Citizen Cope is perfect to listen to while you work

I'm sure you all have your playlists you jive to while you're 'gettin it done' 9-5 everyday. I myself prefer either classical stuff or a bit of acoustic rock, and will most definitely crank up a little Rage Against the Machine for important deadlines. When in doubt though, I often find myself going back to the always fresh sounds of Citizen Cope. Although he boasts quite a collection of successful albums, the one that really got my musical rocks off was 'The Clarence Greenwood Recordings." The grooves are very hip-hop oriented but other influences of reggae and blues can certainly be detected.

So what makes an album good to listen to at work? I have thought about this quite a bit because for some reason I can't focus while listening to certain artists. My personal conclusions are that the music has to be:

-chill/relaxing enough so as not to increase your stress
-not the softest of soft because you don't want to fall asleep
-have a good beat/groove to contribute to the rhythm of the workCitizen Cope seems to do all of these things for me, and so I recommend getting into your workflow with a few tracks from this shiiiiiit: http://drop.io/hn3k8iz#

Ray Lamontagne = Trouble

If I were uber-rich, I would pay Ray Lamontagne (pronounced Lay-mon-tane) to follow me through a golden wheat field at dawn while singing and playing his guitar. This folk-rock artist produces melodies that can be compared to Van Morrison’s more mellow songs. You know, the ones that make you want to nap under a willow tree.

Ray’s raspy but soft vocals go hand-in-hand with his lyrics, which are often romantic and about a woman. He has released three albums: Trouble, Till The Sun Turns Black and Gossip in the Grain. I personally enjoy all three, but it’s best to start with Trouble.

Some of his appeal comes from the fact that he is a very ordinary guy with a private life. Everyone can find something about Ray that they can relate to. For me, it’s reading Fantasy books in the forest. For you, it’s probably working in a shoe factory and having a violent, dead-beat father.

Enjoy!

http://drop.io/ailn7ff

Air's Talkie Walkie

Talkie Walkie is Air's second to newest album, and is classified as ambient electronica. I am by no means an electronica fan but nobody can deny Air. They are in my top favorite bands of all time, one of those that have stuck around on my playlists for the past 5 or so years.

How is Air different from other bands you listen to? Well, the most obvious difference is that the genius of the songs is displayed through a unique composition and song structure as opposed to a formulaic verse chorus structure that other artists often take advantage of. This band makes up their own patterns and follows the rules of pop music only when they want to. Some of my favorite air songs don't have any vocals. In fact when the band does use vocals, it is more as an instrument in the layering, and less as a spotlighted melody. That is why each song can be taken as an audio adventure that most times proves to be unpredicatable and shocking.

Is Air's music stoner music? It is certainly stereotyped as so. However no matter what state of mind you are in, this band will change your mood to fit there's. Check out the track 'Run' and you will get a taste of how Air dictates the listener's feelings, falling back in forth from eerie minors to heavenly majors. Download one of my all-time favorite albums right here:

http://drop.io/adznra4#

The Dodos' 'Visitor'

Who likes psychedelic folk rock? I do I do I do!

Visiter by the Dodos was one of my favorite albums this past year; truly a very worthwhile band to get into.

Highlights include: crazy rim shot drum parts, obscure vocal harmonies, and eerie lyrical themes. The album is unique in that it is strung together in a folky way by acoustic guitars, ukelele, and soft horns.

Check them out in Brooklyn at the NorthSide Festival, June 14.

Forget that hogwash on the radio. CHECK OUT THE DODOS INSTEAD. THE SWEET SWEET DODOS! Sorry, I am kind of tired and the brain isn't functioning properly. But seriously download the cd here:

http://drop.io/thedodoscd1523#
(first 13 tracks)

http://drop.io/thedodoslasttrack#
(last track)

Jose Gonzalez and Veneer

Yoooooooooo. Whatup?

Jose Gonzalez is one of my favorite acoustic artists of all time. I saw him in Charlottesville for the first time a couple years ago at Star Hill. Just him and a guitar...was amazing. His music, unlike his name, is not very Latin sounding. In fact, he grew up in Sweden and has more of a folk feel.

Imagine a classical guitar with soft vocals. Sound boring? Fuck that. After a few listens you will be hooked. I uploaded my favorite album by him called Veneer. I also uploaded his latest album called In Our Nature. Check out 'Heartbeats,' which is a cover he did originally written by a band called the Knife. If you are looking for something to chill out to, something to do deep thinking to, or to help you fall asleep, all of this music will tickle your motherfucking fancy. Enjoy.

Go to this link and download the files safely for free: http://drop.io/s8hupgx#

-Apollo

Califone's Roots & Crowns

You will listen to this album and think it is weird and not for you.

You will listen to it again to make sure, because why would someone post about a shitty cd on such an amazing blog. You will again think it is weird.

You will listen to it a third time because you hate your life. You will think one or two of the songs are pretty catchy despite the weirdness.

You will listen to it a fourth time to hear those songs. The cd will then become your favorite cd for the next three months. Who says so? Jeff Goldblum. That's who.

Roots and Crowns sounds like if Nick Drake took a bunch of illegal substances and but instead of dying, wrote another album...this one with sweet instruments like the bass clarinet.

Try listening to my favorite track first, called Spider's House.


Enjoy bitches: http://drop.io/iqgj6d7#

A Classier Version of Poppy Hip Hop...

...does exist and is embodied by the unique style of Kheaven Brereton, aka K-OS (pronounced chaos). This album is catchy enough to rock out to, yet sophisticated to the point where you don't feel covered in MTV's splooge after taking your headphones off.

K-OS features musical styling as diverse as his own upbringing. Raised by Jehovah's Witnesses and growing up between Toronto and Trinidad (in Africa?), his songs have an old-school feel which include reggae and electronic beats. His first album Exit went on to win the 2003 International Album of the Year at the Source Awards. Atlantis - Hymns for Disco is K-OS's third album and while it may not be new (2006), its probably new to you.

Either way, this album makes me think of drinking on the beach. Always a good way to get through Easter weekend. Enjoy!





http://drop.io/AtlantisHymnsForDisco

http://drop.io/AtlantisHymnsForDisco2