When I used to download mp3 from torrent sites, I used to search for an artist and download every song I could find. Then I listened to all songs and decided which songs I loved. I used to forget about albums and artwork, the important thing was having the mp3 file on my MiniDisc player and listen to them. When I got my first iPod and artwork became available to me, I used to search for images of each band on the web and put an image I liked (their logo, a live picture, etc.) as “artwork”.

Now I don’t listen that much to music on the go, but I listen mostly to podcasts while cycling around Paris. Music has become a luxury I enjoy at home, with good-quality headphones to enjoy each note. As a result, I’ve “transfered” most of my music collection to Spotify (no, I’m not paid to post this). One thing I’ve realized is that now I search for an artist, and then click on an album and I hear this album from beginning to end, as in the old times.

Another weird thing is that I usually make a whole playlist out of a single album and leave it that way. Suddenly I realized I’ve given an extra value to the whole LP concept. I know CD’s are dead, but the idea of a whole LP around a single theme is still there. The proof is that with these lists I’ve discovered (sometimes) the relationships among all tracks. As a result, I’ve discovered I have erased most of my playlists to just keep the albums’ tracklists.

Somehow I’m happier that way. “Something is not right with me”? like the Cold War Kids would sing. That has been suggested, when my friends discovered I’m one of the last 3 people around Paris using payphones.

Long live the Tracklist!

El otro día estaba buscando musiquita y me encontré el soundtrack de Marie Antoinette.

Bien armado, con una buena lista de canciones y bien equilibrado entre canciones melancólicas y otras más alegres, me gustó como disco.

¿O sera nada más que Kirsten Dunst con su abaniquito está chida?

P.S. Cambié al español porque de todas formas nada más Ponkin lee este blog

I’m sorry for all those movies we’ve seen together I didn’t fast-forward

Cosmic Egg

In modern music there are bands made to be seen live, there are bands to be heard at full watts while driving to your beautiful-but-secret private beach and there are bands to head bang at home with friends while playing Rock Band (or Guitar Hero). But if there’s one band that can be heard in those three situations, that is Wolfmother.

With their first album, some critics said that Andrew Stockdale (vocals) was some sort of “Robert Plant’s Muppet Baby”. They were also referred to as a kitsch 70’s rock tribute band.

But with this second LP, Wolfmother shows more studio production (like in Sundial and In The Morning) and a more powerful bass line giving their music more depth than in the previous work. This is a normal trend among many bands: just listen the difference between the first and latest albums of the Kings of Leon.

But with Wolfmother, the result of these adjustments is not a more commercial sound in an effort to make the band more mainstream, but just a more refined rock with the usual psychedelic references to rainbows, women, unicorns and (of course) a cosmic egg (!!!)

My forecast of singles for this album: New Moon Rising and Sundial (love the extra cowbell in that last one)

As always, here are the beats on Spotify (and for those outside the civilized world, on Deezer)

Where The Wild Things Are

The movie is not out in France, but I’m dying to see it. If the movie is as good as the soundtrack, it’s worth the 10€ I’ll need to pay for it.

The album is like an cold rainy afternoon with a cup of tea and scones. It’s relaxing, like being home. Karen O shows the other side of her voice. We’re used to the wild cat she can be while screaming. But her vocal range goes to the softest of tones also, as she shows in Maps, for example.

Here the entire album her voice is a tender caress. Just put this album when coming back from a hard day at work, serve yourself a drink (alcohol or not) and turn off the lights. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Building All is Love, Worried Shoes and Hideaway.

I let you the links for the album

Karen O And The Kids – Where the Wild Things Are Motion Picture Soundtrack: Original Songs by Karen O and The Kids

or if you don’t have Spotify, here’s the Imeem link

Not enough money
As a result, I’ve decided I don’t spend enough money on music. I don’t mean buying songs on iTunes or subscribing to Spotify, but live music. I’ve decided I need to go to more concerts and to begin… The Gossip at Le Bataclan in november. Right after my trip to Panama, it will make me some good to have some good live music.

Bands have to earn their name
MGMT was the biggest disappointing of the Festival. Most people agree they were passive on stage. The comment I’ve heard the most is “they think that music is enough, but for a live show you have to be alive”. I specially felt that they were not the same band I was expecting (was it a pirate band just covering the songs?). I expected the same gig quality as I saw with The Offspring or Bloc Party: people uncontrollably jumping and shouting “into an apoplectic state of joy” but instead I saw the more passive audience I’ve ever seen.

A good show has no style
From Calvin Harris (electro-pop) to Them Crooked Vultures (pure rock), without leaving behind The Noisettes, some shows were massive performances by the artists on stage. So, let’s not say the old “their music is not well suited for a good show”. I mean, even Yann Tiersen with his violin was a great performance!

Awards given:
Bloc Party, Calvin Harris, The Prodigy, The Offspring.- Best show
Kele Okereke, Karen O, Shingai Shoniwa and Macy Gray.- Best performers
The Offspring, Dave Grohl behind a drums set.- Best comebacks
Mini dust storms.- Best sign that the audience was enjoying the show
The girl without the bikini top at Eagles of Death Metal.- Best audience shot of the audience

Then I went to see The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. The comparison between Mette Lindberg and Janis Joplin are unavoidable. She sings a bit like her, moves like her, behaves like her. I don’t know if she’s aware that copying one of the greatest names in music is not always a good idea. But anyway, nice show, happy music.

They the evening was kind of disappointing, between Billy Talent (punk for kids and teens) and The Horrors (they reminded me of gothic skinny playmobils in tight pants, if that tells you anything).

The night got definitively better. I started with a dose of good music by Yann Tiersen (musically, the best performer I’ve seen so far). And then I went to see The Offspring: A pure american-style party, with everybody jumping and dancing. I’m glad to say they deliver the same energy they delivered so many years ago.

The night ended for me with Calvin Harris and his one-song performance (either that or I can’t distinguish between two of his songs). Again, jumping and dancing like it’s the end of the world and there is no tomorrow.

I went to see Faith No More, but it was frankly disappointing. Mike Patton sang a few songs in Italian and he kept talking in Italian to the crowd. It reminded my when I say I’m from Mexico and people tell me “oh, I know a Colombian”: Not because mentally we’re the same to you, we’re actually the same. Besides that, the abuse of power ballads, sent a lot of the public away.

Some pictures and videos to come, now I’m going to eat and heading out for the third day of festival

Today… MGMT, Eagles of Death Metal, Les petits pois (a lot of rumors about this “mysterious band”), maybe the Klaxons and why not, The Prodigy !

Cheers!

After that I wandered around the festival and I saw Pashion Pit (not a bad pop group). My friend Mickaël would love them (if he doesn’t  already).

After that I decided to check out the main stage to see Vampire Weekend. In my personal opinion they don’t deserve the main stage, but anyway: happy music filled the air. On a sunny day in Paris that’s always welcomed!

Then I headed for what (for me) was the main event of the day: Bloc Party at the Cascade Scène. As in all festivals, they were prepared to play for around 1 hour or so. They ended up playing for more than two hours thanks to the Oasis’ “altercation whithin the band” (I loved the phrase).

Key moments:

• The instant they seamlessly joined Two More Years and (can’t remember the first song).
• The moment “Pete” (apparently Bloc Party’s Manager) announced them Oasis had cancelled with a strong british accent: “Oasis ne marche pas” and Kele said: “Apparently Oasis has cancelled so… technically that makes us… HEADLINERS” (Boom, crowd bursting with escargots flavor!)

Today’s programme for me: The Noisettes, Dananananaykroyd, (maybe) Yann Tiersen, The Offspring and Faith No More (oldies but goodies at the end) and some surprises…

And some news… Rumors say that the mysterious band “Les Petits Pois” is composed by Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), and some guys from Led Zeppelin… Who knows…

Update: You can listen to some Bloc Party on my Dropbox