My favorite Band in the CMI would have to be Glasko. These Illinois natives are able to vary temp and yet create great diverse sounds. My personal favorite song is "Madrigold", which demonstrates more of an attitudinal rock sound ala the Kings of Leon. At the same time they are able to convey a softer sound with a song like "The War"
My favorite Westcoast band would be Twentyfour64. I really like their song "Superboy." Their singer has a great voice that reminds me a bit of Incubis.
My favorite Eastcoast band is Brite Lite Brite. I really like the way no song sounds like the next. They are able to mix techno into the songs while then using simple guitar in the next.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Avi's Favorite Platform-1 Artists This Semester
It's very hard to compare bands that are creating completely different music, you have to try and avoid jumping to judgments because of genre. The bands being represented by Platform-1 are no exception to this problem. There is no doubt that each band is amazing in its own right, but nonetheless I have my own personal favorites. So for me this is the Spring '09 semester's list of the best of Platform-1 (by region).
East Coast
Conservative Man
- This band's foot-tapping, synth power pop reminds me of 80s dance music. If you like MGMT and Peter, Bjorn, and John you'll like Conservative Man, just expect a little more 80s sound.
West Coast
Our Satori
- This California band sounds like they belong in a place where summer never ends. They have that great jam band feel, the sound of summer.
The Rest of the U.S.
The Pinstripe 45s
- Think Bob Dylan. Great acoustic, folk rock. Amazing lyrics. Emotion filled vocals. A must listen.
Outside U.S.
Hogni
- This guy can belt it. He has an amazingly powerful, soulful voice mixed with great funk beats and solid lyrics.
My Favorite Overall: Pinstripe 45s
I highly recommend that you check out every band. These are my favorites but they all fit into my favorite genres. I promise there are a lot of other amazing bands in different genre. This wasn't an easy list for me to make because pure and simple - there is too much great music!
Band to check out: Pinstripe 45s
Movie to see: Magnolia
Sunday, April 5, 2009
This Blog Has No Title
“Where the Wild Things Are” looks awesome. I must’ve read that book over a hundred times when I was younger. I’m excited to see the screen adaptation, plus I’m pumped to see how the Wild Things look in 3D form.
It’s always good to hear indie music in movie soundtracks. There are so many quality independent artists out there that the general population doesn’t get exposed to. When they are played in movies, it gives people the opportunity to hear what other types of music are out there and expands their musical horizons.
With the thought of movie soundtracks on my mind, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite movie scene songs. Here it goes:
Opening Credits- The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly (Teenage Wasteland)” in Almost Famous. This is a great song and really sets the mood for the rest of the movie. It captures the essence of rock and roll, which is essentially what the movie is about as well.
Fight Scene- The Geto Boy’s song “Still” in Office Space during the printer bashing scene. This doesn’t even need an explanation, just epic.
Car Chase Scene- Ram Jam “Black Betty” in the Dukes of Hazard. I love this song and it is great for any action scene- although it is used quite a bit in movies, its still the perfect car chase song.
Love Scene- “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Barry White in the Bruce Almighty soundtrack. It’s a bit cheesy I know, but Barry White’s music is made for love making.
Closing Credits- “Tumbling Tumble Weeds”- this version is by Shawn Collins in The Big Lebowski. It’s a really old song that’s been covered many times but it fits perfectly in the movie- it really speaks to the character of the dude.
It’s always good to hear indie music in movie soundtracks. There are so many quality independent artists out there that the general population doesn’t get exposed to. When they are played in movies, it gives people the opportunity to hear what other types of music are out there and expands their musical horizons.
With the thought of movie soundtracks on my mind, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite movie scene songs. Here it goes:
Opening Credits- The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly (Teenage Wasteland)” in Almost Famous. This is a great song and really sets the mood for the rest of the movie. It captures the essence of rock and roll, which is essentially what the movie is about as well.
Fight Scene- The Geto Boy’s song “Still” in Office Space during the printer bashing scene. This doesn’t even need an explanation, just epic.
Car Chase Scene- Ram Jam “Black Betty” in the Dukes of Hazard. I love this song and it is great for any action scene- although it is used quite a bit in movies, its still the perfect car chase song.
Love Scene- “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Barry White in the Bruce Almighty soundtrack. It’s a bit cheesy I know, but Barry White’s music is made for love making.
Closing Credits- “Tumbling Tumble Weeds”- this version is by Shawn Collins in The Big Lebowski. It’s a really old song that’s been covered many times but it fits perfectly in the movie- it really speaks to the character of the dude.
Where the Wild things Are
Having read the book "Where the Wild Things Are" as a child, I am very excited for the movie to come out. As for the song...I am not typically a big Arcade Fire fan, but it seems to mirror the moods of the trailer. I have a big pet peave when it comes to movie music...the music should always complement the movie and never draw the watchers attention away from the scene as it unfolds. Music has the uncanny ability to add to scenes (see Reservoir Dogs/ ear slashing) but isn't a necessity (No Country For Old Men). Spike Jonze is a great director and seems to be in a positive position to direct the movie.
My favorite car chase scene music would be Pretty Handsome Awkward (By the Used) in Transformers. The intensity of the song builds well with the gritty action of the chase. Besides that the movie sucked.
James Bond: Quantum of Solace had my favorite opening scene music. The Jack White / Beyonce callaboration was outstanding. Jack White has been one of my favorite artists for some time (especially the White Stripes) and I could not pick a more random pairing than Beyonce (who is a very talented singer in spite of her choices to make questionable song choices).
Juno's ending credits features the Moldy Peaches. They are a great band who put a fitting end to the movie. The song itself is perfect, the lyrics aren't sung as much as they are spoken. The movie's script isn't recited as much as it is performed. It just works well.
Clubbed to Death in the Matrix is my favorite fight song. It's techno sound fits in well with the futuristic vibe that the Matrix exemplifies.
My favorite Making love song... Phil Collins sets the tone for the famed love scene in Risky Business. Perfect.
My favorite car chase scene music would be Pretty Handsome Awkward (By the Used) in Transformers. The intensity of the song builds well with the gritty action of the chase. Besides that the movie sucked.
James Bond: Quantum of Solace had my favorite opening scene music. The Jack White / Beyonce callaboration was outstanding. Jack White has been one of my favorite artists for some time (especially the White Stripes) and I could not pick a more random pairing than Beyonce (who is a very talented singer in spite of her choices to make questionable song choices).
Juno's ending credits features the Moldy Peaches. They are a great band who put a fitting end to the movie. The song itself is perfect, the lyrics aren't sung as much as they are spoken. The movie's script isn't recited as much as it is performed. It just works well.
Clubbed to Death in the Matrix is my favorite fight song. It's techno sound fits in well with the futuristic vibe that the Matrix exemplifies.
My favorite Making love song... Phil Collins sets the tone for the famed love scene in Risky Business. Perfect.
In Any Setting
Any movie with large, furry puppets instantly gets my attention. It's a nostalgic thing for me after growing up on Sesame Street (which by the way is still awsome), the Muppets, and a number of works from Henson Productions.
So needless to say, I'm very excited about this falls release of Where The Wild Things Are. I read the book when I was a child and the movie seems like it will being doing this great kids book a world of justice. Hopefully, I am not disappointed.
The trailer for the film beautifully incorporated Arcade Fire's Wake Up. After viewing it a few times, I had to go and listen to the song, now with a new appreciation for the work. I know a lot of people don't like the use of already established artist's songs in films, but I think when it works so perfectly as this, you just have to sit back and appreciate.
It makes me look back on some of the great instance in film and television that have featured great indie artists. For instance:
Garden State - many call this film the movie of my generation. not only does the film bring us a great 'indie' feel, it brings together some of the great names in indie music including the shins, iron and wine, zero 7, and many more. there are too many great songs in the film to point out one; however, the opening sequence with non-indie coldplay sets a perfect mood for the rest of the film.
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist - ok so I haven't seen the whole movie (it's a little cliche), but the soundtrack is one of the best in the last few years. Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, and Bishop Allen provide some great tracks. honestly I think the film was more about putting together this great soundtrack than making a great film. they succeeded
Those are arguably two of the best; for other indie music in film highlights check out
The Girl Next Door- not the soundtrack (it's not good), but the actual songs in the film especially Lucky Man by the Verve
Juno - it gets a little cliche in the movie, but regardless there are some great tracks and the songs fit the film perfectly
and for TV shows
Scrubs - always great indie music. Zach Braff brings the same great indie music to Scrubs that he brought to Garden State
How I Met Your Mother - from time to time they bring out great indie songs including one particularly moment of awsomeness (i hope you laugh at that if you watch the show) in which This Modern Love by Bloc Party is used
Anyway I hope everyone gets a chance to check out the great artists in these movies. For me seeing the music in a film provides a different, more solid emotional connection, something that I believe actually improves the song for me.
Movie: Elegy
Band: Mason Proper
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