KPL Music Blog
The best CD of 2006 in my humble opinion was a British-folk, prog-rock inspired album from the Portland based band The Decemberists. The Crane Wife is filled with songs about Japanese folk tales, murderous tales, Romeo and Juliet type romances, and a criminal committing the perfect crime. The band, who often dresses in period clothing will be performing in East Lansing this Wednesday. They were at the top of my "most favorite band, but never seen live" list.
Music
The Crane Wife
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My first Bob Dylan concert was October 27, 1978 - thirty years ago last week, as a matter of fact (ulp… has it really been that long??!). That was Dylan’s first visit to Kalamazoo and at the time I remember saying, “He’s probably past his prime…” (I was rather fond of the "Hard Rain" period then), “…but who knows when we'll get another chance to see this living legend in our area again?” As it turns out, he was not by any means past his prime and has (quite thankfully) returned several times since... State Theater, Van Andel Arena, Fifth Third Ballpark, and elsewhere.
Dylan never ceases to amaze me. Not only for his ability to create a seemingly infinite stream of relevant new material, but along with each live show come unique new interpretations of his own ageless classics and forgotten gems – and perhaps even a unique cover version here and there. Not to mention the profound influence the man continues to have on his contemporaries (Pearl Jam's version of “Masters of War” or Ben Harper’s take on “All Along the Watchtower” immediately come to mind). As a result, I was very happy to see that Kevin has added several new Dylan titles to the collection. There’s some terrific stuff here – old and new. Dig in and enjoy.
So, here we are some three decades later. This weekend, Dylan returns to Wing's Stadium, Kalamazoo's long-time hockey arena and venerable old concert canister. Past his prime? Certainly not. Dylan continues to intrigue and influence several generations of listeners and performers. Worth going to see? You betcha. Reviews of the tour so far indicate there’s much to look forward to. Besides, who knows when we'll get another chance to see this living legend in our area again?
Book
Bob Dylan titles in the KPL catalog
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http://www.catalog.kpl.gov/uhtbin/cgisirsi/x/0/0/5?searchdata1=bob+dylan{AU}&library=BRANCHES&language=ANY&format=ANY&item_type=ANY&location=ANY&match_on=KEYWORD&item_1cat=ANY&item_2cat=ANY&sort_by=-PBYR
On a recent trip to the Big Apple, I stumbled upon the two-piece band MGMT via my I-pod while passing the time on the Amtrak. If you are a fan of the Flaming Lips and their infectious way of mashing together psychedelic pop with dance-friendly hooks, then I think you’ll enjoy MGMT and their new album Oracular Spectacular. Give it a listen.
Music
Oracular spectacular
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There are many great songs to help little ones learn the ABC’s, but none will stick with you quite the same as Alphabutt; the title track of Kimya Dawson’s new alternative CD for children. My children and I laughed all weekend, and I can’t stop humming it now…A is for Apple, B is for Butt! Each track brings humor to the early parenting stages, that may seem difficult to endure at the time, but humorous in the end. We all need to pause, sing and laugh about such topics as: paying off our student loans, wiggling loose teeth, using the potty, being pregnant and waiting anxiously for the baby to move, nursing, and possibly having seven hungry tigers in our underwear drawer. Give this CD a listen, if for nothing else, than to make yourself giggle!
Music
Alphabutt
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I’ve always thought of Neil Young as the Miles Davis of rock and roll because of his prolific career and the way in which he has embraced different musical styles and genres while inventing a few along the way (not always with the best results). The plaintive lyricism and beauty of his work during the early 1970’s is on display with classic albums “After the Gold Rush”, “Harvest” and “On the Beach”. There’s no better example of Young’s hushed and deeply personal laments during this time period then his “Live at Massey Hall” album from 1971. This album is a lovely soundtrack to the emergence of fall weather and color. Unearth that dusty cardigan, grab a cup of coffee and watch the early morning sun rise from behind the auburn and burnt umber landscape of autumnal Michigan.
Music
Live at Massey Hall 1971 [sound recording]
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I was one of the luckiest people in the world last night. I witnessed a concert by the Icelandic quartet that moved me and left me quite speechless. The music ranged from quiet, choir-like musings to heart-pounding, floor-shaking numbers. When the four serious, professional, multi-talented musicians gathered around the organ and the lights ebbed and glowed in rhythm with their notes, it was a truly beautiful moment. Everyone should get to witness such a moving event. Check out the music of sigur rós to bring home a piece of that magic.
Music
sigur rós
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Contemporary electronic music may not be everyone's cup of tea, and the ever-changing multitude of subgenres can make even the most hardcore music lover's head spin. The offshoot known as minimal techno or microhouse can be particularly difficult to enjoy due to an extremely repetitive, "less is more" philosophy. German musician Axel Willner, aka The Field, creates loop-based songs that manage to break free from the coldness that characterizes much of the rest of the genre. Layering dozens of tiny bits of sound like the skip of a needle in a record's groove or a single syllable of a vocalist from a long-forgotten song, Willner makes meditative, propulsive music with a surprising amount of emotional depth. While on a surface listen the songs may sound static and repetitive, a deeper listen reveals an almost fractal-like range of tiny noises building up to a larger whole. Despite the use of a 4/4 time signature on most of the songs, The Field's music is meditative as it is energetic, and it's this mix of ambience and ceaseless energy that makes From Here We Go Sublime so fascinating.
Music
From Here We Go Sublime
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http://www.catalog.kpl.gov/uhtbin/cgisirsi/x/0/0/5?searchdata1=from+here+we+go+sublime{TI}&library=BRANCHES&language=ANY&format=ANY&item_type=ANY&location=ANY&match_on=KEYWORD&item_1cat=ANY&item_2cat=ANY&sort_by=-PBYR
What distinguishes the Avett Brothers from their alt-folk peers is how seamlessly they weave together various musical genres and traditions without it sounding derisive or lodged within the unforgivable sins of retro-parody. Synthesizing rock, country, folk, and pop together within an economical songwriting framework that neither sounds fixed to the past nor particularly contemporary, situates their beautifully-crafted songs of broken hearts and lost love on the cultural shelves next to other artists (The White Stripes e.g.) who deftly balance both their respect for tradition with their impulse to creatively advance new forms. For beginners, try their album “Emotionalism”.
Music
Emotionalism
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Weezer once again proves they know what makes good music. Each song on this album has a different feel and each will stay with you (to your delight)! "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)" showcases the melodic talents of the group, while fans of the older tunes will love the rhythms of "Pork and Beans" and "Troublemaker."
Music
The Red Album
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After I joined a gym about a month ago, I decided I needed to find some upbeat music to keep me motivated while exercising. I lucked out when I discovered Santogold. Santogold's music is a pop-punk throwback to the best of the 1980s, and perfect if you want something fun to sing along with.
Music
Santogold
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