Spring Break
Tunes to go with the
Ashley Johnson
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Last week it rained consistently and beautifully for three straight days here in Greensboro. I was not only excited about the alleviation of the drought and the marathon naps I missed classes for, but I listened to some pretty solid stuff last week. Music just feels better when it's been raining and I have the perfect songs to prove it.
I took the liberty of buying Feist's new record, The Reminder, and it was everything I thought it was going to be. If you watch TV you should know who she is. Her song "My Moon My Man" is the theme for the LG Chocolate phone on the Verizon Wireless commercials. Or if you've seen the new iPod Nano Video commercial they use her song "1 2 3 4." Leslie Feist, the lead singer, has somber, sometimes muted and melancholy vocals which makes her perfect to listen to on a rainy day. If you could touch her voice I think it would feel like cotton candy when it first touches your tongue. Bad metaphor? Maybe. When you listen, I promise you'll hear the same thing. With all that nonsense said, download a couple from The Reminder:
-"The Water"
-"How My Heart Behaves"
Another voice I immediately equate with a rainy day is Norah Jones. Be careful with this one, you are guaranteed a good chapter in the marathon nap if you pop in Not Too Late. I love Norah Jones's music, but there's something so boring about her as a performer. Drinking a bottle of water is more entertaining than watching Norah Jones perform. Despite all that, the woman makes some pretty good music. Download "Wish I could" and "Not My Friend."
The next artist is one not many people are familiar with. I don't know when, where, or how I picked up his milky voice, but I went to Best Buy a while ago trying to get his debut album, and it wasn't due out for several months. So I downloaded a couple of Fionn Regan's songs to tide me over till The End of History's release. I have the record now, so here are a couple rainy-day-worthy songs: "Be Good or Be Gone," and "The Underwood Typewriter."
Then there is Ray LaMontagne who is by far my rainy day favorite. His voice seems to get caught on the back of his throat and has to claw its way out. It's raspy and soulful, and he writes lyrics that penetrate. LaMontagne creates a sound unlike any I've heard lately. Not too bad for a carpenter from Maine. Download from Till The Sun Turns Black, "Barfly" and "Lesson Learned" That's all I have for you. I hope you've enjoyed your rainy days.
To listen to some of the songs listed above as well as here other music news and comments, visit Ashley's blog at www.xanga.com/anjohn234. And remember to always download safely, and most
importantly, legally.
I took the liberty of buying Feist's new record, The Reminder, and it was everything I thought it was going to be. If you watch TV you should know who she is. Her song "My Moon My Man" is the theme for the LG Chocolate phone on the Verizon Wireless commercials. Or if you've seen the new iPod Nano Video commercial they use her song "1 2 3 4." Leslie Feist, the lead singer, has somber, sometimes muted and melancholy vocals which makes her perfect to listen to on a rainy day. If you could touch her voice I think it would feel like cotton candy when it first touches your tongue. Bad metaphor? Maybe. When you listen, I promise you'll hear the same thing. With all that nonsense said, download a couple from The Reminder:
-"The Water"
-"How My Heart Behaves"
Another voice I immediately equate with a rainy day is Norah Jones. Be careful with this one, you are guaranteed a good chapter in the marathon nap if you pop in Not Too Late. I love Norah Jones's music, but there's something so boring about her as a performer. Drinking a bottle of water is more entertaining than watching Norah Jones perform. Despite all that, the woman makes some pretty good music. Download "Wish I could" and "Not My Friend."
The next artist is one not many people are familiar with. I don't know when, where, or how I picked up his milky voice, but I went to Best Buy a while ago trying to get his debut album, and it wasn't due out for several months. So I downloaded a couple of Fionn Regan's songs to tide me over till The End of History's release. I have the record now, so here are a couple rainy-day-worthy songs: "Be Good or Be Gone," and "The Underwood Typewriter."
Then there is Ray LaMontagne who is by far my rainy day favorite. His voice seems to get caught on the back of his throat and has to claw its way out. It's raspy and soulful, and he writes lyrics that penetrate. LaMontagne creates a sound unlike any I've heard lately. Not too bad for a carpenter from Maine. Download from Till The Sun Turns Black, "Barfly" and "Lesson Learned" That's all I have for you. I hope you've enjoyed your rainy days.
To listen to some of the songs listed above as well as here other music news and comments, visit Ashley's blog at www.xanga.com/anjohn234. And remember to always download safely, and most
importantly, legally.
Be the first to comment on this story