Written by ElMariachi
Friday, October 1st, 2010
Because music is the only thing that can really heal the wounds.
Because music is the only thing that can really heal the wounds.
You knew this was coming, one day or the other.
After being on this nostalgic trip to Mexico, and having a long drunken talk with my father, here are the five basic mariachi singers, that, at least me and my father, agree you should take a look at.
And also, they will make you sound super smart and awesome at your cinco de mayo party. Or celebrating your escape from kidnappers.
In no respective order.
1. Jose Alfredo Jimenez
Perhaps the best singer-songwriter of the Mariachi genre. Most of his songs are about failure in love, and teavels around Mexico. Listened best when piss-emotional drunk
For you gringo ear, It would sound like If Charles Bukowski and Kurt Cubain had a bastard son and abandoned him in Guanjuato, Mexico.
2. Pedro Infante
The man. the legend. The idol of the poor, and the diamond to the rich. The only mariachi singer that would reach the super stardom by singing on his own movies, and having an awesome charm on screen.
The American parallel would most likely be Buddy Holly. (In the sense that both died in the top of their careers on an airplane accident.)
3.Javier Solis
While his lyrics weren’t the brightest or the most romantic, he had such a sweet, almost opera sounding voice.
He is the Freddie Mercury of Mariachi Music.
4. Vicente Fernandez
He simply is the king. The last living legend of Mexican Music. No more words needed.
This are five songs that give my gray days some color.
5. Good Fortune – PJ Harvey.
It’s really hard to explain this one, but PJ Harvey is my top pick for shitty days. It is almost religious to listen to Uh Huh Her while going to the daily grind every morning. This song (from the stories album, which is supposed to be her happiest album) just sounds to me like “Chill, the best is yet to come”
4. Passion Pit “Sleepy Head”
Sounds weird, the rhythm changes constantly. It sounds like lasers and beat machines giving blows to each other, but you know what, I can’t keep it out of my head ever since I heard it. And every time I think of it, I smile big.
3. The Hold Steady – Stay Possitive
Seriously, if you don’t feel like bobbing your head or tapping your feet to beat while listening to the beginning of the song, you are dead in the soul. The title says pretty much all.
2. Swim – Surfer Blood
This is another of those “just keep swimming, things will get better as you end ” songs. I really dig the reverb on the vocals.
And yes, I know the music video is far from ridiculous.
1. Here comes the sun- The Beatles/ George Harrison.
Here is the thing. I can’t pick a version. Both are pretty damn good.
Here is the one in the concert for Bangladesh.
And here is the one in Abbey Road.
(yes, I put the Beatles: Rock Band version because most of the other youtube videos are shitty picture montages)
The song is simple, yet elegant. It is Harrison at it’s finest, and again, it let you knows that no matter how deep down you are, how troubled or sad, or in trouble you are, the sun is coming soon.
I honestly have a lot of history with this song. I have listened to it thru the shittiest moments of my life. Family fights, break-ups, friends being douchebags, etc. This song just lets me know each and every time, there is something brighter to come next, something hopefully great.
And it makes for a great morning alarm.
Any more suggestions or rants, please add it on the comments.
Title is pretty self explanatory, and also, please note that I’m not a music expert, so if I’m missing any details. I am very sorry.
5. Ghost VI by Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor is a bizarre kind of Devil. At times he just likes to mess with your head, and at others, like this, he just likes to mess with your brain, and the way you hear and interpret things. This song for some reason makes me dream of pre-school and playing with those colorful marimbas in the shape of catterpillars.
4. Lower your eyelids to die with the sun – M83
This song is a 10 minute hymn to naps, try to listen to it half asleep and you might understand why.
3. I live with you – Grizzly Bear
There is something magical about this song. A lot people says it feels like falling down a deep, never ending rabbit hole. The way the sound progresses, a crescendo of instruments, from the simple harp to a whole band, the flute , the chaos at the middle, to simply finish with a lonely guitar, for the last ten seconds of the song.
If you haven’t listened to Grizzly Bear, you truly owe it to yourself, it is one of my favorite bands.
2. Comfy In Nautica – Panda Bear.
Another song to listen to while half asleep. A repetitive beat that sounds like a machine, sounds that don’t come too loud or too violently, and a quite tender voice. It doesn’t sound quite impressive in words, but once you put them together they make something very soft and maybe sweet to listen to.
1. Remember – Air.
How could I forget Air on this list? While listening to their whole albums is suggested (Premieres Symptones feels like it is just one song), the Mars Attacks! feel this song has brings a smile to my face.
So yes. I think you just have read my trippiest post in a while. Happy listening and happy napping!
Please Suggest me more songs!
So here’s the deal. Most reviews either glorify or crucify Scott Pilgrim vs The World. I’m just going to give my point of view.