What's The Guru Listening To --- December Edition

Welcome to the December Edition of What’s the Guru Listening To? I get asked this question a lot. What am I currently enjoying and what would I recommend? And since time is severely limited these days, it gets harder and harder to post a full review of the outstanding music that I am discovering (or re-discovering). Therefore, every month I will fill you in on the latest song, album, and/or band that I am obsessed with.

Here's what The Guru is listening to this month:

Brian Fallon – If Your Prayers Don’t Get To Heaven  

Brian Fallon, former lead singer for the band that is on indefinite hiatus, The Gaslight Anthem, is gearing up to release his second solo record Sleepwalkers. That record will be released in February of next year, but Fallon has gifted us with the second single, “If Your Prayers Don’t Get To Heaven.” The first single, “Forget Me Not” was magnificent and the latest release is just as grand. “If Your Prayers Don’t Get To Heaven” is another foot stomping, hand clapping, 50’s rock inspired masterpiece. The music is tremendous and Fallon’s strongest talent, lyric writing, shines brightly once again. If all the songs on Sleepwalkers are going to be this good then give me the album now and don’t make me wait until February!

Diamonds – Elton John

Sir Elton John released a massive 3-disc collection (available as a single disc or double disc too) last month and I’ve given it several listens since then. With classics like “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” “Sad Songs (Say So Much),” and “Mama Can’t Buy You Love” how could I not listen to this several times over? I’ve always enjoyed Elton John’s music and even though I have almost all his hits compilations, this one had to be added to the collection. If you only own or listen to one Elton John collection, this is the one it should be. Diamonds is just a massive gathering of his ultimate hits.

Lord Huron

I don’t know why it took me so long to find this band, but better late than never I suppose. Lord Huron is an amazing indie folk band that reminds me of an amalgam of The Strumbellas, The Head and The Heart, and The Revivalists. “She Lit A Fire” is my current favorite track, but as time goes on I know that I am going to find several more Lord Huron songs that are going to become favorites. I will most likely add this band to my 2018 to see in concert list as well. Lord Huron is just terrific music that moves me, finding me swaying in my seat and smiling. And the good news is that Mrs. Vie really likes the band too. Which will give us the opportunity to enjoy them in concert together.

From Good Homes

Obviously since I was seeing them live in December I was listening to From Good Homes. They are a local Northwest New Jersey grassroots jam band that was huge for a short period of time in the mid-90s and then abruptly split up. Eight years ago, they got back together for reunion shows in our area and have been performing every December since. In preparation for this concert I was listening to some deeper cuts like “Way To Go Pam,” “There She Goes,” “Go Wild,” and “Gettin’ Dirty.” If you aren’t familiar with From Good Homes I recommend that you check them out as a New Year resolution. Who knows? You may find yourself taking a trip to Northwest New Jersey next December to see them in concert.  

Traditional Holiday Music

Every December I break out the holiday tunes and get into the joyful spirit! And every December I seem to gravitate toward one particular genre of holiday music. Some years it’s indie holiday songs, some years it’s rock and roll Christmas music, some years it’s classical. This year I found myself listening to the traditional classics more and more. Songs like “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole, “Frosty The Snowman,” by Gene Autry and “We Need A Little Christmas” by Percy Faith.  I’ve always enjoyed the traditional music from the 40s and 50s and find that the holiday songs from that era are wonderful. I know that come December 26^th I will trade in the holiday tunes for the new rock albums I am (hopefully) getting from Santa Claus, but I will continue to enjoy the traditional Christmas music up until then!

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What's The Guru Listening To? --- November Edition

Welcome to the November Edition of What’s the Guru Listening To? I get asked this question a lot. What am I currently enjoying and what would I recommend? And since time is severely limited these days, it gets harder and harder to post a full review of the outstanding music that I am discovering (or re-discovering). Therefore, every month I will fill you in on the latest song, album, and/or band that I am obsessed with.

Here's what The Guru is listening to this month:

Brian Fallon – Forget Me Not

Brian Fallon, former lead singer for the band that is on indefinite hiatus, The Gaslight Anthem, is gearing up to release his second solo record Sleepwalkers. That record will be released in February of next year, but Fallon has gifted us with the first single, “Forget Me Not.” It is an amazing, hand clapping, foot stomping, bar rocking song that I can’t get enough of. The song is magnificent and I recommend that anyone reading this give the song a listen right now. You will not be disappointed and you may have just discovered your new favorite song. I cannot wait for the entire album to come out this February.

Pop Evil – Waking Lions

Like Brian Fallon, Pop Evil will also be releasing a brand-new record in February. Their fifth release is going to be a self-titled record and the lead single, “Waking Lions” is available now. I’m sure that I say this every time Pop Evil puts out something new, but “Waking Lions” could be their best song yet. It’s a heavy, hard rocking anthem that I absolutely love. Pop Evil has never let me down and each time I learn that they are coming out with new music I get extremely excited. Waking Lions is another masterpiece that is bound to climb to the top of the hard rock charts and be another gem for Pop Evil. 

Count On Me – Default

I was listening to Tune In Radio one evening (I don’t remember which station, but I know it was one from Canada) when this song came on. I had pretty much forgotten about Default after their debut album, so it was nice to realize that they released a few more records after that. “Count On Me” is a spectacular song that left me wondering why I hadn’t paid more attention to this band since their initial CD. I’m sure that will change now. I’ve listened to “Count On Me” quite a bit this month and I anticipate that I will be listening to all of Defaults’ releases over the next few weeks. They are a great band that I let slip away, but now I am ready to embrace them once again.

Iron Maiden – Book Of Souls: Live Chapter

Iron Maiden was kind enough to bless us with an early holiday treat this month, The Book Of Souls: Live Chapter. As has been the case with most of their previous albums since the return of Bruce Dickinson, Maiden released a live album from the tour of the previous studio album. In this case, it was the Book Of Souls Tour. The songs captured on the live album are taken from several stops on their world tour including Europe, North America, and South America. Sadly, there are no cuts from the USA stops, but that’s all right. It’s still live Maiden which means it’s good enough to add to the collection. This round of live material includes six songs from The Book Of Souls, an exceptional live version of “Children Of The Damned,” and an incredible “Fear Of The Dark,” which was recorded in Brazil. Those of you that prefer to see your Iron Maiden instead of hearing your Iron Maiden need not fear: there is also a Blu Ray release available. And either would make an awesome holiday gift for the metal lover in your life.

Classic Holiday Music

I will be the first to admit that it is a little early to break out the Christmas music, but I couldn’t seem to help myself! I love this time of the season when the year is coming to a close, the holidays are upon us, the Thanksgiving Feast is ready to be served and the joy of the Christmas season is all around. Normally I wait until the Monday after Thanksgiving to play the Christmas tunes, but I got bit early this year by the holiday song bug. And the classic holiday tracks also seem to relax me and fill me with joy. This month I’ve listened to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and “Good King Wenceslas,” “Must Be Santa” by Mitch Miller, “Home For The Holidays” by Perry Como, and “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” and “Silver Bells” by Andy Williams. I know that next month I will listen to Holiday songs almost exclusively, but they sound pretty grand in November too! 

Comments are open. Feel free to post some. 

What's The Guru Listening To? - October Edition

Welcome to the October Edition of What’s the Guru Listening To? I get asked this question a lot. What am I currently enjoying and what would I recommend? And since time is severely limited these days, it gets harder and harder to post a full review of the outstanding music that I am discovering (or re-discovering). Therefore, every month I will fill you in on the latest song, album, and/or band that I am obsessed with.

Here's what The Guru is listening to this month:

Pearl Jam – Let’s Play Two

Pearl Jam has released the soundtrack to their new film, Let’s Play Two. The film is a documentary that captures moments from Pearl Jam’s 2016 concerts at Wrigley Field on August 20^th and 22^nd. It also explores the Chicago Cubs historic run to winning the 2016 World Series. While the documentary film won’t be available on home video until November 17^th, the soundtrack is out now and I have been consuming it this October. The album opens with an amazing “Low Light” and features some of the best moments of the two-night stand. Eddie Vedder’s tribute to the Cubs, “All The Way” is captured as well as the band’s stupendous cover of “I’ve Got A Feeling.” Other highlights include “Black,” “Inside Job,” and one of the best versions of “Crazy Mary” that I’ve ever listened to. It is just grand!

L.A. Guns – The Missing Peace

The great 80s hair metal band L.A. Guns are back with a brand-new album, The Missing Peace. What makes this album significant is that it is the first studio album in 15 years to feature guitarist Traci Guns and singer Phil Lewis. Patience is a virtue and it paid off in a big way with the release of this record. The Missing Peace is an incredible album that hits the hair metal sweet spot just right. The hard rocking “The Devil Made Me Do It” compares to any song that L.A. Guns have ever released, and may be the best song the band ever recorded. The ballad “Christine” is a joy to listen to and reminiscent of magnificent ballads from days gone by. All told, The Missing Peace is a spectacular work of art and I am hoping that L.A. Guns will be at M3 next year to perform songs from this release.

Cold War Kids – Bitter Poem

This exceptional song came out in 2013 and over this past month I must have listened to it 100 times or more. “Bitter Poem” is a hauntingly beautiful song filled with real, raw emotion. The music is intense and the lyrics are masterful. “Bitter Poem” is deep and poignant and brilliant. I’m still not sure what the song is exactly about even after all this time and all these listens, but I think that makes the song stronger. It certainly makes me carefully listen and examine the lyrics.  

Grouplove

This sensational band is going to be the opening act at the Imagine Dragons concert I am going to see in Newark, New Jersey, so I’ve been brushing up on their songs and their albums. I’ve been a fan of the band since I first heard their debut record, Never Trust a Happy Song. Their music is decidedly different from most of what I listen to which is just one of the reasons that I enjoy them so much. And since I’ve never seen Grouplove or Imagine Dragons in concert, this is a night of live music that I am really looking forward to. I’m hopeful to hear “Lovely Cup,” “Colours,” and “Ways To Go.” I’m certain that they will play one of those songs, but with a little luck maybe I will get to hear all three of them live. That would get the night off to a grand start!  

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