Song: Nutshell Artist: Alice In Chains Album: Unplugged Genre: Alternative Rock, Grunge Year: 1996
While Nirvana was kicking everyone minds (not mine) making a hole revolution, there was other mythical grunge bands that some people missed (like me). A good friend of mine(Egus) took me out from my ignorance and I appreciate he did it: what a lovely song!.
Song: Skyscrapers Can't Collapse Artist: Jet Lag Album: Jet Lag Genre: Alternative Rock Year: 2005
Yesterday I had a terrible headache so I rested on bed all afternoon, and don't ask me why but I remembered this song while I was resting trying to sleep. Maybe because it's so sweet and I was a little bit slump... who knows.
I've just finished watching this film [wiki | imdb] and I'm so amazed of it that my first reaction has been to write this post. Not only the movie is completely mind-blowing, but the music used too. It's the first soundtrack I've heard from them, but it's reason enough to think that these young composers have an impending successful future (if you have time, take a look to their web, they have a lot of documentaries about how they compose their music).
There are some phrases on the film that I love, so I will quote them:
An elegand suicide is the ultimate work of art.
Do you know the Tristan Rêveur quote about bad art? It's "bad art is more tragically beautiful than good art 'cause it documents human failure.
Sorry for not embedding the video, but it was disabled by request. After the original track from the film, you will find Damien Rice's "Cold Water" (an excellent song too) and Holly Marilyn's "Something's Got To Change".
Song: Made Up Love Song #43 Artist: Guillemots Album: Through The Windowpane Genre: Alternative Rock Year: 2006
Today it's a happy day. Why? Because it's blog's birthday! Now we are one year older, after 268 songs posted (including this one). It seems yesterday when we started this adventure posting the first song, but a hole year has passed by. So, as it's a happy day the track posted sould be happy too. And don't you feel alive after listening this tune (live even better than studio version)? I really do!
Song: Meantime Artist: The Futureheads Album: The Futureheads Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock Year: 2004
This is a band that composes great tracks, but they still have not pounded charts. The highest score they have reached is number 8 on UK Singles Chart (with a song that was a version of Kate Bush's Hounds of Love). Why? I don't know XD. Maybe they just need a stroke of luck.
Song: House Of Jealous Lovers Artist: The Rapture Album: Echoes Genre: Alternative Rock Year: 2003
There is a funny comment at YouTube about this song: "my pick for best use of cowbell in a song category". And I guess it's true! Alternative rock pushed to the extreme! They have just released a new album, but as far as I have listened to it, it's not as good as this one.
If you love the video edition, check out other works from the director: Shynola.
Song: Lover Man Artist: Chris Botti Album: To Love Again Genre: Jazz Year: 2005
When you are a good intrumental jazz musician, you use to surround yourself by excelent jazz singers to sing those tracks you are playing, mostly live. At this video, this superb trumpeter plays this tremendous classic tune with a true legend: Gladys knight.
If I had to do a top list of my favourites albums, it would be a hard thing to do. But I'm completely sure this album would be on the top ten (even one of the highest rated). After listening Clubbed to Death [darkness mix] (also known as kurayamino mix) [watch it] for the first time I realized this man would become one of my favourites composers. But after hearing this album, all my predictions get confirmed: it's plenty of heart, passion and talent. If you have not this album, believe me, you should.
I just can't wait for his new album (already four years from this one it's too much).
As a special remark, I will post some explanation that RD does about his composition (you could find it on any interview): "I'm associated with dance music, with electronica, which makes me feel ill. I only learnt all the boring computer crap as a means to an end. Virtually all musicians these days use computers, but if you write a book on a computer, nobody calls it electronic writing; the format you use doesn't necessarily affect the outcome".
Song: Retreat Artist: The Rakes Album: Capture/Release Genre: Alternative Rock Year: 2005
Franz Ferdinand [wiki] v2.0? That's what it seems when you listen this track for the first time! So, to get a conclusion, let's take a closer look (using Wikipedia info):
Franz Ferdinand
The Rakes
Formed on:
2000
2001
Origin:
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
London, England
Genre:
Indie rock, Post-punk revival, Art rock
Indie rock, Art rock, Post-punk revival
Label:
Domino, Epic
V2
Albums:
Franz Ferdinand (2004), You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Capture/Release (2005)
Singles:
9
6
Too close, isn't it? But if we say that TR were the support-band for FF during winter 05... the solution to the question is clear.
P.S.: I love the amateur/home made style used on the video.
Song: Diablo Rojo Artist: Rodrigo y Gabriela Album: Rodrigo y Gabriela Genre: Instrumental Year: 2006
It's strange how life flows. You leave your country because there are too many bands that plays similar music as you do and you think there's no future out there. Then, due to a rumour, you fly Dublin and you start busking and playing on some pubs until Damien Rice [wiki] sees one of your gig's and decides to support your tour. After some initial doubt, inmediately success.
Their accelerated music style is incredible, but sometimes I miss slow tempos and compositions.
Song: Crockett's Theme Artist: Jan Hammer Album: Escape From Television Genre: Soundtrack, Ambient Year: 1987
Even though this man is mostly known by his Miami Vice [wiki] theme [YouTube.com link], a tv serie that I watched when I was young (as most of you surely did), I like more his Sonny Crockett's [wiki] tribute theme. Of course, full of unequalled 80's music style.
Song: Safe Home Artist: Anthrax Album: We've Come For You All Genre: Hard Rock, Metal Year: 2003
Famous people also listen to music. Didn't you know it? And if one of their favourite bands ask them to show on one of their videos, they use to do it delightly. That's what happened with Keanu Reeves [wiki | imdb], who did a special cameo for (paraphrasing Last.fm 's description) "one of the so-called Big Four of 80's thrash metal bands".
Song: Is This Love? Artist:Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Album:Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Genre: Alternative Rock Year: 2005
I'm still trying to obtain an opinion about this band: should they change his vocal man? I mean, he has a ridiculous whistle voice and he can't stop squeaking (great example)! But, on the other side, it's quite funny and tracks sounds fine!
Song: When The World Ends Artist: Dave Matthews Band Album: Rock Genre: Rock Year: 2001
The first time I heard this track wasn't the original one, but a version used on an Animatrix [wiki] short film from Paul Oakenfold [wiki | last.fm]. Even though, the main theme is as good as the Oakey one, so... check out both of them and decide which tune you like the most!
Song: The Red, The White, The Black, The Blue Artist: Hope Of The States Album: The Lost Riots Genre: Alternative Rock Year: 2004
Long time ago, I recommended this song on a previous post from this band. Now I think it's time to post that advice. They have a very special way to piece together rock instruments with string ones, that's why I still listen to it weekly.
Song: London In The Rain Artist: Variety Lab Album: Providence Genre: Electronic, Ambient Year: 2003
I discovered this french artist through Hôtel Costes Quatre album [Amazon.com link], and this song has been on my lounge playlist since then. Today I've seen its video for the first time: it looks like an amateur video but I think that it's better this way than high quality mode, it seems more personal.
Song: Lost Artist: Roger Sanchez Album: Come With Me Genre: Electronic, House Year: 2006
Tonight, Creamfields [official | wiki] dane music festival comes to Spain (Creamfields-Andalucía official). And one of those dj's that wil be mixing live on stage is The S-Man (3:30 am). I'm sure this song will be played on tonight's session.
Song: My Funny Valentine Artist: Keith Jarrett Trio Album: Still Live Genre: Jazz Year: 2000
An excelent interpretation. That's how we could descibe this live session from one of the most important Jazz [wiki] songs ever. Paraphrasing a Wiki article about this track [link]: "My Funny Valentine is a jazz standard, appearing on over 1300 albums performed by over 600 artists. Nearly every jazz musician has performed this song at one time or another". That's quite much!
[Excuse me for not putting inside this post the embedded video, but it was disabled (by request)].
Song: Here It Goes Again Artist: Ok Go Album: Oh No Genre: Alternative Rock Year: 2005
New videoclip, new stage, new choreography. After an awesome video (they even did a special OK Go Dances With You(tube) Contest) they have done it again! But this time is even more difficult, so... What would be next? They'll do another contest?
Song: Call On Me Artist: Eric Prydz Album: Call On Me Genre: Electronic, Dance Year: 2004
When you wake up after a long night party you use to be completely worn out... but sometimes you are in the mood to continue partying. That's what has happened to me today, and after realizing that it has been a long time since I have not posted any electro song, I've made my choice.
This is not only one of the best Club songs [wiki] ever... it has also one of the sexiest videos ever made! It had such an impact [wiki article] on every field that it has become nowadays a cult song. I has even some aerobics DVD's [ official | MinistryOfSound | Amazon ].
As it would be expected, there are a lot of spoofs too [ spoof1 | spoof2 | spoof3 ].
[ Peter: I think this is one of your favourite vids, isn't it? XD ]
Song: Do The Evolution Artist: Pearl Jam Album: Yield Genre: Rock Year: 1998
After restyling the blog, I thought it would be appropiate to post something about changes. And can you think about a better choice than this one? This song is just incredible! Everything's perfect: tempo & rythm (perfect for what they want to explain [wiki link]), lyrics [link], video (created by Todd McFarlane [wiki])... if you want to let go off adrenaline: play this song, close your eyes and simply enjoy.
I don't know quite much about scratching [wiki] but I love the sounds this guy is able to make... 'till the point where it could be considered as a new reinvented song.