I really don't know too much about this guy other than he is on Barsuk and a bunch of people like him. A few years back I really stopped reading most music press other than Buddyhead and online zines like Bornbackwards and Lost At Sea... It left me in a comfortable and weird enclave of just waiting for the information to eventually surface up to me or someone to just suggest something to me. Working at a record store for years in the 90s already left me with tons of vinyl that I still have never listened to plus the whole dance punk and neo-hair-metal revival of 2000s "emo" never appealed to me so I figured I'd wait out some generational trends. So, onto this post... I like some of John V's songs, haven't heard a complete album but my pals really dig him and I heard he has a recording studio. He seems like class-A nerd with some talent. These tracks are enjoyable, in particular "Pale Horse" which has great lo-fi meets hi-fi contrast in the sound. His voice reminds me of a non-conflicted more confident Jeremy Enigk. A great track! The second one "Bill Gates Must Die" is a confusing one to me as I don't really think Bill Gates should die, of course he is a shrewd businessman but he also gives lots of money to help unfortunate people. If anything Johnny boy can say "all corporations can die", I think it would be a more positive attempt at spectacular statements. And finally the track "Trance Manual" is good tune with layered keyboards and vocals.
DOWNLOAD JOHN VANDERSLICE "PALE HORSE"
DOWNLOAD JOHN VANDERSLICE "BILL GATES MUST DIE"
DOWNLOAD JOHN VANDERSLICE "TRANCE MANUAL"
BUY JOHN VANDERSLICE MUSIC ON ITUNES
Posted by: Meep Mop | Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 04:49 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxUl9Mxbh1E
Posted by: Meep Mop | Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 04:50 PM
this entry reads a bit like a monologue in "american psycho" by bret easton ellis. i can dig that.
john vanderslice is alright, though.
- ryan
Posted by: ryan r. | Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 05:50 PM
john v's studio in sf is called tiny telephone. all analog all the time...
Posted by: jfwhiteside | Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 09:54 PM
I can't get into that dance-shit either. I barely see live music now, unless it's Megadeth or The Soundtrack Of Our Lives or Electric Wizard.
Posted by: John | Monday, September 11, 2006 at 02:04 PM
I wish all these entries were written by jason bateman. Fuck how cool would that be?
Posted by: Travis keller | Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 01:53 PM
I think you mean Patrick Bateman. Jason Bateman is an actor (I've never seen any of his TV shows, so I can't say if he blows or not).
Posted by: Spencer Carr | Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 02:29 PM
Jason Bateman doesn't blow at all. He starred in Arrested Development which, in my opinion, was the funniest American sitcom since Seinfeld. Unforunately it only lasted two and a half seasons before it got the axe.
Also I saw Vanderslice live once and I wanted to curl up and take a nap. But his tunes are alright.
Posted by: Andrew | Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 05:43 PM
I fell asleep at an Engine Kid show once... seriously. I was beaten into submission because it was soooo freakin' loud. It was so loud that there were noise complaints at the Black Cat which is a very well put together club in DC that NEVER gets noise complaints. Seriously folks... Engine Kid.. Mr. Greg Goatsnake/SUNN... loud dude on a geetar.
Posted by: Shelbot | Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 09:06 AM