Songbird
Apr
4
Music in the OC?
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Tonight I am attending the OC Music Awards… Now I am not really one for events, I am too much of an introvert. But it is one of our clients so a bunch of us from work decided to get a table… I have never really explored the Orange County music scene all that much and I think this is because quite frankly I fear it may live up to the stereotypical radio bullshit that I just don’t care for… I have somewhat disregarded the possibility of anything good coming from the OC music scene. Well I was wrong because behind all the fake generic music there are some real musicians making some honest, original music. The Yellow Red Sparks have caught my attention with their new EP, Simply Put Me In Your Place. I have to say I am excited to have been introduced to this kooky band from Southern California, the EP is filled with beautiful acoustic melodies and gentle vocals that have really surprised me. Cheers!
Yellow Red Sparks on myspace
Simply Put Me In Your Place 2009
Available at Amazon
Apr
2
Quick Update
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I have been away from my blog, facebook, twitter, new music, life etc. for a few days and probably will be until tomorrow evening or Saturday. We had a new system launch at work and I have been working 11 hour days. *sigh* Some day this will all pay off….
Mar
22
Don’t Let It Go Now…
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Other Lives hails from Stillwater, Oklahoma, their debut self titled album was released this month… And it is really a well put together beautiful album. Their music has been said to draw similarities to that of label mate Radiohead and although I do hear a Radiohead influence the sound is entirely their own… Folk and rock mixed with a strong classical influence of gorgeous string and piano arrangements accompanied by haunting vocals. The whole album is an accomplishment indeed, I enjoyed from the beginning to the end and I hope you do as well.
Now, I thought this was a most appropriate moment, where all the stars aligned. I must wish dearest Pip a very Happy Birthday today, I hope it was a great day and an even greater year. Cheers Pip!
mp3: E Minor
mp3: Black Tables
Other Lives 2009 (TBD Records)
Also available on eMusic
p.s. Other Lives has also been participating at this years SXSW… I will get there one of these years.
Mar
18
What I Love Right Now…
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Is a little band with some mighty big sound, Pree hails from Washinton DC and they are really quite fantastic. They create warm, rich organic folk melodies accompanied by May Tabol’s gorgeous vocals… It is so very lovely. At first I thought it was Thao Nguyen because Tabol sounds strikingly similar… Thao has much more of a pop vibe though than that of Pree, which I actually find to like a bit more because I find their music to be comforting.
p.s. Just in case I was not clear… I highly recommend this EP ;-)
mp3:Â Heaven is a Drag
Pree on myspace
A Chopping Block (2009) (The Kora Records)
Album also available on eMusic
Mar
9
Took Great Care With Words…
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I was home from work today, seemed to have come down with a little bit of a stomach bug… Not fun. I rested all day and snuggled in bed and I am feeling much better now.
Laura Gibson’s new album, Beasts Of Seasons is just brilliant. An intimate, delicate and touching third full length album from this Portland based singer songwriter. Laura Gibson’s voice is beautiful and the songs are folk inspired earthy melodies mixed with Gibson’s jazz infused voice. It is truly lovely.
mp3:Â Come By Storm
mp3: Spirited
Beasts Of Seasons 2009 (Hush)
Also available on eMusic
Feb
27
Towards The Sun
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Helene is so very lovely, her voice inspires. Heliotrope was released last month, this is the bands third full length album… And it is quite hopeful, it will definitely put a smile on your face no matter what kind of day you might have had. Even in the low moments she seems to dance around with a beautiful grace… The music will lighten your way.
Heliotrope: “Any of various plants that turn toward the sun.” To look towards the sun… I suppose this something we should all do a little more often these days.
Heliotrope 2009 (Pronoia Records)
Also available at emusic
Helene on myspace
Feb
18
What a moment it was after all
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Beirut… And no not the largest city in Lebanon. I love Beirut… Devoted fan right here. Upon first listen March of the Zapotec & Realpeople: Holland is not my favorite album from the talented Zach Condon and friends. Now, that being said it is good… I really do like almost every song on the album. I guess maybe the Realpeople tracks slant the album a bit, it is just an entirely different sound and I fail to see how they connect. Needless to say I am just a bit disappointed… But that is OK because like I said this is only the first listen, I need to digest it a little more. I know individual tracks already stand out like La Llorona, The Akara and My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille (an awesome name for a song I might add). I highly recommend adding the album to your music collection – No Dice.
Only a little taste to entice you to go and purchase the album or see them live, an amazing show indeed.
mp3: La Llorona
March of the Zapotec & Realpeople: Holland 2009
Feb
17
Belgium Lads
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It took a little bit of searching but I finally found a little bit of information on Monogold. Confusing at first because it appears that there are two different bands who share the same name… I was perusing the halls of emusic and came upon their new self titled album… This band hails from Belgium and they certainly captured my attention… Solid bass lines matched with whirling guitars, they mix a little funk with a little rock/pop on the side… They are very difficult to describe, but I fell in love with a couple of tracks… A few diamonds in the rough…
I could have sworn I should have had today off… It was Presidents Day here in the States, it is one of those odd holidays where you never know if you have it off or not… I never seem to have it off it seems… It was a slow start nonetheless. It was pouring rain and the wind was howling, Puma was snuggling right next to me… Needless to say I didn’t get into work until noon…
mp3: Nice Trip
Monogold 2009 (Kinky Star)
Feb
8
All Weekend I Heard The Sound of Rain
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This is really how beaitiful it is outside right now…
It has been a glorious weekend… I did nothing and it rained off and on… Beautiful white fluffy clouds graced us in the afternoons, rainbows, rain and even waterspouts just South in Huntington Beach, which is kind of scary, but hey my philosophy is that any weather in Southern California is good weather. Anything different than sunny and 75 degrees is just fine with me… I suppose some would probably ask what I am doing in sunny California then and I ask myself the same question… But for now this is home until something else presents itself further North.
It was nice to just relax and watch recorded old episodes of Saturday Night Live and the 1998 film, Happiness. I have had a busy couple of weeks at work… *sigh*
The Grammy’s are on tonight… *crickets*
God bless Blind Pilot… Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski are the duo who create beautiful guitar arrangements on their 2008 album 3 Rounds and a Sound… Israel Nebeker sings dreamy melodies that make the heart pitter patter. And get this… Not only can they create amazing music but they went on a bike tour together hauling all the equipment behind them to city after city… Talented and earth friendly… Yummy. Check out their tour schedule for dates in your area but make sure to also check their blog for updates on cancellations and general info.
mp3:Â The Story I Heard
mp3:Â I Buried a Bone
3 Rounds and a Sound 2008 (Expunged Records)
Feb
4
Andrew Bird Takes Me Away
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He just takes me some place else… And I like it. His new album Noble Beast has taken awhile to digest but then again so did Armchair Apocrypha. Andrew Bird strips it down and goes a little more natural on this album. His beautiful voice soothes along with mellow acoustics. The album is 13 songs deep with a couple of second long filler/transition tracks. The album gets a little more dynamic towards the middle on Not a Robot, But a Ghost…
Andrew Bird is always gorgeous in my opinion… I have found that his albums grow on me and I find myself returning to them year after year. The album as a whole is really well done, however at this point I have no idea if Noble Beast will appear on my end of the year list… Only time will tell.
Andrew Bird is coming to the Los Angeles area on February 18th at the Orpheum Theatre, with Loney, Dear. You can also get a little taste of Andrew Bird live on NPR.
mp3:Â Â Nomenclature
mp3: Â Anonanimal
Noble Beast 2009 (Fat Possum)
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