Sam Beam Strikes Again

Sam Beam and his musical vehicle, Iron & Wine, threw listeners a curve ball with 2007's, The Shepherd's Dog. Beam left his soft and somber sound in the past and brought a more focused songwriting on top of curious percussion and bouncing guitars. It was regarded as his best album yet---until now. Kiss Each Other Clean takes off from where The Shepherd's Dog ended, this time, with intense songwriting that's a bit clearer...a bit less cryptic. The album's first single, Walking Far From Home, is a gem of a track, with lines like "I saw lovers in a window whisper want me like time, want me like time" but the track that stands above the rest (and they're all good) is Rabbit Will Run. Beam's voice seeps out from behind all the balanced, beautiful noise that he's created. Beam is one of the elite songwriters out there today and his musical voyage continues to lead listeners in new and challenging directions.

Rabbit Will Run


it saves.

under the covers, chapter thirty-three: oh, don't carve me out.

Jill Andrews, former co-frontwoman of The Everybodyfields is on out on her own now, and has her first full-length album, The Mirror, set to come out in March (expect a post on that when it comes out). I saw The Everybodyfields open for The Avett Brothers at least twice between 2006-2008 and absolutely fell in love each time (with the music and her). In this chapter she covers the My Morning Jacket tune "Bermuda Highway." As for her own work, her guitar playing is solid, her lyrics are earnest, and her voice is remarkable (again, more upon release of new album). Those of you who know me know I'm a massive MMJ fan, and if you're like me, you too are on edge for their newest album that should be out sometime this year, one they recorded in a church in Louisville. You must see them live; it will change your life.

My Morning Jacket


Jill Andrews

when it comes down to me and i grit my teeth...

Much thanks to Ford for selecting Derby's "If Ever There's a Reason" for one of their commercials. They're from Portland and before today, I didn't know they existed. They've released two full-length albums, with the last one being Posters Fade, in 2008. The songwriting is clever, the music is catchy and uncomplicated, and the lead singer's voice reminds me of Jakob Dylan. If you're into artists like Matt Pond PA, American Music Club or Michael Penn, you'll dig what's below.

If Ever There's a Reason



it saves.

don't let us get stupid, all right?

Pissed off that "Looking For Eric" hadn't arrived via Netflix yet, I turned to my XBOX 360 to see if there was anything worth watching online. If you're a stranger to Netflix's online catalog, you should know that ninety-five percent of it is either complete crap or complete crap no one I know has ever heard of. Near the end of my desperation I stopped at Californication, a Showtime production I'd heard some good things about (but nothing great) and never made the time to judge for myself. Six episodes later, I was immersed in the show and scrambling to find out who covered Warren Zevon's "Don't Let Us Get Sick" as the sixth episode came to a close. Thanks to my bff, Google, I quickly learned that a self-described "saloon singer" who specializes in covers from nowhere, New Jersey, named Pat Guadagno, was directly responsible for improving my evening. I quickly gathered info on this fellow and devoured as much of his material as I could. Turns out he is just what he says he is: an aging man riding out a mediocre career in bars and saloons somewhere along the eastern seaboard. Of what I've consumed so far, three tunes stand out: the aforementioned cover, a cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," and a cover of a tune by The Hollies called "Bus Stop." His live album, Live at the City Lights Saloon, is aggressively entertaining. Up and down and fast and slow, covers and originals, he certainly knows how to put on a show. Lastly, in the cover of AAtW Guadagno's attack on his acoustic guitar is rousing, and overall, his ability to make the songs he covers his own but not stray too far from what made the originals so great is a unique strength that draws me closer with each listen.

Don't Let Us Get Sick


All Along the Watchtower


Bus Stop

under the covers, chapter thirty-two: mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids.

My computer spent some time in the hospital last week, and during its stay, its memory was wiped out. So I sat down tonight to begin sorting through what I wanted on my itunes and on my ipod and I came across something I hadn't listened to in a couple years: My Morning Jacket's Chapter 1: The Sandworm Cometh - Early Recordings. And so, this chapter features Elton John's "Rocketman." EJ's version is a sweet live one from his 60th Bday bash at MSG.

Elton


MMJ

yes, maria, yes: the david wax museum are coming (as predicted)

The David Wax Museum, the band I saw open for the Old 97's last July, look like they're taking the momentum and acclaim they absolutely deserved last year right into 2011 with the same vigor and energy they showed the first time I saw them. Their new album, Everything Is Saved, comes out February 8, they've been featured as a World Cafe "Next" artist, and they've played an NPR Tiny Desk Concert (hence this post). I said this after I saw THIS and THIS, that they would blow up in the near future. It certainly appears that's going to be the case. I am so sorry I missed their house show in Fargo but I have it on good authority that I indeed should be sorry, because they killed it again the next night in Minneapolis. The raw energy and unique sound I jabbered on and on about to friends and in this post are just a couple traits that continue to propel them forward. I can't wait to see them again. And yes, that's a donkey jaw she's playing, and yes, it's awesome.



let me rest; it saves.

showroom of compassion: the return of Cake

This past Tuesday, Cake released their first album in seven years. Despite the hiatus (and for whatever reason), they're back to their old tricks: edgy guitar riffs, horns aplenty, curious percussion, background yelling, and simple yet mostly clever lyrics. In their time together they certainly haven't strayed from the comforts of those aforementioned skills, but they've continually honed them and for this fan, they stand alone in their own unique niche. I've always LOVED at least a few tracks from each of their albums, and it's no different with this one, which is called Showroom of Compassion. First up is the single, "Sick of You," performed on Conan, complete with some fantastic crowd involvement. Next up is "Long Time," a second, bonus song from their visit to Conan. Finally is a song straight from the album, a lyricless track called "Teenage Pregnancy."

Sick of You


Long Time


Teenage Pregnancy


it'll make you move.

under the covers, chapter thirty-two: and you put the load right on me

This chapter's featured song is from music legends The Band; a live version of "The Weight" and then covered by a host of singer-songwriters who've come together to play the Totally Fuckin' Doin' It tour the last couple of years. The group includes Tony Lucca, Matt Duke, and Jay Nash (click their name to see/hear a song be each artist, it'll be worth your time). Massive thanks to LN for throwing the cover my way.

The Band


TFDI


listen hard + sing loud.

i don't have a choice but i still choose you.

About six months ago I didn't jump at the duo The Civil Wars, a band PASTE labeled "the best of what's next." When a good and thorough man, JV, asked me if I'd heard of them earlier today, I decided to give them another listen. Let's just say I won't pass on them again. The first song below, "Poison and Wine," comes off their first release, a self-titled EP released in November of 2009. The aforementioned song was featured on Grey's Anatomy and also gained momentum via a Taylor Swift tweet (too bad I'm not a T-Swift follower......). The EP is available on itunes, as is their new single, "Barton Hollow," which will be featured on their upcoming album of same name, to be released February 1st. Their sound is beautifully haunting and I go back and forth between aching and rejoicing each time I listen (which has been a lot today). They're also currently touring so go on and click on their name up above and check out their myspace to learn more and see tour dates.

Poison and Wine


Barton Hollow


music saves.

the best of 2010: in my mind anyway

In no particular order, my favorite albums of the year, followed by some honorable mentions.

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
The first year after their album was released they worked hard to gather a following in the UK and earlier this year absolutely blew up in the states. The album is full of raw emotion, and Marcus Mumford strings you along through each track, climbing melodies and diving back down into powerful lyrics. Their continued success is proof of their legitimacy, their relentless touring is a sign of their dedication, but their second album, when it comes, will be the true sign of whether or not they're going to stay legitimate.

Linked Track: White Blank Page

Vampire Weekend - Contra
Ezra Koenig and crew did not disappoint in their sophomore effort. Some folks think their constant comparisons to Paul Simon are annoying...but this fan thinks they're a terrific compliment. Sure, they play on the African sound that Simon brought out so well, but Koenig and his mates are here to stay, bringing

Linked Track: I Think Ur a Contra

Black Keys - Brothers
The dynamic Ohio duo continues to smash instruments and Dan Auerbach's songwriting continues to improve---and my love for them continues to grow. With each album they stay true to their sound but find a way to avoid boredom or repetitiveness. One of the better and more raw live acts I've ever seen. Brothers was one of the few albums that followed me where I went this year---especially in the summer.

Linked Track: Next Girl

Josh Ritter - So Runs the World Away
I've been saying for awhile now that Ritter is one of the best young songwriters around...and with this album, his ability to weave his own, bizarre stories through already existing historical events/characters shines through. When he's not adding make-believe to history, he's pulling at your heart and soothing your soul. His genuine happiness on stage is infectious. Super excited for his tour with Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison.

The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart
This Pacific Northwest group of migrants met in Seattle and have since blown up, and did so quickly. Youtube has been both their companion and their launchpad, with fabulous, even breathtaking videos from parking garage performances and house shows popping up with almost every show they played. They were a Starbucks download of the week about a month ago. They were hand-picked by Dave Matthews to open for he and Tim Reynolds. They opened for Dr. Dog. Their first album is so raw, so full of youthful emotion, so innocent...you just can't help but keep listening. They appear to be doing things the right way, the artistic way, and they cannot be stopped. Look out, they're coming and they're going to be really, really good.

Linked Track: Down In The Valley

The National - High Violet
I didn't take to this album as quickly as I did their last, Boxer, mainly I think because it's fairly slow-paced, but The National's fifth studio release is, now, to me, their best. The lyrics are as confusing as ever, but they're still magical, and the band's sound is tighter and more concentrated---a true sign of a veteran group. The single, Bloodbuzz Ohio, is the top track, but there are several others right behind it...."England" and "Conversation 16," and this track, "Runaway," to name a few.

Linked Track: Runaway

The Hold Steady - Heaven Is Whenever
Craig Finn and company have found greater success with each album, and you know, they may not ever top Boys and Girls In America, but their latest release did not disappoint. Hurricane J, The Weekenders, and The Sweet Part of the City are a few of the tracks that struck me the hardest.

Linked Track: The Sweet Part of the City

Yeasayer - Odd Blood
This was my first Yeasayer album and just a few tracks in I knew I was soon to be headed for the rest of their collection. Heartfelt songwriting mixed in with rock and electronica and I've nearly landed in personal music heaven.

Linked Track - Ambling Alp

Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives - Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives
This band came to my ears literally the same day The Head and the Heart did, and I nearly couldn't handle it. Playing both albums over and over trying to figure which was better. Truth is, they're different, and they're both fantastic. Drew Grow writes thoughtfully and honestly, and their modest approach and love for music is quite clear. They are supposedly unspeakable live. Yes + Please.

Linked Track: Friendly Fire

Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
This is another new band putting out their first album, and another band that blew up fairly quickly. I was able to see them live and it's clear they need some work, but all new bands do. The album flows so perfectly, so brilliantly. Fast and slow and back again, weaving speeds and dizzying lyrics.

Linked Track: Broken Horse

Honorable Mentions
Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs - God Willin' and the Crek Don't Rise
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Joe Pug - Messenger
DeLorean - Subiza
Frightened Rabbit - Winter of Mixed Drinks
Delta Spirit - History From Below
Crystal Castles - Self Titled
Langhorne Slim - Be Set Free
The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
Titus Andronicus - The Monitor
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt
Matt Pond PA - The Dark Leaves
Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Fourtet - There Is Love In You

if you don't know what to make of this, then we will not relate.

So I've been slowly working on the 2010 albums of the year post, and in doing so, came across these and they deserve their own post. My favorite new band from this year, play four songs and answer questions in a class room of high school film students at Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas, on my birthday. This is the stuff I love, especially about this band...they have, since their inception, opened their arms to everyone and been honest about everything. Rivers and Roads, their last song in this set, is my favorite of theirs so far. It's not on the album, but it simply does it for me, especially this version.

Part One


Part Two


Part Three


Part Four


it saves.