The Comeback Kid

My friends have started asking me if I've forgotten that I have a blog. Alright, point taken. My apologies for the lack of updates. I've been preoccupied this week. But it's been a very good week. I feel like I've accomplished more in one week than I have in a month. Plus, I think I've finally figured out the key to true happiness in life. It's called carpeting. I have a carpet now. Plus, I've got two armchairs being delivered next week. And I baked for my friends this week: pecan pies and raspberry almond crumble bars. And I started on a new Bernard Malamud book. Between shows, studio time, deadlines, et al, I've been rather domestic these past few days, haven't I. But the highlight of my week? Ah, well that would have to be celebrating the end of my cold. Hooray. For the last few weeks, I've been suffering from this miserable Godforsaken cold and it was only just this week that I got the last of it out of my system. So of course Cash suggested we ice that shit out for good... by swimming in the frigid waters of Robert Moses beach late at night. For some reason, it made perfect sense to us at the moment. We hauled our tails out of city limits, driving out to Long Island at some unspeakable hour and took the plunge. It was so damn cold in that icy water that I made up curse words that I don't think actually exists in the English vernacular. But yes, I felt alive with pleasure. And that, my dear friends, is the point.
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The Clean Prophets are a new L.A.-based band that I've been enjoying for a while now. New band, yes. But unfamiliar to indie rock kids, no. Jerrold Balcom (vocals/guitar) was the frontman of Sunstorm (Rough Trade Records), Johnny Sleeper (drums) was in the Superbees and Dave Keonig (bass) played in The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Ah... it's all coming together now. It's a bit of Pulp, Oasis, Blur and Pink Floyd, yes? All around good rock band that's going to make news in the coming year. Be sure to snag one of the EPs if you can.
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MP3s
"Tambourine Crown"
"Crime"
"Praise Is Poison"
"Man Transparent"
myspace
website
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I really like Death Cab For Cutie. But because of my friend JZ, I now love them. And for blisteringly cold days like today when you're staying indoors cozying up in warmth, these three songs perfectly hit the spot.
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MP3s
"Soul Meets Body (Radio Edit)"
"Title and Registration"
"Brothers On a Hotel Bed"
website
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Video Bonus!
Beth Orton - "Conceived" (video) :: real player or windows media
Hot Chip - "Playboy" (video) :: real player or windows media
k-os - "Man I Used To Be" (video) :: real player or windows media
Sia - "Breathe Me" (video) :: real player or windows media
Athlete - "Half Light" (video) :: real player or windows media

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I almost forgot... for the captain.
Repost: White Rose Movement - "Love Is A Number"
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Amazon
Insound
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And don't forget about this craziness: Matt and Scott in a DJ smackdown.

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it's only with you

Comments

[nellie]

HUH?

You're back? Yippee!

[Daniel]

I was surprised to see a pair of Nudie jeans. The guy who started that brand used to be in a Swedish punk band called De Lyckliga Kompisarna (The happy friends) and runs a tiny, tiny clothes shop in Gothenburg. And suddenly I see these jeans everywhere.

[hip boy]

Nice jeans! Those jeans may very well be one of the most hipster jeans I've seen. I mean without being so tragically hipster that they're ugly.

So I checked out Nudie jeans and this is what I found: http://www.nudiejeans.com/campaign/fitguide/fitguide.php

Very cool.

I like the Elephant-esque ring in The Clean Prophets. And I definitely hear the Pink Floyd in "Tambourine Crown" but so help me God, I can't get swayed into DCFC.

Can someone enlighten me?

[Kyle]

Well, Sunny is always at the height of trends, buying jeans from an obscure former Swedish punk rocker.

But Daniel, how'd you know they were Nudie jeans?

I can't get enough of DCFC. What they have, that lots of new bands don't have, is a crazy clarity of melody. They're not punk, they're not that weirdness that is We Are Scientists or Morningwood. They're melodic and intricate indie pop rock.

It's smart that Sunny linked "Soul Meets Body" first, seeing that it's the most palatable (and popular) of all their songs. The newbie listener will most likely grab onto this song first. Clever.

I suggest you give it another listen. And hey Daniel, did you start the da vinci code?

[Daniel]

Well, I'm from Gothenburg. And I remember when those jeans came to that very little store. It's called Moms (means VAT, like the tax). I probably spoiled the hipster quality of the jeans now by naming them, sorry. Nope, I haven't yet. I am currently looking for someone to borrow it from since I don't want to give mr Brown even more money unless I'm positive it's good ;)

[Therese]

Ha. It turns out that YOU'RE at the height of hipsterdom, Daniel. I wouldn't pay money for the book either but I'd certainly give it a read.

You get the sense that bands rarely die but they just recycle themselves into different lineups... ergo, into different bands?

Not that The Clean Prophets are a bad addition to the indie rock canon. In fact, I think they're pretty bad ass. If you haven't, you should take a listen to "Tambourine Crown" ASAP!

[mike]

when you go on the nudie jeans site and you get to the window with all the guys with the different jeans lined up, look to the right of them and you'll see an amp. click on it.

then the window shifts to show the band that's playing the music. it's so totally "there's something about mary."

that's the most hipster thing i've ever seen (in a not such a bad thing way).

wassup sunny!

[Je Suis]

Two things. 1) I got into Nudie jeans because of Cadence Weapon. For real. They're awesome. 2) I LOVE YOU! "Love Is A Number" is so damn fine, thank-you for ever.

[Sunny]

1) I love me some Nudie jeans. I love me some Cadence Weapon. But you're going to have to draw the line between Cadence Weapon and my jeans.

2) My pleasure. It's a catchy little dancey bit, ain't it?

:)

[Je Suis]

No line, just a pattern, zeitgeist, recognition, whatevs. CW was lusting after them on his site back in the day, now I see them on your site, it's synchronicity (serendipity?). Or maybe it's just what is.

[Kitmeout]

There’s a cool change in the air - and I’m talking 2 below zero!!! For years denim was dominated by the Amricans and Italians, creating a long line of classic jeans from traditional Levi Jeans to exclusive Armani Jeans. Then came along the innovative Japanese brands with Evisu jeans at the forefront led by the visionary Hidehiko Yamane. However, during the course of the past few years a new player has stealthily entered the denim arena. These new players hale from the unlikely land of the vikings; Nudie Jeans and Acne jeans have strong and proud Swedish roots yet their denim has truly universal appeal!

What’s so special about these Scandinavian brands? Why are Nudie Jeans and Acne Jeans so special? Many fashionistas believe the secret of their success is their raw edge. Neither Nudie nor Acne are tainted by transparent marketing hype. Both brands are as cool, clean and fresh as the snow in Stockholm. The stench that wafts from the marketing boardrooms of the high profile traditional brands has not yet tainted these two Swedish gems and this breath of fresh air attracts the denim wearing youth of the 21st century who are too asute to fall for the relentless marketing hype of so many traditional brands.

The Nudie Jeans collection includes Slim Jim, Flare Glenn, Baggy Bjorn, Bootcut Ola, Straight Sven, Super Slim Kim, Thin Finn. The Acne Jeans collection includes Max Garage, Max Pool, Max Raw, Mic Punch, Mic Raven, Moc Market, Moc Pebble, Mod Miner, Mod Off Duty. Anyone looking for a change from the traditional American and Italian Jeans, or anyone seeking relief from the Japanese denim invasion, should serious consider a look at Nudie Jeans or Acne Jeans. It’s a true breath of fresh air!!

[S Nev]

What fit in nudie jeans are you wearing in this pic? Thin finn, slim kim, slim jim?