a tear...

Monday, January 24, 2011





It’s only fear that runs through my veins
It’s all the things you can’t explain
That make us human

These lyrics that come from the band Civil Twilight 's song "Human", are so beautiful that when paired with the elegant piano work can evoke very strong emotions. However it could be said that drawing emotion from lyrics is easy. Throw out the heart and love and you're probably on the right track. But what if you didn't have any words?

When I first heard the opening notes from the song "The Ash Is In Our Clothes" something welled up inside of me. And when that horn whispers it's hello, a small tear formed. No words. There's not a single word in this song. But it...is...breathtaking. Forget trying to stay warm during this number, 'cause the chills will continue throughout.

Sleeping At Last first entered my library with a download from NoiseTrade.com. A few selections from Keep No Score and a few from Storyboards. There's just something about the music that this band makes. They blow you away with every album and there's only 2 members!

The notes are elegant, the vocals are mesmerizing and the extra elements are so poetic that it's hard to believe that musicians like this still exist. Imagine the orchestra/band that one would get to make a movie score. Now add brutally human lyrics from a choir-esque voice and you've got a hint of what Sleeping At Last has to offer.

Right now they're in the middle of a MASSIVE project. They're producing an EP for every month of the year and calling it the Yearbook. So far the months have been awesome. However I'm partial to January (for a few reasons).

This video gives you a feel for the mesmerizing vocals:


If I had all the money in the world I would buy each of my friends the song "The Ash Is In Our Clothes". But then again, these guys deserve at least $1 of your money for this kind of genius (or whatever they end up getting off iTunes sales). You can though, still find some of their music for free on NoiseTrade.

SAL is not currently touring, but I'm guessing the new EP every month is to blame for that.

ENJOY!!

-Rach

Helping you find your background music
. \m/(>.<)\m/

What IS an instrument??

Saturday, January 8, 2011




If you asked any tom, dick or harry what the definition of an instrument was, they'd most likely answer: guitar, drum, tamborine, etc. Well if you asked Caleb Mueller, otherwise known as the artist Decomposure he'd respond: Everything!

Decomposure's music takes the traditional instruments and almost just uses them as a background. As his main elements are everything else. In any given song you're likely to hear a telephone ringing, a car driving past, a washing machine shaking, or any other random sound that could occur. All these are mixed with some expert computer work and synthesizers. And if that wasn't enough, he's got a pretty awesome vocal ability for the that are lyrics interlaced throughout.

It's not your typical music, but that's what makes it awesome!

The album "Vertical Lines A" has a few songs on it that seem to fit perfectly as a soundtrack for a city. The sounds he created just seem to capture the beats and pulses of human activity. I sat down in Union Station one night while a multitude of people rushed in and out and managed to get lost in Decomposure's music and how it fit perfectly with that scene.

And the 50 min of "Humidity Patient Guide" is an excellent ebb and flow of sounds to get those creative juices flowing.

Here's a GREAT example:


And here's where you can pretty much get all of his music for free:
Blank Squirrel

though i think you'll agree after hearing a song or two, Caleb is worth a little donation or 5.

ENJOY!!

-Rach

Helping you find your background music
. \m/(>.<)\m/