Oh, just a little ditty from a band about which I recently heard someone say, "They were almost as big as The Beatles back in the '60s..." Apparently, this American trio took the UK by storm, and (if the internet speaks truth) at one time their fan club was bigger than that of the Fab Four. Their counterattack to the British Invasion makes for quite the tale of intrigue... hit up Wikipedia if you're looking for more details. The song has that classic feel, and if you're dealing with a breakup or just wishing you had someone special, this one's definitely for you.
"Loneliness is the cloak you wear a deep shade of blue is always there the sun ain't gonna shine any more..."
Tonight is one of those rare nights when I post a cover. Generally, while I do believe some covers are worthwhile, I try to go with the original version (or at least post both). But in this case, odds are you're familiar with the original, and the cover just has that ethereal quality which merits attention.
Interesting to note that this song may have the most comments of any song I've ever viewed on songmeanings.net. Also that the band had to fight pretty hard to get past this one track from their first album, and Thom Yorke apparently pretty much hates the song now.
Carrie Manolakos cut her teeth on Broadway, and now she has released an album of original tunes. If this performance is any indication, she's got the pipes to make for some quality songs.
Here's an excerpt from an article that has been making the rounds on the social media sites:
"This Cover of Radiohead's "Creep" Will Make Your Ears Orgasm. If you're in a hurry, skip to 2:25 for the crescendo, but you should really listen to the whole thing. It's upsettingly good."
~ Neetzan Zimmerman, Gawker
Seriously, listen to the whole thing; the emotion conveyed in the quieter parts of the song is just as good as the payoff. The high note, the harmony, the control through it all... just wow. And the instruments are spot on, as well.
And here's the original, just so the Radiohead fans don't lambaste me:
I found this band on thesixtyone the other day (a site worth checking out - fun way to discover new tunes). They're an instrumental outfit from Texas, named after a small town quite a ways away from the bigger cities. Their sound, however, is much larger than their namesake.
Balmorhea (pronounced Bal-moor-ay) bring lush orchestration and soaring melodies, reminiscent of carefree summer days. This track features a backbone of piano with strings along for the ride. A subtle guitar breakdown laced with ethereal vocal harmonies gives you a breather before the climax, when the pace picks up and claps join the strings and vocals in a manner reminiscent of The David Wax Museum. This type of tune could easily be part of a movie soundtrack, but stands alone as well:
This one likely doesn't need much explanation, but here's a bit of it anyway. My family just watched "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and that other girl (the one with the brown eyes...) It's a pretty entertaining old flick, which involves an unseasonably warm December in Vermont. And no, a white Christmas is not looking promising here in PA this year... we'll just have to make do. But the film features some snappy song and dance routines along with some witty one-liners:
"Well, now, isn't this cozy? Boy, girl, boy, girl..."
"You're not exactly Superman, but you are awfully available..."
"In some ways, you're far superior to my cocker spaniel."
And of course, the finale is the titular song. Here's Bing Crosby's famous / classic version (don't believe me? The Guinness Book of World Records cites it as the best selling single of all time):
And here's a spiffy version by The Drifters, which you may recognize from Home Alone:
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:
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...)
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"
Stayed home sick from a concert I was really looking forward to attending. Watched "Garden State" instead, and was reminded of some good tunes from the soundtrack. The film uses the Iron & Wine cover of this song (which is also awesome); I'm focusing on the original.
The Postal Service is (was?) a side project of Ben Gibbard (of DCFC fame) and Jimmy Tamborello. The name was derived from the fact that they recorded tracks for songs and mailed them to each other to build the songs. Kinda cool, eh?
The song is upbeat, electronic, and catchy, with lyrics celebrating finding one's soulmate... a bit cliched, perhaps, but still fun.
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.
Last time I posted a song by Alexander, I almost picked this one, but changed my mind and did "Let's Win." Now I know why, and it's because now I can include the live performance of "Truth" from Conan the other night (see below). This one's not as upbeat or joyful, but the shambling flow will drag you right in.
The lyrics are weighty, dealing with the singer's struggle to break free from following the mindless crowds as an unseen force would have him do ("wanna pull me back behind the fence with the cattle"). He has been there, following the hollow "truth" put forth to lure him in, but now he is beginning to see through it. He is discovering the true truth, and is willing to stand and fight for it, no matter the cost. It seems the conclusion he comes to is that love is truth...
(live on Conan - a little slower than the album version, but I love that it accentuates the choral harmonies!)
(music video - it's a little creepy and weird, and adds a layer to the song)
"I've seen a million numbered doors on the horizon
Now which is the future you choosen before you gone dying I'll tell you about a secret I've been undermining Every little lie in this world comes from dividing..."
This one's a cover of an '80s song that you might have heard, in all its synth-pop horn chorus glory. But you won't hear trumpets in this drastically altered version - McMorrow brings it down real low with simple piano chords and ethereal falsetto vocals. It allows you to focus on the lyrics and the cry for the titular "higher love" - love that supersedes the many injustices in the world. "Without it, life is wasted time..."
Found this one thanks to the good people at Tympanogram. The ethereal feel of the song is crafted from a dirty little piano hook slathered over a sparse drum loop, and the mournful vocals float above like the morning fog over the Allegheny River... or perhaps I should say the Charles, seeing as Leisure hail from Boston.
The lyrics paint a picture of entropic developments, perhaps the waning of a fiery relationship.
EDIT 1-3-12: Check out this awesome stripped-down (can't say "acoustic" because the guitar is still wired, but it's sans electronic effects) performance!
"And when the rain comes down and hits us
We'll be dying just to live..."
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Oh hey so check Leisure's Bandcamp page for 2 free songs! (not this one, but hey, still freebies and if you like this track you might like those ones too.) Also of note, apparently they played in London tonight and play in NYC tomorrow... not messing around with those travel plans...
Rebecca St. James might have been my first crush. Pretty face, pretty voice, doesn't take much more than that. But seriously, this Aussie songstress may be off the market, but I still enjoy her music. This one has a lilting Celtic feel in 6/8 time, and is all about hope and faith that although we go through dark times, there is light ahead.
The title stems from The Last Battle, seventh in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia . One of my favorite authors, and possibly my favorite book of the series. The final chapter in the book, called "Farewell to Shadowlands" describes the end of the world of Narnia, and the journey of the main characters of the series "further up and further in" as the "shadowlands" of Narnia are destroyed and they discover that there is a bigger and better Narnia within and they are to stay there with Aslan.
"There was a real railway accident," said Aslan softly. "Your father and mother and all of you are - as you used to call it in the Shadowlands - dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning."
"The shadowlands surround me now
but You walk with me through the cloud
into the sun..."
So we have a good buddy back in town this weekend, and hung out on the deck all evening. Eventually the ol' six string was busted out, and we went through everything from The Head And The Heart to Brand New to some classic Avett Brothers. I haven't posted TAB in a while, and this one was just sweet to sing with some good friends, so here you go.
It's a pretty simple song, about a pretty girl, from a place near Baltimore. Sometimes love hits you fast and hard, and sometimes it's gone just as quickly. Sometimes a relationship doesn't work out, sometimes it's a mistake, and sometimes you have to move on and learn from it, but that doesn't mean you can't look back fondly upon the good times you had...
I read an intriguing article today. Kind of talks about hipster trends, and how people shouldn't just like an artist because other people do... and when Dave Matthews speaks up, people need to listen. Thus, since Dave is no longer into DMB, neither am I. But I offer you this song in tribute to a band I'm sure you used to love, just as I once did...
This may have been the first DMB song I ever heard. Just a chill melody about intoxicating love...
"If I've gone overboard, then I'm begging you to forgive me in my haste..."
This is gonna get complicated. But hopefully also fun. Bear with me (or just scroll down and watch/listen to the song.)
I watched an episode of How I Met Your Mother tonight with my brother. The episode featured this song* as a cassette single that got stuck in a character's car stereo and was thus the only thing they could listen to for the bulk of 199,999 miles put on the vehicle.
This song is great. It's also featured on a countdown list called The 100 Worst Songs Ever. That's how you know it's legit.
My college uses this song as an icebreaker for incoming freshman classes, by making upperclassmen, faculty and staff get on stage and do a choreographed dance (teaching such moves as the prairie dog and frantic skiier to the 1000 freshmen). Sentimental memories there for me... I wish I had this on video. It's quite a sight to behold.
The song is not only insanely catchy and a testament to true love, it's also educational. I just learned the meaning of the word "haver", and I bet you didn't know the definition until you clicked that link, either!
The Proclaimers are a band comprised primarily of blond Scottish twins. Guys, not girls... and pretty dorky guys at that. But come on, who doesn't love twins? or dorks? It's pretty great watching the one stand behind the other's shoulder and sing the echos / harmonies in the music video....
OH! Did I mention that Johnny Depp is in the video? Guess the song made the soundtrack of 1993's "Benny and Joon" starring everyone's favorite actor...
In conclusion, this may in fact be The Best Song Ever. Or maybe it's not, but it's still pretty great, eh?
"If I get drunk well I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you And if I haver yeah I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you..."
* - downside of Blogger: they are in bed with YouTube and do not allow embedding of videos from other sites like Vimeo. Why can't we all get along?
I love the lyrical play in this one. It's a kind of depressing, yet hopeful song, and they borrow a couple lines you'll recognize from other tunes. I think the intent is to convey that no matter how much is wrong in the world, there is beauty and joy to be found, and the ultimate point of life is the journey into the great unknown...
A quiet tune, set to some pretty guitar strumming.
"Just follow the stars and speeding red cars Into the great unknown..."
This guy was on World Cafe the other day, and he's got some pretty sweet and fun tunes. It's instrumental, it's ethereal, it'll make you smile and probably bob your head or tap your toes or something.
Steve Marion is just a kid from Jersey (the only black mark on him) who wrote some music and recorded it. But it's a little different than anything I've ever heard before, and he's got a heck of a PR team ~ they wrote an utterly fictitious, but highly entertaining, press release hyping the band, complete with lines such as "...most of these songs are both too musical and too insane for the typically dim-witted American consumer." It's epic.
Give the song a shot; tell me what you think. The video has some psychedelic moments and old cartoons to add to the experience if you so desire, or just listen:
PS - you can take a gander at the entire album over on Bandcamp:
Here's a catchy and hopeful song for the summer solstice. By the way, have you ever stopped to think that from the first day of summer (i.e. - today, unless you're one of the fine folks from the Southern Hemisphere who checks out my blog) on, the days are getting shorter? Summer is actually the waning of the days... so every day of your summer is less awesome than the last. What a downer, eh?
But anyway, the song. It's about the hope of moving forward to a new place and starting a new life. I think a listener could apply it to starting a new phase in life, as well; you don't have to be immigrating to a new country or anything to draw meaning from the song...
"We'll build our walls aluminum We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon..."
