The XX

One of the best bands in the last few years, The XX have a style all to their own. The best example of their music, to me, is the song “Crystallized” which features some amazingly well done harmony sections. The video is low budget but pretty damn cool as well.

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Mew – Introducing Palace Players

This song is so good on so many levels. The opening being played in dischord before all coming together is done with amazing precision. The video is quite an original spectacle as well.

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Vampire Weekend – Horchata

Don’t dismiss Vampire Weekend based on their name. This song is not only catchy and quite deep, it’s rather upbeat.

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Broken Bells – The High Road

What happens when you combine the genius behind The Shins with Dangermouse? Broken Bells.

If you’re in the file sharing circles, you’ve been pimping this album to everyone you know for about a month and a half now. The rest of you have to wait until March for the whole album but here is the first track from it, The High Road.

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Anti Flag – Seattle Was A Riot

This song was quite the anthem for the 15 year old me. I remember blistering my fingers so badly learning to play this on bass (and I still can!!!). Chock full of message and a catchy riff, what more do you want?!

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Skold – Neverland

Tim Skold is one of the most talented musicians of this generation without a doubt. The driving force behind multiple Marilyn Manson albums (playing every single instrument himself, writing the songs, producing the album and then even doing the album artwork and website? Yeah, dude is talented) and several KMFDM projects (KMFDM’s Adios/Symbols, MDFMK, Skold Vs KMFDM, etc) he has finally entered the studio to record his first solo album in 13 years.

Skold… it’s good to have you back.

Here’s a track off of his first solo album. This one is called “Neverland.”

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Jack Off Jill – Fear Of Dying

Let’s end this on something heavier. Jack Off Jill’s Fear of Dying. The lyrics to this song are very well crafted for a band commonly not known for their lyrics.

“I’m not afraid of standing still
I’m just afraid of being bored
I’m not afraid of speaking my mind
I’m just afraid of being ignored”

What artist can’t relate to that?

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Here are some songs that have been inspiring me lately. They aren’t necessarily new by any means; I just have been digging these songs lately. There’s quite a mix of styles here so if you don’t enjoy one song, just move on to the next.

Let me know what you think!

The Limousines – “Very Busy People”

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Death Cab For Cutie – “The New Year”

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My Chemical Romance – “Desolation Row”

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Teenage Bottlerocket – “Skate or Die”

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The Faint – “Your Retro Career Melted”

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One of my biggest influences in life and my art has been the legendary, David Bowie.

I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to David Bowie. He is an amazingly gifted artist whose work has stood the test of time.

Bridging sexuality with art and confusion, David Bowie is an idol to many. His influence on modern music and art is impossible to deny. Everyone from Marilyn Manson to Lady GaGa lists David Bowie as a major influence.

So… how can I share some music of his that you haven’t heard 100 times already?

Rather than focus only on his music, I’m going to share a few of my favorite performances of his.

This is “Hallo Spaceboy” off of the 2003 Reality DVD, one of the best musical DVD’s I have ever seen. The editing manages to match the tone and message of every song and is a work of art all on its own.