Tag: culture

Decoding a 1990s Legacy

On December 19th 1989 a song in four keys with 18 key changes was released as a single by a major label. It was recorded with a simple drum machine track and a bunch of synth tracks. The lead vocalist’s instrument was the accordion. It wasn’t Al Yankovic.

It peaked at #6 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in USA despite sounding nothing like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, or Radiohead. It made #6 on the UK Single charts alongside of Madonna, De La Soul and New Kids on the Block,

Using completely different instrumentation, it was performed live with Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band at 10BPM faster than in rehearsal.

It was They Might Be Giants (TMBG).

A short list of creators who have publicly cited TMBG as being influential in their work:

  • Lin-Manuel Miranda (cites TMBG as a favorite artist)
  • Terry Pratchett (references to TMBG in the Discworld series)
  • Will Toledo (Car Seat Headrest)
  • John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats)
  • Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional)

Their theme song “Boss of Me” for Malcolm in the Middle won a Grammy Award.

If you’re tight on time, and not been exposed to Flood, at least listen to the 46 second track: Minimum Wage and Istanbul (Not Constantinople) at 2:33.

Otherwise take 43 minutes to hear all of Flood.

An Overdue Memorial

A quote from Tony Bennett, a performer I adore:

Some people think that anyone could sing jazz, but they can’t. It’s a gift of learning how to syncopate but it’s also a spirit that you’re either born with or you’re not. And Amy was born with that spirit.

The Amy he spoke of was Amy Winehouse.

On March 23rd 2011, Tony and Dae Bennett met with Amy Winehouse at Abbey Road Studio 3 for what was to be the British singer’s last recording session, exactly four months before her death on July 23rd.

This is a video of that session. 

I am gobsmacked with her choice of singing under Tony with her contra-alto on the second verse that just fucking slays me.

Screen Shot 2015-01-24 at 2.46.32 AM
I did not know she started by accompanying herself by playing guitar.  
At 21, she laid down jazz riffs and expounded on the virtues of a Stratocaster. 
I mourn our loss.

A Sincere Recommendation If You Can Spare Two Hours For Teleportation

birdmanYes, I’m making a movie recommendation, because we all require a change of perspective. The film’s setting is the NYC theatre district, likely insignificant with respect to your ever-present concerns. However, I believe you will savor the artistry of this work because (a) you are a performer, (b) you have uncanny visual and audio acuity, or (c) you harbor suspicions regarding the panem et circenses of mass media.

Please treat yourself to the masterpiece that is Birdman. Hasten to your local art-house cinema. Or not, and wait for it on DVD, Netflix or whatever, but please, please avert your eyes and ears from any spoilers or reviews except for my proclamation that the sound editing alone is worth 50 Oscars.

“A thing is a thing, not what is said of that thing.”

What is this Kawaii Metal?

I’ve seen lots of stuff I don’t understand but this particular video has me prisoner because I believe it signifies something of import. Yes, it is a mash-up of Death-Metal, Kawaii, millisecond edits, Jesus, teen-fetish, and intricate over-loaded hand gestures. It may play out as an ephemeral trans-cultural fad. However, I ponder why this artifact came to be.

Perhaps this simply a shallow global marketing effort akin to The Monkees.

Or perhaps it is evidence of something else? Indulge me in over-abstraction wherein a particular signal is selected. Could it be an eruption of latent Japanese pride, of long suppressed nationalism, saying “Hey Western World: Remember us? We were rebuilt in your image and likeness. We gave you Kanban, adoration of technology and sushi. Why have you forsaken us for China?” Japan has experienced a catastrophic housing bubble, outsourcing, and a dankai no setai generational welfare Rubicon. Japan is your future. Japan’s culture is asking us to pay attention.