I’ve been meaning to start posting about my musical thoughts and favorite artists for a while now. I made myself a promise not to walk away from the computer until I posted something. Hope my boss doesn’t mind that I took a personal day.
Here’s a taste of some of the stuff that has been stuck in my mind (and mp3 player) in recent weeks. Some of it is new, some not so new. All, however, are awesome. Enjoy.
Brandon Flowers, front man for The Killers, hasn’t been shy about his admiration for the music of Bruce Springsteen. This fixation continues on his first solo record, Flamingo. When referring to a giant framed portrait of Bruuuuuuuuuce (!) hanging near his piano, Flowers jokingly told Spin, “It’s my yarmulke, always reminding me that there’s someone above me.”
On Flamingo, Flowers continues to pen catchy Springsteen inspired pop-rock ditties. Nowhere is the Bruce influence more present than in a gem entitled “Hard Enough.”
The Duke & The King is led by Simone Felice, former drummer for a great band called The Felice Brothers. In that band, Simone contributed occasional lead vocals. In this group, however, he takes a more prominent role. Here’s a great performance of my favorite song of theirs.
I don’t know much about Basia Bulat, but one of my best friends always plays her music in the car and it started to permeate my brain. This is my favorite of hers (so far). What a great voice.
In the Night
Basia Bulat | MySpace Video
I don’t really need to say too much about Los Lobos del Este de Los Angeles that many of you don’t already know. Los Lobos, (arguably) America’s greatest musical group continues their forays into Cumbia music, a musical style that originated in Columbia. Of course, the gentlemen of Los Lobos add their unique EastLos sound to this traditional style. Here’s a live version of “Yo Canto,” a cut from their latest release, Tin Can Trust.
