Dead city blog.
Hello, I'm Alternative Press music editor Scott Heisel and welcome to the second installment of Positive Jams, your guide to the best (and worst) of the week's new music as selected by yours truly. Let's get to it!
IF YOU BUY ONE THING TODAY, PLEASE LET IT BE:
O Pioneers!!!' Neon Creeps
THE SCOOP: We recently did a full-page AP Recommends piece on this Houston-based beard-punk band led by vocalist/guitarist Eric Solomon, and literally the same day we did the photo shoot, his band quit on him (for the third time). Needless to say, Solomon's had a bit of a hard time keeping a steady lineup together, but luckily he was able to write and record OP!!!'s sophomore album, Neon Creeps, with the brilliant musicians who make up fellow Houston band Papermoons. If you've ever heard O Pioneers!!! before and were unimpressed, don't worry; I wasn't really, either. But Solomon & Co. totally nailed it on this 10-song disc, a perfect amalgamation of early Hot Water Music and early Against Me!.
CRUCIAL JAMS: "Stressing The Fuck Out," "Saved By The Bell Was A Super Good Show," "Dead City Sound," "Cool Kid City"
BUY IT NOW: Amazon
(physical), 
(digital)
SNAG THIS NEXT:
Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique: 20th Anniversary Edition
THE SCOOP:Before there was Girl Talk, there were the B-Boys -- originally considered a "commercial failure" after its release in 1989, like many things (wine, cheese and the Olsen twins), Paul's Boutique got better with age and is now considered a landmark in hip-hop due to its absolutely incredible laundry list of samples used in its creation (over 100 in total). Now, 20 years later, it gets what it finally deserves with a fancy digital remastering job, new packaging and more.
CRUCIAL JAMS: "Hey Ladies," "Shake Your Rump," "B-Boy Bouillabaisse"
BUY IT NOW: Amazon
(physical), (digital)
YOU'D BE BEST OFF AVOIDING:
The Lonely Island's Incredibad
THE SCOOP: Okay, don't get me wrong: I do find Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg hilarious as all hell, and his cohorts in the Lonely Island (aka the guys who help him make all those side-splitting digital shorts), Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, bring the funny too. But here's the thing: Musical comedy albums have virtually zero replay value. (Sorry, Flight Of The Conchords fans -- that shit just ain't funny.) Yeah, these dudes have made some incredible music videos, but honestly, do you really think you're going to enjoy listening to "Dick In A Box" without the hilarious visuals accompanying it? (Granted, the physical version of this album comes with a bonus DVD, but still.) Go ask your older brother how often he plays those Adam Sandler CDs he bought when he was your age. See? Told you so.
CRUCIAL JAMS: Regardless of what I just wrote above, "Jizz In My Pants" is pretty damn solid.
BUY IT NOW: Amazon
(physical), (digital)
IF YOU BUY ONE THING TODAY, PLEASE LET IT BE:
O Pioneers!!!' Neon Creeps
THE SCOOP: We recently did a full-page AP Recommends piece on this Houston-based beard-punk band led by vocalist/guitarist Eric Solomon, and literally the same day we did the photo shoot, his band quit on him (for the third time). Needless to say, Solomon's had a bit of a hard time keeping a steady lineup together, but luckily he was able to write and record OP!!!'s sophomore album, Neon Creeps, with the brilliant musicians who make up fellow Houston band Papermoons. If you've ever heard O Pioneers!!! before and were unimpressed, don't worry; I wasn't really, either. But Solomon & Co. totally nailed it on this 10-song disc, a perfect amalgamation of early Hot Water Music and early Against Me!.
CRUCIAL JAMS: "Stressing The Fuck Out," "Saved By The Bell Was A Super Good Show," "Dead City Sound," "Cool Kid City"
BUY IT NOW: Amazon
(physical), (digital) SNAG THIS NEXT:
Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique: 20th Anniversary Edition
THE SCOOP:Before there was Girl Talk, there were the B-Boys -- originally considered a "commercial failure" after its release in 1989, like many things (wine, cheese and the Olsen twins), Paul's Boutique got better with age and is now considered a landmark in hip-hop due to its absolutely incredible laundry list of samples used in its creation (over 100 in total). Now, 20 years later, it gets what it finally deserves with a fancy digital remastering job, new packaging and more.
CRUCIAL JAMS: "Hey Ladies," "Shake Your Rump," "B-Boy Bouillabaisse"
BUY IT NOW: Amazon
(physical), (digital)YOU'D BE BEST OFF AVOIDING:
The Lonely Island's Incredibad
THE SCOOP: Okay, don't get me wrong: I do find Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg hilarious as all hell, and his cohorts in the Lonely Island (aka the guys who help him make all those side-splitting digital shorts), Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, bring the funny too. But here's the thing: Musical comedy albums have virtually zero replay value. (Sorry, Flight Of The Conchords fans -- that shit just ain't funny.) Yeah, these dudes have made some incredible music videos, but honestly, do you really think you're going to enjoy listening to "Dick In A Box" without the hilarious visuals accompanying it? (Granted, the physical version of this album comes with a bonus DVD, but still.) Go ask your older brother how often he plays those Adam Sandler CDs he bought when he was your age. See? Told you so.
CRUCIAL JAMS: Regardless of what I just wrote above, "Jizz In My Pants" is pretty damn solid.
BUY IT NOW: Amazon
(physical), (digital)
posted by Scott Heisel at
8:01 PM
3 Comments:
Hey hey hey. Flight of the Conchords is actually intelligently funny and has nuances in the lyrics that you discover and re-laugh at. The Lonely Island or whatever is funny if you're a 7th grade boy with a few brain cells missing. (And no; I'm not apologizing for that) Comparing the two is unfair, good sir.
Buuut, Neon Creeps is totally backed. Everybody needs to listen to that album.
Agreed Neon Creeps is amazing. Do you know how the new Mute Math ep is?
@Lauren -- I have tried so many times to get into FOTC, but it just ain't happenin' for me. However, I do consider myself a loyal Tenacious D fan. I'm always a sucker for some JB and KG.
@planetlost -- Unfortunately I've only heard "Spotlight," which I like quite a lot, though. I'm thinking about buying the EP on vinyl which comes with a free download available immediately, but it's $12.99, which is really pricey for four songs.
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