lcrelyea
rebeccapatrick
ce.
Tommy Wilson
stephenkillion
amsettineriHey all -
I have a musical mystery and I thought “what better place to ask for help?” Last Friday night Kyle and I went to pick up Thai Kitchen for dinner.* On the drive Kyle set the iPod and these incredibly beautiful and sweet songs came on. The artists sounded sort of like an immature Cloud Cult, but they definitely fell into the category of music that essentially makes me shut up when it’s playing. Now here’s the puzzler.
He can’t remember when or where he put these songs on his iPod, and it’s a super old one so all I could see of the artist name is Timberidge Historic. One of the songs was “I Sailed With Magellan.” Now, I’ve looked on iTunes, Google, and Grooveshark, and have not found anything. I’m going to the local record store today to see if Travis knows anything, but does anyone know (1) who I’m talking about or (2) where else I could look?
Toodles,
Rebecca
*Thai Kitchen is this hole in the wall on the southside of town with am-a-zing food that is pretty inexpensive, and is always playing Planet Earth when I visit.
Filed under: Songs to listen to with the windows down, Time to Party Tunes | Tags: dubstep, joy orbinson
Having followed the music of Joy Orbison since last years fantastic Hyph Mngo (if you have not heard it look it up before reading further) I must say, the dudes got talent. I have been enjoying the growing dubstep genre for a while now, and while there are many talented dj’s exploring the style (burial, zomby, and Skream to name a few) none quite have the instant appeal and, excuse the pun, joy of Mr. Orbison. Hell, even the name itself brings a slight smile, not to mention fond memories of the other truly musically talented Orbison, to this writers lips. As I await his first full length (please let is come soon) I will have to settle for the various mixes and youtube videos of his works. The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow is a new single recently put out by Joy Orbison, and it delivers everything I have come to love about this young artist. As music is something that should be listened to, rather than perversely analyzed (well most the time anyways), I offer up the video below. Feel free to nod your head.
Filed under: Dance like no one is watching, Songs to start your day, Time to Party Tunes | Tags: dance dammit, jump around, party hard, sleigh bells
All I am going to say is sleigh bells are loud, sloppy and make me want to dance. Not since Andrew W.K.’s Party Hard have I felt more desire to jump around and fist pump for 3 minutes straight. Also, on a more humorous note, the guitarist was from Poison the Well. Enjoy.
Filed under: Songs to listen to with the windows down, Sunny Dispositions | Tags: Beach Boys, Girls, surf rock, Surfer Blood, The Drums, WAX, Weezer
As my resurrection to contributing to this blog, I present back to back to back posts in the hopes that this is a memorable second coming. I want to begin this marathon of postings by first talking about the revival of surf rock. While bands like LMFAO try to evoke the thoughts of bikinis and corona there is never the essence of the beach in the slightly lazy fuzzy back beat. When I think beaches (and musically surf rock), I think California (and of course by being raised in Indiana, Florida), fruity drinks, mexican beer, and the music of the beach boys talking about lazy summer days with girls and cars. Life is simple on the beach, girls are plentiful, and fun is surely to be had. In the 90’s Weezer with their classic blue album (I cannot help but blog about them again) and Wax’s California revived these good times with distorted power cords and memorable hooks that could turn perfect teeth rotten.
It seems recently that this style of music has been revived in the indie scene. The new kids on the block retain all the hooks and flowing guitar but add a layer of lyrical complexity unseen in the surf songs of the 60’s. No longer is this style of music about instant musical gratification, rather, it is a sugarcoated cry for acceptance. To quote the girls, “Oh I Wish I Had A Sun Tan, I Wish I Had A Pizza And A Bottle Of Wine, I Wish I Had A Beach House, Then We Could Make A Big Fire Every Night…” Knowing the beach boys history, it makes you wonder if that is all surf rock was all along. Either way, I cannot stop listening (and wanting to twist while doing so). Without further ado, I present to you Girls, The Drums, and Surfer Blood.
Filed under: sing like no one is listening
The title of this little post is a bit hyperbolic (I foresee certain WTF-style groans from readers when I finally reveal my choice), because I’d be hard pressed to pick a Greatest Song in any category; especially since such an exercise requires first defining the category. I mean, truly, what is Rock n’ Roll? Is it loud guitars, fast drums, and very long, teased hair? Then Guns N’ Roses is the greatest band of all time. Or is it thrilling, theatrical piano rolls with sexually suggestive lyrics and rhythms leading to sexually suggestive dancing? Then all hail Little Richard.
Nonetheless, I would say (emphasis on the personal nature of these reflections) that good ol’ Rock n’ Roll has certain inalienable features:
- Guitars, preferably electric
- Energy, usually sexual- or youth-related; see: cocksureness
- Head-Bob factor: do you purse your lips and close your eyes and even, yes, start to raise that old hand above that old, now-swaying head?
- Drums; I mean, Fucking Drums
- The Obviously These Guys Are Really Enjoying Themselves factor
There are many songs I know that satisfy these criteria well; most Faces songs do, actually, and surely every Beatles song. But my personal number one? Don’t laugh, now: ”Queen Bitch” by David Bowie. From Hunky Dory, 1971. When I played this song for my siblings the other day, I intro’d it by saying, “We will now listen to the definition of Rock n’ Roll.” And I thought that was a pretty good way of putting it. But listen for yourselves.
Now, I’m hoping, like Barry’s Monday morning mix tape from High Fidelity, that this post will be “like, a fucking conversation starter!” So what’s your nominee for TGRnRSE?
Filed under: Night Drive Tunes, Rainy Day Songs, Songs for Contemplation, Songs of Triumph, Songs to listen to with the windows down, Songs to start your day | Tags: Acuff-Rose, Anodyne, Jeff Tweedy, Uncle Tupelo, wilco
Early in the morning–sometimes late at night–I can be found singing “Acuff-Rose” by Uncle Tupelo. Written by Jeff Tweedy, and performed by him extensively during his solo acoustic shows, it is number one on my personal list of Songs Sung Out Loud, Frequently, and Without Shame. The original UT recording has a sweet fiddle playing along, but the song is so damn good and authentic that it truly does sound best played alone by Jeff on his guitar. It’s the kind of song I wish I could play around campfires, at sick childrens’ bedsides, at old folks homes, for presidents, at the ends of movies, on nearly empty subway cars, on road trips, and alone when I need a little pick-me-up.
Acuff-Rose was a music publishing firm out of Nashville formed by Roy Acuff and Fred Rose in 1942. Fred Rose had seen too many country songwriters cheated by agents and promoters with regard to copyright issues. So Acuff-Rose was established, according to Rose, under the principle that “our company would be honest. The writers would always be taken care of. No one would act in a shady way.” Acuff-Rose became the catalogue for some of country music’s greatest songwriters, including Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell. It was honest music promoted by an honest company, and here honored in this song by one of the most earnest musicians around today, Jeff Tweedy.
It’s a wonderful song of adoration, expressing calmly and in equal measures awe and nostalgia for a company that was the storehouse of songs “that everybody knows… children at the playground / to folks at the show / anybody anywhere who’s ever felt alone.”
Filed under: Inspirational Anthems, Songs to listen to with the windows down, Sunny Dispositions | Tags: Jens Lekman, You put your arms around me, you're so silent jens
On days that I drink Earl Grey tea, I have a tendency to listen to Jens Lekman. Perhaps it’s the warming sensation they both provide. It’s chilly and raining here in Atlanta, a pattern that won’t seem to break (I left Muncie, didn’t I?), and the frequent chilly draft of the office leaves me craving sunshine and spring flowers. A good Earl Grey can half-unearth these things, I can feel the tulip bulbs begin to burst through the weary seams of earth with each sip I take. But the bulbs need a leg up, a voice to guide them along.
We would probably find ourselves in a perpetual state of spring if Jens Lekman would just travel the earth singing with a marching band. Remember in Ferngully, when Magi Lune would put her hand to a tree, and new life would spring underneath it? Jens Lekman’s voice might have that power, at least in our hearts it should. Tell me “Maple Leaves” doesn’t make you think sunshine. Listen to “A Sweet Summer Night on Hammer Hill” and try to convince me you don’t feel half drunk on Dandelion Wine.
My favorite lately, although they vary month to month, is “Put your Arms Around Me.” Because it captures the innocent feeling of fresh love. I’m not talking about Hallmark card Love, the kind you let other people articulate for you. What I’m referring to is the kind of love that makes you want to try everything, ever. The kind that makes you feel most alive. You’ll skydive, you’ll jump in puddles, stay up all night, shoot fireworks, make ridiculous art projects, drive anywhere, drive everywhere, all for one other person. In this case, a rare case, I say ignore the lyrics (about Jens cutting off his finger while slicing an Avacado). Somewhere in there is an odd form of what I’m talking about. Springtime can make you reckless.
-Laura
If you could choose one artist to sing you one song to sleep, just once, what would it be? Mine would be “Our Way to Fall,” by Yo La Tengo, because that song is falling in love to me. What a wonderful thing to hear as you’re drifting into dreams.
I remember a summer’s day
I remember walking up to you
I remember my face turned red
I remember staring at my feet
I remember before we met
I remember sitting next to you
I remember pretending I wasn’t looking
….
I remember the way you made me feel
We’ll try and try even if it lasts an hour
with all our might we’ll try and make it ours
cause we’re on our way we’re on our way to fall in love
Toodles,
Rebecca
Filed under: sing like no one is listening
Every now and then, when I need a little zing in my life, when I need a reason to dance while I clean the house or cook a meal, I listen to R&B. The old stuff, of course. The Faces do a pretty good R&B/Rock sound that gives me methamphetaminic energy levels. And I can wash the dishes to the sounds of Marvin Gaye, or shovel the driveway to Aretha Franklin’s best with all the joy and rhythm of a Stomp performance. Minus the fluidity of motion and general talent, of course.
Yesterday, while stirring a pot of fettucine, I needed a little pick-me-up. I went through my record collection and found, tucked behind two Willie Nelson collections and a kaleidoscopically-colored Chuck Berry’s Greatest Hits, I found Joan Armatrading’s eponymous third album. I had bought the record about four years ago at Half Price books, drawn in for some reason by the cover, a shot of Joan standing behind her guitar, looking just a little serious. I’d never heard of her before, and if I can say this without sounding stupid, I’ve never really heard of her since, despite the fact that she has recorded steadily ever since 1972, releasing at least three albums every decade, with her latest album set for release at the end of next month.
Her sound, or at least her sound on Joan Armatrading, is a very folksy R&B. Or maybe Soul would be a better tag, though I’m not sure I’ve been exposed enough to know the difference. She’s got a killer voice. I put the record on the turntable, digitally cranked the volume up so that I could hear it from every room in the house, and stirred my noodles with Love and Affection.
Filed under: Songs to listen to with the windows down, Songs to start your day, Sunny Dispositions | Tags: A Tune for Jack, Driving, Lemon Jelly, Lemon Jelly.ky
If you want to go on vacation, and find yourself faced with a lack of funding, planning, and the general bravery to just get up and go…turn up the heat as high as possible on a sunny morning, roll down your windows, and listen to “A Tune For Jack.” You will instantly be transported to a solar flared photograph of yourself laughing on the beach: tan, freckled, and completely at ease.
