So, apparently musicians have a certain affinity towards the Buckeye State.
Being a big fan of Neil Young, The Low Anthem, and Peter Bradley Adams, I noticed all of them salute the midwestern bellweather region — though in truth, Young’s is not so much of a salute at all.
Anyways, I’m not sure what draws the music-makers to Ohio. Maybe they’re all just hoping to impress the folks over at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s located in Cleveland, Ohio, of course.
Regardless, kinda cool.
I came across an incredible band the other day — completely by accident, of course.
Turns out, Dark Mean is from Hamilton, and, given a few subtle indications, perhaps even my neighbourhood.
Having arrived in this gritty city just a few months ago, I’m only now beginning to grasp the characteristics — the traits and interests that inspire people here; essentially, what this town is interested in, and good at.
Music, it would appear, sits at or near the top.
Given the very nature of the city — industrial, blue collar, a tough-as-nails-because-it-has-to-be kind of vibe — I suppose it should come as no surprise that music has offered up a tonic, an outlet. And in massive, diverse heaps.
A quick scan of the interwebs shows there’s a long list of musical talent hailing from the Hammer.
Teenage Head. Daniel Lanois. Arkells. Neil Peart. The late Haydain Neal, better known as jacksoul. Nicole Appleton of All Saints pop-sensation fame. (Talent? We’ll give her a pass today.) Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Blues legend King Biscuit Boy. The list goes on, and it appears to be evolving nicely.
For a fan of music, the Hammer, it turns out, is a pretty ideal place to be.
There’s something plainly beautiful about Ashes & Fire, the latest offering from Ryan Adams.
Maybe it’s that Adams, a seemingly always-discombobulated musician, appears to have finally embraced his musical strengths — predominantly, the use of his strapping voice — en route to delivering a superb, elegant solo record.
Maybe it’s that there are no heavy-hitting power anthems to be found on his 13th album in 11 years. Adams, the well-documented troubadour, is, after all, at his best when he sticks to an acoustic, folk-jazz sound with heavy emphasis on quieter, complimentary background instruments.
Or maybe it’s the maturity of the lyrics, served up as comfort food and in stark contrast to earlier projects such as 2003′s proverbial middle finger, Rock N Roll.
Maybe it’s that he’s grown up — a little less drama-queen and a little more secure.
Wherever that beauty comes from, the certainty is that Ashes & Fire is a welcome “comeback” disc for a singer whose two-year hiatus from music was, thankfully and clearly, worth the wait.
The former Whiskeytown frontman comes out swinging with what’s perhaps reference to his drug- and drama-riddled past on the jazzy, tone-setting opening ballad, Dirty Rain: “Last time I was here it was raining/ It ain’t raining anymore.”
That born-again theme seems to permeate.
“Kindness don’t ask for much/ But an open mind. Kindness can cure a broken heart/ Honey are you feeling kind? Do you believe in love?” Adams asks on the groovy soul-searcher, Kindness.
“Nobody has to hide the way that they feel,” he whispers on Come Home, and adds: “What am I doing here in the setting sun/ With the windows down/ What am I?” on Save Me.
Mr. Mandy Moore brings in plenty of star-power on Ashes & Fire — his pals, Norah Jones and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ keys wizard Benmont Tench, are a perfect fit — but in the end it’s Adams who leaves no doubt the album is his and his alone.
He’s in fine form, and hopefully here to stay.
Adams accomplishes it without the bells and whistles of previous attempts — his 2005 double-disc, Cold Roses, solid as it was, might have had a bit too much going on, while previous collaborations with his old band The Cardinals feel at times as though he’s trying too hard to re-invent the wheel at every step.
Adams, as Ashes & Fire indicates, is best served up solo and simple.
He’s a songwriter, and this album only reaffirms the notion he’s a great one.
Best bets: Invisible Riverside, Chains of Love, Dirty Rain, Lucky Now
Stars (out of five): Four
Everybody appreciates a little fromage once in awhile.
Why? Because it’s just plain gouda, that’s why!
Here are a few tunes that may or may not pass the sniff test.
Make no mistake, these guys can really shred.
And be warned: They may even melt your heart.
Any way you slice it, it’s grate stuff.
Indeed, this post is for all the marble.
Enjoy. (Or don’t.)
Some songs just sound better at a certain time of year.
Just like Christmas carols make good sense at Christmastime, so too does The Boss feel right on a sticky summer night.
Similarly, the Beach Boys don’t quite mesh with the depths of winter.
Radiohead in a blizzard? Sure.
AC/DC during a colourful fall hike up the escarpment? No thanks.
I submit to you a few tunes that seem to fit the fall mode just about perfectly.
Enjoy. (Or don’t.)
Matthew Good.
The guy is still, well, you know, good.
Actually, I’d venture to say he’s one of Canada’s more accomplished active songwriters — perhaps an afterthought for the mid-’90s crowd, but as relevant today as he was then, and that much more complete as an artist.
While the airplay he receives has certainly diminished over the years, it’s not to suggest his talent has dwindled.
In fact, his lyrics seem to have reached a new, self-assured level these days.
Lights Of Endangered Species, his latest project, may not win over the everyday rock ‘n’ roll fan, and it certainly sways clear of his earlier sound — an experimental fascination with horns is quickly apparent on the new disc — but after about a dozen listens from front to back, the album begins to make sense.
And it feels right, perfect for its time and place.
Stand up and decide to set something, anything, on fire, he urges in Lights’ closing moments.
It’s classic, angry-at-society Good.
Some of his previously unreleased demos have recently spilled onto the interweb. I’ll post a few, and hope he doesn’t mind. I’ll throw a few official releases out there, too, just to balance things out.
It’s Good Stuff.
Welcome to my latest effort: a music blog.
Through this medium, I’ll attempt to share with you my endless, always evolving passion for chords, beats, hums, hymns and all sounds in between.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to music, addicted to it, really.
And with that addiction comes a desire to deal it to others — hit the dark alleys with an eye on the non-user, so to speak.
I plan to post my favourite tunes of present, past and future, and perhaps even offer some thought on why I dig a certain tune, what it means to me, or both.
Basically, I’m going to wing it, all in the name of that five-letter M word.
So without further adieu, welcome to the Church of Song. May your spirit rest at the Alter of Octaves.
Hallelujah!
Amen.
