"Tonight" ~Lykke Li

A wise man once said "Elegance is simplicity".  Or maybe it was a woman, and maybe it was "Simplicity is elegance".  Or I could be making this up.  At any rate, this song by Lykke Li is beautiful, and the simplicity of it only serves to enhance and emphasize the beauty.  Especially in this one-take acoustic video:

Here's the album version, if you like:

"Watch my back so I'll make sure

You're right behind me as before

Yesterday the night before tomorrow..."

1-8-12 - "Old Friend" ~ Sea Wolf

I'd talk about how it's been so long and I plan to post more frequently, but nobody wants to read that.  Here's a pretty chill song I'd heard before; caught it on World Cafe tonight driving home from work and it just hit me tonight.

 

Live-ish video:

Oh, by the way, BAM.  Free download, courtesy of Diffuser.fm.  If nothing else, I Google things for you!

"Stood upon the rooftop on a night so clear
that the lights from the city just disappeared..."

2-16-12 - "Little Talks" ~ Of Monsters And Men

Heard this tune on WYEP en route out of Pittsburgh to WV for work this morning.  It's quite good; has a little bit of an Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros vibe (specifically the song "Home", with the female/male vocal tradeoff, and the female leads have some similar qualities...), and some solid lyrics.

The six-member outfit blends accordion and trumpet with acoustic guitars and keys, for a sound that's not quite unique (there's nothing new under the sun, after all) but quite enjoyable, and distinctive from the majority of stuff that's out there these days.

Oh yeah, and they're Icelandic... how about that?

Here's a live performance captured by Seattle's KEXP radio:

And  here's the recorded version (vevo link):

 "Little Talks" ~ Of Monsters And Men 

"There's an old voice in my head that's holding me back..."

"Well, tell her that I miss our little talks..."

1-11-12 - "We Are Young" ~ fun.

Like 1,2,3, these guys have a nigh un-googleable name: fun.  But man, they play some catchy tunes.  This one's been around for a bit, but I have not posted it yet, and it turns out the video is a free download on iTunes right now, so I was reminded of the awesomeness of the tune.


Regular:

Acoustic (this. is. legit.):

And, for anyone who's an intermediate pianist, here's a 2-minute tutorial from the band's keyboard dude, Andrew Dost:

"The moon is on the fly

I have no reason to run

So will someone come and carry me home...?"

1-1-12 - "Riding The Wooly Bug To Dreamland" ~ 1,2,3

Since I just poured my heart out about life, love, and blogging, I'm going to do a quickie post to let you know about some free tunes from Pittsburgh / NYC band 1,2,3 - they just dropped a freebie EP which was originally conceived as a few lullaby tunes for the niece of one of the band members, but they decided to share it with us.


You can read about it and get the download link here; it's definitely some chill but sweet stuff.  Early indicators are that the first track, "Riding The Wooly Bug To Dreamland", is my fave of the five, so we'll call that today's song, but the others ain't half bad either.  I may drop this EP into my iTunes sleep playlist tonight and see if it works better than my standards at putting me out...


Listen on Soundcloud:  "Riding The Wooly Bug To Dreamland"


If you like these tunes, go pick up the band's album and support their future endeavors!  The ever-evolving music industry is using the power of the internet to allow bands to do stuff like this, but those bands still need to pay the bills for studio time and whatnot in order to continue bringing you the tunes.  So, whether it's this band or others, take advantage of the free songs, but also be sure to support bands you love so they can keep making awesome music!

12-14-11 - "Cathedrals" ~ Jump, Little Children

Here's a beautiful track from a group who are no longer together.  The subdued string section is woven together with the guitar for a tapestry to backdrop the powerful lyrics. The intensity of the longing to find meaning in life, and find "home", is staggering.  Probably you've had times when you felt that way; I know I have.  There's a lot about the world that is depressing, and even the masterpieces (man-made, like cathedrals, or natural) are prone to decay into entropy.  Yet, the beauty of these things gives us hope, and a desire to preserve the existing wonders of the world, and perhaps to create some new ones.


There are probably ties to human relationships here as well - home doesn't have to be a a physical location; sometimes it's finding the right group of people who make you feel comfortable and loved.


This unofficial fan-made video has some starkly contrasting visuals:

"In the shadows of tall buildings

Of open arches endlessly kneeling

Sonic landscapes echoing vistas

Someone is listening from a safe distance..."

12-06-11 - "Time" ~ Hans Zimmer

So I know I'm a little late on this, but tonight I watched "Inception."  It was a pretty wild ride, and lived up to the hype in my opinion.  I love a movie that works on the surface levels (action, drama, misdirection) while also requiring the viewer to think.  Christopher Nolan has proven to be adept at creating such films - from Memento to The Prestige to Inception.  The cast is pretty great; a list of actors such as Michael Caine, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio - all names whose films I can't recall not enjoying, at least the ones I've seen.


Without giving away any spoilers, let me just comment that for someone musically inclined as I am, the soundtrack can be a crucial element in the satisfaction taken from a film.  Just as with the director and cast, Hans Zimmer has never let me down as a composer.  The scores comprising his body of work are numerous, including such great films as Cool Runnings, The Lion King, Muppet Treasure Island (I know, right?), Gladiator, The Last Samurai, the Pirates / Batman series... ok, you get the point, a lot of movies with great soundtracks.


So here's a live performance by Zimmer himself, and below is the recorded version:

I imagine it must be great fun to be privy to the deepest secrets of a movie script like this one, and to get paid to imagine the sounds that should accompany such events as are depicted therein...

11-19-11 - "Bartender" ~ Dave Matthews Band

Inspiration for blog posts can come in many ways.  Tonight's was from the lyric (see below) that a friend posted on Facebook.  Here's a song with some very intriguing imagery... rather than throw my own thoughts out there, I'll leave it to you to interpret and digest.


Check this "Abbey Road Session":

And here's an album version:

"Bartender please

fill my glass for me

with the wine you gave Jesus

that set him free

after three days in the ground..."

11-9-11 - "Old Friend" ~ The O.C. Supertones

I find tonight's track to be incredibly evocative.  Every time I hear the opening chords, I'm instantly transported to a beach in SoCal.  Wait, I've never been to California, but I can still imagine what it would be like!  The music just has that vibe of sitting around a bonfire on the beach, in the late (late) Indian summer, after one last perfect day riding the waves, enjoying the company of close friends and playing some surfy, relaxing tunes to wind things down...

 (photo borrowed from laurenmeg)

This one lacks the trademark horns and blistering ska heat of the bulk of the band's work, but it's one of my favorites from their catalog nonetheless.  As I mentioned, the gentle surf guitar and bass rhythm are just swell, the harmonies sublime, and the guitar solo in the bridge is beautiful in its restraint.

"What do I know? Somebody tell me

I've been running from you for so long…"

(photo borrowed from yan_san)

10-31-11 - "Thriller" ~ Michael Jackson

A bit of a cop-out post related to the "holiday" because I've had a busy day and it's after midnight and I have to pack for a work trip.  But hey, they don't call Michael Jackson the King of Pop for nothing - he was a master of his craft, and this song/music video/short form movie dominated the '80s.  I think 100 million YouTube views speaks for itself... but if you don't agree, check out the list of best selling albums of all time.  Thriller doubles up the nearest competition.  Wow.

And here's just the song, if you're not into cheesy romantic/horror flicks:

Happy Candy Day, yinz!


"Now is the time for you and I to cuddle close together..."

10-2-11 - "Ulysses" ~ Josh Garrels

My cousin posted this on Facebook the other day (yes, Facebook is evil, but we're in too deep at this point... discussion for another day.)  The song is rife with intricately woven metaphors drawn from Homer's "Odyssey" - 'Ulysses' is the Latin version of the Greek name 'Odysseus'.  If you've read the Odyssey, seen a film adaptation, or are otherwise at least familiar with the tale, you'll catch the aspects of the epic tale... storms, shipwrecks, and sirens.


The lyrics about being tied to the mast and pointed home resonate.  If you don't know of the "Siren song", it was an irresistible melody sung by the mythical creatures which lured many sailors and their ships to doom, smashed on the rocks of the Sirens' lair.  Odysseus had his crew plug their ears so as to not be lured by the song and lash him to the mast so he could hear the song but not act on the temptation to seek it out.  Thus, he heard the beauty of the song without succumbing to the trap.


You know by now that I'm a piano guy, and I love the album version which is piano-driven, but I just might love the acoustic guitar version with no other instrumentation even more.  That's the version I heard first, and it lets the emotion in the vocals really shine through... let me know which you prefer.


Album Version:

Live in NYC:

"So tie me to the mast of this old ship and point me home…"

9-25-11 - "The Great Estates" ~ Freelance Whales

This track is a swell album closer.  It brings the themes of "Weathervanes" together, and just has the right feel for it.  My opinion of the debut album by Freelance Whales is that it's pretty neat, and I recommend you check it out; especially if you like this track or "Generator^First Floor" which kicks off the album and which I posted a while back.

"I used to shout to find my way

the water find my distant memory failed..."

9-22-11 - "Chase This Light" ~ Jimmy Eat World

I rocked some of my slightly older albums today at work (nice and quiet-like, so as not to disturb the other cube monkeys...)  Jimmy Eat World is always good for a pick-me-up.  This track oozes hope and joy - joy taken in the little things in life, hope that red-letter moments currently experienced with a lover will last forever.


There's more to the song, but I'll let you decipher the nuances for yourself:

"Confetti rainfall in the quiet streets

the beauty is in what you make it

so get up on your feet…"

9-21-11 - "Nightswimming" ~ R.E.M.

I don't believe I ever heard a song by R.E.M. that I didn't like.  Full disclosure: I never really got into them beyond their radio hits, but some of those were really good and I don't know why I didn't check them out more.  Maybe now is the time, seeing as they just called it quits today (after 31 years - wow!) I definitely love the band's name; the acronym certainly stands for some pretty sweet things (the Egyptian fish god is legit, but rapid eye movement is still my favorite.)


This is probably not considered to be one of their biggest hits, but I like it alot.  The piano sets the stage for the nostalgic look at carefree, idyllic nights of youth enjoying life.  There are some undertones of darker themes, but primarily it seems to be recalling simpler times.  


Live on Jools Holland:

Album:

R.I.P., R.E.M.


"September's coming soon

I'm pining for the moon

and what if there were two,

side by side in orbit,

around the fairest sun...?"

9-20-11 - "Flags" ~ Brooke Fraser

A beautiful piano tune for you tonight.  Sometimes I get loquacious, so I'll leave you to this one with minimal comments.  Brooke Fraser has some thought-provoking and moving songs, and this one fits the mold.


Live performance:

"Flags" ~ Acoustic Piano recording (from Grooveshark; I like this better than the below version with drums and whatnot)


Recorded version with other instrumentation:

"Reality has left you reeling

all facts and no feeling

no faith and all fear..."

8-31-11 - "Someone Like You" ~ Adele

If you haven't heard Adele sing yet, get on it.  If you have and don't like it... you have different musical taste than I.  I refuse to criticize people's musical taste, having had a few bad experiences on one side or the other of that in the past and having come to realize that there's something for everyone - different strokes for different folks, if you will.  But I definitely would encourage you to give her a shot, or another shot.


As great as her more upbeat, poppy tracks that are all over the radio may be, her ballads are what really hit the spot for me.  The soulful vocals ensnare you, and the heart-on-sleeve lyrics will either bring to mind personal experience or cause you to empathize with a girl who thought she had found the one, only to discover that he thought differently.  The key to the song is that while she still has feelings for the man who moved on, she's come to realize that even though it didn't work out with him, there's someone out there who will be what she thought she had with this chap.


You know by now that I'm a sucker for the piano songs, so that's just one more thing I like about this:

And here's a live performance (with a little exposition):

"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead..."

8-29-11 - "The Parting Glass" ~ The Wailin' Jennys

One of my best friends is embarking on a cross-country journey to start a new job in Tacoma, Washington.  Jake's last night in Pittsburgh was last night, and after countless "guys nites" and hangouts over the past several years, and having him share a house with me and some other great guys for the last year and a half, it's going to be pretty strange not having him around.  We had a big farewell party on Saturday which was well-attended, but perhaps even more special was a more intimate gathering last night, with just a few close friends sharing one last conversation and one last drink.


This song is actually from the point of view of the one leaving friends behind, but it expresses the feelings well.  The Celtic tune and lyric date back to the 1700s, and numerous artists in the modern era have sung it.  I think I like this version best.  The somber tone evokes the sorrow of leaving a loved hometown and cherished friends and family, and the a capella harmonies are exquisite:

Live version:

No matter how sorrowful the parting, however, we can take joy in knowing that our friend is moving to another great place, where he will have a rewarding job and surely make new friends, and that we'll see him again.  Also, we now have an excuse to go to the Pacific Northwest, not that an excuse is needed to go to a place that awesome...


"but since it falls unto my lot
that I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
good night and joy be with you all..." 

8-28-11 - "After The Storm" ~ Mumford & Sons

Just a gorgeous little tune for you tonight.  Through eloquent lyrics, the singer elucidates the human condition and the struggles we each face in life.  He resolves to persevere through whatever trials life throws at him, and looks to brighter times ahead with hopeful eyes.  The melody and instrumentation are simple, which fits the theme.  And despite the mellow nature of the song, the boys manage to build the intensity by adding harmonies and through sheer force of will, drawing you in and lifting you up along the way.

Live at Bonnaroo:

" 'Cause death is just so full, and man so small..."

8-13-11 - "A Poem On The Underground Wall" ~ Simon & Garfunkel

This is one of my favorite S&G songs.  Then again, there are many... but we're talking about this one.  The guitar, the vocals, the lyrics... it's all just perfect.  Poetic, too, though you'd never guess it by the song title.  I'll let you formulate your own opinion; give it a listen or three and let me know what you think:

"And the train is gone suddenly
On wheels clicking silently
Like a gently tapping litany,
And he holds his crayon rosary
Tighter in his hand..."

7-31-11 - "Goodbye, Dear Friend" ~ Deer Tick

I don't believe I have ever listened to a Deer Tick song before today.  Not for any particular reason, just hadn't ever gotten around to it.  But today a friend posted this one on facebook, so I listened, and it gripped me immediately.  It's a pretty straightforward song, musically simple with just a piano and vocals.  The emotions of losing a dear friend are eloquently expressed in the lyrics and the way they are sung.  We may not all have lost a friend like this, but we can all empathize on some level...

"Some boys won't shed a tear
Oh, but I tell it like this here
It can break medown and get me where it hurts the most..."