Song of the Week: CO2

CO2 - Colour Haze - CO2

There is something about Colour Haze that screams summer to me. They always seem to play so loose with a rolling quality to their songs which don't feel forced when they tend to go on long. The great musicianship of all three also helps make an 11 minute song an enjoyable experiences, Following the drums and guitar while being swallowed by the fat bottom the bass provides on the sound is simply amazing. I love listening to all three especially when they ditch the riffs and go right for the over the top soloing. The drums move so well, and the guitar takes on plenty of tones and textures, blending of blues, psychedelia, and heavy heavy distortion, each style flowing into each other seamlessly. As far as recording I love how they don't compress they're music, its recorded all in analog and meant to be played loud. Enjoy!

Song: Here

P.S. For this song in particular the beginning is very reminiscent of Space Cadet (another great summer song, also recorded live!) but really steps into its own form pretty quickly with a heavy riff.

Live Performance Special: In the Valley

In the Valley - Chief - Modern Rituals

My last few posts have really been moving towards a more summer feel, and this song is certainly following this trend. More along the calm bittersweet side of the summer feel than upbeat and optimistic, more "The Good Times are Killing Me" than say "Use Me" as an example. It has a very calming California sound but also its message definitely focuses on loneliness. I guess its kind of finding sadness in a good place, and that the sadness isn't from the setting, but from yourself. Just "Sitting in the valley alone". Anyway you cut the meaning, the band really performs well live, the vocalist is fantastic in a mellow singsong way that is not overblown or over dramatic. It's as though he's just singing to himself, but with real shine and beauty in his voice. Enjoy.

Song: Here

Song of the Week: The Good Times Are Killing Me

The Good Times Are Killing Me - Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News

After the March Madness posts thought it might be a nice idea to detox a little bit with good kind Modest Mouse. For me, this is the song that most represents the albums title, its a cheery simple summer song that is actually sad, and the news that is alluded to as good in the title is only good if you happen to love bad news. Its still good news, just as the times are still good, but you just have to love bad news, and the good times aren't actually good, they end up killing you. Even with this depressing message I still think its just a really happy song, mostly because it has a reflective feel to me. Almost as if hes saying, the good times are killing me, but I'll be alright. Thoughts aside about meaning, I love the singer and the album as a whole is one of my favorites.


Song: Here