MUSIC MONDAYS – Music that reminds me how powerful it is

 

 

 

 

MUSIC MONDAYS

I’m beyond jealous I didn’t go to Coachella.  Having said that, here’s some videos of the acts I would have loved to see.  

Enjoy!

NOW GO LISTEN!

Music Mondays – Queen

At work last week a co-worker and myself put on a rendition of “We Are The Champions,” Freddy would have been proud of.  Yes, I hit the high notes!  I forget how much music I love.  While my taste in music has evolved over the years, I can still appreciate the talent of this band and the voice of Freddy Mercury.  And seriously “We Will Rock You” still gives me chills.  Here are some of my favorites.

 

Music Mondays – Wilco with Billy Bragg

This song is always stuck in my head.  Now let it be stuck in yours too.

Music Mondays – First Aid Kit

I have eclectic taste in music.  I’m attracted to lyrics and melody.  When I discovered First Aid Kit, I realized I also enjoy a harmony of beautifully synchronized voices not altered by technology.  In other words, I like a good tune.  I hope you discover this duo too.  They are the perfect antidote to pop.  Here are some of my favorites.

 

NOW GO LISTEN!

 

Music Mondays – Michael Stipe

I know the proper thing to do would be to talk about REM here.  I am a big fan, but not as rabid as my beloved “D.”  Along with the ready for radio tunes REM has released over the years, Michael was prolific in working with other artists.  Below are some of my favorite outcomes, and if you’re a REM fan, you’ll appreciate Stipey lending a hand to some great tunes.

I know REM is a band retired, but here’s to Michael Stipe continuing to create.

 

Music Mondays – Lou Barlow

This song says it all….

 

 

 

Music Mondays (On a Saturday) – Mount Eerie

I decided to make a video one day.  No particular reason, just snippets from a life to cobble together and show my friends.  I immediately thought of the song, Lost Wisdom.  Below see my tribute to Mount Eerie, one of the most ethereal bands I’ve heard in a long time.

They’re poetic, yes, and convey a mood of quiet calm.  I like their no-frills contribution to music and the clearness of their voices.  This is not a band you listen to if you want to cheer up.  They don’t coddle to our needs to be uplifted.  They simply tell a story with words and sound, so aching you can’t help but be affected.  This is not to say you want to listen to them when you’re exercising.  Another one of my favorites of theirs:

Sometimes you just have to listen to something else.  Expand your horizons.  This band is one of those that will.

Now go listen!

MUSIC MONDAYS – ANTHONY AND THE JOHNSONS

I can’t believe there was a time when I didn’t know about Anthony and the Johnsons.  The lead singer, Anthony, is an enigma with a voice even Adele would envy.  His falsetto trill and profound lyrics will lull you to whatever world he hails from.  My favorite song is Hope There’s Someone, a plaintiff love song that usurps every song that came before by singing it raw and plainly, “I hope there’s someone who’ll take care of me, when I die, will I go.”  Which to me starkly resonates the will of us all, we just hope there’s someone who will take care of us.  

I prefer their live recordings, because you never know what you will witness.  It doesn’t matter what version, I love Cripple and the Starfish.  It is a song not meant to be as beautiful as it sounds.  And we’ve all been there when we’re happy in a relationship, when it’s as healthy as it could be, yet we’re waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop and began questioning whether we deserve such happiness.  Just listen to the lyrics, “I am very happy, so please hit me…I am very happy, so please hurt me.”

I could wax poetic about my next favorite song, but you simply must just listen.  Rapture is the kind of song that makes you ache, not just because of the lyrics but the emotion the melody evokes.  It’s about the end of it.  That painful breakup, that saying goodbye to someone you love.  The falling down of everything you’ve known.  Reaching out toward…what?

Some other notables:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MDlMdu2gjw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8V94WQjMAw&feature=related

 

 

Now go listen!

 

Music Mondays – Bon Iver

They won a Grammy for Best New Artist so you should know who they are.  Bon Iver may not have been the popular choice, but you have to hear them to appreciate the talent.  I was just grateful a band with pure talented sound could win out in a sea of flash.  Usually, it’s the Lady Gaga’s who garner all the attention and leave the moody lyrical alternative rock on the shelf for musicphiles like myself.

One of my favorite songs is Holocene, the harmony so piercingly pretty and uplifting.  It’s an unusual sound, but in a sea of pop-same-ness, it’s a welcome respite.  They’re the type of band you put on the Ipod and then lay back with your eyes closed and float away to another place.  The best music doesn’t need to explode in your face or shake your molars (although I do appreciate the Foo Fighters).

Their videos are artistic masterpieces, none more so than Hinnom, TX.    It’s simple, yet effective and beautifully colored.  I love the strangeness of the instruments used and it makes me long to play them myself.  My absolute favorite Bon Iver song is Perth.   I was first introduced to them when a dear friend of mine inserted their music into a video he was making.  Although their video is pretty good, his was better, but the song had me with the first chord.   I love the drums in this song too.  I could listen to it over and over and I’m doing just that.

So, they may not have won any supporters after what many deem is their stealing of the Grammy, but give them a listen anyway.  You might recognize the true talent and become a rabid fan such as myself.   Of course, they’ve been around a while, founded in 2007 by Justin Vernon.  I guess better late than never to the party.  Here’s to their continued success and even more albums.

Other notables:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGAH9ihcWv4&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxmcQGeNcMc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhJ0OKB3Lmc&feature=related

Now go listen!