- Artist: Double Negative
- Title: Double Negative
- Year: 2007
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 2007 – Got it from singer KC at a show.
- Keeper: Yes
There’s been more hardcore punk in my life this past week than usual, at least for over 20 years. I got to see, and meet, Double Negative at a show last week. Like many hardcore shows it was at a place not really intended for live music. In this case it was Gourmet Perks, a coffee house just down the street from my place. It was a fun show with a small but enthusiastic crowd of “hardcore” fans.
I also happened to finally see the movie American Hardcore in its entirety this weekend. The film is about the birth and evolution of hardcore punk in the years between 1979 and 1986. I was really involved in that scene and found the movie very interesting. If you weren’t, I’m not sure you would agree. To quote from one interview in the film, “normal people didn’t like this music, and we liked it that way.”
This is definitely a good hardcore album, and to be honest it certainly sounds better than most of the music from the original scene. It’s really on an altogether higher level. My favorite song is probably “Stop Growing.”
Seeing Double Negative live last week and playing the album a lot since then, along with watching American Hardcore has made me think quite a bit about what punk was, and is. Maybe it’s just because I’m older, but I can’t help wondering what is it all about now, this hardcore punk scene? In the movie a couple guys from Flipper make a point of saying “punk is dead, it’s over.” Well, after seeing last week’s show and listening to this record there’s no way I can agree with that. It may not be the D-I-Y music revolution it was decades ago, that can only happen once. But the spirit, attitude and principles of hardcore punk live on with new, younger fans and bands like Double Negative.
Double Negative
American Hardcore
- Artist: The Good, The Bad and The Queen
- Title: The Good, The Bad and The Queen
- Year: 2007
- Format: CD
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 2007
- Keeper: Yes
Today’s selection is The Good, The Bad and The Queen by the band that allegedly has no name. But everyone seems to call them GBQ so I’m filing it under “G.” The music is very different than Damon Albarn’s other project, Gorillaz. It’s mostly chilled out. The songs sound like they are from another time, but not dated. There are at least a couple moments that make me think of the Beach Boys. To be honest, I didn’t pay much attention to this album for a while after Mary bought it. Then, I saw them perform on Henry Rollins’ show on IFC and it was so strange that I had to check it out. I’m glad I did.
Their site, and a Wikipedia article if you want more info.
- Artist: Klarcnova
- Title: Klarcnova
- Year: 2007
- Format: CD
- Rating (1-10): 10
- Owner: All of us
- Acquired: Andy gave it to Mars earlier this year.
- Keeper: Yes
It’s K day! OK, I know, it’s been K day for over a week. But this one is worth waiting for. Klarcnova is an Asheville trio that includes Andy John, our kids’ guitar teacher. Yes, Andy is the guitarist in the band. I just got around to listening to this album about a week ago and it’s all I’ve been playing since. I love the whole thing, including the sweet “naked” production, the excellent playing, and tasty songs. My favorite is probably “Thumbprint.” It’s a spicy Latin jazz number, complete with a fast-tempo jazz odyssey in the middle. Klarcnova is a very eclectic and excellent album. This is one for you Jazzy G.
Check out the Klarcnova MySpace page.
Andy is currently on the road playing with The Lithuanian Empire in Canada.
- Artist: Rodrigo y Gabriela
- Title: Rodrigo y Gabriela
- Year: 2007
- Format: CD
- Rating (1-10): 10
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 2007 – Barnes & Noble in Asheville, NC
- Keeper: Yes
I was in the local Barnes & Noble the other day when I heard a great acoustic version of Metallica’s “Orion.” I headed straight to the music section where a woman in front of me was already asking about it. The clerk grabbed a copy of Rodrigo y Gabriela and I snatched up the last one. I’ve probably played it 20 times in the last few days. I bought it because of “Orion” but my favorites are the originals, especially “Diablo Rojo.”
This was the first I had heard of Rodrigo y Gabriela, but it turns they’ve been on Letterman, Leno, etc. earlier this year. This record came out late last year in the US. They’re from Mexico City, but have been in Europe for a while. They’re already popular there.
I told a friend yesterday that this album was “the greatest thing ever!” I don’t know if he agrees, but I’m sure he too thinks it’s slamming. They have few, if any stylistic rules, and they have some roots in thrash metal. (Gabriela apparently tired of the “testosteronic” vibe of the metal scene.) So how would I describe it? It’s not Flamenco, but it is rhythmic and energetic. It’s not jazz, they play structured songs. Other than “greatest thing ever” and “slamming” I’ll just add that it’s two people playing acoustic guitars and there is a tasty Latin flavor.
There’s a DVD included with some great live performances where the crowds are going nuts and raising the horns. Also included are interviews, a photo gallery, and a great tutorial where they step through the techniques they use so you can play just like them. Ha!
