Today's Song: Disintegration by Jimmy Eat World
I wonder why I’m so caught off guard when we kiss. I'd rather live my life in regret than do this. What happened to the love we both knew? We both chased? Hanging on a cigarette you need me, you burn me.
Hushed with a finger. Don’t say you’ll never when you might, or just another time. This poison comes instruction free. Do what you want, but I’m drinking. Lie better next time, stay on my side tonight. Brilliant.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
I Love The Feeling When We Lift Off...
Song Of The Day: Death by White Lies
Just heard this song for the first time on Christmas Eve while watching a cool Youtube compilation of every Hollywood feature film made in 2009 (See Link Below). The video shows clips from each of the 342 movies in a short 7 minutes. Its unusual for me to find multiple songs at the same time that I absolutely love, but from Evermore to Onerepublic to these guys, I guess I've just been lucky lately. They had me from that first big hit.
It's like what you would get if you made The Killers from England and crossed them with Interpol. I'll tell ya - The UK's got it figured out. For such a small island, they seem to produce a disproportionately large catalogue of fantastic music, or at least big or greatly influential bands: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Coldplay, Oasis, Pink Floyd, The Who, Muse, Genesis, Elton John, The Police, Queen, Snow Patrol, The Clash, Robbie Williams, The Sex Pistols...
...And U2 is just an island away.
Here's the link to the Youtube movie compilation:
Just heard this song for the first time on Christmas Eve while watching a cool Youtube compilation of every Hollywood feature film made in 2009 (See Link Below). The video shows clips from each of the 342 movies in a short 7 minutes. Its unusual for me to find multiple songs at the same time that I absolutely love, but from Evermore to Onerepublic to these guys, I guess I've just been lucky lately. They had me from that first big hit.
It's like what you would get if you made The Killers from England and crossed them with Interpol. I'll tell ya - The UK's got it figured out. For such a small island, they seem to produce a disproportionately large catalogue of fantastic music, or at least big or greatly influential bands: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Coldplay, Oasis, Pink Floyd, The Who, Muse, Genesis, Elton John, The Police, Queen, Snow Patrol, The Clash, Robbie Williams, The Sex Pistols...
...And U2 is just an island away.
Here's the link to the Youtube movie compilation:
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Waking Up To The Good Life
Song Of The Day: Good Life by OneRepublic
Now that class exams are over, it's time to get to all that new music I haven't had time for...
I recently purchased OneRepublic's new album called "Waking Up" on a whim, without having heard anything about it. Sometimes I do that. I figured it wasn't much of a risk though - I did decently like their last record, "Dreaming Out Loud," and they do move a hell of a lot of numbers. Anyways I couldn't sleep earlier and so I decided to lend it an ear. I just finished my first listen through, start to finish, and turns out its not half bad. I actually kind of fell in love with this one song, Good Life. It may turn out to be just be a passing infatuation, but it certainly caught my attention and I've been playing it pretty much straight for the past half hour or so. It hasn't gotten any older. I can nearly always tell the good ones, because the more I listen to them the more I like them. Some of my favorite songs I've disliked and some I've even hated the first listen through. This, I think, is a good one. It's the kind of song that's perfect for a listen at sunrise (which is what I've been doing). And I find it humorously fitting that it's kind of a celebration of life, just as I'm celebrating finishing finals.
And for those of you who scorn all pop, don't do yourself the great disfavor of avoiding good music just because of its genre - you'll be missing out. At least this time you'll get in a listen before you hear it sprayed all over the radio, which it very well will be in a few short weeks, or whenever they end up releasing it as a single (the album just came out November 17th, so it might not be for a little while as I'm guessing it'll probably be the 3rd or 4th single).
P.S. I APOLOGIZE THAT I HAVEN'T YET FIGURED OUT HOW TO MAKE LINKS POP UP BY DEFAULT IN A NEW TAB. I KNOW YOU CAN RIGHT CLICK THE LINK AND SELECT "OPEN IN NEW TAB," BUT I WANT TO MAKE THAT DEFAULT. IF ANY OF YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THAT I'D APPRECIATE THE TIP.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Kid A
Song Of The Day: Idioteque by Radiohead
So I figured since I talked about Radiohead's "Kid A" in my last post I'd put up a song off the album. It's crazy to think just how much variation there already is out there in the music world, and then hear this song and have it be pretty much unlike anything I've ever heard. The tune is hauntingly mesmerizing. It could almost put me in a trance.
So I figured since I talked about Radiohead's "Kid A" in my last post I'd put up a song off the album. It's crazy to think just how much variation there already is out there in the music world, and then hear this song and have it be pretty much unlike anything I've ever heard. The tune is hauntingly mesmerizing. It could almost put me in a trance.
Monday, December 14, 2009
More Evermore
Song Of The Day: Hey Boys And Girls (Truth Of The World Pt. 2) by Evermore
So I'm in the middle of finals right now - pretty much pretty busy. But I was listening to Evermore's latest album, "Truth Of The World: Welcome To The Show," while studying and heard this track: Hey Boys And Girls (Truth Of The World Pt. 2). It's their most successful single to date and I thought it was decently catchy. It's poppy, but I like that it's also kind of different from most pop songs. The whole album is kind of a social commentary, and this track fits right in with its discussion of celebrity obsession and the myriad things all vying for our attention. Most of the time I tend to steer away from that sort of thing but I can't help but love this album, and I'm not exactly sure why yet.
In a way it kind of reminds me of Radiohead's "Kid A" - of course the records are two stylistic worlds apart, but to me they both imbue a common sense of departure from their band's original style. "Kid A" was of course a more drastic and impactful departure - and probably much more difficult to digest - but...still. I dunno. I guess it's apples and oranges here, because "Kid A" was really a big milestone for the entire genre while "Truth Of The World: Welcome To The Show," though an excellent album, just wasn't, or isn't yet (though I doubt the future holds any promise). I guess all I'm saying is there's a loose similarity between the two. But I would definitely recommend you give both a listen at some point, if you haven't already, because they definitely merit it.
Some other tracks I'd recommend off the Evermore album:
Join The Party
Everybody's Doing It
Front Page Story / Diamonds In The River
Plugged In
So I'm in the middle of finals right now - pretty much pretty busy. But I was listening to Evermore's latest album, "Truth Of The World: Welcome To The Show," while studying and heard this track: Hey Boys And Girls (Truth Of The World Pt. 2). It's their most successful single to date and I thought it was decently catchy. It's poppy, but I like that it's also kind of different from most pop songs. The whole album is kind of a social commentary, and this track fits right in with its discussion of celebrity obsession and the myriad things all vying for our attention. Most of the time I tend to steer away from that sort of thing but I can't help but love this album, and I'm not exactly sure why yet.
In a way it kind of reminds me of Radiohead's "Kid A" - of course the records are two stylistic worlds apart, but to me they both imbue a common sense of departure from their band's original style. "Kid A" was of course a more drastic and impactful departure - and probably much more difficult to digest - but...still. I dunno. I guess it's apples and oranges here, because "Kid A" was really a big milestone for the entire genre while "Truth Of The World: Welcome To The Show," though an excellent album, just wasn't, or isn't yet (though I doubt the future holds any promise). I guess all I'm saying is there's a loose similarity between the two. But I would definitely recommend you give both a listen at some point, if you haven't already, because they definitely merit it.
Some other tracks I'd recommend off the Evermore album:
Join The Party
Everybody's Doing It
Front Page Story / Diamonds In The River
Plugged In
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Finding A New Song To Fall In Love With
Song Of The Day: Real Life by Evermore
I love the feeling that comes from finding a great new song, especially if it means finding a great new band as well. I was browsing through a friends library on my local network and I found this fantastic track. It's called Real Life by the New Zealand band Evermore off of their eponymous platinum selling album. Just like Nada Surf's Beautiful Beat, Coldplay's Life In Technicolor, or Snow Patrol's Chocolate, this track is the kind that when you listen to it just makes you feel good to be alive - the kind that should be listened to at high volumes and with the top down and the wind in your hair.
I had never heard of Evermore before but I guess they're big in New Zealand and Australia. I've been listening to the rest of that album and so far I like what I hear...
I love the feeling that comes from finding a great new song, especially if it means finding a great new band as well. I was browsing through a friends library on my local network and I found this fantastic track. It's called Real Life by the New Zealand band Evermore off of their eponymous platinum selling album. Just like Nada Surf's Beautiful Beat, Coldplay's Life In Technicolor, or Snow Patrol's Chocolate, this track is the kind that when you listen to it just makes you feel good to be alive - the kind that should be listened to at high volumes and with the top down and the wind in your hair.
I had never heard of Evermore before but I guess they're big in New Zealand and Australia. I've been listening to the rest of that album and so far I like what I hear...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Down Tempo
When I first started listening to music on my own in my preteen years, I think most of what I listened to was pretty mainstream. The first mix anyone made me had Train's Drops of Jupiter, Big Pimpin' by Jay-Z, and Iris by Goo Goo Dolls, among other well-known tracks. The first album I ever bought was Linkin Park's "Meteora."
Although I still listen to much of that early stuff, I'm glad my taste has broadened. Part of what's so great about music is that there's so much of it: I'm continuously amazed that in my perpetual search for more good music, I always find some, and often in new subgenres I haven't previously explored. You'd think that at some point there'd be none left, that eventually I would've found it all or at least be caught up until the next release of something new that's good. But while I suppose maybe one day that's possible, it hasn't happened yet. Until then I'll continue to enjoy exploring new horizons.
Anyways it was just the other day that I wasn't even looking for new music when I was introduced to the genre of downtempo music. Really great stuff. I have to admit I didn't much like it at first, but, as is often the case, it grew on me. I was hanging with some newly-made friends who are into that stuff and so I started listening to it, because they were listening to it. The music was so relaxed, and so I too became relaxed. The beats offered a kind of chilled-out catharsis that I've never heard before - as in a Bob Marley type of chill, but with Moby-like house/electronica and the expansiveness of Bjork added to the mix. (Now before I go any further, let me say that although you may not be a fan of any of these artists - I used to not like any of them - try and keep an open mind). Some music pumps you up, some makes you cry, and some just makes you feel alive - the best way I can describe downtempo (and I mean the good stuff; every genre has its ups and downs) is as a kind of healing for the soul. And as corny as that sounds, which it does a little even to me, it couldn't be truer.
Those of you who think you've never heard downtempo music before, think again. Massive Attack's Teardrop has played on several TV shows including "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Unit;" Zero 7's In The Waiting Line was in the film The Garden State. In fact downtempo music is actually fairly commonly used for TV and film, because it works well with those mediums. One of my favorite downtempo tracks is a song by Morcheeba called Run Honey Run. (Listen to the second one down - the first one is actually not the real song; it's the right description but for the wrong song). I was falling asleep listening to a downtempo playlist online when I first heard this song, and although I was almost asleep, I remember keeping myself awake so I could hear the whole thing. I liked this one pretty much right away. Give it a listen and, should you feel so inclined, let me know what you think.
NOTE: Any of the above mentioned artists and tracks can be listened to, for free, at Grooveshark.com
It's a great website that I just recently discovered. Kind of like Pandora, but better because you can either choose every track or let the website's radio choose. Plus you can make your own playlists etc etc. It's good so check it out.
And, just to clarify further, the Morcheeba song does feature Bradley, but THE ONE YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO IS THE 2ND ONE DOWN ON THE LIST - the one that doesn't actually say "feat. Bradley." The 1st song on the list, which does say it, is not the correct song.
Anyways it was just the other day that I wasn't even looking for new music when I was introduced to the genre of downtempo music. Really great stuff. I have to admit I didn't much like it at first, but, as is often the case, it grew on me. I was hanging with some newly-made friends who are into that stuff and so I started listening to it, because they were listening to it. The music was so relaxed, and so I too became relaxed. The beats offered a kind of chilled-out catharsis that I've never heard before - as in a Bob Marley type of chill, but with Moby-like house/electronica and the expansiveness of Bjork added to the mix. (Now before I go any further, let me say that although you may not be a fan of any of these artists - I used to not like any of them - try and keep an open mind). Some music pumps you up, some makes you cry, and some just makes you feel alive - the best way I can describe downtempo (and I mean the good stuff; every genre has its ups and downs) is as a kind of healing for the soul. And as corny as that sounds, which it does a little even to me, it couldn't be truer.
Those of you who think you've never heard downtempo music before, think again. Massive Attack's Teardrop has played on several TV shows including "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Unit;" Zero 7's In The Waiting Line was in the film The Garden State. In fact downtempo music is actually fairly commonly used for TV and film, because it works well with those mediums. One of my favorite downtempo tracks is a song by Morcheeba called Run Honey Run. (Listen to the second one down - the first one is actually not the real song; it's the right description but for the wrong song). I was falling asleep listening to a downtempo playlist online when I first heard this song, and although I was almost asleep, I remember keeping myself awake so I could hear the whole thing. I liked this one pretty much right away. Give it a listen and, should you feel so inclined, let me know what you think.
NOTE: Any of the above mentioned artists and tracks can be listened to, for free, at Grooveshark.com
It's a great website that I just recently discovered. Kind of like Pandora, but better because you can either choose every track or let the website's radio choose. Plus you can make your own playlists etc etc. It's good so check it out.
And, just to clarify further, the Morcheeba song does feature Bradley, but THE ONE YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO IS THE 2ND ONE DOWN ON THE LIST - the one that doesn't actually say "feat. Bradley." The 1st song on the list, which does say it, is not the correct song.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Welcome World
Song Of The Day: Writing To Reach You by Travis
Welcome World. This is my music symposium. Today - Friday, December 11, 2009 - marks day one of my blogging life. This is my first post ever, and since almost no one's reading this I'll make it short and sweet:
My purpose is to start something...musical. To be honest I'm not exactly sure if I could condense what I want to do on here into one simplified statement; not because it's so complex but because its perhaps not totally clear in my mind just yet. But I do have a general idea and it involves a kind of musical criticism - more than just reviews of the latest albums though. What I want is to create a place where I can talk about music at large and how it affects me. And hopefully some of you will respond to what I have to say (I'm enabling comments on my posts).
My goal is for you to come to appreciate music as I do, or at the very least develop a greater appreciation for it than you had before. Because I love music, and although you may not I hope you realize the power that it can have. But if all I do is to bring one new song into your life that inspires you in some small way, my job here is done. That's all I want: for you to let music change you, in big ways or small. After all that's what any good art should do.
Today is day one of many to come. I don't know how much or how often I'll write, but my goal is to bring you at least some new music every day. Today's song is Writing To Reach You by Travis.
So go ahead - enjoy the music. Listen on.
Welcome World. This is my music symposium. Today - Friday, December 11, 2009 - marks day one of my blogging life. This is my first post ever, and since almost no one's reading this I'll make it short and sweet:
My purpose is to start something...musical. To be honest I'm not exactly sure if I could condense what I want to do on here into one simplified statement; not because it's so complex but because its perhaps not totally clear in my mind just yet. But I do have a general idea and it involves a kind of musical criticism - more than just reviews of the latest albums though. What I want is to create a place where I can talk about music at large and how it affects me. And hopefully some of you will respond to what I have to say (I'm enabling comments on my posts).
My goal is for you to come to appreciate music as I do, or at the very least develop a greater appreciation for it than you had before. Because I love music, and although you may not I hope you realize the power that it can have. But if all I do is to bring one new song into your life that inspires you in some small way, my job here is done. That's all I want: for you to let music change you, in big ways or small. After all that's what any good art should do.
Today is day one of many to come. I don't know how much or how often I'll write, but my goal is to bring you at least some new music every day. Today's song is Writing To Reach You by Travis.
So go ahead - enjoy the music. Listen on.
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