Jan 18, 2011
Jan 17, 2011
Shameful Confessions: My Darkest Days
Shameful Confessions
This'll be a new occasional feature (that hopefully doesn't diminish what little credibility I have left), discussing an album, song, artist, genre or other music related subject that I should probably be ashamed to admit that I enjoy. I'm of the opinion that you like what you like, who cares if critics like it?... with the caveat that one must have some shred of (what is generally perceived to be) good musical taste to not suck as a human being. Take my wife for example, she likes musicals (eh), some modern rock (eh), Josh Groban and the like (um?), hair metal (yes!), Linda Rondstadt (although I'm not a big fan, Linda is a well respected artist), Pink (pretty cool)... and she enjoyed Lucero when we saw them in concert... therefore, her sucky tastes are balanced out with some good stuff. If she only liked Josh Groban and Rent, I probably wouldn't be referring to her as "my wife" (just kidding, love you sweetie!). I, on the other hand, have impeccable taste in music (traditional country, alt-country, indie rock, soul, good metal, top tier rap artists, etc).... BUT (That's a big "but" there). But, there are exceptions...there are songs, musicians and albums that defy my normal listening preferences by a long shot. I don't really feel all that guilty about these musical pleasures - I'm too far into my 30's and set in my ways to give a damn - but this column needed a recurring title. Anyway, here's the first entry.
My Darkest Days - s/t
I hate Nickelback, in case you didn't know. Hate them with a passion. I can identify one of their songs (heard or unheard before) within 3 notes - in time to swiftly turn the station. I also hate most modern rock...Godsmack, Three Days Grace, Disturbed, Chevelle, etc. Can't stand 'em.
My Darkest Days has frequently been described as Nickelback-lite. Their breakout hit, "Porn Star Dancing" is a sleazy ode to strippers that features Chad Kroeger (of Nickelback) and has an accompanying remix featuring Ludacris. Most of the album is MOR anthemic modern rock, with nothing particularly new to offer in the way of lyrics or music. Based on these points, the self-titled debut sounds like it should be the aural equivalent of Hell.
BUT, I like it. A lot.
WTF? Why? Well, the aforementioned "Porn Star Dancing" is infectious and naughty... and fun. It's reminiscent of the joyous,unrepentant debauchery of my beloved hair metal. LA Guns sprung to mind when I first heard it. I immediately sought out the album for preview after hearing the track. I was disappointed to find out that the rest of the album was as far from LA Guns as Rascal Flatts is from country. Still, I gave it a shot. Then another, then another, then I was hooked.
Few of the other songs are immediately enjoyable as the single, but they definitely grew on me. I suppose it's the band's focus on melody over attitude that set them apart for me. Most of the tunes are pop songs with a loud guitar bed... bass driven and ingratiating. Though some are full of bravado, that's not the point here. The songs are the thing, not the image. Not so with groups like Nickelback, whose main lot in the music biz is to constantly show you how big their balls are.
"Burn It Down" is another of my favorites from My Darkest Days. It has a reggae-lite rhythm and an earworm of a melody. Think Sublime with more direction. It gets stuck in my head more often than it should. "Come Undone" is a skillfully rendered take on the 1990's Duran Duran hit. My Darkest Days shows off a little lyrical skill (for the only time on the album, mind you) on "Goodbye," in which the singer leaves a heroin addicted lover for his own good. These are the more memorable songs, but aside from the pretty insipid opener "Move Your Body," none of them are skippers.
Seriously though, nothing about this album or band, for the time being, is remarkable. The lead singer has a likable voice. The guitar work is fine, if unexceptional. The songs are far from groundbreaking. I don't know what the draw is. There's always that undefinable "it" factor, which My Darkest Days does seem to possess. Basically, I just dig the album... what else is there to say? I may hate it and myself for writing this in a month or so, but for now, it is what it.... nevermind.
I hope the band's likely forthcoming mainstream success won't go to their head. Rather, they should continue on the path they've already begun, with their eyes and ears always on the song, not the trappings of their genre or their growing popularity.
Jan 16, 2011
Jan 13, 2011
YouTube Gems: Kasey Anderson
Kasey Anderson (Recommended if you like: Todd Snider, Lucero, Replacements, Steve Earle, older Jack Ingram) has a rocking new album with his band The Honkies, called Heart of a Dog coming out soon. More talk about that later, but for now, here's an excellent Music Fog performance of "Don't Look Back." Does this guy sound great live or what?
Feel Bad For You
Feel Bad for You is a monthly mixtape started several years ago at altcountrytab.ca for message board members to share new music. Recently it has been expanded to include some like-minded bloggers as well, and given its own blog. Generally, the selection is, as the blog's header says, any song, any genre, any year, but the first edition of this new phase of the FBFY mixtape is a Best of 2010 edition. Stream it below, and check out the blog below that.
Jan 12, 2011
.99 Reviews: Trace Adkins "Brown Chicken Brown Cow"
.99 ReviewTrace Adkins - Brown Chicken Brown Cow
(Click the title to listen)
The Peoples' Take
Cowboy (5 Stars)
by Brenda Smith
I love Brown Chicken Brown Cow song - it is the absolute funny and to watch Trace perform this in concert makes it that much better.
One of his best! (5 Stars)
by Paula Peppers
I can't get "brown chicken brown cow" out of my head! LOL
My Take
To be honest with you, I felt dirty listening to this. With a listening history of NWA, 2Pac, 2 Live Crew, George Carlin, Jon Lajoie, Clarence Carter and the Bellamy Brothers ;), that's saying a lot. It's a country rocker built around the old joke that the music in pornographic movies sounds like "bow chicka wow wow," and that's almost all you need to know about the tune. But that won't stop me from running it down.
Trace Adkins has what may be the best voice in contemporary country. It's a booming baritone that has depth and a gentleness when needed. He's also an interesting dude with a big personality and genuine country cred. He's released some really great songs over the years… "Arlington" "Every Light in the House" "Til the Last Shot's Fired" to name a few.
That said, he's also released some of the biggest steaming piles of crap heard on country radio in… ever. I won't hate on "Badonkadonk"… it's been done enough already, and there's at least a little kitsch value to that song. No, I'm talking about "Rough and Ready" "Swing" "I Left Something Turned on at Home" "Hot Mama" "Ladies Love Country Boys" the list goes on.
"Brown Chicken Brown Cow" falls into the latter category. It's a one trick pony with no saddle.
The story is pointless, just a contrived tale to lead up to the punch line. So what's wrong with a little roll in the hay? Nothing; nothing at all if there's a little feeling in the lovemaking or a good plot leading up to it… this is just an end-of-the-show SNL sketch set to music. Ha ha ha, it's a song about porn music, LOLZ! So clever.
What's worse - the titular bovine and foul apparently get off on voyeurism. "nobody watchin' but the brown chicken brown cow." Great. I bet there's already a website for that. The crow even called out to let 'em know that some barn loft sexin' was about to go down. All animals are equal, but some animals get to watch the peep show.
I hope the two rural lovers checked all their crevices for straw afterwards.
Come on Trace. You're better than this.
Total Value: .22/.99
The checklist:
Beer
Life Affirmation
Mama
Boots
Name Dropping
Dying Person
County Fair
Blue Jeans
Lost Love
LoveHometown Pride
Kindly Advice
Dirt Road
Truck
Whiskey
USA
Soldiers
Pop Sheen
Star Power
Jan 11, 2011
Larry Lee the Primitive Baptist Reviews
Craig Morgan - Still a Little Chicken Left on that Bone
This despicable song actually has the gall to hold up sinners as role models. A divorced woman! A pervert football player! All the while comparing them to fried chicken and Coca-Cola. I don't even fully understand that metaphor and I know it's wrong in the sight of the Lord. Also there's some devilish rock and roll guitars playing loudly throughout this ode to finding the tiniest bit of good left in a hellbound miscreant. While these evildoers may in fact be retrievable from those unpearly gates, one should not look to them as paragons of virtue. Write me a song after this harlot redeems her lifestyle - surely she ate of Satan's fruit, and after this ball player puts his pecker back in his Wrangler blue jeans and repents of his misdeeds. 1 John 5: 17 says "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." Verily, we shall only look upon righteousness as a virtue worth following. In summation: divorce and tallywhacker texts = damnation.
F
Jan 10, 2011
Jan 9, 2011
Top 10 Potential Perfect Country Star Product Sponsorships
10. Bucky Covington - Cohn Adult High School
09. Kenny Rogers - Halloween Mask Outlet
08. Martina McBride - Jack Daniels
07. Lady Antebellum - Kraft Cheese Spread
06. Lee Ann Womack - Petite Country & Western Wear
05. Josh Abbott Band - CD Duplicators
04. Gary LeVox - Krispy Kreme Donut Burgers
03. Sara Evans - Cougar Town
02. Colt Ford - Athens Septic Service
01. Willie Nelson - Zig Zag Rolling Papers (duh)
Jan 7, 2011
Good Article about Country Carpetbaggers
And our pal Triggerman from Saving Country Music is featured in the article!
Excerpt:
Lately, Gwyneth Paltrow has been behaving like a country-music star. It began in November when Paltrow slipped into a tiny dress and delivered a warbling performance at the CMA Awards. The next chapter comes Friday, in the movie Country Strong, in which Paltrow sings in front of a video screen filled with wild horses, swills booze at a roadhouse, and approvingly quotes Waylon Jennings. We could chalk it up to a mid-career crisis, except that Paltrow isn’t the only one wearing a new pair of boots and affecting a twang. These days, country music is filled with country carpetbaggers.
YouTube Gems: Todd Snider
From the wonderful upcoming double live album Live: Storyteller, here's Todd Snider with "Stuck on the Corner."
Jan 6, 2011
YouTube Gems: Hayes Carll
From his upcoming album KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories), here's the fantastic Hayes Carll with "Hard Out Here."
John Rich's Songwriting Tips #47
Imagery is very important part of country music songwriting. It's not enough to say you drive a tractor, you have to describe the sweet ass sound system you put in it and how cold the air conditioning is in that bad boy. It's not enough to say "she's so pretty." Tell us how firm her buttocks are, how her gazongas fill up her sweater, how her supple skin looks in the moonllight... uh. I gotta go take care of something. Just remember to give the listeners the details. The devil's in there, and so is the cold hard caaaaash.
*Not actually written by John Rich
Jan 5, 2011
Country Song Flow Chart
I wish I'd have thought of this. A flow chart to determine which country song best describes your life....very clever! Click here to see it, and here's the chart's creator, Madalynn's blog too: The Mad Priest
Jan 4, 2011
Jan 3, 2011
Jan 2, 2011
In the Year 2030 #6
•Bonaroo cuts costs by playing jam band tunes over loud-speakers; burn-outs don't notice
•Toby Keith given ACM lifetime achievement award; due to lack of willing presenters, Academy sets trophy on stage for him to collect for himself
•Person who let the dogs out finally arrested during routine traffic stop
•Black Eyed Peas' song "Uh Yeah Uh" hits #1 on Billboard, setting a record for least number of words in a #1 song (uh yeah uh)
•Ringtones get Grammy category; cell phones held to microphone during "performances"
•Nickelback and Breaking Benjamin era fondly recalled as "back when rock was still good"
•George Strait's latest album certified platinum
•New live video-feed Twitter allows users to see what people/artists they're following are doing with each update; 50 Cent's life proven not to be nearly as interesting as previously thought
•Antique first generation iPod in mint condition sold on eBay for $12,524; returned when found to include Darryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten?"
•Grand Ol' Opry renamed CMA Fest Auditorium
Jan 1, 2011
10 Most Popular Posts of 2010
I'm copying Country California with this feature but so what? These are the 10 FTM posts that got the most traffic in 2010. What stands out the most to me is that there are ZERO of the monthly "Country Album Cover Days" in the Top 10... in fact, there were only a couple in the Top 30. I've actually known they weren't as big of a draw for a while now, but plan to continue to have monthly country days in the coming year. Farce the Music began exclusively as an album cover parodying blog, but had to evolve to grow. Apparently that growth has been successful, as 2010 was FTM's best year so far (in its short history) and Nov-Dec were its best months yet. Thanks for sticking with us as we evolve!
Top 10 FTM Posts of 2010:
Dec 31, 2010
Dec 30, 2010
Random Best of 2010 Lists
This is my last "Best of 2010" post... I promise!
Favorite EPs of 2010:
Eleven Bones - Four Day March
Buy this, country and alt-country fans! It's so freaking good.... and they better put out a full album soon, or else!
Horatio Lee Jenkins - Drunker Than Satan
Funny stuff!
John Moreland - Hope Springs Ephemeral
Right up the alley of fans of Slobberbone, The 'Mats, Lucero and the like.
Favorite Live Albums of 2010
Drew Kennedy - Alone, But Not Lonely (Still a free download and well worth it! ;))
Drew with guitar, singing songs and telling stories about the songs. So good.
Jason Boland and the Stragglers - High in the Rockies
The band is in great form, tearing through a long set of originals and awesome covers.
Zac Brown Band - Pass the Jar
If you don't count the song with an ear-shredding performance by the cackling Angie Aparo, there's not a clunker to be found here. These guys are tight!
Biggest Disappointments of 2010
These aren't bad albums by any stretch…just not what I was hoping for from these artists.
Johnny Cash - American VI: Ain't No Grave
Sun Kil Moon - Admiral Fell Promises
The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever
Hank III - Rebel Within
Ryan Bingham - Junky Star
Other 2010 Albums Beyond My Top 40 Worthy of Mention: (in some semblance of order)
Delta Spirit - History From Below
The Moondoggies - Tidelands
Against Me! - White Crosses
Marah - Life is a Problem
Phosphorescent - Here's to Taking It Easy
My Darkest Days - s/t
Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the Void
Travel By Sea - Two States and the Blindness that Follows
Easton Corbin - s/t
Monster Magnet - Mastermind
Titus Andronicus - The Monitor
Eminem - Recovery
Dierks Bentley - Up On the Ridge
Krizz Kaliko - Shock Treatment
Peter Cooper - The Lloyd Green Album
Tim Barry - 28th & Stonewall
Alan Jackson - Freight Train
Truckstop Darlin' - S/T
The National - High Violet
The Brothers Comatose - Songs from the Stoop
Nightjar - Hometown Stranger
Danzig - Deth Red Saboath
The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
Ray Wylie Hubbard - A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There Is No C)
Trombone Shorty - Backatown
Javi Garcia and the Cold Cold Ground - A Southern Horror
Jerrod Niemann - Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury
Retribution Gospel Choir - 2
Brett Detar - Bird in the Tangle
Gary Allan - Get Off On the Pain
Butch Walker and the Black Widows - I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart
Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros - Agave
Rihanna - Loud
Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
South Memphis String Band - Home Sweet Home
American Graveyard - Hallelujahland
Josh Thompson - Way Out Here
Nappy Roots - The Pursuit of Nappyness
Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown
The Steel Wheels - Red Wing
Shinyribs - Well After Awhile
Widespread Panic - Dirty Side Down
Whispering Pines - Family Tree
Mark Chesnutt - Outlaw
Guthrie Kennard - Matchbox
Murder By Death - Good Morning, Magpie
The Band Perry - s/t
D.B. Rielly - Love Potions and Snake Oil
The Benedictions - Play Devil Music
Little Brother - LeftBack
Stone Temple Pilots - s/t
Jakob Dylan - Women and Country
Memphis 59 - Ragged But Right
The Morning Benders - Big Echo
Slash - s/t
She & Him - Volume 2
Carolina Chocolate Drops - Genuine Negro Jig
Freedy Johnston - Rain on the City
The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt
Rogue Wave - Permalight
I See Hawks in L.A. - Should've Been Gold
Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here
The Sadies - Darker Circles
Bucky Covington's Top 10 Resolutions for 2011
Bucky Covington's Top 10 Resolutions for 2011
(transcribed by his publicist)
10. Don't engage in conversation with Tom-Tom anymore
9. Already smarter than 5th grader, so find 6th grader to beat at tic-tac-toe
8. Don't take product labels literally from now on
7. Convince Taylor Swift to write song for me
(remember to change to perspective of male!)
6. Remember that "camouflage" and "camomile"
are not the same thing before next hunting season
5. Stop responding to emails from dethroned Nigerian princes
4. Learn to see the good in all people, even hateful bloggers like Trailer and CM
3. When I feel self-conscious, always remember,
I'm more intelligent than a likely 2012 presidential candidate
2. Buy new goldfish, remember that it doesn't eat flakes from Goldschlager
1. Learn the difference between "supposition" and "suppository" ...!!
Dec 29, 2010
Best Albums of 2010
I know there were other albums that came out this year that I missed that could have made it to this list, but this is the best I heard in 2010 as of December 29th. An honorable mention goes out to Glossary for their album Feral Fire, which I was way late to the party for. If I'd grabbed this gem earlier, it certainly would have made a dent on the chart.
Top 10 Albums of 2010
There's just no way around it. Jamey's The Guitar Song is a monster. While it's not an album most can sit down and digest in one sitting due to the dark side of the yin yang decidedly outweighing the light side…(even some of the happy songs carry an air of sorrow) this is truly the best mainstream country album of the year and, quite likely, the last 20 years. Aside from a couple of slightly shoddier songs, the writing is top of the heap - Johnson is without peer in the Nashville mainstream. The bearded one is no savior though; Nashvegas won't change overnight. However, the fact that this record has already moved 500,000 copies bodes well for the future. Jamey may not even have a top 10 hit off this release, but it won't matter. The Guitar Song is a monumental success.
Must listens: Cover Your Eyes, Can't Cash My Checks, How I Don't Love You
Blending his eccentricities with warm vocals, a love of classic soul and a forward-thinking approach, Cee-Lo gave us an album anyone with an appreciation of R&B can love. Even your grandmother would dig it, if it weren't for "F*ck You," the viral smash that begat the sanitized Glee cover hit. The Lady Killer is strange, but comfortable… fresh, but throwback… immediately catchy, but layered. It gets no better in modern R&B.
Must listens: F**k You, Satisfied, Love Gun
In any other year, this would have easily topped my list, especially since it's Two Cow Garage's best album to date. Some say they've abandoned alt-country/rock for power pop, but there's still plenty of twang to go around. The songs are catchier this time around, and yes, poppier, but that doesn't diminish the effect. TCG's songwriting has never been better, and they never lack in the emotion category, making this a true winner.
Must listens: Lydia, Jackson Don't You Worry
FTM interviewee and pal Austin Collins' Wrong Control was my favorite release of early 2010 and has held up to many, many further listens. Austin falls somewhere in the realm of Ryan Adams and the Replacements with some of the Texas soul of the country troubadours. Despite his joking, affable personality, the songs are mostly downers, but in the best ways possible. They're moody but catchy and entirely cathartic. AC deserves a higher standing in the alt-country genre, and with albums like this, it's only a matter of time, not chance.
Must listens: Conventional Lust, Centerpiece
Despite being snubbed by the Grammys (wtf??), this awkwardly titled hip-hop opus is better than that of the anointed King of Hip-Hop, Kanye's, admitted strong new release. It's more accessible, though far from standard rap in this day and age. Big Boi's personality really gets to shine apart from his pairing with Andre 3000 in the legendary OutKast, showing him to be much more than the more street-friendly half of that duo. The beats are unique, the lyrics are top-notch (often hilarious) and BB's delivery has never been better. Here's to showing the youngsters how it's done.
Must listens: Tangerine, General Patton, You Ain't No DJ
This guy is only 23?? Probably the strongest songwriter in my Top 10, Pug is the true modern-day heir to Dylan if anyone is. His songs speak the poetry of an old soul but crackle with the vitality of youth. If he's doing this at this age, think of what's to come.
Must listens: Messenger, Not So Sure, Bury Me Far (From My Uniform)
Bluegrass on meth, Four Loko folk, Americana… I don't know what you want to call this, but I call it good music. Ripping up their instruments like Old Crow Medicine Show with a little less twang and a few less nefarious leanings, Trampled by Turtles sings loud and proud on the up-tempos and low and soulful on the slower numbers. It's all good.
Must listens: New Orleans, Wait So Long
I actually hate this album, but I felt obliged to help out a pal. Seriously, this one's full of catchy alternative pop rock Americana goodness and with songs this good, Kasey's bound for years of being on this list. He's already got a new album slated for early '11 and I can't wait!
Must listens: I Was a Photograph (Blake's Song), All Lit Up
Rodney takes his Texas charm on the road with this set of internationally flavored country tunes about love, loss and unease. Drew Kennedy produces and provides a standout track. What else do you need?
Must listens: Take Me Back Wife, Waiting on the Pain
While Cee-Lo's release tread new ground with an old R&B sound, this one's a complete blast from the past. Fans of Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding will feel right at home listening to these 70's flavored soul songs. Strong writing and even stronger performances propel this album to memorable heights.
Must listens: The Game Gets Old, Window Shopping
The Next 30
11. Paul Thorn - Pimps and Preachers
12. Truth & Salvage Co. - s/t
13. Dirty Sweet - American Spiritual
14. The Black Crowes - Croweology
15. Band of Horses - Infinite Arms
16. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis
17. Randy Houser - They Call Me Cadillac
18. Hellbound Glory - Old Highs and New Lows
19. The Black Keys - Brothers
20. Drive-by Truckers - The Big To-Do
21. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
22. Sean McConnell - Saints, Thieves & Liars
23. Reckless Kelly - Somewhere in Time
24. Lissie - Catching a Tiger
25. The Dirty Guv'nahs - Youth is in Our Blood
26. The Fox Hunt - Long Way to Go
27. Zac Brown Band - You Get What You Give
28. Emory Quinn - See You at the Next Light
29. Whitey Morgan & the 78s - s/t
30. Randy Rogers Band - Burning the Day
31. The Roots - How I Got Over
32. High on Fire - Snakes for the Divine
33. Elizabeth Cook - Welder
34. John Moreland and the Black Gold Band - Things I Can't Control
35. Great American Taxi - Reckless Habits
36. Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
37. Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues
38. Marty Stuart - Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions
39. Bleu Edmondson - The Future Ain't What It Used to Be
40. Old 97's - The Grand Theatre Volume 1
Top 10 Things You Can Expect NOT To Hear on Country Radio in 2011
10. Gucci Mane as a guest rapper
(may happen by 2012 though)
09. Steel guitar as a lead instrument; Fiddle as more than a token accent
08. Taylor Swift …singing about drinking, divorce or actual sorrow
07. A NEW solo song by any of the following: Willie Nelson, George Jones, Joe Diffie, John Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless or Ray Price.
06. A song that puts the singer in a negative light
05. Jason Aldean …performing a song you'll care about by 2012
04. An urban pride song
(and for Bucky fans, this has nothing to do with Keith)
03. Gary LeVox …unaided by studio wizardry (and unfueled by pastries)
02. A song not about death or disease that could bring a tear to your eye
01. ANYTHING that makes you think "Holy crap, I can't believe they played that!"
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