tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104673392024-03-07T23:03:24.960-05:00Ye Wei Blog aka Wild TasteJason Gross, editor of music magazine Perfect Sound Forever, scours the musical landscape for the finest aural tidbits, plus info on my own projects that might be of interestPerfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.comBlogger559125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-73558211559022361202023-12-29T13:51:00.005-05:002023-12-29T14:24:46.592-05:002023's Greatest HitsWish I could think of something clever and witty to say here but this is just me sharing all the music I enjoyed in the past 12 months, listing the albums, singles (with a Spotify playlist) and reissues/archives, plus my reading list and links to my favorite videos and best music journalism of the year. Hope you find something new to discover here or at least argue about. Happy new Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-56933277540034178482022-12-23T22:27:00.018-05:002023-01-02T13:55:30.770-05:002022's Greatest HitsNo long explanations- these are all the good albums, singles and reissues I've heard this past year with some selected music-related books and films thrown in. Substack is fun and all but it doesn't accommodate but long lists like this. Hope you find something new to hear or something to argue about. Enjoy!ALBUMSPetrol Girls Baby (Hassle)Lucinda Williams Lu's Jukebox Vol. 6: You Are Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-81084236408689578602021-12-24T10:07:00.097-05:002022-12-24T22:54:48.429-05:002021's Greatest HitsAs I keep saying, 2021 > 2020 but that's not a huge compliment. Lots of really good records but honestly, not sure if there's a lot of great ones per se. Just happy that there's good music still coming out at all. Less singles to love but still plenty below, about 11 hours worth. And bless all the reissue labels that dig up old albums to love again and find new Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-5923333984702922102020-12-22T08:24:00.015-05:002021-01-10T22:20:41.155-05:002020's Greatest Hits- albums, singles, reissues/archivesThere's plenty of reasons to despise 2020, but even with the pandemic and the resulting isolation/depression/financial despair, musicians came through with a heap of good tunes. Below, I count 150 albums, over 350 songs, over 60 reissues archives, 15 music-related movies and almost two dozen music-related books. With all the inside-time, there were a lot of chances to relish this.&Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-6428457329016192552019-12-22T10:18:00.000-05:002020-02-11T23:59:08.885-05:002019's Greatest Hits
I just wanna say what an amazing year it was for singles. I actually came across over 250 of 'em and I'm sure that if I listened even more, it would been closer to 300. God bless all these artists below still making great tunes despite the shrinking pile of money available to most people in the music biz. Please support them whenever you can, or at least support the artists YOU lovePerfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-90012887706989289082018-12-19T21:03:00.000-05:002018-12-27T22:03:41.134-05:00Xmas Music 2018
If you want to give yourself a real gift this holiday season, avoid 2018 Christmas albums from Eric Clapton, Mike Love, Engelbert Humperdinck, LeeAnn Rimes, Michael McDonald, You'll have much better luck for glad tidings with these choices below instead. You'll find a nice variety here too, ranging from rap to country to 60's girl group to garage rock to ambient to Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-36351731496570149042018-12-17T22:13:00.000-05:002019-01-03T22:55:12.959-05:002018's Greatest Hits
Any year that you have dozens of good albums and about 200 good songs is a good year. I used to be nostalgic but not about decades ago but only a few years ago in the early part of THIS decade (see 2010, 2011, 2012), which I thought had an overflow of quality music that dipped a bit after that. Sure, this is all subjective and even if you think some of the albums below are contrary choicesPerfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-89627760593720500982017-12-28T11:26:00.000-05:002018-01-05T13:48:46.967-05:002017's Greatest Hits- albums, singles, reissues, books, movies, videos
2017 was kind of a schizzy year- tons of great singles, albums not so much maybe...
The best records I heard included part III of a great formula (Run the Jewels), a great live show revisiting an amazing catalog (Sleater-Kinney) and other albums that continuing on other impressive formulas, including Miguel, Omar Souleyman, the Bats, Antietam, Sweet Spirit, Jay-Z, Penguin Cafe, FireworksPerfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-44895282689034584942017-05-01T13:40:00.000-05:002017-05-01T13:40:51.104-05:00Beyond the Clouds: Ambient Excursions - RBMA NYCBeyond the Clouds: Ambient Excursions - RBMA NYC yesterday. Great event organized by Adam Shore.
Tops was Laraaji and Malcolm Cecil who set up for hours while others were playing but was worth it (also nabbed both to take photos with me). MC played an Electronic Valve Instrument (kind of a synth-sax) and did a great duet with theremin player Dorit Chrysler). Cecil also helped Stevie Wonder, Gil Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-59352394765942159902017-04-16T21:57:00.002-05:002017-04-16T21:57:35.461-05:00Sweet Spirit at FMU/Monty HallSweet Spirit at WFMU Studio last night. Sabrina Ellis is a great front-woman with charisma to spare. She alone makes them worth seeing but their new "St. Mojo" record is a winner- they've got a great glam/indie sound to them. See videos below, including their cover of Pulp's "Common People" (even better than William Shatner's).
Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-26748861364546342712017-04-15T13:17:00.001-05:002017-04-15T13:17:21.475-05:00UV-TV at Union PoolUV-TV at Union Pool last night. Maybe the best show I've seen since SXSW. Band has SY, surf music, maybe even the Go-Go's in them with a guitarist who truly shreds.See more about them here: UV-TV US TOUR 2017. Also see pics and videos from the show below.
Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-10202014907338679512017-04-14T09:44:00.002-05:002017-04-14T09:44:41.445-05:00New Order at Radio City, NYC- April 14, 2017These Manchester boys and girl still got it, especially when they ran through their 80's hits. Also convinced me that Gillian Gilbert is the heart/soul of this band- her synth riffs were amazing and even more so seeing that she was doing it all from one (Roland) keyboard. See videos below of them doing "Perfect Kiss" and "Blue Monday."
Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-77624915327721993932017-04-13T10:59:00.001-05:002017-04-13T10:59:59.264-05:00Charli XCX in NYC- April 2017Charli XCX at (le) poisson rouge last night. Kinda weird to see a great dance-pop star play at a place that I've seen so many jazz/avant/classical groups. People were lining up at 9AM to get a good standing spot for the show. We got there about 12 hours later and still had a good vantage point. 4th show I've seen from CX and probably her best- she's more confident than ever and knows how to Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-6238978957699945642017-04-04T20:24:00.001-05:002017-04-04T20:24:30.832-05:00PRETENDERS AT TERMINAL 5
Last night as I went through the security line, a guard saw my camera and told me "the artist (presumably Chrissie) said that no photos will be allowed and the show will be stopped if pictures are taken." I thought that this would be an interesting challenge for a shutter-bug like me but I also didn't want to risk shutting down a show 'cause I needed a snap. I did joke Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-5441239013085417602017-04-02T19:47:00.000-05:002017-04-02T19:48:49.021-05:00A Nonesuch Celebration in Brooklyn
Amazing night at BAM to celebrate Bob Hurwitz and Nonesuch Records. Line-up below in photos: Kronos Quartet, Stephen Merritt (Magnetic Fields), Mandy Patinkin (one of the evening's highlights with a Randy Newman medley), Devandra Banhart, Caetano Veloso and a salute from the label's composers to BH including Laurie Anderson, John Adams, Steve Reich. &Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-25337262904903790062017-04-01T12:28:00.004-05:002017-04-02T19:38:24.794-05:00SLEAFORD MODS IN BROOKLYN
After a 2-3 year absence good to see my fave white rap group from the UK back again, haranguing and such (though if you're a real hip hop fan, you need to check out that other great UK import, grime music). Tough to get Jason Williamson down as he was constantly in motion, swatting his head or cranking his arm behind his back, looking half like a police Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-72459703143662844862016-12-22T10:13:00.000-05:002017-01-17T16:46:55.979-05:002016's Greatest HitsEven with over 75 albums listed here, I was still a little underwhelmed album-wise with 2016. There was a lot of good music but the overall quality wasn't really up to what I heard earlier this decade (see lists for 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010). As for singles, I can't remember a year where I've heard more good SONGS- almost 150 noted below. In this streaming age, it's easier to Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-88969352038851811992015-12-27T16:26:00.002-05:002016-04-25T09:09:14.171-05:002015's Greatest HitsTis the season to dish about your favorite music of the year so I wanted to share my favorite music, plus videos, music-related books and movies. I know it sounds like showing off here (truth be known, I 'own' some of it via streaming) but a list like this is something I like to share so that other people might latch onto some lesser known titles I love or rethink so better known stuff theyPerfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-63624830134038320192015-05-12T21:57:00.001-05:002015-05-12T21:57:30.013-05:00Julie Ruin at House of Vans
After an ongoing bout with Lyme disease temporarily grounded punk legend Kathleen Hanna (also of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre), her latest band Julie Ruin had to go into hiatus last year, cancelling a tour. Just before that, they did a great show in Asbury Park NJ in April 2014 though- you can see photos and videos that I took from the show at TheBlot's tumblr site.
Now ready to return to Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-55920469885350588152015-05-12T09:54:00.002-05:002015-05-13T10:52:42.420-05:00Dr. John Cooper Clarke makes an NYC house call
Think you're a UK punk fan? You know the Pistols, Clash and all those legends but one unique chap stood among them- a poet who performed on the same stages as these bands of the time and even recorded with members of the Buzzcocks and the Fall among others. Manchester's John Cooper Clarke did solo readings also, bringing his cheeky and punky style to the Brit masses. Though Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-8540045001366932532015-03-26T15:03:00.003-05:002015-03-26T15:03:26.024-05:00SXSW 2015 RECAPS
Had lotsa fun as usual at the festival and a big thanks to the great people on my music magazine panel: Jim DeRogatis, Jaan Uhelski, Alex Gale, Ann Powers. I've been posting a bunch of photos and videos of all the stuff I saw (about 70 bands in all) at TheBlot including:
- Highlights from Day 1 - March 17th, including Barbettes, Songhoy Blues, Spoon, Moving Panoramas,Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-68262336511014341942015-02-08T11:59:00.002-05:002015-02-08T11:59:47.889-05:00How to Improve the Grammys
OK,
I understand why for even music fans, the Grammys are a jaded topic-
it's an empty, glitzy pageant and a way for the biz to try to boost
itself and congratulate itself. I used to watch it and enjoy it, mostly
for the unique mash-up of artists they'd do but even that's gotten kind
of tired. Otherwise, it's a way for artists to boost their resumes and
I'll probably just watch Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-59269757127650777112015-02-02T16:47:00.000-05:002015-02-02T16:47:06.304-05:00BOB DYLAN'S WEIRDEST HITS
For TheBlot, I wrote about the upcoming Dylan album Strangers in the Night where he takes on some Sinatra classics but covered more about what other kind of weird/odd/strange things he's done in his career, such as...
- The lingerie ad
- His Christian years where he'd lecture crowds about Jesus
- His Christmas album
And there's more. And with Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-31070031725172998002015-01-14T10:43:00.001-05:002015-01-14T14:51:26.186-05:00Best Music Writing of 2014 & more articles
Red Bull Music Academy was nice enough to let me do another year-end round up of "Best Music Journalism 2014" and while I'm always honored to get the chance to do this (previously for the good people at rockcritics.com, Blurt and PopMatters), I'm also always kind of let down by doing it too.
Mostly, that's because there's other articles I'd love to list but don't have the space for, not to Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10467339.post-47954327939148006202014-12-17T23:38:00.000-05:002018-04-26T08:22:47.958-05:002014's Greatest Hits
This was a great year for singles but for albums, there was a falling off. Not the usual 'today's music sucks' kinda vibe (which is tired) but the feeling that maybe the Net age is choking off creativity in some ways, especially as there's been plenty of good albums in the last few years (I heard a lot more good albums in 2013, 2012, 2011) but much less so that I've found this year, all Perfect Sound Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07835934697923014811noreply@blogger.com0