Physically Incompetent

Been a long time since I’ve posted anything.  To start things back up here is a video of Nickel Creek’s - Destination.  These guys are extremely talented musicians.  They have a sound that crosses from folk to bluegrass to country.  Typically country is a bit of a curse word for me, but if all country sounded more like this I might be a bit more of a fan.  Give it a listen and see what you think.

Now this is some soulful stuff.  Just check out this track by Vulfpeck - wait for the moment.  It's really something special.

A pretty cool cover of a classic.

On my travels in London I wandered into a pub and met a couple of the members of The Medicine Show.  Besides being some very pleasant people they played me a couple of their tracks over the speakers and I was pretty intrigued.  I really hope to hear more from these guys in the future.  Give 'Whispers & Wine' a listen.  Who knew I'd find some Americana in the middle of London.

Every once in a while I find a cover that peaks my interest.  Chance the Rapper's Cover of Ziggy Marley's "Believe in Yourself" is one of those situations.  He really reinvents the song in a way that is both interesting and an homage to the original.  Oh yeah, and its the theme-song from Arthur.

I offer you a new ear bug.  If you love soulful music like I do then you'll love Hozier.  He reminds me a lot of James Blake in many ways.  "Take Me to Church" is a great introduction to the sound.  Expect to be hearing more about this guy real soon.

Every once in a while I run into something that just catches my ear.  While browsing reddit for some new music I stumbled into Kendall Street Company.  I was blown away by this performance of their song "Sweet and Clean".  Their sound is a brand of folky acoustic music that I'm a huge fan of.  Here's hoping they can get the exposure they deserve.

Rx Bandits are easily one of my favorite artists and their new release did not disappoint.  Gemini, Her Majesty is their second studio album to shed all horns for a more prog rock feel.  Even though I will always miss the horn section I can't help but get sucked into the new sweeping style.  The album is strong top to bottom.  I haven't found a standout song just yet, but that doesn't seem to be a problem. Just give "Stargazer" a listen and you'll see the strength of this album.  Not to mention it has one of the sweetest album covers I think I've ever seen.

Here's an oldy, but a goody.  Combine the phenomenal beat creation of DJ Format with the lyrical mastery of Chali 2na and Akil of Jurassic 5 and you get one hell of a track.  Not to mention that the video is top notch.  I give you "We know something you don't know" and if you listen I'm pretty sure they're right.

So St. Vincent borders on the bizarre for many of her tracks but there is something extremely enthralling about that.  Regardless of that fact I'm really enjoy her stuff.  The more I listen the more nuance I notice and appreciate.  You might have to give "Birth in Reverse" more than one listen to really see how great St. Vincent can be.

I couldn't be more excited about getting to see one of my favorite artists this weekend.  Finally checking Jack Johnson off of the list.  I have tried on numerous occasions to see him and each time something has happened to prevent it, but this time there's nothing can stop me.  Give "If I had eyes" and get in the mood with me.

Check out this Incredible cover of Arcade fire's Wake Up by John Legend and the Roots.  Its Fantastic.

Continuing with the classic rock theme for this week I figured I would throw down the band I once referred to as the 'band almighty' The Who.  Heavy guitar licks, sweeping synths, and some of the greatest drumming you've ever heard makes the who one of the strongest bands in the strongest era of music.  Who's Next is a masterpiece of classic rock.  So in homage of this greatness I give you "Won't Get Fooled Again".

Had a long conversation about classic rock this past weekend and it reinvigorated my desire to listen to some of those spectacular bands.  Let's start with the band who started it all.  The Beatles have a very important place in history as well as in my heart.  They were so spectacular in such a brief amount of time its really astonishing that they could have created the brilliant music that they did all in a space of about 8 years.  There is so much here to appreciate it becomes difficult to sum it up in 1 song/video so I figured I'd start from the end.  Here is a clip from the classic rooftop concert which was their last live performance.  "Don't Let Me Down".

I jumped on another hip-hop kick recently and decided to listen to a little Atmosphere.  Slug has always been a rapper who can paint a picture.  He'll make you live out a story often of someone who's life has been dragged through the dumpster a few times.  He's not one of the most dexterous rappers but he does have a flow that is so smooth its almost like he's singing.  Listen to 'Kanye West' and you'll know what I mean. 

Been a while since I've put any Say Anything music on this thing so its about that time.  Here is a great live recording of "It's a Metaphor Fool" off the wonderful '...Was a real boy'.  Very few bands bring the raw energy to a song that Max Bemis does, which is probably why I continually come back to his music.  That and heaps upon heaps of nostalgia. 

James Blake has some serious talent for melodies and has a voice that cut even the hardest heart.  I keep hearing "Retrograde" for the preview for The Leftovers on HBO.  If you haven't heard any of his stuff you should try and give it a listen.  Each album brings unique sound that makes each sound like it could be a different artist.