Band of Horses, Made of Oak and Griffin House
It's been a while since the last music review. sorry. For most though, i'm assuming that the time lapse isn't much of an issue :)
Regardless, this one is worth it. I feel pretty strongly about the bands in this blog. They're good. Real good. And strangely enough, i've got some sort of connection to almost all of them. So that's cool.
While the last entries have all been genre based, this one strays from that mold. Frankly, i don't know how to classify some of this music. I guess the best way to describe this style (minus Griffin House) is the next generation of the "emo". I hate that genre name, cause all good music is "emotional" but this stuff is "emo" without all the self loathing and overbearing depression laced overtones.
Above all, moving. It's moving. The sign of a good song, right? I tend to think so.
So in more detail, i bring you....
#1: Band of Horses:
I got this cd from ruth on our road trip this summer. Band of Horses is from South Carolina, where she grew up. Something like her old neighbor is best friends with the band. Or maybe the lead singer was her neighbor. I forget. But she gave me the CD and it took me a couple months to finally listen to it, but i did. And i like it.
Before i get too much into it, go download "The First Song" and "The Funeral". Once you've got it, start playing The Funeral and continue to read along.
Band of Horses is rock music, but with an interesting vocal twist-- he's almost yelling, but its SOFT. The whole feel is soft. First off, listen to the guitar intro. Simple right?And then it builds and layers with the vocals and background air. To be expected, and a personal favorite. Bit then at minute 1:25 it explodes. Hard rock right!? But not really, listen to the drums, they're still slow. Slow and steady. The pace of the songs makes everything flow with emotion. Close your eyes (i know, i know... dumb... but trust me.) Close your eyes and air drum to the beat. I PROMISE you'll get into it.
I love this song because it lets you slip away so easily. Honestly i have no idea what the lyrics are saying cause i get so distracted by the music. (another personal fav. thing)
I think the best way i can describe this song is by comparing it to Coldplay's "fix you" once it starts to really come about. (minute 3:00 in that song) There's a sense of chaos amidst the calming constant slow beat.
Itunes also suggest listeners of Band of Horses try out the Cold War Kids. I've been hearing a lot about that band lately and they're in my itunes shopping cart. so maybe next time.
#2: Made of Oak:
All i really have on this one is their myspace page. And that only has 2 songs. I like the song "rrrrright remix" but LOVE the song "Hotel remix".
Made of Oak is a local band- a solo project of Nicholas Sanborn from Decibully. I had heard of Decibully but didn't really know too much about them. (since writing this last sentence i have done a little research, and will write about them soon!) But regardless, i stumbled upon Made of Oak and really like the sound. Kind of reminds me of my friend Drew's "Reverse Momentum"
I hope they put out an album soon.
#3: Griffin House
Now the first (well, only actually) time i saw Griffin House play, was at the First Run dance club in Oxford, OH. Now First Run isn't exactly the best venue in the world, but it apparently worked just fine for Griffin House!
From what i understand, Griffin House picked up a guitar in college because he wanted to learn and never really put it back down. He's been marked as one of Paste Magazine's up and coming artists and has been likened to Ray Lamontagne and Joseph Arthur with the capability to really explode.
I like to think i have a knack for being able to choose the next big thing, but it doesn't take any ability to know that Griffin House is going to be really big. Simply put, his music is just good. It's solid. The lyrics are his, and you can tell because he sings with inflection of knowing EXACTLY what he's talking about. Listen to "Ordinary Day". It's right on.
Also listen to "The Guy That Says Goodbye to you is out of HIs Mind". A great song about seeing a former girlfriend.
I really like "Burning up the Night" too. Particularly for the line "she loves me for the Johnny but hates me for the Cash" And the song "Downtown Line" simply has a life of its own.
Go buy "Homecoming"
to come:
other mke bands, Decibully and the Heart of Stone
Regardless, this one is worth it. I feel pretty strongly about the bands in this blog. They're good. Real good. And strangely enough, i've got some sort of connection to almost all of them. So that's cool.
While the last entries have all been genre based, this one strays from that mold. Frankly, i don't know how to classify some of this music. I guess the best way to describe this style (minus Griffin House) is the next generation of the "emo". I hate that genre name, cause all good music is "emotional" but this stuff is "emo" without all the self loathing and overbearing depression laced overtones.
Above all, moving. It's moving. The sign of a good song, right? I tend to think so.
So in more detail, i bring you....
#1: Band of Horses:
I got this cd from ruth on our road trip this summer. Band of Horses is from South Carolina, where she grew up. Something like her old neighbor is best friends with the band. Or maybe the lead singer was her neighbor. I forget. But she gave me the CD and it took me a couple months to finally listen to it, but i did. And i like it.
Before i get too much into it, go download "The First Song" and "The Funeral". Once you've got it, start playing The Funeral and continue to read along.
Band of Horses is rock music, but with an interesting vocal twist-- he's almost yelling, but its SOFT. The whole feel is soft. First off, listen to the guitar intro. Simple right?And then it builds and layers with the vocals and background air. To be expected, and a personal favorite. Bit then at minute 1:25 it explodes. Hard rock right!? But not really, listen to the drums, they're still slow. Slow and steady. The pace of the songs makes everything flow with emotion. Close your eyes (i know, i know... dumb... but trust me.) Close your eyes and air drum to the beat. I PROMISE you'll get into it.
I love this song because it lets you slip away so easily. Honestly i have no idea what the lyrics are saying cause i get so distracted by the music. (another personal fav. thing)
I think the best way i can describe this song is by comparing it to Coldplay's "fix you" once it starts to really come about. (minute 3:00 in that song) There's a sense of chaos amidst the calming constant slow beat.
Itunes also suggest listeners of Band of Horses try out the Cold War Kids. I've been hearing a lot about that band lately and they're in my itunes shopping cart. so maybe next time.
#2: Made of Oak:
All i really have on this one is their myspace page. And that only has 2 songs. I like the song "rrrrright remix" but LOVE the song "Hotel remix".
Made of Oak is a local band- a solo project of Nicholas Sanborn from Decibully. I had heard of Decibully but didn't really know too much about them. (since writing this last sentence i have done a little research, and will write about them soon!) But regardless, i stumbled upon Made of Oak and really like the sound. Kind of reminds me of my friend Drew's "Reverse Momentum"
I hope they put out an album soon.
#3: Griffin House
Now the first (well, only actually) time i saw Griffin House play, was at the First Run dance club in Oxford, OH. Now First Run isn't exactly the best venue in the world, but it apparently worked just fine for Griffin House!
From what i understand, Griffin House picked up a guitar in college because he wanted to learn and never really put it back down. He's been marked as one of Paste Magazine's up and coming artists and has been likened to Ray Lamontagne and Joseph Arthur with the capability to really explode.
I like to think i have a knack for being able to choose the next big thing, but it doesn't take any ability to know that Griffin House is going to be really big. Simply put, his music is just good. It's solid. The lyrics are his, and you can tell because he sings with inflection of knowing EXACTLY what he's talking about. Listen to "Ordinary Day". It's right on.
Also listen to "The Guy That Says Goodbye to you is out of HIs Mind". A great song about seeing a former girlfriend.
I really like "Burning up the Night" too. Particularly for the line "she loves me for the Johnny but hates me for the Cash" And the song "Downtown Line" simply has a life of its own.
Go buy "Homecoming"
to come:
other mke bands, Decibully and the Heart of Stone
Friday, January 19, 2007
