tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47900003479433069202024-03-13T12:56:13.319-06:00Sell the LieSell the Lie is an MP3 music blog with a focus on alternative music.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-14091406909669081392008-05-27T09:25:00.000-06:002008-05-27T09:25:59.509-06:00Six Pack of the Week - Soundtrack Songs<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/SDOUqQMRFbI/AAAAAAAAANM/m8-uYKY631o/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202665448164890034" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/SDOUqQMRFbI/AAAAAAAAANM/m8-uYKY631o/s320/sixpack.jpg" border="0" /></a>The soundtrack is quite possibly the most underrated part of a movie. Really though, what truly great movies have <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> had a similarly brilliant companion soundtrack? It's not just about picking the right music, it's about getting the right <span style="font-style: italic;">feeling</span> to move the story along. Directors that can pair the sites with the sounds deliver a product that is truly moving. This week's six pack focuses on the often-overlooked soundtrack. Kraig goes first this week.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up to Boston (The Departed)</span><br /></div><br />Sure, that little intro sounds a little mushy and you certainly need a mushy song for a mushy movie. But what about if you've an ass-kicking movie? Well, then you need your self an ass-kicking song.<br /><br />The Departed was a brilliant film, absolutely fantastic. The film deserved all the critical acclaim it received and more. Truth is, I probably wouldn't find myself re-watching it again and again if it wasn't for this monstrous tune by The Dropkick Murphys. It sets the tone early on for the entire movie. I can't stress how important that "tone" was, especially given the length of the movie. Is this song solely responsible for the success of the film? Hell no. Did it a play a part? Surely did.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/imshippinuptoboston.mp3">I'm Shipping Up to Boston</a><br /><br />Get the soundtrack: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Departed-Soundtrack/dp/B000J3FBVG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211341723&sr=8-5">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=200692332&s=143441">iTunes</a><br />Buy some Dropkick Murphys: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dropkick-Murphys/e/B000APX42G/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=2928220">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.dropkickmurphys.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dropkickmurphys">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly (Once)<br /><br /></span></div>Now we'll get back to that touchy-feely crap. Once was an ambitious film that was more of a soundtrack turning into a film rather than a set of songs setting up a film. When a film focuses so much on music it's absolutely critical that the music is able to stand up on it's own. The soundtrack for Once is certainly able to do so.<br /><br />Falling Slowly is the standout track in my mind. The duet version is very sweet and subtle. I've also posted the full band version from Glen's band, The Frames. I prefer the full band version just because it has a little more depth - there's more drama, more of a build...but both are fantastic.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/fallingslowly.mp3">Falling Slowly (Glen & Marketa)</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/fallingslowlyframes.mp3">Falling Slowly (The Frames)</a><br /><br />Get the soundtrack: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Once-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000PFU7OO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211342077&sr=1-2">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=254347531&s=143441">iTunes</a><br />Buy some Glen Hansard: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glen-Hansard/e/B0017PE2YC/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewCollaboration?ids=99200052-145016065&s=143441">iTunes</a><br />Visit him online: <a href="http://www.theframes.ie/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theswellseason">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stu's</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow (Crash, Wicker Park)</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Flexibility is the middle name I have just now given to Stereophonics' wonderful track, "Maybe Tomorrow." Not only does it serve as a great opening credits song (a la Wicker Park) but it also functions as an excellent closeout number (in Crash). How many songs could ever hope to accomplish that? That's right, not many, thus my new nickname: Maybe 'Flexibility' Tomorrow. Think of it like the middle name 'Danger,' it actually makes sense that way. Anyway, it's an all around great track, and if you've never heard it you're probably missing out on 3 great things (2 movies, 1 song). Start with the listening and finish up with the viewing, that's my advice.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/02%20Maybe%20Tomorrow.mp3">Maybe Tomorrow</a><br /><br />Get the soundtrack: [Crash] <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crash-Mark-Isham/dp/B0009F79NM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211367444&sr=1-2">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=64964428&id=64964454&s=143441">iTunes</a> [Wicker Park] <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wicker-Park-Various-Artists/dp/B0002MIBW0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211367473&sr=1-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=48262691&id=48263386&s=143441">iTunes</a><br />Buy some Stereophonics: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stereophonics/e/B000AP5LRM/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=2579656">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.stereophonics.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/stereophonics">Myspace</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Maroon 5 - Woman (Spiderman 2)</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Not appearing in the film (at least not to my knowledge) but appearing on the soundtrack is this funky number from Maroon 5 entitled "Woman." And it is funky, don't let the appearance of the name "Maroon 5" sway your downloading judgment. Interesting sidenote: I wouldn't listen to Maroon 5 for a long time because I didn't think they were my "thing." I finally jumped on the bandwagon after hearing this number, and was pleasantly surprised with most of their stuff from<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Songs-About-Jane-Maroon-5/dp/B00006879E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211369363&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Songs About Jane</span></a>. I have since jumped off the bandwagon (as is the tendency with all bandwagons), but this remains my favorite Maroon 5 song.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/Woman.mp3">Woman</a><br /><br />Get the soundtrack: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spider-Man-Music-Inspired-Various-Artists/dp/B00027JZ20/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211367724&sr=8-3">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=159000596&id=159000085&s=143441">iTunes</a><br />Buy some Maroon 5: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maroon-5/e/B000APOM7W/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=1798556">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.maroon5.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/Maroon5">Myspace</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brock's<br />Pete Yorn - Undercover<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Another song used on a Spider-man movie, this little ditty appeared on the soundtrack for the first one. The lyric in the chorus is "walk me to a car-park," a weird phrase Pete got from a woman he dated. She was from New Zealand, and refered to parking lots as car-parks. Okay story, great song.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/undercover.mp3">Undercover</a><br /><br />Buy some Pete Yorn: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Yorn/e/B000AQTG9K/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=539139">iTunes</a><br />Visit him online: <a href="http://www.peteyorn.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/peteyorn">Myspace</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dog's Eye View - Umbrella</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">No, not <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr0uQrpkwZ4#">that</a> "Umbrella."<br />I have been a fan of Peter Stuart and Dog's Eye View for a long time, in no small part due to this song, and its presence in the silly teen comedy <span style="font-style: italic;">Can't Hardly Wait</span>.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/umbrella.mp3">Umbrella<br /></a><br />The sites: <a href="http://www.dogseyeview.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dogseyeview">Myspace</a><br />The sounds: <a href="http://urlsnip.com/294255">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://urlsnip.com/626288">Amazon<br /></a></div></div></div></div> </div></div>Kraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05665150244894868893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-14713795756605287952008-05-22T08:15:00.001-06:002008-05-22T08:15:01.879-06:00Review: Can't Love, Can't Hurt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SDDIugmtfpI/AAAAAAAAAC0/wfJwTbAIeNQ/s1600-h/cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SDDIugmtfpI/AAAAAAAAAC0/wfJwTbAIeNQ/s320/cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201878270964760210" border="0" /></a>At some point along the way, someone must have decided that Augustana needed more piano. This probably was due, at least in part, to their successful single, "Boston," from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Stars-Boulevards-Augustana/dp/B000AA300M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211157254&sr=1-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">All the Stars and Boulevards</span></a>. Though "Boston" brought them some popular success, it was not the draw for me. I became a fan of their pop-rock sound from songs like "Bullets" and "Lonely People." Unfortunately, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cant-Love-Hurt-Augustana/dp/B0015FQZEY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211157372&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Can't Love, Can't Hurt</span></a>, Augustana's latest release, is missing this sound. As I alluded to, the piano is a key (pun!) and prominent element on this record, much to the dismay (I imagine) of most Augustana fans.<br /><br />"Hey Now" was an ominous start for me; it doesn't even halfway measure up to their demo of "Heart Shaped Gun (Hey Now)." I'm not huge into alt-country, but even I can tell "Heart Shaped Gun" is a vastly superior song (Kraig posted this demo <a href="http://sellthelie.blogspot.com/2008/02/augustana-can-love-can-hurt.html">some time ago, check it out</a>). I can't emphasize enough that you should check out the "Heart Shaped Gun" demo, it may be better than anything you hear on the album. Song #2, "I Still Ain't Over You," is not the strongest lyrically (seriously Dan, "back and forth, and side to side/right ain't wrong if wrong ain't right," what were you thinking?), and sounds like a watered down track from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Stars-Boulevards-Augustana/dp/B000AA300M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211157254&sr=1-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">All the Stars and Boulevards</span></a>.<br /><br />In the hole is the first single, "Sweet and Low," which, for lack of a better word, is tame. I liked it for the first few listens, but after a while the riff started to sound very monotonous and boring. "Twenty Years" sounds like a re-made "Boston" (or at least like a future-single that's going to be pushed as a 2nd "Boston"). It actually may be too slow in spots to be a pop single though (the listening public has a short attention span, this always must be taken into account). A couple filler tracks are stuffed right in the middle of the CD ("Meet You There" and "Fire"), with the latter being short, solo, and all piano. Perhaps I should be impressed with Dan Layus holding a note for a goodly amount of time, but it just didn't do it for me. I am a fan of the next song, "Either Way, I'll Break Your Heart Someday," for no reason in particular; it's some good alt-pop, I like it.<br /><br />"Dust" has some of the most interesting elements and probably the most feeling to be heard on the album. It starts out sounding alt-country, but fades to rock as the song progresses. It's very good, I definitely recommend a listen. "Rest, Shame, Love" is downright mellow and almost doesn't fit with the rest of the album. The closeout number, "Where Love Went Wrong," is excellent. More piano (noticing a trend yet?), but this song is very well done; it may be my favorite song on the album.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/EitherWay.mp3">Either Way, I'll Break Your Heart Someday</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/08%20Dust.mp3">Dust</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/10%20Where%20Love%20Went%20Wrong.mp3">Where Love Went Wrong</a><br /><br />Overall, I just didn't hear the passion (or the rock) that I heard throughout <a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Stars-Boulevards-Augustana/dp/B000AA300M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1211157254&sr=1-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">All the Stars and Boulevards</span></a> on this outing. It makes appearances in spots, but it just isn't sustained. I really wanted to like this album too. And the album does grow on you, but unfortunately not to the point that I think many are hoping for.<br /><br /><u>In Conclusion</u><br />-check out "<a href="http://sellthelie.blogspot.com/2008/02/augustana-can-love-can-hurt.html">Heart Shaped Gun</a>"<br />-damn, why couldn't the album be 10 "Heart Shaped Guns"?<br />-loads of piano<br />-too much pop, not enough rock (or alt-country)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sellthelie.blogspot.com/2008/01/album-reviews-rating-guide.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SDDIQgmtfoI/AAAAAAAAACs/SSzzyRkvqO8/s320/3star.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201877755568684674" border="0" /></a>Visit them: <a href="http://www.augustanamusic.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/augustana">Myspace</a><br />Buy some: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=Augustana">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=62450480">iTunes</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-75110770083736631422008-05-15T09:00:00.003-06:002008-06-08T03:03:49.541-06:00Six Pack of the Week - Grab Bag<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SCt5kAmtflI/AAAAAAAAACU/hvL7dAkZVEw/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SCt5kAmtflI/AAAAAAAAACU/hvL7dAkZVEw/s320/sixpack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200383854273986130" border="0" /></a>We had originally intended to do a six pack featuring really good songs from bands that otherwise suck. But as it turns out, those kinds of songs are hard to come by. I guess it makes sense, and, really, why would we want to make you listen to sucky bands? Instead here are some good songs that have been on our minds of late. Brock goes first this time, and let's all welcome him back to the land of the Internet.<br /><div> </div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Ben's Brother - Stuttering (Kiss Me Again)</strong></div><div> </div><br /><div>First off is a song I've been meaning to post for some time now. It's catchy stuff, and I can't help but sing along. I love the whole stuttering thing throughout the song. Check it out!</div><div> </div><br /><div>[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/stuttering.wma">Ben's Brother - Stuttering</a></div><div> </div><br /><div>The sites: <a href="http://www.bensbrother.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/bensbrothermusic">Myspace</a></div>The sounds: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=214047113">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beta-Male-Fairytales-Bens-Brother/dp/B000YFUIN0">Amazon</a><br /><div> </div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Ludo - Love Me Dead</strong></div><strong></strong><br /><div align="left">The vocals on this one kind of remind me of Max from Say Anything; intense and urgent. The lyrical content is Say Anything-ish, as well. It's a bizarre mix of romantic and morbid, and it totally works.</div><div align="left"> </div><br /><div align="left">[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/lovemedead.mp3">Ludo - Love Me Dead</a></div><div align="left"> </div><br />The sites: <a href="http://www.ludorock.com/">Official </a>| <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ludorock">Myspace</a><br /><div align="left">The sounds: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=5165285">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=ludo">Amazon</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kraig's Picks</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Damnwells - Kung Fu Grip Kiss</span><br /></div><br />I've been stuck on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Air-Stereo-Damnwells/dp/B000GFLE2W/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210825459&sr=8-1">Air Stereo</a> recently. Maybe there's just something about the warm, sunny weather that makes me yearn for the album, or maybe it's just some damn fine music. I think I'll go with the latter, though I do tend to listen to this one whenever I'm adventuring in the great outdoors.<br /><br />Kung Fu Grip Kiss has a rather silly name but don't be deceived, it's killer (not filler). If you enjoy some damn fine vocals, swelling horns and a catchy-as-hell hook (who DOESN'T??) then I recommend takin' a listen. This song will put a goofy smile on your face right when you hear those shiny horns take you halfway to funky town - guaransheed.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/kungfugripkiss.mp3">The Damnwells - Kung Fu Grip Kiss</a><br /><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.thedamnwells.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thedamnwells">Myspace</a><br />Buy their music: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=The%20Damnwells">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=6398222">iTunes</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arizona - Some Kind of Chill</span><br /></div><br />Ah, yet another band that finds itself in rather favorable position on my virtual iTunes chart due to the changing of the seasons. I'd imagine that Some Kind of Chill will somehow make it's way onto a summer playlist of mine in my golden years. I'd hope so anyways.<br /><br />Take a bit of folk and add some sunny back ground vocals with some smart instrumentation and you've got Arizona. I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't done so already.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/somekindofchill.mp3">Arizona - Some Kind of Chill</a><br /><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.arizonatheband.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/arizonatheband">Myspace</a><br />Buy their music: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Back-Dear-Children-Arizona/dp/B000QWBYDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210825335&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=48264071">iTunes</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stu's Two</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Shins - Sea Legs</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I keep wanting to call this song funky. I think it's because the bass line sets the tone, which usually results in a funky song. And yes, I absolutely loooove the bass. The other thing I enjoy about this song: it sounds nothing like what you'd expect from The Shins. You owe it to yourself to check this out, even if you're biased against these dudes.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/Sealegs.mp3">The Shins - Sea Legs</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Visit The Shins online: <a href="http://www.theshins.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theshins">Myspace</a><br />Buy some: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Shins/e/B000APOABA/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=3271784">iTunes</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Counting Crows - Anna Begins</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I listened to Anna Begins many, many times before I finally developed an appreciation for it. The first couple listens left me feeling generally...uneasy. Still, I gave it a listen every once in a while until one day it finally clicked. It really is an excellent blend of beat, instruments, and vocals to create a precise mood. I now love the repeating, "I am not worried, I am not overly concerned;" so basic, yet so effective. It's an oldie (from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/August-Everything-After-Counting-Crows/dp/B000003TAP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210852104&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">August and Everything After</span></a>), but always worth a listen.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/05%20Anna%20Begins.mp3">Counting Crows - Anna Begins</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=276357021&s=143441"></a>Visit Counting Crows online: <a href="http://www.countingcrows.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/countingcrows">Myspace</a><br />Buy some: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Saturday-Nights-Sunday-Mornings-Counting/dp/B000WMGDD4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1206838035&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=276357021&s=143441">iTunes</a><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07483752465392415644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-27875688741553263692008-05-11T22:00:00.001-06:002008-05-11T23:33:18.740-06:00Happy Mother's Day!So, my idea was to toss up some songs about Mom (since it's Mother's Day here in the U.S. and all). However, it turns out that there aren't a whole a lot of songs about Mothers. It's amazing, there are likely thousands of "yo mama" jokes, but seemingly only a handful of good Mama songs. For shame peoples of the world, for shame! Here's a couple of tunes that are kind of about Mom:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your Mother Should Know - The Beatles<br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SCfFmAmtfkI/AAAAAAAAACM/Z1918KdDKVE/s1600-h/beatles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SCfFmAmtfkI/AAAAAAAAACM/Z1918KdDKVE/s320/beatles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199341551610592834" border="0" /></a>Gotta love this song from the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Mystery-Tour-Beatles/dp/B000002UDB/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210561480&sr=8-1">Magical Mystery Tour</a>. Actually, gotta love the whole <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Mystery-Tour-Beatles/dp/B000002UDB/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210561480&sr=8-1">Magical Mystery Tour</a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span> album in general. If you decide to listen to this song with Mom, don't point out that "she was born a long, long time ago;" bad idea, doubly-so on Mother's Day.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/05%20Your%20Mother%20Should%20Know.mp3">The Beatles - Your Mother Should Know</a><br /><br />Buy some Beatles: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Beatles/e/B000APTK6K/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a><br />Visit the sites: <a href="http://www.beatles.com/core/home/">Official</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wouldn't Mama Be Proud - Elliott Smith<br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SCfFDwmtfjI/AAAAAAAAACE/I_101RFaDQw/s1600-h/elliott.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SCfFDwmtfjI/AAAAAAAAACE/I_101RFaDQw/s320/elliott.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199340963200073266" border="0" /></a>I may be completely wrong on this one (I tend to do that sometimes) but I've always thought this was a self-deprecating and sarcastic "wouldn't mama be proud." You know, like when you do something stupid and say to yourself, "sheesh, I'm glad mom's not here to see that!" Mom's a great teacher, follow her sage advice and remember to appreciate her the other 364 days of the year too.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/10%20Wouldnt%20Mama%20Be%20Proud.mp3">Elliott Smith - Wouldn't Mama Be Proud</a><br /><br />Buy some Elliott Smith: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elliott-Smith/e/B000AQ01VC/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=2893902">iTunes</a><br />Visit the sites: <a href="http://www.sweetadeline.net/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/elliottsmithnewmoon">Myspace</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-55072086389526358152008-05-08T16:50:00.003-06:002008-05-08T17:21:26.411-06:00Six Pack of the Week - Covers (Vol. II)<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/SB-rkMH7iUI/AAAAAAAAAM0/u2Y3PZuWJIA/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197061133226969410" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/SB-rkMH7iUI/AAAAAAAAAM0/u2Y3PZuWJIA/s320/sixpack.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ah, it's covers. I love covers. I'm not sure why I have such a fascination with one band playing another's music, but it always has (and always will) intrigue me. Sometimes they bring something new to the song or emphasize it in a way you never thought of it. Sometimes it's just really, really shitty. We'll try to avoid those ones. To start things off, I (Kraig) will take you out to Africa for my selections.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mysterious Ways - Angelique Kidjo (originally by U2)</span><br /></div><br />Both of the tracks I'm posting come from the album <span style="font-style: italic;">In the Name of Love</span>, which is more or less a tribute to U2. All of the tracks on the album are U2 songs performed by African bands/artists. As you can imagine, these often take off in directions you wouldn't normally find in your "typical" cover.<br /><br />I'm not going to pretend to be all knowing when it comes to the music you'll find on the album, but I recommend picking it up if you're into covers and/or if you're into U2. You'll certainly dig it if you listen to a bit of "world" music (whatever that means today).<br /><br />Anyways, this first track caught my ear and got my interest in the album. You'll recognize it as a cover, but it takes off with some different beats and splits out of English during the verses.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/mysteriousways.mp3">Mysterious Ways</a><br /><span id="formatbar_Buttons" style="display: block;"><span onmouseup="" class="on down" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" id="formatbar_CreateLink" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" title="Link" style="display: block;" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);"></span></span><br />Buy her music online: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=Angelique%20Kidjo">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=468296">iTunes</a><br />Visit her online: <a href="http://www.kidjo.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/angeliquekidjo">Myspace</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pride (In the Name of Love) - Soweto Gospel Choir (originally by U2)</span><br /></div><br />...and here we have another take on a U2 classic. Not much in the instrumental department, but it probably delivers the message at the heart of the song better than Bono could with his mates.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/pride.mp3">Pride (In the Name of Love)</a><br /><br />Buy some of their music online: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=The%20Soweto%20Gospel%20Choir">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=73704425">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.sowetogospelchoir.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=145182855">Myspace</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hard Sun - Eddie Vedder (Originally by Indio)</span><br /></div><br />I'm sure you all heard this blaring through sunroofs and fancy cars with tops down last summer/fall. It's still a regular on my playlists. I highly recommend listening to this one in headphones if you haven't yet.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/hardsun.mp3">Hard Sun</a><br /><br />Buy some Pearl Jam online: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Jam/e/B000AQ37PY/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=467464">iTunes</a><br />Visit PJ/Eddie online: <a href="http://www.pearljam.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/pearljam">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br />Back to the album - I recommend picking it up if for nothing else than to expose yourself to some music you wouldn't normally listen to. Since it's a cover album it's a bit easier to step into the "world" music genre because you'll already know the songs. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Name-Love-Africa-Celebrates-U2/dp/B0013PVGL8/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210035912&sr=8-1">Check it out here</a> on Amazon, visit the official page (with streams) <a href="http://www.africacelebratesu2.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Stu's:<br /><br />Africa - Howie Day (Toto cover)(Live)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of Africa...Howie Day does a pretty awesome cover of Africa. This version is from his <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/hday2001-04-21.sr77.shnf">4-21-01</a> show, and you should probably go pick up the whole show for FREE from <a href="http://www.archive.org/index.php">archive.org</a>. You can't argue with free!<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/Africa.mp3">Howie Day - Africa</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">All Along the Watchtower - Howie Day (Bob Dylan cover)(Live)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Back in the days before <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stop-All-World-Now-Howie/dp/B0006A9GO0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1210102917&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Stop All The World Now</span></a>, it used to be a pretty popular thing to go to Howie Day shows and yell, "FORTY-ONE!!!" at him. I'm not sure why, I've heard his cover of #41 (originally by the Dave Matthews Band) and it never really jumped out at me. At least it didn't jump out at me like this cover of a cover (supposedly Howie covers this like DMB covers it, therefore cover-of-a-cover). Truth be told, this is the first Howie Day song I ever heard. It's an interesting first song to hear, mostly because you aren't expecting the raw emotion and passion (or the excellent screaming). This one's from his <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/hday1999-07-20.shn">7-20-9</a><a href="http://www.archive.org/details/hday1999-07-20.shn">9</a> show, which is also free at <a href="http://www.archive.org/index.php">archive.org</a>.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/Watchtower.mp3">Howie Day - All Along the Watchtower</a><br /><br />Buy some Howie Day: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Howie-Day/e/B000APQHFC/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=1559474">iTunes</a><br />Visit him online: <a href="http://www.howieday.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/howieday">Myspace</a> | <a href="http://howiedaytradingboard.yuku.com/">theHDTB</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Splendid Isolation - Pete Yorn (Warren Zevon cover)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This cover comes straight from Petey's most recent album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Nightcrawler</span>. Originally by Warren Zevon, Pete's take on Splendid Isolation is very well done (I'm a fan of the harmonica work myself). Incidentally, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splendid_isolation">splendid isolation</a> is also a foreign policy pursued by Britain during the late 19th century. So ya, now you know that.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/09%20Splendid%20Isolation.mp3">Pete Yorn - Splendid Isolation</a><br /><br />Buy some Pete Yorn: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Yorn/e/B000AQTG9K/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=539139">iTunes</a><br />Visit him online: <a href="http://www.peteyorn.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/peteyorn">Myspace</a><br /><br />No picks from Brock this week kiddies, he's internet-less right now (hence the lack of Brockness lately). Hopefully he'll get that resolved soon. We're missing a certain dash of Lurp 'round these parts...<br /></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div></div></div></div>Kraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05665150244894868893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-23436279283658752392008-04-30T20:22:00.001-06:002008-04-30T22:48:37.037-06:00Six Pack of the Week - City Central<div align="left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SA20Q5vgFsI/AAAAAAAAABU/4moMDVW6jVU/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192004147899012802" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SA20Q5vgFsI/AAAAAAAAABU/4moMDVW6jVU/s320/sixpack.jpg" border="0" /></a>So I'm sure everyone can think of some song by their favorite band that's about (or just named after) a city. Yeah, there sure are a lot of them. I like to think they're written for some reason other than to get a loud "Whooo" (or "woot" if you prefer) when they play them for said city, but I think I'm just lying to myself. It's sad really, lying to yourself. Anyway, this week's six pack is songs about cities. Stu's going first this time, let's see how long it takes me to screw this up:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sufjan Stevens - Chicago</span> </div><br />This song will one day go in my series of "listen-to-this-song-if-someone-recommends-this-artist's-music-to -you-and-doesn't-tell-you-what-to-listen-to." And I may have to consider a name change for said series. People always say to me, "hey, hot stuff, you should listen to such-and-such band/singer," but they never tell me <span style="font-style: italic;">what </span>to listen to! This is usually somewhat infuriating. This was once again the case with Sufjan. Finally, after sifting through half a billion chirpy-bird songs, I found Chicago. I think it's a good Intro to Sufjan song.<br /><br />I've been trying to think of the right descriptor word to explain his music, and I think I'm going to go with complex. He adds in a lot of different elements and it seems like you need to start by listening to some of his more "basic" songs before you can appreciate the rest of 'em. And now, crap, I'm going to screw up this six-pack at the very start by making it a 7-pack! Jacksonville is too good (and also too named after a city) to be left out of this one. So this is a two-fer.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/09%20Chicago.mp3">Sufjan Stevens - Chicago</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/05%20Jacksonville.mp3">Sufjan Stevens - Jacksonville</a><br /><br />Buy some Sufjan (pronounced Soof-Yawn): <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sufjan-Stevens/e/B000APT3D0/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=4273404">iTunes</a><br />Visit his sites: <a href="http://www.sufjan.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/illinoiseispretty">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Stills - Of Montreal</span><br /></div><br />If your first instinct was to ask, "are these guys Canadian?" then you, sir or madam, would be good at a little game I like to call, umm, Name Their Heritage. 100 points to you, Huzzah! If that was not your first instinct, shame on you, it's right in the title and everything! Try to try a little harder next time, will you?<br /><br />Seriously though, if you've never heard of The Stills then you should at least hear of them long enough to listen to their debut album, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Logic-Will-Break-Your-Heart/dp/B0000D9PI4/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208860273&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Logic Will Break Your Heart</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;">;</span> if you don't like them after that, then perhaps rock music just isn't for you! Ha, I jest of course, but it is definitely an album I'm glad I have, and when it gets to that point you've pretty much got to recommend it to whomever crosses your path. Take Of Montreal as an example: I never would've thought that I'd be hyping a song where a dude sings about what's turning him on, but there ya go, I just did. Crazy talk!<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/05%20Of%20Montreal.mp3">The Stills - Of Montreal</a><br /><br />Buy some music by The Stills: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=The+Stills&x=0&y=0">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=3334726">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.thestills.net/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thestills">Myspace</a><br /><br /><span id="formatbar_Buttons" style="display: block;"><span onmouseup="" class="on down" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" id="formatbar_CreateLink" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" title="Link" style="display: block;" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kraig's Picks:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Collective Soul - Over Tokyo</span><br /></div><br />I'm bringin' this baby out of the states and into the Far East! This is by far the best track (and probably the only track worth mentioning) from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blender-Collective-Soul/dp/B00004YMJQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208875397&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Blender</span>.</a> Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it's actually a reworking of a much older song that Ed did on his solo album? Yeah, probably. I've included the totally 80's version from Ed' solo album, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ed-E-Roland/dp/B000005IJY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208875326&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ed E Roland</span></a>, just for kicks.<br /><br />PS: Anyone have a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ed-E-Roland/dp/B000005IJY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208875326&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ed E Roland</span></a>? I only have this track and I'm wondering if it's worth picking up...<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/overtokyo.mp3">Collective Soul - Over Tokyo</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/edetokyo.mp3">Ed E Roland - Over Tokyo</a><br /><br />Buy some Collective Soul: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Collective-Soul/e/B000ARC4RK/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=146191">iTunes</a><br />Visit them Online: <a href="http://www.collectivesoul.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/collectivesoul">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan Adams - New York, New York (live)</span><br /></div><br />I know this makes me a square, but I had never heard of Ryan Adams until New York, New York smacked me upside the head. Ryan is one of my favorite artists so this song has a special place in my heart since it was my introduction to Mr. Adams. This version is from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Loft Sessions</span> and it's a completely different beast than the original - much more bluesy.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/newyorknewyork.mp3">Ryan Adams - New York, New York (live)</a><br /><br />Buy some Ryan Adams: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ryan-Adams/e/B000APNYSU/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=1010602">iTunes</a><br />Visit him online: <a href="http://www.ryan-adams.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ryanadams">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Brock's Picks</strong></div><strong></strong><br />As I was searching through my music collection, I realized we could very easily do a "Songs About New York and Los Angeles" six-pack. In all actuality, we could just as easily do a "Songs About Los Angeles by Counting Crows" six-pack. That being said, the following songs are not about Los Angeles...<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Stereo - Have I Paid My Debt to Minneapolis?</strong></div><strong></strong><br />Okay, you're right, this song does mention Los Angeles. But it's not really about LA! The Stereo is a cool little pop-rock band that sort of paved the way for the pop-punk bands on the Fueled by Ramen label. So, depending on your view of that whole musical movement, sorry...? But this song is an excellent example of the clever lyrics and catchy songwriting typical of The Stereo.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/minneapolis.mp3">The Stereo - Have I Paid My Debt to Minneapolis?</a><br /><br />The Site: <a href="http://www.fueledbyramen.com/bands/index.php?id=13">Label(old)</a> | <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fueled_by_Ramen">Wikipedia</a><br />The Sounds: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=4620066">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=the+stereo">Amazon </a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;" align="left"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beirut - Nantes</span></div><br />When Stu first posted about Beirut, I braced myself for some sissy-la-la Frenchy music. I was sorely mistaken, my friends. There is simply nothing sissy or la-la about it, just good times folk-pop music. Hopefully you've already checked out the music video, and if you haven't purchased The Flying Club Cup you should do yourself a favor and purchase it. (By the way, Nantes is a city in France.)<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/nantes.mp3">Beirut - Nantes</a><br /><br />The sites: <a href="http://www.beirutband.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/beruit">Myspace</a></div><div align="left">The sounds: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=139266387">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s.html/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sq?ie=UTF8&keywords=beirut&index=blended&pf_rd_p=304485901&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000UJ48XG&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0N2S22GTR1TWBAQF60NG">Amazon</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-44258882290276223682008-04-24T18:53:00.010-06:002008-05-16T13:29:23.294-06:00The Zutons - You Can Do Anything (6/2/08)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SBEuzJvgFtI/AAAAAAAAABc/txonwMDSldY/s1600-h/thezutons2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SBEuzJvgFtI/AAAAAAAAABc/txonwMDSldY/s320/thezutons2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192983301658253010" border="0" /></a>All ya'll that are excited for the Zutons new album (like moi) will be even more excited to hear that it's due on June 2. It's called <span style="font-style: italic;">You Can Do Anything</span>, and should be downright incredible if the single, Always Right Behind You, is any indication.<br /><br />Speaking of the single, I must say it's catchy as the dickens! Stong words, I know, but it's true. This one features some excellent saxomophoning, very nice drumming, and rockin' guitar work and singing; in other words, nothing less than what you'd expect from The Zutons!<br /><br />I always end up telling stories about when and where we first saw a band, and this time will be no exception. The first time we saw (and heard of) The Zutons they were opening up for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gomez/e/B000APL98W/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Gomez</a>, and on tour for their first album, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Who-Killed-Zutons/dp/B00064ADWU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1209086916&sr=8-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">Who Killed...... The Zutons?</span></a> Let's just say we were satisfied we'd gotten our money's worth before Gomez had even come on.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update 5/16: File removed. Sorry kiddies.</span><br /><br />[mp3] <span style="text-decoration: line-through;"> Always Right Behind You </span><br /><br />Pre-order the CD Single: <a href="http://columbia.trinitystreetdirect.com/store/page4.asp?suptype=1&t=1&sub_type=1&prod_id=919&col=30">Columbia</a><br /><br />Buy more music by The Zutons: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=The%20Zutons">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=14864410">iTunes</a><br />Visit the sites: <a href="http://www.thezutons.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thezutons">Myspace</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-73703351051325287292008-04-20T15:15:00.000-06:002008-04-20T15:16:11.586-06:00Jimmy Eat World @ McKay Events Center, Orem (4/14/08)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SAh94KQP1NI/AAAAAAAAABM/UyDQZM9G6BI/s1600-h/Artist-88301-2243012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/SAh94KQP1NI/AAAAAAAAABM/UyDQZM9G6BI/s400/Artist-88301-2243012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190536974323143890" border="0" /></a>Yeah, so it turns out one of us should probably invest in a decent camera since we've gone to a couple shows in a row and came out with no pictures, sorry!<br /><br />Also, this show review comes pre-packaged with a crazy story, enjoy!: Ok, so to get from my town to the area where we see most of our concerts, one must drive over some mountains (takes about 30 minutes) then drive an additional hour and 20 minutes over fairly flat terrain. Me and a friend hopped into my rickety old car and began our journey. We had just made it over the mountains when my car started making what I can only describe as a "death rattle." We pulled over and had a look, and the fly wheel (which is apparently what they call the top wheel that runs your belts) looked like it was trying to escape. Since neither of us wanted a fly wheel to the forehead, and in order not to risk getting stuck even farther away from home, we made the distress call to our parents. Lame, I know. Turns out we aren't hardcore, and also can't fix cars. Longish story short, after having our manhood's revoked, we were back on our way to the concert an hour or so later in my friend's car.<br /><br />The very unfortunate part of this story (besides the untold amount of money my car is going to cost to fix) is that this 1+ hour delay caused us to miss Dear and the Headlights entire set! Sad times were had by us. Luckily (some might say, I wouldn't) we were able to see almost all of Paramore's set.<br /><br />In case you didn't catch that, I'm not really a Paramore fan. I think they may be just a bit too punk for me. I will say that their lead vocalist, Hayley Williams, brought a lot of energy and had pretty good stage presence. The rest of the band just seemed to be...there, for the most part. They played their parts, did their choreographed rock-out moves, but really didn't bring much else.<br /><br />Jimmy Eat World came out with energy, feeling, and passion, and played a pretty awesome set. They opened with Big Casino, closed the encore with The Middle, and played a very good mix of songs in between. I expected to get a heavy dose of their newest album, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Chase-This-Light-Jimmy-World/dp/B000VQW7OK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208444472&sr=8-1">Chase This Light</a>, but was delightfully surprised to hear many of their older gems. They played 3 from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clarity-Expanded-Jimmy-Eat-World/dp/B000ROAK9U/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208444838&sr=8-5"><span style="font-style: italic;">Clarity</span></a> (Crush, Blister, Your New Aesthetic), a surprising 1 from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Static-Prevails-Expanded-Jimmy-World/dp/B000ROAK9K/ref=pd_bbs_11?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208444838&sr=8-11"><span style="font-style: italic;">Static Prevails</span></a> (Thinking That's All), and about 5 each from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chase-This-Light-Jimmy-World/dp/B000VQW7OK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208444838&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Chase This Light</span></a> (Big Casino, Always Be, Dizzy, Here It Goes, Let It Happen), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Eat-World/dp/B00005MHQO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208444838&sr=8-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bleed American</span></a> (Bleed American, Sweetness, A Praise Chorus, The Middle, Hear You Me), and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Futures-Jimmy-Eat-World/dp/B00061H2JU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208444838&sr=8-3"><span style="font-style: italic;">Futures</span></a> (Kill, Futures, Just Tonight..., Work, Pain). Highlights for me were Hear You Me, the first song played in the encore, which sounded really beautiful and heartfelt, and Crush, one of my favorite Jimmy songs. Take a listen to the cd versions:<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/06%20Crush.mp3">Jimmy Eat World - Crush</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/06%20Hear%20You%20Me.mp3">Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me</a><br /><br />Don't expect this every time, but I've just decided to do a full review on this one! "<span style="font-style: italic;">What the hell does that mean?</span>" you ask? Well, that means I shall even give my critique of the sound and lighting (crazy, I know). Unfortunately, I gotta give the soundboard dude a thumbs down. It seemed like the strategy was: the best way to balance the instruments is to turn them all up to 11. This made for a very loud Jimmy set, but I thought it hurt Paramore the most: almost all their songs sounded the same. And no, that's not a veiled shot at Paramore and/or punk, I've heard their stuff before and know that not all their songs sound the same. I know it's gotta be hard to get the sound right in an arena/stadium, but I expected better.<br /><br />The lighting guy (not to be confused with the lightning guy) did a pretty great job. I almost want to say that the fact that I noticed the lighting at all must mean that the guy is doing something right, but it was definitely more than that. In some songs (notably Bleed American) the lights switched with the chord changes, which was very pleasing to the eye. Hear You Me featured heavenly lighting and spotlights, which worked incredibly well. It seemed like he went a little crazy with strobe lights during a couple songs, but all in all it was a pretty solid effort. Oh, and for those of you who like to play Jimmy Eat World trivia, lead singer Jim Adkins remarked during the show that the lighting guy used to live in Salt Lake City. That bit of knowledge would probably be somewhat more useful if I could remember his name...<br /><br />Buy some Jimmy Eat World: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Eat-World/e/B000APZW6M/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=3446973">iTunes</a><br />Visit the sites: <a href="http://www.jimmyeatworld.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jimmyeatworld">Myspace</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-61169671349354942342008-04-17T09:45:00.000-06:002008-04-17T09:45:48.886-06:00Six Pack of the Week - Rainy Day Tunes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/SAU8r4mHIfI/AAAAAAAAALs/HBSh0wu7ZBw/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189620870238642674" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/SAU8r4mHIfI/AAAAAAAAALs/HBSh0wu7ZBw/s320/sixpack.jpg" border="0" /></a>The month of April and rain are nearly synonymous in the north-western hemisphere of the world. Since that's where I live those are the lamentations you shall hear today.<br /><br />It rained (and snowed) today in the little place I call home and I'm sure it will keep on raining through the end of the month. And then stop. Forever. Because I live in a desert.<br /><br />We've got some tunes to get your drenched and dreary soul through the day. First off, my (Kraig) picks:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Beatles - Rain</span><br /></div><br />Oh, The Beatles. They're either the greatest thing since sliced bread or the most over-hyped band that's ever graced the planet depending on your stance. Regardless of whether you like them or not, most people seem to agree on the overwhelming influence The Beatles have had on popular music over the past 40 years. "Rain" is a shining example of why they were such a revolutionary band.<br /><br />The song features the best drum fills Ringo has made this side of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Abbey-Road-Beatles/dp/B000002UB3/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208305963&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Abbey Road</span></a>, some of the sweetest tone to be heard at the time on the bass, a collection of the first real "psychedelic" lyrics John brought our way - not to mention the fact that we're hearing the first implementation of a backwards track when John's vocals reverse right before it starts to fade out. Really, The Beatles don't get much better than this. And it's a b-side?? Seriously - there's <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> few tracks I hold in this high of a regard and it's not even an a-side single. Crazy. Oh, and it's about rain (<a href="http://oldies.about.com/od/thebeatlessongs/a/rain.htm">well, probably</a>) if you didn't guess.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/Rain.mp3">The Beatles - Rain</a><br /><br />Buy some music from The Beatles: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Beatles/e/B000APTK6K/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pearl Jam - Wash</span><br /></div><br />This song has more to do with "washing away" then rain, but there's a heavy dose of precipitation imagery involved throughout. When I hear this I can always see Eddie screaming to the skies to open themselves up as the song closes out - a lot of passion there. I was a bit surprised that they were able to retain the original grit when this was re-recorded for <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Dogs-Pearl-Jam/dp/B0000DYJM6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208314760&sr=8-1">Lost Dogs</a> a few years ago. I've posted the most recent version, but <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/wash1.mp3">the original</a> is quite epic as well.<br /><br />The most important thing here is that I get to hype my two favorite bands in the same post for songs they aren't well known for. How often does that happen?<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/wash.mp3">Pearl Jam - Wash</a><br /><br />Buy some Pearl Jam: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Jam/e/B000AQ37PY/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=467464">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.pearljam.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/pearljam">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stu's:</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Collective Soul - She Gathers Rain</span><br /></div><br />I once asked Kraig if this song was about a fat chick. It makes sense, doesn't it? If she's gathering rain, she must be a pretty big girl. Pretty self-explanatory to me, but I think it came at Kraig completely out of left field.<br /><br />I was never very fond of this song until I had the privilege to hear it live. A couple years ago CSoul came to Boise, Idaho, and played at the Idaho State Fair (of all places!), and we (Kraig, Brock, myself, and some friends) decided this was too good an opportunity to pass up. We all squeezed in a tiny car and drove the 4-5 hour trip up to Boise. The song wasn't any different at the show, but for some reason the hook just sounded soooo good live. Now She Gathers Rain is one of the songs I think of when I think Collective Soul. Oh, and it also has the rain theme we're featuring this week. Ya, nice.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/08%20She%20Gathers%20Rain.mp3">Collective Soul - She Gathers Rain</a><br /><br />Buy some Collective Soul: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Collective-Soul/e/B000ARC4RK/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=146191">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.collectivesoul.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/collectivesoul">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Adam Elk - It's Raining In Here</span><br /></div><br />I don't really feel qualified to talk about Adam Elk (as I know incredibly little about him, besides that he's an ex-member of the Mommyheads), but I knew I had to include this track in our rainy day list. Elk brings the funk and, wow, is it good. That's some good funk right there. A couple years ago I wasn't a fan of the funk, but I credit many of the tracks on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Labello-Adam-Elk/dp/B00000IBK7/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208327077&sr=8-12"><span style="font-style: italic;">Labello</span></a> to bringing me over to the funk side.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/06%20It%27s%20Raining%20In%20Here.mp3">Adam Elk - It's Raining In Here</a><br /><br />Buy some Adam Elk: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adam-Elk/e/B000APKSKC/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=14138100">iTunes</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Brock's Songs</strong><br /></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Apples in Stereo - The Rainbow</strong><br /></div><div></div><br /><div align="left">This is a song that's ostensibly about rain, but in a happy way! The Apples in Stereo can't really help but make you happy, with such a excellent mix of quasi-psychadelic, 60's-style sugary sweet pop. Check it out!<br /></div><br /><div align="left">[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/TheRainbow.mp3">The Apples in Stereo - The Rainbow</a><br /></div><br /><div align="left"></div>The sites: <a href="http://www.applesinstereo.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theapplesinstereo">Myspace</a><br /><div align="left">The sounds: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=2729853">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s.html/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sq?ie=UTF8&keywords=apples%20in%20stereo&index=blended&pf_rd_p=304485901&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000JRYO9C&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0RVDNZRQRW9DCGKYHMSH">Amazon</a></div><div align="left"> </div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><strong>The Jayhawks - Save It For a Rainy Day<br /><br /></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="left">If you don't own the album <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rainy-Day-Music-Jayhawks/dp/B00008NRLX">Rainy Day Music</a></em> by the Jayhawks, you're missing out on a modern masterpiece. It's fantastic alt.country that evokes early Beatles and has some of the greatest vocal harmonies around. The Jayhawks are currently <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayhawks_%28band%29">on hiatus</a>, which fills me with some rain-soaked sadness.</div><div align="left"> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/SaveItForARainyDay.mp3">The Jayhawks - Save It For a Rainy Day</a></div><div align="left"> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The sites: <a href="http://www.jayhawksfanpage.com/">Fansite</a><br /></div><div align="left">The sounds: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=1587874">iTunes</a></div>Kraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05665150244894868893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-47429172350762968302008-04-10T13:45:00.003-06:002008-04-17T23:03:43.291-06:00Six Pack of the Week - Bonus Tracks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R_vfalS2N5I/AAAAAAAAALc/9uyqRIRqBeY/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186985043628013458" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R_vfalS2N5I/AAAAAAAAALc/9uyqRIRqBeY/s320/sixpack.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sometimes 12 songs just isn't enough. Sometimes, you're just listening along to a new cd, and that last song ends, but it doesn't <em>end</em>. Or sometimes it'll just be an extra track thrown your way, as a very special thank you for buying the cd. You'd better buckle up, because you've entered the realm of bonus tracks, baby. I (Brock) will go first this time around.<br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Damnwells - Air Stereo</strong></div><strong></strong><br /><div align="left"><em>Air Stereo</em> is hands down one of my favorite albums. "Accidental Man," "I've Got You," and "I Am a Leaver," just to name a few incredible tracks. Why they chose the title track as a bonus track is beyond me, but I'm more than willing to accept an odd decision with such a good album. </div><br /><div align="left">[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/14%20Air%20Stereo%20%28Bonus%20Track%29.mp3">The Damnwells - Air Stereo</a><br /></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Buy some Damnwells: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=6398222">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=The%20Damnwells">Amazon</a></div><div align="left">Visit the site: <a href="http://www.thedamnwells.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thedamnwells">Myspace</a></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Jack's Mannequin - Into the Airwaves</strong><br /></div><strong></strong><br /><div align="left"></div><em>Everything in Transit</em> is the (so far) only album from the former frontman for Something Corporate, and it's a great record. It "ends" with a song called "M.F.E.O./You Can Breathe" that is a giant run-on sentence of beautiful pop-punk-piano songwriting. Then there's a little spoken thing about the end of the record, and how there won't be another record for a while because of laziness. Then "Into the Airwaves" starts up, right out of nowhere. <div></div><br />[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1652177_yh4n3/11%20Into%20the%20Airwaves%20%5B_%5D.mp3">Jack's Mannequin - Into the Airwaves </a><br /><div></div><br /><div align="left">Buy some Jack's Mannequin: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=74214170">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=Jack%27s%20Mannequin">Amazon</a></div><div align="left">Visit the websites: <a href="http://www.jacksmannequin.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jacksmannequin">Myspace</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;" align="left"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kraig's Picks</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Counting Crows - Sunday Morning L.A.</span><br /></div><br /><div align="left">Brock and I <a href="http://sellthelie.blogspot.com/2008/03/review-saturday-nights-and-sunday_25.html">recently reviewed <span style="font-style: italic;">Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings</span></a>, Counting Crows' latest release. While we were slightly disappointed with the album itself, we didn't directly address the bonus tracks that came with an iTunes purchase of the album.<br /><br />Strangely enough, Counting Crows followed in the footsteps they themselves set in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-Desert-Life-Counting-Crows/dp/B00002JXF8/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207688880&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">This Desert Life</span></a> by keeping some of the best work off of the proper album, instead saving it for a bonus track. Similar to "Kid Things" from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-Desert-Life-Counting-Crows/dp/B00002JXF8/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207688880&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">This Desert Life</span></a>, "Sunday Morning L.A." is a very strong track - which further boggles my mind as to why it couldn't make the cut over some of the other duds that did.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/sundaymorningla.mp3">Sunday Morning L.A.</a><br /><br />Buy some Counting Crows: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Saturday-Nights-Sunday-Mornings-Counting/dp/B000WMGDD4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1206838035&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=276357021&s=143441">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.countingcrows.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/countingcrows">Myspace</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" align="left">Howie Day - So, Goodbye<br /></div><br /><div align="left">As I discussed in <a href="http://sellthelie.blogspot.com/2008/02/howie-day-everyone-loves-to-love-lie.html">a previous post</a>, Howie Day's post <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Australia-Howie-Day/dp/B000068CZN/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1204043163&sr=8-6"><span style="font-style: italic;">Australia</span></a> career has left me wanting a bit more. <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stop-All-World-Now-Howie/dp/B0000BYM3J/ref=m_art_li_2">Stop All The Wold Now</a> </span>was a fair album (on a good day) with a few strong tracks and a lot of songs that were trying too hard to hit top 40 radio. It seemed almost like Howie was trying to distance himself from the sound he created on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Australia-Howie-Day/dp/B000068CZN/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1204043163&sr=8-6"><span style="font-style: italic;">Australia</span>.</a><br /></div><div align="left"><br />That, in itself, was probably the reason I fell hard for the bonus tracks that popped up in the Special Edition releases and on the Japanese release. These tracks had more passion and depth then the rest of the album - it was Howie, not some cheap TRL clone! Not surprisingly, my favorite cuts from the album ended up being "bonus tracks". Most were included after-the-fact on import or special editions, including this one, "So, Goodbye".<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/sogoodbye.mp3">So, Goodbye</a><br /><br />Buy some Howie Day: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Howie-Day/artist/B000APQHFC/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel/104-7764737-8319116">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=1559474">iTunes</a><br />Visit Howie online: <a href="http://www.howieday.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/howieday">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stu's Two</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">First, I just want to say that Brock stole one of my bonus tracks, that dirty sneak! But I will echo his sentiments on The Damnwells - Air Stereo; most days I feel like this is the best song on the album. Usually on those days Kraig calls me an idiot, but I shall continue to stick to my crazy notions and opinions!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pete Yorn - Go With It</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Back when Pete released <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nightcrawler-Pete-Yorn/dp/B000GG4RPC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207714335&sr=8-2"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nightcrawler</span></a> either his label, his management or the man himself decided that, in order to better promote the record, they should throw out a bunch 'o bonus tracks that were "exclusive" to different stores. This meant that you got different bonus tracks if you bought <span style="font-style: italic;">Nightcrawler </span>from Circuit City rather than from Best Buy or iTunes, and vice versa. (Pete talks about it in an old interview with <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2006/09/an_interview_wi_12.html#more">BrooklynVegan</a>)<br /><br />On one hand, it was nice that all these new Pete Yorn tracks were being released. On the other, it made the couple days after the album was released quite hectic while we were trying to round up all the bonus tracks. (Check out these old posts from <a href="http://fuelfriends.blogspot.com/2006/09/pete-yorn-nightcrawler-bonus-tracks.html">Heather</a> and <a href="http://vedderfreak12.blogspot.com/2006/09/more-b-sides-and-some-yorn.html">Bryce</a> for most of 'em). Go With It is the most rockin' of the bonus tracks, and probably should've been put in the meaty part of the CD instead of being an iTunes-only song.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/15%20Go%20With%20It.mp3">Pete Yorn - Go With It</a><br /><br />Buy some Pete Yorn: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Yorn/e/B000AQTG9K/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=539139">iTunes</a><br />Visit him online: <a href="http://www.peteyorn.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/peteyorn">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sense Field - The Horse Is Alive</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So I think the story goes that one day Kraig was browsing around in our local independent music store (which, sadly, no longer exists), and randomly found Sense Field's <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Outside-Sense-Field/dp/B0000A0WKB/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207714386&sr=1-2">Living Outside</a> </span>and picked it up on a whim. I managed to get a hold of it ('cause that's what happens when you live with a dude), and it didn't leave my grasp for quite a while.<br /><br />It makes me sad that these guys broke up, <span style="font-style: italic;">Living Outside</span> was downright awesome. Powerful vocals, great keys, nice drummin' and strummin'; it's very good stuff! And The Horse Is Alive is one of the best types of bonus tracks: the hidden ones. I hate when they call a song a "bonus track" when it's got its own track break. That's too easy! Your bonus should come after much hard work and due diligence (like fast forwarding for like a minute 'til you're at the exact right moment where the bonus track starts). Yeah, that's what it should be. Anyway, I figure most of you don't want to fast forward through a bunch of silence, so I cut the bonus track out of the nearly 11 minute final track. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/12%20The%20Horse%20Is%20Alive.mp3">Sense Field - The Horse Is Alive</a><br /><br />Buy some Sense Field: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sense-Field/e/B000AQ0IQA/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=497079">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sensefield">Myspace (tribute page)</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div></div><br /><em>Bonus Tracks:</em> Now what would a six-pack about bonus tracks be without some bonus tracks? Unless you pre-ordered the deluxe version of Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings, you probably didn't get these songs. I don't think that's terribly fair, so here are two <em>bonus</em> bonus tracks (along with my apologies for the delayed post [Brock's fault]):</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1652150_bbki5/01%20There%20Goes%20Everything%20%28Pre-Order.mp3">Counting Crows - There Goes Everything</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1652154_xpekz/02%20Come%20Around%20%28Acoustic%20Version%29%20%5BP.mp3">Counting Crows - Come Around (Acoustic)</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07483752465392415644noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-64227751762605694182008-04-08T10:54:00.002-06:002008-04-08T16:46:41.838-06:00Interview: Dan Wilson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R_ujJ1S2N4I/AAAAAAAAALQ/nBQRfMBpx2k/s1600-h/dan-wilson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R_ujJ1S2N4I/AAAAAAAAALQ/nBQRfMBpx2k/s320/dan-wilson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186918785167538050" border="0" /></a><br />Prior to Saturday's Hotel Cafe Tour at the Avalon Theater, Stu and I had a chance to sit down and chat for a few minutes with Dan Wilson. For those of you unfamiliar with Dan's work, he's the lead singer of the 90's alternative band, Semisonic (and Trip Shakespeare). He has also produced a number of albums in the recent past, including Mike Doughty's Golden Delicious and Absentstar's Sea Trials. He also co-wrote a grammy winning song with the Dixie Chicks!<br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><br />The only real downfall to the experience was that my damn camera decided to die, so no photos.<br /><br />Obviously, we were quite thrilled with the opportunity to speak with Dan. Hope you enjoy it!<br /><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Well, I guess let’s get this thing started! I got a hold of a couple of albums you’ve been producing recently: Mike Doughty’s Golden Delicious and Absentstar’s Sea Trials. I know you’ve done some work in bands with Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic and now your solo work but I don’t really know how you got into the production side of things - how did that all work out?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">It was kind of ass-backwards, actually. I had this idea that, not like an original idea but a notion, that I wanted to be writing songs for other people’s records. I had this idea in about 1998. I suddenly started telling people “I wanna write with other people, I wanna put my songs on other people’s records”, because I always had all these extra songs. </span><br /><br />You know, if you’re in a band you get to put out 12 songs every two years - maybe. Maybe a couple of b-sides. If you’re prolific (which I was really trying to be prolific at the time) it’s frustrating to have this limited number of slots. It’s like one song every two months is how it works out. So I was noisily telling people that I wanted to write for other people’s albums.<br /><br />As I was doing that I started to write with other people I found that the music business people would be very literal about the demos I’d give them. They’d say “yeah, we were kind of hoping for something with drums” And in my mind I’d think “Yeah, you could probably put drums with this and it would be really great. That’s how it always works, you sing the song and then the drummer plays.” I learned after talking to people and laughing about it with my friends, was that you had to make a demo that would sound like the record - then they could copy it exactly and then it would get released. So, I realized that to be this “songwriter to the world” I’d have to learn how to produce albums.<br /><br />So then I went to Sweden and Norway and I worked with some amazing producers there. Since they were “digital world” producers they were very open with their tricks. Analog engineers and producers are very secretive it’s kind of a “I have a little box under the table, you can’t see it” type of a thing. Computer culture is all about “information is free” and I’ll just tell you how to do it - so everyone just taught me how to do it. I went around for about a year - I went to England and I want to CA for a while. I made demos and wrote songs with people and learned how to do it. So the next time I started writing songs with people, like Mike Doughty, I would say, “Okay, let’s make a version so you know what it’s going to be like”. With Mike, when he and I wrote together we wrote “American Car” and “Your Misfortune” and those demos are basically what’s on the album. We added a few things, but once we did those couple of tracks, Mike was saying “Why don’t I just have you produce the record? This could be pretty simple”. So, it’s kind of ass-backwards but that was how it happened.<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> That’s kind of funny because I remember following Semisonic for a while and all of sudden Semisonic wasn’t doing a lot, then out of the blue I’d see a Dan Wilson produced album!</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">It was funny, all 3 of us in the band, we took our last recording with MCA - we didn’t know it would be the last recording, but it turned out to be the last recording -“All About Chemistry”. We really just turned that into a playground and learned how to make a record. We were really hands on because they were too sterile or not lively enough. We learned a lot about how to make sure it still feels lively.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Yeah, it’s definitely an art</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br />Dan:</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"> Well, it’s not for everybody either.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Stu:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"> I know you won the grammy last year - congratulations on that. I was wondering, when you’re writing for someone else do you write a song with someone to sing it in mind or do you just write a song and think “maybe these guys” afterwards?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan:</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"> Well I’ve actually done it both ways and it turns out that currently my favorite thing is to get together with someone and write with them. I’ve found that when I’m writing for someone else I </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: 0em;">really</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"> want it to sound like them. i want it to sound like their concerns and their phrasing and their attitude about the world. I think if I just wrote a song on my own and sent it, it would work, but to me it’s more fun to be the guy who’s gently helping the person to achieve their own idea of a what a song should be. I especially think for me that it’s okay to do now because I can make my own records and stand on stage and have an audience, so I have my own outlet. When I go in to collaborate with someone else I can be in a really, really helpful, low ego mode. Which is fun, you know - less stress.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Kraig:</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Here’s a random question for you! Outside the venue here we noticed that there’s a handful of Canucks out there. They traveled 14 hours to get here. I guess this is the closest you’ve come to Calgary on the tour. Do you get a whole lot of people following you around from that kind of distance or do you get a whole lot of people following you from show-to-show on this particular tour?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan:</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"> Wow - I think if I were kinder I would just play more shows that were closer to them. Definitely, on this tour, because everyone has an audience and there’s people who will snap up tickets, it’s been tricky for people to get tickets in time for any particular show. It’s just harder to get the seats. Like in Minneapolis I know lots of people went to Chicago or Madison because they sold out slower so there was an element of people traveling around. I think that may be an extreme amount of distance and time though. I hope I sing really well.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Definitely give a shout out to those guys - that’s a hell of a trip.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Yeah, yeah, definitely. That’s amazing. I think also it’s been quite a long time since I played in a lot of places. I’ve done a lot of gigs in Minneapolis in the past several years. I’ve played in New York a lot or if not a lot, several times. I’ve played in LA regularly but I haven’t done a whole lot else in between.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Kraig: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Honestly, I’m not sure you’re missing a whole lot.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br />Dan:</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"> No, no it’s actually good. It’s interesting, I took a walk today and walked to the Valley Fair Mall. There was a scrap-booking nook, Willey’s bail-bonds, Amigo Insurance Company. It was a very strip-mall, industrial thing - not the most picturesque scene on the ground. But ringing around the view there’s a 360 degree view of unbelievable mountains and I was completely transported by it. I was walking through what in Minneapolis would be flat version of that, nothing transcendent about it. </span><br /><br />It’s also good to get to other places. Minnesota culture is real different from everyone else and it’s good to be reminded that I’m not like everyone else and it’s not the same everywhere. You have to be able to relate to people. So it’s good to get out of the house.<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> So you like being on the road?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">I do, it soothes me. I have a wife and an 11 year old daughter, so it’s harder to leave, there’s a little pain every time. But then you get on the bus and get into the mode...</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig: </span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Stu got his hands on a copy of a live show you did in Dallas of last year. You told a story about Closing Time that I totally wasn’t expecting - is that song really about your daughter?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan:</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"> It’s really a giant pun about being bounced from a bar and being bounced from the womb. I thought it was going to be pretty obvious to people when I wrote it but it turns out no one got it. I guess I was too clever.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig: </span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I didn’t get it, that’s for sure.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Well, you’re not alone! I still have this philosophy that you shouldn’t explain songs too much because I’ve almost never been happy with an explanation of a song by an artist. By not happy I mean that it’s never been as good as what I thought it was about. If a friend asked me “what’s such-and-such song about” in private, I’d probably tell them, but I feel like it’s almost in imposition on the listener if I tell them what the song is about. Now, I kind a figured that enough time has passed and Closing Time is a little landmark on culture somewhere and it’s not going anywhere, so I feel like I have a right to talk about it. It’s almost like it’s not my song anymore - I can put my gloss on it, I can put my own wiki on my own song but it’s going to get erased by everyone else’s.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Stu: </span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Speaking of Closing Time, after it became a hit did you feel a lot of pressure from your label to match that and write another “Closing Time”?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Yeah, yeah - here’s the deal with that. That was kind of difficult. I had a friend in the music business, a really smart guy who really loved “The Great Divide” - Semisonic’s first album. That album didn’t sell well and I had really thought it was very commercial. I was really trying to write singles on that album. I thought FNT, Delicious and If I Run were all singles. I guess they were but they just didn’t click. Maybe the time wasn’t right. This friend of mine, Jim Barber told me when I was venting to him that the way to succeed in music is to make the same album twice.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><br />Stu: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Really?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br />Dan:</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"> Yeah. I thought that was really interesting too. He said “Just write a bunch of great songs and if there’s things on the last album that you did and you really liked them, just do them again”. I thought that was a real interesting approach. The only thing I really changed was I decided I was going to make it a big “art project” and I wasn’t going to worry about singles or commercial success. I was going to put that out of my mind. I just treated The Great Divide as a template for an art project and improved it. </span><br /><br />So, Feeling Strangely Fine was fixing what was wrong with the other record, but kind of doing it again but totally as an art project. Then it was a huge success! I knew after that the the thing to do would be to do it again, but I couldn’t do it “again, again”. I didn’t have it in me. I’d already done it again and I did it with sort of an an art project attitude, not thinking about success. <span style="vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />I think Semisonic almost had a backlash with </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: 0em;">All About Chemistry</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">. We kind of let our more nerdy sides show in a big way and let it all be more keyboardy. It was a whole different vibe. I think that was because I may have been rebelling against the idea of writing another song about a bar or something. </span><br /><br />It was interesting because then I had an interesting experience with Rick Rubin while doing my solo album because I sensed that he was almost avoiding listening to or talking about Semisonic. It was like he wanted it to be a completely fresh start, we weren’t going to be referencing or comparing. It wouldn’t be a sequel of any kind.<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Stu:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"> Just a different thing completely?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Yeah, just “what you’d do alone”. That was a really beautiful thing. I think next I should just do Free Life again! It just seems to me like I’ve figured out a lot of stuff. I’ll fix what was broken on Free Life - I haven’t figured out what it is yet, but eventually I’ll have some criticisms about it and I’ll just write it again. It’ll be a nice little repetitive cycle of life.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> It seems that lot of times when a songwriter is working with a band for a while they end up with some songs that “don’t fit” with the band. Were the songs you recorded for </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Free Life</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> older songs that didn’t quite work with Semisonic, or was this all new stuff?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Well, that’s close. All during the period of time I was writing Free Life I was thinking “If I write a song that sounds like Semisonic, I’ll ask those guys to cut it with me”, but it just didn’t happen. I kept writing Golden Girl or All Kinds or Free Life. I kept writing songs that didn’t sound like the band. They weren’t cast-offs before, it was just quite clear that something was happening that wasn’t related to that band, so I just had to do this other thing. </span><br /><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"><br />A DJ put me on the spot recently and said “So the title </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: 0em;">Free Life</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">, does that mean you’re free of your band mates, John and Jake?”. I was horrified! I hope they don’t think that’s what I meant by it at all. “Oh, I’m so tired of them” or whatever. We’re still friends, we get along great and we do stuff together.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> They were on the album too, right?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Yeah, they played on the album. It’s a funny thing. I hadn't really thought about it. It’s probably my sub-conscience rebelling against them.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Do you think you’re going to play with or record another album with them again?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">I would like to. I’ve been thinking about it. I was out of the song-writing flow for about a year. I decided to change some things on Free Life right before it got released so it was kind of a really stressful 6 month period and the label was mad because I was changing things. I was adding songs and they thought it was all wrapped up. They had every reason to be irritated. But I wasn’t in a song-writing flow. I was producing Absentstar and Mike Doughty and finishing my record. I was not in the “outer-space” feeling I need to be in as a writer. </span><br /><br />There’s this weird thing I relate it to. I’ve never been pearl diving before but I’ve been snorkeling at twilight. With song-writing it feels to me like the world is almost unrelated to your life and you need to have time in the day to dive down into that. There can’t be anyone asking for stuff or coming around. You can come up maybe an hour later or maybe right away with something great or something unexpected. To me, that’s what it really feels like. For me, I have to set my life up to do that. So right now I’ve just cleared the decks, I just finished Jeremy Mastersmith who I was producing and I just finished the new Standards album. All of my promises are kept now I have nothing now.<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> So now it’s Dan time?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Yeah, so now I’m going to do a lot of “diving”. I’ll go down into that dark part of my mind and find things and bring them back up. My heart wants to make a new solo record right away but I’ll just have to figure that out when the songs come. I might write a whole bunch of songs that are for other people to sing, I don’t know. But I hope I can do another solo record really quick.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Stu:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"> Since you were just talking about the songs just “coming to you”. Is that how it is? Do you just kind of wait for it? I’ve never really written music or anything so I wonder if when you write a song is it something that’s coming at that time or do you have to “nudge it” out?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">It’s a combination. Those are both true. For me, there's labor in it and I have to be in ‘the mode”. It’s that distracted, slightly melancholy state of mind. I have to be trying to write songs. Most of them suck. Usually by a surprising or a backdoorish way a real idea will come and because I’m in that “song capturing” mode, it’s easy. If a great idea comes that’s really inspiring it’s like it comes into your mind from the side and it presents itself and I think “whoa”. Since I’m in that labor-intensive mode of writing it’s not effort anymore. I just go, “boom”, and then it’s done. It’s kind of weird because I’d like my best songs to be the ones I work the hardest on but that’s not true.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Stu:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"> Really?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Yeah, it’s the ones that I’m walking down the street or waiting for a cab and I take out my memo thing and sing, then I put it back. A week later I’ll think “Oh, what was that thing I put in my memo?” and I listen and think “Fuck, that was great!”. So I can’t really savor the process. There’s no, “Oooo, I’m writing a great song” about it.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Stu: </span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">It’s over before you know it, huh?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan:</span> Yeah, it’s over before you know it. It’s not even like you’re a participant. It’s more like you’re an observer - it’s almost like you’re not even there. You get all music-y and then it’s over. Mostly for me, I end up saying “How did I do that? I can never do that again! That was the last song!” It’s neurotic, I know. But it’s funny, it’s both - it’s conscious effort and then just inspired accidents. My wife can tell. I’ll be talking to her and then she’ll say something interesting and I’ll get this distant look in my eye. I’m trying to pay attention to what she’s saying and she’ll ask “Are you writing something?”<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> You’ve been doing the “solo thing” right now. You’ve done the “band thing” with Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare. You’ve been the record producer and the co-writer. </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Which aspect are you enjoying most right now?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Well, this tour has been really fun. It’s been a particularly special setup with a lot of talent in one bus. It’s a pretty low ego-level scene on the bus, it’s pretty cool. Everyone is really clever and really talented. It’s really fun to be in this setting. I’m really, really savoring it and loving it a lot. It’s my last day on the tour and I’ve just been trying to drink it up. At the moment I’m really loving touring and playing for people. </span><br /><br />It might also just be an element of getting tired of one thing and you get to go to your distraction or switch to something else. Like, “Oh, I’m sick of this I’m going to go produce an album” or something. Do you guys have dogs?<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> I’ve had one, but not for a while.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Stu: </span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">I’ve had one too.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan: </span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;">Could you picture this in your mind? A dog lying down in one of those doggy beds the ones with the big round pillows. The dog gets on the pillow then goes around and around and around. Just circling and circling. It starts to lie down, then gets up and goes around and around. It takes forever and you just want to hit it on the butt to get it to sit down. To me, songwriters are that way. They’ll think “Oh, the lighting is too bright I’ll adjust the lighting. Ah, perfect! Oh, maybe my electric would be good here” and they’ll run upstairs rand get the guitar. “Oh, maybe I should get a Starbucks”. It’s this circling, circling, circling thing. Lots of times you end up writing a song on the way to Starbucks. </span><br /><br />I try to keep myself in this distracted state - I don’t do it consciously but for me, as an artist, I like that distracted state. I like having the option of working on different kinds of things. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, when and if it arises, of writing more songs with the Dixie Chicks. I have to make sure that I don’t over-serve myself with co-writing because I want to be excited about that. I don’t want to get greedy about any one thing because I want to maintain that feeling of excitement about whatever it is I’m working on right now.<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig:</span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Well, I don’t think we’ll take anymore of your time. Thanks so much for sitting down with us - we really appreciate it!</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br />Dan:</span><span style="vertical-align: 0em;"> No problem, I hope this makes for a good piece!</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: 0em;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Kraig: </span></span><span style="vertical-align: 0em; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Thanks again - we’ve both been big fans for a long time. Good luck tonight!</span><br /><br />Buy some music from Dan Wilson: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Life-Dan-Wilson/dp/B000VKKU90/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207627031&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=806659">iTunes</a><br />Visit Dan online: <a href="http://www.danwilsonmusic.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/danwilsonmusic">Myspace</a><br /><br />Previous posts about Dan: <a href="http://sellthelie.blogspot.com/2008/03/six-pack-of-week-flyin-solo.html">Six Pack (Flyin' Solo)</a> | <a href="http://sellthelie.blogspot.com/2008/04/hotel-cafe-tour-avalon-theatre-salt.html">Hotel Cafe Tour (Show Review)</a>Kraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05665150244894868893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-24315548551347922662008-04-07T22:25:00.003-06:002008-04-17T19:06:49.162-06:00The Hotel Cafe Tour @ Avalon Theatre, Salt Lake City (4/5/08 )<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R_rrtFS2N3I/AAAAAAAAALI/RdYM3J-L1nM/s1600-h/hotelcafe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R_rrtFS2N3I/AAAAAAAAALI/RdYM3J-L1nM/s320/hotelcafe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186717080618415986" border="0" /></a><br />This past Saturday, Kraig and I had a chance to take in the Hotel Cafe Tour. Apologies in advance for the lack of pictures - it seems that Kraig’s old digital camera finally decided to bite the dust just in time for the show, so no photos. Sorry!<br /><br />For those of you outside the know, here’s a bit of info on the Hotel Cafe and the ensuing tour:<br /><br /><blockquote>Once just a small coffee shop, The Hotel Café has quickly blossomed into not only one of the premier singer/songwriter venues in the United States, but also been labeled “the place that breaks artists.” The artists surrounding The Hotel Café regard it as home, where lyrics, voice and a DIY approach rule. On any given night, you can find well known artists (such as: Weezer, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Death Cab For Cutie, KT Tunstall and many more) on the same bill with up-and-comers, playing both as solo artists and as a communal project, sometimes well rehearsed and sometimes in the heat of the moment, and more often than not, jamming into the wee hours of the morning.<br /><br />For the past 4 years, The Hotel Café has been presenting a tour that has hit every major market in the United States and the UK. The concept of the tour was to share the same community vibe with music fans all over the globe. Artists performed solo and would then share the stage with fellow tour mates. No cookie-cutter corporate American Idols, just real music, written by real artists, surrounded by real friends, who actually have a story to tell. Starting in March 2008, The Hotel Café Tour will embark on another journey that will cover 35+ major markets in the North America, before heading over to the United Kingdom!<br /><br />The tour will feature a rotating lineup of at five artists at every show, all sharing musicians and supporting one another, making for a unique night of music. The tour is held together by performer and co-organizer Cary Brothers, who will be present for the entire tour.<br /></blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">(from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hotel-Cafe-Tour/10682566791">http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hotel-Cafe-Tour/10682566791</a>)</span><br /><br /><span id="fullpost">The show had an...interesting format. The 5 artists that graced Salt Lake City (<a href="http://www.meikomusic.com/">Meiko</a>, <a href="http://www.jimbianco.com/">Jim Bianco</a>, <a href="http://www.carybrothers.com/">Cary Brothers</a>, <a href="http://www.danwilsonmusic.com/">Dan Wilson</a>, and <a href="http://www.ingridmichaelson.com/">Ingrid Michaelson</a>) each took a turn playing 3 songs. Then they all came back and did the same thing again (not the same songs, mind you, but the whole playing-3-songs-and-leaving thing). Also, there was no waiting time in between sets for the setting up/dismantling of rock equipment; they just went from one act to the next, which was pretty nice.<br /><br />I was particularly impressed with the ability of the supporting band that was touring with these five singer/songwriters. Each act played with the same guitarist/bassist/drummer and “multi instrumentalist” (i.e. trumpet, keys, guitar, accordion etc.). These guys nailed each and every song despite genres ranging from sparse, nearly acoustic setups (Meico) to Jazz (Jim Bianco) to Alt-Rock (Cary Brothers) and everything in between.<br /><br />Personally, I wasn't a fan of the 3 song format. I would've rather seen each artist do their 6 songs in a row. Maybe it's just me, but I can't figure out how I feel about an artist after only 3 songs. By the time they come back on stage again, I had usually forgotten what the songs they played previously were like and if I enjoyed them.<br /><br />Anyway, if you haven't guessed already, we went primarily to see Dan Wilson (of Semisonic fame). He was very good, though it made me sad that about 3/4 of the people there didn't know who the hell he was until he played Closing Time. However, we did meet some die-hard fans who drove all the way from Calgary to see Dan play, which was definitely nice to see.<br /><br />Dan was able to play a total of eight songs in his three times on stage, one more than any of the other performers (since they played a song of Dan’s for the final encore!). His first set consisted of Easy Silence, Breathless and Free Life, the title track from his brilliant solo record. The first set definitely left me wanting more Dan, especially since a lot of the crowd seemed to be there just to see Ingrid Michaelson again. Kraig was able to record all of Dan’s songs except Easy Silence, check ‘em out:<br /><br />First Set<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/breathless.mp3">Breathless</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/freelife.mp3">Free Life</a><br /><br />Dan came second to last (instead of last) the second time around. His second set consisted of Sugar, Baby Doll, Second Modern (an Elvis Costello cover) and Closing Time. Of course, Closing Time was the crowd favorite - the teeny boppers could be heard between courses frantically text messaging each other to “figure out” who sang the song originally. Silly kids. He shared a great story about the writing of the song which Kraig was able to capture on for your listening pleasure:<br /><br />Second Set<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/sugar.mp3">Sugar</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/babydoll.mp3">Baby Doll</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/secondarymodern.mp3">Secondary Modern</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/closingtime.mp3">Closing Time (with explanation)</a><br /><br />Baby Doll and Sugar were both absolutely breathtaking from the second set. Ingrid came out to sing back up vocals on Sugar, which despite being a little rusty, still added a new dimension to the song. Secondary Modern was a great track that none of the pre-teens had ever heard. Here’s to hoping they’ll take Dan’s advice and go out and listen to some Elvis Costello.<br /><br />The final encore brought all the performers back on stage for one last hoo-rah. The chosen song was All Kinds, another off of Dan’s recently released solo debut, Free Life. I’m not sure if Dan was getting encore love on each stop of the tour, or if they just played his song on our date since it was his last outing on the tour - but it was a very fitting ending to a great show.<br /><br />Encore<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/allkinds.mp3">All Kinds</a><br /><br />As for the rest of the performers, they probably could have renamed the tour “You Heard us on Grey’s Anatomy - Live!” All the artists except Jim made comments about getting their “break” on a TV spot, and it seemed Grey’s Anatomy was mentioned most often. I don’t have a problem with that, it just seemed a little strange for all the artists to have that same experience. I guess the guys picking the music for Grey’s Anatomy must be checking out the tour? Probably.<br /><br />Meiko had a strong voice, but didn't bring a lot of energy or excitement to the stage. Her song-writing just doesn’t seem to be there yet. There was heavy reliance on “do-da-do’s” and “la-la-la’s”, which to me seems like the easy way out of a chorus.<br /><br />Jim Bianco was a hell of an entertainer and put on a fantastic performance. His music wasn’t something I’ll go out and buy, but if he comes to my neck ‘o the woods I’ll make it my business to see him play again. Probably more of a comedian than musician in most cases, but still - worth seeing if he’s coming to your town.<br /><br />Cary Brothers was the first person to really bring the rock to the show. He started out strong and used his powerful vocals to keep things interesting throughout both of his sets. He had the most sonically complex songs out of the group, relying on effects pedals and angsty vocals throughout, which I rather enjoyed.<br /><br />Ingrid Michaelson (whom a majority of the audience was there to see) was sort of hit-and-miss. A couple of her songs were pretty good, a couple were not so much. The crowd seemed to go crazy when she played that song that’s on the Old Navy commercial, which was nice but not quite up the level that I felt Dan provided. She had a really interesting song that relied on vocal rounds at the end of her set which was the highlight for me.<br /><br />All in all the show was had a very enjoyable vibe to it - something you don’t usually see with artists of this caliber. The camaraderie wasn’t faked at all, lots of collaboration took place and they all seemed to genuinely like each other. Since the Hotel Cafe Tour is hitting basically every major market in the US and UK, it’s probably coming near you. We both highly recommend checking it out - ticket prices are low and the entertainment value is high (even though Dan isn’t on the ticket anymore). Just be sure to pick up your tickets fast, they seem to be selling out quickly just about everywhere!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=CE5766142910D1E1">Here's all of the recordings from Dan's performance in a convenient .zip package (for a limited time only!)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/hotelcafetour">Click here for more info on the Hotel Cafe Tour.</a><br /><br />Buy some music from Dan Wilson: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Life-Dan-Wilson/dp/B000VKKU90/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207627031&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=806659">iTunes</a><br />Visit Dan online: <a href="http://www.danwilsonmusic.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/danwilsonmusic">Myspace</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-30144867823744035722008-04-03T17:40:00.000-06:002008-04-03T21:01:14.595-06:00Water Fai - Girls in the White Dream<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/R_VzW4qLfAI/AAAAAAAAAAk/PrPMN5E3bNk/s1600-h/waterfai.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/R_VzW4qLfAI/AAAAAAAAAAk/PrPMN5E3bNk/s320/waterfai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185177382990609410" border="0" /></a>I know what you're thinking. You're thinking Water Fai is an all-girl band, am I right? Well, you sir (or possibly ma'am) are wrong! They've got themselves a male drummer, thus making them simply a mixed-gender band. But what's more important is that these Osaka, Japan natives rock!<br /><br />Their debut album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Girls in the White Dream</span>, was originally self-released. However, on April 18th, <a href="http://www.whiteshoerecords.com/">White Shoe Records</a> will be re-releasing it in all of its splendor. Some might call the sound "atmospheric rock," but that's too limiting in my mind. You Are The Sun is amazingly relaxing (I find my worries drifting away as I listen to it), while Kaiyon builds and builds until it's rocking your ears off. The album as a whole seems to be a mix of soothing melodies and sequences of building rock, which ends up working very well together. It's got a nice feel to it, I'm a fan.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1600206_k9wyi/02%20You%20Are%20The%20Sun.mp3">You Are The Sun</a><br />[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1600205_eqgm5/03%20Kaiyon.mp3">Kaiyon</a><br /><br />Buy some Water Fai: <a href="mailto:nlipuma@gmail.com">Order via email</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://waterfai.fem.jp/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/waterfai">Myspace</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-38868989611039331902008-04-01T13:38:00.002-06:002008-06-02T21:36:46.667-06:00Six Pack of the Week - Our Weekly Top Songs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R_Lvg1S2NiI/AAAAAAAAAIg/g14-7ioJGHQ/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184469468397844002" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R_Lvg1S2NiI/AAAAAAAAAIg/g14-7ioJGHQ/s320/sixpack.jpg" border="0" /></a>Most of you probably come to this website to get some recommendations about what you should listen to. With this weeks six-pack, we'll actually let you inside our playlists so you can see what WE are listening to. Since there's three of us, we've each uploaded the two songs that saw the most action on each of our playlists last week. I (Kraig) will kick things off:<br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"><br /><div align="center"><b>See These Bones - Nada Surf</b><br /></div><br />Coming in with 11 plays last week and the #2 rating is See These Bones by Nada Surf off of <i>Lucky</i>.<br /><br />Nada Surf seems to be known as "that band who wrote <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DP8g_wavcFR4&ei=2ozyR73lLpvSpgSpiZyFAQ&usg=AFQjCNFM_hcw7ry8f9QISjRpkIwAQfI3Mg&sig2=rw7-ugke2DR4qkAPRAfcRA">the "Popular" song</a>" back in the 90's. It's a shame that they've been tagged as a one-hit wonder, but I guess that's life. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Nada-Surf/dp/B0011HF61E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207077920&sr=8-1">Lucky</a> is a CD that you need to pick up if you haven't already - it's by far my favorite album from the band. See These Bones is my favorite track off the album, check it out to see what you've been missing if you've been dismissing these guys as just another one-hit wonder.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1574704_kaocr/01-nada_surf-see_these_bones.mp3">See These Bones</a><br /><br />Buy some music from Nada Surf: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=Nada%20Surf">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=193835">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.nadasurf.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/nadasurf">Myspace</a><br /><br /><div align="center"><b>2nd Boys Will Be 1st Choice - The Brobecks</b><br /></div><br />My most played track (with 18) from last week comes from a local Salt Lake City band, The Brobecks. Brock wrote up a little ditty about these guys a while ago, but I highly recommend checking them out if you didn't already. Take <a href="http://www.phantomplanet.com/">Phantom Planet's</a> knack for catchy pop songs, turn it up to 11 and up the tempo a bit and you've got The Brobecks.<br /><br />I'm sick and tired of Utah only being known for <a href="http://theused.net/">The Used</a> (as far as music goes). The Brobecks deserve some serious attention and this song is a must download for all you blog-surfers.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1574703_lj6ui/2ndboys.mp3">2nd Boys Will Be 1st Choice</a><br /><br />Buy some music from The Brobecks: <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdbaby.com%2Fcd%2Fbrobecks&ei=QIvyR9zpA5qYoQSqmoVu&usg=AFQjCNGwj1o-NCCuBWMdIpoVV5WQ8wkJ6w&sig2=ne2byfgME_t9i92arX8nmw">CD Baby</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=152500144">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/brobecks">Myspace</a></div><br /><br /><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"></div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="center"><strong>Time for Brock's picks!</strong></div><br />I don't have official totals to give you, all I have to offer is some excellent tunes that, by my best guess, dominated my headphones this past week. And away we go!<br /><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"></div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="center"><strong>Say Anything - That is Why</strong></div><br />This song is almost always in my top few, because it is just so darn catchy. Say Anything is so freaking awesome, and if you ever get the chance to see them live, do it. They will rock you soundly.<br /><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"></div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left">[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1574990_wkoer/1-03%20That%20Is%20Why.mp3">Say Anything - That is Why</a></div><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"></div>Buy their music: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=19547707">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QK9X5C/ref=s9artist-rfc_g1_kart_t2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=top-2&pf_rd_r=17YJF341WGN6233CRCP5&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=371964701&pf_rd_i=say%20anything">Amazon</a><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left">Visit the sites: <a href="http://www.sayanythingmusic.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sayanything">Myspace</a></div><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"></div><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="center"><strong>Motion City Soundtrack - Last Night</strong></div><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="center"><strong></strong></div>It's pretty much accepted that Motion City Soundtrack made a great first album (<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Am-Movie-Motion-City-Soundtrack/dp/B00009IB53/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207085245&sr=1-2">I Am the Movie</a></em>), an incredible sophomore album (<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Commit-This-Memory-Motion-Soundtrack/dp/B0009G3B92">Commit this to Memory</a></em>), and a pretty good third album. This song is from that third record, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Even-Kills-Motion-City-Soundtrack/dp/B000UGG3FA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207085245&sr=1-1"><em>Even If It Kills Me</em></a>, which gets somewhat overlooked simply because the other albums are so good<em>. </em>MCS writes fantastic pop-rock songs with great hooks and awesome keyboard solos. Observe:<br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"></div><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left">[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1574880_upln4/04%20Last%20Night.mp3">Motion City Soundtrack - Last Night</a></div><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"></div>Buy MCS music: <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=2930430">iTunes</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S2G18K/ref=s9artist-rfc_g1_kart_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=top-1&pf_rd_r=0ATCEG1G57AX9MDTMBTK&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=371964601&pf_rd_i=motion%20city%20soundtrack">Amazon</a><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left">Visit their sites: <a href="http://www.motioncitysoundtrack.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/motioncitysoundtrack">Myspace</a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stu's Stupendous Songs of Sensuality</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I like to alliterate sometimes, it's fun, you should try it. I don't have play counts either, but it's a fairly good bet that these two songs were at the top of last weeks most-played list.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Thrills - Saturday Night</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes I am a proponent of the gigantic, entire music library shuffle, and it was at one of these random times that I found this song. Last week I got addicted to it again, so it vaulted its way up to the top of my playlist. I'm a big fan of the fairly repetitive, "Is this what they call...?" line; every once in a while (like last week) that really clicks with me, and I start to think, "hey, yeah, is this what they call...?" about all sorts of things. "They" always ruin everything, I tell ya!<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://www.sellthelie.com/mp3s/04%20Saturday%20Night.mp3">The Thrills - Saturday Night</a><br /><br />Buy some music from The Thrills: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=The%20Thrills">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=3847378">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.thethrills.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thethrillsofficial">Myspace</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The French Kicks - So Far We Are</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I would <span style="font-style: italic;">like </span>to say that <a href="http://sellthelie.blogspot.com/2008/03/french-kicks-swimming.html">Kraig's post on The French Kicks</a> earlier this week inspired me to explore the sea of their music, but sadly this is not the case. I explored that sea last week! It seemed like the right time, they were about to release their new album (<a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=273776583">Swimming</a>) and I'd heard of them before, but never really <span style="font-style: italic;">heard </span>them. Here are the results of my exploration: <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1562400_eanar/Abandon.mp3">Abandon</a> is great, and So Far We Are is equally awesome. Both feature good use of hand-claps, which I've become something of a fan of recently. Hear for yourself:<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1582793_imkgk/01%20So%20Far%20We%20Are.mp3">The French Kicks - So Far We Are</a><br /><br />Buy some music from The French Kicks: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=French%20Kicks">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=49265785">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.frenchkicks.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/frenchkicks">Myspace</a><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" align="left"></div>Kraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05665150244894868893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-29666931671538722712008-03-26T09:24:00.000-06:002008-03-26T08:26:11.001-06:00Six Pack of the Week: Guilty Pleasures<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R-kQl1S2NfI/AAAAAAAAAIM/qGAW3e-YHYE/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181691088413799922" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nq4cOkq0wwE/R-kQl1S2NfI/AAAAAAAAAIM/qGAW3e-YHYE/s320/sixpack.jpg" border="0" /></a>We've all been there. You're out with your friends and then, out of the blue <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Styx/artist/B000APXDV8/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Come Sail Away</span></a> comes on your iPod. Everyone looks at you like "What the hell man?!" All you can really say is "I don't know, my brother must have been messin' with my playlists. I *DON'T* listen to this shit".<br /><br /><div> </div><div>Of course, they don't believe you. You can blame it on your bro, the wife, even the damn cat and they aren't going to believe you. Now they know what you secretly listen to when you're in your car by yourself. It isn't the super-cool indie bands, no <a href="http://www.vampireweekend.com/">Vampire Weekend</a> or <a href="http://www.thedecemberists.com/">The Decemberists</a> - hell, not even <a href="http://www.theraconteurs.com/">The Raconteurs</a>. You're blastin' <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hits-Guns-N-Roses/dp/B0000TLA9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1206457464&sr=1-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Sweet Child 'O Mine</span></a> and pushing yourself into falsetto as best you can to sing along.</div><br /><div> </div><div>I suppose it's nothing to really be ashamed of. Well, yes it is. It really, really is. But this week, despite the shame, we're going to share some guilty pleasures with you. First off, I (Kraig) will share mine:<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Boston - More Than a Feeling</span></div><br /><div> </div>I have a special place in my heart for the genre dubbed "Arena Rock". For those of you unfamiliar with rock 'n roll history, this is the rock that came before "Hair Bands" and just after <a href="http://www.ledzeppelin.com/">Zeppelin</a>.<br /><br /><div> </div><div>I can't quite explain the feeling these bombastic ballads give me deep down in my insides, nor can I deny them. I just turn them up to 11 when I'm alone in my car. I don't even think my wife knows I listen to this shit.</div><br /><div> </div><div>But seriously, listen to the guitar tone in this song - it's a beautiful thing. The harmonies are brilliant. Alright, I'm done defending Boston now.</div><br /><div> </div><div>[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1488293_btucw/morethanafeeling.mp3">Boston - More Than a Feeling</a></div><br /><div> </div>Buy some music from Boston: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boston/artist/B000APVJVE/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=60960">iTunes</a><br />Visit them online: <a href="http://www.bandboston.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/officialboston">Myspace</a><br /><br /><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Journey - Don't Stop Believin'</span></div><br /><div> </div>Here it is, the big one. The mother of all arena-rock ballads. It gives me chills when the vocals drop in over the top of the keys. I don't know why, it's nothing spectacular, but I just want those kids to meet up on those damn midnight trains going anywhere...<br /><br /><div> </div><div>[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1488292_zhp0s/06_Don_t_Stop_Believin_.mp3">Journey - Don't Stop Believin'</a></div><br /><div> </div><div>Buy some music from Journey: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Journey/artist/B000AP9MEK/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=486597">iTunes</a></div>Visit them online: <a href="http://www.journeyband.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=5199721">Myspace</a><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>Brock's:</strong><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Cute is What We Aim For - There's a Class for This</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br />Definitely one of the most cutesy of the emo-pop bands (seriously, just look at the band name), these guys write undeniably catchy songs to make you tap those toes. As much as I just want to hate them, I find myself singing along to every song and secretly looking forward to their next album.<br /><div><br /></div><div align="left"></div>[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1489916_4ktm6/02%20There%5C%27s%20a%20Class%20for%20This.mp3">Cute is What We Aim For - There's a Class for This</a><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I won't tell if you buy some Cute is What We Aim For music: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=Cute%20Is%20What%20We%20Aim%20For">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=159378970">iTunes</a></div>And check out their website: <a href="http://www.cuteiswhatweaimfor.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/cuteiswhatweaimfor">Myspace</a><br /><div align="left"> </div><br /><div align="center"><strong>A Fine Frenzy - Rangers</strong></div><br /><div align="left">This one definitely falls under the category of "blame on the wife." A Fine Frenzy is beautiful, haunting piano pop written by a waifish red-headed woman. I saw her perform on the Carson Daly Show, and immediately ran out and bought the cd. Of course, what I mean is that my wife did that...</div><br /><div align="left"> </div>[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1489928_ifaxd/05%20Rangers.mp3">A Fine Frenzy - Rangers</a><br /><div align="left"> </div><br /><div align="left">Buy A Fine Frenzy's music: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=A%20Fine%20Frenzy">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=206785148">iTunes</a></div><div align="left">Visit the websites: <a href="http://www.afinefrenzy.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/afinefrenzy">Myspace</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stu's:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Avril Lavigne - Naked<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">It seems wrong to preface a guilty pleasures post, but that's exactly what I'm going to do! I like Avril's old stuff and by "old stuff," I mean anything before her most recent album, The Best Damn Thing. I really want to make a 'worst damn thing' joke but I think you're already there, so we shall skip it.<br /><br />Anyway, most think of her as a member of the pop-punk genre but at least half of her early tracks are pop-rockish, which makes it understandable that I like it, right? ...right? Ok, I'm not foolin' anyone. Oh, and I'd like to apologize to anyone who accidentally found this post while searching for porn; sorry, unintentional.<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1496089_9sjus/13%20Naked.mp3">Avril Lavigne - Naked</a><br /><br />Buy some pre-The Best Damn Thing music from Avril Lavigne: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Avril-Lavigne/artist/B000APU096/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=459885">iTunes</a><br />The Internet's on computers now: <a href="http://www.avrillavigne.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/avrillavigne">Myspace</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />John Mayer - Something's Missing<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>I think all three of us would agree that Mayer's first album, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Room-Squares-John-Mayer/dp/B00005OAIE/ref=m_art_li_0">Room for Squares</a>, was pretty alright. However, at some point between when it came out and when every teenage and pre-teen girl decided to swoon over him, I was supposed to stop liking his stuff. I never got the memo. Damn. And as much as I want to call him a sellout for seemingly skewing songs towards his teenage fans, I keep listening, sooo...<br /><br />[mp3] <a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1496090_y7wva/03%20Something%5C%27s%20Missing.mp3">John Mayer - Something's Missing</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Buy some music from John Mayer: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Mayer/artist/B000AQW0EI/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=472054">iTunes</a><br />Visit him online: <a href="http://www.johnmayer.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/johnmayer">Myspace</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div></div>Kraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05665150244894868893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-72967754154251369932008-03-06T12:37:00.000-07:002008-03-07T02:34:25.277-07:00Dear and the Headlights<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/R9BI2Ed9pCI/AAAAAAAAAAc/R-JhSsSir5Y/s1600-h/0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/R9BI2Ed9pCI/AAAAAAAAAAc/R-JhSsSir5Y/s320/0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174716065598252066" border="0" /></a>So it amazes me that these guys are not more well-known. Excellent lyrics, some nice guitar riffs, and good drumming; what more could you ask for? This is a rhetorical question, of course, but if you think of a good answer let me know.<br /><br />Anyway, the point is somehow the masses have yet to catch on. They played at Lollapalooza in 2007, but then again so did 80+ other bands, so it's probably hard to stand out in a crowd that large. Maybe being <a href="http://www.equalvision.com/news/show/197">"hand-picked"</a> to be the sole opening act for the Jimmy Eat World/Paramore co-headlining tour this spring will get them on the map. I'm not a fan of Paramore, but I like JEW, and a JEW/DATH combo will probably get me to the concert, especially since they're coming to 'lil 'ole Utah.<br /><br />I think these 3 tracks are my favorites from their debut album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Small Steps, Heavy Hooves. </span>I'm Bored, You're Amorous is outstanding; it was the first track I heard from DATH and it instantly made me want to find more. Just listen to the first 15 seconds and tell me you don't like it. Go on, do it! Grace is a nice rockin' song that also sport's great lyrics: "Taste the regret as it leaves your stomach/Coating your tongue with every noun," 'nuff said. And I love trying to figure out what's going on in Oh No! You know something's going on, but what is it?<br /><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1277661_0rcgh/05%20I%5C%27m%20Bored%2C%20You%5C%27re%20Amorous.mp3">[mp3] I'm Bored, You're Amorous</a><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1277662_vchpf/06%20Grace.mp3">[mp3] Grace</a><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1277660_cg2yr/01%20Oh%20No%21.mp3">[mp3] Oh No!</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy some Dear and the Headlights:</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/002-8573264-5441621?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=Dear%20and%20the%20Headlights">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=213741099">iTunes</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Visit them on the web:</span> <a href="http://www.dearandtheheadlights.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dearandtheheadlights">Myspace</a> | <a href="http://www.purevolume.com/dearandtheheadlights">Purevolume</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-52192150075922266472008-02-24T02:50:00.000-07:002008-02-29T17:42:32.926-07:00Nantes by BeirutSo I generally don't post YouTube videos about anything, anywhere...well, ever. My reasoning is this: if it was me happening upon some random YouTube video somewhere, I wouldn't watch it. Not a big fan of the 'Tube myself and nowadays people throw-up these videos everywhere, likely thinking that each is as enlightening and worthwhile a watch as the next. I'm not trying to dissuade you from watching this video; on the contrary, I'm trying to point to the rarity of this type of post and the subsequent intrigue of this particular video.<br /><br />About a week ago, a friend of mine recommended that I give the song "Nantes" by Beirut a listen, and that I might want to check out the video as well. The video was what I really loved. The album version is pretty alright, but the song really shines in the live performance. The way they setup the video, genius. I just wish I could tell you a little more about the band, but, well, they're new to me too. So enjoy Nantes by Beirut:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hq2s0AhdFE4&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hq2s0AhdFE4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790000347943306920.post-81726818637324291152008-02-19T09:40:00.000-07:002008-02-23T19:48:00.767-07:00Six Pack of the Week - Trouble Sleeping<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/R7pkRIFG_9I/AAAAAAAAAAM/IimX5HXhdi8/s1600-h/sixpack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__yGq-f7cCkg/R7pkRIFG_9I/AAAAAAAAAAM/IimX5HXhdi8/s320/sixpack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168553767750533074" border="0" /></a>Well, ya'll finally get to hear from the up-to-now invisible third member of this, err, trio. See? That's why I don't get to type stuff!<br /><br />Anyway, this week's Six Pack deals with a personal problem of mine: I'm having trouble sleeping! To be more specific, I'm having trouble both falling asleep and sleeping soundly. So, to try to solve my problem, I inevitably turned to music. Maybe some song I've previously overlooked can tell me why I'm not sleeping. Let's see what we got:<br /><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1136392_mwvlm/06%20Trouble%20Sleeping.mp3">[mp3] The Perishers - Trouble Sleeping</a><br /><br />I really dig this song, but it doesn't explain why I can't sleep. It does have some really good lines reminding me of times I couldn't sleep in the past though: "You're jumping in my bed/twisting in my head/leave me" and "it's you/now and always you/but never me." However, romantical problems are not the reason why I'm not sleeping.<br /><br />Buy some The Perishers: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/103-8533453-4945426?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=music&field-artist=The%20Perishers">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=25514040">iTunes</a><br />Visit them on the web: <a href="http://www.theperishersmusic.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theperishers">Myspace</a><br /><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1136394_2wwoo/12%20Sleep%20Better.mp3">[mp3] Pete Yorn - Sleep Better</a><br /><br />This is what I desire, to sleep better! But all Petey tells me is that "she won't sleep better alone/and he won't sleep better alone/no they won't feel better alone" which doesn't really help me all that much. I love the song Pete, but you aren't helping me here!<br /><br /><div>Buy some Pete Yorn: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Yorn/artist/B000AQTG9K/105-9679200-9529222">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=539139">iTunes</a></div><div>Visit him on the web: <a href="http://www.peteyorn.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/peteyorn">Myspace</a></div><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1136395_y7rd9/I%20Need%20Some%20Sleep.mp3">[mp3] Eels - I Need Some Sleep</a><br /><br />This is a very pretty song about "getting over" something. And yes, there are a lot of things to get over, so don't look at me like that. Anyway, this isn't it either. If it was, that 'something' would always be on my mind, and there's been nothing constantly on my mind. Definitely a good song to hear though.<br /><br />Buy some Eels: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eels/artist/B000AP8M3M/103-8533453-4945426">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=279049">iTunes</a><br />Visit them on the web: <a href="http://www.eelstheband.com/main.php">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/eels">Myspace</a><br /><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1136390_xkyrp/04%20-%20Counting%20Crows%20-%20I%5C%27m%20Not%20Sleeping.mp3">[mp3] Counting Crows - I'm Not Sleeping</a><br /><br />I've always liked this song so I had to include it, even though it sheds little light on my sleeping troubles. I just love how it keeps changing back and forth from a soft, gentle song to a rocking <span style="font-style: italic;">orchestral </span>song. Crazy talk, I know, but it's good stuff.<br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Buy some Counting Crows</strong>: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Counting-Crows/artist/B000AQ0AY0/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=35719">iTunes</a><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Visit them on the web</strong>: <a href="http://www.countingcrows.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/countingcrows">Myspace</a><br /><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1136393_gtn4r/09%20Trouble%20Sleeping.mp3">[mp3] Trashcan Sinatras - Trouble Sleeping</a><br /><br />I almost never listen to Trashcan Sinatras, but this song jumped out to me at first due to its dreamy tone. And then I started to listen to the lyrics. I won't spoil it for you, go ahead give it a listen yourself. Oh, and it's not the reason why I'm having trouble sleeping!<br /><br />Buy some Trashcan Sinatras: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trashcan-Sinatras/artist/B000AQ0OPA/103-8533453-4945426">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=80645">iTunes</a><br />Visit them on the web: <a href="http://www.trashcansinatras.com/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thetrashcansinatras">Myspace</a><br /><br /><a href="http://boxstr.com/files/1136391_lqk3h/05%20Go%20To%20Sleep%20%28Little%20Man%20Being%20Era.mp3">[mp3] Radiohead - Go To Sleep</a><br /><br />I like this song too much not to include it, though it also does not explain my trouble sleeping. It's just another good Radiohead song; I don't know the musical term for it, but I want to call it good driving guitar. It seems to take the song exactly where it needs to go.<br /><br />Buy some Radiohead: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Radiohead/artist/B000AP9MOK/103-8533453-4945426">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=657515">iTunes</a><br />Visit them on the web: <a href="http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/radiohead">Myspace</a><br /><br />Hmmm, well, at least I got good music to listen to while I'm not sleeping!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4