The Littlest Winslow

It pains me to say this, but dammit, The Church of Rock and Roll is a bad album. Regardless, Foxy Shazam remains one of the best live bands you could spend your drug money on. Believe me – seeing Foxy Shazam live is an experience. Having seen Eric Sean Nally and his modest group of misfits four times now, there’s no comparison, at least in terms of these young breed of newbies. Yes, The Flamingo Trigger came out in 2005, but slowly, surely, steadily, Foxy has been breaking out to the mainstream getting poppier…and more shockingly…safer than ever before. What happened to the band that had so much attitude and edge? The dude eats packs of cigarettes on stage! I’m abusing my powers of bolding, but dammit, that’s impressive!

The new disc just doesn’t gel. The first couple cuts, including “Welcome to the Church of Rock and Roll,” “Holy Touch,” and “(It’s) Too Late Baby” are a nice homage to Queen and other classic sounds, but lack in unique spin. “Last Chance at Love” sounds like a shitty Rick Springfield B-Side (and God knows how much I love “Jessie’s Girl” and “Love is Alright Tonight”).

The strongest of the bunch include the aforementioned “Holy Touch” and lead single “I Like It” (“That’s the biggest black ass I’ve ever seen, and I LIKE IT! I LIKE IT!” – quite enjoyable to chant along to). It’s catchy and retains the band’s swagger. I…well, like it. “The Temple,” track 9 on the record, finally displays the seething, heavy riffs older fans are likely anticipating. It’s also got a sweet ass trumpet solo by Alex Nauth. After “The Temple” concludes with Nally’s spoken word monologue (“Wait, fuck you, I’m the king,”) you might as well save yourself any further time and frustration and head back to 2008′s Introducing Foxy Shazam.

It’s not the mainstream element or Pop sounds that throw me, it’s the lack of originality. Well, that and the songwriting isn’t as strong. Something is just off in this Foxy world, and despite the better tracks’ strengths, they still don’t hold a candle to “A Dangerous Man,” “Wanna-be Angel,” or “NO! Don’t shoot.”

Despite this blasé report, Foxy is still a band to keep both eyes on. But next time around, I hope they spare us these weak and disheartening sermons from the pulpit and instead, focus on being the fucking weirdos we fell in love with before.

It’s been awhile since my last music post and that’s pretty lame considering how highly I regard music in this life of mine. So check these out. Listen to them. Love them. They will nurture your being and make you happier inside.

Slash – Self-titled

I’m a total 80′s child. I grew up listening to Motley Crue, Hair Bands, Metallica, Maiden, G’n'R and more. To me, Slash is a god – one of the best guitar icons to come out of that decade. His cool-as-shit demeanor and signiture guitar riffs always made him stand out – and all of that exudes all over this record.

Guest musicians and vocalist are all over Slash, from Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and Lemmy Kilmeister to some contemporaries like Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother), Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), and…Fergie. But don’t hate – the Fergie sung “Beautiful Dangerous” is one of the best tracks.

Though the M. Shadows led “Nothing to Say” is a throwaway (the singer clearly isn’t capable of anything not found on an Avenged Sevenfold album), most of what’s found here works. Slash is kicking back and enjoying himself without the usual disgruntled, prima donna singers he’s put up with in the past. Here, he’s just having fun and playing the guitar to the best of his ability – and that’s exactly what music is supposed to be about.

Foxy Shazam – Self-titled

Fact: Foxy Shazam is one of the best new bands out today. Insane, energetic, psychotic. Led by the vivacious Eric Sean Nally, Foxy Shazam began as a rough-around-the-edges experimental mindfuck one would expect from Mindless Self Indulgence. Over the course of the following two records (the self-titled is their third) they’ve softened a bit, but more importantly, polished their sound and songwriting.

“There sure are a lot of dogs out this evening! Perhaps they can assist me in a song!” shrieks Nally on the record’s opening. He often blurts out odd non-sequiturs, both on record and on stage. And you just have to laugh. It’s funny in a frightening way. From eating 7 lit cigarettes, singing on the shoulders of his bandmates, and his delusional storytelling of an encounter with that stupid Twilight guy, it’s clear that Nally not only grabs your attention, but demands it.

The new record can be criticized as being poppy, and Foxy Shazam themselves can’t even argue with that. What they still do, and wonderfully, is bring it. The energy is uncharted and idiosyncratic. The lyrics are fantastic, Alex Nauth’s horns are spicy, and keyboardist Sky White plays his instrument while standing on it. Though I’d still recommend Introducing over the new self-titled release, any Foxy is good Foxy.

The xx – Self-titled

The xx hail from Wandsworth, England and their quiet little indie release has me spinning. Though it’s a year old already, it’s slowly been extending its reach to AT&T commercials, Law & Order, and Grey’s Anatomy. Since I don’t watch any of those dreadful shows, this album just recently fell into my hands (Thanks, Steph!).

Though minimal on the surface, The xx’s debut really benefits from repeated listens. It’s quiet, yet extremely layered. It’s indie, but definitely has mass appeal (as it has proven). The lyrics are quite profound and sincere for such a young group – all four members are just 19 years old. If slower indie discs aren’t your thing, check out the Foxy disc instead, but mature ears will benefit from putting in the work. Does that sound too pretentious? Oh, well.

The Aggrolites – Self-titled

An oldie-but-a-goodie – and in this digital age, that means its only four years old. Being a total newbie to The Aggrolites – a reggae band from L.A., I was pleasantly surprised! The Aggrolites boasts some of the best modern reggae I’ve heard of late. Singer Jesse Wagner leads this troup nicely. His voice backs up the attitude, having a classic feel behind a steady beat of steel drums, keys, and walking bass lines. Perfect for a warm, sunny day.

Broken Bells – Self-titled

Let’s start off by saying that I’m not really that big of a Shins fan. Sad, but true. However, this James Mercer/Danger Mouse (billed here by real name Brian Burton) collaboration is fantastic.

Broken Bells simply has more flavor than The Shins. The songs aren’t as sleepy; there’s actual life behind this album. Keyboards, moogs, organs, and more nicely accompany the accoustic and electric guitars played by Mercer. Mercer and Burton call the songs “melodic, but experimental,” and that’s exactly what they are.

One highlight is the Gorillaz-esque “The Ghost Inside”. “Ghost” is reminiscient both musically and vocally; Mercer actually sounds like Damon Albarn at parts! As a whole, a broad range of sounds is utilized on the album, and at no point does this sound like a Shins record with Danger Mouse flair. If an artist is going to step outside of the comfort zone to do a side project, it should be ballsy and worth it.  Broken Bells definitely is.

Wanna know the best way to hide the fact that you’re not blogging as much as you should be? Have a MUST LIST that encompasses everything you would’ve blogged about over the course of the past few weeks!

The following books, TV shows, movies, and other bits of obscurity should most definitely be checked out by YOU. With no further adieu, I dig the following:

1. Paranormal Activity

The ‘Little Indie Movie That Could’ is continuing to turn heads and scare audiences silly. With a continued nationwide rollout, the film has steadily grossed almost $20 million and currently has an 86% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. (Not bad for a film that cost only $11,000!)

The movie is original, well-written, and brilliantly acted thanks to newcomers Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston. The kicker? It’s actually fucking scary! This is not one to miss out on in the theaters! Check local listings for showtimes as it’ll continue its reach in the upcoming weeks.

2. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Brown has his fair share of haters, but “The Lost Symbol” is everything you’d want and expect from a Robert Langdon novel, minus Tom Hank’s really bad mullet-thing. In “Symbol,” Langdon is called to Washington D.C. by a friend, only to realize that his friend has been captured by a mad man seeking the portal to The Ancient Mysteries – a hidden vault of wisdom held secret by the Freemasons of America. Langdon must stay ahead of the psycho and uncover the clues in order to save his friend and protect Washington’s many secrets.

Langdon is mainstream fodder by now, but damn is this a page-turner! And it’s cool for the story to finally head to America for a change.

3. “Anvil: The Story of Anvil” DVD

This is the story of two childhood friends and metal heads who have been rockin’ together for 30 years. They’ve inspired bands such as Metallica and Anthrax, and musicians such as Slash and Lemmy, but they never broke or hit the mainstream.  “Anvil: The Story of Anvil” follows the two throughout their everyday lives and tries to examine how a progressive thrash metal band with so much promise never took off.  We see Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner work their boring day jobs while never letting go of their dream. We see remarks from their family, Lars Ulrich, Slash, and fellow co-workers. We see them tour Europe and play to 15 people at a time. In the early 80′s, they once toured with the greats, only to get left behind in the dust waiting for their day to come. But it never did.

The heart and sincerity of this film was quite inspirational. Lips and Reiner’s friendship and the trust they put in each other was touching. Their inability to quit and support from their loved ones truly shined through, creating a very realistic, yet heartbreaking portrayal of one band trying to make it in the harsh, harsh biz that is the music industry. A+ filmmaking. A+ documentary.

4. Survivor: Samoa

Season 19 of CBS’s “Survivor” proves to be a hit after the boring dud that was Tocantins. It’s all about the characters! We’ve got Shambo – the mullet-sporting former Marine Sargeant outcast. We had Ben – an ignorant bar manager from California who told a fellow castaway to go eat “ketchup sandwiches.” And then there’s Evil Russell – a oil company owner who doesn’t really care about the money or who he steamrolls over in order to progress his game (Kudos on finding the Hidden Immunity Idol without any clues! Damn, man!)

Gabon was good, not great. Tocantins was a big letdown. That said, Samoa is proving that there’s still some life to this oldie-but-goodie and that CBS should re-up Jeff Probst’s contract (which expires after Season 20′s All Stars 2!)

According to Samoa, the tribe hasn’t quite spoken just yet.

5. The Noisette’s “Wild Young Hearts”

Friends and fellow readers are probably sick of me talking about this one so I’ll make it snappy. The Noisette’s follow up to “What’s the Time Mr. Wolf?” proves that the sophomore slump is a thing of the past. “Wild Young Hearts” is eclectic,  groovy, and light-hearted. Shingai Shoniwa’s voice is at its best, while the rhythms and retro-melodies are fresh and invigorating. Download “Wild Young Hearts,” “Never Forget You,” and “Saturday Night” to see for yourselves.

Now if only the band will leave Europe behind and come play stateside..

6. Halloween!

Best. Holiday. Ever.

Candy, pumpkin carving, heart attack pumpkin seeds, costumes, scares, ghosts and ghouls and the like – Halloween just kicks ass. ‘Tis the one month I actually enjoy living in New England. I’ve got a huge ass pumpkin waiting to be carved, I’ve got Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Pumpkin Ales on the menu, and a plethora of horror flicks to digest.

October is badass.

7.  Zombieland

It’s bloody, it’s fun, and the opening credits play “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” And it has ZOMBIES! Need I say more?

Woody Harrelson was a badass southerner, Jesse Eisenberg played a coy college kid way better than Cera ever could, and Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone played a sneaky pair of sisters who conned their way to survival. The movie was funny, extremely entertaining, and had a mysteriously amazing cameo that I will not spoil! Everything in this movie fucking worked.

Vampires are out; Zombies are in.

8. Facebook

Screw October, Facebook is in it for the long haul. And I must admit: I am Facebook’s bitch.

The countless hours I spend a week snooping around and being generally nosey could probably be better spent, but damn is it addicting. I’ve got all my friends and contacts in one nice, simple, easy-to-read mini-feed that tells me all I need to know to keep up with your life – and sometimes, too much even!

Basically – if I’m not friends with you on Facebook, I question our chances at friendship as the year changes to 2010. To those without Facebook: It was a nice little run we had and I wish you a lifetime of happiness.

9. Parks and Recreation

When “Parks and Recreation” debuted, it seemed highly doubtful that the show would ever blossom into something of merit. The quirkiness wasn’t quite there, and we weren’t in tune with the characters enough to laugh at their small mannerisms. Upon watching the second season premiere, it was blatantly apparent that this show was going to fight to survive. And if you gave up on it last season, it’s beckoning for you to give it a second chance.

What “Parks” is now accomplishing is truly something to applaud. Utilizing its ensemble cast to the fullest, Amy Poehler and Co. aren’t simply emulating Office-like standards anymore – they’re surpassing them. From Nick Offerman’s deadpan superior Ron Swanson, to intern April Ludgate’s monotone and apathetic  hilarity, “Parks” is truly putting its secondary characters to good use, and that’s something that “The Office” has lots sight of in its past few seasons. (They’re totally overusing Jim, Pam, Andy and Dwight….what about some Kevin and Creed love!?)

Add in the fact that Aziz Ansari and Rashida Jones star in it?  I’d love to hear your reasons for not watching.

10. Foxy Shazam

Foxy Shazam is an up-and-coming band that nicely blends shredding guitars, staccato keys, and amazing singalong choruses with the perfect hint of mild insanity.  Singer Eric Sean Nally dominates the stage and doesn’t give a fuck if you haven’t heard a single song – he grabs ahold of ya and never lets go.

And yeah…he’s mildly insane.

These guys are on the road with The Sounds and literally destroyed their opening spot in New York City. Their first album, “The Flamingo Trigger,” provides you with a hardcore and thrashy, while at times, abstract feel. Their second LP, my favorite – “Introducing Foxy Shazam” is a bit more structured. From avant-garde, to pop rock, to hardcore…I imagine the experimental rock of Foxy Shazam will continue well into their third record, 2010′s “Au Contraire”.

Download: “Dangerous Man”, “Introducing Foxy Shazam,” and “Wanna-be Angel”. Catch ‘em on the road with The Sounds through November 7th.