City and Colour

There's something about the fall and winter season that makes me want to listen to sad/beautiful acoustic guitar songs. The first CD's I grab when looking for this type of music are albums recorded by a man named Dallas Green who goes by the recording alias City and Colour, seeing as his first name is a city, and his last name is a color.  Dallas Green hails out of St Catharines Ontario, Canada (hence the spelling of color with a U.) Dallas used to be in a canadian rock band named Alexisionfire, who were insanely popular where I used to live. I discovered one day that he had put out a solo album full of songs that consisted of only acoustic guitar, his voice, and the occasional piano. This album was a huge departure from the hardcore and heavy music he made with Alexisonfire. But the album, entitled "Sometimes" is filled with beautiful songs so full of emotion that they have a definite effect on the listener. Earlier this year Dallas released his third CD under the alias of City and Colour, and announced his permanent departure from Alexisonfire, the band he rose to fame with and released five studio albums with. While I was saddened by the end of Alexisonfire, I was happy to know that it meant more tracks from City and Colour. I was lucky enough to meet Dallas last year and was relieved to find that he's incredibly nice and blatantly Canadian, sporting the recognizable accent and the sarcastic sense of humor. I suggest checking out any of his three albums; Sometimes, Bring Me Your Love, and Little Hell. If you feel like just searching a few tracks, I highly recommend; Hello I'm in Delaware, Day Old Hate, Little Hell, Sleeping Sickness, and Waiting.

Different Keys

Recently I've been obsessed with learning how to write simple songs and become comfortable with simplicity. This fascination has lead me to become more interested in the overall structure of songs and what keys and chord progressions they use. I became even more interested in what keys and chord combinations make a song a hit. So over the thanksgiving break, I locked myself in my basement with only a few packs of capri sun, a box of Ding-Dongs, and a paper and pen. I decided to get down to the bottom of what makes a song a hit by comparing the top five songs of 2011 with the top five songs 20 years ago in 1981. The results were, very interesting, somewhat informative, and partially useless. They go as follows;

In November 2011 the top five songs according to Billboard are :

1. Rihanna- "We Found Love"
2. LMFAO- "Sexy and I Know It"
3. Adele- "Someone Like You"
4. David Guetta- "Without You"
5. Bruno Mars- "It Will Rain"

In November 1981 the top five songs according to Billboard were:

1. Hall & Oates- "Private Eyes"
2. The Rolling Stones- "Start Me Up"
3. Chris Cross- "Arthurs Theme (Best You Can Do)"
4. Sheena Easton- "For Your Eyes Only"
5.  Bob Seger- "Trying To Live Without You"

The first thing I noticed was that all of the songs from the 80's were a little bit better (except Sheena Easton, sorry James Bond fans.) I also noticed that all of the songs from the 80's used a much larger number of chords than the current hits.

After finishing off my fourth Capri sun, and carefully dissecting each song, I noticed that 6 of the 10 songs were in the key of D, two were in A one was in A minor, and one was in F. For non musical people, this means that D=Hit songs.

Another thing I noticed, and thought was quite interesting was that "Start Me Up" and "We Found Love" used the exact same chords, in almost the exact same sequence, And they were both entirely major chords.

Also, almost all of the songs used a pattern where they would; play a chord, play a different chord, return to the first chord, play a new chord, and then repeat. This was very interesting because the only songs that didn't use this pattern were both the songs that are number one hits.

A lot of my investigation turned out to be useless but what I did find out was pretty interesting.
So remember folks, if you're going to write a song in november, major chords are your friend, and D=Good.

My First Love

While recording an idea for a song I have been working on the other day, I decided to add some electric guitar to the acoustic track I had already recorded. Instead of grabbing my Fender Stratocaster like I always do, I opted for my Telecaster. This is the first "Real" guitar that I have ever owned. And It's the guitar that I learned basically everything on. It's a 20 year old guitar, built in japan in 1991. It has two custom seymour duncan brand pickups on it (the two small black bars underneath the strings,) a marble pickguard and Gotoh brand tuners. I'll never forget the day I got this guitar. I was visiting my dad and my stepmom and was sleeping on the couch in their basement and one morning my dad came downstairs and saw my old beat up $80 Squier by Fender guitar, and we ended up talking about guitars. Minutes later my dad had found this guitar on KSL.com and told me that if I could cover half of it he'd cover the rest. So I called the man who was selling the guitar and set up a time where I could come look at it and then proceeded to empty my bank account, in which I had Just enough money to cover my half. Needless to say, I fell in love with it as soon as the man selling it opened up the tweed case. The first songs I played on it were "I Can't Get no Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones, (probably because I knew Keith Richards favors his Telecasters) and "Fade To Black" by Metallica. This guitar has gone everywhere with me over the last few years and although I use my newer Stratocaster guitar much more, I wouldn't trade this instrument for anything. 

I've got Hips but I'm Not a hipster.

The hipster thing has been going on for the last year or two now. It's hard to describe hipsters without offending them or getting it completely wrong but I will try my best. Hipsters are basically a subculture that value witty banter, art, progressive politics, indie-rock, and counter-culture. Basically the people who rock the vintage clothes, messy haircuts, thick brimmed glasses, and that general "effortless cool" bohemian style. I can totally get these people and what they stand for, especially cause I love art, and vinyl. there are a few bands that fall into the hipster/ indie rock category that I really like.

Belle Brigade

I'm a big fan of an Atlanta singer-songwriter named David Ryan Harris, who mentioned Belle Brigade on his Tumblr page a while back. After searching for them I stumbled up their song "Losers" and Immediately liked it. The Belle Brigade are a brother and sister duo consisting of Barbara and Ethan Gruska. Together they write songs that are catchy and have really well written lyrics. It's really hard to categorize this band into a specific genre which is something I like about them. Two songs I'd suggest are "Losers" and "Where Not To Look For Freedom" 

The Head and The Heart

In the summer of 2009 I had a chance to go hang out with some friends from the washington/portland area and I had heard this band mentioned a few times but never really went out of my way to listen to them. Last june I attended an Iron & Wine concert in Salt Lake and lo and behold, The Head and The Heart were the opening act. Immediately after concert I had purchased their self titled album. What impressed me most about this band was that they all took turns playing different instruments and seemed to be having the time of their lives on stage. It was really easy to get into because they were having so much fun. I think I'll say this about all of these bands, but they all write wonderful lyrics. Which is a HUGE relief, seeing as the mainstream definition of good lyrics consists of Soulja Boy singing "Gucci Bandana, Gucci, Gucci Bandana" or my favorite "You catch me at your local party, Yes I crank it everyday, Haters getting mad cause I got me some bathing apes." yeah...that seriously happened. Choice tracks by The Head and The Heart are "Down in The Valley" and "Rivers and Roads." 

The Civil Wars

I honestly have no idea how I came across the Civil Wars but all I can say is that I am seriously happy I did. The music video for their song "Poison & Wine" is so pretty that every time I watch it, I have to watch it in fullscreen view. These two people are Incredibly gifted. They write beautiful songs and sing in harmony so perfect that it's almost scary. I also love the fact that they've done acoustic covers of Michael Jackson songs. Their CD "Barton Hollow" is a great piece of work. I suggest the songs "Poison & Wine" as I already mentioned but also recommend "Barton Hollow" and "My Fathers Father." 

Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons' record "Sigh No More" has been on the iTunes top 10 list since february. Seriously, am I the only one to notice that? like why haven't they been given some sort of award? Anyways, I digress. Mumford & Sons make very unique music. I really like them again for the wonderful lyrics. But what really works for their lyrics Is the way Singer/Guitar player Marcus Mumford sings them. At times He can sound totally pissed and intense and at other moments he can sound incredibly sincere, as if he's singing directly into the ear of the protagonist of the song. I also really like the insane banjo playing that is in most of their songs. Check out "White Blank Page" and "I Gave You All" 

Mark Morton & Willie Adler

Seeing as it's Halloween and one of my all time favorite metal bands; Lamb of God announced their new CD, entitled "Resolution" today. I felt it would be appropriate to write about the bands guitar players, Mark Morton and Wille Adler, two extremely talented (and extremely hairy) musicians.

I was introduced to Lamb Of God in the summer of 2009 by my good friend Pete, who was the lead guitar player of the band I was in at the time. I admit that I did not instantly like them, but one day they just clicked with me. My bandmates and I spent hours upon hours watching the two DVD's the band has put out, and spent even more time trying to figure out how to play their riffs. Mark and Willie play with distinct styles that are completely complimentary of one another, and marks lead work is some of the most underrated guitar playing I've ever seen. Together these guitar players write some of the heaviest, complicated, yet melodic and catchy riffs I've ever heard. Most metal bands now days focus on trying to be heavier and faster than everyone else, without paying attention to the fact that they still need to write great songs. Lamb Of God is a band that covers all of that territory. They can play fast and loud, while also making great songs that you can listen to over and over. I know the name of the band sounds a tad sacrilegious . But after watching the DVD's and reading interviews with the band. You understand that they are just normal, good people, who love to have fun. I don't play metal anymore (at least not seriously) but I am still a big fan of LOG and find myself often inspired by the guitar playing of Mark and Willie.

Before I'm Old

The song "Before I'm Old" by the Utah based band Fictionist has been in constant rotation on my iPod lately. There's certain groups in this day and age that i "get" and certain groups that i don't "get"
and fictionist is a group that makes a lot of sense to me. It could be the fact that they're from Provo, and in that sense, seeing them succeed feels a lot like rooting for the home team. But that's not what does it for me. After all, there are a lot of great local acts. I think the thing that resonates with me the most about this group is that I can understand where they come from in a musical sense, myself being a fan of groups that inspire them, such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. But the thing I like most about Fictionist is the song "Before I'm Old." It's a song I can really relate to, It's about figuring out your priorities and coming to terms with growing up, which is something I've always struggled with. The song reminds me somewhat of "The Suburbs" by the band The Arcade Fire, probably because of the references to growing up and holding the hands of their children. But the way Fictionists singer Stuart Maxfield sings the lyrics "there's tiny hands for me to hold, and I'd like to hold them, before I'm old" makes you believe that he is entirely sincere.  What works for this song is how it's structured. The beginning of the song comes from the younger perspective, and realizing that you're getting older. And then the tone changes, Coldplay-esque guitar playing enters and pushes the song, making you "feel alright."
It could just be me. But I think the instrumentation on this song is wonderful. It's a lot simpler than most of the other tracks by Fictionist taking up space in my iTunes library, but it's the most effective because of the way the simplicity is used.  I already feel like I've wrote far too much, and believe me, I've had my ring finger heavy on the delete button of my keyboard. Before i began typing, analyzing this song seemed a lot easier. But what makes a good song is that it can mean different things to different people.
Bottom line is: This is a great tune, I completely relate to it, and you should take a listen to it.

Blogger doesn't support music so I posted the song on my rarely used Tumblr blog, you can hear the song here: http://.austinahatch.tumblr.com, here are the lyrics:

If I'm say I'm scared, it doesn't mean no

there's a thousand places, that I would like to go

that I don't

there's a tiny hand for me to hold, and I'd like to hold it, I'd like to hold it

before I'm old

today I woke, and I found that I'd grown

got a house in the suburbs and a lawn to mow

and settlin' down was close to a curse word, as a young man when he dreams

wide as the sky, but I don't know why

I feel so old

I feel so cold

If the me back then, could see me now, would I shake my head

and wonder how, I can feel all right, I can feel all right

lettin' go of my plans, and givin' up the fight

and if the me back then, could see me today, would I tell me I was wrong,

and I got lost and gone astray

and I can feel all right, I can feel all right

lettin' go of my plans, like doves in the night

there's tiny hands for me to hold, and I'd like to hold them,

Oh, I'd like to hold them,

before I'm old.

5 Records I would have if I were stranded on an island (in no particular order)

So a few days ago, I was going through my iTunes library and started to wonder which albums I would replace as fast as i could if my library was erased. So it got me to thinking about if, for some strange unprecedented reason, I were to become stranded on a desolate island with only a bag of beef jerky, a swiss army knife, a CD player (with batteries) and five CDs, which five CDs would i pick? After a lot of thought, I narrowed it down to these five (in no particular order):

B.B. King "Live at the Regal" (1965) 
If someone were to ask me "Hey Austin, What is blues music?" This is the first record I would hand them. When B.B. recorded this album, he was only 40 years old (which is young, seeing as he's 86 today) and was in his all time prime for singing and guitar playing. what's impressive about this record is the way B.B. involves the audience and makes them just as much a part of the show. B.B's guitar playing on this album is unparalleled, throughout the albums 10 tracks B.B makes Lucille (his Gibson ES-335 guitar) sing, cry, and wail. My choice tracks for this cd are "Sweet Little Angel" and "How Blue Can you get." This record is perfect because you're bound to have the blues when you're stranded on an island.

Coldplay "Viva La Vida (Or Death and all His Friends)" (2008)
To me, Coldplay is one of those bands that people either like or dislike. They've even been called "The worst band to ever become the biggest band." But, if there's one thing no one will fight you on. This album is a masterpiece. Sonically, this record is something I aspire to create in my own music. All 10 (must be a lucky number) of these tracks fit together perfectly producing the most cohesive and often beautiful 45 minutes of music I've heard in a long time. The reason I'd have this album with me on an island is that it's versatility makes it hard to get tired of. My choice cuts on this record are "Lost" and "Strawberry Swing." Go ahead and hate if you want to hate, I can't hear you from my island.

  The Jimi Hendrix Experience "Axis: Bold as Love" (1967)
This album is the sophomore album made by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. And, in my opinion is the most underrated of all their albums. To most people, when you say Jimi's name, they think of Searing lead guitar solos and trippy lyrics, or maybe even just the hippie movement of the 60's. But to me this album is a testament to Jimi's mastery of guitar in the rhythm area. With songs such as "Little Wing" and the title track "Bold as Love" showing off Jimi's floral and perfectly executed R&B rhythm guitar style. The two tracks I just listed are my suggested listening for this album. But if you're an over achiever and feel like going for some extra credit i suggest "Wait Until Tomorrow" and "Castles Made of Sand."

Metallica "Master Of Puppets" (1986)

My first musical endeavor was being a bass player for an 80's style thrash band in high school. This was the album that changed everything for me. All of the songs on this album are perfectly written, and it displays the incredible tightness of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett's guitar playing. But what was most impressive to me was the incredible bass playing of the late bassist, Cliff burton. Cliff's playing shines on tracks like "Master Of Puppets" and my favorite (and all instrumental) track "Orion." To me, this is the essential Metallica album, and a crash course in metal. It also helps me look past some of Metallica's more recent mistakes (Load, Reload,St. Anger, anyone?) 

John Mayer "Continuum" (2006) 

In an interview about this record, John Mayer stated that he wanted to make a timeless, perfect, record. And with Continuum he did just that. Not only is this John's first studio album that fully shows off his guitar playing capabilities, it also shows his incredible songwriting abilities. Every song on this album has been crafted and refined until it was exactly perfect. Soulful guitar playing and clever, insightful lyrics. All crafted by the same artist who brought us songs like "Daughters"...yeah, I know. My recommended listening on this album is "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" and "Belief." 

Well, now you know what songs I would be listening to while making sand castles, digging for treasure, talking to a volleyball, dying of hunger, and Making clothes out of palm leaves. Thanks for Reading!

About My Blog.

 With this blog I'll probably write a lot about music, and things that inspire me. I am calling this blog "Progressions" because a song is just a series of chord progressions that all go together and aim towards one final goal. It also fits because blogs, and songs, are about life. Life is also full of little moments or "Progressions" that all go together to ultimately form something whole and beautiful.