Music recommendation
I really don't have the writing skills to pay homage to this album. I can try. The band's sound is nearly indescribable to me, not having a super-rich vocabulary of bands and styles to compare it to. The feel is definitely influenced by 70's lounge music -- think jazz flute, vibraphones, rich bass -- and yet it's got a healthy sample of modern synth and some really great rhythm that you would never mistake it for being a relic of a dated era.
This album just defines Groove. The instrumental Red Dust is as close to the quintessence of smooth-but-cool as I could ever imagine. And Sia's vocals are simply rich and wonderful. In the Waiting Line is mesmerizing; Destiny is chilling and warmly satisfying.
And I'm just simply amazed at Likufanele , probably the most surprising of all. The interlaced melodies of an African folk song are woven together with the modern sounds of a piano, flugelhorn and keyboards, on top of an addictive backing beat -- the result of which is a full six minutes of blissful musical tension that forces me to put the song on "repeat" just so I can more fully appreciate the richness of its musical texture each time I hear it. The piece has so much going on that it's impossible to absorb in one listening.
As a whole, Simple Things is a unique, satisfying album with several outstanding tracks that work together as an integrated work. If you get the chance to check it out, do.
I-must-be-in-tune-with-the-universe update: Though I had never heard any of the songs off this album until just recently, one found me today at lunch, playing over the speakers at the restaurant. The music and lyrics were especially well suited for what I happened to be pondering at that moment.
Crazy coincidence? Or a message from Fate? God trying to score my day with a meaningful soundtrack? Who knows. But I'm glad for it.
Free music update: You can get a full MP3 of Destiny for free from Amazon.
Posted by Matt at January 12, 2005 11:52 PM
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I picked up this album this past summer and I have to agree with everything you have said. This album, along with Air and Theivery Corp. are in constant play in my cd player.
Posted by: Ian at January 13, 2005 02:20 AM
i love this album. always hav it on whilst on my to the land of nod. its the best album 4 chillin. i never get bored of it! matt is right, this album is awesome
Posted by: Jon at March 31, 2005 06:11 PM
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