Awesome Day 7: Musician!
These four artists have become staples in my music library (there are others, really, but these are the best). I love their entire discography, and in the case of Beirut (aka Zach Condon) I love his side projects just as much. From each of them I'll share a track off each album. Because I can describe music all I want, but it's meant to be heard.
The Arcade Fire
I love the large, orchestral sound of The Arcade Fire while still being a 'rock band.' Funeral was named so because during the recording year every bandmate suffered the loss of a family member. It's an album about rememberance more than grief and it really showcases the power they have as an orchestral band.
"Rebellion (Lies)" | The Arcade Fire
Neon Bible is more of a coherent album. For me, it's an interesting snap shot of rural life - Church and being bound by responsibility, while being very rooted and constant. I love the ocean imagery bringing power and stability, yet also it is unmovable. The organs and choir really add to the album musically, enforcing the connection to the Church. And I am convinced 'Neon Bible' has SOMETHING to do with the current Green Lantern mythos. It fits in so well.
"My Body Is A Cage" | The Arcade Fire
Which makes The Suburbs a perfect companion album. This is literally about the suburbs, but instead of sleepy, boring suburbia portrayed by Hollywood, this is exciting, volatile and abrasive. See, Neon Bible for the most part had a constant sound. The ocean, the organs - they added a grandous sound to the album and is present in almost every song. Here, every song has it's own sound. Arcade Fire pars down the orchestral aspect of it and begins to sound more like a 'rock band.' And it's bloody perfect, too. Every subset of culture comes from the suburbs. When you're a teen you find that niche, that 'clique' and there's always a soundtrack or two to go with it and this album exemplifies it.
"Month Of May"| The Arcade Fire
Beirut
This is the brain child of Zach Condon. He records the album solely by himself (yes, he plays every damn instrument) and then finds folks to tour with him because as amusing as it would be I doubt one man can play the violin, the trumpet, sing, and drum at once. And that's probably less than half the instruments. What I love about this is how you can tell where he was while writing the albums. Gulag Orkestar has a strong East Europe vibe full of brass instruments and marching tempos, while The Flying Club Cup is more melodic and features strings more prominently (he was touring Paris at the time).
I personally love his side project, RealPeople, which is a more electronic variation to his sound.
"Rhineland (Heartland)" | Beirut
"A Sunday Smile" | Beirut
Florence + the Machine
Man, has she been making waves. Her debut album, Lungs is literally a hodpodge of genres and sounds and I bet there will be at least one song on it you'll like. Despite dabbling in punk rock, orchestral composistions, and pure pop, it's her vocals you don't forget. She covers a lot of bases, lyrically, with this album so it's no doubt you've probably heard a song or two from her somewhere. Most likely a BBC advert or The Vampire Diaries.
"Cosmic Love" | Florence + The Machine
Adam WarRock
Described as being 'nerdcore' (nerdy hip hop), Adam isn't exclusive to comic books or superheroes. In fact, it's his non-nerdy tunes I like the most. Yes it's rap and it can be pretty off-putting, but he's the Silver Age of Hip-Hop, guys. He's good, he's unconventional and you should seriously listen to his stuff. His TrackLog is full of free samplings, and if you like that buy his album. It's completely worth it.
"Ira Glass" (this is the non-single version) | Adam WarRock
"PBR" | Adam WarRock
"Potemkin Villages" | Adam WarRock