3/30/10

Today I remember this lyric:
"Just before our love got lost you said, 'I am as constant as a northern star.' and I said, 'constantly in the darkness? where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar.'"

The audio is very quiet in this video, but worth turning it up for.




I love her. She just sings, somehow floats everything together. All it needs is something acoustic behind the words, because they're that strong, and she uses every bit of her range and dynamics to make it move. Such beautiful songwriting, beautiful metaphors...and such storytelling in this song.

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember that time that you told me, you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time

Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
~A Case of You
Joni Mitchell, Blue

3/25/10

There's going to be a new Jimmy Eat World album this year -- something to live for. Also excited about new Minus the Bear, more new Lovedrug EPs leading up a full length, finding more Avett Brothers material, And crossing my fingers for a third installment in Lady Gaga's Paparazzi/Telephone video sequence. Won't lie.

Other albums to look forward to (after a quick browsing of Metacritc):
new Jakob Dylan
new Rufus Wainwright!!
new Deftones
new Josh Ritter
new Unkle
new The Black Keys
new Sia
new Stars
new Arcade Fire
new Cake
new Fleet Foxes
new Interpol
new Kraftwerk (always cool)
new Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
new STROKES!!!!!!
new Amy Winehouse

.....and that should all keep me pretty busy.

3/25/10

Moremoremore.



If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected
Decided what to be and go be it
~Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise
The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You

Great song title, great song.

3/24/10

Don't push me out,
Just a little longer
Stall your mother,
Disregard your father's words.

Close the laundry door,
Tiptoe across the floor
Keep your clothes on,
I got all that I can take
Teach me how to use
The love that people say you make

Stop your parents' car
I just saw a shooting star
We can wish upon it
But we won't share the wish we made
But I can't keep no secrets,
I wish that you would always stay

Last night I dreamt the whole night long
I woke with a head full of songs
I spent the whole day
I wrote 'em down, but it's a shame
Tonight I'll burn the lyrics,
'Cause every chorus was your name

Break this tired old routine
And this time don't make me leave
I am a breathing time machine,
I'll take you all for a ride
~Laundry Room,
The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You

It's been a minute since I've heard a band with as much subtlety as The Avett Brothers. Or one that I've instantly liked this much.

They're little like an indie Billy Joel at times, a lot like a folk band at others. I love both their voices, and something about them just seems very heartfelt, very authentic....lovelovelove. These songs are a bit on the sad side, but in general they're just beautiful, well-written songs.

(Kudos to Maggie for introducing me....now, to find their older albums. I've only acquired "I and Love And You" which is doing very well for itself critically. Band to watch, fo sho!)




One foot in and one foot back.
But it don’t pay to live like that.
So I cut the ties and I jumped the track.
For never to return.

Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
~I and Love and You
The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You

3/9/10

Since it's midterms week and studying's no fun, I spend a lot time fooling around the Internet. Today I came across Free Energy and thought they sounded pretty good (see link for free album stream). I love their vibe, they're so fun and happy, and really melodic guitar solos.

I always like seeing what labels are putting out, what they think is up-and-coming. I imagine that sometimes they're so far behind the curve, other times it's dead on. So fancy that, signed bands that are talented musicians and not just an act!!! :o

(For the record, Free Energy is signed to DFA, and their debut album is called "Stuck on Nothing.")



bang bang, pop, pop
when does the searchin stop
bang, bang, pop, pop
when the mind goes
~Bang Pop
Free Energy, Stuck on Nothing

^probably the catchiest chorus ever about the extinguishing of the self.

Also, though I really really miss my iPod, it's cool to hear what you hear when you don't have headphones in all the damn time. Today, for example, I was walking home from class and I heard someone blasting "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" from their bedroom window or something. It was all echo-y and loud and the sky was a warm, dark blue and it was cold but not so cold that you minded. I could hear it for about half the song, it was pretty loud. Quite the moment in my day. So yeah, no iPod isn't all bad. Not to mention all the overheard conversations, phone calls, and the seemingly higher number of people I know I seem to run into.