New Teen Daze

Yesterday I wrote about Geotic's Mend. That same afternoon, Teen Daze had posted his Reinterprets Selections From "Mend" By Geotic to his Tumblr. Cool coincidence. 

Teen Daze's version transforms Geotic's classical, organic, serene, and complacent style into something with a steady beat typical of chillwave. He remixes in two main ways: he plays with sequencing by taking different parts of the original songs and screwing with their order and fiddles with the tracks' speeds to produce a much more upbeat feel. He also adds a creative drum track and a little organ, but other than that there aren't many different sounds separating Geotic's version from Teen Daze's. Because he doesn't really change the instrumentation, Daze manages to maintain a beautiful backdrop, without detracting from its serene feeling.

Daze really juggles only a handful of the original tracks; it's a quick four-song release. You can download Teen Daze's remixes for free here. Even the album artwork is a new take on Geotic's artwork. I also liked how all the song titles are in French, although I have no idea why. I give it a 3.7/5.

Best, Jonathan

New Teen Daze via his side project, Two Bicycles!

Before I forget, Teen Daze gave a heads up today on these two tracks from his side project, Two Bicycles. They can be streamed or download for free here: http://twobicyclesband.bandcamp.com/album/im-not-afraid-to-wait-for-you-single

Just be warned that these tracks are the definition of ambient. If that's not your thing, you're probably not going to like them. But check them out; they may agree with your eardrums.

Best, Jonathan

Exchange Me Foreignly

Those of you who adore soul music may be familiar with these guys. The Foreign Exchange have been heavily advertising their newest album The Last Fall to the point that I can't visit a music blog without it being mentioned. In fact, just this afternoon they released their hauntingly unfaithful video for one of the album's title tracks "Authenticity", and last week they spurred up a last minute contest in which die hard fans submitted their email addresses in the hopes of becoming one of the randomly selected few for a private concert in South Carolina. I was not selected. No worries, I made Nicolay know how I felt about the lost opportunity. The only problem with all of this is the album is already a few months old. Where was this enthusiasm when it first came out? Pitchfork gave it a surprisingly incredible review, and they definitely should have fed off that hype. Needless to say, these guys have a penchant for aptly describing love's twists and turns that cannot be overlooked. Pure talent right here. I'm eagerly anticipating their next project.

I spoke with Teen Daze's front runner again today regarding the newest tracks posted on his tumblr account (http://teendaze.tumblr.com/). He can't wait to drop the new album. Rumor has it, it will be very soon. Keep a look out. In the mean time, definitely take a look at his new stuff. It's eerily relatable to any human condition.

In other news, I recently added Umphrey's McGee's Mantis to my iPhone. I at first couldn't get passed the first two tracks because there was just too much going on. These guys are good... really good. Let me rephrase, they're f*cking awesome. I used to hold Phish as the ultimate jam band, but Umphrey's McGee clearly surpasses them with this album. Cemetery Walk and II are excellent openers. They grab your attention almost instantly with a questionable piano riff that transitions seamlessly into a technical concoction of heavy percussion and, dare I say, absolutely sick guitar riffs that just made me go, "oh... damn..." The rest of the album is stellar as well, but you'll quickly see from listening how hard it is to veer from the first two tracks. This mental exercise is especially difficult because the third song on the album kind of sucks. It's the weak track because it's not necessarily catchy as it's not in an easy-to-follow major key. Sooo, good luck with that. (Also, as a side note, if you get a chance, definitely see them live. I had never heard of them before and a family friend bought me tickets. Look at what it has done...).

If you're in the mood for a throw back, check out Pinback's self title. I've been listening to this album since middle school and it never ceases to please. They're old, but still great.

The hockey world was pretty busy today, but the trades included teams I really don't care about and players with whom I am not particularly familiar. The Panthers did play today, however, and lost miserably to a surprisingly surging Islanders team that I would consider to be the worst team in the league. The Panthers are still 7 points out of the 8th and final playoff spot. Now is not the time to start losing games. They need all the points they can get. The Bruins on the other hand are sitting comfortably at the top of the Northeast Division and third in the Eastern Conference. Yay!

Criminals are stupid. I had to present a case today in Criminal Law (for which I did not read by the way) that dealt with mental health defenses. The professor singled me out because we have had numerous debates regarding how the mental health profession intertwines with the law, and the case I presented was completely contradictory to the immediately proceeding case on the same exact factor decided by the same exact court. It's funny because I tend to be generally liberal in allowing psychiatric testimony as 100% credible and he seems to fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. It's not that he doesn't find it credible, it's just not consistent so how can it be the determining factor in a case? I think the Supreme Court got it right when it held the burden should rest on the prosecution to prove the absence of the mental health defense because otherwise the defendant would have to raise all affirmative defenses to have any chance at receiving a lesser conviction. The prosecution, rather, should have to prove the defense's absence provided the defense is supported legitimately because that is how criminal law has always worked: you are innocent until PROVEN guilty. I greatly respect my professor and his views, not only because he and it fuel incredible conversations, but because his dialogue is almost all hypothetical which forces us to think for ourselves. Especially in a field that is ever changing and ever being manipulated, it's beneficial to have varying opinions.

More to come.

Cheers, jhabra

I be back

I'm back. That's right. I have nothing more to say about that.

I do have lots to share though. This medium can't contain it all.

Today was Hockey Day in America or something stupid the NHL thinks will increase viewership. I'm not sure, but hockey seems to be an inherently non-commercial sport. It's origins even suggest this. Think about it: the ultimate prize is the most coveted trophy in all of sports - it's made of sterling silver and is the heaviest mother f*cking thing you will ever carry after playing an 82 game season and persevering through the playoffs (not to mention a baby has both pooped and vomited in the chalice), it's the only major winter sport played in the US, players don't get arrested every weekend on rape and drug charges, respect and service to the sport are more important than winning, very few people (who I like to call "the chosen people") understand what is actually going on, and guess what... it's CANADIAN. Canadians, unlike most Americans, are mild mannered people. Commercializing the greatest thing to happen to them since global warming prompted activists to protect their wildlife would be insulting. Just play the damn sport. It's entertaining enough as it is. Here's what you should do if you can't follow the puck... first cry about it, then imagine taking one to the mouth (mind you it's frozen rubber traveling at about 90 mph), getting surgery without anesthesia to repair your permanently damaged bouche, and then ten minutes later being back on the ice to score the game winning goal. Eternal glory has its price.

The Bruins acquired Tomas Kaberle from the Leafs. Although it was sad to see Wheeler depart, Kaberle is what the Bruins need to make a Cup run. I smell Lord Stanley in the Bs future...

In music news... I will start with what has been most played, besides this guided meditation I use to pass out. I haven't been able to turn off Curren$y's Pilot Talk II. This guy has an incredible gift for manipulating the English language. I strongly suggest this as your next purchase. He is even impressive live when he starts off his show spitting what at first appears to be a nonsensical string of garbage that magically turns into something enviable. Don't pass this one up... I'm super serial.

For my non-hip-hop repertoire... Houses' All Night is a musical gem. When it first emerged, I wrote it off as complete garbage. Now it's one of my go-to albums. The members use surprisingly intricate arrangements to create some pretty funky harmonies. Songs of choice: Endless Spring, Reds, Soak It Up. Definitely in that order.

Lord Huron's Mighty EP is unreal. When Will I See You Again has evolved into my anthem for the past month. This is also a must listen.

Mark McGuire's Living With Yourself is a welcome addition to the hallowed instrumental scene. I haven't heard such simple yet perfectly balanced guitar arrangements since something from Explosions in the Sky. Its uniqueness and strength resemble the cosmos' perfection. I call that heavy praise.

Gold Panda is the man. Lucky Shiner is his Abbey Road.

I had a neat little conversation with the guy from Teen Daze the other day via Twitter. We traded views from our living spaces and snarky comments that only aggrandized musicians could concoct. He lives atop a mountain side which overlooks a valley. From examining his picturesque abode, it's easy to ascertain from where his inspiration comes. If I had to put a picture to his music, I wouldn't go any further than to trade eyes with him.

I must admit I have been rather removed from the music scene for the past month at least. This has not been by choice. Typically, I'm upset with myself if I don't have at least 10 new albums a week. The problem I have run into is that I don't have time to listen to them all intently enough to develop an informed opinion on their merits. So what results is that the album I had expected to listen to three days ago is now four albums down on my list. I'm trying to keep up. I really am.

In law news, being a 1L is tiresome, but I've never been more intellectually stimulated in my life. Not much to share here but reading and stress.

More to come.

Cheers, jhabra