Another Newton!

So, there's been a wonderful-ish turn of events. Y'all have broken the readership records! When I first started back in Nov, page views peaked and have been up and down since but this month's peak on the graph thingy was HIGHER! So, I s'pose a big thank you is in order, so... THANK YOU!! (get it? cuz it's in caps. tee hee)
There is one bit I'm wondering about, though. For some reason, the post about Newton Faulkner has been the VAST majority of views. I have several hypotheses to explain this phenomenon: either all the views come from a die-hard Newton fan who just can't get enough, Newton's getting increasingly popular and more people are googling him in general , or I'm a ridiculously good writer and people keep coming back to partake of my razor sharp wit and rugged good looks (and I think we all know which option is the most feasible... ;)

So, to all you Newton-ians out there, here are my favs from his 2nd album to hold you over until his nextalbum hits later this year. They're a little different from his last album (a bit more focused on his amazing vocals and bit fuller sound than just him and his guitar) but still great stuff!

If This Is It, Lipstick Jungle, Let's Get Together, Won't Let Go, Over & Out, I'm not Giving Up Yet and he's got some fun instrumental bits on this album too: Resin Theramins, Cheltenham

And to whoever you are that keep looking at that one post in particular, maybe we can make a deal: if you read my other posts or get a lot of your friends to follow my blog or just more people to share suggestions, I will BUY you your very own copy of his 1st album. How 'bout it? Until then, pass it on and enjoy! Thanks again to everyone who reads this :)

Norwegian Awesomeness!!

K, so I've already explained the situation with these next few posts in a former post so we'll just get down to business. Today's music is brought to you by Sondre Lerche (Ler- K... I believe that's close to how's it's actually pronounced) and he is AMAZING!! He does it all: acoustic, smooth quartet jazz, more alternative-y rock, even film scores! We went to his concert last month: likewise AWESOME!  His music is real; not formulaic or superficial. Not to mention his guitar work is SPECTACULAR! I simply can not rave enough.  This is what music is all about. It sounds funny but I think he is kind of what I would be had I been born more Norwegian, better looking and with ridiculous amounts of talent... so basically not like me at all... but still...

Proof I was there ;)

He has FAR too many great songs to pick my customary 5 or 6 so here are my favorites from all his albums. There's a lot but you should listen to them all. Seriously! Love them. And love HIM... but like a brother or something...
Faces Down- Modern Nature (this is one of my all time favorites)
Two Way Monologue- Two Way Monologue
Duper Sessions- Everyone's Rooting for You, Human Hands, Lulu-vise (Norwegian in action? Warning: it gets stuck in your head)
Phantom Punch- Say it All, Tragic Mirror, John Let Me Go
Dan in Real Life- Family Theme Waltz, To Be Surprised, My Hands Are Shaking (this was SO cool live), Dan in Real Life, Family Theme, Dan & Marie Melody, Dan & Marie Finale Theme.  A lot, I know but I just couldn't choose. This should tell you how great they are. Plus, most o' them are short.
Heartbeat Radio- Good Luck, Easy to Persuade
Sondre Lerche- Ricochet, Coliseum Town, When the River

There's many more that I didn't put on here but are on the "TheMusicMann" Playlist on my grooveshark page. Some that I really like but don't really know what they're about (ie- if they're entirely appropriate for here) are Face the Blood, The Tape, Private Caller, H__ No (with Regina Spektor). At any rate, LISTEN TO THEM ALL BECAUSE THEY'RE AMAZING!!

Next week: Blues Traveler. Til then, here's a preview. ENJOY! Send suggestions and pass it along!

And it's another long blog post... it's going, it's, it's...Intercepted!

Okay, that was my lame attempt at a "punny" title--I thought of making a reference to Inception just cuz that's hip and/or with it but that would've been even more of a stretch and it wouldn't have been pretty. Trust me.

At any rate, I feel bad for the low quality posts as of late and all the excuses so here's a short one just to say sorry. The band is Intercept. I found them via Pandora and I already posted one of their other songs but I've heard a few more since and thought I'd share. They're not real big (their website is kinda weak--think late 90's-- and they're not even on Wikipedia) but they're good. So you can be proud of knowing an obscure, non indie band. Give yourself a pat on the back!

Home
Imaginary Friends
Gravity (This is the one I already posted but it's worth listening to again)

And although I've already covered this artist, this song has not been shared. Enjoy!

Bass Guitar Therapy

I know it's mid-week but I feel so guilty I had to post something.  Here's the deal: recently I've been to two amazing concerts (Sondre Lerche and Blues Traveler) and I was so excited to do a "I just went to this concert last weekend and you should all listen to and support their music" post for both of them.  So I did my homework and listened to all their albums (7 for Sondre and 7 for Blues Traveler) but, due to other homework (see last week's post) I haven't really had time to pick favorites (there's a LOT) and compose my thoughts (submitting something here for the world to read can be daunting) even though it probably isn't as big of a deal to y'all.

So, until I get a break in schoolwork, you get to deal with my therapist... loud rock that I have figured out the bass lines to.  That's right, because I'm part of the awesomest family EVER, last night Christmas came early (not because you resemble Santa, Mark) and a bass guitar by the name of Dr. Funkenstein was bestowed upon me. I apologize if some of you aren't fans of this genre but just focus on the bass lines, I guess. They are cool... promise!

One last bit of house cleaning: Since the Jesse Ruben post where I bragged about beating the system to get Switchfoot on grooveshark, the system has fought back and most of them are gone. I will not take this lying down though, my friends! I will continue to fight!... and most likely lose but that's not important!  Also, the 3 songs that weren't up on the 'Merica post are now up and running so you can give those a listen to as well (which you really should because they're some of my favorites). And here we go!

Rock n' Roll- Led Zepplin. No fancy bass lines but it's driving. Plus, it has been a long time...
Are You Gonna Be My Girl?- Jet. Again, nothin' fancy but fun.
The Distance- Cake (maybe not so much "loud" as it is fun to play)
Sabotage (edited)- Beastie Boys (which really oughta be the beastie men since they're all in their mid 40's)
This week's mystery song is also a bass therapy song that's neither loud nor rockin'. But I can totally play it and it's fun. What are your favorite bass songs?

Midsummer Term's Nightmare

And here's the band spitting & smashing...

As you might have gathered from the title, I'm still in school... in the summer... not cool. As you may have further gathered from the title... it's a nightmare. And, if you haven't also gathered from the title, (I'll just come out and say it before your arms get tired from all that gathering) this will be short. I have been working hard on listening, I promise. I'm just not quite there yet. But I've got some in the works that are AWESOME. I know that's what I usually say but it's true.... AWESOME. So wait patiently. And until then, enjoy this one song from that one band that I probably won't give a deeper look into.

Goodnight Gravity by Falling Up

Sorry it's not more. Hope you still like it. Now back to reading "Faust."

'MERICA!

Okay, first an explanation. Last year around 4th of July time we were hanging out with our cousins at the mandatory 4th o' July flea market--you know, the ones where you can get an inflatable, squeaky anything and knock-off sunglasses for more than they're worth because they know parents really just want to keep their kids from whining? They gouge because they care... (or was it can?) Anyways, the various booths led us to the topic of that sort of "culture," I guess is what you'd call it, that is really into, well,... stuff. Wolf shirts, dream catchers, those bought-on-the-side-of-the-road-blankets with KISS, Bob Marley and Betty Boop on them... Which, individually, might not be too scary but when one person owns ALL of the above... "our powers combined, we are..." someone kinda creepy. So we decided this culture should be called: 'MERICA!

I'm not saying these songs are what constitute someone living in 'MERICA, especially since I really like most of them. That just made for a fun inside joke that I thought I'd share (kinda defeating the "inside" of it all but oh well...) All that work for a clever title? Yes. Why?... I don't quite know. ON TO THE MUSIC!

Fortunate Son- CCR. You don't get more American than this. I know for a FACT that CCR haters are all communists. K, I don't know but I have my suspicions...
American Girl- Tom Petty. Most people know Free Fallin' but this is from his very first album. It's a classic yet somehow I still find myself telling Dorothy that disliking Tom Petty is un-american.
All-American Girl- Carrie Underwood. I s'pose I had to put something country on here but this is as far as I will go. Plus, she's got some PIPES. So that makes it okay, I guess.
Saturday in the Park- Chicago. It's not Saturday and we're not in a park but no 4th is complete without it.
Sleeping w/ the Television On- Billy Joel. If you turn it up at the very beginning, you should hear something patriotic.
Kick Out the Jams- Presidents of United States of America. Just cuz their name is patriotic and the song is really fun.
On a more serious, respectful and reverent note, this is one of the most beautiful tributes I've ever heard. I was lucky enough to hear Ken Burns lecture at BYU when he sneak previewed this clip.

National Anthem- Jon Foreman. I know I already posted this but it's still cool.
And a mystery shout out to our northern neighbors in honor of last week and just cuz it's silly.
Thanks for listening and sharing and a special thank you to all those who made/ make this country great. Go read the Declaration or Constitution or watch 1776. Happy 4th! God bless!