Track Take: "Gamma Ray" (Beck)

Bek David Campbell--better known as Beck Hansen or simply Beck--is an artist that pushed the boundaries of innovation, pop, grundge, and humor within his music for the last 20 years. While many feel that the last peak of his career occured in 2005 with the release of Guero, Hansen's 2008 album Modern Guilt continued to bridge the gap between the fun loving passion, and the incredible musicianship that make Beck albums so memorable.

From the immediate start of the Danger Mouse produced album, the "one-two" punch of powerhouse tracks "Orphans" and "Gamma Ray" lets the listener know that this is not an album to be overlooked or competed against. While the back up vocals of Cat Power on "Orphans" do add an extra layer of interest, Hansen's real genius shines solo through "Gamma Ray"

With an explosive start, "Gamma Ray" features fantastic surf guitar and bass lines: addictive and perfect. Of course a fantastic 60's style beach hit isn't enough for Mr. Beck Hansen. Enter the haunting voices that could have been escaping from the "Mystery Machine", and the poignant lyrics about a world in turmoil. The classic mixture of pop culture, musical detail, and self awareness brings the listener into Hansen's world with the help of the bouncing bass line, and catchy chorus, without becoming cliche.

In under three minutes (which is also a maturing feat for Hansen), Beck Hansen has asserted the playful and taylored tone of the album flawlessly.

Track Take: "Cornerstone" (Arctic Monkeys)

After the explosive approval to their first album Whatever People Say I'm Not, and the lackluster response to their second album Favourite Worst Nightmare, the Arctic Monkeys really had nothing to lose commercially in planning and recording their third album. While Humbug is a very interesting and disjointed album in its entirety, "Cornerstone" is not only the best song on the album, but it's one of the best tracks that the band has ever produced.

Front man and resident songwriting genius Alex Turner is incredible interested with the surf guitar sounds of the 1960's (see The Last Shadow Puppets for his obsession at full blast). Here the watery sound of slide guitar and blurred notes beautifully compliments the confused and desperate character in his song. Beyond the accented lead guitar and the jangling rhythm, the track is very simple. This doesn't make it boring--instead it makes it addictive and so unsatisfying at the end when he doesn't resolve the rhythm. Alex doesn't find the girl, he is still stuck smelling seat belts and creeping on other ladies.

While the song is appealing sonically because of its timeless sound mixed with Turner's unique Sheffield voice, its the universal theme of lost love haunting every turn of your life that makes it a classic. Instead of churning out another song about a break up, Turner takes us beyond the last fight and leaves us with the pathetic attempts to remember a lost love's face.

It's fresh, yet maddeningly commonplace.

Track Take Special Guest!

The second song has been released from The Strokes upcoming album Angles.


A conversation about "You're So Right" featuring one of our best friends Elisa:

theorangenalgene 9:13 pm
strokes?

imamodrocker 9:13 pm
its weirddd

theorangenalgene 9:13 pm
it is weird
kinda cool tho
haloooweeeny

imamodrocker 9:14 pm
hahahaha
perfect description

Track Take: Mood Music

Sometimes it is really hard to make yourself want to socialize with others, especially if you feel no sort of connection with them anymore. This is what I would like to call the "Middle School Syndrome". If you or a loved one has experienced feelings of resentment, loneliness, regret, sadness, hatred of friends, desperate for attention, identity crisis, and last but not least, an extraordinary amount of wetness on your face caused by tears, you might also be suffering from this awful condition.

While there is no direct cure beyond graduating from the awful prison that is middle school, or just slowly letting time heal your pseudo-middle school wounds, there are some home remedies that can help dull the pain. I suggest listening to albums by bands that understand exactly how you are feeling. In these times of moping and anger, you don't want to hear a happy song about how everything is going to be alright, you want to know that someone has also gone through this. Unity in dealing with bad friends and self consciousness! Here are some albums and key tracks to help you get through your social blockage:

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-- The Beatles



Beyond being considered the greatest album of all time, this album is mentally and musically challenging enough to help you forget all of the shit that you have to deal with at the next party you attend, or surprise visit from a "friend". The most touching and relatable song on the album is "She's Leaving Home" which helps you understand that you can get up and leave whatever situation is hurting you.

Pet Sounds -- The Beach Boys



No one understands the problems that face a young person trying to sort through their life better than Brian Wilson. Partnered with beautiful harmonies and incredible musical leaps, Pet Sounds truly comforts its listeners with lyrics that really help you connect. The best example of this is "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". While every line of this song is absolutely perfect for anyone who has been frustrated with their place in life, the real kicker comes from: "Where can I turn when my fair weather friends cop out? / What's it all about?". Please tell me that you can't think of something more suiting for helping you in your bad mood?

The Suburbs -- Arcade Fire



Winner of the 2011 Grammy for Best Album of the Year (still in shock about that one), the third studio release from the Arcade Fire perfectly embodies the issues and trials that growing up in a suburb with the same friends and heartaches puts onto you. Give the entire album a listen just as therapy in itself, because you know that Win Butler and Co. understand your problems and have been through them before; it is what allows them to write so perfectly about it. It was almost impossible for me to choose the stand out song for this entry of "track take", but the kiss off that "Rococo" is just seems perfect to me. We all know the "modern kids" that Win exposes.

Quadrophenia -- The Who



There is nothing better for feeling like your pain is not unique (in a good way) than the Who's more serious and secondary rock opera. Personally this album got me through the hellish years of my actual middle school, but the lessons and comfort continues to get me through to this day. Following the schizophrenic Jimmy on his quest to be considered cool and be appreciated (isn't that what we all secretly want anyways), Pete Townshend gives us song after song about adolescence and insecurities. We are all Jimmy at one point or another. "Cut My Hair" really speaks for itself as a unique anthem for confused and upset youth. I love it. Play it on repeat if necessary.

Middle School Syndrome continues to hit society every couple of years depending on the person. Feeling like the world is against you, but knowing at some point you will leave it all behind is part of growing up and continuing to change and grow as an individual. While it is terrible, you will get through it...just like the flu.

Piping Hot Music!

Due to a lack of flash and a downloading system that couldn't handle the millions of hits today, the boom of the return of New York natives The Strokes came through slow waves of clips and snippets until I was able to sit down with a pair of recording headphones in these wee early hours of the morn'. I promise to do a complete Track Take on it as soon as Friday comes and my obligations once again become minimal.

But while I am here I have a couple of "first impressions" of my own:

Julian's range of middling to higher notes is strained which is rather jarring, but maybe that is what they were going for?
"Under Cover of Darkness" might fulfill its namesake through its lyrics, but the bright soundscape it puts out is absolutely infectious.
The bridge of the song is absolutely flawless (makes up for the weak guitar solos that are uncharacteristic of the power band)

After talking with Jessica about it for a couple of minutes it became quite clear that we all can just breathe a sigh of relief that the first single back from the musically dead Strokes wasn't a disappointment. In fact, I am actually more excited about Angles now after hearing "Under Cover of Darkness" than I was before. I just hope we don't lose Julian's signature croon entirely in his search for a musical 180 from the past.

Well played boys.

Track Take Special: A Mix for the Dumped in All of Us

As with every year, once the holiday season comes to an end, many relationships seem to come to an end as well. It is incredibly hard to console a person who has just been "let go" because we have all been there before. Besides making them a card carrying member of the dumped club, all you can do is listen and once again be reminded that people are complicated and sometimes blind.

In an attempt to help my best friends out of their sadness I have come up with a mix that includes direct songs about break ups, guilty pleasures, songs to wallow in, songs to get mad at, songs with advice, and a whole lot of love (sorry led heads, that song doesn't actually make the cut).

Also a word to the dumped: Whoever just broke your heart, they aren't worth your time or energy. Good riddance and bring on the new chances at love!

Walk On By -- Dionne Warwick
Don't Cry for Me -- The Zombies
Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) -- The Beach Boys
Fluorescent Adolescent -- Arctic Monkeys
Don't Let Him Waste Your Time -- Jarvis Cocker
You Oughta Know -- Alanis Morissette
It Beats Me Every Time -- Peter Bjorn & John
Bad Kids -- Black Lips
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb -- Spoon
You're So Vain -- Carly Simon
One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later) -- Bob Dylan
Invincible -- Ok Go
Hiding Neath My Umbrella -- God Help The Girl
This Boy -- Franz Ferdinand
Stop Your Sobbing -- The Kinks
Beware Of Darkness -- George Harrison
(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone [Single Version] -- The Monkees
You Can't Always Get What You Want -- The Rolling Stones

Track Take: "Twilight Omens" (Franz Ferdinand)

Baby you still feel the same.
Alex Kapranos of Glasgow native band Franz Ferdinand knows exactly how to push our buttons even all these years after their explosive 2004 self titled debut. Tonight:Franz Ferdinand lacked the commercial success of their previous albums, but the 2009 studio production gained the freedom of no real expectations. From the infectious dance record filled with such instant hits as "Ulysses" and "No You Girls" comes this incredibly intricate track buried in the middle.
"Twilight Omens" consists of an intriguing distorted organ loop, a driving drum beat, and probably the most importantly the breathy layered voice of Kapranos doing what he does best: talking directly to the listener. The lyrics continue to engage us directly with the suave front man "Keep hearing your name", "Hear the radio sing your name", and "Baby I still feel the same". How are we not supposed to fall all over this track blushing?
What is so wonderful about this song besides the musical intricacy (and the always assumed sexual undertones), is the fact this song is completely unlike any of the other tracks on Tonight:Franz Ferdinand. The fresh sound with a lack of a heavy bass dance step allows us to refresh ourselves within the more alternative side of the Scots.
I personally am shocked that Tonight:Franz Ferdinand hasn't received more critical acclaim considering it's a refreshing departure from the jangling rock that You Could Have It So Much Better gave to us in droves; it perfectly harnesses the indie dance beat craze with impeccable musicianship.

Don't worry Alex, you still feel the same and I love every minute of it.

Track Take: "I'll Try Anything Once" (The Strokes)

In the process of making First Impressions of Earth (The Strokes' 2006 lackluster third studio album), Julian Casablanca decided to record his thoughts about relationships and life with the solitary help of a keyboard. While the sound of this demo hardly resembles the quintessential Strokes rhythm and energy, it captures a level of purity only available from the under-produced track. As an early take of the first track of the album, "You Only Live Once" (one of the few truly great songs featured on First Impressions), Julian's voice isn't covered by fuzz. He is not concerned with sounding cool or being perfect; he is just recording his thoughts and ideas. The fresh quality matched with the thoughtful and universal lyrics is celebrated by the popularity of this demo. What makes this track so exciting and listenable for long time Strokes fans, or casual contemporary music collectors is that it is vulnerable. The honest vulnerability with an enjoyable melody was replaced with forgetful complaining on the tracks of the studio album. I can only hope that their unnamed 2011 project returns the five NY natives to their danceable and relatable roots.

Track Take: "Pocketbook Angel" (Belle and Sebastian)

As I was listening to Belle & Sebastian on my itunes shuffle one of my favorite songs came up again. "Pocketbook Angel" - a rare 90's take- showcases the youthful and melodic voice of Stuart Murdoch with the gloomy dance vibe of most B&S songs. The simple, yet friendly guitar sticks with you for the day (in the best way possible). Following the story of a man who continues to see a girl out on the street who writes down everything she sees in her little notebook. While all female listeners of this song would want to be that kooky object of Murdoch's affection, it is amazing to see even within this rough and short demo track, the semi-whimsical world of Belle and Sebastian characters immortalized in ironic and beautiful songs being created.

I'm also a huge fan of the quality of sound that seems like they recorded it in a bathtub.

maybe it looked something like this?