The Useless Critic 2.0

A quick glimpse into some of my favorite more mainstream songs of 2023 so far! The National's new album "First Two Pages of Frankenstein" dropped this past Friday, and features guest spots from the likes of Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers. Although I haven't really been into the last few National albums (I enjoyed "Sleep Well Beast" but could take or leave "I Am Easy to Find") I'm relieved to hear that "First Two Pages" is a return to form, and the collabs work wonderfully. "Alcott" with Taylor Swift is my favorite track off the album by far. I am almost surprised by how well Matt and Taylor's voices mesh well together. The National is touring this summer, and you KNOW Taylor Swift is currently on tour. Listen below: And I really haven't written much about the overall album "Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard" by Lana Del Rey, but it's another stunning achievement by one of th...

Photo credit - Piper Ferguson One of my favorite (newer) musical discoveries is the Brooklyn post-punk/new wave band, Nation of Language. Think of The National crossed with something New Order/Joy Division-inspired, and you would have them.  My favorite track off their sophomore album "A Way Forward" - which was just released! - is "Across That Fine Line." Listen to it and see if you aren't hooked immediately: On "A Way Forward!", the band nods toward the sounds of Kraftwerk and Neu!, and it's VERY easy to hear that in their music - with a uniquely 2021 twist. Honestly, it's been a minute since I've heard a good new post-punk band, so I'm happy I heard them this past year.  In 2022, they'll be headlining a tour of the EU. Dates below - if you live in the EU, see if you can catch them. COVID getting worse permitting: Nation   of   Language  Tour Dates: 01/10 - Cologne, DE @ YUCA [ tickets ] 01/11 - Antwerp, BE @ TRIX Bar [ no pre-sal...

As a decade-long fan of The National, I had mixed feelings about Matt Berninger's solo project. In the end, I'm much more open to it than I originally was. I think the last two National albums were kind of clunky for me, and so far I like Matt's solo stuff much better. They are still my favorite band, but the more experimental stuff just does not sit that well with me.  "Serpentine Prison," Matt's first full-length solo album, will be out on October 2nd. It's produced by the legendary Booker T. Jones, and features appearances from Gail Ann Dorsey, Phoebe Bridgers, and Andrew Bird among others. "One More Second" really hits the feels, almost like a distant cousin of "Carin At the Liquor Store" (my favorite off "Sleep Well Beast.")  Here's a song by Booker T. Jones I quite like:

Memo to self for the future: DO NOT LET DOMAINS EXPIRE DURING PERSONAL CRISES. Get your self TOGETHER and renew that damn domain. Geezus. Not dead, internet, not dead. I got royally screwed by this whole situation, and now my OG domain - theuselesscritic.com - is worth a whole boatload of money. Please learn from my errors, and never do such things. So we have entered the part of my life where this is no longer actually "The Useless Critic" but "Useless Critics." This largely does not matter, but I prefer to be candid. Just realized apparently I am wearing part of my bath bomb on my face. This is a good look. As a brief recap, I've been swamped all summer, so I've been putting off bringing back the UC for oh quite a while. Summertimes in Phoenix are uniquely hard due to the unbearable heat, so I did indulge in the "summertime sads" a bit. But September is a good month for me. I'm fresh off from seeing THE NATIONAL and will soon be seeing Ph...

One thing I'm happy to admit is that I spend a lot of money on music. This is often a Herculean struggle for me internally - as much as I absolutely love the experience of live music, I hate crowds, and I hate the absurd wait times some artists inflict on their audiences. I went to a lottttttt of shows in 2017, cut back some in 2018, and this year looks like it'll be modest but worth it.  I'm not seeking to hit an exact # here - I've been to somewhere between 30 - 50 shows at this point, and probably hundreds of smaller, lesser known bands. I chose 13 for now because that just seems like the fair way to do things.  Is this the best use of money?! For me, YES. I rather collect experiences than things, and look forward to purging myself of some of the junk that I've accumulated the last several years (it does not bring me joy!)  I invite you to comment about any specifically memorable shows you've been to, and what makes them so grand in retrospect.  Honor...

As you may know - if you are as big of a National fan as I am -  that there is a new podcast dedicated to dissecting each song the band has ever done. It's called "Coffee and Flowers" per the line in "Conversation 16" and I became aware of the podcast last year when they followed me (and my equally National-enthralled sister) on Instagram. Egads! They just went live with their first season, covering the band's masterpiece, "Boxer."  At first the idea seemed a bit odd to me, but as we know, there are podcasts that serve every purpose now. So why shouldn't this be a thing? The National are a good enough band! Not just good enough - they are AMAZING and probably one of the best mainstream rock bands at the moment (as if you needed me to say this.)  I listened to the majority of Season 1 last night and I have to share - it's pretty great. Despite I often differ from the hosts in my interpretations of the songs (isn't that the beauty...

This song is going to sound AMAZING live. It reminds me of math rock a bit, but it sounds like a jittier companion piece to "Sleep Well Beast." The duet with Gail Ann Dorsey (David Bowie's bassist) is unexpected, but works very well. All in all, this song sounds very upbeat for a song regarding a failing relationship. Wah! P.S.: I'm the sole contributor to the blog now. It's been quietly happening for the past two years, but I cemented it this past weekend. This just means more consistency and creative control for me. I, Britt Kemp, have become "Useless Critic." Stay along for an interesting and unexpected journey. 

Not my photo! Click the link! So The National have returned with their first album since 2013 and with much (justifiable) fanfare. I feel like some bands/artists have the public's adoration always at their side: Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, The National. I almost wince a little when I tell people they are my favorite band, because I almost feel like I'm clinging to some sort of bandwagon/it cheapens them. Almost.  But there's a reason that The National are so well-respected and so well-loved: They're that good. "Sleep Well Beast" seems to follow at the very point where 2013's "Trouble Will Find Me" left off, albeit into more adventurous territory. This was present in two of the first singles from the album: "The System Only Dreams In Darkness" and "Guilty Party." I have to admit "Guilty Party" was a grower for me, but that's sort of the appeal of The National. They're good, but subtly so. It's ...

The National are back in full form with this one. Terrible title, but otherwise GREAT song.  "I can't explain it any other way," which makes total sense as the title makes no sense. I guess their new album is about a marriage disintegrating. Feel-good anthems for the year! Nonetheless, I'm excited. No one does heartbreak as well as The National, IMO. 

I don't have any words for this, either. Thanks to my sister for sending this to me.

Ahem Disclaimer: This year, a lot of music came out. I did not listen to it all. I stayed far away from Miley, though. Albeit the only time I heard "Wrecking Ball" it made me cry but that HAS NOTHING to do with her talent. Song That Was Everywhere That Did Not Suck When I get home, my Mom will be listening to this song (mark my words) and telling me how it is good walking music. I would bet money on this if I was a betting type. I'm glad Lorde is getting recognized by the Grammys. But: a.) The Grammys are like a grandma trying to be hip. b.) SECOND ALBUM CURSE. See: Alanis Morrisette . I know, somebody is saying "Why can't you be happy for her? She's just a kid!" BITCH I AM HAPPY I'M JUST WORRIED My personal favorite album of 2013: The National's "Trouble Will Find Me." I am sure this comes as no shock. And it was a grower of a quiet masterpiece. I wouldn't say it's their best, ...