Beautiful Pain

New Music Tuesday 4/30/13 Featuring Keaton Simons and Lights

Posted on by Kristen

It’s a new Tuesday, so there is new music. Here’s what I’ve picked up this week:

Keaton Simons  – Beautiful Pain

This album has been a loooong time coming in my book as I have been a Keaton Simons fan for many years and am already familiar with many of the songs. To finally have tunes like “Is There Any Other Way”, “Other Side”, and “Inspiration” in CD form is beyond thrilling. These, in addition to songs I already see as classics like the rockin’ “The Medicine” CD opener “Thrill of It All” and one of my favorite songs (ever), the heart-melting “Beautiful Pain”. Keaton is such a talent as a songwriter, guitar player, performer, etc. Beautiful Pain is a must have for any collection.

 

Lights – Siberia Acoustic

You know how I love it when bands go acoustic. Lights has a gorgeous voice which is generally surrounded by an electronic-tinged chorus of instrumentation. With Siberia Acoustic, songs from her last album are stripped back, augmenting the power and beauty of the vocal and the lyrical strength of the songs. I love it.

 

Others to look into:

  • The Postelles – & It Shook Me
  • Airbourne Toxic Event – Such Hot Blood
  • Daughter – If You Leave
  • Hanni El Khatib – Head in the Dirt
  • Alice Russell – To Dust
  • Big Black Delta – Big Black Delta
  • Beady Eye – BE

~ Kristen

Kristen’s ’11 Mix – Track 16 – Keaton Simons

Posted on by Kristen

16. “Beautiful Pain” – Keaton Simons

 

There are quite a few songs that impacted me this year that aren’t on the list simply because they haven’t been released. I was very excited when Keaton Simons leaked a few of his newer songs in honor of Hotel Carolina, including my favorite, “Beautiful Pain”. I had several meetings with Keaton over the year, but the one that is most memorable (perhaps because it was most recent) was at The Hotel Café Christmas show. This evening ties with the evening of the Pepper’s Ghost show as the best musical event of my year. It was so full of amazing artists (Cary Brothers, Butch Walker, Joe Purdy, Chris Pierce), new discovers (Sweet Talk Radio, Javier Dunn) and surprise guests (Joey Ryan, Sara Barellies, Pink!!), by the end I was overwhelmed to tears. When Keaton came out, he played this song. It was a perfect moment.

~ Kristen