Kelly's Pick - Sufjan Stevens

First off, my apologies for the delay in my post this month. I recently acquired a Nintendo Wii, and then a week and a half of my life just disappeared... anyway, on to the music:

I'm a sucker for a good trumpet line, and although this only scratches the surface of why I like this song so much, I thought I should get that right out front.

I discovered Sufjan Stevens a couple of years ago, after reading about his album Come on Feel the Illinoise! on several 2005 best-of-the-year lists, and the first time I listened to it, it had the effect that a good book does: I couldn't walk away until I heard the whole thing. It is a concept album about Illinois (Stevens claims he's going to do one about each US state - so far he's finished Michigan and Illinois), and, appropriately, I guess, "Chicago" is the album's centrepiece.

Frank mentioned driving songs, and this is one of my favourites because of the sense of motion that it has. The strings, the odd back beat, the bells, that trumpet, the choir, and all of the instruments that I haven't yet identified sweep you up and carry you along in their rush, and then you hit a quiet spot, and you almost feel as if you're floating. To reinforce the driving song appropriateness, the song's lyrics are, at least partly, about a road trip the narrator took "to Chicago, in a van, with my friend."

Anyone who has seen Little Miss Sunshine will probably recognize some of this song, as it's main riff is used repeatedly as a scoring motif in the movie (a road movie, incidentally). That riff doesn't just repeat througout the song, but throughout the whole album at various speeds and in various instrumental guises, helping to make Come on Feel the Illinoise! one of the only truly conceptual "concept" albums I've ever heard. If you like "Chicago," I can't recommend the album (or it's predecessor, Greetings From Michigan) enough.

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

Basil the Ferret's Pick - Ben Harper

For those that know my musical tastes I have preached the value of this guy since I first met all of you. After watching the video for Faded I went and bought the album and it was the smartest thing I ever did.

I am of course talking about Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. Some of my favorite songs, which are hard to pick because I love all his music, but Glory & Consequence, She’s only happy in the sun, and almost every other song is worth listening to on a regular basis. The passion he puts into his music and the raw emotion that comes through in the vocals separate him from so much of the crap that is put out these days.

The song I have chosen is from his latest album called Lifeline. I chose “Say you Will” because if you have not heard any Ben Harper before this song gives you a good feel for the type of music he is capable of playing. There is a real combination of beautiful music and emotional vocals.

Anyway I hope you enjoy.

Ben Harper - Say You Will

Duane's Pick - Wu-Tang Clan

Going on the recommendation of Kelly, I thought I'd throw out some old school. You knew I had to do it. Plus, the RZA was on The Hour a few weeks ago talking about his new book (The Wu Manual) and Method Man was awesome on The Wire this year, so they've been on the brain. I'm sure this won't be everyone's cup of tea - with CREAM, of course - but I thought I'd drops it here for ya. I've been really into the Wu-Tang Clan these past few weeks, some of the solo stuff from GZA and Method Man, but mostly from their debut in 1993 - Enter the Wu-Tang (Return to the 36 Chambers). I never actually had the whole album, but I remember the videos on Much back when. I love the Wu because they came up with this whole strange mythology. Each of them has multiple names (Method Man tops out at 24 aliases!), and their odd "history" combines old Wuxia movies (Chinese kung-fu), comic books (Johnny Blaze - in itself another metaphor for tokin'), spirituality (both Islamic and Chinese), mafioso and ghetto life. So, their home of Staten Island becomes "Shaolin", tongues are swords (for Genius), Killa Bees are affiliates, and the metaphor for drugs and money - CREAM (Cash Rules Everything Around Me). They actually started the now cliche rap-mafia idea with the Wu-Gambinos. Incidently, The RZA and GZA each got their names from the sound of their names - Razor (the sharpest MoFo) and Genius (the "head" of Wu, like "Voltron") - scratched on a record. Ghostface Killah is on some "now you see me, now you don't shit", Chef Raekwon cooks up the flava (and crack rock...), Method Man has "mad, different" methods, Ol Dirty Bastard has no "father to his styles" and Inspectah Deck will "watch you play yourself, then take you to court later". I love it! Even if you don't care for the song - incidently this album is considered one of the best rap albums of all time - you may appreciate their Irish-stew method of creating history, music and mythology. The Wu were even infiltrated by the FBI under suspicion of gun-running and being friends with the actual Gambinos (???).

Back to the song. Protect Ya Neck, I think best represents what they are - a collective of 9 guys with distinctive and diverse styles who are all under the umbrella of the leader of the Clan - The RZA, who demanded a $100 from each member to produce the track. Each of them had to battle to get on the song, and RZA used no samples here except fo the kung-fu bits - he plays everything himself. However, since he had a shitty little studio, the beats sound harsher and bassier, and the movie bits have a haunting echo, which adds to the production rather than takes away. Controversy aside, I think the flow and beats and steam-of-consciousness storytelling that the Wu had has been largely lost on hiphop today to the "suit-and-tie raps". Watch ya step, kid!

Anyways, long post, but I love it and I had to drop it on you guys. Peace out Killa Bees!

Wu-Tang Clan - Protect Ya Neck

Frank's Pick - Josh Rouse

This isn't really a life-changing song, or one that has influenced me in any profound way. It is, though, a perfect example of a genre of music that is very loosely defined, and means something slightly different to everyone: the Driving Song.

For me, a perfect driving song is one that matches the area you're driving through. Given where I live, the world outside my car is generally very sunny and bright, with flat fields as far as you can see. I love to drive on the prairies in the summer, because it feels so open, which is really therapeutic after being cooped up for a long winter. The songs I tend to listen to on these long drives are pretty much the audio version of a sunny prairie: jangly, great melody, lots of sweet harmonies, generally upbeat.

I auditioned Carolina by Josh Rouse on a recent drive to Brandon, and it will be on my driving playlist for the rest of the summer.

Try it out...wait for a sunny day, leave the city, and crank this song. You'll see what I mean.....

Josh Rouse - Carolina

Tyler's Pick - Coconut Records

My pick for this month is from Jason Schwartzman's solo music project, Coconut Records.

I first heard this song on 92.9 KICK FM here in Winnipeg, even though I'd heard of Coconut Records at least a couple months ago. I guess I didn't look into it then, because I always thought Phantom Planet, Schwartzman's former band, was just okay. So, while I found it interesting that he was getting back into music, I didn't really assume it would be all that great. But it is.

The song is called West Coast and it's just simple and fun and cute and romantic. It's a great little love song, I guess. I'm not much of a movie geek - maybe Duane and Kelly can attest - but this is just the kind of thing I'd expect from Jason Schwartzman, based on the roles he takes and the movies he's been in. Simple and quirky, but meaningful too, right?

Anyways, give 'er a listen. It's been a while since I've been stuck by a song like this. Unexpectedly in the middle of a conversation, stopping and looking at the radio and thinking..."hmm, like where this is going." So, yeah, lemme know if you feel the same way.

Coconut Records - West Coast