This Week's (Very Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Cracker, Leane Perius, Maudlin and garden shots galore!

"Discover Duluth: Western Garden Tour" :: Each summer, the Western Garden Tour, in conjunction with Spirit Valley Days, allows some of Duluth’s finest gardeners to be recognized for their hard work. (Pictures from two of the featured gardens in upper Smithville.)

"Maudlin Records Twin Ports Podcast" :: LocalM.com spares no expense when it comes to podcasts. Before Maudlin's show Saturday night in Superior, the site's Craig Rhode Jr. had the St. Paul group at the Evil Clown studios down the street recording a couple songs. Photos from the fateful night. A companion piece to my Q-and-A with the group, "Meet Them Before They Meet You." DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Outgoing: Duluth Says Goodbye to Leane Perius (and Brendan Flynn Too!)" :: Just when everyone was starting to fall in love with her, Leane Perius up and moves to Perham on us. And, as if losing one talented singer/songwriter to Perham wasn’t bad enough, Perius’ departure is a double blow for the Twin Ports: she’ll be taking significant other Brendan Flynn with her. (And, since this article was published, I found out that equally as talented Duluth singer/songwriters David Mehling and Mary Bue will also be leaving us soon. <- Our scene is crumbling!)

And, finally, my Cracker trilogy: I A) briefly review the group's show in Superior last Friday night, B) out myself as a Cracker "superfan" and C) interview guitarist and co-founder Johnny Hickman!

Cracker's Superior set list for July 25, 2008

Here's what you missed last night at the Head of the Lakes Fair.* (As an added service for those in attendance, I've included the album names so you'll know exactly where to find those songs you loved oh-so-much!)

1. "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" (from "Cracker")
2. "100 Flower Power Maximum" (from "The Golden Age")
3. "Euro-Trash Girl" (from "Kerosene Hat")
4. "Lonesome Johnny Blues" (from "Kerosene Hat")
5. "Mr. Wrong" (from "Cracker")
6. "Happy Birthday to Me" (from "Cracker")
7. "Waiting for You Girl" (from "Gentleman's Blues")
8. "One Fine Day" (from "Forever")
9. "Gimme One More Chance" (from "Greenland")
10. "The Riverside" (from "Greenland")
11. "Sweet Thistle Pie" (from "The Golden Age")
12. "The World is Mine" (from "Gentleman's Blues")
13. "The Man in Me" (Bob Dylan cover)
14. "How Can I Live Without You" (from "The Golden Age")
15. "Everybody Gets One for Free" (from "Greenland")
16. "Low" (from "Kerosene Hat")

-ENCORE BREAK-

17. "Get Off This" (from "Kerosene Hat")
18. "I Need Better Friends" (from "Greenland")

*More photos available on the Budgeteer's Web site, where I A) briefly review the show, B) out myself as a Cracker "superfan" and C) interview guitarist and co-founder Johnny Hickman!

sys15 :: 50 CUPS OF COFFEE AND YOU KNOW IT'S ON

Taking a break from the oh-so-addictive-in-HD Olympics action, it's ... the latest in my awesome (self-proclaimed) mix tape series. Joy!

1. Beastie Boys - "Super Disco Breakin'"
This one sure knows how to introduce itself: "Well it's 50 cups of coffee and you know it's on."

2. Doomtree - "Game Over"
Here too: "Welcome to the future." (Read my review of Doomtree's first "official" debut here, in which I might've said: “Game Over (Go Big or Go Home Boy),” a summer blockbuster if I ever did hear one, is a testament to what hip-hop is capable of. With cuts by Turbo Nemesis and top-notch beats from Paper Tiger — in case you’re unfamiliar with Doomtree, each member traditionally serves a specific role within the context of the group, though members like P.O.S. have proven equally adept at rhyming and producing beats — the track is an ideal vehicle for Mictlan’s wildly exciting rhymes: “It’s all this coke, it’s all that liq / It’s all the fame / It’s all been done, it’s all been fixed / It’s all the same / I got no time for games, lames or dames.”)

3. Odawas - "Benjamin"
This sounds familiar and Canadian, but, in all actuality, it's A) not and B) only from Chicago. Regardless, this is dreamy lo-fi rock at its finest. Fans of Neil Young and Neutral Milk Hotel (at least Jeff Mangum's slower numbers) will find much to love here.

4. Leane Perius - "Dead Body"
So sad, Leane's going away. <- As are Brendan Flynn, David Mehling and Mary Bue.

5. Ayla Brook - "Wake Up Early"
A terrific Canadian singer/songwriter you should probably know by name. For real(sies).

6. The Motion Sick - "The Owls are Not What They Seem"
Great song, but the "Twin Peaks" reference all but secured its spot on this here mix tape.

7. Women - "Black Rice"
Recommended if you like the Zombies, old-timey (scratch that: vintage) exploration pop.

8. Neutral Milk Hotel - "Naomi"
One of my all-time favorites. If there's anything you take away from this mix tape, it should be that this track is brilliant. (I'm so dramatic, aren't I?)

9. Maudlin - "Low"
Look, my quote made Maudlin's MySpace page -- yay!

"Need a new favorite band? Try on St. Paul’s Maudlin for size. Raised on a steady diet of the Pixies (and every other Frank Black or Kim Deal side project, for that matter), you best believe the group’s twin vocalists, David and Priscilla Priebe, know a thing or two about post-punk and slightly off-kilter power pop. "
-- Matthew R. Perrine Budgeteer News

10. Dr. Pepper Family - "Cherise"
If you'll allow me one addendum to my Neutral Milk Hotel request, please let it be that this track piggybacks along.... Truly inspired post-punk from Belgium.

11. Dirty on Purpose - "Girls & Sunshine"
More appetizing than "Sunshine & Farts," I'm sure. (An explanation....)

12. DNA feat. Suzanne Vega - "Tom's Diner"
I've been hanging around my wayback machine, I'm afraid.

13. The Chap - "They Have a Name"
I seem to have forgotten why I was drawn to this song in the first place....

14. Willie Nile - "Police on My Back" [Clash cover]
It's hard to screw up this rollicking number.

15. Poster Children - "Clampdown" [Clash cover]
And this one too, though I'm glad they didn't try, because I really appreciate the Poster Children.

16. Elvis Costello and the Attractions - "Pump It Up"
"Rock Band 2," baby!

17. Cracker - "Ain't Gonna Suck Itself"
F------ hilarious!

18. Dinosaur Jr. - "Feel the Pain"
Speaking of my wayback machine, here's J. Mascis in all of his dreamy goodness (I'm referring to his sense of melody, of course ... man, I really need to work on my phrasing tonight).

19. Sloan - "If I Could Change Your Mind" [LIVE]
In case you don't know (you probably don't), LimeWire -- yes, that LimeWire -- recently opened up a music store and Canadian rock gods Sloan were one of the first groups to record a "Live at Lime" digital EP. Well worth your $5.94.

20. Brand New - "Mix Tape"
A little too emo for my tastes most days, but I like Brand New and, dammit, the world needs more songs about mix tapes!

21. Glen Hansard (of the Frames) - "Say It to Me Now"
I finally, finally, finally saw "Once" and, yes, Marketa Irglova is every bit as dreamy as you've most likely heard. (If only polygamy were legal....)

22. Nine Inch Nails - "Something I Can Never Have"
Mesmerizing through and through. A classic.

Thus concludes your fifteenth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.

Republicans use Ciresi's Budgeteer quote against Franken

So it seems a right-wing attack Web site is using an interview with Mike Ciresi my coworker and I did against Al Franken. Ugh, this doesn't look good for the Democrats....



From MinnesotaDemocratsExposed.com:

Team Franken can’t run an ad praising Franken’s accomplishment on behalf of Minnesota because he doesn’t have any accomplishments. Even one of Franken’s rivals for the DFL endorsement, Mike Ciresi, said Franken hasn’t “delivered for Minnesota”:

“Let me ask you, what has Al Franken delivered for Minnesotans? The answer is self-evident: He hasn’t. … I have got things done for Minnesotans my entire career, and Al hasn’t.” (Matthew R. Perrine and Matt Suoja, “Minneapolis Lawyer Mike Ciresi Discusses His Bid For U.S. Senate,” Budgeteer News, October 12, 2007)

And, after a quick Google search, it looks like at least one other Republican-backing Web site has used that same quote from Ciresi (who has since dropped out of the race for Norm Coleman's U.S. Senate seat).

See what all the fuss is about by reading the original article.

sys14 :: IF THE SHOE FITS, BURN IT

I have to keep reminding myself that "Sonic the Hedgehog" will still be there in the morning....

1. Maudlin - "Dancecaster" (listen here)
I wasn't lying when I said this could easily be your new favorite band, as the boy/girl vocals of David and Priscilla Priebe are probably the best I've heard since the inspiration for them: the Pixies' Black Francis and Kim Deal.

2. Splitsville - "Forever"
This effectively accomplishes the "Up with music!" goal of every Polyphonic Spree album.

3. Beck - "Modern Guilt"
Am I getting so old that I prefer the musicians I grew up with to be more dependable than visionary? Not really, but Beck is certainly starting to fit that mold, and that open question was, more or less, my way of coming to terms with his situation. The new album's great, but by no means groundbreaking or innovative.

4. Phish - "Talk"
You're right, I am well on my way to becoming a dirty, stinkin' hippy -- and I love it!

5. The Wrens - "Surprise, Honeycomb"
Some newer fans of the Wrens like to s*** on the group's glorious back catalogue, and that's just sad.

6. The Dead Trees - "Shelter" (Daytrotter session MP3s)
At the Fetus' price of $2.99 -- new -- for this group's magnificent new EP, there should be no reason you don't own it. It's just glorious, glorious music; in fact, it reminds me of the time I was introduced to the band Roy in a Sioux Falls record store. My life and outlook on the music scene at large will never be the same having heard and enjoyed the Dead Trees.

7. Liz Phair - "Flower"
One of the most notorious alt-rock songs of the '90s ... I was actually kind of surprised it was a good song.

8. Sims - "Key Grip (FAX)"
Something to keep me occupied until the Doomtree (official) debut drops July 29.

9. M.Anifest - "Babylon Breakdown"
This one wouldn't sound out of place at the Zorbaz pizzeria in DL <- aka the place I discovered the tragically underrated PBR.
10. Big Quarters - "August"
Uh ... did he just make a rhyme out of Wellstone's heartbreaking plane crash?

11. Bob Dylan - "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" [Mark Ronson Re-Version]
Who cares if this is blatantly the spiritual successor to Junkie XL's remix of Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation"? They both turned out lovely.

12. Ol' Yeller - "The Universe"
And another gem from the "North Country."

13. Camera - "Bump Into Beats"
Heard this on Walt's show -- one of the most unoriginal band names, but pretty catchy (and slightly in the key of the B-52's, yay!) nonetheless.

14. Blueline Medic - "Over the Lawn" (DL "Up Against the Fault" here)
While Fueled by Ramen's roster definitely took a divebomb of late, groups like the Impossibles, the Stereo, the aforementioned Roy and, of course, Blueline Medic will always remind me of the good ol' days.

15. Traffic - "Heaven is in Your Mind"
Every couple months this gem from way back floats into my daydreams, thus forcing me to plead for this nation of millions to love it as much as I do.

16. Death Cab for Cutie - "Death of an Interior Decorator"
I must say, classic awesome mix tape material.

17. Submerge - "If the Shoe Fits"
In case I haven't already told you a million times, this group from Virginia features none other than Matt and Tony from Motion City Soundtrack. I am, of course, forever grateful to Matt, both for the recent interview in the Budgeteer and mailing me out a copy of Submerge's excellent disc, "East, Meet West." (Released on Actiondriver Records, in case you are interested in seeking it out -- which is something I highly recommend you do ASAP.)

18. Mountain - "Don't Look Around"
Soon to be heard in the Seth Rogen/James Franco -- "Freaks and Geeks" alumni together again, yay! -- blockbuster "Pineapple Express." Killer ... nay, supersweet.

19. Karate Bike - "Death to Our Enemies"
Indie rock for all the small towns. (Take that as you will, I guess....)

20. The Soviet Machines - "Call You Out"
Speaking of Walt's show earlier, this barnstormer* seems almost tailor-made for late-night KUWS. Rock on, scubatron. *I know, no one uses language like this anymore -- isn't it great?!

21. Ryan Adams - "Boys"
This song just makes me want to drive. Fast. Windows down. The missus by my side. (I know, I'm weird: I actually like my wife!)

22. Filter - "Kill the Day"
The perfect summer song?

23. Gus Black - "Certain Kind of Light"
Man, I feel so stupid; I just realized this is the same guy who used to record as plain ol' "Gus." His 1999 album, "Word of Mouth Parade," produced one of that year's most touching tracks: "Floodlights."

24. Bone Appetit - "Wrecking Yourself"
I know this group isn't known for its ballads, but "Wrecking Yourself" rides one gracious melody.

Thus concludes your fourteenth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, another awesome mix tape if I ever did hear one.

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Wii video game reviews, Maudlin, Rubber Chicken (the comedy troupe, not the fun toy), Indigenous, a man with dice, Ryan Rapsys, a clarification on my Xhaust CD review and ... what, that's it?

"Indigenous Headlines FinnFest Concert at Bayfront" :: South Dakota blues-rock outfit Indigenous is a bit of an anomaly in the music industry. I speak with frontman Mato Nanji, who I've admired for the better part of a decade. I've seen this impeccable group twice in concert (once at Walker's Moondance Jam and then at Fargo's blues festival) and I was thoroughly blown away both times. Hail!

"In Duluth, Finn Equals Funny" :: Forget Ole and Lena; Duluth’s comedy troupes are celebrating Finnish culture in a way that might actually make you laugh. Includes a DuluthBudgeteer.com-exclusive photo gallery of Brian Matuszak and his Rubber Chicken crew rehearsing "The Betrothal" at Proctor Area Community Center Monday night.

"Maudlin: Meet Them Before They Meet You" :: St. Paul’s premier post-punk outfit, Maudlin, will hit Norm’s in Superior Saturday, July 26. Though they’re sharing a bill with Portraits for Judith and Xhaust, expect more power pop than thrash metal. I "speak" -- electronically, that is -- with the two Priebes in this trio, David and Priscilla. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Video Game Reviews: The Yin and Yang of Nintendo's Wii" :: As far as Nintendo Wii games go, “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” and “Endless Ocean” couldn’t be more different. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Duluth's Ryan Rapsys Gets Music on iTunes" :: To say Ryan Rapsys is keeping busy is almost laughable. In addition to collaborating on the Brewhouse’s new commercial, the Duluth composer recently announced that his record label will be releasing music on iTunes and Amazon MP3. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

Window washer man ... in which I learned the definition of "rappelling." A DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive feature photo!

Finally, last week's Xhaust EP review now comes with a disclaimer: UPDATE: It has come to my attention that the review copies of this EP were erroneously sent out with the wrong, unmastered files on the disc. So, given this, completely disregard everything I wrote about sound problems. —MRP <-May they have a wonderful CD release show with Maudlin, one of my new favorite bands!

Bob Dylan makes 'Rock Band' debut!

As you may already know, it's E3 time and "outed" video game dorks are busy wetting themselves ... ANYWAY, it's still early in the week, but some amazing information has already been released, like:

Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List:

1. AC/DC "Let There Be Rock"
2. AFI "Girl's Gone Grey"
3. Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know"
4. Alice in Chains "Man in the Box"
5. Allman Brothers "Ramblin' Man"
6. Avenged Sevenfold "Almost Easy"
7. Bad Company "Shooting Star"
8. Beastie Boys "So Whatcha Want"
9. Beck "E-Pro"
10. Bikini Kill "Rebel Girl"
11. Billy Idol "White Wedding Pt. I"
12. Blondie " One Way or Another"
13. Bob Dylan "Tangled Up in Blue"
14. Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer"
15. Cheap Trick "Hello There"
16. Devo "Uncontrollable Urge"
17. Dinosaur Jr. "Feel the Pain"
18. Disturbed "Down with the Sickness"
19. Dream Theater "Panic Attack"
20. Duran Duran "Hungry Like the Wolf"
21. Elvis Costello "Pump It Up"
22. Fleetwood Mac "Go Your Own Way"
23. Foo Fighters "Everlong"
24. Guns N' Roses "Shackler's Revenge"
25. Interpol "PDA"
26. Jane's Addiction "Mountain Song"
27. Jethro Tull "Aqualung"
28. Jimmy Eat World "The Middle"
29. Joan Jett "Bad Reputation"
30. Journey "Anyway You Want It"
31. Judas Priest "Painkiller"
32. Kansas "Carry On Wayward Son"
33. L7 "Pretend We're Dead"
34. Lacuna Coil "Our Truth"
35. Linkin Park "One Step Closer"
36. Lit "My Own Worst Enemy"
37. Lush "De-Luxe"
38. Mastodon "Colony of Birchmen"
39. Megadeth "Peace Sells"
40. Metallica " Battery"
41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones "Where'd You Go"
42. Modest Mouse "Float On"
43. Motorhead "Ace of Spades"
44. Nirvana "Drain You"
45. Norman Greenbaum "Spirit in the Sky"
46. Panic at the Disco "Nine in the Afternoon"
47. Paramore "That's What You Get"
48. Pearl Jam "Alive"
49. Presidents of the USA "Lump"
50. Rage Against the Machine "Testify"
51. Ratt "Round & Round"
52. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Give it Away"
53. Rise Against "Give it All"
54. Rush "The Trees"
55. Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye"
56. Smashing Pumpkins "Today"
57. Social Distortion "I Was Wrong"
58. Sonic Youth "Teenage Riot"
59. Soundgarden "Spoonman"
60. Squeeze "Cool for Cats"
61. Steely Dan "Bodhitsattva"
62. Steve Miller Band "Rock'n Me"
63. Survivor "Eye of the Tiger"
64. System of a Down "Chop Suey"
65. Talking Heads "Psycho Killer"
66. Tenacious D "Master Exploder"
67. Testament "Souls of Black"
68. The Donnas "New Kid in School"
69. The Go-Go's "We Got the Beat"
70. The Grateful Dead " Alabama Getaway"
71. The Guess Who "American Woman"
72. The Muffs "Kids in America"
73. The Offspring "Come Out & Play (Keep 'em Separated)"
74. The Replacements "Alex Chilton"
75. The Who "Pinball Wizard"

Bonus Songs
76. Abnormality "Visions"
77. Anarchy Club "Get Clean"
78. Bang Camaro "Night Lies"
79. Breaking Wheel "Shoulder to the Plow"
80. The Libyans "Neighborhood"
81. The Main Drag "A Jagged Gorgeous Winter"
82. Speck "Conventional Lover"
83. The Sterns "Supreme Girl"
84. That Handsome Devil "Rob the Prez-O-Dent"

Thanks, Joystiq!