ANOTHER local blog fawning all over Deastro, so I took advantage of a clever loop hole. Read my review of Deastro’s Moondagger at the totally not local site, Tiny Mix Tapes.

Record Review: Sonic Youth

Today’s brand new Metro Times has my review of the new Sonic Youth record The Eternal. It took a little time to grow on me, but I’m really liking it. Ever since 1992’s Dirty I’ve been waiting for a Sonic Youth record to come close to changing my whole world the way that record did. I’ve liked most of their input since, but I’ve yet to repeat that socked-in-the-gut feeling. Then again I was fourteen when Dirty was released, so it probably has as much to do with right-album-right-time as the record’s actual greatness. I always loved the cover of Dirty – I even had it on a t-shirt that I wore pretty much all the time. Also, according to my mom, the cover’s odd stuffed orange creature looks like a “crocheted uterus.” I think that uterus-as-craft-project is most likely outside the realm of most people’s thinking, but she’s a labor and delivery nurse and taught Lamaze Classes way back in the day. Growing up, we had a lot of pregnancy-related props around the house. I remember playing with both poster-sized pictures of fetuses in different stages of development and a pelvis bone model that we used to use for Barbie carriage rides. My mom didn’t actually own a crocheted uterus though – I think it was something she saw in one of her child birth technique teaching catalogs. So somebody, somewhere thought that was a great idea for a teaching aid.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Sonic Youth on Monday – I’ve only ever seen them once before and it was at Lollapalooza at Pine Knob and I just remember the sound being terrible. I had a dream recently that I was at the Sonic Youth show and Kim Gordon was visibly pregnant and flashing her vagina at the audience. I was alarmed, but then realized it was a pretend vagina she was flashing. So then I was like, “Okay, yeah – that’s fine. Of course she’s flashing a pretend vagina, like who doesn’t do that?” It was not a crocheted vagina though, as far as I could tell.

Record Review: Scott Walker 30 Century Man: Music Inspired by the Film

If there’s anything I’m gay for, it’s over-the-top orchestral pop with an equal twist of camp and intelligence. Unless it's Marc Almond. He gives me the creeps. Anyhow, it’s not a surprise that the first time I heard Scott Walker, I immediately loved him and wanted everything the man had ever recorded. I almost have everything at this point, and from his early 60’s pop Walker Brothers days to his more recent work (over-the-top orchestral pop no more!) I love almost all of it. So I was totally excited when I heard about this compilation. As I say in my Tiny Mix Tapes review, mixed in with nerdy Walker facts and musings, it’s a good comp. I have not seen the movie yet though - anybody see it? Amazon.com tells me the DVD release date is coming up mid-June! So maybe I can convince my girlfriend to add it to her Netflix queue in between lez-out-movies like The Color Purple and Changeling.

Record Review: Old Empire

This week's issue of the Metro Times has my review of Old Empire's Queen City Quandaries. I really like this record, and I’m particularly intrigued at the whole idea that it was inspired in part by characters from WKRP in Cincinnati. If I were forced into like, a Brewster's Millions situation, the first thing I'd do is commission different artists I like to make music based on the complex relationships of the characters from my favorite 80’s TV shows.

Here are a few I thought were fairly obvious perfect matches:

Small Wonder - Deastro

Little House on the Prairie - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

ALF - Björk

A few that might seem less obvious but I have a hunch would be fantastic:

The Dukes of Hazzard - Okkervil River

Three’s Company - Pop Project

Cagney & Lacey - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Miami Vice - Telefon Tel Aviv

Seriously... This could produce some great stuff.

Record Reviews: Starfucker, Flatfoot

I've started doing some stuff for Tiny Mix Tapes again now that Detour is "transitioning out of the daily blogging game." My first review since picking up the slack is for Starfucker's Jupiter EP. It's super fun electro-pop, jammy jammy time summer music. I also had a review in last week's Metro Times for Flatfoot's new record. Somebody told me I should "update this more often." This was both flattering and stressful and now I can't think of anything to write. Hey, thanks a lot.

Oh yeah! Hamtramck Clean Sweep is this Saturday. My girlfriend and I will totally be there, making our little city-within-a-city a cleaner place. This means we'll be picking up a lot of Hot Cheetos wrappers and grocery store handbills. If you want to help out as well, you should. Here's the info you need.

Record Reviews: It Hugs Back, Micachu & the Shapes, Red Red Meat

This week's Detour New Music Guide is up and finally up to it’s full 12 album glory. Like most Tuesdays I wrote three of the 12 reviews. The first one being It Hugs Back, a new 4AD band that clearly loves all the same old 4AD bands that I do. Maybe that’s not a good reason to like something, but it works just fine for me. The second is Micachu and the Shapes – a record that all those lap top pop lovin’ blog folk are sure to eat up. The third is Sub Pop’s deluxe reissue of Red Red Meat’s Bunny Gets Paid. As somebody who has very fond memories of working at an indie record store and shopping at countless others, I do indeed still love the physical product – be it vinyl or CD. So I guess that’s why I love the idea of breathing new life into classic records (and expanding the notion of what qualifies as "classic") the way a good reissue does – it gives people the chance to discover something they may have missed the first time around, or to replace their crappy sounding, well worn CD copy with a better sounding (and looking) upgrade. Bunny Gets Paid does exactly that, and Sub Pop’s decision to reissue that particular record says they totally get it. Because frankly, I can’t get enough of 90's indie rock lately, and by and large, what I own is on CD and sounds like shit. I’m just saying it is a good way to get me to part with my money for music – by making old stuff new, interesting and available again. Keep it up Sub Pop.

Record Reviews: The Blueflowers, Telekinesis! and the awesome new Merge Records covers comp

I love Merge Records. They are responsible for some of the most meaningful and life changing albums in my little life. The Magnetic Fields Charm of the Highway Strip for instance. A few years ago, I was going through some things and I found an old picture of my friend Meghan and I – it was from high school, and it was taken at my little sister’s birthday party. This party was held at a place called ‘Plaster Works” which was kind of like an “art studio” at which you would pick out your very own plaster statue to paint and decorate yourself, and inevitably take home and proudly display. I use the term “decorate” here loosely, because I love my family even if I question their actual abilities when it comes to visual arts. For some reason, my mom and my siblings really enjoyed this activity, making and bringing home countless pieces of ‘art” which then decorated our home: free-standing tropical fish, a “wicker” (plaster!) basket, a Halloween-themed napkin holder, and even a statue of Bart Simpson lovingly painted by my brother which I think is still in his room. Anyway, I mention this because in the picture, my friend Meghan is wearing a Merge Records T-shirt and it reminded me that our friendship and my love for Merge both came about at the same time. So I can take comfort that even if I hadn’t talked to her in years, I’d be able to pick up the phone today and at least say, “Have you heard that new Merge covers comp? And hey, remember Plaster Works? What the hell?!” Now that’s real friendship. Speaking of Merge, read my review of their new covers compilation and Telekinesis! in today’s Detour New Music Preview. Also included is my review of the Blueflowers. They’re local, and yet another band that was on my Blowout short list that I didn’t get to see. If this record is any indication, that was totally my loss. I will be checking them out live as soon as they announce more shows. (Confidential to the Blueflowers – announce more shows.)

Record Reviews: Condo Fucks, 1990's

As each Tuesday morning comes into focus, there are two things you can be certain of: that it is no longer Monday, and that the Detour New Music Preview will be posted for your reading enjoyment. This time around I write up the 1990’s and Condo Fucks. Hold on. I just read that first sentence again, and it’s just not sitting well with me. Truthfully, you can’t completely be sure of either of those things. Or anything for that matter. For all you know, you’ll go to bed Monday night and a meteorite will hit your home. Or, considering they don’t really need to be all that accurate in their impact to kill you, your neighbor’s home. Either way, no Tuesday morning for you! Likewise, if a meteorite hit all the houses of anybody with the ability to upload content to the Detour site, there would be no New Music Preview, even if your lucky ass survived this freakish and deadly celestial accident and was able to read about it on the internet. Actually, I recently learned that there are no accidents. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Record Review: Morrissey

If there's one unwavering thing that can be said about my musical tastes, it's that I'm totally gay for Morrissey. So gay in fact, that he's the only man I'd ever sleep with - which would work out perfectly, seeing as we'd just cuddle and talk about music. Needless to say, every Morrissey release is a big occasion for me - and the release of Years of Refusal was no different. I'm happy Metro Times let me review it, as the nominal fee for this service will cover a small portion of the costs for the three different formats of the album I purchased, plus the tickets to both his Ann Arbor show on Tuesday the 31st and his Chicago appearance the following Saturday. His last album, Ringleader of the Tormentors, came out in 2006, and the two new songs on last year's (do I still have any right to call this release fairly gratuitous since I bought the deluxe edition?) Greatest Hits album can only tide a girl over for so long. Now, I can think of SO many exceptionally nerdy, detailed things to say about Morrissey, this new record, his career, etc. But I am stopping myself, because I fear I'll sound like a Star Trek geek - you know: the kind who, when you mention you've seen the show before, launch into their deepest thoughts, feelings, philosophies, and episode dissections before you can say "The Trouble With Tribbles." I don't want to be that guy. But if you're ever up for a Morrissey minutiae conversation, come talk to me. But don't fucking talk to me about Star Trek. Seriously.

Record Reviews: Mazes, Anni Rossi, Swan Lake

Welcome to the Happy St. Patrick's Day edition of Pillow Fights & Boxing Tuesday. For this special O'Holiday, I cleverly chose to review three records for Detour's New Music Guide that fit the bill: Mazes (from Ireland!), Swan Lake (all part Irishmen!) and Anni Rossi (totally looks Irish!). No. None of this is true. Well, actually, I don't know the ethnic make-up of those guys from Swan Lake. Nor do I care. Because I don't especially care about St. Patty's Day. Since I'm not even good at getting drunk, it's not exactly a holiday that has a strong appeal for me. Also, I don't like getting killed by drunken drivers as much. Woo! Woo! Woo! Did somebody call the Fun Police? I figured, because my phone is ringing.

Record Reviews: Elvis Perkins In Dearland, Julie Doiron, Handsome Furs

In case you have not yet heard, Detour has been revamped, relaunched and is back in the game. That game being Chutes and Ladders. Detour will be spinning a numbered wheel and subsequently climbing precariously placed ladders and zooming down attached-to-nothing slides that would give any OSHA representative a heart attack. Detour understands that if, when nearing the 100th square, it overshoots by spinning a number greater than that of the remaining number of squares on the board, Detour loses a turn and will have to keep spinning until they land on 100. So in other words, I'm hoping to help them keep spinning until they land on 100. I am sure you understand.

I love the new Detour look and expanded content and I'm happy to be able to write some stuff for them. Today marks the first "Detour New Music Guide" which will go up every Tuesday. It's a little scaled down this week, but will eventually be 12 reviews for your reading and listening pleasure. I'll be reviewing three records a week. This week I chose Elvis Perkins In Dearland, Julie Doiron and Handsome Furs. I liked all three of these records, but particularly the Elvis Perkins. That one was a pleasant surprise and I highly recommend it. Fans of Langhorne Slim, Avett Brothers, and other such "alt-country" mish-mash should be fond of it.

Also, as good as the record is, am I the only person that really dislikes the Handsome Furs album cover? If your friend showed that to you and said, "Hey - here's the mock up of my band's new EP - do you like it?" I would hope your answer would be as honest as your friendship is strong. For instance, if it's a really good friend, you might say, "Wow. Is that your only copy?" When they said "Yes. It is," because they obviously bypassed technology and did it with scissors and paste like a collage one might make at a senior center, you would grab it out of their hand and, panicking, stuff it into your mouth, chewing furiously. They will look on, shocked into inaction by their horror and surprise. You will then spit it on the ground and say, "I'm sorry - I did this because I love you." If they're not that good of a friend, just say, "Yes. Nice mock up." Because who cares about their stupid band anyway?

Music Writing: Millions of Brazilians; Record Review: Majesty Crush

This week's Metro Times has two things by me - an article about local rock music sensations Millions of Brazilians, and a review of the new Majesty Crush best of compilation. Majesty Crush was my first favorite local band - hell, they were one of my favorite bands anywhere back in the day. So I was excited when this compilation came to my attention. Also, the boys from Millions of Brazilions do not say the word "awesome" a lot. Don't believe the rumors. They WILL however be playing a sure-to-be-stellar set at Blowout next week. Majesty Crush will not -though I will keep dreaming of a reunion show.

Record Review: Dark Was the Night

Back in the olden days of indie yore, there were a handful of labels I counted on to get me through my formative years. Chief amongst them was 4AD. Pixies, Pale Saints, Wolfgang Press, Red House Painters, This Mortal Coil, Lisa Germano, Dead Can Dance, Insides (look that shit up - I STILL love that record even if it sounds a wee dated), Lush... so, so many bands I loved. It's been awhile since the folks at 4AD have made me swoon, though a handful of recent and upcoming releases is making me consider taking them back. If Ivo Watts-Russell sends flowers. And Bon Iver and that cute little boy from Beirut start periodically showing up at my house in the middle of the night to serenade me with a spooky love song (ukulele optional). So we'll see.

The biggest reason for my change of heart though, is the recent benefit compilation Dark Was the Night - have you heard of this? Of course you have: you've been hearing about it and hearing about it! It is as good as you've been hearing. Have you also heard of this "AIDS virus" that the sale of said compilation is raising money for? It's very serious. The Red Hot Organization does good work, and this compilation is actually worth you spending real dollars on. Tiny Mix Tapes has my review.

Record Review: Buschovski

"I was living in a devil town. Didn't know it was a devil town..."

I just watched the excellent documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston the other night, and although I had heard "Devil Town" before, hearing the song in the movie made me think of Charlotte, North Carolina where I lived for about 4 years before coming home to Detroit last February. Though it might be a bit of a stretch to call Charlotte a "devil town," it was pretty clear to me the entire time I was there I wasn't meant to stay. Coming home to Detroit was exactly what I was supposed to do, and I could not be happier, despite the harsh winter cold and the lack of people saying, "all y'all." One of the very few things I actually miss about Charlotte, is the band Buschovski. They're for serious one of the best bands I've seen or heard anywhere. At the very end of December 2008 they finished their debut album. I got it too late to put it on my year end list, but I assure you, it would have easily made it. Tiny Mix Tapes has my review, which you should read. Then I highly suggest you trust your instincts and pick it up - you won't be sorry.

Record Review: Lightning Love

For whatever reason, I have trouble with the word "lightning." I always want to add an "e" in there where it doesn't go and spell it "lightening." I pretend to be highly literate, but sometimes things like this bring me right back to the fact there are some words that grade school kids have no trouble with, yet I mess up regularly. I also cannot draw lightning. This has kept me from becoming a serious comic book super star illustrator! While I'm feeling deeply confessional, I also have trouble drawing trees. Though I can spell it. And the singular ("tree"). So there.

Anyhow, the twee pop goodness of Lightning Love has forced me to better examine my inability to spell, and as an added bonus, they've made a great record called November Birthday that would have TOTALLY made my year end list had I heard it in time. Curses! No matter - it's still worth checking out. Here's my review from last week's Metro Times. And draw me a lightning bolt and mail it to me while you're at it. Better yet, draw a lightning bolt on the front of a card and mail it along with a copy of November Birthday to somebody you love who had a birthday in November. Especially if you totally forgot it or got them something really crappy the first time around. Because this will make up for it. Trust me.

Record Review: Jóhann Jóhannsson

Sakes alive! Why oh why has it taken me so long to post new material for the pollution of the internet? Could it be because I have been battling a stubborn kidney stone (or possibly battling evil invaders for the good of our planet - you decide!), maybe trying to move into my own place one agonizing and slow step at a time, or possibly because I'm in love? Who's to say, right? RIGHT?

But it's the LAST DAY OF THE YEAR! So I thought the LEAST I could do is post a link to a review I wrote for the Metro Times a couple o' weeks ago. Timely! The new Jóhann Jóhannsson = Henry Ford is such a weirdo, now listen to some pretty music inspired by his weirdness. Here's a more intelligent (I like to think) review.

Record Review: Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs

Before I totally forget, I thought I'd post a link to my Holly Golightly review from last week's Metro Times. For shame that it's taken me this long to post it - but considering the exceptional length of my last post, I am sure you have been too exhausted over the last few days to care what I have to say anyhow.

Record Reviews: Of Montreal and Electric Six

Tomorrow is Halloween! Do you know what you are going to be? You have had all year to think about and plan it, so please do not tell me you are going to make a rush for one of those fly-by-night Halloween stores so you can grab a whore-in-a-bag costume. But even if that is your sad choice, I hope you are planning to do something fun seeing as Satan's birthday (unofficial) falls on a Friday night this year. I will be at The Crofoot for what is shaping up to be a music geek's Halloween fantasy show. You should highly consider it.

Speaking of costumes, those kids in Of Montreal sure like to wear 'em all the time. But when your music sounds like a psychedelic bag of candy mixed with a handful of prescription pills, you are allowed. Their last album, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? was brilliant. I don't usually get "stuck" on a record seeing as I'm always trying to hear everything that was released in any given week, plus all the other music from the beginning of history that I missed out on by not being born yet or by being a stupid baby at the time of its release (thanks OCD!). But if there was a Hissing Fauna support group, I would've joined. Suffice to say, I was VERY excited about Skeletal Lamping but also recognized that it could be downright dangerous should it actually manage to meet or indeed surpass Hissing in greatness. But although Skeletal Lamping is a really good album, it won't be putting me in the nut house anytime soon. Whew. Detour has my review.

Also in this week's Metro Times is my review of the new Electric Six album Flashy. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if you could get a glimpse into the future - nothing huge like when you'll die or when McDonald's will bring back the McRib, but just odd little slivers of future information that would be hard to put into context. For instance, if five years ago you told me someday I would be modestly compensated for a written piece in which I use the word "cock-rockable," I think I would've been alarmed. I'm just saying, you never know what the future is going to bring.