Sons Are Like Birds on the 4th of July...

Jason Lacey of Brand New - "Upward Over the Mountain"

I've one album by Brand New, Deja Entendu, which was their first. My friend Matt turned me on to them, and they've been off the personal radar since 2004 or so, until today when he shared that Brand New had covered one of Iron & Wine's earliest tracks, "Upward Over the Mountain," off the Creek Drank the Cradle release. Their lead singer, Jason Lacey, covered it well. Click on the link above to listen.

Jason Anderson - "4th of July, 2004"

I am Fuel, You are Friends was kind of enough to share this song on a recent post. Go to Anderson's website and read a bit about him before you listen. He's the kind of artist that you'll find yourself liking more and more as you read about him, his life and his musical approach. As you read your hope that you'll enjoy his music will grow exponentially......and then you'll listen, and then you'll be hooked.

Masters of War

Watch + Listen = Enjoy.

Doomsday

Elvis Perkins In Dearland have written a song containing seriously sad words and paired them with music that makes you want to run around the room. The live version they played at WFPK a couple months ago was a fantastic end to their set. Just watch the drummer in the video, that's all you need to know.

What I'm Listening To: Monday July 13

"On Reflection" by The Appleseed Cast

This Lawrence, Kansas band is known but certainly not well known. I have only experienced two of their albums, Low Level Owl: Volume I and Low Level Owl: Volume 2, but in those two albums, they take you on a musical journey you don't find within an album often. They are individually talented and are musically tight when their sounds unite. Guitars bouncing off words and drums crashing through in an mysteriously quiet manner. The lyrics are top drawer, yet they come through softly. They've captured meaningful words and masterful music without one dominating the other. There weren't any decent sound-quality videos of youtube featuring this track, so this is the best I can do.

"Remedy" by the Black Crowes


I was recently in Minneapolis and hit up the 15th Basilica Block Party. The first night of the party featured the Jayhawks and the Black Crowes. Two days later they played Forecastle, and though I didn't see it, I know I should have. They have a new album out that clearly needs deserves attention. I saw about twenty minutes of the Jayhawks, and due to a couple reasons (poor sound and the fact that I really don't care for the Jayhawks, unless we're talking about KU basketball). And so we meandered over to the Black Crowes show, where I sat down to watch with my only expecations being that they'd play their hit songs and call it a night. To my delightful surprise, they played hard, they played well, and they put on a terrific show. It's true for me that many of their songs sound similar (though many artists I enjoy do too), but that I don't think I'd enjoy them in large doses. But, for ten or twelve songs, they played intros, outtros, savage solos on guitar and drums, and had the crowd rocking hard. The lead singer, Chris Robinson, has a unique and original voice that just does it for me. They closed with "Hard to Handle" and "Remedy," which showed they clearly knew what they were doing. It was disappointing to not hear "She Talks to Angels," but it's going to be difficult to say anything but good things from this point on. nothing but good things to say about them from this point on. The video below is a sweet acoustic version of "Remedy." Do you know what the song is about?

"Acadian Driftwood" by Richard Shindell


Shindell came through Madison, Indiana a couple months ago at the start of his small tour to support his latest album, South of Delia. I think Shindell is at the top of his class in the folk genre. He's a killer songwriter, solid guitar player, and worthy of more praise than he receives. He's such an engaging storyteller in so many of his songs. The music itself is creative, though it won't knock you back in amazement. The true beauty lies in its simplicity and in his lyrical talent. Sorry, no video for this one. Just go buy the album.

I and Love and You

The Avett Brothers newest album, I and Love and You, will hit stores in September. The released an EP with the same title yesterday. Rick Rubin produced the upcoming album and its clear he's had an influence on the band and their recording process. They sound much tighter, much clearer than in the past. Don't get me wrong, I am a massive fan of each of their albums, in particular Introducing Emotionalism, but they've just stepped things up in terms of recording for this album. I am waiting eagerly.

They recently stopped in at NPR and played in a ridiculously small space for just short of sixteen minutes. The first song the play, "Laundry Room" is my favorite of the new releases. Of the three they play, two are new, one is old but all are good.

As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy. BS

Seven Minutes or More, Part Two

The second and final portion of a two section piece about songs seven minutes or more in length. I think, for me, if a band can keep my attention for seven minutes or more, they are immediately worth diving a little bit deeper into. Sometimes lengthy songs are just plain catchy (like the first one on this list), and sometimes they're long, drawn out stories (#2 on this list). There are some that will be honorable mentions that are just plain fun. I guess I've come to the conclusion that while lyrics are a massive part of my personal musical equation, there's plenty of room for songs that just sound good.

"Jessica" by the Allman Brothers Band

It's nearly impossible for me to not play this song if I'm putting money into a jukebox (you're welcome, Left Field Lounge). There's something about it that just makes me happy, but it also reminds me of Field of Dreams, because it's playing during the montage of Ray driving from Iowa to Boston to pick up Terrence Mann.

"Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison
Another track that's been mentioned several times on this very blog. This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite songs and if you haven't seen Glen Hansard cover a chunk of it, you need to. I think the words revolve around a dream....and much of it is immediately confusing. I think at the heart of it he's talking about love, regret, the future, and hope for a new beginning. Powerful stuff.

"When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin

My oldest brother gave me a Zeppelin album when I was in the ninth grade. I enjoyed it but didn't appreciate it for what it actually contained. I still may not have full appreciation for it, but I hold the in a high regard and this is one of my favorites of theirs. If that guitar doesn't hook you in, I don't know what will. Turn it up.

"Bartender" by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Live from Radio City Music Hall
The original of this song is good too, but when Dave and Tim do things together, there's always a hint of magic included in the mix. Dave's echoing voice and their paired guitars join forces with some of Dave's most meaningful lyrics.

Honorable Mentions: The Grudge by Tool, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall by Bob Dylan (Great cover by Jason Mraz too), The Crane Wife 1 & 2 by The Decemberists, Say Hello, Wave Goodbye by David Gray, Pretty much any song ever written by Explosions in the Sky, November Hotel by Mad Season, We Can't Make it Here by James McMurtrey, Going Against Your Mind by Built to Spill and many, many more.

As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy. BS