quick music notes.

i go through music at a pretty fast pace.

...kinda like the part in fahrenheit 451 where people are required to drive at 200 miles per hour so that they don't slow down and see everything.

really, i miss a lot of good music that way.

i have friends that help me with the loose ends.

...

so, Saul Williams released the album 'The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust'. as a digital only download back in november. I knew it was around, but forgot to check it out. Friends were telling me to listen to it. But, not until this week when it was released as a cd, did i take the time to buy and listen to it.

turns out it is amazing. Trent Reznor produced the album. Saul does the rest.

i know it's a bit predictable, but the cover of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', (originally by U2) is an instant favorite. not only does that song have one of the best drum tracks of any pop/rock song in the past 25 years, but the new version keeps in line with the original political feel.

side note: 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' is ranked in my top 10 political songs of all time. i haven't finished that list, but i'm sure it will contain a Rage Against the Machine song and Marvin Gaye's, 'What's Going On'.

so... for the first time in months, i've found a song that i want to listen to a couple of times over... in a row.

right now, in second place is the song 'WTF', which has Trent singing along.

the rest of the album holds up. Saul Williams makes me wish i was still an angry teenager.

also... to those who might not know... the title of the album is genius. it's both a nod to Bowie's Ziggy Stardust alter-ego and a head's up to the heavy content of most of Sauls' subject matter.

...

other notable releases...

i picked up a hard copy of Beck's 'Modern Guilt'. the album is produced by Danger Mouse (Grey Album, Black Keys, Gorillaz, DangerDoom), who is quickly rising to be one of this decades' most important.

any true fan of Beck can tell you that he is always changing. and, even though Wikepedia (Dan will like this fuel for his anti-Wiki argument) lists only 8 albums in Beck's discography, i count at least 10 full length albums sitting in my 'music corner'... if i were to play every Beck song in chonological order, i still couldn't tell you what he is going to do next.

this album is would fall into his more contemporary song writing area. sort of like the 'Sea Change' album, but more upbeat.

Beck is a scientologist. maybe that helps. maybe this is the music of the thetans (scientology aliens). not bad. i like Beck.

...

since i live in east texas (and some cds never make it to retail stores here), i got the digital version of Ratatat's 'EP3'.

a quick review... Ratatat's 'Classics' was a party. 'EP3' is the album you listen to on your way home; when you talk about how amazing the party was.

buy them. they go together.

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the Notwist just released 'The Devil, You + Me'.

this is the first true followup to the amazing 'Neon Golden'... the album that renewed my faith in the glitch pop thing... yes... there is life after Postal Service.

like a lot of bands that have an amazing album, they took their time and decided to explore and write.

lead guitarist and vocalist, Markus Acher has also been involved in several guest/side projects including: 13 & God, Lali Puna, Alias...

'The Devil, You + Me', reflects the time and experience between '02 and '08. this album has a full range.

side note: thanks to Victor for holding the only two copies at Hastings. I bought the deluxe version. and to pay Victor back, i'm holding the only other copy of Does It Offend You Yeah! for him.

...

yup, there you go. some quick music reviews.

i read a lot of reviews. i don't like to use 'review cliches'. i try not to use words like 'dynamic' or 'juxtapose'. sometimes i get lazy and just describe things as 'good'.

really... just go to i-tunes or something like it, and listen to the songs.

...

i'm going to try to watch Wall-E today.

good day.