Alternative/Indie - Danger Mouse/Brian Burton

Danger Mouse/Brian Burton: Producer Virtuoso? Two names. Is he twice as good? Does he have the midas touch? Bumping into this guy through my continuing education was boss, groovy, righteous, bitchin', right-on and the crème de le crème that will never, ever lose it's cool....COOL! That about covers it. 

Danger Mouse/Brian Burton is half of the Broken Bells brain-trust. James Mercer from the Shins, is the other. Their LP “The High Road” is a personal favorite from 2010. What a beautiful piece of music. That LP puts me in a stress free groove. Feel good stuff. If they never record again, I'm OK with that.

It's feasible that Psychologists around the globe have begun incorporating Broken Bells songs as a useful tool in their daily therapy sessions. Shrink: “So, how can I help you today?” Patient: “Anger issues man! I went to rob a liquor store, but mistakenly grabbed my squirt gun as I made a hasty abode exit. The clerk laughed at me, so I decided to grace him with a rack of potato chips. He deftly moved right, the rack bounced off the wall, quickly flying back my way. I swear, that rude rack was mocking me before impact Doc. Gotta say, I didn't see that coming. Down and out for the count. Yea, I'm pissed!” Shrink: “Get this prescription filled and I'll see you next week.”

La de da de da. Patient walks into the pharmacy, hands over the folded script and low and behold another damn clerk laughs at him. She tossed the piece of paper back on the counter and splits. He scoops it up. It reads....Light a candle. Roll a fatty (vaping is much healthier). Run a bath. While sparking, download the title track “The High Road”. Snatch your player, jump in the tub, pop on headphones, stretch out, hit repeat, hit the song! Smell the green....new revenue stream!

Danger Mouse/Brian Burton is on intimate terms with creativity. Fruits of success. Results speak for themselves. Working as both Musician and or Producer, his record on the track so to speak includes Gorillaz, Gnarls Barkley, Cee-Lo Green, Beck, the Black Keys and Sparklehorse. There are more, believe you me! Lots of fingers in the pie this guy. A wide and varied musical career. Supposedly he is producing (or has) the next U2 LP. I am mucho excited to hear his influence melded with their sound. A wee sprinkle from the brilliant mind of Mus Musculus!

I hear tell some not so typical Broken Bells fans lurk near and far. The animal kingdom is so in tune with the LP, it caused the rumor mill to blow up. Every corner extolling great tales of the great Pachyderm family, able to hear Broken Bells songs from thousands of miles away. It's not enough that the big dudes turned the fashion world upside down by rockin' the runway with their highly acclaimed, broke the mold strut? Now Gigantor ears is the worlds best pair of headphones? I love e!

I reckon that particles of creativity frequently tap the shoulder of the Mouse. If you haven’t heard Broken Bells, then I suggest you give them a decent shot at winning you over. I strongly suggest headphones first, or quality speakers. Ciao!

No Rest For Kings

Me, myself and I had a brainstorm during a game of hoops, under a typically clear, sunny day. Suddenly everything moved in slowwwww motionnnnn. Out of three knuckle heads spilled a viable strategy for KOL, while drummer Nathan is grounded due to a wounded wing. I feel you man. Me and a Rotator Cuff were at odds with each other, it had to be sliced and diced too.

This is whippin' frenzy....KOL style. Lets take a look. There's Caleb preparing in solitude. He chose to do a cover for his frenzy causing maneuver. We already know he can sing. Could be interesting. 

Whoa, why is he stepping into that which we love to peel off the opposite sex? Is he going to wear THOSE for his cover? No worries. This cover is a cover of the controversial Joe Namath pantyhose photo shoot from the 70's, with a twist. Caleb will be surrounded by Victoria Secret models. Oh Poor baby. How will he manage? A bold choice indeed. Ambitious emulation. Can he pull it off?

Interesting that both Caleb and Joe are “Good Old Boys”. Whatever, I don't recall reading anywhere that Southern dudes carry an above average hanker-in' for pantyhose. No bullet dodging necessary!

Ole' Joe. Living on opposite coasts, I appreciated the trail he blazed. Ahead of his time. Joe did not set a trend, he was the entire bloody trend. I've always carried an affinity for Tide Qbs. Go figure!

Nathan, he ain't going anywhere. Draggin' a wing holds him on the tarmac of sorts. He plays kick back Jack! We throw him a life raft. There is no Earthly reason for him to vacate his private ocean of wine. 

The raft is equipped with a giant pumping straw, whose base gently sways far below the darker region of the highly valued liquid delight. At the top, two smaller off-shoot straws are available for personal use. A party of two can snuggle up and get comfy on the dual leather recliner and enjoy custom libation. Yes, there is a big screen TV. Quality time. Does it get any better?

Matthew's plan is one that makes grown men jealous. Ugh, he go fast! Real fast! He is entered to drive in several Nascar truck races during downtime. You honestly didn't believe that an Axe was the only thing that Cool Cat could drive with superior control? Seems his team is shaping up to be the one to beat.

Secret weapon operator Jared will be gently placed in a one-of-a-kind compartment inside the truck bed. He will be outfitted with his base guitar and a new concept amp that controls emotions for short bursts. 

He plays a couple of chords, wham, other drivers feel the embrace of fear. They let off the accelerator just a hair. Enough to lose ground, yet subtle enough that no ones the wiser. Got to love it! How to school Nascar drivers, rock style. Yee ha!

Complete silliness I know. It sneaked in, occupied my mind for a short time and now your stuck with it. My bad. No really, my bad!

Alternative/Indie - Touring Part 3

In all seriousness, I have given pause regarding older, mature, STABLE peeps and a cool service they could provide bands. Say they really enjoy Alternative/Indie music like Moi. They could belong to a network of like minded individuals, who show some love when bands are traveling through their neck of the woods and prepare a spread of quality food to go. Often times it's a hasty turn around. Load, hit the road. Another long night/morning.

I envision a national cook-off contest once per year. Theme foods of well established dishes already frolicking in their specific Neighborhoods. BBQ is first up since it's fairly easy and I don't know many people who radiate an expression of having smelled a less than pleasing fart, when asked whether they partake in BBQ. Boom, the race is on to win the hearts and minds of Musicians.

Volunteer sugar baby! How to tally votes is a stumbling block though. Until rectified, Telepathic bands can salivate and ready their taste buds for Gorilla style home grown vittles. Oh you Telepaths you. Always exuding the inside joke .