September [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. M. Ward – “To Go Home” – Post-War [Merge]
M. Ward takes this Daniel Johnston original and completely makes it his own. This is very likely to be one of the catchiest and most powerful tunes in this prolific singer/songwriter’s songbook. And we’re talking about the same songbook that contains “Vincent O’Brien” (Transfiguration of Vincent. Stunning.
02. Grizzly Bear – “On a Neck, On a Spit” Yellow House [Warp]
“On A Neck, On A Spit” doesn’t stray far from the rootsy folk and maintains all the art Grizzly Bear convey throughout Yellow House. But do you really need us to tell you this? It’s pure gold. Plain and simple.
03. Beach House – “Master of None” Beach House [Carpark]
The perfect pop song may seem like a rather impossible task these days but Beach House come as close as you can with “Master of None.” It’s light. It’s airy. It’s simple. You’ll be dreaming along to its beautiful melody in no time.
04. Jason Molina – “Get Out Get Out Get Out” – Let Me Go Let Me Go Let Me Go [Secretly Canadian]
Mr. Molina has been recording music for quite some time now. His signature quiet, yet painfully emotional lyrics and style, run constant throughout his catalog and this song is no different. His voice begs to be heard and his songs yearn to be felt. This is music to be sad to, to reflect on, to sip whisky on the porch of your prairie home to, or to just be alone with. In any case Jason Molina belongs in your heart.
05. Tokyo Police Club – “Be Good” – A Lesson In Crime [Paperbag]
These guys are nice. They have energy, screaming guitars, catchy choruses and vocals, and apocalyptic lyrics about robots and the republic. Their debut EP is seven songs full and last about 16 minutes, so at 120 seconds a song they get in and get out in a hurry. While it lasts, Tokyo Police Club bring the goods and leave you wanting more. Also if you happen to live anywhere besides the West Coast you should definitely try and catch their live show in the next few months.
06. Annuals – “Bleary Eyed” – Be He Me [Ace Fu]
The Annuals are so hot right now. This song is culled from their yet-to-be-released, debut on Ace Fu records and the internet is abuzz already over the few tracks that have leaked. This song is everything I like about music; strumming acoustic guitars, soft and unique vocals that sometimes stretch to a yelp or a holler, keyboards that don’t push and shove, and slightly unintelligible lyrics that keep you listening as you struggle to decipher them. Cramming all these elements into a three-minute pop gem makes my month. Don’t sleep on them; be ready in October to pick up their debut.
07. Professor Murder – “Free Stress Test” – Professor Murder Rides the Subway [Kanine]
Not much is known about Professor Murder. They are from NY and they play upbeat dance rock in the vein of the Rapture, but that’s about it. They have an EP out and have a simple website that doesn’t really reveal much about them (favorite color? favorite food?). My friend saw them play in NY this last month and said they killed it and from this song I can see that to be a real possibility. “Free Stress Test” should be your indie dance rock theme song and if you don’t have one you need to get one. Along with anything Girl Talk, “Free Stress Test” was the dance song of the summer, maybe along with Justice vs Simian but that shit is kind of old. Go dance already!
08. Swan Lake – “All Fires” – Beast Moans [Jagjaguwar]
It should be noted that songs involving Spencer Krug are not really songs. They are living breathing creatures that exist beyond comprehension of human beings. I once read that this song is like sitting in a tiny room with a ceiling that rises to infinity. I couldn’t have explained it better myself, except to apply that to all of his music, versus just one entity. And even though he reuses the line “All fires have to burn alive to live,” (Taken from his other science experiment Sunset Rubdown’s “They Took a Vote and Said No,”) its depth remains uncharted. Words like epic, abyss, and monumental come to mind upon reference to this mongrel and when you hear it, you will know why. I can’t tell you, because it’s different for everyone, but you will agree all the same.
09. Chad VanGaalen – “Flower Gardens” – Skelliconnection [Sub Pop]
Chad VanGaalen released a fine album a ways back in the package of Infiniheart and on that release he molded one of the most perfect songs ever,”Clinically Dead”. That song is timeless in my book, as if God himself came down and lent a hand to Chad, oh what a creation. I didn’t think he could reach such heights again but with this song and a few others on Skelliconnection, he again reaches the heights set by “Clinically Dead”. “Flower Garden” shows an energetic CV, sounding rocky and rambunctious with a stuttering chorus and heavy guitars. A little different than what we are used to, but nonetheless, a song worth remembering. Another strong release by the multitalented and esteemed Canadian.
10. The Lovely Feathers – “E Man Sorrow” – Hind Hind Legs [Equator]
Disjointed, energetic, dirty/yelpy vocals, and a pinch of the Pixies are the main ingredients of E Man Sorrow, making it and the album it belongs to, must-haves if you respect yourself at all. A sad song at its core, kinda like the shy little kid who hides behind his mother’s leg on the first day of school, but come recess he becomes a monster on the pitch and transforms into a beast of a school yard hero. Beware of that one!
11. White Flight – “Pastora Divine” – White Flight [Range Life]
Hard to lasso a description around this White Flight, but poppy and psychedelic are two words that would be a good starting point. Justin Roelofs, the main conspirator of White Flight, formerly of the Anniversary, has created a mish-mash of sounds and styles and comes off as a more experimental Beck if I had to do some pegging down. A great song that gives you a good taste of what the album has in store and comes highly recommended by respectable people. Go out and spend money.
12. The Thermals – “A Pillar of Salt” – The Body, The Blood, The Machine [Sub Pop]
If you don’t know much about The Thermals, it’s okay, this is the perfect place to start. “A Pillar of Salt” is a kickstart of a single for a band about to finally break free from the shadows of the indie alleyways. As is their criterion, you get the balls out slightly distorted guitar riffs and high toned howls of Hutch Harris (extra points for a cool rock moniker). And because they’re nice and they want to show us the light, The Thermals present us with that prominent and new oh-so-addictive keyboard line. It’s gonna get stuck in your head, but you know what, it deserves to be. Those of you already in the know, be prepared, The Thermals have brought their A-game, they’re in the zone, and they have something to prove.
13. Cold War Kids – “We Used To Vacation” – Up in Rags EP (Daytrotter live recording) [Downtown Recordings]
Seriously folks, this song aims straight for the heart, live or not. I don’t know who he’s singing about but damn if I don’t feel his pain. Not many songs can bring you in and make you feel sad and hopeless for someone you don’t know. His promise to his wife and children is futile. You know that; more importantly he knows that, but it’s that damn alcohol who is there for him time and time again. That dependence. That crutch. That addiction that’s fucking up his and his family’s lives. You can hear that realization and death of hope each time Willet’s voice trails off after the chorus with the haunting “This will all blow over in time.” This song is devastatingly good, like Luke finding out his real relationship to Darth Vader. Detective Mills finding out ‘what’s in the box’. Or Michael Corleone condemning his brother Fredo to death. Say your hail Mary’s. No one walks away unscathed.
14. Irving – “I Want to Love You in My Room” – Death in the Garden, Blook on the Flowers [Eenie Meenie]
This is the song you play for girls that you like. If they listen to this song and do anything but fall in love with you then they are not the girl for you. Trust me on this, my words are gospel. The song is just plain awesome all rolled up into a nice little melody. With lyrics like “I want to do it in the day” and “I want to have you in the sunshine,” not even the Silver Jews could deny such references. I wish some R&B artist would cover this song, throw some sick beats behind it and a crooning voice, I’ll bet she’ll fall in love with you then!
15. Tap Tap – “100,000 Thoughts” – Lanzafame [Catbird]
Tap Tap start this song like all songs should start, with a clapping hand baseline. There is just something about strong handclaps in a song that make it oh-so addicting and lovely. This song leads off their debut release and is a true indicator of the fun to follow. “100,000 Thoughts” rolls along, going up and down, taking you back and forth, never really resting on one element or another. Finally things all come together with the handclaps and a ‘la la’ chorus and them bam, songs over. Just ends. No warning, no nothing. Over. Go buy Lanzafame, it’s a solid release.
[...] My camera man was late to the party so nobody gets to see pictures of the Lovely Feathers however, it’s not a big deal as I only saw/heard two songs, but from that short exposure I’m sure they would have played up to expectations. If you haven’t checked out their 2006 release Hind Legs you should hurry up and get on it. We spotlighted them back in September in our Podcast, but if you weren’t paying attention then, pay attention now, you might not get many more chances to jump aboard their train without getting pegged with poser status. Anybody see their show later that night at the Knitting Factory and want to fill us in on the happenings? [...]