Jack, Coldplay, and MORE Guster

So, I was trying to think of some catchy and/or clever title involving some mix of all the names but that left me with "Gusjackplay" or "Coldjackter" neither of which sound extremely creative or appetizing.  The point is, that's what's on the menu for today.  I had the idea that, rather than jumping into "new-ish" territory right off the bat, I'd start out with a few older favorites.  This should give those of you who are unfamiliar with my musical background a better idea of where I'm coming from musically and where this blog will most likely go in the future if left solely to my sharing... (hint hint... I want y'all to share stuff...) Also, this gives me more time to find some really good new stuff. So, if you've already heard all that follows, hopefully you'll still enjoy it and if you hate any of the bands, I apologize (but not really because we all know it's only because you're dumb ;) Just kidding, Cliff.  SO, here goes: (Just click on the titles or listen to the Blog playlist on Grooveshark)

I was introduced to Jack Johnson's music in highschool (we met at a party and hit it off and the next thing you know he's had a few too many and I'm lit because someone spiked my Kool-aid with caffeine... a little crazy but after a rousing chorus of "Somebody to love" and a few rounds of N-64 mario kart, the music was okay to drive home...) Anyways, I was trying to calm down after coming off a little TOO much Led Zepplin and the like and found that Jack Johnson was the perfect remedy.  Brushfire Fairytales was such a cool, laid back album.  Unassuming, humble yet confident enough to not care and just have fun.  My favorite off the album was probably "Inaudible Melodies" followed closely by "Flake" (which has Ben Harper on the slide guitar in the background btw.) Next was On & On.  Not as good in my opinion but still good. I didn't really care for "Horizon has been defeated" as much but I really liked "Dreams be dreams" and "Traffic in the Sky" both of which are pretty chill, lay back on your lawn/ in your hammock and find shapes in the clouds.  Also good on that album was "Wasting Time" because it was a bit more upbeat and showcased his guitar skills a bit more.
In Between Dreams came out while I was gone in Germany but I sure loved it when I came home (and probably listened to it enough to make up for lost time...) Great on that album are Better Together (for those sappy people among us), Never Know (quick and upbeat) and Breakdown (which still reminds me of the slow train ride out to Machu Pichu in Peru and is also a great ukulele song).  I'll skip his next two (for time and Cliff's sake) because they were okay but not anything special and point out that his newest album was actually really good.  Favorite tracks being You and Your Heart and At or with Me. Give 'em a listen. They're just plain fun.  Nothing to take too seriously and perfect background music to simply kick back and chill out to.

Next are my boys from Britain! I can also claim to have hopped on board the Coldplay train before it was trendy.  I actually like their earlier stuff best because, once again, it was chill compared to my classic rock.  Their first album is by far their best. Don't Panic, Trouble, We Never Change are often underplayed--what a thing to do!-- because everyone's favorite on the album was all Yellow... tee hee. They picked up the pace a bit with their next album, Rush o' Blood to the Head; Clocks being the most famous (and best) followed by In My Place, and the Scientist--moodier ballads that appealed to a more, shall we say, "melancholy" crowd... you know who you are (points finger at self).  But there were some absolute GEMS that popped up live or on B-sides shortly thereafter that are, sadly enough, unknown to the majority of people who like Coldplay.  My favorite being Moses but Things I don't Understand is awesome as well.  X&Y also came out while I was gone but I came back and loved "Fix You" and the Clock-alike "Speed of Sound." Then Viva la Vida hit. Great album as a whole but so different from their early stuff, I found myself liking two completely different bands. Anyways, the favorites for this era, yet again, come from the B-sides album Prospekt's March: Life in technicolor II (with lyrics! and a funny music video to boot!) and Glass of Water. AWESOME song. It sounds much like I'd imagine flying feels. Crank this one with your car windows down doing 80 through Idaho.

Last but certainly not least... GUSTER! I can't claim to be an original fan since I found out about them only after their fourth album, Keep It Together, hit but this has got to be one of my all-time favorite albums. It has EVERYTHING you'd ever look for in music.  Some songs are chill, other are peppier.  All their songs are clean (not just profanity free but content as well) and almost every single song is a powerhouse hit on its own.  Favorites being Amsterdam, Diane, & Ramona, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE listen to the whole thing.  Sit down, take an hour. Best hour of your day/week/life. Promise. You won't regret it. Ganging up on the Sun was also full of hits.  Sadly, though, there were a few duds (and an F bomb in Manifest Destiny) so watch out.  My favorite, One Man Wrecking Machine, has to be edited (the version they played on the radio was different so I bought it and showed it to everyone and thought, "Holy inappropriate reference, Batman!") The other great ones are Dear Valentine and Satelite.  As for their new album, I've only listened to it once but Bad Bad World (last week's song) and Do You Love Me? are great.

There you go! I know it's a lot of songs but each one is AMAZING. I really tried to limit myself to the ABSOLUTE best. Please give 'em all a try. They're sure to help brighten your day.  Enjoy! Happy Music Monday, everyone! Don't forget to share YOUR music too!!