The Frames

You know them from the Oscar won for the Swell Season (Glen Hansard fornts both bands). I'm realy digging the back catalog. Burn the Maps: A very dark, and bittersweet record. Lots of atmospherics reminiscent of For The Birds. Loud, loud, with amazingly dense quiets. The Frames seem to be name checking 90's American alternative rock: Dream Awake starts with a soaring guitar pulled almost directly from the Smashing Pumpkins mid 90's hit, Today, but quickly settles into pu... MORE

I am in awe of songwriters than can take the angst and the confusion that is the human condition and turn it into an incredible 3 minute blast of pop muisc.

That's not a question, it's a statement. This song (referenced in the post title) by the (now Oscar winning) Glen Hansard and his primary band The Frames showcases the strength of their songwriting and the wonderful touch of Steve Albini, who records the band in a sparse, live-like sound. Listen for the volume reaching almost over-driven levels as the song continues... The rest of the album is delicate, sparse, and really quite beautiful. Live: Glen solo:... MORE

The best day begins with vegetables, beets and carrots on card tables and tailgates, just south of Dublin. Off the train I find a small market, food stalls and craft stands lining the harbor parking lots. Drawn in by the colors I start out snapping photos of vegetables and right away a man in a nametag flags me down. I nearly bolt, so sure am I that he's coming to tell me to get the hell away from the produce. He gets close and he's smiling, pointing at my unwieldy ... MORE

I'm headed to Ireland next week, for a brief wandering spell, for a touch of personal sorting-through & soul-settling. I've never been, and haven't much of a plan beyond "see, listen & write." Are you from Ireland, in Ireland, familiar with? I'd love your thoughts, your warnings, your music. That last one, I warmly request of all of you who've already given me so many songs I'll be packing for the trip. Would you pass along your best songs of adventure, inwa... MORE

I am hereby elevating Glen Hansard to 'Mt Rushmore' status on my own personal sliding scale of favorite artists. He joins the likes of my other heroes...Jeff Tweedy, Eddie Vedder, Craig Finn...and a few more favorites. I really don't ask much of my favorite artists. Just love what you do and appreciate the platform you have. Glen Hansard and the Frames seemed SO genuinely ecstatic to be on stage last night. It was one of the better musical nights of my life...just a... MORE

I am hereby elevating Glen Hansard to 'Mt Rushmore' status on my own personal sliding scale of favorite artists. He joins the likes of my other heroes...Jeff Tweedy, Eddie Vedder, Craig Finn...and a few more favorites. I really don't ask much of my favorite artists. Just love what you do and appreciate the platform you have. Glen Hansard and the Frames seemed SO genuinely ecstatic to be on stage last night. It was one of the better musical nights of my life...just a... MORE

Ok...i am moving on with total conviction with my decision to see the Frames and Eleni Mandell next week! In case you missed it I had accidentally bought tickets to that show PLUS the Magnolia Electric Company/Ben Kweller show the same night! That NEVER happened in Columbus...i assure you! Anyway...watch these two clips and you will see why I am so at peace with my decision The Frames - 'Falling Slowly' Eleni Mandell - 'Girls'... MORE

Dublin rockers The Frames have announced a stint of American gigs. Playing 5 shows across the nation, including an appearance at Seattle's Bumbershoot. The September dates follow The Frames’ personal invitation to open for Bob Dylan this month on the American rock legend’s August tour of Australia and New Zealand. Enormously popular in Ireland, the group has released six albums(most recently 2006's The Cost), 20 singles in their 17 year history. Fronted by Glen ... MORE

Hopefully by now - y'all know I have a nephew (also my Godson) CHASE ! You also may know that when he was 5 months in his mommy's belly she & I had a last hurrah before her life (& in some minute way my life) changed forever. It was a change for the better there is NO DOUBT in my mind & I've seen her with him - knowing she is one of the finest mothers I have ever known. BuBoo, the little man Chase is quite a heartstealer... but it was this past Friday where he ... MORE

All of the hype regarding the awesome movie Once has prompted me to dust off a few old Frames records. Here is a great tune from the Burn the Maps record which came out a few years back. There is a whole lot of passion in these grooves.