Tag Archives: Joanna Newsom

Music Monday 11.29.10 Kanye West

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So upon the recommendation of just about everyone, I gave Kanye West’s new album a few more listens. I’m not exactly sure how my tone came off a few weeks ago so I want to make this clear: I think this a good album, and probably one of the better of the year. But I don’t think it’s this year’s best… I don’t even think it’s his best. But it is good. There’s something to it, that you can get behind the songs that you don’t even really like that much. I think it’s a creative album by most standards, but not all. It’s funny to me that it’s getting showered with the compliments of how unique it is, but in comparison to some truly unique acts, I think it still falls short.
Again though, it’s good.

The idea for this poster came from the couple of Egyptian references Kanye makes on the song Monster, which I just couldn’t get enough of. You may also notice this is in the style of the last poster I did for him. I don’t know if it makes sense to say this or not, but the album sounds very black and red to me, and I think it would be cool to do a few more that fit this style of illustration.

Kirby’s dad lent me a few albums that he loves, that he thought I might enjoy, one of which being Eat A Peach by The Allman Brothers Band. He had told us that he wanted their song Blue Sky to play at his funeral. And even though that’s strangely sort of morbid to think of at this point, the song is pretty awesome, and would probably be the coolest funeral song ever. This album is southern rock, perhaps at it’s finest.

Brick + Mortar, who I know I’ve talked about before, are just one of the most creative and talented bands out there right now. They are emerging from the Asbury/New Jersey music scene and gaining a lot of deserving recognition and respect. If you have the chance to catch these guys, I would certainly not miss the opportunity. I actually had the fortune of seeing them twice over this Thanksgiving break. Once at The Stone Pony, and two nights later at a bar in Seaside. It was awesome to see that even in two completely different venues, one with a stage and an intense sound system, and the other with neither, they still performed great and made each environment work for them. I took some video of them from The Stone Pony, and I think it’s best you check them out. John Tacon is an absolute crazy person on the drums.

Music Monday 7.19.10 Best Coast

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When I first heard Best Coast I hated them. But then one day I heard the song Something In The Way in a new way, and I was changed forever. Now, I’m at the point where I can’t get enough, and thankfully this past week I got their new album, Crazy For You, and I’m crazy for it. It’s warm and fuzzy and she’s got that perfect voice. All the songs are about falling in love, or already being there, and it’s to me, the perfect sound of summer 2010. I give this a strong approval and recommendation.

Other things to take note of is that for the first time in the 4 years I was aware of them and on and off listening, I finally understood Woods and really enjoyed listening to them. I don’t know what clicked, but something did. I was cleaning my old bookshelves while listening to this, and it was really late at night, and the music added something to that.

I also realized that Pedro The Lion’s Achilles Heel is my favorite thing David Bazan has done.

I also listened to The Books new album, which classic Books, but I like that. If you like there other stuff, this won’t disappoint.

Music Monday 7.12.10

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Rodrigo y Gabriela are, according to Wikipedia, a Mexican musical duo who specialize in playing fast, rhythmic acoustic guitars; and I would say that’s pretty accurate. My dad had told me about these guys a while back when he heard them on the radio playing covers of Metallica songs. I sort of forgot all about them until this past week, when their name entered into my head and I downloaded their album 11:11, which I immediately got into. While some of it reminds you of classic Mexican guitar finger picking, their speed alone sets them apart from what you might be used to hearing. There’s also something a bit more interesting about them. They’re putting a spin on the familiar and making something really quite original. I would definitely give this a shot if for no other reason but to expand your library.

I really hate going Monday to Monday with no updates in between, but this week has been busy. I moved into my new apartment, and had a pretty eventful weekend which (thankfully) kept me away from the computer. Photos from my trip to the beach will be coming soon.

Music Monday 5.24.10

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So this is going to be the new style for Music Mondays. I’ve decided I’m going to make a poster for the top artist rather just a general accompanying image. I’ll also continue to post screen grabs from my last.fm, but I don’t think I’ll be talking about much besides the week’s top artist. I’m doing this in part because I was feeling slightly stressed out trying to talk about new things week it started to impede how I might normally listen to music. I also wanted to turn this into an opportunity for me to make more posters. So we’ll try it like this for a while. If things don’t work out, we’ll move on.

So this week I was getting into Fruit Bats who’s album The Ruminant Band was hitting the spot in all the right ways. It’s a lot of acoustic songs with an occasional supporting backing band with tons of great harmonies/melodies. I had this on Saturday morning, and it just seem to be the perfect music for the day. I’d really recommend checking them out and The Ruminant Band is a great place to start. Below is how the rest of the week rounded out…if you’re interested in anything else, just leave a comment.

Music Monday 5.17.10

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It’s been just under 4 months since I started this Music Monday thing, and I wanted to talk about what’s been topping the charts in that past time. And because next week will introduce the new format of Music Monday, I wanted to give you a culmination of the past time. So above is all the accompanying pieces of art from past entries combined to make one big piece. Last.fm offers me a chart for the past 3 months, so that’s what I give to you.

Real Estate is not surprising to be found at number one because I went through a few waves of obsession. These guys are playing with Kurt Vile at Johnny Brendas on July 11th and I will be there, so do me a favor, and do yourself a favor and meet me there and let’s have a good time. If you still haven’t checked these guys out…well I don’t know what to say besides help me to help you.

Joanna Newsom no undoubtedly makes this because of her seriously great new record Have One On Me. I know that some of you may be on the fence with her, for various reasons, but in my opinion, this is by far her best work. It such a dense record that has a lot to offer in its many layers, which keep unpeeling themselves a few listens in. I also love the album artwork.

Harlem is one of those bands that almost slipped by. But I obviously was able to latch onto them, and once I did, I realized it was a good thing I did. Hippies is one of the most fun sounding albums I’ve heard recently, and it makes you want to put it on loud and drive with the windows down.

I came across Local Natives in the beginning of February and have been listening to them pretty consistently since then. They are one of my favorite new bands, and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, these guys are on the edge of blowing up in a big way, pretty much in the same way that Fleet Foxes did. The dynamic of this band isn’t necessarily anything you haven’t heard before, but they are doing it so well that it just doesn’t matter at all.

Dr. Dog is a band that because of their latest album, Shame, Shame, my interest in them has grown even stronger. It’s a great album that I wouldn’t be hesitant to call their best, and like I said, has put them on my permanent radar. I feel like I can recommend these guys to almost anyone and they would enjoy it.

King Tuff had a wild grip on me these past few months, and much like Harlem, I want to put it on loud and drive my car. The music makes you want to get wild and eat pizza. I can’t really think of a better way to describe it than that…so if anything of those things sound like stuff you can get down to, well by all means, this is for you.

The Avett Brothers are a huge staple in my music listening. In the past year I’ve become obsessed with them, and now they’ll be a part of my life forever. I can’t really think of better songwriters than this band, and I think anyone who gives them a chance, will soon be bitten by their bug, and from there on out, you’re pretty much helpless to them.

Broken Social Scene garnered some plays in part of their new record which reconnected me with them. The cool thing about BSS is that their records are usually packing some serious songs, this most recent one had 14, which is pretty impressive with all things considered. I don’t think I need to convince any of you to give these guys a listen, as I’m sure you have already. But if you haven’t heard the new album yet, I certainly would advise you to give it your ears.

River City Extension just happens to be a group of people who I know, but they’re also a band that even if I knew none of them, I would still be in love with. I’ll spare you because I’ve more than talked your ear off in regards to this band, but RCE is by far one of my favorite bands and I will forever be recommending this band to anyone willing to listen.

Washed Out. To be honest, I can’t really say that I listened to this much after it initially captivated me. It’s one of those things where I listen to something perhaps too much too quickly, and then it’s hard to go back to it for a while. I’m sure by the next EP, the ban will have been lifted. Which speaking of, if you’re looking for a place to start, Life Of Leisure is the way to go.

As always check me out on Last.fm.

Music Monday 4.5.10

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This week, I was ALL about Joanna Newsom. I was listening to her new triple LP Have One On Me and I was loving it. I’ve always liked Joanna Newsom, but she was never someone I would often listen to. However, this new release just made me crazy for her. It’s like two hours long, and there are some moments on there that are just too fine for words. Good Intentions Paving Company is the ultimate groove. For anyone remotely interested in Joanna Newsom, Have One On Me is a must!

Real Estate is still doing so much right by me. I just love these guys. I am seriously trying to see them in Philly in the next few weeks, so if you’re interested in going, let me know, we can make a night of it.

Billy O’Brien asked me to make a poster for Cymbals Eat Guitars for an upcoming show they are playing in Asbury. I knew them by name, but hadn’t listened, so I wanted to familiarize myself with them before I started designing anything. And hollllllllyyyyyy cowwwww. These guys are so good! They are a new favorite already. For fans of Dinosaur Jr and Pavement, or more contemporary counterparts, Surfer Blood, check these guys out if you haven’t already. I’m seriously digging these guys and I need to find a way to make it to their Asbury show and maybe get my poster signed or something!

Ry Cooder came as a recognition from Kirby’s dad. And boy am I glad I found out about him. It’s just so good. He’s an Americana king. If you’re into any of the old folk guys, don’t pass him up. I got Into The Purple Valley on vinyl, and that’s just a sweet listen.

I had some Neil Young time this week. Everyone knows and loves Neil, so I won’t go into too much depth. But I think we can all agree that there’s some days where nothing else makes sense.

Givers are one of my favorite bands out there right now. I can’t wait to see these guys and girl live again. Also apparently some kid my sister goes to school with used to be in this band. I definitely need to explore that avenue a bit more, because you know, obsession.

Fang Island. I don’t really know about this band. I was hoping for a bit more than what I got I guess. First listen was pretty impressive, but as I listened again it just got a little corny to me. Seems like they are trying to fit a certain feel or something. Apparently these guys were also in the band Daughters, which kind of lends to my point that they are just trying to morph themselves into something a bit more relevant, but like there predecessor, this won’t have much lasting power either.

Graham Nash. I was having such a Graham Nash day last Thursday. I’m a fan of any respective letter making up CSNY, and N seems to never let me down.

Last.fm friends dude.