Song of the Day: The Delta Spirit - Parade

I know the Grammys were last weekend, but I wanted to touch on something here. So the theme of this year's production was collaborations from some unlikely pairings. For instance, Dave Grohl & Paul McCartney or The Jonas brothers & Stevie Wonder. Some collabs were better than others. It was nice to see something different, but I really thought the collab thing was really supersaturated and really took away from the celebration of music made in 2008. It made me question what the organizers, producers, coordinators, and advisors were thinking when they designed and organized this shindig. Were they not confident in the new music to showcase it for national television? From what I recall, all the covers were of classics and the majority of the night focused on music from the distant past. I think there only three performances that were worth watching:

1) Adele - because she was a new artist with music that was released in 2008. The kid can sing!

2) Radiohead - seasoned vets who are always pushing the envelope of progressive music. They too played a song that was released in 2008.

3) Jay Z, Lil' Wayne, T.I., Kanye West, M.I.A. - could there be anymore hustlas in the rap game onstage at once?

Anyways, that's my two cents. Nice try Grammy committee. Could could have saved some money by pairing back on the collabs and celebrateed more recent music. Better luck in winning me (the fan) over next year.

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Labels: music

Song fo the day: Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

wow... what a website/song/video!

http://beonlineb.com/click_around.html

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Labels: music

Song of the Day: Shad K - Get Up

I guess it's been due time for a post. Though the topic of this particular blog-edition is rather dated, I still think it deserves my 3 1/2 cents (given the value of the Canadian dollar). Anyways, I had the chance to attend the CD release party for up and coming artist Shad K. This Canadian artist has been terrorizing my eardrums for at least a year now and his CD release show raised the bar for expectation for the next show I see. Shad is a soulful hip hop artist that uses his lyrics to tell a story or convey a message. Shad takes you of the beaten trail and leads you to a different path to a quest for glory. I think I identify with this Canadian wonder more than the other hip hop artists around based on our somewhat backgrounds. Some of the references in his lyrics takes me back to certain times in my youth that were never talked about before. I mean, I too have had dreams about someday winning my fantasy basketball pools as well. I just feel what he's sayin' you know!

Anyways, back to the show... You know when you're flipping through the radio and listen to a Canadian urban music radio station and the Can-con effect kicks in, you can totally tell which artists are Canadian. There's something about the flow that just separates it from the music South the of 49th. Canadian hip hop artists seem to lack a extra polish or finish. So when it came time to see Shad live, I was worried I'd be let down. Needless to say, I have not seen a better show in my life. Shad delivered with pinpoint precision with a style and grace that is most organic - totally original. I was surprised how well his lyrics were delivered while playing the guitar. It was as if Wyclef was in the house. His show embraced a vibrancy and vitality unwitnessed before. Overall, Shad not only revealed his new music to an eager audience, but he also showed how much of an entertainer he is really is. I think most up and coming artists in Canada focus solely on the final product that the audience won't take anything away from a live performance. Fortunately for Shad, he's mastered both song and showmanship with great poise. Here is a sample from Earwaks.com


Anyways, I've been spreading my gospel that is Shad K to all my friends. I'm sure they're all sick of it by now, so I figure why not blog about it? Before Shad is discovered in the US, check out his myspace account. You can thank me later.

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Labels: music

Song of the Day: Rainer Maria - Terrified

This song has been really getting to me lately... I thought I'd post the lyrics. It's a definite recommendation. It's too bad I never got myself to make a concerted effort to see them the countless times they've visited Canada. Here's to hoping this group gets back together. One can only wish...

On these old streets I can't believe
You're not walking next to me.
I can almost feel your hand
On my back pocket.

Oh baby, when your eyes closed you're
So terrified, so terrified
So am I.

When you're playing live and bank southeast
I thought it's never coming back.
Yeah it sounds cheap but when you take my heart
I'm gonna take it back.

Oh baby, when your eyes closed you're
So terrified, so terrified
So am I.
You're
So terrified, so terrified
So am I.

You could be waiting all your life
And it's so wrong
To wait.
But you're
So terrified, so terrified
So am I.
You're
So terrified, so terrified
So am I.

When you're playing's sighed and turned northeast
I felt a little heart attack.
Yeah, it sounds cheap
but when you take my love
I don't want it back.

Oh baby, when your eyes closed...

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Labels: music

Song of the Day: Voxtrot - Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives

I must say that I haven't been a rock show in quite some time. Shows have been something I really enjoy going to in the past. I would try and go to at least one a month. Oh, the good ole days of calltheoffice. It seems to me that going to shows is more of a hassle for some reason. I'm leaving more shows less satisfied by the bands I see more and more. Granted the last show was good, but I was rather flummoxed by the song selection. Voxtrot is from Texas (I think?) and have traveled to Canada maybe once before? I was peeved that the band left out my favourite song from the playlist - Rise Up In the Dirt. Granted it's from an older EP, but they're a relatively new band to Canadians and they only have 4 EPs of material. My theory is if you're in unchartered territory tour-wise, you might as well play all your songs. I'm just getting old and my patience is running thin with everything. Things like this would not have bothered me 5 years ago. I should just be glad Voxtrot made it into Canada.

Other than my rant above, there's been a culmination of things that have prevented me from enjoying my love for music:

1. Lack of Energy - work really does take its tole on you
2. Band Cancellations - if you book it, you might as well play it
3. Opening Acts - There should be a rule where opening acts should not play more than 7 songs
4. Show Companions - I had my set group of friends who attended shows with me &now they're gone



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Labels: music

Song of the Day: Oasis - Morning Glory

I'm first going to start out to a song that has been stuck in my head for the whole weekend and possibly carry into the work week as well. They were on the television this week as the CBC was showing the Brit awards and Oasis was awarded the musical achievement award for their contribution or something. Anyways, Liam, Noel and the boys played a medley of tunes that rocked the house down. The songs are so simple, the lyrics are plain-Jane, and it all just seems to come together to meld into a fondue of good 'ole rock. For example, here's the lyrics to the tune that's in my head. You might want to listen to the album if you have it or I'm sure some (il)legal music site has it for download. I'm pretty sure one of your friends has it under some books or behind some desk somewhere. Almost everyone owned an Oasis disk.

All your dreams are made
When you're chained to (your) mirror with (your) razor blade
Today's the day that all the world will see
Another sunny afternoon
(I'm) walking to the sound of your favorite tune
Tomorrow never knows what it doesn't know too soon

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Labels: music