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

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"

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"

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

Aqualung: If I Fall

My friend Brian really deserves the credit for this one.  He recently introduced me to Aqualung (Thanks man!).  As for Aqualung being a band, it actually is not one.  It is the name of the music that Matt Hales creates.  Matt said he was tired of being in bands and all that, and all I can tell you is that he is a pretty darn good song writer.  His stuff reminds me of many of my other favorite UK bands.  So, as an introduction to Aqualung, here is a simple little song from filled with smooth harmonies and that "in a warm cloud" feeling you get from a lot of those bands from cold climates.

If you have time check out Aqualung on myspace music, I particularly like the song "On my Knees" that you can find there. 

"If I Fall"

My bass is bigger than your bass

The real tragedy is that someone out there is actually coveting this thing.  This thing is ridiculous and by the way, it's not really mine. 

John Lennon: Jealous Guy

Happy birthday Mr. Lennon.  Here is one of my favorite John Lennon songs - Jealous Guy.  I heard he actually wrote it while he was with the Beatles, maybe that is why it's so good.  I just love the chord progression, you have to look past some of the cheesiness. 

Jealous Guy