like a wildfire you got me rising high

Winters Love-Animal Collective

I chose this song today because it reminds me of a certain someone who I started up with around this time a few years ago. It’s one of my favorite songs by AC, who are a band that is really difficult to describe. Most people (who like indie/alternative music) probably got to know them through their latest album Merriweather Post Pavillion which came out in 2009, among other side projects from individual band members (Panda Bear, Avey Tare…)

Anyway, they’re pretty different. A lot of people don’t like the overall “noisy” or harsh sound, but a lot of songs are actually pretty cohesive, even the raw-er types. It took me a couple listens to really get into them and they turned out to make the kind of music I felt like my body could relate to. It’s very visceral and “animalistic”, for lack of a better word. Some songs are probably more successful than others, and there are a couple albums that really do just sound like noise with no real harmony and I wonder if they were improvosational (I wouldn’t put it past them). Actually one time I was sick in bed from food poisoning and the really weird songs came on my shuffle and I couldn’t even get up to change it I was so sick. Listening to that was so painful. 

BUT, this song is really sweet when I listen to it. And maybe cus of the word “Love” in the title, you can’t help but listen to it and reminisce about past loves. The composition of the first half is very airy and ethereal and then around 1:52 its counterbalanced by a really gritty, almost soulful complement. By soulful I really just mean, from the gut. And thats what Animal Collective reminds me of. My guts. In a really good, earthy, human being kind of way. 

Posted 3 months ago

Phantogram is a relatively new band who have a really fresh sound in my opinion. This is a song “Don’t Move” from their new album Nightlife but their 2009 Eyelid Movies is also very good. This track is one of my faves off their new album. Give it a listen. I love the little surprises and twists. They always wanna make me rock out.

Posted 3 months ago

So since I mentioned LD yesterday, here’s one of my favorite tracks off of their newest album, Ritual Union. It’s dance-y and almost mathematical in a way because of the different notes/sounds/whatever they stick in there like a sonic jigsaw puzzle. Best band I’ve discovered in the last couple years, you should buy their album! 

I also liked this video a fan made using parts of the movie “Vivre Sa Vie” by Jean Luc Goddard, featuring his muse, Anna Karina. One of my fave directors, I think it’s really cute the way she dances! ( I don’t think LD has a video for this track yet) 

Enjoy! 

Here’s their website http://little-dragon.net/ 

“Dreamy, rhythmical, shifting, moody rainbow sounds.” - don’t know how better to describe them. 

Posted 3 months ago




Hey folks! 

Welcome to my blog. Never thought I’d succumb, but you know what, this is the best project I could come up with in terms of having an idea and actually following through with it. I’m sure many have a similar kind of blog: one song a day, chosen by me, primarily based on what I’m feeling that day. Simple, uncomplicated, and concerning one of my favorite things on earth: music. I literally don’t know what I’d do without it. It immediately elevates my mood (or enhances it whether good or bad) and allows my mind to process my thoughts, feelings and consciousness most other art media fail to do in such an immediate way. 

Anyway, my taste ranges from electronic, folk, indie rock, dance, hip hop, freak folk, uhh…a lot. Lately it’s been pretty electronic/dance-y. I like the kind of music you can get lost in, you can move and groove to, but also music that’s powerful and operatic in a way. Music is best experienced when it’s shared (on loud speakers of course). Nothing better than having friends like the music you think is good and feeling the same things that a particular sound can conjure up. 

So, here’s my pick for the day. A great song by a band I recently discovered featuring one of my all.time.favorite.bands, Little Dragon. LD is getting more recognition now ( I think they’ve been played on some CW shows, maybe Gossip Girl!! xoxo) Yukimi Nagano’s voice penetrates so well. The song is electronic/dubb-ish, cleverly layered and composed. I hope you enjoy and share with others. 

SBTRKT (pronounced as “subtract”) is the stage name of Aaron Jerome, a musician and producer from London, United Kingdom. SBTRKT began his career as a DJ in the east London club “Plastic People”. SBTRKT has remixed songs by artists such as M.I.A, Radiohead, Modeselektor, Basement Jaxx, Mark Ronson and Underworld, and has released singles, EPs, and a self-titled album. SBTRKT’s music is a mixture of two-step, UK funky, dubstep, US RnB and Chicago house. His music has been placed in rotation by BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6. (Wikipedia)

-Shang

P.S There won’t be this much writing all the time. Don’t worry! 

Posted 3 months ago