Cary Judd

I don't know how often I'll update. Maybe M-W-F or when I feel like it. It's not like anyone reads this anyway...However...today I'm going to talk about someone who's talent never ceases to amaze me. That is the music man known as Cary Judd. I only have one of his cds "Looking Back From Space" but I've listened to is sever times (just look at my play count...). But I don't want to talk about that, although it is amazing. I won't talk about how he told me he should be coming out with a new cd in October and I'm already saving up for it (that's a long process for the poor college student who i be). I want to talk about his live shows, which I've had the chance to experience on two very different occasions. The first time I heard him was as an opener for the family friendly group "Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band" at a outdoor venue where a third of the audience was children The next opportunity was at the Velour in Provo, where a third of the tiny audience had amazing beards and some pretty "independent" styles, as he opened for Rocky Votolato. What seemed to amaze me most first is how well he connected to both audiences. As did his music. It's rare to have someone who my "indie" friends will be willing to chill to as much as my parents will listen to. Let me tell you, when he first came out on stage with just his guitar and snare drum i was like...alright...but then he started up. From the start I was spellbound. His work with the pedals was mindblowing, and seemingly effortless on his part. He even sang into his guitar. But probably the highlight for me was a song he sang both times that he peformed called Sarah which i think he said would be on his new album he's working on which should be due this fall (i'll offer updates on that for sure). There is something divine about a man with just a guutar and harmonica, Bob Dylan, Rocky Votolato, and now Cary. I've attatched a link to a video of him performing this live.
In his biography on his facebook page he says "My songs, as trite as it sounds, are short snap shots of my life." And I don't know many other musicians who share themselves as well as he does. That's pretty much all from me. I'm not good at writing, but this is just for me anyway.

-namewithheld

his website

spreading "the rumors"

After returning from a two year hiatus from normal life, a lot of catching up has had to be one. Mainly in the 'music' and 'movie' department. Multi-tasking media is always a little tricky, and so listen to everything I want to has been rough stuff. But about a week ago i came across an album I had been looking forward to, but seem to have forgotten for the past few months. So I'm just going to throw out a little something about Socratic's sophomore album "Spread the Rumors" from the Drive thru record label.
I like the sound of this album way more than "Lunch for the Sky," being more partial to a smoother sound. Honestly I wasn't sure what to expect, Lunch was sketchy for me, but I loved their EP "Just Turn" (probably in part because it was free...). I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. From the music to the lyrics I enjoyed the whole ride. A little more piano would be nice, but may have had a negative effect on the overall feel of album. A few highlights for me:
-A Boy in a Magazine. One of my favorite things about the album is Duane Okun's new vocal style. So smooth and rounded. Boy in a Magazine is the best example of this on the whole album. So much so, in fact, that I almost thought that the vocals were too quiet.
-Haven't Seen you in Years. This is probably my favorite song on the album right now. It makes me think back to my high school crush who I was just too scared to talk to. It's just like the version on their "Just Turn" EP.
-Diamond in the Coal. Here, towards the end of the album I finally find some amazing piano. The feeling that comes into me from the very first notes is an odd mix of numbness and excitement
The rest of the album is good as well. The music sticks like rice and makes me smile like an idiot. It's hard to find an album as of late that doesn't sound like every other album out there. And while the rest of the bands in the world dilute into one bland, generic sound Socratic and "Spread the Rumors" really is a diamond in the coal. Now I just hope they tour somewhere close enough for me to see them.

-namewithheld