You Need This in Your Ears

The idea to share music with the world via this blog has been a tiny ember for a long time. I am finally taking the time to sit down and share all the amazing sounds from artists and creators from every point on the music spectrum. My taste varies...

[okcmusicblogger]

Weaves - Coo Coo

The first notes of this weird, fun, tune-yards-esque frolic through sonic fields immediately lit up my insides.  It’s what i would imagine sunlight sounds like. Weird? Yes. True? Yes. 

The foursome from Toronto just recently burst onto the scene and caught my attention during an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. They are rapidly gaining steam with a mass of European stops and festival appearances behind them.  To try and fit the sound of Weaves into a box would be a near-impossible feat.  if you can, I will gladly buy you tickets to their next show...but not really...I’m poor.  Their EP, Weaves, can be found at their bandcamp site: http://weaves.bandcamp.com/

I am very excited to see what the universe has in store for these  Coo Coo Canucks.  It has been quite some time since a group has piqued my interest so much.. There’s no one particular aspect of their sound that i could say stands out more than others; I think it’s simply their way of melding together sounds and feelings and riffs and rhythms in such a way that one feels all the feelings associated with each sound at the exact same time. Listen to this song and try not to smile. I dare you.

[okcmusicblogger]

Left Alone - blink-182

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Blink-182′s latest effort, California, is different for a lot of reasons.  It’s a Blink 182 without Tom DeLonge who, in my opinion, gave them a sound that helped them stand out in a what was once a massive pool of pop-punk acts.  It’s a Blink with almost 20 years of music under its belt.  It’s a Blink with a new guitarist and a new set of vocal chords.  This album, unlike the albums before, has had to grow on me.  On the first listen, i was almost disappointed.  I missed Tom’s signature tone and those riffs only Blink cared to dabble with. While i enjoy it now, this version of Blink-182 seems calculated and much more cautious. “Left Alone”, to me, is the best representation of these guys showing their growth and adaptation as a band, as well as their desire to stay true to where they came from and the feelings that drove them to write music in the first place.  This song is powerful; not just musically, but what the lyrics bring.  Yes, they are simple, punk lyrics, but they carry a weight that only simple words can. 

[okcmusicblogger]

One. Last. Shot.

So, i am going to give this thing one final shot.  Tumblr reminded me last week that i have been trying to do this thing for about five years.  I have been experiencing alot of life in the last few years and i think this will finally be my sole outlet for expression.  So, if you want to be moved to, hopefully, tears by the power of sound. follow me. listen with me. love with me. lets go.

[okcmusicblogger]

Great Find! from the LP "Hazel" on Gold Robot Records, June 11, 2013. Pre-order link: http://goldrobotrecords.bigcartel.com/product/young-hunting-hazel-12

[okcmusicblogger]

Update!

To anyone who actually follows:

i promise to be better with these!! life has been getting in the ay and i refuse to let it! starting next week, i will be posting new shit every monday wednesday and friday. and any other time something comes to me. there will be a steady flow of music to your brains very soon. don't you worry.

[okcmusicblogger]

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Netflix and I have been in a battle for the last few days and it refuses to let me progress in my efforts to watch every episode of Parks and Recreation... So today, I randomly selected a track off, Vampire Weekend's latest effort, Modern Vampires of the City, which is set to be released next week.  The song I chose was 'Hannah Hunt'.  Right off the bat, it reminds me of the slow jams on records past,(i.e. 'kids don't stand a chance', 'I think ur a contra'). It opens with some ambient noises that sound like they've been looped and reversed. Those sounds are layered over with a nice little drum beat.  That melts into some piano chords, which are quickly taken over by  Monsieur Koenig's signature murmur; "The gardener told me some plants move, but i could not believe it". (Although I have never seen or read The Secret Garden, I feel like this would be somewhere in the intro to that, too.  I could be completely off base but I thought I'd put that in here).  It seems to me that Ezra is telling the story of some kind of mystical, magical, roadtrip with the woman for whom the song is named.  I won't spoil it for anyone.  Just have a listen and, if you want, tell me what you think it's about.

[okcmusicblogger]

Chance The Rapper - Juice (Official Video)

So, I have been meaning to get back to this for over a year now.  Somehow I conveniently found other things to do besides sit down and write a review!  I have been consuming so much and I apologize for being completely selfish and not sharing it with the internet. today I ask for redemption with a gem of a track from (in my opinion) one of the most original and interesting rappers out right now: Chance the Rapper.  The track that has been all in my ear holes  is 'Juice'. It has a real old school funk vibe, complete with the old scratchy record effect at the open. It almost reminds me of those Sundays in Florida at my aunt's church.  Every song pretty much sounded like this.  I hated every moment of being at my aunt's church; every moment except the music. i could be half asleep in the pews but as soon as those drums hit and the organ came up, i was back.  The beat isn't too complex, but it's just so infectious and will definitely induce some head nods.  I've even caught myself participating in the call-and-and-response that is the chorus. The video isn't half bad either...get it in your ears! JUICE!

[okcmusicblogger]

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G-Eazy is at it again with his new track, Marilyn featuring an angel-voiced young artist named Dominique Lejeune.  This track has the trademark 50's infused sample with absolutely flawless lyricism on G's part.  I get giddy anytime i see a new G track out because i always know it's going to be something that burrows a hole in my head and decides to stay awhile.This gem is no different. Listen and enjoy!

[okcmusicblogger]

So, the dubstep mastermind better known as Skrillex has released the video for his rage-inducing track, Bangarang.  I really enjoyed this one almost as much as i liked First of The Year.  But i won't go into too much detail about it.  All i'll say is that it makes me want ice cream.  So watch it, love it, and rage to it! SHOUTS TO ALL MY LOST BOYS!

[okcmusicblogger]

Childish Gambino premiered the video for Heartbeat yesterday.  Not sure how i feel about this (or the video for bonfire, for that matter) but it's always interesting to see how he lays a video over his music. Honestly, i didnt know what to expect from it, which is how i think everyone should approach these and his future videos.  It may take a few more watches for me to formulate a real opinion.

[okcmusicblogger]

Pearl and the Beard.

 What do And and and, Paper Machete, Battlesnakes all have in common? Well, I'll tell you! They are just a few of the names that hit the trash can before Jeremy Styles, Emily Hope Price and Jocelyn Mackenzie decided on the moniker, Pearl and the Beard.

      "The name came from from a series of words we liked together," said Styles, who plays guitar and lends his vocal chords as well.

     Whatever name they had chosen, there'd be no mistaking their sound, which the band has affectionately dubbed "mixtape folk".  This new "genre" fits their style perfectly, as their sound takes little bits and pieces from other genres and through some kind of transmorphication, signature sound is born.  I have yet to find an artist or group that i can compare these three to, and that's totally fine with me.  The first song I listened to from this magnificently talented trio was  The Lament of Coronado Brown, which to me sounds like a tribute to someone who has no idea of our tragic hero, Coronado's affection for them. The opening lyrics are "they dont know that I love you"  

     The creative process that spawns gems like this isn't exactly formulaic for PatB.  It comes from everyday experiences and sounds.

According to Styles, it "happens literally any minute, like a unicorn that stumbles into a room."

     If only everything else in life were that easy! We'd all have dinosaurs and an endless supply of chicken nuggets! But i guess that only applies to me. I like dinosaurs.

     PatB seems to be gaining a very loyal, strong fan base literally as we speak. They went on a very successful tour back in November and will be opening for Ani Difranco on 3 of her upcoming tour dates.  Although their shows have been sadly confined to the Nor'eastern and southern parts of our motherland, I have faith they'll make it to Sooner country in the near future.  When asked about their Westward expansion, Mr. Styles had this to say:

"We are trying to extend the dark hand of PatB across this fine country and all over the world but have been doing it slowly, and i hope smartly, so that each city we really connect and expand our audience organically.  Like a filthy hippy farmer." 

Hopefully that hippy farmer's eco-friendly tractor makes it to Oklahoma before it runs out of vegetable oil.

[okcmusicblogger]

I.O.U-Great, Love. Humans...

Today on this marvelously lazy Thanksgiving day, i bring to you a hip hop duo that completely annihilates the barriers of what hip-hop music should be.  I.O.U's most recent mixtape Love, Great. Humans... is a complete hodge-podge of sounds. The track that snagged me was "Angels"; it opens up like a typical Jason Mraz girl-pleaser, but then the flow comes in and takes the whole song to another level.  They've successfully melded genres together in a way that just...works. i dont know how else to explain it. I've said before that when i hear something that really excites me, i burst into a hyena-like cackle. The track on its own is amazing, but the entire mixtape is dirtygood. I would reccommend you take a listen!

I.O.U. - Lo<3,Great.Humans... by Thissongissick.com

[okcmusicblogger]

NPR has Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino's debut album CAMP available for us to preview before it drops next tuesday.  At this moment, I am completely floored.  He is just too sick.  So far my favorite tracks are "letter home" and "backpackers".  Get over to the NPR site and listen for yourself!

[okcmusicblogger]

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  God it feels great to be posting again.  I was getting really depressed not being able to find and share music with the tumblr masses. Today I've got some Deep South magic for your soul.  Delta Rae has been touring around for a couple years, infecting ears with their unique sound of what i can only describe a gospel-infused pop.  Their latest single "Bottom of the River" literally made me cry.  I  think the thing that draws me to Southern gospel is the fact that it comes straight from the soul; it comes from hardship, pain,struggle..life!  This song in particular is not musically complex; its got some heavy drums and a little piano.  Other than that its just the huge voices of siblings Ian, Eric, and Brittany Holljes and their childhood friend Elizabeth Hopkins.  Give this song a listen and enjoy it for what it is,  a good, ole' fashion Deep South gem.

[okcmusicblogger]

I'M Baaaaaack!!

well, i decided to take the plunge into the world of credit cards in order to expedite the return of my baby...she looks better than ever and i will never even SNEEZE close to her. liquid will never EVER touch my macbook again. expect posts this weekend. i have been out of the music sniffing game for nearly a month and it has been miserable. but i am back and it feels so good. also, does anyone have lion on their mac? if so how is it? i am thinking about putting it on here

[okcmusicblogger]

Hiatus

I will be on at least 3 month hiatus, as my macbook pro has drowned. i am currently saving money to get it fixed. The repair will cost me approximately 1240 dollhairs. sooooo yeah, i'll be posting little to none since my old computer isnt nearly as fast as my mac and may or may not have alzheimer's. so until december, tumblr...i miss you already.

jgoff

[okcmusicblogger]

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So Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino decided to make us salivate even harder for his new album Camp, by releasing a full version of his first single, 'Bonfire'.  This track is pure genius.  With a beat that only his mind could conjure up, and wordplay that literally makes my arm hairs stand on end...e.g "my dick is like an accent mark/ it's all about the over e's'"   I'm not sure how he finds time to do this, community, and work on films, but my hat is off to you, Mr. Glover.  You give all us nerdy black kids hope.  Kill 'em!