As a geek who is also health conscious, anything that helps make my time on the treadmill more enjoyable, gets a thumbs up in my book. Lately it’s seemed like even listening to music while running was not enough to take my mind off the mundane task. I needed to step up to video.
I am a big fan of audio and video podcasts, but I have a tendency to not download them to my computer. Instead, I will either watch them live on the TWiT Network, or I will enjoy them via my Apple TV. Because of this, I rarely have a fresh supply of podcasts to listen to or watch on my iPhone.
Recently I discovered an iPhone App called Greenbox. The Greenbox app provides an attractive and easy to use interface for streaming Revision3 video podcasts – Diggnation and Tekzilla being my favorites. The newest episodes are added regularly, the quality is great, and since the content is streamed to my iPhone, I don’t have to worry about downloading the episodes and transferring them to my iPhone. One warning though. It will drain your battery rather fast, but I rarely spend more than 40 minutes on the treadmill, so a full/half-full charge is plenty.
Over the past 30 years, my tastes in music have varied greatly. My first love was the new wave/new romantics sound of the 80’s but that’s for another blog post. Let’s fast forward to the mid 90’s, where my main interest was blues and R&B music. I had recently become obsessed with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s music, and was enjoying discovering his many influences including Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon and all the other artists on the Chess record label. I also discovered a number of modern blues artist that I enjoyed. As the 90’s wrapped up, I was hungry for more variety in my music library, and stations like WXPN and streaming internet radio allowed me to expand my horizons. Let’s examine some of the music released in the past ten years that has molded my tastes into what they are today.
The first few years of the new millennium I found myself channelling my appreciation for roots-based blues music into other roots-based sounds. For the first time in my life I was starting to appreciate country or country-inspired music. Let’s be clear, this was not country music that you would hear on pop country stations. New releases from Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris introduced me to a sound that was tough, gritty and beautiful – uncompromising.
After making these discoveries, to quote another band that I would soon discover, Son Volt, I was searching for a truer sound. This music felt honest, and while the lyrics at times made me feel like I was traveling back to the 30’s or 40’s, the sounds was timeless. With the help of the world wide web, and services like Napster, it wasn’t long before I discovered and purchased music by Whiskeytown and Ryan Adams, Drive-by Truckers, Son Volt, Wilco, Old 97’s and Neko Case.
Many of these bands were grouped into the sub-genre know as alt-country, since it borrowed elements from country music and alternative/rock/punk music and mixed them together into a hybrid sound. This had been done before by artists like Neil Young, The Byrds and Gram Parsons. This mixture of music inspired me to explore beyond just alt-country, and by 2002, I was starting to get into what could be called indie rock. After discovering KEXP out of The University of Washington, I was introduced to a wide variety of modern indie rock including Death Cab for Cutie, The Long Winters and The Flaming Lips.
It was this music that would shape my music tastes for the rest of the decade. I would go onto discover favorites such as Centro-matic/South San Gabriel, Pinetop Seven, Matt Pond PA, Josh Rouse, The New Pornographers, Pete Yorn, My Morning Jacket, His Name is Alive, Feist, Sun Kil Moon and many others in the following years.
As the decade came to a close, my hunger for discovering new music has continued. Stations like WOXY have fed my need for new music. More recently, music from bands such as Midlake, TV on the Radio, Bat for Lashes and Passion Pit have made been included on my list of favorite music of the past 10 years.
So there you have it. This is just a small selection of artists and songs that have shaped my musical tastes the past ten years. I could rewrite this post tomorrow and come up with a completely different batch of music, but this gives you an idea of my tastes entering the decade, and where they reside currently. I’d love to hear what you think, or how your tastes have evolved over the decade.
With less than a month left in the year, it seems like the right time to put forth my list of top 10 songs/singles of 2009. I certainly didn’t have a shortage of favorites this year, and pairing them down was a difficult task. What I have attempted to do here is list songs that were truly singles, and got decent airplay on radio/internet radio. I sometimes tire of songs in heavy rotation, but I can honestly say that I still very much enjoy these songs below. So without further ado, here is my top ten songs of 2009 (in no particular order.)
Recently, I’ve been discovering a number of great bands, new releases from bands I enjoy, and even a few older releases. This has resulted in a lot of music listening at work, in the car, and at home. Here is a taste of what has been on repeat recently.
MEW – No more stories… (very long title)
This is a band I knew of, but mostly because I loved the album cover of their last album rather than knowing their music. I heard a song off the new record on WOXY, and I was hooked right away. Upon first listen, Built to Spill came to mind. There is a nice variety of sounds on this record. Below is one of my favorites.
Molina & Johnson – Self Titled This record is a collaboration between two indie rock veterans, Jason Molina (Magnolia Electric Co., Songs:Ohia) and Will Johnson (Centro-matic, South San Gabriel.) Will Johnson is probably my single-most favorite musician/songwriter today, and I enjoy Molina’s work as well, so it’s a no-brainer that this is going to get continued listens. The record is a very slow affair, but is very much what I expected, knowing how these two operate outside of their main projects. The song Almost Let You In stands out for me, and can be heard below.
M83 – Saturdays = Youth This is a release from 2008 that I had though about purchasing a number of times in the past, and finally got around to it this fall. I’m glad I did. I’m a sucker for 80’s inspired synth rock, and this band makes no apologies for their love of the great shoegazing bands of that time. Below is one of my favorite tracks from the record, weird video and all.
The xx – xx This is something that I have bought within the past few days, and it will be seen whether or not it makes it into the my listening rotation for the long haul. I do like what i am hearing so far though. This band has a very slinky sound that I think could appeal to a wider audience. Let me know what you think about this, and the songs above.
Last night I went to The Trocadero in Philadelphia to see Built to Spill. While not a die hard fan, I do enjoy their music. One of the main reasons I went was to catch up with an old college friend who I haven’t seen since May of 2000. I hadn’t been to “The Troc” since I saw Living Colour there, which has to be about seven years ago. It was just as I remembered it. This show marks the first time I’ve used ear plugs during a show. Since I saw Jason Isbell last weekend, the memory of ringing ears was fresh. I can’t say that I enjoyed the sound with ear plugs in, but my ears sure thanked me for it. After the show we headed to the after party, which was held in the upstairs “balcony” of The Trocadero. Built to Spill lead singer Doug Martsh was guest DJing, and spinning a nice variety of reggae and vintage R&B. Overall, a good night.
For those of you who missed the first five selections of my desert island song list, check it out here. And now for selection 6 – 10.
6. The Jayhawks – Settled Down Like Rain
I knew I needed to include a song by the Jayhawks, because I often find myself searching through my iPod for them and listening to a song or two…which turns into an entire album. It is difficult to pick just one song from their catalog, but I have chosen Settled Down Like Rain from Hollywood Town Hall. I’m not sure what it is about this song that makes is stand out for me. Maybe it’s the wonderful harmonies, the well-placed organ, or the fact that I enjoy singing along to it so much. I’m happy I got to see the Jayhawks live before the disbanded, even if it was after Mark Olsen left the band. Here’s to hoping they do a tour with all the original members sooner than later.
7. My Morning Jacket – Death is My Sleazy Pay
I was first introduced to My Morning Jacket back in 2001, while listening to David Dye of The World Cafe interview a music aficionado. He was discussing bands he thought had a chance to break out, and one of the bands he mentioned was My Morning Jacket. At the time, I was just starting to develop an appreciation for country/alt-country music, and was hooked on the latest releases from Steve Earl, Emmylou Harris, Whiskeytown and Ryan Adams. My Morning Jacket seemed like the perfect addition to help satisfy my new addiction to (quality) country influenced music. After a few listens to At Dawn, I knew I had discovered something special. This was evident once I heard Jim James’ voice. Add in the talent and chemistry of the other band members, and their ability to vary the style of their songs so effectively, and you have one of the best modern bands in my option. This track is a slow burning and mournful, as evident by the opening line.
“Some say, death is the easy way and I think they’re right. / ’cause nights tick by like a long week except when you stop by.”
The acoustic guitars, vocal harmonies and especially the harmonica give this song a beautifully sad energy.
8. Josh Clayton-Felt – Bigger Than Me
This is a song, and an artist that many of you may have never heard of. I don’t exactly recall how I became familiar with Josh. I may have read about his losing battle with cancer, or maybe someone sited his old band, School of Fish as an influence. Either way, I do remember purchasing this CD from a monthly music expo that I attended for many years. The price was only a dollar, so I can safely say that I got my money’s worth, and then some. I love everything about this song. The lyrics, his vocals, the funky creeping rhythms. In the song he explains his weakness for a woman who has him wrapped around her finger, and he can’t break free.
“You know the way to my street / you know the place where I sleep / you know what to say to knock me off my feet / yeah, it’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than me.
you know the lies that i’ll believe / you realize just what I need / you drop the word and you plant the seed / yeah, it’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than me again.”
9. Kate Bush – Deeper Understanding
Kate Bush is one of a kind. She has influenced many modern female (and male) artists, and with any luck, we haven’t heard the last from her. Deeper Understanding is a track from her 1989 release, The Sensual World. One of my favorite things about this album is the vocals of The Trio Bulgarka, a Bulgarian singing group that adds so much to the songs they are featured on. Deeper Understanding is one of the tracks they are featured on, which is one reason why I like the song. The lyrics, which focus on a person’s dependency on technology and computers for social interaction are very relevant in today’s world of Facebook, Twitter and all the other social networks. Considering this song was written in 1989, Bush obviously had an idea of where personal computers were heading.
“As the people here grow colder, I turn to my computer, and spend my evenings with it like a friend.”
10. Neko Case – I Wish I Was the Moon Tonight
There are few voices that I would rather hear than Neko Case’s. In a word, it is perfect. There are so many songs of her’s that I could have chosen, and for many reasons. I love her abstract lyrics, the moody melodies and interesting production. This particular track is actually rather straight forward, but find myself queuing it up more than her others. Her voice is not one that should be explained in words, so without further delay, give it a listen.
“Last night I dreamt I’d forgotten my name / ’cause I sold my soul, but I woke just the same.”
I’ve been a music lover as long as I can remember. Some of my very first memories involve music, so over the past few decades, I’ve become attached to many songs. Recently, WXPN in Philadelphia ran a promo asking people to submit their top 10 songs they would take with them if stranded alone on an island. This post will list my first 5, and expand on them a bit, explaining why these songs resonate with me. I’ll follow up with the second half of my list in my next post.
1. Big Star – September Gurls
This song is 3 minutes of pure pop bliss. I became of fan of “power pop” earlier in the decade, and Big Star is one of the best in the genre. This song has all the best elements. Jangly guitar? Check. Longing lyrics? Check. Big chorus? Check. Alex Chilton’s distinct vocals take care of the rest.
2. Camper Van Beethoven – June
This song is featured on one of my favorite albums of all time – Key Lime Pie. I’ve probably listened this to album in its entirety at least once a month since it came out in 1989, and the sound is absolutely timeless. This song has so many great things going on in it. First is the build up, provided by the unique intro which breaks into a beautiful violin-driven melody. I think my attraction to this song has to do with the concept of months and seasons, and the feelings that go along with various times of year.
“Are you weary of the lengthening days / Do you secretly wish for November’s rain?”
“There is nothing in this world more bitter than love / In all those long days of June / Bring me the long, brown grass now that it’s dry / There is nothing in this world more bitter than spring.”
At the end, the song falls apart into a combination of violin and drums.
3. South San Gabriel – Everglades
This band includes most of the members of Centro-matic, along with select guest musicians. This is the slower, moodier side of Centro-matic…a side that I enjoy very much. It took me quite a while to wrap my head around this album, in fact, I recall putting it on the shelf for several months before I revisited it. The struggle was worth it, and Everglades is my favorite track from the record. The 8 minute track features slow tempo Casio percussion as its backbone (among other sound effects,) a subtle steel guitar, and some bleak lyrics by Will Johnson. The opening line, “Constantly protected, but somehow so damages” sets the tone, until the song dissolves into fiery sound effects and spoken word by Johnson.
4. Bobby Womack – That’s the Way I Feel About Cha
I’m a fan off all kinds of music, and if I’m going to be stranded on a desert island, I better mix it up. Soul and R&B music has so much to offer, and Bobby Womack is one of my favorites. I love his guitar playing, his gritty voice, and his songwriting isn’t too shabby either. This song is a bit of a slow jam, where he’s talking to a suspicious woman in his life. I think what wins me over with Bobby Womack is that he doesn’t have the best voice out there, but there are few singers who put as much feeling into the vocals. Plus, I love when he ad-libs in his songs. In this song he adds a door-knocking sound during an appropriate lyric that cracks me up, but I love it just the same.
“Don’t take my love as a sign of weakness. Check into the situation, girl. Dig a little bit deeper.”
5. Drive-by Truckers – Heathens
I’m a huge fan of The Truckers, and this song is one of my favorites. I’ve always enjoyed the softer side of Patterson Hood’s songwriting, and his ability to put you into the shoes of someone else who is nothing like you. And in that process, you find out that you’re not so different from the person he’s describing. This song tells the tale of a man who after many years, still can’t seem to do the right thing, and it’s taking a toll on his relationship. He feels no need to apologize for his actions, even though he realizes they are to blame for his downfall.
And I don’t need to be forsaken by you or anybody else / and I never had a shortage of people tryin’ to warn me about the dangers I pose to myself.
Hello! If you have made your way to my website, and to this first blog post, I thank you for stopping by. Most likely you got here by links on twitter or facebook, or maybe through a search engine. What you are seeing is the newly launched adamchlan.com, my home on the web. If you have taken the time to explore the rest of my site, you will see that I am a web designer located in Lancaster, PA. Since I’m a web designer, I figured I better have a website. Actually, I have had a portfolio website up for the past several years, but it was in need of a facelift.
Additionally, this website is built around Wordpress. While I have worked with Wordpress in the past for just blogs, this website uses Wordpress more as a content management system (CMS.) Throughout the process of learning how to build a Wordpress theme from scratch, to the completion of this website, I have been very impressed at how much flexibility the WP platform offers. It has certainly matured into great software.
My goals for this site include keeping the world up-to-date with my web design work through the portfolio section, keep the blog updated with topics that interest me, including technology, design, music, and whatever might be on my mind.
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