shearwater

 Can I just say, Shearwater is my new favorite band?  I had been in Everyday Music months ago (our local music store) and they cranked out this amazing music on the sound system while I was aimlessly browsing for a new musical selection.  I asked who they were playing and I jotted down in scribbled handwriting: Shearwater.  I stuffed this small business card in a place holder on my desk and just uncovered it amongst the bills and other laid aside paperwork only to find: a treasure.  I immediately plugged them into Pandora and lo and behold my new favorite band appeared.

Their truly eclectic sound is not describable by any means but will be easily loved by all with their mix of instrumentals, lovely and sweet but dark lyrics, soothing guitar riffs and variety of moods.  One of the pieces I particularly enjoy is "On the Death of the Waters" which starts out quietly and slowly and then rips in with heavy thick guitar chords adding another layer of depth to their sound.

Although, admittedly, I know little about this band so far, they appear to have a great variety of music to sample with 7 albums to roll over your pallet.  In addition, what makes me know that they are a great band is that every other music that is played on Pandora which shares some sort of musical "similarity" is really awesome.  So far: DeVotchKa, Elvis Perkins, the Smiths, Ida, Calexico,  and Kahoots have been played and I've enjoyed each song.

Check them out here. 

New Release

I don't know if anyone else has been eagerly anticipating Joe Purdy's new Cd "Last Clock on the Wall" but it was released this morning and it is worth every moments listen.  Click on this link to listen to it online.  He has echoes of Bob Dylan with some gentle fiddling and harmonica with haunting lyrics reminiscent of Bon Iver and a passionate longing in every song.  So far his title track is my favorite.  Check it out!  Oh, and happy St. Patties Day.

Submissions Welcome

Recently I was casually browsing through my cd collection and stumbled upon an oldie but a goody and then I realized how truly amazing this album was.  When it came out I was a bit suspect at its immediate notoriety as a "best hits" album since the group had only had 2 studio albums at the time but I became an even bigger fan of the album once this double live was released.  I have bought no other studio albums by this band in 11 years but this album still remains a favorite of all time.  As I sat and really re listened to favorites such as "Anna Begins" and "Round Here" I was struck by how awesome the lyrics were.  When given more than just a radio play listen, there is much to gleam as to the depth of Counting Crows lyrics and musical genius.  I began to think of this album as starting what I'd like to think of as the top 10 of all time.  I hesitate to place this type of label on albums because it ultimately doesn't leave room for upcoming albums but I do think that this one has earned it spot.  So, without ado, here you are:

(not in a particular order)

1.  Counting Crows: Across a Wire (Double Live CD- 1998)

2.  Sarah McLachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (1993)

What are your ideas.....?  I'm happy to fill in the rest but am curious what comes to mind.

Here are a few other ideas....votes: (I have reasons for each of these but I'm curious if you vote what you reasons might be!)

The Beatles: Revolver or Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

Coldplay: Rush of Blood to the Head

Dave Matthews: Crash

Dixie Chicks: Home

Eva Cassidy: Songbird

Elton John: Honky Chateau

JET: Shine On

U2: Achtung Baby

(just to name a few).

And, I hope it goes without saying, if you don't already own the Counting Crows album, you should have already clicked itunes and started downloading it.

Blind Without It

It is truly amazing how colorful music can make your life.  Often I've wondered if somehow in those "what if" games, I could manage being blind or deaf?  Without question, when you listen to music, it would be blind.  A great song makes you want to live, it makes you feel poetic, it makes you question the deeper meaning of life and it gives you perspective.  Humorous lyrics, non sequitur rhymes and just the whole system of creation is just so awesome.  Movies can be made or broken by the use of lyrics.  Commercials, TV, even websites and emails are all colored by the use of music.  The wealthy have always privileged the use of music.  The ways of the educated were spattered by training in music, music theory and by exposure to music like the symphony or opera.  

When you put a piece of plastic given to you as a friend for your birthday, you don't know if it will have any meaning, any depth or anything that will emotionally draw you in but once the first down stroke of a chord hits the ears, you know that there is no reason you should have questioned it at all.

It takes me out of this world to listen to music.  You simply turn up the volume, close your eyes and visualize the world.  This beautiful world that we get to see everyday.  The sun, the moon, the stars, the sunsets and clouds and reflections in water and leaves changing colors.  But when we want to visualize these things without the soundtrack in life, it doesn't seem worth it.  

Put down your book, your child, your guitar, your cup of coffee, your camera, your shovel, your hands, your heart, your eyes and just breathe in and listen.  The caramel voice of that sweet singer, the rough lyrics of that lifetime musician...they all color our lives in un-mistakable ways that cannot be duplicated no matter what.

JET

All I can say is, if you haven't listened to them yet, you need to do it RIGHT NOW! As I'm sure some other insightful music reviewers have already noted, this band rocks hard. A group of Australian guys are almost the Beatles reincarnate (especially if you look at their pictures on their website!). From the first chords of the album "Get Born" to the last, you'll have no regrets that you didn't spend your money on something else worth $18. Their songs are eclectic in the sense of rock and have glimmerings of many other band's songs. "Skin and Bones" starts with a Red Hot Chili Peppers inspired lyric sound and then seamlessly blends into a Beatles harmony and guitar solo.   "Bring it on Back" is reminiscent, again, of no other band than our friends McCartney and Lennon. Even the instrumental solo sounds like any other iconic rock song from a Beatles album. Shine On's "All You Have to Do" has the harmonies that kick off Sargent Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band and then "Eleanor's" sweet melodies make you want to walk hand in hand with the one you love (anyone for Eleanor Rigby?).  On Get Born, "Are you Gonna Be My Girl" kicks off their first guitar licks with a fun, clap-to that-happy-beat so often used during the 1960's and commonly heard with musicians like James Brown or other funk rock classics.  While they experiment with many different sounds an styles, they show that they still like to rock on songs like "Hey Kids", "Rip it Up" and "Stand Up." Stand Up shows that their influences do not miss the classic rock bands of the 70's and 80's and yet they still manage to have their own style.

JET is clearly a leader in the rock music industry. Just because you may never have heard of them doesn't mean that they aren't a powerhouse.  Their melodies and lyrics are catchy to say the least (without being cliche or too repetitive) and their sound makes them an instant classic.  Since they remind you of some of the bands you grew up with, you instantly have a musical connection with them while they draw you into their own style infused with the best of rock from the last 4 decades.  Not to be missed, their first album : Get Born or their sophomore release of Shine On will fill you up but never let you down.  In the studio now, look forward to their crowning glory and third time's a charm album.

Album Review

Augustana - "Can't Love, Can't Hurt"

Oh - how can I express how much I love this album? Augustana is best known for their smash hit "Boston", however my own personal song of their's is "Sweet and Low" off this album. It's catchy and gets stuck in your head easily. I loved seeing Augustana live and encourage you to check them out if they are ever in your area. This is their second release and they are definitely not suffering from a sophmore slump. The songs and lyrics are beautiful and you will find yourself singing along to the CD the same day you buy it. Other favorites off this album include "Fire" (slow and displaying Dan's amazing voice), "I Still Ain't Over You" and "Meet You Ther" (both upbeat and fun).

Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain

I can't imagine a world where I don't listen to Ray LaMontagne. This is his newest album and I would definitely recommend checking out his other albums. While I did not love this album as much as "Trouble", his music reminds me at times like Ray Charles. One critic describes Ray oh so accurately saying, "The Jesus-bearded troubadour is sort of a recluse. He doesn't enjoy doing interviews, refuses to make music videos, and hates reviews of his work--be they positive or negative. But for all the coffeehouse hacks trying to emulate Bob Dylan's verbosity and Van Morrison's impassioned croon, there's the soft-spoken Ray LaMontagne, singing his own wistful tunes without the weight of pretension and the hype of MTV." Check him out. You should be in a world where you don't listen to Ray LaMontagne.

Pinback - "Summer in Abaddon"

Cheers to what could possibly be one the most innovative and original bands out there today. They have been under the radar for quite some time now, but I love this album because I find myself bobbing my head along with the unique sound. I could try to describe them (some Radiohead, some Tool, some Portishead.....) but it never comes out right. Not that that's a bad thing. To not be able to compare the album to something that has come before truly makes them an original. They are mellow and I find that I want to listen to this music despite what type of mood I am in. Give it a try.

Oh Joe

Joe Purdy has recently become one of my favorite artists. Joe's song "In The City" was introduced to me by my sister-in-law. In the true vein of folk and acoustic musicians like Bob Dylan, Amos Lee, Shawn Mullins, John Mayer & Jack Johnson, Purdy's relaxing chords and melodies will not disappoint. Unlike the previous artists, Purdy's voice reveals an old soul. When you see his picture, you'll be surprised at how young and unassuming he is. His husky voice is tentative at times and sweetly melodic at others. His songs have been featured on Grey's Anatomy, Lost, House and most recently featured on the Secret Life of Bees soundtrack.

What I am especially impressed about Joe is that his records are self-released and contain the quintessential purity of folk: true storytelling. He tells a story with enough reprise for you to tell it yourself someday. The simple gentleness of his voice, his stories through music and his easily memorable melodies will create in you an instant fan. His new album "Last Clock on the Wall" is going to be released soon and you can better believe that I'll be at the next concert coming my way. Julie Blue, my first Joe Purdy CD purchase was written and recorded in less than a week's time as the artist enjoyed some musical meditation on a tiny river island in upstate New York. Although I've owned the album for only weeks, I've memorized each song's lyrics and it already feels like an old favorite, a lot like Joe.

Check him out at www.joepurdy.com