Tuesday, August 30, 2011
No More
I'll be posting all my life on my Tumblr from now on, including any ramblings, ideas, and music loves I find along the way.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Next Elvis #14: LimaNaed
Info: DJ LimaNaed is an up-and-coming electronic artist that just released the new EP "December Snow" up on Soundcloud.
Sounds Kind of Like:
Owl City
Bio: LimaNaed sequences up his own tunes. His first release "Dream Like State" had more of a trance feel, but his new EP has a slightly more Owl City-esque vibe to it. It retains the cold feeling of winter with its fresh loops and beats, but hints at something more through some of the lyrics. Overall, his stuff is a good break from the typical, formulaic pop that constantly barrages us.
Why it's going to be the next Elvis: LimaNaed has the creative ability and the musical clout that it takes to make it big. He is original, but still very accessible and professional.
Links:
Website
SoundCloud
YouTube
Sounds Kind of Like:
Owl City
Bio: LimaNaed sequences up his own tunes. His first release "Dream Like State" had more of a trance feel, but his new EP has a slightly more Owl City-esque vibe to it. It retains the cold feeling of winter with its fresh loops and beats, but hints at something more through some of the lyrics. Overall, his stuff is a good break from the typical, formulaic pop that constantly barrages us.
Why it's going to be the next Elvis: LimaNaed has the creative ability and the musical clout that it takes to make it big. He is original, but still very accessible and professional.
Links:
Website
SoundCloud
YouTube
Monday, November 15, 2010
Album Review: "Flight"
Minnesotan ambient instrumental group Windsor Airlift have released their latest album, and it is a beauty.
Flight is a great example of Windsor Airlift's versatility, as well as their high caliber of production value, especially for an independent band. The album features a healthy mix of instrumentation, and really speaks to the potential for the band's future. In Flight, Windsor Airlift finds the culmination of years of tinkering and experimentation, and it all is woven together into a magnificent fabric of sound.
Most of the tracks feature solid bass lines and guitar leads as a backbone for the framework that the rest of the piece is built upon. The band then fills the rest of the song with compelling fill from a variety of instruments, including synths, drums, and piano. They definitely blend elements well, producing an ethereal yet tangible sound that just works.
Listening to Flight is an adventure, and a treat. If you are in the mood for a very pleasing, very relaxing sonic experience, then Flight is probably the album for you. In it, Windsor Airlift does their best published work yet, and deserves every morsel of appreciation that's coming their way.
Here's a short preview:
Get it on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/flight/id404360833
Check out their Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/windsorairlift
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
About dang time...
Frightened Rabbit has finally released a video for "The Loneliness and the Scream," one of my favorite songs ever.
Check it:
Check it:
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Album Review: "From Pelican Shores"
Review:
From Pelican Shores is the debut release from brand-spanking new synth-pop project Glacier Island. It was released independently on iTunes on August 17. It's got like 12 tracks and is slightly more than 44 minutes long.
Phew, now that the stats are out of the way, let's look at the actual tunes. Musically, the album is quite stunning. It's apparent that a lot of work has been put into the songwriting and organization. These songs just feel upbeat and happy, and sounds like Hellogoodbye meets Owl City. Memorable moments include "Airborne," "On the Moon," and "Scuba Dive." "Boat" especially is a powerhouse of a feel-good track and definitely starts the album out right.
Glacier Island has obviously spent a great deal of time and energy mixing their tracks into delectable sonic layercakes piled high with copious amounts of sweet smooth audible frosting. However, a slight problem with the recipe is apparent. It has to do with the baking process. I'm not sure if Glacier Island just wanted to get their music into fans' hands as soon as possible, or if they accidentally overlooked some parts, but there are some mastering problems. Occasionally a vocal or synth lead will peak, causing a slight rattle or buzz. This really is a definite shame, because this album has so much going for it that it absolutely deserves the purest, most clean representation available. These issues are probably not something the ordinary fan will take issue with or even notice, but I heard them and they unfortunately took away from the overall experience.
Those small criticisms aside, however, From Pelican Shores is simply a delight to listen to. The guys in Glacier Island have done a solid effort here, and deserve all the publicity they can get. Check it out.
Video:
Links:
MySpace
iTunes
From Pelican Shores is the debut release from brand-spanking new synth-pop project Glacier Island. It was released independently on iTunes on August 17. It's got like 12 tracks and is slightly more than 44 minutes long.
Phew, now that the stats are out of the way, let's look at the actual tunes. Musically, the album is quite stunning. It's apparent that a lot of work has been put into the songwriting and organization. These songs just feel upbeat and happy, and sounds like Hellogoodbye meets Owl City. Memorable moments include "Airborne," "On the Moon," and "Scuba Dive." "Boat" especially is a powerhouse of a feel-good track and definitely starts the album out right.
Glacier Island has obviously spent a great deal of time and energy mixing their tracks into delectable sonic layercakes piled high with copious amounts of sweet smooth audible frosting. However, a slight problem with the recipe is apparent. It has to do with the baking process. I'm not sure if Glacier Island just wanted to get their music into fans' hands as soon as possible, or if they accidentally overlooked some parts, but there are some mastering problems. Occasionally a vocal or synth lead will peak, causing a slight rattle or buzz. This really is a definite shame, because this album has so much going for it that it absolutely deserves the purest, most clean representation available. These issues are probably not something the ordinary fan will take issue with or even notice, but I heard them and they unfortunately took away from the overall experience.
Those small criticisms aside, however, From Pelican Shores is simply a delight to listen to. The guys in Glacier Island have done a solid effort here, and deserve all the publicity they can get. Check it out.
Video:
Links:
MySpace
iTunes
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
5 Most Meaningful Music Videos
As the title of this post obviously states, below are 5 videos that are very meaningful to me. They get me deep down, inspire me, and challenge me. I love music videos, and think they are a spectacular form of art that lets filmmakers express their ideas much the same way as a short film, but without the need for any messy dialog, sound effects, or even plot (at times). This isn't a comprehensive list by any means, nor will it stand the test of time, but these videos are the ones I could come up with now, and they are very very good. If you have any others to share, proclaim them in the comments below.
5. Stars: "Fixed"
This song is gripping and powerful, and even though the music video is only shots of the band interspersed with frantic, nearly imploding footage of graveyards and other depressing architecture, it is very well-done, and an impressive effort.
4. City and Colour: "The Girl"
This video seems to encompass all the emotion that the song is trying to convey, and does it quite admirably. And while watching people playing instruments doesn't normally make a good video for me, I appreciate the departure from the norm with the video's structure and methodology.
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: "Maps"
Seriously, this isn't typical. My favorite style of music video is narrative, but already three videos on this list have been principally performance-based. However, when it's as well thought out and executed as "Maps" is, videos like this can be fantastic. I mean, look at this video. It's magical.
2. Angels & Airwaves: "The Gift"
Now this my typical style of video. I love the story here, and combined with the song it makes for a simply transcendent experience. Somewhat bashfully, I'll admit that I think there's something hopelessly romantic about a girl saving a guy from certain imprisonment, death, or something worse. I think that's all encapsulated here.
1. Funeral for a Friend: "Into Oblivion"
Well, just to defy my own convention one final time, it turns out that my favorite, most personally moving music video is one with nearly only performance footage. I love the parallel between the emotional journey of a sailor and the storm he is sailing through, as well as the arresting way that the contained environment of the screen takes over the entire set, plunging the viewer in the midst of both the story and the storyteller's mind.
And now, to round out the experience, watch something less meaningful, but certainly not less epic. I give you Shrimp on a Treadmill.
5. Stars: "Fixed"
This song is gripping and powerful, and even though the music video is only shots of the band interspersed with frantic, nearly imploding footage of graveyards and other depressing architecture, it is very well-done, and an impressive effort.
4. City and Colour: "The Girl"
This video seems to encompass all the emotion that the song is trying to convey, and does it quite admirably. And while watching people playing instruments doesn't normally make a good video for me, I appreciate the departure from the norm with the video's structure and methodology.
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: "Maps"
Seriously, this isn't typical. My favorite style of music video is narrative, but already three videos on this list have been principally performance-based. However, when it's as well thought out and executed as "Maps" is, videos like this can be fantastic. I mean, look at this video. It's magical.
2. Angels & Airwaves: "The Gift"
Now this my typical style of video. I love the story here, and combined with the song it makes for a simply transcendent experience. Somewhat bashfully, I'll admit that I think there's something hopelessly romantic about a girl saving a guy from certain imprisonment, death, or something worse. I think that's all encapsulated here.
1. Funeral for a Friend: "Into Oblivion"
Well, just to defy my own convention one final time, it turns out that my favorite, most personally moving music video is one with nearly only performance footage. I love the parallel between the emotional journey of a sailor and the storm he is sailing through, as well as the arresting way that the contained environment of the screen takes over the entire set, plunging the viewer in the midst of both the story and the storyteller's mind.
And now, to round out the experience, watch something less meaningful, but certainly not less epic. I give you Shrimp on a Treadmill.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
I'm Seeing Stars
Have you ever showed up to a party extremely late, where everyone's already having a good time without you? That's how I feel about Montreal indie-pop band Stars. They've been at it for a good 9 years now, since the release of their first EP in 2001. They only reason I've heard about them even now is that a friend just told me to check out one of their tunes the other week, and since then I've been enraptured by two of their albums:
Sad Robots EP
The Five Ghosts
The first is a glorious EP that Stars released in 2008, and the second is a scintillating, gorgeous masterpiece that just dropped on June 22. I really love this band's deep, moving lyrics in conjunction with their groovy leads and hooks. At any rate, here's an outstanding music video:
Sad Robots EP
The Five Ghosts
The first is a glorious EP that Stars released in 2008, and the second is a scintillating, gorgeous masterpiece that just dropped on June 22. I really love this band's deep, moving lyrics in conjunction with their groovy leads and hooks. At any rate, here's an outstanding music video:
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