Before you read this week’s Kuestionnaire, keep in mind this is the older format and that we’ll be doing a few of these over the next few weeks (kind of cleaning the closet if you know what I mean).
Anyway, when they emerged from 2001′s full-length, The Curved Glass, pundits proclaimed that Hopewell were neo-psychedelic guitar gods on par with the Flaming Lips (a bit much I know)–with whom they shared numerous ties. Good Good Desperation, Hopewell’s sixth full-length, is an record that knows Nevada deserts and rolling fields of the mid-west with psychedelic flare. Filled with references to forest creatures, it represents more of a change in tools than direction. Longtime associate Dave Fridmann (the ‘Lips, Sleater-Kinney) handles the production reins. While the whole band ebbs and flows in volume, like a shortwave radio half-heard in a dream, a few maintain a steadier tribal-meets-modern pulse. Tracks like Stranger and Island could be compared to Jane’s Addiction or Mercury Rev, with a dose of Thoreau. No matter how big the sound gets, though, it’s all carefully controlled, and the cinematic scope enhances the songs, rather than obscuring them. Simple–but never blunt–lyrics benefit from an infectious melodicism that speaks to the pop songcraft skills Hopewell has mastered.
You can purchase Good Good Desperation .
This week guitarist Lyndon Roeller answers the Kuestionnaire and tries his best to “pick his favorite child”.
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1. Of all the bands/artists in your CD/record collection, which one is your most cherished?
hmmm, that’s like asking which one of your kids you like best.. any real parent er, music aficionado would decline to answer, but god I just can’t resist… probably a 1957 french 10″ by Miles Davis called Ascenseur pour l’chafaud. the smoothest, coolest jazz ever recorded. there’s a movie too if I’m not mistaken, probably lots of heroin involved.
2. What have you been listening to lately?
flaming lips tour only EP (Embryonic) – sweet new jams. these dudes are getting darker in their wisdom, er I mean age
silk flowers – if cold cave is any indication, these guys are gonna blow up. hope you like joy division
boredoms – vision creation newsun – perhaps the best boredoms record in existence, in my humble opinion
a place to bury strangers – exploding head – not out yet. will APTBS be caught in the sophomore slump or rocketed to even higher heights? I’m gonna say #2.
these are powers – all aboard future – another brooklyn indie/tech hop.. wait what? totally creating a new genre. dark, weird, awesome.
Jacques Dutronc – me and my friend are starting a cover band so I’ve gotta listen a lot. plus it’s awesome.
3. What’s your favorite local band?
currently Electric Tickle Machine, but it changes almost daily.. although ETM is a force to be reckoned with.
4. What was the last show you attended?
jesus. I can’t remember. no wait, the runaway suns @ public assembly.
5. What was the greatest show you’ve ever been to?
sorry, that’s another “what’s your favorite kid” question.. but let’s just say fugazi @ the chance in poughkeepsie, NY circa 98 is up there.
6. What show are you looking forward to?
boat cruise w/ dead meadow, union pool w/ spindrift, all tomorrow’s parties w/ the flaming lips. wait, we’re playing all of those. rad.
7. What musician would you like to hang out/work with for a day?
kinda sick of musicians.
8. What four albums you would bring to a deserted island?
noooo!!! not this question!!! how bout I just tell you I’m left handed.
9. Would you call yourself a music geek?
no, but you probably would.
10. Any favorite music-related videos/DVDs you own?
actually yes… some of these are quite obvious, but what the f…
the band – the last waltz
pink floyd – live at pompeii,
sun ra – space is the place
beatles anthology (so obvious)
most all ken burns stuff
fugazi instrument
brian jonestown massacre – dig
thelonious monk – straight no chaser
and more recently, spindrift – the legend of god’s gun
11. What’s the last book you read?
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey, by Candice Millard – if you dig history, adventure, the jungle and non-fiction.. read it. good tour read too along with books about submarines.
12. Do you prefer live performances or recording in the studio?
different animals, and like different animals they do different things when confronted with different circumstances.
13. Any embarrassing moments on stage you’d like to share?
probably gg allin shoving a mic up his ass whilst performing at NYU. although I’ve only seen footage (thanks pitchfork.tv), I got pretty embarrassed for him
14. Any favorite tour locations?
lawrence, KS + LA. we’ve had some funny old times in detroit as well.
15. Lastly, what have you done today?
shirked responsibility
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Hopewell – 
Stranger from Good Good Desperation (2009)
Electric Tickle Machine – Part Of Me from Blew It Again (2009)