But like a neglectful mother that attempts to compensate for her lack of physical affection and time spent with her child by dumping lavish, unnecessary gifts upon the darling's poor, unloved head...
Here's a ton of music.
"Recklessness" by Radical Dads
I had intended to post "Walking Wires" but couldn't find a version I liked, so this works. I love the melody, the guitar, the beat, all that jazz, but the vocals, oh those vocals! It sort of makes me feel like this. (PS has anyone ever read her twitter feed?! Here.) Otherwise, lovely music. Except who makes these music videos? Seriously, I'm getting my 13 year-old brother a GoPro for Hanukkah so he can start making bank as a music video director with the rest of these shmuckz.
Hanukkah? We're not Jewish. Awkward.
"I Really Need Love" by A Band of Bees
I appreciate the old-fashioned vibe of this. First, the band calls themselves The Bees. How much more 1960s can we get here? I definitely wouldn't be surprised to hear this song alongside the Mamas and the Papas. Except the sitar. Except I guess George Harrison was all over that thang, so been there, done that. Not the biggest fan of the music video, but it's better than an album cover youtube video.
"This Is Not a Song" by Islands
Somehow every time I hear the intro to this song, I think John Mayer is going to start singing. But I'm a big fan of the simplicity here. They take it slow, which makes it far more emotional. And I'm loving the harmony in the chorus. Islands has mastered not overdoing it; even in their music video, composed of mostly shadows, they've done a great job of giving the listener/viewer just enough. Also: day-um them lyrics are metaphysical.
"The Dream Team" by Fake Problems
A little on the punk rock side, but you've got to dig that cowbell. I mean, I need more cowbell. And the music video features what seems to be a drunken jousting tournament topped by a flour fest? Sooo, there's that.
"Heartbeat" by Kopecky Family Band
I don't know about you guys, but I'm starting to suspect they're not actually a family.
"Mockingbirds" by Grant Lee Buffalo
It's not like I miss the 90s that much. I mean, they put Grant Lee Buffalo in a cage. But I really love having access to its music. I used to think I was born in the wrong generation of music. Then I realized that we have access to music in a way that no generation ever has before, where I can go from singing along to Frank Sinatra to jammin' with The Black Keys to, like, booty poppin to Lady Gaga. If that's what you're into.
"Angels" by The xx
So, The xx's new album: great stuff, truly. Very consistent in quality. But no evolution whatsoever. I love Coexist, "Angels" being my favorite from the album, but it really does sound exactly like every dosequis song ever. On another note, if you've been hiding under a rock and never watched this music video, please do so now:
"Islands" by The xx
"Far From Grace" by The Doves
Don't listen to this with people. I feel like that'd be awkward. Sit in the corner with big headphones and embrace your inner social outcast. The lead singer definitely sounds a little like Guy Garvey of Elbow. Then again, maybe that's just because they're both English... culture fail.
And you can make fun of me (if you're mean), but I want so, so badly to see the Les Mis movie. And The Great Gatsby. Yeah for bringing beautiful parts of our culture to the big screen! I hope it brings so many more people to read the books or see the musical!
I used a semicolon in this post. Kurt Vonnegut hates semicolons.
Ok, so I'm a little late in posting. But I was watching Shawshank Redemption on a laptop under the stars in a very wet field, so can you blame me?
"Bruises" by Band of Skulls
I've always really liked Band of Skulls. They do intensity well, but they aren't trying to be headbangers or anytin cray like dat. And every once in a while, the female singer's voice even sounds a little like Joan Jett's. I am a little freaked out by that album cover, particularly since it's framing the word "bruises." But don't you feel like a rebel when you listen to their music? Yeaaah.
"Shut Me Out" by Wolf & Cub
A little on the rock side of things, this song really delves into some seriously deep concepts with its lyrics. Just kidding. I'm fairly sure the only words they say are variations of "shut me out." But that's fine too, because there's a mood for songs like this.
"Vanishing Cream" by Fresh & Onlys
First off, weirdest music video ever. Ok, maybe not ever. But still really weird. Why do these filmmakers think we enjoy feeling like we're taking hardcore drugs every time we watch their videos? It's not even artistic, just weird! On another note, this song feels like a throwback. Maybe it's that echo by the girls. At any rate, it's very fast paced and quite short, and I think this was a good decision on the part of the band.
Also, there's a really great exclusive I've got and want to share, but it's going to take a little bit of blog magic to get it posted, so Monday! And on this note, I say dream sweet things, mis amigos.
Some nights the sky is so dark, it seems to swallow up all the stars and threaten to eat the Earth. I hope it doesn't do that for a while. Like, until December 21, 2012
"California Daze" by Peace
Listen. I'm going to fall asleep right now. It's so perfect with floating vocals yet just enough percussion to keep it tethered to the ground. It's true love. Not to mention California daze is a familiar concept... I really hope this song does it for you like it does for me.
"Iron Doors" by The Lighthouse and the Whaler
Tonight calm would be nice. So this song is nice. Somehow the singer's voice is like a toned-down Young the Giant, a little less energetic, which really hits the spot right now. Also, someone is totally going to call me out for knowing nothing about music whatsoever, but is that violin I hear in the background? Violin makes me really, really happy.
"Sakura: Theme and Variations" composed by Yuquijiro Yocoh, performed by Mutita Narkmuang
So the other day I was at a crazy, wild dance party complete with flashing lights and tons of superheroes. Not joking. But I was getting bored of the madness and stepped outside for some air. Lo and behold, three classical guitar majors were sitting around a guitar and playing some of the most beautiful music I've heard in a long time. Every time the door opened, we'd get an earful of Flo Rida, and it just seemed funny to me that anyone would be inside listening to that when under the stars there was this incredible personal concert going on. My favorite song they played was this guy.
