The medium is the message.

They call us the MTV generation. Kids who would rather watch The Hills than the news; people who are more affected by the Brangelina babies and the release of GTA IV than by the recent disaster in Burma. It’s not necessarily that we’re apathetic - we are exposed to more media than any generation before us, and we must filter through inconceivable amounts of content in order to get to the stuff that matters.

Thankfully (or not...), corporations have figured out that this is a major social concern and are now trying to capitalize on our “ignorance”. Ad campaigns and gimmicks legitimize their profit mongering by taking on socially responsible or political messages. Turn world issues into a consumer product and voilà, informed citizens. And while this consumerism + altruism equation can often be a double-edged sword, certain industries have mastered the art of getting through to media-crazed youth. Ironically enough, MTV is one of them. Watch this new Radiohead video for All I Need, and don't miss the ending:

Radiohead - All I Need
Amplive - All I Need (Remix)

Of course.

Jim Noir would probably take me on a road trip. I would buy us blue slushies and red licorice and we’d listen to the following song on repeat.

Jim Noir – Ships and Clouds

Then I would laugh at his sweater vest and he'd get mad.

Ugh, another one.

So Scarlett Johansson makes music now. I'm still completely torn, because unlike waaay too many actors who attempt to cross over into the music business, she kinda has a bit of cred. Here’s why:

a) Her entire album consists of Tom Waits covers, which is a cool concept.
b) "Falling Down" features David Bowie, who is supercool.

I first heard “Falling Down” without knowing these tidbits, and was thoroughly embarrassed for Ms. Johansson. Her voice is so monotonous and the lyrics are pretty repetitive, not to mention that this video is pretty narcissistic. It’s like these all these actresses turn to making music so they can make 4 minute video clips focusing strictly on them.

But now that I’ve read a bit more about the project and the amount of cool people involved in creating this, I guess I feel a bit more forgiving. But I still wouldn’t buy the album. Well, maybe in a few years, when it’s being sold for $5.99 on those rotating racks on the counter of small town convenience stores beside the beef jerky and the penny jar raising money for the local fiddle festival. Too harsh?

Needless to say people are quick to express their dislike for this project – this video alone has had over 50 000 views, and over 300 comments from viewers expressing their disapproval.

I don’t know, I’m at a loss. And now I made myself kinda crave beef jerky, which is upsetting.

Judge for yourself...

Newton Rush.

Originally, this paragraph started with “not to hate on Jack Johnson, but...” But then I decided that hey, I do hate Jack Johnson. Well, hate is a strong word, but I find him incredibly boring. Not to mention that Bubble Toes sounds like a gross disease, not an endearing romantic term.

So when I was offered free tickets to the Newton Faulkner show last night, I was really torn, because:

a) I wanted to sleep.

b) Someone told me he was like a cooler Jack Johnson, and that doesn’t up the ante too much for me.

But I went, because I like my friends and I enjoy free things. Am I ever glad.

Yes, Newton Faulkner is someone your mom would like. The songs are safe and radio-friendly, but man can that guy keep a crowd happy.

If you’ve seen August Rush (the music movie with Felicity and a creepy homeless Robin Williams), Newton Faulkner makes you think that maybe the guitar prodigy kid grew up and developed a British accent. Oh, and acquired some serious ginger dreadlocks too.

On stage, you realize that most if not all the sounds that you hear in his songs are produced by Faulkner alone, with intricate guitar handling and a bit of help from some fancy pedals. It’s incredible to watch him, and you forget that the percussion comes from his rhythmic tapping on the guitar body rather than an accompanying band. He played a version of Teardrop that put Jose Gonzalez’s cover to shame aaaand played his own songs impersonating other bands – the man does a perfect Caleb Followill impersonation. Well, a Kings of Leon impersonating Newton Faulkner impersonation, rather. I know.

He had the crowd singing and clapping, and I even caught myself staring at the stage open-mouthed with my head tilted in admiration. Oops. But the highlight of the night was his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, which he breezed through, alone with his guitar.

So yes, I am a fan, and no, I will never use the name Newton Faulkner in conjunction with Mr. Johnson’s. Leagues apart, I tell you.

Here’s a sample.

xo.

Musical chairs.

I know I shamelessly use this blog to talk about my day, and I’m sorry. Well, I’m not genuinely sorry – it’s entertaining for me, and if you don’t like it, you can always stop reading. Deal?

Despite the frustration of the public transit strike, this weekend was an amazing one involving lovely out-of-town visitors and lots of random events. And between wandering through Kensington market and watching Planet Earth, I managed to catch two great shows.

Friday night brought us to the elMo where Nevado Records was putting on a showcase. We came in a bit late for Elephant, but what we heard sounded pretty cool. You can check them out here. The real draw was Fox Jaws, a band from Barrie whose sound is kind of like an ageless soul-country-rock hybrid. While the performance was great, it truly was vocalist Carleigh Aikins who stole the show. A cute brunette with pixie hair, she looked almost shy as she took the stage. But when she started belting (there is no better word) the songs into the microphone, the audience simultaneously turned to look at each other, nodding approvingly. Don’t get me wrong, the whole outfit is incredibly talented and their synergy (everyone’s favourite word) is phenomenal. Keep an eye on these guys.

Saturday involved a LOT of walking, incredibly random bar hopping (party at a backpackers’ hostel?) followed by the narrations of Sir David Attinborough (if you have no idea what I am talking about, do yourself a favour and click here).

Sunday sealed the weekend with a magical note, with a birthday brunch to which we contributed Nelly Frittatas (arguably the worst pun ever). After an afternoon of lawn bowling and mimosas, we went to Soundscapes for a Born Ruffians in-store concert. While their mellow set list was perfect for our overtired mood, the store acoustics were sort of reminiscent of blaring the radio in a car with cheap speakers. Plus it was super hot. But if you’ve never seen this band live, you’re missing out – they have so much fun performing, it’s really refreshing. Below are a few songs from their latest album, Red, Yellow and Blue.

This week: Over the Top festival! More to come!

xo.

Born Ruffians – Kurt Vonnegut

Born Ruffians – Hedonistic Me

bring on the new kid revival.

i have previously posted praise for the post-break-up project (only if it’s good.) for my next act, i will simultaneously write about a side-project and the wonder of covers. i know, you’re impressed.

provoking this outburst is my current obsession with Marc Bianchi’s xoxo Panda. you are probably more acquainted with Bianchi’s effortless spoken-style vocals in Her Space Holiday. dropping the electronics and picking up every instrument he could find, he compiled a departure album titled “The New Kid Revival.” less a bunch of songs, more a collection of stories. the optimism contained in this album would be annoying if it wasn’t so fantastically simple. the words and messages, miles from didactic, are entirely unassuming. i love when an album is an album, and this definitely qualifies. there are rounds and repetition in the lyrics which i appreciate as vocal instrumentation. even more brilliantly, is that the song titles echo one another.

tracks of mention are as follows: all of them.

“The New Kid Revival,” opens a little Voxtrot-esque, and melodies along with clapping filled out with strings and lyrically making no excuses for what the rest of the album will sound like.

a title that makes my ironic little heart laugh almost every time I read it, “The Truth Hurts, So This Should Be Painless,” begins with the melody of a music-box. it fades into a plodding bassline accompanied by some harmonic banjo on the chorus. who doesn’t like banjo… p.s. i think Bianchi may have an obsession with shallow graves, as he makes one mention of two that i have noticed on this album.

according to itunes, i’ve listened to “Sleepy Tigers,” the most. which is understandable since the song proves tambourines are back (with a lively vengeance). i’m also a fan of the the side of xylo. the lyrics are cute, in a non-vom sort of way: “oh i like you so very much, so much in fact i’m going to switch it up”

my favourite song: “My Crooked Crown” is an acoustic track with a bit of xylophone. the lyrics are in the form of a letter, written to me. at least i feel it was written for me, it’s one of those songs my soul fell for long before i heard it. it’s pretty, it tells my life story, and its signed xoxo.

“The Day in Review,” has the most hidden gems word-wise. “even the best ideas fade,” and “our books are filled with failed plots and not the endings that we want. so write out, write out your words.” i rest my case. oh, plus there’s whistling and a harmonica, what more could you ask for…

“The Year in Review,” echoes “The Day in Review,” or vice versa. i don’t think it really matters. strings fill it up, and “ if time is measured in memories don’t set your clock to misery.” words to live by.

the jury’s out on whether this is an actual side project, since Her Space Holiday have announced their upcoming fall release “xoxo, Panda and the New Kid Revival” with the tracklisting identical to xoxo Panda’s “The New Kid Revival.” Their MySpace Blog explanation does little for clarification. if you figure it out, let me know. until then, i’ll be listening to the album in ignorance of the technicalities of the artist’s chosen title.

oh, and as for the wonder of covers, xoxo Panda’s MySpace conatins a cover of Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything.” i really, don’t want to compare it to the original, which is also fantastic. i will say i think the cover fits perfectly with TNKR album, its just different, which is how I feel the best covers should be. it’s a happy addition to my music collection. another cover worth checking out is Howie Beck of The Strokes “Reptilia,” j’adore.

signed, xoxo panda.

The Truth Hurts So This Should Be Painless - xoxo Panda/HSH

The New Kid Revival - xoxo Panda/HSH

I'll Believe in Anything - xoxo Panda/HSH

I'll Believe in Anything - Wolf Parade

So...

It’s been a crazy crazy day. Someone mailed a real cow heart to our office today, packaged in a pretty box and complete with a threatening letter (how thoughtful). How that got through Canada Post is really beyond me. Then we discovered that some of our merchandise has Bisphenol A in it, which was a bad scene. Aaaand this crazy man who calls our toll-free line everyday somehow got through to my personal line and has decided that we are to be friends. Oh, and I also keep losing parts of a report I've been working on because my computer repeatedly crashes (see, it’s kind of a normal job!)

Upon arriving home, I set out to go on a very long run to clear my head of all this craziness. I ran the same path I usually do, but today it was such a mood booster! The sun was intense, and all over the park were children flying kites with their dads and little girls clumsily flirting with douchie-looking emo kids. I ran past old couples walking their dogs (fat beagles are my new favourite) and little boys mercilessly soaking eachother with water guns. Needless to say, I am now quite joyful and thought I would propagate the happiness.

To accomplish this, I have decided to share this Cut Copy song that always makes me smile. There not much too it lyrically, but it’s such an upbeat little song...

I will have more on this band after their show on May 9^th, when they'll play with the Black Kids at the Phoenix. You can expect a detailed posting and more songs then. Um, and I apologize if this post makes you wanna barf.

xo.

Cut Copy - Feel The Love