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.
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!
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.
Another installment of bands that Shoulda Been A Contenda.
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.
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.
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.)
It's almost unreasonable, how much I enjoy Marilyn Manson some days.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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”.
