Thanks for the mention, listen a little deeper into the lyrics…

I’m playing the Crawdaddy Dublin Feb 16th, would love to see you there if you’re free,

Best wishes,

>

Posted by admin Posted in: Music No Comments » January 2007

November CD Club Notes

November CD Club Notes

I published these in reverse order, I hope you forgive me.  See my previouspost for an explanation.  This list of artists and songs was createdby Seamus.  Here are my thoughts.

Corporate Culture - Luan Parle

This song is fun to listen to.  It’s a little too bubblegum for me though. The “I don’t want to fit in” theme is a tried and true moral tale but it’s been done toomany times; Cinderella, Rudolph, The Ugly Duckling. I think Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8terBoy” had lyrics that were a little more original than Parle’s.  I’llhave to listen to more of Parle’s work though.  She may grow into a great musician,she certainly has potential. 

Lady Writer - Dire Straits

I have to admit that my exposure to Dire Straits is limited to listening to BrothersIn Arms non stop during my Sophomore year of High School.  I had so much “MoneyFor Nothing” that I eventually burned out and never returned to the band.  I’lladmit it, I no longer wanted my MTV.  This track shows why Dire Straits is sucha great band; Mark Knopfler’s guitar and vocals.  Simple and good.

Alcoholic - Starsailor

I don’t like Neil Young.  I mean, I’m sure I’d like him if I met him, but I’mjust not a fan of his music.  But I tried to keep an open mind as instructedby Seamus.  I gave this song a long listen. I read the lyrics.  I listenedagain. And again.  But in the end I just didn’t like James Walsh’s vocals. Too much warble.

I think their association with James Blunt could either help them or kill them. In issue 88 of (Not Only) Black + White they had an article about Mr. Blunt andhow fans were just sick of hearing “You’re Beautiful”.  Many stations have stoppedplaying his music because it’s so overplayed.  I wonder what this will do toStarsailor who were on tour with him.  My guess, it will make them famous.

Mr Brightside - The Killers

Jealousy - ah, what a great subject.  I love the fact that these guys singall the lyrics twice.  Just a few days ago I was telling my wife that I was sickof the verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/verse/chorus/chorus structure of 99% of thesongs on the radio.  Way to go The Killers! 

I’m currently reading El crimen del Padre Amaro (The Crime of Father Amaro) and theauthor, Eca de Queiroz, does a phenomenal job of describing the jealousy of the youngpriest over a woman he cannot have.  I may have to learn Spanish just to readthis book in it’s native tongue.  Eca de Queiroz describes the scenarios thatplay out in the young priests mind of things he’s sure his object of affection isdoing.  Perhaps this is what The Killers meant with the line “Now I’m fallingasleep.. And it’s all in my head.”  Is it real or imagined?  Maybe thissong isn’t about jealousy, it’s really about trust. Hmmm.

Sweet Suburban Sky - Paddy Casey

This is by far my favorite song on the CD. Wow, what lyrics, what singing!  Thissong is incredible.  It speaks completely to the apathy of Suburban USA. The line, “when there’s nowhere left to hide, maybe then they’ll call it genocide”is genius. This, of course, is a clear reference to the United Nations failureto classify the deaths of 800,000+ people in Rwandaa genocide.  If the UN or the US were to classify the slaughter of the innocentsin Rwanda a genocide in 1994 they would have been bound by law to send troops andtake action.  A course of action that the US did not want to take due to ourfailure in Somalia months earlier.  Rwandans died at a rate of 8,000 PER DAYfor 100 days.  Most Americans were too caught up in the OJ Simpson trial to care.

Years later we are in the same dilemma with Darfur, Sudan.  So this song is justas relevant.  Isn’t anybody paying attention?  I’m not talking aboutpresidents and diplomats, I’m talking about soccer moms and working dads.  Notreally, gas is just over $2.00 per gallon so what do we care?

Again, great song. I hope it helps us to think about things a little more critically. If you’d like to read a great book about Rwanda I highly suggest “We Wish to InformYou That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda” by PhilipGourevitch.  Also read “War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning” by Chris Hedges.I’m also a huge proponent of turning off the TV - it sucks your mind dry.  Readat least 2 books a month and listen to NPR as much as possible.  I also suggestconversations with the elderly - they know stuff.

Angel - Sarah McLachlan

Sarah Mac (as we call her) is just stunning and a regular on my stereo.  Hernew CD Wintersong is just amazing.  The song “In a Bleak Mid-Winter” could bethe best song of 2006.  Angel is one of my favorites.  Back in my theaterdays we had a production that was written to feature this song.  It’s alwaysbeen a favorite of mine.

Hospital Food - David Gray

This song has me puzzled.  I can’t figure it out.  Is his wife having anaffair?  He’s obviously not happy and has nothing to show for his work. But I just don’t get it.  What’s the story here?  The music is ok. Not my favorite style of music.

Mr Jones - Counting Crows

Ugh.  I think I’ve heard this song about a million times now.  I just don’tget the Counting Crows.  Their music hurts my ears.

Golden Touch - Razorlight

Whew.  This makes up for Mr Jones.  I love the vocals and the guitar onthis track.  The way Johnny Borell lands his words in perfect synchronizationto the driving guitar is great.  It’s a vocal treat.

Stars of CCTV - Hard Fi

Hard Fi is cool!  I love their sound.  I put them in the same category asDeerhoof or Snow Patrol.  They define themselves.  Unlike Seamus this banddidn’t need any time to germinate.  Instant coolness.  I’ve added HardFi to my music collection and am looking forward to some time to get to know theirmusic.

Feels Like Fire - Dido/Santana

I really like Dido.  But I think I’m the only guy in the world who thinks Santanaplays a boring guitar.  Dido is so strong that her vocals compensate for Santana’sboring riffs on his Epiphone.  Play something original Carlos!  He’s noStonehill or Keaggy.

Bring Me To Life - Evanescence

The female lead in this band sounds so much like Cindy Morgan that it’s uncanny. This is the kind of music I like to listen to when I’m working in the studio. It just makes me want to keep moving. The band has a great sound, I love the guitars.

Trouble - Coldplay

I love the fact that Chris Martin is such an accomplished musician.  Not onlydoes he write and play and sing, but he’s brave enough to use his falsetto. And he does it flawlessly.  This song of apology is interesting.  The closinglines, “they spun a web for me” could be interpreted in so many ways.  Who spunthe web?  Was it his friends?  If so then it makes sense that now he’s thinkingof all the stupid things he said.  But he could be blaming his trouble on everyoneelse.  Who knows.  It’s open ended - I love that.

Love Like a Bomb - Oasis

This band reminds me a lot of a local Oklahoma City band from the late 80’s calledNeon Salamander.  They aren’t around anymore but I’m looking forward to listeningto more Oasis.  Good stuff.

Gleaming Auction - Snow Patrol

I was introduced to Snow Patrol about 6 months ago.  I absolutely love theirstuff.  I don’t really listen to their lyrics because I like their sound so much. Not that lyrics would ruin that, but I guess I’ve liked their sound so much that Idon’t really care what they are singing.  I hope it’s not anything deep likePaddy Casey or I’m missing out!

Are We Waiting -Green Day

Green Day is another great band that I just don’t like.  To me they sound justlike every other band.  I think my problem is that “I don’t want to fit in.” Maybe that Luane Parle song was really about me.  That’s probably why I gaveit a bad review.  That’s it I’m sure.  I’m the guy she’s singing about! Thank you Green Day.  Thank you for helping me see a blind spot.  I oweyou one you primary color band.

Yes, it is a primary color.  Look it up… Oh really? Look again. Try looking for “additive” and “subtractive” color mixtures.  You’ll see. Green is the new Yellow.

Too Bad - Nickleback

I guess this song just fit too much in the heavy grunge guitar band category. I didn’t much like it.  Other primary colors: cyan and magenta.  Look up”CMYK” for more info.

Bigger Than Me - Bell X1

The Bell X1, the first aircraft to travel faster than the speed of sound. And likeChuck Yeager this song is tough and kicks some butt.  I really like the soundof this band.  I may have substituted cowbell for the wood block.  “I havea fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell.”

Spanish Eyes - U2

I think it’s interesting that you chose two bands named after aircraft.  TheU2 is a high flying US spy plane.  It’s been in service for over 50 years andstill going strong.  The Band U2 is similar in many ways.  They have beenflying high for years as well.  And now Bono spies on governments around theworld exposing abuses of power and humanitarian needs around the globe.  Whatelse can be said about U2?  These guys are legends.

May It Be - Hayley Westenra

What a great voice.  Seamus was right when he called it “haunting.”  Myonly disappointment is that the orchestra sounds a bit thin.  I couldn’t findcredits but I wouldn’t be surprised if the orchestra is actually a synthesizer (likethe Nashville String Machine).  I’d love to hear what she sounds like with afull orchestra.

Black is also haunting and sometimes a primary color (see “offset printing”). U2 is also the name for a German submarine but those subs were painted gray, not black. The Beattles sang “Yellow Submarine”.  John Lennon was shot in December 1980two months after U2 released their first album “Boy”.  I’m sure John Lennon didn’thave any idea that U2 would be such a huge success.  But that’s OK because TheCranberries wrote a cool song about it called “I Just Shot John Lennon”.  Ifthat song was recorded today it would most certainly be called “If I Just Shot JohnLennon”.  Then Rupurt Murdoch would have a press conference and say, “I and seniormanagement agree with the American public that this was an ill-considered project.” But what do the American public know?  They watch too much TV, don’t read much,and are generally lazy.  Turn up the Paddy Casey!

Posted by admin Posted in: Music No Comments » January 2007

December CD Club Notes…

I was invited to participate in a very cool little group we call the CD Club.�It’s 12 people from all over the world.  Each month a person will compile a CDand send it out to the rest of the group.  Then the members of the group writea review and we discuss the music.  Here are my thoughts on December’s songswho were chosen by my friend Dan.San Gan - Ambrosian Jr. Choir (John Williams)

Amazing! I love this track. Empire of The Sun is one of my favorite movies too. It should havewon the Oscar but the Last Emperor won instead. Moonstruck? What were they thinking?That’s a different discussion… For those who liked this track I highly recommendgiving a listen to Ennino Morricone, specifically The Mission soundtrack. I’m nota huge fan of John Williams (even though he’s a genius) but I really liked this trackand his score for Empire of The Sun. Great stuff!Zoot Suite Riote - Cherry Poppin DaddiesThis track is fun. For me swing is fun music, but it all starts to sound the samefor me. I think the best way to enjoy this music is to see it live. I like to seewhat the band does to make their music come alive. Dancers, costumes, the set, etc.I was able to see The Brian Setzer Orchestra a few years ago and it was an absoluteblast. But I don’t regularly listen to his music. For me it’s about the spectacle.This track is fun but probably won’t find it’s way to my favorites playlist.Soda Jerk - Buffalo TomI listened to this song over and over to see if I’d like it. Sometimes the best songsare like that for me. The first time I hear them I don’t generally like them, butthen they grow on me and I’m addicted. Not so much for this one though. I think thelyrics are amazing. It’s great poetry; ‘But could my eyelids/Cover what I did/Theshuttin of the door/And could these ceilings/Contain my feelings/Me down on the floor.”I just don’t like the timbre of the lead singer or the formulaic garage band sound.Shoe Box - Barenaked LadiesThis song just makes me want to yell at the narrator. I want to tell this guy he needsto grow up. I guess that’s what makes a song great. “Did somebody tell you/This is how it’s supposed to be?/Or did you just find it/And you don’t want any morefrom me?” Yeah, that’s right dude, she’s figured out you’re a jerk. This song takesa metaphor that’s a bit simple and makes it work.See the World - GomezThe guitar and shaker had me hooked right off the bat. Awesome vocals and almost perfectpercussion. I agree with Dan about the lyric, “It’s the things that are given, notwonAre the things that you want”. The lyrics of this song are great. Maybe this is themusical response to Shoe Box; “You’ve got a chance to put things right/So how’s itgoing to be?/Lay down your arms now/And put us beyond doubt.” To me this is a songfull of hope and possibility. Maybe this guy can pull it together. I hope so.Awa AwaI don’t know what these guys are saying, but it’s still pretty cool. I like the harmoniesand music. If you want a more soothing version of this type of music I’d highly recommendAdiemus by British composer Karl Jenkins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adiemus).This is the type of music I love to listen to when I need to relax.MekongA good song, but not one of my favorites on the CD. Maybe I’ve just heard this oneone too many times. The guitar is excellent, who’s on lead? He/She is amazing.Can’t Help Falling In Love - Lick the TinsIs this Irish Elvis? Wow, this is awesome. I love hearing something done in a completelynew and fresh way. Tons of fun! Bonus points for their name. I can’t help imaginingElvis doing Lord of the Dance to this song.Chasing Cars - Snow PatrolSnow Patrol is a band I have playing almost constantly on my MP3 player. These guysare in my top 10 list for sure. Great music, original sound, awesome lead singer.The lyrics these guys write are incredible. I can easily get lost in their music (anddo all the time). Bravo Snow Patrol.God Shuffled His Feet - Crash Test DummiesI love listening to the Crash Test Dummies, the lead singer is so original sounding.This song is no exception. I love the concept of hanging out with God on a lazy Sundaysipping some vino and asking questions. “Say God, what would happen if my eye gotpoked out? What’s the rule on that one?” I think it’s funny that that’s the questionthey came up with to ask God. But then again when people were asking Jesus questionsabout heaven they came up with some pretty lame questions too (”Do we have to paytaxes?”). I think his answer was a very subtle joke. Great song that could stir lotsof debate about prayer, God, divine revelation, predestination, etc. Good stuff! Ifyou want more of “what the heck was God thinking when he did that” kind of lyricsyou should definitely check out Rich Mullins, specifically The World As Best As IRemember It Vol I and II.Soviet Snow - Shona LaingI love good orchestration. This was definitely a 80’s song. Lots of ear candy. I alwayslove hearing a Fender Strat with the sensor switch pushed forward to give it thattreble sound. I’m also a fan of the drum machine and keyboard base. All that asideI really like what this song has to say. It’s a biting political, or perhaps social,statement. Maybe by understanding our enemies needs we can end the (cold) war. Ultimatelyit was economics that doomed the Soviet Union. I think these lyrics could easily applyto the Middle East today. To get an understanding of that world take a look at thebook Unembedded: http://www.unembedded.net/main.phpSaint Behind the Glass - Los LobosI immediately wanted some Chips and Salsa when this tune started playing. The leadsinger reminded me a bit of Emmylou Harris with his unique tremolo. After listeningto this song I had to have some more Los Lobos. I really enjoyed this track and lookforward to many more Los Lobos songs in the near future. What a great band.Will She Ever Fall in Love Again - Eliot MorrisI love the simple rhythm guitar and smooth vocals. Chris Thile on mandolin is exceptionalon this song. I did find the hard panning of some of the instruments a little distracting.It reminded me a little bit of the early “Hi Fi Stereophonic” albums I used to listento in the 70’s. I’d like to hear some of the mandolin in my right ear too, thank youvery much. But only Joe Chiccarelli, the engineer, is to blame for the nasty panning.The lyrics are wonderful and the band is wonderful together. They are almost as tightas Union Station, but I wouldn’t go that far.Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner - Warren ZevonWow, what can be said about this song? Good piano? My uncle was a machine gunner inWWII in SE Asia. I never met him, he died before I was born. My dad told me storiesabout him and the effects the war had on him. I wouldn’t wish that chaos on anyone.As for Roland it’s an obvious play on the old Washington Irving short story The Legendof Sleepy Hollow. I liked Irving’s version better. Although I like anything that triesto explain Patty Hearst’s crazy behavior.I thought that the name “Roland” may have been chosen as the name for the hero basedon The Dark Tower by Stephen King, but after looking at the dates it didn’t work out.But I did find some interesting bits of info on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_the_Headless_Thompson_GunnerOh, Babe, What Would You Say - Hurricane SmithA dreamy song. But one that I find forgettable. It just doesn’t stick with me. Butgood for background music.The Killing Moon (extended version) - Echo and the BunnymenAnother song that just didn’t do much for me. I’m not a big fan of the 70’s sound.99 Red Balloons - GoldfingerMy first thought, “oh no, not this song again.” But wait, this version is awesome!I love it. Driving guitar, cool new mix. Awesome singer. Once again a killer Fenderis cranked up to awesome. Then, BAM! Killer guitars, awesome percussion, heavy metalishsound. Yes! This song is awesome. Only a few bands can make screaming, head banging,all out guitar rock work. They do it perfectly. This song is on repeated play on myZen now. Just when you think it can’t get better they start screaming in German. Yeah,rock on.Vide Cor Meum - Patrick CassidyAaaah. Wow. Cassidy has created a song that reminds me a lot of Samuel Barber (onof my favorite composers). The choral arrangement is wonderful. I find it odd thatthis wonderful music was composed for a horror film. The lyrics for this song wereactually written by Dante. You can read more about Dante’s poem here: http://hannibal.hannotations.com/vide.html Thisis just fascinating. It makes the song beautiful, and in the light of Hannibal, verycreepy. I guess this is supposed to be Hannibal’s sonnet to Clarice.Fairytale of New York - Pogues with Kristy MacCollWhat crazy vocals. They are so original it’s great. Kristy MacColl’s part is equallyamazing. I love the (sad) story that this song tells. The music is cheerily depressing.These are two people who love to hate life and each other. This reminds me of thesong “On We Go/Drink To Me” by Nancy McCallion. You can hear that song here: http://www.nancymccallion.com/music-7.html

Posted by admin Posted in: Movies, Music No Comments » January 2007

Steve Taylor Downloads

Steve Taylor Downloads

“Personally, if you want to get them [my albums] off the Internet, I have no problemwith that, go ahead. They are not available, have at it.” - Steve Taylor, 7/4/2003,Cornerstone Festival press conference.

Posted by admin Posted in: Music No Comments » January 2007

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