you win some, you lose some, and you let it go.

Ray LaMontagne, along with his new backing band, The Pariah Dogs, has released a new album (God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise). This is his fourth studio album, one where he appears to have turned down the volume to the bulk of his songs, which means, for listeners, that we must turn the volume up. His simplistic lyrical brilliance continues to shine through on songs like Rock & Roll an the Radio and Old Before Your Time, among others. Though I'm a fan of each of Ray's albums, his real work comes at his live shows. His shy, yet completely charismatic personality adds the honesty of his music. You get the feeling he's telling you the story of his life, and whether or not that's true, I find it so easy to believe in his words that it's impossible to not get wrapped up in them. Click on the song titles for the lyrics and click here for his tour schedule.

Repo Man


Old Before Your Time


Rock & Roll and The Radio


it saves.

BS

i held on as tightly as you held on to me.

I don't possess the vocabulary to describe how this song makes me feel, I can simply tell you that driving with the windows down, volume up, straight toward a sunset of unequaled beauty, trying to get a picture before it was disappeared, is quite an experience. I didn't get the picture. But I have the memory. Music saves.

Cinematic Orchestra - To Build A Home


BS

only the girls know the truth in the end.

Before I let loose my musings on the new Ray LaMontagne album, I offer up my favorite song of the moment. This is an acoustic (and faneffingtastic) version of "The Weekenders," a track off album The Hold Steady put out earlier this year, and to no surprise, even though I loved the album when it first came out, I love it more and more with each listen. And in this very moment, this song absolutely does it for me. Check out the lyrics here, they're worth reading. The second link is the album version...

acoustic


album


listen hard. sing loud. enjoy.

BS

And in the night ive been waiting for The real possibility that I may meet you in my dreams

I've been completely enveloped by the first season of Friday Night Lights lately and in one of the episodes, my favorite track off of Pearl Jam's 2004 album Pearl Jam album was used to compliment the last five or so minutes, which was of course, totally fantastic. And now, for your enjoyment, Eddie Vedder, doing what he does best, cutting straight to my heart with his words and voice. Right around the 4:00 mark is when I get the chills, whether it be the album or a live version.

Come Back


music saves.

BS

we have become hated and feared for something we don't want.

Jim James makes my life better. Let him makes your better too. This version of Gideon gave me the chills.


Gideon (with Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore)


Where to Begin


Golden (two-thirds)


it saves.

BS

no matter how hard you try you can't stop us now.

I miss Zach De La Rocha and Rage Against the Machine. Enjoy some of their best (in my opinion) youtube material.

Bulls on Parade (acoustic)


Renegades of Funk


Sleep Now in the Fire


Born of a Broken Man


In case you couldn't tell, Battle of Los Angeles is my favorite Rage album. It has to start somewhere, it has to start some time. What better place than here? What better time than now? Ah, hell, can't stop us now...

glen hansard covers van the man, the boss, and the pixies

Below are Glen Hansard's covers of songs by Van Morrison (the first two), Bruce Springsteen (third) and The Pixies (fourth). I love all of Hansard's original work, no matter the musical moniker he's wearing at the time (The Frames or The Swell Season). Each of these are covers of songs I already adore, but his versions are just as good, if not better. His energy toward the end of Astral Weeks is intoxicating.

Into the Mystic


Astral Weeks


Drive All Night


Levitate

do you think your righteousness could pay the interest on you debt? i have my doubts about it.

The new Arcade Fire album came out on Tuesday, and it's been playing on heavy repeat from every piece of stereo equipment in my apartment, car, and office since I bought it. This band is truly fighting for their place as best band in the world...they've continued their streak of putting out fantastic records, which is a rarity these days. Every track on each of their albums is solid. Every album is full of songs that, after you hear the first time, make you want to hit repeat (the true sign of a good song. Thanks, Mike.). Lyrically and musically they continue to improve and never rely on what they're good at...they keep fans on their toes and have yet to disappoint. Below is my favorite track thus far...though I'm sure with more listens it will be replaced and replaced again. Go buy the album.

The City With No Children


it saves.

BS

under the covers, chapter twenty-six: i'll return to claim your hand as the king of california

Special thanks to film The King of California for bringing this song into my life and then JV & Dave for reminding me of how terrific it truly is during that winding Sunday afternoon drive up US Highway 231.

First up, the original, by Dave Alvin, followed by a more bluegrassy cover done by the John Cowan Band (the strings just do it for me, especially on the version found on itunes...even more so than when Alvin has his full band with him).

Dave Alvin


John Cowan Band