“We learned more from a three-minute record, baby, than we ever learned in school.”

Bruce Springsteen

I know we started this conversation via text, but since texting is a hassle for me, I’m starting this thread. Mitchell did a poll of the best Kalapana songs (which he’ll hopefully post here). I think choosing one is actually kinda hard. By the way, a song that grew on me over time is “Love ‘Em.” I don’t if it ever received much air time, but I kinda like that one.

Mitchell, you don’t like “Lost Again?” I think that’s one of my favorites.

By the way, Don mentioned “Real Thing.” I remember the first time I heard that, I thought, “Dang, that’s a legitimately good song, as in it could be popular outside of Hawai’i.” I was disappointed to find out that it wasn’t an original.

I saw that question on twitter, and I thought it was be fun to discuss here. Here’s the first answer that popped into my head: Continue reading “What Album Did the Most to Change and Expand Your Taste in Music?”

I’ve written before that writing or even reading about music isn’t as interesting as writing or reading about books and movies, but I still feel the urge to talk about music I’ve listened to and liked. These efforts, even in optimal circumstances, don’t really lead to interesting discussions. Instead, the value, in ideal situations, is that you find someone else that shares your enthusiasm. (If there is anything more that I find interesting or valuable, nothing really comes to mind right now. I guess, if the other person provides insights that I wasn’t aware of–i.e., I learn new things–that would be valuable as well.) I don’t think there will be a lot of opportunities for that sort of thing for any of us, but the urge is strong enough that this won’t stop me. (Additionally, since this is a general thread, people can write broadly about music, not just the things the music they’re currently enthusiastic about.

I think I started a thread like this in the previous incarnation of the site, but I thought of starting this again because I’ve been listening to the type of music that I think we’d both enjoy. For example, over the weekend, I watched a documentary on Lowell George, the front man for Little Feat. I’ve heard their music described as “Southern fried rock,” which is apt, although something like “roots rock n’ roll” might be a little more accurate–basically rock n’ roll that draws upon folk, country, bluegrass, and the blues. At times, there’s also a kind of Old Timey sound. Little Feat has this, but they also have a greasier, grungier sound (which I kinda like) compared to a group like the Eagles. Other groups that might fall into this type of music are the Grateful Dead, Poco, The Band, Allman Brothers (although they’re not so rootsy, I guess).

Actually, before I watched the video on George, I stumbled into the music of Lydia Loveless. Her music seemed like something of a modern version of this type of music, with maybe a heavier country sound at times (which can be heard in her vocal style). There’s something about her singing and the band behind her that I liked.

It’s weird because this isn’t a style of music I love. That is, I would listen to this when I’m in the mood for this sort of this, which doesn’t happen all that much. It’s definitely not something that I can see myself listening to regularly. But I do have some appreciation for it. Specifically, I like the way the various styles bleed together, in a way that suggests there are no boundaries; and, like almost every other type of music, I like the soulful, heartful quality that comes through, particularly through the vocals. (I also think Little Feat has some quality songs as well.)

Edit

Lydia Loveless has more of a 90’s alt-rock sound. I keep thinking of 10,000 Maniacs, and Natalie Merchant, but I don’t if there’s any real connection.

My second favorite instrument would have to be the bass. Electric, acoustic, upright–it doesn’t matter. I like them all. I like hearing the bass in a variety of music as well. This is a thread to express my love for this instrument and the music that is made from it.

Let’s start with some bass introductions: Continue reading “It’s All About the Bass”

Mitchell, can you post your modified list of the albums you think are most essential (culled from the 1001 book). I believe you had two tiers. Also, if you want to change the list from the one you posted before, or add ones that are not in the book, that would be fine with me.