I'm a Loser, Baby.

Beck is one of those guys I forget about really easily. I really like Beck. I've always liked Beck. I got detention once in the 7th grade because I wouldn't stop singing the "do do" part from the beginning of "New Pollution" during math class. For whatever reason though, I tend to just forget about him and not throw him on all that often. Today I found myself listening to The Information though, and although I liked this album when I first got it, I haven't really given it the accolades it deserves. The Douchipster's perennial mancrush Nigel Godrich does a really solid job with the production. The album's great to throw on when you're not quiiite sad enough for Sea Change.

I posted "New Round" the first time I mentioned the album here. I think it still stands out as my favorite, but "Think I'm In Love" is a solid catchy tune.

"New Round" by Beck
"Think I'm In Love" by Beck

Josephiend

This Ghostface/Hi-Tek track is sonic crack.

"Josephine" feat. Ghostface by DJ Hi-Tek

New Beck is also cool. I've seen it slammed a couple places, but what's the one thing we've learned from reading Cigar Box Guitars? That many out there are stricken with what we call, "wrong opinions".

"New Round" by Beck

Hi, How Are You?

Today is gonna be a good day, Silent Bob. Why's that, you ask? Because shortly after I rolled out of bed, I saw that there was a package for me.

No, not that kind of package. The kind of package that contained my new Daniel Johnston T Shirt

as well as his CD Continued Story + Hi, How Are You, The Unfinished Album. If you've never heard of Daniel Johnston, then I would highly recommend checking out the documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston. See for most of Johnston's adult life, he's suffered from serious mental illness, which has repeatedly forced him in and out of hospitalization. So since he's crazy, obviously he's a wonderful musician. Well not exactly. If I sat here and said that this CD is great, I'd be lying to you. Johnston doesn't have the greatest voice in the world and he's not the most talented instrumentalist either. A lot of his songs, not all, still manage to come out beautifully however, I think mostly due to the emotion in Johnston's simple melodies. Truth be told, there's not too much I can say about this guy, except that I'm glad I saw the documentary and now know who he is. So I'll just go and share a couple of my favorite tracks from this composite of two albums.

"Girls" by Daniel Johnston
"Desperate Man Blues" by Daniel Johnston
"Walking the Cow" by Daniel Johnston

I can also share a track I really like that's not on this CD.

"I had lost my mind" by Daniel Johnston

And a song that Beck and Wilco both covered.

"True Love Will Find You in the End" by Daniel Johnston
"True Love Will Find You in the End" by Wilco
"True Love Will Find You in the End" by Beck

MC Abstract Douchipster's 10 Songs

I figured for my first post I would put up 10 songs for one reason or another. Mostly these are just the songs I am into right now. Some have sentimental reasons, some are just songs I decided I wanted others to hear.

Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime - Beck

A song that means alot to me for certain reasons, but you might know it from the "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" soundtrack. Originally performed by a band called The Korgis, it's performed here by a scientologist named Beck Hansen. Try not to be moved by the vocal performance from Beck as he longs for lovin. Also, check the Jon Brion production (yes, that guy from the Kanye album) as he tries to do his best Nigel Godrich impersonation.

Peacocks - The Mountain Goats

I had alot of trouble picking just one song from this group as I have grown an obsession with John Darnielle's muppet-like voice. But the strength of his songs and lyrics make the voice endearing. Darnielle may not be a virtuoso on the guitar, but few people today are writing songs as personal and as craftful as he does on a regular basis.

I Would Hurt a Fly - Built to Spill

Built to Spill is one of the greatest bands of the 90s no doubt. Each song of thiers has more innovation, emotion, and kick ass sections than most bands out today have in thier entire catalogue. Also, singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug Martsch, is as close to an actual God as anyone in rock has ever been.

Get Set - Kano ft. Low Deep, Ghetto, Big Seac, and Demon

Time to change it up with one of the best MCs out of the truly blossoming UK hip-hop/grime scene. This song was featured on the compilation "Run the Road vol. 2" which was the sequel to one of the most important (and great) compilations to be released in the last 10 years. I originally heard this song from a guy named Mikey, and he liked it. I do too. The beat is sick, and the rhymes are too. This is the new age grime, indeed.

Little Derek - Sway

Sway is truly about to explode. He has more mainstream upside than any MC in England, he's got better rhymes than anyone out today, and he is a Newcastle United fan. All of this adds up to my favorite new artist and your future favorite new artist. I met him, too.

My Sentimental Melody - Magnetic Fields

Yes, the Magnetic Fields sing mostly love songs. Yes, the songs are written by Stephin Merritt, who is a homosexual. Yes, the love songs are mostly sung by a man about men. This should not stop anyone, straight or gay, from listening to this brilliant man. The melodies are perfect, the production is fantastic, and the lyrics are universal enough to appeal to anyone with a heart. HOLY SHIT, this guy can write the perfect love song.

Fog - Radiohead

Baby alligators, nuff said. I figured for my first post I had to put something by the greatest band in the world. This is probably my favorite Radiohead B-side because while it's too WIERD a song even for Radiohead to put on an album, it's also too GREAT a song to not love it. Radiohead gave experimentation a heart.

Death to Everyone - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

Anyone who knows me could have guessed that there would be something by this guy here. This song is an acceptance of the most basic fact of life, that "it's gonna come". The production on this song (and on this whole album) makes you feel like you are sitting in a dark room with Bonnie (real name Will Oldham) as he sings this dark song to you, adding a creepy effect to an album with creepiness to spare. If you plan on listening to this guy alone at night, it is best to not be near any razors or ropes long enough to make a noose.

Bellona - Junior Boys

In a perfect world, this song would have OWNED dance floors when it came out. I can't really explain why I included this song here on my first post. I guess I just always thought these Canadians deserved more acclaim. Heart-felt vocals along with a glitchy dance beat all put into a pop song that owes as much to Daft Punk as it does to Timbaland.

R.A.G.U. - Ghostface Killah ft. Raekwon

Between me and the Green Hornet, this blog is definitely gonna have a strong predilection for the Wu-Tang clan and Wu associated projects. My favorite member of Wu recently put out arguably his best album and this is one of my favorite songs from it. This song could have fit in perfectly on Raekwon's album "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx". Raekwon's storytelling is as good as it has ever been, and no two MCs work together better than these two men. Fishscale is easily one of the best albums of 2006 and this song is a classic example of the genius of the Wu.