The Pulse: Summer 2008
by Chuck Norton
08.16.08
The Pulse returns for a special pre-birthday edition. Here's a look at what people are actually listening during the summer of 2008.
Sam Mitchell - Decatur, GA
To whom have you been listening to this summer?
SM: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend, E.L.O. - Time, Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight, Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger, Cursive - The Ugly Organ, Coldplay - Viva la Vida, Beck - Modern Guilt, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Naturally, Otis Spann - Spann Blues, and Silver Jews - Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea.
Is there an artist or album that has surprised you?
SM: Vampire Weekend's album is surprisingly great to jog to. I find myself singing along while I'm running. It's completely derivative, but that's what's good about it. It's the music that you wish Paul Simon would put out now.
Most recommended artist/album of this year has been ... ?
SM: Rilo Kiley's Under the Blacklight is my favorite. Jenny Lewis never sounded sexier. Listen to "The Moneymaker" or the disco-y "Breakin' Up".
What is your preferred method music format?
SM: Losless MP3 from CD. Don't want to lose the highs or lows. I have also been listening to 1690 AM Voice of the Arts in Avondale. They will play Bob Dylan, Peter Tosh, and follow up with M. Ward. It's a great station if you can get it.
So far this year, to you, what is the most interesting music genre? Least intersting music genre?
SM: I definitely notice the music when I watch a movie.The most interesting would have to be instrumental programatic music for the big summer films. The Dark Knight had some of the most tense moments due to the score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. The audience knew bad things were to come and were grasping for the release of the tension form one bended note.
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Ian Wheeler - New York City
To whom have you been listening to this summer?
IW: Deer Tick, Luke Temple, The Standard, Holy Sons, Throw Me The Statue, and Dr. Dog,
Is there an artist or album that has surprised you?
IW: Positively: De Novo Dahl Move Every Muscle, Make Every Sound
Negatively: Old 97’s Blame It On Gravity
Most recommended artist/album of this year has been ... ?
IW: The Standard Swimmer, Dr. Dog Fate
What is your preferred method music format?
IW: Vinyl
So far this year, to you, what is the most interesting music genre? Least intersting music genre?
IW: Most interesting: avant folk
Least interesting: “mainstream indie rock” eg: Black Kids
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Jennifer Blake - Los Angeles
To whom have you been listening to this summer?
JB: My Morning Jacket, Mike Doughty, Black Crowes, and DeVandra Benhart.
Is there an artist or album that has surprised you?
JB: The Hold Steady's Stay Positive and I dig the Fleet Foxes and Him and Her.
Most recommended artist/album of this year has been ...
JB: Portishead - Third
What is your preferred method music format?
JB: African church choir... HA ....I'd have to go with Sirius radio, iPod, mix CD's.
So far this year, to you, what is the most interesting music genre?
Baroque harmonic pop. Least intersting music genre? Wanna be garage rock.
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Jordan Jeffares - Atlanta
To whom have you been listening to this summer?
JJ: Deerhunter, The Walkmen, Peter Bjorn and John, The Raveonettes, Kevin Drew, and Radiohead.
Is there an artist or album that has surprised you?
The Raveonettes Lust Lust Lust is fantastic.
Most recommended artist/album of this year has been ... ?
The Raveonettes Lust Lust Lust
What is your preferred method music format?
JJ: MP3
So far this year, to you, what is the most interesting music genre? Least intersting music genre?
JJ: This question just showed me that I need to diversify my listening habits.
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Katie Deedy-Robison - Brooklyn
To whom have you been listening to this summer?
KDR: Midlake, Fleet Foxes, Radiohead, Vampire Weekend (cheesy, but sooo addictive), Lone Pigeon, Bonnie Prince Billy, Richard Hawley, and Billy Joel.
Is there an artist or album that has surprised you?
KDR: Fleet Foxes' harmonies struck me more than I thought. It's really beautiful music, at times haunting, others cheerful. It reminded me how much I love hearing people who can actually SING and have talent.
Most recommended artist/album of this year has been ... ?
KDR: Did Midlake come out this year or last? I don't remember. Either Midlake or Fleet Foxes.
What is your preferred method music format?
KDR: Vinyl, Internet Radio (BBC music), MP3.
So far this year, to you, what is the most interesting music genre? Least intersting music genre?
KDR: Most: IndieFolk. I think. Not sure how to describe what I'm listening to... Least: Reggaeton
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Cyrus Shahmir - Atlanta
To whom have you been listening to this summer?
CS: CAN Monster Movie, third side of [The Beatles] the White Album (quite possibly
the best side of vinyl ever produced???), Spacemen 3, Perfect
Perscription, All The Saints Live, Sovus Radio Hello, Sovus Radio,
Tight Leather, Kinks Something else...
Is there an artist or album that has surprised you?
CS: Won't talk shit in print. Now defunct, Sovus Radio's lamented first album Hello, Sovus Radio is the best album to come out of Atlanta that no one has heard or possibly will ever hear.
Most recommended artist/album of this year has been ... ?
CS: My boys, All The Saints and also Sovus Radio. Both of their records are really awesome. Tight Leather are some wacked-out Lexington, KY skater dudes that make out there music. They're awesome live.
What is your preferred method music format?
CS: Tape play back in the studio. Vinyl. That or burned cds or an MP3 car converter.
So far this year, to you, what is the most interesting music genre? Least intersting music genre?
CS: There is no genre of music. Categories don't classify sound very well. Pop might mean poop or might mean gold?
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