Short and Sweet

Good evening ladies and gentleman!

Okay, I've got to make this one short because I worked 14 hours today and my brain is about to explode. Not a full review but more of a recommendation for the three of you who might actually check out this blog. Now don't quote me on this, but I think it was Devendra Banhart and friends who invented the genre of 'Freak Folk.' I'm not sure why it was so appealingly labeled that, maybe people consider if weird? I just consider it great fucking music. (pardon the language for my readers 12 and under)

Andy Cabic, one of Devendra's cronies, is the front man for Vetiver (www.vetiverse.com), one of these 'Freak Folk' bands I mentioned. The band's third record, 'A Thing of the Past', turned out to be one of the few albums you don't have to get up to skip a song. Front to back, all twelve tracks are just plain enjoyable. They've recently released 'Tight Knit', their fourth album, but I haven't got a chance to listen yet.

You'll find after awhile that I'm a huge fan of what I call just pure music, no frills, just strings and some vocals. 'A Thing of the Past' definately falls under this category. He also plays the same guitar as me, which is special.

Have a listen and support these freaky folks!

J.B.

"If you're not a right winger we'll all have a Humdinger..."

Alright I'm going to try and start rotating newer and older music. It'd be pretty boring if all I did was talk about old shit, right?

I had always been kind of indifferent about Old Crow Medicine Show until around 3 to 4 years ago. Thought some of their songs were catchy, but it wasn't anything to write home about. Then I got the chance to see them live with the company of two of my favorite friends, hot sun and a pale ale. Within minutes of them strumming those open chords and singing with a heavy twang, my arms were flapping and my feet were moving in a motion that would only be described as dancing by the people in the audience who were smoking, snorting and drinking what O.C.M.S. were singing about.

The five piece Nashville bluegrass band has recently released their latest and in my opinion, greatest.... 'Tennessee Pusher." All the tracks vividly tell stories, and the playing on every song is tighter than John McCain's asshole. My personal favorite track on the album is 'Motel in Memphis,' somberly telling the story of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's not always serious business with O.C.M.S. though, as they seem to always have a party favorite on their albums, and on this one no doubt it's 'Humdinger.' How can you go wrong with a song about wine, whiskey, women and guns? Make sure you give this a listen, you can learn more at http://www.crowmedicine.com/.

J.B.

Amy, Wine, & House.

I have a sister named Amy who graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan (http://www.cooley.edu/). My favorite wine is a cheap ass bottle of Lake Country Red (thanks Broome), 8 bucks for a jug of the finest red wine on the market. Norman Cook, a.k.a. Fatboy Slim was my first taste of really good House music...however this is about none of those things. Sure, Amy Winehouse might be an obnoxious, crack-smoking train wreck, but have you listened to 'Back to Black' all the way through? I've long considered this the best album of 2007... which doesn't really sound that impressive when Rolling Stone Magazine had Bruce Springstein and the ever pretentious Kanye West in the top 5. Okay, okay...I know you might be saying "But JB! In Rainbows came out in 2007!" - I'm aware, we all downloaded it for nothing, remember? From track one to track eleven Ms. Winehouse pours her heart out in one of the most unique voices I've ever heard. The reggae riff in the background on 'Some Unholy War' is simplistic and catchy, just the perfect combination to let the range of her voice shine. Tracks like 'Back to Black' and 'You Know I'm No Good' have such funky hooks that frat boys aren't scared to open the hatch and bump them from the suburban. Da da da da whooooooooo! Back to Black is so well put together it's become a standard on my playlist. I sincerely wish Amy the best, and hope she can get her shit together so we can get another top-notch album. J.B.

Let's get started....Beirut!

The best way I've found to learn about new artists is simply word of mouth. Usually when someone suggests a band/artist to another, the common reply is "Yeah, I'll check it out..." I don't know what happens here, either people forget or don't care enough, but they never get around to "checking it out." (YOU PEOPLE KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) Anyhow, long story short, when a friend suggests something to you, take 5 minutes out of your busy schedule and give it a listen! It won't hurt, I promise...unless of course it's Nickelback or the Goo-Goo Dolls - then yeah, it will hurt a little.

My good pal Nick (word up homeboy) told me I should listen to Beirut about 4 months ago. Good job Nick!

What can I say, I was completely blown away. So the guy has a little problem enunciating, but after a few seconds of his beautiful voice accompanied by a ukulele, horns and an accordion, you'll forget all about it. It's not exactly going to get the party started, but it's a good way to start your day or relax to.

I recommend the album 'The Flying Club Cup', with such delights as The Penalty, Sunday Smile and Guyamas Sonora. His sound is so uplifting and inspiring I usually find myself smiling uncontrollably within seconds. For just a taste you can go to his website, http://www.beirutband.com/ - The player will start up and you can begin the listening pleasure.

CHECK IT OUT!

J.B.

Allow myself to introduce....myself.

Well, it's happened. I've decided to join the blogging universe. My name is Jonathan, I'm a 28 year old graphic designer with a passion for music. My main hobby is basically to keep up with music, find what's good and let others know about it. I've been referred to as a music nazi on more than one occasion, and I'll accept that. My taste is fairly eclectic to say the least, ranging from classical, folk, jazz and rock to soul, bluegrass, R&B and gangster rap. I'm always open to new suggestions, in fact I thrive on it.

My main objective here is just to give credit where credit is due, and hopefully introduce some readers to something they've never heard before... With that said, I hope you enjoy my blog!

J.B.