Is Kanye West desperate or blind?

I love at least two Kanye albums, so for the last several months, I have been trying not to dismiss him after what I have viewed as an implosion of his previously strong taste. It started with the laughable, now-canceled album title, "Good Ass Job." It continued with the average "Power," which is "Godfather III" on the heels of "Gold Digger" and "Stronger."

Now, Ye seems a master of social media after his recent, insanely clever stunt.



However, he is also premium fodder and the blogilatti knows better than to bite the hand that feeds it. Do you think Pfork, Perez, or PMA want Ye to go away? Who looks cooler after watching the Youtube videos, the guy rapping without a beat, or the Twitter and Facebook employees?

Rapping a Capella at Twitter and Facebook is, on the face, courageous, and the lyrics to "Mama's Boyfriend" are brave and revelatory. I think his sense of humor mainly redeems his steadfast ego on the above video, which gives me renewed hope for his album. No doubt, tracks with beats will begin leaking soon, and we will find out if holistic genius or pursuit of celebrity is motivating him these days.

The General Consensus

The General Consensus (previously the poorly named HAWT List) is a page that ranks current music. I will focus on why these artists have particular relevance to Denver, but the rankings are based on my viewpoint of the general national consensus of music writers, music fans (those that are my friends), record stores, etc. If you feel I missed something or am far off, feel free to comment or make your own list in the thus far rightfully ignored comments section.

1. Arcade Fire - Playing at Madison Square Garden, the jewel of our nation's cultural center, suggests Arcade Fire have transcended silly indie rock labels and become one of America's Favorite Rock Bands. But, perhaps to solidify that reputation, they have eschewed touring non-coastal cities. Does this mean they don't think Middle America is ready for their ambition on a grand scale? Is it a shrewd marketing move? Or am I just impatient?



Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) by user39221


2. Big Boi - Sir Lucius is the perfect change up for your flannel rock rotation.

3. Best Coast - Listening to Best Coast is like smoking a cigarette. An initial buzz, the risk of addiction, and then self disgust. They play the Bluebird in November, which will be a good time and place to sell snap bracelets to tweensters.

4. Band of Horses - Making an awkward jump from cult adoration to mainstream ambition placed Infinite Arms next to the register at Starbucks and on a featured shelf at Twist and Shout. They played the best 2010 show I've seen at the Ogden. They move up to the Fillmore in the Fall, which mainly means LoDo Bros will be in attendance.

5. Candy Claws - From Colorado's apparent hipster capitol, Fort Collins, they grace the Hi-Dive Friday and are beginning to transition from "a dreampop band from Colorado" to Our DreamPop Band. Their new album is the perfect soundtrack for someone drinking absinthe on an inflatable raft on an alpine lake.

6. Black Keys - They played the best show I've yet seen in my year long residence in Denver in early June. Brothers has continued to sell at Twist and Shout, and they continue to grace the late night circuit. Their tunes are wholesome, durable, and ideal for vinyl appreciation or mountain driving.



7. LCD Soundsystem - The LCD show with Hot Chip this fall may be an unprecedented Hipster Carnival. Also, they have a fabulous Pandora station.


Simmering: MIA (no longer blowing minds), The Roots (because they always are), Lady Gaga (ok, she could also be #1 on this list, but I don't really feel like writing about Lady Gaga; but I don't mind listening to her music)

Waiting List: Crystal Castles (Ogden next week), Mastodon (is there still good metal?),

Pondering Arcade Fire and The Rings of Interest

I spent the last three days with my closest group of friends preparing for and celebrating a wedding in upstate New York. A few years back, four members of the group lived together and played lengthy midnight rambles. Some of us are very musically gifted, others are not, but these rambles were fully participatory, which gave them an intimacy and emotional power unlike other musical experiences. As I watched Arcade Fire tonight, it seemed to me that every member of the band was playing with this high level of purpose and emotional energy.

I arrived in Boston today, and hung out in Cambridge with my friend Scott. Scott is one of my favorite concert buddies and an endorser of Arcade Fire to me. We met up with his friends at a place called Whiskey Priest, so that by the time we arrived at the venue I had several Harpoon IPAs in my stomach. Boston was perfect, with a cool breeze and the smell of the open sea. The Bank of America Pavilion is a small, concrete ampitheatre--our seats were on the outer rim pavilion in the right corner--however while Arcade Fire played I did not feel in the nosebleeds.

My anticipation for the show has been building for several weeks, and I have spent time listening to Arcade Fire's music, especially the newer songs. After "Ready to Start" and "Month of May" I was howling and feeling fine. I was also sending jubilant texts and discussing with Scott and his friends. Erin, with whom I attended Bonaroo '09, and I decided that at some point we would move down closer.

For me, the whole point was to be in the middle of it for "Wake Up." I have heavy respect for Arcade Fire, and I enjoy their new songs, but "Wake Up" was going to be the emotional peak of the show for me; the only time to have a fully visceral experience; so, I wanted to be in the best possible spot for it. After "Rebellion," our group tramped down to the midway point of the covered seats, only settling into a spot when we were rebuffed by a cadre of security.

During the first song of the encore, a small camera crew walked down the aisle swiftly. I grabbed Erin by the hand, and we followed the crew along the right side of the seats to the front. As we walked, the opening chords of "Wake Up" started. Anticipation swelled. The camera crew stopped near the front edge of the stage.

"That's Terry Gilliam," Erin said.
"He doesn't like to be touched," said the P.A. as I tapped him on the shoulder.

We did not last long in this position, but luckily the security acted passively. We went back to our group and the gray area between the aisle and seats; Scott later claimed there was an invisible line we were not supposed to cross. As I listened to "Wake Up," I fell into a deep passion, singing and dancing until my voice became one with Arcade Fire.