my pleasure principles

The Scientific Power of Music

2013-03-19T23:00:00.002-07:00

It's been a long, long time since I've posted. Not for lack of inspiration or ideas; just plain laziness. Here's a video that got me a bit motivated again. I realised that I have been on a 'hunt' for new music and by chance, stumbled on this video that explains why in a rather enjoyable and fun way.

Tubular bells

2012-06-28T17:40:00.001-07:00

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells

Now here's an album that's new to me. It is explorative, imaginative and contemplative all together. I had a listen and I couldn't get away from it from the time it started. Perhaps it's because what I listen to usually is quite different from this. Though it was recorded in 1973, I find this still relevant today.

summer jams

2012-06-27T16:56:00.001-07:00

Not a very creative title, but I just really wanted to get this post out. The past few days have warmed up significantly. There's been generally more sunshine, and it's really almost shorts and t-shirt weather here. And with good weather and fashion, there's also good music to complete the scene. Here are some tunes that will keep you grooving under the sun all day! These are some of my favourite reggae/dancehall tracks from the nineties. Hope you're inspired to head out!

Maxi Priest - That Girl ft. Shaggy

Inner Circle - Sweat

Sugar Ray - Fly ft. Super Cat

Mr. Vegas - Tamale

Apache Indian - Boom Shack-a-lack

LateNightTales - The Cover Versions

2012-05-04T23:44:00.001-07:00

LateNightTales - The Cover Versions

If you like covers, and some downtempo music quite suited for after-hours listening, Late Night Tales' the Cover Versions will be perfect for you. The songs are the same covers featured in the cover artiste's Late Night compilations (I think). Correct me if I'm wrong. They are samples, and not full tracks though. Still makes a good listen. Buy the album, support the musicians!

Bollywood Bloodbath

2012-04-30T13:05:00.002-07:00

I was at Red Cat Records along Main Street a couple of weeks ago, browsing through CDs when I came across this little beauty. Now, many people tend to rave and rant over bollywood movies, and simply adore the songs from those films. And it's not surprising, as the music composers for those movies are quite gifted at making songs that appeal to the masses. They are quite adept at blending classical indian melodies with western beats. They are able to keep abreast with contemporary pop music and today, make use of synthesisers and other technology to create heart-melting, foot-tapping, chart-topping classics.

However, I've always felt that in the indian movie industry, the best music genius was showcased in the 70s and 80s. That was a time of funk, disco and the birth of bollywood funk as we know it today. There are several bollywood films in that era that adopted bolly-funk themes as scores and soundtracks. Due to the strong similarities those films had with the 'blacksploitation' films in western cinema with regard to storyline and music, they soon became known as 'brownsploitation' movies.

Some very kind music lovers have taken songs from a number of these films and put them together in a compilation, that is Bollywood Bloodbath. I'd like to thank the wonderful people at Finders Keepers Records for this amazing album. I probably wouldn't recommend it to real bollywood fans. However, if you love to check out different types of music, then this could be something for you. At it's worst, this album can feature as background at a kitsch desi party. Listen to one of the tracks below.

Hemant Bhole - Sansani Khez Koi Baat

Recent Cover Lover Favourites

2012-04-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

I was checking out the Cover Lovers after a long time and came across many amazing tracks! So I decided to feature a few of my favourites from their recent posts.

Maps >> East 17, 2007
Tanz Ohne Muzik >> The Stooges, 2012
Beautiful Small Machines >> M.I.A., 2012
Xiu Xiu >> Erasure, 2012

Shiva Soundsystem - Shiva Theme

2012-04-29T12:34:00.001-07:00

Shiva Soundsystem - Shiva Theme

Almost a decade ago, I heard this song in one of Shiva Soundsystem's mixes that I had downloaded from their website. This was a time before podcasts and such. I loved the track so much! I had to have it! But it seemed impossible to find. Eventually, I forgot about it, being distracted by other interesting sounds. I am so thrilled to have found it again.

One amazing asian underground track. A sloka (if i'm not wrong) invoking the lord Shiva, makes up the vocals for this song. Set against a tune that starts of slowly, taking you gently from a hypnotic lull to a hard stepping breakbeat seamlessly. Amazing creativity and productions make this tune one of my all time favourites in this genre.

The Havana Cultura Sound System // A Brownswood Mixtape

2012-04-28T13:12:00.001-07:00

The Havana Cultura Sound System // A Brownswood Mixtape

An eclectic mix of tribal drums, chants, squelches, bleeps and more! I'm listening to it mid day, and it's got just the right tempo and beat to keep me active this day.

Music and yoga

2012-04-28T01:17:00.000-07:00

I was surfing the net and somehow, I landed at the website of an event that was held in Santa Monica last weekend. The Tadasana International Festival of Yoga & Music was held on the Earth Day Weekend. It's a unique festival; one I would have loved to attend. Perhaps the something similar could be organised closer to where I reside. I practice yoga myself, (albeit irregularly), and I love music! Both together, it's a pathway to nirvana.

Many people know the benefits of practising yoga. Yoga Inc. has proven that. People are joining various yoga groups to keep their minds and bodies healthy. Lesser known is the therapeutic benefits of music. Furthermore, with the right type of music, one's yoga routine can be a lot more wholesome, and enjoyable! The tempo and rhythm can help you relax your mind and body, as well as assist in maintaining a steady breathing technique as you exercise.

Anyhow, I was browsing the website, interested in the music featured at the festival. And lucky for us, there's a compilation available! You can also download 30 songs featured in the Tadasana Festival for a limited period. Just follow the link below. If you are a yoga practitioner seeking some inspiration, a music lover who wants to add on to the collection or a simply a hippie/hipster, this album is worth the listen. I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.tadasanafestival.com/sounds-of-tadasana

Birthday #1s

2012-04-25T00:46:00.001-07:00

Thanks to thisdayinmusic.com, I was able to find out the number 1 songs in USA, UK and Australia. Also Canada and Germany, but who cares right? So here they are!

USA (and Canada, if you care)

Phil Collins - Against all odds (take a look at me now)

UK

Lionel Richie - Hello

Australia

Nena - 99 Luft Balons

Germany (if you really care)

Alphaville - Big in Japan

This day in music

2012-04-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

Because it is my birthday, I was looking out for the chart toppers around the world when I was born, as well as other significant music related events on the same date. I got the information from thisdayinmusic.com.

April 24th: On this day
1955, Perez Prado was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White'. Known as the 'King of the Mambo' the instrumental was the theme from the film 'Underwater' where Jane Russell can be seen dancing to 'Cherry Pink'.
1959, Buddy Holly was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Paul Anka song 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore.' A No.1 hit six weeks after Holly's death.
1961, Bob Dylan appeared on Harry Belafonte's album 'The Midnight Special' playing harmonica on the track 'Calypso King'; Dylan was paid a $50 session fee for this his first ever recording.
1961, Del Shannon started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Runaway', also a No.1 in the UK. Del was the first person to have a hit with a Beatles song in the US with his version of 'From Me To You.'
1965, Beatles manager Brian Epstein won the 'star prize' of an album when he had his letter published in UK music weekly 'Melody Maker' informing it's readers that Paul McCartney played lead guitar on 'Ticket To Ride.'
1965, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Game Of Love', a No.2 hit in the UK. Wayne took his name from DJ Fontana the Elvis Presley drummer. Eric Stewart guitarist in the Mindbenders went on join Hotlegs and 10CC.
1968, The Beatles new company, Apple Records turned down the offer to sign new artist David Bowie. (Apple later signed Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Badfinger, and Billy Preston).
1968, Enjoying a wild birthday party Keith Moon drummer with The Who drove his Lincoln car into a Holiday Inn swimming pool. As the party had become out of control, the police were called to put an end to the festivities. Moon, ever keen to avoid the boys in blue snuck outside and got into a Lincoln Continental Limousine and attempted to make a getaway. Unfortunately, in his inebriated state he released the handbrake, and began rolling towards the pool. Moon simply sat back and waited, as the car crashed through the fence around the pool and into the water.
1968, Louis Armstrong was at No.1 in the UK with the single 'What A Wonderful World / Cabaret.' At 69 years of age, it made Armstrong the oldest act ever to score a UK No.1.
1971, Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to No.1 on the US album chart with '4 Way Street.'
1972, John Lennon's controversial single, 'Woman Is the Nigger of the World' was released in the US. The song peaked at No.57, despite virtually every radio station in the country refusing to play it. Yoko Ono said the phrase during a magazine interview in 1967 and Lennon later explained that he was making a point that women deserved higher status in society.
1975, Peter Ham, British singer, songwriter with Badfinger committed suicide by hanging himself in the garage of his Surrey home, aged 27. Ham co-wrote 'Without You', with band mate Tom Evans (who also later committed suicide). The song won an Ivor Novello award for Song Of The Year in 1973, and was a hit for Harry Nilson and Mariah Carey. Ham was a founder member of The Iveys, who became Badfinger, were signed to the Beatles' Apple label, their first hit 'Come And Get It' was written by Paul McCartney.
1976, 'Wings At The Speed Of Sound' went to No.1 on the US album chart. Paul McCartney's fifth No.1 album after The Beatles became his most successful American chart album, spending seven unconsecutive weeks at #1. The album featured the hits 'Let 'Em In' and 'Silly Love Songs'.
1976, Paul and Linda McCartney spent the evening with John Lennon at his New York Dakota apartment and watched Saturday Night Live on TV. Producer of the show Lorne Michaels made an offer on air asking The Beatles to turn up and play three songs live. Lennon and McCartney thought about taking a cab to the studio, but decided they were too tired. This was the last time Lennon and McCartney were together.
1979, Ray Charles' 'Georgia On My Mind' was proclaimed the state song of Georgia. The music to the song was written in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael who also recorded a version of the song in New York in the same year. Ray Charles, a native of Georgia, recorded it in 1960 on the album The Genius Hits the Road.
1981, New Order started work on their first album at Strawberry studios in Stockport, England.
1990, The road crew for Roger Waters discovered an unexploded World War II bomb while constructing the set for 'The Wall' concert in Potsdamer Platz, Germany.
1992, David Bowie married Somali born supermodel and actress Iman in Switzerland. Iman first got married at the age of eighteen to a young Somali man, in 1977, she married American basketball player Spencer Haywood.
1995, Oasis released 'Some Might Say' which went on to give the band their first UK No.1 single. The planned promo video for the song was cancelled due to Liam not turning up for the shoot. Instead, a makeshift video was created using footage from the 'Cigarettes & Alcohol', US 'Supersonic' and UK 'Whatever' videos.
2003, The first official UK download chart was compiled after the big five record companies- EMI, Warners, Sony, BMG and Universal combined for a Digital Download day. Over 150,000 computer users had downloaded 1.1m tracks. The Net Parade Top 3: No.3, Tatu, 'All The Things She Said', No, 2, Coldplay, 'Clocks' and No.1 Christina Aguilera, 'Beautiful.'
2004, Marion "Suge" Knight, the founder of Death Row records was released from Mule Creek State Prison in California after serving 10 months for breaking his parole on a 1997 assault. Knight was sent back to prison on 4 August for a second parole violation after he punched a parking attendant outside a Hollywood night-club in 2003.
2005, US singer Akon went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Trouble'. Mariah Carey was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'The Emancipation of Mimi.'
2007, Sheryl Crow said a ban on using too much toilet paper should be introduced to help the environment. The singer suggested using "only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required". Crowe made the comments on her website after touring the US on a biodiesel-powered bus to raise awareness about climate change. Crow had also designed a clothing line with what she called a "dining sleeve". The sleeve is detachable and can be replaced with another "dining sleeve" after the diner has used it to wipe his or her mouth.
2007, The Arctic Monkeys sold 85,000 copies of their new album 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' on its first day in UK shops, putting it on course to be the year's fastest-selling new release.
April 24th: Born on this day
1942, Born on this day, Barbra Streisand, singer, actress, (1974 US No.1 & UK No.31 single 'The Way We Were', 1980 UK & US No.1 single 'Woman In Love' plus over 10 other UK Top 40 singles and 4 other US No.1's).
1945, Born on this day, Doug Clifford, drums, Creedence Clearwater Revival, (1969 UK No.1 and US No.2 single 'Bad Moon Rising' plus 11 other US Top 40 singles, 1970 US & UK No.1 album 'Cosmo's Factory').
1947, Born on this day, Glenn Cornick, bass guitar, Jethro Tull, (1969 UK No.3 and US No.11 single 'Living In The Past').
1947, Born on this day, Ann Kelly, The Hues Corporation, (1974, US No.1 & UK No.6 single 'Rock The Boat').
1948, Born on this day, Steve York, Manfred Mann, (1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy').
1951, Born on this day, Nigel Harrison, British bass player with Blondie from 1977-82. Also a member of Silverhead.
1954, Born on this day, Jack Blades, bassist with Night Ranger and Damn Yankees, 1990 album 'Damn Yankies.'
1957, Born on this day, David Jay, Bauhaus, (1982 UK No.15 single 'Ziggy Stardust') also a member of Love & Rockets.
1958, Born on this day, Boris Williams, drums, The Cure, (1992 UK No.6 single 'Friday I'm In Love' plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles).
1960, Born on this day, Paula Yates, presenter on UK music TV show The Tube, ex-wife of Sir Bob Geldof and girlfriend of INXS singer Michael Hutchence. She died on September 17th 2000.
1963, Born on this day, Billy Gould, Faith No More, (1993 UK No.3 and US No.4 single 'I'm Easy').
1964, Born on this day, Paul Ryder, bass, Happy Mondays, (1990 UK No.5 single 'Step On').
1967, Born on this day, Patty Schemel, Hole, (1995 UK No.16 single 'Doll Parts').
1967, Born on this day, Shannon Larkin, drummer, Ugly Kid Joe, Godsmack, (2003, US No.1 album ‘Faceless’, 2006 US No.1 album ‘IV’).
1968, Born on this day, Aaron Comess, drums, The Spin Doctors, (1993 UK No.3 & US No.7 single 'Two Princes').
1971, Born on this day, Jasbinder Mann (Jas Mann) musician, producer, 1996 UK No.1 single 'Spaceman', No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Spaceman', the fastest selling non-charity single ever. (420,000 copies in 6 days). The song was used as the backing for a Levi Jeans TV commercial.
1974, Born on this day, Brian Marshall, bassist, Creed, (2001 US No.1 & UK No.13 single 'With Arms Wide Open', 2002 US No.1 album, 'Weathered').
1982, Born on this day, Kelly Clarkson, singer, winner of the US TV show Pop Idol, (2002 US No.1 single 'A Moment Like This').

My Smokin' Selection

2012-04-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

Here's my choice selection of 4:20 music. Enjoy!

Major Lazer - Mary Jane

Danny Brown - Blunt after blunt

Cypress Hill - Dr. Greenthumb

Madvillain - America's most blunted

Quasimoto - Greenery

20 Smokin' Songs About Weed

2012-04-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

Oh yes it's back! What could arguably be the world's most laid back day. 4:20! Also known as the marijuana holiday, April 20 is a day to raise awareness of campaigns to de-criminalise weed. You don't need to be a smoker to join in the day's activities. Here is Billboard's 20 Smokin' Songs About Weed.

Stones Throw video contest 2011

2012-04-16T00:59:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled on some really cool videos for songs by different artistes from Stones Throw Records. For those of you who don't know, Stones Throw is and independent hip hop label from Los Angeles. Here are some of my favourite ones.

J Dilla - Lightworks (James McMillan)

Quasimoto - Bus Ride (Vincent Longhi)

Madvillain - Strange Ways (Jean-Yves Blanc)

Soldier on

2012-04-15T22:46:00.001-07:00

"who wants to know

all that is gold is rusting
no one will know
when seasons cease to change and…
how far we've gone
how far we're going
it's the here and the now
and the love for the sound
of the moments that keep us moving

waves crash along
the battered, lonely lighthouse
tomorrow she's gone
and if not, someday somehow
are these hands a waste
well this side of mortality is
scaring me to death
to death

don't think about it at all
just keep your head low
and don't think about it all

soldier on, soldier on
keep your heart close to the ground
soldier on, soldier on, keep your heart
close to the ground

don't think about it all
just keep your head low
don't think about it
at all

yeah, will you take me tonight
yeah, will you take me tonight
yeah, will you take me tonight
ooooh... tonight

soldier on
soldier on
keep your heart
close to the ground"

Animated music videos

2012-04-10T18:49:00.002-07:00

Music videos can be quite a treat to watch, especially when there's a touch of creativity in them. Here's a couple of beautifully animated music videos, to accompany the beautiful songs.

Eatliz - Lose this child

Kina Grannis - In your arms

Music therapy in practice

2012-04-10T18:36:00.001-07:00

I have to thank Nada Brahma for sharing this video. I was on Facebook and saw this post. It's not a very long video, but it has a very strong and important story. Music has a therapeutic effect. Have a watch.

Watching this video struck a chord with me. Sometimes, as we age, we lose a part of ourselves. Our minds may become less sharp, we forget more easily, and understanding and accepting this change is an even bigger challenge. I have seen this happen to loved ones, as well as strangers, during my experience as a volunteer. It was scary for me. I fear sometimes, that I may grow old that way; that I may not be fully aware of myself and the environment I live in; that I may not recognise the people I love, and who love me. It still frightens me at times.

I try not to take it for granted, and tell myself that I will keep my mind and body active. But in the event things move out of my control, I believe that I can fight, and that music will be something that can give me strength, just as it does for the man in this video. It gives us all a little hope.

Watching dubstep

2012-04-10T18:04:00.001-07:00

Here's a cool video I found on YouTube. It's a visualisation of part of a dubstep song using vinyl records (960 of them, apparently). The full track can be heard here. It's I Will Never Change, by Benga.

Good, Friday music!

2012-04-06T15:05:00.001-07:00

Morcheeba - I am the spring

Wake up. Yawn. Stretch.

Best Coast - When the sun don't shine

On/off routines. Breakfast.

Bullion - Let's go away for a while

Chores and more.

DJ Tama - Side Beat

Wallet. Check. Phone. Check. Books. Check. Bag. Check.

Mr. Scruff - Music takes me up ft. Alice Russell

Stepping out.

New way, new life

2012-04-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

I was in a contemplative mood, and I got some writing down (you can read about my musings at incite/insight, my debut blog). And in the midst of it, I thought of Asian Dub Foundation's New Way, New Life. A really fun song by the UK band, with a fusion of rap, reggae and raagas. It's hard not to feel good while listening to this song. It's got everything you need - electric guitars, dhols, harmoniums and horns, and a whole lot of people just bouncing around!

Like We Used To: An Analog Story

2012-03-31T11:25:00.001-07:00

I've wanted to be a DJ from my mid-teens. Not necessarily a big time headliner at some club or music festival. I would be quite content on DJ-ing in my bedroom, occasionally venturing out to house parties for my friends. If I get there, I'd love to do it this way. With vinyl. The original way. What caught my attention, and I agree with (even without much of the experience to really know) is that 'mixing with your ears rather than your sight' is what I want to do. I will need to have a place of my own first, with a fair amount of space for the sound equipment and record storage. And I'm willing to part with a large proportion of my CD collection to get there. Oh, and I may want to take some lessons too. It's not too late, and this dream is something I really want materialised.

Listen to the song featured in the video here.

Uprising

2012-03-31T10:06:00.003-07:00

I woke up from a deep sleep at about 7am. Some noises outside had woken me up. I was hoping to fall asleep again, but couldn't. So I dragged myself out of bed, and got started with my day. But not before whining about having been woken so early on the weekend, and about the gloomy weather outside.

My status update caught the attention of one of my friends in Perth. Quite lovingly, she tried to cheer me up. And she did it the best way, possible: with good new music! Music always helps me feel better. It's something I turn to when I'm upset, or annoyed (though I do listen to music almost all the time). Finding new music is like icing on the cake. It's exciting, like a breakthrough in an experiment for a scientist, or a remarkable discovery for an archaeologist. New music for me, and I don't mean recent, works the same way. It gets my ears up and tail wagging. When I find new music which is good, that's the cherry on top. What do I mean by good? Have a listen!

The Vitamin String Quartet performing Uprising, by Muse. This was the link my friend had shared with me. Strings always seem to make everything sound so dramatic and grand. Now, Muse itself is a great band, with songs that can be quite intense and energetic. Uprising is like that in some ways. Hearing a string version of it, was just amazing. It was just the right song, done the right way to help me get going. I got on to listening to some of the other songs covered by the group, and they are pretty good too! Their version of My Immortal by Evanescence is almost sublime. It is straining, and pensive at the same time.

Now, with my outlook a little brighter than it is outside, I'm ready for the weekend! Thank you, dear.

Night Song

2012-03-28T01:52:00.001-07:00

I've had some trouble sleeping the past few nights. Again. I had a good run before that. Made it past a month falling asleep easily, and not waking in between. Just a rough patch I'm going through. Maybe it's also the effect of watching too much Breaking Bad at night. Or the late night snacking. Whatever the case, I want my sleep back. So tonight, I'm trying something different. I'm listening to music. My album of choice is Night Song by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook.

There's something about this album that calms me. Time and again, I have turned to this album when I needed something to soothe myself with. Maybe it's that deep and powerful voice of the late ustad. Or the immaculate musical production, resulting in one of the best fusion albums. Night Song is almost like a chill out album. But it's not. There are songs that are more upbeat, and sometimes, NFAK himself ups the tempo with his vocal prowess, as heard in Sweet Pain.

And when the songs are more down tempo, they verge on melancholy. The title track exemplifies that very well. A classical interpretation that can be effective as a lullaby but also has an element of pathos. There is a deep emotion in this album that you can experience only by listening to it in it's entirety. Unfortnately, I can only share with you these two tracks from YouTube. Buy the album, if you can still find it.

I fortunately was able to get my hands on a copy at a record collectors' sale when I was in Perth. A steal for me! That's one for keeping. With that in mind, and the tune of the final track, Crest, echoing in my head, I shall try to get a good night's sleep.

Monday's morning malady

2012-03-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

I had a rough night, so I woke up late, tired and cranky. After 2 hours of fighting off actually getting out of bed, I sat down in front of my laptop and went online. Emails, checked. Facebook, checked. Blog, okay, here we go.

I logged on, and spotted a post by thecoverlovers. I listened to the most recent post, Labrinth covering Wildfire by SBTRKT. It wasn't bad, but I was not impressed. It sounded like the original, but not good enough. Maybe I was being petty. Scrolled down further, past some Beatles cover, to Rose Royce's Love Don't Live Here Anymore being covered by Bastille. I loved the original, and I was yearning to listen to it this morning. It was comforting, the familiarity of the song and the connection to my mood at the time. It was just what I needed. However, I was curious to find out about the cover by Bastille. The name sounded familiar; maybe I had come across the name before, but not paid much attention to it. I played the cover, Love Don't Live Here (the word 'Anymore' was dropped from the title). I wasn't sure why they dropped the word, but I soon came up with my reason when I listened to their version. I've included the link to the post where I listened to the two versions, so you can do the same too.

Love Don't Live Here [Anymore]

My take, after listening to the songs again, is this. Rose Royce's song is a great soul track. It is a sad love song. If the lyrics are anything to go by, it is a song of love long gone. And it is a song of longing and hope. The groove also makes it more palatable to the ear, making it subtly uplifting. Listening to Bastille cover it made me sad. Really sad. Not because it was a trashy cover. Quite the opposite. The production was astonishingly good! The tone of voice seemed filled with emotions; angst; despair; resignation. And just when I thought it was ending, as the song was fading out, the instantly recognisable beat of Ms. Jackson by Outkast faded in, followed by a verse of rapping. I loved it! I did a search of the group and found out that they have a mixtape, Other People's Heartache. Its's available for free download here. I had a listen to it, and it's not a bad mixtape. It's got a set sombre theme to it, almost like the Weeknd or Nguzunguzu. Listening to it will definitely, if not make you feel more blue, keep your energy level down low.

It wasn't a good start to my Monday. I definitely needed a pick me up. But at the same time, I did not want to jolt myself with high energy pick-me-ups. So I rummaged through my collection, and found the one album that I hoped would work for today: Since I Left You, by the Avalanches. For those of you who don't know the Melbourne based group, don't beat yourself over it. They've had just one release, over 10 years ago, and fans are still waiting for their sophomore album. We hope that this year will be the year. The title track kicks of the album, and it is a beautiful track. You can watch the video here, but be warned, it is NSFW.

Oh, yeah. I meant Not Safe For Wusses. I'm sorry if you were hoping for blood, bare breasts or something more. Well, carrying on, I spent the rest of the morning listening to the album. It's a comforting album, and uplifting, and strangely familiar. Every time I listen to it, it's like hearing it for the first time. And a lot of that is because almost the entire album is made of thousands of vinyl samples. Yes, vinyl. Samples. Imagine the work for that. It's easier nowadays, with electronic equipment, MP3s and such. Vinyl samples. Over 3000 of them! No surprise it's taking them this long to get the next album out. The Avalanche's album is an explosion of sound that goes down really well. It starts of slowly, and paces itself well, bringing you up a step with each track, allowing for short breathers in between. And it lets you down easy too. Truly one of the best albums I've ever listened to.

It helped me, in the end. It got me writing, and this post is the result of that. I still feel a little under the weather. And it is also likely due to the weather. I will be heading out soon and need to get ready. More musical experiences to come later on. Have a good week!

shimmy shimmy ya

2012-03-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

So I was watching Breaking Bad, and Jesse, one of the characters in the series, was wylin' out in the lab...to this song.

Shimmy Shimmy Ya - Prince Fatty

Which samples Ol' Dirty Bastard's version.

I love both versions. Thanks to Breaking Bad for introducing me to Prince Fatty. Currently checking out more of their music.