MUSIC MONDAY: Album Review

I don't think that I would be willing to go out on a limb and say that I am the BIGGEST Death Cab for Cutie fan, but I definitely enjoy them. In my personal opinion, the bands sound evolution has been stunted and their best records thus far are behind them [but who knows what the future holds]. I did enjoy their last album, 2008's Narrow Stairs, but it wasn't the kind of classic album with classic songs that you listen to for years and years. For me, it was more a phase, and when the phase was over the cd went back on the shelf.

I was curious to hear their new album, Codes and Keys, since it's been 3 years since Narrow Stairs came out, and Ben Gibbard has gotten married and sober since then. I am not one to condone unhealthy, erratic behavior induced by drugs and alcohol, but I have to say that soberness does not always benefit an artists creativity. I hate to say it, but that might be the case here with good ole Ben.

I do not dislike this album by any means. I think it definitely has its peaks, but with peaks come valleys. There just isn't a lot here that grabs me and makes me feel like I cannot stop listening. To give it a little credit, I did purchase it at the same time I purchased the newest My Morning Jacket album [I know, I know, I'm a little behind] which I absolutely CANNOT stop listening to, so that may be clouding my judgement here a bit.

Codes and Keys starts out strong with "Home Is A Fire", which is arguably one of the best tracks on the album. "Codes and Keys" is an ok song that I don't necessarily want to skip over, but I certainly don't feel the need to put it on repeat. "Some Boys" feels like a song that didn't quite make the cut for Narrow Stairs, so it got tacked onto C&K instead. They should've let that one alone because I pretty much hate it.

"Doors Unlocked and Open" is a breath of fresh air that is needed far too early in the album. This song sounds like an evolved version of classic Death Cab sound. The guitar riffs are interesting and the super obnoxious effect that is prevalent on this album is non-existant. Ahhhhh. The next track, "You Are A Tourist" happens to be the first single cut from this album. Expect to hear once again the guitar effect that I could do without and mundane lyrics that leave you emotionally feeling like the after taste of a communion cracker. Thus far, it is the one track that I have consistently skipped over.

"Unobstructed Views" comes along behind "You Are A Tourist" with a heavy piano sound and some interesting musical effects. It is the only song on the album that is predominantly instrumental, but it still happens to be one of my favorites. I don't have strong feelings either way about "Monday Morning" or "Portable Television", but "Underneath the Sycamore" is another peak on this album and happens to be one of my favorites. I think that it would have been a much better choice for the first single. "St. Peter's Cathedral" is not my favorite song on the album, but I think it is one of the more interesting compositions. There are layers to the production and the integrity of the song that is lacking on most of the album. "Stay Young, Go Dancing" is one of my favorite tracks on the album and is a great ending. It leaves you remembering a positive reaction of this album that otherwise may not have come through. This song is the reason that I still buy Death Cab albums.

Overall, I think the album is okay, but I think you might be better off to just buy the tracks that appeal to you. The rest is almost a waste. The entire album is below for your listening pleasure. Let me know YOUR opinion.

MUSIC MONDAY

WooWee! Last week was a music filled week indeed. Between CMA Fest and Bonnaroo, I am completely worn out. I spent yesterday recovering by the pool and in a hammock and it was just what the doctor ordered, but the musical show must go on....

Recently, a number of my family members in Houston [shout out!] have been telling me about friends of theirs who are in a band called Royal Tailor. They just put out a new music video for their song "Make A Move", and I happen to think that the song is quite catchy and the video is just plain ol' fun. Check out their video and a few select songs below.

Obsession of the Day

I've said it before and I'll say it again: CMA Fest and Bonnaroo in the same week? REALLY? Unless Jesus comes first, this crack is gonna get me through this week.

PS- I realize that this Obsession of the Day is totally boring, but this girl is bizzay! I will try to make these more interesting in the future.

W-W-W-Wale

I will surely miss my boy Wale and his drummer Kwik at Bonnaroo this year. That's right, you know me and Kwik had a thang goin on last year [that's after I realized his name was Kwik and not Quinton. Bonnaroo Lela can't hear very well]. Alas, there will be a lot of hip hop to keep me company this year [more on that later], but until I can see Wale again, I will stay warm at night with this new track.

Obsession of the Day

On this past Friday night, I had the joy and the honor of walking with my mother at her local Relay for Life. My mother happens to be one of the strongest women I know and has unfortunately battled two different types of unrelated cancers in the past three years. Relay for Life has always been special to me as cancer seems to run in my family [ I have lost an aunt, grandmother and grandfather to the disease], but it is extra special each time I participate with my sweet mama.

Relay for Life has been raising money for cancer research and patient assistance since 1985, but it has also become a medium to raise cancer awareness, celebrate survivors, remember those who lost the fight with cancer, and to unite communities in the fight against cancer. It is estimated that since its inception, Relay for Life has raised over $3 billion dollars for cancer research.

It was a very special moment for me and many others when all of the survivors in attendance took their jubilant "Survivors Walk" around the track, proudly boasting the number of years since they beat cancer. One of the most touching moments of our night was during the luminary ceremony. Attendees are encouraged to buy luminaries [paper bags filled with sand and a candle] and to decorate them with the name of a friend or loved one who has either survived cancer or lost the fight. All the lights in the stadium are turned off, and all you see are these beautiful lights surrounding the high school football field track. Across from us in the stands, were the words "Hope" and "Cure" with the number "25" in the middle.

Back in the fall my alma mater, Columbia Central High School, won the State Championship in football the very same day that they lost their beloved teammate, Dylan Rebeor, to his fight with colon cancer. It had been 58 years since the Lions had won the title of State Champs and 7 months since Dylan had been diagnosed. The entire football team volunteered at Relay for Life on Friday night in Dylan's honor, and Relay in turn honored Dylan with the luminary of his football number, #25. The football team was sitting in the bleachers next to me and my mom [they took up 3 rows] and after Dylan was honored they all put their arms around each other and unabashedly cried for the loss of their friend.

And that, dear readers, is why Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society are my Obsession of the Day. I hope that it isn't, but it could be you one day. Support your local chapter of ACS and support those you know who are suffering from this awful disease.

With love,

Your Friend Lela

The Road to Bonnaroo: Part Two

Thanks to the schedulers of CMA Fest, I will not be able to attend Bonnaroo on Thursday. However, if I do say so myself, the line up isn't THAT great, so I'm not going to cry over it. If I were going to be able to make it, below are some of the acts that I would be checking out.

MUSIC MONDAY: The Road to Bonnaroo

Well folks, as hard as it is to believe, it is the first full week in June, which in Middle Tennessee means: BONNAROO [and CMA Fest-seriously, whoever keeps planning this stuff for the same weekend deserves to be Chinese water tortured].

Today I'll be posting some of the acts that I'm super excited to see this weekend [or acts that I'm super excited about and will be totally bummed to miss].

Our first artist of the day is a local who is really starting to get some solid buzz. I saw her perform at The Basement last fall during next big Nashville, and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I haven't had the opportunity to see her since then [although I heard she had an amazing set at SXSW], so I'm crossing my fingers that I can catch her at 'Roo [ Saturday at 9:20pm in the On Tap Lounge].

Check out her album, Charlatans At the Garden Gate, in full below.

An Open Letter

Dear Cicadas,

Thirteen not so long years ago you came into my life for the first time, terrorizing my youth and ruining a 13 year old girls summer. In the years since then, I had slowly forgotten about your beady little red eyes, your outrageously loud buzzing and your absolute abundance. Life went back to normal. Eventually the night terrors stopped and the presence of a flying creature no longer made me run towards shelter like a maniac.

And then 2011 rolled in. In the early spring I started hearing rumblings about the cicada invastion that would take over a large portion of our state in late spring/ early summer. I prayed that it wasn't true. Surely it hadn't already been thirteen years! In retrospect, I should've had a countdown calendar so that I could've been more prepared for this plague [aka, taken six weeks off and gone anywhere that cicadas don't exist]. Alas, the math was correct and you bastards started busting out of your shells on Mothers Day weekend. Your tyranny on my life and effect on my hearing [that's actually true!] haven't stopped since.

Until now.

Now it's time for you to die, cicadas. DIE. There are already tons of you lying dead everywhere and your little friends are starting to get nervous because they know that their time is soon.

The Devil himself is waiting to receive you back where you came from and to that I say, God speed cicadas, God speed. Get thee back to hell and never come back [well until 2024]. Good Riddance!!!

Obsession of Yesterday

Oops. Might've forgotten to share my obsession post [or anything at all, really] with you cats yesterday. Never fear, as a result of waiting, today we have a PICTURE. Hooray.

As a water sign [Scorpio thank you very much] I am pretty much in my happy place when I am around water. The beach, the river, a pool or lake, it really doesn't matter where, I guarantee you I will happy as a clam [especially if I have a drink from SONIC in my hand]. I have been absolutely craving a trip to the beach for a few months now and with every sandy day dream comes the thought of fresh seafood and my ultimate favorite: RAW OYSTERS [slurp slurp yum].

I had my first experience with raw oysters when I went on a trip in high school with my friends family to the Florida Keys. Put on a cracker with some horseradish and/or hot sauce, and I am in absolute heaven. While pondering my craving for raw oysters earlier in the week, I realized that I had never, ever been to one of Nashville's staple restaurants, Southstreet. Knowing that they indeed have oysters on the half shell, I took my happy ass over there with a friend and decided to consume.

Aren't those just about the prettiest oysters you've ever seen?? Ok, maybe not the prettiest, ad maybe not just out of the water fresh, but these babies were pretty darn good and totally hit the spot. We also enjoyed some steamed mussels and two whole fried catfish [DANGER! There are bones and they may or may not get stuck in your throat for hours]. Also, the kitchen staff may or may not cat call you on your walk to the bathroom. You may or may not enjoy it.

Song of the Morning

Here is a wonderfully sweet way to start your day. I downloaded Matthew Mayfields sampler on NoiseTrade this week and found this delicious surprise. I highly recommend the download. Enjoy!