New Music
Williamson: A Few Things to Hear Before We All Blow Up
Williamson - New age, ambient, massage parlor music... Call it whatever you want, Williamson makes that
sort of spacey, floaty, relaxing
kind of music that you either really like, or really hate. Personally, I like it. Surprisingly, so does
my mom. Jolene, on the other hand, hates it, but that's her loss.
The most defining characteristic of Williamson's music is the lack of motion. Each song sets harmonic
boundaries in the very beginning and then thoroughly explores the land within, but never ventures past
the proverbial fence established earlier.
I originally found this cd on CD Baby,
and thought 'I want that'. I added it to my wish list and promptly
forgot about it. Then one day Andi (of the presidents)
ended up with this weird music subscription service
trial thing, and they had the cd. So she downloaded it and gave it to me for Christmas.
I know this is a somewhat vague review, but it's hard to describe. Go listen to some samples and you'll
go 'oh, I know what he's talking about now.' Really, you will. I promise. But since I can't describe
the music, I can at least give you a purpose for it.
You're probably thinking something along the lines of 'so, why should I listen to this?' The short answer:
homework. Because it stays relatively stationary, has no driving beat to focus on, or lyrics to
distract you from whatever you're doing. It's easy to block out, and in doing so, it helps you block
out any background noise. Plus it's relaxing, so you can focus and not be completely stressing out.
$14.99 on Amazon
$9.99 on iTunes
Imogen Heap: Speak For Yourself
I was first introduced to Imogen on my mission trip to Mississippi over Christmas break. Apparently she
had some stuff on the soundtrack to the Chronicles of Narnia movie, but I never saw it. *hangs
head in shame* Joe brought his laptop/music collection to the work site, and he played Hide and Seek, which
is her big single from the album. It's just her singing, and it's overdubbed so she sings in chords with
herself. There is some really good part writing going on in there, with some crazy dissonances and
suspensions. The lyrics don't really make sense, especially towards the middle/second half, but who cares?
It sounds cool.
Imogen is British electronica. A quick side note...electronica and what most people think of as techno
are not the same thing. Electronica is the non-acoustic form of pop. The songs have lyrics, are
strophic (read: have verses & chorus) and don't have the driving bass beat that people equate w/
"techno". Techno is technically a category, not a specific style. It covers everything from ambient to
trance, but most people don't realize that. It would be like calling every not non-fiction book 'fiction'.
Well, yes it's fiction, but what kind? Contemporary realistic? Fantasy? Sci-Fi? Childrens' or adult?
This is a really strong album. I basically like every track. 'Have you got it in you' is a little iffy
in the beginning, but I like the B section of it. The only criteria it doesn't meet in my list of
excellent rating checkpoints is that there isn't that much variety from track to track. They are different,
don't get me wrong. This is no formula album, where songs are cookie cutter stamps of one another. But
the differences are somewhat subtle. Rhythms and feels change, but the overall sound stays
fairly consistant. Hide and Seek is really the only one that really screams 'different!'. I feel like
I'm selling it short. This is a very, very good album. I've probably listened to it 20 times in the past
month or so. But I don't really think it's worthy of an 'Excellent' stamp. Who knows...
maybe I'll change my mind
in the future...
$9.99 on iTunes
$10.96 on Amazon
Rachel Garlin: Green Light Distance
The first person who comes to mind for awesome music I've recently discovered is Rachel Garlin.
I originally heard her on a
tribute cd for Rachel Bissex, a singer-songwriter who recently died of cancer. (Side note: all of the
money from this cd goes into a scholarship fund for her kids. Check it out, it's for a good cause.) She
recorded the song 'Starting Over', along with GrooveLily and Stephanie Corby. Rachel sang verse 1 and 4 on
the track, and after listening to it about 12 times (seriously, it's one of the greatest songs I've ever
heard) I realized that I really liked her voice. So I looked her up and found this cd.
It's acoustic, mostly guitar and voice, with some congas and bass occasionally. I think it's technically
folk as a result, but it's not your typical 60's campfire music. Her voice is pure and strong, and her
songs have a drive to them. It's smooth, yet funky. Partly from her guitar playing and partly
as a result of her knowing how to use her voice as a contributing instrument, not just a
vehicle to convey lyrics. Speaking of which, her lyrics are about stuff. They aren't your usual 'I got
dumped I miss you' or 'I love you so much' fluff that you hear so much of. She writes Songs, not sound.
The end result is something unlike anything you've ever
heard before that holds your attention the entire way through the 11 songs on the disc. I need to listen
to it a few more times before I'll know for sure, but there's a good chance this album will earn my
Excellent rating.
Available on
iTunes for $9.90 or in it's physical form from CdBaby
for $15. Listen to Tactile or Southwest to get a good feel for her funk. Anything else for her lyric
smoothness.
Pat Metheny: One Quiet Night
I originally got this cd from my friend, Janette. (Yes, the same Janette who got her Jeep
foiled.) The whole album is solo classical guitar, played
by Pat Metheny, who's normally a hardcore jazzer. So it's jazz influenced classical style.
His liner notes say that this album is about one particular sound, and taking the time
to really get into that sound. First of all, he uses a baritone guitar, rather than a normal
acoustic guitar, and secondly, he uses a weird tuning on it. Everything's a 5th lower, but the
middle two strings are an octave higher. And the bottom two strings are bass strings. The result
is some really wild harmony, pulled off with stunning ease.
The greatest thing about this cd is how it fools you. Can anybody say deceptive cadence? You
keep thinking it's about to end b/c of how he builds into a spot, but then at the last second turns
left, and sends it in a completely unexpected direction. Suspensions run rampant, as do extended
tertian chords, quartal harmony and stuff I can't identify. All in all, this is an amazing album.
This is another one of those 'sit in the dark and melt albums' for when you're feeling mellow.
$14.99 on Amazon
$11.99 on iTunes
