Brooklyn-based five-piece Extra Life will release their second album, Made Flesh, on LOAF Recordings in March 2010. Extra Life is the primary musical vehicle for Charlie Looker, singer, guitarist and composer, who has become one of the most intense and respected voices in the New York experimental underground. Looker was a core member of legendary brutal chamber ensemble Zs and has also worked with diverse artists such as Dirty Projectors, Glenn Branca, William Parker and the S.E.M. Ensemble.
Sebadoh / On Fire
So gorgeous in such an understated way. When I was a kid, I really rejected this whole scene of bands because it was just too Indie and “tasteful” for me. Now I can really feel the elegance. Our drummer Nick got the whole band obsessed with this song on our last big tour. I have a really beautiful memory of a long night drive through Utah, laying in the back of the van curled up among the bags, this song playing, slightly tripping on a low dose of mushrooms, with the rattling van gently vibrating my entire body like a big filthy massage chair.
Megadeth / Liar
This was one of my first favorite bands when I was ten. They were my first concert, as well. I just returned to them after years because I’ve been hearing that their new record is an amazing comeback. Anyway, So Far So Good … has got to be the darkest, creepiest record in their classic catalogue. Liar in particular reminds me how punk they actually were.
Jadakiss feat. Nate Dogg / Time is Up
I’m not a particularly deep hip-hop head, but I love this song from a couple of years ago. Jadakiss has the sickest voice and cadence. He’s obviously just born to emcee. I love that little signature cough/laugh thing he does on every track to announce his presence. That’s such a deep thing to come up with, this weird little unique vocal sound you always make before you even start rapping. I love Nate Dogg, too. His voice has this awesome mix of soulfulness and cold detachment, softly cooing these violent threats.
Converge / Wretched World
Converge is one of my all-time favorite heavy bands. I saw them in Boston around when Jane Doe came out and the shit was just bananas. This new record might even be their best. This song is the closer. Closing a record with gang vocals is awesome. The new Extra Life record ends that way.
Tommy James and the Shondells / Crimson and Clover
Just gorgeous, what can I say? I actually hadn’t heard this song in many years and last week one of my guitar students asked to learn it. I know the Shondells have a bunch of other amazing classic songs but I can’t remember which.
Christian Death / Romeo’s Distress
I had never actually heard this band until a couple of years ago. I had always assumed they were just a goth theater thing without any musical content. Boy, was I wrong! Awesome chord progression, great angular guitar riff. It’s totally a punk rock song but with those 80s synth fake strings I’m just a sucker for. And I find the opening lyric about burning crosses neither offensive nor silly. What.
Prurient / Historically, Women Use Poison to Kill
This keyboard riff has a somewhat Medieval chant vibe to it, which, of course, I’m all about. The title alone is so fucking intense and perfect for this record loosely about drugs and misogyny. But then the lyrics seem to be about botany? Even deeper. I hear this guy Dominic is really cool. I’d be interested to meet him.
Parenthetical Girls / Thank God It’s Not Christmas
I love Parenthetical Girls. Friends of mine, awesome people, awesome band. This song is a Sparks song, which I didn’t know until the Parenthetical Girls cover. Beautiful simple melody, sardonic lyrics. I’m not that into Christmas myself. The last Parenthetical Girls record was an incredible orchestral suite, but I’m definitely into hearing them return to the synths again, too.
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