Music Monday: Chromatics

There's a lot to appreciate when it comes to the luscious sounds of Chromatics but what I like the most is what I simply classify as 'vibes'; a severely overused word but aptly concise. The energy that this music exudes is exactly what I look for when I'm lounging around the house or in the mood to kick back and decompress.

Chromatics is an electronic group from Portland. Their latest release is available now and can be purchased here.


Shadow



Cherry

Into the Black (Neil Young Cover)

I'm on Fire (Bruce Springsteen Cover)

2016 Music Favorites: 20 of My Most Enjoyed Albums

I prefer to have my yearly favorites posted sooner but I started off 2017 feeling very under the weather (not to mention a brutal phase of Mercury Retrograde). I wanted to make sure I was in a clear frame of mind when I reflected back on which albums I enjoyed listening to the most. I hesitate to call these albums 'the best of 2016' because it would be impossible to say that with any level of certainty. It's a challenge to rank music as it's such a personal thing. I am a hardcore music lover but I would have to devote every waking minute of the year to listening to new releases to truly get a feel for everything. I tend to listen to music regardless of its freshness or relevancy. I also find my music organically and am not influenced much at all by critics or the blogosphere. This list is simply me sharing what I liked, in hopes of connecting with other fans or to someone searching for new sounds who may not be as familiar. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite releases of the past year...



Empire of the Sun, Two Vines. October, 2016.

I've been a major fan of this group for many, many years. Their music makes me happy. I have yet to see them perform live but hope that changes in the near future.

High and Low:

Two Vines:


Kanye West, The Life of Pablo. February, 2016.

Personal and professional antics aside, his music is still good.

Famous:

Fade:


Angel Olsen, My Woman. September, 2016.

I really like her vocal style and enjoy listening to her music when I'm in a relaxed, but somber mood.

Intern:

Heart Shaped Face:

Frank Ocean, Blonde. August, 2016.

The most-anticipated album of the year, Blonde, (or is it technically Blond...?) exceeded many expectations of a sophomore slump.

Nights:

White Ferrari:


Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Getaway. June, 2016.

Hipsters will tell you RHCP aren't cool but I admittedly love the older stuff. Their most-recent albums have been very disappointing but this one was somewhat of a pleasant surprise. It's far from my favorite but Anthony Kiedis can still get it.

The Getaway:

Dark Necessities:


Leonard Cohen, You Want It Darker. October, 2016.

Farewell to a legend. What an artist. What a man.

You Want It Darker:

It Seemed the Better Way:


Kristin Kontrol, X-Communicate. May, 2016.

The debut solo project from the lead singer of Dum Dum Girls. I really like this new direction.

X-Communicate:

Smoke Rings:


James Vincent McMorrow, We Move. September, 2016.

Fans of Bon Iver will enjoy this release from the sultry Irish crooner.

I Lie Awake Every Night:


Get Low:


David Bowie, Blackstar. January, 2016.

2016 was a year surrounded by the loss of countless musicians. David Bowie's final studio album, released on his 69th birthday, left fans with one last parting gift just days before his untimely passing.

Blackstar:

Lazarus:


Glass Animals, How To Be a Human Being. May, 2016.

Glass Animals has an incredible sound that's all their own. It always gets me going. I'll leave it at that.

Youth:

Poplar St:


Gallant, Ology. May, 2016.

Gallant was my favorite discovery of the year. I adore his voice and really loved the style of songs on this debut release.

Talking to Myself:

Weight in Gold:


Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool. June, 2016.

A band that needs no introduction, this album managed to make me love them even more.

Daydreaming:

True Love Waits:


Bon Iver, 22, A Million. September, 2016.

Bon Iver has produced some of my favorite music of the past decade. I was eager to hear the new sounds but much of its overproduction fell short of my very high expectations. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed some of these songs. Even when it's not my absolute favorite style, Justin Vernon creates innovative music. He is easily one of the most talented artists of my generation.

33 "GOD":

8 (circle):


St. Paul and The Broken Bones, Sea of Noise. September, 2016.

This was the first year that I took notice of the southern soul group who hails from Alabama. Stunning vocals and glorious instrumentation, this album is for fans of Motown looking for a modern take on classic oldies.

Midnight on the Earth:

Burning Rome:


Sturgill Simpson, A Sailor's Guide to Earth. April, 2016.

I'm not a major fan of country music but after attending college in West Virginia, I definitely picked up an affinity for certain sounds. If you're open to the genre that blurs between alt, rock and country, Sturgill Simpson is your man. Even if a twang isn't your thing, a true music lover recognizes talent when it's blatantly obvious.

In Bloom (Nirvana Cover):

Brace for Impact (Live a Little):


A Tribe Called Quest, We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service. November, 2016.

With the exception of the title's atrocious grammar (of course there is a celestial, unknown meaning behind it), this album was a welcomed surprised. A Tribe Called Quest takes me back to my youth in the most simple yet remarkable of ways.

We The People...:

Ego:


Mac Miller, The Divine Feminine. September, 2016.

Despite Mac Miller being a hometown kid, I never fully connected with much of his music until this release. I really enjoyed the way these songs were produced. And if you've ever seen one of Mac's interviews, you can see that he is not only hilarious but also has such a loving, gentle soul that you really get to hear come through on this album.

Dang! ft. Anderson .Paak:

Skin:


M83, Junk. April, 2016.

M83 holds a special place in my heart so I am always receptive to a new album. This one wasn't my favorite but there are still quite a few tracks that won me over.

Do It, Try It:

Sunday Night 1987:


Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam, I Had a Dream That You Were Mine. September, 2016.

I've been a fan of The Walkmen for a long time so it's no surprise that I really appreciated this album. Gorgeous vocals and lyrics accompanied with a haunting production, this was definitely one not to be missed.

A 1000 Times:

In a Black Out:


Michael Kiwanuka, Love & Hate. July, 2016.

I have loved this man's voice for a few years and was excited to finally hear what his second album would sound like. It's filled with so much beauty. All of the feels.

Cold Little Heart:

I'll Never Love:

July '15 Playlist

To check out my July playlist and several others, visit my Spotify:

http://open.spotify.com/user/1265165104/playlist/5HknTyNMeZbiDbw4M2wrQO

May 2015 Playlist

To take a listen to some of the songs I've been recently playing, check out my May playlist via Spotify:

http://open.spotify.com/user/1265165104/playlist/4GYgX2OHaMmEyC0PhE22lF

April '15 Playlist

To check out some of the songs I'm currently listening to:

http://open.spotify.com/user/1265165104/playlist/2tEXkg2ZZm4c0V2n8JColc

March 2015 Playlist

http://open.spotify.com/user/1265165104/playlist/1cFN9yHzdWMlpuOX2L9HmA

10 of My Favorite Albums of 2014!

This year, I thought I'd scale back my list and only select 10 of my favorite albums- a bit easier? As if! Wishful thinking. As I began to recollect the year in music, I realized I had enjoyed far more than I thought. Narrowing down this list to 10 proved to be extremely challenging. I choose to not call this grouping "the best" albums of the year because I have not had the pleasure of listening to everything that was released- who has and where do they find the time, money and capabilities?! Furthermore, who am I to say that one piece of music is "better" than something else? How could you even begin to rank and compare within multiple genres? I'm sure that I'm forgetting many wonderful artists and there are plenty of others who I have not yet even discovered. In no particular order, this is simply 10 albums that I personally loved in 2014, accompanied with my favorite tracks, as well as a lengthy list of honorable mentions...

Jack White, Lazaretto.
Released: June 2014
Tracks:
1) Three Women
2) Lazaretto
4) Would You Fight For My Love?
9) That Black Bat Licorice

Lana Del Rey, Ultraviolence.
Released: June 2014
Tracks:
1) Cruel World
4) Brooklyn Baby
5) West Coast
6) Sad Girl
8) Money Power Glory
10) Old Money

Gardens & Villa, Dunes.
Released: February 2014
Tracks:
1) Domino
3) Bullet Train
5) Echosassy
6) Purple Mesas

Jungle, Jungle.
Released: July 2014
Tracks:
1) The Heat
3) Busy Earnin'
4) Platoon
5) Drops
6) Time

Benjamin Booker, Benjamin Booker.
Released: August 2014
Tracks:
1) Violent Shiver
4) Slow Coming
7) Spoon Out My Eyeballs
9) I Thought I Heard You Screaming
11) Kids Never Grow Older
12) By The Evening

Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour.
Released: June 2014
Tracks:
1) Money On My Mind
3) Stay With Me
5) I'm Not the Only One
12) Latch (Acoustic)

Angel Olsen, Burn Your Fire For No Witness.
Released: February 2014
Tracks:
1) Unfucktheworld
4) White Fire
8) Iota
9) Dance Slow Decades

Wake Owl, The Private World of Paradise.
Released: March 2014
Tracks:
2) Candy
3) Letters
6) Buffalo
7) Oh Baby
8) Madness of Others

Timber Timbre, Hot Dreams.
Released: April 2014
Tracks:
2) Hot Dreams
3) Curtains!?
9) Run from Me

Future Islands, Singles.
Released: March 2014
Tracks:
1) Seasons (Waiting On You)
5) Back In The Tall Grass
6) A Song for Our Grandfathers
8) Like The Moon
9) Fall From Grace
10) A Dream of You and Me




HONORABLE MENTIONS:

• Ariana Grande, My Everything.
• Bahamas, Bahamas Is Afie.
• Vance Joy, Dream Your Life Away.
• Curtis Harding, Soul Power.
• James Vincent McMorrow, Post Tropical.
• Beck, Morning Phase.
• Perfume Genius, Too Bright.
• Alt-J, This Is All Yours.
• Sylvan Esso, Sylvan Esso.
• Paolo Nutini, Caustic Love.
• Foxygen, ... And Star Power.
• Jessie Ware, Tough Love.
• Hozier, Hozier.
• Chet Faker, Built on Glass.
• The War on Drugs, Lost in the Dream.

Can't wait to hear what 2015 has to offer!

Flick Pick: Feast Of Friends (The Doors Documentary)

For the past decade or so, I've really been drawn to Jim Morrison. While I've been a fan of The Doors for much longer, I find their personal lives to be very fascinating. Inside glimpses into this era aren't always easy to come by. I was delighted when I heard about the release of this groundbreaking documentary by way of Coast to Coast AM.

via The film's producers:

Feast Of Friends, filmed in 1968, was the first and only film produced about The Doors by The Doors. It offers a cinematic look at The Doors on the road during their summer ’68 tour. Whilst never truly completed, the film provides a stylistic approach in true sixties cinéma vérité style. Concert performances are intercut with fly-on-the-wall footage of the group in their natural habitat, sometimes playful, sensitive, chaotic and touching. Other than a few appearances in film festivals in 1968, an official release would never be seen until now. Completely restored from the original negative, as supervised by Jim Morrison, the film has been colour corrected and cleaned in high definition with the soundtrack totally remixed and remastered by long-time Doors’ collaborator Bruce Botnick.

You can purchase the film here.

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Now Playing: "The End" by The Doors
*Obviously

Music Monday: Memoir

"Raise Your Glass"


"Take Me Home"


"Look Away"



Memoir is an LA-based soul/pop group headed by Dena Deadly. You can purchase their music here.

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Music Monday: Small Black

"Breathless"


"Real People"


"Consequences"


"No Stranger"


"Photojournalist"



Small Black is a synthpop group from Brooklyn. Their music can be purchased here.

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Music Monday: Handsome Furs

"Repatriated"


"Memories of the Future"


"Hearts of Iron"


"Evangeline"


"What About Us"


Handsome Furs were a duo based in Montreal. Of course, you can still purchase their music here.

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Music Monday: MOTHXR

"Victim"


"Stranger"


"Easy"


"Centerfold"



MOTHXR is a band from Brooklyn. Their music can be purchased here.

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Music Monday: HEALTH

"Tears"


"Die Slow"


"USA Boys"



HEALTH is an electro-noise group based in Los Angeles. Their music can be purchased here.

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Music Monday: Timber Timbre

"Run from Me"


"Demon Host"


"Bad Ritual"


"Black Water"


"Hot Dreams"



Timber Timbre is a Canadian folk group based in Toronto/Montreal/Ottawa. Their music, including the latest release, Hot Dreams, can be purchased here.

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Music Monday: Curtis Harding

"Next Time"


"Keep On Shining"


"Drive My Car"


"Cast Away" (Live)



Curtis Harding is based in Atlanta. His debut album, Soul Power, can be purchased here.

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Music Monday: Colonizing the Cosmos

"The Manifesto of Ladlow Onoki"


"Welcome to the Valley"


"A Recipe to Raise the Dead"


"Dear Citizen" (Live)


Colonizing the Cosmos is a Pittsburgh-based indie folk band. Their music can be purchased here.

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Music Monday: The Wytches

"Gravedweller"


"Robe For Juda"


"Digsaw"


"Wide At Midnight"


"Her"


The Wytches is a trio based in Brighton, UK. Their music can be purchased here.

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Music Monday: Cheerleader

"New Daze"


"Dreamer"


"Do What You Want"


Cheerleader is a quintet based in Philadelphia.

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Music Monday: Gregory Alan Isakov

"Amsterdam"


"Second Chances"


"The Stable Song"


"Astronaut"


"Honey, It's Alright"


"That Moon Song" (Live)


I initially came across "The Stable Song" while it was playing in a quaint little pub. I instantly fell in love with its charming sound. It was one of those songs that captured me to the point that I whipped out my cell phone for the sole purpose of tracking it down. Thank God for the Shazam app! I use it daily and am totally the girl with her device crazily pointed towards the speakers inside of stores attempting to find out what I'm hearing! Before I had this app, I dealt with the old school method of jotting down any lyrics I could decipher and later Googling them until something made sense. More often than not, I was left with nothing but frustration! Technology has definitely improved this facet of my life! After digging around a bit, I discovered that I had previously listened to the artist and had even included him in a monthly playlist; but I was pleasantly met with even more soulful, relaxing tunes to be heard from him.

Gregory Alan Isakov was born in South Africa and resides in Boulder, Colorado. His most recent album, The Weatherman, which is a beautiful collection of songs, can be purchased here.

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Music Monday: James Vincent McMorrow

"Cavalier"


"Gold"


"Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree"


"Wicked Game" (Chris Isaak Cover)


"If I Had a Boat" (Live)


I first discovered James Vincent McMorrow a number of years ago from an Irish pen-pal. Yes, I am one of the few people in the world who still has pen-pals. After hearing "Follow You Down To The Red Oak Tree", I was instantly hooked. A couple summers ago, I finally had the pleasure of hearing him live- & for free (thank you Allegheny County Parks)! It was an unforgettable summer night under the stars with a bottle of wine, one of my dearest friends and the beautiful music of McMorrow.

James Vincent McMorrow is a singer from Dublin, Ireland. His latest album, Post Tropical, can be purchased here. Be sure to check out the last few tracks. After "Cavalier", they're among my favorite!

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