The Black Keys, Brothers

The Only One by The Black Keys   (11879 KB)
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When I first heard solo music from Dan Auerbach, it really didn't hit the spot. This past weekend, I drove up from LA and on the way I was introduced to The Black Keys. 

Their music isn't the typical garage rock and indie rock I have heard recently which actually makes it more attractive. The blues-rock genre mix up actually goes so well I couldn't stop listening to this album. Today I got to get through the whole album and it really is a good record. 

I can't compare it much to any other music so I really am enlightened by it. Check out the song I've included if you're up for some good music. 

Brothers

Day 67 (album 73)

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The brokenmusicbox, Mellow Folk Starts Here ((the brokenmusicbox, waking the sound, broken music box, mellow folk, folk, indie folk, san francisco, time, music))

Time by The Brokenmusicbox   (8815 KB)
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Being a huge fan of indie folk music, I was looking forward to listening to The brokenmusicbox's debut album. I got in touch with them because I wasn't able to get a copy of it and it and once they sent it over, I listened through it and seriously, it's really a mellow folk album. 

Down to Mars instrumentals with emotional and apathetic lyrics throughout. Waking The Sound features The Brokenmusicbox's personal accounts of life captured in songs. They sound somewhat of what you would hear on music box, good work on combining the band name and music's sound. Of course, I'm sure that's not exactly what you'll hear when you hear it. 

One side note, the band's name would be much easier to read and find if it was "The Broken Music Box" instead of it being just one big word. 

If you're really into indie folk then this album is for you. To be honest, for non-folk fans, this won't be of much interest unless you're open to it completely. I got through it a few times without any skips or hesitations. You should too, but they're hard to find so here's their myspace: The Brokenmusicbox

The included track is called "Time" which I like a lot.

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Suites 2 and 3 from Janelle Monáe's Metropolis Concept

Mushrooms & Roses by Janelle Monáe   (7854 KB)
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After the EP, Janelle Monáe didn't show any concrete signs of a new album. Of course, the obvious sign that she had 4 suites in her Metropolis concept meant more music. Since her release of the EP in 2007, she has showed up on some random Bad Boy labeled albums. 

This album is a strong mix of funk, pop, r&b, and soul. It's not your average r&b or pop album so you will be blown away by the lyrical and instrumental content throughout the album. And as genre hopping goes, this has to be, by far, my favorite mix of them all. She can seriously do music very well. 

I strongly recommend listening to this album. It's the best I've heard all year, especially as a secondary/sophomore release. If you dig it at all, check out the EP, Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase, now that's what's up.

Day 65 (Album 71)

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This Edward Sharpe Song Is A Trip!

This is their 4th single off of Up from Below.

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Saturday Morning Music

It works for Mondays as well. 

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A Walk On The Wild Side

Them Crooked Vultures

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Before I start talking about the album or the band, I have to start off by saying that I have a predisposed bias toward these guys. I've been listening to Dave Grohl's drums since Nirvana so I'm pretty sure that will play a big role in the whole review. I also have heard Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, which of course is a bit different of a sound. 

So on with it, Them Crooked Vultures aren't my typical music choice. Hitting towards the hard rock and heavy metal sounds, they don't exactly remind me of any other bands besides Three Days Grace with a softer toned vocalist. Of course, I like the instruments a lot on the album. 

This self-titled is the only album from the band so I can't really compare it to their band's own music but they do have a lot of other easily comparable bands. Two being Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, which of course have their own uniqueness. There is no consistency in Dave Grohl's approach to music and in my opinion, that's my favorite thing about him. From drumming to singing, from Nirvana to Foo Fighters, there's always that Grohl stuck somewhere in his music, even in Them Crooked Vultures, all the songs some how bring him out more than the others. 

I don't have a problem with his performance at all, I love his energy and how he mixes it up with different bands. Now for the rest of the band, the trio puts together a really well performance. The dozen+ songs are a hell-of-a-listen dozen+ songs! The song included is the first one on the album and it starts up for the rest to sound somewhat of the same taste. Let me know what you think of it if you're checking it out!

Them Crooked Vultures

Three Days Grace

Foo Fighters

Queens of the Stone Age

Them Crooked Vultures [album]

Day 64 (album 70)

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Japandroids: Post-Nothing

Post-Nothing is Japandroids' debut album. The Vancouver based garage rock band really knows their genre. Without any fancy intros or weird mixes of music, they're album to get through the 35 minutes of music pretty quickly. 

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of garage rock so this might be a bit biased and comparative. The band doesn't really sound like a lot of bands I've heard recently, which of course is a refresh. This being their first release, I do think they're very well crafted together. But, together isn't always what I want to hear for half an hour. Maybe a shift of tone or vocals could be better. Their music isn't my absolute favorite but it does do a good job of convincing me to check out more garage rock. Japandroids FTW.

I actually like the album's name and cover. "Post-Nothing" makes me think of the whole past few decades or years (whatever your attention span might be) feel like nothing insanely crazy like world peace or Jesus happened.

Check out the song included. It's the last one on the album. Have you heard the album? If so, what do you think?

Japandroids - Homepage, myspace, last.fm

Day 63 (Album 68)

I Quit Girls by Japandroids   (10496 KB)
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UNKLE drops Electricity with their latest

Ablivion by Unkle   (6118 KB)
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Their latest album is a dozen+ collective of different vocals with matching instruments on one. The album combines some ambient sounding intros with rougher middle tones which make the songs of the album very conceptual and unique all at once. The uniqueness of course comes from guest appearances and their ranging vocals give an extra lift to the album.

I seriously can say it's one of my favorites by them. Where Did the Night Fall comes out with a good overall feel to it. I don't have any annoyances with it all, just some new edges of music I've never felt with many albums. The album really does do a good job in the electronic genre. I don't judge them for their lyrics, those I believe are each of their guests own choices. 

Overall, go ahead and check out the included track, if it's something you're into, you'll enjoy the rest of the album too!

UNKLE - Homepage

Day 62 (Album 67)

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Happy Idiot's Clutch At The Branch

Girl With No Flowers Left To Give by Happy Idiot   (5463 KB)
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Grunge sounding, Oakland based, Happy Idiot is mix of jazz, punk, blues, and some bluegrass in the vocals. The three piece band released their EP during September of 2009. 

Taking form in 2001, Happy Idiot just released their second EP, Clutch At The Branch. The EP definitely exhibits all their genre hopping skills. From some grunge, punk, garage rock, and some hints of other genres in there. I felt a lot of angst in some songs ("1969") and a push toward a post-punk sound. 

This EP has to be one of the more unique and different EPs I've heard in a long while. Not all songs sound the same (even though the bass could use some work), the vocals have a few ups and downs, which is always good for a short-length record. Continuing through the album, there needs to be a full-length LP release after this for it to completely rock.

The trio continues to play live shows around the Bay Area. If you're looking for a good taste of their music, check out their pages: myspace & homepage. I included a song I myself enjoyed. 

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Little Big Planet's soundtrack is a trip

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Whenever I play the game, I realize that I'm more into this song than the game. Completely random. Good choice for a soundtrack song.

BTW: I don't understand the lyrics.

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OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine version - Official

Consuming Music, A Lot of It

Music isn't the most absolute type of media we experience on a daily basis. Videos and photos are often very straight forward, and the more artistic are more often rare to find. Music on the other hand serves multiple purposes and it really isn't a just tool for anyone listening or making it to consume it in the same fashion as it is intended to be. 

I usually find myself with a lot of music that often is either brushed away or archived for later listening. I usually hate saying and admitting that I won't be listening to a particular album or artist. I always give everyone a shot before I push 'em away. 

A good rule of thumb I live by is to listen to music as a background soundtrack only if I've heard the album or song before. It does help to listen to something new in the morning, late at night, or just doing things when you're less distracted. I've realized that during driving, you're in a mood that isn't always fit for all types of music but some make it easier than others to listen.

If you're looking to consume a lot of new music, I would suggest to listen to it without looking at the album/artist's listen on your computer/iPod/whatever you're playing it on. You will be in better shape for music if you're relaxed or concentrated. I recommend only listening to "liked" music if you're hyper (liked meaning something you've enjoyed before). 

What are your favorite times, ways, or methods of listening to music? Any recommendations?

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"The Snooki Song" (Parody of Tik Tok by Ke$ha)

Unkle - Burn My Shadow

Burn My Shadow

Born Free, or not?

M.I.A brings up an important issue for today's musicians and what they're coming out with. Listening to the song itself, you don't see or feel the music video at all. It's completely M.I.A and electronica, which is expected but usually her music videos are not this controversial. The video is included for viewing. The video includes some modern genocide implications which aren't really apparent until the bus. 

It's a 3rd world government meets Palestinian warzone because it doesn't extremely show the political background. Bring in some modern attitude and the music video dissolves to a lot of running and some sympathy. 

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real life version - voxtrot

April 2010's Mix, 8tracks.com

Here's a batch of tracks for your listening pleasures. If you're tempted to listen to it again, it would be cool. If you're in the mood to skip a song, I don't blame you, I'm not a moody person.

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Listening to The Features after a live performance...

Lions by The Features   (5789 KB)
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I got to see The Features perform live in San Francisco. I actually went to see Manchester Orchestra but along with two other bands, The Features were opening up for them. The band hasn't received much traction around the States and their type of music isn't very dominant in pop. Their whole tour was along with MO and the other bands. The band performs insanely well live. 

The album I checked out is called Some Kind of Salvation which is their latest full length album. It's well done and I like the sound of most songs. No complains about how they put it together. I recommend listening to the album all the way through because it's very connected (not in the concept album fashion).

It's a strong point to note that Kings of Leon are starting to imprint albums from the Midwest and Southern music scenes and The Features' Some Kind of Salvation was their first album of choice. This will give them a push toward the more dominant indie scenes. 

Day 60 (album 65)

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