A Letter To: Willie Nelson

May 16, 2012

Dear Willie -

Look. I love you man. There were very few days as a kid when I didn’t hear a Willie song. Your new album, Heroes, is amazing and I can’t believe you somehow pulled off a duet with Kris Kristofferson and Snoop Dogg. You’re nearly 80 years old and still have more energy than people 6 decades younger than you. And I’m pretty sure you’re immortal. Bottom line, you’re one of my favorites.

I do however, have a bit of a complaint. I am going to need you to record an album full of nothing but covers of rock songs. Your versions of “The Scientist” (on the new album)  and “Time After Time” have shown that your signature style fits perfectly with just about any genre. You’ve worked with Ryan Adams in the past, and I’d love to hear your take on an RA tune. I’d also love to hear you do something like “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” I need this to happen Willie. The way I see it, you’ve only got about 120 good years left, so the sooner the better.

Thanks in advance-
Ben

In case you need a reason to buy Heroes, here’s Willie with his son, Lukas, covering one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs.

Just Breathe

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Summer ’12 Mini Mixtape

May 8, 2012

I’m on the run a lot these days for work, but I realize that a mini-mixtape is long overdue. Summer is right around the bend for some of us (Boston) while others have been enjoying nice weather for a few weeks now. Sunny days are for rolling the windows down and screaming at the top of your lungs. They’re also for kicking your feet up and drinking some adult beverages. These songs should be suitable for one of the two of those activities, maybe both. Enjoy.

Calling All Gamma Rays – Quiet Hounds
I blogged last year about Quiet Hounds and how much I loved the first EP they released. This one is better. It’s coming later next month, and I’ll give a more in depth blog in a few weeks, but I couldn’t keep this from you. It’s that good.
Calling All Gamma Rays

It’s Time – Imagine Dragons
Another killer EP. Imagine Dragons have big things in store for them, at least in the musical circles I run in. This EP has a bit of everything, and if “It’s Time” is any indication of what a full length album might sound like, I can safely say I am in love.
It’s Time

Sweetest Sin – Saints of Valory
Unbelievable. In their second appearance on the blog, SoV keeps releasing stuff that makes me like them even more. And I didn’t really think that was possible. The Kids EP dropped today and I’ve already sped through this 4 times. Pick it up, then listen to their previous stuff. You will thank me later.
Sweetest Sin

Bright Lights and Amplifiers – American Opera
Please go buy some AO stuff. I can’t stand being the only one of my friends who knows about this guy. Some songs are summer songs, some are slit your wrist songs. Both are right in my wheel house and I absolutely love the stuff I’ve heard so far.
Bright Lights & Amplifiers

Mississippi Moon – Rob Baird
A blog reader and friend of mine, Matt, sent me this recommendation a few months ago. I immediately picked up some of Baird’s stuff but it’s this single that really stands out.
Mississippi Moon

Safe Here – Craig Cardiff
Cardiff’s stuff is usually a bit quieter than this, so it’s nice to hear him speed it up a little from time to time. I love his voice and though I usually lean towards the more acoustic stuff, his newest album is an excellent change of pace.
Safe Here

Jenny – Tyler Hilton
Hilton’s more talented than you think. Every album he puts out is thoroughly enjoyable, full of songs that are heart felt and easy to listen to. On occasion, he busts out a gem like this. In total, his newest album is a step in the right direction as he attempts to show that he’s more than an actor with a guitar.
Jenny

Love on the Radio – Justin Hopkins
When The Voice began this year, there were a handful of artists I’d already followed pretty religiously. Hopkins is one of those and to be honest, I can’t believe he didn’t make it further along than he did. I hope the exposure at least won him some new fans, because he’s too damned good not to be in the business.
Love On the Radio

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Currently Rocking – The Lumineers

March 30, 2012

“Like the Dead Sea, you told me I was like the Dead Sea. You’ll never sink when you are with me” – The Dead Sea

About three months ago, my friend Jess brought up The Lumineers in a conversation. I checked out a few seconds worth of  “Ho Hey,” and I’ve honestly never fallen in love with a band so quickly. I obsessively Youtubed everything this band did and then, the Internet skies opened and a close friend sent me a copy of the album. If this isn’t the best album of the year, I will be beyond shocked. In fact, for me, this is easily the best album that’s come out since Mumford & Sons hit the scene. The Lumineers have a compelling back story too, having been born out of tragedy so to speak.

The Lumineers serve as a reminder of why I fell in love with music in the first place. Wesley Schultz’ voice is equal parts uplifting and “jerk the wheel” soul crushing – and it’s always appropriate. But this album is more than the vocals. It’s the foot stomps. It’s the hand claps. It’s the feeling of pure joy and in some instances, extreme grief. There are very few bands out there that can break your heart in the best way possible and leave you begging for more.

The album releases on April 3, and it’s a must buy. You want to get in on this before the entire world is talking about them. They’re also on tour with another up and coming band, Kopecky Family Band. If you just can’t wait for the album, there’s a great Chapel Session from I am Fuel You are Friends (a blog you should be reading anyway) and a sweet Daytrotter session.

Ho Hey

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In Case You Haven’t Heard – American Opera

March 28, 2012

“Oh mighty friends, I give thanks yet I am ungrateful. I have faith but then again I am unfaithful. Cause you will not find the good if you ain’t looking for evil too and you can’t believe in God without believing in you-know-who” – An Empty Cup

They say that breakups often lead to something better. Michigan’s John Bonham may be living proof of that. Bonham, formerly of Your Best Friend, began performing as  American Opera last summer and though YBF was very good, his stuff as American Opera shows a hell of a lot of promise.

Bonham’s got a knack for taking the emotions we all feel and putting them into words that few of us can seem to find, all while exploring different musical genres. There’s a twinge of bluegrass in songs, while others lean towards Americana. The storytelling is incredibly rich and Bonham’s voice sounds as honest as the words he’s singing – a rare quality indeed.

If you like what you hear from American Opera, head over to the Bandcamp page and buy what you can. It’s not even on iTunes yet, and if that doesn’t tell you that you are ahead of the curve on this guy, I don’t know what will. I’ll feature two songs below, but you can catch a few more on the soundcloud. Enjoy.

Bright Lights & Amplifiers

A Spot For My Sister

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The Top 25 of 2011

February 20, 2012

It’s long over due, but here’s the list of my favorite albums from 2011.

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In Case You Haven’t Heard – Spirit Family Reunion

January 19, 2012

“Rising right up from the South, yeah that’s where I want to be” – When My Name Is Spoken Although it’s 2012 and Spirit Family Reunion say they’re from Brooklyn, I’m relatively certain they landed there via a time machine in the Deep South. Their moonshine soaked sound comes at you hard and fast – [...]

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Currently Rocking – Joe Firstman

December 5, 2011

“Nobody sleeping, the past was just creeping through the door that you locked” – Falling White Flowers I love Boston. I do. But damn if Joe Firstman doesn’t make me miss Charlotte more than I could possibly put into words. Other than family, only a few things can do that and Firstman is definitely right [...]

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Currently Rocking – GROUPLOVE

November 14, 2011

“You’re either digging or your dead” – Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten Never Trust a Happy Song may not be the most original album out this year, but I’d argue that a lot of albums are original pieces of shit. Grouplove isn’t breaking new ground on their debut full-length but they’re following their [...]

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In Case You Haven’t Heard – Of Monsters and Men

October 28, 2011

“So love me mother and love me father and love my sister as well ” – Untitled Trust me, it’s going to happen. Just as I was certain that Mumford and Sons would do well in the US, I am going on record and saying that Of Monsters and Men will be on your radar [...]

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Currently Rocking – SK6ers

October 6, 2011

“Someday I guess it’ll be me passing on words to my own legacy. And what I leave behind is more than I came with.” – Who We Are, Who We’ll Become What can only be described as one of my two most anticipated albums of 2011 has certainly delivered. From the sing-a-long single, “Gravity” to [...]

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