Today's song is...
Historical Landmarks
This is actually one of my favorite of the Dunkin Donuts ads, mostly because I haven't seen the ad (if it was even a TV one, it could have been radio) but I can picture it so well just from the lyrics. Bored kids, excited dad with maps and travel guide, mom with cup of DD's iced coffee. Yup, I can picture that ad perfectly.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 605
Today's song is...
Even Numbers
Thematically, this isn't one of my favorite kids songs, but I love the style of the video. The little owl is just too cute, especially with goggles on. Musically, the song is quite interesting which I'm not sure I had ever quite noticed before. Ascending scales and all that, and some neat effects put on the guitars. Plus I like anything with a big, bold piano part. But I have never understood where the french fries play into the songs. Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers, french fries, socks. That bit is just strange, in a wonderful Linnellian sort of way. But the animation sure is cute.
Even Numbers
Thematically, this isn't one of my favorite kids songs, but I love the style of the video. The little owl is just too cute, especially with goggles on. Musically, the song is quite interesting which I'm not sure I had ever quite noticed before. Ascending scales and all that, and some neat effects put on the guitars. Plus I like anything with a big, bold piano part. But I have never understood where the french fries play into the songs. Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers, french fries, socks. That bit is just strange, in a wonderful Linnellian sort of way. But the animation sure is cute.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 604
Today's song is...
Girls In Their Turning
Creepy. That is all I have to say about this song. Creepy. Well, that and an idle pondering of whether the entire song is just a manipulated effect on a vocal? Maybe? There is a tiny little blip at the end that makes me think so.
Girls In Their Turning
Creepy. That is all I have to say about this song. Creepy. Well, that and an idle pondering of whether the entire song is just a manipulated effect on a vocal? Maybe? There is a tiny little blip at the end that makes me think so.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Happy Birthday, Marty Beller!!
It has once again come time to celebrate the birthday of MISTER...... MARTY..... BELLER!!
In the year since I wrote his last birthday post, Marty has proved that some musicians only get better with age. In a single year, he has released a musical output that impressed me more than ANY I have heard in such a short period of time. Looking back on Album Raises New and Troubling Questions and Jonathan Coulton's Artificial Heart (not to mention contributions to albums by Stew and The Negro Problem and the Sugar Free Allstars), there is enough excellent drum work contained in those albums to equal a good year for anybody. But consider that the year also included Marty's mind blowing work on Join Us, and, well, it is just that... mind blowing. I still get chills listening to Judy Is Your Viet Nam. Celebration makes me positively giddy. And I fear one of my greatest musical regrets will forever be never getting to see Marty drum JoCo's Glasses live.
Marty is the type of performer most fans dream of. He is dynamic and talented, giving everything he's got to the audience night after night. Then when the show is over he gives even more, greeting fans from the front of the stage, signing autographs, posing for pictures, passing out drum sticks and drum drum heads, shaking hands. He goes above and beyond, turning a concert experience from a fun night out to a once in a lifetime experience for so many fans.
And on stage he is more fun to watch than any million dollar act you'd pay $200 to see. He has turned silent comedy from the drum riser into an art form, plays like a coiled spring unraveling with uncanny precision, and makes it all look effortless. One of my favorite things about seeing him play with Jonathan Coulton was after every performance of Mandelbrot Set, Jonathan would acknowledge Marty's performance with such admiration, and then tease him for not even breaking a sweat. I must have seen TMBG play Judy five times before I ever remembered to watch any other member of the band besides Marty, because his performance was so arresting. But my favorite moment of the whole year was watching Marty attack his drums so hard in a rendition of Clap Your Hands in Pittsburgh, that he literally blew out the front of his bass drum. Now THAT is true rock 'n' roll!
And on top of all that, through the release of his podcast this year, Marty also proved himself to be an enlightening conversationalist, with opinions I respect and learned from. It is one thing to be a fan of someone's music and performance and respect their talent, but it is so much better to discover they are an interesting, engaging, well spoken, funny and genuine person too.
So in honor of the birth of the King of the Drums, would you all please join me in blowing your throats out in one big celebratory scream. No wait, Marty can't hear you! He's wearing ear plugs! He's playing the drums! Scream louder! Now shut up and let the man relax on his birthday, knowing he is loved by thousands of fans who will gladly risk their ability to speak the next day, to show their admiration for his awesome talent.
Happy Birthday, Marty! You are truly one in a million :-)
(P.S. Thanks for that drum head. It makes me smile every time I look at it.)
Here are some pictures from the last year of the man rocking out, and if you haven't done so already, or feel like reading it again (it's worth it!) please enjoy this interesting and informative piece Marty wrote for Modern Drummer last year:
Marty Beller of They Might Be Giants for Modern Drummer
In the year since I wrote his last birthday post, Marty has proved that some musicians only get better with age. In a single year, he has released a musical output that impressed me more than ANY I have heard in such a short period of time. Looking back on Album Raises New and Troubling Questions and Jonathan Coulton's Artificial Heart (not to mention contributions to albums by Stew and The Negro Problem and the Sugar Free Allstars), there is enough excellent drum work contained in those albums to equal a good year for anybody. But consider that the year also included Marty's mind blowing work on Join Us, and, well, it is just that... mind blowing. I still get chills listening to Judy Is Your Viet Nam. Celebration makes me positively giddy. And I fear one of my greatest musical regrets will forever be never getting to see Marty drum JoCo's Glasses live.
Marty is the type of performer most fans dream of. He is dynamic and talented, giving everything he's got to the audience night after night. Then when the show is over he gives even more, greeting fans from the front of the stage, signing autographs, posing for pictures, passing out drum sticks and drum drum heads, shaking hands. He goes above and beyond, turning a concert experience from a fun night out to a once in a lifetime experience for so many fans.
And on stage he is more fun to watch than any million dollar act you'd pay $200 to see. He has turned silent comedy from the drum riser into an art form, plays like a coiled spring unraveling with uncanny precision, and makes it all look effortless. One of my favorite things about seeing him play with Jonathan Coulton was after every performance of Mandelbrot Set, Jonathan would acknowledge Marty's performance with such admiration, and then tease him for not even breaking a sweat. I must have seen TMBG play Judy five times before I ever remembered to watch any other member of the band besides Marty, because his performance was so arresting. But my favorite moment of the whole year was watching Marty attack his drums so hard in a rendition of Clap Your Hands in Pittsburgh, that he literally blew out the front of his bass drum. Now THAT is true rock 'n' roll!
And on top of all that, through the release of his podcast this year, Marty also proved himself to be an enlightening conversationalist, with opinions I respect and learned from. It is one thing to be a fan of someone's music and performance and respect their talent, but it is so much better to discover they are an interesting, engaging, well spoken, funny and genuine person too.
So in honor of the birth of the King of the Drums, would you all please join me in blowing your throats out in one big celebratory scream. No wait, Marty can't hear you! He's wearing ear plugs! He's playing the drums! Scream louder! Now shut up and let the man relax on his birthday, knowing he is loved by thousands of fans who will gladly risk their ability to speak the next day, to show their admiration for his awesome talent.
Happy Birthday, Marty! You are truly one in a million :-)
(P.S. Thanks for that drum head. It makes me smile every time I look at it.)
Here are some pictures from the last year of the man rocking out, and if you haven't done so already, or feel like reading it again (it's worth it!) please enjoy this interesting and informative piece Marty wrote for Modern Drummer last year:
Marty Beller of They Might Be Giants for Modern Drummer
Song of the Day - Day 603
Today's song is...
Speed and Velocity
I admit, I picked this one for Marty's birthday, but I only moved it up three days from where it was supposed to be so I only fudged a little. This is my second favorite of Marty's songs. It is wonderfully appropriate that Marty Beller, the man who never stops moving, wrote a song about speed and velocity. And a really good song too. Great pop melody, a fun drum beat (of course) and the lyrics are cute and educational. And I enjoy the way that Marty's vocals are displayed in the song. It really works. But my favorite bit is the drum fill about two thirds of the way through. Whee! Also, is it just me, or every now and then while you are listening to the song do you find yourself picturing Marty riding a Big Wheel down the sidewalk with gleeful abandon?
Speed and Velocity
I admit, I picked this one for Marty's birthday, but I only moved it up three days from where it was supposed to be so I only fudged a little. This is my second favorite of Marty's songs. It is wonderfully appropriate that Marty Beller, the man who never stops moving, wrote a song about speed and velocity. And a really good song too. Great pop melody, a fun drum beat (of course) and the lyrics are cute and educational. And I enjoy the way that Marty's vocals are displayed in the song. It really works. But my favorite bit is the drum fill about two thirds of the way through. Whee! Also, is it just me, or every now and then while you are listening to the song do you find yourself picturing Marty riding a Big Wheel down the sidewalk with gleeful abandon?
Monday, July 9, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 602
Today's song is...
Tango Distoro
I would have said that tango and rock accordion did not mix, but the song is attempting to prove me wrong. I would desperately like to see someone actually attempt to perform a tango to this music. Honestly, the song is a bit repetitive for my tastes but I would still enjoy seeing it danced to. Someone call Dancing With The Stars!
Tango Distoro
I would have said that tango and rock accordion did not mix, but the song is attempting to prove me wrong. I would desperately like to see someone actually attempt to perform a tango to this music. Honestly, the song is a bit repetitive for my tastes but I would still enjoy seeing it danced to. Someone call Dancing With The Stars!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 601
Today's song is...
Get By With A Little Help
Homestar is rather creative with his interpretation of the lyrics to this song. But what I really want to know is, how come none of the Homestar people were at the shows when _I_ was in Atlanta?
Get By With A Little Help
Homestar is rather creative with his interpretation of the lyrics to this song. But what I really want to know is, how come none of the Homestar people were at the shows when _I_ was in Atlanta?
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