Tag Archives: vocal

electronic, High Tempo, Music to write to, pop, Uncategorized

The Postal Service – Give up

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This is a light slice of dance electronica which is a tonic for the soul. It shimmers and grooves, and although others may dispute this definitely a case where the sum of the parts is greater than the individual pieces. Although many of the songs are sombre the overall mood of the album is upliftting, feet tapping perfect for deadlines or when you want a lift.


This was an unlikely and uplifting collaboration between Ben Gibbard vocalist for Death Cab for Cutie an Indie band, worked with electronic musician Jimmy Tamborello who is known as Dntel. A back and fourth exchange of sending each other CD’s as one then the other would cut paste and add either vocals, drums, harmonies or other instruments, cutting and posting and trading ideas and finally finished things. This exchange via post gave rise to the name The Postal Service.I’m not sure whether it came as a surprise when the US Postal Service tried to get them to can the band name, but a settlement was reached including them playing at a conference.

In the early to mid noughts this was one of the albums that was playing in every coffee shop in Newtown. I can almost equate this music to coffee, the light buzz and rush of energy it gives you, queue end of coffee analogies as it doesn’t give you bad breath or make you anxious if you have too much of it

Released
2003

Lyrics
Yes, the whole time, but they are beautiful, light male vocals.

Mood
By turns melancholy and uplifting,  a perfect meld.

Good to work to
Great when you need something breezy and by turns melancholy. The constant beat means your word count won’t falter and you’ll keep knocking out the words.

Like
This is a like a disco pop scene. I’m thinking it’s a bit LCD sound system, a little post Kraftwerk, mixed in with some weird way with Shugo Tokumaru. Not sure if that’s a long bow or not.

If you like this I’d also recommend the Shins, a great pop band who released a lot of great music at the time.

The Artist/s
Ben Gibbard vocalist for Death Cab for Cutie an Indie band, worked with electronic musician Jimmy Tamborello who is known as Dntel. Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley also does backing vocals, as does Jen Wood, while Chris Walla plays piano on one track.

Perhaps the reason why the Postal Service is so delightful is the different approaches. Gibbard and Tamborello were the main players on this project. I have no idea why they haven’t followed up on one of the most popular albums their album Sub-Pop have put out.

Other works
Believe it or not they haven’t released anything else, well not unless you count the EPs they released that feature cover versions of some of their best songs by other indie darlings Sam Beam aka Iron & Wine and the Shins.

I can recommend Dntel although I’m not as big a fan of Death Cab for Cutie, but that is of fourse entirely subjective as Death Cab have many die hard fans.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
This has been repressed a few times now. A pop masterpiece. I’d go vinyl because that’s my favourite, but you can get it everywhere and of course on iTunes.

The Verdict
Hurry you need to buy this album immediately. It is liquid energy, but not in a distracting way. Liquid energy that lets you keep on moving.

Folk, World

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul

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Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul

There is a depth and gentleness to this album that will put you into a good place to write. But, unless you are one of the handul of people who can speak Yolgnu or one of the other aboriginal languages the lyrics aren’t going to distract you.

There is a deep beauty and emotion put into the delivery of the lyrics and songs on this album that goes beyond words. You can get lost this set of songs, gentle lullabies with depth.

Released
2008

Lyrics
Yes but in a mixture of languages spoken by very few people that will not distract you.

Mood
Calming and perfect for meditative works.

Good to work to
Great to work when you need to be calmed.

Like
I can’t imagine what I could compare this to aside from indigenous lullabies.

If you like the idea of exploring Australian Indigenous music I can point you in a few directions. There is in my favourite aboriginal band, a black and white collaboration called the Warumpi Band from the early eighties, although it’s definitely not music to write to.

If you like that but want something less raw Christine Anu did a beautiful cover of one of their most famous songs my Island home.

MIA is a Sri Lankan Tamil Englishwoman, and she collaborated with some aboriginal kids in this great track “Mango Pickle Down River” from her earliest album

The Artist/s
Geoffrey “Gurrumul” Yunupingu a blind Yolgnu guy who plays a right hand strung guitar left handed, didgeridoo, drums and organ. He is a very shy bloke who can’t read braille, and speaks little English. He sings in Galpu, Gumatj, or Djanbarrpuyna languages. He was born and grew up in Arnhem land, and a remote area aborigin’d knocked around in bands such as Yothu Yindi. Despite the success of his youth he was plucked from obscurity in the remote Northern Territory of Australia, to release a breakout album in a mixture of English, Yolgnu, and other aboriginal dialects.

Other works
Gurrumul has released later albums but this is my favourite so far.

Before his breakout album Gurrumul, Geoffrey “Gurrumul” Yunupingu had already had a career in one of the biggest Australian aboriginal rock bands Yothu Yindi many years before. Yothu Yindi was the first band Gurrumul was in and a hugely successful one of the nineties with their song treaty, after the hoped for treaty between the aboriginal nations of Australia and the Australian government. This treaty has still not eventuated.

In Latter days Gurrumul has been a member of the Saltwater band.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
It has been re-released on vinyl as well. An absolute cracker of an album, and of course on itunes

The Verdict
Yes get it as soon as possible. It is calming, and will work for you.

bluegrass, country, Folk, High Tempo, pop

The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark

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The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark – Gene Clark and Doug Dillard
One of the first bands to combine bluegrass rock n’ roll and east coast hippie idealism, this is one great band. This album is smooth and fun, with classic songs and great grooves, with none of the sacharine that makes country indigestible. It maintains a steady pace that keeps my fingers tapping over the keyboard.

The vibe of the entire album is relaxed fun bluegrass fingerpicking good times ho-down music.

This is a significant album in the history of country rock, and is played on by a who’s who of country rock royalty, Byrds, Eagles, and Flying Burrito Brothers. The fact that Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, and Bernie Leadon are some of the all time fantastic song writers of the country rock pioneering generation doesn’t hurt either.

I can’t quite describe the happy little rythm bluegrass/rock has, but this album has it in spades. It is an easy high tempo pitch that keeps you moving along and I find my words move along at the same pace.

This has nothing to do with the quality of the album or the speed with which you can write to it, but if you want to listen to the most rootin tootin, cool album you’ve ever heard… And as for that album cover it is so funny, two of the coolest looking hippie bluegrass wildcats in a cool motorcycle and sidecar. File this under unbelievably cool, and indeed fantastic.

Released
1968

Lyrics
Yes

Mood
Relaxed and easy. Country bluegrass.

Good to work to
If you don’t like bluegrass you’re going to hate it. I like Bluegrass a little bit, and I like country rock with good lyrics, so this is metaphorical music to my ears.

Like
This album is a bit of a cross between classic bluegrass and the country rock later popularised by Gram Parsons and the Eagles. Bernie Leadon who featured in this line up not surprisingly was in a key member of the supergroup the Eagles.

The only thing I’ve put up so far (although I hope not the last) that would compare is some of the Bluegrass, including will the Circle remain Unbroken. That album is more old school but has the same uptempo bluegrass feel.

The Artist/s
Gene Clark has the curious distinction of only ever lasting for one album with any one record label before being dropped for wilful, drug fuelled, or erratic misbehaviour. He gained fame in the Byrds and with ex Byrd Hillman. There are numerous books about his Clark’s life, with one of the funniest anecdotes coming from many years after the release of this album. He took his kids to see orginal Star Wars then to grab some fast food afterwards. In the fast food joint Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) happened to pop in and seeeing Clark was star struck, while Clark’s kids were star struck over Hamill. So while a washed up alcoholic in the twilight of his career at the time, he was the dad who got Luke Skywalker to hang out with them, bumping up his kudos considerably.

Doug Dillard was a bluegrass hero in his ex band the Dillards. He was just the kind of hard living rebel to match wits with the erratic Clard.

Bernie Leadon was to gain fame as a founder member of the Eagles. A killer song writer he co-wrote and filled out this band of future country rock royalty.

Chris Hillman and Sneaky Pete Kleinhow were both to gain fame as part of Gram Parsons, Flying Burrito Brothers. They wrote a lot of timeless songs.

Michael Clark and Chris Hillman were also famous ex members of the Byrds.

Featured artists on The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark

•    Gene Clark – guitar, harmonica, vocals
•    Doug Dillard – banjo, fiddle, guitar
•    Bernie Leadon – banjo, bass, guitar, vocals
•    Chris Hillman – mandolin
•    Sneaky Pete Kleinhow – pedal steel guitar
•    Jon Corneal – drums
•    Michael Clarke – drums
•    David Jackson – bass, piano, cello, vocals
•    Byron Berline – fiddle
•    Donna Washburn – guitar, tambourine, vocals
•    Donald Beck – mandolin, fretted dobro
•    Andy Belling – harpsichord

Production
•    Producer: Larry Marks

Other works
In terms of a famous band going off in a hundred different directions  this is the one you’d start with. Take your pick Leadon went off to the Eagles. You can go back in time to the Byrds and their extensive back catalogue. You can head for the Flying Burrito Brothers Gram Parsons famous country rock band. If you want to delight in Bluegrass then head in the direction of the Dillards.

For mine although not neccessarily the best for writing I would mine the extensive Gene Clark back catalogue. He recorded extensively and has some fantastic albums such as the classic “No Other.”

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
You can get this anywhere (online) digitally and on disc, although it’s a bit harder to find on vinyl.

The Verdict
For me this is a staple of any collection. Especially for any collector of country rock or Bluegrass. It’s great music that is both cheeky and fun.

Folk

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever ago

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Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever ago

This is a folk album for those who like to listen to warm sounding music that takes you on a comfortable sad journey. This is an album that you will enjoy listening to, and can savour but never overpowers you. Warm vocal harmonies and relaxing sounds are the order of the day.

Bon Iver is apparently pronounced Bon ee -vare, thought you might like to know that. Bon Iver is a french expression meaning Good Winter. This album has a great story behind it that if anything enhances the listen.

Basically it was your classic dumping. Spurned men and women always love to write music, and in this case the one thing better than going off to your room to write sad love songs, is going off to a log cabin in the snow and writing a whole album after the break-up of your band, relationship and a bout of hepatitus. His father’s cabin in Dunn County, Wisconsis. When he was in the midst of his bout of Hepatitus he watched the old TV series Northern Exposure on DVD. In one scene the characters wishes the others bon hiver at the first snowfall of the year. Apparently he thought hive was too close to liver, where the hepatitis was kicking him.

So after recuperating all of these songs together and with a miss mash of recording gear from friends and others he recorded the whole thing himself. After playing the album to friends who liked it he did a first run of 500 CDs himself, before the album went crazy. Blogs and other indie music reviewers decided they loved the thing and it went crazy with sales.

Released
2007

Lyrics
Yes all over this release, but whilst at the same time central they are also not overpowering. There is no way I would ever suggest an album like this otherwise but it soothes and allows me to plow on typing quite happily

Mood
This is a really cool cruisy album that moves up and down. There is a real warmth to this album that sucks you in. Breathy multi tracked vocals and gorgeous arrangements make it a complete pleasure to listen to. Think calm.

Good to work to
If you need to speed type this perhaps isn’t the album.

I work to this album when I need a warm feeling that supports me. It’s beautifully arranged and put together, has peaks and troughs and supports rather than drives me when making writing decisions. This might be the perfect album to listen to when you are filling in the gaps or have a firm story in your mind.

Like
This is a folksy album that is like a latter day Crosby, Stills and Nash album, only not quite as clicked. It perhaps got a bit of Fleet Foxes southern californian thrown in. Maybe the best description might be to describe it as a folksy singer songwriter beach boys style album.

The other good album that shares something similar is the Fleet Foxes album of around the same time.

I think for warmth this album is akin to some of the Beck albums I have spoken about like Morning Phase and Sea Change. I could even describe it as sharing the warmth of indigenous Australian artist Gurrumul Yunupingu’s first album.

The Artist/s
Justin Vernon is Bon Iver, but he does have a whole group who are now Bon Iver, but for the purposes of this it’s pretty much him.

When he performs live he adds collaborators and uses musicians such as Colin Stetson and Greg Leisz.

Other works
Bon Iver have a follow up self-titled album. I personally am a much bigger rap for one of his other vehicles Volcano Choir. The first Volcano Choir album is Unmap, and I would say it is a good reference.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
This is an album you can find everywhere in multiple formats. It’s a classic that I see little chance of going out of print in vinyl, CD (while they exist), and electronic

The Verdict
Yeah definitely, go and grab it. If you don’t want to work to it you’ll still love this asa  classic album. I can imagine writing a novel in a lonely cabin next to a log fire listening to this album.

Folk

Beck – Sea Change

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Beck Sea Change
I can’t believe it this review is almost identical to the review of Morning Phase, probably because Morning Phase is pretty much a continuation of Sea Change.

When work is stressing me out I need something that not only allows me to work, but gives me an extra push. An album that can put me into a different mental state and immerse myself into is worth an extra thousand words to me. The words come out, and I don’t feel the passage of time. Beck’s voice and warm guitar, bass, harmonies, acoustic arrangements succeed in taking me to that place quickly. This album is a companion piece to Morning Phase which was released 12 years later in 2012. It was written after the breakup of  his long term relationship.

Although there are a few standout tracks on Sea Change, like most music I like to work to it retains an even feeling throughout. There is no doubt Beck is an outstanding performer and musician, but his performance does not dominate my workspace. I feel there is plenty of room  for me to overlay whatever I am working on. Most importantly this feeling persists when played at louder volumes.

Released
2002

Lyrics
Yes, but not abrasive lyrics. Beck has a warm soothing voice complemented by relaxing arrangements to the songs. I find it easy to listen to his voice as it were another instrument in a mood ensemble. My only concern is that I may be biased as I have listened to a lot of Beck so think I may be slightly biased in his favour.

Mood
Beck is a specialist in the mood album and has gone through an eclectic range of styles. Sea Change is no exception but for the writer of any style this is the kind of Beck album for you. While I would not recommend all Beck albums this one puts me into a relaxed mood ideal for immersing myself in the written work. There is a sad quality to this music which makes me feel somber, but focussed. Likewise I would fin this an ideal album for an intimate dinner or curling up on the couch with a mice glass of wine or three.

Good to work to
I could write anything to this. I may have difficulty writing a chase scene, but I could write fiction or non-fiction. It might be a little harder to write a fight scene while listening to it, but it would be far from impossible. I’m finding it hard to describe exactly what it is good for, but more than anything it puts me in a contemplative, internalised headspace that makes it easy for me to block out the world, and be present in the moment.

Like
I hesitate to compare this to Nick Drake as it has a far more polished american feel. This is the album of a polished performer confident in their musicality, and with an ability to surprise at times.

The Artist/s
Beck has been lauded as a musical wunderkind, specialising in genre hopping sonic collages of beats, soul, country, and everything in between. His earliest hit was 1994s “I’m a loser baby so why don’t you kill me. Other performers such as the Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne have branded him a d**k, something Beck has explained as something of a misunderstanding due to an illness during their tour. What is certain is that Beck is a virtuoso, but what is not so sure is that someone who can make such fine music is indeed a d**k. His musically eclectic style is no doubt influenced by his visual artist mother Bibbe Hansen (one of Andy Warhol’s superstars) and prolific composer and arranger David Campbell.

Other works
This came out off the back of his largely eclectic back catalogue and there were thoughts that it would not get the air play his earlier more successful works had received. This prediction proved to be incorrect and this proved to be one of his most critically acclaimed and successful albums.

His earlier and highly successful albums, mellow Gold, Odelay, and Midnight Vultures are not of the ilk of this. If you are after more of the same try the later sister album Morning Phase.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
Like everything these days you’ll find it everywhere, except on Vinyl. I would recommend Morning Phase its later (2014) sister album which you might still be able to find on vinyl.

The Verdict
For me a winner. I rarely like lyrics, but these ones are soothing, rather than demanding.