Sunday, March 12, 2006

The Self-Proclaimed Music Snob With Bad Taste

Much like Rob Gordon, I am a music lover. I personally think American Idol represents all that is wrong with music today. I once worked in a record shop in college. Well, it was a chain record shop, but I absolutely loved it ... except for the fact that they rented movies as well. This was the early 90's when VHS still ruled and no one snickered if you bought a cassette. Unlike Blockbuster, this store would put the movicover out with long plastic bookmarkers carrying the name of the movie, so you just brought the bookmark up to the desk. I spent most of my day locating the bookmarkers for "The Last Temptation of Christ" because the self-appointed thought police in town would come in and hide them so no one could rent it. Great town, huh?

Much to my chagrin, this said store also was the only place to rent pornos in my Bible beating town, so naturally I got all of the town's classiest customers. One customer did make me very uncomfortable. His daughters went to school with us and in fact, my sister was friends with one of his two girls. He came in one night and remembered me because I had given her and my sister a ride home after their band practice. So he starts talking to me like nothing is going on. Unfortunately, one of the procedures I had to follow was to read back the titles of what you were renting to make sure they were actually getting what you wanted. So here is what our conversation went like:

Me: How are you, Mr. P? Did you find what you needed?
Him: I sure did, Cincy. What are you up to these days?
Me: Oh ... I'm going to UNM and I'm home for the summer.
Him: Well, Kristie is looking at going there this fall still. She hasn't decided yet. If she goes, you'll have to show her around campus.
Me. No problem, Mr. P; I'll be more than glad to show her around. It's a huge place and it's so easy to get lost. (awkward pause) So, it looks like you picked up "Ass Burglars 3", "Cumming In Socks", and "On Golden Blonde". Is this is it for you tonight, sir?

So working at the music store gave me a greater appreciation of music, more so than what I already had from my mom's Saturday morning cleaning sessions with the Motown label. So here is a rundown of a few of the things I've been listening to lately...


Morningwood .... this band is great. Aside from the greatest name for a band in a long time, their music is infectious and well .... it's just fucking good. Any band that has a song about taking off your clothes that is used in concert to get audience members naked is fine by me. Plus there is something about the singer's voice that makes me listen. Can anyone explain this to me? Be sure to go to their website (click on their name there) and play "The Wet T-Shirt Game" ... you can win a free copy of their album!



Matisyahu - To be honest, at first glane, you'd think this guy is just ... well, another guy. I would have never suspected he rocks ... but he does! We've all heard "King Without A Crown" and yes, we all jam to it when it's on the radio. Don't lie, fucker! You know you're bobbing your head in tune with the music just like I am.


Fall Out Boy - Any band named after a character on the Simpsons has got to be good, right? Well, I have really liked them since I heard their first single "Dead On Arrival" (hint: click on the link for a free download of the tune) long before the current album hit. But I don't fault them; it's just that everyone else finally caught on to how great they are. So let 'em roll with the success.

The Streets - They've got this really great song out right now called "When You Wasn't Famous". Click on the chav's pic above to get to a link so you can watch the video. It's quite a catchy little diddy.

Otis Redding - For some strange reason, I will just get bored with today's music and seek out something different. I have been in this mood lately for classic R & B and who better than Otis Redding? "These Arms of Mine" and "You Left The Water Running" are 2 absolutely phenomenal tunes that I can't recommend highly enough. Give 'em a shot and download 'em or steal 'em from your mom's collection ... just get them.
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - I'm a snob in that I think jazz and blues needs to be old (at least pre-1980). Let me tell you that this album is wonderful. It is one of the best slow, mellow albums you can imagine. The entire album is worth listening to over and over .... and over and over. This was made when feelings and soul were not just words you used to describe this music; it was infused into the melody, the lyrics, and the mood it created. "The Nearness of You" is one of those slow, dreamy tunes that you can imagine yourself listening to on the couch on a Friday night with your significant other. Again, download it, steal it, buy it (at your local independent music store of course a la Rob Gordon) ... but by all means, get this album.

19 comments:

sonrisa morena said...

cincy, you just became the favorite person of the year!!! i love Ella Fizterald and Louis Armstrong!!! i will be waiting for you with open arms...ella and louis singing in the background!!!

Chelle said...

Seems we have music in common. Not as big on Ella as I am on Billie. Love Louis and The Streets.

Good choices. Great Blog!

mo** said...

Ella has one of the most beautiful voices to ever be recorded! tight race with Billie Holiday, but I think in terms of voice..Ella wins

JHD said...

OK, downloaded Fall Out Boy, and love it. Hate when you're right about music.

So when are you going to cater to me and at least pretend you've listened to Great Big Sea??

The Dummy said...

Good stuff you put up there! They're playing fallout boy and them yahu's a bit too much down here now though.

Msabcmom said...

i LOVE The Nearness of You! It is one of my favorites. I have to go and get that album. I have several others but not that one.

I also just started listening to Matisyahu - I likes!

finally forgiving said...

You love Ella, you love Otis, you love Louis Armstrong....

I might just love you Cincy...

I wish I knew how to quit you. :-)

Joel said...

On Golden Blonde... I still can't stop laughing at.

Andi said...

Oooh, a man after my own heart. Ella's my girl. The only thing: can't really get on board with Matisyahu. Not so much.

As for the porn-renting friend's dad. Had me rollin' on the floor.

Cincysundevil said...

Sonrisa-
You know, a just might think that you think I'm a decent guy! I think a trip to Chicago might be in order ....

Cincysundevil said...

Mariemm3-
Sweet! I'll have to listen to more Billie. I'm one of those Napster tramps with the unlimited downloads, so I can definitely check her out. Do you have a few faves for me to check out?

Cincysundevil said...

Mona-
I agree with you so much on that one. I also think Etta James and Sarah Vaughan also have amazing voices.

Cincysundevil said...

JHD-
I will listen to Great Big Sea ... they were supposed to play a couple of shows in the ATL but cancelled for some reason. Glad you liked Fall Out Boy; I pick a good band every now and then.

Cincysundevil said...

Dating Dummy-
Thanks for visiting. Yeah, it is amazing that once a good band gets some airplay, all of those damn "Power" stations, play them to death!

Cincysundevil said...

Msabcmom-
I really think you will like the album. It is absolutely amazing and it soooooo great.

Cincysundevil said...

Unforgiving-
You keep talking like that sweetheart .... I just might believe that you think I'm a decent guy.

Cincysundevil said...

Dcnats-
Porns have the greatest names, don't they?

Cincysundevil said...

Andi-
You've always been a woman after my own heart; anyone who would do an Operaman impression rules!

Cincysundevil said...

Quantum-
You're definitely a lady after my own heart there with your musical choices!