It has finally arrived! I pre-ordered (sort of) Basia's CD via dropping by the local record store Albums on the Hill the day before the CD was released and was able to pick it up the next afternoon. Unfortunately I was unable to actually listen to the album until the evening but I was finally about to toss myself onto my bed, plug my busted headphones in and absorb the album in full. I have been thinking about the CD for awhile now, I haven't really been able to determine a great opinion of it as of yet.
--Several months later--
This review never really got underway, but I do remember picking up the CD for the first time like it was yesterday. Since the release of this album I saw Basia play in Philly and have had a much longer time to develop a taste for the music. It is wonderful.
1. Go On
Here's a love song about what seems like lost love. Not the kind of lost love that comes to mind first, it seems like the other party has done something different than "wrong". There is a violin throughout the song to creating an ongoing flow and drums giving it a little punch. This is the most popular Basia song in the past 6 months on Last.fm
2.Run
I think this a travelin' song. "When I took myself far and away from everyone that I knew..." Like most Basia songs it has a hint of sadness and longing. "there's nothing more I want than to be followin' you."
3.Sugar and Spice
Sad times for Basia. This song is about regretting a past confident of sorts, and realization of making an error and moving on. "Oh, oh, oh how I've done myself in."
4.Gold Rush
This song was a pre-release for the album and it was joyous and exciting. In many interviews Basia talks about her childhood dream of visiting the Yukon, that's just what this song is about. The gold rush took place of course in the Yukon and left ghost towns after it left. Some have persevered such as Dawson City (Basia's first mosh pit!) who she personally thanks in her liner notes. The song itself is one of more upbeat ones on the album, it rocks.
5.Heart of My Own
Title track! This is one of my favorite tracks because of how well it showcases Basia's awesome voice. Hearing her dive into the chorus the first time live was incredible. The song is about choosing your way in life, apparently Basia isn't really into the idea of being a mother or a housemaid. There is a kick drum throughout the song giving it a steady and stable feel.
6.Sparrow
Ok, this is my favorite song on the album. The album features Basia alone with a uke. In Philly she played this song sans a microphone, the result was just Basia, a ukulele, and this beautiful song. "let your bird go lost, I will bring her back to you in spring, she won't change at all, let your sparrow fall to what might be..."
7.If Only You
Another song regretting love. "I tried before, I wanted more, no matter what you had." "If only you... would have the heart to me back." (Who wouldn't!?!) "The trouble is I still can't choose who I want by my side..." Ah, I see.
8.I'm Forgetting Everyone
3:25 of characteristic Basia.
9.The Shore
This song is played mostly on a "hammered harp" which was born in Philadelphia! "Even though the thoughts behind, I came just to remind you I love you so... I love you so." Beautifully Basia. I can't really do this song justice with a description, listen to it!
10.Once More, For the Dollhouse
"We swore to no strangers, now they've crowded up our hearts.." Love, disconnect, dreams of love. "Your dreams are so quiet, don't you need me anymore.." I think we all know that feeling. Sad song.
11.Walk You Down
"You know devotion is hard to keep, but it's there every time that you're near me." I think this song is about that uneasy tension between two people with a history. "If you're not too proud, would you walk me down?" I wish this song answered that question.
12.If It Rains
"You can leave your friends where you found them, for your soul is still a mountain." Sometimes it is easier just to run, good thing I can fly. Basia seems to use part of this album to tell her story about past friends and moving on from home, which is precisely what was going on with my life when this album came out. This song brought it all home. As Basia puts it; "sometimes it's ok to be sad."
Terrific work Basia, see you in August!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Why we love Basia
This is an attempt to explain why we here at UVPig have a seemingly never ending love for Basia Bulat.
1.) The Introduction
Basia was introduced to me by my good friend Achsah Joseph. Actually, Achsah was certainly my best friend at the time of this wonderful introduction. She created a wonderful little mix-CD for my favorite made up holiday, Daffodil Day. The Pilgriming Vine was the second song on the CD (and the second song Basia played at her concert in Philly!) and will always be one of my favorites. Whenever I missed AQ during my senior year (she had gone off to college) I would play that song, with 134 plays it is by far the most played of any of my Basia collection. There's nothing like daffodils in the spring time.
2.) Canadian
When I was young my family would always take summer vacations to Canada. My father had some sort of fascination with avoiding people and warm temperatures at all costs. Every August for 7 or 8 years we would take off in the station wagon or the Jetta and spend a few weeks in Nova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick or some combination of those provinces. Because of these frequent trips I developed most of my cherished childhood memories in places such as Kouchibouguac and Kejimkujik national parks, St. Andrews in Nova Scotia, and the serene Milford House. How is this connected to Basia? I think the connection is subtle. No we didn't have strong connections to the music of the area beyond the Macmasters and A Taste of the Maritimes. I did develop a strong connection with the outdoors and the sea (not to mention the poutine), many of Basia's songs deal with nature and Canada's beautiful landscapes which I I myself fell in love with as a child.
3.) Oh, My Darling
"We swam in the river, and sang with the birds. Gave away our hearts before we knew what they were." - I Was a Daughter
I'm not going to pretend I know exactly what Basia means by this, but it sounds eerily familiar to my dreamy summer romance. In fact Oh, My Darling was more or less a soundtrack to what was undoubtedly my favorite summer in recent memory. The album is just filled with genuine heartbreaking love songs that I've always been able to connect to personally (especially once the summer ended and it was time to head west). Oh, My Darling is everything I could ever want to express about that period of my life.
4.) Basia
All of this is without mentioning Basia herself. She has deep hallowing vocals, plays instruments ranging from the ukulele to the autoharp, and connects to all the music she performs. When you listen to Basia you get the feeling that she is just singing her heart out every time. She tours all the time and rarely charges ticket prices over $10. Her band includes her brother, "Allison Wonderland", and "Holly Rancher" (who pens her own fantastic blog). They drive across continents in a van together and play in beautiful little venues (mostly churches). I had the pleasure of meeting Basia at in Philadelphia, she was very personable and accessible, it was a real pleasure. Just seeing Basia is enough to make you smile.
I hope this clears up the reason for Basiacentricity here on UVPig. Don't forget to buy Heart of My Own and see Basia play for free at Summerstage August 1st in Central Park NY!
1.) The Introduction
Basia was introduced to me by my good friend Achsah Joseph. Actually, Achsah was certainly my best friend at the time of this wonderful introduction. She created a wonderful little mix-CD for my favorite made up holiday, Daffodil Day. The Pilgriming Vine was the second song on the CD (and the second song Basia played at her concert in Philly!) and will always be one of my favorites. Whenever I missed AQ during my senior year (she had gone off to college) I would play that song, with 134 plays it is by far the most played of any of my Basia collection. There's nothing like daffodils in the spring time.
2.) Canadian
When I was young my family would always take summer vacations to Canada. My father had some sort of fascination with avoiding people and warm temperatures at all costs. Every August for 7 or 8 years we would take off in the station wagon or the Jetta and spend a few weeks in Nova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick or some combination of those provinces. Because of these frequent trips I developed most of my cherished childhood memories in places such as Kouchibouguac and Kejimkujik national parks, St. Andrews in Nova Scotia, and the serene Milford House. How is this connected to Basia? I think the connection is subtle. No we didn't have strong connections to the music of the area beyond the Macmasters and A Taste of the Maritimes. I did develop a strong connection with the outdoors and the sea (not to mention the poutine), many of Basia's songs deal with nature and Canada's beautiful landscapes which I I myself fell in love with as a child.
3.) Oh, My Darling
"We swam in the river, and sang with the birds. Gave away our hearts before we knew what they were." - I Was a Daughter
I'm not going to pretend I know exactly what Basia means by this, but it sounds eerily familiar to my dreamy summer romance. In fact Oh, My Darling was more or less a soundtrack to what was undoubtedly my favorite summer in recent memory. The album is just filled with genuine heartbreaking love songs that I've always been able to connect to personally (especially once the summer ended and it was time to head west). Oh, My Darling is everything I could ever want to express about that period of my life.
4.) Basia
All of this is without mentioning Basia herself. She has deep hallowing vocals, plays instruments ranging from the ukulele to the autoharp, and connects to all the music she performs. When you listen to Basia you get the feeling that she is just singing her heart out every time. She tours all the time and rarely charges ticket prices over $10. Her band includes her brother, "Allison Wonderland", and "Holly Rancher" (who pens her own fantastic blog). They drive across continents in a van together and play in beautiful little venues (mostly churches). I had the pleasure of meeting Basia at in Philadelphia, she was very personable and accessible, it was a real pleasure. Just seeing Basia is enough to make you smile.
I hope this clears up the reason for Basiacentricity here on UVPig. Don't forget to buy Heart of My Own and see Basia play for free at Summerstage August 1st in Central Park NY!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
So maybe I wasn't paying attention in 2008
These are the terrific results of my knowledge of 2008 songs (click on to enlarge), looks like I need to get back with it. Unfortunately I'm guessing my 2009 scores would be even worse.
You can try via Sporcle.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Top 50: Part II
40:Artist: Moonbabies
Learned About 'em: Probably on eMusic.
Ideas!: My favorite album is Moonbabies at the ballroom, really cool stuff. I haven't heard about them ever from somebody else so I'm assuming they're not terribly popular, but what do I know? They use keyboards and organs and glockenspiels all over the place, who could ask for more!
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: War on Sound is a very solid track, let's all listen to it now.
39:Artist: Coldplay
Learned About 'em: How does one learn about Coldplay?
Ideas!: There's not much to say about them, they became extremely popular after releasing Parachutes (which included the song Yellow. They've since gone on to sell out stadiums across the world and make oodles of money playing their brand of indie-rock. I'm still upset with Viva La Vida or whatever the album is actually called, plagiarism is wrong! Didn't they go to, oh I don't know, middle school!?!
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Some solid stuff, though I actually prefer some covers by the Vitamin String Quartet more than the originals.
38:Artist: The Format
Learned About 'em: Through a friend, Ms. Andersen.
Ideas!: This was the first band I ever saw play in concert at the Troc in Philly. They're named after the idea of bands today being “cookie-cutter” formatted, and while this band isn't in the same vein as stuff like Nickelback and whatever else is popular it isn't exactly cutting edge.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: The lead singer Nate Reuss has since gone on to found the band FUN, which is aslo, ok.
37:Artist: Spoon
Learned About 'em: EMU, SICK!
Ideas!: Very catchy bouncy stuff, I Turn My Camera On was featured in the Simpsons as well as a very amusing video of a bouncing green blob. Gimme Fiction is my favorite album, though to be fair I never got around to listening to Ga Ga Ga Ga... You would really be hard pressed not to start jivin' when Spoon comes on the stereo.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Good family entertainment.
36:Artist: Camera Obscura
Learned About 'em: eMusic.
Ideas!: Lot's of sorta catchy stuff, in fact I sometimes mistake them for Spoon and vice-versa. I'm still not super sure what a camera obscura is, although from what I can gather it is some sort of pinhole camera (apparently there is a gallery in Denver!). I would recommend them to anyone who also likes spoon, they're a bit more happy sorta stuff (sometimes).
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Let's get out of this country...
34:Artist: Pela
Learned About 'em: eMusic
Ideas!: Personally I was always a big fan of Pela. They only really had one record as far as I can tell, Anytown Graffiti. They have sort of raspy vocals and big instruments along with very abstract lyrics. I was hanging around Albums on the Hill and saw them in the bargain bin which made me sad, somebody listen to them! They disbanded in 2009.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Again, somebody listen to them!
34:Artist: Andy Stewart
Learned About 'em: Gabe.
Ideas!: Hmmmm, not much to say about this one... Irish folk singer.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Ahhh freedom is like gold, freedom is like gold.
33:Artist: Bishop Allen
Learned About 'em: AQ's Daffodils
Ideas!: I'm on my way to moving past The Broken String, I just haven't pressed the download button yet. He has a really adorable song called Butterfly Nets which I always equated with someone going off to college (It's all about someone leaving for greener pastures but having a place to come home to if they should falter). It took probably a year before I decided to pull the trigger and get some more and so I downloaded The Broken String, It begins with a neat song about the Monitor vs. the Merrimack and continues to be a pretty good record for the whole first half of the CD. It sort of tapers off after the 5th or 6th song to be sure well worth a listen though.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: One of my favorite lines! “If it's ever gonna get any better, it's gotta get worse for a day.” -Rain
32:Artist: Simon and Garfunkel
Learned About 'em: This is a Return to Castle Wolfenstein band if there ever was one.
Ideas!: I'm not going to pretend to know a lot of their songs but the ones I do know I really love, (I am a Rock, The Sound of Silence, Bridge Over Troubled Water...). If you haven't yet heard these gems, it's never too late to start. Art Garfunkel also appeared on Flight of the Conchords for an episode, it was quite hilarious.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Peaceful stuff you can reflect with.
31:Artist: TV On the Radio
Learned About 'em: Nate
Ideas!: What a romantic sort of place Cookie Mountain sounds like. I listened to Staring at the Sun on repeat once for an entire day as Nate can attest to, regardless it's an excellent song. Wolf Like Me seems to be their most popular track, which is understandable because it rocks. Really an overall good band to rock out to, recommended.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: If they were a fruit they would be a strawberry.
30:Artist: The Magnetic Fields
Learned About 'em: eMusic
Ideas!: What is not to love about Stephen Merrit? He amassed an album called 69 Love Songs which is indeed, 69 love songs. I began to download them off of eMusic but really 69 songs is quite a few so I turn to alternative means. I've always, always, always been a huge fan of Book of Love and so should the world (Hi Fig!), other gems include Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side, Let's Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits and others.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: So long as you like kinky cool sounds and whack lyrics, let's get magnetic!
Learned About 'em: Probably on eMusic.
Ideas!: My favorite album is Moonbabies at the ballroom, really cool stuff. I haven't heard about them ever from somebody else so I'm assuming they're not terribly popular, but what do I know? They use keyboards and organs and glockenspiels all over the place, who could ask for more!
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: War on Sound is a very solid track, let's all listen to it now.
39:Artist: Coldplay
Learned About 'em: How does one learn about Coldplay?
Ideas!: There's not much to say about them, they became extremely popular after releasing Parachutes (which included the song Yellow. They've since gone on to sell out stadiums across the world and make oodles of money playing their brand of indie-rock. I'm still upset with Viva La Vida or whatever the album is actually called, plagiarism is wrong! Didn't they go to, oh I don't know, middle school!?!
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Some solid stuff, though I actually prefer some covers by the Vitamin String Quartet more than the originals.
38:Artist: The Format
Learned About 'em: Through a friend, Ms. Andersen.
Ideas!: This was the first band I ever saw play in concert at the Troc in Philly. They're named after the idea of bands today being “cookie-cutter” formatted, and while this band isn't in the same vein as stuff like Nickelback and whatever else is popular it isn't exactly cutting edge.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: The lead singer Nate Reuss has since gone on to found the band FUN, which is aslo, ok.
37:Artist: Spoon
Learned About 'em: EMU, SICK!
Ideas!: Very catchy bouncy stuff, I Turn My Camera On was featured in the Simpsons as well as a very amusing video of a bouncing green blob. Gimme Fiction is my favorite album, though to be fair I never got around to listening to Ga Ga Ga Ga... You would really be hard pressed not to start jivin' when Spoon comes on the stereo.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Good family entertainment.
36:Artist: Camera Obscura
Learned About 'em: eMusic.
Ideas!: Lot's of sorta catchy stuff, in fact I sometimes mistake them for Spoon and vice-versa. I'm still not super sure what a camera obscura is, although from what I can gather it is some sort of pinhole camera (apparently there is a gallery in Denver!). I would recommend them to anyone who also likes spoon, they're a bit more happy sorta stuff (sometimes).
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Let's get out of this country...
34:Artist: Pela
Learned About 'em: eMusic
Ideas!: Personally I was always a big fan of Pela. They only really had one record as far as I can tell, Anytown Graffiti. They have sort of raspy vocals and big instruments along with very abstract lyrics. I was hanging around Albums on the Hill and saw them in the bargain bin which made me sad, somebody listen to them! They disbanded in 2009.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Again, somebody listen to them!
34:Artist: Andy Stewart
Learned About 'em: Gabe.
Ideas!: Hmmmm, not much to say about this one... Irish folk singer.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Ahhh freedom is like gold, freedom is like gold.
33:Artist: Bishop Allen
Learned About 'em: AQ's Daffodils
Ideas!: I'm on my way to moving past The Broken String, I just haven't pressed the download button yet. He has a really adorable song called Butterfly Nets which I always equated with someone going off to college (It's all about someone leaving for greener pastures but having a place to come home to if they should falter). It took probably a year before I decided to pull the trigger and get some more and so I downloaded The Broken String, It begins with a neat song about the Monitor vs. the Merrimack and continues to be a pretty good record for the whole first half of the CD. It sort of tapers off after the 5th or 6th song to be sure well worth a listen though.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: One of my favorite lines! “If it's ever gonna get any better, it's gotta get worse for a day.” -Rain
32:Artist: Simon and Garfunkel
Learned About 'em: This is a Return to Castle Wolfenstein band if there ever was one.
Ideas!: I'm not going to pretend to know a lot of their songs but the ones I do know I really love, (I am a Rock, The Sound of Silence, Bridge Over Troubled Water...). If you haven't yet heard these gems, it's never too late to start. Art Garfunkel also appeared on Flight of the Conchords for an episode, it was quite hilarious.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: Peaceful stuff you can reflect with.
31:Artist: TV On the Radio
Learned About 'em: Nate
Ideas!: What a romantic sort of place Cookie Mountain sounds like. I listened to Staring at the Sun on repeat once for an entire day as Nate can attest to, regardless it's an excellent song. Wolf Like Me seems to be their most popular track, which is understandable because it rocks. Really an overall good band to rock out to, recommended.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: If they were a fruit they would be a strawberry.
30:Artist: The Magnetic Fields
Learned About 'em: eMusic
Ideas!: What is not to love about Stephen Merrit? He amassed an album called 69 Love Songs which is indeed, 69 love songs. I began to download them off of eMusic but really 69 songs is quite a few so I turn to alternative means. I've always, always, always been a huge fan of Book of Love and so should the world (Hi Fig!), other gems include Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side, Let's Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits and others.
Chicka-dee-dee-dee: So long as you like kinky cool sounds and whack lyrics, let's get magnetic!
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