M. Ward

M. Ward has become one of my favorite artists. His 2-3 part acoustic instrumentals are absolutely fantastic. These wonderful melodies wander into many of his songs and create a feeling of calm peaceful revelation. His playing style is one i can only dream to emulate one day.

Elliott Smith- I didn't understand

Every once in a while I stumble across a little gem by an artist I already listen to. I didn't understand is a beautiful song that closes out Elliott's OX when he was with Dreamworks. It is a piece with no instruments, Elliott's voice is multi-tracked to create an amazingly harmonious a Capella piece.

The Killers

In all the various album reviews I've read of The Killers, the consensus has been generally the same, good pop, but forgettable. I feel The Killers aren't getting the credit they deserve. While they utilize the same classic pop progressions, they use them with such flair, you almost forget you've heard them a thousand times. lyrics like:

"I just want to show you what I know
And catch you when the current lets you go

Or should I just get along with myself
I never did get along with everybody else"

when paired with the right melody strike the perfect balance of being not to brooding but being thought provoking. After giving their first 2 records another spin, I realized that there was something special in many songs, the whole throwback techno mixed with roaring guitars thing really works for them, and they've created some great art that's worth a second listen.

Bombay Bicycle Club- Flaws

Flaws is a wonderful sophomore effort for Bombay Bicycle Club. Their first album was incredible "I had the Blues but I shook them loose", it was also loud, loud and climatic. Flaws is proof that Bombay Bicycle Club can do anything. They have created and amazing folk acoustic album. The songs are soothing and peaceful yet still feel uniquely BBC. It's a great album

LCD sound system

I didn't really enjoy the concert we watched on Friday. While the first couple song were good, the rest seemed a weak. The vocals were underwhelming against the loud synths and drums and there just seemed to be to much going on.

The Strokes- Comedown Machine

When I first heard The Strokes were coming out with a new album, I didn't think much of it. Don't get me wrong, I love The Strokes, but with the killer success of the superb "This Is It" (voted one of the best albums of the 00's), I expected it hard to top. From the first strum of the guitar, it is undeniably The Strokes. They have retained their unique sound while continuing to diversify their style. The album has a lot "dirtier" of a sound compared to the extremely clean angular riffs of their past work. To put it simply, they seem to have relaxed, creating something not necessarily as angst driven as "Is This It". Like their last album "Angles", The Strokes have continued experimenting with electronic synths, adding to atmosphere, while not detracting from the experience. All in all, while it may not be the greatest music they have ever made, it definitely deserves their name on the cover, I hope you'll take the time to listen.  

Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails is the first evidence of the musical transition from the 80's to the 90's. Punk and Hair Metal and the counter-culture is diffusing and giving birth to genres such as industrial and even the beginnings of alternative. While the music itself is good (despite being a little heavy for my taste.) The shock factor of the videos associated. While their later music draws a lot of comparisons with one of my favorite albums, Daisy by Brand New, there are stylistic differences that prevent me from enjoying them, while I still respect their style, its just not for me.

Phosphorescent

Phosphorescent, is the moniker of Georgia based singer-songwriter Matthew Houck. He blends the styles of Bon Iver, My Morning Jacket, and Fleetfoxes, his choirboy background gives his music a harmonious feel that is missing from much of pop music today, while his voice takes some getting used to, he is an extremely talent songwriter.

U2

U2 isn't my favorite band in the world, but I can definitely appreciate them. Their melodic climactic songwriting changed the world of rock forever. They rebelled against the Hair Metal that was the style of the day and added their own more meaningful touch to rock. When we look back in 30 years, we will remember U2, and that's what matters.

John Butler- Ocean

John Butler is an amazing musician, he started busking on the streets of Southern Australia as a teen. When he was there he wrote many of instrumentals. One stood out, Ocean. John Butler describes this song as part of his "DNA" , and says that as he changes, so will Ocean, Ocean isn't just about his life, it is his life and it is one hell of a beautiful song.

Check it out here:
http://youtu.be/jdYJf_ybyVo

Music Videos

I've never been a huge fan of music videos. When you make a music video, you are creating an image that with be synonymous with a piece of music and that is very difficult thing to pull off. Street Spirit by Radiohead, is one of the few music videos that I actually like, the thing that the Thom got right was simplicity, they didn't try to twist some sappy story to the tune of the song but instead created something more abstract that was a perfect match.

80's Rap

I have never been a huge fan of Rap or Hip-hop, I have nothing against the style of music, but the artist that pollute the genre are where my problem lies. I was surprised by the timidness of the 80's compared to now, unfortunately is still view the style as more of a novelty than anything lasting.

OX- Elliott Smith

Many fans of Elliott Smith tend to shy away from the music he recorded when he was with Dreamworks Studios. I for one really, enjoy OX by Elliott Smith, it is in my opinion, one of his most consistent albums. Since this is his first album under a major record label, the production values a high. Elliott makes use of all the tools he is provided with and creates a masterful work of art.

Hair Metal

This isn't going to be a very long post. I hated "hair metal day" the musicianship of the period was saccharine and self-indulgent. Don't get me wrong, I would have a ton of fun being in a hair metal band, I just wouldn't want anyone to see me!

Kevin Devine

Kevin Devine is an amazing artist. It doesn't matter whether you enjoy his music, you can always appreciate his amazing work ethic. Since appearing on the singer/songwriter scene in 2002, Kevin has toured almost endlessly, while simultaneously releasing 6 LP's each one a steady improvement over the last. His criminally underrated lyrics are about everything from fighting his cocaine addiction to the war in Iraq, his melodic acoustic guitar strumming all the while. His soothing vocals conjure up images of Elliott Smith, to which he is commonly compared to. His latest album, Brother's Blood (mistakenly added in spotify under the artist KevineDevine), is the pinnacle of his career. Each track is artfully crafted and gives the album a wonderful flow. It climaxes at the title track, a definite must listen. With soaring guitars as Kevin's voice builds from a whisper only to return to a whisper. Kevin is a humble and seriously accomplished songwriter who deserves more credit than he receives. He is working on 2 new albums after a successful Kickstarter campaign. He raised just over $115,000. The albums should be out later this year and I can't wait to hear them.

More Modest Mouse

I have continued exploring Modest Mouse, and what I have found is great. They are not given much recognition in the mainstream but they definitely deserve it. While you sound a little chaotic, they have this underlying magic to it that brings together the near yelled vocals and clashing drums. Modest Mouse, like most good music. Is like coffee, at first you can't understand how anyone can like it, but eventually, you can't live without it. I hope everyone can find music they feel the same way about.

The Police

The Police changed the way I thought about punk. The whole album sounded like a strange groovy reggae-rock fusion. I personally think Sting has the perfect voice for a reggae band. That made me realize punk isn't about what you are playing, it's about playing it with your middle finger! I can't wait to hear more punk as we move into the later 80's.

The Ramones

After listening to The Ramones in class and putting some thought into it, I think I've finally figured out why I enjoy listening to the Ramones so much. As a musician I can picture how fun it to play the music and that makes in almost equally enjoyable to listen to.

Bon Iver

I first listened to Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" back in 9th grade. I didn't get much out of it, as I listened to it only for its most well known track "Skinny Love" I liked the song but eventually grew tired of it and moved on. I recently spontaneously decided to give it another try. I was blown away. I was amazed by Justin Vernon's amazing use of harmony. Throughout the entire album most of the falsetto vocals are double or even triple tracked, giving the album an incredible choral fullness in sound. Justin Vernon seems to take old cliche acoustic chord progressions an give them brand new life and melody. The circumstances in which the album was recorded is just as legendary in the indie folk world as the music itself. After ending a very long relationship with his girlfriend and suffering from "Mono". He decided to seclude himself in a cabin in the woods of Wisconsin for the winter to "hibernate". He created For Emma there with his guitar, a few microphones and some old recording equipment. This backdrop for the album make the music even more impacting and set the stage for an even more powerful listening experience.

Led Zeppelin- How the west was won

I really enjoyed the first half of "How the West was won" Jimmy Page is such an amazing guitarist. His unconventional techniques give him a distinct original sound. John Bonham is just such an incredible drummer, ever drum solo is a work of art. Can't wait for the second half!

Cassadaga

Just started listening to cassadaga by bright eyes. It's an amazing album. The production values are the best to date out of all their albums.

Favorite songs-
Four winds
Brakeman turns my way
Cleanse song

Manchester Orchestra- I could be with anyone

Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra recently covered Kevin Devine in a split EP with Kevin Devine. It's a great song!

I Could Be with Anyone

http://youtu.be/nmfPvdt6Wfs

Paul Mcaurtney- Ram

I really enjoyed Ram. It was interesting to see the falling out of the Beatles through the music each of them created after they broke up. The talent of Paul is amazing. His skill with different instruments is quite impressive. I can't wait to hear more!

Blue

I really enjoyed Joni Mitchell's Blue. I had never even heard of her before Thursday. It took the whole first half of the album for me to get used to her voice. The lyrics of the last 3 songs were amazing and I really enjoyed the whole experience.

Conor Oberst's Solo Album

It's amazing to watch someone change. It's even more amazing to watch someone change through the art they create. Conor Oberst has been making music since he was 13 (for about 20 years now). 9 of the 11 albums he has released have been under the moniker of Bright Eyes. Most of the music he created in Bright Eyes was sad. As he came of age and tried to figure out the world he wrestled with the meaning of life and death. Well it seems he's either figured that out, or just decided to f*ck it. For his solo album, he gathered together his closest musician friends and spent a few months at a rented out hotel turned recording studio in the Mexican desert. The result, the self-titled Conor Oberst. Age has been good to Conor, he has retained his uncanny lyrical ability, yet backed off the death and sadness. The album sounds like a warm summer evening on the beach and contains some of the best instrumentation in his music to date.
My Favorite Songs:
Cape Canaveral
http://youtu.be/GCQHKopcv-0
Souled Out
http://youtu.be/bAUV-aZV-EM

Going to California

Out of all the songs that we listened to on Zep IV, Going to California was my favorite. Compared to all the other songs on the album (mostly heavy and loud) it is a quiet acoustic song with relatively good lyrics compared to the rest. It sounds like modern acoustic alternative, which was not around yet.

In an Aeroplane over the sea

Recently started listening to the album In the Aeroplane over the sea by Neutral Milk Hotel. I first heard of it a few years ago, I listened to it then but didn't get much out the experience. I was inspired to try again when I read an interview with Jesse Lacey of Brand New saying it was the album that influenced his music the most. I have gotten more out of the album every time I listen to it. It's use of unconventional instruments and lo-fi production make it an amazing rollercoaster of emotion that you won't regret!

Two Gallants

Two Gallants is a lo-fi folk rock duo from San Fransisco. Made up of Adam Stephens (Guitar and Vocals), Tyson Vogel (Drums and Vocals), the two have been making music since the age of 12 and have released 4 albums under the title of Two Gallants.

My Favorite Songs:
Despite what you've been told
http://youtu.be/NKrCXizy02k
Steady Rolling
http://youtu.be/2AWCRkcCKm8

Led Zeppelin III

Out of all the Zeppelin albums we have listened to so far, Zep III is by far my favorite! Since my tastes are usual more in the acoustic realm, the change in sound is a breath of fresh air from the heavier music we have begun listening to. Bron-y-aur and That's the Way are my 2 favorite tracks on the album. Excited to see what comes from Zeppelin next!