I love making playlists with strong themes, but sometimes 3-5 songs fit together in the most perfect ways when it comes to the lyrics. Lyrically Linked is a recurring feature that shares these flawless matches. Let me know if I've missed anything by leaving a comment.
Recently, when organizing songs for a playlist a few of them lined up way too perfectly and I was astounded by the lyrical similarities. Usually I do this on purpose, but this time the songs just happened to play in the right order to make me realize that each song was about the intimate touch of another. The first three songs are about tracing a hand down someone's back. Check out the songs below to figure out what the hell I'm talking about.
"Mahogany Veneer" is an outstanding track from Twilight Hotel's latest album When the Wolves Go Blind, released just this week. From the quiet softness of the banjo being plucked, the slight waiver in his voice when he sings, nearly whispering at the end, "my old life fell away like mahogany veneer", to the cities it takes you, every inch and aspect of this song is perfect. It sounds like a hymn for marching into the future, quietly urging you to keep going with a heavy dose of nostalgia for the places and events of the past.
This song absolutely crushes me. I haven't felt like this since the first time I heard Sharon Van Etten. Each time the song comes to an end I realize I've been holding my breath. It's truly affecting. Before I blather on any more I suggest you listen to this right away.
Lord Huron has huge potential for putting out one hell of a LP in the near future. So far they have seven songs between their two LPs and easily some of the best artwork I've seen in a while, reminiscent of what you'd see on Prog-Rock LPs. Hopefully this continues with whatever they have coming up next. I'm going through a phase where the lyrics really matter to me when listening to a song, and ever since I heard this song I've wanted the lyrics inscribed on a greeting card, the kind you want to put in a frame. While Lord Huron was big this summer, I just want to make sure you don't forget what this new band has to offer.
If you got what you came for why should you stay?
If you know where you're going why delay?
If you won't be returning don't say goodbye.
Turn you back on the ocean and follow the sun through the sky.
I've already forgotten all of your names.
And I cannot remember when you came.
Grab your things and get going. Don't say goodbye.
Turn your back on the ocean. Go see what's out there to find.
It's time to let go. Goodbye and so long. All the best along the way. Couldn't I keep you another day?
There is so much to say about this song. I will start with telling you that it is one of my most listened to tracks EVER. No exaggerations and no joke. I just saw them perform on Sunday night and was blown away. There is a review coming soon, but for now just listen to this song. The lyrics are below but they are just as capable, if not more, of writing their own meaningful and beautiful lyrics and songs.
This is the perfect song for an easy segue into fall, and it sounds impossibly just like that picture looks, trust me. It has some of that sparkling optimistic chillwave sound infused with a comfortable amount of dreamy pop and catchy lyrics that you want to put on just like your favorite fall sweater. You know, that sweater that you are secretly happy you get to wear again even though it means admitting the days are indeed cooler. I don't really know what I am talking about, but this song is like that. I fell in love at first listen and it makes me smile.
"I'll be there just to lasso you the moon shine"
Sun Airway is a two man Philly band that is currently on tour (they tour as a quintet). They will be releasing their debut album on October 26th through the Dead Ocean label. Until then, fill your ears up with this dreamy goodness.
Here are three seriously good songs and I promise none of them are chill-wave, dream pop, electronic whatever you want to call it. I am trying to ween myself off of that electro-obsession. So today it is just guitars, banjos, harpsichords, and drums. You absolutely must listen to all three of these songs because they are just that good.
MP3: The Mountains & The Trees - More & More & More
If you like the banjo, you will love this song. Then there are the lyrics "Sold my only guitar, put all my money to a broken car/ and I drove halfway across the country to get away/ from the very thing that follows me to this day/ and our love will endure more and more and more / Our love will find a way to haunt me every day." This song beautifully articulates an everlasting heart ache that I can identify with all too well. The first time I heard it, I put it on repeat and listened to it at least eight times. I wish it could be longer than 2:30 minutes. You can pre-order this Canadian's album and listen to his other songs on his myspace.
MP3:Karen Elson - The Ghost Who Walks
Here is an interesting murder/ghost story played to a haunting tune that draws you in. I love the way this one sounds. Check out her myspace.
MP3:Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday
This one has a quite a bit of reverb that masks the vocals but is still a good one to listen to on a hot and muggy day like this one. Listen to more on Wild Nothing's Myspace.
I am so excited for Delta Spirit's new album, History from Below, coming out June 8th. So far a few songs have been (unintentionally?) leaked on the internet and you can get "Bushwick Blues" and "911" if you want to search for them, but I'm pretty sure they are there illegally so you can listen to "Bushwick Blues" on their myspace. While you are there you can check out their tour dates for this summer, it's pretty extensive. They will make an appearance at the Middle East (Cambridge, MA) on June 28th, I will be there. It's going to be a really fantastic summer album, you can tell just by looking at the cover art. That is assuming you judge things by their covers like I do. It screams "awesome summer album for driving to the beach with the windows down and volume up" right? Right.
I loved their last album, "People C'mon", is a song from it that we have mentioned before. They do guitar and drum driven rock with a very classic sound, no computer stuff, the way rock & roll should be. It's nice to know that music like this still exists, thank you Delta Spirit.
"911" is a perfect song about the current times with lyrics, "the folks back east they say the market's fine/ I heard that before in 1929" and other politically charged bits and pieces. "Bushwick Blues" gets played on repeat a lot because it has a fast tempo and well written hooks about a love that's hard to get over. I give this band one of my highest recommendations. I like it so much that I took the time to transcribe the lyrics of my favorite verses just for you (sorry if I botched them). Plus that way I got to play it on repeat some more. During SXSW, Delta Spirit did an acoustic recording of Bushwick Blues that you can watch in the video below. For the more upbeat album version listen on myspace. Hope you like it!
Hold on to my hand
Never let go, never let go,
We were just two kids, acting tough,
Well then we grew up, me not so much
All the other guys, that you see,
are nothing compared to me,
because my love is strong and my heart is weak after all.
(skipped a verse)
To the other side of the states return,
I met a young girl, well I couldn't manage her,
Because I think of you in every girl I meet,
It's no relief, it sounds to me, just as sweet,
So maybe I'm a fool for feeling used,
But the way we kiss at night I thought you knew,
Cause my love is strong, and my heart is weak afterall
The love is in the lyrics in this song from another new Danish band, The Rumour Said Fire. It is a simple song, backed with good vocals and a charming melody. Their lyrics are wonderfully poetic. I can't find much information on The Rumour Said Fire, other than they recently won a Danish talent show of sorts. Listen to more on their myspace. "And your mouth tastes like sunshine, baby, but your eyes are all cool buried in my arms."
This is easily the most appropriate monday morning song ever. I am sorry that it is kind of depressing, but I just had to post it on a Monday. Listen to it, and you will understand why this is the perfect Monday song.
This is a late find since their most recent album came out almost a year ago, but who cares, right? I am seriously loving this Brooklyn band, Jones Street Station, because they are just a little bit different and four of the band members share the role of "lead singer" which is pretty unusual. They harmonize quite well and it is especially evident in "Tall Buildings". Their songs range from melancholic ballads, "Tall Buildings" to country-esque jams like "front door" and even a pop-rock type song "slow lights" and don't forget to listen to their fun rock song "Neville". Because they dabble in a little bit of everything, making Jones Street Station a tricky band to describe, they have a really strong album "In Verses" that holds your attention throughout the entire fourteen songs. It's a fun one to listen to and I am currently falling in love with this album. This is the first full length album since Mumford & Sons that I have listened to on repeat for days, so that should tell you something about how good this band is.
Here is one of their more popular songs from "In Verses" for your listening/downloading pleasure. Jones Street Station - Evergreen
You can listen to ALL of their songs on myspace. If you like the Avett Brothers, Stephen Kellogg & the sixers, or Mason Jennings, to name a few, you will most likely enjoy this band too. Give them a good listen, I guarantee you its worth it. Learn more about Jones Street Station on their website.
"Its goodbye to the sunshine, goodbye to the dew, goodbye to the flowers and goodbye to you. I'm off to the subway, I musn't be late, I'm going to work in tall buildings."
Matt Pond PA has been one of my favorite bands since I first came across them in 2004. A lot of it has to do with his lyrics that never cease to be relatable. There is a lot that I could write about them, but for now I just feel like giving you one of their songs from the latest EP of which has been turned into an LP that was released just today, called The Dark Leaves. Check out more stuff on their website. Click the link below to play or right click to download (I do not manage the link, if you are the artist and want it removed from this page please contact me). Watch the video to see one of my all time favorite songs by them, The Summer is Coming.
Dan Mangan is a Vancouver musician who really made a mark on the music scene in 2009 and received rave reviews after his performances at SXSW that year. His praises have been sung by many critics, many of whom say he is the next best thing to come out of Canada. The most commented upon aspect of his music is that his lyrics combined with his gravely voice are absolute perfection. His sophomore album, Nice, Nice, Very Nice, (the title is a reference to a Kurt Vonnegut poem=awesome!) came out in 2009 but is not expected to be released in the states until sometime this year. You can of course listen to songs from that album on his myspace. He is one of those rare artists where you actually want to listen to each and every one of his songs, a lot of that has to do with his subtle humor, creative hooks, and general intrigue that lives in each of his songs. Some other highly suggested songs of his are: Sold, the indie queens are waiting, road regrets, and Tina's Glorious comeback (yes, the tina in that song IS Tina Turner). He is for sure an artist to keep your eye on in the future. Listen and love.
This song is a great example of how male/female duets can be so beautifully poignant. The voices of the two band members, Joy Williams (who has some great solo stuff) and John Paul White, harmonize like their voices were made for each other. Their chorus of "I don't love you, I always will" is entrancing. It has a way of capturing your full attention because I think everyone has felt that confusing duality of love and they express it in this song so incredibly well. Here is a response to the video because there is no way to say it any better: wild7card7 I feel this song and video are speaking to the trials and tribulations, the struggles and strengths and the intensity of love. We don't chose who we love - that pull - that draw can be so strong - so overwhelming that you feel it's beyond your control. Love can be tough. It can make your heart ache and it can make your heart sing. This song to me is a representation of the painfully beautiful elements of love. 23 days ago
I hope you all are excited for the new and much anticipated She & Him album coming out tomorrow, titled Volume 2. Here is a free download* of Theives from Volume 2. (Mac Users press ctrl and click on link, select download link.) Listen to all their goodies on their myspace. She & Him "Thieves"Download or click the link to play. This song also is featured as the lyrics of the week on American Songwriter. Why do you look like that? It’s not all that bad I’ll see you sometime, sometimes lonely isn’t sad And I know, and you know too That love like ours is terrible news *This is for your sampling pleasure only, I have no rights to distribute this music, if you like it support the band and buy their album, they make beautiful music. If you are the artists and wish for me to remove this link you can contact me on this page. Thanks.
This is my newest obsession. I just recently came across this up and coming Swede thanks to the amazing world of twitter and one very cool Swiss band, Choo Choo the Band(Thanks!).
The first few measures in you will notice (a possible soundboard trick) the wood temple blocks being played, I absolutely love this. It sounds great turned up loud enough so you can feel the bass line and soak it in while the violins build up suspense. If right now I had to make a movie, a commercial, a soundtrack to my life, whatever...this orchestral tune would be the theme song. Yeah, its that good. And then you get to the lyrics and Anna Ternheim's haunting voice that legit gives me chills.
I hope you feel the way I do I hope you give yourself up too
I'm damned to feel the way I do
What have I done
to fall so hard
for you
It is just a stunning song, give it a few listens and you will see what I mean. If you were to build a playlist around it you could add Joshua Radin's Fear you won't fall for the parallel, yet more optimistic lyrics and Damien Rice's Volcano because he should really collaborate with Anna Ternheim, they would be great together. I have blabbered on for way too long, listen to more of her stuff on myspace and if you know whats good for you, listen to this song right this instant!
So, this should have been posted forever ago but with all the excitement surrounding Vampire Weekend's second album I kind of blocked it out. But I finally took some time to listen to the album, Contra, and it does not disappoint. It is different from their first album which seemed to have been a success that surprised even the band as their hits like Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa and A-punk even made it onto mainstream radio. For their sophomore album they were prepared and kept the same fun loving attitude but pumped it up a little bit with faster guitars, more synth beats, and electro-pop studio tricks. I am constantly baffled by how much "White Sky" sounds like a Paul Simon song and I think that is part of their appeal, taking the old classic style and adding some spice for the indie-pop-rock era that is ever so popular these days. "Holiday" is also a lot of fun and perfect for a Summer 2010 soundtrack. Overall the album is good, not a standout in my book, but good enough that I'll keep coming back to it. As much as "Giving up the Gun" is heavy on the synthesizers, I am drawn to it, must be that darned glockenspiel which I fear has now replaced my hand-clapping obsession. The lyrics resonate well too.
And though its been a long time
You’re right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes
Now you’re giving up the gun
I see you shining your way
Go on go on go on
Freebie: You can get their song Horchata for free here. It is a worthy download, if you like their other stuff.
Oh, I almost forgot...this video is a total riot with cameos made by the most unlikely people: Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lil' Jon and RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan. A definite must watch, enjoy!
Today I present you a free download from Cults "Go Outside". The free download comes from here. It is highly recommended, it literally motivated me to go get that scary waitressing job I have been avoiding by sitting on my couch all morning reading blogs (and avoiding writing on my very own blog). Now I am dressed and ready to meekly ask for a job for which I have no qualifying experience. This song is a great little gem of retro-indie-pop magic, great soundtrack to your day kind of stuff. If you want to preview it, here it is. "I really wanna go out, I really wanna go outside I'm psyched to see the day." (I think thats what she says)
So I must admit this comes from another music blog, musicvsmisery, I like it a lot you should check it out. Quite often me and this other blog come across people and cd releases at similar times so we have some very parallel posts, which always amuses me greatly. Music vs. Misery has a good eclectic mix of songs and this was just one of those that popped out at me. I don't know anything about Robert Francis so you can find out more about him on his website and watch a short little video of him here. I also really like Junebug, its really fantastic and has a Kings of Leon thing going on. I am definately going to find more music by Robert Francis, because I am loving these two songs, his lyrics are very poetic. It is hard to come across modern poet musicians like this nowadays. "You’re a love disaster, your heart beats faster, when it’s with mine. You’re a likely story, morning glory on the vine."
Here is a fun one. I like how this video is a total throw back to the 90s grunge look/garage band. I want that to come back. By "that" I mean both the popular garage band and the style. It's one of those songs where I can't figure out why I like it. It must be the hand clapping...surprise! Maybe the stuff they wish for has something to do with it too:
Oh, I wish I had a suntan Oh, I wish I had a pizza and a bottle of wine Oh, I wish I had a beach house Then we could make a big fire every night Instead I'm just crazy, I'm totally mad
Barton Carroll is a Seattle based musician who has previously played with the band Crooked Fingers and has accompanied some other musicians along the way while working on his solo albums. His sound is very Americana but without that gravely twangy sound that one might associate with the genre. His newest album, Together You and I, is really great filled with nice mellow sounds while the lyrics linger somewhere around hope or hoplessness and have a way of grabbing your attention. I could listen to him all day. There is just something to these songs that I can't quite put my finger on, other than I want to keep listening to them. I especially love, love, love the clarinet in this song and the little story. Listen to more on his myspace and I highly suggest these songs: Together You and I, Dark Place, Lets get on with the illusion, and Those Days are gone and my heart is breaking. "I had a girl back home she left me all alone said i was born with two left feet and thats the truth of it, you know I must admit i can barely walk down the street, well if it takes one more to send me on the floor well let me see what I can do, oh to spend some time with you. So dance with me..."
Here is a little gift from Tristan Prettyman to me to you. I found this through the wonderful, yet sometimes creepy, world of Twitter. This is a new song that she has been working on and was kind enough to post it for us. The first part of the song might just be the story of my life. Thank you Tristan. Happy Valentines day to all. This song is only available for a limited time (but hopefully we will be able to hear the final version in the future?), so listen to it now!
