Music Blowing My Mind (Part 3)...

Prepare yourself for brain-splattering rock music! (This is the final installment of music that has been blowing my mind recently).

No skulls allowed!


**WARNING: The following music may do this to you.**



1. Islands "A Sleep & A Forgetting"

A couple summers ago, I went to go see The Black Keys with my brother. I was stoked to see those dudes melt faces with their bluesy-guitar-stomp-garage rock! The Keys had an opening band called Human Highway. This band consisted of two Canadian indie stalwarts Jim Guthrie and Nick "Diamonds" Thornburn (and sounded nothing like The Black Keys).

They played their set in the hot Utah sun while most of the folks in the audience were talking. I wasn't paying too much attention, but they got into a song called "What World" and it shot a sonic arrow right into my heart. As much as I liked the Black Keys, this quirky pop-folk-doo-wop is what stuck with me that night.

I got home and downloaded their album. It was, in a word: perfect. I became sorta obsessed with them and tried to figure out if they had any more albums. My gumshoeing led me to discover Nick Thornburn's primary band, Islands. Because it looked like Human Highway was sort of a side-project-whim, I surrendered and got an Islands album called "Vapours."

As it turned out, "Vapours" became one of my all-time favorite albums.

It's time, dear readers, that you acknowledge Islands! They're legit, and Nick Thornburn has the goods on the same level as Beck, Stephen Malkmus, and Jack White. By "the goods," I mean the ability to make a unique mark on the alt-rock soundscape all their own.

Anyways, I heard Islands were coming out with a new album this year and was really eager to hear it. It was released on Valentines Day. Here's a picture of the album cover:

A black background with a black rose. On Valentine's. Oh boy. 

When I first listened, I found none of the crazy spaghetti-western-drum-machine-pop-masterpieces that were on "Vapours." So, like a little bitch, I wrote this album off as "okay" and let it slide into my overly vast iTunes library. 

A little bit of time passed and while shuffling songs on my iPod, an Islands song from this album would pop-up. Every single time I stopped what I was doing! I was all, "Wha? Me gusta!"

After this happened more than a few times,  I hunkered down and re-listened. My brain was jettisoned rear-cranium-style!

I screwed up comparing it to Vapours. This album is something totally different. Where Vapours rocked the fanciful tales of drug-induced oblivion, "A Sleep & A Forgetting" made a bridge to Human Highway-ish sounds. A 50's (60's?) love letter to burned and bloodstained love letters. Nick Thornburn made a tragic heartbreaker of an album cuz I think he experienced a tragic heartbreak! (Zoinks!)

Anyways, do yourself a favor and buy this album. Its all good. Right now, my favorites are "Hallways," "Oh, Maria," and "This Is Not a Song." 

2. Jack White "Blunderbuss"

Um, how often will you be able to compare a solo effort to the likes of Led Zeppelin and Jerry Lee Lewis? Answer: Never. Dude is ridiculous! My pre-frontal cortex turned into creamed corn when I heard these songs: "Sixteen Saltines," "I'm Shakin'," "(Hip) Eponymous Poor Boy," and "Trash Tongue Talker." Who is this guy?






3. Diamond Rugs

Hmmm...Where do I begin?

Oh, I know, when my skull exploded into raspberry jam all over the back of my truck!!!

This music is at once too simple and too incredible to write about in my sorry-ass blog. It's everything I've ever wanted in American Rock Music. How's that? It's why car windows were designed to be rolled down and car stereos were designed to be turned up!

Just go buy this album and thank me later.





4. Dr. Dog "Be the Void"

For starters, these dudes are my favorites right now. When I think of Dr. Dog, I think of this image  below:

I've seen them live a couple times and they don't dress like this, (you never know cuz indie-music-hipsters can go to great lengths to dress ironically...) . This is a publicity shot. If you listen to their music, you get it. They work hard, they look to the past, they fix it, they bring it to you in their own unique way. If you asked them for what's in their pockets, you'd find dusty remnants of The Beatles, The Band, and The Beach Boys. 

Their last four albums are back-to-back masterpieces. I'm not joking. I mentioned those older bands above, but don't let me mislead you. Dr. Dog sound nothing like them. It's just...you can tell they take the past of rock history seriously and selectively. 

Anyhoo, they do their thing and it works. All the time. 

Their most recent album "Be the Void" is a frenetic pot luck of sorts. It's full of energy, angst, and fun. These guys are fantastic musicians and you get the feeling they just let it all out in the studio here. No breaks, very little polishing, just a good ol' fashioned rocker! I like rocking to all the songs from this album, but check out, "That Old Black Hole," "The Trick," and "Lonesome" for sure.

There you go. Hope your brain splatters on the back of your sofa!

Music Blowing My Mind (Part 2)...

This blog is "part 2" of new music I've been listening to. I'm continuing the rank of "Mind Expanding" music below:

3. Beach House

My other buddy Adam "Swallz" turned me on to this band a couple of years ago. I sort of think Swallz may be a time-traveler or something. When you meet him, he has this look like he's seen something both mysterious and beautiful. Its like he can only give you bits and pieces of information or you'll lose your mind. He called me out of the blue and said, "Springer, you need to listen to this music. It's like the sound of a forgotten summer..." or some shit like that.

But, because he's magic, I did listen and he was right. Beach House has this effervescent sonic blanket of sound that takes you far away... Also, this most recent album has some tracks that remind me of the vibe from Twin Peaks. (I can't explain why, but this article can). The whole album will marinate your brain in mind-expanding juices. Stand-outs are "Myth," "Lazuli," "On the Sea," and "Wishes."





4. M. Ward

Dude has opiate-laced vocal chords, okay? Dude shreds the guitar, okay? Dude is a master at crafting songs, okay? M. Ward is simply M. Ward and he's wonderful. Just listen. Your mind will expand, guaranteed! Stand-outs are bonafide singles crafted by a careful student of 60's pop orchestration and folk-flare: "Sweetheart," "Primitive Girl," and "Clean Slate."





5. Jay Farrar & The New Multitudes

So, I have this love affair with music that might be referred to as "alternative country." There are a couple of dudes that may be considered the "original gangstas" of this genre of music: Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy. They started a band called Uncle Tupelo in the mid-nineties when most other dudes were in full-on grunge mode! They had a good thing goin' but it didn't last...

Fast forward a couple of decades and throw in some "creative differences" and you have an interesting Peter vs Paul dynamic going on where "the gospel" is Woody Guthrie's unsung songs. In 1998, Jeff Tweedy's Wilco took a stab at Woody Guthrie's songs and knocked it outta the park!

I think that pissed off Jay Farrar, especially cuz he said that he was asked first, (but he turned it down...)

Well, God works in mysterious ways and Jay got his shot at the Guthrie canon. He also got a little help from his friends (Jim James of My Morning Jacket, anyone!?)

The album is strong and has a fearlessness about it that I really like. It's a good collaboration of a bunch of bearded-indie-wonders too. I never got into Woody Guthrie, but these dudes make a strong argument for getting to know more about the folk legend. Stand-outs are: "Fly High," "My Revolutionary Mind," and "Chorine My Sheba Queen."





There is still more to come! Stay tuned! As if anyone is actually reading this garbage! Yeah!

Music Blowing My Mind! (Part 1)...

I can't help it! I have to consume new music or I get really bugged, okay! The following blog is dedicated to new music that I've consumed for the past few months.

I've arranged the music into the following categories:

1. Mind Tickled (MT)
2. Mind Expanded (ME)
3. Mind Totally Blow to Pieces (MTBP)

Got it? Good.

Let's start with the MT first:

Ben Kweller's new album: "Go Fly a Kite"

For those of you unfamiliar with Ben Kweller, he's a crafty young musician once pegged by indie-rockers as a "child prodigy." That status meant that, as a teenager,  he had "mad-indie-skills" when it came to catchy, lo-fi tunes. He's older now, so, that glove doesn't really fit him any more. Basically, based on his trajectory, he should have crafted a masterpiece by now, but hasn't. (He came close on 2009's "Changing Horses" but not close enough.)

Mr. Kweller knows how to craft a song, though, and proves it with a few good 70's and 80's guitar-and-piano-songs with strong pop sensibilities. (See: "Out the Door," "Jealous Girl," and "Gossip.") Other than those stand-outs, the rest of the album just sort of comes and goes for me.






That's all for the Mind Ticklers. Short list, which is good, I guess...

Next we have the ME group:

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (For the record, I HATE THEIR NAME SO BAD!) It just bugs me.

Fortunately, their music makes up for it. I have been listening to their latest album, "It's a Corporate World." I know very little about these dudes, but I think this album is a "concept album." In other words, there is a funny and quirky thematic element that spreads through all the songs. I think that theme has to do with being a corporate businessman. Clever and sardonic soundtrack for the "Occupy Wall Street" movement? Maybe, I have no idea.

These guys conjure up similar tones of The Flaming Lips and MGMT. They definitely scratch that itch for melodic and sonic catastrophy. The whole album expanded my cerebellum a few millimeters and these songs stand-out: "Morning Thought," "Nothing But Our Love," "An Ugly Person On a Movie Screen," and the Mo-Town-influenced "We Almost Lost Detroit."




2. Alabama Shakes

My buddy Dave Lamborn teased me once that all my musical tastes can be found on NPR. He lives in Minnesota or I would have kicked him in his nards (all three) for saying that. What sucks, though, is he's sorta right. I was listening to the Spring Fund Drive on NPR and they were giving away this album if you donated $100. (Instead of supporting public radio, I just waited for the album to come out on iTunes, I'm only a little ashamed...).

Anyhoo, the samples of music they had on NPR were very, very tasty. They have a huge "buzz" about them now and it's all warranted. The gods of rock and roll have awakened a beast within lead singer Brittany Howard. She has an incredibly soulful and ready to rock voice! She's the real deal. The whole album is good, and these are the stand-outs: "Hold On," "Be Mine," and "Hang Loose."


 



TO BE CONTINUED! STAY TUNED!

The Shins (Live!)

The Shins are an alternative rock band that Val and I can't describe very well to folks that have never heard of them.

I think they're classified as "Alternative Chamber Pop" on my iPod.

They conjure the Beatles for me (I don't know why exactly), but they also have equal parts New Wave and Alternative Country Twang. A unique sound fo-sho. They are led by James Mercer. Apparently he fired his original line-up cuz they sucked at live shows. This bummed a bunch of Garden State fans, but I thought his band last night was legit! They not only sounded good live, but, I think The Shins might sound better live than on their albums! (Zoinks!)

I'm blogging about them because Val and I went to see them at Red Butte Garden last night.

Val and I LOVE Red Butte Garden! Not just because of the wonderful concert venue, either. Those gardens are damned beautiful! My girls love to run and play there. If you haven't been there in a while, you should go. Totally worth it! (Especially if you're a U of U student: FREENESS!!)

Anyhoo, despite the temperature dropping, like, 20 degrees last night, it was one of the best concerts I've been to in a while. Great sound and worthy opening acts Blind Pilot and The Head and the Heart. 

Lead singer James Mercer has an unorthodox sounding voice with surprising range. Most of his songs tend to have quirky arrangements but as their set list spanned all Shins albums, there was clearly "a sound" that is all his own. (Fun Fact: James Mercer revealed that he lived in Roy, UT when he was 8 years old! The Ogden area isn't a giant piece of shit after all!)

They went completely mad scientist on the song "No Way Down" off of their new album. To me, the album version was just alright, but the live version was amazing! They played it with some funk-itude and a baseline that bounced your face off!

I guess I just wanted to blog to 1) pretend that I'm cool and that I'm a scene-ster, 2) to say that The Shins translate surprisingly well from "in-the-bedroom-with-headphones-on" to a fun, live act, and 3) because a hipster in front of us danced like this!

If you haven't ever listened to The Shins, I'd recommend starting with this album:

My older brother turned me on to them with this album. It's as good as it gets. (Probably one of my all-time favorites). After that, I think you'd like "Oh Inverted World." THEN if you're sold on their unique sound, you'll go GONZO for "Winching the Night Away!" 

Where "Wincing the Night Away" found a weird 80's New Wave/Futuresound, their new album, "Port of Morrow" delves into 70's Easy-Listening/Futuresound. James Mercer can create songs that stretch back to 70's/80's roots and then slingshot forward to a cool new sound. (If that makes any sense at all).

I guess that's the point. Nobody sounds like these guys. I can't explain their sound, but I know I like it. 

Put a bird on it!

The Song that Defined My Life in Grad School...

I put on my clothes like a body guard
I put the dogs on patrol in my own back yard
I don't wanna fight but I'm constantly ready
And I don't rock the boat, but it's always unsteady

There's an elephant in my head
And I tip toe around it
There are eggshells on the floor
Therefore I never touch the ground

It's like that old black hole,
No matter how you try,
You set out each day
Never to arrive

I got my eyes on the prize
But it looks just like a mystery
And it all goes by on the lonesome trail to victory
I'm drawing in the blinds, I got my own four walls
And the show really starts once the curtain falls

Take this thorn from my side
Fix this chip on my shoulder
Time is racing with the clock
And I ain't getting any older

It's like that old black hole,
No matter how you try.

It's like that old black hole,
No matter how you try.

It's like that old black hole,
No matter how you try,
You set out each day
Never to arrive
]
I put on my finest thread
And I wrap up my body tight
With the sun in my eyes
I step into the night

Like the mystery in the dark
Oh, it's just another kind of light

I don't expect you to believe me
But everything is alright
I don't make rules for a living
I don't do tricks for a dime

I was born on a good day,
Deaf, dumb and blind.
Who am I to tell the truth?
I don't even know what it is.

I don't know how to say it but I know that I can show you.
I don't know how to say it but I know that I can show you.

I tie my boots up tight
And I head straight for bed
There's a pistol and a crystal
Underneath my pillow

There's a tender heart
Inside that ugly armadillo
"These are tears of joy,"
Cried the weeping willow

There's a spirit in the air
And there ain't no way around it
I was not prepared to lose it
On the moment that I found it

It's like that old black hole,
No matter how you try.

It's like that old black hole,
No matter how you try.

It's like that old black hole,
No matter how you try,
You set out each day
Never to arrive

Pure Love.

Blogging is so 2007!

Well, unless you were a faithful subscriber to my previous blog posts, you'll never know the true saga of how I managed to finally complete my dissertation.

But I did. I got my ass outta grad school. I ain't never lookin' back, either!

Anyways, I listend to this album over and over for the two weeks prior to my defense. Its this amazing collaboration with some alt-country heroes paying tribute to the unsung songs of Woodie Guthrie.

The stuff is wonderful and it had a sort of hopeful-yet-pissed-off vibe that spoke to me.

Enjoy.

(This video is also some sort of beard-orgy.)