I heard a program on WKNC that is mostly a music appreciation show — last week’s episode was The Beach Boys. The guest on the show was explaining how much of an effort this one song required, being recorded separately across multiple locations and seventeen sessions. At it’s time it was the most amount of money spent on a single, totaling more than $50,000. The vibration phrase alludes to an explanation that Wilson’s mother gave him about dogs being able to feel the vibrations that people give off. The song ended up being pieced together from the separate recordings and became the Beach Boys third number one single. It’s interesting getting a more historical perspective on some of the music which I had an ingenuous liking of.

Source: http://musicforants.com/blog/?p=4085

Since our comments have gone quiescent I figured I’d spice things up with a less agreeable musician. This is Joanne Newsome’s third album and is an epic two hours long. Even if you find her voice intolerable, the depth and development of each piece is really quite impressive. Unfortunately the NPR stream is over but if you get a chance to listen to it I recommend it, if only for edification.

Source: http://tsururadio.com/

Freelance Whales released this album (their first to my knowledge) in late December last year. They’re from Williamsburg in NYC which I’ve been to once but would like to check out more. I’m a sucker for good chord progressions but I also think the arrangement in this blends the various parts in a compelling way, especially the layered voices.

Source: http://jp917.blogspot.com/

Eluvium is the name given to Matthew Cooper’s one man show. He is based in Portland Oregon and has done a few ambient records dating back to 2003 but this is the first featuring voice. It’s a style that many won’t find compelling but for a reason I can’t define I find this music engaging.

Source: http://saladdaysmusic.net/?p=4098

I have a frustrating experience with Son Lux, a pianist who just released his second EP. I’ve posted him before here but almost without fail his songs make me want something more. He has parts in all of his songs that floor me, but have the unfortunate effect of building up my hopes. This song is a good example where the first 20 secs build up my expectations and he certainly develops the song but it never reaches the point where I feel satisfied. Another good example is this piece which blows me away, but makes me wish he’d continue with that style and develop the piece rather than reiterating on the same theme for six remixed songs (which is what the EP is).

Sorry for the no post yesterday. A rule of thumb is if it’s a holiday, even a lame one like Presidents’ day, then Rock and Rowe is also on vacation — usually in some virtual land far away like Azeroth or in today’s case Omega 4. I’m coming back with an old song that adequately expresses my inner nerd. This was intended to be a back up song, and with it being 3:20 in the morning and me having no clue what to post it meets fits that category. That being said I think it will also be a fitting song for my day at work in t minus 5 hours as well so I feel pretty good about my selection.

Source:

Efterklang is a Danish indie rock group that has been a while but is getting some decent blog coverage for their album that is being released on the 23rd this month. On a scale of bored | interested | excited, I’m interested.



Source: http://umstrum.com/2010/02/08/efterklang/

This is a band from Portland Oregon that I posted once last year but I want to revisit them after hearing this on 88.1. This song won’t be up too long so subscribe to the podcast if you want to listen to it in the future. I like the blend of melancholy but optimistic sound. Old post is here but I like this one better.

Peter Gabriel is coming out with a new record in two weeks that should be pretty fun to listen to. It is an orchestral cover album of many indie rock bands including Regina Spektor, The Magnetic Fields, Elbow, and Bon Iver. This one is a cover of one of my favorite Arcade Fire songs.

Source: http://www.weallwantsomeone.org/2010/02/01/peter-gabriel-covers-arcade-firebon-iver/

Sorry for the late post. Whenever I’m torn by indecision I end up with a late post. The only reason for the indecision with this is that it’s the convergence of two bands that people are probably tired of hearing by now. It’s a Grizzly Bear cover of an older Hot Chip song.

Source: www.Stereogum.com