Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, I'm ready to embrace the Christmas season, even though many stores have been pushing it since late August (and you think I'm exaggerating). I don't think my parents will ever let me outgrow making a list, so I figure I can kill two birds (turtledoves, even) with one stone and put the non-xbox games portion of my list in Seabass Says for the world to see. Who knows, maybe the world will want to wrap something up for me and slide it under the tree.
To kick things off, I'm thinking the much anticipated and long awaited follow up to Alexi Murdoch's fantastic debut "Time Without Consequence," the internet-only-hand-stamped-limited-edition "Towards the Sun" would be great to find in a vinyl sized stocking. I have no idea if any of the 5000 limited edition copies are left, so I might have to wait for the CD in 2011, but one can hope. One way or another, the album will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.
I think the thing I like the most about Alexi Murdoch's songs is that at first glance, many of them almost seem simplistic, but when you listen a bit more closely you can discover a wealth of emotional and musical depth. See if you agree:
Alexi Murdoch - Someday Soon
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Ben Folds is an Evil Genius
Not too long ago, I wrote about how much I was looking forward to the album "Lonely Avenue," a collaborative effort between one of my favorite authors, Nick Hornby, and one of my favorite musicians, Ben Folds. After having some time to play through the album a bunch of times, I can say that it lived up to my expectations. Hornby's lyrics provide his usual self deprication ("A Working Day"), humor ("Levi Johnston's Blues"), interesting take on the awkward moments in life ("Claire's Ninth"), and biting honesty ("Picture Window" "Belinda"). I think Ben Folds is the perfect musician to bring Hornby's words to life. There has always been a playful juxtaposition between happy/sad and sincerity/humor in Folds' music. He is a man who knows exactly what he's doing with each note, each goofball idea, and every single strike of the piano keys. The man is an evil genius...I bet he has some kind of crazy music lab with beakers and bunsen burners going 24/7.
In my previous post about this album, I mentioned that "Picture Window" sounded like "pure awesome carried in a bag made of fantastic" and I'm thinking I might have undersold it. "Picture Window" is the type of song that grabs you by the tear ducts from note one and dares you not to give in to the urge. I think Ben Folds is at his best when he slows down and delivers the soul searching melancholy of his piano pop. I'm talking about the raw feeling of songs like "Philosophy," "Brick," "Evaporated," "We're Still Fighting It," and "Landed." Hornby and Folds have tapped into that rawness brilliantly with "Picture Window". This thing just crushes me every time I hear it. It isn't a fast song, but in the words of Nick Hornby himself, "There's no story behind the song - the story's in the song. The music is faster than I'd imagined it would be, but that just means that Ben can break your heart quicker."
Ben Folds - Picture Window
A bonus song dedicated to my friend Darren, who may or may not want to smack me upside the head for the dedication:
In my previous post about this album, I mentioned that "Picture Window" sounded like "pure awesome carried in a bag made of fantastic" and I'm thinking I might have undersold it. "Picture Window" is the type of song that grabs you by the tear ducts from note one and dares you not to give in to the urge. I think Ben Folds is at his best when he slows down and delivers the soul searching melancholy of his piano pop. I'm talking about the raw feeling of songs like "Philosophy," "Brick," "Evaporated," "We're Still Fighting It," and "Landed." Hornby and Folds have tapped into that rawness brilliantly with "Picture Window". This thing just crushes me every time I hear it. It isn't a fast song, but in the words of Nick Hornby himself, "There's no story behind the song - the story's in the song. The music is faster than I'd imagined it would be, but that just means that Ben can break your heart quicker."
Ben Folds - Picture Window
A bonus song dedicated to my friend Darren, who may or may not want to smack me upside the head for the dedication:
Monday, November 8, 2010
matt pond PA's Autumnal Sound
I've been lucky enough to get in on the ground floor with a handful of bands and listen to their sound evolve as their exposure and popularity grew. I don't think I made it in on exactly the ground floor with matt pond PA, but I think I managed to get in toward the bottom of the proverbial building. When I started listening to them, they were just getting past the stage where they had to crash on the floor of my friend's apartment every time they came to town for a show. From the beginning of my time listening to matt pond PA's music, there generally seems to be an undercurrent of loss, change, and regret mixed with small glimmers and the occasional flourish of hope and beauty. It isn't really consistently sad music or happy music...to try to put some more of a concrete description to it, I'd say that matt pond PA plays music that embraces the cold and lonely of life in order to come out the other side better for it. How's that for concrete?
I often like to compare music to seasons and Matt Pond and company seem to be comfortably at home in the fall. The feeling of transition and a bright future off in the distance that is encapsulated by the fall is somehow also held firmly in the songs Matt Pond writes. The band is responsible for one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time, "Emblems" (my friend Murph says you must be a bad person if you don't like "Emblems"). There is a magical quality to that album that every time I put it on, I can listen from front to back without interruption and without any desire to skip ahead. I feel like after "Emblems," Matt Pond was consciously trying to get away from that Autumnal feel that I think fits so well. While good albums, I felt like "Several Arrows Later" and "Last Light" were missing something. The undercurrent was too far down. Then, for free through his website, Matt Pond released "Thefreeep" (The Free EP) at a time when it seemed like his band was dissolving around him. To me, "Thefreep" was (to use too extreme a word) an exorcism of sorts. I don't think there was exactly any evil to get rid of, but the EP seems like a stream of consciousness meant to expunge the fog and achieve some kind of clarity.
The result of this clarity I just made up is "The Dark Leaves," and album released in the spring, but absolutely right at home around the fallen leaves and warm fires of the fall. "Remains" is a song that I think showcases what I view to be an energized an centered Matt Pond at his best.
...If you remain in me
I will remain in you
And if you stay with me
I will stay with you...
matt pond PA - Remains
I often like to compare music to seasons and Matt Pond and company seem to be comfortably at home in the fall. The feeling of transition and a bright future off in the distance that is encapsulated by the fall is somehow also held firmly in the songs Matt Pond writes. The band is responsible for one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time, "Emblems" (my friend Murph says you must be a bad person if you don't like "Emblems"). There is a magical quality to that album that every time I put it on, I can listen from front to back without interruption and without any desire to skip ahead. I feel like after "Emblems," Matt Pond was consciously trying to get away from that Autumnal feel that I think fits so well. While good albums, I felt like "Several Arrows Later" and "Last Light" were missing something. The undercurrent was too far down. Then, for free through his website, Matt Pond released "Thefreeep" (The Free EP) at a time when it seemed like his band was dissolving around him. To me, "Thefreep" was (to use too extreme a word) an exorcism of sorts. I don't think there was exactly any evil to get rid of, but the EP seems like a stream of consciousness meant to expunge the fog and achieve some kind of clarity.
The result of this clarity I just made up is "The Dark Leaves," and album released in the spring, but absolutely right at home around the fallen leaves and warm fires of the fall. "Remains" is a song that I think showcases what I view to be an energized an centered Matt Pond at his best.
...If you remain in me
I will remain in you
And if you stay with me
I will stay with you...
matt pond PA - Remains
Friday, October 22, 2010
And I know 'cause we were kids and we used to hang
I'm sure my slew of loyal readers remeber me expressing my excitement over an upcoming Gaslight Anthem show. Well, it lived up to my expectations. Those guys put on a solid show. The roadies even rose to the occasion, scrambling over the lighting rig to untagle the giant skull and cross bones banner before the band took the stage to thunderous applause from the crowd. It's taken me long enough to post this that I can't remeber a ton of details from the show, other than my wife and I getting there early enough to secure a great spot on the second level above the sound board and me looking down on the mosh pit realizing that I'm to the point in life where a mosh pit has become officially unappealing. Call me lame, but I'm sure you could have come to the no mosh pit conclusion on your own based on the amount of folk I post about on this page. Anyway, this is what the concert looked and sounded like from the point of view of my wife's camera:
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (with openers Bridge and Tunnel rushing the stage to join in)
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (with openers Bridge and Tunnel rushing the stage to join in)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A Year of Seabass Says
I had meant to get around to this last week, but that pesky job of mine got in the way of typing up a blog post. Apparently, I had a blogaversary and didn't even realize it. You know how guys are always getting in trouble for forgetting their anniversaries? Well, I'm all over remembering my wedding anniversary, I just happened to forget that I started this little music blogging thing a whole year ago. Thankfully, my wife is awesome and her mind is like a steel trap with dates (her organizer/calendar thing is quite thorough, too). So on October 8, after the usual amount of morning routine monotony, she gave me an excellent blogaversary present before heading out the door to work: 3 long overdue CD acquisitions. I'm finally now the proud owner of "The Winter of Mixed Drinks" by Frightened Rabbit, "Sigh No More" by Mumford & Sons, and "The Dark Leaves" by matt pond PA.
I've written about Frightened Rabbit and Mumford & Sons before and I'd like to dedicate a post to Matt Pond's most recent collection at a later date. For now, I'd just like to thank the folks who have taken the time to read my online efforts here. Especially the people who let me know while we're hanging out that they read something and enjoyed it. I'd love it if I could convince my throng of loyal readers (I think it has grown to maybe 3 people....yes, I see that I have 10 followers, but I like to kid around) to leave some comments and get a little conversation going. Let me know what you like, what you'd like more of, etc. I have some plans for some upcoming stuff on Seabass Says. Some of which may require the cooperation of friends and family who make their living in the music industry (yes, readers, that means you could be hit with more Drew Kennedy related content).
Even if everybody stopped clicking in to this page, I think I'd keep posting. I've found that this blogging thing is more work than I had expected, but it is fulfilling work, as strange as that may seem. To me, music (and art in general) is about sharing. I hear a great song and one of my first thoughts is about who I can talk to about it. Well, this blog is my place to share and I can only hope that I've been able to spread the appreciation for the bands and songs I've featured here.
Looking back on my first year of blogging, I can say I've definitely had a good experience with it and, in particular, three things stick out:
~ Saying goodbye to my favorite music store in the history of music stores - Turning Off The Lights
~ Drew Kennedy linking my post on An Audio Guide To Cross Country Travel to the review section of his website and giving me infinite amounts of credibility as a leading mind in music blogging
~ My brother digging Austin Collins' music enough that he and two of his friends bought Austin's most recent album. I like the idea of helping a Texan songwriter reach new fans in Pennsylvania and Florida. The internet can be a beautiful thing.
That's all for now. I'll be back soon with some more music to share.
I've written about Frightened Rabbit and Mumford & Sons before and I'd like to dedicate a post to Matt Pond's most recent collection at a later date. For now, I'd just like to thank the folks who have taken the time to read my online efforts here. Especially the people who let me know while we're hanging out that they read something and enjoyed it. I'd love it if I could convince my throng of loyal readers (I think it has grown to maybe 3 people....yes, I see that I have 10 followers, but I like to kid around) to leave some comments and get a little conversation going. Let me know what you like, what you'd like more of, etc. I have some plans for some upcoming stuff on Seabass Says. Some of which may require the cooperation of friends and family who make their living in the music industry (yes, readers, that means you could be hit with more Drew Kennedy related content).
Even if everybody stopped clicking in to this page, I think I'd keep posting. I've found that this blogging thing is more work than I had expected, but it is fulfilling work, as strange as that may seem. To me, music (and art in general) is about sharing. I hear a great song and one of my first thoughts is about who I can talk to about it. Well, this blog is my place to share and I can only hope that I've been able to spread the appreciation for the bands and songs I've featured here.
Looking back on my first year of blogging, I can say I've definitely had a good experience with it and, in particular, three things stick out:
~ Saying goodbye to my favorite music store in the history of music stores - Turning Off The Lights
~ Drew Kennedy linking my post on An Audio Guide To Cross Country Travel to the review section of his website and giving me infinite amounts of credibility as a leading mind in music blogging
~ My brother digging Austin Collins' music enough that he and two of his friends bought Austin's most recent album. I like the idea of helping a Texan songwriter reach new fans in Pennsylvania and Florida. The internet can be a beautiful thing.
That's all for now. I'll be back soon with some more music to share.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Anniversary megapost
Three years ago, my wife made the biggest mistake best decision of her life and said "I do." Because we decided we could be as cheesy as we wanted on our wedding day, we gave out an "our songs" mixtape (mixtape always sounds better than mix-cd) as a favor. I guess you could say I put together an unofficial blog post to elaborate on our choices. Here, in all its sappy glory, is what I worte (I'm linking to any decent videos I found instead of bogging down the post with a whole bunch of embedding):
In the years we’ve been together, music has always had a special place in our relationship. Whether its songs we hear in the background of movies, artists we’ve discovered, or the concerts we’ve enjoyed together and with friends, there are certain moments and feelings that are tied to the music we’ve experienced. The songs that we’ve included on our CD favors are the ones that mean the most to us. Below are some explanations of what these songs mean to us, or at least to me. This may be a bit over the top on the sentimental scale, but I should be able to get away with that today.
Track #1 - The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
Brandie and I couldn’t figure out what “our song” was until we thought back to the first time we went out together. The first time we ever went out together wasn’t on a date, it was for a class project. We had to sit through one of the most boring meetings I’ve ever been to and we ended up cutting out early. I think we both still got A’s on the assignment, though. After the meeting, I convinced Brandie to join me for a movie (it didn’t take much convincing). We saw “Love Actually” and it soon became “our movie”. God Only Knows punctuates that movie in a great scene at the end. It’s the song that sums up “our movie,” so it has become “our song.”
Track #2 - Ben Folds – The Luckiest
This is the song Brandie walked down the aisle to. It is a beautiful song about love and being meant for each other. This is one of those times where the song says it better than I could. There is actually a line toward the end of the song that goes “I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.” It may be overly sentimental and a bit clichéd, but I think I can get away with that today.
Track #3 - The Clarks – I’m the Only
The first time Brandie and I went on an official date, she took me out to dinner. I proceeded to call her my sugar mama every chance I got. After dinner, we were hanging out with one of my roommates at my apartment and I decided I’d try to show off by playing some guitar. “I’m the Only” is the first song I ever played for Brandie. It must have worked.
Track #4 - Old 97s – Question
One day, we were in my favorite music store (City Lights Records) and decided to get an Old 97s album. Brandie insisted we get the one with “Question” on it. I wasn’t familiar with the song, but soon found out how great it is. “Question” is a song about a man proposing to a woman who isn’t quite expecting it. When I decided it was time to pop the question, I had originally planned on playing this song in front of a bunch of people and making a big production out of it. I ended up not having the patience for a big production of a proposal and asked her as soon as I got the ring home from the jewelry store. Just like the song, she wasn’t expecting it (but she was hoping for it) and she started to cry.
Track #5 - Frou Frou – Let Go
We first heard “Let Go” at the end of the movie “Garden State.” “Let Go” is a song about taking risks, letting go, and appreciating that great things can come from screwing up. This marriage thing is a big step. Putting so much trust in someone can be risky, but we know that even through hard times, we’ll come out on top.
Track #6 - Bright Eyes – First Day of My Life
This is one of my favorite love songs ever written and it is by a guy who is better known for sad songs about loss and pain. There is one specific part of the song – “I don’t know where I am, I don’t know where I’ve been, but I know where I want to go” – that I think is a great example of the sense of comfort and security you get when you’re with the one you love.
Track #7 - Ray LaMontagne – Trouble
Brandie and I found our way to Ray LaMontagne’s music through the TV show “Austin City Limits.” Ray came on after we watched Ben Folds and we decided to listen to this shy guy who looked like he was just pulled in off the street. Our jaws dropped when he started playing and we bought his debut album as soon as we could. This song in particular always sticks out for us. It’s a simple song of redemption through love, when a man is “saved by a woman.” I can’t say that Brandie pulled me out of a gutter or anything, but I know I feel better around her than elsewhere.
Track #8 - Iron & Wine – Such Great Heights
Iron & Wine’s cover of the Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” comes from the Garden State soundtrack. This is another song that is exceedingly sappy, but we love it anyway. Its quiet, its sweet, its everything you’d want in a song that reminds you of the one you love. While Brandie was studying in England, she listened to the original version of this song quite often. It reminded her of me and of home. Now, every time we listen to either version, she thinks back to her time abroad.
Track #9 - Cary Brothers – Blue Eyes
Another song from the Garden State soundtrack (if you didn’t guess, we really like that album). Brown Eyed Girl doesn’t work for us, so we needed a replacement. Most of the lyrics in the song - “I just want to sing a song with you. I just want to be the one that’s true” – are pretty simple statements of love and affection, but simple is good enough for me.
Track #10 - Duncan Sheik – For You
This song is included largely because I pushed for it. I had known the song before I ever met Brandie, but it has taken on a new significance for me lately. It’s a song that makes me think about wanting to – how did they say it in “As Good as It Gets?” – be a better man and wanting to build a great marriage.
Track #11 - matt pond PA – Lily Two
We got into matt pond PA thanks to Greg at City Lights here in State College. We’ve seen a couple of great matt pond PA shows in State College and couldn’t leave one of our favorite bands off of this list. Lily Two a song about being happy with who you are and where you are. Strangely enough, Brandie is even happy with who I am.
Track #12 - Beth Orton – Sweetest Decline
This song indirectly holds a special place for us. There is a book Brandie and I both read called “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.” “A Heartbreaking Work…” is a fantastic book that had a great effect on me in college, and I think, to a lesser extent, Brandie. Anyway, the author (Dave Eggers) likes to listen to songs repeatedly while he writes. He may be exaggerating, but he once said that he listened to “Sweetest Decline” on repeat for six days while he wrote this particular book. Brandie especially likes one line in the song: “You can’t pin this butterfly down.”
Track #13 - Jack Johnson – Banana Pancakes
I listened to a lot of Jack Johnson during the summer Brandie was in England and think about how great it would be when she got back and we could kick back and relax together. With how hectic life has been lately, we should take the advice in this song – “…maybe we can sleep in / I’ll make you banana pancakes / pretend like it’s the weekend…” – and forget about work for a day or two.
Track #14 - Gomez – See the World
For a Valentines Day gift, Brandie got us tickets to see Gomez and Ben Kweller in Baltimore. She even took me out to dinner in little Italy before the show. It was a great night and we had a lot of fun at the show. This song is especially meaningful for us because after we hear it, we tend to start talking about all of the places we want to visit.
Track #15 - Josh Ritter – Bright Smile
Josh Ritter is one of my favorite songwriters, and Brandie’s too. This song always makes her think about me and, of course, it makes me happy to hear that. This past winter, Brandie and I saw Josh Ritter play a solo show in DC. It turned out to be one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. After the show, Josh stuck around to talk with the fans and sign autographs. While we were talking to him, Brandie mentioned my desire to one day own a coffee shop. He seemed excited about it and even offered to play a show there whenever I get around to opening the place up. He signed a poster for me with a note wishing me good luck on my coffeehouse dream. Now, thanks to Brandie, I’m going to have to go through with opening a coffee shop some day. Otherwise, where is Josh Ritter going to play?
Track #16 - Dave Matthews Band – Dreamgirl
I couldn’t let this list happen without my favorite band being included. I could make hours and hours worth of CDs of DMB music that means something to me, but we had to choose one song. “Dreamgirl” is a song that puts a smile on our faces. It makes me think of Brandie and that’s about all a song has to do to make me smile these days.
Track #17 - Guster – Diane
There’s a few lines in “Diane” that repeat, “We’ll make it out together.” For me, that’s what this song is about…getting thorough the tough times and all of the speed bumps in one piece. Brandie and I will have our speed bumps along the way, but I know we’ll make it out together, just like the song says.
Track #18 - Norah Jones – The Nearness of You
Norah Jones’ take on “The Nearness of You” is a favorite of Brandie’s. We’ve been to a couple of Norah Jones shows together and had great times at each of them. I think its safe to bet that we’ll make a point of going the next time she comes to town. I can’t speak for Brandie on this one, but the reason I like “The Nearness of You” so much is the simplicity of it…the way it says, “it doesn’t matter what else is going on. As long as I have you, I’m happy.”
Track #19 - Looking Glass – Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)
We couldn’t make this CD without including “Brandy” (even though they spelled it wrong). I think about 80% of my friends responded to my introduction – “This is Brandie” – with a line from this song – “She’s a fine girl. What a good wife she will be.” They were right. Now that we live in Annapolis, and since Brandy used to be a bartender, the song fits even better. Any time I hear this song, I get a good chuckle out of it.
Track #20 - Virginia Coalition – Likeness
I introduced Brandie to VaCo’s music and she liked it right away. We’ve had a great time seeing them live and their music accompanies us on most of our trips. “Likeness” is one of our favorite VaCo songs. Its not just a song about being in love. Its about staying in love through a long life together. We obviously hope this for ourselves. We want to be one of those couples who are still cute and sappy together long after they’ve turned old and gray.
Track #21 - Jamie Cullum – I Get a Kick Out of You
Jamie Cullum is a musician we’ve been meaning to see live for a long time. He’s a crazy young British guy who loves to play jazz and big band music. You may have noticed this song as our recessional song. We’re hoping the first song played after we were married shows the kind of fun and good times we expect to have as a married couple.
In the years we’ve been together, music has always had a special place in our relationship. Whether its songs we hear in the background of movies, artists we’ve discovered, or the concerts we’ve enjoyed together and with friends, there are certain moments and feelings that are tied to the music we’ve experienced. The songs that we’ve included on our CD favors are the ones that mean the most to us. Below are some explanations of what these songs mean to us, or at least to me. This may be a bit over the top on the sentimental scale, but I should be able to get away with that today.
Track #1 - The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
Brandie and I couldn’t figure out what “our song” was until we thought back to the first time we went out together. The first time we ever went out together wasn’t on a date, it was for a class project. We had to sit through one of the most boring meetings I’ve ever been to and we ended up cutting out early. I think we both still got A’s on the assignment, though. After the meeting, I convinced Brandie to join me for a movie (it didn’t take much convincing). We saw “Love Actually” and it soon became “our movie”. God Only Knows punctuates that movie in a great scene at the end. It’s the song that sums up “our movie,” so it has become “our song.”
Track #2 - Ben Folds – The Luckiest
This is the song Brandie walked down the aisle to. It is a beautiful song about love and being meant for each other. This is one of those times where the song says it better than I could. There is actually a line toward the end of the song that goes “I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.” It may be overly sentimental and a bit clichéd, but I think I can get away with that today.
Track #3 - The Clarks – I’m the Only
The first time Brandie and I went on an official date, she took me out to dinner. I proceeded to call her my sugar mama every chance I got. After dinner, we were hanging out with one of my roommates at my apartment and I decided I’d try to show off by playing some guitar. “I’m the Only” is the first song I ever played for Brandie. It must have worked.
Track #4 - Old 97s – Question
One day, we were in my favorite music store (City Lights Records) and decided to get an Old 97s album. Brandie insisted we get the one with “Question” on it. I wasn’t familiar with the song, but soon found out how great it is. “Question” is a song about a man proposing to a woman who isn’t quite expecting it. When I decided it was time to pop the question, I had originally planned on playing this song in front of a bunch of people and making a big production out of it. I ended up not having the patience for a big production of a proposal and asked her as soon as I got the ring home from the jewelry store. Just like the song, she wasn’t expecting it (but she was hoping for it) and she started to cry.
Track #5 - Frou Frou – Let Go
We first heard “Let Go” at the end of the movie “Garden State.” “Let Go” is a song about taking risks, letting go, and appreciating that great things can come from screwing up. This marriage thing is a big step. Putting so much trust in someone can be risky, but we know that even through hard times, we’ll come out on top.
Track #6 - Bright Eyes – First Day of My Life
This is one of my favorite love songs ever written and it is by a guy who is better known for sad songs about loss and pain. There is one specific part of the song – “I don’t know where I am, I don’t know where I’ve been, but I know where I want to go” – that I think is a great example of the sense of comfort and security you get when you’re with the one you love.
Track #7 - Ray LaMontagne – Trouble
Brandie and I found our way to Ray LaMontagne’s music through the TV show “Austin City Limits.” Ray came on after we watched Ben Folds and we decided to listen to this shy guy who looked like he was just pulled in off the street. Our jaws dropped when he started playing and we bought his debut album as soon as we could. This song in particular always sticks out for us. It’s a simple song of redemption through love, when a man is “saved by a woman.” I can’t say that Brandie pulled me out of a gutter or anything, but I know I feel better around her than elsewhere.
Track #8 - Iron & Wine – Such Great Heights
Iron & Wine’s cover of the Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” comes from the Garden State soundtrack. This is another song that is exceedingly sappy, but we love it anyway. Its quiet, its sweet, its everything you’d want in a song that reminds you of the one you love. While Brandie was studying in England, she listened to the original version of this song quite often. It reminded her of me and of home. Now, every time we listen to either version, she thinks back to her time abroad.
Track #9 - Cary Brothers – Blue Eyes
Another song from the Garden State soundtrack (if you didn’t guess, we really like that album). Brown Eyed Girl doesn’t work for us, so we needed a replacement. Most of the lyrics in the song - “I just want to sing a song with you. I just want to be the one that’s true” – are pretty simple statements of love and affection, but simple is good enough for me.
Track #10 - Duncan Sheik – For You
This song is included largely because I pushed for it. I had known the song before I ever met Brandie, but it has taken on a new significance for me lately. It’s a song that makes me think about wanting to – how did they say it in “As Good as It Gets?” – be a better man and wanting to build a great marriage.
Track #11 - matt pond PA – Lily Two
We got into matt pond PA thanks to Greg at City Lights here in State College. We’ve seen a couple of great matt pond PA shows in State College and couldn’t leave one of our favorite bands off of this list. Lily Two a song about being happy with who you are and where you are. Strangely enough, Brandie is even happy with who I am.
Track #12 - Beth Orton – Sweetest Decline
This song indirectly holds a special place for us. There is a book Brandie and I both read called “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.” “A Heartbreaking Work…” is a fantastic book that had a great effect on me in college, and I think, to a lesser extent, Brandie. Anyway, the author (Dave Eggers) likes to listen to songs repeatedly while he writes. He may be exaggerating, but he once said that he listened to “Sweetest Decline” on repeat for six days while he wrote this particular book. Brandie especially likes one line in the song: “You can’t pin this butterfly down.”
Track #13 - Jack Johnson – Banana Pancakes
I listened to a lot of Jack Johnson during the summer Brandie was in England and think about how great it would be when she got back and we could kick back and relax together. With how hectic life has been lately, we should take the advice in this song – “…maybe we can sleep in / I’ll make you banana pancakes / pretend like it’s the weekend…” – and forget about work for a day or two.
Track #14 - Gomez – See the World
For a Valentines Day gift, Brandie got us tickets to see Gomez and Ben Kweller in Baltimore. She even took me out to dinner in little Italy before the show. It was a great night and we had a lot of fun at the show. This song is especially meaningful for us because after we hear it, we tend to start talking about all of the places we want to visit.
Track #15 - Josh Ritter – Bright Smile
Josh Ritter is one of my favorite songwriters, and Brandie’s too. This song always makes her think about me and, of course, it makes me happy to hear that. This past winter, Brandie and I saw Josh Ritter play a solo show in DC. It turned out to be one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. After the show, Josh stuck around to talk with the fans and sign autographs. While we were talking to him, Brandie mentioned my desire to one day own a coffee shop. He seemed excited about it and even offered to play a show there whenever I get around to opening the place up. He signed a poster for me with a note wishing me good luck on my coffeehouse dream. Now, thanks to Brandie, I’m going to have to go through with opening a coffee shop some day. Otherwise, where is Josh Ritter going to play?
Track #16 - Dave Matthews Band – Dreamgirl
I couldn’t let this list happen without my favorite band being included. I could make hours and hours worth of CDs of DMB music that means something to me, but we had to choose one song. “Dreamgirl” is a song that puts a smile on our faces. It makes me think of Brandie and that’s about all a song has to do to make me smile these days.
Track #17 - Guster – Diane
There’s a few lines in “Diane” that repeat, “We’ll make it out together.” For me, that’s what this song is about…getting thorough the tough times and all of the speed bumps in one piece. Brandie and I will have our speed bumps along the way, but I know we’ll make it out together, just like the song says.
Track #18 - Norah Jones – The Nearness of You
Norah Jones’ take on “The Nearness of You” is a favorite of Brandie’s. We’ve been to a couple of Norah Jones shows together and had great times at each of them. I think its safe to bet that we’ll make a point of going the next time she comes to town. I can’t speak for Brandie on this one, but the reason I like “The Nearness of You” so much is the simplicity of it…the way it says, “it doesn’t matter what else is going on. As long as I have you, I’m happy.”
Track #19 - Looking Glass – Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)
We couldn’t make this CD without including “Brandy” (even though they spelled it wrong). I think about 80% of my friends responded to my introduction – “This is Brandie” – with a line from this song – “She’s a fine girl. What a good wife she will be.” They were right. Now that we live in Annapolis, and since Brandy used to be a bartender, the song fits even better. Any time I hear this song, I get a good chuckle out of it.
Track #20 - Virginia Coalition – Likeness
I introduced Brandie to VaCo’s music and she liked it right away. We’ve had a great time seeing them live and their music accompanies us on most of our trips. “Likeness” is one of our favorite VaCo songs. Its not just a song about being in love. Its about staying in love through a long life together. We obviously hope this for ourselves. We want to be one of those couples who are still cute and sappy together long after they’ve turned old and gray.
Track #21 - Jamie Cullum – I Get a Kick Out of You
Jamie Cullum is a musician we’ve been meaning to see live for a long time. He’s a crazy young British guy who loves to play jazz and big band music. You may have noticed this song as our recessional song. We’re hoping the first song played after we were married shows the kind of fun and good times we expect to have as a married couple.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Stitches on the Radio
Since I'm pretty amped to see The Gaslight Anthem tonight in Baltimore, but busy trying to get enough stuff done at work so that I don't have to stay late, here's a short post and a couple of songs. I love the lyircs in the first song, "Boxer," reminding me of one of the great reasons to listen to music: stitches on the radio. A great song can put some light at the end of the darkest tunnel. Isn't that enough reason to spend a handful of money to join hundreds of your closest friends perfect strangers in a heartfelt singalong?
The Gaslight Anthem - Boxer
The Gaslight Anthem (Brian Fallon solo) - The Diamond Church Street Choir
The Gaslight Anthem - Boxer
The Gaslight Anthem (Brian Fallon solo) - The Diamond Church Street Choir
Friday, September 10, 2010
Down in the Valley, With Whiskey Rivers
...these are the places you will find me hiding
these are the places I will always go
I'll go ahead and say this weekend is the unofficial start to fall, as the NCAA and NFL football seasons kick into gear. I think the musical landscape changes with the seasons. I've written about it before, how different music just feels right with certain weather. The Sound On The Sound's Doe Bay Sessions (like many things in the world of music, I found out about this through another blog) is really great and what I've seen/heard so far seems like a great segue from summer to fall. Beautiful songs and harmonies in front of a picturesque wooded and watered backdrop with a small group of people letting it all wash over them.
Sound On The Sound's most recent Doe Bay Session features The Head and the Heart, who are joined on their second song, "Down in the Valley," by Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives (the stars of the previous Doe Bay Session). I'm having trouble thinking of a way to describe it other than, "It sounds like fall," so I'll just go ahead and get to the music. You can decide for yourself. As far as I'm concerned, The Head and the Heart have a top spot on my stuff to buy/concerts to see priority list.
The Doe Bay Sessions - The Head & The Heart from Sound on the Sound on Vimeo.
these are the places I will always go
I'll go ahead and say this weekend is the unofficial start to fall, as the NCAA and NFL football seasons kick into gear. I think the musical landscape changes with the seasons. I've written about it before, how different music just feels right with certain weather. The Sound On The Sound's Doe Bay Sessions (like many things in the world of music, I found out about this through another blog) is really great and what I've seen/heard so far seems like a great segue from summer to fall. Beautiful songs and harmonies in front of a picturesque wooded and watered backdrop with a small group of people letting it all wash over them.
Sound On The Sound's most recent Doe Bay Session features The Head and the Heart, who are joined on their second song, "Down in the Valley," by Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives (the stars of the previous Doe Bay Session). I'm having trouble thinking of a way to describe it other than, "It sounds like fall," so I'll just go ahead and get to the music. You can decide for yourself. As far as I'm concerned, The Head and the Heart have a top spot on my stuff to buy/concerts to see priority list.
The Doe Bay Sessions - The Head & The Heart from Sound on the Sound on Vimeo.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A Heart Full of Plans But Nowhere to Run
It is a lovely day here in Naptown. I took the back way into work this morning, driving with the windows down. That's really the only way to soak in a great morning, right? Anyway, I got hit with a great trifecta coming through the car speakers that I feel like sharing:
Loney, Dear - "I Am John"
I remember Greg at City Lights telling me about the first time he heard Loney, Dear live and grinning ear to ear thinking about thumping his table along to the beat as "I Am John" built to its crescendo. Good times in City Lights...man I miss that place.
Mike Doughty - "I Just Want The Girl In The Blue Dress To Keep On Dancing"
I got some great looks from the construction crew flagmen I drove by while I was rocking out to this in the car. Maybe my morning coffee worked a little too well today.
Rogue Wave - "Like I Needed"
No strange looks from the folks walking by the Naval Academy baseball field while this was on. Maybe I wasn't singing loud enough?
Loney, Dear - "I Am John"
I remember Greg at City Lights telling me about the first time he heard Loney, Dear live and grinning ear to ear thinking about thumping his table along to the beat as "I Am John" built to its crescendo. Good times in City Lights...man I miss that place.
Mike Doughty - "I Just Want The Girl In The Blue Dress To Keep On Dancing"
I got some great looks from the construction crew flagmen I drove by while I was rocking out to this in the car. Maybe my morning coffee worked a little too well today.
Rogue Wave - "Like I Needed"
No strange looks from the folks walking by the Naval Academy baseball field while this was on. Maybe I wasn't singing loud enough?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Seemingly Effortless
Short post. Two videos. I'll get my words per post average back down to earth...
I had some background music playing while working through some typically fun stuff at my office and I let Grizzly Bear's "Vecatimest" album play through. The more I listen to Grizzly Bear, the more I'm amazed by how polished and effortless their music sounds. There is so much effort that goes into creating such a tight and clean finished product that I think it gets lost in the end product and in the hands of lesser musicians/vocalists would be a total mess. I'm going to quote a YouTube comment from the first video because I think it makes the point better than me: "Black Cab is the crucible for good musicians. The lack of space limits you with instruments, and cars are pretty much dead acoustically, which strips the vocalist of even the slightest amount of resonance. It's almost a challenge. 'Come and play your music in this car. We dare you to sound good.'"
Grizzly Bear - All We Ask
Grizzly Bear - Ready, Able
Another YouTube comment because its funny: "it's like me ears just got f*%ked by a rainbow. bravo"
I had some background music playing while working through some typically fun stuff at my office and I let Grizzly Bear's "Vecatimest" album play through. The more I listen to Grizzly Bear, the more I'm amazed by how polished and effortless their music sounds. There is so much effort that goes into creating such a tight and clean finished product that I think it gets lost in the end product and in the hands of lesser musicians/vocalists would be a total mess. I'm going to quote a YouTube comment from the first video because I think it makes the point better than me: "Black Cab is the crucible for good musicians. The lack of space limits you with instruments, and cars are pretty much dead acoustically, which strips the vocalist of even the slightest amount of resonance. It's almost a challenge. 'Come and play your music in this car. We dare you to sound good.'"
Grizzly Bear - All We Ask
Grizzly Bear - Ready, Able
Another YouTube comment because its funny: "it's like me ears just got f*%ked by a rainbow. bravo"
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
