8/17/09

Gotta give it some love.

"At The Bottom"


Like the song, like the lyrics, feels like a next evolution of Brand New that we could expect. Chorus is fucking awesome. Does any band capture the bitter attitude of young generations in the early 2000's as good as Brand New? I think they sum it up quite nicely, this song is no exception. For what it's worth, though, Jesse Lacey maintains that Brand New always aims to make a different kind of record, with a new approach to the band's music. The more I hear of their new stuff, the more I think they grow just far enough to sound different, because they're really doing the same thing here that they did on their last record. Same kind of build ups, same chord structures, same screaming bouts of Jesse Lacey insanity, same death oriented metaphors...I don't know.

"Bed"


Also good, feels post-'The Devil and God,' but nothing too earth-shattering in terms of song structure, licks or parts. Brand New is amazing at capturing mood in their songs, they can hit you right in the face with feelings you didn't even know you're having, and for that I love them.....but I am disappointed by what I feel is more of the same.


"Bought a Bride"


Interesting how Jesse reveals the band doesn't really know where they're at. Same kind of desperate, sunken vibe, this track feels really groove-oriented but no more marvelous than anything else floating around the Internet from 'Daisy.' Oh well. I'll still probably buy it, go see them this fall on their tour, and give them my love (read: dollas).

8/11/09

Somehow, when there's a band you've really loved, you love what they make regardless of it's critical reception. For me, The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, Copeland, Jimmy Eat World....whatever they do, I will love. And I'll feel some deeper connection to it, as if they've been releasing songs for a span of a few years that correlate to my own experiences.

This song, is gorgeous. Soft, melodic, floating...I love the direction this band has been going in. Album to album, Copeland shows off mature progression and and ability to create delicate soundscapes with poetic meaning and gentle emotion. They're extremely patient, never pushing a song too far in one direction but always having a beginning, middle and an end.



"Cause it's no good if you can have it all,
Well I'd give it back but I never stole the first part.
And it always goes when you need it the most,
The kindest love is still bleeding from the last shot."
-Good Morning Fire Eater, Copeland
You Are My Sunshine

7/27/09

Somewhere on the Internet, you'll find the music of SpeakEasy. This album has meant so much to me in the past few months, it seems only right to share it on the (so-called) songwriting blog that I (so-called) run.

Soundtracking my days and nights in New York more than anything else, 'EndInSight' has become synonymous with my personal peaks and falls throughout 2009. It's consistently reminded me that no matter how hard the fall, there's always one last punch to pull.

I first heard this unbelievably advanced debut record being played in a garage a little less than a year ago. It's amazing to me that it's come this far, and it's definitely worth spreading the word about.

Dramatic, melodic, fun, powerful, DOUBLE-TIME!, and so many other qualities make Speakeasy a truly original attempt in today's copycat playground of a music industry. So bite your lip, press play and listen to something real for a change. Come on now. Listen!!! You'll see what I mean.

Cherish all those things you know,
There's no other way but down
-Phony, Speakeasy
EndInSight

7/26/09

Modest Mouse songs are so genuine.




We have one chance,
one chance to get everything right.
My friends, my habits, my family,
they mean so much to me.
I just don't think that it's right.
I've seen so many ships sail in,
just to head back out again and go off sinking.
-One Chance, Modest Mouse
Good News For People Who Love Bad News

7/14/09

So. Much. Feel. In this song. And delay. It's gorgeous, with amazing verse-to-chorus dynamics, guitars that kind of float around really driving metal-like rhythm sensibilities.



It's not enough to say what you say
You've got to show me that you mean it all
A lie for you your dying day
~Joy Peninsula,
Mt.Helium, Faces