When I think about why it is has taken so long for me to write this post, I wonder if it is because I have been working on so many other pieces, or if they are merely a distraction because I do not know what to write. I have determined that my procrastination is because I am not sure how much new music I really purchased this year. That in turn has made me feel kind of old, because I realized I do not like a whole lot of new music. I tend to stick to new albums by artists I already like, or like new artists with a familiar sound. Either way, the result is that most of my music downloads this year are new to me, but not new in 2013. The new music I discover and buy, is usually offered as a free new music download on iTunes, something I heard my son or husband listening to, music I hear and like in the background of one of my favorite TV shows or a new movie, and songs and artists I hear about on satellite radio stations. My musical year in review, is really about new discoveries, not necessarily new music. Though I begin my list with a song and artist new to 2013, most of them are not.
My Music Discoveries Year in Review
The Wire by HAIM
I almost always take a free download from iTunes New Music! link. I have gotten some really good songs that way, and they are usually songs I would not have otherwise been attracted to buy (I know this is the purpose of such a link). When I first sampled The Wire, deciding whether to download or not, I liked the beat. It reminded me a little bit of Heartache Tonight by the Eagles. I was not necessarily sold on the song, but I downloaded it for the true test. That is, I leave it in my iPod so when I set it on shuffle it mixes in randomly. If the song comes on and I do not skip it, it is usually a keeper. I kept The Wire on, and it got really catchy. I cannot help but love they are a girl band, but really I like the song and plan to check out some more of their stuff.
Home by Phillip Phillips
If you can get over the absurdity of this guy's name (it pops up on the satellite radio), you might leave it on long enough to hear that the songs are good. Often played on Sirius Coffee House or The Spectrum, I found myself liking Phillips' voice and singer-songwriter style. I have long been a fan of this genre- James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Mayer, Norah Jones. I would hear him now and then, but never purchased any of his songs. Soon, of course, my son was plugging in and playing Home in my car every time he got in. Now we both love it.
Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson (2007)
Another singer-songwriter, I actually downloaded this before Home. My son kept saying this song was ok, and within a couple of weeks he was playing it too! It was this I think, that led him to Home. But, the thing about this song is its sweetness, his longing for her- whoever she is. What can I say, I love lyrics and I am a sucker for a good, but not sappy, love song.
Demons by Imagine Dragons
Not to be overshadowed by their popular hit Radioactive, this song is better. I am not sure why I like Imagine Dragons, I learned about them from my son. I do not know if I was forced to like them because he blasted Radioactive over and over again. Or, it might be the powerful beat and haunting tunes. Either way, I really like Demons.
Please Come In by Blackstone Cherry (2008)
This is one of my 2013 discoveries, but the album was actually released in 2008. My husband is much better at excavating new musical choices through iTunes radio and other tools. He is more likely to go looking than I am. Though he does not enjoy music across as many genres as I do, he definitely has an ear for finding rock bands. Black Stone Cherry was such a find, they had enough of an old sound to feel familiar, but was new enough to add something fresh to my playlist. The lead singer has a full deep voice and can actually sing, which for me is important yet hard to find in hard rock bands. This has the power of a rock song, but the vulnerability of a love song- it is not a power ballad. This song is on their album Folklore and Superstition, but their self titled album released a year earlier in 2007 has some really good music too. For me it is nice hard rock, just shy of heavy metal. That is why it sounds new to me.
These three albums, all with 2012 release dates, likely did not get much play until 2013, and I think that is why they dominated my playlist for a good part of the year:
King Animal by Soundgarden- favorite song, Halfway There
Long awaited by fans of this band, which broke up and got back together, he album was worth the wait. Sound (no pun intended) music and the bellows of Chris Cornell. Great purchase.
Uncaged by Zach Brown Band- favorite song, The Wind
All of the songs on this album are great. I love it. I saw ZBB in concert this year and was impressed with their range and their authenticity. They sound just as good, if not better live. The Wind sounds like a jam session, and the band gave one Country Bear Jamboree style at the show. This album is just fun! Island Song and Jump Right In remind me of my Jamaican vacation this past summer. The island feel to several of these songs provide the perfect backdrop for beaching or vacationing.
Born and Raised by John Mayer- favorite song, Love is a Verb
You are really either a John Mayer fan or not. If you are, this does not disappoint. It has a stripped down feel like his first album, and I like it. I try to block out all the entertainment media news about him, because it seems he might not be the kind of guy I would like to hang out with. But so be it, all I need is his music. I already have enough friends.
I do not fancy myself a music critic, just a writer sharing what was new on my iPod this year. I continue to revisit old music, downloading old forgotten favorites and developing new appreciation for artists I set aside log ago. One of my recent new old artists is Van Morrison- not the overplayed Brown Eyed Girl, but old greats like Into the Mystic and Tupelo Honey. As far as I am concerned, you can never have too many good tunes on your iPod. It is definitely one of the benefits of the MP3 player era.
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