Falling

Today I fell in love with:

"Story Problem" by The Envy Corps.
"Transistor Radio" by Cloud Cult.
"Itch Inside Your Ear" by Ari Herstand.

The indie music scene is a pretty cool one.

I love Minneapolis. I wouldn't know any of this if I weren't here.

Xzibit is an Artist? That's news to me.

"Michael Bublé and I were supposed to work together, believe it or not," Xzibit said Saturday at the Galpin Auto Sports Grand Opening in Van Nuys. "It was supposed to happen in Australia for a little skit on some late-night talk show, but it just didn't happen—thank god! I mean, I'm seriously an artist."

Not that I listened to ANYTHING you've EVER done before, Xzibit, but you can be sure now I never will. I mean, are you really suggesting that Michael Buble is NOT an artist? Boy does do a lot of cover tunes, but there's something to be said for that when the song is "Can't Buy Me Love," and he's doing it with a big band. Just saying. Also, Xzibit, can you sing? Like, at all?

Keri Noble, Fearless

I was slow to find Keri Noble-- it seems all of my friends knew who she was, and they'd bring her up and say, "You know Keri Noble, right?" and because I'd heard her name before in the very same kinds of situations, I'd say, "Oh yeah, I think so," and then they'd continue with some anecdote about her latest song or the show they'd get to see next week that I'd inevitably have to miss for one reason or another. It wasn't until the end of August, when I was sleeping on a mattress on a friend's floor for the weekend that she asked if it was okay if she played a little music, please, I love music, and I said, um, DUH it's okay, and Keri Noble's voice then captivated me. I was afraid to ask who it was, because I suspected it was her, and I was supposed to know ALL ABOUT Keri Noble. So when the friend stepped out of the room, I snuck over to the CD player and popped it open to find this album spinning 'round:

I went home that weekend, logged onto Amazon.com, and bought this baby. And let me tell you, from the first haunting note to the last, this album had me hooked. I listened to it maybe a hundred times before I finally had to rotate it out for a while, and still I've come back to it. It's simple music--the lyrics aren't complicated, the arrangements are nothing to write home about, but when it all comes together-- her voice, the pure production--it leaves you with this haunted, yet peaceful feeling. The songs are about a girl's life, plain and simple--from "Look at Me," a song about a girl reaching out to a friend (or a man) in need, to "Let it Rain," a cathartic, bluesy release of song, perfect for driving through a downpour (and I did it once or twice. There's something so poetic about singing this song, meaning every word, while the rain pours itself on you), and then onto "Bartender," a waltz in minor. A waltz in minor! What more could anyone ask for? Nothing, that's what. The real gem in all of this, though, is the girl's voice. She's just got... it.

She's a less wordy Sara Bareilles, a less beachy Colbie Caillat, a darker Ingrid Michaelson, and a lesser known Duffy. And this album is a 2004 release. I know more has come since, and I'm excited to find out what more she's released for us to hear.

White Light Riot

I'm not just saying this. I'm really not.

White Light Riot is insanely AMAZING live.

I had the privilege of seeing them play last night at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, and it was SO worth the late night/early morning I had to pull off to do it.

I've heard a lot of their music (Out of Sight is a favorite), I've seen bits of their personality through online video blogs and goofy music videos, and I've loved it all. But MAN, those boys, live are just CRAZY.

Especially Mike and Mark. Mike is so charismatic as the front man-- so much more than I expected. And it's certainly a pity there wasn't more light on Mark, drumming in the back. It's so much fun to watch the drummers with the goofy "I can't believe this is my life" grins on their faces. Joe, with his guitar, his hair and his harmony. Mmm. I could have just kissed him. And Dan just exuded the chill factor-- which I guess is what bass players are for. All of the guys had their own thing going for them, but the dynamic was shared-- and they were incredible.

Their sound has been described to me as indie rock/brit-pop (one of the members spent a semester or two in England I think, and was very influenced by the music there), and while I really couldn't speak too intelligently on either of those subjects, I know there is something unique about these guys-- and creative. The lyrics are cool, the arrangements are energetic, and the performance is nearly flawless.

Seriously, these guys aren't well known beyond Minneapolis yet, but they should be, and I think they will be. If you trust my taste in music at all, check them out.

Peace.

Out of Sight

Awesome music, hilarious video.

Serious music with a sense of humor.


White Light Riot.

Enjoy the Show

I'm often slow to new pop music trends, and this is probably no exception, but yesterday, I discovered Lenka.

I love her pure, delicate voice and the melodies and feel you can bop your head along to. With pretty pop like this, it's easy to get annoyed, but I'm not yet... so we'll see.

Watch the video for "The Show" here.

Psh. It Happens.

No, this isn't the post in which I tell you how absolutely incredible Cadillac Sky's Gravity's Our Enemy is. And Oh My, is it. It's also not the post where I thoughtfully lay out every soulful sound of Keri Noble's Fearless. Life's been full and it's been hard to find the moments needed to do these collections of music justice. Also, I was thinking today, have I ever done a good run-down of Blue Moon Rising's One Lonely Shadow? Because that should be added to the list too.

What I really came here to tell you is that I just picked up Sugarland's Love on the Inside. I've only listened to the first three songs so far, but already I think it's my favorite album of theirs so far, and glancing through the songwriting credits, it looks like Jennifer and Kristian wrote all of the tracks on the basic edition and all but two on the deluxe fan edition. It's got a great sound, is full of energy, and will be a pleasure to listen to over and over again.

Hopefully I can get back to you on this one and the others soon.

On a final note-This album is in beautiful, beautiful, cardstock packaging. I'm now avoiding the plastic jewel cases as one of my tiny contributions to the environment, so seeing this packaged like it was made me a happy girl. Hello Earth! I love you!