Completely Conspicuous 309: Top of the Rock

Part 3 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we discuss our favorite music of 2013. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").



Show notes:
- Recorded at Clicky Clicky World HQ
- JB's #1
- Speedy Ortiz jumped to Carpark Records
- Sadie Dupuis is an actual poet
- JK's #1
- Queens of the Stone Age went to interesting places on ...Like Clockwork
- Matador's first #1 record
- Favorite live shows
- JB saw Lilys in a tiny venue
- Whirr and Nothing at Great Scott made Breitling's brain shake
- Krill, Speedy Ortiz record release shows
- Saw Soccer Mom several times
- JK: Golden Gurls, Soccer Mom and Reports at TT's
- Clicky Clicky benefit was great
- Saw Titus Andronicus twice
- Obits and Pile at TT's
- Just got ticket for Rocket From the Crypt reunion show in April
- Mission of Burma and Reports at the Sinclair
- JK: Vinyl continued to make comeback
- JB: The reality of YouTube as a legit streaming music service
- No sympathy for the record industry
- We're in a pop-driven era
- Novelty songs, bubblegum were huge
- Rock bands have no staying power on the charts
- Anticipated albums for '14
- JB: Johnny Foreigner, Lubec, Soccer Mom, Golden Gurls, White Laces
- JK: Titus Andronicus, Malkmus, Speedy Ortiz EP, Soccer Mom
- Many '80s bands will release new albums

Music:
Speedy Ortiz - No Below (live)
Mudhoney - I Like It Small

METZ - Can't Understand

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Speedy Ortiz song is on the band's Epitonic Saki Session. Download the song for free at Epitonic.

The Mudhoney song is on the album Vanishing Point on Sub Pop. Download it for free from Sub Pop.
The METZ song is part of the Adult Swim Singles Series. Download the song for free at Stereogum.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 308: Your Favorite Thing

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we discuss our favorite music of 2013. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded at Clicky Clicky World HQ
- JK's #6
- New Bowie album was kept secret until it came out
- Cover art's either brilliant or lazy...or both
- JB's #5
- Los Campesinos! perseveres through lineup changes
- JK's #5
- The Chunk keeps bringing the rock
- Jon Wurster's the busiest guy in rock
- R.I.P., The Best Show on WFMU
- JB's #4
- The long-awaited MBV album
- Getting the album was a chore
- Kevin Shields took his time
- JK's #4
- Strong leap forward for Speedy Ortiz
- New EP on the way
- Memories of Epitonic
- JB's #3
- Veronica Falls' album sounds like a singles comp
- JK's #3
- Back to Philly with Kurt Vile
- Vile was a frequent guest on The Best Show
- JK's #2
- Krill first released album on USB stick in ball of mozzarella
- JB: My default setting is to hate everything
- JK's #2
- Arctic Monkeys' sound has evolved
- Went from punk to stoner rock to catchier R&B feel
- Very English band
- To be continued

Music:
Los Campesinos! - What Death Leaves Behind
Superchunk - FOH

Krill - Never a Joke

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Los Campesinos song is on the album No Blues on Wichita Recordings. Download the song for free at Soundcloud.

The Superchunk song is on the  I Hate Music on Merge Records. Download the song for free as part of the Merge Records Summer Sampler 2013 on Amazon.

The Krill song is on the band's self-released album Lucky Leaves. Download the song for free at Gimme Tinnitus.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 307: Ramble On

Part 1 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we discuss our favorite music of 2013. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded at Clicky Clicky World HQ
- Breitling's working on a new catchphrase
- Zeppelin's on Spotify
- Brought to you (not really) by Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
- When did year-end lists begin?
- Breitling: Listen to Bandcamp and Soundcloud all day
- Olive the dog nearly causes technical difficulties
- JB's albums that just missed his top 10: It Hugs Back, Bent Shapes, Kal Marks, Slowdim
- JK's bubbling under albums: Iceage, Diarrhea Planet, Deer Tick, Swearin', Mudhoney, YLT
- JB's #10
- Joey Sweeney's second solo album
- JK's #10
- Great return to form for Barrence Whitfield
- JB's 9
- Guillermo Sexo album was picked up by Midriff Records
- JK's #9 and JB's #8 are the same
- Ovlov plays the hot rock
- Exploding in Sound label had a monster year
- Music scene in the Boston area is terrific right now
- JK's #8
- Future of the Left's latest album was crowdfunded
- JB's #7
- Beyonce's new album release isn't that groundbreaking
- Calories did it last month
- The upside of releasing "pay what you want" music
- JK's #7
- Savages' debut album is excellent
- JB's #6
- Radiator Hospital is another Philly act with a fine 2013 release
- To be continued

Music:
Guillermo Sexo - Fall Lens
Calories - Neighbours

Savages - She Will

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Guillermo Sexo song is on the album Dark Spring on Midriff Records. Download the song for free at Soundcloud.
The Calories song is on the album Calories III. Download the song for free at Bandcamp.
The Savages song is on the album Silence Yourself on Matador. Download the song for free as part of the Matador Intended Play 2013 sampler on Amazon.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 306: Mystery Achievement

Part 3 of my conversation with guest Brian Salvatore as we look back at the music of 1980. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded via Skype
- Jay's #3
- Bowie's last great album?
- Jay: Tin Machine was an interesting experiment
- Brian's #2
- Sandinista! is a bloated, but great, album
- The Clash went to great lengths to keep price down
- A little better than Extreme's triple album
- A case study of success going to a band's 'head'
- TV theme producer Mike Post produced VH III
- Jay's #2 pick is Brian's #1
- Brian: "Once in a Lifetime" is one of the stranger smash hits of all time
- Great albums created after a serious case of writer's block
- Jay's #1
- Pretenders debut is flawless
- Band only formed two years earlier
- Half the band was dead within three years
- Crappy recording techniques hadn't started yet in 1980
- Next up: 1998

Music:
Shy Boys - Is This Who You Are
Dog Day - Wasted

PUP - Reservoir

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Shy Boys song is on the band's self-titled album on High Dive. Download it for free at Soundcloud. 
The Dog Day song is on the album Fade Out on Fundog Records. Download the song for free at Chromewaves.

The PUP song is on the band's self-released and self-titled album. Download the song for free at Bandcamp.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 305: And the Cradle Will Rock...

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Brian Salvatore as we look back at the music of 1980. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").



Show notes:
- Recorded via Skype
- Roller disco was once a thing
- Brian: Mainstream American rock was in a slump
- Just missed Brian's top 5: Queen's The Game
- Lennon's Double Fantasy and McCartney II
- The legend of Linda
- Others include: Peter Gabriel's Melt, the debut of the Lounge Lizards
- Jay: Blizzard of Ozz, Permanent Waves, Heaven and Hell, Empty Glass
- Townshend's writing style had changed
- Max Webster's Universal Juveniles
- Band combined Rush and Zappa influences
- 1980 was one of four years in Zappa's recording career he didn't release an album
- Brian's #5
- Pretenders' debut was amazing
- Jay's #5
- Back in Black was surprising given Bon Scott's death months earlier
- The expanding umbrella of classic rock
- Brian's #4
- Ozzy's solo debut reinvented his image
- Singers who don't write lyrics
- Jay's #4
- Jay: Melt is my favorite Gabriel album
- The greatness of Gabriel's early solo work
- Brian: Face Dances would be considered a great Townshend solo album
- Brian's #3
- Interesting debut from the Feelies
- Unlikely but successful Feelies comeback in recent years
- Rooting for local acts
- To be continued

Music:
The Harmonica Lewinskies - Jesus Christ is Just Rock and Roll
Idiot Genes - Soaked Pillow

Tame Impala - Feels Like We Only Go Backwards (Chrome Canyon De-mix)

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Harmonica Lewinskies song is available for free download (in exchange for your email address) at Bandcamp.
The Idiot Genes song is on the album Lousey. Download the song for free at Bandcamp.

The Tame Impala song is on the album Lonerism on Modular Recordings. Download the remix of the song for free at Epitonic.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 304: Freedom of Choice

Part 1 of my conversation with guest Brian Salvatore as we look back at the music of 1980. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded via Skype
- Brian: 1980 was a much better year for music than our last choice, '87
- Jay: Was living in Toronto in '80
- Brian: Was -2 years old, but really dig the music of 1980
- Jay: New wave and post-punk really came into their own: B-52s, Talking Heads, U2, Pretenders
- Brian: Arena rock bands like Queen and Rush took different paths
- New sounds on the radio
- Brian: Guitar rock was strong with VH, Ozzy, Sabbath, AC/DC
- Poor Bob Daisley
- New Wave of British Heavy Metal: Maiden, Leppard, Motorhead all influenced thrash scene that emerged a few years later
- Worst musical moments: Wuss rock like Christopher Cross and Air Supply thrived
- Brian: Blues Brothers movie came out
- Put spotlight on music that was considered unhip at the time
- Early hip-hop in the mainstream: Kurtis Blow, Blondie's "Rapture," Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight"
- The Clash were incredibly prolific: London Calling and Sandinista! both came out within less than a year
- The crumminess of Cut the Crap
- Worst musical moment: John Lennon was killed
- Other deaths included John Bonham, Bon Scott, Ian Curtis, Darby Crash
- Death of the Beatles: John killed, Paul was busted, George's album was held up, Ringo was wasted
- Led Zeppelin also broke up in 1980
- Trading hockey cards for a Rush album is uniquely Canadian
- Soundtrack of Decline of Western Civilization came out in late '80 - To be continued

Music:
Calories - DMT
Shearwater - A Wake for the Minotaur
Mark Kozelek - I Know

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Calories song is on the album Calories III. Download the song for free at Bandcamp.
The Shearwater song is on the album Fellow Travelers on Sub Pop. Download the song for free at The Current.
The Mark Kozelek song is on the compilation album You Be My Heart benefiting 826 National. Download the song for free at GLGPub.com.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian. 

Completely Conspicuous 303: Mellow Yellow

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Ric Dube as we discuss a pair of 1970s hitmakers. Listen to the episode below or download directly (right click and "save as").

Show notes:
- Recorded at More Lost Time world HQ
- "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree"
- Tony Orlando and Dawn got their own variety show
- Telma Hopkins of Dawn went on to appear in several sitcoms
- Renewed popularity during Gulf War
- Actually about coming home from prison
- Was "Knock Three Times" a swingers' anthem?
- By the late '70s, Tony Orlando was forgotten
- "He Don't Love You" was another big hit
- In praise of KC and the Sunshine Band
- Tales of KC's pratfall in Vegas
- "Please Don't Go" was a major hit for KC
- "I'm Your Boogie Man" was funky, great stuff
- Learning about music as a kid in the '70s
- Young Ric saw the Sex Pistols on Howard Cosell's "Saturday Night Live"
- Good bands played on "Fridays" on ABC
- Dick Clark was a brilliant businessman, not necessarily a music lover
- Check out episode 54 of More Lost Time, remembering Charlie Chesterman
- Coming soon: Ric and Jay's video show Trust Fund Challenge
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Little Big League - Lindsey
Soft Focus - Runner Up
Idiot Genes - Regular
Wavves - Horse Shoes

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Little Big League song is on the self-released album These Are Good People. Download the song for free on Bandcamp.
The Soft Focus song is on the EP Day. Download the EP for free at Bandcamp.
The Idiot Genes song is on the album Lousey. Download the song for free at Bandcamp.
The Wavves song was released as a one-off single. Download the song for free at Epitonic.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 302: Lights Out

Part 1 of my conversation with guest Ric Dube as we discuss an unlikely number one single from 1973. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click or "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded at More Lost Time world HQ
- Talking about Vicki Lawrence's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia"
- We forgot to watch the movie
- Was a hit in '73, not '71
- Written by Bobby Russell
- Lawrence was already a regular on The Carol Burnett Show
- Later starred in Mama's Family and her own talk show
- Very confusing story song about murder and infidelity
- Song was offered to Cher but Sonny Bono nixed it
- Later covered by Reba McEntire
- Ric: Should've been an animated movie with animals
- Revenge and death throughout
- We're confused
- Casey Kasem would've been annoyed
- Bobby Russell had two top 40 songs of his own
- "1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero" hit #36
- Could've used an oompah band
- Satire on suburban life
- "Saturday Morning Confusion" got up to #28 in 1971
- Merging Charlie Rich and Harry Nilsson
- Ric: This guy might be a genius
- Next up: Tony Orlando and Dawn
- To be continued
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Pixies - Indie Cindy
Quasi - You Can Stay But You Got to Go
The Julie Ruin - Oh Come On
Ghost Wave - Here She Comes

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Pixies song is on the self-released EP-1.
The Quasi song is on the album Mole City on Kill Rock Stars.
The Julie Ruin song is on the album Run Fast on TJR Records.
The Ghost Wave song is on the album Ages on Flying Nun Records. All four songs can be downloaded for free at KEXP.


The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 301: The Horror! The Horror!

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Matt Phillion as we discuss horror flicks and rooting for the bad guy. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Movies we watched before we were ready
- Jay: Psycho at age 8
- Matt: Monster movies always freaked him out
- The reinvention of Jackie Earle Haley
- Swamp Thing vs. Man-Thing
- Sympathizing with unsympathetic characters
- Liam Neeson is the new Charles Bronson
- Watch out for giant deformed hillbillies
- Cool TV shows that didn't last long
- American Horror Story is pretty wacky
- Bates Motel is good
- Rooting for the charismatic bad guy: Tony Soprano, Vic Mackey, Loki
- Bad guy roles are more fun to play
- Watching crappy movies like 2012
- Amazing acting on In Treatment
- The varied and great career of the Coen Brothers
- Cormac McCarthy, horror writer?
- Stephen King keeps adding to old books
- Matt wearing clown makeup scares people
- People like to be scared
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Fu Manchu - Robotic Invasion
Pissed Jeans - Cathouse

JEFF the Brotherhood - Melting Place

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Fu Manchu song is on the EP Scion AV Presents Fu Manchu and Moab. Download the song for free at Soundcloud.
The Pissed Jeans song is on the album Honeys on Sub Pop. Download the song for free at SubPop.com.

The JEFF the Brotherhood song is on the compilation Garage Swim. Download the song for free at Adult Swim.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 300: Fear Factor

Part 1 of my conversation with guest Matt Phillion as we discuss Halloween and horror flicks. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Salem, Mass., is Halloween Central
- Just a straight-out fun holiday
- Can be frustrating for those who live in Salem
- Old-school newspaper pro-tip: Keep booze in yer desk
- "Write drunk, edit sober"
- As a kid, Matt was excited to dress up on Halloween
- Jay: All about the candy
- In NH, rural location meant we didn't have trick-or-treaters
- Don't get that many now
- Matt's costumes over the years: Robin, Julius Caesar
- Jay: Moses, Don King, Bootsy Collins
- Matt has a Batman mask this year
- When kids are scared of your costume
- Enjoyed Halloween more as an adult
- The Lunchlady and the Flasher
- Scary movies are fun
- Matt: Blair Witch had a great gimmick, not a great story
- So much more scary watching movies by yourself
- Matt: The Saw movies are terrible, but creepy
- Zombie movies are everywhere
- Allegory for fear of disease
- Real-life face-eating is scarier
- Horror movie remakes are coming out all the time
- Jay: Still remember the trailer for the late '70s flick It's Alive
- Horror films are good investments
- Jay: Loved the film version of The Shining
- To be continued
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Dead Meadow - Yesterday's Blowin' Back
The Cloud Room - Mrs. Marquis de Sade

The Beatings - How Many Times Can You Say Goodbye to the Same Person?

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Dead Meadow song is on the album Warble Womb on Xemu Records. Download the song for free at RollingStone.com.
The Cloud Room song is on the compilation You Be My Heart. Download the song for free at Soundcloud.

The Beatings song is on the album Italiano on Midriff Records. Download the song for free at Epitonic.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 299: A Little Help From My Friends

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we discuss benefit concerts. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded at Casa Breitling before a live studio audience
- Breitling's hosting the 2nd annual Community Servings benefit show on Nov. 3 at TT the Bears in Cambridge, Mass.
- Featuring K. Heasley of Lilys, Soccer Mom, The Hush Now and Earthquake Party
- Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz will provide DJ sets
- Providing meals to the chronically ill
- Roger Waters held huge benefit show in Berlin in 1990
- Breitling was in Germany at the time
- The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert was huge in '92
- Two big post-9/11 concerts in NYC
- SARS benefit concert in 2003 was the biggest show in Canadian history, with the Stones, AC/DC, Rush
- Live 8 in 2005 was actually eight concerts in eight cities on the same day
- Pink Floyd reunited with Waters
- Did benefits have more impact in the past?
- Increased capacity to put on benefit shows now
- Hear 'N Aid was the mid-'80s metal version of We Are the World
- Featured a ridiculous number of guitar solos
- Big charity show in Boston earlier this year after the Marathon bombing
- Hot Stove Cool Music started in Boston, now also in Chicago
- Recent Crash Safely MS benefit ran four nights in Boston-area clubs
- Breitling: Bands and venue make benefits happen by giving their time
- Club bookers were a huge help
- Plenty of logistics to consider
- Last year Community Servings benefit was at Great Scott
- Different kind of benefit for Community Servings, reaching a different audience
- Get yer tickets now
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
The So So Glos - Emergency
Grooms - I Think We're Alone Now

Black Hearted Brother - This is How It Feels

Slowdim - Wishing Well

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The So So Glos song is on the compilation Shaking Through Volume 4. Download the comp for free at Bandcamp.
The Grooms song is on the album Infinity Caller on Western Vinyl. Download the song for free at Bandcamp.

The Black Hearted Brother song is on the album Stars Are Our Home on Slumberland Records. Download the song for free at Chromewaves.

The Slowdim song is a reworked version of a song on the band's self-titled album. Download the song for free at Bandcamp.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 298: Give 'Til It Hurts

Part 1 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we discuss the benefit concert he's organizing. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded at Casa Breitling before a live studio audience
- Breitling's hosting the 2nd annual Community Servings benefit show on Nov. 3 at TT the Bears in Cambridge, Mass.
- Featuring K. Heasley of Lilys, Soccer Mom, The Hush Now and Earthquake Party
- Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz will provide DJ sets
- Olive sniffs the recorder
- Get tickets now
- Providing meals to acutely ill folks
- Last year's event featured Johnny Foreigner
- Rock benefits have been happening for decades
- They seem less impactful now
- Live Aid was a huge event in 1985 with shows in Philly and London
- Controversy over charity administration
- The Concert for Bangaldesh in '71 was the first big charity concert
- The Secret Policeman's Ball was run by Amnesty International
- Sting's Rock for the Rainforest benefit has been happening for 20+ years
- Amnesty International's Conspiracy of Hope was a big deal in 1986
- Breitling: Axl Rose has Vince Neil-itis
- To be continued
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Shearwater - Fucked Up Life
Deer Tick - The Dream's in the Ditch

FIDLAR - Got No Money

Come - String (live)

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Shearwater song is on the album Fellow Travelers on Sub Pop. Download the song for free at Stereogum.
The Deer Tick song is on the album Negativity on Partisan Records. Download the song for free as part of the Partisan Records Summer/Fall Sampler 2013 on Amazon.

The FIDLAR song is on the EP Don't Try on Mom + Pop Music. Download the song for free at Chromewaves.

The Come song is part of the band's Epitonic Saki Session, which you can download for free at Epitonic.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.