Isn’t it like finding a few bucks in your washed jeans when an artist you like has a new record that you didn’t even know was being released? Happening more often now, the less I pour over music sites and just let the music wash over me.
Certain bands remind me of a particular month. Have you noticed how some always release their new material around the same time of year? Badly Drawn Boy sounds like September to me. I have vivid memories of that early Autumn transition associated with his sounds. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover a new album by Mr. Damon Gough yesterday and it was a perfect soundtrack to a Fall lake walk.
A Song A Day
“Safe Hands” by Badly Drawn Boy from It’s Not What I Am Thinking
“Giants” by Now, Now Every Children from the Neighbors EP
They have the pluck, vim and vigor of a young Tegan & Sara. Also recalls the post punk punch of Land of Talk and The Grates. But they’re from Minneapolis which makes these children so now. Get it, now.
“Dance Floor” by The Apples in Stereo from Travellers (sic) in Space and Time
A Song A Day
Anyone going to Mates of State at Uptown Apple Store Grand Opening? I’m up for it. Let me know.
A Song A Day
“Clap Your Hands” by Sia from We Are Born
Slightly less soulful and more straight up danceable pop (a la Goldfrapp and Royksopp) their previous efforts, We Are Born is a non-stop Summer fun album, very listenable. Sia’s vocals still pack enough of a wallop and emotional heft so you won’t feel any guilt listening to pop this purely delightful.
A Song A Day
Any Way You Want It / Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ by Glee from Journey To Regionals
Say what you will about Glee. I get why Glee is not for everyone. It’s a little too saccharine perhaps. It can be a bit broad. Some of the musical choices are not entirely spot on, but when they hit the mark it’s really one of the most powerful emotionally resonant pieces of pop culture we have. If you love the song, I mean really love a song, you have a friend in Glee. Watch the Journey medley from the season finale. Glee is at it’s best when they do a mash-up and breathe life into a seemingly tired old tune. In this case we have also the very fond memory of Caddyshack and Rodney Dangerfield dancing, so it helped that I didn’t hate the old tune they picked. I never liked the Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ tune, but it works in this mash-up, adding to the punch of Any Way You Want It. Try to resist. And if you can, it’s nothing to be proud of, you hard-hearted misanthrope. Give in to Glee. Have fun.
A Song A Day
Throwing My Heart Away by The Magic Numbers
A Song A Day
Mates of State - Son Et Lumiere (The Mars Volta)
I’ve written about Chill Songs before, not chill-out music, but songs that literally give you goosebumps. At 1:01 through to the end, Kori brings it beautifully. And the La-la-las and horns seal the deal. Their new album is a wonderful collection called Crushes (The Covers Mixtape). Mates of State play two shows at the 400 Bar on June 23 and 24th. Welcome back, Mates!
more info:
Kori Gardner (keyboard/vocals) and Jason Hammel (drums/vocals) were both playing guitar and singing in the Kansas music metropolis of Lawrence before forming the Mates of State in 1997. With their dual vocal harmonies and minimal pop appeal, Omnibus Records released Mates of State’s first EP as a split with Fighter D in 1999. Upon a relocation to San Francisco, the duo’s second EP, It’s the Law/Invitation Inn, and a debut studio effort, My Solo Project, followed in 2000.
Tours of the Midwest followed into the next year and creative ideas continued to swirl. Hammel and Gardner, who were married in early 2001, inked themselves a deal with Polyvinyl prior to recording a follow-up. Summer days were spent playing shows with Superdrag, the Anniversary, and Beulah while writing songs on the road. Those sessions lead to the second album, Our Constant Concern, in 2002. The next spring Polyvinyl reissued their debut album, My Solo Project, and later on the full-length Team Boo. After their contract was up with Polyvinyl (ending with the 2004 EP All Day), Mates of State decided to head over to Barsuk, the label that released Bring It Back in 2006 and Re-Arrange Us in 2008.
Their next full length album entitled “Crushes (The Covers Mixtape) is set to be released to be released on their own label June 15, 2010. “Crushes” is an album consisting of covers of songs by some of the Mates’ personal favorites by artists ranging from Nick Cave to Death Cab For Cutie to Fleetwood Mac to Girls, whose “Laura” is now available in its Mates reinterpretation as a free download at matesofstate.com. It is the first full album recorded and produced by Mates Hammel and Gardner themselves, with a mixing assist from longtime collaborator Peter Katis (The National, Swell Season, Interpol, etc.).
A Song A Day
“Invent It All Again” by Faded Paper Figures from New Medium
I’m a sucker. Put a guy and a girl singing together, harmonizing, trading lines. I’m all in. Toy piano and electronics twee it up a bit, sure. I knew from the first line she sang that I needed to check this L.A. band out and then I found out Grey’s already had them…of course. Susan, you won this round.
Why don’t The Postal Service defend their title from all the pretenders to the throne?
A Song A Day
“Honor” (Main Title Theme From “The Pacific”) by Hans Zimmer, Geoff Zanelly & Blake Neely
You should watch The Pacific on HBO or on-line, DVD, whatever it takes. My Dad’s Dad, my Grandpa Ed, fought in the Pacific. He didn’t talk too much about it. I have no living grandparents. You always wish you would have asked more questions when you had the chance.
A Song a Day
“If You Can’t See My Mirrors” by The New Pornographers. “Pissed-up Sunday morning?” Are you hearing that, too? Dan Bejar on the H.M.S. Pinafore rock the best of what might be my favorite album of the year so far. (And one of the best album covers, too.) Could Canada be any better? I only wish this song was longer. Mirrors remind me of how Chad was watching Bad Movie Night. He was standing looking at us (away from the the TV) over our heads watching the screen reflected in a mirror. It was funny and creepy. This is a chill song. Goosebumps on the chorus. Feel it?
