Because I am obsessed with apples and good music, this song is pretty much made for me. If you follow me, it’s now made for you, too. Alamo Race Track is an Amsterdam-based band that’s been around since about 2001, and besides the fact that their music is great, they also have a member who plays the upright bass. Any band who can successfully fit in an upright bass is a winner in my book. “Apples” is from their 2011 release Unicorn Loves Deer (what’s not to love about that album title, hipsters?), and this guy says you should invest in their album if you love this song: 
Bob Dylan is one of the foremost musicians of the 20th century, and as such, I can’t really do this man justice with an artist description. Suffice to say, he’s a badass musical and lyrical genius whose songs have such universal relevancy that the Pulitzer Prize committee decided in 2008 to award him with a special citation “for his profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.”
Case in point: His song “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, from his 1964 album The Times They Are A-Changin, became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement, and now serves as an anthem for those protesting in Occupy Wall Street and other global political movements. If that’s not classic music, I don’t know what is. Have a listen for yourself, and I’m sure you’ll agree.
Brisa Roché is an American singer/songwriter who is currently living in France. Her music is both English and French, and is influenced by jazz, the entire fucking indie movement (maybe not the rap/hip-hop parts), rock, and I’m sure other genres that are glaring oversights on my part. Jazz is technically what her debut album is classified under, but seeing as she qualifies her latest album as garage disco, it’s safe to say that jazz is only part of what seasons her music.
“Mystery Man”, from her 2005 album The Chase, for instance, has some jazz influence in it, but there’s also that wonderful multi-instrumental indie sound, and then there’s the fact that in parts of this song I can clearly see some bleach blonde with too-pert tits (they can be too pert, guys, I promise) and a poodle skirt dancing with some over-gelled cardboard cutout at the Sadie-Hawkins dance. Not that that last part has anything to do with what her music sounds like; really, I just feel like if I have to have the image in my head, then so do you.
Anyway, if you enjoy this song, you’ll enjoy the other tracks on this album, as well as on her other tracks. She’s definitely an artist who likes to vary her sound, and for me with the ADD, that’s pretty much awesome.
So today is an Interpol and Green Day day (an angry and stupid day (neither of these bands is either, in case you think I just implied it (except Green Day is kind of angry sometimes (all the time), and because Green Day is just…ubiquitous, i’m giving you my favorite song by Interpol. I’m also practicing PARENTHECEPTION apparently. Totally appropriate.
Hangover rambling now. I’m going to leave you to listen to Interpol’s “Evil” from their album Antics. If you’re having a shite day, too, I hope this makes it better. Also, in case you aren’t familiar with Interpol, they’re a post-punk revival band made of pure awesome and you should become familiar with them immediately.
Happy October, everyone! To usher in one of my favorite months of the year, I bring you Explosions in the Sky, a post-rock (I feel like this term is as valid as the term “postmodernism”, but if you need a fancy genre, there it is) band from Texas comprised of four hard-working, talented-as-hell guys who have been kicking ass at music since 2000.
The song I’m bringing you today, “Welcome, Ghosts”, is from their 2007 album All of the Sudden I Miss Everyone. If you enjoy this song, I can guarantee that you’re going to love every last one of their albums. While their sound is consistent, their music is anything but repetitive. If you want some relaxing post-rock instrumentals floating about in your head, Explosions in the Sky is the perfect band for you.
I’m wrapping up this week’s mash-up artist line-up with Norwegian Recycling, a one-man mash-up band of greatness. Frans Peter Bull Enger is just as awesome as his name implies. He’s a humble guy who loves making music from all genres of music, and the way he intertwines his music is seamless (unless he doesn’t want it to be). The man is truly a mash up master, and I am so pleased to be able to introduce him to your ears if you haven’t heard him yet. The song I’m posting today is called “All Bad Touches (Come to an End)” from his debut album So Far, and it’s probably the most appropriate wrap-up song I will ever post.
Mr. Bull Enger (I can’t get enough of that name) started experimenting with mash-ups in 2006, and thank the aural gods he did, because not only did he bring us the gem I’m posting today, but his newest mash-up includes both “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, and “Don’t Stop Believin’”. I know your tiny little hipster hearts just leapt into your throat, you’re so excited (especially if you’re a hipster who loves soccer). You can listen to and download the song on his website if you’re interested (you know you are).
For those of you who started following me for the music updates, thanks, and I hope you stay tuned and continue enjoying the music, whether it’s new or old to you.
