Here are this week’s performances of the week to either: set your DVRs to record, make sure to be near a television, or catch on online.
Wednesday 4.1.2009: Ray LaMontagne on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Friday 4.3.2009: Cold War Kids on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
I greatly anticipate these performances this week, I hope they do not disappoint and we will make sure to post links and share our thoughts after each performance.
So I don’t know how I missed this project the first time around. This is exactly the kind of music that I love. I mean my Gnarls Barkley cover by Ray Lamontagne and that acoustic cover of Hey Ya have become two of the most played songs in my library. So in fact I am even upset that I didn’t discover this collection of covers til now. But not too upset. Because now I have lots of incredible new cover songs to love and cherish. I will let the music speak for itself. But first I want to complain a little about the title. Yeah it’s really clever and all, but I just really don’t like the idea of guilty pleasures. I mean why feel guilty about liking a song. So what if it’s not cool to like it. So what if there’s an Avril Lavigne song that you secretly love. Or that you listened to that One Republic collaboration with Timbaland over and over. Now I’m not saying that I’m about to start praising these artists and comparing them to The Beatles or any of the other greats. But I will freely admit to both of those confessions. Without guilt.
Anyway. Back to the matter at hand. Engine Room Recordings has announced the release of the second edition of the Guilt By Association cover series. The cd is set to hit stores on February 17th, but it has already been released for download on Itunes. But for those of you short on cash, you can go ahead and stream it over on the Engine Room Recordings web-site. Also here is My Brightest Diamond’s installment in the series. I know that I just wrote about here not too long ago and that I had thirteen others to choose from. But I was just so excited that she chose to record this song, because I actually saw her play this song when I saw her open for The Decemberists a couple years ago and it was seriously the highlight of the show. Shara Worden is an incredible performer, with one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. I cannot recommend seeing her live enough. Or the Decemberists for that matter. Well to wrap things up, here is the tracklist for Guilt By Association Vol. 2. I hope your ears bleed (but not really).
Saturday I attended the ceremony and celebration that took place for two of my very best friends who decided to give each other their hands (and the rest of themselves) in marriage. And I had a great time. Weddings have not always been something that I particularly enjoyed. But lately, especially when I am good friends with those getting married, I really enjoy weddings.
I think one of the main reasons is that there has been more emphasis on the celebration than the ceremony, which is the way I think it should be. Now I believe that marriage is a very sacred thing that should be taken very seriously. And assuming it doesn’t drag on forever I really enjoy a lot of the traditions that we have regarding the marriage ceremony, and would never want to get rid of it or diminish its importance and value. But I love that with the last several weddings I have been a part of, the whole weekend has just felt like one big party.
Another reason I have come to enjoy weddings lately is that people have felt the freedom to be creative with the music that they use during the ceremony. Hearing the music that people choose to have everyone in the wedding party walk down to or what they pick as their first dance has become one of my favorite parts of the wedding. And since Eric and Ashley did such a great job of picking music for all of these things I thought that it would make a great playlist worth posting for my faithful readers.
Along with the addition of the new ‘Song of the Day’ feature, I will be attempting to present to you at the beginning of each week the new releases that I think are worth mentioning in both music and film. I decided to do it on Sunday rather than wait til Tuesday, so that you can have a couple days to think, “Hey, I need to set aside some cash for that”. So without further ado. Here some releases that I think you will be happy to hear about.
This is sure to be one of the best albums of the year. One of the best performers and songwriters of our generation. He hasn’t disappointed me yet, and I think we can expect nothing but greatness on LaMontagne’s third release. I mean it even has a love song that he wrote for Meg White. What more could you ask for?
I feel like I should say the exact same thing about this band as I just did about Ray. These guys are truly pop geniuses. Now I’m not trying to say that their music is really complex and that they are super talented. Quite the contrary. They make very simplistic music with familiar chord progressions, but they manage to make it sound very intricate and brand new. I highly encourage you to go out and get this as soon as you can.
Copeland – You Are Sunshine
Easily one of the best Christian bands out there. Their sounds never ceases to amaze me. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to hear a bit of this new album, but I am really looking forward to it. The whole album is available to be streamed from their myspace. You should check it out. I know I would be if myspace wasn’t blocked on our server here at work.
Ingrid Michaelson – Be Ok
I have only heard the title track, and I actually didn’t care too much for it. But I still felt that his release was worth mentioning because of how incredibly catchy and enjoyable her debut from last year was. If wouldn’t rush out and buy this one. But if you’ve never heard her before she is definitely worth a listen. I recommend the songs Breakable or Die Alone.
*
Film
W.
“A chronicle on the life and presidency of George W. Bush.” Really? This movie is already being made? I mean his presidency hasn’t even officially ended yet. This just blows my mind. Almost as shocking as the fact that a movie has already been made about the events of 9/11. At least all of those gave us at least a year or two to look back upon what had happened and gain some perspective.
I am definitely curious to see this film and find out what they have to say, but I am just afraid it will only piss me off. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not about to tell you that Bush is perfect and that he’s been a fantastic President. But I just don’t understand what makes Oliver Stone think that he has such great perspective on his life and presidency as to make a movie like this. I don’t know, maybe he isn’t trying to make a statement and it will actually have a tasteful plot line and ending. We’ll see.
