here they are:
"Living In A Ghost Town" by The Rolling Stones: The most heavily anticipated song of the week is by a band who is, to quote Gilda Radner's SNL character, Candy Slice, "The greatest rock and roll band in the history of rock and roll"! The Stones may be over half a century old by now, but true to their name, they're still rollin'. What's even MORE incredible, though, is that they continue to roll on through tough times like our present crisis...in fact they decided to do a song about that very subject! Unlike most songs about the lockdown that have been released in the wake of it, this song is actually a pretty groovy, upbeat tune. No sadness here, folks! Mick Jagger and co seem to be simultaneously complaining about and celebrating what it's like to live without anyone else surrounding them. Hey! Who says bad events have to be sad ones?! No one, that's who!
"Retrograde" by Pearl Jam: After the surprising sound (and equally surprising success) of Pearl Jam's new wave-y, synth driven, "Dance of the Clairvoyants", from earlier this year, "Retrograde" marks a return to form for Pearl Jam. A forlorn folk-rock ballad, "Retrograde" is a song that acknowledges how problematic the world has become, but offers a solution in place of that. With lines like "the more mistakes, the more resolve", and "accelerate the change", "Retrograde" is a song calling for action, like many of Pearl Jam's songs have before. You just can't help but get caught up in Eddie Vedder's earnest plea here, and you can't help wanting to respond to it either!
"Rolling" by Michael Kiwanuka: African-British singer/songwriter, Michael Kiwanuka, has been a critic's darling for awhile now, but it's taken me awhile to discover why. His initial wave of ultra-mellow folk-pop didn't sweep me off my feet too much, but once he added a little bit of bite to his material, as he did in songs like "Cold Cold Heart" and "You Ain't the Problem", I decided to give him a second chance. His latest song, "Rolling", mixes Jimi Hendrix riffs with funk and soul beats. The song has a simple message of just rolling with the punches set to a powerful tune! Although its album was released late last year, "Rolling" (as a single from the album) has arrived just in time to hopefully get us rolling and raring to go again sometime soon...one can hope!
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
New songs for April 22nd, 2020
here they are:
"Hollywood" by Car Seat Headrest: Make no mistake. This is not a song glamorizing the famed city of movie stars. It is actually a song attacking Hollywood and the very concept of people taking advantage of aspiring actors and actresses just to make big bucks. You can tell this song is lyrically on the more sour side right from the very beginning, during which point the lead singer lists things he's "sick of", which include violence, money, drinking, drugs, and yes, even that thing that begins with the letter F that rhymes with "ducking". In other words, he's sick of the way people use their vices as a means to manipulate others. Musically, this song sounds like a very early Beck song (his not-so-well-known grunge spoof, "Fume", comes to mind here, specifically). It also comes with a trippy music video that looks like a sort of chalky graffiti come to life! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9l8X8W03Y) As the world descends further and further into madness, it only figures we'd get a lyrical assault like this one, doesn't it?! Well, at least its trippy yet catchy sound makes up for its lyrical cynicism. I also wanted to give a shoutout to a friend of mine I met earlier this year for enlightening me to this band. I think I'll have to give them more of a listen now!
"Kyoto" by Phoebe Bridgers: So far, we have two song titles that are also city names (though that pattern will be broken with our third and final song of the week). Both songs seem to reflect stereotypes of the cities as well. "Hollywood" was loud and cynical, a bit like how some people picture Hollywood executives to be, and "Kyoto" sounds like the way some people, especially the nerds of the world, view Japan: a place that is both exciting and soothing. That is how Phoebe Bridgers' "Kyoto" sounds, happy and billowy. The song is told from the point of view of a naive explorer going to Japan for the first time. Underneath the wild eyed idealism, though, there is a bit of darkness, as she also addresses the feeling of what it might be like to live someone else's life, also known as "impostor syndrome". There is both city imagery and nature imagery in the video for the song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw0zYd0eIlk). The nature-y images are simultaneously psychedelic and innocent. Combine that with Phoebe looking ever so cute in her skeleton suit, and you've basically got what anime would probably be like if it happened in real life! The Miyazaki kind, not the giant fighting robot kind!
"Shameika" by Fiona Apple: And now we come to the song that breaks the pattern of city names as song titles, although it still fits the one-word-only category the other songs had. Alt-pop piano chanteuse, Fiona Apple, gives us the most anticipated song of the week with "Shameika" (pronounced "Shuh-MEE-kuh"). "Shameika" drifts away from the sweet piano pop she gave us during most of the 21st century and back into the more frenzied flurry of piano based alt-rock she started with in the '90s. It might surprise you, then, to know that this song is actually about one of Fiona's childhood memories, although not necessarily a pleasant one. Shameika is the name of a childhood friend of Fiona's who really did tell her, as the chorus states, that Fiona "had potential" during a time she was an unfortunate target for school bullies. At least she WAS a friend until another girl at her school convinced her not to hang around with her. Sadly, I've been through times like that too. Thank goodness they're over now!
"Hollywood" by Car Seat Headrest: Make no mistake. This is not a song glamorizing the famed city of movie stars. It is actually a song attacking Hollywood and the very concept of people taking advantage of aspiring actors and actresses just to make big bucks. You can tell this song is lyrically on the more sour side right from the very beginning, during which point the lead singer lists things he's "sick of", which include violence, money, drinking, drugs, and yes, even that thing that begins with the letter F that rhymes with "ducking". In other words, he's sick of the way people use their vices as a means to manipulate others. Musically, this song sounds like a very early Beck song (his not-so-well-known grunge spoof, "Fume", comes to mind here, specifically). It also comes with a trippy music video that looks like a sort of chalky graffiti come to life! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9l8X8W03Y) As the world descends further and further into madness, it only figures we'd get a lyrical assault like this one, doesn't it?! Well, at least its trippy yet catchy sound makes up for its lyrical cynicism. I also wanted to give a shoutout to a friend of mine I met earlier this year for enlightening me to this band. I think I'll have to give them more of a listen now!
"Kyoto" by Phoebe Bridgers: So far, we have two song titles that are also city names (though that pattern will be broken with our third and final song of the week). Both songs seem to reflect stereotypes of the cities as well. "Hollywood" was loud and cynical, a bit like how some people picture Hollywood executives to be, and "Kyoto" sounds like the way some people, especially the nerds of the world, view Japan: a place that is both exciting and soothing. That is how Phoebe Bridgers' "Kyoto" sounds, happy and billowy. The song is told from the point of view of a naive explorer going to Japan for the first time. Underneath the wild eyed idealism, though, there is a bit of darkness, as she also addresses the feeling of what it might be like to live someone else's life, also known as "impostor syndrome". There is both city imagery and nature imagery in the video for the song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw0zYd0eIlk). The nature-y images are simultaneously psychedelic and innocent. Combine that with Phoebe looking ever so cute in her skeleton suit, and you've basically got what anime would probably be like if it happened in real life! The Miyazaki kind, not the giant fighting robot kind!
"Shameika" by Fiona Apple: And now we come to the song that breaks the pattern of city names as song titles, although it still fits the one-word-only category the other songs had. Alt-pop piano chanteuse, Fiona Apple, gives us the most anticipated song of the week with "Shameika" (pronounced "Shuh-MEE-kuh"). "Shameika" drifts away from the sweet piano pop she gave us during most of the 21st century and back into the more frenzied flurry of piano based alt-rock she started with in the '90s. It might surprise you, then, to know that this song is actually about one of Fiona's childhood memories, although not necessarily a pleasant one. Shameika is the name of a childhood friend of Fiona's who really did tell her, as the chorus states, that Fiona "had potential" during a time she was an unfortunate target for school bullies. At least she WAS a friend until another girl at her school convinced her not to hang around with her. Sadly, I've been through times like that too. Thank goodness they're over now!
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
More Quaran-tunes...
As the most unexpected battle in centuries continues to rage on, a few more artists, such as Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples, Andrew Bird, and Death Cab for Cutie's Benjamin Gibbard, have offered up their opinions. Here are those songs (plus one more):
"A Little Soon to Say" by Jackson Browne: Jackson Browne - rocker, singer/songwriter, activist...and unfortunately, recent Coronavirus victim. Being in his '70s, Browne is on the more vulnerable side of the Coronavirus spectrum, so this decade (or year) may be his last, but while he's still alive, he wants to offer us his own perspective on our potentially perilous predicament. Well, actually, the song was written prior to the pandemic's impact, but Browne decided now would be the perfect time to release it. This sad song, which could also end up being his swan song, was inspired by young activists, including heroic Aspie, Greta Thunberg, and how they have spoken out against people not taking action against threats to future generations, such as climate change. This six-and-a-half minute song is one of the most melancholy that Jackson Browne has done since "Fountain of Sorrow" in 1974. Actually this song is even more melancholy than that one was, lacking the light but noticeable rock and roll drums and electric guitar soloing in the background that "Fountain of Sorrow" had. This year has not been kind to some of my favorite musicians, which also include power pop singer Adam Schlesinger, folk-rocker John Prine, and soul musician Bill Withers, two thirds of whom died from Coronavirus. I've never said R.I.P. to three musicians in one post, but since none of them have released (or likely WILL release) any new material, this seemed like an appropriate time to do so.
"All In It Together" by Mavis Staples: Yet another song dedicated to fighting COVID-19 by a revered musician, Mavis Staples' "All In It Together" is a plea for unity during a time of separation. Having now entered her octogenarian years, it's quite remarkable that Mavis is still alive, and I am hoping with all my might she doesn't become victim to the Coronavirus. With her can-do attitude, optimistic outlook, and almost spiritual vibes, it doesn't seem very likely, but one never knows in this day and age. Mavis realizes, as we all should, how the virus is not "blind" in who it affects. One's financial status, gender, race, and other such factors become irrelevant in this song where the only race that matters is the human race itself and how it will cope with unprecedented disasters like our current situation. As human rights activist (and all-around model musician) Bob Marley once said in one of the last songs he recorded, "the darkness must amount to light". "All In It Together" seems to share the same message, one we have all needed to hear and heed right now!
"Capital Crimes" by Andrew Bird: Like the Jackson Browne song I reviewed earlier in this blog, Andrew Bird's "Capital Crimes" is a song written before our present pandemic that is now being connected with it. The song was originally meant as a protest song against capital punishment, but has now become a protest song against the way COVID-19 is being handled as well. And what a protest song it is! If you can imagine Bob Dylan collaborating with King Crimson and a classical music string orchestra, you've got "Capital Crimes" in a nutshell. This epic, six-and-a-half minute song is both lyrically and instrumentally agitated. The instrumental agitation slowly creeps in and is made apparent by the time the song is halfway over. Violin hasn't sounded so violent since John Cale played it furiously in The Velvet Underground's Heroin" back in 1967! Both the music and lyrics of "Capital Crimes" are somewhat Dylan-esque, with Bird essentially spending the song interrogating the government about whether or not they are truly protecting their citizens. A song like this perfectly captures the anguish and despair of the present day in a way that is deliciously dark!
"Held Down" by Laura Marling: Yet another song about a pessimistic, desperate situation, although this one seems more personal than universal. Still, there is no denying all the sadness and disappointment Laura Marling must have experienced in writing her latest song, "Held Down". The song seems to encapsulate feelings of being cheated and let down by whoever her current lover is, though it could also extended to just feeling cheated and let down by everything that's been going on around her. The song itself is as bittersweet as its lyrics would suggest it is. No one seems to know what to do with their lives anymore, and it's a theme expressed in all five songs of this week, but this one stands apart from the others with its more intimate, personal subject matter.
"Life In Quarantine" by Benjamin Gibbard: Death Cab for Cutie, as well as lead singer Ben Gibbard's solo recordings, have always sounded a bit melancholy and stark. But this song, consisting solely of acoustic guitar and Ben's vocals, might just be his saddest one yet. In this three-minute song, the theme of quarantine is expressed quickly yet sorrowfully, with places of entertainment such as bars and cafes being described as "empty", while more essential services like airports and train stations are "full of desperate people". Wow, how sad! Life just isn't what it used to be. Mercy, mercy, me!! I weep for humanity just hearing songs like this one. I'm trying to get over my current state of sadness, but it's been very hard lately. At least music is here to tell me, as always, that I'm not alone!
"A Little Soon to Say" by Jackson Browne: Jackson Browne - rocker, singer/songwriter, activist...and unfortunately, recent Coronavirus victim. Being in his '70s, Browne is on the more vulnerable side of the Coronavirus spectrum, so this decade (or year) may be his last, but while he's still alive, he wants to offer us his own perspective on our potentially perilous predicament. Well, actually, the song was written prior to the pandemic's impact, but Browne decided now would be the perfect time to release it. This sad song, which could also end up being his swan song, was inspired by young activists, including heroic Aspie, Greta Thunberg, and how they have spoken out against people not taking action against threats to future generations, such as climate change. This six-and-a-half minute song is one of the most melancholy that Jackson Browne has done since "Fountain of Sorrow" in 1974. Actually this song is even more melancholy than that one was, lacking the light but noticeable rock and roll drums and electric guitar soloing in the background that "Fountain of Sorrow" had. This year has not been kind to some of my favorite musicians, which also include power pop singer Adam Schlesinger, folk-rocker John Prine, and soul musician Bill Withers, two thirds of whom died from Coronavirus. I've never said R.I.P. to three musicians in one post, but since none of them have released (or likely WILL release) any new material, this seemed like an appropriate time to do so.
"All In It Together" by Mavis Staples: Yet another song dedicated to fighting COVID-19 by a revered musician, Mavis Staples' "All In It Together" is a plea for unity during a time of separation. Having now entered her octogenarian years, it's quite remarkable that Mavis is still alive, and I am hoping with all my might she doesn't become victim to the Coronavirus. With her can-do attitude, optimistic outlook, and almost spiritual vibes, it doesn't seem very likely, but one never knows in this day and age. Mavis realizes, as we all should, how the virus is not "blind" in who it affects. One's financial status, gender, race, and other such factors become irrelevant in this song where the only race that matters is the human race itself and how it will cope with unprecedented disasters like our current situation. As human rights activist (and all-around model musician) Bob Marley once said in one of the last songs he recorded, "the darkness must amount to light". "All In It Together" seems to share the same message, one we have all needed to hear and heed right now!
"Capital Crimes" by Andrew Bird: Like the Jackson Browne song I reviewed earlier in this blog, Andrew Bird's "Capital Crimes" is a song written before our present pandemic that is now being connected with it. The song was originally meant as a protest song against capital punishment, but has now become a protest song against the way COVID-19 is being handled as well. And what a protest song it is! If you can imagine Bob Dylan collaborating with King Crimson and a classical music string orchestra, you've got "Capital Crimes" in a nutshell. This epic, six-and-a-half minute song is both lyrically and instrumentally agitated. The instrumental agitation slowly creeps in and is made apparent by the time the song is halfway over. Violin hasn't sounded so violent since John Cale played it furiously in The Velvet Underground's Heroin" back in 1967! Both the music and lyrics of "Capital Crimes" are somewhat Dylan-esque, with Bird essentially spending the song interrogating the government about whether or not they are truly protecting their citizens. A song like this perfectly captures the anguish and despair of the present day in a way that is deliciously dark!
"Held Down" by Laura Marling: Yet another song about a pessimistic, desperate situation, although this one seems more personal than universal. Still, there is no denying all the sadness and disappointment Laura Marling must have experienced in writing her latest song, "Held Down". The song seems to encapsulate feelings of being cheated and let down by whoever her current lover is, though it could also extended to just feeling cheated and let down by everything that's been going on around her. The song itself is as bittersweet as its lyrics would suggest it is. No one seems to know what to do with their lives anymore, and it's a theme expressed in all five songs of this week, but this one stands apart from the others with its more intimate, personal subject matter.
"Life In Quarantine" by Benjamin Gibbard: Death Cab for Cutie, as well as lead singer Ben Gibbard's solo recordings, have always sounded a bit melancholy and stark. But this song, consisting solely of acoustic guitar and Ben's vocals, might just be his saddest one yet. In this three-minute song, the theme of quarantine is expressed quickly yet sorrowfully, with places of entertainment such as bars and cafes being described as "empty", while more essential services like airports and train stations are "full of desperate people". Wow, how sad! Life just isn't what it used to be. Mercy, mercy, me!! I weep for humanity just hearing songs like this one. I'm trying to get over my current state of sadness, but it's been very hard lately. At least music is here to tell me, as always, that I'm not alone!
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
New songs for April 8th 2020
here they are:
"Lifeguard" by Nahko and Medicine for the People: Nahko and Medicine for the People are quite an eclectic ensemble who last impacted adult alt radio back in 2016 with the surprisingly catchy "San Quentin". "Lifeguard" isn't as catchy, but its buoyant sense of calm is a breath of fresh air for these troubled times! "Lifeguard" was written many years before our present crisis, though. It's actually been around nearly as long as this blog has! However, it was just a few months ago that Nahko and Medicine for the People decided to record it. Nahko wrote it after he almost drowned in the ocean. "Lifeguard" is, in a word, a three-and-a-half minute prayer for safety. We all need one of those right now!
"Persona Non Grata" by Bright Eyes: Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst is one of many alt/indie artists who could be likened to a modern-day Leonard Cohen. The Cohen comparison really shows on Bright Eyes' latest tune, "Persona Non Grata", which sounds rhythmically and sonically similar to the late Canadian singer/songwriter's "Famous Blue Raincoat". The cryptic lyrics with their darkly religious imagery also seem to be taken straight out of the Cohen handbook. And what exactly IS a "persona non grata", you may ask? It simply means "unwelcome person". Oberst must think that's what we've all become now: personae non grata, and knowing him, he probably includes himself in that category. Welcome to the 2020's, folks...
"Lifeguard" by Nahko and Medicine for the People: Nahko and Medicine for the People are quite an eclectic ensemble who last impacted adult alt radio back in 2016 with the surprisingly catchy "San Quentin". "Lifeguard" isn't as catchy, but its buoyant sense of calm is a breath of fresh air for these troubled times! "Lifeguard" was written many years before our present crisis, though. It's actually been around nearly as long as this blog has! However, it was just a few months ago that Nahko and Medicine for the People decided to record it. Nahko wrote it after he almost drowned in the ocean. "Lifeguard" is, in a word, a three-and-a-half minute prayer for safety. We all need one of those right now!
"Persona Non Grata" by Bright Eyes: Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst is one of many alt/indie artists who could be likened to a modern-day Leonard Cohen. The Cohen comparison really shows on Bright Eyes' latest tune, "Persona Non Grata", which sounds rhythmically and sonically similar to the late Canadian singer/songwriter's "Famous Blue Raincoat". The cryptic lyrics with their darkly religious imagery also seem to be taken straight out of the Cohen handbook. And what exactly IS a "persona non grata", you may ask? It simply means "unwelcome person". Oberst must think that's what we've all become now: personae non grata, and knowing him, he probably includes himself in that category. Welcome to the 2020's, folks...
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
New blog post for April 1st, 2020
here they are:
"On the Floor" by Perfume Genius: In that little space between disco and new wave on the indie rock spectrum sits Mike Hadreas, better known as "Perfume Genius". His songs have been part of the indie scene for about five years now, but "On the Floor" marks his first significant breakthrough to adult alt radio airplay. Dance music has always been a huge influence for Mike, but in "On the Floor" it takes on a sleek disco-fied flavor as opposed to the more trip-hop influenced stuff he has become known for. Nothing particularly impressive about this song, aside from perhaps its 6 and a half minute length, although there is a radio edited version that goes on for about four minutes.
"Sometimes Love Takes So Long" by Illiterate Light: In late summer and early fall of last year, Illiterate Light took adult alt radio by storm with "Better Than I Used To", a song that drew equally from psychedelic rock and soul music. Their follow-up single, "Sometimes Love Takes So Long", has a bit more of a subdued and folk-rock-y flavor. This is a sweet, mellow tune, but once again, I don't find anything particularly impressive about it. Oh well, I guess not every week boasts stellar music.
"On the Floor" by Perfume Genius: In that little space between disco and new wave on the indie rock spectrum sits Mike Hadreas, better known as "Perfume Genius". His songs have been part of the indie scene for about five years now, but "On the Floor" marks his first significant breakthrough to adult alt radio airplay. Dance music has always been a huge influence for Mike, but in "On the Floor" it takes on a sleek disco-fied flavor as opposed to the more trip-hop influenced stuff he has become known for. Nothing particularly impressive about this song, aside from perhaps its 6 and a half minute length, although there is a radio edited version that goes on for about four minutes.
"Sometimes Love Takes So Long" by Illiterate Light: In late summer and early fall of last year, Illiterate Light took adult alt radio by storm with "Better Than I Used To", a song that drew equally from psychedelic rock and soul music. Their follow-up single, "Sometimes Love Takes So Long", has a bit more of a subdued and folk-rock-y flavor. This is a sweet, mellow tune, but once again, I don't find anything particularly impressive about it. Oh well, I guess not every week boasts stellar music.
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