Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Song Of The Day 1.31.12

Let's end January with a bang. What better way to do that then with the dark and brooding, yet soulful sounds of Type O Negative. Peter Steele had one of the best voices in metal music history. Unfortunately his life was cut too short a couple of years ago. RIP Peter and here tonight is Type O Negative with Black No. 1

Monday, January 30, 2012

Song of the Day 1.30.12

Tonight let's go to the Great White North and pull down a couple of sisters to sing to us. I'm of course talking about the wonderful twin sister set of Tegan and Sara. These girls make wonderful music together and are a band that everyone should listen to. I'm going to go with the title track of their fourth album tonight. Here are Tegan and Sara with The Con

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Song of the Day 1.29.12

The River. It's a title that has been used for many songs. I can name at least a few bands that have a song called The River. One of my favorites being by Manchester Orchestra. Tonight's song is not that one though. No tonight we are going to an album from 1990 called The River by no other than Bruce Springsteen. The man knows how to write hits, whether it be Born In The USA, Born To Run, Dancing In The Dark, or The River. It's an awesome song. Here is Bruce Springsteen with The River

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Song of the Day 1.28.12

I am about to watch The Breakfast Club. So here is tonight's song. I think you'll know why

Friday, January 27, 2012

Song of the Day 1.27.12

I was supposed to see tonight's band last year two days before my birthday. They were supposed to open for Kings of Leon before the tour was canceled. I was royally pissed off. I am talking about Band of Horses. These guys are incredible with their sound. I got into them on their second album Cease To Begin which is amazing. Their third album came out two years ago. But tonight's song comes from their first album Everything All The Time. I had been meaning to get the album for the longest time, but never did. However, yesterday I was up at Lou's Records and saw it on vinyl and I thought hey might as well. And let me tell you it is a beautiful record with so much emotion. I can't get enough of it. Here is Band of Horses with The Funeral

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Song of the Day 1.26.12

I love prog rock. That should be evident by now at least a little bit with my earlier post of King Crimson. There are a lot of progressive rock bands out there now that in their own rights bring a lot to the table. One of my favorites to come out of this genre is Umphrey's McGee. They released an album last year entitled Death By Stereo. I think this one was meant to be more of a commercial release because the songs aren't as up to par as what they are capable of doing. However, there are a few gems to be found here. I say this about a lot of bands that I love, but a bad Umphrey's McGee song is better than 99% of the music that is out there. What I love about the song that I chose is that it's a tale of two different songs. The first half is full of singing and an offbeat time signature for the backing music. Then the second half is followed up with a beautiful bass and guitar solo. The best part is the transition between the two. I hope you enjoy. Here is Umphrey's McGee with Search 4

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Song of the Day 1.25.12

Lamb of God is back! The band has had a couple of just okay records in the past few years. Their newest album Resolution goes back to what they do best. I have enjoyed this album a lot since picking it up yesterday and it really is a great way to start off the year. It's hard hitting, it's brutal and will leave you coming back for more. That is if you like this type of music. I promised variety and here it is. Here is Lamb of God with King Me

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Song of the Day 1.24.12

Tim McGraw had a new CD come out today (finally). It took a while to come out due to his court case with his record label Curb. They said that he was making music too fast and wouldn't promote it. Tim McGraw won and therefore we now have the CD. Makes me pissed that record companies do that, but I guess it's the nature of the game. Explains also why a lot of artists are releasing stuff independently now. Here is Tim McGraw with Die By My Own Hand off Emotional Traffic

Monday, January 23, 2012

Song of the Day 1.23.12

Let's go back to the 60s again tonight for a great song. King Crimson was the first progressive rock band on the market. With their album "In The Court of the Crimson King" comes the progressive movement and a more acceptable form of art rock. It can be said that if this album wasn't successful then modern progressive bands might not be as acceptable. So tonight here is King Crimson with 21st Century Schizoid Man

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Song of the Day 1.22.12

Just listened to this song on vinyl therefore it is my song of the day. I found Fleetwood Mac's Rumors at a record store today and I'm spinning it right now. Sounds beautiful. Here they are with Go Your Own Way

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Song of the Day 1.21.12

Been a very busy day for me. Finally moved the stereo that has been in a closet for years into my room along with the speakers. Hooked my turntable up to that and now I have the best damn sound system ever for such a small room. I am excited that I can finally listen to my records the way they are meant to be heard. Of course this meant a full day of reorganizing my room and getting rid of shit and sorting through so much more. I can't believe it's almost 10 at night here in San Diego, where has the day gone. Oh well, The Aztecs won today and that's all that really matters right now. Tonight's song is a good one, I think, I'm still thinking about which song to put up right now. Okay here's one that I have been listening to in the car a lot. Here is Enter Shikari with Search Party

Friday, January 20, 2012

Song of the Day 1.20.12

In the late 1960s no man inspired more artists and music than Ravi Shankar. The sitar and Indian classical music can be heard in so many songs during the time ranging from The Byrds to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The man was everywhere. George Harrison spent a lot of time with Ravi and thus influenced a lot of The Beatles music. It can be heard most notably in Tomorrow Never Knows off their album Revolver. Tonight's song is from Ravi Shankar's performance at The Monterey International Pop Festival. The festival is most famous for Jimi Hendrix's performance that culminated in setting his guitar on fire. Here is Ravi Shankar (not entirely sure the name of this piece).

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Song of the Day 1.19.12

If you're looking for fun rock and roll look no further than tonight's band. Foxy Shazam has been around for a few years now and will be releasing their third album next week entitled "The Church of Rock and Roll." They just released a new song off the album and it is awesome. The video is pretty damn hilarious too. Their last album, which was self titled, was one of my favorite albums when it came out. Still is a fun listen. These guys know how to rock and rock hard. So without any further ado here is Foxy Shazam with Holy Touch

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Song of the Day 1.18.12

Today marked my last first day of school. Starting a new semester and my final semester is bitter sweet I guess you could say. It's nice to know that I am almost done, but at the same time reality strikes that I have to figure out the real world now. The safety net of school is almost gone. Oh well time to write a new chapter of my life. Tonight's song has nothing to do with what I just wrote, but it is till a good one. I hope you all like it. Here is Tom Waits with Bad As Me

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Song of the Day 1.17.12

How about a little 80s new wave for you tonight? There was an ongoing battle of who did it better. Was it Morrissey and the Smiths? Or Robert Smith and The Cure? I for one like both, but ultimately in my mind The Cure wins out. One of my favorite albums by them is Disintegration which came out in 1989. Disintegration and Pornography being the best Cure albums in my opinion. It is such a great album with love songs and heartbreak built into one amazing package. I wish I could have seen them recently in LA, but alas the three shows were sold out. Tonight off Disintegration I give you Pictures of You by The Cure.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Song of the Day 1.16.12

The song for tonight is just so beautiful and perfect in so many ways. Sticking with the instrumental theme from last night's song, tonight is by instrumental rock band Explosions In The Sky. The song comes off their album "All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone." It is a beautiful album that you can find yourself lost in, of course this could be said about all their music. I usually put it on when I am reading or doing homework or something along those lines. It's relaxing but can pack a punch at the same time. The song for tonight is a perfect example of that. Here is Explosions In The Sky with The Birth and Death of the Day.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Song of the Day 1.15.12

No story tonight. Other than I just got home from seeing him live for the second time. Awesome show again. Here is David Garrett with his rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Song of the Day 1.14.12

Every night I try to think of what song to put on here. Usually it's something that I want to expose people to and give them a chance to discover something new. Even if it's something by a popular band I will try to pick a song that not many people would choose. Then again I may like a song so much that I don't care which one I choose to put up. So for tonight's song I have chose something that is a little more obscure. I grew up on country music as a kid and still love it to this day. I have yet to post a good country song on here so I am going back into the archives to pull this one out. Not going to do any modern country yet. Tonight's song is Song of the South by Alabama

Friday, January 13, 2012

Song of the Day 1.13.12

Come on in and jump into my musical time machine. Tonight we are going to 1968. The year before Woodstock, the hippie movement is high and mighty and unfortunately the struggle in Vietnam is high on everyone's mind. One of the biggest and best bands to come during this time out of San Francisco is The Grateful Dead. They have had a good amount of hits with Truckin' and Casey Jones and various other songs. One of my favorite Grateful Dead songs is off their album Anthem of the Sun. Tonight's song of the day is That's It For The Other One

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Song of the Day 1.12.12

This will be a quick write up, since I am a little tired today from being in LA. Woke up at 6 to be in LA by around 10 in the morning and romped around there all day. Went to Amoeba records and dropped a lot of money into some new records. Some pretty awesome ones that I am now the proud owner of. Today's song comes from a band I hadn't listened to in a while until the drive home. They should have a new album coming out this year. Here is Blaqk Audio with The Love Letter

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Song of the Day 1.11.12

Everlast is an interesting character. Coming to fame with rap group House of Pain in the 80s and 90s he then went solo and had some smash hits with "What It's Like" and "Black Jesus." A mix of hip hop, rock and country he brings a lot to the table. His newest album came out last year entitled "Songs of the Ungrateful Living" and overall it is a pretty decent listen. He has that raspy voice that can be soothing and soulful, but can be a little monotonous at times to some people. The album has some pretty good songs with great messages behind them. My favorites being "I Get By," "The Rain," and tonight's song of the day "Even God Don't Know"

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Song of the Day 1.10.12

Today marked the first purchase of a new album of 2012. It is always a special time each beginning of the year as to which album will become my first new purchase. When I say that I mean brand new release. In some years past it would take until February before I would find something worth buying. This year it came pretty quickly. Snow Patrol released their newest album today entitled Fallen Empires. On first listen it is a pretty solid album, my hope is to have a review up soon for it. Hopefully by tomorrow, but we will see. In honor of that album today's song is going to come off the album. Here is Snow Patrol with Fallen Empires

Monday, January 9, 2012

Song of the Day 1.9.12

Today's song of the day isn't so much for the song as it is the video. Although, the song is pretty awesome in it's own right. This video just kind of freaks me out when I watch it, but the animation is pretty awesome on top of it. So tonight I give you a short introduction into one of Pearl Jam's lesser known songs. Here they are with Do The Evolution

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Song of the Day 1.8.12

I don't have a whole lot to say about today's band other than the fact that they are awesome! We are going back to 1970 today from a pivotal album in the world of metal. I am of course talking about Black Sabbath's Paranoid. The album is perfect in so many ways and offers up some of their best and most successful songs. My favorite track off it is what I'm focusing on today. It's not the in your face metal like Paranoid or Iron Man, but more laid back and darker. I absolutely love this song. Here is Black Sabbath with Planet Caravan

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Song of the Day 1.7.12

I have a little bit of a soft spot for synthesizers. I guess you could add keyboards to that same breath too. For example, one of my favorite genres in metal is Swedish metal. Keyboards are heavily used in Swedish metal and I go a little crazy for it. I think there needs to be a harmony to it though. I can't stand most dubstep, because it is all noise to me. I prefer to have synthetic music as background to vocals, not just stand alone music. I think dubstep is just a fad and will die ultimately. I bring all this up because today's song is by VNV Nation. They hail from the British Isles and thus utilize computer generated beats in their music. This of course is typical with most European music. Their sound is self-described as future pop, and these guys are the fathers of this genre. I have seen them live this past year and they are a great live band as well. Here is VNV Nation with Space & Time

Friday, January 6, 2012

Song of the Day 1.6.12

I've been trying to go all over the map with my song of the day choices. Just to give everyone a little something different from time to time. I mean this blog would probably be a little boring if it was filled with songs from the same genre and time period over and over again. I'm sure there would be a lot of repeats that would come out of it over the span of 366 days this year. So let's take a journey back in time to 1977. Alan Parsons is a name that can be found on a lot of essential records. He is credited as assistant engineer on The Beatles' Abby Road. He is also the engineer on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. In 1975, instead of returning to the studio with Pink Floyd for their Wish You Were Here album, he decided to create his own band: The Alan Parsons Project. In 1977 they released their second album (and my personal favorite of theirs so far) I Robot. The album did pretty well reaching number 9 on the Billboard 200. My favorite song from the album is Breakdown which features Allan Clarke on vocals who was one of the founding members of The Hollies. Without further ado today I give you Breakdown by The Alan Parsons Project

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Song of the Day 1.5.12

E.P.s are a beautiful thing at times. It means that a band is working on music and is willing to release a little bit when they feel like it. It also means that there is a possibility that the band is making music for a full length album. Sometimes E.P.s annoy me because you sit there and think well can't you guys just put out a full length album instead of giving us 3 or 4 songs? Especially when that band hasn't made music in a long time. However, there are often times too where the songs that are put out there are absolutely spectacular. So I guess I shouldn't complain too much. Today's song comes off a recently released E.P. I was able to pick it up on 10 inch vinyl and it sounds amazing. I also have always loved the work this band has done, even if they are relatively newer. Off their new Seasick E.P. here is Silversun Pickups with Broken Bottles

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Song of the Day 1.4.12

The past few songs I've posted have been fairly new. Tonight I'm going back to 1981 for this edition of the song of the day. I've heard this song a lot lately on 101.5 KGB and I love it every time I hear it. I said to myself, Self, you need to find this album on vinyl because it would be awesome to add to your collection. I then patted myself on the back and said, Self, you are a genius. Today I went down to the Vinyl Room for the first time and browsed their stuff (which was awesome) and I came across the album As Far As Siam by Red Rider for only $2.50. Hell Yes!! I can now check this one off my list. So tonight I give you off As Far As Siam here is Red Rider with Lunatic Fringe

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Song of the Day 1.3.12

The album that this song comes from could have easily made my top 50 list of the year. The only problem is that I got it after I compiled my list and had published the first two installments. Therefore I was not about to screw things up. I guess I should have done like an honorable mentions list or something. Anyways the album is called El Camino by The Black Keys. I love their bluesy guitar sound that they have it really has a great vibe to it. What it kind of reminds me of is some Butterfield Blues Band. I recently got East West on vinyl and it is an amazing listen from an underrated band of the 60s. Anyways here are The Black Keys with Lonely Boy

Monday, January 2, 2012

Song of the Day 1.2.12

I guess now is as good of time as any to post the song of the day for today. I am incredibly bored by the way, I hate when I fell like this. Oh well. I had to look back at what songs I have posted just so I don't repeat myself. Don't want that now do we. Today's song is coming from a band that I have had the pleasure of seeing live. They recently put out a new album, and even though it isn't up to par with their old stuff, and a lot of fans didn't like it, I still think it's pretty decent. Off their new record The Great Escape Artist here is Jane's Addiction with Underground

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Song of the Day 1.1.12

We are now in a new year. "Wow, thanks Matt for stating the obvious!" Why you are welcome anonymous viewer that lives in my psyche. Anywho, my goal this year for this blog is to post a song of the day every day. That means you will get 366 songs to listen to (yes it is a leap year this year). They will be songs spanning all genres and time periods. My other goal is to start writing album reviews. I did a poor job at it I'm sure with the quick blurbs that I wrote for my albums of the year. I hope to improve on that. So to start us off this year I thought it would be fitting to give you The New Year by Death Cab For Cutie