Sorry about the lack of updates, getting a new job has made my time management a little harder.

On another note, there hasn't been anything that has caught my attention so far. Aside from the new stash of Camera Obscura, 2009 has been a little quiet on the music side.

On Metacritic's top list of the year, the top 2 are live albums from old legends, Leonard Cohen in London and Nirvana, back from the dead.

A slew of techno, electronica and heavy rock are on the list as well, not too comfy for my easy listening ears. Super Furry Animals, The Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear (So many creatures!)

What are you listening to? Anything to recommend?

United Airlines broke his guitar and he wrote a song about it

As most of you have heard, Michael Jackson, one of the last remaining icons of mainstream music from the last decade has passed away yesterday.

MJ was an inspiration to many of the artists we see today, his performances were electrifying, his music ubiquitous. While his eccentric actions in personal life has tainted his image some what, it is without a doubt that Michael Jackson has and will leave a lasting legacy in pop music forever.

The Crying Light
by Antony & the Johnsons

I have to say that this is probably one of the hardest reviews that I have had the pleasure to write. The layers and depth of the themes in Art and Music are so intertwined that one would not be able to do justice to it with mere words.

The Crying Light is the third studio album from Antony Hegarty and his band, there are a couple of things here, first, his voice, which is probably one of the most unique and easily recognized of this generation. The second are the lyrics and music in the record. While seemingly sparse and minimalistic, the orchestral backings and piano are really subtle or perhaps overshadowed by Antony's rich tones. But they are intricate nonetheless, in 'One Dove' the singing stops for almost a minute as strings and the woodwind take over. Conversely, 'Dust and Water' has almost no music at all, just a few notes stretched over 2:50, while Hegarty murmurs the lyrics tenderly over the expanse, like a seagull flying over a calm sea endlessly.

The songs are often sad ballads,the lyrics themselves are nearly mournful yet hauntingly beautiful, from 'Epilepsy is Dancing' - "Then I cried in the kitchen/How I'd seen your ghost witching/As a soldering Blue Line/Between my eyes" or just simply obscure "Fire kisses the floor/of the lakes and makes shadows" from 'Daylight and the Sun' . Classical composer Nico Muhly co-arranged the final track 'Everglade', the most dramatic piece of the album. Here the orchestra finally gets let loose, with crescendos of horns and strings seemingly taken from a lost symphony or soundtrack to a art film.

No Line on the Horizon
by U2

U2 has always been the one band who never fails to inspire me aurally, and their latest album, “No Line On The Horizon”, does not fail to disappoint. Although it seems like their music has taken off on a whole new direction upon first listening, it gradually becomes the U2 we all know and love after repeated hearings.

Having gotten back with "Joshua Tree" producer, Brian Eno, Bono and gang starts off with the album’s title track. Soaring along, 'No Line', along with 'Magnificent' and 'Moment of Surrender', are my favorite tracks of the album. I do have some gripes with the first single “Get On Your Boots” though. It feels like they’re trying to hard to impress and it’s not something I would expect from the greatest band in the world today.

Also, the first half of the album moves along nicely whereas the second half does get a little draggy, especially for non-converts to U2’s particular brand of music. Those accustomed to today’s popular rock/pop nonsense will find it tough to maneuver along U2’s stream of consciousness, lyrics and aural imagination. The record ends off with the 'Cedars of Lebanon' named after the near mythical trees, a reflective, slow piece. While I do not profess to read their minds, it feels like Bono is commenting on the trials and tribulations a being foreign correspondent, a subject close to my heart.

As Bono sings, “Child drinking dirty water from the river bank/Soldier brings oranges he got out from a tank/I’m waiting on the waiter, he’s taking a while to come/Watching the sun go down on Lebanon,” I remember my own times in other lands and think: This album is all that you can’t leave behind.

-This weeks Guest Review was brought to you by Alex

How did I get from this?


Ah the morning has come, what a wonderful day

to this having trouble sleeping at night.


Youtube is a wonderful place is it not?

Peer Gynt Suites was written by Edvard Grieg for "Peer Gynt" a Norweigen Play

> Incidentally, In Hall of the Mountain King was also one of the movements.

> Apocalyptica is a Finnish cello-metal band, featuring 3 classically trained cellists and a drummer, they covered a metal version for In the Hall of the Mountain King for one of their concerts

> Their debut album was a cello only cover version of Metallica's songs entitled Plays Metallica by Four Cellos

The Suite bergamasque (IPA: /'bɛʀgamask/) is one of the most famous piano suites by Claude Debussy. It was likely named after Paul Verlaine's poem "Clair de lune", which possibly alludes to a bergamask. It is also commonly believed that the Suite Bergamasque is derived from Fêtes Gallantes, a poem by Paul Verlaine. The suite was composed in 1888 but published in 1903, and consists of four parts, or movements.

1. Prélude
2. Menuet
3. Clair de lune
4. Passepied

Clair de lune is the third movement and the most famous, it means 'Moonlight' in French.

Yes it's also that song from Twilight and Ocean's 11. But please, please don't tell your children that. (Note: I have not watched Twilight)

Noise Pop 2009 is now happening in San Fransisco, so if you're around there go check it out.

2009 headliners include: Bob Mould, Stephen Malkmus, Josh Ritter, the Mountain Goats (solo), A.C. Newman, Sleepy Sun, French Kicks, Thao Nguyen, Goblin Cock, From Monument to Masses, Thee Oh Sees, Kool Keith, Mike Relm, St Vincent, The Morning Benders, The Submarines, Ra Ra Riot, Dear And The Headlights, Port O'Brien, Themselves, Portugal. The Man, Clues, Sholi, Flosstradamus, N.A.S.A., No Age and Les Savy Fav.


It is now available on youtube here

Family Guy has quite a history with musical numbers and spoofs of songs and popular music in general. In the spirit of useless lists, here is Brian the Dog naming 31 songs names based on girls. Let's see if you know them all.

Hand Built by Robots
by Newton Faulkner

I can't decide if I hate or love talented people. On one hand they are living proof that life is unfair and that no matter how hard you try, you can only be this mediocre. On the other hand, some of them write songs like "Dream Catch Me".

Released last year, Hand Built by Robots is the Debut album of 24 year old Newton Faulkner, a scraggy looking, dreadlocks-wearing acoustic guitar-playing, singer-songwriter from Surrey, England. Comparisons to Jack Johnson are inevitable (the acoustic-guitar singer-song writer, not the dreadlocks), however, while Faulkner plays cheerful campfire songs with a definite virtuosity, he thankfully doesn't evoke images of the surf culture that Johnson does. His songs while simple, are pretty intense as shown by a stripped down cover of Massive Attack's 'Teardrops' and first single 'I Need Something'.

The album has 17 tracks, while it's hard to defend that many songs, "Robot" somehow pulls it off, I can't point out any specific songs to cut just on the fact that the bite sized pop ditties fit together rather nicely. Some of the songs could have had an extended timing, but he doesn't cheapen it by repeating a verse and chorus to hit the 3 min mark. Faulkner does experiment on a couple of tracks like pseudo-Indian 'Sitar-Y Thing' and Crowded House-Y 'Straight Towards the Sun'.

While guitar virtuosos seem to pop out like mushrooms after a rain nowadays, Faulkner manages to bring something different to the table, a touching, cheerful album definitely worth taking a listen to.

So, the Grammy's came and went, and some people cared while some didn't. The question people have been asking for a few years now, "Are the Grammy's still relevant?" Well, here are a few links to answer that.

This guy at Pitchfork thinks it is, or maybe he is being sarcastic, I can't really tell.

Some thoughtful questions about the Grammys at about.com

Pro/Cons at courier-journal

A more in depth look at the Grammys through the eyes of stars.

On a brighter note, some metalhead somewhere will be happy that "Slayer is still relevant", according to the Grammys

Meanwhile, U2 opens the show with their new single "Get Your Boots On" (album out in March). Robert Plant and Alison Krauss win big for one of my favorite albums of last year, 'Raising Sand', Coldplay having the benefit of not competing against any Indie artist wins several awards including Best Rock Album with 'Viva La Vida'. Elsewhere, Lil' Wayne, Jennifer Hudson, Ne-Yo and Mary J Blige all grab a statue each...

Brighten the Corners: Nicene Creedence Edition
by Pavement

Back in the 90's, Pavement released "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain", critically acclaimed and widely loved, it instantly crowned them the kings indie rock. Pavement responded with "Wowee Zombie", brilliant yet inaccessible, described by many as 'a glorious mess', the message was clear, they didn't give a rat's bottom to what the public thought, they were in this to make music for themselves.The ensuing lukewarm response gave them what they wanted. In the aftermath, their penultimate album Brighten the Corners brought a more conventional and accessible, or at least the illusion of accessibility, back to their music.

12 years later "Brighten the Corners: Nicene Creedence Edition", is the re-release with 32 extra tracks, a gold mine of undiscovered hits, such as irresistibly catchy "Harness Your Hopes" as well as the whole shebang of radio sessions and live recordings. Alternate versions of songs allow the original sounds to expand without subjugating the rest of album to nostalgia. The re-imagining lets "Brighten the Corners" shine apart from it's more acknowledged siblings. Giving the most underrated album a more fulfilling end. While not all the tracks are gold, there are enough tracks here to please even the most nit-picky of Pavement completists. As time goes by, this release might slowly make its way into music's consciousness as a classic indie record.

Ever thought that this song sounded exactly the same as the other?
Check out the Axis of Awesome as they take on 36 mainstream songs.

So number 24 on your New Year's Resolution: "Become a Punk Rock Star"

Welcome to the first part of a mini series where we will explore what it takes to become a rock musician and how to get there. So let's start off with one of the more popular and easier to get started of the Rock trades, the Punk Rocker.

1) Philosophy: Punk rock is about attitude, about Anarchy, about being different from the rest. In terms of fashion, ideals, rebelling against the norm. This is what being a Punk Rocker is about. Punk rock dressing simply means you wear what you want, make your own clothes, however, if you try dressing up as one of the guys from Green Day or The Ramones, it defeats the purpose. Make your own style, have your own ideas.

2) Influences: Here are a list of bands or people who have defined the genre and a must-listen for Punk Rock wannabes. The Ramones, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Patti Smith, Green Day, Sonic Youth, The Velvet Underground.

3) History: Punk rock came out from the excesses of rock music in the 70s with all the fancy lights and 20 minute guitar solos. Punk Rock allowed people who were not musically inclined to express themselves too. This also let them sing about social and political issues of the day while having an authentic sound.

4) The Band: So, now you need a Electric guitarist, a bassist and a drummer to complete the triumvirate of a Punk rock band. Power Chords are the key here, usually simple chord progressions using the top 3 strings for a heavy sound. Basslines are uncomplicated, needed for repetitive rhythms to accompany while the Drummer tends to go as fast as possible.

5) The Music: So now go write some songs, the melody need not be complicated usually 3 chords are enough for a song, but 4 usually makes a song more complete. Write about the social injustices in your country, about political idiots, about wanting to sniff some glue. Anything that makes you angry or appeals to your baser instinct is fair game. Writing about bunny rabbits and rainbows are a big no-no, unless you are writing about the time you were high and tripping.

So, that's all folks. Go start your band.

Amadou & Mariam - Welcome to Mali

It's been quite awhile since I last listened to any 'world music', but the latest release by Amadou and Mariam, "Welcome to Mali" definitely lives up to the hype surrounding it.

Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia are a husband and wife team who have been working hard at it for the past 17 years, superstars in their own country and recently breaking through to the mainstream with 2005's "Dimanche a Bamako" a massive commercial success.

The album starts of with a Damon Albarn co-written/performed 'Sabali' the most pointedly electronic track of the record. Keyboards and bass riffs fill in the background while Mariam casually sings in a falsetto, the track strangely reminiscent of retro French ballads. Other tracks range from ballads to garage rock tunes with some hip hop/electronica thrown in the mix.

While "Mali" may be labeled as world music, there is nothing esoteric or irrelevant about it. Regular rock melodies are as par for the course as a hip hop and well crafted pop music. With a gamut of European guest stars. Amadou and Mariam are steadily edging their way into global mainstream pop. "Welcome to Mali" is well produced and quite suitable for any occasion.

10: The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Craig Finn may not be the best singer and The Hold Steady might not have the most original tunes in the business. But Stay Positive remains a rousing and exciting experience nonetheless. Earnest lyrics and classic themes make this one album rock music fans should not miss.



9: Deerhunter - Microcastle
Deerhunter takes a big step towards the mainstream without relenting on their adventurousness and experimentation. One moment you might feel like Alice stepping through the rabbit hole, but find yourself at home immediately with safe and recognizable melodies. Almost like a Radiohead Lite.



8: Frightened Rabbits - The Midnight Organ Flight
The beauty of The Midnight Organ Flight lies in it's simplicity. This Glasgow trio make it with just a guitarist/singer, a drummer and a keyboardist. This record just has a wailing Scotsman, catchy lyrics and damn good music.




7: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig!!!Lazurus Dig!!!
If I only had one word to describe this record, it would be 'Explosive!!!'. Everything from the garage rock intensity to what Nick Cave describes as "a hemorrhaging of words and ideas'. Dig!!! delivers the lyrics and punk influences straight up into your brain. Like snorting music cocaine.


6: R.E.M. - Accelerate
After a relatively mellow phase ("Up" and "Reveal") R.E.M. are back and this time, they are finally ready to let out their inner rock stars. Mike Mills' machine gun guitar riffs return with Stipes 'End of the World' spitfire delivery. The songs make you want to sing along and bob your head. It's a return to form that has been so eagerly awaited.


5: Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Winner of the Mercury prize, comparisons to Police, though plenty, would seem rather unfair and disparaging of Elbow's abilities. The album manages to stand on it's own merits with several tracks well on their way to becoming instant classics. Uplifting and beautiful music from a great band.



4: Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Possibly one of the most underrated indie bands right now, Okkervil River shows enormous potential supported by the massive talent and showmanship of lead singer Will Sheff. "The Stand Ins" brings an amazing thematic finale to "The Stage Names". This is one band to look out for.


3: Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Furr feels and sounds like a tribute to some of the best British bands in rock music, each track exhibits a different style reminiscent of Queen or Bowie and most noticeably The Beatles. Blitzen Trapper borrows heavily from each but manages to keep their sound original. A late entry into the 2008, Furr remains in my mind, undoubtedly deserving of a spot in the top 10 of 2008 and your rotation list.

2:Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Written in a isolated cabin, Justin Veron's solitude allowed him to distill his truest emotions into melodies and words. The 9 tracks are bleak, quiet and intensely intimate. Every chord and word carries incredible weight. One wonders if Coldplay could have written this album had they not encountered success the first time round.


1:Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Our number one for 2008 happens to also be a debut, and what an amazing debut it was. Fleet Foxes has manages to amaze, astound and pull at your heartstrings with their resplendent melodies. The five piece band from Seattle manage to show how diversified and flexible they can be. Lead singer Robin Pecknold charms us with his writing, and manages to capture the melancholy, the ethereal all within an unforgettable rustic soundscape. Fleet Foxes also happens to be one of the most original and unforgettable record to appear in years.


Well that's it for 2008, looking forward to what 2009 might bring us. As usual click on the album covers to check out samples at Amazon. Cheers.