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Posts published in “Music”

Huoratron’s “$$ Troopers”

February 10, 2012 |

Music and Music Videos

I read that Huoratron is coming out with a record and thought, “Man, did I ever post that on The Black Laser????” And guess what?!?! I hadn’t! What the hell! How could I let you all down like that?!?

On the strength of this one track, Charles and I went to see Huoratron (pronounced “whore-a-tron”) at Webster Hall. Prior to the show we sat in front of a college dorm and drank a couple 4 Lokos (the old, good kind) each. They we went into the seething madness that is a party at Webster Hall and danced until we were sweaty, awful messes. It was great. Huoratron’s set was fucking awesome and jarring and dissonant. A lot like this video, but, you know, like an hour long.

I am pretty psyched about the new record coming out. I just preordered the LP on Amazon. I wanted to share this with all of you. There’s another one coming later on.

> Continue reading...Huoratron’s “$$ Troopers”

The Click Clack Boom’s “Cryptic Condition”

February 9, 2012 |

Music and Music Videos

I have these new buddies who have this band called The Click Clack Boom. They’re damn good. I like to describe them as a spacey, modern, prog-rock jam band if that makes any sense. Actually, that description sounds like complete bullshit, but go see them live and I think you’ll understand what I am talking about. I am totally right in this.

Today, during a slow moment at work, I youtubed them to see if they had any music videos. Lo and behold, they did. This is it. They have some other performance videos on their channel, but this is the only legit music video. I like it. It’s simple and beautifully shot and cut nicely. You should watch it and, if you live in places where they play, you should go see them. Check out their Facebook page. Support them.

Now good. Spread their names to the corners of the Earth.

> Continue reading...The Click Clack Boom’s “Cryptic Condition”

Today is the Day’s “Mother’s Ruin”

February 7, 2012 |

Music and Music Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPvR45IvBcg

Yesterday, I was blowing up Twitter/Facebook making jokes about music I like. It started with this:

Agoraphobic Nosebleed is my favorite light jazz band. http://t.co/UvwUWVcr

Then to here:

Nasum is my favorite children’s music band. http://t.co/Jq26TglS

And here:

Deicide is my favorite Christian-rock/blues-fusion jam band. http://t.co/pRK6MrOC

And finally here:

Andrew Bird is my favorite black metal artist. http://t.co/FBL6IPod

Just a moment ago, I was going to make another joke with the video above: Steve Austin is my favorite classical music composer.

But then I realized I have a little more to write about Today is the Day than just the one liner above. I first encountered Today is the Day in the late 90s around the release of In The Eyes of God. At the time I had no idea what to do with them. They sounded exactly unlike anything I’d ever heard before. I wasn’t even sure if I liked them, but for some reason I was compelled to stick with the album. What started as a punishing wall of noise became a tautly crafted punishing wall of noise. An enjoyably punishing wall of noise. Even now, 13 years on, I have rarely heard an album quite as heavy as In The Eyes of God or a band as heavy as Today is the Day. There are louder bands, there are faster bands, but very few bands as purely brutal as these guys. If we define heaviness (as I have written about before) as the eschewing of melody for rhythmic force, then Today is the Day is shifted far to the rhythmic end of the scale.

If you are a fan of extreme music and you’ve never sat down with Today is the Day, do yourself a favor and do it. You’ll find a rewarding, difficult musical experience that will be so different than what you are used to from most modern heavy music that you’ll come back here and thank me. If you’re not a fan of extreme music, why are you here? You should listen to Today is the Day too.

> Continue reading...Today is the Day’s “Mother’s Ruin”

The Karate Rap

February 7, 2012 |

Music and Music Videos

Yup. The Karate Rap. I actually don’t want to say anything else about this. I think you need to watch it and digest it emotionally for yourself. It is a journey I can only lead you to the beginning of. I cannot walk down that path with you. Every one must walk it alone.

> Continue reading...The Karate Rap

Misery Loves Company’s “My Mind Still Speaks”

February 7, 2012 |

Music and Music Videos

Do you guys remember the 90s? Do you remember how awesome they were and how much awesome metal was coming out at the time? Yeah, so do I. It was great. Misery Loves Company is one of those bands that if you weren’t in the scene at the time you probably have never heard of, but who, for me, scream 90s. “My Mind Still Speaks” comes from their 1995 self-titled debut and I still think it is awesome. I can’t even tell you how many times I listened to that album. It is so good, but I don’t think you’ll like it now. It sounds real dated, but nostalgia is strong. God damn, even the music video is super 90s.

> Continue reading...Misery Loves Company’s “My Mind Still Speaks”

Sesame Street: 12 Little Chicks song

January 31, 2012 |

About Music and Music

You know you remember my awesome friend Mandy of Akwarian Sea Rebel fame? Yeah, you totally do. Anyway, she recently collaborated with a friend of hers on this adorable video for Sesame Street. The task was to reimagine the 12345-678910-11-12 song (you’re singing it right now). I think the result is great. If I had kids I would force them to listen to this until they needed years and years of very expensive therapy.

> Continue reading...Sesame Street: 12 Little Chicks song