ONE WORD TRIGGERS

Music with expression

Archive for May, 2008

Highlights of the week

  In a week where everyones’ batteries seemed a little flat, this weeks guiding lights were:

  • Some Velvet Blog posted the Weekend Mixtape with 10 great tracks to download. Read the post [here]
  • a PLAGUE OF ANGELS took a look at Mates Of State  and posted two tracks from their latest album “Re-Arrange Us” and two from “Bring It Back”.  Read [here].   They also took a quick look at Islands and posted two tracks off their new album “Arms Way” and two from their 2006 album “Return To The Sea”. Read/download [here]
  • Lost In Your Inbox told a secret and posted three ’secretive’ tracks [here].  And there’s a great post on the Dandy Worhols with three tracks to try [here].   Then, Marcy wants you to take your top off….and cruise….in your convertible to some pretty cool driving tunes.  Motor on over [here] and rev it up.
  • I Am Fuel, You Are Friends posted the Monday Music Roundup with tracks from Haley Bonar, Mates Of State, Ron Sexsmith, I Love Math and Travis. Read [here]
  • Captain Obvious gave us the May Mixtape with a selection of 14 tracks to sample/download. Read the post [here]
  • The Yellow Stereo has been hooked on piano instrumentals this week and posted eleven beautiful tracks for your pleasure. Read the post [here]

      TRIGGER: Beautiful #1

      Sometimes, I think we take things for granted and forget just how lucky we are to be alive, safe and well.
       
      It’s all too easy to focus on the negative aspects and forget that there’s so many positives….no matter what.
       
      So just stop!
       
      Stop focusing on those bad things.
      Take a good, long, hard look around and see what a beautiful, beautiful world we live in.
      What a beautiful life this is.
      What beautiful people we love.
      What a beautiful world we are blessed with.
       
      so the trigger is….

       

      beautiful      [byoo-tuh-fuhl]
      -adjective
      1. having beauty; having qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear, think about, etc.; delighting the senses or mind
      2. excellent of its kind
      3. wonderful; very pleasing or satisfying.
      -noun
      4. the concept of beauty (usually prec. by the).
      5. beautiful things or people collectively (usually prec. by the)
      6. the ideal of beauty (usually prec. by the): to strive to attain the beautiful.
      -interjection
      7. wonderful; fantastic
      8. extraordinary; incredible
      -Synonyms
      comely, seemly, attractive, fair, beauteous, handsome, lovely, pretty
       
      Tracks:

       

      :o )

      Eric Hutchinson: New Video

      You may recall that I wrote about Eric Hutchinson’s  new album “Sounds Like This” [here].
       
      My thanks go to ‘hutchhead’ who left a comment which pointed me in the direction of this artists new videos.
       
      Below is the Youtube video for the track ‘Rock & Roll’
       
      Here’s one about the making of the above video
       
      Well worth a visit is Hutchead.com which is a fan site for Eric Hutchinson and contains loads of interesting info, links and news about the artist.
       
      Visit Hutchead.com [here]
      Visit the artists Website [here]
      Visit the artists Myspace [here]

      The Kooks: Shine On

      The new single from The Kooks, ‘Shine On’ will be released on 7th July.
       
      The song is taken from their second album, “Konk”.
       
       Having been listening to Konk for a while now, I can thoroughly recommend it. A favourite for me from it is the track ‘Mr. Maker’.
       
      Watch the video for ‘Shine On’
       
      Vist their Website [here]

      TRIGGER: Vasectomy

      The idea for this trigger came about when I was listening to a program on local radio where they were discussing the merits of the vasectomy operation.
       
      Me being me, I saw the ‘lighter’ side and thought it might provoke a little mirth with you…the readers.
      By the way…I am qualified to see the ‘lighter side’, having paid my dues and seen the more ‘painful side’ of this medical procedure many years ago. (coughs…and checks…)
       
      I got to thinking what songs could best be used with a subject like this and I came up with the tracks below.
       
      BUT I’m sure YOU can think of better ones. Why not leave a comment with your suggestion and if possible I’ll do an update post giving due credit for the suggestions.
      Go on, give it a go…..

      So the trigger is…
       
      vasectomy   [va-sek-tuh-mee]
      -noun
      surgical excision of the vas deferens, or of a portion of it: performed to effect sterility in men.
      -synonyms
      the snip, the chop, firing blanks
       
      Tracks
      :o )

      People In Planes: Pretty Buildings

        Take a look at the video below for the new track from Welsh rockers, People in Planes, called ‘Pretty Buildings’.
       
      The song can be downloaded from iTunes as a 2-for-1 deal where you get the acoustic version free.
       
      Their new album ‘Beyond The Horizon’ is due out this Summer.
       
       
      Visit their Website [here]

      Visit their Myspace [here]

      Highlights of the week

        This weeks bright sparks were:

      • Bag Of Songs posted a selection of Tom Waites tracks, so if you’re a fan of that gravelly voiced style head on over and read the post [here].  The 5 On A Friday post aimed at a Holiday theme and there are tracks from Sex Pistols, Albert Hammond Jr., Bee Gees, The Old 97’s and The Boggs. Read and download [here]
      • The Yellow Stereo post The Daily Graboid lists the latest album releases and offers a track from each to sample. Read the post [here]
      • Mainstream Isn’t So Bad…Is It? posted a look at the Watson Twins new album “Fire Songs” and provided the track ‘Old Ways’ for you to listen to. Read the post [here]
      • The Pop Cop tuned in to The Ting Tings this week and posted two tracks to sample. Read the post [here]
      • Captain Obvious reviewed Shearwater’s new album , “Rook” and posted two tracks for your listening pleasure. Read the post [here]
      • Covert Curiosity also reviewed Shearwater’s “Rook” and posted three tracks. Read the post [here].  In addition, they had a quick look at the forthcoming Ratatat album and posted the track ‘Mirando’ for sampling [here].
      • Kickin’ The Peanuts reviewed the latest Mates Of State album, “Re-Arrange Us” and posted three sample tracks. Read the post [here].  They also posted new tracks from Jem and Regina Spektor. Read the post [here].  The new Usher album, “Here I Stand”, was briefly reviewed and two tracks offered for trying [here].
      • Welikeit.indie looked at the new Islands album “In Arms Way” and posted two downloadable tracks. Read the post [here].
      • Lost In Your Inbox posted a collection of songs that are all ‘City based’. These were actually Marcy’s choices for entry to the Contrast Podcast. Read the post [here].  For Sufjan Stevens the discussion centred around what he was doing now, when will his next release be, and Marcy assures us that she is on first name terms with him and he reads her blog as well as coming to Sunday lunch every third week >;o). Four tracks to sample, so read and download [here].  Gus Black plays calming, sombre music and two tracks for review are posted [here].
      • a Plague Of Angels posted on the new Ting Tings  album release with two tracks to download. Read the post [here].
      • Over at The Late Greats  the Duke ’shook his booty’ with the post on Lauren Ianuzzi. A nice track, ‘A Funk I Won’t Forget’, is provided for your delectation. Read the post [here].
      • I Guess I’m Floating’s Thursdays and Covers post provided tracks from Coldplay, Cake, and The Watson Twins. Read the post [here].
      • Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good posted som hidden tracks from albums by Wilco, Jarvis Cocker, Eels, Beck, The Clash and Cloud Cult. Read the post [here].
      • I Am Fuel You Are Friends posted a track from The Blakes new Live EP. Read the post [here].
      • Some Velvet Blog covered Amos Lee  and posted a track from his new (third) album called “Last Days At The Lodge” which is released on 24th June. Sample the track ‘Ease Back’ [here]

      One to watch: Leon Jean Marie (Take #2)

      I previously reported on this guy [here], and it would seem that he has a new single called ‘Bring It On’
       
      Watch the video:

      TRIGGER: Sorry

      Have you ever had those occasions when you can’t seem to do right for doing wrong?
       
      Despite all your good intentions you just seem to keep digging that hole and placing both feet firmly in it.
      You touch it…it breaks.
      You fix it…it doesn’t work the same.
      You say it…you could bite your tongue off.
      You laugh out loud…the rest of the room stays deathly quiet.
      You try hard…you know failure is a foregone conclusion.
      Your ears ring with the sound of that little word being repeated over and over…Sorry!
       
      You had one of those weeks too? ……. Hi, pull up a chair and join the club.
       

      So the trigger is…
       
      sorry     [sor-ee,   sawr-ee]
      -adjective
      1. feeling regret, compunction, sympathy, pity, etc.
      2. regrettable or deplorable; unfortunate; tragic
      3. sorrowful, grieved, or sad
      4. associated with sorrow; suggestive of grief or suffering; melancholy; dismal.
      5. wretched, poor, useless, or pitiful
      -Synonyms
      regretful, sympathetic, pitying, unhappy, depressed, sorrowing, grievous, mournful, painful, abject, contemptible, paltry, worthless, shabby
       
      Tracks
      As a little ‘treat’, here are four versions of one song…‘Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word’…Enjoy!
      :o )

      Black Cab Sessions: Where to, Guv?

        How would you like a personal, one-on-one performance with one of your favourite bands/artists?
       
      Well that’s what you get at the Black Cab Sessions. Trust me, they are fantastic performances….acoustic, live and personal.
       
      Here’s the concept. The video producers take an act, put them in the back of a London Black Cab, and get them to perform whilst being driven around London.
       
      Who’s done it?  Well, there are 41 videos (since October 2007). The artists include Death Cab For Cutie, The Kooks, The Futureheads, Lykke Li, Spoon, Okkervil River, The Felice Brothers, Cold War Kids, The National, and many, many more.
       
      This is an absolutely brilliant idea, and one I can see developing further into a TV show, maybe?
       
      The whole thing is conceived and produced by Just So Films with artist selection by Hidden Fruit. They say “The Sessions are all about great music and the venue strips this to its essence. We aren’t picky about genre and will happily open the cab door to anyone who blows us away.”
       
      Here’s a Youtube video of Death Cab For Cutie  (Ben Gibbard and Chris Walla) performing ‘No Sunlight’ which appears on their new album “Narrow Stairs”.
       

      Go take a look at all the Black Cab Sessions [here]

      The Ting Tings: Album Release

        The long awaited album from The Ting Tings, “We Started Nothing”, goes on sale tomorrow.
       
      They already have a number one single with “That’s Not My Name”.
       
      Should we stand by for a hit album as well?…Probably.
       
      Here are two tracks from the album for you to listen to:
      • The Ting TingsKeep Your Head (album: We Started Nothing)
      • The Ting TingsFruit Machine (album: We Started Nothing)

      Julian Velard: Jimmy Dean And Steve McQueen

        I’ve just found out about this New York born but London based singer-songwriter, Julian Velard, whose piano melodies are already drawing comparisons with Ben Folds, Elton John  and Jamie Cullum.
      OK….so I’m a bit slow off the mark, but I get there in the end.
       
      In brief:-
      • Julian was born in Manhattan in 1979.
      • His father designed the software for the first ATM machines, while his cocktail waitress mother won TV’s Jeopardy on four separate occasions.
      • Velard attended New York’s LaGuardia high school, made famous in 1980’s film Fame.
      • He has previously worked as a P.E teacher for pre-school children and a street sweep in Paris.
      • Julian speaks five languages.
      • He has been supporting Amy MacDonald on her recent UK tour.
      • Velard often performs barefoot.
      • Currently on tour with Amy MacDonald
      The single, ‘Jimmy Dean And Steve McQueen’ is released by EMI on June 16
       
      Watch the Video for it:
       
      The album, “The Planeteer” is due for release this autumn.
       
      Sample this track from the new album:
      • Julian VelardEnd Of An Era  (album: The Planeteer)
      Visit his Website [here]
      Visit his Myspace [here]

      Eric Hutchinson: Sounds Like This

        Eric Hutchinson has been around for ages but, following the folding of his record company, Maverick Records, he has now been taken under the wing of Warner Brothers again and is due to re-release his album “Sounds Like This”.
       
      The album was originally released in 2007 and rocketed to the top 10 in the iTunes charts thanks to hype and support from renowned web gossip Perez Hilton.
       
      His style probably puts him somewhere between John Mayer, Jamie Cullum, Maroon 5, etc.
       
      Listen to the lead track from the album:
      • Eric HutchinsonOK, It’s Alright With Me (album: Sounds Like This)
      Visit his Website [here]
      Visit his Myspace [here]

      Now That’s What I Call Dancing!

      I’ve just watched tonights episode of Britain’s Got Talent, the current Simon Cowell  extravaganza.
       
      Now let’s be honest, most of us who watch such stuff are usually looking for a laugh at the raft of no-hopers who are convinced that they are God’s gift to entertainment.  I put my hands up and admit that I love to watch the dross as much as the performers who deserve a chance.
       
      However, tonights show had these guys FLAVA who seemed like a nice group of kids as well as being brilliant dancers.
       
      Bear in mind that they have not not been professionally trained and they are choreographed by the Mum of one of the dancers.  Brilliant!
       
      Watch FLAVABritain’s Got Talent TV Show:

      Coldplay: Violet Hill Video

        The official video for ‘Violet Hill’ the latest single from Coldplay  and taken from their new album “Viva La Vida”, has been released.
       
      Watch the video for ‘Violet Hill’:
       
      On a slightly lighter and tongue in cheek note, I also spotted this version during my travels. Very well crafted and with several messages in there….
       
      Watch Violet Hill (Dancing Politicians):

      The Zutons: New ablum & single

      After a two year gap since their last release, The Zutons are back with a new album “You Can Do Anything” which is to be released on 2nd June.
       
      The first track to be released as a single is ‘Always Right Behind You’ and is a set to be another winner.
       
      Watch the video for ‘Always Right Behind You’

      Beth Rowley: Little Dreamer

        With soul singers such as Duffy and Adele being very much the vogue right now, don’t overlook Beth Rowley  who releases her new album “Little Dreamers” on 19th May.
       
      Coming from Bristol (UK) she has served her time in the local music scene, and whilst still a schoolgirl, she performed as a backing singer for both Ronan Keating  and Enrique Inglesias.
       
      Her new album is a mix of pop-blues-jazz, very much akin to Jamie Cullum’s  style of music.
       
      I for one am looking forward to the release,   I think we’ll be hearing more of this young lady.
       
      Watch the video for ‘So Sublime’
       
      Watch the video for ‘Oh My Life’
       
      Here’s a track from her 2006 album “Sweet Hours”. Her cover of ‘Be My Baby’
      • Beth RowleyBe My Baby (album: Sweet Hours)
      Visit her Website [here]

      Visit her Myspace [here]

      Highlights of the week

      This weeks light at the end of the tunnel:
      • Kickin’ The Peanuts Posted a brief review of The Submarines pending the release of their forthcoming album “Honeysuckle Weeks” on 13th May. Two tracks were posted to sample. Read the post [here].  They also posted two tracks from the new Weezer album, “Weezer (Red Album)” which is due for release on June 24th. Read the post [here].  And if you want to download and sample the latest Ratatat single, ‘Shiller’, read the post [here].  Coldplay’s new Album “Viva La Vida” gets a quick review and there are 3 tracks to try. Read the post [here]
      • a PLAGUE OF ANGELS continued with their review of rock legends, The Who. read part 2 [here] and part 3 [here].  A rather blunt (but honest) post on Jason Mraz whose album (which I already have) called “We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things” was released 13th May. I have to say I agree with the review, but there are still some good songs to sample here. Read the post [here]
      • Bag Of Songs put together a nice Mothers Day mix with plenty of downloads. (Mothers Day in UK was back in March btw). Read the post [here]
      • Music Is Art posted a nice collection of cover songs which can be downloaded as individual tracks or as a zip file of the full mix. Read the post [here]
      • The World Of Wingrove did quick reviews of 12 newly released albums with a sample track to download for most of them. Artists include, Death Cab For Cutie, The Black Angels, Santogold & Martha Wainwright. Read the post [here]
      • Who Killed The Mixtape? produced a brilliant collection of tracks all of which feature hand claps of some sort/length. Read the post & download [here]
      • If you’re a Jazz fan (and if not, why not???), Glorious Noise had a fantastic post titled “A History of Jazz for Rock Fans”. Nothing to download but a whole wealth of information about jazz music and the Gods artists who perform it. Read the post [here]
      • Indie Launchpad Introduced P.Hux (Parthenon Huxley) who offers a rather nice blend of Power Pop with a download of the track ‘Perfect’ from his latest album “Kiss The Monster”. Well worth a listen. Read the post [here]
      • Muzzle of Bees posted three Radiohead sample tracks from their VH-1 basement session. Read the post [here].  The new Shearwater album “Rook” was covered and a free legal download of the first single ‘Rooks’ was provided as well as an older track. Read the post [here]
      • All Things Go reviewed the new Ratatat single, ‘Shiller’, with a download to sample. Read the post [here]
      • Remix lovers will find this post at Pretty Much Amazing! to be useful. Download remixes of Estelle ft. Kanye West, Britney Spears, Radiohead, Usher, N.E.R.D., and Santogold. Read and download [here]
      • The Pop Cop discusses the state of playlists on our radio stations and points us in the direction of ASDA FM, the supermarket channel, and posts two The Pigeon Detective  tracks for sampling. read the post [here]
      • Captain Obvious reviewed the new Death Cab For Cutie album, “Narrow Stairs”, with 2 tracks to try. Read the post [here]
      • Lost In Your Inbox had quite a deep and searching post titled Past Imperfect and posted 4 rather poignant tracks, Read the post [here]

      TRIGGER: Easy

        Why do we make things so complicated?
       
      It seems to me that we (the human race) get some perverse enjoyment out of making things difficult and complicated when there is usually a much simpler option available to us.
       
      Sure, difficult is more challenging.
      But do we always have to be challenged? 
      Does it make the end goal or reward that much sweeter?
      The result is still the same, so why do things the hard way?
       
      This week quite a few events and tasks have prompted me to think that, for once, why can’t it be easy?
       
      I for one would gladly take the easy option over the difficult one when the end result is the same.
       
      So the trigger is…
       
      easy    [ee-zee]
      -adjective
      1. not hard or difficult; requiring no great labour or effort
      2. free from pain, discomfort, worry, or care
      3. providing or conducive to ease or comfort; comfortable
      4. free from formality, constraint, or embarrassment
      5. effortlessly clear and fluent
      6. readily comprehended or mastered
      7. not tight or constricting
      8. not forced or hurried
      9. not steep; gradual
      -noun
      10. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter E
      -Synonyms
      tranquil, untroubled, comfortable, contented, quiet, smooth, unconstrained
       
      Tracks
      • Away with the Fairys - Loving You Was Easy (album: We’ve Been Had)
      • Boz ScaggsEasy Living (album: But Beautiful, Standards: Volume 1) [Web]
      • MikaRelax, Take It Easy (album: Life in Cartoon Motion) [Web] [Myspace]
      • The Swivel ChairsEasy Now (album: The Slow Transmission)
      • Waitress WantedSo Easy (album:Outtakes)
      • Franz FerdinandWell That Was Easy (album: You Could Have It So Much Better) [Web] [Myspace]
      • Freddie StevensonEasy Now (album: All My Strange Companions) [Web] [Myspace]
      • Faith No MoreEasy (Like Sunday Morning) (album: Absolute Power Ballads) [Web]
      • StarsailorSilence Is Easy (album: Silence Is Easy) [Web] [Myspace]
      • Eagles - Take It Easy (album: The Complete Greatest Hits) [Web] [Myspace]

      :o )

      TRIGGER: Anniversary

      32 years ago today, Mrs Baldyman and I (along with a whole lot of family, friends, etc.) visited a little church close to where she lived. We stood at the front of that church and made some vows. (Then we had a party!!! YAY!!!)
       
      32 years later those vows still hold true and we’re still together, with our own family.
      There have been good days and bad days. There have been ups and there have been downs.
       
      32 years later I wouldn’t change a single day.
       
      I pray for another 32 years.

       

      So the trigger is….
       
      Anniversary
       
      I won’t define the word like I usually do.
      To me, it’s not just about celebrating the one ‘anniversary day’, it’s about the whole commitment.
       
      Instead, as this is a ‘Music’ site, I’ll leave it to the words of one of the songs below to say how I feel about Mrs. Baldyman…
       
      “You are the air I need to breathe
      the river of life inside of me
      you are the half that made me whole
      you are the anchor of my soul
      and you are strong when I am weak
      you are the words when I can’t speak
      you never fail to see me through
      that’s the love I found in you
      you are my shelter from the storm
      you are the road that leads me home
      and baby with you here face to face
      Oh I know I’ve found my place
      and once in every life
      you find the one that’s right
      and when you say forever it’s true
      That’s the love I found in you”

      Tracks:

      • Bernard JacksonTogether Forever
      • Dave KozThe Love I Found In You (album: Dave Koz & Jim Brickman) [Web]
      • Simply RedWe’re In This Together (album: Life) [Web] [Myspace]
      • The ClienteleWe Could Walk Together (album: Suburban Light) [Web] [Myspace]
      • SteadmanTwo Together (album: Revive) [Web] [Myspace]
      • UB40Wedding Day (album: The Platinum Collection) [Web] [Myspace]
      • WilcoI’m the Man Who Loves You (album: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) [Web] [Myspace]
      • StingWe’ll Be Together (album: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason) [Web] [Myspace]
      • Phil CollinsThe Way You Look Tonight (Live) (album: Love Songs: A Compilation…Old and New) [Web]
      • Jack JohnsonBetter Together (album: In Between Dreams) [Web] [Myspace]
      • Brad YoderThe Wedding Song [Web] [Myspace]
      • AdeleMake You Feel My Love (album: 19) [Web] [Myspace] 

       

       

       

      :o )

      Neil Diamond: Home Before Dark

        Neil Diamond’s  eagerly anticipated new studio album ‘Home Before Dark’ was released on May 12th.
       
      The 12 tracks show that he still has what it takes including that same gravelly voice that I remember so well from the 70’s.
       
      ‘Pretty Amazing Grace’ has been getting massive airplay here in the UK and, I have to say, is a pretty amazing song.
      This album is a ‘must buy’ in my opinion.
       
      Have a listen:
      • Neil DiamondPretty Amazing Grace (album: Home Before Dark)
      • Neil DiamondOne More Bite Of The Apple (album: Home Before Dark)
      Visit his Website [here]
      Visit his Myspace [here]

      Flight Of The Conchords: Ladies Of The World

      Released yesterday (13th May), this is the new video for ‘Ladies Of The World’ from the Flight Of The Conchords  taken from their self-titled album and the HBO series.
       
      The music track kicks in around the 1 minute mark
       

      The Ting Tings: Debut Album

        May 20th sees the release of the debut album from The Ting Tings“We Started Nothing”.
       
      This duo are set for great heights following the success of their previous tracks and the buzz that there’s been about them on the Internet, as well as thier iPod commercial.
       
      The tracklist for the album is said to be:
      1. Great DJ
      2. That’s Not My Name
      3. Fruit Machine
      4. Traffic Light
      5. Shut Up and Let Me Go
      6. Keep Your Head
      7. Be The One
      8. We Walk
      9. Impacilla Carpisung
      10. We Started Nothing
      A stream of the full album is available [here], although I have to say the I found it a little hit & miss as to whether it plays or not.
       

      Maroon 5 & Rhianna: New Video

      MartoonThe official video for ‘If I Never See You Again’ by Maroon 5 & Rhianna  was released yesterday (13th May).
       
       

      Suntan Mix: Part 1

       
       
      With all the glorious weather we’re having at the moment, I thought it was about time to start feeding in those summer sounds that I enjoy on hot, sunny days.
       
      This is Part 1 of Baldyman’s Special Suntan Mix.
       
      8 carefully selected songs to bounce into summer.         

      And remember….
      Stay Safe…
      Stay cool…
      Stay protected
      :o )

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