Infinite Light by Lightning Dust

Getting back into the right head space after Christmas is proving to be a little more difficult than I imagined. It is hard to find the right thing to say about this album. I find it more and more difficult to even discuss someone else's music because I know that any negative reaction is just horrible, as a songwriter or musician. How can I comment on the blood, guts, sweat and tears that goes into anyone else's music? Just because I do not understand what you are trying to say doesn't mean that you aren't saying it well. But none of this is relevant in regards to Lightning Dust's "Infinite Light". Amber Webber's choice of vocal styling takes a little getting used to. It isn't always your standard pretty female vocalist. She isn't afraid to flirt with those notes that may or may not be pretty. But having been a Fiona Apple and Thelonious Monk fan for so long, I have come to appreciate those notes that may sound a little "off" for what they are; one musician's ability to see the varying forms that a note can take. After googling this album, I realized that it is on many people's best of 2009 list. It will take a few more rotations for me to determine if it is one of my favorites. But since we are heading into 2010, it may be one of my first favorites of this new decade.

A Charlie Brown Christmas by The Vince Guaraldi Trio

I am huge fan of Jazz music. Jazz music is still new to my twenty-five years but it has quickly morphed into one of my favorite genres of music. The genius behind a Jazz composition never ceases to amaze me. But at the holidays, nothing puts me in the Christmas Spirit quicker than one listen to "A Charlie Brown Christmas". You may recognize the main single, "Christmas Time is Here" but it pales in comparison to the Jazz rendition that is also included on the album. When I listen this album, I am transported back to a simpler time. And with today's hectic world, it is nice to remember how good and uncomplicated life used to be.



I also had to add my absolute favorite part of A Charlie Brown Christmas, when Linus gives us the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Vacation by Mavis Staples

Another Christmas favorite has always been the theme song to "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". Not only is this one of my all time favorite movies, every time it comes on, even if I don't intend to watch the whole thing, I always have to listen to this theme song. It always puts me in an excellant mood. I hope it does the same for you. And Chevy Chase is one of the funniest guys on the planet.

Walking in the Air by Howard Blake, Performed by Peter Auty

The Snowman was released in 1982. As a child, I was fortunate enough to have a Canadian for a mother, so a lot of the television that I watched was from the CBC. Because CBC was closely affiliated with the BBC, I also watched a lot of British Television. Some people may or may not remember "The Snowman" but what always made it so memorable was this song. With Christmas right around the corner, I thought I would share one of my favorites. There are better versions than the original film version but I loved the cartoon, so here it is.

A little personal

I have been writing songs for almost a year now. Of course, being new to songwriting, over the last year I have completed four songs and have three songs that are currently incomplete. I feel like songwriting is a very personal process. But the subject isn't always personal. The majority of my songs have been written about things I have been thinking about or are outraged about but not really about anything that was personal to me. That is until now. Over the last week and a half, I have been working on a song that is the most deeply personal song I have written. It may actually be the deepest song I will ever write. It is about the most heartbreaking experience of my life. When I started messing around with the chords for this song, it wasn't my intention to write a song about this experience. I really didn't think that I was ever going to write anything about it. I had tried or wanted to on several different occassion but the words weren't right. Apparently, with the anniversary of this day around the corner, the words were finally able to form. What was so strange for me about this process was that when it was done, I felt naked. To emotionally layout your feelings for the whole world is such a strange feeling. Especially when I have been so careful to keep certain things and feelings about myself so private. Everytime I play the song I feel so weird. For anyone who has written a song or even just learned a song and practiced it; it becomes a burden of monotony. And when it is your feelings, your heartbreak written in that song, it seems wrong. I don't know how to continue to play this song without feeling wrong everytime I play it. It is a strange feeling that I am sure so many other people in my position have felt. But I think that is what I love about some of my most favorite songwriters, their ability to turn their heartache, their struggles, their feelings, into song.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Rose via Flickr

Before the Music Dies

Before the Music Dies is a documentary film about the change that is currently taking place in the music industry today. This film was released in 2006, so I feel that some things have change, for the better, since its release. I will let you watch it for yourself (for free at the link above via HULU) to decide if you agree or disagree. I have to say that before this documentary, I never actually understood the term "Video killed the Radio Star". In the past, I think that we have been a society who is willing to accept someone as talented because someone else tells us that they are. I feel that this is still happening but is happening less. We want to be lied to as a society but when someone screws up and takes the veil off the lie, even if by accident (Ashlee Simpson lip-syncing anyone), we are outraged and act as if we didn't know we were being dupped. To assure that this doesn't happen again, I feel that it is best that we start using our brains and decide what music we like or dislike on our own. And realize that there is so much wonderful music out there and that you aren't getting it from most of your radio stations. Take a break from the radio (especially if it is a Clear Channel Radio Staion) and listen to something new or old for that matter. Instead of Britney Spears, put in some Miles Davis, CCR or Jack Johnson. Expand your horizons. Find something that speaks to you. Discover new music. The recording industry is dying but if musicians started giving their music away (a la Radiohead), there would still be a live music industry and it will continue to thrive. And then, we will find out who is actually capable of entertaining us with their talents instead of their ass.

Horehound by The Dead Weather

If you are a fan of The White Stripes, then you will definitely like Jack White's new endeavor, The Dead Weather. It appears that with the downfall of the music industry, musicians are having to double and triple up their projects to make a living as a musician. Luckily for us, this means more great music! Not being much of a White Stripes fan, this album put me off a little but after a few listens, it has definately grown on me. I will say that when I first listened to Horehound, I could hear the artistry behind the music but it wasn't exactly to my taste. But it is like a fog that slowly creeps in. All of the sudden, you really start enjoying the experience. May not be for everyone but what music is.

Fur and Gold by Bat for Lashes

It is weird to say that any artist sounds like another. Hopefully each artist has an original sound but for the purposes of trying to explain an albums sound or feel, comparisons are unavoidable. If you are a fan of Tori Amos, Fiest, Goldfrapp or Sarah McLachlan, you will most likely enjoy Bat for Lashes. It would be my guess that one Ms. Lady Gaga is also a fan of Bat for Lashes, as some of her music is eerily similar. Anyway. It may or may not be your cup of tea but why not check her out. Fur and Gold in my opinion, is a good album.



A Cover of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody"

Just a little something to brighten your day

Ambivalence Avenue by Bibio

If you are not in the mood for anything in particular or you just want some pleasant music to play in the background while you are working or cleaning the house, this album is what you are looking for. A strange but simple mix of folk and electronic music, Ambivalence Avenue has the sound that puts a smile on your face. It is simply a beautiful record.