Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook

So I blogged yesterday, but I came across this track and holy smokes, it blew me away. Sigur Ros is a band from Iceland, which will explain why you can't understand the lyrics. Even so, I sat dumbfounded not caring that there was a total lack of language comprehension.

From :09 into the track your ears are overwhelmed in a good way with the constant state of drumming and percussion sounds. There are subtle intricacies, like their slight changes in the rhythm of how they hand clap. The strength of the acoustic guitar has the spotlight within this track, showing that an electric guitar isn't necessarily needed for power. The way Jonsi Birgisson's voice melts with the 9 chords played in row (the beginning of the song) is downright awesome.

According to Wikipedia, their band name comes from the sister of Jonsi Birgisson, and when translated means Victory Rose. The day his sister was born was the day they formed the band, if that is not a good omen, I'm not sure what is.

So after looking a lyrics site, the site has a loose translation of parts of the song. I can't be sure if this is corrent since my Icelandish is pretty rusty, but I felt it was very appropriate.

you are being blown long into the air
you, umbrella, turning upside down

pretty poetic. I definitely can see that image while listening to this song. This is my first introduction to Icelandish Post-Rock, and I might have to listen more to bands from the country. Even though in Mighty Ducks II, Iceland was the enemy, and turned my heart cold. (haha get it, Iceland is cold, Mighty Ducks were on ice...) But now Iceland has a new image and a enlightening heartbeat heard as the drum beat in this song.

Let me know what you think of this track.

The Very Most - Good Fight Fighting

Hey you guys,

There wasn't a quality video for this song, so I would rather have you listen to it from their myspace. Check the song 'Good Fight Fighting' at myspace.com/theverymost. Listen to the song in a new tab, and then check out the post as well. Well in a perfect world, I would hope you do that.

More and more 'folky' indie seems to be coming out, and to me that is a good thing. I've been a big advocate of simple can definitely still mean quality. I love a full sound, but I think that a full sound can be accomplished so many different ways. The song features a male and female vocalist that bring two lovely dynamics to the table. Lead vocalist Jeremy Jensen brings us in with a soothing 'oooh' to set the tone early. I have to be honest, if a song doesn't captivate me within thirty seconds, I have a hard time getting through the song. But this soothing intro made me look forward to the rest of the song.

"I've got to learn when to stand up and fight the good fight, I got to learn how to balance respect and what's right" - Jeremy Jensen. Amen brother.

The sister of the lead singer, Rachel Jensen, takes over in the latter part of the song and takes the song to the next level in my opinion. The song would be great and catchy on its own, but the additional voice really brings a refreshing and unexpected sound. Again, the song probably would have made my mix cd regardless if Rachel was on this song, but what a bonus that is.

And when she sings there is some awesome whistling and xylophone (or something like it). I dig.

These guys are from Idaho. No, YOU DA HO. But seriously good music coming from Idaho.

-Geoff

Chester French - Jimmy Choos

Chester French is apparently 'Pharrell's Favorite Band.' And I thought that was interesting. Because my major basically is publicity, I thought oh great, Pharrell labels a band his favorite, so the press can pick up on it. And then I look at Chester French's myspace, and of course it's loaded with articles featuring the band before they even have their first release out. GQ. Spin. Rolling Stone. Radar. All featured these guys before you could buy their album. So to be honest, not only would these guys have to be good, they would have to blow me away for me to even think about placing them on the mix. And then I gave them a listen.

I think the label might be pushing the track by Chester French called 'She Loves Everybody' and you really should check out all their other tracks, cuz they're unique. But this track called Jimmy Choo's really did it to me. It's basically old school sounds, revamped. The guitar is simple yet classic. The drum beat in the beginning takes you back to...'doing that you do...breaking my heart into a million pieces.' If you don't know what I'm talking about, rent That Thing You Do.

That would be funny if this blog post got more people to buy That Thing You Do more than check out this awesome band. And then I get a free copy of the movie. Then it would be funny and sweet.

There's a part in the song with a little musical time gap, and I'm not totally down with that, but the rest of the song lets me allow it and still go on.

Let me know what you think of this track. Check their myspace at myspace.com/chesterfrench

Kevin Devine -Not Over You Yet

Sorry for the delay. So Band of Horses provided a great first song that has a full sound and vibe. The Lodger followed that up with a feel good upbeat melody that makes you want to jig. Now to add to the mix by adding a different element, here is song by Kevin Devine. With a good yet vulnerable voice, Devine comes off as singing from the heart and personal experience.

A simple theme, not over you yet, with simple guitar attached. There is a certain constant immaturity within me that still loves what a little boy would love. I think that a good amount of people can relate. It's that feeling of not wanting to grow up and face the real world, just yet. We're preparing, but we're also dragging out heels to stay a little longer. I think this song captures that innocence. "And I'm still obsessed with cowboys and indians.."

There are probably a million songs with this choice of topic, about being not over a certain individual. But, I love the originality of the lyrics for example:

"You were always cute But gosh darn! you got hot"

Especially the second verse which seems to be brutally honest about himself.

" I know I won't call, It's this decision I've made. So I'm up all night chanting 'Vow I can't break!' [. . .] But I'd still cut my hair if you asked the right way"

-

I've added a video that had the best audio quality, so feel free to check that out. View his myspace at myspace.com/kevindevine and his website at kevindevine.net

hope you like the track

-Geoff

The Lodger - Good Old Days

This is the second song of my 4th Wiki Mix, the second public mix. If you're wondering why it is a Wiki mix, it's because my mix cd making all started by sharing mixes with a friend of mine named wiki. So here's a toast to Wiki, with my apple juice.

So if you guys haven't heard of Paste Magazine, you should really check it out. Not only do they have pretty awesome reviews, but they also send a sampler cd out with every magazine. This song came off their sampler cd when they did a whole issue dedicated to music outside of the United States.

So these guys are The Lodger, and you can check out their video on the left side. Pretty sweet concept if I do say so myself. Simple yet still pleasing. And when someone hits jello on the drumbeat, I literally laughed out loud. Good times. A music video with jello truly makes the world go 'round.

So apparently there is another 'The Lodger' band, except they are hardcore and from Michigan. So if you're interested in the local Michigan hardcore scene be sure to check out the other Lodgers from my Dad's home state.

I think this song is perfect for jumping jacks. I know we haven't all done jumping jacks since 7th grade when we also did arm circles. Okay, what did arm circles actually do? Anyone? Bueller? But back to the post, this song is supreme for jumping jacks. Try it, I did, and it has a great pace. Not too fast, not to slow. Just right. Just like the baby bear's porridge...not to hot or too cold...just right.

This song is also amazingly catchy. Perhaps the most catchy tune on my mixes yet. That base line just makes your hips want to join a chorus line. Also I am a total fan of nerds making music, because sometimes its just the best. And these guys look like a great group of awesome music making nerds. Good Times.

Shake and Bake.