I thought your coffee table was more clever than that...

For several reasons The Format's second and final album, Dog Problems, has been one I've listened to quite a bit lately. I'm thankful for Nate Ruess and Sam Means.

She Doesn't Get It


Snails


The Compromise


Oceans

rolled around the orchard and found myself too awkward....

In my all things Mumford & Sons frame of mind this last week or so, I've landed on the one musician All Music Guide lists as a similar artist: Johnny Flynn (the English singer/songwriter, not the Minnesota Timberwolves guard). Musically, Flynn certainly can be lumped in with Mumford & Sons, Langhorne Slim, Mick Flannery, etc., but lyrically, his sometimes childish words resonate chiefly because behind them are ideas and stories full of substance and meaning. His live solo performances are much different than those with his backing band (Sussex Wit, who join him on the album), but no matter how you hear him the sound and words coming through are worth paying attention to.

The video below contains solo performances of "Tickle Me Pink," "Leftovers," and "The Box." Click on any of the song titles in the previous sentence for the lyrics (worth it).



Music saves.

BS

if you still care at all, don't call.

I was reminded of one of my favorite Jimmy Eat World tracks today. Below is the album version of "Your House" (Off Bleed American, later changed to Jimmy Eat World) as well as a slower live version that they started playing in 2007.

Album


Live


Listen hard.

BS

Thom Yorke.

Thom Yorke plays three brand new, never before heard songs at a UK Green Party Benefit at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. Yes please.

Give Up the Ghost


The Daily Mail


Mouse Dog Bird


Listen hard.

BS

somewhere along the line I slipped off track, one step up and two steps back...

I've posted this before in one of the first chapters of Under the Covers, but it came to mind pretty much immediately after waking up this morning and so I offer it up again. It's Eddie Vedder singing the classic Springsteen song "One Step Up," though I'm not sure if it's with his late 80's band Bad Radio as the video suggests or with Pearl Jam, but I'm going to guess and say it's with PJ based on the sound of the recording. Regardless, it's a terrific cover of The Boss' original.



Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

so as you pull me from the bed tell me I look stunning and cadaverous...

There's a little bit of The Postal Service, Sufjan Stevens, Ra Ra Riot and The Format all mixed into one with this group I stumbled upon today. Freelance Whales and their debut album Weathervanes has been on repeat for the last few hours. It's full of passion and energy and the lyrics are both clever and applicable. Honestly, who doesn't love a glockenspiel? A banjo played with a drumstick? Even though their website says the album will be available March 10, 2010, you can find it on itunes immediately (for $7.99), which I recommend you do. Below are a couple tracks that stuck out from the rest, though the whole album is legit. What is a bit disturbing is it looks like these videos were shot in the basement of the Blair Witch house...hope they didn't find Mike standing in the corner when they arrived.

Generator (Second Floor)


Broken Horse


Hannah


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

open your arms, I want to be found...

This techno/rock/pop sound is becoming more of a presence in today's music scene and bands like Phoenix, MGMT, Passion Pit, and West Indian girl are drawing off bands like Talking Heads, Super Furry Animals, and Yo La Tengo and making music that demands attention from the masses. Hot Chip is a band that's been making music together since the turn of the century but only their recent work has garnered attention (and for good reason, I think). Pitchfork rated their latest album, One Life Stand, an 8.4. So goes Pitchfork, so goes the album sales and radio play (whether it be a legitimate review or not). Below are a couple of the standout tracks (for me) on the album. There's a dance element to the sound but a calm approach to the lyrics and vocals...a steel drum, synthesizer, keyboards, percussion, guitars, and a nerdy looking lead singer? An interesting mix and honestly, I'm intrigued by it.

Thieves in the Night


One Life Stand


Enjoy.

BS

Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles

A good friend of mine told me about this band from Minneapolis about a year ago and for whatever reason, I didn't look into them. Now they're starting to gather some steam and garner attention, and so a couple weeks ago I sat down with Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles records to give them their due diligence. Turns out, I should have checked them out when Tom told me to. This is a track off their most recent album, Special Time for Everybody, which was released in the fall of last year. If you dig on The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, Andrew Bird, The Black Lillies, etc., then you will probably enjoy Lucy and her eccentric crew.

Here and Hell

darkness is a harsh term, don't you think? yet it dominates the things I see...

Again, I know I'm a bit late on this...but this Mumford & Sons album is killer. Here's another track from it, "Roll Away Your Stone." Click here for the lyrics.



Enjoy.

BS

with fingernails that shine like justice...

I enjoy about a third of what Cake has produced in their musical career. This song, and especially this video, is in that third. I have a soft spot for background vocal yelling, which is in Cake's musical wheelhouse, and any band that uses horns is one I'll give a listen to. "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" is a song I play every time I put money into the jukebox and it's truly one of my favorite music videos (Robert L. Clark is awesome). The lyrics are simply entertaining and it just makes me want to start to move around a little bit...

Short Skirt/Long Jacket Music Video

let the moonlight take the lid off your dreams...

This one goes out to JV and PD and that terrible golf course outside of Birmingham, Alabama. Also, one of my friends took a jab at Ben Folds over the weekend, which is fine, but I think he's tremendous (hence the post). I mean, "Just the three of us took flight that night: Uncle Richard, me and James Earl Jones" is just a terrific line. And though I'm a terrible singer, Folds' songs have a tendency to make me want to sing along.

Ben Folds Five (from their reunion concert) - Lullabye


Sing loud.

BS

my own personal definition of good, meaningful music.

While sitting in class tonight and wishing I was listening to The Swell Season NPR Tiny Desk concert and/or the Mumford & Sons album that had both been dominating my day, my mind arrived at an unexpected attempt to create my own personal definition for good, meaningful music. The words within the paragraph below simply landed on the paper, with no intentional provocation or editing once they were written. I recognize the vulnerability of putting these words out there and the potential for alienation, but I'm feeling up for it right now (I suppose that's the former creative writing student in me) and am guessing that if you visit this blog, you have a relationship with music, which I absolutely admire and appreciate.

The words + sounds come together to form a figurative hand that reaches into my chest and grabs hold of my heart, and the applied pressure forces me to sit down, breathe deep, and succumb to the power of the music. And in all that I'm rendered totally incapable of achieving any task of consequence for a short period of time.

Thankfully, this happens only enough to keep me looking and yearning for more, but never occurs enough where the feeling gets old.

It saves.

BS

now let me at the truth, which will refresh my broken mind...

This evening has me enveloped in the words and sounds provided by Mumford & Sons on their album, Sigh No More. Randomly, via a Fuel Friends post on Facebook today, I found this awesome artist and her website (StolenLyric) that combines lyrics and photographs, and the second most recent one, #55, has a Mumford & Sons lyric from "Little Lion Man" on it (it fits perfectly with the photo). I'm confident plenty of you out there have already heard and probably enjoy this English outfit, but either way, I'm hooked and now here they are..."White Blank Page" is my favorite so far.

Little Lion Man


White Blank Page


The Cave


Winter Winds


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

you were restless, I was somewhere less secure...

NPR Tiny Desk concerts continually improve my life. Recently I've enjoyed ones from The Avett Brothers, The Tallest Man on Earth, Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros, and most importantly to me personally, The Swell Season. I've not been shy about expressing my complete adoration of Glen Hansard, and so you shouldn't be surprised that his music appears on this blog again.

I absolutely love Hansard's willingness to share the meaning behind his songs, but also because of how well the lyrics are written, they can still be turned in ways to fit you personally as a listener. And, as stated many times before, I'm a sucker for crowd involvement. He's so genuine and the chemistry between he and Marketa Irglova is undeniable. This concert is over thirty minutes long, but it's worth it to listen to every minute. There's no real need to watch the video if you're busy, just hit play and get back to work, but make sure you listen hard enough to hear what he has to say or look up the lyrics later on. The first time I saw this, the first two songs they play, "In These Arms" and "Low Rising" just took hold of me for about a day, and "Feeling the Pull" is a song I think everyone can relate to. "Back Broke," and the explanation behind hit are just incredible. The last song is "When Your Mind's Made Up" and with it, Hansard proves again how brilliant a song writer he is.

The Swell Season - NPR Tiny Desk Concert


Listen hard. It just may save you.

BS

pour a little salt, we were never here...

Last Thursday, while enjoying a Mogeley Oak show with some friends (post on that coming soon), we started talking about Bon Iver, and I was reminded of this video that Scooter shared with me awhile back (and again this morning when I couldn't find it). I thought I had posted it, but apparently had only shared it on facebook. The sound of the video isn't of the highest quality, but it's shot around 6:30 am, right when the sun is coming up, and the sunrise combined with the brilliance of "Skinny Love" just make me so very happy. Justin Vernon has given listeners so much, and he's only made one album. I wish I would've been there to witness it.

"Skinny Love" starts around 1:15 mark. Pay attention the color of the sky as the video progresses.



Saves.

BS

balance we won't know...

Introduction = unnecessary.

Bon Iver - Lump Sum


Public Radio is awesome.

BS

Under the Covers, Chapter Seventeen: I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons...

Three points about this chapter to get things started...

1) R.E.M. is one of the best bands ever and Automatic for the People is one of the best ten albums I own. I feel like they're overlooked by a good portion of music fans in my generation, though.

2) The original version of "The Great Beyond" was written for the film Man on the Moon (the song and the movie are both awesome).

3) As much as I'm not much of a fan of The Fray (the lead singer's vocals just generally are a bit too dramatic for me). Regardless, I can dig on the cover...hope you do too.

R.E.M.


The Fray


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

the perfect space

This is my favorite Avett Brothers song right now (off I and Love and You). Seriously, read the lyrics, you'll be better off for it (click here to read them).

The Perfect Space


Saves.

BS

i'm just a notch in your bedpost but you're just a line in a song.

Despite it's overwhelming mainstream popularity, I love this song. Their musical talent isn't top drawer, but it's definitely solid and the lyrics are tremendous.

Fall Out Boy - Sugar, We're Goin Down


Sing loud.

BS

that's alright, I was desperate too...

The Hold Steady, and in particular, their song "Sequestered in Memphis" came up in a conversation I had today with Mike Olson of KFJM (yes please!) and it became clear that in even in my appreciation for the band (especially Boys and Girls in America), I had no idea how great this song actually is. Stay Positive is an album I enjoy, but this song, because of the repetitive chorus is one I've never latched onto....until today. If you dig into the lyrics, you may just end up where I'm at right now with it...which is loving it. And you know, it's pretty fun to crank up and sing along to.

Sequestered In Memphis


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

busking with scott dunbar

Thanks to Scooter for passing this artist along this afternoon.

Scott Dunbar has no record deal. The only way to get one of his cds is to buy it off him in between songs as he busks on the streets of Montreal. If you turn to itunes, you'll find the wrong Scott Dunbar (that one was born in Mississippi in 1904, this one was born in Prince George, British Columbia). He's got a myspace page with a handful of tracks and a great little bio/theory on music and life (music saves). I suggest you listen to them all, though "Tinfoil Hat" is my favorite thus far. If you don't enjoy this cover of "Billie Jean," then, well, I don't know what to tell you. I mean, seriously, a killer blue suitcase for a kick drum? Awesome.

"Billie Jean"


"Tinfoil Hat"


enjoy.

BS

Ben Sollee + Daniel Martin Moore = yes please.

Kentucky natives Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore have combined musical forces, with the result being their recently released album, Dear Companion. During my years in Louisville I was fortunate enough to see Sollee play live several times, sometimes with 1,000 people and sometimes with 10. His musical talent appears to know no bounds and his record Learning to Bend absolutely blew me away both musically and lyrically. Check out "Built for This," "A Change is Gonna Come," and "A Few Honest Words" off that album (he also has another album, Turn on the Moon). And so, his next effort has been something I've been looking forward to for a couple years now, and seeing his popularity grow from having a tune aired on Weeds as well as doing some work with Jim James has been great. Simply put, the guy is a monster cello player.

Daniel Martin Moore has a more than interesting story...he sent a demo tape to Sub Pop and then up and left for Costa Rica. Sub Pop happened to love his work and went on to sign him. This release is his second effort, a follow up to his debut release, Stray Age. Check out "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" off that album.

Their combined efforts have brought a tremendous album into the world, one that I'm still trying to wrap my head around. At first listen though, I'm very pleased and excited about the possibilities within. They played an in-store on the day of the cd release at Ear X-tacy, the world famous record store on Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky. The store is struggling right now due to the recession and music lovers in Louisville have come together to do all they can to save it. The intro to the show by store owner John Timmons says it all. Sollee and Moore's performance couldn't have come at a better time, because you know, music saves, and now it's time we do our part to save an amazing record store. Enjoy the show...

Intro by Ear X-tacy owner John Timmons


Something, Somewhere, Sometime


Needn't Say A Thing


Try


My Wealth Comes to Me


Sweet Marie


Dear Companion


Music Saves.

BS

you take away yesterday to give me today...

Since it's Ash Wednesday, it seems appropriate to post a video of the title track off Elvis Perkins' debut album (released almost exactly three years ago). Ash Wednesday is also a poem by T.S. Eliot (random tidbit of the day). EP's imaginative, winding lyrics leave much for interpretation, which is the way I like it. Click here for lyrics, click below for enjoyment.



Listen hard. Sing loud. Enjoy.

BS

Under the Covers, Chapter Sixteen

Thanks to Amanda for her submission on this...I do believe I would never have found it on my own.

Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You" and covered by Bell X1. I won't feel bad if you skip the original to get to the cover...

Timberlake


Bell X1


Enjoy...

BS

we'll leave our tracks untraceable now...

I've been digging The Decemberists' The Crane Wife (as many of you have) since it came out a few years ago, and lately it's been on a heavy personal rotation (also shown by the live version of "O Valencia" that was posted a couple of weeks ago). I was listening to it again this morning and went off youtubing and found this....it get's real good around the 4:40 mark. I'm a sucker for instructed crowd involvement...

Sons and Daughters


Listen hard. Sing loud. Enjoy.

BS

Under the Covers, Chapter Fifteen

Tom Waits' original "I Hope I Don't Fall in Love with You" and covered by Hootie and the Blowfish. Sidenote: Cracked Rear View was one of the first albums I owned and listening to it is one of the few memories I actually have from middle school.

Tom Waits


Hootie


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

what I am to you is not what you mean to me...

Damien Rice doesn't have a new album coming out (at least from what I can tell). But tonight I put on his debut album, 0, which led me to trying to find out if he was making a new album (because he's due for one, right?), which led me to Eskimo Friends, a Damien Rice fan site. From there I found a transcript of an interview he did at the end of December, which apparently was his first interview with any member of the media in over three years. I discovered a couple things from the interview worth noting (you really should just read it, especially if you're a fan of his).......that Rice was the original front man for Juniper, which eventually became Bell X1, and that his breakup, both musically and personally, with Lisa Hannigan was as messy as it was made out to be in the press (he clearly loves her more than I do).

That first album of his came along at just the right time for me. I remember driving home from class one morning in the fall of 2003 (between 10 am and noon, because that's when the World Cafe is on here), and hearing "The Blower's Daughter" for the first time. That album dominated my life for seriously over a year, and will forever be something I hold very close.

I saw Rice live in 2007 at The Louisville Palace Theatre (what an amazing venue), just after he split from Hannigan. The show was beyond words...in my top five concert experiences. And tonight I found these live versions of a few songs off O and 9 (his second album) and they are so raw, so stripped down, and so amazing. I hope you have some time, because I recommend you sit back and just enjoy the passion, power and beauty within these songs.

Volcano


Amie


I Remember


9 Crimes


Cannonball


Rootless Tree


Cold Water


It saves.

BS

It's more than OK

This is just never going to get old. I wish the version from Virginia Beach (their first show after the Roskilde Festival tragedy) was out there, but this is pretty damn good on it's own.



listen hard. sing loud. enjoy.

BS

musical rant + a tune from Sea Wolf

Not surprisingly, I've been having a lot of conversations about music lately. Getting started at KFJM has been awesome, every time I leave the building I walk out with more musical knowledge than I had when I walked in. And as you can hopefully tell, I've been posting as often as possible lately, and though most of it hasn't been new material, I certainly hope those who visit this blog have found it to be enjoyable material. Anyway, in these conversations with friends of all musical interests and levels of knowledge, I've come to a few realizations...

I've tried hard for the last six months or so to not be seen as a music snob. I truly do appreciate the relationship anyone has with music (see Nick Hornby), but I believe that because of my passion for music, I have the opportunity to perhaps broaden the musical scope of those who are open to broadening theirs. And likewise, there are people I rely on to continue to provide me with new music and challenge my musical parameters, such as Mike Olson and KFJM radio, WFPK in Louisville (still listening online), Pitchfork, PASTE, Fuel Friends Blog, etc. Not all the music I hear resonates with me as the sources I rely on sometimes put songs out there that I don't particularly like, but it forces me to look into it a bit deeper, perhaps have a conversation about it or at least think about why I didn't like it. Was it the lyrics? The arrangement? The singer's voice? Something else? I think that with any form of art, be it music, a painting, a book, a movie, anything, it all has a time and place for each of us. Sometimes someone gives you a book and you don't read it for awhile, or maybe you start it and don't finish it, because the timing is just off, and you pick it up again later on down the road and it resonates with you then. Or perhaps the opposite...perhaps it hits you like a freight train that first time and you just can't put it down. Music is the same way...I know there are songs I share that aren't well received by every reader, and that's okay. But every time I find a song (most recently, the new Josh Ritter song "Change of Time") that just grabs me be the neck and won't let go of me, and I share it, I'm hopeful just one person out there will feel what I feel. And in that sense, I guess I kind of compare myself to a overzealous preacher. I say that because I'm convinced of something: that music saves. And I want everyone to feel what I feel when I hear music that really moves me or comes into my life at the right place and time for what's going on personally. But I have to understand that I have to just put it out there and leave it be, and for some folks, the timing will be right and they'll love it and some simply won't. I can't try to convince someone to love it or talk someone out of liking Nickelback, but what I can do is provide music I find enjoyable to those who are looking for to broaden the scope of their musical enjoyment.

And so, in April of 2009, Pacing the Cage was born, and now, ten months later, it's going strong, growing in readership (thank you, thank you, thank you), and helped me start working at a public radio station (lifelong dream come true). I appreciate all of you who make the time to read my words and listen to the words of those artists who are featured.

As always keep listening hard, singing loud and enjoying. Here's a tune from Sea Wolf (check their newest album, White Water, White Bloom) I've been loving lately (thanks, Pete)...

Sea Wolf - Wicked Blood


Yep, it saves.

BS

do you realize (how amazing this song really is)?

According to a good friend, Michael John, the Flaming Lips are the best band in the world. I'm going to disagree with that statement, but they are pretty frickin fantastic. Driving home from the big city of Fargo tonight with the ipod on shuffle, this song came on and you know, it's just effing brilliant. The Soft Bulletin is one of the best albums in my personal collection and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots isn't far off.

Do You Realize?


Listen hard. Sing loud. Let them know. Enjoy.

BS

and eventually our theories couldn't explain it all...

Twenty years ago Ani DiFranco released her first album (Ani DiFranco). Since then she has released twenty-one more albums, mostly studio but a few live ones are sprinkled in there as well. When you hear Ani's music, whether you enjoy it or not, I would hope that when you really listen to the words, you can recognize her lyrical brilliance (she's a damn good guitar player too). I'm certainly not an Ani DiFranco connisseour, but I do believe that in terms of modern folk music, that is, that has been made in my lifetime at least, she's one of the pioneers and a tremendous example of a true artist...one that attacked music with relentless energy and found a way to make a living out of it, but never did she allow success or acclaim define her. With every album she seems to continue to push her own limits, which in turn, pushes us to ours.

Below is "Both Hands," my favorite track off her first album, one that with every listen, all I can do is sit back, breathe deep and enjoy. Click here to see the lyrics (I suggest you do so). Finally, it seems to me that if this song came out today, people would love it...and I suppose that's just a telltale sign of good music. There's a re-released version of the song as well, one that's a bit more musically textured...but the original is just plain better.



listen hard, it just may save you.

BS

i've been waiting all this time to be something i can't define...

The Format have come and gone, and though Nate Ruess is still going strong with his new (and awesome) group fun., I still have a healthy obsession with his previous work with Sam Means (The Format). Below is a live version of their first single, appropriately titled "The First Single" (they did that on purpose). The video is a live version where the crowd is SUPER into it (which Nate fully embraces) and in this case is actually really cool. The non-live versions on youtube are not the actual album version, they're all a pre-album, more than likely demo version, which is annoying, because the album version is much better. Regardless...don't be afraid to clap your hands along with Nate...I generally do.

The First Single (Cause a Scene)


Music saves.

BS

making headlines again...

Another killer track off the new Cold War Kids EP, Behave Yourself. This version makes me happy.



listen hard. sing loud. enjoy.

BS

well, I'll write it all down for you...again.

Elliot Brood came into my life at the very end of last year, and "Write It All Down for You" led off this year's holiday compilation and was posted on PTC in mid-December. Well, two months later, I have finally taken the time to share more of the Canadian group's work, and it's long overdue. They've got a bit of The Avett Brothers in them, which is maybe why I like it so much. They're not as lyrically or musically skilled as The Avett's (though I don't believe many are), but they bring the same kind of manic energy to their music, and clearly, their performances. The first two songs are off their latest album, Mountain Meadows, which I recommend you pick up.

WIADFY


The Valley Town


Johnny Rooke


music saves.

BS

Under the Covers, Chapter Fourteen

Cyndi Lauper (yes, Cindi Lauper) and her song "Time After Time" are the subject of this chapter. Mainly because Rob Thomas does an outstanding acoustic cover. Don't be afraid to love it...

Cyndi Lauper (this video is awesome on so many levels and I'm frightened by her eyebrows).


Rob Thomas


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

i dreamt that i was swimming and the stars up above, directionless and drifting...

Heather Powell Browne, keeper of the fantastic blog that is Fuel Friends, posted this earlier today. And as much as PTC isn't meant to be a copycat blog, I can't help but feel compelled to share this song. I don't have the words to describe this song and there's really no point in trying. Josh Ritter is incredible. He makes my life better. May 4, 2010 can't come soon enough.

Album Version


Live Version


Music saves.

BS

you had better just enjoy the luxury of sympathy if that's a luxury you have...

This isn't close to new material from the wonderful musical act that is Built to Spill, but these songs, especially "Velvet Waltz" are just brilliant. Not the greatest quality video/audio on all three of these but still worth your time. If any of you are runners, I suggest you listen to "Goin Against Your Mind" while running (especially when running uphill, right, brother?).

Velvet Waltz


Goin Against Your Mind


Strange


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

Under the Covers, Chapter Thirteen

Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" and a cover done so well it could only be done by Eddie Vedder.

Tom Petty


Eddie Vedder


Listen hard. Sing loud. Enjoy.

BS

A Night in the Box. Yes. Please.

A Night in the Box, a Minnesota born and bred band, was recently passed on to me by my friend Jared (thanks much) and about a minute into the first song I heard, "Let Me Know," it was clear a post was in order. There's a bit of White Stripes in them, a bit of Soggy Bottom Boys, a splash of Flogging Molly, and a whole bunch of original, good music. There really aren't any youtube videos that do their music justice, so for a proper listen click on their name above, you won't regret it. My favorite tracks so far: Hustle, Let Me Know, Legend of Kevin Fitch, and Broken Down Radiator Blues. They describe their own music as "The feeling you have when you find a home." Yes please.

Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

Under the Covers, Chapter Twelve

Thanks to Heather Browne of FuelFriends for the inspiration of this chapter. Featured is Wilco's "Jesus, etc" and covered by Norah Jones (who I've been loving lately).

Wilco


Norah Jones


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

out in the back the poet writes his songs in blood...

Ryan Bingham. Yes please.

His first album, Mescalito, blew me away in 2008 (released late 2007). His deep, sandpaper voice, lyrical delivery and slide guitar immediately had me hooked. "Bread & Water" off that album was one of my favorite songs of that year (led off the holiday album). His follow up release in 2009, Roadhouse Sun, didn't disappoint either. And now, with his song "The Weary Kind" (see post below) featured as the theme song to Crazy Heart and he's blowing up (which is awesome).

To celebrate Bingham's recent success and attention (which is overdue) here are some solid live tunes from him. If you want to pick up an album of his, I suggest you buy both, but if you have to pick one, go with Mescalito. All accounts are that his live shows are simply unreal. Other songs you should check out if you like what you hear here: Bread & Water, Southside of Heaven, Sunrise, Hard Times, The Other Side, Mr. Dylan's Hard Rain, Day is Done, Change Is, Tell My Mother I Miss Her So.

The Poet (unreleased)


Sunrise


Listen hard. Sing loud. Enjoy.

BS

I don't know if you notice anything different....

"This is the Thing" is the first Fink song I ever heard...the one that turned me onto his music. "Sort of Revolution" is his best tune (final track on AVSH 09), one that sums up the last year for me personally. But as I dig further into his work, I keep coming back to this track for two reasons: one is that it's a deep and dark tale that I think many can relate to, but two, because I wish the lyrics were just a little bit different. Only a few times in my life can I remember really liking a song and wish I could just tweak the lyrics a little bit (Todd Snider's "Doublewide Blues" and Weezer's "El Scorcho" for example).

He sings:
"And the things that keep us apart keep me alive
and the things that keep me alive keep me alone."

And while that's a powerful statement for sure, I really wish he said:

"And the things that keep us apart, keep me awake
and the things that keep me awake, keep me alive."

Either way, still tremendous. Enjoy...this version is great.

Fink - This is the Thing

pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try...

Crazy Heart is getting all kinds of attention these days, with some saying it's the best performance of Jeff Bridges' career as well as the film of the year. As a huge fan of his, I can't wait to see the film and after seeing that the soundtrack includes work from Lucinda Williams, Sam Phillips and most importantly to me, Ryan Bingham, I was even more excited. Hopefully one day it will land in Grand Forks and we can all enjoy it...until then, here's the lead track from the film, "The Weary Kind," performed by Bingham, a separate performance of it from Bridges and finally, the trailer for the film.

Bingham


Bridges


Trailer


Listen hard. Sing Loud. Enjoy.

BS

Just my eyes know what I've done...

I first saw Ian Moore in 2004 at The 400 Bar in Minneapolis (Thanks, Middle brother). I have a couple of his albums (Luminaria and To Be Loved) and while I enjoy both of those (Luminaria a bit more), I've been hopeful to see him live again, because it was one of those shows that when it was over and you walked out, no one said anything for a few minutes. One of those performances that just leaves you in a heap, not sure what to say or think for awhile. Moore's music and words have that ability, no doubt.

A facebook friend posted something about "today being a new day" this morning, and it reminded me of his song "New Day." And now that I think of it, I may have posted an Ian Moore video in the last couple months (back when there was a random video on the right side of the page), but when I got to youtubing, I found a series of songs from one show and there were at most, like 500 views for each of them, and so I decided to share them. He tends to be a bit gloomy, but his voice is so heavy, so piercing, and in this format with just him and a guitar, he's perfectly brilliant. I've posted four videos...though there are several more from the same show. So if you like what you hear, check the others out and then pick up Luminaria (available on itunes).

New Day


What I've Done


Kangaroo Lake


Sir Robert Scott


Listen hard. Sing loud. Enjoy.

BS

well the night's busted open on these two lanes to anywhere...

Ever since I saw Mike Mangione open for Ben Sollee at the 930 Listening Room in Louisville in 2008, I've been eagerly awaiting his next album. Between the incredible performance put on that night and the album I took home with me (Tenebrae) I was hooked. A track off that album, "The Killing Floor," even made it onto the 2008 Holiday Album. He's definitely an artist who has something to offer lyrically, and Tenebrae (Latin for shadows or darkness) is an album full of songs overflowing with Mangione's knowledge and experience. Whether it be about relationships, religion, war or life, Mangione openly shares his thoughts and they're worth listening to. Tracks off Tenebrae you should hear that can't be found on youtube: "The Killing Floor," A Requiem for the Trash," "Now That It's Done, Won't You Come Back." Basically, just buy the album.

There isn't a ton of youtube material of his out there...but here's what I've been able to find and they're all quality tunes/videos. I've been saving this post for when the album release was announced...you can read about it at his website.

You Don't Wanna Leave


Waiting for No One


Me Not You




Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

but I'm here with my hands on my heart...

Let me start out by saying that this video had forty-three views when I first saw it. Forty-three! Successfully youtubing a performance that is both high quality in audio and video is something I get excited about, but when I find one with hardly any views, it's like Christmas of 1990 when Santa brought the G.I. Joe Rolling Thunder Vehicle....

I know I've been posting not so new music lately...but I don't feel bad about it. Hope you enjoy...

The Decemberists - O Valencia!


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

the song that needs singing has already been sung before...

Delta Spirit's album, Ode to Sunshine, was the best album of 2008 (it really was). I've taken a fairly long lay off from it since the end of that particular year but recently have been listening to it again and loving it just as much as I did then. And thanks to the first video posted below, I now know why the song is called "Trashcan" and thanks to the second video, know the back story on the album cover art.

Trashcan


People, Turn Around


People C'mon


Listen Hard. Sing Loud. Enjoy and also, don't be afraid to comment and tell us what you think...

BS

Listen. Listen. Most of us believe that this is wrong...

Not too long ago I posted several videos of Jim James (or Yim Yames as he seems to be going by these days) doing a live acoustic set, and this morning while sitting at work, "Gideon" came on and provided me with a much needed jolt of energy. And so I went youtubing and found this...an acoustic version of the track (their fantastic live version from Okonokos is posted below too). If anything, watch it just to see the guy dancing at the bottom of the screen, as he's surely listening hard, singing loud, enjoying and possibly even more...

Jim James - Gideon



My Morning Jacket - Gideon

The Black Lillies

Thanks to Tom for turning my onto this band. The Black Lillies released their first album, Whiskey Angel, in 2009, which means they flew under my personal radar last year. If you enjoy The Weepies, theeverybodyfields or the Low Anthem you'll enjoy The Black Lillies....folkish, no depression alternative country with a hint of Appalachia would be my description (to a T, I know...). There's definitely a bit of a honky tonk feel to some of their work...so if that doesn't sound like it's up your alley, I suggest you either be open to broadening your alley or just ignore this post.





Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

Under the Covers, Chapter Eleven

Daniel Lanois' "The Maker" and then fabulously covered by Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds off their Live at Radio City Music Hall album.

Daniel Lanois


Dave & Tim


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS

Under the Covers, Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten is all about Radiohead and brown haired solo artists covering their work. First up, "Idioteque" (off Kid A) and covered so wonderfully by Levi Weaver (seriously, it's awesome). Batting second is the Radiohead original and John Mayer's cover of the title track off Kid A.

Radiohead - Idioteque


Levi Weaver - Idioteque


Radiohead - Kid A


John Mayer - Kid A


Listen hard, sing loud and enjoy.

BS