Recently I posted a link to the first single "calgary" of the upcoming self-titled album by Bon Iver. well, Yesterday I was able to hear the entire album and have listened to it several times since then. I don't want to be to premature with my evaluation of it but the first few times have been marvelous. Honestly it's one of the most soothing, incredible works I've ever heard.
I was expecting something more electric and electronic and it definitely is that.
For those who are fans of Justin Vernon you have probably heard his various other works: Volcano Choir, Gayngs, etc. On this new album he takes where he left off on the "Blood Bank" Ep and mixes it with his other work to get an original album along with keeping his Bon Iver feel. The music is really marvelous Justin shows his wide range of vocals singing high and low all over the album. There's also much more texture among the instruments with horns being used and many other instruments.
Then there are the lyrics. Justin is great at using words I'm not even sure what they mean but they sound great together and there are some quality gems on this album. I tried to pick out a few lines that really hit me but they were all so great I figured I would just post the link of the lyrics for every song.
http://boniver.org/lyrics.html
Overall this is one of the best albums released in the last several years. Bon Iver does it again and will probably do it over and over again. Justin Vernon is exceptionally talented and its seams that everything he touches is a brilliant form of art. Hope everyone is able to enjoy this album as much as I am.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Bon Iver Debuts First Single "Calgary" from New Album :: Music :: News :: Paste
Bon Iver Debuts First Single "Calgary" from New Album :: Music :: News :: Paste
Finally Bon Iver have released a single from their upcoming self-titled album. I actually like it a lot too, I've sort of wondered what I would sound like. I expected a little more electronic but similar to their first album. So far it's living up to my expectations. Take a Listen if you would like.
Finally Bon Iver have released a single from their upcoming self-titled album. I actually like it a lot too, I've sort of wondered what I would sound like. I expected a little more electronic but similar to their first album. So far it's living up to my expectations. Take a Listen if you would like.
Pet Sounds Turns 45 today!
On May 16th 1966 The Beach Boys released the album Pet Sounds- the album is not only one of the Beach Boys finest pieces but in my opinion a masterpiece and one of the greatest albums ever made. Pet Sounds was almost solely written by Brian Wilson and really submerged the Beach Boys from the surf-rock label into experimental musicians. Brian Wilson was influenced by hearing the Beatles albums Revolver and Rubber Soul and wanted to make "the greatest rock album ever made".
Honestly I would have to say this might be the greatest rock album ever made. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the album number 2 on it's list of "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Ironically number 1 on that list is The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" which was The Beatles response to hearing Pet Sounds. Really the process that Wilson went through recording the album is very through and sort of complicated just explaining it. He played Organ, Piano, keyboards, guitar, as well as all of the sound effects. Wilson also sang lead, harmony and backing vocals as well as arranging and conducting all of the session musicians. If all of this isn't amazing enough he also produced the entire album taking what he learned from the great producer Phil Spector.
Brian Wilson with the help of Tony Asher composed and wrote every song on the album. There was actually minimal help from the rest of The Beach Boys and the majority of the album was recorded while they were away on tour in which Brian didn't go on. The band actually didn't like the album a lot and were concerned with Brian's drug use however they helped with various instruments and sang vocals on most of the songs.
The first time I ever heard this album in full I was more than blown away. Everything is perfect on the album. The Vocals and harmonies are magical and the lyrics hit home with the way I was feeling at the time and most still do. All I remember and still think, is how did someone make such and amazing piece of art? Not only did they create this amazing album Brian did it all basically by himself. The Album did so much for the world of music and is also one of the first Psychedelic albums. I would have to say this IS the greatest rock album ever made and Brian Wilson was and still is a genius.
My favorite track is "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" It's a beautiful song about not being able to relate to the things around you.
Honestly I would have to say this might be the greatest rock album ever made. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the album number 2 on it's list of "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Ironically number 1 on that list is The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" which was The Beatles response to hearing Pet Sounds. Really the process that Wilson went through recording the album is very through and sort of complicated just explaining it. He played Organ, Piano, keyboards, guitar, as well as all of the sound effects. Wilson also sang lead, harmony and backing vocals as well as arranging and conducting all of the session musicians. If all of this isn't amazing enough he also produced the entire album taking what he learned from the great producer Phil Spector.
Brian Wilson with the help of Tony Asher composed and wrote every song on the album. There was actually minimal help from the rest of The Beach Boys and the majority of the album was recorded while they were away on tour in which Brian didn't go on. The band actually didn't like the album a lot and were concerned with Brian's drug use however they helped with various instruments and sang vocals on most of the songs.
The first time I ever heard this album in full I was more than blown away. Everything is perfect on the album. The Vocals and harmonies are magical and the lyrics hit home with the way I was feeling at the time and most still do. All I remember and still think, is how did someone make such and amazing piece of art? Not only did they create this amazing album Brian did it all basically by himself. The Album did so much for the world of music and is also one of the first Psychedelic albums. I would have to say this IS the greatest rock album ever made and Brian Wilson was and still is a genius.
My favorite track is "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" It's a beautiful song about not being able to relate to the things around you.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Sounds of the South
Last night I was privileged to be able to go to Cincinnati with a great friend to the Friday night installment of the Music Now Festival. The lineup consisted of Ymusic, Shara Worden and "Sounds of the South". I was actually not familiar with any of these artists but Justin Vernon was playing as a guest of "Sounds of the South" so I decided to go. I was able to see Justin Vernon solo last year at the Music Now festival and it was one of the most incredible live performances I have ever seen.
Even though I went last night with little expectations I have to say that all three of the Acts blew me away and made for an exceptional night. However "Sounds of the South" really stood out to me and was a great experience to watch. The bands Megafaun and Fight the Big Bull were joined by Justin Vernon and Sharon Van Etten in order to perform reinterpretations of songs from the "sounds of the south" box set put together in 1961 by Alan Lomax. It was a pretty magical interpretation of these old American blues songs, mixing the very folksy Megafaun with the Jazzy Fight the Big Bull with the beautiful voices of Justin Vernon and Sharon Van Etten made very original renditions.
Overall I was blown away by the quality of music that was produced by these musicians. There were parts that were sort of avant-garde and I felt like they just didn't work but when it did work it was soul at it's finest.
Heres a video I found on youtube of one of the songs:
Even though I went last night with little expectations I have to say that all three of the Acts blew me away and made for an exceptional night. However "Sounds of the South" really stood out to me and was a great experience to watch. The bands Megafaun and Fight the Big Bull were joined by Justin Vernon and Sharon Van Etten in order to perform reinterpretations of songs from the "sounds of the south" box set put together in 1961 by Alan Lomax. It was a pretty magical interpretation of these old American blues songs, mixing the very folksy Megafaun with the Jazzy Fight the Big Bull with the beautiful voices of Justin Vernon and Sharon Van Etten made very original renditions.
Overall I was blown away by the quality of music that was produced by these musicians. There were parts that were sort of avant-garde and I felt like they just didn't work but when it did work it was soul at it's finest.
Heres a video I found on youtube of one of the songs:
We Meet Again
So I've Decided to start writing on my blog again. I think that I will just post various songs and reviews on albums from every decade, new and old. Hopefully someone out in the universe will enjoy it and discover some new music.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Albums
So since I just now created this blog I find it necessary that I create a list of what I think are the top 15 albums of 2009.
15. Rosanne Cash- The List
14. Levon Helm- Electric Dirt
13. The Swell Season
12. Real Estate- Real Estate
11. Atlas Sound- Logos
10. Wilco- wilco the album
9. Monsters Of Folk- M.O.F.
8. Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
7. Various Artists – Dark Was the Night
6. Iron and Wine- Around The Well
5. Bon Iver- Blood Bank ep
4. Bat For Lashes- Two Suns
3. Pearl Jam- Backspacer
2. Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest
1. The Dead Weather- Horehound
15. Rosanne Cash- The List
14. Levon Helm- Electric Dirt
13. The Swell Season
12. Real Estate- Real Estate
11. Atlas Sound- Logos
10. Wilco- wilco the album
9. Monsters Of Folk- M.O.F.
8. Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
7. Various Artists – Dark Was the Night
6. Iron and Wine- Around The Well
5. Bon Iver- Blood Bank ep
4. Bat For Lashes- Two Suns
3. Pearl Jam- Backspacer
2. Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest
1. The Dead Weather- Horehound
Beginnings
So I've decided to start a blog and I have no idea what I'll write about. It will probably mostly be about music, thoughts and my everyday life. I hope the next real post will be somewhat more interesting and be meaningful at least to someone. so this ends my first post.
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