Raconteurs: The New Cream?

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. Another NME-esque hyperbolic comparison of a legendary band with a new one that is simply not worthy. (Cue eye-rolls)

Well, I just finished downloading the Raconteurs’ Lollapalooza set and I was blown the fuck away. It was amazing, but it also struck me, they remind me of Cream. (You know, the supergroup from the Sixties, comprised of Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton.)

Of course there are many reasons for this. The first, obviously, being that they’re both “supergroups.” Supergroups that have two lead vocalists. Supergroups that are driven by the bassist much of the time. Supergroups with amazing drummers. Supergroups in which the main attraction is a guitar god, Cream with Eric Clapton, Raconteurs with Jack White (Shut up, he is a guitar god! Who else could get an entire country singing his riff? — Italy singing Seven Nation Army. What?!).

Just a side note, let’s give Brendan Benson his due. He also is a monster with an axe. (hmm, nice visual)

They also both play very credible covers of well-known songs. Raconteurs cover Crazy by Gnarls Barkley, It Ain’t Easy by David Bowie, and Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) by Nancy Sinatra, at Lollapalooza.

But also, I noticed something else. Both bands made very well crafted pop songs in the studio, but their real shining moments are onstage, where they take these songs and turn them into amazing jam sessions with mind-blowing guitar solos. The Live versions of Level, Intimate Secretary (which I prefer to the studio version), and especially Blue Veins almost made me cream my pants (no pun intended…you know, Cream…you know…). Jack White just goes nuts with his guitar. He’s a fucking blowtorch!

Both are incredible bands that take great pop songs and jam onstage and stop time. I hope to see them live sometime.

Jack, Brendan, keep doing your thing. I hope you make a new album in the future.

After a new White Stripes album, of course. Jackie boy, we want a new White Stripes album.

Rock on!

Ryno.

Raconteurs set @ Lollapalooza:

1. Intimate Secretary
2. Level
3. Steady, As She Goes
4. Together
5. It Ain’t Easy (David Bowie cover)
6. Store Bought Bones
7. Five on the Five
8. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (Nancy Sinatra cover)
9. Broken Boy Soldier
10. Yellow Sun
11. Blue Veins
12. Crazy (Gnarls Barkley cover)
13. Hands

Raconteurs covers @ Lollapalooza

It Ain’t Easy – David Bowie cover

Crazy – Gnarls Barkley cover

The owner of this video doesn’t allow embedding. Just click the play button, then click the video screen again to open it in Youtube.

Bang Bang – Nancy Sinatra cover

(You know, the song from “Kill Bill”)

Frickin’ awesome! I wish I could’ve been there.

New Outkast music videos

Outkast – Idlewild Blues (Don’t Chu Worry ‘Bout Me)

I like this song and video, although the part at the beginning with the bootleg DVD thing was stupid. Also, this reminds me of The Strokes’ You Only Live Once video.

The song’s great though. Andre 3000 is doin’ the damn thang.

Outkast feat. Scar & Sleepy Brown – Morris Brown

I think the song’s cool, the beat and the singing (holy shit, the hook is crazy!) but Big Boi doesn’t rap very good. His verses are boring.

The video’s kinda silly.

Yeah, that marching band beat is fuckin’ cool. And whoever this Scar guy is, he sure can sing.

Idlewild might actually be a good album.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Cheated Hearts music video

Damn, I should’ve sent in an entry. I could’ve been Nick Zinner.

What do you guys think? Would I make a good Nick Zinner? The guy with the guitar, with the wacky hair and all?

Could’ve got Reg to be Brian Chase (drummer) and, I dunno, Amanda to be Karen O.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Brian Chase, Karen O, Nick Zinner

That would’ve been cool.

P.S. That little girl’s cute.

I suspect trouble in Stankonia

Either Big Boi is in denial or he’s all out of ideas about what to rap about.

I mean, seriously, if all is well in the Dungeon Family and OutKast is fine, why must you defend yourself constantly?

Take these lyrics from his new single “Morris Brown” for example:

“And everybody wanna know
what’s really going on
Is you and 3000 still makin’ songs?
so on and so on
I can go o-on and oh-on
and on and on and on
Hell yes.”

Not only is it not convincing, it’s boring and uncreative. Like he had a bar to fill and didn’t know what to do with it.

Big Boi: Oh, I’ll just say “on and on” over and over. They’ll like it.

Well, I didn’t Big Boi. I didn’t.

Thankfully, Big Boi isn’t the focus of the song. The hook and bridge and basically every part that Big Boi isn’t a part of is great, thanks to Scar and Sleepy Brown, and the great marching band beat.

As for yours and Andre’s relationship…. we’ll see. You keep saying y’all are okay, but you’re a little obsessed about telling us. I mean, who are you trying to convince?

I think the truth will reveal itself in the next year or so.

And I gotta say of my expectations of the actual album Idlewild, I am reminded of certain lyrics from one Andre 3000 from their song “Rosa Parks”:

“…Kinda sour ’cause my favorite group ain’t comin’ wit’ it
But I’m witcha you cause you probably goin through it anyway
But anyhow when in doubt went on out and bought it
Cause I thought it would be jammin but examine all the flawsky-wawsky
Awfully, it’s sad and it’s costly, but that’s all she wrote
And I hope I never have to float in that boat.”

I like that part. Flow’s crazy, but I’m afraid it might be applicable to this situation. Andre, I love y’all, but my hopes for this album are very low. “The Mighty O” is an awesome song. When I heard it, my expectations shot straight up. But “Morris Brown” shows that Big Boi isn’t trying very hard. Either that or he’s trying too hard to keep y’all together and coming really weak lyrically. I’m afraid you’re about to be floating in the very boat you hoped against 8 years ago.

I’m not alone in my suspicions. XXL also suspects something is wrong.

But, when in doubt….

I’ll buy your album, but it better be good, or you’ll get another blog from me and it won’t be a good one.

‘Til August 22nd….

Peace.
Ryno.

Happy Birthday Ryanator!!!

Holy shit, dude, I just turned 21 today! Can you believe it? 21!

I’m legal all over the world now!
Think I’ll go to Vegas and marry a prostitute or something.

Yeah, I’ll get both my 21-year-old friends and we’ll go to Vegas.
Prostitute brides all around!

After beer, though. After beer.

Peace, y’all.
Ryno.

Gnarls Barkley – Smiley Faces music video

Who is Gnarls Barkley?

I like how they did this. A lot better than the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing dress-up.

Rolling Stones’ concert at Altamont, Andy Warhol’s studio & the Velvet Underground, The Clash, Bob Marley and the Wailers, David Bowie….

Plus Dennis Hopper, yo. Awesome.

I love Gnarls Barkley.

You know what grinds my gears?

I hate it when people talk to you when you’re in the bathroom. It’s a private area. Leave me the fuck alone. It’s just plain fucking rude.

I hate it when people yell “Calm down!” when you’re pissed off. Do you really think I’m going to calm down when you’re yelling like that, stupid motherfucker? It shifts anger. Do you want me to stay angry at the original source of my anger or do you want me pissed off at you? If it’s the former, then stfu and let me be angry.

I hate it when you say something deliberately and obviously to push buttons (i.e. racist, offensive…) and someone kills the vibe and turns it into a serious discussion or whatever. Like, shit, I’m just kidding around. Chill the fuck out.

I hate cocky little fuckers that haven’t or barely even begun puberty and already think they’re king shit. Those cocky fuckers need to be smacked, but you can’t smack them because they’re little. Fuckin’ little shits.

I hate the way the rap community has turned every negative opinion into “hatin’.” What ever happened to genuinely not liking something? If I don’t like it, I don’t like it, doesn’t mean I’m hatin’. Hate is a very strong word and often implies a certain amount of jealousy. If I don’t like something, it’s because it’s not my thing, not because I’m jealous of it.

I hate the Black Eyed Peas. They just plain fucking suck and I wish they would all drop dead at the same time. Or better yet, one by one, so the others can fear when their time will come. Fear is always fun in those you hate. I think I’ll kill them. (By the way, this is a deep dislike, not jealousy.) Yes, I will off them one at a time, starting with that ugly bitch Fergie. I’ll stab her in both her eyes and then shoot that fucking “hump” of hers with a shotgun. Stupid bitch.

I hate people who say they’re not racist, but turn around and say the most racist things in the world.
(More on this in Ami’s blog)

I hAtE iT wHeN pEoPlE tYpE lIkE tHiS.

And I hate, I hate, I hate Peter Pan!

Okay, that was from Hook. I couldn’t resist.

I hate it when you make a joke and nobody gets it, and it just confuses people.

I hate it when you try to let out a silent fart but it just spurts out intermittently and people notice but don’t say anything. Kinda embarassing.

I hate it when you correct people’s spelling or grammar and they get all “Thanks Word Spell Check” or “What are you, and English teacher?” Fuck, you should know this shit by now. It’s not that hard.

I hate it when you say something critical of another person and they just wait for the chance to use it against you. Like, seriously, get a life.

I hate it when you ask someone to repeat themselves and they only say one or two words. i.e.

Person 1: I just finished reading American Psycho. That’s a crazy book.
Person 2: What?
Person 1: American Psycho.
Person 2: (Confused)

Like, shit, that doesn’t explain anything.

I hate it when your internet porn has viruses and you have to format your hard drive. All that porn and music, gone. It sucks.

I hate it when people have a million “goodbye” emoticons and feel the need to send each and every one of them when either of you departs.

And last, but not least, I hate it when you tell people what you hate and they turn around and do it just to see your reaction, like you’re probably going to do in my comments.

I hate you. Peace.
Ryno.

R.I.P. Syd Barrett 1946-2006

Syd Barrett, founder and original frontman of Pink Floyd, died July 7th of complications related to diabetes.

Rolling Stone article on Syd Barrett’s life and career.

Syd was a phenomenal musician. Piper at the Gates of Dawn is one of my favourite Pink Floyd albums. Very unique sound. Psychedelia at its most psychedelic. Syd will be greatly missed.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

No regrets!

Live everyday like it’s the last day of your life.

I hear that all the time. So much that it’s almost lost all meaning. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Sit in the corner of my room and cry all day? Kill all the people I hate? Do as many drugs as possible? What?

I was listening to a Janis Joplin rant and it got me thinking. I think you don’t have a tomorrow. People always expect tomorrow to show up. Living in the future. Planning for a time that never comes. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen tomorrow. I’ve only seen today. When the clock strikes midnight, it’s not tomorrow, it’s today. To keep track of time, yes, it’s a different day, but it’s not tomorrow, it’s still today. Today is yesterday’s tomorrow, but yesterday is gone. It’s not yesterday anymore. It never was yesterday, actually. We called yesterday today. That’s what it was. It wasn’t yesterday until we called it that.

You never see tomorrow because it doesn’t exist. Never did, never will. When you wake up in the morning, you don’t wake up tomorrow, you wake up today. If you base your life around yesterday, you’ve lost today. You only have today. That’s it. You’re living today right now. You’ll be living today later on. You’ll be living today as long as you live. You’re not alive tomorrow. You’re alive today. Today never goes anywhere. Our idea of today is gone when today becomes yesterday and tomorrow becomes today. But it’s always today.

Don’t live life like it’s the last day of your life. Live life knowing it’s the last day of your life.

Easier said than done, right? Well, I thought about that too, and what I think is pretty simple: Enjoy life. This is easy to do. Sure, waste your time, but waste it well. If you’re watching TV, watch something good. Or watch something bad and make fun of it. Talk to people you like talking/arguing with. Chat with interesting people online. Eat good food. If you’re having sex or masturbating, enjoy it. Do things that you wouldn’t mind dying doing. Right now, I’m expressing my opinion while listening to “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles and drinking Coca-Cola, my favourite beverage. I could die right now. I don’t want to, but if I did, I wouldn’t have any regrets because I’m enjoying this moment right now. If I died watching an Ashlee Simpson music video my life would be a complete waste. If I didn’t enjoy my last moments, my life wouldn’t mean much.

I’ll say it again. Live life knowing it’s the last day of your life. You don’t have tomorrow, you have today. Today is the last day of your life. How do you want to remember it?

I’m going to read American Psycho – great book – and then go to sleep. If I die in my sleep or while reading, I’ll have no regrets. No regrets.