#I just wanted to make another 70s album cover!!

[jojo-schmo]

Metadede Week Day 1: "Sworn Partners"

#I just wanted to make another 70s album cover!! #And fill it with detail and just have some fun! #Like for example #Dedede's waning crescent and Meta's waxing crescent on their respective sides #...and highlighting their eyes with each other's crescent symbols teeheehee #thinking in color is usually very hard for me so this was a really fun exercise #the trick to these swirly album covers is to just loosen up and try to take a walk with each line #it's great fun! kinda like zentangle but even less structured #anyway thanks for reading my director's commentary #i love these two so very much :) #king dedede #meta knight #art #metadede #mtddweek2023 #kirby fighters 2

[boonesfarmsangria]

Basement alchemy: Yannis & The Yaw sees Foals' Yannis Philippakis and Afrobeat legend Tony Allen forge a treasure with 'Walk Through Fire'

The lead track from YANNIS PHILIPPAKIS’ posthumous collaboration with Afrobeat drumming legend TONY ALLEN captures the electrifying spark that ignited during their global musical meeting, weaving a tapestry of sound that reflects the cultural touchstones of Lagos, Paris, and London. Read our latest Dork Mixtape cover feature now.

Words: Martyn Young.

Photos: Kit Monteith, Rishi Salujah.

“It’s about serendipity and coming together with someone.” There’s always something amazing when you get to meet your heroes, but for Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis, the opportunity to not only meet but work with legendary Afrobeat pioneering drummer Tony Allen was a truly special experience. Tragically, Tony passed away during the pandemic, leaving the work that they started in flux, but seven years after they first met, Yannis has now put together a beautiful EP documenting their time and the music they made together as a special project under the name Yannis And The Yaw. ‘Lagos Paris London’ is a reflection of a moment in time and two generations meeting and creating a little bit of magic.

With Foals riding high on the wild success of their fourth album ‘What Went Down’, a call offering an intriguing opportunity came following two years of hard touring. “I got a call when we were deep in a Foals tour. We were touring ‘What Went Down’ so it was quite a few years ago now. I got a call from a mutual friend who said, do you want to go and write with Tony Allen in Paris?” says Yannis.

The mention of Tony Allen’s name immediately conjured excitement as he remembered the pivotal role Tony and his work as drummer for Fela Kuti, as well as his long and winding career, played in the genesis and evolution of Foals. “A lot of our formative musical years were spent listening to Fela Kuti,” he explains. “Especially this one compilation of Tony Allen’s that I think is just called ‘The Best Of’. It’s a quadruple vinyl. We used to hammer it when we were writing ‘Antidotes’ and ‘Total Life Forever’. I was a huge fan.”

He was immediately hooked on the unique skill of his drumming. “Another song that we loved that he played on was ‘La Ritournelle’ by Sebastian Tellier; that was a song we all obsessed over. His drumming is a huge part of why that song is great.”

While the opportunity sounded exciting, a “no brainer”, as Yannis explains it, the reality of actually making it work became more of an issue. “I got home, and I hadn’t been home for a couple of months, and I collapsed into a puddle the moment the keys were thrown on the table. I was like, fuck, I don’t know if I’ve got the energy to get up and get to Paris the next day,” says Yannis as he describes his exhaustion after a punishing Foals tour. “I almost put it off, but my friend at the time encouraged me and said, look, you’ve got to go there for two days. It might be the experience of a lifetime, then you can come home and rest.”

For the experience of a lifetime, Yannis recounts the details in a refreshingly simple and down-to-earth style. “So, I trotted off with my guitar to the Eurostar and I got there in the morning,” he begins. “It was a basement studio. Very French and very 70s. Full of cigarette smoke and bad carpet and mirrors in weird places. It was basically Tony’s home, in a way. His drums were permanently set up in the live room.”

For the music icon that is Tony Allen, he had seen and experienced everything there is to experience and had worked with a who’s who of musical legends, “What was funny about the first encounter was he wasn’t particularly phased or that excited that I was there. He was just in his own vibe,” laughs Yannis. “I don’t think he knew of my work. It was set up, and he was in a place where he was very open to collaborating with people. He was doing some stuff with Jeff Mills. Tony, in general, collaborated a lot. He approached it like a jazz drummer. The producers and the other musicians that were around Tony knew me; they helped me set up and were very welcoming.”

Was there a sense of trepidation, though, and having to prove yourself and prove your musical chops? “It wasn’t that Tony wasn’t welcoming, but he was waiting to see what it was going to be like. Who’s this little punk?” he laughs.

Almost instantly, though, the musical alchemy bubbled up, and from their first jam together came the project’s first track with the heavy groove of ‘Walk Through Fire’. “It’s a simple song,” he explains. “It largely revolves around this one riff. We played it round a couple of times, and some of these other French guys in the studio who knew Tony played along and were either helping out on bass or percussion. We kinda had it there. The moment that that had happened we were getting on like a house on fire after that. The room changed.”

As they played more and more, Yannis discovered at close quarters what he loved about Tony’s artistry and even discovered new things. “I was surprised at how quietly he played,” he says with deep reverence. “Coming from proper big arena rock shows on this Foals tour and playing songs like ‘What Went Down’ and ‘Snakeoil’ was a total pivot into this much more deft style of playing. Just being in a room with him and hearing him in the moment playing his drums that I had become so familiar with, the texture and the rhythm of the way he played and that being on something that I was writing live on the spot and that we were inhabiting the same moment of creativity together in a room was just electrifying.”

‘Walk Through Fire’ was the spark that ignited the whole project. “It was the first thing. It’s immediate in the same way that it was immediate in the room on that day,” enthuses Yannis. “The lyrics are pretty resonant with the time we’re living in. Tony encouraged this in me. He wanted the lyrics to be engaged with the social fabric. A lot of Tony’s music, and the lineage of Fela Kuti and Afrobeat, is often very political with protest songs. In discussing with Tony about the lyrics, he wanted it to mine the social discord. It resonates today. It’s got this fresh energy. It feels like a more garagey or bluesy song. It’s quite rough and freeing and fun. It was a good entry point to the project but also makes sense chronologically.”

The jamming session in Paris was intended to lead to work beginning on a full album, but events got in the way firstly with scheduling issues and then Covid before Tony’s sad passing, which ultimately gave Yannis the impetus to turn those special moments into something real and tangible. “Covid really scuppered us because he was based in Paris. It was impossible for so long,” he explains. “As is the way with collaborations, once you’ve captured the lighting in the bottle, sometimes you don’t complete it when you should. You know that it’s there, so you get slightly complacent about it. I had a lot of stuff with Foals and he was busy as well doing The Good, The Bad and The Queen. He was really busy, and between us we couldn’t get together. Sadly and tragically, he passed away during Covid. It strangely was a massive motivation to try to finish it. Largely out of guilt that we hadn’t done it while he was alive and realising that it had been such a special experience in my life creatively, but just as a person, it was such a unique moment for us to have not completed it and played shows together. Out of bittersweet guilt, I really wanted to finish it. We needed to put them out to do it justice.”

The EP is a beautiful tribute to the enduring legacy of Tony Allen and the creative spirit he represents. “His music will live on forever,” says Yannis passionately. “The drums will play on. He had such an incredible and unique style of playing. He was the originator. He was the source. There’s an untappable well that will continue to inspire people for generations.”

The record is also an example of his dexterity as a musician and willingness to still try new things. “This release is an interesting perspective on Tony’s writing,” says Yannis. “It’s definitely a different project than Tony’s worked on before. It’s the heaviest stuff he was involved in. For me, it’s obviously the most inspired by jazz and Afrobeat. For people coming to the EP, it’s an interesting prism that we were both put in and thrust together to write this.”

Even more remarkable is that it almost never happened. “Had I not gone to Paris that day and further along, had we not kept it up and had we not finished it, through these chance meetings and happenings, you can end up with something that’s precious and is permanent,” he continues. “When so much of life is impermanent, that’s a really important lesson that I learned. I feel protective over the record. It’s a treasure and a document of two people who came together. He was in his seventies when I met him, and I was in my twenties. There’s something amazing about two people from different cultures and backgrounds and generations being thrust together unknowingly without knowing each other and through music very quickly bonding and forming and creating something that will last.”

This collaborative project comes at a time when Foals are able to take a pause and reflect on a triumphant couple of years following their euphoric 2022 album ‘Life Is Yours’ which cemented them firmly at the top of the UK band pantheon after almost two decades of innovation. “We’ve been smashing it for so many years; it’s been such a constant focus of our lives,” says Yannis, explaining the band’s desire to take stock. “It has been incredible to devote yourself to something so absorbing, but I think every now and then you just have to come up for air and remind yourself what life looks like above the parapet. For self-preservation and the preservation of the band, it’s important to occasionally stop and assess what exactly we want to do next rather than just automatically make another record without consideration. This time, we want to think about what we’re going to do next, and I think that’s natural after having put out quite a few records; it’s important for us to decide what we want to do.”

In the meantime, Yannis And The Yaw offers the opportunity to have some fun and do something a little different. Certainly not a solo project, but just a different kind of creative expression. “I’ve left it open-ended,” he says excitedly. “The idea behind the Yaw part is that it could be a rotating collaborative project. The title, ‘Lagos Paris London’, is the cultural touchstones for the EP, and it’s a musical postcard from these locations. If there was to be another project with the Yaw again, it would be three different locations and a different cultural mix. It’s not meant to be a solo expression. This EP is an archive of time recording with Tony and French musicians Vincent Taeger and Vincent Tuarelle, who were really important and produced it. I would imagine they might be part of the Yaw. It’s important to make the distinction. If I were to do a solo record, it would sound a lot different. This is led by Tony and the group of his musicians in France. If I was to do another one, it would sound quite different. There are no plans for that right now. I want to leave it open-ended and let this EP have its time in the sun, and let’s see what happens later on.”

With the EP arriving at the end of the summer, there’s a tantalising opportunity for perhaps some gigs as Yannis looks to continue to honour the legacy of one of his all-time heroes. “I think we will,” he smiles when asked if he’s planning to bring these songs to life on stage. “Not an extensive tour, but a couple of shows to give the record a good release and a good send-off and honour Tony.”

#yannis philippakis #yannis and the yaw #y&ty #interview #actual reading

[fallingforel]

Louis and 70 pls 💗💗💗

A/N good morning, afternoon and evening (have to cover all bases because who knows where people may be in the world its evening for me loves 🫶) of course I would be glad to write this for you (sorry it took me so long to get round to it) on with the showww. OH and I'm gonna make you part of 1d in this hehhehe

PROMPT 70:“I don’t want you… I need you.”

Words: 1,094

warnings: mentions of death via car accident, mentions of alcohol, mentions of sick, mentions of sex its a generally fluff piece though so hope you enjoy.

Life was great at the moment, I was living life to the heights I'd never thought I'd get to 3 years ago when I was a little 19 year old who just lost both parents in a car crash to a teenage drunk driver who knew no better than what I did at that age, I performed on the x-factor stage after my mum told me to "chase your dreams sweetheart" getting me to where I am now. In a band with 5 boys we love performing every night recording our albums and I get to do it with my best friends in tow.

"So. If you guys didn't know. One of our band members has a birthday tomorrow, but we're not playing a show tomorrow. So can you make this show extra special for us? Her family couldn't be here tonight, because they're in better places. So can you make her feel superrr loved for us?" Louis asked the crowd that we were performing to in stockholm tonight. They screamed back.

"You know I think I see a sign over there that says Y/n we love you, we can be your family, there's another one that says We love you y/n happy birthday. There's another one that says I love Y/n more than free wifi. Wow Y/n you are getting the love tonight" Louis said making the crowd scream loud at that part.

"I think we should sing Happy Birthday to Y/n don't you think?" Harry asks which earns multiple yeses from the boys and screams erupting from the crowd and a shake of the head from me.

"okay okay. 3, 2, 1"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR Y/N HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"

"I think that's the loudest happy birthday I've ever had. Thank you. Now time for one of our fans favourites this is teenage dirtbag"

⋆｡°✩

Running off the stage on our Very high high.

"LOUIS!!!" "Y/n, Love you did so great" Is all he says before he's pulling me into a very big hug and swooping me up into the air and then finally putting me down and letting go after much protest on his behalf but me saying I can't breathe did the job

"Thank you for that happy birthday. It was honestly the most love I've ever felt from one of our shows." "yeah well it was all for you and you did it. Happy birthday love" "thank you Louis" Is all I say before I'm pulling him into a hug again in which he wraps his arms around my torso and placing chaste kisses on top of my head.

"And you mean to tell me they aren't together?" Niall speaks up from beside Harry where they are both watching Louis and I from the wall just a few feet out of earshot. But I still heard it. "Yes we are very much not together."

⋆｡°✩

Louis and I decided to go out to celebrate my birthday, wanting to bring in my 22nd birthday with me. As I had no-one to have a phone call from so Louis decided to take my mind off of it and go celebrate. The other boys were too tired to celebrate I don't blame them so it was just Louis and I

"Lou it's getting late its like 3, we should probably get back. I'm gonna spew my guts if i drink another drop" "yeah that's probably wise me too, come on then dove" "That's a new one?" "yeah, they represent peace and that's what you've always shown. Even when you found out who hit your parents when you racked up the money, you were so calm, you were the one to apologise when you saw how guilty it felt. If that was my mum in the car I'd be saying all kinds of nasty shit to the driver who killed her. Guess that's what I like about ya, dove" "thanks lou but they also represent innocence and purity and I'm none of those two things am I lou?" "No I suppose your not but you do have a pure soul and I guess that is what matters the most" "alright stop with the spirituality mr donny. and lets get back to the tour bus I'm exhausted"

⋆｡°✩

we get back in and I sit at the kitchen table nursing a whiskey and louis looks at me funny

"what?" "thought you were gonna spew if you drank another drop of alcohol?" "thats different." "how?" "whiskey I can drink slowly, you made me literally DOWN shots" "thats the thing about you that makes me love you Y/n" I just burst out laughing because it wasn't true, the guy I liked had been crushing on ever since 2010 at the first group auditions stage liked me back. "yeah okay" "no I'm being deadly serious" "you're drunk lou. Go to bed" "No, I'm being deadly serious Y/n." "You just want me because your drunk Louis, I'm being serious" "and I'm being serious when I say I want you. Actually no fuck that, I don’t want you… I need you." "Louis you have to mean it because I am not going down that hole of where we mess about like silly fucking teenagers because we're past that point, being teenagers I mean we're fucking adults" "As serious as a heart attack, I love you darling" I jump into his arms where he drowns me into a heavy snog, "Fuck lou. I love you too."

⋆｡°✩

Last night was one of the best nights ever somehow after everything I ended up in Louis' bunk, the reminder of that was Louis kissing my shoulderbone waking me up from my post-sex slumber "Louis, You seen Y/n" Harry shouts from outside Louis' bunk which earns a giggle from me, ultimately making louis clamping his hand over my mouth. "NAH MATE, HAVEN'T SEEN HER SINCE WE GOT IN LAST NIGHT" I lick his hand that is covering my mouth "DID YOU JUST LICK MY FUCKING HAND!" "Lou who have you got in there?" which makes harry open the bunk, meeting eyes with the both of us "HOLY FUCK. Y/N AND LOUIS FUCKED." which makes the remainder of the boys (excluding louis.) scream from their respectful places on the bus "FINALLY WAS ABOUT FUCKING TIME" and then ultimately zayn says "SHIT NOW WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEM FUCKING LIKE RABBITS"

⋆｡°✩

lets just say that night in stockholm lead to a certain song on four with the same place name, that I wrote.

⋆｡°✩

end.

#louis tomlinson x reader #louis tomlinson #6thmemberof1d #one direction x reader #one direction #harry styles #liam payne #zayn malik #niall horan #louis tomlinson fluff #one direction fluff

[hey-yes-hi-hello]

Hi! I’m just a little Panic! fan who’s listening to the new album and wants to share my little opinions even though no one cares 🥰 Let’s go!

Viva Las Vengeance

Okay this was the first song released and I played it about 30 times in the first 24 hours. I unironically fell in love with it- I loved the beat, the instrumentals, and though the lyrics were nonsense (like all others) I could understand them and enjoyed singing them.

Middle Of A Breakup

This song was… kinda bad ngl. I really wanted to like it but the lyrics were kinda trash (except for a few lines). The “oh shit you’re kissing my neck” part makes me physically cringe EVERY time because what even is this??? Needed a filler real bad 💀 It’s still a bop but I’m probs gonna say that about most of this album because I’m a sucker and don’t like disliking stuff. Doesn’t stop it from getting stuck in my head though-

Don’t Let The Light Go Out

I definitely liked this more than MOAB and Local God, though the verses felt a little rushed and still too high pitched, compared to the vibe the song was going after. And the way the chorus went all quiet and musicless and slow-paced threw me off a bit but oh well. I’d listen to it while driving in the rain.

Local God

It’s an okay song, but it lowkey annoys me LMAO. Maybe it’s just the way he says “local god” but I wanted to punch him in the face fr. I didn’t catch most of the lyrics but I think I just wasn’t paying attention- but I got the general vibe and it’s not awful.

Star Spangled Banger

BRENDON BESTIE WHAT IS THIS. THE CHORUS IS SO RANDOM AND UNINTELLIGIBLE AND WE CAN BARELY HEAR YOU. AND WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO RAP THE VERSES LMAOOO. AND THE SLOW “HOME OF THE FREAKS” AT THE END OF EACH VERSE IS NOT IT.

God Killed Rock and Roll

Okay I can see why people are saying it’s a Bohemian Rhapsody rip-off- he didn’t even try to hide it 💀 Even this “slow-ish” song feels rushed and- wait why is it making clicky sounds- WHAT IS THIS SOUND LOL. If this man sings another high-note I swear- You’re tryna do that gritty thing but it’s not working 💀 Want a throat lozenge?

Say It Louder

First two lines really calling yourself out huh- THE SELF-MADE ECHO MADE ME CRY LMAO. Brendon the music covers up ur voice so much what are you even saying SAY IT LOUDER. This is such a mess I’m shaking and crying rn. The chorus has an good beat (rhythm? Idk I like how it sounds) but the lyrics- hm. This slow part does not go at ALL what was he trying to to LMAO. I like the little piano (I think) in the background tho that’s cool.

Sugar Soaker

Okay I like this more than the others so far, I like the soft thing he’s doing with his voice. Ah okay glad to hear the chorus sounds entirely unique and original 😃 Idk what decade this is reminding me of but it’s something old methinks. 60’s/70’s? Bro I don’t know but it’s got a vibe- not the chorus though the chorus sucks. WTF IS THE INTERLUDE LMFAO SOUNDS LIKE A DUMPSTER FIRE. “HA HA HA HA 🥵” STFU LOL. Okay I can handle a few “come on”s but dude 💀

Something About Maggie

Let him GOOOO- shh. WOAH straight into it with “makes me want to slit my wrists 🤪” bro read the room 💀 “People say people say run awayyyy” the level of cringe is unreal- THE HIGH NOTES ARE SO RANDOM AND UNCOMFORTABLE LMFAO. My dude you have a wife leave Maggie alone-

Sad Clown

Okay I heard 10 seconds of this yesterday and I think I’m going to like it so let’s see🤞🏻 “LEAVE ME ALOOOONE” BROSKI SOUNDS LIKE UR SINGING “INTO THE UNKNOWN” AGAIN LMAOOO. Okay nvm literally the only line I like is “your majesty’s magnificent, my tragedy is imminent” it’s literally the only good-sounding line WHY WASN’T MORE OF IT LIKE THIS HUH :( Every time he screams “I’m crying” I expect him to break out Local God again LMAO. “Is this all there is?!” made me wanna neck ngl I cringed 💀 Again, this slow part is NOT IT.

All by Yourself

“You sweet little kitten” STOPSTOPSOTPSOTP- Again, too many words in verses, or trying to sing too fast. Take a breather my dude. And the chorus- it’s a clear rip-off of the original but it doesn’t fit with the song at ALL. I like what he’s trying to do with his voice but he’s failing lol. I want more soft/slow lyrics/songs :( “It’s you and me~” alright Kate Bush 💀 And AGAIN he’s trying to do the gritty thing but FAILING.

Do It To Death

I like the music at the beginning. Why do “give it a try” and “before we die” sound like they’re from Grease LMFAO. Okay this isn’t as bad as the others so far I’ll give it that- nvm where did the music go 💀 Bestie you’re AT the limit and had surpassed your stay- Nvm this just sounds like such a try hard song lmao I’m not a fan. Now it’s slow and dramatic and for WHAT. OMG NO HE DID NOT. NO YOU SHUT UP. I SEE WHAT YOU WERE TRYNA DO BUT IT JUST SOUNDED LIKE THE SONG CUT OUT AND ACCIDENTALLY STARTED PLAYING VIVA LAS VENGEANCE 💀

Overall:

Look, I went into this as a hardcore Panic! fan prepared to force myself to like these and defend them and bop along to them- but this was actual dogshit. As previously stated there were a few songs that I genuinely enjoyed and would listen to again but most of these were straight up PAINFUL. And they don’t sound like Panic! at ALL. And I know not every album has to/will sound the same and I don’t expect them to, but they all had a vibe, y’know? A Panic! vibe. Just enough uniqueness and boppiness and drama and angst for it to WORK. Pretty. Odd. and Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die both sound COMPLETELY different but they both sound distinctly like Panic! in ways I’m not smart enough to explain. This did not.

I’m a full on proper Panic! fan and this album was incredibly disappointing to me. I know I’m sounding really mean and negative here but I promise it’s just for the funny 😭 I don’t hate Brendon or anything. And if you enjoy the album then I support you 100%! It’s just not my cup of tea :) But I’m not giving up hope!

#panic! at the disco #p!atd #brendon urie #viva las vengeance #middle of a breakup #don’t let the light go out #local god #star spangled banger #god killed rock and roll #say it louder #sugar soaker #something about maggie #sad clown #all by yourself #do it to death

[pommedefemme]

All the multiples of 3 😁

Thanks, babe!! 🥰

3: A song that reminds you of summertime

Chattahoochee - Alan Jackson

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I will not be judged. Also. Hey, Brandi Carlile! I've been very patiently waiting for you to cover this song in your belt-y Raise Hell style. I can hear it clear as day in my mind. Just a suggestion!

6: A song that makes you want to dance

He Lives In You - Lebo M

This song makes me LOSE CONTROL. What a bop! And I've long joked that this and Michael Crawford's O Holy Night/Bach's Ricercar are the only things that can kinda reel me back into believing in God/Aslan/Mufasa...if only for the track's duration :)

9: A song that makes you happy

Hodja - Todd Rudgren

Always has me grinning ear-to-ear and trying out different harmonies on each refrain. :)

12: A song from your preteen years

Whisper - Evanescence

Amy Lee, my beloved ❤️ Who else got into this band because your parents mistook it for Christian music? And who else still remembers all the words to the Latin chorus?

15: A song that is a cover by another artist

For No One - The Beatles - Liz Gillies

LIZ DROP A ROCK ALBUM I BEG YOU PLEASE SINGLE-HANDEDLY SAVE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY LIZ PLEASE (also divorce your nasty fucking husband and marry me)

18: A song from the year that you were born

Hope Of Deliverance - Paul McCartney (and kd Lang!)

1993 was an excellent year for music, but this is the song from that year that I still listen to on a regular basis.

21: A favorite song with a person’s name in the title

Hannah Hunt - Vampire Weekend - I'm With Her

"If I can't trust you, then damn it, Hannah! There's no future! There's no answer!" Listen to this back-to-back with First Aid Kit's cover of America.

24: A song by a band you wish were still together

I don't have an answer for this one, really. I think break-ups happen for a reason and half the bands I miss fell apart because somebody died. How about a desperately wanted collaboration? Get kd, Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, Phranc, Tracy Chapman, and Brandi Carlile all up on stage together for a raucous cover of Callin' Baton Rouge or something. Restart Lilith Fair/MichFest. Put The Last Shadow Puppets in charge of the music for The Beatles biopics. Have me play Take Good Care Of My Baby on Colbert, with Lera Lynn as a surprise guest who segues us into You Should Know I'm Still Your Baby (a la Melissa and kd kissing after Sleep While I Drive). Annie Clark, Esperanza Spalding, and Andrew Bird should form a supergroup. Lianne La Havas should be blaring on every grocery store speaker. Taylor Swift should take a break. Liz Gillies should release a 70s rock/folk ballad album. Lady Gaga should do electroswing. I don't know!

27: A song that breaks your heart

You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go - Bob Dylan - Madeleine Peyroux

Idk, there are sadder songs. I just starting thinking of my ex. "You could make me cry, if you don't know!"

30: A song that reminds you of yourself

I'm a looooooooooser! Actually.

[imperatorium]

can u explain ghost for me? i kno its a band but there's a sister? multiple ghost men? i dont understand but i want to

Oh, bless, anon! I'd be more than happy to. :)

I did actually make a pretty comprehensive post for another friend a couple years ago, which you can read here: https://imperatorium.tumblr.com/post/614954763444011008/hello-friend-i-do-not-understand-your-other

But besides that, to summarize - Ghost is a band with an accompanying fictional storyline. In real life, the band is comprised entirely of one whole person, Tobias Forge, supported by his touring band. In real life, the band's American manager was not accepting of the fact that Tobias's intention were just to be an "anonymous" band, masked and costumed. The manager decided they needed a story, so Tobias was like, "Fuck it, we ball," and gave us a story.

Within the fictional world of Ghost, the band is the Satanic Church's musical side project - kind of like the worship band at an over-the-top Christian megachurch. Like any other popular Christian rock band - but, you know, for Satan. The band had its first go in the 1960s, but then really came into full being in 2010 and has since done nothing but rise to its full power as you would know them know - the band with the really popular song on TikTok.

There are several important characters within the story/band, who I will now highlight in order of appearance IRL (rather than chronologically in fiction).

PAPA EMERITUS I: Sometimes called "Primo" (Italian for "first") by the fandom. Led Ghost at the time of their debut album, Opus Eponymous. Because he was originally intended to just be a costume and a mask, there's not much canon depth to his story. Was allegedly in his 70s during his reign as antipope and lead singer, but this still does not make sense to me. Mostly a serious old bat, did a lot of "proof of concept" songs that sound very much like what you would expect from a Theatrically Satanic Metal Band.

PAPA EMERITUS II - Papa I's replacement in 2013. Sometimes referred to as "Secundo" ("second" in Italian) by the fandom. His album is called Infestissumam and the cover is a parody of the Amadeus poster, so I respect him for that if nothing else. Notably in his 50s when he took over from Papa I and much more personality, which can be seen in the "Papaganda" videos. He speaks the most Italian and looks like he doesn't not want us to call him Signore Mondiale out of paint. Very much a jaded hedonist who was all too aware of the temporary position he was in as both Antipope and leader of the band.

SISTER IMPERATOR: Not a member of the band, but easily the most important person who exists (in my opinion). To paraphrase my roleplay journal info for her, she is the "mama superior" of the Satanic Church's organization of nuns called the Sisters of Sin, the devoted left-hand of the Antipope (spoilers - not either of the ones you've been introduced to), and "momager" of the Ghost project. First seen in the Summoning videos that came out around the end of Papa II's reign, she is tired of everyone's bullshit and wants Satanic world domination yesterday.

PAPA EMERITUS III: The entire fandom's heartthrob, sometimes called "Terzo" ("third" in Italian). A stinky baby. Very self-important. I love him. Anyway. His reveal in 2015 was the first time we learned that there was a familial bloodline we've been following this whole time. III is Papa II's "younger" brother (by only three months) and, thus, the world's oldest twink. Under his reign, the band won a Grammy for "Cirice" and he was also the first to technically have two albums, Meliora and Ceremony & Devotion - granted the latter of which is a live album. Also the first boy to have to be forcibly removed from his position because he did not want to leave.

PAPA EMERITUS ZERO, aka PAPA NIHIL: The patriarch of the Emeritus bloodline. The Actual Antipope of the Satanic Church and also the love of my life. He's adorable. Fucking look at him. He plays the fucking saxophone. We met him at Papa III's dethroning and soon thereafter learned that There Is Something Going On Between Him & Sister Imperator. (They're in love. Don't let anyone tell you it's not mutual.) He is stubborn and crotchety and old as balls...and also out of heirs by the time we see him and Sister first touch base regarding the band.

CARDINAL COPIA: Papa Nihil's personal assistant, second-most awarded employee of the month, the other apple of Sister Imperator's eye. A fifty-year-old minor. Keeps rats and rides tricycles. He's a good boy and I want to pick him up and carry him everywhere with me. He was the first lead singer of Ghost to take up as head of the band but not be granted the title of Antipope and released Prequelle. (It was a very Star Wars prequel situation - Nihil as the Jedi Council making Copia, as Anakin, a member of the Council but not raising him to the position of Jedi Knight.) Their relationship is contentious in part because Copia is not part of the bloodline.

Er, rather, he's """not""" part of the bloodline.

But actually!

So, remember when I said there was Something Going On Between Sister & Nihil? Yep, there's a backstory. And they are in love. The "Dance Macabre" video details Nihil's ascension to the Antipapacy with Sister's assistance. There's some debate about this video because Nihil implies in one of the story chapters that his family has a very long history as Antipopes within the Church but in this, we see him wander in a bit confused about what's happening until Sister guides him through the ritual. Draw your own conclusions - I know I have! (Mine start with the "Cirice" video, in case you need to take a peek at that again...)

We also learn that actually, Ghost as a musical project originally had its first go in the 1960s, led by Nihil himself! He released the two best songs the band will ever have (including "Mary On A Cross"), but...stardom was...a little too much for him (got a little too hung up on the stupid things like kissing groupies in front of his pregnant girlfriend) and the experiment was prematurely ended.

Did I mention that Sister Imperator is totally pregnant in 1969?

Well, it's a good thing that I did because she sure never has!

With WHOMST, you ask? Well, we don't officially know. But she sure did kill Papa I, II, and III (notably not her sons, despite her obvious relationship with Nihil) once Copia was officially made head of the band so no one would get in his way... (Tobias is not out here writing songs about his OCs, but that being said, I recommend taking a listen to "Witch Image" for my thoughts on this subject.)

PAPA EMERITUS IV: Our reigning Antipope! But, surprise - it's just Copia! Our little rat finally took the coveted position in March of 2020 shortly after Nihil expired on stage. I have still not recovered from the mixed emotions I feel about this situation - immensely proud of my baby boy, forever mourning the loss of my stupid husband. You know how it goes.

As Papa IV, Copia released Impera earlier this year, about two years after his ascension. It's about the rise and fall of empires and everyone seems to be taking this to be a portentous autobiography since the nature of the band is that there will always be some other Antipope waiting in the wings to take over, but I refuse to accept this reality because Copia is the Antichrist and my son and I love him and I'll burn this whole chapel of ritual down if anything bad happens to him ever.

...I think this is coherent, but if it isn't...then, I recommend reading the previous explanation I linked earlier and/or asking for any clarification needed! (I also recommend forgiving me, since sometimes I am very all over the place when I get excited to talk about what I like.)

And you know, actually, as it so happens, on the off chance that anyone does like when I get real hype about what really matters (to me) in Ghost (Sister & Nihil), I may have some good news about that for you all soon...

#the band ghost #thank you for letting me big yell about them again anon!

[fan-cam]

2022 Wrap up (4 Top 5)

Hello and happy holidays! Over the last few weeks I have been pouring over lists of the top albums, songs and movies of 2022, thrilled to see what the world (or at least high budget magazines) are saying about these past twelve months. This year has felt a little more ‘normal’ (not really sure what that word means anymore, or if it even should exist) than the past two and as a result we have received a lot of exciting art.

If I love anything, its making lists. I love keeping track of what media I have consumed, things I need to buy, people I have been romantic with (zodiac signs included), and ranking my various ‘best of’s’.  Below you will find 4 lists of my Top 5 of 2022; TV shows, movies, albums and songs. Each selection is deserving of its own several page deep-dive, but I limited myself to a one-sentence review of each as I know attention spans are quite fleeting these days (my own included). Please enjoy and share your own thoughts!

TV Shows:

HOT D, Season 1

Game of Thrones with a bigger budget, advanced technology and more feminism.

2. Rings of Power, Season 1

Like HOT D, Lord of the Rings but with more than just white men, and a $1M/minute budget (yes, you read that right).

3. Our Flag Means Death, Season 1

Taika Waititi’s new project about gay pirates—do I need to say anything more?

4. Derry Girls, Season 3

Martin Scorsese likes this show, so if my endorsement isn’t enough for you his should be.

5. The Summer I Turned Pretty, Season 1

I feel like most of my life is trying to get back to being a teenage girl and this show really did that for me.

Movies:

Bones and All, Luca Guadagnino

A coming of age cannibal love story that makes you scream, jump, plug your ears, cover your eyes, laugh and cry—what more could you want?

2. Aftersun, Charlotte Wells

Beautiful imagery, incapacitatingly sad plot (my favorite juxtaposition).   

3. X, Ti West

A love letter to horror film, chock full of references that made me feel like all my years spent on horror amounted to something.

4. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, Halina Rejin

I love blood, I love girls, I love a whodunit, I love jokes—this is my dream film, also Pete Davidson is in it.

5. Tar, Todd Field

This movie is making fun of high-brow art which is funny because this movie is loved by people who love high-brow art.

Albums:

Preacher’s Daughter, Ethel Cain

A 75-minute concept album tackling love, abuse, lots of God, sex and being cannibalized with memorizing vocals, quite the feat for a debut LP.

2. Being Funny in a Foreign Language, The 1975

From dick jokes and a pop song about incel mass shootings to devastating breakup anthems, this album makes you experience most emotions.

3. Renaissance, Beyoncé

This album proves that Beyoncé can literally do anything well; a disco-club-banger-no-skips album invocative of the 70s but that absolutely hits in 2022? No problem. (sorry, this is technically two sentences)

4. Motomami, ROSALIA

Being A Bad Bitch in a Foreign Language: I have no idea what she’s saying but the emotion she conveys through her voice and the flawlessly produced beats transcend language.

5. Caprisongs, FKA Twigs

Another club-banger of an album which deals with being both hot and sad at the same time, relatable.

Songs:

Part of the Band, The 1975

There is so much to say about this song but the ‘Vaccinista, tote bag chic baristas’ line changed my life and I haven’t been the same since.

2. Killer, FKA Twigs

She called this ‘a song for baddies with a tear in their eyes’ and I cannot say anything better.

3. Anti-Hero, Taylor Swift

Famous for being vulnerable, Taylor reaches a new level of honesty with this song, expressing the very unrelatable difficulties that come along with being Taylor Swift in an extremely relatable way.

4. Hard Times, Ethel Cain

A song about a horrific topic, sung in the most ethereal way with stunning guitar accompaniment— once again, we love juxtaposition on this blog.   

5. Weird Goodbyes, The National Ft. Bon Iver

The saddest lyrics you will ever hear, overlayed with a sick 808 beat.

#2022review #songsof2022 #moviesof2022 #albumsof2022 #tvshowsof2022 #tv #movies #films #music

[alexstorm]

Mod do you think he’s THAT sympathetic and kind to not leave someone just because she won’t have anywhere to live for a while? She has her family and friends. It wouldn’t be his problem if she doesn’t want to “go south” (lol). And she can find another sugar daddy pretty quickly. I think she’s just convenient enough. Apparently she doesn’t want a traditional family like Taylor did, he hasn’t moved her in after 5 years whereas Taylor moved in like after 5 months, and she’s always free and on call. It sounds so pathetic, but unfortunately it is what it seems it is. I also kinda agree with the other anon saying that he probably thought she was his fantasy and maybe now he thinks that he can never really be successful at finding the right one so he doesn’t even try anymore. Remember that infamous “spit kink” interview? He said Miles fulfills his fantasies. So I guess he really kinda looked for a gf who could fulfill his fantasies and who better than a 70s Birkin/Alexa wannabe? She even started wearing vintage clothes (btw they’re always ugly and honestly no one back in the day wore ugly outfits like that, don’t know how she manages to dress up this bad and her stylist friend doesn’t help her either) maybe he even felt like he could help her build a career (hate to say it, but like Serge helped Jane, EW) he was there for her career at the beginning (going to that performance she had at a restaurant, making her MVs, bringing his designer and editor for her album cover) but he probably found out that she has no ambition or work ethic so he stopped and lost interest. He has said he is a hard-working person himself and we can see that. She’s quite the opposite. Also we don’t know about the inner circle dynamics, all of them are either married/have kids or have partners. Maybe he doesn’t want to look like this single dude lol. I remember in 2018 in LA times interview the journalist mentioned that all of them are married with kids except him, and he said that he’s “never felt more marooned before”. I think it really says a lot about him and his thoughts. Maybe he felt like with the band he’s finally found the friends he always wanted and now that they all have their own family stuff going on he feels left out but also apparently doesn’t want a family of his own (according to himself saying in interviews a few years ago he doesn’t feel ready yet) so he has to have this decorative girlfriend. I don’t think he feels guilty about leaving her. He didn’t feel that when he dumped Arielle or Taylor. And you have to forgive me for bringing up TS because I know you don’t like her lol but she has a song named Getaway Car and it’s basically about how sometimes you’re looking for a way out of a relationship, and another relationship becomes a “getaway car”. I agree with you that he probably saw her as this “getaway car” but the reason she’s stayed this long is the convenience. If I were them I’d listen to Getaway Car and learn my lesson lol. I’m sure we don’t even know 10% of him and what goes on in his mind. People stay in toxic relationship (or even go back to them after leaving) for many reasons. I also think that this is not even what Lou imagined it’d turn out to be. She wanted the full treatment his exes got, including attending public events, spontaneously documented romantic moments by paparazzi, posting him on her ig, having songs written about her, appearing in MVs, getting shoutouts during live performances, fashion show front rows together, maybe she even dreamed of having her photo as an album cover or something and that’s why she desperately, and unsuccessfully, tried it with that concert poster. He ended up never publicly acknowledging her and only sent her to events like Beatles documentary premiere or Celine fashion show with his friends and their partners. He didn’t even attend that La Creme Music Festival last year where she performed. He’s not there when she’d want him to be but she is (/should be) there when he wants her. C’est tragique.

Pooh ok, a lot to unpack here.

First of all, I don't think this is about Alex being sympathetic but simply him being averse to conflict. Dumping her like this would cause a lot of conflict and problems in the future. He knew the other girlfriends had a back-up plan/friends. It seems like Louise has nothing. Just because he broke up/cheated on other girlfriends doesn't mean he didn't feel bad about it. Have we all forgotten 2018? That was not a man who was happy about his cheating and now being with the side chick.

Secondly, some of you guys still haven't gotten used to that English humour, eh? That Miles/Alex interview was clearly them joking around. All he was looking for was an Alexa cosplayer. He just got lucky she was also French.

Re: him looking like the only single guy in this group is what we were talking about with his low self esteem. He needs to work on that in therapy. What does he care how it looks to the outside as long as he's happy about his life? To me this sounds like someone who would like to be single without being judged for it but feels like he needs someone by his side as to not stick out. If he doesn't want to go to therapy for that then he should get more single friends. Instead he settled for Louise looking equally miserable as before.

Not gonna comment on Swifty and that particular song as it has been brought up before. Aren't there people with different tastes in music here as well? Help!

#Alex Turner

[gvftea]

"I'm not into LZ therefore I can't tell when GVF pulls inspo from their stuff. I know this might be a lot but if someone could make a comprehensive list of similarities between their work I'd appreciate it.

Great idea. Hope someone does that."

Hi, I'm the same person who sent the long ass ask a few days ago talking about GVF's influences and Josh reminding me of Roger Daltrey lol. I don't know if you could call this list "comprehensive" because there are things that probably escaped me but I know a lot about rock and music history in general, so here are some things I've noticed:

(also, I had included links to every song I listed and other resources but tumblr won't let me send this in unless I remove them, so sadly you'll have to search for the songs yourselves)

1- The biggest thing I noticed very early on when I started listening to Greta, is that they've used Your Time Is Gonna Come as inspo for not just one but various of their songs, which probably means that they revisited and studied it multiple times throughout the years, especially as teenagers. Paying close attention to the melody and the arrangements, you can tell that both Flower Power and You're The One take inspiration from it, but then if you pay attention to the vocals you can also tell that they used it as inspo for Cloud Train, which is an unreleased song.

2- Highway Tune sounds a lot like The Rover, though it also sounds a lot like 75% of ZZ Top's catalog because of the guitar arrangements, so there's that lol. Curiously, ZZ Top has a song called Highway Blues.

3- Fast Train Blues (another unreleased song) is nearly identical to the opening blues in Led Zeppelin's Bring It On Home. I wanna clarify that Bring It On Home does not belong to Led Zeppelin, though they're the ones who popularized it, but it originally belongs to Sonny Boy Williamson, so technically they pulled inspo from Sonny Boy this particular time, but chances are they heard the Led Zeppelin one first.

(In an interview they said that they would be listening to records and their father would be like "it's cool that you're listening to that, but let me show you the roots/where that came from" because of this I'm inclined to think that they listened to the "renditions" of these songs before they were exposed to the originals)

As someone else pointed out in a previous ask, Led Zeppelin as a band is known for stealing from other artists, people literally referred to them as The Thieves of Rock n' Roll for a bit, and they also covered Blues songs from other artists, so sometimes when comparing Greta to Zeppelin you really have to ask yourself "Okay, but does this song actually belong to Led Zeppelin, or is it a cover?"

The boys have performed Killing Floor, Rollin' and Tumblin', If The River Was Whiskey, Going To San Francisco and other songs that people often assume belong to Led Zeppelin, but in reality they don't. Say what you want about Greta Van Fleet, but these guys know their music history.

4- Lover, Leaver sounds a lot like Whole Lotta Love.

5- When The Curtain Falls sounds a lot like The Wanton Song.

6- Meeting The Master, though very unique and modern sounding, instantly reminds me of some Led Zeppelin songs that have a middle-eastern-ish/South-asian-ish vibe, like The Battle At Evermore or Kashmir, especially the versions that feature an Egyptian Orchestra. It's not surprising that the boys chose to take this route because some songs from TBAGG like Broken Bells or Tears Of Rain already suggested they were interested in this sound, so my prediction is that the rest of the album is going to have a similar vibe, or perhaps a mix between middle-eastern sounds and Baroque music. Please take into consideration that in the late 60's and early 70's traditional music from Marrakech, India, etc. Was HUGE and nearly all British rock bands were incorporating it into their sound, like the Beatles or The Rolling Stones.

7- As someone else pointed out, they've taken inspiration from The Song Remains The Same numerous times, particularly in terms of visuals, plot points for some songs, and just stylistic choices in general. If you sit down and watch the thing you'll start picking stuff up immediately.

8- Jake's two-piece sets he wears on stage are modernized renditions of what Jimmy wore on stage in the seventies, with the difference that Jimmy went for Bell-bottoms and Jake went for a tighter fit. Josh's outfit choices can be excused because open vests, low rise jeans, suede and tassels were staples for that era and everyone wore them, but Jimmy's outfits were very unique to him and someone made them specifically for him.

#greta van fleet #gvf #josh gvf #sam gvf #jake gvf #josh kiszka #danny wagner #danny gvf #jake kiszka #sam kiskza #starcatcher gvftea gretanewmusic #starcatcher #gretanewmusic #gvftea

[randomvarious]

Stories - "Brother Louie" GoodNoise Compilations Number Ones (1970-1974) Song released in 1974. Compilation released in 1998. Pop-Rock / R&B

Plays: 4.385M on Spotify // Too many to add up on YouTube 😅

Stories was a one-hit wonder band from New York City that gave the US "Brother Louie," a song that managed to top Billboard's Hot 100 chart for a brief couple weeks in 1973, and then failed to follow up with anything that resembled the lightning in a bottle that they had originally caught with it. They were founded by a pair of guys whose fathers had been professional violinist chums for a long time and who had decided to finally introduce their sons to each other.

Keyboardist Michael Brown had actually found a good deal of success before meeting lead vocalist and bassist Ian Lloyd, though, with a pair of top-20 hits from his baroque pop band The Left Banke in '66 and '67. "Walk Away Renee" went to #5 and "Pretty Ballerina" went to #15. And Lloyd himself had managed to cut a promo 7-inch on United Artists Records in '66 too, under the moniker Lloyd London. Once they decided that they wanted to form a Beatles-type band, though, they brought in two other guys to fill out the group: guitarist Steve Love and drummer Bryan Madey.

Stories' 1972 self-titled debut LP on Kama Sutra Records wound up faring okay. It peaked at #182 on the Billboard 200 album chart and it landed a single just outside the top 40 with "I'm Coming Home."

But the second album, About Us, produced by superstar record producer Eddie Kramer, actually did worse. And after its release, Michael Brown abruptly quit the band to go do something else. But soon after his departure, the group came up with "Brother Louie."

Now, if you've ever found it awkward that a band of white dudes would make a song whose titular character is a white guy with the earned nickname of "Brother Louie" because he's dating a black woman, it's because this song isn't actually originally by Stories. The first version is actually by black UK funk and soul band Hot Chocolate, who scored a top-10 hit with "Brother Louie" back home, but didn't chart across the pond with it at all. And a couple years later they'd make their indelible contribution to the 70s global pop music canon, with the sugar-catchy and sleekly dreamy absurdity that is "You Sexy Thing."

But while Hot Chocolate's version came with a deeper shade of funk to it, as well as a much deeper and gruffer lead vocal, Stories' take loaded itself up with dramatic, cinematic strings, rock guitar, a little piano, wavy rubber-band keyboard funk, and Ian Lloyd's own cartoonish, scratch-passionate high pitch. And despite not being attached to a forthcoming album, the single still managed to rise to #1 in the US. And just how Hot Chocolate's version didn't make a showing in the States, neither did Stories' cover over in the UK.

But the immediate US success of Stories' version ended up generating a significant amount of interest in the band. So, with re-pressings of the failed About Us, they tacked on "Brother Louie" at the end, sometimes even just stuffing a 45 of it inside the sleeve to go along with the LP itself. And then, on the sole strength of "Brother Louie," About Us managed to rise from a total commercial failure to a very respectable #28 on the 200 album chart.

So, it's funny that the band sheds its most famous and successful member, Michael Brown, and then achieves a top spot on the Hot 100 immediately after his departure anyway, which is something Brown never managed to accomplish himself. Not necessarily saying that one thing caused the other, because I really just don't know, but it's definitely interesting that it happened in the first place!

And another thing of note is how, by 1973, the US was able to accept a song like this about an interracial couple and help it reach  #1; because just six years prior, some radio stations, including a massive one like Chicago's WLS, had refused to play Janis Ian's debut single, "Society's Child," which also dealt with the topic of a scorned interracial couple. That song was a huge hit in some cities, but because a bunch of stations still opted to not play it, it only made it to #14 on the national Hot 100. However, Stories' version of "Brother Louie" didn't end up encountering those same obstacles, so I think that indicates a marker of societal progress, especially since it managed its way to becoming the top song in the entire country.

But Stories wasn't able to make another notable hit after "Brother Louie." "Mammy Blue," a cover of a French song that has absolutely nothing to do with the derogatory term for an enslaved black woman in the antebellum south, went to #50 in 1973; "It Feels Good" went to #88 in 1974, and then "Another Love," which contained controversial lyrics about bisexuality, didn't manage to chart at all. And apparently, its lyrical content played a role in its overall lack of success. So, the hurdles of singing successfully about straight interracial couples had been cleared, but a song about bisexuality still appeared to be a bridge too far for the US at that time. And then the following year, Stories decided to split up for good.

Although it was a song by white guys who were doing a cover of black guys, and, as a result, made the lyrics feel a little bit weird, Stories' version of "Brother Louie" was still a great, catchy, and also important hit that showed what the US was generally willing to accept in its pop music in 1973. A small mark of societal progress and a nice triumph for this ultimate one-hit wonder to score their sole smash. But their final single showed that we still had a hell of a way long way to go 😕.

#pop rock #pop #rock #r&b #r and b #r & b #classic rock #classic pop #music #70s #70s music #70's #70's music

[musiconanironingboard]

27 March 2023: Fuzzy, Grant Lee Buffalo. (2023 Chrysalis Catalogue reissue of 1993 Slash release)

In 1993, I gave Los Angeles band Grant Lee Buffalo very little time. I was a university-radio programmer and gave this, the band’s debut, to a younger staffer to review. To this day, the only thing I can remember about any of the band’s music is a fleeting portion of Fuzzy’s title track. Their second album, 1994′s Mighty Joe Moon, didn’t appear until I was graduated from college, and if I knew but didn’t care about you during my college-radio days there was little chance I was going to pick you up later. The band carried on until 1998 (not counting a multi-year reunion run beginning in 2010). I think I saw them live once, as an opening act at St. Louis club Mississippi Nights sometime around the release of Fuzzy, but I’m not sure.

So why bother with this? When Tower Records went out of business in 2006 and I bought a ton of albums in their $1 liquidation, I picked up an album called Sheer Golden Hooks by one Jeffrey Clark (a 1996 release). I didn’t know who Clark was; I just liked the letterpress packaging and that it was on Independent Project Records, a label I admired. I loved Sheer Golden Hooks. I still ruminate about it with great fondness, having not heard it in over decade. Jeffrey Clark became an instant important figure for me after that, and I later learned that another band I’d never given the time of day, Los Angeles’s late-’80s Shiva Burlesque, featured not only Jeffrey Clark but all the members of Grant Lee Buffalo.

Understanding a band’s family tree can be of steep importance. I’ve since scrabbled to find Clark’s second album If Is (2009), and sometime in recent history I obtained the 2022 double-CD reissue of Shiva Burlesque’s two albums, their 1987 eponymous debut and 1990′s Mercury Blues. I don’t recall offhand if I bought that while this blog was on hiatus, but nonetheless it’s slowly wending its way to the top of my listening stack. And hell, I just learned in the last hour that Shiva Burlesque’s first bassist James Brenner was also in all-instrumental California band Scenic, another group I liked. 

In light of learning all this history (not counting what I’m still learning), when I saw the first Grant Lee Buffalo album was receiving a new reissue (and its first-ever US vinyl release), I wanted it. Sure, it’s basically Shiva Burlesque with my favorite member gone, but knowing the family tree will facilitate more intelligent listening this time around.

Above are the front cover, hype sticker, and back cover.

Below is the opened gatefold.

 Next, both labels.

And here is a shot of the clear vinyl.

It may seem odd for this album to now be on Chrysalis Records, a ’70s label that’s been mysteriously revived in recent years, but Fuzzy’s original label Slash Records is long defunct, and another thing I learned today is the band was originally under contract in the ’90s with Chrysalis’s publishing wing; so, it makes sense. Also note this is attributed to a label spinoff called Chrysalis Catalogue.

[numetalpuppygirl]

what i'm listening to 9/5/2022 (song notes under the cut)

spot link//yt link

trying something a little different where i put the songs in order from favorite to least favorite

Laura Les - Haunted: haunted. by laura les

Pitchshifter - Genius: this band is an unusual entry into the nu metal genre by virtue of being from the uk, where most acts hail from somewhere in the americas or asia. this is one of those songs that just *feels* good, like i'm chewing on the industrial crunch and overlapping vocals

Tallah - Shaken (not stirred): honestly this could have easily taken top spot. i genuinely cried upon hearing this for the first time from the sheer intensity. manic tallah-patented weirdness followed by an unexpected and very pretty harmonized singing section, followed by the most atrociously disgusting triple breakdown i've ever heard. cool to hear derrick doing some singing too!

Limp Bizkit - Welcome Home (Sanitarium): i know i've already posted about this one but it's just such a fun cover and i think the context is super funny, i just keep coming back to it

Ray Charles - I Got A Woman: remember last month when i included gold digger and said that i should just listen to more ray charles, since the sample was my favorite part of that song? well. i did

Limp Bizkit - No Sex: i reference this song a lot bc the title's funny but it's also genuinely kind of an interesting track. this one's about fred expressing to his partner that he feels like they rushed into the intimate part of their relationship too quickly, and now that's become the only foundation the relationship has. he wants to have a relationship, but he doesn't want to have to rely on only sex to keep it going. it's a surprisingly emotionally mature song to include on the same album as "nookie", and cements significant other as being... actually kinda really good

Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World: another song that gets memed a lot, but this is just such a sweet little number. in particular, the lines "i hear babies cry, i watch them grow/they'll learn much more than i'll ever know" makes me want to cry. what a beautiful sentiment, to rejoice that our children and our children's children may inherit a world better and wider and more full of love and wonder than we could ever imagine..... 💜

Supertramp - The Logical Song: one of those songs you hear a million times and never think twice about until you listen to the lyrics. i've been listening to this album on a mutual's recommendation (i wonder if you'll read this?) and it's been a fun time! planning on checking out some of the other stuff when i find the time

Godsmack - Serenity: tbh i never used to like godsmack. i don't think sully erna is a good singer, and their songs are pretty simple and hacky. i did buy this album as part of one of my thrift store hauls, though, and this closing track really struck me. like a lot of abrasive post-grunge bands, i think they're a lot better when they tone it down a little bit. this song reminds me of silently, desperately wandering through the desert

Vanilla Ice - Nightmare Disco: oh boy where to start. i'm a big vanilla ice fan (like, 70% ironically) and i never expected to like anything from his disastrous (and, to date, most recent) album W.T.F., but this one's kinda fun, it's like a dark dance pop track. there are a couple of halloween-y tracks on that record, and this is one of them. gotta love the spooky vibes! unless you're vanilla's team, apparently, as this album is not available anywhere on youtube

Almighty Cover Girlz - Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down (Almighty 12" Anthem Mix): damn could you make the name a little longer maybe?? normally i wouldn't even type all that out but they also have two other similarly named remixes of this song. this was an everynoise dot com find, and i was glad because i think alicia keys is a great performer but i've never liked this song. this mix brings it the extra mile for me

Lemon Demon - Ben Bernanke: this played on chase clown_depot's mediashare stream and i've had it in my head since. not much else to say, it's just another lemon demon song that i enjoy immensely

Bush - Comedown: not much to say here, either. another uncommon uk contender, and a far more successful one at that. not my favorite bush song, but it's the one i've had in my head. help

Pitchshifter - Microwaved: hey they're back! i was pleasantly surprised by this song taking on the sort of shitty fake plastic feeling that modern capitalist society has been permeated with. i've been revisiting the "leftist nu metal" playlist i had promised (and never delivered whoops) in a previous post and this was a good find. not as tastey sounds as genius but still worth the listen

A Perfect Circle - Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums: speaking of both left-wing nu metal and long as fuck titles... this is an anti-bush song that doesn't really land, but is a cool track independent of that nonetheless

Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes): one-hit wonder with a really weird story behind it. i would highly recommend the todd one hit wonderland video about this, that's how i first heard about it

Vanilla Ice - Hate: return of the ice-man. this is the type of song that got me into his music in the first place. i'm easy, really. i'll go for basically any nu metal i can find. nothing too special about this one, though, it's just catchy

SR-71 - Tomorrow: the last two songs here are placed next to each other on purpose. this was pop punk band SR-71's attempt at transforming themselves into clones of linkin park after hybrid theory started selling like hotcakes. they did a surprisingly decent job, getting the production and singing style nearly dead-on; however, they predictably didn't get very far with this maneuver

Crazy Town - Drowning: this was nu metal band crazy town's attempt at transforming themselves into clones of linkin park after hybrid theory started selling like hotcakes. being a nu metal band that already had dual vocalists and a dj, you would think they had an easier time of it than SR-71, right? nope. drowning is far less believable as a linkin park than tomorrow, which is pretty embarrassing for these guys. oh well, they can add it to their list

#*char noises* #talking pop

[miahqs]

                               it is meeeee again  !  🖤   bringing u  YET  another beauty  heheh 🤠   i  want plots  w/  everyone so  pls  give  this  a  like  so i can come  to u ! 🖤    

                               excuse me did you see  SABRINA CARPENTER  hanging around palmwood studios? oh no, that was MIA CASSIDY , the TWENTY TWO year old actress who plays DIANNA PEROTTI on GROOVY 70′S .  yeah, you know rumour has it they're - PICKY, and - STUBBORN, but their fans all say they’re + INDEPENDENT, and + TRUSTWORTHY. around palmwood studios they’re known as THE AMERICA’S SWEETHEART . ( cisfemale, she/her)  

*   ◞  ╰   general   .

full name :  mia christina cassidy .   nicknames : mimi , america’s sweetheart .  birthdate / zodiac sign : somewhere in september during taurus season . sexual orientation : heterosexual . parents : catherine cassidy ( 53 )  &  simon cassidy  ( 60 ) siblings:  samuel cassidy ( 28 ) , beatrice cassidy ( 32 )  + traits  :  captivating , warmhearted , loyal , self-reliant , trustworthy , hardworking , generous  &   reliable.  - traits  :  picky , stubborn , materialistic , opinionated , selfish , possessive , gluttonous .  likes :   dancing , singing , creating content for tiktok , road trips , photography , doing picture puzzles , yoga , shopping , horror movie marathons , hiking with her dogs , dark coffee , chai and green tea , banana-flavored muffins , rain showers , stand-up comedy , classical novels , art museums , people who make her laugh , french fries ,  dislikes : animal cruelty , liars and cheaters , secrets , bad mannerism , bigotry , being ignored in any shape or form , receiving lectures , family dinners . 

*   ◞  ╰   quick history   .

mia comes from a middle class family .  a mother who always thought she deserved a better life  &  hated the fact she couldn’t have it , especially with three kids under her belt  &  a father who is a sweetheart , but he’s dumb AF unable to stand up to his wife or make a difference . 

from the minute ... well , maybe a SECOND minute mia was born, her mother already had a plan for her life. baby commercials , tv shows , beauty pageants , singing/dancing/acting lessons , modeling .... school was very much neglected because her mother saw the “ potential “  aka she saw beauty not brains . 

at just 6 months old , she became a regular face on a sitcom  ( inspo: full house ) that aired until she was 10 years old , so the whole america ( and the world ) basically saw her grow up which explains why she had gotten the name of  “ america’s sweetheart “ .  everybody just LOVED her .  

later on , obvi her entire family got rich due to mia’s success  &  her mother made sure their / her fame didn’t phase out , so she established a company in her name that would produce her subsequent films and videos ( inspo: the olsen twins hehe )  which mia didn’t mind bc while she wasn’t filming ( like her mother wanted ) she would be taking singing lessons or being at the studio ( something SHE wanted ) . 

in truth , as much as mia truly disliked her mother , she still obeyed because .... well , she had respect for her  &  besides , her mother did have a nose for business , so she didn’t mind the  “momager “ in her corner .  

once she turned 17 , she also started coming out with her music .  she never recorded a full on album but every song that did came out once in a while was a  MASSIVE  hit because the world just ate it all up .   by the time she was 20 , she was named a sports illustrated swimsuit rookie of the year , maxim’s hot 100 list of sexiest women in the world , magazine covers , music video appearances .... you NAME it , she probably DID it .  the girl has had a career so long she might as well retire at 25 lmao. 

fast forward to this day , the producers of groovy 70′s basically begged her to play a role of dianna perotti which she initially excepted just so she can make a permanent move to los angeles  &  record more music , but now she’s also glad she did bc the show turned out to be a massive hit! :))  

*   ◞  ╰   personality & dating life   .

ok first things first ... mia is  DIFFERENT  .  i do not say this lightly bc the girl legit LOVES everything she does , loves herself ( A SHOCKER for someone in hollywood ) , loves her career , her friends , everything . sure her mother’s a crazy bitch and her father is a loser and she doesn’t talk to her siblings BUT WHO CARESSSSS . 

due to her upbringing and the fact she was worth 10million before her 8th birthday , YES she loves nice things ( read :  materialistic ) and is lowkey selfish .... in some aspects . this is also the reason why she no longer talks with the rest of her family  &  has v little friends  --  a  LOT  of people used her just for her money  &  the fact she generously gave it away to whoever asked .  they all got rich through her ,  and still never had enough so she cut off their supply of money  &  then they tried bad mouthing her to the press for revenge ( it didnt work but still ) 

also due to her upbringing and a career at such a young age , many people still see her as this “ young “ girl that she portrayed .  either that , or they see her as a sex symbol .  either way , it’s all about the looks which okay she doesn’t mind but also kinda does ??? BC SHE AIN’T DUMB LIKE HER DADDY. jkrfnerjhg . 

 so generally speaking , to those who know the real her :  they know how sarcastic she is , how upset she gets when a favorite character of her fav tv show dies , how adventurous she is ( aka will call u up at 3 am to go hiking or some shit bc she cant sleep ) , or how much she’s actually SMART bc the girl reads classical novels and goes to museums ..... 

romantically speaking ....   this will also come as a shock to u but girl KNOWS HER WORTH . yes u heard it right . she won’t go for the playboys , for the bad boys , for the actors ... the last boyfriend she had was a nyc broker okay . which means , she doesn’t fall for stupid shit the boys at palmwood do nor does she care hehe :))) U CAN TRY BUT ...  :)) 

*   ◞  ╰   connections  .

OK OK ok Ok gimme the serena to her blair , the meredith to her christina I BEG OF U ! !  she needs a bestie she can be real with tbh .maybe like a small squad like in the gg series ??  YES PLS. 

maybe like a small squad like in the gg series ??  YES PLS. 

the NATE to her BLAIR aka someone she probably dated while they were teens and they were america’s sweethearts until he did something  or idk we can dicuss what happened but now they dont talk BUT HE STILL HAS A HEART PIN SHE GAVE HIM INSIDE HIS SWEATER UGH. 

the CHUCK to her BLAIR heheheheheh bc WHY NOT have someone in her life that annoys the living shit out of her but at the same time she wants to jump his bones LMAO 

a bad influence friend would be also NOICE . 

someone still using her for money or fame???? YESSSSS 

someone she’s crushing on but won’t admit bc she’s determinated NOT to date actors? hehehehe

someone with a crush on HER ?? :)))  i love skinny loves and unrequited crushes <333

alsooo someone who is her HOME . it doesn’t have to be romantic ( or can be hehe ) but like the person that makes her feel completely safe , warm and protected ? ?  they can also just ... talk , and make each other laugh and smile :)) some fluff never hurt nobody :)) 

also let me just add some wcs here ;  one , two , three , four , five , six , seven , eight , nine , ten , eleven , twelve , thirteen , fourteen , fifteen , sixteen , seventeen , eighteen , twenty , twenty one   :))))) 

#pwshqintro

[oh-my-divine]

I have nothing to do (well, a pile of task is not included) so here’s my interpretation of every Lana Del Rey’s song from Norman Fucking Rockwell! album. I love this album so much. If I die someday (soon) and someone makes a movie out of my life (I lived an amazing life, trust me) and no Norman Fucking Rockwell! song in sight, I will come back from my grave.

I read somewhere that this is about a cheating man, which makes sense for its line, “Goddamn, man-child.” However, Lana is so smart by making this like a story-telling. You fall in love first, you are in love, you realized you picked the wrong person, you it is what it is-ing yourself because, well, it is too late to run. To take a step back. “Cause you’re just a man, and that’s what you do,” this is the line I use everytime a man disappoints me.

Mariners Apartment Complex was inspired by Lana’s real life story where she visited her guy’s friend and her boyfriend (now ex, I think this was the cop boyfriend she used to had and hated by the entire Lana Cult). Her boyfriend told her, “I think we are together because we’re both similar, like we’re both really messed up.” And she took it as an inspiration as her song... Monetizing her sadness as she should! She’s just like me for real.

#TMI when I was in high school, my school and my house was rather close so I always walked to school every morning. I loved listening to this song because it’s 9 minutes long. Played it at home and the song finished when I enter my class. I didn’t really pay attention to the song and what it is about, but once I grow up (now), I finally know the meaning of this song. It’s her and her lover in Venice Beach (California). She is the Venice Bitch. I am the Venice Bitch.

One of the best love song to ever exist. It’s like, “the world is bad but at least I have you by my side.” Street says she wrote this for her lover, confessing her feelings, her drug addiction, her alcoholism, and how she finally breaks the wall she build for him. She doesn’t like being tied by string, but once she met him, everything changed. God when.

The most overrated song in this album and not even written by Lana Del Rey. This is a cover from 70’s band (I forget the name sorry) about a cheating wife (or girlfriend?). Sung by a male. Not really interested.

So underrated yet so good, so gold, so diamond! Best love song to EVER EXIST. And that’s on period! “You know that I’d just die to make you proud.” That is so true. She was so true for writing that. I, too, would die for someone I love.

Talking about the interpretation, this song describes how love is not always luxury. Love is not always expensive dinner, diamond ring, a palace to live. A cheap car with nothing in it but you with your loved one could be a pretty place to love.

I wonder how many toxic relationship she had in her life because this is another song about toxic relationship where her jumping from toxic relationship to another toxic relationship to another toxic relationship. It’s like quitting something bad, but going in something worse. This new relationship she’s trying to build is as bad as her past relationships, but she put her trust to the man, she believes he would change. He wouldn’t, Lana. Stop trying.

This is about Del Rey’s past relationships and how she wants them to be ‘disappear’ as they no longer present in her life. Like, a relationship after relationship, and finally her image of her own future where everything’s settled. I don’t really like this song. Good though.

I think this is a story about her and someone who’s been serving for the army. That’s why she said, “you’re scared to win, scared to lose, I’ve heard the war was over if you really choose.” This song is really sad, not gonna lie. It’s like singing false hopes because you believe miracles happen. They don’t.

I love this song because I used to be in her position. Something so good yet catastrophic. Two artists madly in love, trying to keep the world inside their embrace, forgetting how small they are and how fragile the string between them.

•••

Too bad I’ve reached the audio limit. So part 2 it is!

#Spotify

[limneticvillains]

The Delusional Dreamer

In around August of 2021 I blocked a mad egotistical self obsessed man who posted silly stuff like 'I am possibly the most prolific musician on Earth', I just rolled my eyes and blocked him, simple as. Someone asked why, I said because the guy has a huge ego. I thought that was the end of it. It should have been. Skip a few months on, at the start of 2022 while I was raising money for cancer research, on two Bandcamp Fridays in a row I was falsely mass reported to Twitter, from these I received two suspensions on the days that music promotion for a good cause worked best. I then got a bunch of messages and screenshots from various other artists on indie music twitter that the man I blocked had directed people to block and report me for bullying him, and screenshots of him telling another bands manager that I was pals with that he had nothing to do with my suspensions. Nobody had implicated him, at all -at that point. I was annoyed, and the second suspension lasted 3 months.

I was raising roughly 70-100 euro a month for cancer research on those Bandcamp Fridays, it was quite horrible to do something for a good cause and seemingly be framed as a bully by some total weirdo. As a little fuck you, I made some comedy joke songs in half an hour in the guys style and put them onto Soundcloud. They were there for 4 days. The guy went insane. He said he was going to the police about me? Ok… Didn't realise parodies were illegal, but anyway. I sent him an email, I asked him to say sorry and said I would remove the music anyway, but that he should move on. He was ranting and raving at this point about me, despite knowing nothing about me, only that I thought he was a tit. He denied he had done anything and asked if I wanted to collab with him, said it was middlemen, meddling, winding us both up, despite me having loads of screenshots of him telling people to report me for no reason and denying he did this. So far so childish. I looked into the guy, he was a teacher, I couldn't really believe this sad self obsessed man was incharge of children, in a follow up email I said I might inform his school of how he conducts himself online because I didn't think a man like this should be looking after kids. I thought perhaps it would shut him up and this would be the end of it. I said he was crap and to leave me alone, more or less.

The Soundcloud parody was removed by me, again I thought, hey maybe it's over. My Twitter suspensions had been looked at and they were overturned, I had my account back, minus a bunch of his pals who had - weirdly in this time- decided I was multiple accounts. (This gets weird). Some people had started accusing the guy of being me, others had decided I was not one musician but a collective of musicians all pretending to be one person. I don't quite know what happened here. The guy and one of his friends started saying I was stealing the money I was raising from charity, which was a vile thing to make up about someone, I have screenshots of all that too. They also said they had my full name and address. I was getting worried at this point, so I looked into the both of them and found phone numbers and addresses for them, they were and are in the public domain, it wasn't hard to find them and I thought I'd cover myself. I never put them anywhere or shared them out, I got them, simply to say, 'I have yours too'. This really pissed the guy off, he started saying I was threatening his elderly parents. This childishness continues, people send me screenshots of his insane rants, how hes going to the police despite me not doing anything at all to him, he says I'm bullying him… I get death threats from his followers (screenshots of those too), one of his pals puts out a shit death metal album under my band name, which is still as of 2024 on streaming services. He tells people he's going to get me committed to a mental institution, and yeah, this has been going on since the start of 2022. Sometimes I'll write something like, 'fuck these sad lame shithead musicians' and he'll see it and go on mad rants.

That's pretty much the entire story of how I blocked Kiffie The Dreamer and how he became my number 1 fan obsessive, that projects his obsessions on me, calls me a bully and a narcissist, etc etc. I tried to smooth things over a number of times, it didn't work. I have ignored him for months, but then I'll get a message that he's saying shit again, I'll say some shit and it goes in circles. He went quiet after I got the death threats from his followers for a while. That did irk me a bit, getting threats and being accused of bullshit, like being other random accounts and people. Recently I decided I'd do another parody, with social media involved as a one last fuck you, fuck off, leave me the fuck alone, here's a mirror, this is you. The music of this can be found here: https://tanelispif.bandcamp.com/track/kitties

I have zero interest in lame online dramas with sad sack idotic men who make shit music, collaborate with anybody under the sun- including nutcase right wing weirdos and science deniers, and claim to be in some way deserving of praise. Fuck off. I have been suspended from Twitter a total of 4 times on Bandcamp Fridays, and I attribute this directly to Kiffie and his pals. It is, utterly ridiculous for a grown man past middle age to be acting like this.

I think all the idiots around him that encourage his bullshit need to think a bit more. Also it's rather hysterical that this man who claims to be all about peace and love collaborates with Alex Jones loving sexist nutters like EMCDouble. I won't bring their art into it, but by god is it a big streak of utter piss.

#indie music #limnetic villains #kiffie the dreamer #kiffie #twitter #stalker #egotistical #drama #online drama #sad #musician

[lastchancevillagegreen]

Thursday, 7 March 2024:

The Unsustainable Library Library Project Part 7:

Five Ways of Disappearing Kendra Smith (4 AD) (released in 1995)

One of the strangest, most disappointing collections we received Wednesday in donations into the sorting room at the library involved a book of 20 books and 300 CDs. They all came from the same person because they all smelled the same. The 20 books were of colossal disappointment to me because I'm in charge of "Special Books." Those are books that might carry some value. I price them based on generalities of other rare book dealers' prices for the titles. I tend to price mine lower because my goal is to sell things and give people the bargains they hope to find in a library sales room. The books were all first edition printings of Stephen King hardbacks with perfect dust covers. I opened the box and saw Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, Christine, Firestarter, Cujo, etc. Immediately I was let down because the instant you opened the box, you smelled the mold. Seeing the titles, which command high prices, I envisioned putting them on my Special Book shelves for $30 a pop (a steal) but when I opened up the books, the mold was thick inside. The top inch of each page was covered in dark flecks and the pages were all spotted. These books wouldn't sell for 50 cents, they were ruined. I hated to make the call that these were worthless, but these were worthless. I don't sell garbage.

The CDs were in plastic bags that smelled identical to the Stephen King books. I have serious allergies that have been rocked by this job and I didn't much want to go through these CDs. They weren't moldy like the books, these were actually in fine shape. Some, however, had jewel cases that looked as if the owner painted them in chili and let it dry. Those went into the trash. Half of them didn't even have CDs inside, they were just empty. Booklets and artwork were all present, just no CDs. Another 70 were CD-Rs of great artists (lots of Pixies) but the library doesn't sell CD-Rs, especially not coming from Johnny Mold. (There is a caveat to this statement: I'll sell DVD-Rs of DVDs pressed by Warner Brothers and Universal which was commonplace in the early Aughts, but I include a statement on the cover of the DVD indicating this is a DVD-R and if it doesn't work, bring it back in and I'll refund your money.)

The CDs were an odd assortment. Lots of classical music, lots of Broadway Soundtracks and Motion Picture Soundtracks and lots of rock CDs that we don't normally get in: Sinead O'Connor, Kristin Hersh, Belly, virtually none of the hits of the 90s (although Jewel's debut cropped up which seems to be a dime-a-dozen in people's CD collections). The funniest thing in the entire collection was a lone country CD of Mindy McCready's 1996 debut, Ten Thousand Angels.

When this album showed up, I had no idea what it was. I flipped it over and immediately recognized the artwork and layout as being a 4 AD release. I check labels on artists I don't know and generally that tells me all I need to know. I hadn't even noticed the 4 AD logo because the font of the title, the artist's name being housed in individual blocks for each letter, the layout of the tracklist screamed 4 AD. That's all I needed to know that it was coming home with me. But I did look up Smith on discogs on my phone and discovered she was in the Dream Academy. Yes, this was coming home. I've plenty of 4 AD releases and when does one encounter a bad album from that label?

Above you see the cover of the album followed by a shot of the back which revealed this was 4 AD (even without seeing their logo). Below is the jewel case opened up.

The next photo is of the booklet opened to a random page, again, revealing the classic style of 4 AD's art style.

A close up of the CD ends the entry.