Every time I listen to Grizzly Bear, I am constantly impressed by how many different techniques, melodies, harmonies, and, most of all, feelings they can fit into one song. Their sound is definitely unique, with each of their four albums sounding completely independent from the others, and each song is so wonderfully strange. Strange in that beautiful way, of course. It’s easy to admire them because of the fact that the members of the band have this energy when playing with each other and always seem to maintain a strong sense of focus and power, which must not be easy when trying to portray the correct emotions. However, their closeness really shines through and they always succeed in giving off the perfect vibes. It also helps that front men Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen both have such delicate, gorgeous voices, and the fact that those voices alone could stop any listener in their tracks. Since Droste’s is the most associated with Grizzly Bear (based off of the extreme popularity of their song “Two Weeks”) not many people know how evocative and breathtaking Rossen’s voice actually is. His voice is so mesmerizing in their song “Sleeping Ute” which is also dominated with heavy guitar chords and melodies and aggressive drumming. That thick fog of instrumentals is beautifully downplayed and balanced out with the softness of Rossen’s voice and the poetic lyrics, and creates this untouchable ambiance throughout. The song is made even more enchanting with the inclusion of the interlude towards the end, where everything slows down and mimics a sort of peacefulness after reaching a point of discovery and self-awareness. “Sleeping Ute” combines so many feelings and emotions but never loses it’s fragile composition, and it’s a song I always find myself going back to on gloomy days. “Sleeping Ute” is from Grizzly Bear’s album Shields, which was released in 2012.
P.S. Sorry this Song of the Week post (and some of my other posts) are late. I was so busy this week, and now I have to play catch up. However, I love a good challenge.
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Gorillaz will forever be the most famous virtual band in the world to me. I adore each and every character and their varying personalities, and the way that they are drawn and the way they interact with each other in their own little virtual worlds is nothing short of perfection. However, there always has to be a recognizable voice and an actual human being behind these images, and that person is none other than Damon Albarn. His brilliant mind fuels these animated characters (with the help of Jamie Hewlett) and creates such an intricate story that is absolutely seamless in composition. Each and every song on Gorillaz’ three main albums are strikingly different, and with the help of various collaborators, each can be held on it’s own. Along with their singles “Feel Good Inc.”, “On Melancholy Hill”, and “Clint Eastwood,” there is also the sentimental track “El Mañana.” Here, the instrumentals are soft and soothing, but eerie, with a sharp, sour edge that gives the song such a dynamic feeling. It’s deep and powerful, and the acoustic version makes it definitely a Gorillaz song that just feels different in comparison, which is why it’s my song of the week. “El Mañana” is from Gorillaz’ second album Demon Days, which was released in 2005.
James Blake is such an amazing artist. He is unique, original, and absolutely genuine, and all of that pours into his rich, heavily textured music. His voice is gorgeous, with a silky overtone that exposes every emotion and personifies the feelings of love, loss, rejection, and acceptance. His meticulous instrumentals and focused vocals always seem to crescendo into complete and utter brilliance, and, at the same time, create this ethereal, yet powerful atmosphere that can only be described as other-worldly. There are times when he’s timid, times when he’s thoughtful, and times where he is incredibly outspoken, yet throughout it all he possesses this fire and passion that is absolutely dynamic. All of his songs are amazing, including this track titled “Life Round Here.” The mixture and use of classic R&B techniques, modern day synth, and James Blake’s beautiful voice turns this song into an unstoppable force. “Life Round Here” is from James Blake’s 2013 album Overgrown, which really shows off his incomparable abilities and absolute love of music. I am always inspired and enamored when I hear James Blake’s music and I am always reminded of how much of an effect it can have on everyday feelings and situations, which is why his song is song of the week.
I apologize that I haven’t been keeping up with my song of the week posts! I’ve been so busy these past few days with so many projects that I just didn’t have time, unfortunately. There are simply not enough hours in the day, my friends. However, I’m now hopefully back on track! This week, I’ve decided to highlight the song “Pools” from Glass Animals’ debut album Zaba, considering that it just came out yesterday. I’ve been waiting so anxiously and literally counting down the days for this album to come out after hearing their absolutely amazing single “Gooey” a few months ago, and I can proudly say that it was well worth the wait. It’s exactly how it was advertised. It’s exotic, edgy, smooth, and just perfect for these upcoming summer nights (or any night, quite frankly). Frontman Dave Bayley has this gorgeous, flinty, soft voice, and it goes remarkably well with the complex, intricate music that is gently overlapped on top. Zaba flows really well, with it touching on a number of different influences and techniques (including R&B and psychedelic undertones). It’s the kind of music that tingles your spine and gives you goosebumps, especially when you listen on earphones. “Pools” is definitely the most upbeat, colorful, and energetic on the album, and everything from it’s quirky lyrics to it’s amazing tribal inspired music is perfection. Glass Animals will definitely be noticed soon with this amazing album, and I’ve really enjoyed listening and dissecting every single track, which is why this song is song of the week.
Whenever someone asks me what band from the late sixties I adore besides the Beatles (which is everyone’s obvious first choice), I always reply with The Animals. Their music was part of the British invasion, meaning that they were right beside legends like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who when new, more modern forms of pop music started to take over the United States. They were the meaty undertone to the bunch, and supplied the gritty rhythm and blues style music that this blend so desperately needed. The five-piece band operated as one single unit which gave the band as a whole a feeling of fluidity and effortlessness, which is why people lined up around the block to see them perform live. Yes, people came for the music, but stayed for the deep, majestic voice of Eric Burdon, who served as front man. His croon is now known throughout the world as the one who sang the legendary song “House of the Rising Sun,” a song about pain, mistakes, and regret. However, one of my absolute favorite songs by The Animals is their song “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” The song is a cover of songwriter Bennie Benjamin’s song of the same name, which he wrote for the singer Nina Simone. Of course, The Animals made it their own with the ingenious intro guitar riff, dynamic instrumentals, and Eric Burdon’s unforgettable, impassioned voice. It’s a song that begs to be played on the highest possible volume while driving to no particular destination, and letting all your troubles pass you by. It’s fierce, fiery, and tenacious. It’s a song I’ll always consider to be one of the best of all time, considering it was one of my dad’s favorite songs and he played it all the time (and still continues to love it) and it has tons of amazing memories for me. “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is one of The Animals’ first singles, being released in 1965, and it also appears on their greatest hits album. It’s always important to know the roots and pioneers of modern pop, rock, and blues music, and the Animals were definitely a part of it, which is why they deserve to be recognized.
Vampire Weekend is honestly one of the most amazing, original, innovative, and creative bands I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I’ve been a fan of them since the very beginning, and I am constantly amazed and lost for words by how talented they are. It’s still crazy to me how all three of their albums have a distinct personality: Vampire Weekend was bright and poppy, Contra was soft and mysterious, and now, Modern Vampires of the City is dark and luxurious. It’s the most perfect little evolution that shows off both the music’s stylistic development as well as the band’s maturity, something that comes along with growing older. Their new album Modern Vampires of the City was an incredibly impressive album that I played on repeat over and over again, and the one that I just had to buy on vinyl as well. The most exhilarating thing is to listen to one of your favorite songs on vinyl because it’s truly an experience. It feels more genuine and sincere when you listen as you watch the innocent record spin, and it feels as if the weight of the world has just been lifted off of your shoulders. I felt this first hand when I heard “Hannah Hunt” on vinyl. It’s a song unlike any other, and it’s slowly become one of my absolute favorites. It’s evocative, romantic, dark, and powerful all at once. The lyrics, written by front man Ezra Koenig, are brilliant, and the way he sings them is pure magic. The best part of the song is the dynamic, gorgeous section that starts right around the 2:40 mark. The passion and beauty in Ezra Koenig’s voice mixed with the sentimental piano and guitar melodies make “Hannah Hunt” a song that is truly a force to be reckoned with. “Hannah Hunt” is from Vampire Weekend’s third studio album Modern Vampires of the City, which was released in 2013.
Sigh. It’s finals week for me. That means day after day of studying, hundreds of cups of tea, and of course, hours and hours of music. I’ve found that while cramming for these tedious exams, there is nothing that really calms me down better than the decedent, smooth, loving voices of Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel. Their simple, imaginative songs are perfect for the stressful moments during your day, whether that includes work, school, or yes, even studying. Of course, it’s extremely difficult to pick just one of their songs to showcase this week, given that each and every single one of their songs contain a certain indescribable quality that makes it wonderful. Nevertheless, I have decided to pick “El Condor Pasa (If I Could),” seeing as though it’s one of my absolute favorite songs in the world. The brilliant use of traditional Peruvian guitar melodies and drumming techniques mixed with the genius, poetic lyrics make this song so unique and amazing to listen to. “El Condor Pasa” was actually already a song by Peruvian composer Daniel Alomia Robles, but Simon & Garfunkel famously covered it and made it their own. I’ve always had a place in my heart for this particular duo, and it partly has to do with the fact that my father played their music all the time when I was little (and still does so today). He taught me to understand and cherish music like this, where the notes played and the words that are sung actually carry meaning and are sung and played with passion and love. Simon & Garfunkel immediately come to my mind when I think of meaningful music, and there’s a reason why they are known as two of the absolute best. It’s a given that Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel have voices that are breathtaking and nothing short of flawless on their own, but it’s ultimately when they intertwine with each other where their songs escalate to new heights, like in “El Condor Pasa.” Every time I listen to this song, my stresses and worries associated with school and work drift away. Their music also reminds me that even though it seems far off in the distance, my finals will be soon be over and I’ll finally get to go home and see my family after a tiring school year. That’s what Simon & Garfunkel mean to me: being hopeful, working hard for the future, and, most importantly, to always exude resilience in anything you attempt. After all, if you put energy, optimism, and hard work into your life, you will most likely always be honored and rewarded with good experiences and positive outcomes later on. “El Condor Pasa” is from Simon & Garfunkel’s fifth and final studio album Bridge Over Troubled Water, which was released in 1970.
Public Service Broadcasting might be one of the most impressive, brilliant examples of experimental music that I’ve heard in quite some time. Public Service Broadcasting is the brainchild of London based duo J. Willgoose, Esq. and Wrigglesworth (which are probably the coolest names ever), who play a medley of instruments. They seek to “inform, educate, and entertain” their audiences, and they do so uniquely and intelligently. Basically, Public Service Broadcasting digs up old, grainy video footage from century-old propaganda films, educational tapes, and obviously, public service announcements. They then overlay their beautifully composed and constructed instrumental music on top, and the result is something magnificent. My favorite track so far is the mesmerizing song “Everest,” where gorgeous, almost futuristic guitar melodies take center stage. The drumming propels the guitar into the atmosphere, where it drifts seamlessly in the air. The song gives off the feelings and ideas of hope as well as nostalgia and sadness (along with the comforting, informative narrative about the wonders of Mount Everest) without the use of sung vocals. Public Service Broadcasting aims to “teach the lessons of the past through the future of music,” a concept that is just so unbelievably awesome to me. I mean, if I had videos like this to both teach me about history and inform me about the glory of music when I was growing up, I would love history a lot more. Their song titles include “ROYGBIV,” a song about color and imagination with bluegrass and Mediterranean influences, “The Now Generation,” a more technological song, and “Spitfire,” a song about the legendary aircraft. Overall, Public Service Broadcasting has really opened my eyes to more experimental music and what they’re doing is incredible, which is why I picked their song for song of the week. “Everest” is from Public Service Broadcasting’s debut album Inform – Educate – Entertain, which came out in may of 2013.
Time for another blast from the past. Every single time I listen to Bee Gees, I am immediately transported back to my childhood. I pretty much grew up on the music my dad and my older brother had (artists like The Smiths, Depeche Mode, Billy Joel, The Eagles, ABBA, and the list goes on and on). We still bond over music today, and their influence has really made an impact on me. Bee Gees were pretty high up on that list of bands that we coveted, and I would hear at least one of their songs every few weeks. Of course, there’s the infamous songs “Stayin’ Alive,” and “How Deep is Your Love,” songs that I absolutely love, but the Bee Gees song that is dear to my heart is this one, titled “I Started A Joke.” There’s just something about the brilliant, meaningful lyrics and the fact that Robin Gibb, the youngest Gibb brother, is the one that sings this. There’s a sense of innocence, and when it gets to the chorus, a sense of beauty and epiphany, as if everything was suddenly figured out and there is no need to worry. The song itself is sad, but the message it sends is one I somehow find hopeful and happy. I always love going back to the oldies because I am reminded of where it all started. Music like this was pure and raw, and was actually ultra-modern for this time period. It didn’t need all the flash that today’s musicians have. I am thankful I grew up with gems like Bee Gees. I am especially thankful that my father and brother had amazing musical taste and saw enough in me to share these wonderful songs with me when I was little, and that they listen to my musical taste and listen to the songs that I suggest now that I’m older (they love this blog and visit it often haha). Bee Gees will always, always have a special place in my heart as the band of my childhood, and that is why their song is song of the week. “I Started A Joke” is from Bee Gees’ fifth album Idea, which was released in 1968.
You may already know Vance Joy from his energetic, vibrant single “Riptide,” where he sings incredibly quirky lyrics with such enthusiasm and gusto. While I love that song so much, I believe that Vance Joy is also quite the master at heartfelt, depressing songs, like this one, titled “From Afar.” From the title you already know it’s destined to be a tear-jerker if you listen to it when you’re in the corresponding mood. It’s the age old story about how you’re in love with someone and unfortunately it’s one of three scenarios: they don’t love you back, they don’t care, or they’re too involved with something else to notice. All three are heartbreaking, and somehow Vance Joy captures all the feelings of rejection in his gorgeous, mellifluous voice. It cracks and strains in the most breathtaking ways and I am blown away each time I listen to him. The fact that the music underneath starts out simple then gets explosive (it even has some of the riffs from “Riptide” at the very end) is absolutely perfect, because it matches the feelings of rejection – you’re sad and depressed, then you slowly become desperate and ultimately helpless to your own feelings. I crave with all my heart that I could possess just a tiny amount of his amazing songwriting abilities so that I could write meaningful songs like this one. This song has gotten me through some rough times and it’s the perfect mixture of sad yet uplifting, in a strange sort of way. “From Afar” is from Vance Joy’s debut EP God Loves You When You’re Dancing, which was released in 2013. I can’t wait to see what Vance Joy does next, which is why his song is song of the week.
kid with a vinyl 