Built to Spill

Sasha:
I never understood how Built to Spill managed to dodge mainstream success. Sure they're indie rock legends, but how have conventional radio listeners not latched on to their catchy brilliance? Their songs always find a way of jumping into my head and keeping me company all day.

MP3: Built to Spill- Car
Appropriately, Car is one of those songs I love driving to. It doesn't matter whether it's day or night (who can listen to Nick Drake in the daylight?) summer or winter (NRBQ is only summer driving music for me) this song fits perfectly into almost any mood I'm in behind the wheel. The song's slow downhearted opening makes the culmination around minute 2:10 all the more satisfying. By the forth time Doug Martsch wails "I wanna see movies of my dreams" I'm usually singing along at top volume formulating angry letters to Spielburg in my head. Favorite line: "If I don't die or worse I'm gonna need a nap."

MP3: Built to Spill- Car (early recording)
Bonus, early recording from "The Normal Years"

Buy Built to Spill:
Insound
Amazon

Dillinger Four

silverunity:

Definitely one of the bands I listen to most when I'm skating. Over the summer I broke my finger while listening to them, and while I was in extreme pain, I still couldn't help but smile to the awesomeness of D4. If I was a kindergarten teacher, Dillinger Four would definitely get a gold sticker star since they claim to be "putting the F back in art". Take one look at their song titles:

-Who Didn't Kill Bambi
-The Father, Son, and the Homosexual
-A Floater Left With Pleasure In The Executive
Washroom
-Farts are Jazz To Assholes

and it's pretty plain to see, Dillinger Four is one of the funniest bands in punk today. However, under all of the humor, their lyrics do have a message, often criticizing the hypocrisy of "scenes" ("I'd like to sneer in the camera for your revolution, but I just can't afford the fucking costume"), to the hypocrisy of about everything else. Their songs are fun, catchy, and definitely will bring a smile (or at least a menacing smirk) to your face.

MP3: Dillinger Four - O.K F.M D.O.A
MP3: Dillinger Four - Last Communion

Buy from Amazon

The Bouncing Souls - For All The Unheard

silverunity:


First off let me note: The Bouncing Souls have been my favorite band for nearly 8 years now, and anytime I post something about them, it will usually be by a per-song basis.
I firmly believe that music is the greatest form of artistic expression. If a picture is worth 1000 words, a song is worth 10,000. The song "For All The Unheard" by the Bouncing Souls really emphasizes this for me. All of us have written a song, whether it was to help us get through a tough time or even if it's just humming a little melody while taking a shower. "For All The Unheard" is an anthem for each one of these songs we keep to ourself. I can keep talking on and on, but you might as well save me a few thousand words and just listen for yourself.

MP3: Bouncing Souls - For All The Unheard


Buy it:
Amazon.com
Straight from band

Kind of like Spitting

Sasha:

Kind of Like Spitting was an indie-rock band from Portland, Oregon. Formed in 1996, the band unfortunately broke up last October. Propelled forth by singer Ben Barnett's signature whiny vocals, the group played acoustic rock songs. I'd call them "anti-folk" but god I hate that label.


MP3: Kind of Like Spitting: Share the Road
At 1:16 minutes this song whizzes by like the bikers that fly past me on campus. As I drag my pedestrian self from class to class I tell myself that at the age of 21 it's really time to learn how to ride a bike and I tell myself the same thing when I listen to this song. In the lyrics Barnett races through his problems while out riding his bike. Favorite line: "I put my hands against the tree line, I know it's read but it still feels fake."

Bonus Bad Religion cover!
MP3: Kind of Like Spitting- You

Buy Kind of Like Spitting:
Insound
Amazon

How To Survive The Music Industry

silverunity:
I found this interesting.
It's a guide for musicians on what to really expect if you're trying to break into the music industry. It was written by dance pop band Beatnik Turtle, and it's a pretty interesting read even if you're not in a band or couldn't care less about the music industry. Enjoy.

Parlour Boys

Sasha:

The Parlour Boys are a dance-pop band from Lexington Kentucky. Not surprisingly I first heard about them from the wonderful You Ain’t No Picasso, a fellow Lexington Resident. What I really love about this band is the energy they bring to every song. They’re currently in the last stages of signing a record contract and may be recording a full length album as soon as April (I’m keeping my fingers crossed.)

MP3: Parlour Boys- Sick Friends

I’m one of those people that have the annoying habit of trying to figure out what songs “mean.” Sick friends is hard to figure out, for one thing they switch the genders of the pronouns during the song. The lyrics are hard to decipher in general, I don’t know what “sick friends and better halves, tempt our tongues were left for dead” means let me know if you do. In any case my bewilderment hasn’t hindered my enjoyment of the song at all, in fact it’s my favorite of the three. Check out especially the awesome “Wha-oh” chorus around 2:50.

I saw the Parlour Boys a few months ago at the CMJ and it was the best show I witnessed all week. If any of you are lucky enough to live around Kentucky (never though I'd write that) definitely check out one of their upcoming shows:
Mar 1 - Little Brother's w/ Bling Kong Columbus, Ohio
Mar 2- The Dame w/ Bling Kong Lexington, Kentucky
Mar 3- The Grog Shop w/ Bling Kong Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 10- Sunset Bar Cleveland, Tennessee
Mar 17- Alchemize (18+) Cincinnati, Ohio
Mar 29- V-Club Huntington, West Virginia
Mar 30- Uncle Pleasant's Louisville, Kentucky
Apr 7- Annual Beaux Arts Ball w/ The Juan Maclean Lexington, Kentucky
May 12- The Dame w/ Tommie Sunshine + VHS or Beta Dee Jays Lexington, Kentucky

Buy Parlour Boys:
Myspace
Emusic

David and the Citizens

Sasha:

David and the Citizens are an indie-pop band from Malmö, Sweden. I don't like Swedish Fish and I assumed this band would be kind of gummy and gross too. But no! They're as catchy and non-gummy as any band this side of the Atlantic. Not only that, but check out the cool album art (take a lesson Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.) Unfortunately word on the street (lastfm) is that just this month, right before a major tour and their first US appearances everyone but Fridlund (the lead singer) quit the band! Is it true? Will he soldier on alone? I have no idea but I'll keep my ear to the ground for updates.


David and the Citizens- Graycoated Morning
Fridlund sounds so excitable and agitated I worry he won't make it through till the end of the song. He always does, probably because there's a great horn part backing him up and who could walk away from that? Well apparently the rest of the band...

Buy David and the Citizens:
Insound
Amazon

Another Sketch Comedy!

Aquarian Beauty:

Barats & Bereta Production

go to:

http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~lbarats/

My good friend Kayla showed me their Mother's Day sketch on youtube this weekend and that was all it took to hook me. This comedy team consists of two college aged fellows, Joe Bereta and Luke Barats. They work off each other wonderfully creating a harmonious chemistry that is undeniable. The only thing that worries me is that the last time it was updates was 1-14-06...does this mean the comedy team is finished? Let's hope not....for all people all over the world...let's come together and not let this tragedy befall us. (check out comment below and assured!)

Definitely go to their video page and click on their "Mother's Day" tab on the second page. I also recommend their "theme song" on page one on the video page. Although even these are my two favorites I highly recommend that you spend some time and find some favorites of your own!

Slapstick

silverunity:


I remember the first time I listened to Slapstick nearly 6 years ago. I bought a compilation CD on my way home from the mall for three dollars (I just wanted something new to listen to for the drive), and popped it into my CD player. Within about 12 seconds into the first track (it was Slapstick's "There's A Metal Head In The Parking Lot"), I was completely in love. What I was listening to had the energy, attitude, and sheer awesomeness of Less Than Jake's "Pezcore" (one of the best albums ever made in my opinion).

If you've never heard of Slapstick it's probably because they broke up nearly eleven years ago. Let me ask you this: have you ever heard of The Lawrence Arms, Alkaline Trio, The Broadways or Tuesday? All of the members who started these bands originally were in Slapstick.

The vocals are snotty, lyrics are witty, and the horns blare in every one of their songs. If you love Less Than Jake's old stuff and have never heard Slapstick, definitely pick up their Discography (the only album still in print and has almost all of their songs on it). The recording quality isn't amazing, but it doesn't detract from the energy one bit. Since we're never going to get another Pezcore from Less Than Jake, this is definitely the next best thing.

MP3: Slapstick - There's A Metal Head In The Parking Lot
MP3: Slapstick - Johnny

Buy Straight From Asian Man Records

The Groovie Ghoulies

Sasha:
The Groovie Ghoulies show no love to the East Coast (it seems like they're always touring California or Europe) but I still love them. The band, which includes Kepi, his wife Roach and their current drummer Scampi, write punk-pop songs about science fiction and movie monsters. In fact, if you're a fan of science fiction and movie monsters you should do yourself a favor and check out their very DIY music video for Running with Bigfoot and while you're at it check out Don't Go Out in the Rain (I love how they all wear their own Groovie Ghoulies merch in this one)


MP3: The Groovie Ghoulies- The Beast with Five Hands
I Love this song because I love fun. This song is Fun with a captial F, the kind of fun that makes you want to clap along. The lyrics, which list the advantages of having a girlfriend with five hands, sound like something me and the other housewives would come up with when we're low on sleep. Me and SilverUnity have wondered whether this song ended up as track 5 to their album Monster Club on purpose. Knowing the Groovie Ghoulie's love of cornball humor I think it did.

Buy Groovie Ghoulies:
Insound
Amazon

The Soviettes

silverunity:


The best way to describe The Soviettes is through a little mental imagery. Close your eyes. Bravo for realizing that you can't read with your eyes shut. Imagine the B-52s. Now imagine the B-52s taking a little too much Ritalin. Still with me? Good, now you have a good idea what The Soviettes sound like. The Soviettes have completely taken control of my CD player for a little under a week now (which is pretty impressive on account I have the attention span of a flea.)

This (mostly) female fronted Minnesota quartet is made up of Annie(guitar), Susy(Bass), Danny (Drums), Sturgeon (guitar), with everyone sharing vocal duties. All of them have really distinct voices, and they all complement each other really well. The band has three full lengths, "LP I", "LP II", and (surprise!) "LP III". While the album names may not win them the Best Imagination award (and if this isn't a real award, it should be), the songs completely make up for it. I couldn't decide which track to post, so I posted one from both LP II and LP III. Sadly, The Soviettes are currently on hiatus, but definitely pick up LP II and LP III, you won't be disappointed.

MP3: The Soviettes - What Did I do?! LP III
MP3: The Soviettes - #1 is Number Two LP II

Visit Their Myspace

Buy LP II
Buy LP III

A Wii Bit of an Article for ya

Aquarian Beauty:


Wii Too Much Fun in the Retirement Homes.
(This article was posted on DailyTech.com yesterday February 22.)

Now, the Midwestern Housewives are certainly not unfamiliar with the level of addiction associated with the Wii. I may add that there have been a few wii bowling Battles between the Housewives....and some tennis too.

What is interesting here is the seemingly endless market that Nintendo has reached. Yes, this is a ridiculous looking picture and it certainly gave me a pretty good laugh....but think of the benefits! I hope this catches on and every retirement home has one! I think it would give these homes a much more relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

I give the Nintendo Wii a huge thumbs up for making a system that is enjoyable and actually (for once) incorporates excercise.

Atom and His Package

Sasha:
SilverUnity introduced me to Atom and His Package (aka Adam Goren) a few years ago and I can’t say I was impressed, in fact I think I was annoyed. It didn’t last though, his songs are so catchy that you don’t even realize they’re in your head until you start wondering “why am I singing to myself in an obnoxiously high pitched voice?” Even without the catchy hooks the songs are worth listening to for their hilarious lyrics.

MP3: Atom and His Package- If You Own the Washington Redskins You're a Cock

There are so many songs I wanted to post, “Anarchy Means I Litter,” his cover of The Mountain Goats “Going to Georgia,” “(Lord It's Hard To Be Happy When You're Not) Using The Metric System” but in the end this one won out because it was my gateway into Atom and his Package and still might be my favorite. This song could be an anthem for the politically correct, or maybe it would piss them off… Anyway there’s something about this song that makes me want to share it with everyone I know so give it a listen and if you don’t like it, well maybe you’ll change your mind later in the week.

Buy Atom and His Package:
Insound
Amazon

The Mountain Goats

Sasha:

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to write a Mountain Goats post. The Mountain Goats are John Darnielle and whoever he decides to make music with (currently the wonderful Peter Hughs.) I won’t attempt to explain what this band means to me because it would take pages and I don’t think anyone wants to read that. For the time being I’ll concentrate on one of my (many) favorite MG songs, Treetop Song from the EP, New Asian Cinema.

MP3: The Mountain Goats- Treetop Song
This song makes me feel like I’m driving around at three in the morning with the windows down on during a heat wave. I love songs where Darnielle screams his way through the chorus and attacks his guitar like it’s wronged him in some inexcusable way, but this is a different kind of Mountain Goats song. It’s quiet and slow, sort of calming but not boring. There’s still an urgency in Darnielle’s delivery so that when he tells you he’ll be alright, you believe him.

Buy Mountain Goats:
Insound
Amazon

Big D and The Kids Table - Strictly Rude

silverunity:

There are three things certain in life. Death, taxes, and Big D and The Kids Table coming out with a new record (or at least a new song) every few months. When Halloween came, they released Salem Girls... Christmas? "Have A Wicked Hardcore Christmas". It's been the first few months of 2007 and they already have an EP and full length coming up. The full length "Strictly Rude" is scheduled to be released on March 20th, 2007.

Known for their energetic frenzied ska, Big D and the Kids Table take a different route on Strictly Rude. Sure, about half of the tracks are the expected skankable/moshible sound we've come to know and love from Big D, but the other half is straight up Dub music.

Dub=Great
Big D and The Kids Table=Great
Dub + Big D and The Kids Table = Meh.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that any dub fan would completely love this record, but being a HUGE Big D fan myself, I'm just saying that I was disappointed with their new sound. Granted, the band did only experiment with half of the songs, and I'm sure any fan would love the punk/ska half.

Songs such as "Noise Complaint, Shining On, Steady Riot, Hell On Earth, and Fly Away" will definitely have any fan skanking and shouting along. Also note that the EP "From Beijing To Boston" is straight up punk/ska (which is definitely worth picking up), but when pre-ordering or buying the cd in March, just know that you're not buying "Good Luck" or "How It Goes".

MP3: Big D And The Kids Table - Shining On

Pre-order the album:
Amazon.com

A Fun Sketch Comedy!

Aquarian Beauty:

Olde English

go to:

http://www.oldeenglish.org/

Olde English is a group of 5 young men who are based out of Brooklyn, New York. I know some people in the midwest might be frightened of the gang-filled streets of New York, but not to worry! These kids are as wholesome as milk.

Some of the Housewives favorite sketches include:

The Door Store

go to:

http://www.oldeenglish.org/podcast/door-store

This sketch includes a seedy looking salesman of .... you guessed it! A Door Store! It has everything you need...if everything you need is doors of course.

Peanut Butter's Birthday

go to:

http://www.oldeenglish.org/podcast/peanut-butters-birthday

(This one is dedicated to our biggest fan, Walt. I know how much he loves this sketch)

This sketch is most definitely my favorite one as it clearly involves only two of the members of the group who were just incredibly bored one day and in the middle of a peanut butter sandwich...hilarity ensued.



Of course there are many other sketches here that are enjoyable, (like the pokemon sketch . This is not even actually a sketch but does involve one of the members breaking the dreams of a young poke-master)


Enjoy it!

Your Father is Unaware

Sasha:

MP3: The New Pornographers- Your Daddy Don't Know (Toronto cover)

This song has been in near-constant rotation in the Housewives house for a couple months now. Originally appearing on the soundtrack to FUBAR: The Movie, this Toronto cover is a perfect mix of bravado and cheesiness. I love the way the New Pornographers stay true to nature of the song not shirking any of it’s 80s absurdity. Neko Case belts out the lyrics like her legwarmers depend on it and the only word I can use to describe that guitar solo is bitchin.

Buy New Pornographers:
Insound
Amazon

Bedouin Soundclash (Santa Monica)

By: silverunity

Soothing is the first word that comes to mind when listening to Santa Monica by Bedouin Soundclash. Bedouin Soundclash is a three piece roots reggae/rocksteady band with two full length CDs "Root Fire" and "Sounding A Mosaic". The song Santa Monica is from Root Fire, and in my opinion, their best song.

Santa Monica is one of the most emotional songs I have ever heard (not in an emo-type way), not because of the subject matter (an invasion/stopping a rebellion), but rather the mixture of the passionate vocals, melodic guitar, and rhythmic hand drumming (something not found in popular music too often). Definitely worth checking out this soothing piece.

MP3: Bedouin Soundclash - Santa Monica

Buy the Cd:
Amazon.com
Maple Music

Arrah and the Ferns

Sasha:


I know I’m a little late on the blogging curve with this one, but two of the Housewives saw Arrah and the Ferns at UVA last weekend and are still downright giddy from the experience.

MP3: Arrah and the Ferns- Emo Philips
This is one of my favorite songs from their album Evan is a Vegan, watch out especially for the moment around 2:40 when she starts freaking out.

Buy the album:
Insound
Amazon

Teenage Bottlerocket

silverunity:


As much as I love punk, trying to find good light-hearted punk music is almost like trying to find intelligence in the Bush administration... downright impossible. However, Wyoming's Teenage Bottlerocket delivers true pop-punk in the veins of the Ramones, Groovie Ghoulies, and The Vapids with their cd "Total".

The songs are catchy, fast and energetic (I dare you to try and listen to them without drumming along or tapping your foot). If you enjoy four chord punk, you will seriously love this band. They are definitely the cream of the crop.

MP3: Teenage Bottlerocket - Stupid Games.mp3

Buy the album:
Amazon

A Comic!!

Aquarian Beauty:

"Stevie might be a bear maybe"

go to:

http://stereotypist.livejournal.com/40160.html#cutid1

This ingenious comic follows the days of a young lad who is....figuring things out about himself. The only conclusion for the Midwestern Housewives is to say that.....he's a bear.

Not only is this comic amusing but it has become so much more to us. It has blossomed and bloomed into the daily insult of being "a bear".

Salutations

Battle of the Midwestern Housewives would like to terrify and traumatize you with our new site. We advise you all to turn back now!!!!
Check back often to enjoy random music, rants, possible comics and other stuff.

The Midwestern Housewives thank you for visiting our site!


A Quick Bio:

The Midwestern Housewives consist of three good friends:

SilverUnity: Enjoys: Light brights, fighting the man (his name is Jim), and scratch-n-sniff stickers.

Aquarian Beauty: spends her days correcting poor grammar, and watching "Dog, the Bounty Hunter" enjoying Beth's....er....rack. (and also The Flavor of Love re-runs)

Sasha: Likes indie rocking and punk rolling (yes, she is a punk roller)


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