CCP Ep. #186: In the Magic Hour by Aoife O’Donovan

Today we’re exploring the latest release by indi/folk singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan called In the Magic Hour. Bear with us as we slowly peel back the onion that is In the Magic Hour and discover it for ourselves, right before your very ears. Contribute to the discussion in the comments below! What was your experience with the album? Plenty to mull over, indeed, especially in our topic, at [1:42:04], on the nature of obscurity in music. Is obscurity a true literary/musical device? Is it a fault? Or do we invent it when our comprehension fails us? Questions, theories, questions, theories… Hop in the circle!

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CCP Ep. #178: The Vice Quadrant by Steam Powered Giraffe

Yup… we’re back to Steam Powered Giraffe. And it’s a special double disc day! The Vice Quadrant, the fourth installment of the steampunk / “broadway”-esque act (chronicling the adventures of three antique malfunctioning musical robots) was released September 2015, and, as promised in their previous release MK III, they’re in spaaaace! Although today marks a rare third visit to an artist for us (after episodes 39 & 72), the “space” sales pitch was simply too tempting to resist. We will, however, bite the hook on one count: being a double disc, an unstreamable album, and an extra long episode, this one’s likely just for the SPG fans. If you count yourself in that crowd—but still have a critical ear—then join us in this hefty analysis and share your thoughts below! Hopefully our ‘Disc Two’ “bookmark” at 1:23:30 will help manage your time.

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CCP Ep. #170: Songs for Your Future [EP] by The Dreamstalks | Feat. Killy Dwyer

Prepare yourself for the music & antics of special guest Killy Dwyer, comic musician and singer-songwriter of Kill the Band. (You’ll be hearing some of their work throughout the episode, so ears open!) And after a hefty interview with Killy herself — covering themes in her songwriting, her background, her studio work, her live act, and the state of the arts in NYC — we finally “lighten” the load at 1:01:44 with a discussion on Killy’s album choice, a short and cheery EP called Songs for Your Future by The Dreamstalks. (And of course, by “lighten” we mean “weigh it down” again with subjects of a fancifully child-scarring nature.) Enjoy!

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CCP Ep. #167: Higher Truth by Chris Cornell

This week we seek something HIGHER! Perhaps we’ll find it in Chris Cornell’s solo album, Higher Truth? Won’t know until we dive in. Climb aboard won’tchya? Afterwards, stay on board for a giant discussion on the concept and usage of the ‘Extended Play’, i.e., the EP. Not too big and not too small… why is this thing still around?! How did it start? How was it used? How IS it used? How SHOULD it be used?! Enjoy!

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Ep. #32 – Feat. Carly Ritter

Today, Matt is joined by Carly Ritter, a country/folk singer-songwriter hailing from Los Angeles, California. With a self-titled debut now available on iTunes and Amazon, Carly Ritter chats with Matt about the time she’s currently spending in Nashville to hone her craft, and what she has come to learn from other songwriters. Hear her discuss the details of her songwriting process and where she pulls inspiration, all while stressing the importance of strong discipline when trying to learn anything with a creative mind. She also chats about the supportive nature of the independent creators community, and touches upon the works of bluegrass covers currently in the making.

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CCP Ep. #139: Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens

“April is the cruellest month,” as T.S. Eliot put it. If rain and taxes weren’t proof enough, let’s tack on some death! Sufjan Stevens’ latest release, Carrie & Lowell, is not so much an expansion on his existing work as it is a trip down the bleak rabbit hole of life’s greatest mystery. With the untimely passing of his mother Carrie, Stevens drifts from the cutthroat realities of death’s aftermath to despair and bittersweet nostalgia. Join us as we join him on this harrowing yet preparatory journey. Afterwards, we address other methods of dealing with death. Seriously, don’t enjoy this episode too much!

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CCP Ep. #134: What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World by The Decemberists

Described as indie folk, indie rock, and baroque pop, most genres fail to capture the plethora of avenues used by The Decemberists to spin fanciful yarns to their devoted fans. Often celebrating antediluvian themes with modern sensibilities, The Decemberists have become the paradigm for making the old-timey “à la mode”. Let’s take a trip through their latest work, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World for today’s much-awaited analysis. Also stick around for a chat on what it means to employ research in the course of band-diving. Should the discography of a band be calling the shots?

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CCP Ep. #132: Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet) by Loudon Wainwright III | Featuring Painless Parker

Well, it’s happened. Crash Chords covers the topic of… DEPRESSION. But first, we look at the pain, the comedy, and the minor nuisances of the subject through the lens of today’s album, Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet) by stage veteran Loudon Wainwright III. This album is brought to you by our returning guest, Painless Parker. Practically a veteran in his own right, Painless helps us through the episode with some of his own aptly-focused tunes. So stick around for that and our post-album take on today’s much-maligned, and oft-avoided subject.

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CCP Ep. #120: This Is All Yours by Alt-J

Happy Thanksgiving from Crash Chords! (If today’s album & analysis should find its way into your extra-long weekend, we’ll be giving plenty of thanks indeed.) Ripe for the picking, we look at an album that debuted at #1 in the U.K. this September, the plaintive This Is All Yours by the English band Alt-J (or “∆”). Then, following the album, we briefly discuss the impact of varying an album’s style as opposed to its mood.

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Ep. #6 – Feat. Marian Call

This week Matt chats with the singer-songwriter from Juneau, Alaska — and Rennaissance woman of lyrical subjects — Marian Call. After the release of her newest record, Marian Call Sings the Classics Vol. 1, she is well on her way through her Autumn Tour from Portland to Portland. She’ll find herself in NYC on October 19th at 6pm, performing at Rockwood Music Hall at 196 Allen St. She can also be found on MC Frontalot’s new record Question Bedtime, in the song “Mornings Come and Go.” Today, she shares her thoughts on the process of making a new record, with various “nerdigressions” from comic books to Doctor Who.

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