Just some thoughts on what I have been listening to lately. And by listening to, I mean almost daily/cannot get enough of:
Bookends Simon & Garfunkel
Via the means of an original pressing on vinyl (complete with the fold-up poster inside) I have been playing this 1968 release from Queens' finest songwriting duo almost daily. In the best sense, it is compact and self-contained. I would argue that the concept explored on Side A is easily identified and enjoyed. It about two friends growing old, growing apart, and looking back. Possibly a self-fulfilling prophecy. There is "America" which found new life last year after its infusion into a Bernie Sanders ad. I guess we are still in search of that America. Either way, their unique craft and mastery is on full display. Side B sans a theme still shines and contains the staple "Mrs. Robinson". I have enjoyed hearing old favorites and discovering new ones.
One thing in particular I have enjoyed is the way Simon & Garfunkel made music that was nostalgic for just five years earlier. They froze the early 60's harmonies of The Beatles and Beach Boys in Dylan's pre-electric folk. They made music for people in 1968 for who longed for 1963. Johnson wasn't working out like Kennedy could have. Today, it sounds both classic and timeless. Their genius has not been matched and possibly best captured on this album
Surf Rock is Dead
I discovered this indie outfit via bandcamp. To their credit and to my benefit, everything they have up there is name your own price. I applaud them for simply wanting their music to get out there, get people listening, and in my case, listening often in anticipation of any new music or news. They are scrappy, filled with ambition, and have more than enough talent to make ambient indie that doesn't stray as far as space, but instead hangs in the clouds and feels good. Like swimming in the ocean in the summer.
I think they show as much knowledge and ability as anyone going at these days and I think it is a matter of when not if they get discovered, play late-night, and find themselves at a festival or two. Still no true album from them but two singles and an EP to hold us over.
Made to Love Magic Nick Drake
Posthumous compilations of Drake's work now double the actual album output he was able to achieve in his brief life and career. This 2004 release brings together outtakes and remixes, some of which involve the inclusion of instruments not originally on the track. It plays like a love letter to the possibility that was Nick Drake. Could he have been Dylan? Cohen? He has both of them in his approach and his mood.
The tracks span the arc of his career, ending "Tow the Line" possibly the last song he ever recorded. I recommend it to anyone who is already obsessed with Pink Moon and just craves more. I recommend it to anyone who heard "One of These Things First" in Garden State and wants more contemplative music that is well crafted. Overall, there is a feeling and cohesiveness amongst the songs. Perfect for a twilight drive when each night there is a little more light.
A documentary on Drake: A Stranger Among Us Nick Drake
"Gypsy" Gardens & Villa
This Fleetwood Mac cover is from 2012 and the tribute album Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, a release that brought in the likes of Best Coast, J. Mascis, and MGMT to pay homage. I am impressed by the indie reworking of a radio staple from a time where its production was lost on most. Now, countless bands are going back over that 80's style and time in music. This group, of which I know nothing else, is beautifully spooky in keyboard and synth playing.
It really does sound like a celebration in how much the chorus was left to still be a sing-along. I feel like I am transported to another world, over the garden wall if it were. The song fits in as much with any indie from the past 10 years and shows the diamonds that can come from random tribute albums.
A trailer about the album
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Monday, January 9, 2017
Four Upcoming Releases to Get Excited About
Now that it is a new year and we have wrapped up the countdown lists for 2016, it is time to get excited for new music to be released in 2017. Below, in order of release, are four albums due out between now and the start of Spring:
Cloud Nothings Life Without Sound 1/27
A little indie-angst to start off the year, this album was previewed with the lead single "Modern Act" as 2016 came to close. It showed off a mastery for a certain sound, one that endures with purposeful balance in the music. Trading Cobain's loud/quiet for busy/simple. There are moments when it is just strumming and signing and there are others when the whole band is on display. It is never so complicated that the melody and hook are lost. "I want a life, that's all I need lately" rings pretty true in a new year.
Also released in anticipation of the album, "Internal World" is a furthering musing on their style and sound. For me, it further intrigues me of this release. I believe that the band is poised to breakthrough with this one. I expect some late-night appearances and three or four singles played on college rock between now and when the next album comes out.
Japandroids Near to the Wild Heart of Life 1/27
Biting guitar, fast drum fills, and lyrics contemplating maturation sung in harmony with a Canadian accent, the third album from Vancouver's Brian King (vocals and guitar) and David Prowse (drums and vocals). Indie darlings whose last release was named in the top ten for 2012, there is a lot of anticipation for this one. Quite appropriately, the lead single title track contains the lyrics "It got me all fired up", fans and critics alike are excited to see if the duo sticks to their formula that has worked thus far. The test will be to see if there is still enough there in mixing classic 70's rock n roll style with 80's indie/college rock angst. Maybe spacing out releases five years apart is key. Maybe there is just enough talent between these two. My bet is on the latter.
Ryan Adams Prisoner 2/17
The followup to his 2015 cover album of Taylor Swift's 1989, Adams is back to form of pulling in every influence and sound since 1950. He is still playing rock and he is still singing about love and he is still doing it with the mastery displayed since the beginning, but now as a statesmen of the business, he gets the press and coverage he deserves. Two teaser singles have been released in the last month "Do You Still Love Me?" and "To Be Without You". The former has the classic backing Adams is know for, some strumming and signing, complete with a breakdown for a brief guitar solo. The latter is a little more Neil Young and slowed down. It is an instant head-bobber, foot tapper, perfect for winter's thaw to come. If these two show the range that is to be displayed on Prisoner, we are in for a possible instant classic.
The Shins Heartworms 3/10
The Shins are back and they are weird. Having one previous album and a couple of one-off singles under his belt with this new line-up, James Mercer feels once again comfortable making music as The Shins. In fact, he produced the album and even pens a song to his daughters, "Name for You" which is super sweet and catchy. Mercer seems excited for this release, becoming extremely active on social media and connecting with the fans that have stuck by the band. In fact, the unveiling of "Dead Alive" on Facebook read "Happy Halloween". This album has all the making of welcoming in a time when cone again, it is wonderful to be a fan of The Shins.
Cloud Nothings Life Without Sound 1/27
A little indie-angst to start off the year, this album was previewed with the lead single "Modern Act" as 2016 came to close. It showed off a mastery for a certain sound, one that endures with purposeful balance in the music. Trading Cobain's loud/quiet for busy/simple. There are moments when it is just strumming and signing and there are others when the whole band is on display. It is never so complicated that the melody and hook are lost. "I want a life, that's all I need lately" rings pretty true in a new year.
Also released in anticipation of the album, "Internal World" is a furthering musing on their style and sound. For me, it further intrigues me of this release. I believe that the band is poised to breakthrough with this one. I expect some late-night appearances and three or four singles played on college rock between now and when the next album comes out.
Japandroids Near to the Wild Heart of Life 1/27
Biting guitar, fast drum fills, and lyrics contemplating maturation sung in harmony with a Canadian accent, the third album from Vancouver's Brian King (vocals and guitar) and David Prowse (drums and vocals). Indie darlings whose last release was named in the top ten for 2012, there is a lot of anticipation for this one. Quite appropriately, the lead single title track contains the lyrics "It got me all fired up", fans and critics alike are excited to see if the duo sticks to their formula that has worked thus far. The test will be to see if there is still enough there in mixing classic 70's rock n roll style with 80's indie/college rock angst. Maybe spacing out releases five years apart is key. Maybe there is just enough talent between these two. My bet is on the latter.
Ryan Adams Prisoner 2/17
The followup to his 2015 cover album of Taylor Swift's 1989, Adams is back to form of pulling in every influence and sound since 1950. He is still playing rock and he is still singing about love and he is still doing it with the mastery displayed since the beginning, but now as a statesmen of the business, he gets the press and coverage he deserves. Two teaser singles have been released in the last month "Do You Still Love Me?" and "To Be Without You". The former has the classic backing Adams is know for, some strumming and signing, complete with a breakdown for a brief guitar solo. The latter is a little more Neil Young and slowed down. It is an instant head-bobber, foot tapper, perfect for winter's thaw to come. If these two show the range that is to be displayed on Prisoner, we are in for a possible instant classic.
The Shins Heartworms 3/10
The Shins are back and they are weird. Having one previous album and a couple of one-off singles under his belt with this new line-up, James Mercer feels once again comfortable making music as The Shins. In fact, he produced the album and even pens a song to his daughters, "Name for You" which is super sweet and catchy. Mercer seems excited for this release, becoming extremely active on social media and connecting with the fans that have stuck by the band. In fact, the unveiling of "Dead Alive" on Facebook read "Happy Halloween". This album has all the making of welcoming in a time when cone again, it is wonderful to be a fan of The Shins.
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