If you have never heard of Pedro The Lion you owe it to yourself to give him a listen. I say him because it basically one guy, David Bazan, with a revolving band line up backing him. Bazan writes heartfelt lyrics that can at time be a little depressing but also very thought provoking. The music definitely tends to lean more towards the calm side, although there was an album or two that seemed more upbeat closer to the end of the bands career. I remember coming across this band at a local christian bookstore, and being very surprised that they actually carried it upon listening to the album. It's definitely not preachy by any stretch of the imagination. In fact quite a few of the songs deal with much more adult themes and even foray into darker themes (check out the album Winners Never Quit.) Don't get me wrong his music isn't all rainclouds and sour grapes, the music will leave you with the feeling that no one is perfect and that we are only human.
Pedro The Lion - The Longer I Lay Here
Get ready to rock the eff out. Ska punk rockers Less Than Jake produce the happiest music you have ever heard with majorly jaded lyrics. It's like eating ice cream and being hit in the head with a rock. If you like to dance and you want to re live those angsty anti-everything teen years I suggest giving these dudes a whirl. I guarantee you after hearing this it will be stuck in your head just like...well, glue.
Less Than Jake - Krazy Glue
A long time ago I used to work at a gas station/ car wash. Working the car wash was one of the most slack jobs I ever did. I got to listen to music all day, I could do my homework, I'd cut pictures out of magazines and make humorous word bubbles for other employees to find, and I worked a great bunch of guys. One particular guy was named Jason. He was one of the funniest dudes I have ever met. We used to just sit around and listen to Whatever And Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five constantly (It had just came out then). One day he had randomly gave me a CD by this band called Arch Stanton, which he was a member of. I had talked to this guy countless times and he had never mentioned he was in a band. I never got to see them play because I was to young to get into any bars, but he was kind enough to give me a CD. Which he comically signed, "To Brad. From Quality" Quality was the name of the gas station/car wash.
Arch Stanton - Forever (No Longer Available)
This is a home state band that I always loved. They had a few big hits back in the 90's with the songs Plowed, Molly and the less popular Wax Ecstatic. All very good songs in their own right. They were also featured on the soundtrack to the Kevin Smith film Chasing Amy and a great compilation called Saturday Morning: Cartoons' Greatest Hits. Here is they killer version of the theme song to Speed Racer. P.S. I would highly suggest picking up this compilation, especially for The Violent Femmes outstanding version of Eep Opp Ork-Ah Ah from the Jetsons and Matthew Sweet re-doing Scooby Doo, Where Are You?
Sponge - Speed Racer
This song needs nothing enticing said about it. It's that good. Also I really need to go to bed. Also check out some cool art by this dude.
Little Wings - Last Time
RopBop Special Request
Radical Dudez - Tahiti Treat
No comments:
Post a Comment