Your browser (Internet Explorer 7 or lower) is out of date. It has known security flaws and may not display all features of this and other websites. Learn how to update your browser.

X

Navigate / search

Para-“Dice” Graphics

Illustration by Troy DeShano

Mylo Xyloto was finally released for streaming on Spotify and Rhapsody last week, which means I’m hearing it for the first time, and it’s been in pretty heavy rotation around our house.

Which means for most the day I’ve got “para, paradise… para, paradise” stuck in my head.

One time driving through Marquette, Michigan—on the northern edge of the upper peninsula—I spotted what I assume is some sort of graphic design business called Para-”Dice” Graphics.

I can’t remember how the dice rolled on the storefront sign… I like to assume it was snake eyes, obviously.

The new Coldplay is pretty good. I think at this point they’ll never be able to live up to anyone’s expectations again, but chances are we’ll still be singing “para, paradise…” in the future.

Sing along on the Strong Odors Spotify playlist.

The Beatles

The Beatles
Illustration by Troy DeShano

This year new music sharing will alternate with music-based illustration.

My 9-yr-old daughter has really been into The Beatles lately, and on the rare occasion that she takes a break from The Muppets soundtrack you’ll hear the Fab Four ringing from her iPod.

I thought it was pretty cool the other day when she had a friend sleepover and I could hear “Love Me Do” coming from her room and wondered how many sleepovers over the past 50 years have had that song in the background.

So in honor of her and her always classy tastes, here’s the first in what will hopefully be many Beatles-inspired illustrations from our house.

Kathleen Edwards: Voyageur

This new album from Kathleen Edwards is totally worth the long wait since her last. I love how this record sounds enough like her previous work that you know and recognize her fingerprints, but also has a whole new feel to it.

Which is nice.

The subtle newness can be attributed on some level by the fact that it was produced  by Bon Iver and…

I suppose I don’t need to write anything else. She’s awesome.

Also. My giddiness hearing this new album was coming was cranked up a big notch when I saw the totally rad great lakes album art by Darren Booth!

Delay Trees: Delay Trees

Totally obsessed with Delay Trees right now.

Kind of like Sigur Ros only more accessible (the songs are much shorter for one thing) and it is catchy and upbeat (but not too upbeat) and has these little wonderful moments of really intense energy.

I feel like I could recommend this to just about anybody.

While I’m wondering how some kid from Helsinki can write songs about everyday things, love, life and the apocalypse in a way that a kid from Michigan can appreciate, I noticed the band bio on their website:

In his early twenties, Rami started to write songs about the growing pressures of adulthood, unemployment, ending friendships and the long Finnish winters.

Ok.. That makes sense then…

Which makes me wonder… is art style, genre, medium or even tempo determined on some level by personal experiences? Even if Rami and I live on opposite ends of the Earth, but have long winters in common are we more likely to create things to which one another can relate? or feel inspired by or connected to?

Or just enjoy?

So many great things about this record. I love the opening to my favorite song on the record – the apocalyptic “Summer 2012″ — speak to me in tongues or through fire alarms.

That’s a winner right there.

Strong Odors: Favorite Albums 2011

Rather than publishing my annual boring list of music that I like and think everyone else should (but probably doesn’t), this year I’ve just set up a Spotify playlist of my favorite albums from 2011. So you can just listen & decide for yourself.

A few times I’ve caught myself saying how 2010 was such a huge amazing year for new music and this year had a few gems, but nothing life-changing. (a justifiable statement considering 2010 provided classics from Sufjan, Arcade Fire and a Kanye West opus)

Maybe I was distracted by the fact that my by-far favorite album to listen to this year actually was released late December 2010.

But as I was throwing this playlist together I’m realizing I was wrong. (see list below for obvious reasons why)

In fact, even in the past couple weeks I’ve discovered new stuff that I didn’t even know existed that is totally making me double-take.

So spend your afternoon listening and let me know what you dig.

PLUS: There’s so much great stuff out there… check out other lists like IGIF and NPR

So listen along and enjoy some great tunes and let me know if you’ve been obsessed with that I missed! (i.e. The Antlers, Atlas Sound, Caveman, Wilco?) Read more

Cymbals Eat Guitars: Lenses Alien

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Lenses Alien

Both lyrically & sonically reminiscent of early Smashing Pumpkins (only without Billy Corgan’s voice) — Cymbals Eat Guitars manage to channel a number of different but familiar sounds while somehow maintaining their very own.

I love how they get creative with rhythms without falling into “experimental” category and have the guts to tread dangerously close to the “emo” cliff without falling into that dark, sad abyss.

Pretty much anything actually contemporary that sounds like 1991 I’m going to be freak out about.

I can totally see myself cranking this all day and then crashing on the couch for some Twin Peaks.

Oh wait. That’s what I’ve done every day this week…

Read more