Sunday, August 31, 2008

Belle and Sebastian, The Decemberists, Kathleen Edwards, Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband

Sorry for the absence the last few days.

Belle and Sebastian-I believe these lads/lasses are from Scotland, but I'm not exactly sure. There from somewhere "across the pond". Anyway they make brilliant folk/pop music. They remind me of Nick Drake at times, who I don't know much about other than that he had some great acoustic songs and died at a young age. Belle and Sebastian have a great melodic sound, and the singer's accent comes through at times, which I enjoy on occasion. Their songs can make you feel very calm, or make you want to get up and shake your money maker. Good stuff. Their new record, "The Life Pursuit" is fantastic!

The Decemberists-I vaugely heard of these guys a few years back, but never really got into them. I finally bought their latest release "The Crane Wife", and was blown away. It's really good stuff. Like Belle and Sebastian, it's folk/pop style with some great acoustic guitar and piano. I also like the fact that there's a mariner/oceanic them to the entire album. Maybe I'm just out in left field, but it seems to me that every song has some sort of allusion to boats, water, fishermen, etc. Anyway, I recently purchased one of their other albums, "Picaresce" but haven't listened to it fully yet. The few songs I have heard though have been really good.

Kathleen Edwards-Switching gears from folk/pop to folk/country we go to Kathleen. I honestly don't know/haven't heard a ton from her, but what I've heard is really great. She's the folkin' country style I like. She doesn't have a thick accent, and uses just the right amount of twang in her music. I look forward to hearing more from her.

Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband-When I listen to a Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband album for the first time I'm blown away. I can listen repeatedly to their albums without getting tired of them. They're a local Utah band I guess you'd say, but they're getting fairly popular across the country. Their style of music crosses genres. Hopping from rollickin' country/bluegrass to rockin, to folky ballads. They use mandolins, fiddles, and banjos which make their music labeled country most of the time, but to do that doesn't give these boys justice. Having met them on multiple occasions, I know they're all very down to earth musicians, and their live show is amazing! They obviously love what they do and it shows on stage.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Ra Ra Riot, Julie Ocean

emusic.com is quite a fun service for me. It's a music download service that costs around 1/3 of the price of itunes. The only problem for me is that there is not enough music that I want on there. It's mostly new indie stuff. To get you to join their service they offer so many free downloads with your first month's subscription, so I like to scam them. I join for a month just to get all my free downloads and then cancel my subscription. That way, a month or two down the road they'll come begging for me to rejoin offering me free downloads. I've done this around 3-4 times, and have gotten around 300 downloads (say 25-30 albums) for around 30 bucks. Sweet deal, eh. Anyway, I just got Ra Ra Riot and Julie Ocean (among other things I'll blog about later I'm sure).

Ra Ra Riot-I heard of them through a splendid review of their new album, The Rhumb Line in Rolling Stone. It compared their music to The Arcade Fire, and Vampire Weekend so I was intrigued. It's really really good music. Very poppy, with awesome guitars and string arrangements. I've only listened to the album a few times, but golly-gee it sure is good.

Julie Ocean-I heard Julie Ocean on J's Indie Rock Mayhem podcast. They're very poppy, and very good. Really melodic music that makes you wanna dance. I'm still new to this one as I've listened to it maybe once through and just like a minute of each song. I guess I'll see if it holds up down the road after repeated listening.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Josh Rouse, Josh Ritter, Bright Eyes

Today I'll be playing catch-up once again.

Josh Rouse-I heard of Josh Rouse through reading Guster's blog about 6 years ago or so, but never really got any of his music until maybe 3-4 years ago. That being said, I still haven't purused his entire catalog, but the two albums I have by him are pretty damn good. The record I bought by him a few years back is called "Subtitulo". From what I understand he married a girl from Spain and lived there for a while. This album is about living in Spain. His latest album Country Mouse, City House is not as good as Subtitulo, but it's still good. A little too jazzy for me, but some really good piano/pop/rock abounds too. Rouse is a great singer and uses some awesome melodies, making his music (for the most part) really catchy.

Josh Ritter-I only know Ritter's music through J's Indie Rock Mayhem podcast, but I've heard probably 9-10 songs and they're all really fantastic. I still haven't picked up any of his albums, but I look forward to hearing more from him. A lot of his stuff is acoustic/piano based. This description of music in general can either mean an artist is really good, or just mediocre. In Josh Ritter's case, it means his music is exceptional.

Bright Eyes-I suppose you'd call Conor Oborst, the man behind Bright Eyes music "indie-country". Perhaps he's more folk than country but he uses a lot of country elements to his music. Having said that, it's the good form of country without trying to be rock with a hick singer. I have three of his albums, and they're all really good. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is more electro-folk and the other two are more country/folk. Anyway, check out Bright Eyes.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Arcade Fire

The Arcade Fire are amazing! When I first heard clips of their songs on amazon I wasn't really impressed. I took a chance on them probably a year after their debut album, Funeral came out. I still like their first album better than their latest, Neon Bible, I think, but both of them are really great. I'm loving how The Arcade Fire, and TONS of other bands are using the piano to make their music that much better. What a lovely instrument the piano is. It can be used full on ala Ben Folds, or thrown in to enhance music greatly i.e. Travis' song "The Last Laugh of the Laughter". I picked up Dr. Dog's newest album fate today, and what a great use of piano! Anyway, The Arcade Fire also use great string arrangements along with horns. Believe the hype, The Arcade Fire totally rock, man! ;)

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

New Pornographers

Today's artist of the day is one with a name that would your mother would be ashamed of. Kinda like Violent Femmes did with my mom many years ago. Anyway, New Pornographers are an amazing band. I just discovered them last year when their latest, "Challengers" came out. It's really awesome music with great work on acoustic/electric guitars, and piano. Very melodic and catchy stuff. Check 'em out.

Monday, August 18, 2008

The Veils

I heard the Veils on this dude from North Carolina's radio show. I've been listening to his show, "J's Indie Rock Mayhem" for around a year or so, and it's really been introducing me to a lot of great stuff. The Veils, who are from across the pond, debut album "Nux Vomica" was J's number 1 album of 2007. I don't exactly agree with him, but damn, its a great album. The singer may be off-putting to some because his voice kinda cracks throughout his singing. Not like a teenager really, though. It's hard to explain, but the words that come to my mind are attitude and passion with his singing. So passionate that this guy's voice cracks. I'll try to put up one of their songs on my playlist so I ya'll know what I'm talking about. Anywho, this album is really awesome guitar rock with lots of piano. I'm terrible at describing music, I know, but just take a chance on The Veils.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

My Playlist/Peter Bjorn and John

Well I finally figured out how to put a playlist up on my blog. Thank goodness! It was really bothering me that I couldn't figure it out. I wanted to put seperate mp3's up for every day's band of the day, but until I can figure that out you'll have to scroll through the playlist. I put at least one song from every artist of the day so far, so if you haven't heard of any of them you can find one of their songs on the playlist. On to today's band of the day. Today, I'm going with Peter, Bjorn, and John. These guys are from Sweden as are quite a few bands lately I've noticed. They sing that whistlin' song you may have heard on the radio. I'll put it up on the playlist to refresh your memory. Anyway, they're really great swedish pop/rock. Awesome melodies and harmonies along with great music make them really cool. I only have one of their albums, but I'm probably gonna look into getting more of their music (if they in fact have more albums, which I assume they do, but maybe not). Well that's it, have a great sabbath!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Catch up again...maybe I'll make this a weekly thing and then put like 5 bands. just an idea.

The Format,-These guys sadly broke up already after only two albums. But, damn, these two albums are so fantastic. Great folk/rock type stuff with lots of piano and lots of horn/instrumentation on their second album Dog Problems. Pick up both of these albums now, and look forward to "fun" the new band formed by Nate, the singer from The Format
Ben Kweller-I am always impressed by Ben Kweller. He did great stuff with "the bens" which was the band he was in with Ben Folds and Ben Lee, and all three of his albums are super good, especially his latest self titled ablum.
Ben Lee-This Aussie is a really great folk/popster. Great tunes.
My Morning Jacket-I've picked up their newest disc (which is incredible) and their last cd. Their last cd had a problem going onto my ipod, though. It won't play properly on there, so I haven't listened to it in a while. Gotta go back and listen, though, cuz it's a really good album too.

There you have it. Some semi-older (to me, perhaps newer to you) bands I've gotten into lately.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Wow.

Wow. So as you can see I haven't kept my promise to not miss days at a time. Therefore, I'll make this a quick one for the four days I've got to post about. I think I'll just list four bands. Today I'll just go with a bunch of old school stuff to quickly get through the days I've missed. Here goes: R.E.M. (best band in the world in my opinion), Tom Waits (what an amazing musician! He has like 20 albums or something, all of them really good), Guster (great band! they're quickly working their way up my top ten bands list), and finally...John Prine (I usually don't like most country stuff, but this folk/country artist is fantastic! He's another one with lots and lots of albums). Well that's it for now. I'll put some newer stuff the rest of the week I promise.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Thursday, Friday, Saturday artists of the days

So I'll quickly mention three bands for the days I've missed. Thursday: The National. The National is a great band. They use a lot of piano and their singer is kind of a deep baritone. It's good stuff. Great poppy acoustic stuff with, like I said, lots of piano. Good times! I need to get their other album "Alligator" now. Friday: Spoon. When these guys first album "Gimme Fiction came out I liked it a lot, but I never picked it up. When their latest album "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" came out I readily snatched it up because I liked their last one, and cuz I really liked the one or two songs I heard from the newest album. This album is fantastic. Great pop/rock, with, once again, quite a bit of piano. These guys, though are more rock I'd say, therefore they have more electric guitars. This is a good thing with them. I really dig them, and this latest album. Now I just gotta get their other albums. And finally for today I'm going with an old school pick: Old 97's. These guys are quickly jumping their way up on my top ten bands list. They're most likely nearing the top five lately. Their latest, "Blame it on Gravity" is soooo amazing. I like it inside and out. Up and down. It's delicious! Maybe that's because I'm comparing it to their last album, "Drag it Up" which was good, but not quite as good as most of their other albums, upon retrospection, but this album is fantastic. It's the kind of record I want to play over and over and over. That could be because it's still new, perhaps, but I don't think so. It's an album, that'll probably remain one of my favorites for a long time to come. That's all for now, check back for more and hopefully I won't skip two days in a row anymore.(but don't quote me on that)

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Band of the Day: Vampire Weekend

So I'm still pretty much cruising on bands/artists I've heard earlier this year, and late last year for the most part without blogging about new new stuff I've heard. This is a band I jumped on board with early (as in before their debut album came out). Their self-titled album is amazing! It's kinda afro-pop ala Paul Simon's Graceland album, and I'm loving it! These are some smart dudes that went to one of them prestigious Universities. Can't remember which one, but damn, they're some good musicians. Well, they play really catchy stuff at least. I guess you don't have to be superb musicians to write fantastic songs. Nah, I'll say it, their superb musicians to create such amazing pop music. It's catchy, hooky, danceable, and it...just...rocks. Maybe "rocks" isn't the right word, but I think I'll just use the word "rocks" to describe music that is really good. From now on, any music that I find good will be labled with the the words "it rocks." Got it? Good. Anyway, come back tomorrow for another great band of the day; if anyone reads this blog, that is.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Band of the Day: Band of Horses

Today's band of the day is Band of Horses. I really like their band name because a band of horses is what you call a large group of horses, right. I don't know why that strikes me as cool, but it does. Lay off. Anywho, these guys are really cool; kinda southern rock attitude, while at the same time being great rock and roll. They're a little folky at times, and loud rock at others. All in all they're really good. Great harmonies, great guitars, great tunes.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Band of the Day: Rogue Wave

Quick post today. I'm just getting into the band Rogue Wave recently. I believe they have three albums, and I just got their second one "Descended Like Vultures." It's really good "indie" pop/rock. I've always hated the word indie to describe a type of music. It's not descriptive at all. Anyway, these guys probably fit well into the folk/pop/rock category I suppose. I really am digging them! Check 'em out.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Band of the Day: 10,000 Maniacs (I know, another old school band, sorry)

I heard of 10,000 Maniacs around the same time I was getting into The Beautiful South, and REM when I was around 8-9 years old. What can I say? I'm ever grateful to my brothers and the Anderson family for turning me on to good music. I just picked up the Blind Man's Zoo and In My Tribe albums along with Matt Pond PA's new album (which I talked about yesterday) all for 15 bucks! Damn I love Graywhale! Anywho, 10,000 Maniacs are an amazing band. They're mostly really poppy/folk/rock. I really like their Unplugged album the best I think. It's fantastic. Too bad the Maniacs broke up a while back! Well, Natalie Merchant left the band, and they pretty much haven't been really that great since. After Natalie left I read that Rob Buck (the guitarist) passed away. I don't remember how long it's been since he passed on, but he was truly an amazing guitarist. I think Natalie Merchant is still making music, but she hasn't put out any new stuff for quite a while, so I'm not sure what she's up to. I've always had kind of a crush on her, though. Don't tell my wife :) Just kidding my wife already knows I have a crush on her.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Band of the Day Double Shot: Matt Pond PA, Love as Laughter

Since I didn't put a band of the day yesterday, I'll do two today. I just got Matt Pond PA's Last Light album, and it's FANTASTIC. Awesome folk rock stuff. I also listened to, but didn't buy, Love as Laughter's new album that came out this week. It was really superbly done folky/rock stuff too. I need to get that soon. I was really blown away by it when I listened to it at Graywhale yesterday, so as soon as I have money I'll pick it up. That's it for now I guess, sorry for the short explination of these bands, but if you've liked my other Band of the Day picks you'll enjoy these two bands most likely. See ya!