David Ford has just released his new album, Let The Hard Times Roll, and for those that need mass media to tell them what to like, then well you’ve probably never heard of him, and you probably never will. Just looking at the Australian charts on itunes you can see how influenced and sheltered we are.
So if I could recommend one artist, just one, that I think is my favourite of all, then it would be David Ford. If there was one gig that blew all others out of the water, it was David Ford at the Hopetoun, in front of about 50 people.
We all have opinions I know, and I could explain to you at length over a beer just how amazing he is, but with Youtube I guess you can just see for yourself. So if you’ve come this far, I suggest you watch just two of these video’s.
The first is to hook you in. To see how brilliant one person can be with one loop pedal. The second is a stunning song from his new album.
My cunning plan is to help spread the Ford phenomen and hope with enough fans he will hopefully get out to Australia, before I have to fork out for a ticket to go and see him. Yes kids. It’s ok to like Muse and David Ford.
Hype Machine is one of my favourite sites for discovering new music. The website scours the interweb, and compiles a ‘real time’ ranking of what’s hot in music. Yep you no longer have to wait for the kids at Triple J to tell you wh’at’s hot.
Recently published on the site is the Top 50 of 2009, with rankings for artists, albums and songs. Not only is it a great resource, it looks damn cool and you can stream the music.
Anyway I thought you all might be keen to also discover another way to lose a few hours, and find yourself some new music. I’m presently locked on Antler’s | Hospice. Never really heard them before but I’m hooked.
Well this is my most recent listenings. It’s rather commercial. Will have to do something about that.
Draw The Line – David Gray
For those that never bought (or downloaded) anything beyond White Ladder should seriously get this album. The very first play blew me away.
Golden Rule – Powderfinger
Still not sure about it yet but it’s been in the car for a few days and is slowly getting there. Fans of the ‘fingers big hits won’t like this much I don’t think.
Backspacer – Pearl Jam
It’s been my soundtrack to my pain staking laps around Hawthorn ovals. Brings some form of energy and enjoyment to my pain.
A New Tide – Gomez
Just when you thought they’d bring out a dud, another classic pops up. My dogs is name after this band. They are brilliant.
As Day Follows Night – Sarah Blasko
It’s been out for a while now but it’s that good I haven’t been able to turn it off. I’ll confess I haven’t heard any of her other stuff but this is great.
Everything is True – Paul Dempsey
I had this for a while and didn’t give it enough love. This album is a ’grower’. Given time, like a good wine, it will develop into it’s prime.
Travis – Ode to J.Smith
This one has been out for at least a year, and it’s awesome. It’s not typical acoustic Travis. Eletric guitars are addictive it seems.
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.
A fellow muso and philosopher Cam McKellar posted about his current musical tastes and I figured I would steal, I mean, take his initiative and give you my two cents in worth in the hope you may pick up a few new sounds, and in return via comments or replies I too will pick up new sound suggestions. Here’s whats on my current list:
Pearl Jam, one of my favourite bands, have released the first single ‘The Fixer’ from their upcoming September released album, ‘Backspacer’.
Many people have criticised their apparent lack of invention over the years with the likes of Coldplay and U2 heading off on marketing tangents to recreate themselves. Continue Reading
I’m always excited when one of my marquee, life changing, big 6 artists releases a new album. For me, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Gomez, David Ford, Epicure and Damien Rice sit in my big 6. Ben Harper would also be there, and probably deserves to, given how quiet Damien Rice has been. Continue Reading
Woke up this morning and read “Who The Bloody Hell Are They” which is a cool place to hear about new music. Usually I listen to bits and pieces and rarely do I get that excited. Cam Mackellar on the other hand instantly hit a chord. Continue Reading
A fellow muso and philosopher 
I’m always excited when one of my marquee, life changing, big 6 artists releases a new album. For me, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Gomez, David Ford, Epicure and Damien Rice sit in my big 6. Ben Harper would also be there, and probably deserves to, given how quiet Damien Rice has been. 
Woke up this morning and read “Who The Bloody Hell Are They” which is a cool place to hear about new music. Usually I listen to bits and pieces and rarely do I get that excited. Cam Mackellar on the other hand instantly hit a chord.
