Audio Diversity - Perversity or Perfection? Discuss.

Does it mean something disturbing that I love Take 6 and Marilyn Manson both so very much? I'm working on the new music player (located at the bottom of each page - now you can listen to the tunes I'm writing about!) and I'm listening to Take 6. I'm typing merrily away and I get to Mr. Manson. And that makes me wonder how it is that I'm built this way. I don't think it's going too far out on a limb to suggest that a Venn diagram of fans of these bands would feature very little overlap. But perhaps that's not true. I'm hoping the internet will reveal all. I've been listening to a lot of streaming audio these days, mostly Radio Paradise (www.radioparadise.com) and Evening Music from WNYC. One of the things I really love about both of those shows is that they range far and wide. I'm on the lookout for more shows/stations that play across genres as a matter of course. So if you've got suggestions, send 'em my way!

More love, comin' right up!

I love these guys, especially this album, their first. And right now this track is looping in my head:

Spread love, instead of spreading lies
Spread love, the truth needs no disguise
I’ve often said love could open any door
Oh, but I wish we had much more
More love is what we need

You know what? Shut the f*** up.

It was another one of those days. Sigh. Don't get me started. Just know that I was low on sleep and frustrated with the world. So I enlisted Kristin Hersh and friends to help me work it out. Holy cow, that woman has some serious pipes. And these songs are ferocious.

If you like Throwing Muses and heavier things, you'll want to give this album a listen.

The seasons changed an hour too soon/why the record industry makes me sad

This post *was* going to be about how Thomas Dolby helped me through a white-knuckle drive through an early snow storm. But now that I've discovered that this amazing, wonderful, not-entirely-timeless-but-still-spectacular album is out of print, I have to take a moment and say that I love the music industry, it has been a lovely place to hang out for all of my adult years (even if only on the sidelines), but honestly, when an album this good can be allowed to go out of print, that's as good a reason as any for this aged beast to be finally put out of its (no, wait, our) misery. Music industry as I knew you in my childhood: Be gone! All hail the new digital age!

A Deal With God

My sweetheart and and I decided yesterday (where there was no web, hence, no post) that Hounds of Love could possibly be a perfect album. Not perfect for every occasion, mind you. Not something you throw on the stereo of the convertible on your way to the beach. But perfect in so many ways. And completely perfect for this time of year. If you haven't heard it, ever or even in a while, do yourself a favor and do so now.

Tricky Fingers, Indeed.

Another installment of bands that Shoulda Been A Contenda.
(Rhapsody has only two of their albums, here's this one.)

Will you bite the egg sandwich that feeds you?

I love hearing good music in unexpected places. Today it was Nine Inch Nails at the deli on my way to class. The guys behind the counter were discussing what music was acceptable to play in the shop, which is pretty funny because I'm fairly certain that the majority of the population can live without a side of industrial anger with their eggs. That said, it wasn't very loud, and most folks probably wouldn't have noticed if they didn't already know the music.

To the counter guys: Apologies for joining the conversation. It's not nice for old people like me to publicly enjoy the music of young people. Takes the fun out of it.

Phil Collins is an excellent drummer.

Don't argue with me. And stop rolling your eyes. It's true! He is! He's not just the cheeseball who sang "Sussudio" until you wanted to slap the taste out of his mouth. (Full disclosure: I own the 45 of Sussudio. I think it's in my parents' basement.) Did you even *know* he was the drummer? Okay then. You know I'm right.
(links to come)

I can't understand a thing she's saying, but I love them all the same

Cocteau Twins make ideal music for driving along a dark country lane in fall. Also for other moments, but that's the one that struck me coming home tonight. This is a beautiful album - lush, dream-like, etc. (All the reviews end up sounding the same. But don't hold the band accountable for that.)

If you want a lovely album that's great for letting your mind wander to lovely places, this is the one.

Shock is all in your head

It's almost unreasonable, how much I enjoy Marilyn Manson some days.
This is one of those days: There are a few things going on in my life that make me angry and frustrated. At the most basic level, this stuff gives me someone to shout and growl along with, as well as the feeling that there are other people who are as angry and frustrated as I am (if not way, WAY more).

Sigh.

Listening to radio means nearly never hearing a song you don't already know. This is sad, it seems to me. Don't get me wrong, I love hearing tunes I know on the radio. What I don't love is only hearing tunes I know. I have this experience every time I travel somewhere in the US: I get somewhere new and tune in the radio. I hear things you haven't heard in a while. I think "Woohoo! Back catalog! And new things!" And then I realize, the next day, that it's the same stuff they always play. I just haven't heard it in a while because I haven't been in that region in a while.

There's no need for this to be the case. In my hard drive, I have enough music that we could all sit and listen for 515.8 days without hearing a duplicate. (Minus a few built-in duplicates.) (But note that we could listen for well over a YEAR and not hear the same song twice.) And that's just in MY library. Contemplate, for a moment, what that could mean for your day-to-day radio listening. Radio could be fun again!

You Spin Me Right 'Round, Baby

Today I visited the radio station where I learned the trade. Man, do I feel old. When I started at KSJS, the "booth" was an actual closet that they'd turned into a functional booth. And we were at 90.7 (not 90.5). And (heaven help me I'm old) we played RECORDS.

It was fun to see the old place. I loved doing radio and I've been sad to see it get worse and worse. I'm hoping that satellite and HD will change that. If you listen to either of those, leave a comment about what you like and why. Maybe you can teach an old dog a new trick.

Jeez. Come *on* already, Eileen!

Dexy's Midnight Runners own my brain right now. I wish I could make an appointment at Lacuna, but I can't. So I'll just share with you, and then *you'll* have it stuck in your head, too. Misery does indeed love company. Heh.

I got something to say that might cause you pain

I'm so used to listening to music all day that being in an environment where I don't has an unusual effect on my mind: I get songs brutally, irrevocably stuck in my head. For silly reasons, too. For instance, right now I've got The Beatles "You Can't Do That" playing on a loop, just because I was playing a game with my family and I kept thinking of possible moves and then thinking "I can't do that."

Also, in case you haven't figured this out by now, I'll prove to you what a dork I am by confessing that I've also got a song from "Hello, Dolly!" stuck in my head for a similar reason: The game involves counting, as does the song.

Take Five

I heard a snippet of Paul Desmond on the radio today. I'm not sure what the tune was, but the sound was undeniably Desmond. I don't have the words to describe how cool his sound is. If you don't think you know who he is, trust me, you do. His sax is more likely than not embedded in your DNA. Check it out. See? I knew you knew his sound.

My mama said that it's good to be Lenny.

Rock and roll soulster. Souled out rocker. Whatever you want to call him, I think Lenny Kravitz is at his best when he’s showing off his influences with a funky groove. This new album reminds me of the first two – the ones I really, really like.

Curious, George

George Stanford writes good, accessible pop music. It’s singer-songwriterly without being too strummy-strummy la-la-la. This album didn’t hit me immediately. I first thought of it as the aural equivalent of a summer read: light, entertaining, well-enough done, and easily put aside. But it’s definitely catchy; after the third spin, I caught myself playing bits of tunes in my head with startling regularity. “Down River” comes to me fairly often – it’s a little dark and dreamy – great for foggy fall days.

Fresh! Hot! Links!

Check out all the fab new links I've added - nearly all of 'em should take you directly to a free listening experience. Enjoy!

If I could save time in a bottle (I still wouldn't be Jim Croce)

The thing I love about time (forgive me, musicians, but not the time you count) is that it passes. Given enough time, the most trite songs once again become meaningful. Or, at least, they can feel that way.

I hate commercial radio. But when I'm scanning through the radio, mourning a dead iPod battery, and I run across "Working Man" by Rush, that makes me smile. I was but a toddler when that song was released. "Working Man" is followed by "Bennie and the Jets", a song slightly older than the Rush tune and those only slightly older than yours truly. Also a feel-good tune. By most reckoning, you can't lump Rush and Elton John together in any meaningful way. But there they are, sharing the Classic Rock radio waves.

And that's cool. Maybe we can all get along. Sometimes.

I'm always up for a No Good Reason Party!

We've got friends visiting with their adorable 17 month old daughter, so I haven't been thinking about much music today beyond things you can sing to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." ("The Alphabet Song" and "Bah Bah Black Sheep" mostly). But it does make me think about how much and how well kids music has changed in the past five to ten years. There are so many wonderful bands out there making music designed to be enjoyed by big people as well as little people. There's no reason for parents to tear their hair out to Barney anymore when they've got The Dirty Sock Funtime Band and Dogs on Fleas and Uncle Rock. So go out there and have a listen. Perhaps you'll find your inner child.

Clap Hands, Here Comes Ella!

Is there anyone on the planet who doesn't love Ella Fitzgerald? I hardly think it possible. I heard a 22 year old Mexican singer songwriter on the radio this morning and she called Ella her first and foremost inspiration. (More on the young singer songwriter to come in later posts.) It makes hope spring in my heart; There will always be young songwriters who write from a place of love and respect for the great musicians who have gone before them. And also the young songwriters who want to tear it all down and start fresh.
The bottom line: Don't listen to anyone who says there's no good new music. There's always good new music. And when you look in the musical fridge and yell "Mom! There's nothing to eat!" you can always go back to the classics.

Food For Thought, So Get A Buffet Plate

There's something quite agreeable about this album. I have loved it from the moment I heard it, and I've never let it go. It's so many things I'm not: cool, laid-back, hip, groovy. (See? Even the way I describe it is square.)

There's plenty of hip hop that I enjoy, but it's not a genre I know a lot about. More than any other style of music, I wait for new hip hop to come to me. So if you've got a favorite, let me know. I'll check it out.

Now I really want to go skating...

People Should Smile More (Sarah Palin not so much)

If you haven't heard Newton Faulkner, give a listen to his new album, Hand Built By Robots. Fans of Keller Williams, ALO and Jack Johnson should check this guy out. So should folks who don’t like those guys. This is the kind of record that certain people love to hate on. I hate that attitude. Not everything has to have rough edges. You just have to dig a guy with a guitar who writes nice songs about everything from UFOs to looking like crap in pictures to people who need to smile more (a very Jack Johnsony song) Some of the songs are more ideas than fully fleshed out songs. Massive Attack fans will either love or hate his cover of “Teardrop”.

Warning: Not for the irretrievably ironic.

Too Tired For a Caption

Just a thought before heading to bed, as I've spent a very long day in the city. iTunes served up a delightful segue this morning - one I wouldn't have come to on my own: "Willy" by Joni Mitchell into "Just as I Thought" by Edgar Meyer. So lovely. I'll add it to the player, just as soon as I add the player.

Potluck

Driving home tonight I did something I rarely do: I put the iPod on shuffle. I grew up listening to albums, or at least sides, so shuffle generally makes me feel scattered and disjointed. But I think I was feeling a bit scattered already, so I gave it a go, and here's what The Gods of Music served up: Self (from Breakfast With Girls), Oingo Boingo (from Only A Lad), Poe (from Hello), John Legend (from Get Lifted), Presets (from Beams), Wilco (from A Ghost is Born), Rufus Wainwright (from Want One), and Fiona Apple (from Tidal). All in all, a pretty delightful collection of tunes.

One of those "Taha" moments

I love walking into a place and hearing music that I love. So hurray for the falafel restaurant my sweetie and I dined at for lunch! We spent the meal outside, with nothing but the street for music. But we popped inside before leaving and instantly my brain was smiling at the happy recognition of my favorite Rachid Taha album. It's such a great collection of songs - and when I saw him live, wow. It was a Total Rock and Roll Experience. (I've seen a few pathetic YouTube videos of Taha, drunk and embarrassing himself on stage, but I hope that was a passing phase.)

I'm working on adding a music player to the blog, so when I do, please check this guy out if you don't know him already. Fun stuff!

Um, ... are you singing a love song to pink wine?

Yes, yes you are. But that's just fine, because this album is a pop gem. And sometimes, that's exactly what you want. I took The Feeling out for a spin today whilst driving through the increasing Fall color and it was a *very* pleasant experience, indeed.

These guys get a lot of grief because they're so influenced by the '80s pop that they used to cover. But being a child of the '80s means I love hearing those influences in shiny new songs. Also, I interviewed these chaps back when I worked for the World's Largest Music Store and they were not only very sweet, they turned out to be Metallica fans.

What's not to love?

Does emotional music have quite an effect on you?

I'm baking to Faith No More. And that strikes me as a little odd. But perhaps not. Perhaps there are Betty CRockers all over the place and I just haven't met them.

I wasn't planning to whip up zucchini bread to the lilting tones of Mr. Patton and friends. Earlier in the day I had been quite enjoying Fairground Attraction (the live in Japan import, for you fans playing at home). But an unfortunate series of events, mostly involving bad customer service, put me in a darker mood. And when I clicked into the Artist list on my Pod, Faith No More was right there. And boy did Angel Dust fit the bill. I thought the album was a bit too commercial when it came out. I can see now that I was high. It's plenty angry, plenty heavy, and loaded with lyrics that would startle the neighbors if they could hear me wailing along. It's the kind of stuff that focuses my frustration with the world and then transforms it into happiness.

I find that the geeks are often right

Oh how I love The Faint. I'm pretty sure I squealed with delight when a friend put their new CD into my hands. And I'm no less delighted now, after having it around for a few weeks. (I'm sad there's no good dance clubs in my new hometown, but I can't blame the band for that.)

Nerdtastic beats synthesized to pieces. Weirdness abounds. Funky as all get out. Fun and random and, while I hate to wait, worth the wait.

I love her when she does everything

Sam Phillips has been stripping her sound down for years now, but this is the first time I've really dug it. She's got these beautiful songs that are simultaneously polished and raw, with delicate delivery and awesome fuzz guitar. This one makes me think I should go back and listen to the last two. Fans of Aimee Mann who don't know Sam Phillips ought to rectify that situation post haste. And vice versa.

Tidbit: If you like that Sister Rosetta song from the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss album, check it out as performed by the composer.

She's Not The Bird

The Bird and The Bee make me happy. I've been digging Greg Kurstin's music in many varieties for years now, and Inara George is about as charming as you can get. (I'm also digging her new album with Van Dyke Parks. And I always dig Geggy Tah's album Into the Oh. Also enjoyable - Action Figure Party.)

Oh What a World

Woke up with Rufus Wainwright in my head this morning. Want One is such a fun and lovely album, and those two don't usually coincide.

I've been meaning to check out the rest of the family. If you have recommendations, please pass them along.

Hold Your Head Up

Honestly, anyone who thinks that Salt 'n' Pepa belong in the same track with Nirvana ought to have his head examined. Also, he should be crowned. Man, that new Girl Talk album makes me smile every time I hear it. It's a spectacularly fun game of Name That Tune. If you're a fan of 80s, 90s, hip hop, and/or mash ups, Do Not Pass Go. Just go out and git it!

Wheeeeeee!

Dave Mason played my jam last night. Aw yeah. Photo to come. And now I'm off to Six Flags for a day riding El Toro. I'm sure I'll have something to say about theme park music upon my return.

there ain't no good guy/there ain't no bad guy

Dave Mason is playing Hardscrabble Day 2008 in Red Hook, NY tomorrow and I am psyched. As far as I can tell, there is a grand total of 1 Dave Mason song that owns real estate in my brain. But it's been homesteading for decades now, and you kids better get off the lawn.

See, when I was a kid I got completely sucked into the whole K-Tel Records thing. I didn't have unlimited fiscal resources, though, so I only have a few gems from the collection. And one of those gems has Dave Mason's song "We Just Disagree". I love that song. Without reservation. That song is such a part of my DNA that I can summon no critical judgement whatsoever. I just love it. (Ditto "Thank You For Being a Friend" by Andrew Gold, which discovered fame and fortune as the Golden Girls theme song and precedes Dave Mason on The Hot Ones 1978.)

So cheers, to you, Mr. Mason. Thanks for writing and recording a song that has remain lodged in my brainpan lo these many (geez, 30? Can that be right?) years. I'll be there, singing along, waving my iPhone loaded with the Freebird app. Wooo-ooo-ooo-ooh. Whoaa-oh-o-o-o.

Off the beaten path

Working in music shops, in nightclubs, and as a DJ has provided me with a pretty massive music collection. But it's a collection I've taken some grief over, mostly because I have a lot of music that isn't very well known. Over the years, I've fallen deeply in love with bands that never went anywhere. Actually, that's not true: They got far enough to have an album that was sent out by their label. After that, they went nowhere. (I'm sure I'll rant about payola another day, but that's not this post.) On the one hand, it makes me happy to have this music in my life. On the other hand, it makes me deeply sad that it wasn't heard by more people. Recent shifts in the music industry make me hopeful, though. I feel like we all have more access to more music than we have for decades. The problems becomes finding music you're gonna like.

How do you find new music? Are there websites, blogs, friends, podcasts or other sources that reliably turn you on to good sounds? Tell me about them! 

Perhaps I should buy a cape. (Edna Mode would differ.)

I think I find groove in places that other people don't. Maybe it's my superpower. I know it makes me a bit of a freak. When I used to DJ at the World's Largest Music Store, I would play things that sounded super-groovy to me, and I would dance around the booth, and lots of the staff would look at me like I had grown a spare arm. While that could easily have been because of my dancing, I'm pretty sure it was also because I was finding funk where they didn't.

I had this realization today listening to two different things that struck me as chock fulla groove: a choral work by Haydn called "Te Deum" and Alphabetical by Phoenix. Both feature loads of head-nodding off-beats. But I suspect that the average bear finds both of those musical experiences a bit ... well, square. I'm fine with my superpower, but I wish I could share it with the world. Can't we all just groove along?

Tell me what you think: Phoenix - funky or L7? Is there a group or an album that you think brings the funk but leaves your friends cold?

Ascending Band

I love familiar sounds put together in surprising new ways. Or familiar sounds put together with unfamiliar sounds. So I have to recommend that you check out Silent City by Kayhan Kalhor and Brooklyn Rider. Brooklyn Rider are four string players so talented that Yo Yo Ma proudly calls them colleagues, and they bring an undeniable groove to everything they play. Kayhan Kalhor is one of the most noted kamancheh players on the planet. The whole album is killin', but Ascending Bird has been known to make me dance in inappropriate places and Beloved... just flat out rocks. (Yes, I'm still talking about a string quartet).

Check out John Schaefer's review at www.brooklynrider.com (click on the Press link). He makes a Led Zeppelin comparison that is right on the money. And then go get the album. And if you have a chance, do go see the tour. And don't be afraid to dance.

The British Invasion Continues

I'm digging the Adele album. What's not to love? She's a fearless chick singer with some blues groove bass lines, a little soul, a little slink, and a lot of heart. A friend sent it to me before I'd heard anything about it and, for me, that's the most exciting way to find new music. I had no preconceptions (there wasn't even album art at the time), just the good word of a friend. Thanks, friend!

Equal to the love you make

I love that video of Chris Bliss juggling to The Beatles. It gives me goosebumps every time I see it, and sometimes it even brings tears to my eyes. But it took me a while to figure out why: It's really about realizing how much love he shows for The Beatles and their music. I have a similar reaction when I listen to The Grey Album by Danger Mouse. His overwhelming love of the music gets me every time.

You can't deconstruct music like that without loving it. And to make an album the central focus of a major work is a serious commitment. Watching Chris juggle and listening to Danger Mouse mix shows me how other people hear music that I love. And it makes me love it that much more. So thanks, guys, for sharing your work with us. (And Stephen Colbert - if you haven't heard them yet, check out the Fab Four's Christmas Albums. They're guaranteed to please.)

Makin' Friends

So I live in a small town now, and it's pretty different from Manhattan. One lovely way it's different is that everyone's fairly comfortable striking up conversations with strangers. I've noticed this before, but the other day was more fun. Why? Because I was wearing my Master of Puppets t-shirt. (It's the best album Metallica has ever made. Feel free to argue in the comments. But I'm unlikely to change my mind.) Anyway, I'm out and about, wearing my Metallica shirt, and it sparked a lovely conversation with a bookstore employee (he: "Are you excited about the new album?" me: "Are you kidding?? Did you see the Times article? They say it's a return to 'Master'! I can't wait!!") and a hardware store cashier (she: " I love that album, but they got lame. 'Load' and 'Reload' were ...[makes icky face]" me: "I know. You can really stop listening to anything after 'Justice'. But did you hear that the new album is supposed to be a return to form? You should check it out!)

Good metal makes me smile. And do surprising and fun conversations with strangers/neighbors. What's your best story about making a friend over shared love of music? (Some day I'll tell you about my wonderful friend G. We bonded in 1984 while waiting for the gates to open at the Squeeze reunion show. Ahh, the good old days.)

Tango on The Stoop!

One of the things I love about iTunes is that, when you're not paying attention, it can surprise you. So there I was, happily working out to Little Jackie - a bouncy, summery, hip-pop album. It was just what I wanted it to be: It kept me moving with the kind of grooves that make me smile. And then, in an instant, I'm in a whole 'nother world, in a truly delightful way. See, Little Jackie's album is "The Stoop" and the next album in my New Music playlist is cellist Jan Vogler's just-released "Tango!"

If you like the cello, or the tango, or if you just like beautiful, moving, passionate music, do yourself a favor and buy a copy. I can't find any sites that have samples (yet) and I'm not geared up to post things like that myself (yet). But believe me - the players on this album are changing the way people listen to "classical" music. You'll hear more about all of them in posts to come.

Para ser o no ser

Listening to Julieta Venegas today, mostly because I'm taking a Spanish class. But it could just as easily be said that I'm taking a Spanish class because I love Julieta Venegas (and Jorge Drexler, and Liquits, and Juanes, and Juana Molina, and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and Zurdok, and just about any band that plays salsa). I think a lot of people resist listening to music in languages they don't know because it makes them uncomfortable to not know what the singer is saying. But I don't put much weight in lyrics - I never have. So it never occurred to me that listening to music in Spanish was much different than listening to anything else.

Do you listen to music in languages you don't know? Why or why not?