Ok, I'm going to go out on a limb here about music. For those of you who know what GOOD music is, read on. If you listen to Britney Spears, InSync, Eminem, Jennifer Lopez, Ja Rule, Alan Jackson, Puddddle Of Mudddd, Nickelback, or pretty much any of the more common schlock on the radio these days, just disregard this post.

I'll admit it, I've been branching out musically lately, trying to get away from the same-old, same-old. Is it just me, or were there like 10 songs that used the same basic beat as the new J Lo/LL Cool J song? Lets start by operationally defining what good music is. Good Music is music which is well-written, original, shows a musical aptitude of some sort (whether it be instrumental or vocal), and just makes you pause. It is something so beautiful that you can sit back, close your eyes, and anxiously wait for that one part that you know the artist recorded in one, and only one, take and will never be able to reproduce again. The most beautiful 30 seconds of music ever laid down on a track are the last 30 seconds of "Anna Begins" by Counting Crows. The original version, on the album, is the only version I am making this claim about, because I have listened to 30 other versions, and they just don't do it for me.

So, like a heroin addict, I have been trying to find a musical listening high like the first time I heard Anna Begins. It has taken years, but I think it has arrived. The band is called Nickel Creek (not NickelBack, damnit!). They play "newgrass", which is another way to say country/bluegrass/folk music with a pop sensibility. These are the quintessential songs you NEED to hear by them, simply to experience the euphoria I feel. Oh, one more thing: the median age of the three band members is 21, and their mastery of their respective instruments, as well as their impeccable song writing (yes, Brittney Spears, 21-year olds can write meaningful songs) is just pure genius.

Here are the songs (download and listen to in order):

1.) This Side (if you can get the live version of this one, it is awesome as well)
2.) When You Come Back Down
3.) Seven Wonders (also search on "The Great Illusion, as this song is also known)
4.) Reasons Why
5.) Out of the Woods.

Enjoy, and post comments as to what you think!
posted by Rich at 12:10 PM Comments

 
Semester is getting rougher. The past few Mondays I have had the overwhelming feeling that I didn't know quite how, or if, I was going to be able to make it through the week without suffering a breakdown. I've worked every moment of every day, with the exception of a Bar Mitzvah in Cleveland last weekend, for the past month. Sleep has been limited to 5 to 6 hours per night, which would be fine, if I had some time to be awake and relaxing. Spring Break is a week away. Spring Break is a week away.
posted by Rich at 12:54 PM Comments