September 20

You know, I think it's about time I start titling these blog entries. I stuck with the date thing mainly because that's what I was used to - force of habit. Keeping track of dates isn't nearly as important to me as it was before. OK, it's decided. Next post will be the beginning of the title era - hopefully something witty and original. Hahaha...I'm neither of those things. (Sad trombone)

I'm on another music kick. I mean, I'm always doing something that involves music, but every now and then I'll get into a phase of really LISTENING to it and deciding why I really do like/dislike something. In an earlier post I talked about finding meaning in songs and enjoy the challenge of interpretation. Looking back, I probably should have emphasized that's not the only thing that will draw me to a certain artist/band. Hell, probably over half of the stuff I listen to is pretty cut and dry - it's just executed a bit differently. Chromeo is a good example. Their new album came out a couple weeks ago and, even though I enjoy Fancy Footwork more, it's something that I can pop in and have a good time with. Not much thought to it, just funk. Ohhhh yeaaaahhhhhh.

On top of catchy beats, storytelling is HUGE. If you can paint a picture with words and draw me in as a listener, then my hat is off to you. Ben Nichols is someone who does this on a regular basis. Ben is the lead singer of an alt-country band named Lucero that hails from Tennessee. The opening track on their latest album is called "Smoke" and is a beautiful, 5-and-a-half minute love story. Two hard-living strangers meet at a bar and decide to take a chance on one another. Simple concept and built up perfecting in this song. In his own gritty way and with a whiskey-and-cigarette washed voice, Ben romanticizes about this chance encounter and gives you a clear look at these characters without even mentioning a name. If "A Girl In Port" by Okkervil River was one of the most tragic songs I've ever listened to, this is one of the most - for lack of a better term - romantic. Just using the fragment "unknown and beautiful" in the chorus was enough to do it for me. So good.

"Unknown and beautiful." Come on, you KNOW it's a great line.

And then there's the complete opposite type of music I'll listen to: ambient/electronic. I mean, this ranges from Justice to Hammock to LCD Soundsystem to Amiina. Usually there's little-to-no lyrics associated with it and is just something you can play to relax or start a dance party.

In summation: Music is great, but great music is really great. Wait...that was terrible.

"Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music."
- Ronald Reagan

RONALD REAGAN!? REALLY? Oh well, it fits.

Oh, 1950's.

They bolted out into the streets,

B