The Greatest American Music: Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide"

I go through phases of what style of music I want to listen to all the time. I’ll go with hip hop for a good long time, then switch to rock. I’ll listen to the blues, then transition to folk. I’ll do some prog rock and that will shift to classic rock. Lately I’ve been on a classic rock kick.

It all started about a week ago when I decided I wanted to revisit Jimi Hendrix. He’s one of my all time favorites, and I hadn’t listened to him for quite some time. So, I have been listening to him pretty much nonstop, with some ELO, Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Band, among others, peppered in. Spotify has recognized this, and they’ve made a mix for me that is focused on this genre, or generation, of music. It’s a bit scary, because AI is definitely taking over, but also cool because it reintroduces, and sometimes, introduces me to people and songs I haven’t heard of, or heard in awhile. That very thing happened this morning.

My wife is a big Fleetwood Mac fan, and she’s turned me into somewhat of a fan. I enjoy, and respect the hell out of Lindsay Buckingham’s guitar playing. I think Stevie Nicks is a wonderful singer and I appreciate the music they made going through all the stuff they went through. Look up Fleetwood Mac’s history, it’s intense. Anyway, while on my way to run this morning the song “Landslide” came on and I was moved.

Now, this song has a whole new meaning to me since my wedding. Most people, I assume, when they get married, one of the people that got married dances with their mother, with the mother picking the song. I did this, and my mom picked “Landslide”. At the time I didn’t listen to Fleetwood Mac. I knew of them, but never listened to their music. When we danced to this song, with our family and friends watching, we were both very emotional. It was happy emotions, but I was crying, as was my mom. The lyrics moved me. The way Nicks sings is amazing. The guitar was beautiful. I immediately loved the song. I listened to it a ton on my honeymoon, and when we got home, I listened even more. I really started to indulge in Fleetwood Mac after my mom picked that song. Then I just kind of stopped listening to them. Sure, “Rumours” would be played here and there, but I didn’t hear a ton of Fleetwood Mac or “Landslide”.

Then it came on today. I turned the song up right away and let myself get lost. I returned to my wedding. I let the song totally wash over me, and it was magical. I most definitely teared up. I found myself not even singing along, just simply listening. As I said, I returned to my wedding and dancing to this song with my mom. We didn’t know it at the time, but she was going through some medical stuff, and thinking about that made me tear up as well. When Nicks sings, and it’s so simple, but so true, “children get older, and I’m getting older too”, or, “cause I’ve built my life around you, but time makes you bolder”, I mean come on, that’s moving. My mom did build her life around me and my brothers after we were born. She did it all for us. My dad did too, but I didn’t dance to “Landslide” with him. This was for my mom. I think she was trying to tell me these things through the song. Well mom, I get it now and I adore that this was the song you picked. This song is so important in my life now that, my wife and I performed it for my mom for her birthday a few years back. And yes, tears were shed again.

“Landslide” was already a great song, and now, being older, being married and having kids of my own, it means so, so much more to me. I love you mom and I thank you Fleetwood Mac for making such a meaningful song. It’s truly wonderful.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 7 - "The Late Show with David Letterman - December 19th, 2014 "

ed note: This article was originally published on December 7th, 2016

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 7: "The Late Show with David Letterman - December 19th 2014"

Original air date - it is right there in the title.

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six

Every year around Christmas we listen to the same songs and watch the same television shows. We all have our traditions, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. These little bits of holiday pop culture sometimes get us into the right mood during a cold December night. These annual traditions help us look back to other pleasant times we experienced during the holiday season. There is a comfort in looking forward to that one thing that makes our holiday season extra special.

David Letterman once famously said that it is not the Christmas until he hears Darlene Love sing that song. The song in question is the new standard (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home. Vanity Fair has a great oral history of how Darlene Love ended up on Letterman for almost thirty years singing her iconic song. That first appearance in 1986 was simple, and without pomp, but a beloved holiday tradition was born.

The small band, and ugly holiday sweaters, had nothing on Phil Spector's iconic Wall of Sound, but Darlene Love still slayed with her vocals. Since that appearance, Darlene Love, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman made (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home a fixture on Late Night, and then The Late Show. Only a writers strike would stop the trio from letting Letterman start Christmas. Many even believe that Love's Late Show appearances helped her finally, rightfully so, get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On December 19th, 2014, Darlene Love performed (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home for the last time on The Late Show. In May of 2015, David Letterman retired from the late night game. Everyone knew that the December 19th performance was going to be the last, and nothing was held back. The four-piece backing band of 1986 was replaced by a horn section, strings, backup singers, and Paul Shaffer on a grand piano. Love even decided to belt out the last few lines on top of the piano because she was afraid of breaking down when Letterman came to give her a hug. The 2014 performance of (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home was an epic curtain call for a singer, a talk show host who was a fan, and the viewers that counted on Darlene Love to usher in the holidays every year on late night television.

Our holiday traditions are something to be celebrated. Listening to the same songs, or watching the same tv specials, is what makes December a great time. We all have that one special pop culture thing that gets us in the right Christmas mood. David Letterman had Darlene Love sing that song. We were truly lucky to share this tradition with Mr. Letterman.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. The holidays do not start for him until he hears Linus and Lucy.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 5 - I Wish it was Christmas Today

ed note: This article was originally published on December 5th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 5: "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" by Julian Casablancas

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four

The conventional wisdom tells us that the winter holiday shopping season peaks on Black Friday. Once the day after Thanksgiving doorbusters are exhausted, the general public falls into a slower holiday shopping pattern. I disagree with this theory. Black Friday does have a large mob of people looking to score off brand electronics for ultra low prices, but the majority of sane people save their holiday shopping for after the mayhem. The first weekend of December is when the holiday shopping season really kicks into high gear. This is when the Christmas spirit starts its full invasion into our culture.

"I Wish it Was Christmas Today" started out as a simple SNL sketch featuring Horatio Sanz seemingly playing a novelty guitar and singing, Chris Kattan head turning and holding a very large keyboard, Jimmy Fallon providing backing vocals and very rarely playing the keyboard, and lastly Tracy Morgan awesomely dancing in place. Every few years the quartet would add a few lyrics, but the singing and dancing remained the same. Tracy Morgan is great in nearly everything he does, but I do think this is the funniest skit that Sanz, Fallon, and Kattan have ever done. Every year I would look forward to hearing "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" on SNL. The simple tune immediately put me into the holiday spirit.

In 2009 The Strokes lead singer Julian Casablancas released a cover of "I Wish it Was Christmas Today". The simplicity of the SNL version was replaced by a hyper kinetic ultra joyful new song to celebrate the holiday season. Casablancas version of the song starts at the top and never relents. For just under 4 minutes, the holiday season gets the positive excitement it so truly deserves.

Both the SNL and Casablancas versions of "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" celebrate the happiness of Christmastime. There are endless stories on the news of people complaining about the length and commercialism Christmas. Fox News invented the moronic War On Christmas to continue their agenda of splitting the country and feeding the idea of white christian victim-hood. "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" leaves all the negativity behind and says that Christmas kicks ass.

Today I will be out starting my holiday shopping. My house is decorated. my spirit is getting into high gear, and "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" will be on my playlist. The crowds at the stores, the idiots at Fox News, and all the naysayers will not dampen my holiday spirit. I love the awesomeness of the holiday season.  I do't care what anybody says, I wish it was Christmas today.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. He is hungry right now and really wishes it was Thanksgiving today. Tell us about your favorite time of year by writing for SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 1 - Linus and Lucy

ed note: This article was originally published on December 1st, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 1: Linus and Lucy By The Vince Guaraldi Trio 

Every year my wife and I throw a big winter holiday party. One of my duties is to create the background music. In the first few years we held the party I purchased a few sets of generic Christmas music cd sets. Many of the pieces were from the public domain, and almost all of the songs were jazz. I really dislike jazz. 

A few years back I decided to create a custom playlist from the holiday songs I loved. I wanted the music to reflect the whole season, and I wanted to use songs not widely available. The one song I salvaged from those awful jazz standards was "Linus and Lucy" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. This was the one and only jazz song I needed for my holiday spirit. This was the song that kicked off my carefully curated holiday playlist. "Linus and Lucy" is the best way to start the season.

"Linus and Lucy" is not exactly a Christmas song. It was originally released by the Vince Guaraldi Trio on the 1964 album Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown. The upbeat guitar and drums represent the excitement of the holiday season. There is pure joy and excitement throughout "Linus and Lucy". Once December 1st hits, the holiday season starts moving at a hectic pace. Crowded roads, overpopulated shopping centers, and disorganized homes filled with unwrapped gifts. "Linus and Lucy" embrace this chaos, and makes it joyful. 

The Christmas popularity for "Linus and Lucy" started when A Charlie Brown Christmas debuted in December of 1965. The upbeat tune was used as the music for the greatest dancing scene in television history. Many people will automatically think of the Charlie Brown Christmas pageant dancing when they hear "Linus and Lucy". This scene was shot in 1965 and we have voguing, the zombie, the twin girls doing the same dance, and a variety of incredible dance moves. When I hear "Linus and Lucy" I immediately break out into Linus's thrust movement, even if I am out in public (that does get awkward at times).

Since the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas "Linus and Lucy" has become the unofficial Peanuts anthem. Most of the Peanuts cartoon specials have used the song, including the 2015 film The Peanuts Movie. The song receives the large majority of its airplay during the holiday season. The popularity of A Charlie Brown Christmas has programmed our culture to associate "Linus and Lucy" with the holidays. The song kicks off It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, yet "Linus and Lucy" makes our mind think of the December holiday extravaganza.

"Linus and Lucy" is the perfect first door to open on our Awesome Holiday Music Advent Calendar. This is the tune that will get your holiday spirit ready. It is chaotic, joyful, and demands to be danced to. If you start your day with "Linus and Lucy" your holiday spirit will never dim.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. His wife has asked him to stop the Linus out in public, the Shermie is ok though. Tell us all about your favorite holiday tune - write for SeedSing.

Ty Listens to Beck's "Hyperspace"

Much to my surprise when RD and I recorded our last podcast, he pointed out that Beck had put out a new record. I didn't even know that he was in the studio, let alone putting out a full LP.

So, after he told me this, and I found some free time, I sat down and listened to the new record, "Hyperspace". And, I adore it. I like the sound and feel and music and pretty much everything involved with this new record. Beck has always been the type of musician that does something different on each new record, and that rings completely true with "Hyperspace". Beck's last record was a bit more rock heavy, with some hip hop lean. I really enjoyed that album, and I saw him tour on that record. So, I was curious as to what direction Beck would go in with "Hyperspace". Well, he does a synth heavy, almost new electronic, with vocals, style record. He sounds like so many bands that were one hit wonders in the 80's, think the song "Here in my Car", or anything from Blue Oyster Cult, and that is what "Hyperspace" sounds like, except it is Beck, so it is a thousand times better. Each song on the album is good, fun and sounds like Beck, but this time he uses a ton of synth. The single, "Saw Lightening", is the only song that deviates from the new age rock sound, but not that much. Beck plays slide guitar, and the song is a bit more rock forward, but that is the only real difference. Also, the song rules. But the rest of the record goes everywhere, and only a guy like Beck can pull this off. There are some slower songs, but they never drag because that is not what Beck does. His songs are never more than 4 minutes long, and that is how this album is. The faster songs are super fun on the new album too. They are groovy and synthy and dancy and they sound cool as hell. I never thought of myself as a fan of synth heavy dance rock, but after listening to this record, and then listening to some of the music I compared it to earlier, I think I do like this type of music. I love the song "Here in my Car". I legit enjoy Blue Oyster Cult. I like a good portion of the 80's rock. I enjoy a one hit wonder as much as the next guy. But, when you take someone as talented as Beck, and he decides to go this route, it makes me respect this style of music even more. He takes that popular sound and makes it better because he knows exactly what to do with it. He can transcend the one hit wonder sound. He can make this type of music palatable for everyone. He makes it fun. He makes it cool. He makes it enjoyable. I used to say that synth was a guilty pleasure for me, but after "Hyperspace", it is just a pleasure. I am a fan of this style of music from now on, and I am not ashamed to admit it.

I like that Beck does stuff like this. I like that he wants to try every style of music, and he is usually very successful when trying it out. "Hyperspace" is no different. Of course I recommend the record, as I would with anything Beck releases.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Minor correction. The song “Here in My Car” by Gary Numan is just called “Cars”. A little knowledge for Ty.

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The 2020 Grammy Nominations Make Me Feel Old

Yesterday after the 2020 Grammy nominees were announced, and I checked the categories that interested me, I came to two pretty grim realizations about myself.

So, I like to think that I know a good amount about music. I have done a whole series of who I consider to be some of the greatest American bands, I go to tons of live shows, I listen to lots of different music, I play guitar and I feel like I know a good amount about music in general. So, when I first saw the nominees, my first realization was, I had no idea who about 60 to 70 percent of the people nominated were. I simply had not heard of a good amount of the people. I know who Lizzo is, I really like her music. I am aware of Billie Ellish because my nieces listen to her. I know who Vampire Wekend is, much to my chagrin thanks to RD. And I am aware of other, bigger names that got nominations. But, when I scrolled down to the categories that I actually kind of care about, I just found that I had no idea who some of these artists were. That was when it hit me. I am older now. I am closer to 40 than 30. I am going to be 37 on less than a month. It is bizarre that something as trivial as Grammy nominations hit me this hard. I have known that I am getting older. We all do everyday. But, when I checked out this list, I just had no idea. I had no connection with some of these artists that are deemed worthy of a Grammy nomination. I listen to tons and tons of hip hop music, and I only know of one of the people nominated for best rap album, Tyler, the Creator. I don't know anything about any of the other nominees. When looking at rock and alternative nominees, it was nearly the same thing. I know Brittany Howard and Gary Clark Jr, but who in the hell are these other people? I have never heard of them. I know nothing about them, and I have no interest in finding out about them.

That leads me into my second realization, which I feel like I have had a few times prior to this, but it finally sunk in, and I accept it now. That realization, I am a music snob. A lot of the people nominated that I don't know, it is simply because I feel that modern pop, rock and alternative music is not very good. There is no musician or solo artist right now that I feel like has any staying power, and the bands and solo artists I listen to, I feel like most of them do. I think a band like The Black Keys, or a solo artist like Frank Ocean is going to be remembered for a long, long time. I don't think a band like, say Vampire Weekend, again, sorry RD, or a solo artist like Ariana Grande is going to be talked about in less than a decade. I think they will just be talked about in passing, like someone may say, "remember that one Vampire Weekend record, it was good. What are they up to now". It is not like they have real staying power. The Black Keys are prolific. They kept putting out good, solid records and tour with regularity. People wait and wait and wait for new Frank Ocean records, and when he puts one out, it is worth the wait, but it leaves you wanting more. Can you say that about most of the current Grammy nominees? I don't know. I love Lizzo, and I listen to her record "Cuz I Love You" on repeat, but can she do it again? What about the country rap guy Lil Nas X? Is he ever going to reach the heights that "Old Town Road" has led him to. Or Billie Ellish. Is she going to be the newer, hipper Lorde, or is she more in the vain of a one record wonder like Natalie Imbruglia or Crash Test Dummies. I simply don't know, but if asked, I would say they are more in the one record/hit wonder category.

Look, the Grammy's are simply nominating who is popular at the moment, and I understand that, but that is the problem with modern music. No one really tries to make profound, everlasting music, they just make music to get clicks and to get people to buy singles online. That is a problem with the modern music industry too. No one buys records anymore, or almost no one. Most people just want earworms that sit with you for a couple months, then you move on to the next hit song.

So, yes I am old and I like what I like, but that is okay. I'm sure the people that are nominated are happy, and I even bet that a few will stick around for awhile. But, most want. And I think that says all you need to know about Grammy nominees.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. On Grammy night, you can find Ty outside yelling at a cloud.

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Ty Listens to "Closer Than Together"

Yesterday I mentioned that I was going to write about the new Avett Brothers record, and today I will fulfill that promise.

I need to say right off, I am a big fan of the Avett Brothers. I got heavily involved when they started to work with Rick Rubin, and really haven't ever looked back. Hell, I am even on board with them going electric on some songs. With that being said, I cannot figure out how I feel about their newest record, "Closer than Together". I do want to say, I think it is extremely well written, and when it comes to playing an instruments, the Avett Brothers are top notch. And, I enjoy most of the songs. But, there are some songs on the album that I just can't decide if I like it, or if it should even be on the record.

Lets get to the stuff I like first. The first three opening tracks are very good. They are quintessential Avett Brothers. The songs are acoustic heavy, they are about great topics and they fit. I especially love the message in "We Americans". It is a profound song, and I hope it gets played and talked about for years to come. And while I said the first three songs are acoustic heavy, the opening track has some great electric guitar playing right at the top. I really like "C Sections and Railway Trestles". It is a very poignant and true song about having a kid. The stuff that is written and sung is damn near perfect and poetic. The song is really about the ups and downs of having a newborn. I am also a fan of the single, "High Steppin". This is a departure from what they normally do, and while it does have a talking portion, more on that later, I find the song catchy and easy to dance to. My kids like it as well. I respect, and agree with the message on "Bang Bang" and "New Woman's World". "Bang Bang" is a great tune about our country's obsession with guns. And "New Woman's World" is right. We need to let the ladies take over because men have screwed stuff up big time, especially lately. "Better Here" is a nice, slow burn of a song that has some tremendous piano work all over it. "Who Will I Hold" has that banjo sound I have come to associate with the Avett Brothers, especially when Scott Avett sings. He is the better singer of the two, they are both great though, in my opinion. And I feel like "Locked Up" should be the closer. It has that feel. It is a sped up acoustic tune that would have been perfect to end on.

Now to the stuff I am a bit more confused on. I like the song "Long Story Short", but it is a total Bob Dylan rip off. Hell, I even compared it to my dad and wife as a Dewey Cox rip off. It just goes on and on and on with three chords seeming to be the only instrumental part. Still, it is a solid song. And then there are a few songs that are just slow. "When You Learn" feels like filler, and they could have made this a B side. And the actual closer, "It's Raining Today" is just not for me. When I listen I actually find myself checking the run time. I usually just skip it and start the record over. But, if these are my only real "qualms" with the record, I have to say, this is another, in a long line, of very good Avett Brothers records. I do wish that Scott Avett sang on more of the songs, at least lead vocals, but as I said, both brothers are very strong singers.

Overall, I like "Closer than Together". You can hear growth, yet there is the comfort of their reliable sound from past records. Any Avett Brothers fan will enjoy this record, and I think it may even convert some people that are yet to give them a chance.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Listens to "U Know What I'm Saying?"

I know that I am a bit late to the party, but today I finally listened to Danny Brown's new record, "uknowwhatimsayin?", and it is absolutely dynamite. I didn't really know what to expect. I am a late convert to Brown's music. I have heard him on Run the Jewels stuff, his song on the latest Gorillaz record is my favorite one, he has a very funny TV show and his older music is intense, at least what I have heard.

Yet this new record feels different. It starts out, not slower, but not as intense. It has a bit of a lighter feel to it. It is almost as if Brown is doing a newer character, a la what Tyler, the Creator did on "IGOR". Brown, much like Tyler, the Creator, seems to like performance art, and I feel like "uknowwhatimsayin?" is a new choice from him, and I love it. Like I said, it starts out lighter, and I was immediately intrigued. Brown seems almost subdued on this record, and I mean that in the best way possible. He is such a great emcee, and to hear him like this, where he is almost totally understandable, is awesome. I have listened to the record twice since this morning, and with each listen, I get more and more into the album. This record is right up there with "IGOR", or the new Black Keys or the new Avett Brothers record which I will be writing about tomorrow. Hell, I like it as much as "Cuz I love You", and that record might be the record of the year so far.

What Brown is doing on this album is so cool and different from what he has done in the past. His rhyming is so in sync with the beats on the record. And the beats, they are fantastic. They aren't bass thumping, near head banging like on previous records. But, they work so well with his new approach. He has some of the best producers and beat makers working with him on this album as well. Featured on a song is Run the Jewels, and I am sure, since they are very good friends, Brown and El-P made some beats together. Also, that song with RTJ is so god damn good. Even El-P is a bit subdued on the song, but then Killer Mike comes in at the end to close it out, and he crushes, as usual. He also has jpegmafia credited on a few tracks, and while I don't know too much about jpegmafia, I've been told, and read, that that is a good thing. The songs that feature jpegmafia are pretty awesome as well. This whole record is totally unique and totally different from anything Brown has done before, and I am all here for it. I am totally in. I want more and more music like this from Brown. This is a new direction for him, and I love it.

I cannot recommend this record enough. I'm sure I am going to listen to it a few more times today, and probably on repeat for a few weeks. Brown is fast becoming one of my favorite rappers, and I want more and more music from him, especially if it is going to sound like the songs on "uknowwhatimsayin?". Well done Mr. Brown. My hat is off to you and your new album.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Tyler the Creator Delivers in a Great St. Louis Show

I wanted to tell you all about a show I went to last Friday quickly. I know I have been doing all basketball, but I did promise to do reviews of other stuff, and last week I saw Tyler, the Creator in concert.

I am fairly new to his music, although I have been listening to Odd Future for about 5 years. But, when the OF crew went out on their own, Tyler was one of the guys I waited to check out.

That was a mistake. I love his beats and the way he rhymes. He is so fierce and vicious and the beats are pure hip hop. Also, as you all know, I am a big time fan of his last 2 records, "Flower Boy", and even more, "IGOR". And boy did he do some "IGOR" on Friday night.

He came out on stage in a blue suit and a blonde wig, buying fully into this Igor persona. It was almost like performance art added to a really kick ass show. And man did this show kick ass. I didn't know what to expect, but I was blown away. Tyler was on point and on fire all night long. I also loved the show within the show. The lights were great. The big screen behind him totally ruled. The effects, like fire and fireworks, were so god damn loud and perfect. I have nothing but great things to say about what I witnessed. And the tip in the cap of the night, he covered a good amount of his catalog. He played a ton of stuff off "IGOR", as expected, and it was great. He opened the show with "IGOR's Theme", and stood like a statue until he decided to rap along, and it was great. He did a piano intro to "EARFQUAKE", let the crowd sing it, then did an acapella version of it which was awesome. My favorite, "NEW MAGIC WAND" was, what the kids would say, a true banger. The bass was so heavy I could feel it in my chest, the lights were very strobe heavy and he crushed the song.

Even when he decided to do his older stuff, it worked so well. "IGOR" is such a different album, so to hear him do his older stuff, I really dug it. It showed how good of a rapper he is. Even while performing a song, he said he rapped too fast, slowed it down and then got right back into it and slayed again. Even in full Igor regalia, he did his old music justice. It was awesome. I also liked, when he decided to break character, his interactions with the audience. He wanted us all up and grooving with him. He asked for help on songs. He wanted us to be involved in a good way. And when people got too involved, he shut it down. There was also a guy that was just standing there, hands in pocket, and Tyler called him out. I loved it. He wanted that dude to have fun, and if I had to bet, that dude loosened up and had a good time.

This concert was such a pleasant surprise and I am so glad that I went to see him. If you have a chance, go see Tyler, the Creator. He is one of the more underrated rappers out there right now, but he is so, so good. And this whole Igor character is super fun to watch live. What a solid, and super fun show. I cannot recommend it enough.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty was not the man with his hands in his pocket. Ty waves his hands in the air like he has no cares.

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The Black Keys Deliver Another Great Live Show

Last night I went to see Modest Mouse and the Black Keys on the “Let’s Rock” tour. I want to say this was the second or third night of this tour, and I liked that because I like to see the very beginning. I like to be one of the first group of people to see these songs live first. It also shows me how much of a pro these musicians are, especially this early on. And, one of the bands seems like they need some work, and the other is set. They know what they are doing.

The band that seems like they need a bit more work is Modest Mouse. I had some problems with their set. It needs to be said that they are the “featured guest”, or even the opener. I don’t know if that hurts their ego, and they’re letting it out on stage, but still, they should have been better. Also, I do not know much about them, so maybe this is more on me, but still, they weren’t great. The sound mix was weird. The instruments drowned out the singers voice. I didn’t know any of the songs. They seemed almost disinterested on stage. Needless to say, I was unimpressed, and feared it might be a sign of a poor overall show.

Luckily, the Black Keys got on stage and reset the mojo. They were great. They were reliable. And they are god damn pros. What I loved, and appreciated most though, their set list covered almost all of their records. They didn’t just play their new stuff, they ran the gamut. They opened with “I Got Mine”, and that is a great song, and one I know how to play. Any hope I lost with Modest Mouse, the Keys picked it back up right off the bat. After that, the songs spammed their career spectacularly. They played a good amount of tunes off “Brothers”, and it was all the good stuff. They did the hits like “Next Girl” and “Tighten Up” and “Howlin For You”, but they also did “Everlasting Light” and “10 Cent Pistol”. And they were all great. “Next Girl” had super cool visuals attached as well. So did “Everlasting Light”. And the way they did “10 Cent Pistol”, kind of slowed down and more bluesy, was cool and unique. I was super stoked because I got to hear “Thickfreakness”, and that is my favorite song, and they nailed it. It was loud and filled with reverb and distortion and it was expertly played by both Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. They played “10am Automatic” off “Rubber Factory”, and that is such a fun song to hear live. I loved that they played “Strange Times” because we are truly living in some strange times right now. It was a great choice, and they crushed it. “Fever” off “Turn Blue” was a nice little, slower detour from all the rock. They slowed it down and both the Keys slayed their instruments. Even “Your Touch”, off “Magic Potion” was very well done. And, of course they played some new tunes. I loved that I got to hear “Walk Across the Water”. That is my favorite song off the new record, and it was sublime live. “Fire Walk With Me” was amazing. It was a song I kind of forgot about, but after hearing it last night, I’m fully on board with it now. Even when they played the singles, “Lo/Hi”, “Go” and “Eagle Birds”, they played them excellently.

This was a solid show despite Modest Mouse’s poor effort. The Black Keys are a great band, and always do solid live shows. All I know is, once the Keys took the stage, it was great. Another successful live Black Keys show.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty is not familiar with any songs by Modest Mouse. He just seems to “Float On” by their pop hits.

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Daniel Johnson, An Original Like None Other

Yesterday I heard the news that Daniel Johnston had passed away.

This made me pretty sad. I became a fan of his about 10 years ago when my brother showed me the documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston". Seeing this movie intrigued me so very much because of how odd he was, yet how much I could not take my eyes off the screen when he was talking or performing. Daniel Johnston is most definitely an acquired taste, but I acquired it immediately.

After seeing the movie I dove deep into his music catalog. And it was as oddly intriguing as I was hoping it would be. Johnston, as stated in the movie, was a self taught musician, and it showed. While not super proficient on guitar, he could play enough to write a song, and man could he write. His lyrics were so profound and sad and emotional and relatable and weird and just flat out good, at least for me. His music was something I had never heard before, and his voice, and upon hearing it in the movie, I found myself very much into.

When listening to all of his music, I started to learn more and more about him and how influential he was to many musicians that I was listening to at the time, and that I still listen to today. I was a big time Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes fan, and Johnston was a big time influence on him. I have been known to listen to Wilco and Jeff Tweedy, although sometimes I feel like a punk when I do, and Johnston was humongous to them. Even a band like TV on the Radio, who I adore, appeared on a cover record of his, and claim him as someone that gave them the courage to go out and perform.

That was the main thing about Johnston. Any short comings other may have perceived him to have, he didn't care. He would go out and perform constantly. He didn't care what people said, he just went out and played. That takes courage. And, as I said, he was one of the first people from the Austin scene in the early 90's to go out and do his thing. He even got himself a spot on MTV, when they still showed music videos, and that was a big time boon to his career. With this success came problems, but I feel like he had these problems all his life. If you listen to his music, you can hear the pain and fear and schizophrenia that he fought his whole life. Sure, he spent time in a mental hospital, but after coming out, he made some of his best music. And that was the thing, he was always writing. He never stopped. He had so much to say, and when he found his platform, he used it to the best of his ability.

Daniel Johnston was a true original. He was one of a kind. He made so much music, and I am grateful that I have it to listen to for the rest of my life. The only thing that personally bums me out, I had a chance to see him on his last tour, but family stuff came up and I had to miss it. Now I will never have that chance again. I wish I could have gone, but family comes first. As for now, I will miss Johnston and his seemingly never ending writing and music. I have been listening to him ever since I heard the news, and I feel like I will be listening to it for a good long time. I will miss Daniel Johnston, and a lot of other people will too. The music world has lost a true original artist. RIP

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Let's Revisit the Underrated Black Keys Album "Attack and Release"

In preparations for The Black Keys show I’m going to in less than a month, I have been listening to their older records to reacquaint myself with some songs I used to love. “Thickfreakness” still rules, “The Big Come Up” is a great debut and “Rubber Factory” shows real growth.

Today I listened to “Attack and Release”, and I have to say, I think this is their most underrated record. I remember liking it a good deal when it came out. Listening to it this morning, I love it. This was when The Black Keys started to try something a little different. I love that they were just a guitar and drums duo at first, and when I heard that they were going to work with Danger Mouse, who I adore, and add bass and keys, I was skeptical. Well, I was dead wrong. That really rang true to me today. Their sound on “Attack and Release” is so full, yet still theirs and theirs alone. They still have that raw duo feeling, just spruced up a bit. I also should have never doubted Danger Mouse. He’s worked with tons of different artists, and pretty much everything he touches is great. The same can be said for “Attack and Release”. His influence is right there at the very beginning. The first track, “All You Ever Wanted” features him on the keys, and Dan Auerbach singing like he hadn’t to that point. It’s a beautiful song, and instantly took away any worry I may have had. They then follow it up with “I Got Mine” which is beautifully typical Black Keys. It was also one of the first songs I learned on guitar. It rocks and rolls and Auerbach growls the lyrics and Carney hammers away at his kit. From there on out, the rest of the record is filled with classic Black Keys and them trying out new stuff. They do the same song, “Remember When”, but it’s 2 different styles. The first is slow and filled with instruments they never used before. It’s great. They then play it as a straight up rock song, and it hits like a rock. It’s so cool. After “I Got Mine”, they follow that with the single, “Strange Times”, and that is a great, classic Black Keys song. The next song though, “Psychotic Girl”, has a banjo and Auerbach trying a new singing style and kick ass guitar solos. I love this song. “Lies” is a great peek into the future. It has that slower, soulful sound. It’s a quality song. “Same Old Thing” takes you back to grimy garage rock. “Oceans and Streams” is an interesting, in a good way, amalgamation of their old and new sound. And the final track, “Things Ain’t Like They Used to Be”, is another slower, and sad song. It also introduced me to Jessica Lea Mayfield, and she is an amazing singer.

What makes this record so good is how transitional it is for The Black Keys. It marks their first step towards change and growth, yet gives you their usual sound. It’s great. It’s a sneak peek for what future records would sound like. Without “Attack and Release”, and working with Danger Mouse, I don’t know if they would’ve grown as much as they have as a band. This record is now in my top three of their records, and I’d put it in my top 25 all time. It’s that good. I’m glad I revisited it today. It made me so happy that I follow this band and consume all of their music.

Seriously, if you’re a Black Keys fan, give “Attack and Release” a listen today, and think of how it has influenced their current sound. This record was the jump off point, and I hope they play some tunes off it when I see them live. What a great, unheralded record.

Ty

Ty Listens to "IGOR"

In anticipation of seeing him live in a few months, I have been devouring Tyler the Creator's most recent album "IGOR", and I have to say, I really, really like it.

I was a bit on the fence at first because it is such a departure from what I am used to from him. On his other records he has some, how do I say this, nasty or, at times, scary things he talks about. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of all his stuff, but when he was with Odd Future, and when he first went off on his own, he had some shocking lyrics. That was how he made his name as a solo artist. Then, a few years ago, he released “Boy Fuck Girl", which I like, but it showed a little growth from him. It was still akin to his older style, but he did have a few songs that kind of ventured out of his norm. On "IGOR", it is all different, and I love it.

When I first heard the album, I was stunned. I didn't expect it. In fact, my first thought was, why? But, as I listened to it more and more, I started to like it more and more. Now, I feel like I listen to it front to back once a day. I listen to it in the car, on runs, while mowing my grass, pretty much anytime I am driving, or exercising, I find myself picking "IGOR" as my choice.

First of all, I love the opener, which is pretty much all instrumental. There are a few lyrics here and there, but for the most part, it is like a pump up song. It gets you ready for what you will be listening to from there on out. The very next song, "EARFQUAKE" shows how much of a difference Tyler the Creator is making on this album. This song is, by far, his most accessible. It has a great hook, a nice beat and there is a few verses from Tyler himself that are excellent. The video for the song is awesome too. Check it out. But in "EARFQUAKE" Tyler even sings, and I have to say, he pulls it off.

From there on out, the record shows a total and tonal change from him. The album is, in essence, a love record. It seems like he has someone, or had someone, in his life that gave him the influence to put this type of record out. The music is softer and nicer and different in a very good way. And don't get me wrong, this is still a rap record, it is just different from what Tyler the Creator has done before. For example, "NEW MAGIC WAND" is a straight up rap song, but it doesn't have any shock lyrics, or stuff that makes me take a step back. He crushes the song, but it is just different. I also appreciate that he recorded himself saying some pretty deep stuff in between songs. I like that he kept it on the record too. It's great.

So while it took me a few listens to get into it, I now have a newfound love for this album. I have stated many times that I like when artists take chances, and Tyler the Creator is taking a big chance, and nailing it, on "IGOR". The newfound love also has me very hype to see him do this record live. I cannot wait to see what the show is like, and to hear these songs live. I have never seen him live either, and I feel like this is a great entrance into a live Tyler the Creator show. If you are a fan, you will love this record because Tyler the Creator is awesome. But I feel like people that may not listen to him would enjoy this record too. It really is for music fans of all kinds. There is still cursing on it, so maybe don't listen to it with the kids, although I still do listen with my kids. But, other than that, "IGOR" rules.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is glad to find some new exciting music. All the Weird Al has not been getting Ty pumped to mow the grass.

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Ty Listens More Closely To "Let's Rock"

So, last Friday I wrote an instant reaction to the new Black Keys album, "Lets Rock". On first listen, I enjoyed it, and said I needed more time before I could get a really solid feel for the album. Well, I have listened to the entire record over a dozen times now, and I have some thoughts.

First off, a lot of people, a lot of writers and music people love the record. Pitchfork gave it a phenomenal review. Rolling Stone loved it. Paste was on board. Someone said that the record is "garage rock at its finest". I agree with all of these people, except, I do not think it is as groundbreaking, or as exceptional as others. Again, I love love love the album. I cannot state enough. I wouldn't have listened to it as many times as I have, and continue to go back to it, if I didn't enjoy the record. But, I think an album like "Turn Blue" is a better overall record. "Lets Rock", for me, doesn't even sniff "Thickfreakness", which I think is the greatest garage rock record. I like "Rubber Soul" and "Attack and Release" more. For me "Lets Rock" is right up there with "El Camino" or "The Big Come Up". Again, love both of those records, but they wouldn't be the first ones I pick to listen to. I do think "Lets Rock" is better than "Brothers" and "Magic Potion" though.

"Lets Rock" is beautiful in its simplicity. That is what I like most about this album. The songs are no more than 3 to 3 and a half minutes, they are straight forward rock, Auerbach uses his signature distortion, Carney is hammering away at his awkward drum kit, and the record flows. It is an easy and fun listen. I have learned all the words to all the songs already. I love the opening track "Shine A Little Light". It has the classic Black Keys feel, but the instruments give it a newer, cleaner sound that I find nice. I usually prefer the dirty and distorted Black Keys, but "Shine A Little Light" grabs me. I absolutely love "Walk Across the Water". I love how it starts off like it is going to be a heavy rock song, and then totally changes into a love song when Auerbach starts the lyrics. I've grown to adore when the Black Keys do love, or ballad, type songs. They make it sound dingy, but then you listen to the words, and it totally blows me away. It is one of their prettiest songs ever. I can't wait to hear it live in September. "Get Yourself Together" is a classic Black Keys song. It's distorted, it is fast, it is grimy and it rules. "Eagle Birds" is like that too. I don't know much about cars, but when Auerbach starts to talk about twin engines and whatnot, I'm on board. I like the guitar riff in the song too. I like "Breaking Down" because it has that sitar sounding guitar flange to it. It is a nice flowing song too. "Under the Gun" is as true a rock and roll song as you can get in 2019. It is heavy and well played by the band. I like "Go" a bunch too. The video for that song rules. And the closer "Fire Walk With Me" is a perfect way to end this particular record. Its jumpy, quick and precise. See, I named the good majority of the record, and what I like about it.

My only problem is, there are a few songs that just seem like filler. I'm not nuts about "Lo/HI", but that could be because I have heard it a million times already. It was the song chosen for March Madness. "Sit Around and Miss You" is too country for me. "Tell Me Lies" is fine, but I don't like that it follows such a great song, and a sweet song, like "Walk Across the Water". And "Every Little Thing" is fine, but forgettable. I love this record. If I had to rate it out of ten, now that I have listened to it more than enough to give my full opinion on it, I'd give it a 7.5. It is good, I will love it when I hear the songs live and The Black Keys can really do no wrong in my opinion. I'm just a little more tepid than other music writers.

I need to say this one more time, "Lets Rock" is dynamite. Buy it, stream it, do whatever you have to do to hear it because The Black Keys are real writers and musicians, and that is rare nowadays. They rule.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He was going to give “Let’s Rock” 43 thumbs up, but he did not want to insult his favorite band.

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Ty Listens to "Let's Rock"

An album I have been waiting for for about 5 years now finally came out today. The Black Keys new record "Let's Rock" was released worldwide today. The first thing I did after I woke up and fed my kids breakfast was download the record, and I have been listening ever since. I wanted to do a kind of instant reaction to this record. I wanted to try something a little different. I usually give an album 2 or 3 listens before writing about it. But, The Black Keys are one of my all time favorite bands, and I wanted to write about the record as I heard it in its entirety the first time.

So, first reactions right off the bat, I really like the record. I'm sure I will grow to love it with more listens, but right now, I just really, really like it. It has a bit of a different feel from their previous records. That is a good thing. I have said that I appreciate when bands deviate from what made them famous and try something new. That is why I loved "Turn Blue" by them so much. It was a big departure. "Let's Rock" doesn't have that psychedelic feel that "Turn Blue" had though. "Let's Rock" reminds me a ton of Creedance Clearwater Revival, who I also love. It is a rock record through and through. There are some songs that have that wonderful distorted guitar sound I instantly fell in love with, but then it shifts into a slower rock song. That surprised me in a good way. I listened to the three song EP they put out a few months ago, with the songs "Go", "Hi/Lo" and "Eagle Birds", and I loved all of those. But, they were straight up rock songs. There are some songs on this record that are way different, and I bet when I see them live in a few months my appreciation with grow tenfold.

The opening track "Shine a Little Light" starts off super hot, with a great guitar riff and drum groove, and then it slows down to an almost ballad. It is jarring at first, but as the song moves, it gets better and better. "Tell Me Lies" is one of their slower songs, but I like when they do stuff like that. I like when they slow it down and go a bit away from their comfort zone. "Fire Walk With Me" is a great closer to this record as well, I just finished my first go through. It wraps up the record perfectly. I'm going to keep listening because that is what I do, especially with Black Keys records. I want to get a real feel for it.

The second go round has just started for me, and I am already super in to it. Even more so than the first time, which is a good sign. I keep bobbing my head with all the new songs that I am hearing. Look, I was predestined to like this record. I love this band. I have been a fan since I first saw them on an MTV2 awards show back in 2002. I have followed them ever since. When I see them in a few months that will make, I believe, the tenth time I have seen them live. The Black Keys are a great band. I'm actually shocked they aren't more famous, because they are so god damn good at what they do.

First reactions? "Let's Rock" is a good mix of their old sound, and a new thing they are trying. I love that they keep adding something new to their sound with each new album. That shows growth. They have never gotten stale. Keep up the good work gentleman, and I cannot wait to hear these new songs live.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He likes to bob his head around to let his kids know how rock music should be. Up and down is a “yes, do not stop rocking”. Back and forth is “no, do not ever stop rocking”.

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Ty Listens to " Dancing on the Wind"

A couple of weeks ago The Sloppy Boys, Mike Hanford, Tim Kalpakis and Jefferson Dutton, all from The Birthday Boys, and several written comedy shows, released their second album, "Dancing on the Wind". They did the podcast go round to promote the record, and played some live songs while appearing on the pods I listen to. I was a fan of their first album, and I figured, with a little extra work, and touring they did, the second record would be even better.

I was right. I adore this album. I can put it on at any time of day and it will bring a smile to my face, and I will happily sing along to the songs. I love how solid they all are as musicians, and the fact that they are good at comedy, it makes the lyrics to the song so much more enjoyable for me. None of these guys had to do much to win me over, I watched both seasons of Birthday Boys on IFC, and have followed their comedy careers since, and Mike Hanford as John Lennon is one of the best comedy bits that I hope never ends. But, on "Dancing on the Wind", they made me like them that much more.

The record starts out great with "Santa Ana Winds". It is a straight forward, some may say pop, some may say punk, song that is as funny as it is good. The music is solid, the lyrics are hilarious, especially when they talk about drying off a body part with a Dyson blade, and the song is a tight 2 minutes and 40 seconds. You get the feel right off the bat that The Sloppy Boys knew exactly what they wanted to do with this record, and "Santa Ana Winds" is a great jumping off point. The second song, "Lifeguard Life", is not only my son's favorite song, but he cracks up every time he hears it. It is about as perfect as a summer guitar surfer song can get. Mike Hanford nails the lyrics, and the instrumentation behind it is wonderful. From there on out, this record has some solid hits. One of my favorites, and my wife's for that matter, is "I'm Taken". We have both asked each other, on separate occasions, what Kalpakis' wife must think of this song. I think she loves it, my wife seems to think that she thinks it is hilarious. It is a great song either way. "Give it Up" is awesome. I like that they use distorted guitars, and the song has a build to the chorus that always gets me. When they finally reach it, I am fully on board. "Radio Dayze" is ridiculous and hilarious and perfect for someone my age. Hanford sings the song about all the "good" music he used to listen to on the radio, and he name checks people and bands like Master P, Avril Lavinge, Train, Limp Bizkit and Incubus, among many others. It is a riot. "East Coast Wedding" and "Smashing the Plates" have similar tones, and they are both about messing stuff up. They both rule as well. "The Bands" is a riot. I love "Slop Head", and have taken to calling myself one, and my wife called me one the other day when I put this album on in the car. But my favorite song on the whole record is "Classic New York Night". It might be their longest song to date, but it is awesome. It has that build up that I mentioned before, but it actually makes me want to visit New York City, something I never thought was possible. They make it sound so damn cool. And I now know that "no trains go to Staten Island", from my many listens to the song.

This whole album is really good, and totally worth a listen. If you know of these guys, or are familiar with their work, you will love this record. But, I played it for a buddy of mine who listens to punk rock, and who had no idea who these guys were, and he loved it. He told me that fact the other day. Go check out "Dancing on the Wind" by The Sloppy Boys. It is pure summer music, it is funny, it is fun, but above all else, it is really good.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Much like Homer, Ty does not want to go to New York City due to the problems with pimps and C.H.U.D.S.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing. 

So Long iTunes and Thanks for Changing Music

It is finally time to say good bye to iTunes.

Well not really.

Yes Apple is going to get rid of the iTunes app with the newest version of macOS, but all of your music/movies/television shows will just move over to Apple Music and Apple TV. It will be like it already is on one’s iPhone. If you do not have an iPhone, you will still use iTunes. Easy enough.

Since many news outlets are talking about the end of iTunes, let’s reflect on the importance of the little .99 cent music store that could. When iTunes hit the market I was wondering what I was going to do with all of my “illegally” downloaded music from Napster. I had a bunch of cds that were burned into my computer, but my Napster library was filled with some of my favorite songs that came from groups and/or albums I did not care for. I wanted to enjoy “It’s Raining Men” without having to purchase the whole Weather Girls EP. With Napster dying, Apple came in and let me buy my guilty pleasures, and it would only cost me 99 cents. Napster was free, but free was illegal, so Apple came in with a solution to my problems.

For a time iTunes changed music much in the same way that radio in the 1950’s and MTV in the 1980’s changed how we consumed the art form. Radio is nearly dead and MTV is now more of a legend, iTunes will follow those innovators into our collective memories. It is now time for history to be the place we talk about iTunes.

Like so many other things that Apple innovates, the competition was trying to come up with cheaper and more efficient ways to topple the giant from Cupertino. Microsoft came up with a few options (Zune and Groove we barely knew thee), lala came and went without much notice, Rhapsody tried to fill the Napster void with confusing software, and Amazon was starting to peek around the corner. In the end iTunes was king, until there was a new way to get our music.

Free was once again the dagger that went for Apple’s money making heart. When streaming services like Pandora and Spotify started to become popular, iTunes was not able to compete. The new streaming services on the block were free (with ads), iTunes was not. The new streaming services could be curated so a person could create a free radio station with the music of their choice. iTunes could only make playlists from the music you purchased. iTunes changed the music landscape with a pay per song model, the landscape was changed once again with streaming. iTunes was now being left behind.

Ironically it seems like Apple’s own streaming service (one you must pay for) will be the thing that puts the final nail into the iTunes coffin. The masses have moved on to the streaming services. Also you can now buy almost any song from Amazon for the same cost at Apple. It is more likely you will buy that mp3 from Amazon because you are already on the site buying everything else. Apple does not sell everything else. Many times you can buy a physical copy of an album, i.e. CD or vinyl, and Amazon will give you the mp3 version for free. iTunes was not the future path forward, and Apple knows it.

Like the innovators before, iTunes deserves our praise. Let’s all pour one out for the little 99 cent music store that could. So long iTunes, you made it ok for me to buy my favorite hits of the late 1970’s in a judgement free zone. I salute you.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is now wondering if Apple is going to reinvent the world of monitor stands. I think not, that is one to many 9s.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Listens to Vampire Weekend's "Father of the Bride"

Let me say at the very beginning that I am a huge fan of Vampire Weekend.

Let me have it. Hipster, pretentious, whiny white boy rock lover, I have heard it all. Recently one of my favorite writers flat out crushed the band and all of their fans. The comments in the article are even more cutting.

The hipster act of criticizing other hipsters is in full force with Vampire Weekend. I lived through it with Beck, Radiohead, and Arcade Fire. I am ready to live through it when my family, friends, and readers, want to tweak me about my love for a band called Vampire Weekend and their 21st century version of whiny white boy rock. I will not apologize. I loved their first three albums, I am sure their fourth one will be just as good.

Here is the thing, I predictably really like “Father of the Bride”. As long as the band keeps putting out songs like “Oxford Comma”, “M79”, “Giving Up the Gun”, and everything on “Modern Vampires of the City” I was going to like “Father of the Bride”. Not only do I like it, I love it. I may be so bold and say that this is Vampire Weekend’s masterpiece.

The album starts of with a strange little song called “Hold You Now”. It is odd, but it has grown on me, and yes it does have a sample of children’s choir singing from the movie “The Thin Red Line”. The next song, “Harmony Hall” has been out for a while now and I believe this is the song that will define Vampire Weekend. It is their “Thunder Road”. From there on the record gets better. The B side of the vinyl, yes I bought “Father of the Bride” on vinyl, is flawless. The unfortunately named “Unbearable White” is a jazzy tune that I love, and I hate jazz. The final song on the B side, “Married in a Gold Rush” is in my opinion the best song on a killer record. It is awesome.

The second record/disc is more experimental, yet still incredible. Songs like “My Mistake” and “2021” feel like the tunes of a different band with a Vampire Weekend flavor. The record ends with the melancholy “Jerusalem, New York, Berlin” a fitting cool down to a great run of music.

I, like many Vampire Weekend fans, was a little concerned that founding member Rostam Batmanglij had left before “Father of the Bride was recorded. Rostam released his solo record “Half-Light” in late 2017 and he was not not going to record any new music with his old band for the time being. He is still listed as a writer and producer on a few songs, so his influence is not completely gone.

I do want to highlight Danielle Haim from the band HAIM. She is featured on a couple of great tracks on “Father of the Bride”. Her duets with front man Ezra Koenig are incredible. She is the number one reason that the opening track is worth listening to, and Haim and Koenig on the aforementioned “Married in a Gold Rush” plus the D side track “We Belong Together” propels the record from good to great.

I was pretty sure I was going to like “Father of the Bride” before I heard the first note. I was also pretty sure the hipster on hipster hate was going to follow the release of the album. I was ready for all of it. Yet being biased towards one of my favorite bands, I was not expecting to like “Father of the Bride” as much as I have. Months ago I downloaded “Harmony Hall”, and I figured that would be the key track. I love that song, and the all of the rest that surround it on the latest from Vampire Weekend.

Final word is that if you love Vampire Weekend, you will love “Father of the Bride”. If you are new to Vampire Weekend, this record will make you a convert. Unless you support hipster on hipster fighting.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. 

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The Greatest American Music: Lizzo's "Soulmate"

Last week I raved over Lizzo's new record, "Cuz I Love You", and today I want to talk about one specific song on there that I think will have a long lasting impact, especially as a wedding song. As I stated in my review, I am obsessed with this new record. I love the message, her voice, the lyrics and how catchy every single song is. I have been listening to it at least once a day since last Monday. I love every track on the record. My favorite is "Better in Color", because of the blending of old and new sounds.

But, the more I listen to the record the more the song "Soulmate" really, really stands out. This song, at least to me, ranks right up there for single people as Beyoncé's "All the Single Lady's". I mean, the message behind each song is to be independent and love yourself. But Lizzo takes it one step further. Where Beyoncé says stuff like, "if you liked it than you should have put a ring on it", Lizzo talks about how she doesn't need anyone, but herself, to be as happy as she can be. When listening, and then looking at the lyrics, this couldn't be more true. There are certain parts of this song that make "All the Single Lady's" seem timid and not nearly as empowering. Lizzo starts out with a bang. The opening verse has her saying, "they used to say get a man you had to know how to look/they used to say to keep a man you had to know how to cook/but I'm solo in Soho, sippin Soju in Malibu/It's a me, myself kinda attitude". That is some epic stuff right there. She rehashes what people may have told her her whole life, but then says she doesn’t need that stuff, and in fact, she is so much happier chilling at the beach and drinking by herself. She doesn't need to cook to get a dude. She doesn't need to do herself up just to get a guy. That is awesome.

The chorus is what really took me by storm when I actually looked at the lyrics. "All the Single Lady's" does have that catchy as hell chorus, but "Soulmate" is so much more profound. It goes, "Cause I'm my own soulmate/I know how to love me/I know that's always going to hold me down/yeah I'm my own soulmate/No, I'm never lonely/I know I'm a queen but I don't need no crown/Look up in the mirror like damn she's the one". Again, that is such a perfect chorus for all single people, not just ladies, to scream sing on the dance floor, especially at weddings. I mean, it doesn't get much more self empowering than that. She calls herself her own soulmate. She says she will never be letdown. She knows she is a queen, and doesn't need anyone to tell her this, or buy her nonsense. And the whole look in the mirror is just a baller ass line. It is amazing. I can picture, if I flashback to my own wedding, all of mine and my wife's single friends at the time, rocking this song. It would have been epic. Hell, I went to some weddings awhile back where "ATSL" was playing, and "Soulmate", had it been out, would have blown that song out of the water. There is another verse that I adore in the song. Lizzo says, "and she never tells me to exercise/we always get extra fries/and you know the sex is fire/and I gotta testify/I get flowers every Sunday/I'mma marry me one day". Again, perfection. In that one little verse she covers her disdain for exercise, how she eats what she wants, how she is the only one that can please herself and that she's just going to marry herself. Awesome.

Even near the end, when Lizzo talks about how you can find true love when you are by yourself, I love it. Before meeting my wife, I was by myself, and by myself a lot. I started to just be myself the more I stayed by myself. All of that led to me meeting my wife. She liked how calm and, dare I say, cool I was/am. I decided that I was fine by myself, and then I met the love of my life. I kind of think that is the message Lizzo is trying to get across. I think, I in my mind, she is saying you need to love yourself before you love someone else, and that someone else needs to love you for who you really are. I think that is just great.

"Soulmate" rules, just like every other song on this record. But, what "Soulmate" has that some of the other songs might not is the ability to become a big smash hit that resonates with all different kinds of people. I'm happily married, been with my wife for almost 13 years, 10 of which we have been husband and wife, and I yell sing this song in my car. I have other friends that listen to Lizzo, that are single, and this is far and away their favorite song on the record. I have friends that are dating that play this loudly in their home. This song truly runs the gammet. Even my three year old sings along to the chorus. It is a perfect song, and will be for the rest of time. Seriously people, start listening to Lizzo because she absolutely rules.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is all about loving yourself before you can love someone else. Maybe the incel community could learn something from Ty and Lizzo.

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Ty Listen to "On the Line"

I’ve been a Jenny Lewis fan for some time now. The first time I really remember getting into her music was when I saw her band Rilo Kiley open for Coldplay. That sure was a lifetime ago. From that night on though, I was taken by her music. I loved the music I heard that night. I went out and listened to a bunch of Rilo Kiley after that.

Then, she ventured away from the band and did some solo, and side projects. Her first solo record, “Acid Tongue” came out at a pivotal time for me with alternative rock/folk music. I was heavy into that style, and her record really spoke to me. I listened to it so much that I had to buy a few copies. She then teamed up with The Watson Twins, and while don’t like country music, I liked their take on it. That record was heavily listened to as well. That album also came out right around the time I started to date my wife, and we listened to it together a ton. It was our album of choice.

Lewis then took some time off. I was craving some new Jenny Lewis music, and in 2010 she released the album “Jenny and Johnny”. I bought it, but I wasn’t crazy about it. It strayed from what I liked about her. It was too poppy. She came back in a big way in 2014 with “The Voyager”. That album ruled. She seemed to be coming into her own.

Fat forward to the present. Her newest record, “On the Line”, this is a work of art. This record was worth the wait. As I said, I had kind of grown a bit fatigued, a lot of her stuff sounded too similar. But, she apparently went through some personal stuff, used that for this new record, and man, it is her best. It is my favorite record of hers, by far. I love every song on the album. I have been blown away at the lyrics, music, production quality and many different genres she does. It is such an eclectic record. It’s different from her other stuff, while still sounding a bit like her old self, the stuff that hit me just right.

The opener to the record, “Heads Gonna Roll”, is great. It blends the Watson Twins stuff with rock. It is a great opening track. And from there on out, the record is a major achievement. Some of my favorite tracks are “Do Si Do”, “Party Clown”, “Wasted Youth” and “Little White Dove”. On “Do Si Do”, she gets some help from Beck, and they make some beautiful music together. Lewis is front and center, as she should be, but you can feel the Beck influence. “Party Clown” has this fanciful piano riff, but the lyrics are crushing. It’s one of my favorite types of songs, the ones that sound fun, but they’re tragic. I listen to that song once a day. “Wasted Youth” is an awesome rock song. It reminds me most of her Rilo Kiley days. It has that great alt rock feel, and it’s a great way to follow up the opening track. And “Little White Dove” is a great Fleetwood Mac impression. My wife pointed that out to me when she heard it, and it is a spot on comparison.

This whole record is awesome. It has that girl power that I’m trying to help instill in my daughter as the other 2 records I’ve written about this week. I also really like that you can hear the life she’s lived in the past 5 years between records on this album. “On the Line” is awesome, it’s continuing the trend of great new music in early 2019. She is touring with this record too, and I’m heavily leaning towards seeing her because I love the album so much.

Seriously people, check this album out. It’s tremendous. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He likes it when an old favorite artist comes out with new great stuff. Will Ma$e be the next old favorite of Ty’s to come back?

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