In Class Listening - Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa is hilarious.  This is what I learned today in History of Rock.  He has a very interesting sound, making actual music while being incredibly funny at the same time.  His sound is very interesting, with influences of jazz, rock, metal, and more.  His music can take on so many different feelings.  See for yourself:

Broken Hearts Are For Assholes

He's So Gay

"Of course, his evening's not complete without some meat in the seat"

Titties and Beer

Cosmik Debris

Inca Roads

Bobby Brown

Joe's Garage

Muffin Man

Documentary about Frank Zappa

(Please let us watch this in class Mr. A!)

Dear Mr. A, thank you so much for introducing me to Frank Zappa.  He's kind of my new favorite.  Holy crap he's freaking awesome.  If this didn't convince you, check out his website.  There is way too many videos to post.  It's such a shame that he passed away at the young age of 52.  Well thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://www.zappa.com/

What I'm Listening To - Pac Div

Pac Div, short for Pacific Division are a group from southern California.  The group is made up of three members:  brothers Mibbs and Like, and friend Be Young.  I found out about Pac Div quite a while ago, but just recently remembered them.  I hate to sound like a hipster, but all of my music is going mainstream (ex. Odd Future, A$AP Rocky, etc...) and Pac Div is still on my list.  They have opened up for some of the biggest names in the game and are about to get super popular themselves.  Here are some examples of their marvelous work:

Anti-Freeze

Posted

Mayor

Top Down

Pac Div

Fallin'

Whiplash

Paper feat. TiRon

Your Fuckin Song

Pac Div is so close to fame that it's almost unbearable.  It's really refreshing to hear some rappers influenced by some old school rap (evident in their first mixtape:  Sealed for Freshness Blendtape).  Download their stuff on iTunes and Datpiff.  Give them a listen and tell me what you think.  Thank you for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://itspacdiv.com/

Datpiff:  http://www.datpiff.com/mixtapes-search.php?criteria=pac+div&x=0&y=0

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/pac-div/id323729410

Album:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-div-deluxe-version/id474941480

In Class Listening - The Beach Boys

In class this week, we talked about The Beach Boys.  I personally love them because their music is so carefree and fun.  Their harmonies are very similar to The Beatles.  I really enjoy listening to their music because it makes me happy.  Their songs are so upbeat that you can't help but to sing along.  Examples below:

Wouldn't It Be Nice

I Get Around

Kokomo

(With John Stamos on the drums)

Good Vibrations

Barbara Ann

Surfin' USA

God Only Knows

The Beach Boys continue to make music, and just released a new album this year.  Check them out if you somehow haven't.  Stay tuned for next week's posts and as always, thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://www.thebeachboys.com/

Brian Wilson's Website:  http://www.brianwilson.com/

What I'm Listening To - A Tribe Called Quest

Hello readers.  This week I'm switching it up a bit.  I feel that I'm getting predictable with all of the frat rap I post.  So......  I give you A Tribe Called Quest.  If you don't know ATCQ then your parents probably don't love you.  But that's ok.  That's what I'm here for.  ATCQ is a popular rap group from New York City that became popular in the 90's.  They combine clever and usually clean lyricism with jazz beats.  They are one of my favorite rap groups and in my opinion, one of the most talented.  Q-Tip is one of the better rappers out there and Pfife Dawg never disappoints.  If you haven't heard them then here are some of their best songs:

Check The Rhime

Electric Relaxation

Can I Kick It?

Jazz (We've Got) & Buggin' Out

Bonita Applebum

I Left My Wallet In El Segundo

Find A Way

Award Tour

Oh My God

A Tribe Called Quest really have a way with storytelling.  I find that storytelling is something almost unheard of in modern rap music.  Now it's all about women and money.  Sometimes you just have to listen to the classics.  Thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://atribecalledquest.com/html/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ATribeCalledQuest

In Class Listening - Bob Dylan

Recently, we have been listening to Bob Dylan in class.  Dylan is an interesting musician who shows that one can actually be successful without having the best of voices.  I'm not a huge fan of his, but there is one aspect that I think we can all appreciate.  His lyricism.  Bob Dylan is an incredible lyricist, often telling his opinion on 

the state of the country and whatnot.  His lyrics are similar to those of rap musicians in my opinion.  

Like a Rolling Stone

Like him or not, Bob Dylan is a legend.  He doesn't have an incredible voice, but he overcomes that.  If you somehow haven't listened to Bob Dylan, do it.  This concludes another post, thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog, and have a nice day!

Website:  http://www.bobdylan.com/us

What I'm Listening To - Sammy Adams

Sam Adams or Sammy Adams is a rapper from Boston, Massachusetts.  Fun fact:  his name is actually Samuel Adams Wisner, so he isn't just riding on the coat tail of one of our founding fathers.  He has released four mixtapes and an album.  He is incredibly close to becoming insanely popular, and now you can say you heard about him before all that, you little hipsters.  Unfortunately he is starting to sell out and it's really obvious.  Saying that, I still like him and would definitely recommend him to friends.

All Night Longer

Only One

Blow Up

Summertime

Just Sayin'

Still I Rise Ft. G Curtis

Driving Me Crazy

And the one that started it all:

I Hate College

Samples Asher Roth's song I Love College

He also has a song with Enrique Iglesias, but that song sucks so I'm not posting it.  Look it up if you absolutely feel the need to do so.  Well guys, thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog and have a nice day!

Website:  http://www.sammyadamsmusic.com/us

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/samadamslive

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SammyAdams

In Class Listening - Help! (The Movie)

This week in class we started watching the movie Help, featuring The Beatles.  Although we haven't yet finished it, I have enjoyed what I've seen.  The story line involves Ringo coming into possession of a special sacrificial ring that is important to a group of people from the east.  I find this funny, because Ringo is the one in possession of the ring.  Ring.  Ringo.  Anyway, The Beatles ignorantly battle off the group after the ring whilst going about their daily duties, such as sleeping or practicing songs.  Eventually, the cult stops attempting to steal the ring, and start attempting to sacrifice Ringo!  Unfortunately, The Beatles find the ring is stuck on Ringo's hand, and will not come off.  This is as far as we have watched, but I am really excited to finish the movie.  As always, thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog, and have a nice day!

What I'm Listening To - Aer

Aer are a little group out of Boston, Mass.  Similar to my other "What I'm Listening To" blogposts, they are in a sub genre of rap music, called fratrap.  They have become popularized through their laid back attitudes, creative lyricism, and love of their fans.  They have a good number of mixtapes/albums, some of which can be found on their website.  I find their music videos to be done quite well.  Here are a few examples:

Feel I Bring

Like the Way

Floats My Boat

Wonderin' Why

What You Need

School // Another Face

Well, that's Aer.  They're coming to Stubb's BBQ on Saturday, November 10th with super talented musicians Yonas and David Dallas, both of who I may write blog posts about in the future.  I can guarantee that will be a darn good concert.  You have my word.  Well, thanks for reading The Jack Barton Blog, and have a nice day!


Website:  http://www.freshaermovement.com/
Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAerMusic
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/theaermusic
Concert at Stubb's BBQ:  http://stubbsaustin.com/events/aer-wspecial-guest-yonas/