Music You Should Listen to.

I really like music. When talking about music, I say things like, ‘this stuff’s bananas!’, or ‘seriously, you have to listen to this for a minute.’  I listen to all kinds of music, (some more than others) and now I feel I need to share some music with my reading public, to expand your minds.  Here are 4. people/groups you should take some time to get to know.

1. The New Pornographers.

Wow.  Just, wow.  Before moving forward, however, the name is misleading.  There is no pornography involved and for the most part the lyrics are quite clean. Essentially, this is a Canadian Supergroup (a group of solo artists/band members who perform together when not on their own tours/recording) that blows my socks off every time I hear it.  You should pick up their album, Challengers - it’s hauntingly beautiful.

2. Buck 65.

Buck 65 is a Canadian Hip-hop artist who has gained popularity in the underground scene over the last few years.  Before his newest album, Situation, I’m not sure I quite got where he was coming from, but this album really gels well – it’s a theme album about the 50′s people, the freakin’ 1950s! Be warned, however; there is a bit of language.

3. Sage Francis.

Imagine the most politically active beatnik from the 50s/60s, give him a mean streak and grainy voice, and you have Sage Francis.  When this guy raps, he tears guts out of things (not literally, just a graphic metaphor) and throws it on the table, with the express point of making you deal with it.  Human Death Dance is an album that has stayed in my regular rotation since last May when it came out.  This one, unlike the rest is loaded with cussing, hard questions about God and rough issues.  Not for the faint of heart.  But sooooo good.

4. Listener Project.

Ok, so I have a confession: Dan Smith of the Listener Project is the Manliest, Coolest, Most Awesome individual that I have ever met.  I have serious man-crush on this dude.  I have so far planned 2 different concerts, the main purpose being that I can just spend time with this artist.  Listener Project is leading the way with a new genre of music: Talk Music.  It’s fantastic.  Listen to it.

So there you go.  Have a listen.  If you would like specific songs that you should listen to, feel free to ask.

WK