Music IS What Matters: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Hungrytown - Any Forgotten Thing

2011, Listen Here! Records

Simplicity is a gift in music, a fact well-appreciated by Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, collectively known as Hungrytown. The duo spends most of their time on the road, and spends their time at home together laying down new material to keep the fire going. Their latest effort, Any Forgotten Thin, plays like a collection of twelve classic folk and pop songs, but is entirely original and driven by the simple beauty of Rebecca Hall's alto and the sparse yet fulfilling arrangements crafted by Anderson. Any Forgotten Thing also features a trio of backup vocal performances from the talented Laura Molinelli.

Any Forgotten Thing opens with "Year Without A Summer", the tale of a young lass who gives herself up with the promise of a spring wedding that never happens. He leaves town and she is left with a baby to care for, all set against the Poverty Year of 1816, a period of global cooling caused by the Mount Tambora (Indonesia) volcanic eruption of 1815. The number plays like an Irish folk song, and is beautiful in its na�vet� and hope. "Rolling Train" is a pretty folk ballad that uses deep energy to describe a relationship. The arrangement is striking, infusing European sounds into the mix while allowing the simple beautify of the melody to reign. "Just Like A Song" is a song of hope, memorializing the struggles of day-to-day life to the process of writing music.

"Never Realized" is a message to all who will listen to make the most out of the time they have; pointing out time's tendency to slip away with the dreams we never acted upon. There is no melancholy or loss here, just a simple wish to not wait to do the things that make you happy. Anderson's arrangement is a perfect complement to the melody line, creating a quiet yet notable "Wow" moment. "Any Forgotten Thing" explores the feeling of behind left aside in a mildly peppy and poignant tune that is as refreshing as it is surprising. This could have been written as a self-pitying tale of woe, but becomes beautiful in its honest, unaffected delivery.

"Calliope" is an ethereal number using the instrument and its traditional placement in a circus carousel as an allegory for the way the mind circles around regret for past choices. This utterly artful piece of songwriting is lyric in word and poetic in composition; a thing of beauty. "Falling Star" is the stripped down wonderment of night; Hungrytown's sparse arrangement allows Hall's eclectically lovely voice to shine. "Make It All Work Out" uses subtly biting humor to poke holes in the facade of modern consumer culture, where mindless and spineless define perfect citizenship. Hungrytown accompanies the story with a smarmy little folk/pop arrangement that is just out of sync; giving the appearance of perfection but only if you don't look too closely. This is accomplished without giving the ham-handed appearance of a blatant attempt, implying a quiet genius in orchestration that is worth keeping an eye (and ear) on going forward.

"Under A Broken Sun" is a mournful and poignant number that dwells on the suffering of those who live in constant danger from the world around them, while "Like You Do" is a gentle kiss off that isn't as mutually benign as it may, at first sound. Hall calls out a former love match for unspecified dysfunction, but portrays it in a fashion that shows the dysfunction ran both ways. Hungrytown closes with "The Sweetest Flower", a gorgeous a cappella piece with its roots firmly planted in Appalachian folk and the high lonesome sound of Monrovian Bluegrass. It's a gentle slip into the good night that will draw you in, hoping for more from Hungrytown.

Hungrytown travels the rails and back country roads of folk, country and gentle pop on Any Forgotten Thing. The mix of Rebecca Hall's voice and poignant songwriting, and Ken Anderson's brilliantly simple arrangements is musical gold. This is an album you put on 'repeat all' and live with for a while, and then revisit often in the comfort of old friends. Any Forgotten Thing is destined for year-end, best-of lists.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Hungrytown at www.hungrytown.net or www.facebook.com/hungrytown. Any Forgotten Things is available on Amazon.com as a CD or Download. The album is also available via iTunes.

Source: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/hungrytown-any-forgotten-thing.html

The Little Ones Islands Jets Overhead The Ruby Suns

Full Length Release The Sunbird

A couple of months ago I previewed the lead single from Zach Rogue of ROGUE WAVE's solo record under the moniker of RELEASE THE SUNBIRD. Now the full length record is out and it is magnificent. Rogue has said the record was a chance to make a vocal heavy record that was softer in tone and subject matter than the usual Rogue Wave records and he has succeeded.

The opening acoustic strums of "It's All Around You" led to a drum beat and guitar line that is reminiscent of his day job but with a nice hammond organ addition. From there the record charts it's own course. The title track, "Come Back To Us", drifts on a acoustic strum and a shared vocal with singer Kate Long. The dual vocals highlight Rogue's own sensitive hushed vocal style to great effect. "No Light" has a nice shuffle to it driven by a bass line that slithers around the lyrics. "Best Thing For Me" is full of "oohs and aahs" as he does his best JACK JOHNSON impression. "Back Strikes Back" is a bluesy verse accompanied by a sunny chorus for an oddly captivating dissonance in song structure. "Running Away From Me" dips it's toes in a country twang that would not be lost on RYAN ADAMS. The closing number, "Outlook's Anonymous", borrows from THE BEATLES playbook to a nice coda to the work. The songs slow build never really materializes to anything epic but gives the listener a sense of finishing to an immaculate collection of song craft.

Rogue has said that this record does not signal the end of Rogue Wave but merely a chance to stretch out his vocal talents. I hope that some of his experiments here find their way into the cannon of Rogue Wave musical skills. It would make them that much better of a band, and that is saying something.

(mp3) Release The Sunbird -- Come Back To Us

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/sQBf/~3/AV0q3hV9zPE/full-length-release-sunbird.html

The Vines Liquid Blue The Orchids Frou Frou

In the Heart of Pop

For some reason it is not very easy to discover new excellent bands. I don't work too hard trying to find them but I think I have discovered a new one. Originally I saw the name Secret Powers in email newsletters from Not Lame. I had even ordered myself an album by the band but never really had time to get into it... I got several other cool CDs at the same time.

A few days ago I decided to check out an album by Secret Powers: Secret Powers and the Electric Family Choir (2009). The album cover seems to refer to a sunshine pop band of the 60s but the music is something a bit different. The overall feel surely is all about spectacular 60s pop hooks in the spirit of the Beatles. There is also a lot of influence from ELO: big harmonies, beatlesque melodies. The result sounds quite a bit like Wondermints which is always a good thing. Extra points go of course to great songwriting and arrangements and musical variety ? a country song in the middle of the album is just cool. To cut a long story short, and even though my acquaintance with this band surely has been short, I am most definitely willing to announce Secret Powers as classic pop perfection!

So, even at first this album sounded really interesting. I was probably too stressed out to be able to hear the absolute beauty but now I am starting to hear it. One of the best things is that Secret Powers has released several albums during a relatively short time period. I am going to get them all.

I can't help loving the dramatic feel of Lazy Men, soft pop of By the Sea, Treat Your Mother Nice (Beach Boys, anyone?) and Misery (ELO alert!!), country of Ghost Town, Wondermints psych-pop of You Know It's Time... Everything here is really good. Gee, I am just really excited about this stuff! It is melancholic (but so is ELO, too), creative, carefully arranged and has soul.

Many popsters have already checked this band out but if you haven't, go ahead... There are some really excellent songs at MySpace. On the website there are some videos, including one for Orange Trees which is a song from the Electric Choir album. The video has some quite violent imagery but I guess that is the point of it.

All in all, lovely music... I'm in love.

Secret Powers Website
Secret Powers at MySpace

Source: http://thoughtsonmelody.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-heart-of-pop.html

The National Yo La Tengo The Grenadiers Grizzly Bear (band)

Behemoth ? Abyssus Abyssum Invocat (2011)

Polish death metal act Behemoth has revealed the details for its forthcoming 2-CD set, titled "Abyssus Abyssum Invocat." The new release features two previous Behemoth EPs, which both are currently out-of-print, and includes all new expanded artwork as well as bonus tracks on each disc. The two EPs featured are "Conjuration" and "Slaves Shall Serve." "Abyssus Abyssum Invocat" is set for release on May 17, 2011 in North America through Metal Blade Records. A European release will arrive in stores on April 18, 2011 through Peaceville Records.

Behemoth "Slaves Shall Serve" by Metal Blade Records

Source: http://4metal.blogspot.com/2011/06/behemoth-abyssus-abyssum-invocat-2011.html

The Olivia Tremor Control Joan Of Arc Saturday Looks Good to Me Television Personalities

Welcome, Mr. Lynne

Hooray, hooray, I have finally discovered Electric Light Orchestra! By ?discovering? I of course mean the beginning of active listening. Now that I think about it is quite strange that it didn't happen earlier. ELO is a dream come true for a popster like me but I never got around to check out the band until about a month ago.

It all began almost Out of the Blue. One day I noticed I had put some ELO into my mp3 player and thought about trying something ?new?... I listened to the album once and immediately heard a lot of pop beauty. Repeated listening revealed new dimensions and soon I was hooked to everything on the album.

The sound... The songs! The string arrangements... The mood! Based on my current listening experince of Out of the Blue and Time (1981) I can only say that I have discovered some sort of a missing link that explains certain common things about many bands that I admire. I feel I understand now why many bands sound like what they sound like. Even right now, as I listen to ELO, I constantly think to myself that the music really sounds like the Flaming Lips, or the Apples in Stereo. While being pure 70s pop gold ELO is a link to both the past and present. ELO is an intriguing combination of 60s influence (the Beatles etc.) and being the influence for countless later bands.

Out of the Blue was released as a double LP in 1977. By today's standards it doesn't feel like a double album but it doesn't matter at all... I can't really think of any other album that contains as many songs as 17 all of which are really great. In addition to great songwriting, beautiful melodies and hooks there are stunning strings everywhere. The album has a good balance between classic single hits (Turn to Stone, Sweet Talking Woman, Mr. Blue Sky), rock-oriented material (Across the Border, Birmingham Blues), powerful ballads (Stepping Out, Big Wheels) and songs that, in my opinion, are memorable especially because they are instrumental-driven (Standing in the Rain, The Whale)

So, what else would I like to mention about this album (or ELO in general)... Of course it has to be said that the harmonies are gorgeous ? very Queen/Styx, I think. But there is a lot of the Beach Boys as well. On the other hand, the vocals often remind me of disco-era Bee Gees... Another really interesting thing about ELO is that the music tends to have a nice, gentle psychedelic vibe. The songs with their arrangements create such a strong atmosphere that it almost scares me! Music like this is from another world ? a world more interesting and colorful but also more dramatic and sometimes wondrously melancholic, when you think about it..

Perfect, catchy symphonic pop/rock with big harmonies, rich sounds, a wonderfully grandiose mood and impeccable songwriting. Gee, ELO's got everything! Why doesn't music like this sell millions anymore, why oh why... (If it did it would probably have many nice by-products - more frequent concerts, for instance.)

There is so very much to cherish on this one album [Out of the Blue] alone... But I intend to listen to the other ELO albums as well. I don't want to rush but sometimes I just can't keep great pop waiting. And there is of course the Move. We'll see what happens next...

Source: http://thoughtsonmelody.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-mr-lynne.html

Joan Of Arc Saturday Looks Good to Me Television Personalities The Fiery Furnaces

Catherine Sykes - Something Wonderful

Catherine Sykes - Something Wonderful
2011, Catherine Sykes

Catherine Sykes is a vocalist from Yorkshire, England who has quietly become one of the most respected interpreters of American style jazz in Europe. Performing throughout Europe with The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK, The Manhattan Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra, Sykes has built an impressive following. Her travels have even taken her to a prime residency in Japan. Sykes' previous album, Singing In, was featured on the UK's Radio 2 and Humphrey Lyttleton's Best Of Jazz radio program. Sykes rides that momentum into album number two, a collection of updated jazz standards entitled Something Wonderful.

Sykes opens with George & Ira Gershwin's "I've Got A Crush On You", showing off a sweet and mature alto voice that just melts into your ears. This is the perfect intro number for Sykes, who sounds like she would have been right at home on an AM radio dial alongside Kay Starr, Jo Stafford and Sarah Vaughan. "Lean Baby" is a solid number that allows Sykes to shine, although her pianist nearly steals the show with a wicked solo in the breakdown. Juan Tizol and Irving Mills' "Caravan" is a slinky little Latin Jazz love song that shows off some of the unusual timbre of Sykes' voice. Stylistically it's a pleasant surprise slipped in here, and musically, Syke's band achieves a moment of perfect in interpretation.

Sykes heads to Broadway with Vernon Dake's "Taking A Chance On Love (Cabin In The Sky), and delivers one of the standout performances on the album. A stylish vocal line is matched by a distinctive energy in the backing band, creating musical sparks. Sykes is in fine voice, and manages to create a classic sound in the process of interpreting an underappreciated gem. "London By Night" is a supper club number that blends a sense of excitement with regretful melancholy. This isn't Sykes' most memorable effort, but the song is solid throughout. Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Waters Of March" gets watered down next in a well-intended but ultimately imperfect effort. Sykes is in wonderful voice here, and shows a distinctive talent for phrasing, but the emotional impact here is somewhat lackluster. Stylistic and technically superior, this version just doesn't capture the sense of wonder this song conveys at its best.

Sykes recovers nicely on Rodgers and Hart's "I Could Write A Book" (Pal Joey), delivering a classic reading of a classic number in dark and dulcet tones. Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye" (Pal Joey), finds Sykes serving up a gorgeous vocal line alongside a vibrant acoustic guitar accompaniment. This is perhaps the most intimate vocal moment on the album, and Sykes absolutely shines. "He's Not The Boy I Knew Before" is a cute number that wears thin with its playful, stream of conscious style. Sykes handles it well vocally, but this song just isn't a great fit for the flow of the album. Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Something Wonderful" (The King And I) features Sykes delivering her most lovely and lyric vocal line of the album, over a gorgeous piano accompaniment that flows like water. Sung here as a smooth, sweet love song, Sykes creates a "Wow" moment, where time stops and you can simply get lost in the song. Something Wonderful winds to a close with "Let's Get Away From It All", a solid number that unfortunately is almost an afterthought in the wake of "Something Wonderful".

Catherine Sykes has a voice that draws you in, sits you down, and impresses on you the need to stay for awhile. Her interpretations on Something Wonderful are generally right on target, and occasionally pass over the barrier into the sublime. It's easy to understand why Sykes is so in demand in Europe, and hard to understand why we haven't heard much of her yet on this side of the pond. But with a voice like the one you'll hear on Something Wonderful, you have to conclude that it's only a matter of time.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Catherine Sykes at www.catherinesykes.com. Something Wonderful is available as a CD or Download from CDBaby.com.

Source: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/catherine-sykes-something-wonderful.html

Labrador (band) The Magic Numbers The Go! Team The Honey Buzzards

RhoDeo 1129 Illuminatus 4th (3)

Hello, i hope you all arestill with it, i know it aint that easy and hey it aint the black and white world of Harry Potter. Today the 4th trips last 3 chapters of the first Trilogy band, confusingly part of the 2nd book Discord. There's 5 socalled books, containing 10 trips in all, these Trips have been subdivided into chapters aswell, all this would have been most confusing back then but these days our computers will cough it up nicely spread over The Trilogy Bands

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

The three parts of the trilogy are subdivided into five "books" named after the five seasons of the Discordian calendar (Chaos, Discord, Confusion, Bureaucracy, The Aftermath). This book is not designed to be easy to digest. You are not meant to internalize its message thoughtlessly. It's funny, contradictory, and self-aware, and it's hard for people who take themselves seriously to get caught up in a book that, for the most part, doesn't. I could say this book deserves to be more than a cult classic, its cultural influence will continue to seep in with or without grander acclaim.

The plot meanders between the thoughts, hallucinations and inner voices (both real and imagined) of its many characters, as well as through time (past, present and future)? sometimes in mid-sentence. Much of the back story is explained via dialogue between characters, who recount unreliable, often mutually contradictory, versions of their supposed histories. There are even parts in the book in which the narrative reviews and jokingly deconstructs the work itself.

The Illuminatus ! Trilogy was performed by the incomparable Ken Campbell and Chris Fairbank, and broadcast live in London on ResonanceFM in June 2006. In 1976, Ken Campbell adapted Illuminatus! for the stage - a 10 hour epic which went on to open the Royal National Theatre in London under the patronage of Her Majesty Elizabeth II. Chris Fairbank played Simon Moon, among other characters. 30 years and 23 Fernando Poos since Ken and Chris first breathed life into Shea and Wilson's masterpiece and Illuminatus! seems even more startlingly relevant and chock full of laughter than ever before. Enjoy the Trips!

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

The trilogy's rambling story begins with an investigation by two New York City detectives (Saul Goodman and Barney Muldoon) into the bombing of Confrontation, a leftist magazine, and the disappearance of its editor, Joe Malik. Discovering the magazine's investigation into the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr., the two follow a trail of memos that suggest the involvement of powerful secret societies. They slowly become drawn into a web of conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, the magazine's reporter, George Dorn ? having been turned loose without support deep in right-wing Mad Dog, Texas ? is arrested for drug possession. He is jailed and physically threatened, at one point hallucinating about his own execution. The prison is bombed and he is rescued by the Discordians, led by the enigmatic Hagbard Celine, captain of a golden submarine. Hagbard represents the Discordians in their eternal battle against the Illuminati, the conspiratorial organization that secretly controls the world. He finances his operations by smuggling illicit substances.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

The Eye In The Pyramid, Discord, 4th Trip (7-9) (64 min, 15mb)

04-07 George Declassified (30:43)
04-08 George Initiation (17:46)
04-09 Howard's Song (15:12)

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

previously

The Eye In The Pyramid, Chaos 1st Trip (1-4) (60 min, 14mb)
The Eye In The Pyramid, Chaos 1st Trip (5-8) (77 min, 18mb)
The Eye In The Pyramid, Chaos 2nd Trip (88 min, 20mb)
The Eye In The Pyramid, Chaos 3rd Trip (1-3) (63 min, 15mb)
The Eye In The Pyramid, Chaos 3rd Trip (4-6) (65 min, 15mb)
The Eye In The Pyramid, Discord, 4th Trip (1-3) 1) (85 min, 19mb)
The Eye In The Pyramid, Discord, 4th Trip (4-6) (50 min, 12mb)
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Source: http://rho-xs.blogspot.com/2011/07/rhodeo-1129-illuminatus-4th-3.html

Immaculate Machine Tahiti 80 Talulah Gosh Kate Nash

Short Review Of Noel Gallagher's 'What A Life'

Now we're off into another place entirely. And that place - there's no other way to describe it - is the disco. What A Life! has a pounding piano reminiscent of early house music, and the four-to-the-fall beat that belongs under a gliterball. It's in a cloak of acid rock too, with squealing guitars and Sympathy For The Devil-style whoo-hoos.

Source: Mojo Magazine

Source: http://stopcryingyourheartoutnews.blogspot.com/2011/07/short-review-of-noel-gallaghers-what.html

Hidden Cameras The Housemartins Ladyhawke Maow

Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Generationals mine the past

I love when bands find a way to take an old sound and refurbish it into something new. THE GENERATIONALS are a duo from New Orleans that have taken care over 2 records and an ep to try to pay homage to the 60's British Invasion sound through a uniquely American lens.

The band's latest record, "Actor-Caster", opens with a bluesy shuffle entitled "Ten-Twenty-Ten" before gliding into the piano and guitar slink of "I Promise". "You Say It Too" has some KINKS DNA in it along with the distorted vocals made famous by the DAVE CLARK FIVE. What is refreshing about the record is not how it works over the past but makes it accessible to those who were not around to hear it in the first place. This is the kind of album that makes you research the bands it uses a markers for it's sound. Enjoy the swirl of "Dirty Mister Dirty" then go and look into THE TROGGS? But rather than mine the past it's better to live in the future with this gem of a record.

The Generationals are offering two free songs here.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/sQBf/~3/aQAD0bnc8hM/generationals-mine-past.html

Grizzly Bear (band) Tegan and Sara Monkey Swallows the Universe Heavenly

Ricky Skaggs - Country Hits: Bluegrass Style

Ricky Skaggs - Country Hits: Bluegrass Style
2011, Skaggs Family Records

What makes a musical legend? Perhaps you could start with being the head of an eight-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Instrumental Band of the Year (Kentucky Thunder). Somewhere in there you could add fourteen GRAMMY Awards, 8 ACM Awards, 8 CMA Awards, and have twelve consecutive albums receive GRAMMY nominations. Or perhaps it would take no less than someone such as Chet Atkins declaring that you personally saved country music. Somewhere in there your persona will take on a life of its own. So it is for Ricky Skaggs. Skaggs seems to never make a wrong move musically, but his latest album is a real treat. Country Hits: Bluegrass Style revisits his country hits of the 1980's and early 1990's, putting a bluegrass spin on some of Skaggs' most requested songs.

Skaggs sets off with an incredibly catchy and danceable take on "Heartbroke". The instrumental work beneath the surface is absolutely superb, and the entertainment value is high. Skaggs sails through the vocals in an easy-going fashion. "Honey (Open That Door)", one of Skaggs' most requested songs, is done up in classic country style, with guitar work Chet Atkins himself would be proud of. "Cajun Moon" blends old school country and Zydeco in a classy arrangement you'll find it hard to shake. Skaggs sounds a lot like Hank Williams on the Flatt and Scruggs penned "Crying My Heart Out Over You". Sweet and full of sorrow, Skaggs creates a masterful arrangement decorated with amazing vocal harmonies. "He Was On To Something (So He Made You)" shows Skaggs' more subtle side on guitar, in a sweet arrangement that washes over you like water.

"Highway 40 Blues" is a sweet homage to life on the road where Skaggs and his band find a moment of instrumental perfection. This leads into the virulently catchy "Uncle Pen", a celebration of country music with vocal harmonies that will send chills down your spine. Skaggs takes listens for a brilliant, high-speed romp on "Country Boy". Anyone who has ever slung a guitar or banjo over their shoulder will be absolutely in awe of the instrumental work here, which blends speed, precision and musicality and takes the listener to dizzying heights in a true "WOW" moment.

Skaggs begins winding down with the classic-style country ballad "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could". This sweet rendition is memorable; reverent to the original but with more of a home grown feel. "Don't Get Above Your Raising" is a catchy and fun mid-tempo number; fun fluff that you can dance to without working too hard. Country Hits, Bluegrass Style closes with "Somebody's Prayin'", a sweet number steeped in the blended history of gospel and country. Skaggs' unadorned voice lends to the simple beauty of the song, and is the perfect to say "until next time."

Rather than simply drop a compilation of recordings his ardent fans already have, Ricky Skaggs makes the classy choice to re-interpret his biggest country hits in bluegrass style. For some of the songs presented on Country Hits: Bluegrass Style the jump isn't so large, but Skaggs breathes new life into old songs and in the process reminds us all why his is one of the most revered names in country music. Don't be surprised if Country Hits: Bluegrass Style becomes the 13th consecutive Skaggs album to be nominated for, and ultimately brings home his 15th GRAMMY Award.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.rickyskaggs.com or www.myspace.com/rickyskaggs. Country Hits: Bluegrass Style is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download. The album is also available via iTunes.

Source: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/ricky-skaggs-country-hits-bluegrass.html

Passion Pit Kings of Leon Language of Flowers Starflyer 59

Otisburg - Goodbye California

Here is the first track from Otisburg's Born Yesterday, "Goodbye California."

Find more artists like Otisburg at Myspace Music

Source: http://otterlimits.blogspot.com/2011/07/otisburg-goodbye-california.html

The Honey Buzzards Helen Marnie Malcolm Middleton Grandaddy

Catherine Sykes - Something Wonderful

Catherine Sykes - Something Wonderful
2011, Catherine Sykes

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Catherine Sykes at www.catherinesykes.com. Something Wonderful is available as a CD or Download from CDBaby.com.

Source: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/catherine-sykes-something-wonderful.html

Young Galaxy This Providence The Flatmates You Say Party

New Photos

I added 3 photos to my Photos of the Moment stream. Click the Art Gallery tab above to see more.
I took these on our recent trip to Canada.

Source: http://iguitaround.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-photos.html

Mighty Mighty Lucky Soul The Sneetches Sambassadeur

RhoDeo 1130 Grooves

Hello, it would be hard to pass on the death of Amy Winehouse earlier this week. She led a tumultuous life and yet 15 years ago she was an aspiring timid teen with ambition to make it as a singer. The path was cleared but 3 years later her hormones led her to a more independent stance, which has to be said went smooth, three years later record labels were fighting over her. Amy's first love affair inspired her to write the Mercury nominated debut album, Frank, it went platinum in the UK, yet storms clouds were already gathering.

In various interviews, she admitted to having problems with self-harm, depression and eating disorders In 2005, she went through a period of drinking, heavy drug use, violent mood swings and weight loss. Nobody in her surroundings got the true picture, the one that did, her later husband Frank, only, he joined in and stimulated her on a path of self destruction. Despite all that she managed to write Back To Black, an album that got a bizarre number of accolades (even for a jewish artist)Five Grammys, including three of the "Big Four": Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. On 14 February 2007, she won a BRIT Award for Best British Female Artist; she had also been nominated for Best British Album. Back to Black was the world's seventh biggest selling album for 2008. It certainly didn't help her leaving her self destructive path.

The years that followed gave the British tabloids plenty of field days as she stumbled on, often drunk or on other substance abuse. After her marriage was dissolved, hubby Frank had been imprisoned for 1/4 of the 2 years it officially lasted. She seemed on the mend after several clinical visits mainly because she contracted emphysema which would have cut short her singing career, still Amy continued smoking. She did however write and record too, the result will probably see the light of day later this year, as the album has been postponed from earlier this year.. In the years since back to black her concerts often failed to impress as she seemed more interested in Frank-in the audience- as the public. Her latest tour was canceled as the first gig ended in disaster, she was almost too drunk to stand on her feet.

Now she's dead at a moment her surroundings felt she was doing better, how sad. Clearly those around her never had a clue what her underlying problem was. I never much followed Amy and it may sound arrogant here, but doing some research for this post, i almost immediately recognised her problem, her amygdala ! Her GP (doctor) must have been incompetent otherwise he would have referred her to a neurologist. Lot's of research has and is being done on the amygdala, it's the nervecenter of our emotions. It's been found artistic people have larger amygdala's these are known to have lesions which can cause lot's of problems a listing of which corresponds with Amy's troubles. In her case there seems to be an extreme effect as in when she was emotionally aroused-good or bad- she lost control of herself. As the amygdala is connected to memory consolidation as well, she might get caught in an emotional feedback loop. All this, she found out, could only be dimmed by extensive amounts of alcohol, normal people loose control when drunk, she felt the opposite. Obviously a 5ft3" body won't accept too much alcohol before loosing control anyway, but in her case in a better way. I think her GP maybe glad she was cremated because i think her amygdala would have proven his incompetence as a doctor. What is remarkble about her death that the cause hasn't been announced yet, they obviously tested the usual suspects but to no avail, so she died of something else, suicide maybe or some other bodily malfunction, whatever it was, they decided to release the body for cremation.

What is it that attracts so much interest in people on a path of self destruction, is it because they represent the human race on it's own path of self destruction ? In many ways Amy was a tortured soul, having little control over herself. Being lauded for her achievements would have been confusing and in a way a trap because so much of her success was directly connected to her agony. Millions of albums sold but sharing her pain didn't help her, i don't know if there is a drug that could have kept her amygdala in check, considering all the research that is being done, i would think so. However would the world have accepted a healthier Amy, i think yes as after all it was foremost her voice that connected to the world.

Here you'll find 2 links to the 40 min documentary made 3 years ago by Jacques Peretti, The Amy Winehouse Story, it was updated and broadcast in the UK this week, it's well worth the while if you want to see and learn more about Amy. The top link stems from my source and is in avi, the second is a recoded version by me in mkv, same quality 25% less size.

The Amy Winehouse Story (avi) ( 349mb)

The Amy Winehouse Story (mkv) ( 263mb)

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Frank was released by Island Records in October 2003 in the United Kingdom, and in the United States on 20 November 2007. The album spawned the singles "Stronger Than Me", "Take the Box", "In My Bed"/"You Sent Me Flying" and "Fuck Me Pumps"/"Help Yourself". The album was reissued in a deluxe edition in the UK on 12 May 2008. This edition includes an eighteen-track bonus disc including rare tracks, remixes, B-sides and live performances.

Upon its release, Frank received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earned Winehouse several accolades, including an Ivor Novello Award. Since its original release in the United Kingdom, it was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, denoting shipments in excess of 900,000 copies in the UK on 18 December 2008 The title Frank doesn't refer to a certain man though the album is about her first big love but frank should be read as outspoken. As such it the title alludes to the nature and tone of Winehouse's lyrics on the album. A staggeringly assured, sit-up-and-listen debut, both commercial and eclectic, accessible and uncompromising accompanied by her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz

Amy Winehouse - Frank (03 136mb)

101 Intro / Stronger Than Me 3:54
102 You Sent Me Flying / Cherry 6:50
103 Know You Now 3:03
104 F*** Me Pumps 3:20
105 I Heard Love Is Blind 2:10
106 Moody's Mood For Love / Teo Licks 3:28
107 (There Is) No Greater Love 2:08
108 In My Bed 5:17
109 Take The Box 3:20
110 October Song 3:24
111 What Is It About Men 3:29
112 Amy Amy Amy / Outro / Brother / Mr. Magic (Through The Smoke) 13:16

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Unlike many a bonus album this on really is worth the wile.

Amy Winehouse - Frank bonusablum ( 160mb)

201 Take The Box (Original Demo) 3:26
202 You Sent Me Flying (Original Demo) 5:40
203 I Heard Love Is Blind (Original Demo) 2:13
204 Someone To Watch Over Me (Original Demo) 4:29
205 What Is It (Original Demo) 4:45
206 Teach Me Tonight (Hootenanny) 3:22
207 Round Midnight (B-Sides) 3:49
208 Fool's Gold (B-Sides) 3:40
209 Stronger Than Me (Later With Jools Holland) 3:53
210 I Heard Love Is Blind (Live At The Concorde, Brighton) 2:29
211 Take The Box (Live At The Concorde, Brighton) 3:33
212 In My Bed (Live At The Concorde, Brighton) 5:37
213 Mr. Magic (Through The Smoke) (Janice Long Session) 4:05
214 (There Is) No Greater Love (Janice Long Session) 2:38
215 F*** Me Pumps (MJ Cole Mix) 5:54
216 Take The Box (Seijis Buggin' Mix) 7:48
217 Stronger Than Me (Harmonic 33 Mix) 3:43
218 In My Bed (CJ Mix) 4:36

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Source: http://rho-xs.blogspot.com/2011/07/rhodeo-1130-grooves.html

The School Papas Fritas Liam Finn Tiny Dancers

The Von Ehrics - Two Foot Stomp

The Von Ehrics - Two Foot Stomp
2011, Lucky Buck Records

Dallas punktry band The Von Ehrics, named after the prominent ECW wrestling family, are back with their fourth album, Two Foot Stomp. With an irrepressible sound and a can-do attitude, The Von Ehrics took seven months to write and rehearse Two Foot Stomp before stepping into a studio with producer Dave Willingham (Polyphonic Spree, Earl Harvin Trio). The result is a blend of punk and country displaying the melodic sensibility of Bob Mould (Husker Du, Sugar). Suffice it to say The Von Ehrics will grab your attention quickly and simply won't let go.

Two Foot Stomp opens with a working class hero anthem entitled "Last Of The Working Slobs". Set in a society that has moved on and forgotten the working class that built it, the song is full of great energy and unfettered angst, and houses a chorus you won't be able to get out of your head. "Gone" is a catchy outsider's anthem that sounds like a cross between the Gin Blossoms and The Refreshments with a bit of outlaw country thrown into the mix. It's an intriguing blend that you'll keep coming back to. "Smokewagon" is a high energy tribute to the band's touring van, likely to target them for being pulled over in most states.

"Lord, I Pray" is an entertaining blend of punkabilly and gospel that's unforgettable. The Von Ehrics obviously had fun in recording this number, as it oozes from every pore of the song. "Rock And Roll" is a catchy song, written for those times when nothing less than rock n roll will do. In spite of the low-fi approach, The Von Ehrics prove to be very musically competent, a fact that is highlighted here. The effort to capture a classic country motif on "Goodbye/The Ride" falls flat, however. It is a sign of things to come, as Two Foot Stomp levels off into solid but unremarkable songs for the rest of the trip. The closing track, "Texas (When I Die)" shows a brief revival of the energy and chutzpah of the first half of the album, but can't save the second half of the album from a somewhat ho-hum assessment in light of what it followed.

The Von Ehrics turn a brilliant and essential 6-song EP into a solid 12-song album with distinctive highlights on Two Foot Stomp. Considering a lot of what is put on the market these days, that's not a knock on the band. It's simply that the first half of the album is so good that the second half stands little chance. There's really not a bad song on the album, which might aptly be called "The Two Sides of The Von Ehrics", but don't be surprised if the first half of the album gets significantly more spins than the second.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The Von Ehrics at www.vonehrics.com or www.myspace.com/thevonehrics. Two Foot Stomp is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download. The album is also available via iTunes.

Source: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/von-ehrics-two-foot-stomp.html

The Pastels Miou Miou The Postmarks Kings of Convenience

A Great Year for Music

At the end of the year, I've made a habit of compiling a list of my favorite albums of that year. Usually I start thinking about the list in November or December, but this year I'm already starting to struggle with what albums should be at the top of my list. My struggle is solely due to the fact that there are just so many great albums being released this year.

You've got your heavy hitters releasing absolutely fantastic albums: Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, LCD Soundsystem, The National, Stars, Spoon and Vampire Weekend. All these albums have been in heavy rotation since their respective releases.

Then you've got your up and coming bands trying to make names for themselves: Hammock, Cloud Cult, Broken Bells, Gayngs, Jeremy Messersmith, Menomena, Ra Ra Riot and School of Seven Bells. Each of these bands have crafted albums that really caught my attention and are poised to join the big leagues.

Finally, I've been charmed by a number of little known bands like Under Byen, Amiina, Dessa, Engineers, Olafur Arnalds and The Twilight Sad.

And the crazy thing is, there are still more great albums looking to be released before the end of the year and year 2011. Plus, rumors of projects nearing completion from Radiohead and Iron & Wine.

Like I said, the year-end list will be particularly tricky this year.

Source: http://iguitaround.blogspot.com/2010/10/great-year-for-music.html

Great Lakes Holiday Flyer The Hush Sound The Lodger

Friday, July 29, 2011

Completely Yours, POPE JOHN PAUL II

Karol J�zef Wojty?a aka. POPE JOHN PAUL II has been acclaimed as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. POPE JOHN PAUL II reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of The Holy See from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005 which was considered as the second-longest documented pontificate and this lasted 26 years. Wheeew!! That's really incredible!! This time I want to make a blogpost of one of those people who I really admire most and this is none other than our dearest Pope John Paul II who was just beatified today MAY 1, 2011 and now called BLESSED JOHN PAUL II. Well, definitely he deserves it and It's six years after his untimely death. My little blog "The Doctor Is In" pays tribute to this Catholic Icon who have blessed the wold of his love by featuring a Religious CD I bought entitled "Completely Yours, A Tribute To Pope John Paul II". YUP!! You got it right!! Let's be religious today and give space to his Holiness here in my blog. I saw him twice when he visited MANILA back in 1981 and 2005 and just seeing him passed by gave me a sense of peace and tranquility. Believe it or not, I had goosebumps too. There is this certain aura that wraps around him and you could see and feel his true angelic holiness. On his 2005 visit, my brothers, cousin, friend, and I have to run almost a kilometer just to follow the Bullet-proof vehicle he was riding together with the Late Cardinal Sin. And this was after his LUNETA MASS. This is "The Dr. Stirring Rhod Way" of giving tribute to Blessed John Paul II. I hope you'll like it. This little blog of mine has a heart and I'll always keep it that way.

"Completely Yours, A Tribute To Pope John Paul II" is an ENHANCED CD which means It's both Audio and Visual that was released here in MANILA as a Tribute to The Pope back in 2005. YUP!! It's a Philippine Tribute CD for the Pope who is so love by my KABAYANS and of course by a lot of people around the globe. This was made available two months after Pope John Paul II's Philippine Visit. "TOTUS TUUS" was Pope John Paul II's apostolic motto. It is a Latin phrase meaning "totally yours" and expressed his personal Consecration to Mary based on the spiritual approach of Saint Louis de Montfort and the Mariology in his works. The pontiff explained the meaning further in his book Crossing the Threshold of Hope where he defines it as not only an expression of piety, or simply an expression of devotion and that it is deeply rooted in the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity. Very HOLY indeed!!

COMPLETELY YOURS: A Tribute to Pope John Paul II
Tracklist:

A. First Part - Music & Spoken Word
1. Ang Panginoon Ang Aking Pastol - Cecillian Choir
2. Build Your Lives on the One Model - Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
3. I Believe - PY Nakar
4. While I Have Breath - Cooky Chua
5. As the Father Sent Me - Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
6. Tell the World of His Love - Melija
7. More Than That - Moonstar 88
8. Tantum Ergo - Fr. Arnel Aquino, SJ
9. Young People of the Philippines - Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
10. For You - Ascension
11. There is no such Thing - Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
12. Prayer of St. Francis - Fr. Arnel Aquino, SJ
13. Jubilee Song - Denise Laurel
14. Mary is the Model - Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
15. Ave Maria - Miguel Cortes
16. John Paul II's Blessing (Pilgrim Song) - Dreamsounds
17. John Paul II's Speech Excerpts - Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD

B. Second Part - Video Clips
Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day in Manila
a. Arrival at NAIA
b. PICC speech excerpt
c. Motorcade
d. Meeting with students
e. In Luneta
f. Vigil with faithful
g. Departure Montage
h. Tell The World
i. Reaction 1.
j. Reaction 2.
k. Reaction 3.
l. Reaction 4.
m. Reaction 5.
n. Reaction 6.
o.Cardinal Sin\'s Address

Here's a photo of the CD again with the inlet page that have the photos of the artists who contributed in this religious endeavor . I included that 1995 "MABUHAY" Juice Drink Sticker which was given free along with one free juice too while we attended Pope John Paul II Mass at Luneta Grounds back in 1995. Good thing I found the sticker on my Vaults so that I can show you here on my special blogpost on The Pope.

I didn't upload my entire CD, but I just chose some songs and even included words of Father Jerry Orbos for you to listen and download if you're interested.

LISTEN TO "WHILE I BREATHE" By COOKY CHUA:

DOWNLOAD THE SONG HERE:

LISTEN TO "MORE THAN THAT" By MONSTAR 88:

DOWNLOAD THE SONG HERE:

LISTEN TO "JUBILEE SONG" By DENISE LAUREL:

DOWNLOAD THE SONG HERE:

The whole world witness today the Beatification of Pope John Paul II and so I included this Video Clip of the Beatification Rites given to him.

WATCH THE "BEATIFICATION RITES" HERE:

LISTEN TO FATHER JERRY ORBOS HERE:

Two BLESSEDS namely Blessed John Paul II and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

I extracted a Video Clip from my Enhanced CD so that I can upload it here in my special blogpost tribute to now Blessed Pope John Paul II. This is an exclusive video on "The Doctor Is In" and It's the Pope's Departure from MANILA. When I saw this video clip again, I just got teary eyed. It touched my heart and I'm glad that the Pope was Beatified and hopefully he will be canonized to being a Saint.

WATCH The Pope's Departure from Manila Video Clip HERE:

I'll leave you with The Theme Song of WORLD YOUTH DAY 1995 entitled "Tell the World of His Love" sang by MELIJA. I also included the lyrics because both Words and Music is really fit for the new Beatified BLESSED JOHN PAUL II. Btw, as you will notice the lyrics I used was of Jamie Rivera's Version. THANKS for dropping by!!

TELL THE WORLD OF HIS LOVE:

Lyrics | Jamie Rivera lyrics - Tell The World Of His Love lyrics

DOWNLOAD THE SONG HERE:

Totus Tuus
BLESSED JOHN PAUL II!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD

Source: http://docmuzic.blogspot.com/2011/05/completely-yours-pope-john-paul-ii.html

Håkan Hellström The Smiths White Rabbits The Lovely Sparrows