Johnny Flynn – “Barnacled Warship” video
It’s rare these days to come by some truly amazing music videos. Videos that accompany the song as an art, rather than showing off how cool the band is. Johnny Flynn’s music lends itself to a clean palette for directors, ready for them to create something that will be a visual bed the song will lie upon.
“Barnacled Warship” off of his latest record “Been Listening” is just flat out amazing. Directed by Christian Devita (lead storyboard artist on Wes Anderson’s ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ and Tim Burton’s forthcoming ‘Frankenweenie’) this video is almost a-ha worthy in a very different way.
Summer Darling
Summer Darling have got the right mindset. Why be in a band when the odds of making it big are about the same as having a one night stand with Angelina Jolie? Because they love it, love the scene, and because they probably wouldn’t be able to stop making music if they tried.
When it came time to release their self titled album “Summer Darling”, they made it available as a free download. I probably wouldn’t have listened to them if this wasn’t the case. Sad, I know. But this has become more of the norm these days. People want to listen to free music. (and can)
But here I am weeks later after the album was released, waiting impatiently for my vinyl copy to arrive. And yes, I shelled out $15 for it. ($19 with shipping)
Echo Kings
A new Boston band has hit the streets. Echo Kings have a well polished sound that will definitely get you grooving. Pulling influences from all over the place, their debut album is one that lets you know these guys know what they’re doing.
The members have been touring with other well established bands for years but it seemed the time was right for them to come together as a group.
They’ll fully admit that they’re not the next groundbreaking band with a “sound like no other”. But their goal is for people just to have fun while listening to their record and at live shows. They’ve definitely accomplished that. It’s packed full of tracks with dance grooves, synth lines, and catchy vocals you’ll be singing over and over.
Rabbit! – Connect The Dots
Photo Credit: Jonpaul Douglass
There is really only one way to describe the debut release “Connect The Dots” from Rabbit!—fun. That may sound like you’re getting ready for a club banging mix of an album. If that’s what you’re looking for, then move along. (but they did cover a Black Eyed Peas tune which threw me off a little bit…)
The group benefits from the male/female mix and ever changing instrumentation. Some songs are based around electronic grooves, some are stripped down performances, and some are full out productions. They all come together to create an incredibly perfected sounding debut album.
Phil Collins sure loves his gates
I can safely bet that when you hear the word gate, you don’t immediately think of Phil Collins. Sadly, myself and plenty other recording engineers out there might.
It’s pretty normal to think of a gate as something that opens and closes, allowing things to pass in and out. Well, in the audio world, this is exactly what a gate does.
Let me sum it up really easily for you. Everyone knows the badass drum part on “In The Air Tonight”. DO DO, DO DO, do do, do do, do, do. That spotlighted the use of gates (more accurately gated reverb) on drums.
And Phil Collins was, and still is, the god of using gates.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
The producer/engineer in me loves hearing when collaborations with artists go extremely well. A) because the end result is normally pretty damn good. B) because it shows there’s still a need for producers!
The DIY approach to making a record is definitely something I admire as well. But a good producer can take the pressure off of the artists and have them perform at their best, forgetting about all of the stress a studio can bring on. Someone who can make those final decisions when a band is in question of their work and what to do next is always helpful to have around.
This sounds like what happened with Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin on their 3rd record “Let It Sway”. After self-producing 2 solid records, they decided to trust a producer to help them out. And the results are absolutely phenomenal.
Leif Vollebekk – Inland
Photo Credit: Caroline Desilets
During a time when crunchy, controversial, and over hyped albums are making noise on the internet, it’s extremely refreshing to hear some fresh, real, authenticity in music. Leif Vollebekk’s debut release “Inland” is roughly 40 minutes to think, zone out, or wash away some form of stress you didn’t even know you had.
Leif is a singer and songwriter, but I hate to limit him with that label. “Inland” goes way beyond the style of a traditional singer/songwriter. Leif’s not a guy sitting around strumming chords and singing some poems. Sense of traditional musical time can be lost while listening as melodies and occasional strings float through the album. It only takes 10 seconds of the opening track “In The Morning” to let you know you’re in for something a little different.
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Going inside: Jon Brion’s “Her Ghost”
Jon Brion’s influence on music is one that can’t be overlooked. A very early post of mine stated “Jon Brion is God. This is not up for argument.” Strong words I still stand by.
I’ve ranted on and on—in many posts—about my admiration for Mr. Brion. This post is a little different. I want to take a song from his only solo record “Meaningless” and break it apart—provide a little background into the admiration I’ve grown for the song writing and production genius of Jon Brion.
From a guy who has lived in Boston for almost a decade. this song has a close place to my heart. “Her Ghost” is a track from “Meaningless” written while he was a Boston resident. I can create an amazing mental picture of him in a Boston apartment pouring his heart out over his thoughts of this woman he sings of.
The Shape of the Earth – The Romantics EP
The Shape of the Earth have been in heavy rotation since their release of the stellar album “Do I Dare Disturb The Universe”. You want to root for the underdog who is actually better than the sure bet? Then check these guys out.
They’re what I love most about bands. They do it for the sincere love and passion but obviously have the hopes of making some waves. If those waves come? Great. If not? They’ll keep pushing on and doing what they love to do.
This is the case on their latest EP “The Romantics”
Josh Ritter – So Runs The World Away
Some albums sound effortless, like the record button was hit and out came a finished product. Some albums sound like they were painstakingly slaved over and have lost any of the initial spark they started with. And then there are albums like Josh Ritter’s “So Runs The World Away”.
Ritter’s latest release fills a different hole in what a record can be. You can tell each song has been carefully crafted into an incredibly solid and cohesive album, yet the songs sound fresh to the listeners ears. The hard work and challenge Ritter (and crew) went through to make this record doesn’t manage to hurt the sound that flows out of the speakers.
“I felt at times as if I was hovering just above myself, watching the mediocrity of my afternoon threatening to spread across months and years into a lost decade. And with nothing to show for myself would anyone ever believe how hard I had worked? The shadow hung and I held on, hoping for a single verse of something, anything at all that I could love.”
Good thing Josh Ritter decided to hang on. What was crafted on “So Runs The World Away” is something that seems to mark a special place in his career and holds a special place in my listening library.
Motown will never die. Gaga soon to be M.I.A.
While I respect Lady Gaga and all of her talents as an entertainer, the crotchety old man in me can’t stand her. That goes for you too M.I.A.
This is our new pop music. I’m not even going to consider throwing Miley or Bieber in this mix because the attention and enjoyment Gaga and M.I.A. receive stretches across too many generations and cultures. This is what pop music is, right? It has the ability to be “popular music” and reach many people, for better or for worse.
You can still be popular when you’re notorious. Hell, it’s probably even easier that way. Dress a little crazy, throw some politics in the mix, next thing you know you’re the talk of the town. It’s been proven to work in the past, why not do it now?
Griffin House – The Learner
There are so many things to love about music. Sometimes you hear an album and just sink into a happy state of pure enjoyment. The album passes by track after track and you don’t even realize how much your mood has changed since you put it on.
This is what happened when I first put on the album “The Learner” from Griffin House. I hadn’t heard of him before listening to this record but that makes me all the more excited. Griffin house has released several albums over the past decade so now I have some more great listening to do.
And if his past albums are anything like “The Learner”, I’ll be even more impressed by him.
The Stone Foxes – Bears & Bulls
The Stone Foxes don’t mess around. You want some straight up down and dirty rock? They’ll give you that without a flinch.
I’m sure I’m not the first to point out a comparison between them and The Band. Their sound is not what brings this comparison to mind. It’s more about their attitude towards playing, writing, and recording music that strikes up this comparison. No one really takes the lead. They do whatever is right for the song, just like the The Band.
No fluff, no egos, and certainly no studio trickery. What you hear is what you get. And from I hear, their live show is where it’s at.
Punch Brothers – Antifogmatic
Take Radiohead, throw them in a room with typical bluegrass instruments (banjo, mandolin, fiddle, etc) and imagine what sounds would come out of that room. You imagining? Probably not too bad, right?.
Now take Radiohead out of that room and throw in 5 guys who actually know what the fuck they’re doing with those instruments, yet have the same brilliant experimental nature of Radiohead.
You are now listening to the Punch Brothers.
Piracy does NOT kill music
Photo from the cover of DJ Shadow – Endtroducing
I’m about to step into controversial waters here and I’m OK with that. I’m going on record to say it: Piracy does NOT kill music.
If there were AA meetings for music lovers, I would probably have to attend one at least 3-5 times a week. “Hi, my name is Matt. And I’m a music addict.”
I obtain music in any way I can: streaming, iTunes, record stores, live shows, Amazon, online orders from labels, and yes, even the controversial music torrent sites.
Castledoor – From LA to my soul
The best recommendation services in the world can’t top the human recommendation model. It’s perfect. Someone knows a few bands you like, they calculate it in their heads, and BLAM, the next new love of your musical life is waiting for you to hit play on.
Many companies go out and try to analyze what we might like next based off what we have previously listened to. Some do a great job of this (Echo Nest, Pandora) But their algorithms are missing something big. EMOTION.
Music is a feeling, a passion. I might suggest to someone that a band has moved me to tears and will move them the same way. Over half of the time, I am right. (the other half I send them to the web…)
One lovely woman named Mary Broome is my shining example for this week’s episode. (I don’t have weekly episodes by the way. Just felt like the right random thing to say)
Why I Love vinyl
It’s not new news that vinyl records are becoming popular again. Why? Honestly, I don’t care.
There are a million reasons why I think vinyl has made a comeback into popular “cool” culture. I bought my first record player over a decade ago and have worked it into my every day life. Ok, correction. It has worked it’s way into my every day life.
Here are some random reasons why I could never live without vinyl. (slight exaggeration)
Kid:Nap:Kin
There are bands I listen to once and make a snap judgment if I will be into them or not. If someone showed me one track by Kid:Nap:Kin I would probably pass. All I can say is I am SO glad this wasn’t the case with them.
Kid:Nap:Kin is a Boston born band who has some of the most devoted followers I’ve ever met. Their music is like coffee, beer, or Bob Dylan. You get a little taste and kind of understand the appeal, but know that people are really into it. Then you get the second and third taste and say “HOLY SHIT. I NEED more of this”. Am I comparing Kid:Nap:Kin to a drug? Seems so.
The National-High Violet and Boxer
I have impatiently waited for this day to come. Today, May 11th 2010, marks the release of The National’s highly anticipated follow up to “Boxer”, “High Violet”. It’s been here. Not officially, but it’s been here.
Albums leak well before their anticipated release date. This is just a simple fact today. Also, bands decide to release singles as a trickle to entice listeners. I could have grabbed a copy of “High Violet” like so many thousands of people did before the official release. So why did I wait until today to finally give it a proper listen (except the stream they gave us on NYTimes.com and NPR)?
One simple reason: My incredible respect for “Boxer” and the brilliant work of the band and Peter Katis.
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Little Fish – Baffled and Beat
If what you crave is straight forward, from the heart, pure, rock and roll, Little Fish is your answer. They fill that musical space better than any band I have come across in a long while. (And doing so without all the bullshit you might typically find clouded about in the music industry.)
I was lucky enough to talk with them on one of the rare days off their label gives them. Juju and Nez shocked me with their honesty and humbleness towards their recent success. They have no reason to be humble. A sold out tour with Hole, their album “Baffled & Beat” produced by Linda Perry (audio on click) that’s about to be released this September, their songs available as Rock Band downloads. They have all the right to be the cocky rock stars one might expect. But they aren’t. They are two rockers who love what they do and are grateful for every moment.
Don’t you know that you’re toxic?
You might see this photo and wonder, “What the hell? I thought this was a respectable music blog??” Well, hopefully it is. And hopefully you’ll hear me out on this one, and probably agree.
‘Toxic’ may be the best example of the perfect pop song I have seen in this decade. New pop music comes and goes and I rarely tap into Top 40 radio. But this song was able to stretch past those Top 40 boundaries and reach all music lovers (snobs and jazzheads alike).
What is so special about this song? Britney has had a career full of singles that people can’t really ignore. They’re catchy pop tunes performed by an attractive woman-girl-lady-female (pick one, I always get it wrong). But ‘Toxic’ has something special. It has every element of a great pop song wrapped into a bundle even a stork would hang on to. (odd reference, I know…)
Quiet Company – Songs For Staying In
Don’t you feel like the luckiest person in the world when great music happens to fall into your lap? Well, I sure do. And it just happened to me.
I was minding my own business, sitting at work, when my friend Gradon decided to shoot something my way. It was a link to the upcoming release of the new Quiet Company EP. I take music recommendations very seriously when they come from folks who have similar musical tastes. So I gave it a quick listen despite all of the work I should have been doing at that point. GOOD THING I DID.
The influence of Pet Sounds
(Ready for the most cliche line ever? Ready, set, go…)
44 years later, the work of musical genius Brian Wilson on Pet Sounds remains as influential as it was the day the record it was released.
(was I right or what?)
That line can be found splattered around thousands of places in print and on the web. But it’s only 3/4 true. The impact Pet Sounds has had on music is actually more prevalent now than it was when it was released. And to confuse you further, that last statement is probably only 1/2 true. Stick with me…
On it’s release, Pet Sounds got some pretty negative reviews. But today if an album comes out and it has great production (or at least a focus on production), it get’s marked up as being influenced by Pet Sounds. If an album comes out that has harmonies on it, well, you can probably guess what’s next. It was supposedly influenced by Pet Sounds.
Slow Runner – Ghost Rendition
Some albums are growers. Some just hit you in that sweet spot you can’t describe in words. The latest EP ‘Ghost Rendition‘ from Slow Runner is one of those albums that bites you in the ass and doesn’t let go. Thing is? The bite is short but very sweet.
With only 3 songs recorded on their latest EP you might think, “Why would I listen to this? The longest song clocks in at 3:01? This won’t even last me one stop on the train!?” In a time where downloading singles is popular, why would you not take the ADD route and get 3 songs that are actually meant to be listened to together?
I am one man who writes (pretty poorly) about music because I love it. I study, play, produce, engineer, analyze, and obsess about music. Enjoy all the topics I can muster up to write about.
