Vampire Weekend’s debut album represented a rare thing in indie-world…an album living up to its’ hype. The four Columbia University alumni who made up the band had been rhapsodized so much in the blogosphere prior to the release of their self-titled debut that some folks hated it out of spite. Too bad for them, because I still think “Vampire Weekend”, track for track, is the most enjoyable album of 2008. “A-Punk” is one of it’s best songs. African guitar meets a pogo-punk tempo? Awesome. And it’s only 2 1/2 minutes long…the perfect amount of time for a song to get stuck in your head without overstaying it’s welcome.
If you haven’t heard these guys before, take a listen and try not to dance. Pretty sweet video, too.
THE BEATLES “Lady Madonna” b/w “The Inner Light” (Capitol Records #2138, March 1968)
As much as I loved John, the one I really miss is George. With his quiet inner peacefulness, sly sense of humor and brilliantly innovative guitar licks ranging from bumble-bee stinging to waterfall fluid, NO ONE, before or since, epitomized English cool like George Harrison. Every hip Brit act in recent memory, from The Jam to Oasis to Arctic Monkeys, has featured at least one George look/act/sound-alike in their lineup. As a high school freshman, I noticed, while paging through my gargantuan tome of World History text, that The Beatles were the only rock group mentioned by name. Why? Because of George’s influence, bringing Eastern musical styles into popular Western culture. Sa-NAP! One-Song-Per-Album-Side, my ass; a Quiet One shall lead them, ladies and gentlemen.
A gorgeous two-and-a-quarter-minute blast of Fats Domino-inspired barrelhouse boogie-woogie piano, 1930’s-style Tin Pan Alley vocal chimes and honking Ronnie Scott sax, Lennon & McCartney’s (well, mostly McCartney’s) “Lady Madonna” was the final Beatles single to be released in the U.S. on the Capitol Records. Their remaining six official 45s, beginning with “Hey Jude” in August of ’68, would bear the imprint of their newfound corporation (soon to become a downward-spiraling tornado of bad finances), Apple. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, boys.
Recorded by George with a host of Indian musicians (plus John & Paul on backing vocals for good measure), the Tao-inspired “The Inner Light” was the first Harrison composition to be featured on a Beatles single. Surprising in retrospect, considering how great “Taxman” and “If I Needed Someone” were. But I’ll never forget placing the needle on this record for the very first time as a youngster, and suddenly being transported into another world that I knew must’ve existed somewhere.  Now I had the power to access it, without going out of my door.
Eastern sounds are common in Western pop music today, from the pulsating deep-dub club grooves of Thievery Corporation to more radio-friendly acts like Shakira and fist-pumping aggro-rock like System Of A Down. But the next time you hear a sitar or tabla somewhere in your mix, take a moment to remember our dearly departed brother George. Take a page from his solemn book of quiet dignity, and add it to your repertoire. After all, the music George Harrison made was meant for you, to be carried with you, to walk along side you, for a lifetime.
NEXT WEEK: A famous recluse makes a comeback. Briefly.
Poison was performing their 1988 hit single “Nothin’ But a Good Time” (featured in the show “Rock of Ages” on the Tony Awards last night (10 years ago, who would have thought you’d see Poison on the TONYs of all places?), when lead singer Bret Michaels “missed his mark” and wound up having an unfortunate encounter with a set piece. Bret allegedly suffered an injury, although no one would specify what the injuries were (a very bruised ego, perhaps?).
I’m stunned that he was able to take that blow to the head and his wig didn’t come off. That must be one tight-ass hairpiece.
Which award show fall was better? Bret’s last night or Joe Jonas eating the floor at the 2007 American Music Awards?
