Tag: music

Another fantastic band that I’ve just started to appreciate. A lot. I can’t wait for their new album coming out later this year.

 

Why did it take me so long to discover this magnificent band? Their music is breathtaking. I’ve been listening to their entire discography nonstop for the past 2-3 days.

Raw. Powerful.

Here are my favorite albums of 2015, in no particular order:

• Polaris by TesseracT
• Currents by Tame Impala
• New Bermuda by Deafheaven
• What Went Down by Foals
• Carrie and Lowell by Sufjan Stevens
• Choose Your Weapon by Haitus Kaiyote
• The Direction of Last Things by Intronaut
• Coma Ecliptic by Between the Buried and Me
• Node by Northlane
• VII: Sturm und Drang by Lamb of God
• The Book of Souls by Iron Maiden

If I had to pick one album as “Karan’s album of the year” (I need a more creative name for this award) for 2015 I would have to say that would be Carrie and Lowell by Sufjan Stevens.

Carrie and Lowell was my first introduction to the musical genius of Sufjan Stevens. I was blown away by his ability to take something sad from his life and turn it into a beautiful (yet immensely sad) body of music. Each song on this album is breathtaking; the (simple yet complex) music, his wonderful voice, and the powerful lyrics all work together to create something magical.

Not seeing Sufjan Stevens live at Fox Theater, Oakland is one of my disappointments of 2015.

I’ve been listening to a lot of instrumental music the past 2-3 days. The Shape of Colour is wonderful album.

On Friday I had the opportunity to see two of favorite bands, Skyharbor and TesseracT, perform live in San Francisco. It was sublime. I got to meet TesseracT before the show (as part of the VIP ticket experience) and it was a bit surreal meeting some of my musical heroes. I talked to them briefly about life on tour, which bands they’re listening to, and (the beautiful city of) San Francisco. The show was was incredible. All 4 bands (Skyharbor, Erra, The Contortionist, and TesseracT) put on a great show. This was definitely one of the best shows I’ve been to all year. Seeing TesseracT live is a treat for the senses.

The year is 2013. I’d just graduated college. I was trying to find a place to live in Mountain View. And Deafheaven had released Sunbather.

I heard about the album on the music websites I frequent. I read the rave reviews, the glowing words of praise. Of course I decided to give it a listen. And, I disliked it. A lot. I was aghast. “How is this music? This is noise! I can’t understand what the singer is saying. Where is the melody?”

Fast forward to October 4th 2015.

I live in SF now. I’ve lost weight since 2013, and gained ear piercings. In fact, I like to think I’ve changed quite a bit since I graduated college.

Two days ago Deafheaven released New Bermuda.

Once more the amazing reviews come flooding in. Praise for their new album is sky high.

“So you didn’t like them in 2013. But your musical tastes have expanded now! You’d be hurting yourself if you don’t check out Sunbather and then New Bermuda.” These are the thoughts wandering about in my head as I open up Spotify and start listening to Sunbather.

And I finally get it. I finally understand what those reviews were talking about two years ago. In the noise there is beauty. The guitars, the vocals, the furious drumming; they all work together to paint a picture that has to be experienced. I look up the lyrics and like everything else about this band I’m amazed by how tragically beautiful they are; amazed by how much emotion is buried in them.

After listening to Sunbather a couple of times I move on to New Bermuda with high expectations. I was not disappointed in the slightest. It is definitely an aural masterpiece.

I think this transition of musical appreciation is one of the most clear examples I’ve seen of my non-physical personal evolution.