We got a peek of spring weather recently here in Annapolis. I think it officially gave me the itch for a new season and better weather. Until the sunshine really rolls in to stay, I'll just have to make due with some warm music.
I was reminded of this song the other day and I'm having trouble getting it out of my head. There is an undeniable joy in the music of Ben Kweller and I can't think of a better way to visualize it than this video for "Penny on the Train Track" of his grandmother dancercising to the song. Enjoy...
Ben Kweller - Penny on the Train Track
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
We've got a lot to learn from each other. We have got to stick together.
You know that Magic 8 Ball result, "All signs point to..."? For me lately, all signs are pointing to Ra Ra Riot. I'm a little late to the party by music blogging standards, but that's all right. I've at least made it to the party. Maybe with a little over indulgence, I can play catch up. You see, Ra Ra Riot seems to be around every corner for me these days. I had heard "Boy" and thought it was worth learning a little more about the group and the other music they've put out. Last Friday, I made a visit to Annapolis's (or is it Annapolis'?) new record store, Ka-Chunk!! Records (fellow Annapolitans, go check it out so I'm not the only one keeping the store in business), got my hands on Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" on vinyl (I think the vinyl format lends itself well to Bon Iver's sound, but that's a subject for a different post...also, I think I'm digressing too much) and stumbled across Ra Ra Riot's sophomore effort, "The Orchard." An impulse buy and an afternoon of work later, I went home to attempt to straighten up my house before friends came by and put my new records on for some cleaning accompaniment.
Ra Ra Riot's "The Orchard" starts off innocently enough, as the title track's ebbs and wanes on the strength of the string section coupled with the smooth vocals and meandering bass line. There are a few points in the song that give a nice little taste of what is to come. Like any solid opening song, it says "Welcome to the album, we hope you enjoy your stay." Then the drums and staccato bass of "Boy" kick in...now, I'm not normally the most dancy of music listeners, but when "Boy" and some of the other bouncier Ra Ra Riot songs are playing, I just can't help myself. There is an infectious energy to the music that just dares you not to join in. "The Orchard" is strong front to back, too. In addition to the catchy hooks of "Boy" and "Too Dramatic" that reel you in and let you know you're in for a really good ride, songs like "Do You Remeber" and "Too Dramatic" anchor the back end of the album and leave you wanting for more.
Since I was cleaning up during my first listen, I was just hearing things on the surface. What really strikes me about Ra Ra Riot's music is the surprising complexity and depth of their arrangements. I only say surprising because the depth coexists happily with the consistently catchy pop melodies that pepper most of the album. "The Orchard" is a very well balanced collection of songs. Melancholy, urgency, joy, sorrow, sweeping sound vistas, quiet little ruminations...I'm amazed that so much of the emotional spectrum shows up in the instrumentation and lyrics of the only 40ish minute running time of the album. For Ra Ra Riot, I think that the sum is much greater than the parts. As it is said in their song "Oh La" for their first album (in a different context, but I'll just go ahead and shoehorn it in here), "We've got a lot to learn from each other. We have got to stick together."
I mentioned earlier that allsigns point to Ra Ra Riot. The musical guest on last Friday's Jimmy Kimmel Live (a repeat of the January 20th show) was Ra Ra Riot. My favorite radio station then replayed their Ra Ra Riot private artist showcase on Saturday and Sunday. Then just yesterday, I learned that the band will be making a stop in Baltimore at the beginning of March. Something tells me that I should make an effort to get out to that show.
Ra Ra Riot - Boy
Ra Ra Riot - Oh La
Ra Ra Riot's "The Orchard" starts off innocently enough, as the title track's ebbs and wanes on the strength of the string section coupled with the smooth vocals and meandering bass line. There are a few points in the song that give a nice little taste of what is to come. Like any solid opening song, it says "Welcome to the album, we hope you enjoy your stay." Then the drums and staccato bass of "Boy" kick in...now, I'm not normally the most dancy of music listeners, but when "Boy" and some of the other bouncier Ra Ra Riot songs are playing, I just can't help myself. There is an infectious energy to the music that just dares you not to join in. "The Orchard" is strong front to back, too. In addition to the catchy hooks of "Boy" and "Too Dramatic" that reel you in and let you know you're in for a really good ride, songs like "Do You Remeber" and "Too Dramatic" anchor the back end of the album and leave you wanting for more.
Since I was cleaning up during my first listen, I was just hearing things on the surface. What really strikes me about Ra Ra Riot's music is the surprising complexity and depth of their arrangements. I only say surprising because the depth coexists happily with the consistently catchy pop melodies that pepper most of the album. "The Orchard" is a very well balanced collection of songs. Melancholy, urgency, joy, sorrow, sweeping sound vistas, quiet little ruminations...I'm amazed that so much of the emotional spectrum shows up in the instrumentation and lyrics of the only 40ish minute running time of the album. For Ra Ra Riot, I think that the sum is much greater than the parts. As it is said in their song "Oh La" for their first album (in a different context, but I'll just go ahead and shoehorn it in here), "We've got a lot to learn from each other. We have got to stick together."
I mentioned earlier that allsigns point to Ra Ra Riot. The musical guest on last Friday's Jimmy Kimmel Live (a repeat of the January 20th show) was Ra Ra Riot. My favorite radio station then replayed their Ra Ra Riot private artist showcase on Saturday and Sunday. Then just yesterday, I learned that the band will be making a stop in Baltimore at the beginning of March. Something tells me that I should make an effort to get out to that show.
Ra Ra Riot - Boy
Ra Ra Riot - Oh La
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
More Ned Ryerson than you thought you could ever handle
Someone put this together from one of the most rewatchable comedies of my lifetime. I can't quite explain why exactly, but I really enjoy it.
BING!
BING!
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