Music
It's an all video Music Monday. Enjoy!
Just got an email from Amy at Original Signal Recordings to drop a hint about David Ford's new video for "I'm Alright Now." It's not only one of my favorite songs from Ford, the video is another great example of his musical abilities. Wonderful. You may also care to know there is a colorful word in the song.
Fleet Foxes in a Black Cab. Well, only one fox, but he's still fleet...
Vampire Weekend on SNL...
Looking for a great record store? Paste lists the 17 coolest. Yep, the wonderful ear X-tacy in Louisville, KY is on the list.
I don't think I mentioned yet that Esbjorn Svensson, the Swedish jazz pianist who founded E.S.T., died last week. He was only 44. More here.
Still haven't checked out Shearwater? What's wrong with you! I'm gonna make it easy: Shearwater in concert free audio.
Fans of Radiohead, Weezer, stringed instruments, or things that are honkin' awesome need to watch this video of Weezer covering Radiohead's "Creep" with a bunch of fans playing along. It's just really cool. If you don't know, the song "Creep" contains an objectionable word that may offend some. If you might be offended, don't watch. If you watch movies that are PG-13, you should be able to handle this. Either way, if you are offended please don't comment. Enjoy...
More Bon Iver for those who can't get enough. This time, "Skinny Love"...
And Wolves...
If you are a fan of some Nickel Creek goodness, you might want to check out Chris Thile's next move after Nickel's departure. They are the Punch Brothers (MySpace), a really interesting bluegrassy, folksy (even classical?) mix. Punch isn't Nickel Creek, but this is good music, deeper and more rich than NC but not as easy to appreciate. Check out some video.
I'm also checking out the Fleet Foxes (MySpace), who are very intriguing and not hippies.
I finally picked up the new Shearwater (MySpace) CD, Rook, yesterday (it was my Father's Day quest with the fam to find it). I've avoided listening to too much online because I wanted the album experience to color my take. On first listen it's amazing. I had the highest of hopes after Palo Santo (it was my #1 album of 2006). And as expected the glowing reviews are piling high. You can download "Leviathan, Bound" for free. If you don't know, Shearwater is the band led by Jonathan Meiburg who just left Okkervil River to focus on Shearwater. Here's a taste...
Need more Bon Iver? I hear you. These are out-honking-standing. How about "Flume"...
Here's a little "Lump Sum"...
And yes, the trifecta, "For Emma, Forever Ago"...
There are a few hot items on the iPod right now. I'm listening to Quiet Village's Silent Movie. Great for mostly lyric-less work music. Also, a few songs are so summertime pimp. Gotta love it. The Frightened Rabbits are hot snot with The Midnight Organ Fight. They sing songs that are both fun and force you to think a little too, like "Head Rolls Off"...
I can't fail to mention that Elbow's The Seldom Seen Kid is outstanding. Getting tons of play. Check out "Grounds for Divorce" (HT: MS)...
Once again my favorite film podcast has introduced me to great music. This time it's David Ford. After hearing a few cuts from his album I decided to peruse many of his YouTube videos. I was hooked. The next day Joe Thorn called me, not knowing and asked if I knew anymore about the music from the film podcast since he really liked it. Listen, when Joe and I agree on music it's pretty much a guarantee that vast amounts of awesomeness are on the way. Check out David Ford's one-take studio video for "Go To Hell"...
Ford is not only a talented singer/song-writer, he's prolific at doing covers. Often they are quite fun. How about that song from Titanic...
The Avett Brothers new EP in The Gleam series (The Gleam II) comes out in late July. One song on that EP will be "Murder in the City," a really beautiful song. Listen to this studio recording, or watch a decent concert video...
Listen to some new The Twilight Sad (right side, "track list). New Okkervil River album coming in September. The new Sigur Ros song "Gobbledigook" is free for us all. Pitchfork has wisely interviewed Bon Iver. Listen to some new Shearwater. Their new album is out tomorrow.
How about one last video, this time a cover from Christian artist Phil Wickham. Wowwy. (HT: Living Forward)
Please watch Weezer's new video, "Pork and Beans." Awesomely fun.
Really love the Band of Horses song "No One's Gonna Love You." Great to see a new video out...
Need some power instrumentals? Got it with some Pelican...
And since Elijah and I will be dressing in our Little League uniforms today for the Memorial Day parade, this is some old school baseball goodness. Enjoy John Fogerty's "Centerfield"...
It's an all video Music Monday. I think you will enjoy these.
First, Coldplay's new Sigur Ros-ish video to "Violet Hill"...
Justice's Cross album is often fun and full of cool vibe. The song "Stress" is full of stress (go figure). This video illustrates the intent of the song in stunning fashion. WARNING: Not for young, impressionable future ruffians or people who don't appreciate an occasional middle finger.
Portishead's "The Rip" is a great song, and this is thoroughly interesting video. Take Dramamine first.
...and "Machine Gun"...
American Music Club's "All the Lost Souls Welcome You to San Francisco"...
Molly and I saw The Avett Brothers on Saturday night. What an amazing show! High energy. We were bouncing and dancing and screaming and singing. I was fortunate to have a voice on Sunday morning. And though we were in Milwaukee for the concert we were still in bed by 12:30am, which is a typical time for me to get to sleep before preaching.
If you don't know The Avett Brothers, shame on you. Seriously. I've worked hard to introduce them to you on this blog. For all you who are slow to catch on, here...
By the way, the opening act was Jessica Lea Mayfield (MySpace). Outstanding. Blew us away. (That was her in an above Avett video.) Her only recording is her White Lies EP that seems impossible to find apart from going to the concert or ordering from her website. It's not on iTunes. I picked it up at the concert. Her stuff is alt/country, her recordings are very acoustic, her concert added a deep level of power and mystery. Holy cow. Also check out David Mayfield's stuff, Jessica's brother, who was her bassist and a fun stage presence.
This is the best video I could find of Jessica. It's cluttered at the beginning with crap, but get through it and you will be rewarded. By the way, this is the song from the second Avett video above. They covered her song.
WARNING: Some unbaptistlike content to come. Some of you won't like this.
Jessica sings a song called "Bible Days" which was outstanding in concert. Here is a stripped down version and a pretty good recording. I love when the world helps me know how they think. Listening is such a great tool.
Gavin DeGraw's new album comes out tomorrow, I think. I thought Chariot was really fun pop music with a fairly unique sound. Watch the first video from In Love With a Girl.
Portishead's "Machine Gun" = very wow. I know some of you won't like it, but that's your problem. I'm looking forward to picking up their first new album since 1997, Third. You can hear more at Last.fm.
There are several clips of Portishead's new stuff, but none are great quality video. So to introduce you to Portishead's trip-hoppy goodness, here's "Roads" from a live 2006 show...
"Go Cubs Go!" is the song played at Wrigley Field after a win. My kids and I sing along. Here's a fan video...
In music news, Dr. Dog has a new album coming out in July. I really like We All Belong, so I'm looking forward to Fate. Hear some unreleased stuff at their MySpace. Tegan and Sara have an iTunes live EP releasing tomorrow. I'll be downloading it.
Matthew Smith, of Indelible Grace fame, loves him some Ryan Adams. Here's the amazing "The Sun Also Sets"...
"Oh My God, Whatever, Etc"...
Of all the wonderful 80's music memories, how can I not mention this one...
When I was a kid "Hollywood" came to my hometown of Pontiac, Illinois and filmed a movie called Grandview, USA. The director was Randall Kleiser (a film school friend of George Lucas and director of Grease) and it starred people like Jamie Lee Curtis, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell and John Cusack. I know what you are saying. "Wow! That must be an awesome movie!" Nope. But I did find some clips online and thought you might like the music video dream sequence.
I like Neil Diamond. Yeah, sue me. My dad listened to Diamond when I was a kid, and you know how that stuff stays with you. One of my baristas at our local Woodstock Starbucks is known by everyone as Denny Diamond. He is a Neil Diamond impersonator and his voice is spot-on. Here he is on the 1999 show "You're Big Break"...
Are you excited because it's springtime? Me too. Listen to more Joanna Newsome Ys. It's great springtime life accompaniment. Here's "Cosmia"...
Or if you need some music to pump through your H3 stereo (or Dodge Stratus) with the windows down go for Justice's Cross. "DVNO"...
Time for a blast from the past. I've seen better videos but the song lives on in all our hearts. Everybody Wang Chung tonight...
You would Wang Chung tonight if you spent "One Night in Bangkok"...
I've been out-of-pocket for a couple of days, so here's a post with just a little bit of Music Monday, Lots-o-Links, and National Poetry Month.
MUSIC MONDAY
A new video from Hot Chip. Pretty cool...
In case you didn't know, here's the reason wearing red jock straps over your pants is SO popular now...
LOTS-o-LINKS
Driscoll loves the ESV Study Bible.
John Piper: Preaching as Concept Creation, Not Just Contextualization
I love this clip. If you ever need to work on your business card envy, here's how. (WARNING: A little colorful language. This clip is for Mommies and Daddies only.)
NPM '08
Love this stuff from Borders Open Door Poetry.
Check out The Poetry Center of Chicago.
Bon Iver live, "Skinny Love" (HT: Oceans Never Listen)...
I'm enjoying Jim White's Transnormal Skiperoo lately. Check out his MySpace and see if his brand of americana/alt-country doesn't suit you. I wish I could find his wonderful song, "Plywood Superman" (lyrics), somewhere online. It's heartbreaking.
I can't embed this video on the blog, but go check out Elbow's new one. I like the song and the simple video.
Paste tells us that you can now read the NY Times blog, Measure for Measure, with Andrew Bird, Rosanne Cash, Suzanne Vega and other music artists as they discuss their creative process. Nice idea.
Remember...80's love songs? Some of my favorites...
Skid Row: "I Remember You"...
Bad English: "When I See You Smile" (This one made me tear up. True story. If you knew my wife you would know why.)...
Tesla: "Love Song"...
Chicago: "Will You Still Love Me"...
REO Speedwagon: "I Can't Fight This Feeling"...
Music News...
The Juno Soundtrack, that I raved about here and that hit #1 on the Billboard charts, has spawned a B-sides soundtrack with 15 more tracks. Cool.
Alaska in Winter finally gets a U.S. release (thought it was already!). Love their first album, and their U.S. release includes more than what's on the album I have, so I will be picking it up.
The Black Angels album, Passover, was really good. It was my #9 album of 2006. Their follow-up, Directions to See a Ghost, is coming in May. "You on the Run" is their first available song, and it's good. Check it out.
Music I'm Checking Out...
The Nadas were recently featured as bumper music on my favorite film podcast (also the only podcast where I NEVER miss an episode), Filmspotting. For those of you who find my musical tastes not quite in line with yours, give The Nadas a try (MySpace). I like 'em.
The Nadas played the final show at a music venue in Iowa that was considered important, and some dudes made a tribute video to the bar featuring The Nadas' great song "Goodnight Girl." Beware Southern Baptists, there are people consuming Jagermeister and other alcoholic beverages. Hide your virgin eyes...
I'm off for a few days, so this will be a less involved Music Monday post. Let me start by saying that Joe Thorn has been complaining a lot about my Music Monday posts. While I always appreciate his point of view, I just can't help but to think that his suggestion of "more Milli Vanilli, please!" is not the best route. Anyway, you be the judge: Should I, as Joe suggests, post things like this?...
Stereogum provides a couple of nice Bon Iver live videos. ABC News has a couple of nice videos: an interview with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver Part 1 and Part 2. I'm still playing Bon Iver far more than anything else. It's playing on my iPod, my home stereo, my iTunes. Speaking of the iPod, don't miss Bon Iver in concert from All Songs Considered.
DeVotchKa's new one is getting great reviews, as is M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel's She and Him, Vol 1.
A year ago this week I was encouraging you to watch stuff like this. Ahh, still good...
Modest Mouse has a new video out for "Fly Trapped in a Jar." It's just weird...
My current favorite CD right now is Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago. The always helpful Stereogum has an interview with Justin Vernon, who is Bon Iver. Nice. I finally found For Emma at Kiss the Sky in Batavia, IL, my favorite, almost local indie music store. Well actually I didn't find it. After I couldn't find it I asked the owner if they heard of it. They said they had a copy, but we couldn't find it under the "B's." It was under the "I's" listed under "Bob Iver." Satan tried to keep this beautiful music from me, but he was defeated! You need this CD. Trust me. Or at least trust the many great reviews it's getting.
The New Pornographers have a live album out that I don't own yet. One of the songs is a cover of ELO's "Don't Bring Me Down." They have performed it live on French TV. When you get there click on "videos" and then click the correct video on the right. Well worth your time. These guys rock and this song is very well done.
Pitchfork reports that Blitzen Trapper, a band I have mentioned a couple of times before, has a new iTunes exclusive live EP out. I got it.
The Twilight Sad: "And She Would Darken the Memory"...
New Spoon: "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb"...
It's Music Monday and I'm here to take you to Better Music Land. So put away your Ray Boltz CD's and cut your poodle mullet...
Ahh, this is better. New Shearwater. Go download their new song "Rooks."
New Bon Iver video for "The Wolves (Act I and II)." What a beautiful and haunting song...
I'm listening to American Music Club's The Golden Age lately and really enjoying it. It's getting good reviews. From Pitchfork...
AMC's The Golden Age is appropriately obsessed with the hemorrhaging of time; many songs here find Eitzel grasping at the stuff even as it spurts through his fingers. "It's hard to love when you only see the dust," he mopes amid the wistful acoustic arpeggios of "All My Love". Eitzel's view of life as something one snatches from death's clutches, bit by bit, is the motif that drives the album. "Time is a current that only flows from warm hands to warm heart," he asserts on the darkly rushing "Decibels and Little Pills", after observing that "names are only good for grave stones."
Patrick Park has a new video out, "Here We Are". I hope you can get past the incredible technological breakthroughs in this video and just enjoy the music...
Can't wait for Music Monday because today is the day YouTube is featuring all Sigur Ros on their front page (HT). At the heart of 24 hours of Sigur Ros is the entire Sigur Ros film Heima available for free. Awesome. Here it is...
This is a must see. Remember the 1991 song by Sophie B. Hawkins, "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover?" Go refresh yourself if you need to. I remember the cool beat, and I remember thinking "Are you allowed to say 'damn' on the radio?" I guess so.
Do you ever wish people could just leave those memories alone? Well, Sophie B. Hawkins had to go and jack it all up by putting together this tragic remake for Hillary's campaign, "Damn, I Wish You Were President." True story. Honestly, if I were Hillary and this is the kind of things people did to support me, I would cry after every primary too. Don't miss the chance to buy your "Damn, I Wish You Were President" T-shirt. Ugh.
I've been listening a lot lately to Daniel Renstrom's (MySpace) Adore and Tremble EP. He emailed me a couple of weeks ago and asked if I might review it. I almost said no, because I knew it would be Christian music. Then I figured I would just tell him that I really don't listen to much Christian music and he wouldn't send it. So I told him. He sent it anyway. What a great surprise this worship EP is!
This 6 song EP includes four original songs by Renstrom and two updated hymns, "Adore and Tremble" by Isaac Watts and "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder" by John Newton. All good. And all lyrics and chords are online for all. I should also add that the production quality is top notch, not what you always get from early recordings. I highly recommend this EP for your own devotions or to find some new worship stuff for your church. I had it playing last Sunday before and after worship. Get it at iTunes or on CD.
Spoon (well, Britt) in a Black Cab singing the great song, "I Summon You"...
Justice, "DVNO". Geez, this stuff is cool...
I want me some Bon Iver (MySpace ). Some of it sounds like a gentler, acoustic TV on the Radio. I will pick up For Emma, Forever Ago as soon as I can find it. "Flume"...
"Lump Sum"...
If you are anything like me you occasionally go back and find a song you used to like and find out it's still a great song. Here's one I searched out recently. Who doesn't want to be in a band and play a song like this live?
