Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 - #1 Viva la Vida / Prospekt's March by Coldplay


Katie and I debated whether or not putting Viva la Vida and Prospekt's March together as #1 was cheating. Being you can purchase the two together on Amazon.com for $14.99 or $12.99 on iTunes, I say fair game.

Regardless, Viva la Vida would have won the #1 spot without Prospekt's March; it is, as they say, the icing on the cake - and what a delicious cake it is. Beginning with the vivid "Life in Technicolor" and its gradual build and ending with the tranquil acoustic version of "Lovers in Japan", Viva la Vida is a spellbinding album from start to finish with some of the band's best music to date.

Vocalist/pianist/guitarist Chris Martin, lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Will Champion formed in London, England in 1998. In 10 short years they've released four studio albums and sold over 40 million. There are many bands out there that "sound like Coldplay" (I've heard the following artists likened to Coldplay in one conversation or another: Keane, Radiohead, Oasis, Snow Patrol, David Gray) - some would argue Coldplay gleaned their sound from bands like U2 and Radiohead. What makes Coldplay special though (which every fan knows already) is there ability to transform sound and music into something extraordinary, as evidenced in their latest album Viva la Vida. Never content with recreating previous successes or previous albums, every Coldplay album possesses its own unique sound and yet they are all distinctly Coldplay.

Compared to previous albums, Viva la Vida is probably their most sonically diverse (making it extra special); from the electronic "Life in Technicolor" to the string-dominant "Viva la Vida" to the breezy "Strawberry Swing", Viva la Vida is full of interesting and unexpected melodies. Like the multi-part songs "Yes", "42" and "Death and All His Friends" (each is like several songs combined into one). One technique Coldplay uses to make their music interesting is instrumentation. Coldplay melodies and their chord progressions are generally pretty simple, but their ability to layer different instruments and riffs on top of one another is spectacular. Without Prospekt's March, Viva la Vida is a little short on tracks (12 tracks including 2 repeats), but not length (a little over 53 minutes by my calculations). With Prospekt's March, Viva la Vida is a sweeping 20 tracks long (1 hour and 20 minutes), a musical tour de force and our choice for Top Album of 2008!

Happy New Year from everyone at Kharmonious*!

*Everyone = Katie and Kyle. We're the only ones, but it sounds official, doesn't it?

Monday, December 29, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 - #2 Sounds Like This by Eric Hutchinson

Here at Kharmonious we talk about Eric Hutchinson a lot. In fact, I was scrolling through old posts to see what we had said about him before to avoid redundancy, and we've posted about him much more than I realized. So much so in fact that Eric should probably be showering Kyle and I with free concert tickets, merchandise, and love. Maybe someday...

Unfortunately, I still have yet to see Eric live...He's doing a tour in January, but for some unknown reason is hitting Spokane, Seattle, and then...Eugene. What's that all about? No Portland? You're killing me, Eric. Luckily, thanks to the lovely folks at NPR, I (and anyone else having trouble seeing Eric live) can hear a couple live tracks recorded in NPR studio 4A. Click here to hear excellent acoustic versions of "Oh" and "OK It's Alright With Me." Accompanied only by his piano, Eric's voice really pops. The live version of "OK" is a bit slower and has a jazzy feel.

As far as getting free stuff goes, I did find a way for hardcore fans to score some gear. Eric is currently a contestant in Yahoo Music's "Who's Next" competition. On his website he asks fans to vote for him, and, because you can vote as many times as you want, he is offering a three pin set to anyone who votes 50 times and e-mails him to tell him about it. One lucky grand prize winner will get a phone call from Eric himself. Now, I neither have time to vote fifty times, nor do I really like pins all that much, so I'm passing. But I did vote for him once, and you should too. Vote here.

I suppose I should talk some about "Sounds Like This," since this is our top ten album countdown review series thing. However, you can read my original review of the album here. Now that a few months have passed and I've listened to the album many, many times, my favorite track on the album changes a lot. My current favorite is "All Over Now." Normally songs with clapping in the background bother me, but here it is catchy and fun. Also...what in the world is that springy sounding instrument? Anyone know?



Want a button? Go here

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 -- #3 Hello by Tristan Prettyman


I was first introduced to Tristan Prettyman a few years ago at a Jason Mraz concert in Spokane, Washington. At the time she was dating him (perhaps still is?) and was one of the opening acts for his tour. I fell for her soft, smoky voice and bought her first cd Twentythree that night.

Hello is an improvement on Twentythree in many ways. While I enjoyed her first cd, Tristan has obviously matured as a musician, and the variety of Hello shows it. I can't quite figure out what genre to put Tristan in. My iTunes calls her pop, but I don't really think that does her justice. Her songs range from pop to rock to folk to country to soul. While Twentythree was primarily just a girl and her guitar, on Hello Tristan is accompanied by steel guitars, organs, pianos, and other strings. Both Tristan's music and lyrics have a new depth and range of emotion on Hello that makes the album feel very different than her last.

"California Girl" is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It starts out simple enough, a whispered, simple melody. The song grows into a soulful and fierce chorus. "You Got Me" (listen below) is another fave--in contrast to "California Girl," this album-ender is upbeat, catchy, and romantic. Also check out "Hello," "War Out of Peace," and "Interviews."


08 You Got Me.wma - Tristan Prettyman

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 - #4 Heal for the Honey by Brooke Waggoner


It's going to be difficult for me to write about this album without gushing, but I'm going to try. As you kharmonious frequents know, Brooke Waggoner is new to both Katie and myself, having learned about her from an anonymous tip a few months ago. Very few artists do I connect with so immediately - Ben Folds Five comes to mind and that's about it (not even Dave Matthews Band or Coldplay did I adore instantaneously). But Brooke Waggoner embodies everything I love about music so much, I was helpless. Many of you know I hold music in higher regards than lyrics. That's because we're talking about music after all, not poetry. And many examples of music succeed without lyrics entirely - classical, jazz, movie scores and miscellaneous others. On Brooke's website, she wrote:
"I generally write the music first. Melody. Everything starts on my piano. If it works by itself all stripped down and naked then it's gonna work no matter what. And by work, I mean convey what I'm feeling and trying to give to the listener whether or not I add a bunch of crazy strings, or drum beats, or layers of vocal prettiness or hooks. I write the story with musical themes then add the words to audibly enhance it or to add an additional connecting block for dimension."

It's like she was reading my mind. The piano is paramount - and how I love the piano. The brilliance, the extravagance, the unexpectedness and thrill of her music constantly remind you it's the music taking precedence. She even boldly explains, "sometimes the words are written strictly because they phonetically feel good to say. I suppose it depends on the song. In fact, I often enjoy making up words or using "improper" versions of words such as casted, abode, etc. I do this because I can stretch and stretch. No need to be 'quirky and weird' for the sake of being 'quirky and weird.'".

She hit the nail on the head. There are some 'quirky and weird' artists I enjoy (Regina Spektor and Sufjan Stevens come to mind, even Kate Nash), but Brooke Waggoner really isn't one of them. Her music is truly unique and special without treading into the territory of 'quirky and weird' (similar to Rachael Yamagata I suppose, yet totally different). And just because the music takes precedence doesn't mean the lyrics are bad; they're often thoughtful and reflective. If you share my sentiment of "music over lyrics" or my infatuation with the piano as a musical instrument or simply love great songwriting, then listen to Heal for the Honey, it is my album recommendation for the year.

Okay, so I definitely gushed, so sue me :)


Friday, December 26, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 -- #5 We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. by Jason Mraz

Sometimes radio stations really irk me. Case in point: the ridiculous overplaying of Jason Mraz's newest single "I'm Yours." If I remember correctly, a similar thing happened with his first big hit, "The Remedy" from Waiting for My Rocket to Come. Why do radio stations do this? I like "I'm Yours" (though I liked it even more in the acoustic version that was released before this album and before radio stations had heard of it)--it's summery and romantic and all kinds of other positive adjectives. Even so, I don't need to hear it ten times a day on every station from light rock to the hottest hits of today.

Even if you share my sentiments and could go without hearing "I'm Yours" for a little while, don't let that deter you from giving We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. a shot. In many ways, I think We Sing is Mraz's best album so far. In some ways it takes me back to older Mraz and is less poppy than Mr. A-Z.

The best thing about We Sing is the variety. Each song really has its own character and sound. The album includes two beautiful duets--the first is "Lucky" with Colbie Caillat (if you're looking for a less over-played love song, try this one), and the second is "Details in the Fabric" with James Morrison (beautiful and thoughtful even with the rambling voicemail in the background). "Live High" features a full choir, "Butterfly" and "Coyotes" come closer to poppy dance numbers, "The Dynamo of Volition" features Mraz's stuttery style in full form, "If It Kills Me" is heavy on the piano, and the album-ender "A Beautiful Mess" is simple and stripped down.

We Sing is definitely one of those albums that grows on me even more with each listen, and I'm gonna keep on listening (even after they stop over-playing "I'm Yours").

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 - #6 Way to Normal by Ben Folds


You may have already read my Way to Normal review, and if you read this blog at all, you already know that Katie and I are pretty big fans of Mr. Benjamin Scott Folds. I fell in love with Ben Folds Five just after they broke up and right before Ben released his first solo album Rockin' the Suburbs. Their guitarless trio blew my mind away and songs like "Philosophy" and "Selfless, Cold and Composed" made me fall in love with my piano again. Their sound was brilliantly simple yet fantastically original and I couldn't get enough. Seven years later, Ben Folds Five remains one of the cornerstones of my musical education and Ben Folds continues to captivate and inspire me. His music has grown more mature and intricate since the days of "Song for the Dumped", but it is just as refreshingly original and unique.

When Way to Normal came out, I read an interesting review on Amazon.com that suggested Ben had taken a step back from his previous album, Songs for Silverman, and had lost some of his maturity and songwriting complexity. To some extent I agree, Way to Normal is not the introspective album Songs for Silverman is. I see Way to Normal as a return to form or throwback to the days of "Song for the Dumped" (listen to "Bitch Went Nuts") and "Uncle Walter" (listen to "Errant Dog") - cheeky, brash, harmless yet musically compelling songs that are more in line with Ben's collection of EPs Supersunnyspeedgraphic or Rockin' the Suburbs than the aforementioned album. Let's face it: Ben Folds songs are not known for their class or sensitivity. If nothing else, Songs for Silverman is the anomaly. In my mind, the distinction is between Ben Folds the songwriter and Ben Folds the person. As a songwriter, Ben Folds has matured without a doubt (just listen to the comparison tracks I mentioned). As a person however, I think Ben Folds is just as likely to juxtaspose the sincere and the sarcastic as he did ten years ago with "Brick" next to "Song for the Dumped". Now it's "Cologne" next to "Errant Dog". In that respect I think his maturity or immaturity is about the same. To me what's important is that Ben is continuing to create music that pushes the boundaries of his own sound and refuses to conform to mainstream sensibilities. I mean, even his soundtrack for the animated movie Over the Hedge is terrific. Introverted or extroverted albums, I don't care, as long as he keeps writing more great music (see my review for song recommendations).



Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 - #7 The Bird and Bee Sides by Relient K


The band Relient K is actually pretty new to me. My sister-in-law introduced me to them earlier this year and since then I've listened to four out of five of their studio albums fairly religiously (no pun intended). They're a Christian rock band seemingly bent on being clever with song and album titles like "Two Lefts Don't Make a Right... But Three Do", "Which to Bury, Us or the Hachet?" and "Failure to Excommunicate". Fortunately, they're sound is genuinely unique and mature for the alternative rock scene, so this obvious tounge and cheekiness is easily excused and even amusing at times*. Their latest "album", The Bird and the Bee Sides is actually a double EP (the single disc contains both The Nashville Tennis EP and The Bird and the Bee Sides EP). There are 26 tracks ranging in genre from country to ska to rock, new tracks and acoustic versions of old ones. For approximately $11.99, 26 tracks is a great buy for any Relient K fan. Now as I stated before, I'm somewhat of a neophyte to Relient K, but in my opinion The Bird and the Bee Sides may not be the best entry point for people unfamiliar with Relient K because of it's broad scope - certainly, there's something for everyone, but a better first album might be Mmhmm or Five Score and Seven Years Ago - Relient K fans call me out if I'm wrong on this one).

My favorite tracks are "At Least We Made It This Far", "Up and Up (Acoustic)" and "The Lining is Silver", but what really makes this album impressive and worthy of the top 10 of 2008 is how it shows off the band's tremendous talent and range.




* like the lyrics "and you can't see the forest for the symmetries" from "The Lining is Silver".

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 -- #8 Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie

Narrow Stairs, the second album by Death Cab for Cutie on major label Atlantic Records, was released in May of 2008. In my opinion, this album would fit well under Kyle's post about albums where the single doesn't do the full album justice. First, if you've heard "I Will Possess Your Heart" on the radio, you haven't heard the whole song. The radio version cuts off a long intro with ethereal sounding bass, piano, drums, and guitar before Ben's voice breaks in at four and a half minutes.

As usual, there are songs of loss and heartache and other less than upbeat subjects. However, even when singing about a loveless relationship on "You Can Do Better Than Me," Death Cab inserts an organ, which gives the song an almost circus-y feel. On "Cath...," which is also beginning to get play on radio stations, Gibbard's voice is particularly emotive and powerful as he describes a woman marrying the wrong man. Other songs of note (in my opinion) are "Your New Twin Sized Bed" and "No Sunlight."

Over all, Narrow Stairs is familiar enough for old fans but also includes enough surprises that the album doesn't feel like something we've heard before.


Cath... - Death Cab For Cutie
Gotta love green shag carpet and unhappy marriages.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 -- #9 Hideaway by The Weepies

The Weepies are husband and wife duo Steve Tannen and Deb Talan. You may have heard their music in one of several movies or on tv (their songs have appeared on several tv shows, JCPenney and Old Navy ads, and even an Obama campaign ad). I fell in love with their first album, Say I Am You, and the cheerful and infectious sound of "All I Want."

I have to admit that I haven't fallen in love with any of the songs on Hideaway the same way I fell in love with "All I Want." Even so, their second album, released in April 22, 2008, is still a beautiful album. Their website describes it as a "darker companion" to Say I Am You. In many ways, it is darker; songs like "Wish I Could Forget" and "How You Survived the War" take on darker subjects and don't have the carefree sound of most of the tracks on their first album. Seeing the darker side of Steve and Deb is definitely not a bad thing--it makes the album perfect for these snowy or rainy winter days.

As with Say I Am You, The Weepies maintain their unique, folksy sound. The pair is an excellent song-writing team, and their unusual harmonies are equally impressive. My favorites on the album are the opener "Can't Go Back Now," "Hideaway," and the surprisingly upbeat "Just Blue."

Bonus #1: The Weepies website has a clever and fun Christmas greeting to their fans on their site. Check it out here.

Bonus #2: The new video to "Can't Go Back Now" is out and looks a little like something from the Muppets. Check it out.

The Weepies - Cant Go Back Now - The Weepies

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Top 10 Albums of 2008 - #10 All Sides by O.A.R.

[stock inspirational words about 2008 here]

What a crazy year, it's gone by so fast... let's cut to the chase: for the last 10 days of the year we're going to present Katie and Kyle's top 10 Album's of 2008 beginning with...

#10 - All Sides - O.A.R.

O.A.R. (Of a Revolution) has been around for over a decade (they formed in '96 in Rockville, Maryland) and released 6 studio and 3 live albums during that time. They started off playing on campus at Ohio State University where they attended school, and grew hugely popular with the college crowd. There sound is probably best described as jam rock, a la Dave Matthews Band (they also regularly have a saxophone part). Their previous album Stories of a Stranger put O.A.R. in the mainstream and on radio stations with "Love and Memories" and "Heard the World", though some purists say this album is the least representative of the band (I don't).

Their latest album All Sides came out on July 15, 2008 when my wife and I were on a road trip to San Francisco and we listened to it while driving through San Jose and Santa Cruz - it's great summer, road trip music and the song "This Town" seemed to embody Santa Cruz perfectly. It's the kind of music that makes the sun seem just a little brighter and the oceanic wind a little breezier. All Sides has all the fun, energetic melodies and grooves you'd expect from an O.A.R. album and it makes a good entry point for new fans. The single "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)" is enjoyable enough, but if you really want to hear the melodies and impromptu-sounding jams that make O.A.R. adored, check out "Something Coming Over" and "What is Mine". All Sides isn't groundbreaking for O.A.R., but next to nearly every other mainstream band, O.A.R. is unique, upbeat and void of the angst-ridden grunge that is so overdone in other "alternative rock".

Top 10 Newish Songs to Make You Merry

Yesterday I drove from Spokane to Portland. This doesn't sound like such a tremendous feat, and normally it's not. The drive, which I've done many times, usually takes about five or six hours. Yesterday it took me nine. What was the problem? Turns out I decided to drive through at the same time "blizzard-like" conditions decided to hit the Gorge. Despite a somewhat stressful and very long drive, there is a part of me that can't help but get excited and feel Christmas-y when I see trees blanketed and fluffy flakes falling.

The trouble is that sometimes it's hard to get in the Christmas spirit when every radio station just plays the same old (and, let's face it, sometimes obnoxious) Christmas tunes. So, I've compiled a list of my top 10 newish (and hopefully not overplayed yet) Christmas songs*. Although I dearly love some of the old classics too (I could listen to Nat King Cole sing about roasting chestnuts again and again and again), I kept this list to more contemporary artists.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

*or newish versions of old songs/hymns.

1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Sufjan Stevens
2. Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
3. All I Want - The Weepies
4. Let it Snow - Michael Buble
5. Angels We Have Heard on High - Chris Tomlin
6. Mistletoe - Colbie Caillat
7. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Death Cab for Cutie
8. In Like a Lion (Always Winter) - Relient K
9. Song for a Winter's Night - Sarah McLachlan
10. O Holy Night - Shawn McDonald


Mistletoe - Colbie Caillat

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Sweeney Todd at the Fox


Sweeney Todd, like RENT and Chicago, has received the Hollywood treatment and been put on the silver screen to marginal success (in terms of box office sales and mixed reviews - although Chicago won Best Picture in 2002). These musicals were probably selected because of there edgy and mostly current themes, however, as any theatre-goer knows: they are best enjoyed live on stage. Having seen the film adaptation of Sweeney Todd (and having liked it), I did ask the ticket office how violent the stage performance was compared to the movie before bringing my wife*. The ticket associate assured me it was not violent or gory and let me assure you, it's not. In fact, if you wanted to see the musical, but were worried about seeing the movie because of it's (well-deserved) gruesome reputation, then a stage performance may be exactly what you're looking for. And I can highly recommend this production by NETworks Presentations.

What made this production unique was that all the actors sang and played an instrument at the same time - in fact, many played more than one instrument. The ten-ensemble cast was the orchestra and they played percussion, piano, violin, cello, bass, guitar, clarinet, flute, accordian, trumpet and tuba. They were all very adept musicians, in fact, my guess is that some of them were cast based on their ability to play an instrument (or two or three) over singing. However, the main roles of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett played by Merritt David Janes and Carrier Cimma were pheneomenal singers as well. "Epiphany" and "A Little Priest" were especially spectacular. And all of the classics: "Johanna", "Pretty Women" and "By the Sea" were remarkably performed.

Contrary to the inferior INB Performing Arts Center, my wife and I could understand almost every single lyric (which speaks well of the performers too). It's difficult to over-emphasize how incredible Merritt David Janes was as Sweeney Todd (we saw him in the 1st national tour of The Wedding Singer also) - some may scoff at this next comment, but his vocals surpassed Johnny Depp's ten fold. Sweeney Todd is without a doubt, a strangely dark and morally askew musical (kind of like the film No Country for Old Men) and therefore some people won't like it - it's about revenge, justice, judgement, innocence, but most importantly it has extraordinary music by Stephen Sondheim.

Here's "Johanna" (the reprise) from the film version of Sweeney Todd:


* in the past, I have been chastised for taking her to overly-violent films (e.g. Pan's Labyrinth, Kill Bill: Part 1, 28 Days Later, A History of Violence, the list goes on...): I was intent on not allowing it to happen again.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Free Eric Hutchinson

If you've been reading our blog at all, you know we love Eric Hutchinson. If you love Eric Hutchinson too, I have good news! You can download the music video to his single "Rock & Roll" for free on iTunes. Just do a search for Eric on iTunes and enjoy!

Friday, December 12, 2008

you listen to your iPod too much if...


You listen to your iPod too much if...

1. Earbuds start to feel comfortable
2. You drive and rate songs
3. You've trained yourself to talk at a normal volume while listening to music
4. You don't just remember the order of individual albums, but entire 100 track playlists
5. You walk around in public and pretend you have your own soundtrack
6. You've gone to the bathroom with your iPod (or at least thought about it)
7. You binge shop on iTunes music store (and sometimes have buyer's remorse)
8. You fast forward songs to get the song count
9. You've driven while wearing earbuds
10. Your iPod has a name

Guilty as charged. Did I miss any?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

At long last...Newton Faulkner!


Ages ago I posted about the Ingrid Michaelson concert in Portland and promised to post soon about one of her opening acts, Newton Faulkner.

Then finals happened. Not having been a student in a while, I'd forgotten how all-consuming finals week can be. In case you've forgotten too, let me remind you: finals eat your life.

Thankfully, just moments ago, I finished writing my final paper (hurrah!) and am now officially on Christmas break. So, without further ado, here are my thoughts on an artist I think you all should check out: Newton Faulkner.

When Newton first walked out on the stage (after David Ford, before Ingrid), I was a little skeptical. I promise I don't have anything against people with dreadlocks. It was probably more that my feet were starting to hurt at this point, and I was just eager for Ingrid to start. Despite my initial skepticism, I was quickly won over by Newton's beautiful voice and unique guitar skills.

His website explains it like this: Newton plays the guitar with a "distinctive tap-pick-and-strum technique that allows him to use the instrument as guitar, bass and drums all at once." At one point during the show, my boyfriend leaned over and asked, "He isn't actually playing the guitar is he?" His technique is truly unlike anything I've ever seen before and results in sounds coming out of the guitar that I never knew were possible. Without seeing him live, it's hard to fully appreciate what I'm talking about, but I think you can hear it a little on the beautiful track, "I Need Something."

I Need Something - Newton Faulkner

Besides being talented, the British singer-songwriter is quirky, something I particularly look for in new favorite artists. He has a particularly odd song called "UFO," and at the Wonder Ballroom he performed an impressive cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The video below is for "Dream Catch Me," the lead single on his 2008 album Hand Built by Robots. If you haven't heard it on the radio yet, I'm guessing you will soon.

Dream Catch Me - Newton Faulkner

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Demand It!

Two months ago, someone posted an anonymous tip on Kharmonious to check out Brooke Waggoner (whoever you are: thank you). About a month ago, I did (you can too: for free). Two weeks later I purchased her studio album "Heal for the Honey" on iTunes (it's breathtaking, brilliant, sweeping, phenomenal - I'll write a full review later). Today I checked out her myspace profile and there was this widget for demanding her to perform in a particular city. Of course, I know it's a marketing ploy (I'm in marketing after all) albeit a unique one I haven't seen before. Nonetheless, I couldn't resist trying it (and you can all watch me eat my own words when Brooke Waggoner comes to town). If anyone else cares, wants to see Brooke come to Spokane or just wants to amuse me, click on the link below:







View all Spokane events at Eventful

Monday, December 8, 2008

Underground music video

No this isn't some secret, fringe, uncensored music video - this is the music video to Ben Fold's Five song called "Underground". I don't remember when I first saw it, but the album cover for Whatever and Ever Amen reminded me of it (even though it's actually on their self-titled debut album). The film quality is amateur at best, but it's a catchy tune and the video is kind of funny (at least to me). Enjoy!


Friday, December 5, 2008

10 Singles and the better songs on the albums


Already mentioned "Heal Over" and "Stoppin the Love" on KT Tunstall's Eye to the Telescope, here are ten more songs that are better than the singles you may be familiar with from the radio:

1. "Brick" on Whatever and Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five / my recommendation: "Smoke"
2. "The Middle" on Bleed American by Jimmy Eat World / my recommendation: "If You Don't, Don't"
3. "Beverly Hills" on Make Believe by Weezer / my recommendation: "Haunt You Every Day"
4. "Hanging By a Moment" on No Name Face by Lifehouse / my recommendation: "Cling and Clatter"
5. "By The Way" on By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers / my recommendation: "The Zephyr Song"
6. "If You're Gone" on Mad Season by Matchbox Twenty / my recommendation: "Angry"
7. "Shattered" on All Sides by O.A.R. / my recommendation: "Something Coming Over"
8. "Waiting on the World to Change" on Continuum by John Mayer / my recommendation: "Bold as Love"
9. "She Will Be Loved" on Songs About Jane by Maroon 5 / my recommendation: "Must Get Out"
10. "One Week" on Stunt by Barenaked Ladies / my recommendation: "Light Up My Room"

I know there's hundreds of thousands more; tell me your favorites.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

quickie

I thought about this after writing my last post: most singles played on the radio are inferior to the rest of the album, sometimes they don't represent the album or artist at all (like "Brick" from Whatever and Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five - good song, but unlike virtually everything else they ever did). I'll write a full post on this later, but here's a quickie I came across listening to my iPod at work: KT Tunstall's album Eye to the Telescope... singles were the overplayed "Suddenly I See" and "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree". My recommendations are "Heal Over" and "Stoppin the Love".

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

You Found Me

The Fray's new single "You Found Me" has done respectably on the charts (#28 on Billboard's US Hot 100). The Fray is a talented piano-driven rock band out of Denver whose biggest hits were "How to Save a Life" and "Over My Head (Cable Car)".

"You Found Me" is not their greatest song and it treads some familiar territory from their first studio album How to Save a Life. It begins gradually with a short piano riff and a sonically pleasant, but unspectacular verse and then predictably adds guitar and drums about half a minute in. It picks up around 1:30 when the drum beat changes and then slows down again during the bridge. It's not a bad song (and everyone knows singles are generally not the best songs from an album), but if it sounds too much like their first album, I fear it'll be easily forgotten (and won't move the band forward, which would be a shame because they're a great band with mass appeal and fun to watch live). My hope is that the rest of the album will take a few more risks and they'll play with their song progression a bit more. Their new album, self-titled The Fray is scheduled to release February 3rd, 2009.

Listen to the single "You Found Me" for yourself and let me know what you think.