Listening...All Day...All Night...
LISTENING: Well since I didn't really find anything newsworthy for today's blog entry, I decided to just share some stuff that I've been listening to for the past couple of days. Some of it, I've mentioned, some of it I haven't, and some I should have.
Well, let's start with Fiona Apple. Having not been able to attend her showcases in Austin a few weeks ago, I made it a point to watch many videos of the events in an effort to familiarize myself a little with her new sound, if there is a new sound. From the new track, "Anything We Want," which comes off her upcoming LP, The Idler Wheel is wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipping Cords will serve you more than Ropes will ever do. If you think that's a long title, why don't you take a look at the full title of Apple's second LP, When The Pawn.... Veering back to the track, it's insanely good. Apple is at her best with this track, and it just shows that taking the right amount of time to work on your stuff only creates a better opportunity to showcase your work and make it as true as possible. I don't know how many times I have to stress this...but you can't rush art. And those that disagree must work well with deadlines, and not so well with substance. But that's another discussion. You can view the track below:
Moving on...I've been back in a Kills kick lately. Then again, when am I not? But, I finally got a hold of their entire B-sides collection, and I've been taking that in, and I've blogged about some of the songs, but some of my new favorites include "Magazine" and "Forty-Four," and "Run Home Slow" is just magic. You can view that one below:
Lastly, an age-old favorite. I heard this song on the radio last night, and have not been able to get it out of my head. Everyone knows this one..."My Sharona" by The Knack. This used to be one of my favorite jams in high school, and I actually got a mini-scar on my lip from a friend while playing Cranium, and she tried getting me to guess the name of the song and I couldn't get it. Yes, games are lethal. But this song is a nice alternative. So...look that one up if you get a chance. It's an ice little throw-back tune. Until next time...
That's all. PEACE.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
"I Did Not Expect a Spektor"
Regina Spektor shares video for new track...Kelley Stoltz on repeat...
Let's see...how to start this one. OH, Regina Spektor...well, I got into her music around the time of Begin To Hope, but the funny thing with her was that when I would shop at FYE (this was in high school btw), I'd always pick up Soviet Kitsch and give a few songs a listen, but for some unknown reason, I just never purchased it, and now, it's my favorite Spektor album. Aside from that, I've kind of kept myself abreast of her career as she's gone on to become bigger, bolder, but not necessarily better. Her last album, Far was a little disappointing in my view, but there were some good tracks. Now, she's shown the video to her new single, "All The Rowboats," off of her new album, What We Saw From The Cheap Seats. The track is okay, kind of reminiscent of "Machine" from Far in that it has the same menacing tone, and somewhat darker vibe. You can listen to the track below:
Also, if that video doesn't satisfy you enough, you can hear an even newer track from her new LP, titled "Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)," which you can listen to below:
LISTENING: I've been taking advantage of the random assortment of songs that work their way into my ears as I'm listening to Pandora. One of my favorite stations to listen to is my "Devendra Banhart" station because it always plays some good folk songs from musicians I've never heard of. Among them is Kelley Stoltz. Now, some of his music probably wouldn't fall into the folk arena, at least what I've heard thus far, but this one song..."Prank Calls," I cannot seem to shake. It won't leave my head at night, and I hear it in the morning, and it's just fantastic. Listen for yourself. I'm done.
That's all. PEACE.
Let's see...how to start this one. OH, Regina Spektor...well, I got into her music around the time of Begin To Hope, but the funny thing with her was that when I would shop at FYE (this was in high school btw), I'd always pick up Soviet Kitsch and give a few songs a listen, but for some unknown reason, I just never purchased it, and now, it's my favorite Spektor album. Aside from that, I've kind of kept myself abreast of her career as she's gone on to become bigger, bolder, but not necessarily better. Her last album, Far was a little disappointing in my view, but there were some good tracks. Now, she's shown the video to her new single, "All The Rowboats," off of her new album, What We Saw From The Cheap Seats. The track is okay, kind of reminiscent of "Machine" from Far in that it has the same menacing tone, and somewhat darker vibe. You can listen to the track below:
Also, if that video doesn't satisfy you enough, you can hear an even newer track from her new LP, titled "Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)," which you can listen to below:
LISTENING: I've been taking advantage of the random assortment of songs that work their way into my ears as I'm listening to Pandora. One of my favorite stations to listen to is my "Devendra Banhart" station because it always plays some good folk songs from musicians I've never heard of. Among them is Kelley Stoltz. Now, some of his music probably wouldn't fall into the folk arena, at least what I've heard thus far, but this one song..."Prank Calls," I cannot seem to shake. It won't leave my head at night, and I hear it in the morning, and it's just fantastic. Listen for yourself. I'm done.
That's all. PEACE.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Snoopin' Around
Snoop Dogg and Diplo go reggae?...Mumford and Sons talk about new album...Miike Snow disappoints me...
Let's start this off with Snooooooooooop! I mean, regardless of whether or not you like rap music (which I don't), you gotta love Snoop Dogg. He's just a bad motherfucker. Whether it's "Gin and Juice" or "Drop It Like It's Hot," (which you can hear below) the man just has a certain appeal that makes him one of the most lauded after and one of the most respected people in the game. Having said that...the rapper pair up with producer Diplo for his latest album, which is A REGGAE ALBUM? I could see something like this coming from Diplo, whom I know only through his work with M.I.A. on her debut album, Arular, but I didn't see this coming from Snoop Dogg. But hey, if it works, it works.
Mumford and Sons also shared some words about their new album...and I'm pretty excited about this, having only gotten into Sigh No More but a mere eight months ago, and with our ADD music listeners nowadays, that album is probably considered "so old." In an article in NME, singer Marcus Mumford clears the air by stating that comments he'd made about the album being "doom-folk" and "Black Sabbath meets Nick Drake" were jokes. You can read more about it here.
LISTENING: I finally got around to listening to Happy To You by Miike Snow, and I have to say that I found it to be utterly boring. Yes, I'm sure electronic fans thought it was innovative and great, and I'm sure DJ's around the world are already remixing and revising some songs, but there just wasn't a whole lot there for me to like. I don't know, maybe I'm programmed weird, but it was such a bleak album. If there were any "interesting" moments I found, they were probably in the songs "Enter the Joker's Lair" and "Paddling Out," which coincidentally are the first and last tracks of the album. So, I think they tricked me with the first track into becoming interested, let me down with the album's entirety, and then left me with an okay track, thinking the LP was worth it. But sadly, no.
That's all. PEACE.
Let's start this off with Snooooooooooop! I mean, regardless of whether or not you like rap music (which I don't), you gotta love Snoop Dogg. He's just a bad motherfucker. Whether it's "Gin and Juice" or "Drop It Like It's Hot," (which you can hear below) the man just has a certain appeal that makes him one of the most lauded after and one of the most respected people in the game. Having said that...the rapper pair up with producer Diplo for his latest album, which is A REGGAE ALBUM? I could see something like this coming from Diplo, whom I know only through his work with M.I.A. on her debut album, Arular, but I didn't see this coming from Snoop Dogg. But hey, if it works, it works.
Mumford and Sons also shared some words about their new album...and I'm pretty excited about this, having only gotten into Sigh No More but a mere eight months ago, and with our ADD music listeners nowadays, that album is probably considered "so old." In an article in NME, singer Marcus Mumford clears the air by stating that comments he'd made about the album being "doom-folk" and "Black Sabbath meets Nick Drake" were jokes. You can read more about it here.
LISTENING: I finally got around to listening to Happy To You by Miike Snow, and I have to say that I found it to be utterly boring. Yes, I'm sure electronic fans thought it was innovative and great, and I'm sure DJ's around the world are already remixing and revising some songs, but there just wasn't a whole lot there for me to like. I don't know, maybe I'm programmed weird, but it was such a bleak album. If there were any "interesting" moments I found, they were probably in the songs "Enter the Joker's Lair" and "Paddling Out," which coincidentally are the first and last tracks of the album. So, I think they tricked me with the first track into becoming interested, let me down with the album's entirety, and then left me with an okay track, thinking the LP was worth it. But sadly, no.
That's all. PEACE.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
WHAT'S THIS GARBAGE?!
Garbage shares song from new LP...Damon Albarn gets folky...What's up with White Fence?...
Well, let's start this thing off with a little Garbage...no pun intended? Garbage is one of those bands that you heard of if you grew up with an older, angsty sister in the 90s, at least that's my situation. The first and second albums were staples in the house I grew up in, especially the track "Special," from their album, Version 2.0. I've always liked Garbage, and I loved that they are so blatantly, obviously 90s, but that they blatantly, obviously don't give a shit. And from watching an interview with Shirley Manson on Chelsea Lately, the Scottish singer said that she originally planned on retiring until seeing a band play at Coachella(?), and thinking to herself that she could work the stage so much better, and the idea that this band wasn't doing it right prompted her out of thinking about retirement. Having said that, their new track, "Battle In Me," is the first single off their new LP, Not Your Kind of People. And from taking a first listen, it appears that they're picking up right where they left off. Mind you, I didn't listen to any of their albums past Version 2.0, but this track sounds like it would have been right at home on that LP, which means Garbage is righteously back on. You can listen below:
Moving on...Damon Albarn announced that he is recording an operatic album, titled Dr Dee, and he's released the first snippet, giving fans a little preview into the tone and mood of the LP, which will be out on May 7. The album is supposedly inspired by John Dee, historical figure and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. At first listen, I like this new direction, having only heard his work with Gorillaz...oh and that one Blur song that I know of. You can listen for yourself below:
LISTENING: My listening is improving in that I am actually making it a point to constantly listen to music, whether at work, or at home, or reading, or cooking, or singing to myself. So...last night while reading, I took a listen to White Fence's album Is Growing Faith, and I have to say that it's definitely caught my attention. Usually, nothing can pull me away from reading, but I found myself constantly looking at the stereo to remember what track was playing because several of them just struck me. Key tracks that I liked were "A Pearl is Not a Diamond," "Get That Heart," and "Stranger Things Have Happened (To You)."
The project of Tim Presley, White Fence plays on psychedelic moments mixed with garage rock, creating a hybrid that is at times ethereal, and at times uncomfortable (in a good way?), but it works. And...Presley also sings backup for The Strange Boys...whom I've also written about...weird how things come full circle. Also, I mentioned yesterday that Ty Segall and White Fence are releasing an album together, titled Hair, and White Fence is set to release a new LP, titled Family Perfume Vol. 1 on April 3rd, so be on the lookout for that. You can listen to my current favorite track by them (titled "Stranger Things Have Happened (To You)") below:
That's all. PEACE.
Well, let's start this thing off with a little Garbage...no pun intended? Garbage is one of those bands that you heard of if you grew up with an older, angsty sister in the 90s, at least that's my situation. The first and second albums were staples in the house I grew up in, especially the track "Special," from their album, Version 2.0. I've always liked Garbage, and I loved that they are so blatantly, obviously 90s, but that they blatantly, obviously don't give a shit. And from watching an interview with Shirley Manson on Chelsea Lately, the Scottish singer said that she originally planned on retiring until seeing a band play at Coachella(?), and thinking to herself that she could work the stage so much better, and the idea that this band wasn't doing it right prompted her out of thinking about retirement. Having said that, their new track, "Battle In Me," is the first single off their new LP, Not Your Kind of People. And from taking a first listen, it appears that they're picking up right where they left off. Mind you, I didn't listen to any of their albums past Version 2.0, but this track sounds like it would have been right at home on that LP, which means Garbage is righteously back on. You can listen below:
Moving on...Damon Albarn announced that he is recording an operatic album, titled Dr Dee, and he's released the first snippet, giving fans a little preview into the tone and mood of the LP, which will be out on May 7. The album is supposedly inspired by John Dee, historical figure and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. At first listen, I like this new direction, having only heard his work with Gorillaz...oh and that one Blur song that I know of. You can listen for yourself below:
LISTENING: My listening is improving in that I am actually making it a point to constantly listen to music, whether at work, or at home, or reading, or cooking, or singing to myself. So...last night while reading, I took a listen to White Fence's album Is Growing Faith, and I have to say that it's definitely caught my attention. Usually, nothing can pull me away from reading, but I found myself constantly looking at the stereo to remember what track was playing because several of them just struck me. Key tracks that I liked were "A Pearl is Not a Diamond," "Get That Heart," and "Stranger Things Have Happened (To You)."
The project of Tim Presley, White Fence plays on psychedelic moments mixed with garage rock, creating a hybrid that is at times ethereal, and at times uncomfortable (in a good way?), but it works. And...Presley also sings backup for The Strange Boys...whom I've also written about...weird how things come full circle. Also, I mentioned yesterday that Ty Segall and White Fence are releasing an album together, titled Hair, and White Fence is set to release a new LP, titled Family Perfume Vol. 1 on April 3rd, so be on the lookout for that. You can listen to my current favorite track by them (titled "Stranger Things Have Happened (To You)") below:
That's all. PEACE.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
No Scream Like a Primal Scream
Ty Sygall and White Fence release snippet from upcoming album...Tenacious D release video for "To Be The Best"...and Primal Scream ignite my speakers...
I mentioned a while back that Ty Segall was going to come out with two albums in the near future, and one of those albums is with White Fence. The album, titled Hair, is scheduled for an April 24 release, but to tide people over, the musicians have made the track, "I Am Not A Game," available on Pitchfork. You can take a listen to that here.
Also, Tenacious D are back with a new LP! I think that's old news, but it's still an exciting, yet unsettling, feeling all at the same time. I mean, who could forget the romanticism of "Fuck Her Gently," or the Crossroads-like epic tune "Tribute"? I know I couldn't. But, these dudes (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) have been MIA for the past six years, but not anymore...their new album, titled Rize of the Fenix is set to come out in May, but for those of you who miss them like crazy, you can view the video for "To Be The Best" below:
LISTENING: Well...I started my day off with nothing to listen to other than the sound of birds chirping out my window. Yes...then Primal Scream entered my world. I'd always heard of these dudes, but had never taken a listen to their music. Well, that was fucked, because these guys are pretty great, at least what I've heard so far. I've been listening to their album Screamadelica and so far, I'm wholly impressed. More on that after I've given it a further listen. But for now, you can view them playing their stand-out track, "Dolls," with Alison Mosshart of The Kills and The Dead Weather below: (Side Note: Is it me or is Alison channeling Patti Smith in this performance?)
That's all. PEACE.
I mentioned a while back that Ty Segall was going to come out with two albums in the near future, and one of those albums is with White Fence. The album, titled Hair, is scheduled for an April 24 release, but to tide people over, the musicians have made the track, "I Am Not A Game," available on Pitchfork. You can take a listen to that here.
Also, Tenacious D are back with a new LP! I think that's old news, but it's still an exciting, yet unsettling, feeling all at the same time. I mean, who could forget the romanticism of "Fuck Her Gently," or the Crossroads-like epic tune "Tribute"? I know I couldn't. But, these dudes (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) have been MIA for the past six years, but not anymore...their new album, titled Rize of the Fenix is set to come out in May, but for those of you who miss them like crazy, you can view the video for "To Be The Best" below:
LISTENING: Well...I started my day off with nothing to listen to other than the sound of birds chirping out my window. Yes...then Primal Scream entered my world. I'd always heard of these dudes, but had never taken a listen to their music. Well, that was fucked, because these guys are pretty great, at least what I've heard so far. I've been listening to their album Screamadelica and so far, I'm wholly impressed. More on that after I've given it a further listen. But for now, you can view them playing their stand-out track, "Dolls," with Alison Mosshart of The Kills and The Dead Weather below: (Side Note: Is it me or is Alison channeling Patti Smith in this performance?)
That's all. PEACE.
Monday, March 26, 2012
HERE'S MARKIE!!!!!
I'm back...And Macy Gray is doing some weird covers...
Okay, I was gone for about a month. Yes, that's bad, especially when you're a working journalist, but I hope you'll be proud of me. I've been on a rigorous job-hunt, and it's landed me in some odd and weird places. Let's just say that I've found some part-time stints that are satisfying my urge to work, but they're not bringing in enough money. And also, my freelance work with the local newspaper is being more lucrative in that I'm proving to them that I'm not only a good writer, but extremely reliable, so they're throwing more work my way. Nice! But let's get to the music news, shall we?
Well, Macy Gray has recently, I think today?, released an album of covers, titled (wait for it!) Covered. How original! Either way, she's covering the likes of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Sublime and Arcade Fire. I've always liked Macy Gray's voice, but just never cared for her music...Okay, I really loved "I Try," I'm guilty! But, after hearing her cover of "Maps" by aforementioned Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I think I'll boycott this one. You can listen to the cover below:
That's all I got for music news. While I'm here at work...ssshhh!...I'm not able to listen to a whole lot. As for LISTENING: Last night, I downloaded Miike Snow's new release Happy To You. I only heard the first couple of tracks, and nothing was too memorable thus far, so I have to set aside some time for it. I didn't really listen to their first album because I thought there was too much hype surrounding them, and it kind of made me run the other way. I know that's not a very good reason, but the heart wants what it wants...or doesn't. But, I did get to see them play at Antone's in Austin while they were touring their first album, and I have to say that when the pack of 7 ft. giants weren't blocking my view, they put on a pretty amazing show. Other than that, I get to listen to Lady Gaga, Adele, LMFAO, Rihanna, and Pitbull because my job insists on constantly playing the 2011 Hits Station on Pandora. Pray for me.
That's all. PEACE.
Okay, I was gone for about a month. Yes, that's bad, especially when you're a working journalist, but I hope you'll be proud of me. I've been on a rigorous job-hunt, and it's landed me in some odd and weird places. Let's just say that I've found some part-time stints that are satisfying my urge to work, but they're not bringing in enough money. And also, my freelance work with the local newspaper is being more lucrative in that I'm proving to them that I'm not only a good writer, but extremely reliable, so they're throwing more work my way. Nice! But let's get to the music news, shall we?
Well, Macy Gray has recently, I think today?, released an album of covers, titled (wait for it!) Covered. How original! Either way, she's covering the likes of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Sublime and Arcade Fire. I've always liked Macy Gray's voice, but just never cared for her music...Okay, I really loved "I Try," I'm guilty! But, after hearing her cover of "Maps" by aforementioned Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I think I'll boycott this one. You can listen to the cover below:
That's all I got for music news. While I'm here at work...ssshhh!...I'm not able to listen to a whole lot. As for LISTENING: Last night, I downloaded Miike Snow's new release Happy To You. I only heard the first couple of tracks, and nothing was too memorable thus far, so I have to set aside some time for it. I didn't really listen to their first album because I thought there was too much hype surrounding them, and it kind of made me run the other way. I know that's not a very good reason, but the heart wants what it wants...or doesn't. But, I did get to see them play at Antone's in Austin while they were touring their first album, and I have to say that when the pack of 7 ft. giants weren't blocking my view, they put on a pretty amazing show. Other than that, I get to listen to Lady Gaga, Adele, LMFAO, Rihanna, and Pitbull because my job insists on constantly playing the 2011 Hits Station on Pandora. Pray for me.
That's all. PEACE.
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