Can't necessarily coin that term, nor would I want to, but hey, that's where my head's at right now. It's a bright, sunny morning, and all I can do, besides laundry, is browse the web in an attempt to find music that soothes me, moves me, or does something to me. That last bit kind of makes me want to listen to Tommy James and the Shondells. But, at this moment, I'll just save that little one for later.
So, working at Urban Outfitters, we are forced to co-exist with Urban Radio, listening to random artists, ranging from the newly hip (Nikki Lane), and what Urban likes to consider oldies, but goodies like Animal Collective, Bon Iver, and maybe even a little Pixies thrown in to good effect, but I guess that's their way of being "diverse." In other words, it sucks. But, the other day, I did hear this one catchy song by the aforementioned Nikki Lane, and it wasn't half-bad. Granted it's the kind of song that catches your ear for three days, and then it's gone because it wasn't good enough to stay in the first place. But, I'm not going to showcase that song, "Gone Gone Gone," in case you want to hear it. Upon browsing her name on the web, I found this little gem, titled "Look Away." You can view the video below:
Also, I've been getting into Silver Apples lately. I've heard of them from several people, but have never really given them a solid listen, until this morning. And, given my love-hate relationship with electronic music, it's good to hear something that was refreshing for its time, especially considering they were, or are considered, precursors to a lot of electronic, dance, and house music that became prominent in the 90s. I've pasted the song, "You and I" below. It's the first track off their second album, which came out in 1969, titled Contact.
That's all. Peace.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Back To School...
So, upon hearing that my friend is taking The History of Rock N' Roll at UT, I immediately jumped on the band-wagon, so to speak, and decided to infiltrate her class, even though I graduated four months ago. I've gone to two sessions, taken excellent notes, and even consoled another student who got a bad grade on her quiz, though it was a quiz I didn't have to take because I'm not on the roster, ssshhh!
The class is great. It's not only a good, historical approach to the study of music, but it's also a social reflection on how we, as Americans, have adapted to music since the 1920's. Since I "entered" the class late, I arrived when they started discussing the 50's, so I missed the good stuff like Bessie Smith or Robert Johnson, but I have had the pleasure of hearing about The Everly Brothers, Richie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, and the displeasure of hearing about wholesome American heartthrobs like Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Paul Anka. So, it goes to show that the realm of "pop" and all the not-so-great things preduced from that station has been a constant trend for years and years, so it does leave some kind of refreshing entanglement that it's nothing new. If you are a product of the 80s or 90s, then you know it's a fact.
On top of that, my music listening has been growing more consistent. Lately, I've been listening to Beck's Stereopathetic Soul Manure, which I've never fully digested, and by God, I make these mistakes every time, but I'm glad that I'm finally getting more involved in it.
I've also been listening to...wait for it...The Everly Brothers, Richie Valens, and Buddy Holly! Class lectures are sticking to my mind, making me digest some music I've never heard from these artists, as well as those good old favorites that have stuck for years and years. Though The Everly Brothers fall into that 50's teen, heartthrob category, who can resist turning the volume up when this song comes up...
That's all I got for today. Peace!
The class is great. It's not only a good, historical approach to the study of music, but it's also a social reflection on how we, as Americans, have adapted to music since the 1920's. Since I "entered" the class late, I arrived when they started discussing the 50's, so I missed the good stuff like Bessie Smith or Robert Johnson, but I have had the pleasure of hearing about The Everly Brothers, Richie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, and the displeasure of hearing about wholesome American heartthrobs like Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Paul Anka. So, it goes to show that the realm of "pop" and all the not-so-great things preduced from that station has been a constant trend for years and years, so it does leave some kind of refreshing entanglement that it's nothing new. If you are a product of the 80s or 90s, then you know it's a fact.
On top of that, my music listening has been growing more consistent. Lately, I've been listening to Beck's Stereopathetic Soul Manure, which I've never fully digested, and by God, I make these mistakes every time, but I'm glad that I'm finally getting more involved in it.
I've also been listening to...wait for it...The Everly Brothers, Richie Valens, and Buddy Holly! Class lectures are sticking to my mind, making me digest some music I've never heard from these artists, as well as those good old favorites that have stuck for years and years. Though The Everly Brothers fall into that 50's teen, heartthrob category, who can resist turning the volume up when this song comes up...
That's all I got for today. Peace!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Un renacimiento de escucha
As a music listener, one of the many things I can be thankful for are good friends with good taste in music. It's assumed that I may not always agree on their tastes; however, I can succumb to the inward urge to venture forth and give an educated look at what's coming across, either aesthetically or just visually (not literally visual, but more so the artist's vision.)
Today, I played switch-a-roo with a friend, and I recommended her to listen to Lana Del Rey's song "Video Games." She loved it, and played it at least three times today. In turn, she recommended me to listen to Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" off of his latest LP Making Mirrors. I have to say that I like his simple approach toward a break-up song, yet he uses his music to stylistically portray the somber onset of a bad breakup, but in the chorus, his voice explodes into a more angry resentment at the fact that break-ups make strangers out of the people involved. As a writer, the symbolism in the song was what drove me to even blog about it, because I thought it was a fresh look at the age-old break-up lament. Here's the video below:
Also, as I have said before, I've had to stick to my own personal stash of LP's, in that my broke ass cannot afford to hit the record shops every time an album comes out. That's why if I'm not listening to one of my records or cd's, I'm glued to my computer, watching music videos, or making another playlist on Grooveshark. So, on that note, I've revisited The Strange Boys, mainly listening to their album ...And Girls Club. It's a nice little take on old school r&b, blues, and rock n roll. I was quite fascinated with them in late 2008, early 2009, when I noticed a trend in bands reverting back to 60's garage and psychedelic, and I noticed that in Austin, they were one of the bands at the forefront of that "movement," but let's not use that word. Either way, my fascination with them kind of wavered, but it was a welcomed reintroduction to pop that cd in the disc-changer. You can view the video for the song "Woe Is You and Me" below.
That's all I got for tonight. Peace!
Today, I played switch-a-roo with a friend, and I recommended her to listen to Lana Del Rey's song "Video Games." She loved it, and played it at least three times today. In turn, she recommended me to listen to Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" off of his latest LP Making Mirrors. I have to say that I like his simple approach toward a break-up song, yet he uses his music to stylistically portray the somber onset of a bad breakup, but in the chorus, his voice explodes into a more angry resentment at the fact that break-ups make strangers out of the people involved. As a writer, the symbolism in the song was what drove me to even blog about it, because I thought it was a fresh look at the age-old break-up lament. Here's the video below:
Also, as I have said before, I've had to stick to my own personal stash of LP's, in that my broke ass cannot afford to hit the record shops every time an album comes out. That's why if I'm not listening to one of my records or cd's, I'm glued to my computer, watching music videos, or making another playlist on Grooveshark. So, on that note, I've revisited The Strange Boys, mainly listening to their album ...And Girls Club. It's a nice little take on old school r&b, blues, and rock n roll. I was quite fascinated with them in late 2008, early 2009, when I noticed a trend in bands reverting back to 60's garage and psychedelic, and I noticed that in Austin, they were one of the bands at the forefront of that "movement," but let's not use that word. Either way, my fascination with them kind of wavered, but it was a welcomed reintroduction to pop that cd in the disc-changer. You can view the video for the song "Woe Is You and Me" below.
That's all I got for tonight. Peace!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Visible and Audible?
Well folks, I'm in a listening funk. I've been neglecting my computer, CD player, and even music TV channels. I don't know why, but lately (meaning this past week) when I listen to music, I've just had to depend on Pandora to be on because I've been lacking the motivation to find and listen to music. But, Pandora proves to be a nifty little sucker every now and again.
If you haven't used Pandora, just try it out for a spell, and if you want some eclectic shit to blast your ear-buds a new one, then make a Beck station. You won't regret it. It plays the most random stuff, but it's always enjoyable. Because of this station, I've grown more of a new-found appreciation for electronic music, or music that is extremely beat-heavy. If you ask any of my friends, they will tell you that I flat out don't like electronic music, which isn't necessarily the case. I just don't care for it. Meaning, that it's not what I head for first when I enter a record store because it's not what gets my mojo risin'. Get the reference?
On another note, would someone please stand behind me in making a formal complaint to Urban Outfitters Radio. As an employee of the clothing store, I have to spend every shift listening to the same shit over and over and over. It's the most ridiculous, electronic, trendy, runway bullshit my ears have had the displeasure of enduring. I won't even go further into it because to give it any more play on your eyes would be a true disservice to music fans and generations to come. All I'm saying is Urban needs to play some good shit because it's seriously slacking, and it's making me want to quit my job on principle alone.
Veering away from music for a second, I am insanely excited to see more movies lately. Maybe that's why I've been neglecting music as of late. Maybe I just need more visual stimulation. Also, I feel that since Hollywood is at this random stage of making movies that are cheap entertainment, especially with regard to horrendous remakes, (please don't get me started on Footloose), there's still hope out there. Here's a list of movies I am ecstatic to see...
Melancholia
Another Earth
Restless
Contagion
The Skin I Live In
Drive
I'm most excited about Melancholia. I've been wanting to delve more into Lars Von Trier's films, and I think this one may be a good start. Here's the trailer:
That's all I got for now... Keep it rockin'. Peace!
If you haven't used Pandora, just try it out for a spell, and if you want some eclectic shit to blast your ear-buds a new one, then make a Beck station. You won't regret it. It plays the most random stuff, but it's always enjoyable. Because of this station, I've grown more of a new-found appreciation for electronic music, or music that is extremely beat-heavy. If you ask any of my friends, they will tell you that I flat out don't like electronic music, which isn't necessarily the case. I just don't care for it. Meaning, that it's not what I head for first when I enter a record store because it's not what gets my mojo risin'. Get the reference?
On another note, would someone please stand behind me in making a formal complaint to Urban Outfitters Radio. As an employee of the clothing store, I have to spend every shift listening to the same shit over and over and over. It's the most ridiculous, electronic, trendy, runway bullshit my ears have had the displeasure of enduring. I won't even go further into it because to give it any more play on your eyes would be a true disservice to music fans and generations to come. All I'm saying is Urban needs to play some good shit because it's seriously slacking, and it's making me want to quit my job on principle alone.
Veering away from music for a second, I am insanely excited to see more movies lately. Maybe that's why I've been neglecting music as of late. Maybe I just need more visual stimulation. Also, I feel that since Hollywood is at this random stage of making movies that are cheap entertainment, especially with regard to horrendous remakes, (please don't get me started on Footloose), there's still hope out there. Here's a list of movies I am ecstatic to see...
Melancholia
Another Earth
Restless
Contagion
The Skin I Live In
Drive
I'm most excited about Melancholia. I've been wanting to delve more into Lars Von Trier's films, and I think this one may be a good start. Here's the trailer:
That's all I got for now... Keep it rockin'. Peace!
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