Thanks to my middle brother for introducing me to comedian Nick Thune. Much of his material is accompanied by guitar...so, technically, it's music...but no matter how you categorize it, it's funny.
Instant Messenger Love
Jokes...
This time, just listen hard and laugh.
BS
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Under the Covers, Chapter One
This is the debut of the Under the Covers, which will feature an original track and then a cover of said track. First up is MGMT and their hit song "Kids" and covered by English indie-pop studs The Kooks.
MGMT - Kids
The Kooks - Kids (acoustic)
Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BS
MGMT - Kids
The Kooks - Kids (acoustic)
Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BS
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Tallest Man on Earth/Swedish Dylan?
Let me first acknowledge Scooter for passing this artist on to me at least a month ago. Fuel/Friends' Heather Browne also posted about him a few weeks back, and I just hadn't picked up the album until now and recognize my tardiness in the matter. One of the songs posted below, "The Gardener," was also the video/song of an undetermined length of time for a couple days last week.
The Tallest Man on Earth is the musical handle of Kristian Matsson, an modestly sized Swedish man whose voice and guitar chords sound eerily similar to Bob Dylan. I'm not the first person to make this comparison, and it's common knowledge that Dylan comparisons get thrown around a little too often these days as we yearn for powerful lyrical content on top of music played by talented musicians in place of the noise that dominates private radio like Nickelback and Miley Cyrus.
Matsson certainly brings it lyrically, and his guitar playing is at the very least above average. Mattson' lyrics remind me more of Sam Beam (who, to me, is the best songwriter of our generation): imaginative, with much left to be interpreted by the listener. At first listen I find myself usually not knowing what he's talking about (much like Beam) but through several listens am able to at least form my own thoughts on what the song is about, which, often times, is the best way to go anyway and even the artists intent.
The album, Shallow Grave, flows smoothly through its ten tracks. Matsson's voice is clearly limited, so after a while, the songs can sound the same if you choose not to listen very carefully (much like Dylan, I think, for some people). But, there's something to be taken from his words and there's simply something intriguing about him...
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
The Tallest Man on Earth is the musical handle of Kristian Matsson, an modestly sized Swedish man whose voice and guitar chords sound eerily similar to Bob Dylan. I'm not the first person to make this comparison, and it's common knowledge that Dylan comparisons get thrown around a little too often these days as we yearn for powerful lyrical content on top of music played by talented musicians in place of the noise that dominates private radio like Nickelback and Miley Cyrus.
Matsson certainly brings it lyrically, and his guitar playing is at the very least above average. Mattson' lyrics remind me more of Sam Beam (who, to me, is the best songwriter of our generation): imaginative, with much left to be interpreted by the listener. At first listen I find myself usually not knowing what he's talking about (much like Beam) but through several listens am able to at least form my own thoughts on what the song is about, which, often times, is the best way to go anyway and even the artists intent.
The album, Shallow Grave, flows smoothly through its ten tracks. Matsson's voice is clearly limited, so after a while, the songs can sound the same if you choose not to listen very carefully (much like Dylan, I think, for some people). But, there's something to be taken from his words and there's simply something intriguing about him...
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
oh, and then we start the end...love like a sunset in two parts.
I listened to the Phoenix album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, three times through yesterday and "Love Like a Sunset Part I & II" separated themselves from the rest of the album. It was one the best albums of the year (see post below), and I'd heard these tracks a dozen times before, but yesterday they managed to climb above the others I previously thought were best (1901, Lisztomania). It's funny, how songs (and all forms of art, for that matter) can have their time and place for each of us. How a song you may have heard a thousand times before will strike you differently because of circumstances in your life.
You have to wait until the end for the lyrics, but it's well worth it. These two tracks are on the level with Explosions in the Sky, American Analog Set and Arcade Fire.
Here comes a visible horizon.
Right where it starts and ends.
Oh, and then we start the end.
Here comes a visible illusion.
Oh, where it starts and ends.
Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BS
You have to wait until the end for the lyrics, but it's well worth it. These two tracks are on the level with Explosions in the Sky, American Analog Set and Arcade Fire.
Here comes a visible horizon.
Right where it starts and ends.
Oh, and then we start the end.
Here comes a visible illusion.
Oh, where it starts and ends.
Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BS
Sunday, December 27, 2009
what would you open with?
I've been having this discussion with my friends for awhile now...
Let's say that for one night you have the ability to sing any song and play any instrument as well as anyone on the planet. You can have a band if you want, and you're going to play one show for a packed house. The opening song is clearly the most important, because you've got to get the crowd behind you. The audience doesn't know if you're going to be any good or not, so you've really got to hook them from the start. What's your first song going to be???
After much thought and deliberation, my personal choice is....
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
There's no other song that unites a people like it does. No matter what is going on, when those piano keys kick in, everyone in the room perks up. Everyone knows the words, everyone wants to sing along, and for four minutes and ten seconds, all is right in the world.
Hard to believe that when the members of Journey got dressed before this show, they looked in the mirror and thought to themselves, "this is a good outfit."
The only problem with opening with that song is you've got to sing another song...and you don't want the level to completely drop off....and so to go one step further, the second track of my personal concert would be "500 Miles" by the Proclaimers. Who doesn't love to sing the chorus to that?
I was saw the Proclaimers live, and they could've just played this song ten times and then left and everyone there would've been more than okay with it.
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
Let's say that for one night you have the ability to sing any song and play any instrument as well as anyone on the planet. You can have a band if you want, and you're going to play one show for a packed house. The opening song is clearly the most important, because you've got to get the crowd behind you. The audience doesn't know if you're going to be any good or not, so you've really got to hook them from the start. What's your first song going to be???
After much thought and deliberation, my personal choice is....
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
There's no other song that unites a people like it does. No matter what is going on, when those piano keys kick in, everyone in the room perks up. Everyone knows the words, everyone wants to sing along, and for four minutes and ten seconds, all is right in the world.
Hard to believe that when the members of Journey got dressed before this show, they looked in the mirror and thought to themselves, "this is a good outfit."
The only problem with opening with that song is you've got to sing another song...and you don't want the level to completely drop off....and so to go one step further, the second track of my personal concert would be "500 Miles" by the Proclaimers. Who doesn't love to sing the chorus to that?
I was saw the Proclaimers live, and they could've just played this song ten times and then left and everyone there would've been more than okay with it.
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
bit by the cold of december...the story of november blue.
The first Avett Brothers song I ever heard was "November Blue," which was also the first track on the 2006 A Very Schneweis Holiday album. When that piano kicks in, I just can't help but be happy. The simplistic lyrics speak to all of us about the connection that comes with a new relationship, and the music itself fits those lyrics perfectly.
About ten years after that track was released on the Avett's first album, Country Was, they released a sequel track, called "Denouncing November Blue" on their breakthrough album Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions. It was the prime example of how the group had matured musically and lyrically, as the song takes a nostalgic look back at that same relationship, but with an understanding of why things didn't work out, yet still never forgetting what it felt like to be in it.
And now, despite repeated requests to play "November Blue," they do so rarely. And when they do play it, they play a slower, more fine tuned version. And to me, it's another part of the maturity process. I like to think they look back at that song and see how far they've come, both professionally and personally, and so they still play it, but it's taken on more meaning now. Again, that's just what I like to think...
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BS
About ten years after that track was released on the Avett's first album, Country Was, they released a sequel track, called "Denouncing November Blue" on their breakthrough album Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions. It was the prime example of how the group had matured musically and lyrically, as the song takes a nostalgic look back at that same relationship, but with an understanding of why things didn't work out, yet still never forgetting what it felt like to be in it.
And now, despite repeated requests to play "November Blue," they do so rarely. And when they do play it, they play a slower, more fine tuned version. And to me, it's another part of the maturity process. I like to think they look back at that song and see how far they've come, both professionally and personally, and so they still play it, but it's taken on more meaning now. Again, that's just what I like to think...
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BS
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
two thousand nine in album form.
As the year comes to an end it's only natural for us all to look back and review what the time passed within these twelve months has brought us. Music continues to mark the time and so PTC brings you its best albums of the year (subjectively, of course). All of these albums were released in late 2008 or 2009 and we heard by my ears in the last twelve months. And the only reason there are eleven is because I couldn't stand to leave Pearl Jam off the post...
11. Pearl Jam - Backspacer
Much anticipated by their hardcore fans, mildly anticipated by music fans in general. However, it received quite a bit of airplay on NPR stations and has been given overall good reviews. I certainly don't think it's their best work, but it's still a good album. Top tracks: The Fixer, Just Breathe, The End, Unthought Known
10. Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
The solo effort from half of the Black Keys and he's definitely brought his half of the band to the recording studio. IF you're a Keys fan you'll like this, though it's a bit more tame than you might be used to. Top tracks: Heartbroken, In Disrepair, Trouble Weighs a Ton, and Whispered Words
9. Bell X1 - Blue Lights on the Runway
Their follow up to Flock wasn't quite as good as some would have hoped but it's still a solid piece of work. "The Great Defector" is good enough to make an average album at least worthy of a B. Top tracks: The Great Defector, Ribs of a Broken Umbrella, One Stringed Harp
8. Lisa Hannigan - Sea Sew
Her first solo album since here moderately publicized break up (both musically and personally) with Damien Rice. Hannigan brings thoughtful, clever lyrics to simple, yet enveloping music. Top tracks: Lille, Venn Diagram, Ocean and a Rock
7. Old Canes - Feral Harmonic
Chris Crisci of The Applseed Cast's second album with his second band, Old Canes. It's a folk style punch to the musical gut. Full of spiraling yet well directed songs with loaded lyrics. Top tracks: Little Bird Courage, Trust
6. Iron & Wine - Around the Well
Sam Beam released a B-side and rarity album, though some weren't rare at all and deserve to be more than B-sides. Beam's work is that of genius...lyrically speaking, he's the closest thing to Bob Dylan this generation has. Top tracks: The Trapeze Singer, Belated Promise Ring, Love Vigilantes, Arms of a Thief
5. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
The most movement evoking album I've heard in awhile. David Dye just named this the best album of the year, and they've received some other top drawer praise from the rest of the indie music scene. They've got a little MGMT, a little Arcade Fire, but these Frenchmen also own what they're doing...it's original, and for lack of a better word, it's awesome. Top tracks: Lisztomania, 1901
4. Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Elvis Perkins in Dearland
EP and crew did not have themselves a sophomore slump-like record, they took what they did well the first time around and improved on it. Their live performances only enhance their music, as they're full of a funky, eccentric energy. Perkins has a unique lyrical style that draws the listener in closer each time you hear a track, and they get better with each listen. Top tracks: Shampoo, Doomsday, I Heard Your Voice in Dresden, Chains, Chains, Chains
3. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
At this very moment, I fully believe that The Avett Brothers are the best band in the world. PASTE Magazine just named this album the 9th best of the decade. While I really love this album, I can't say that it's at that level. It's a tremendous album, their cleanest, well-written album they've put out. Rick Rubin clearly had an effect, and this album has a direction and theme, shown in their lyrics and mission statement within the liner. I tend to think that Introducing Emotionalism is a better overall album, but without a doubt his album is worth adding to your collection. Top tracks: Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise, Laundry Room, I and Love and You, Kick Drum Heart
2. fun. - Aim and Ignite
Personally, this was the most anticipated album of the year. When The Format broke up a couple years ago, I'd almost liken it to the day the music died. They came along at the right time in my life, singing songs that felt like they were built for me and what I was going through. And that continued with their second album, and then shortly after that they called it quits. With the formation of fun., Nate Ruess has picked up right where he left off and matured both lyrically and musically. A complete album, full of bits of different genres and influence that you cannot pass up. Top tracks: Be Calm, Benson Hedges, All the Pretty Girls, The Gambler, Light a Roman Candle
1. Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight
This album actually came out in 2008, but I didn't hear it til the first day of 2009, so we'll just pretend it had a 2009 release date. From that day until now, a year later, it remains the to be one of the best albums I've ever heard. These Scottish boys are putting out some heavy stuff...both musically and lyrically. It's a relationship oriented album, and once you've listened to it all, you'll understand what the title of it actually means. I'm so genuinely excited for their next release. Top Tracks: The Modern Leper, Good Arms vs Bad Arms, Old Fashioned, Backwards Walk
11. Pearl Jam - Backspacer
Much anticipated by their hardcore fans, mildly anticipated by music fans in general. However, it received quite a bit of airplay on NPR stations and has been given overall good reviews. I certainly don't think it's their best work, but it's still a good album. Top tracks: The Fixer, Just Breathe, The End, Unthought Known
10. Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
The solo effort from half of the Black Keys and he's definitely brought his half of the band to the recording studio. IF you're a Keys fan you'll like this, though it's a bit more tame than you might be used to. Top tracks: Heartbroken, In Disrepair, Trouble Weighs a Ton, and Whispered Words
9. Bell X1 - Blue Lights on the Runway
Their follow up to Flock wasn't quite as good as some would have hoped but it's still a solid piece of work. "The Great Defector" is good enough to make an average album at least worthy of a B. Top tracks: The Great Defector, Ribs of a Broken Umbrella, One Stringed Harp
8. Lisa Hannigan - Sea Sew
Her first solo album since here moderately publicized break up (both musically and personally) with Damien Rice. Hannigan brings thoughtful, clever lyrics to simple, yet enveloping music. Top tracks: Lille, Venn Diagram, Ocean and a Rock
7. Old Canes - Feral Harmonic
Chris Crisci of The Applseed Cast's second album with his second band, Old Canes. It's a folk style punch to the musical gut. Full of spiraling yet well directed songs with loaded lyrics. Top tracks: Little Bird Courage, Trust
6. Iron & Wine - Around the Well
Sam Beam released a B-side and rarity album, though some weren't rare at all and deserve to be more than B-sides. Beam's work is that of genius...lyrically speaking, he's the closest thing to Bob Dylan this generation has. Top tracks: The Trapeze Singer, Belated Promise Ring, Love Vigilantes, Arms of a Thief
5. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
The most movement evoking album I've heard in awhile. David Dye just named this the best album of the year, and they've received some other top drawer praise from the rest of the indie music scene. They've got a little MGMT, a little Arcade Fire, but these Frenchmen also own what they're doing...it's original, and for lack of a better word, it's awesome. Top tracks: Lisztomania, 1901
4. Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Elvis Perkins in Dearland
EP and crew did not have themselves a sophomore slump-like record, they took what they did well the first time around and improved on it. Their live performances only enhance their music, as they're full of a funky, eccentric energy. Perkins has a unique lyrical style that draws the listener in closer each time you hear a track, and they get better with each listen. Top tracks: Shampoo, Doomsday, I Heard Your Voice in Dresden, Chains, Chains, Chains
3. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
At this very moment, I fully believe that The Avett Brothers are the best band in the world. PASTE Magazine just named this album the 9th best of the decade. While I really love this album, I can't say that it's at that level. It's a tremendous album, their cleanest, well-written album they've put out. Rick Rubin clearly had an effect, and this album has a direction and theme, shown in their lyrics and mission statement within the liner. I tend to think that Introducing Emotionalism is a better overall album, but without a doubt his album is worth adding to your collection. Top tracks: Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise, Laundry Room, I and Love and You, Kick Drum Heart
2. fun. - Aim and Ignite
Personally, this was the most anticipated album of the year. When The Format broke up a couple years ago, I'd almost liken it to the day the music died. They came along at the right time in my life, singing songs that felt like they were built for me and what I was going through. And that continued with their second album, and then shortly after that they called it quits. With the formation of fun., Nate Ruess has picked up right where he left off and matured both lyrically and musically. A complete album, full of bits of different genres and influence that you cannot pass up. Top tracks: Be Calm, Benson Hedges, All the Pretty Girls, The Gambler, Light a Roman Candle
1. Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight
This album actually came out in 2008, but I didn't hear it til the first day of 2009, so we'll just pretend it had a 2009 release date. From that day until now, a year later, it remains the to be one of the best albums I've ever heard. These Scottish boys are putting out some heavy stuff...both musically and lyrically. It's a relationship oriented album, and once you've listened to it all, you'll understand what the title of it actually means. I'm so genuinely excited for their next release. Top Tracks: The Modern Leper, Good Arms vs Bad Arms, Old Fashioned, Backwards Walk
Monday, December 14, 2009
A Very Schneweis Holiday 2009
First of all, I am well aware of the vanity that may be associated with using my own last name as an adjective, especially when it's part of the title for an album made of music I didn't create. But, the idea behind this is to share, so please don't mistake generosity for vanity, it's just my way of putting my stamp on the whole deal. For those of you who don't know, AVSH is a "mixed tape" containing songs I heard for this first time this year and then share with those interested.
Though some of you have stated that last year's disc was a bit weak (you are entitled to your own opinion, I suppose) I feel like the music has gotten better with each of the five years I've done this. This particular mix of songs, to me, is the most powerful combination of both high quality music and meaningful lyrics. There are songs with more lyrical meaning and some that are just more musically enjoyable (movement sparking music). Either way, each of these nineteen songs have personal meaning for me and I'm hopeful that they'll bring some enjoyment and perhaps some meaning to you as well.
As it seems I say every year, these last twelve consecutive months have been unlike any others I've seen come to an end, and as usual, in year and life defining moments, music was there to mark the time. Cutting down the track list this year was super difficult, as there were only a handful of songs I knew all year had to be on it but so many good songs I'd heard for the first time this year that it was clear getting it down to 80 minutes or less was going to be a challenge. For those of you who read this blog occasionally, you'll have had the opportunity to hear all but two of the nineteen songs that made the final cut.
And so, here's this year's album...all the songs are linked to youtube videos of each song...some of them live (if I was able to find a good live version) and some just the audio.
1. Elliott Brood - Write It All Down For You
This was the last addition to the album. I really struggled with what song be first for a couple weeks and just couldn't find the right fit....and then I heard this on NPR and knew it was it. Every year it seems I hear one song right before I finish the album that I just feel must be on it...
2. Jason Anderson - 4th of July, 2004
Jason Anderson's live shows look and sound like they're as intense and enjoyable as any. His passion for music as an experiential event is contagious.
3. Frightened Rabbit - Good Arms vs Bad Arms
I've posted a few times about this band...I first heard this song six days after Christmas last year, as their album The Midnight Organ Fight, came out in late 2008. It was the best album I heard this year and this is the top track. Within the album are relationship oriented songs full of sad, funny, and angry lyrics tow which most anyone can relate.
4. City and Colour - Sleeping Sickness
Another song that was released in 2008 but didn't come through my ears until this year. Love this song, love this album (Bring Me Your Love).
5. The Avett Brothers - Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
I and Love and You is without the most complete album the Brothers have put out yet. The music is cleaner, the lyrics are tighter, and overall it simply has more direction and focus than their previous records. Though I don't think all that translates to it being their best album (I give that to Introducing Emotionalism) I think it's an incredible record and this song hit me the hardest.
6. Paramore - Use Somebody (Kings of Leon cover)
Paramore's acoustic cover of this track, for me, outdoes the original. I'm not a huge KOL or Paramore fan but I think they've created something beautiful with this cover.
7. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Seven-Mile Island
Isbell's breakaway from The Drive-by Truckers was met with skepticism from the musical world and the verdict seems to still be out. His solo release came with some good tracks, this being one of them, but it lacks the emphatic punch that the Truckers seem to always deliver. Great song, though.
8. Dan Auerbach - Heartbroken, In Disrepair
The Black Keys lead singer put his own album out this last year and it might as well be another Black Keys album. It's missing a little bit of the energy the Keys have mastered, but it just sounds like a bit of a softer Keys album (which really isn't a bad thing).
9. Old Canes - Little Bird Courage
Feral Harmonic was a complete surprise. I didn't even know Chris Crisci had another musical project, and I had no idea I'd like them as much as I do. He's taken the musical talent of The Appleseed Cast and turned it in a folk direction and in the process, created one of the best albums of the year.
10. fun. - Benson Hedges
Aim and Ignite was the most anticipated album of the year for me, and Nate Ruess and his new crew did not disappoint. He's taken off right where The Format left off and yet clearly matured lyrically and in it all, created what I would say is the second best album I heard this year. It was tough picking one song off it but this was the first one I heard before the album was released (they released the demo on myspace) and so, here it is for you.
11. Phoenix - 1901
Disappointing that it's recently been on Cadillac commercials, but this group and this album were an unknown to me before I stumbled on it. They're French and they're loads of fun and this is the most fun song off the album.
12. Elbow - Grounds for Divorce
This song was featured on Rescue Me a few weeks after I first heard it and it was one of those moments where the the music considerably enhanced the moment in which you were watching. This track is on The Seldom Seen Kid which came out in March of 2008. The lead singer looks much different than I imagined he would...
13. Roman Candle - Eden Was A Garden
This is the other track that didn't appear in a PTC post. I heard this, compliments of David Dye and the World Cafe, this summer and it just captured me. Something about his whiny voice brings me to a better place. They've also toured with The Avett Brothers which earns them life points in my book.
14. The Cave Singers - Beach House
Louisville's WFPK brought this song to me in September and it was on a heavy rotation on my ipod for a couple months. Hadn't heard of of this band before then and am extremely thankful for the introduction.
15. Bell X1 - The Great Defector
Bell X1's latest album, Blue Lights on the Runway was one I had much excitement and anticipation for...and though I'm not convinced it's better than their previous release, FlockLucero - Smoke
Posted about this a couple weeks ago. This was off their album that came out in October....I love the idea behind the song, love the lyrics, especially "unknown and beautiful".....it's got so much possibility behind it.
17. Margot & the Nuclear So and So's - As Tall As Cliffs
My good friend, BRM, introduced me to this Indianapolis bred band early in 2008. I'm happy he did. No need for any proof of evidence here, I just really love this song.
18. Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Doomsday
Perkins' second effort (cd title mirrors the band name) was one of those albums that just grew and grew on me. I love his first album, Ash Wednesday, but he and his new band mates have outdone it. I saw the at the WFPK studio with my friend Dave, and the show was an figurative sledge hammer to my head and heart. Their live version of this song is beyond adjectives. The drummer in the linked video is my favorite...
19. Fink - Sort of Revolution
Fink fits nicely in a musical box with fellow Brit Alexi Murdoch...they both have a simple approach and have mastered the ability to harness their talents. "Come so far....a sort of revolution." The perfect end to this year's album...
Thank you all for your support and your willingness to read this or let me bend your ear about it all when we see each other...remember, salvation lies within.
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BFS
Though some of you have stated that last year's disc was a bit weak (you are entitled to your own opinion, I suppose) I feel like the music has gotten better with each of the five years I've done this. This particular mix of songs, to me, is the most powerful combination of both high quality music and meaningful lyrics. There are songs with more lyrical meaning and some that are just more musically enjoyable (movement sparking music). Either way, each of these nineteen songs have personal meaning for me and I'm hopeful that they'll bring some enjoyment and perhaps some meaning to you as well.
As it seems I say every year, these last twelve consecutive months have been unlike any others I've seen come to an end, and as usual, in year and life defining moments, music was there to mark the time. Cutting down the track list this year was super difficult, as there were only a handful of songs I knew all year had to be on it but so many good songs I'd heard for the first time this year that it was clear getting it down to 80 minutes or less was going to be a challenge. For those of you who read this blog occasionally, you'll have had the opportunity to hear all but two of the nineteen songs that made the final cut.
And so, here's this year's album...all the songs are linked to youtube videos of each song...some of them live (if I was able to find a good live version) and some just the audio.
1. Elliott Brood - Write It All Down For You
This was the last addition to the album. I really struggled with what song be first for a couple weeks and just couldn't find the right fit....and then I heard this on NPR and knew it was it. Every year it seems I hear one song right before I finish the album that I just feel must be on it...
2. Jason Anderson - 4th of July, 2004
Jason Anderson's live shows look and sound like they're as intense and enjoyable as any. His passion for music as an experiential event is contagious.
3. Frightened Rabbit - Good Arms vs Bad Arms
I've posted a few times about this band...I first heard this song six days after Christmas last year, as their album The Midnight Organ Fight, came out in late 2008. It was the best album I heard this year and this is the top track. Within the album are relationship oriented songs full of sad, funny, and angry lyrics tow which most anyone can relate.
4. City and Colour - Sleeping Sickness
Another song that was released in 2008 but didn't come through my ears until this year. Love this song, love this album (Bring Me Your Love).
5. The Avett Brothers - Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
I and Love and You is without the most complete album the Brothers have put out yet. The music is cleaner, the lyrics are tighter, and overall it simply has more direction and focus than their previous records. Though I don't think all that translates to it being their best album (I give that to Introducing Emotionalism) I think it's an incredible record and this song hit me the hardest.
6. Paramore - Use Somebody (Kings of Leon cover)
Paramore's acoustic cover of this track, for me, outdoes the original. I'm not a huge KOL or Paramore fan but I think they've created something beautiful with this cover.
7. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Seven-Mile Island
Isbell's breakaway from The Drive-by Truckers was met with skepticism from the musical world and the verdict seems to still be out. His solo release came with some good tracks, this being one of them, but it lacks the emphatic punch that the Truckers seem to always deliver. Great song, though.
8. Dan Auerbach - Heartbroken, In Disrepair
The Black Keys lead singer put his own album out this last year and it might as well be another Black Keys album. It's missing a little bit of the energy the Keys have mastered, but it just sounds like a bit of a softer Keys album (which really isn't a bad thing).
9. Old Canes - Little Bird Courage
Feral Harmonic was a complete surprise. I didn't even know Chris Crisci had another musical project, and I had no idea I'd like them as much as I do. He's taken the musical talent of The Appleseed Cast and turned it in a folk direction and in the process, created one of the best albums of the year.
10. fun. - Benson Hedges
Aim and Ignite was the most anticipated album of the year for me, and Nate Ruess and his new crew did not disappoint. He's taken off right where The Format left off and yet clearly matured lyrically and in it all, created what I would say is the second best album I heard this year. It was tough picking one song off it but this was the first one I heard before the album was released (they released the demo on myspace) and so, here it is for you.
11. Phoenix - 1901
Disappointing that it's recently been on Cadillac commercials, but this group and this album were an unknown to me before I stumbled on it. They're French and they're loads of fun and this is the most fun song off the album.
12. Elbow - Grounds for Divorce
This song was featured on Rescue Me a few weeks after I first heard it and it was one of those moments where the the music considerably enhanced the moment in which you were watching. This track is on The Seldom Seen Kid which came out in March of 2008. The lead singer looks much different than I imagined he would...
13. Roman Candle - Eden Was A Garden
This is the other track that didn't appear in a PTC post. I heard this, compliments of David Dye and the World Cafe, this summer and it just captured me. Something about his whiny voice brings me to a better place. They've also toured with The Avett Brothers which earns them life points in my book.
14. The Cave Singers - Beach House
Louisville's WFPK brought this song to me in September and it was on a heavy rotation on my ipod for a couple months. Hadn't heard of of this band before then and am extremely thankful for the introduction.
15. Bell X1 - The Great Defector
Bell X1's latest album, Blue Lights on the Runway was one I had much excitement and anticipation for...and though I'm not convinced it's better than their previous release, FlockLucero - Smoke
Posted about this a couple weeks ago. This was off their album that came out in October....I love the idea behind the song, love the lyrics, especially "unknown and beautiful".....it's got so much possibility behind it.
17. Margot & the Nuclear So and So's - As Tall As Cliffs
My good friend, BRM, introduced me to this Indianapolis bred band early in 2008. I'm happy he did. No need for any proof of evidence here, I just really love this song.
18. Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Doomsday
Perkins' second effort (cd title mirrors the band name) was one of those albums that just grew and grew on me. I love his first album, Ash Wednesday, but he and his new band mates have outdone it. I saw the at the WFPK studio with my friend Dave, and the show was an figurative sledge hammer to my head and heart. Their live version of this song is beyond adjectives. The drummer in the linked video is my favorite...
19. Fink - Sort of Revolution
Fink fits nicely in a musical box with fellow Brit Alexi Murdoch...they both have a simple approach and have mastered the ability to harness their talents. "Come so far....a sort of revolution." The perfect end to this year's album...
Thank you all for your support and your willingness to read this or let me bend your ear about it all when we see each other...remember, salvation lies within.
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BFS
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
unknown and beautiful.
Lucero, the older, Memphis-bred version of The Hold Steady, have released their sixth studio album, 1372 Overton Park. Overall it could be rated at above average at best, but it certainly has moments of greatness within it, specifically on the track "Smoke." The mild lyrics remind me of a young lover struggling to sound profound within his poetry, but for some reason, Ben Nichols' harsh and scratchy voice seems to add more meaning to the words, and when he lets loose and goes after the "unknown and beautiful" section of this song, it's impossible to ignore that there's something within the content of his words all of us can either relate to or desperately want to relate to.
Lucero - Smoke
(this is just audio with pictures...there are a few good live versions out there if you're interested)
(Side note: next best tracks on the album are "Hey Darlin Do You Gamble" and "Sounds of the City."
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BFS
Lucero - Smoke
(this is just audio with pictures...there are a few good live versions out there if you're interested)
(Side note: next best tracks on the album are "Hey Darlin Do You Gamble" and "Sounds of the City."
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BFS
don't give away the end, the one thing that stays mine.
The first time I heard this song I had the feeling it changed my life. I'm not sure now that it did, but what I do know now is that it contains some lyrics worth reading and thinking about. At that time I first heard it, the lyrics weren't necessarily directly connected to what was going on in my life, but a few lines stuck out to a near 23 year-old...
And today, I can find truth in the words he sings and it still remains, to me, to be their best song. Jimmy Eat World came into my life (freshmen year of college) at the right time and though most of their songs don't carry the same personal weight with me they did then, a few still do, with this song and specifically these lyrics: "Don't give away the end, the one thing that stays mine" leading the way. Yes Please.
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BFS
And today, I can find truth in the words he sings and it still remains, to me, to be their best song. Jimmy Eat World came into my life (freshmen year of college) at the right time and though most of their songs don't carry the same personal weight with me they did then, a few still do, with this song and specifically these lyrics: "Don't give away the end, the one thing that stays mine" leading the way. Yes Please.
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BFS
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Swell Season. Yes. Please.
I found this video on Fuel Friends, a musical blog I frequent and one that provides me with a fair amount of content that I end up sharing....the latest and most enjoyable being the Old Canes and now this...
Glen Hansard of The Frames is, for lack of a better word, amazing. I've been riding The Frames bandwagon since around 2006, and have enjoyed Hansard's work in the Swell Sesaon with Marketa Irglova, as performed in the film Once, and on his own as well (you may have seen the post with him doing that intense version of Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks"). This song, "A High Hope," and this version of it....it's just, well, it's just IT (thanks, Jack Kerouac). The song has just hit me like a hammer in the right place at the right time. There's a woman in the crowd, and Hansard even points her out, who takes the intended crowd participation to a whole new level. Be patient with this one, it's worth it.
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BFS
Glen Hansard of The Frames is, for lack of a better word, amazing. I've been riding The Frames bandwagon since around 2006, and have enjoyed Hansard's work in the Swell Sesaon with Marketa Irglova, as performed in the film Once, and on his own as well (you may have seen the post with him doing that intense version of Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks"). This song, "A High Hope," and this version of it....it's just, well, it's just IT (thanks, Jack Kerouac). The song has just hit me like a hammer in the right place at the right time. There's a woman in the crowd, and Hansard even points her out, who takes the intended crowd participation to a whole new level. Be patient with this one, it's worth it.
As always, listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.
BFS
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