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08-24-12 Footnotes
Show 352: Days of the Week Songs, Yeasayer Review
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Download the Podcast: (Download the MP3)
1a The verdict is in: three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot have been found guilty of “hooliganism” and are sentenced to two years in prison. Pussy Riot caught international notice when they performed their “Punk Prayer” in Moscow’s foremost Orthodox Cathedral in February, calling upon the Virgin Mary to “banish Putin.” The Russian government responded with a Soviet-style show trial, making Pussy Riot the darlings of the West. Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney, and Madonna are just a sampling of the pop music illuminati who have publicly supported the group. Jim’s impressed that in 2012, punk music still has the power to seriously rile governments. To those who think rock music is just entertainment, he says, “think again.” Greg points out that Pussy Riot aren’t the first musical act to suffer serious consequences for politically charged music. They join a list that also includes Fela Kuti, Gilberto Gil, and The Plastic People of the Universe.
1b In other news, the RIAA’s profits are way down according to their latest tax filings. Membership dues from the major labels fell 50% in two years, reflecting the hemorrhaging of the industry as a whole. Unsurprisingly, the RIAA’s executives are still doing just dandy. President Carey Sherman and VP Mitch Bainwol each pulled down million-plus salaries last year.
2 To Jim and Greg, each day of the week has its own special flavor. Sensitive songwriters pick up on this; it’s one of the reasons rock n’ roll is rife with Days of the Week songs. This week, Jim and Greg run down their favorites:
Joe Jackson, “Sunday Papers”
T-Bone Walker, “Stormy Monday (But Tuesday is Just as Bad)”
The Rolling Stones, “Ruby Tuesday”
Charles Mingus, “Wednesday Nigh Prayer Meeting”
Morphine, “Thursday”
Cee Lo Green, “Bright Lights Bigger City”
Elton John, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”
Etta James, “A Sunday Kind of Love”
2 Jim and Greg review Fragrant World, the third album from Brooklyn band Yeasayer. Yeasayer started gaining buzz in the indie underground shortly after their 2007 debut, All Our Cymbals. Critics praised their inventive merging of shoegaze and world rhythms. Fans couldn’t get enough of the hooks. Fragrant World promised to be something a little different: band members said they were inspired by Aaliyah’s work with Missy Elliot. Fragrant World would be their take on R&B. Greg says the new album isn’t as immediately hooky as past efforts, but when it comes to taking R&B to an alien landscape, Yeasayer succeeds big time. It took him a road trip with the record to be won over, but now he says it reminds him of Bowie’s alien soul and funk in the seventies. Jim was a convert on first listen. The hooks are there, he says, but what really gets him is how the band downplays the novelty of their Eastern and African-tinged percussion, folding those drums seamlessly into electronic grooves. Fragrant World gets a double Buy It.
Songs Featured in Show #352
Pussy Riot, “Punk Prayer“
Bikini Kill, “Rebel Girl,” Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah, Kill Rock Stars, 1992
Fela Kuti, “Zombie”, Zombie, Knitting Factory Records, 1977
Leonard Cohen, “Everybody Knows,” I’m Your Man, Columbia, 1988
The Easybeats, “Friday On My Mind”, Friday on My Mind (Single), United Artists, 1966
Joe Jackson, “Sunday Papers,” Look Sharp!, A&M, 1978
T-Bone Walker, “Stormy Monday (But Tuesday is Just as Bad),” Stormy Monday (But Tuesday is Just as Bad) (Single), Black & White, 1947
Frank Sinatra, “Sunday, Monday or Always,” Sunday, Monday or Always (Single), Columbia, 1943
The Beatles, “Eight Days A Week,” Beatles for Sale, Parlophone, 1964
The Rolling Stones, “Ruby Tuesday,” Between the Buttons, Decca, 1967
Charles Mingus, “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting,” Me, Myself an Eye, Atlantic, 1979
Morphine, “Thursday,” Cure for Pain, Rykodisc, 1993
Cee Lo Green, “Bright Lights Bigger City,” The Lady Killer, Elektra, 2010
Cure, “Friday I’m In Love”, Wish, Elektra, 1992
Loverboy, “Working For The Weekend,” Get Lucky, Columbia, 1981
Elton John, “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, MCA. 1973
Etta James, “A Sunday Kind of Love,” At Last!, Argo, 1961
Yeasayer, “Folk Hero Schtick,” Fragrant World, Secretly Canadian, 2012
Yeasayer, “Henrietta,” Fragrant World, Secretly Canadian, 2012
Jim Croce, “Operator,” Don’t Mess Around With Jim, ABC, 1972
Insane Clown Posse, “Boogie Woogie Wu”, The Great Milenko, Island, 1997
The Stranglers, “No More Heroes, “ No More Heroes, United Artists, 1977
The Dead Kennedys, “California Uber Alles,” Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables, Optional Music, 1979
Passion Pit, “I’ll Be Alright” Gossamer, Columbia, 2012
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