Work It Out

Mandi and I have decided to lose the honeymoon weight. We joined a crossfit gym. And now we hobble everywhere we go. General fitness is never a bad thing. So when I'm getting my butt kicked the only way to keep going is to find motivation. I do that by feeling like a bad a**. So I made a mixtape and I'm going to share it with you. I should put some sort of disclaimer on here about how offensive some of these songs are going to be. Eminem likely offends 85 percent of the population daily. He is tied for the most featured artist on this mix with Kanye West and Jay-Z, two other notoriously offensive rappers. But then I realized you can turn your disgust into anger and anger into sweat. Sweet, fat burning disgust. I thought I would also mention this grandma. She can dead-lift a ton of weight. I have to beat her. If you want some motivation this music might be helpful. I can send the granny to beat you up too, that might motivate you. So if you like to go the gym and struggle with motivation, I think you will like this collection. If not don't even listen to it, and save yourself from the offense.

I'm feeling really weird today so sorry if this post makes no sense. Geographer was a little gem that I am pretty happy about. Their ethereal electro-chello pop was inspired by a bout of tragedies that affected lead singer Michael Deni and drove him to song writing. 'Kites' is my favorite so far, but 'Paris' is also a standout track. It's accessible synth rock that is begging for a chiddy bang remix. My tip for this song is to listen to it for the first time on a long road trip. At night. It is a bit sad sounding with the minor key instrumentation, but what isn't these days? What's different though is that it's still refreshing and still has the excitement of a synthesized-breakout-bass-drum-cadence. It's one of my favorite new finds, although there hasn't been too many of late because of the onslaught of homework and work-work.
Also I put up Older Brother' by Pepper Rabbit, with their lo-fi vocals, and catchy melodies. Next is Freelance Whales with 'Starring', that will be slighty familiar sounding, i think of a not so intense Passion Pit, but in a brand new way. Then there is Dr. Dog doing a cover of Architechture in Helsinki's 'Heart It Races'. And of course for the month of December my favorite Christmas Song from Charlie Brown.

The Orchard

Consider this a formal invitation. Ra Ra Riot has procured another wonderful album, and to celebrate I suggest we go see them play in SLC on October 12. I don't care if I don't know you, or if I haven't seen you in a while, or whatever, you should come. Think about it. If I don't know you I'm not sure how you found my blog, hype machine maybe? But we could be good friends very soon. I have a car with extra nicely padded seats, you have a bum that needs to sit; it all works. And my friends have cars, and after I convince them all to come, one of those seats has your name on it. Maybe your name is Michael or David or Jack (whoa too many dudes) or Tess or Whitney or Tiffany. You should come. And it's my birthday kinda. It's only $12. 2 months is plenty of planning time. If you live near an Internet send me an email, or if there is only a phone, call. It's good to hear your voice.
Okay, I know that the album hasn't even dropped yet, but believe me it's good. Let me tell you about it.
This is one of those albums that reminds you of something you've heard before, but it's entirely new. I want to say it sounds like good 80's music, and I know that not a good way to say it. They use quite a bit of classical instruments, but no classical instrumentation, and they're not even bragging about it. It's a sort of quiet modesty. I remember when it was different to see a violin in a band, and we all went, "whoa that's an electric violin." Well that amusement lasted a week, because in the end it was just a riffing fiddle colored blue. Boring. What Ra Ra Riot does with the strings is sets up a nice modernly syncopated rhythm with their strings. It's real exciting rock, not just some Charlie Daniels Band soloing over boring guitars and boring drums.
And the vocals. SO GOOD. Wes Miles is a dedicated singer. He is a vocalist, and as far as I know he sings and that's all. I think that they have got their setup right, because it's nice to be a little more complicated and a little more on pitch. I have never seen Ra Ra Riot live, but I imagine it's a stupefying show where all you can do afterwards is mutter a short winded, "Wow." Seriously you should come.
I was really torn because this week Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, who I have been avidly following since their first album, released their third album. Honestly I think I like "The Orchard" more. SSLYBY was still very exciting, but will have to wait until I'm sick of this one for me to give it a proper listen.
I've included a song from Let It Sway, and also from Arcade Fire's new album. And I heard a song on 'How I Met Your Mother' that was good from Goldspot.

Adam "The Spider Assassin"

As far as lyrical themes go I thought I had heard it all. Until there was Born Ruffians. I certainly have never heard a song about sibling chore quarrels. Consider your tongue twisted. Chore quarrel. If you don't understand the phrasing I encourage you to look it up, because it's pretty entertaining. Someone aspires to be a hip-hopper. Also the musical concepts are entertaining. On their new release "Say It" there are only two songs where the guitar isn't a clean sound and even then it's not the crunch you're used too. Thank goodness. I'm getting pretty sick of poorly executed over(used)drive. Don't get me wrong, I will never ever get sick of warm fuzzy tube screaming drive, but the processed guitar product garbage of solid state anything is sickening. Born Ruffians is playing out of right field all day with the rest of their structure as well. It's not that it's obscure, it's just not expected. Every track is still fun and interesting to listen to and easy to follow. Their previous release was also from this vein of unpredictable-ness, but a bit more messy and two bits more nationalism-istic (I've included the song I'm talking about called Red, Yellow, Blue). I think I love it.
Also this week (not that I post weekly) included is The Love Language, who I adore, and sounds like more of that low-fi stuff with great melodies. The song "Stars" I listened to nine times in a row once. "Providence" is about July. Also joining us is Tennis who is another married couple and band similar to Mates of State. The music's not quite the same, but you will like it. And to top it of is the lady Laura Veirs, whose new album is all about July. I think this song is perfect for an evening with good friends around a fire pit somewhere in the mountains. Or the plains I guess too, but there would have to be fire flies about. Unfortunately, I will probably remember July 2010 nights and Laura Veirs singing to me on the floor of an 85 degree bedroom, as I try to assassinate the fatty spiders on my walls. Keeps me on my toes though.

Fender Blender

I thought that I would make a tribute to Fender instruments because I have officially joined to the club this week. I've used a Fender amp for sometime now, but I finally broke down and bought what it is all about, the telecaster. It's a beautiful thing to own. I think it's my most valued possession. I take it into my room with me every night, and I would probably sleep with it like a teddy bear if it were soft, or if I weren't afraid of breaking it. Although it's built like a tank, and weighs about as much as one. Anyway, there's something special about that tele sound, and I've made a list of players that used it on the following recordings (excluding Dick Dale of course he would die before being seen with a telecaster, but being a classic Fender man and the reason music ever got loud, he has been included). Four legendary songs from 4 eras ought to do the trick.

Sounds Like Someone Read My Brain Wave Right

What does moving objects with your mind sound like you ask? You know that look that a dog gets when it's scratched in that spot it loves to be scratched in? I most likely had that look on my face when I first heard Telekinesis. It feels good, it's catchy and not overbearing. If Goldilocks was looking through the iPods of the three bears and found "Coast of Carolina", or "Rust" she would have said they were just right.
Not only is Telekinesis another band from the pacific northwest that I am quite fond of, but also after snooping around a bit I realized that Telekinesis and SSLYBY are soon to be tour buddies. Hooray. The lack of enthusiasm is due to the fact they will not be stopping anywhere near SLC when they hit road in the fall. So have fun east coasters. There is, however, a concession. I still have a great album right now. I don't know if it's the lo-fi gone hi-fi feeling of the band that I dig so much or if it's just the good feeling I feel listening to "Coast of Carolina". It's a song to smile to as you drive to the park, or to the beach, or especially to a DMV. It's guaranteed to ward off any feelings of impatience, or even the digust you feel of the creeper who is mouth breathing all over you in line. It will certainly make the experience more bearable.
The other tracks I've included are from MGMT (management), Miike Snow (don't ask me how to pronounce that one), What Made Milwaukee Famous, and The Spring Standards. I also changed players because playlist wasn't delivering. Some older songs have been changed too. Enjoy!

Conditions by The Temper Trap

I'm reasonably deducing that Australia is a truly awesome place for producing something that sounds like a U2 and Local Natives genetically enhanced track. I'm talking about "Sweet Disposition" here people. There is something about a guitar that sounds like it's on some weird sugar high bouncing off the walls like a tweenie girl that's appealing, but I don't think it has anything to do with the tweenie. It sounds like it wanted to be jingy jangly folksy, but instead headed for Kings Of Leon.
The Temper Trap has been around for a couple years, and I'm still catching up on all that I missed. Conditions is a good rock album that is mostly straight forward. Though it's not so straight forward that you feel like you are listening to the same song over and over. It's really a fine line. On one side of the line is complete boredom, and the other is something so diverse that listeners think it's a bad mix tape of various genres. Okay maybe not a super fine line, but you get the point. There are a total of three singles from this album including "Love Lost", "Sweet Disposition", and "Fader". The first mentioned also has elements of U2, but also I'm hearing some of The Killers in there too. Maybe it's just me.
I've also included some other tracks to go along with this one including the afore mentioned Local Natives. Pacman (Not the underground rapper, the actual yellow dude that looks like a banana pie or something) may or may not make an appearance on one of these tracks too. I think you will know what I mean by that when you hear it. If not then sorry, sucker. (Or am I the real sucker here for failing in my communication?)

The Morning Benders - "Excuses" Yours Truly session

Big Echo by The Morning Benders

Very much like any bender the initial spin of this disc will make you feel like you're not quite sure what exactly is going on. Let me tell you what is happening just to get your feet on the ground. You are going to hear abysmally deep layers upon layers upon layers. You are going to hear inertia snowballing sonically. You are going to hear a realization and a comprehension. I know you feel like you can't speak right now because the effect is choking, but in a good way, the goal is not asphyxiation. I think the expression 'breathe-taking' fits well. Perhaps you feel like you've forgotten all your lingual abilities. That's because you very well could have after listening to this.
The album begins with "Excuses", which is the greatest recommendation that I can give to anyone wanting just one new track, but seriously get the whole thing. You wouldn't buy just a strip of a painting would you? The track is surprising and emotive. And that inertia thing I was talking about, well it saturates this one. Recorded literally with dozens of musicians the track is so rich with sound and complexity it has a different effect than the entanglement that you might expect. It's somehow simple, and it's somehow deeply satisfying. Now you know what that comprehension is that I was referring to. Other standout tracks on the album are "Cold War", and "Hand Me Downs". After a couple more spins they might all be favorites.
There is good reason to name an album Big Echo if you're also looking to make a big impression. I've certainly heard the repeating effects bouncing around my skull. The Morning Benders are not only artists but also architects of a large caliber. The constructions of the album are complicated, but on another level they are simple to understand and follow. There is a difference between pleasurable music and deeply satisfying music and this is what has been achieved by these craftsmen.

Fleet Foxes: How is Seattle So Good at Making Music?

I really can't claim to be on top of the avant garde all the time, especially when we're dealing with anything outside of the music world. But what a beautiful world it is. I don't mean to sound precocious nor cocky in anyway, but my sense of music is good (geneticists have told me that it's coded in my DNA). I mean really what else could I even write about than obscure music. So, for your sake I present to you my first album review.

Unfortunately Fleet Foxes released their self-titled album almost two years ago, which means it's old news for some of you. The disk opens with a echoing chorus of folk voices in pop forms all singing in unison. It's melodically enticing. It's deeper layers of guitars laced in chorus effects invites musical images of as a robust stairwell or elevator shaft. Marching bass drums of the lowest pitch as well as clean hollow bodies medicated with chorus pedals or some sort of hall effect sweeten their only single of the album, White Winter Hymnal.

The overall effect is lightening, especially with the seasonal lyrics of of several tracks including the third track, Ragged Wood. Music often is effective in accompanying weather, and this album is perfect for the evolution of winter into spring. If there were a soundtrack to the beading buds within our domesticated lives, it would say,"Spring is upon us, follow my only song...The world is alive now in and outside our home".

So give it a listen or two; preferably in your car with the sun out and the windows down. If you don't feel like your life is suddenly going in a better direction, well you probably have a disorder and that's just unfortunate.