Tyler Ramsey – A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea

I had a long dream about swimming across the sea.
Where were you swimming to?
It was to the other shore.
What were you swimming away from?
I can’t stay with you no more.
I had a long dream about swimming across the sea.

Tyler Ramsey’s soothing voice and intricate guitar will haunt your mind for hours after listening. Comparable to Andy McKee in some senses, his guitar picking skills are incredible. In my own opinion, it is best to just sit and relax while listening to this album. Allow yourself to absorb each and every note played.

My personal favorite on the album is Ramsey’s cover of Jackson Browne’s “These Days.” It definitely gives it justice.

NOTE: Did I mention he plays with Band of Horses now? And that he has an awesome beard? And that I saw him play and my jaw dropped?

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Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

Figured somebody besides David better write something before people start thinking this is a XXMETALXBLOGXX. So I’ll go ahead with an obsession album I discovered thanks to Minneapolis’ The Current. On that note:

Band of Horses second full length album, “Cease to Begin,” creates a downhome country feel that you wouldn’t expect from a band formed in Seattle. However, the band’s beard-toting lead singer Ben Bridwell is a South Carolina native, and the band currently resides there. They also record in North Carolina, so the source of influence is evident. Now don’t get me wrong, you won’t hear chants of lost wives and dogs, but much more honest lyrics of life and love. Try “No One’s Gonna Love You” on your next girlfriend and tell me it doesn’t get you something. Simplistic guitar rhythms, driving drum beats, and the hints of ragtime-esque piano keep the southern theme afloat, but won’t infringe.

Overall, a great sing-along album that will impress from start to finish.

NOTE: Tyler Ramsey has recently joined the band on guitar, a inclusion they will certainly not regret. He also has a great beard. Stay tuned for a T-Rams blog.

SECOND NOTE: After reading a Rolling Stones article on Band of Horses, I’ve learned there first album “Everything All the Time” was produced by Phil Ek of Shins and Built to Spill fame. Wizard.

THIRD NOTE: After finishing reading aforementioned RS article, this gem of a quote was found:

While their album may be hazy and ambient, their live show is exciting – perhaps due in part to the fact that Bridwell and Co. get fired up backstage to Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’ Dirty.” “We’ve been listening to dirty-ass hip-hop on this tour,” says the singer. “It gets us pumped up, so we’re just a bunch of crazy bearded crackers just dancing like mad!”

Thought I’d share. Link to the article here.

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