Great Albums (undun/Roots)

Year : 2011

This is one whopper of a concept album by the hip-hop group. Released less than a month ago, it features non-traditional lush arrangements that focus as much on the melody as on the groove. The guitar hooks are some of the slickest I've ever heard, reaffirming my belief that guitarist 'Captain' Kirk Douglas is one of the coolest people on the planet. One of the most refreshing sounds of the year, "undun" concludes 2011 in style.

Personal Picks : "Kool On" and "Lighthouse" are my current favourites.

Into White/Cat Stevens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJNH6l9APJU

My favourite Cat Stevens song, from one of the greatest albums of all time. The chord progression is heart-wrenching.

Indian Reservation/Don Fardon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clux1gLimUo

One of my favourite songs for a good ol' guitar jam.

Sink The Bismarck/Johnny Horton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KecIdlEAKhU

Oldies night here at the blog. Here's an old battle song from 1960.

Where Is My Mind/Pixies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCD14IrOcIs

I love how the acoustic guitar and the electric guitar complement each other.

Day After Day/The Alan Parsons Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4yCgdeWp9s

A song I associate with some of my most cherished memories.

Pyramid Song/Radiohead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbKQPqs-cqc

Nice and dark. Just the way I like their music.

Jerk It Out/Caesars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B1ZQcbSvdU

A great song from the retro-rock craze of the early '00s. What is that instrument? An accordion?

Fader/The Temper Trap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIHQTr3qfLY

Feel good song from the Australian alt-rockers. Sweet guitar solo thrown in as well.

Padmasana/Buckethead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nj1D2y-PY8

Sweet soulful melody.

Cirrus Minor/Pink Floyd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iufuQny7Rd0

From the soundtrack of the 1969 film "More" - one of my earliest introductions to Pink Floyd. Wright's organ is riveting.

Girl If You Were A Guitar Chord...

Girl if you were a guitar chord, you'd be F seventh
Not just because it's the most beautiful sounding chord
But also because it's the hardest seventh chord to play.
F is also an acronym for a well known four letter word

Which is basically what the chord does to my, um, fingers.
Every time I attempt to play it, I end up wishing
My fingers were a bit longer, oh yeah.
It sounds so good that I momentarily forget the pain it's causing

Me, my heart, my soul and my, um, fingers.
By the time I do get it right, it's time for a chord change.
And that's why I say, girl, that you'd be F seventh
Cuz when it's all said and done, you're way out of my vocal range.

Electric Feel/MGMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbkv5xOLvnA

To quote a recent Youtube comment trend,
"If this song was a potato, it would be a damn good potato."

Breathe/Telepopmusic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXuuh49aF1M

There's something about a female telephonic voice that is incredibly irresistable.:) Released in 2002, this song has long achieved cult status in the lounge/cafe music circles.

My Parties/Dire Straits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK5z9mwEJHQ

The brass section. Also, legendary sessions musician Jeff Porcaro (of Toto fame) played the drums on the album.

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down/The Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceRg_rxXQ_E

Beautiful song. The lyrics pertain to the American Civil War and the suffering of the confederate or 'Dixie' states of the American south.