Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 years of Amnesty International

I am often referencing the role Bob Dylan played in my childhood. He was a poet who's lyrics spoke to a generation desperate for a voice. He certainly spoke to my father who will still sit with his guitar, strumming and nasaling up his voice. "Once upon a time you dress so fine..."My fathers was not the only generation Dylan spoke to. His songs are timeless. He is one of the most covered artists of all time.

This month, Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International was released. It is a 4-cd compilation of Bob Dylan covers and all procedes go to Amnesty International. Artists range from favorites of mine like Carolina Chocolate Drops, Johnny Cash, Maroon 5 and Adele. It includes older live recordings like my all time favorite Dave Matthews Band version of All Along The Watchtower. The line-up is diverse as a wide range of artists take Dylan in great musical directions. Of course there are exceptions like the inclusion of Miley Cyrus (who doesn't sound the worst she's ever sounded), which I could have done without, but it is a solid album of timeless music.

Favorite Albums of 2011

So much great music came into my life this year, including a number of kick ass albums! They are the albums that I have played on repeat in obsessive ways, or forced upon my loved ones, readers and strangers on the street screaming, “Seriously, you HAVE to be listening to this!”

To be clear, this is not a ‘best of’ list. I am in no way qualified to determine what has been better or worse than others. Bon Iver seriously doesn’t do it for me no matter how many times I have played his pre-pubescent voiced album, but apparently he’s fantastic. No, this is a list of my favorite albums. These are albums that in 2011 I fell deeply, madly, hopelessly in love with. Interestingly, the majority of my favorite albums are freshman albums. They are in no particular order. 

Torches: Foster The People

Torches has been a serious addiction this year. I even met one of the boys while listening to their album on my ipod. Foster The People have a captivating sound, danceable melodies, strange and poetic lyrics, and completely weird music videos. Their stories range from the socially controversial “Pumped Up Kicks” to the sentimental, “Waste.” It is a dynamic, rich, fun, upbeat, kick ass album from start to finish. I am anxiously anticipating their sophomore album and what the boys will come up with next. In the meantime, I’m still waiting for them to choreograph their entire next music video (Warrant, please!) with Mark Foster’s shouldery dance moves. I think it would be brilliant!

21: Adele

Seriously, have you listened to it? The girl is unreal! I have openly wept at least twice while listening to her perform songs off of this heart wrenching album. Adele's crossover into Top 40 has been a breath of fresh air to those stations and a testament to how brilliant she is. She took writing about heartache to a whole new beautiful level and I can't stop belting her out while driving in my car, or just about anywhere. 

In Light: Givers

In Light is a whimsical dance party by Givers. I love the quirky, rich, and percussion-heavy instrumentals. The percussion often adds a tribal celebratory feel, especially in songs like “Saw You First” and “Up Up Up”. Taylor and Tiffany belt out soulful harmonies and it is easy to hear their giddy smiles through my speakers. Aptly named, this album is about light and I dare you not to actually start bouncing with delight when you hear "Up Up Up"! In fact, I will take this opportunity to apologize to my downstairs neighbor as every listen (and there have been oh so many!) has usually erupted in crazed, euphoric dancing. 

Pickin Up The Pieces: Fitz And The Tantrums

Pickin Up The Pieces is a modern, retro, pop album that makes me want to dress up in sequence and heels and go dancing somewhere hip and glamourous. The wail of the organ and the jazzy sound of the saxophone blend with Fitz and Noelle‘s harmonies, creating a rich, soulful groove. Fitz and the Tantrums are all kinds of fun and so is this album.

Nothing is Wrong: Dawes

There really is nothing wrong with this Dawes album, and if push came to shove I would have to choose this as my absolute number one favorite album of the year because it is just so damn good. While so many albums on my list I love for the dance parties that usually erupt while listening to them, Nothing Is Wrong strikes at a much different place. Taylor Goldsmith is a poet and a brilliant songwriter. I get something new out of his lyrics with every listen and his melodies are their perfect complements. (the video is grainy, but it's my favorite song off the album and I had to share)

The Head And The Heart: The Head And The Heart

This self-titled album by The Head And The Heart has a beautiful folk sound, rich in harmonies and undertones of melancholy. Many of the songs start simply and build up in emotional and beautifully instrumental ways. This album is music that fills me up to the very core and songs like, “Down In The Valley” make me homesick for a place I’ve never even been to. This is a band I am eager to see grow and mature.

Portraits: Wheeler Brothers

Representing Austin on this list, Wheeler Brothers are definitely a favorite this year. Portraits is a well rounded folk-rock album with Texas rock inspirations. Like so many of the albums I have loved this year, this is their first LP, but with an incredibly mature and cohesive sound. You may not have heard of them yet, but you will. 

What were your favorite albums this year?

A fall concert preview

I like buying printed tickets to concerts. I guess you could call it a weird quirk that I have and I keep all of them in an old box in my closet. They are the scrapbook that I am too lazy to ever craft. They tell my life's story in music, perhaps the best way to retell my life. Like a photo album I will often go through them and remember who I was with, favorite songs that were played, why that was the band I absolutely had to see at that moment in that concert.

Before there are memories made or set lists written, I keep my future tickets on my refrigerator, tucked safely behind a magnetic photo of my childhood. The stack is growing thick and I am filled with excitement every time I walk by or grab a snack.

Highlights this fall so far include:

ACL (obviously) (@aclfestival): I promise to write slightly drunken (or not so slightly) haiku's of all the acts that I see and as we get closer I will probably post the many drafts of the tentative schedule that I will probably only slightly follow because sometimes you just have to move with the spirit of a festival. That being said, I will not be seeing Kanye.

Adele (@officialadele): I once went to a concert with a friend who cried through the entire show in her excitement and love for the curly locks and sweet dance moves of Justin Timberlake. I didn't understand crying at a concert for love artist or love of music. JT is no Adele and thank goodness Adele is no JT, but after her recent performance at the VMA's, I can't help but think I will be a bit glossy eyed in the crowd. She is unreal amazing. I could be a concert cryer.

Friendly Fires: A favorite out of SXSW, I have enjoyed their new album, Pala, and will enjoy letting loose and dancing at their show.

Portugal. The Man (@portugaltheman): I don't have really strong opinions on this band. The one's I do have are generally positive, but I had a kick ass time seeing him at SX and when I saw he was coming through again I figured that was a concert I wanted to be at. Also, a friend recently compared them to Oasis. Maybe it wasn't Oasis but it was a random comparison and I liked it and it further confirmed that I'd like to see him in concert again.

Utopia Fest (@utopiafest): Camping? Intimate concert setting in a Texas town that is actually called, Utopia? I'm in! Also, I'm excited to find Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, who I met randomly last year at ACL. I had no idea who he was, but Chris Chu, of Morning Benders (who I also randomly met) introduced me and told me his band was pretty awesome. I got a picture with the both of them and when I got home I felt bad that I had no idea who this Dawes guy was, but was proudly bragging on facebook that I'd met him, so I looked up his music and you know what? Damn good! I plan on telling him that entire story. I am also excited for The Wheeler Brothers, among a number of other great acts that are listed.

Moe. (moeperiod): I love Moe. They are fun, upbeat, birkenstock music (which is what I call anything that reminds me of the northeast), that will be a perfect reprieve from Indie music. They'll jam, I'll dance (maybe while wearing birkenstocks), and it will be all kinds of fabulous. Get your tickets now. I promise you will love them.

There will be so many more as the fall progresses. What are you excited for?

Adele performs "Someone Like You"

2011 VMA - Music - Adele

It is not often that I am moved to actual tears by music. Adele did just that at this years MTV VMA's. Her performance was raw, soulful, moving, an illustration of true talent. I can't wait to catch her when she comes to Austin in October.