this is how i remember you best.

My ears first met folk singer Richard Shindell when KFJM 90.7 sent "Next Best Western" through the speakers of my 1997 Nissan Altima in the Fall of 2005. I picked up his live album, Courier, that was released 2002 and absolutely fell in love. Shindell is a masterful song writer, crafting stories, creating characters, and weaving them in with his own personal experiences. His rendition of The Band's "Acadian Driftwood" is one of the best cover songs ever recorded. While plowing through a school project that's long been procrastinated over, I listened to all the Shindell I have and thought it wise to share a few of my favorites. And so, I offer up one-third of his self-described "trucker trio" songs (Next Best Western, Willin', and Kenworth of My Dreams) and my favorite of his original tunes, Summer Wind, Cotton Dress, and his cover of Pete Seeger's Waist Deep in the Big Muddy. Shindell has a brief tour this spring and I hope to see him in a couple weeks in St. Paul, MN. For my KY friends, he'll be in Lexington on 3/13.

Next Best Western


Summer Wind, Cotton Dress


Waist Deep in the Big Muddy (Seeger)


it saves.

i'll be a full grown man this winter.

I stumbled on to Cass Lowe (and his friends) while looking for a quality cover of The Shins' New Slang, and upon finding he and his friends singing their combination of New Slang and Coldplay's Don't Panic, I converted it into an mp3 and listened to it more than two hundred times in a row (it's true). And then, after sucking all I could from it, I posted it and sent it to everyone I knew because if people could get a tenth of the happiness I got from it, it would at the very least improve their day, because it pretty much made my month. This won't come as a shock, but it was one of the easiest tracks to pick for this year's holiday album.

Anyway, after I moved on from New Slang/Don't Panic, I found a couple other of his songs floating around the web, but wasn't all that impressed, but was certainly disappointed. And now, a year later, even though he's still unsigned, he's put some solid tracks on his myspace page and the one posted below, This Winter, made it to youtube. I don't know much, but I do know that he and his friends need to put an album out. Sounds like a job for Sub Pop Records. And just for funsies, I posted New Slang/Don't Panic too.







It saves.

lay my bones in neat little rows

British indie-emo-pop-rockers Elbow will be releasing their new album, Build A Rocket Boys! in the US on April 12 (digital release set for March 8). The single, Neat Little Rows (below), will be out February 27. I'm not a huge Elbow fan, but I've found that I've really enjoyed about half the songs on each of their previous four albums. I'm really digging what they've done with this new single; it's much more layered than their previous work.

Neat Little Rows


music saves.

you know you're gold, you don't gotta worry none

Beach House released their third studio album, a CD/DVD combo called Teen Dream, a few weeks ago (I know, I'm behind). But I've finally had some time to digest the entire thing, and it's absolutely fantastic. It offers up several love-based tracks and this is by far their slowest paced, most tranquil sounding album. If you dig bands like Mazzy Star or Yo La Tengo, then you'll love Beach House. Below is the lead track off the new album, called Zebra. Oh, and Sub Pop is the best record label out there. Period.

Thanks, Kyle.


Beach House - Zebra



music saves.

throw your soul through every open door.

Adele is the shit and I'm knee deep in it. Her voice is simply out of this world. It's beyond comprehension. And it's one thing to have a tremazing voice, but to have the ability to write lyrics that literally everyone can relate to, is a whole different story. Her new album, 21, will be released February 22 in the US. Below is her three song set in a NPR Tiny Desk Concert.



music saves.

we've got no money but we've got heart.

I'd like to thank JV and WFPK Radio Louisville for introducing me to Walk the Moon, and in particular, their song, Anna Sun. The unsigned Cincinnati based band starts their debut album off with an explosion of fun (the aforementioned song). There's some Passion Pit, some Phoenix, some Talking Heads, some Bell X1, and maybe even some Scissor Sisters in the sounds their throwing out...and I must say I'm a massive fan already. Below is the single, go on and get you some.

Walk the Moon - Anna Sun


music saves.

Inside of Love: PTC's Valentine's Day Mixed Tape

Happy Valentine's Day. To commemorate this silly little pseudo-holiday, here's a digital youtube mish-mash mixed tape for your enjoyment (click on song name).

Gabe Dixon Band - Disappear
Steve Earle - Valentines Day
Yeasayer - I Remember
Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset Part 1 & 2
American Analog Set - The Postman
The Duhks - Love is the Seventh Wave (Sting cover)
Stevie Wonder - I Believe (When I Fall In Love)
Nada Surf - Inside of Love
Tom Waits - I Hope I Don't Fall In Love With You
The Lumineers - Hey Ho
The Tallest Man on Earth - Love Is All
Ben Sollee - Built For This
Jamie Barnes - Don't Turn My Love Down
Lucero - Sweet Little Thing
500 Miles to Memphis - You Loved Me Once
The Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You
Joe Pug - How Good You Are
The Gaslight Anthem - She Loves You
Danny Malone - Song For The Year
fun. - Take Your Time (Coming Home)

music saves.

under the covers, chapter thirty-four: everyone i used to know they just moved on

On this gorgeous North Dakota Friday I offer up Adam Carroll's "Girl With the Dirty Hair" and then covered by the fabulous Hayes Carll. Notice that in Carroll's version Ryan Bingham is playing with him. More on Bingham before he comes to Fargo in early March.

Adam Carroll


Hayes Carll


sing along.

BS

she comes around here just about midnight...

I've got a handful of posts in the works and will spend some time over the weekend polishing them up, but until then, here's Van the Man and John Lee Hooker putting the hurt on a track from way back in the VM (Them) collection: Gloria. It's got me bouncing in my seat this fine Friday morning. Don't forget to have fun.



bounce.

so i go, umbrella under my arm, into the green of the radar.

The first time I heard Bright Eyes' I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning I remember thinking it was literally the best album I'd ever heard. And now, less than a week before Conor Oberst's musical vehicle releases it's latest piece of artistry, The People's Key, I'm thinking something similar. The People's Key is as intelligent and and explorative album Oberst has ever made, and is to me, after just three listens, quite possibly the best album I've ever heard. NPR has a similar opinion, and you can read about it and LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE ALBUM for free by clicking HERE.

The People's Key will be released on February 15 on Saddle Creek Records. Click here to see tour dates.

space needle, eddie vedder, ichirooooo suzuki.

It was nearly six years ago when I first heard Todd Snider's "Ballad of the Kingsmen" on The World Cafe with David Dye (via KFJM 90.7 in Grand Forks, ND), and from that moment on, I've loved every word and every sound he's put out, recorded and live. I've been fortunate enough to see him four or five times, and each time he's been nothing but a showman. He walks the line of comical and thought provoking, with songs that make you laugh out loud and some question who you are and where you stand on current issues. And then he'll tell a rambling, hilarious story about how he came to write a particular song and at that point you just fall in love with the barefoot, tree-huggin' hippie from Oregon.

He's put out another live album, one that matches his 200? live release, Near Truths and Hotel Rooms. Todd Snider may not be the biggest name in music today, but his writing is sharp, overloaded with truth, and comes from a viewpoint most of us would never have thought of if weren't for him. He's not na artist you throw on when you're reading a book or pre-occupied with some other task---no---if you want full enjoyment, you must give your full attention to him or you'll miss something good (like right around the third minute of the first song below). Pick up the album and take a ride with Snider through his musical autobiography and if he's coming near you, make sure you see him. Below are two songs and a classic Snider story sandwiched in between, the first two of which are on the new album.

Tension


KK Rider Story


Talkin' Seattle Grunge Rock Blues


it'll make you happy.