Matisyahu – One Day

Get Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-aAZT15eHc

One of 2006's best (and oddest) bands, The Knife

Not to be outdone, here are my top ten albums of 2006. You can see the list with commentary and a bunch of other categories right here. This was the first year that I wrote a full commentary for the list, and it was INDEED a great year in music. Don’t forget that this is the list as I composed it in December 2006.

1. AFI – decemberunderground
2. The Knife – Silent Shout
3. Taking Back Sunday – Louder Now
4. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere
5. Matisyahu – Youth
6. Big City Rock – Big City Rock
7. Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche
8. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife
9. Thom Yorke – The Eraser
10. Girl Talk – Night Ripper

Make sure to check out tk’s top ten albums of 2006 as well.

Trevor Hall is a devout Buddhistn born in Hilton Head, SC whose musical influences range from Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, & Ben Harper. You can hear how these musicians influenced his music, but Trevor Hall has perfected his sound. The voice that resounds from Hall makes it hard to believe it is his own because it is so soulful and passionate, coming from such as young artist. With his latest album, entitled “Trevor Hall” he has some high-profile contributions from Colbie Caillat on fan-favorite “Lime Tree” and Matisyahu on the standout hit “Unity”. Trevor Hall has toured with some great musicians as well, they include: The Wailers, Matisyahu, Stevie Nicks, Ben Harper, Colbie Callait, & Ziggy Marley. Here are two of his most popular songs, but I encourage you to check out his great collection of music on your own.

“Drown in the now” featuring Matisyahu
The Crystal Method
Tomado del album “Divided by night”
2009, INGROOVES

thecrystalmethod.com

Escuchar album completo

Descargar album “Divided by night“

Last week we began an ambitious expedition through the best music of the past decade and I posted the albums ranked 91-100. Today we will tackle the next ten, numbers 81-90. Let me know what you think.

90. U2 – No Line on the Horizon (2009)
I’ve long been a fan of U2, but have rarely found their complete albums to be great. Even their magnum opus, The Joshua Tree, is terribly front-loaded. No Line continues their tradition of good recordings, proving to be one of their better collections overall and definitely their best since 1991’s The Joshua Tree. Some of the songs, like “Magnificent” and “Moment of Surrender,” can stand up to anything in their legendary catalog.

89. Matisyahu – Youth (2006)
An orthodox Hasidic Jew doing reggae music? Why not, this is the 2000’s. Matisyahu mixes socially conscious lyrics with danceable rhythms to produce one of the more unusual and surprising releases of the decade. The title track, “Youth,” and “King Without a Crown” are two tunes that particularly show that he could be in for a long and fruitful career.

88. Pearl Jam – Riot Act (2002)
As I’ve mentioned on many occasions in the past, I’ve long been a rabid fan of Pearl Jam and this is probably my favorite of theirs from the intervening years between No Code and Backspacer. It has a varied sound that is more akin to Vitalogy than to any of their other works, while showing the maturity of a group of men closing in on 40. The album contains jabs at corporate America and President Bush, but I think my favorite tunes are probably “I am Mine,” “Thumbing my Way,” and “Love Boat Captain.” It’s definitely a must-have for PJ fans.

87. The New Pornographers – Challengers (2007)
TNG is an indie rock supergroup of sorts made up of AC Newman, Dan Bejar (aka Destoryer), and one of my personal favorites, Neko Case. The band makes interesting music together, but I personally wish they would utilize Case more often than they do. Regardless, this album has some great songs, including “Myriad Harbor” and the title track, “Challengers.”

86. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit (2006)
Scottish band Belle & Sebastian have been carrying the indie pop banner for several years now and The Life Pursuit continues their streak of interesting and catchy music. Their sound is similar to the alternative bands of the 1980’s, such as The Smiths, just with a bit more sunshine from earlier mainstream pop. Check out songs like “The Blues Are Still Blue” and “Funny Little Frog” to get a better idea of what they are about.

85. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere (2006)
The combination of producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse and rapper Cee-Lo Green quickly proved itself to be a formidable one with their debut release, St. Elsewhere. Funky and soulful, with inescapably catchy songs like “Crazy,” the duo blew up in 2006 with this multi-platinum released and have continued to prove themselves with an innovative style that appeals to both critics and regular listeners.

84. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest (2009)
Interesting and intelligent, the band Grizzly Bear is a critical darling of the decade for a reason. The have a real knack for bending genres, mixing electronic sounds with vocal harmonies a la Fleet Foxes and some very nice alterna-pop melodies. Catchy songs like “Two Weeks” and “While You Wait for the Others” will be stuck in your head for days. Though I had heard some of their last release, Yellow House, this was the first album of the band’s that I’ve listened to very often, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Grizzly Bear has in store for us in the future.

83. Radiohead – Hail to the Thief (2003)
Would it be considered a heresy for me to call Radiohead the Beatles of generation X? There is probably no other group who have changed music, who have camped out at the cutting edge and set themselves up as the standard-bearers of a generation, to the same extent as Thom Yorke’s band. While this politically charged album may not be among their best, it is still quite good and proves that even when not on top of their game, Radiohead is on another level than everyone else. Songs like “2+2=5” and “There There” are nearly on par with anything in their career.

82. Modest Mouse – Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004)
I had listened to some Modest Mouse prior to the release of this album, but for whatever reason, they never truly grabbed hold of me. It was not until the catchy and anthemic song “Float On” hit the airwaves that I went back, listened, and became a fan. This breakout album for the longtime indie stalwarts is definitely a must-own for someone interested in the music of the early 2000’s.

81. Okkervil River – The Stand Ins (2008)
This hyper-literate Austin band hit paydirt with this 2008 release and its ultra-catchy “Lost Coastlines.” Though this set of recordings is supposed to be a companion piece to their 2007 release, The Stage Names, I think I actually enjoy it more. Frontman Will Sheff likes to make strange and sometimes obscure references to everything from French playwright Antonin Artaud to a 1920’s German silent film to the Gospel of Thomas, and that’s only in one song (“Singer Songwriter”). How cool is that? Seriously, check this album out if you haven’t already.

Top Song of the Week:  More Than A Feeling by Boston

Eyes On Me by Celine Dion:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej4wG0izzy8

Bonus Track:  No Light by 3^rd Strike

Wonderwall by Oasis

The End by Lincoln Park

Life Less Ordinary by Carbon Leaf

King Without A Crown by Matisyahu

Lighted Up by Gabriel Mann

Movie of the Week:  Something’s Gotta Give: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSjI-xiH7j0

Written By: Victor Alfieri

November 12, 2009 – Greenville, SC – So a Hasidic Jew, reggae/rock/rapper walks into a bar in the “Bible Belt…” No, this is not the beginning of a joke. When Matthew Miller, AKA Matisyahu, rolled into Greenville, SC, I’m sure he had no idea what to expect. There were probably even questions in advance as to how this ended up a stop on his “Light Tour.” After all this town is truly right in the middle of the “Bible Belt” and the Jewish community is limited at best.

What he experienced may have a long-lasting effect on us all. As he has been doing in most cities, he started the evening with a free show to give the fans a taste of what was to come. Horizon Records is a beacon of light in the music industry; an independent music store that has fought the establishment for over 30 years. It was here that the evening started. The store was overwhelmed. The crowd actually spilled out into the parking lot.

What was most intriguing about this crowd was who was in it. Young children, frat boys, dreadlocked hippies and old Jewish ladies had come together to hear a special blend of music that apparently crossed all sorts of cultures, ages, genres and pre-conceived notions. Matisyahu was visibly touched by the attendance. At his suggestion, doors and windows were opened so the crowd outside could hear.

The short set was not quite “unplugged,” but scaled down considerably as he was joined by just the two guitarists and bass player. Matisyahu took care of the percussion himself using his beatbox talents to fill the gaps. The set list focused on the recent album, as well as one track that did not make the cut. The arrangements were subdued and lyrics more heartfelt. It was just a taste of what was to come…

Matisyahu brought his “A” game for the main event that evening, and the sold out crowd at The Handlebar were up for the challenge. Backing him was a stage full of amazing musicians that deserve spotlights of their own. Aaron Dugan (guitar) & Rob Marscher (keyboards), official members of the Matisyahu entity have teamed up with the Dub Trio on this tour. DT, consisting of DP Holmes (guitar), Stu Brooks (bass) & Joe Tomino (drums), are known for their ability to also blend genres seamlessly and, as witnessed, have the ability to bring the funk.

Ripping bass lines and percussion, battling guitar riffs, combined with dubs, samples and keyboard play set the stage for the man in the spotlight and he did not disappoint. For over two hours, the band shifted from rock, to reggae, to funk, all while Matisyahu pounded his positive lyrics and beatbox talents at the crowd. From the first note, the crowd was with him, and as the level of emotion went higher, we all followed as he covered songs, both popular and obscure. “King Without a Crown” and many of the newer songs were big hits with those in attendance.

As the show came to a close, the crowd was frantic and called for the obligatory encore. Special guest Kosha Dillz came out and freestyle rapped for a while about anything that the crowd threw up on stage, including a prescription pill container and somebody’s wallet. The night was set for one final push over the edge. A prolonged version of “One Day,” the current hit off of Light with a stage dive from Matisyahu put the exclamation point on an amazing night.

The crowd was not quite as diverse as the earlier free show, but there were still a few kids out way past there bedtime as well as a few old Jewish ladies sitting in the back. I think the town did the artist justice and I hope it will make him want to come back in the future. As he continues his tour, if he comes to your town, it is truly in your best interest to go see this show. The Matisyahu/Dub Trio combination is worth every penny and then some.

It’s been entirely too long since my last Twenty-some Suggestions post. But I suppose it is fitting to have waited this long, as I have another twenty-some suggestions listed here. Song titles in bold are streaming after each entry.

Weezer Raditude
I am happy to report that Weezer is officially back. They have been up-and-down their last several albums with the notable Red Album being a real pile of junk, in my opinion. On Ratidude, the band bring back their fun times sound and nerdy I-like-you-but-I-don’t-know-what-to-do-about-it lyrics. Surprisingly, their is even a cameo from Lil Wayne. Yeah, I didn’t see that one coming either, and it doesn’t even ruin the song, so bonus. You’ve no doubt heard “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” as it’s all over the radio these days, but there are several real gems on this album. Weezer fans will be relieved to know that this album does not suck, and non-fans may even be turned on by a couple of the upbeat, dare I say poppy, tracks to be found here. Be sure to check out “I Want You To,” “The Girl Got Hot” and “In The Mall”.

Dead By Sunrise Out of Ashes
Chester Bennington of Linkin Park decided that he had some songs that didn’t really fit that band, so he got a different group of guys and recorded an album. In reality, these songs would have fit LP just fine. This album is for people, like myself, who like LP but hate Mike Shinoda (he’s the rapper in that band). This collection tends to be more mid-tempo like LP’s last couple of singles (“New Divide” and “Shadow of the Day”), but there are some real rockers on here, too. LP fans should particularly enjoy this album, but as a non-LP fan, I can tell you that there are some really good songs here. Listen first to “Inside of Me,” “Crawl Back In” and “End of the World”.

Alice In Chains Black Gives Way To Blue
I’ve been saying it for years now, the most influential band of the grunge era wasn’t Nirvana, it was Alice In Chains. Listen to any rock radio station, you won’t hear a bunch of Nirvana clones, you’ll hear a bunch of AIC clones. In April, 2002, Layne Staley overdosed. This is the first time the surviving members have recorded together since then, and the loss is felt throughout the album. This isn’t the best album AIC has ever released, but it’s the best they’ve put out in 10 years. Highlights include “Check My Brain,” “A Looking In View” and “Black Gives Way To Blue” which is literally the band saying goodbye to their comrade and features Elton John playing piano. If you think it’s sacrilege to replace Staley, I suggest giving this a listen and realizing the fault of your ways. William DuVall does an excellent job filling in for the missing front man.

Florence + the Machine Lungs
It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for redheads. Florence Welch is just that, and absolutely gorgeous. It doesn’t hurt that her music is amazing, too. Her lyrics are at once poetic and narrative, deep and transparent. Her voice is piercing and angelic. The music is subtle and churning. Emphasizing the rhythm section in the heavy drum and bass lines, Florence both makes you think and want to dance. The music is similar to White Rabbits, for those that are familiar with them. My faves include “Dog Days Are Over,” “Drumming” and “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)”.

Paramore Brand New Eyes
Prior to this album, Hayley Williams and her cohorts made some really good pop-punk. They didn’t do much to shed the Christian Rock tag. This album, however, follows a very rocky time in the band’s evolution. There were times when the rumors of the band breaking up were conceivable, and the band took that energy and turned it into the album’s first single, “Ignorance.” Featuring lines like “Where’s your gavel, your jury, what’s my offense this time, you’re not a judge, but if you’re gonna judge me, sentence me to another life.” The song was written about the times when the band was closest to splitting. The angst on this album shoes a certain level maturity beyond their sugary past and moving into their adolescent years, if not as people, at least as a band. That feeling lasts throughout the album including “Playing God” and “Brick By Boring Brick“.

Pearl Jam Backspacer
Easily the band’s best album since 1998’s Yield, Backspacer is a return to form of sorts for a band that has tried so desperately not to be famous for two of their last three albums. They seem to finally be comfortable being popular, and they are writing stadium anthems yet again. From the first chords of “Gonna See My Friend” the fearsome fivesome blaze a trail of emotion that will rock your socks off. Yet the band reminds us that they like to occasionally slow it down with songs like “Just Breathe,” heavily influenced by lead man Eddie Vedder’s foray into the solo world, his album/soundtrack Into the Wild. It’s a complete album, which I wouldn’t be able to say about any of their last three releases. Check out the tracks already mentioned as well as “Unthought Known” and “Supersonic.”

Muse The Resistence
This is one of England’s biggest bands. They have quietly been carving out a niche in America since 2005 when “Time Is Running Out” was first released as a single in the US. This is a band that is so insanely dense, both on CD and on stage, that it can be difficult to get into. With each of their albums I have had to give a few spins before really grasping the genius, but I always end up doing so. The trio of Matthew Bellamy, Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard manage to create a swirling hurricane of rock and roll that over the years has placed them in the upper echelons of modern rock bands (see: Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, etc). Bellamy has said that he was highly influenced by George Orwell’s 1984 during the writing of this album. One might think that would create a work of paranoia and oppression, but the romance in that novel is represented well on this album. I really dig “Uprising,” “Undisclosed Desires” and “I Belong To You.”

Fun. Aim & Ignite
The Phoenicians reading this (and some outside of Arizona) will remember the Format. Nate Reuss, formerly of the Format, now leads Fun. This album very much follows in the steps of the final Format album, Dog Problems. It’s very 70s pop, dramatic and show-tuney. Here and there you get a little Simon and Garfunkel, too. I didn’t like it when it was the Format, but this isn’t the Format, so I’m okay with it now. Highlights include “All the Pretty Girls,” “Walking the Dog” and “At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be).”

Hockey Mind Chaos
Not your typical indie-dance band, Hockey conjures visions of New York City and London simultaneously. Even though the band is from Portland, it somehow doesn’t seem odd at all. Opening track, and first single, “Too Fake” proclaims that they band has “too much soul for the world” and the following 10-tracks seem to back that up pretty solidly. The bouncing bass, the Strokes-y riffs, and the 8-bit bloops and blips come together as an excellent recipe for a good time. Check out “Too Fake,” “Song Away” and “Work”.

Matisyahu Light
Possibly Matthew Miller’s most complete album to-date. Without being as preachy as he has been in the past, Matisyahu continues to meld hip-hop, reggae and his Orthodox Jewish beliefs into a wonderfully listenable stew. Since the release of Youth in 2006 Miller has married, and thus has a different look to his fashion. He now wears more fashionable clothing including hoodies, sneakers, etc. This change seems to have had a positive affect on his music as well. Gone are the drawn out yodels, and in their place is a more urgent sense of connection with a broader audience. Stand out tracks include “One Day,” “For You” and “On Nature”.

Rodrigo y Gabriela 11:11
This power duo used to be in heavy metal bands in Mexico. They’ve since dropped all the peripherals and are now an acoustic instrumental rock band. They play metal on acoustic guitars, and acoustic guitars only. This album sees some extra instrumentation, but it doesn’t take away from the 2-guitars kicking your ass feel they have become known for. Each song on this album is dedicated to an artist that has influenced the duo. “Buster Voodoo,” for example, is dedicated to Jimi Hendrix. The liner notes give a full, and very interesting, breakdown for each song. My faves are “Buster Voodoo,” “Hanuman,” and “11:11″.

Shad The Old Prince
I literally stumbled up on Shad at this summer’s Warped Tour in Salt Lake. He was exiled to a stage in far flung corner of the fair grounds. I was just walking around seeing what there was to see, and found a stage that I didn’t even realize existed for most the day. Shad was born in Kenya, of Rwandan parents, and grew up in London, Ontario. Confusing? Yes. But his lyrics aren’t. Shad is backpack rap in the vein Jurrasic 5, Common (before Kanye) and Atmosphere. He is witty and personal in his lyrics, and minimalist (almost to a fault) in his beats. I really dig “Now A Daze,” “Compromise” and “The Old Prince Still Lives At Home.”

The Bloody Beetroots Romboramba
I first heard their name from my ex-girlfriend, she was told by a coworker that this was a group she must see at Coachella 2009. My partner in crime at Coachella, Doc, and I checked out a bit of their set and I was really impressed by their music. This, their debut album, is pretty dang good. The Beetroots are from Italy, but you wouldn’t necessarily know it by listening to them. It’s great party music, for sure. (For you electronic purists, they’re classified as “fidget house” or “electro house”.) They have several guests on this album, too. One of my favorite rap groups lately, the Cool Kids make appearance on “Awesome”. While notable DJ Steve Aoki appears on a couple of songs. Several other guests appear as well. The tracks I like the most are the aforementioned “Awesome” as well as “Have Mercy On Us” and “Come La”.

Julian Plenti Julian Plenti is…Skyscraper
Julian Plenti is perhaps better known as Paul Banks, lead singer for Interpol. On his solo album, he doesn’t do much to reinvent what you already know about him. This is essentially an extension of what his main band already does. But don’t let that steer you away from it, as it is a good companion to your Interpol library. And if you don’t have any Interpol in your music collection, this is as good a place to start as any. This album is a return to the earlier, darker Interpol while still being accessible on the level of that band’s last release, Our Love To Admire. Pay particular attention to “Game For Days” (the lead single), “Only If You Run” and “Girl On the Sporting News”.

Modest Mouse No One’s First and You’re Next
This is a compilation of unreleased songs and b-sides. Unlike some other bands’ b-sides albums, there are some really great songs here. Some are from the Johnny Marr phase of the band, while some pre-date his addition. If you don’t already know about Modest Mouse, then I actually feel sorry for you. In addition to checking out this collection, get Lonesome Crowded West and Good News For People Who Love Bad News. Fave tracks on No One’s First include “Guilty Cocker Spaniels,” “Satellite Skin” and “King Rat” (which has a video that was directed by Heath Ledger before his death).

Owl City Ocean Eyes
There’s no denying that this album sounds a lot like Death Cab For Cutie and the Postal Service. Adam Young’s voice is very similar to Ben Gibbard’s, but his lyrics are quite a bit different, and so is the overall feel of the music. While Gibbard writes very dark and melancholy words and music, Young tends to lean toward a more positive and upbeat world view. Owl City is for people who find Death Cab too sad and overwhelming; it’s Death Cab Lite, and they do a pretty good job of it. Young recorded the entire album (and previous works from Owl City) in his parents’ basement in Owatonna, Minnesota, about two hours or so south of the Twin Cities, and has a major hit in “Fireflies” on his hands. Standout tracks include “Fireflies” and “Hello Seattle“.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart S/T
Shoegazing pop music with a thick layer of fuzz from some crafty songwriters fills this album, the bands first full length effort. At times the band sounds like post-grunge Seattle, at times it sounds like the Cure’s younger brother, or the darker side of Peter Bjorn and John. Anyway you slice it, the intentionally lo-fi sound doesn’t do anything to hurt the superb songwriting. The melancholy lyrics sung as if it was sugar-pop is a fantastic juxtoposition that my ears enjoy quite thoroughly. My faves are “Young Adult Friction,” “This Love Is Fucking Right” and “Everything With You”.

The Used Artwork
This band helped usher in the screamo “movement” of the early-mid oughts, which should make me hate them, but they’re just so damn good. Their last album, Shallow Believer, was largely ignored and this one seems to be experiencing a similar fate. I don’t understand why Alternative radio has given up on this band, they are still making catchy heavy rock music that you can both head bang and toe-tap along with. Start with “Blood On My Hands” and if you want more then check out “The Best of Me” and “Watered Down”.

Gallows Grey Britain
These guys are for the hardcore fans out there. I first discovered this band from Watford, England, (a suburb of London) when they put out their last album, Orchestra of Wolves, and really liked it. Now they’re back with their second full length, and first foray on a major label in America (they signed with Warner Bros). This album is a much more polished sound, without losing the intent or anger of the genre. As with many of their peers and punk bands before them, this foursome hates the crown. But unlike many of their predecessors, and even more of their peers, they have monster riffs that wouldn’t seem out of place in a sold out arena. Best tracks include “London Is the Reason,” “I Dread the Night” and “The Vulture (Acts I & II)”.

The Dead Weather Horehound
Jack White. That really should be enough for you to want to check this band out. Allison Mosshart of the Kills heads up the lion’s share of the vocals as White focuses on playing drums. The lineup is rounded out by Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs, The Greenhornes) and Dean Fertita (The Raconteurs, Queens of the Stone Age). On paper, it’s quite the lineup, in your ears it only gets better. As with any White project, it is very bluesy, but there seems to be a lot more angst and raw emotion in the Dead Weather than the White Stripes or the Raconteurs. Standout tracks include “Hang You From the Heavens,” “I Cut Like a Buffalo” and “Treat Me Like Your Mother”.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs It’s Blitz!
Longtime fans of this band will notice a stark change in sound on this, their third full-length. For It’s Blitz! the band brought in a lot of synth sounds, while not changing the over all mood of the band’s music, they definitely reinvented their own sound. Songs like “Zero” are at once angsty but danceable. They brought in a little of the new-school indie-dance feel and mixed it with the existing indie-grunge sound the band had on their previous efforts. Karen O continues to be one of the best female vocalists in alternative music, and her bandmates continue to be supremely astute at backing her up. Check out the aforementioned “Zero” as well as “Heads Will Roll,” “Shame and Fortune” and “Hysteric”.

Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
This French electro-pop collective have been working hard to make a name for themselves in the States since they’re debut in 2000, but it wasn’t until 2004 that they really started to carve out a niche with their sophomore album Alphabetical. Now the band has their forth album out and is really making waves with their single “1901″. The song has been featured in several prime-time shows and was picked up by Cadillac for a recent commercial. The album is another step in the process of this maturing band, they are getting better at writing songs, and it shows here. If you like mood music, this is a good album to set the tone for a chill night. Check out “1901,” “Lisztomania” and “Girlfriend”.

Nouvelle Vague 3
This group is comprised of two French DJs, Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, and various female singers. This is, obviously, the bands third album of punk, post-punk and New Wave covers that are heavy on the bossa nova. This album features covers of Depeche Mode’s “Master and Servant,” Violent Femmes’ “Blister In the Sun” and Psychedelic Furs’ “Heaven” among many others. If you like covers, and in-particular, reinvention of songs, this is a good chill album to have in your collection.

Og nej, det er ikke mig der står for musikken, jeg præsenterer den kun:o)

Har siddet her og knoklet med opgaveskrivning og prøveeksamen, mens jeg har siddet og lyttet til lidt – i mine ører – god musik:o).. Og tænkte, for søren da, hvorfor holder jeg det for mig selv? Indrømmet, jeg elsker hiphop, men det der kommer fra USA i dag? Nej tak, det handler kun om penge, penge og objektivisering af kvindekønnet..

Nu er jeg jo glad for Israel, så naturligvis lytter jeg til israelsk musik:o).. Og på hiphop-scenen må jeg sige, at Israel styrer for tiden.. Uanset om vi taler venstreorienterede, hardcore zionister, chassidim (religiøse) eller et sted i midten, udfolder man sig i stor stil, med fantastiske evner.. Og det er en påstand jeg her vil underbygge;o)..

Jeg har i et tidligere indlæg præsenteret jer for HaDag Nachash, så dem lader jeg ligge, men lad mig i stedet starte med Sagol 59:

Khen Rotem, som han hedder i virkeligheden, bor i Jerusalem og har til i dag udgivet seks cd’er samt arbejdet med nogle kendte navne inden for hiphop-scenen, som f.eks. Mattisyahu og Killah Priest (fra Wu-Tang), samt – naturligvis – både israelske og palæstinensiske kunstnere..

Hans holdninger og udsagn ligger til venstre for midten i Israel, men er respekteret på begge sider, sine holdninger uagtet, grundet hans evner..

Han bruger en del tid sammen med Rebel Sun, som jeg vil komme ind på efterfølgende..

Som sagt har han udgivet seks cd’er indtil videre, startende med The Blue Period i 2000, Where Did We Go Wrong i 2002, Reason To Die 2003, The Hiphop Einstein 2006 og endeligt Make Room fra 2008..

Her er et af hans numre, som jeg er helt vild med.. Andre kan findes på Youtube..

Sagol 59 og Rebel Sun

Jeg nævnte Rebel Sun:

Joel Covington er oprindeligt fra Baltimore, men konverterede til Jødedommen, er siden flyttet til Israel, hvor han havde en hård kamp for at opnå statsborgerskab..

Han har tidligere været en del af Corner Prophets med Sagol 59, men er nu med i gruppen Coolooloosh..

Her er en video fra et radioprogram, hvor Sagol og Rebel Sun freestyler:

Matisyahu

Man kan ikke nævne jødisk hiphop, uden at nævne Matisyahu.. Han er godt nok ikke fra Israel, men stadig, han skal nævnes:o)..

Matthew Paul Miller har ikke altid været religiøs, men i 2001 tog han beslutningen om at tage sin religion seriøs og blev Ba’al T’shuvah (en der lader sig omvende) og var i en længere periode en del af Chabad-bevægelsen.. Jeg tror ikke der er meget jeg kan fortælle om Matisyahu, som folk ikke allerede er klar over.. Han spillede på Roskilde i 2006 og har Bob Marley og Shlomo Carlebach blandt sine inspiratorer, noget som fremgår tydeligt af et af hans nyere numre, One Day:

Y-Love

Jeg vil slutte af med Y-love, endnu en konvertit.. Yitzchaq Jordan konverterede i en ung alder og er i dag en streng ortodoks jøde, hvilket også fremgår af hans tekster og musikvideoer..

Y-loves navn har en dobbelt mening; Why Love og Yitzchaq Love.. Hans lyrik er en blanding af engelsk, yiddish, hebraisk og arabisk, men primært engelsk..

Her en video med Y-Love og Describe (ditto ortodoks jøde), Y-love er nummer to:

The following is a list of the ten albums that I feel, are the best releases in the last 10 years.  None of the decisions were made based on critical acclaim but merely on what I think are the most progressive and meaningful albums from 2000 to the present.  Every band is trying to do something different with their music and the following are examples of success in that goal.  Every one of these has a quality or style that is purely unique and influential.

10: TV On The Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain (2006 – 4AD, Interscope)

While Return to Cookie Mountain is not the most recent release by the band it is certainly the most notable.  On this album billows of drum and guitar sound accompany a very vocal-based album that is melodic and sing-able at times and merely a wall of sound at others.  The band, which operates out of Brooklyn, has created a name for itself in its unique genre-less compositions similar only to that of Radiohead and top 40 radio in Mars.

Notable tracks:

03. Province (this track features David Bowie on backing vocals)

06. A Method

9: Akron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free (2009 – Dead Oceans)

While everything on the album is recognizably Akron/Family, the album spans genres inexplicably.  Starting in a bit of a dirty blues-rock feel and moving through electronic tracks and folk concoctions, the band even hits on some borderline scream punk just to say they did it.  Often, transitions between acoustic and more electronically derived tracks are rough and uncomfortable but this Frankenstein of an album dances gracefully the entire time.  The band, from New York City, remains relatively undiscovered but they ought to be.  Akron/Family has a lot to add to the musical scene and effectively captures the style that many bands strive for.

Notable tracks:

01. Everyone Is Guilty

03. Creatures

07. Many Ghosts

8: The xx – xx (2009 – Young Turks)

The xx is amazingly simple but still a sound that’s very rarely made.  The London quartet functions with two vocalists in what seems like a dialogue relationship.  Overall, nearly every song has a calm intensity to it that satisfies repeatedly.  xx is greatly successful for the group’s first release so releases in the future will surely be under radar.

Notable Tracks:

03. Crystalized

07. Shelter

7: The Arcade Fire – Funeral (2004 – Merge)

I don’t know what to call The Arcade Fire’s but after I saw a concert on the Neon Bible Tour I was convinced that they were the house band from Eli Sunday’s church in There Will Be Blood. Apparently, living in Haiti leaves you pretty oblivious to American culture and the way music is being made over here because The Arcade Fire has created in Funeral an experience that is completely different than anything…ever.  There is a very eerie vibe surrounding the album and a deep emotion that lies within it.

Notable Tracks:

04. Neighborhood 3 (Power Out)

06. Crown of Love

07. Wake Up

6: Why? – Alopecia (2008 – Anticon)

Lead singer Yoni Wolf’s music is disturbingly honest but for some strange reason that is what keeps you coming back for more. Alopecia says everything you’ve wanted to say but haven’t had the guts.  It’s Jewish hip-hop that in all the ways Matisyahu is not.  Whereas most hip-hop is about the ego, Alopecia is about life.  These are stories of bad decisions, failures, and missed opportunities and they are all presented in very honest and effective ways.

Notable Tracks:

02. Good Friday

08. The Fall of Mr. Fifths

10. A Sky for Shoeing Horses Under

5: The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love (2009 – Capitol)

With the bands fifth release, The Decemberists delve even deeper into the story-telling style that they are known for.  On this album every track flows seamlessly to the other and themes come and go throughout the duration of the album representing the stories that are interwoven inside it.  The band draws on its resources for The Hazards of Love as Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond, Becky Starke of Lavender Diamond, and Jim James of My Morning Jacket are all brought in to play various characters in the stories and provide vocals for the album.  The Hazards of Love is a seamless blend of music steeped in an ancient troubadour tradition and converted by modern themes and musical styles into what can best be described as a musical.

Notable Tracks:

03. A Bower Scene

08. The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid

10. The Rake’s Song

4: Architecture in Helsinki – Places Like This (2007 – Polyvinyl)

This album is beautifully fucking crazy.  Enough said.

Notable Tracks:

02. Heart It Races

03. Hold Music

08. Lazy (Lazy)

3: Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake Its Morning (2005 – Saddle Creek)

When Conor Oberst double released Digital Ash In A Digital Urn and I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning in 2005 he had officially divided his music in two.  Previous albums, which had mixed darker and more electronically-derived tracks like “Lover I Don’t Have to Love” with folk tunes like “Bowl of Oranges” had given birth to both a pair of very different-looking twins.  While Digital Ash was ill-recieved, I’m Wide Awake its Morning broke into an entirely different well of musical possibilities.  Not only did this album influence every Bright Eyes release since, it also spawned tons of followers in what is now “indie-folk”. Conor Oberst is the Bob Dylan of his time.

Notable Tracks:

04. Lua

06. First Day of My Life

10. Road To Joy

2: Radiohead – Kid A (2000 – Parlophone, Capitol)

Kid A marks the transformation of Radiohead from a band to a soulless fucking robot.  Fortunately it is the soulless fucking robot that people prefer.  Its amazing that an album as experimental as this one achieved as much success as it did but even though Kid A debuted without a single or music video, it was able to draw itself enough attention to go platinum in a week.  You know the rest.

Notable Tracks:

01. Everything In Its Right Place

03. The National Anthem

08. Idiotheque

1: Department of Eagles – In Ear Park (2008 – 4AD)

You may not have expected this one but I have a strong faith that, although very undiscovered In Ear Park is the greatest album that has been released all decade.  There is a huge difference between bands that record songs and bands that record art.  In Ear Park is not about chords and progressions but about what the music does when it gets inside your head.  While Department of Eagles consists of just Daniel Rossen (also known for work in the band Grizzly Bear) and Fred Nicolaus, this particular album was scored on a huge scale.  Starting out from the very beginning with a pretty simple guitar melody the album soon erupts into a very symphonic experience that will make your hairs stand on end.

Notable Tracks:

01. In Ear Park

03. Phantom Other

07. Classical Records

Nunca fui muito fã do Matisyahu. Mas sou obrigado a confessar que “One Day” contraria tudo o que eu sempre pensei deste artista. A música é de qualidade incontestável, com batida e letra que apresentam uma certa melancolia, para tratar de um tema de violência e a busca pela paz. O clipe se encaixou perfeitamente com a proposta da música. Check this out. Letra da música.

Matisyahu learned to beat box in Chemistry class – these days, the Grammy-nominated star is still doing experiments – but the concoction he’s
mixed up on his new album Light is no great advance in the sound of Jewish-Reggae Rap.
The album kicks off with “Smash Lies” a track that sounds like it should be playing downtown at “Stone Temple”
after everyone’s drunk.

Continuing with the experiment, a few the songs on the new album are backed by heavily-distorted guitars – which is fine, but it wasn’t well done and didn’t vibe so well with the chilled out reggae on the rest of the album.

“One Day” tries to inspire with lyrics like “I’ve been waiting for, praying for the people to say that we don’t want to fight no more.” This isn’t a bad message, but that together with the backing music was a little too reminiscent of another inspirational song, which got more than just a little bit of attention and acclaim: “Where is the Love” by the Black Eyed Peas.
Overall the album failed to impress and it defi nitely was not an improvement on previous work by the yarmulkesporting Hasidic Jew.

The backing music was overproduced and sounded like I’d heard it somewhere before.

Though the Holy Land was brought up in a couple of instances on the album, mostly the lyrics were lacking and clichéd; and didn’t seem to come from biblical verses and spiritual thought like on previous albums. This isn’t a bad thing – but the ideas he rapped about were feel-good superfi
cial boringness.

There was one line though that shone through to me and was good enough to make me think that there is some depth to the thoughts of the Black-Hatted New Yorker.

“Who do you love besides you, beside you? You’ve got one moment in life to shine.”

That line also made me think maybe Matisyahu’s moment in life to shine was about 5 years ago.

Check him out on myspace.

- Jacob Barker (Broadcast Journalism)

Matisyahu

What do you think of when you hear the words “Hasidic Jew?” Probably the last thing to come to mind would be rapper. But that is exactly what Matthew Paul Miller, better known as Matisyahu, epitomizes. By blending traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock, beat box, and hip-hop, Matisyahu defies most racial boundaries as an unexpected but talented artist. His race and religion is not a detriment, but a blessing and he treats it as such. Singing of self-proclaimed “songs of love and healing,” he effectively spreads the messages of his religion and beliefs.

Dressed in traditional Hasidic Jew attire complete with a black fedora and long beard, Matisyahu is constantly surprising audiences with his music. His major hit song, “King without a Crown” was a Top 40 hit and was plastered all over MTV and the radio. He was even named as the Top Reggae artist of 2006 by Billboard. Matisyahu appeals to both young and old audiences as he delivers messages of Bible stories accompanied with a hip, catchy reggae beat.  His vocal style mixes traditional Rasta Roots with a dub sound. His lyrics can be deeply spiritual at times, while other tracks are lighter in tone. Some of his musical inspirations include Bob Marley, Phish, and Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach.  Most of his songs are completely in English although he does occasionally use some Yiddish and Hebrew terms.

Matisyahu – King Without A Crown

Although he may not look like the stereotypical rapper, Matisyahu performs with “crooning, spell-binding vocals” (Meadows) that create a unique and refreshing sound. Equally impressive is his ability to take a genre such as rap and use it in an atypical way to spread positive messages instead of the hate and degradation that is common in many rap songs. Matisyahu uses his race and religion to separate him from other similar artists. His culture makes him so dissimilar from the rest of the rap artists that people really pay attention when they hear his music in combination with his exterior presence. In essence, he stands out. The intrigue surrounding Matisyahu negotiates the two different representations of self and industry stunningly.

He stays true to himself, his religion, and his music without conforming to the standard message, style, stereotype, and influence that comes with traditional rap music. In Matisyahu’s case, his race and unique representation of himself is a tremendous benefit because he is so distinctive. Most are pleasantly surprised when they hear his music after previously judging him based on looks alone. In a genre primarily dominated by African Americans, Matisyahu successfully differentiates himself from the rest of the pack not only with his looks, but also and most importantly with his unique and refreshing musical styles. Disregarding industry pressures, Matisyahu delivers inspirational music without compromising who he is.

Matisyahu – Jerusalem

Ali Armour

]]> http://laguiadesantiago.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/matisyahu-lanza-nuevo-disco/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:00:52 +0000 laguiadesantiago http://laguiadesantiago.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/matisyahu-lanza-nuevo-disco/ http://pageslap.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/matisyahu-king-without-a-crown/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:48:59 +0000 stamp http://pageslap.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/matisyahu-king-without-a-crown/

Matisyahu (born Matthew Miller, 1979, in Pennsylvania) converted to Hasidic Judaism in his 20s and now sings reggae. I confess I’m not a fan of his Ja-fakin’ accent, but I really really like this song.

This is a story of two nice Jewish boys, one named Peter and the other named Matthew Paul.

This is the Peter Himmelman I fell for in college.

When I was in college and grad school, I loved Peter Himmelman’s music. I sort of lost track of his newer stuff as I became busy with life as a working mom and time for keeping up with music – even that being made by my favorite artists – dwindled to zero. (I finally understood how it could be that my parents, who began having children in the mid-1960’s, were not experts on the Beatles). I do remember, though, the hours I spent in the days of cassette tapes and Walkmans listening to Himmelman singing his own compositions. I connected to his music because his lyrics were so Jewish while at the same time not. He sang of spiritual matters in a way that was universal, yet clearly particular to those of us with the tools to decipher and analyze his language and recognize the Jewish neshamah and sources inspiring it.

I considered Himmelman a Jewish musician. I thought I was pretty on the money about this. After all, he always covered his head (if not with a kippah, then with a bandana or hat) and he even wrote a song about his encounter with an anti-Semitic taxi driver while on his way to shul to daven with a Holocaust survivor with a concentration camp number tattooed on his arm.

A more current likeness of Peter

But then when I went to see him perform live at the Bottom Line in the Village (this was in the early ’90’s, or as my husband and I call that era: BC – Before Children), I realized that he was a crossover artist. Not in the “rock/R&B” sense of crossover, but in the “Jewish/everyone else out there in the world” sense of crossover. I looked around the smoke-filled venue and saw that there were lots of trucker hats and almost no black hats (or even black kippot) surrounding me. “Wow,” I thought to myself, “These people see him first as a musical artist and then as a Jew [if they even knew at all that he was Jewish].”

This is Matthew Paul Miller. But you know him by his Hebrew name.

Now, a decade and a half later, another really cool (do I sound un-cool saying “cool?”) Jewish musician never even had to cross over. He burst onto the international commercial music scene, noticed and admired by “everyone else out there in the world” before anyone pigeonholed him as a Jewish artist. Pretty amazing given that he is a Hassidic Jew and dresses like one (though I have to say, he does have a sexy je ne sais quoi that I generally find lacking in other men belonging to his sect). He reminds me a lot of Peter Himmelman. Not so much in terms of musical style (Himmelman can do reggae, but Matisyahu is reggae), but in terms of their lyrics being that very delicately balanced mix of the particularly Jewish and the universal.

I speak, of course, of Matisyahu, whose song One Day has been chosen by NBC for use in its advertising campaign for its coverage of the upcoming Vancouver Winter Olympics. Not everyone knows who Matthew Paul Miller is, but music lovers world over know his Hebrew name.

P.S. While I was writing this post, my 13-year old son came by and glanced at the screen. I told him what I was writing about and how exciting I thought it was that Matisyahu’s song was being used to to build interest in the Olympics. My son gave me a look as if to say, “omg u r SOOOO old!” He, who of course knows One Day, and who obviously cannot recall a time when the only Jewish music non-Jews could reference was Havah Nagilah, or maybe a Connie Francis cover of a Yiddish song, watched the NBC clip and asked without a trace of irony, “And this is a big deal because…?”

P.P.S. omg i must really b SOOOO old

© 2009 Renee Ghert-Zand. All rights reserved.

One of my favorite things to do in the 21st century is burn CDs for people. Partly, it is the narcissistic belief that I listen to cooler music than anyone else on earth (Not true! My friends constantly surprise and delight me with new and wonderful music I have never heard before.)

Anywhatthehellhappenedtonapster, I made a CD for a friend and I’ve pretty much been listening to it on repeat for a week or so. (Eventually, I will give her the CD – just.not.yet.)

So I wanted to share it with yalls tonight because obviously, in my infinite wisdom narcissism, I have chosen songs that are ideal for a nice, leisurely jog in the park. Some of them are new, and some are pretty old, but all of them are awesome.

My morning jacket – one big holiday (live)
elbow – the bones of you
matisyahu – one day
Del tha funkee homosapien feat. dinosaur jr. – missing link
Toots & the Maytals – Take me home, country road
Devotchka – queen of the surface streets
Wilco – Jesus, Etc.
Jimmy eat world – bleed american
Raconteurs – steady as she goes
Them crooked vultures – mind eraser, no chaser
The Shins – Phantom Limb
Deadboy & the Elephantmen – Stop, I’m already dead
dangermouse & jemini – ghetto pop life
Dropkick Murphys – Shipping up to Boston
Them crooked vultures – new fang
social d – dear lover
XTC – Dear God
de la soul, teenage fanclub – Fallin’

I go through phases – sometimes I’ll go for weeks on end listening to nothing but death metal, then I’ll listen to ambient/electronic. Then bluegrass. This week, I appear to be on an alt rock kick.

Pay special attention to Them Crooked Vultures – Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die says this band just might save rock n roll…

I think he’s right.

1. by The Young Knives [listen]

2. by Florence + the Machine [listen] <<thanks Krista.

3. by the Crystal Method & Matisyahu [listen] <<thanks Steph.

4. by Yeah Yeah Yeahs [listen]

5. by Radiohead [listen]

Happy jamming.

Peace,

]]> http://jewnews.net/2009/11/09/jewish-treats-twebrew-school-video-so-cool/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:15:23 +0000 Itamar Kestenbaum http://jewnews.net/2009/11/09/jewish-treats-twebrew-school-video-so-cool/

This video was created by Jewish Tweats for their Twebrew School service! It is really fun and entertaining. It includes cartoon versions of Gary Vaynerchuk, Sharon Feder, Adam Hirsch, Matisyahu, and so many more! Thanks, Sharon – for pointing this out!

I am starting another section on the blog that can give is some sort of running themes and structure:  Weekly Songs of Change.

We live in a broken world.  We don’t have to look far to know that: the news, the neighbors, our commute to work.  Everywhere we go we see that something isn’t right.  I also feel like wherever we look we have the ability to change things–just a little bit.  Maybe we just need the motivation.  It could be a card, it could be a cup of coffee or (my personal favorite) giving a hitcher a ride.  Little things make a big difference. 

Some of my favorite songs are about just that.  They are cries for change.  They are dreams about what a world could be like if we all pitch in and do our part.  So, starting today, and every Monday until I run out of songs, I am going to post a weekly song of change for you to listen to, enjoy and hopefully be moved by. 

Plug in your head-phones, turn it up in your room.

Enjoy.

This is my new motto: One Day!

I’ve been listening to Matisyahu’s “One Day” and it has greatly influenced and strucked me deeply.. Az, toda lecha achi:o)..

And somehow he’s putting words on my thoughts, on my feelings and my hopes, that we one day may be living together in peace and acceptance of eachother, no matter our differences..

So from this day, my motto is One Day! Especially with big emphasis on ONE!

One day we’ll be living in peace..

Under One sun..

Humankind living together on One world..

Praying to One G-D..

Okay, so some of you probably will disagree, or at least doesn’t share all my hopes, but still, I believe that One Day, we will know the truth, whatever that may be.. And One Day we will accept that we don’t have to hate each other just because we don’t look alike, act alike, think alike, but accept that we’re different, though we’re still One humankind.. We all descent from One man, we all live on One planet, and we’re all just One person among billions of people..

So One Day everything will be better.. And if we will it, that day could be tomorrow..

Sometimes I lay
under the moon
and thank G-D I’m breathing
Then I pray
don’t take me soon
cause i’m here for a reason

Sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
so when negativity surrounds
I know some day it’ll all turn around
because

All my live I’ve been waiting for
I’ve been praying for
for the people to say
that we dont wanna fight no more
there’ll be no more wars
and our children will play

one day x6

It’s not about
win or lose
’cause we all lose
when they feed on the souls of the innocent
blood drenched pavement
keep on moving though the waters stay raging
In this maze you can lose your way (your way)
it might drive you crazy but dont let it faze you no way (no way)

Sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
So my negativity surrounds
I know some day it’ll all turn around
because

All my live I’ve been waiting for
I’ve been praying for
for the people to say
that we dont wanna fight no more
there’ll be no more wars
and our children will play

one day x6

One day this all will change
treat people the same
stop with the violence
down with hate
one day we’ll all be free
and proud to be
under the same sun
singing songs of freedom like

one day x2

All my live I’ve been waiting for
I’ve been praying for
for the people to say
that we don’t wanna fight no more
there’ll be no more wars
and our children will play

one day x6