These are five artists who came close to making my favorites of the year. For whatever reasons, they did not make it.
I like this band, but something is not quite complete yet. If they can keep it together long enough to fill in the hole, good things can happen.
I made the mistake of calling this band the Canadian Posies earlier this year. They've been around just as long. I knew this, but failed to make the connection. It's a very pleasant record, but did not have enough to push the top twenty two.
This is a monster of an album. It could be a Grammy sleeper. That said, I really wanted to embrace it, but it's too damn clean. Every note is programmed, played with expert technical precision. I wanted some spontaneity, this record is missing that.
Close, so close.
Is it me or is the video kinda pervy?
Sondre: I love you. You are the Norwegian son I do not have. You are a talented musician and arranger. A craftsman of your instruments. Son, it's been eight years since I've been following your career. It's time to get a lyricist.
Going to get to work on the obsessive liner notes soon and tweak the order of the year's best over the weekend. Expect the official release in a couple of weeks.
Showing posts with label first of the month project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first of the month project. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
The Bills are 5-2, here's some of the soundtrack
Since I'm not a Halloween person, here's the first of the month What I've Been Listening to project, a day early.
This may be my favorite Venezuelan metal band. Ok, screw the maybe, it is! Thanks once again to the Music Alliance Pact for this rocker!
These guys have been doing some touring, previewing some new material for their upcoming February release. I'll never see them for $12 again.
She's released her follow up to Lungs and I'm a bit on the fence. There are a couple of strong cuts on it, but too much of it sounds the same.
White Curtis Mayfield is back. I like this kid. The video for this song has a lot of bad marksmanship. Seriously. A lot of bullets do not find their target.
I think this is the best album of the year.
Will 2011 be the breakout year the Explorer's Club deserve? They have some free music previewing their efforts at Amazon that is worth checking out.
This may be my favorite Venezuelan metal band. Ok, screw the maybe, it is! Thanks once again to the Music Alliance Pact for this rocker!
These guys have been doing some touring, previewing some new material for their upcoming February release. I'll never see them for $12 again.
She's released her follow up to Lungs and I'm a bit on the fence. There are a couple of strong cuts on it, but too much of it sounds the same.
White Curtis Mayfield is back. I like this kid. The video for this song has a lot of bad marksmanship. Seriously. A lot of bullets do not find their target.
I think this is the best album of the year.
Will 2011 be the breakout year the Explorer's Club deserve? They have some free music previewing their efforts at Amazon that is worth checking out.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tonight is tomorrow
Since I'll be busy with the Merseyside Derby in the morning. Shopping in the afternoon, and the Doctor Who finale at night - here is what I've been listening to over the past few weeks.
He's coming to Columbus on Wednesday. Just him, and a guitar. We're going.
I know very little about the Eurovision Song Contest. I've been finding some very interesting songs on youtube from it and am thinking of doing a weekly feature here. Again, I know nothing about this, but digging around one can find the scary, the plain weird, and the amazing. I really like finding international music through youtube, you learn a lot.
Case in point.
Stevie Jackson, the guitarist of Belle & Sebastian has just released his debut solo album, and it's pretty darn good.
Been listening to 12 Songs, always loved his original version that Three Dog Night turned into the hit.
I was going to post something off his wonderful new record, The Old Magic, but stumbled across this video, which I had never seen before. Listened to a set of his from Maryland last Sunday. He opened for Wilco and sounded sweet. This man has a deep catalog of great songs that have been long ignored and overlooked. He's one of the best.
That's what's been on in the car, and in my headphones.
He's coming to Columbus on Wednesday. Just him, and a guitar. We're going.
I know very little about the Eurovision Song Contest. I've been finding some very interesting songs on youtube from it and am thinking of doing a weekly feature here. Again, I know nothing about this, but digging around one can find the scary, the plain weird, and the amazing. I really like finding international music through youtube, you learn a lot.
Case in point.
Stevie Jackson, the guitarist of Belle & Sebastian has just released his debut solo album, and it's pretty darn good.
Been listening to 12 Songs, always loved his original version that Three Dog Night turned into the hit.
I was going to post something off his wonderful new record, The Old Magic, but stumbled across this video, which I had never seen before. Listened to a set of his from Maryland last Sunday. He opened for Wilco and sounded sweet. This man has a deep catalog of great songs that have been long ignored and overlooked. He's one of the best.
That's what's been on in the car, and in my headphones.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
First of the Month Project (September)
The hurricane caused some minor damage to my parents property and I think the wind gave them a bit to think about as well. But it looks like most of my friends and family are alright.
Leaving tomorrow for Scotland, which means this blog is most likely not going to be updated for a couple of weeks. I should have some limited access to email and internet, but I'll be elsewhere.
Before I go, let's continue with the First of the Month Project, aka What I've Been Listening To.
I do not like the lip synching, but I've always been charmed by this cover.
The Motels had a couple of hits in the eighties. Recently, what should have been their third album, Apocolypto, was released. It contained different mixes and track listing from what became their breakout record, All for One. I always like this song from the record. Never became a single. A shame. Good to hear Martha Davis is still rocking.
I liked Beirut's last record and their new one, The Rip Tide, is just as haunting and catchy.
Going to see him in October. Stoked!
I'm not a fan of The Fiery Furnaces, but I like this record by the female half of the duo.
This is the song my son's been listening to on the iPod.
Back in a couple. You call play nice.
Leaving tomorrow for Scotland, which means this blog is most likely not going to be updated for a couple of weeks. I should have some limited access to email and internet, but I'll be elsewhere.
Before I go, let's continue with the First of the Month Project, aka What I've Been Listening To.
I do not like the lip synching, but I've always been charmed by this cover.
The Motels had a couple of hits in the eighties. Recently, what should have been their third album, Apocolypto, was released. It contained different mixes and track listing from what became their breakout record, All for One. I always like this song from the record. Never became a single. A shame. Good to hear Martha Davis is still rocking.
I liked Beirut's last record and their new one, The Rip Tide, is just as haunting and catchy.
Going to see him in October. Stoked!
I'm not a fan of The Fiery Furnaces, but I like this record by the female half of the duo.
This is the song my son's been listening to on the iPod.
Back in a couple. You call play nice.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
But I will never lose my head tonight
The hurricane is headed up the East Coast. Like many, I have plenty of family and friends in Irene's path, including my parents. I spoke to my Mom yesterday, they're fine. She mentioned the long lines at the gas stations, that they had plenty of food. They're going to be fine, as long as no trees blow through their windows, but I worry. This is one of the frequent times I feel guilty being so far away.
My wife is going to see her Father for the first time in over two years this week. He and her Sister are even further away. It's hard to imagine what she has done for love, crazy! This week she filled out the paperwork to have her permanent resident status updated. Today I mailed that out. We're likely to hear back from Homeland Security soon, with a note that her status has been extended another year while they review the paperwork. Sometime after that, she'll find out she can stay another ten years.
We've been watching my son for about ten days straight. When he gets on the bus Monday morning, I will not see him until the next Thursday. While I'm away, he will turn nine. He's a great kid. Even greater once toilet trained. He's been listening to a song on my iPod all weekend, walking all around the first floor of the house, holding the iPod, taking the beginning of the song in, then restarting. I'll post the song tomorrow, as part of the 'What I've been Listening to" project.
My wife is going to see her Father for the first time in over two years this week. He and her Sister are even further away. It's hard to imagine what she has done for love, crazy! This week she filled out the paperwork to have her permanent resident status updated. Today I mailed that out. We're likely to hear back from Homeland Security soon, with a note that her status has been extended another year while they review the paperwork. Sometime after that, she'll find out she can stay another ten years.
We've been watching my son for about ten days straight. When he gets on the bus Monday morning, I will not see him until the next Thursday. While I'm away, he will turn nine. He's a great kid. Even greater once toilet trained. He's been listening to a song on my iPod all weekend, walking all around the first floor of the house, holding the iPod, taking the beginning of the song in, then restarting. I'll post the song tomorrow, as part of the 'What I've been Listening to" project.
Monday, August 1, 2011
First of the Month Project
The political divide continues to grow in this country. It seems no opposing sides can look at a landscape and agree that it even is a landscape. How can you determine the forest, trees when you cannot even define what is being observed?
We have this thing, and it's really bad. Does it matter who caused it, and when anymore? Or is it time to look at right now and the future - maybe even do something about it instead of posturing and worrying about your ideology winning or maintaining political power during the next election cycle.
There's more than a bit of vitriol passed about on the Facebook and message boards. I'm trying to stay out of it this time, having some popcorn, snacks and a beverage.
May start doing something new here on the first day of every month. A little feature called 'What I've been Listening to." Not necessarily what is new, but what I've been listening to in the car, on the iTunes, on TuneInRadio. Some of these songs may make the year end list, some may not. I'll try and pick about 3-6 songs each month and see how it goes.
I am mixed about her last two records, but this song, off an EP she put out for her recent tour, is a real winner. I like the effort she made to go out of her comfort zone here, alot.
Post Clarence death here. This song's been on in the car quite a bit. It even inspired a poem. This is a great performance.
Found this one through a Scottish Music Blog The Vinyl Villain. Had no idea there was a version released before the hit. Liking this one.
First heard of her singing with Jeff Beck on the Grammys a couple of years ago. She just released Mayhem, and it's boss!
One of the joys of listening to radio 10 out of Amsterdam. This gem of a Dutch hit from 1973.
Still missing Paul Hester.
Alright, let's see if I can remember this for next month. Whoops I'll be out of the country. Will figure something out.
Finally, have to give a shout out to my archenemy Scott Woods, he's going to be talking about poetry slam, along with Simone Beaubien on the NPR show On Point this Wednesday at 11AM EDT.
We have this thing, and it's really bad. Does it matter who caused it, and when anymore? Or is it time to look at right now and the future - maybe even do something about it instead of posturing and worrying about your ideology winning or maintaining political power during the next election cycle.
There's more than a bit of vitriol passed about on the Facebook and message boards. I'm trying to stay out of it this time, having some popcorn, snacks and a beverage.
May start doing something new here on the first day of every month. A little feature called 'What I've been Listening to." Not necessarily what is new, but what I've been listening to in the car, on the iTunes, on TuneInRadio. Some of these songs may make the year end list, some may not. I'll try and pick about 3-6 songs each month and see how it goes.
I am mixed about her last two records, but this song, off an EP she put out for her recent tour, is a real winner. I like the effort she made to go out of her comfort zone here, alot.
Post Clarence death here. This song's been on in the car quite a bit. It even inspired a poem. This is a great performance.
Found this one through a Scottish Music Blog The Vinyl Villain. Had no idea there was a version released before the hit. Liking this one.
First heard of her singing with Jeff Beck on the Grammys a couple of years ago. She just released Mayhem, and it's boss!
One of the joys of listening to radio 10 out of Amsterdam. This gem of a Dutch hit from 1973.
Still missing Paul Hester.
Alright, let's see if I can remember this for next month. Whoops I'll be out of the country. Will figure something out.
Finally, have to give a shout out to my archenemy Scott Woods, he's going to be talking about poetry slam, along with Simone Beaubien on the NPR show On Point this Wednesday at 11AM EDT.
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