Refining Tastes (part duex)

In continuation of my last post, here are some other bands that I've been really been into that are along the same vein as the others:

The Whitest Boy Alive- Dreams (2006)

"Burning"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz1V0gaCsK4

Yet another band from northern Europe, The Whitest Boy Alive is a project that is definitely a lot more pop than rock. They have put out a couple records since this debut, but "Dreams" proves to be a groovy, poppy exploration into songwriting. I had quite a good time listening to this record, as it provides a good look into both lead singer/songwriter Ereland Oye's view of life and love; and a way to remember why he thinks that. Quite a cool album.


Miike Snow- Miike Snow (2009)

"Black & Blue"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oKQSAt4c4c

All I can say about this song, record, and band is "FUCK YES". Miike Snow, a Swedish dance/indie band was formed by famed producers and songwriters of the same nationality Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg. Who are these people you might ask? They wrote many, many of the popular songs of the late 90's and early 2000's; most notably, but not limited to "Toxic" as performed by Brittany Spears. Amongst other heavy hitters such as Kylie Minouge, Christina Aguilera, and Jennifer Lopez. With names such as these we might say "REALLY?!" but these are probably some of the most talented songwriters I have ever encountered. Simply said, they write songs to sell to big name artists. With these minds working together on their own material, Miike Snow is in my opinion one of the most beautifully crafted records of the 2000's. There is not a single skip in the entire record. Each break, move, and transition is planned with complete and utter accuracy, as well as each lyric. These guys know what they're doing.

With credentials like these, it is hard not to give these guys a fighting chance; and it really isn't hard to. Also, it is important to check out their live show. Though I haven't personally seen them, they have a slew of HQ youtube videos that set themselves far far above other bands of the same genre, posting them in my book as one of my all time favorite electronic/pop/indie acts.

Refining Tastes

There comes a time in everyone's life when something that once seemed repulsive turns into something most loved; and vice versa. Whether this be someone you love, the music you love, religion, or anything for that matter; it seems to happen to everyone at some point.

I have come to a point in my listening of music where this has happened. Much of the music I find myself getting into are things I wouldn't have touched with a ten-foot pole even a year ago. These are all bands that are extremely concerned with melody and catchy-ness.

It's so funny to me that there was a point in my life where I was so concerned with being into bands that no one heard of that I had lost sight of the most important aspect of music: "Does it sound good?"

These following are all bands that I think almost everyone can listen to on this most primal level of music; it being memorable and fun to listen to.

Neon Trees- Habits (2010)

"Animal"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7Hlg75Mlo

I had the good fortune of being able to play with these guys last summer at KRZQ's "Spring Forward By Paying it Forward". I wish I had an idea of who these guys were then. All I remember is the lead singer sitting upstairs with us and thinking "who is this guy with the mohawk and super tight pants?" They played an amazing set that night, and I've been hooked on their feel-good mixture of pop, dance, and punk influences that just keep offering up catchy lines to sing in your head day in and out. The Utah (yes Utah) based band has gotten some good exposure opening up for bands such as The Killers, however they are one of those bands that should really be receiving more credit for being both an amazing live and studio act. Check them out.

Carolina Liar- Coming To Terms (2008)

"I'm Not Over"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijSg4NkOIeY

This LA based band that hails from Carolina, and Sweden are an incredible pop/rock outfit that have climbed to minor success with the singles "Show Me What I'm Looking For", and "I'm Not Over". Possibly their biggest claim to fame is working with acclaimed Swedish pop producer Max Martin (Britany Spears, *N'snyc, Kelly Clarkson, Pink) The product proves to be a beautifully crafted pop rock record that does not disappoint at any minute in the record.

This is one of those albums that you can listen too, sing along with, be proud you listen to it, and say the same guy that helped write it wrote "...Oops I Did it Again." by Britany Spears. Weird, but super cool in my opinion.




So in the end, just take a few hours and give these albums a chance. It may seem drab or conventional at first, but these are the kind of bands that should be the face of popular music. It's fun and easy to listen too, but they are backed by some amazing talent and credentials.

Faking It

What do you do when something amazing happens at exactly the wrong time? In my case I am finding some shelter in music. It is so insane to me that everything presents itself when it is supposed to, and tonight was no exception.

On my drive home I was feeling horrible. In fact, a decision I made earlier is currently enveloping me more than it should. Oh well.

Anyway, I decided to put on Brand New's album "The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me" to counteract and siphon my displeasure. This record has been one of my favorites ever since one of my good friends showed it to a couple years ago; with one exception. The song "Jesus Christ" just never did it for me. It always seemed like a single, dragging riff that kept you hanging just long enough until the next track started. Admittedly a track that I've skipped numerous times while listening to the album, however tonight this song really made an impression on me tonight.

"Jesus Christ" really pertains to the fact that music is all feeling and emotion. Such a simple riff recreated the most amazing and accurate emotion that I was feeling on my drive home. For the first time I really understood what Jesse Lacey was going for when he wrote this song. How much time, work, and feeling went into this. I commend you, good sir.

"Jesus Christ"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCCyuIEucYs&feature=fvwrel

Retrospection

A good friend and I started a project a few months back that is proving to be much more difficult than either of us thought; a 'sampler' of our progression and evolution in musical tastes from our first interests in music all the way to what is currently pumping out of our earbuds.

The biggest catch is that the playlist needs to fit on two audio CD's. Believe it or not, trying to both trace your musical taste while narrowing it down to a tangible playlist is really, really hard. So, in a primary attempt at slimming some songs down, here are some retrospect albums that I listened to on my drive to (and from) Tahoe today, accompanied by some favorite music videos to keep you non-readers (because SOOO many people read this) interested.

1. Paul Simon- Negotiations & Love Songs 1971-1986

"You Can Call Me Al"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOiVaE-pKqM

2. Blink 182- Dude Ranch (1997)

"Josie"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6kfin-UeAQ

3. Chumbawamba- Tubthumper (1997)

"Tubthumping"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H5uWRjFsGc

4. Arctic Monkeys- Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)

"Brainstorm"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGKWeu3gYHo&feature=fvst

5. Rage Against The Machine- Evil Empire (1996)

"Down Rodeo"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYlfQ-7zUUE&feature=fvwrel

Once again, an increasingly difficult task. Hopefully these are some picks that are a little bit more left field than what I've been posting about, even though the current music is just as important as the past and future music.

Top 5 Cince De Drinko picks

In honor of cinco de mayo (of which I wish I was celebrating) here's some fun songs that I enjoy that have to do with a favorite pastime of many; drinking! Enjoy Cinco De Mayo everyone!

1.Drinkin for 11/Just One More- Mad Caddies

2. This Addiction/This Addiciton- Alkaline Trio

3. Spaz's House Destruction Party/ Underground Network- Anti-Flag

4. LGFAD/ Commit This To Memory- Motion City Soundtrack

5. Reflections/Seven's Travels- Atmosphere

It's time to mix things up a bit

A great exercise for anyone in this day and age is to put their iTunes (or applicable music player) on shuffle mode and just listen. At least for me, I tend to become bored or fall into listening niches on a weekly on monthly basis. Shuffling is an excellent way to keep ourselves interested. It provides a great retrospect on our surprisingly eclectic music tastes.

Here's my first fifteen shuffle tunes that came up tonight; along with a short description of each:

(song/album/artist)

1. Everything Reminds Me of Her/Figure 8- Elliot Smith
I first got into Smith after a gnarly breakup. It reminds me of her (pun intended) but all in a good light. He's one of the first artists that I really connected with on a deeper level. Depression, drug use, and general discontent are all themes that run deep in Elliot Smith's music & lyrics; and are all things that one deals with at some time in their lives on many different levels. Fortunately happiness stemmed from listening and getting into Elliot Smith, so all I have to say is that this song reminds me of a time in my life that I learned a great deal from; and for that I am proud.

2. Kryptonite/The Better Life- 3 Doors Down
Really... I don't know where this came from or how it got on my iTunes, but shit; a great song. Simple, to the point, and it gets stuck in your head. It reminds of a time exactly like that. When music to me was a virgin experience, one that meant simply if it sounded good I liked it. I'm coming to realize that's still all that matters, but it's still one that is not as prestine as the first time I listened to this song.

3. Cold Hands/Crash Love- A.F.I.
This is admittedly a band that I'm becoming less and less interested in through the years, however this song is one that I thoroughly enjoy. A nice, crunchy guitar riff provided by Jade Pugett drives the song, and the song moves seamlessly through intro/verse/choruses. I like it.

4. Onemosphere/God Loves Ugly- Atmosphere
What I love about Atmosphere is that the lyricist Slug (Sean Daley) has completely changed his perception of life throughout his career. This early album proves to be part of his "I'm a badass rapper" stage. Aside from that, Atmosphere is one of the few hip-hop outfits that I honestly LOVE. They are unique, fun, and keep you guessing. This song is no exception.

5. What It Is/ Genesis- Busta Rhymes
Again, I'm not sure how this is on my computer. It's really good to mix it up again. This songs reminds me of middle school. I remember talking to my mom on the way to school about how my dad watched MTV after we left to go to my earlybird Jazz Band class. I remember being really impressed that my dad was into Busta Rhymes (who wouldn't be). Not on my normal listening regime, but that's what this exercise is for, right?

6. Triad/ Lateralus- Tool
Math and Industrial rock collides. I like it. I am reminded of my friend Wyatt talking about how the inner sleeve of this album is laden with a math equation that is (for lack of a better phrase) "not easy to figure out or understand". Too is a band I desperately want to get into and understand, however I just can't find it in me to attach to it in any way. It's good, complex, and gives the listener a lot to think about moth lyrically and musically; but give me Blink 182's "What's My Age Again" over this any day.

7. I Belong To You/ Resistance- Muse
Easily my favorite song on this album. It's so delightfully sexy, beautiful, and easy to listen to. I LOVE this song. The bass clarinet solo gives me the chills every single time, and the piano interlude leaves me yearning for some mid-century classical music to drink a deep and complex red wine to. It is a simply beautiful song.

8. Crackity Jones/Doolittle- Pixies
A band that helped create the "loud/soft/loud" formula that paved the road for countless other artists. This song is a loud, fast, and sloppy number that shows where the Pixies came from. I love that a band that created such an iconic song as "Where is My Mind" also plowed through a gnarly punk rock song like this without any hesitation.

9. Hold On/ A Poet's Life- Tim Armstrong
The frontman of Rancid, Tim Armstrong helped all of us remember not to forget your roots. His solo album is nothing but pure rootsy old-school reggae. This song leaves me reminiscing the greatest winter I've had so far, spent with one of my greatest friends on the ski hill. I can recite this album from front to back because I've listened to it countless times.

10. Under Control/ Room On Fire- The Strokes
Junior Year. This was one of the first songs and albums that launched me into a further understanding of music. I always think of a band at a high school dance in the 1950's for some reason. The Strokes are band that I will always hold very close to my heart for breaking me out of a rut of punk rock that I might still be stuck in.

11. The Lady Killer Theme (Intro)/ The Lady Killer- Ceel Lo Green
Though not a justifiable "song", this album has reset my zero for what popular music can and should be. The entire record is so soulful and tinged with a 1970's vibe that has been; but should have not been forgotten. Thank you Cee Lo for bringing back real R&B

12. Immature/Homogenic- Bjork
Once again, Bjork is an artist that has brought me out of the box so to speak. She creates such beautiful textures between her voice and her music. It truly is art. I'd like to thank one of my good friends for introducing me to her at the right time in order to appreciate who she is as an artist. Bjork is a great example of pushing the bounds of what music can be

13. I Only Want You/ Peace Love DeathMetal- Eagles of Deathmetal
I chose to get a tattoo of this album's cover on my ankle simply because it entitles everything music should be. The side project of Queens of the Stone Age's lead man Josh Homme, this roots rock outfit is just fucking rad. It's so simple and rock & roll. I had the privilege of meeting the bands frontman Jesse Hughes here in Reno, and he holds true to his bands mentality, "Peace, Love, Deathmetal". I love how this band is just about gettin' drunk and having fun. That's what rock music is about right?

14. Just A Habit/ You In Reverse- Built To Spill
BTS is one of those bands that you have to be into at one point. They are a great post-grunge rock band with a folky vibe. They remind me of my friend Chris, and in turn, memories of warm Tahoe Summers spent at the beach appreciating music. Such a great album that is in all honesty an ALBUM, which is harder and harder to find these days. All they songs play into each other perfectly, and when it ends you are okay with it ending.

15. Room Without a Window/ Operation Ivy- Operation Ivy
Tim Armstrong from Rancid's previous project. It fuses ska, punk, and reggae into one glorious idea. The lyrics are often politically tinged, but still catchy none-the-less. I really enjoy listening to this band. They were one of the first bands that made the iconic Gilman Street venue in Berkley, Ca famous. This song reminds me of my first band, Secret Weapon 8, that followed along the same lines musically.

Chuckles & Mr. Squeezy-Dredg

I'm going to start this off with an extended rant. Bands grow. Musicians grow. People grow. Just because a band doesn't put out an album that is congruent with their past releases DOES NOT mean that it is a bad album. I'm really really disappointed with the lack of respect the musical community has given dredg upon releasing their fifth studio album "Chuckles & Mr. Squeezy" . I have read things such as "bland", "losing their rock edge", and most notably "what in God's name happened?"

Come on people! What would happen if bands didn't stir the pot and come out with a left of center album every once in a while? We'd be stuck with a predictable community of bands that put out the same meaningless bullshit year after year just to satisfy our need for something that is familiar and we can listen to without being scared of what comes next.

If there's anyone that I thought would understand this; it was the seemingly faithful community of dredg listeners. I mean, seriously, the band has not put out 2 albums that sound remotely the same. Each EP, LP, Album, and anything recorded is realistically but also radically different from what was released last. "The Pariah, The Parrot, and the Delusion" (2007) proved to be a large departure from what they had accomplished previously; as well as a huge step towards what was to come in the future (i.e. chuckles)

Does anyone remember a little band called The Beatles? Or a small outfit called Radiohead? Or maybe for you music geeks out there some band named Muse? These bands are defined by reinventing themselves! They have not put out any recording that was not revolutionary or radicaly different from what came before.

So I invite and challenge all of you to just take a retrospective look at what music means to you. To me, It is evolution. It is progression. It is about putting out a product that is both challenging to the artists' and the listeners' ears, and is also fun for the artist to play/produce, and listener to evaluate.

With that said, let's all take a step back and listen to our favorite artists' new album with objective ears, and be sensitive to what the artists' growth and musical exploration really means.



In my case, this is dredg's latest release.


Upon first listening, it is without an album that is sparse on guitar, heavy on synthesized beats, and bleeding with singer Gavin Hayes' relatable lyrics describing past love interests and less notably his perceptions on society. HOWEVER, it as an album that without a doubt keeps you interested from beginning to end. From the opener "Another Tribe" which is strangely (as well as pleasantly) reminiscent of coolio's "gangster's paradise" to the mid-album track "Somebody is Laughing", that is tinged with sitar riffs, digitized drums, and beautifully layered vocals; the album proves to be one that is both infinitely catchy and one that leaves you analyzing what they did to leave these songs stuck in your head.

With Dan the Automator (Gorillaz-2001, Head Automatica-2004) at the helm both producing and taking an active part in songwriting on the album, it is without a doubt a departure from what the band has released with its previous efforts.

All of that said, "Chuckles & Mr. Squeezy" is (for open ears) an album that is simply incredible. It fuses almost every musical genre I can muster my poor brain to think up plus a thousand more. It is without a doubt a true music appreciator's source for something new and inviting.

Please check it out and support progressive and GOOD music!

Official Website: http://dredg.com/



Notable songs/videos:

Ode To the Sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHWw9K7iCH8

Information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYexhc0MqQQ

Catch Without Arms (live): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APAJ0TRhFoM

If you're still reading, CHECK OUT THIS BAND AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE.