Something has taken hold of the alternative genre!

And boy is it delightful...

   

 

I have been attempting to triangulate the origin of this alternative-altering phenomenon and lay down some credit where it is due. The problem is the musical lineage vectors keep cutting out, creating a musical history-map riddled with holes.

 Actually, it's just that I haven’t looked very hard. But...

I think it may have to do with the sudden evolution and influence of electronic music. This genre has recently grown faster than a Chia Pet and split in more directions than the primavera ballerina at the Russian Ballet. The truth is that synthesizers, or whatever is used today- (computers maybe?) can add a euphoric element to a song that few other instruments can compete with. This is only one of the elements shaping the genre; however, it’s my personal favorite. 

Click to the right of album to hear next song

Electron-Infused Alternative Remixes
 

 

-Feel the air coming out of your speakers. Feels cool right?

Here is a fun fact- The air flowing through your speaker is filtered specifically to carry the unique sound waves of each song. What? You don’t believe me? Then put on this last youtube track, put your face up to the speaker, feel the breeze on your skin, and inhale deeply.

Warning: Only do this if you have nowhere to be for the next four hours. 

Trouble Shooting: If you can't feel the air coming out of your speakers you either need to turn up your volume, or upgrade speakers immediately. 

PS: All these songs are lacking my favorite component in alternative music. Can you guess what? 

If not, I suggest you "standby for further air conditioning!" - Vladikoff- McHale's Navy 

Theophilus London

Know the name? If not, I foretell you will soon. The real question is what radio station will you find him on, if any. This young, musically evolving, Brooklynite is undoubtedly talented, but if he takes the worn-out road of mainstream rapper, his full potential will likely fall to the wayside, replaced by the all mighty $. I only say this because already there is a huge divide between his songs that reflect a deep understanding of music, and the ones that sound like they were processed and packaged from Kanye West’s house of shit. 

"Take the road less traveled"
- Voice of Reason

Midnight at La Piscina Tropical

Please press play and take a deep breath before entering. Relax. It’s just after midnight at La Piscina Tropical… close your eyes and visualize it. Are you walking? Dancing? Floating? What do the lights look like? How about the stars? The air?
Soon you will discover this is the greatest place you have never been to...

The Pool A.C.

Rock is Dead they say?

“Rock is dead” Stated by the Who in (’72) was a hollow claim deserving of little merit. Rock was still relatively young, and arguably in its prime. Today however, rock is 40 years older. And, someone could possibly make the argument that rock is dying, or perhaps on it’s way out… best years behind her. And for those people, I have but two words…

                                       Alabama… Shakes… 

 

I’m sensing the tingle of mainstream revival in the air. 

Long Live Rock

Roots of Reggae

“The artist is a collector. Not a hoarder, mind you, there's a difference: Hoarders collect indiscriminately, artists collect selectively. They only collect things that they really love.”
 ― Austin Kleon

 In other words all artists are influenced by what they love. For anyone to claim they created an "original" or  a work of art from scratch is ah-flat-out lying. Art is a collective progression of previous works molded into a new fashion. In this song, the Long Beach Dub All-stars, which in case you didn’t know is Sublime minus lead singer Bradley Nowell, play homage to their inspiration- Some of the deepest roots of reggae. So if your looking to expand your knowledge of the genre a little deeper than Bob Marley and Sean Kingston, look no further. Here is a collection of the artists mentioned in the above tune. Oh and if while listening you don’t experience a single head bob or some sort of musically induced movement (inadvertent or ortherwise) than this blog is  not right for you and you should probably leave immediately. “Now live the life you love and love the life you live!”

 

And since we are on the subject...

The start of something good

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Fur Traders Descending the Missouri By George Caleb Bingham

A dreamscape melody that’s beauty is only matched by the Chinese actress it was named after. Released on the B side of the “Scar Tissue” single, Gong Li is one of the only songs I know of with the transcending power to turn a crowded subway into a majestic river boat ride. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers- Gong Li

Capital Cities

If you find yourself wondering how this electro-pop paradigm has not made it onto your ipod yet, you are probably not alone. If you find yourself rejoicing since you’ve just found the perfect song to replace “A whole new world” for your on-ice electronica rendition of Disney’s Aladdin, you may be alone, but you're certainly not wrong.  

Capital Cities- Love away

Fool's Gold

  The idea of contemporary Pop and African beats existing in beautiful harmony sounds about as likely as raisinets atop kettle chips making a delicious snack. Obviously things aren’t what they seem. . .   

Fool's Gold- Surprise Hotel

Brett Dennen

Released in early 2011, Sydney is an instant classic paying homage to the fading folk era of the 1960s. There is clearly a story behind these words, but what that story conveys isn’t quite so clear. I have my interpretation and I’ll leave you to yours.

Brett Dennen- Sydney (I’ll come running)  

Slightly Stoopid

The Corona of music, Slightly Stoopid radiates sunshine and summer with every note. Signed by Sublime while still in High School, Slightly Stoopid is now left with the daunting task of filling the void left behind by their mentor. However, their uncanny ability to flawlessly weave reggae, blues, hip-hop and rock n’ roll into one album puts them well on their way to not only filling the void, but redefining the entire depth of dub.  

Slightly Stoopid- Collie Man

Slightly Stoopid- Top of the World

Mos Dub

Hawaiian Noises by Danny Terlizzi

If Brooklyn, NY slept with the island of Jamaica on a starry, breezy night, under a palm tree, this would inevitably be the outcome.

Mos Dub- History Town

   

Mos Dub- Summertime Running

Flight Facilities

The bitter feeling of unreciprocated 'love-lust' is something we can all relate to. Just remember there is no sweet without bitter and those butterflies in your stomach will someday turn into beautiful caterpillars and fly away . . . Shoot that’s not right. What ever, just keep on lovin as that saxophone slowly begins to wash over you. 

Flight Facilities- Crave You ft.Giselle (Version 2)

Nektar

Over-concerned with the future, this rare work of art got lost in time only to resurface decades later in order to melt your mind and send shivers down your spine. Take note of the drastic twists and turns and enjoy the ride.  

 

Nektar- Remember the future