Five Books For Summer Reading
Joshua June 17th, 2009
There is nothing I like to do in the summer as much as relaxing under a tree and reading a book(I lied, i’d rather sing and play guitar). The following are five books worth reading this summer.
When Moon’s Collide
Joshua June 10th, 2009
In my world there are two moons – Pink Moon and Blue Moon. Recently I combined the two.
Blue Moon is a wheat ale beer with an orange peel flavor I have recently fallen in love with and Pink Moon is the third album by deceased British folk singer, Nick Drake, that I have been in love with for years. It may be one of the most beautifully depressing albums of all time by one of the most beautifully depressed songwriters of all time. (He overdosed on anti-depressants)
Roughly 30 minutes long, Pink Moon is short and sweet. The use of only a guitar and his voice on ten of the eleven tracks gives the album a very stark and bare atmosphere, a perfect accompaniment to the robust and rich flavor of Blue Moon.
Consume a pint (or two) of Blue Moon while listening to Pink Moon and you’ll have your self a very, very pleasant time.
Neil Krug
Simple Infant Men
Joshua February 13th, 2009
Seems like the best place to find great music these days is at the Pangea House. On my last visit to the Pangea I was lucky enough to see my friends the Simple Infant Men. They are Micah Scott on vocals and guitar, Cal Davies on Banjo, and ‘bluegrass’ Joe Andrus on the stand up bass.
Check them out.
Ben Kweller – Changing Horses
Joshua February 13th, 2009
This is my favorite album of the year so far. On Changing Horses, Ben Kweller changes his approach, taking his signature indie-pop to a more countrified, pedal steel laden, Gram Parsons inspired sound. Ben’s voice is well suited to this new sound.
The songs on the album are great. My favorite is ‘Fight’. “Some days are aces, some days are faces, some days are two’s and three’s.” What a beautiful line. The album has a nice variety of songs. Half are up beat barn burners and half are slower ballads.
All in all, Changing Horses is a great album that can and should be listened to repeatedly.
Ben Kweller performing ‘Fight’ on David Letterman
Kanye Brings Back the Mullet
Joshua February 9th, 2009
Always the trend setter, Kanye West debutted his A.C. Slater inspired mullet at the Grammys.
It’s about time we bring back the mullet!
The Morning Red
Joshua February 6th, 2009
And you thought you could never have fun again?.?. and to your suprise. . .came. . the most magnificent and lovely..feeling….ever…..behold. The Morning Red. lifes answer to love and happiness. themorningred
Top 5 Albums of 2008
Joshua December 20th, 2008
2008 is nearing the end. It’s been a great year for music. Here is my top 5 albums of 2008.
Free Josh Ritter Tracks
Joshua December 19th, 2008
Just in time for the holidays, Josh Ritter has released two recordings of a recent concert in Dublin and you can get them here for free.
When Josh was in Dublin for his full-orchestra shows at Vicar Street this month, he found the time to sit with four talented string players and play a couple tunes. The result is GIRL IN THE WAR and EMPTY HEARTS like you’ve never heard them.
Album of the Year
Joshua December 15th, 2008
Dr Dog is a relatively new indie rock band from Philadelphia, PA. On their third release, Fate, they take elements from great 1960’s pop acts and mash them together to create their own style.
Take for example the Beach Boys harmonies, the Beatles sense of melody and exploration and mix it with the rootsy guitars and high lonesome voices of the Band and you come up with Dr Dog.
Dr Dog is very good with melody and vocal harmony. Every song on Fate has a surprising and welcomed twist to it. Every time I listen to the album I find something new that I did not notice before.
Some people may categorize them as psychedelic or lo-fi because of their previously mentioned exploration of pop songwriting and their ‘do it yourself’ mentality.
Dr Dog is a band that is not concerned with current trends in music. They are not famous at all and do not seem to be concerned with being famous. For instance, most of the recording is done on analog reel to reel instead of using computers and just their style of music alone would probably negate them from winning a Grammy or being heard on top 40 radio.
It is easily my pick for best album of 2008. Feel free to comment on whether you agree with my choice or not.
Stay tuned for my list of top 5 albums.
