8/19/09

Simple. To the point. Eloquent. Sufjan gets it right (and it was also used in an extremely emotional, pivotal moment on Nip/Tuck). And he's touring this fall! Would love to see him, especially since he's hitting up relatively intimate venues in New York.

"I was dressed embarrassment.
I was dressed in wine.
If you had a part of me, will you take you're time?
Even if I come back, even if I die
Is there some idea to replace my life?
Like a father to impress;
Like a mother's mourning dress,
If you ever make a mess, I'll do anything for you."
--For the Widows in Paradise, For The Fatherless in Ypsilanti
Greetings From Michigan, The Last Great State, Sufjan Stevens

(That is a lot of words.)

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