Winter Thoughts.

So,

A couple of things. Firstly, The Delays have released a new EP called "Love Made Visible". This EP crushes the software slump that their second album (You See Colours) was in many ways. Although carrying a few notable gems, as a whole the album was a let down. The new EP picks up where You See Colours could not. Brilliant songs like the title Track "love made visible" with it's squishy space sound intro, trademark falsetto vocal line and punchy energy AND the simply splendid thoughtful build up of "Slow Burn" make me long for a live show. I love it. I love songs like this.

Secondly, Foo. We love Foo. More specifically, Dave Grohl has somehow managed another irreverant and fantastic video concoction for "Long Road to Ruin". Sonically similar to their very accessible "learn to fly", the video itself just makes me want to get in the fanboy line. See for yourself here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68qqyM-_K4w

Latest releases

So. I'm in the process of digesting the new Radiohead album. As of late I've been terribly anxious and excited at the prospect of this release. Radiohead, for several albums, has ventured into the realm of significant musical exploration, but sadly without generating a work that has been as cohesive and sonically brilliant as OK Computer. At this point we're talking ten years. I'm hoping that In Rainbows will bring that back. There have been gems since OK.. but nothing that I could quantify as a whole, satisfying and complete work. A full ALBUM if you will. I have hopes for In Rainbows and I'm slowly going through it to determine if this is the one. I feel like i'm going on a date and hoping for the right fit. Luckily, I have a long flight to Barcelona coming in a few days and will take that chance to really focus on the album with earbuds in place, hoping for the perfect sonic make out session.

I'll also review a few other wonderful gems in that process. More easily digested fare from Jimmy Eat World and Puressence will definitely be on the "plane" du jour. Here's to wishing me luck!

Rilo Kiley's Latest

If you have not yet heard Jenny Lewis sing - either by way of "Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins," "Postal Service," or as part of "Rilo Kiley" - you are missing one of the rare and beautiful musical gems of our time.

A handful of "old" Rilo songs you should listen to before proceeding: 1) It's A Hit 2) Portions for Foxes 3) I Never 4) A Man/Me/Then Jim 5) More Adventurous 6) The Absense of God.

Rilo Kiley's latest album is called Under The Blacklight. I've been working through each song in turn - trying to pick my favorites. Here are my top five songs from this album (today anyway...):

1. Silver Lining.
This one I loved almost from the first time I heard it. It shows off Jenny Lewis' a-mazing vocal talents and the fun pop-feel of Rilo Kiley.

2. Close Call.
Like many of Rilo Kiley's songs this one is haunting. I'm still trying to figure out what she's singing about but wow...it sounds sad...in a spectacularly beautiful way.

3. Breakin' Up
The lyrics and music to this song are so witty. It's just sonic fun.

4. Dejalo
Ok, normally, songs like this drive me up the wall, but this one is fun and makes me wanna dance...disco that is...

5. Under The Blacklight.
I could listen to Jenny Lewis sing forever. Her voice is smooth and even and it seems as though singing must come to her more naturally than speaking...even in really challenging vocal lines she shines. This song is on my top list because of the vocal line as well as the music. Just soothing and pleasant. It makes me want to sit in a hammock on a summer evening and sip a cool mojito.

Phew. Thanks to Ivan for giving me the freedom to talk about music to the blog world :-)

So.

I'm opening the gates. I'm inviting some well respected, by me, music authors to help spice up these posts a bit. Me and the new "team" will ramble incessantly about music on this site as I once had done. About time... sheesh!