Archive | December, 2011

The Three We Expected – The X Factor – NOW Who Will Win

16 Dec

The sun has set on Marcus Canty and the X Factor top three have been revealed. Competing for the $5 million prize is the smooth Chris Rene, the powerful Melanie Amaro, and the granular Josh Krajcik. The question now, obviously, is who is going to win? We have been asking this question at the Music Court since L.A. Reid clearly corrupted short-lived crooner Phillip Lomax’s chances of making it out of the top 16 by making him sing a mawkish, corny version of “I’m a Believer” while surrounded by the superfluous X Factor dance crew. I mean, come on, even the other judges called Reid out on this clear attempt at making his job of eliminating one of his team members easier.

Anyway, so, yes we have been watching this over-the-top spectacle for weeks now and we are down to the top three. I like how this show has eliminated contestants. Some of the judges may be mugwumps (looking at you Paula and Nicole), but the eliminations have followed mostly followed script and we are down to the top three that, based on all of the performances, should be the top three. And while there have been some surprises along the way, I am not surprised by the contestants in the finale. Marcus looked fully content when he was told he would be going home last night by way of an awkward, tall hug from the Welsh “host with the height” Steve Jones.

In what will most likely be an epic finale of the X Factor, three judges will have a chance at crowning their contestants with the final prize. But who will it be? We have explored the possibilities endlessly on this blog (it’s good television, what can I say!) – Check out some of the posts here, here, and here (which features a post from October where I say the best in their respective categories are Chris Rene, Drew, Josh Krajcik, and the Stereo Hogzz). Well, I was right on two of them. I do have Chris Rene winning in that post and I have him winning still. But, like I have said numerous times, I also can see Josh or Melanie winning the competition.

I will not tire you with more analysis – click on the here hyperlinks for more of that – but I do want to pose the question of who will win again. So keep voting (DO NOT VOTE FOR EMPTY SPOT – had to put that in because we can’t have less than four choices) in the poll below and let’s see who you all think. To help you vote I am going to post my favorite performance from each of the three contestants still in the show.

Chris Rene:

Melanie Amaro

Josh Krajcik

ULTIMATE PREDICTION

1.) Chris Rene

2.) Josh Krajcik

3.) Melanie Amaro

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Late of the Pier – Fantasy Black Channel

15 Dec

Hey everyone. I’ll be posting on Thursdays from now on. Some Gods were upset at me for doing work on Sunday.

Today I have a cool British synth-dance-punk band for everyone today. Their name is Late of the Pier and I’ll be showcasing some of the songs off of their only album, Fantasy Black Channel. Plus, all of their videos are really trippy.

“Broken” is the first song that I would like to type a few words about and it is also the first on the album. It starts out with an extended instrumental section that displays many of the band’s different styles of rhythm and instrumentation. It comes to a slow vocal driven interlude that completes the song. The rest of the song is your average alternative rock punk song. I feel like it gives you an all around feel for what else is to come. Make sure to pay attention to the solo and sweet electronic ending.

This song actually doesn’t have a music video. I promise the others will make up for that.

“Focker” is probably one of the best songs on this album in my opinion. The song starts out with an instrumental build and a hellish British-type scream of rage. The song is fast paced, sounding like a space themed side-scrolling video game. The lyrics essentially stop the music in a very punk way. The guy sounds like he is a crying rockstar.

The ending completes it for me. The slow “ahh-ahhs” make it sound like the song is going to end on some drab low note to make it all moody. But no, because a goddamn robot flies down from space and starts kicking you in the mouth. This ending synth line is what separates this band from the rest. Who doesn’t like to end a song on a rockin’ out note?

The music video is absolutely spectacular too. The beginning green room is the perfect amount of 80’s-style psychedelia with the smoke and black oozing goo. As the actual song transitions, so does the video, and lo and behold an actual robot does come down and start smackin’ the band around. That’s definitely how they got the idea for the ending.

“The Bears are Coming” has my favorite video of the songs. But first let’s talk about the sound. It’s sort of like a tribal punk ballad. The song transitions from happy weird to  slow soulful drives which make it complete. The synths are over the top and pretty much silly. Nothing more can be said in my opinion.

Now the video. It’s awesome how they have the four band members come rolling in each with their own unique posses. It allows each one of them to display their own personalities and it makes that much more of an attempt at being serious. The build-up is epic; this cube is spilling black ooze and spikes while animals look on with worried faces. Each of the four possesses a piece of the puzzle that will solve it. Once they insert the pieces…? Nothing. They are offered a treat. I’m also not spoiling the ending by saying that, because I want you to watch it for yourself. No hype or anything, but it’s a great metaphor to making music.

So this was my little bit about Late of the Pier. I think that they are making new music, and about to blow up. Literally.

-oko

P.S. I wasn’t kidding. Their heads are going to explode. &|

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The Anachronism That Was The Music Machine.

13 Dec

Bizarro Beatles or 60's Screamo (just kidding)

 
The grainy photo above depicts a never-before seen example of the gothic response to American Bandstand. Just kidding! The picture is of the Music Machine and I think it is time that we explore this band’s story in today’s version of Obscure Classic Rock.
 
The Music Machine story begins with a high-school age Sean Bonniwell, who, after hearing the song “Only You” by the Platters, decided that he wanted to form a clean-cut vocal band. The result of this aspiration was the pop/folk quartet the Wayfarers who released three albums under the RCA label. It is important to understand that despite never reaching tremendous success, Bonniwell was a very talented musician who released several albums.
 
The folk scene eventually started dying down after the British invasion and the introduction of harder, bluesier rock, with electrical instruments, organs and keyboards; an overall heavier sound. Bonniwell decided that he wanted to take advantage of this scene in 1965. He formed the Ragamuffins and the band immediately fit neatly into the edgy, fuzzy garage rock sound that was spreading throughout the nation. The Ragamuffins, who would become the Music Machine in 1966, was based in Los Angeles.
 
Perhaps the most distinctive part of the group was their look. We will get to their sound in a second. As you can see from the picture above, each member wore all-black clothing, dyed black moptops, and (not visible) a single black glove (Michael Jackson’s staple – pre-Michael Jackson). Their anachronistic look reminds me of the all-black gothic scene that was a fad (is it still?) when I was in High School (like 5 years ago). It can also be viewed as punk. Hmm. Punk. Lucky that their music cooperates with the punk sentiment.
 
 
“Talk Talk” was the Music Machine’s most succesful song. The band, which featured singer/songwriter Sean Bonniwell, Doug Rhodes (organ), Keith Olson (bass), Mark Landon (guitar), and Ron Edgar (drums), released their first album (Turn On) The Music Machine, which premiered “Talk Talk,” in 1966 on the Original Sound label. Besides this top-20 hit, the album didn’t meet with much success and, after the corresponding promotional tour, the entire band, except for Bonniwell, left because of internal issues. Bonniwell kept the band together, even signing on to Warner Bros. in 1967 as The Bonniwell Music Machine, but the self-titled LP met with no success. It all kind of ended there but the Bonniwell Music Machine is still around (http://www.bonniwellmusicmachine.com/) revitalized by Bonniwell’s autobiography “Beyond the Garage.”
 
Let’s talk about the song “Talk Talk.” It is an awesome piece. Here is why the less than 2-minute song is worth listening to over and over and over. The riff is classic garage rock – fuzzy guitar layered over an organ. Bonniwell’s deep voice suits the song perfectly. I absolutely love the Hendrix-like grunts (pre-Hendrix) and, what I can only describe as the Talk Talk repetitive beat (because of how the song ends). I am keen on saying a lot of garage rock released during this time period exemplifies pre-punk (or protopunk). I throw around this term a little too much, but, with “Talk Talk” I do believe that there is clear inspiration evident. The short, fast, heavy beat, repeating guitar riff, bare instrumentation. It all fits. And I love it.
 

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Who Do You Think Will Win The X Factor – Poll Results – The Crow Elimination

12 Dec

So where are we now...

 

Here are the results in no particular order (X Factor joke – funny, ha?). Around a week ago I put up a poll on the blog asking the question: Who Will Ultimately Win the X Factor? You can vote in the continuing poll here. We have the results. And they are telling.

UPDATE (12/15) – We are back to a tie. Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene have five votes. Melanie is in third with three votes. Both Marcus Canty and Rachel Crow (ELIMINATED) received zero votes. Look for a post tomorrow on the top three. The voting is tight and I believe this is telling of the entire competition. It also demonstrates why last week’s over-the-top emotional roller coaster is/was unnecessary.

Last week, as you should know by now if you follow the show with any diligence, Rachel Crow, the vibrant and jocular teenager with the spirit of an actress and a mature voice, was ousted from the show. She was up against Marcus Canty, the blissful – almost intoxicated – faithful R&B singer with solid chops. It is safe to say that most thought Canty was on his way out. He had been in the bottom two of vote getters (which comes down to a sing-off and a final judges vote) for straight weeks. This was Rachel Crow’s first appearance in the bottom two. It came down to the maudlin and (I’m going Yiddush) schmaltzy hip/hop artist/judge Nicole Scherzinger, who, while being unequivocally hot, is starting to really get on my nerves. She sent it into deadlock. It would come down to America’s votes. The lowest vote getter was Crow and in response she collapsed on the stage crying. Nicole was actually booed on stage when host Steve Jones asked for her opinion. She too looked sickly.

The whole ordeal seemed fake to me. It smelt like a soap opera. Crow, a budding actress, played the part of the grief-stricken contestant exceptionally well. But perhaps this is just the cynic in me. She was eliminated though and Marcus remains for another week. The question really is, does this matter at all. The simple answer is no.

Yes, it made good television and ratings are essential, but, this following week will almost inevitably see the end of Canty’s run and, like the Music Court voting suggests, the remaining three will be Rene, Amaro, and Krajcik. Who will win? I stand by my prediction from the beginning. It will be Chris Rene. Can I see Amaro or Krajcik taking home the $5 million prize, though? The answer to that is a strong yes. Anyway you look at it, the X Factor has some tricks up its sleeves, so continue watching this gaudy singing competition, because, even if you are not a fan of the singers, the drama is titillating/

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Canterbury Tales – The Wilde Flowers

8 Dec

A wildflower is a flower that grows without any manipulation – it simply sprouts up, nature its gardener. Well, in a way the aptly named The Wilde Flowers also grew  in the wild; the first band to feature an agglutination of jazz-influenced musicians who would end up dispersing, like seeds, and forming other, more popular acts, that would define the Canterbury Scene, a convenient term used to describe progressive musicians who, to stay with the flower theme, sprouted up in and around Canterbury, England.

Progressive rock is today viewed as a popular 70s creation. Those who support that claim cite the peak of its success with bands like Genesis, ELO, Rush, and, of course, Pink Floyd (who kind of hovered above any genre specification). And like in many musical situations, the underground roots are buried and forgotten. I hate not giving credit where credit is due. So, today, I wish to highlight The Wilde Flowers, a band that featured a progressive group of musicians – who would later form bands like Caravan and the Soft Machine (two of the earliest progressive rock bands). Yes, in many ways, The Wilde Flowers were the predecessor of the predecessors.

Let’s start with this cover of blues/jazz pianist Mose Allison’s “Parchman Farm.” This is perhaps my favorite cover of the song because (besides from just being plain jazz cafe cool) it is so obviously influential. The low-key, almost droning vocal, constant drumming and repetitive bass riff, the sweet horn – it’s all so fresh, original, and inspirational. We are talking about an era in the mid 1960s (the band was around from 1963-1967) that Jazz music was put to the wayside, in favor of the blossoming folk, psychedelic, and hard rock scene. The Wilde Flowers brought Jazz back and combined Jazz sentiments with the popular rock sound. They were exploring the foundations of progressive rock prior to progressive rock had foundations.

So let’s look a little bit into the band’s history.

The band, like mentioned above, lasted for around four years and featured several musicians who would go on and play in other progressive rock bands. In many ways, my father put it best. The music scene of the 1960s was quite incestuous. Musicians played in one band and then founded a more popular band and then left and went to another band (i.e. Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood – the list goes on and on). The Canterbury scene is no different. We start with our originals.

Brian Hopper (guitar, sax, flute, vocals), Hugh Hopper (bass), Robert Wyatt (drums), Richard Sinclair (guitar, vocals), Kevin Ayers (vocals and by the way Kevin Ayers released an album in 2007 entitled Unfairground which is downright excellent). Let’s also add Daevid Allen to this list. While he was not part of the band, Allen, an Australian-born music-lover, formed the Daevid Allen Trio with Robert Wyatt and Hugh Hopper prior to the inception of The Wilde Flowers. He is a big reason why Wyatt and Hopper were introduced to so many jazz/blues records.

Back to the Wilde Flowers. The group originally played soul/blues covers (Booker T, Ray Charles) but moved towards Jazz and naturally (albeit almost accidentally) the two genres fused.

The band released a demo in 1965 and in March of that year Kevin Ayers went with Daevid Allen to Ibiza (classic Beat fashion – keep traveling – he’s going to form the Soft Machine in a bit). Wyatt started singing lead vocals until, for a bit of time, Graham Flight was brought in during the summer of 1965 to sing – but would then leave after five months. I guess you sort of see how the rest of this band’s history is going to look. Heck, they may have eventually seen success if they all stayed together. Several bands were founded by ex-members of The Wilde Flowers. They were like the Yardbirds or Bluesbreakers of Prog-Rock.

In the same year, Sinclair left for college (he will form Caravan soon) and Wyatt would leave to join the Soft Machine soon as well. Richard Coughlan (no recordings available) came in to play drums and Pye Hastings to play guitar and vocals.

In 1966, Hugh Hopper left to join the Soft Machine (Dave Lawrence took his place). In 1967 the group was discontinued after Brian Hopper (last original member) joined the Soft Machine and many of the other stragglers joined Caravan. And, trust me, more bands would be formed. But for the short time this extremely talented (now supergroup) was together, they created some different music.

“Never Leave Me” is one of my favorite Wilde Flowers originals. It is heavy-drummer piece with a curious vocal, jazzy guitar, and neat vocal. It is a mixture of a whole bunch of stuff – and it wouldn’t be Wilde if it wasn’t, now would it?

 

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