What a year for concerts! I only had plans for one concert going into 2012 but things kept turning up and it ended up being the greatest concert year ever.
I wrote a post a while back in the beginning of 2011 that included ALL of the concerts I had been to previously. Yup, I didn't get a chance to go to any concerts until after my mission. 2012 was a good year of catching up. Going to a show is great on so many levels, the music and seeing your favorite artists is an obvious one. But bringing a friend, family member or a lovely lady brings it up several notches (hope to bring one that accomplishes all those in one shot some day :). This year was full of all those notches indeed! (though names will not be included here to protect the innocent)
Started with a bang in January with Wilco in San Jose. My favorite band in a smaller venue was nice. Hearing all the new songs from The Whole Love made that album skyrocket in my appreciation of it. Art Of Almost with all its bombastic glory, The Whole Love with its upbeat catchy hooks, and One Sunday Morning with its masterful and heartbreaking lyrics (the link is to a nice live version). Yup, the new stuff is gold!
I also experienced my first concert alone in 2012, mainly because I wasn't sure I had anyone that would want to go, and it was kind of expensive (though I later came to find out a few awesome souls that went). RADIOHEAD, oh man, that was an transcendent experience. So maybe i'm overhyping this, but I hadn't seen them before and they truly were the band that I went to see. Visually stunning, sonically complex and very true to their source material, a huge set list... it was hard to take everything in. The Kid A stuff floored me, but the In Rainbows and The King Of Limbs stuff was fascinating to see performed live. 2 drummers? yup. Thom Yorke crooning? yes again. Twas worth every penny.
Somewhere around April I had the chance to see Mr. Ben Kweller. I've been following this fella since Sha Sha (which i giggled when he played it) came out when I was in High School. His brand of slacker american folk rock is a lot of fun. His newer stuff isn't as amazing as the old, but he had a lot of energy and it was cool to see him in a small venue in San Francisco. On a side note, Sleeper Agent opened up for him and they had a ton of fun energy.
OK, so I was invited to see The Beach Boys during the summer... Twice! The first one was at Berkeley where they played an incredibly long set... seriously, i think they played ALL their hits, which is saying something considering its the Beach Boys! The second time was in Provo for the fourth of July Celebration "Stadium of Fire". Thy played all their major hits and it was fun to here that slice of Americana on the Fourth. These guys are old, but man, the voices were still there. Don't Worry Baby has been, is, and likely will remain one of my favorite songs of all time... of all time! I'm excited to play 4 songs from them with my family for new years... the only problem is i want to sing every part :)
Next up, Wilco again! love these guys, and they love the Bay Area enough to come a few times in 2012. -Insert many of the same accolades from the first show here- They played a lot of their older stuff this round since they played a two night show in Berkeley. While I love the newer stuff more, even that more traditional sound is fantastic. Love me some Alt-Country. (oh yeah, the opener was hilarious, and crazy... don't remember his name though)
Mark Knopfler and Bob Dylan... so my adventures at the Greek Theater continued with my dad. Mark (of Dire Straights fame) played his signature guitar style. Its so uniquely his that even if you never had heard the song, you know its him. My dad's a huge fan so it was that much more fun. Mr. Dylan's voice is pretty well gone now... but not his style. He went around stage and grabbed seemingly random instruments, played perfectly, sang with all the beauty of Tom Waits and reinvented all his classic songs with this new style. Great father-son bonding time :)
I had the opportunity to go to the Bridge School Benefit concert. This was my first concert "festival". Neil Young has been hosting this concert at Shoreline in Mountain View for a number of years and a ton of big acts come. It goes from about 4ish into the night. The whole event is acoustic, which proved fun for bands like Foster The People and The Flaming Lips who normally have a lot of sonic engineering in their recordings (both did fantastic, Flaming Lips [best in show award] did a few songs from Yoshimi and ended on A Day in The Life... yup they went there). Sarah McLachlan sounded as good as she ever has, Guns And Roses were fun, Niel Young Himself rocked out, Jack White had a lot of energy and even did Hotel Yorba :) Eddie Vedar made a surprise appearance and did a small set. I know i'm probably missing a few of the bands, but all in all it was a fantastic little festival!
Lady Antebellum, MC Hammer, Will.I.Am? yup, thats how I ended my 2012 concert experience. Let me tell you the tale. So my dad's boss John Thompson and the CEO of Salesforce donate to each others' charities. Salesforce has an annual benefit concert to help out a children's hospital. Since John donated a sizable amount, we had floor seats about 3 or 4 rows back (actually couches with tables and free food/wine with waiters... this was crazy!) The evening started out with a hilarious comedy routine with Dana Carvey (Garth, the church lady, etc.). Then Colin Powell came out (you can't make this stuff up) and gave an award to one of the brave kids from the hospital. Lady Antebellum then performed a set (i actually had never heard of them since they aren't really my genre, but they were talented indeed). After the concert we had tickets to an after party in San Francisco's City Hall. The whole place was rented out and there was fancy food, and fancy people all around. The pictures are in one of my facebook albums... as i said in one of the captions, I felt like that this gala event was going to be interrupted by the Joker and batman would have to save the day. In one of the rooms there were two DJ's mixing up a bunch of dance songs. Yes, this was MC Hammer and Will.I.AM. It was fascinating seeing how they did the mixing. Its an art form of some sort. Anyways, this was an evening to be remembered (unlike most Thursdays nights)
Well besides our family band performances that was it for this year. (we did REM's its the end of the world as we know it a few days ago and have 20+ songs ready to go for New Years Eve!)
Life's good,
All my Love,
-James
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
2012: Or how I learned to stop worrying and listen to the music
Dearly Beloved
We are here today to celebrate the sonic pleasures of 2012. Oh I had toyed with the idea of only focusing on songs as the trend of full albums becomes "obsolete". Luckily, there are a few records that are fighting against the dying of the light. First I present the runners up for album of the year (in no particular order):
Divine Fits: "A Thing Called Divine Fits". So I first was a little wary that Brit Daniels of "Spoon" fame was focusing his time on a side project. Spoon's last album won my 2010 music in review post's album of the year so I wanted more of that. Luckily this side project had a few classics that would fit right in with Spoon's groove. Flaggin a Ride, Would That Not Be Nice and The Salton Sea are standout tracks.
POP ETC: So I discovered these guys on Soundcloud with "Halfway to Heaven". I loved the song but figured they wouldn't have anything else. When I got around to listening to their album, my ears were overjoyed and I grinned a lot during this and subsequent listenings. "YOYO" might be my guiltiest pleasure of the year. It really makes me smile... its so delightfully cheesy 80's pop with ridiculous studio quality and power hooks. I dare say it's my top song of 2012 just because it makes me so happy. BTW this album got TERRIBLE reviews... also, their previous band "The Morning Benders" have a lot of good stuff to check out too.
Django Django: "Django Django" So this one came out of nowhere. All of the sudden, "Default" started to take over my radio. I was totally ok with this. It was a bombastic, tight, perfectly crafted piece that is over the top catchy. Even the opener "Hail Bop" was fantastic and upbeat despite its reference to the famous comet. This is an album that will put a smile on your face.
Washed Out: Before you indie nerds call me out, yes I know I discovered these guys late, hence their inclusion in 2012's list. (I work in public accounting, its hard to keep up with the kids these days) But to not do so would be a great injustice to my 2012 musical experience. I might have gotten into Portlandia this year too, (again, late to the party) and "Feel it all around" is the opening theme. These guys are chill wave, and i'm ok with that. Its very interesting music, yet very relaxing. Check out "Eyes Be Closed" and "Echos" from their 2011 LP. In the same-out-2012 vain, Empire of The Sun's "Walking on a Dream" came out in 2009 and reached the top of the charts...in australia? Yup, its fantastic all the way through and is cheesy amazing powerpop!
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: "Mature Themes". OK, no judging me ok, this album deals with mature themes indeed! I couldn't help thinking this was a spiritual successor to Of Montreal's Skeletal Lampings" in that effect. But here me out, "Only in My Dreams" and "Mature Themes" are some of the finest Kinks songs of this generation. For that alone, this album is a classic of 2012.
Chromatics: "Kill for Love". They had me with their cover of Neil Young's "Into the Black" and kept me with this album along with the song "I'm on Fire". Her voice is nice. Sometimes thats enough :)
Group Love: "Never Trust A Happy Song" So this is another 2012 classic from 2011. This was my summer album. They had me started with Itchin on a Photograph, but then the hits kept coming! Tongue Tied made it onto my sisters birthday mix, but that easily could have been "Lovely Cup" and "Naked Kids" I kind of liken this album as a spiritual successor to The Blue Album... yup, Weezer's masterpiece. Its just that fun! (For similar summer fun, check out Sleeper Agents "Love Blood")
Wild Nothing: "Nocturne" Another somewhat chill wave band, these guys kind of filled in the gap "Girls" left when they broke up this year. Kind of a soft, soothing rock that is very well musically written. Key tracks are "Midnight Song", "This Chain Won't Break" and "Paradise" (which is pretty 80's inspired)
Dum Dum Girls: "End Of Days" I call it here first, this would have been my album of the year if it was an Album! This lil EP has 5 songs, all amazing. I remember one night a couple of months ago when I listened to Trees and Flowers over and over again. I turned it up as loud as I could take it, so gorgeous I could hardly take it all in. Season in Hell and Lord Knows are other standouts. For old school Dum Dum Girls, check out Coming Down.
And the winner is: Beach House: "Bloom". Again, this be the year of chill wave. The reason Bloom stood above the rest is simple, the album is All Killer, No Filler. Like the Sum 41 reference suggests, every song is delightfully dreamy with not a one killing the mood. Its consistant fun, with seemingly simple but deceptively complex hooks. Although I've not fallen in love with all their older (and still very critically well received) albums, I do believe this one is a masterpiece. Wishes Lazuli Myth Wild
See my Spotify playlist "Cool Stuff I don't Have Yet" for all that goodness, or if you want to cut to the best, just see my starred playlist!
This was also a great year for concerts, but thats another story...
We are here today to celebrate the sonic pleasures of 2012. Oh I had toyed with the idea of only focusing on songs as the trend of full albums becomes "obsolete". Luckily, there are a few records that are fighting against the dying of the light. First I present the runners up for album of the year (in no particular order):
Divine Fits: "A Thing Called Divine Fits". So I first was a little wary that Brit Daniels of "Spoon" fame was focusing his time on a side project. Spoon's last album won my 2010 music in review post's album of the year so I wanted more of that. Luckily this side project had a few classics that would fit right in with Spoon's groove. Flaggin a Ride, Would That Not Be Nice and The Salton Sea are standout tracks.
POP ETC: So I discovered these guys on Soundcloud with "Halfway to Heaven". I loved the song but figured they wouldn't have anything else. When I got around to listening to their album, my ears were overjoyed and I grinned a lot during this and subsequent listenings. "YOYO" might be my guiltiest pleasure of the year. It really makes me smile... its so delightfully cheesy 80's pop with ridiculous studio quality and power hooks. I dare say it's my top song of 2012 just because it makes me so happy. BTW this album got TERRIBLE reviews... also, their previous band "The Morning Benders" have a lot of good stuff to check out too.
Django Django: "Django Django" So this one came out of nowhere. All of the sudden, "Default" started to take over my radio. I was totally ok with this. It was a bombastic, tight, perfectly crafted piece that is over the top catchy. Even the opener "Hail Bop" was fantastic and upbeat despite its reference to the famous comet. This is an album that will put a smile on your face.
Washed Out: Before you indie nerds call me out, yes I know I discovered these guys late, hence their inclusion in 2012's list. (I work in public accounting, its hard to keep up with the kids these days) But to not do so would be a great injustice to my 2012 musical experience. I might have gotten into Portlandia this year too, (again, late to the party) and "Feel it all around" is the opening theme. These guys are chill wave, and i'm ok with that. Its very interesting music, yet very relaxing. Check out "Eyes Be Closed" and "Echos" from their 2011 LP. In the same-out-2012 vain, Empire of The Sun's "Walking on a Dream" came out in 2009 and reached the top of the charts...in australia? Yup, its fantastic all the way through and is cheesy amazing powerpop!
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: "Mature Themes". OK, no judging me ok, this album deals with mature themes indeed! I couldn't help thinking this was a spiritual successor to Of Montreal's Skeletal Lampings" in that effect. But here me out, "Only in My Dreams" and "Mature Themes" are some of the finest Kinks songs of this generation. For that alone, this album is a classic of 2012.
Chromatics: "Kill for Love". They had me with their cover of Neil Young's "Into the Black" and kept me with this album along with the song "I'm on Fire". Her voice is nice. Sometimes thats enough :)
Group Love: "Never Trust A Happy Song" So this is another 2012 classic from 2011. This was my summer album. They had me started with Itchin on a Photograph, but then the hits kept coming! Tongue Tied made it onto my sisters birthday mix, but that easily could have been "Lovely Cup" and "Naked Kids" I kind of liken this album as a spiritual successor to The Blue Album... yup, Weezer's masterpiece. Its just that fun! (For similar summer fun, check out Sleeper Agents "Love Blood")
Wild Nothing: "Nocturne" Another somewhat chill wave band, these guys kind of filled in the gap "Girls" left when they broke up this year. Kind of a soft, soothing rock that is very well musically written. Key tracks are "Midnight Song", "This Chain Won't Break" and "Paradise" (which is pretty 80's inspired)
Dum Dum Girls: "End Of Days" I call it here first, this would have been my album of the year if it was an Album! This lil EP has 5 songs, all amazing. I remember one night a couple of months ago when I listened to Trees and Flowers over and over again. I turned it up as loud as I could take it, so gorgeous I could hardly take it all in. Season in Hell and Lord Knows are other standouts. For old school Dum Dum Girls, check out Coming Down.
And the winner is: Beach House: "Bloom". Again, this be the year of chill wave. The reason Bloom stood above the rest is simple, the album is All Killer, No Filler. Like the Sum 41 reference suggests, every song is delightfully dreamy with not a one killing the mood. Its consistant fun, with seemingly simple but deceptively complex hooks. Although I've not fallen in love with all their older (and still very critically well received) albums, I do believe this one is a masterpiece. Wishes Lazuli Myth Wild
See my Spotify playlist "Cool Stuff I don't Have Yet" for all that goodness, or if you want to cut to the best, just see my starred playlist!
This was also a great year for concerts, but thats another story...
Friday, September 28, 2012
A few covers... 400 plays on soundcloud!
So a few posts ago I went through a bunch of songs I recorded over the years. I linked them to my kiwi account, but I might have to switch them over to Soundcloud since some of them don't work no more. But I digress... the real reason for this post is to talk about some fun i've had recording over the past 6ish months.
So earlier this year I got the recording bug. I love recording for several reasons:
- Forces me to learn new songs, and it helps make practice fun and productive.
- Its a great creative outlet (whether its a cover or an original... I always put my own spin on it)
- I love editing... sometimes it makes it so I sound decent!
- I'm usually pretty shy about playing in front of others, this way I can share my songs without being nervous!
- Gives me a chance to play with my toys and gives me an excuse to buy more! (I heart my new synthesizer)
Ok, I wont begin this section with "So"... but here's the part where I catalog my recent recordings. I was at a pace of about 1 every other week for a little bit :) Each song takes anywhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours to put together... i'm sure you can tell which songs were quick projects!
So here's the link where you can listen to all my songs instead of clicking on each link below
The Beatles: What can I say... I learned guitar by playing Beatles songs, each phase of their career brought something fun and fresh that will always feel timeless:
I'll Be Back: -Not Terminator 2, Another amazing harmony-centric song. One of my favs
Oh Darling! -Yup, went all out for this one :D It's slightly awkward, and all awesome!
Tell Me Why - I'm a dork, remind myself of Andy Bernard's recording where he harmonized with himself B) Also... how bout' my John Lennon? hehe
This Boy - Under-rated early Beatles song. Again, had fun with the harmonies, especially the end!
Yer Blues - See comment for Oh Darling! "James Harrington sings the blues" Had a TON of fun recording this one :D
For No One: -This song isn't for you
Coldplay:
Amsterdam And I thought Yer Blues and Oh Darling were vocally challenging for a bass. Chris Martin has a huge range! This one was one of my more complicated arrangements...got some pretty sweet guitars effect. I love the end of this one, the organ was a blast to play!
The Cure: Robert Smith is a genious. Our band has played Just Like Heaven and Friday I'm in Love a million times so I decided to try Boys Don't Cry. Loved it, though my voice is a little whiney... oh well, I won't cry over it.
Boys Don't Cry
Just Like Heaven
The White Stripes: I have an electric guitar... this needed to happen. My most recent recording. Loved making a bazzillion tracks for this one.
Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground
Fleetwood Mac: We played this song for my dad's 60th B-day party this past January. My voice doesn't suit it nearly as well as my mom, but as Ryan Adams gave it a shot, I figured a dude could sing this song too :)
Dreams
Fountains of Wayne: Long live power-pop! I love these fellas. Their songs always have catchy hooks from which great "slice of life" storytelling perfectly suits the tunes.
Hackensack
Hey Julie
Valley Winter Song
Ben Kweller:
I'm on My Way I saw this dude a few months back and he inspired me to learn a few of his tunes. I think this is a perfect folk song. The lyrical progression is so simple and perfect. It was fun to sing along with a simple guitar part. I believe I didn't have multiples tracks and did most of this song in one take...
The Strokes:
I'll Try anything Once This song came out on my mission and I didn't find it till way late. I don't play piano besides picking out songs by ear... so I was messing around on my folks piano and I figured out the riff to this song and thought it sounded kind of cool on piano instead of the guitar so I had to record it then and there!
Third Eye Blind:
Hows It Gonna Be I had a ton of fun recording this one. Its the pinnical of mid 90's alt-rock and holds up really well even now. As I listened to it a few times to learn it, I realized that it was fairly complex, especially the way he sings it. As such, I had fun trying to sing in a totally different style then i'm used to. Also was fun to create some harmonies at the end... skip to that part, its fun!
Ryan Adams:
Lucky Now This was the first of the new recordings... pretty much since college with a few original songs as an exception, I hadn't recorded in years. I heard this song and I wanted to share it with everyone. Ryan Adams' voice is so good, its not fair! :) Also, no more auto-tune for me. I kind of want to redo this one and flesh it out with organ.
The Foo Fighters:
Big Me The first Foo Fighters song I ever heard... loved it, including its amazing mentoos parady music video. Sounds pretty good in a stripped down version.
Thanks for listening... I'd love suggestions as always for songs for my next recording!
So earlier this year I got the recording bug. I love recording for several reasons:
- Forces me to learn new songs, and it helps make practice fun and productive.
- Its a great creative outlet (whether its a cover or an original... I always put my own spin on it)
- I love editing... sometimes it makes it so I sound decent!
- I'm usually pretty shy about playing in front of others, this way I can share my songs without being nervous!
- Gives me a chance to play with my toys and gives me an excuse to buy more! (I heart my new synthesizer)
Ok, I wont begin this section with "So"... but here's the part where I catalog my recent recordings. I was at a pace of about 1 every other week for a little bit :) Each song takes anywhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours to put together... i'm sure you can tell which songs were quick projects!
So here's the link where you can listen to all my songs instead of clicking on each link below
The Beatles: What can I say... I learned guitar by playing Beatles songs, each phase of their career brought something fun and fresh that will always feel timeless:
I'll Be Back: -Not Terminator 2, Another amazing harmony-centric song. One of my favs
Oh Darling! -Yup, went all out for this one :D It's slightly awkward, and all awesome!
Tell Me Why - I'm a dork, remind myself of Andy Bernard's recording where he harmonized with himself B) Also... how bout' my John Lennon? hehe
This Boy - Under-rated early Beatles song. Again, had fun with the harmonies, especially the end!
Yer Blues - See comment for Oh Darling! "James Harrington sings the blues" Had a TON of fun recording this one :D
For No One: -This song isn't for you
Coldplay:
Amsterdam And I thought Yer Blues and Oh Darling were vocally challenging for a bass. Chris Martin has a huge range! This one was one of my more complicated arrangements...got some pretty sweet guitars effect. I love the end of this one, the organ was a blast to play!
The Cure: Robert Smith is a genious. Our band has played Just Like Heaven and Friday I'm in Love a million times so I decided to try Boys Don't Cry. Loved it, though my voice is a little whiney... oh well, I won't cry over it.
Boys Don't Cry
Just Like Heaven
The White Stripes: I have an electric guitar... this needed to happen. My most recent recording. Loved making a bazzillion tracks for this one.
Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground
Fleetwood Mac: We played this song for my dad's 60th B-day party this past January. My voice doesn't suit it nearly as well as my mom, but as Ryan Adams gave it a shot, I figured a dude could sing this song too :)
Dreams
Fountains of Wayne: Long live power-pop! I love these fellas. Their songs always have catchy hooks from which great "slice of life" storytelling perfectly suits the tunes.
Hackensack
Hey Julie
Valley Winter Song
Ben Kweller:
I'm on My Way I saw this dude a few months back and he inspired me to learn a few of his tunes. I think this is a perfect folk song. The lyrical progression is so simple and perfect. It was fun to sing along with a simple guitar part. I believe I didn't have multiples tracks and did most of this song in one take...
The Strokes:
I'll Try anything Once This song came out on my mission and I didn't find it till way late. I don't play piano besides picking out songs by ear... so I was messing around on my folks piano and I figured out the riff to this song and thought it sounded kind of cool on piano instead of the guitar so I had to record it then and there!
Third Eye Blind:
Hows It Gonna Be I had a ton of fun recording this one. Its the pinnical of mid 90's alt-rock and holds up really well even now. As I listened to it a few times to learn it, I realized that it was fairly complex, especially the way he sings it. As such, I had fun trying to sing in a totally different style then i'm used to. Also was fun to create some harmonies at the end... skip to that part, its fun!
Ryan Adams:
Lucky Now This was the first of the new recordings... pretty much since college with a few original songs as an exception, I hadn't recorded in years. I heard this song and I wanted to share it with everyone. Ryan Adams' voice is so good, its not fair! :) Also, no more auto-tune for me. I kind of want to redo this one and flesh it out with organ.
The Foo Fighters:
Big Me The first Foo Fighters song I ever heard... loved it, including its amazing mentoos parady music video. Sounds pretty good in a stripped down version.
Thanks for listening... I'd love suggestions as always for songs for my next recording!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Je voudrais un croissant
Bonjour friends, its time for a bit of a travelogue... I know I know, my last post about the 25 greatest songs since 1995 begs for a follow-up for the greatest songs before 1995 (and possible tweaking to the previous list?). All in due time. For now though, we face our attention to our friends across the pond in France.
Though born in New York, I had the good fortune to live overseas for six years... 3 in the South of France and 3 in Tokyo. We'll get into Tokyo some other time, for today's topic is about my family vacation visiting where I spent the end of my terrible two's through the beginning of age 5: a little town in the South of France called Saint Jeannet.
Since I was a lil' guy, I only have a few memories of back then, so it was nice to go back with my family and be reminded of those good days. (This blog functions as a journal of sorts for me... please don't think of it as bragging... think of it more as a way to share, and remember, some of my joys. Here's a summary of all we did:
Day 1: Landed in Paris in the morning, walked around the general vicinity of our hotel as it wasn't ready yet. The hotel was adjacent to its namesake, the Louvre, so there was a lot to see within a short walking distance. As it was a Sunday, we figured we aughta be righteous-n-such, so we visited Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle and saw some beautiful stain glass. We then checked into our hotel and checked out for nap. We got up and had dinner at a nice restaurant on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees (had some steak frites! (i love there's an article for that)) Then we went for a tour around the city on the Bateau Mouche... beautiful to see the city at night, Not bad for day 1 eh?
Day 2: Spent the morning at the Louvre... wish we could have spent several days there, but we were able to take in a lot of great stuff. The Embrace some Delecroix action, Winged Victory... and a whole lot more. We then took a bus out to Fontainebleau. This was the palace before Versailles, though it functioned as somewhat of a summer home after Versailles was built. It was most extravagant, with beautiful gardens, and a gorgeous library! Since it was built in medieval times and added upon all by all the royalty and through Napoleon, it had an identity crisis which was cool since it demonstrated a great variety of styles (unlike Versailles which only functioned through one age). After we got back to Paris, we went walked on le Champs d'Elysee had diner inside the nicest restaurant i've ever been to: Le Fouquet (had some roast chicken dish, yum) The service was off the charts good just like the food. We then made our way up to L'Arc de Triumph.
Day 3: Spent the morning through the early afternoon at le Musee D'Orsay and saw some beautiful impressionist paintings, had lunch there in the grande salon (Penne w/ sausage... yum again!) We then had fun on the subways finding our way out to Chateau Vincennes and finally up to Montmartre at Sacre Coeur which overlooked the city.
Day 4: Took a short plane ride down to Nice. We wasted no time and travelled a short distance to Saint Jeannet (the town we lived in). Took our time and hiked the Baous (a mountain which we used to hike many times as we could walk to the trail from our house.) It was a beautiful hike that overlooked a lot of the countryside. We then payed a quick visit to the old house and walked through the small town. Ou hotel for the next few days was in Vence, so we ate at a nice outdoor restaurant there...
Day 5: Started out by going to the perfume factory "Fragonnard" where we had a quick tour and bought some soaps, perfumes and various scented goods. It was fun to hear about the profession of "Le Nez" or "The Nose" whose schooling and career taught him to identify over 3000 distinct scents and mixtures! Also, I went there a bazzillion times as a kid whenever we had visitors from the states and i actually could remember this factory! We then went to St. Paul de Vence which was very pretty (also, did I mention, the weather was pretty much sunny our whole trip!) We then drove down to Monte Carlo where we walked up to the palace, and had a fantastic diner (i got "Daube de boeuf"which was a local beef stew... yum!) by the glitzy casino's.
Day 6: Started out by walking through the flower market in Nice. Since we had been running around for the past 5 days, it was great to have a relaxing beach day on the Riviera! After some relaxation time, we went to our old store Carrefour (actually kind of like a mega Target of sorts) and got a whole bunch of food (pastries, chocolate, baguettes, Yops, Orangina, chicken etc.) for a picnic diner we ate outside our hotel.
Day 7: After a restful day, we had the energy to tackle Cannes. We went on a boat to the island of Ste. Marguerite and visited the fortress where "the man in the iron mask" was imprisoned. We explored the island for a few hours and then went back across the water to do a walking tour of Cannes. That evening we had diner at another outdoor place in Vence (the ice cream sundae i had for dessert was probably the best i've ever had!)
I've uploaded a lot of pictures of the trip on facebook, thats probably better than anything i described above.
We packed a lot into those 7 days, what a fun trip! :D
PS: bytheway, I think we went to local boulangeries almost every day for some fresh baguettes, croissants and pain au chocolate... a highlight that needed to be included!
Though born in New York, I had the good fortune to live overseas for six years... 3 in the South of France and 3 in Tokyo. We'll get into Tokyo some other time, for today's topic is about my family vacation visiting where I spent the end of my terrible two's through the beginning of age 5: a little town in the South of France called Saint Jeannet.
Since I was a lil' guy, I only have a few memories of back then, so it was nice to go back with my family and be reminded of those good days. (This blog functions as a journal of sorts for me... please don't think of it as bragging... think of it more as a way to share, and remember, some of my joys. Here's a summary of all we did:
Day 1: Landed in Paris in the morning, walked around the general vicinity of our hotel as it wasn't ready yet. The hotel was adjacent to its namesake, the Louvre, so there was a lot to see within a short walking distance. As it was a Sunday, we figured we aughta be righteous-n-such, so we visited Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle and saw some beautiful stain glass. We then checked into our hotel and checked out for nap. We got up and had dinner at a nice restaurant on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees (had some steak frites! (i love there's an article for that)) Then we went for a tour around the city on the Bateau Mouche... beautiful to see the city at night, Not bad for day 1 eh?
Day 2: Spent the morning at the Louvre... wish we could have spent several days there, but we were able to take in a lot of great stuff. The Embrace some Delecroix action, Winged Victory... and a whole lot more. We then took a bus out to Fontainebleau. This was the palace before Versailles, though it functioned as somewhat of a summer home after Versailles was built. It was most extravagant, with beautiful gardens, and a gorgeous library! Since it was built in medieval times and added upon all by all the royalty and through Napoleon, it had an identity crisis which was cool since it demonstrated a great variety of styles (unlike Versailles which only functioned through one age). After we got back to Paris, we went walked on le Champs d'Elysee had diner inside the nicest restaurant i've ever been to: Le Fouquet (had some roast chicken dish, yum) The service was off the charts good just like the food. We then made our way up to L'Arc de Triumph.
Day 3: Spent the morning through the early afternoon at le Musee D'Orsay and saw some beautiful impressionist paintings, had lunch there in the grande salon (Penne w/ sausage... yum again!) We then had fun on the subways finding our way out to Chateau Vincennes and finally up to Montmartre at Sacre Coeur which overlooked the city.
Day 4: Took a short plane ride down to Nice. We wasted no time and travelled a short distance to Saint Jeannet (the town we lived in). Took our time and hiked the Baous (a mountain which we used to hike many times as we could walk to the trail from our house.) It was a beautiful hike that overlooked a lot of the countryside. We then payed a quick visit to the old house and walked through the small town. Ou hotel for the next few days was in Vence, so we ate at a nice outdoor restaurant there...
Day 5: Started out by going to the perfume factory "Fragonnard" where we had a quick tour and bought some soaps, perfumes and various scented goods. It was fun to hear about the profession of "Le Nez" or "The Nose" whose schooling and career taught him to identify over 3000 distinct scents and mixtures! Also, I went there a bazzillion times as a kid whenever we had visitors from the states and i actually could remember this factory! We then went to St. Paul de Vence which was very pretty (also, did I mention, the weather was pretty much sunny our whole trip!) We then drove down to Monte Carlo where we walked up to the palace, and had a fantastic diner (i got "Daube de boeuf"which was a local beef stew... yum!) by the glitzy casino's.
Day 6: Started out by walking through the flower market in Nice. Since we had been running around for the past 5 days, it was great to have a relaxing beach day on the Riviera! After some relaxation time, we went to our old store Carrefour (actually kind of like a mega Target of sorts) and got a whole bunch of food (pastries, chocolate, baguettes, Yops, Orangina, chicken etc.) for a picnic diner we ate outside our hotel.
Day 7: After a restful day, we had the energy to tackle Cannes. We went on a boat to the island of Ste. Marguerite and visited the fortress where "the man in the iron mask" was imprisoned. We explored the island for a few hours and then went back across the water to do a walking tour of Cannes. That evening we had diner at another outdoor place in Vence (the ice cream sundae i had for dessert was probably the best i've ever had!)
I've uploaded a lot of pictures of the trip on facebook, thats probably better than anything i described above.
We packed a lot into those 7 days, what a fun trip! :D
PS: bytheway, I think we went to local boulangeries almost every day for some fresh baguettes, croissants and pain au chocolate... a highlight that needed to be included!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The Best Songs Ever (from 1995-now anyways)
Hello Readers,
Today we have a very special post. The tally’s in, you are about to see the top 25 alternative
rock songs from 1995 through today.
I gave myself a few constraints to keep it interesting:
Rule 1: Its got
to be from 1995 onward
Reasoning:
There’s a ton of great stuff from before 1995, but most of the great
stuff has been decided on. As in,
critically and from fans, songs from bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The
Doors, The Cure, even Nirvana are either adored or neglected. [neglected
usually by those who don’t like music… and those (lame) folks are not who I
write for.]
Rule 2: With
one very important exception, each band can only get one song on the list.
Reasoning: A
top 25 list would otherwise be filled with Wilco, Flaming Lips, LCD Soundsystem, Radiohead and The White Stripes and be somewhat boring. This also provides a constraint that is fun to debate. Why would I choose one song over another from The Strokes? That’s kind of what blogging all about.
Note: This list
does not necessarily show the ordering of my favorite bands. I compiled a list of my favorite songs
from each band. Obviously in order
to list my favorite bands I would need to judge by more than just their best
song. That being said (usually
denotes one is going to contradict themselves), these probably are my top 2(4)
bands… just not in exact sequence.
As always, if you’re my friend on facebook and have spotify,
you can listen to this playlist.
Its called “Best Songs Ever”
Abbreviated List, click for Youtube version (notes to follow):
Song: Artist:
1 FeelingYourself Disintegrate The
Flaming Lips
2 IAm Trying To Break Your Heart Wilco
3 EgoTrippin' At The Gates of Hell The
Flaming Lips
4 AllMy Friends LCD
Soundsystem
5 Comeon! Feel the Illinoise Sufjan
Stevens
6 Soma The
Strokes
7 Everythingin its Right Place Radiohead
8 OutGo The Lights Spoon
9 TheWanting Comes in Waves The
Decemberists
10 TheSuburbs Arcade
Fire
11 BlueOrchid The
White Stripes
12 Inn
Town Whiskeytown
13 TheGood Life Weezer
14 LysergicBliss Of
Montreal
15 Philosophy Ben
Folds Five
16 DeathAnd All of His Friends Coldplay
17 CoffeeAnd T.V. Blur
18 SilentSigh Badly
Drawn Boy
19 Tookout a Loan Black
Rebel Motorcycle Club
20 O.K.With My Decay Grandaddy
21 SomeoneTo Love Fountains
of Wayne
22 Obstacle1 Interpol
23 TheBest Thing Ivy
24 Walters Pinback
25 KissingThe Lipless The
Shins
Song: Artist:
1 Feelin’
Yourself Disintegrate The
Flaming Lips
Best
of Show right here. I can’t
imagine a better song. One of the
great things about music is that it can propel simple poetry into a blissful
and masterful statement. This song
isn’t too complex and only has a handful of lyrics, but the atmosphere and
simplicity underscore the message of the song. “Love…in our life…is just too valuable…to feel…for even a
second…without it.” “But Life…
without death… is just impossible, oh to realize… something is ending… within
us” Feelin’ yourself disintegrate”. I love that a band with a ridiculous
name can have such a simple and sensitive song.
2 I
Am Trying To Break Your Heart Wilco
I
discovered Wilco back when Yankee Hotel Foxtrot came out. They quickly became one of my favorite
bands (moving to all positions in the top 3 from time to time). This song in particular made me stop to
take notice. Again, this is a very
atmospheric song with an unparalleled sonic landscape. The lyrics are far more complex than
Feelin’ yourself disintegrate, but in contrast to the beauty in simplicity of that song, I find these mysterious lyrics lead to a fascination with the mysteries held within. Wilco had many
previous great songs, and many stunning songs afterwards, but I always go back
to this one.
3 Ego
Trippin' At The Gates of Hell The
Flaming Lips
I already said in the rules that I had a very important
exception to rule 2. I promise
this is the last time I break the rules (but what is rock and roll without a
little rule breakin’ right?)
There’s much debate when it comes down to The Soft Bulletin Vs. Yoshimi
Battles the Pink Robots. I
discovered The Flaming Lips with Yoshimi so that always holds a place in my heart. And when placing the best song of each
against each other, The Soft Bullitin wins. But dear reader, this was a tough choice that led me to pull
a Kobayashi Muru and win despite rule 2.
Ego Trippin’ is all about love and loss. What I see is an interesting problem… if one waits for a
specific person to return your love, one might waste all the other love around
them. Such a tragedy! This concept is so beautifully
expressed in this song. Check out
the other versions, they are also very good.
4 All
My Friends LCD
Soundsystem
That’s how it starts… we go back to your house. This song is minimalism perfected. The piano rhythm maintains pace the
entire song with the vocals and the base doing all the driving. The message is a little melancholy (as
with many songs on this list) and somewhat about growing up and leaving your
friends behind. All the songs on
the 3 proper LCD Soundsystem albums are full of win and cutting commentary on
the state of the music industry and even pokes fun at hipsters while
simultaneously becoming a hipster legend.
This song is long, but I wouldn’t mind if it went on for another 5
minutes.
5 Come
on! Feel the Illinoise Sufjan
Stevens
Finally a happy song!
This song is just full of pure joy. The beat is complex, the tone is wide open, and it just
feels like a parade. I need to know
more of Sufjans stuff, because Illiniose is full of excellent, complex, and
joyful music that celebrates the good stuff.
6 Soma The
Strokes
Soma vs. 12:51 vs You Only Live Once: The Strokes had a masterful first two
records. They were hailed as the
saviors of rock., and with the first two albums it was easy to see why. It was tight, old school, and
fresh. Julian Casablancas voice is
just perfect. The third album
included the masterpiece “You only live once” but was otherwise a
disappointment. I went with Soma
because it is pure Strokes genius and was one of the first songs I heard way
back in the early 00’s.
7 Everything
in its Right Place Radiohead
Now here was a tough choice. Every Radiohead Album has at least one masterpiece of a
song, if not more, or even the whole album! If I was to choose an album, it would be a much harder
choice (The Bends for 90’s Radiohead, perhaps In Rainbows for 00’s?). But when it comes down to one song, the
choice was clear. This dystopian
future is terrifyingly beautiful.
It often reaches the point of being my favorite song. It is my favorite song to show off my
nice sound system. Those speakers
sing from another world.
8 Out
Go The Lights Spoon
This song isn’t immediately amazing to most people. But give it a chance and it’l grow on
you. The lead singer’s voice is
incredible and their songs are deceptively simple. While I love many songs from the band, this one just has the
chill factor seconded only by Everything Hits at Once. The last minute or so of jamming takes
me to another place.
9 The
Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid The
Decemberists
So basically The Hazards of Love as an album is my favorite
Decemberists song, but I had to choose one song to represent. This one has the old school harpsichord
sound, the swelling chorus and even the heavy metal rock opera ending. This album actually got critically
panned, though everyone I’ve talked to that likes the Decemberists thinks that
the album is a masterpiece. I
agree, and want them to build another epic rock opera!
10 The
Suburbs Arcade
Fire
The Suburbs vs. We Used To Wait: This album is another masterpiece. It was hard to choose between the epic “We Used To Wait” and
The title track. In the end, each
have fantastic lyrics and build upon eachother so the choice is best left to
chance and the quarter came up heads so The Suburbs it is. This song (like the others of the very
cohesive album) is about the plight of the modern middle class American. The lyrics are hauntingly beautiful and
the melody is kind of a twisted Beatlesque number. Can’t go wrong with this album.
11 Blue
Orchid The
White Stripes
Jack White is a force to be reconed with. He’s got so much creative, innovative
energy that it was hard to choose from his career. I ended up with Blue Orchid because it represents going back
to his early roots and totally cutting out any excess and making a raw, primal
rock song. As with many on this
list, there were previous and later triumphs, but man, this song’s the stuff.
12 Inn
Town Whiskeytown
Ryan Adams voice is pure. That’s what it comes down to. His first big band Whiskeytown weren’t around too long, but
“Strangers Almanac” is pure alternative country at its best. I’m not a country fan, but I not only
tolerated the bit of twang in this record, I loved it! Again, what a voice.
13 The
Good Life Weezer
So I love Weezer, but had a very hard time coming up with a
song for the list. I realized that
it needed to be from Pinkerton.
Pink Triangle was a strong contender, but The Good Life came in to steal
the prize. As with all Pinkerton
songs, its heartbreaking, adventurously free-form and hilarious.
14 Lysergic
Bliss Of
Montreal
Of Montreal’s unbelievably catchy. The harmony’s are infectious whatever that means. One can’t help but smile when listening
to this song. After a temple of
Doomish 30 second opening, it explodes into a Beach Boys videogame on
steroids. I don’t really know what
thelyrics are about, but I don’t care, its just “bliss”.
15 Philosophy Ben
Folds Five
Although I didn’t discover Ben until the subsequent album,
he’d already had produced a masterpiece previously. Subsequent outings would see a more sarcastic and cheeky
Ben, but there’s something about the optimism here (even if he’s being a bit
facetious). And man, what an
opening lick!
16 Death
And All of His Friends Coldplay
Although its not necessarily hip to like Coldplay since they
have been uberly popular for over a decade, I had to give them the proper
credit. In the end, I had to go
with this song. What a fantastic
gentle opening section which flows into a danceable yet profound yearning
statement… This is the good
stuff.
17 Coffee
And T.V. Blur
This one came on MTV (in stark contrast to the TRL videos)
one day after school and the battle between Oasis and Blur was settled. The song could have been written by the
Kinks with its old school vibe.
18 Silent
Sigh Badly
Drawn Boy
I’ve come to love every Badly Drawn Boy album in some
way. I especially like the About a
Boy and the Fattest man in Britain soundtrack “Is there nothing we can
do”. He’s got that British lazy
genius vibe. Silent Sigh is a good
example of setting a great mood for a song. Plus its simple enough that I could teach myself the piano
part!
19 Took
out a Loan Black
Rebel Motorcycle Club
I love BRMC.
They are all about Rock and Roll and this song delivers the goods. This is nigh unto heavy metal, its
loud, its raw and the guitars tower with deep rich tones that make one say “now
that’s how its done”. Check out
the entire album “Baby 81” its my go to album for a hard rock fix.
20 O.K.
With My Decay Grandaddy
I guess a lot of my top 25 are about death… I guess it’s a
great subject for music. This one
in particular comes from Grandaddy.
I feel that it’s a strange middle aged and silicon valley’d sequel to
Weezer’s teenage angst Pinkerton.
This song isn’t heard to guess as to its meaning. Its laid out with sonic pure intent
that didn’t go unnoticed by this keen listener.
21 Someone
To Love Fountains
of Wayne
FoW are all about smart, story-driven, slice of life power
pop. They have all the towering
guitar hooks. (the lead singer wrote the title song to “That Thing You Do”) They can trace roots easily to The Cars
and Tom Petty and aren’t ashamed of trying to write the perfect pop song. “Someone To Love” is a
modern tragic love story of 2 young folks in NYC looking beyond the mark for
love.
22 Obstacle
1 Interpol
Wow, this is Indie NYC sound crafted by Interpol. This signature sound would make any
Interpol easily identifiable as such.
Yet they wrote many incredible songs. I give credit to this one as best since it’s the granddaddy
of all the others.
23 The
Best Thing Ivy
I love chill music.
These guys are related to Fountains of Wayne in that they share a
guitarist and writer. It also has
a beautiful French girl as the lead singer. Can’t deny the chillasity of this song…
24 Walters Pinback
Well crafted and tightly performed rock. That’s what Pinback is. They are kind of a successor to “The
Police” in this regard (though without the power singer). This song blows me a way. The 3 distinct sections lead into each
other until at the end everything explodes with wonderful purpose. Turn this one up.
25 Kissing
The Lipless The
Shins
Ah, the Shins.
It was tough to choose between the first three albums. This one wins because it’s the perfect
album opener. Perfect riff,
amazing vocals, and introduces the sound that would make Chutes too Narrow
Cohesive.
Well it has been a long post, hopefully you’ve enjoyed my
musings. Have a most beautiful and
blessed night (if you are reading this in the morning or afternoon, I still
hope that tonight will be most beautiful and blessed)
-James
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The third B-day mix: Or how I learned how to tap Alt Nation from the past year along with random "oldies" with smashing success
I love making mixes for friends and family, deftly maneuvering (and muscling for rank) and transferring from genre to genre in anticipation of what the loved one would enjoy hearing. And thus another year has come and gone and its time to document the new mix for my sister. Each new mix is a labor of love that is hand tailored to what i think she'll enjoy with her family. The last few mixes have each stayed in her car for about a year each and they'll discover songs throughout the whole year and tell me which one's Jack, Sam and now the Noah loves/(or which one's my sister uses to tease them! Like one that had a Sam and Libby...eww girls :) Also, its fun knowing that the lil one's know these really random awesome songs by heart. For some reason this tradition is strongest with my sister, but i think Matt and Nate would enjoy these mixes too :) Hence the early release since Nate's birthday was a week ago...
Also this really is a year long process... whenever i hear a sweet song, one of my initial thoughts is "should this be on the mix?"... true story. Although, nowadays i get to share them individually through facebook, so some of the songs from this year won't be new to her, about half will be...
Also, since technology and the internet has advanced so much over the years, i have to mention that this mix can be enjoyed in my new Spotify playlist. Its far easier than clicking all my links.
And thus it begins:
Artist: Song:
1: Grouplove Tongue Tied
Figured i'd start out with a catchy tune, its got the makings of everything this mix stands for... "best friends house" for the youngin's and it rocks!
2: The Hives Try it Again
I love The Hives, they are pure fun modern punk. Its simple, but high energy great stuff. They are one of the best "the" bands to come out of the early 2000's (along with The Strokes, The White Stripes... unlike the Vines)
3: Cults Go Outside
How can this not make you smile...its got a xylophone for cryin out loud. Its joyful indie pop at its finest. Also, its a great summertime theme... "going outside" n such :)
4: Wolfgang The King and All of His Men
Another power-pop alt-nation fueled song. It sounds so modern, yet so 80's. If you don't like it...you can shove it, but you don't like it... you love it.
5: M83 Midnight City
This was one of the biggest songs from last year...and for good reason, its a good one to turn up loud and enjoy in the car. (potential for her jogging mix? Peut etra)
6: St. Vincent Cruel
Recently discovered this one, its got this oldschool french romantic sounding intro, throw in some synth-pop and you got something special.
7: Youth Lagoon Afternoon
I think this guys from Idaho, whoda though? Low fi indie pop in its most cute and precious form. A delight.
8: Neon Indian Polish Girl
If there is a theme to this year's mix, it is the new wave movement with the recèpe of 1/4 techno, 1/4 alt rock and 1/2 indie. This fits that bill. Its a fun genre.
9: Tennis Origins
One of my favorite new songs. Its got soul and 50's pop sensibilities wrapped in a modern package.
10: Hospitality Friend of a Friend
One of the newer songs on the mix... its just so catchy, i couldn't resist.
11: Kraftwerk The Model
I learned of this far too late in life for my likeing. It is just so perfect, in fact when i heard it on the radio, i thought it was new and was shocked to hear it was from the late 70's.
12: Electric Guest This Head I Hold
The secondary theme of the mix is the new school of soul (with Tennis). This song oozes with style.
13: Beirut Sante Fe
Ok ok, back to indie. This one hearkins back to the Sufjan Steven's song i had on the last mix. Catchy beat and simple, yet has a style of its own. (+ i always think San Jose when he sings Sante Fe)
14: The Strokes You Only Live Once
This came out on my mission, and since it was the weakest of The Strokes's albums I skipped it until this year. While the aforementioned conclusion is very much correct, there are "strokes" of genious contained on the album. This song in particular quickly rose to be one of my favorite songs of all time. The stripped down version is arguably better, but i love them both.
15: Jonathan Coulton Shop Vac
While i love indie, I can't deny power pop... Fountains of Wayne being one of my favorite bands of all time. This is the nerdy version of FOW. Hilarious lyrics with unstoppable melodies and riffs.
16: The Raveonettes Aly Will You Walk With Me
This song is just cool. One can't deny that while listening to it, one is just ice cold.
17: Sea Wolf Your a Wolf
Fun to listen to, thats about it.
18: Belle and Sebastian For the Price of a Cup of Tea
Life is a happy song. And this is life. So, smile... its Belle and Sebastian.
19: Metric Help I'm Alive
I resisted Metric for a while, after all, they are associated with Sparkly Vampires. But turns out, they actually are pretty fun. This song has lots of different parts that weave in and out with gusto. Good Times
20: The Hives Tick Tick Boom
So this was going to be the last track, i think the song is hilarious with its title sequence of 7 "ticks". Genius punk.
21: Metric London Halflife
My favorite Metric song is far too short...
22 Kraftwerk The Robots
Love it, Yoshimi would later fight this songs descendants...
If you liked this, please comment. If you don't, please comment. Though, don't comment if you didn't read and listen! Please see last years mixes at
http://jameswickedawesomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/last-years-infinite-playlist.html
http://jameswickedawesomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/merenia-b-day-mix-2-revenge-of-kitty.html
If you liked this, please comment. If you don't, please comment. Though, don't comment if you didn't read and listen! Please see last years mixes at
http://jameswickedawesomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/last-years-infinite-playlist.html
http://jameswickedawesomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/merenia-b-day-mix-2-revenge-of-kitty.html
Well thanks for listening/reading. Can't wait for this years discoveries :)
Friday, March 2, 2012
My musical career: or how i dabbled in electronica and cheese
So this is a blog so i'm sposta' be all introspective and post cool things I did to impress people... well maybe some other post. Its time to chronicle my rise to musical glory. (for ideal playing experience please use the music player within the blog, its much easier than clicking on the links)
Current stage: Mega rockstar
Known for: covers, 21 listens off my free hosting site, crashing and burning at the talent show (just to show uhm, err... that i'm human i spose') reuniting with the family band...
Monetary gain $0
Here's the inspiration for the post... the other night i was like "hey i got 15 minutes... i should record a song". While the Cher-ish vocalizer autocorrect is a bit much, that was 15 minutes well spent and makes me want to record more like the old days.
(1) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/iv2tm45sku/lucky_now.mp3
Here's another cheesy love song... imagine Kermit the frog singing a Ben Lee song and this is what you get... :)
(2) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/428g1mak43/more_than_ok.mp3
So this is actually one of my favorites... its appropriately weird in the veins of the Flaming Lips writing a song for a kids album. Its about the time when i found a little spider in my guitar and i had to kick em out.
(3) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6146z499gr/i_need_a_change_of_strings_ode_to_my_arachnid_friend.mp3
Here's a charming little instrumental... its peaceful, relaxing and builds, its a little off timing wise but i still like it. Even has sweet synth at the end... Maybe one day i'll re-record it better.
(4) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/53wubr2eau/strummin.mp3
Couldn't think of words for this lil demo... still fun since it has a synthesizer... but horribly off beat :)
(5) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/e8l6jxbb3s/demo_1.mp3
The College Days: Underground stage + Reachin for Peaches!
Monetary gain: $20
Solo efforts:
Yay singing with myself... double the pleasure, double the fun, (6)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/5oohnf9ppm/two_of_us.mp3
This one sounds like i'm 10 years old... oh well, here it is for your audio discomfort
(7)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/r5c6nr6fu6/your_gonna_lose_that_girl.mp3
Here's my take on a lovely song from songwriter Terry Jacob's... lead writer and singer for Reachin for Peaches.
(8)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/f46wiwfbcu/can_t_stop_lovin_you_james_version.mp3
for the rfp purists:
(9)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/832kq18sqh/can_t_stop_loving_you.mp3
Reachin For Peaches
So this is when we hit the big time. The Centennial concert tour was the biggest thing to hit Provo since Chadders. Also we had a high profile gig in at a restaurant earning us mula.
Our biggest hits:
Terry freakin' Jacobs was our main vocalist and key writer so i was happy to have fun recording harmonies and guitar parts/tinkering around with the recording aspect. Many a fun hour went into these, so you know theres love in every second.
Time will make this right was an instant classic, written with some very specific experiences... its a lot of fun to look back on. I had a lot of fun with the guitar/editing/harmony on this one (as mentioned in the beginning of our biggest hits).
(10)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/o1g5n85qkw/time_will_make_this_right_2.mp3
Here's the stripped down version:
(11)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/tk685wffxe/time_will_make_this_right.mp3
Here's the first song i wrote for Reachin for Peaches... I don't think we recorded this with my mac, but it turned out pretty good :)
(12)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/futg1upyr8/blankets_in_december_1.mp3
Here's a Reachin' for Peaches song that i write... tried to be Fountains of Wayne with the whole "slice of life" storytelling approach. Appropriately cheesy...
(13)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/g1cl93y74m/a_girl_i_used_to_know.mp3
So here's our most important cover. My Uke came in handy. Always a crowd favorite... also we had some sweet sampling in this song :D
(14)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xjw7j75z7g/the_baseball_song.mp3
Untouchable... it was a lot of fun recording the fuzzy guitars :) Terry rocked those drums too! Mattycakes shout out on the fantastic piano ending!
(15)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/h6l7k3plex/untouchable.mp3
Loved playing this one at the concerts :)
(16)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8qi4x2hkeo/hold_me_now_1.mp3
More Terry freakin' Jacobs classics
(17)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7fji12q1a9/let_me_be_the_one.mp3
(18)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/l4deov0f94/lullaby.mp3
(19)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/ixunr54xj1/fly.mp3
So i didn't have anything to do with these rFp side projects, but i wish i had! they rock...hard :)
(20)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/nske1w8v18/oh_please.mp3
Mattycakes' masterpiece:
(21)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8v9jm28vx5/monsters_1.mp3 (it brings me joy)
(22)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/c8qqw92on5/the_tie_song.mp3
Middle School and High School: Techno DJ, the Crazy "J" days
So back in my techno DJ days i acquired a program called fruityloops... it changed my life, and now it'l change yours. This next collection roots back to 7th grade... i think the last of it was when i was in 11th grade, so there is a definitely an evident learning curve, but i love all these songs in there own way. I start this section roughly from the beginning to the end of my techno career. Sadly some songs are lost in time, but i've gathered most of them here. Most (ok... all) are pretty silly but there really are a few gems, i promise!
(23)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7j308zs1sa/01_early_demo.mp3 Look for some Snoop Dog lovin'
(24)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/g4g0ylhl96/02_early_demo_2.mp3
(25)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/avfg0t76z4/03_early_demo_3.mp3
(26)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/r65b940dh1/04_early_demo_4.mp3 (this song is so spaztastic)
(27)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/drruzig6oa/05_early_demo_5_drums.mp3
(28)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6mmd73ear8/08_early_demo.mp3
(29)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/cgo7mz54a7/13_early_demo_7_far_east.mp3
(30)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/q0958rhz6t/11_early_demo_8.mp3
(31)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/39g7zdy9c3/33_sweet_riff.mp3 (this should be a pause screen song)
(32)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/27i1f98uq7/35_sweet_riff_2.mp3
(33)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/3acstvrv1z/36_sweet_riff_3.mp3 (belongs in a Rayman game)
(34)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/744ml14ahx/37_sweet_riff_4.mp3
(35)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/jj2jmdc20a/38_sweet_drums.mp3
(36)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6eg0ohl6e8/01_first_song.mp3
(37)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/jk25p77608/15_second_song.mp3
(38)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7i5m152fuc/04_zelda_riff.mp3 (link to the past for those keeping track)
(39)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/m8fjvln40k/02_second_song.mp3 One of the best of the early works...
(40)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6rr8t748ee/03_stereo_funk.mp3 cementing my Tecno proficiency (hehe)
(41)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/4q7b5g5z15/05_streets_of_rage_ish_1.mp3 (yay video games)
(42)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xhpfh1b8s2/24_streets_of_rage_ish_2.mp3
(43)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/w93sj7aprf/06_battletoads_riff.mp3 (the pause screen)
(44)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/t00fa8w117/34_final_fantasy_riff.mp3 (FF7)
(45)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xq1l2s67cc/09_gnomes.mp3
(46)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/t85xhztcub/10_la_la_la.mp3 (based off a real techno song)
(47)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/0x5h8c12oq/26_mortal_kombat_ish_1.mp3
(48)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6k93701dhh/28_mortal_kombat_ish_2.mp3 (best of the MK series, song and game)
(49)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/my35581r05/12_mortal_kombat_ish_3.mp3 (based off a real video game)
(50)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/twl3j19i41/25_mortal_kombat_ish_4.mp3
(51)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/qktenqp9d0/27_against_the_clock.mp3 sweet drums
(52)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/ano5k7aowv/29_against_the_clock_2.mp3
(53)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/mo92feh8zs/30_happy_game_ending.mp3 (end of Jaws, the game?)
(54)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/05p5q93gou/07_techno.mp3 (this song actually does rock!)
(55)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/831d9c7436/31_good_techno_song.mp3
(56)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8f6kn0w5c8/32_good_techno_song_2.mp3
Thats all she wrote folks... (or is it?)
Current stage: Mega rockstar
Known for: covers, 21 listens off my free hosting site, crashing and burning at the talent show (just to show uhm, err... that i'm human i spose') reuniting with the family band...
Monetary gain $0
Here's the inspiration for the post... the other night i was like "hey i got 15 minutes... i should record a song". While the Cher-ish vocalizer autocorrect is a bit much, that was 15 minutes well spent and makes me want to record more like the old days.
(1) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/iv2tm45sku/lucky_now.mp3
Here's another cheesy love song... imagine Kermit the frog singing a Ben Lee song and this is what you get... :)
(2) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/428g1mak43/more_than_ok.mp3
So this is actually one of my favorites... its appropriately weird in the veins of the Flaming Lips writing a song for a kids album. Its about the time when i found a little spider in my guitar and i had to kick em out.
(3) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6146z499gr/i_need_a_change_of_strings_ode_to_my_arachnid_friend.mp3
Here's a charming little instrumental... its peaceful, relaxing and builds, its a little off timing wise but i still like it. Even has sweet synth at the end... Maybe one day i'll re-record it better.
(4) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/53wubr2eau/strummin.mp3
Couldn't think of words for this lil demo... still fun since it has a synthesizer... but horribly off beat :)
(5) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/e8l6jxbb3s/demo_1.mp3
The College Days: Underground stage + Reachin for Peaches!
Monetary gain: $20
Solo efforts:
Yay singing with myself... double the pleasure, double the fun, (6)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/5oohnf9ppm/two_of_us.mp3
This one sounds like i'm 10 years old... oh well, here it is for your audio discomfort
(7)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/r5c6nr6fu6/your_gonna_lose_that_girl.mp3
Here's my take on a lovely song from songwriter Terry Jacob's... lead writer and singer for Reachin for Peaches.
(8)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/f46wiwfbcu/can_t_stop_lovin_you_james_version.mp3
for the rfp purists:
(9)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/832kq18sqh/can_t_stop_loving_you.mp3
Reachin For Peaches
So this is when we hit the big time. The Centennial concert tour was the biggest thing to hit Provo since Chadders. Also we had a high profile gig in at a restaurant earning us mula.
Our biggest hits:
Terry freakin' Jacobs was our main vocalist and key writer so i was happy to have fun recording harmonies and guitar parts/tinkering around with the recording aspect. Many a fun hour went into these, so you know theres love in every second.
Time will make this right was an instant classic, written with some very specific experiences... its a lot of fun to look back on. I had a lot of fun with the guitar/editing/harmony on this one (as mentioned in the beginning of our biggest hits).
(10)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/o1g5n85qkw/time_will_make_this_right_2.mp3
Here's the stripped down version:
(11)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/tk685wffxe/time_will_make_this_right.mp3
Here's the first song i wrote for Reachin for Peaches... I don't think we recorded this with my mac, but it turned out pretty good :)
(12)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/futg1upyr8/blankets_in_december_1.mp3
Here's a Reachin' for Peaches song that i write... tried to be Fountains of Wayne with the whole "slice of life" storytelling approach. Appropriately cheesy...
(13)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/g1cl93y74m/a_girl_i_used_to_know.mp3
So here's our most important cover. My Uke came in handy. Always a crowd favorite... also we had some sweet sampling in this song :D
(14)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xjw7j75z7g/the_baseball_song.mp3
Untouchable... it was a lot of fun recording the fuzzy guitars :) Terry rocked those drums too! Mattycakes shout out on the fantastic piano ending!
(15)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/h6l7k3plex/untouchable.mp3
Loved playing this one at the concerts :)
(16)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8qi4x2hkeo/hold_me_now_1.mp3
More Terry freakin' Jacobs classics
(17)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7fji12q1a9/let_me_be_the_one.mp3
(18)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/l4deov0f94/lullaby.mp3
(19)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/ixunr54xj1/fly.mp3
So i didn't have anything to do with these rFp side projects, but i wish i had! they rock...hard :)
(20)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/nske1w8v18/oh_please.mp3
Mattycakes' masterpiece:
(21)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8v9jm28vx5/monsters_1.mp3 (it brings me joy)
(22)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/c8qqw92on5/the_tie_song.mp3
Middle School and High School: Techno DJ, the Crazy "J" days
So back in my techno DJ days i acquired a program called fruityloops... it changed my life, and now it'l change yours. This next collection roots back to 7th grade... i think the last of it was when i was in 11th grade, so there is a definitely an evident learning curve, but i love all these songs in there own way. I start this section roughly from the beginning to the end of my techno career. Sadly some songs are lost in time, but i've gathered most of them here. Most (ok... all) are pretty silly but there really are a few gems, i promise!
(23)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7j308zs1sa/01_early_demo.mp3 Look for some Snoop Dog lovin'
(24)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/g4g0ylhl96/02_early_demo_2.mp3
(25)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/avfg0t76z4/03_early_demo_3.mp3
(26)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/r65b940dh1/04_early_demo_4.mp3 (this song is so spaztastic)
(27)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/drruzig6oa/05_early_demo_5_drums.mp3
(28)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6mmd73ear8/08_early_demo.mp3
(29)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/cgo7mz54a7/13_early_demo_7_far_east.mp3
(30)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/q0958rhz6t/11_early_demo_8.mp3
(31)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/39g7zdy9c3/33_sweet_riff.mp3 (this should be a pause screen song)
(32)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/27i1f98uq7/35_sweet_riff_2.mp3
(33)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/3acstvrv1z/36_sweet_riff_3.mp3 (belongs in a Rayman game)
(34)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/744ml14ahx/37_sweet_riff_4.mp3
(35)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/jj2jmdc20a/38_sweet_drums.mp3
(36)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6eg0ohl6e8/01_first_song.mp3
(37)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/jk25p77608/15_second_song.mp3
(38)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7i5m152fuc/04_zelda_riff.mp3 (link to the past for those keeping track)
(39)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/m8fjvln40k/02_second_song.mp3 One of the best of the early works...
(40)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6rr8t748ee/03_stereo_funk.mp3 cementing my Tecno proficiency (hehe)
(41)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/4q7b5g5z15/05_streets_of_rage_ish_1.mp3 (yay video games)
(42)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xhpfh1b8s2/24_streets_of_rage_ish_2.mp3
(43)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/w93sj7aprf/06_battletoads_riff.mp3 (the pause screen)
(44)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/t00fa8w117/34_final_fantasy_riff.mp3 (FF7)
(45)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xq1l2s67cc/09_gnomes.mp3
(46)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/t85xhztcub/10_la_la_la.mp3 (based off a real techno song)
(47)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/0x5h8c12oq/26_mortal_kombat_ish_1.mp3
(48)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6k93701dhh/28_mortal_kombat_ish_2.mp3 (best of the MK series, song and game)
(49)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/my35581r05/12_mortal_kombat_ish_3.mp3 (based off a real video game)
(50)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/twl3j19i41/25_mortal_kombat_ish_4.mp3
(51)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/qktenqp9d0/27_against_the_clock.mp3 sweet drums
(52)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/ano5k7aowv/29_against_the_clock_2.mp3
(53)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/mo92feh8zs/30_happy_game_ending.mp3 (end of Jaws, the game?)
(54)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/05p5q93gou/07_techno.mp3 (this song actually does rock!)
(55)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/831d9c7436/31_good_techno_song.mp3
(56)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8f6kn0w5c8/32_good_techno_song_2.mp3
Thats all she wrote folks... (or is it?)
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Table of contents: or how I became organized in an effort to get comments on old posts.
Note: for smooth and easy listening, and for a seemless experience, please see my playlists on spotify. They are labeled according to blogpost for your auditory convenience.
So I realized recently that my blog has become overwhelming. There's too much awesome content that doesn't see the light of your computer screen merely because your flavor of cool isn't my most recent post. This was a call to action if ever there was one. So this will be a running post a the top of the blog... So starting from the very beginning (a very good place to start):
1: Welcome to Medieval Times (an introduction to destruction) also, perhaps my favorite post.
2: Might as well get to it eh? (Nintendo part 1, the France days)
3: Nintendo Part 2: Mega Man
4: Nintendo Part 3 (this is a very lazy post...but imma keep it to keep me humble.)
5: The Next Post [(this is the best link from this entry)(this is about Super nintendo, Sega and the Japan days)
6: Fun with N64, PS1 and trampolines (i think the title speaks for itself)
8: Music Volume 1: The Essentials: Selections from my collection: The 60's (here's where the music starts!)
9: Awards, click to see the best album of 2010!!! (not spam I swear, here’s proof: Battlestar Galactica, The Flaming Lips, ID4) My first awards blog...
10: The Tall Tales of sir Matthew Stuart Harrington: a recounting of the amazing stories of my brother
11: Concert Review: A brief history of my concert attendance
12: So where were we? again?: back to music review, the 70's
14: Control Alt Country: history of a niche genre
15: Last Years infinite playlist: The lifechanging mix cd i made for my sisters birthday last year.
16: Rock (w/o the roll): straight up rock (see also, Rick w/o the roll)
17: On Broadway: Or now for something completely different.
18: Story of my life : or "dang this kind of an emo post!" with powerpop selections and the Flaming Lips
19: Merenia B-day Mix 2 or the revenge of kitty galore! (the account of the next attempt at making a life changing cd)
20: Summer Jams: Or now thats what I call music #27: Summer Jams (an account of the songs of summer)
21: Money: or how I used to have a lot of it: (a spirited retelling of the beauty and excitement of my first high fi speakers)
22: Hello Everybody: (No TV and No Beer make Homer go something something...)
23: Cartoon Cartoon: (classic cartoons n such!)
24: Movie Magic: (lovely flicks n what have you)
25: 2011, a retro prospectus (annual music awards for your auditory pleasure)
24: Movie Magic: (lovely flicks n what have you)
25: 2011, a retro prospectus (annual music awards for your auditory pleasure)
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