October [06] Podcast
(This is the tricked out feed with chapters and album art and all that good stuff. iTunes only though, but seriously who doesn’t use itunes. I want to hear from you!)
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01. Okkervil River – “The President’s Dead” – Overboard & Down EP [Jagjaguwar]
Okkervil River have been away for a while, playing countless shows at distant venues, for international crowds who love them just as much as us. “The President’s Dead” comes from a tour-only EP from the country down under, but will soon be released on an upcoming EP according, to Jagjaguwar (fingers crossed). So, if you live somewhere in Australia and were lucky/smart enough to see them live then you are probably already familiar with this material. For those of us who are not, this is Okkervil at their best, with Will Sheff singing like he means it, believable lyrics about the President dying and what that means to him. They don’t come off as preachy or overtly political as most songs of this nature tend to do, but instead dish out the sermon subtly and in small doses, allowing us to make our own decisions in our own time.
02. Dr. Dog – “I’ve Just Got To Tell You” – Takers & Leavers [Park the Van]
Dr. Dog play jingly pop/rock with a heavy Beatles flavor, mixed to the point of excess according to some. I thoroughly enjoy them and recently had the pleasure of seeing them open for the Cold War Kids in Los Angeles. It turns out live Dr. Dog is just what you would expect, a bunch of guys having fun on stage and playing some catchy and enjoyable jam rock/pop. This song is bouncy and typical, but enjoyable all the same. Catch them if you can, when they roll through your neck of the woods.
03. Magnolia Electric Co – “Lonesome Valley” – Fading Trails [Secretly Canadian]
Jason Molina is back again and this month he brings along his full band to play us a song. “Lonesome Valley” is vintage Magnolia Electric Co/Songs:Ohia. No new territory is explored here, just standard/classic Molina and friends, doing what they do best; making sad but enjoyable alt-country-rock. So enjoy this for what it is and just be happy that Jason Molina is still making music and we are lucky enough to get to listen to it.
04. St. Vincent – “Paris is Burning” – Untitled Album
St. Vincent is Annie Clark and Annie Clark is someone to watch. Her debut album is due out sometime next spring, so for now we have “Paris Burning” to tide us over. The song is equal parts awesome and beauty, arranged magnificently with plucked guitars, horns, bass, drums, and keyboard all swimming in a sea of melancholy yet adorned vocals. If this is any indication to the greatness of her upcoming release, we will all be in for a grand treat come Spring ‘07.
05. Alela Diane – “Pieces of String” – The Pirate’s Gospel [Holocene]
This song is soft, strange and delicate, and it’s no surprise that her sound shares similarities with harp-stress Joanna Newsom. They are actually friends and hail from the same home town, Nevada City, California. Her debut album was handcrafted and release by herself, but is now being re-issued by Holocene records, so for those of us who missed the boat the first time, here is our second chance. Her music is quirky yet likable and should/will find a home in many of our hearts.
06. 65daysofstatic – “Await Rescue” – One Time For All Time [Monotreme]
Combining the best aspects of Mogwai with the beauty of the most serene Sigur Rós piece, 65daysofstatic’s sonic landscapes completely burst at the seams. The drumming alone on this track is enough to gush about, not to mention the intense guitars and striking electronics. It’s time to let go and let 65daysofstatic guide you down the darkest of tunnels — “Await Rescue” absolutely dominates you.
07. My Latest Novel – “Pretty In A Panic” – Wolves [The Worker’s Institute]
My Latest Novel are a relatively new band from the outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland. They can be categorized somewhere along the lines of post-rock meets twee pop, if that makes any sense. This particular track showcases their range of styles in a very dramatic fashion, coupling a stark string arrangement and elegant melodies over a simple back beat and wondrous vocal harmonies. And you really have to love the spoken word piece towards the end – intuitive.
08. The Ghost Is Dancing – “To French Ave.” – The Ghost is Dancing [Sonic Unyon]
Oh, Canada. What’s next? Looks like The Ghost is Dancing. Well, here we have another large collective collaborating like mad and using a lot of instruments. May it never end, please, may it never end. But, hey, it works. And it works well. This is just good, smart pop music – simple as that.
09. Chin Up Chin Up – “This Harness Can’t Ride Anything” – This Harness Can’t Ride Anything [Suicide Squeeze]
If you’ve heard Chicago’s Chin Up Chin Up over the past couple years, you already know they play a delectable style of indie pop, which can really only be categorized as their own. It’s slinky, a bit quirky, and catchy-as-fuck. This track is no exception to their style. They’re only getting better at what they do, so do not be afraid to pick up this album when it comes out.
10. John K. Samson – “Farewell Faded Memory” – Little Pictures EP [G7 Welcoming Committee]
At some point in the mid-‘90s ex-Propagandhi bassist/current Weakerthans frontman, John K. Samson recorded a solo, acoustic EP. It only saw only a minimal DIY release throughout Southern Manitoba; G7 Welcoming Committee has now released it via iTunes and emusic to anyone with a credit card and a means to download. “Farewell Faded Memory” showcases this exceptional songwriter in his very beginning stages of penning songs. While it is by no means Samson’s best work, or even close to it, “Farewell Faded Memory” does act as stepping stone to what he is capable of. Any fan of John K. or The Weakerthans needs to hear this.
11. Akron/Family – “Gone Beyond” – Meek Warrior [Young God]
Don’t even try to classify Akron/Family anymore. It’s not worth your effort. They do what they feel, play what they want, and it all comes out a little something like “Gone Beyond.”
12. Canada – “The King’s Ashes” – This Cursed House[Quite Scientific]
Canada are an interesting bunch. A septet at their core, you know you’re in for some fleshed out, fully realized tracks. “The King’s Ashes” likely isn’t the best place to start with this band, but it does show off their penchant for creating a near-perfect melancholic ballad. Think Saturday Looks Good to Me minus the four-track and you’ll be just a few kilometers from Canada.
13. Owen – “Bad News” – At Home With [Polyvinyl]
After all these years and releases, life just doesn’t seem to be getting any better for Owen. And, not to be uncouth, but let’s hope it doesn’t. He continues to turn his loneliness, frustrations, and sad-bastard-ness into arresting songs that touch on subjects we’re all uncomfortably comfortable with. “Bad News” is nothing new or over the top for Kinsella, but solid and comforting. You have to thank him for that.
14. The Hidden Cameras – “Lollipop” – AWOO [Evil/Evil, Arts & Crafts]
Huh? Slow down! Or don’t, please. If you can decipher just what the hell Joel Gibb is singing about in this track, more power to you. I think it has something to do with a lollipop. Either way, “Lollipop” is a refreshingly fun and highly entertaining Hidden Cameras tune.
15. Damien Jurado – “What Were the Chances” – And Now That I’m in Your Shadow [Secretly Canadian]
Ah, the perfect closer to our October Podcast. This song recalls Ghost of David- era Jurado featuring light electronics, soothing female background vocals and a harrowing topic. It’s more of the same from Damien Jurado, but he’s so well versed in what he does, that doing things differently really wouldn’t work for him. Enjoy this one on the loneliest of roads.
