Wednesday Wind-down

I've lost a lot of interest in "post-rock" over the years (the crescendo formula was getting as predicable as a "drop" in dubstep) - but this is a really nice exception. I listened to this album all the way through a couple of times yesterday and I recommend it for those of you who enjoy post-rock and even modern classical compositions. It is a lot more dynamic and complex than most build-up/break-down post-rock.



I would also like to suggest streaming and/or purchasing Hiatus Kaiyote's "Tawk Tomahawk" - an unusual neo-soul/jazzy album that is hard to describe. Watch this video and I think you'll be sold:

Wednesday Wind-down

A beautiful short song, "Ubi Caritas" - by Taize, which translates to "Where charity and love are, God is there."



Malika Ayane, "Il Tempo Non Inganna" - while watching a lot of European MTV in our hotel in Rome we saw this video numerous times - and it is so pleasant and refreshing. Even if I can't understand the language- the melody is so catchy!



and lastly, this awesome cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" by the Liars  -easily the best cover on the whole tribute album

Spaced Out

There seems to be a real outer-space trend in movies and music lately:


Other Lives, "For 12"


Wolf Parade, "Yulia"


Another Earth


Melancholia


Tree of Life

Idiot Wind

I just received the Idiot Wind ep in the mail today from Sweden after being told about her music by MoonRiver. I think you will agree that this music is something special.

Music Video for Black Swan

I made a (very) ambient video for a song from one of my favorite recent albums "In 8 Movements" by Black Swan.

Atmosphere

Joy Division's promo for "Atmosphere"

ps. 96 followers...who's going to be 100?

There are no others

Shearwater tomorrow

Tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 4th) Shearwater will be playing at the Walnut Room in Denver. I saw them on their last tour and it was an impressive show - NPR called them “almost impossibly majestic and beautiful”.

White Rabbits

I just saw the White Rabbits play in Boulder last night with Here We Go Magic- it was a phenomenal set. This was the third time I've seen them live and they keep getting better. Don't miss them if they are coming your way.

Music of the Year - 2009

Favorite albums from 2009

There were so many great albums this year I had to extend the list:

1. Bill Callahan, Sometimes I Wish I Were an Eagle

• Perfect for driving through the desert or a late summer night in the studio with the windows open

2. Washed Out, Life of Leisure

• The best summer album of the year - warm, soft and light
  

3. Fever Ray, Fever Ray

• A brooding, icy sound by a band whose visual component is unmatched - watch this video:
  

4. Lovers, I am the West

• A solid pop album from start to finish

5. Coconut Records, Davy

• Jason Schwartzman's music - really catchy.

6. Young Coyotes, Basement and Exhale eps
7. Atlas Sound, Logos
8. Love Language, The Love Language
9. Candy Claws, In the Dream of Sea Life
10. Dark Night of the Soul (various artists)
11. Glass Ghost, Idol Omen
12. Radio Dept., David ep
13. Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavillion
14. David Bazan, Curse Your Branches
15. Dead Man's Bones, Dead Man's Bones

Honorable Mention: Jamie Long, Bat for Lashes, Edward Sharpe, jj, Lotus Plaza, Peaches

Instrumental Favorites of 2009:

1. Teeth of the Sea, Orphaned by the Ocean
2. Olafur Arnalds, Found Songs
3. Stag Hare, Black Medicine Music
4. Black Eagle Child, Seeds the Sprout in Summer
5. Yair Yona, Remember
6. Ous Mal, Viime Talvi
7. Bosques de mi Mente, Lo-Fi

Favorite albums that are not from 2008 but listened to a lot in 2008:
1. Twin Peaks soundtracks/Julee Cruise
2. Smog (lots of their albums)
3. Felt
4. Igor Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring

What's the big deal? (2008 Passing Fancy Edition)
1. Wavves

Last year's list.

Califone

Fever Ray + Soft Focus

re-blog from Paul Herbst

re-blog from Paul Herbst

see also:

Triangle Walks from Fever Ray on Vimeo.

Music by Candy Claws - OOP Print

Fort Collins-based band Candy Claws has made one of my favorite albums of the year called "In the Dream of Sea Life." The music was inspired by the Rachel Carson's 1951 classic on marine biology, The Sea Around Us. It is a soft, sweet and glowing album for late summer days. They've recently remastered it and released it on Indiecater Records - where you can stream the whole album and purchase it digitally. Unfortunately, the original release of the album is now out of print, but I got my hands on one when I saw them play in Fort Collins. It came in a DVD case with a 12-page art booklet, a sticker, and a handmade art print. I've scanned the print to share with you:

Catamaran from Candy Claws on Vimeo.

Nosaj Thing live show

Nosaj Thing Visual Show Compilation Test Shoot from Adam Guzman on Vimeo.

All is Wild, All is Silent

remembrance // balmorhea // all is wild, all is silent from Jared Hogan on Vimeo.

Whoa

This performance by Fiona Apple of Elvis Costello's "I Want You" give me chills. Outstanding.

Erik Enocksson and other Quiet Swedish Music

Erik Enocksson @ BERG 211 from Kning Disk on Vimeo.

Erik Enocksson on myspace

Cover for Erik Enocksson's "Harsh and stubborn that river bends/Dark and shrewd, no light it lends" 7" - photo by Fredrik Wenzel.

Erik Enocksson, Sommar.

Also - Check out this free (and legal) download called Epoche by Fiktion -c/o Frukt Recods. Fiktion writes, "It's an invite from Fiktion for you and your ipod to take a walk arround in your local woodland. To get lost and to find your way, to see patterns and to break patterns. Be sure to listen to the album as a whole, and we're sure you'll have a unique journey in some individual way. " The album comes with a beautiful pdf "booklet" and is well worth a download.


For any of you visual artists reading this - these two musicians are both recommended listening for making some art.

New Way to Download Music (legally)

Here's their blurb:

"Amie Street helps you discover new music you'll love quickly and easily. With millions of songs to choose from we make it simple and enjoyable to find your next favorite song.

How do we do this? It starts with the fact that all songs on Amie Street are priced from free to 98 cents. Instead of the arbitrary $0.99 per song, on Amie Street the community determines the price of music. Every song starts free, or very cheap, and increases in price, up to 98 cents, as more and more people purchase it.

This variable pricing system ensures that the public gets music at a fair, community-driven price point, and makes it easy for you to find the type of music you want. We then encourage you to talk about the music you like by putting money in your account for more downloads when you recommend songs that continue to rise in price. You can play the music you purchase from anywhere on the web and all Amie Street downloads are iPod compatible DRM-free mp3s. "

I just downloaded the new Coconut Records (Jason Schwartzman) album called "Davy" for a little over 7 bucks! This album is exclusive to Aime St music, but even if you could find it on itunes or zune -you can't beat the price at Amie St - and it is DRM free.

I also picked up the Little Joy album for around five bucks (highly recommended).check out their sweet video:

Jeremy Blake's video for "Round the Bend"

One of my personal favorite video artists is the late Jeremy Blake. I've posted about him before. Every time I listen to Beck's Sea Changes album or watch Punch Drunk Love, I'm reminded of his work again. I'm going to briefly touch on video art in my art appreciation class this week and I decided to break down one of Blake's videos and examine all of the references or similarities to painting. Some of these were more obvious than others...

Still from Jeremy Blake's video for Beck's song "Round the Bend"

Barnett Newman

Still from Jeremy Blake's video for Beck's song "Round the Bend"

Andy Warhol

Still from Jeremy Blake's video for Beck's song "Round the Bend"

Helen Frankenthaler

Still from Jeremy Blake's video for Beck's song "Round the Bend"

Morris Lewis

Still from Jeremy Blake's video for Beck's song "Round the Bend"

Morris Lewis

Music Video of the Week

Nosajthing, "Acquarium"

This video is very sweet. I love the song - it balances organic and digital sounds very well.