After scheduled opener LP had to cancel due to scheduling conflicts, Minneapolis-based band Bora York stepped up to the plate. Although I was looking forward to seeing LP, my disappointment faded after hearing this band. They were a great choice to open for Kodaline since I can see their fans really loving Bora York. They have a full and enchanting sound that will appeal to all types of music lovers. Plus, I can't deny a band that knows how to utilize some synth. Imagine driving along the Pacific coast...(or Lake Superior)...in the summer with the sun shining through rolled-down windows. What's your soundtrack? This is. Check out their Bandcamp, buy their stuff on iTunes, or website for more info and links and things.
Kodaline floored me. I've been a fan of their work for such a long time and it was amazing to finally see them in concert. They mentioned they might be back in October for their next tour and I will be first in line to buy tickets. I couldn't believe how full of a sound they had. It filled up the entire room and it felt like you were standing right on stage with the band. The amount of harmonies and layered instrumentals makes for a beautiful sound and I would highly suggest seeing them live at some point if you can...which unless you are in Europe, might be a while.
Ok. Here's the cliche blog post for the end of December. You've all seen it before. I'm just going to dive right in and we'll see how many picks I actually end up with.
1. Foy Vance - Joy of Nothing
This is the best album of 2013. I can't say enough about it...except I already did in a separate blog post...so go read that. It's intelligent, beautiful and has the perfect amount of soul. There isn't a single flaw on this album and it's going to be one of my favorites for many many years. The gem of 2013 for sure. Go buy it already!
2. Lorde - Pure Heroine
Another album I've already yammered on about. It's brilliant. If you want to talk about the controversy surrounding Lorde as a person and musician, I don't want to hear it. This album is creative and fresh and has such a great sound. That's all you need to care about.
3. Arctic Monkeys - AM
This was probably my most anticipated album of 2013. It delivered. I think all of Arctic Monkeys' albums are stellar, and this one, like the others, doesn't disappoint. It took me a couple listens to really get into it but I think it's a really stand-out addition to their old stuff. They never really change their sound but somehow always build on whatever they've put out in the past.
4. Disclosure - Settle
Let's be honest, EDM was sort-of a joke this year. I'm still listening to my favorites from 2012 and nothing really compares to Luxury Problems by Andy Stott (will it ever?). I did, however, really enjoy this album by Disclosure. It's upbeat, creative, and throws together some really nice collabs and mixes. Impressive to say the least.
5. The Neighbourhood - I Love You.
This album really hooked me in. I've noticed it being played on the radio (with a subtle pop dance beat added...OF COURSE) and it makes me annoyed. Listen to the rest of the album. It's angsty, a bit rock, a bit pop, a bit everything. I love it.
6. Jay-Z - Magna Carta, Holy Grail
A lot of people are putting Yeezus on their list of best albums but I'm going to mix it up and put MC|HG on there. I think it's brilliant. Since I basically worship Hova I'd probably say anything he put out was brilliant but I just keep listening to this album and every song on there sounds a bit different. It's truly a diverse album while still keeping the classic Jay-Z sound. He grabbed about 8 trillion Grammy noms so we'll see what happens with that.
7. Frank Turner - Tape Deck Heart
Frank Turner put out yet another stellar album. There isn't much to say about this except it screams "Frank Turner". Insanely clever lyrics and driving sound. It's all there.
8. Arcade Fire - Reflektor
I was looking forward to this album like none other. I've been a massive Arcade Fire fan for years and the hype surrounding this release was crazy. With the neon animal parties and the sparkles and the whatever else I knew it was going to be good...and it is. I really was disappointed at first, but then I found myself singing the title-track Reflektor randomly at work and jiving around. It gets stuck in and you realize how truly catchy the whole album is. ALSO, I get to finally see them live in 2014. Someone pinch me.
9. Beyoncé - Beyoncé OR Katy Perry- PRISM
In terms of pop godesses I can't decide. Miley and Britney are for sure out. They released just piece of crap garbage albums that I wish never existed. Katy Perry shocked me. Prism is a really incredible pop album with an insane amount of diversity. Dark Horse hooked me in and then I just listened to the whole thing...over and over and over and over again. Do I need to say anything about Beyoncé? Her self-titled album is amazing and the way she released it deserves an award alone.
10. Little Green Cars - Absolute Zero
After seeing them live this album really opened up to me. I was always a fan of their work but when I saw how incredibly raw and talented they are live, I really started listening to this all the way through and it's such a fresh and awesome sound. They really deserve a lot more credit than they've gotten this year. Amazing vocals.
Well look at that, I actually ended up with 10. It's like I planned it or something (I actually didn't). Of course there are plenty of songs that I want to include but not everybody can be a winner. These are truly my stand-out albums of 2013 and I think they are all complete choices with multiple good tracks on each album. They all have a very distinct idea and concept behind the albums and deserve recognition as we end the year.
Alright. So, I'm always a bit wary of doing blog posts like this. We all have different music tastes, that's what makes the world go 'round, and I want to reiterate that I'm in no way swaying you to like a particular artist or whatever. Duh. With that being said....
Whatever is happening with Lorde right now is interesting as hell. This girl is blowing up on every outlet and people are either loving it...or absolutely hating it. I first heard 'Royals' in June and have been hooked on her sound ever since. She's right up my alley with a dark/gothic electronic vibe coupled with catchy-as-hell lyrics and beats. Her album Pure Heroine is lovely. The thing is, people aren't necessarily freaking out over her music, they are freaking out about her personality.
Here's the thing. She's not pop. She's "pop" in the sense that she is "popular" at the moment, but in no way is her sound or message behind her music in the same category as a lot of Top 40 music. This, in turn, leads people to flip their tits all over the place because someone dares to be outspoken and different and interesting in the pop music scene. She's been called stuck-up, snobbish, anti-feminist etc. etc. but HELLO?! She's the opposite? I've discussed how the radio and pop music try to force artists to fit into a simple mold that can be enjoyed by the masses before and here we see it pop up again. There is no crossover in iHeartRadio...and Lorde is crossing over.
She is beyond intelligent. From what I can tell, she's not willing to sacrifice her vision of her music, and herself as an artist for some pop standard. I give her a ton of credit for turning down opening Katy Perry's world tour. She was quoted as saying "I have a pretty good gut instinct for stuff, and if it feels right, I'll do it." With that kind of head on her shoulders, in the music industry, she will do just fine. In the general music radar, she's currently being put in the same grouping as Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift...the "pop princesses" if you will. This leads to a lot of artificial shit. She's gotten bashed/threatened/whatever else by Miley's fans on Twitter (props to Miley for sticking up for her!) and outlashed by "Swifties" at around the same time because of something said in an interview. (Which, by the way, she clarified in a really awesome and brilliant way here.) I just feel like there's a real struggle between her trying to be a true alternative artist and everyone else trying to shove her in the same genre as a lot of unrelated bullshit. She has her opinions about people, music, things, whatever, because in case people have forgotten, she's a fucking human and she should be free to express that without getting backlash from a bunch of teens. ...Whoa. Calm down. I just want to end with a couple endnotes that I feel are necessary but I don't know how to put them into paragraph form. Deal with it.:
I think I feel defensive about what people say to her because she seems like the infinitely cooler version of 16-year-old me and I'm overly sensitive to that.
Her tumblr is beyond words amazing.
She's painfully shy, so stop criticizing her stage presence. She'll get there.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT HER COVERING HOLD MY LIQUOR?!?! IT'S PERFECT.
She likes Grimes and Die Antwoord and all those good things I like too.
Basically, I want to be her best friend.
For the love of god, stop talking about the way she looks. Can we move beyond this superficial bullshit for once. I don't even understand why it's relevant.
Anyway, stop trying to put her in a genre. Just let her do her own thannnng. Let's face it, she's weird. Embrace the weird. Love the weird. Keep the weird alive and well. I'm incredibly excited to see where her career takes her and Lorde knows (ugh. I hate myself.) I will be first in line to see her live when she comes to Minneapolis....hint...hint...please.....
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.
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.
I realize I haven't written a blog post in a while. It just hasn't been high on my list of priorities. After all, I've been reading Game of Thrones and recently got hooked on "The Wire" so that takes up A LOT of really important time.
Recently, I took to the streets (Twitter) to get some new music suggestions from people. Although I love everything, I tend to get stuck in my electronic and rock bubbles so I always appreciate hearing some of what other people are listening to. A lot of my Twitter buddies are into acoustic/singer-songwriter type music so there was a lot of that, which I'm happy about, since I tend to avoid that genre. I've had bad experiences with coffee shop musicians I'd rather not talk about.
Since everyone was so awesome at responding to me, I thought I'd share my suggestions I got with the world. These are artists that deserve some listeners (the milllllionnnns of people that read this blog, obviously). Thanks to everyone that suggested these songs. I'm paying it forward.
And then a couple I had heard before, but I still need to share:
This was the most difficult concert I have ever shot in my entire life. There was literally no white light , hell, no light AT ALL the entire night, and my camera was tweaking the crap out. A serious challenge, I ended up with utter shit. I tried my absolute hardest not to convert everything to black and white.
Instead of my usual (pathetic) 5% usage rate I ended up with about a (unbelievably pathetic) 1% rate with this one. Here's what I got. (I'd advise a stiff drink or 12 so the blur becomes acceptable.)
Overall, incredible concert. Just...dark. I get it, I get it, ambiance. Whatevz. I like a spot.
