Hi friends, I'm extremely sorry about my hiatus. In approximately a week and a half I will take what is arguably the most important exam of my academic career. I have been stuffing my brain with biochemistry for the last month and now I'm attempting to pump myself up for this terrifying experience.
Anyway, all of my motivation to keep on keepin' on is music-based. Of course Bonnaroo is keeping me focused. I recently got my ticket in the mail and the schedule is officially up! So excited! Can't wait to report back to you about all of the great performances!
Without further ado, here are a couple of that I've been listening to:
Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues- Such a great follow-up to there last record.
Nicki Bluhm, Driftwood- A great new find! Bluhm is kind of a folksy, bluesy, acoustic-y gal. Her husband Tim joins her on several of the songs which really balances it out.
Toots and the Maytals, Reggae got Soul- Classic Toots. He's a legend in the Reggae world and this album is a great intro into the genre. If you haven't really listened to Reggae, this is a great place to start.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
roman's revenge
Today's been a hip-hop sort of day.
Favorite new duo: Chiddy Bang. These two have been likened to "a hipster's wet dream," which I find hilarious...because I think it's kind of true. Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege provides the ryhmes and Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin lays down the beats. But they aren't just any beats...oh no. Chiddy raps over samples of popular songs, often of the indie persuasion. Opposite of Adults, a single off their album samples MGMT's Kids. He even raps over Sufjan's Chicago on the track All Things Go. It's definitely an eclectic sound/style, but they're not really the first one's to come up with it. Still it's a fresh take on this type of genre and it's definitely a good place to start if you are just getting into hip-hop (i.e. it's easier to swallow that say, gangsta rap).
Next up: Nicki Minaj. I have recently discovered that I LOVE Miss Minaj. I really can't put my finger on what I love so much about her, but I'll try. She just has this kind of larger-than-life persona and all of her songs are performances. They're stories. Her parents fought a lot when she was younger and so she used to make up alter egos to forget about it. Now she has put them to good use and uses them throughout her lyrics. She has put out mixed tapes and demos for years, but her first full-length studio album came out just recently. I think it's pretty great. It's not my favorite type of music but it's fun to jam to.
There is so much great music coming out this spring...I'm so excited! But I'm also a little sad because that means my wallet's going to take a hit. Oh well. Keep a look out for new stuff from: Panda Bear, TV on the Radio, and Fleet Foxes. Oh my.
Favorite new duo: Chiddy Bang. These two have been likened to "a hipster's wet dream," which I find hilarious...because I think it's kind of true. Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege provides the ryhmes and Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin lays down the beats. But they aren't just any beats...oh no. Chiddy raps over samples of popular songs, often of the indie persuasion. Opposite of Adults, a single off their album samples MGMT's Kids. He even raps over Sufjan's Chicago on the track All Things Go. It's definitely an eclectic sound/style, but they're not really the first one's to come up with it. Still it's a fresh take on this type of genre and it's definitely a good place to start if you are just getting into hip-hop (i.e. it's easier to swallow that say, gangsta rap).
Next up: Nicki Minaj. I have recently discovered that I LOVE Miss Minaj. I really can't put my finger on what I love so much about her, but I'll try. She just has this kind of larger-than-life persona and all of her songs are performances. They're stories. Her parents fought a lot when she was younger and so she used to make up alter egos to forget about it. Now she has put them to good use and uses them throughout her lyrics. She has put out mixed tapes and demos for years, but her first full-length studio album came out just recently. I think it's pretty great. It's not my favorite type of music but it's fun to jam to.
There is so much great music coming out this spring...I'm so excited! But I'm also a little sad because that means my wallet's going to take a hit. Oh well. Keep a look out for new stuff from: Panda Bear, TV on the Radio, and Fleet Foxes. Oh my.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
white rabbit
So, I thought that I would just post some videos that I've been into lately. The first is the Jefferson Airplane cover, White Rabbit, from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. I really love her soulful voice. It's classic rock n' roll.
Second, we have Wanda Jackson, rockabilly legend. She has this interesting voice that sounds a little worse for the wear, but hey, she's 73 and still going at it. She was kind of a big deal during the height of the original rock n' roll. This latest collaboration with Jack White is pretty neat.
Finally, Lady Gaga's Born this way. Ok, here's my take on LG: I think it's great that she loves being completely out there and pushing boundaries, etc etc. I really do. And I think she has/is doing great work for gay rights. And I love her songs...they are catchy, upbeat, and fun to dance to. But something about her videos gets on my nerves. I think she seems to take them so seriously that it's a little comic. This one's a doozy. The constellation uterus in the beginning and the weird/gross birth scenes freak me out. I do like the song though. Also...get your science right..."mitosis of the future" doesn't make sense.
In case you were wondering, the first two of these artists will be at Bonnaroo. And I. Can't. Wait.
Also, in academic news, I have decided on the lab(s) for my Ph.D. Sa-weet.
Second, we have Wanda Jackson, rockabilly legend. She has this interesting voice that sounds a little worse for the wear, but hey, she's 73 and still going at it. She was kind of a big deal during the height of the original rock n' roll. This latest collaboration with Jack White is pretty neat.
Finally, Lady Gaga's Born this way. Ok, here's my take on LG: I think it's great that she loves being completely out there and pushing boundaries, etc etc. I really do. And I think she has/is doing great work for gay rights. And I love her songs...they are catchy, upbeat, and fun to dance to. But something about her videos gets on my nerves. I think she seems to take them so seriously that it's a little comic. This one's a doozy. The constellation uterus in the beginning and the weird/gross birth scenes freak me out. I do like the song though. Also...get your science right..."mitosis of the future" doesn't make sense.
In case you were wondering, the first two of these artists will be at Bonnaroo. And I. Can't. Wait.
Also, in academic news, I have decided on the lab(s) for my Ph.D. Sa-weet.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
paper cup
Today I bought my ticket for Bonnaroo X 2011.
A friend of mine from school and I decided that in order to help motivate us to study for our qualifying exams we should go to Bonnaroo. The festival is about a week after the exams, so hopefully we both will pass and then go celebrate!
Looks like a pretty good lineup.
Now just keep your fingers crossed that I pass.
A friend of mine from school and I decided that in order to help motivate us to study for our qualifying exams we should go to Bonnaroo. The festival is about a week after the exams, so hopefully we both will pass and then go celebrate!
Looks like a pretty good lineup.
Now just keep your fingers crossed that I pass.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
sigh no more
I have kind of a love/hate relationship with Mumford & Sons.
Their debut record, Sigh No More, has gotten mixed reviews. Pitchfork only gave it a 2.1, other online music websites have given lukewarm reviews, but I do have a lot of other friends with respectable taste who like it. So, I bought it.
At first listen it's pleasant. The songs are mostly upbeat, catchy and full of pretty solid harmonies. Some of the first songs have interesting crescendos and they're emotionally charged. They are talented instrumentalists as well...I really dig the banjo parts. So I thought maybe I liked them.
Then I kept listening. And I thought for a second that iTunes was on repeat. But it wasn't...the songs just sound the same. Those lovely harmonies that first peaked my interest grew tired and kind of sad, the crescendos and the raw emotional became predictable.
This leaves me at a crossroads since I do like some of the songs. I really like their style too; they're cute. And honestly, Marcus Mumford great alliterative name. Enjoy this video...they are great performers.
Their debut record, Sigh No More, has gotten mixed reviews. Pitchfork only gave it a 2.1, other online music websites have given lukewarm reviews, but I do have a lot of other friends with respectable taste who like it. So, I bought it.
At first listen it's pleasant. The songs are mostly upbeat, catchy and full of pretty solid harmonies. Some of the first songs have interesting crescendos and they're emotionally charged. They are talented instrumentalists as well...I really dig the banjo parts. So I thought maybe I liked them.
Then I kept listening. And I thought for a second that iTunes was on repeat. But it wasn't...the songs just sound the same. Those lovely harmonies that first peaked my interest grew tired and kind of sad, the crescendos and the raw emotional became predictable.
This leaves me at a crossroads since I do like some of the songs. I really like their style too; they're cute. And honestly, Marcus Mumford great alliterative name. Enjoy this video...they are great performers.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Comfy in Nautica
This week has been a historic one for mid-MO. We got 18" of snow in less than 24 hours and nearly an inch of ice as well. MU will have been closed for three days by the end of this week...which I'm told might be a record.
Unfortunately my type of work is not conducive to snow days, even more so since I live about 0.13mi from campus. I did take one snow day yesterday, but I'm back in lab today. In order to make it more exciting, I bought some new tunes to pass the time, of course!
First up, I decided to buy Panda Bear's Person Pitch. I'm not sure why I hadn't bought it before since I love Animal Collective (Panda Bear is Noah Lennox, founding member of AC). I've only listened to it a couple of times, so I really don't have much to say except that I like it. It's exactly you would expect to get from Lennox (it gets weird to keep writing 'Panda Bear').
I also bought The Walkmen's Lisbon. Honestly my motivation for this is a little skewed. I have some other stuff by them and I've always thought it was ok, but never gave it too much credit. Well, I found out yesterday that both The Walkmen and The New Pornographers are coming to The Blue Note in April. I love TNP and thought it would be cool to see them with The Walkmen and after a little searching I realized they had released a new album in '10. I checked it out and I really like it. It's a solid album. I've only listened to this a few times too, so again, I can't really expand on it now.
Stay tuned to see if I make it to the show (fingers-crossed)!
Unfortunately my type of work is not conducive to snow days, even more so since I live about 0.13mi from campus. I did take one snow day yesterday, but I'm back in lab today. In order to make it more exciting, I bought some new tunes to pass the time, of course!
First up, I decided to buy Panda Bear's Person Pitch. I'm not sure why I hadn't bought it before since I love Animal Collective (Panda Bear is Noah Lennox, founding member of AC). I've only listened to it a couple of times, so I really don't have much to say except that I like it. It's exactly you would expect to get from Lennox (it gets weird to keep writing 'Panda Bear').
I also bought The Walkmen's Lisbon. Honestly my motivation for this is a little skewed. I have some other stuff by them and I've always thought it was ok, but never gave it too much credit. Well, I found out yesterday that both The Walkmen and The New Pornographers are coming to The Blue Note in April. I love TNP and thought it would be cool to see them with The Walkmen and after a little searching I realized they had released a new album in '10. I checked it out and I really like it. It's a solid album. I've only listened to this a few times too, so again, I can't really expand on it now.
Stay tuned to see if I make it to the show (fingers-crossed)!
Friday, January 21, 2011
The King is Dead
I have to admit that it's been a while since I have thoroughly enjoyed an entire album...each and every song. But then I bought the latest from Portland's own The Decemberists, The King is Dead. And I love the entire thing. I really don't think there is a single song that isn't as good as the rest. Don't Carry It All is probably my favorite, but they are all good.
This album is the hallmark of real musical talent. They have proven that it pays off to grow and change as artists. This album is very clearly Decemberists: it's very clean, each song has a 'crafted' sound, it has Colin Meloy's unique vocals, etc. But it's new: it sounds very much like a classic rock-folk album, which is a departure from previous records. Many of the tracks were produced by Tucker Martine who has worked with some great folks, so it's really no surprise that this is a hit.
Listen and soak it up. Now.
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