My Top 10 Christmas Playlist

DISCLAIMER:  My actual Christmas playlist is 70 songs strong, and I love all of them.  This is a distilling of that list - a CD-worth of 10 songs that attempt to capture the entire season musically.  This list doesn't cover every artist or album I like, nor does it even cover all my favorite Christmas songs!  But it's a pretty good start.  Anyway, while we're on the topic of Christmas music, I have a few non-sequitors:

1. Craig Armstrong gets honorable props for his piano orchestrations.  Whether you adored or hated "Love Actually," the theme song from the movie (Glasgow Love Theme) sets the mood for the season.  It's reflective and bittersweet, with sweeping and strings and an undefined ending that leaves you wanting more:  perfect for a new year.
2. Stephen Cleobury and the Choir of King's College Cambridge managed to steal 3 spots on my playlist.  They are all from the King's College Choir - O Come All Ye Faithful album (1984).  If you don't own this album, you should probably spend the $9 at Amazon and buy it.  It's easily my favorite choral Christmas album of all time.
3. Speaking of King's College Cambridge... you may notice that Sir David Willcocks is conspicuously absent from my list.  I'm very positive on Willcocks' arrangements - his descants and harmonizations are stellar.  That having been said, every track on his "Christmas Collection" album I own is pitched down, under-tempo, and just plain loud!  I like my Christmas music loud... but I prefer if the volume increase comes from the stereo, rather than the members of the choir lacking self-restraint amidst the apparently overwhelming celebration of the birth of our dear Lord Jesus (said in a Cockney accent, for reasons I can no longer recall).
4. The Swingle Singers captured two spots on the playlist with tracks from "The Story of Christmas" - which, with only a few exceptions, is a phenomenal collection of intriguing a cappella arrangements of traditional Christmas carols.
5. Last, but certainly not least, Ben Folds has once again written an unusual and inappropriate song (though I believe this is the first I have ever made mention of him).  If you need a quick fix for rude Christmas music, I recommend his "Bizarre Christmas Incident."  It doesn't make my list by a long-shot; but if you listen, you will know.  

Ok!  Here we go (in track order):

1. Guelph Children Singers - "Frobisher Bay" [Bird In The Nest]:  So... I know this isn't strictly a Christmas song per-se.  However, it is about the cold winter, which we fully support up here in the 'Cuse.  (We are one of the cities the climatologists point to when discussing how global warming contributes to increased snow fall.  I don't fully understand that concept either.)  Regardless, this Canadian group has one of the best blends and overall color of any group of its size.  Just listening to this song makes me cold!
2. King's College Cambridge - "Once in Royal David's City" [O Come All Ye Faithful]:  This was my childhood.  I grew up singing this song, have recordings of my choir singing this song, etc.  I never got the opportunity to sing the solo as a boy soprano, but the kid singing on this recording does the song great justice.  And, like all great Christmas carols, this one really throws down at the end avec descent and variations on the organ.
3. Jimmy Eat World - "12.23.95" [Clarity]:  Confused?  You have a right to be.  I'll attempt to explain... Most of the non-choral tracks on this playlist are from the compilation album "Maybe This Christmas," which I received some years back, and only recently re-discovered.  The song is simple and heartfelt - something that Jimmy Eat World frontman Jim Adkins conveys so well.  "Merry Christmas, baby..."
4. The Choir of Christ Church - "Bethlehem Down" [In Time of Softest Snow]:  I'm actually on this recording, though hopefully you wouldn't know without reading the liner notes.  I always loved the harmonies in this song, and how the verses end on open chords.  It is beautiful and moving in its simplicity, with timely pauses and sufficient consonants to convey the meaning of the words.   
5. The Swingle Singers - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" [The Story of Christmas]:  Returning to more traditional carols, the Swingle Singers have a captivating arrangement of the old English caroling favorite.  And nothing compares to their vocal performance - it's flawless (and that's not just the recording).
6. Dan Wilson - "What A Year For A New Year" [Maybe This Christmas]:  "What a year for a new year, we need it like we needed life I guess.  Last one left us lying in a mess: What a year for a new year."  I couldn't agree more.
7. King's College Cambridge - "In The Bleak Mid-Winter" [O Come All Ye Faithful]:  So I'm obviously not on this recording, but I did sing the opening verse of this song as a solo as a boy.  "Snow had fallen... snow on snow..."  And if you don't know this arrangement/recording, the ending is perfect.
8. The Swingle Singers - "Carol Medley" [The Story of Christmas]:  My fascination with this song stems primarily from the arrangement changing keys every 8 or 16 bars (and if it hasn't changed recently, they tend to make up for it in fewer bars yet)!  They also manage to touch most of the traditional carols, while maintaining a coherent, cohesive arrangement.  The song makes sense when you listen to it front to back!  Likely the best song on this album - though it has steep competition.  Almost should qualify for honorary mention in the Mash Up list...
9. King's College Cambridge - "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen" [O Come All Ye Faithful]:  My father used to always joke that, if we neglected to sufficiently enunciate "God Rest..." it would sound like "God Dressed..."  He is likely right - though King's College Choir's rendition thankfully does not suffer from this issue.  My favorite part of this carol is the wait:  very little actually happens in the first FOUR verses and associated choruses.  Just your standard loud, soft, loud, a cappella kind of progression.  Ok, fine.  Then, after 2:40 the choir switches to unison, the trebles launch into a descant, and the organ positively roars.  It's awesome.  My personal recommendation is to play it once, mid-day, on the largest stereo you can manage to commandeer, and crank the volume to 10.  Your neighbors will forgive you for over-stepping your bounds on the day, but you may not forgive yourself if you don't experience the full-force of the thundering organ.  (Alternatively, you could somehow manage to find a joint that still sings works like this, and just get your fix there.  I recommend Cambridge, England.)
10. U. Illinois No Strings Attached - "O Magnum Mysterium" [BOCA 2003]:  Ignoring that the recording is over-produced, distorts from 1:01 - 1:05 (because it's over-produced), and has excessive, digitally-synthesized bass at the end, No Strings Attached breathes new live and power into Lauridsen's work.  There's something to be said about hearing a band perform live on stage at the Jones Beach Amphitheatre.  But there's majesty and wonder in hearing an up-close and personal a cappella arrangement of that band's song.  The same is true for (English cathedral) choral music.
11. BONUS TRACK:  Washington U. Pikers - "12.5 Days of Christmas" :  I have no idea where I originally got this song.  The recording quality is really questionable, so it's difficult to say precisely.  It's likely a live-recording, though I certainly did not recording it, nor have I ever heard this performed live.  All I will say is, had I heard this for the first time live, I probably would have been on the floor laughing hysterically, all the while too impressed/shocked/bewildered to speak.  It's a pretty formidable arrangement.  "...three French hens and a duck."  Quack.

I have no idea who reads this - though I can envision a shortlist that's probably sufficiently close to the entire list for any and all such purposes.  Merry Christmas and happy holidays from all of us up here in Syracuse (no really, it's just me).  "May your Christmases... be white."

Hottest. Samples. Ever.

It's no secret that I love mash-ups.  There's something sublimely awesome about identifying two (unrelated) songs and realizing that the sum of their parts is greater (or much much worse) than the original tracks.  That having been said, there are also a lot of mash-ups that are... meh. -- I will not cover those here.  Additionally, I'm going to attempt to limit songs that are purely remixes, as I would like to present a list of songs that actively sample another song (likely as the background).  And so, I present the list of hottest samples ever to hit my ears:  (in no particular order)
1.  K-OS - "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman" [Yes!]:  True story, this song has nothing to do with Natalie Portman, nor does she make an appearance in the video.  The first time I watched this, it was like being Rick-Rolled.  Regardless, the Phantom Planet sample is delicious, and has some sentimental meaning for me personally.  BULove, Fall Tour, 2005.
2.  Mick Boogie & Terry Urban - "Miss Trouble" into "Back At My Place" [Viva La Hova]:  I hope the download links still work - this whole album is ridiculous.  Yes, Jay-Z may be the most (over-) remixed artist in the history of forever.  Overlooking that fact for a moment, Judah and Remot produced easily the two best tracks off this compilation, all in less than 4:00 total play time.  I hope my next mix has a sample this sweet.
3.  Girl Talk - "Play Your Part (Pt. 1)" [Feed The Animals]:  So this is kind of a strange selection, seeing as that the entire track is composed solely of hot samples, each less than 30 seconds (or whatever) to circumvent copyright law.  This is however hands-down the best track off the album.  Since you can name your own price, I recommend checking out the tracks on MySpace, and then paying the man for his work - since you're guaranteed to get what you pay for. :-)
4.  Kid Rock - "All Summer Long" [Rock N Roll Jesus]:  Ok - this album might win for Top 10 best albums names I can recall off the top of my head.  But that's neither here nor there.  I hate this song; especially when it comes on it bars when I've been drinking, because I neglect to remember that this remix exists, and I start singing "Sweet Home Alabama."  Still, it's a hot sample.  (On a nearly unrelated tangent, "Sweet Home Alabama" reminds me of Warren Zevon - "Werewolves of London" - which is definitely a sweet - albeit, bizarre, track.)
5.  Hathbanger - "Party and Bullshit in the USA (Biggie Smalls vs. Miley Cyrus)" []:  I cannot believe this happened.  I'm literally beyond words -- but you should likely check this out (if you haven't already experienced it).
6.  DJ Lenlow - "Work It Out (J5 & DMB vs. Beyonce)" [Lenlow]:  This mix is so good it's criminal.  Honestly, I don't even own either of the two original songs, because I've heard them, and they can't hold a candle to this mash-up.  Two thumbs up, Lenlow.
7.  The Chemical Brothers - "Chemical Brothers Get Stoned With Spears" [Chemical Brothers Get Stoned With Spears]:  The best part about this track is that a) it's based on "Galvanize" by the Chemical Brothers, which is an awesome track; 2) it samples "I'm A Slave 4 U" by Britney, which is a terrible track; and D) they never actually sample the chorus!  They just use her random pre-chorus noises.  Glorious.
8.  Nas - "Hip Hop Is Dead" [Hip Hop Is Dead]:  Notably produced by will.i.am, Nas samples Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" -- need I say more?  (PS - even if you don't know this song... you know this song.)
9.  Jason DeRule - "Whatcha Say" [Single]:  I've written about this song before, but it really is a nicely produced song.  And the last 30 seconds are worth the other 3:15 in the song. ;-)
10. [Rock Phenomenon DJ Vlad & Roc Raida (Mixtape CD), Hosted by Mike Shinoda]:  Last but certainly not least, I'm listing this entire album as a hat tip to Mr. Shinoda.  Notable tracks include:

• Tainted Love Off Your Shoulders : Jay-Z vs. Marilyn Manson
• Give Away 99 Problems : Jay-Z vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Get Back In Black : Ludacris vs. AC/DC
• Many Men's Bittersweet Symphony : 50 Cent vs. The Verve

Early November Playlist - 11/8

Fall has unequivocally descended on Syracuse, NY, and as such I have had to retire my summer playlists, shifting to more autumnal tones.  Reflecting on this, summer playlists tend toward lighter lyrics, catchy guitar riffs, and new pop/hip-hop tracks.  Spring lays the stage for these with songs like "Marching Bands of Manhattan," which starts soft and slow, eventually blossoming into a fuller, 'windows down' kind of track.  Prior to this - and doubly so in Syracuse - we have Winter, filled with holiday music, and slow jazz consumed by the fireplace with a glass of Merlot.  Which brings us to Fall:  a season where I tend to look back, rediscover songs that I may have misplaced, overlooked, or shortchanged, and rekindle my love of B-side tracks and non-billboard artists.  For me, it's a time for reflection as the year throttles down, before the commotion of the holidays.

Solid Autumn Listening:
Bush - Glycerine [Sixteen Stone]:  Wow - throwback to 15 years ago... But you wouldn't know it.  The songwriting is superb, and the production is top-notch:  clean, clear, vivid, and present.  And it has a bizarre ending to boot!  This song is a definite winner.
The Fray - Heaven Forbid [How To Save A Life]:  This may require some explanation:  I don't actually dislike The Fray (an opinion you may have incorrectly inferred from a previous post), and in fact have some really great memories linked to some of the songs of this album in particular.  Regardless, "Heaven forbid you end up alone and don't know why..." is a great line, and I like the development through the song (a reoccurring theme for this playlist).
Frou Frou - Breathe In [Details]:  I found this whole album to be really hit-or-miss, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, because the hits are damn good.  The song is quirky, with disjointed lyrics and Heap's trademark mind-bending production style.  Gloriously appropriate title for a woman who aims to keep the "air" in her music by breathing her own life into it.
Hem - Halfacre [Rabbit Songs]:  Talk about a blast from the past:  I learned about Hem from a guy named Benny Gammerman (or Facebook, if you prefer) back when we were both in high school laying down tracks for EPs and whatnot in his living room with my portable rig.  Those were some days.  Similar to Details, I found Rabbit Songs to be hit-or-miss, but the hits are Halfacre, Leave Me Here, Interlude, and Waltz.  Halfacre is beautifully light, with piano, strings, and fingered acoustic, with some of the more striking vocals I've heard in a long time.  The close-micing on the soloist is intimate, and would be grating if her voice wasn't so perfectly fitted for the song.  If you haven't heard these guys, at least check out Halfacre - it's currently their most popular track on iTunes. :-p
Imogen Heap - Wait It Out [Ellipse]:  If you were confused by The Fray making this list, you're probably cursing my name at this entry (the background if you have no idea what I'm talking about and that actually bothers you).  First of all, I dropped this track as one that possibly interested me, and second, I possibly judged this song a little hastily.  There are some really interesting lines in Wait It Out, like "Pain on pain on play, repeating" and "Fluorescent lighting sets the scene."  The song also has the interesting quality that, though there is a significant build in the song, I don't think it's the driving point of interest.  There are new features that appear throughout the song, all the way to the end, and that's what keeps me listening.
Incubus - Anna Molly [Light Grenades]:  Perfect example of a song that I heard when I first listened to Light Grenades, didn't sufficiently note, and misplaced until recently.  Anna Molly would be just another good Incubus track, except that the bridge launches the song into the next bracket up right after 2:12.  "There is a light, there is a fire..."  And they even bring it back right at the end of the track in the right channel!  Very 80's, but too cool.
Jimmy Eat World - My Sundown [Jimmy Eat World]:  Similar flavor to Hear You Me, but with perhaps a more interesting fine.  I've written about this song before, so I won't go into additional details.
Porcupine Tree - Collapse The Light Into Earth [In Absentia]:  Perfect for the cold weather:  slow, building, ethereal, reflective...  The song has only 9 lines and lasts almost 6 minutes.  And it's a phenomenal Porcupine Tree album.
Regina Spektor - Eet [Far]:  I don't even like Regina Spektor, but I heard Beyond Unison do this track, and I was totally hooked.  This is a decent song, but I mostly listen to it for the flashback high to the BU Fall Concert, 2009!

Unexpected Endings

While driving home from Joe and Cathy Zanetti's wedding this past weekend (yay!), I had the great pleasure of taking in some songs that save a little something special for the ending.  (I also heard a bunch of songs that are awesome and completely out of character for their respective bands - but that will be the topic of a subsequent post...)


Matchbox Twenty - You Won't Be Mine [Mad Season]:  First off, this song would make both lists.  Absolute power house song from a band known best for Rob Thomas, 3 AM, and Real World.  The song is dark, reflective, and Thomas is backed by a bad-ass orchestra.  What really sells the song is the full 2-minute orchestral redux buried long after the piano has faded and Thomas has stopped singing.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about... go find a copy of the original CD and listen to the final track until your CD player runs out of disc to read.  It's there...
Jimmy Eat World - My Sundown [Jimmy Eat World]:  Really great song writers produce a variety of song styles.  It shows breadth as well as depth and allows the song writer (and the band) to show off their talent, expand their audience, keep interest throughout an album, and express a range of emotions.  Immediately I think of John Stephens (Neve/Stars Align), Stephen Jenkins (Third Eye Blind), Yellowcard, Chris Cornell (formerly of Audioslave)... all phenomenal bands and song writers.  Jimmy Eat World is no exception to this list: "Hear You Me" vs. "Bleed American."  "My Sundown" is particularly beautiful - with a captivating female harmony throughout the song.  The real gem though is the last 60 seconds... "Good, goodbye... good, goodnight..."
Third Eye Blind - The Background [Third Eye Blind]:  A) If you don't own this album, go out and purchase it.  2) If you can't sing every word in this song, I would say you have some serious listening to do...  D) If you frequently skip the last 30 seconds of this song because they're quiet... YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!  The correct response is to turn up the volume and imagine what that guitar lick could have become.  They're still recording... so I'm still holding out hope. :-)
Spacehog - In The Meantime [Resident Alien]:  As the distorted guitar fades away in this song (arguably the best song Spacehog ever did), a minimal yet beautiful piano line emerges from the mix.  What may really blow your hair back is the UPenn Off the Beat arrangement of this track, where they SING this last part!  I couldn't believe they included it... but it's sooo good.
Yellowcard - Holly Wood Died [Lights And Sounds]:  I love that this is the last track on Lights And Sounds.  I love it as much as the first track, which between the two bookend the album (more than just physically).  And if you don't know this song, make sure you turn up the stereo around 3:20...  you'll know.
A Perfect Circle - Passive [eMotive]:  So, I just recently learned that Trent Reznor had his hand in this, which doesn't particularly surprise me (except perhaps, pleasantly).  Maynard puts out another thought-provoking, ear-inclining track, ending in a surprising repetition: "Passive-aggressive bull-shit..."  (I just realized that there will be three songs in this list arranged by UPenn OTB.  Very strange.)
Hit The Lights - 309 [This Is A Stick Up...Don't Make It A Murder]:  This track can share the spotlight with Blink 182 - Feeling This [Blink-182], because they both have similarly sweet a cappella endings!  And other than that... they're not especially musically redeeming.  So there.
Bell X1 - Eve, The Apple Of My Eye [Eve, The Apple Of My Eye]:  Honestly, I found this track on the OC Mix CDs.  (Which, by the way, if you haven't heard them, have some pretty decent stuff; especially the aptly-named "Covering Our Tracks.")  But I digress!  This song is laid back, easy on the ears, and pleasing to listen to...  And then... at 0:35... Bell X1 paraphrases the end of the Adam and Eve story from Genesis, ending with "...but Eve is the Apple of my eye."  I seriously doubt I will ever get tired of this ending.
Coldplay - Violet Hill [Viva la Vida...]:  Not going to lie - not a huge fan of this song.  It's too The Clash for me until the last 41 seconds or so... "I took my love down to Violet Hill, there we sat in snow.  All that time she was silent still, so if you love me, won't you let me know?  If you love me, won't you let me know?"  For all those music theory fans out there:  Don't you love the deceptive cadence on the first "let me know!?!?"  That repeated final line pretty much sold me on the song.  True story.
UPenn Off the Beat - Time Is Running Out (Muse) [Float]:  I wanted to go out on a high note (no pun intended).  UPenn's recording of "Time Is Running Out" is very good - but it's largely unremarkable.  Observant observers will notice that their recording is nearly 1:40 longer than the original.  (I will tell you now that they don't sing it at 2/3 speed.)  Rather, around 5:00, the group starts screwing around in the studio - something we've all done from time to time.  To their credit, they're pretty funny, share the mic well, support each other, and end proudly with "We should sing dude."  I couldn't agree more.


Honorable Mention:  Panic! At The Disco - Build God, Then We'll Talk [A Fever You Can't Sweat Out]:  I would be remiss if this song didn't make the list - though I'm not sure the latter 1:30+ counts as the "ending" of this song.  Way to work a children's song (from the Sound of Music, which I cannot usually stand) and a badass string redux of the same into a pop album.  Major props.

New Music - 10/4

Driving home from Bucknell last weekend, I decided to listen to a playlist populated with 4-star songs - something I highly recommend on longer rides.  You get to remember all the songs you love, but haven't heard in a while.  It's great!  So, on that note, my list for the week:
1.  Black Eyed Peas - "I Gotta Feeling" [The E.N.D.]:  Ok.  I know this has been out for a while, and that people are probably getting tired of this song.  I heard it a couple days ago and decided that I needed to download it, mostly because I'm considering doing a remake of it with piano and strings (without all the digitization).  I'm thinking The Fray covers Black Eyed Peas.  Either that or I'm going to find the vocal track and mix it against The Jealous Sound - "Quiet Life" off The Jealous Sound EP.  Thoughts?
2.  Paramore - That's What You Get [Riot!]:  To be honest, I'm not even all that thrilled with this song.  The chorus lacks the energy that it should have given the opening guitar chords.  It could be the production, though I'm leaning more towards saying it's the producer's fault.  All that notwithstanding, Beyond Unison did such a kick-ass job at this song at Christy's, I can't get enough of it!   (I can't wait for the Reunion Concert!)  Oh, and the shouting in this song is so anti-climactic that it's sad.  I wish Paramore could hear BU do this live - I think they would be embarrassed.  On a side note, prior to this week, I boycotted this album since it was released on the grounds that it couldn't hold a candle to All We Know Is Falling.  I find it amusing that the same week I finally download a track from Riot!, Paramore headlines the iTunes Store with an LP release of their new album "Brand New Eyes" - which I have yet to have an opinion on... though I'm not especially hopeful so far.  Paramore:  prove me wrong. :-)
3.  Long Since Forgotten - "The Getaway" [Standing Room Only]:  I can never remember the name of this song, mostly because I have two albums from Long Since Forgotten, and all the songs sound vaguely similar.  "The Getaway" - however - has a bad-ass chorus worth a listen or four.  Nice build throughout the song, phenomenal closing, and a beautiful bridge starting just after 2:00:
"Give your thoughts to someone else
As you make-believe you have nothing left
You have nothing, nothing left
You have nothing, nothing left..."
The bridge slams right into the final chorus, providing the song with that little extra boost of energy that it needs to close strong and memorable.  Unfortunately, the guitarist solos for the last 40 seconds... but no one's perfect. ;-)
4.  Less Than Jake - "Look What Happened" [Anthem]:  I don't think I've hit the Ska-genre before now, but this song just rocks too hard not to mention.  Another three-word-catchphrase artist, "Look What Happened" starts plain and simple, doesn't bother with a bridge to speak of, and ends with outrageous harmony (in thirds) on the final chorus.  Unlike #3, Less Than Jake knows how to close out a song, letting the final chord fade into the dark.
5.  Meg & Dia - "Indiana" [Something Real]:  This song rocks harder than most of the tracks on "Something Real" - very Paramore (except for the singing).  Love love love the guitar into and the style changes between the verses and choruses.  Very cool.
6.  Breaking Benjamin - "Dear Agony" [Dear Agony]:  Well, this is certainly a title track.  Nicely done there.  Breaking Benjamin has been steadily maturing, putting out one great album after another (I'm specifically thinking of "We Are Not Alone (2004)," "Phobia (2006)," and "Dear Agony (2009).")  I'm seriously considering purchasing the rest of this album - but I have to check it out in greater depth before I make that decision.  Good stuff though.
7.  Janove Ottesen - "Black and White Movie" [Francis' Lonely Nights]:  I always associate this album with "Frances the Mute" by The Mars Volta.  UPenn Off The Beat arranged "The Widow" off that album, which I heard live in concert many years ago.  That was a kick-ass show.  (As a side note, they had a female soloist, and she sang it with a sultry/seductive twist which really worked for her / them / the song.  It was nothing shy of ridiculously sweet.)  But I digress...  Ottensen's song is unusual, upbeat, full of horn, piano, and rhodes piano-style synths, and starts with drums reminiscent of Shawn Mullins - "Lullaby" - which is not as damning as it might sound.  It's the kind of song I would want playing in my apartment while cooking dinner; the TV on, but the sound off.  And I have no idea what this song is about.     
8.  Coheed & Cambria - "The Suffering" [Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness]:  Powerhouse song.  True story:  Kerry and I arranged this for Beyond Unison way back when.  It never got performed, but it would be so good!  With the drummin' and the high repeated soprano notes and the shouting and the harmony... oh man.  A loss, to be sure. :-(  All right, that bit of history aside, the chorus in this song is completely out of control, totally worth the 1:55 wait, and should be played at full blast in one's car, preferably with the windows down and the car full of Coheed fans, but I understand that it's getting cold and you might have trouble finding 4 other fans (or hesitant to lend your car to 5 fans if you're worthless).  If that can't be arranged, play it at your place while you clean:  you will feel empowered, you will look better in formalwear, and your friends/spouse/significant-other/dog/cat/goldfish/iPhone/Facebook-friends/Twitter-followers will find you more attractive.  (Note:  this claim may not hold up to the rigors of scientific testing - or any other kind of scrutiny.)
9.  Matt & Kim - "Daylight" [Grand]:  I bet you know this song:  it's the background on that time-travelling Bacardi commercial.  It was recently pointed out to me that this song has the strangest (untrue - but it's still weird) music video.  His girlfriend (bed buddy/whatever) is really into the drumming!  Regardless, this song still puts a smile on my face whenever it comes on.  Maybe it's the memory of the mojitos I had at Awful Al's Wine & Whiskey Bar the last time I was there; maybe it's the commercial; or maybe it's just the flood of neurochemicals that occurs when the song comes on, but I like it, and it's good.
10. Four To Three - "So You Cry" [four 2 three]:  Debuted in 2007, I managed to get a free copy of the 2:27 song "So You Cry," which turned out to be this powerhouse single that just tears through the little time it occupies on your playlist.  If you don't count the ambient / environmental ending, the song plows from start to finish in less than 2 minutes.  Sure it's short and sweet, but I can't think of a song with more development / second of playtime.  An absolute must.

In a related note, I'm still rocking to the new 311 album as well as the new Dream Theater single.  If you are still negligent in checking out these tracks, you probably need to reevaluate your priorities in life.  No really:  I'm not kidding.

Rock hard children.  AND PLEASE SEND ME SUGGESTIONS / COMMENTS / OPINIONS SO I KNOW WHAT I NEED TO BE LISTENING TO!  Always add fuel to the fire...

::Horns::

HotMess.org

So, I've linked to these guys before.  They mostly do music-related reviews and posts (although they also do interviews and a radio show), particularly focusing on concerts and distinguished by their writing style.  I recommend checking the site daily for a laugh and some mind-expanding culture.  All seriousness aside though, the tag line at the end of their page alone warrants a full-fledged post:

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Got a Hotmess?

Have you recently drawn on someone's face? Found a hot track? Barfed off a ferris wheel? Made or stumbled upon a great video? Poured gravy down your pants? Interested in advertising?

WE WANT YOUR HOTMESS!

email us at theshow@hotmess.org

If we post it the karma fairy will sneeze in your double gin and you'll feel really good about yourself.

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So yeah... they're what's up; and if humorous concert reviews (and other unrelated nonsense) appeal to your palate, I recommend their site / their RSS feed.

Disclaimer:  If you're strongly conservative (in any regard), easily offended, born after 1990, still a fan of Kanye West after the VMAs, and/or don't know anything about music written before 1985, you may and/or may not be amused by this site.  You have been warned. 

Beyond Unison rocked Christy's 2009

So I happened to have 24 hours free this weekend, and decided that I would be a good BU alum and drive down to support my people at Christy's Saturday night.  Plus I figured it was time to meet the newbies - who I have been faithfully stalking on Facebook (as all dedicated alums do) since the day they joined the group.  And I needed a party... For anyone who wasn't there, Beyond Unison rocked hard.  Quick shot at the set list:

Journey - Don't Stop Believin' [Escape]
The Hush Sound - Honey [Goodbye Blues]
Jason Mraz - If It Kills Me [We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things]
Goo Goo Dolls - Black Balloon [Dizzy Up The Girl]
Paramore - That's What You Get [Riot!]

The 5-song selection showcased multiple arrangers, soloists (new and old), and the strength of the group's tight, cohesive sound.  BU pumped out enough energy to overcome the limitations of the production equipment at the concert, and each song was met with riotous (no pun intended) applause from an appreciative audience.  I'm stoked for the 5 Year Anniversary / Reunion Concert on October 31st - you should be too.

Two albums that should have been better...

I was recently asked by a friend why the new Third Eye Blind album was conspicuously absent from my recent posts.  I own it:  I bought it from Amazon right when it came out for something ridiculous like $3.99, and unfortunately I think I pretty much got my money's worth.  Paraphrasing the words of my undergraduate music composition professor, "I listened to the album, but didn't feel the need to do so again.  I got everything I needed from the album on the first pass: there was nothing that drew me in for a second listen."  And that's being a bit kind.

I had similar feelings for Imogen Heap's (much anticipated) "Ellipse" - which has about three tracks that I find remotely interesting: First Train Home, Wait It Out, and Earth; and at least one that absolutely does not appeal to me (Little Bird).  With hopes set high, I purchased the deluxe version of this album, which included instrumental-only versions of all the tracks.  I hope that some day I use at least one of these instruments in a remix, else I fear my $13.99 was dreadfully misspent.

Interestingly, both these lack-lustre albums are fourth releases for each of the artists.  Third Eye Blind: Third Eye Blind (1997), Blue (1999), Out of the Vein (2003), and Ursa Major (2009).  Imogen Heap:  I Megaphone (1998), Details (2002), Speak for Yourself (2005), Ellipse (2009) -- and I know that I'm cheating here slightly by including Details, but it's still her.  More interesting yet, the popularity of their respective discographies took markedly different paths.  TEB opened strong, with an album that continues to sell singles to this day; put out the quintessential sophomore release; got it back together for Out of the Vein (though they only got one or two singles off this album), and then fell face first with album #4.  Imogen Heap had a slow start with I Megaphone, but then put out two powerhouse albums within three years!  ...and then put out Ellipse, after all sorts of hype concerning her new studio and the time she took to write and produce the album.

Sad face.  

New Music - 9/26

First off, let me apologize to all the die-hard 311 fans out there:  this one goes out to Joe Zanetti and Scott Cameron Shores especially.  I'm sorry I didn't hear / download "Uplifter" before this week.  It's ridiculously good - easily makes my short list of albums I've heard in memory that blew me away.  It's a great blend of their styles throughout the years, and really highlights both the band's development over nearly 2 decades, as well as their roots.  A quick peak at my favorite tracks, listed in rank order and numbered in track order, just to confuse the drawers off anyone who's unfortunate/bored/stupid/misguided/misinformed/ enough to read this blog:
6.  "Daisy Cutter" - Talk about a fun track!  And they say "beautiful disaster" in the chorus!  Solid win.  And the song has a true "B" section - something my father would be proud to have mentioned here.  Very reminiscent of "All Mixed Up" and similar tracks from the era.
5.  "India Ink" - I don't know what it is about this song, but I can't get it out of my head.  I've been singing "I write your name on my arm in India Ink" over and over and over again...  Again - sounds like an homage to earlier albums, I'm thinking "Freak Out" off Music?  Anyone?  Bueller?
4.  "Golden Sunlight" - This track really shows how much 311 has matured since Music (1991) and 311 (1995).  Full sound, "Beyond the Gray Sky"-esque chorus... I always manage to look at my iPhone right before the two minute mark, when the song finally hits the chorus thinking "Damn this is good!  What is this again?" - even though I know. :-)
2.  "It's Alright" - All right... so it's got a little "Amber" sound in it - but that's ok:  we all liked "Amber"!
9.  "Two Drops In the Ocean" - As long as we're going through the 311 song history, this reminds me of "Flowing" off Transistor - not once it gets going... but the beginning, yes.  There's something about that "wah-wah" flanged, auto-panned guitar sound... I believe my brother would call it frequency-dependent phase modulation or something.  Perhaps he will correct me - though I doubt it. :-)
1.  "Hey You" - (Honorable Mention) - Here's the story:  This was the single off the album, and I heard this a looooong time ago, so some of the magic has worn off.  I'm including here for honorable mention for a couple of reasons, including but not limited to:  A)  That's how you do an opening on an opening track.  Pow.  2)  This chorus still makes we want to jump around and shout and speed and do other questionable (albeit fun) activities.  D)  2:51 - 3:14:  This part of the song rocks sooo hard it's ridiculous:  the drum fills are completely out of control, and it's glorious.

On a totally and wholly unrelated note, I downloaded a few tracks off the new Dream Theater EP "Wither."  Based on the reviews, I elected to only download the original and Piano versions of the title track.  The piano track is nice - stripped down, honest, and clean:  the way you would expect it to be.  It's got a couple nice spots where the strings really come through, but I was looking for a bit more of this.
The full band (album/studio) version of "Wither" is unlawfully good.  For Dream Theater fans, you need to search your soul and ask if you liked "VI. Solitary Shell" off Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence.  If you can imagine a mix between that track and "VIII. Losing Time - Grand Finale," then you have a grasp on what you're buying, and can decide from there if it's worth your $1.29 or whatever from iTunes.  Personally, I think you should own the entire Six Degrees album, as well as the new EP title track.  They're awesome rock ballads, and well-worth the listen.  (PS - I don't want to spoil it too much, but if you're torn about the piano version, buy the full version.  You'll know before 4 minutes if you made the right decision.  I hope you agree.)

Oddly enough, I have to get some things together here (like some tunes!) and hit the road in about an hour.  Probably another post before the weekend is out - just to get this going.

In the words of Dream Theater: "The world's what you create."

Top 10 (really 12... but who's counting?)

Let's start this thing off right...  Top picks from the last couple of weeks that you should have already heard!

1. All Time Low - "Lullabies" [Put Up or Shut Up]:  The best ATL song since "Down and Out."
2. Audioslave - "Doesn't Remind Me" [Out of Exile]:  (Ironically) reminds me of my brother and Peter James... no idea why... but it's still a remarkably dope song... and I'm thinking that it may carry over into fall, even though it's such a "summer driving with the windows down" kind of song.
3. Audioslave - "Heavens Dead" [Out of Exile]:  Beautiful, and completely different from #2 - much more in the style of "Shadow on the Sun."  If you're unsure, wait until the song opens up at 2:34. :-)
4. The Bravery - "Time Won't Let Me Go" [The Sun and the Moon]:  Infectious chorus... there's something about high-power harmony during the refrain that just *kills* me.  Sweet drum leads don't hurt either.
5. Chris Cornell - "When I'm Down" [Euphoria Morning]:  Ok - so I was obviously on a Chris Cornell/Audioslave kick.  That aside, this man knows how to write blues/rock!  Easily my favorite track off the album.  I am still seriously considering arranging this as an a cappella track. :-P
6. Coldplay - "Violet Hill" [Viva la Vida...]:  To be honest, this song doesn't particularly inspire me... until the last 41 seconds:  "I took my love down to violet hill/There we sat in snow/All that time she was silent still./So if you love me/Won't you let me know?/So if you love me/Won't you let me know?"  It just sounds honest... and that's powerful.
7. Cupid - "Cupid Shuffle" [Time for a Change]:  Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to invade a bar with a group of out-going friends, play this song on the jukebox, start dancing, and then start pulling people off the bar to dance with you.  Ridiculous...
8. Dashboard Confessional - "Stolen" [Dusk and Summer]:  The epitome of an end of summer song. "We watch the season pull up its own stakes/and catch the last weekend of the last week/before the gold and the glimmer have been replaced/another sun-soaked season, fades away."  And when the chorus finally hits at 1:37, you probably have a smile on your face.  Oddly enough, this is also one of the worst produced tracks I've heard in a while!  Treble-heavy (to the point of distortion on lesser systems), lots of digital fuzz... Not impressed.
9. The Hush Sound - "Sweet Tangerine" [Like Vines]:  Easily one of my favorite HS songs ever; and much like #2, this song rocks so hard (though now with piano and outrageous synth).  If only "Honey" sounded like this, it too would make this list.  Thankfully, Beyond Unison has arranged and performed a much harder-rocking version of this song, which brings joy to my heart.
10. Jason DeRulo - "Whatcha Say" [Whatcha Say - Single]:  So I heard this song on the radio and said, "Now that's a good sample!"  And it still is.  (And to dispel any sort of conjecture to the contrary, it really is Imogen Heap - I promise.  She sounds a little different because she's likely been tempo / pitch matched to DeRulo's song.)  And the last 38 seconds of this song were obviously written by a pop-producer - which is why I love them.
11. Joshua Radin - "Everything'll Be Alright (Will's Lullaby)" [We Were Here]:  It's simple, quiet, sweet, and sincere.  And short - under three minutes!  
12. Mayday Parade - "Just Say You're Into It" [Tales Told By Dead Friends]:  So, I almost went to a MP concert last month or so, and decided after reading a post on Hot Mess concerning their feelings on The Fray concert, I was suitably deterred from purchasing tickets.  In retrospect, I think I should have braved the bare foot Candy Ravers and 12 year olds for a sweet live show. 

KFTC (I think this is hysterical... Don't worry - I'll get over it)