Ronald Jenkees: A Youtube Star

One thing that is great about new music is the fact that there are so many possibilities as to how it might finally reach your ears.  Sometimes I discover music because it's used in a movie or a T.V. show.  Sometimes I find new music because of opening bands playing at concerts I'm attending.  Still, but to a lesser extent, friends will physically bring music over for me to hear.  The most popular method though, is finding music on the oh so useful interweb.  If there's a band or artist worth listening to, they have their music on Youtube as well as many other music sharing websites.  Ronald Jenkees is a musician who made use of the Youtube medium like few other "unkown" music stars have.  Ron Jenkees' Youtube keyboard performances have reached over 50 million views in total and as people keep talking about him, the buzz spreads and that number is just gonna keep climbing.



There's a reason why Jenkees' videos have so many views from all over the world, and that's because he really is an incredible musician and his music appeals to most people in one way or another.  His music can be described as a blend between hip-hop, techno, and rock & roll, with each video giving a bit more emphasis one style or the other.  He plays his music as if he's dj'ing, playing the drums, and playing the keyboard all at the same time.  He started off in 2003 creating music under the name "Big Cheez" and started posting his Youtube videos under his own name in 2006.  Social media aggregators like StumbleUpon have helped lead to his internet fame to a large degree.  Ron Jenkees has a very goofy demeanor as he starts up each keyboard performance with the opening line "hello Youtubes!" he's also known to give opening talks about the piece he's about to play and even sometimes breaks halfway through a song to talk to fans or to display messages upon the screen.



The one thing that most musicians will love about Ronald Jenkees is his extreme love for music.  You can see joyful expressions on his face in all of his videos as the music truly does inspire and move his soul.  He also gives great advice to other musicians in terms of keeping music simple at times, let the beats move you, but most of all just love the music you're creating.  Jenkees now has two full length albums, one is self titled and his second album is entitled, Disorganized Fun.  They are available on his website at www.ronaldjenkees.com.  So watch his keyboard videos on Youtube and discover why Ronald Jenkees has become such an internet phenomenon.  Fall in love with the music like so many others already have and maybe you'll be persuaded to help support this amazing musician in all of his future endeavors.

Atlas Sound: Parallax Album Review

Bradford Cox is at it again with his new solo album Parallax.  If you're not familiar with his work, Bradford Cox has released five albums with his band, Deerhunter, and now Parallax is his third solo album released under the name Atlas Sound.  His work with Atlas Sound tends to be a bit softer and less experimental in nature compared to some of his work with Deerhunter and this is definitely the case on Parallax.  This album progresses smoothly like a dream sequence with great pop melodies built over top ambient sound and music.

The album starts off with the song entitled The Shakes which is a straight forward pop tune with simplistic drums using catchy fills.  It builds slowly and is short and sweet, but it opens up the album very well setting the tone for a more dreamy style pop that seems both upbeat and downbeat at the same time.  The second song, Amplifiers sounds a bit more irregular in nature with definite softer and dreamier sounds than the preceding track.  The bass goes back and forth and is quite repetitive, but in a good way as it's used over top the ambient synth-pop sounds.  The drums are still simplistic, but they have great use of discrete hi-hat and cymbal work.  The song ends with a pleasing falsetto and synthesized effects slowing to a halt.  Te Amo is one of my favourites off of Parallax with a looped piano line switching from left to right creating that feeling of a dream sequence all too perfectly.  Between the ambient sounds, vocals, soft drums and piano, this song almost has a Caribbean feeling to it.  The title track, Parallax comes next which has heavy use of effects creating the ambient synth-based pop that is so prevalent on this album.

te amo by atlas sound

Modern Aquatic Nightsongs really describes itself as I can imagine myself being on a beach at night in the Caribbean with this song softly playing in the background.  The drums and percussion support the feel with layered guitars and effects supporting Cox's soft voice throughout.  Mona Lisa is one of the most straight-forward pop songs on the album with drums similar to The Shakes and an acoustic guitar sound with background harmonica driving the song forward.  For someone who hasn't heard Bradford Cox's work with either Deerhunter or Atlas Sound, Mona Lisa would be a great intro track.  In Praying Man, Cox's voice is a bit more distorted and experimental on top of acoustic guitar layered behind catchy electric progressions and late in the song, an ambient harmonica line.  Doldrums is next which is possibly the softest song on the album. It's a perfect song for falling asleep to or for entering a state of deep relaxation.  It seems like a modern synth-pop lullaby in many ways.

My Angel Is Broken is another semi-upbeat pop song with straight-forward acoustic guitar, bass and drums giving reference to an old style of pop that one could find in the 60s.  Terra Incognita reverts back to a softer ballad style progression with minimal use of drums or percussion.  Another perfect song for deep relaxation and imagining yourself by the water on a beautiful summer night.  Flagstaff is the second last song on the album and starts off softly with guitar and vocals as Bradford Cox exploits the best parts of his vocal range.  The entire second half of the song is a combination of layered effects and synth as the track slowly comes to a close.  The final song on the album, Lightsworks, definitely ends on a high-upbeat note.  It starts off with a progression of stand-alone drums before the oldschool pop style guitars and bass comes in with Cox singing in a bit of a lower register.  This song has great use of backup vocals adding to the overall ambient feel which we experience in this album.  With more use of harmonica and guitar effects, this song embodies the more upbeat qualities that Parallax has offered throughout.  The effects that close the song off almost feel similar to how you would expect Cox to finish off a concert.

Overall I would give this album an 8.5 out of 10.  I would consider this my favourite Atlas Sound album to date as it progresses smoothly and is extremely easy to listen to.  As Bradford Cox continues to develop his skills as a musician, singer, songwriter and editor, it will be interesting to see which direction his music will take as his solo effort in Atlas Sound, as well as with his band, Deerhunter.  Parallax isn't the kind of album you would play at a party, and it's not the type of album you would use to quickly raise your energy, but if you have the time alone to relax and reflect, this is the perfect album to listen to.  Parallax perfectly embodies the surreal with both the lyrics and instrumentation.  It truly does feel like a smooth dream sequence appealing to all of the senses with every song fitting perfectly and flowing together to create a masterpiece.

Members from BSS and The Stills Form Eight and a Half

I've been a huge fan of the record label, Arts & Crafts for a while now, so when I hear about new bands under this label, I start to get excited instantly.  I'm also a huge fan of Broken Social Scene, so when I hear that a new Arts & Crafts band features BSS drummer Justin Peroff, well then I can hardly contain the excitement.  This all comes at a great time seeing as Broken Social Scene is on an indefinite hiatus and I am always itching for music related to them in one way or another.  This new band is called Eight and a Half and it is made up of Justin Peroff, mentioned above, and former members of The Stills, Liam O'Neil and Dave Hamelin.

Unfortunately I never fully explored The Stills and now that they've broken up I feel like I'm missing out.  I regret that I won't have the chance to see them live, but Eight and a Half serves as a bit of relief considering they have some of the same members.  Broken Social Scene on the other hand has been one of my favourite bands for a while now and I've had the chance to see them live more than ten times.  In fact, BSS is one of my top five bands and they're in my top five for good reason.  If you don't already know Broken Social Scene, then start exploring.  Their live performances are incredible with up to 16 people jamming on stage at once.  Their music is diverse with singers and musicians alike from Metric, Stars, Feist, Apostle of Hustle and others.

I've only been able to find one song from Eight and a Half, entitled Scissors.  I truly hope this is a glimpse into the main style of the band because I've fallen in love with this song already.  It can be described as synth-based indie pop, and it is very ambient and has many layered textures.  Peroff's drums are simple, but add to the song and create a foundation which is easy to build upon with the deep effect layered bass and guitar.  Hamelin's lyrics and vocals are melancholy and introspective, but the bottom line is that they are truly beautiful.  This has been labeled as a legitimate band and not just a side project for these talented musicians which makes me happy and worried at the same time considering I believe Broken Social Scene will be back together sometime in 2012.  Either way I look forward to seeing where this band goes and I can't wait to hear more songs from Eight and a Half.  Eight and a Half is set to release their self titled debut album on February 7th, 2011.

Scissors by Eight and a Half

Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials Album Review

Florence and the Machine really hit the indie scene hard and fast with their debut album Lungs and now Ceremonials does not disappoint as a follow up album whatsoever.  They started right where they left off with unique and beautiful indie pop vocals on top of strong simplistic piano parts and driving tribal drum beats.  They have further developed their anthem style songs which so many indie fans love so much.  Overall, the musical aspects of Ceremonials are a bit darker in nature than Lungs, but the complexity has increased and the musicianship and instrumentation is to die for.  If this band's first two albums are any indication as to where this band is heading, then Florence and the Machine is going to be successful for a very long time.

Ceremonials starts off with the song Only If For A Night which starts off slowly with piano and harp and immediately showcases Florence Welch's unique vocal style before erupting into the upbeat driving song which works perfectly as an opening to the album.  The off-beat drums drive the song forward while giving it a tribal feel which has given Florence and the Machine an original identity.  The string parts, piano parts and backing vocals give it an orchestral feel as well which really sets the pace for an album with a very full sound.  The next song, Shake It Out, is the first official single from Ceremonials and it starts off in a similar way to the first track which makes the album start to flow smoothly.  In the chorus you immediately hear the epic anthem style lyrics backed by sustained bass and catchy tribal style drums driving the song forward.  What The Water Gave Me comes next which has an overall haunting feel to it while sounding beautiful at the same time.  There are a few breaks in the songs making way for perfectly placed builds into epic portions of the song.  All in all these first three songs serve as a perfect opening.



Never Let Me Go starts off softly with piano and vocals and when the main part of the song kicks in it gives the listener an inspired and hopeful feeling.  This song is not as upbeat as the previous three and really gives some contrast to the album and beautifully adds to the smooth flow.  The backup vocals really add to an anthem style feel later in the song and I feel like this song would translate perfectly live.  Breaking Down comes next starting off with a very happy xylophone/bells part which reminds me slightly of a Christmas jingle. The constant beat and string parts give the song a very upbeat catchy indie style.  Lover To Lover sounds like a gospel tune which gives more contrast to the album without seeming out of place because of Florence's unique but consistent vocal style.  No Light, No Light has another slow build to start the song off with ambient organ backing up the vocals until a sweeping harp part precedes the explosion into the body of the song.  The body reverts back to Florence and the Machine's main style which is evident from the off-beat tribal style drums and anthem style vocals.  The harp makes some unique appearances later on as the song softly comes to a close.

Seven Devils is probably the most haunting song on what can be described as a haunting album.  The minor piano parts, string parts and powerful bass drum hits back up Florence Welch's vocals perfectly and help create one of the most powerful yet frightening songs I've ever heard from this band.  Heartlines then gives some relief and contrast with perhaps one of the most catchy choruses on the entire album.  The drums are incredibly powerful as they are in many of the other songs on Ceremonials and by the end they add to the driving anthem style which never seems to get old with this band.  Spectrum is the next song with yet another slow build into an explosion of upbeat drums and epic vocals.  This song showcases some unique instrumentation and musicianship with perfect placement of the harp as well as synthesizer and a very soft and slow close to the song.

All This And Heaven Too gives another very happy, inspiring and hopeful feeling, but adds contrast within the song with short changes to a slightly minor feel.  The chorus then eliminates this minor feel immediately and really is one of the most happy sounding parts of the album.  This is yet another song with perfect instrumentation with the strings, drums, bass and piano serving as an incredible foundation to Florence's awe inspiring vocals and lyrics.  Leave My Body is the final track on Ceremonials and it serves as a great close to the album.  It really showcases all of the unique capabilities of this band and driving anthem vocals which makes their music have such lasting appeal.  There is great use of call and response lyrics within the choruses which points towards this song translating perfectly as a live number and possibly a show closer.  The song slowly comes to a close with vocals transformed by effects giving a haunting, suspenseful feeling which makes the listener keep wanting more.  The best solution is to listen to the album again which I have definitely found myself doing.

Florence and the Machine has a very unique sound due to Florence Welch's vocal style, but they develop this further with the use of great instrumentation and driving drum beats.  Overall, I would rate the album as an 8.7 out of 10.  If anyone was concerned that this band was going to be a one hit wonder, well first of all they should have listened to all of Lungs instead of listening solely to the single, Dog Days Are Over, but this second album further disproves that concern and shows that Florence and the Machine really does belong as a staple in the indie music scene.  With epic anthem style songs that never seem to get old and a natural flow to their albums as well as in each individual song, this band  should be around for a long time.  This is a band that keeps the listener wanting more and the lasting appeal of their albums is quite refreshing for the period between albums.  I for one cannot wait until I have the opportunity to see this band live, but I am not concerned because I know that I will have many opportunities in the future.  With two incredible albums under their belt, Florence and the Machine have nowhere to go but forward.