I'm All Ears

To celebrate a week that finally saw an end to my annoying ear infection (not a pleasant way to start the year), I thought I would share some examples of what I am listening to these days:

Soul singer Sharon Jones found herself battling an even more serious health problem (the big "C") over the last year, forcing her to postpone a tour and album with her band, the Dap-Kings. I'm so happy to hear that she is better and that her new album, Give The People What they Want, was released last week. Soul music fan that I am, I had really been looking forward to hearing this one, as the first two singles, "Retreat" and "Stranger To My Happiness," are slamming! The rest of the album mellows out a bit, contains some "iffy" lyrics, and I wish there was more "fire" on the other tracks, but you can't deny its overall musicality.

Continuing on the retro-tip, Sarah and I love the cover of the old American folk song, "Fare Thee Well (Dink's Song)," which is featured on the soundtrack for the new Coen Brothers' movie, Inside Llewyn Davis. I haven't seen the movie yet (which I hear is "loosely/controversially" based on the life of singer Dave Van Ronk), but if the music is any indication, it should be interesting! 

Lead actor/singer Oscar Isaac joins Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons) on the track. Every time I hear it on the radio, it makes the thought of our currently bitter cold weather a little more bearable...

Speaking of warmth, Shins frontman James Mercer continues to come up with the heartfelt goods on his latest single with side project Broken Bells:

"Holding On For Life" is the latest in a string of interesting, melodic tracks from Mercer-- this one has sort of a "Bee Gees" kind of vibe to it, which might explain the title of Broken Bells' forthcoming album, After the Disco (set for release on February 4). It's funny... I once resisted The Shins, thinking they were a bit pretentious, but this is classic pop song craft. Maybe I need to give the rest of Mercer's back catalogue a try... (The Shins did surprise me by releasing my favorite album of 2012, Port of Morrow). 

So bring it on, 2014... if this is any indication of the year to come, and my own musical aspirations pan out (doing more singing, and just got a new amp for my electric guitar!) I like the sound of it.

Related Links:

"Sharon Jones on Beating Cancer and Career Advice From Inmates," 

Rolling Stone, January 17, 2014

"Ring The Bells," Halesowen News, January 18, 2014

"T Bone Burnett: 'Inside Llewyn Davis? It’s the story of my life,'" The Independent, January 22, 2014

Soundtrack of the Year

Hmmph... we discovered a bit of a surprise upon arriving at The Lumineers' free show at the Upstate Concert Hall last night...around 2000 other people thought it was a good idea to check out as well! The line weaved it's way through the parking lot of this modest strip mall (don't ask), and unfortunately we were on the side of "over-capacity" to even think about entering the small club. Too bad. I noticed on the band's Facebook that they had tried to play a few songs outside to make it up to the rest of us, but the cops had other ideas. We decided to head back to Schenectady with one of my fellow improv mates for drinks at the Bier Abbey, so it ended up being a good night after all.

I'm sure we'll catch the band some other time. I love their new album... in fact, it made it on to my top 10 list for the year. Yes, it's that time... can't resist the trend for making one of these year-end lists, especially when it comes to music... so here's to you, 2012:

10. Divine Fits, A Thing Called Divine Fits

When I first started hearing the song "Would That Not Be Nice" on the radio, I thought that it must be the newest from the band Spoon... I was half-right. The distinctive vocals were indeed from Spoon's lead singer, Britt Daniel, but also backed up by musicians from such bands as Wolf Parade and Handsome Furs. There is a bit more strange retro keyboard sheen on this supergroup's debut album, and that's all good.

9. Delta Spirit, Delta Spirit 

"California," the lead single from Delta Spirit's self-titled album, hinted at a return to glory... but still shy of their masterpiece: 2008's Ode to Sunshine. A little rougher sound this time out, hinting at an exploration of new sonic territories for the San Diego band (one of my favorites). 

8. Bruce Springsteen, Wrecking Ball

I tend to avoid the crowd when it comes to picking favorite music, but I do admire Bruce Spingsteen. In this case, the lead single "We Take Care of Our Own" was one of the year's most exciting tracks... the rest of the folk-tinged album holds up, and was an inspiring, rallying cry for this fragmented election year. 

7. Alabama Shakes, Boys & Girls

Hearing this Southern band's bluesy sound was a nice surprise! I first thought that the husky lead vocals were from a man, but remained impressed when I realized it was the soulful Ms. Brittany Howard... channeling Janis Joplin. "I Found You" should have been played at our wedding.

6. Django Django, Django Django

If a garage/surf rock band from the 1960s started messing around with Kraftwerk's electronics, I imagine this is what they would sound like. "Default" was one of the year's best, quirky tracks.

5. Diego Garcia, Laura

Well... this album was actually released last year, and we were already intrigued by such songs as "You Were Never There" that we started hearing on the radio, but seeing the artist perform live in Albany this past February sold it for us... so much so that we chose one of his songs as the first dance at our wedding. Wonderful instrumentation and songwriting on this ode to unrequited love... extra points that the Latin alternative artist invited us up on stage to dance at his show this past summer.

4. Frank Turner, England Keep My Bones

As wonderful as the year was, I also had my share of frustrated moments... This feisty British songwriter's album (also released in 2011) served as a great soundtrack, as I learned to channel my anger into a positive direction. Like a young Billy Bragg calling out life's many inequalities, he never strayed too far from great, spirited melodies.

3. The Lumineers, The Lumineers

Charming, heart-felt indie-folk. "Stubborn Love" may be one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in years...

2. J.D. McPherson, Signs & Signifiers

Major label release for an album that was originally released a couple years old... yet it sounds like it could have been recorded back in the late 1950s! Pure, rockabilly soul that might actually intimidate the Stray Cats... tight, backing band; effortless songs; and some serious soulful swagger from McPherson, a former art teacher. They don't need to change a thing, and I can't wait to see them live at some point.

1. The Shins, Port of Morrow

A couple years back, I never thought I would find myself expressing an interest in The Shins. In addition to that "popularity" thing mentioned above, I found the band's 2007 music to be a little too precious... pretentious... studied. However when I heard "Simple Song" off this year's album, I was hooked... I listened to this album non-stop on Spotify (one of the year's best tools!) before finally venturing out to buy a physical copy (not an easy task in these digital download days). Singer-songwriter James Mercer seemed to let his guard down with these tracks, which showcased romantic yearning, melodic hooks, and plenty of songwriting smarts. Maybe I was wrong about these guys... if so, please forgive me, Natalie Portman.

So there you have it... a wonderful year for music. Who said rock was dead?

40 Something

Continuing on the thread of paying respects to creative individuals my own age (see Alex Ross, Britt Daniel), I have to give props to James Mercer, the founder and lead singer/songwriter for the band, The Shins. I have been slow to come around to this band--in fact, I really didn't care for what I heard from their last record... it seemed a little too pretentious (see "Phantom Limb"), and I think all the praise I had heard about the band (see the film, Garden State) made me skeptical.

But I have to say... their newest material, lead by such tracks as "Simple Song" and "It's Only Life," has me playing their latest album, Port of Morrow, over and over again... these are sublime, pure pop songs, both melodic and slightly melancholic--just the way I like them. Here's a track that I adore, "40 Mark Strasse":



Reportedly the song is about a German prostitute, which makes it all that more intriguing (sorry, Mom). Perhaps this and the other songs off Port of Morrow reinforce my belief that intelligent pop music can still be made... by my fellow forty-somethings, no less! Learning that Mercer was also part of the recent side-project Broken Bells, which had some excellent songs of their own, makes me think it might be time to stop shunning the Shins... but I'll still hold some caution, like any good hipster would... thank you very much, Natalie Portman.


 
www.theshins.com/home

T.G.I.F.!

Spring Fever!

Sarah's irises in bloom!
Flowers ©Sarah K. All rights reserved.

Happy first day of spring... it feels more like summer around these parts. Windows down... people out walking... flowers blooming... sundresses(!)... and music (of course).


Sarah and I won tickets to see the Philadelphia band Dr. Dog tonight... I mean BOTH of us won a pair of tickets to see them! Rather funny, but looking forward to the show. They have an interesting sound, that reminds me a little of one of my faves, Delta Spirit.


Speaking of Delta Spirit, I have given their new album a couple listens. It sounds good, but I'm still not sure if it will grab me the way Ode To Sunshine did. There are albums that grow on me though... so we'll see. 









One album that I absolutely LOVE is Bruce Springsteen's latest, Wrecking Ball. I have never been a big Bruce fan, but the first track, "We Take Care Of Our Own" and, as it turns out, the rest of the album has such an energy... Bruce is pissed at a lot of the tensions happening in the U.S... rightfully so! 





Listening to Bruce's album on Spotify, I was caught unaware when it started playing a couple of his older albums in the cue immediately afterward. When I realized this was, in fact, Darkness On The Edge of Town and The Promise, it made me think that I have been mostly unaware of why he has been so greatly admired (love his version of "Because The Night")! A similar thing happened with Bob Dylan recently... I blame it on growing up during the '80s, when both of these artists were widely viewed as über-commercial or past their prime. I love being enlightened...


Spotify is a great place to check out albums-- I love it! I'm going to go and listen to a bit of the Shins' latest, Port of Morrow. Again, another band that has been so widely hailed, but the music I had been hearing to this point just sounded pretentious or "hipster-approved." I must admit that I love their latest, "Simple Song," and just heard another good one as I drove home today... they just sound like they're actually enjoying themselves (with falsettos and everything).





So I hope this great weather continues, so I can listen to new/old tunes, and sing at the top of my lungs... look for me along I-90... I'm not ashamed!