Archive | May, 2012

Top Ten Thursday: No Hable Ingles (Best Non-English Speaking Acts)

31 May

foreign flags languages songs and music

In honor of another great feat (some of us would say anyways) from everyone’s favorite Icelandic act (unless you like the other act from Iceland more, Bjork), we thought we would list out our other favorite acts in which we cannot understand a single word from. Before we get to list, I must say that this was a tough one to tackle. Due to our unfamiliarity with non-english speaking foreign acts, we had to do our homework. This entailed a lot of new listening, a lot of Rammstein jokes, some slight arguing, and overall much enjoyment. This list opened my eyes to some music I will now never let go of, and for that I am very happy. Hopefully you like it as much as we liked putting it together. Onto the list …
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Sigur Rós Review Royale: Vivacious Vibes and Vendettas on Valtari

30 May

Sigur Rós
Valtari

the new album from sigur ros valtari icelandic band cd lp

Todd’s Review:

Sigur Rós is one of the few bands that I seem to treat each first album listen as a theatrical release type of experience. Before I hit play, I make sure that I have a long enough block of time that I won’t have to be distracted by anything. No work, no eating, no phone calls, no driving. On my first listen it is always just me, my headphones and Sigur Rós. Each time it’s the same thing; extremely vivid scenes play out in my head through the entire album. Whether it is old memories or new images that my mind is creating, it is impossible for me not to dream as I listen to their music. I understand that a great deal of the abstractness related to Sigur Rós has to due with the fact that a majority of their fanbase doesn’t even understand the Icelandic language in which they sing, and I am no exception, but it still doesn’t take away from the fact that they are master composers of this age’s most beautiful songs. After a four year hiatus, we have been graced with another eight gorgeous tracks from what I believe to be one of the most stunning bands of our time.
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The Walkmen Review: Heaven

29 May

The Walkmen

Heaven

Album cover art for the new Walkmen album, Heaven

Despite being consistently solid for an entire decade, New York’s five-some The Walkmen have still found themselves swimming a bit under the radar in comparison to their indie rock contemporaries like Spoon, Arcade Fire, Franz Ferdinand, and the Strokes.  Maybe The Walkmen lack the flair and flash of their counterparts, but it’s difficult to deny the strength of their music, which maybe even hit its peak with their last release, Lisbon. Now comes another striking release in Heaven, which stands as their prettiest and most uplifting album to date.
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LxListening: May Memoriam

25 May

Levon Helm, Chuck Brown, Robin Gibb, Donna Summer, Adam MCA Yauch. May Musician Tribute

In the past month, we have tried to give various coverage and recognition to some of the music greats that have passed, all in such a short span of time. With it being Memorial Day Weekend, I thought it was a great opportunity for us to highlight the musicians who have passed in recently by doing a five song playlist in dedication to these artists.
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Top Ten Thursday: In Memory Of …

24 May

picture of memorial day activities such as fireworks and parties

So maybe Memorial Day is really to honor solely fallen servicemen and servicewomen in the United States.  But we wanted to make a list of the top ten songs memorializing just about anyone to give us a little more to choose from.  So whether it be a fallen loved one, fellow musician, fictional character or national figure, all songs about the deceased are fair game.  So in the words of everyone’s favorite dead collector, “Bring out yer dead”.
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