Bud Summers: Eons

It’s a pretty obvious statement to say that people have a variety of tastes when it comes to music. What sounds positively heavenly to one listener may have the same effect as nails on a chalkboard to another listener. Every once in a while, though, an artist comes along who can easily appeal to listeners with all sorts of different tastes.


Bud Summers is one such artist.

The first thing one notices while listening to Eons, the sophomore effort from Summers, is the simplicity of the music. Each track is rooted in acoustic guitar, with only minimal percussion and just a touch of bass. The songs have a lightness to them, and Summers’s gentle voice fits in perfectly, creating tracks that are really just easy and enjoyable to listen to...MORE

The Britton Brothers Band: Uncertain Living

Listening to Uncertain Living, the debut album from The Britton Brothers Band, the first thought that came to mind was, “Wow. This music is classy.” It’s the type of jazz one would expect to be playing at a fancy restaurant, or an elegant event of some sort.

 

What the Britton Brothers Band presents isn’t bluesy jazz, smooth jazz, and definitely not “elevator music” jazz. Rather than having the gritty or heavier sound that those subgenres of jazz tend to have, the music on Uncertain Living has a completely pure tone, and the musicians play clearly, crisply, and tightly complementing each other.

 

While the songs do have the presence of the improvisational feel that is commonly associated with jazz the tracks on Uncertain Living also seem to be fairly structured, which only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the music. A sour note is never hit, and each instrument plays off the others flawlessly...MORE

Jean-Paul & Things to Hear: Zonk

When you go to a band’s website and right off the bat it says “A weird band,” it raises questions as to what that band’s music is really going to be like.

This is the case with Jean-Paul & Things to Hear. On their website, they call themselves “A weird band not stuck in any one genre.” Well, listening to their most recent album, Zonk, I’d say that description is false on both accounts.

The first (and title) track, “Zonk,” is a little odd, since it consists mostly of just saying “Zonk” a lot, backed with some accordion. That is, literally, the only thing about Jean-Paul & Things to Hear’s that can even remotely be considered weird. Even that, though, is an entertaining track, so weird is good. 

“Not stuck in any one genre” isn’t exactly an accurate description either. With the exception of “Zonk,” Zonk has a consistently bluesy sound to it. At times it may extend into the umbrella-term genre of “alternative,” but even then there is still a definite blues tinge to the music...MORE

Copernicus: Nothing Exists

Nothing Exists, the new (yet old) LP from Copernicus is easily one of the coolest albums I have ever heard.

 

Originally released in 1985, Nothing Exists was Copernicus’s first album, paving the way for the eleven albums that would follow. After releasing a new album in 2009, Copernicus went back to the beginning, digitally re-mastering and re-releasing Nothing Exists.

 

The album is an extremely interesting fusion of spoken word (Copernicus the vocalist started out as a spoken word artist) and progressive rock, which is simultaneously very chill and incredibly intense...MORE

 

Wide Hive Players: Players

Although it rarely receives the same attention as other, more mainstream genres of music, the jazz scene today remains alive and well. California natives Wide Hive Players are proof of this.

 

Given when it was that jazz was in its hey-day, the genre tends to have an inherent older feel to it. Listening to jazz can elicit images of being in a completely different time period.

 

With their album Players, Wide Hive Players stick to the roots of jazz while bringing a freshness and modernity to it that sets them apart from other jazz musicians.

 

In fact, the sound of Wide Hive Players is like a hybrid of traditional jazz fused together with jam-band style music...MORE

David Wahler: A Star Danced

On his sophomore album, A Star Danced, David Wahler takes us away from everyday life without ever saying a word. Wahler uses electronic keyboards to create an atmosphere that is simultaneously whimsical and mysterious, and instantly brings to mind images of floating through space.

 

However, despite the celestial ideas the album evokes, the title A Star Danced isn’t entirely accurate. It’s more as though a star…hopped.

 

Being his second album, one would have expected Wahler to try pushing things to the edge, rather than relying on melodies that are simply pretty. Or, if that were the chosen route for the album, there could definitely have been more variation put into those melodies...MORE

Songs for Your Listening Pleasure

So. It occurred to me that I have been hardcore failing at the whole 'songs of the week' business. Luckily for you, there is a whole slew of songs that I've been digging lately, so here's a nice barrage of songs that you should check out.

And just because I feel so badly about not giving you song suggestions, I'm even going to make this super easy for you and include links for you to listen to the songs. You're welcome!

Enjoy!


Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: Home (Love, love, LOVE this song! SO cute!)

Christina Perri: Jar of Hearts (Thank you 'So You Think You Can Dance' for introducing me to this one!)

Jesca Hoop: Four Dreams (Heard this song on The Current--aka the best radio station ever--and I was hooked instantly.)

The Undeserving: Something to Hope For (If you like OneRepublic, I think this will strike your fancy. Similar sound, in my opinion.)

Ryan Calhoun: Who We Are (Really pretty song, but a bit on the sad side. I tend to be drawn to that type of song. Sorry about that. Maybe that's why my best friend calls me emo?)

Barenaked Ladies: The Big Bang Theory Theme Song (I am absolutely obsessed with the show 'The Big Bang Theory.' Seriously. If you have not watched it, go do so. RIGHT. NOW!)

Joshua Radin: Sundrenched World (Another lovely but heavy one.)

Katzenjammer: A Bar in Amsterdam (Not sure which I like more...the song itself, or the music video for it. Both are faaaantastic!)


Florence & The Machine: Drumming Song (I love female singers whose voices are just naturally stellar. Eff autotune!)


Adam Lambert: If I Had You (Gotta admit...I think Adam Lambert is a fox. Seriously. And he can legit sing, too! Even better!)

Janelle Monae: Tightrope (I get to see her live next month! Yay! I've seen her perform on TV appearances and she is soooo talented.)

The Avett Brothers: Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise (Saw them live about a month ago. So. Freaking. Good. If you ever get a chance to go to one of their shows, I'd highly recommend doing so.)

Metric: Waves (One of my all-time favorite bands. First discovered them back in 2004 when they had an appearance in the movie 'Clean.' Insta-love. I've also been told I look like their singer, Emily Haines. So that's cool too.)

Sia: Soon We'll Be Found (Her hair makes me giggle, but DANG is this song gorgeous, and the video is one of the most unique I've ever seen.)

Devotchka: How It Ends (Sound familiar? If you've seen 'Little Miss Sunshine,' it's in there. Was also the song that two of my loves (Neil and Kent) from 'So You Think You Can Dance' danced to.)

Mumford and Sons: The Cave (Not even going to start about how I'm missing seeing them yet AGAIN. It's a tragic tale. Anywho, they're wonderful, so have a listen.)

The Antlers: Bear (The beginning of this song makes me smile. Reminds me of a lullaby.)

Wild Beasts: We Still Got the Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues (This song just rocks. Entrancing is a good word for it.)

Brandon Flowers: Crossfire (I've seen The Killers three times. The last time, Mr. Flowers was kind of a douche. I'm hoping he redeems himself solo. Because I really like this song.)

Tramgirl Karaoke Club ft. Maskopet: If Your Time Runs Out (Sorry I couldn't find a better video. Still a great song, though!)

Spiral Beach: Voodoo (This song is in one of my favorite movies, 'Charlie Bartlett.' EVERY time I've watched I've thought, "Wow, I like this song, wonder who sings it?" but never looked it up. Yesterday I finally did. Woot!)

H'ok. 21 songs for your listening enjoyment. I think that makes up for the 9 weeks I missed, don't you?