Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Don't know how I survived! The crew all was chewed alive!

I must have slipped between his teeth
But, oh, what providence
What divine intelligence
That you should survive
As well as me
It gives my heart great joy
To see your eyes fill with fear
So lean in close
And I will whisper
The last words you'll hear....



The Decemberists

There are many ways to determine the degree of a band’s creativity and talent, a few being: timbre (use of different instruments and sounds of different pitch/volume), actual instrumental dexterity, ability to create harmony and rhythm, a capacity to dabble in different genres, and lyrical clout. But there is one faculty that is truly impressive and often overlooked, and that is the ability to write music and make up folklore about fictional/historical characters that do not exist in reality. One band that masters this is the Decemberists. According to a story in Unfold Magazine in April 2011, The Decemberists, known for encouraging audience participation, made their audience scream as if they were being eaten by a whale, as the band members pretended to die onstage to their song “The Mariners Revenge.” And while there is something to be said about writing a song about love, your life, or the world, there is also deep creativity that goes into writing a detailed song about a mariner being eaten by a sea creature.

As a side note, it happens to be coincidence that I am featuring another band out of Portland, Oregon, although Portland does churn out great artists. If you have not heard much from The Decemberists, absolutely check them out and have your ears tuned to the sounds of acoustic guitar, Hammond organ, base guitar, accordion, melodica, piano, keyboards, harmonica, tambourine, standing base, and whatever myriad instruments they have up there. You never know. But, with The Decemberists, anything goes.

The Mariners Revenge, thanks Alyssa


Rox in the Box


and if you enjoy Salsa, here's some Latin flare I've been enjoying...

Oye Manita
06 Oye Manita by jarconti@gmail.com

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Go ahead and tell 'em that you heard me on the dirty radio.



Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside

If you're a music lover who also enjoys a bit of time travel, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside will strike your fancy. Clever lyrical quips, twisty base-lines, and unpredictable vocal inflections make listening to Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside passively interactive and just plain fun. I recommend listening to their album straight through from start to finish. Sallie Ford is original for our time in offering us a kind of "Snoop Dogg inspired" rockabilly hip-hop. Hopefully, we will get a taste of their retro-soul in the NorthEast in 2012, and you can be assured that when I hear they are coming back to Boston, I will most certainly be letting you know.

Lyrics to "I Swear"
When I turn on the radio
It all sounds the same
What have these people done to music
They just don't care anymore
Chorus:
Well, I swear I'll always say the wrong thing
Even if they never play my music on the radio
'Cause I can't help but be a mess
I'll never be like the rest
I couldn't, even if I tried
What is this robot sounding bullshit
They just don't care anymore
Why don't we get rid of all of the people
And we can sell our souls to the man
(Chorus)
Go ahead and tell 'em that you heard me on the dirty radio




ComScore


And if you're not a fan of the 50s, well here's a pretty solid little remix for ya...

Thanks Will