The song that seems to keep spinning through my head this morning is "Lucky Now," off Ryan Adams' recent release Ashes & Fire. This is a straight-forward, catchy, acoustic-driven piece with country echos. I especially love the last couple lines of the chorus, "The night will break your heart/But only if you're lucky now."
It's a classic Adams-esque philosophical musing about love, almost as if actually falling in love would be a worse fate than striking out. It reminds me of the line in Treasure Island when Long John Silver declares, "Thems that dies will be the lucky ones."
A lot of the reviewers for Ashes & Fire have commented that it seems to be a "safe" Ryan Adams record, almost as if this makes it a disappointment. While it's not Easy Tigeror Cardinology (my two personal favorites), Ashes & Fire has some strong songwriting and great piano contributions from Norah Jones. So far, I have found a lot to sink my teeth into.
I caught this video on VH1 this morning. I know - what a surprise to see the Head and the Heart between Demi Lovato's skyscraper wailing and Nikki Minaj's Lady Gaga-wannabe ridiculousness. Sometimes I wonder why I even put music videos on in the morning at all...
And then they throw in a gem like this. I love the simple thoughtfulness of the Head and the Heart, especially in lyrics like "Mama once told me/You're already home when you feel love." I really hope this group takes a swing through Nashville soon.
The Black Keys have announced El Camino, a new record to be
released in early December. The video for a new single "Lonely Boy"
was recently launched on YouTube. Hopefully, what we're hearing from this song is a good sign for the
rest of the record.
2011 has been quite a year in music, with strong releases from Fleet Foxes, Dawes, MuteMath, Deer Tick and many others. Now, an 11th hour release from the Black Keys? What a year...
Nashville has been getting a TON of free, limited-admittance movie preview screenings this year. Thanks to my friends at Fandango & GoFoBo.com, I've had the privilege of seeing Cedar Rapids, The Hangover 2, 50/50, The Dilemma, Crazy Stupid Love and several other movies absolutely free in 2011.
Tonight at the Regal Cinemas Green Hills theater at 7:30pm, there is a screening of the new Three Musketeers film starring Orlando Bloom, Milla Jovovich, Christolph Waltz and Ray Stevenson.
I am giving away 2 passes to tonight's screening. To enter, 1) "Follow" this blog and 2) Comment on this post with your email. The winner will be emailed pdf passes.
My year of music is not over yet! The momentum is showing no signs of slowing in October. Here are the three shows in Nashville that I am the most excited about:
1. Grouplove with the Belle Brigade - 10/11 at Mercy Lounge
Grouplove is great, but I am actually more excited about the Belle Brigade. This brother & sister duo throws down some great vocal harmonies that remind me a lot of Crosby Still Nash & Young mixed with Simon and Garfunkle. I'm especially looking forward to hearing "Losers," "Rusty Wheel" and "Belt of Orion" live.
2. Fitz & the Tantrums - 10/24 at Cannery Ballroom
Fitz and the Tantrums sold out their last Nashville show in July, and the place was PACKED. I have never seen a group that left everything on stage the way these guys did. Their debut record is great, but it just doesn't do justice to the energy and dap swagger of their live show. You can't miss this show, especially since they'll be at the Cannery Ballroom this time around. I promise that you will be dancing the entire time.
3. Dawes & Blitzen Trapper - 10/19 at Mercy Lounge
I talk a lot about Dawes. I've been listening to their recent release Nothing Is Wrong almost daily since it was released in May. I'm especially captivated by Taylor Goldsmith's songwriting. One thing the records don't show is Goldsmith's well-honed ability as a lead guitarist, particularly with the class country-style licks that are not usually at home with California-based groups. There must be something in the Neil Young/CSNY, James Taylor & Jackson Brown influences that run in the Laurel Canyon music community that Dawes grew from.
Dawes' reputation as a great live act has earned them spots supporting musicians like Robbie Robertson and M.Ward, simultaneously as an opening act and backing band in the same show.
Dawes will be splitting headlining duties with alt-country/folk veterans Blitzen Trapper.
If you aren't listening to MuteMath yet, you have been missing out. Their sonic craftsmanship, ingeniously precise grooves, and contemplative-bordering-spiritual lyrics mix to form a sum that is consistently greater than its parts.
Odd Soul, the band's third full-length album, was released today, and I highly recommend it. The overall vibe of the record builds upon MuteMath's trademark soaring, electric piano-driven sound, this time adding elements of late-1960's acid jazz & psychedelic rock.
I hear hints of Miles Davis' jazz/rock fusion classic Bitches Brew on tracks like "Walking Paranoia" and "Sun Ray," along with hints of the Doors and Edgar Winter. Thick, bass-filled guitar grooves and rich reverb headroom hint at the lo-fi influence of groups like the Black Keys. They permeate the entire record, especially on "Odd Soul" and "Walking Paranoia."
If Odd Soul does not become MuteMath's breakout to mainstream success, then ours is truly a mad, mad world.
