Posts Tagged ‘Albums’

Music to my Ears #4

I went through a bit of a music slump and then all of a sudden found myself listening to albums all over the place. So choosing 3 was actually a bit of a challenge. I stuck with 2 rather recent albums as well as a compilation album for an incredible movie (seeing as I don’t listen to compilations that often…)

 music to my ears 
1. Kintsugi by Death Cab for Cutie

I will always get excited when a new Death Cab album is released, but I never really got into their previous album and so when I listened to this the first time through and realised it was a winner I was beyond happy. To me this album sounds like the perfect development from older albums and also incorporates certain elements of The Postal Service. Its a good mix of upbeat singles and slower ballads, catchy tunes and restrained vocals, electronic and acoustic elements, and yet the album flows really nicely. Ever since the first time the OC played Lack of Colour, I fell in love with Death Cab and so falling in love with a new album was pretty darn satisfying.

Listen to: Black Sun, Little Wanderer, El Dorado and Binary Sea.

2. Darling Arithmetic by Villagers

I have Dad to thank for introducing me to the Villagers through my favourite track by them; Becoming a Jackal (which annoyingly doesn’t appear on this album), and have been immersing myself in their albums ever since. This newest album was released earlier this year, and shows a rather restrained and elegant style of theirs that I really enjoy. This album is beautifully melancholic and simple, put together in a really neat way. If you’re a fan of Kings of Convenience (which I am) then this folky acoustic album will definitely be up your alley. If not, listen to Becoming a Jackal, their debut album to hear another side of their music.

Listen to: Courage, Everything I am is Yours, Dawning on Me and The Soul Serene.

3. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Soundtrack

Weirdly appropriate, as this time last year I was on a plane to London watching this movie for the first time. First things first, if you haven’t seen this movie, you should. Its Ben Stiller at his best, and its also a reminder of how incredible and beautiful life can be. Its fantastic, and had a pretty perfect accompanying soundtrack. This soundtrack is perfect for a Sunday morning spent pottering (which is my favourite thing to do on a Sunday). There’s a cool mix of songs from a few different artists, but most of it is Jose Gonzalez or his band Junip (I’m not complaining at all).

Listen to: Stay Alive by Jose Gonzelez, Don’t Let It Pass by Junip, and Don’t You Want Me by Bahamas and the Weather Station (such a cool cover).

Give some of these a listen and let me know what you think.

What have you been playing recently?

Music to my Ears #3

Another month nearly over, another post to share some very well-loved albums. Somehow I accidentally managed to select albums all released in 2014, which is strange for someone who is usually at least 5 years behind everyone else. They are all excellent albums worth your time, promise (or at least they were for me…but that sounds a lot less convincing).

Chet Faker: Built on Glass (2014)

Chet Faker Built on Glass

I think I discovered Chet Faker through Pandora and have been enjoying his chilled vibes ever since. His music is a real mixture of influences, with a bit of R&B, soul, jazz all wrapped up in a modern techno sound that gets better each time I listen. Each song has a different feel to it and yet it all flows together as an album really smoothly (it’s actually split into two half’s but I didn’t even realise this until today) . I love it all. Its well reviewed by most for good reason and a great album to have on for a relaxed sunday get together over a few beers. He is right up the top of artists I would travel to see live.

Listen to: Talk is Cheap, Gold, 1998 and Cigarettes & Loneliness (my favourite)

Angel Olsen: Burn Your Fire For No Witness (2014)

Tiny Ruins Brightly Painted One

You might remember Angel Olsen from my Laneway related music post where I mused over musicians I was excited to see. Well I saw Angel Olsen, and she was just as good live (and also a total babe). I have still been loving this album pretty much constantly and wanted to bring it up again in case you hadn’t taken my advice to give her a listen last time round. I love this album because it shows off two very different sides to Angel’s music. There’s the electronic folk rock side that is upbeat, energy driven and fun like in Hi-Five and Forgiven/Forgotten and then there is her other quieter, more minimal and emotional songs (that if I’m honest I connect with and adore the most) like Unfucktheworld and  White Fire. Its all good stuff and if you are into alternative rock/folk music then this could be right up your alley.

Listen to: Unfucktheworld (the song that made me fall in love with this album), Hi-Five, and the beautiful Windows.

Tiny Ruins: Brightly Painted One (2014)Tiny Ruins Brightly Painted One

Another Laneway find, we were lucky enough to stumble across this act whilst trying to source coffee and from across a very hot carpark I was enchanted by the dreamy, delicate vocals of Hollie Fullbrook. Their album offers the same evocative and gentle sounds that are a result of her simple yet beautiful lyrics and the sparse use of instruments. The sound reminds me of things like Fleet Foxes or Kings of Convenience, and its equally as wonderful. This is the kind of album where each song asks to be replayed over and over until you finally get the image being created. Its beautiful and definitely worth a listen, especially if you need something for relaxing evening (i’m thinking bath, candles and wine…).

Listen to: Me at the Museum, You in the Winter Gardens, Carriages and Reasonable Man

Give them all a listen and let me know what you think :) What have your ears been listening to?

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Albums of March

Hi all!

So March came and went and my favorite posts were no-where to be seen! Don’t fret for they shall still be shared with you (hopefully before the end of April haha). Here is the first; my three favorite albums for this month. There is some great music in here and if you haven’t already listened to these definitely check them out.

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#1: 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack

So 500 Days of Summer is one of my all time favorite movies ever and Edd and I watch it over and over, at least once a year, because we adore everything about it. I’ll try and avoid ranting about the movie itself except to say that music plays a big role in the movie thus it came as no surprise when both Edd and I loved the soundtrack that attempted to bring together the two character’s eclectic music tastes. The collection included so many songs that are big BIG favorites of Edd and I which was surprising but awesome. This came out of my music blackhole for our honeymoon road trip up North and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. A great collection of songs ranging from brit-pop to folk that successfully captures the movies emotions, characters and key moments.

Songs you should listen to: Us by Regina Spektor (probably my favorite Spektor song ever), There is a light that never goes out by The Smiths (this is a song Edd and I have always loved so of course we were ecstatic to see it in the movie), Quelqu’un M’a Dit by Carla Bruni (another old favorite) and Here comes your man by Meghan Smith (Don’t prefer it to the original but still an amazing song).

20130402-215451.jpg#2: The Lumineers

This American folk band came to my attention after seeing it all over spotify and I decided to give the album a listen and was enthralled for the entire time. If I had to choose one favorite for this month this would be it and I see the album being a steady listen for a long time to come. Their music is simple and rustic falling under the roots revival that is going on at the moment. The songs aren’t hidden in complicated music but thrives in the simple instrumentation and emotional vocals. I love this album and really recommend it if you are a fan of acoustic, rustic folk music, amazing vocals and beautiful lyrics.

Songs you should listen to: Flowers in Your Hair, Submarines, Ho Hey and Stubborn Love

20130402-215457.jpg#3: Passenger – All the little lights

I kept seeing this British singer/songwriter being talked about on Twitter and so eventually I went and downloaded the album on Spotify to listen to in the car. It wasn’t what I was expecting at all but I really enjoyed this album and had it on repeat for about a week (sorry Edd!). I guess this album falls under folk/pop/indie singer songwriter but the album and sound is so unique it’s hard to categorize. The vocals remind me of Ed Sheeren but there’s something even better and more charming that I adore. The songs and lyrics are beautiful and Mike’s amazing vocals don’t hide any emotion at all. I love this kind of album that feels personal with instrumentation that compliment his lyrics and lead you through the album.

Songs you should listen to: Things that stop you dreaming, All the little lights, The Wrong Direction, Holes,

Go listen to some music and let me know what has been occupying your ears this month!

Xx

Albums of August

Hi All!

Well August is coming to a close and I thought I would do a favorite albums of the month that I have been listening to and loving! Just a little warning…I listen to a rather wide variety of music genres (very wide some might say) and I am terrible at classifying music! So bear with me haha! Also these are in no particular order.

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