The Meaning of 8 :: Cloud Cult

To celebrate the last day of 2008, I would like to segue into the new year, by starting off January's Song of the Day theme: Local Artists! I know a bunch of us have already posted on Cloud Cult (ahem: Brenda, Dylan, Myself, Kelsey, etc...)...But - They really are freakin awesome :) and so is The Meaning of 8. This is most definitely an album that I never get tired of listening to, and I think that is mostly due to the fact that there are so many layers to Cloud Cult. This album is also a go-to album for any mood I may be in because the end result is always the same - I feel extremely happy and hopeful and instantly better when I listen to it. I've been lucky enough to see them play live a couple of times already this year, and I really encourage all of you to check them out when they come to/near your town.

Until then, you should have a little listen - if you have those big head phones that cover your ears and can find a comfortable place to sit/lay down that faces a window you can look out of while listening to them, I would suggest it. It will change the way you hear music.

Some of my favorite tracks from this album include: Chemicals Collide, Take Your Medicine, Chain Reaction, Purpose, and Thanks.
No more jabbing! time to listen! :)

The end.
Love,
Meggo.



The Meaning of 8

Journey of the Featherless :: Cloud Cult

I know that between all of us blogging on here we've blogged about Cloud Cult frequently. However, I've been listening to this song all week and I can't get it out of my head.

I first heard this song at around 3 in the morning at the spark 24 concert in minneapolis, which was also the first time i heard cloud cult live. as many people have noted, cloud cult gives amazing live shows. seriously, one of the best shows i've seen. granted it was early in the morning, i'd been awake for quite some time and was a little loopy.

Anyways. I love the imagery in this song. The lyrics are beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoy the orchestration. Happy Wednesday!



got myself a mission
i'm going to find heaven
i made crepe paper wings
i think they'll carry me well

i left you a love poem
the best i have written
my favorite words
were the ones i couldn't spell

they say i'm a lunatic
they say i'm a fool of it
i say that it's worth dreaming
just for the dream of it

it's all about passion
it's all about preception
don't call me on my cell phone
cause there ain't no reception
when i'm gone

when i'm gone

i think i'm growing feathers
but i'm not sure of it
because i started getting dizzy
about a hundred feet up

i made friends with the clouds
i made friends with the birds
if you as a goose a question
he never shuts up

honestly i miss you
and i hope that you're missing me
cause i could use your lips on me
and a little of drammamine

for the moment i could see
way better than i've ever seen
don't sell my stuff on ebay
because i might be back
before i'm gone

before i'm gone

i'm not the kind of man
who's into looking downwards
i've drank my share of pity
from the bartenders cup

there's so many people
wondering whats the right direction
as far as i'm concerned
there's only one way up

and my fingers they are blisters
and my eyes they are bullet holes
my heart is still beating
guess i'm pretty lucky

pretty lucky

pretty lucky

pretty lucky

Pretty Voice :: Cloud Cult

I know we've had quite a bit about Cloud Cult on here lately, but I really wanted to share this song with you all. I saw them perform it at Rock the Garden on Saturday, and I absolutely got chills and started crying a little bit. They are very emotional performers, and they really wrench the emotions out of tender people like me.

What I think about with this song is all the people I have abandoned in my life. That might sound overly dramatic, but I can think of several people that I loved loved loved and then for one reason or another, I turned my back on them and refused to communicate with them any more. I'm thinking friends friends friends exes etc. I might seem like a very open and friendly person, but I am TERRIBLE when it comes to holding grudges. For whatever reason, it is extremely hard for me to forgive people and near impossible for me to forget when I feel like I've been wronged. It really is a terrible thing, because it keeps me from being the self-actualized, enlightened person that I'd like to be.

Sometimes I dream about a day when I could put aside all of my anger and then bring all those people back into my life. I would hug them and hold them and ask them how they have been and ask them what their lives have been like. Then I would apologize for taking myself away from them and everything would be ok.




lyrics:

A scene begins
With our next melody
Sung by a bashful bird
Humming a violet sky
There are no words
But there is understanding
It's been so long
Since I've heard that pretty voice

Raise up our lights
And enter hero girl
She makes me calm
Yeah she makes me calm
When she hears a song
And she starts singing
It's been so long
Since I've heard that pretty voice

Strike up the band
Here comes the storyline
Of the usual struggle
Between fear and love
This is the lifelong song
We're all singing
It's been so long
Since I've heard that pretty voice

Now it begins
I miss your hollering
But you're so sure
Such a bashful bird
Here's a song
But no one's singing
It's been so long
Since I've heard your pretty voice

The Story of the Grandson of Jesus :: Cloud Cult

[following brenda's lead on blogging about the performers who will be at Rock The Garden, sponsored by the Walker Art Center and Minnesota Public Radio's 89.3 The Current....sorry Dylan....]

ok...so i know that we've had more than a few posts about Cloud Cult, but i'm tellin ya. they're phenomenal!!! plus, i got to see them perform LIVE in DC this past weekend and i'm still on a high. i've always been a fan of live music because there's something special in going to see an artist/group share their art with you...especially when that layout is in a small, intimate setting...surrounded by other people who share your love of that particular artist/group.

Cloud Cult takes musical communion to a new level and it was almost overwhelming at times - not in a bad way...just in a way that sort of encompasses you...trust me, it's surprisingly uplifting :) they not only utilize the traditional forms of instruments (guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keyboard), but they throw in a cello, a violin, a trombone, video, live painting, and a passion for living green...all of the people in the group really know how to jam and you can see how into it they are! it's both hilarious and amazing...simultaneously!!!

(they move around so much that it's hard to take a good picture of them too...)

plus, if you're lucky (and have some extra money lying around) you can bid in a silent auction for some sweet art! this particular painting was made by Connie Minowa during the concert i went to...i made a bid, but there were other people who really wanted it more...and had the cash to do it (but i'm proud to say i played my part in making sure they dished out more, because it was really worth more than what anyone ended up paying for it...)


Cloud Cult's music goes beyond catchy lyrics and licks...it really is personal...not just for them, but for the listener. craig minowa has this ability to write songs that not only tell a great story, but have a moral/life lesson. i've taken to Cloud Cult's music a lot in the last two months, and it's come in handy as the spring is always a time where the crap from the winter gets cleared away and creates new room for things to grow.

this particular song i enjoy very much because it's one of those songs that you can't help but move to, plus, when you get to see their shows, you get to sing, dance and shout along! the attached video hopefully provides an example of this. however, the visual quality isn't that great...BUT, the audio is probably one of the best i've heard for what's one youtube and taken by someone in the crowd :) but, just in case you'd rather hear the recorded version, i've posted that as well :)

enjoy.
the end.
<3,
meggo.




The Story of the Grandson of Jesus::Cloud Cult

today is a good day to flex the muscles of the weary
a miracle is a miracle even when it's ordinary
we will walk on the water even though it seems scary
if someone will show us the way

i shook hands with the man who honestly thinks he's
the grandson of Jesus with the penchant for pinches
he served us communion of cola and twinkies
guess everyone has their own view

he stood on his soap box and told us a parable
of a man with eyeglasses so small they're unwearable
and the moral of the story is it all looks terrible
depending on what you look through, what you look through

he said "do unto yourself as you do unto your neighbor,
it's not an eye for an eye, it's a favor for a favor
and it's okay if this world had a billion saviors
'cause there's so many things to be saved

take my words with a boulder of salt
or blame it on your devil
always the scapegoats fault
we all point fingers when it comes to a halt
can somebody show us the way, show us the way?"

Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes) :: Cloud Cult

today marks the release day of Cloud Cult's eighth album Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes). you can purchase it directly from them HERE, or you can go to iTunes and download it, or you can find out what stores are selling it. and what's super impresssive, almost as much as the music, is the fact that you will be supporting an independent, not for profit, green record label! Earthology Records! however you choose to support them, it will be a wise life choice for all involved :)

Feel Good Ghosts is, by far, one of the best CDs i have every owned in my short 25 years and will already have been played just as many, if not more, times than all of my Ani DiFranco cds...(which is saying a LOT!). i was introduced to Cloud Cult through this very blog, thanks to one of our guest bloggers (kelsey!), and i've been literally hooked ever since. it isn't very often that one can listen to an entire cd and enjoy every single track individually, as well as the cd as a whole, and i can honestly say that this is exactly the case for this album.

while trying to think of which tracks i wanted to blog about, i really couldn't single it down to one...hell, even two songs. so, fortunately, i was able to let technology make the decision for me...as there are only a few songs available to listen to online :)

i'll let y'all decide which ones are your favorites!

No One Said It Would Be Easy - this is the first track on the cd and i would argue that it is a good highlight song, or a song that best exemplifies the musical stylings one can only anticipate to expect from Cloud Cult. it combines layers of electronica, piano, acoustic guitar, vocal harmonies, and some kick ass percussion!


Everybody Here Is A Cloud - this song directly follows the first track...but is a great example of how each of these songs flow right into one another, thus making the album almost feel like one song that lasts about 40 mind blowing minutes! talk about
\--/jammin!\--/


When Water Comes to Life - as the fourth track, we get a taste of the other instrumentals that are often included in Cloud Cult, with the edition of a violin, cello, oboe, etc...giving the group even more layers than a pineapple upside down cake! yum!


Story of the Grandson of Jesus - this is the ninth track and one of the more...rockin tracks, as it gives you that feeling of wanting to be in company of others to share in musical communion, while jumping up and down to all the accentuated punches in the song.


Hurricane and Fire Survival Guide - once again, this song flows really well after the previous track...which only heightens one's urge to jam out with your clam out...or rock out with your cock out...whichever you prefer.


May Your Hearts Stay Strong - this is the eleventh track on the cd and is probably one of the less immediately happy songs, but still freakin rockin, if you ask me.


well folks, that's that. i hope y'all enjoyed this sample of cloud cult's latest album and go out and support this indie-minnesotan group!!!

the end.
<3,
meggo.

Transistor Radio :: Cloud Cult

I was introduced to Cloud Cult when I first moved to Minnesota by my beautiful and wonderful friend, Jess. I've seen them live several times, and they are AMAZING, for many reasons. One, when they perform, they have two live artists creating large format oil paintings in the background, which they auction off at the end of the show.





Two, when they performed at the fair on the 4th of July, they played, "Moving to Canada". :)





This song, in particular, holds significance for the band since it's about the lead singer's son, who was killed suddenly while still a young child. The album, "Happy Hippo", was released shortly after his death, where there are many songs featuring his voice and laugh, and many others dedicated to him or written about him. It is for this reason that "Transistor Radio" leaves me with such a feeling of melancholic peace every time I listen....

Enjoy,
Kelsey



Transistor Radio::Cloud Cult

I heard grandpa on my transistor radio,
Though he turned in his bones twenty years ago,
And he said, "Kid, theres something that I'd like to show you,
Get your things, its time for us to go"
So I grabbed my backpack, my flashlight, and a bag of caramel corn,
I got my bicycle, and the radio, and I had it on the road, I said
"I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"

I headed north to rain that turned to snow
Through rusty towns and dusty gravel roads
And I said, "Grandpa, where is this thing you wanted to show me?"
He said, "Kid, you got a long way to go"
So I went through canyons, caves and catacombs, I sailed on bicycle boats
I slept in chapels and brothels, I met the nicest folks
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"

I heard grandpa on my transistor radio
He said, "Kid, its time for me to go,
And I know that there was something that I wanted to show you,
But its time for you to find it on your own."
"Let me tell you about rage when a signal died that day,
Theres nothing out there and I don't care; Its to take my life away
I'm not ready and I don't want to see, Nope"

Its been years since I heard my transistor radio
Yet I keep going to where it seems I'm meant to go
And I finally realized what he wanted to show me
Where I've been, where I am, its the show
Where I've been, where I am, its the show
Where I've been, where I am, its the show