So, you may be asking why the hell I would use a title like, “All Hail Sigur Ros!”

It really is simple. Even though they are not among my favorites, I do consider them talented, and I do let their songs play from time to time on Pandora. Still, the reason I wrote that title is the concept of Sigur Ros. I am in love with the concept.

Maybe it is because I play guitar. Maybe it is because I like classical music so much. Maybe it is a lot of things. But when I listen to music, the lyrics just do not mean a whole lot to me. I seldom pay attention. I just like the flow. Sigur Ros manages to turn the voice into another instrument. It adds to the overall feel and spirit of the tune. They came up with their own language called Vonlenska, translated as Hopelandic. This is a bit from Wikipedia.

Vonlenska is a term used to describe the unintelligible lyrics sung by the band, in particular by Jón Þór Birgisson. It is also commonly known by the English translation of its name, Hopelandic. It takes its name from “Von”, a song on Sigur Rós’s debut album Von where it was first used.

Vonlenska is a non-literal language, without fixed syntax, and differs from constructed languages that can be used for communication; it lacks grammar, word meaning, and even distinct words. Instead, it consists of emotive syllables and phonemes; in effect, Vonlenska uses the melodic and rhythmic elements of singing without the conceptual content of language. In this way, it is similar to the use of scat singing in vocal jazz. The band’s website describes it as “a form of gibberish vocals that fits to the music”.^[21] Most of the syllable strings sung by Jón Þór Birgisson are repeated many times throughout each song, and in the case of ( ), throughout the whole album.

I love that!

All too often songs are from up and coming stars that have not lived a lot. I am not interested in their take on the world. Often artists have an agenda, I have no interest in that. Love songs? Give me a break.

Yes, some songs do have great lyrics, but even then I can take them are leave them. Songs for stage and musicals are the exception.

Making the voice another part of a song without me having to think about anything is just a grand idea. I don’t want to know what upsets Chester Bennington–which is obviously a lot, anymore than I care what is bothering Eddie Vedder. Britney, my head hurts just anticipating what may come out of her mouth.

Even when I catch myself thinking of songs, songs that I actually know the lyrics, I still come up with my own internal elevator music version in my head. (my in-head EM is kickass, seriously)

I do wish I liked Sigur Ros more. What I am really wishing is that more bands would follow their lead and produce some “voice as instruments” songs.

The music is where all the emotion is for me.

 Still, I will always listen to Bowie, or Reznor, or Pink Floyd, and many others, lyrics and all. Old school punk is also great. Lots of raw anger. Raw I can take. Most others, meh.

Give me gibberish any day. Seriously.

(And yeah, I understand this is a weird stance from someone who loves music so much, but life is sometimes strange)

OK, that was stupid. Let’s try again, shall we?

Here we go, CHAKUKALAKA!!!!!

Alright, even I don’t know where I was going with that. But chakukalaka has a ring to it.

Here is some news for you.

From Angry Ape

Earth to The Dandy Warhols Album Details Revealed

First they start their own record label, then an album. But Mark Knopfler and Mike Cambell, that is diferent.

The Offspring Unveil Rise And Fall, Rage and Grace Album Details

Not much to say here, only that the Offspring put on one of the best live shows I have ever seen. Really. It was at the Woodlands Pavillion in The Woodlands, Texas. I just hope the album doesn’t suck.

Nine Inch Nails Release The Slips Free Download Album

Trent Reznor is going from the default definition of creative angst to being the default definition of audio value. Hey, get downloading!

From Blabbermouth

Robert Plant, Alison Krauss: Footage From New Orleans Jazz Festival Posted Online

I still want Zepplin to tour, Damn it!

Vince Neil’s 12th Annual “Skylar Neil Memorial Golf Tournament”

I normally bust on Vince, but not now. No parent should ever have to bury their children. On this topic, my heart hurts for the man.

Wednesday 13 is Thankful to Have Secured HOT TOPIC Deal for Skeletons CD

That is cool for him, but really. The album is only available in Hot Topic? and then only 90% of the store stock it? Dude, come in from the cold and embrace the indie scene and go Podsafe, your career may depend on it. Hot Topic is no Starbucks, and even Starbucks is abandoning the music stuff.

Lacuna Coil’s Scabbia: We Are Putting Together the Best Album of Our Career

OK, I popped a chubby. Not for Lacuna Coil, just for Scabbia. She is so freakin HOT! Truth is, I would listen to her yodel, as long as I could watch as well. I do look forward to the new Lacuna Coil though. I hope they go back towards their “Comalies” sound though. The last CD did not seem as good to me.

From Spacelab

Peter Gabriel’s Web site Has Been Stolen!

Not even online, it was physically stolen! I have been warning Pete to watch out but he never listened. It was that freakin monkey he shocked back in the eighties coming back for revenge. He should have shocked a penguin instead, easier to catch. Just ask Billy Madison. Oh wait, he never caught the penguin, did he? My bad.

Tom Waits Announces Summer Tour Dates, Holds Awkward News Conference

Imagine that, an awkward news conference. Maybe he just needed to clear his throat, a couple of hundred times. While looking to the night sky at that.

From AWN

Schedule Looks Super For Marvel

More Iron Man, OK. Captain America, then the avengers, OK. Thor, mega OK! The Incredible Hulk, hopefully better than the first, OK. But, Ant Man! WTF!

Aniboom Partners With Six Mobile Distributors, Five Online Video Platforms

More animation! Hell, I already had it with Sprint though.
Well, there you have it. Another day of news. Plus a new word, or “not” word, chakukalaka.

Cheers,
Eban

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July 25 – Pemberton Festival, Pemberton, B.C.
July 26 – Seattle Center, Seattle
July 28 – Rexall Place, Edmonton
July 31 – MTS Center, Winnipeg
Aug. 2 – “Discount Retail Store” Center, Minneapolis
Aug. 5 – “Airlines” Center, Toronto
Aug. 7 – “Newspaper” Arena, Uncasville, Conn.
Aug. 8 – DCU Center, Worchester, Mass.
Aug. 12 – Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, Tenn.
Aug. 13 – Gwinnett Arena, Duluth, Ga.
Aug. 15 – “Automotive Manufacturer” Center, Oklahoma City
Aug. 16 – “Automotive Manufacturer” Center, Houston
Aug. 18 – “Airlines” Center, Dallas
Aug. 20 – “Online Brokerage” Center, St. Louis
Aug. 23 – Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich.
Aug. 27 – “Geeky Polo Shirt Manufacturer” Center, East Rutherford, N.J.
Aug. 29 – “Bank” Center, Philadelphia
Aug. 31 – Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
Sept. 2 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver
Sept. 3 – The Center of West Valley, Salt Lake City
Sept. 5 – Oracle Arena, Oakland, Calif.
Sept. 6 – The Forum, Los Angeles

Don’t miss it!

Cheers,
Eban

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