Two of my favourite artists release in the same week. One with a megaphone the other not even a whisper. They are the very reason why I love music, and why as a 17 year old with no ability to play guitar, and pratically tone deaf, I dreamt of playing gigs. 

 For the first time since Dave Matthews new album dissapointed me, I got  my ipod out and really concentrated.

Here’s why.

Pear Jam – Backspacer

Pearl Jam Backspacer Album

Pearl Jam are the real deal. You anticipate a new album like a St Kilda fan would for a Grand Final. For those non AFL supporters I apologise, but I’m simply referencing the fact that St Kilda Football Club have not won the grand final since the 60′s. Could be 66. Who knows I certainly wasn’t around : )  Point is, it’s a long time between drinks and as a result you anticipate it with such eagerness that you run the risk of over analysing and dissapointing yourself. Will it be good?  Will they perform? I don’t really like the single – the Fixer. Seemed a bit Nova for me, so I was worried. Needn’t have though, because it’s a cracker!

You will have to read somebody else’s blog if you want to know the in’s and outs like why Ed O’Brien is an amazing producer etc etc, but with my little musical experience and commentary I can point out a few things. Firstly they made me get my ipod out and concentrate. Been at least a month, probably since the Dave Matthews album dissapointed me a little that recently music has been at the back not the front of my mind. Anyway I’m listening in and did I just hear piano? Am I listening to love songs on a Pearl Jam album? Is Eddie’s voice sounding slightly different? I was loving it until the last song ‘the end’ left me hanging. I instantly loved this song then it just stopped. And my mind was ticking. “I’m here…but not much longer” he sings with all instrumentation shuddering to a hult. Is that it? Is that the last song? Hang on is that the last song ever? Then the last song on my album download was a live version of Last Exit. Are they telling me something? Show’s over. S*&t know. Pearl Jam don’t get to retire.

David Gray – Draw the Line

David Gray Draw the Line Album

On the other hand, David (no relation to Macy) Gray’s  new album was released and I heard nothing of it. Perhaps my Twitter friends and phasebook friends are too cool for David Gray? How come nobody is talking about this new album – ‘Draw the Line’? I ended up getting an ilike notification in my inbox that he has a gig coming up at Hamer Hall, Melbourne Arts Centre. Hamer Hall? I’m new to Melbourne but is this normal? Gosh I have so many questions this morning don’t I. Anyway in typical indie optimistic fashion I emailed his management and pleaded my case to be given the opportunity to strum my black guitar before Mr Gray. Never had a reply before so I can’t see that it’s going to happen this time either but I persist. Checking my inbox like a dog runs to the door. It will never come in, and it will never be for him, but the dogs persists.

Anyway I thought maybe David Gray’s album might be crap and that’s why nobody has spoken of it…so I did what nobody else would do. Bought it without recommendation. Yep, money on credit card for music based on my own insticts that it will be good. Seems everyone these days needs reassurance from the radio or a celebrity endoursement. Hence the reason I clear label my CD’s with the newspapers opinion that it’s worth a try. Not that, that has worked! Anyway I’m sure one day I’ll tell my grand kids that we used to buy music. “Yeah sure Grandpa”, they will say. “Music is free, it’s like a conversation it’s just that i has noises and you sing it. We don’t pay for that do we?”

Anyway I put it on my ipod, tucked my dogs in to the bed, lied down and expected to drift off by song 3 and then wake up in the middle of the night getting strangled by my headphones. But I couldn’t sleep because I was so drawn to this album. It’s typically melodic, acoustic and piano driven, but there is quite a bit going on. At first run through I just loved the production of it. Again I’ll leave the analytics to somebody else. The band drift in and drift out, with some unusual arrangements, and the odd thud of the kick drum. Sometimes not what you expect, but it always seems to come together. It’s neither upbeat, nor down. Kind of finds that nice middle ground, and I could’t help but think how good it’s going to be putting it on Saturday afternoon, a bottle of white, bbq cooking, dogs running around, and friends/family sitting at the table.

Then when we drink too much I’ll go put Eddie on and try and sing and dance like him. These two are my inspiration for music. And the haven’t dissapointed. What a week.