Yes! new k-os
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
Ok…
So five total posts in the last month…
Besides the fact that I’ve had more urgent responsibilities demanding my time, February in northern Michigan just has a way of sucking any inspiration out of the air…
Well… leave it to some good old-fashioned Canadian hip-hop to bring my cultural olfactory senses back to life.
I’ve been eagerly anticipating this album since k-os (pronounced “chaos”) released his EP Atlantis: Hymns for Disco three years ago. I loved the kind-of genre bending style he brought on Atlantis and the sample from Lean on Me that kicks off the first track on Yes! is a pretty clear warning that I can expect more of the unexpected:
Frustrated Teacher: “Do you have any idea of the chaos you have caused around here? Nobody knows what you’re doing!”
Autocratic Morgan Freeman: “That’s exactly the way I like it!”
Perhaps it is his cross-cultural upbringing that has brought about such commitment to defy convention…
I really don’t know, but I sure do I dig his determination to be different musically and fundamentally within hip-hop culture.
Or, to put it simply…
It’s the perfect hip-hop for super-white dudes like me. (or for just about anyone)
(as made obvious by “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman” à la Phantom Planet currently on permanent rotation in my head – and at the top of the Strong Odors related tunes playlist)
Theology from Green Day: Surrender
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Music
Surrender.
A theme predominant in the New Testament.
One of which I’ve been acutely aware for a long time—and equally aware of my own inability to do so.
Funny in a way that even the act of surrendering is something I attempt to do in my own strength.
Tags: Faith, green day, Music, surrender
Vampire Weekend: Contra
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
Can’t… stop… listening…
Vampire Weekend is like an underground zit.
and that’s the simile of the day.
Tags: Music, vampire weekend
Matt Pond PA Makes Winter Better
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
Don’t forget to listen along with the Strong Odors playlist——>
Winter is long in northern Michigan.
Really long.
It starts snowing around Thanksgiving and doesn’t stop until after Christmas.
This is followed by another 31/2 months of sub-zero temps, wind-chill factors, and of course more snow.
(usually in the form of 20-inch dumps)
It’s usually safe to put the shovels and boots away once May rolls around.
It can get a little depressing.
Thank God for Matt Pond and Sun Kil Moon and Sigur Ros.
Winter would defeat me if it weren’t for them.
This album was originally released as a free EP (titled Freeep) on the band’s website and later re-released as Auri Sacra Fames.
which means “the cursed hunger for gold”
Love that.
I’m looking forward to a new full-length release from these guys sometime in March…
good timing I think… because that is right around the time full-fledged cabin fever sets in.
What tunes get you through the winter?
Tags: depression, matt pond pa, Music, winter
Best Album of 2009
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
It is that time of year… everyone is putting out their “best album of the year” list…
Usually these lists have a lot more to do with what will invoke heated discussion among readers than what is actually the best.
They are fun to read though and I’ve found them to be a really great resource for discovering new music.
There’s been a lot of buzz about Animal Collective. I liked their newest, Merriweather Post Pavillion and found it much more accessible than their previous offerings… and I can definitely see from an artists perspective why someone might consider it “the best.”
but to be honest, I really only listened to it a handful of times.
And I was really looking forward to the new Grizzly Bear album, but for some reason it wasn’t available on Rhapsody (my subscription of choice) until recently… and only after several forced listens am I finally starting to really appreciate it…
Anyways… hope you enjoy my little lists… Please add your thoughts, hits, misses in the comments!
Read the rest of this entry »
Ida Maria (or What I Learned about Jesus from Black Metal)
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
Norway is known for metal.
Face-melting black metal.
I however am apparently in love with its indie pop.
Tags: ida maria, Music, norway
Illinoize: Sufjan Mashed
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
I’m a sucker for collaborative music.
I haven’t watched any MTV awards shows for years, but I remember they always used to include at least one collaboration per event… usually between a big-time pop star and a music legend.
Sometimes they’re lame, sometimes they’re good, sometimes they should be good but end up lame…
but I always get choked up at the key change.
I’m kind of a sucker for mashups and remixes too…
but a good remix is hard to find.
Pretty much anything with Sufjan gets me excited though and so far I’m enjoying the chill vibe on this one.
I’m always looking for cool remix albums… got a recommendation?
Don’t forget to follow Strong Odors!
Tags: hip hop, Music, remix, sufjan stevens
No Backup Plan
Posted by Troy | Filed under Cancer, Film, Music
I discovered Rogue Wave a couple years ago… they just happened to play on my internet radio station.
They immediately became one of my favorite bands.
I had no idea at that time that their drummer Pat Spurgeon was enduring treatment for a life-threatening illness.
The Bon Iver Mystery
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
If I dress up in flannel shirts and play the guitar and sing in high falsetto my wife is not impressed…
So how does he manage to make her swoon?
It is a mystery.
Today we discovered a Bon Iver & St. Vincent duet…
on the surprisingly good soundtrack to New Moon… go figure.
Check it out on the Strong Odors playlist and if you ever have a chance to see St. Vincent live, do it… you won’t regret it.
Tags: bon iver, Music, original illustration, st. vincent
Raditude: Apparently I’m a Grown Up …sigh…
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
If nothing else, you’ve got to give Weezer credit for staying grounded in a Rock & Roll world.
I’ve always loved the way they could sing of serious stuff with a sense of humor (and the ability to laugh at themselves).
Their new album is a twist on the ol’ tongue-in-cheek format that I’m guessing most people will miss… because the joke is the music.
It took me a few listens to figure out whether or not to take this album seriously…
