(via lifeundercalicoskies)
NEVER MIND THE ARIAS
One music student's quest to listen to *EVERYTHING*
If you sound great in the practice room, you’re probably practicing the wrong thing.
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nice acting ringoooo :3
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Music is everywhere :D
(Source: rawbdz, via leadingtone)
PIANO, n.: A parlor utensil for subduing the impenitent visitor. It is operated by pressing the keys of the machine and the spirits of the audience.
Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary
(via leadingtone)
Stornoway - Beachcomber’s Windowsill
Artist: Stornoway
Album: Beachcomber’s Windowsill
Label: 4AD
Release date: 24 May 2010
Peak chart position/sales: (UK) #14, Silver (IRE) #43
RATING: 3.5/5 stars
British alt-indie folk band Stornoway were first brought to my attention some months ago by the awesome FloraH of Not Another Rainy Sunday (go read her blog as well!) and once I heard the beautiful hybrid of Villagers, Mumford & Sons and Hungry Kids Of Hungarythat is the Stornoway sound, I couldn’t wait to bring them to your attention, too. When it comes to indie music, I am well and truly over the dark tones and haunting angst - I like my alternative music uncomplicated and mostly sweet, preferably paired with pyjamas and brunch on a Saturday morning, thank you very much. Therefore, Stornoway’s debut album Beachcomber’s Windowsill ensured that I had a very pleasant start to the weekend.
I’m going to be honest: I’m completely in love with Brian Briggs’ voice. When his unapologetically confident, pure vocal joined with throbbing bass on opening track “Zorbing”, I knew the album was going to be a winner. Infectiously groovy “I Saw You Blink” only improved my mood, but it was the tender retrospection and whimsical melody of “Fuel Up”that sealed the deal. The plain and simple truth is that this is a perfectly lovely album. With topics ranging from childhood sweethearts to confused life directions, Stornoway constantly surprise with a happily broad array of instrumentation, adding strings, brass, synthesisers and a church bell to the usual folk-rock set-up.
This is why my reviews are sometimes sporadic.
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The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Album: Pet Sounds
Artist: The Beach Boys
Label: Capitol
Release date: 16 May 1966
Peak chart position/sales: (US) #10, Platinum (UK) #2
RATING: 3.5/5 stars
When I think of The Beach Boys, I think sun, surf, cars and girls…and of how overplayed “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” is. I certainly didn’t think of an album to rival Rubber Soul, or “challenge” The Beatles to write Sgt. Pepper. And yet this is what my beloved 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die tells me their eleventh studio album, Pet Sounds, is. I was intrigued - how could some beach bums from California match my beloved mop-tops? So of course I investigated…
I admit feeling slightly dubious upon discovering that Brian Wilson’s collaborator wasjingle-writer Tony Asher, and I admit to initially skipping the sugary-sweet opening track “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” - but when I decide to actually listen, it doesn’t fail to impress. With astounding layers of percussion, horns, bells and larger-than-life drums, I push all thoughts of the Cadbury ad firmly to the back of my mind and am decidedly curious.
