This is an album released about 2 years ago by Neil Young. This is also one of my favorites of his, not sure many people would agree. But after watching some performances of songs off this album, on Neils great concert dvd "Heart Of Gold" its hard not to get swept in. I dont come from rural roots, i didnt have to sweep desert dust off my porch but listening to this album, gives me memories suggesting different. Get it here
This is my favorite Neil Young album, each song is so fucking great. The first track is supposedly about Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Young sings "I hear some people been talking me down, bring up my name, pass it round. They dont mention the happy times, they do their thing, and I'll do mine." So do yourself some good, and get it.
This is a really early 7" released by The Arcade Fire. Its only two songs, Cold Wind and Brazil. Both are excellent, as most of their music. The recording is right off the vinyl, get it here.
Ok so I have seen a couple problems with the files I upload. I use iTunes for all my music, and therefore it is converted to the mp4 m4a format. Some readers computers cannot read or play these files. I believe i have found a free solution, to those of you who are interested. Its here
This is an album in downloaded off the Lover's Waltz blog, I have it listed in the blogroll if your intrigued. One of the most original and stripped down albums I have heard in awhile. I dont know much about the artist, other than she made this for her family and it was passed from friends to others quickly. The album is honest and modest, you can tell nothing is forced. Alela's lyrics come out simply and clearly, and the instruments are as pure as the fore mentioned singing. Get it here.
I can say that in my opinion there is no other musician who is more brutally honest than Loudon. His songs are extremely personal songs that deal with life and family. Where most artists cloud details with verbalities, Loudon states what he thinks and what happens plainly. This album is one of my favorites of his, and includes maybe his best song, Motel Blues. Get it here
And also i will continue my string of video attachments, with a good quality video of Loudon performing Motel Blues.
This is a new and only solo album so far put out by the frontman of The Jayhawks and major contributor to Golden Smog, Mr Gary Louris. Link deleted due to request.
Recently I have been getting back into The Beastie Boys, a blast from the past if you will. These songs transport me back to middle school, when as soon as I would get home I would crank the Beastie Boys until my ears bled. As I got re-introduced into the Beastie world I was welcomed with the lights on. Get their hits, here. Part 1. Part 2.
Also I include two brilliant videos by The Beastie Boys.
This is an seven track EP made by Midlake in 2001. It is very enjoyable hearing a band in their earlier years, this is true here as well. Midlake has I have said over and over has been one my favorite bands to listen to, get this EP here
I have just heard the word about the annual music fest put on by Bryce Dessner or as you know him as the guitarist for The National, who are all natives of Cincinnati. Bryce is a great man for doing this, he realizes that Cincinnati has great venues such as the Contemporary Arts Center, and Memorial Hall. As well as seeing Cincinnati as a music savy town. This festival has allowed me to see Glenn Kotche (of Wilco and Loose Fur fame), Sufjan Stevens, and Amiina. They have released their featured artists for this year. The big names are Andrew Bird, Grizzly Bear, and Glenn Kotche. I implore you, if you live in cincy or near cincy come to this please, its a great opportunity to see artists in a smaller venue and performances you wouldn't get anywhere else.
The website is available by clicking the link in the above paragraph. The dates are april 2nd to the 5th.
So ever since i heard that M Ward and Zooey Deschanel were teaming up for an album, i have been on a constant high. Being a huge fan of M Ward's and really suprised at Zooey's voice that she showed in the movie "Elf". I cant wait for this to come out. I would say this album, Midlakes new album, and My Morning Jackets new album, will make 2008 another great year for music. I wish i could post all these album's but thats impossible. But for now, here are 3 songs played by the duo on a radio station, and what it seems to be a demo track. Get it here
This is probably my favorite Elliott Smith album. Maybe because it is a more studio album, Elliott Smith proved he could make great records with just a guitar, but sometimes something new is welcome and its true here. Lovely tracks are Son Of Sam, In The Lost And Found, Somebody That I Used To Know, and Pretty Mary K. Here
My Ryan Adams favorite album changes from time to time. This album got panned, I have no idea why. Its an album about growing up and older. Ryan proves he can consistently hit the falsetto notes, and the album is more piano based, and includes some of my favorite Ryan tracks. The songs seem to be more structured and chronological stories. My Favs are Strawberry Wine, Carolina Rain, and Night Birds. Here
I sometimes spend some time reading articles by either professional or bloggers about music and musicians. Most of them make me angry than they do good. I was just reading some guys little post about Spoon. He references some quote form Pitchfork, about how they are "a poor man's billy joel." I dont read Pitchfork so i cant confirm that statement, but if true, what are they talking about? Unless it is or was taken out of context. Which brings me to the point of this post. I generally dislike reading magazines such as Pitchfork or RS because quite often the writers have some kind of axe to grind or want a clever little passive aggressive quote about a band or an artist. I am sure more people feel this way, but many dont. The point of these music blogs are to give you the music free to give you the right to make up your mind, not listen to bloggers, or critics, or magazines with some point in mind. We as a world tend to build something up just to crush it, I.E. in this case we'll stick to Spoon. Yea their music is on commercials and movies, and i love it, why should i dislike the fact that music i like is on something i have watched? This phenomenon has occurred all throughout history, look at Mozart for christ sakes, the man was essentially killed by a man jealous of his talents, I believe the same is true here. Im sure these critics or bloggers realize that they have a forum, and soon find ways to get their notoriety by criticizing others. Its not that i dont believe people have a right to voice their opinion or a forum, but it doesnt mean its always a great thing. We must take the good and the bad, it is the duality of this existence. Its their music they do what they want with it, (well at least i hope so). But people are so petty they will drop a band from their listening devices because of a car ad, or a movie soundtrack, well good riddance. This doesnt apply to the blogs on my list or the people who are on this blog (at least i hope so). Sorry for the soapbox post, but we all should be aware of this tendency for critics and bloggers (who most by the way couldn't keep a beat with these musicians) to tear someone down when they are on the top or near the top of their careers. The duality rears its head again, there is a thin line between many things, including love and hate. Critics and bloggers tend to hate or try to bring down things that they once loved, or thought they loved. I dont mean to lump all critics or bloggers in this. Thanks for reading if you did.
Although he is considered pretty self involved Ryan Adams phone message to one critic illustrates the point.
I am so glad that a blogger posted this earlier today, Malkmus is one of my favorite current musicians out there. I heard he is comming to the Southgate in Kentucky in march and i cant wait for that. Enjoy my friends, and hell even my enemies can enjoy this too. Here
Here is a nice tribute of pictures and a great sound clip, of my and many others favorite author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. If there is one major thing i regret, it is not driving to New York and finding him and hugging him, for he has taught me more about what it is to be a human being both good and bad than anyone mortal or immortal ever could.
"A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved."
This is James Taylor's first album, and i like it the best of his whole career. This album was also under the Apple label, James was the first outside artist signed to the Apple label, in this album a few tracks the bass is played by Sir Paul McCartney. Great songs are Knockin' Round Zoo, Sunshine Sunshine, Something In The Way She Moves, and Carolina In My Mind. Most of these songs I believe were written when Taylor was in the looney bin. Get It Here
I have yet to see this movie, but from about everyone they say it is very funny and a good film. Hopefully one day I'll be motivated enough to go, or maybe wait till its out on dvd. Anyway here is the soundtrack, has a lot of Moldy Peaches songs which is always good (Adam Green is a genius). Here
I recently got into this band from the Half Nelson soundtrack. I love this EP especially the song "Lover's Spit", which is sung by Broken Social Scener Feist. Here
Also if you havent seen the film Half Nelson, then you need to. It is easily in my top films of all time.
Another record from the musician with the best vocabulary I have ever heard, and quiet possibly the best whistler alive. This album was the start of the Andrew Bird we know today. A great record for about any occasion, and worth checking out. Below is the 8 minute video that came with the album. Enjoy
A friend and I saw this band of women from Iceland, at the music fest show in cincinnati that is thrown annually by the guitarist of the National. They are frequent companions and helpers of Sigur Ros, but also can stand on their own two feet as talented and experimental musicians. Check it out here
I am pretty sure that most everyone owns this record, and rightfully so. It deserves to be owned by everyone. This is a genius album and all the songs are so fucking good. Get it here
Beautiful covers of David Bowie songs. This is the album version of the songs, much better sound quality and more songs than in the movie soundtrack. Here
So i just finished watching a movie that many people have been raving about. Dear friends that I like and care for have told me what a great movie Once is. So I am in the minority, as I didn't like it. The songs didn't strike me, the conversation just seemed pretty normal. I get that this is a pretty realistic view of how real life is, other movies that have this angle I usually enjoy, i.e. Before Sunrise I loved. This movie i found myself finding other things to do while it was on. My reason for not liking wasn't to fit in or simply try to differ myself from people who did, as previously stated many people I admire and respect loved this. I'm sure its the same when I hear someone say they don't like Wilco or any other band i love by saying "i don't get it". I don't think my opinion means much, but i do enjoy that even "great" movies or art is still debatable.
It may be possible that after viewing the movie poster over and over before seeing the film may have sealed the deal, as they are walking on a guitar neck, that seemed kind of lame to me. Oh well.
A good friend of mine, told me about this album several times. After many reminders he finally burned me a copy that was about a year ago, and i still havent gotten over this album. The Wrens offer some of the best lyrics i have ever heard or read, as you will to want to read the lyrics while listening, many involve the struggle of playing music while not having a record deal or a company willing to keep you long. This is not whiny music, they take these issues and translate them into the bigger questions we all ask, am i good enough? is this worth it? will i ever be satisfied? I hope to get their other albums from the record store in Northside (shake it records, if your not familiar). Check this album out, it'll take a few listens before it clicks, but once it does you'll wonder why they dont get the credit or acknowledgment they deserve. Here
