May 24, 2013 • 1 note
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Between a new job, half the best classic rock acts not having music on Spotify, and a bunch of new music that’s meh at best, I hadn’t listened to a worthy album I haven’t already posted about in a while. Instead of just posting ‘Pontiac’ again because it’s that good, I broke out some newer Lyle today and loved ‘Natural Forces.’ It’s typical LL, which means solid songwriting and incredible musicians all over this record. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Natural Forces’ Spotify: Lyle Lovett – Natural Forces

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Between a new job, half the best classic rock acts not having music on Spotify, and a bunch of new music that’s meh at best, I hadn’t listened to a worthy album I haven’t already posted about in a while. Instead of just posting ‘Pontiac’ again because it’s that good, I broke out some newer Lyle today and loved ‘Natural Forces.’ It’s typical LL, which means solid songwriting and incredible musicians all over this record.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Natural Forces’

Spotify: Lyle Lovett – Natural Forces

May 15, 2013 • 2 notes
The National have officially created the best LP run of the millennium thus far. Their five full length records from ‘Sad Songs…’ to the now-streaming-on-iTunes ‘Trouble Will Find Me,’ are a sort of aural illusion in how much the band’s sound evolved without actually really sounding like it went anywhere. It’s a true testament to Matt Berninger’s songwriting acumen and the band’s self-awareness and restraint to build up such a consistently strong catalogue. iTunes Stream: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-national/id51075707

The National have officially created the best LP run of the millennium thus far. Their five full length records from ‘Sad Songs…’ to the now-streaming-on-iTunes ‘Trouble Will Find Me,’ are a sort of aural illusion in how much the band’s sound evolved without actually really sounding like it went anywhere. It’s a true testament to Matt Berninger’s songwriting acumen and the band’s self-awareness and restraint to build up such a consistently strong catalogue.

iTunes Stream: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-national/id51075707

May 9, 2013
One of my issues with the indie music culture is how much it lives off hype. Everyone is so hellbent on being the cool dude who knows about the next hip band, people will talk about anything like it’s the new Beatles. So I was cautious going into current blogosphere darlings Savages debut LP ‘Silence Yourself.’ But fuck, play this shit loud because it definitely gives you a nice kick in the balls. They’re basically a super heavy Jefferson Airplane. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘She Will’ Spotify: Savages – Silence Yourself

One of my issues with the indie music culture is how much it lives off hype. Everyone is so hellbent on being the cool dude who knows about the next hip band, people will talk about anything like it’s the new Beatles. So I was cautious going into current blogosphere darlings Savages debut LP ‘Silence Yourself.’ But fuck, play this shit loud because it definitely gives you a nice kick in the balls. They’re basically a super heavy Jefferson Airplane.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘She Will’

Spotify: Savages – Silence Yourself

May 7, 2013
Jethro Tull is a pretty weird band, but in a weirdly awesome way. Much like a lot of the random classic rock albums I post about on here, ‘Stand Up’ doesn’t really have a hit, it’s just one of those albums you should put on and dive into. It’s sort of heavy at times, sort of folky other times, sort of VERY 1969 at times, and then there’s the flute. But all in all, a great album to check out. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘We Used to Know’ Spotify: Jethro Tull – Stand Up

Jethro Tull is a pretty weird band, but in a weirdly awesome way. Much like a lot of the random classic rock albums I post about on here, ‘Stand Up’ doesn’t really have a hit, it’s just one of those albums you should put on and dive into. It’s sort of heavy at times, sort of folky other times, sort of VERY 1969 at times, and then there’s the flute. But all in all, a great album to check out.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘We Used to Know’

Spotify: Jethro Tull – Stand Up

May 6, 2013
There’s plenty of modern pop and rock music I enjoy, but I can’t help but always notice the apparent apathy toward subtlety, craftsmanship, and just plain old objective talent the rise of TV talent show vocal stylings and electronic elements have brought on. Which is why I’m often brought back to as pure forms of music as I can think of, whether it be classic rock or funk or motown or jazz or whatever. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band exudes this unadulterated joy and passion every time they play a note. A good place to start is ‘New Orleans Preservation, Vol 1.’ MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Short Dressed Girl’ Spotify: Preservation Hall Jazz Band – New Orleans Preservation, Vol. 1

There’s plenty of modern pop and rock music I enjoy, but I can’t help but always notice the apparent apathy toward subtlety, craftsmanship, and just plain old objective talent the rise of TV talent show vocal stylings and electronic elements have brought on. Which is why I’m often brought back to as pure forms of music as I can think of, whether it be classic rock or funk or motown or jazz or whatever. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band exudes this unadulterated joy and passion every time they play a note. A good place to start is ‘New Orleans Preservation, Vol 1.’

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Short Dressed Girl’

Spotify: Preservation Hall Jazz Band – New Orleans Preservation, Vol. 1

May 2, 2013
Between getting older/more successful and shifts in prominent music styles, a lot of artists who rose to fame in the 60s and 70s fell victim to questionable music choices in the 80s and 90s. Billy Joel somehow found ways to both submit to the musical shifts and work around them at the same time. On the surface, ‘Storm Front’ seems like an over-produced, overly clean pop rock record. But digging deeper, there is some fantastic material here and Joel utilized the late 80s sound to his advantage. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Downeaster Alexa’ Spotify: Billy Joel – Storm Front 

Between getting older/more successful and shifts in prominent music styles, a lot of artists who rose to fame in the 60s and 70s fell victim to questionable music choices in the 80s and 90s. Billy Joel somehow found ways to both submit to the musical shifts and work around them at the same time. On the surface, ‘Storm Front’ seems like an over-produced, overly clean pop rock record. But digging deeper, there is some fantastic material here and Joel utilized the late 80s sound to his advantage.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Downeaster Alexa’

Spotify: Billy Joel – Storm Front 

April 30, 2013 • 3 notes
I’m a little late on my George Jones memorializing, but my self-proclaimed music nerdom was embarrassed by my lack of Possum knowledge. Turns out I know a lot more of his music than I thought I did, mainly because he’s right up there with Hank and Johnny and Patsy, et al as one of country music’s most influential artists. His 1980 album “I Am What I Am’ is basically the epitome of heartbroken, drunk, sad bastard country music. Which we all need every now and then. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)’ Spotify: George Jones – I Am What I Am

I’m a little late on my George Jones memorializing, but my self-proclaimed music nerdom was embarrassed by my lack of Possum knowledge. Turns out I know a lot more of his music than I thought I did, mainly because he’s right up there with Hank and Johnny and Patsy, et al as one of country music’s most influential artists. His 1980 album “I Am What I Am’ is basically the epitome of heartbroken, drunk, sad bastard country music. Which we all need every now and then.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)’

Spotify: George Jones – I Am What I Am

April 29, 2013 • 1 note
Cold Specks’ debut album ‘I Predict a Graceful Expulsion’ is almost a year old but I don’t think I’ve come across the name once. Which is a shame because this record is fantastic. One of my biggest pet peeves is someone with a great voice that seems devoid of any meaningful amount of emotion. Cold Specks, who is actually Al Spx, which is also a pseudonym (so really I have no idea who is singing besides some girl), has so much innate soul and character in her voice I could listen to her sing all day. Her music is a little darker than the other folk/soul I’ve posted about recently so it’s a nice little intra-genre switch. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Hector’ Spotify: Cold Specks – I Predict a Graceful Expulsion

Cold Specks’ debut album ‘I Predict a Graceful Expulsion’ is almost a year old but I don’t think I’ve come across the name once. Which is a shame because this record is fantastic. One of my biggest pet peeves is someone with a great voice that seems devoid of any meaningful amount of emotion. Cold Specks, who is actually Al Spx, which is also a pseudonym (so really I have no idea who is singing besides some girl), has so much innate soul and character in her voice I could listen to her sing all day. Her music is a little darker than the other folk/soul I’ve posted about recently so it’s a nice little intra-genre switch.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Hector’

Spotify: Cold Specks – I Predict a Graceful Expulsion

April 25, 2013
It’s taken a while (too long) for me to sit down and listen to Delta Rae, but if you’ve been to my blog before you know I have a weakness for alt country, harmonies, and bouts of soaring musical catharsis. On 2012’s ‘Carry the Fire,’ all these things are executed so well it’s no wonder this band’s rise to critical acclaim has been so fast and honest. Their songs don’t just simply wash over you; they get into your soul and almost make you stand up in the cafe you’re writing your blog in and cheer. Almost… MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Bottom of the River’ into ‘Country House’ is one hell of a one-two punch. Spotify: Delta Rae – Carry The Fire

It’s taken a while (too long) for me to sit down and listen to Delta Rae, but if you’ve been to my blog before you know I have a weakness for alt country, harmonies, and bouts of soaring musical catharsis. On 2012’s ‘Carry the Fire,’ all these things are executed so well it’s no wonder this band’s rise to critical acclaim has been so fast and honest. Their songs don’t just simply wash over you; they get into your soul and almost make you stand up in the cafe you’re writing your blog in and cheer. Almost…

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Bottom of the River’ into ‘Country House’ is one hell of a one-two punch.

Spotify: Delta Rae – Carry The Fire

April 22, 2013
Today would be Charles Mingus’ 90th birthday so I just had to toss up one of my favorite jazz records. I posted ‘Gunslinging Birds’ way back in the very beginning (HERE), and ‘Mingus Ah Um’ is my second favorite right behind that. One of my favorite qualities has been Mingus and his bands’ ability to be so laid back and quiet one minute and absolutely lose their minds the next, sometimes in the same song. It’s just fun as hell music. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Better Git It In Your Soul’ Spotify: Charles Mingus – Ah Um

Today would be Charles Mingus’ 90th birthday so I just had to toss up one of my favorite jazz records. I posted ‘Gunslinging Birds’ way back in the very beginning (HERE), and ‘Mingus Ah Um’ is my second favorite right behind that. One of my favorite qualities has been Mingus and his bands’ ability to be so laid back and quiet one minute and absolutely lose their minds the next, sometimes in the same song. It’s just fun as hell music.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Better Git It In Your Soul’

Spotify: Charles Mingus – Ah Um

April 19, 2013 • 1 note
Depending on how rational a fan you ask, ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’ was one of the last two great Elton John albums before decades worth of hit or miss material. But being the last in a string of ten records is more than enough repetoire to justify his legendary status. It was also the last record with his original band (for a while), so there’s still the less Elton-centric sound compositionally that made his first string of material so good. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Bitter Fingers’ Spotify: Elton John – Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy

Depending on how rational a fan you ask, ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’ was one of the last two great Elton John albums before decades worth of hit or miss material. But being the last in a string of ten records is more than enough repetoire to justify his legendary status. It was also the last record with his original band (for a while), so there’s still the less Elton-centric sound compositionally that made his first string of material so good.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Bitter Fingers’

Spotify: Elton John – Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy

April 10, 2013
Dawes is a great example of what more bands of moderate success would be in my perfect music world. Three LPs in, they don’t have any hits, or really any songs that would crack my top five hundred favorite songs. But they’ll be around and sustainable longer than the vast majority of indie bands du jour because they’re just a solid, talented band. ‘Stories Don’t End’ (a fitting title) doesn’t reinvent the wheel or even build a better mousetrap, but it works and works very well. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘From a Window Seat’ Spotify: Dawes – Stories Don’t End

Dawes is a great example of what more bands of moderate success would be in my perfect music world. Three LPs in, they don’t have any hits, or really any songs that would crack my top five hundred favorite songs. But they’ll be around and sustainable longer than the vast majority of indie bands du jour because they’re just a solid, talented band. ‘Stories Don’t End’ (a fitting title) doesn’t reinvent the wheel or even build a better mousetrap, but it works and works very well.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘From a Window Seat’

Spotify: Dawes – Stories Don’t End

April 9, 2013
It’s no secret that I’m a bit of an Anglophile when it comes to music. The latest record from across the pond I’m enjoying is Jake Bugg’s self-titled debut. One part typical English songsmith, one part Tallest Man on Earth, and one part went-back-in-time-to-1966, this 19 year-old should have a great career ahead of him. And with such success so young we can only hope he’ll turn into a hilariously angry and jaded brit rocker sometime soon. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Seen It All’ Spotify: Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg

It’s no secret that I’m a bit of an Anglophile when it comes to music. The latest record from across the pond I’m enjoying is Jake Bugg’s self-titled debut. One part typical English songsmith, one part Tallest Man on Earth, and one part went-back-in-time-to-1966, this 19 year-old should have a great career ahead of him. And with such success so young we can only hope he’ll turn into a hilariously angry and jaded brit rocker sometime soon.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Seen It All’

Spotify: Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg

April 8, 2013
On the subject of fantastic local musicians, it almost makes me angry Clinton Curtis isn’t selling out theatres at this point. Among his musical strengths, the best for me as a fan is his rolodex of equally talented artists. Joining with some Blair Reinhard Band members to create the newish Curtis & Reinhard, their ‘At the Pigeon Club’ release is a phenomenal alt-country record. Another perfect example of what happens when musicians actually know what they’re doing. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Riverside Hotel’ Spotify: Curtis & Reinhard – At the Pigeon Club

On the subject of fantastic local musicians, it almost makes me angry Clinton Curtis isn’t selling out theatres at this point. Among his musical strengths, the best for me as a fan is his rolodex of equally talented artists. Joining with some Blair Reinhard Band members to create the newish Curtis & Reinhard, their ‘At the Pigeon Club’ release is a phenomenal alt-country record. Another perfect example of what happens when musicians actually know what they’re doing.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Riverside Hotel’

Spotify: Curtis & Reinhard – At the Pigeon Club

April 8, 2013
There was a point in my NYC show-going a few years back where I realized the art of subtlety was very marginalized. Between power chords, beats, and meandering “poetry,” young artists/bands don’t seem to care much for nuance. Deb Oh & the Cavaliers have been one of a handful of exceptions that I’ve been a fan of for a while. Their latest release, ‘Hieroglyphs,’ finds the sweet spot between substance and pop that sets great musicians, and great songwriters, apart from the rest. MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Love Lost’ Spotify: Deb Oh & the Cavaliers – Hieroglyphs

There was a point in my NYC show-going a few years back where I realized the art of subtlety was very marginalized. Between power chords, beats, and meandering “poetry,” young artists/bands don’t seem to care much for nuance. Deb Oh & the Cavaliers have been one of a handful of exceptions that I’ve been a fan of for a while. Their latest release, ‘Hieroglyphs,’ finds the sweet spot between substance and pop that sets great musicians, and great songwriters, apart from the rest.

MUST LISTEN TRACK: ‘Love Lost’

Spotify: Deb Oh & the Cavaliers – Hieroglyphs