7-26-11 - "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" ~ CAKE

Surprising that I haven't used Cake yet.  They're delightfully strange and unique... pretty much every Cake song you hear, you know it's them straightaway.  Both the vocals and the style in general give it away, but they still manage to write songs that don't all sound the same.

This one is fun and catchy, especially the "na, na" part with the trumpet.  But it's also pretty deep.  I'm not going to speculate too much, but it seems to be about seeking a girl who stands out from the crowd, who isn't afraid to be herself and live life to the fullest.  That, or the economy, if certain SongMeanings commenters are to be believed...

Music video is hilarious; they just wandered around with a portable CD player and filmed people's reactions to the song:

Oh yea and it's the theme song to Chuck which is just plain awesome.

"I want a girl with uninterrupted prosperity
who uses a machete to cut through red tape
with fingernails that shine like justice
and a voice that is dark like tinted glass..."

4-23-11 - "Daddy's Gone" ~ Glasvegas

I'm fortunate enough to not personally relate to this song, but I still like it.  It's catchy musically, and the subject matter is certainly a prevalent issue in today's world.  The singer grew up in a broken home, and rarely saw his father, which turned the unconditional love and respect that a child has for his father into a twisted loathing and resentment.  It's a situation all too common.

"all i wanted was a kick-a-bout in the park
for you to race me home when it was nearly getting dark
how i could've been yours, and you be mine
it could've been me and you until the end of time.."

4-19-11 - "Million Years" ~ Alexander Ebert

Heard this one on WYEP whilst driving around Pittsburgh the other day, and again on last night's episode of Chuck.  Didn't make the connection at first, but Alexander Ebert is actually the lead singer of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, who are pretty awesome... this is from his new solo album, though.  Catchy, witty, and romantic, it's just a cool track that would fit pretty well in the breakdown portion of a road trip mix tape (or mp3 playlist, to use the lingo of today)... you know, after you've rocked it hard for several hours and need to rein it in for a bit before gearing it back up for the stretch run, when you have the wind whipping through your car and the sun ducking behind a cloud and popping back out, and your friends in the backseat hogging all the Cheez-its... note to self, I need to go on a road trip SOON.


Anyway, songzorz:

"I love you like grave danger
like moon shining disguise...


like exploding sun
let the light unfurl
been a million years full of fears
but I found my girl..."

4-9-11 - "Luisa's Bones" ~ Crooked Fingers

This one's got some cool, kind of haunting harmonies, and an intriguing story in the lyrics.  Another one that I heard on Chuck (see? cross-promotion works!)  So yea, I like this song.  It seems to be about redemption, finding rest and peace, or something along those lines...

"You take the road, I'll take the river;
you bring the fire, I'll bring the jewels;
and in the evening underneath the roaring sky
we will meet and wait and pray for the monsoon..."

4-1-11 - "Keep Yourself Warm" ~ Frightened Rabbit

This was the first song I heard by Frightened Rabbit, and it reeled me in quick.  One of many great songs I've discovered through the TV show "Chuck", it was used in a critical scene that it fit perfectly, and helped set up the last big story arc of that season.  It's really not all that complex musically, just a few chords, but they're well-organized and it builds on itself and the emotional lyrics bring it to a climax that's worth the ride.


The song's meaning is pretty clear; it's a guy realizing that chasing after casual sex is a hollow and empty pursuit, which ultimately leaves him unfulfilled and regretful.  Within the context of the album (which is full of songs about a nasty break-up), it can be inferred that he's gone a little wild trying to heal (or simply mask) the pain of his broken heart by sleeping with any willing partner he can find at the club.  However, it's not helping, and in fact just makes him feel worse... be forewarned, he doesn't use euphemisms here, so if you have virgin ears maybe this one's not for you... I think the use of the explicit term makes the song all the more powerful, but I realize not everyone wants to hear that.  At any rate, here you go:

"Can you see in the dark?
can you see the look on your face?
the flashing white light's been turned off,
you don't know know who's in your bed..."

2-21-11 - "Three Rounds And A Sound" ~ Blind Pilot

So here's something I've learned over the years - certain TV shows have a knack for using awesome songs in their soundtracks.  The WB / CW network figured out a long time ago that by cross-promoting, they could make both the artists and the shows more popular, and have used it to their advantage on numerous shows.  And of course the other networks do it too.


One of the few shows I watch these days is Chuck.  Perfect blend of drama, comedy, nerdiness, and - guess what - a pretty rockin' soundtrack.  If it weren't for Chuck, I might never have heard this song.  But I did hear it, and it's just beautiful.  


It's open to interpretation, but I'm pretty sure it's a mostly positive love song, spanning various points in a relationship, and looking at a lifelong, ever deepening love.


(only live versions on youtube; check grooveshark or go buy it for the studio recording)

"Soil and six feet under
kept just like we were
before you knew you'd know me
and you know me..."

1-21-11 - "40 Day Dream" ~ Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Some songs are just pure joy.  This is one of them.  Joy stemming from finding love.  Love so deep, it must be a dream... right?

"She got jumper cable lips,
she got sunset on her breath...
I inhale just a little bit,
now I got no fear of death..."