Kristyn
Songs You Should Be Listening To
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I could've gone to see Angels & Airwaves for free. Yes, free. As in - it would cost me only the gas to get there. And, if my calculations are correct, that would've been about... 17 cents.
But instead I have to go to a night class. Even better yet, that night class is Healthcare Finance.
Why? I want answers, folks.
Or... I just want you to feel bad for me. Or... I'm avoiding doing some real homework. Mmhmm.
First - apologies for the lame title. You'll come to realize that I'm quite the nerd...
I've been listening to The Reindeer Section for quite a few months now... and I only recently stumbled upon some info.
So apparently the lead singer is from Snow Patrol and the rest of the rather large ensemble features artists from the likes of Mogwai and Belle&Sebastian (and a veritable slew of others!). I had no idea. When clearly Gary Lightbody's voice is pretty recognizable. I never said I was smart.
And, if I dare say so, I like The Reindeer Section much more than Snow Patrol. I know, I just committed pop culture heresy. But I don't take it back.
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The Reindeer Section album "Ya'll get.." is quite amazing. My wife turned me on to them a couple years back. I have to agree that that ensemble is an amazing mix of talent and definitely give Snow Patrol a run for their money.
A couple of nights ago I was privileged to experience one of the better shows I've been to in quite a little while.
Lymbyc System and Dirty on Purpose opened for The Album Leaf at the WOW Hall - a relatively small (but excellent) venue. The Lymbyc System has only two members - a drummer and the guy who does everything else (mostly on keyboards, samplers, and things). They really had it. Whatever 'it' is, they must've had it. Inkeeping with the mood of the show, they were very instrumental with a heavy emphasis on rhythm. Not a lot of ambient/instrumental stuff gets me dancing around... but they sure did. Thumbs up.
Dirty on Purpose... well... I've been told that if I can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Let's just say that I prefer to think of this show as featuring only two bands. The lead guitarist (or at least the one who wasn't ALWAYS using the wammy bar with as much vigor and shamelessness as possible) was pretty cool - I liked him. What he had to add was tasteful, and he seemed to understand that it was necessary to sing into the mic if you wish to be heard. Always a good deal. It's hard for me to be so negative about a band's/artist's performance... but I just couldn't dig these guys. So there you have it.
Culminating it all was The Album Leaf, the reason I was so excited about this show to begin with. The only comparison I can make that seems 1) remotely accurate and 2) like people might be able to identify with is Sigur Ros. TAL is likewise very ambient and ethereal, but they also have their own thing going on. First - what little lyrics they incorporate are in English. This detail is really only that, a detail, and isn't necessarily momentous. However, for me, it kind of brings those songs of theirs with lyrics a little bit closer, makes them more real. TAL also leans more toward the electronica side of things versus the classical side, although there is often a beautifully integrated violin. I am ALL about strings, as long as they're not thrown into a song for no apparent reason other than to win listeners over solely by virtue of the fact that the song has strings. |personal pet peeve, sorry| But don't worry, this isn't the case with these guys.
By and large, I loved this show. On top of all of these major components, I was in the front row with a great friend who knows way more than I do and always humors me by answering my random questions about gear and instrumentation and whatnot. Everyone needs a friend like that. :)
All of these things came together to total one of the best shows I've been to as of late. Check them out if you can.
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So I've been thinking of picking up a The Album Leaf album for a while...any recommendations?
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Hm...avoiding doing homework, eh? it's 1:21 AM and i have my final project due for my final class for my masters tomorrow...why am i procrastinating? doesn't logic dictate that i'd have it done by now? Shouldn't i have been thrilled to be done with this?
The answer is yes...and still...here i am.
and here you are. at least it's 55 degrees in my bedroom so i have no choice but to wear my big headphones and listen to music.
As for why you didn't go to the show? eh...well, at least you're doing something "productive" right? make sure you don't learn anything in class...out of spite.
Charlie Brown, believe it or not, once said you can always tell when you're doing the right thing 'cause it feels like death. And yes, his choices were play or homework.
Take heart.