Beatleology

I purchased a book today called Beatleology and it is hilarious. It is basically like the Myers Briggs tests but instead of being an ESTJ or INFP, you are a Paul, George, John or Ringo. I cannot tell if it is a joke or not, I have not read enough of it, but I took the test and it says that I am tied for Paul and George. Which seems impossible since in both of their descriptions it says that the two are opposites of each other. Maybe I am bipolar, but this is news to me.

It was a fascinating find, though, and I enjoy it even if it is false. I always considered myself a John and I still kind of do because when I read the descriptions of a "John" it sounds more like me, but there are aspects of George that I can see, too. I think relationships wise I am a Paul. So maybe I'm just all of the Beatles into one.

I quizzed my mother this evening while she was getting ready for bed and she plainly said, as I was calculating her results, "I just hope I'm not a Ringo. He's so weird looking." HAHA!

If anyone would like me to quiz you and see which Beatle you are, let me know. I will gladly do so.

What Little Joy I have Today...

Bad day calls for a music OVERLOAD. Music is so lovely. It does not abandon you. It does not leave you. Nope, never. Not for a boyfriend or girlfriend; nope, not for anything or anyone else. I probably should not put so much emotional stock and love into something as pointless, though, but as of right this second, music has yet to let me down. Music 0, humans 400,303.



Favorites right now, in addition to OK Go, Little Joy. So JOYOUS!

Rock The Garden 2010

If there were ever a concert that I was more destined to go to, it was Rock the Garden 2010. Only members were allowed to buy tickets the first week or so. Naturally, it sold out within that first week. Tragedy for MGMT fans such as Matt and myself; we were going to purchase tickets the second they were available for the public. No such chance was given. Then, a miracle happened. A teammate of my fall ultimate team had two extra tickets.


Onward, ho, to Rock The Garden!

It was quite an adventure just getting to the Sculpture Garden; from deaf men trying to sign to me or bumping into various hipsters, but nothing unlike the typical commute through Uptown.

We arrive and were channeled through various gates and winding hallways until we found ourselves back outside but with every sense being rapidly used. First sense, which was the most crucial for this day, was hearing. They were blasting Grizzly Bear! It was a sign for a good day in my books. We ventured around in hopes of finding free stuff at various booths but were dismayed when we realized that none of it was free. Except one: Meet and greet with OK Go. The more and more I think about this, the more it blows my mind. We shook their hands and exchanged names; I tried hard to replay their names in my name over and over in hopes of not forgetting them. I turned to Tim, the bassist, and asked him why he was wearing a full suit, pants, jacket and hat. He looked extremely out-of-place. He replied about how it was cold in the morning but seemed a bit annoyed by the question, as if he had been asked by every fan that entered that booth. Well, rightfully so, he looked like he was, "melting like a snow cone in Phoenix."

We then sat for what seemed like hours before the music started. We arrived at 3, music did not start until 415.


Right on cue at 415, Retribution Gospel Choir took the stage. FINALLY!


I knew very little about this band other than that they were from Duluth and that they were supposedly a metal band. I was not sure what to expect. But my initial reaction: each song seemed to blend together and they had very little stage presence. They seemed nervous. Their lead singer/guitarist, seemed to channel what little stage presence or interesting quality their band had (unless you count the drummer's long, distracting brown hair), but even then it was not enough to get the crowd moving and grooving. He nearly gained redemption, however, when he started playing his guitar with his teeth. Ah, a Hendrix fan. Groovy. They lacked all the great things a band needs to play live on this warm, Saturday afternoon. I support the Minnesota bands, but this trio needs to work on their performances.

Next performance rocked my soul: OK Go.


Easily my favorite group at RTG. OK Go had energy, stage presence, they interacted with the crowd, and had everyone, regardless of whether they had only ever seen their legendary treadmill video, on their feet dancing and having a good time. From a hand bell version of What To Do (that was intended to redeem our sinful souls) to red, white and blue confetti blowing like snow from the stage, they stole the show and ran with it making sure the next act had to work twice as hard to generate the excitement that they had. And if you have seen their videos you can get a taste of the creativity and energy that flow from these four. I personally was stoked to see This Too Shall Pass live, and it did not fail to give me goosebumps:



Their new album, which seems to be a tribute to Prince, is marvelous. I recommend it immensely.

Next? Why the fabulous Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.


By this point my legs were about ready to cave in. I hate to admit but I could not get into this act as much as I wanted to. But Ms. Jones gave Kulash and OK Go a run for their money. Between her killer vocals and dance moves, it seems like there is not anything this woman could not do. Highlight of the performance was definitely her version of Guthrie's This Land is Your Land. Jones proved she could accomplish anything.

Then, the finale: MGMT


Everyone knows MGMT whether they actually know it or not. It pained me to see that most of the fans there were only there to hear their hits like Kids, Time To Pretend and Electric Feel. All marvelous songs, but MGMT is more than that. I think....

They played a mixture of Oracular Spectacular and Congratulation songs. It became apparent quite quickly that most of the band was not all together. Especially the leader guitarist, who looked like he might have been on an acid trip. MGMT's frontman, VanWyngarden, was very shy towards the crowd and would only mutter, "thank you," rather sheepishly after every song. The crowd did not care. Most of them were drunk or high themselves and were going to have a good time regardless of the music. Such bright futures they have ahead of them. Even though MGMT has a history of having terrible concerts, I found them to be quite enjoyable. Perhaps that is because I was expecting the worst. They definitely were not an OK Go, but they were still not on the Retribution Gospel Choir level. And one has not quite experienced life until they are in the middle of a Time To Pretend mosh pit.


All and all the concert was very memorable and a great experience; worth the money, worth the time. And I am now obsessed with OK Go. I have a new band to listen to all summer long. All my dreams came true in the course of 24 hours.

One Zero, Zero, Zero, Zero, Zero, Zero

Ten million extra credit points to whoever can tell me the name of the song and band to which my title is from.

I'll give you a hint...


So...

It's 3 AM and I'm watching music videos instead of sleeping. Really random ones at that. It all started with Pork and Beans by Weezer. You know that one where they get all the top youtube video people to lip sync? Yeah, that one. So that morphed into quite a few different videos. Then before I knew it, THE KILLERS! The Killers' Read My Mind. So sad, but then...

VIOLET HILL was a "Viewers also bought." AMAZING how one band can still make me SQUEAL at 3 in the morning. Oh boy. I love music. A lot.

P.S. Will "blog" about RTG eventually. I need to find the inspiration to write/type again. Bahahaha.

Oh Rainy Day, Come Round

Hello, hello (said just the way the Urban's would say it),

This summer is not the way I envisioned it: sun shining down, driving with the windows down, blasting the Beach Boys. No, its been grey, cold, rainy and I have been listening to slower, chill music like Rogue Wave. Which is not that terrible, but it's the summer which means BEACH BOYS!



Yes!

So, no Beach Boys, yet, but here is a playlist for a grey, rainy June day.

1. Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons.
A favorite in the state of Minnesota; we love this band more than any other State. Mainly teens, but hey, who's to say they do not understand the passion and pain behind Mumford's voice as he sings, "but it was not your fault but mine and it was your heart on the line. I really f****d it up this time didn't I, my dear?" Also, I do love the banjo. One of my favorite instruments.

2. Rough Gem - Islands.
An oldie by now-a-day standards. It is not auto tuned, but it is indie. I will not understand the popularity of auto tuning. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever. It gives the feel of being underwater in a submarine (a yellow one, perhaps?) and with the constant rain, it is an appropriate song.

3. Pale Blue Eyes - The Velvet Underground
My father will disagree with me, but I do like Lou Reed regardless of what anyone says. The vocals are not perfect, but the emotion is there, but then again, all of his songs are full of that. But, the speed and emotion of this song are exactly how my brain feels as it sinks into an instant state of depression when I look outside and see huge drops falling from the sky everyday.

4. You - Rogue Wave
When I listen to Rogue Wave, regardless of the weather, my mind and body is in a state of peace and complete happiness. Descend Like Vultures is one of my favorite albums. Ever. Enough said, right? They will take away the sadness of the rain without a doubt. Also add "California" to this play list for the phrase, "Screw California." Yes, but only because we have been waiting for the warmth that Cali has, but Minnesota is still waiting!

5. Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Everyone needs a smile and Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros deliver that. The country style of this song is enough where it does not make you want to vomit and has that nostalgic feel of a time before rockabilly was even a term.

6. Coliseum - Ice Palace
Naturally I love bands that have "Ice" in their title. It is one of my favorite things, you know. I also love Ice Palace. The mixture of backup vocals, guitar and trumpet are like a mixture of perfection. They oddly sound a bit like Modest Mouse to me, which might be another level of love I will admit...another time. July 14, to be exact. :)

7. Hot Sprawl - Man/Miracle
I cannot help but picture their precious little faces up on the stage at the Fine Line from April when I listen to this album. I have to admit, they are way better live. You cannot hear the intensity, passion and love spewing from their instruments and voices. But, this is the closest thing you can get from this Oakland band. I will take it over nothing.

8. The Traitor - Sea Wolf
Well, we all knew this was inevitable. Sea Wolf's vocals will shout from every speaker I own and the more people I convert, the more speakers they will be blasted from, the better. The guitar solo and orchestra in this song is soul and mind blowing. Oh, my soul. It makes driving in the rain so enjoyable, almost a grand privilege.

9. Black Mirror - Arcade Fire
Very Dark. It should be played in the Deathly Hallows whenever Voldemort or a Death Eater come onto screen. On a dark-songs marathon, I expect the next song to be Take A Bow by Muse. Similar yet different, of course.

10. Black Keys - Only One
Slightly more happy than Arcade Fire, Only One is the kind of song that is played during scenes in movies where two very chill dudes drive down a road on a sunny day in California with the windows down. It works for the same purposes here, except minus the sun and windows down. It is a chill song through and through. Perfect driving song.

more: Sufjan Stevens - California (so beautiful), Phantogram - Mouth Full of Diamonds (perfect song for driving regardless of weather), Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye (another perfect driving song), Cannibal Resource - Dirty Projectors, This Too Shall Pass - OK GO (Ok, so the rain will pass, just like everything else. There is hope), Breaking the Girl - RHCP, A Cloud Story - Dark Dark Dark, Promises - The Morning Benders (harmonies are SICK).


ENJOY LIFE!

Hey Jude Thursday

Well, hello...



Oh hai, Ringo.

The musical world seems to have spiraled on and on without me while I tried to overcome the world of finals and papers. Much to write about but even still with the stress of other assignments and papers gone, I have no time to write. Writers block, too, seems to plague. It's not a good situation. With so much going on, I feel the need to have some sort of entry to keep my fingers flowing and my mind in one place, for once, this summer. I half decided that I wanted to write a book about the Beatles. Half of me thinks it's a good idea, but the other half thinks, what would be the point, really? Seeing as I know more about them than I do anything else, including myself, it seems logical. But as to quote George Harrison from a Simpson's episode, "that's been done."


I doubt it matters, though. I could bring my own style to it, I am sure. Maybe it would be a self satisfaction project, like a fun-run kind of deal. Whatever, whatever.



I am currently listening to Hey Jude. Did you know it was The Beatles' first single with Apple? Did you know that it was written for John's son, Julian (probably do, that's not a very obscure fact)? Did you know it started out as 'Hey Jules' not Jude? Did you know it has a 40 piece orchestra? Yes, 40. ridiculous.

Stay cool my babies.