Elegant Symphony Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication...

A good way to avoid the lack of lyricism and storytelling in popular music is to go the instrumental route. Insert Ratatat, hailing from Brooklyn, New York. This duo that features Mike Stroud (Guitar) and Evan Mast (Synthesizers) is not necessarily new to me, just rediscovered. I've always liked their song "Wildcat" (2006) but I never gave any serious thought about checking out any of their previously released albums. This week I did and I'm liking what I hear.

Their style ranges from Electronica to Rock to Hip Hop. While they do have their own albums under their belt, they have remix albums which features artists like Kanye West, Jay-Z, and The Notorious B.I.G. I would definitely recommend checking out their previous albums. Also, Keep a look out for their upcoming album LP4 slated for release May 2010.

I'm not in a relationship or anything at the moment but alas, I dig "It's Good to be Loved" by Babyface from his 2005 Album Grown & Sexy.

I'll try to get a new artist up sometime soon!

"Pretty Please (Love Me)" by Estelle featuring Cee-lo Green of Gnarles Barkley, from her 2008 Album Shine.

Here's something I don't understand. It's the reason why people have an undying need to try to impress me. Does this happen to anyone else? People always want to make sure I notice things or brag exceptionally hard when I'm around. It even seems to happen with perfect strangers. I really hate to sound like an asshole or self-aggrandizing but I don't care. Yes, I like nice things but I have the things that I own because I like them. Not to impress others. I don't spend loads of money on things but I do have unique tastes that I guess appear really expensive and refined when in actuality most of it is dirt cheap (I shop wisely).

At any rate, I believe this can be used as an example as to why a lot of people fail to find true happiness in this world. They spend their lives doing things because of what others around them think or trying to impress someone instead of what truly makes them happy. Be yourself. At all times express who you are. Let people love and accept you for who you truly are instead of for who you believe they think you should be.

1. Create a page using Blogger's "Page Widget".

2. Post the page using Column view.

3. Go to "Edit HTML" on the Layout tab.

4. Check Expand Widget Templates.



5. Look for the line of code for the Page Widget that looks like this:

< b: widget id =" 'PageList1'" locked="'false'" title="'Pages'" type =" 'PageList'">



6. Locate the < /ul > tag.



7. Directly BEFORE this tag type this line of code:

< li >< a href=' INSERT YOUR LINK'> YOUR PAGE NAME < / a > < / l i >
(no spaces)

8. Repeat step seven as needed for however many customized pages you want.

Your lines of code should look like this:





**Preview your blog before publishing it to ensure the new page links work correctly.

I haven't posted in a while (Musical Experiment wise anyway) but it's kind of a good thing. I found a new job! Just an office job but I'm happy about it. I spent all of Sunday reworking my resume then sent some out that night. The next day (within hours actually because I applied at like 3am) I get a call back for an interview which was scheduled for wednesday. I killed the interview. Today was my first day. I had to design fire escape floor plans, ha. At any rate, I'm happy about the situation.

In other news, I have Lauryn Hill's "Sweetest Thing" on repeat in the memory banks. I haven't heard this song in I don't even remember how long.

I planned on making Australian singer/songwriter Jade MacRae a featured artist. But in all honesty, I'm not a huge fan of the songs I heard from her 2008 album Get Me Home. It's just too Pop for my tastes.

I haven't had the opportunity to experience her debut album. However, I do enjoy her live performances. Maybe it's because of the fact that she's gorgeous. How could you resist a smile like hers?

Reasons I love Spring:

-The weather (for the most part - Indiana is known to be unpredictable in this department). Cold and gloomy days give way to to sunshine and light breezes.

-There are more activities and things to get involved in around town. I personally love biking. I haven't dusted off my road bike yet because it has a flat from Fall of last year that I still haven't got around to fixing.

-People seem to be more pleasant and happier about life. I'm generally jovial and optimistic but when other people are happy it lifts my spirits even more.

-NBA and College playoffs/championships. I don't care for the regular season - too many games, too many horrible teams. Call me a bandwagon fan. So be it. Football is my sport.

-Tax return. who doesn't like money?

I'm sure there's more but that's the list off the top of my head.

Reasons I hate Spring:

-ALLERGIES! None of the medications on the market ever work for me and I've tried just about every kind known to man. The ones that do yield varied success only work for a few hours and tend to knock me out. I don't have time to sleep 20hrs a day, so I man up and deal with it.

-I even become allergy prone to certain foods that I'm otherwise fine eating (mostly fresh foods). I once had an allergic reaction to Dr. Pepper but that's a none issue now as I no longer indulge in carbonated drinks.

-Sinus Headaches: these have to be some of the most god awful things I have ever experienced and they tend to hit me hardest during the Spring months. Makes it hard to enjoy the weather when I'm locked in a dark room because sunlight magnifies the pesky little devils 10 fold. I've had to deal with these on and off the last 3 days. In fact, I have one as I'm typing this. Not fun.

-Spring is the only time I have complications with asthma. I had it badly as a kid and was hospitalized a few times because of it. I'm mostly over it now except for when complications stem from allergies. It's a vicious cycle.

I guess the plus side to this is that I no longer live in the suburbs surrounded by cornfields or soy bean fields depending on crop rotation (guess there is more than corn in Indiana, ha). All throughout high school I was nearly on my death bed during the Spring because of increased pollen count and whatnot.

Today's featured artist is Joss Stone, yet another Englander. At age 22, she has more than a few albums under her belt. I first found out about her from her Grammy tribute performance for Janis Joplin in 2005. I've been a fan of her music ever since.

I admire the rawness of her voice. When I bought her 2007 album Introducing Joss Stone, I found that she sang with emotion and conviction that wasn't being heard in a world of poppy ringtone artists. Apparently I've been sleeping on her though. I had no idea she released an album last year (October 2009). I think I have an album to check out.

I don't watch much TV on the actual TV. I manage to catch everything online. I do this mostly because I hate the advertising blitz during the phenomena known as commercial break - and I like to watch shows on my own time. But i digress.

In no particular order:

The Big Bang Theory (seriously)
White Collar (season 1 promo)
Spartacus: Blood and Sand (official trailer)
Flash Forward (promo)
Modern Family (bahaha)

Guilty Pleasure: Ghost Hunters - In all honesty, I'm not even sure why I watch this. Granted, I don't follow it regularly but still. Essentially, it chronicles a bunch of plumbers sitting around in the dark talking to themselves. How that is entertaining? I don't know. Even when something "paranormal" happens it's just out of camera's line of sight. Sometimes they can't explain certain events that take place. Likewise, I really can't explain my fascination.

I took a little adventure to Castleton today in search of a part time job and running errands in general. I just had to be out in this beautiful weather! While out and about, I stopped by Barnes & Noble where I found a nice little book about Gandhi for $5 (possibly future "Sunday Quote of the Day" material). I was also kind of sightseeing. Castleton is a really nice area. If I do decide to stay in Indiana after I graduate, I'll probably be moving in that direction. But that's a BIG "if". My desire to leave this state in my rearview is unmeasurable, ha!

On another note.... I have "Freddie's Dead"(1972) by Curtis Mayfield stuck in my head for some reason.

Today's featured artist is Marques Toliver, hailing from Brooklyn, NY. This young man's talent is incredible and He does it in a way that is not hugely popular anymore - with a violin(I like the fact that he's giving the violin some shine, as I played for 4 years as a kid). He started out playing in Central Park and Train stations in New York in order to pay the rent and make ends meet.

While he is not a huge success story yet, I believe it is only a matter of time before he breaks through. He's been praised as a soul singer, and often compared to John Legend. While I can her similarities in their singing styles, I personally believe Marques has the edge in vocal range.

Marques is still unsigned talent, but since his move to London, things have been turning around for him. He has performed with Daniel Merriweather and has been praised by Adele, who got him a solo tour in the London. He doesn't have very many tracks floating around, as he is an unsigned artist, but you can check him out on MySpace and YouTube.

This clip of the opening sequence for the film Thank God It's Friday (1978) says it all.

Here's a cool little app for your computer! Cooliris is a nice easy to use media interface for your web browser. I recently downloaded and installed it for both Firefox and Google Chrome. It is available for both Mac and PC. Cooliris makes searching and looking at pictures and videos a breeze.


It works with any website with pictures. I personally love using it on Facebook (clicking through someone's album repeatedly can be a pain when there is 89,799,325 pictures in it!). AND it's not just for internet pictures, you can browse pictures on your hard drive or flash drive as well by simply clicking "My Computer" located at the top left of the app. The best part about it? It is absolutely FREE! I highly recommend this plug-in.

Today's featured artist is Jamie Lidell, hailing from Huntingdon, England. He's been around for a while and has more than a few albums under his belt. I only own his latest, Jim (2008), but I've heard songs from previous albums and highly intend on owning Multiply (2005) at some point.

Jamie Lidell is a soul inspired artist, however, you experience multiple genres incorporated into his soulful sound. I'm a fan of his switching up the beat during songs. This brand of production really keeps you on your toes and engaged throughout the album listening experience. Keep an eye out for Jamie Lidell's latest album Compass, which is slated for release May 18, 2010 (USA).

I recently saw the film No Reservations (2007). While it is a pretty good movie about family, life and love; the soundtrack is phenomenal. It made me hungry and want to dance all at the same time. The soundtrack consists of music that is literally straight out of Sicily (No fist pumping like those crazy kids on Jersey Shore). It features various Opera selections, a jazz number by Paolo Conte, and Ray Gelato's take on the Mambo! Who's ready for some Italian cuisine??

Ps. Did I mention Italian is a beautiful language that I want to learn someday? I have a huge fascination with other cultures and history. Italy is at the top of that list.

I guess it really is 2 for Tuesday (spin on a friend's blog ha). I present this new collaboration from a few familiar faces, Broken Bells. Broken Bells features Danger Mouse(Brian Burton) of Gnarles Barkley and the lead singer and guitarist of The Shins, James Mercer.

If you are a fan of Gnarles Barkley or the Gorillaz then this right up your alley, as Broken Bells sounds like a cross bread of the two bands (fittingly so, Danger Mouse produces for both). Broken Bells' self titled debut album is actually released today so check it out.

I didn't blog at all yesterday and I cant sleep right now, so I present a special 3am edition. The artist for today , who I am currently listening to, is Ayọ, hailing from Cologne, Germany. Ayọ is a German born singer/songwriter of Nigerian descent. Her real name is Joy; Ayọ is the translation of her name in her father's native language of Yoruba.

Ayọ has a voice that is absolutely heavenly. She's not overly expressive in her delivery and she doesn't really have the most powerful voice out there. It is, however, soft and pleasing, hence the reason I'm listening to her at 3am. Her accent is also delightful and adds a bit of flavor. I was first attracted to her graceful voice when I heard the single "What is Love" (featured), from then on I've been a fan.

Ayọ has released two studio albums, Joyful (2006) and Gravity at Last (2008). My personal favorite is Joyful, although Gravity at Last is good in its own right. Joyful is really an acoustic album which mainly features the soft melodies of her voice. She tells a story in her lyrics, with each song painting a beautiful portrait. I'd recommend both albums but definitely check out Joyful.

Here's a bit of music for you today. Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" (acoustic), from the album B is for Bob, released in 2009. Hope everyone is having a good day!

Today's new artist is a lovely young lady by the name of Roxanne Tataei or simply Rox, hailing from South London. It seems I've been gravitating to London a lot for new artists; what can I say? She's a new artist in every sense of the word. So fresh to the music scene that I could only find credible information about her on her website and Myspace page.

Don't let the pretty face fool you, Rox has a powerful voice. She delivers a soulful style with a bit of an an edge. She also incorporates Jamaican symmetry, as her Heritage is half Jamaican. This can be heard on her song "Rocksteady". Her new single "My Baby Left Me" is set for release March 15th.

Keep an eye out for this rising star. Her debut album is set for release June 2010. I personally, wish her the best of success. The world needs more music like this in the mainstream.

Rox has performed and toured with Mark Ronson and Daniel Merriweather, two artist previously featured in the Music Experiment series.

This is my niece Keely. At 10 months she seems to be pretty fascinated with my keyboard. Maybe we have a little Alicia Keys on our hands. At any rate, if she grows up and has anything to do with the arts, she can thank her uncle for it!

Today's New artist (details) is Thandiswa Mazwai, hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa. I first found out about Thandiswa over at BBC Music. It was one of those scenarios where the album art (from her second studio album Ibokwe) caught my eye and I couldn't resist the urge to see what awaited on the other side.

Thandiswa's music is refreshing and therapeutic. Her vocals are phenomenal, and the musical arrangement soothes the soul. Her style is kind of a Funk/Pop with native African symmetry. The Zulu sound is delightful. I have no idea what she is singing about, but her vocal range is beautiful and makes it all worth while. I read somewhere that "it is not about understanding music, it is the emotional response", so just accept it for what it is.

I haven't been afforded the opportunity to listen to the enitre album, outside of samples. Some of her music is featured on websites such as YouTube and Myspace, so I have been able to get a feel for what she is about. Based on what I have heard, Thandiswa has my stamp of approval.

No new artist today. I do have an artist lined up, I just have not been in the mood to do a write up. I also did some upgrades to the Blog. Instead of a new artist, I give you this lighthearted tune by Jason Mraz, his band and the Grooveline Horns. I wonder if there are any hot spots in my local area with live music like this on a regular? Guess I'll have to look into it. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have that new artist but until then, enjoy. Don't get caught in a YouTube loop like I did watching these!

I started Playing my Alto Saxophone again this past Sunday (Feb 28) after about a year. As I was playing I found that I was doing pretty good for having absolutely zero practice hours logged in quite some time.

After about an hour of playing, I found myself sucking air and losing the ability to hit those high notes with authority and correctness of tone. My mouth just wasn't as strong as it was when I was playing regularly, which is only natural. The next morning my mouth was sore and for about half of the day there was general discomfort.

Here we are two days later, and I feel as though I am very close to my old form. Granted I'm probably not as good as when I won two first place medals (top right of the picture) back in the day, but hey that was over 10 years ago. I plan on getting back there, and hopefully beyond that skill set.

Is there anything that you were good at but gave up due to life? Do you plan on factoring it back into your life at some point?

As we usher in the month of March, so to do we a new artist (details). Today's featured artist is Alice Smith, hailing from New York. No, she's actually not international but she does have a unique style that deviates from popular music in America. I first heard her song "Woodstock" on Pandora Radio for my BlackBerry Tour in September 2009, but only recently decided to look her up.

Alice Smith's Album entitled For Lovers, Dreamers & Me is different to say the least. As I was listening to it, I got the impression that it lacked fluidity. The tracks just do not mesh well. Her vocals are great and the musical arrangement is done well but it sounded like it was a hodgepodge of Jazz, Rock and Country, which in turn lead me to believe that it lacked direction. After gathering further information on her, it appears that this is what she had in mind as she relates to all afore mentioned genres (I even found an article that confirmed what I was thinking, although it listed more genres than I did).

While I think this album will take some getting used to for me, their are some tracks that did appeal to me from the first rundown. Said tracks include "Woodstock", "Fake is the New Real" and "Dream". Overall I believe this to be a "when in the mood" album rather than regular listening.