Music, Memories and 9/11

For me music has always played a huge role in my life. I've consumed quite a lot more music than most people I know (though there are definitely people that breathe music more than I for sure), and I have often had soundtracks to my life. There's been certain phases and parts of my life where I listened to one type of music more than others, and then things change and it's on to something else. I've had some tough times as well over the years and my favorite songs have been there for me no matter what.

I've just been thinking the last couple days leading up to today, September 11th, about what I was listening to then and why. You see, on 9/11 now 11 years ago, my grandfather had just passed away and I was taking a week or so off work to just kind of relax as it was a pretty big blow to me. I was woken up by my mom who was going crazy saying that someone had crashed a plane into the World Trade Center. I then spent a good chunk of the morning and day glued to the news watching the craziness that had been happening. Don't get me wrong, I know that there is plenty of injustice around the world and many people die due to the actions of insane people with outrageous agendas, but for that to happen here in North America, it was pretty shocking.

I spent a lot of time that day thinking about what was happening, thinking about all those people and what was going on. It was already a pretty rough time and this continued to blow my mind. Then, I did what I have done so often and wanted to retreat into a structured world, full of soundscapes and the audio escape I generally preferred to what was going on around me. I made a trip to the nearest place that sold music and just kind of headed to the new release section. My purchases for the day were P.O.D.'s Satellite and Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Life From Mars, and in general I'll probably never forget what I picked up that day.

While I definitely have moved away from the rap-metal stylings of P.O.D. (and heaven only knows why I picked up that album, though I was listening to a lot of Linkin Park still at that time so there's a clue I guess) Ben Harper has always been the kind of musician I like to grab when I'm looking for some nice chill music. That live album has been one of my favorites and I remember walking back from the store, and soaking in some new tunes and enjoying a crisp day much like today.

Music has often been a little more on the escapism side for me more so than movies or books, I love getting lost in good music. I also love good music on a day when it is needed as much as some human comfort, a hug or a "how are you doing?" For all those remembering 9/11 here's a great cover by Ben Harper for those who need something beautiful in their day, enjoy.

Taylor Swift or Old Crow Medicine Show?

I grew up listening to quite a bit of folk music, and once I got a bit older I found out about country music legends like Johny Cash and Hank Williams that I instantly latched onto. I like down home kind of music, songs about people and landscapes, about the good things in life and the bad, but especially I enjoy banjos and acoustic guitars and the like. I really love old country music, but I definitely have a bad taste in my mouth that has been left by so called country music stars who are generally nothing more than generic pop singers who happen to have a slight twang or an extra acoustic guitar on an album.

I was recently reminded of Old Crow Medicine Show and I forgot how much I love them and their sound. This group from down south sounds like they just crawled out of some moonshine powered time machine from the 1930's and grew up inspired by the hillbilly legends that most people barely remember to this day. Country, folk, bluegrass and more, there's always something inspired that comes from listening to this group, case in point their version of Wagon Wheel which is one of my all time favorites.



This being said, I have already been introduced to the new Taylor Swift song and I can safely say I am not a fan of it, and wonder how Swift especially can even remotely be considered country music. First impressions of the song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together was actually that it was a new Avril Lavigne song, and then I was informed that it was in fact Swifts new song. I understand I'm not the target market, but it is hands down one of the most generic pop songs I've heard in a long time and doesn't remotely qualify in my opinion as a country song. Yet, she will still have a cross over appeal and people will love her which is fine, but what bugs me is that artists like Old Crow will still be overlooked and are making infinitely greater country music than Swift ever has.

I'll definitely continue passing on Taylor Swift, but I can't wait to track down some more reinvented country classics that is for certain.

2012's Picks So Far

I definitely need to go back and actually do a final wrap up for 2011 apparently, but until then I need to keep track of what I've been digging this year so far. There's a pretty solid mix of tunes, from Canada in general and then from all over the place and there have been more than a few that are all that I have been listening to for the bulk of the year. There's some albums I need to dig into with teeth and a fierce grip but for the most part I have a good list of what I think are some standout albums this year. Here's a few of them.

Purity Ring - Shrines



I may be a bit partial to this album as it's two friends of mine from back in Edmonton, but regardless I really love this disc. A lot. It's been the perfect soundtrack to my travels around the city either on bright sunny days, or rainy days, or late at night, or pretty much whenever really. Corrin's tight and crisp beats and Megans gorgeous vocals are pretty much all you need. It's simple but layered, but becomes more dense after every listen.

John K Samson - Provincial



The weakerthans have been my most favorite Canadian band, and probably just most favorite band in general, and I had been waiting for Samson's new album for quite some time. While it doesn't stray too much from what he has done with the band, it does allow for less focus on the instrumentals and more focus on his song writing and soft vocals which are a highlight of any weakerthans album for me. Such a standout disc though and one that's constantly on repeat.

Japandroids - Celebration Rock



When I first heard the above track on the playlist at my work, I was blown away. A new Japandroids? Being played in the store? Insane. After the first time thought I was sold, and the rest of the album is just as good. A tight, concise rock album that blisters all the way through, this has been my go to when I want something super upbeat. Quality Canadian rock, the way it should be.

Torche - Harmonicraft



While I was a bit let down by the new Baroness album, I was pleasantly surprised with how tight the album is and how much it expands upon Meanderthal. I've come a long way from what I used to enjoy in regards to metal and hard rock, but this is right up my alley. Thick dense low end on the drums and bass and grinding guitars, as well as the type of rough but still coherent vocals, this is an album I can definitely get behind and have.

Of Monsters & Men - My Head Is An Animal



This band has pretty much blown up out of nowhere this year and for good reason. I had only heard a few songs from this band last year and forgot about them, but when this album came out I put it in and fell in love. From beginning to end these fine Icelandic folk have put together a magical indie smattering of some of the finest tunes I've heard in a long time. Super catchy, poppy indie rock with dual vocals and intelligent lyrics when you get past the sugary sweetness of the songs. This band deserves all the great things coming their way that's for sure.

Emo Like It's 1999

Lately I've been listening to a lot of Transit, and I like them. I really, really like them. They remind me of the sweet 90's emo bands like Braid and Mineral, even a bit of Texas is the Reason with their driving drums and punchy bass lines, and singer Joe Boynton sounds like he definitely has most of those bands full discographies down pat. Regardless of how much they sound like the great emo bands of old, they have great new things to offer a punk scene that is overrun in awful screamo bands and bands that just have no heart. If you like any of the above mentioned bands, or even the Early November check out this track Long Lost Friends, it's top notch.

It's Been Far, Far, Far Too Long

So I feel like I need to restart posting in this little blog of mine. It's my longest running one, it's the one that I think I should write in more as I'm still very much in love with music and it's very much a large part of my life. I also need to be exploring music a lot more than I have been, I've been pretty complacent with what I've been listening to. It's not that I listen to garbage, there's still tons of great music that I have encountered, but it's not at the same level as I used to in regards to searching out new music.

This changes now.

I will do my best to post about what I'm listening to and what I'm digging and if you have any recommendations then feel free to comment and share, as I am always up for new tunes. I'll leave you with something not too shocking, but I do in fact love the new Gaslight Anthem. These guys are still the best at what they do and they've been finely crafting their brand of Springsteen-esque soulful rock for a few albums now, and this new disc has quickly grown on me. Check out the best song in my opinion on the new album.



I'll have even more things to write soon so have no fear, and also please feel free to comment on what you've been digging lately.

Favorites Mid Year

I haven't written nearly as much as I should this year and perhaps haven't listened to as many new albums as I'd like but that won't stop me from writing anything mid year. It's pretty funny as a lot of what I've been listening to is what I was listening to in 2003. Thursday, Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday, Death Cab for Cutie, why it's 2003 all over again. I've been enjoying them quite a bit as well as some other stellar new discs so let's see what is good this year.

DOUG HOYER-WALKS WITH THE TENDER & GROWING NIGHT

Doug just dropped his new album last week but I've already played it numerous times. It's the catchy, witty pop music that I've known from Doug over the years but now in a crisp full length package. Check out this track off the disc with the delightful Jessica Jalbert and fall in love. I dare you not to.

CULTS-CULTS

For a band that's the first signed to Lilly Allen's new label, they definitely do sound like a band that is signed to her new label. But, that's not such a bad thing. This album is definite summer jams, and whenever I hear it I just want to be driving down some back roads with the windows down and these tunes blaring. Soft tunes with a hint of motown and old soul, check out their album stat.

THURSDAY- NO DEVOLUCION

Thursday will always be one of my favorites. My first trip ever to Vancouver was to see Thursday play with Minus the Bear as well as ISIS, but it was Thursday at the time I was most excited to see. I love the music, Geoff's vocals and lyrics, and with Common Existence their last effort they were looking very sharp indeed. This album though takes their music and drenches it in post-rock thanks to influences like Envy, and makes it one of their best yet. Constantly evolving, and no devolving.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE- CODES & KEYS

When I had heard that the new DCFC album would be a bit different, and would focus on synths, programming, even more keys, I was a bit excited. People were worried that it would be weird or completely different from what they knew, but since I love Postal Service so much, I wasn't too worried. This album from beginning to end is as good as Transatlanticism, and that is a fact. No duds, just great music being made, even if it's created differently from other DCFC. Great disc.

RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE- DEPARTING

First off, let me say that this is one of my favorite music videos in a very long time. It's ridiculously adorable and that's a fact. This album I've been waiting for, for quite some time it seems and it doesn't disappoint. The themes of love and the cold and all that Nils knows so well are conveyed brilliantly on this album, and the music writing overall is taken up a notch from Hometowns. Give this one a listen soon if you can.

MIRACLE FORTRESS- WAS I THE WAVE?

I've been a fan of Graham's tunes for some time now, but it's been a little while since he put anything out and I was worried that MF was over and done with. Then suddenly, Was I the wave? came out and I got excited all over again. Warm vocals blistered over synth-y numbers, this is another album that screams out summer jams. One of my favorites of the year and hopefully it'll become one of yours as well.

GIVERS- IN LIGHT

I saw Givers open for Ra Ra Riot earlier this year and fell in love. Their afro-percussion indie rock is super catchy and if you like your Vampire Weekend, BLCK JCKS or some Paul Simon then I think you will dig. The album beginning to end will put a smile on your face and it's been getting tons of play in the car whilst stuck in disgusting Vancouver traffic, so I would say definitely give it a chance, it's a gem that's for sure.

PAUL SIMON- SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT

Speaking of Simon, I'm completely in wondrous awe at his new album. That the man can still churn out some of the best music I've heard at this stage in his career is amazing to me. If you love Graceland, as really you should, then you need to check out this album. As I was saying with Givers, it's got a heavy afro-percussion vibe but his lyrics and voice are still tops in the music world I'd say. Add this to your collection immediately.

CHAD VANGAALEN- DIAPER ISLAND

While Diaper Island isn't too much of a departure from his last album, it seems more finely crafted and honed. The instrumentation seems far more elaborate and Chad's lyrics seem a bit more to the point and less imbued with wanderlust, even if upon casual listening that's what it seems. Great chill out disc though, and the new music video is Mr VanGaalen at his finest.

PASCALE PICARD- A LETTER TO NO ONE

This young girl from Quebec has one of my most favorite voices in Canadian music and this album is a pretty fantastic little number. While almost entirely in English, I'm not complaining. There's some really good songs here and they're quite catchy in general. I'm a big fan and this album continues to get more and more play in my iPod that's for sure.

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY- TAKE CARE TAKE CARE TAKE CARE

Explosions always takes you on a musical journey, and this album does just that. Just listen to this song, and that's about all I need to say about them. Geniuses.

This Years Van Folk Fest

So the lineup has been fully revealed for this years Vancouver Folk Fest and i'm pretty excited about it. I went last year and while it was tons of fun, I had hopes that maybe they would add more Canadian acts, especially bigger indie acts (is there such a thing, bigger indie, anyways). Well the lineup is out and it's pretty solid I must say, especially thanks to having Joel Plaskett Emergency, Danny Michel, Elliott Brood, Buck 65, the Burning Hell, Jim Bryson & the weakerthans, as well as having some of my other favorites such as Josh Ritter and Justin Townes Earle. Even going through the list of acts there's quite a few other acts that I really want to see like Emily Wells and Graveyard Train. So really, you can't beat a weekend of hanging out at Jericho Beach, going to workshops, checking out all the little vendors and enjoying some fantastic fok and world music. Here's some sampling of some of the people I'm excited to see, enjoi!

Elliott Brood- Fingers and Tongues

Justin Townes Earle- Midnight at the Movies

Jim Bryson & the weakerthans- Freeways in the Frontyard

Joel Plaskett Emergency- Maybe We Should Just Go Home

Graveyard Train- Tall Shadow

Emily Wells- Passenger

Imaginary Cities- Where'd all the Living Go

the Duhks- Mists of Down Below

BUCK 65- Dang!

See ya there!