Alan's Weekly-ish Music Recommendations Thread!

Sufjan Stevens · Post by **Sufjan Stevens** » 9/29/2004, 7:39 pm

The so-called "Commander in Chief of all assholes in the world" is making a new music thread because the old one was locked. I would properly apologize to Alex in there, but the problem is, it's locked. Therefore, it's rather impossible to say something to her in there, so here's a new thread! I'll try to keep the unlistenable music out of here, just so we don't have any problems like the last time.

I'm going to throw a more recent album at all of you people to check out. Hell, it actually came out this year, and not in the 1990s, so this is a rarity for me. The album I'll review is John Vanderslice - Cellar Door

Odds are, none of you here actually heard of Vanderslice's old band, MK Ultra, and that's cool, because they were very unknown outside of San Francisco, but I bet some of you have heard of him. In addition to having one of the better releases of 2004, he opened up for fellow Barsuk Records band Death Cab For Cutie, the current band of the week.

Cellar Door is one of those albums that doesn't have an amazingly catchy standout track, but more of a complete album. Vanderslice also believes in lots of extra sounds in his music, like a violin, cello, trombone, and the good old piano. In MK Ultra, they practically lived off all those extra sounds, but here, he's toned it down and everything blends together nicely.

In "They Won't Let Me Run," Vanderslice has the perfect mixture of strings and surprisingly emotive vocals to tell the story of one fucking his life up by getting a woman pregnant abdgetting married. It's a lovely little tale, I must say.

"Heated Pool and Bar" starts off with a crashing drums and slight trombone intro that leads into a rather standout track. John's restrained voice, perfectly in key with the music surrounding him, evokes emotion even though he tends to hold everything back for the arrangement's sake. The song, based around war. The way John puts himself in these stories and gets you to believe you're there, watching him enact his words, is uncanny.

"My Family Tree" is a somber tale of John losing his remaining family. The vocals, again, held back, paints the prettiest picture of his father's death and his absolute loneliness.

"Coming and Going on Easy Terms" places a man being called to identify what was believed to be his deceased son, sent home from a war. The way he expresses juibaltion in another child's death is mortifying, yet painfully realistic.

John Vanderslice has the amazing talent of being able to write a song and make it seem so realistic that you can't help but picture yourself in the scene. His creativity is only matched by the likes of Colin Meloy of the Decemberists. The singer/songwriter craft will never die!

Recommended songs: They Won't Let Me Run, Heated Pool and Bar, My Family Tree, Promising Actress, Coming and Going on Easy Terms.

Check it out. The album is rather short and capable of an entire listen, as everything flows together perfectly. "They Won't Let Me Run" is available here ( http://www.johnvanderslice.com/html/mp3 ... _door.html ) and if you can, download the entire album. It's worth the listen.

areusad831 · Post by **areusad831** » 9/30/2004, 5:31 am

then you can apoligize here or pm her.

by the way john vanderslice is incredibly boring and probably one of the worst live acts I have ever seen.

superboots · Post by **superboots** » 9/30/2004, 6:18 am

I agree to that.

But it could be because I didn't know his music and he played for like an hour and all i wanted was for pedro to start

superboots · Post by **superboots** » 9/30/2004, 6:18 am

and by the way alex said she doesn't give a shit about an apology, she expected alan to get mad

Korzic · Post by **Korzic** » 9/30/2004, 7:55 am

Posting generic "Hijack thread in interests of flaming purposes" post.

Sufjan Stevens · Post by **Sufjan Stevens** » 9/30/2004, 9:41 am

areusad831 wrote:by the way john vanderslice is incredibly boring and probably one of the worst live acts I have ever seen.

But you still like the Decemberists. It's not like they're the exact same thing or anything. It's John Vanderslice with a fucking accordian. Hell, beyond the first four songs on "Castaways and Cutouts" the Decemberists become painfully repetitive on each and every song.

And I've learned something new today, if you like Christian psuedo-indie music that isn't quite...good....you'll hate John Vanderslice.

areusad831 · Post by **areusad831** » 9/30/2004, 10:08 am

christian pseudo indie music?

where the hell do people come up with these titles...whatever happened to just indie music.

superboots · Post by **superboots** » 9/30/2004, 4:40 pm

i dunno there were a lot of people who were rocking out to both vanderslice and pedro...i just don't like concerts when i don't know the songs lol

Reyna · Post by **Reyna** » 9/30/2004, 5:00 pm

I like John Vanderslice. In fact, I just went to one of his shows on monday.

Joe Cooler · Post by **Joe Cooler** » 9/30/2004, 6:57 pm

superboots wrote:i dunno there were a lot of people who were rocking out to both vanderslice and pedro...i just don't like concerts when i don't know the songs lol

"Pedro the lion" or just "Pedro?"

superboots · Post by **superboots** » 9/30/2004, 7:36 pm

pedro the lion

Joe Cooler · Post by **Joe Cooler** » 9/30/2004, 7:44 pm

Nice. I wasnt aware there were any other pedro the lion fans on this board.

Sufjan Stevens · Post by **Sufjan Stevens** » 9/30/2004, 8:27 pm

Here's how I came up with the title.

Pedro The Lion - Christian rock band.
Jade Tree Records - Not an independant record label.

Christian pseudo-indie rock band.

areusad831 · Post by **areusad831** » 9/30/2004, 10:09 pm

i wouldnt say its christian rock the guy makes mention of god but so do many other bands. He writes about questioning religion which I think is a pretty good topic to write songs about. But if that makes him christian rock he should so tour with creed next.

Korzic · Post by **Korzic** » 9/30/2004, 10:32 pm

Creed are dead.... and thats one thing we can thank the Lord above for

Sufjan Stevens · Post by **Sufjan Stevens** » 9/30/2004, 10:48 pm

Rob.

Stop. You're not talking about the music I mentioned, and I am certain you didn't download or listen to anything I recommended, so please, just stop posting in here until you do. This is supposed to be about the music, not you trying to be a dick.

Hope · Post by **Hope** » 9/30/2004, 10:56 pm

Korzic wrote:Creed are dead.... and thats one thing we can thank the Lord above for

Joe Cooler · Post by **Joe Cooler** » 9/30/2004, 11:21 pm

areusad831 wrote:i wouldnt say its christian rock the guy makes mention of god but so do many other bands. He writes about questioning religion which I think is a pretty good topic to write songs about. But if that makes him christian rock he should so tour with creed next.

He's definetely a christian artist, theres very little doubt in my mind about it. However he's very unorthadox as far as most christians go. For instance he isnt afraid to drop the f-bomb in his songs.

happening fish · Post by **happening fish** » 10/7/2004, 12:06 pm

Alan, I've never listened to Neutral Milk Hotel before so it is taking me a while to get used to Jeff's voice, but I must say... Two Headed Boy Pt 2 is definitely growing on me. A lot :drool:

nelison · Post by **nelison** » 10/7/2004, 1:38 pm

ya they've been on my playlist for a few weeks now. They're pretty good.