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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
During the 90's, the nation, and the world, experienced a huge boom in both hip-hop and rap. This group really peaked my interests, more so than many other groups of the time. The Fugees is a group composed of three people: Lauryn Hill (Not only is she the only female in the group but she is also is an amazing vocalist and rapper as well), Prakazrel (Pras) Michel, and the very well known Haitian rapper and singer, Wyclef Jean. Although they were formed in New Jersey in the late 80's, their very authentic Haitian sound is definitely what sets them apart from every other rap group of that time. In my opinion their second album, The Score, is by far their best...despite the fact that they (as a group) only made three albums, mainly because of the diversity that is shown throughout it; a little reggae, hip-hop, and rap.
On The Score, there are four songs that I really enjoyed listening to and that made me really interested in learning more about them; "Ready Or Not," "Fu-Gee-La," a cover of Roberta Flack's number one hit "Killing Me Softly (With His Song," and an awesome cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry."
Here is an awesome version of "No Woman, No Cry," with Stephen Marley singing on the track as well.
The Fugees, although very different in some respects compared to other rap groups of the time, were really quite amazing together, bringing aspects to hip-hop that changed the genre forever.
Previous to today, I knew absolutely nothing about this strange band who call themselves The Mowgli's. I heard them for the first time today on the radio with their breakout single: "San Francisco." It really interested me because of the really catchy acoustic guitar melody at the beginning and the group vocal effect that they use in the song. Also, throughout the chorus they use horns, which of course will always interest me, especially when it's a trumpet. After the song ended I decided I wanted to learn more about this mysterious band that just so happened to appear today. I found out that they actually were formed in 2009 with seven guys and one girl, many of whom come from the greater Los Angeles area. I can't exactly say what they sound like but if I had to, I'd have to go with a slight mix of modern pop bands like Fun. or Grouplove but also some indie rock bands like Arcade Fire.
So, this is just about the coolest video ever. It explains who everyone is in the band and how they got started. They really are pretty cool and interesting people just trying to make some music. (Love the bassist)
I almost hate to say it but...I think I kind of like a hipster band...
Well...I can definitely say that I was not expecting that...at all...but it sure is catchy, and honestly it does have some pretty cool musical aspects to it as well. Especially the trumpet feature about half way through. Other than that though...I think the video is a bit corny.
Another song that really stood out to me is called "Time." I really love just the acoustic guitar and the vocals by themselves at the beginning of the song. Michael Vincze also has a certain edge to his voice but yet it still sounds really smooth and relaxing. It's a much more "real" song than some of the others, especially lyrically wise.
This is also another really cool recording of a song called "The Great Divide."
This song is one probably one of their "more intense" ones but I really like it, especially the drums and the guitar at the beginning.
I love the vocals in this song!
And with that, there is the their first EP, Love's Not Dead. As much as it surprises me to say it, I think that I really like a pop band...definitely something that doesn't happen very often. After hearing these songs, I'm very curious to see what they will do next.
As we continue to push on through the 90's, we have finally come upon one of my favorite bands, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. These guys have been playing since the early 80's starting with their first, self entitled album, Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1984. Yet, they never really did become super stars until 1991 and their 5th album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (although they did do an amazing cover of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground on their fourth album, Mother's Milk). Blood Sugar Sex Magik is one amazing album, containing a slew of instantly recognizable songs like: "Give It Away," "Blood Sugar Sex Magik," "Under the Bridge," and one of my personal favorites "Sir Psycho Sexy." One other thing that I really like about the chili peppers is that their songs are about real, emotional things, unlike many of the shallow hair metal bands of the 80's. Unfortunately, the Chili Pepper's outstanding guitarist, John Frusciante, constantly faced battles with heroin addiction that sent him into a spiraling depression that almost ruined his career. Although he was able recover, he never did fully recover his amazing abilities on the guitar. He returned to the Chili Pepper's to record Californication, their eighth album in 1999.
If only everyone could play the bass like Flea...
So, that was weird...not really sure what this song is about but Kiedis' staccato enunciation's in his very strange raps make this song one to remember.
Another really strange song lyrically, but I really love Frusciante's opening theme on the guitar, a little tribute to the funk before their time.
This is such an amazing song...it's incredible to think that Frusciante was only about 19ish when they recorded this song. One of their best in my opinion.
One of my favorite RHCP songs of all time.
No matter how weird these guys may be, they definitely know how to play. Whether it be Chad Smith on the drums, Flea on the bass, Kiedis on lead vocal, or Frusciante on lead guitar, one always knows that they will be thoroughly entertained.
I'm finding my self quite content at the point in music history where we are currently located in class. Although I did really like most of what we listened to throughout the 60's, 70's, and 80's, the musical sound of the 90's really makes me feel at home. Pearl Jam is no exception to this, and even though they do sound a bit dated (unlike Nirvana or even some Nine Inch Nails for example) I still really enjoy Eddie Vedder's extremely unique and almost rough voice along with Mike McCready shredding it on the guitar.
Can't say I really enjoy the hair though...
Their first album released in 1991, Ten, starts off with three great songs: "Once," "Even Flow," and "Alive," in that order. To me this album really touches many roots of rock legends like Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, which are shown especially in McCready's Hendrix/Paige/Clapton-esque style leads. All three songs mentioned above really showcase this.
Another song I really like that they've recorded is "Better Man," off of their 1994 album, Vitalogy.
So I really don't care what anyone else thinks, the beginning of that video is really quite amazing ...I have never seen anything like that ever before.
Although, in my opinion, Pearl Jam really hasn't released much to the level of quality as their music from the 90's it's still pretty cool that they've made it this far.
Unfortunately, I am still running out of new music, fairly quickly too. But fortunately, I have found a short term solution, and as you probably may have already guessed, I have filled the void with mix of songs covered by some of my favorite bands, some of which I really like the original, others not so much. For example I have found really interesting (not all amazing) covers of Desperado (The Eagles), Feeling Good (recorded by almost everyone), Careless Whisper (George Micheal), and Over My Head (The Fray).
Starting with Desperado: I personally really do enjoy the Eagles original recording of the song, yet I also like the country spin that Clint Black puts on it along with the very interesting punk rockish alternative spin a band called Me First And The Gimme Gimme's put on it. Unlike Clint Black, these guys are known for the covers that they do including the likes of "Rich Girl," "Only The Good Die Young," and "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)."
So I guess the western movie characters make sense?
So there were live recordings, but they are pretty awful live, so I decided to save your ears...somewhat anyway
Feeling Good is probably one of the most covered songs of all time, but in this case I'd like to talk about the Muse version. I think this song really brings out the soulful and exciting aspects Matthew Bellamy's voice. He also incorporates his incredible range throughout the song, jumping octaves like it's nothing.
Besides the fact that the background people are really creepy, it's an amazing cover.
One song I never would've thought that I would've liked was Careless Whisper. In my opinion, George Michael is just another 80's pop "superstar," who had very so so songs. Yet the South African based band, Seether's, cover of the song has done it many favors. I really like the more intense sound of the song especially with the guitar and drums.
(Just a quick side note: the lead singer sounds a lot like Daughtry....technically Daughtry sounds a lot like him because they came first but still.)
The last song I want to cover(...get it...) is Over My Head (Cable Car), originally recorded by The Fray. Now, I have nothing wrong with this song and I actually really like The Fray, yet a band that I have previously blogged about, A Day To Remember, made a really awesome cover. Because they are much more intense sounding musically than The Fray, it really allows you to appreciate the quality of the song because it sounds good played by very different groups.
The man has a really good voice, I sometimes don't understand why he feels it necessary to scream like that, yet every time I listen I try to keep an open mind.
After doing this little cover experiment, I've concluded that really they are hits and misses a lot of the time, but really many of them, or at least the ones I have found, are really worth listening to.
Ah the 90's, full of rebellious, loud, aggressive grunge bands with Nirvana being no exception. The trio out of Washington state is what I like to think of the definition of grunge; with the combination of Cobain's raspy and distinctive voice, the intense slamming on the drums, and the whaling of the guitar (and sometimes intense bass...when you can hear it) makes for one amazing rock band.
Their most famous album, Nevermind, is full of lovely and happy hits like everyone's favorite: "Smells Like Teen Spirit," along with others like "In Bloom," "Breed," and "Lithium." Another one of my favorites, "Heart Shaped Box," isn't on this particular album but on their third album In Utero.
It honestly took me about 3 years to fully understand what Cobain is "singing" throughout the chorus.
I'm sorry? What about the dinosaurs?
So, um...what did I just watch?
Despite the fact that these guys makes some of the strangest videos I have ever seen, they sure know how to rock. And although Cobain is no where near to the level of playing as some other guitarists of the time like Mike McCready of Pearl Jam or even Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, that's what makes him (and the band) so unique.
