YES.
Tags: The National
Tags: She & Him
You might have noticed yesterday that we have a brand new face around here! Our very good friend Niels is going to be a regular contributor from now on, popping up as much or as little as he likes. So be sure to give him a warm-whale-in-a-cubicle-welcome so he’ll feel at home on here!
Niels has been a close friend of mine and Logan’s for a long time, and a big part of our musical taste for just as long. In fact, I’m pretty sure the first time the three of us hung out was going to a concert in Park City, so there you have it. Music friends 4L. <3’s up in here. Well here’s a little playlist to celebrate Niels getting on board, and to just celebrate all of my (our) amazing friends. I have no doubt that I’ve got some of the best friends in the world, and I know that Niels and Logan feel the same way, so this is for all you guys/girls. Enjoy!
mp3: Mason Jennings – Living In The Moment
mp3: Iron & Wine – Friends They Are Jewels
mp3: Mates of State – Like U Crazy
mp3: LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends
mp3: Camera Obscura – I Need All The Friends I Can Get
mp3: Joe Cocker – With A Little Help from My Friend
mp3: Simon & Garfunkel – Old Friends
mp3: The National – Green Gloves
mp3: The White Stripes – We’re Going To Be Friends
mp3: Adem – These Are Your Friends
mp3: Lagwagon – To All My Friends
PS: That Lagwagon song on the end happens to be one of my very favorite songs from my youth. It’s a little out of character for this site, but punk rock was a big part of my teenage years (AKA: my bros before nice-young-ladies years) – and punk rock, with all it’s angst and us-againt-the-world pathos, also happens to be one of the most friends-centered genres of music out there (ahem, Bro Hymn). And you know what? In it’s drunken juvenile sort of way, this song is just as affecting as the more eloquent ones on here.
Tags: Adem, Camera Obscura, Iron & Wine, Joe Cocker, Lagwagon, LCD Soundsystem, Mason Jennings, Mates of State, Simon & Garfunkel, The National, The White Stripes
Well, I’m a bit new around here, but had to spread the word about Matt Pond PA’s new album. It’s called The Dark Leaves, and it’s due out April 6th via Altitude Records.
Someone (whose name starts with a “T” and rhymes with Mobler) described them to me as a more accessible version of The Shins, and I think that’s a fairly good description. I am in love with their catchy beats and rockin’ sounds, intermingled with those wonderful strings. …Oh those strings. I’m discovering that I’m a sucker for almost anything with a cello.
Anyway, get excited for this record, because these guys put out some amazing music. Here’s a few tracks to prove it. The first one, Starting, is from their new record. It’s got all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from Matt Pond. The second is one of my absolute favorites.
mp3: Matt Pond PA – Starting
from the album The Dark Leaves (due out April 6th!)
mp3: Matt Pond PA – New Hampshire
from the album Emblems (buy it here)
Tags: Matt Pond PA
Have you heard this song yet?
That percussion combined with the swelling vocals just gets me. So good it will destroy you.
mp3: Shearwater – Castaways
from the album The Golden Archipelago (Amazon/iTunes)
Tags: Shearwater
This came out of left field. Portugal. The Man are releasing a new album, American Ghetto, March 2nd. Only 7 months after releasing The Satanic Satanist.
Seriously? I mean c’mon, some of us are on a budget.
I know I’m going to buy it. I can’t not. Portugal. The Man has been my rock music rock. Evidently they’re taking a much different approach to this album than their previous. (trying to be more spontaneous, having more fun with the music) Well whatever they’re doing differently, it still sounds great.
mp3: Portugal. The Man – The Dead Dog
from the album American Ghetto (Amazon/iTunes)
Tags: Portugal. The Man
Chris and I both have a serious soft spot in our hearts for the great state of West Virginia and the entire Appalachian (pronounced: Apple-aa-chin) region. Autumn time in West Virginia possesses a natural beauty that isn’t found anywhere else in the world. It’s like living in a postcard.
Conversely, we’ve both seen firsthand the destruction caused to the region by irresponsible mining practices and other environmental abuses, particularly mountaintop removal mining. (Which is exactly what it sounds like) Beautiful tree covered hills turned into bare flattops surrounded by poisoned streams and slag-filled valleys.
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore are two Kentucky-born musicians that have just released Dear Companion, an album that:
“explores their ties to the place they love and aims to draw attention to the problem of Mountaintop Removal coal mining (MTR) and its impact on the people and heritage of central Appalachia. A portion of the proceeds from Dear Companion will benefit Appalachian Voices, an organization devoted to ending MTR and finding a better way forward.” (Sub Pop)
I know you came here for music, not for an appeal on environmental activism, but its something to think about. Its definitely something I care about.
Those of you familiar with the sounds of Appalachia will know what to expect from an album inspired by this musical hearth. A hearty helping of folk with a joyful infusion of bluegrass.
The single ‘Something, Somewhere, Sometime’ has that traditional sound that seems directly lifted out of any number of concerts I walked past on any given Sunday afternoon in parks throughout Appalachia.
mp3: Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore – Something, Somewhere, Sometime
Tags: Ben Sollee, Daniel Martin Moore
I’m currently in the throws of some diabolical sickness that I’m sure originated in the very deepest depths of Hell. (The same depths reserved for adulterers, liars, and Poly Sci majors)
I related in a past post that I try to make the best of sickness by setting my entire library on ’shuffle’ and then waiting for death to come. However, this time, that was not the case. I’ve listened to Yeasayer’s Odd Blood eleven times in row and I still can’t get enough. Its incredible.
So incredible in fact that I’ve pulled myself out of bed to type this short exhortation to all of you to listen to this album. I’m not going to try to hide the fact that the whole things starts off with the weirdest song of the bunch, but don’t let that dissuade you, its solid, and hopefully it just makes you all the more eager to listen to what else lies ahead . We got a taste of how good this album could be when we got ‘Ambling Alp’ last Fall and it delivers on the promises made by that song. My favorites so far are the more frenzied offerings like ‘Love Me Girl’ and ‘Mondegreen’.
But I know what you’re all asking: What if we don’t have a high fever, will it still be as amazing as you say? More than likely.
And as a sidenote, I love that when you pre-order the CD or vinyl you’re given an electronic version for download immediately. Seriously, genius.
mp3: Yeasayer – Ambling Alp
from the album Odd Blood (buy it here)
mp3: Yeasayer – Love Me Girl
from the album Odd Blood (seriously, buy it)
Tags: Yeasayer
Also… have you heard this yet? Because it’s pretty great.
You can get the song for just an email HERE. Or you can, you know, just grab it below.
Forgiveness Rock Record is out May 4.
mp3: Broken Social Scene – World Sick
from the album Forgiveness Rock Record (out May 4)
Tags: Broken Social Scene
Woops! That’s what we call a test week (more like test weeks, actually). Sorry about the lack of posts, but you know. Education.
Anyway here’s one thing that’s been getting me through the last couple of weeks. A friend of mine just gave me Tom Waits’ “The Early Years, Vol. 2″ and while I’d love to write a bunch of thoughtful insights about these songs, I’m afraid that my brain is just too fried right now (see above), so all I’m going to say is: holy crap! Have you heard this stuff?!
Sorry. But seriously. Have you? Because it’s pretty great. It’s a collection of songs recorded in 1971, before his first record, and well before the freak-out aesthetic of his ’80’s-and-later records. The songs are mostly straight-forward guitar and piano compositions, slightly melancholy and rooted in American musical traditions (folk, blues, jazz, etc. etc.) – and while you can definitely hear his wry sense of humor, and even some hints of what’s to come – these are mostly just really pretty songs by an incredibly gifted songwriter.
Part of what makes Tom Waits so fun is his unapologetic weirdness, true, but it’s pretty rewarding to pull back a few of those layers and hear the man just doing what he does best.
mp3: Tom Waits – I Want You
from the album The Early Years, Vol. 2 (Amazon/iTunes)
mp3: Tom Waits – Shiver Me Timbres
from the album The Early Years, Vol. 2 (Amazon/iTunes)
Tags: Tom Waits
I was introduced to Josh Rouse years ago by my roommate Niels* as he helped me compile a ‘Lovey Dovey’ mix for some lovestruck friend. One of the songs Niels gave me was ‘Under Your Charms’ and it is still one of my favorite go-to tracks to put on any romantic compilation. If for no other reason than these lyrics:
“It’s the end of the night and I’m feelin’ sexual. Can I get some love back? Can I get some love back from you?”
Smooth.
Well years later Josh is still making some pretty great music and his latest track ‘I Will Live On Islands’ is one of my new favorites. And not just because I’m on a serious Paul Simon kick and am falling in love with anything that even bears a passing resemblance to his music. I hope you enjoy it as much as I’m enjoying it.
*Niels has since gotten himself a much better roommate and it just so happens to be her birthday today. Happy birthday Suz.
mp3: Josh Rouse – I Will Live On Islands
from the album El Turista (Pre-Order Amazon)(Available Mar 9th)
mp3: Josh Rouse – Under Your Charms
from the album 1972 (Amazon/iTunes)
Tags: Josh Rouse
Holy happy Monday! I woke up this morning to an email with some fantastic news:
Josh Ritter’s new record now has a name, So Runs the World Away, AND a free mp3, “Change of Time”!!
Get it for only the price of an email HERE.
And if you’re not familiar with Josh Ritter by now, here’s some past tracks to catch you up:
mp3: Josh Ritter – Me & Jiggs
from the album Golden Age of Radio (Amazon/iTunes)
mp3: Josh Ritter – Snow Is Gone
from the album Hello Starling (Amazon/iTunes)
mp3: Josh Ritter – Good Man
from the album The Animal Years (Amazon/iTunes)
mp3: Josh Ritter – To The Dogs Or Whoever
from the album The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter (Amazon/iTunes)
Tags: Hugs for everyone!, Josh Ritter
What’s Rocking Our Cubicle
