I'm Craig. I'm married to Laura. I live in Nashville and make music for a living. I play guitar, write songs, and produce records.

Music Monday 10: The Shins - Port of Morrow

I first heard of The Shins the way that most people did, in the movie “Garden State.” At the time though, they were too out there for my musically simple mind. I couldn’t ever connect with their music, so I gave up trying. 

Fast forward to 2010 when lead singer James Mercer teamed up with Danger Mouse to form Broken Bells. This was my first time truly experiencing Mercer’s awesome voice and songwriting prowess.

When I found out that The Shins would be the musical guest on SNL a few weeks ago, I was excited to give them another try, and to hear what Mercer had been working on since Broken Bells. They did not disappoint. I knew that I was going to want their album when it came out.

The album is leans towards a classic 70s rock sound, but incorporates the electronic elements Mercer garnered from Broken Bells. It’s not something you think would work very well, but the result is great.

The first single “Simple Song” is my favorite on the album. It is reminiscent of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in melody and guitar tone.

Other standout tracks are “Bait and Switch” and “No Way Down.” However, that list is difficult to make because every track is great in its own right.

All in all, this is a fantastic album and I highly recommend it. I’ll leave you with the music video for “Simple Song” to give you a taste. Enjoy.

Music Monday 08: Pentatonix - Somebody That I Used To Know (Cover)

Laura and I have been hooked on The Sing-off since Season 1. However, we’ve never enjoyed a group as much as we did this year’s winners Pentatonix. This is why.

This is musicianship at its finest.

pentatonixofficial:

Our cover of “Somebody That I Used To Know” is OUT!  We hope you all enjoy it!  

Music Monday 07: DJ Earworm - United State of Pop 2011 (World Go Boom)

It has been a long time since I last posted a Music Monday, and admittedly, it is 10:15 at night. However, one of my favorite parts of December is here, and I have to share.

So I bring you this year’s DJ Earworm mashup.

As a side note, I just read an article on Mashable that says this was created in Ableton Live. It makes me proud to be a Live user.

Music Monday 07: Katie Herzig - The Waking Sleep

It has been a long long time since I’ve done a Music Monday post. In all honesty, I haven’t purchased a ton of music in the past couple months (except the new NEEDTOBREATHE record). However, last weekend I was out on the road and decided to pick up something new to listen to on my 8 hour van rides.

Katie Herzig is a Nashville artist who is part of the Ten out of Tenn crowd. I’ve heard a few of her songs over the last few years, but didn’t really look into her too much. As the new TOT tour was gearing up, and Katie was set to release The Waking Sleep, I downloaded a couple songs off of it from various Noisetrade samplers. I also listened all the way through it on Spotify after its release, but it was always on in the background while I was doing other things.

When it was time to buy new music for my trip last weekend, I decided on The Waking Sleep, and I am so happy I did! This album is amazing. Herzig is a fantastic writer and musician. Her songs are incredibly catchy and lyrically well written.

The thing that makes this album for me though is Cason Cooley’s production. Katie is a singer/songwriter, a genre consumed by simple tracks with acoustic guitar. Herzig and Cooley have managed to blend the organic elements of the singer/songwriter genre with the electronic elements of modern pop music in an amazing way. As someone who lives in both of those worlds separately a lot of the time, finding a record that puts them together as well as this one does is such a treat.

The video above is the album’s first track, Free My Mind. It has a current pop flair to it with the melody and sampled drums, while not getting too clubby.

The Waking Sleep’s standout tracks to me are Free My Mind, Make A Noise, and Lost and Found. However, all the songs are great. Expect to see this album again on my best albums of 2011 list I’ll put up here in December.

Music Monday 06: All Sons and Daughters - Brokenness Aside EP

Kids at camp often asked me if I knew specific songs popular on Christian radio. They are shocked to find out that though I play guitar for a worship leader, I do not like much of what is labeled “Christian Music.” I find the majority of it un-original and boring. That is why I am pleased to share a Christian album that I think is incredible.

Many times I purchase music because I am familiar with the producer or studio musicians more than the artist. This was the case with All Sons and Daughters. The Brokenness Aside EP was produced by Paul Mabury who has worked with Hillsong and is part of the band One Sonic Society.  I am a big fan of his work and was excited to hear this EP.

All Sons and Daughters are David Leonard and Leslie Jordan. The album is beautiful, and one I would listen to no matter the lyrical content. Leonard and Jordan’s voices blend beautifully and their sense of melody is fantastic. That combined with Mabury’s production are enough to sell me. Yet there are also fantastic and original lyrics declaring the glory and grace of God.

You can click the link above to download the album on iTunes.

Music Monday 05: Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken - TN EP

It’s no secret that I have a giant musical crush on this real life couple. Individually, Webb and McCracken are two of my favorite artists, and Webb’s production style is one that I look up to immensely. He is fantastic about mixing together colors in ways that would seem strange, but create an amazing result.

Their first EP together, 2008’s “Ampersand EP” is still one of my favorite albums 3 years after its release. When they first tweeted that they were working on a follow up, I could not have been more excited. Ampersand was the beginning of the development of Webb’s production style, and it has grown significantly since then. I could not wait to hear it on new songs written by both him and McCracken.

I’ve had my hands on the “TN EP” for 2 weeks now, and I have not stopped listening to it. It has surpassed my very high expectations. I was about to list standout tracks, but really the only song that I’m not in love with is a cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.” This however, stems more from me not being a big fan of the original more than not liking their arrangement. I wasn’t raised on Simon and Garfunkel and am just not familiar with much of their music, so the cover doesn’t touch something I already know and love. It’s just not as accessible to me. The rest of the songs however, are fantastic.

If I had to choose a song to recommend first, it would be “We Will Never Have Tonight Again.” It is a beautiful song and one of my favorite vocal performances from Sandra. Also, you can hear the opening track “From You To Me” in the attached music video.

You can purchase the album at tn-ep.com as well as iTunes and Amazon. Do yourself a favor and buy it now.

Music Monday 04: LEAGUES - Magic

LEAGUES is a new band featuring 2 of my favorite musicians, Thad Cockrell (whose album I reviewed in the first Music Monday) and Jeremy Lutito. Their debut EP comes out next Tuesday, but they posted one of the songs up on their facebook today. Go give it a listen, it’s fantastic!

Also, we had our first night of Crossroads 2011 tonight. It was amazing. I’ll try to get a full post up about it tomorrow.

Music Monday 03: DJ Earworm - Party on the Floor Mashup

I always look forward to DJ Earworm’s mashups. He posts one every December which is the year in review, and one every summer with the best of summer pop.

Today he posted this year’s summer mashup. I still cannot believe he pulls this off. It’s amazing. Enjoy it for your Music Monday.