The Hazards of Love

          The Decemberists released their fifth album yesterday (Tuesday, March 24, 2009). The album, titled The Hazards of Love, is one continuous song with 17 titles for different parts. If this sounds at all confusing, the album is one long story, the music never stops, when the tempo and topic of the story change, so does the track. The different titles can be looked at like different chapters of the story. Starpulse.com describes it as," A 17-song suite (think one continuous song with track ID's peppered throughout for sanity's sake) about a girl named Margaret, shape shifters, forest queens, and fairytale treachery, Hazards of Love is ambitious, pretentious, obtuse, often impenetrable, and altogether pretty great.” A 1966 EP by Anne Briggs inspires the album and its title. The album, much like their 2006 album The Crane Wife, is a great combination of boot-stomping drum beats, melodic yet head-banging guitars, enchanting vocals, and thrilling lyrics. The band is able to keep the listener on the edge his seat and singing the songs all day. The Decemberists have a way of telling a story like no other band has done before. The band’s lead singer, Colin Meloy, has a way of incorporating Shakespearean themes into rocking guitar songs. This band is unique.

The song of the day is the Decemberists' "O Valencia" from their album The Crane Wife, and has a West Side Story and Romeo & Juliet theme.

Bo Henry Band

The Bo Henry Band has been around for 10 years and has single handedly pioneer and sustained Albany’s music scene. From headlining the stage at the annual Mardi Gras festival in downtown Albany to playing booze-filled frat houses in Athens, Georgia, the Bo Henry Band has played a part in the southern music scene. The band regularly plays at the local pizzeria and bar, Harvest Moon, as well as Deerfield Windsor's "yearbook day." Tim Carter, Bo Henry Band's drummer, says the band loves playing outside. "I feel like everything sounds better," he says sprightly. He then adds that he really likes playing college because "you know everyone is having a lot of fun." The Bo Henry Band has been booked at colleges all over Alabama and Georgia alike.
The music, dubbed "mostly Southern Rock" by Carter, can range from old Southern power ballads such as "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" by the Band to up beat reggae tunes like Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds." The band's website includes a song list including roughly 370 cover songs and 18 original songs, so their repertoire is fantastic. Carter's influence is mostly a Jazz originated background, while the rest of the band is mostly Southern Rock creating a unique sound to some famous tunes.
What will the Bo Henry Band be in 10 more years? "Worldwide!" Tim says excitedly. In a more realistic sense, Tim says the band hopes to have put out more albums to back up the band's debut album Strange Situation and a much broader fan base. He adds, "We actually have a pretty big fan base in England. Europe really loves American music." Bo Henry Band's music may span out beyond the southern United States across the Atlantic.
The Bo Henry Band will play their next show on Saturday, March 7th, 2009 at the Mardi Gras festival in down town Albany.

The song of the day is The Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."

Photography in Music

          Some may not realize how the important role photography plays in the music industry. The sounds the musicians create is not what sells all the albums any more. Album covers are becoming more elaborate because artists know the image society has of the band is almost as important as the music it makes. Artists are making the album cover look more modern than prevous albums. For instance, Umphrey's McGee's album "Anchor Drops" (released 2004) is a simple picture of the satellite view of a beach, while their newest album "Mantis" (released 2009) is more modern, depicting an image the band holds on the world. Though the music industry is constantly changing, one thing is for sure. Umphrey's McGee will always be those nerds in the suits.

Umphrey's McGee

          Crowds will be wrapped around the Variety Playhouse tonight at 6 o' clock. Umphrey's McGee is due to play a show tonight at 8:30. A fellow Deerfield Windsor student, Graham Davis, will be attending the show. "I'm kinda hoping for some of the older stuff. Really hopin for some extended jams on 'Nemo.' Regardless of what they play, i know it's gonna be great because they thrive in a live setting.

          Umphrey's McGee will most likely play their new songs such as "Mantis", "Made to Measure",and  "1348." Most concert goers are skeptical about whether or not the band will make some similar improvisational jams that the band is known for. "I know that 'Mantis' will be a great song for the guys to jam with, but I'm not sure if all the others have the same potential. I'm very anxious to see how it turns out." 

Song of the day - "Mantis" by Umphrey's McGee

Roo '09

The time is nearing. "Jam Banders" and "Festival Fanatics" are waiting for one of the most anticipated musical festival in the United States. Bonnaroo, as it is known to most of the world, however one "'rooer", Harrison Butler, calls it ,"The most fun someone can have on a 700 acre farm in the middle of Tennessee." On June 11th, 2009, Manchester, TN will be filled with thousands of festival-goers for the four day long musical extravaganza. 

            Bonnaroo is known for the amazing artists it recruits each year. This year some of the major artists are Snoop Dogg, Phish, Bruce Springsteen, David Byrne, Gov't Mule, moe., MGMT, the Decemberists, and many more. 

            Bonnaroo attendees are given a pass, parking space,  a camping area around his or her car, and the chance to have the greatest time of his or her life. Concerts are literally being played until four in the morning and some will start as early as eleven. For this, earplugs can quickly become an attendee’s best friend.

            For more information on Bonnaroo, check out the official Bonnaroo blog.

    Bonnaroo is renowned for it's never-ending fun. Let the fun begin on June, 10th, 2009.

Video of the week - moe. "Captain America"

 

The Zeitgeist

I know this is completely off topic from what i usually blog about, but i feel like this is an issue more people should be aware about. I kind of accidentally discovered the Zeitgeist movies on youtube.com and i am completely entranced by them. The Zeitgeist is a man who is obsessed with conspiracies and exploiting them. He has a video on 9/11 which he tries to explain a conspiracy behind it. The 9/11 video is extremely persuasive, however i feel that this video deals with a more important issue: The Federal Reserve. This video includes some scary facts that i am sure you will find very interesting. This video is one of five part. the total time is about one hour and i encourage you to watch all five videos.

The next two months are HUGE. Tickets for Dave Matthews and Phish come out the next two weekends, Umphrey's McGee is playing in Atlanta as are the Wailers, and Phish will play their first concert together in nearly 5 years. As you can see, this is possibly going to be a month that might break the bank for me. However, seeing Phish is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is hard to resist. Also, because Umphrey's just released their new album (Mantis on 1/20/09), seeing one of their first shows to celebrate the new album is going to be insane.  DMB starts it's first tour without LeRoi Moore (I know he didn't play a single show last year, but playing a full tour with the loss of LeRoi is a different than just playing while he's injured.) I have never seen the Wailers, and i've come to be a big fan of Bob Marley, so i would like to see the band behind the man. 

My order of importnce: 

1) Phish. No doubt absolutely 100%. This might not ever happen again, although my fingers are crossed.

2) DMB. For two reasons, a) Dave always has an amazing show and b) it's on 4/20 and the atmosphere is going to be insane. 

3)Umphrey's McGee. Have never seen them in concert, and everyone says they are better live.

4) the Wailers. I just don't think it's going to work out for me. The Reggae will draw a big crowd in Atlanta, but due to shool, i won't be able to make it. My step sister is going so I'm sure i will hear a lot about it. 

Video of the day is in honor of Umphrey's new CD release. I couldn't get any of the songs from the new album, but here's one of my all-time favorites.

Hi! My name is...

Hey hey I’m Tommy and I like Bluegrass but not Country, Rap but not Hip-Hop, and creamed corn but not corn on the cob.
I'm here for all the previews and reviews for some of the hottest concerts coming to the south. Some of the concerts will include Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Steep Canyon Rangers, Keller Williams, The Wailers, and possibly some more. Hopefully this blog will open your eyes to some new music you haven't heard yet, and/or get you into the concert scene. Concerts are quite possibly the most fun someone can have around here, so the more you go to the more fun you'll have. Because music is such an important aspect of everyday life, I will try to show people the music that moves me. I'll try to include a link to either my favorite song of the day, or just a song by the band I'm covering.


Song of the day - "Wilson" by Phish.  Video Quality isn't perfect, but it's a great song.
Enjoy!