Ben's Recs: BenFest (No Holograms Allowed)

By: Ben Haager, General Manager

During this past week's installment of ACRN's Best Gosh Darn News Show hosted by Chris Dobstaff, Scott Smith and myself, Scott posed the question of what six bands Chris and I would have headline a festival (reuniting bands included). No holograms allowed since they are dumb. In fact, there may be a Disco Demolition-type public destruction of all hologram technology at my festival.

B. B. King and Buddy Guy: Is having two artists as a headliner a way to cheat the six band max? Absolutely. But I don't care. I just wanna see B. B. And Buddy jam together before it is too late. I've already seen Buddy, so B. B. would do just fine on his own. But the two bluesmen on the same stage would be phenomenal. 

Rage Against the Machine: Rage has been performing sporadically over the past couple years, so this is a possibility that I'm definitely willing to entertain. They would be required to play, at the very least, one new track because we all know they have some.

They'll begin with this: 

Violent Femmes: This would be a tough reuniting, since singer Gordon Gano and bassist Brian Ritchie clearly have some issues to work out. But hey, it's not like they're Creedence. And the Pixies have reunited multiple times. 

Soundgarden/Temple of the Dog/Pearl Jam: Soundgarden is back and Pearl Jam really has never left. So this is what is going to happen: Soundgarden is going to play a set. Then Eddie, Stone, Jeff and Mike will reunite with Chris and Matt (that's right, I'm on a first name basis) on stage for some Temple of the Dog songs. Then Chris will leave and Pearl Jam will play. It'll be a re-enactment of the formation of Pearl Jam. Also, Matt Cameron, who drums for all three, might die from exhaustion.

Watch the Throne: Need I say more than Kanye West and Jay-Z? One stipulation: they can not perform “Lift Off.” Although Beyonce will be allowed on stage for visual appeal.  

(Apparently Kanye has decided skirts are in)

Metallica: My brother has seen 'Tallica play and I haven't. That will be fixed. Lou Reed is not allowed within a 100-mile radius of the festival to prevent any Lulu temptations. Also, no St. Anger. 

Chris' Recs: Best of 2013 (So Far)

By: Chris Dobstaff, Editorial Director

I’m just going to admit it: 2012 was kind of a “meh” year for music. Don’t get me wrong, there were some damn good albums that came out last year. But it’s undeniable that there were some months where I felt as if there was a lull in interesting music.

Thus far, 2013 has been an entirely different story. Only a few months in and I have already listened to quite a few albums that are contenders for my year-end list, with many more on the way. With that in mind, let’s talk about some of my favorite songs that have come out in what could perhaps be one of the best music years in recent memory.

1. Foxygen – "Shuggie"

This band came out of nowhere for me. With the release of its sophomore album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic (which was released just six months after the band's debut), Foxygen captured my ears with a sound that was familiar, yet new. "Shuggie" is a perfect demonstration of the '60s acid-inspired sound you'll get from this San Francisco group. Just wait until the funky middle eight, and you'll jump right on this bandwagon, too.

2. The Strokes – "Slow Animals"

If you want the old Strokes, turn away. While we can all agree that Angles was a poor effort on nearly all accounts, the band's fifth album, Comedown Machine, is filled with gems such as "Slow Animals," which makes no apologies for the new '80s direction of the band. Minimalism is gone. This song sparkles in all the right ways, using guitars sparingly until the chorus kicks in. But the real treat is the song's bridge, which is catchier than the chorus. What you're getting here is a completely different band, but it's still one hell of a track.

3. Vampire Weekend – "Diane Young"

Everyone's favorite Ivy Leaguers are back! Vampire Weekend's sophomore effort was hit and miss at best, causing me to think that maybe they were a one-album wonder. "Diane Young" gives us all some hope that this isn't the case. The song has that same Vampire Weekend playfulness we've all come to love, but it's much more intense. With jaw-dropping drumming and the vocal distortions of Ezra Koenig, this one's already a lock for one of my top songs of the year.

4. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – "Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)"

Honestly, the guitar work in this song is better than anything I've heard so far this year. Just listen to that riff. It's so mellow, and yet it still floors me every time I hear it.

5. Mount Moriah – "Younger Days"

Mount Moriah's second album kicks off with "Younger Days," a song that highlights the gorgeous, Americana vocals of singer Heather McEntire. "August is over, / So when are coming back?" she sings at the chorus. On this song, McEntire is giving Neko Case a run for her money. Watch out for this band in the next couple of years.

Chris' Recs: Thanksgiving Leftovers

By: Chris Dobstaff, Editorial Director

Well, Thanksgiving is over, and I know that I've had my fair share of leftover sandwiches over the past few days. But musically, I'm at a crossroads. Do I immediately switch over to Christmas music? That's a big commitment. It's like saying, "Yeah, I'm going to be merry for an ENTIRE month." No. I can't do that right now. Because hey, it's not even December yet. So let's explore some of the best non-holiday music worth checking out during this confusing time of the year.

1. Amanda Palmer - "The Killing Type"

This song from the sometimes controversial, always entertaining ex-Dresden Doll is, without a doubt, one of her best in a long time. Sure, last year's "Map of Tasmania" was a fun look at Palmer's view on female pubic hair, but "The Killing Type" is one of those powerful songs that sticks with you and begs to be played again. The explosive two-part chorus reveals Palmer's true feelings about an ex-lover, and while she insists that she's "not the killing type," she immediately follows by singing, "But I would kill to make you feel." It's a chill-inducing song for anyone who has ever felt wronged at the end of a relationship.

2. The Cute Lepers - "Terminal Boredom"

I was lucky enough to see The Cute Lepers in front of about 10 people at the Agora Theater in Cleveland back when I was in high school. Apart from having a kickass name, this West Coast punk group's album Can't Stand Modern Music is packed with 11 short tracks powered by three-chord bursts of energy and a couple of seductive female backup singers. Oh, and the group's lead singer goes by the name Steve E. Nix. Yep.

3. Sharon Van Etten - "Serpents"

I cannot deny my love for this woman. After seeing Sharon Van Etten on a scorchingly hot day at Lollapalooza last summer, I walked away entranced. Although her music would fit better in a small, dark club, her performance that day was phenomenal. Van Etten's songwriting is superb, and "Serpents" is one of the best examples of it. One of the heavier songs off her 2012 album Tramp, "Serpents" features one of my favorite lyrics of the year. "You enjoy sucking on dreams / So I will fall asleep with someone other than you," she spits with venom. 

4. Titus Andronicus - "In a Big City"

When I first heard Titus Andronicus' Local Business, a more bare, straight-up punk record than the band's 2010 epic The Monitor, I was conflicted. While I enjoyed the songs, they felt empty. However, as I continued to give the album additional listens, it all began to make sense. Titus Andronicus made the smart move by not trying to make a bigger record than The Monitor, because it would have failed. Instead, the group scaled it back, and you get songs like "In a Big City." The video shoot took over 24 hours to complete, and with the continual closeups of lead singer Patrick Stickles' face, you'll begin to get more meaning behind seemingly positive lyrics like, "And some of my dreams are coming true."

5. Led Zeppelin - "Since I've Been Loving You"

Off Led Zeppelin's best album (fight me), "Since I've Been Loving You" features some of my favorite guitar plucking from Mr. Jimmy Page. It's a bluesy track and Robert Plant absolutely kills it on vocals, but Page takes the cake. Listen and enjoy.

6. Skyfall

No, it's not a song. And it doesn't have anything to do with music (except for Adele's superb theme song), but if you have somehow managed to avoid the new Bond flick, you're missing out. Daniel Craig is at his best, and while Skyfall is no Casino Royale, it still kicks the ass of every single Pierce Brosnan adventure. James Bond is a hero to enjoy during the holidays, and typically one that your parents will want to check out as well. So there ya go: nearly three hours of quality time with your family and you don't have to say a word to them. You're welcome.