audiovortextropy
where scouring for quality music is a limitless journeyOn Nature by Matisyahu
Genre: Reggae
Download: [CLICK]
Lyrics:
There is a place in the bottom of the soul
It’s no bread of restitution
Hearts splash fly like dough
Where there is no pollution
You would know words to hold
Folks question your solutions
Bedrock of a river that flowed
No times, present or future
We are men of nature
We are made from the earth
At the end of my eighty, I’ll return to the dirt
Just sand, just rock, dry land, fast and silent
Only bein’ only breathin’
We’re just children of believers
Type, fire and water be strong with compassion
In the morning we’re born everlasting
Like the grass by the sea
And in with the wind which knocks ya down time and again
We remain and sing
Stand until the dawn of day carries us away
As we sway through the phases of each generation
We leave our trace and then leave this station
Fierce fronts, fantasy phased
No blame, untamed or spoken
Shiggy walks through this space
On dry land that’s cracked and broken
We came to taste the rain
We’re just, widows and orphans
Not afraid to feel the pain
Or to leave behind our notions
Bathe in showers, taste the tension,
Hear the howl, climb the mountain,
Kiss the cold and heal the frozen
Read the dreams in this here dungeon
We are men of nature
We are made from the earth
At the end of my eighty, I’ll return to the dirt
Just sand, just rock, dry land, fast and silent
Only bein’ only breathin’
We’re just children of believers
There is fire in these leaves and therefore naturally,
I’m not afraid to face these seasons
‘Cuz, times change and there’s no one to blame
Even when the day is leavin’
Will you rise like a lion in the morning sun
Or will ya, just lay there bleedin’
When the time has come, return to the kingdom
Close my eyes and be screamin “freedom”
Freedom, freedom
Freedom, freedom
Freedom, freedom
We are men of nature
We are made from freedom the earth
At the end of my eighty, I’ll return to the dirt
Just sand, just rock, dry land, fast and silent
Only bein’ only breathin’
We’re just children of believers
We are men of nature
We are made from the earth
At the end of my eighty, I’ll return to the dirt
Just sand, just rock, dry land, fast and silent
Only bein’ only breathin’
We’re just children of believers
Children of believers
Losing You by Solange
Genre: Indie Pop
Download: [CLICK]
Lyrics:
Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good
We used to kiss all night but now it’s just no use
I don’t know why I fight it, clearly we are through
Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good
I knew you waiting for the rest that you can’t get from me
Just chew me good and baby i’ll give you the rest of me
I’m not the one that you should be making your enemy
I’m not the one that you should be making your enemy
Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good
We use to kiss all night but now it’s just no use
I don’t know why I fight it, clearly we are through
Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good
There’s something I know you taking it away from me
I gave you everything and now there’s nothing left for me
I’m not the one that you should be making your enemy
I’m not the one that you should be making your enemy
Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good
We use to kiss all night but now it’s just no use
I don’t know why I fight it, clearly we are through
Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good
Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good
We use to kiss all night but now it’s just no use
I don’t know why I fight it, clearly we are through
Tell me the truth boy, am I losing you for good
Just Recently Lost Something Of Importance by Of Montreal
Genre: Indie Pop
Download: [CLICK]
Comment: One of the many fine specimens from their discography of the jaunty melody bucking the trend of the gloomy subtext. Also the perfect accompaniment for those days when the rest of the universe seem to live a life that’s completely contrary to the pathetic fate you lead.
Lyrics:
Look who’s talking to their shadow
Like one who hasn’t got a friend
Like somebody with a broken heart
That is never gonna mend
Look who’s walking through the night
In the rain like one who’s under a spell
Like somebody with a lot on their mind
But no one to tell
Everyone you see seems
So happy and carefree
They’ve found someone to love
But you are alone
Look who’s flipping through the photographs
Of those happier days
Only losing something beautiful
Could make a person feel this way
Everyone you see seems
So happy and carefree
They’ve found someone to love
But you are alone
Look who’s talking to their shadow
Like one who hasn’t got a friend
Like somebody with a broken heart
That is never gonna mend
Rest My Chemistry by Interpol
Genre: Indie Rock
Download: [CLICK]
Comment: If hadn’t been for the disappointing disparity between their fourth studio album and the former ones, my opinion that their music is a continuous refinement of their previous acts would still have held true. That aside, Rest My Chemistry pretty much runs over what sort of bait Interpol served to catch my approval— the effective harmony among Paul Banks’ baritone, the thorough guitar plucking, and the carefully chosen drumming patterns.
Lyrics:
I haven’t slept for two days
I’ve bathed in nothing but sweat
And I’ve made hallways
Scenes for things to regret
My friends they come
And the lines they go by
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
I live my life filled with no pain
Just some rage and three kinds of yes
And I’ve made stairways
Such scenes for things that I regret
Oh, those days in the sun
They bring a tear to my eye
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
But you’re so young
You’re so young
You look in my eyes
You’re so young, so sweet, so surprised
I see a sign, it says “okay”
Gotta take a ride, just recline in the faraway
Got to take some time to realize
That my friends they come
And the lines they go by
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
But you’re so young
You’re so young
You look in my eyes
You’re so young, so sweet, so surprised
You look so young
Like a daisy in my lazy eyes
So tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
Tonight I’m gonna rest my chemistry
Artist Sunday: sKarm
As a Philippine-brewed artist, sKarm would have been a good choice for our Asian Sundays category, but since his talent is one that merits an exposition far lengthier than our single track features, we settled on shelving him under this month’s Artist Sunday.
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At a young age of 23, Phillip Pacheco, better known as sKarm to the enthusiasts of FlipTop (the first Filipino rap battle league), has achieved much as a musician. According to an interview with SoulSonic TV, his emcee name is said to be a portmanteau of his “arm” and the “scars” it incurred from an accident involving his younger self.
Serving as the head of his own record label The PharM, he has also overseen the growth of other emcees with much potential. As of yet, he has released two albums (Introubled Waters and Odyssey to the Sun) and three singles (Mic Check on the Tape Deck, Hip Hybrid and Amidst The Night) under the same label.
His early stint on the local hiphop music scene is largely owed to his having grown up in the presence of two elder brothers who, apart from being well-versed in what the misted side of hiphop has to offer, have numerous hands-on experience on producing music under their belts. Better Days, Better Nights is a one of his smashing collaborations with his brother FLEXX (Miguel Pacheco).
A polar opposite of the mainstream hiphop music the general public is more acquainted to, the tracks tagged with his name are without traces of references to sexual objectification of women, malicious innuendos or worldly blings. This is music that is not chiselled to be a party rouser, but is rather intended to be a passageway of fresh thoughts and perceptions.
The slow, appealing beats that constantly accompany his records make great backdrops for accentuating his rhymes where tactfully arranged lines achieve previously unknown meanings and peaks. How he has excelled in his rap battles (which are freely available in the web) are but a shadow of his lyricism and of what he could do with his deft maneuvering of words. Possibly my favorite track of his, below is a joint work between him and Miki Hahn.
For those who haven’t dared to tread down the domain of hiphop yet, as one of those that used to turn a deaf ear to its products, let me tell you this piece of advice: it’s about time to channel your attention to the true champions of this genre, and if you haven’t figured it out yet, sKarm is by all odds one of them.
Links to sKarm’s music: Bandcamp, Facebook, Youtube, Soundcloud
References: SoulSonic TV, “DEkoding AMPON” by Joelle Jacinto
Heaven by The Walkmen
Genre: Indie Rock
Download: [CLICK]
Comment: Here is a band whose direction their music veers to is a mirror of the trajectory taken by their lives— to see them evolve from their youthful intensity and settle down on more adult themes and less robust sounds has been a nice, gradual itinerary over the past few years. They never quite achieved the fame enjoyed by the other New York-based artists such as Interpol or The Strokes, but they have always been the band that’s consistently good in what they do.
Lyrics:
Our children will always hear
Romantic tales of distant years
Our guilty age may come and go
Our crooked dreams will always glow
Stick with me, oh, you’re my best friend
All of my life, you’ve always been
Remember, remember
All we fight for
Remember, remember
All we fight for
Don’t leave me, oh, you’re my best friend
All of my life, you’ve always been
Don’t leave me now, you’re my best friend
All of my life, you’ve always been
Remember, remember
All we fight for
Remember, remember
All we fight for
Sports Brother by Animal Collective
Genre: Experimental
Download: [CLICK]
Comment: Listening to Animal Collective, and to this song of theirs in particular, leaves me with a feeling best put into words as the triggering of my atavistic and long dormant primal instincts. Kind of like being liberated and permitted to roam free in the vast savannah that is the human mind. If this is the sensation achieved by dipping in narcotics, then let everyone safely have a taste of it through Animal Collective.
Lyrics:
Open up your, open up your
Open up your throat
And let the all of that time
All of that time, all of that time go
I know it sucks that daddy’s gone
But try to think of what you want
You got to open up your
Open up your, open up your
Open up your throat
Matt
Open up your, open up your
Open up your throat
Open up your, open up your
Open up your throat
And let the all of that time
All of that time, all of that time go
I know it sucks that daddy’s gone
But try to think of what you want
You got to open up your
Open up your, open up your throat
Matt
Support your brother (sports brother)
Support your brother
You got to weigh what he said
To help you shape the way you play
You got to get rid of the mourning
Sort out the habits of your mind
Until fully grown
You got a real good shot
Won’t help to hold inside
Keep it real, keep it real, shout ou
Barcelona by Plastiscines
Genre: Indie Rock
Download: [CLICK]
Comment: Each time this is within my earshot, I cannot help myself from daydreaming I was a refined tourist in Barcelona snacking and sipping on local treats, all the while relishing on my newly acquired singledom. Unfortunately, truth and reality contends that I ought to remain myself— this uncouthly dressed girl with no romance (not even failed romance) to talk of, cooped up in her home as she explores the streets of Barcelona with her trusty laptop and internet connection.
Lyrics:
You can use anyone but it won’t be long
‘Til somebody finds there’s something wrong
Now, four seasons have passed, buried at last
And covered in ash, our love is gone
Say whatever you want, but the beat goes on
It’s better for us to stay away
May I have enough faith, courage and strength
Just to move on and meditate
Let’s dance!
Let’s get down in Barcelona
I like romancing, but I don’t wanna
Let’s get down in Barcelona
Tonight we’re dancing
Like no tomorrow
Now, just like before, we’re both on the floor
And we will get out of this another time
And, as we’re shaking hands, we understand
You go your way and I go mine
Let’s get down in Barcelona
I like romancing, but I don’t wanna
Let’s get down in Barcelona
Tonight we’re dancing
Like no tomorrow
Falling down, falling down
Touch the ground, touch the ground
Going mad, going mad
Not too bad, not too bad
Let’s get down in Barcelona
I like romancing, but I don’t wanna
Let’s get down in Barcelona
Tonight we’re dancing
Like no tomorrow
Við spilum endalaust by Sigur Rós
Genre: Post-rock/Ambient
Download: [CLICK]
Comment: Apart from being the only band in the current indie music scene that touts profiency in Icelandic (there’s also Björk on second thought), they also seem to be the sole group who uses and understands Hopelandic. Hopelandic, as described by their vocalist Jónsi, is a “constructed or invented language without any semantic meaning”. In other words, a bunch of gibberish phrases whose meanings founded on their sounds are for anyone to interpret. No other artist executes the combination of Hopelandic with ethereal and classical elements better than Sigur Rós. Here’s a personal favorite of mine, Við spilum endalaust (We Play Endlessly), for your hearing pleasure!
Lyrics:
*translated to English
We drove all around
Through sun and pebbly dust
We all saw so much
Even the cradle and asphalt of the world
We played
(hopelandic)
We played
(hopelandic)
We played
The long day flows
Yes, endless is the over-brightness
Smoke stings the eyes
Yes, it pops up in my head and now I remember it
We played
(hopelandic)
We played
(hopelandic)
We played everywhere
We all saw so much
Yes, saw all and everything in a new light
The long day flows
Yes, it pops up in my head and now I remember it
We played
(hopelandic)
We played
(hopelandic)
We played everywhere
(hopelandic)
We play endlessly
We play endlessly together
We play everywhere together
We sing all together
(hopelandic)
Cover Sunday: Creep - Radiohead (cover by Ingrid Michaelson)
Creep by Radiohead (cover by Ingrid Michaelson)
Download: [CLICK]
Comment: This Radiohead classic gallantly galloping in tandem with Ingrid Michaelson’s gossamer vox is a great example of how a remake of a brilliant, long-standing song can be up to par, yet at the same time be incomparable with the original. The union of her head register with the frail ukelele strumming in the background starting at around 2:00 is so hauntingly beautiful that it never fails to evoke such large amount of emotional anguish from me.
