My latest trip to the Library

Every so often I will go to the local library and scour the music section for anything that looks even moderately interesting, and check it out. This way of getting music has given me a lot of exposure to bands that I wouldn't normally listen to. Even though I very strongly oppose illegally downloading music, I somehow justify this to myself. I feel dirty every time I do it, but I wouldn't be buying this music otherwise so I figure this isn't so bad.

The first album I put in was "Comfort Eagle" by CAKE. The best way I can describe it is odd. It's very different from what most would consider "normal." They make me think of a laid back version of Wezzer with trumpets. I also really enjoy some of the titles of their songs like "Meanwhile, Rick James..." or "Opera Singer." I really look forward to listening to it more.

The second CD I downloaded was "Hopes and Fears" by Keane. The name sounded familiar when I was looking at the CD so I grabbed it. My first impression was a really soft rock, very similar to Coldplay. I immediately recognized the track "Everybody's Changing" from a ton of movies and various other sources. The rest of the album is stuff that is very similar to that song, but not quite as powerful.

Next was "By the Way" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. My favorite track so far is "Can't Stop." I just love how extremely funky it is. There are a few songs that really intrigue me enough to learn them on the guitar, and this was one of them. I'm looking forward to listening to them more, mostly because it seems like everyone else but me listens to them and knows their songs.

"Alive 2007" by Daft Punk was the next album to enter my computer. Techno and dance are two more genres that I haven't delved into much yet, so I figure I would get a good start with Daft Punk. When I picked it up, I was hoping that it wasn't a live album, but it is and it doesn't seem to matter much. The only song I recognized on there was "One more time." It might take a little bit for me to appreciate dance music, but it could eventually happen.

Up next was "The very best of Buddy Guy" by Buddy Guy (that's a shocker). For those of you who don't know, Buddy Guy is a world renowned blues guitarist who I hear about all the time in guitar magazines and documentaries, but i've never actually listened to him. The reason the blues is so great is because anyone can play it and its a very pure form of music. The only thing that bugs me is the quality of the recordings, but that was unavoidable because of when they were recorded. You can really hear where a lot of classic rock guitarist got some of their style when listening to these early electric blues guitarists. It's harder for me to listen to the blues than it is to play it. Playing blues can be really fun, especially when it's improv, because it's all right on the spot and it's a very pure form of expression.

Quite honestly, I put in the album I got by James Blunt, heard the first few words, remembered that he is that guy that did the "you're beautiful" song and took the CD out. If I had bought it, I would have snapped it in half. Seriously.

That sums up my first recorded trip to the library.