Music Update

Frank Turner: Sleep is for the weak – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Frank Turner. This is the second album of his that I have listened to and really liked it. I am not as hot about it as his other album, but it is still great.

Andrew Bird: Noble Beast – I like this album better that his first one. More memorable moments and less boring ‘whipsy’ sounds.

Ben Folds: Way to normal – I have to admit that I hated many of the songs the first time through. I still consider it his weakest solo effort… Love ‘You don’t know me’, ‘Before Cologne’ , ‘Cologne’, ‘Effington’ and ‘Kylie from Connecticut’, the rest of the album can take a hike.

Ben Lee: Awake is the new sleep & The rebirth of venus – Ben Lee is one of my new favorites. Interesting, smart lyrics, memorable moments spread throughout the albums and a unique but pretty voice… Think Ben Folds without the sometimes overly aggressiveness.

Bob Dylan: Together Through Life – I was a BIG fan of his last original album ‘Modern Times’… Not as big of a fan of this album. To be perfectly fair I have only listened to it 5 or 6 times so I am not sure I am ready to throw the nail in it… I will let you know.

Bruce Springsteen: The Wild, the innocent & the E street shuffle – The Boss brings it in a BIG way in his second album. LOVING THIS ALBUM RIGHT NOW… Here is my Boss list: Born to run, Nebraska, The Wild…, Born in the USA.

Dave Matthews Band: Big Whisky and… – I want to like this album so much! I want DMB to be ‘back’ after a string of straight up BAD albums. They seem tired… I will always love them for ‘Crash’ and ‘Under the table’, but I wish they would stop already.

Deerhunter: Microcastle – 1 part Radiohead, 1 part Arcade Fire, 1 part Deathcab: Shake till you get Deerhunter.

Elis Regina: – Talk about romantic music! Holy crap I need to find this on vinyl!!!

Esthero: Breath from another – Duffy with a hip-hop beat and some guest rappers… Pretty good ‘while you are doing something’ music.

Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes – I know that I have mentioned them before, but I am REALLY loving them right now… It took me a while.

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova: The swell season – Carly told me about this album over a year ago and I did not ‘get it’ till I saw the movie ‘Once’. I think I am going to listen to this A LOT this winter.

James: Hey ma – 2 parts Arcade Fire, 1 part acoustic guitar: shake.

Joao Gilberto: Na Casa de Chico… – BOSA NOVA baby! Smooth, romantic, subtle… PLEASING.

Joshua Radin: Simple Times – Singer/songwriter cut from the John Mayer cloth. He is GREAT.

Maria Mena: Cause – Regina Spektor, Missy Higgins style chick tunes. Great full-sounding music.

Mudcrutch: Mudcrutch – Tom Petty brings his first band back together for a more bluegrass feeling album. I really dig this one after about 5 listens through… Petty’s voice keeps sounding more and more like Dylan as he gets older.

My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges – I typically HATE albums and bands that can not pick a sound. This album start’s with a falsetto sound with active drums and finishes with wailing guitars and a more traditional rock sound. Favorite song ‘Highly Suspicious’ (sounds like Admiral Akbar makes a cameo).

The National: Boxer – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS ALBUM! Smooth, deep voice, beautiful flow from song to song. Favorite song ‘Slow Show’.

Of Montreal: Skeletal Lamping – Erased this album because I hated it so much. Most annoying singing voice in the world.

Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Sorry to do this again, but, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS ALBUM! I have loved this band since I went to Sweden and they have not stopped putting out GREAT modern-pop music that is fun, driving and well thought out. PLEASE give them a try!

Ray LaMontagne: Gossip in the grain – Ray LaMontagne is such an amazing talent and this album is a beautiful example of where music needs to be going. AMAZING, smooth voice. Non-overpowering horns. Non-overpowering backup singers… BEAUTIFUL music that is soooo soul-full.

The Republic Tigers: Keep Color – I am really into this one the last week. I have gone to it just about everyday. They are taking what ‘Tears For Fears’ did and pushing it into a more modern place. JUST GREAT! PLEASE TRY IT!!! I would LOVE to find this one on vinyl!

Sia: Some People Have… – If you like Duffy you are going to LOVE Sia (Because the music is BETTER). DEEP, soul-full female vocals with some modern sounding unforgettable hooks thrown in towards the end of the album. Favorite song: ‘Academia”.

The Smiths: The very best of the Smiths – It’s f-ing amazing that I am just now listening to The Smiths. How did I get out of high school without listening to them? Anyway, they are obviously great!

Stan Getz:– I have more of him on vinyl than on Boris (my iPod)… Saturday night. Bottle of wine. Candles. Good smells. SMOOTH MUSIC.

Steve Martin: The Crow – What can I say, I am a SUCKER for the banjo! Martin sings only one fun number on this album filled with guest singers and delightful banjo insturmentals.

U2: No Line… – I listened to this about 5 times and I am ready to delete it… Seriously, is U2 the most overrated band ever? I know, I know, without U2 there would not be MANY other bands that I really like, but I seriously CAN NOT get into them.

Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend – STILL LOVE IT!

———————-

T-ball tomorrow night and a double header on Friday… Another double header on Sunday and a game next Tuesday… Wendy and I will be making the drive A LOT over the next few days!