Artist Spotlight: Arms and Sleepers

Ignoring the fact that it's been a month since my last post (and the encouraging feedback that anonymous haters leave) I've decided that today is as good a day as any for a new blog post. I've had material to blog about for quite some time, and just never got around to writing about it. I want to blame it on all the important stuff I'm doing, but I can't because I haven't been doing a lot of important stuff.

Anyway, a good friend of mine who always has something cool to show me introduced me to this new band called 'Arms and Sleepers' and they are quite fantastic. The reason I like them so much is because they are a perfect combination of all kinds of other music I like. When listening to them, you'll hear a little bit of Moby, Radiohead, Sigur Rós, Múm and Mogwai. Their resonating ambience mixed with the epic sounding guitar effects makes their music powerful and beautiful.

But you can't really describe a sound now can you? No, you can't. It's like describing smell to a blind person. IMPOSSIBLE.

Pay no attention to the static album-cover image of this video I am about to show you. It's more the music that I want you to hear.

Hey, who turned out the: Lights

I checked my inbox this morning only to discover about 100 unread messages from Blame it on the Media subscribers and they were all very cross with me about the lack of new posts. Don't believe me? Just check how many angry comments I got on my last post about the Avatar movie! Oh wait, I must have accidentally deleted them all. I swear there were at least 70 something comments! Now you probably all think I'm lying to you. Oh dear, what am I ever going to do to gain back your trust.

I know! I'll ask you to take a leap of faith by telling you to check out a female electro-pop artist! No no no! Don't walk away! She's actually really really good, and I can't believe I haven't told you all about her already! She's not one of those sellouts, creepers, sex symbols, or generally annoying bad musicians! Why am I using so many exclamation points! That should have been a question mark!

Anyway, she calls herself 'Lights' and she makes all her own music and writes all her own lyrics. Her LP entitled 'The Listening' was released this year and ever since hearing her EP last year, this was one of my personally most-anticipated albums of 2009. It didn't disappoint me either! A solid album from start to finish. I generally try to be as critical as possible, but there is nothing about her or her album that I could possibly say anything bad about. She's cute, witty, and talented. She'll win your heart if you give her a chance. As always, I won't just ask you take my word for it. I will include a music video and a live video for your viewing pleasure. No, you know what? Make that two live videos. I'm feeling generous today.

Artist Spotlight: TV on the Radio

I keep forgetting that I can blog about whatever I want to. It doesn't have to be new, or original, or anything of the sort. Hell, I'm still not convinced this gets read half the time, so what the hell do I care what I put up here? This is supposed to be a therapeutic outlet dammit, so I'm going to make it just that.

Sorry, I think someone laced my morning granola bar with PCP and we all know I'm allergic to nuts. Kidding. About the nuts thing.

ANNNYWHO, one of my recent favs in the music world has been this wonderful band called TV on the Radio. I know they've been around for a while, and I had their album 'Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes' sitting in my itunes library for quite some time before I gave it a real honest listen. Even then, I didn't find anything all that great about them. It wasn't until a good friend of mine recommended I pick up a copy of their latest album 'Dear Science' that I really began to dig their sound. Dear Science really began to grow on me, so I started listening to their older stuff and by this time, they had already received mention in several facebook status'. That's how you KNOW a band is good. So late one evening, I was having a Youtube night with me, and I decided that I would see what they were like live just for giggles. I found them preforming their song 'Wolf Like Me' on David Letterman, and was blown away. I officially loved these guys now. After watching, I purchased 'Return to Cookie Mountain' (the album that 'Wolf Like Me' was on) and haven't looked back since.

TV on the Radio remains one of my favorite bands and I hope you will enjoy them as well.

Here is the fateful clip that boosted them into 'favorite' status with me.

The Resistance: Muse's latest musical musings.

One of the greatest modern rock n' roll bands of this era is undoubtedly Muse. Muse blends modern rock with classic symphonies, and new age electronica to create a sound worthy of the label 'progressive rock' because it is most certainly progressive. Muse isn't afraid to explore and experiment and their sound is unique and easily recognizable. An asset to any music snob's library, Muse can rock hard, or play it soft, ripping at your emotions like a riptide, or gently plucking the heart strings. Whatever the case, Muse's music will always be a potent vibe in the ears, and the power trio re-defines the limits of what one band can achieve in their style and sound.

So then WHY is it that I'm not overly impressed with their latest work? I'm not saying it's bad or painful to listen to, but it just didn't deliver the same knock-out punch to the brain as past albums have. At least initially. I've owned the CD for about an hour now, and am on my third listen, and while some elements of a few songs are quite creative, I feel like it's not covering as much new ground as I've come to expect from a Muse CD. So, in the back of my mind, I am a little disappointed. I still think Absolution was their crowning jewel though.

Yeah, it's worth having a copy, because it's Muse and Muse is an awesome band, but the CD doesn't stand by itself. The opening track and first single 'Uprising' is actually a little annoying and isn't a song that I want leading the way into new Muse territory. Also, the closing of the CD is quite weak and after hearing the ending song of Black Holes and Revelations, I've automatically been expecting a killer closing song, which didn't happen with this one.

By the way, if you don't click my hyperlinks, you are missing out on some of the best tidbits of blog, and you're also making me angry.

Oh well. Maybe next album.

Yes Yes Yes: It's Blitz

Time for a little music children! Today I just obtained a copy of 'It's Blitz' by Yeah Yeah Yeahs and I'm already loving it. It's one of those CDs that you can just tell you're really going to enjoy as soon as the first song starts to pick up, then you tilt your head to one side with your mouth open in kind of a half smile and you say to yourself 'Huh, I think I'm going to like this.'

Then the next song plays and you're not disappointed. And the next, and the next. It's a hit ladies and gentlemen. 'It's Blitz' is something you should get a copy of as soon as you can. Seeqpod.com is currently out with Swine Flu, so I'm back to using youtube to show off my muscial musings. 

YEAH YEAH YEAHS - ZERO

Mirror Noir: Creative, Original, Arcade Fire.

Everyone should listen to Arcade Fire, its just that simple. They are a wonderfully creative band and this was confirmed as fact in my mind when I recently ordered their DVD entitled 'Mirror Noir.' It is a wonderfully put together film that pieces together small segments of their whole 'Neon Bible' tour and it is done in a way that is both original and innovative.

When I first put the DVD in and fired up the xbox, I expected what you normal got from a band's DVD. A live show and maybe some interviews and backstage footage and all of that good stuff. Instead, I was greeted with something totally unexpected. The DVD was, instead of just being a live performance, a compilation of many different songs from many different performances, as well as its fair share of backstage footage and other random pieces that all fit together wonderfully. It was more sort of a documentary meets an art film that happens to revolve around a band and that band is Arcade Fire. 

However, even though I really liked, I think it may be one of those things were you already have to like the band in order to appreciate it. My thoughts are that if someone who had no interest in the Arcade Fire would see it as trash. But those people's opinions don't really matter for much of anything so I'm not to concerned what they think. They're probably the same people that put Barack Obama in office. Damn! I'm sorry liberals! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings!

THE VIEWS IN THE THIS BLOG ENTRY DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THOSE AT BLAME IT ON THE MEDIA AND ANYONE WHO TAKES OFFENSE SHOULD GET A QUATER AND CALL SOMEONE WHO CARES.

No thank you Tom Cruise: Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds

See? I told you I had some post ideas stored up in my brain.

This is probably one of the coolest thing I've been introduced to in a good while. Its a musical adaption of War of the World's, and while it is rather old (late 1970's) its still new to me, and its good, which means no matter how old it is, it will remain good. That's what I believe about music. Once good, always good. That doesn't mean I'm always in the mood to listen to it, but its still jolly good.

Okay where was I? Oh yes, Jeff Wayne's musical adaption of War of the Worlds. It isn't a musical in the sense that there are a bunch of really weird people in funny costumes on stage that explode into song and dance at every key moment. That would be odd for WOTW (War of the World's for you slower people) since the story revolves around martians coming down from space and kicking the crap out of humanity. That would make an odd musical. This musical was a touring live performance with an orchestra and a narrator and a few other actors, but like I spent this whole paragraph explaining, it wasn't your typical musical. *sigh* I am going to include a Youtube clip of the show (youtube clip is worth a thousand words) so that will make all of this explaining a lot easier.

Someone here at the office had the 2 Disc set, so I borrowed it and slapped it on the ol' hard drive. It didn't take long before I really enjoyed it. It is much different than just music, and it sort of plays like the soundtrack to a musical. Ugh. This is so hard to explain. Anyway, it goes through the entire book (by H.G. Wells, a master of the written word and way ahead of his time as far as science fiction goes...no pun intended) and the whole thing is very well done.

I say that a lot. 'Well Done.' Its not a steak, but oh well. This youtube clip should help explain things. The CDs are worth checking out too if you can find them. 

Electronic music that sounds pretty sharp: The Knife

My post titles are really starting to get lame, but at least I'm trying to be clever and that's all that really matters right? 

Some of you electronic enthusiasts out there may be already well aware of The Knife and how awesome and inspirational they are when it comes to making kick ass electronic music. The swedish electronic duo consists of siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer. Together they make The Knife and together, they are awesome. 

I bought the album 'Silent Shout' on a whim and didn't know exactly if I liked it or not for the first couple of listens. Each time though, it grew on me at a rapid pace and now here they are on the blog. So if you are any sort of interested in very good electronica, I strongly suggest you check out The Knife and maybe put their CD next to your Spoon CDs and who knows? Maybe a band called 'The Forks' will arise in the near future and then you can have an entire collection of silverware. 

The band has an attitude problem, which makes them even more awesome in my book. Up until recently they never made any public appearances including live shows. They kind of give a big middle finger to all things mainstream and keep to themselves. Yes, its cute and somewhat stereotypical, but we all know its just because they want attention. Well, after listening to the tracks I have graciously provided below, perhaps you will aid in giving this wonderful band the attention they crave. 

Instead of doing lame Youtube clips, I will be using the option to embed seeqpod playlists which we here at Blame it on the Media are very grateful for. 

SeeqPod - Playable Search

Atmosphere: Rap without the 'C'

Rap Music. Some wouldn't call it music at all. Others are under the saddening delusion that is the only kind of music out there and that other styles are boring. Rap is probably the most 'love it or hate it' kind of music next to country. So in short, the first Country-Rap artist is going to have a huge following and also a large amount of people that want to kill him.

All this to say that in my tireless search for new music I ran across a Rap (well, technically Hip-Hop) artist whose music and lyrics I really enjoy. They are called 'Atmosphere' and they're not your typical sex, drugs, and killing policemen rappers. Their music is actually...music. Not some hommies in large headphones that sit at turntables pressing buttons that will blow out your sub-woofers. Lyrically, they sing about the honest truth of the way things are in this world and not about dance floors, getting head, booties, or how many fancy things they own. They bring us back to the roots of rap music, which started in the inner city and dealt with the hardships of inner city life.

But don't take my word for it. If you're feeling adventurous click on the video below. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Meters and Celsius: Metric

Helloooo Cheeeeldren and welcome back to Blame it on the Media, where dreams come true and are then falsified by the whole waking up thing. 

Sorry, rough night.

I just got a hold of a copy of the CD 'Grow up and Blow Away' by Metric. I've heard of/seen/been told of/whatever, I know of their existence but never got curious enough to ACTUALLY look them up, which is sad, considering the speed at which one can own something these days. Anyway, I'm listening to the CD right now, and I have not heard one song I haven't liked. 

So if you're in need of something new to check out and have not checked out Metric, it would do you well to do so. 

I'm not going to leave you hanging. Here are some samples. You're welcome.

I've heard of them: Mates of State

You know those bands that you hear about over and over (and over and over) again but you never make it a point to check them out because you already think you kind of know what they sound like because of all the bands they're associated with? Well I have that problem too, and because of that, I miss out on some really great music. Lucky for all of you Blame it on the Media followers, you have me, the fearless LSDiesel, who makes the voyage into the realms of the unknown, the obscure, and the dangerous to let all of you back at home know what's worth checking out and what is just...crap.

I had a very long and exhausting weekend, and I thought that I would come out on the other side with nothing to show for it. Well, besides a headache and swollen lymph-nodes (don't ask) I was told by a good friend Stephanie to check out this band called Mates of State. LastFM had beaten Stephanie to the punch, but like with all music recommendations, I waited until I heard about them at least a hundred times before I actually decided to go and give them a listen. I need to be less lazy when it comes to exploring new music fronts. In fact, I should probably be less lazy with all things that require only a computer and fingers that are able to type.

I also have a new resolve to let you (the reader(s)) know what you're getting in to before you just take my word for it and run out and buy (or torrent) the music I recommend because I know that my word is at least bronze to most of you. Mates of State has a similar sound to Stars, Eisley, Rilo Kiley, and The New Pornographers so if you enjoy those bands, I think you'll enjoy this one. And please, do us all a favor and at least listen to the thirty second previews on itunes. Don't assume that you know what any band sounds like because you could be missing out on your new favorite.

Thank you Stephanie for the tip.

I like my Cabaret Dark: Amanda Palmer

Every once in a long while, there comes along an artist who sets the bar just a tad higher. Someone who takes things to the next level. In this case, I am talking about the one and only Amanda Palmer from the Dresden Dolls.

Her look, her attitude, and most of all, her music, makes her stand out from the rest of the wannabe dark-cabaret artists out there. There isn't much to be said, and she's one of those artist that you'll either love or hate. You will either think she is artsy, out there, and totally bad-ass or you'll think she's a man trying very hard to be a lesbian. Again, in the interest of not just TELLING people about music, I am going to graciously include a few videos from her CD entitled 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer?'

Also, her web-site is very well done and worth your while to check out.
Click the HYPER LINK! for direct access.

And now....some videos.

Guitar Hero


Leeds United

Thanks again goes to Sydney, for always keeping me hip and trendy.

Metronomy: The study of Metro...or something like that

I'm not generally a fan of Music Videos. Most of them are lame or an obvious attempt for shameless promotion of the band (or the record label, or even the director of the music video) and it really makes me angry sometimes. So when I DO find a good music video, I'm inclined to share it. Not that my opinion is golden, but maybe another precious metal of slightly lesser value. 

In short, this is one of the most original music videos I have seen in quite some time. It's by the band Metronomy and the song is called 'A Thing for me' and while the song isn't mind-blowing, the video is definitely  (20 years old, and I still have to use spell check to spell definitely) worth watching. If not, you get your money back. Just kidding. I'm taking your money and moving to Mexico.

Thanks to my wonderfully beautiful friend Sydney, who is always showing me something cool.

Welcome Back: The Blink 182 Reunion

Ahh, reunions are so lovely. A time for coming together and catching up on the past, a time for sharing personal growth, a time for burying the hatchet, and for the members of Blink 182, a time for bringing the ol' band back together. That's right folks. The Blink 182 hiatus is officially over. The three members of one of the world's most well-known punk rock groups has announced that they have began talking again and hanging out, but more importantly, they're back in the studio making music again!

Okay, so while they're music isn't the most complex or even sophisticated, I think the fellow Blink fans will agree that their music has had a huge influence on that whole music scene. Now, the fans are all eagerly awaiting the return album from the trio.

The official announcement was made at the 51st annual grammy awards. The band came out together on stage for the first time in four years and told the audience that they would be playing music together again and they cannot wait to start recording and touring the world just like old times. Then they handed Coldplay the grammy for the best rock album of 2008. That kind of ruined it for me. Love Coldplay, but seriously? Best Rock album of 2008? I would've picked Kings of Leon over them, but that's just my personal opinion.

Since it's chilly outside: Arcade Fire

Damn it's cold. This morning I was greeted with ice caps on my toes and a -12 on the thermometer. Not the coziest things to start your Friday morning off. Since it is cold, we need some fire. Arcade Fire. Was that a good transition? Perhaps not, but I'll take it and run with it anyway.

I've had this band sitting in my itunes library for the longest time before I actually decided to give them a proper listen. As I recall, I was at a friend of mine's house (that sounds weird) stealing a handful of albums off of his willing hard drive. Many of the artists, I had only heard good things about, so naturally they were drafted to join my army, my 'brothers of band' so to speak. Or write.

About two months ago, I decided that it was time I gave them (Arcade Fire) a fair trial. The first song I fell in love with, and listened to it several times every day. The whole CD (Funeral, not Neon Bible) grew on me right away and is now one of my favorites. Especially after watching their live performances, which are very entertaining. But you know what? You don't have to take my word for it, you can see for yourself because I am a nice enough person to drive all the way out to youtube and come back with some juicy videos. The work's done for you, so their is no excuse not to watch at least the first minute of these videos.

Happy Friday everyone.

Ratatat: No, it's not a pokemon...

Ratatatatataaatraatttaa.

Whenever people see a large amount of the same letters next to each other, the tendency is to ignore everything you ever learned in the educational system regarding pronunciation and sounding out words. People miss-pronounce the name of this band (and the pokemon too. In fact, that's the reason I got out of the whole pokemon thing because of all the dumb-asses who could not read) all the time, which is a shame, because it is band worthy of having it's name said properly. Here I go again, starting a blog post with incoherent gibberish. Well, I suppose it is coherent, but it's pointless rambling for sure.

-TAKE TWO-

Hi, my name is [original post contained real name; removed at author's request] and I'm here to blog about this sweet band called Ratatat.

-TAKE THREE-

Okay, so to make this as short as possible I'm just going to put it all into one GIANT word. IdownloadedabandcalledratatatalongtimeagoandthoughttheyweregoodbutnotamazingthenIdownloadedsomemoreoftheirworkandlikeditawholelotmorethantheCDIdownloadedinitially.

OLD: but hey, I like it, Beirut

Okay, so after having been recently informed that my blogs are read, I decided that I should probably post more. Don't blame me if I don't, I am only human and have apathetic tendencies. Oh, I also procrastinate a lot, but I'll go into that some other time ;)

Anyway, I have re-discovered a band that I had in my itunes and I thought I should blog about them. The band is called Beirut and for those of you who already know about them, you already know how unique their sound is. It kind of sounds like the spanish armada is serenading you. LastFM describes them as "an entire Balkan orchestra playing modern songs as mournful ballads and upbeat marches.."

I will admit, I first found them annoying, and I still think that I could only listen to them in certain moods. But they are definitely worth checking out for yourself. 

BAND ALERT: Alessi's Ark

Blogging is a lot like flossing. When you first decide that it's a good idea, you do it compulsively. For a week. Pretty soon you get bored and it just get to be a hassle. Okay bad metaphor. It breaks down....never mind. What I'm saying is that flossing is more important than blogging.

I'm always on the hunt for music, and when I come across something I like, I can't shut my trap about it. Here is a band from London (but we all know nothing good ever comes from there...) called Alessi's ark. The only available music they have for us to listen in the US is scattered on random sites all across the interweb. So in order to share them properly, I thought I'd upload the video right here on muh blog. Aren't you grateful? Who am I kidding, no one really reads this anyway.

Remember to floss tonight.

Somebody told me: The Killers New CD

Fan of the killers? So am I, which is why I'm pretty excited that they're CD day and Age came out today. Haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, but the time will be here soon seeing as it's downloading as I'm writing this. 

I've always been a fan of the killers. Not my favorite band, but always a band I could listen to and not get bored of. Both of their CDs thus far I've been able to listen to all the way through with doing much of the, "Ugh, SKIP!" going on. Even though "Sam's town" took me a little longer to get used to then "Hot Fuss" it still got up their on the favorites list, and I hope that "Day and Age" won't be all that different. According to Brandon Flowers (Lead singer and frontman of the band) says that this CD will be more like a "continuation of Sam's town." If that's true, then I think "Day and Age" and I are going to be great friends. 

UPDATE: Just started listening and I think I like where it's going. It's one of those things where you're more surprised than anything, and you're not quite sure if you like it or not yet. Although, the more it keeps playing, the more I think that I'm going to be a fan. I'll probably be listening to this and Dido's new CD all week. 

Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, Tomorrow: The World

Probably the best band I've ever heard named after an assasinated archduke, Franz Ferdinand is yet again, ready to dazzle their fans with a brand new LP entitled, "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand."

I have always enjoyed Franz right from the start. Their music is what I'd say to be the epidemy of the brit-pop genre, and on this record, they're taking it to the next level. The flamboyant (but not gay) frontman Alex Kapranos says that this album will have a "streak of electronica" as well as "...the heavy bass and space echo you would find on a dub mix," whatever the hell that means.

The first single (also the first track on the album) is to be the song "Ulysses" and will be available on the 19th of January. The rest of the album will be released in full on the 26th of January in the UK, and the following day here in the US. I don't know about you guys, but I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of new things we can excpect from such a talented group of individuals. Cheers to you, Franz Ferdinand.