striking a chord...

even outside of "music city usa" my music passion flourishes.  while i haven't purchased a ton of CD's since we moved to the phoenix area last year, i have come across a bunch that i think should be shared.  keep in mind, these fall under the "new to me" category, although some are actually new-ish.  some i have come across thanks to the library system, so they are now on my iPod (which is named "medpod").  here are some of my favorite recent discoveries.

silversun pickups - "swoon":  i love the guitar effects this band uses.  while their 1st album, "carnavas" wasn't that impressive, "swoon" is full of stand-out tracks.  they have some elements of shoegazer (always a fav for me) with moodiness thrown in for good measure.  "panic switch" and "the royal we" are a couple favorite tracks.

bobby womack - "the soul of":  this is actually a best of collection.  at some point over the past year or so, i heard "across 110th street" (a song he wrote for the 70s blaxploitation film of the same name) and the chorus seemed permanently stuck in my head.  this meant only one thing.  i had to get the song.  i can't say i like every song on "stop on by", but bobby womack had a knack for writing great hooks.   the 1st song on the album, "daylight" i am completely addicted to.   simply great 70s soul. 

jonsi -  "go":  if you don't know, this is the 1st solo album from the vocalist of sigur ros.  their album "takk" is easily in my all-time top 10, so i was eager to hear what he would do on his own.  i became even more excited after hearing his interview on npr's "all songs considered" back in march.  he does so much with song textures and sweeping orchestral arrangements.  epically beautiful.  the songs "tornado" and "animal arithmetic" are great examples.

stavesacre - "against the silence EP":  alas, this very well could be the swan song for one of my all time favorite bands.  5 songs of bittersweetness.  i do realize that's not technically a word, but i'm going with it.  it comes very much in their recognizable melodic hardcore time signature.  my favorite song is "...the band played on", followed by "the dash on my headstone".

that's a small peak into my recent music addictions & i can't wait to hear what other ones i'll come across in the future.

my eardrums are happy, or why music is great

i love those moments in life that remind you why you are passionate about something.  they can make you smile for days.  one of those moments happened last night as julie and i were on one of our date nights.  we've decided to take 1 night a week and go on a date.   we usually don't do anything big, but it's time for us to spend time together as a couple.


so like i said, we were on 1 of our dates last night.  we went to black angus restaurant for dinner.  we then decided to walk off part of our dinner by heading to the mall.  we wandered into the lego store and eventually found ourselves in the apple store.  i found myself playing with an iphone while julie headed over to the ipod section.   in my normal a.d.d. fashion, i grew bored with the iphone after a bit & played on some of the macbooks.  i discovered a fun program called djay that allows you to be a turntablist using songs on your itunes.  awesome. 


i then wandered over to where julie was listening to an ipod, somewhat curious as to what was keeping her attention for so long, especially since she has her own ipod.  this is when that aforementioned moment happened.  she was listening to some songs via the bose quiet comfort headphones that apple attaches to their ipods.  holy crap the sound is amazing.  she 1st had me listen to billy joel's "we didn't start the fire" and then to a couple other songs.  we loved what these headphones did for the effects and texture of the songs.  i listened to starflyer 59's "concentrate" and immediately noticed drum effects that i didn't notice on my own ipod.  


all of this made us excited about listening to music, getting lost in it when that perfect song hits you and julie being able to really understand why all of that happens to me so often.  it was a great moment, and i thank apple for making it possible.


[as an aside, have any of you seen the new microsoft windows retail stores?  why is it that they look exactly like the apple retail stores?  microsoft should have tried being different instead of copying their competition.]

must be santa

via the wonders of the interwebz, i found out about this video, starring none other than bob dylan.  yes.  that bob dylan.  from what i know of the man, i never would have pictured him doing something like this, but i'm glad he decided to show his humorous side.

intimacy on a grand scale

those were some of the words uttered by bono last night as U2 performed at the university of phoenix stadium here in phoenix as part of their 360 tour. intimacy on a grand scale in the midst of a spaceship-like stage as they performed some of their classics like "sunday, bloody sunday", "where the streets have no name", as well as songs off their new album "no line on the horizon".

bono, as part of his continued efforts to help the underprivileged, also brought to light the plights of people in africa, tehran and other countries. while they played "walk on", he dedicated the song to aung san suu kyi, a burmese woman who has been unjustly placed under house arrest because she was elected as prime minister of her country. not to mention the video they had of desmond tutu giving a speech in thanks of the help given to africa to combat the AIDS epidemic.

we took some pictures and videos of the show, and here are a few of them to help you enjoy the amazingness that is U2.

Joshua Bell

This is a very interesting experiment in sociology and context. Warning: it's a long but great story!

adjusting

I was up late last night doing some reminiscing. This reminiscing was the result of some sadness I was feeling…and still feel. This move to Phoenix has been tough on me. I’m in a city that has a complete lack of familiarity to me. It seems foreign. The tall, lush green trees and green grass that I’m used to are gone. Replaced by cacti, rocky soil and palm trees. I feel out of place. Julie is completely at home, because this is her home. Where she grew up, where her family is. While she is enjoying the desert sun and seeing sights that she grew up with, it’s all completely new to me. And I have problems feeling connected to it.

Anyone who knows me, knows how monumentally important music has always been to me. It’s that one thing that has always been with me. There are certain songs, albums and artists that I turn to when I need that extra boost and help me through troubling times. I really started noticing it after my friend Jim introduced me to a band called Mortal. He played their 2^nd album, “Fathom”, and I was hooked.

It was in the midst of this sadness and reminiscing that I turned to an old friend, Starflyer 59’s “Gold” album, to help me process my emotions. I picked it because Jason Martin, the vocalist/main songwriter/guitarist/brainchild of Starflyer 59, essentially recorded the album alone for a 1 month period after some friends didn’t show up to help him record it. So it has those elements of loneliness and sadness that I’ve been feeling.

“Gold” is playing, and the songs remind me of high school and college. Going to shows in Chicago, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit. The countless hours I’ve spent with friends debating the various nuances of different bands, as well as their artistic merit. Arguing over if a band is actually worth listening to, in our music-snobby manner. The excitement I would feel before going to certain shows. Seeing The Prayer Chain perform in Chicago during one of their final shows before they broke up (that still makes me sad) and seeing Jimmy Eat World play a one-off at Exit/In in Nashville are 2 particular bright memories.

The song “Duel Overhead Cam” plays off “Gold”, and it gets to that part toward the end, where there’s that drum breakdown/solo. A smile comes to my face. I’ve always loved that part. A few songs later it’s the last 90 seconds of “Messed Up Over You” that make me hit the rewind button, just to hear it again. Even though I’ve heard it a million times before. And I thank God, for the infinity-eth time, for the gift of music. I truly in my heart of hearts, do not know where I would be if it weren’t for the many ways music has helped me connect with people, help me think, and inspired me. I thank God also that I have a wife who understands that and encourages it.

Six weeks into our move to the Valley of the Sun, I’m finding this transition to be tougher than I thought. Six weeks ago, I thought I could roll with the punches and adjust quite nicely. I thought that since I have the relationships with Julie’s family and her friends, I would find this to be an easier transition than when I moved to Mt. Pleasant to go to CMU and when I moved to Nashville. In both of those situations, I knew absolutely no one in the places I was moving to. This move hasn’t been easier. It takes time to build up those memories that make a place feel like home, and to develop those friendships that aid in making those memories.

...and on a related note

this, my friends, is why i love the interwebs. i love learning about new things, especially when it comes to music. and especially, especially when it's about some long-forgotten part of music.

i came across this post this afternoon. it's about the blues before it became, well, the blues. it talks about how white america stepped in, with the influence of rock & roll, and changed the course of the blues forever. it talks about the original intention of the blues not being something you can dance to, or even sing along to. it was something to listen to. to take in and ponder. to absorb, and make part of the very fabric of your being.

i think this is why i am drawn to the blues. that even today it still maintains that essence of pondering life's deeper meanings. that's something most of today's music isn't able to do.

on a somewhat related note (but not entirely), i also came across this video of ray charles doing a cover of johnny cash's "ring of fire". it has ray's touches to it, and is a nice little display of his many talents.

blues legends

sirius/xm sent me an email today announcing the launch of their youtube channel. i've been a subscriber of satellite radio for a few years, and i enjoy the music, news and comedy it provides. in my opinion, it's a lot better than local radio. not to mention that it provides the american public the only soccer radio shows the U.S. has to offer in world soccer daily and the football show.

as i looked over some of the videos, i came across a couple that immediately caught my attention, 2 videos involving blues legends buddy guy and b.b. king. as a music geek, i love interviews like this. i love hearing the behind the scenes stories about the life of musicians, especially coming from icons like b.b. king and buddy guy.

Michael Jackson's Funeral

Ok, so yes, I'm one of the millions of persons who watched the funeral. Here are the things I appreciated about the funeral.

- Al Sharpton's bold claims about MJ's breaking of the color barrier

- MLK III's quoting his father when he quoted this poem:

BE THE BEST OF WHATEVER YOU ARE

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a shrub in the valley---but be
The best little shrub at the side of the hill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.
We can't all be captains,
We've got to be crew.
There's something for all of us here;
There is big work to do, and there's lesser to do
And the task we must do is the near.
If you can't be a highway, then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun, be a star;
It isn't the size that you win or you fail---
Be the best of whatever you are.
Anonymous

- Brooke Shields' tearful memorial

But my favorite was Jennifer Hudson's performance of "Will You Be There". Simply Beautiful.

MJ was a great icon and an incredible entertainer.

the talent pool

"American Idol" is a television show. First and foremost. It's bigger than any contestant. It's glorified karaoke at best."

i was reading Bob Lefsetz' response to last night's "american idol", and that's a line that stuck out for me. i'm sure, if you didn't watch it yourself, you've seen the news bits about the girl in the bikini who popped in and made it to the next round. could she sing? sure, she was ok. she won't make it much further than round 2, though. she's basing too much on her appearance, and i think what the 4 judges on american idol are looking for is more than just looks...they're looking for the complete package. between the talent last night in phoenix, tonight's in kansas city, and the other cities, she's done.

but in a way she's a microcosm of what this show is to many people. it's a way to get (at least) your 15 minutes of fame if you put yourself in the right circumstances. which is what she did. it's a method for people to get attention, and in a very superficial way, validate their existence. i'm sure you've seen some of the reactions from people when simon, paula & the other judges are blatantly honest with some of the contestants over their lack of talent. it's when you see who really are the drama queens and spoiled brats. the impression these people leave is that their entire existence is based on the opinions of these (now) 4 people they have never met before and never will run into again. it's easy for us, on our own, to believe we are better at something than we really are. especially when our family & friends are not honest with us.

"american idol", especially in the early stages, is incredibly entertaining to watch. i feel empathy for the people who are truly trying to sing well and have practiced but are shot down because that "it" factor isn't there. for me, there is nothing more beautiful than a musician who performs with talent and from the heart. it moves me. and i couldn't help but laugh at some of the other people who, it seems, had never really heard themselves sing.

i can't help but think, as we wade through this new era in music where there will not be any true superstars, what some of the contestants think the long-term outlook is for them if they did make it.

i've heard there was a secret chord

i came across this blog on NPR's website about the song "Hallelujah". the NPR blog (here's the link) has some youtube videos of various artists performing it. the song was originally written & performed by Leonard Cohen, and made famous by Jeff Buckley on his album Grace. i had forgotten how moving this song is. if you haven't heard it, you need to. you could consider it a modern hymn, especially with it's many biblical references. i won't go too much more into it, especially since the comments in the NPR blog cover what i would want to mention anyway...and then some. all that i ask of you is to take a few minutes, shut the door to whatever room you're in to block out all distractions, and listen to this song with your eyes closed. sometimes that's the only real way to connect with music...especially a song like this one.

the times, they are a changin'

it's still a shock to me how quick time can go. it dawned upon me that it's been a bit since we posted anything here. so, i thought i could at least give an update on what's been going on in the life of Brian & Julie.

one of the biggest fun new developments is we now know where we're living next month. our lease on our current apartment ends August 30. we could have renewed our lease, but we decided we needed a place with more space. it looks like we've found that in a house not too far from where we are now. it's a rental...and in great shape. it has 1600 square feet of joy with a deck, a yard, & all the fixins'. yes, that was a bit a bit southern. but we're definitely excited about this place...especially since it's not too much more than what we're paying now for our 1000 square foot apartment.

right now, though, julie is in her home state of arizona enjoying some time with her family. they're renting a houseboat for a week and cruising along Lake Powell, which is near the border of arizona & utah. it's a much needed escape for her. she's had to deal with a lot of issues at work recently, and my only hope is that she comes back recharged & refreshed. why is brian not there, you may ask? simple. my employer would not grant me the time off to go.

so, as an antidote for missing my wife, i went on a bit of a shopping spree this weekend & purchased a bunch of wonderful new music. i love what i've heard of it so far.

1) R.L. Burnside - "Come On In"
2) The Avalanches - "Since I Left You"
3) Cadence Weapon - "Afterparty Babies"
4) She Wants Revenge - (self-titled)
5) The Appleseed Cast - "Two Conversations"
6) The Forms - "T.B.D."
7) Jimmy Smith - "Root Down (Live)"
8) Over the Rhine - "Ohio"

some of these purchases were steps in expanding my musical horizons. namely Jimmy Smith (jazz), R.L. Burnside (blues) and Over the Rhine (americana/bluegrass).

thanks for tuning in for another episode.

P.S> an imaginary gold star to the 1st person who comments with the name of the artist, album and year for the song referenced in the title. it shouldn't be too difficult.

...rather be forgotten...

i'm in the midst of doing my bi-weekly radio show, when "summerholidays vs punkroutine" by refused starts to play. (thanks, spence, for introducing me to it.) it's one of my favorite tunes off their album "the shape of punk to come...", which is why i chose to play it.

the chorus to this song goes "i'd rather be forgotten, than remembered for giving in". and i think to myself, isn't that what real integrity is? truely holding on to your beliefs, your values, what you stand for, what you say, the promises you make. even to the point of preferring to be just another piece of sand on the beach than being known as the one who played benedict arnold to your value system.

it's a tall, tough order. it's something i'm struggling with. after living for 31 years as a bachelor and being able to wait to make decisions until the last minute, i now need to take julie into consideration in those decisions. not just about what we do on a given evening, but things that affect our jobs, meals, chores, how our individual value systems reflect on us as a couple, etc. it comes down to honestly being who you are. it's deeper & more layered than i originally fathomed.

so as julie & i travel through this new journey in our lives, i pray for strength to stand up & be the man God put me on this planet to be.

P.S. > it's awesome when music inpires you
----------------
Now playing: Refused - Summerholidays Vs. Punkroutine
via FoxyTunes

some hope for corporatedom

I was at work today, doing one of my normal duties of calling insurance companies. This afternoon I called Blue Cross in Indiana. I was then put on hold, and I braced myself to be forced to listen to Michael Bolton, muzak or some other similar form of music that makes my ears bleed. What did I hear instead? None other than Sufjan Stevens' song "Chicago". What a wonderful surprise. Thank you, Blue Cross of Indiana, for having decent taste in music, and for making my ears smile.