Modest Mouse’s album “The Moon & Antarctica” dropped in 2000 and began spitting futuristic thoughts of past-perceptions through a rough folk looking glass. This is an extremely well angled album with lots of unexpected but more than welcome twists and turns that mirror the lyrical notion of mapping the ever elusive, multi-dimensional universe in which we find ourselves rolling around in the mud. A lot of bands celebrate possibility in their music but few have pulled it together in such a strange way and been able to achieve such a high level of popularity in all sorts of different musical circles.
While the band didn’t become popular in the mainstream until the “Good News For People Who Love Bad News,” album in 2004, a large part of what Modest Mouse has meant to me is a tribute to their earlier, more obscure albums in the late 90′s. I was pretty young at the time and still digging bands like New Found Glory (which i still dig) and hating on rap music (which I now adore) so it was unlikely I would have enjoyed their work upon release. After hearing “The Moon and Antarctica” and “Good News…” I found myself wanting more and the albums of the late 90′s ended up being among my favorites. So I appreciate Modest Mouse for keeping at it and going mainstream. I feel like they met a lot of people halfway doing this and opened up a lot of minds. It’s cool to be a great band that no one knows about but I been through being cool since 99′ so that’s not really what it’s about.
Ask me how many views I’ll get just for putting the word decade in the title of this post… not enough for it to matter but prolly a few lolol.
I’m going to start up a favorite albums of the decade list like every other sorry bird out there on them internetz but I feel like I’ve got some real gems on deck that you prolly either forgot about or didn’t like to begin with (in which case get the fuck outta here; see ya). So keep an eye out for this, I’m a huge fan of throw backs so for the most part we’re looking at the earlier part of the decade and a whole mess of local yokal rock bands you wish still played every single weekend but it’s gonna be fun. Do ya’ remember fun? Well I’m gonna try and get at some fun in the next few weeks with these posts.
I plan on continuing this blog in an effort to keep up with my personal journalistic efforts and eventually I hope it will serve as a working resume for any popular magazine’s or new world order’s who would like to enlist my help in communicating/propagating their message/cause (’cause there’s hardly a difference; and I do it ever so sweetly).
The posts may become much less frequent and at certain points it may seem as though they have ceased completely (or even multiplied indefinitely) but do not be fooled! I’ve been in school for 3 years to be a writer/journalist of some sort and as a testament to that (money/time) I plan to continue this blog until I have some other internet site to wring my neck out for. Once my grade has been posted I’m going to re-vamp the entire thing and explain to you what I’m about (you) and why (because I’m omniscient).
Much Love and Happy Holidays,
B. Smith
P.S. for those of you who know me: I’m having an open house gathering on Christmas Day (25th) you’re all welcome and encouraged to bring something special to share.
P.S. for those of you who don’t know me: I’m having an open house gathering on Christmas Day (25th) you’re all welcome to come and encouraged to bring a friend and leave feeling like you’ve made a few more (just let me know first so I can tell you how to avoid the landmines and tiger pits I’ve set up to keep out my various stalkers).
P.S. for all of you who are stalking me: I’ve set up landmines and tiger pits outside.
P.S. for all of you who think I’m lame as hell: You’re right, and as long as you stay away from my house (because one more time: I have landmines and tiger pits set up) you will stay right.
Get to know the guys from The Quelle Source and then come celebrate their Debut LP “Enjoy The Ridge” this Saturday, December 12th at the Blinkin’ Lincoln.
Cover Art for The Quelle Source's Debut LP "Enjoy The Ridge"
Yesterday I I trekked out to Manayunk to Enjoy The Ridge (among other things) with one of Philly’s finest indie act’s The Quelle Source. We did a great half hour video interview and then rocked out in the basement as they practiced the entire album gearing up for their Dec. 12 show celebrating the release of their Debut LP “Enjoy The Ridge”. I’m editing the video today and should have it posted by Saturday at the latest so check back for some exclusive live rock sessions of new songs and a solid interview that will let you know exactly what The Quelle Source has been doing on the Ridge.
To download “That’s What Bee’s Said,” “Escalation” and “Scratch Your Fast Forward” from Enjoy The Ridge before the release click here!
My professor turned me on to this multimedia project, “The Promise And The Price; How the state takeover failed Camden.” It’s pretty much the go to guy when it comes to Camden and it covers the state, city and residential points of view pretty extensively. The report card section is particularly harrowing as it shows the difference between what lofty law makers have promised on high and the resulting garbage that Camden residents have been left to root through.
The Camden Film Project is another project on the rise that hopes to enlighten the public about what really goes on in Camden. The “On Broadstreet” video was awesome. I’d like to see more work like this done covering the man to man conflicts happening every single day.
I also discovered the Buzz Grinder recently which is a great resource for indie music and does a tremendous job helping us all keep up (plus has an incredible post entitled “82-Year-Old Metal Fan Is 82 and A Metal Fan“).
After a few years behind New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Camden, NJ has again been named the most dangerous City in America.
Through my experiences in traveling and seeing the reactions of people when you tell them you’re from New Jersey (they always either cringe or ask about New York) I’ve learned to tell people I’m from Philadelphia. I mean, being 20 minutes away by car definitely puts me in its suburbs and my relatives all lived in Philly at one point so it’s a very white lie. If I wanted to be honest though, I definitely grew up in the suburbs of Camden (which would make people straight up run).
Anyone I grew up with will tell you about numerous ways that Camden has trickled into our community and, unfortunately, for some of us it has leeched onto some of the things we keep deep in our hearts. We’ve lost friends to drug addictions, we know people in jail for selling drugs from Camden, we know people who’ve done terrible things to avoid debts they’ve built in Camden and we’ve even seen our houses broken into by some of Camden’s finest.
But this ranking says nothing new to us. The FBI ranking it first will only help bring attention to a problem that has simply been compressed to the point of explosion in recent years. In the next few weeks I’m going to be linking/writing a series of articles that get at the main problems facing Camden and will help you find ways to get involved if you should feel so inclined.
This map is something I’m going to update constantly as the Philly establishments rise and fall but for now it has a lot of great information on the most popular venues to visit. I’ve also linked to a few great restaurants and bars around the venues located in more happening areas. Take a look and enjoy! Let me know if there are any places you think I should visit and add to the map. As time goes on I’ll be adding photos and more stories so keep checking back!
