Comments on: Maybe she likes Wittgenstein...

Maybe she likes Wittgenstein...

clockwork — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:14:33 -0800

- Finally, thanks to Ubuweb, Komar & Melamid's Most Wanted and Most Unwanted Songs (recorded in 1997) are now available online! Komar & Melamid have been featured on Metafilter before for The Most and Least Wanted Paintings. Thanks WMFU!

By: pyramid termite

pyramid termite — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:32:29 -0800

the most wanted song is average aor r&b and indeed, pleasant enough the least wanted song ... well ... i'm about 6 minutes in and it's pure fucking genius

By: basicchannel

basicchannel — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:38:39 -0800

The Unwanted song sounds like a Mike Patton side project.

By: basicchannel

basicchannel — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:41:15 -0800

Also, unlike Dave Eggers, the Unwanted song is a heartbreaking work of staggering genius. DO ALL YOUR SHOPPING... AT WALMART!!!

By: sonic meat machine

sonic meat machine — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:48:03 -0800

I think they mistakenly uploaded the "most incredibly awesome" song in place of the "most unwanted" one. They should go back and edit their article.

By: pyramid termite

pyramid termite — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:48:47 -0800

i finished it - classic stuff

By: The White Hat

The White Hat — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:49:09 -0800

Ramadan- lots of fun Lots of praying with no breakfast! Ramadan - so much fun Do all your shopping... at Walmart!

By: cloudstastemetallic

cloudstastemetallic — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:49:55 -0800

Unwanted rocks. I am now off to start a website where me and a bunch of other hip peeps hang out and make remixes of "unwanted". We'll have contests... And bulletin boards.... And funny inside jokes... And an FAQ to explain the inside jokes so everyone can be can be "down"... And tons of awesome remixes of "Unwanted". Fuck yeah.

By: cloudstastemetallic

cloudstastemetallic — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:51:11 -0800

oh yeah... WALMART!!!

By: beaucoupkevin

beaucoupkevin — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:55:57 -0800

The Most Unwanted Song sounds like Sparks and Art of Noise had a mutant baby.

By: cloudstastemetallic

cloudstastemetallic — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:59:06 -0800

Ok..I just went back and listened to "unwanted" while I toked on some marijuana. Dude. Mind. Blown. Have you ever listened to "unwanted"...high?

By: damehex

damehex — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:03:09 -0800

My friend Zack told me about this song ten years ago and I have been looking for it on this here internet for the entire ten years. Thank you, thread posting person!

By: Flashman

Flashman — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:05:23 -0800

Well it seems like all 200 of the people who would like the Unwanted Song are on Metafilter, right now. What are the odds? I was expecting something painful like Metal Machine Music, but this is amazing.

By: cloudstastemetallic

cloudstastemetallic — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:08:08 -0800

Ten years...that's a mighty long time my friend. Id say that's about 10 years longer than anyone should ever have to go without "unwanted". I celebrate this day with you.

By: outsider

outsider — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:16:57 -0800

I enjoy every instrument in the "least wanted" orchestra... parts of this sound EXACTLY like the music I listen to voluntarily... and thenHEY EVERYBODY! ITS LABOR DAY!!!

By: wendell

wendell — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:21:48 -0800

Well it seems like all 200 of the people who would like the Unwanted Song are on Metafilter, right now. What are the odds? After 8 years hanging out online with this group online, I'd have guessed the odds were pretty damn good.

By: clockwork

clockwork — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:27:30 -0800

I just knew this would be a music thread that we could finally all agree about...

By: the dief

the dief — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:37:00 -0800

I actually own this on CD somewhere - I read about it and had to have it. And yes, the unwanted song is complete awesomeness. I can't remember where I put the CD, so having the download is badass!! Thanks a lot!

By: treepour

treepour — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:42:41 -0800

The "unwanted" is a revelation. Where can I get more?? When is the movie coming out???

By: outsider

outsider — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:44:44 -0800

does anyone have the full lyrics to unwanted?

By: Mid

Mid — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:55:43 -0800

In case you missed the liner notes: The Most Unwanted Song: Soprano: Dina Emerson Speaking vocal: Nina Mankin Children: Emma Ensign, Kate Polsky, Max Polsky Piccolo/flute: Elissa Kleeman Harmonica: Wade Schuman Bagpipe: David Watson Accordion: Yuri Lemeshev Harp: Margerie Fitts Organ: Mary Bopp Banjo: Dave Soldier Tuba: David Grego Percussion: Christine Bard Bass drum: Komar & Melamid Conductor: Norman Yamada

By: sourwookie

sourwookie — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:11:56 -0800

Unwanted+Garageband's new iPhone ringtone feature=AWESOME!

By: maryh

maryh — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:13:18 -0800

Q: What do you get when you toss Klaus Nomi, Harry Partch, Hopalong Cassidy, some sugar crazed children, a tuba and my birthday in a blender and set it on pulse for 25 minutes? A: My new favorite song!! Thanks, clockwork! Komar and Melamid are such dang geniuses.

By: Dee Xtrovert

Dee Xtrovert — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:14:03 -0800

The unwanted song pretty much encapsulates every thing I enjoy about music, and I'm quite a music fan. The wanted song was pap. I feel very unique and special now, so thanks for that!

By: liza

liza — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:16:37 -0800

they had a frigging conductor?!?! and, ps : is MeFi already 8 years old?

By: kozad

kozad — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:41:51 -0800

Well, I prefer the least liked to the best-liked by an order of magnitude or two, but I still wouldn't sit down and listen to it for twenty-five minutes. Then again, I threw away my bong in the Seventies.

By: AsYouKnow Bob

AsYouKnow Bob — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:47:15 -0800

See, now this is why I'm a Luddite: I didn't wait for your darn "internet" and your darn modern "downloads" - no, I wrote off and mail-ordered the damn physical object back in the last century. (And it's hilarious how many Mefites already know about this music.) Yes, it's awesome, and you kids should all get off my lawn.

By: plant

plant — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:58:05 -0800

'unwanted' sounds like Architecture in Helsinki if they hocked half their instruments to hire a soprano.

By: outsider

outsider — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:22:51 -0800

The conductor was awesome when they performed this live. I can see a conductor decked out in a tuxedo conducting little kids singing about wal mart and roshashana.

By: mike_bling

mike_bling — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:57:33 -0800

Unwanted is like the whole soundtrack of the Big Lebowski AT THE SAME TIME.

By: mike_bling

mike_bling — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:58:33 -0800

...and so much more.

By: macrowave

macrowave — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:20:22 -0800

Yeah, DO WANT the unwanted song. Holland's least wanted painting is equally(?) amazing.

By: not_on_display

not_on_display — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:19:26 -0800

Opera and Hip-Hop: Two great tastes that go great together.

By: obvious

obvious — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:47:32 -0800

The most wanted song is fucking awful. But an operatic singer rapping about cowboys? Massive victory!

By: null terminated

null terminated — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:45:59 -0800

I can't tell you're all being sarcastic, but the most unwanted song really is enjoyable.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 03:19:25 -0800

I'd like to take this opportunity to shine a little spotlight on Mr. Dave Soldier (you'll note he is the author of the brief essay from the first link of this FPP). While the original idea, the concept of the Most Wanted and Most Unwanted song springs from the fertile brains of Komar and Melamid, everything else (composition, arrangements, selection of players, etc.) has been the province of Dave Soldier, who did a fine job bringing the whole thing to fruition. And this is only one of the amazing projects this tireless composer/bandleader/player has been involved with over the years. He's also one of the folks behind the wonderful Thai Elephant Orchestra, he's been the leader of various ensembles over the years including the Soldier String Quartet and the Kropotkins (yours truly was a member of the latter group up until departing NYC back in '95: I was replaced by Moe Tucker of Velvet Underground fame!), the marvelous Tangerine Awkestra (kid's free-jazz big band!), plus he's worked with Kurt Vonnegut and lord knows who else... AND, he's a full time professor of neurobiology at Columbia University! So, those of you with a moment to spare, y'all drop by and pay a little visit to Dave's site, y'hear? Mulatta Records.

By: Lentrohamsanin

Lentrohamsanin — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 03:20:38 -0800

Finally, thanks to Ubuweb, Komar & Melamid's Most Wanted and Most Unwanted Songs (recorded in 1997) are now available online! Nitpick: they've been available online for a while, just not for free: iTunes, emusic, Amazon MP3.

By: No-sword

No-sword — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:00:46 -0800

My wife just asked me, of the unwanted song, "Is this that song you guys always sing at karaoke?" Oh man, I wish. (Also, I can independently confirm that Thai Elephant Orchestra is one of the greatest recordings ever.)

By: fearfulsymmetry

fearfulsymmetry — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:02:08 -0800

Kept thinking during the beginning of the least wanted one 'where's the bagpipes? I thought they were the most universally hated instrument...?" then the kicked in and I had to stop listening. Still I lasted longer than the R&B mush of the other one... if that's the most wanted it goes a long way to explain the dire state of the music industry.

By: msconduct

msconduct — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:14:55 -0800

this is the BEST christmakwanzashana present EVER!!!!!!!!!!! i write, of course, of the unwanted song. anything that can mix accordions and bagpipes and throw in some operatic cowboy rap with a soupcon of political commentary is right up my alley. and flapjax, thanks for the mini-bio on dave soldier. i discovered the elephant orchestra a few years back (most likely either from here or from ubu), and have meant to order the disc. seeing that twink has released on his label is an added bonus. the problem now is deciding what to order. thanks for the post, clockwork!

By: sveskemus

sveskemus — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:47:59 -0800

Oh my fucking god I'm laughing my ass off here. Unwanted is pure genious. Amazing, thanks clockwork! HEY EVERYBODY! IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

By: ersatz

ersatz — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 08:04:17 -0800

Fewer than 200 individuals of the world's total population will enjoy this He's joking, right? Downloaded it.

By: honeydew

honeydew — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:59:14 -0800

The part that makes the "Least Wanted Song" even better is imagining how much fun it must have been to create.

By: OverlappingElvis

OverlappingElvis — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:20:21 -0800

The most wanted song sucks.

By: Benjamin Nushmutt

Benjamin Nushmutt — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:52:13 -0800

Jeez, Unwanted sounds like half of my music collection. (The good half.)

By: OrangeDrink

OrangeDrink — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:01:26 -0800

I'm glad you pointed that info out, Flapjax. I've had this CD for a few years, alongside the Thai Elephant Orchestra. Ah, the worthless/awesome things I learned in college.

By: nylon

nylon — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:25:56 -0800

(And it's hilarious how many Mefites already know about this music.) Some of them might have read about it on Metafilter. Great to finally hear the whole tracks - the unwanted song is a genuine masterpiece.

By: stagewhisper

stagewhisper — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:24:08 -0800

Shahaaakin my booty to the unwanted song right now. But then again, I also love Nina Hagan.

By: stagewhisper

stagewhisper — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:31:05 -0800

the inspiration?

By: clockwork

clockwork — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:41:40 -0800

oh man... one of nylon's links has a powerpoint presentation with some of the survey results!

By: unknowncommand

unknowncommand — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:44:56 -0800

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

By: pombe

pombe — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:18:44 -0800

I ordered the CD of this the first time it came out. The Most Unwanted Song has since been once of my favorite creations of all time. I used to play it in lab all the time until I was forced to stop.

By: seawallrunner

seawallrunner — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:06:04 -0800

the Most Wanted and the Most Unwanted are both horrible for different reasons. The Most Wanted is so *generic*. It sounds like the radio format of middle-of-the-road offend-nobody stations across North America. It kills by cliche` Whereas the Most Unwanted is interesting, but uninspired. I was doing fine until about 20 seconds before the end where some woman began shouting over a chorus. The sound of her voice was like nails dragging across a chalkboard. My, that Dave Soldier sure knows how to push buttons, there's a little something in there for everybody.

By: felix grundy

felix grundy — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:37:52 -0800

oh man. I just listened to the Wittgenstein part four times in a row. Well done, friendo.

By: whir

whir — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:26:42 -0800

This is freakin' awesome, I'm another person who's wanted to hear the full 22 minute version of the Unwanted Song for years now (well, ah, not enough to pay for it though, apparently). Speaking of things that are not free, there was a segment of This American Life about this project and the painting project, from whence I first heard of it.