September 20th, 2006
Well, let’s see: how do you even begin a blog like this? First of all, let me just say that as a musician there is nothing more frustrating than seeing people get into one song and then say they are a fan of a band, musician, or songwriter! So, let me begin with an example: I remember first hearing of a small-time, British band (who at the time was relatively unknown in the U.S.) while I was in Britain in the late 90’s called Coldplay. They were just coming on the scene, and my British friends were likening them to bands such as Radiohead (which at the time I thought was sacrilege). So, I began listening to some of Coldplay’s music, and was really drawn in by the sincerity and honesty of Chris Martin’s lyrics. Now, fast forward about 7 or 8 years and 3 major albums later, and you have a massive following here in the U.S. But stop for a second – what constitutes a fan? – is it someone who has been to 8 concerts and counting, or maybe it’s someone who knows all of the lyrics to The Scientist? Just let me say, though – that if you never listened to songs like Trouble or Don’t Panic off of Coldplay’s first album Parachutes, or if you haven’t taken the time to consider the dynamic lyrics or surreal melodies of songs like Green Eyes or A Warning Sign from their second album A Rush of Blood to the Head then don’t say you’re a fan.
So, let’s talk about a current explosion of sorts: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. Great song… awesome song in fact, but don’t add it to your MySpace profile or rev it up while it’s playing on some lame, sorry excuse for a radio station like Star 94 (For those of you here in Atlanta) while proclaiming (and I can hear it in some high-pitched, whiney, teen girl’s voice): I just love Snow Patrol! That’s crap…that’s exactly what it is… you’re no more of a fan of Snow Patrol than I am of Whitney Houston (and I’m no fan at all). Just because I know two lines of lyrics from some mid-90’s, Houston song doesn’t make me a fan.
I remember 4 or 5 years ago when I first heard the song Olive Grove Facing the Sea off of Snow Patrol’s album When It’s All Over We Still Have to Clear Up, I was moved beyond words… the passion, the emotion, and the meaning that exuded from Gary Lightbody’s vocals and lyrics was amazing. From that point forward I was sold, and I delved into every Snow Patrol song I could get my hands on… and almost dissected them so that I could grab those lyrics and understand the meaning and emotion behind their songs. So, I guess what I’m saying is: if you’ve never taken the time to listen to and soak up the meaning behind songs like On/Off, How To Be Dead, or If I’d Found the Right Words to Say then you don’t understand where Snow Patrol is coming from with a song like Chasing Cars. So, what would I call you? A fair-weather fan maybe… or perhaps not really much of a fan at all…
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September 11th, 2006
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Eyes Open
Snow PatrolI just didn’t get into this album at first like I got into the last Snow Patrol release “Final Straw” back in 2004. However, after listening through this CD several times there are some great tracks and overall I believe this album shows more diversity than the other Snow Patrol albums. Definitely check out “Hands Open”, “Shut your Eyes”, and “Make this Go on Forever”. Snow Patrol has been compared to Coldplay, but I consider them to have a very unique sound that is really highlighted by the dreamy vocals of Gary Lightbody.
Favorite Track: Chasing Cars |
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December Underground
AFIThis album is an amazing work of musical genius. When I first heard Kill Caustic on the radio, I was mildly interested in picking up the CD and listening to it, but after hearing such tracks as “Prelude 12/21″, “The Interview”, and “Love Like Winter” I was completely sold on AFI. Their driving riffs, intense vocals, and strong melodies make this CD really come alive every time I listen to it. If you want a CD that combines that sounds of Franz Ferdinand, Blink 182, and Hawthorne Heights then this is the album for you.
Favorite Track: 37mm |
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Dusk and Summer
Dashboard ConfessionalThis has got to be the best Dashboard Confessional album since The Places You have come to Fear the Most came out back in 2001, and is quite possibly the most diverse work that Christopher Carrabba has ever done. Of course we’ve all heard “Don’t Wait” on the radio, but the real energy of this album lays in the tracks hidden in the middle and at the end of the CD. Listen to Stolen, The Secret’s in the Telling, and Heaven Here to see what this record is all about. Really for the first time, Carrabba brings in driving guitars, steps up the drums, and does more full-band sound, however that angst-ridden air is still ever present throughout the album. It doesn’t get any better than track #6 “So Long, So Long” where Carrabba does a duet with Counting Crows’ frontman Adam Duritz and proclaims “How the girls can turn to ghost before your eyes…”
Favorite Track: So Long, So Long |
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We Don’t Need to Whisper
Angels and AirwavesIf you ever liked Blink 182 back in the day, you’re going to love Angels and Airwaves. I was a big fan of Blink 182 back in the Enema of the State days, but I believe AVA (Angels and Airwaves) has the potential to be even bigger. The sound of Tom DeLonge’s voice is still the mainstay of this project, but the feel and sound is something that is hauntingly spiritual. The lyrics of this album, We Don’t Need to Whisper are amazing, and a major part of why I have fallen in love with this record. Listen to “The Adventure”, “The Gift”, or “Good Day” while gazing out at the ocean, watching a sunset, or simply with your eyes closed and you’ll come to appreciate the earnestness of this album.
Favorite Track: Start the Machine |
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We Were Here
Joshua RadinEasy Listening, heart warming, enchanting - these are all adjectives that describe Joshua Radin’s first full-length album: We Were Here. I’ve been listening to Josh for a while, and his tracks “Winter”, Closer, and Today have been always been favorites on my iPod. So, I was anxiously waiting for his full length album to be released, and I have not been disappointed. The new songs that he has on the album such as “Sundrenched World”, “Everything’ll Be Alright”, and “Amy’s Song” coupled with his original works “Closer” and “Winter” combine to make a CD that is simply amazing.
Favorite Track: Today |
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