In Rotation 2 : Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

Indie folk rock has definitely been making a strong presence in the music scene lately with bands such as Fleet Foxes, Edward Sharpe & the Magetic Zeros, and Mumford & Sons. We can now add Local Natives to this mix. Their album Gorilla Manor, which was released in the U.S. earlier this Spring, has quickly become one of my forerunners for album of the year. Their sound beginning to end is extremely refreshing. The lyrics, instrumentation, and vocals all work to combine an album that you can put on repeat and lose yourself in.

Notable Tracks:
1. "Wide Eyes"
2. "Airplanes"
4. "World News"
9. "Who Knows Who Cares"
11. "Stranger Thread"





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Song of the Week 9/19

Rotation 1

Yo La Tengo, And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out - "You Can Have It All"

Such a simple statement. Chilled-out down beats swirl around this simple sentiment, You can have it all. I appreciate the straight forward way that the lyrics are sung in contrast to the a cappella and instrumentation.

Rotation 2

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Neil Young, Harvest - "Alabama"

Last week I chose a song about Ohio, this week its Alabama. There is such a strong character to songs that capture the heart of a location. Neil Young has become so influential with his ability to write songs that are socially and politically relevant. Alabama is the perfect example of creating a song that goes beyond music to describe a whole state of people in a time of struggle and uncertainty.

"Alabama, you got the weight on your shoulders that's breaking your back."

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Song of the Week 9/12

Rotation 1

Patti Smith, Hey Joe / Piss Factory - "Hey Joe [Version]"

After watching a documentary highlighting the early career of one of Punk music's most iconic artist, I came across the first released single "Hey Joe". It was fascinating to hear for the first time; the intertwining of this traditional American song with the Patty Hearst saga of the mid-70's and allusions of Jimi Hendrix's throbbing guitar style. Patti's lyrical improvsation are so explict and raw , full of passion. She puts herself into every note of her art.




Rotation 2

The Pretenders, B-Side of Back in the Chain Gang - "My City Was Gone"

While Chrissie Hynde just released a new album, I'm going back to 1982 and her work with The Pretenders for my pick this week. Hynde's lyrics are very strong about the negative development in her hometown of Akron, Ohio. Although it has a deep message, there is something really simple yet catchy with the bass on this song.







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In Rotation 1 : Beach House - Teen Dream

I can't remember how I came across Beach House... But I am thankful that their third release, Teen Dream, made it's way into my music library. Appropriately titled the melodic singing of Victoria Legrand in combination with keyboard and organ backdrop, seamlessly intertwines the lyrics and melody. Close your eyes and you are instantly transported to a your minds eye "perfect day". From the first listen, you might think that all the songs relatively sound similar. Upon further listening each song takes you on a lyrical journey, with each building onto the next, within a dream-like soundtrack.

Notable Tracks:

- "Zebra"
- "Silver Soul"
- "Norway"
- "Walk in the Park"
- "10 Mile Stereo"
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Song of the Week 9/5

Rotation 1

Dead Weather, Sea of Cowards - "The Difference Betwen Us"

From the first track to the last, the Dead Weather have put their heart and soul on display. The heavy thump of the bass drum, the thick guitar, along with the intense singing of Allison Mosshart and Jack White makes it hard not to have this album on constant repeat. It is bluesy and gets into your inner musical soul. It was difficult to pick just one track for this song of the week, so I went with the one that starts off a great series. "The Difference Between Us", "I am Mad", and "Die by the Drop" feels like a stream of conscience of pure raw energy.

Rotation 2

Buddy and Julie Miller, True Blood: Music From The HBO® Original Series Volume 2 - "Gasoline and Matches"

Mischief, evil, and a good time. These are just some of the things that come to mind listening to the True Blood Volume 2 soundtrack. One of my favorite tracks, "Gasoline and Matches," is a true americana love tale where husband-and-wife team Buddy and Julie Miller light the world up and take no prisoners.

"You pull my pin and you trip my wire

You come in and set my heart on fire

You knock me out, you rock me off my axis

You and me are gasoline and matches"

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Artist Retrospective : Interpol

Three years since their last work, Interpol releases their fourth album this week. The self titled record does not hit as much of a high note in comparison to earlier albums. The energy, lyrical craft, and cohesiveness are not present on this album. (Who release a fourth album that is self titled? Even when the Beatles did it, the public called it "The White Album".) Some tracks that do stand out on their own are "Lights" and "The Undoing." While the album is not bad, it just does not live up to the same excitement found within their previous music.

In response to this latest release, we picked out a few favorite tracks that represent the true quality of Interpol's music.


Rotation 1

"Untitled" - Turn on the Bright Lights, 2002
"Leif Erikson" - Turn on the Bright Lights, 2002
"Evil" - Antics, 2004
"Pioneer to the Falls" - Our Love to Admire, 2007
"All Fired Up" - Our Love to Admire, 2007


Rotation 2

"Obstacle 1" - Turn on the Bright Lights, 2002
"NYC" - Turn on the Bright Lights, 2002
"Stella Was a Diver And She Was Always Down" - Turn on the Bright Lights, 2002
"Slow Hands" - Antics, 2004
"Not Even Jail" - Antics, 2004
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Song of the Week 8/29

Rotation 1

Mason Jennings, 180° South, Conquerors of the Useless - "Machines"

In follow-up to viewing 180° South, Conquerors of the Useless, I spent the rest of the week listening to the soundtrack. And while each song places those fabulous images of Patagonia back into my mind; it was "Machines" by Mason Jennings that stuck with me the most. The ebb and flow of the melody in combination with lyrical questioning, I felt captured the spirit of the film.

"Moonlight upon her face
A story book of empty space
Where you and I feel out of place
Together

Will we remember this?
The way it was or how it is
What we love or what we miss
Forever"





Rotation 2

Mason Jennings, 180° South, Conquerors of the Useless - "Machines"

Yes, its that good of a song. With a hypnotic sound that builds throughout, Jennings culminates the song with a powerful message and wailing.

"One fine morning, one fine morning
The machines are going to cut us down"
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Off the Reel : 180° South, Conquerors of the Useless

An epic journey of Jeff Johnson's adventure to ascend Cerro Corcovado. Traveling by boat to Patagonia, 180° South follows Jeff through not always easy waters. Whether a broken mast, impenetrable vegetation, or crumbling rock, patience in his journey leads to the greatest rewards. The imagery of places traveled paired with the human connections made along the way makes one take introspection and re-evaluate one's own path.



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