The Return Of Mechasmack

Still not a peep from my neighbor. Still no bad smell either. The Christmas wreath has been taken down. I suppose that's a sign of life.

Ok, so I didn't watch the Grammy's the other night. I'm too caught up in Lost to care about Kanye West or Mariah Carey. Even if I wasn't caught up in Lost I still wouldn't care. But I am a bit bothered by U2 winning Album Of The Year. It seems like they just give U2 Grammys because of their history. I'll admit I haven't really listened to How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, but what I have heard didn't really impress me. It seems like whoever is voting is just giving it to them because they've made such great music in the past.

Now I don't want to sound like a hater. I love U2. They're one of my favorite bands. But they haven't really impressed me lately. And didn't How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb come out in 2004? What's the statute of limitations on releases for Grammy consideration?

Also, didn't Kanye West look like Kool Moe Dee? Where did he get those glasses? And he certainly didn't deserve Best Rap Album. Does the committee even listen to anything that doesn't go platinum?

Can I get your hand to write on
Just a piece of leg to bite on
What a night to fly my kite on
Do you want to flash a light on
Take a look its on display - for you
Coming down no not today

Did you meet your fortune teller
Get it off with no propellor
Do it up it's on with Stella
What a way to finally smell her
Pick it up but not to strong - for you
Take a piece and pass it on

Fly away on my Zephyr
I feel it more then ever
And in this perfect weather
We'll find a place together
Fly on my wind

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Zephyr Song

Well, it took 'em long enough, but they finally added a Reggae genre to iTunes. What took so long? I recommend Fire House Rock by Wailing Souls.

I was sad to hear this past weekend about the passing of producer Jay Dee (aka J Dilla). I remember reading in URB last year about his health problems. He simply wasn't taking care of himself. He spent way too much time in the studio and now it seems he has worked himself to death. He was only 32. In my old age I've become more critical about music, especially hip hop, and I've come to enjoy the underground sounds way more than the cRap on the radio. I usually enjoyed his productions. He will definitely be missed in the hip hop community.

I'm Mr Plow
That's my name
That name again
Is Mr. Plow

So lately I've discovered how much I like Death Cab For Cutie. I've known about them for years but didn't really pay too much attention. Then of course when the hype machine got started with them a couple of years ago they were relegated to my Music Snob Blacklist. But I recently got Plans and have been playing it nonstop.

My love for this album of course has led me to read reviews about it and most are what I expected. Lots of people agree that it's good, but not as good as their last album. This is to be expected since it's their major label debut. But one thing that kept popping up in the reviews on Amazon is how they sound over-produced. And that reminded me of something I often think about when it comes to indie bands...

Is a large part of the appeal of the indie band the unpolished sound?

Think about it - most of the instrumentals of these groups don't hold a torch to what you'd get from a seasoned session musician. And none of these singers would get anywhere on American Idol, not that I'm advocated the manufacturing of pop stars. But they do write good songs with good pop sensibilities that retains a rough edge to it. But why would it be less appealing if they sounded more polished? And wouldn't their sound naturally evolve to that as they continued to produce music? After playing an instrument for so long you pretty much have to get better.

Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body

OK, this one might technically belong in 2006, but the album came out in 2005 so it goes in that list for now. Why does this song make me think of Fleetwood Mac? It's just such a good song it's hard for me to put in words why I feel that it is. It invokes so many images and just makes me feel while I hear all the nuances that make it go.

Knocked up 9 months ago
And what she finna have she don't know
She want neo-soul, this hip-hop is old
She don't want no rock-n-roll
She want platinum or ice or gold
She want a whole lotta somethin' to fold
If you a obstacle she just drop ya cold
Cuz one monkey don't stop the show
Little Mary is bad
In these streets she done ran
E'er since when the heat began
I told the girl look here
Calm down I'ma hold your hand
To enable you to peep the plan
Cuz you is quick to learn
And we can make money to burn
If you allow me the latest game
I don't ask for much, but enough room to spread my wings
And the world finna know my name

The Roots feat. Cody Chesnutt - The Seed 2.0