web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Category: Releases

the-newest-songs-you-can-get-along-with-great-reissues-in-new-formats

  • Ron Block’s new album, Walking Song

    Ron Block’s new album, Walking Song

    Bluegrass star Ron Block has just come out with a new album called Walking Song…

    I discovered Ron Block’s music when I discovered Alison Krauss and Union Station (AKUS), a band that has made bluegrass stylish. Ever since the hit 2000 film O Brother Where Art Thou?, with its very bluegrass inspired soundtrack, more and more people are listening to bluegrass and its hybrids. Ron Block is a singer, songwriter, banjo player, producer, and all around neat guy. He’s written a lot of songs for AKUS, but he’s also nurtured talent, his own and up and coming star, Sierra Hull, who performs on Block’s brand new album, Walking Song.

    Knowing about Ron Block’s music, I was especially excited to hear about Block’s new album Walking Song. It had been too long since his last effort. Back in 2007, he released DoorWay, which I bought and loved. Six years prior to that, he released Faraway Land, which was also well-received. Though he stays busy, Ron Block seems to be stuck in a six year cycle when it comes to putting out his own music.

    Even though I was in the midst of a big move when Block’s Walking Song hit the shelves on July 31st, I made sure to order it as soon as I could get to a computer with Internet access. It got to me this past Saturday and, I have to say, Ron Block has done it again! Joined by the likes of AKUS bandmates Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, and Barry Bales, Block also has his protege Sierra Hull playing mandolin on several tracks. He’s also enlisted Suzanne and Evelyn Cox of the Cox Family to sing harmony on a few songs. Well-respected artists like Stuart Duncan, Sam Bush, and Rob Ickes also put in performances, populating this album with some very high quality musicians.

    Ron Block co-wrote most of the songs on this album; there are a couple of traditional numbers as well that Block has skillfully arranged. The lyrics on this album were contributed by Rebecca Reynolds. I am not very familiar with her work yet, but I have a feeling I’ll be learning more about her now. She really has a way with words.

    I couldn’t wait to pop my new CD in my computer and give it a spin. Here are my thoughts on Ron Block’s Walking Song so far.

    The music on Walking Song

    The first song is the very pleasant title track, “Walking Song”. Block’s tenor is comforting as he sings alliterative lyrics by Rebecca Reynolds. Kate Rusby offers warm, feminine harmony vocals on this charming love song. “Walking Song” features clever lyrics that creatively turn phrases into a love story. Matched by Block’s expressive music, the words come to life and turn the title song into a fine introduction.

    The tempo picks up for “Devil In The Strawsack”, which is a traditional instrumental romp arranged by Block and played by Ron Block, Barry Bales, Sierra Hull, and Stuart Duncan. I love these instrumentals on bluegrass albums because they’re egalitarian. Everyone has a chance to shine and they’re just a lot of fun to listen to without the complication of lyrics.

    “Jordan, Carry Me” is another collaboration between Ron Block and Rebecca Reynolds. Stuart Duncan plays a haunting fiddle intro which breaks into a somber melody featuring Dan Tyminski singing harmony. It’s no secret that Ron Block’s music is often spiritual. While I am not particularly religious, I appreciate well-written songs, regardless of the subject matter. Tyminski and Block sound great together and Reynold’s lyrics are very intelligent and impressive.

    Gentle acoustic guitar kicks off the pretty song, “Ivy”. This song has a very traditional sound, though it was written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block. Block sings and skillfully accompanies himself on acoustic guitar. I really like this song, with its simple melody beautifully played on Block’s guitar. It reminds me of an Irish tune, complete with sweet lyrics about coming home.

    “Summer’s Lullaby” is a lovely, gentle song in waltzing rhythm. Kate Rusby sings a sweet harmony vocal to Ron Block’s lead. If you’re looking for a bluegrass styled lullaby, this is a good one to drift off to sleep to.

    Banjo accented “Nickel Tree Line” has the sound of song that could have just as easily been recorded by AKUS. Indeed, Alison Krauss lends her sublime soprano to the harmony line and fellow AKUS players Barry Bales and Jerry Douglas join in. Stuart Duncan’s fiddle blisters on this very strong track. I like it, but it makes me miss AKUS. It’s nice to have this song to tide me over until the next AKUS release.

    Ever since I heard Alison Krauss and The Cox Family sing on 2004’s I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, I have really admire The Cox Family. Suzanne Cox joins Ron Block on “Let There Be Beauty”, another song that sounds very Celtic complete with subtle whistles on the chorus.

    Next is a gorgeous arrangement of the spiritual, “What Wondrous Love Is This?”. Block plays banjo, National Duolian, and guitar, while Jeff Taylor contributes accompaniment on the pipe organ and accordion. The end result is a hauntingly beautiful treatment of a very classic song.

    “The Fields of Aidlewinn” is another dramatic song featuring Dan Tyminski singing harmony and Sierra Hull playing mandolin and octave mandolin. John Joe Kelly’s bodhran drum and Jeff Taylor’s subtle accordion give this track sort of an Irish world music feel. I follow Ron Block on Facebook and I know he spent time in Scotland and Ireland recently. I can really hear the influence on this album.

    “Chase Me to The Ocean” is another pretty song inspired by Block’s spiritual side. The melody is lovely, with its lullaby quality and vivid lyrics, again penned by Rebecca Reynolds, whose obvious songwriting talents are growing more and more impressive to me. Kate Rusby is back, singing a very soothing harmony. Block obviously wanted her peaceful sound on the songs that have that lullaby quality meant to relax listeners into restlessness. I am smiling as this song ends.

    Right about now, it’s time for another bluegrass romp. This time, it’s a traditional number called “Shortnin’ Bread”. This is a lot of fun to listen to and it sounds like Block and his band had a ball recording it. I dare you to try to resist tapping your toes!

    “Colors” is another languid track featuring acoustic guitar and accordion. Dan Tyminski plays mandolin and I am caught up again by the interesting lyrics. I get the sense this is a song about down and out people trying to survive an impersonal city through music and the company of misfits.

    “Sunshine Billy” is sort of an upbeat bluesy track with perky accordion accents that make me think of France. Suzanne Cox is back on harmony and Buddy Greene plays a sizzling harmonica solo. This is a fun song that sort of offers a contrast to the more serious numbers on Walking Song. I think this is my favorite song on this album.

    The last song is “Rest, My Soul”. Written by Ron Block and Rebecca Reynolds, this song sounds like a very old and traditional hymn. It’s pretty and graceful, with a waltzing rhythm and lush, warm, harmony vocals by Evelyn and Suzanne Cox. This track gives me goosebumps. It’s just gorgeous.

    Overall

    I really like Walking Song. I think I was more impressed by 2007’s DoorWay, but that’s probably because it was the first of Block’s solo efforts that I paid a lot of attention to. DoorWay also features the stellar and wise track, “Someone”, which I just love. I think Walking Song is as strong an effort as DoorWay was. They are different in that Walking Song seems more traditional and Celtic, while DoorWay had some fantasy elements. I will have to listen to Faraway Land again to see which of Block’s three albums I like best. Let’s just say that I think if you enjoy Ron Block’s music, you will enjoy this latest effort. Walking Song is a well-crafted and very enjoyable album.

    Ron Block and Sierra Hull play “Walking Song”.

  • PAUL’S TOP 100 OF 2010 – PART 1: 100-91 “Who cares if you disagree. You are not me”

    Starting this weekend through to the end of the year, with the help of my Inner Casey Kasem, I will be posting my own personal Top 100 Songs of 2010 on my facebook page (to be followed by summary blocks here on SonicClash.com). These are the songs that have rocked my world (or at least my car stereo) the hardest for the last 12 months.

    My eligibilty rules for the songs are as follows:

    Songs must have been released on an album domestically, or charted as a single domestically or internationally, in 2010. Songs that appeared on a 2009 album are eligible to appear if they were released or spent most of their chart life as a single in 2010.

    Because rules are made to be broken, there are two exceptions to the rules above on my list: Both songs were released on albums in late 2009 (and both those albums were represented in my 2009 list), and probably shoulda-coulda been released as singles this year but never were. One of the songs was licensed prominently for a wireless service commercial (featuring the artist) and also showed up in an episode of a prime time TV series. The other was an album highlight so loved by the artist’s audience as to inspire a couple of facebook groups lobbying for it to be the artist’s next single.

    There is one song on the list from an album released late in 2008, but which charted as a single earlier this year.

    There are two songs that I included in my 2009 list that ended up becoming U.S. Top 20 pop hits in 2010. If I hadn’t already included them on my 2009 list, they’d be here. They are “All the Right Moves” by OneRepublic and “Bulletproof” by La Roux.

    There are a total of 91 artists represented in my Top 100, including artists listed as featured artists on songs.

    One artist is represented 4 times. Two more appear 3 times. The artist who topped my 2009 list is here twice. The artist who tops my list this year is also represented twice.

    53 of the 91 artists are American. 22 are from the UK. 5 from Canada. 3 from Sweden; and there’s one each from Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, France and Australia.

    3 of the songs on this list have gone to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 4 of them have topped the Billboard Country Chart. 3 were #1 in Canada. 6 were #1 in the UK.

    And away we go:

    #100
    #100: “LOVER, LOVER” by JERROD NIEMANN
    Singer-songwriter Jerrod Niemann’s career has had a few false starts, but things changed when he became the first act signed to Brad Paisley’s label Sea Gayle, and what a first act! His debut single for the label – a cover of a 1993 single by the Australian folk-rock group Sonia Dada – hit #1 on the country charts and even crossed over to the Pop Top 40. I love the harmonies in this song… and Jerrod sang all of them himself. Just like Billy Joel and “For the Longest Time”.

    #99
    #99: “I DON’T BELIEVE YOU” by THE THERMALS
    Portland, Oregon’s Thermals are better known for writing nerdily incisive, political punk rock rants. Their latest album ‘Personal Life’ is a collection of nerdily incisive songs about, like, relationships and stuff. In other words: Suck it, Dianne Warren. Bite me, Danielle Steele. The video for the album’s first single stars former Sleater-Kinney guitarist and current NPR blogger Carrie Brownstein.

    #98
    #98: “MIAMI 2 IBIZA” by SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA vs. TINIE TEMPAH
    “I told her ‘wear suspenders and some PVC and then I’ll film it all up on my JVC’.” Probably the best dance song about making naughty home videos since the Andrea True Connection. I’m only slightly ashamed to admit that London rapper Tinie Tempah’s accent makes the song’s trashiness seem more palatable. But I also love the way he strings together initials with the skill of a government agent or military officer.

    #97
    #97: “STOP FOR A MINUTE” by KEANE and K’NAAN
    One of the more unexpected collaborations of the year, Brit-poppers Keane were joined by Somali-Canadian rapper K’Naan for this fine little sing-along duet. And this wasn’t a one-off: K’Naan co-wrote and sang on two tracks from Keane’s latest album Night Train. The other one, “Looking Back” is built around an interpolation of Bill Conti’s theme from Rocky.

    #96
    #96: “FIRE WITH FIRE” by SCISSOR SISTERS
    Four years ago, they were channeling Leo Sayer, but the lead single from the Sisters’ long-awaited third album Night Work sounds like a long lost movie soundtrack power-ballad by Survivor. If I were doing a countdown of my favorite videos of the year, this one would probably be in the Top 10. To me, it’s a just a perfect combination of song and visuals, and I have a weakness for gratuitous public displays of awesomeness.

    #95
    #95: “KING OF ANYTHING” by SARA BAREILLES
    “You’ve got opinions, man. We’re all entitled to ’em. But I never asked. So let me thank you for your time and try not to waste any more of mine…get outta here, fast.” Sara Bareilles makes her toast to the douchebags! Taylor Swift may name the names of the ex-boyfriends she’s writing about, but Sara Bareilles is the girlfriend I would never cross. She’d write a song taking me down with more withering disdain and biting sarcasm than a Sarah Palin speech – only way, way sweeter – and make me love the song enough to sing along with it and share it with everyone on my facebook page.

    #94
    #94: “THE RABBIT” by MIIKE SNOW
    What N*E*R*D is to the Neptunes, Miike Snow is to Bloodshy & Avant, the Swedish production duo behind Britney Spears’s “Toxic”. Miike Snow’s self-titled debut album has been likened to a cross between a-ha and Animal Collective, but this song sounds more like it might have been written for Adam Lambert. And it’s video is so NSFW: A bearded Arnold Jackson, dressed like an early 20th Century colonial governor and flanked by a harem of scantily clad and oh-so-flexible women (who all look like they came out of 80s rap videos), snorts the cartoon essence of 2 Live Crew during a re-enactment of the As Nasty As They Wanna Be cover shoot. Much sand humping ensues.

    #93
    #93: “I WANT THE WORLD TO STOP” by BELLE & SEBASTIAN
    Now that nobody’s paying attention, Stuart Murdoch and his band Belle & Sebastian (which he’d formed with ex-bandmate Stuart David in the mid-90s as a school project) are making some of the best music of their career as demonstrated on the Glaswegian band’s 8th studio album Belle & Sebastian Write About Love. I love the low-key urgency of this song, and it’s heightened in the video by the constantly shifting camera angles that suggest movement while the band members themselves stay planted in their spots. There’s also something endearingly un-rockstar-ish about the band’s stage presence. My facebook buddy Brian says of Stuart Murdoch: “he obviously has a fine sense of rhythm, [but] he looks and moves like someone who doesn’t, at all; he reminds me of my Uncle Gordon (MIT School of Engineering) back when he’d only had his first one or two strokes.”

    #92
    #92: “ON MELANCHOLY HILL” by GORILLAZ
    As romantic, sweet, and sad as its title would suggest. This is one of my favorite Damon Albarn vocals ever, understated, uncharacteristically unironic. I love the line “you are my medicine when you’re close to me”, and I always get strangely choked up when he gets to the part about the manatee.

    #91
    #91: “ANIMAL ARITHMETIC” by JONSI
    In which he lead singer of Iceland’s Sigur Ros demonstrates that he does indeed have a non-falsetto register. Also: percussion. Frenzied layers of booming and clashing percussion. The kick drum is ready for its close-up, Mr. DeMille.

    And that’s it for now. Click here for #90-81.

  • Oh yeah, and there’s a bonus track too!

    The Gang of Four Is More Deluxe Than You
    Now this is what I call deluxe! With the CD in decline and digital downloads ascendant, a lot of artists and record companies have been going to strange lengths lately to get people to buy actual physical product. But, as evidenced by this blurb about their latest album, British aggro-dance-punk elder statesmen Gang of Four have taken the notion of deluxe (not to mention the notion of physical media – at least in a “pop” context) to a whole new level:

    As pictured on the cover of the all-new Gang of Four album C O N T E N T , The Ultimate C O N T E N T Can will contain, a CD copy of the album and, in the band’s own words, “an art piece Jon and Andy have done on ceramic tiles depicting the last 40 years of world history, a book of lyrics, a book of Rotoscoped photographs of the band’s emotions, vials of band members’ blood and a scratch and sniff booklet which reflects the key areas of human activity.” Also included is the exclusive bonus track “2nd Life.”

    Now, how much would you pay? ($49.99)