November 4
Some New Music!
Finally, I have some new music to help quell the recent boredom I’ve been feeling. Some good stuff, some not so good stuff. I feel like I should devote a separate blog entry to each piece of music (because I have a tendency to get wordy) but screw it.
Ryan Schmidt- EP preview from unreleased album
I think that Ryan is one of the most deserving musicians that I know and his talent is starting to catch up to his desire. He reminds me a ton like myself when I was younger but he’s more resourceful and I think he’s going to make it further than I will and a hell of a lot quicker!
He has one track, “Invisible” on his My Space page and I know he has some promo samplers with two other tracks but I don’t know if it’s publicly available or only for promo. Either way, his growth (especially in his vocals) is uncanny and the tracks sound awesome. I could keep a whole other blog (and would be interested in seeing him blog with some regularity) about this kid’s development and look forward to his growth.
I can only hope to ride on his coattails…Just kidding!
Copeland- You Are My Sunshine
It’s pretentious, I know, but I’m sort of embarrassed to enjoy this band as much as I do. I read a review once that they’re the boy band version of an emo band, and I can’t help but agree. Still, I love their music and I think this record, although not as consistently great as their first release, Beneath Medicine Tree, has some supreme highlights and production-wise, is one of the most tightly constructed release I’ve ever heard.
Highlights: “Chin Up”, “The Suitcase Song”, “On Safest Ledge”
Travis- Ode To J. Smith
I don’t get Travis. They have everything in a band that I should love: lots of digital delay, smooth vocals, great melodies and they sound like a band that sounds like Coldplay, Radiohead, and all of those bands that I like. Still, each album I have tons of anticipation and it’s a let down. I could put together 12 transcendental tracks, a greatest hits album, that highlights 2 or 3 songs from each album and it would be solid from back-to-front but they haven’t put together a complete great album, ever.
That being said, I didn’t even know they released a new album until election day. It highlights the best parts of them (those parts I mentioned above) and it’s surprisingly even. It doesn’t highlight lead singer Fran Healy’s lyrics (at least not through two listens) and that’s for the best, because his lyrics often make me cringe. Instead, it rocks harder than anything since their review and it’s an atmospheric, layered rock album. Thank you. Thank you. It’s about time.
You can hear the whole album on their My Space page.
Ryan Adams and The Cardinals- Cardinology
One of my favorite songwriters released an album a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been with him through the highs and lows of his solo career. I’ve bought every album (all 4000 of them) and have found the merits in each even though each album shows another part of his song writing ability while isolating another faction of his fan base.
This album is…OK. It’s been well-reviewed and it has a really consistent energy and sound, which doesn’t happen in all of his album, but it doesn’t move me. The jury is still out but I think this is a mid-quality album for someone capable of much more.
Album Highlights: Fix You
I’ll be honest, i’ve not heard any of these albums yet. I’ve been on the fence with Travis and Copeland for a while. Ryan Schmidt, i suppose i need to check out based on your suggestion. I’m a fan of Ryan Adams as well, but gave up trying to complete my collection with that guy. i’ve got a good stack of it, though.
The only new thing i’ve listened to recently was Ben Folds’ “Way To Normal”, which was really good (in case you wanted to know).
I agree with Jeff, “Way To Normal” is actually really awesome. And it’s crazy just knowing that Sam is playing drums on it.
We were talking about this the other night, and I told you to check out Patrick Thomas. You really should, it really is a solid album.
Also, the new Matt Duke album “Kingdom Underground” is worth listening to. I don’t know if you are familiar with him, but check him out. Especially the tracks “The Father, The Son, and The Harlot’s Ghost” and “30 Some Days”