napoleondynamite.com

Lo digo al sol.

It's all clear now. I'm in love with Amaia Montero. When you're ready to move to Alaska, my dear, just let me know. On the other hand, if it comes down to it, I'd be perfectly happy to relocate to Madrid. Just let me know.

First jobs

A thread on what rock musicians did before they became big...

Seattle, you suck!

Okay, so that title is a little imflammatory... But seriously, Seattle, is there something wrong with your legs? We went to Elvis Costello at the Paramount last night, and my buddy and I managed to find a few confederates next to us who were willing to stand and dance.... Come on Seattle, this is Rock and Roll! The ushers came by and hassled us three times, and the girl standing next to me had people throwing things at her back. I'm sorry, but it physically hurts to sit down while Elvis is pounding through Blue Chair, Uncomplicate, Brilliant Mistake, Radio Radio, Blame It On Cain, (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, etc. At least Elvis finally managed to get people on their feet at the end of the show, so we slid right down to the front and were able to groove through the last eight numbers... All in all, a brilliant show.

Anyways, Seattle, don't take it personally, I still love you. The drinks at Cyclops are still the best, and the tofu at Wild Ginger is something I could eat for weeks and never tire of... But for god's sake, get your mojo back!

Oscars....

You've got to be kidding me... why don't they just have Beyonce sing all the songs at the show next year? Was every other singer on the planet previously engaged?

Mark Your Calendars....

Okay, two Elvis posts in one day, I know that's pushing it... But I just read this article that says King of America will be rereleased on April 26 with an extra bonus disc. The previous reissue had some of the same bonus track on it, but not all. I'm really looking forward to the demo versions of Indoor Fireworks, Poisoned Rose, I'll Wear It Proudly, and Jack of All Parades. Can't wait. King of America is bar none my favorite album and has been since it was originally released.

CostelloNews.com: A Royal Upgrade for Costello's King of America : Elvis Costello News Archive

Great Interview with Elvis

Elvis Costello News Archive: "'I'm a working musician. This is what I do. I say this without any embarrassment at all. I am an artist. I am vocationally an artist who happens to be a musician and I happen to make my livelihood at it. I create works of imagination. I had to come to terms with the fact that it doesn't fit in. Being gifted with words in rock and roll is not exactly difficult. It's not over-populated with geniuses. Put me in among a bunch of philosophers or serious literary people and I wouldn't seem so smart. I have a one trick talent which is to write songs. I've understood it instinctively since I was tiny.'"

Back in Beck

The iTunes Music Store has an exclusive sneak peak at the forthcoming Beck album: the EP Hell Yes. Beck is back with his old groove after the his exploration of mellowness with Sea Change. I can't say any of this grabs me as much as Midnite Vultures did, but I do like it. I wish the vocal was a little higher in the mix than the electronic stuff in Bit Rate Variations, but hey, what do I know. There's certainly a reason I'm not a music producer. With Qué Onda Guero, he sounds like he's been hanging out with Plastilina Mosh lately.

I've been listening to this all over again as I write this, and it's growing on me more and more. Certainly worth the $3.96!

Looking for Napoleon Dynamite?

There's only one Napoleon Dynamite, and he did a great job on Blood and Chocolate, credited as: "Napoleon Dynamite (Elvis Costello)- Vocaj, Elektra kaj Akistika Guitaroj".

Certain rookie movie directors never listened to this album, and definitely never read the credits. stereogum: Napoleon Dynamite Vs. Elvis Costello.

Nosequien y los Nosecuantos

My favorite Peruvian band, Nosequien y los Nosecuantos, are playing California in a few days, but there's no way in hell I can make it down right now. When I was in Perú for a few months once upon a time, I passed up on a free concert of theirs at the beach before I knew who they were, and have regretted it ever since. Somehow, they just never seem to tour Alaska....