Feb

27

Country Heroes

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I have played this song over and over… There is no other song that resonates with me as much as this song does right now in my life. I am going through a drinking stage right now mixed in with a little depression. Having a father who was a recovering alcoholic, it is a little nerve racking to go through a drinking stage. I am trying to stay on top of it, constantly reminding myself of the dangers of my genetic history. I have been addicted to things before but this is a different in the sense that this is a legal and socially acceptable drug…

I never imagined that Hank Williams III would be on my iPod, never in a million years. There is something about his honest country punk that speaks to me. It is real and blunt and I like it, a lot. Reminds me of my Dad a bit and my Americana roots. It has made me realize that I have been taking a lot of chances with my music selection as of late, opening myself up to genres and people I never imagined I would take a chance on. It is amazing what you will find speaks to you when you go in with an open mind.

Play it loud.

Country Heroes – Hank Williams III

Straight to Hell  2005 (Bruc Records)

Well, oh what a feeling
that burns down low
when you ain’t got no where to turn,
or no where to go
It makes me feel like sometimes
I’m outta control
So I’m gonna get wasted
with all my country heroes

I’m drinkin’ some George Jones,
and a little bit of Coe
Haggard’s easin’ my misery
and Waylon’s keepin’ me from home
Hank’s givin’ me those high times –
Cash is gonna sing it low
I’m here gettin’ wasted –
here with my country heroes

I’m drinkin’ that whiskey
out of that glass
and if that ain’t country,
boy, you can kiss my ass
I wanna hear them old songs –
nothin’ of the new
’cause this might be the last time
I’m gonna see you

So I’m drinkin’ some George Jones,
and a little bit of Coe
Haggard’s easin’ my misery
and Waylon’s keepin’ me from home
Hanks givin’ me those high times –
Cash is gonna sing it low
and I’m here gettin’ wasted –
just like my country heroes

I’m here gettin’ wasted –
with all my country heroes

 

Feb

8

Magic Chords

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I have had my eye on this album, awaiting the release for quite some time. I find Sharon’s voice to be ever so beautiful. The album as a whole is alright… I selected a handful of diamonds for my collection, Magic Chords, Ask, Serpents, Kevin’s and In Line. All well worth a listen and more. Enjoy. xx

Magic Chords – Sharon Van Etten

Tramp 2012 (Jagjaguwar)

 

 

 

Jan

27

Devil In The Details

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I want to take a moment to talk about Bright Eyes. I am not sure what I have been waiting for all these years. It is really a shame that I have missed listening to all of this great music for so long. I avoided it like the plague due to silly stereotypes and just being flat out stubborn. But I was oh so wrong. I dove in head first and fell head over heels in love and now I can’t get enough. Thank you to a dear friend for showing me the way. I am eternally grateful.

Conor Oberst’s voice, his lyrics, the pain, the anger, the passion in his music makes my heart ache in only the best way. His music makes me feel it ALL and I welcome it with open arms.

Devil In the Details – Bright Eyes

Digital Ash In A Digital Urn 2005 (Saddle Creek)

A house of cards
A supple heart
Is not a place to dwell

Now you have your cake
Don’t hesitate
Come on just do it,
Come on just do it

Put it in your mouth
There is only now
Tomorrow has to wait

But know there’s no backing out
This is gonna be reality
You can never dream it down

I have No way
Of telling
The two apart

Well I made amends
In the general sense
But the devil’s in the details

And I know the cause
And I want to stop
But I can’t do it,
I just can’t do it

There was love I meant
There were accidents
So tell me which is which

‘Cus I just can’t work it out
But for memory and clarity
We had better write it down

I have no way
Of knowing the truth
With time it dissolves

I put the past into the ground
I saw the future as a cloud
If there’s still time to turn around
I’m going to

Its just one day I fell asleep
And all day all night I dreamed
I am the first one I deceive
If I can make myself believe
The rest is easy…

 

 

 

 

Dec

14

Of Monsters And Men

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It has almost been a year since I first discovered Of Monsters and Men and I waited very patiently for word of an album or EP. Well they are finally releasing an EP, Into The Woods on 12/20 and they will be releasing their debut full length album, My Head Is An Animal in 2012. I have fallen head over heels in love with this six piece band hailing from Iceland. It is a mix of Sigur Rós and Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros. Toe-tapping, dancing folk. Of Monsters and Men has become my new favorite band and I guarantee you will be hearing a lot about them in the next few months as they explode onto the music scene.

p.s. Thanks to a very nice reader their full length album is available through shopicelandic.com

Six Weeks – Of Monsters and Men

Into The Woods EP 2011

Nov

24

Dive

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I have been struggling ever since I have returned from Vegas. Struggling with my reality and the monotonous grind of the day to day. When I got back it really hit me, I actually have to go back to work and school… It didn’t all just disappear. My best friend got married which was exciting, but also scary. She is not single anymore, she has more obligations than I and being an only child I am insanely possessive over my friendships it is hard for me to let go a little and share. So I have done a lot of wallowing in self pity over here but I am slowly coming out of it. I am simply trying to remain focused on the here and now, which as we all know is so much easier said than done.

Lately I have been listening to a lot of music on Spotify. Mostly Hip-Hop and “radio” music that I never listen to and certainly never purchase but feel it is important to hear what is current in all genres of music. Must keep up with popular culture. I have been listening to a lot of Jay-Z and Kanye West, Watch the Throne. As well as Eminem, Recovery.

Tonight I want to share the music of Tycho (aka Scott Hansen), a San Francisco based gentlemen (well…I hope he is a gentlemen) that creates swirling electronic melodies that just make me sit back and smile. I believe this is his full length debut however he released an EP back in 2002, The Science of Things. Scott Hansen will be performing at the Echoplex in Los Angeles on 12/08/2011.

p.s. I want to wish a very happy Thanksgiving to everyone. To me Thanksgiving is about great friends, family and good wine. Cheers to the people in your life that you love, tell them how important they are to you. Cheers! xx

Elegy – Tycho

Dive 2011 (Ghostly International)

Nov

9

In A Different Time

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Jesse Marchant is a Montreal born musician who puts together some of the most beautiful guitar driven arrangements that are meticulous and so well thought out. He is the kind of song-writer that will put his everything into an album and then need to take a break for awhile to digest all the emotion that went into creating these songs. This first full length album is honest and absolutely wonderful.

In A Different Time – JBM

Not Even In July 2010 (Partisan Records)

Nov

6

Shake It Out

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Speechless.

Shake It Out – Florence + The Machine

Ceremonials 2011 (Universal Republic)

Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play

And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues strong
It’s always darkest before the dawn

And I’ve been a fool and I’ve been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I’m always dragging that horse around

All of these questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I’m gonna bury that horse in the ground
So I like to keep my issues strong
But it’s always darkest before the dawn

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaaah

And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I’m gonna cut it out and then restart
Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It’s always darkest before the dawn

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
And given half the chance would I take any of it back
It’s a fine romance but it’s left me so undone
It’s always darkest before the dawn

Oh woah, oh woah…

And I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t
So here’s to drinks in the dark at the end of my rope
And I’m ready to suffer and I’m ready to hope
It’s a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
Cause looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Well what the hell I’m gonna let it happen to me

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

 

Oct

28

Somebody I Used To Know

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When I first heard the new third full length album from Wally De Backer I hated it. Literally turned it off and moved on. I didn’t think I would come back to it at the time but I did. It has grown on me so much from the first listen. A dark and mysterious pop album that is quite unique. There are a few songs that I know will make my end of year list for sure, Eyes Wide Open, Somebody That I Used To Know and Smoke and Mirrors are amazing. The there are some tracks that just get off course like, I Feel Better and In Your Light. Overall I am happy that I gave it another chance and if you haven’t yet heard some of this Belgian-Aussie’s music I urge you to check him out and dive right in.

Happy Friday! xX

Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye

Making Mirrors 2011 (Ais)

Oct

10

Caught A Long Wind

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This was unexpected. I never imagined I would hear Feist’s new album and listen to it on constant repeat for an entire week straight. It took me off guard and has held me captive with the range of emotional intense arrangements such as the opening, The Bad In Each Other to the stark delicate melodies of, Cicadas And Gulls. Leslie Feist has gone big, this is far different from her last album, The Reminder and I guess I just didn’t think it could get much better than that. It is a bold album that is intimate and unforgettable. A must have.

 

Caught A Long Wind – Feist

Metals 2011 (Cherrytree/Interscope)

Oct

3

Milk & Sticks

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I originally posted about Boy & Bear here. From the time I heard their single, Mexican Mavis I was obsessed. Their debut full length, Moonfire was released in August and I am in love. It exceeded my expectations. Their sound is big, with busy rhythms and soaring harmonies. Fantastic. I have an itch to see them live and I am in luck as they are currently on tour and in town next week. Check it.

Moonfire is a definite favorite and you will be seeing it on my year end list.

Milk & Sticks – Boy & Bear

Moonfire 2011 (Universal)

Born from the Soldiers Arms
But our spirit keeps a moving on
And, one meter at a time we’ll fall
It’s a bloody hill and a broken wall
We’ve been singing like a lunatic
Knee deep in our milk and sticks
Just a kid with a broken arm
It’s sling shot ahead of harm

Oh I’m hungry for the feeling honey
Cause it’s moving faster than the speed of sound
I left you a lizard by the lake my lover
It was so profound
While we found
While we found

Torn like a beaten man
It’s another dog and a foreign man
And you’ve been carrying a broken stone
New tricks and a buried bone
We’ve been born to be motivated
Half that are cultivated
I promise you when the time does come
We’ll be down river with my loaded gun

Oh I’m hungry for the feeling honey
Cause it’s moving faster than the speed of sound
I left you a lizard by the lake my lover
It was so profound
While we found
While we found
While we found
While we found

Just like the rest
You’ll be coming back if you’re looking for paradise
The silver line it separates your body from your mind
What a mess we’re in
There’s a monster in my head
There’s an animal screaming that I’m on my neck
Oh no you better get off my friend
There’s a monster in my bed
There’s an animal screaming that I’m on my neck
Oh no you better get off my friend
What a mess we’re in
Oh no you better get off my friend
Oh no you better get off my friend, yeah
Oh you know you better run my friend

 

 

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