Post-Rock

Post-Rock is a genre loosely characterized by artists using tradition rock instruments to create sound not normally associated with rock music.  Mostly instrumental  this genre could also be considered modern classical experimentation.  The sounds  are often haunting and ethereal.
There are several emerging bands and styles.  

The following is a sample of some post-rock tracks:

Goddamn Electric Bill -- Lost In The Zoo

The Abbasi Brothers -- Something Like Nostalgia

Last Days -- Thoughts of Alice

Lights Out Asia -- Psiu! Puxa!

Jingo Nation’s Top 10 Albums of the Decade

The first decade of the 21st century resulted in the explosion of what is loosely categorized as Alternative Music.   From Wilco to Fever Ray it was 10 years of experimental sound that, while sometimes a failure, often resulted in beautifully woven tapestries of unconventional musical combinations.  Many of these bands perform in smaller more intimate venues and hopefully the age of loud arena rock is over.  The nostalgic setting of an old theater is a superior acoustical experience. I hope you'll put your own list together and let us know what you came up with…here's ours:

Menomena -- I Am the Fun Blame Monster

Broken Social Scene -- You Forgot it in People

The National -- Boxer

Stars -- Set Yourself on Fire

Green Day -- American Idiot

Modest Mouse -- Good News for People Who Love Bad News

Okkervil River -- The Stand Ins

Wilco -- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Coldplay -- X&Y

Death Cab For Cutie -- Plans

Tuesday Trivia – Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix died on September 19, 1970 in London.  He was only 27.

Jimi Hendrix -- Machine Gun

 

Happy Labor Day

In honor of Labor Day, a communist holiday, here’s a track from the Russian band Lumen.  Now go drink some vodka!

Lumen -- Sid and Nansy

 

The Beatles – Let it Be

"Let It Be" was the last released Beatles record (" Abbey Road" was the last made, but was released before "Let It Be".)   With so much dysfunction in the Beatles’ family at that time, it was a wonder that the last two albums were made at all.   John insisted that "Let It Be" not be overproduced as he felt "Magical Mystery Tour" had been and he brought in Phil Spector.  John (and the rest of the band) wasn’t happy with the result.  "Let It Be -- Naked" was another release of the same album that removed much of Spector’s production flourishes. 

The entire remastered Beatles collection will be re-released later this month.  The original CD releases weren’t of very good quality and anyone who has heard The Beatles on LP will agree that the CD’s were very low quality remakes.  The remasters took years to complete and the Abbey Road team painstakingly removed any sound that was equipment related while leaving all sounds created by The Beatles…including mistakes. 

"Let It Be" isn’t the best Beatles record, but does include some masterpieces.  The following tracks will re-introduce you to this classic record.

The Beatles -- Get Back

The Beatles -- Let It Be

The Beatles -- Across The Universe

The Beatles -- Dig A Pony

Tourfilter Concert Update

Throwback Thursday – The Kinks

When the Davies Brothers weren’t stabbing each other they were making some great Kinks music.  Here are two Kinks tracks to enjoy.

The Kinks -- Apeman

The Kinks -- Days

For Your Consideration – Okkervil River

Okkervil River was formed in Austin Texas in 1998. Loosely categorized an Indie rock band they deliver gut wrenching ballads and tragic lyrical imagery. They’ve released several critically acclaimed concept albums. Here are some clips from their last two albums, “The Stage Names” and “The Stand Ins.”

Okkervil River -- Savannah Smiles
Okkervil River -- Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe
Okkervil River -- Starry Stairs
Okkervil River -- Lost Coastlines

Tuesday Trivia – Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab for Cutie took it’s name from this single by the "Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band"

Pretty bad huh? Here’s a clip of the good stuff:

 

 

For Your Consideration – Broken Social Scene

Broken Social Scene is a Toronto based Indie-Rock band featuring about 19 members, mostly from different groups. The makeup of the band is a revolving door of influences and live performances are often a collective of musicians representing the best in the Indie-Alternative genre.  The sounds are intricate, complex, and sonically fulfilling.  Here are three clips that feature the versatility of the band and its music. 

Broken Social Scene -- 7/4 (Shoreline)

Broken Social Scene -- Cause = Time

Broken Social Scene -- Anthems for A Seventeen-Year-Old Girl