They Call Him Philthy

There's one thing I've noticed about music. A friend of mine will comment on a song they've just heard on the radio and declare:

"Yeah that band sucks."

Then days later I'll hear the same song in my car and crank it up to let the guy in the other lane listen. Because you see it's funny, that music thing. It's pretty much a "to each their own" sort of art. It's unbelievably arbitrary. For instance, something that I absolutely love, you'll only think is ok. Something you hate, I might really dig. Granted, there's this stuff called 'Pop' music which is a bit watered down and seems to appeal to a wider audience. And that's ok too. I can jam to some cheesy Hillary Duff here and there (that's how you can tell I'm not some annoying music elitist) (that's also how you can tell I'm really lame). So don't trust anyone when they say a song is "bad." Go check it out for yourself.

Another great thing about music is just the ridiculous volume that exists. With the Internet, Satellite radio, I-pods, there are hundreds of millions of songs and bands out there waiting to be listened to. You can discover ten new bands a week for the rest of your life and not even scratch the surface of all that's out there.

Whenever I flip on the radio, or search around the online music community, I get a sense of valor and excitement. Yes, I said valor! I'm on the forefront of my own music world. I'm rummaging through the pile, sifting through trash, but often stumbling upon gold. You know what it's like. Those songs that just really HIT you. You're hooked and soon you're singing along. It doesn't matter if those songs are rock, country, hip hop, or blue grass. Well, not country. Of course not. That was a joke.

But the excitement that comes with entering into the music world, it's hard to explain. That's why I'm eager to spend a few moments with you, sharing a few songs and bands that I've recently grown to love. You might think each of these choices is TERRIBLE. I don't think so, but you never know. I feel like I have a pretty varied musical taste. I think each of these is at least worthy of a trial run.

Before I begin, though, I must say that it's a pretty odd venture I've chosen here. You can really only HEAR music. If I try to write about it, well that's nice and all, but the art was really just meant to be listened to. Jerry Seinfeld once said that he hates cooking shows on TV because, "You can't smell it and you can't taste it. What's the point? After they're done it's like, 'Well ok. Here it is. You can't have any. Goodbye.'"

And with that, let's write about music. But then it's your job to actually go and give it a listen. I've included two recommended songs for each band just in case the first doesn't quite catch your fancy. Check these out:



* Rebirth Brass Band - "Cassanova" and "Feel Like Funkin' It Up"
(JAZZ)

Even though these guys have been around since 1983, I hadn't even heard of this band until last week when I went to see them play in DC. A local club was putting on a "Bail out the Big Easy" benefit concert. Several bands played, New Orleans style food was served, and oh yeah, it was all you can drink. I was there. These guys opened up for the headliner on the main stage. Boy was I, and the entire crowd, blown away. This jazz group, literally from the streets of New Orleans, came complete with a giant tuba, horns, and a guy with a single snare drum attached to his hip like he was plucked right out of a high school marching band. These guys had some serious energy. I don't normally find myself listening to jazz, but after seeing this band I immediately bought one of their albums. I had the pleasure of hearing both of these tunes live and they were both fun, energetic, and honestly convinced me that I was back in the French Quarter. Man do I love New Orleans. When order is restored down there, do yourself a favor and spend a few days in the Big Easy. For now, check out the Rebirth Brass Band.



* Death Cab for Cutie - "Soul Meets Body" and "Crooked Teeth"
(POP/ROCK/ALTERNATIVE)

I'm pretty sure I used to hate this band. When I worked in college radio these guys' albums came through the system. I don't even remember listening to them, but I was convinced they were some annoying or cheesy emo band (a pretty funny/accurate definition of emo music is here) and I didn't ever give them a chance. Well their latest album, "Plans," (released just two months ago) seemed to vault them a bit into the attention of more mainstream fans. 'Death Cab' first earned respect from me when I heard, and loved, the band called 'The Postal Service,' which was a side project of 'Death Cab' lead singer Ben Gibbard. You might very well consider this band extremely cheesy. MTV recently featured them during a one hour slot that included the shows "Laguna Beach" and "The Reality Show." But I really like them. It's catchy and the lyrics seem to relax me and make me think:

"In my head
there's a greyhound station
where I send my thoughts
to far off destinations
so they may have a chance
of finding a place where they're
far more suited than here."

Both of these tracks can be found on "Plans," and are probably my two favorite. While you're at it, go check out the more electronically based, aforementioned 'Death Cab' side-band, 'The Postal Service.'



* Nickel Creek - "Best of Luck" and "Ode to a Butterfly"
(BLUEGRASS/POP)

When Nickel Creek was first formed and began performing in 1989, all three band members were younger than thirteen. If that doesn't grab your attention maybe it'll be 'Nickel Creek's' sound. They're bluegrass but combine the vocals and pop melodies of more accepted music. It's probably the North Carolinian in me that is drawn to them but their sound is more contemporary than bluegrass bands you might find in the most rural of the North Carolina mountain communities. Each member, musically, is UNBELIEVABLY TALENTED. Some of the banjo and guitar playing is simply rockin'. You might find a lot of these guys' songs a little slow for your taste and if you can't appreciate the beauty of those songs, keep looking and you'll find some really incredible music among their many other tracks. This is another one of those bands I like to put on when I need some inspiration. "Best of Luck" can be heard on their latest album, "Why Should the Fire Die?" and "Ode to a Butterfly" is off their self-titled first album.



* The Bloodhound Gang - "No Hard Feelings (Birthday)" and "F.U.C.K."
(ROCK)

When I say the Bloodhound Gang, you look puzzled. But then when I sing their hit song with the lyrics, "So let's do it like they do on the Discovery channel," you suddenly smile and nod your head. Yes, these guys mainly specialize in funny rock music, but rock music nonetheless. I can remember driving around in high school in a friend's car jamming to one of these guys' old albums and laughing all the way. These two tracks are off their latest album, "Hefty Fine," which features a very hefty, and naked, man jammed into a tiny box of some sort. Cool. But these two tracks are more Bloodhound Gang fun. The first track, "No Hard Feelings" describes a relationship breaking up and the anger/joy of the singer's newfound lack of responsibilities:

"Ain't my job
to fuck you on your birthday.
Ain't my job
to fuck you on your birthday
anymore."

Those are the first words on the track by the way. But the song also features some cool synthesizer work and a great rock guitar. It's currently enjoying some major airplay on most major rock stations (edited of course). The second song I recommend is actually titled, "Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo" which is military jargon for the letters F, U, C, and K. As you can tell this band is extremely mature. But after laughing/shunning make sure to give this track a listen as well. I can't quite understand the lyrics. It sounds like they've just thrown random words together, so I think it's great: "Vulcanize the whoopee stick in the ham wallet," are the first words. Yeah. And it doesn't get any less confusing as the song continues. The refrain is very catchy and the track features some great rockin' guitar.



* Black Eyed Peas - "They Don't Want Music" and "My Humps"
(HIP HOP/POP)

This is another band that I used to really despise. You might hate them even after hearing these two tracks. You probably know them for their HEAVILY overplayed track, "Let's Get it Started," (really called "Let's Get Retarded) that can be heard on any annoying pop radio station, sports stadium, or television network promo (it was used as ESPN's NBA theme song last year). For some reason I gave their new album, "Monkey Business," a blind chance and just went out and bought it. It turns out I really like this album. Ignore the few tracks that have been popularized on cheesy radio and you've got one really funky record. These two tracks can be found on this album. Old school or just older music fans probably will never like the Black Eyed Peas. If you're into all sorts of different sounds, and enjoy electronically-based beats mixed with guitar and several varying musical tastes, you just might enjoy this. I haven't heard any of this group's other albums, though, so I still might hate them overall. But check these out. "They Don't Want Music" features guest vocals by THE James Brown and it's definitely funky. "My Humps" is seductively ridiculous and because for some reason I fixate on ridiculous lyrics I love it!

"What you gonna do with all that junk, all that junk inside your trunk?"
"I'm gonna get get get you drunk, get you love drunk off my hump."

Yep. Gotta love the lyrics of today's music. But give this album a chance. I feel like it's definitely interesting.



OTHER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT
(Stuff I'm listening to right now):



* Anything by Phil Collins or "Genesis." (Note: I can't explain that one)

* Musical Youth - "Pass the Dutchie"

* The Presidents of the USA - "Some Postman"

* The Bravery - "Honest Mistake"

* Anything by the John Butler Trio

* Seal - "Crazy"

* Herbie Hancock - "Cantaloupe Island" and "Chameleon"

* Pitty Sing - "Radio"

* Hot Hot Heat - "Middle of Nowhere"

* Mike Doughty - "Looking at the World From the Bottom of a Well"

* Spacehog - "In the Meantime"

* Joe Jackson - "Steppin' Out"

* Tegan and Sara - "Walking With a Ghost"

* The Chemical Brothers - "The Boxer"

* David Banner - "Play"




So there you have it. Probably just the DJ inside of me trying to get some play. But do check out the above songs and feel free to suggest other ones, or let me know just how bad my recommendations are. Happy listening!

Stay Tuned for More Philthy. We'll be Right Back.