Vince Guaraldi Trio: Charlie Brown Christmas

Sufjan Stevens: "To Be Alone With You"

This song utterly captivates me every time I hear it. I can't pull my self away from it. I just stop close my eyes... and then there are no words for what this song makes me feel.

Sufjan Stevens - To Be Alone With You

The Naitonal: Boxer - "Mistaken for Strangers"

I am not sure how this happened exactly. This has been one of my favorite new bands as of late, and somehow I have neglected to blog about them. I must have thought I already had done so. Regardless of this tragic occurrence I have to send a big shout out to Duffy for showing me this band. I had heard them a few months before he told be about them, but I had forgotten their name.

I love this album from beginning to end. It is very New York, its got dark grungy kinda of overtones which just make me think of a big city full of people you will never meet. The whole album has a muted feel to it. It reminds me of drinking a beer in a sweaty music venue.

The National - "Mistaken for Strangers"

Joe Pug: "Hymn 101"

I first heard this song on a friend's blog, Guesswork Theory. He has a great post on his website on the song including the lyrics, which you can find here. So go there and check it out.

He says everything I would say - just better. It's a great song. Thanks Justin.

Joe Pug - Hymn 101

School of Seven Bells: "Half Asleep"

I love the ethereal feel of this song. School of Seven Bells debut album release, Alpinisms, was one of this years strongest debuts. It would make great night driving music.

School of Seven Bells - "Half Asleep"

Damien Albarn: Monkey Journey to the West

First, let me say that this is weird one. So hold onto your peripherals.

I actually wrote this post back in October, but thought it might be a little off the deep end back then. Basically, I thought that everyone would hate it. And you know what - I am pretty sure most of you will. The difference now is that I just don't care as much. I think it's fascinating. Standing out from the may artists that I have followed over the years is Damien Albarn. Damien first popped on my radar with "Song #2" and his band Blur from the 1990's. Even though I hated that song I found many of Blur's others song refreshingly different and fresh and while they never became one of y favorites I enjoyed having them in the mix. It was not till his next project, "Gorillaz" that I became truly fascinated. The band was one of the first to begin to successfully mix alternative rock, electronica and rap music together. One of my favorites is from their album Demon Days and is entiled "All Alone."

More recently, I have been fascinated to hear Albarn's latest musical journey into the world of opera. He has composed much of the music and fabric design for an adaptation of "Monkey Journey to the West" a story based on a book written in China in the 16th century. The outcome of this project I found intriguing enough to post hear. What is perhaps the most interesting aspect of this opera is that fact that it came out someone who once simply was the lead singer of a rock band. I challenges me to experiment in the way I listen and write my own music and explore new personally uncharted territory. Here are two songs from Monkey Journey to the West.

"Journey to the West/Heavenly Peach Banquet"

"Monkey Bee"

Sufjan Stevens: "Holy Holy Holy"

I actually discovered this song through friend of a friend. I have wanted to purchase Sufjan's Christmas albums for a while now, but I always seem to forget about them until after just after Christmas. His recording of the classic "Holy Holy Holy" brings the gentleness, beauty and inventiveness that Sufjan brings to all of his works. I think this year I might have to go out and by the whole 5-disc set. It is more likely that I will just buy it off of amazon after I finnish this post.

It is simply refreshing to hear Christmas music that is being sung from the heart. I get chills just listening to this song. There is so much christmas music out there that is sung for pop culture, for tradition, for materialism. These songs are different. They make me reflect, they make me think and hope. They make me actually think about what Christmas is truly about. They make me think about my Savior. And perhaps most astonishingly to me, they make me realize how often I forget that.

Sufjan Stevens - "Holy Holy Holy"

Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile: Fence Post in the Front Yard

I just found an awesome collaboration between two of my favorite musicians - Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile (of Nickel Creek). Most of the album is awesome. I found the following article that contains a link to an audio stream of their song entitles "Fence Post in the Front Yard." It's pretty amazing. Just scroll down in the following window till you see the Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile album and click on "Listen."

Switchfoot: In the beginning there was Chin

I remember the first time I heard Jon Forman sing. His band, Switchfoot, had just released their debut album, "The Legend of Chin" and I was only 14 or 15 years old. I had found them will surfing the web for new music and then had begged my dad to take me to several music stores to find their album. Eventually, after searching through the racks of several stores we found it buried among a sea of other bands. I had heard other bands before and had bought the Beatles "Help!" album and spun it a million times, but this was different. This was a band that I had found that no one else I talked to knew about it. It was such a rush to tell my friends about them and get them hooked to the music.

The band I was in during high school, Frontline, even covered one of their songs when we played a few gigs. What attracted me to the band so much was not only their music, but also the way they presented themselves to the world. They were undoubtedly Christians and were unafraid to tell anyone that if you asked them. However, they did not feel the need to make their faith blatantly and annoyingly obvious to their listeners. They had deep faith and conviction and this came through without having to mention the name Jesus in every other song. To me their lyrics gave their beliefs both the poetic and intellectual merit that it so deserves. Moreover, they did not label themselves as a "Christian band" which I liked. Labeling yourself a Christian band seems to imply that the music is only for Christians and that it was exclusively for those who believe the same way they do. I found this attribute of the band to be both inspired and encouraging. I felt that someone else understood me. I liked the authenticity that these guys displayed without the facade of what some say Christianity should be. They sung about real things, they sung about love, life and why.

Switchfoot helped me in many ways to become who I am today because of how they lived out their faith. They weren't trying to be religious, they weren't trying to be perfect - they were just trying to be people who believe in Christ singing about life from that perspective. This influence on my life was profound.

Since their debut, they have released several other albums over the years, some of which I have connected to more than others. They have gone from a trio to quintet. They have gone from nobodies to somebodies and while I still feel partial to some of their earlier albums, maybe it is the nostalgia, I still can find that certain authentic quality in each of their albums that reminds me why I have always liked this band. And even now I still listen to their music when I need a little encouragement.

Here are a few of my favorites from over the years. In no particular order.

"Let that be Enough" - From New Way To Be Human

"On Fire" - From The Beautiful Letdown

"Daisy" - From Nothing Is Sound




"Dare you to Move" - From Learning to Breath




"Don't Be There" - From The Legend of Chin

The Sunny Side: Louis Armstrong - The Sunny Side of the Street

Some days you just need a little encouragement. Some days you need to be told to look up from all of your troubles and frustrations. So that you can see something better and brighter. This song does that for me. In fact, it did it for me today. And I am telling you things always get better - one way or another.

Pass the Drumsticks: Thanksgiving Jazz - Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis

There is just something about jazz music that makes it perfect for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. And it just so happens that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Not just beacause jazz fits so perfectly into the the family mix and that it comes before I am totally sick of Christmas music, but also because it is not over commercialized. It is a holiday that still retains some of its original authenticity.

Because of this, I have chosen to provide everyone with a little thanksgiving jazz. There are two tracks that I have discovered which I am going to be spinning on Thanksgiving day: The first, "Autumn Leaves" by Miles Davis; the second, the Louis Armstron version of the Fats Waller song "All That Meat and No Potatos." I hope you enjoy both of them. I hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving Day! Just remember to take a deep breath and don't try to fake it - be real people.

Louis Armstrong - "All That Meat and No Potatoes"



Miles Davis - "Autumn Leaves"

Top 5 Albums of 2008

It is difficult for me to simply name my top 5 albums from 2008, however this list is a little more selective. It is based on the albums that I have actually listened to the most and not the ones that I want to like the most. There are so many great albums out there this year - and perhaps I will supply a list of runner ups in the future. But for now these are this years albums that I have been spinning the most. Below you will find the top 5 albums - each with my current favorite song from each album.

#1: Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
- favorite track = strawberry swing -

Coldplay really stepped up to the plate with this album. Not only is the album remarkably positive and uplifting throughout the entire album, it also shows a broad range of influence ranging from Latin American style clapping rhythms, to African drum beats, to almost Asian sounding guitar riffs. It's just a brilliant album. One that I have a hard time getting sick of and even more importantly one that my wife doesn't get sick of.

#2: Radiohead: In Rainbows - favorite track = bodysnatchers

This is one of those albums that I looked forward to for weeks and weeks. Radiohead has constantly been one of my favorite artists since early high school. The have continually evolved and experimented with new instruments and sound landscapes. In many respects this album seems to signal a shift yet again for Radiohead, they seem to be moving back towards some of their earlier more alternative rock grounded music after years of more experimental music. However, they aren't returning alone they are bringing much of the experimental sounds with them to fuse together their rock roots and experimental music. I simply love this album. It come out kicking hard and then soothes your soul. Brilliant.

#3: Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes - favorite track = white winter hymnal

I fell in love with this album from the first moment I heard it. It is refreshingly simple and understated. The tracks are filled with vocal harmonies that are reminiscent of the Beach Boys but are more appropriate for cold fall days.

#4: TV on the Radio: Dear Science, - favorite track = golden age

This is a strange one. TV on the Radio creates a captivating sounds that mixes and confuses music genres like soul, rap, rock, and electronic. I have found this album to be one of my favorites this year, and I am guessing for years to come.

#5: Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago - favorite track = Flume

This album is simply haunting. The vocals are mostly in falsetto - and continually astound me. It is an absolutely beautiful album.

Coldplay: The Prospekt's March EP & Life in Technicolor II

This song is to good not to post. Life in Technicolor was one of my favorites off their album "Viva la Vida," but it had no vocals - and now it does. Sweet. The whole EP is great. Below are a few select tracks of the EP released today. The second track entitled "Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground" is awesome. However, Prospekt's March / Poppyfields is the real gem of this EP.

Coldplay - Life in Technicolor II

Coldplay - Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground

Coldplay - Prospekt's March

Introducing Star Ratings!

After a few weeks of trying to find the perfect star rating system for this blog I finally found it today.  I am hoping for all of you who don't like to post comments on blogs that this should be a fun and quick way to participate in the feedback about the music.  And for all of you that like to post comments it should give you something else fun to do.  Maybe I am a dork but I am pretty excited about it. Also if you like the blog feel free to  become a follower by clicking the on the sidebar!

Feel free to go back and rate older posts as well as the new posts as the come out.  I hope these star ratings will be a lot of fun and add an element of interactivity.  Also please feel free to be honest (I won't be offended!)  the fun thing about this is going to be the difference of opinions that will surely arise.  Enjoy. 

News Flash: I've Got a New Blog

Hello all, I just started another blog about non-music matters.  It's called "Searching for Authenticity."  Check it out by clicking here!  I truly hope you enjoy both of my blogs.  I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has posted comments on this blog.  I have really enjoyed them and your involvement has inspired me to do the same on all of your blogs.  Thanks again. 

Seasick Steve: "Hootenanny" & "Walking Man"

Having been born in Memphis, TN blues is in my blood. The raw energy that it emits is almost unparalleled by any other genre. The closest thing that I have found comes out of Africa. Seasick Steve is perhaps one of the best living blues musicians around. He has been really well received overseas in England and Europe. Defying many traditional notions of blues musicians he lives with his wife in Norway and has received his greatest critical acclaim from Europe. Check out these videos of him. He bleeds blues to the bone.

And just let me say once again that "Live on Later... with Jools Hooland" is perhaps the best music television show I have ever seen. I wish we got it here in the states without satellite tv. On a side note, it is kinda funny that when Ewan McGregor grew his beard out on Long Way Down that he looked a lot like Steve.  Enjoy the blues. 

Steve's Television Debut - "Hootenanny"

Seasick Steve - "Walking Man"

Jaime Cullum: "Blame It On My Youth," "What A Difference a Day Made"

For whatever reason, whenever I drive my little Mazda (which is currently and tragically lacking a radio) I get Jamie Cullum's version of the song "Blame It On My Youth" in my head. I don't know where or why it comes from, but it is always there. I have sung it many shameless times to myself, especially the part were he sings, "If only just for you I did exist, blame it on my youth..."  I just can't shake it.  I haven't even listened to the song recently.  In fact, this is the first time in months that I have actually played the track.  Kinda weird.  There are worse songs to get stuck in your head for years.  It has to count for something if you can't get it out of your head when you haven't even listened to the actual recording in months. 

The track originally appeared on his amazing debut album entitled "Twentysomething."  While I found his second album disappointing, I have high hopes that he will once again come out with such a classic album.  Also, I should tell you that seeing his show at the Roxy here in Atlanta was just perhaps the best show I have ever seen.  The sound quality was amazing.  It was mixed to absolute perfection and the tickets where only 15 bucks.  

I also really love his version of the song "What A Difference A Day Made."  So I posted a video of this song as well.  It's great for the holidays. 

The "Blame It On My Youth" Youtube video may be a candidate for the worst video ever posted on Youtube, except for the fact that it has the best version of the song I could find.  Just try not to watch the video.  It is super cheesy and honestly I can't watch it.  The second video is cool though. 

Jaime Cullum - "Blame It On My Youth" (listen and try not to watch!)

Jaime Cullum - "What A Difference A Day Makes"

Erik Satie: Gnossienne No. 1 & No. 3

I am feeling somber today.  I have had a stream of odd dreams over the last few days from red gloves growing out of pies as they are cooked to my friend Michael and me attempting to stop an assassination attempt on Barak Obama.  Dreams are odd things.  I truly believe that they mean more than we give them credit for these days.  I need to start writing them down as soon as I wake up so I can think about them the next morning in all their detail.  You are probably asking yourself, "What does this have to do with music?"  

Well, it may be a looser connection than many of my posts,  but in short, these works my Erik Satie make me feel as if I am dreaming when I listen to them.  They are almost painfully slow, yet beautiful and enticing.  They draw out of me deep emotions, thoughts and images like dreams.  I can't really explain it, yet, it utterly captivates me. 

Another reason for this post has to do with classical music recordings.  I truly did not understand the importance of knowing several different recordings of a piece of music.  I had heard these pieces before but played at a much faster tempo.  For me hearing Erik Satie's work played at this  slow tempo made it come alive to me.  My favorite recording of this piece is by Branka Parlic.  I have posted a link to Gnossienne No. 1 (my favorite piece of the two, you should really check it out!) because the youtube poster disabled the embedding capability for that video, but not Gnossienne No. 3.   So enjoy them.  If you are interested you can click on the titles of each song (above) to hear the faster version I was talking about.  Both versions are good, but I really love the slower ones which you can find below. 

Gnossienne No. 1 (played by Branka Parlic) 

(Click Here for video)

Gnossienne No. 3 (played by Branka Parlic)

My Grandfather: Coldplay - "Fix You"

Well, last week was certainly weird.  I experienced a snapshot of life.  From the celebration of two new cousins births, to a wedding celebration, and lastly, my grandfather's funeral.  The range of emotions over the course of this weekend were, to say the least, extreme.  

Wednesday, November the 12th, my Grandfather passed away after years of struggling with Alzheimer's. I write this post with a mix of emotions, not knowing really were to begin.  Funerals are funny things. 

It was hard watching my grandmother touch the cold hands of her deceased husband, and it was even harder to watch her touch his cheek and run her hands through his hair.  But I watched mesmerized as she touched her fingers from her lips to his time and time again which sent my mind racing back in time to when they first kissed so many years ago.  And then to their wedding day.  It was both the most beautiful and painful thing I have ever seen at the same time.

The funeral continued on and many remarks were made telling of the various qualities and eccentricities of my grandfather.  How he could fix anything.  How if you asked him if he wanted a scoop ice cream he would always say, "I believe I will."  Then one of these remarks caught my heart more than any of the others.  It was about how he would often have a glimmer of a tear in his eye as he would listen to his classical music.  Up until that point I had held it together, not that I was even trying, it was at that point that I felt my bottom lip pulled uncontrollably down and out from me, my facial muscles beyond any control, the tears streaming from my eyes.  As I sat and listened, I realized though I have surely have been told before, how much I am like my grandfather.  And how much I miss him. 

Though he had been gone for a long, long time because of Alzheimer's, his body had not left, and therefore the emotions of that loss had been lying in wait.   I remember after I returned from London and I saw my grandfather for the first time in months.  He looked up at me and smiled warmly, walked over to me reached out his hand and said "How do you do? I'm Joe." To which I responded "I'm good Joe, nice to meet you."  As I talked to him later I told him that he reminded me of someone, someone that I had the highest respect for, to which he just smiled and winked.  Time slips away from us so quickly.  There is so much I wanted to learn from him, to continue to learn from him.  And while sitting on that pew thinking back over the years, I realized that I am still learning from him and that I always will be. 

I love you, granddaddy.  I will miss you.  This is for you.

Coldplay - "Fix You"

"Fix You" sung by Young At Heart

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová: Falling Slowly

A simply beautiful song from a simply amazing album.  The power of this song astounds me.  It breaks through all of my defenses and strikes me at the very depth of my heart.  It makes me feel and think very hard about those whom I love. 

The Swell Season - Falling Slowly

Arctic Monkeys: Fluorescent Adolescent, Brainstorm

Every now and then I do enjoy some "harder" music.  Something to cleanse the pallet of all the classical and folk music I listen to.  If and when I am in the mood for something like that, there several bands that I throw in the playlist.  For example, Muse is a good choice, or the Arctic Monkeys.  Which I will admit, took a while to grow on me.  I feel that I might for the first time be listening to music from a younger generation.  But I guess thats the key to staying hip, right?!  Honestly, I'm not really concerned with my own coolness, because I know this will be a strike against me for many of you out there.   Be that as it may I can't deny the fact that I have started to enjoy these songs.  

Fluorescent Adolescent

Brainstorm

Schubert: Death and the Maiden, 2nd Movement

After the more out there posts from the last few weeks I felt a need to restore the natural order of things.  Therefore, this post is going to be about yet another piece of classical music that I adore.  This one was written in 1824  by Franz Schubert shortly after hearing of his declining health at the age of 27 would soon lead to his death.  The Takacs Quartet preforming Schubert's Death and the Maiden and let me say once again that the Takacs Quartet is absoulty amazing.  They are perhaps the greatest string quartet that exist in the world.  They are unequalled. 

I selected only a section of the second movement, but  you can listen to the whole work beginning here.  The entire work is amazing.  A mix of anger and sadness, hope and despair.  It is absolutely stunning.  The first chord is like a knife through the heart.  You should really listen to the whole piece, but for now let us focus on the second movement.

For me the magic in this piece really begins about 2 minutes and thirty seconds in.  The first few minutes could be a funeral procession Schubert seems to be walking himself towards his grave.  The music is somber but thin begins to show signs of hope.  Maybe the satisfaction of the musical legacy he has left behind.  Maybe he envisions himself capturing glimpses of heavens gates in the distance, either way this piece has a haunting melody.  

Pieces of music like this, as apposed to some of my posts - especially that last one, makes me ponder deep questions of life and even death.  It makes me journey ever deeper into the very heart of my emotions.  In this particular case what I find is my desire for hope in the darkest of times (and no I am not talking about politics).  Not even my darkest of times.  This particular work of music reminds me that I can be hope for a friend, hope for a stranger, and they hope for me.   Through the darkest of emotions hands can reach down and find you.  They can lift you up and raise you to the highest of highest.  They can clean you up and turn you around.  They can fight and even die along side of  you emotionally.  

However, the trick is actually doing so.  So today I remind myself as much as another to remember to as authentic and real as I possibility can.  To be a true friend to those whom I love.  To get down there with them and fight for them.  To care and be cared for, so that we might truly live. 

Death and the Maiden - 2nd Movement 

Bon Iver: Skinny Love

The band Bon Iver or 'Good Winter' and their album "For Emma, Forever ago" is one of the most recommended and critically acclaimed albums I have heard of this year. Everywhere I turn someone is saying something great about it. While I haven't heard the whole album, I have listened to this track several times actually. And I really like what I hear.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

The Last Shadow Puppets: "Standing Next to Me"

Occasionally while searching for new music on the web, I trip across something really special that is new and exciting to me.  Yesterday it was The Last Shadow Puppets.  This duo is made up of the Arctic Monkeys lead singer, Alex Turner, and the lead singer of The Rascals, Miles Kane.  The boys met while on tour and began to write music together that is a clear departure from the sounds of their own bands.  Together their music feels straight out of the 60's and the British invasion. 

However, what really annoys me about these guys is that they are younger than me.  But I can get past that.  I really love this little song.  I have played it so much that my wife is beginning to hate it now, but I am telling you the song is  brilliant. 

Acoustic version of 'Standing Next To Me' 

Noah and the Whale: 5 Years Time

I actually really enjoy this song.  I can't say much else for the rest of their work simply because I haven't heard much of it, but I like everything I have heard.  I can't seem to get this song out of my head.  Granted, the melody is ripped of from somewhere (not sure where), but it's still a nice track.  The directing of the video looks like it could have been done by Wes Anderson, who actually helped produce one of their songs.  What I really like about this song is the fact that that you can hear their english accents clearly. Perhaps the most exciting thing about this song is the part it plays in the bigger picture - specifically the emergence of a Indie rock scene in the UK, which promises to delight listeners in the years and months to come.  Once they actually make it over the big blue.  

5 Years Time

Glasvegas: Geraldine

Here is a band to watch out for.  They have taken that classic 1950's rock and roll sound and given it a modern edge.  The sound on this recording isn't great, but it's good enough to get the idea.  I give you Glasvegas. 

Glasvegas: Geraldine

Sufjan Stevens: The Predatory Wasp Of The Palisades Is Out To Get Us!

I can think of only a handful of albums that I have thrown on the hi-fi that have totally stopped me dead in my tracks.  The kind of album that I have listen to in their entirety while lying on the floor with eyes closed.  Albums like the Beatle's "Abbey Road" or the Flaming Lip's record "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots." The type of album that was intended to  be listened to from beginning to end without interruption.  An album whose songs bleed effortlessly into one another forming a cohesive whole - true audial works of art. 

Sufjan Stevens album "Come On!  Feel the Illinoise!"  is one of these albums.  If Paul Simon and Phillip Glass came together to make an album it might sound a lot like this one.  Not only does Sufjan write the music and lyrics for these songs but he also writes the orchestral compositions for them as well.  On top of that his lyrics are astounding.  Here is one of my favorite tracks of "Come On!  Feel the Illinoise!." 

Sufjan Stevens:  The Predatory Wasp Of the Palisades Is After Us!

Fats Waller: Ain't Misbehavin'

There is nothing like the warmth of an old vinyl record and records by Fats Waller are some of my favorites.  Few people record music like they did back then.  While modern recording studies no doubt have their benefits, the nostalgia found in the sound of a vinyl record is astounding.  Heavy as they may be, vinyl records have a special place in my music collection.  Much of the music from the early 1930's and 1940's just hasn't been reproduced into modern formats yet.  

The following clip is taken from a old film in which Fats Waller plays his classic song "Ain't Misbehavin."  It shows all the great elements of Fats.  He is simply one of the greatest entertainers to ever have lived and a simply brilliant musican.  Enjoy. 

Fats Waller - Ain't Misbehavin'

Building Bridges: Gnarles Barkely, Radiohead and Christopher O'Riley

As many of  you know, I absolutely love the band Radiohead.   Perhaps even more of you wonder why.  To explain my love I could try to show you the pervasive operatic themes the permeate their melodies, or the deep electronic rhythms and organic beats that create the foundation for their music, the catchy guitar riffs, or even the significance of their experimental music that influences other musicians today - but none of that would really matter to many of you, would it.  Nope, didn't think so.  So I am going to try a different approach.  

When introducing your ear to new music, I am a firm believer in building bridges.  Mostly because that is how I have come to love certain types of music I once hated.

In this case, I am attempting to build a bridge to the band Radiohead - whom many just simply find "scary" or "weird."  I have selected the song "Reckoner" as a starting point off of their near perfect album "In Rainbows" from 2007.   Reckoner is a simple and powerful song that has very operatic vocal harmonies and lots of soul.  I am posting two versions of this song for your listening enjoyment.  The first is a cover by the band Gnarls Barkley - you remember, they did that absolutely amazing song, "Crazy," a few summers back; and secondly, the original version by Radiohead.  Both versions of this song are awesome.  Gnarles Barkey opens up the music of Radiohead to their audience and in turn introduces Radiohead fans to the alternative soul scene.  It is a two way street.  Not only has Gnarls Barkley covered songs by Radiohead, but so has the classical pianist and host of "From the Top" on NPR, Christopher O'Riley.  There is also his version of "Exit Music for a Film" written  by Radiohead after both versions of "Reckoner."  It is one of the ways I was first introduced to classical music, along with films I have mentioned in previous posts.  I hope you enjoy all of them. 

With all of that said.  I just want to leave you with one thought about building bridges.  In music, as I just illustrated , different types of listeners can be introduced into new types of music.  I truly believe that music is not the only medium that this phenomena occurs.  It happens with cultures, it happens with ethnicities, or at least has the ability to.  So I encourage all of you to not only stretch your musical pallet and explore the many different forms and genres that music takes around the world, but to also to get out there and met someone different than you.  Whether it be culturally, economically, or even politically explore someone else point of view and see what makes them tick.  In the end you may learn more about yourself than the other person.  Celebrate the diversity and the freedom we have to express it, especially here in the good ol' US of A!  Don't hate what you don't understand or even what you may disagree with - in the end the hate and demonization of those with whom you disagree accomplishes little.  However, what does accomplish something is reaching across aisle because it builds bridges.  

Gnarles Barkely - "Reckoner"

Radiohead - "Reckoner"

Christopher O'Riley - "Exit Music for a Film"

Radiohead - "Exit Music for a Film"

Listening Seasonally: Damien Rice - "The Blowers Daughter"

I truly believe that different styles of music, much like clothing or types of food, are best in different seasons.  It's an eating thick hearty stews in the fall as opposed to salads in the summer kinda thing.   Musically there are sounds that just fit cold windy days and nights.  My meat and potatoes of this time of year create sounds the totally surround you.  Bands like Radiohead, Damien Rice, Snow Patrol and Sigur Ros just feel right in this weather.  Bands like the Beach Boys or Bob Marley just seem out of place.  Their open airy sound just lets in a draft.  

While I am exaggerating of course, I really do listen to different types of music year round - even the Beach Boys,  there are just certain types of music that fit during different times of the year.  Around this time of year I mentally put pack up and put away a lot of my light "warm weather collection" and unpack the heavier stuff from my "cold weather collection" from seasons past.  Then I put them on as I would a warm sweater, sip my hot cocoa, and celebrate the arrival of the colder weather. 

Coincidence or not, most of the artists I love during this time of year come from England, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, etc... you know the colder places.  In the summer I find myself diving deep into the warmer climates of Africa or South America.  While there are blaring exceptions to this trend or maybe I am crazy, I do often find this to be true.  

So today, in my ode to fall mood, I'm listening to one of my seasonal favorites "The Blowers Daughter" by the Irish singer/songwriter Damien Rice from his debut album "O" in 2002. 

"The Blowers Daughter"

Gustavo Santaolalla: "De Usuahia a la Quiaca" (Literally "From Usuahia to Quiaca")

"De Usuahia a la Quiaca" was written for the film "The Motorcycle Diaries."  The music is played as the main characters are sweeping along mountain roads on their journey through South America on a motorcycle.  Since watching the film, this piece of music has become one of my favorites for traveling.  Not just because of the film in which I first heard it played,  but because of how it is written.  Somehow the composer created a piece of music that makes you feel that you should be on a journey, or that you already are on one.   A journey that begins slowly, filled with uncertainty.  A journey that grows as new sights, sounds and people come across our path.  A journey that ultimately becomes an adventure. 

De Usuahia a la Quiaca

Sigur Rós: Hoppípolla (or "Jumping into Puddles")

Often the music I listen to comes directly from a sort of family tree of influences.  For instance, an artist or band I enjoy mentions they like this or that album and then I go check it out.  It is a method which really saves a lot of time.  

This band, Sigur Rós, is just such an example. I remember Chris Martin from Coldplay describing Sigur Rós way back in 2000 as being music of "pure emotion," which actually describes their work quite well.  Being in a different language, I can't understand a word they are saying, but you feel it. This particular song may have first been introduced to a more mainstream audience when it was used to promote the television program Planet Earth. Hoppípolla, off the album Takk, is perhaps one of the most powerful and emotional pieces of music off that album and that I have ever heard.  It makes me want to explore, smile, and give someone a hug all at the same time. 

Here is the Planet Earth Video, but if you are interested check out their music video here which is equally as touching, but in a totally different way. 

Hoppípolla

David Bowie: Rock & Roll Suicide

Some mornings I wake up with a song just running through my head.  Doesn't everybody? This morning, rather humorously, it was David Bowie's "Rock & Roll Suicide."  Specifically, my mind started playing the song about 2 minutes and 28 seconds into this morning -  you know the part when Bowie starts singing "give me your hands, because you're so.. wonderful," with the bgvs chanting "wonderful" along with him all the way.  A great way to start the morning if you ask me. Random, but still nice. 

Here is a video of the song.  I admittedly picked the boring video, mostly because I didn't want to scare the children.  David Bowie can be just a bit much in the morning.  He is just so weird. Yet still I have to confess a very guilty pleasure.  Few believe me, but I am telling you his song writing is amazing!  You have got to look past all the hair and makeup. 

Rock & Roll Suicide

Gypsy Kings: "Trista Pena" (or "Sad Pain")

This song is almost in a league of it's own.  It takes you somewhere else, somewhere sad and far away.  The first time I heard this song I almost cried.  It is one of my favorites from the Gypsy Kings. It is simply a classic.  Yo tengo gusto de los reyes de Gypse mucho.  Son muy buena. 

"Trista Pena" 

The Walkmen: "If Only it Where True"

Another great indie band coming out on New York City - The Walkmen.  This is just a really simple little song that I haven't been able to get out of my head for the last few days. 

"If Only It Where True"

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy: "The World's Greatest"

I love covers that cross genres.  One of my favorites is this track by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, an American Folk singer covering the R. Kelly song, "I am the Greatest." I was honestly surprised to hear this was an R. Kelly song.  This song really grows on you in spite of  the overwhelming sense of narcissism that permeates the lyrics. 

"The World's Greatest"

Gillian Welch (with David Rawlings): "Throw Me the Rope"

This haunting tune was recently preformed live at the infamous Newport Folk Festival.  I love the soothing sound of this song.  Its beauty soothes a tired spirit. 

"Throw Me the Rope"

Velvet Underground: Sunday Morning

I love Sunday morning.  Peace.

Sunday Morning 

Fleet Foxes: Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Cover)

I know that I've already blogged about how super awesome Fleet Foxes are, but this is totally different...well at least a little different.  This is a cover of their song "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" by these two gals.  Wish I could tell you who they are - but I cant, so there.  What I can tell you is that they have some really amazing harmonies.  They have to be sisters.  

I also threw in the original Fleet Foxes version for you to enjoy them both.  I keep going back and forth between them.  I can't decide which one I like more. 

Tiger Mountain Pleasant Song (Cover)

Tiger Mountain Pleasant Song