Epic

Hello Friends,

I don't know if it's that I just finished watching the bonus DVD content on Snow Patrol's 'Up To Now' collection or not - but wow are they ever amazing and creating some magic.

I've always been a fan and followed their career closely since they released 'When It's All Over We Still Have To Clear Up'. I still think that 'One Night is Not Enough' is a heck of a tune today.

The band have come a long way indeed and not just in terms of commercial success - this band is now creating epic music that has raised the bar and sets them apart from others that have come before. The songs are, for the most part, somber and sad in terms of lyrical content - but that's part of the charm. The other part is full on rock n roll and epic atmospheric tunes that could stand-up against the likes of The Who and Pink Floyd.

I'll keep today's post short - but please check out my 5 suggested tracks by this band when you have a second.

• The Lightening Strike


• The Planets Bend Between Us *Radio edit has better harmonies :)


• The Golden Floor


• One Night is Not Enough


• Somewhere a Clock is Ticking


• Bonus: Your Sweet Voice *Reindeer Section track

Enjoy!

Gregg

Harmony is Everything

Hello Friends,

I like the following definition for the word harmony the best...
har⋅mo⋅ny 
the simultaneous combination of tones, esp. when blended into chords pleasing to the ear; chordal structure, as distinguished from melody and rhythm.

The reason I picked this word to speak of is that I've been listening to The Stereophonics for the past 24 hours in a very heavy rotation. The Stereophonics have got to be the single best band in the world at harmony today.

It all started when I got to the office and recieved my latest issue of Q Magazine. This is always a great day as Q truly is gospel for music. This month's magazine features Arctic Monkeys on the cover and a beautiful advertisment for the new Stereophonics album on the back. The cover to this disc is amazing.

The band formed in 1992 and have since released 7 full length albums and 1 greatest hits collection. That greatest hits collection also included a new track - that for my money is one their finest to date entitled 'My Star'.

The band are definetly a rock band in all senses of the term - but it's intelligent rock and the HARMONY in their songs is unbeatable today. In some tracks it's very subtle - but in others it is enought to give you goosebumps.

I was introduced to these guys through The Wedge on Muchmusic back in the early 90s. There was a video for 'Pick a Part that's New' where the band, 3 members at that time, robbed some gold and fill it in the trunk of 3 austin minis and drive around a European town to get away. At that time it blew my mind as the only music videos I was seeing were the likes of C&C Music Factory and EMF. The band have made some really good videos over the years. Check out this Stephen Kings esque video for Mr. Writer!

The band used to perform at least once a year in Toronto and play the Warehouse aka Kool Haus. It was always rammed and the crowd was so diverse each year.

I got to go back and meet the band one time after one of these shows and it was a great experience. Kelly (lead singer) is but a mere 5 feet tall and Richard (bass player) gave me 4 cans of Heineken in the span of 45 minutes chatting. I will always have a spot in my heart for this band.

In terms of harmony - I think it best left for the music to speak for itself. Check out these 5 tracks and pay close attention to their amazing ability to create harmony. These guys truly could have been a backing band to some of the Motown greats of years gone by.

• You're My Star


• Maybe Tomorrow


• Dakota


• Vegas two Times


• Nothing Precious At All

Some of the finest lyrics written to accompany and allow for these great harmonic tunes. Here's a beauty from one of them...

'You're My Star"

You're my star
Yes you are
Its a thrill to see your imagination
Just watching you is an education
What's in your mind is my fascination
It blows my mind and sets my heart a racing

Man I love this band and think that you should check em out when you have a chance. Here's the latest single to get you started - INNOCENT

Thanks for reading.

Gregg

What are you listening to these days?

Hello Friends,

This is probably my single favourite question to be asked in the world. I tend to get asked this many times a month as lots of my friends know I have the access to new music because of what I do for a living. It really is something special to be able to talk about music as part of my day-to-day work and I am very thankful for that.

The sad thing is that when people ask this question of me these days I tend to be a bit embarassed at some of the stuff I actually am listening to. I tend to be listingening to lots of top 40 stuff. The fact is that it is the business of popular culture. The current list of songs and artist I am listening to (this week) might look a little something like this...

Lady Gaga - 'Bad Romance'

Beyonce - 'Sweet Dreams' (had to use that image - Beyonce is a godess)

Ke$ha = 'Tik Tok'

Jay-Z feat Alicia Keys - 'Empire State of Mind'

The Temper Trap - 'Sweet Disposition'

I'm not complaining - it's just funny how things change and how damn catchy these tracks are these days.

I did however play the new Julian Casablancas album today from start to finish a few times. So the next time someone asks me the question "What are you listening to these days" I can hold my head high and say just that.

Check this one out when you have a second. The album is really great. TOURIST HERE

Good Music Is Still Good Music at the end of the day.

Thanks,

Gregg

Travis

Hello Friends,

I had an amazing concert experience last week and had to share it with you. It was at a fantastic venue in NYC called Joe's Pub and was the first night of 6 in a row for 2 members of the Scottish outfit TRAVIS.

This band got me hooked in the late 90s with the stunning videos they made. So contrary to what the Boggles said about music videos - this band sold me with them.

It was watching the New Music, with Sook Yin Lee, that I first saw these masterpieces. She was interviewing the band in the Blackmarket and throwing to videos throughout. The 2 stand outs where 'Driftwood' and 'Writing to Reach You'. This was at the same time the band were here to open for Oasis at Maple Leaf Gardens...and so double awesome for me!

The show I went to last week featured Fran (Lead singer) and Andy (Lead guitars) on a small stage playing songs in chronological order all the while giving the audience a wee (small) glimpse into the songs origins. It truly was magical and now I need to see all my favs do it this way.

The show was also accompanied with a slide show of the band and bits and pieces of their lives. The one that stood out for me was the story of the track 'Closer' from the album 'The Boy With No Name'. The story was a response to an accident in which the drummer of the band nearly died while on tour. He dove into the shallow end of a pool and damaged his spine severely. Fran explained that it was simply a message to his band + people in his life being very important and that it sucks it takes tragic events for us to see it. The video doesn't make me think that - but it has a killer cameo with Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais in another version.

Side Note: Fran is wearing a Radio Clyde shirt in this video. If any of you know how to find a black on just like it - then please let me know. I have found it in red a million times - but need this one. My folks are from Clydebank and that is the location of this particular radio station. Shirt was originally made famous by Frank Zappa. CLOSER video

They truly are a special band and so if you trust me and want to check out my top 5 - then here you go...

Writing to Reach You
Turn
Sing
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Why Does It Always Rain On Me

Damn I wish I were in a band.

Thanks for reading.

Gregg

PS - I know I look like an idiot in that photo - but it was great to say thanks to them for a wonderful music experience.

(Photo Credit: Raffaella Fornarelli:)

90's music

Hello Friends,

New music is something I have the luxury of working with each week as part of my job. It's amazing to me that this actually happens :)

I was at my older brother's place this past weekend for a birthday party. While I was there I noticed his CD collection in boxes. He's been going through them one at a time uploading them to the computer. It's a long daunting task - but necessary to do. Once complete - the CDs will act as art and art alone :(

I went through them for ages and grabbed about 20 discs that I didn't have - so I too could add them to my collection too.

I spent Sunday listening to them whilst uploading and wow it was an eye opener. The CDs I borrowed are from the 90s and majority of it sounded so dated.

Crazy how there's a distinct sound to an era. I don't mean something that brings you back to a time or period in your life either. I actually mean - the music sounds very early 90s. The crazy thing is that only certain bands/artists are able to transend time. I mean - listen to The Beatles, The Stone Roses, Joy Division, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin or U2. They all stand-up today and don't miss a beat if you heard them in a bar or club today.

The 90s was a very strange time for music. In Canada in particular (this is all I know;).

This was the time of Grunge and Boy Bands, and East Coast vs. West Coast hip-hop. It was a transition decade much like the Toronto Maple Leafs is going through now. People defined themselves by the music they listened to unlike anything before or anything that came after. Today you are more open to being eclectic...and it's wonderful.

Here are 5 stand-out tracks I listened to today while sifting through the CDs...

1. Meat Puppets - Backwater
2. The Cult - Heart of Soul
3. The LAs - There She Goes
4. Liz Phair - Supernova
5. Blur - There's No Other Way

Blur was the only one that didn't sounded dated in this list 

Thanks for reading.

Gregg

Hello friends,

I saw a facebook posting from a friend the other day about their favourite song/track of 2009. Pretty bold, if you ask me, as it's only midway through October. Regardless - she got me thinking about the year 2009 (thanks Stacey) and god damn have there been some monster jams released.

It's fine because this is just a bloig anyway - but a dangerous thing to do if it were a print publication. Anyone that has ever worked in this industry knows that the record labels have some seriously big names dropping albums around the end of the year (last quarter of fiscals) to make sure that they make the year on paper. There also seems to be lots of 'Greatest Hits' 'Collections' 'Box Sets' and even 'Unreleased' albums put out at this time...with the same goal in mind (making the year financially).

I digress...

The year 2009 has seen some great music come out on all levels. This is tough as last year was one of the most amazing years for anyone like myself whom eats sleeps and breathes British Pop. I mean Oasis released their last studio record.

• Kim and Jessi - M83


• Kingdom of Rust - Doves


• Empire State of Mind - Jay Z featuring Alicia Keys (special mention 'What We Talkin About')


• Heavy Cross - Gossip *also amazing in concert - saw them last week


• I'm Not Alone - Calvin Harris


• Skeletons - Yeah Yeah Yeahs *start to finish album is soooo good!

Special mentions go out to the following for making me smile...

• Passion Pit


• Phoenix


• Drake


• Muse


• White Lies


• Jack Penate


• Eminem


• Kasabian


• U2

Still lots of 2009 left - so this will be revised come new year's day!

Thanks for reading.

Gregg

oh you've got green eyes, oh you've got blue eye

Hello,

After meeting at a Sex Pistol's gig in 1976 something very special was born. The band began as Joy Division and continue on today as New Order.

Joy Division were the first to sign to Factory Records in which co-owner actually signed them in his own blood. Factory records was one of a kind in it's day - and took chances on the artists that they believed in and allowed them the time to create and record.

Joy Division only ever released 2 albums including 'Unknown Pleasures' and 'Closer' but the power of songs in the 2 alone would be enouogh to give them the the right to stand-up with some of the most influential bands of all time.

Ian Curtis committed suicide in 1980 bringing the original formation to a hault. The band didn't skip a beat and continued rehearsing and soon found themselves to become the rebirth in the form of a band now called New Order.

I have to digress at this point to tell you that it was this band alone that got me interested and excited about persuing a career in music.

As a child I used to go to the elementary school that my mother worked at during the summertime to be looked after. I was too young to be on my own - so as my mom was the secretary at the school and in the summer time it was just her and a janator - I would go and hang. I would bring my skateboard and was allowed to skate the hallways and gym. Amazing summer for a 12 year old kid.

One day the janitor was sweeping and cleaning all the old lockers. On the ground was binders and crap left behind from the school year. I came across a gold cassette tape with lipstck on it that was clearly a mixed tape of some cool grade 8 student. I took that thing home and the first song to play knocked me on my ass as it was 'Bizarre Love Triangle'. There was something about it that was unlike anything else I had ever heard before. This was the era of Whitney Houston and Debbie Gibson - so to hear these riffs was amazing. Thank you whom ever left that tape behind.

New Order have release 8 studio albums and countless remixes, box sets and live recordings since Ian's untimely departure.

I had the pleasure of seeing New Order perform in 2004 at T in the Park Music Festival and it was truly amazing. The only downfall was Brandon Flowers of The Killers joined them on stage for a song ;)

The band are truly one of those that you can play today and it stands-up and doesn't sound dated. Here's a quick list of the New Order tracks I would recommend you add to a collection if you don't already have.

1. Shellshock
2. True Faith
3. Temptation
4. Crystal
5. Blue Monday
6. Bizarre Love Triangle
7. *Love Will Tear Us Apart

Alright - gotta make a playlist of the some New Order.

Thanks for reading.

Gregg