Andrew Golis

Today will be the first ever Weekly Wednesday Music column (WWM). Every Wednesday, I will recommend two things to listen two. This week, two bands, one new classic and one old classic.

The Arcade Fire

For most of the fall, I told anyone who would listen to check out to this band. I listened to their album, Funeral, over and over and over and over again. I put them on my favorites of 2004 and noted that it was my favorite album of the year. After that, for most of January, I didn’t listen to them as much.

Then I saw them in concert last week. I can, without hesitation, say that it was the most amazing concert I have ever been to. Listening to their album now just seems sub-par. I had goose bumps for at least 3/4 of the show, and my roommate and friends had similar reactions.

For those of you who have never heard of them, I would describe their music has orchestral indie rock. They’re not really like anything else though, so if you want to like them, you simply need to follow this 3 step process:

1. Download a song called “wake up”

2. Turn your speakers/headphones as far up as you can physically tolerate

3. Close your eyes, hit play and cry from happiness

The Pixies

Alright, I know that pitching the Pixies has gotten kind of passe for the truly hip. But heck, it must be done: IF YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED TO THE PIXIES YOU LIVE IN AN INCOMPLETE WORLD AND YOU MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY. I hadn’t listened to the Pixies either until last year, so believe me, I know what it’s like to live in an incomplete world. It’s bad, very very bad.

The Pixies are kind of the Velvet Underground of the “grunge era.” Everyone who loves music sites them as one of their favorite bands, but despite being the best band of the era (sorry Nirvana), no one else has heard of them. Yes, it sucks for the Pixies that they never got some of the recognition they deserved (although I doubt they care). It sucks more for all the people who have never had the opportunity to listen to their music: screams, growls, melodies, rockin guitar lines and all. Songs to start: “Debaser,” “Here Comes Your Man,” “Gigantic”.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 9th, 2005 at 6:17 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.