Who's to Blame?

Don't blame it on the sunshine

Don't blame it on the moonlight

Don't blame it on the good times

Blame it on the boogie

I love Michael Jackson and The Jacksons. Can't help myself. I have been thinking about him recently. SIRIUS XM has a special channel for him right now, there is new material being released and it's coming up on the 5 year anniversary of his death. To honour the artist, I chose this Jacksons song, because it's fun.....and the video is ridiculous.

Now onto my new release reviews. There are only three this week, as I have been all consumed at work with the Children's Festival. It really takes over the office, and subsequently my life that I don't have time to listen to music.

Upside Down Mountain by Conor Oberst

The opening track is great, and it really sets the tone for the rest of the album. It's been quite a while since there's been solo work from Conor, and I will say it was worth the wait. His writing and melodies, have only gotten stronger and vocally his message is clearer (I used to find him a tad mummbly). 

Definitely worth a listen.

Maroma by Pastono Orquesta

I was really not sure what I would be getting myself into with this. I looked at the title and thought to myself.....how do I feel about Mexican Circus music?

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this record. I take the word "surprisingly" back; great music is great music. The group is comprised of  ethno-musicologists that are dedicated to the preservation of Mexican music and the various sub-genres. I highly recommend tracking the music down and checking it out.

Wine Dark Sea by Jolie Holland

The sound is sort of a heavy bluesy guitar with plenty of reverb and in parts it also embraced jazz and soul. It definitely forged it's own unique path. Her vocals I found to be slurred and drawn out. I won't lie, in parts her vocals annoyed the shit out of me. While I will say on certain tracks the style works, I think she needs to choose when to use it. It almost feels like she didn't flush out the idea of the song, and decided to simply interpret each song the same way. There is a spark to her, but ultimately this album is not for me.

Before I sign off I wanted to leave you with this insightful animated short of Johnny Cash talking about life: 

This Whole Damn World Could Fall Apart

You'll be okay follow your heart.
New Radicals, You Get What you Give
I heard the New Radicals on my way into work. It instantly takes me back to summer and years ago when this album came out. I was running a music store, and a bunch of us thought this album would do well. Fast forward, and the New Radicals, are nothing more then a one hit wonder. Oh well, can't call them all.

I hate to type this out for fear I may jinx it, but I believe it is summer finally. It's still very cool in the morning, but the sun has been shining, and yesterday when I was outside, it didn't feel forced, it even felt a bit warm.

Not sure if it was the mood I was in this week, or what but I was not blown away by any of the new releases I previewed.. There are some good qualities, but for the most part I felt blah.

Someday World by Brian Eno & Karl Hyde
For sure the best of the batch this week, this album I listened to a few times, and mostly for Karl. My knowledge of Brian Eno is primarily as a collaborator more so then as a member of Roxy Music or as a solo musician with a strong definitive sound. So many people I know who are big music nerds like myself speak of Brian's genius, but I will admit, I do not know a ton about the man or his music. But because my biggest knowledge of him is when he collaborates, I was excited to see something with Karl Hyde. I am a big fan of Karl's for years beginning in 1988 with the release of Underworld's Underneath the Radar. Man I must have worn out my cassette of that one. Any ways I digress, the release in question is Someday World. It's a solid release from start to finish, but there was not a single track that stood out from the others, and therefore no real memorable moment. Still worth a listen as the whole record as one piece is decent.

I Never Learn by Lykke Li
This is one of those albums where the vocals meld into the music. I even felt in some areas that the vocals just disappeared. I am not sure if I really love this trend. I have heard it quite a bit, and sometimes it's done well, mostly I just stop caring and listening. That aside I did enjoy the album. The mood evoked is beautiful and I re-listened to a few tracks. No Rest for the Wicked is an especially great track

Changing Light by Mirah
No a fan of this one. I appreciate the vocals and the lyrics were okay, but I felt like there was too much sound....does that make sense? I felt like the artist was think more is more, and couldn't appreciate the beauty in subtly. I found myself easily distracted. There was nothing keeping my attention.

Cry for the Flies by Le Butcherettes
This album surprised me. Initially I wasn't hooked, but something told me to give it another pass and when I did I started to appreciate the music and it's quirks. It starts at a pretty frenetic pace, and I immediately made a connection to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs especially in vocals. I think I will only enjoy this release more with each listen. There is a very obvious pace change in the album, The spoken word track Moment of Guilt, by Henry Rollins. Past this piece, the shift is obvious, but still compliments everything prior to it.
This release is worth checking out.

So remember kids, it's great to hear music online, but it's even better to buy the album in a store, look though the liner notes, enjoy the original artwork, and appreciate the people who made it all possible.
Go buy a CD or Record, my indie store friends at Permanent Records, Listen Records and Blackbyrd Myoozik will appreciate the business.

Don't Let it Get Away...

It's a Beautiful Day!

I am back at work after having last week off. While the weather may not have cooperated the whole time, nothing could dampen the time. So many laughs, great food and drink was consumed, and I think it's really what I needed to in such a chaotic time.

Chaos is everywhere, but it's perspective that keeps you sane while moving through it. I have been buried in details since coming back to work, but kept reminding myself to take moments for myself.  In fact I am doing the David Suzuki #30x30challenge. Everyday this week spend 30 minutes in nature. It's a great challenge, that I am happy to participate in. 

Another thing that has made me happy this week, and let's be honest every week, is music. There were some great finds this week 2 artists specifically that I was not familiar with, but am now smitten with. Starting with the familiar:

Dolly Parton; she has a new CD coming out called Blue Smoke. Let me just say straight off that I love her. Her voice is still great after all of these years and while the recent material she's recorded of patriotic and cover songs has not been a path I enjoy this new release sees her coming back to familiar territory and sounds. Blue Smoke is her 42 album and is a bit of a patchwork but somehow it really works. We are taken on a bit of a journey of styles for Bluegrassy mountain, to a Dylan cover and some duets (hello Kenny), and great country music but by the end of the CD it all makes sense, and fits together very well. (PS: check out her website, man this lady knows how to market herself)

Amor Planeta by Pacifica. I dig this group. They are a a World fusion trio from Vancouver that really forages a strong path for themselves. Spanish vocals and electronica subtleties combine to create a lush and expressive sound that truly is their own. I love this quote from the singer, Silvana Kane on the inspiration of this album:  “It’s love in its various forms: love of nature, love of another, love that is lost, love that is eternal—basically all that makes us what we are as humans.” Do yourself a favour and go buy this album.

All or Nothing by Nikki Lane. I had never heard of this girl before, but holy $#it is she great. I really dug the sound. I was instantly reminded of Neko Case in a few spots, as her great voice really has an outlaw country vibe that perfectly compliments the moody music. Heavy instrumentation, was immediately infectious that after listening to her album, I looked her up and was not surprised to find out the Dan Auerback produced the album. 
The opening track is a real stand out an leads into a CD that is filled with great contradictions classic/modern, country/guitar rock and polished/raw. 

Lighght by Kishi Bashi. Instantly smitten, is what I will say about this album. I mean, I was not prepared for it's opening track of violin morphing into a great rhythmic anthem. The whole album I found wonderfully strange. Chamber poppy dance music with vocals reminding me of The Shins at times. I really enjoyed this, it was simply fun and I think based on my chaotic week, was exactly what I needed to hear. I will definitely playing this one a few more times today while at work. Here's the opening track...enjoy: 

Oh also you'll see on his website that he's having a T-shirt design contest. Spread the word. 

As always, if you like what you hear, go buy the record, in a store like; Permanent Records, Blackbyrd Myoozik or Listen Records. The record store is vital, we need to support them....plus they're super knowledgeable.