1.28.2009
A Red Hot Compilation
Dark Was The Night is a compilation album slated for release on February 17. The funds will be going towards the Red Hot Organization to benefit HIV and AIDS awareness. Below you can sample a few of the tracks from the album where you can hear some very interesting pairings.
1.27.2009
"A Pack of Smokes and A Little Bump of Cocaine.."
Now that I've had a week to let it all sink in, I think i can finally give a reasonable review for what I witnessed at Louisville Palace on January 21st. And while the inauguration of our 44th President was truly a remarkable experience to watch on TV, it may not have been the most mind-blowing thing I witnessed that day. I've said it before and I have no choice but to say it again . . .Kings of Leon are for real!!
I must admit that I did not have any heightened expectations entering the show, which only helped to amaze me in the end. My KOL catalog consisted almost entirely of what I played-out from the "Only By The Night" album. The Kings came out to a responsive crowd who stood from the opening music, through the encore, and for many minutes after the band made their final exit. "Slow Night, So Long" opened it all up and I witnessed what seemed to be everyone but me knowing every word to what is now one of my favorite songs. I was blown away. How could this many people know every word and I'd never even heard the song. It was truly something special to witness for a guy who thought he had done his homework.
KOL continued through their first six songs before arriving at "Revelry." By the time they hit "dancing machine" it was like I had forgotten I knew anything by this band. Caleb Followill's voice has a built-in effect that can't be reproduced. Almost reminiscent of the unique sound that Layne Staley gave to Alice in Chains. It's captivating and heart-breaking all at the same time. He puts you in a zone to the point where you can help but listen to every word he says.
"Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody" are two of those rare singles that you still die to hear, even though they've been played so many times on the radio and television. In my opinion, crowd participation hit an all-time high on these two, as it was obvious that both the early fans and more recent additions seemed to come together to belt it out. The only disappointment I can think of is the fact the crowd wasn't allowed to sing the lines on either of these as Caleb could have easily backed away from the microphone and let 2,000+ finish either chorus for him.
To end the normal set, KOL pulled "Trani" out of the bag. Thank you, KOL. I had never heard the song before that moment, but watching those lifelong fans' excitement build as the song built was truly amazing to me. And the song really is a show of it's own. Has to be Top 3 of every KOL song out there on almost every list compiled.
The encore was one great song after another, with KOL actually extending it out to a FOUR song encore. Unheard of from concerts I've been to in the past. "Knocked Up," an amazing version of "Manhattan," "Charmer," and "Black Thumbnail" were able to end the night exactly as it began.
Overall, it was one of the best live shows I've ever been to and I didn't even realize it until a couple of days later when I listened to the songs I wasn't familiar with. If you listen to a KOL album, you hear a whole slew of effects that you figure can't be pulled off live. But these songs sound BETTER live with all the same effects thrown in!
I can't imagine what it must have been like to see the Stones in their heyday or see the Beatles at Shea in 1965 when their popularity was at an all-time high. But to witness Kings of Leon at this stage in their careers, in what is certainly either their musical pinnacle or the beginning of their march towards it, may very well be the equivalent for the music of this decade. I know that may seem like a giant leap and just part of the "afterglow" of seeing them live, but for what it's worth take a minute to think of where true rock music is right now. Is it housed up in some Canadian penthouse with Nickelback, waiting for an e-mail from Mutt Lange to deliver their next hit? Is it texting "IDOL3" to Daughtry, hanging outside that same Canadian penthouse waiting to produce whatever Nickelback doesn't like? Is it trying to create jingles disguised as "rock operas" like Green Day? Or is it bands like the Foo Fighters, busting their ass on the road and making a sound all their own to the point you never have to question, "Who sings this?". I'll go with the latter. And I'll put the Kings right next to them. Not behind them, right next to them . . . with the ability to inch forward.
I must admit that I did not have any heightened expectations entering the show, which only helped to amaze me in the end. My KOL catalog consisted almost entirely of what I played-out from the "Only By The Night" album. The Kings came out to a responsive crowd who stood from the opening music, through the encore, and for many minutes after the band made their final exit. "Slow Night, So Long" opened it all up and I witnessed what seemed to be everyone but me knowing every word to what is now one of my favorite songs. I was blown away. How could this many people know every word and I'd never even heard the song. It was truly something special to witness for a guy who thought he had done his homework.
KOL continued through their first six songs before arriving at "Revelry." By the time they hit "dancing machine" it was like I had forgotten I knew anything by this band. Caleb Followill's voice has a built-in effect that can't be reproduced. Almost reminiscent of the unique sound that Layne Staley gave to Alice in Chains. It's captivating and heart-breaking all at the same time. He puts you in a zone to the point where you can help but listen to every word he says.
"Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody" are two of those rare singles that you still die to hear, even though they've been played so many times on the radio and television. In my opinion, crowd participation hit an all-time high on these two, as it was obvious that both the early fans and more recent additions seemed to come together to belt it out. The only disappointment I can think of is the fact the crowd wasn't allowed to sing the lines on either of these as Caleb could have easily backed away from the microphone and let 2,000+ finish either chorus for him.
To end the normal set, KOL pulled "Trani" out of the bag. Thank you, KOL. I had never heard the song before that moment, but watching those lifelong fans' excitement build as the song built was truly amazing to me. And the song really is a show of it's own. Has to be Top 3 of every KOL song out there on almost every list compiled.
The encore was one great song after another, with KOL actually extending it out to a FOUR song encore. Unheard of from concerts I've been to in the past. "Knocked Up," an amazing version of "Manhattan," "Charmer," and "Black Thumbnail" were able to end the night exactly as it began.
Overall, it was one of the best live shows I've ever been to and I didn't even realize it until a couple of days later when I listened to the songs I wasn't familiar with. If you listen to a KOL album, you hear a whole slew of effects that you figure can't be pulled off live. But these songs sound BETTER live with all the same effects thrown in!
I can't imagine what it must have been like to see the Stones in their heyday or see the Beatles at Shea in 1965 when their popularity was at an all-time high. But to witness Kings of Leon at this stage in their careers, in what is certainly either their musical pinnacle or the beginning of their march towards it, may very well be the equivalent for the music of this decade. I know that may seem like a giant leap and just part of the "afterglow" of seeing them live, but for what it's worth take a minute to think of where true rock music is right now. Is it housed up in some Canadian penthouse with Nickelback, waiting for an e-mail from Mutt Lange to deliver their next hit? Is it texting "IDOL3" to Daughtry, hanging outside that same Canadian penthouse waiting to produce whatever Nickelback doesn't like? Is it trying to create jingles disguised as "rock operas" like Green Day? Or is it bands like the Foo Fighters, busting their ass on the road and making a sound all their own to the point you never have to question, "Who sings this?". I'll go with the latter. And I'll put the Kings right next to them. Not behind them, right next to them . . . with the ability to inch forward.
1.23.2009
Little time and even less money
I've been a little short on time over the past few days, but wanted to post a quick video to a song that has been growing on me today. To my disbelief, we hadn't yet mentioned The Avett Brothers on Tangent Lyrics until now. This is a song from the Four Thieves Gone album. I wanted to post the MP3, as I enjoyed that version a bit more, but this video provides justice.
The Avett Brothers - Famous Flower of Manhattan
And I found a flower in a field
A field of cars and people; rows of concrete, paint, and steel
Manhattan is where it grew
And I thought to cut it from it's stem
And take it from the cracks between bricks that it lay in
And save it from city strife
Away from the city life
Then someone they whispered in my ear
A county girl can't be made out of anybody here
Don't touch it, it loves you not
Don’t touch it, it loves you not
Cause blue birds don't fly without their wings
And when we put them in a cage the world can't hear them sing
So selfish when greed sets in
Possession, the king of sin
And people don't ever let you down
Forever find a way to kill whatever life they've found
A heart beat and I want it too
Manhattan is where she grew
So I left and I let the flower be
And yesterday saw the flower on cable TV
Much prettier than here with me
For all of the world to see
Much prettier than here with me
And I found a flower in a field
A field of cars and people; rows of concrete, paint, and steel
Manhattan is where it grew
And I thought to cut it from it's stem
And take it from the cracks between bricks that it lay in
And save it from city strife
Away from the city life
Then someone they whispered in my ear
A county girl can't be made out of anybody here
Don't touch it, it loves you not
Don’t touch it, it loves you not
Cause blue birds don't fly without their wings
And when we put them in a cage the world can't hear them sing
So selfish when greed sets in
Possession, the king of sin
And people don't ever let you down
Forever find a way to kill whatever life they've found
A heart beat and I want it too
Manhattan is where she grew
So I left and I let the flower be
And yesterday saw the flower on cable TV
Much prettier than here with me
For all of the world to see
Much prettier than here with me
1.22.2009
Preview of the Review - Kings of Leon Setlist, Louisville Palace, 1/20/2009
What a show! That's all I can say to sum it up at this point. I've never felt as underprepared for a concert as I did for that one, however, as song after song came up that I was unfamiliar with. Luckily, they were all songs that I want to become familiar with after hearing them.
These guys are the real deal and I'll get into more detail later. For now, here's the setlist I've searched and searched for. I found it from a very nice poster over at Kings of Leon's official website. It's kind of hard to decipher so I've done my best to list them below the picture:
Slow Night, So Long
Taper Jean Girl
My Party
Razz
Molly's Chambers
Fans
Revelry
Milk
Crawl
Four Kicks
Wasted Time
Closer
Sex on Fire
The Bucket
Notion
On Call
Use Somebody
Cold Desert
Trani (!!!!!! Best song of the night!!!!!)
Encore:
Knocked Up
Manhattan
Charmer
Black Thumbnail
Enjoy.
These guys are the real deal and I'll get into more detail later. For now, here's the setlist I've searched and searched for. I found it from a very nice poster over at Kings of Leon's official website. It's kind of hard to decipher so I've done my best to list them below the picture:
Slow Night, So Long
Taper Jean Girl
My Party
Razz
Molly's Chambers
Fans
Revelry
Milk
Crawl
Four Kicks
Wasted Time
Closer
Sex on Fire
The Bucket
Notion
On Call
Use Somebody
Cold Desert
Trani (!!!!!! Best song of the night!!!!!)
Encore:
Knocked Up
Manhattan
Charmer
Black Thumbnail
Enjoy.
1.20.2009
"what a night for a dance, you know I'm a dancing machine"
What a night indeed. Kings of Leon kick off their 2009 tour tonight in Louisville, where I will be just a few rows back. Not until their latest album, Only By The Night, have I taken an interest in Leon's sons (and nephew), as I couldn't necessarily bring myself to enjoy the earlier work. But redemption has made itself known in the form of songs like Revelry, Sex On Fire, Lose Somebody, and 17.Oh yeah....did I mention that The Whigs will be on board as the opening act? And that the show is at the historical Louisville Palace Theater? Can't wait!!!
1.16.2009
Try! then Try! again
***BE WARNED that this post is outside the general purpose and normalties that Tangent Lyrics stands for. But you have to give credit where credit is due. So yeah....I'm writing about this guy today.***
Sure, he is the same one that put out Your Body Is A Wonderland and Waiting On The World To Change, but John Mayer is one of those guys that will be talked about years from now. During lunch today, I once again had the debate whether Mayer is a legitimate musician. The answer is unquestionably YES!!! Far too many people are quick to categorize the man in the dreaded pop realm, somehow automatically disqualifying him from any accalades outside of being Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend.
This is how the public views Mr. Mayer. I agree that the publicity antics that have come from his personal life are distracting from the music he creates. But like he said in an interview, you must listen to the music and act as though you know nothing of him. Try that out sometime and might come away with a different perspective.
The recent release of a live performance in L.A., Where the Light Is, does nothing but help this battle of mine. The album and/or DVD showcase the talent and the versatility that is John Mayer. From an acoustic opening, a bluesy trio for the second act, and then the real-deal Mayer show. Where the Light Is truly exposes what makes Mayer the man that teenaged girls swoon over, the man that the hottest woman in the world covets, and the man emulated by thousands of guitarists all over the world.
Here is a sample of the John Mayer that I have come to appreciate. This is an acoustic version of Another Kind of Green from The John Mayer Trio album, Try!.
Sure, he is the same one that put out Your Body Is A Wonderland and Waiting On The World To Change, but John Mayer is one of those guys that will be talked about years from now. During lunch today, I once again had the debate whether Mayer is a legitimate musician. The answer is unquestionably YES!!! Far too many people are quick to categorize the man in the dreaded pop realm, somehow automatically disqualifying him from any accalades outside of being Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend.
This is how the public views Mr. Mayer. I agree that the publicity antics that have come from his personal life are distracting from the music he creates. But like he said in an interview, you must listen to the music and act as though you know nothing of him. Try that out sometime and might come away with a different perspective.
The recent release of a live performance in L.A., Where the Light Is, does nothing but help this battle of mine. The album and/or DVD showcase the talent and the versatility that is John Mayer. From an acoustic opening, a bluesy trio for the second act, and then the real-deal Mayer show. Where the Light Is truly exposes what makes Mayer the man that teenaged girls swoon over, the man that the hottest woman in the world covets, and the man emulated by thousands of guitarists all over the world.
Here is a sample of the John Mayer that I have come to appreciate. This is an acoustic version of Another Kind of Green from The John Mayer Trio album, Try!.
1.15.2009
The Burden of Necessity
Today was a great day!! I will admit that I do my fair share of bitching about the everyday grind (you know that you do it too), but optimism is one of the resolutions that I have set forth for myself to achieve this year....so here goes. Why was today a great day you ask....I'll tell you. No, it wasn't the almost inappropriate skirt that Sheila was wearing, nor was it the 2 hour nap I took in my make-shift bed under the desk. It started on my way to work this morning where "Damn It Feels Good To Be a Gangsta" came over the radio. I caught myself as I sunk my body a little lower and leaned back on that seat. You gotta love those Geto Boys and the scene from Office Space where the guys are taking out their frustrations on that copy machine.
The reason for the glorious date was actually set in motion by a choice that I made late last night. For the past few months at work, I have slowly compiled a small, but sufficient, library of music from a number of MP3 sites out there (gotta love those). But last night I decided to transition my home music library to my office. I had no clue the what the positive repercussions of this decision would be. But I spent the entire day listening to bands like TV On The Radio, The Walkmen, Blitzen Trapper, The Whigs, and Nada Surf. And may I say that the latest album from Nada Surf, Lucky, is definitely a must have. But I cannot explain to you the difference that the option of more options has made for me.
You could very well be saying to yourself that this is the most pointless blog article ever written (I wouldn't argue that), but I felt that the site was in need of a glass-is-half-full view since Mike put a 7 page hit out on OAR (I love all the MBZ I can get). But the message here is that the music I enjoy is pivotal, or necessary, for a brighter day. Let's keep the Lumberg's and the two Bob's of life from getting you down.
The reason for the glorious date was actually set in motion by a choice that I made late last night. For the past few months at work, I have slowly compiled a small, but sufficient, library of music from a number of MP3 sites out there (gotta love those). But last night I decided to transition my home music library to my office. I had no clue the what the positive repercussions of this decision would be. But I spent the entire day listening to bands like TV On The Radio, The Walkmen, Blitzen Trapper, The Whigs, and Nada Surf. And may I say that the latest album from Nada Surf, Lucky, is definitely a must have. But I cannot explain to you the difference that the option of more options has made for me.
You could very well be saying to yourself that this is the most pointless blog article ever written (I wouldn't argue that), but I felt that the site was in need of a glass-is-half-full view since Mike put a 7 page hit out on OAR (I love all the MBZ I can get). But the message here is that the music I enjoy is pivotal, or necessary, for a brighter day. Let's keep the Lumberg's and the two Bob's of life from getting you down.
1.13.2009
O . A . AARRGGHHH
I should go to bed right now but Jodie Meeks' 54 points has inspired me to try to master what I'm good at. And since I already did that once today, I thought I would capture a thought I had on the drive home today.
Somehow my CD player in my truck has turned into a radio. I don't know if someone else drove it and switched it to "Tune" or if I was trying to get a traffic update or something inside me really wanted to hear "Hey There Delilah" one more time. Whatever happened, I was getting songs that I hadn't downloaded projected out of my speakers. And twice today I heard something that upset me.
I understand that sometimes people have to change the way they do things to become more successful. I'm not mad at Tim Wakefield for switching to a knuckleball because he was on a collision course with mediocrity throwing his old pitches. I wasn't angry that Antonio Gates went pro in football after only playing basketball in college, because he could be a star at football and roster filler in the D-League. But I am irate at O.A.R.! Because at some point in the last five years, they decided to jump directly off of Black Rock and onto the money train. And much like the guy at Robert Sledge's party, they were not the same after that.
Twice today I heard the song "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)" and each time (including the second time in 8 hours) I had no idea who it was singing. There was no three chord progressions, no Old Man Time references, and not even the same voice. It didn't sound like them, and even worse it sounded like there was a chance it could be a Daughtry-wannabe. And even worse than that, Rick Dees loved it!!
I decided to get the most factual information I could find so I headed over to Google and found their Wikipedia page. It seems that this new "mainstream" O.A.R. will attach their songs to anything from All-Star Games to "Try Our Best To Get Overly Sentimental and Make You Cry (Extreme Home Makeover)." And if I remember correctly, a few years back "Love and Memories" was very close to knocking Luther Vandross (R.I.P.) off of the CBS March Madness highlight reel. Wait a minute . . .that "Love and Memories" was by O.A.R.? Are there two bands named OAR?
I remember a parking lot a while back, full of ruffled-skirt wearing young girls, where I watched Matt Nathanson musically dominate Howie Day and his band. While this was four or five years ago, it has stayed with me because of the discovery of Matt Nathanson and because of the immense anticipation I had to see O.A.R. in concert that night as the headliner. And on a mosquito-infested stage later that evening, I saw a band that had everything going for it -- a large, loyal fanbase who knew the word to every song and the name of every band member. They had this sound that no one could copy. Whether it be the crazy strums, crazier lyrics, or "Crazy Game of Poker," THIS band was going places. And now, they sound like they've copied everyone else to get to the top.
I know they're probably swimming in money like the opening credits of "Ducktales" right now, but the point is they completely changed their sound to get there. And they didn't need to. They needed patience. You think Bon Iver was worried about Top 40 radio when he locked himself in that cabin? He had a pretty good year. You think Blitzen Trapper were worried how a story of a man turning into a wolf turning back into a man would go over with Casey Kasem? Didn't sound like it. I know everyone wants to be successful, but at some point doesn't the integrity of the music mean more than the money? Isn't that what an artist is all about?
Things like this really get to me because I was so proud to be an O.A.R. fan and so proud to sing their songs at our shows and tell other people about them. What if they waited a couple of years before they took my advice? What will they think of me when they hear them now? I was just about this pissed off when, after years of repping the best John Mayer songs ("Comfortable" "Why Did You Mess With Forever?" "Man on The Side" "Sucker"), I saw Sanjaya (sp?) perform "Waiting on the World to Change" on American Idol. And I knew right then, that one of my friends, somewhere, sitting in a videogame chair, had finally figured out the answer to "You know how I know Mike's gay?"
I wanted to join in on Roger's venture of creating this blog for opportunities to not only share new finds but to also gripe about things exactly such as this. I'm not going to post any pictures or link any songs here because I don't think it would do this entry justice. If you don't agree, please tell me why. I wanna know why O.A.R. still has that magic. I wanna know, if you've seen them lately, how the old classics mesh perfectly with the new crap. And I wanna know, more than anything, why they didn't sell their souls. Make me believe again.
Somehow my CD player in my truck has turned into a radio. I don't know if someone else drove it and switched it to "Tune" or if I was trying to get a traffic update or something inside me really wanted to hear "Hey There Delilah" one more time. Whatever happened, I was getting songs that I hadn't downloaded projected out of my speakers. And twice today I heard something that upset me.
I understand that sometimes people have to change the way they do things to become more successful. I'm not mad at Tim Wakefield for switching to a knuckleball because he was on a collision course with mediocrity throwing his old pitches. I wasn't angry that Antonio Gates went pro in football after only playing basketball in college, because he could be a star at football and roster filler in the D-League. But I am irate at O.A.R.! Because at some point in the last five years, they decided to jump directly off of Black Rock and onto the money train. And much like the guy at Robert Sledge's party, they were not the same after that.
Twice today I heard the song "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)" and each time (including the second time in 8 hours) I had no idea who it was singing. There was no three chord progressions, no Old Man Time references, and not even the same voice. It didn't sound like them, and even worse it sounded like there was a chance it could be a Daughtry-wannabe. And even worse than that, Rick Dees loved it!!
I decided to get the most factual information I could find so I headed over to Google and found their Wikipedia page. It seems that this new "mainstream" O.A.R. will attach their songs to anything from All-Star Games to "Try Our Best To Get Overly Sentimental and Make You Cry (Extreme Home Makeover)." And if I remember correctly, a few years back "Love and Memories" was very close to knocking Luther Vandross (R.I.P.) off of the CBS March Madness highlight reel. Wait a minute . . .that "Love and Memories" was by O.A.R.? Are there two bands named OAR?
I remember a parking lot a while back, full of ruffled-skirt wearing young girls, where I watched Matt Nathanson musically dominate Howie Day and his band. While this was four or five years ago, it has stayed with me because of the discovery of Matt Nathanson and because of the immense anticipation I had to see O.A.R. in concert that night as the headliner. And on a mosquito-infested stage later that evening, I saw a band that had everything going for it -- a large, loyal fanbase who knew the word to every song and the name of every band member. They had this sound that no one could copy. Whether it be the crazy strums, crazier lyrics, or "Crazy Game of Poker," THIS band was going places. And now, they sound like they've copied everyone else to get to the top.
I know they're probably swimming in money like the opening credits of "Ducktales" right now, but the point is they completely changed their sound to get there. And they didn't need to. They needed patience. You think Bon Iver was worried about Top 40 radio when he locked himself in that cabin? He had a pretty good year. You think Blitzen Trapper were worried how a story of a man turning into a wolf turning back into a man would go over with Casey Kasem? Didn't sound like it. I know everyone wants to be successful, but at some point doesn't the integrity of the music mean more than the money? Isn't that what an artist is all about?
Things like this really get to me because I was so proud to be an O.A.R. fan and so proud to sing their songs at our shows and tell other people about them. What if they waited a couple of years before they took my advice? What will they think of me when they hear them now? I was just about this pissed off when, after years of repping the best John Mayer songs ("Comfortable" "Why Did You Mess With Forever?" "Man on The Side" "Sucker"), I saw Sanjaya (sp?) perform "Waiting on the World to Change" on American Idol. And I knew right then, that one of my friends, somewhere, sitting in a videogame chair, had finally figured out the answer to "You know how I know Mike's gay?"
I wanted to join in on Roger's venture of creating this blog for opportunities to not only share new finds but to also gripe about things exactly such as this. I'm not going to post any pictures or link any songs here because I don't think it would do this entry justice. If you don't agree, please tell me why. I wanna know why O.A.R. still has that magic. I wanna know, if you've seen them lately, how the old classics mesh perfectly with the new crap. And I wanna know, more than anything, why they didn't sell their souls. Make me believe again.
Tuesday's Tunes
When your band is noted as being M. Ward's "favorite new band", you know you're doing something right. Quintuplet group Port O'Brien presents a delicious smörgåsbord of sound that is displayed in a free-for-all arena. All We Could Do Was Sing was released in 2008 which prompted mighty touring detail with such groups as Modest Mouse and Delta Spirit. LaundroMatinee recently featured the band with a live three song session. 
There isn't a lot that I can say for Wynn Walent other than the fact that I heard of him over on Pop Headwound, and I liked what I heard. The featured song here, The Well Is Always Dry, has a certain Gavin Degraw-ish quality heard in the covering of Hallelujah. But other Walent tracks don't necessarily offer the same, I say this as a good thing.
Blood Bank could easily be the eleventh track from Bon Iver's 2008 album, For Emma, Forever Ago (if you don't own this album, go get it and you won't be disappointed). However, we get to look forward to the track being included on the band's upcoming 4 song EP. The more Bon, the better....I always say!! 1.12.2009
Before the Goldrush
I love covers. I've never denied it. I would rather hear an album of someone singing other people's songs than originals of their own. Does it discredit my true taste in music? Maybe. Does it mean I don't covet originality? I don't know. Does it mean I'm not a true fan? Hell no.
While strolling through our much more sophisticated, probably hangs out with a lot cooler people, more attractive, smokes pot without coughing, most likely to succeed cousin-like site, "Fuel Friends," I stumbled upon an entry concerning the album "Before the Goldrush." This was created to benefit the Teach for America program that I had heard about through a couple of different people. Mostly I was attracted to it because it featured 26 songs (all covers) from artists such as Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, and Van Morrison. Moreover, there was actually a decently recorded version of The Swell Season doing "Into the Mystic." And it was only $9.99!
Once purchased, I was immediately engulfed by some great indie acts, great original takes on the classic songs, and a song entitled "Bowling Green" by Neko Case. And yes, it's that Bowling Green. The one I always claimed I would move back to tomorrow if given the opportunity. Check it out. How did we miss this song during college?!!
Other highlights include Jim Boggia taking a very original twist on the Beatles' "Girl" (if you're not familiar, think of the opening scene from "Across the Universe"), Alicia Wiley covering a song called "Little Green," Nels Andrews slowly nailing "I Hope I Don't Fall in Love with You," and William Fitzsimmons covering my favorite James Taylor song of all time "You Can Close Your Eyes." Also, Louisville native Rebecca Elliot records "You're My Home" that sounds like it could've ended any Pacey/Joey episode from "Dawson's Creek." Like it or not, I always applaud that.
The bottom line is this: It's for a great cause and it's $9.99 for 26 songs. Sounds like a good bargain to me.
While strolling through our much more sophisticated, probably hangs out with a lot cooler people, more attractive, smokes pot without coughing, most likely to succeed cousin-like site, "Fuel Friends," I stumbled upon an entry concerning the album "Before the Goldrush." This was created to benefit the Teach for America program that I had heard about through a couple of different people. Mostly I was attracted to it because it featured 26 songs (all covers) from artists such as Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, and Van Morrison. Moreover, there was actually a decently recorded version of The Swell Season doing "Into the Mystic." And it was only $9.99!
Once purchased, I was immediately engulfed by some great indie acts, great original takes on the classic songs, and a song entitled "Bowling Green" by Neko Case. And yes, it's that Bowling Green. The one I always claimed I would move back to tomorrow if given the opportunity. Check it out. How did we miss this song during college?!!
Other highlights include Jim Boggia taking a very original twist on the Beatles' "Girl" (if you're not familiar, think of the opening scene from "Across the Universe"), Alicia Wiley covering a song called "Little Green," Nels Andrews slowly nailing "I Hope I Don't Fall in Love with You," and William Fitzsimmons covering my favorite James Taylor song of all time "You Can Close Your Eyes." Also, Louisville native Rebecca Elliot records "You're My Home" that sounds like it could've ended any Pacey/Joey episode from "Dawson's Creek." Like it or not, I always applaud that.
The bottom line is this: It's for a great cause and it's $9.99 for 26 songs. Sounds like a good bargain to me.
1.11.2009
City and Colour
While MBZ is momentarily back, I'm still here as always. "Dropping the ball" is sometimes his preferred forte. Yeah....I said it!!! But this weekend I was let in on the solo act of City and Colour (compliments of the CO). The ink covered Dallas Green was featured on MySpace Transmissions some months ago displaying several of his acoustic pieces.
1.09.2009
I'm BAAAAAAACCCCCCKKKK. . . .
Hello again! Sorry I've been away for so long. In an attempt to take this thing national on his own, Roger changed my password. Luckily, I remembered his infatuation for Judy Blume characters and was able to crack back in. This is a volatile situation so I must be deliberate before he changes it again and I am forced to remember all the names of "The Boxcar Children."
Just wanted to remind everyone that tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Joshua Radin show at Headliner's for Saturday, March 7th. I'm guessing they'll be like 15 bucks. If you haven't heard of Josh before, you definitely need to check him out. But make sure you don't do it while sleepy and driving the interstate. Contrary to popular belief, E-Town to Louisville on 65 cannot be done with your eyes closed.
Here is a video of Josh performing "Everything Will be Alright (Will's Lullaby)"
(The quality of this video isn't that great but the piano player looks like she could be):
I am hoping to one day be a regular contributor again. But much like my dreams of being a Sportscenter anchor or skinny, I'm not sure when that day will come.
Just wanted to remind everyone that tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Joshua Radin show at Headliner's for Saturday, March 7th. I'm guessing they'll be like 15 bucks. If you haven't heard of Josh before, you definitely need to check him out. But make sure you don't do it while sleepy and driving the interstate. Contrary to popular belief, E-Town to Louisville on 65 cannot be done with your eyes closed.
Here is a video of Josh performing "Everything Will be Alright (Will's Lullaby)"
(The quality of this video isn't that great but the piano player looks like she could be):
I am hoping to one day be a regular contributor again. But much like my dreams of being a Sportscenter anchor or skinny, I'm not sure when that day will come.
1.08.2009
Bonnaroo Boss.....Bruce???
So it's being rumored that Bruce Springsteen is going to be the closing act for Bonnaroo '09. I'm not much one for mainstream making it's way to Manchester, but having The Boss there would be wicked awesome!! So there is the possibility to see Bruce Springsteen and Phish at this year's festival (much less seperate). Rumors, lies, hearsay?? Let's cross those fingers!!
1.07.2009
Still deliberating
I have yet to decide if I'm a fan of Fleet Foxes, even though they have been one of the highest acclaimed new bands of the past year. My feeling is that of a group trying to sound like another group. Once I devote a little more time into Fleet's repertoire I could very easily be swayed (as this is too often the case), but for now the jury is still out.
White Winter Hymnal
Blue Ridge Mountains
White Winter Hymnal
Blue Ridge Mountains
1.05.2009
The "Fly" of Delta Spirit
So I caught the group Delta Spirit on Conan O'Brien the other night. The song of choice, Trashcan, I had heard somewhere before. It has one of those annoyingly catchy piano licks that you can't get out of your head. So like the saying goes, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em", I went and pulled down their first full-lengthed album, Ode To Sunshine.
Aside from the very creepy album cover, I'm reaping the benefits of my investment in Delta stock (see what I did there??). The soul-full voice of Matthew Vasquez is simply fun to listen to. He's got one of those voices that people attempt to emulate. Not to take away from the remaining members of the band, we also have a guy banging on trashcan lids to go along with the percussion and melodies.
Conan ended the show with an emphatic "I really liked that!!!"....made me laugh.
Aside from the very creepy album cover, I'm reaping the benefits of my investment in Delta stock (see what I did there??). The soul-full voice of Matthew Vasquez is simply fun to listen to. He's got one of those voices that people attempt to emulate. Not to take away from the remaining members of the band, we also have a guy banging on trashcan lids to go along with the percussion and melodies.
Conan ended the show with an emphatic "I really liked that!!!"....made me laugh.
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