The Kooks

No it's not The Kinks. (Although, I have been known to enjoy Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon with my friend Lola who's a Dedicated Follower of Fashion... what can I say, they Really Got Me!)... It's The Kooks. Kinda sounds like a joke. Something like what do you call a kinky crook? But I digress...

Here's the PLAYLIST

So, I've been trying not to do entire artist posts because they tend to be more intense than a post about a single album... I have to listen to complete discographies (which can be very lengthy at times) and have to pick favorites (which can be excruciatingly hard if you like them all...) But lucky for me, these guys only have 3 albums which went surprisingly quick. So here's my take on the Kooks (for what it's worth).

I can't exactly remember where I heard these guys first. It was either Pandora or on the soundtrack for 17 Again (which is a fabulous movie by the way. Hi-LAR-ious...). At any rate, they're one of those bands where you hear the song in the background and you HAVE to stop everything to listen better. If you're like me, you're frantically pulling your phone out of your pocket to try to get near enough to a speaker to use Soundhound or remember enough lyrics to Google later. Anyway, that first time, I did stop, listened, loved it. So I found out who they were and listened to the rest of their stuff.

Love those Brits!

So, it could just be my affinity for Brit pop (although I don't think so) but I love these guys. Their songs have been described as "catchy as h***" and although I wouldn't say that, I really haven't found a better way to say it (does that make sense?) There's just this ENERGY in their music. Even in the slower ones, there's a sort of subtle intensity... hard to explain. The music is great, they do some fun things with the vocals & harmonies, plus a THICK british accent is always fun...

The general consensus seems to be that their first album, Inside In/ Inside Out is their best but I think I like their 2nd album, Konk just as much. I was kinda disappointed with their third album, Junk of the Heart but in their defense, I've only listened to it once and the others 2 or 3 times. And to be honest, I don't like every song on these records (there are even a few that just fall flat) Regardless, the main thing I love about these guys is although every song might not be a masterpiece, they have a consistently GREAT sound. The guitar is what I like to call "punchy" (sort of pronounced, stacatto-ed, really crisp) with some pretty funky riffs & licks. They've got some REALLY fun bass lines that have a sort of run-don't-walk energy that feels kinda like a chicken with it's head cut off but who's oddly happy about it.... just all over the place which is always welcome & refreshing. Drummer is super talented... don't know what else I can say. Just an all around good sound. On a scale of "Not" to "Awesome," they get a solid "Awesome."

Have a listen, check 'em out. Make sure to comment! Who's your favorite British band (past or present)? Pass it on (this blog is all about sharing)! Enjoy!

Fiction Family Reunion!!

So, I know I'm not supposed to be concerned with readership and page views but I kinda am in this case but not for my sake. It's because y'all are SERIOUSLY missing out on amazing music and you don't even know it. And that's actually pretty sad. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and pretend you all have already heard Fiction Family that Google is wrong as far as page views goes and you've all listened to last week's playlist over and over and you can't get enough of these guys. In that case, as promised, this post is PACKED with fiction-ey goodness!

Here's the PLAYLIST (which, if you're paying attention, has 2 songs not on either of their albums)

So, back in Feb. we went to see these guys. They were headlining the "Heavy & Light" Tour. It was really interesting. A band or two would play then there would be a bit by a youth therapist/ counselor dude talking about overcoming addiction & adversity, then another band or solo act would play then there was a dude reciting/presenting/performing (?) some of his REALLY awesome poetry then there'd be more music... REALLY new experience for me, really uplifting, really cool. So, the boys came on after all the other groups and played 10 or so songs. Tried to scribble the set list down in the dark on a scrap of paper. So this week's playlist is a recreation of their portion of the show so it's almost like you were(n't) there! (But not really)... But that's okay. You're still cool and we can still be friends. But you have to promise me you'll stop dropping the ball like that. Or at LEAST listen to their album, love their music, become obsessed and see their next show, is that really too much to ask?

Here's who else played at the show

They didn't play hardly anything from their first album which was kinda sad but it was still epic to see Sean Watkins go to town live. The solo from Damaged is just masterful; it rises, it falls, builds, moves, just, just, AWESOME. I maintain that bluegrass pickers make some of the best "shredders" there are. Give me back my girl was really fun to see in person. And for Dare You to Move, the rest of the band left for a bit and it was just Jon who told everyone who was there to squish up close to the stage, he unplugged and stepped away from the mic and gave an intimate, acoustic performance which was just surreal. They closed with Friday I'm in Love which is actually the only version of this song I can stand and they had everyone who had performed before them come back on stage and sing a little bit of the song which was a fun note to go out on. 

For those of you who just can't get enough and want to hear the whole album, have no fear! I uploaded them all on Grooveshark and that playlist can be found HERE. Please listen to that as well. Just Rob Me is awesome and I love, love, love Fool's Gold. I still think I like this version of "Give Me Back My Girl" better but I'll let you decide for yourself.



Here's a video of one of the poems by Anis Mojgani. Maybe not as good as it was live but in a way I still think it's beautiful.



I waited around after the show and got a not so flattering picture with Jon. But that's okay. To me, it was a privilege just to meet him and I count it an absolute blessing to have been able to shake his hand and thank him for his music and what's it's meant to me in my life. Sappy, I know, but it's just something you have to experience for yourself, I s'pose. In the off chance you see this, Jon, thanks again.