Pandora Radio is a truly remarkable thing. A customizable radio station where you simply plug in a genre or artist and you get a selection of material tailored to your likes at that moment. This approach has led me to find several cool sounds I wouldn't have normally discovered. Such is the case with YPPAH. Falling into the electronic genre doesn't quite do this artist justice but if one must classify it, then electronic it is.
Now comes Yppah's latest record, "81". The overall sound is part MOBY at his height, part early m83, and part shoegazer all wrapped up into one. The opening track, "Blue Schwinn", glides along a drum beat with angelic female vocals recalling THE COCTEAU TWINS. From there singer Antonia Belle lends her voice to the pop techno of "D. Song", which finally morphs into a club banger. The middle section of the record recalls DJ SHADOW'S masterpiece "Endtroducing..." with it's combination of hip hop beats and synthesizer washes. "Never Mess With Sunday" is the standout track on the record, with a plucky acoustic guitar leading into a drum beat frenzy. The groove on this song alone will stick with you for weeks. "Happy To See You" echoes vintage SLOWDIVE in it's ethereal bliss. "Three Portraits" is what I imagine CHAPTERHOUSE would sound like if updated for the 21st century.
This is the hidden beauty of the album. It moves in so many directions. What could have easily been another one note, electronic repetition for over an hour discovers new and fascinating ways to explore sonic landscapes. Each time I listen I find a new sound or combination of instruments that shake me in new ways. This will easily be one of my albums of the year.
Yes, there are more reviews coming.I?ve been a bit slow on that front of late as I have been putting much of my spare time into fundraising for the American Cancer Society?s Relay for Life!I have about 60 or so reviews in the can, most of them handwritten; all just waiting for me to find time to type them out.
Yes.
But right now Wildy?s World is engaged in an exciting project!We reached out over the past couple of months to the artists we?ve worked with over the past several years, and many have been gracious enough to offer their time and talent for song auctions on eBay (seller ID wildysworld).The idea is simple:The highest bidder from the auction gets to fill out a short survey telling the artist what they would like their song to be about.The artist then takes that information and interprets it how they will.The winner will then receive a recording of the song via email. The recording is expected to be a demo ? clean but not necessarily the finished product you might hear on an album.Some artists are going further than this based on the time and resources available to them.
Even some of the artists who do not have time to engage in the songwriting project are contributing.One artist is donating a cover song ? winner gets to pick the song, any song, and the artist will interpret it.Still others have donated or promised to donate signed items, rare CDs, artwork, etc.I?ve even added a few signed items I?ve personally received over the past four or so years to the mix.
As of this morning there are seven auctions live on eBay, and I would highly encourage you to check them out!All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society through my Relay For Life Team, the Cave Crashers.And even if you don?t want to participate in the auction, but want to make a donation on my behalf, you can do so through my personal Relay for Life page here. Here are the auctions currently live.All are for original songs written by the artist named:
The following auctions are forthcoming, with the start date listed.All auctions are for original songs to be written, unless otherwise specified.
BFF (6/8/12) Jodi Shaw (6/9/12) Skyler (6/10/12) Zak Smith Band (6/11/12) KeyDragon (6/12/12) The Amplifires (6/13/12) The Modern Airline (6/14/12) Randy Stern(6/15/12) Joshua Jesty(6/16/12) Deborah Crooks (6/17/12) Mar Harmon of Music With Mar (6/18/12) Jerry Falzone (6/19/12) Brian Pounds (6/20/12) Styx ? Signed Electric Guitar (6/21/12) The Energy Commission (6/22/12) Jeneen Terrana (6/23/12) Halie Loren ? Cover song (6/24/12) Aurical (6/25/12) John Byrne (6/26/12) Ron Hawkins of Lowest Of The Low ? An original oil painting of Bjork (6/27/12) Joel Dobbins (6/28/12) Trout Fishing In America ? Signed T-Shirts (6/29/12) Amanda Belardinelli (6/30/12) These Curious Thoughts (7/1/12) Crown Point Band (7/2/12) Steve Haggard (7/3/12) Kaitlin McGaw (7/4/12) Shane Lamb (7/5/12) Amos Lee ? Signed, rare CD (7/6/12) James Scott Fant ? 7/7/12 Beth Whitney ? 7/8/12 Pat Flanakin ? 7/9/12 Brother Joscephus ? 7/16/12 Phoebe Leg�re ? 7/18/12
As you can tell, we still have some dates to fill between 7/10 and 7/17/12.If you would like to participate in an auction, please contact me at wildysworld@gmail.com.I also have some items to be scheduled, including signed items from Val Emmich, Kristoffer Ragnstam, Lee Alexander (promised), Marian Call (promised), John Mueller and Stars Go Dim.
Bid early, bid often, and tell everyone you know.Once again, all proceeds will go the American Cancer Society, so it?s all for a good cause!
August 30, 2011 Bobaflex - Hell In My Heart (Megaforce) Century - Red Giant (Prosthetic) Eat The Gun - Runner (Metalville) Entrenched - Preemptive Strike (Horror Pain Gore) Hackneyed - Carnival Cadavre (Lifeforce) Kittie - I've Failed You (eOne) Nocturnal Fear - Excessive Cruelty (Moribund) Pentagram - When The Screams Come DVD (Metal Blade) Pro-Pain - 20 Years Of Hardcore CD/DVD (AFM) Shadowside - Inner Monster Out (SHP) Stray From The Path - Rising Sun (Sumerian)
Martina Downey grew up with music in her soul.The Paterson, NJ native grew up with 1960?s and 1970?s R&B and rock n roll, eventually becoming enthralled with the ever shifting glam of David Bowie.At the same time, Downey became deeply involved in Gospel music through her church choir.Downey has even taken to the theater stage, but her first love seems to be rock and roll.Downey returns to her roots on her sophomore album, Sign Post, while bringing spiritual introspection into the mix.
What is most surprising about Sign Post given Downey?s r�sum�, are her struggles with pitch and tone throughout the album.The opening moments of the first track ?Close To Her? may well inspire some listeners to switch off and find something else to listen to.Downey just can?t seem to find her place, but does improve as the song progresses.She is not helped out by the messy, unfocused arrangement here either.?Catch The News? shows similarly unfocused songwriting, although decent melodic sensibility does arise as the song progresses.?Be Paused? meanders along without seeming purpose, although Downey does set a mildly funky atmosphere for the song.
?Hurricane? once more finds Downey displaying an unusual melodic sensibility.From a songwriting perspective this is really quite good.Unfortunately Downey?s tonal issues reassert themselves here, even with the relative protection of a recording studio there to back her up.?Slide? could be a hit for the right artist, with a catchy and sneakily danceable under bed formed by sprightly rock guitar, synth, and some doo wop style back vocals.Downey holds her own here.The title track, ?Sign Post? is an expansive story ballad that mixes philosophical musing with a meandering, drawn out arrangement that simply takes too long to develop.?Tired Sick And Lonely? is perhaps the most intriguing composition on the album.Downey?s composition is snappy and sharp, and you could hear this perhaps having been an AM radio hit in the late 1970?s or early 1980?s.
Having shared her best, Downey sinks back through the depths for remaining tracks.?Like A Flower? and ?Dark Caverns? are bland space savers, with ?Finer Things? adding repetition into the mix just to keep it interesting.This is one of those instances where a five song EP may have made a better impression than a full length album.
Martina Downey shows a distinctive, if highly raw talent for crafting intriguing musical lines on Sign Post.Unfortunately these blazes of brilliance are often set amidst messy and meandering arrangements that do more to hide these moments than contrast them.As a vocalist, Downey is certainly experienced, but runs into enough pitch and tonal issues here to make for an occasionally difficult listen.There are definitely nuggets here worth tuning in for, but Sign Post will be a difficult road to walk for most listeners.
Please note that the Amazon.com prices listed above are as of the posting date, and may have changed. Wildy's World is not responsible for price changes instituted by Amazon.com.
It is starting to look like I have been enticed into a small folk rock craze, mostly thanks to the Association. Listening to the Association was at some point like a learning session aiming at a deeper understanding of the band. Now, every second with the Association is like being in heaven... While getting acquainted with the band, I also learned to appreciate folk rock style, melodies and aesthetics more than ever. Now, when I put on anything that has those folky melodies my mind screams: aah yeah, folk rock, this is the good stuff!
Well, this isn't really the first time I have been interested in folk rock. However, we may have to say something about the term folk rock at first. There are countless different manifestations of folk rock. There is folk rock, folk pop, folk metal, neo-folk and who knows how many other variants of music that is based on folk. There are also local variants of folk and folk rock all around the world. For me, the starting point is the Association, so that defines my current interest. I am mostly talking about music that was inspired and developed from American folk music. Still, I don't wish to limit myself. Instead, I hope to keep an open mind. If I discover a great Arabic folk music band, I will definitely check it out...
Anyway, probably the most famous folk rock band I have listened to before is the Byrds. Both the Byrds and the Association have recorded Bob Dylan songs. If I haven't misunderstood all of this, those jangly and harmonic Dylan covers played a big role in the American folk rock success. Dylan himself also went electric which made him more and more popular.
We could now perhaps define folk rock as being folk decorated with elements that make it more appealing for large audiences. A traditional folk song is bare and has little decoration. There isn't much auditory spectacle. A folk troubadour singing alone and playing a guitar can obviously be wonderful, but a band like the Association with its rich full band arrangements and enormous vocals gives the music a whole different treatment.
This question has a lot in common with the dilemma of how much a song needs decorations, different instruments and production. Some people want more, some people want less... And it depends on the song, time, genre, etc. In my opinion, the composition (with its tunes and chords) is the core of any traditional (pop) song. Still, a rich sound with an excellent, carefully conducted arrangement can make a song rise to a whole new level. So, even though the bare song, the idea, is the most important thing and an achievement in its own right, it also helps a great deal to make it sound as appealing as possible.
My next goal is to find out and compare how different bands transform their folk songs into more ambitious arrangements ? or decide to stick to more simple arrangements. I have a list of interesting performers. On that list there are the Mamas & the Papas, the Beau Brummels, the (New) Seekers, Donovan, and P. F. Sloan. Finally checking out Bob Dylan would probably be pretty useful, too.
I have to say I don't really know much about folk rock. I only know a few artists and I know who the most influential UK and US folk artists were. So, I could say that the search is now on. The real gems are often hidden I would be more than happy to get recommendations. What are your favorite folk rock bands?
My wife and I were lamenting the loss of music videos the other day. With MTV and VH1 no longer featuring music, videos are now almost exclusively an on-line phenomenon. This is a shame since you might miss out on videos that are unique and interesting. Here is one I missed that would have been a huge hit if they still played them on TV. One top of that, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE'S 'Underneath the Sycamores" is a great pop song:
Background: Pop's best-kept secret, Danielle Aument, is an ascending singer-songwriter set to release her brand new single "Already Over You." The lead single off her yet-to-be-titled EP, due out later this year, is available for purchase on iTunes.
Originally from Downers Grove, IL, Danielle got her start in music as a performer in local musical theater productions near her hometown. She then moved on to professional productions in Chicago performing in popular musicals such as the renowned Evita. Drawn to the intimate styles of singer-songwriters, she left her theatrical experience behind and made her career as a music artist a reality. The 18 year-old singer is already making a name for herself; not only was she invited to attend the music industry showcase NAMM in Nashville, but she was recently named iHeartRadio's Artist to Watch.
Danielle Aument is an enthusiastic artist and a passionate songwriter with a dedication to her craft and a commitment to her art. Her modern musical vision is illuminated with her music. From catchy hooks, and joyful pop tunes that put you in a good mood, Danielle aims to enlighten and entertain.
2012Candy Say's: Put simply this is upbeat pop, just right for the summer, if your gonna do pop Danielle sets the standards. Listen: What You Mean To Me, (player only). Web: Official HERE. ========================================================================
Background: Portland, Oregon-based pianist/singer-songwriter Sara Jackson-Holman will release her sophomore full-length, Cardiology (Expunged Records), on July 24, 2012.
Where the songs on Jackson-Holman's debut, When You Dream (Expunged Records) were intended to be universal and interpreted by the listener, her latest release Cardiology expresses a very personal journey, specific to the study of her own heart this past year. ?This album centers around themes of love and loss and my experiences with each over the course of this last year. Some songs, like ?Do I Make It Look Easy? and ?For Albert? are about moving on from situations - realizing and accepting that you can't change people, which is challenging, but at the same time empowering, because that understanding ultimately provides you with a sense of peace. I also wrote songs to sort through what it means to lose someone you love, and what you do with that feeling of loss.?
Co-produced by Jackson-Holman, Keith Schreiner (Auditory Sculpture, Dahlia), one of Portland?s best known composers and performers who programmed synths and beats, and Skyler Norwood (producer of Blind Pilot, Horse Feathers, and Jackson-Holman's When You Dream) at Miracle Lake Studios, where tracking of organic elements and mixing took place, Jackson-Holman delivers a stunning follow-up with Cardiology. Featuring contributions by Skyler Norwood (Point Juncture, WA) on drums and bass, Jack Norwood on bass, Jessie Dettwiler (Alameda) on cello, and Basho Parks (Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks) on violin, Jackson-Holman's songs are fleshed out by a cast of strong supporters.
For her sophomore album, Jackson-Holman took a much different approach to her songwriting and production process. ?Recording my first album was about learning the process; it was extremely informative. I had never been in a studio, so to see the inner-workings of production firsthand changed my entire perspective. For Cardiology, I actually produced full, 30-track demo versions at home for several of the songs on Garageband before bringing the tracks to the studio for final beats, synth sounds, and additional production. I wrote the songs in varied ways - some originated from sitting at the piano, others from humming a melody, and still more from writing a beat first then crafting the rest of the song around it. From my first day in the studio to my last, the recording process spanned seven months."
2012Candy Say's: This is a fine song from a fascinating album that takes the listener in different directions and moods. Songs that tell stories and capture your imagination. Listen: Cartography, (player only). Web: Official HERE. ========================================================================
Background: Jezzy & The Belles, the salacious Brooklyn based dream-pop folktronica band announces the release of their debut full-length album ?Compasses & Maps? on June 26. This aptly titled record guides listeners on a transcendent pilgrimage along the border of hauntingly ethereal indie pop and seductive, undulating folktronica. This rhythmic journey is lead by the hypnotic vocals of front woman, Jezzy (Jessica Eisenberg), who fearlessly routes your way through 9 rousing songs which will make you subconsciously fall victim to her melodic rapture. Fans of Nouvelle Vague, Air, Massive Attack and PJ Harvey beware: ?Compasses & Maps? by Jezzy & The Belles will claim another piece of your heart.
Jezzy is candid about her music providing a creative and emotional safe haven after she endured a series of traumatic events. ?It was a way for me to heal wounds and make room for a trust and a sense of calm in life,? says Jezzy, ?Even if I didn?t feel entirely hopeful and exuberant at the time I wrote these songs, I pushed forward and tried to document the music and words I needed to feel at that point.? The strength, power and perseverance that Jezzy demonstrated during this time is felt whole heartedly on each track of ?Compasses & Maps? and translates into a soul-stirring escapade for its listeners.
?Compasses & Maps? follows the February 2012 release of Jezzy & The Belles? self-titled EP which included the title track from their forthcoming full-length album and lead to a worldwide music video premiere for ?Compasses & Maps? on AOL Spinner.
Jezzy & The Belles debut album ?Compasses & Maps? will be released digitally on June 26.
2012Candy Say's: This has a fairly unique feel despite the comparisons Nouvelle Vague, Air, Massive Attack and PJ Harvey. Intricate and pleasing. Listen: Confess Child (mp3). Web: Facebook HERE. ======================================================================== Background: Virginian sisters Rachel and Torey Russell?s ethereal voices conjure up the laid back sweetness of Norah Jones and Lisa Hannigan as they gently meander over the warm acoustic backdrops provided by the band?s creative spearhead, Kent Heckaman. Sonnet Cottage is a new project for Kent Heckaman who was waiting for just the right vocalists to collaborate with. The simple arrangements fit like a glove with the angelic vocals of the two sisters. The wait was well worth it.
Like Peter, Paul and Mary before them, this trio comes bearing a similar message of nature, deeper human conditions and winds of change. Their first single, the pastoral charmer ?Most Unlikely?, transports the listener through its mysterious and whimsical atmosphere. ?New life will soon begin, much wiser than before, no more vanity? they sing on the groovy Latin tinged ?Trail of the Wind?, a perfect precession to the enchantingly nuanced ballad ?Little Did I Know?. Other tracks, like the opener ?Letting It All Go?, feel akin to the organic nature of Sufjan Stevens? esteemed album Greetings from Michigan, embodying the magical feeling of being in a vaguely familiar, yet completely unique sonic landscape. Step into Sonnet Cottage?s world and be whisked away to Another Time, out July 24, 2012.
2012Candy Say's: This is a beautiful song, I could go on, however I reckon that sums the song and Sonnet Cottage just fine. Listen: Most Unlikely (player only). Web: Official HERE. ========================================================================
Background: Maren Parusel is a name you need to know, now! Out of the ashes of a terrible incident in which all of Maren?s instruments were stolen in New York City last year, shines a bright light out of the Midtown Tunnel and into an intense musical journey that you will not soon forget. What came of her sound is a revamped style of guitar-driven tones, synths, and the ability to take on the world. Not to shabby if you ask us.
Parusel is gearing up to release her sophomore full-length, Tightrope Walker (Requiemme Records/ BMG Chrysalis), on June 19th to eager ears. Today the band debuts the first single and title track from the album called, ?Tightrope Walker,? the perfect song to kick off your Summer.
Filled with dreamy synths, beautiful and transcendent guitars, and Maren?s blend of poppy and gorgeous vocals, this song will provide you with everything you have ever wanted in a song. With a voice reminiscent of Blonde Redhead?s Kazu Makino, with a dose of pop flare thrown in, Parusel brings every piece to life to provide what can be described a polished and danceable collection of dreamy tracks. With bandmates in tow, including Eric Brozgold (drums), Josh Cass (guitarist), and Chris Hoffee (bass), the group has already been getting attention from the likes of indie Godfather, Mike Mills from R.E.M. (?I loved her set?), renowned photographer BP Fallon, and even Kim Fowley (Manager of Runaways).
Maren Parusel is ready to elevate you to new heights with Tightrope Walker. Just close your eyes, put one foot in front of the other and take it all in.
2012Candy Say's: Power pop with a little splash of indie rock thrown in for effect this is one catchy song, be warned it can get inside your head! Listen: Tightrope Walker (mp3). Web: Official HERE. ========================================================================
Background:Originally conceived to create the fictional home recordings of a nonexistent South Dakotan teenager, The Dust Engineers are in reality a new Brooklyn/Queens-based band. "Ask Bobby Zimmerman about inventing a persona," laughs Zachary Meyer, singer and guitarist. "Sometimes romanticization is better than the real thing." After performing at a Bowery Poetry Club multimedia exhibition, Meyer decided to make The Dust Engineers more than a fantasy, and enlisted Ryan Egan (bass), Sara Maeder (vocals, tambourine), Erik Rosenberg (guitar, vocals), and Jared Harel (drums) to form the band in 2011. Employing coed harmonies and twangy bottleneck slides with reckless abandon, their new EP Bail proves tough to classify. "One foot on a skateboard and the other in stirrups," replies Meyer when asked about The Dust Engineers' singular sound.
Listen to the debut single ?Snot Nosed Dweeb,? from the upcoming EP Bail, due out July 17, and you will find yourself immediately drawn into their 90's meets 2012 sound with a twist of pop sensibility and irreverent lyrics that will ring true for anyone who's ever dreamt of quitting their job.
The Dust Engineers recorded this, and all tracks, live in the studio rather than multi-tracking piece by piece, creating a warm and stage-ready sound for your stereo. Recorded by Andrew Lappin and mixed by Yale Yng-Wong (Here We Go Magic, Country Mice, Fort Lean, Tiny Victories), The Dust Engineers have created an impressive EP of 5 unforgettable tracks. The album is released under the label and creative collective, No Horse Town, which is made up of musicians, poets, visual artists, and writers around the country. "We strive for this natural, collaborative writing process, and we let the original vision guide us. We've got an imagined desert muse,? says Meyer.
2012Candy Say's: OK the band name and song title more or less got this song featured, the bonus is that it's a great piece of music with good rock and roll harmonies. Listen: Snot Nosed Dweeb (mp3). Web: Bandcamp HERE. ========================================================================
Background: Beehive Candy recently received an introductory email direct from Pharaohs from the Grave. Having given their music a listen we are mighty glad they got in touch!
Pharaohs from the Grave are a four-piece alternative punk rock band from the U.K. Resident party band in the London indie Rock scene. Described as a mix between Blondie, Grace Jones, No doubt, Garbage, the yeah yeah yeahs and Queens of the stone age. ? The band have been described as a visual act as well not just a generic rock n roll act.
2012Candy Say's: Straight to the point, no nonsense music, OK we cannot do the visual element any justice, but if you like your rock tight and tough, this does it! Listen: Success (mp3). Web: Official HERE. ========================================================================
Background: UK-based band Alt-J are proud to announce the US release of their debut album An Awesome Wave on September 18 via Canvasback Music. For full track listing and album art, please see below.
An Awesome Wave was released in the UK on May 28 to both critical and commercial success. In their rave review, NME said "On the surface, this is smart alt-pop, but Alt-J have messed with the formula just enough to make this a brilliantly disquieting debut." BBC called the album "a stunning and encompassing affair of both innovative and electrifying musicianship and exemplary song writing," while The Guardian proclaimed "the music is rich and quirky enough to match the imagistic literacy of the lyrics, from the majestic, cinematic sweep of 'Intro' onwards."
In its first week at iTunes, the album has held the number 1 position on the UK Alternative chart. The track "Fitzpleasure" is already receiving airplay at tastemaking radio stations KCRW Los Angeles, KEXP Seattle, KCMP Minneapolis, and WFUV New York.
2012Candy Say's: This is just so good, proving that daring to be different can be so worth while. Alt-J just get on with it and avoid the trap of being self indulgent. Listen: Fitzpleasure (mp3). Web: Official HERE. ========================================================================
Background:Inspired by wildness, fueled by instinct, Jenee Halstead?s sophomore LP, Raised by Wolves is as much a departure in form for Halstead as it is a return to the energetic, carefree days of her wandering youth. Halstead and her producer Evan Brubaker create a unique dark pop/Americana on Wolves by combining old instruments with new techniques - rendering a dobro unrecognizable with a wah pedal, distorting banjos and adding electronic beats to acoustic tunes.
The songs on the album are charged with life and passion, surely a result of Halstead changing both the perspective and instrument she used when writing. ?These songs were much more challenging physically and emotionally than my first two albums, and it pretty much stretched me in every way as a writer and singer,? says Halstead, who wrote the songs on Raised by Wolves using ukulele and piano. ?I sang in area of my range that I hadn?t really sung in since college and really wanted to explore more of the high soprano timbre of my voice that hadn?t been used on my first two albums.? Raised by Wolves is due out August,13th.
With creative abandon, Raised By Wolves slams an old beat box into surf guitars, banjo, and ukulele; mixing a chorus of tenor guitars, handclaps, and synth bass. Drawing on influences like PJ Harvey and Kate Bush, multi-instrumentalist/producer Brubaker (Rachel Harrington & The Knockouts, Edie Carey) empties the musical space, giving all the attention to Halstead's extraordinary voice. The twisted banjo of Danny Barnes, sly drumming of Joel Litwin, and distorted Dobro of Colby Sander help Raised By Wolves create a re-invigorated Dark Pop/Americana that surrounds Halstead's vocals with a variety of surprises.
2012Candy Say's: Another artist to watch out for in the coming months, this is a sensitive atmospheric song that has ensured I want to hear more. Listen: Raised By Wolves(mp3). Web: Official HERE. ========================================================================
Background:Art Decade?s guitarist/vocalist/arranger Ben Talmi ?grew up on a strict diet of the finest classical music there is,? and it shows. The group?s Western Sunrise album is filled with some of the most breathtaking string arrangements you?ll ever hear on a popular music album. The band?s other half is Binod Singh, its lone Canadian and more of a Motown and soul guy, on bass. The outfit describes its music as neo indie classical, symphonic post-pop and rock, but it actually fits all these categorizations and more. You don?t have to listen long, for instance, to pick up on a progressive electric guitar part here, and a club dance beat there. Were you to limit it mentally to only, say, the classical/symphonic label, however, you may well miss out on also recognizing the group?s more aggressive rock instincts, which are very much on overt display. Talmi studied at Berklee School of Music, which is one of most respected musical education institutions, if not the greatest school of musical higher learning. However, Talmi came out of this advanced school with his head on straight and his love for music still intact.
?A strong musical education can do many things to a musician, oftentimes people become jaded with their acquired musical knowledge, becoming frustrated with the state of popular music and its general lack of musical depth,? explains Talmi. ?Others are unable to escape the education and end up producing very indulgent and selfish music. I truly hope to take what I have learned and apply it in a very mature way.? Indeed, Art Decade?s music is as entertaining, as it its thought-provoking. Art Decade also sets its goals extremely high. Talmi says he hopes to ?make albums that perfectly represent our artistic vision without any compromise.? In a world were compromise is sometimes the name of the game, it takes a strong-willed individual like Talmi to turn his lofty dreams into reality.
However, this man that grew up on the classics ? and by classics, we don?t mean Led Zeppelin; instead, we mean Mozart, Beethoven and Bach -- wants his music to remembered the same special way as his classical heroes. ?I want to make modern music that is played in halls hundreds of years later, like classical music is today.? Therefore, Art Decade has no intentions of merely remaining a remnant of our current decade. Rather, this group is shooting to be remembered for decades and decades to come.
2012Candy Say's: The rock music meets classical music arena can be a dangerous place to enter. Thoughts of over indulgent prog rockers of old spring to mind. This however is refreshingly and surprisingly good music that really stands out in the crowd. Listen: Breeze (mp3). Web: Official HERE. ========================================================================
Background:Singer/keyboardist Erika Forster (Au Revoir Simone) has released the first single 'Hidden' off her forthcoming self-titled debut EP, coming out on pop label Cascine on July 10th. Backed by Jorge Elbrecht of Violens on percussion (who she released a 7"split with last year), Erika fills out her sound. Under Elbrecht's guidance as producer, she experimented with effects and instrumentation, recording a handful of tracks at his Greenpoint home studio in 2011.
Spring began writing music as part of a multimedia project in her schooldays. After performing with local outfit, Dirty On Purpose, she discovered her affinity for keyboards, collecting an assortment and putting them to use composing original material. Before long she was collaborating on songs after work with a couple of similarly synth-minded girlfriends, eventually forming officially as the band, Au Revoir Simone. Over the next seven years Au Revoir Simone would see success, writing and recording three albums and touring extensively. In 2010 the group was put on hold so that members could focus on continuing education and starting a family. Erika took the opportunity to explore some personal musical territory.
Setting out on her own, she has taken elements of her band's sound and spun them into her own brand of bittersweet, sun-bleached pop. Breathing vocals over mesmerizing keyboard phrases, Erika produces an effect that approaches the supernatural, with tough, spring-loaded beats lending gravity to the otherwise hazy, delirious songs. The music conjures scenes of blustery romance amidst the dunes, of love as a mirage, of softly raising the dead.
2012Candy Say's: This is a great song to finish this round up with. A multi layered song with superb vocals that match the music and draw you in. Listen: Hidden (mp3). Web: Facebook HERE. ======================================================================== Listen:
Hello, well i've been procrastinating, distracted by tennis and soccer as well as making a small dent in my back catalogue of about 100 movies, normally posting takes up most of the free-time. I did get me an up to-date XP Pro, now I really have to get my old system back up again, consider not having played any music for weeks-shocking.
Meanwhile I have the last episode of the Hitchhikers Guide to keep your spirits up.
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Here is the BBC television adaptation of Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy broadcast in January and February 1981 on BBC Two. The adaptation follows the original radio series in 1978 and 1980. The series stars Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, David Dixon as Ford Prefect, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox and Sandra Dickinson as Trillian. The voice of the guide is by Peter Jones. Simon Jones, Peter Jones, Stephen Moore and Mark Wing-Davey had already provided the voices for their characters in the original radio series in 1978/80. In addition, the series features a number of notable cameo roles, including Adams himself on several occasions.
Although initially thought by BBC executives to be unfilmable, the series was successfully produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell and went on to win a Royal Television Society award as Most Original Programme of 1981, as well as several BAFTA awards for its graphics and editing.
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The series final episode.
Just before the supercool all-black ship crashes into a sun, Zaphod, Trillian, Ford, and Arthur escape in a teleport module that they convince Marvin to stay behind and operate. He is still on the ship when it heads into the sun. Ford and Arthur arrive without Zaphod and Trillian on a spaceship carrying millions people in cryogenic pods. The ship's inhabitants are from Golgafrincham; they are all "middle men"; i.e. the people that the smart Golgafrinchams (the "thinkers" and the "doers") back home wanted to get rid of.
The ship lands on pre-historic Earth. Ford realizes that the Golgafrinchams, not the primitive cave dwellers already on the planet, are the ones that will evolve into the human race. The episode ends with the two friends lamenting the eventual destruction of the Earth. The regular theme music follows the song "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong.
The long awaited theme song for the movie Love in Disguise which stars and directed by Lee Hom himself finally premieres online today!
The MV features snippets from the movie which tells the story of a famous pop star (Leehom) whom disguises himself as an average Joe to find true love.
"All The Things You Never Knew"
Here's the teaser trailer of Love In Disguise
Pre-order the latest album titled '18 Martial Arts', releasing on 13th August and you're entitled entry to Lee Hom's showcase held at Central Park Avenue, 1 Utama this 22nd August at 6pm!
Check out Sony Music Malaysia on their Facebook page hereand follow them on Twitter for more details
The Amity Affliction has been handpicked by the staff of Alternative Press magazine to join the lineup of the fourth annual AP Tour. The 32-day trek will kick off mid-October and run through the end of November.
The tour will be headlined by Miss May I, with support from The Ghost Inside, Like Moths to Flames, The Amity Affliction and Glass Cloud.
“The metal is back this fall!”, says AP marketing director Dawn Marshman. “This lineup really showcases the diversity of this genre and each band’s modern spin on it. Be prepared for paint-peeling decibels, pummeling breakdowns and murderous vocals. Bring on the punishing!”
Ticket presales begin August 7-9, with tickets going on regular sale August 10 at 10 AM local time.
The Amity Affliction's new album, Chasing Ghosts, will be released in September.
This week, we focus strictly on R & B and Soul as we continue our weekly addition of 32 Artists in 32 Genres. Each week voters chose six artists from a ballot of 32. Points are given to where they are placed on the ballot they return or each artist receives 3.5 points a piece if no order is requested. Points are tallied and The Top 8 are featured each Friday on station to station. A semifinal round will begin this autumn pitting the semifinalists against each other. Out of the 20 voters, 15 (75%) cast ballots in the the R & B/Soul Division. Out of the 32 artists, 20 received at least one vote. 6 different artists received first place votes.
Marvin Gaye takes the top honor this week receiving the most points. His 56.5 points on 12 votes was enough to position him in the 16th place on The Top Artists Of All Time leader board. Gaye had high vote placements with 3 first place votes and 6 second place votes. Second place was tight with Stevie Wonder edging out Michael Jackson by half a point. Wonder and Jackson also each received three first place votes between them. Only 2.5 points separated the 4th through 7th place positions. Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Al Green and The Temptations all received several votes and very respectable point totals to move ahead. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles got 5 votes and enough points to finish comfortably in the 8 spot ahead of The Jackson 5 and Tina Turner.
You can keep up with The Top Artists Of All Time (32 artists, 32 Genres) by clicking the tab at the top of the home page to see who's moving on to the semi-final round of 256. Below are The Top 8 artists from the R & B/Soul Division (with total points and votes received), the artists who just missed or had votes cast, and the ballots randomly placed at the bottom. Thanks again to those who voted this week!
Key Albums: Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul, The Dock Of The Bay
5 Essential Tracks: I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now), I Can Turn You Loose, Try A Little Tenderness, Tramp, (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
Key Albums: The Temptations Sing Smokey, Psychedelic Shack
5 Essential Tracks: My Girl, Ain't Too Proud To Beg, Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today), Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), Papa Was A Rolling Stone
5 Essential Tracks: Shop Around, You've Really Got A Hold On Me, The Tracks Of My Tears, Going To A Go-Go, The Tears Of A Clown
_______________________________________________________________________________ Missed The Cut (Total Number Of Points And Votes): The Jackson Five 11.5 (4), Tina Turner 6.5 (2), Four Tops 6 (2), Sade 5 (2), Sam Cooke 4 (3), Sam And Dave 4 (1), Jackie Wilson 4 (1), The Supremes 3.5 (1), Gladys Knight & The Pips 3.5 (1), The Staples Singers 2 (1), Roberta Flack 2 (1), Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 2 (1), Dusty Springfield 1 (1)
No Votes: Archie Bell & The Drells, Bobby Womack, Dobie Gray, Jr. Walker & The All-Stars, Percy Sledge, The Chi-Lites, The Delfonics, The Dramatics, The Impressions, The Isley Brothers, Wilson Pickett
Ballots: 1-1. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 2. Marvin Gaye 3. Jackie Wilson 4. Al Green 5. Harold Melvin & The Bluetones 6. The Temptations 2-1. Michael Jackson 2. Aretha Franklin 3. Sade 4. Marvin Gaye 5. Al Green 6. Otis Redding 3-1. Marvin Gaye 2. Michael Jackson 3. Stevie Wonder 4. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 5. The Jackson 5 6. Sade 4-1. Michael Jackson 2. Marvin Gaye 3. Stevie Wonder 4. Tina Turner 5. The Staples Singers 6. The Temptations 5-(No Order) Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson, The Temptations, The Supremes 6-1. Otis Redding 2. Aretha Franklin 3. Sam And Dave 4. Al Green 5. Stevie Wonder 6. Michael Jackson 7-1. Marvin Gaye 2. Four Tops 3. Al Green 4. Otis Redding 5. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 6. Dusty Springfield 8-1. Stevie Wonder 2. The Jackson 5 3. The Temptations 4. Al Green 5. Otis Redding 6. Sam Cooke 9-1. Stevie Wonder 2. Michael Jackson 3. Otis Redding 4. Aretha Franklin 5. Marvin Gaye 6. Sam Cooke 10-1. Marvin Gaye 2. Stevie Wonder 3. The Temptations 4. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 5. Michael Jackson 6. Otis Redding 11-1. The Temptations 2. Marvin Gaye 3. Aretha Franklin 4. Otis Redding 5. Sam Cooke 6. Four Tops 12-(No Order) Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Tina Turner 13-1. Stevie Wonder 2. Marvin Gaye 3. Al Green 4. Michael Jackson 5. Aretha Franklin 6. The Temptations 14-1. Al Green 2. Marvin Gaye 3. Michael Jackson 4. Otis Redding 5. Roberta Flack 6. Stevie Wonder 15-1. Michael Jackson 2. Marvin Gaye 3. Aretha Franklin 4. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 5. Stevie Wonder 6. The Jackson 5
Pandora Radio is a truly remarkable thing. A customizable radio station where you simply plug in a genre or artist and you get a selection of material tailored to your likes at that moment. This approach has led me to find several cool sounds I wouldn't have normally discovered. Such is the case with YPPAH. Falling into the electronic genre doesn't quite do this artist justice but if one must classify it, then electronic it is. 
