Category Archives: Music

Song of the Day: “Wakin’ on a Pretty Day” by Kurt Vile

Really been digging this new Kurt Vile record….

As far as overall sound and vibe, I still think my original tweet was pretty accurate:

 

(go here for a bit more info on that Sus2 chord I mentioned)

Of course, like any solid album, this one takes a few listens to really grow on ya. I highly recommend picking up a copy.

Song of the Day: The Barr Brothers – “Even The Darkness Has Arms”

Ok, so I’ve written these guys up before, but this song is new to me and just so f-ing good…

That opening dual guitar part is utter perfection. It’d be great with just one guitar, but I love how the second guitar follows along with the melody.

I have no idea if the Barr Brothers are working on a new album, but I just hope they keep releasing new tunes like this. Keep ’em coming guys!

Song of the Day: El Ten Eleven – “Thanks Bill”

I’ve been listening to a lot of instrumental tunes lately (as I find it helps my productivity and concentration while working), and I recently came back across some tracks by El Ten Eleven. I’ve been digging their loop-based instrumentals for at least a year or so, but it was good to get a little reminder that they existed.

So, um, get your work groove on…

And here’s a little bonus track, just because…

Song of the Day: “All Four” by Greensky Bluegrass

I was digging this one a bunch last night, and since then, I’ve listened to again probably about four or five more times.

The verse-chorus song portion is solid, but it’s really the improv section that gets me.

Around the six-minute mark, they end the core song structure and head into the more improvisational part of the tune. It just ebbs and flows perfectly from there on out. The mandolin leads us off, then that flows into the six-string acoustic guitar, followed by the dobro, and all capped off by one of the more beautiful, note-perfect banjo solos I’ve ever heard. Although it’s definitely a bluegrass tune, it almost works more like a jazz song with the band hitting on key themes, trading licks, crossing over on specific solo passages, and each band member trading and taking turns with beauty and precision.

Good stuff.

Fun with Hip Hop Samples: Ice Cube’s “It Was A Good Day”

I randomly came across Ice Cube’s “It Was A Good Day” on YouTube today and remembered that it includes one of my favorite hip hop samples. Check it out:

That killer little guitar groove comes from The Isley Brothers’ “Footsteps in the Dark.”

Good stuff.

Everything comes from something.

Song of the Day: “Beast Crusher” by Skerik’s Bandalabra

When Music 101 students need a good sound clip for syncopation, they can just check this one out:

Those are some serious JBs-style grooves being laid down….just pure, unabashed funky-jazz improv at its best.

If you dig this sound, definitely check out their other teaser track which they released on Soundcloud:

While I am generally into the projects that Skerik gets involved in, this one is striking me as especially impressive. It seems like he’s really found his band.

Bandalabra’s album is due out on March 13th via Royal Potato Family.

Song of the Day: “Dive” by Tycho

I picked up Tycho’s latest album Dive at the end of 2011, but I’m still listening to it constantly in 2012. The title track is one of many standout tracks on the album. Check it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IOhGQvdCBg

Tycho’s sound hits on this perfect mellow but moody vibe, and I love the way that the core electronic beats and blips are mixed with more traditional analog guitars and bass.

Support Tycho directly–>TychoMusic.com.