You guys. David Wax Museum are back in Pittsburgh tomorrow night for a show at Club Cafe. Yes, the Boston-based band with the donkey jawbone will be playing at everyone's favorite PGH venue. Here's a track which epitomizes their Mexo-Americana stylings with an English-language version of a traditional Mexican folk song:
Be sure to check this track and others in their Daytrotter session. Be sure to check some other sweet performances which are floating around the interwebs, like this NPR Tiny Desk Concert which opens with this tune:
And most of all, be sure to be at Club Cafe tomorrow night at 8 (7 Central).
"...your careless heart invites me in, just to see me go..."
I found this band on thesixtyone the other day (a site worth checking out - fun way to discover new tunes). They're an instrumental outfit from Texas, named after a small town quite a ways away from the bigger cities. Their sound, however, is much larger than their namesake.
Balmorhea (pronounced Bal-moor-ay) bring lush orchestration and soaring melodies, reminiscent of carefree summer days. This track features a backbone of piano with strings along for the ride. A subtle guitar breakdown laced with ethereal vocal harmonies gives you a breather before the climax, when the pace picks up and claps join the strings and vocals in a manner reminiscent of The David Wax Museum. This type of tune could easily be part of a movie soundtrack, but stands alone as well:
Yet another ridiculously fun music video from OK Go. This one takes a different approach on the Rube Goldberg theme of the This Too Shall Pass video - now it's an electric car and some pretty good timing on a piano-laced desert stunt track:
Oh yeah, and here's the album version, where the visuals aren't nearly as impressive but the audio is a little clearer... well actually it's pretty distorted guitar, but.... yeah.
"So I been sitting around, wasting my time
wondering what you been doing
aw, and it ain't real forgiving, it ain't real forgiving
sitting here picturing someone else living..."
PS - you can download the "video version" (car version) of the song on the band's facebook page.
Time flies when you're having fun! I had a blast this past year posting a song every day (ok, fine, I only managed to post 362 songs in 365 days - sue me!) Many of the posts stemmed from surreal and amazingconcertexperiences, or time spent with close friends listening to and discussing the latest songs/artists/albums to blow our minds. It became clear, however, that my writing method could sometimes eat up a lot of time, listening to a track repeatedly while dissecting the lyrics and whatnot.
As part of an effort to dedicate a bit more time to other endeavors this year (like working on some of my own music), I have decided that I'm going to back off a bit here. I'll still try to post a song every day, or most days anyway; but you may get less exposition and insight. It may be I post a link or video with little to no comment more frequently, and leave it to you to listen, decide if you like it, and do some research if you do enjoy the artist.
Conversely, I think there's something to be said for quality over quantity as well. There are tons of great songs and artists out there, and I love discovering as many of them as possible and passing along the good word. However, sometimes in the past year when I had a busy day, and it's late at night, and I haven't had a particular song catch my ear, I found myself throwing up a song that might not have been quite up to snuff. Then again, since musical value is in the ear of the beholder (Willow Smith has a lot of fans, I hear), maybe it's not so bad if I post some songs that I personally only kind of like - maybe those songs will turn out to be some of your favorites. Bottom line, I'm not going to worry about it too much if I miss a day here or there and only post when a song actually inspires me to do so.
At any rate, if you have enjoyed at least a few songs I posted in 2011, you should definitely put my blog in your Google Reader or whatever you use and check it out from time to time, but don't get heartbroken if a day or two goes by without a post. If I let you down in that regard, check out sites like DrawUsLines (PGH music blog gurus), HughShows (PGH concert photos and more), or Tympanogram (Rochester, NY counterparts of the DUL crew). All of these sites put more time and effort into providing quality AND quantity content on their sites than I am able to dedicate right now.
Even better, go exploring yourself and turn up some sweet new tunes, then pass them my way and yell at me to blog about them!
May 2012 be full of joy and love and awesome songs for all of us.
When I decided to post a Collective Soul song tonight, I could have gotten cute again and picked "December"... but I didn't. This song is pretty heavy (sorry, had to be done), dealing with an overbearing relationship. Pretty straightforward lyrically; you won't get much exposition from me tonight.
The song is a great example of late '90s / early '00s rock, and sounds excellent through a good set of speakers where the stereo effects can fully hit you. Also, here's a kinda cool acoustic version performed in the desert in Morocco:
(look for other tracks performed similarly in Morocco... good stuff!)
What happens when a raucous punk band grows up? Well, sometimes, some of the members form a new band and start writing music like this. And sometimes, they get back together with the original crew after a decade, when they're all closer to forty than thirty, and we all know what happens then (actually, I haven't heard any of the new Blink 182 stuff yet...)
But yeah, Angels And Airwaves are what happens when a guy like Tom DeLonge decides to write slightly more mature music than "What's My Age Again?" and "The Party Song", and I kinda like it. DeLonge has one of those voices that can grate on you if you're not in the mood, but it actually works most of the time in this context. Here's a song which could have several meanings on numerous levels, but seeing as I had a pretty good day, the surface interpretation implies that this is appropriate for tonight...
For several reasons, I'm giving you a two-fer tonight (and you can thank my good buddy Ben for that term, although he used it in reference to a piano duet rather than a doubleheader of songs). First, I couldn't decide which Ventures tune to go with. Second, I found a sweet live video of two of my top three choices. Third, the songs are short anyway. Fourth, it's my party and I'll cry if I want to.
Anyway, the first time I posted a song by this groundbreaking instrumental rock band, I explained just why they are awesome; so I'll just let the music do the talking tonight. Here are two surf rock classics, performed live back in '64:
(I love the chugging riff in Pipeline, but the best part may be that their demeanor is so laid back while they are playing what was, at the time, some of the most progressive and "hard" music out there.)
My cousin posted this on Facebook the other day (yes, Facebook is evil, but we're in too deep at this point... discussion for another day.) The song is rife with intricately woven metaphors drawn from Homer's "Odyssey" - 'Ulysses' is the Latin version of the Greek name 'Odysseus'. If you've read the Odyssey, seen a film adaptation, or are otherwise at least familiar with the tale, you'll catch the aspects of the epic tale... storms, shipwrecks, and sirens.
The lyrics about being tied to the mast and pointed home resonate. If you don't know of the "Siren song", it was an irresistible melody sung by the mythical creatures which lured many sailors and their ships to doom, smashed on the rocks of the Sirens' lair. Odysseus had his crew plug their ears so as to not be lured by the song and lash him to the mast so he could hear the song but not act on the temptation to seek it out. Thus, he heard the beauty of the song without succumbing to the trap.
You know by now that I'm a piano guy, and I love the album version which is piano-driven, but I just might love the acoustic guitar version with no other instrumentation even more. That's the version I heard first, and it lets the emotion in the vocals really shine through... let me know which you prefer.
Album Version:
Live in NYC:
"So tie me to the mast of this old ship and point me home…"
Stayed home sick from a concert I was really looking forward to attending. Watched "Garden State" instead, and was reminded of some good tunes from the soundtrack. The film uses the Iron & Wine cover of this song (which is also awesome); I'm focusing on the original.
The Postal Service is (was?) a side project of Ben Gibbard (of DCFC fame) and Jimmy Tamborello. The name was derived from the fact that they recorded tracks for songs and mailed them to each other to build the songs. Kinda cool, eh?
The song is upbeat, electronic, and catchy, with lyrics celebrating finding one's soulmate... a bit cliched, perhaps, but still fun.
I don't believe I ever heard a song by R.E.M. that I didn't like. Full disclosure: I never really got into them beyond their radio hits, but some of those were really good and I don't know why I didn't check them out more. Maybe now is the time, seeing as they just called it quits today (after 31 years - wow!) I definitely love the band's name; the acronym certainly stands for some pretty sweet things (the Egyptian fish god is legit, but rapid eye movement is still my favorite.)
This is probably not considered to be one of their biggest hits, but I like it alot. The piano sets the stage for the nostalgic look at carefree, idyllic nights of youth enjoying life. There are some undertones of darker themes, but primarily it seems to be recalling simpler times.
My friend Jake just moved to the Pacific Northwest. I found out about Big Hurry thanks to Jake. Found out about Liisten.com thanks to Big Hurry. Found out about Ryan McAllister thanks to Liisten.com. Ryan McAllister is from Vancouver. Vancouver is a city in the Pacific Northwest. Six degrees of Kevin Bacon, if you will.
After listening to McAllister's album a few times, this track seems to jump out at me the most. It speaks of the fleeting nature of life and the situations we each face here on Earth. Some of us wander, some of us stay more or less in one place; some of us shine brightly, some flicker softly. Yet all of us are allotted only so many days... we each have a path to travel, and it's a glorious adventure along the way.
I have not posted a Fleet Foxes song since April, and they're pretty great, so here's another. It might be my favorite track of theirs. From the opening strains of melancholy guitar, I'm hooked every time. The harmonic wordless vocals set an eerie tone, and from Robin Pecknold's first lyrics, the foreboding hangs thick in the air.
Rumor has it the song is about a brother who has lost his way; Mykonos seems to represent either a safe haven - redemption from "the mess (he) made" - or perhaps a false salvation. The "vision of a gentle coast" and "sun to maybe dissipate" lines evoke the haven, but something about the other lyrics hints that Mykonos may not be the paradise the subject seeks, after all...
(the paper art music video was made by Sean Pecknold; who, if my limited internet research is accurate, is the "brother" to whom the song refers...)
Despite the un-googleable name, 1,2,3 are a pretty cool band. They hail from Pittsburgh, though you'd never guess it from the glamour shots of the city in this video. The opening shots of the bridges and PNC Park look like models - almost a Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood feel. Then the guitars kick in, and you're hooked. The video is a cross-section of the personalities of the various blue-collar neighborhoods of the city and the residents therein.
I haven't actually heard these guys live yet, but it's definitely on the agenda. If this track is any indication, seeing them play in person would be tons of fun. Oh yea, and you can totally see this building from my bedroom window AND at 2:43 of the music video:
You can even download a few tracks for just the price of an e-mail, if you're so inclined:
"God knows how I go and take it so hard..."
EDIT 1-9-12: Found some sweet performance videos. Check 'em.
(not sure whether to trust the free download from this Baeble site - some questionable comments below the video. don't blame me if you try it and get spammed.)
We're going soundtracking tonight, and it's all because The Best Movie Ever was on TV whilst I was eating dinner. That's right, Jurassic Park. Okay, maybe not the best movie ever, but pretty great, no? If you're somewhere around 25-35, you probably were blown away by the animatronics in the film like I was. Looking back 18 years later, the dinosaurs don't look nearly as awesome as we thought they did back then... must be how people who watched Star Wars as kids feel about the effects when they watch the movies again.
I loved dinosaurs as a kid; still pretty much do. The movie (and the book upon which it is based) is, at its heart, a cautionary tale about modern progress in science and technology. It's full of spectacular lines, mostly by Pittsburgh's own Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm.
"Now, eventually, ah, you do plan to have... dinosaurs... on your dinosaur tour...right?"
Of course, you have the action/adventure/drama of the dinosaurs escaping and chasing the humans around. But the real winner is the score composed by John Williams. The soundtrack complements each scene perfectly. The triumphant trumpet call as the helicopter approaches the island, the wondrous tone of the strings as the guests behold the brachiosaurus for the first time, the foreboding and unsettling horns as they approach the complex... the symphony enhances the film - precisely the intention. Bad movie soundtracks can be unoriginal and uninspiring, but good ones can really deepen the experience.
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As a footnote - while Google searching for Jeff Goldblum, I found some tragic news (which apparently escaped my attention for two years, for which I cannot forgive myself...)
If I had to describe The Ventures in one word, it might be 'slick'. Their virtuosity with their guitars is legendary in the music world, as they were pioneers in exploring new sounds which could be made on the instrument. Their efforts in the late '50s and early '60s paved the way for a plethora of other artists, thus earning them the moniker "The Band That Launched A Thousand Bands." The drummer is pretty smooth, too. They are possibly the most famous instrumental rock band of all time, and their catalog is well worth exploring.
My dad grew up learning to play guitar via songs by The Ventures and Simon & Garfunkel, which might partially explain my love for both groups. If you want to learn guitar or improve your existing skills, figuring out some of these songs is not a bad way to pick up some new things and work on dexterity...
This one, despite the threatening title, sounds joyful to my ears, with a soaring guitar lick and a chugging riff to bring it back down, all layered over a driving drum beat and hyperactive bass line. The segue into the muted bridge is spectacular, and then it builds right back up for the close...
It's actually based off the score of a ballet by the same name... but this version is a lot faster paced and more fun!
It's a new month, so it seems a good time for a song that speaks of new beginnings. Freelance Whales are more than just an epic band name. They bring slightly unconventional instrumentation to indie pop and slather it in lush harmonies.
The album "Weathervanes" is nonstop fun, start to finish. Oh wait, there's a pretty sad song right in the middle... but other than that, nonstop fun. And this track kicks it off with a bang... wait I mean a banjo:
Part of the reason I picked this song today was so I could also show you this video of the PS22 Chorus collaborating with the Whales:
And just for good measure, an NPR Tiny Desk version which lets you watch them play their instruments (I'm not really sure what that is... a box-cordion? oh wait let me google it ~ a "harmonium". cool.):
"We keep on churning and the lights inside the house turn on And in our native language we are chantin' ancient songs Then when we quiet down, the house chants on without us."
In other news, I'm experimenting with a fun site called thesixtyone.com. It's a little bit of a different take on discovering new music; I recommend checking it out. Here's this track on the site: http://www.thesixtyone.com/s/Vx2GgH2oe9U/
Still don't believe the Pittsburghindiemusicscene is legit? Here's further proof. I haven't yet seen Lohio live, but songs like this assure me that I must do so in the near The instrumentation is delightful, the vocals ethereal, and the lyrics confounding yet simple. Top it off with an amazing video featuring a cute kid's romp with a friendly monster (oddly reminiscent of another video I posted a while back), and you have yourselves some fine art:
Oh hey look this song just so happens to also be another of the excellent Echo Chamber series:
Once again, Draw Us Lines' dedication to promoting great music (especially local) comes up aces.
Rebecca St. James might have been my first crush. Pretty face, pretty voice, doesn't take much more than that. But seriously, this Aussie songstress may be off the market, but I still enjoy her music. This one has a lilting Celtic feel in 6/8 time, and is all about hope and faith that although we go through dark times, there is light ahead.
The title stems from The Last Battle, seventh in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia . One of my favorite authors, and possibly my favorite book of the series. The final chapter in the book, called "Farewell to Shadowlands" describes the end of the world of Narnia, and the journey of the main characters of the series "further up and further in" as the "shadowlands" of Narnia are destroyed and they discover that there is a bigger and better Narnia within and they are to stay there with Aslan.
"There was a real railway accident," said Aslan softly. "Your father and mother and all of you are - as you used to call it in the Shadowlands - dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning."
"The shadowlands surround me now
but You walk with me through the cloud
into the sun..."
You've heard this one, or at least parts of it. Guaranteed. It's the overture to a classic piece of classical music - the opera Guillaume Tell. The third movement, "Call to the Cows", is fairly commonly used in various media outlets, so I bet you've heard it - kind of a "waking up on an early spring morning" feel, used in a Disney cartoon, and I'm pretty sure it was also used in a Bugs Bunny cartoon in that type of setting. The fourth movement is the part you've definitely heard - it was the theme song for The Lone Ranger (Radio and TV programs), and is used in movies, TV, etc. and sampled by musicians for hip-hop tracks and whatnot.
The full 12-minute overture is good, with the slower first and third movements setting the stage for "The Storm" (second movement) and the finale (the Lone Ranger part) and their fast-paced excitement:
You should also read up on the Legend of William Tell - he seems like he was a pretty cool dude, standing up against tyrannical rulers and whatnot. Yea, he's the one who shot an apple off the head of his son with a crossbow, thanks to the tyrannical ruler's being a jerkface. Pretty rad dude, that William Tell...
So it's officially summer as of last week, and tonight we're going to just enjoy a fun summer song (see what I did there)? The Beach Boys were kings of summery tunes that embodied the spirit of American youth and adventure. Sometimes they sang about surfing, sometimes cars, sometimes girls... sometimes all three. This one's mostly about the latter two, and kicks off with a sweet little tribute to Chuck Berry and "Johnny B. Goode"...
(OK, so maybe Brian Wilson got a little lazy, rhyming "now" with "now" with "now" here, but I think we can forgive that in light of the awesome harmonies and fun story... woops, did it again!)
"Well the girls can't stand her 'Cause she walks looks and drives like an ace now She makes the Indy 500 look like a Roman chariot race now A lotta guys try to catch her But she leads them on a wild goose chase now..."
