Archive for the 'Music' Category

Maija and I went to a wedding today, for a friend of ours who has moved to Jyvaskyla. He’s the brother of one of Maija’s best friends, so it was a special day, and a really beautiful wedding. We hope to spend more time with them once we’re back from Toronto. The ceremony was held in the Lutheran church of Jyvaskyla building, and the reception in a hotel not far from here.

The highlight of the day was surely seeing how happy they were with each other, they were so gorgeous… but, in close second place was the genius pianist who provided entertainment! Right off the bat it was obvious the guy was talented, and had a good repertoire. For the first part of the wedding reception he played the themes from a number of films, and other general feel good music, with a few classical pieces thrown in. And then, out of nowhere, he busts out the Super Mario Brothers theme music. And I’m not talking about a little tribute, 45 seconds of Mario level 1 kind of thing… oh no. He played a good 3 minutes of dungeon level, underwater level, etc. It was superb! I gave a brief clap of appreciation as soon as he started, but when he was done fully half the room were cheering and clapping for him! What a legend. Every wedding I go to that does not feature video game theme music will pale in comparison.

For your listening pleasure, Mr Kōji Kondō’s finest works.

Those crazy boys of Ratatat have released a new album, their third, aptly named LP3. Altogether, it’s a blend of the Ratatat you love, with the Ratatat you’ve never heard. They’ve noticeably shied away from their hip hop influences, and have employed a bit more Spanish guitar influence, more eclectic percussion styles, and thrown in some awesomely bizarre instrumentation. It’s really quite different, in a lot of ways.

My favourite tune is certainly the big single, Mirando (video below). It’s phatter than the rest of the album, and has more flare at the same time. Has a great 8bit video game sound to it. Shempi is a close second, which showcases some great synth rhythms and the expected layered guitars. Gipsy Threat is a fun and furious little ditty.

It’s a bit shorter than I would have wanted, but I like more of the tracks in it than I did with Ratatat or Classics. I can’t give it more than 4/5, it’s pretty good, but it’s not incredible. Now go to listen to Mirando!

I picked up Coldplay’s latest offering from iTunes Plus yesterday. I never got around to buying X & Y… so my most listened to Coldplay album is definitely A Rush of Blood to the Head. This new album is, in a word, superb. I am in love with it. I’ve listened through it 6 times now maybe, and I think every track brings something wonderful to the collection.

Life in Technicolor is a pretty little instrumental piece that opens the album, slowly building in intensity till some vocal “cheering” joins in near the end. It’s a great starter for what’s to come. Cemeteries of London gets the ball rolling properly, letting us know right off the bat that we’re going to see less falsetto on this album. Lyrically, this song sets the tone for the album as well:

God is in the houses and God is in my head… and all the cemeteries in London…
I see God come in my garden, but I don’t know what he said,
For my heart it wasn’t open…
Not open…

It’s like they grew up and found they had more than just a social conscience, they had souls. Follow this up by the first rendition of Lost (Lost!). Yes, I said the first rendition. If you get it on iTunes, you’ll get two versions of this track, and they’re both stellar. This one is a driving synth organ, bongo drum, hand clap beauty, VERY much feeling Brian Eno’s influence. Next up is 42 (see bottom for thoughts on meaning), with some beautiful piano and delicately rhymed lyrics. I’m a sucker for rhyme.

Those who are dead are not dead
They’re just living in my head
And since I fell for that spell
I am living there as well
…
Time is so short and I’m sure
There must be something more

Half way through, the bad ass kicks in, earning Coldplay their self described “hardest soft rock band” moniker. It’s vaguely reminiscent of Politik. Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love is a double track, with 2 songs in one. Another heavily Brian Eno influenced track I’m sure. The driving bass line reminds me very much of U2’s Pride (In the Name of Love). Lyrical content is hopeful and uplifting, and the music becomes quite dense as the track goes on, which additional guitars coming into the left channel only, and shakers on the right. Reign of Love lets a little lyrical “beautiful melancholy” out, which is a great primer for the next two tracks. It’s a very tender song, with gentle piano and even gentler guitars.

Yes starts off with a little violin teaser, before pushing into some potential laden acoustic guitars and sawing violin. Chris comes in with a very low voiced

When it started we had high hopes
Now my back’s on the line
My back’s on the ropes

Then out of nowhere comes some furiously ominous Spanish violin. It’s hot stuff. And then we continue:

If you’d only, if you’d only say yes
Whether you will’s anybody’s guess
God only God knows I’m trying my best
But I’m just so tired of this loneliness

Yes actually finishes around 4 minutes, leaving room for a hidden track, Chinese Sleep Chant. This is a pretty psychedelic rock dirge, with haunting falsetto vocals, reminds me a little of Achtung Baby era U2, though it’s lyrically very sparse. And up next is one of the title tracks, Viva la Vida (Live the Life). There’s too many good songs on this album to pick a favourite, but this one might be close. Musically you’re listening to quick violins and other strings, which fill in to what could be a full orchestra. Most of the song rhymes, so I’m sold. Up next is the other contender for favourite, the big single you’ve heard called “Violet Hill.” We’re talking heavy soft rock again here. It’s an incredible tune. Lyrically we’re shouting back to the last track in obvious content, the Crusades, religious warfare, but metaphorically it’s a lot more brooding and angry. And it rhymes, so I’m in further ecstasy.

Priests clutched onto Bibles
Hollowed out to fit their rifles

Snap. Strawberry Swing is next, which is a fun, offbeat “love song”, could have been by the Beatles, except for the blue grass guitars. Death and All His Friends, the other title track, follows up. The first minute is pretty chill, just the piano and Chris’s voice. Guitars join in after then, and some vocal ensemble, followed by a big drum build up and the main rhythm kicks in. Nicely built song, this has a lot of Brian Eno in it, which is certainly not a bad thing. Lyrically it’s very simple but poignant:

No I don’t wanna battle from beginning to end;
I don’t wanna cycle, recycle revenge;
I don’t wanna follow death and all his friends

Following that you get another hidden track, which compliments the first half very well. The Escapist:

And in the end
We lie awake
And we dream
We’ll make an escape

I believe if you’ve got the album on CD, it would end here. On iTunes, and in Japan, we get given another rendition of Lost (Lost?), as I said above. It keeps the lyrics, but replaces all the musical accompaniment of the first with just the piano. I think it’s a marvelous bookend.

Overall, I’m saying 5/5. It’s joyous, uplifting, wholesome and soul searching, and at times made me want to cry. Buy this album.

** 42. This is number of the meaning of life, from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It’s also the number of songs that Coldplay supposedly scrapped between A Rush of Blood to the Head, and X & Y.

I’ll be flying into TO on Sunday, and staying till Wednesday 27th. Jacob Murphy eat your heart out. Sadly it’ll only be me coming, as TACF is flying me in to do some work, have some meetings, plan out the year. That kinda stuff, so Maija’s staying here.

Some Christmas presents arrived yesterday. Yesterday being care of Canada Post I suppose… one was sent December 10th :) In any case, my wonderful sister Krista gave me some iTunes gift cards, which is superb because I had been craving new music.

Right now I’m listening to the new Project 86 EP, The Kane Mutiny. It’s hot stuff.
I also just bought the “‘64-’95″ album by Lemon Jelly, but haven’t had a listen through yet. Comments will come.
At this point I’m town between waiting for Eluveitie’s new album (next week), picking up some other new metal, or maybe getting “Classics” by Ratatat. Is anyone listening to Ratatat? They’re so great.

OH! And speaking of music. Go here now for some GREAT music by Noah DeSmit. Seriously. Indie Electronica Folk hotness.

I’ve been trying to find some new music… not that it’s difficult… just been spending time exploring new artists, styles. I should have a new mix out fairly shortly exposing some of that music. That’ll be the electronica, synth-pop variety… I guess.

Aside from that, I’ve been listening to a lot of metal, again. I’m desperately awaiting Eluveitie’s next album, and have been listening to Spirit over and over this week. I’m thinking of purchasing As I Lay Dying’s latest, and am eagerly awaiting the new Project 86 EP. I can’t believe those kids have new music again already. Crazy.

Tonight while playing Scrabble we listened to Rufus Wainwright, care of MySpace. I’d always meant to check out his music, ever since I heard him on Moulin Rouge, and Andrew Gazaneo subsequently recommended him. I very much enjoyed “Sanssouci”.

Nine Inch Nails is no longer on a record label. Following Radiohead, he’ll start distributing his music himself.

Word.

Radiohead are releasing their first album since their original record deal expired. Get this: Choose your own download price. That’s right, Radiohead are offering a download of their new album direct from their website, for a price that you specify. In addition to that, they’re offering a “discbox” for a set price, which includes the download, the album on CD and vinyl, and an additional CD with more songs and other cool stuff.

This is really exciting. In the words of one article:

Funny how it’s the musicians, and not the record labels, who seem to realize that adding value and getting people to pay for it is a business model that beats suing fans.