Searching For The Now 4- The Pains of Being Pure at Heart/Summer Cats

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

I got a copy of this 7" today and I knew that I had to run home and give it a listen immediately. "Come Saturday" is another solid track from the NYC foursome, this being the first time I'm hearing them on recording with a live drummer.  You can preview "Come Saturday" on the Pains Myspace page, linked up above.  Of the 2 tracks, this is definitely the highlight and if this is any indication of what's to come, their full length is going to be awesome!

Summer Cats

The other side of this 7" offers a track from Summer Cats called "Let's Go!". This track can also be previewed on the band's Myspace page. This is an alright track, very Stereolab-ish, but a little rawer sounding...but in all honesty, I would have rather there had been 2 Pains tracks on here.

But, if it's indie pop that you are looking for, then this 7" from Slumberland is just what you need. It comes on grey vinyl and is super limited, for all you collectors.

Buy It At Insound

re-ALT day 1!

I've been feeling that most bands these days are in the reALT process...the stage where they need to release 3 albums of garbage, so I'm going to reALT myself and only listen to classic ALT records...any suggestions?

Day One:

man this is some great stuff! listening to this didn't make me feel bad about losing my hair. I mean, I'm not as old as these guys.

this is an oldie but a goodie! listening to this didn't make me feel bad about my aching back. I'm definitely nowhere near as old as these guys!

a sure shot classic! I have been rocking this one since like 9th grade! god I was so cool then and had so much potential...starting to get depressed now.

I remember the first time hearing this one...I hadn't kissed a girl then, and...not much has changed.

that opening riff from 'Only Shallow' will blast the few remaining hairs right off the top of your head. jesus christ!

IT'S TIME FOR A RE-ALT!!

I'm not sure if I dropped some knowledge about this subject yet to you guys, so excuse me if you're heard this before....

Re-alt is a term that stands for, becoming alternative again. We have seen many instances where someone has re-alted themselves. But I think the best case study of this phenomenon is the band Nada Surf.



Case point #1: Nada Surf releases High/Low (1996). "Popular" becomes a mega hit, foreseeing the possibility of being a one-hit wonder! It's placed in the MTV buzz bin. INSTANTLY MAIN!

Case point #2: Now that they are MAIN, they are completely abandoned by the ALTS. And therefore totally not cool.

These guys are in serious need of a re-ALT! And this is how they did it...

Step 1: Realize that you're MAIN. Recognizing that there is a problem its the hardest yet most important part of a re-ALT.

Step 2: Release at least 3 albums of complete garbage. (IE, The Proximity Effect, Let Go, The Weight is a Gift)

Step 3: Put out a fresh new record on a respectable indie label. (IE, Barsuk)

Step 4: Relocate to an "ALT" neighborhood. (IE, Brooklyn) -I'm not sure of their original location, so I might be wrong about this, but there is nothing more ALT than Brooklyn.



And so now that the MAINS have completely forgotten about your one hit from 1996, you can re-emerge on the ALT scene. Because the fact that you were ALT-to-MAIN-back to ALT, is cool with ALTs. Great work guys!

Now the true test...is their new record good or just a feeble attempt at a re-ALT????

Are dreads the new crazy hair for White Indie-rock dudes????

...so many questions left unanswered, I feel like this is an episode of LOST!

happy vALenTines day!

For all you ALTS out there who are alone and angsty this Valentine's Day, here is a list of MAIN love jams that are guaranteed to land you a supportive, gainfully employed MAIN to cuddle with you on the Upper East Side.

Say You Love Me - Fleetwood Mac

Open Arms - Journey

Unforgettable - Nat King Cole

Run to You - Brian Adams

My Girl - The Temptations

Love,
ALTernate on the 1992 ALTlympic Team

Hell Must Have Frozen Over!

If you had to ask yourself what are 2 things that Mom, I'm Alt would never be into...the answer would have to be folk music and Antony (and the Johnsons).

Well, I guess M.I.A.'s new motto should be never, say never.



First off, there has been a considerable amount of buzz about Bon Iver, but after receiving a copy in the mail today and figuring that I should at least give it a song or two before deciding that I hated it, so I put it in my computer. And before I knew it, I had listened to the whole thing! I'm not sure if it's because it's freezing outside and this is exactly what I'm in the mood for, but something struck me. Not sure if it was the gorgeous guitar melodies or the delicate vocals, but either way, this is good stuff. The more and more I listen, the more and more I become a fan boy! Don't worry Wisconsin, even though the Green Bay Packers didn't win a Super Bowl, at least you have Bon Iver and AWESOME CHEESE!

Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/boniver

MP3: Skinny Love (courtesy of R8E8R)

Buy IT:
@ INSOUND

...more about Antony in the next post! STAY TUNED!

BUY THIS SHIT!!

Consisting of three lovely French 20-somethings, lead singer Quentin Delafon, guitarist / synth man Dorian Dumont and bassist Michael Szpiner, The Teenagers are a band that could have only come from Paris. Their sound is built around a backbone of golden pop melodies, with a penchant for leftfield visioning - all enveloped in a sardonic wit and lingering Sofia Coppola soft focus. While the trio left their teenage years a few years ago, adolescence is a concept that cuts to the core of the group. They're in love with the idea of the dreamy teen, inspired by sunset walks through the park, clogging up shopping malls for no good reason, holding hands, and stolen kisses in the cinema.


THIS SHIT IS GOOD!

Indie Comedy = ALT?

Just incase most of you haven't realized, Indie comedians (for the most part) ARE NOT FUNNY!


I mean there are the occasional funny ones, like Flight of the Conchords are funny and ALT. Flannel shirts, cowboy shirts, dark rim glasses, messy hair...TOTALLY ALT!!





But for the tons of other ones, you need to hang it up. IMMEDIATELY! There is a reason why your show got cancelled...

Just because you dress like an ALT, doesn't mean that your material can suck. You still need jokes.

I understand what you are trying to do...you are basically trying to trick everyone into thinking you are funny. But just because you are into indie music, wear band t-shirts, make jokes about Pitchfork, come on. Those jokes were old like 7 years ago.

maybe put up a Craig's list posting, misconnection: me= ALT, you= actual FUNNY NEW MATERIAL. Just a thought.

Please spare us from your nonsense and tell us a funny joke. I mean if your joke is that you are fat...ok, that was funny when Chris Farley did it. It's 2008. You would think that something funnier would have happened to you between 1997 and now.



If anyone can point out a funny ALT comdian, I would love to check them out. But until then, M.I.A. is boycotting all of it.