"The Best Album I've Heard In Five Years"?

So when you have hype like this attached to your album, I'm going to have high hopes when I listen. Blah blah blah if you don't feel like reading the whole blog post, it doesn't disappoint. Spoiler alert? I'm not one to say what's the best or worst album I've heard, especially in five years time, but I know for sure it's damn good. DAMN good.

Now, on to the actual review....

Like many others, I heard of Foy Vance from Ed Sheeran and had the privilege of seeing him live in Los Angeles opening for Ed in February. He blew my socks off. Is that an expression people still use? All I know is I was wearing socks, and then I wasn't. The guy has an incredible voice that wraps you up in rasp and then makes you cry and then your mouth hits the floor and then you pass out and then you wake up in heaven. I mean, what? I don't even know. Although I heard of Foy from Ed, their styles are quite different. Since they are associated acts, and Ed Sheeran features on a track on Foy's album (Guiding Light...check it out...it's amazing), they do get put in the same boat a lot of time. Although they both have extremely poignant lyrics and a wonderful guitar-based sound, Foy has a stronger blues component to his music and his own unique style.

Foy Vance - Los Angeles, CA - Feb 2013

"Joy of Nothing" is Foy's first album in six years. It's stellar. You can hear the blues, folk, rock and everything in-between all mashed together in a gorgeous sound. With whatever sound on whatever track, the lyrics are commonly dripping with soul, strength, and a bit of grit. I can't help but think of some old blues and rock albums my dad introduced to me when I was young coupled with something much more modern.

Some of the stand out tracks on the album, for me, are the title track "Joy of Nothing", "Janey" and "At Least My Heart Was Open" although they really are all worth a listen. I'm really looking forward to seeing Foy live again in October. I'd advise seeing if he's playing somewhere near you...chances are, he probably is. Link! And let me just say, he does this thing where he uses a string bow on his guitar that is worth the ticket price alone.

So, basically, give "Joy of Nothing" a listen...then purchase this baby on iTunes, or if you're like me, go old school and get a physical copy because why the hell not. I already checked with my local record store. They're carrying it. ALRIGHT.

New Stuff and Radio Suck

There is just so much music BLAH mashing together in my head I need to spit it out...on paper...online...whatever. I feel like every August-->November there is an insane influx of new music to listen to (cutting off before Christmas when Michael Bublé takes over). So, the influx is starting and all of the things must be shared! It baffles me though when all this new beautiful ear candy is being released, radio stations ignore the shit out of it and continue to pump out more Maroon 5 singles than Adam Levine even remembers recording...but more about that later. Just prepare yourself for a massive R A N T. Huzzah.

So, here is some new stuff I have been listening to. A lot of it isn't actually new but I'm just hearing it. So basically just go with whatever I say. 

AND there seriously must be something in the water because talent is popping up out of everywhere. If only that water would come out of my tap.

London Grammar - Wasting My Young Years
Music this good should be illegal, except not, because that would be stupid. This song is gorgeous. This group is gorgeous. This video is gorgeous. Everything about all of this is gorgeous. I can't stop. I can't help but be reminded of some Marina & The Diamonds songs but with a slightly darker vibe? Does that even make sense? That's what I'm getting. They only have an EP out right now but the chatter about it is out of control. Whenever the album is coming out, people will flip, and we will be hearing a lot more from this group. YES.

Lorde - Tennis Courts

Again with the talent water. Where are these people getting it? I can't handle the beautiful music that is coming from this 16 YEAR OLD. What was I doing when I was 16? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Lorde is extremely unique...I can't quite think of anything that sounds like what she's coming up with. Sort of synth-y electronic vocal pop? What does that even mean? Just listen to the song...or all of her songs. Again, like with London Grammar, she hasn't released a full album but her songs are all over the damn place. Keep 'em coming.

I haven't blogged in a while so I just need to do a quick "OH MY GOD" about the Jay-Z (JAY Z, JAY-Z, jayz, JaY*z???? What is he even doing with his name lately?) album. Magna Carta, Holy Grail is brilliant. So good. Yeezus can just take a seat now that MG|HG is out. I mean, really. Jay-Z is my favorite artist out there...always is and always will be. I have so much respect for the guy. When you love an artist so much it's always really nerve-racking for them to release a new album. *Please don't be shit, please don't be shit, please don't be shit* It's so far from shit. Way to go Hov. He's still got it.

Then there's the stuff that's coming out in the next couple months. I am sick of typing. So just know that there's a lot even if I don't consider ARTPOP or whatever Katy Perry is coming up with. Ugh.

Now...discussing radio shit. Clear Channel can just go directly to hell. Do not pass purgatory, do not collect any dollars, just go to hell. I'm so sick of homogenous playlists I could scream. Have you guys heard this new song called Blurred Lines? Yeah. I used to like that song. I used to. Used. To. Not so much now that I have to hear it every minute on the minute. Let's just chill for a sec. We have so many visionary artists creating great music. Shouldn't they get a chance to showcase their music to the world? Are we all so scared to hear something new? I don't understand everyone's terror that they'll turn on the radio, hear something new, and not like it. WHO THE SHIT CARES? There's always going to be music that doesn't appeal to every single soul. Isn't that the point of music? Everyone feels something different. We all dig certain sounds. Here's a thought, maybe we sometimes play what the audience wants to hear vs. what will make us the most money. And for the audience, how about you just sit there and listen to a song. Give something a chance for once. It's not going to kill you, I promise.

And so here ends the most random train of thoughts I think I've ever put together. Alright.