Zeds Dead

Artist: Zeds Dead

Album: Zeds Dead

Genre: Electronic/Dubstep

Music: Player below

Zens Dead is an Ontario based pair of dubstep producers. After extensively searching the internet (googling the band three times), I found out that they get their name from a well known scene in Pulp Fiction where Butch Coolidge picks up Fabienne on a chopper and they ride off together trying to escape Marsellus. And that's it. Everything else I found while searching for information on this band was either a tiny snippet on where they got their name or some other bloggers feelings on their music, but nothing on the backstory of this Ontario duo. But thats not a bad thing, a google search of the band directs you to a ton of links to their music and their music is sick.

It doesn't do justice to Zens Dead to call these songs remixes. Mostly because the sounds of the original tracks are so far removed from the music that is Zen Dead's final product. There is usually enough of the original song to recognize what they're sampling but its still a very original take on the sounds. Their samples come from all over, with Radiohead, Sublime and The Rolling Stones just to name a few. My favorite track (because I am a nerd) is Dark Side Dub where they sample Darth Vader and Emperor Palpantine. Star Wars DUB! If you like dubstep/grimestep you'll get a kick out of this band. Check it out. 

Zeds Dead Baby, Zeds Dead. 

Edit: Googled them a 4th time, found a last.fm page. Go figure.

Keep Rocking. 

Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Making it as a musician is tough. Countless people form bands, countless people fail. Of the few that actually make it to the main stage, a few will last long enough to see a third album, a handful will be relevant five years after their original debut. Most will fizzle away overtime, a distant memory of songs we used to love. Then there is Radiohead. The English alternative band have weathered 26 years together from the halls of Abingdon school to a worldwide phenomena, the band has been a tour de force in the music industry. Crucial to their success is the recurring need to change themselves, to remain original and on the cutting edge.  Today Radiohead released their 8th album and true to form it's a new original mystifying sound. The album is hauntingly beautiful, synthesizers, layered guitars, acoustic drums and of course Thom Yorke's voice are only a few of the sounds you'll hear on this. This is an album you just have to listen to from start to finish, then when it's done listen again.

King of Limbs was released a day early in a digital download and is available in a variety of formats depending on your level of fandom. It's 100% worth purchasing. You can download the album here: Radiohead - King of Limbs


Keep Rocking.

RJD2 - We are the Doorways

Artist: RJD2
Album: We are the Doorways
Genre: Synth Rock
Link to the Music: RJD2-We are the Doorways

Hi folks! Two big things today

1) We've breached the 10,000 visitor mark! Thanks to all of you who keep coming back for tunes despite my obscene love of harry potter.

2) New RJD2...yay?

Today's album is the new venture from Rjd2 We are the Doorways. Some of you older readers may remember the last time I reviewed RJD2's last full length album The Colossus (for those of you who never saw that one here's a link: The Colossus). I am going to save you all any comparison to RJD2's previous work because this album really is just a different beast altogether. The album sounds like it was primarily done on synthesizers, and while its cool, it's not what I was expecting/hoping for when I found out about the new album. The new sounds are a welcome change from songs like The Glow but none stand out enough to really discuss. The album is touted as a "soundtrack to a movie that doesnt exist" and after hearing the whole thing through multiple times, I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, it's just as forgettable as the average soundtrack, but still worth a listen once or twice. I am holding out hope for the next Deadringer but with each new album RJ puts out, it looks like it's just not gonna happen.

For those of you who, unlike me, loved The Glow. RJD2 has released a three track remix of the Glow. Available here: The Glow Remixes

The remixes are worth a listen, Flosstradamus, Paolo and Candy Panther all take a different approach to the glitz and glamor of The Glow, but don't worry the inspired lyrics remain. "got the glow? we got the glow the clothes are neat, the women are beautiful". Truly this is a song that deserved multiple remixes. Check it out   for yourself and see what you think. 

Keep Glowing, no, rocking. Keep Rocking. 

Kevin Valdez - Big Love

Hello readers! January was a big month for I & H  we fell just shy of 5,000 visitors. exciting! It may have something to do with this blog being the 4th most popular oboe image site on google, but I'd like to think its just the sick tunes we share here. 

I am going to kick off February with an original song I have been working on called Big Love. It's another Harry Potter song requested by reader Andrea about Hagrid and Grawp. The books don't have a ton of information on Grawp, so the song is about Hagrid's longing for a family. Lyrics below:

 Big Love by kvald23 

Big Love

Mama left home, when I was just a boy

Guess she wasn’t the mothering kind

And daddy tried, lord I know he tried

But in my second year of school, he died

I stumbled blindly looking for something to fit the hole

That had formed, in my heart

It wasn’t till Dumbledore sent me to the hills

That I found a cork, to make the pain stop

Cause I found you, and Big Love started

Cause I found you, to help me make this hut a home

Neither of us quite fit into the world where we live,

but together we can make it our own

I’ve been looking for love, ever since the day

That they snapped, my wand in half

Even though Dippett gave me a job and a home,

That happiness it could not last

Aragog, Fluffy, Fang, Norbet and Witherwings

All great in their own

None of them ever could replace, the family

I was dying to know

But then I found you, and Big Love started

I found you to help me make this hut a home

Neither of us quite fit into the world where we live,

But together we can make it on our own

Now we got Big Love (repeat 4x)

A brother that I never knew,

 a bit rough around the edges

likes to punch, grab scream and roar

uproot trees around the forest

You can call me hagger,

I don’t care if cant pronounce it

I got the love I was searching for,

You-know who can’t destroy it

I've got a lot of new music to share in the upcoming days so keep checking back. As always, if you have a Harry Potter relationship you think deserves a song leave it in the comments.

Keep Rocking.

Smiths Western - Dye it Blonde

Aritst: Smith Westerns
Album: Dye it Blonde
Genre: Indie Rock
Link to the Music: Smith Westerns - Dye it Blonde

The Smith Westerns, an Indie Rock band based out of Chicago, released their second album, Dye it Blonde, January 18 of 2011. The bands first self titled album was recorded almost entirely in the basement of guitarist Max Kakeck's Chicago home it was characterized by it's lo-fi garage rock sound. For their latest release the band signed with Fat Possum records and had access to a proper studio. The lo-fi sound that characterized their first album is gone, replaced with a polished sound and tons of reverb. Reverb was the first thing I noticed on the album, when you hear Weekend a wavy keys melody kicks into a guitar riff that adds even more reverb. Lead singer Cullen Omari has a light, effervescent voice that melds into the light indie rock sounds of Dye it Blonde and floats gently on top of all the reverb they managed to shove in there. 


Cullen Omarie mentioned in an interview with metromix that "I think 23 is really old...When I'm 23, I want to be, like, much more successful with music than I am now". Here we are a year later and the Smith Western's sophmore release is head and shoulders above their last album. Their newest album shows a lot of promise, and I look forward to seeing what else this young Chicago band puts out in the next 3 years, before they're "really old".

Keep Rocking.

Janice Whaley - The Smiths Project

Artist: Janice Whaley
Album: The Complete Smith's Project
Genre: Acapella, Indie, Cover
Link to the Music: The Complete Smiths Project

Twenty three years ago The Smiths an alternative/indie band from the UK broke up, to date there has been no reunion tour. Some of you may remember the hilariously vulgar comment made by Smiths frontman Steven Patrick Morrissey that he would "rather eat [his] own testicles then reform the Smiths". You may be wondering then what a band that broke up when Ronald Reagan was in office (and also the same year yours truly was born) doing here on I&H? Well today's album comes to us from San Francisco singer Janice Whaley and is a cover of every original Smiths song that has been released. This 71 track juggernaut doesn't stop at just covering the songs though, instead of the generic Smiths cover bands this album is 100% acapella. For those of you unfamiliar with acapella singing, it just means it's all vocal and there is no instrument accompaniment. Whaley layered hundreds of tracks of her own singing to produce the album and it is truly mesmerizing the work that she put into this while still maintaining her job and caring for her 4 year old son as a single mother.

It takes a while to listen to the entire thing, but is truly a testament to Whaely's dedication and devotion to The Smiths and her craft. The purchase price may seem daunting coming in at $60, but she had to cover costs to buy the rights to reproduce the 71 songs.

If you only want a certain album (e.g. The Queen is Dead) these can be found either on Whaleys website: www.thesmithsproject.blogspot.com

Or by perusing her bandcamp page.

Keep Rocking.

Robyn - Bodytalk

Artist: Robyn

Album: Body Talk

Genre: Electropop

Link to the Music: Robyn -Body Talk

Today's album Body Talk by Robyn has been on my "music to listen to" list since early December. During exams, I didn't listen to it because I can't study to music with words. Then I forgot to pick it up before I went to Trinidad, so here we are, a month+ after this final album in the Body Talk trilogy was released and I finally got around to listening to this album. The Body Talk trilogy was released from September to November by Swedish artist Robyn. Body Talk features 10 songs from Body Talk pt. 1 and pt. 2 and has 5 original tracks (separately available as Body Talk pt. 3). 

With electropop the singers often have a tendency to sing in cold, emotionless, robotic voices. Not here, well at least not always. Don't Fucking Tell me what to do and Love Kills conform to a more standard electropop emotionless soundscape. But then songs like Get Myself Together and Dancing my Own convey a level of vocal emotion that isn't common in this genre.

The synth sounds on this album are really well produced and are my favorite part of the album. The synth on Indestructible sounds straight out of a Daft Punk album. The music is really well produced and compliments Robyn's vocals well. 

The album has done really well with other reviewers, and if you read the top 100 albums for other music reviewers, its usually in the top 20. I enjoyed the album but not enough to say it's one of my favorites of 2010. It's worth listening to if you're into electropop but if you're not, this isn't a "can't miss" album. 

Keep Rocking. 

Wick-it the Instigator - The Brothers of Chico Dusty

Artist: Wick-it the Instigator
Album: The Brothers of Chico Dusty
Genre: Mixing
Link to the Music: Wick it the Instigator - The Brothers of Chico Dusty

I am back in St. Louis and have a college buddy visiting from the Old Line State. I don't have much time to write, bu a few quick words about this album.

Wick-It mixes two 2010 albums Brothers by the Black Keys a blues rock band and The Son of Chico Dusty a hip hop album by Big Boi. This is a cool innovative mashup worth giving a listen if you liked either of the albums. It doesnt rise to level of mastery that Girl Talk has mixing tunes, but it is still entertaining.

Keep Rocking.

ArtOfficial - Fist Fights and Foot Races EP

Artist: ArtOfficial
Album: Fist Fights and Foot Races EP
Genre: Funk/Hip-Hop
Link to the Music: ArtOfficial - Fist Fights and Foot Races EP

Happy New Year readers. I have been away from the blog for the first couple days of the year because of the whirlwind of activities that were happening in Trinidad. I left Trinidad today and instead of heading to the cold of St. Louis, I stopped off in Miami for a quick visit with my sister. Readers, cold weather is overrated. I don't know why anybody yearns to see snow. Today I have been to the beach, walked down the street in a t-shirt, and sipped frozen margaritas on the beach. It's January, this weather baffles me.

To add to it all I found a new band today to share with you that comes from, you guessed it, Miami. The band, ArtOfficial, is a Jazz/Hip-Hop fusion project. The band arose a glorious phoenix from the ashes of two previous bands, one Jazz and one Hip-Hop. The conglomeration of the two styles results in a sound that makes you want to sit up, listen and groove. When you're not listening to the sick sax/flute melodies, the pumping bass or the drums that don't quit, you hear the seamless lyrical styling of two emcee's sharing a stage flawlessly. The lyrics are intelligent, quick and creative. For instance in Word Bending the emcee's spit out for the hook:

This ain't rapping, its word bending,

 Lyrical acupuncture for your nerve endings.

 Ya'll ain't rhyming, ya'll just pretending 

you can't fathom the way that we we twist a sentence.

The verses only get better from the hook but were too quick for me to catch and write down. The lyrics however aren't the only ingenious area in the song. The saxaphone at the song's conclusion really steals the stage with a solo that keeps pace with the lyrics and coupled with a flute melody they really drive the song home. Throughout the album the combination of the two emcee's, keys, sax, flute, bass and drums stays fresh and each song has its own ipseity, yet remains a coherent flowing album.  

ArtOfficial  identifies their sound with that of the bands Soulive and The Roots. The comparison between the bands, particularly The Roots during the  Do you Want More? to Phrenology phase and Soulive's songs with Black Thought (surprise?), is understandable, those are two of most well known Jazz/Hip-Hop bands. Although they undoubtedly draw inspiration between these two titans of the genre, ArtOfficial has managed to carve out their own distinct sound that certainly has the potential to make it to the big time.

This album is only two dollars on bandcamp and I highly recommend spending the cash for it, you won't regret it and this is music that after hearing you will want to support.

Art Official

I am headed back to the 'Lou tomorrow, but for you Miami readers January 8th there will be an ArtOfficial show at the Electric Pickle on the 8th, from what I've heard their shows are sick, if you have a chance check it out. Details for the show can be found on the ArtOfficial Facebook page: ArtOfficial Facebook Page

Keep Rocking.

My Dear Disco - Dancethink LP

Album: Dancethink LP
Artist: My Dear Disco
Genre: Dance/House/Electronic
Link to the Music: My Dear Disco - Dancethink LP

New Years Eve! Wow has this year flown. I want to thank all of you who have stuck with the blog over the course of the year (even during that 8 month hiatus) and I hope all you new readers will stick around for the new sounds that will be coming out in 2011.

Today I have some House/Dance/Electronic from Michigan based band My Dear Disco. While you all are out swinging in the New Year and looking for hot new tunes to play, try cranking out this bad boy. You can dance to it, rock out to it, drunkenly fall down to it whatever strikes your fancy.

I am off to bring in the New Year in Caribbean style. Once again thanks everyone for a great year and I look forward to sharing new tunes with you all in 2011.

Keep Rocking.

Gorillaz - The Fall

Artist: Gorillaz
Album: The Fall
Genre: Alt. Rock/Electronic Rock/ Cartoon Rock
Link to the Music: Gorillaz - The Fall (Only streaming, unless you are a paid fan club member)

I am always intrigued when I hear the Gorillaz are putting out new music. My curiosity is usually peaked by the constantly changing Jamie Hewlett cartoon band members. The seemingly perpetual fluctuation of band members changes the sound from album to album and show to show so you never really know what you are going to get. So when the sole constant member of the Gorillaz, front-man and founder Damon Albarn, announced that they were going to be releasing an album online Christmas Day, I was excited. When I heard it was going to be recorded solely on an Apple Ipad, I knew I had to hear it. The album is impressive, inspired and ordinarily, I wouldn't believe that this was recorded by a band while traveling on tour. However, the Gorillaz are anything but an ordinary band. The album was created over 32 days while the band was on its North American Welcome to Plastic Beach tour. The tracks were written across the United States, and this is reflected in the different track names. The album is at times, instrumental, other times vocals are added in and it concludes with thirty-nine seconds of golden yodeling. Each track has it's own identity, but its doesn't have the same divaricate sounds that characterized Plastic Beach.

The album was recorded using the Ipad and plugging in a Korg Vocoder, Ukele, Microkorg, Omnichord, Moog Voyager, Melodica, Guitar, Piano and a Korg Monotron into the tablet computer.

The following Apps were used to create, mix and record music: Speak It!, SoundyThingie, Mugician, Solo Synth, Synth, Funk Box, Gliss, AmpliTube, Xenon, Korg iElectribe, BS-16i, Mellotronics M3000 HD, Cleartune, iOrgel HD, Olysynth, StudioMini XL, BassLine, Harmonizer, Dub Siren Pro and Moog Filatron.

Everything's better with Cartoons

If you unwrapped a shiny new Ipad this holiday season, head over to the apps store and start downloading these apps and start making music. This album is probably the best advertisement I have encountered for the Ipad. So check it out, get inspired, start making music and as always:

Keep Rocking.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

(If you don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Chinese Food and Movies day!)

I hope you all are having a good holiday wherever you are in the world.

Where I am in Trinidad.

Today I have some electronic "Christmas" music for you all courtesy of Soundcloud. Personally, it doesn't replace Little Drummer Boy in my heart, but to each his own.

 Christmas Songs 2010

Enjoy the music and have a happy holiday!

Keep Merrily Rocking.

Iration - Time Bomb

Artist: Iration

Album: Time Bomb

Genre: Indie Hawaiian Reggae Rock

Link to the music: Iration - Time Bomb

Today's album is a bit of Indie Hawaiian Reggae. Before I go any further I should clarify the genre lest I cast Iration's album into a genre in which it doesn't belong. When researching this album. the artist and the sound that they produced, my first thought was "this is hawaiian reggae". It wasn't reggae like that you hear from Jamaica, most often categorized by the style of singers voice, a mellow guitar, and steady percussion. Reggae most notably emphasizes the second and fourth beat of a bar so you get that iconic upstroke sound that most people would associate with a Reggae melody. Time Bomb isn't that. Iration does have heavy Reggae influences, and it would be a disservice to say that they're not Reggae. However, the music can't be described as reggae in the common use of the word. There is a type of music known as Jawaiian music, which is music that retains native Hawaiian influences, but is mostly centered around encompassing the Reggae style and culture. However, this is still not an appropriate classification for Time Bomb. So after all this, you might be asking yourself "then why the hell did you bother to classify this as Hawaiian Reggae?!". Well dear readers, it just is. The modern music that I have heard from the 50th state has a pretty distinct sound, it combines light guitar strumming, lighter guitar sounds, a clear vocal lead and prominent crash cymbals. Combine this style some keyboard/synth and Reggae and then finally we have what I characterize as an Indie Hawaiian Reggae sound. 

Hawaii

Whew. That was a lot of background, if you just skimmed down here, well I don't blame you. At the start of this blog I mentioned I am not a music expert, I am just a guy who likes music. So if you disagree with my assessment well, comment box.

This is a chill, easy listening album. The lead singer has a clear, strong voice that is the real force behind this production.The title track Time Bomb is a great song, describing that girl who we all known or have seen who at some point in a night out is going to become the center of attention. This album features some quick guitar solos like in Love/Hate, a song describing two opposite people in love trying to make it work, and Get Back to Me, which you may have guessed is about a guy waiting for someone to get back to them. The lyrics aren't deep or thought provoking, they are sweet and simple. 

Check it out, it's a solid production. Let me know if you think it is Hawaiian Reggae, but not Jawaiian. 

Happy Festivus Everyone!

Keep Rocking. 

Christmas in Trinidad

Hi folks.

I have landed safe and sound in the motherland. After a tumultuous journey from St. Louis, stops in Miami (for what felt like forever), and Grenada (for about 15 minutes) I have arrived in Trinidad. Three days after my arrival, my bags have made it too! So all is well. I am having a grand time here, but I do not have internet access everywhere, so posts may not be as frequent. But do not fear! This won't become a"hiatus" like back in April.

Today I wanted to share with you all some more music from Trinidad. Today it is Parang. Parang is a music from Trinidad, played mostly around Christmas time. It's like caroling, but with more instruments and way more fun. For a time, parranderos (the parang players) came to houses and played, or you could find them playing around the country, but now parang is mostly played by established artists. Below you'll find a few Christmas parang songs I was able to find on youtube.

Scrunter: I want a piece ah pork


Scrunter: Leroy


Lord Kitchner: Drink a Ru,


And a Christmas Calypso from Baron:


I had the fortune of seeing a live parang band the other night, they came to a party for my aunt. It was really a great experience, but I regret not having my camera. I did have my camera yesterday when I went to the beach and took this beauty:

Palm Tree at Maracas

I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas.

Hope everyone is having a good holiday!

Keep Rocking.

Indian Princess - Indian Princess

Artist: Indian Princess
Album: Indian Princess
Genre: Americana
Link to the music: Indian Princess - Indian Princess

Readers, I am stuck in the states. I am disappointed and embarrassed, especially with all that hubbub I made yesterday. I am in Miami now, which isn't the worst place to be, I stepped out of the airport and didn't need a jacket which was fantastic. However, I can't stay here so today I am off to the airport to see if some other bum misses his flight and I can swipe it up.

Swiping seats at the airport.

To make matters worse, I somehow managed to forget both my ipods at home. So I whipped out my phone and started listening to the sparse collection of music that I have on there. I started listening to Indian Princess an album I was prepping for this blog, but never actually got around to listening to. I cranked it up to 11 and listened, hard. I really, really enjoyed this album. It fit my mood yesterday in a very bluesy, yet not too downtempo kind of way. Its an Americana sound with grungy guitars and piano medley's pushing it forward and vocal harmonies choral harmonies rounding out the sound. Americana, is sort of a catchall word for a fusion  of genres and I hate using those kinds of terms. However, there is really no better way to describe what Indian Princess did here. The album is an amalgamation of blues, folk, rock and roll (not so much country even though that is what people normally think of when using Americana). Bar Songs is easily my favorite song here, it skyrocketed to the upper echelons of my play count over the course of my trip yesterday. It really fit my mood and the lyrics are catchy as hell:

"I've got one, more drink.

 Cause it help's me fall asleep. 

If you ever need anything,

 don't come to me"

Angel is a slow-hand style of guitar playing that builds into a couple organ crescendo's. It's a sweet almost delicate song this isn't a bad thing, it really conveys the emotions behind the song and works. Hot Knight is another slower song, but doesn't have the same frailty that Angel does but it does have some of the best harmonies on the album. The penultimate song Black Hole is a rock and rollish sound, with a crunchy little guitar solo in there. The genres on the album are really all over the place, which is why it really fits best in that lump Americana category. 

Overall this is a really good album to listen to. For those of you leaving the 'Lou today you can pick up this album for free on bandcamp (link at the top of the page), they just ask that you share the tunes with others. However, if you do pay for it, go over ten dollars and you get a poster. It's good driving/flying/listening music. Take the time to check it out. 

From the Indian Princess Facebook Page. Check out the spectral guitarist. 

Also, what's up with two Dora the Explorer pictures in one week? My mind has gone to mush. 

If you want to cross your fingers that I actually get on a plane today, I'd appreciate it. And as always:

Keep Rocking. 

Trinidad Bound!

I am getting the hell out of dodge folks. I am packing up my headphones, my ipod and my guitar and heading to Trinidad for Christmas. For those of you unfamiliar with Trinidad it's here:

It's the one circled in red. Find it?

My family is from Trinidad and we are heading back for the holidays. Naturally, I am very excited to see family friends and oh yeah, instead of snow, I get this:

Maracas Beach.

Many of ya'll might be unfamiliar with soca music, a popular music style in Trinidad. Soca is a blend of calyspo and chutney music originating in Trinidad. The fusion of West Indian music and East Indian percussive themes led to the creation of this genre. I have grown up with this music and look forward to hearing the new music every year. In recent years (recent is subjective) soca has replaced calypso at the forefront of Carnival. Below you will find some of early Soca releases for Carnival 2011. (ignore the overdubbing "island mix/island mix radio" that's just the hosting website). Enjoy the music, I know I will.

Playlist Name: 2011 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO OFFICIAL CARNIVAL SOCA RELEASES

I am going to try and keep the music coming through the holidays, but it might not be everyday. So keep an eye and an ear out for new posts.

Keep Rocking.

Heliotrope - Heliotrope

Artist: Heliotrope
Album: Heliotrope
Genre: Funk/rock/reggae (French?)
Link to the Music: Heliotrope - Heliotrope

Oh happy days! Exams are finally over! Congratulations to everyone!

Finally!

Today's album comes from Montreal and blends funk, reggae and French. I don't understand a word of what they are saying because there is a surprising lack of the term "sac a dos". Which, from my rudimentary understanding of the French language, is the most important word ever taught in French class. 

Dora's magical sac-a-dos and the map.  

My inability to speak the French language aside, this album is still a good listen. It's not the level of funk I was hoping for when I first saw it, its more of a blend of reggae style strumming (short choppy strokes) with rock themes. The mail female duet compliments each other nicely, but I can't shake the feeling that they are constrained by the lack of references to magical backpacks. 

Give it a listen, have a beer and god damn it don't study. 

Keep Rocking. 

Break of Reality - Spectrum of The Sky

Artist: Break of Reality
Album: Spectrum of the Sky
Genre: Cello Rock
Link to the Music: Break of Reality - Spectrum of the Sky

I came across today's album while nonchalantly listening to Pandora. The song Farewell came on while I was on my (almost regular) Emancipator radio station and when I heard it, I stopped working and began to search. This was my first time ever hearing Break of Reality so I was unaware of what defined their musical style; the Emancipator radio station usually plays electronic music so, I assumed that this was a very talented DJ who had mastered sampling stringed instruments. Well, I was wrong. I looked up the band and to my surprise it was a quartet comprised of three cellists and a percussionist.

The group originated in Rochester, New York and has been composing and recording music since 2003 (of the original quartet, only two members remain). at the conclusion of Farewell I immediately visited bandcamp to see if I could listen to the whole album. Unfortunately Break of Reality does not have a bandcamp page.  However, Farewell was that impressive that I had to hear more from this band, so I went YouTube and listened to more of their music:

Spectrum of the Sky

The "link to the music" today is to Amazon where you can either buy the physical album for $13.55 or the MP3 download for $8.99.  This album is certainly worth the nine dollars you can get it for on Amazon. The three cellists are regular virtuoso's.

Moving on. I have never played an instrument from the violin family (my sister did briefly...and poorly) but I was in different band's and orchestras tooting away on my euphonium:

A Euphonium. I was a bad ass.

During my time as a masterful euphonist I heard my fair of orchestral concerts and stringed quartets. However I never heard anyone do with a cello what Break of Reality does on Spectrum of Sky. Whether they are plucking or strumming the strings their sound is flawless. At times, you would swear this was straight up neoclassical music, for instance Comfortable Silence contains classically influenced phrases that are nothing shy of beautiful. Then you hear the drums and rock cello in Che and any thoughts of the 18th century you had disappear. This transition from neoclassical to rock happens frequently for instance Adoniya: 3 Grave is a stunning neoclassical number that leads into Adoniya: 4 Finale, a song where you would swear there was a choppy guitar playing the intro. This album stands as a testament as to why you should make your kid practice their classical instruments, once you get past playing "lightly row" you can make some really cool sounds. With that said, anybody interested in a rocking tuba-euphonium quartet, let me know.

These guys said no when I asked to join. 

I implore you to purchase this album, you won't regret it, but if you hate music and thus decide you don't like it, give it as a gift for the holidays! The "heavy cello thunder" sound is sure to be enjoyed by at least seven of the people on your gift giving list.

Break Of Reality

Thats it for today. To the 1L's, congrats on finishing your first semester, you survived! To the 2L's and 3L's who hate that they put off taking all their exams between Thursday and Friday, it's almost over! and to the rest of you readers:

Keep Rocking.

London Zoo - Brainstorm

Artist: London Zoo (or LDZ)
Album: Brainstorm
Genre: Grime, Hip-hop, London hip-hop
Link to Music: LDZ - Brainstorm

Fair warning, this album gets pretty raunchy.

Keep Rocking.

Daniela & Ben Spector - Love is

 - Love i

Artists: Daniela and Ben Spector
Album: Love is
Genre: Indie love songs
Link to the music: Daniela and Ben Spector - Love is

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