The Noise I Love

There are quite a few electronica bands that I like and then there are some that I love.  My one hundred forty-seventh pick is one that I love and one that I've had the pleasure of seeing live.  I woke up this morning with the intent of not doing anything but listen to records and clean my room.  Of course I remembered I had to go exchange something which then turned into a trip to End of an Ear, one of my new favorite record stores in South Austin.  So since I was South anyway, I decided to make a QUICK (not so quick) stop to the record store.  I always have to mentally prepare myself before I enter any record store, because the more I want, the expensive it is.  My goal now is NOT to buy anything over $17 per album.  So as I was rummaging through the H's looking for the new Hot Chip, I saw Holy Fuck and the price was right up my alley.  So here, I bring to you a great electronica band.

Artist - Holy Fuck

Album - LP

Released - 2007

Label - Dependent/Young Terks

Genre - Electronica

Tracks:

Side One

Super Inuit

Milkshake

Frenchy's

Safari

Choppers

Side Two

Lovely Allen

The Pulse

Royal Gregory

Echo Sam

The second album by Holy Fuck, LP is such a great one.  This, indeed, was such a great find for me because I like Holy Fuck and I love Lovely Allen.  Not too long ago, maybe the last time I went to Mohawk for a show, they still have a Holy Fuck poster hanging up on the walls.  I think it's been there since I last saw them, but regardless of that, I always think about Holy Fuck and if they will be coming out with a new album soon.  I think they are recording stuff, but it's been about two years.  I need my Holy Fuck fix.  Yes, more Holy Fuck in the future will be posted.  As for today, play this album and enjoy the shit out of it.  I mean, I even danced as I was playing it, but I do that for almost all my records.  I'm just that kind of person.

Enjoy!

Lovin' Vinyl

It's amazing how far I have come with all these vinyl records and sticking with this.  For my one hundred forty-sixth pick.

Artist - The Dodos

Album - Visiter

Released - 2008

Label - French Kiss

Genre - Indie, Alternative/Folk

Tracks:

Walking

Red and Purple

Eyelids

Fools

Joe's Waltz

Winter

It's That Time Again

Paint the Rust

Park Song

Jodi

Ashley

The Season

Undeclared

God?

The second album by The Dodos, Visiter is a fantastic record.  Of course that goes without saying that they are a group of exceptional musicians who make amazing music.  I saw them last year, here in Austin, and I have to say I was very impressed with their live performance.  One of my favorite songs on this record is Undeclared, I guess because I'm a hopeless romantic that like all types of sappy songs.  I'm going to make this short because THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.  Sorry, I absolutely love music and all, but I only have the NFL 4 months out of the year, not counting the playoffs.

Enjoy!

We're Alright

One Hundred Forty-Fifth pick

Artist - Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass
Album - Volume 2
Released - 1963
Label - A&M
Genre - Jazz/Instrumental

Tracks:
Side One
The Great Manolete
Spanish Harlem
Swinger from Seville
Winds of Barcelona
Green Leaves of Summer
More
Side Two
America
Surfin' Senorita
Marching Thru Madrid
Crea Mi Amor
Mexican Corn
Milord

The second album by Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, Volume 2 covers one of my favorite artists, Edit Piaf.  Milord is one of her songs and I absolutely love her.  Ahhh, what more can I say about Herb Alpert than I adore his music and I even created a little Instgram following with his record.  

Enjoy!

Reminiscing

I wanted something that reminded me of my youth and all things amazing.  So here, I present my one hundred forty-fourth pick.

Artist - Vince Guaraldi
Album - Oh Good Grief!
Released - 1968
Label - Warner Bros.
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side One
Linus and Lucy
You're in Love, Charlie Brown
Peppermint Patty
Great Pumpkin Waltz
Side Two
It's Your Dog, Charlie Brown
Oh, Good Grief!
Red Baron
Rain, Rain Go Away

Only Vince Guaraldi can make Charlie Brown into something amazing.  Using a keyboard and electric harpsichord, Vince illuminates the characters with his sound.  A little snippet from the album cover:

Oh, good grief!  They've gone and done it.  They've put that jazzy music from Peanuts television specials on a record.  Those piquant waltzes, fox trots, and box steps that Vince Guaraldi wrote...What's more, they're played by Mr. Guaraldi himself, on piano and electric harpsichord, with a noble assist from Carl Burnett (drums), Stanley Gilbert (bass) and Eddie Duran (electric guitar).

I remember going on a mission to fine A Charlie Brown Christmas on vinyl because it reminded me of my childhood and the Christmas' I had with our little family.  I always feel like a kid again in that sense and always think about all things wonderful.  To have that moment in my heart and mind, I will never forget it.

Enjoy!

One Hundred Forty-Third

Artist - NOFX
Album - Self/Entitled
Released - 2012
Label - Fat Wreck Chords
Genre - Punk

Tracks:
72 Hookers
I Believe In Goddess
Ronnie & Mags
She Didn't Lose Her Baby
Secret Society
I, Fatty
Cell Out
Down With The Ship
My Sycophant Others
This Machine is 4
I've Got One Jealous Again, AGain
Xmas has been X'ed

Good 'ol Punk.  When I listen to NoFX, I think politics, punk and my friend who I met at Miami-Dade College who taught me how to play guitar (not that I'm good or anything).  For all you non-punk music listeners, this is NOFX's twelfth album.  This band has had such an extensive track record, starting in 1983.  I've seen them once, at Warped Tour, in 2001/2002.  Man, that was so long ago.  Shoot, 10 years ago.  Where did the time go?!?!?  Anyway, Self/Entitled is your typical punk rock record, speaking of war and freedom, fast guitar and bass playing to top it off.  An entertaining band, to say the least, this record is not that bad.  I'm not a HUGE fan of punk, but I do enjoy listening to NOFX.

Enjoy!

Soothing, Yes Indeed!

One Hundred Forty-Second

Artist - John Coltrane
Album - Standard Coltrane
Released - 1962
Label - Prestige
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side A
Don't Take Your Love From Me
I'll Get By
Side B
Spring is Here
Invitation

Something about John Coltrane that puts my mind at ease.  As I listen to this record, the first thing that pops in my head is, "Man, I wish I had someone to dance with."  Yes, I do like to slow dance in my house while I listen to records.  A few times I would make Kevin dance with me because I just felt like having a human body swaying side to side with mine.  Otherwise, I would pick up one of the dogs and just put them in my arms as my legs move to the rhythm and sound of John Coltrane. I think the best thing I like about listening to John Coltrane and his band play is not only the trumpets and sax (I'm a huge horn sound person), but the drums.  The way it is not too overpowering yet subtle to go with the flow of the piano and other instruments.  It's enjoyable so that it's basically made to mellow you out or even give you a bit of energy.  I think that aspect has a lot to do with the bass.  I enjoy a great Coltrane album from time to time, but I definitely need to find/play more.

Enjoy!

I live for LIVE MUSIC

One Hundred Forty-First

Artist - Two Gallants
Album - The Bloom and The Blight
Released - 2012
Label - ATO Records
Genre - Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Folk Rock

Tracks:
Halcyon Days
Song of Songs
My Love Won't Wait
Broken Eyes
Ride Away
Decay
Winter's Youth
Willie
Cradle Pyre
Sunday Souvenirs

The fourth album by duo Two Gallants, The Bloom and The Blight is one of my top favorite records of 2012.  I write this review just days shy of seeing them live here in Austin, Texas and all I can say is that they are an AMAZING band.  I always respect duos, especially ones with so much umph, it's really phenomenal how two people can make such amazing music, let alone be just as amazing live.  Playing most of their songs from this album, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with their live show.  Sounding EXACTLY like the album, and I mean down to the T, listening to My Love Won't Wait live was perfect.  I don't know, i'm just so gogo gaga over this album and then actually getting to see them live.  This is why I enjoy the music scene here in Austin, because as I listen to records or discover new music, all I have to do is search for the artists tour schedule and just like that I see them within a few weeks.  I do have to credit my roommate Robbie for letting me know about the Two Gallants playing just a week or two after listening to this album and falling in love.  I think I'm down to a handful of records that came out in 2012 that I fell in love with.  Of course I will leave that to the end of this year long trek of record posting.  Until then, I shall love and keep it to myself.

Enjoy!