My Take: Wilco - Impossible Germany

"Impossible Germany" is the 5:52 third track from Wilco's album Sky Blue Sky, the album and track that introduced guitarist Nels Cline into the line up. The song starts with 3 guitars playing a rather ominous melody with Jeff Tweedy singing some repeated phrases before breaking out into a calm and rather euphoric guitar solo.

Its the kind of moment in music that might make you uncomfortable. I didn't know what to think of it. At first I laughed, after all the sustained major petatonic licks and jazz interjections could be presented as a parody. But as you let your guard down, it becomes apparent that this is a moment completely without irony. It is what it is, an epic guitar solo floating on a cloud-like blanket of chords and rhythm and a moment of peace.

As Im sitting here transcribing it on my guitar, I am still excited by it as I listen to it over and over. Its a sincere moment where the musician took down his defense shields and let out his inner expression, and for that I thank you Nels Cline.

Awesome Video Alert: White Denim "I Start to Run"

I love so many things about this video. The casting of these crazy ass dudes. The 70s zoom in from far away shots. The absolute perfect marriage of the music with the proper pacing of the shots. Whenever I hear this song certain images are burned into my brain. The guy stumbling and falling at 2:10 as the keyboards enter, the demented kidnapper at 1:44 as the "wo-hos" are added to the third time through the fucking amazing riff, theres so much greatness here!

Rodney Mullen on Skateboarding (& beyond)

Great heartfelt interview with a person who has learned alot about creative expression and their relationship with their chosen medium.



via Evan Campbell

3/15/2011 Playlist

White Denim - Have It Just The Way We Were (Last Day of Summer)
Akron/Family - So It Goes (ST II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT)

Ivan & Alyosha - I Was Born To Love Her (Fathers Be Kind)
Bright Eyes - We Are No Where And Its Now (I'm Wide Awake Its Morning)

Iron & Wine - Tree By the River (Kiss Each Other Clean)

Thomas Hunter & White China Gold - Window Mouth (White china Gold)
White Denim - Incaviglia (Last Day of Summer)

Steve Wilson - The Lexter

White Denim - Light Light Light (Last Day of Summer)

Mean Lady - Rain (Kid Friendly)
Delicate Steve - Don't Get Stuck Proud Elephants (Wondervisions)

Bruce Springsteen - Rosalita

Bob Lefsetz on The Gateful Dead

Below is a great article about The Grateful Dead and the way they shaped their career. While many envy their following, few try to emulate their methods.

Many friends of mine don't go to shows because they'd rather sit at home and casually listen to the CD. This is true for many bands. There's no event.

However there's bands like Rx Bandits, Phish, Portugal. The Man, Soulive and tons more that make their shows events. These are the best shows because you see something unique!

Before I appropriate any more of his points to my examples, heres Bob's article;

Lessons Of The Dead
by Bob Lefsetz

I went to see the Grateful Dead exhibit at the New York Historical Society. Thank God I slept late. Turns out they don’t open until noon. Finally, a rock and roll museum show!

Not that I’d recommend it. You see there’s very little there. It’s kind of like going to Carvel and getting only a dollop, going to In-N-Out and getting a cheeseburger or going to Mrs. Fields and getting half a cookie. We want the complete ice cream cone, shots and all, a Double Double, enough cookies to fly high above the astral plane on the sugar buzz. And that’s what the Grateful Dead delivered. It wasn’t a concert, but an experience. They played for hours.

And most people didn’t give a shit.

3/8/2011 Playlist

Portugal. The Man - Colors (Censored Colors)
Wilco - Impossible Germany (Sky Blue Sky)

Ivan & Alyosha - Glorify (Fathers Be Kind)

Maps & Atlases - If This Is (Perch Patchwork)
Maps & Atlases - Was (Perch Patchwork)
Maps & Atlases - Perch Patchwork (Perch Patchwork)

Rx Bandits - Apparition (...And The Battle Begun)
Mulatu Astake - Mulatu (Timeless)

Explosions In The Sky - The Birth and Death of a Day (All of A Sudden I Miss Everyone)

Thomas Hunter & White China Gold - Tinfoil Slip (White China Gold)

3/1/2011 Playlist

Ivan & Alyosha was kind enough to do a interview with me at the top of the show and I will soon have an audio recording of that up!

Ivan & Alyosha - Glorify (Fathers Be Kind)
Ivan & Alyosha - Easy To Love (The Verse, The Chorus)
Ivan & Alyosha - Beautiful Lie (Live at NPR)

Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground - Bowie The Desert Pea (S/T)

Mulatu Astake - Kasaléfkut Hulu (Timless)

Iron & Wine - Glad Man Standing (Kiss Each Other Clean)

Dr. Dog - From (Fate)

Thomas Hunter & White China Gold - A Vaguely Pregnant Piece of Nothing (White Chine Gold)