Songbird
Jul
6
So You Think…
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I’m addicted to this reality show called So You Think You Can Dance… That’s right I said it. Now, in my defense I did dance for 12 years so I have a certain nostalgia for it, but there is no excuse that I am watching a show that is aired on the FOX Network! Believe me it pains me how much I love this show. I adore contemporary dance and when a choreographer matches an unbelievable song with some amazing choreography it can be breathtaking. Mia Michaels does just that and she constantly choreographs pieces of art week in and week out… It blows me away. If you have ever danced you would totally appreciate this show.
Last week Mia Michaels choreographed an amazing contemporary routine to a real organic piano ballad, Hometown Glory, which is off the new album from Adele. This UK diva has some serious soul like soul sister Amy Winehouse just not as dirty. The album as a whole is good… Nothing that has knocked me out cold but Cold Shoulder, Hometown Glory and Tired are really worth a mention as they shine among the rest. Hometown Glory just sends chills down my spine every time. Enjoy!
mp3: Hometown Glory
19 – 2008 (XL Recordings)
Also available on Amazon and emusic
I’ve been walking in the same way as I did
Missing out the cracks in the pavement
And tutting my heel, strutting my feet
“Is there anything I can do for you dear? Is there anyone I can call?â€
“No and thank you, please Madam. I ain’t lost, just wanderingâ€
Round my hometown
Memories are fresh
Round my hometown
Ooh the people I’ve met
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of this world
Are the wonders of my world
I like it in the city when the air is so thick and opaque
I love to see everybody in short skirts, shorts and shades
I like it in the city when two worlds collide
You get the people and the government
Everybody taking different sides
Shows that we ain’t gonna stand shit
Shows that we are united
Shows that we ain’t gonna take it
Shows that we ain’t gonna stand shit
Shows that we are united
Round my hometown
Memories are fresh
Round my hometown
Ooh the people I’ve met
Are the wonders of my world
Jun
23
Coldplay Makes Me Smile
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Something about them just never fails to put a smile on my face…Viva La Vida doesn’t fail but so far I haven’t been floored either. I don’t know… I think I need to digest it a bit more.
Brian Eno, the ambient genius that he is, produced this fourth full length album of Coldplay’s. Viva opens with some atmospheric 80’s goodness and then Lost! comes on and it is inspiring with the hand clapping and bass drum beating, it marches straight into my heart… Cuteums! Then the album peaks with a couple of epic tracks, Lovers In Japan and Yes, both are really well composed. The title track is quite fantastic as well, along with Violent Hill and Strawberry Swing. I just think I need to listen and absorb it a little more to really know if this made it onto my favorites of 2008 list. I will be honest I am a little disappointed I suppose… I just don’t feel as I did when I first heard a Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) or X&Y (2005), but that is alright because some of my favorite albums of all time needed a bit more attention before I declared my undying love.
mp3: Lost!
mp3: Strawberry Swing
Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends 2008 (Capitol)
Jun
17
Sybris
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I feel like a roller coaster that just came to a grinding halt. My day started out slow and easy then it sped up like a tornado, with the afternoon flying by and running errands after work… But then I just slowed down to a nice easy pace. I thought Into The Trees by Sybris would be most relevant for the day I had today, most relevant indeed. Cheers! Oh and I do hope you enjoy the passionate Sybris as I have.
mp3: Got Nothing
mp3: Something About A Darkhorse of Whatever
Sybris on myspace
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Into The Trees 2008 (Absolutely Kosher)
Jun
11
A Good Day Indeed
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Priscilla Ahn has finally released her first full length album on Blue Note: A Good Day. I am really quite happy to see her succeed, she has worked hard the last couple of years playing at the Hotel Cafe in LA basically every weekend, and sleeping on friend’s couches while touring with Joshua Radin. Somehow I just have a lot of respect for her and her voice is really something that should be heard, it is quite beautiful.
The album has some really lovely new tracks on it, A Good Day (Morning Song) along with Masters In China are really the stars of the album for me, but the lyrics are lacking substance and it is funny because her voice is so angelic that I want there be depth so badly. The substance will come though as her music continues to progress. It is going to take some more life experience and getting in touch with her “being”. And I don’t want to sound all intellectually snobby about this but basically she talks about leaving the light on because she is scared of the dark… Hello? I feel like she can do better than that and I hope so much that she will. I look forward to it.
mp3: A Good Day (Morning Song)
mp3: Masters In China
Jun
8
Port O’Brien
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Port O’ Brien is an indie folk band that resides in Oakland, CA. But this album was actually inspired by a couple of the band members’ own experience working on a salmon fishing boat (which is kind of funny because we just went kayaking today with friends in and around the Naples canals).
Port O’ Brien’s first full length recorded album is indeed impressive and I have heard they can put on a show, although unfortunately I have not had a chance to catch them live… After hearing this album I am on the look out.
All We Could Do Was Sing goes from brilliant exciting knock you out of bed in the morning indie folk rock to showing us their more expressive stripped down acoustic side. Only a couple tracks on the album I could live without… But the good certainly outweighs the bad and the good was pretty great.
mp3: I Woke Up Today
mp3: Alive For Nothing
Port O’ Brien on myspace and emusic
Jun
5
Death Cab For Cutie
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Better late than never! Death Cab’s new album has been quite the buzz and I have to admit I was intrigued… Bixby Canyon Bridge just pulled me in from the start, great opening track really… But then I Will Possess Your Heart is like a slow screw drilling into your hand, I don’t know what happened it starts out with a funky bass line and along comes a lovely little piano melody but then it just goes all wrong. The album does redeem itself by the time Grapevine Fires hits you with its exquisite harmony… But I have to admit a little dark realization I had a couple of days ago… I was in Nordstroms shopping with my Mom and all of a sudden Your New Twin Sized Bed comes on… And I have to say I was annoyed and not just because it was playing at some mainstream store that my grandma shops at, but instead I think I realized what I don’t like about the album as a whole is that it was neither spectacular nor was it awful it was just middle of the road for me. I am left thinking Death Cab just doesn’t turn me on like my other lovers… It is sad… I wish it was different but some things just aren’t meant to be.
mp3: Grapevine Fires
Apr
22
Wye Oak For Earth Day
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Happy Earth Day everyone! Even though personally I think everyday should be Earth Day…We should really be taking care of the Earth all year long. Wouldn’t you all agree?
I was turned on to Wye Oak from Tara (thanks Tara). Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack are the two behind Wye Oak and they hail from Baltimore. Their new album If Children is an album filled with delicate yet passionate guitar pop. And yes it’s goodness.
Ok, so I have to run to work now, sorry it has been so quiet around here I will give you an update a little later, some big changes are brewing…But for now enjoy the music!
mp3: Regret
mp3: Family Glue
If Children 2008 (Merge Records)
Wye Oak on myspace
Album available HERE
Apr
10
Colin Meloy Sings Live
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Yes, it is true Colin Meloy lead singer of The Decemberists has released a stripped down live album. Just his voice and his guitar and it is fantastic. Perfect for the mood I am in this evening…Gentle folk melodies serenade me to sleep.
mp3: Wonder
mp3: The Bachelor and the Bride
Colin Meloy Sings Live 2008 (Kill Rock Stars)
Colin Meloy on myspace
Apr
8
Tapes ‘n Tapes, Walk It Off
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I need to Walk It Off…I need to take a deep breath and forget that I am spending hundreds of dollars on soaring gas prices. I also need to forget that this Word Press update is kind of pissing me off because there are a bunch of errors popping up and now I am just sorry that I didn’t wait for them to fix all this shit in the next update…I am also freaked because my laptop is crashing before my eyes and I don’t know what I am going to do…
But seriously Tapes ‘n Tapes have proved they are worthy of being added to the goodness list, their sophomore album is quite impressive and I am enjoying blowing off some steam while listening to it.
mp3: Le Ruse
mp3: Say Back Something
Walk It Off 2008 (Beggars Group)
Apr
3
Apples In Stereo
Filed Under Album Picks | 1 Comment
Ahhh yes a wonderful album filled with some fantastic B-Sides and indie-rock rarities to tickle our fancy. I can’t say that the entire album is worth dance and praise but one of my favorite songs happens to be the first song on the album and I thought I would share it with all of you, hopefully you can listen and celebrate the end of the week. Enjoy!
mp3:Â Shine (In Your Mind)
Apples In Stereo on myspace
Electronic Projects for Musicians 2008 (Yep Roc Records)
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