Finally Friday Video's Part IX

I'm a bit low on inspiration for this weekly tradition, so I'd like you to help me out! If you have a video you believe everyone should see, email me at filetransfercomplete@gmail.com.

I'm In Love (With Arthur Dove)

I once visited the renowned Guggenheim museum in New York together with my brother. As we were watching paintings by famous artist like 'what's his face' and 'that other guy' (namedropping isn't appropiate here, cause I'm not sure if I really saw paintings by Monet and Picasso...I suck) , I came to the following conclusion: this is not my thing. That's not to say I don't like art at all...I would love having something by Kurt Halsey (see image below) or Derek Hess, on my wall, but the importance (or essence if you will) of these paintings in the Guggenheim was lost on me. To me, if a painting looks good and/or brings out feelings, then it is a good painting. That's it, I don't care if it's abstract or modern or whatever.

It is therefore not surprising that I'd never heard about Arthur Dove (1880-1946), one of America's first abstract painters. Still, for a few weeks now I can't stop singing these six words: I'm in love with Arthur Dove. The reason for this is the irresistible equally titled song by the band Portastatic. The chorus in this song is so insanely catchy that it took me at least 10 listens before I noticed the rest of the song. It's a good indierocking song leaning somewhat to classic rock even(!), but the chorus...oh the chorus is so awesome! Actually, now that I think of it, the first couple of listens I just kept playing the singing harmony in the intro over and over again...like an addiction.

Now sing along all y'all!

Portastatic - I'm in love (with Arthur Dove)
Portastatic on MySpace

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Choosing a name for your band is a delicate manner which should not be taken lightly. A well chosen name can trigger curiosity while a less succesful choice can create aversion against your band before you're even listened to. I'm a sucker for good bandnames. When I came across a band called Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, I just had to check them out. Now, a good bandname does not always equal good music. In this case I have to say that I really like their name, but I love their music. Though this band is only their early twenties, they write indiepop gems like it's all they ever did.

Last month, a remastered version of their wonderful 2005 debut 'Broom' has been released. While the single 'Oregon Girl' (watch video below) scores high on the instant likeability factor, the other songs on this album are also really worthwhile. Sure...some people might find this kind of music boring, but that's probably because they're not paying enough attention to the craftmanship that is being shown in these songs. For example, listen to 'I am Warm & Powerful'. One minute into the song non believers will say : "This is boring, turn it off, let me listen to Mötley Crüe". Then at 1:15, a great hook kicks in and you say to this person: "Not bad eh?", to which the non believer will probably response by making a noise that could be interpreted as "Maybe". Okay, I'm not saying that everybody will like this, but there are so many hooks on this album, that it's definitely worth checking out!


Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - I am Warm & Powerful
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Oregon Girl
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin on MySpace

Punk is dead?!...long live Latterman

I think I was 15 or 16 years old when I got into punk(rock) and hardcore. The raw energy and passion, the positive aggression, the obscurity, the melody and fastness of the music and the (do it yourself) mentality really spoke to me. Basically, these bands i fell in love with showed a lot of heart. For a lot of my favorite bands from that era the lyrics were just as important to me as the music. In my opinion, punk (and hardcore) should be about more than just music; it should be a counterculture. It should provide inspiration to young (and not so young) people to make a change in this world on an individual level. It's hard to name one band that stands out for me because it's the whole culture that was inspirational. It gave me the strength to make my own decisions instead of conforming to a certain standard. I'm not afraid to admit that I probably would still eat meat if it weren't for punkrock/hardcore to name an example.

These are still the things I look for in punkrock today and sadly, in my opinion, it is heart that is lacking in a lot of the more popular punkbands. Surprisingly, the bands that never used to be that outspoken on political, environmental and societal issues show the most heart (NOFX and Green Day are examples that first come to mind). Well, maybe I'm just getting old...but I'm losing touch with the 'scene'.

Every now and then however, you come across a band with the right spirit. When I heard Latterman's album 'No Matter Where We Go' last year it blew me away (listen to three songs from this album here). This band is't the most technical or original, but they play their music with such determination and passion that it's contagious. Add some inspirational lyrics and you've got a winner! The bands strong point is the vocalpart: it's hard not to sing along to these songs. The bands weak point might be the similarity of the songs. This is also the case for the new album '...We Are Still Alive'. Expect more of the same, which in one way is a dissappointment cause I was kind of curious what their next step would be. Sometimes however, it's nice to get more of what you already like.

"I hope that we'll be searchers pursuing solution but I hope I have the context right/so as we try to understand each other with the weight of the world on our shoulders/I'm sorting this out with another poppy song/I'm not feeling too young these days but this time I'll make it sound better". ('An Ode to Jon Contra, part 2)

Latterman - If Batman Was Real, He Would Have Beaten The Crap Out Of My friends
Latterman - This Basement Gives Me A Fuckin Headache
Latterman on MySpace

Bookhunting

Today I went to my favorite bookstore. I had some bookcoupons left from my birthday/graduation that were in desperate need of spending and this is what I bought:




* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book) Teacher's Edition: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction
* A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
* The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell
* The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Earlier this week I bought The Beach by Alex Garland and Wonderboys by Michael Chabon at bargain prices, so I got my reading cut out for me. First I have to finish Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk though, which I'm thoroughly enjoying. I really should have more time or make more time to read!

Finally Friday Video's Part VIII

Instead of hairmetal, some classic hiphop songs this week. Oh...those memories!

Will the new Beach Boys please stand up?

I like to theorize about everything and everyone. For instance, when I went to college by bus everyday I'd theorize about the lives of all these familiar strangers that I saw every day. In my head I knew what their lives looked like, what music they liked and which television shows they watched. In my psychology study I've learned that this isn't that rare and actually is pretty well researched (read about the familiar stranger phenomenon here). Today however, I like to discuss a whole different theory and I encourage you to give your opinion. It goes a little something like this...

If the Beach Boys were still around in 2006 (in their mid twenties) they would sound like:

Option A) Field Music. This band plays delightful indiepop, with postrock drum rhythms and great vocal harmonies. The music is somewhat inoffensive so your parents might even like this, but that's also true for the original Beach Boys right? I wouldn't be surprised if this band will score a hit someday. Check the video for 'You're not supposed to' below and you'll see why! I'm totally digging this song.

Download: Field Music - If Only the Moon were up

Option B) Rooney. Alright. Take one part Weezer and one part Beach Boys and you will get Rooney. Named after the infamous principal of 80's hit movie "Ferris Bueller's day off", this band plays the kind of powerpop that stucks into your head after one listen. Their songs do get old after a couple of listens, but hey...you can't deny the fact that they were on 'the O.C'!


Download: Rooney - I'm Shakin'

Option C) Annuals. A bit more experimental than option A and B, but it's a fact that the Beach Boys also had a more experimental side to them. Take a little bit of modern day indiepop/rock acts like Arcade Fire and Islands, put it in a blender together with the Beach Boys and you'll get something that closely resembles this band. This is the kind of music that you will have to listen a couple of times to 'to get it', but it's actually pretty good!

Download: Annuals - Complete or Completing

Okay...I could go on, but let's keep it with three options for now.

..to be continued!