Another great song

I just heard this one on the radio and really liked it . . . . check it. Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight.

Music that is taking me back

During lunch today I stopped by the Provo library and found the New Millennium Hip-Hop Party CD. Score! On my way back to work I enjoyed several tracks that took me straight back to high school (but in a good way). Here are some highlights:

Me Myself and I by De La Soul - this came off one of the first tapes I ever bought. I distinctly remember buying it at the University Mall store (Musicland? - not the one that was near Mervyn's) and listening to it for several days straight. I really need to get that album.

Pray by M.C. Hammer - I borrowed this tape from Ken one time and listened to it while picking raspberries in my grandma's garden. I certainly had to pray to make it that day.

O.P.P. by Naughty by Nature - the memory the brought back was of me buying a "Down Wit O.P.P." hat while on choir tour in Washington D.C. I now kind of cringe at the thought of me wearing that hat around - but I really thought it was cool at the time. Actually, I wish I had hung onto that one.

Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio - I was really surprised by how much I loved listening to this song. What ever happened to Coolio? I have a theory. He is no longer relevant the moment he hung Weird Al out to dry after winning a Grammy. There's no excuse for behaving like that towards Mr. Y, but the song is still good.


People Everyday by Arrested Development - Sure Arrested Development has a much better meaning for me these days, but back in the day, this group was fresh. I remember watching the video to this song while I was at the Palace - anybody remember the palace? Totally took me back to that moment.

It's interesting how many memories for me are tied up on music. Fortunatly, this one has brought back some great times. So I'm thinking I will have this CD on repeat this weekend. Check it out if you get a chance.

Q-Tip Album Review

I used my library card to check out the new album from Q-Tip called The Renaissance. I have had it only two days and have listened to the entire album 3.5 times (and plan to listen to it again tonight as I am painting). The fact that I keep wanting to listen is the sign of a good record for me. I think I like it so much because it reminds me of his days with A Tribe Called Quest. For me, those were the golden days of hip-hop. I am still struck by how smooth Q-Tip is with his vocals - and yes, he can still kick it. There are even guest appearances by Eve, Norah Jones, and D'Angelo. All in all, a solid album that is best listened to in its entirety. Using a Jaacen-esque rating scale, I would give this album 4 out of 5 wallets left in El Segundo. Check it.

VH1 Lists

For some reason, I love to watch the "100 Greatest" shows on VH1. A couple of weeks ago it was the 100 Greatest Hip-Hop songs and last night was the greatest heavy rock songs. I guess I'm a sucker for pretty much any countdown that doesn't include Carson Daly. Some of the songs are better than others and I don't always agree with the selections, but I still enjoy watching. It always reminds me of songs I've been meaning to buy. The other things that are interesting are the factoids. Where else are you going to find out that Lita Ford and Joan Jett both got their start in the Runaways? That is music knowledge you can use. Aside from the trivia, I also like the interviews. You have Ice-T talking about how cool Public Enemy is, or Slash discussing why Queen rocks. It's just interesting and sometimes they give you some good comments like Ted Nugent who was talking about how people love to go to his concerts and roast marshmallows on the flames that shoot out of his arse. Rock on Ted.

New Album From U2 On The Way

This may be old news to the die-hard fans, but I just found out that U2 will be releasing a new album on March 2. I'm a little out of the loop I guess, even though I've always enjoyed the sounds of U2 and followed them quite closely for quite a while. Seeing them in concert was even one of my Life To Do items (accomplished - 3 times). I guess I had pretty much forgotten about them over the last few years - I mean it's been about 5 years since their last album - which was just OK to my ear. This one could be very interesting as they have been working with Rick Ruben - who seems to like to help bands reboot their sound. So I'm pretty excited to see what they've come up with. I think the new album will be called "No Line on the Horizon." I'll be sure and review it once I've given it a listen.

Pandora Plug

I'm lucky enough to be able to listen to music quite a bit at work. I always have my trusty iPod with me (actually it's KT's because my old iPod finally bit the dust - it still works as an external hard drive, but the wheel doesn't work anymore - sorry to see you go little buddy). I dig the iPod and have loved holding my entire music collection in my hand which still amazes me. The problem with having all of your music right there is trying to figure out what to listen to. I have playlists set up, but sometimes I just want something new and random. Enter Pandora radio. You can pick a band or a particular song to start from and then it will set up "stations" based on the music DNA of the band or song you picked. It's like your own personal radio station where you can add songs and rate what comes up to further customize the station. Right now I've been listening to a station that I started with Black Flag. I've realized that there is a lot of hardcore punk out there yet to be discovered for me. I have always enjoyed Punk, but this has been focusing a lot on earlier bands (Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, Vandals, Rise Against, etc.) which has taken me beyond my old favorites like the Misfits, Ramones, Clash, etc. Pretty good stuff.



Other stations/seeds I have enjoyed: Muse, De La Soul, Soda Stereo.

Note: this post in in memoriam of Checkers - my iPod that finally gave out on me. We've had some good times - but it's time to upgrade . . .

New Weezer Video

I can't help it, I just dig these cats.

Music Show

I have found a great podcast all about music. This isn't just some guy in his basement talking about stuff and schwinging, it is a real radio show. It's actually based out of Chicago on the NPR station, but I rarely am in the car when it's on - so I listen to it via podcast. Anyway, the show is called Sound Opinions and is hosted by music critics from the two big Chicago papers.

One of the best things about it is that it not only talks about new music, but helps me discover all kinds of music that I have missed over the years. Some shows are better than others, but all-in-all, a great show for people that love music.

I've found it a lot of fun to listen to so you should check it out on iTunes or from their own site. Link

Congratulations Herbie???

So I didn't watch the Grammys and I didn't tape the show either. But I did catch the recap on the news this morning. Am, I the only one that thinks Kanye West is very over-rated? I mean it's OK, but not what I would call groundbreaking or legendary. Whatever. My big surprise however, was for album of the year. Herbie Hancock? Seriously? So his jazz album of Joni Mitchell songs was really the best the recording industry had to offer? I will be the first to admit that I have not actually listened to the album - so I can't judge it on its merits. What I am concerned about is that the rest of America has not listened to it either. I listen to a couple of radio show podcasts about music (NPR's All Songs Considered and Chicago's Sound Opinion) which I consider a great source for music news and judgement. Neither of these shows had any mention of Herbie Hancock in any sort of round up of 2007. I'm not saying that it's not good music, I just find it funny that it won the best album of the year. I wonder why they are having such a hard time keeping their industry afloat . . .