These are my new favourite songs

There are so many new albums coming up that I can't wait to get my grubby little mitts on, it's insane. Also, please note, my hands aren't actually grubby - they are quite clean and well manicured today, thanks to Georgia and her awesome manicuring skills.

My first new favourite song is from Paramore. "Still Into You" is the second single from their upcoming self-titled album, and it's a corker. The album is the first they have recorded as a trio, since brothers (and two of the founding members) Josh and Zac Farro left the band in 2010. I saw the band live a few months before the split and it was painfully obvious that the Farros did NOT want to be there. While the three current band members were bursting with energy, Josh and Zac literally stood behind their instruments and did not move. It was still a great show, but I felt pretty bad for Hayley, Jeremy and Taylor, having to work with that kind of attitude. I really dig this song and have been listening to it on repeat for the last few days. It kind of has an eighties punk sort of feel, and makes me think of Siouxie and the Banshees and Blondie. Not because it sounds particularly like either of those bands, but more like Paramore were listening to them a lot when writing and recording, and little things have seeped in...Unfortunately, I can't embed the video directly on to the blog, but check it out on YouTube here.

City and Colour have a new album out soon, and one of the tracks "of space and time" is now up on Soundcloud here, for your listening pleasure. I will never get tired of Dallas Green's voice, it is just so beautiful. For those of you not familiar, City and Color is the solo side project of Green, who is also the singer for Alexis on Fire. If you're interested, I highly recommend checking out other songs, such as The Grand Optimist.

Last but not least, Laura Marling has a new album coming out in May. The first song to hit the interwebs is called Where Can I Go? and it is beautiful. It reminds of all the great female singers from around the 1970s - EmmyLou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Rita Coolidge. Check it out on Soundcloud here. I love Laura Marling and could wax poetically about her all day long, she nails what so many others are trying to do and who always seem to fall slightly short of the mark they are aiming for. Go out and listen to everything Marling has done ever. Right now.

5 Things I Loved: Father John Misty

I've blogged about Father John Misty before, and on Tuesday night I was lucky enough to catch his/their show at The Metro theatre in Sydney. Now, when I go out on a school night I expect my efforts and lack of sleep to be rewarded appropriately. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed! Let's get started kids.

1. Everyone loves a frontman

When I watched a few live videos of Joshua Tillman on the YouTubes I found that he came across as more of an oddball than a classic frontman. Boy, was I wrong. Or maybe he's special brand of charisma just doesn't translate over the internet. The man was dropping charm bombs left, right and centre. Chimney sweep jokes, just the right amount of amusing self deprecation about his amazing dance moves and also - what is pretty much my favourite thing in any person ever - he cracked up at his own jokes more than anyone else did. I know that may sound like a weird quality to appreciate in a person, but I just love it when someone gets that glint in their eye and starts laughing before they even get the words out. It's not obnoxious. It's delightful.

Plus, he was wearing a suit. Extra points. The singer from the support band "Oh Mercy" was wearing a sleeveless denim vest that said "Cold Chisel" on the back. While that was awesome in its own way, a suit is always better.

2. Be good at what you do.

I love a tight, professional performance. I get tired of watching half-hearted sets by musicians who don't even really know how to play their instruments all that well. It's like there's a certain school of thought that says as long as an artist is "truthful" (or whatever), or just tries really hard, they don't actually have to be good. Um, no. That's not so. Learning your craft is still important for any kind of artist.

3. Let's all be weird together.

FJM's bass player was like a rock and roll wizard. Or a Russell Brand character. Or both. Actually, Russell Brand should make a movie about a rock and roll wizard. Let's all just think on that for a while.

...

Anyway. The guy had sparkly face paint, floral trousers, threw his arms in the air when he got excited and delivered some pretty mean backup vocals. The lesson that we should learn here, is that we should all march to the beat of our own drummer and let our freak flags fly. Because it's awesome.

4. Dancing magic dance.

Oh how he danced. GOOD LORD, how he danced. Danced the night away. Fantastic dance moves involving the flailing of arms, flinging of limbs, and often the use of his mic stand as a prop. He even brought a lady out from backstage at one point to join him in an impassioned dance solo. It didn't come across as forced or insincere - it was kind of like that cheesy phrase that gets printed on fridge magnets "Dance like no one is watching" being brought to life, the way it was intended to. Except we were all watching. Because we paid to be there.

5. Not all songs are serious.

So, country inspired music is a thing at the moment. And it's so nice to see it done well. However, when they came on for their encore, Tillman started talking about a song they had written while taking a drunken visit to the Sydney Opera House after a gig. They played some of this song for us (it apparently has 27 verses). It's called "Sexwalk." It sounded like something Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake would have written - and I mean that in the best possible way. This is not "Sexwalk" but you should definitely watch it anyway.

xx

These are my new favourite songs

I've been listening to these on repeat for a while now, so I thought I should probably share them with you - they are not brand spanking new, but they are pretty new. I'm particularly in love with the Solange song, and the video clip! Who is Solange? Solange is the younger sister of Beyonce Knowles - just as talented but with a very different style.

I stumbled across Flume because the album was the iTunes $9.99 album of the week. What can I say? Sometimes I feel like $16.99 is far too much to pay for a download, but I strongly believe in paying for my music - does anyone else agree? Anyway, I really, really enjoy this album and this is one of my favourite tracks. I don't often get into electro/dance music but when I do, this is the kind that gets played over and over. I feel like it's the sort of music that would get played at a cool house party in a movie (because those kinds of house parties don't actually happen in real life). And yes, for those wondering, the name is in reference to the Bon Iver song.

 

xx

Five things I loved: Band of Horses

I went to see Band of Horses at the Enmore Theatre here in Sydney on Tuesday night. It's the third or fourth time I've seen them, and if possible, I think I love them even more now. It was an amazing show, absolutely worth staying out on a school night for.

1. The band members just love each other SO MUCH.

There are few things better than watching a band play, who just really freakin' love playing music with each other. Band of Horses have had a changing lineup over the years, with frontman Ben Bridwell remaining the beating heart of the group, however they've been pretty stable recently. It seems like they've found their rhythm as a little musical family. Ben hugged his fellow band members multiple times - really spontaneous "I just really love you man" type hugs. 

2. Amusing lyrical substitution.

"Marry Song" from their sophomore album (and my personal favourite) Cease to Begin opens (usually) with the line "I'll marry my lover, in a place to admire." However, on Tuesday night Bridwell took it upon himself to sing the song as an ode to his impressively* bearded guitarist Tyler Ramsey - "I'll marry my Tyler." LOLs. 

3. We know you have favourite songs - don't worry, we'll play them.

I like it when bands recognise the songs that helped build their audience and find success without resentment. Even if you don't know Band of Horses, odds are you've heard "The Funeral" before in a TV show or film - I think it's even been in a video game. They introduced it with a good natured nod to the audience, playing it as beautifully as ever. The setlist was a perfect combination of material from their four albums, leaving out none of the crowd favourites. 

4. Ben Bridwell's voice.

It's kind of different. Unusual. A bit nasal, frankly. But it's beautiful and emotive. The man has a gift.

I also highly recommend checking out this interview and video on Pure Volume - Bridwell is an interesting guy, and behind all the beard and tattoos is widely known to be one of the happiest and most courteous performers out there. The video following the article is a live, acoustic version of one of my favourite tracks on Mirage Rock (their latest album) "Slow Cruel Hands of Time." Seriously worth watching, especially with the snow-capped Wyoming mountains in the background.

5. Ben Bridwell looks like a Muppet.

He just does. And to me, there is no greater compliment. Who doesn't want to be a Muppet?

xx

* that was a sarcastic "impressively." I have no time for this hirsute trend of bushranger beards and wish it would go away.

Missing Children

I've mentioned before that blogging is fun because I get to write about the stuff that I like, with no reason required other than "because I can." If anyone was thinking of arguing with me about this, I will closely follow that with a "you're not the boss of me" and then a "you don't know my life." You've been warned.

One of the things I like about life is the wonderful and talented friends I've been fortunate enough to meet along the journey so far. The sole purpose of this particular post is to introduce you to some of them too.

Today we have the delightful Missing Children. It's been fun watching these guys grow over the last couple of years that I've known them as a band, both literally and figuratively. I mean, they are all adults so no one is getting any taller, but they have certainly grown in number. When my friend joined as cellist a couple of years ago they were an ensemble of three - guitar, vocals and cello - and have since added drums, bass, more guitars to create a more layered, intricate sound. I'm very terrible at accurately pinpointing genres and influences so I'm just going to say have a listen instead. 

   

You can purchase "Papertrail" on iTunes here and find them on Facebook here to find about upcoming gigs around Sydney. 

Enjoy!

xx

Bandcamp

I've mentioned before that I struggle sometimes to come across new music. I don't listen to the radio much, and I tend to rely on friends and family to introduce me to new artists. I stumbled across a cool site recently called Bandcamp, that I feel is going to help me in my quest for new tunes.

In a nutshell, Bandcamp is a site that allows artists to sell their music (and merch too, I believe) directly to their fans. I'm sure if I did some more research I could find plenty of similar music hosting/selling sites around, but I stumbled across this one and I quite like it. And guess what?! I'm going to give you a list of reasons why you should check it out. SURPRISE!

1. Bands can make their music available for free, at a set price (of their choosing), or they can also ask listeners to choose their own price. I was interested to discover that on average when choosing the price, listeners chose to pay 50% more than the minimum suggested by the artist.

2. You can search within genre, latest releases or artist favourites. One of the things that I find difficult about finding new music is that it's really overwhelming. There is SO much out there, that it's really hard to know where to start. If you want to listen to a track it just plays within the search window, and you can keep browsing within your search parameters (for example, new release hip-hop) and the track will keep playing.

3. Links open in a new tab (or page, depending on your browser preferences). For example, when I'm on the "discover" page just having a browse and searching by genre, if I'm listening to a particular track and I decide I want to go to that artist's dedicated page, the page will open up in a new tab and the track I'm listening to doesn't get interrupted.

4. When you purchase a song you can generally choose from about 8 or 9 different formats. Choices to sooth a music techies soul.

5. It's just easy. And fun. There are heaps of artists on here that are new and making their music available for free, and it's so nice to be able to support emerging independent music.

One of the bands I came across is called "Ski Lift" and are based in Nashville, I believe. I'm really enjoying their track "Romance" which you can download for free here.

I'm also digging "Crown Plaza" - it's tagged as electronic pop/dream pop/indie pop, which gives you a pretty clear idea of what you're in for. Fits right in with my dream to live inside the soundtrack to a Sofia Coppola film. Check them out here.

It's worth watching the little video Bandcamp has on the home page, explaining what the site is all about. For some reason I usually never bother doing things like that. It's like how I never read instruction manuals. But the video was extremely informative. There's probably a lesson in that. Somewhere.

Getting in touch with our '90s.

This week Caroline and I are gearing up for a '90s flashback. With tickets to see Juliana Hatfield and Evan Dando, my memories of gigs-gone-by and in-store appearances are flooding back. They were two of my favourite acts in my defining years. Not the only defining acts but my Juliana cassettes were on very high rotation in my Walkman in my final years of high school.

Here are a couple of shots of Evan Dando taken by my friends and I at an 'in-store' (from 1992 or 1993 maybe?) alongside a Juliana Hatfield magazine clipping in my old clippings folder. I have  a vague memory that she wrote about this photo in her book When I Grow up: A Memoir. And I have a vague memory that Evan was a bit 'floaty' at the autograph table.

I know I saw The Lemonheads play at least once in my youth. There was definitely one gig at Sydney Uni with Tumbleweed as support. We spotted a very young Ben Lee wandering around... and when I say 'very young' he was only a few years younger than me but I was pretty young.

Here is an old Lemonheads favourite of mine, 'Rockin' Stroll'. I believe the clip was filmed along Glebe Point Road and that the child in the pram belongs to one of the girls from The Hummingbirds (another of my favourite bands from the time).

I have only seen Juliana play once so far but my memory of that gig is a bit clearer. I think it was 1996 and it was at the Wollongong Uni Bar. It may have been the student end-of-year party. I went along with my brother that time and it was a great show for sure. This time I will be seeing her with my sister... so of course, here is her song 'My Sister'.

Cover me: Hey!

I am a fangirl when it comes to Eddie Vedder and anything he does, ever.  He is the coolest guy on the face of the planet in my opinion (closely followed by Mandy Patinkin, but as far as I know, MP hasn't done any cool covers so you'll all have to watch Homeland instead). Below is a video of EV covering "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" by The Beatles and doing what he does best - pointing out douchebaggery. I challenge you not to sing along.

Happy Friday lovers!

Cover Me: Tonight, I can't hold a pen.

It's been a while since I've done one of these! Justin Townes Earle has been around for a little while, but is fairly new to my music radar. On his second most recent album, Midnight at the Movies, he covered one of my all time favourite songs "Can't Hardly Wait" which was originally by The Replacements. Both JTE and The Replacements are excellent, and you should check them both out. I love how, even with the complete change in style and genre, the core of the song and that catchy hook remain the same. Genre is bogus, music is music. Enjoy!

Some new tunes for me, and for you.

How do people find new music these days? I seem to come across new bands via my friends or occasionally I will stumble across something new on the internet. I never, ever listen to the radio anymore, mostly because I don't really drive my car all that often and it never really occurs to me to listen to the radio around the house. Plus, both Nelly Furtado and The Ataris wrote songs about how much the radio sucks, and I kind of agree with them. It's starting to become a problem though - I find myself listening to the same things over and over (and over) again and occasionally I'll be out somewhere and a song will start playing that everyone except me knows the words to. Given that I am known for my ability to absorb the words of pop songs into the very fabric of my being, I'm thinking I need to lift my game. And the fact that  both the pop songs I just referenced are over ten years old just goes to prove my point, right? I mean seriously, how many of you forgot about Nelly Furtado?

I've stumbled across two new artists recently that I thought I would share. One of my extremely cool friends put me onto Father John Misty, and in particular the song "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings." Incredibly catchy and a little unsettling - isn't that how we like our pop music these days? Also, the video clip features Aubrey Plaza eating flowers and spazzing out in all kinds of ways. Parks and Recreation fans might appreciate as she still manages to breakdown in a remarkably unemotional fashion. Deadpan is the name of her game.

 

If you enjoy this, it's probably worth checking out this clip of the song "I'm Writing a Novel" - Joshua Tillman's dancing is pretty amazing. But, just to give you some perspective, I think everyone's dancing is amazing. I love those who dance! Dancing means enthusiasm for life and enthusiasm always gets full marks in my opinion. 

The second artist I've come across recently is JJAMZ. It's kind of a "super group", being an amalgamation of members of bands such as Phantom Planet, Maroon 5 (not Adam Levine, sadly...), and Bright Eyes. I came across this band after reading about them on another blog (Imboycrazy - PLEASE NOTE! - some, okay, a lot, of the images on this blog are NSFW nor are they appropriate for the younger peeps, just so you are aware. I mean we're all adults here, but if nudity bothers you, maybe don't click). Apparently the girl who writes Imboycrazy inspired the above song from Father John Misty after making out with Joshua Tillman on a grave at a Halloween party. There you go. And that's how the internet happens people.

Anyway...JJAMZ! I dig. I can see this becoming a favourite summer album. I really dig the singer, Z Berg's gently croaky vocals. It's poppy, it's dancey, but it's also kind of dark...sensing a theme? Don't worry, my love for Taylor Swift will always balance out the darkness.

The gif of Thom Yorke makes my day. Many thanks to the aforementioned extremely cool friend for bringing this to my attention.

Gigs, gigs, gigs.

One of my big themes for 2012 has been concert-going. At the start of the year I said that I was going to take a break from attending gigs for financial and energy reasons, so of course, every band that I have ever loved ever decided to come to Australia. Clearly the universe had other - better - plans for me.

Last weekend I went to the UNSW Roundhouse to see one of my all time favourite bands, rock/punk/pop outfit from Florida, Yellowcard. It was one of those nights that felt like it was over in a flash because I was having so much fun and was so caught up in every song they played - including the most heartfelt singalong to "Empty Apartment" I have witnessed. Especially when this was the fifth time I've seen the band live - and of course I'm not even counting all the car-aoke sessions that this song has featured in. And especially when this was an all-standing event, and I am somewhat vertically challenged with bad posture. But I didn't notice my back hurting once. 

I've been thinking a lot recently about how as humans, we have a need to feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves, and how this manifests itself in so many different ways. Sport, religion, music, political activity, workaholic-ism...I'm sure I could think of a bunch more if I put some time into it.

For me, there is nothing better than the energy you can feel at a gig, where the love is flowing freely between the audience and the performer. This was my fifth time with Yellowcard, and they never fail to deliver. It has nothing to do with the size of the audience, the level of fame the band has, or how good the venue is. I felt it with twenty thousand other people watching Prince earlier this year. I felt it years ago watching a little known band called Limbeck play at The Annandale Hotel - not the Annandale, but the smaller hotel further up Paramatta Road. There would have been 100 people in that room - maybe - and it was pretty much the happiest place on earth that night. 

Over the next few months I'm looking forward to Lady Antebellum (this week! It's a little bit country and a little bit...well, country), Radiohead, Weezer, Band of Horses and hopefully Ben Harper if I can track down some tickets. I can't wait...

Perfect Pop Songs

When I don't know what I want to listen to - usually on the train in the mornings, when my brain is still fuzzy - I turn to the shuffle songs function on my iPod, and let technology lead the way. After all, the iPod knows. Trust me. Put shuffle on after you've had a particularly hard day, or if you're wrestling with an emotional battle, and magically the songs that you need to hear will appear. 

The other morning my iPod (I know some people name their inanimate objects, but I've never been able to do that...) gifted me with a handful of my all-time favourite pop songs all in a row, lifting me out of my Monday morning blues into a happier frame of mind. The songs in themselves are all pretty different, and it got me thinking - what is it that makes a perfect pop song? Is it something tangible that we can analyse - tempo, key and chord progressions - after all, everyone loves a four chord song right? Check out this illuminating Axis of Awesome video from the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2009 if you find pop music at all mysterious. Warning - some of the language is a trifle warm if you are at work or have small children around who like to repeat things.

In spite of those  four chords though, the fact remains that there are plenty of people with a guitar and four chords (or three chords and the truth - sorry, couldn't help myself) who never get an album deal and never make it to number one, or create that song that makes everyone hit the dance floor ten years after it's released. Yes, it has been 10 years since Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake. I KNOW, RIGHT? ...Actually, I take back my incredulousness. I just watched the video clip again, and the whole thing is so deliciously early 2000s, right down to Justin's diamond studs and the beat box interlude. (I'm sorry, I just can't say "noughties." I've always hated that word. It's like the worst kind of Dad joke.)  Ah well, it was a decade that took a while to find it's feet, style wise. But that's another post, for another day.

The other thing is, you might read this post, and decide that I've hit my head on something quite hard, because all the songs I've chosen are absolute rubbish. Just because a pop song is considered a hit, doesn't mean that every single person will like it. So even with the magic of those four chords, there still has to be something about it that connects with people at an individual level. 

The first song that put a smile on my face that morning, as it always does, was "Dammit" by Blink182. Apart from all those high school memories that this song brings up - here's what it is that makes it a great song to me:

1. It is SO much fun to sing a long to - even when you don't really know the words, as evidenced here on a recent road trip. Again with the language - sorry.


2. If you are fan of playing air guitar, or air drums, then you can really get into it.


3. It's a song that demands a physical reaction from the listener, you don't just let it play away in the background. You participate. 

Song number two, was "Magic" by B.O.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo (the singer from Weezer). While this song doesn't have the emphatic bad language, or the potential for enthusiastic air instrument playing, it was pretty much my happy song for the entirety of 2011. It is guaranteed to improve my day, and I'm fairly sure it has inspired some pretty spazz dancing. Have a listen if you're looking for an energy boost - plus, Rivers Cuomo is pretty damn cute in his sleeveless parka vest. Just saying.

The third song for today, is probably not so happy - nor have I ever danced like a spazz to it, although upon reflection I probably could - but it is again a song that demands a reaction from the listener. To me, Paramore are all about energy - and if you have a look through YouTube at any of their live videos, you will see that front woman Hayley Williams is an absolute powerhouse. Misery Business is one of their first hits, and it's got everything that I've mentioned previously as well as something that can either make or break a pop song - the bridge. Done well, bridges are great at bringing a song back emotionally, or pushing it in a different direction and creating focus. The bridge in Misery Business is the high point of the song, and finishes with a pretty awesome guitar solo that brings the song back around to the catchy as hell and easy to sing along to chorus. 

I'm going to leave you with Swedish pop/dance singer Robyn. She is awesome. She just is.

Cover me:...I don't even miss her.

I was a bit concerned about talking about John Mayer again on Four Letter Birds so soon. I don't want you to get the wrong idea, after all. But the fact remains, that this is one of my all time favourite covers. I stumbled across it on YouTube one day, and must have watched it about 17 times in a row. 


One of the good things about Mayer, is that the musicians in his band are always, always top notch. The first time I saw him in concert, my friend and I were completely mesmerised by his drummer. He was like the energizer bunny of drummers - never stopped, never missed a beat - without being a show pony or the least bit cheesy. The two guitarists in this video are just as good, interesting and watchable as Mayer is - maybe even more so.


Let's face it - he's picked good material to start with. Tom Petty is the business, and always will be. If you disagree, I demand that you go and listen to everything he ever recorded, including with the Traveling Wilburys, right now. And then we'll talk.


Unfortunately I couldn't embed the video directly into this page, but just click through and watch it on YouTube...you won't regret it.

Cover Me: ...all my Sunday scheming.

I'm pickier than the average listener when it comes to female voices and I'm the first to admit it. It's a combination of a few things - being a female myself (in case you hadn't realised) and having had a certain amount of vocal and musical training sometimes it feels like a case of too much knowledge being a bad thing. An actor friend of mine can't watch plays for pleasure, and bad singing causes me actual, physical pain. So no, I've never been a fan of TV talent shows. I also think that it's partly to do with the fact that women in the entertainment industry are not necessarily given record deals on the basis of talent. Listening to Rihanna miss each note by a quarter tone is evidence enough of that.

It was popular for a while for female singers to sing in breathy, weak, little girl voices and that kind of singing drives me absolutely bananas. BANANAS. Bonkers. The sort of angry where you start a sentence trying to describe how the singer makes you feel and it just sort of trails off because you're so annoyed you forget how words work. I first heard Beth Rowley when a copy of her debut album landed on my desk, back in my record company days. This was a few years ago now, back when Katie Melua was still kind of a thing, and it seemed like every label had a slightly jazzy chanteuse to spruik. Listening to Rowley sing for the first time, it was so nice to hear a woman sing like, well, a woman.

Her cover of Sunday Kind of Love isn't on that album, but it is on the soundtrack to "An Education." (Sidenote - great movie. Watch it. Carey Mulligan is a delight and Peter Sarsgard is very Peter Saaaaaarsgaaaaaardy. If you know what I mean.) Rowley herself appears in the film, singing the song in a Parisian jazz club that makes me nostalgic for a time I never actually lived in. But, how great would it be if that was the sort of place we went dancing on Saturday nights? You might be familiar with the versions of the song by Etta James or Ella Fitzgerald. Originally published in 1946, it's done the rounds - I for one, am going to be tracking down Reba McEntire's version as a matter of urgency. Reba! But for now, I leave you with Beth's version to enjoy - and I sincerely hope you do. 

Cover Me: Don't look back, you can never look back...

I am not a winter person at all. I spend most of winter huddled up on my couch, with the heater on and blankets and the remote control, holding my breath until summer arrives. And I don't mean the fake summer that we get in September, because that only lasts two weeks and only fools take it seriously. Fools I tell you!  It's a complete tease, and you always have to put your doona back on the bed until at least November. Don't even think about packing that electric blanket away. 


So, given that we are in the depths of winter right now and I am in full hibernation mode (which involves refusing to wear anything that isn't stretchy, to facilitate maximum couch comfort) I decided to go with something summery. As inspiration. As a little something to get us through. And because it's an awesome cover, of an awesome song.





Don't tell Don Henley, but I like this better than the original. Actually do tell him. I'm fairly sure he won't mind. And there have been worse covers - DJ Sammy, I'm looking at you. 


I miss The Ataris. I saw Kris Roe do a gig with Mike Herrera from MxPx at The Annandale last year which was completely awesome, but it would be nice to see the full band back in action and on tour. I'll stand up the back, where it's a bit quieter, and probably just have a coke. Or maybe a lemon, lime & bitters.

Cover Me: Wake up, wake up...

I love a good cover version more than the average person, I think.  The kind of cover version where you're at a gig and all of a sudden the artist that you already like - obviously, as you paid money to be there - busts out their version of a song by someone you also like. Sometimes it's just too much, frankly, and my poor little heart can't cope.

As blogs and the internet are all about sharing, I'm going to start  sharing with you some of my favourite covers here. Today, I'm starting with Ben Harper's version of "Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye. I mean, seriously... The first time I saw him play this live was at the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival many moons ago (2001? 2002?) and it was the highlight of what was already a memorable concert experience. 

If you've got some time on your hands, I also encourage you to check out Marvin Gaye's original video clip. GOLD. It's pure 80s GOLD. You will not regret it. 


Happy Friday lovers!

Born and Raised

John Mayer

John Mayer and I have such a complicated relationship, sometimes I wonder if we'll ever get it right. On the one hand, if you were to look at the 25 Most Played Songs on my iPod, you would be certain to find a little gem called "Half of My Heart" pretty close to the top of the list. On the other hand, when the leading single from  "Born and Raised" was released, "Shadow Days", my incredibly eloquent review to a friend was that it was the "sookiest of all the sooky la la songs. Ever." I know. Erudite is my middle name.  Let me be honest, I still stand by my review of that particular song. I think it's a bit much for a guy who spent a lot of time talking to journalists about some pretty ungentlemanly things to release a song about what a good man he is with such a good heart. Just google his Playboy and Rolling Stone interviews from 2010 if you're curious, and didn't hear about his comments at the time. 

So I procrastinated about making the decision to spend $16.99 on downloading "Born and Raised", and giving our troubled romance (ha ha) another chance. But, apologies and deleting of Twitter accounts aside, I was genuinely interested in what his latest musical offering had to...well, offer. Mayer has been pretty quiet publicity-wise over the last few years and I was also curious to see if I could listen to the album without all the white noise of celebrity gossip and drama seeping through. Also, this is one of the best photobombs I have ever seen. The guy clearly has a sense of humour, so how could I say no?

For a girl raised on what I affectionately refer to as "Dad Music" the opening chords of "Queen of California" - the first track on the album - are a lot like slipping into that comfortable soundscape of 1970s music populated by The Eagles, James Taylor and Fleetwood Mac. In fact, the title track features backing vocals from David Crosby and Graham Nash, and is one of the best cuts on the album. Mayer is nothing if not straight up about his musical influences, so for those who would call him derivative well - at least he's honest about it, right?

One thing that Mayer does well, and has only become better at since his 2001 debut album "Room for Squares", is tell stories in a way that we don't see too much outside of country music these days. "Shadow Days" aside, his lyric writing is crisp and straightforward, without venturing too far into the territory of twee or fey. In fact, the album really does have a strong country vibe. But think the country of Townes Van Sandt, rather than Billy Ray... One such track is "Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967."  When I first listened to it, I could imagine The Dixie Chicks doing a cover, and the song itself is one of the standout storytelling tracks on the album.

For the guitar nerds among us, Mayer plays with Fenders and Martins on the album, and surprisingly enough there are less guitar solos on this album than there have been on his previous efforts. Some listeners will prefer this, but I've always been a fan of a well-done guitar solo, cheesy or not. Instead, the more complicated licks and runs are hanging out in the background, sneaking into the layer of each song like a whisper in your ear, rather than front and centre demanding your attention.

I was surprised by "Born and Raised" and pleasantly so. It's an album that is a lot quieter than I expected, and cruises through the 13 tracks without requiring too much effort from the listener. But if you choose to pay close attention to the details of the lyrics, and the production and instrumentation choices, you won't be disappointed. And really, anything with a bit of pedal steel on it is always going to make me pretty damn happy.