World (Cup) In Motion

Ah, the World Cup... that other sporting event that brings the entire world together every four years. There are a ton of traditions that happen with the event. The exchange of jerseys, the chants, the drinking. We Americans have a tradition too. Every four years we pretend to care about soccer.

Oh, I know, everyone was jacked up about Landon Donovan’s goal last week. And you can’t turn on a sports radio station without hearing someone say it could be a turning point for soccer in America, but that’s wishful thinking. Don’t get me wrong, I like soccer. I grew up playing it, and winning the league championship in my "rookie" season remains one of my favorite childhood memories (I still have the trophy). But it’s never going to catch on in the US the way it has in the rest of the world. I mean, we get excited about Olympic hockey every four years too, but that doesn’t mean the NHL is ever going to reach the popularity that MLB or the NFL enjoys. Let’s face it, we’re too hooked on our own brand of football to every really get on board.

So why I am talking about sports on a music blog? Well….

In 1990, New Order recorded "World in Motion" as England’s official anthem for that year’s World Cup. Surprisingly it was New Order's only number one single in the UK. I picked it up back in the days when I would buy anything that any band I liked put out. I'm not nearly the completist I was back in those days, which is probably a good thing, because this song never really grew on me. But with the whole planet caught up in World Cup fever, I figured it was a good excuse to dig it out, dust it off, and post it as a Monday Morning b-side.

New Order - "World In Motion (The B-Side)" (mp3)

Together

The New Pornographers - Together

If I had written about Together when it first came out a month ago, this would have been a much different review. My first impression after a couple of listens was that it was merely OK, and it didn't seem as catchy as their previous efforts. But after a week or so I started noticing how many of the songs were playing in my head at odd times... and not the obvious ones like "Crash Years" or "Your Hands (Together)." It was seemingly unlikely candidates like "My Saviour" that found themselves bouncing around my cranium while I was mowing the lawn or taking a shower. So I went back to the album with fresh ears, and was happy to discover that while Together might not have the rambunctious energy of Mass Romantic or Electric Version, that doesn't mean that the hooks aren't there. They're just surrounded with more lush and laid back musical settings. It's really a trend that started with Challengers, I guess it's just a bit more noticeable this time around.

The New Pornographers - "Your Hands (Together)" (mp3) removed by request

The New Pornographers will be playing in Nashville at the Mercy Lounge on Sunday, June 27.

You Won't See Me

I got all excited when I heard that Paul McCartney was coming to town. Sure he's put out some pretty mediocre music in the last thirty years since Wings broke up, but there have also been a few gems in there ("My Brave Face" ranks up there with the best of his 70's solo stuff). Plus, you know, he was in that Beatle group.

And then I went and forgot that tickets went on sale this morning. And while the show is not yet sold out, the cheapest remaining ticket is $277 a pop, which puts it firmly out of my price range. Fuck.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to console myself with The New Pornographers. And The National. And maybe Arcade Fire, if that one hasn't sold out already too.