This Thursday, I think you should know: Mumford and Sons. Actually, I am assuming you already know the Grammy playing, banjo strumming, English folk troubadours, but what I want you to know is their new album Babel. Since its release on Tuesday here in the United States I have listened to the full album at least 10 times. I even wrote a review for my university's paper on it (which will be up shortly).
I may have judged the album too quickly though. Upon my first couple of listens, as you will see in the review, I found to be a little slow and repetitive. However, now that I have heard it a few more times-even enough to remember some lyrics-I think that each song is different in its own small way. As an album they all really come together to tell a beautiful story about love, loss, and religion.
The whole album is great and I recommend listening/buying the entire thing, but the songs I think you should know are "Whispers in the Dark" and "Broken Crown."
"Whispers in the Dark" is the second song on the album and a great fit right after the opening song, "Babel." Since the album is so new it is hard to find a good version online. The one below is good, but the album version is chills worthy.
"Whispers in the darkSteal a kiss and you'll break a heartPick up your clothes and curl your toesLearn your lesson, lead me homeSpare my sins for the ark, I was too slow to departI'm a cad, but I'm not a fraud, I've set out to serve the Lord"
"Broken Crown" is a haunting song that seems fitting with all the political turmoil happening around the world and even in this country with the approaching elections. Marcus Mumford's voice is particularly raw and emotive on this track. Some of the lyrics from this song were previously attached to the song "To Darkness" which the band sang on tour. (You can also find it on YouTube.)
I have a pain in my chest and it's caused by this man, Justin Vernon, the man behind the beautiful voice that is Bon Iver. I first fell in love with him when I heard the duclet tones of "Skinny Love" on an episode of Grey's Anatomy. After that I was hooked. I listened to (and still do) For Emma, For Ever Ago with an almost religious fervor and I still put at least one track on every mixed CD I make. There is just something about this man's music that touches me right down to my very soul. His lyrics are pure poetry and even though they don't make sense all of the time they speak to me about love, loss, and the pure beauty of the universe. His voice is husky and deep and resonates with a clarity that reaches down and pulls at parts of you that you didn't even know were lonely. I can listen to his music no matter how I am feeling; happy or sad, Bon Iver works for all occasions. And even as much as I love Morrissey and the Beatles, I honestly think Vernon's voice is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard (and that's saying a lot). I don't even really believe he is that attractive, it is just that when he opens his mouth he becomes the most beautiful person on earth.
When his self titled album came out this year I bought it at midnight and listened to it on repeat. There is not one track I dislike on the entire album. Besides Florence + the Machine's Ceremonials, it is the most played album on my i-tunes. It is so different from For Emma. The album is still haunting and magnificent (despite what Vernon might think), but there is also a maturity that comes from Bon Iver. What the album has lost in rawness, it gains in composure.
One of the things I like most about Vernon is his honesty, not only in his beliefs, but in his music. I truly feel that he is an artist who creates music because he loves it and because he has something to say, not for all the money and fame. Even with his recent Grammy win (and the hysterical name mispronunciation and "WTF" tweets that ensued) he has professed his pure love of just making music and almost disdain for the awards process. That is why I was reluctant (but also incredibly happy) to see him win. In a world of autotune and over production it is nice to see an earnest, experimental album receive some recognition. It's like an indie movie winning the Oscar's.
If you're not convinced by what I am saying, neither Justin nor I care. However, I beg of you, listen to this live studio version of Veron and fellow Bon Iver member Sean Carey as they duel pianos and play some songs from their recent album. If this does not make you feel something, then you must already be beyond help. I was literally swooning upon hearing the opening notes of the first song, "Hinnom, TX." I know I've already shared him and I know that this is an unusual post, but since I have missed two successive Tuesdays, I think this incredible performance can make up for it.
I love Florence + the Machine. I listened to Lungs pretty much on repeat the entire summer. If you see me listening to Florence music it can mean one of many things: either I'm heartbroken, happy, angry, confused, or I just need something to put as my facebook status. It all depends on the song, she has one for every mood. She's never been an artist I think you should know because I assume (and dearly hope) everyone has already heard of this amazing band.
The new album Ceremonials that was released Tuesday here in the US has been playing on my computer and ipod on repeat this entire week. I absolutely love it. I wrote a review for it for my school's blog: http://bupipedream.com/blogs/posts/release/no-sophomore-slump-for-florence-the-machine/1224
Some of my favorite lines have been edited out, but I guess that is the price of getting published. That's why I have my own blog as well. So I can say what I want completely uncensored and (occasionally) unedited.
My absolute favorite song of the album (and potentially of all her songs) is "Shake It Out." Not only are the song and video fantastic, but the lyrics are pure poetry. I also feel like this song fits my life pretty well.
"I am done with my graceless heart So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart Cause I like to keep my issues strong It's always darkest before the dawn"
.................
"And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope It's a shot in the dark and right at my throat Cause looking for heaven, for the devil in me Looking for heaven, for the devil in me Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me"
Last night Andrew Bird performed at my University in Binghamton, NY. I had been looking forward to the concert ever since I saw it posted; I've been a fan of Bird's music since I was introduced to it by a friend in high school. I've pretty much been in love ever since. He is such a unique artist with his mix of instrumentals, quirky lyrics, and whistling. Also, if you remember, he was one of my "I Think You Should Know Thursday" artists a few weeks ago (http://snapcracklepopculture.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-think-you-should-know-thursday_15.html).
I was really surprised that he came to Binghamton of all places. The auditorium was by no means full and many people seemed to have just discovered Bird and his music. He is one of those artists who relies on word of mouth to gain his popularity, which is sad since he is so talented. There were however some people who were at the concert because they were actually Andrew Bird fans. Occasionally singing along could be heard to his more popular songs and outside waiting for the show to start there were those discussing his album "Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs" which is my personal favorite and perhaps his most well known. It was an eclectic mix of people at attending, it was mostly college kids but there were some families and small children along with older adults who looked like the rocked out to Dylan in their day. There was also definitely more than one guy with a bow tie in the audience. That is one of the things that is so cool about Bird, he attracts a large and diverse group of people. And from what I heard after the concert, all came away satisfied.
To read my full review of the concert check out this link: http://bupipedream.com/blogs/posts/release/banking-on-the-myth-of-andrew-bird/1168
I wrote it for the Pipe Dream Blogs, the blog for my university's newspaper which I have recently started writing for. Review: Needs milk
Martin Dosh & Andrew Bird
(Partial) Set list for Andrew Bird in Binghamton, NY. I tried to get them all, but he didn't announce all the titles and some lyrics were hard to understand:
1.
2. Why
3. Instrumental
4. Nervous Tick Motion of the Head to the Left
5. Give it Away (new)
6.
7. Fitz & Dizzyspells
8. Carrion Suite
9. It's Not Easy Being Green (Muppets cover)
10.
11. Effigy
12. Experimental instrumentals with Martin Dosh
13. Plasticities
14. Headsoak
15.
16. Tables and Chairs
Encore:
1. Happy Day
2. Comin' Home
