dirty projectors

The Dirty Projectors. I've literally been staring at my computer screen for the past twenty minutes trying to translate the Dirty Projectors' music into words. It's quite a task, let me tell ya. The band, comprised of ladies Amber Coffman (guitar) and Angel Deradoorian (bass), drummer Brian Mcomber, and fronted by Dave Longstreth, created their latest album Rise Above as a collection of Black Flag songs as 're-imagined from memory'. The result is rather mind-boggling. Don't get confused though.. these are not covers of Black Flag songs. As previously stated, they have been 'reimagined'.. songs inspired by a Black Flag album.

For me, the vocals are what really drive their music. Dave's fluctuating, often grimy, raw vocals are met by the soaring angelic melodies of Amber and Angel, creating beautiful complex layers within each song. The instrumentation that lies beneath is often just as intricate. But before I really try to dissect their music, go ahead and give them a listen for yourself. Go to their Myspace page by clicking here. Or do yourself a real favor and go see them live when they come to a venue near you. I've been lucky enough to catch them live and ...wow. They do not disappoint.

Dirty Projectors on NPR.

richard swift

It's 2007 and all I have been doing is drinking wine, knitting, and listening to Richard Swift. Listening to his album "The Novelist", I feel like I am in a different place and time as I listen to his dusty baritone voice. He has a lovely website that is packed full of little gems. Visit it here.

stars

I know what you're thinking "where the f*** have you guys been?!" Or maybe you didn't even notice that we were on hiatus. Who knows. Anyway, I've just been laying in bed eating ho-ho's. That's it. But, as Andrew would say, I'm getting a little blurry around the edges now. So I'm hitting the stair machine and getting back into the swing of things with Stars.

I know that Stars is like so 2 years ago but this band from Montreal made a beautifully crafted album entitled "Set Yourself On Fire" that makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. "It's thinking your life is on track, and when the floorboards collapse under your feet, giving in to the chaos instead of fighting it, starting over again more brilliant and gorgeous and raw than you've ever been before. It's knowing you have to decimate your own history in order to understand it."

Visit them on their website by clicking here. All of their albums are up on the site and ready for your ears to embrace. You can also visit them on myspace (sound quality is a bit better there.)

elephant parade

Someone buy Elephant Parade a cake, they seem to need some cheering up. 10 seconds into "Friday Night" and you will see what I mean. It's the single saddest feat of guitar playing I have ever heard. Estelle and Ido's back and forth vocals rarely rise above a whisper, which allows the subtle clicks of the tongue and in-takes of breath to become more pronounced and add a ridiculous amount of intimacy to the Album. To say that "the timbre of their voices compliment each other quite well" would be an understatement. Their sense of vocal counterpoint and harmony hold the album firmly together and allow the minimalist instrumentation to come across as honest rather than kitschy.
Songs like the Piano based "Riding in Your Car" (I am convinced) was achieved by channeling the ghost of Erik Satie via some sort of black magic voodoo. The song is sung so sadly that the subtext seems almost to be "we just swallowed enough pills to kill 40 people" despite the only actual lyrics being "I like riding in your car".
The Entire album clocks in at just over 20 minutes and before you know it the whole shebang is over. In that respect the album is quite punk rock ... except ... not sonically.
If the Soundtrack to Amélie and Sufjan Stevens had a love child it might very well be Elephant Parade.

head on over to their myspace to hear 4 songs and do the whole myspace stalking thing

greg laswell

I remember one night, about two years ago, being at this coffee house in San Diego called Lestat's to see a friend perform some music. I was in one of those moods though, where I just wanted to see my friend play and then leave. As I tried to make my way to the door, I ran into another friend who was working on their fifth cup of coffee of the evening. Needless to say, she had lots to tell me. Minutes later, I had managed to step foot outside. Before I even had a chance to think about where my keys were or which direction I had parked, I heard something that made me turn right back around. Greg Laswell had taken stage and the very first notes out of his mouth grabbed me. The sound of his voice alone crawled right in me and captivated me. Almost an hour later I had stayed for his entire set, and was still wanting more.

Now, years and many many shows past, I am still a huge fan of Mr. Laswell. His new album "Through Toledo" is about to drop into stores 0n July 11th with a little help from Vanguard Records. Having heard a sneak preview of this album, I can say that it is a great blend of upbeat rock songs, heartbreaking melodies of lost love, and everything in between. There is a great humanistic quality to all of Greg's songs too. He keeps things honest and real, which is something I think we all can admire.

This is a man of many talents as well. Not only is he a sweet crooner, an ivory tickler, and a master of the guitar loop.. he is also a producer and has lent a hand to many other talented musicians such as Anya Marina and Molly Jenson. Perhaps his greatest skill, though, is his gift of gab onstage. If you are not impressed by the sheer greatness of his music alone, then he will, with no doubt, charm you with his banter in between songs. With stories of his mother googling his name to his playful joking with accompanying musicians, Greg never falls short of pure entertainment.

One last note, be sure to watch for the upcoming release of the movie "Danika" (starring Marisa Tomei) which will feature the song "What a Day" off of Greg's "Through Toledo" album.

You can listen to songs by Greg by visiting him on his Myspace or at his website. Be sure to check his Myspace for upcoming shows!

Cold War Kids

Yes its been awhile since I wrote and yes this band is in every music blog out there. But goshdarn it this song is all kinds of good. There thats it for now. Got to justify my huge paycheck.

Cold War Kids - Hang me up tp Dry

goodbye blue monday

So let's talk music. Let's talk Goodbye Blue Monday's music. This band from San Diego defies any real categorization. Some say math rock, or post-punk, emo or just plain indie rock. I like to say it's just really good music. The instrumentation of their songs is solid enough to stand alone. Intricate, cinematic melodies are layered with precise guitar work and powerful drums. Then the vocals come in and slay you with their honesty and emotion, often leaving you feeling reminiscent of lost days. There is a certain darkness to it all but somehow you also feel like there is a glimmer of hope there too. Their latest album title says it all: "Help is on the Way". Word on the street is that they will be working on a new album later this year.

Listen to songs by Goodbye Blue Monday by going here. I strongly recommend giving the title track "Help is on the Way" a listen.

Visit their website by clicking here.

This is an amazing live band so check them out when they play a show near you. If anything, go just to see guitarist Demetrius' amazing clear guitar.