Thursday, January 10, 2013

1-10-13 - "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Any More" ~ The Walker Brothers

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..."

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

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..."

Monday, November 19, 2012

11-19-12 - "Everybody But Me" ~ Lykke Li

Yet another artist that came into my spheres thanks to mi hermano.  Fantastic little ditty about being antisocial and just a bit awkward at parties... or maybe it's a metaphor...?  At any rate, this Swede just might rival another one we've discussed previously on this blog...

There are several versions floating around the intarwebs, but here's the first one I heard, which is a little bit stripped down compared to the second version:




"I get the creeps from all the people in here
I cannot breathe, it's too crowded in here
don't look at me, I don't wanna be seen
touched, heard, bothered..."

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

11-13-12 - "We Are 1980" ~ Said The Whale

Friends, I'm incredibly excited.  One of my favorite bands (OF ALL TIME), Said The Whale, are coming back to Pittsburgh tomorrow!  As in Wednesday, November 14, at Howler's.  You should probably be there, unless you have a really good excuse, because it's going to be a blast.

My pals over at Draw Us Lines were kind enough to post my big wet sloppy kiss of an article raving about the band; have a read if you like.


It's always tough to pick just one song to feature when I like a band this much, but since it seems I've gone with STW's more folksy / sentimental tunes (like such as The Light Is You, Black Day In December, and False Creek Change) in the past, and they've released a brand new album this year that I've yet to mention here, I'd go with one of the pop/rock leaning new tunes, and the leadoff from April's "Little Mountain" fits the bill:


(by the way, the band made music videos - and not weak, lame ones - for all 15 tracks from the album.  You can find them on saidthewhale.com)

Methinks you'll find some intriguing and thought-provoking social commentary here...




"We’ve got Mandarax and loveless sex 
And information passing right through our skin and bones..."

Back?

You guys.  I've been a terrible blogger.  It's been a crazy summer.  You probably forgot this page even existed.  But I'm going to try and make it up to you.  Might mean posts with very little of my ramblings, maybe even just song links.  But here's to a fresh start.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

6-10-12 - "Everything" ~ There There

You guys.  I've missed you.  Probably more than you've missed me.  I haven't posted much because I've been too busy going to awesome shows n'at, ya dig?


Anyway, it's high time I introduced you to There There.  These PGH rockers brought the noise and the funk to Brillobox on Wednesday night.  I was pretty well mesmerized by this bass-tastic glowing rig:






I got some grainy videos, but the audio isn't too shabby (all things considered).  While the band blends elements of hip hop and reggae on some tracks, this particular tune is pretty straight up rock.  Check out "Everything":




And here's the album version, resplendent in its plastic flamingo glory:





You can totally get this track (and the rest of the EP) for free on Bandcamp or Noisetrade.  I recommend you do so, if you like what you're hearing.  And if you still like it after spinning it on your iPod for a few weeks, go back and tip the band - we here at ASOD are staunch believers in exploring music, but also in taking care of the artists we love so they can continue to make music.


"Is it me, or is it you
tell me whatever, what do I have to lose
to find this piece and keep it close to my chest
I feel inside me for all of my unrest..."

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

5-23-12 - "Yes, Maria, Yes" ~ David Wax Museum

You guys.  David Wax Museum are back in Pittsburgh tomorrow night for a show at Club Cafe.  Yes, the Boston-based band with the donkey jawbone will be playing at everyone's favorite PGH venue.  Here's a track which epitomizes their Mexo-Americana stylings with an English-language version of a traditional Mexican folk song:




Be sure to check this track and others in their Daytrotter session.  Be sure to check some other sweet performances which are floating around the interwebs, like this NPR Tiny Desk Concert which opens with this tune:




And most of all, be sure to be at Club Cafe tomorrow night at 8 (7 Central).


"...your careless heart invites me in, just to see me go..."