Like most Bright Eyes, M. Ward, and My Morning Jacket fans, I was a little disappointed when I first heard Monsters of Folk. It’s not a very catchy album. But I think that some of the let down can be attributed to the completely unrealistic expectations that I had for this album. And as time has passed, the album is slowly but surely reaching those expectations. It is definitely one of those albums that needs time and space to grow on you. The more I listen to it, the more I recognized how these four are truly masters of their trade. Everything on this record is just so tight and I absolutely love the way that share the mic throughout each song. I really enjoy the way their voices sound together. Which is interesting, since I don’t particularly love any of their voices individually.
When I first shared the song “Say Please” with you all back in July, I wasn’t really impressed. It has since become one of my favorite songs of the year. And I really enjoyed the video that they created to accompany it. Enjoy the Music Video of the Week. And then listen to a few songs from the record that are streaming below.
This past weekend I was explaining to a friend of mine why I have a hard time with drum circles. I get really frustrating with most participants unwillingness to play a simple beat. In my opinion they are the most enjoyable and most tolerable to my ears when you phase people in, one at a time, with different but very simple beats. But unfortunately everyone wants to solo and just let their hands go crazy.
To make great music it doesn’t have to be difficult or complex and I think that a lot of the great artists of our time, get this. Chris Martin definitely does. And so does M. Ward. I’m not saying these guys aren’t talented. Rather, I think they are brilliant, because they both have the ability of taking a bunch of really simple and sometimes even mundane and piece it together to create something truly marvelous. And I’ve just recently discovered another band that has figured out how to do this as well. Watch this live performance by instrumental band, Balmorhea and you will know what I mean.
This is a band that I have absolutely fallen for. Their 2009 record, All is Wild, All is Silent, is just phenomenal. I absolutely love it, from start to finish. Take a listen to this remix by Library Tapes, of the same song you just watched them perform live.
Indie label, Vanguard Records, got caught up in the Christmas spirit and decided give to us a free Holiday Sampler. It has tracks from some the best artists that they represent, from Brandi Carlile to Josh Ritter to Dar Williams to Greg Laswell…well you get the point and you can see all their names on the album cover to the left. Not all of the tracks are Holiday themed, but it is still a great mix for the holiday season. Click here to get this joyous holiday mix.
A while back in a Guardian interview, when asked who she’d like to work with, Beyonce said that she would love to get the chance to work with Of Montreal or any of the other indie bands that her sister (Solange) has turned her onto recently. Well apparently Kevin Barnes took note of Queen B’s request. Last week, the Of Montreal frontman tweeted that he “Started work on a song 4 B.” She hasn’t contacted him yet, he just wants to be prepared, “just in case.” The name of the song is “He’sMyPartyDrug” and it “sounds like The Time meets Four Tet.” I know I’m intrigued. Let’s just hope Beyonce is too.
Like most Bright Eyes, M. Ward, and My Morning Jacket fans, I was a little disappointed when I first heard Monsters of Folk. It’s not a very catchy album. But I think that some of the let down can be attributed to the completely unrealistic expectations that I had for this album. And as time has passed, the album is slowly but surely reaching those expectations. It is definitely one of those albums that needs time and space to grow on you. The more I listen to it, the more I recognized how these four are truly masters of their trade. Everything on this record is just so tight and I absolutely love the way that share the mic throughout each song. I really enjoy the way their voices sound together. Which is interesting, since I don’t particularly love any of their voices individually.
