Ever have the urge to peak behind a closed curtain?  Ever put your hand on a restricted door to see if it’s locked?  Ever want to experience new cultures, see how different people live?  Maybe you’re like me.  Maybe you explore people.  Searching out the exceptional, the precious, the unique – the people that bring intensity and novelty to your life.  Diving into the ocean of community and searching out the treasure of a meaningful connection with an authentically rare person.  The kind of person who would test a locked door. 

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March should a month to celebrate the Irish heritage – including its music.  With a name as Irish as mine, it would be almost blasphemous for me not to celebrate my green blood.  This usually involves green dyed hair, green and white beads, my “kiss me” t-shirts, Celtic jewelry, large quantities of Guinness and Harp (ask for a black and tan if you are in an Irish pub) – and music. 

There are a few bands that have successfully intertwined Irish culture with modern rock and kept the music accessible to the mainstream. Ashleigh Holmes did a review on a movie

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Popularity: 6% [?]

If music came in liquid form, I would shoot it directly into my veins.  So the day I stumbled upon web radio was a joyus moment for me.  It wasn’t so much a syringe of music as much as it was an IV of music.  A constant influx of new music.  I think I just drooled a little.  Since then, I’ve found several jackpots for music addicts to get their fix.  If you are constantly looking for music to pour into your veins then these are the websites I would suggest:

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I stopped listening to country music about the time that they took the line “You complete me” straight out of Jerry McGuire and turned it into a soulless, chart-seeking twaddle of a country song.  I turned to alternative rock just about the time Nirvana was leaving its pulsing red handprint on the face of mainstream rock.  I remember being struck by the lyrics coming from the angst-filled musicians.  They were, at different times, poetic, tragic, poignant, and controversial.  They weren’t pandering to the mainstream, whoring out their talents with trite lyrics and unremarkable melodies; they were actually trying to say something – about the state of society, the state of mind, or the state of their own tortured souls. Continue Reading

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Last week someone asked about a review of local music.  There are many bands based out of Dallas who are on the same path to national success as Blue October, Flyleaf, and more recently Miser.  They’re the ones that did the Cranberries’ “Zombies” cover that was played every 8 minutes on 102.1 The Edge for an entire semester (Hey, life of a student…time is always measured by semesters).  That is a band to check out if you want some a taste of local Dallas rock.

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Natasha Bedingfield released her sophomore album, Pocket Full of Sunshine (Epic Records), January 22nd. In case you’ve been under a rock since her first single released in 2004, she’s the cute, soulful, blonde Brit with a potent voice reminiscent of Nelly Furtado.  The album is a rework of the British released album N.B., with half the songs coming from the original release plus six new songs (mtv.com).  Natasha has hit the ground running, hanging out with Prince, Bono, and making appearances on Jay Leno (January 25th) and Ellen Degeneres (January 24th).  Her myspace profile claims she has the swank of ubber divas Pink and Christina Aguilera.  We’ll be the judge of that…

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Popularity: 6% [?]

The Southern California duo of Inara George and Greg Kurstin, better known as the bird and the bee (humbly titled with no caps in the name) released their self-titled debut album in the US on January 23rd.  This album blends a lot of interesting sounds.  Think jazz meets electronica and you might have an inkling as to what these buoyant and smooth tunes sound like.  Inara George’s vocals sound languid and deceptively sweet in “F-cking Boyfriend” while “La La La” will get your hips moving despite yourself.  “Polite Dance Song” is a nearly satirical response to “put your hands in the air” type rap songs.

My personal favorite on the album is “Because” because of the simple, syncopated vocals mixed with an electronica beat and classical piano interludes.  The two picked an appropriate name for themselves – their tunes seem to float on air despite being having a stream of consciousness as thick as honey.  It’s the kind of album that gets better with multiple plays.  I’m betting you’ll be hooked by the third play.  

www.myspace.com/thebirdandthebee

www.thebirdandthebee.com

Popularity: 5% [?]