The day here in Rochester is moving back and forth between overcast and hazy sun, and it feels as though it’s going to rain at any second. I’ve been shuffling through my iPod, and this song popped up in between inordinate amounts of Ryan Adams.
My girlfriend and I are going to The Little tonight to watch Away We Go and eat popcorn for dinner and be generally irresponsible with our Tuesday evening.
With this, the 20th part of my 1000 Minutes project, I find myself taking stock of what I’ve already made a part of my list. There’s nothing on there that I would take back; I’ve yet to repeat an artist, but I know that will come eventually. Really, reading back over the list yields an incredibly mixed bag of tunes. It occurs to me that I should actually make a playlist of the songs for my iPod. If these are my favorite songs – my desert island tracks – then I should probably have them in an easily listenable, easily accessible group.
I can almost guarantee that you’ve seen Peter Salett in a movie or two and didn’t know it. He’s a fringe member of the ever-expanding Judd Apatow set, and has popped up in everything from Wet Hot American Summer to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Appropriately, he always seems to be playing an instrument – and from what little I’ve heard of his music, he’s excellent at it. This particular tune, released early in 2000, is a simple, aching love song. It’s got a dusty Americana feel to it – meandering from verse to chorus and back again – that is over far too quickly, but is just as easily repeatable.
Since I’m not really a fan of reggae, and having been raised in a conservative Christian home, Matisyahu’s music wouldn’t seem like an immediate match for me. And really, it’s not. Live at Stubb’s barely registered – except for this particular track, which still resonates today. While I’m no longer practicing any religion, I know that the joy with which Matisyahu delivers his personal psalm would have made King David himself dance – and makes this skeptic “feel it in (his) chest.” Even if it is for the most fleeting of moments, that’s something anyone should be thankful for.
Aren’t you glad you have a resource like us to filter out all the crap that’s released each week by the music industry? If you think I’m being sarcastic about something on our list, it’s a safe bet to just assume that I am.
This week seems to be all about re-issues and box sets, so if you were waiting for Whitesnake to re-release Slide It In, this is your week. Otherwise, get the Wilco and the Spoon and call it a week. We hope it’s a good one for you.
Today we have a quick post for you of some songs that have been kicking around for a while. Anyone reading this should have listened to these songs by now or else you are in trouble. The repercussions are unknown but I’m sure they are fairly harsh.
Today’s music included in my 1000 Minutes project may seem like it has a connecting theme. That theme, to those of discerning eyes and ears, being its use in a certain film. This film, whose title I won’t be mentioning, is a lightning rod of opinions in that most I’ve talked to either love or hate it. Personally, I love the movie and get goose bumps often when watching it, and in particular during parts of the film when certain songs are used. Both songs below serve to enhance the film in multiple ways for me, and honestly the entire soundtrack is excellent as well. In fact I’ve already used another song from it in this list. If you wish to find out what movie it is do some research on your own. If curious as to why I am not mentioning the film, my point in deliberately omitting it is to illustrate that the song’s inclusion in this list have nothing to do with their inclusion in the film. So there.
37. Josh Rouse – Directions (mp3) from Home (3:26) [Time Remaining: 846:16]
I have many Josh Rouse albums and songs littered about on my computer and in my house. No matter what he has made in the past or produces in the future this little ditty will always be my favorite. While I don’t necessarily identify with the theme of the song, as often is the case with me, I take the song at face value and just love the sounds of it. The music arrangement and the vocals just shout out something beautiful to my ears. I’ve probably listened to this song several hundred times and have never, nor will ever, sicken of it.
What exactly can I say about a song with lyrics in a nonsensical language made up so that listeners can interpret them however they choose? First off, as silly as that idea may sound to people I absolutely love it. I doubt this song means exactly the same thing to another person as it does to me. This is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard and I think the idea of the entire album is genius, though it certainly takes a band of this stature to pull it off. The track was later officially titled Njósnavélin by the band for those that may be curious.
We went without a giveaway last week because we’re busy guys, but we didn’t want to let you go without for too long. This week we’re giving away Joseph Scott’s excellent You Keep Me Hidden EP:
My process, when I write about music, is to listen the first time and simply write down reactions. Short, simple one or two word phrases to describe how the music sounds to me, or the feeling it gives me. It’s from those initial reactions that I base a great portion of what becomes my review. Granted, my reviewing method seems to have a verbose, often too personal quality to it. By that I mean that no one cares about what I bring to the music – my memories. They just want to know about how it sounds.
Which brings me to Joseph Scott and his atmospheric, space rock. Mr. Scott forwarded us his You Keep Me Hidden EP (which he spells without capitalization), and since downloading it, I’ve listened to it almost daily.
The four songs are expansive numbers, ebbing and flowing into something ethereal. From the nearly wordless title track, which opens the EP, to the seamless transition between “What We Do Right Is Wrong” and “Celeste,” to the closing 80’s synth-pop of “In Youth,” there isn’t a misstep. These are twenty minutes to be repeated – and doing so is rewarding. There’s always something else to be unearthed in this introspective EP.
The EP is available through Amie Street, and is, at the moment, still free to download. We HIGHLY recommend downloading a copy, as it’s certain to not stay that way for much longer. You can also download “In Youth” below if you need more convincing.
In addition, Mr. Scott was kind enough to send us a remix of “You Keep Me Hidden,” which is a Tympanogram exclusive. We’re streaming it below, and we’ll also send it out to whoever is interested, so long as you tell us your Amie Street username in the comments. Be sure to check out his MySpace page for additional tracks, downloads, and concert dates. Right now, London is a bit too much of a trip for us here in the States, so if you’re over that way, please take the time to support a truly talented artist.
Joseph Scott – In Youth (mp3) from You Keep Me Hidden EP
Joseph Scott – You Keep Me Hidden (Ocean Mix) (Stream) [Tympanogram Exclusive]
It’s going to be 85 ’round these parts today, so in addition to serving up some tasty music, we’re going to provide you with a delicious mojito recipe. I’m making myself one this evening while I grill up some steak. Hopefully it’s nice in your corner of the world, and that you’re old enough to drink Hemingway’s favorite Cuban cocktail.
1.5 oz rum (preferably of the clear variety, non-spiced)
12 spearmint leaves
1/2 lime
7 oz club soda
4 tsp. sugar
1. muddle lime and mint together. use a muddler if available; in a pinch, the back of a spoon should do. you should just start to smell the mint.
2. cover with the sugar
3. fill glass with ice
4. add rum and soda
5. garnish with lime and mint sprigs
Today’s chapter of my 1000 Minutes project has an inordinate amount of parentheses. After a relatively rainy month of June here in Western New York, this week is set to heat up into the mid-80’s. Both of the songs in today’s post reflect that warmer weather outlook.
To me, Beth Orton and Conor Oberst may as well be the same artist. Before you think I’m crazy, the comparison isn’t because they sound alike, but because every single time I buy one of their albums, I end up disappointed. None of the other songs sound like the one I’d heard first, and I don’t listen enough to move beyond that initial letdown.
I suppose it’s fitting, with that background, that the Beth Orton song that makes my list is not even the original version, but one aided by the track’s producer – David Roback of Mazzy Star.
Roback’s production speeds the original up, and adds a futuristic vibe to the song, which compliments Orton’s smoky vocals better than the stripped down original. In doing so, the song’s lyrical outlook becomes much more hopeful, and, personally, much more pleasing to listen to. Having been released ten years ago, it’s a song that accompanies good memories, and I appreciate it all the more for that.
I often find that the appeal of rap is lost on me; I don’t purchase hip-hop albums regularly because I lose interest beyond the initial singles. This year, for example, I’ve only purchased the (excellent) new Mos Def album that was released two weeks ago.
This is not the fault of the genre, but of pure preference. With Camp Lo’s “Luchini,” conversely, there has never been a decrease in interest. When I first heard it, I was with my friends, driving around in their cars, sneaking pulls on 40’s before being dropped off at home. Outside, it was sticky hot. From the initial horns through to the end, I didn’t understand much of anything the two members were rapping about – and still don’t – but that didn’t matter. It’s a song with a laidback vibe – itself a throwback to a different time – but one that still seems as fresh as the first summer I heard it.
This week’s releases try hard to make up for last week’s schlock. It’s a pretty good week with at least 4 releases that I’m interested in hearing – Pete Yorn’s album title wordplay aside, I’ll give his album a listen, along with The Mars Volta’s always impressive, ever-expansive prog, as well as Regina Spektor and Deer Tick’s new efforts. Not bad.
I hope you all can find something you like. As ever, there are a couple of tracks to jog your memory after the listing. Have a great week.
As a follow up to yesterday’s post, I wanted to look at my best of from 2008 and mention some overlooked music. I had originally intended to include everything in one massive post but we split it up into two days worth. Looking back at my best-of list for 2008 I know the order in which I ranked songs would change a bit compared to how I feel now. Some tracks would certainly be added while others possibly removed and I already mentioned Copeland a while ago. When it boils down to it there are some I had not listed on the original ‘08 list because I hadn’t listened to them when I wrote it up, so I figured I would talk about a few other songs I’ve liked this year that were released in the last.
I’ve played the attached Department of Eagles song a shit-ton. As have I with the Deerhunter track, which is surprising, because I actually got a few songs off Microcastle in ‘08, but not this particular one. One glorious day earlier this year I purchased both In Ear Park and Microcastle from Amie Street and have been loving them each since.
Another the both of us overlooked is Such Fun from Annuals. I recently read another blog lambaste the band. The gist of the post was that a new song from them leads the writer to believe the band is salvageable, when that fact was altogether questionable following the atrocity that Such Fun was to him/her. Sure the album is slightly scattered stylistically, but it’s not as bad as they would lead you to believe, is not adult contemporary, and in fact is pretty good (even according to Pitchfork). Hence it being on our overlooked list. But to each his own I suppose. I may talk bad about one band when others like them, though I hope I don’t come off as a haughty douche in the process.
an examination used to test the condition of the middle ear and mobility of the eardrum, and the conduction bones by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal.
Basically, it sounded like a cool name for a blog intended to be primarily about music. We’d both had other blogs previously, but over beers it was decided that more damage could be done as a joint venture. And here we are.
We share a passion for the undiscovered and under-appreciated, and hope that you’ll be able to find something you love as well.
Do you have an artist or band you think we should hear? Please feel free to let us know and we'd be glad to give it a listen.
We can be reached here.
Disclaimer
The music offered on this blog is for sampling purposes only. If you enjoy something you hear here, please go out and buy the music, see a show, or purchase some merchandise. Posted mp3s are available for a limited period of time only.
If there are any materials featured here that are your intellectual property, and you would prefer them removed, please notify us and we will be happy to oblige.
Many years ago, Napoleon's brother, my great-great-great-great-great-great Grandfather, came to America. He was asked his name on Ellis Island while being processed as an immigrant. Not understanding English, he was under the impression that he was being asked how he had arrived in the new land. So he turned around and pointed at the sea vessel and said, 'LaBarge.'
About the Author: Andy
I come by my music taste of my own free will. My friends listened to 2Pac, my parents to contemporary Christian and me? Sunny Day Real Estate. I can’t explain it.
“Music, true music, not just rock ’n’ roll, it chooses you. It lives in your car, or alone, listening to your headphones…” - Lester Bangs
The day here in Rochester is moving back and forth between overcast and hazy sun, and it feels as though it’s going to rain at any second. I’ve been shuffling through my iPod, and this song popped up in between inordinate amounts of Ryan Adams.
With this, the 20th part of 
Aren’t you glad you have a resource like us to filter out all the crap that’s released each week by the music industry? If you think I’m being sarcastic about something on our list, it’s a safe bet to just assume that I am.
Today we have a quick post for you of some songs that have been kicking around for a while. Anyone reading this should have listened to these songs by now or else you are in trouble. The repercussions are unknown but I’m sure they are fairly harsh.
Today’s music included in my 
We went without a giveaway last week because we’re busy guys, but we didn’t want to let you go without for too long. This week we’re giving away Joseph Scott’s excellent You Keep Me Hidden EP:
It’s going to be 85 ’round these parts today, so in addition to serving up some tasty music, we’re going to provide you with a delicious mojito recipe. I’m making myself one this evening while I grill up some steak. Hopefully it’s nice in your corner of the world, and that you’re old enough to drink Hemingway’s favorite Cuban cocktail.
As a follow up to yesterday’s 
