Aural Intercourse

Aidan Knight - Land's End and Untitled

2011-07-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

A Victorian of whom has occupied my playlist for a few months now, Aidan Knight delivers a performance of his song, "Land's End" from his debut album, "Versicolour". One can only hope that he continues to produce wonderful music of this calibre. If I recall correctly, he described the source of the song as that of a failed long distance relationship:

Aidan Knight- Land's End & Untitled from Adrian Vieni (Wood & Wires) on Vimeo.

I have felt unuseful
Or morbidly awake
Snacking on the ends of youth
Biting into something new
Chewed the fat
And kept an eye on you

The stillness that we left behind
The stillness when I saw your eyes
I'm not sure just how I feel
The lyric gets too personal
The lyric is autobiographical
A definite time

For the time
For the time being
I am honestly
Smiling now
Hearing what you're singing
In earnesty

At Lands End
I know you felt the distance
But planned ahead
For these tearful kisses

At Lands End
Through the cedar clearing
You drove instead
Of offering your feelings

The Antlers - No Widows

2011-05-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

From the follow up to their amazing debut album, Hospice, Burst Apart is in some less emotionally powerful, but still just as good among several aspects. The album continues to address themes of love and death, but perhaps with less finality.

No Widows maintains these themes with its driving melody and floaty vocals as one of my favourite tracks from the album:

If I never get back home,
There’s no garden overgrown,
No widows in the walls,
No widows left alone,

No shirts to hang or fold,
No kid out in the cold,
No widows on the walls,
No widows on the phone.

If I’m stuck out here alone,
If I’m stranded here all year,
With just nothing left at home,
No widows disappear.

If the wheels jump off the road,
There’s no widows left to know,
No perfect love above,
No punishment below.

When they shake, say the wings won’t break.

If I’m stuck out here alone,
If I’m stranded here all year,
With just nothing left at home,
No widows disappear.

If the wheels jump off the road,
There’s no widows left to know,
No perfect love above,
No punishment below.

When they shake, say the wings won’t break.

Lykki Li - I Follow Rivers

2011-04-04T23:52:00.001-07:00

This weekend, I picked up Lykki Li's sophomore album, Wounded Rhymes, along with Hey Rosetta!'s and Deadmau5' latest. Of the three, Wounded Rhymes has had most of my attention. In particular, I Follow Rivers was appealing due in part to the dark lyrics mixed with the somewhat funky sound of the track. Here it is in video form:

Oh I beg you, can I follow
Oh I ask you, want to always
Be the ocean, where I unravel
Be my only, be the water where I'm wading
You're my river running high, run deep and run wild

I, I follow, I follow you, deep sea baby
I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you, dark doom honey
I follow you

He a message, I'm the runner
He's the rebel, I'm the daughter waiting for you
You're my river running high, run deep, run wild

I, I follow, I follow you, deep sea baby
I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you, dark doom honey
I follow you

You're my river running high, run deep, run wild

I, I follow, I follow you, deep sea baby
I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you, dark doom honey
I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you, deep sea baby
I follow you
I, I follow, I follow you, dark doom honey
I follow you

The Top 10 of 2010 (and a few dozen runners up)

2011-01-24T22:57:00.001-08:00

Another year, another top ten! With a little bit of rap, a pinch of pop, and some folk sprinkled onto a large heaping of rock, 2010 was another great year for music.

Looking at the eagerly anticipated albums at the end of 2009, five of them happened to make it into this year's list. Which ones were they? Oooh the suspense! Here's my top ten albums of 2010, sorted by the number of playbacks according to Last.fm:

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Oh the Arcade Fire! This eight-plus member band is perhaps to their chagrin, the mainstream representatives of indie rock. Debuting at number one during the first week of release, their latest album, "The Suburbs", is a rich, comprehensive creation that largely targets the past, from experiences growing up in homes of yore. With its lengthy track list consisting of 16 songs, I found myself feeling that some of them would be better suited for an EP, but alas, it is still by far, one of THE best albums of the year.

Recommended tracks: "Ready to Start", "Modern Man", "Rococo", "We Used to Wait", "Deep Blue", "Suburban War", "Sprawl I", "Sprawl II".

The National - High Violet
Following the success of their previous album, "The Boxer", The National had spent the last few years producing what would become their greatest work to date. High Violet is simply put, a condensed form of anxiety, regret, and...cannibalism in the form of what is largely rock bliss. This is all made possible with methodical drumming, guitars as played by the Dessner twins, and Matt Berninger's signature baritone voice.

While I would highly suggest checking out the album in its entirety, here are some recommended tracks: "Anyone's Ghost", "Little Faith", "Afraid of Everyone", "Lemon World", "Conversation 16".

Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
One half of the Outkast brand, Big Boi's latest solo album was actually completed back in 2007, but legal troubles held back its release until this year. Regardless of when this album was originally recorded, it carries with it several solid tracks that would stress even the mightiest of subwoofers. Now it doesn't break any new ground in the rap genre on any particular level, but it's one of my most listened to albums in 2010. If you've been yearning for some new Outkast material, this is probably about as close as you'll get for the next few years.

Recommended tracks: "Daddy Fat Sax", "Shutterbugg", "General Patton", "Hustle Blood", "You Ain't No DJ", "Back Up Plan"

Owen Pallett - Heartland
This fine violinist/composer has collaborated with The Arcade Fire for each of their albums and his talent shines even more so in his solo work. As the first album released under his actual name, as opposed to his videogame tribute "Final Fantasy" moniker, Heartland consists of a songs from a fictional or perhaps semi-autobiographical representation of Owen named Lewis, whose trials and tribulations are accompanied by a piano, string instruments, woodwinds, and synths.

Recommended tracks: "Keep the Dog Quiet", "The Great Elsewhere", "Oh Heartland, Up Yours!", "E is for Estranged", "What do you Think Will Happen Now?"

Dan Mangan - Nice, Nice, Very Nice
Local folk/pop musician, Dan Mangan made a splash on the music scene in 2010 with the release of his sophomore album, "Nice, Nice, Very Nice"(aye, it's a Vonnegut reference). As a testament to his success, he had three sold out concerts at the Vogue in 2010, along with a stint at the Glastonbury festival in the UK. Not only that, his latest album also made the short list for the Polaris Prize; one of the more coveted awards in the Canadian music industry. This year was certainly a productive one for and I'm eager to hear what he'll produce next. As for the album, it's consists of various folk songs about his career, relationships, Vancouver, along with Romeo and Juliet. There's a bit of cheesiness in the lyrics for some of the songs, but I find it makes it all the more endearing.

Recommended tracks: "Road Regrets", "Robots", "Sold", "Fair Verona", "Tina's Glorious Comeback", "Some People", "Pine for Cedars"

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles(ii)
Their sophomore self titled effort, this controversial Toronto based electronic duo made waves with their latest release; Making ample use of Alice Glass' distorted vocals through at times ambient and otherwise chaotic soundscapes. It's far less bit-tuney(think videogame music before the 90s) than their first album, but this simply made their latest album far more accessible.

Recommended tracks: "Fainting Spells", "Celestica", "Baptism", "Vietnam", "Not in Love"

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Canada's musical equivalent of Kevin Bacon, Broken Social Scene is comprised of several talented musicians, with former members such as Feist, along with Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw of Metric; All of whom have links in some way or another to other active bands in the industry. Thus the Kevin Bacon designation.

Anyway, this is the band's fifth full length album and it largely lives up to the quality of their previous work. Note that this album will likely not win over any detractors, so expect some grandiose tracks where there's over a dozen performers plucking on guitars, playing up the horn section, and drumming like nobody's business. Of course, why fix something if it isn't...broken? *awkward, overly long wink*

Recommended tracks: "World Sick", "Texaco Bitches", "Art House Director", "Sweetest Kill", "Meet Me in the Basement"

Interpol - Interpol
After a brief stint with major label, Capitol Records, Interpol returned to their indie roots with Matador Records to produce their fourth album. I'm not sure what to say about the album, other than it's better than their last. This was accomplished with some deviation from their overall sound. That's not to say that there still aren't catchy bass lines and guitar hooks throughout, but their average tempo seems slower and the piano has more of a prominance than in previous works. All in all, a it's a very enjoyable album.

Recommended tracks: "Success", "Memory Serves", "Barricade", "Always Malaise"

Hawksley Workman - Milk and Meat
The ever eclectic workaholic, Hawksley Workman, released two albums this year, following up 2008's "Between the Beautifuls" and "Los Manlicious". That's right, he released two albums in the same year previously. For Meat and Milk, there exists an obvious distinction in themes, in that Milk goes into sexuality to a more frequent degree than Meat. There is common ground between the two though, in that many of the songs revolve around his past and present relationships, which makes for a fascinating listen, especially considering the variation in sound for each of the songs.

Recommend tracks:
From Milk: "Song for Sarah Jane", "French Girl in LA", "Tokyo Bicycle", "We'll Make Time (Even If There Ain't No Time)"

From Meat: "Devastating", "We Dance to Yesterday", "Warhol's Portrait of Gretzky", "Chemical"

Jonsi - Go
You may know him as the lead singer of the amazing Icelandic band, Sigur Ros. Alternatively, you might not have the slightest clue as to who I'm referring to. So let me start by noting that for his debut solo album, "Go", Jonsi and his band have created a series of songs that are largely seem built around this man's higher pitched crooning. This results in what is generally a fast tempo(aided by amazing drumming), upbeat sound that could be interpreted as Sigur Ros on a sugar...rise. Oh lordy. I'm sorry. It...it just-it was right there! Kind of! Oh yeah, if you haven't heard of Sigur Ros either and are tolerant of incredible music sung in a language other than the ones you know, give them a shot too.

Recommended tracks: Go Quiet, Tornado, Kolindur, Grow Till Tall

===

Well, that's the list. If you're itching to know what the runner's up are, get some Goldbond Medicated Powder or check out the following:

Beach House - Teen Dreams
The Black Keys - Brothers
Born Ruffians - Say It
Brandon Flowers - Flamingo
Caribou - Swim
Cee Loo Green - The Lady Killer
Deerhunter - Halycon Digest
Dum Dum Girls - Blissed Out
Four Tet - There is Love in You
Girl Talk - All Day
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Karkwa - Les Chemins De Verre
Keane - Night Train EP
Kele - The Boxer
The Kissaway Trail - Sleep Mountain
MIA - /\/\/\Y/\
Massive Attack - Heligoland
MGMT - Congratulations
Neil Young - Le Noise
The New Pornographers - Together
Olafur Arnalds - ...And They Have Escaped the Weight of Darkness
Pete Yorn - Pete Yorn
Ratatat - LP 4
Shad - TSOL
Spoon - Transference
Stars - The Five Ghosts
Sunshine Underground - No One's Coming to Save You
Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP and The Age of Adz
Tokyo Police Club - Champion
Vampire Weekend - Contra
The Walkmen - Lisbon
We Are Scientists - Barbara

Oh, you're still here? Well I'm all out of-nah, just kidding! Here's some upcoming albums for 2011 that are making me down right giddy:

The Antlers
Atoms for Peace(??? Where are you, Thom Yorke supergroup that could produce a follow up to the Eraser?)
Bon Iver
British Sea Power - Valhalla Dancehall
Coldplay
Dan Mangan
The Decemberists - The King is Dead
Explosions in the Sky
Iron and Wine - We Kiss Each Other Clean
K-os - BLack on BLonde (I don't get the capitalization)
Matthew Good
Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Mother Mother - Eureka
Our Lady Peace
Radiohead (Okay, so it didn't happen last year, which makes it even more likely to come out this year!)
Rural Alberta Advantage - Departing
Sigur Ros
The Strokes

Here's the tl;dr top 10 list:

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
The National - High Violet
Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
Owen Pallett - Heartland
Dan Mangan - Nice, Nice, Very Nice
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles(ii)
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Interpol - Interpol
Hawksley Workman - Milk and Meat
Jonsi - Go

Beach House - Walk in the Park

2010-12-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

I was initially introduced to Beach House at one of Vampire Weekend's shows this past summer at The Malkin Bowl, where they played an excellent set. This naturally led into me checking out their albums and overall, if you're looking for some mellow music to relax to on a rainy Sunday, Beach House would be a good option.

Here's a Pitchfork.tv performance of "Walk in the Park" from their latest album, "Teen Dream". There's an official music video, but uh...I guess you could look it up if you really want to see it. It's an odd one.

You go for a walk in the park
'Cause you don't need anything
The hand that you sometimes hold
Doesn't do anything
The face that you see in the door
Isn't standing there anymore

In a matter of time
It would slip from my mind
In and out of my life
You would slip from my mind
In a matter of time

The face that you saw in the door
Isn't looking at you anymore
The name that you call in its place
Isn't waiting for your embrace
The world that you love to behold
Cannot hold you anymore

In a matter of time
It would slip from my mind
In and out of my life
You would slip from my mind
In a matter of time

More
You want more
More
You want more
More
You want more
You tell me
Only time can run me
More
You want more
You tell me more
Only time can run me
More
You want more
You tell me more
Only time can run me
More
You want more
You tell me more
Only time can run me
More
You want more
You tell me more
Only time can run me
More
You want more
You tell me more

Muse - Apocalypse Please

2010-12-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Muse happens to be one of my favourite bands. The grand nature of their music as performed by three people is fantastic. They played one of the most memorable concerts I've ever seen earlier this year at the Pacific Coliseum and yet...I haven't posted anything from them on the blog. So it's time to change that. Here is the opener from their album, Absolution, Apocalypse Please as performed at Wembley Stadium:

Declare this an emergency
Come on and spread a sense of urgency
And pull us through
And pull us through

And this is the end
This is the end
Of the world

And it's time we saw a miracle
Come on it's time for something biblical
To pull us through
And pull us through

And this is the end
This is the end
Of the world

Proclaim eternal victory
Come on and change the course of history
And pull us through
And pull us through

And this is the end
This is the end
Of the world

Ah...the dramatic rock pomp of Muse tends to remind me of Queen, which is a great thing as far as I'm concerned.

On a bit of a nerdy mastering note that is applicable to the studio version of this song, I find it appalling that Muse's albums experience high frequency cutoff due to the sound engineer's desire to keep the album loud at all times. The "loudness war" as its called really has a way of spoiling one's enjoyment of a record when it's quite obvious that the sound from a record is mushy compared to a live rendition of a song. One can only hope for a properly remastered release of their work sometime in the future.

The Gorillaz - Crystalized (An XX Cover)

2010-11-22T19:14:00.001-08:00

Here is an extra melancholy take on The XX's Crystalized, as performed for the BBC 1 Radio Live Lounge:

You’ve applied the pressure
To have me crystalised
And you’ve got the faith
That I can bring paradise

I’ll forgive and forget
Before I’m paralyzed
Do I have to keep up the pace
To keep you satisfied

Things have gotten closer to the sun
And I’ve done things in small doses
So don’t think that I’m pushing you away
When you’re the one that I’ve kept closest

You don’t move slow
Taking steps in my direction
The sound resounds, echo
Does it lessen your affection
No

You say I’m foolish
For pushing this aside
But burn down our home
I won't leave alive

Glaciers have melted to the sea
I wish the tide would take me over
I’ve been down on my knees
And you just keep on getting closer

Go slow, go slow, go slow

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Home

2010-09-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

I heard this song on the radio this morning and it re-emerged in my head a few hours ago. After trying to figure out where it initially came from, I headed over to 100.5 The Peak FM's website and started going through their Top 30 list and realized I should have started higher up...but hey, I found the song!

Taken from the YouTube video details:

[Her:]
Alabama, Arkansas,
I do love my ma and pa,
Not the way that I do love you.

[Him:]
Holy, Moley, me, oh my,
You're the apple of my eye,
Girl I've never loved one like you.

[Her:]
Man oh man you're my best friend,
I scream it to the nothingness,
There ain't nothing that I need.

[Him:]
Well, hot and heavy, pumpkin pie,
Chocolate candy, Jesus Christ,
Ain't nothing please me more than you.

[Both:]
Ahh Home. Let me come home
Home is wherever I'm with you.
Ahh Home. Let me go ho-oh-ome.
Home is wherever I'm with you.

La, la, la, la, take me home.
Mother, I'm coming home.

[Him:]
I'll follow you into the park,
Through the jungle through the dark,
Girl I never loved one like you.

[Her:]
Moats and boats and waterfalls,
Alley-ways and pay phone calls,
I've been everywhere with you.

(That's true!)

[Him:]
We laugh until we think we'll die,
Barefoot on a summer night
Nothin' new is sweeter than with you

[Her:]
And in the streets you run afree,
Like it's only you and me,
Geez, you're something to see.

[Both:]
Ahh Home! Let me go home!
Home is wherever I'm with you!
Ahh Home! Let me go ho-oh-ome!
Home is wherever I'm with you!

La, la, la, la, take me home.
Daddy, I'm coming home.

(Talking)
Him: Jade
Her: Alexander
Him: Do you remember that day you fell outta my window?
Her: I sure do, you came jumping out after me.
Him: Well, you fell on the concrete, nearly broke your ass, you were bleeding all over the place and I rushed you out to the hospital, you remember that?
Her: Yes I do.
Him: Well there's something I never told you about that night.
Her: What didn't you tell me?
Him: While you were sitting in the backseat smoking a cigarette you thought was gonna be your last, I was falling deep, deeply in love with you, and I never told you til just now.

[Both:]
Ahh Home. Let me go home.
Home is wherever I'm with you.
Ahh Home. Let me go ho-oh-ome.
Home is where I'm alone with you.

[Him:]
Home. Let me come home.
Home is wherever I'm with you.

[Her:]
Ahh home. Yes I am ho-oh-ome.
Home is when I'm alone with you.

[Her:]
Alabama, Arkansas,
I do love my ma and pa...
Moats and boats and waterfalls,
Alley-ways and pay phone calls...

[Both:]
Ahh Home. Let me go home.
Home is wherever I'm with you.
Ahh Home. Let me go ho-oh-ome.
Home is where I'm alone with you...

The Arcade Fire - Ready to Start

2010-08-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

From their third album, The Suburbs, which I must say has an impressive thematical consistency in its lyrics, comes their latest single, "Ready to Start":

If the businessmen drink my blood,
like the kids in art school said they would...
Then I guess I'll just begin again.
You say, "can we still be friends?".

If I was scared, I would
and if I was bored,
you know I would.
And if I was yours...but I'm not.

All the kids have always known,
that the emperor wears no clothes,
but they bow down to him anyway.
'Cause it's better than being alone.

If I was scared, I would
and if I was bored,
you know I would.
And if I was yours...but I'm not.

Now you're knocking at my door,
saying "Please come out with us tonight."
But I would rather be alone,
than pretend I feel alright.

If the businessmen drink my blood,
like the kids in art school said they would...
Then I guess I'll just begin again.
You say, "can we still be friends?".

If I was scared, I would
and if I was bored,
you know I would.
And if I was yours...but I'm not.
Now I'm ready to start!

If I was scared, I would
and if I was bored,
you know I would.
And if I was yours...but I'm not.
Now I'm ready to start!

Now I'm ready to start...
I would rather be wrong,
than live in the shadows of your song.
My mind is open wide and now I'm ready to start.
Now I'm ready to start.
My mind is open wide and now I'm ready to start.
You're not sure, you open the door, and step out into the dark.
Now I'm ready.

Owen Pallett - E is for Estranged

2010-05-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

I recently saw Owen Pallett, formerly known as Final Fantasy, live at The Vogue a few weeks prior and was blown away by the quality of his performance. He's practically a one man band with all his peddle controlled equipment, save for the occasional help on a few tracks. Here's one my favourite tracks from his latest release, Heartland, titled "E is for Estranged":

Boys run like water from the barrel to the trough, they'll never stop their running
Gunning for their brothers
This house is a hostel, it is peaceful, but it's always emptying
Boys all want to be someone

Haven't you heard? I am a flightless bird, I am a liar
Feeding the facts to false fires
Pathos is borne, borne out of bullshit in formal attire
(But I'll score your string ensemble)

I saw my son at seventeen, the shudders made projections on his naked frame
But now at twenty-five, he simply cannot stay away from the ketamine
With make-up on his sores, he spends an hour a day composing little eulogies
Sometimes he sends me letters, but they're mostly garbled phrases and apologies

Haven't you heard? I am a flightless bird, I am a liar
Feeding facts to a false fire
The pathos is borne, borne out of bullshit in formal attire
(Queue the Bulgarian men's choir)

The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio

2010-05-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

The first single from their finest work yet, "High Violet", here's a video for The National's 'Bloodbuzz Ohio':

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (official video) from The National on Vimeo.

Also, there will be a streaming YouTube concert broadcast May 15th at 5pm PST at http://www.youtube.com/thenationalvevo It should be fantastic!

Stand up straight at the foot of your love,
I lift my shirt up
Stand up straight at the foot of your love,
I lift my shirt up

I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees
I never married, but Ohio don't remember me

Lay my head at the hood of your car,
I take it too far
Lay my head at the hood of your car,
I take it too far

I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe
I never thought about love, when I thought about home
I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe
The floors are falling out from everybody I know

I'm on a bloodbuzz, yes I am
I'm on a bloodbuzz
I'm on a bloodbuzz, God I am
I'm on a bloodbuzz

I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees
I never married, but Ohio don't remember me

I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe
I never thought about love, when I thought about home
I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe
The floors are falling out from everybody I know

I'm on a bloodbuzz, yes I am
I'm on a bloodbuzz
I'm on a bloodbuzz, God I am
I'm on a bloodbuzz

Rural Alberta Advantage - In the Summertime

2010-04-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jozie for telling me about this fantastic band from Alberta! I ended up buying the CD right away after hearing the following song. Heck, after listening to the album, I bought the vinyl right away. Here's the simple and sweet closer of their debut album, "Hometowns":

In the summertime,
I don't know if the stars were aligned
Stumble onto something we would like
and I'm afraid I lost the words tonight

And in your summer dress I was holding you,
but you were holding less
It's not the words, it's the ones you stress
I love you is I love you just don't love me less

And once in a while,
I know our hearts beat out of time
And once in a while,
I know they'll fall back in line

And in the summertime,
I don't know if the stars were aligned
Stumble onto something we would like,
I'm afraid I lost the words tonight

But when we're middle-aged,
Tell me I loved you like a renegade,
And how I say the things that make you sway
Mostly told you you did the same

Once in a while,
I know our hearts beat out of time
And once in a while,
I know they'll fall back in line

Our love is strong
Our love is strong
Our love is strong
While my heart's still pumping blood

Editors - No Sound But the Wind

2010-03-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

I've been reading Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road' over the last few days and this song from the Editors came to mind. It was actually inspired by the book, but as some of you may know, it appeared on the 'Twilight: New Moon' soundtrack in an altered form. Said soundtrack is strangely awesome. Anyway, here's a live performance of the song with most of the original lyrics:

We can never go home, son
We no longer have one
I'll help you carry the load
I'll carry you in my arms
We walk through the ash,
And the charred remains of our country
Keep an eye on my back
I'll keep an eye on the road

Help me to carry the fire
We will keep it alight together
Help me to carry the fire
This road won't go on forever

If I say shut your eyes
If I say look away
Bury your face in my shoulder
Think of a birthday
The things you put in your head
They won't stay here forever
I'm trying hard to hide your soul, son
From things it's not meant to see

Help me to carry the fire
To keep it alight together
Help me to carry the fire
This road cant go on forever

Help me to carry the fire
To keep it alight together
Help me to carry the fire
This road wont go on forever

If I say shut your eyes
If I say shut your eyes
Bury me in surprise
If I say shut your eyes

Help me to carry the fire
To keep it alight together
Help me to carry the fire
This road wont go on forever

Spoon - The Underdog

2010-03-11T21:52:00.000-08:00

From their masterful 2007 release, "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga", here is Spoon's, "The Underdog":

Picture yourself in a living room
Your pipe and slippers set out for you
I know you think that it ain’t too far
But I hear a call of a lifetime ring
Felt the need to get up for it
And cut out the middle man
Get free from the middle man

You got no time for the messenger
Got no regard for the thing that you don’t understand
You got no fear of the underdog
That’s why you will not survive

I wanna forget how convention fits
But can I get out from under it
Can I cut it out of me
It can’t all be wedding cake
It can’t all be boiled away
I try but I can’t let go of it
Can’t let go of it, nuh uh

Cause you don’t talk to the waterboy
And there’s so much you could learn but you don’t want to know
You will not back up an inch ever
That’s why you will not survive
YEAH

The thing that I tell you now
It may not go over well
It may not be photo op
The way that I spell it out

But you won’t hear from the messenger
Don’t wanna know ‘bout some thing that you don’t understand
You got no fear of the underdog
That’s why you will not survive
Right!

Jonsi - Go Quiet trailer

2010-02-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

Included in the Limited and Digital Special Editions of Jonsi's(lead singer of Sigur Ros) upcoming solo release, Go Quiet is a film consisting of acoustic versions of tracks from his album, Go performed in the midst of post New Year's party cleanup procrastination. Directed by the same person who did Sigur Ros' Heima documentary, it looks and sounds amazing:

jónsi - "go quiet" from Jónsi on Vimeo.

Trailer aside, here's the latest single from Go, Go Do:

Jónsi - Go Do from Jónsi on Vimeo.

Go sing, too loud
Make your voice break - Sing it out
Go scream, do shout
Make an earthquake...

You wish fire, would die and turn colder
You wish, your love, could see you grow older
We should always know that we can do anything

Go drum, do go out
Make your hands ache - Play it out
Go march through crowds
Make your day break...

You wish silence, released noise in tremors
You wish, I know it, surrender to summers
We should always know that we can do everything

Go do, you'll know how to
Just let yourself, fall into landslide

Go do, you'll know how to
Just let yourself, give into low tide

Go do!

Tie strings to clouds
Make your own lake - Let it flow
Throw seeds to sprout
Make your own break - Let them grow

Let them grow (Endless summers)
Let them grow (Endless summers)

(Go do endless summers)

You will survive, will never stop wonders
You and sunrise will never fall under

You will survive, will never stop wonders
You and sunrise will never fall under
We should always know that we can do anything

Go do!

Dan Mangan - Robots

2010-02-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

Off of his latest album, "Nice, Very Nice", is this rather catchy folk/country-esque song. No, I have no idea what this video has to do in relation to lyrics...assuming there's any relation to be had:

I don't know what you've been told
But I don't get out much these days
Waking young and feeling old
The days are no longer my own
To piss away the waking hours

But don't, don't, don't
Don't let them go
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't let them go to waste
The fire in my eye
Is fleeting now
Your robot heart is bleeding

Tried to be the robot king
And settled for a robot boy
Ring the bells that still can ring
And sing your stupid head off to
The ones who are not listening

But don't, don't, don't
Don't let them go
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't let them go to waste
The fire in my eye
Is fleeting now
Your robot heart is bleeding out

And I've spent half of my life
In the customer service line
Flaws in the design
A sign of the times

And that little voice
In the back of your mind
Just wants you to know
Just hopes that you know

Robots need love too
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by

Robots need love too
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by

Robots need love too
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by

Robots need love too
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by you

My Top 10 Albums of 2009

2010-01-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

It's the year of AAMMMMPPXXYYYs! apparently. Most of the artists in my top 10 were featured at some point on this music blog. In alphabetical order:

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

Starting off 2009 with a bang, this trio released an album with almost unanimous critical acclaim for their collection of rhythmic chaos. Containing lyrical themes relating to being separated from significant others while touring, masturbation, and onwards to trying to the lead singer cheering up a brother after the death of their father, the majority of tracks on this album are quite catchy in wild, pop-py sort of way.

Stand out tracks: My Girls, Lion in a Coma, Brothersport

The Antlers - Hospice

An album inspired by the personal experiences of various individuals, Hospice is a mournful, but beautiful rock album that touches on human empathy. In particular, how its grasp can keep us holding on too long. If I had to choose one album for 2009, this would be it.

Stand out tracks: Kettering, Atrophy, Two, Wake

Matthew Good - Vancouver

Matthew Good's fourth solo work, Vancouver revolves around the problems relating to this city, while touching on other topics such as the war in the middle east, and his own personal struggle with bipolar disorder. While some of his tracks are somewhat reminiscent of previous works in terms of the melody, his lyrical and vocal prowess maintain the originality of his music.

Stand out tracks: Volcanoes, A Silent Army in the Trees, The Vancouver National Anthem, Empty's Theme Park

Metric - Fantasies

The fourth effort from this fine rock group continues with a series of rock anthems primarily relating to love or the lack of it.

Stand out tracks: Sick Muse, Blindness

Mew - No More Stories Are Told...

Another great Dutch act with catchy melodies and high pitched male vocals, Mew deliver a wonderful sonic experience worthy of excess praise from your's truly.

Stand out tracks: Beach, Silas the Magic Car, Cartoons and Macreme Wounds, Reprise

Muse - The Resistance

Ah Muse, their anthemic, perhaps over the top, rock-ery never ceases to entertain! Containing a series of mostly hard line rock, leading into the final three tracks, all of which are movements that combine into a ballsy 12 minute symphony, Muse earned their spot in this year's top ten.

Stand out tracks: The Resistance, Undisclosed Desires, MK Ultra

Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms

The band, Patrick Watson, led by the lead, Patrick Watson, displays their brand of Eastern Canadian folk intertwined with string instrumentals with this fine effort. Opening with the wonderful song, Fireweed, Patrick Watson takes us into a lush soundscape through his voice and through the traditional and not so traditional sounds(think the sound of a bike being hit) generated by his bandmates.

Stand out tracks: Fireweed, Beijing, Wooden Arms, Machinery of the Heavens

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

A fun romp through indie pop rock land, Phoenix brings about a series of mostly jump inducing songs.

Stand out tracks: 1901, Lisztomania, Love Like a Sunset, Armistice

The XX - The XX

This is the byproduct of four 20 year olds and their views of love. Strong instrumental melodies in conjunction with male and female vocals singing in tandem, makes it a very compelling listen.

Stand out tracks: Intro, Islands, Heart Skipped a Beat

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

Boy, I should have stuck to just listing the albums instead of figuring a blurb for each. This is a fun rock album. The lead singer has an eccentric wardrobe, which makes for interesting live performances. Yes, this is a fun rock album(with some sad tunes here and there). Alright, I'm done!

Stand out tracks: Heads Will Roll, Dull Life, Runaway

ALBUM OF THE DECADE: There's too many amazing albums released in the last 10 years to settle with one. I mean, just look at the runner's up for 2009 alone:

Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind EP
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
Bear in Heaven - Beast Rest Mouth Forth
Black Mold/Chad VanGaalen - Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz
British Sea Power - Man of Aran Soundtrack
Dark Was the Night compilation
Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love
Editors - In This Light and On This Evening / Cuttings II
Flaming Lips - Embryonic
Four Color - Air Curtain
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimist
Jonsi & Alex - Riceboy Sleeps
Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
Julian Plenti - Skyscraper Is...
Kasabian - West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum
K'naan - Troubadour
K-os - Yes!
Modest Mouse - No One's First and You're Next EP
Olafur Arnalds - Found Songs EP
The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die
Rammstein - Liebe ist für alle da
Regina Spektor - Far
Share - Slumping in Your Murals
St. Vincent - Actor
Tegan and Sara - Sainthood
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Get Better, Learn Faster
Tiesto - Kaleidoscope
Twilight Saga: New Moon OST
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg

As for 2010, it's looking pretty good too, as the following acts are expected to release new material:

Arcade Fire
Broken Social Scene
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Hawksley Workman - With two albums: Milk and Meat. This guy is a musical work horse!
Interpol
Jonsi from Sigur Ros - Go
Keane - in EP form
MGMT - Congratulations, the follow up to the brilliant Oracular Spectacular
The National
Olafur Arnalds
Radiohead - supposedly cooking something up in the studio as you read this, although they could be sleeping, eating, and doing other things
Ratatat - Their fourth album was reportedly mostly recorded during the production of last year's LP3, so it's quite likely we'll hear new material from them
Spoon - Transference, coming in January!
Stars
Thom Yorke - He debuted several new songs this year at some impromptu shows in LA, so it's a safe bet that his second solo album will make an appearance in 2010.
Tokyo Police Club
Vampire Weekend - Contra, also coming in January!
Zeus

Mew - Zookeeper's Boy

2009-12-29T18:04:00.000-08:00

From their album, 'And the Glass Handed Kites'. I recently saw them in concert and was struck not only by the quality of their performance, but also the multimedia presentation that accompanied their songs. This was seemingly the best recording that I could find that demonstrates their performance:

Are you my lady, are you?
Are you my lady, are you?

If I don't make it back from the city,
Then it is only because I am drawn away.
For you see, evidently there's a dark storm coming,
And the chain on my swing is squeaking like a mouse.

So are you my lady, are you?
Are you my lady, are you? (The rain is falling down, the cars remain.)

You're tall just like a giraffe,
You have to climb to find it's head.
But if there's a glitch, you're an ostrich,
You've got your head in the sand.

In a submersible I can hardly breathe,
As it takes me inside, so the light sings.
Answer me truthfully, do the clouds kiss you?
With meringue-coloured hair, I know they cannot.

So are you my lady, are you? (The rain is falling down, the cars remain.)
Are you my lady, are you? (The rain is falling down, the cars remain.)

Santa Ana winds bring seasickness
Zookeeper hear me out:
How dare you go? (Cold in the rain.)

Tall just like a giraffe,
You have to climb to find it's head.
But if there's a glitch, you're an ostrich,
You've got your head in the sand.

Are you my lady, are you?
Are you my lady, are you? (The rain is falling down, the cars remain.)
Are you my lady, are you? (I could not be seen with you, working half the time)

Editors - This House is Full of Noise

2009-12-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

This track is from the "In This Light and in this Evening" Deluxe Edition B-Side disc, "Cuttings II". It's wild, but I wish the mastering job didn't turn the track into compressed mush during the climatic parts!

Baby, don't go and lose it again
You would always run out of the sun and into the rain
This house just creeps, it won't let you sleep
All that noise, there in your brain, won't give you peace

It says:
"I won't let you go where there's rivers or townfolk
I won't let you see 'cause you're safe here, safe here with me"

Baby, don't go, and love him again
You will always leap into a fire, into a flame
This house just aches to keep you safe
You're in every single thing
You're in the walls, you're in the space

It says:
"I won't let you go where there's rivers or townfolk
I won't let you see 'cause you're safe here, safe here with me"
"I won't let you go where there's rivers or townfolk
I won't let you see 'cause you're safe here, safe here with me"

Don't let your friends know you can't pay your debts
Don't let your friends know you can't pay your debts
Don't let your friends know you can't pay your debts...

Patrick Watson - Fireweed

2009-11-20T00:25:00.000-08:00

What a great way to open an album! Fireweed comes from the band's 2009 Polaris Prize nominated album, Wooden Arms:

After all the flames in the morning
The quiet ashes fell for hours and hours
In the morning rise
Oh we planted our skin
Like a seed in the ground
So we dug us a hole
And planted our skin
Like a seed in the ground
To grow again
Where the fireweeds grow
Where the fireweeds grow
Where the fireweeds grow

Matthew Good - Empty's Theme Park

2009-10-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

From the grower that is his fourth solo album, Vancouver, comes this fantastic closer:

Used to steal real estate signs
Cookie keep them in her basement
Used to stay up all night
Chemistry set a replacement
Ya, I've seen that door
And I've walked through it both ways before

I live just around here
I sleep just around here
I wake up every day
Where my feet hit the floor in exactly the same place

Tell me will I love?
Tell me will it be enough?
Or tell me will I stay
With my feet in exactly the same place?

Hold me like you'd never let me go
Bear it like you'd never let it show
Shine a light and so never let me go

Well I grew up just around here
And I took a few just around here
And I'd wake up every day
With poison in my head behind exactly the same face

Tell me will I dream?
And tell me will it be serene?
Or tell me will I stay
With my feet in exactly the same place?

Hold me like you'd never let me go
Bear it like you'd never let it show
Shine a light and so never let me go
Never let me go

Modest Mouse - King Rat

2009-09-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

With Bumbershoot in mind, this track is featured on their recently released "No One's First and You're Next" EP. The video itself was directed by Heath Ledger. A higher quality, but non-embeddable version of both the audio and video can be found here. I love the manic parts of this song!:

Ha, I love this shit!

Well!

We spun like birds on fire
Right down towards the residence, and I
I took all that I desired
Even crooks have to pay the rent
We swam like rats on fire
Right, right down the reservoir
We took all that we could carry
But we tried to carry more

And you know, you know, you know it all went wrong
And you know, you know, you know it was all wrong

We choked on straight tap water
Well, I'm going to have to try the real thing
I took your laugh by the collar
And it knew not to swing
Any time I tried an honest job
Well, the till had a hole in it, ha-ha
We laughed about paying rent
Because the county jails, they're free

And you know, you know, you know it was all wrong
You know, you know, you know it was all wrong

Deep water, deep water
Senseless denial
I went down like a rag doll, rage of a child
Deep water, deep water
Senseless denial
I went down like a rag doll, rage of a child

Oh, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky me again.
I said it looks like it's time to use my feet again
Well I just spent my last one hundred dollars
And, I'll pay my bail again

Oh, I don't care
Oh, how I just don't care

Deep water, deep water
Senseless denial
I went down like a rag doll, shook by a child
Deep water, deep water
Senseless denial
I went down like a bird dog rats of a child

Well, King Rat has me on his list again
I can never be on the fence again
I found out this old man's mouth opened like an organ
And he
Talk, talk, talk, talk, talked to them again
Honest, even when I cheated them
I could owe them my heart
Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky
Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky me again

Deep water, deep water
This senseless denial
I got fed like a fist, full of open smiles
Dew water, deep water
Oh, senseless denial
I got fed a fist by that con fuck "styles"

Well, well
What do you have to say for yourself?
I said, well, well
Well
I said well, well, well, well!

Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky me again
I hardly knew I should use my feet again
What do you have to say for yourself?
What do you have to say for yourself?

Arcade Fire - Crown of Love

2009-08-30T19:45:00.001-07:00

My brother recently asked to check out my Arcade Fire albums, which in turn resulted in me listening to Funeral again. Here's an oldie but a goodie, Crown of Love:

They say it fades if you let it
Love was made to forget it
I carved your name across my eyelids
You pray for rain, I pray for blindness

If you still want me, please forgive me
The crown of love has fallen from me
If you still want me, please forgive me
Because the spark is not within me

I snuffed it out before my mom walked in my bedroom

The only thing that you keep changing
Is your name, my love keeps growing
Still the same, just like a cancer
And you won't give me a straight answer

If you still want me, please forgive me
The crown of love has fallen from me
If you still want me, please forgive me
Because your hands are not upon me

I shrugged them off before my mom walked in my bedroom

The pains of love, and they keep growing
In my heart there's flowers growing
On the grave of our old love
Since you gave me a straight answer

If you still want me, please forgive me
The crown of love is not upon me
If you still want me, please forgive me
Because this crown is not within me
It's not within me, it's not within me

You got to be the one
You got to be the way
Your name is the only word that I can say

You got to be the one
You got to be the way
Your name is the only word
The only word that I can say

The Antlers - Atrophy

2009-08-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

From their amazing album, Hospice:

You've been living awhile in the front of my skull, making orders.
You've been writing me rules, shrinking maps,
and redrawing borders.
I've been repeating your speeches, but the audience just doesn't follow.
Because I'm leaving out words, punctuations, and it sounds pretty hollow.

I've been living in bed because now you tell me to sleep.
I've been hiding my voice and my face and you decide when I eat.

In your dreams I'm a criminal, horrible, sleeping around.
While you're awake I'm impossible, constanly letting you down.

Little porcelain figurines, glass bullets you shoot at the wall.
Threats of castration for crimes you imagine when I miss your call.
With the bite of the teeth of that ring on my finger,
I'm bound to your bedside, your eulogy singer.
I'd happily take all those bullets inside you and put them inside of myself.

"Someone, oh anyone. Tell me how to stop this.
She's screaming, expiring, and I'm her only witness.
I'm freezing, infected, and rigid in that room inside her.
No one's gonna come as long as I lay still in bed beside her."

Thom Yorke solo - Present Tense (unofficial title)

2009-07-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

This song was supposedly sound checked a few times for Radiohead shows.

This dance
This dance
It's like a weapon
Like a weapon

Self-defense
Self-defense
Against the present
Against the present
Present tense

I won't get heavy
Don't get heavy
Keep it light
Keep it moving
I am doing
no more

as my world comes crashing down
I am dancing,
freaking out
deaf, dumb, and blind

In you I'm lost
In you I'm lost
I won't turn around when the penny drops
I won't stop now, I won't slack off
or all this love
will be in vain

stop from falling down a mine
it's no one's business but mine
or all this love will be in vain
In you I'm lost

Grizzly Bear - Ready, Able

2009-06-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

I don't know why the camera is tilted, but this beautiful track is from their latest album, Veckatimist:

I’m gonna take a stab at this
Surely we’ll be alright
Make a decision with a kiss
Maybe I have frostbite
And when I shuffled on back home
I made sure all my tracks in the snow were gone
Tissue and bone it was a tryst
This isn’t a gunfight
Checking it off of my list
Unable to write
Five years, countless months and a loan

Hope I’m ready, able to make my own, good home

They go we go, I want you to know, what I did I did,
They go we go, I want you to know, what I did I did.

They go we go, I want you to know, what I did I did,
They go we go, I want you to know, what I did I did.

They go we go, I want you to know, what I did I did,
They go we go, I want you to know, what I did I did.

St. Vincent - Actor Out of Work

2009-06-08T19:14:00.000-07:00

From her latest and pretty awesome album, Actor, comes a video consisting of people crying:

You're a supplement, you're a salve
You're a bandage, pull it off
I can quit you cut it out
You're a patient, iron lung

You're a cast signed broken arm
You're an actor out of work
You're a liar and that's the truth
You're an extra, lost in the scene

You're a boxer in the ring
With brass knuckles underneath
You're the curses through my teeth
You're the laughter, you're the obscene

You're a supplement, you're a salve
You're a bandage, pull it off
I think I love you, I think I'm mad

You're a cast signed broken arm
You're an actor out of work
I think I love you, I think I'm mad

You're a boxer in the ring
With brass knuckles underneath
I think I love you, I think I'm mad

Bat for Lashes - Daniel

2009-05-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

The first single off of their recently released and solid album, "Two Suns":

Daniel, when I first saw you
I knew that you had a flame in your heart
And under under wild blue skies
Marble movie skies
I found a home in your eyes
We'll never be apart

And when the fires came
The smell of cinders and rain
Perfumed almost everything
We laughed and laughed and laughed
And in the cold and blue car
You took me to the darkest place you knew
And set fire to my heart

When I run in the dark
Daniel
To a place that's vast
Under a sheet of rain in my heart
Daniel
I dream of home

But in a goodbye bed
With my arms around your neck
Into our mouths the tears crept
Just kids in the eye of the storm
And as my head spun round
My dreams pulled me from the ground
Forever to search for the flame
For home again
For home again

When I run in the dark
Daniel
To a place that's vast
Under a sheet of rain in my heart
Daniel
I dream of home

When I run in the dark
Daniel
To a place that's vast
Under a sheet of rain in my heart
Daniel
I dream of home

TV on the Radio - Love Dog

2009-05-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

This song is apparently influenced by the works of a poet named Rumi.

Lonely little love dog that
No one knows the name of
I know why you cry out
Desperate and devout

Timid little teether
Your eyes set on the ether
Your moon in a bella luna and
Howling hallelujah

Nameless you above me
Come lay me low and love me
This lonely little love dog
That no one knows the name of

Curse me out in free verse
Wrap me up and reverse this
Patience is a virtue
Until it's silence burns you

And something slow
Has started in me as
Shameless as an ocean
Mirrored in devotion

Something slow
Has sparked up in me
As dog cries for a master
Sparks are whirling faster

Lonely little love dog
That no one knows the ways of
Where the land is low is
Where the bones'll show through

Lonely little love dog
That no one knows the days of
Where the land is low is
Where the water flows to
And holds you

The Killers - Human

2009-04-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

With tomorrow's upcoming concert in mind, here's Human from their latest album, Day and Age:

Lyrics:
I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind

And sometimes I get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes, clear your heart
Cut the cord

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Hear my regards to soul and romance
They always did the best they could

And so long to devotion
It taught me everything I know
Wave goodbye, wish me well
You've gotta let me go

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know, is your heart still beating?

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

You've gotta let me know

Are we human or are we dancer?
My sign is vital, my hands are cold
And I'm on my knees looking for the answer
Are we human or are we dancer?

Born Ruffians - I Need A Life

2009-04-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

I didn't see that ending coming. Anyway, this is a song off of last year's debut album, Red, Yellow, and Blue:

I'm looking down
So come help me up
and stumbling around
trying to fill my cup
It's half empty
Been that way all my life
So come pour some in
and take me out tonight

The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
and we stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night

I need meaning
I need a mission
I need a path
I need conviction
I need a life I've never had
I need much more good & much less bad

The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
and we stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night

I found meaning
I found a mission
I found a lord
I found religion
I found something I never had
I'm not sure what but it's not half bad
and I'm glad
I'm so, so glad
Those party habits are gone and dead
I'm turning in my old sinful ways
For a dull new life so I can pray, pray, pray

The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
and we stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night

I need a life
I've never had
I need so much more good, lord
and much less bad

Mates of State - Get Better

2009-04-15T03:16:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of this Saturday's Mates of State and Black Kids concert. For whatever reason, the Black Kids' music videos don't have embedding support, so here's a link to I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You. As for Mates, here's Get Better from their 2008 release, Re-Arrange Us:

Forget your politics for a while
Let the color schemes arrive

Come on board, it's a curious site
Absorbing sound that's never been right
Never ahead of, never behind it
Occasionally guarded, just keeps us surrounded
It's luck

Everything's gonna get lighter, even if it never gets better

I propose a less serious boat
Don't mistake for a party of jokes
You are never ahead of, never behind us
Floating in circles, there's more to remind them of less

Everything's gonna get lighter, even if it never gets better

Forget your politics for a while
Let the color schemes arrive

Phoenix - 1901

2009-04-10T14:57:00.001-07:00

From their leaked and officially upcoming album, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix":

Counting all different ideas drifting away
Past and present they don't matter
Now the future's sorted out
Watch her moving in elliptical patterns
Think it's not what you say
What you say is way too complicated
For a minute thought I couldn't tell how to fall out

It's twenty seconds till the last call
You're going hey hey hey hey hey hey
Lie down you know it's easy
Like we did it over summer long

And I'll be anything you ask and more
You're going hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
It's not a miracle we needed
No I wouldn't let you think so

Fold it, fold it, fold it, fold it

Girlfriend, oh your girlfriend is drifting away
Past and present 1855 -1901 †
Watch them built up a meteor tower
Think it's not gonna stay anyway
Think it's overrated
For a minute thought I couldn't tell how to fall out

It's twenty seconds till the last call
You're going hey hey hey hey hey hey
Lie down you know it's easy
Like we did it over summer long

And I'll be anything you ask and more
You're going hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
It's not a miracle we needed
No I wouldn't let you think so

Fold it, fold it, fold it, fold it

Metric - Gimme Sympathy

2009-04-03T20:13:00.001-07:00

A pretty clever video for the second single off of their recently released album, Fantasies:

Get hot
Get too close to the flame
Wild open space
Talk like an open book
Sign me up
Got no time to take a picture
I'll remember someday
All the chances we took

We're so close to something better left unknown
We're so close to something better left unknown

I can feel it in my bones
Gimme sympathy
After all this is gone
Who would you rather be
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?
Oh seriously
You're gonna make mistakes you're young
Come on baby play me something,
Like 'Here Comes the Sun'

Don't go
Stay with the all unknown
Stay away from the hooks
All the chances we took

We're so close to something better left unknown
We're so close to something better left unknown

I can feel it in my bones
Gimme sympathy
After all this is gone
Who would you rather be
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?
Oh seriously
You're gonna make mistakes you're young
Come on baby play me something,
Like 'Here Comes the Sun'

Radiohead - All I Need

2009-03-29T20:06:00.000-07:00

From Radiohead's incredible album, In Rainbows.

I am the next act waiting in the wings
I am an animal trapped in your hot car
I am all the days that you choose to ignore

You are all I need
You are all I need
I am in the middle of your picture
Lying in the reeds

I am a moth who just wants to share your light
I'm just an insect trying to get out of the night
I only stick with you because there are no others

You are all I need
You are all I need
I am in the middle of your picture
Lying in the reeds

It's all right
It's all right
It's all right
It's all right
It's all right
It's all right
It's all right

Ratatat - Mirando

2009-03-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

As I've been listening to LP3 recently, Mirando has proven to be one of the standout tracks. Many thanks to L for mentioning/introducing me to their music!

Toying around with Predator clips apparently makes for a pretty interesting music video.

Metric - Sick Muse

2009-03-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite songs off of Metric's upcoming album, Fantasies:

Watch out Cupid, stuck me with a sickness,
Pull your little arrows out and let me live my life.
You better watch out Cupid, stuck me with a sickness,
Pull your little arrows out, let me live my life,

The one I gotta lead
All the blondes of Fantasies

And we looked at them eleven ways
You said, 'look at me', and looked away
And you wrote the song I wanna play
I'll write you harmony in C:

Everybody, everybody just wanna fall in love!
Everybody, everybody just wanna play the lead!
Everybody, everybody just wanna fall in love!
Everybody, everybody just wanna play the lead!
Play the lead!
Play the lead!

Watch out Cupid, money is a sick muse
Pull your little arrows out and let me live my life.
She said: I'm with stupid. Money is a sick muse
Pull your little arrows out, let me live my life

The one I gotta lead
All the blondes of Fantasies

And we looked at them eleven ways
You said, 'look at me' and looked away
And you wrote the song I wanna play
I'll write you harmony in C:

Everybody, everybody just wanna fall in love!
Everybody, everybody just wanna play the lead!
Everybody, everybody just wanna fall in love!
Everybody, everybody just wanna play the lead!
Play the lead!
Play the lead!

I'll write you harmony in C:

Everybody, everybody just wanna fall in love!
Everybody, everybody just wanna play the lead!
Everybody, everybody just wanna fall in love!
Everybody, everybody just wanna play the lead!
Play the lead!
Play the lead!

MGMT - The Youth

2009-03-12T00:18:00.000-07:00

A great song from a great record with a strangely amusing video. I suppose it's relevant to the lyrics though. I can't wait for their new album!

This is a call of arms to live and love and sleep together
We could flood the streets with love or light or heat whatever
Lock the parents out, cut a rug, twist and shout
Wave your hands
Make it rain
For stars will rise again

The youth is starting to change
Are you starting to change?
Are you?
Together

In a couple of years
Tides have turned from boos to cheers
And in spite of the weather
We could learn to make it together

The youth is starting to change
Are you starting to change?
Are you?
Together

The youth

TV on the Radio - Family Tree

2009-03-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

A fan made video for an amazing song.

Lyrics:
Under my love
Wake up to your window
The day calls in billows
It's echoing moonlight on to the blue nightmare of your heart
In cosy red rainbow
It's shaking off halos
And the memory of our sacred so and so's

Oh take my hand sweet
Complete your release and bury your feet
And married we'll be
Alone in receiving ours is a feeling not that they would see
They don't know that we could be
That way your cradle escaped the sea
And your raven haired Mama caught told you so's

We're laying in the shadow of your family tree
Your haunted heart and me
Brought down by an old idea whose time has come
And in the shadow of the gallows of your family tree
There's a hundred hearts soar free
Pumping blood to the roots of evil to keep it young

Ah me all mine
Is it safe to say that we've waited patiently
Call me on time
And recall the tune that has place us gracefully
All into line
There's the garden grave and a place they've saved for you
I'll fall by your side
Though your silver haired Mama throws told you so's

We're laying in the shadow of your family tree
Your haunted heart and me
Brought down by an old idea whose time has come
And in the shadow of the gallows of your family tree
There's a hundred hearts soar free
Pumping blood to the roots of evil to keep it young

And now we'll gather in the shadow of your family tree
In haunted harmony
Brought down by an old idea whose time has come
And in the shadow of the valley of your family tree
There's a hundred hearts soar free
Pumping blood to the roots of evil to keep us young

A live performance two-fer featuring Chad and Hawksley

2009-03-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

Straight from the Commodore, onto the internets.

Chad VanGaalen - Molten Light live

Hawksley Workman - You, Me, and the Weather
As performed for the first time in four years!

A two-fer featuring Chad VanGaalen and Hawksley Workman

2009-02-26T01:01:00.000-08:00

...in anticipation for their concert at the Commodore on Friday!

Chad VanGaalen - Molten Light
From his 2008 release, Soft Airplane. A literal take on a rather literal story as illustrated by Chad himself. (NSFW):

Hawksley Workman - Kissing Girls (You Shouldn't Kiss)
From Los Manlicious, also released in 2008. The video isn't very good as it was part of a series of one day shoots for various tracks on the album, but the song is great!

Depeche Mode - Wrong

2009-02-25T09:46:00.000-08:00

The first single from their upcoming album, Sounds of the Universe. A catchy synth hook and solid, albeit sad lyricism makes it one of my most listened to songs at the moment. The video is quite interesting as well.

Depeche Mode - "Wrong" (official music video)

Wrong

I was born with the wrong sign, in the wrong house
With the wrong ascendancy
I took the wrong road that led to
The wrong tendencies

I was in the wrong place, at the wrong time
For the wrong reason and the wrong rhyme
On the wrong day of the wrong week
I used the wrong method with the wrong technique

Wrong

Theres something wrong with me, chemically
Something wrong with me, inherently
The wrong mix in the wrong genes
I reached the wrong ends by the wrong means

It was the wrong plan in the wrong hands
With the wrong theory for the wrong man
The wrong lies on the wrong vibes
The wrong questions with the wrong replies

Wrong

I was marching to the wrong drum with the wrong scum
Pissing out the wrong energy
Using all the wrong lines and the wrong signs
With the wrong intensity

I was on the wrong page of the wrong book
With the wrong rendition of the wrong hook
Made the wrong move every wrong night
With the wrong tune playing 'til it sounded right, yeah

Wrong
Too long

I was born with the wrong sign, in the wrong house
With the wrong ascendancy
I took the wrong road that led to
The wrong tendencies

I was in the wrong place, at the wrong time
For the wrong reason and the wrong rhyme
On the wrong day of the wrong week
I used the wrong method with the wrong technique

Wrong