LSP Party

The rest of the guys here don't know it yet, but we are going to start a new series of posts for the Life Signs Project.

Darcy and I, back in the day, used to sit in front of the CD player at parties and put on songs, "crowd pleasers" as we used to call them. We felt it was a way to show off the depth of our music knowledge to the room (and as a competition with each other), with the mask of just keeping the party rolling. Really, we liked beer, hated dancing, and always needed to be in control of the tunes.

So lets keep the party rolling. The following are the first four tracks of the Life Signs Project party. The way I see this is in the end we will have one hell of a soundtrack!

Bob Marley and the Wailers - Punky Raggae Party (Babylon by Bus)

Ben Harper - Burn One Down (Fight For Your Mind)

TV on the Radio - DLZ (Dear Science,)

Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block (Writer's Block)

Clock Opera

I stumbled across Clock Opera recently and have really enjoyed what I've heard so far. Clock Opera "remind(s) us of how much we wished Michael (Jackson) had chosen Aphex Twin or Squarepusher to be his production accomplices towards the end of his life instead of Will.I.Am." (last.fm.com)

I was very impressed with the video compilation of random things here, and I really think it goes well with the track. My favorite is the fish, and pie. Enjoy!

"

My Ride to the Blues

Little did I know when I began my musical journey so long ago that I would be on a train ride strait to the blues. For years I thought of the blues along with country, depressing slow mundane and generally not worth the time of day. As time has gone on and I've realized how important it is in all forms of music and I've taken the time to delve into the details a lot further over the years.

One of the only truly American musical art forms, blues music spawned rock-and-roll, rhythm and blues, soul and even rap. The sound that originated in Mississippi's cotton fields and juke joints is like no other, and when played well creates a feeling that is hard to find anywhere else across the musical plain.

It took me many years to truly begin to enjoy "roots" blues such as Muddy Waters, BB King, Howlin' Wolf, Big Mama Thornton etc. My love for the blues guitar started with more traditional classic rock legends just as Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, The Animals, Fleetwood Mac, Cream and The Rolling Stones.

I've attached tracks from four true legends. This is truly as smooth as the guitar gets as far as I can tell. Something about each of these tracks just gets me right in the gut.

Enjoy.

Jimi Hendrix - Red House (Are You Experienced 1967)

Eric Clapton - Old Love (Unplugged 1992)

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Little Wing (The Sky is Crying 1991)

Led Zeppelin - Since Ive Been Loving You (Led Zeppelin III 1970)

The Cure - The Unheralded Gem that is Bloodflowers

Bloodflowers, an album released in 2000, billed as the third part of a trilogy begun with Pornography and continued with Disintegration is in my opinion one of the most underrated albums ever produced. Bloodflowers boasts all of the Cure's signatures: lazy melodies, gloomy lyrics, classic Smith vocals, and long running times which at first sounds bad, but are what makes The Cure who they are. Though it does not boast classic hits like its brother album Disintegration (Pictures of You, Love Song, Fascination Street etc.) it is front to back truly excellent.

Bloodflowers has never been critically acclaimed as an album, and in a way I can see where these negatives are coming from. The songs do tend to blend, and you often do check to see if the track has changed from one to the next, but all the while the groove and feel never lets up. In my opinion in this case that’s a positive. The album has a purpose, and from the beginning with Out of the World, and the amazing Watching Me Fall strait through to my two favorite finishing songs 39 and Bloodflowers it feels like there is a point to be made.

I’ve attached a few of my favorite gems from this album. Enjoy.

Sorry for the hiatus – it’s good to be back.

The Cure - Watching Me Fall

The Cure - Maybe Someday

The Cure - 39

Playing For Change

"Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world." Taken direct from http://playingforchange.com

In the spirit of the simple love for music and all that moves you I thought this was perfect for this project. We sometimes forget that some of the best talents don't always get the chance to make it big. This is a brilliant idea, and one that has been put together in such a beautiful way. Here are some selected gems from a brilliant collection.





If you are interested in more here is my personal favorite. Grampa Elliot is truly something to behold.



Thanks Clif for pointing this in my direction.

Blogging the Angel

When I was in my teens I bought big speakers. The first thing that was played on those big speakers was Depeche Mode, (queue turning up your speakers loud and clicking “Never Let Me Down”).

Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again

Now that you are in the mood, let’s learn together.

New romanticism emerged in the UK music scene in the early 80s as a direct reaction against the rigor of the punk movement. What began as a mockery became a serious movement. Although Depeche Mode originally was a product of Britain's new Romantic Movement, they eventually went on to become one of the model electro-pop bands of the 1980s. Depeche Mode was among the earliest and most innovative bands to break into the pop mainstream using only synthesizers. They began their existence as a dance-pop outfit but gradually developed a darker, more dramatic sound that ultimately positioned them as one of the most successful alternative bands of their era.

It is this darker, slow moving loud pulsing beat that I truly fell in love with at an early age. Songs of Faith and Devotion Live became a staple for me, and continues to be a constant in the “top five albums of all time” conversation. Higher Love, the live version can certainly be considered an essential on my Life Signs list always and forever.

Depeche Mode - Higher Love (Live)

Here are a few other fine specimens for your listening pleasure. This is only a sample of the goodness so please by all means delve in for more.

Depeche Mode - John the Revolator

Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence

Depeche Mode - In Your Room (Live)

The Infamous Stone Matthews

I feel its my role on this site to ensure that the guitar gets its proper due. It is time to introduce the world to the wonders of the Am-G-F transition with fantastic guitar solos on top.

The following are two of my favorite songs of all time, and they both happen to have the same transition found at times within them. First we have The Stone Roses with "Tears". Beautifully woven with Ian Brown's haunting vocal's and John Squire's underrated genius on guitar, Tears brings even the best to their knees. It begins with a wonderful acoustic riff and ends with absolutely fantastic fist pumping solo - get's me every time.

The Stone Roses - Tears

Secondly I would like to speak to the genius that is Bob Dylan who wrote one of the most broadly covered tracks in the history of Rock and Roll - All Along the Watchtower. Unfortunately for Mr. Dylan, his version turned out to be the worst of them all (obviously up for debate - please don't yell at me) I would like to direct your attention to the Dave Matthews Live at Red Rocks version, my personal and sentimental favorite. Again this track starts off slow and ends in a tirade of goodness. Tim Reynolds plays off the Am-G-F combo on this version, making very difficult soloing sound effortless.

The Dave Matthews Band - All Along The Watchtower (Live at Red Rocks)

Pearl Jam - The Beginning of Life Signs

Pearl Jam will always have that special place in my heart saved only for those who truly imprint themselves on your life. Hours of sitting on my bed listening to the early works of this great band, reading every magazine article ever put out, subscribing to the "Ten Club", buying single's for some rare track for far too much money...It just wouldn't be right if I didn't post some favorites.

Pearl Jam - Yellowledbetter - Live

Pearl Jam - Inside Job - Live

Pearl Jam - Indifference - Live

Pearl Jam - Even Flow (Re-Recorded)

Pearl Jam - Brother

It's a 'Numbers Game' to the Thievery Corporation & Chuck Brown

Who wouldn't think that Electronica and Go-Go go together? Not me, maybe you, but not me. If you are one of those closed minded souls the Thievery Corporation and Chuck Brown are about to change your mind. The Godfather of Go-Go and the DJ duo have teamed up for a track from Thievery Corp's latest album, Radio Retaliation, that sounds like it came off of the soundtrack to a '70s Blaxploitation flick with its wah wah guitars, tight horn section and funky groove. Sweet funk sounds of the 70's based right here in the decade without a name, (the 00's??).

The Crystal Method feat Matisyahu - Drown In The Now

Its been a long time coming but the new Crystal Method album is out. I don't have the words like the rest of the guys on here to talk about beats and booms, but I do know that Crystal Method rocks.

This track is far from typical Crystal Method, and its not my favorite on the album, but its worth hearing and tapping your foot too. It's got a deep, strong urban vibe to it - more like Method meets the clubs...but its missing the lead in that is on the album that certainly makes this song shine. Get the album, its good.

Starsailor - Listen Up Your Face

Starsailor. Write it down, hook it up, pay too much for them or download for free. I don't care, just go and get undressed with them.

Built around the songwriting and lead vocals of James Walsh, the band fit nicely along side similarly minded mellow Brits Doves and Coldplay, but with a bit more juice in their junk.

Why you should already own a Starsailor album:

"Starsailor - Good Souls"

"Starsailor - Shark Food"



Sold? I know I am.

The Fibonacci in Tools Lateralus

Honestly - one of the coolest things ever. One of the best songs ever, and after you see this you will no choice but to agree. Sickly genius.

Local (for me) - Great for All!

Higher Love (Depeche Mode), Karma Police (Radiohead), Try a Little Tenderness (Three Dog Night), all undeniable life signs tracks that have one constant --- They connect. At least with me anyway. That rush of love when a dearly missed friend appears from the arrivals lounge at an airport looking rather flustered from their long-haul flight and yet is so happy to see you. Like the days when every little detail of every little problem makes you want loose it. Like when my cat decides to crap outdoors instead of the litter box...These songs somehow encapsulate tearful moments of both joy and sorrow. They entwine the human nervous system and sink into the veins.

I've come across a local band (from Waterdown, ON) called Oceanship. They have a very Coldplay'esk sound, its certainly worth a listen. The track "Hotblack" falls under the above discussed category of music. The chorus isn't simply just good but instead tucks you up in bed so cosy you refuse to get out. So damn effortlessly warm in melody. Video is incredible.



Notes on video from band:

Hand drawn by Ofir Sasson, the video for Hotblack took over six months to complete. Ofir was able to incorporate the band within his animated vision thanks to live footage shot by David Patrick (assisted by Jacques Fortier) in Toronto, Canada. We were very fortunate to work with top rate people, both personally and professionally. We are presently shooting a "making of" video which will detail the intricate process.

...And it's coming closer

BLOG! I really like places where words can be positioned so that others can read them.

I have recently been listening to the new Kings of Leon album (fantastic by the way) and became quite addicted to the first track called “Closer”. It’s a simple tune that truly pulsates strait to the heart. Songs can be judged sometimes on physical reactions, like tapping of the foot/fingers, bobbing of the head and so on. This track makes me hit things hard in rhythm, and sing (as best as I can, which is truly not very good) my heart out. For some reason made me think of war and shooting things, and funny enough it apparently made other people think the same thing. See the video attached.

Got me thinking of other tracks that through the years have given me that same feeling and a pattern started to become quite clear – I like those tunes that, #1 have great simple lyrical melodies, but have a bottom end that you could leave on all day and not be bothered.

Think about that for a minute – how much music do you know? Now how much of that music can be placed into a group that can be played all day and you wouldn’t mind? It’s the same old question, if you were stuck on a remote deserted island with an absurdly, ridiculously, inconceivably large stereo system (why not, it’s just a hypothetical) and could only bring three records with you, could you really make a choice that you could live with?

Life Signs baby – this is what its all about. The challenge that we as music obsessors are burdened with for the rest of our days is to actually figure out our own top five.

I've attached a couple other tracks that certainly fall within the same category as "Closer". I got's to get to Glastonbury on of these years.