jack white

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AJ’s Top 10 Albums of 2014 & Paul’s Top 5

There’s a running joke that Paul and I don’t know how to talk about music. And though we’ve been assured by reputable sources that we don’t too bad a job of it, well…I tried writing little blurbs for the albums on my list and felt like a jackass. So we’ll again be presenting our lists (my top 10 and Paul’s top 5) without comments, as Paul’s already done with this year’s movies and comics lists.

In lieu of our dumb words, enjoy some songs from our favorite albums of 2014.

~ AJ

AJ: 10. POM POM by Ariel Pink

AJ: 9. MORNING PHASE by Beck

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Listen to Episode 186, “Godzilla vs. Ray Pier”

MCDGODZ EC052

Gobbledygeek episode 186, “Godzilla vs. Ray Pier,” is available for listening or download right here, and on iTunes here.

Godzilla, that green, rubbery, nuclear-breathing master of destruction–he’s basically like if Gumby kicked ass, right? His origins were a little different. Close to a decade after America dropped the atom bomb, Japanese filmmaker Ishirô Honda sought to show us, in stark black-and-white, what the bomb may have wrought: a physical manifestation of his nation’s desperation and anxiety. And, yeah, he was green, rubbery, and breathed nuclear fire. Paul and AJ revisit the 1954 original, looking to discover why it remains so potent despite being so crudely made. Oh, and they talk about the new one for a few minutes too. Plus, Cosmos comes to a close and Jack White gets weird on Lazaretto.

Next: There’s this movie? That follows this other movie? About this dragon? Something about that.

(Show notes for “Godzilla vs. Ray Pier.”)

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Paul & AJ’s Top 10 Albums of 2012

We’ve already discussed our favorite films, TV series, and comics of 2012. Now, to round things out before the impending season 4 premiere, we’ll “discuss” our favorite albums. “Discuss” is in quotation marks because, as we’ve frequently noted on the show, we are really, really bad at knowing how to talk about music. So we figured we’d let the music speak for itself.

Enjoy and check back on Sunday for the season premiere of GOBBLEDYGEEK!

PAUL: 10. SOME NIGHTS by fun.

Key track: “Some Nights”


AJ: 10. LONERISM by Tame Impala

Key track: “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards”

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Listen to Episode 102, “Insolent Musical Peasants”

Gobbledygeek episode 102, “Insolent Musical Peasants,” is available for listening or download right here.

This episode was meant to go up last week, but fearless editor Paul was suffering from a case of nearly dying (feel better, Paul!). It’s here now, though!

The boys would like to sing a little song for you. Actually, no they wouldn’t, because that would be awful for your ears, but they would like to tell you about songs they’ve enjoyed so far this year. Paul and AJ’s musical interests don’t always overlap; Paul listens to sensitive singer-songwriter types, while AJ’s that guy who actually reads Pitchfork. Still, they’re able to unite over a few weirdos like Jack White, Father John Misty, and Leonard Cohen. AJ also tells you why you should listen to new records from Spiritualized, Dr. John, and The Men; while Paul gives you the low down on Fort Atlantic, Band of Skulls, and even Lana Del Rey.

Next: Paul and AJ discuss The Amazing Spider-Man, which, SPOILER ALERT, might prove to be pretty divisive.

(Show notes for “Insolent Musical Peasants.”)

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Hey, Mr. AJ: Tame Impala, True Blood, Dum Dum Girls, Wild Nothing, Twilight, Robyn

Hey, Mr. AJ is a new column in which I plan on writing some things about the new music I hear. They’ll be brief reviews, divided into sections: MAXIMUM GOBBLING for the masterpieces; GOBBLE IT for the merely great; WORTH GOBBLING for other good releases; GOBBLE? for those albums which aren’t really good or bad, just sort of okay; DO NOT GOBBLE for the shitty; and RUN, DON’T GOBBLE! for the awful. Got it? Now, don’t ask me again.

INNERSPEAKER
by Tame Impala

I’m a Beatlemaniac, so I see the Beatles everywhere. Bear with me. On their debut album Innerspeaker, Australian psych-rock band Tame Impala manage to do what the Olivia Tremor Control did on 1996’s masterful Music from the Unrealized Film Script, Dusk at Cubist Castle; without compromising their creativity or their own unique vision, they capture the spirit of the post-Sgt. Pepper, pre-Abbey Road Beatles. Specifically, both albums remind me of the more freewheeling psychedelic cuts on Yellow Submarine, like George Harrison’s “It’s All Too Much.” Indeed, lead singer Kevin Parker’s voice reminds me of Harrison’s in that soaring, nasally way, which also makes it at times resemble John Lennon’s. But as I said, this is no rip-off, and Tame Impala sound like their own band, embracing the hazier realms of psychedelia that the Fab Four rarely did. It’s misty, delightful music that lulls you into another world with its spiraling distorted guitars, insistent drums, and far out yet pleasingly retro production techniques. Innerspeaker hasn’t made its way to the States yet, but whenever you get the chance, take a listen. You’ll be glad you did.

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The Movement You Need Is On Your Shoulder

This past Wednesday, June 2, President Barack Obama honored none other than Sir Paul McCartney with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. That’s a high honor, and I’ve never seen Paul–occasionally prone to flights of egotism because, oh, I don’t know, he’s only the most successful songwriter to ever walk the planet–so humbled as when Obama was on stage singing his praises. Nor do I think I’ve ever seen him in such awe as, when Obama passes him the mic, he says in hushed tones, “The President of America. Barack Obama.” Obama’s speech is typically powerful, and McCartney’s thanks are also touching. Watch it here, then head after the jump for the most surreal video I’ve ever seen:

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