sys36 :: LOOKING OUT FOR NO. 1

Year-end jitters notwithstanding, I am optimistic about 2009 and our new president. To celebrate, some more songs I strongly urge you to at least listen to:

1. Johnny Berlin - "Bender Parts" [LISTEN HERE]
A song I really wish we would've had time for on Walt Dizzo's "Best of 2008" show on KUWS, as I'm sure he (and his loyal audience) would've appreciated it and *ahem* I ran out of room on my year-end lists in the Budgeteer to properly honor this terrific Belgian group. Like a danceable Grnd Ntl Brnds <- if that means anything to anyone that's not me.... 2. Of Montreal - "An Eluardian Instance"
And here's a song from an album that did make said lists.

3. P.O.S. - "Goodbye" [MP3]
P.O.S.'s upcoming release, "Never Better," will surely be one of 2009's best ...

4. Lady Sovereign - "I Got You Dancing" [MP3]
and Lady Sov's new one (I think it's called "Jigsaw") will surely be one of the year's funnest.

5. Department of Eagles - "Teenagers"
Not to dwell on those year-end lists, but here's a great song from a record I wish I had gotten to spend a little more time with. Like a more-relaxed "Pet Sounds," but with oh-so-much soul!

6. Eef Barzelay - "Could Be Worse"
Stop crying, Clem Snide groupies, Eef's solo albums are just as good.

7. Fountains of Wayne - "Valley Winter Song"
Recently heard in L.L.Bean's holiday commercials. But don't hold that against Adam Schlesinger and company.

8. Marc Gartband - "The New Seventeen"
A memorable little ditty about growing old (well, turning 33...) from *let me clear my throat, really obnoxiously* my pick for the Northland's No. 1 album of 2008.

9. Cloud Cult - "Story of the Grandson of Jesus"
"Story of the Grandson of Donald Perrine" would've hit closer to home, but its appeal probably wouldn't have been as broad....

10. Alkaline Trio - "In Vein"
I haven't been keeping up with these guys, but this frenetic track from '08 sure makes me regret that. A must-hear!

11. Mark Lindquist - "Hey Buddy"
Here's what Mark Lindquist told the Duluth News Tribune's Christa Lawler about this track, aka one of the best reasons to pick up the second Homegrown compilation: “The backup band is Baby Grant and Rich Mattson and it’s the first time all three of us had played on the same song together. There’s no album to go buy (it's exclusive to "Homegrown Rawk and/or Roll: Lindquist's Mix"). It just kind of seemed to fit there right in the middle.”

12. The Long Winters - "Carparts"
This may be the Green Fairy talking, but I swear you can hear "hey, buddy" being muttered at the beginning of this one too. Odd.

13. Alva Star - "Thing for Me"
Anywho, another sick (I must apologize for using that word, but I've been watching a lot of "Epicly Later'd" of late) track from Storyhill and (Olympic) Hopefuls golden god John Hermanson. Power pop in its purest form.

14. Supergrass - "Rebel in You"
Complements "Thing for Me" expertly.

15. Jimi Hendrix - "Little Miss Strange"
I'm not crazy: Vocal duties on this Cream-esque curiosity were handled by Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. Maybe I should be paying more attention to their post-Hendrix careers.

16. DJ Muggs - "John Lennon vs. Inspectah Deck" [MP3]
"Cold Turkey," one of my favorite Lennon tracks, gets the mash-up treatment and, somehow, it works.

17. Kritical Kontact - "New and Improved"
I can't wait; Bliss recently told me that Kritical Kontact plans to do a couple tracks with Just Some Cat, probably the Duluth scene's best-kept secret.

18. team9 vs. Stereogum - "B.F. Meets T.I." [MP3]
From Stereogum's excellent free team9 album "MySplice III," which can be downloaded in its entirety here. (By the way, this track is an entertaining mash-up of Ben Folds and Regina Spektor's "You Don't Know Me" and T.I.'s "U Don't Know Me." They surprisingly work really well together.)

19. Hot Panda - "Cold Hands, Chapped Lips" [LISTEN HERE]
I'm calling it now: Canada's "It" band in '09. After hearing this gorgeous track, you won't disagree. Really, how could I be wrong with this one?

20. BLK JKS - "Lakeside" [MP3]
Johannesburg's BLK JKS is a perfect band to introduce your TV on the Radio-fancying friends to, and, since their "Mystery" EP is free right now on Other Music and eMusic, you should really do them a solid and let them know. Quick-like, though!

21. The Tisdales - "Like a Horse"
Going back to Mark Lindquist words of wisdom, I loved what he told me about this group for the very-special Budgeteer story "What the Mayor and Other Northlanders Liked in '08": "The Tisdales’ ‘Baker’s Dozen’ really captured a great old-school rock and roll sound for me."

22. Doug Hoekstra - "Disrepair"
I may have said this before, but ... for the uninitiated, Hoekstra is a Nashville singer/songwriter who’s so good at what he does that he makes crafting a perfect set of folk rock songs seem effortless.

Thus concludes your thirty-sixth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

This Fortnight's Shameless Budgeteer Plug!

Hope your holiday were splendid. Here are a couple things I've put together in the last two weeks:

"The Best Albums of 2008, Pts. 1 & 2" :: Locally, it was another banner year for music, and the national and international scenes fared just as well. See if your favorite records "made the cut." (In case you're interested, links to my 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 lists.)

"What the Mayor and Other Northlanders Liked in '08" :: The question was simple: What is your favorite local and non-local album of 2008? See how people like Charlie Parr, Walt Dizzo and Mayor Don Ness answered. (Now with fantastic newness courtesy of Cars & Trucks' Mat Milinkovich and Tony Bennett!)

"The (Mostly) Local Guide to Last-Minute Gifts" :: From art supplies to zoo memberships, our A-to-Z guide will help make this frantic last week of shopping a little more bearable. Compiled with my boss, Budgeteer editor Jana Peterson.

And some random photos that punctuated other people's stories: a potluck "still art," some kids skating at Congdon Park Elementary School and blizzard shots for our '08/'09 winter photography collection of the old Interstate Bridge and snow-covered steps in the DECC parking lot.

p.s. I also co-hosted Walt Dizzo's "Best of 2008" show on KUWS. Read what songs he (we) played on his MySpace blog – or below if you're having trouble accessing it:

1. Cloud Cult – Story of the Grandson of Jesus
2. Tisdales – Like a Horse
3. The Plastic Constellations – Floated Down and Flew Around
4. The War on Drugs – Arms Like Boulders
5. The Sword – Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians
6. Wolf Parade – Call it a Ritual
7. Chris Walla – Geometry and C
8. Doomtree – Game Over
9. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down – Bag of Hammers
10. Marc Gartband – Back With You
11. The Whigs – Like a Vibration
12. Of Montreal – Triphallus, to Punctuate!
13. Now Now Every Children – Everyone You Know
14. Tiny Moving Parts – Moving to Antarctica
15. Torche – Grenades
16. Retribution Gospel Choir – Kids
17. Harvey Milk – Barnburner
18. Sports! – Magnetic Yellow Ribbons
19. Amanda Palmer – Runs in the Family
20. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
21. Atmosphere – You
22. Haley Bonar – Something Great
23. Vivian Girls – Where Do You Run To
24. Man Man – Top Drawer
25. Riddle of Steel – John Frum
26. Lil Wayne – Mrs. Officer
27. Lykke Li – I’m Good, I’m Gone
28. Dance Band – Digital
29. Vampire Weekend – M79
30. Department of Eagles – No One Does It Better
31. Human Highway – The Sound
32. TV on the Radio – DLZ
33. Q-Tip – Shaka
34. Dr. Dog – The Old Days
35. Attic Lights – Bring You Down
36. Boris – Laser Beam
37. Jay Reatard – See Saw
38. Little Joy – How to Hang a Warhol
39. Terry Lynn – Kingston Logic (angry mix)
40. She and Him – Why Do You Let Me Stay?
41. The Raveonettes – Black Satin
42. Islands – Creeper
43. Marah – Angel of Destruction
44. Black Mountain – Evil Ways
45. Amplive – Video Tapez
46. Chairlift – Bruises
47. Portishead – Magic Doors
48. Victory Ship – Won’t Let Go
49. Deerhunter – Agoraphobia
50. Santogold – Lights Out
51. Smoking Popes – Welcome to Janesville
52. Horse & Rider – Funeral Piles
53. Barbie Bangkok – All Over Again
54. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!
55. Beck – Chemtrails
56. Portraits for Judith – 13 Plagues
57. Fucked Up – Year of the Pig (US 7” Edit)
58. Tanya Morgan – The Bridge
59. The Magnetic Fields – The Nun’s Litany
60. Black Kids – Hit the Heartbrakes
61. Submarines – You, Me, and the Bourgeoisie
    

Thus concludes what will hopefully be the last This Fortnight's Shameless Budgeteer Plug!

Today's Moment of Zen: The latest music-geek crush...

Ladies and gentlemen, Anya Marina!

sys35 :: HEAD. CARPET. SEW.

Now that all those pesky year-end lists are almost complete, I can finally return to my awesome mix tape series -- hallelujah!

1. Alva Star - "Victorian"
With the release of his self-titled solo debut in '98, Storyhill folkie John Hermanson launched the second phase of his career: power pop star. With Alva Star and the (Olympic) Hopefuls, he continues that trend. This is one of the most infectious tracks I've ever heard -- like Supergrass "Never Done Nothing Like That Before" good -- and that's saying a lot!

2. Jonny Polonsky - "Half Mind"
Similarly, this Frank Black-produced track is guaranteed to blow your mind. Space-y and radio-ready all at once.

3. The Streets - "The Sherry End"
As I might've said earlier, some clear standouts from "Everything is Borrowed" are “Heaven for the Weather,” “The Strongest Person I Know” (which, like “Alleged Legends,” features the tragically underappreciated singer/songwriter Ed Harcourt) and this gem, an undeniably catchy track that’s punctuated by trumpet and saxophone fills.

4. Coldplay - "Postcards from Far Away"
I usually can't stand this band, but I thought I'd give them another chance because my grandma in Florida likes them so much -- and, what do you know, I can stand this short 'n' sweet instrumental EP offering. Kind of relaxing.

5. Dr. Pepper Family - "Poster"
Forget Cleveland, Belgium rocks. (I know I should be ashamed of myself for comments like that, but I just can't help it: This band NEEDS to be heard by the masses.)

6. Anya Marina - "Vertigo"
A sweet little ditty from the unsuspecting chartreuse who's friends with Spoon's Britt Daniel and, oh yeah, got banned from an L.A. club for lyrics about licking a certain body part of hers clean. Yeah.... For a cute little girl like Anya, how rock and roll is that?!

7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Way Out"
Love it -- Karen O is a queen.

8. Eagles of Death Metal - "Cheap Thrills"
Never a dull moment with the *ahem* "Pigeons of Shit Metal." (Axl Rose is such an assclown.)

9. U2 - "Numb [The Soul Assassins Mix]"
Of all the hip-hop producers out there, Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs ranks right up there with Ant and DJ Abilities. Not a believer? Give this U2 treatment a spin. (p.s. Check out the nice collection of free MPs at SoulAssassins.com.)

10. Atmosphere - "The Things that Hate Us"
"As American as herpes and hot dogs." Ugh, Slug....

11. Kevin Tihista's Red Terror - "Pretty Please"
How I "won" my wife!

12. Ultimate Fakebook - "Inside Me, Inside You"
Reminds me of my Disc Go Round days. Good ol' Burning Tree Plaza.

13. The Tomorrowpeople - "Psyched by the 4-D Witch!"
Like a soundscape collaboration between Rob Zombie and Apollo 440.

14. Danzig - "Power of Darkness"
Quick, Danzig says there's a "snake between your legs" ... I need an old priest and a young priest!

15. Prong - "Innocence Gone"
"Rude Awakening" is one of those ultimate albums I couldn't imagine living without.

16. Ash - "Folk Song"
Like a lovely dream -- though, for whatever reason, it reminds me of the old Bargains Galore store in Moorhead. (It had pogs!)

17. Jon Auer - "These Times"
Posies dude strikes out on his own and makes a record that sounds ... exactly like the Posies. No complaints here, though, as I rather enjoy those Bellingham dudes.

18. Victory Ship - "I Can Pretend"
Thanks again to Walt Dizzo for letting me co-host the "Best of 2008" program on his KUWS radio show -> where I played one of this Twin Cities group's unpretentious rollers.

19. XTC - "I Bought Myself a Liarbird"
I know have no f------ idea what this song is about, but I like it!

20. Lindsey Buckingham - "Holiday Road"
Ahh, yes, good times; I recently revisited "Vacation" and I have a newfound appreciation for this uber-catchy song from the Mac man.

21. Little Joy - "Keep Me in Mind"
A Strokes side project that is both A) really catchy and B) pretty Strokes-y. At least this track, for the others I heard were a little more adventurous.

22. Riverboat Gamblers - "Don't Jinx"
Intense. Hyper. Enjoyable.

23. The Stereo - "Devotion"
Same here, but much more refined. Jamie Woolford is a golden god -- as is Rory Allen Phillips.

24. Stiff Little Fingers - "Guitar and Drum"
"Is this the new Green Day song?"

25. The Police - "Can't Stand Losing You"
I used to make fun of Sting fans, but, man, back in the day he sure was something.

Thus concludes your thirty-fifth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

Random Thoughts: What I learned from Paste 49

In an effort to curb the mounting stack of magazines around the flat (...), I've decided to bring back the "What I Learned" column. Here are some nuggets I plucked from the 49th issue of Paste (December '08/January '09):

• This isn't so much new information as a reaffirmation of beliefs formerly held: "cover model" Zooey Deschanel is as cute as a button. (She's posing with Him, aka M. Ward.)
• If you fly American Airlines -- Who has money for vacations during a recession, right? -- you can listen to Paste-selected tunes by plugging into your armrest. Weird partnership....
• Paste subscribes can go digital (sampler and all) come February. That's good to know, considering I just bought my brother a subscription and re-upped myself.
• The Mountain Goats, Sloan and the Weakerthans will all be playing one of those rock 'n' roll cruises in February. Hosted by Barenaked Ladies ... eww.
• Good idea for the holidays: If you have just a couple of bucks left on a gift card, mail it to GiftCardGiver.com and they'll donate the remainder to charities like Habitat for Humanity. -> Think of the children!
• Hip-OSelect.com has some really sweet Motown T-shirts. Vintage-looking!
• Coming Jan. 27, 2009: "Ready for the Flood," Gary Louris and Mark Olson's first post-Jayhawks album. <- Sweet.
• "All of Us in Our Night," by Athens band Modern Skirts, was co-produced by R.E.M.'s Mike Mills (of course) and Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven's David Lowery. That's pretty impressive!
• Paste's pick for best album of 2008 was She & Him's "Volume One." (Hence the cover.) It's up there on my list too.
  
• Of their picks for best film of '08, I've seen exactly none. Yay for me! What, no "Pineapple Express"?
  
• Their pick for best show? "Battlestar Galactica" = dorks. (Just kidding, I just got done playing "Halo 3.")
• Speaking of games, they gave the nod to "Fallout 3." I haven't played that one, but I have No. 6 and No. 7 ("Grand Theft Auto IV" and "Rock Band 2") -- so I'm doing a little better than I did with the movies....
• How cool is Paste? Facing ads from CCR and Of Montreal, that's how cool.
• You can get 25 free music downloads (and one free audiobook) from eMusic.com, one of my favorite sites, by visiting www.emusic.com/pastemag.
• If you ask me, Paste's Digital VIP subscription seems like a pretty good deal.
• Have you seen what Merge is up to with "Score!"? It's a 14-disc set, with each one curated by people like R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and comedian Zach Galifianakis -- kind of like our very own Homegrown comps.
• Former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan has another collaboration album out. But this time, instead of Greg Dulli (together they are the Gutter Twins), it's Belle & Sebastian's Isobel Campbell. Sounds interesting.
• Jesse Malin has covered the Hold Steady on his new(ish) album, "On Your Sleeve." Again, interesting.
• Stephen Kellogg and Glen Phillips are both on a new compilation, "New Arrivals, Vol. 3," which benefits the National Eating Disorders Association.
  
• Here's one for my coworker Matt: In the humorous article "Gazing Into the Crystal 8 Ball," writer Paul J. Williams predicts that, on Aug. 3, 2009, Liam Gallagher will protest the presence of brother and Oasis bandmate Noel Gallagher at Glastonbury Festival. Nice!
  

BONUS EDUCATION: Issue 49's New-Music Sampler

• RosieThomas' "Why Can't it Be Christmastime All Year" is a decent enough holiday song; part Flaming Lips, part Amy Grant....
• Other songs to consider seeking out: The Steps' "Dagger," The Deep Vibration's "Oklahoma City Woman Blues (Veracruz)," Denison Witmer's Fleetwood Mac-esque "Life Before Aesthetics," Anathallo's Format-conjuring "The River," the Whispertown 2000's does-it-better-than-Lucinda "Old Times," LoveKrafty's "Just Go On," the Great Unknown's "I'm Not Listening" (something I'm pretty sure Charlie Parr or Marc Gartman would dig), Modern Skirts' "Soft Pedals" (it's growing on me) and Dear and the Headlights' "I'm Not Crying, You're Not Crying, Are You?"
• Ones to avoid: Ani's new one, "Smiling Underneath," and Lovedrug's "Blood Like." Just awful, both of 'em.

REMINDER: SAVE THREE SHEETS

Visit ZaneLamprey.com for details.

Best of 2008 :: Radio Flyer 2 :: WHISKEY & GREEN TEA

A radio show for music geeks worldwide: The best music of 2008. Picked by the likes of KUWS's resident superstar DJ, Walt Dizzo; myself; and, most importantly, his loyal listeners. From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, on 91.3 FM/www.kuws.fm.

Best of 2008 RADIO FLYER, Pt. 1: Garbage Pail Music Geeks

That's right; it's the time of the year for a barrage of inane radio flyers touting my guest appearance on Walt Dizzo's KUWS show. The details: The best music of 2008. Picked by the two of us and his loyal listeners. Mostly good (you can never really predict taste). From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, on 91.3 FM/www.kuws.fm.

Many, many more flyers to come....

Charlie Parr, Lorrie Morgan, the Tisdales, Rachael Kilgour, Highland Street and rawk and/or roll!

Who knew being a music geek could be so "hard"? I've spent entirely way too much time getting ready for this year's best-of lists. The silver lining, though, is that I was invited back to Walt Dizzo's show on KUWS to share some of my favorites. If you're interesting in hearing what the two of us have been listening to all year, tune in from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday night/Friday morning. If you're out of KUWS's reach (91.3 FM in the Northland), feel free to listen in online at www.kuws.fm. Should be a fun time!

Anyway, here's what else I've been up to lately -- all of these stories are available for your reading pleasure at DuluthBudgeteer.com:

"Lorrie Morgan: 'Getting on Stage is My Therapy'" :: Lorrie Morgan is as close to Nashville royalty as they come, and the Budgeteer has an exclusive interview with her. Read on.

"CD Reviews: Charlie Parr, the Tisdales, Rachael Kilgour and the Second Homegrown Comp" :: Another local CD blowout: Charlie Parr's "Roustabout," the Tisdales' "Baker's Dozen," Rachael Kilgour's self-titled debut and the “Homegrown Rawk and/or Roll: Lindquist’s Mix” compilation -- hand-selected Northland tunes from Giljunko/Little Black Books frontman Mark Lindquist ... in case you couldn't tell.

Finally, this weekend's cover shot, of Highland Street in West Duluth, by yours truly, Matthew R. Perrine.

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!

Yep Roc offers free Rodney Crowell EP!

From the Yep Roc newsletter, which I highly suggest you sign up for:

Rodney Crowell is nominated in the Best Contemporary Folk / Americana Album category for his album Sex & Gasoline!

Now Grammy-recognized over the span of three decades, Rodney adds another milestone to an already illustrious career with this nomination for his critically acclaimed album Sex & Gasoline. Crowell won the 1989 Grammy Award for Best Country Song for his hit single 'After All This Time' from his legendary album Diamonds & Dirt.

During the course of his career, Rodney has written songs for some of music's most notable artists (Emmylou Harris, Bob Seger), collaborated with Johnny Cash, produced breakthrough albums (Roseanne Cash) and charted five No. 1 hits of his own on the Billboard charts.

A decidedly political record that tackles the objectivity of sex and overt greed that has been driving our culture, Sex & Gasoline serves as a wake-up call for a country on the brink of change. Sex & Gasoline was produced by sought-after artist and producer Joe Henry. Its title track peaked at No. 1 on the Americana Music Chart and is still currently in the Top 5, where it has remained for the past several months.

The album was released through a partnership between Work Song Inc. and Yep Roc Records. This is the first nomination for Work Song and the fourth for Yep Roc.

Rodney will be performing songs from Sex & Gasoline at the famed Lincoln Center in New York City on January 23.

AND, to celebrate, we are offering fans a free EP featuring a bonus track from Sex & Gasoline and songs from Rodney's recent appearances on WXPN's Free at Noon and NPR's Mountainstage.

Gary Lundstrom, Lance Rhicard, Kwanzaa, Mr. Mrozinski, George Kaplan and high style!

It's been an eventful week at the Budge.

"Gary Lundstrom Unveils Northland-Inspired Art Lamps" :: With the public unveiling of his Great Lake Design studio’s long-in-the-works Art Lamps (one of which is pictured above, at Lizzard's downtown) now a reality, Gary Lundstrom believes he is nearing the zenith of his career.

"Kwanzaa Comes Early at UMD" :: To celebrate the recent Kwanzaa event at the University of Minnesota Duluth, the Budgeteer spoke to Jebeh Edmunds, coordinator of the event and the Duluth Public Schools African American Cultural Center. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"CD Reviews: Lance Rhicard, Nicholas Mrozinski and George Kaplan" :: Enjoyed this week: Lance Rhicard's "Big Heart Down," Nicholas Mrozinski's "Oak Chase Way" and George Kaplan's "Reinvented Wilderness."

In other news, the Duluth Budgeteer's online content will soon be moved to the Duluth News Tribune's Web site, www.duluthnewstribune.com. While our Web team is trying to make the transition as smooth as possible, hiccups will occur. If you have trouble accessing any of my stories, please let me know ASAP and I will remedy the situation.

Finally, this probably isn't relevant to too many of you out there, but I have completed a revamp of the Budgeteer News stylebook. If you belong to a group or organization in the Twin Ports and would like your information included, please e-mail me and we'll take care of it.

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S (MUCHO BELATED*) SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!

*The shame cometh....

Psst ... Jeremy Messersmith in Duluth Wednesday!

So sayeth my MySpace inbox: I'm playing a show in Duluth tomorrow night if you are bored and have nothing else to do on a Wednesday night. :)

12/03/2008 09:00 PM - U of Minnesota-Duluth with Greycoats - All Ages UMD Kirby CenterDuluth, Minnesota 55805Cost: $5 for non students- free for students Description:http://www.d.umn.edu/kirby/

To celebrate the occasion, I'll ... shamelessly plug my reviews of Jeremy's last two albums. I know I do that a lot, but it'll help you brush up on your Messersmith and, if undecided, help you realize why the trip to UMD will be a worthy one.

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Jeremy Messersmith builds on success of ‘The Alcatraz Kid’

When “The Alcatraz Kid” came out, I said, “Melancholy has a new best friend forever in Jeremy Messersmith.” I may have spoken too soon.

While its follow-up, “The Silver City,” isn’t like an I’m-having-so-much-fun-surfing-I-could-hurl early Beach Boys record or anything, there’s at least a glimmer of sunshine that wasn’t present two years ago.

For instance, when the Twin Cities popsmith expounds upon hell on Earth in “Welcome to Suburbia” — as in, actually living in suburbia — he does it in such an epic and catchy way that you almost want to reconsider living in a place as special as Duluth. Almost.

Much of this newfound pop love can probably be credited to the man behind the boards, producer Dan Wilson. He’s the Trip Shakespeare/Semisonic frontman who, weirdly enough (see previous review), also transformed underappreciated folk duo Storyhill into a Jayhawks-rivaling phenomenon on 2006’s “Storyhill.”

Everything that made “Alcatraz” such a revelation — namely Messersmith’s fascination with the late great Elliott Smith’s skill set (see “Franklin Avenue”) — is still present on “The Silver City,” but there’s an extra layer of polish that will help the troubadour reach greater audiences. Again, a la Storyhill.

Like Aaron Espe’s “Songs From a Small Town,” this concept album about getting around Minneapolis* isn’t something you’ll want to pass up at the local record store.

*As far as I can tell. My reasoning: Interludes include recordings from the city’s light rail system, and there’s even a cover of the Replacements classic “Skyway.”

This review of "The Silver City" originally appeared in the Sept. 21, 2008, issue of the Duluth Budgeteer News. Written by me, Matthew R. Perrine.

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Messersmith proves himself as Minneapolis’ next great singer/songwriter

Melancholy has a new best friend forever in Jeremy Messersmith.

Although he probably wasn’t attempting to record an anti-Mason Jennings album, that’s exactly what “The Alcatraz Kid” is. While both singer/songwriters operate out of the Twin Cities, two very different — and two very real — outcomes emerge when they commit their lives to tape. Jennings is happy in love, soaking in the sun (even when he’s trying to hide it) while Messersmith is left beaten down and brokenhearted.

More akin to select Pacific Northwest troubadours, Messersmith’s songs run rampant with loneliness and self-medication. The aptly titled “Novocain” may start out with some powerful acoustic strumming that seems uplifting enough, but the lyrics quickly remind listeners who’s between their ears: “I need a shot of Novocain / To numb my heart / Could you pass me the bottle? / Make it something hard.”

Similarly, the album’s most contagious rock chords (found on “Great Times”) are slightly dampered by lines like “If I had a slightly better job / Would it make you proud of me?”

It’s not to say that Messersmith isn’t entitled to write complete downers, but one definitely has to be in that kind of mood to fully appreciate this album’s stark intricacies.

Even in the quietest moments, though, the songs still shine. Messersmith, sounding eerily like Paul Westerberg on the Replacements’ “Skyway,” is both poignant and poetic, accompanied by not much more than his gentle acoustic strumming on “Day Job.”

And while much of “The Alcatraz Kid” plays to those subdued pop tendencies, traces of the Beach Boys’ grandeur masterpiece “Pet Sounds” can be heard on the album’s closer, “Old Skin.” While not necessarily upbeat by any means, scattered thoughts about growing old with a loved one quietly run together, culminating with the repetition of the words “I’ll love your old skin.”

Taken at face value, that line doesn’t scream “play me at your next wedding anniversary,” but, given the 10 oft-dreary tracks that preceded it, the fact that Messersmith may hold the 21st century’s answer to the Beatles’ “When I’m Sixty-Four” is only further compounded. It’s incredibly endearing and, most important of all, it gives the album a heart for listeners to hang onto.

While we’ll still turn to Jennings for that eternal glee and untarnished optimism, it’s good to know that we can listen to Messersmith for more than a sharp comedown.

This review of "The Alcatraz Kid" originally appeared in the Oct. 8, 2006, issue of the Duluth Budgeteer News. Written by me, Matthew R. Perrine.

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~Image of Jeremy courtesy Darin Back

sys34 :: GRAPE SODA TODAY

Y'all ready for Black Friday/to be a good American? <- That dates this mix tape, doesn't it?

1. dEUS - "Fell Off the Floor, Man"
It's true, you gotta be your own dog. This immortal dEUS track pushes the boundaries of modern recording theories.

2. Motion City Soundtrack - "Red Dress"
Seattle. Denver. Duluth. What is "Cities the Wife and I Have Seen MCS in Concert"?

3. The Sleepy Jackson - "God Knows"
... but He can't see in tents! Seriously, though, this is terrific baby-makin' music. ha ha ha

4. Sebastien Grainger - "Who Do We Care For?"
Ourselves, unless we're some imaginary kind-hearted fool. (I'm not bitter; I just think there is no such thing as a selfless act -- besides the conundrum-slayer presented on "Friends," that is....) Is any of this covered by Mr. Grainger? No, not quite. But it doesn't matter: This is some of the most listenable indie rock (for those afraid of change) in ages.

5. Led Zeppelin - "Over the Hills and Far Away"
Ahh, helps me reminisce about the Brainerds Lakes Area. What is it about those Power Loon playlists that made them just wedge themselves in my soul?

6. Starlight Mints - "Brass Digger"
If Liverpool were a city in Oklahoma, this would've been the Beatles' most triumphant hour.

7. Guns N' Roses - "Get in the Ring"
This one goes out to my classmate Chris Stirewalt, who, if you read the Duluth News Tribune but at all, you might know as one of the first Minnesotans to senselessly lose their lives this hunting season. You see, back in sixth grade -- Mr. Anderson's class, to be exact -- he thought it'd be funny if I read Axl's potty-mouthed lyrics to this song out loud. I wasn't exactly Martin Prince (or maybe I was?), but, of all the kids in our grade on the "A" honor roll, I was the only boy. Either way, I'm sure it was funny to hear a dweeb such as myself saying such "naughty" things. Of all my encounters with Chris, this one stands out as the most memorable because of its sheer "those were the days" quality.

8. Spiderbait - "Black Betty" [Ram Jam cover]
Believe it or not, "Without a Paddle" has its moments.... Actually, my favorite memory associated with this song would have to be that brief period in college when I was trying to get in shape. -> For inspiration, I would make myself high-energy mix tapes (go figure!) for running around the NDSU fitness center track, and this song always seemed to get me going. Until I gave it all up to be a traditional journalist type three or four days later....

9. Miss Kittin - "Requiem for a Hit [Glove Radio Mix]"
Another obscure classic from my college days. I distinctly remember listening to this one near the Target in Moorhead; which is weird, because A) we hardly ever went to that Target and B) I'm pretty sure I lost all of my readers with that last inane piece of commentary, so I'm free to write whatever I want nowadays.

10. Monty Python - "Galaxy Song"
The highlight of "The Meaning of Life" for me. Catchy and informative.

11. Star Casino - "Stroll Around the World" [MP3]
Video game music doesn't get any better than this -- and that's saying a lot, considering the competition this track faces on "Lumines II."

12. Mos Def - "May-December"
A surprisingly sweet little instrumental from Mr. Black Star. (Sorry, Talib, I guess that makes you the missus....)

13. Nas - "I Can"
Never mind the bollocks spewed forth by Rolling Stone when this song was released -- "a silly stay-in-school ad attached to a Beethoven sample" -- it's catchy in a good way and, dammit, people (like me) like it.

14. The Wannadies - "Skin"
The best Sweden has to offer. One of my all-time favorite songs, and, thus, one of the all-time most used tracks on these here mix tapes.

15. Metal Molly - "Orange"
But enough about Sweden; here's a brief history of my love affair with Belgian rock -- courtesy of my review of Dr. Pepper Family's new self-titled album* in the Budgeteer: Until 1996, I, like most Americans, was completely sheltered from the Belgian music scene. That all changed when quirky alt-rockers Metal Molly burned a sizable hole in my head with their infectious single “Orange.” (This was during the same “land grab” that found anxious record labels searching the world high and low for the next potential “sugar metal” It band. The group’s album, “Surgery for Zebra,” was released between Silverchair’s “Frogstomp” and “Restraining Bolt,” the ill-fated major label debut from Ben Kweller’s group Radish.) Fast-forward to the early 2000s, when I somehow — magically, I suppose — stumbled upon the country’s premier record label, Kinky Star. To put things into perspective, it is the Belgian equivalent of Sub Pop in the late ’80s. Like that Seattle label’s involvement during grunge’s heyday, it seems that everyone making Belgium’s fledgling rock scene so memorable is somehow involved with Kinky Star.

16. Sloan - "I Hate My Generation"
Not to be confused with the Cracker song of the same name, though I like that one quite right as well.

17. Decembers Architects - "Isadora the Fashion Victim"
While I usually agree with the line "it's better to burn out than to fade away," this MPLS math rock outfit went away far too quickly.

18. Charity - "Aren't I Lucky? [Voice Mix]" [MP3]
It's hard to believe that this former Curb recording artist, who goes by the name Kelly Henderson Brainard Grussendorf in real life, now teaches theater at the University of Minnesota Duluth and agrees to interviews with chumps like me.

19. Valet - "Record Store"
Way back when, this was my introduction to this criminally under-heard Twin Cities band.

20. Youth Group - "Shadowland"
Reminds me of working at Best Buy, but I won't hold that against these Aussies.

21. Blur - "Strange News from Another Star"
The sound of ageless beauty.

*Damn, I just realized I forgot to mention dEUS in that article on all that rocks in Belgium!

Thus concludes your thirty-fourth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul."

Margi Preus, the Ohara Peace Bell, 'kid lit,' B&Bs, Marcia Hales, lights, divorce and zombies!

This blog ain't dead yet....

"Margi Preus Returns to 'Kid Lit' with Peace Bell Book" -- Duluth author and educator Margi Preus’ second children’s book in a decade tackles the amazing true story of the Ohara Peace Bell.

"Duluth's Bed-and-Breakfasts Band for Holiday Tour" -- Angie Allen, of A.G. Thomson House, talks about the collective event on Dec. 7 and what it's like running a Zenith City bed-and-breakfast. A Q-and-A.

"DVD Review: Divorce Through the Eyes of a Child/Zombie Hunter" -- Shelli Ryan’s “Jake’s Closet” is probably one of the strangest films ever made about divorce, but it’s still worth your time. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

Finally, this weekend's cover shot of Marcia Hales, Park Point's famous light putter upper. (If you've never experienced her electric winter wonderland, it's well worth the short drive.)

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!