ILC Spring Music Reviews

As you may know music is one of the eight pillars of leisure. Almost every seasoned leisurist I've met is also an avid lover of music. So we've decided to ask four key ILC members to pick four songs they've been listening to lately and write a short review of them. Hope you enjoy, and hope we broaden your future music listening experiences.

We've provided links to each song when possible. Some of the songs were hard to find links for. In those cases we provided links to similar songs by the band on myspace pages or the bands official websites. Pretty sure all the songs are available on itunes.

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Ben Coleman AKA Hesperus Frigg AKA Lucifer Pearl of Judi Chicago(Who, you should know, the ILC loves) Picks:

I'm digging into the shadows here, with rare gems that were on ignored or under-appreciated records of the past and present.

1.Hawkwind – 'High Rise' – from 'PXR5'.

An under-rated tune from an under-rated band, taken from one of their most under-rated albums. This is a J.G. Ballard-esque glimpse into a dystopian near-future (which may already be here) of concrete, cruelty, isolation and bloodshed. Bob Calvert (a sorely-missed contender for best lyricist of the 20th century) is on form here. I particularly recommend the live version from Stonehenge in '77 found on the excellent 'Weird Tapes – The Festivals'. Hawkwind were the best band of the 70's, and it's not too late to find out why: grab a copy of Space Ritual, and take all your clothes off.

http://www.myspace.com/hawkwindofficial



2.Sly and the Family Stone – 'Loose Booty' – from 'Small Talk'

A slice of dance-floor platinum from the best-dressed of the godheads of funk. By the time Small Talk slid onto the shelves, Sly had already carved himself a spot of the Mount

Rushmore of soul, alongside the Godfather (RIP), Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton and team. Fools would have you believe that 'There's a Riot Goin' on' was the last great work from Sly, but don't believe them: Sly was putting out grade 'A' material almost as fast as he was putting class 'A' material up his nose well into the late 70's (I recommend anything and everything between 'A Whole New Thing' and 'Back on the Right Track', with the exception of 'Heard you missed me', which is rubbish). Words can't describe this tune, which isn't even the best track on the album, in my humble… Just put it on at a party and see what happens (I am not to be held liable for ensuing broken glasses or pregnancies).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HZcAl1sn2s

3.Happy Mondays – 'Monkey in the Family' – from 'Yes Please'

The Happy Mondays were so messed up by 1992 that this was to be the last album released under the Monday's name for 15 years. 15 YEARS. That's one hell of a hangover. And you can hear the hangover on the album, which is an infectious and occasionally shambolic mix of cracked-out hysteria, hallucinogenic Mumbo-jumbo and strong-cocktail island riddims (the Mondays' own 'Riot' is 'Goin on' here).
Monkey in the Family is the joyous story of a monkey. In the family. It may be about drugs. There's some crazy Arabic style singing, and great toy-town psychedelia lyrics about 'peppermint twists' and the 'jungle jive team' (note to self: good name for a band).

http://www.myspace.com/happymondaysonline



4.Noot D' Noot – 'Jiggle City' – 7' single on Solutionist Records.

Big up to my Noot brothers! This is one of many tunes-d'-noot that should be on any and all lists. Noot D' Noot are the best band in Atlanta (alongside Judi Chicago, of course…) and they are leading the way in space-funk dancehall music. JB's on mushrooms! Trouble Funk jamming with Africa 70! Hawkwind landing a UFO on the Headhunters! ETC! I want to see a copy of their debut album (dropping in the summer) in every home in the world by the end of this year.
We're playing with the Noots all summer long at Lenny's Bar. It's going to be MAGIC.
Fuck a garage band: this is where the underground is at… Like Bohannon said, 'Let's start the dance'…

http://www. myspace. com/nootdnoot

And let's not forget:

http://www. myspace. com/judichicago






The constantly over estimated Tim Franzen picks:

First off I must say this is a difficult task as I listen to a lot of music, so I'm just picking four that have stood out to me in the last few months.

1. 'Zombie Girl' by The Terrordactyls from the album, 'The Terrordactyls'

This song, this band, is pure child's play. They use baby pianos, kazoos, and all sorts of fun noises. This song begins with the sound of cheering children which evokes the feeling of being at a birthday party. This song unfolds to tell the story of a high school student in love with a zombie girl. The Terrordactyls are a duo blessed with sweet, fun, vulnerable vocals. This song features both of their voices sharing every other line. These guys are up and coming, I suggest you give them a look.

http://www.myspace.com/theterrordactyls



2. 'I Keep Forgettin'' by Michael McDonald from the album, 'If That's What It Takes'

Anyone that's been spending any significant time with me lately knows I've been obsessed with Yacht Rock lately. Interestingly I used to loath adult contemporary music. Perhaps it's nostalgia or maybe my minds just more open to smooth rock these days. "I keep Forgettin'" is one of my favorite Yacht Rock anthems. Anyone unfamiliar with this song will immediately recognize this song because Warren G heavily sampled it for his big hit, "Regulate". One thing I like about the song is how well it showcases McDonald's voice, which is pretty smooth I must say. McDonald could sing the ingredients to lucky charms and I'd be into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnjEzx7Glr8

3. 'Harder Than You Think' by Public Enemy from the album, 'How to Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul'

This is the best single off the Enemies' latest album, which marks their 20th year in the biz. The song begins with a lively guitar riff then, right as we hear Chuck D grip the mic, they bust out the hard hitting horn loop. "Harder Than You Think", really feels like an epic homage and celebration for PE fans like myself. The song is also, like many PE songs, a call to action in apathetic times. Not only does PE target their fans to do more with lines like, "there's a war going on where ya'll at?", but they've been increasingly targeting their peers in the music industry. PE has historically rejected the bling and glory focus of current corporate hip hop.

One more note on PE. Over the years they've been so critical of US multi-national corporations and mainstream politicians that they not only get zero radio play but they've had to produce their own album, on their own label entitled, "Slam Jamz". PE has successfully distributed their last two albums over the internet. This may be why you haven't heard their last two albums, two of their best, on the radio.

..TR> .. ..TABLE>
http://www.myspace.com/publicenemyfam



4. Lara's Theme' performed by City of Prague philharmonic orchestra, from the album, 'Dr. Zhivago-The Sound track'

It's hard for me to separate the experience of the film from the experience of listening to this song. As some of you may know I desperately love David Lean films and "Dr. Zhivago" is my favorite of the bunch. What "Lara's Theme" evokes for me is the power of wonder. Pure child like wonder in the beauty of nature, the feeling of love, and the contemplation of spirituality. It captures those moment when you're looking at something so wonderful, like a perfect sunset or the eyes of a lover, and you're filled with warm fuzzies. The feeling's that are difficult to describe with words.

"Lara's theme" is a song i've found myself tearing up to on several occasions'. One word of advice, there are so many versions of this song performed by various orchestras. Some of them are weak.

http://www.myspace.com/drzhivagoo





Leo Ladefian, the body paint model from A3C picks

Intro
The first place I looked for songs that I've been listening to recently was of course the ipod. It was as simple as sorting the last played field. However, the music I've been listening to lately hasn't necessarily come from the little white box, thank god. A person of leisure, or any person for that matter, should experience music from a variety of outlets; not just a machine. I've tried to review some songs I've been in contact not just from the random shuffle of the ipizzle, but songs that have a context to leisurely pursuits I might have been engaging...

1. Sam Cooke - 'A Change is Gonna Come', off 'Ain't that good news'


I was having lunch at one of my favorite Turkish joints last Friday when I heard the unmistakable sound of the inventor of soul music. Obviously not Cooke himself, a man across the street was carrying some of Cooke's greatest hits with ease. Some of you may know the gentlemen I'm speaking of as he is regular down near the Georgia State Campus. He began signing; a Change is Gonna Come, my favorite Cooke song if not one of my all time favorites. Considered to be "the answer" to Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind", it deals with the struggle of the black community, as well his own struggles, in the 1960's. Released in late 1964 it was to be included on Cooke's last studio album, however, he was shot death in early December for reasons still not explained. It became an anthem for the civil rights movement being performed by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Al Green. The message of the song is timeless, and I was moved to hear it once more from a man spreading the Cooke gospel.

http://www.myspace.com/samcooke


2. LCD Soundsystem - '45:33' off '45:33'


Every now and then, I'll get the urge to get off my couch and do some exercise, whether it be running, cycling, or push ups on the carpet. When the mood strikes, I usually turn to Kraftwerk and this LCD Soundsystem 45 minute electronic excursion. Commissioned by Nike, (I know they're an evil sweat shop corporation, but I just bought some used Nikes for $12 so I feel better about it), and specifically made for a 45 minute workout, this track explores rhythmic dance beats, melodic horns and a journey into outer space. Imagine jogging through a wormhole with Patrick Stewart in his running shorts. The track starts slow with a few notes being played every second. Then it builds with synthesized dance beats, bells, and eventually at around 22 minutes it really gets going and a conversation with interstellar space men begins. After your muscles are deoxygenized, a cool down starts at around 40 minutes and slows to a crawl. Don't sleep on this mix, Leisurists unite.

http://www.myspace.com/lcdsoundsystem


3. 2 Many Dj's – 'As Heard on Radio Soulwax pt. 2'


After listening to Girl Talk for, oh about a month, it became tiresome to listen to him blow his load early on most of his mixes. I was introduced to 2 Many Dj's by my Kid 606, Luke Vibert, Soundmurderer mashup fiend friend. One of my other favorite ways to experience music is getting on someone else's shit, or putting someone up on mine. Strait up Laptop Dj's, 2 Many Dj's are two of the performers from the famous Soulwax England rock group. This particular mix, for starters, begins with an Emerson, Lake and Palmer mix into Basement Jaxx, Where's Your Head at. Then transitions into a Peaches, Velvet Underground mashup; the first two tracks are worth the price of admission. Keep in mind, were not talking about 10 second spots clipped together a la Girl Talk. These are 1.5 and 2 minute tracks with two songs, not 12. Other highlights include The Stooges: No Fun and Salt and Pepper: Push it mix, Dolly Parton: 9 to 5 Royksopp: Elpe. Their website lists at least 20 other mixes, all with music I guarantee you've never heard before. This is the beauty of 2 Many, the ability to enjoy their music, and discover new music.

http://www.myspace.com/2manymashups


4. CunninLynguists - 'Dying Nation' off 'Southernundergorund'


Beginning with the infamous George W. Bush quote of an old Tennessee saying, the Cunninlyguists track focuses on what they believe is wrong with USA, as well as the state of hip-hop. I heard this track again on the way back from a local hip hop festival in Atlanta a few weeks ago, and couldn't help but see the huge disparity of hip-hop being played on the radio and from the "underground". The track focuses on several government, religious and social conspiracies over the past few years with lines like "what America can't have they take silently, sometimes violently, open up your eyes and see, it's all back-wards like negatives from photography". This group is a breath of fresh air in the midst of the polluted state of hip hop.

http://www.myspace.com/cunninlynguists1



The lovely and talented free lance journalist Hallie Newton picks

These are four songs I've been listening to this spring.

1. Tall Firs 'Hairdo' from 'Too Old to Die Young'

I wish I could make trading cards of these guys and stick them in the spokes of my bicycle so that every time the wheels go around, their song "Hairdo" would serenade me. The lacey sounding instruments all braided together make for a pretty palate to sing their lyrics, these conversational snippets of awkwardness. There's a part that goes, "You've got a bangin' sister". Yeah! If you like Pavement, or Dinosaur Jr., or say you like Sonic Youth, this song's for you -- In fact, the whole album's for you. Grab a bike and sing along.

http://www.tallfirs.org



2. Mariah Carey 'Touch My Body' from 'E=MC2'

Oh Mariah. How are you so gigantic and svelte at the same time? Why did you take your clothes off in a tub on Cribs? Are you really so crazy that Virgin paid you to leave the label? Do you know what E=MC2 means? I have a thousand questions for you, Mariah, and they can all wait until you finish singing your latest hit. I loved you when the video for "Honey" came out, and you were in a skin-colored swimsuit and Mace was in a helicopter, and then he became a preacher or minister shortly afterwards, and I love you now, with your robot voice so manipulated that I can hardly render the words you've strung together, mumbling something about YouTube. Truth is, I don't care what you sing because you're maniacal feminine wiles has left an impression so large that your notes echo sweetly in it's wake. You are truly a legend, Mariah. You're right up there with such Americana as Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan. Put him in the helicopter next.

http://www.myspace.com/mariahcarey2008music



3. The Ramones 'Oh Oh I Love Her So' from 'Leave Home'

I don't want to fall in love. But if I ever do, I want it to be like this.

http://www.myspace.com/theramonesfan666



4. Joe Cocker 'Feelin' Alright' from 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen'

This last one was a tough one to pick, but these four songs are all about spring and spring is about change and this song is about changing. It's a live recording, all upbeat, and the choir is in the back singing about how good they're feeling – a choir which consists of these, like, amazing artists by the way, who've played with The Band and Bob Dylan and… oh my gosh it's just so communal sounding, like a big party with all the cool kids, but Cocker – the coolest kid at the party – is singing, "I'm not feeling too good myself", nearly drowned out by the commotion, so you've got this great tension between the party and his story, and you know it has to end because he's moving on and because it's a song and it all has to end anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmqQKZPlj6M&feature=related

I listen to other stuff too. If you want to know, write me.

www.myspace.com/hallielizabeth