Life in "Da Hood"

Can I talk about how hood I feel when I listen to this album? Very hood. Straight outta Compton, yo. Goblin by Tyler, the Creator is the album for late at night cruising in sketchy areas of town or just anywhere really dark and potentially dangerous. Tyler, the Creator's rhymes are creative, edgy, and really funny. Nobody should talk these lyrics seriously even when he supports things people would say would make him out of line. He's young and just making entertaining music. In any case, the first track and last track of the album, "Goblin" and "Golden" showcase a voice that is implied to be Tyler, the Creator's subconscious with which Tyler, the Creator often converses with during the album--making very, very funny commentary. It's slightly disturbing, but more importantly, it feeds the dark feeling that is created by Goblin. In "Yonkers"and  "Tron Cat," there exists a beat that transports you to the LA hood the Odd Future comes from. At night. With gun shots in the background. It's dark; it's raw; quite frankly, it's startling and nearly scary, but I can't get enough of it. While most rappers just tell you about their early life in gangs or bad neighborhoods, Goblin gives a palpable feel of the hood of Tyler, the Creator. He doesn't have to say explicitly where he comes from because his beats tell everything. Also, his music doesn't prescribe to mainstream rap format. The songs don't contain a chorus, so it's more just free rap without the constrictions of a verse or similar format. Most famous rappers today heavily depend on pop elements to attract a wider audience than without, but Tyler, the Creator does not do that. He does not liven up his music with any influence from the pop stars of today, and for that reason, his album seems more genuine rap music than the over produced songs played on the radio. Overall, listening to this while driving at night makes me feel like a straight gangsta. Be hood like me and Tyler, the Creator. 

Disturbing. Like the album. but also amazing. Like the album.

Music to Drive to

For a while now, I have been trying to figure out The Suburbs by the Arcade Fire (ever since it came out, really). I was going to my aunt's house Friday for dinner while listening to this album, and it hit me. This album is made for driving (and not just because it has a car in the album art). It's really hard to explain what makes an album good driving music, but The Suburbs has become one of my favorite albums to listen to as I make across town excursions. The fairly crowded highway gives you a sense of entrapment, but also of freedom when you weave in and out of cars as you go slightly faster than everyone else. Who doesn't want to push the gas pedal down a little bit further as the piano intro of "We Used to Wait" plays through the car stereo? Also, it's nearly impossible to not immediately sing along embarrassingly but with a smile on your face to "The Suburbs," "Modern Man," and "Suburban War" as soon as they start playing. Most of the album is filled with songs like those three--loud, fast songs that will get you to push your car as it takes curves too fast for comfort. There are some slower songs like "Half Light 1" and "Sprawl 1" that remind us that we can take things slow as well if that's how we want to do things. Overall, the slightly raw guitar on the album, notably, "Month of May,"gives the impression of the raw power and freedom that is also obtained through the power of a car and freedom of a license. This album is meant for driving from the town to suburbs or vice versa. I'm not sure how it would fare on road trips, but for commuting or a more fitting drive would be from Dallas to Fort Worth, it's perfect. You need to have those other cars there to remind you of the big city life and also the speed that comes on highways that aren't congested with rush hour traffic. So next time you make that 20 or 30 minute drive into or out of the city, put on this album and just drive. 

-sidenotes- The first album I loved as a "driving album" was You Could Have It So Much Better With Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand. It makes for quite the driving experience. Check it out....WTF! When looking up the iTunes album for The Suburbs, I realized I have a different version of The Suburbs. I don't know how or why... I just know that "Modern Man" and "Sprawl II" are different, maybe others too. I like the non-iTunes versions better.

exquisite video showing a performance

Lazy Summer Days

Washed Out-Within and Without. This album has recently found its way into my stereo on lazy summer days, days when the sun is shining (basically every day in May-September in Texas with the exception of the three days it will rain in that time period), and I am feeling good. The frequent synth use gives an ambient vibe that often progresses into something more complex, yet easy going, as more instruments are added to the song. The vocals have a far off sound to them which makes them secondary in a few of the songs like "Before," "Amor Fati," and "You and I." In that sense, the vocals (which I really haven't been able to decipher much of...) are arguably not a key component to the music; any lyrics would do the job. In any case, the songs start off slow and simple, but the addition of other instruments complexes the music and gives it enough variety that the songs can be distinguished after a couple of listens through the album. The mood created by the ambient feel can be described as chill (think "life is good"clothing, but in music) and easy to listen to. Cruising in your car with this album/shades/chill mode on has the potential to end up in a perfect afternoon if combined with the right summer activities (Barton Springs, anybody?).  On a side note, I also recently developed an unhealthy obsession with popsicles as Within and Without became my afternoon soundtrack; I do not think this is a coincidence. So buy some popsicles, drive with friends, chill out, and bump this album (although only slightly loud... it's not your Friday night dubstep). Second side note-I really hope someone remixes this well ASAP. Some of these songs would be so sick, like "Amor Fati,""Before," and "Echoes" (which begs for a remix more than the school you-know-what begs for you-know-what).

Looking past how utterly boring the general public views this video, this song captures Within and Without.

Une Petite Soirée

Picture yourself at with a small group of friends (maybe to celebrate a birthday because everyone is slightly dressed up) in a studio apartment high enough that you can see the skyline of the nearby downtown. You remain far enough away from the city that you aren't consumed in it, but at the same time, it's powerful presence in the night sky does not allow you to forget that it is relatively close. It's as if the city is the corporate managers checking up on a regional branch of the company. At this petite soirée, what music is in the background? Big Echo by the Morning Benders. This album has a few fast, catchy tunes like "Cold War" and "All Day Day Light", but for the most part, remains an album to be loved after a few listens. It has an ambient feel in most of the songs, which attributes to the urban feel needed for a petite soiree outside of the heart of the city, but it can be slow at times. So it's not quite an album for downtown Friday nights. However, this does not imply that the album is lacking in any way. The reality is quite the contrary. They are not afraid to take a step back and slow everything down and just play with some ambient sounds and downplayed vocals for part or all of a song like in "Mason Jar,""Pleasure Sighs,""Oh Annie,"and "Wet Cement."This creates a very chilled out laid back vibe that can be great background music (it's conducive to conversations, yet can also be enjoyed by those just having a drink by themselves). My favorite songs on the album all have a different feel. My first favorite was "Cold War,"which is an upbeat song that begs to be played twice in a row due to it being half as long as the rest of the songs. The second,"Promises," has a raw guitar sound akin to the Black Keys that feels empowering and palpable. The last favorite is their true hit off the album, "Excuses." This song has great lyrics and vocals, but moreover, it progresses and evolves slightly over its duration and plays with multiple orchestral sounds and instruments. Side note-The Japan Echo EP is a remix of some of Big Echo and is amazing. "Cold War (Star Slinger Remix)" is by far my favorite. Check it out. 

Excuses (Yours Truly version)- ranked 12 on Gorilla vs Bear's songs of 2010

Having fun with Fun.

Fun. This is the name of the band and the only thing that will happen when listening to their album Aim and Ignite. It's a light, poppy album that will be sure to get you moving your head and singing along soon after the first listen. I have found that it is best for those days when everything seems right and stress is gone (or at least at a minimum). Riding around campus with the wind rushing by me, the sun shining, and Aim and Ignite playing through my headphones is an incomparable feeling. "All the Pretty Girls," "Walking the Dog," and "Benson Hedges" are the more upbeat tunes on an album that is already exceptionally fast paced at some parts. Throughout the album, a prominent feature is the variety within each song. Even the more upbeat songs slow down at to achieve more levels than with songs that just take off and tire the listener too quickly. The album features various sounds and feelings within most of the songs. As a good sad movie will have comic relief, Aim and Ignite is poppy, but has levels that suggest a deeper, more emotional message than is seen with most pop albums. This creates a seemingly tangible emotional arsenal that Fun. utilizes very effectively. In "Take Your Time," it starts off slow and progresses to a quicker song in just the right amount of time. The buildup is not too slow to bore the listener, but not too fast as to confuse the listener. "The Gambler," "Take Your Time," and "Light a Roman Candle with Me"  are, for the most part, slower songs that that are able to level out the more fast tempo songs. I cannot say enough about "The Gambler." It is one of my favorite piano based, love songs ever and is the perfect song for a cold night with your girlfriend in your arms (or while in your boyfriend's arms, I suppose).  My first real experience with Fun. (I had their music, but had only listened to it a few times) was at one of their concerts. It was, without a doubt, one of the best concerts I have attended (probably the best by a band I was not that interested in at the time of the show). These guys know how to entertain. I was skeptical about seeing the show because I was not too familiar with their music, but the concert was fantastic even without being able to sing along to every song they played. Nate Ruess, the lead singer (and the ex-singer of the format), steals the show with his ability to capture the crowd with his voice. I enjoy his vocals on the album, but live he is incredible. You are truly able to feel the emotion in his voice (which is so distinct that any person who has listened to the Format will immediately recognize it in Fun.) The other members of the band also put on a very good show (although Jack Antonoff, the guitarist, was wearing jeans that were way too tight for him...). Also, these guys like to play musical instruments and will switch instruments with each other for certain songs. It was really cool seeing the guitarist have his solo in one song then go to a soft piano part and sing.  I highly recommend this album for carefree days with friends or just when you feel like having some Fun.

Quirky, energetic, and Fun.  

On Being Angsty and Apathetic

During school the past week, I have felt kind of like I wasn't myself. Everyone gets those feelings as if they just aren't in their body or maybe they aren't al quite there. That was me this week. I was feeling lethargic and certainly did the minimal amount of school work so I could proceed to do nothing afterwards. In my earbuds was the album I'm Wide Awake It's Morning by Bright Eyes, rightly so. Conor Oberst's voice is just wavering and melancholy enough to fit this mood. There are a couple of places in some of the songs such as "Road to Joy" where I actually fear that Conor will burst into sobs during the next line of lyrics (an irrational fear...). It's so emotional and screams to be heard and helped like an at-risk teen. The intro for the first track "At the Bottom of Everything" is so dark and despondent that it immediately sets the tone for the rest of the album (despite the happy sound of the rest of the track. It's like a black comedy, but in music.) Questioning my own life and the current path I am on, this album embodies my emotions. In "Land Locked Blues" and "Lua", the minimalist instrument choice is analogous to my own desire to just live. As this album needs just lyrics and a lightly strummed guitar (the rest is just to spice things up), I presently need just to breathe, do my routine, and sleep (eating happens occasionally as well). Only Conor's music can really understand how I feel, and as I listen to the album, it seems to counsel me. A good portion of the album sounds like a ballad from the depressed teen at open mic night at the local coffeeshop (with much better songwriting and guitar playing obviously) It understands me, and I understand it. Feeling out of yourself or despondent calls for music resembling such, and this album fits the bill. The album does have a more optimistic sound in "First Day of My Life" and "Another Travelin' Song", which had the ability to lift me out of the slump I was in. I don't want the continuation of these feelings, so Conor notes this and allows some light to shine through the seemingly melancholy album. The light acts as a catalyst to bring about a better mood, hope for a better life. This is not  an album for Friday night out with the boys, but I definitely has its place in everyone's life. While I didn't want my current emotions to remain as they were, this album is so beautiful that I almost can't wait to feel apathetic again, just so I can listen to this album in its fullest.



So full of emotion, I think "Road to Joy" encapsulates this album.

A Day on the River

On the way to go tubing in the Comal River this past weekend, I fittingly listened to Jack Johnson's album To The Sea. Not much on my iPod seemed much more appropriate than that album when I was about to spend four hours floating down a river with friends, drinks, and fun. This situation and album are a perfect example of the point of this blog. Music is meant for specific events. When I was back in Boston in the spring, I couldn't listen to To The Sea because it was too summery. The light, summery feeling that accompanies songs on the album like "At or With Me" and "Pictures of People Taking Pictures" disabled me from listening to music that evoked such feelings when the long winter had just ended, and the sun was still perpetually kept captive behind the clouds. Moreover, the carefree emotions and easy going riffs in "You and Your Heart" and "From the Clouds" didn't mesh with the stress of school. Music is an auditory expression that fits with the feelings of myself at the moment, so listening to this album would be like wearing a tuxedo to mass on Sunday, awkward and uncomfortable. The first time in the spring semester of class in Boston that I was able to fill my ears with To the Sea was after my last final. The sun was out (surprisingly), and not much felt better than knowing I was done with my classes. Summer--On. To the Sea--On. While the tubing adventure and post-finals were pretty appropriate for the album, the perfect time for the album happened last summer. I spent everyday for a couple of weeks on the beach or boating into the nautical abyss. Separated from everything with only the ocean around me, what could be more fitting than Jack's song "Only the Ocean"? That song, along with "To the Sea" and "Turn Your Love" had just the right amount of mellow sound (although the guitar in "To the Sea"is so raw, especially the solo!), aquatic themes, and rhythms that seem to flow with  the water. Within those weeks on the ocean, "To the Sea" was my go-to album. It was rugged and unrefined. It was poppy and light. It was the ocean, and more importantly, it was my life during those weeks. Although it was the perfect album for that time of my life and other water adventures, I find myself skipping over it and going instead to Sleep Through the Static or In Between Dreams when I have my fix of Jack Johnson. Simply put, it does not have the everyday "playability" (unless you live in So Cal) like his other albums. From the beginning, Jack didn't want to create a "surfer sound" so that his music wouldn't be confined to a certain style or demographic, and he had done well until To the Sea. This album encompasses the surfer and ocean mood with the instruments, melodies, and lyrics. While it is not a bad album, there is a reason that I listen to this album the least of all Jack's albums. There is also a reason that he didn't want to create surfer music, but he didn't stick to that plan here (much to my dismay). We all make mistakes, so hopefully Jack has learned his lesson with this album.



This video for "You and Your Heart," the first single off of the album, sums the album up very quickly.