Blind Without It

It is truly amazing how colorful music can make your life.  Often I've wondered if somehow in those "what if" games, I could manage being blind or deaf?  Without question, when you listen to music, it would be blind.  A great song makes you want to live, it makes you feel poetic, it makes you question the deeper meaning of life and it gives you perspective.  Humorous lyrics, non sequitur rhymes and just the whole system of creation is just so awesome.  Movies can be made or broken by the use of lyrics.  Commercials, TV, even websites and emails are all colored by the use of music.  The wealthy have always privileged the use of music.  The ways of the educated were spattered by training in music, music theory and by exposure to music like the symphony or opera.  

When you put a piece of plastic given to you as a friend for your birthday, you don't know if it will have any meaning, any depth or anything that will emotionally draw you in but once the first down stroke of a chord hits the ears, you know that there is no reason you should have questioned it at all.

It takes me out of this world to listen to music.  You simply turn up the volume, close your eyes and visualize the world.  This beautiful world that we get to see everyday.  The sun, the moon, the stars, the sunsets and clouds and reflections in water and leaves changing colors.  But when we want to visualize these things without the soundtrack in life, it doesn't seem worth it.  

Put down your book, your child, your guitar, your cup of coffee, your camera, your shovel, your hands, your heart, your eyes and just breathe in and listen.  The caramel voice of that sweet singer, the rough lyrics of that lifetime musician...they all color our lives in un-mistakable ways that cannot be duplicated no matter what.

JET

All I can say is, if you haven't listened to them yet, you need to do it RIGHT NOW! As I'm sure some other insightful music reviewers have already noted, this band rocks hard. A group of Australian guys are almost the Beatles reincarnate (especially if you look at their pictures on their website!). From the first chords of the album "Get Born" to the last, you'll have no regrets that you didn't spend your money on something else worth $18. Their songs are eclectic in the sense of rock and have glimmerings of many other band's songs. "Skin and Bones" starts with a Red Hot Chili Peppers inspired lyric sound and then seamlessly blends into a Beatles harmony and guitar solo.   "Bring it on Back" is reminiscent, again, of no other band than our friends McCartney and Lennon. Even the instrumental solo sounds like any other iconic rock song from a Beatles album. Shine On's "All You Have to Do" has the harmonies that kick off Sargent Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band and then "Eleanor's" sweet melodies make you want to walk hand in hand with the one you love (anyone for Eleanor Rigby?).  On Get Born, "Are you Gonna Be My Girl" kicks off their first guitar licks with a fun, clap-to that-happy-beat so often used during the 1960's and commonly heard with musicians like James Brown or other funk rock classics.  While they experiment with many different sounds an styles, they show that they still like to rock on songs like "Hey Kids", "Rip it Up" and "Stand Up." Stand Up shows that their influences do not miss the classic rock bands of the 70's and 80's and yet they still manage to have their own style.

JET is clearly a leader in the rock music industry. Just because you may never have heard of them doesn't mean that they aren't a powerhouse.  Their melodies and lyrics are catchy to say the least (without being cliche or too repetitive) and their sound makes them an instant classic.  Since they remind you of some of the bands you grew up with, you instantly have a musical connection with them while they draw you into their own style infused with the best of rock from the last 4 decades.  Not to be missed, their first album : Get Born or their sophomore release of Shine On will fill you up but never let you down.  In the studio now, look forward to their crowning glory and third time's a charm album.

Album Review

Augustana - "Can't Love, Can't Hurt"

Oh - how can I express how much I love this album? Augustana is best known for their smash hit "Boston", however my own personal song of their's is "Sweet and Low" off this album. It's catchy and gets stuck in your head easily. I loved seeing Augustana live and encourage you to check them out if they are ever in your area. This is their second release and they are definitely not suffering from a sophmore slump. The songs and lyrics are beautiful and you will find yourself singing along to the CD the same day you buy it. Other favorites off this album include "Fire" (slow and displaying Dan's amazing voice), "I Still Ain't Over You" and "Meet You Ther" (both upbeat and fun).

Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain

I can't imagine a world where I don't listen to Ray LaMontagne. This is his newest album and I would definitely recommend checking out his other albums. While I did not love this album as much as "Trouble", his music reminds me at times like Ray Charles. One critic describes Ray oh so accurately saying, "The Jesus-bearded troubadour is sort of a recluse. He doesn't enjoy doing interviews, refuses to make music videos, and hates reviews of his work--be they positive or negative. But for all the coffeehouse hacks trying to emulate Bob Dylan's verbosity and Van Morrison's impassioned croon, there's the soft-spoken Ray LaMontagne, singing his own wistful tunes without the weight of pretension and the hype of MTV." Check him out. You should be in a world where you don't listen to Ray LaMontagne.

Pinback - "Summer in Abaddon"

Cheers to what could possibly be one the most innovative and original bands out there today. They have been under the radar for quite some time now, but I love this album because I find myself bobbing my head along with the unique sound. I could try to describe them (some Radiohead, some Tool, some Portishead.....) but it never comes out right. Not that that's a bad thing. To not be able to compare the album to something that has come before truly makes them an original. They are mellow and I find that I want to listen to this music despite what type of mood I am in. Give it a try.

Oh Joe

Joe Purdy has recently become one of my favorite artists. Joe's song "In The City" was introduced to me by my sister-in-law. In the true vein of folk and acoustic musicians like Bob Dylan, Amos Lee, Shawn Mullins, John Mayer & Jack Johnson, Purdy's relaxing chords and melodies will not disappoint. Unlike the previous artists, Purdy's voice reveals an old soul. When you see his picture, you'll be surprised at how young and unassuming he is. His husky voice is tentative at times and sweetly melodic at others. His songs have been featured on Grey's Anatomy, Lost, House and most recently featured on the Secret Life of Bees soundtrack.

What I am especially impressed about Joe is that his records are self-released and contain the quintessential purity of folk: true storytelling. He tells a story with enough reprise for you to tell it yourself someday. The simple gentleness of his voice, his stories through music and his easily memorable melodies will create in you an instant fan. His new album "Last Clock on the Wall" is going to be released soon and you can better believe that I'll be at the next concert coming my way. Julie Blue, my first Joe Purdy CD purchase was written and recorded in less than a week's time as the artist enjoyed some musical meditation on a tiny river island in upstate New York. Although I've owned the album for only weeks, I've memorized each song's lyrics and it already feels like an old favorite, a lot like Joe.

Check him out at www.joepurdy.com

Concert Review: Fleet Foxes

If Crosby, Stills and Nash had travelled forward in time about 25 or 30 years, they would be Fleet Foxes, the Seattle Band with eerily similar melodies and harmony. Saturday October 18th at Western Washington's PAC was a wonderfully crisp fall night battling the mid 40 degree temperatures while inside the warming harmonies of the 5-piece band the Fleet Foxes surrounded me. Rarely has a band with such talent in terms of their singing autonomy struck me. Four of the band's five members contributed to the rich tones and harmonies that ricocheted throughout the hall. The band's main singer never stuck out more than any other singer as they all brought such a balanced sound. The drummer displayed amazing coordination techniques as he played the drums with tambourines, sang lovely harmonies and still played alternating rhythms on the bass drum. The multitude of instruments used to layer in the sound of their music was also quite astonishing: mandolin, several acoustic and electric guitars, multiple hand percussion instruments such as tambourines, maracas, and an organ.

While this band seems to avoid being placed in any one genre, I believe they are a blend of folk, acoustic rock and "alternative." If you enjoy the Decemberists, Crosby, Stills & Nash or Van Morrison, you would enjoy this band. The lead singer repeatedly referred to songwriters that he admired (all ones I've never heard of except for Joni Mitchell). It was clear that their musical interests went far beyond listening to playbacks of their own songs on reel to reel. As their tour is carrying them on now across the Western part of Europe, it is clear that their music contains elements that are drawing multiple crowds. The fans packing out the PAC ranged in age from mid-teens to ex-hippies in their mid 50's although the average age was probably around 25-30. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for these talented songwriters and musicians.

Afterthought: As I was looking for more information about the Fleet Foxes, I went to google and found a link to Wikipedia (which has everything). I felt good reading that Rolling Stone magazine had also compared them to the likes of Crosby, Stills and Nash (and that I came up with that on my own). After reading this review at the Stranger (a Seattle indie-newspaper), I realized with shock that this incredible stage presence that singer Robin brings is from an only 21 year old man. If you just heard his voice on the lyrics of Mykonos, you'd swear he was at least 40. Just think what world travelling, more maturity and a few beers might do for him and his mates!

What's been playing in my ear lately.....

A video list of the top songs I've been listening to lately......





John Mayer's version of "Free Fallin'" is the most frequently listened to song at my house. I've been a long time fan of John Mayer and was fortunate enough to get to see him and Sheryl Crow a couple years ago. He is definitely one of my favorites and I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.





This is not the official music video for Augustana's song "Sweet and Low" however it is an amazing song and I wanted to make sure you got a chance to listen to it. Bryce and I saw Augustana last month along with Maroon 5 and Counting Crows and Augustana was absolutely incredible! I've started singing this song a lot with my student workers in the office and I just love love love it.





"Love Remains the Same" by Gavin Rossdale. I have nothing to say other than that I get goosebumps everytime I hear this song......






"Keep Breathing" by Ingrid Michaelson - I couldn't download the actual video itself so instead you get to listen to it while getting caught up on Grey's Anatomy. :) Enjoy!

Bon Iver

Probably one of my favorite finds of the year is a band named Bon Iver. I say it Bon I-ver, but it is french so it is pronounced Bon ee-ver. This is a guy who holed up in a cabin in Wisconsin and came out with the CD, For Emma, Forever Ago. The music and vocals are haunting and beautiful. I cannot compare him to anybody as I can't really place him in a category as well. If you are looking for something different, but safe, buy this album. Bon Iver has already been featured on Grey's Anatomy and last night he was on the NBC series "Chuck". Here is a YouTube video of him: