Bruce Springsteen and his band just wrapped up their Wrecking Ball tour and he distributed this letter to his fans.
As a special treat for his fans Bruce has also released the following video that includes some amazing tour footage. Bruce has amazed and inspired me for over 40 years and this video is no different. Gerard – I’m sending this one out to you……
It’s Day 2 of my Sam Baker weekend post barrage. Go In Peace is the closing song on Sam’s new album, Say Grace, and I’m in love with the song, the performance, and the message. I’ve already added it to My Final Playlist and I think you will understand why when you listen. Do yourself a favor….buy the album…it is really good stuff.
Here is Sam’s website in case you want to by the album directly from him.
Let’s get right to the point……I have been listening to The National’s most recent album, (Trouble Will Find Me) for the past month and it’s a a huge disappointment. As a self confessed fan, it pains me to say this but the songs on this album are boring. They drone on and on with minimal dynamics in either the lyrics or the underlying music.
At their best, songs are like good books in that they take you on a journey that includes key elements such as:.
These elements apply to both the lyrics and the music of a song. While the lyrics normally are the driving force in telling the story, the music provides a dynamic element that helps propel the story forward. The songs on Trouble Will Find Me are, with a few exceptions, lacking in all of the above. I don’t expect you to take my word for it without proof so let’s listen to a few examples.
I Need My Girl
This song starts with a lot of promise ……… a simple but catchy guitar riff and a introductory verse that could go places but…..that riff that was catchy when it introduced the song becomes maddening one it is repeated for four minutes and the lyrics never go any where.
Demons
Out of all of the songs on the album I wanted to like this one the most. I loved the title, and with that title, the lyrics could have gone to some amazing places but they didn’t……
Passing buzzards in the sky
Alligators in the sewers
I don’t even wonder why
Hide among the under views
Huddle with them all night long
The worried talk til god goes on
I sincerely tried to love her
Wish that I could rise above her
What the hell does that mean?
At the end of the first verse I waiting for the music to break out into an amazing chorus but instead I got a continued drone with “I stay down with my demons” repeated over and over. Not dynamic and not interesting. To be fair the song does take a slightly interesting musical turn with the third verse but it was too little too late for me. My son argues that the song reaches a climax with the word “Fuck” at the end of that third verse but he and I are going to have to agree to disagree on that one. So disappointing.
Now let’s compare and contrast these songs with England from High Violets.
The first time I listen to this song a little movie played in my head, there was story being played out in the lyrics. The music was interesting with entertaining flourishes that added to the song. Most importantly the overall song built to a great climax at the end. Really good stuff!
So….. I’m disappointed in Trouble Will Find Me but I still love The National. For now, I will continue listening to High Violet until their next album which I am sure will, once again, blow me away.
As always let me know what you think……
Last week Eric found his way to this blog and left a comment about his new song (I’m Going Down) and his upcoming album (also named I’m Going Down). Since he was nice enough to visit the blog I HAD to listen to his song and………it (and the video that went with it) were both great. I was intrigued, I was charmed, and most importantly I was thoroughly entertained both musically and visually which is not something that I can say about most music that I hear today. Maybe more importantly I wanted to hang out with Eric, his band, the people in the video (I would like to think they were his friends), and party. Really good stuff. Let’s listen…..
Eric Howl and the Way Down Lows – I’m Going Down
I wanted more (no….I needed more) so I took to the internet on a quest. Bingo, another song from his upcoming album, You Already Know The Way To Brahma’s House. Weird title for another “alt-country” song but what the heck.
Eric Howl – You Already Know The Way To Brahma’s House
OK, once the song started it was not what the heck,it was what the Hell! Bhangra, rap, Bollywood dancing, who is this guy and why haven’t I heard of him before! Now let me be honest….I am not a rap fan, I have never heard bhangra (had to look it up), but damnit it worked and I was entertained. I have no idea what to expect from Eric’s album when it is released but I personally can’t wait. I suggest we all pick it once it is released and gather back here to talk.
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If I had to word to describe Eric in one word it would be eclectic, faced with the same challenge for the Savages the word would be intense. These girls rock, not that’s not quite right, they rock hard and with an amazing focus. I love their guitarist (she has an amazing ringing tone), the rhythm section is rock solid (together they are great and they individually have the capability to drive songs forward), and I don’t even know how to describe the singer. Maybe the thing I like most about them is they are better live than they are on record and that says a lot. As soon as they manage to capture their live sound on a record there will be no stopping them but until then you won’t go wrong by picking up their debut album, Silence Yourself. Enough babbling on my part…..you need to hear this for yourself……
Savages – She Will (Live on KEXP April, 2013)
Savages – Shut Up (Live on KEXP April, 2013)
This is the first of what I hope will be a series of free music Fridays. To kick off this series we have a free Newport Folk Festival sampler pulled together by Paste magazine. This sampler has some amazing performances from many artists that that we have highlighted in this blog including Of Monsters And Men, First Aid Kit, and Dawes. I high recommend you check it out…..you sure can’t beat the price!
Here are the performers and songs from the sampler…….
Blind Pilot – Always
Joel Rafael – Racing And Chasing The Sun
Robert Ellis – Comin Home
Jonathan Wilson – Ballad Of The Pines
Trampled By Turtles – Keys To Paradise
Preservation Hall Jazz Band – A Good Gal’s Hard To Find
Ben Sollee – The Globe
Rodriguez – Like Janis
Deep Dark Woods – Virginia
Dawes – So Well
Apache Relay – Stay Naive
Jonny Fritz – Put Another Log On The Fire
First Aid Kit – Waltz For Richard
Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks
Dawes featuring Ben Sollee – I Dig Love
Here is the download link for the sampler…..
http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2013/01/the-2012-paste-festival-sessions-sampler.html
One of the bands on the sampler that I have not written about but have been following for years is Blind Pilot from Portland, Oregon. I particularly enjoyed their 2008 debut album, 3 Rounds and a Sound. To give you an appreciation for this group I have two songs for you, a live performance from this years 2012 Newport Folk Festival and the title song from their debut album. Enjoy!
As always…..let me know what you think.
Here is the official theme song of President Obama’s reelection campaign. I think it is great. See what you think……
This song was was the work of some really great musician (highlighted below). Thanks to these folks for contributing their talents to the campaign!!
Will it ever stop? Only if defeat him in November!
Here is his latest flip flop hoping to lure Latino voters…..
For a little comic relief, checkout Song of Mitt Romney below.
In an effort to distract Americans from thinking about the secret footage released yesterday, the Romney/Ryan today released their official theme song. In the official press release for the song, the campaign stated that it will serve to bring 53% of Americans together with a common goal and vision of the future. Without further ado, I give you the Romney/Ryan 2012 campaign theme song, I’m Dreaming, written and performed by Randy Newman….
To keep people singing (and not thinking) the campaign also release a foreign policy theme song. Mitt Romney is said to have written the lyrics himself. The man is truly a foreign policy genius! Let’s listen….
The campaign is offering a free download of I’m Dreaming for the duration of the Romney/Ryan presidential campaign. If I was you, I would download it tonight…..I hear more secret footage is coming soon!
America is easily my favorite Simon and Garfunkel song. Let’s listen…
This may be as close to perfect as you can get. I still get goosebumps listening to the lyrics:
“Kathy, I’m lost” I said, though I knew she was sleeping
“I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why…”
Counting the cars on the New Jersey turnpike
They’ve all gone to look for America
So….it should come as no surprise to anyone that Paul Simon was one of the recipients of the Polar Music Prize last month in Stockholm, Sweden. Here is what the award committee had to say about Paul:
“The Polar Music Prize 2012 is awarded to Paul Simon. Nobody else is more deserving of the epithet of “world-class songwriter.” For five decades, Paul Simon has built bridges not only over troubled waters but over entire oceans by (re)joining the world’s continents with his music. With consummate skill, innovative arrangements and provocative lyrics that never fail to capture the currents of his age, Paul Simon has compiled a library of songs which will remain open to future generations.”
As part of the ceremony, First Aid Kit performed America in honor of Paul. Let’s listen to their cover version of the song.
For those of you who don’t know, First Aid Kit is two Swedish sisters (I did another post about them back in January). I thought they did an excellent job with America and Paul seemed to really enjoy the performance.
As always, let me know what you think!
If you enjoyed the “or The Children’s Crusade” post earlier this week, I have some good news your you. They have posted some new tracks on their bandcamp.com site. Check them out using the following link:
thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard 