I've been out walking

Just finished watching Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson's new movie. I have to say, it is pretty great, and pretty much like every other Wes Anderson movie. Regardless, it got me thinking about some of his other movies, particularly the soundtracks. There have been some pretty great songs utilized in his movies. However, one reigns supreme in my mind, "These Days" covered by Nico is by far one of the most beautiful (the original was written by Jackson Browne-note though, they are very different-Browne also performed his with Gregg Allman), and really just hits home with me. The guitar is great, and the strings really pull it all together.


As for Nico's voice, she is pretty unique, the voice can sound a little ugly and haunting, but that is just if you take it at face value. If you really listen to it it fits perfectly with her music. She is especially great on the VU album she headlined on. However this song is from her sophomore album Chelsea Girl, taken from the Warhol film of the same name. Her music particularly hit home with one of my favorite musicians, Elliot Smith. He described her music as being very influential in his musical style, which led him to cover a couple of Nico's songs.

So enjoy, I'll post both the Nico, Elliot Smith, and Jackson Browne versions of the song, they are all pretty classic and influential in their own right. By the way, if you wanted to know which movie "These Days" was featured in, it was The Royal Tennenbaums, which had a great soundtrack in and of itself.

"These Days" by Jackson Browne

"These Days" covered by Nico from Chelsea Girl (1967)

"These Days" covered by Elliot Smith

-S
*Note-I just found out that while Browne did write the song Nico recorded it first-with permission from Browne of course*

Lost revelations that I'll never find

OK, I'll admit it, I have judged a book by it's cover, in this case, MGMT's new album Celebration. I heard the first released song on the album on YouTube, and to be honest, didn't think much of it. I felt like I was expecting to show up at a rave, and I had walked in on Rosh Hashanah Services at Temple Beth Eloheim. I said to myself; "Really? Really MGMT? What happened to "Time To Pretend" and "Electric Feel"? Where was the techo-esque rock and roll I was expecting. Where were the synthesizers and drum loops? Immediatly I dismissed Congratulations. They had duped us, just another band putting out commercially sucessful hits and then using them as the foot in the door for what they really want to do (usually artsy crap that won't move and units off of the shelves.)


Anyway, already biased, I was handed the album by my English teacher. I was skeptical at first having already heard "Flash Delirium," my hopes and dreams of what a new MGMT already smashed all over the floor. With nothing to lose I put it on. Surprisingly enough, I liked it. This showed and entirely new side of MGMT, a softer, more acoustic side. I kind of, dare I say, liked it. This was much more chill than their first album, relaxed and layed back. Sure it wasn't what I had hoped, pop-y tunes with a flaring beat and synthesizers up to the eyeballs. This was something different, not worse in any way, just different. This different side, in the end proved to be really something great. I went in with low expectation and I have ended up pleasently surprised. I mean, this isn't the best album ever to be laid down, but it is pretty great, one of the better CD's I have heard this year, and the flow is like nothing else. It melts in to each song like a Phish set.

There are a couple stand-out track on Congratulations. Particularly the title song "Congratulations" ends up being a great song, the beginning is slow, starting out with more of a more eastern feel, with a VU influence. The vocals are great, and the acoustic guitar fits in perfectly with a elegant drum beat. I want to say the song almost feels like it was written for a Wes Anderson movie if that makes sense. Another great track is 12-minute behemouth "Siberian Breaks" which I don't want to write about at any particular length, but it is totally hypnotic and well worth a listen. The song that stands out most like it would fit on their first album is "It's Working" but even saying that is a stretch. It definitely has more of a pop feel but it is far from techno, almost having a 60's feel-good vibe (almost beach rock?).

Anyway, for once I was wrong. My sincerest apologies MGMT. You have proven me wrong and bested me. What remains to be seen however is if MGMT is an acoustic band dressed like a techno band or the reverse. Only time will tell, but their next album will be worth the wait. It will also recieve my undivided attention, and get the respect it will undoubtedly deserve.

"Siberian Breaks" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)

"Congratulations" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)

"It's Working" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)

-S

*Editors Note: Yes I am aware this was an album before MGMT's 2007 album Oracular Spectacular, however they were still under the name "The Management" and only really released a demo album called Climbing To New Lows (2005), which for the most part was ill-received and is only really remembered for the debut of "Kids" which didn't hit it big until recently.*