First, I’d like to welcome you to 2010 (I know it’s not our first post this year, but still)! We hope that everyone had a great New Year’s celebration and is settling back into work without too much dread and anxiety. And get ready for some big things from EV2BK.com.

To start the year off on the right foot, today I would like to post an open letter to R. Kelly, the king of the remix, regarding a song that I heard on Hot 93.7 while riding around near the Heartbeat a.k.a. Hot-ford a.k.a. Hartford, CT, over the holidays.

Dear R. Kelly,

Happy New Year, my nizzle. Big ups to Chi-town. Throw your “C”s in the air and whatnot.

As you may or may not know, yesterday Trey Songz released the offical video for “Say Aah,” the latest single from his third record, Ready, which was released last August. Have you heard it by any chance? At first, I thought that this was a new R. Kelly track that I just hadn’t even heard about. Not that such an oversight would be very likely on my part, since I listen to all of your records, but it could happen. And yet there was Fabolous, and there was the DJ saying that in fact this was a Trey Songz joint.

Here’s the video, check it out for yourself.

Trey Songz – Say Aah (ft. Fabolous):

Trey Songz recently told MTV that “with records like ‘Say Aah,’ conceptually I wanna think outside the box. You think about a record like ‘LOL ,’ it’s something real simple, but when you look at the title or listen to the record, you’re like, ‘Wow.’ That’s something great from a songwriter’s perspective. I’m just trying to make hits and classic records that people can vibe to and live their life.” Now, I’m not trying to hate especially hard on Trey and Fab (I made their record the Jam of the Day, didn’t I?), but let’s look at that statement for a second. Most importantly: HOW IS THIS THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX? You INVENTED that particular box that he’s talking about, Kells! Rip it back from his grimy little hands! The kid essentially stole your entire steez right thurr. Like, he read the instructions on how to build an R. Kelly slow-jam box. And then built it with no changes. And then tried to sell it as his own!

And now we arrive at the point. R. Kelly, I am writing this letter to humbly request that you, the King of R&B, take back what its rightfully yours. To quote someone very dear to your heart (that would be you): “You can’t do the remix without putting some R up in it.” Lay down a verse and show these youngins how it’s done. That is all. I thank you for your time and your oeuvre, which is so dear to my heart.

-Drew

Well it looks like the elephants will remain in the circus, at least for the time being. A federal judge has ruled that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does not have the legal standing to sue the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus under the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit, originally brought by the ASPCA nine years ago, culminated in a six-week trial held without a jury. Tom Rider, the group’s star witness, was a former animal trainer who cared for elephants in one of the circus’s traveling units from 1997 to 1999. According to a report on Bloomberg, “Rider accused Ringling of causing physical, psychological, and behavioral injuries to the elephants by using rods with metal hooks and points to control their movement and chains to keep them in place on hard surfaces for extended periods.” The judge ultimately ruled that Rider’s testimony was not credible, as he was repeatedly impeached on the stand and had lied about payments he received from various animal-rights groups beginning in 2000. During the trial, Feld Entertainment, which owns Ringling Brothers, said that these things didn’t hurt the elephants, and that they were necessary measures to control them and ensure public safety. Not knowing all the facts of the case, I can’t accurately judge all the legality of what did and what didn’t go down with these pachyderms, but prodding at them with sharp metal hooks and keeping them in chains just doesn’t sound right. These animals have amazing memories and, if they are left alone and are healthy, they can live for between 50 and 70 years. Chaining them for human entertainment in this day and age isn’t necessary. Don’t go to the circus, go watch the Discovery Channel people!

Or, better yet, listen to the new single “Elephants” by LA-band Warpaint. Warpaint, founded in 2007, just released their first EP, Exquisite Corpse through Manimal Vinyl in October, 2009. Exquisite Corpse, mixed by John Frusciante (formerly of the Red Hot Chili Peppers), highlights the band’s sonic textures, jagged rhythms, and ethereal voices. Shortly after performing at the 2009 CMJ Festival, Warpaint wad signed to Rough Trade Records. The band has temporarily moved to Portland, Oregon, for the recording of their new album to be released by Rough Trade in late Spring, 2010.

Warpaint – Elephants:

-Melissa

P.S. Thanks to Matt at The Music Slut for the link to the new video, which just dropped today!

Well friends, we’re heading off soon for various Christmas activities (much love to the other tribes/non-believers/etc. – we just happen to love Christmas jams!). Make no mistake – EV2BK hopes that you have yourselves some merry celebrations and good cheer this holiday season!

“But what about my present?” you might ask. We couldn’t agree on which version to post, so it looks like it’s got to be a CHRISTMAS BONUS DOUBLE JAM, with two versions of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The first jam is from John Denver and The Muppets, where Rowlf the dog(g) really belts it out with a gritty yet emotionally evocative sound that contrasts nicely with John Denver’s smooth stylings. The second take is the more classic (and arguably better), with Frank Sinatra holding it down solo on the track. Watch out for the tear-inducing tendency of this song; there’s a reason why your grandmother loves this record.

John Denver and Rowlf – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:

Frank Sinatra – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:

-EV2BK

Today’s Holiday Jam of the Day goes out to all the people who can’t be with the ones that they love this year. Although a myriad of artists have covered it since, including Bon Jovi, Billy Idol, Celine Dion, The Beach Boys, The Pretenders, and even Bright Eyes, Elvis sang it best back in 1957.

Elvis Presley- Blue Christmas:

-Melissa

This song from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was introduced to me by a friend of mine freshman year of college. I always feel like it has this special rocking out quality because it would be playing during parties in our little dorm room and get huge (positive) reactions from the crowd. Let’s give it another spin this holiday season, with a video of what appears to be some rich dude who synchronized his house lights (etc. and i mean ETC.) to the jam. This man is serious about his TSO.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo 12/24:

-Drew

Recently, we asked Jupiter One, who we’ve written about a number of times, some questions. Zac Colwell chats about their name, touring with Regina Spektor, some of the records they listened to while recording their recent effort Sunshower, and where they like to go drinking around here.

EV2BK: I read online that your band’s name is derived from the spaceship in the ’60s TV show Lost in Space. And your album is titled Sunshower. Do you guys study outer space in your spare time or something? What’s the significance of the TV show to your band?
J1: K came up with the name of the band. He claims it came to him one day as a compelling set of words. I’ve never seen Lost In Space and I don’t think K has either. It is handy to say that’s where the name comes from though. As far as our album title, we just love the experience of the Sunshower. We tour all around the country in a van and those little natural wonders can take on a sort of mystical air sometimes when you’re living the gypsy lifestyle. The title’s a tribute to our bittersweet lives, maybe.
EV2BK: Yours comments about the van’s natural wonders taking on a mystical air really reminds me of that pretty hilarious new video you guys released earlier this month called “Van Pilates.” If we didn’t already have a few videos in this post, I’d just link to it directly here.

EV2BK: I also love the concept of the video for “Made in a Day” that you posted on your site, which could have been, well, made in a day I guess. Do you guys hang out a lot and shoot videos when you’re not on tour? Speaking of which, touring with Regina Spektor must be pretty rad.
J1: Thanks! Dave Heilman (our drummer) directed that. We made it in one day to specifically reflect one typical day in our touring lives. One hotel room, pilates [see above], booze, showers (separate), girls (if we’re lucky), and lots of dorkyness. The tour [was] incredibly interesting and quite a blessing from the lovely-magical-beautiful Regina Spektor. We’re VERY grateful she brought us along and that her fans have been extremely receptive to us.

EV2BK: Not sure if you’ve had a chance to check out Pitchfork’s Top 200 Albums of the 2000s at all, but I was wondering if you guys wouldn’t mind putting together your own top 10? Top 5? Or at least the top 5 records you listened to while recording Sunshower?
J1: Hm… Well, I hate to speak for the other guys, but we definitely listened a lot while putting together Sunshower:
1. Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers
2. Beatles – All of ‘em
3. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
4. Spoon – All of ‘em
5. Apes and Androids – Blood Moon

EV2BK: What’s your favorite venue to watch a show (or play a show) in Brooklyn? In Manhattan?
J1: I think Music Hall of Williamsburg sounds real good. Webster Hall in Manhattan, I guess.

EV2BK: What are a few fun places where you like to hang out when you’re back in BK and/or the city?
J1: The Levee in BK and No Malice in the East Village are popular ones with Pat, our bass player. I just go wherever there’s cheap booze. My house is really fun to hang out at.

As an added bonus, right before Thanksgiving I walked over to the Mercury Lounge for their so-called “homecoming” show after their multi-city North American tour. They sounded pretty fantastic live: clear, balanced, tight, really comfortable. I think this video of an extended version of their song “Unglued,” which closed the night, really served as en exclamation point for Jupiter One.

Jupiter One – Unglued:

You can also check out a couple other live tracks from their Mercury Lounge show on our YouTube Channel:

Jupiter One – Flaming Arrow

Jupiter One – Made in a Day

-Drew

Today’s Holiday Jam is one of the season’s best. Originally released in 1994, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” was an instant classic. No matter how many times I hear it each year, it’s one Christmas song that I never get sick of. Mariah just released a new dance remix of the song this year, but, in my opinion, you shouldn’t mess with the original.

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You:

-Melissa

A couple of days ago in Sparta, Wisconsin, a man dressed up in a santa suit stumbled out of a car and proceeded to hug and then interrogate a groups of kids about the whereabouts of his reindeer. Obviously, he was wasted at the time, and was later cited for open intoxicants. Sounds pretty funny to us.

Today’s Holiday Jam is a shoutout to all the reindeer out there, especially our homeboy Rudolph, in this hot version from The Temptations. I guess they just released their 48th album back in 2007! That’s kind of nuts. Kind of like this video.

The Temptations – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:

-Drew

In a profile today in the Times, landscape architect turned “tree-hugger”, Scott Martin of Torrance, California explains his new Christmas tree rental service. His business is centered around the concept of delivering live, potted Christmas trees that are taken away and re-planted after the holiday is over. Mr. Martin, who delivered trees for a nursery as a teenager in California, explains “California is more attached to the green movement, so they are more willing to try this service here.” To rent a tree, you would visit his website, livingchristmas.com, pick out a tree from among several varieties, and schedule your delivery. Prices range from $50 to $185 depending on size and type of the tree and the recommended length of stay for a tree in a house is two-three weeks. One of the coolest thing about this service is that after the tree is picked up and re-planted, customers have the option of renting the same tree the following year so it may return taller. I don’t know how good that is for the tree, being uprooted and re-planted annually but it’s certainly better than chopping it down. I won’t be surprised if this business concept catches on around the country.

As we are just a week away from Christmas Eve, today marks the start of our week-long Holiday Jam of the Day series. We’re starting things off with a Christmas tree classic from A Charlie Brown Christmas. “O Tannenbaum”, originally a German song, has many versions and is often referred to as “Oh Christmas Tree” here in the U.S., but this is my favorite.

Vince Guaraldi Trio – O Tannenbaum:

-Melissa

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, the N.A.S.A album, The Spirit of Apollo, has continued to rock since its release in early 2009. In addition to all the musicians who collaborated on the music, fine artists were paired with animators to create all of the album’s official videos. One of my favorites, “Whachadoin?” is below. I hope that we don’t have to wait another six years for the next album.

N.A.S.A. – Whachadoin? (ft. M.I.A., Spank Rock, Santogold, & Nick Zinner):

-Melissa