The Subject of Rap: Emmanuel Jal - "Warchild"

Child Soldiers. I've read numerous books on the subject. I've watched horribly graphic and horrid documentaries as well. It is a real and present problem in the world that is growing. In a culture that is full of self-centered hip-hop artists who sing about fame, money and women Emmanuel Jal, a Sudanese Hip-Hop artist and former child solider, brings with him both a depth and authenticity that is refreshing to the genre. He has something to sing about. It makes me think of Raps origins which can be found in the oral traditions and histories of Africa. Here are a few links to some resources about the issue of child soldiers if you are interested. Wikipedia. Amensty International. And here are some suggested readings. Children at War. A Long Way Gone. Here is a link to an interview with the author of Long Way Gone and a documentary on the issue. I warn you that it is pretty heavy stuff. Don't go there lightly. I studied this issue at university and it broke my heart then just as it still does today.

Emmanuel Jal - "Warchild"

Cut Copy: "In Ghost Colours"

I think the 80's pop sound is back with a vengeance. Only a little more refined and a little less cheesy. I find it absolutely brilliant. I dig the electropop genera that is growing strong.

Cut Copy, an Aussie band, is one of those bands that seem like their root are firmly planted in the years they were born - i.e. the 1980's. Maybe they are reclaiming their roots. I don't know. But I know that I could totally dance to this. I love that guitar riff.

Peace.

Cut Copy - "In Ghost Colours"

Manchester Orchestra: "I've Got Friends"

It irritates me how good this song is for a number of reasons.  First, these guys are in my circle of musician friends here in Atlanta.   Two, they are younger than me.  Third, and most importantly,  this song it totally awesome. 

Even more irritating is the fact that their are a number of musicians that I grew up with that are in bands that are actually going places. Now, I mean don't get me wrong.  I am really happy for all of them.  But it is just so frustrating.  In some ways I am actually happy that I wasn't pulled head first into the whole thing.  There has  been a lot of drama among some of these bands, which quite frankly pisses me off.  I mean bands are big dysfunctional families, kinda like the mob, stealing,  cheating, back-stabbing, etc.  - it just sucks.  

All of that aside Manchester Orchestra is an awesome band.  They have got some great songs and here is one of their latest.  You can actually go to this link and download the song for free.  Awesome!  I love free music.  Keep an eye on these guys when their new album comes out in April entitled Mean Everything to Nothing.  Check it out.

Manchester Orchestra: "I've Got Friends"

Guilty Pleasures #1: Areosmith - "Back in the Sadle Again"

I have decided to start a series of posts that I will add to over time about different guilty pleasures of mine. I belive that the atmosphere in which you choose to listen to a particaular song can dramatically effect the listenability of a particualr work. There are certain songs that I wouldnt be caught dead listening to in any normal settting. However, there are exceptions to this - i.e. - Areosmith, which I pretent to loath, and their song "Back in the Saddle Again." I want to go ahead and appologize to any Areosmith fans out there. I mean no ill will. I just don't really like the band or the music that much - on your average day. Yet, their are times in my life when I want to rock out to this song. Important times in my life. Not your average day mind you, but times when you need a little mood music. Times like - the begging of a road trip for instance. Thoese are times when music like this is appropriate and dare I say even needed, or wanted.

Who am I kidding I crave this song at the beginning of a road trip. This and Gene Autry or a little Willy Nelson, Kenny Rogers, the Muppet's (maybe that's the really guilty pleasure)... It just fits. I can't explain it. I just know for a fact that it is true. It's cheesy. It's wrong. It's dirty. But it's the truth and I love it.

So without further adieu I give you Aerosmith, "Back in the Sadle Again."

And I am so ashamed. How about you guys out there in cyberland... what music is your guilty pleasure?

Areosmith - "Back in the Saddle Again"

Steve Reich: "Piano Phases"

Some people don't even consider the work of Steve Reich music calling his music noise instead. Regardless how you feel about Mr. Reich what is certain is that he is one of the most controversial composers of our time. As strange as it may be Steve Reichs "Phases" has become one of my favorite pieces of music to listen to. I wont deny that his music is not for everyone. But let me tell you that this man is ahead of his time. The following work was written in 1967 and sounds like something that could be on the very cutting edge of music today.

The first time I heard "Phases" I sat memorized for hours listening to the slow modulations of notes and tempos. I loved it from the very first time I heard it. I was fascinated by the almost machine like mathematical progressions of different phrases. It is just cool stuff. It bends your mind a little if you listen to it closely.

Here is a brief description of the following video:

The original 'Piano Phase' for two pianos was composed in 1967. Both pianists play the same repeating pattern but one of them gradually increases tempo so as to slowly move one-eighth note ahead or out of phase with the other. This process is repeated with three repeating patterns that get shorter in duration. The video portion of this piece was created by David Cossin in 2000 and utilizes a pre-recorded video of him playing the piece on midi percussion pads that then trigger piano samples of the notes of the piece. Against this pre-recorded video, projected on a screen in front of him, he then plays the moving part that gradually moves ahead, or out of phase with the recorded part. The audience can then see and hear the process unfolding. Steve Reich

Steve Reich - "Piano Phases"