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bon iver | 22, A Million

22, A Million

bon iver  |  22, A Million

Bon Iver (Justin Jordan) is that weird celestial being sent from space dust to brush up against our lame asses. He’s elucidating our understanding of what music can be. Vernon, is kinda like in hands of a raggedy-bearded shamanistic Miles Davis in anti-black face. This 22, A Million release is extraterrestrial sound ejaculate stitched lovingly against our collective eardrums and I love it. The tracks, there’s ten of them, shed majestically as they undress within our presence, at times coyly in half whisper, other times a direct (albeit hushed) inquiry into the upper and lower registers of need masquerading as want. The opening track 22 (OVER S∞∞N) is the equivalent of an Islamic call to prayer. A Western world’s quasi-adhan urging us to pivot our ears east and follow the progression of these quaint and beautiful sounds across the audio skyline and may the sun never set. 

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Kanye West // Lost In The World (Official Video)

The perfect director can make one hell of a difference, taking your song and visually transcending every expectation. Ruth Hogben has done that and more with Rap icon extraordinaire/visionary Mr. Kanye West’s track “Lost In The World”. This is a wonderfully shot video not atypical of what we expect from the world of hip hop and it’s totally refreshing as it is fresh to death. Peace. Continue reading “Kanye West // Lost In The World (Official Video)”

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bon iver // towers (official video)

It’s not that Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is feeling himself after his 54th Grammy Awards nomination and subsequent wins for Best Alternative Music Album and Best New Artist respectively, anything but. He still remains humble and true to his craft, and in some respects maintains, no elevates his integrity for not bowing to the pressure of the machine by not performing. His reason for shunning the stage and thus losing an opportunity to be seen by some 39.3 million viewers (Nielsen Co.)? Well, it’s simple. Justin Vernon is his own man. It is apparent Justin Vernon loves the music he creates. But it goes beyond that, he respects and cares deeply for his bandmates too. And lastly, he respects his chosen craft and his fans. Don’t me wrong, performing on a Grammy stage is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s not. But Justin Vernon didn’t want to have to jump through hoops to do it. Why go through the staid motions of a heartless collaboration not of his own choosing? And so he demurred. What Bon Iver did is laudable to say the least. And yes, there are more important things in this world than award shows, but what Mr. Vernon represented, was that you can be present at an award, and even graciously accept an award, but you don’t have to be the award show. And he didn’t. Mr. Vernon knows in his heart that the music is infinitely more important than a Grammy award. What a class act.

Now, I almost forgot I was writing about Bon Iver’s new NABIL directed video for “Towers” and it is beautifully shot and choke full with visual metaphor aplenty. And yes, it many even be channeling Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man And The Sea, but that’s a way cool thing too. Peace. Continue reading “bon iver // towers (official video)”

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james blake // wilhelms scream

If you know the music of James Blake, then you got the bruises on your heart to prove it. And if you know the music of James Blake, then you too have awakened hungover from the after effects of over consumption, the slight metallic taste of music on your tongue. Not need for bios and past accomplishments. No need to go on about how magical the music is, because all these things are evident to all who know the music of James Blake. Peace. Continue reading “james blake // wilhelms scream”

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Bon Iver – Beth/Rest Solo Piano Version

Bon Iver - Beth/Rest (Solo Piano Version)

Under normal circumstances I’m not one for surprises. However, like with most things in life there are those rare exceptions. Justin Vernor of Bon Iver is without a doubt an incredibly talented craftsman. What he does with chords and lyrics is nothing less than stellar. So, can his song craft get any better? Apparently so. Just when I thought he couldn’t take it to another level Mr. Vernon pulls a rabbit out of his hat. On his latest album Bon Iver, Bon Iver  the album closes with the song “Beth/Rest”. Now, even if you think the song is a bit grandiose it’s still a great song. Now, the surprise. Justin Vernon has taken this song and stripped it down to its bare bones, and what is left is pretty damn good, and that’s an understatement. Some people categorize Beth/Rest as a love song. Yes, it is a love song albeit a broken or a strained love song, and something wholly different too. It is almost a gospel musing with its naked spirituality, replete with declarations of something akin to a soulful throwing down of the gauntlet and taking a stance and confronting a thing head-on.

When Justin sings:

all the news at the door
such a revelry
well, it’s hocked inside
of everything you said to me

it was found what we orphaned
didn’t mention it would serve us picked
well your love is known
I’m standing up on it

aren’t we married?!
I ain’t living in the dark no more
it’s not a promise,
I’m just gonna call it…

This is the punch in the gut, it is a wake-up call. Whatever happened has come to the light of day. They either suffer and wrestle through it, or call it quits.

The song is now raw and intense and I can’t stop listening to it. Peace.