Nothing like a good Canadian band mixed with an old ballad all the way from Scotland. The always energetic Great Big Sea tone themselves down for "John Barbour," a cover of the old song "Willie o Winsbury." The Wikipedia synopsis of the old ballad essentially says that:
A king is away for a long time. His daughter becomes pregnant by the hero, William or Thomas. The king threatens to hang him, but is struck by his beauty and offers him the heroine and gold. The hero accepts the lady but declares that he has both gold and lands enough of his own.
Now, that sounds good to me. A song with a story wins everytime. Even better: these guys can sing. The song also rises in intensity and power, something I can't argue too much with either. What can I say? Canadian bands, no matter what genre they deal with, are the best. Sorry, United States. You might have Kanye West, but I secretly think he's a dual citizen. The point? John Barbour is his name, and this song is game. Which means good. Listen now! Listen even sooner if you enjoy a good flute.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
30 Seconds To Mars - Night of the Hunter
I've long been a casual fan of 30 Second To Mars. They were on my radar, let's make that clear, but never as on my radar as other bands (PTH, D&D, etc.). This changed during my life working in the fields. Driving between work sites, "Night of the Hunter" came on the radio. I thought it was good. It was on again later that week. I thought it was great. I'm the kind of person that music grows on. In fact, I lament that some of the best songs I've featured here were ditties that took several listens to capture my attention. I'm only human.
What is "Night of the Hunter?" A good alternative song in a sea of bad alternative songs. It's hard to go wrong here. With a fantastical feel, reminiscent of "The Kill (Bury Me)," it contains a few wondrous lyrics and a feeling that it belongs in some sort of werewolf movie. Well, that's what I think. The band bridges the fine line between Theory-of-a-Deadman rock with early-2000's-alternative into something unique. And that French chanteuse adding her own words now and again? You know I'm partial to female guest vocalists in rock songs. You didn't? Well now you do!
What is "Night of the Hunter?" A good alternative song in a sea of bad alternative songs. It's hard to go wrong here. With a fantastical feel, reminiscent of "The Kill (Bury Me)," it contains a few wondrous lyrics and a feeling that it belongs in some sort of werewolf movie. Well, that's what I think. The band bridges the fine line between Theory-of-a-Deadman rock with early-2000's-alternative into something unique. And that French chanteuse adding her own words now and again? You know I'm partial to female guest vocalists in rock songs. You didn't? Well now you do!
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Natural Child - Nobody Wants To Party With Me
Nothing beats a good indie tune for dreary fall days under a gray sky. The trio of Natural Child brings their A-game with the speedy, surfer tune "Nobody Wants To Party With Me." With an atmosphere that reminds you of better summer days when the sun would actually come out and the sky was only different shades of blue.
I'll keep this short, and I'll keep this sweet. Music has an effect on people. I know that a few months of bleak music while writing a bleak novel had me feeling rather...bleak. There are some songs that force you out of your chair and on your feet, pulling a Willow Smith and whipping your hair back and forth. Natural Child takes breezy guitars, laced into a quick tempo, and once those indie vocals are thrown in...well, you're not left with much but the urge to find the closest beach possible so you can roll in the sand until sundown.
Maybe nobody wants to party with me, but I want to party on to this song.
I'll keep this short, and I'll keep this sweet. Music has an effect on people. I know that a few months of bleak music while writing a bleak novel had me feeling rather...bleak. There are some songs that force you out of your chair and on your feet, pulling a Willow Smith and whipping your hair back and forth. Natural Child takes breezy guitars, laced into a quick tempo, and once those indie vocals are thrown in...well, you're not left with much but the urge to find the closest beach possible so you can roll in the sand until sundown.
Maybe nobody wants to party with me, but I want to party on to this song.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
The Verve Pipe - Real
You might know The Verve Pipe for their slowed down mega-hit "The Freshman." While I do like that song, I like an obscure selection from their second album, Villains. "Real," a short story of nursery rhymes, playtime between a brother and sister, and the realization that there is a fine line between the world of play and everything else around us. What caught my attention first? The lyrics...
My sister had a nursery rhyme, set of figurines. She often let me play with them, I set them up in different scenes. Fifty plastic army men, led by superman destroyed the ranks of Mother Goose, Mary and her little lamb....slips away and catches sister getting read. And I can too, as long as I don't make a sound.
Some songs have a powerful lead singer. Others have lyrical genius. While some have both, I am partial to ones that have no-nonsense lyrics (though, there is nothing wrong with nonsense). The lyrics of "Real" make this song what it is. No lies.
My sister had a nursery rhyme, set of figurines. She often let me play with them, I set them up in different scenes. Fifty plastic army men, led by superman destroyed the ranks of Mother Goose, Mary and her little lamb....slips away and catches sister getting read. And I can too, as long as I don't make a sound.
Some songs have a powerful lead singer. Others have lyrical genius. While some have both, I am partial to ones that have no-nonsense lyrics (though, there is nothing wrong with nonsense). The lyrics of "Real" make this song what it is. No lies.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Protest The Hero - I Am Dmitri Karamazov And The World Is My Father
I am Laura and this is my favourite song.
Once in a while, a selection from a year, maybe two years ago creeps back onto my radar. Lately, it's been a stellar song from the one and only Protest the Hero; from their EP A Calculated Use Of Sound, specifically. I think that this EP rivals all of their full-length albums in epicness and amazement. They sounded a bit like this in the full-length debut, Kezia, but since then, they've evolved into a more theatrical hardcore. While what they do now is still wondrous, nonetheless, I sometimes miss the way they preformed in songs like "These Colours Don't Run," "Red Stars Over The Battle Of The Cowshed," and, today's feature...."I Am Dmitri Karamazov And The World Is My Father."
What sets this particular song apart from the rest, besides the longer-than-average title? It is a combination of a strange melody, unlike one you've ever heard before, a voice like no other courtesy of Mr. Rody Walker, and lyrical genius. I have a penchant for a lead singer who you desperately want to understand, yet can't. When Mr. Walker spits out words, I find myself leaning closer to the speakers on my laptop in order to try catching each syllable. And the lyrics? Well, you can get me started on their beauty, but I'd go on for a while. Some of my favourites in the history of lyrical music grace the ending of both this song, as well as this posting...
And though I didn't kill you
Like you tried to do to me
I am just as guilty
Once in a while, a selection from a year, maybe two years ago creeps back onto my radar. Lately, it's been a stellar song from the one and only Protest the Hero; from their EP A Calculated Use Of Sound, specifically. I think that this EP rivals all of their full-length albums in epicness and amazement. They sounded a bit like this in the full-length debut, Kezia, but since then, they've evolved into a more theatrical hardcore. While what they do now is still wondrous, nonetheless, I sometimes miss the way they preformed in songs like "These Colours Don't Run," "Red Stars Over The Battle Of The Cowshed," and, today's feature...."I Am Dmitri Karamazov And The World Is My Father."
What sets this particular song apart from the rest, besides the longer-than-average title? It is a combination of a strange melody, unlike one you've ever heard before, a voice like no other courtesy of Mr. Rody Walker, and lyrical genius. I have a penchant for a lead singer who you desperately want to understand, yet can't. When Mr. Walker spits out words, I find myself leaning closer to the speakers on my laptop in order to try catching each syllable. And the lyrics? Well, you can get me started on their beauty, but I'd go on for a while. Some of my favourites in the history of lyrical music grace the ending of both this song, as well as this posting...
And though I didn't kill you
Like you tried to do to me
I am just as guilty
Friday, 2 September 2011
System of a Down - Suite-Pee
The first song from the first album of one of the greatest bands to ever exist; System of a Down came in with a bang. I can describe myself as a huge fan. I have all of the albums, as well as the solo projects by Serj and Daron and John (see the review of 'Insane'). Even though both new projects are wonderful in their respective ways, I am still hopeful that everyone will get back together and start recording albums again. Their self-titled debut isn't my favourite of their discography (that would be Hypnotize), but includes gems like the insane-in-its-own-right "Suite-Pee."
Beginning with I had an out of body experience the other day, her name was Jesus, and for her everyone cried...with their signature "crazy guitars," SOAD gives you an amazing song as well as an insight into the year ahead. I admit, they didn't sound like this on their later albums, but you can hints of what appears later on. And the second half of "Suite-Pee?" Slowed down and distorted, that's just how I like my bridges to finish. With lyrics following along their usual lines of religion, government, and world issues, this was SOAD telling the world that they were here to make music their way, and frankly, I still haven't heard anyone who sounds like them. If only they'd tell the world that they're coming back...
Beginning with I had an out of body experience the other day, her name was Jesus, and for her everyone cried...with their signature "crazy guitars," SOAD gives you an amazing song as well as an insight into the year ahead. I admit, they didn't sound like this on their later albums, but you can hints of what appears later on. And the second half of "Suite-Pee?" Slowed down and distorted, that's just how I like my bridges to finish. With lyrics following along their usual lines of religion, government, and world issues, this was SOAD telling the world that they were here to make music their way, and frankly, I still haven't heard anyone who sounds like them. If only they'd tell the world that they're coming back...
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Kerli - Army of Love
Estonia's answer to Lady Gaga, who I believe came a little bit before Mother Monster, is Kerli. The winner of an American-Idol-style competition in her native land, she entered my radar this year with the infectious pop tune "Army of Love." It's catchy. It's eccentric. It's danceable. And the video? Watch out, Bad Romance. Kerli isn't your typical pop star.
"Army of Love" is about exactly what you think it is, an army of love. Come one, come all, she's building an army. Kerli uses an airy voice that doesn't sound too familiar enough to venture into radio-repeat territory. No wonder this girl won Estonian Idol. If love and freedom's all that we need, then follow me. I'd happily join the army of love, because ever since I got this song, it has been playing on Sir Lappy, as well as finding a place in the rotation of mixed CDs in the family van. Do I think Kerli can make it in a North American market? Yes, if she keeps it up. Also noteworthy are the songs "Tea Party", "Walking on Air", and the Cherry Cherry Boom Boom Refreak of "Army of Love". The refreak stands as one of the best, and only, instances where throbbing bass and I don't have any hate between us.
So what are you waiting for?
"Army of Love" is about exactly what you think it is, an army of love. Come one, come all, she's building an army. Kerli uses an airy voice that doesn't sound too familiar enough to venture into radio-repeat territory. No wonder this girl won Estonian Idol. If love and freedom's all that we need, then follow me. I'd happily join the army of love, because ever since I got this song, it has been playing on Sir Lappy, as well as finding a place in the rotation of mixed CDs in the family van. Do I think Kerli can make it in a North American market? Yes, if she keeps it up. Also noteworthy are the songs "Tea Party", "Walking on Air", and the Cherry Cherry Boom Boom Refreak of "Army of Love". The refreak stands as one of the best, and only, instances where throbbing bass and I don't have any hate between us.
So what are you waiting for?
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