Well, consistency has never been something I've been known for, but at least I'm trying. With that out of the way I'd like to discuss something I haven't touched on with my blog yet, music. I've discussed film and MMA, but music has been mysteriously aloof, seeing as it's one of my biggest inspirations and passions on the planet. I'm a person that thoroughly enjoys and embraces music. I try to be open-minded and listen to a variety of styles. I'm a little slower than others, so some genres are just starting to seep into my collection. However, I'll continue to broaden my musical horizon and pick away slowly, but surely at the lush music landscape surrounding me. Now, let us reminisce and see how I came to be.
I guess like any decent story I should start from the beginning. Both of my parents are extreme music lovers and collectively have seen a majority of the big bands/artists from the 70s and 80s at least once (excluding teenybopper acts); In addition, amassing quite the number of vinyl, tape and CDs over the years. So, because of that I was romanced from the womb with music. According to my parents I was but eight months old when I "attended" my first concert and how could it possibly get better than the Scorpions' Love At First Sting tour back in 1984? Don't answer that. I can vividly remember music being a big part of our daily lives, as it was playing almost nonstop whether in the car or at home, but the best thing was the variety of styles I was exposed to. Looking back on my childhood I can attest that hearing rock, country, blues, metal, pop and rap really shaped my musical taste and opened my mind when I was at the most influential stage in any one's life. Thank you mom and dad.
Enough meandering about the folks and the good ol' days. Let us talk about and start something, I hope to be a weekly tradition for my blog: What I've Been Listening to Lately. YAY! Mainly I'll discuss newer albums, unless otherwise noted.
What I've Been Listening to Lately
Genre: Sludge Metal
Stand Outs: "Scapegoat" & "Running Red"
Another new band for me and after only one listen I can say I'm a fan. The production is lacking at times, but I don't feel that takes away from the musical experience. In fact, because of that slight slump in production there is an edge to the record that makes for an exciting listen and another reason to listen again and again. Think of a slightly more coarse Mastodon with less instrumental virtuosity, but still enough to wet the appetite. They seem to mix things up better than their peers, because they include female vocals with other minor instrumental variations.
Stand Outs: "Scapegoat" & "Running Red"
Another new band for me and after only one listen I can say I'm a fan. The production is lacking at times, but I don't feel that takes away from the musical experience. In fact, because of that slight slump in production there is an edge to the record that makes for an exciting listen and another reason to listen again and again. Think of a slightly more coarse Mastodon with less instrumental virtuosity, but still enough to wet the appetite. They seem to mix things up better than their peers, because they include female vocals with other minor instrumental variations.
Asobi Seksu
Hush (2009)
Genre: Dream Pop
Stand Outs: "Familiar Light" & "Layers"
Hush is my first experience with Asobi Seksu and I'm impressed with the album and more importantly with her. I see people are having a great time ripping into this album because it wasn't what they expected from her after her previous record, but that isn't her problem nor mine. Great dreamy pop album with some interesting melodies and ideas. What really stands out to me each time I listen is her vocals and her unique approach. Her voice reminds me of Björk at times because they both have interesting and quirky ways in which they deliver their music and words.
Hush (2009)
Genre: Dream Pop
Stand Outs: "Familiar Light" & "Layers"
Hush is my first experience with Asobi Seksu and I'm impressed with the album and more importantly with her. I see people are having a great time ripping into this album because it wasn't what they expected from her after her previous record, but that isn't her problem nor mine. Great dreamy pop album with some interesting melodies and ideas. What really stands out to me each time I listen is her vocals and her unique approach. Her voice reminds me of Björk at times because they both have interesting and quirky ways in which they deliver their music and words.
Genre: Post-Hardcore, Post-Metal
Stand Outs: "Goddess Of The Ages" & "Love Is The Devil (And I Am In Love)"
I think the tone of Köld can be summed up with three words: mysterious, mesmerizing and dense. However, it's still a very anthemic album to me. I find myself wanting to sing along, but sometimes I can't understand what is being sung and I don't know if that's due to the singer's poor English or what, but whatever the case it adds to the album. The production sounds great because the weightier moments balance nicely with the lighter more atmospheric parts. Towards the end of "Goddess Of The Ages" there's a beautiful keyboard and guitar motif that just repeats and it crushes me. I think the confusion with the lyrics along with the weight of the music and production makes for a mesmerizing experience. I need some more listens, but I loved what I heard the first time through especially the first two or three tracks along with the last two.
Stand Outs: "Goddess Of The Ages" & "Love Is The Devil (And I Am In Love)"
I think the tone of Köld can be summed up with three words: mysterious, mesmerizing and dense. However, it's still a very anthemic album to me. I find myself wanting to sing along, but sometimes I can't understand what is being sung and I don't know if that's due to the singer's poor English or what, but whatever the case it adds to the album. The production sounds great because the weightier moments balance nicely with the lighter more atmospheric parts. Towards the end of "Goddess Of The Ages" there's a beautiful keyboard and guitar motif that just repeats and it crushes me. I think the confusion with the lyrics along with the weight of the music and production makes for a mesmerizing experience. I need some more listens, but I loved what I heard the first time through especially the first two or three tracks along with the last two.
Anthony and the Johnsons
The Crying Light (2009)
Genre: Chamber Pop, Singer/Songwriter
Stand Outs: "Daylight And The Sun" & "The Crying Light"
Unique comes to mind while listening to The Crying Light and I think it's fitting. A gorgeous record in the same vein as saying a Édith Piaf record back in the day was "gorgeous." I wasn't aware that people made music like this anymore. The album cover positively sums up the interior of the record; Fragile, soulful and eccentric with a sprinkle of the melodramatic for good measure. A record that when you label it a certain genre you are doing it a disservice. Really cool stuff and just ever so slightly different than the rest and maybe the leading factor to why it's on a lot of people's yearly album lists already.
The Crying Light (2009)
Genre: Chamber Pop, Singer/Songwriter
Stand Outs: "Daylight And The Sun" & "The Crying Light"
Unique comes to mind while listening to The Crying Light and I think it's fitting. A gorgeous record in the same vein as saying a Édith Piaf record back in the day was "gorgeous." I wasn't aware that people made music like this anymore. The album cover positively sums up the interior of the record; Fragile, soulful and eccentric with a sprinkle of the melodramatic for good measure. A record that when you label it a certain genre you are doing it a disservice. Really cool stuff and just ever so slightly different than the rest and maybe the leading factor to why it's on a lot of people's yearly album lists already.
Mono
Hymn to the Immortal Wind (2009)
Genre: Post-Rock
Stand Outs: "Ashes In The Snow" & "Silent Flight, Sleeping Dawn"
As of right now Hymn to the Immortal Wind stands at the top of 2009. To be honest with my first listen I wasn't too impressed, I liked it, but I thought it was inferior to You Are There, but over the weeks it's really been growing on me and now I could see it meeting or even surpassing that previous outing. I love their use of the orchestral instruments on here and that was the biggest stand out for me. Any further words of mine are trite and worthless next to the beauty compacted into this album. Just put some headphones on and sit back and let the music transport you across time and space.
Hymn to the Immortal Wind (2009)
Genre: Post-Rock
Stand Outs: "Ashes In The Snow" & "Silent Flight, Sleeping Dawn"
As of right now Hymn to the Immortal Wind stands at the top of 2009. To be honest with my first listen I wasn't too impressed, I liked it, but I thought it was inferior to You Are There, but over the weeks it's really been growing on me and now I could see it meeting or even surpassing that previous outing. I love their use of the orchestral instruments on here and that was the biggest stand out for me. Any further words of mine are trite and worthless next to the beauty compacted into this album. Just put some headphones on and sit back and let the music transport you across time and space.
Stand Outs: "In the Name of Auebothiabaithobeuee" & "...Of The Dead Who Never Rest In Their Tombs Are The Attendance Of Familiar Spirits Including. . ."
I think there's a little more to this release than just "black metal," but the band hides or blends it in quite nicely. Some great guitar work and playing all around and it's somewhat "catchy" in a way, or as catchy as a black metal band can get. The album cover is just bad ass and is what initially hooked me and got me to search the album out. I'm lame like that.
That's it for this week folks tune in for my next installment. Hopefully I'll get another music entry up next week. Cross your fingers, unless you didn't like this entry. . . Well, yeah. . .
1 comment:
I'm surprised there's no Meshuggah or Ulver mention. I'm glad you liked Kylesa though.
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