Music
I love Cut/Copy yes I do, I love Cut/Copy how about you? Outstanding.
I am fascinated with the new Feist video for "Honey, Honey." I'm watching it again after I put this up.
More Avett Brothers awesomeness...
Can't remember what, if anything, I've posted from Frightened Rabbit. I found some of their stuff online before I became a huge fan of their newest CD. Note the opening lyrics of this song...
Ray LaMontagne is so good. Just picked up his new CD this week, though I haven't heard it yet. I remember when I got his first CD and I didn't know anyone who knew him. Awesome. Check out his new stuff at MySpace. Here's a video from Ray on Conan (yeah, I know it doesn't fit, whatever)...
New Shearwater EP, The Snow Leopard (iTunes, Amazon). Get it. Get everything from Shearwater. Please.
Jens Lekman singing "Black Cab" while in a Black Cab Session. Really wonderful.
And to give you a bit of an oldie, here's Midnight Oil with "Beds are Burning." Lead singer Peter Garrett is now an Australian politician. Sometimes politics and music can just suck eggs. Other times, like with Midnight Oil, it can be great...
Need some fall tunes? I put up an iTunes iMix: Reformissionary's Autumn.
Check out The Pitchfork 500, coming soon.
Want to pay what you want for the new The Mountain Goats EP, including the option of free? I thought so. One catch. It's called Satanic Messiah and the recommended price is $6.66. They are also limiting the vinal copy releases to 666. For some Christians that's a deal breaker. But you will be missing four very lovely tracks.
The Avett Brothers with their official vid for "Murder in the City." Love this song...
I'll be honest with you. As Molly continues to not get better after brain surgery, we have been struggling with emotion and motivation. So, I offer you the best thing I can think of to get motivated. Awesome...
And if you can't get enough of Marky Mark, I offer you this video which had me in stitches this week and I'm still not sure why...
I hope to get in a few more album/song reviews in the weeks ahead, but I've just been too busy with work and Molly stuff to get to anything of real substance for Music Monday's. That said, here are some great songs.This is a nice cover of "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." (Sufjan)...
Dang! Cut Copy with "Lights & Music" live on Jimmy Neutron's show. Crank it up, stand up, and dance along!...
I have no CD's or downloads from Marissa Nadler, but that may change soon. Great song...
I really like the Fleet Foxes, as my Music Monday posts have shown. Here they are with more glorious harmonies...
This one is for my wife who needs some post-brain surgery inspiration as she struggles with symptoms and recovery...
It's been a crazy weekend and I didn't listen to any music. But I do have a few cool things for you this Music Monday.
New New Pornographers...
Okkervil River's official video for "Lost Coastlines"...
Two Take-Away Shows from The Walkmen. First "Hey Leah"...
From Crackle: Take-Away Show: The Walkmen - "Hey Leah"
And "I Lost You"...
From Crackle: Take-Away Show: Walkmen - "I Lost You"
Some good stuff on Amazon's music download specials including a nice Jazz album and Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Sale prices end today for these albums.
Black Cab Session with Fleet Foxes. Wow, this is good...
My wife's surgery is Friday, so here's one for her. Crank it up...
Okkervil River's The Stand Ins is fantastic after about 4 listens. If you like Okkervil and liked The Stage Names, you will definitely dig The Stand Ins. If you have no clue who Okkervil is or what their music is like, there's no time like the present to get on board. This opening paragraph to the very positive review by Pitchfork is enlightening...
Along with the other covers Okkervil is getting for the new album, check out Ola Podrida's cover of "Calling and Not Calling My Ex"...
Or for a more direct introduction to their music watch this video for "For Real" from their album Black Sheep Boy...
Now, if you don't know the Fleet Foxes by now, this is one of the best introductions that can be made. This isn't a wordy song, but a demonstration of their beautiful wintery harmonies...
Want to give a word of thanks to Jeff Capps who sent me his new EP called Shine. I've been enjoying it and playing it at home. I think we also used it for post-service music. Check out Jeff Capps on MySpace.
Anyone else download the free Hallelujah the Hills EP? I did, and I dig it. Go get it.
This is fun. Some dude re-programed the Showbiz Pizza robots to play Arcade Fire's "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)"...
Another song from the new Okkervil River album covered by someone else, this time from a dude you have have heard of...Bon Iver...
I want to start by saying that the new Sera Cahoone CD is burning up my iPod. Really, really love it. Ok, now some videos.
Will Sheff (Okkervil River) and AC Newman (New Pornographers) are covering "Lost Coastlines" from the new Okkervil River album The Stand Ins (via)...
Black Mountain and the trippy track, "Wucan" (via)...
This isn't really live, but it's still some Sigur Ros goodness. (via)
The new My Morning Jacket video is fun (via)...
I just have to say, the Bon Iver concert was outstanding. Molly loved it too. I have enjoyed several concerts in the last 2 years, but have to admit this one was special. Bon Iver played in Wisconsin (Milwaukee), home state, friends there, a sold-out show, the largest show Bon Iver has headlined, etc. Despite all those circumstances warming you to the concert, it was just outstanding. If you have a chance to see Bon Iver, see them. If you can't, at least get the CD: For Emma, Forever Ago. Need convincing?...
AA Bondy was a worthy opening act. A dude with a guitar and a Bob Dylan flavor. Check his MySpace, NPR concert audio, or watch this...
One more...
Today I'm in Chicago with the family. Here's some of our previous experience set to Sufjan Steven's a couple of years ago...
And more from last summer, set to Beirut...
Speaking of buying music, I just pre-ordered Okkervil River's The Stand Ins from Jagjaguwar. It's $11 for a CD and comes with posters for The Stand Ins and The Stage Names PLUS a digital download of the album on September 5th (4 days before the release date!). Very cool.
I'm working hard to not overstate this: This is the greatest news in the history of the world. Okkervil River's new album (a double album when added to The Stage Names) is coming on September 9th. It's called The Stand Ins. That's been public info for a while, of course, but not with a new live video (via) of "Lost Coastlines" (MP3 available for iTunes download)...
Burial has a face and name. Good for him. If you don't know Burial, you should. He does look a bit like the dude on his last CD cover.
Thanks to Joe Thorn's email I didn't miss this Alaska in Winter video. Beautiful...
New Avett Brothers EP, The Gleam II, is out and on my iPod. It's great, as expected. Pitchfork likes it just fine.
New Conor Oberst video for "Souled Out!!" "You know by now, you won't be gettin' in to heaven"...
For some reason on vacation last week we heard a lot of country music on the radio in central Illinois. It was fun listening to catchy summertime fun stuff like Sugarland's "All I Want To Do."
Spiritualized with "You Lie You Cheat." Huh. Warning: You might hurl.
This is mildly music oriented. Watch Wilco sing the 7th Inning Stretch for the Cubbies. In the interview that follows Tweedy admits to growing up a Cardinals fan. I'm going to torch my Wilco CD's! Not really. Enjoy...
I know I sing the praises of Bon Iver like every week. But it just keeps getting better! No joke. Watch this video of Bon Iver and Bowerbirds covering a Sarah Siskind track (via)...
Like the Bowerbirds and want more? I hear you. How about a Take Away Show. Here's "Dark Horse"...
This is cool, even with a degraded video quality. Gnarles Barkley does Radiohead's "Reckoner"...
What? You need something "old school?" I'll give you two. Slaughter's "Fly to the Angels"...
And Skid Row's "Youth Gone Wild"...
Quick update on Molly & Chiari. Her MRI's haven't happened yet as our local hospitals don't have the equipment to do the specialized ones she needs. So we either have to go closer to the city or wait until her appointment with her surgeon in September. Dunno what's going to happen just yet. I'll let you know.
Some days are better than others right now. The last few have been pretty bad, though the worst of symptoms from last year haven't shown up yet. Glad about that. Thanks for praying for her.
Here's David Ford's "Song for the Road," which I put up here as a tribute to my wife who is in constant pain, hourly frustrations. Should she ever wonder if I will be there when she needs me...
Now I know someday this all will be over
And it's hard to say what most will I miss
Just give me one way to spend my last moments alive,
and I choose this, I choose this, I choose this.
Recently on sub•text...
Neighborhood Diversity | Smaller Cities and Towns
Male, Middle Class, and White | Suburbs vs. Christianity
Other links...
Joe Thorn is rebooting his prayer life. I'm actually planning some extended prayer in the near future. Good thoughts from Joe.
Al Hsu points to more Andy Crouch Culture Making stuff. Excerpts and more.
New Wendell Berry short story in The Atlantic.
David Powlison on Breaking Pornography Addiction.
Jonathan Dodson: Dark Thoughts from The Dark Knight
Ben Arment: How to Attract High-Caliber Leaders to Your Church
William Willimon: Pastoral Wisdom
Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat audiobook FOR FREE! Get it now, only a few days left.
Kay Ryan is the new U.S. Poet Laureate.
JD Greear: Writing Stuff Down
Paul Tripp has a potty mouth, and he's right on the money...
Quick update on Molly & Chiari. Her MRI's haven't happened yet as our local hospitals don't have the equipment to do the specialized ones she needs. So we either have to go closer to the city or wait until her appointment with her surgeon in September. Dunno what's going to happen just yet. I'll let you know.
Some days are better than others right now. The last few have been pretty bad, though the worst of symptoms from last year haven't shown up yet. Glad about that. Thanks for praying for her.
Here's David Ford's "Song for the Road," which I put up here as a tribute to my wife who is in constant pain, hourly frustrations. Should she ever wonder if I will be there when she needs me...
Now I know someday this all will be over
And it's hard to say what most will I miss
Just give me one way to spend my last moments alive,
and I choose this, I choose this, I choose this.
Recently on sub•text...
Neighborhood Diversity | Smaller Cities and Towns
Male, Middle Class, and White | Suburbs vs. Christianity
Other links...
Joe Thorn is rebooting his prayer life. I'm actually planning some extended prayer in the near future. Good thoughts from Joe.
Al Hsu points to more Andy Crouch Culture Making stuff. Excerpts and more.
New Wendell Berry short story in The Atlantic.
David Powlison on Breaking Pornography Addiction.
Jonathan Dodson: Dark Thoughts from The Dark Knight
Ben Arment: How to Attract High-Caliber Leaders to Your Church
William Willimon: Pastoral Wisdom
Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat audiobook FOR FREE! Get it now, only a few days left.
Kay Ryan is the new U.S. Poet Laureate.
JD Greear: Writing Stuff Down
Paul Tripp has a potty mouth, and he's right on the money...
Bon Iver (YET AGAIN!) with "Skinny Love" live. This is awesome...
Please go watch Sera Cahoone's (MySpace) Tiny Desk Concert (about 20 minutes of video). She is really talented. I very much enjoyed her first album. From her first album...
Vampire Weekend is good stuff. I've really enjoyed their album. My favorite song, without a doubt, is "Oxford Comma." It's intelligent, literary and playful (oh, did you see what I did there??!!). I've been trying to find a bleeped out version for the blog for the choice word they use, but I can't find one. Here are three unbleeped versions of "Oxford Comma." First, the official video which at least appears to be one take. Second, a good quality live version. Third, an A cappella college group covering it. Enjoy!
Bon Iver (YET AGAIN!) with "Skinny Love" live. This is awesome...
Please go watch Sera Cahoone's (MySpace) Tiny Desk Concert (about 20 minutes of video). She is really talented. I very much enjoyed her first album. From her first album...
Vampire Weekend is good stuff. I've really enjoyed their album. My favorite song, without a doubt, is "Oxford Comma." It's intelligent, literary and playful (oh, did you see what I did there??!!). I've been trying to find a bleeped out version for the blog for the choice word they use, but I can't find one. Here are three unbleeped versions of "Oxford Comma." First, the official video which at least appears to be one take. Second, a good quality live version. Third, an A cappella college group covering it. Enjoy!
Daytrotter has released a free, 4 track download from Bon Iver. Ahh, the goodness of it all.
I put off getting the new Coldplay until I really felt like I had to have it. X&Y just didn't work for me. But now that I have Viva la Vida and I'm really enjoying it. How about you? Do you like it?
A new She & Him video: "Why do you let me stay here?"
If you haven't heard the Avett Brothers sing "Murder in the City" yet, you need to. Here's the MP3. Pitchfork thinks there are some overlooked 2008 albums you should check out. Odds are some of them will be quite weird. But I know some of them are wonderful.
Can't remember if I put up this great Bon Iver video before. It doesn't embed correctly (too wide), so just go watch it.
Radiohead continues to do weird 'n' wonderful things. Like in their new "House of Cards" video...
I'm really digging Cut Copy's (MySpace) In Ghost Colours lately. Fun music, play it loud and dance. "Feel the Love" is a favorite. Here's "Hearts on Fire"...
and "Lights and Music"...
Need to see some new Death Cab for Cutie? I knew it! Here you go...
One last piece of video goodness comes from the really wonderful Fleet Foxes (MySpace) off their self-titled album. Here's "White Winter Hymnal"...
