May

23

Our Lives Worth Fighting For

By Rachel | Album Picks | Leave a Comment 

It has been awhile since Santigold released an album. Four years actually, and back then she spelled it Santogold. However, you will never hear me bad mouth an artist because they took too long to release an album. Look at Portishead, or look at my beloved Alexi Murdoch. He takes his sweet time in between albums. It is risky though in this world where there is a new gadget every day and the blog-o-sphere is quick to jump to the next new and interesting band so fast you barely have time to enjoy what you like right now. Master of My Make-Believe hit me right from the start, upon first listen I was already hooked. Her range is so varied that you hear so many great influences you never imagined could be mixed together and work. Santi makes it work and makes it her own.

The album starts out with an aggressive stomping reggae beat mixed with a dirty indie rock influence by the one and only Karen O. Then one of my favorite tracks, Disparate Youth, a heavily influenced island beat blended with a little indie dream pop. The chorus sings, Oh-ah, Oh-ah/We know now we want more/Oh-ah, Oh-ah/A life worth fighting for. So good.

There really isn’t a song on the album that I don’t like or that I find myself skipping through. Santi White is inspiring. She has just the right amount of attitude, but also has this soft gentle aura about her which gives her the ability to blend her musical tastes and create her own distinct sound. Her sophomore album is in no way a disappointment for me. The only fear I have is that I like it so much that I might kill it and it won’t stand the test of time like her debut album has. I just have to remember to take breaks from my favorites every now and again for the sake of our relationship.

Disparate Youth – Santigold

Master of My Make-Believe 2012 (Atlantic Records)

don’t look ahead, there’s stormy weather
another roadblock in our way
but if we go, we go together
our hands are tied here if we stay.

oh, we set our dreams to carry us
and if they don’t fly we will run
now we push right past to find out
oh how to win what they have lost

oh ah, oh ah,
we know now we want more
oh ah, oh ah,
our lives worth fighting for
oh ah, oh ah
we know now we want more
oh ah, oh ah
our lives worth fighting for.

so let them say we can’t do better
they have the rules that we can’t break
they want to sit and watch you wither
their legacy’s too hard to take

oh, we set our dreams to carry us
and if they don’t fly we will run
now we push right past to find out
oh how to win what they have lost.

oh ah, oh ah,
we know now we want more
oh ah, oh ah,
our lives worth fighting for
oh ah, oh ah,
we know now we want more
oh ah, oh ah,
our lives worth fighting for

in their heads, edge in their beds
in their eyes it shows
when the beacon breaks, well then you ask and they don’t know
oh tell me that, i turn my back, well the odds all stand beneath me
and they all said, i was mislead
and now the odds all stand beneath me

oh ah, oh ah,
you’re frozen to your core
oh ah, oh ah,
our lives worth fighting for

oh, we set our dreams to carry us
and if they don’t fly we will run
now we push right past to find out
oh how to win what they have lost

oh ah, oh ah,
we know now we want more
oh ah, oh ah,
our lives worth fighting for
oh ah, oh ah,
we know now we want more
oh ah, oh ah,
our lives worth fighting for

 

 

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May

14

Make It Shine So Bright

By Rachel | Album Picks | 2 Comments 

A Montreal based quartet founded by brothers, Brad and Andrew Barr. Their debut album was released last year and I absolute love it. Highly recommended. For fans of Blind Pilot, Dawes, The Head and the Heart or just fans of beautiful gentle acoustic guitar folk mixed with some rock that brings you home.

Beggar In The Morning – The Barr Brothers

The Barr Brothers 2011 (Secret City Records)

 

 

 

Apr

18

Keep Your Love

By Rachel | Album Picks | 4 Comments 

Occasionally an album will come around and blow me away. Make my bones ache because it is so good. I can feel it in my heart, my pulse speeds up and my body starts moving. I can’t stop it. I have listened to this debut album from The Lumineers over 100 times in the last 48 hours. The passion in the music of this Colorado based trio is sorrowful but it will lift you up and get you dancing to your broken heart. Which isn’t that what we all need? You have got to dance it off. Dance off the bad day, the disagreement, all the debt, the day to day bullshit. Dance it off. The Lumineers get you to stand up and sing-along to their bold anthem folk-rock and my goodness I needed an album like this. It is one that everyone can relate to and feel. I find myself getting lost in it and I am so happy they create the music they do. Go to their show, buy their music and merchandise, support them and spread the word. A mix of Blitzen Trapper meets Mumford & Sons and Of Monsters and Men and I fucking love it.

Stubborn Love – The Lumineers

The Lumineers 2012 (Dualtone Music Group)

p.s. sing the lyrics loud xx

SHE’LL LIE AND STEAL AND CHEAT, AND BEG YOU FROM HER KNEES
MAKE YOU THINK SHE MEANS IT THIS TIME
SHE’LL TEAR A HOLE IN YOU THE ONE YOU CAN’T REPAIR
BUT I STILL LOVE HER I DON’T REALLY CARE

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG OH OH WE DID ENOUGH
WHEN IT GOT COLD OOH OOH WE BUNDLED UP
I CAN’T BE TOLD AH AH IT CAN’T BE DONE

IT’S BETTER TO FEEL PAIN THAN NOTHING AT ALL
THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE’S INDIFFERENCE
SO PAY ATTENTION NOW I’M STANDING ON YOUR PORCH SCREAMIN OUT
AND I WON’T LEAVE UNTIL YOU COME DOWNSTAIRS

SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE

AND I DON’T BLAME YA DEAR FOR RUNNING LIKE YOU DID ALL THESE YEARS
I WOULD DO THE SAME YOU BEST BELIEVE
AND THE HIGHWAY SIGNS SAY WE’RE CLOSE, BUT I DON’T READ THOSE THINGS ANYMORE
I NEVER TRUSTED MY OWN EYES

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG OH OH WE DID ENOUGH
WHEN IT GOT COLD OOH OOH WE BUNDLED UP
I CAN’T BE TOLD AH AH IT CAN’T BE DONE

SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE

 

 

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Apr

4

If You Built Yourself A Myth

By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 1 Comment 

Beach House has taken up a large portion of my listening time these last couple of weeks. Their new album, Bloom comes out May 15th and it is really amazing.

The single, Myth might be one of my favorite songs of 2012 so far. The soaring vocals of Victoria Legrand are matched with a driving rhythmic melody that you just never want to end.

Myth – Beach House

Bloom 2012 (Sub Pop)

Drifting in and out
See the road you’re on

You came rolling down the cheek
You say just what you need
And in between
It’s never as it seems

Help me to make it
Help me to make it

If you built yourself a myth
You’d know just what to give

What comes after this
Momentary bliss
The consequence
Of what you do to me

Help me to make it
Help me to make it

Found yourself in a new direction
Aeons far from the sun
Can you come?
Would they come to breach you?
Let you know you’re not the only one

You can’t keep hangin’ on
To all that’s dead and gone

If you built yourself a myth
You’d know just what to give
Do you lie?
Oh, let the ashes fly

Help me to make it
Help me to make it

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Mar

21

Neither Here Nor There

By Rachel | Album Picks | 1 Comment 

Hello! Nice to see you. It has been awhile, longer than I expected but that is life for you.

School, work, friends, sleep, music… All of this contributes to my lack of posting around here. Probably laziness as well. I do get lazy on occasion.

Austin, TX was amazing… Radiohead was unbelievable. More to come on that this weekend.

Tonight, Lost in the Trees. This album took me by the hair and forced me to listen. I couldn’t turn it off. Beautiful. I am not totally surprised based off the stunning 2010 album, All Alone In An Empty House. Ari Picker has gone through one of the most devastating loses and yet he has turned that loss into something so beautiful and profound. He has given life to a person who wanted nothing but to give up. He has given her a voice that she herself could never fully recognize. That to me is something amazing. Picker is a true musician creating breathtaking arrangements that are matched with his bold vibrato vocals and the end result is a remarkable album that speaks volumes. An album that touches everyone who lends their ears to it. It is an album of 2012 that should not be missed and if you have not yet heard his 2010 album please hit me up because it needs to be heard.

Neither Here Nor There – Lost in the Trees

A Church That Fits Our Needs 2012 (ANTI)

 

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Mar

6

Break It Yourself

By Rachel | Album Picks | 1 Comment 

As I get ready for a little vacation in Austin, TX I have been listening to some new music from Andrew Bird, Fun, Damien Jurado and Shearwater. Tonight before I leave on this trip I felt it absolutely necessary to share one of my favorite songs off of Andrew Bird’s new album, Break It Yourself. Does he ever have a bad album? I really can’t think of one album of his that is not beautiful and poetic. Andrew Bird is quite honestly in a class of his own and his new album is one that you must not miss.

When I return I will have tons of pictures and show reviews for you to lend your eyes and ears to. So beyond excited to see Other Lives open for Radiohead… A music lovers dream, well at least my dream. See you in a week!

Danse Carribe – Andrew Bird

Break It Yourself 2012 (Mom & Pop Music)

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Feb

27

Country Heroes

By Rachel | Album Picks | Leave a Comment 

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

 

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Feb

17

Gone

By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 3 Comments 

I have been struggling to communicate. Right now, I feel like I have very little to give and I have been selfish with my time. Spending a lot of time by myself. Thinking… Contemplating where I am in my life and where and what I want for the future. I suppose you can think of it as a 30 year old crisis. I am not exactly sure how comfortable I am where I am at in my life so I am trying to grasp on to anything fun and different? It is something I am still trying to figure out. There has been some distance between me and the blog, nothing drastic. I am just a little quiet.

The other night this M83 song shuffled on and took my breath away. I listened to it on repeat for 30 minutes. Every once in awhile music will save me, a song will come on and can have such a profound affect on me. This live version of Gone is to me by far better than the original studio recording. Play it loud.

Gone (live) – M83

Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts 2003

 

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Feb

8

Magic Chords

By Rachel | Album Picks | 4 Comments 

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)

 

 

 

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Feb

2

Love Interruption

By Rachel | Music Mix Up | Leave a Comment 

I am pretty excited for Jack White’s solo project. We get a little taste with this single. The full length album, Blunderbuss comes out April 24th.

Love Interruption – Jack White

Love Interruption (Single) 2012

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