Andrew W.K.: Close Calls With Brick Walls
4 Comments Delivered by TakeoffZebra on 28 August 2007 at 4:03 PM.
If anyone were to ask me what artist I am currently most interested in and excited about, I would without a doubt say Andrew W.K. Not just because he churns out uber-party anthems, or because he was really friendly when I met him at Warped Tour a few years ago, but also because of his pure philosophy on life and mysterious sense of identity. Today marks the belated release of his third full length, "Close Calls With Brick Walls", here in America as a special limited edition double colored vinyl package that includes 5 unreleased bonus tracks, a full color booklet, new photos and special artwork. The album contains some of Andrew's head-bangingly familiar rock songs like "Not Going To Bed" and "You Will Remember Tonight", but throws several curveballs into the mix by including abstract sound collages such as "Close Calls With Bal Harbour", instrumental piano interludes, and experimental sound structures like in "I Came For You". This showcases an evolution of Andrew's from the metaphorical Carrot Top of music into a real creative force, and hopefully foreshadows his future success in creating innovative and inspiring albums.It's unfortunate that the less party-driven sound of the new album is probably to blame for the one year time period between Asian and American release dates, but Your Friend, Andrew W.K. is much more than just a hard partier. In fact, he's what I'd like to call a modern renaissance man. Mr. W.K.'s résumé includes an advice show on MTV2, appearances on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, Last Call With Carson Daly, Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, a feature in the New York Times, a judging position in the New York City US Air Guitar Regional Championships, performing and producing positions in the avant-garde music collective, To Live And Shave In L.A., a spot on the live line-up for Current 93, drumming for Boredoms' 77 Drummers project, 3 studio albums, a live DVD, several solo piano performances, conductor of open discussion lectures, and countless other random tasks. His to-do list is equally as impressive, as it includes recording 3 studio albums, titled "Young Lord", "The Carrier", and "Eberwhite", an untitled UK EP, an untitled solo piano album (!) and a contribution to the 53rd edition of Visionaire, creating a TV show on New York City Public Access, writing a book, openning a multipurpose venue in lower Manhattan and partying hard. Honestly, it would be hard not be interested in this man's career.
If you are already a fan of Andrew W.K.'s, "Close Calls With Brick Walls" has just the right amount of his signature anthemic rock to satisfy expectations, but includes enough inspired and reputation alterring material to attract plenty of new listeners as well. Here is one of the US release's 5 bonus tracks, an energetic drum machined rocker entitled "Big Party". Hmm, I wonder why it was chosen for the American release...
Andrew W.K.- "Big Party" [Removed]
Also, today is Pipe's birthday, so be sure to congratulate him on all of his hard work and wish him a happy bloody anniversary. As he would say, cheers.
Labels: andrew w.k.
Yesterday was the 4th of July, a day to celebrate the struggles our forefathers endured in order to gain independence. Today is the 5th of July or, according to the Church of the SubGenius, X-Day. So if you see "Bob", tell him it's too bad we have to wait 'til the year 8661 for the aliens to invade. But on to the music, this thursday's selection will highlight songs involving America. This first song will be by the only non-American band in this post, Spinal Tap, the famous rock/mockumentary stars. If you have not seen This Is Spinal Tap, you need to go buy it immediately. Their amps go up to 11 for God's sake! This song, "America", is about, well, America, therefore it should be a fitting addition to this week's post. It comes from the soundtrack album from the movie.Spinal Tap- "America" [Removed]
This post would feel a bit empty without Jimi Hendrix's live rendition of the Star Spangled Banner from Woodstock. This track, as well as several others are available on the 2-disc "Live at Woodstock". This should need no introduction.
Jimi Hendrix Experience- "Star Spangled Banner [Live at Woodstock]" [Removed]
What could possibly be more American than a song by a band named America that was played at the inauguration of a professional wrestler to Governor of Minnesota? Jesse Ventura asked America to play a few songs at his inauguration, and what better song to play than 1972's "Ventura Highway"? I mean, c'mon. Here it is in all it's double guitar harmony splendor, from the album "Homecoming". It's too bad Janet Jackson had to sample it for one of her songs, but don't worry, I'm not posting "Someone To Call My Lover".
America- "Ventura Highway" [Removed]
Andrew WK exhibit's an amazingly positive spirit that's perfect for heroic 4th of July outings. Especially in this album openner from his sophomore album, "The Wolf". "Victory Strikes Again" has an enormous, anthemic quality that stands right along with lyrics like "We are here, we are high/and this is why we love to live our lives". Amazing.
Andrew WK- "Victory Strikes Again" [Removed]
Weezer recently announced that, contrary to popular belief, they were not breaking up and that they have another album in the works. Let's just hope it's nothing like "Make Believe". Well, the song "Surf Wax America" is a fantastic Beach Boys influenced jam from 1994's "Weezer (The Blue Album)". The song available for download will be the live version from the Deluxe Edition of the same album. And don't worry if Weezer never surfs, because the Beach Boys didn't either.
Weezer- "Surf Wax America [Live]" [Removed]
The Killers' new album, "Sam's Town", was supposed to be a "great american album", and the song "Read My Mind" provides great commentary on American society. This excellent remix by the Pet Shop Boys is available on iTunes and a Best Buy exclusive single.
The Killers- "Read My Mind [Pet Shop Boys Stars Are Blazing Mix]" [Removed]
So, 4th of July was yesterday, but that won't stop you from turning it up to 11 and blasting some American music. Go ahead, it's patriotic!
Labels: america, andrew w.k., jimi hendrix experience, spinal tap, the killers, thirsty thursdays, weezer
I know I know, there's already been a post involving Andrew WK, but seriously guys, there will be many more. This renaissance man started with classical piano, moved to amazing party rock jams, appeared on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, had his own show on MTV, has a new experimental album out in asia, and is now a motivational performer. I recently came across a radio interview he did on Public Radio International's "Fair Game" broadcast. In this interview, he breaks free from his 'party party party' stereotype and reveals himself as a positive energy intellectual. I've always known him to be such, but others must've had a hard time seeing through the sweaty white-T. In the interview, he also finds time to bust out some classical rockin' Bach on piano and a couple of improvised songettes. It's amazing. Quite delectible, quite worth your time. Below are mp3s of the interview and his song from ATHF. And yes, it's called "Party Party Party".Labels: andrew w.k.
It really gets you down sometimes doesn't it? School is hard work, trying to make it by in your classes. If you don't believe in higher education and you feel like working hard right out of high school then you have to worry about how you are going to make the next pay check and other shit.What if one were completely and utterly apathetic? Doesn't that mean he would be completely happy and content no what? Evicted from his home and tossed out on the street, barely any food to survive, only the entertainment of people walking by his ally. However, if he was completely and totally apathetic, this would make him happy. Sitting around all day and just wondering, watching, listening.
Sometimes I think that this would be much better than this little thing we all let get to us called life. Here is what I want you to do if you agree with this. Don't give up your dreams or ambitions or anything like that. But this weekend... just go fucking nuts, party, have some fucking fun. Be apathetic; don't worry about work, school, church, whatever. JUST GO HAVE A GOOD TIME DAMNIT!
This is a fun song, that tells a tale of a party scene, which is where you should go if you listen to me this weekend, "Lets get a good one on; stumble all night, drink up till its gone."
Minus the Bear - "Pantsuit... Uggghhh" [Removed]
Well it's kind of hard to describe Girl Talk. Crazy rap, techno, booty bass, rock, R&B mashup artist. Party hardy music. Speaking of Party hard, lets get some Andrew W.K. going up in this bitch.
Girl Talk - "Too Deep" [Removed]
Andrew WK - "Party Hard" [Removed]
Labels: andrew w.k., girl talk, minus the bear, ramblings
