Layers & Sounds

Stone Temple Pilots was one of my favorite bands growing up. They helped to define what the 90s sound was. They had three consecutive albums that were phenomenal, a feat that is rarely accomplished by any band.

STP was led by vocalist Scott Weiland, a man blanketed in an addiction whose wraps never let go. He died last night in his tour van.

STP wasn’t just rock n’ roll, they were talented and it all revolved around Weiland. Even as a young man, the addiction and sorrow covered Weiland’s face. He was in and out of jail his entire life. He was consumed by addiction. But he was an artist that created music that made millions of people’s lives better. The irony is that many of these artists can never solve the ills of their own life but always help others.

There’s too many songs to point to so I made a Best of Stone Temple Pilots playlist. “Interstate Love Song” will always remain one of my favorite songs OF ALL TIME. It’s so nostalgic, yet more importantly, it stands the test of time.

RIP.

For your listening pleasure, a bunch of electro-pop jams to dance your pants off to! One thing that I love about the electro-pop genre is that so many of these songs are immediately likable. The beat is catchy, there's usually synths or electronic elements that are memorable, and the vocals (while heavily produced in many cases) match the upbeat vibe. It's nice to have instant gratification every once in a while!

These songs really remind me of both Vampire Weekend (specifically "Little Grace" with the vocal deliveries and accelerated paced tracks a la VW's first two albums) and Local Natives (especially "Souls" with the group choruses, drums hitting the side of the kit, and their overall sound), but these kids from Minnesota also bring their own poppy vibe to bop your head to. 

Cutting Patrick Watson down to five tracks is a difficult task. Listening to him is like listening to the symphony. It's lush, atmospheric, and rains on you from all directions. Watson is one of my favorite singer/songwriters of the past few years, and he seems to have Andrew Bird's cerebral talents yet with a more distinct and at times Jeff Buckley-esque (for proof - see his wailing on "Luscious Life") voice. He has an ability to make his songs speak and gravitate more and more towards your soul. He's a special one. 

If Kurt Cobain was the beginning to the end of rock, Imagine Dragons pulled the plug. I gave up. But interestingly enough, bands have been popping up that just have that sound. I can't explain it exactly, but rock sounds more instinctive and less calculated than any other music. The best rock music is never trying to impress you. It is what it is. Take it or leave it. That FU mentality is the vibe I hear in these new (except for the established vets Sleater-Kinney) artists. Plain and simple, they rock. SO FOLKS, do not despair, rock is breathing, and they may be taking the respirator away.

In light of the speculation that a new album is coming out somewhat soon (UPDATE: May 5!), I thought I'd highlight five of my favorite tracks by Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno's duo Best Coast.  I've seen them live a couple times, the most recent being at The Fillmore in SF, and I was really blown away by Cosentino's voice. It's a bit reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, and I don't think any band encapsulates the SoCal beach vibe better.  Cosentino's ability to turn three to five chord songs into catchy tracks is all based on her melodies. Love that voice. 

I love to hear when artists' influences broach the wide realm of music. The Underachievers have a near and dear place to my heart because they told Complex Magazine, "We love Local Natives ridiculously," and Issa said that his favorite band of all time is Fleet Foxes and favorite artist is John Mayer!! So cool to hear that since each of those bands have been so instrumental in my love of music. 

I've recently been listening incessantly to Atlanta rapper Rome Fortune. He's got this nonchalant Barry White-ish baritone delivery over soothing, futuristic beats.  It's a refreshingly original sound. 

For fans of: Ab-Soul, Earl Sweatshirt, Danny Brown

My 5 Favorite Tracks:

The sultry and smokey voiced beauty Banks overwhelmed my ears for about two weeks straight. Her songs are sedate and the production is sparse as her voice controls the majority of tracks. 

"Under the Table" is definitively simple and gorgeous. "Fuck Em Only We Know" is probably the best track name of the year, and "Beggin For Thread" easily her most accessible and catchy.