Stuff: Rick Barry, NGHTCRWLRS, Belle & Sebastian Anniversary

You Could Either Be Successful or Be Us

Here are a few things I wanted to mention as we go into the weekend.

Rick Barry, "Wanderlust"

Last week, Rick Barry released the second video from his Curses, Maledictions, and Harsh Reiterations. "Wanderlust," designed by Nick Kiefer and animated by Dan Matlack, displays a meticulousness and attention to detail that's reflective of Barry's songwriting. In addition, the fantastical feel of the clip captures the song's sentiment of a longed for escape.

Check out the beautiful video below.

Curses, Maledictions, and Harsh Reiterations is out now and available wherever you like to get your musical fix. Rick Barry returns with his band to New York City for a show this Saturday, 11/19, at Rockwood Music Hall.

NGHTCRWLRS, Raging Hot, 2016

New Jersey alt / indie rockers, NGHTCRWLRS, released their sophomore LP last Friday. Frank DeFranco, Eric Goldberg, Max Rauch, and Brian Goglia are "four gentlemen from New Jersey who are deeply in love with music but completely frustrated by the mundane realities of modern life."

Opener and first single "Are Two Dee Two" sounds like a 21st century descendant of The Byrds' "So You Wanna Be a Rock 'n Roll Star." There's humor, like the companion pieces "Coffee and Weed" and "Weed and Coffee." The former is rocking and caffeinated, while the latter is plodding and stoner-esque. The album weaves among influences from chimey, jangling indie rock to atmospheric post-hardcore, sometimes even in the same song (see "Rot" and "Lot Lizard"). Things even get political on "Fear and Greed."

Basically, the guys have a blast playing around with their influences and indulging their deep love of music. There are times when that can feel like a bit of an inside joke; but, for the most part, NGHTCRWLRS' good time is welcoming and inclusive.

Raging Hot is out now on Sniffling Indie Kids.

Belle & Sebastian, If You're Feeling Sinister, Released 11/18/96

This record. Man. I love it so much. Belle & Sebastian are like some amazing combination of Donovan and The Smiths for me; and their second album, If You're Feeling Sinister, finds them at their absolute peak. It came out 20 years ago today.

The original studio version of the album is almost inaudibly quiet; and the band tried to remedy that with a 2005, live, initially iTunes-only recording captured at London's Barbican Arts Center. I find myself listening to that version more frequently nowadays. If You're Feeling Sinister: Live at The Barbican is available just about everywhere now, I think.

"The Stars of Track and Field," "Like Dylan in the Movies," "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying," "Judy and the Dream of Horses," and the title track are masterpieces of twee pop. "Judy and the Dream of Horses" was, for a long time, CoolDaughter #1's favorite song of all-time. She hasn't requested it in a while; but maybe I'll remind her of it to mark today's anniversary.

I'm not going to go into a review here other than to say that if you love The Beatles or The Smiths or just beautifully-crafted pop, if you've ever had awkward feelings about religion or sex or your place in modern society, then give this a listen. It's really one of the greatest in the annals of indie pop.

Snow Day Edition

Frigid Friday

CoolMom absolutely hates this song. It's from If You're Feeling Sinister, which is one of our all-time favorite records (note: The iTunes-only live version of the album from All Tomorrow's Parties is much better, I think, since the mix on the original studio version is almost inaudible.); but for CoolMom, this is the one song she skips every time.

"Fox in the snow / where do you go / to find something you can eat?"

Kind of like the way it is here now, no? No food at any of the supermarkets -- AND WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THERE WILL BE ANY MORE! AAAAAAHHHH!!!

Anyway, have fun today. Stay warm.

Rock on.

Slow-moving Nor'easter Edition

Dreary Friday

This is the kind of day that makes me just want to sit inside, drink coffee, and listen to Belle & Sebastian. That's what I'll be doing for much of the day -- while I've got my conference calls on mute and while I engage in other thrilling corporate lackey type activities.

Tomorrow night, when the rains are supposed to have subsided, I'll be with CoolMom at The Wonder Bar for Glenn Tilbrook and Joe Michelini of River City Extension. Depending on what time that ends, I may also try to run over to Langosta Lounge to catch Bog Iron Bloom and/or Thomas Wesley Stern.

Before all that, though, stay dry and

Rock on.

By the way, I've always thought the sound on the iTunes-only live version of If You're Feeling Sinister was way better than the almost inaudible studio version. So...

Full Schedule This Weekend Edition

Baseball's Back Friday

After the frustrating first few days of the season, which always include that off-day right after Opening Day, the Yankees are in Detroit and the Mets are home against Miami for a full slate of games this weekend.

The weather looks like it may start to feel a little more like spring.

For some reason, my mood's been improving.

Enjoy and

Rock on.