Songbird
Jul
28
Reflection with Pomegranates
Filed Under Album Picks | 2 Comments
This past week has been insane… Now, all of a sudden, it is Monday. I do apologize for my unplanned absence everyone but sometimes stuff just falls from the sky. Plus work always keeps me working overtime, which is good because I get paid for that. ;-)
The Pomegranates help as I reflect on a week filled with long nights at work and big news from friends moving to New York for a new job opportunity… It was nice to unwind with those friends at a John Mayer concert this Sunday. More on that later… For now let me introduce the Pomegranates who hail from Cincinnati, Ohio. I found them while perusing some new selections on emusic and I instantly fell in love. They create a mighty fine blend of experimental rock with a sugar coating of pop just to make it a little sweeter and it works. They still have a little bit of smoothing out of some of those rough edges, but that will come soon enough… They have only been a band for a little over a year. Their first full length album, Everything is Alive is refreshing. Thought it would be a good idea for you all to check out their 2007 EP, Two Eyes as well. Enjoy!
mp3: In the Kitchen
Pomegranates on myspace
Everything is Alive 2008 (Lujo Records)
Also available on emusic
Jul
20
Another Year
Filed Under Album Picks, News & Info. | 7 Comments
Friday was my birthday… So yeah happy birthday to me! I kind of feel a bit old… Normally I embrace my birthday with open arms being an only child and all I kind of make it a big deal… But this year I have realized I am a bit scared of getting older. I still had a marvelous weekend though… Great food, great laughs and good times with friends and family… It was fabulous. ;-)
I thought it would be a perfect time to mention the ethereal Sigur Ros and their new album, Med Sud I EyrumVid Spilum Endalaust , which translates to “with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly”. Their new album seems to be much more relatable, a bit more down to earth and fundamental then their passed albums, which all seemed to be fueled by abstract post-rock. This album is colorful, uplifting, expressive and beautiful. Highly recommended. (That is two in a row I might add)
mp3: Vid spilum endalaust
mp3: Med sud à eyrum
Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust 2008 (Beggars XL)
Also available on Amazon
Jul
14
F%$@ It!
Filed Under Music Mix Up | 9 Comments
Yeah. That sums it up right there. I am in a terrible mood, just awful. Which, sucks for Haley Bonar because I feel like I am not giving her a proper write up but I have mentioned her once or twice before. I am just not into it tonight. A new track off her new album just shuffled right on and just seemed to fit with the mood I am in so I thought what a better time then now to mention her new album. Enjoy and good night.
mp3: Mayday
Haley Bonar on myspace
Big Star 2008 (Afternoon Records)
Also available on emusic
Jul
9
Beck: Guilty of Awesome
Filed Under Album Picks | 9 Comments
Where to start? I feel like I have grown up with Beck in a way… Like we went to High School together. There has been such a progression in his music over the years it is inspiring. Beck manages to capture an entire era in any one of his songs. His music evolves and he recreates his sound according to the times and very few can accomplish this. Modern Guilt does not disappoint, it is sophisticated, funky and smart. Highly recommended.
mp3: Modern Guilt
mp3: Volcano
Beck on myspace
Modern Guilt 2008 (Interscope Records)
Jul
6
So You Think…
Filed Under Album Picks | 8 Comments
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
Filed Under Album Picks | 9 Comments
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
Filed Under Album Picks | 4 Comments
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
Filed Under Album Picks | 6 Comments
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
Filed Under Album Picks | 8 Comments
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
Filed Under Album Picks | 5 Comments
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
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