Amos Lee

For my last blog of this year I wanted to write about something a little different.  I chose to throw a metaphorical curve ball at everyone (or like the two people who actually read this) and blog about a new artist that has really interested me over the past week or so.  Amos Lee is alternative/indie rock singer and song writer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania whose acoustic and mellow style is greatly influenced by jazz and folk singers and songwriters of the '70's like James Taylor for example.  His voice is like no other, having the ability to be extremely smooth at times yet very rough at others, incorporating an amazing falsetto into many songs as well.  Yet not only does he just create an amazing mix of acoustic alternative folk/pop/rock, he has also crossed over into the country scene, appearing on the Zac Brown Band's latest album, Uncaged. 

My favorite, hands down.

Definitely not the body I would've ever put with his voice.

He has such crazy control over his voice, it's really quite amazing.

This somehow works amazingly well.

He really is an outstanding vocalist, both because of the lyrics that he chooses to use and the control and power he has over his voice.  I honestly wouldn't hesitate to ever see him live if he comes anywhere near Austin because this guy really is that good.

Before closing out the blog for the final time I'd just like to say a few things about it.  First of all, I have seen that I have had over 1,200 views which honestly amazes me that that number of random people would care that much to read what I have to say.  Second, this has been a pretty cool experience, allowing me to find many new amazing bands that I never would have ever found without blogging.  

After all of this time it seems that we have found our own 2nd floor, and although there isn't any hardware, children's wear, or any lady's lingerie, it is time for us to go down.  I'd like to thank everyone for reading and maybe even enjoying what some random kid had to say, hopefully you won't miss it too much.  

Signing off for the last time,

-Brooks Gonzales 

Belaire

The documentary we watched last class focused it's main points on the progression of Austin as "the live music capital of the world," and followed a few local bands and showed how they have also grown.  One of such bands that was focused on was a local band by the name of Belaire.  The band was created in 2004 right here in the best city in the world as an indie/alternative rock band.  The group has released two albums, both of which were recorded here in Austin as well under the INDIRECT label.  Hearing them at first, I never thought that I would've liked them yet as I listened more, I noticed the "synth-wave," and even sometime R&B style of their songs creating a mix that makes an even better, catchier song.  Another one of my favorite things about this band is the amazing balance they use when singing; for example in the song "Pick Up the Pieces," off of their latest album Resonating Symphony, there is a great mix of falsetto and a "normal" tone dispersed throughout the entire song, not just the chorus. 

One of my favorite songs they've recorded is called "You Really Got Me Goin'," off of their 2007 album: Exploding Impacting.  Here's a link to the song being played off of a 7'' vinyl record: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGqgglymqgo

(The quality is AMAZING)

Here is another link to a video of Belaire playing two of my favorite songs live; "Resonating Symphony," and "Pick Up the Pieces." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F3OrzRtseg

(They sound pretty great live in my opinion.)

This is one of my favorite parts about Austin; the crazy amount of talent that is located in one small centralized location.  But, in the end, I am really glad that I was made aware of this band and all of its talent, it being even cooler that they are from my home town.

-Brooks Gonzales

Weezer and Outkast...Sorry, Can't pick one

Unlike many of my classmates, I am a huge fan of both Weezer and OutKast even though they couldn't be more different.  Weezer, an alternative, rock, power-pop band headed by lead vocalist, Rivers Cuomo, and OutKast, a hip-hop/rap duo consisting of Andre 3000 and Big Boi known for epitomizing the Atlanta "Dirty South" style of rap that is still present today.  Even though they were very different in some respects, they were both extremely influential to bands throughout the coming decades, both lyrically and stylistically.

Weezer: 

Weezer's first album (and my favorite album) is entitled Weezer, yet is referred to as "The Blue Album," due to its...well, blue cover.  There are many hits off of the album like "My Name Is Jonas," (my personal favorite), "Buddy Holly," "Undone -- The Sweater Song," and "Say It Ain't So."  All of which have really amazing guitar solos or features that, to me, really make the songs.  Also, the lyrical genius of the band is really quite amazing as well.

OutKast:

These two guys should definitely be considered as pioneer's of rap, especially in the late 90's and early 2000's with their albums Stankonia and Speakerboxx/The Love Below.  My all time favorite OutKast song comes off of Stankonia entitled "B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad)."  Other great songs from that album include "So Fresh, So Clean," and "Ms. Jackson."  Speakerboxx/The Love Below was considered one album but in essence they were two solo albums; Speakerboxx being Big Boi's, and The Love Below, being Andre's.  Songs like "The Way You Move," "Hey Ya!," and "Roses," all came off of this album.  This album also shows their progression through hip-hop, starting to come out with more pop inspired songs.

(One of my favorite OutKast videos)

Both of these groups not only defined the 90's and early 2000's but are also really fun to listen to, making them some of my favorites.

-Brooks Gonzales

Daft Punk

On Tuesday, Daft Punk released their newest studio album, Random Access Memories.  This was their first new and original album since 2007...waaaay too long in my opinion.  These two French revolutionaries (Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter) helped shape what we now know as electronic music, starting with their first album, Homework in 1997.  Although, this time, it's not exactly the Daft Punk that we all remember, known for their electronica and house beats, but more so a Daft Punk bent on integrating all types of musical sounds ranging from actual instruments, incorporating a lot of funk, to actual interviews in their songs.  Overall, I honestly think that this is one of their best albums by far.

I really enjoy a lot of the songs of this album, so it will be somewhat hard to pick a few to show off.  But, I'd like to start with a song that just so happens to be the first song on the album, "Give Life Back to Music." It starts with a great guitar solo-ish thing that I never would've expected off a Daft Punk album, which is soon followed by a funk groove straight out of the 70's but with some auto-tuned lyrics to go spice it up a bit.  Another one of my favorite songs is called "Giorgio by Moroder," explaining the story and background of Italian producer, songwriter, and recorder Giovanni Giorgio Moroder.  Many of the songs off this new album feature rapper and singer-songwriter, Pharrell Williams, (who also was the lead vocalist and drummer of the hip-hop "band" N.E.R.D) my favorite being "Lose Yourself to Dance."  The last track, "Contact," is also one of my absolute favorites, sounding more like a Daft Punk song from the early 2000's that we all know and love.

When recording this album, Daft Punk stated that they wanted to help and bring back some elements of disco, which honestly, before hearing the album, sounded like a hideous idea, yet being the masters that they are, they did it and they did it well.  Great Album!

-Brooks Gonzales

Life On A Rock

Back to country again this week, this time with country superstar, Kenny Chesney's new album, Life On A Rock.  Kenny has been playing and singing country music for more than 15 years, his first album coming out in 1994.  Nineteen years later he has come out with his fifteenth studio album, one that I really like.  This album mainly surrounds around "island" and "sun-and-sand" anthems that Chesney has somewhat veered from for for nearly a decade; a nice treat.  He utilizes multiple instruments throughout the album including not only a guitar but also "exotic" bongos, trumpets, and even steel drums.  It also has really excellent pacing, keeping it interesting with multiple upbeat and ballad like songs.  

The album starts off with the headline single, "Pirate Flag," a upbeat and fun song about island life.  He also does two duet-ish songs: "Spread The Love," featuring The Wailers and "Coconut Tree," featuring Willie Nelson.  Another one of my favorites is entitled "Marley," strikingly similar to a certain song by Eric Church, entitled "Springsteen,"...? 

Is it stupid? Yes...Do I care? Not at all

I really think that the reggae aspect is really cool and somehow works really well his Kenny's voice.

This is probably my favorite song off of the album for many reasons.  I really think the lyrics are creative and meaningful, which are improved with the subtle acoustic guitar melody.

I really loved this album, making it definitely in my top 5 Kenny Chesney albums, especially because of its musical diversity and fun overall style.

-Brooks Gonzales 

   

Radiohead

Radiohead was and has always been a band that I've heard quite a lot about but I personally have never really gotten into or new much about.  But after to listening to them more this week my opinions have completely changed.  I really like the sound of Tom Yorke's style of vocals (especially his falsetto) and the musical style of the band overall, using some of the methods of grandiose arena rock bands like U2.  The guitar "texture" also borrows elements from other bands like Pink Floyd, R.E.M, and even a little from My Bloody Valentine.  All of which really persuaded me in favor of the group and their style. 

Their two best albums and, consequently, the ones I know the best are: The Bends (released in 1995) and OK Computer (released in 1997), both of which have some of my favorite songs on them.  On The Bends, my two favorite are: "My Iron Lung," and "Fake Plastic Trees," while on OK Computer there are songs like: "Paranoid Android," and "Karma Police."  Also, another favorite of mine, "Creep," is off of their first album-Pablo Honey.

(I personally love the guitar at the beginning of this song.)

With my introduction to Radiohead, the 90's are becoming even better to me, most notably because of the wide range of styles and genres that were lacking or even nonexistent in past decades. 

-Brooks Gonzales

Queens Of The Stone Age

After seeing the artists that will be appearing at ACL I was extremely excited to see that Queens Of The Stone Age was coming.  The crazy thing is that I didn't know much about them until I played one of their songs on Guitar Hero a few years ago, and honestly I totally forgot about them until seeing that they were coming.  I instantly became rather curious and I decided to look them up to see what else I could find about them.  I learned that the somewhat magical Dave Grohl, at one time drummer for Nirvana, lead vocalist and guitar player for the Foo Fighters, and drummer/co-founder of the rock supergroup, Them Crooked Vultures, also was involved fairly heavily with Queens Of The Stone Age this past decade.  After learning this, I can say that I truly became even more excited and interested in finding more of their music.

There are four songs that really stood out to me when I was listening to them: "3's and 7's," (the first Stone Age song I ever heard) "If Only," and "Mexicola," off of their self titled, full length album Queens Of The Stone Age, and their most popular song, "No One Knows."

Really cool concept for a video but viewer discretion is (Highly) advised

After doing this extensive research on QoTSA, I've realized that I really would like to see them live, whether it be at ACL or just a regular concert....preferably one with AC.

-Brooks Gonzales