1000!

Deering Library, Northwestern University at 7:30 AM.

One thousand. A one followed by three zeroes. That's right. The landmark (albeit incredibly small) for this blog. I feel slightly foolish in being proud of the fact that 1,000 people have visited this site, but I'll take what I can get. And if I can convince just a few people to listen to a great band or singer, it's certainly worth it.
In honor of this milestone, I have made a mix-one song for every 100 people that have visited. The playlist can be downloaded here.

So what the heck is on CSVMAD-Volume 1? I thought you'd never ask.
1. Kings of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You (from Riot on an Empty Street)
Props to my friend Kate for this one.
2. Coldplay - Sleeping Sun (from Talk-EP)
3. Feist-That's What I Say, That's Not What I Mean (from Monarch)
4. Robbie Williams - The 80's (from Rudebox)
5. Snowglobe - Happy (from Oxytocin)
6. The God Damn Doo Wop Band - Talk Too Much (from Broken Hearts)
7. Belle & Sebastian - Song for Sunshine (from The Life Pursuit)
8. Ursula 1000 - Let's Go to a Disco (Here Comes Tomorrow)
9. Chicago - Beginnings (from The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning)
10. Devendra Banhart - Long Haired Child (from Cripple Crow)

Feist-y

So I decided we're going to dig back a little bit to the century mark (that being 2000) when the Canadian soloist, Broken Social Scene singer, and frequent singer for Kings of Convenience (Feist) decided to put together some of her own musings together. The material for Monarch actually comes from the year that Feist spent in her home, after she suffered from severe vocal chord problems. Suprisingly, the music on this album are "typical" Feist (that is, typical if you heard Let it Die). As interesting and unique as Let it Die is, Monarch is perhaps more so as you can hear a songstress trying to find her voice, trying to find her message. Songs like "Flight #303" illustrate her ability to write catchy pop numbers, "That's What I Said, That's Not What I Mean" shows the classic crooning that you hear on her sophomore effort, and "One Year A.D" even has Feist rocking it out.

It's a diverse album for someone with such diverse talents. It's rather hard to get your hands on, I suggest checking your local record store.

Listen to Flight #303.

Teng, She's Good!

The third album from the Taiwanese-American who has a unique way of blending chamber pop with folk and contemporary rock, Dreaming Through The Noise takes the genre-bending Vienna Teng into new frontiers. I often feel that there is a lack of conscious decision-making among female vocalists. Whether it is not putting enough effort in to the lyrics and simply relying on their sweet vocal advantages, or not being bold enough throughout the album to set them apart. I think I have chanced upon something here, but I'll leave that for another day.
Vienna Teng is different. It seems as though the lyrics are a primary concern, and although the album lags toward the end, her music is edgy and interesting enough to pull off Dreaming Through the Noise.
The songs on the album run the gamut from the quiet and mysterious (Blue Caravan) to the windy and easy going (City Hall). She's got skills....yo

Buy Dreaming Through The Noise.

Listen to Blue Caravan.
She also has four other tracks on her myspace page. They're all pretty darn good.

Get Your Hats and Gloves

Old Man Winter in October.

I wasn't planning on posting today, but seeing as that one of the craziest things happened today, I can't really help it.
It's October, 12, 2006. I know that. I'm not delusional.
It snowed today. Yes, as I got up in the morning for my glorious 8 AM class, I could see the sky brewing for a storm, but I had no idea that mother nature was spreading fairy dust today.
So, that's it. I'll have some new bands to post about soon, but I've already posted this week more times than I have the month prior. So much for consistency.

Ian North - Skates.

A Different Spin

Sunset over Lake Buckatabon in Conover, Wisconsin.

My Quote of the Day:
"As our modern society unravels due to 'me me me greatness', teamwork has become evermore significant in attaining our goals."

3 things about which you must know in order to have a conversation with the average person whom you've just met:

1) Current Events-Whatever the awkward silence, a little talk about the major current events of the day, week, month can always get a conversation started. You see, the events of today are so charged-politcally and morally-that you're bound to get into a lengthier discussion. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten to know so much about a person I've just met just by bringing something that's been going on in the world.

2) Sports-This has two facets to it, really. If you are a guy, sports is an instant conversation starter that can probably go on for hours. Now I know not everyone is a big sports fan, and that's understandable. But even people who aren't really interested in it should still take the time to learn about the major stories that are at the surface. You don't need to know the score of last night's White Sox game (who, I must add, were the World Series champs in 2005). But, you should try to be a casual sports fan. So, steroid allegations in baseball, Terrell Owens in football, Lebron James in basketball--these are things that aren't too hard to pick up on. In fact, I've always been more impressed by people who can talk about everything else but sports in detail, but they still know a little.

3) Family Guy-"What?", you say. I've lost my credibility, right? Wrong. Family Guy is really the essence of everything funny. Those who have seen it know that it is one of the most intelligent, clever, hillarious shows on TV. I could go hours re-enacting hillarious scenes from the show. Don't like making a fool of yourself. That's okay. Family Guy also tackles a lot of the stereotypes that we have about people in our society. Talk about that. Or, what about the fact that Family Guy has the impeccable ability to say what we're all thinking but never say? Nothing is taboo. Use it as material.

Bernard Fanning: Tea & Sympathy

Let's take 1 part Allman Brothers Band and 1 part Jack Johnson and let's leave another part as a mystery component. It's that chemical x that separates Bernard Fanning from his counterparts (not to disparage Jack Johnson--you've got to love Jack).
Fanning laces beautiful riffs and stunning, slightly raspy vocals that combine to recall an easy-going, southern-comfort-type feel. Actually, Fanning comes from our friends down under, the former singer for the band Powderfinger.

The record has received mixed reviews but I find the album more impressive the more I listen. Although it took a while for the record to get here (it was released in October 2005), it has been wildly popular in Australia, reaching #1 in its first week.

Buy the record, Tea & Sympathy.

Listen to Wish You Well.

Duhk Duhk Goose

Today, I'd like to tell you about a Canada-based band that is perhaps the greatest genre-defying band I've heard. Imagine a collection of gospel-folk lyrics, then add a heavy dose of stringed instruments, and don't forget a whole lot of soul.

If you've followed the recipe carefully, then you've got The Duhks. Their 3rd release, Migrations, is very clear in its message. The songs on the album are mostly reinterpretations of a whole slew of songs: from old gospel melodies, to a poem about an Irish warrior, to modern folk songs (see Tracey Chapman). The middle of the album tends to drift into oblivion, and I'd be lying if I said that every song is unique and different. BUT, yes the "but", The Duhks definitely hit more than they miss. And ultimately, that's all that really matters.

"Moses Don't Get Lost" is one of the more empowering, soulful songs on the album and most definitely one of the standout tracks. "Ol' Cook Pot", a tribute of sorts to single mothers, is the lead track and it sets the tone for meaningful but slightly playful songs throughout the album.

Go out and buy Migrations damnit!

Listen to Heaven's My Home. Thanks to MuseNashville for this one.

Listen to Moses Don't Get Lost.

My Apologies/Down to Business

Hello again-
I've risen from the virtual dead to write this blog again. With school having started a few weeks ago, it has been extremely difficult just to take the time, sit down, and write anything. At this point, I'm not quite sure what to write about. So many things to discuss but I'll focus on a few.
I apologize-Hopefully, posts will be much more frequent now.

"Down to Business"
Okay, let's see. I've been listening to the new JET album, and I don't know what all the nasty backlash is all about. The album is by no means fantastic, but does it deserve this as a review from Pitchfork? I mean, a monkey pissing in his mouth? Pitchfork appears to me, at least, as a charicature of what music criticism is supposed to be. Pitchfork's reviews are the most self-indulgent crap that I've read-more concerned with giving pretentious essays that show their knack for the English language and their superior knowledge of music. But back to JET: there are some highlights (Come On Come On, Skin and Bones) and I personally think Shine On is a pleasant progression of their debut Get Born.

Moving onwards, let's talk a little about Beck. I've never been part of the cult following of Beck's everchanging music, nor have I been one to completely disregard it. I was rather impressed with Guero, and his newest release The Information illustrates just why exactly Beck is so well-liked. Whether it's a rockin' bass ("I Think I'm in Love") or a trippy dance beat ("We Dance Alone"), Beck pretty much delivers a good deal of sonic ecstasy. Count me in.

How come I'd never heard of Brenton Wood until a few weeks ago? Just listen to "Oogum Boogum" and you'll know what I'm talking about.

And lastly, I haven't had a chance to listen to The Decemberists' The Crane Wife in full, but from what I've heard, it's less R.E.M. and a tad more poppy. The anti-establishment band has moved on. Sold out? Probably not.

Listen to Skin and Bones by JET.

Listen to Elevator Music by Beck.

Listen to Oogum Boogum by Brenton Wood.