a blog is born!

Hello all! I've decided to actually share some of my opinions about the records I listen to. I have been listening to music for a long time now, and I've had ears for even longer, so I feel I am pretty qualified to do this. I am also a professional musician, love all kinds of music, and love listening. Because there is so much music out there, most of the time I borrow CDs from a library, have a listen, and then return them. Therefore many of my opinions about records are first impressions upon hearing the album in its entirety just once. There are a million album review blogs, and I know that some CDs require multiple listens before one can fully understand or appreciate them, but I think first impressions are valid and interesting in their own way.

I've already written a bunch of reviews before just now creating this site, so now, without further ado, they find a home on the internet. Questions & comments, just let me know. Thanks for reading!

Joanna Newsom "Ys"

Only five tracks but most of them are monster sized. I have experience with one other album of hers, and the length of the tracks is a downside in my opinion. I don't have a problem with what she's saying, just the length of time she's saying it. Tracks 1 & 2 didn't stand out to me, but Track 3 "Sawdust & Diamonds" caught my ear and made tracks 4 & 5 easier to digest. A second listen is definitely in order. Joanna Newsom's mad harp skillz are on grand display along with a chamber orchestra accompaniment with decidedly no percussion. Recommended for fans of indie acoustic who enjoy particularly odd (read as: unique) voices.

Barenaked Ladies "All in Good Time"

Snore. I recall having heard a few albums by these guys, and while I don't recall being overjoyed, I also don't recall being stunned by boredom. I could only even tolerate a few tracks on this 14-track album from 2010. The only track having anything to offer outside the norm is track 4, "Four Seconds," which seems like a cross between white boy rap and Jewish folk song. Even just the song structure on a basic level is interesting though, not found anywhere else on the record. As such, track 4 sticks out like a sore thumb. I almost feel bad for it. C'mon, let's get you out of here.

John Mayer "Battle Studies"

Upon hearing this I was impressed and happy for John Mayer. Falling somewhere between the glittery simplicity of teen heart-throbbing anthems and what might in some record store be categorized as "adult contemporary," Battle Studies fits equally among iTunes libraries and pop rock radio stations. This is mature songwriting. Something for people who like catchy tunes they can hum later in the day. Something for people enamored by guitar skills. Something for people who appreciate musicality regardless of genre. Recommended for most people.

David Byrne "Grown Backwards"

Having listened to something like five previously unheard David Byrne albums in a week, this one is by far my favorite. A healthy serving of varied but collectively cohesive tracks, David Byrne is joined by an impressive number of musicians playing an impressive number of instruments. I hold a special place in my heart for David Byrne because of his genius behind Talking Heads, so I was notably disappointed by the banality of so many of his solo efforts. This one, however, retains interest for the entirety of the album. A good combination of good old fashioned songwriting, some world music (Latin, of course) influence and classical/chamber pop overtones. Your ears do not deceive you on track 3: that really IS Rufus Wainwright singing a duet by Bizet with Byrne. A selection from La Traviata also makes an appearance later on the album. Beautifully scored, yes, operatically sung, no. A cover to be sure. I've never thought of David Byrne as a particularly "trained" singer so, in performing a selection from a genre characterized by superhuman singers with decades of vocal training, it is a bit unusual at first. Not sure if he's trying to make a statement or is just having a lot of fun. Recommended for David Byrne fans, chamber pop fans.

Keane "Night Train"

Interesting effort from Keane. An EP clocking in at around 30 minutes in length, the interior tracks are a bit surprising. Taking a bit of a "Maroon 5 discovers MTV" turn, they break out the electro drums, synths, and call in...a rapper? Yes and in fact the two tracks featuring K'naan turned out to be my favorites. A good sampling of other more expected fare as well, so it's hard to say if this is a diversion or the beginning of a new direction for Keane. Definitely worth having, but do you really think they're ever going to top "Under the Iron Sea"?

Soundtrack "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"

I wanted to hear this CD because I didn't know the Taking Back Sunday song "Capital M-E." Yes, that means I haven't listened to "New Again" but I promise I'm getting to it!! With that said there's not much reason to have this album. In fact, one glance at the back cover reveals it's a veritable who's who of groan-worthy modern rock bands: Linkin Park, Hoobastank, Staind, and yes, Nickelback. I had some fun torturing my girlfriend by making her listen to the first minute of the Nickelback song. (Not the whole song--I love my girlfriend.) The Used makes an appearance with "Burning Down the House," and yes it really is the Talking Heads classic. A pretty much horrible rendition, I have no idea why The Used would pick that song to cover. I feel sorry for David Byrne and embarrassed for liking The Used's self-titled (but those were simpler times). The last track is Cheap Trick playing the Transformers theme. Do I need to say more?

Putumayo Presents "Brazilian Cafe"

Everyone's favorite world music compilation series in this edition brings you highly listenable, highly danceable, highly spirit-lifting contemporary pop from Brazil. Fans of the bossa nova, samba, and the beautiful Portuguese language will not be disappointed. My favorite is definitely track 11 by Arranco de Varsovia, which mixes all the awesome aforementioned elements with male/female/group vocals in cool harmonies. Recommended for the first day of summer vacation or the biggest snowstorm of the year.