Michael Penn - On Automatic

The first single from Michael Penn's new cd Mr. Hollywood Jr. 1947 was released to radio last week and was the most added song on AAA radio. If you want to listen to it, just go to Michael's Myspace Page where it can be downloaded free and legal.

If you're interested in finding out more about Michael's music, listen to some samples on iTunes with the Best of Michael Penn.

Live 8 - Not me

Well everyone I'll be here in Conshohocken about 15 minutes from Live 8 and here is where I'll stay. 1 million people on the Parkway? God help us - I actually would like to go to experience mass chaos, but then again...does this mean I'm getting old?

Radio in Philly - Part 348

So I went and saw Sleater-Kinney here in Philly at the Troc last Friday; it was packed. My wonder is do all these people listen to the radio? Is there no market here? Sleater-Kinney has no room for play on the Philadelphia airwaves and it's a shame.

Star Wars thoughts

I saw Star Wars Episode III this weekend and now believe that this is the second worst trilogy of all time (Blade reserves a special spot for 1st). It's hard to be a bad trilogy, someone has to allow you to spend their money two more times after the first debacle - of course being that George Lucas is spending George Lucas' money, that sort of explains things. It's not that episode III is horrible; the last half of the movie is actually pretty entertaining. It just didn't do enough to make me forget that I had to sit through the first two movies to get there. Add to that the amazingly bad dialogue (why are all of Lucas' proper nouns so ridiculous sounding? You get great lines such as "I sense Dooku" or "Hold me like you did by the lakes of Naboo"). The unintentional humor from the writing is CSI Miami-like.

Best of Michael Penn - Listen to Mr. Hollywood Jr. 1947

I've created a best of Michael Penn or a Michael Penn primer on iTunes. It can be found by clicking the following link : Best of Michael Penn

If you would like to hear the new cd on a stream, click the following link: Mr. Hollywood Jr. 1947

Strong recommendations from June

Alright here are my thoughts on the cd's I've been listening to this month....

The best of the month

1. The Woods - Sleater-Kinney - Click Here for a review I wrote earlier this month
   
2. Patience and Silence - Adam Richman (found on eMusic). This is a great power pop cd. I felt a little dissappointed in the Jim Boggia and Brendan Benson efforts, but Richman's cd does best what those cd's couldn't.
   
3. X&Y - Coldplay - It generally takes me awhile with their cds and this one is no different. The reviews have varied wildly. I guess my inital thoughts is that it sounds like a Coldplay cd - which is good and bad. The cd is insanely listenable - great tunes like "Fix Me", "Square One", and "Speed of Sound" are classic Coldplay. But there are so many bands doing the Coldplay thing right now - even the standard bearer can sound a bit stale. I think this is why bands such as Radiohead with Kid A and Amnesiac, U2 with Zooropa and Pop, and REM with Monster have at times changed their sound dramatically at times - in order to leave the followers behind.
   

Dissappointment of the month...

• Blinking Lights and Other Revelations - Eels. I didn't like this album when Beck did it with Sea Change. (found on eMusic)

Jury still out on...

1. Face the Truth - Stephen Malkmus (found on eMusic)
2. Man-Made - Teenage Fanclub (found on eMusic)
3. Don't Believe the Truth - Oasis
   

Michael Penn in Pittsburgh - part 2

So I just drove to Pittsburgh and #1 - Michael was amazing as always. He did a taping of World Café that will air on July 14th. The show was intersperced with interviews by World Cafe host, David Dye. #2 - Pittsburgh is a gorgeous city. It's a shame that people don't walk around the city much - most of the people seem to live in the suburbs.

Here are a few pics from the weekend. (Sorry - my camera is pretty much crap.)



Michael lounging prior to the World Café taping 6/17/05 - The Andy Warhol Museum.




Michael gratiously gives an autograph




Michael with Pennlisters Lance and Jamie




Keyboardist David Palmer checking out the audience




Michael on stage Saturday in Pittsburgh

Michael Penn in Pittsburgh

Really late on posting this but Michael Penn will be playing in Pittsburgh this weekend -

World Café at The Warhol - Friday, June 17th & Saturday, June 18th
The taping sessions take place in the intimate Andy Warhol Museum theater for national broadcast to over 100 radio stations in August.

Friday, June 17th:

• 6PM Assembly Of Dust
• 8PM Michael Penn

Saturday, June 18th:

• 12PM David Poe
• 2PM Erin McKeown
• 4PM Michelle Shocked - SOLD OUT!!

WYEP's Free Summer Music Festival - Saturday, June 18th
Festival starts at approximately 4 pm.
Line-up: Times are subject to change

• 4PM David Poe
• 5:10PM Assembly of Dust
• 6:10PM Erin McKeown
• 7:30PM Michael Penn
• 8:50PM Michelle Shocked

WYEP Concert Page

All Foo Fighters sound the same?

Just got the new Foo Fighters' cd, but you know that (see post.) I'm just realizing that all of their stuff sounds so similar. I've always been a fan - but it seems like they're mailing it in. But hey, with 20 tracks, at least they're putting some effort behind their selling out.

Foo Fighters - In Your Honor - Copy Protection

So I picked up the latest Foo Fighters release In Your Honor yesterday at the local Tower. I opened the cd and then looked at the front to realize that this cd has copy protection to prevent unauthorized duplication. Basically it requires you use Windows Media Player to transfer files to your portable player. Only problem is that the ipod, the player with upwards of 75% of the portable market, is not supported by Windows Media. As a matter of fact, if you are a mac user, there is no Windows Media player that supports DRM.

Turns out that you can use this cd on your Macintosh no problem. If you're a Windows user, not so easy - you have to copy the cd to Windows Media Player, burn an audio cd, then import that audio cd to itunes. Nice.

The reason I even mention all of this is so that I can ask this question: who is RCA to tell me how I can listen to my music? I did not steal this cd - I paid my $12.99 for it but yet I'm being treated as a thief. So there are ways around the copy protection, I shouldn't have any obstacles in order to listen.

I did get an email from the creator of the copy protection, Sunncomm, that gave me directions on how to install the music to itunes, and then asked me to ask Apple to support their efforts. Question - who's the fly on who's ass here? Shouldn't Sunncomm have to adjust for 75% of the portable market, not the other way around.

The music industry is so out of touch with reality. For every obstacle, there are a dozen ways around it. Instead of putting up barriers, why not work with consumers and make things easier for them in a way that allows them to profit? Nah - that's a language they don't understand. My suggestion, don't buy this cd - that they understand. If you must have it, get it off of limewire. Maybe then they'll understand.

Off topic: Philadelphia Roads

I have to rant for a sec - last night I drove to the airport here in Philly - on the way home I was stuck in traffic jam caused by the work being done where I-95 and I-476 intersect. I've been driving for 20 years and I cannot honestly remember a time when there wasn't some major construction going on.

- I-76 in Philadelphia reconstructed in the mid to late 80's
- I-476 didn't open until the early 90's but is already under construction
- Interstates 202, 76, and 422 a major reconstruction in Montgomery County from 2000 through 2003
- Route 309 major reconstruction (current)
- I-95 undergoing major construction for at least the past 2 years

It seems that for the last 20 years PennDot has followed up one major road project by starting another major one immediately. We never have a moment of peace here. On top of it, their planning is horrible. For example, Route 309 is currently under construction. What do you do when a major road is under construction? Find alternates - well, Route 73 which parallels Route 309 is also under construction, closed in a couple of spots. What sense does this make?

I know that the PennDot is on a never-ending quest to justify their existence - I mean make the roads better, but if you're constantly working on them, isn't the construction itself is the problem?

Please Governor, senators, congressmen, lackeys - please stop the madness! Just give us one year without a major road project - please.

Rilo Kiley - Cool song quote

You know the title of this site is taken from a great line from the Michael Penn song "Me Around" from the cd Resigned. As such I thought I should point out great lines here and there. The following is from the Rilo Kiley song "Portions for Foxes":

"There's blood in my mouth because I've been biting my tongue all week."

That line has been in my head all week and I hadn't heard that song in months. Great line.

Michael Penn - Walter Reed MP3 Download

Kind of remiss in posting this but here's a link to a free download of the song "Walter Reed" from Michael Penn's upcoming cd Mr. Hollywood Jr. 1947 to be released August 2nd.

Walter Reed (mp3 / 3.4MB)

Yes - this MP3 is legal

What the fuck was I thinking - Volume 1

OK - When you listen to as much music as I do, sometimes you miss something or just don't get it the first time through. I'm talking about those artists that I listened to before and either didn't or did like and then changed position 180 degrees.

So here is my inaugural "What the fuck was I thinking" list - to be updated periodically as I clean the wax out of my ears.

(Links take you to the appropriate section on iTunes)

Gomez - I had their cd Liquid Skin for a couple of years on a recommendation. Never listened to it - and then at some point in 2004 realized how good they were.

PJ Harvey - I really must have been high on this one. Because of the song she did with Thom Yorke called "The Mess We're In" from Stories from the City - Stories from the Sea - I decided to take a listen again. I had her cd To Bring You My Love when it was released back in 1995 and hated it. I screwed up royal on this one.

Sleater-Kinney - I Had their The Hot Rock for years. Carrie Brownstein's voice can be tough to get past, but recently I can't stop listening to them. They are among the best musicians in modern rock, especially drummer Janet Weiss.

The Cardigans - This band I simply dismissed thinking that they were light and without substance. After hearing the song "Live and Learn" on the TV show Grey's Anatomy, I picked up the cd Long Gone Before Daylight. Lead singer and songwriter Nina Person tends to be more brooding than I ever expected from the person that wrote "Lovefool". Listen the the song "And Then You Kissed Me".

That's enough for now - but tell me your "what the fucks"

REVIEW: Sleater-Kinney - The Woods

I just got the Sleater-Kinney cd The Woods (Sup-Pop) today and it is all I thought it would be. This is not a band that is going to be played on the radio (especially these days). They can be discordant and I think they like that. If you give them a shot...

About the cd - first off drummer Janet Weiss is the best drummer in modern rock. Tell me who's better. I know that Carrie Brownstein's vocals can be harsh - but it works - I don't think she's ever sounded better. This album is noisy and jarring but fun to listen to. It is so far the best cd I've heard this year. I was a bit afraid when I heard that SK was going in a different direction, but I see it as evolution as opposed to decomposition.

Go get this cd.

Listen to Sleater-Kinney on iTunes

Quick question

Why do I find this headline so ironic:

"Bush urges Mubarak hold fair elections"

Live 8 - Philly vs. London

Well Live 8 is on it's way here to Philly and what do I have to say?

What's on TV that night?

You think I'm joking? Here's a rundown the Philly show:

Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, P Diddy, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, the Dave Matthews Band, Sarah McLachlan, Rob Thomas, Keith Urban, 50 Cent, and Kaiser Chiefs

Respectable - Jay-Z and 50 Cent are at the top of hip-op. DMB? Fratboys of the world rejoice! But let's take a look at London:

Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Dido, Keane, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Madonna, Muse, Scissor Sisters, Paul McCartney, Joss Stone, Stereophonics, Sting, Robbie Williams, U2, R.E.M., Velvet Revolver, Bob Geldof, the Killers, The Cure, Snow Patrol.

They have 6 icons in their line-up and that's not even including Coldplay who after their next cd probably should be included. Their line-up more than makes up for Mariah Carey being there. (Jesus, how'd she get into that lineup anyway? I feel sorry for those brits...oh wait, U2 and Coldplay on the same bill - nevermind.)

Honestly - the second rate London acts by themselves make a better show than we have here - how much would you pay for Muse, Scissor Sisters, Stereophonics, The Killers, and Snow Patrol on the same bill?

I live in Philly and I won't go see our show for free.

Audioscrobbler

I have to recommend this plug-in called Audioscrobbler - here's the description from their site:

Audioscrobbler builds a profile of your musical taste using a plugin for your media player (Winamp, iTunes, XMMS etc..). Plugins send the name of every song you play to the Audioscrobbler server, which updates your musical profile with the new song. Every person with a plugin has their own page on this site which shows their listening statistics. The system automatically matches you to people with a similar music taste, and generates personalised recommendations.

Click here for Audioscrobbler

Click here for Spencer's Audioscrobbler page

June 2005 New Music

Back from vacation. I must recommend North Carolina's Outer Banks before the summer season starts - no crowds.

Getting a jump start on the next month. Waiting impatiently for Coldplay's disc which Paste Magazine gave 5 out of 5 stars.

Adam Richman - Patience And Science (2005)
Eels - Blinking Lights And Other Revelations (2005)
Gay Dad - Transmission (2001)
Lush - Cíao 1989-1996 (2001)
P.J. Harvey - Uh Huh Her (2004)
P.J. Harvey - Dry (1992)
Sleater-Kinney - The Woods (2005)
Stephen Malkmus - Face The Truth (2005)

As always, not all from 2005, but all are new to me. Coming soon, reviews from May and my "What the fuck was I thinking list."

BTW - add these to my May list

The Go Betweens - Oceans Apart
Sugar - Copper Blue

THE POINT TO CLOSE BRYN MAWR LOCATION

OK - this is getting fucking ridiculous. First we lose Y100 and now the Point? What is wronhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifg with this city.

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THE POINT TO CLOSE BRYN MAWR LOCATION

After almost 7 years The Point will be leaving Bryn Mawr for a new location. Thanks to all of you, it has been an amazing run with over 1450 shows and 140,000 tickets sold. We have become a nationally known venue that has developed the reputation as one of the top listening rooms in the country. A room artists can come and develop their career in front of an attentive, appreciative audience, again, thanks to all of you.

After months of negotiating with our landlord, we were unable to reach a new lease agreement. We had planned to make a considerable investment in upgrading the kitchen (enabling us to have a more extensive menu), adding a liquor license (serving wine by the glass, micro brews, martini’s and the like), and sprucing up the place. We would continue to do all ages shows for our early shows, with the late shows being 21 & older.

After giving a preliminary approval, the landlord began having concerns of how our having a liquor license would negatively impact the neighborhood. Even with our assurances that we were not going to change what had made The Point successful, and that we have always strived to make positive contributions to the community, we were unable to agree on a lease term that would justify the kind of financial commitment we intended to make.

It is really unfortunate, we would have liked to remain at our current location. I believe that we brought a lot to the community and our plans would have had a positive impact on the future growth of Bryn Mawr. We are truly saddened to be leaving.

We are aggressively searching for a new location. We have a few things we’re looking at and are open to any location ideas any of you may have. We will continue to do shows at The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, as well as producing outdoor events like Eagleview Concerts on the Square, co-production of the Sundown Music Series (with our friends at Jack Utsick Presents NE, Inc.) and the Philadelphia Weekly Concert Series. In addition we will be looking at utilizing other venues in the area to produce shows for our regular artists.

It is our intent to have the month of June be a great celebration of our years in Bryn Mawr. Matt Nathanson, an artist that first played here as an opening act in 2002, will be recording a live album during his 4 sold out shows here June 15, 16 & 17. The fastest sellouts ever at The Point (8 minutes). We have visits from old friends like Dan Bern, Last Train Home, Common Rotation and Slaid Cleaves; we will have shows with artists who are far bigger than The Point like Duncan Sheik and Eddie From Ohio; and we will take one last step in helping develop the careers of newer acts that we think will be headliners soon like Charlotte Martin, Joel Plaskett, Todd Martin and Eric Hutchinson. Our complete June schedule is listed below.

Our final show at our present location will be Jim Boggia on June 25th. I can’t think of anybody else I’d rather have for our final show. Jim, he has called the Point “home” for over 40 shows in the past 6 ½ years. He is truly part of The Point family and we’re all huge fans.

For nostalgia’s sake, just a partial listing of some of the performers who have graced our stage (in no particular order):

Norah Jones, Howie Day, Vanessa Carlton, The Duhks, Amos Lee, Tegan & Sara, Erin McKeown, Ween, Michael Penn, Lisa Loeb, Allan Holdsworth, Five for Fighting, Sam Phillips, Michelle Shocked, Jim Capaldi, Al Kooper, Tim Reynolds, Sophie B Hawkins, Rhett Miller, Al Stewart, Kinky Friedman, Tommy Emmanuel, Jane Siberry, Loudon Wainwright, Silvertide, Evan Dando, Juliana Hatfield, Moxy Fruvous, Shawn Mullins, Del McCoury, Janis Ian, Richie Havens, Dan Hicks, Karla Bonoff, Julie Gold, Danny O’Keefe, Maria Muldaur, Barrere & Tackett, Steve Forbert, Dave Edmunds, Jonathan Edwards, Country Joe McDonald, Tom Rush, Eric Andersen, Graham Parker, Richard Shindell, Susan Werner, Jeffrey Gaines, Dan Bern, Jules Shear, The Nields, The Kennedys, Marshall Crenshaw, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, Garth Hudson, Jesse Colin Young, Geoff Muldaur, Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Harmer, Ollabelle, Jesse Sykes, Kasey Chambers, Martha Wainwright, Xavier Rudd, Vienna Teng, Nellie McKay, Johnny A, Rachael Yamagata, eastmountainsouth, Andy Stochansky, State Radio, Braddigan, The Avett Brothers, Phil Roy, Ari Hest, The Be Good Tanyas, Ed Harcourt, Angel Band, Feist, AJ Croce, Gary Jules, Alexi Murdoch, Ben Taylor Band, Sally Taylor, Matt Nathanson, David Berkeley, Ryan Montbleau, Rockwell Church and Stephen Kellogg, 4 Way Street, Ben Arnold, Stargazer Lily, Pepper’s Ghost, John Francis, The Brakes, The Builders, Pawnshop Roses, Seth Kallen, Lelia Broussard, Kate Gaffney, Vanida Gail, Joseph Parsons, Song Circle feat: Amber deLaurentis - Christine Havrilla - Nancy Falkow & Colleen McFarland, Transistor Rodeo and Lauren Hart