Bridging The Verse

Alex Boyd Performs Live

Kris.G — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:11:41 +0000

A few months back, I got a song in my Soundcloud drop box and loved it. It was a new soulful voice in the world of autotune mania. It was a breath of fresh air in the heartbreak that is 808s. It was Alex Boyd and the song was “Light Up Tonight.” In the months following this song post, I’ve talked to Alex quite a bit and have been able to follow his progression through his ever growing career. Now signed under Jive, he is working on his first album to be released in the future. For those of you lucky enough to be in the West Hollywood area on September 18, you’ll have quite the show to see. However, for those of us who aren’t on the west coast, here’s a small taste of what Alex does live.

Alex sang The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America last week at a Dodgers game. Unfortunately, his performance was not broadcast. Luckily, we’ve got a cell phone recording of each song. And even though, it’s not television HD quality, it’s all you need to hear Alex win over the crowd with his amazing vocals.

Alex performs the National Anthem

Alex performs God Bless America

Robert Randolph & The Family Band – Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That

Kris.G — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:01:24 +0000

Although this song came out 4 years ago, I just heard for the first time fairly recently. From the slide guitar to the hard hitting bass, I just totally dig this song. Lyrically, there’s not much to it but “it don’t matter.” It’s just really catchy with the backing female hook and the 1, 2 hand claps throughout. Sometimes I feel like I’m listening to something that could’ve come out in the 70s or 80s or 90s or today.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band – Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That [YSI]

Speaking of this soulful, funky music, check out my bonus post today.

Two for Tuesday | End of Summer

Kris.G — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:57:22 +0000

Well yesterday was Labor Day so it marks the end of Summer for many people in the US. However, I’m about 3 days behind on posts because I took a short trip over the weekend and didn’t post. So here are two summer classics to round out summer with.

Don Henley – Boys of Summer [YSI]

Drifters – Under The Boardwalk [YSI]

(Media Fire was down at time of posting. Those links will be up ASAP)

Friday is for COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!! | Kernkraft 400

Kris.G — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:48:20 +0000

College football starts this weekend!! So pumped for the season. And being a Penn State alum, I still come back to many of their home games. One of the staple songs of Beaver Stadium is Zombie Nation. Getting 110,000 people to bounce in their seats creating the possibility of a structural damage after a huge play with all the noise is unlike any other football experience you can have.

WE ARE!

Kernkraft 400 – Zombie Nation [YSI]

Throwback Thursday | Black Sheep

Kris.G — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:36:13 +0000

About 2 years ago, I really got into Fatman Scoop after having the opportunity to see him live and I always really enjoyed his track “Be Faithful.” However, for whatever reason, I never thought about looking into the samples he used in it. Then yesterday, I saw Black Sheep’s “The Choice is Yours” and as soon as I heard that ‘Engine engine number 9′ I knew what I was listening to. Considered one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time, this 1991 song has made it’s appearance through music since it’s initial release.

Black Sheep – The Choice Is Yours [YSI]

Two for Tuesday | Tenacious D

Kris.G — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:13:37 +0000

Felt like spicing it up today with a little comedic music from Jack Black and Kyle Gass. I actually really like their song “Kielbasa” for its musicality. And “Explosivo,” well it’s “Explosivo.” That’s enough reason. And for anyone who didn’t get a chance to see their 2006 movie, The Pick of Destiny, don’t, just don’t.

Tenacious D – Kielbasa [YSI]

Tenacious D – Explosivo [YSI]

Brenton Duvall – Against a Mad World (Tupac vs. Gary Jules)

Kris.G — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:36:38 +0000

I love the cover of “Mad World” by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules that was used in Donnie Darko. And mashing it with Tupac’s “Me Against The World” made for a hauntingly accurate feeling that each song should be emitting. Oh man, what would viewers have done if it ended up being Tupac inside the Frank the Bunny suit?

Check out some more of Brenton Duvall’s mashup work on his Soundcloud.

Brenton Duvall – Against a Mad World (Tupac vs. Gary Jules) [YSI]

Summer Sunday | The Modern Tunes

Kris.G — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:32:29 +0000

For all intents and purposes, Summer is nearly over. As far as I’m concerned, Labor Day marks the end of summer, which is especially true for those of us who work in education and go back to work the day after the long weekend. So that means only one more Summer Sunday after today. So for you today, here are a few modern tracks that I feel really encapsulate the feeling of Summer. Enjoy.

Uncle Kracker – Smile [YSI]

The Ataris – In This Diary [YSI]

Camera Obscura – Honey In The Sun [YSI]

Chamillionaire – Good Morning

Kris.G — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:33:16 +0000

Turns out I had this song on my phone for a while now and I don’t think I ever listened to it until this week. Regardless, I don’t know what it is but I really like Chamillionaire’s flow over top of Tom Petty. It’s just mellow enough with an ok message actually. Oh wait but then you watch the video and any positivity in the words just becomes about materialism and everything else that I believe so much mainstream shitty hip hop is about. Regardless, I’ll keep listening.

Chamillionaire – Good Morning [YSI]

Chamillionaire – Good Morning

Happy Birthday Me!

Kris.G — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:22:17 +0000

Happy Birthday to Me! While Bridging The Verse may only be in its infancy at less than one year old, I am reaching what could be considered my quarter life crisis time. Could’ve fooled me.

However to put it in the words of Brandon Boyd:

A decade ago,
I never thought I would be,
at 23, on the verge of
spontaneous combustion. -Woe-is-me.-

Or alternatively in the words of ~~Tom DeLonge~~ Mark Hoppus:

And that’s about the time she walked away from me
Nobody loves you when you’re 23

All that aside:

You say it’s your birthday
It’s my birthday too, yeah
They say it’s your birthday
We’re gonna have a good time!

However, I am going to ask for a birthday present from all my readers. Below the songs is a badge about signing up on Facebook for a petition to earn money from Kohls’. Blogging is a hobby of mine. During the day, I work in a special education school district and the district would benefit so so greatly from a grant. Help me out and sign up. Here’s the best part, you get 20 votes but can only put 5 towards any one school so put 5 my way and use the rest on your own schools. Thanks so much!!!

Incubus – Pardon Me [YSI]

Blink 182 – What’s My Age Again [YSI]

The Beatles – Birthday [YSI]