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.

Cruising Lake Erie with Hall and Oates

I visit my mom's stone cottage on Lake Erie for a week every summer. She lives in a private circle, on Catawba Island in north central Ohio, that has two driving forces: 1) Slow-burn partying and 2) Carefree attitude. Most of the inhabitants are at least semi-retired and live on island time, which means drinking can start at 10 A.M. and boat rides are just as prevalant as car rides.

Two houses down from my mom is Mike and Mary's summer place. They are fun loving, slightly preppy socializers, and their presence always makes my visits more fun. One morning this week, Mike walked over and said, "We're going out on the boat. If you want to come we're leaving in 15 minutes." We did. The lake was choppy, the boat was fast, and the breeze and spray were refreshing.

After dropping off a pair of stone glass earrings, nearly obliterating a dock of kayaks, taking a long swim, and consuming a few adult beverages, we headed back to Catawba. Mary uncovered the boat's speakers, Mike plugged in his Shuffle, and we unexpectedly had a soundtrack.The first three songs were tunes from Abandoned Luncheonette , the first major Hall and Oates album.



The only Hall and Oates song I know is "Maneater," so I had to ask who it was.

"Oh, this, it's Hall and Oates," Mary said, maybe with a twinge of embarrassment.
"Oh, really? Nice," I replied.
"Kellen just loves music," my mom filled in.
"Oh, well, we used to love Hall and Oates back in college," Mary said, enjoying the reflection now that she knew I wasn't hoping for something more modern.
"Oh yeah," I said calculating years mischievously. "Did you ever see them live?"
"Oh yeah, five or six times," Mary answered.
"Only cost three dollars back then," Mike added from behind the wheel. "We saw them at the Bowling Green Student Union."

Five years ago, I would have scorned Hall and oates, but it sounded good on the boat. Is their sound permeating music now more than it did five years ago? Or is their just something about sunshine, cold lager, and breeze that made my ears greet "She's Gone" more affectionately. I didn't have too long to ponder. As that third song began, Mary yelled up to Mike, "Put something new on honey." He obliged. The next track, "My Humps," started blaring.

New Concerts Announced

On the eve of a show I am sad to miss, several upcoming shows have been announced to pacify me. Frank and Lizzie are going to The New Pornographers w/ The Dodos, while I chill in my mom's cottage on the shore of Lake Erie. This is the pain of taking a vacation from Denver; if you are gone for a week or more, you are bound to miss a good show.

The biggest announcement is Gorillaz at Wells Fargo Theatre on the same day as Of Montreal and Janelle Monae. That's an enticingly small venue for Gorillaz, and a giant conflict for me. I already had my heart set on the Of Montreal show. There's also the impossibly distant Best Coast w/ Sonny and the Sunsets at the Bluebird. I'm not sure how much Best Coast's new album will grow on me though, now that the first wave of hype has been capitulated by Pfork's BNM designation. Did Pfork feel forced to hand that out?

On the wings of Paul McCartney

We rolled up to the Pepsi Center V.I.P. valet and six people tumbled out of my Yaris into a thicket of Audis and Mercedes. Zolla had obtained a parking pass. We were drinking Dr. Jack out of soda fountain cups. A first class operation.

Normally, I avoid expensive arena shows, but Lizzie scored six free Paul McCartney tickets from work. We were thinking nosebleeds, but as I ducked into our section my eyes lit up. Our seats were in the center of the arena, about ten rows off the floor. Because of a kickball game, we had just enough time to settle into our seats and gawk at each other in disbelief before Paul came out to thunderous applause.

I wasn't raised on the Beatles like some lucky souls and they've never been my absolute favorite band, but they do have a permanent place in my top ten. Once I started buying vinyl, my love solidified. I would sit for hours in Memphis listening to and discussing their records with my roommate Chris. I mainly went to this show to be able to say I've seen Paul McCartney. I also saw Ringo's All Starr Band at the Taste of Chicago. You only get so many chances.

Paul starts his shows with about a dozen of his solo songs. I don't know these at all, but they were entertaining. His talented band mainly jammed out of Paul's way, but the animated, crooning drummer, Abe Loriel was having the time of his life and held my attention for long stretches. There was also a mustachioed wild man dancing about five rows back, who continually bounded up and down the steps in pure ecstasy. These displays of passion provided the vital energy the show needed to go beyond just being a museum exhibit.

While the first section of the show was going on, we talked a lot about the songs we wanted to hear: Kathy wanted to hear her favorite Beatles song, "Yesterday," but we couldn't quite remember if it was a John or Paul song. Kyle, maybe jokingly, wondered if they would play "Band on the Run." I was hoping for "Lady Madonna" and someone else wanted to hear "Blackbird."

They slowly eased that way with "The Long and Winding Road," then "Blackbird," which got us out of our seats for the first time. The final half of the three hour show was mainly dedicated to Beatles tunes, punctuated by a six song double encore. The first was quick and refreshing (Daytripper, Get Back, Lady Madonna). The second thoroughly fulfilled any wishes for the evening. Kathy received "Yesterday." The awesome you-are-there video of a rollercoaster for "Helter Skelter" perfectly blended new and old technology. And the show ended with "Sgt. Peppers/The End."

Seeing a nostalgia act has been a mixed bag for me. The cream of this crop is polished, sober, and rich enough to do what they want on stage. Paul acted as if he were on a long victory lap and we were all lucky to be there. He's Paul fucking McCartney. He can do what he wants. And if he wants to play for three hours, tell a dozen anecdotes and jokes, use pyro-technics, and generally act as if we were all in the world's biggest parlor instead of a giant stone box, well, then, we were all lucky to be there. I saw Eric Clapton last summer with Steve Winwood and he didn't say a word to the crowd.

Converse - All Summer (Corporate Synergy!)

In our fractured listening environment, how do artists gain and retain notice? Artists spend their summers logging long miles on the endless festival circuit, but their inclusion in a bout of corporate synergy can sustain them like a monk with a bushel full of nettles.

Like Converse's "Three Artist.One Song" project, which does what it says, then hosts an event of further promotion. Plus, now I know what shoes to buy.

Does this sully artistic integrity? Who cares if the song is good.