When I was in middle school, I used to have the radio on the lowest audible setting, and listen while I did homework. My parents thought that I couldn't do my homework well if I had the radio on...I do all my work with some kind of music on now.
Anyway, you know those songs where the chorus randomly gets stuck in your head, but you have no clue who it is? I heard one of those songs last week for the first time since middle school, and I looked up the lyrics on Google this week, and I finally figured out who it is! Pete Yorn's "Life on a Chain."
It's going to be the opening track to my "Happy Warm Weather!" mix.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
First New Recommendation of the Moment
Well, this is my first blog post on this site ever. And the blog will mainly focus on music, and whatever catches my attention in the moment. It's whatever I get excited about and think everyone should hear. So since I'm starting off, I'll give you guys a treat. Not just one artist of the moment, but like 5. Enjoy my most listens of the past week or two.
within that time. And I've bought a healthy helping of records since then. I was in the record store listening trying to get into Squarepusher, and it was in between songs. Melanie, who works at the record store just randomly put them on and had never listened to them before. I just took off my headphones and kept listening. The keyboard chords just hit so well with me and
Yes, those Kings of Convenience who make some of the nicest, most enjoyable quiet music that I know of. This is the same thing. Except an electric (non-acoustic), more rock-able version. The opening tracks starts off with some banging drums, just to let you know it's a little different from The Kings, and then put together a guitar/bass blend that work somewhat to the effect of Joy Division. Yeesh. Joy Division and The Kings of Convenience. But who's going to argue with wonderfully pleasant tension tones and hook after guitar hook.
5. Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City: Bloc Party came onto the scene with Silent Alarm, a smash hit with nasty post-punk guitars and a singer that makes a falsetto pretty damn badass, and will meet you at your level when you're feeling like shit. So, why change anything. Keep the kids jumping in the venues, and...actually, nevermind. Weekend is nowhere the freak out and post-punk 4 chords album Silent Alarm was. Don't let the first 2 tracks fool you. The first begins with synths and breaks into a crowd mover, while the 2nd is essentially a chord-less version of "Banquet" without the guitar duo exchange.
Instead, this album is much more of an attempt at art-rock, incorporating more synths than guitars solos, and well. Whatever. It's art-rock, and it's different. Listen to the recommended track, it's like Explosions in the Sky with Kele singing. Yeah, they're that different now. I'll add another favorite as a 1st post bonus. It's songs like "Waiting for the 7:18," that bring me back a little to the emo days, where lyrics mattered a lot. It's just got a good chorus. "Give me moments, Not hours or days...Give me moments."
Recommendation 1: http://astro.temple.edu/~tua17181/11%20SRXT.mp3
1. Fujiya and Miyagi -Transparent Things: Just in case you don't know their name, or you're not sure how to pronounce it, listen closely to the first track. "Fujiya. Miyagi. Fujiya. Miyagi," they whipser over and over again. An electronica act akin to Air, with vocals and crunch similar to Hot Chip. Worth dancing to? Not completely.
Grooveable? It reaches moderate levels of groove. It's the kind of music you absolutely love when you hear for the first time, and you listen to a little more before it's just music you put on to impress indie douches - it loses a little edge. But it's still good original music that stands on it's own two feet pretty well.
Recommendation: http://astro.temple.edu/~tua17181/03%20Photocopier%201.mp3
(side note of possible interest: I'm currently engaging in a noise-contest with my neighbor. [i.e. my music is better and louder.] My paper-thin walls are perfect for activities such as this, any day of the week.)
2. The Berg Sans Nipple - Along the River Quai: This should really be #1. It's #1 according to me, but I'm not sure if it's hitting other people as well as it does to me. Possibly the closest thing to The Postal Service I've come across since the project came together. Other than Dntel. But you know what I mean. This is just great electronic music with pop tendencies that aren't conventional at all. I picked this record about 3 weeks ago, and it has probably been some of my most enjoyable listens
within that time. And I've bought a healthy helping of records since then. I was in the record store listening trying to get into Squarepusher, and it was in between songs. Melanie, who works at the record store just randomly put them on and had never listened to them before. I just took off my headphones and kept listening. The keyboard chords just hit so well with me and I just couldn't put my headphones back on. The song finished and I listened to another one, and said "You know, I think I'm going to get this!"
Recommendation: http://astro.temple.edu/~tua17181/02%20Mystic%20Song.mp3
3. The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams: Containing quite possibly the most interesting artwork in a sleeve of any CD I've ever purchased with my own money, you would think that whoever drew it was on acid. But not Erlend Oye, lead singer of Kings of Convenience (the red head with thick glasses) and of side project The Whitest Boy Alive. Well, it could have been him but you'd think he'd make some freakier music. Instead, he's making that perfectly-explained-through-album-title Quiet is the New Loud stuff.
Yes, those Kings of Convenience who make some of the nicest, most enjoyable quiet music that I know of. This is the same thing. Except an electric (non-acoustic), more rock-able version. The opening tracks starts off with some banging drums, just to let you know it's a little different from The Kings, and then put together a guitar/bass blend that work somewhat to the effect of Joy Division. Yeesh. Joy Division and The Kings of Convenience. But who's going to argue with wonderfully pleasant tension tones and hook after guitar hook.Recommendation: http://astro.temple.edu/~tua17181/01%20Burning.mp3
4. Sondre Lerche - Phantom Punch: Sondre, my friend, you have changed quite a bit since we've first met. Remember that time when I confused you for Sufjan Stevens, even though your music sounds nothing alike? 
Yeah, sorry about that. I don't think Sufjan would be thrilled. But you have to admit, it was funny at the time. You used to make that soft music that was vibrant enough to avoid the folk tag; and I have to say, your attempts at English were admirable, while sometimes laughable. But since then, jeez. Your metaphors have made sense, and you're doing this rock and roll thing now. You've got songs that sound less like Nick Drake anymore, and more like Hot Hot Heat and Franz Ferdinand. Well, it's still all the same entertaining for someone like me.
Recommendation: http://astro.temple.edu/~tua17181/04%20Phantom%20Punch.mp3
5. Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City: Bloc Party came onto the scene with Silent Alarm, a smash hit with nasty post-punk guitars and a singer that makes a falsetto pretty damn badass, and will meet you at your level when you're feeling like shit. So, why change anything. Keep the kids jumping in the venues, and...actually, nevermind. Weekend is nowhere the freak out and post-punk 4 chords album Silent Alarm was. Don't let the first 2 tracks fool you. The first begins with synths and breaks into a crowd mover, while the 2nd is essentially a chord-less version of "Banquet" without the guitar duo exchange.
Instead, this album is much more of an attempt at art-rock, incorporating more synths than guitars solos, and well. Whatever. It's art-rock, and it's different. Listen to the recommended track, it's like Explosions in the Sky with Kele singing. Yeah, they're that different now. I'll add another favorite as a 1st post bonus. It's songs like "Waiting for the 7:18," that bring me back a little to the emo days, where lyrics mattered a lot. It's just got a good chorus. "Give me moments, Not hours or days...Give me moments."Recommendation 1: http://astro.temple.edu/~tua17181/11%20SRXT.mp3
Recommendation 2: http://astro.temple.edu/~tua17181/03%20Waiting%20For%20The%207_18.mp3
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