Sunday, May 31, 2009

7. BON IVER : For Emma...


Genre: Indie Folk | Rating: 9.4 Stars

It's hard to believe that For Emma, Forever Ago is the work of one man. With a bit of research, I found out that when Justin Vernon's old band split he hauled himself to his dad's hunting cabin in the woods of Wisconsin for the coldest season and worked through his issues in musical form. Bon Iver comes from the French translation "bon hiver" meaning "good winter".


Upon hearing "Skinny Love", probably the most accessible song on "For Emma, Forever Ago", it was running through my head the rest of the week as I played it over and over again. It is inexplicably breathtaking a song. This should in no way denigrate or malign the rest of the album, which packs a surprising bunch. A few people, including my dad whom I asked to give a listen to give his review and he categorized it as "background music". It would be easy to just treat "For Emma..." as one, but a careful listen reveals layers of melody overlaid by Justin Vernon's impressive vocals.

"The Wolves (Act I and II)" starts off slowly but builds into a powerful message at the album's core.

The title track "For Emma" further embellishes on what might have been lost with a mixture of trumpet and strained guitar. The crooning of "Creature Fear" builds into the wonderfully moody instrumental "Team".

"Re: Stacks" rate as one of if not the most emotional songs of 2008. And this is an understatement. The guitar strumming is basic, but the vocal embellishment and understated sadness in Vernon's voice is unmistakable. Very good song.

I'm afraid to listen to this record too much as I don't ever want it's brilliance to dim. Best thing I've heard in quite a while. Let's see, Feist and Cat Power were the last artists that moved me like this, not that Bon Iver is anything like that and he'll probably never be over played in trendy boutique, but there's something so deep and soulful in the whisperings on this record. Mostly it's quiet, mostly it's chillingly beautiful.

I highly recommend this album--it's subtle tones on first listen grow into sheer brilliance.

Tracklist (All tracks are A+) and Downloads


Flume
Lump Sum
Skinny Love
The Wolves (Act i and ii)
Blindsided
Creature Fear
Team
For Emma
Re: Stacks


DOWNLOAD ALBUM (Recommended)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

WEEKLIES: "Feel For It"


Credit [ Image: Leenah] [Poetry: SorryI8YerCat]

Tuesday Afternoon
hold an umbrella
close to your chest
feel for your pulse
pray for sweet rain
tap the left toe
of your yellow
galoshes

PLAYLIST:

Katie Melua - Nine Million Bicycles
Amos Lee feat. Norah Jones - Colors
Blue October - 18th Floor Balcony
The Dixie Chicks - Lullaby
She & Him - I Thought I Saw Your Face Today
The Midway State - Nobody Understands
Nina Gordon - Tonight



The title says it all.

I AM BACK! :)

After half a year of tremendously daunting tasks (with college) and many  sacrifices, I made up my mind and cut myself some slack. This is my one and only extension where I can freely express myself and not follow very tight and rigid constraints I am enveloped, almost everyday.  So, here I am -- and there you are!

To officially "baptize" the resurrection of this blog (Who would've thought?) and my return to blogging, I'm adding 4 new major categories in my blog which is the:

TBT* MP3 Master List
ALBUM WATCH
EBOOK Library
Site Of The Week

Forgive my eagerness, but I am really ecstatic for this new category! I won't have that much time as I would've hoped (with all the duties at the hospital and doing college) but I really want to make this work, one way or the other.

So I have come to a conclusion and a resolution: 



The usual menu of the recent music released daily will not be posted in Thieves By Tuesday*.
Instead, you will catch more of a weekly, or if worse comes worse, monthly music posts to tempt your music and reader's palate. I really keep myself from making promises I wont keep so I'll try my best to update these 4 new categories. It'll be fully functional by this month or a few weeks later.

Now, the groundwork on these new categories:

On TBT* MP3 Master List

The list is still on the works and is still not complete because of:
a.) Crappy Internet connection
b.) Lack of time to upload and post the mp3's and
c.) By some twist of fate, the pc just completely got neurotic and deleted all my files (including my mp3's).

Really, this day should be all about mourning, but I'd like to look at the brighter sense of things...!
I've got all this free space in my pc's memory,  and uhm,  that's about it. (laughs)
So, right now, I'll be posting the past few years' best tracks, and other sensible music released by mostly mainstream and indie artists a lot of us have come to love.

On ALBUM WATCH and EBOOK Library

I've already posted a few good albums and I'm still looking for really good ones which I can add to this list. I welcome requests in Album Watch and Ebook Library. Most ebooks, though, will be posted for a limited time only because of the copyright problems we might be dealing with. We can go crazy with album watch though, so if you want to recommend anything, then feel free to do so. 

On Site Of The Week

I really love this part! So here, I also welcome suggestions on any site you come across with that is worth mentioning and be heard of! It can be anything, from TV to music, to random fandom sites. Whatever you can get your hands on to! As long as its fun (a must), porn-free and legal, of course.

With all that said, I end this post.
The comment section is below, you know what to do with it.

: Our Favorite Artists and Their Favorite Love Songs


I don't have a lot to say about this album compilation from Starbucks but AMAZING! There is an eclectic mix of genres from country to techno and these noteworthy artists did justice to their favorite love songs. Most if not all versions of the originals are acoustic and listening to these tracks just give any venue a coffeehouse vibe (pun intended). Audio quality is great, so nothing to worry about. Get a taste of the best tracks from the album (the one in bold).

*You can download the tracks individually or download the full album below. I will upload a ZIP file soon! 

Tracklist:

01 Death Cab for Cutie: “Love Song” (Cure cover) 
02 Katy Perry: “Black and Gold” (Sam Sparro cover)
03 DeVotchKa: “Hot Burrito #1 (I’m Your Toy)” (Flying Burrito Brothers cover)
04 Department of Eagles: “Love Me” (Elvis Presley cover)
05 Jessica Lea Mayfield: “Words of Love” (Buddy Holly cover)
06 Ben Bridwell: “Your Love Is Forever” (George Harrison cover)
07 Kate Tucker: “I’m on Fire” (Bruce Springsteen cover)
08 Rogue Wave: “Maps” (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)
09 A.C. Newman: “Take on Me” (A-ha cover)
10 Jem: “Yellow” (Coldplay cover)
11 Richard Hawley: “Early Morning Rain”  (Gordon Lightfoot cover)
12 Daniel Martin Moore: “I Hear Music” (Billie Holiday cover) 
13 She and  Him: “I Put a Spell on You” (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cover)
14 Lila Downs: “My One and Only Love” (Frank Sinatra cover)

DOWNLOAD FULL ALBUM
(RAR file)


* A shout out of thanks and appreciation to loyal TBT* follower Chloe. People like you are the main reason why bloggers like me try to make the best out of the free time that we have and post music that all of you deserve to hear. Thank you so much. :)

Sunday, May 24, 2009

5. NIRVANA - Nevermind


TRACKLIST

1 Smells Like Teen Spirit .......... 5 stars
2 In Bloom  .............................. 5 stars
3 Come as You Are ................. 5 stars
4 Breed...................................  4.5 stars
5 Lithium ................................. 5 stars
6 Polly ..................................... 5 stars
7 Territorial Pissings ................. 4 stars
8 Drain You ............................. 4.5 stars
9 Lounge Act ...........................  4.5 stars
10 Stay Away ........................... 4.5 stars
11 On a Plain ............................ 4 stars
12 Something in the Way ........... 5 stars

Track rating Result: 4.7 stars

Favourite track(s) are:
Smells Like Teen Spirit, In Bloom, Come as You Are, Lithium, Something in the Way.

Genre: Grunge , Alternative pop/ rock

Although I did happen to love this song, I would prefer we don't focus on Smells Like Teen Spirit. There are a few things that irk me about this album and that happens to be one of them. It's too popular for all the wrong reasons. It's popular because of an anti-commercialism leaning. 

In Bloom is a song that satirizes Nirvana's (at the time) growing fanbase and possibly launches an attack against the leader of the band Earth (as told to me by my dear cousin Kuya Jad), who was a close associate of Kurt's. If it weren't for him, Kurt wouldn't have gotten his hands on a shotgun and Nirvana would have turned into Pearl Jam by now. Honestly!

Come As You are is an obvious highlight for most people, definitely one of my favorites, and Breed is a fast rocker type of heavy metal. Hell, pretty much everything is good here... I take issues with Polly and the aforementioned Smelling Teen Spirits... but that's about it. All in all a fine record!


To Download:

Thursday, May 21, 2009

4. LYKKE LI - Youth Novels



Okay, this is album number 4 for all of you following and this one is one of my favorites.

I have written many times before on Swede artist Lykke Li (and I am now informed, pronounced “Lu-key Loo”) and at that time she was just finishing up her debut album “Youth Novels”. So, the web-hit “Little Bit” sounded fantastic, delicate and funky, but I had a few doubt that her album would not reach that far.

After a listen of the whole album (just last week) I was fairly convinced that “Little Bit,” although a highlight, was not the end of it, by far. What struck me at first was her courage in being immensely courageous in the use of different sounds and instruments as well as conventional ones. It’s almost a hybrid between something dainty and sweet. Tracks like “Complaint Department” have a grungy edge, in the music as well as her vocals, whereas “Little Bit” covers the delicate love-pop area.

I like the fact too that the album was also in a progression mode (or whatever should it appropriately be called). Not many artists bother themselves with this but I love that Lykke Li used this aspect to further push up the quality of her album, not only her tracks.

If you think the sweet little voice will annoy you, becoming old and boring after just a few tracks with the same style, Lykke is obviously capable of utilizing her voice in dynamic fashions. This album is a surefire catch to any music aficionado.

Tracklist and Download


Melodies and Desires 3:52
Dance, Dance, Dance 3:41
I'm Good, I'm Gone 3:09
Let It Fall 2:42
My Love 4:36
Tonight 4:13
Little Bit 4:33
Hanging High 4:07
This Trumpet In My Head 1:42
Complaint Department 4:32
Breaking It Up 3:40
Everybody But Me 3:18
Time Flies 3:21
Window Blues 3:59

DOWNLOAD ALBUM


(Thanks are highly appreciated!)



A big part of the success of this decade's TV show's come from the praise-worthy timing and befitting if not ironic songs that carry one of the best moments of the season / series.
One of the best TV shows on primetime today showcasing the best unique songs in the music industry, giving more texture and feel to dramatic and riveting scenes that characterize the TV show. Season 3 was one of the best seasons of Grey's Anatomy in my opinion, hence, the feature.

Introducing the songs from episode 1 to 25 ...
Individual links will be put up soon!
Any requests and complaints can be sent in the comments section.
Thank You's and Comments are greatly appreciated!
Enjoy!

Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 1 - 3 
DOWNLOAD 

Sleeping At Last - Quicksand
Emiliana Torrini - Nothing Brings Me Down
Gnarls Barkley - Gone Daddy Gone
Grant Lee Phillips - Under The Milky Way
Moloko - The Time Is Now
Mat Kearney - Crashing Down
The Chalets - Theme From The Chalets
Bittersweet - The Mating Game
Snow Patrol - Open Your Eyes
Mat Kearney - All I Need
Outkast - Idlewild Blues
Lilly Allen - Take What You Take
The Pipettes - Dirty Mind
The Bamboos - Step It Up
The Poems - Ballad Of A Bitter End
Joe Purdy - Can't Get It Right Today

MORE EPISODES


Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 4 - 6
DOWNLOAD 

Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill
The Gossip - Standing In The Way Of Control
Au Revoir Simone - Back In Time
Kate Havnevik - So-Lo
Tv On The Radio - Province
/Mindy Smith - Fall For Nothing
Nellie Mckay - Clonie
Kate Havnevik - Kaleidoscope
The Second Band - Wild Is The Wind
Fionn Regan - Be Good Or Be Gone
Keisha White - Don't Mistake Me
Teddy Bears - Cobrastyle
Jim Noir - My Patch
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks
Gomez - Notice
Vega 4 - Life Is Beautiful




Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 7 - 9 Songs
DOWNLOAD 

Beck - Think I'm In Love
Jim Noir - Tell Me What To Do
Luke Temple - Make Right With You
The Jealous Girlfriends - Something In The Water
Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys - It's Time
Brett Dennen - There Is So Much More
Bedouin Soundclash - 1259 Lullaby
Bill Ricchini - A Cold Wind Will Blow Through Your Door
Lily Allen - Not Big
Get Set Go - Everybody Get Movin'
The Watson Twins - Time Of My Life
Mat Kearney - Where We Gonna Go From Here
Ingrid Michaelson – Breakable
Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey) - God Bless The Child
The Dears - You And I Are A Gang Of Losers
Damien Rice - 9 Crimes
Kate Havnevik - New Day

Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 10 - 12
DOWNLOAD 

Anya Marina – Sociopath
John Legend - Show Me
Son Volt - World Waits For You
The Research - Lonely Hearts Still Beat The Same
William Fitzsimmons - Passion Play
Michelle Featherstone - Rest Of My Life
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Ok Go - Here It Goes Again
Regina Spektor – Fidelity
Ingrid Michaelson - The Way That I Am
Susanna & The Magical Orchestra - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Gary Jules - Falling Awake
The Slip - Life In Disguise

Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 13 - 15 
DOWNLOAD 

Lily Frost – Enchantment
Umbrellas – Ships
Skye - Love Show
Sybarite Feat. Psapp – Runaway
Beck - Elevator Music
Miho Hatori – Barracuda
Iain Archer - Canal Song
Susanna & The Magical Orchestra – Believer
The Whitest Boy Alive – Fireworks
Radio Citizen - The Hop
Union Of Knives - Opposite Direction
8Mm – Liar
Snow Patrol - Make This Go On Forever

Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 16 - 18
DOWNLOAD 

Butterfly Boucher - A Bitter Song
Kate Havnevik – Timeless
Patrick Watson - The Great Escape
Aqualung - The Lake
Damien Rice - Sleep Don't Weep
Unkle Bob – Swans
Koop - Come To Me
Gomez – Girlshapedlovedrug
Psapp – Hi
Wild Sweet Orange - Land Of No Return
Anya Marina - Move You



Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 13 - 15 
DOWNLOAD 

Lily Frost – Enchantment
Umbrellas – Ships
Skye - Love Show
Sybarite Feat. Psapp – Runaway
Beck - Elevator Music
Miho Hatori – Barracuda
Iain Archer - Canal Song
Susanna & The Magical Orchestra – Believer
The Whitest Boy Alive – Fireworks
Radio Citizen - The Hop
Union Of Knives - Opposite Direction
8Mm – Liar
Snow Patrol - Make This Go On Forever
Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 16 - 18
DOWNLOAD 

Butterfly Boucher - A Bitter Song
Kate Havnevik – Timeless
Patrick Watson - The Great Escape
Aqualung - The Lake
Damien Rice - Sleep Don't Weep
Unkle Bob – Swans
Koop - Come To Me
Gomez – Girlshapedlovedrug
Psapp – Hi
Wild Sweet Orange - Land Of No Return
Anya Marina - Move You



Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 19 - 21
DOWNLOAD 

Mirah - La Familia
Alamo Race Track - Black Cat John Brown
Adam Merrin - Still Alright
Lets Go Sailing - All I Want From You Is Love
Lets Go Sailing – Sideways
Amy Winehouse - You Know Im No Good
The Whitest Boy Alive – Burning
Nouvelle Vague - Dancing With Myself
Maria Taylor - Clean Getaway
Lullaby Baxter - Fontana Fontaine
Maria Taylor - A Good Start
The Reddmen - The Secrets of Amanda Prine

Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 22 - 23
DOWNLOAD

Feist - Sea Lion (Chromeo Remix)
The Mary Onettes - Lost
The Broken West - Down In The Valley
The Switches - Message From Yuz
The Rosewood Thieves - Los Angeles
Jem - California sun
The Adored - Not Having It
Brandi Carlile - Turpentine
A.B. O'Neill - California
Psapp - Attention Tokyo (Leaving In Coffins mix)
Tim Myers - Momma's Boy
Candi Staton - You Don't Have Far To Go
Kate Walsh - Your Song
Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Ain't Nothing Wrong With That
Lay Low - Mojo Love
Bloc Party - SRXT

Grey's Anatomy - S3 - Episode 24 - 25
DOWNLOAD (UPLOADED SOON)

Let's Go Sailing - This Rope Is Long
Amy Winehouse - Wake Up Alone
Ingrid Michealson - Corner Of Your Heart
The Weather Machines - Stains Of Saints
Paolo Nutini - Million Faces
The Jealous Girlfriends - Roboxulla
Grace Potter And The Nocturnals - Falling Or Flying
Ray Lamontagne - Hold You In My Arms
Coburn - Closer
Ray Lamontagne - Within You
The Hereafter - Eulogy
The Mary Onettes - Explosions
Ingrid Michaelson - Keep Breathing


Other than being nominated for 2005's Oscars, this period film also boasts of a very interesting and wonderfully crafted soundtrack with performances from musicians Jean Yves Thibaudet and Dario Marianelli no less. This OST's tracks will bring you to blissful heights after a few listen sessions.


Top Tracks:  
Georgiana
Liz On Top of The World
Darcy's Letter




1 Dawn 03:40
2 Stars And Butterflies 03:01
3 The Living Sculptures Of Pemberly 04:03
4 Meryton Townhall 02:14
5 The Militia Marches In 01:57
6 Georgiana 02:38
7 Arrival At Netherfield 02:42
8 A Postcard To Henry Purcell 03:41
9 Liz On Top Of The World 02:24
10 Leaving Netherfield 02:43
11 Another Dance 02:15
12 The Secret Life Of Daydreams 02:56
13 Darcy's Letter 04:59
14 Can't Slow Down 02:11
15 Your Hands Are Cold 06:25
16 Mrs. Darcy 04:47
17 Credits 05:47

***Sorry for the long absence. I'll still be updating this blog but only every other day once a week though. I know there are MORE AWESOME blogs you can check out (like PMA, POPSENSE, DISCODUST, Pigeons and Planes, Sheena Beaston, FluxBlog, Hypefactor and others. In the meantime, give me this chance to share to the music aficionados good music from one of the better albums released in the recent decade. :)



Top Tracks: Life In Technicolor, Lost! and Lovers In Japan

1 Life in Technicolor 2:31
2 Cemeteries of London 3:20
3 Lost! 3:54
4 42 3:57
5 Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love 6:50
6 Yes / Chinese Sleep Chant 7:06
7 Viva la Vida 4:04
8 Violet Hill 3:49
9 Strawberry Swing 4:09
10 Death and All His Friends / The Escapist 6:18
11 Lost! (Acoustic Version) 3:39
12 Lovers In Japan (Acoustic Version) 3:48
13 A Spell A Rebel Yell (B-Side) 2:40