Songbird
Jun
22
Sigur Ros, Hlemmur Soundtrack
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 5 Comments
Sigur Ros’s soundtrack to the 2002 Icelandic Documentary, Hlemmur by Olafur Sveinsson is finally getting a full release as a double-pack DVD/CD, via the band’s own Krunk label in Iceland. You can listen to the entire album streaming on their myspace now.
Jun
20
The Frames
By Rachel | Album Picks | 4 Comments
The Frames have been making music since 1995 but with lead singer Glen Hansard starring in “Once” and their recent album, The Cost which was released in February of this year on the ANTI Label; The Frames have finally received some world wide attention…
But when I went to see “Once” this passed weekend at the new Landmark Theater in snooty Santa Monica I noticed that there was no mention of The Frames new album in the usher’s introduction, in fact there was not one mention of The Frames in general, which ruffled my feathers to say the least considering “Falling Slowly” and “When Your Minds Made Up” are present on both album and soundtrack. And after seeing the movie I am not really sure why the director didn’t just make this movie about “the band” with a concentration on the two main characters…It would have worked to have the whole band there from the beginning I think…I don’t know that is just my two cents, of course I am a little bias as I have made it my business to introduce people to music from bands like The Frames and when I see perfectly good opportunities to promote unknown music it baffles me when it doesn’t seem to happen…
Anyways lets get right to it shall we? The Frames blend gentle folk melodies with passionate lyrical honesty and explosive yet sensitive guitars. It is all really quite appealing like in that warm inviting art house coffee shop kind of way. My favorite song of theirs you can only find on the album, The Cost, but I highly recommend picking up a copy of the album or the soundtrack or tickle me pink and get both you won’t be disappointed…And you will want to have something after seeing the movie. :)
mp3 Expired: Rise
The Cost 2007 (ANTI Label) GET IT
Once Soundtrack 2007 (Columbia) GET IT
Jun
19
Once, twice, thrice a lady.
By Pip | Film Box | 3 Comments
Once
Director / Writer: John Carney
Players:
The setup was something familiar, yet new. “Guy” – aka “Bearded Scott Man” falls for “Girl” – aka “Fleet Fingered Czech Chick”, that’s about the length and breadth of it. It’s the details that make this one special, from the meandering way the pseudo love story evolves and copulates with a kiss on the cheek to the heartfelt singing of the Bearded Scott that tugs just a little at your soul. This, like other music films before it, is basically a love note from the songwriter to the celluloid addicts out there. I haven’t heard Guy’s voice before seeing the trailer some time ago now, nor experienced his lyrics. I, unlike some people I know, haven’t even heard of The Frames before being educated on the matter in a most succinct manner, however I will be sure to seek out and absorb it all henceforth.
I haven’t done a bit of research on the matter (and I don’t plan to considering reality doesn’t work like my favorite stories), but I muse and reverie that all these songs were brought to life in the exact way that we saw unfold in front of us. It’s just… beautiful. Of course, by now you must be thinking that this is the greatest film of the year. What I like to call a “life-altering-experience”. Alas, it is not, for its greatest strength is also its greatest flaw: the music. But wait, you’re thinking, I thought you loved the music?! I did. With the plot and characters as sparse as they were, it felt more like a string of music videos than a proper film.
That said, the wonderful thing about Once is how much was done with so little. Yes the characters had very little screen time to make their mark, but a mark was made. Their story is so endearing and they felt so real, all the development normally necessary for other films would have felt tacked on. I think perhaps my hang-ups with Once are selfish ones: I simply want to know the whole story. I want to experience all those side glances between the lines. I wanted more…
So are you wondering if I really liked the film or not? Well good, ’cause so do I. No matter what, it’s worth watching if only to feel the bleeding heart pumping on to the giant screen through his vocal chords. Check it out.
-Pip
Jun
18
Radiohead, Ok Computer
By Rachel | Album Picks | 3 Comments
So I am a day late posting a Father’s Day post, I hope all the Father’s out there had a wonderful day. I kept myself pretty busy this weekend, which was good…And as some of you know my dad was the one to introduce me to Radiohead and since June 16th was the official 10th anniversary of Radiohead’s Ok Computer I thought this would be a good time to share a couple of tracks off this celebrated album. Ok Computer proved that it was possible to mix electronic textures with soaring guitars and still delight “rock” fans everywhere. This 3rd full length album demonstrated Radiohead’s ability to reinvent their sound, something which they continue to do album after album, this is just one of the reasons why I love them as much as I do.
Also on June 13th Radiohead made news after Ed posted a little ditty on Dead Air Space about their highly anticipated new album saying, “Yes I know its been a while ….. but we’ve been working on this album for a while …… BUT WE ARE NEARLY THERE …..”
What does nearly there mean? I have no idea but good things come to those who wait…So I’m waiting…Anxiously. Cheers!
mp3 Expired: Let Down
mp3 Expired: No Surprises
Ok Computer 1997 (Capitol Records) GET IT
Jun
14
My Sad Captains, Bad Decisions
By Rachel | Album Picks | 6 Comments
The members of My Sad Captains are: Nick Goss – guitar, samples, Jack Swayne – bass, Ed Wallis – vocals, guitar, Jim Wallis – drums, vocals and Cathy Lucas – vocals, violin, keyboards
Bad Decisions, their debut single leaves me wanting more! Delightful jingle pop that just puts a smile on your face. Their band name is taken from a Thom Gunn poem and their music is reminiscent from some of their influences such as Pavement and Sparklehorse
mp3 Expired: Bad Decisions
My Sad Captains on myspace
Bad Decisions 2007 (Fortuna Pop!) GET IT
Jun
12
Chet, Fight Against Darkness
By Rachel | Album Picks | 8 Comments
Fight Against Darkness is the third full length album by this British Columbia based band. It gives you that kick back and chill sort of feeling. Ryan’s majestic voice commands your attention but after a few listens it becomes almost enjoyably haunting. So sit back and relax…
mp3 Expired: The Shepard
mp3 Expired: Very Old Story
Chet on myspace
Fight Against Darkness 2007 (Aaargh!) GET IT
And you might have noticed Untitled Records is officially launched, a big thank you to Pip for everything and a big thank you to Squashed over at Bricolage Fantasy for his Word Press wisdom and advice. It has been a long time coming but I am pretty damn proud of how it turned out, that being said please update your links and bookmarks accordingly. :) Cheers!
Jun
4
Herman Jolly & Ladyhawk
By Rachel | Album Picks | 7 Comments
I’m having one of those music inspired moments where music and thought sync up and there is all this creativity and passion running through your body…And I know some of you may be wondering what I’m on but I assure you nothing. I mean I agree that I may have exaggerated the emotions a bit but I was just making sure that point was clear. ;-)
But actually I was just talking to my talented dear friend Tara about forging your own path, with your own unique style, adding something to your own field(s) of interest something I admire about her…And something I think I may have been lacking in my posts lately.
My daily affirmation: Be original! Stray away from the heard! Weeee!!
And I got an early birthday present this weekend (I’m smiling) a turntable! But it gets better…The turntable plugs right into my computer and converts the marvelous music to mp3 (of course you can’t reproduce the glorious sound of a record and man it is glorious) but it makes it that much easier to share my growing record collection with you. Weeee! I will post a song from the first records soon. :-) So thankful and happy!
mp3 expired: Candy Stairs – Herman Jolly
Bunker Life 2007 – Get It
mp3 expired: War – Ladyhawk
Fight For Anarchy 2007 – Get It
May
31
Lovely Mix & Criticism
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 11 Comments
Ok so I need some constructive criticism on the new site it is not completely transferred over but there is enough up for you to get a general idea of what it is going to look like…Specifically I need a few questions answered…
1. What do you think about the black text on white background opposed to the white text on a black background?
2. Which side should the sidebar be on? The left or right?
And if you have anything else you would like to add by all means speak up or forever hold you peace. ;-)
The following mix of songs is just some recent releases I have been enjoying the past few days and I thought you all would enjoy them as well. So that is all I got for you, I am looking forward to hearing what you all think of the new look. And Mentok now you know I haven’t been just fucking around this entire time, I really have been working on it. :-p
mp3: More Past – Trespassers William
Noble House EP 2007 – Get It
(Some of you may remember Trespassers William from a long time ago here)
mp3: In A Wreck – Morningbell
Through The Belly Of the Sea 2007 – Get It
mp3: The Canadian Shield – A Northern Chorus
The Millions Too Many 2007 – Get It
(Thanks to Colin for introducing me to this amazing band)
mp3: Breathe – The Cinematic Orchestra
Ma Fleur 2007 – Get It
(I have been listening to this album non-stop, I highly recommend checking it out)
May
28
Sick and Twisted
By Rachel | Album Picks | 5 Comments
Actually I wouldn’t say I’m twisted but definitely sick….So please forgive my short absence while my body defends itself against whatever virus I picked up.
Being sick sucks x 10
In the mean time listen to this breathtakingly beautiful song off the new Cinematic Orchestra’s new album, Ma Fleur
mp3: To Build a Home – Cinematic Orchestra
Ma Fleur 2007 – Get it
May
24
Coltrane Motion, Songs About Music
By Rachel | Album Picks | 4 Comments
Coltrane Motion, Songs About Music
That’s what I call reinventing music in the digital era. One of the things that I talked to my client about a lot is the time of year that they want to take their engagement portraits. The first thing that I recommend is not having your engagement portraits taken in the same season that you will be married in. Brilliant.
mp3: Twenty-Seven – Coltrane Motion
mp3: Ex-Girlfriend In A Coma – Coltrane Motion
Songs About Music 2007 – Get It
Disclaimer
Music found on this blog is for sampling only. If you like what you hear then support the artist. Buy their music, attend a show and spread the word. If you own the rights to any of the music featured here and you would like me to remove it contact me and I will remove the link immediately.
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tag to listen, right click the song title to save. If you find that an mp3 is not playing chances are it has expired.
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Rachel - Music, FilmAggregator Love
