August 12, 2005

Hears That Music Entry

Here is the music post I promised. But first, a disclaimer:

I don't care if you like what I like. I don't care if you heard one of these bands live way back before anyone else or if your group of friends with ironic t-shirts listened to them years ago and don't think they're cool anymore. I don't even care if you just plain think the band sucks. And the reason for this is that music is too important on a personal level for me to care what anyone else thinks about what I enjoy.

My recent philosophy is that if you find a band (no matter how you go about it) and end up loving that band's song or CD or whatever then that is perfectly cool. Who cares if it has recently fallen out of the hipster library or if it's 5, 20, 37 or 61 years old? If the tune speaks to you, it speaks to you. So screw everyone else.

Having said all that, here is a list of my recent favorite songs. Maybe there is something here that can put a smile on your face:

1. "Chicago," Sufjan Stevens (Illinois) - My current favorite song. The album this is off of is brilliant. I've listened to it at least 20 times since I bought it. My iTunes says I've listened to this song 38 times since the beginning of July.

2. "Over And Over Again (Lost And Found)," Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (Self-titled) - I couldn't decide between this song or "Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood" from the same CD. If anyone decides to reasearch any of these, I'd say this one is a bit more accessible at first. The whole CD is addictive.

3. "Heartbeat," Annie (Anniemal) - You may think I'm kidding but I'm not. This album is really good and nice to workout to. It's not stupid pop or overly pushy or grating like some other blonde girl musicians.

4. "Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games," Of Montreal (The Sunlandic Twins) - Wonderful and crazy. Like if Polyphonic Spree, Flaming Lips, and the 70s had a really awesome musical baby.

5. "Get Off," The Dandy Warhols (Tales From Urban Bohemia) - An "older" song but I've been listening to it and loving it lately. Then it just popped up on this show I've been watching on BBC America called "Teachers." Very gratifying when that happens.

6. "Fortress," Pinback (Summer In Abaddon) - Just a good, simple and melodic tune.

7. "Song For Nico," The Warlocks (Rise and Fall) - I saw these guys live before I really appreciated their music. I wish I could go back in time.

8. "Happyment," Komeda (What Makes It Go?) - Pure joy in the form of a song. Starts with whistling and gets better and better.

9. "Ohio," Damien Jurado (On My Way To Absence) - For those who just love harmonica and guitar. He has maybe one of the best voices in "folk" music today.

10. "Living Room," Tegan and Sara (If It Was You) - I saw and loved their video for this song on an MTV2 show called Subterranean a few years ago and then forgot about them. It's a set of twin sisters and they sound like a more lively punked out version of The Indigo Girls. To me.

11. "Legs of Bees," Fruit Bats (Spelled In Bones) - You should see them live if possible. Their last two CDs have been very quiet and dreamy and well-balanced with plain good songs. Check out "Earthquake of '73" as well.

12. "How 'Bout I Love You More?" Mull Historical Society (This Is Hope) - Just a great, great, happy, fun, great song.

13. "Fire Fire," M.I.A. (Arular) - She is hott and her songs just do something to me. Not just party music if you listen closely. (I also listen as loud as I can possibly stand it.)

14. "The Way That He Sings," My Morning Jacket (At Dawn) - On the "favorite song" list in my head since I first heard it a few years back. Never leaves my rotation. The album cover I have shown is from their last CD called "It Sill Moves." That one has one of my favorite songs of all time on it called "Golden." But I've given it a rest lately. You shouldn't.

15. "Here Comes Your Man," Pixies (Doolittle) - Same with this one. GOSH it's so damn good. I don't care if it's "their most popular" song or any of that crap.

16. "Sunset Soon Forgotten," Iron and Wine (Our Endless Numbered Days) - Makes me think of a perfect June night. Like I should be taking an evening walk by a river with a girl and ice cream for some reason.

17. "17 Years," Ratatat (Self-titled) - Sounds distinctly German to me. But it isn't. Go figure. This one is here for those who just want a song that has loads of loud harmonizing guitars and synths. No vocals here.

18. "War On Sound," Moonbabies (War On Sound) - Apparently I'm drawn to Scandanavian bands. I stumbled across this song purely by accident and am forever glad I did.

19. "I Summon You," Spoon (Gimmie Fiction) - If this song doesn't make you want to bob your head or tap your feet then you are dead inside.

20. "Micro Melodies," The Album Leaf (The Red Tour EP) - Builds and builds and builds. I keep finding new things in it each time I hear it.

12 comments:

topher clark said...

B. Merritt.

I just downloaded 'Chicago' per your recommendation. As for the rest of the songs, something tells me I might need an 'Ipod this, too!' (hint hint)

I am also watching Teachers. Why have we never talked about this before?

Unknown said...

Maybe we need to watch together?

As for the songs, tell me which ones you like (after sampling on iTunes) and we'll figure something out. (hint, hint)

Lisa said...

I want in. . . I want some of them tunes on my uncool mp3 player. . .guys? guys?

How about a Teachers get together to hold us over for the Fall lineup?

Unknown said...

"Teachers" can't be all that bad if the Clarks watch it, right? Right?

But seriously, they talk a lot about relationships and doing "relationshippy" things but it doesn't show anything or get too bad that I've seen so far. Not any worse than most American network TV. Anyone else want to add their 2 cents?

Unknown said...

And Lisa ... I'd love to do some TV watching! It's been too long and we have to gear up for Fall don't we?

Let's do this!

Jeff B said...

Downloaded most of your songs. Enjoy them (what I've heard, I'm sure Brett wouldn't steer me wrong) Thought you might like another band that I'm listening to: "The Arcade Fire". One of my favorite songs is "Wake Up". Maybe you'll give it a listen.
Also. The New Pornographers. What a horrible name, and yet I like them.

Jeff B said...

Finally posted on my blog. Oh how much time I've wasted.

topher clark said...

So far the only real nudity on 'Teachers' is Andrew Lincoln. So that's no big deal. Show me some boobs and we've got a transgression.

topher clark said...

So far the only real nudity on 'Teachers' is Andrew Lincoln. So that's no big deal. Show me some boobs and we've got a transgression.

The Grunt said...

May an interloper cut in? I checked out Sufjan Stevens because of your recommendation. Great story telling and compositions, especially for a guy who seems to have taken up being a musician only several years ago. Puts the wannabe's to shame. I got some faves to share: Pavement's "Range Life", Sebadoh's "Too Pure", Dinosaur Jr. "In A Jar", and all of Flaming Lips' "Clouds Taste Metallic". All right, I admit it; I need to get current/hip. But, these are good ones.

Unknown said...

Thanks, grunt. Those are some nice suggestions.

Mark Fossen said...

Just picked up Illinoise ... tx for the tip, Mr. Brett. It's taking me a few listens ... but so did Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It's often a good thing that it takes me awhile to really hook into an album.