Some (actually, most) albums are best enjoyed from start to finish. Although the way we as consumers listen to music has changed a lot since the internet and all the possibilities it holds came on our path, I still strongly believe that most artists don't record a bunch of songs and stuff a collection of those on an album. I still believe most artists work with the the concept of an album. With a start and a finish and an order in tracklisting that is created specifically that way for a reason. Not always a logical or simple reason, but the order and the songs on the record are constructed in that order. And of course we as listeners are free to listen to an album any way we want (my mp3-player sets several albums backwards for some reasons, just the order, not the actual songs are played backwards..), but we might miss out on that special something the artist had in mind when carefully selecting the songs and their order.
Now that's a lot of words for trying to express the urge to listen to this new album by John Donovan from the first to the last second. Via Crucis has a theme. It is (and I quote) "an interpretation of the fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross". I don't know what that means, as I'm not religious, but that theme is best felt when you listen to the album as I suggested earlier. The reason I use so many words to urge this on you is because there's a few atmospheric moments on it. Things not really suitable for using here on this blog, but if heard within the surroundings of the rest of the music, it makes sense. It fits great, and it is a valid addition to the album.
To best enjoy this album, start around midnight: Turn off the television, dim the lights. Burn a few candles, stare into nothing. The wall, an old painting, the empty streets outside your window. Or, if you're doing this in the bedroom (also a great place for a record like this), just stare at the ceiling.
That is all you need to do for an intense and inspirational music experience. Listen to the entire album via http://johndonovan.bandcamp.com/album/via-crucis. Probably best served on a Sunday night, but in all honesty, any moment will do. Enjoy.
This is a perfect dull rainy Tuesday morning banger. Kate Boy is a Swedish 4-piece around lead-singer Kate Akhurst and this latest track is the best one they've released so far. It has a bit more power, best heard in the way Kate Akhurst's uses her voice her in their previous released, to be heard on their website. Hope they'll stick with this powerfull sound for a while..
Being used to be working on a Saturday, it is always a special day when I do have the day off. I get up early in the morning, drink a lot of coffee, read through the newspaper and all the extras of a Saturday edition & listen to a lot of new music I've received over the week.
The new Lotte Kestner is a beauty, I've finally streamed the debut album by Bleached called Ride Your Heart, which sounds really good at first spin. And I listened to the Australian answer to Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers: Sons Of The East.
"Hold On" is their first single and their debut album is due somewhere in the near future. They sound much like Mumford & Sons, it is not the most original thing in the world of music these days as the up-tempo indiefolk is becoming more popular every day, but fuck it. This just sounds really good and is best enjoyed loud, singing a long with a cold beer in your hand. Which is exactly what I'll be doing later this fine, long Saturday. Enjoy the song, enjoy your weekend!
My new favorite album is this a re-release of a tape that was recorded and released back in 2011. The re-release is just a few weeks old (and in honour of the 50th release from record company holypage) and I'm completely hooked on it ever since I first heard it.
It reminds me of the 60s a lot, mainly of how it makes me feel. And yes, I am aware that I was born in the 80s. But my father had me listening to a lot of music from the 60s and this album has the same vibe. I'm pretty sure my dad will enjoy this album a lot too.
Nice little danceable intermission here. Cute and cool in one song, it is possible.
With this album, it truly always is a good time. Great re-release. Great album. And a perfect first album for a new little sort-of category I'll be introducing soon (or now, depends on how you look at it): The Must-Have Of The Month.
Midnight music with a scent of one of my musical heroes Eels. Sam Billen released Places last year and it's a perfect midnight record. A Light Went On is one of my favorite songs on the album, but the entire record is a beauty. Check it at http://sambillen.bandcamp.com/album/places.
Last month Generationals released their new album Heza. They day before I celebrated my birthday and received (among other cool things) a book about Spinoza. This morning I'm enjoying both with a cup of coffee. If the rest of the week is as relaxing and inspiring as this moment, this is gonna be a great week. I hope you have one too!
9 weeks untill the North Sea Jazz Festival and the countdown continues with a little bit of soul from this 2009-release by singer-songwriter Diane Birch. It has nothing really exciting going for it, but I can't get enough of this song. If she were to play the North Sea Jazz Festival (she isn't, like just about everyone I'll be featuring on this so-called NSJ-preview), I would definately be on 1st row!
Today started out completely fucked up. I woke up early due to a co-worker calling in sick, just dropped my freshly baked breakfast on the floor and I'm all out of coffee. Don't you just hate those things? Good thing there's always great music to make me feel better. Enter: Mark Martyre. I guess tomorrow, is another day.
Mark Martyre shared has latest album with me a few months ago, and now that I've spend the last 3 months falling slowly in love with it, it's time for you to enjoy it too. And hopefully fall in love like I did.
Singer-songwriter Mark has recorded an album with 10 great songs. While browsing to select the songs I wanted to use here I ended up listening over and over again to the entire album. I couldn't decide which fine tunes to implement. I ended with these three, but basically, you should listen to the entire album. It's a beauty!
It is 10 weeks untill the start of the finest festival of the year, the North Sea Jazz Festival. So to celebrate we're slowly getting closer to what is every year one of my personal highlights, here's a great tune by the John Raymond Project, who is unfortunately not playing at the festival this year. John Raymond is a young and talented musician who released his debut album Strengh & Song with the John Raymond Project last year. The album received great reviews and I can understand completely why. Be sure to check out the entire album, if you like this one track, just click the album cover above. 10 more weeks people! 10 more weeks!!
