"Half Acre" ~ Hem

My friend Doug introduced me to this band during a recent LEGO building session (LEGO is cool, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  We were working on this Great Wall of China display for the Cranberry Library.)  Sorry, that's a bit of a non sequitur, but it's a true story.

Anyway, the band plays an incredible Americana style of music, of which this song is the archetype.  Simple, yet poignant, lyrics sung by a fantastic vocalist over beautiful instrumentation evocative of the heartland come together for a tune that will keep you hitting repeat.  The band admits to being influenced by Aaron Copland, and if you're familiar with his work you'll hear the similarities... hmm, I should post some Copland sometime... at any rate, have a listen:

If you like this track, you can find a different song on the band's website, available for free download (yeah, sorry, bait and switch... that song is also good but I felt like posting this one.)

"A man is walking on the highway

A woman stares out at the sea

And light is only now just breaking..."

1-31-12 - "Wait So Long" ~ Trampled By Turtles

Quickie post tonight; here's one I am digging lately thanks to my buddy Adam, who apparently discovered these guys on a recent road trip to Minnesota.  The band name is sweet, as is their musical talent.  I think the tempo of this song can only be described as "blistering"...

"And your heart rolls on, like a frozen freight train

you know that I'll  help you if I can

but I'm just a raindrop in a river

just a little itty bitty grain of sand..."

1-13-12 - "Mesa, Arizona" ~ Jeffrey Foucault

(juuuuust under the wire on Pacific Standard Time, thanks to midnight (EST) hockey and uber slow YouTube uploading before I had to leave...)


It's a rare and beautiful thing when you go to a show to see one artist, and another artist on the bill blows you away.  Not to take anything away from local bluegrass-core outfit Big Snow Big Thaw, because they were the reason I was there and their set was great, but Jeffrey Foucault just floored us.  (Well, except for a few folks loudly talking in the back of Club Cafe... jags.)  Just a man, a sweet guitar, and a ridiculous beard (oh, and a legit hat), but what a show he put on tonight.


Something about Arizona makes for good songwriting... here's a taste of what went down:

And here's a "live in studio" performance (with slightly better audio than my video above):

"And the sun gone down
In the pale thin pink
There's no one to talk to
All I can think
Is your eyes are full of train smoke
And your mouth tastes like rain
And I know when I know nothing
I will always know your name..."

12-30-11 - "Skeletons" ~ Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr

Catchy indie pop tune from Detroit duo with witty name.  Heard this on the radio the other day, and it's pretty swell.  Light and fluffy music and vocals with some hints of darker things creeping around the edges...

And because we can, here's a live acoustic performance:

"Anything you say has already been said a million times..."

12-26-11 - "The Way I Will" ~ The Elms

Here's a little ditty by one of my all-time favorite bands, The Elms.  These guys rocked hard for the last decade, and this one was one of my favorites from their 2006 release, The Chess Hotel. It's just a little love song, with the slight twist that it's to a girl who's apparently...eh... otherwise engaged... but I'm sure she'll come around after hearing this:

From the band's final performance in their home state of Indiana:

Album version: The Way I Will (grooveshark)

"No, he won't bring you summer like the way I will
And he won't make you shiver like the way I will
And he won't love your mother like the way I will
And he won't last forever like the way I will..."

12-19-11 - "Top Bunk" ~ Gauntlet Hair

I'm going to be honest: I'm not precisely sure what's going on here.  But I like it.


Gauntlet Hair is a noise pop duo from Chicago by way of Denver.  This track has looping guitar riffs and somewhat dissonant interludes, along with nigh-unintelligible lyrics.  (It's my custom to pilfer a line or two and include at the bottom of the post, but in this case, I can't make out enough of a phrase to put anything remotely meaningful.... so... yeah.)

It might not be your cup of tea, but then again you may find yourself drawn to it as I was.  Give it a click, and if it's not for you, just browse to another post, like maybe some Sufjan Stevens if you're a hipster, Arcade Fire if you only liked Sufjan before he went mainstream, Said The Whale if you only liked Arcade Fire before they went mainstream, William Fitzsimmons if you just went through a divorce or nasty breakup, Bob Marley if you're Rastafarian or just like weed, or.... you know what, just browse around!

12-16-11 - "Coal War" ~ Joshua James

Presented with limited commentary:


Old-timey, folksy music is trendy in indie circles lately, but that doesn't mean it isn't great music (well, some of it).  I postulate that this is an example of the good kind of trendy old-timey folksy music.

Download the track for the price of an e-mail address on Joshua James' website! (and at least one more freebie if you click through to the site and poke around)

"I ain't cutting' my hair 'til the good Lord comes…"

12-11-11 - "Roosevelt Room" ~ Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band

Do you ever get fed up and frustrated with the world?  Happens to me on a fairly regular basis, and it's probably no surprise that it often happens at this time of year.  November means elections, and then Thanksgiving, and then of course comes Christmas (although given that the TV commercials and department stores start on Christmas in October these days, maybe I have the order wrong.)  These annual events bring to a focus the things that make me sick to my stomach - corruption in politics, gluttonous consumerism, and the disparity between the American populace and that of numerous other countries.


This year, Occupy Wall Street has added fuel to that fire.  Do I agree 100% with the OWS movement?  Probably not, although to be honest I haven't read up enough to know all the details.  But do they have a point that the government and big corporations have been pulling a fast one on the "99%"...?  Conversely, if you take the American "99%" and compare their wealth to that of the rest of the world's population... who's the 1% now?  I'm not going into more detail because this blog is ultimately about the music, but these are things that grind my gears, when I let my mind ponder them.


This song is pretty clearly the result of Conor Oberst ruminating on the state of the world today.  Again - I'm not trying to promote any political views, and I probably don't agree with everything Oberst thinks about the government, but clearly there are things broken in the system and if people don't stand for their beliefs, nothing's going to change.


You'll certainly feel the emotion behind the lyrics and the angry guitar riffs in the song, and hopefully it will inspire you to evaluate your life and the world around you, decide what's important, and make sure you're fighting for it.


Live at Battery Park, Manhattan, Independence Day 2009:

Studio Recording:

"You give death as a consolation

you know only hate and rage

you paid a dowry for your child's rights

now she's living like a slave..."

12-10-11 - "God And Money" ~ The Ike Reilly Assassination

One I heard on the radio today.  It's nothing groundbreaking musically, though it is catchy enough and pleasant in your aural cavities.  The lyrics are what grabbed me, though.  A son questions his mother's ethical teachings, wondering whether her current lifestyle belies a sordid past.  Despite his suspicions of a "do as I say, not as I have done" upbringing, he seems apologetic for times he's failed to live up to her wishes for him.  Or maybe I'm getting it wrong.  Let me know what you think:

"Do the darkest dance and puke upon your memory

and trample on your evil ways

stand up to your darkest days

twist around the things you say

stomp upon your gazing face

spit into your fading gaze..."

11-14-11 - "Lonely Boy" ~ The Black Keys

Here's a fun new track from the upcoming album by The Black Keys.  As a bonus, the video is simple, lacks pretense, and is quite entertaining.  


Pretty simple premise here; I won't insult you by explaining it...

"Well I'm so above you

and it's plain to see

but I came to love you anyway

so you tore my heart out

and I don't mind bleeding

any old time you keep me waiting…"

11-7-11 - "You Really Got A Hold On Me" ~ Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Oldie, but a goodie tonight.  A little Motown soul for you, brought by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.  These guys were one of the founding acts on the Motown label, and Smokey was known as the "King of Motown", so I guess that means they weren't half bad.  Also, did you know that "Motown" is a portmanteau?  What's a portmanteau, you ask?  It's a blend of two or more words into one new word. (thanks, Wikipedia!)  We strive for nothing if not education here at Awesome Song of the Day... 


Oh so smoothly, they sing a tune about a dysfunctional relationship they just can't quit.  Seems like when it's good, it's really good, but when it's bad, it's... not so good.  But hey, life is pain, pain breeds art, and art makes life good, so it all works out, eh?

(looks like The Miracles had a few screws loose.... oh, sometimes I slay myself!)

"I want to leave you

Don't want to stay here

Don't want to spend another day here

Though I want to split now

I can't quit now

You've really got a hold on me…"

11-6-11 - "Stranded" ~ Plumb

I listened to some older stuff on my iPod whilst doing some yard work today, and stumbled across this old favorite.  Plumb has spanned several genres over the years, but back in 1999, she was putting out melancholy alt-rock tunes like this one.  The meaning isn't hard to deduce; mourning over a love lost and wondering if it could be regained...

"If it's coming over you

like it's coming over me

I'm crashing like a tidal wave

that drags me out to sea…"

10-13-11 - "Flume" ~ Bon Iver

There's something spectacular about wandering around a city like Seattle on a crisp, sunny fall day listening to The Tallest Man On Earth and Bon Iver.  (guess what I did today...?)  These two men weave tapestries of emotion and delve into the deepest, darkest mines of human souls, yet always leave me brimming with joy.

Live in studio:

Album:

"Only love is all maroon
lapping lakes like leery loons
leaving rope burns, reddish rouge..."

8-17-11 - "Haile Selassie" ~ Bright Eyes

The more I listen to Bright Eyes, the more Conor Oberst's songwriting blows my mind.  The lyrical intricacies and depth are astounding.  If you want to get what he's saying, you should probably read the lyrics while you listen - it's hard to keep up otherwise; and maybe also read up on the life of the song's namesake (a messianic figure in the Rastafarian religion.)


The song is catchy and comes across as hopeful, despite the cynical nature of some of the lyrics referring to atomic bombs and the next Caesar.  It's part of an overall theme on The People's Key, an album I highly recommend you check out.  


Give it a listen, if you have time to spend reflecting on the lyrics, do it, and let me know what you think:

"We are the chosen people
Safe from the next evil
One Love, magnetic memory
Reel after reel spinning within me..."

8-14-11 - "Runaway Train" ~ Soul Asylum

Here's an early 90s radio staple with which you're likely familiar but just as likely haven't heard in a while.  We saw these guys live outside of Heinz Field in Pittsburgh a couple summers ago.  I forget what event it was, exactly, but it wasn't half bad.  We didn't really know much of their catalogue other than this one, but for a free show where you just chill and chat with friends and half listen, it worked pretty well.


The meaning of the song could be interpreted many ways, but the general concept is that life has begun moving faster than the singer can handle in a direction he's not sure he wants to go.  Working in the railroad industry, I love a good train metaphor, so there you go.

"bought a ticket for a runaway train
like a madman laughing at the rain
little out of touch, little insane
it's just easier than dealing with the pain..."

8-12-11 - "C'mon, C'mon" ~ The Von Bondies

This is one of those songs that caught my ear with the first measures, and never let go.  It's insanely catchy, with a vicious guitar lick and a beat that is perfect for a drive or an athletic warm up mix tape.  The lyrics are actually quite depressing, about a breakup from an abusive relationship, but on the surface it's a real toe-tapper.  Kind of like "Pumped Up Kicks" in that regard...

For those so inclined, the actual music video is here (I still haven't figured out why Blogger sometimes won't embed certain youtube videos...)

Live on Letterman:

 

"And on this day these deepened wounds
don't heal so fast, can't hear me croon
of a million lies that speak no truth
of a time gone by that now is through..."

8-4-11 - "Pressing On" ~ Relient K

Ten years.  Used to seem like forever, but now it seems like it went by in a blur.  Yea, this song is from ten summers ago.  At the time, I was rocking this disc every day on the way to soccer conditioning with mi hermano, not a care in the world.  Well, probably I was starting to care about college, but looking back, I'm really not sure why...


So yeah, here's a song about perseverance and keeping your head up through tough times, from the early years of one of my favorite bands, Relient K.  Masters of witty pop-culture references and infectious pop-punk tunes, these boys broke free of the oppression of growing up in Ohio and have gone on to make tons of great music.  My favorite part of following a band is when they broaden their horizons and hone their talents while still putting out music I want to hear.  RK has done that over the years, adding more piano and other instruments along with more intricate harmonies while shedding some of the wit in exchange for more frequent lyrical depth.  Still, sometimes it's nice to go back to the relative simplicity of their early works:

And for you indie types, here's a more mellow "back porch acoustic" version (complete with lawnmower):

"Adversity - we get around it,
searched for joy, in you I found it."

8-3-11 - "Perth" ~ Bon Iver

In honor of several of my friends who trekked to various locales over the past few days to catch Bon Iver in concert, here's the epic leadoff track from the recent self-titled release.  I wasn't able to make one of the shows, but NPR did the world a solid by streaming last night's DC show live and leaving it up for us schmucks who missed it to catch later.  Definitely worth your time, some evening when you can just sit back and soak it in.


The song features rolling percussion, reminiscent of a drum corps from the Civil War, muted horns creating a surreal sensation, and of course, Justin Vernon's soaring falsetto.  Lyrically, it's pretty cryptic, yet beautiful.  Vernon said in a recent interview that the song was inspired by the happenstance of working with a close friend of Heath Ledger's when the actor died, and the town from which Ledger had come.  The emotions of loss and the conceptualizing of a town form the foundation for the rest of this amazing album...

"in a mother, out a moth
furling forests for the soft
gotta know been led aloft..."
_______________________________


EDIT 8-6-11: my friend Jake, who attended the DC show on Monday, posted a video of this song from the show!  Check it out on Youtube (embedding not so much working right now)

7-27-11 - "The Freshmen" ~ The Verve Pipe

I heard this one on the radio on my commute home today; it's from the high school years but I think I listened to it a lot more during college...


It's a beautiful song, especially the way the emotions drip from the vocals.  It's not entirely clear exactly what happened, but it's pretty clear that someone died - either suicide or abortion, or perhaps both.  Tragedy often leads to powerful expression in art; we all have experienced some form of tragedy in life, and it's easy to relate when hearing someone lay their heart and soul bare like this.

"We've tried to wash our hands of all this
we never talk of our lacking relationships
and how we're guilt stricken sobbing with our heads on the floor 
we fell through the ice when we tried not to slip..."

3-11-11 - "Shell Games" ~ Bright Eyes

Loving this song today.  Lyrical genius, catchy melody, builds emotionally... just good stuff.  The symbolism can be interpreted multiple ways, but it's deep.  I always enjoy songs that grapple with the dark side of life, yet come out hopeful...

"If I could change my mind, change the paradigm,
prepare myself for another life,
forgive myself for the many times..."