September 2002

Grandpa Loves Music

Beth Orton's Daybreaker:
After weeks and weeks of pleading by Astralwerks.com, I purchased the latest album by UK singer/songwriter Beth Orton, Daybreaker. I made a good decision. Her tender and somewhat futuristic songs flow, bounce and groove across my room into my awaiting ears. One of my favorite dance music labels again released a perfect after hours chill album. But, of course, Beth Orton's music should never be relegated to 3am. It's all day music.

Beth Orton's music is timeless, or at least it should be. When I first heard the album, I thought about time travel. You see, I kinda wish I was still eighteen. Me, a gangly pizza delivery guy anxiously waiting to leave for college, driving across town twice a night to pick up a girl for another dose of diner conversation, or some this and that. Sitting under the stars by my cousin Tim's pool at 1am, smooching with her in a deck chair. Sure, I may not call her back for a week, if ever, but the music will help her understand.

Contrary to what you may think, I do not make this wish at my weaker moments. No. Some music makes me want to be younger, that's all.

The album's part haunting, part poppy sounds could not be mistaken for one of North America's new non-Brittany girl pop-singers. Her music is not sweet and sour girl-pop, neither is it a political or angry fe-male joint.

Daybreaker is haunting and stunning. In each song one can find subtle sadness, a sadness deeper than that which is in her voice. "Mount Washington" is the strongest song on the album. Both hopeful and desperate, I think it defines the album itself. The departing loved one to whom she speaks may be herself for all I know, and that is very important. It is not a 'I want you' love song, it's an 'I love you' song.

Beth Orton's Daybreaker is one of the finest albums I have listened to this year. You should buy it. Also, she is coming to the US on tour this fall. Take a look at her web site http://bethorton.astralwerks.com/main.html to find out if she is coming to a city near you.

Bodhisattva:
The song "Bodhisattva" by Steely Dan makes me want to be 11 years old and learn the guitar. It totally rocks.

I don't know why I am obsessed in these last few month with going back in time. But I am. I think it would be cool to be in 6th Grade again (I was 11 then.) I really want to see the Mets win the World Series, and that is not going to happen this or next year.

Dublab, again:
Dublab.com is redesigned and it looks like the future. Seriously, last month it was in the 90's, and now, it's in the Future, which is good, because the future is on Dublab anyway. To summarize: New features, same dubliminal grooves.

New features at Dublab.com are DJ Frosty's "Ten Element" shows. Currently, there are nineteen hour-plus DJ sets for you to play. In addition to the "Elements", Dublab's other new feature is "Four Square", a smaller collection of sessions recorded at the Dublab studios by independent artists. If you want to hear a variety of great roots music, give "Four Square" a visit frequently.

Nowadays, since Lounge Radio is so damn fussy, Dublab will always be my first site of the day (...that is, after I check out achewood.) I rarely, if ever, have trouble opening the 'Dubstream'.

Reminder: Send these guys some mad loot. A present from a loyal listener will keep them alive. I cannot say that enough. These sites really need the money to stay on line. If you like the music and want to hear stuff from all over the world, give them some money when you feel like donating. Then, a while later, give some more when you don't just because. Word.

BBC Radio 1:
If, and this happens from time to time, ALL of my favorite web-radio stations do not play on my PC, I have a new last ditch back-up station: BBC's Radio 1. I found it this week on BBC.co.uk. Next month I will give you a more detailed update about the features on the site. At the moment, I am very pleased with the volume of content and the track listings that accompany them. (In fact, today I found a new group, Polyphonic Spree. Those guys are messed up in a good way.)