ourcommon music picks

Extra Golden | Ok-Oyot System - EP

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 12:09:26 -0700

I feel it generally hard to gently describe this album. A collaboration, where the west meets
central africa, and together they produce a perfect sunset. The EP for the most part, sounds african, with minutes of those whispy guitar riffs that just float forever - but then you lsiten to a track like it's not easy, which sounds like Ali Farka Toure found Beck and Cody Chesnut on heroin. This album is one of those diamonds in the rough, a real find. Sadly, with the death of lead singer Otieno Jagwasi in May 2005, the band will probably never record again. So grab it while it's hot.

The Forty | Imix

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:12:14 -0800

This is "The Forty" - 40 tracks for december funded by a itunes gift certificate from my brother Nick for taking so many photos of his son, my nephew ROCKET.
This mix is eclectic, it moves and jumps the earth, jumps language in fact .. There are old classics, there are some you've probably never heard. It's worth a try, or at least a sample.

October Fog | Imix

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:11:14 -0800

it's starting to get colder in California. I see clouds more than blue skies these days, and it's comforting, funny enough. It's quieter it seems, as if Fall needs to be listened to, as the winds and whispers shadow our coming winter. Yes I'll take the scarf today, and will listen to hear.

Sigur Ros | Takk...

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 21:09:15 -0700

The newest audio exploration from icelands sigur ros. To me, this band is some sort of magical modern sound machine, an electronic marching band that stomps to these relentless lullabies ... and I love it, and I'm not sure why. I don't understand it lyrically, but that doesn't matter ~ it's the same sensation I get watching two french women speak .. just beauty, matter of fact.

Bob Marley and the Wailers | Fy-Ah Fy-Ah - The JAD Masters, 1967-1970 ( remastered )

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 14:09:18 -0700

This vintage album from Bob Marley and the Wailers is a triumph of pre-rock reggae. This album catches the band at that pivotal point before the mainstream, where the band had really mastered their craft in every sense possible. I really find it hard to pick or point out specific songs that stand out, as they all do .. all 68 of them. It's soft, and of course mellow to the mood. There are a handful of songs you'll recognize, but most not .. or at least they've been disguised in this low down, chill ,island ,sun filled ,am radio on the beach style that the whole album sweats out. I'd have to say that I've listened to Bob for a long time (17 years) and this album is new to me, and now a staple to the permanent collection.

Sufjan Stevens | Illinois

Sat, 23 Jul 2005 01:07:34 -0700

There's something radically magical to this new album by Sufjan Stevens. A celebration I find it to be, and at numerous points I find it flattering me, literally ~ where I actually stop to concentrate purely on the sound and lyric before me. I start listening, just to do that and nothing else, and that's something we don't do enough. Just listening to music, with everything else quiet, listening to stories told by a storyteller. All of us should do exactly that .. listen more.

M. Ward | Transistor Radio

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 12:07:37 -0700

M. Ward came out of nowhere, and knocked me down. It was one of those random "you might like this" paths I followed on the itunes music store. It was Bob Dylan to Sufjan Stevens and then out of nowhere, comes the latest release from M. Ward. His sound is some folk rollback smacked centerfield and over the fence. It has this modern hum, with traditional harmony and construction, and it's consuming the speakers ~ and won't stop. This immediate attraction forced me to then purchase ALL the music from M. Ward ~ and now Im spinning in his 5 year catalogue, wondering why the hell I hadn't found this music before.

Amos Lee | Amos Lee

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 14:06:38 -0700

Philadelphia born Amos Lee. I hear part James Taylor, part D'angelo, and part 70s ballads. Good for quiet, sunny summer mornings. The album echoes well through the house, even from the other room. It's a simple and personal album from a fantastic new singer/songwriter.

nice.

Venice in June ( imix ) | Various

Wed, 15 Jun 2005 12:06:02 -0700

We start with Calexico, with a song that sings a warm venice night to me, then off to the epicenter of french sensuality Mr. Serge Gainbourg, a man so far ahead of his time, we often forget how good his music really is. To africa we go with Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder, mixing african progressions with Ry Cooders Western sensibilities. A sweet song from Feist, then to a bangin' new track from the uber-hip Gorrilaz. We visit back to the Broken Social Scene ( a must have album ), to one of Becks new tracks ( also a must-have album ) . A little down-low with Explosions, then up with the Shins, and cooled off finally with Magnet, Jim whote and finally another genius track from Serge..enjoy

Bruce Springsteen | Devil and Dust

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 13:04:52 -0700

I'm a huge fan of Bruce Springsteens 1982 album Nebraska - in which Bruce addresses the album simply, and doesn't overpower the music with a huge presense. It's usually him alone, without much enhancement except his acoustic Guitar. Devil and Dust follows a similar dusty road. It comes across very personal, a voice you stop to listen to, and appreciate for the passion and honesty. Minus a few tracks, I've found this new chapter from the boss to be a wonderful listen.

The Velvet Underground & Nico | The Velvet Underground

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 16:04:53 -0700

A classic muffled heroin rock lullaby. The Velvet Undergrounds length of influence during the 60s and beyond is boundless. In an era charged with revolt, passion,love and aggression, the Velvet Underground continiouslly pushed the limits in song and lyric - and to this day remains a must have in your music collection.

Ryan Adams | Heartbreaker

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 02:04:30 -0700

I respect Ryan Adams, purely for cranking out music as fast as he does. All of it usually jives with me, minus the select few - but I must say that his alt-countrytracks are amongst my favorites, and the album heartbreaker sides most sincerely with the style and grace he developed in the band whiskeytown. It feels like an old dirt road, set somewhere just east of no where, in a desert with no name.

Carla Bruni | Quelqu'un m'a dit

Fri, 25 Mar 2005 13:03:28 -0800

Carla Bruni sings, and sings well. Sung in french, far from my own native language, but it's sweet touches and simplicity definitely strike a chord within. This Italian native moved to France when she was 4, and later in life became of one of the highest paid models in the world. Not until recently has she reached back to her dreams of being a singer/songwriter, and I think it was a good call.