Citizen Of The World Inc. » What I Am Listening To

Podcast: Elements: I’m Just A Soldier Carrying A Tune.

Citizen192 — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:12:43 +0000

I’m not sure if it’s Arizona’s latest xenophobic seizure, the EZLN posters I’ve seen from Fresno, Ca to Cuernavaca, Mexico, or the sign above that inspired this podcast. It’s not a political podcast, but it’s fiery with a tinge of violence and hope. New Zealand’s Ladyhawke, with her pulsating grooves and catchy chorus, may not appear to be raucous, but I feel turbulence whenever I hear the track I’ve included. Most of the songs make me spin around and around until I’m euphoric and about to vomit. In a good way. They’re songs I could hear before, during and after a protest. And after listening to this podcast, you should go listen to this one.

Now, off to the Island of Dolls.

Tracks
“Acabar Mal” – Sergent Garcia
“Bam Bam” – Sister Nancy
“Summertime Clothes” – Animal Collective
“Clash City Rockers” – The Clash
“Jimmy” – M.I.A.
“Paris Is Burning” – Ladyhawke
“Black & Blue” – Miike Snow
“I Can Change” – LCD Soundsystem
“ONE” – Yeasayer
“Eres Para Mi” – Julieta Venegas
“Oye Mi Bomba” – Sergent Garcia
“Keep On Knocking” – Death
“Rainin In Paradiz” – Manu Chao

Song Of The Day: Sister Nancy: “Bam Bam”: Strollin’ Down Crooked Streets.

Citizen192 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:10:00 +0000

Sister Nancy, a.k.a. Muma Nancy, was first introduced to me by my roots rockin’ reggae brotha Theets. I’ve never owned this track in its digital form until this week. I was sitting in Fresno, listening to the Mos Dub mix Mario sent a few days earlier, when a craving for sultry dancehall beats with those most legendary lyrics bam bam dilla, bam bam…” overwhelmed me.

“Bam Bam” is a song flowing with a tremendous amount of soul. It makes me do my galloping each time I hear it. The song appeared as the sixth track on Sister Nancy’s “One, Two” album from 1982. If you don’t have it, I recommend you get it.

Song Of The Day: Tommy James & The Shondells: “Crystal Blue Persuasion.”

Citizen192 — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:48:20 +0000

Randy Newman’s “I Love LA” reminds me of “blond bombshells”, neon swimsuits and aerosol cans filled with hairspray. It’s not the Los Angeles I identify with, in the 80′s or now. But every time I hear Tommy James & The Shondells singing “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, I drift to a Los Angeles filled with laughing abuelitas, carne asada sharing the grille with bacon-wrapped hot dogs, up-to-no-good cousins, a 1955 Chevy Belair surrounded by grown men contemplating the next fix, playing catch in the front yard and, of course, drinking a Tecate out of a can.

I have four days left in Los Angeles and this is me getting ready to say goodbye.

Music: Panama! Compilation: Bush Y Sus Magnificos: “Nana Nina”.

Citizen192 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:21:12 +0000

Panama! Latin, Calypso and Funk on the Isthmus 1965-75 is a collection of Panamanian songs from the 60′s and 70′s which, to my knowledge, were released in Panama but have hardly seen commercial success. There are three “Panama!” volumes and I recently downloaded V.1 & V.2. I recently heard a few tracks from a jukebox at a Los Angeles bar and loved the grainy grooves so much that I went on a web search, found them and downloaded them.

Gabriel promised to get me a copy, but I couldn’t wait. I found this site with info. Below is the third track from the album pictured. You can purchase the album here.

Song Of The Day: Be Patient With This Track: Black Van – “Yearning”

Citizen192 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:22:20 +0000

Look, guys! I’m posting something other than “3652 Days!”

I had never heard of Black Van before listening to their single “Yearning” on KCRW. But once I heard this cut, I began sliding my hand through the air like if I was polishing my nails on an imaginary buffer. Black Van is comprised of Kris Menace and KoweSix (1/2 of Moonbootica), but that meant absolutely nothing to me before reading it on Waves At Night. Rock this track until you drift away into a place that feels weightless.

Music: Broken Bells: “Sailing To Nowhere”: Leaving NYC For Florida.

Citizen192 — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:08:44 +0000

The sun is rising above the buildings on St. Johns Pl. The wind has stopped its howling but the murmur outside is now of clanking heels and speeding vehicles. I always expect there to be less liveliness so early, but the world out there is bustling at the crack of dawn. Why don’t I awake this early more often? Rock this track with me for the rest of the day. You won’t regret it.

Music: Jay Reatard: “Oh It’s Such A Shame”: Bang Bang Bang!!!

Citizen192 — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:58:02 +0000

I’d advise you to either turn your headphones down or get ready to make your eardrums bleed. This comes from Jay Reatard’s 2006 release “Blood Visions.” Oh, it’s such a shame you’re not going to be contributing guitar riffs like this to Punklandia anymore. Bang bang bang away to this, friends. It’s going to be a cold one in the city that never sleeps. This will help you stay awake.

Song Of The Day: Charlotte Gainsbourg: “IRM”: We Need Strobe Lights.

Citizen192 — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:23:01 +0000

I never knew what sounds like a defective fax machine would be so entrancing and likable. But that’s what Charlotte Gainsbourg’s second track “IRM” off of her album of the same name reminds me of. I can also hear what is undoubtedly fluorescent lights emitting feedback…or someone’s vibrator going off. Who knows!? Charlotte knows her soft voice and devious melodies make it all come together, and for that I have to post the track. I imagine this song goes better with a strobe light like karaoke is better when bottles of liquor are half empty. Enjoy.

A Gainsbourg Moves Beyond Her Legacy [via NYT]

Song: Atlas Sound: “Quick Canal (w/Laetitia Sadier)”

Citizen192 — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:46:07 +0000

I’m out the door and the sun is shining on my back. It’s a vibrant 45 degrees in New York City and I’m riding the subway while bumping this today. Enjoy.

Song Of The Day: Broken Bells “Vaporize”: And The 2010 List Begins.

Citizen192 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:30:42 +0000

Dangerous Mouse (Gnarls Barkley) & James Mercer (The Shins) combined forces and created Broken Bells. Their self-titled album releases March 2010, but I’ve been bumping a few tracks for about a week. It’s already a 2010 favorite and will surely make lists at the end of this year. “Vaporize” is the second track on their future release and it’s composition is beautiful. Mercer’s vocals with Danger Mouse’s production (I love that background horn you hear before the last refrain) equals a guaranteed following. All Songs has a stream of the entire album now. Look out for your local haunts, venues and music establishments schedules because I’m sure there are some intimate shows on the horizon. Listen to the track below or stream here.