This Friday, I put my dog to sleep. The evening prior I dug the whole in our backyard that he was to be buried in. I knew that I would want to listen to music while shoveling, to distract me. But what music to you dig a grave to? Meriadoc made a comment along with T-Dog on a scrimetime post about Beck's new album that got me to re-listen to it. -I found that I really enjoyed the album. I've also discovered that it's great grave digging music. It's sad stuff but also joyful at times and even a bit fun... but mostly sad. Here is one of my favorite grave digging songs off of the appropriately named album, "Morning Phase" While at cW's house for dinner recently, we listened to a mixed CD I made for him 7ish years ago. There was an old Hayden song on it which prompted me to listen to his older music: and then his newer stuff:
I don't share this man very often. His music is extremely close to my heart and I can think of few others that affect me as much as he does, but you're a good man, Steve. I'm sorry for your loss. This isn't a happy song, or happy mixed in with the sad; but I feel hopeful every time I hear it, even if it's through tears.
Thanks for that song man, it was just like you said it would be. I highly recommend anyone reading this check out that link.
Otis Redding has been my most listened to artist this week. So soulful, he had an incredible voice. I love the guitar work on this song in particular. A local band, Routine Involvements has been on my mind a lot since we're putting out their EP soon. Can't wait to be able to share the whole thing with all of you.
Allen Walker, friend of mine (ok, ok, we've only Skyped a few times), moved from Austia to Egypt, got seriously injured during the protests a couple years back, but can still throw down mad basslines. Great producer. Oliver's music video for "Night Is On My Mind" is nothing short of awesome. This one's far less underground, but I still can't get over this simple pop track (and beautiful video) by Empire Of The Sun. P.S./edit: bfv, I am really diggin' that Bombardier track "Hidden Razor". Dat grit! Thanks.
I am really enjoying that Allen Walker track, and the stuff that you have on your soundcloud. Empire of the Sun is always good to, not a huge fan but I can listen to them and not really care. Nothing like some funky electro-pop to get you moving. Which DAW do you use when you're making your music?
Ableton Live 9. I could preach the wonders of it with the conviction of a born-again priest. Plug-Ins are stupidly powerful, but having Ableton as a backbone provides the perfect skeleton with which to build empires. Thank you for checking out my productions! Please, if you find some time, I would love to hear critiques of my recent EP, "Church of the Sun". Basically... what DIDN'T you like about it? I'm trying to improve my game, ya know? :)
I should really sit down and learn how to properly use Ableton once I'm done with this LSDJ album. Maybe come Summer that will happen. It's what I do! Music is a big part of what gets me through the day, you have no idea. I enjoyed all of these so picking out what I didn't like took a few listens. The Hymm: Really the only part of this song that I disliked was what I can best described as the xylophone-esque instrument that you have going. It sounded a bit too tinny to me. I see what you were getting at with wanting something on the treble side of things but I didn't really like in the bridge. The Message: My only suggestion for this song would be having a bit more defined of a build-up to the section starting around 5:50 (on the EP). Confession: Dat bass at the end of the track. I wish there was more of that somewhere else in that track. The Blessing: This is probably my favorite of the four songs. The only thing I could really think of, and this is a stretch, is that it stays at pretty much the same dynamic for the second half of the song. Way better than my compositions. Also, do you have this EP up for download anywhere?
Thanks for your time!! I appreciate the critique. :) I also have developed a need for music, but I'm new to production. Three years ago I had just started booting up garage band, in a garage, with an acoustic guitar and a condenser mic. Now I have a tiny studio, with plans to expand once I'm done with grad school, but that'll be 6 years or so... All of my songs are free for download, just scroll down my soundcloud page. Do you have a soundcloud? Chiptune is always rad!
Production is a lot of fun, my experience is limited to LSDJ and a little bit of Pro Tools for other people's stuff. Oh nice, you should post a picture of your studio sometime! Cool, don't know how I missed that. I have one really old song on my soundcloud, but I'm going to start uploading some snippets from an upcoming LP to it. My first EP can be found on my bandcamp, I'm much happier with this than the song that's on soundcloud.
Waylon Jennings - I Ain't Living Long Like this:
I have to go with Law$uits again. I've been listening to this album daily for the past month and it is fantastic, fun and musically impressive (punk rock) and they've only sold a handful of records so it's a great hidden gem. http://lawsuits.bandcamp.com/
I've been really enjoying a band I recently discovered called Bark Psychosis, my favourite tracks so far are 'Eyes & Smiles' and 'Pendulum Man'. Also, Talk Talk - Taphead has been on cropping up on my plays a lot too.
I can't think of a time where this song will be more relevant: Touche Amore - WeHateFredPhelps.com
I've been listening to a lot of Vampire Weekend lately. I was into them a few years back, but only recently got caught up with their newer stuff. Some notable ones: Unbelievers Diane Young And some older one you all have probably heard: A-Punk Horchata On an unrelated note, how does one embed Youtube videos?
This 8tracks Playlist is a pretty sweet amalgamation of indie/alternative covers of various pop/pseudo pop songs. And it's really long. A warning though, mixed in with all the goodness there are like 5 wrecking ball covers.