John Cale - Paris 1919

John Cale is a musical genius. His creative influence on the Velvet Underground exceeded that of any other member, and yes, that includes Lou Reed. It's apparent the impact he had on the band by comparing the sound of the first two VU records, The Velvet Underground & Nico and White Light/White Heat, and then the following two Cale-less albums, The Velvet Underground and Loaded. Band members has claimed that the sonic change has to do with the band's equipment getting stolen in the LAX airport, but that obviously should be taken with a grain of salt. John Cale's departure wasn't exactly on the best of terms. Though Lou Reed and John Cale reunited for a one night Paris show in 1972, otherwise they practically didn't speak until beginning to work on the Andy Warhol tribute album Songs for Drella in 1989. The two just went in different directions after the VU: Lou Reed becoming more of a glam rockstar while John Cale embraced his composer upbringing, working on Nico's more avant-garde follow-ups to Chelsea Girl, The Marble Index and Desertshore, as well as with Nick Drake on Bryter Layter. He released his first solo album Vintage Violence in 1970 which was met with significant critical acclaim. However two years later he recorded what to this day is regarded as his masterpiece, Paris 1919. It's simultaneously Cale's most accessible yet most rewarding record. It's exquisitely composed yet marks Cale first venture into pop songwriting. I'll be featuring the title track here. It's absolutely gorgeous. I especially love the bridge around the 2:20 mark with the understated bird chirps in the background.

John Cale - Paris 1919

"She makes me so unsure of myself
Standing there but never talking sense
Just a visitor you see
So much wanting to be seen
She'd open up the door and vaguely carry us away

It's the customary thing to say or do
To a disappointed proud man in his grief
And on Fridays she'd be there
And on Wednesday not at all
Just casually appearing from the clock across the hall

You're a ghost la la la
You're a ghost
I'm in the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
la la la la la la

The Continent's just fallen in disgrace
William William William Rogers put it in its place
Blood and tears from old Japan
Caravans and lots of jam and maids of honor
singing crying singing tediously

You're a ghost la la la
You're a ghost
I'm the bishop and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
la la la la la la

Efficiency efficiency they say
Get to know the date and tell the time of day
As the crowds begin complaining
How the Beaujolais is raining
Down on darkened meetings on the Champs Elysee"

Now John Cale performing "Venus in Furs" on Later with Jools Holland


Final Fantasy's cover of "Paris 1919"


John Cale - Paris 1919 @Amazon.com

Feist - Somewhere Down the Road

Feist has been blowing up lately. She's one of Vh1's "You Oughta Know" artists, and apparently it's hard to avoid "1234" if you're in a mall clothing store, or Canada. It's hard not to see the appeal in her, as though her music is very accessible, it's quality as well.

"Somewhere Down the Road" is brand new, but as the case with Cat Power two entries back, it was written by Jesse Harris. Though I could go on for a week about the Hottest State soundtrack itself, me posting all the best tracks wouldn't exactly be fair to them. I'll be keeping it to these two. Despite the film looking to be a suckfest, the soundtrack is still worth picking up. It'll look good next to the Wicker Park and Garden State soundtracks, aka, good soundtracks for terrible movies.

Feist - Somewhere Down the Road

"Somewhere down the road
I’ll see you again
I don’t know when
But I know you’ll be the same
And I know I’ll be the same
Unchanged

You’ll free me again
But I’ll never be free
From memories
And I know your life will change
And I know my life will change
Unchained

Unchained unchained
We drift away
Like roses on the sea

Stars in the sky
They’re always alone
They’re on their own
But you know they’ll always shine
And I know they’ll always shine
All time"

The Hottest State Soundtrack @Amazon.com

The Slits - Shoplifting + Typical Girls

The Slits were one of the first significant all female post-punk bands. Though they could barely play their instruments when they first started, they toured with the Clash on their "White Riot" tour, along with the Buzzcocks, and would be an important influence for the Riot Grrrl movement. Additionally, they were friends with the Pop Group, a band I covered a few entries back, sharing a drummer with them as well as releasing a split EP.

The band only released one true album, 1979's Cut. Their 1981 follow-up Return of the Giant Slits had a more intentionally commercial sound, something that alienated many fans, making the album a disappointment that and never even received a US release date.

I'm now posting two songs from Cut, as "Shoplifting," one of my favorite tracks, is only about a minute and a half long. The other song "Typical Girls" is one the of record's poppiest songs, and not surprisingly was promoted as a single.

The Slits - Shoplifting

"Put the cheddar in the pocket
Put the rest under the jacket
Talk to the cashier, he won't suspect
And if he does...
Do a runner!

Ten quid for the lot
We pay fuck all
Babylonian won't lose much
And we'll have dinner tonight
Do a runner!

Camera's trying to watch us
Mirrors and TV
But they're not gonna catch us
'Cause we're gonna gonna gonna run run run
Do a runner!
Run!

Ten quid for the lot
We pay fuck all
Babylonian won't lose much
And we'll have dinner tonight
Do a runner!
Run!

(I've pissed in my knickers)"

The Slits - Typical Girls

"Don't create
Don't rebel
Have intuition
Can't decide

Typical girls get upset too quickly
Typical girls can't control themselves
Typical girls are so confusing
Typical girls - you can always tell
Typical girls don't think too clearly
Typical girls are all predictable

Typical girls try to be
Typical girls very well

Typical girls are looking for something
Typical girls fall under spells
Typical girls buy magazines
Typical girls feel like hell
Typical girls worry about spots, fat, and natural smells
Sniky fake smells

Don't create
Don't rebel
Have intuition
Don't drive well

Can't decide what clothes to wear
Typical girls are sensitive
Typical girls are emotional
Typical girls are cruel and bewitching
She's a femme fatale
Typical girls stand by their man
Typical girls are really swell
Typical girls learn how to act shocked
Typical girls don't rebel

Who invented the typical girl?
Who's bringing out the new improved model?
And there's another marketing ploy
Typical girl gets the typical boy

The typical boy gets the typical girl
The typical girl gets the typical boy

Are emotional"

"Typical Girls" Promo video


"Shoplifting" Live on 2006 Reunion Tour


The Slits - Cut @Amazon.com

Cat Power - It's Alright to Fail

Today's entry is a brand new Cat Power song off of the upcoming Hottest State soundtrack. I can't attest for the film (though the advance reviews haven't been particularly favorable) its soundtrack is definitely solid. In addition to Cat Power, it features new music by Feist, Bright Eyes, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, M. Ward, Norah Jones, and others. The catch is that the new music wasn't written by their respective performers, but rather entirely by singer/songwriter Jesse Harris. For a guy whose greatest triumph was a collaboration with Norah Jones, he's sealed himself a pretty respectable line-up here.

The song Chan chose to cover is excellent, and if you didn't know that it wasn't before hand, both musically and lyrically, it may as well have been written by her. It's a sparse take, only vocals and minimal guitar, a sharp contrast to her live show as of lately. More often than not, I like my Cat Power this way the best.

Cat Power - It's Alright to Fail

"Out on the corner you look so pale
Your ghost is wandering home
But oh, baby, it’s alright to fail
Your tongue is twisted
Your teeth are nails
They drove your voice in your throat
But oh, baby, it’s alright to fail
Tell me, don’t leave
Tell me, tell me
Your heart is beating
I hear it pound
If you’ve got something to say
Oh, baby, please don’t let me down
Tell me, don’t leave
Tell me, tell me
The night is coming
I hear the wail of people crying alone
But oh, baby, it’s alright to fail
Oh, baby, it’s alright to fail"

The Hottest State Soundtrack @Amazon.com

Teenage Fanclub - The Concept

Teenage Fanclub are a band that I discovered before my time. I picked up their album Bandwagonesque used for $3.99 when I was 14. I can't remember how I had heard of them, but I'm betting it had to do with at least one of these three facts:

1) They were one of Weezer's contemporary influences
2) Kurt Cobain proclaimed them as "the best band in the world"
3) Bandwagonesque beat out Nevermind for Spin's #1 album of 1991

At that age I was always hesitant to blindly buy albums. I had to be familiar with at least one track to justify a purchase. However at that price and the word about it, I guess I had to make an exception. I'm glad I did. While I really liked the album at the time and had a few personal favorite tracks, I was hearing the album in a different way a few years after and was appreciating it a lot more.

Here's "The Concept," a fantastic song with all the ingredients you want. I somehow never checked out any other Teenage Fanclub albums. It's about time to change that. Especially considering how so many of their albums have a $6.99 retail price.

Teenage Fanclub - The Concept

"She wears denim wherever she goes
Says she's gonna get some records by the Status Quo
Oh yeah...Oh yeah...

Still she won't be forced against her will
Says she don't do drugs but she does the pill
Oh yeah...Oh yeah...

I didn't want to hurt you oh yeah...
I didn't want to hurt you oh yeah...

Says she likes my hair 'cause it's down my back
Says she likes the group 'cause we pull in the slack
Oh yeah...Oh yeah...

When she's at the gig she takes her car
And she drive us home if it is in a bar
Oh yeah...Oh yeah...

I didn't want to hurt you oh yeah...
I didn't want to hurt you oh yeah..."



Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque @Amazon.com

The Pastels - I'm Alright With You

The Pastels formed in Glasgow, Scotland during 1982. In the 80's, Scotland had a pretty significant indie scene, also spawning the Jesus and Mary Chain, The Vaselines, Orange Juice, and Teenage Fanclub. Also, along with the Field Mice, and Beat Happening, they were one of the most significant twee bands of the 80's.

For the song, there's not too much to say. It's pleasant, reassuring, and catchy. For a day like this, that's all you need.

The Pastels - I'm Alright With You

"If you are feeling down
And want some reason to come around
You know it won’t be wrong
And you are upside down

If you begin at the end
Or halfway through or somewhere else
It makes some kind of sense
When you are my best friend

I’m alright with you

If you are inside outside
Some people might call you stupid
I don’t care what they said
When you are by my side
If you are back to front
And find your mind somewhat absent
You better hang on to what you got
It’s everything that I want

I’m alright with you

You know I’d cross the desert wastes for you
Watch the sun burn up the sky
You know I’d wait a thousand years for you
I love you ‘til there’s nothing left"

Now the video for "Crawl Babies," another song from Up For a Bit With the Pastels:

The Pastels - Up For a Bit With the Pastels @Amazon.com

The Shaggs - Philosophy of the World

The Shaggs are a bad band. Often considered to be one of the worst ever. Normally that wouldn't be much of a recommendation, but for the Shaggs it's what makes them what they are. You see, they're terrible in the way that The Brain that Wouldn't Die is... charmingly bad. Rather than being repulsed and wishing it would go away, you instead smile, laugh, and keep listening. For a bit. Despite it being only 30 minutes long, I can't make it through their one and only album, 1968's Philosophy of the World in one sitting. The instruments are all out of tune, the playing is jarring off-time, and their musical skills are rudimentary at best. Despite this, the band gained a small but loyal fan base, and were surprisingly influential, specifically in the development of twee-pop. Beat Happening and Deerhoof both embrace the band, as well as Kurt Cobain who put Philosophy of the World in his top 5 albums of all time and Frank Zappa who claimed it as his third favorite.

The story behind the band was in the mid 60's, Austin Wiggin Jr, the poor father of the three girls (in an attempt to fulfill a dream of his) took his daughters out of school, bought them instruments, and gave them music lessons in order for them to be "a famous band." He arranged for them to play shows every Saturday night at a local club, as well as to record an album, driving down from their rural New Hampshire home to an obscure studio in Massachusetts to record Philosophy of the World in one day. Some may view the father's drive as unrealistic, or even insane (saying that they needed to cut an album "while they were still hot"), or maybe it was all out of love, him truly wishing that his daughters would become something. However, it's hard to deny that he was overbearing, forbidding his girls to date and to mingle with most other kids in town, and restricting their activities to a rigid daily schedule, always including hours of exercise and practice.

There's an in depth article about the band at this site, going into more details about the personal lives of the band, such as times when the band was pelted with trash at early gigs, and rumors of sexual abuse. Unfortunate and unsettling stuff..

The song I'm posting is the title-track from the album, one that Austin was never satisfied with during the girl's practice time. However in an ironic turn, the one time they played the song in a way he approved of was the same day he died in 1975, suffering from a massive heart attack at age 47 (It's even more ironic considering the song's last line.) The band then was no more, but however re-formed in 2000 for a reunion show in NYC. Dot Wiggin, the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter currently runs the website for the band.

The Shaggs - Philosophy of the World

"Oh, the rich people want what the poor people's got
And the poor people want what the rich people's got
And the skinny people want what the fat people's got
And the fat people want what the skinny people's got

You can never please anybody in this world

The short people want what the tall people's got
And the tall people want what the short people's got
The little kids want what the big kid's got
And the big kids want what the little kid's got

You can never please anybody in this world

Oh, the girls with short hair want long hair
And the girls with long hair want short hair
Oh, the boys with cars want motorcycles
And the boys with motorcycles want cars

You can never please anybody in this world

It doesn't matter what you do
It doesn't matter what you say
There will always be
One who wants things the opposite way

It doesn't matter where you go
It doesn't matter who you see
There will always be
Someone who disagrees

We do our best
We try to please
But we're like the rest
Whenever at ease

Oh, the rich people want what the poor people's got
And the poor people want what the rich people's got
And the skinny people want what the fat people's got
And the fat people want what the skinny people's got

You can never please anybody in this world"

Here's a bonus song hosted by another Shaggs website, written about the girl's lost cat, Foot Foot

The Shaggs - My Pal Foot Foot

"My pal's name is Foot Foot
He always likes to roam
My pal's name is Foot Foot
I never find him home

I go to his house
Knock at his door
People come out and say
Foot Foot don't live here no more

My pal Foot Foot
Always likes to roam
My pal Foot Foot
Now he has no home

Where will Foot Foot go
What will Foot Foot do
Oh, Foot Foot
I wish I could find you

I've looked here, I've looked there
I've looked everywhere
Oh, Foot Foot
Why can't I find you?

Foot Foot, where can you be?
Foot Foot, why won't you answer me?
Foot Foot, Oh Foot Foot
Wherever you are
I want you to come home with me

I don't have time to roam
I have things to do
I have to go home
Oh, Foot Foot, where are you?

If Foot Foot didn't like to roam so well
He would still have a place to dwell
Foot Foot, please answer me
I know where you are
You're behind that tree

Foot Foot, please come to me
Foot Foot, now that you're here
Won't you come home
Foot Foot, promise me this
That you will never again roam"

A video for the song:



The Shaggs - Philosophy of the World @Amazon.com