1-26-11 - "1901" ~ Phoenix

Thanks to a jukebox, here's a track straight from Versailles.  I'd definitely heard this song before, but didn't know the band name (and no, I don't have a smart phone with the Shazam app... IDing random songs heard whilst out and about is pretty much the only thing I feel like would make the ridiculously expensive data plans worthwhile.)  


The French band Phoenix bring some punch with this indie-power-rock-pop offering; give it a whirl and see where it takes ya:

"Past and present, they don't matter

now the future's sorted out

watch, you're moving in elliptical pattern…"

12-27-11 - "Fixin' To Die" ~ G Love

I've been remiss for the bulk of this year in not posting this song.  I first heard it around this time last year, and was spinning it frequently throughout last winter, but apparently never whilst I was pondering which song to select for the day's blog post.  So here you go.

G Love teamed with The Avett Brothers (acting as producers, among other things) on his latest album, and since TAB are pretty swell in my opinion, odds were good that I'd like the collaborative effort as well.  This track is old-fashioned foot-stompin' bluegrassy rock, crying out to the good Lord as he ponders his final days and the fate of his poor children if'n he passes...

(Scott and Seth appear courtesy of their being awesome...)

"Well, I don't mind dyin',
but I hate to leave my children cryin'.."

_____________________________

PS - poke around on philadelphonic.com for some free stuff, if you so desire...

12-17-11 - "Go Outside" ~ Cults

I suppose it shouldn't be shocking that a band by this name would put out a video based on one of the most chilling events in recent history - a mass suicide/murder by a group of people following a fanatical and charismatic leader.  The video's production is impressive, seamlessly inserting the band members into footage from the cult.  You can read a bit about the making of the video here.

Despite the depressing nature of the video's subject matter, I find the song itself encouraging.  The ultimate message is to live life to the fullest, not to "hole up" or "stay inside and sleep the light away..."  Take advantage of opportunities to see the world, spend time with loved ones, and don't take the little things for granted.  And especially, don't let negative or slothful people get in the way of your own enjoyment of this beautiful world.  At least, that's what I'm getting out of the tune...  

Just the song, without the NBC News commentary and whatnot:

Bonus:  The band is featured in a new holiday episode of Yo Gabba Gabba!, which apparently airs on Nick Jr. tomorrow evening.  So if you enjoy this song, be sure to tune in for that and trip out whilst watching a children's program... you know, if you're into that sort of thing.

"Yeah I know what's good 

Exactly those things night cannot behold..."

12-15-11 - "By Your Hand" ~ Los Campesinos!

Indie pop from Wales, but not Welsh (at least according to Wikipedia...)  I guess stranger things have happened in this world.  Wherever they're from, they caught my ear, and lo and behold, now they have a chance to catch yours.


This track is a bit darker than you might think from the music.  Catchy and engaging synth and upbeat major chords won't have you thinking about your untimely demise, but that's the subject matter which belies the mood of the melody.  The accompanying video has some nostalgic moments with toys from our collective youth, but contrasts these images with some twisted and morbid scenes, a juxtaposition which is quite unsettling:

"By your hand is the only end I foresee..."

12-13-11 - "Saw You First" ~ Givers

Just a fun little ditty about staking your claim to a cute girl (or guy).  Or maybe that's not it at all.  Either way, I bet you'll enjoy this tune from the Louisiana-based indie poppers (can we say "poppers" like we say "rockers"?)  The band has landed a track (although not this one) on the FIFA '12 soundtrack (that's a video game, for those who aren't gamers; and it's a soccer game, for those who aren't lovers of the beautiful game.)


So yeah, song:

Song again, SXSW style:

and FREE DOWNLOAD of the SXSW performance (can also score another track, "Atlantic".)  Free = Awesome.  Get the mp3s here at Big Ugly Yellow Couch.

"In the light, there’s still stormin’

in the shade, there’s still warmin’

you’ll see ~ what you’ll be

in the grey, there’s still colors..."

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..."

11-23-11 - "Matador" ~ Maria Taylor

Oh, just one I heard on the radio several times... it has an interesting blend of instrumentation, including marimbas (or some such instrument) and guitar, creating a bit of a haunting feel.  Seems she's crushing on a contract killer, or maybe he's a literal bullfighter, not quite sure...


After several years with other bands, Taylor has been putting out solo albums lately.  Seems Miss Taylor has also been involved in some Bright Eyes recordings and concerts, so that's kinda cool...


Oh, and she kinda looks like Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity from The Matrix...)

"Watch it disappear in the red sky

keep it here and watch it die..."

11-10-11 - "How'd You Like That" ~ The Kooks

Brit rockers The Kooks are fairly new to me, but this tune caught my ear on the radio recently and it's a toe-tapper.  It seems their style has spanned several genres, but this one is straight up pop rock sweetness:

"Well, I was sleeping

only in my head

slipping in and out of time

and I was lifting 

always higher

and the women of heaven sang

they were singing…"

10-19-11 - "Piano Pieces for Adult Beginners" ~ Woodpigeon

The Jamaican bobsled team at the 1988 Olympics wasn't the only good thing to ever happen in Calgary. This band came up with at least one sweet song that caught my ear...


A catchy little (you guessed it) piano riff anchors the tune.  Mark Hamilton (no, not Mark Hamill) lends his light tenor vocals, and the song builds with a menagerie of instruments.  The lyrics are straightforward, a call to honesty, integrity, and the value of good timing.  Timing is everything.

"Good things come to those who fake..."

10-17-11 - "Don't Touch That Dial" ~ Paper Lions

Paper Lions hail from Prince Edward Island, Canada (hmm, could we be heavy on Canadian bands lately because I was recently in Canada, listening to a Canadian radio station...?)  The name seems to be drawn from a book written by an average joe who participated in training camp with the Detroit Lions.  Or maybe it's just a play on paper tigers.


Paper Lions' brand of garage pop/rock is infused with hints of punk, and caught my ear as I drove.  Check this song:

"grab your shoes, we're headin' to
the closest bar to get down to something not so new..."

10-15-11 - "Sometime Around Midnight" ~ The Airborne Toxic Event

Another one from the West Coast airwaves.  These guys have a band name that, on first hearing it, will likely have you thinking "some sucky emo band" or "...hmm..."  Apparently the name is derived from a book - I'll have to read it someday, perhaps.  But I dig the song, even if the band name is strange.  I think they were gonna call themselves "The Beatles", but found out that one was already taken...

The drummer rocks a legit mustache in the video; in one shot he looks like Seth Avett.  They also have a chick who plays viola, always a nice touch. It seems like the song is about having the wounds of a relationship re-opened.  And the video has some interesting cinematography... 

"And the piano is this melancholy soundtrack to her smile"

10-9-11 - "What The Water Gave Me" ~ Florence & The Machine

Continuing the recent trend of quickie posts inspired by having XM radio and/or being within range of some good stations in the Seattle/Vancouver areas, here's another track I heard during my travels this weekend.


Florence scares me a little, and I'm not sure what to make of The Machine, but this song is gripping.  The minor chord progression and lyrics will haunt you, but not in a bad way.

"Lay me down
let the only sound
be the overflow..."

10-7-11 - "Big Blue Wave" ~ Hey Ocean

Another one from 100.5 The Peak.  Local Vancouver band Hey Ocean! are on form with this track, and hey, David Beckham is in the band!

...wait that's David BeckINGham in the band, not the soccer player... my bad.  But he's pretty cool too!


Anyway, the song is just swell.  Catchy and hopeful, this fits the bill of indie rock-pop brilliance.  And I found an amazing acoustic version as well, which brings out the harmonies and emotive depth in a spectacular way...


Recorded:

Acoustic Awesomeness:

"Sing until you have no voice
sing because you have no choice
sing until you float away
our love is like a big blue wave..."

10-5-11 - "In Every Direction" ~ Junip

(Quickie post written ahead of time to auto-post, as I'll be on airplanes from 6PM EDT - Midnight PDT...)


Just a song that caught my ear in the car on Tuesday... 

Bonus KEXP live performance:

"feeling safe enough to abandon the void…"

10-4-11 - "God or Man" ~ Ivan & Alyosha

This is gonna be quick because I'm heading out of town tomorrow, it's late, and I need to rest before a long day of work then travel.  Posts for the next ten days will likely likewise be quick.


My friend Jake told me about this band who are playing in Seattle Friday; I'll be in Vancouver for work and then headed to Seattle but not sure I'll make it in time for the show.  But I checked out the band, and they're pretty great.  A lot of symbolism in the band's moniker, "Ivan & Alyosha."  Worth reading.


This song gripped me most out of their live-in-studio sessions with KEXP (Seattle), which Jake recommended to me.  Give it a go:

"somewhere I got lost along the way…"

10-3-11 - "Star Witness" ~ Neko Case

Once again, WYEP on the drive home comes through with a song that just caught my ear.  I'd heard of Neko Case before, primarily as part of The New Pornographers, but hadn't heard much of her solo stuff, and certainly not this moving track.


It's said to be about a shooting, and with or without that context, it gets me thinking...

And here's a pretty cool live version:

"rolling off in a crooked line

to the chainlink lots where the redials dive…"

9-3-11 - "Empire" ~ Jukebox The Ghost

Catchy track.  Band name that I don't really get.  Recipe for greatness...?


Apparently there's a girl, and the singer is having trouble letting her in, despite his admission that she's the one he's been waiting for.  Sounds like some psychological issues there... if she's "the one", dude, just go for it!  Empirical evidence shows that the rewards far outweigh the risks...

Live quasi-acoustic (keyboard is wired...):

"...'Cause my heart is my keep
and you are threatening me..."

8-23-11 - "Repatriated" ~ Handsome Furs

Sometimes a song just grabs your ear and won't let go.  I heard this on my commute home today, and fortunately caught the name so I could look it up when I got home.  It's catchy musically and thought-provoking lyrically, which if you've been paying attention you'll know is one of my favorite combinations.


I'll leave to your interpretation the precise meaning of the lyrics, but I think they're certainly a rally cry against apathy...

"The frozen land
I'm never going back there
It was a lie, a lie believing itself..."

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..."

7-7-11 - "Breakfast At Tiffany's" ~ Deep Blue Something

I've been on a bit of a '90s kick lately, so here's another sweet song you probably heard on the radio back then.  Deep Blue Something might qualify as a one hit wonder, but man it was a good one.  Supremely catchy tune, and I never got sick of it.  Probably ought to watch the movie sometime...

"I see you, the only one who knew me
but now your eyes see through me
I guess I was wrong..."