99 Problems?

I just found this song in Rolling Stone and had to blog it immediately. It's a revamped version of Jay-Z's "99 Problems". The song just has this amazing country western vibe that really works for it. I feel like this song was created to eventually be done in this style. I wish there was a little more to it but I guess this is all we are going to get. It doesn't follow the original to the T but i think i like that. It's more of a re-imagined version of the song. It feels like you are hearing it for the first time and barely conjures of images of the original because it is just so markedly different. I cannot find to much about the band Hugo, who play the song, but it is hopefully not the last of them, their sound is very classic but new wave in a way. Enjoy the track.

"99 Problems" by Hugo (2010)

-S

Hell, I wanna scream

Kind of a short post for today-it's been a long weekend and I need something to ease myself in to another week of classes. The song is by a band I have already posted before but I found a newish track by them. The song is "I Think I Love You" by The Guggenheim Grotto.

The song is odd for them a little bit of a departure from their softer melodies in to this country twang sound. What really gets me are the lyrics which are beautifully written (albeit a little sappy) but it is just so great. "You see it's not that I do or don't believe, it's that I just don't believe in God and aliens and love at first sight." It just sounds beautiful when paired with the steel string guitar and the drums. Mike Lynch who takes the vocal duties on this track just has a voice cut out for country music (and from an Irishman no less!) Enjoy the song and enjoy the week.

"I Think I Love You" by The Guggenheim Grotto from ...Waltzing Alone (2005)

-S

Now you wonder how it all could have worked out

This song is a little hard to classify. It has the swing and punchiness of ska, but the vocals tell an entirely different story-more along the lines of down-south country. Which is why I was especially surprised to see the band was from Boston, go figure. The song is "Please Forgive Me" by Westbound Train.

The song starts out with this punching guitar and minimalist percussion that gives it this light and airy feel, however, the vocals courtesy of Obi "Day 19" Fernandez, just kill it with his bluesy voice and totally encompassing vocals. Another great addition to the track is the background horns that carry the tune so well (I'm a sucker for horns). I can't say the songwriting is excellent but this song just draws you in. Probably the most interesting thing I found on the band was the fact that famed Specials guitarist Lynval Golding is a fan of Westbound Train. That is saying a lot when one such an incredibly and acclaimed ska band is a fan. Enjoy the track.

"Please Forgive Me" by Westbound Train from Transitions (2006)

-S

Hey little thing lemme light your candle

Ever since that Black Keys post, I have been feeling the vibe with the blues-rock sound. I tried to find some other songs that really personified that sound, and remembered a song I found a few years ago covered by the Black Crowes called "Hard To Handle," (the original was done by Otis Redding and is and R&B classic)

The vocals come off with a real rock and roll aesthetic, with a raw sound that really just gets you fired up. The music is not particularly complex, a high distortion guitar in the solo really just feels right in a Lynyrd Skynyrd kind of way. What I really love about this song is the intro that really sets the tone for the whole song. It's just a little drum fill followed by this climbing guitar that just combines for a really sweet sound. As far as the blues-rock sound goes, this band/song really hit the nail on the head for me. I'm not a huge fan of country and this song manages to keep it's country roots in check. In the process of writing this post I delved in to the band a little more and remembered they do another great song "She Talks To Angels" which does have a bigger country vibe-but is an incredibly beautiful song (sorry to hate on country-I like some of it, but it's not for me and I know that). Anyway-today is my last day of High School, and then it is off in to the big bad world-I am very excited for a lot of reasons. One big reason though is that I will have a big opportunity to get some more writers and open up to a wider range of music. Anyway, enjoy the songs!

"Hard To Handle" covered by The Black Crowes from Shake Your Money Maker (1990)

"Hard To Handle" by Otis Redding from The Immortal Otis (1967)

"She Talks To Angels" by The Black Crowes from Shake Your Money Maker (1990)

-S