Day 284 - 3/27/11

Since I took a picture of my Beats by Dre this evening I guess I will tell some of the music I've been listening to lately. How's that sound? Let's begin...

Come Home - One Republic ft Sara Bareilles


Stunning would be the only word to describe this duet. Last night, OneRepublic performed it and even without Ms. Bareilles it gave me shivers. I learned about the origins of this song when lead singer Ryan Tedder told the crowd its story. The day before before they were to officially turn in their album in 2006 he had lunch with his friend. His friend was a Marine and recently engaged, but found out that he had to return back to combat. His friend had his will and testament already made and he honesty didn't know if was going to come home and finally have his wedding. As a result, Ryan wrote this song the very next day before they turned their record in and he wrote in the perspective of his friend's fiance trying to imagine what she must felt have felt like. Good news, he came back 9 months later.

Stitched Up - Herbie Hancock feat. John Mayer


Since I started going to History of Jazz class this semester, I have been anxiously awaiting to discuss the Jazz Fusion period of Jazz. Herbie Hancock is perhaps my favorite jazz musician. He's a genius on the piano and really defined the sound of jazz rock fusion. I imagine that this sound was heavily influenced from his days playing piano for the great Miles Davis on the Bitches Brew album (and I highly recommend you take a listen to that CD). And don't even get me started on John Mayer. John Mayer is a true virtuoso on guitar. I think the concept of Stitched Up is really neat. John Mayer once had lunch with his bass player and he told John the last thing he needed as a girl to "stitch him up." What does that mean, you ask? The bass player replied "You know, stitch you up, to do you wrong." And John Mayer found that fascinating and I think it's a pretty neat expression as well.

Alligator Sky - Owl City feat. Shawn Chrystopher


 If there was one word to describe Owl City's sound, it would be expansive. Every song has some intangible quality that moves you. There songs intentionally try to move to a world of sound so different than anything you have ever heard before. I've heard some people think of space travel. I guess if I were on a spaceship I could imagine myself listening to music like this. I got see Owl City live last year and it was an incredible show. There sound is so intricate and refined. You know every note has been expertly placed and thoughtfully emphasized. Owl City will be releasing their sophomore album All Things Bright and Beautiful in May so I am getting every excited. It just may be my next physical album purchase.