Pixie in the Dark...

Kanye's G.O.O.D. album almost completed...Nas shares thoughts about Amy Winehouse collaboration...and grunge takes over my life yet again...

Well, I didn't really find a lot of music news to report on today. But, I thought it would be good to mention the few above things, seeing as how it's as good a day as any other to talk about this shit. So, Kanye West has reported that his G.O.O.D. album is "almost done." G.O.O.D. is a collaborative project with various other rappers including Cudi, Common, Pusha T, among others. Their album will drop in 2012, and I'm sure it will be just as innovative and dynamic as West's other releases.

Also, Nas shared some thoughts about his collaboration with Amy Winehouse, stating that it was "bittersweet." Nas shared gratitude that fans would get to hear the posthumously-released track, but stated that it's a shame that Winehouse isn't here to experience the release herself. You can listen to the track below:



After watching the movie, Empire Records, last night, I veered back to my childhood, and started listening to Surfer Rosa by Pixies, and In Utero by Nirvana. I guess I'm a shredded-jeaned, baggy shirt, hair-in-the-face, distortion-junkie grunge kid at heart. But, the truth of it is that for me, a little distortion can go a long way. Listen to My Bloody Valentine, and you'll know what I mean. It may be noise, but it's noise with a purpose. That's all I got for today.

Peace.

...is the word

Diplo gives a taste of his upcoming free EP...Patrick Stickles enjoys video games...

Well, today has been somewhat of a slow-starter in that I didn't have time to dedicate any music listening because I had to go make some paper$$$. But, it's all good, especially in this neighborhood, but some of the few blippets of information I was able to come across are interesting to say the least. To start off, Diplo (whom I am mostly familiar with from his collaboration with M.I.A.) is coming out with a free EP, titled Express Yourself. And in true Diplo fashion, it's stock-full of some collabos and samples and whatnot. You can partake in a little preview below:

DIPLO express yourself EP sampler by diplo

In other news, Patrick Stickles (of Titus Andronicus) published a video of him covering Lana Del Rey's "Video Games." The video was shot in his parents house the day after Christmas, and he states that the it's not meant to be funny or ironic, but who the hell knows. From watching the video, I hope he's being funny and ironic. You can watch it below:



As far as my listening goes, there's not much to report right now. A friend of a friend gave me a few suggestions, but I haven't had time to sit down and listen to any of them, but hopefully soon, I will have something to work with. As for now, I've mainly been listening to top-40/oldies/tejano AKA Corpus Christi radio! It could be a lot worse I guess.

Peace.

Post-Christmas Rejuvenation

Cat Power releases new track/video...The xx release demo...Lady Gaga shares a song on Christmas...

Well, it seems that the Christmas spirit has struck a musical chord in a lot of musicians. Most of 'em seem to be releasing old demos, new tracks, or random videos to keep themselves in the limelight, but for various reasons of course. To start, let's talk about Cat Power's new song "King Rides By." She released the song on Christmas Eve to spread awareness for the Festival of Children Foundation and the Ali Forney Center. The song is typical-Chan Marshall. Her smokey vocals, and the song's ballsey (??) attitude convey her persona to the extent that you feel like you're listening to The Greatest again. If you want to hear the track, and see the video (featuring Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao), you can view it here.

Also, The xx have released a demo for a song they recorded while in the studio for their upcoming album. The xx hit it big in 2009, with the release of their first self-titled debut album, and I guess folks were just really into their post-80s indie pop sadness. I'm not opposed. They are pretty good. I don't know what the album will be called, but they've said it's going to be inspired by "club music." You can listen to the demo for the song "Open Eyes" below.



In other news, Lady Gaga is getting sued by her former assistant for unpaid overtime...big whoop. She cashed in on 90 mil this year, so I'm sure a lousy $300,000 can be blinked away without a seconds pause. But, she released a song on Christmas, so her :gulp: monsters :gulp: can keep her in their minds and hearts when they are spreading Christmas queer cheer around the globe. Now, I listened to the song, "Stuck on Fuckin' You," and had to stop about half-way through. It started to sound like a crazy drunk bitch having solitary fun with a karaoke machine. As Ja'mie from Summer Heights High would say..."no offense, but it's true."



Also, as my Christmas went, I enjoyed the gifts I got, even though I didn't get the only thing I asked for. But that's how my luck runs, so it's best when I don't ask for anything. But, I have enjoyed listening to Simon & Garfunkel's Sound of Silence LP, and reading a book of plays by Stephen Adly Guirgis. Overall, Christmas was good. I hope everyone else's was just as sweet, if not sweeter.

PEACE.

A Christmas Carol Hiatus!

Nothing to note, yet I still like to gloat.

Well, there's nothing in particular that I found interesting in music news today, but for those of you who read for that specific purpose, here's a little glimpse. Paul McCartney made out like a bandit this year, Courtney Love is having problems with her landlady in New York and they are going to court in January to settle some claims of unpaid rent, Drake and Lil Wayne released a music video for a song I don't even know the name of (but could care less), and Rihanna also released a new music video.

So, now that that's out of the way, I get to share some thoughts. Christmas is one of those times that families can truly set aside whatever conflicts they may have to rejoice in this spirited holiday, or in reality, those conflicts can rear their ugly heads and Christmas can become a nightmare. For me, it's both. But, that's what makes it my favorite holiday. You never know what's coming at you, yet you go into it hopeful, and you come out of it with a little less sanity, and a little more life experience. I definitely want this Christmas experience to be more of a cleansing one, so I have decided to eliminate technology from my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations. No computer, no TV, just good old family fun, and whatever else Christmas is about.

So, I wish all of you guys a Merry Christmas! And I leave you with this little nugget. It's my favorite version of this song.



PEACE!

Does It Merritt A Mention?

Untitled Radiohead song from the 90s hits the web...Stephen Merritt releases video for his Franz Ferdinand cover...Windy & Carl release new song...Stereogum's Top 10 Late Night Television Performances of 2011...

Radiohead is one of those bands that has been revered for years and years with many people focusing on their ever-changing vibes, and genius of wit to match those changes. Now, I've never been a huge fan of this band, but I've always respected their work, and have always kept myself in the know for news about them. So, I came across an untitled demo from the 90s, but it was supposedly never released. But, for those hardcore fans, here it is for your listening pleasure.



Stephen Merritt, one of the quietest, weirdest, and most genius song-writers I've come to listen to and love, has released a video for his cover of Franz Ferdinand's "Dream Again." The cover was done for Franz Ferdinand's Covers EP for Record Store Day earlier this year. Though I haven't heard the original because I pretty much stopped listening to Franz Ferdinand after their self-titled debut album (which was great!), I like Merritt's take on the track, and I'm sure technology nerds will like the video. You can watch below:



Also, Windy & Carl, the husband-and-wife duo who have been making music since the 90s, have come out with a new song that is going to be on their new LP. The Dearborn, Michigan team's album (to be titled We Will Always Be)comes out some time next year, but until then, fans will have a song to tide them over. I like the atmospheric quality of the track. I could definitely see it on the soundtrack of a Sophia Coppola movie. If it's not clear, that was a compliment. But, you can listen to the song below:



Lastly, Stereogum, one of my favorite music websites, just released their top-10 favorite late night shows of 2011. It definitely let me know that I pretty much missed all of them in that I don't own a TV. But, from watching the videos on their website, my favorites include Girls performing "Honey Bunny," Wild Flag performing "Romance," and Das Racist performing "Michael Jackson." You can view the list here.

Also, I'm currently re-listening to PJ Harvey's 2011 masterpiece, Let England Shake, and finding out once again why the album made so many best-of lists, and why Harvey was granted so many accolades. It's a terrific album. If you haven't heard it, please do so. On top of that, a friend introduced me to a band called Iron Horse and their "Pickin' on" series, which includes bluegrass covers of bands like Modest Mouse, The Shins, and more. Right now, I have their cover of Modest Mouse's "Gravity Rides Everything," on repeat.

That's all. Peace.

Captain My Captain

Lost Captain Beefheart album to be released...The Darkness discuss almost-finished third LP...The Kills share an odd cover to a Christmas classic...

I wrote a while back about how I had newly discovered Captain Beefheart, namely their first album, Safe as Milk, which is still rotating on my Spotify account. But, apparently an album that the captain wrote and recorded in 1976 is set to be released on January 15th. Apparently, the album was shelved after some money problems between producer Frank Zappa and the record label. So, fans of Captain Beefheart can feast their ears on some unheard material, which ought to hold them off for a while, or at least forever, considering that Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) kicked the bucket almost two years ago. It's safe to say that he is, and will continue to be, missed.

In other news, The Darkness have shared an update about their new album, which is nearly completed. The album will be released some time in the spring. I'm sure most of you mainly know The Darkness from their 2003 single "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," which was released from their 2003 record, Permission To Land. You can read more about the album, and watch a video of the band getting ready to go onstage at the 2011 Download Festival here.

Lastly, The Kills have released something new! YES! It's kind of odd though. They've decided to cover one of the Christmas season's most beloved songs of all time, "Silent Night." But, they've added a little twist in that they've tweaked some of the lyrics to give the song somewhat of a darker tone. Now, they wouldn't be the Kills if they kept everything light and fluffy. Honestly, can you hear Alison singing "Sleep in heavenly peace," because I can't. You can listen to the track below.



I'd like to leave this entry with a charming little number. Take care.

A Rappin' Frenzy

Lana Del Rey shares another track...Korn announces a UK Tour...Panda Bear's new music video...Nicki Minaj thinks you're a stupid hoe...

Well, there seems to be more hip-hop stuff on the interwebs as of late, but I guess I gotta roll with the punches so to speak. Lana Del Rey has been in the music news a lot lately, with the announcement of her forthcoming album, her new music video, and now she's released another track from her album, titled "Off To The Races." I don't hate this track, but I'm not crazy about it either. I assume that it's going to be a good radio-friendly hit, and it seems to me that she's showing some kind of daring prowess with her lyrics, but at the same time, they're not exceptionally written. She's such a conundrum to me. The fact that she's gotten so popular might be a testament to how desperate we are for something new, and I guess people are just settling for her flashy nails, huge lips, and old-Hollywood aesthetic. You can hear her new track below:



I'm sure most of you have heard that Korn recorded a dubstep album. I pretty much fell out of my Korn phase when the dust from Follow The Leader had time to settle. After that, they pretty much fell off my radar. I did not, nor do I intend to, listen to their new album because of my aversion to dubstep, but I thought some people might be excited to know they are going on a five-date UK tour in 2012. You can view the dates here.

In other news, Panda Bear recently released the video for their track, "You Can Count On Me," from their album, Tomboy, which came out earlier this year. I like the spatial quality of the track, and the video will entice people who are into psychedelics, and those who are just looking for a slightly trippy visual to accompany their musical meanderings. Check out the video below:



Now, I've never really listened to Nicki Minaj, and the one song I heard about a year ago is one that I can't remember the name of because it was that insignificant. But, I've seen her in almost every magazine, sporting her crazy wigs and outlandish outfits. But hey, whatever works, right? She's released another track fromm her upcoming album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The track is comical to the say the least considering I'd never take it seriously, but I anticipate various DJ-remixed club smash-downs happening to it in the near future. Enjoy.

Stupid Hoe by NICKI MINAJ

Also, I am currently re-diving into Lust for Life by the wonderful Iggy Pop. Recorded by David Bowie, and containing some of Bowie's signature touches to his own work, it's a great album for those who haven't heard it. Never hurts to try something new...or old.

Peace.

The Science of Sound

What scientists have to say about top 40...Die Antwoord kills me again...And James Blake gets visual

Let's start this off with my dislike of the day first. I never liked Die Antwoord from the start. When I first heard them, I just had an utter disgust for their sound and for their whole approach. I get that they are introducing their culture through this particular art form, but it's just a style of music I'm not privy to, and I'm not exactly a fan of their presentation. But that's just me. A lot of people like them, and that's cool too. They've released their first single from their upcoming album Ten$ion, which I'm sure some of you have already heard. Judging from the video, they've stayed true to their aesthetic, and their weirdness (ie: various insects seeking shelter on their bodies, alien faces, etc.) You can view it below:

FOK JULLE NAAIERS from Die Antwoord on Vimeo.

Also, I was quite surprised when I liked "A Case of You" by James Blake. Not saying he's a bad musician at all; I think he's extremely talented. But, a friend played me his cover for Feist's "Limit To Your Love," and while I liked his voice, I felt that he played it safe by having it sound so much like the original version. It was a courageous effort. But with "A Case of You," he uses the same melody, yet his voice is perfect as a male counterpart to Joni Mitchell. He sings with the honesty of Anthony Hagerty, and that's pretty hard. Well done, James. You can view his video, featuring Rebecca Hall (of Vicky Cristina Barcelona) below:



One interesting thing I read was that a research team from the University of Bristol claim to have come up with an equation that can solve which songs will be hits. They say it's not perfect, with only 60% accuracy, but they've concluded songs that are faster, or more dance-friendly, have been more susceptible to becoming hits. They found this to be a trend that started in the 80's, whereas hits from before then were more diverse. This could also explain why the 80's is my least favorite decade in music. You can read the entire article here.

Also, most of what I've been listening to is The Golden Hits of the Everly Brothers. I've probably mentioned this record before, but I bought it at a flea market in Brooklyn, and it was one of those good buys. So far, my favorite songs on it are "That's Old Fashioned," "Crying In The Rain," and "Lucille."

That's all I got for tonight. Peace.

Grand Ambitions

Beck Adds his shit to some shit...Arcade Fire release new vid...and Murdoch wants to make a film

I'm always fascinated by artists modes of work. Some produce insane amounts of work in such short spans of time (ie: Jack White), while some take a longer time to perfect their craft, be it representing their work through a more visual medium, or even just fine-tuning some stuff that's already been cut.

Either way, First, I'd like to talk about The Arcade Fire. After listening to The Suburbs, I was pleasantly surprised that they came out so strong, considering that to me The Neon Bible was a little of a disappointment. Not that it didn't have some good tracks, but the overall tone of the album was a little too modest than I'd like this band to be. But, then they came out with the 'burbs and my love was instantly re-instated. That said, the video for their new single, "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)," is fantastic. I've always loved Regine Chassagne's voice (Listen to "In The Backseat," and tell me you don't fall in love), and I like the various concepts of this video (muted colors, faceless people, suburban backdrops, etc.), and the timing is just perfect. Sorry, I'm a nerd for this shit. Either way, you can watch the video below:



In other news, Stuart Murdoch (singer-songwriter for Belle and Sebastian) is making a movie! Well, it has been in the works for some years, and the film is to be titled "God Help The Girl," which seems to be about his musical project started a few years ago, also called God Help The Girl. Most of the songs were covers of Belle and Sebastian material, sung by three girls that Murdoch recruited. The band was short-lived, only releasing one album and one EP. But, it was all done under the guidance of Murdoch himself in that he wanted the band to be dismantled before he made the movie, so that the focus of the film would be their time together. Pretty calculated. Here's a video below with Murdoch talking to producer, Barry Mendel, about the project.



Lastly, I know I've raved and raved about Feist's new album Metals, but I thought it was pretty note-worthy that Beck remixed her first single, "How Come You Never Go There." Now, I've never been too big of a fan of remixes, but if they are done well, who am I to turn them away. And in my wayward opinion, I think Beck is a genius. I like the original version better, but Beck's remix is snazzy take on the love-ridden track. Check It Out:

How Come You Never Go There (Beck Remix) by Feist

That's all. Peace.

What's New For Me is New For You

Some good shit on the horizon, and some stuff that's interesting to say the least.

Well, part of the joy of listening to music is reading about music. To me, that's one of the great parts. Maybe it's attributed to my love for Lester Bangs, or Josh Eels, but either way, music journalism is in itself a crazy conundrum of art. That being said, when you read about certain bands or certain things, it can bring out any particular emotion. DUH!

So, when I read that Kesha (and no, I'm not gonna do that stupid fucking money sign) is doing a cover of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," perhaps one of my all-time favorite songs, I was a little bummed. I'm not going to lie. I am completely at odds with everything Kesha stands for. I don't find her to be a legitimate artist, and I basically almost vomited on myself when I first heard "Tik Tok." No joke. So, when I read this, it brought out the most monstrous form of hate that a pacifist can muster, which can be pretty monstrous, don't test me. But, once I heard her version of the song, I was humbly surprised. One, she actually has a decent singing voice. Two, she didn't put her bullshit pop spin to the track (which is what I thought she would do), and three, it's not terrible. It's not exceptional either. You can listen for yourself below.



In other music news, I am excited to learn that The Magnetic Fields are coming out with a new album. After I discovered The Charm of the Highway Strip some years ago, I've kind of been tracking Stephen Merritt's career. I didn't really listen to their last album, but Distortion was good. So, their new album is to be titled Love At The Bottom of the Sea, and you can view the tracklist here.

Also, it's made some music news that The Black Keys are not allowing their newest release, El Camino to be streamed online, and in an interview with VH1 News, they explain their decision. You can watch below.

Get More: Music Videos, Free Music Videos

That's all.

Born For Something

If you have nowhere to go, turn up that stereo.

Well, the blogosphere is going a little nuts with the release of Lana Del Rey's next single, "Born To Die." This is mostly due to the fact that her last song, "Video Games," made such a huge splash, and basically turned her into an internet sensation, garnering praise and negative backlash, as well as a slot on Later with Jools Holland (which pretty much bombed). Now, I am with the former in that I loved and still love "Video Games." I thought it was a refreshing tune, and I liked her sultry vocals over the piano and string arrangements. "Born To Die," sounds nice at first, but it doesn't hit quite as hard, and after hearing more of Del Rey's work on a demo a friend ripped, I was left with the feeling that she is one of those singers who is going to make a momentary mark in the music world and then fade away. Basically, at the heart of it, she's another Lily Allen. The spunk is there, but the ingenuity won't last.

I also heard a new track by french duo Air. The track is called "Seven Stars" and features Victoria Legrand (of Beach House). Now, I've said before that I'm not an electronic fan. The reason I chose to write about this song is because I cannot constantly write about music that I love because that's too one-sided. So, now I get to share a little hate with the world. I hate this track. The beat doesn't grab me, and the sonic overtones of the song just don't quite add up. It drones along, and has a random synth/voice sample that comes out of nowhere. And when Legrand comes in toward the end, it's too little too late. I'm sure electronic fans will jiz to it, but I'm not quite convinced. I like what they did in The Virgin Suicides though.

Here's a little tune I hadn't listened to in some time. It's one of my favorites.



More to come. Peace!

Making It Right!

Well, I'm just back home after a brief sting (8 days) in the NYC, and I had a blast with some of my oldest, best friends, and even though I was only there for a short duration, I find it difficult getting back to the day-to-day of Corpus Christi life. Oh well, I'll get used to it, or die in the process, but here goes nothing.

On a musical note, I didn't really get to listen to too much stuff while I was in New York, but the stuff that I did get to listen to was pretty good, as well as being pretty scattered. Most of it I don't recall the name of because it was heard in passing, but what I do remember is one song by Karen O and the Kids (done for the soundtrack of Where The Wild Things Are). It was playing in a bar called DRAM, and above all of the shouting/talking voices, and the bartenders sharing recipes, it was like a heavenly presence in the room letting everyone know that all of their nonsense wouldn't outlast the sound. Now, I've been listening to Karen O and the Kids trying to find that particular song.

On another Karen O note, I've been listening to her side project, Native Korean Rock & The Fishnets. It's fantastic. Most of the recordings I've heard have been on Youtube, and they are all rough sounding demos, but if you love Yeah Yeah Yeahs as much as I do, you probably won't care. Here's the video for my favorite song from them so far, called "Body,"



Also, while browsing in a thrift store in uber-hipster wonderland that is Williamsburg, I found a CD in a dollar bin by a band called Buttsteak. Yeah, so I bought it, only to discover that they are a pop-punk band from the early 90's. Awesome, considering I hate pop-punk bullshit, but I'm listening to it right now, and it's definitely something I could get used to. Plus, they also do a cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walking." So, they've got class.

Peace!

Love and Chaos

Where do you find a balance between the two? And what are the good jams to get you through?

Well, lately, I have been sort of monopolizing Grooveshark to the extent that I am constantly digging within their scraps for something that is going to move me, shake me, or just create some semblance of a stir. What I've gathered from their dismal landscape are two great artists. One, I've mentioned before. The other, not as yet (and shame me for it!)

I've been listening to the debut, self-titled album by Silver Apples, and it's great. I wouldn't put it on for a typical day of doing shit around the house, but it's good to listen to if you're in the mood for something different and a little unsettling. Yes, unsettling. There weren't many slow, feel-good jams, but there were interesting moments. I like "Oscillations" and "Dancing Gods," the best (at least so far).

The other album I've been listening to is Safe as Milk by Captain Beefheart. After hearing The Kills cover their song "Dropout Boogie," on the extended edition of Keep On Your Mean Side, I thought I should seek out the original version and see what the Kills saw in it. And, while the original version is good, the entire album is fantastic. It has my favorites: blues, psychedelic, spontaneity, etc. Let's just boil it down to the fact that it was a good find.

Also, I'm in search of good love songs. I'm not talking about the classics like The Everly Brothers or The Temptations. I'm talking about contemporary love songs. I feel as though people nowadays can't really write a good love song, or at least a song that hits and cuts deep. Adele's "One and Only" comes pretty damn close, but as far as contemporary stuff goes, some of my favorites include Jenny Lewis's "Trying My Best To Love You," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' "Stick With Me Baby," Devendra Banhart's "Baby," Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Porcelain," and many more. But, I'm always up to more suggestions, so feel free to email or message some good ones if you read this.

After finally watching Blue Valentine, which was great, I was definitely taken aback by the sincerity and feel-good quality of this little gem, though it's probably old to most people. Like I said, I'm always behind and always ready to play catch-up. You can listen below. Peace.

A Cowboy with the Cramps...

An Interesting Take on the DIY of Instrumentals and a Re-Invention of An Old Classic

As I said in a post before, I have been kind of dipping into The Cramps album Bad Music for Bad People, and I have to say that one of my favorite songs on the album is "Uranium Rock," which is the last track. I've always been a sucker for last songs on albums because I always feel as if musicians try to go out with a bang, or at least try to leave you with something memorable. For this song, it's not necessarily memorable, but I like the approach of jingling coins in the beat of the song. I love it when bands put random sounds and noises in songs. Give me a good beat on a bucket, and I'm sold! Maybe that's why I like Cocorosie...either way. This is a good album to start off with if you've never really listened to The Cramps.

On another note, I recently heard a track of Karen O singing Willie Nelson's country hit "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." It's an interesting cover, and the video poignantly portrays the plight of the American farmer. The song portrays a more solemn, sad tone than the original (of course), but it's still a listenable version, and Karen O is one of the most versatile and interesting front-women in music today. You can view the video below:



OH, and due to my Kills pandora station, I had the non-pleasure of hearing Charlotte Gainsbourg's song "Trick Pony," and I think it's safe to say that she should stick to acting. I loved her in Melancholia though.

That's all I got for tonight. Peace.

Closing Doors...

The Age-old art of moving on, with a little help of some friends.

So, living in Corpus Christi is proving to be something more than I expected. Without sounding too trite that this is "just what I needed," or any crap like that, it is (in a sense) a blessing in disguise in terms of what it has brought me. It has brought me time to breathe, time to sit in the sun and get blacker, and time to listen to the music that has helped me move on for years and years. So, I've made a little YouTube playlist of some of my favorite stuff that has struck a chord within the past few years. Some of it old, some of it a little newer, but most of it is what I consider great. Cheers!

Buddy Holly - Everyday



Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal



Joanna Newsom - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie



Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky



Devendra Banhart - This is the Way

Killing Me Slowly...

I know I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The Kills are my favorite band. I know a lot of people don't like them, and a lot of people that think I have good taste wonder how such a mediocre band makes it into my #1 spot. Let's just say they speak to me like no other...

...blah blah blah...So, this brings me to my point. Don't you just love it when a band you're obsessed with comes out with new material, and you discover it without ever having realized it was there, and you just can't help but overplay it and love it for what it is??? Well, that just fucking happened...again. It's like the first time I heard their song "Superpowerless." It was a magical moment. Now, it's hearing their cover of The Velvet Underground's "I'm Set Free" and a B-side from their album Blood Pressures, called "Blue Moon." Both songs aren't stellar, but it's still good to hear something new from this blues-rock duo.

Also, I've been listening to Beck's The Information. I forgot how great this album is. And...I'm still overplaying Feist's new album as well as dipping into The Cramp's album Bad Music for Bad People. Let's just say my listening card is on overdrive at the moment. Oh, and not to mention, I've been throwing in a little MC5 for good measure. You can listen to the two aforementioned tracks by The Kills below. Peace.

Metals in the Afternoon

A bright sunny afternoon, and somewhat broken-hearted, I sit with pen in hand, trying to write songs of lament and sadness, but alas, all I can do is put Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," on repeat, hoping that some of his lyrical genius and monumental provocations spill into me and help me with my sad little musings. But, no. That doesn't happen.

So instead, I opt for playing Feist's new album Metals, which (as I knew it would be) is brilliant. I want to say that it's probably her saddest and most haunting(?) album. Maybe that's not the best way to say it, but it definitely lacks some of the more youthful spontaneity of her previous releases. If you're looking for songs like "1234" or "Mushaboom," you probably won't find them here, but instead Feist grants us the pleasure of listening to the dynamic, beautiful presence of "The Bad In Each Other," the soft, solemn hymn that is "Caught a Long Wind," and the renegade bombardment of "A Commotion."

It's definitely her most daring effort, considering it's been four years since her last release, and she took an extended break from writing and creating music. Like any artist, it takes time to re-examine your place in the world, and find out what you want to say and the right medium and moment to say it. (I'm talking to you Fiona Apple!) I definitely recommend this album for Feist listeners or the human population in general. It beats the garbage on the radio...just saying.

Also, I ripped a friend's Gogol Bordello mix, and I'm pretty excited to get into that considering I've seen the band perform at ACL a few years back, and it was a fuckin' rad show. But, like any sunny day, it requires a spiffy tune to wash it down. So, I leave you with this little nugget. Peace!

Short But Sweeeet

It's been a little over a week since I've updated this thing, but it wasn't from a lack of trying, but more so, an entire uproot of my life, changing cities, changing careers, and ultimately just changing my general situation. But, one thing that doesn't change...my love in music.

After a dear friend posted a video of Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit singing a tribute of one of my favorite Patti Smith songs, "Dancing Barefoot," I took it upon myself to check these sisters out, and I'm glad I did. First Aid Kit is one of those groups that just gets under your skin, whether you want them to or not. The harmonization in their vocals, the sincerity of their words, and the connection from singer to listener just takes hold, and it's easy to become lost in their sound. Here's a video for their song, "Ghost Town."



Also, I recently bought Feist's new album, Metals, which I'm definitely excited to get into, since I expressed in a past entry how psyched I was that she was coming out with something new. I've only listened to two songs from it so far, and I can already feel a completely different vibe than the one that resonated on The Reminder, but I have a feeling that this album is going to be great, and I haven't even gotten a chance to fully dive into it.

That's all I got for today. Peace kids.

Coun-Tronic!

Can't necessarily coin that term, nor would I want to, but hey, that's where my head's at right now. It's a bright, sunny morning, and all I can do, besides laundry, is browse the web in an attempt to find music that soothes me, moves me, or does something to me. That last bit kind of makes me want to listen to Tommy James and the Shondells. But, at this moment, I'll just save that little one for later.

So, working at Urban Outfitters, we are forced to co-exist with Urban Radio, listening to random artists, ranging from the newly hip (Nikki Lane), and what Urban likes to consider oldies, but goodies like Animal Collective, Bon Iver, and maybe even a little Pixies thrown in to good effect, but I guess that's their way of being "diverse." In other words, it sucks. But, the other day, I did hear this one catchy song by the aforementioned Nikki Lane, and it wasn't half-bad. Granted it's the kind of song that catches your ear for three days, and then it's gone because it wasn't good enough to stay in the first place. But, I'm not going to showcase that song, "Gone Gone Gone," in case you want to hear it. Upon browsing her name on the web, I found this little gem, titled "Look Away." You can view the video below:



Also, I've been getting into Silver Apples lately. I've heard of them from several people, but have never really given them a solid listen, until this morning. And, given my love-hate relationship with electronic music, it's good to hear something that was refreshing for its time, especially considering they were, or are considered, precursors to a lot of electronic, dance, and house music that became prominent in the 90s. I've pasted the song, "You and I" below. It's the first track off their second album, which came out in 1969, titled Contact.



That's all. Peace.

Back To School...

So, upon hearing that my friend is taking The History of Rock N' Roll at UT, I immediately jumped on the band-wagon, so to speak, and decided to infiltrate her class, even though I graduated four months ago. I've gone to two sessions, taken excellent notes, and even consoled another student who got a bad grade on her quiz, though it was a quiz I didn't have to take because I'm not on the roster, ssshhh!

The class is great. It's not only a good, historical approach to the study of music, but it's also a social reflection on how we, as Americans, have adapted to music since the 1920's. Since I "entered" the class late, I arrived when they started discussing the 50's, so I missed the good stuff like Bessie Smith or Robert Johnson, but I have had the pleasure of hearing about The Everly Brothers, Richie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, and the displeasure of hearing about wholesome American heartthrobs like Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Paul Anka. So, it goes to show that the realm of "pop" and all the not-so-great things preduced from that station has been a constant trend for years and years, so it does leave some kind of refreshing entanglement that it's nothing new. If you are a product of the 80s or 90s, then you know it's a fact.

On top of that, my music listening has been growing more consistent. Lately, I've been listening to Beck's Stereopathetic Soul Manure, which I've never fully digested, and by God, I make these mistakes every time, but I'm glad that I'm finally getting more involved in it.

I've also been listening to...wait for it...The Everly Brothers, Richie Valens, and Buddy Holly! Class lectures are sticking to my mind, making me digest some music I've never heard from these artists, as well as those good old favorites that have stuck for years and years. Though The Everly Brothers fall into that 50's teen, heartthrob category, who can resist turning the volume up when this song comes up...



That's all I got for today. Peace!

Un renacimiento de escucha

As a music listener, one of the many things I can be thankful for are good friends with good taste in music. It's assumed that I may not always agree on their tastes; however, I can succumb to the inward urge to venture forth and give an educated look at what's coming across, either aesthetically or just visually (not literally visual, but more so the artist's vision.)

Today, I played switch-a-roo with a friend, and I recommended her to listen to Lana Del Rey's song "Video Games." She loved it, and played it at least three times today. In turn, she recommended me to listen to Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" off of his latest LP Making Mirrors. I have to say that I like his simple approach toward a break-up song, yet he uses his music to stylistically portray the somber onset of a bad breakup, but in the chorus, his voice explodes into a more angry resentment at the fact that break-ups make strangers out of the people involved. As a writer, the symbolism in the song was what drove me to even blog about it, because I thought it was a fresh look at the age-old break-up lament. Here's the video below:



Also, as I have said before, I've had to stick to my own personal stash of LP's, in that my broke ass cannot afford to hit the record shops every time an album comes out. That's why if I'm not listening to one of my records or cd's, I'm glued to my computer, watching music videos, or making another playlist on Grooveshark. So, on that note, I've revisited The Strange Boys, mainly listening to their album ...And Girls Club. It's a nice little take on old school r&b, blues, and rock n roll. I was quite fascinated with them in late 2008, early 2009, when I noticed a trend in bands reverting back to 60's garage and psychedelic, and I noticed that in Austin, they were one of the bands at the forefront of that "movement," but let's not use that word. Either way, my fascination with them kind of wavered, but it was a welcomed reintroduction to pop that cd in the disc-changer. You can view the video for the song "Woe Is You and Me" below.



That's all I got for tonight. Peace!

Visible and Audible?

Well folks, I'm in a listening funk. I've been neglecting my computer, CD player, and even music TV channels. I don't know why, but lately (meaning this past week) when I listen to music, I've just had to depend on Pandora to be on because I've been lacking the motivation to find and listen to music. But, Pandora proves to be a nifty little sucker every now and again.

If you haven't used Pandora, just try it out for a spell, and if you want some eclectic shit to blast your ear-buds a new one, then make a Beck station. You won't regret it. It plays the most random stuff, but it's always enjoyable. Because of this station, I've grown more of a new-found appreciation for electronic music, or music that is extremely beat-heavy. If you ask any of my friends, they will tell you that I flat out don't like electronic music, which isn't necessarily the case. I just don't care for it. Meaning, that it's not what I head for first when I enter a record store because it's not what gets my mojo risin'. Get the reference?

On another note, would someone please stand behind me in making a formal complaint to Urban Outfitters Radio. As an employee of the clothing store, I have to spend every shift listening to the same shit over and over and over. It's the most ridiculous, electronic, trendy, runway bullshit my ears have had the displeasure of enduring. I won't even go further into it because to give it any more play on your eyes would be a true disservice to music fans and generations to come. All I'm saying is Urban needs to play some good shit because it's seriously slacking, and it's making me want to quit my job on principle alone.

Veering away from music for a second, I am insanely excited to see more movies lately. Maybe that's why I've been neglecting music as of late. Maybe I just need more visual stimulation. Also, I feel that since Hollywood is at this random stage of making movies that are cheap entertainment, especially with regard to horrendous remakes, (please don't get me started on Footloose), there's still hope out there. Here's a list of movies I am ecstatic to see...

Melancholia
Another Earth
Restless
Contagion
The Skin I Live In
Drive

I'm most excited about Melancholia. I've been wanting to delve more into Lars Von Trier's films, and I think this one may be a good start. Here's the trailer:




That's all I got for now... Keep it rockin'. Peace!

Drown-Out and Download...

So many exciting new things are on the ho-rise-on! I am very excited to hear Feist's new single, "How Come You Never Go There," from her new endeavor, Metals. Judging from the sound, Feist has maintained her somewhat soft, introspective, multi-instrumental approach to love and longing, and she does it oh so well. After listening to The Reminder about a thousand times, I became a huge fan, and so this new album has been a long time coming, four years in fact. The new album hits shelves on October 4th, so if you're anything like me, you've already marked your calendar in anticipation. But, here's the new one to tide you over until that blissful day.



Speaking of new things, Bjork has also released another song from her upcoming album/multimedia project, Biophilia. Now, I cannot denounce the genius of Bjork, but when it comes to her music, my ears have always been a selective receptor as to what songs they choose to let into the soundscape that is my brain. So, I've never become a full-fledged fan, but I have an enormous amount of respect for the work that she's done, and Human Behavior remains a top song in my book. From listening to Moon, I am surprised by the more acoustic approach, with the harp being the main instrument besides her beautiful voice. However, it's a great track, which I definitely recommend. You can listen to it below.



I also heard this song on NME's "10 Tracks You Have To Hear" by Kurt Vile, titled "In/Out Blues." I'm not too familiar with Vile's work, but after hearing this track, I think I'd like to be. You can visit the blog post here. That's all I got for tonight. Peace!

Artsy Schmartsy

So...I've just finished reading the Patti Smith memoir, Just Kids, and I have to say that it is one of the best books I've ever read. It's not just a memoir in the basic sense, but more of a recollection of a time of art, poetry, and the promise that nothing is promised, so do what you can while you can. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is a writer, artist, musician, etc. Or, I would just recommend it to anyone who enjoys a vivid account of artistic transcendence.

On a more musical note, I've still been ditch-diving into my records. I started by revisiting Paul Robeson, and I constantly replay the track "There's a Man Goin' Round Takin' Names." I've looked for it online, and haven't been able to find it, so if you want to hear it, go out and buy a Paul Robeson record. It shouldn't bee too hard to find. Also, a friend introduced me to Deer Tick after I told her about my new-found obsession with Mumford and Sons, and this song is definitely a replayable (not a word!) one, though I'm sure fans of the band will say "duh!"



Also, I've been listening to Blue by Joni Mitchell. Her voice gets me every single time, and just listening to the song "River" is enough to convert any unknowing person into full-fledged Joni worship. And if it doesn't, something is seriously wrong with you. Also, how can you pass up an album that has been placed on so many "best of all time" lists, usually ranking Joni the top female spot. If that's not enough to convince you, I don't know what is.

Another band that has blissfully fallen under my radar is The Wolf. They are a local band here in Austin, TX that definitely play on the whole psych-garage mantra of producing work. The band has a page on Facebook, where they have six tracks available for listening. My personal favorites include "Jambourine" and "Just Like You."

That's all I got for tonight. Peace!

Connecting The Dots...

I am in a weird triangle lately. First I was listening to Title TK by The Breeders, and then it moved to The Pixies Doolittle, which (let's face it) is a classic. Now, I've been listening to The Kelley Deal 6000, which is Kelley Deal's project that she started while the Breeders went on hiatus around 1995.

While Kelley Deal was in rehab for heroin addiction, she passed the time writing songs and centering herself. I haven't listened to TKD6K's first album, but I have taken a particular liking to their second album Boom! Boom! Boom!, which I've recommended in a previous post. I'd hate to compare it to The Breeders because it's very different, but there are a lot of similarities. Deal's vocals are somewhat like her twin sister's, and the songwriting is pretty neat for someone who had to learn to play the guitar to join The Breeders. My favorite track from the album is currently "Where Did The Home Team Go?" (pasted below)



Also, for you hip-hop fans out there, I'm sure most of you know, or will be happy to know that Kanye West and Jay Z's album Watch The Throne is coming out on August 1st. A friend (who is obsessed with Kanye West) played me this little number, which samples one of my all-time favorite songs, and I'm not gonna lie...I am pretty excited. The song is respectively called "Otis." I've pasted it below, enjoy.



Peace!

A Sunny Afternoon...

It's my first day back in Austin, and as sit at my patio, smoking a cigarette, I am listening to The Breeder's album Title TK. Kim Deal's soft voice and the rough guitars blending perfectly. I am kind of sad that I haven't discovered this album sooner, but as they say...better late than...

I came across a documentary about The Breeders called The Real Deal, which documents the time Kim Deal spent in East Los Angeles in the aftermath of the Title TK album. In the documentary, they play a good amount of songs from the album, my favorite being "Off You," which you can listen to below. I loved the portrayal of both the Deal twins personalities as well as Kim Deal's take on music and making it "rude" and "weird."



Also, I've been listening to Mumford and Sons (I'm only a year late, maybe an improvement?). I haven't been able to get the song "The Cave" out of my head for the past few days. I think I'm going to overplay it until I hate it, which I don't recommend. I like this live version they did for SPIN:



PEACE! That's all.

Old and Fresh

So, since I have been staying back in Corpus Christi for the past few weeks, my music listening has become sort of stalled in the sense that it is harder for me to go online and seek new musicians and artists to fill my time and ears with. So, I am privileged to be under the musical care of a good friend (who has been letting me crash on her couch), and listening to her eclectic and somewhat off-hand tastes. When I say off-hand, I mean she posted a video of The Spice Girl's "2 become 1" on my Facebook page as a "thank-you" and "I'm so happy you're staying with me" message. It was well-received.

But, her tastes are unparalleled to some. Since I've been staying with her, I've been more exposed to some great music, like Electric Light Orchestra (PS: I recently bought their 1981 album, Time, and I'd strongly recommend it). There's just something great about Jeff Lynne's songwriting. It's progressive, it's futuristic, it's fucking weird to be honest, but it's hard not to become totally enveloped in the intricate song structures and dynamic sounds.

Also, I've been listening to a lot of George Harrison, circa post-Beatles 1980s as well as a lot of Otis Redding, which is never a bad thing. No matter how many bad days, or how many distraught hours one can spend contemplating the nastiness that lingers within human society, it's easy to get lost in Redding's voice and forget about all that shit.

Now, this isn't to say that I was never exposed to these artists at many points in time of my life; however, due to my friend's love for overplaying great artists, I can only thank her for drilling greatness into my head for three weeks. PS: If you are reading this, you gotta stop listening to Bob Marley every time you get stoned. He's great and all, but that just screams huge cliche.

I'll leave you with a fantastic song by a fantastic vocalist. Enjoy. Peace!

Singles or Doubles?

Well, my summer is moving along gracefully, relaxing on couches, smoking bowls here and there, and listening to some good music. The catch-up still continues as I delve into the new music of older bands that I never got to enjoy in their subsequent rises to music stardom, or pseudo stardom. The bands in question: Beirut and The Horrors.

The Horrors are currently streaming their new album, Skying, on their web site, and I've had the pleasure of listening in... so far, I think the album is going to be a steady, welcome addition to the music they've put out in the past. Luckily, a friend of mine played me one of their albums and I wouldn't say I got hooked, but I gained an appreciation for their homage to the synth-heavy 80s. Skying maintains that trend, which is visible on their first single, "Still Life." I recommend a listen.

Now, a song that I can't get out of my head as of late... "East Harlem" by Beirut. I've always appreciated their blend of folk and pop, and their song "Scenic World," was one of my favorites in 2007? Or 2008? I don't know...some time around there. But "East Harlem" brings back those feelings for me, and it makes me very excited for their new album The Rip Tide, which is going to be released under singer/songwriter/mastermind Zachary Francis Condon's own Pompeii Records. The album is slated for an August 30th release. But in the meantime, you can listen to "East Harlem" below. That's all I got for today... PEACE!

Beirut - East Harlem by Revolver USA

Catch-Up Continues...

With each passing summer day, I find myself diving into that old CD/Record/Tape collection to see what stuff has gathered more dust, because the way I see it is the more dust you have on something, the stronger the need to unearth it. So, today I delved deep into my pile of CD's and unearthed The Further Adventures of Babes In Toyland by, well...Babes In Toyland. This only further propels my nasty obsession with ugly, thrashy, noisy grunge music. But hey, it's a worthy obsession nonetheless.

If you have never heard of this band, I dare you to check them out. Kat Bjelland not only wails on the guitar, but her voice is monstrous, yet angelic at times. Who can pull that off? Yeah yeah...Karen O and all that jazz. Either way, this compilation was a disc I bought my sophomore year of high school, and it has some live recordings of the band at Lollapolooza '93, and the '95 Readings Festival as well as previously unreleased material. It's a good buy for someone just getting into BIT.

Another great find was The Kinks' You Really Got Me, which is sort of a "best of" compilation that's comprised of material from 1964-1967. It's got some great songs on here, including fan-favorite "All Day and All of the Night," and "A Well Respected Man," which I'm sure some of you will remember from the movie Juno.

That's all I got for now...I'll leave you with a little song called "Hitchin' a Ride" by Vanity Fare. This song always reminds me of summer...don't know why. Peace!

Give It Back...

If you were "coming of age" in 2002, either in high school or in college, then there was no way Taking Back Sunday's Tell All Your Friends escaped your attention. Their focus on emotional, heaven-driven, alternative rock and roll helped make them an instant sensation. Hell, they even got four successful singles out of that LP. However, for me, after their second album Where You Want to Be, they kind of fell below my radar, and I stopped paying close attention to them.

Now, they are at it again, with a new album, coincidentally titled Taking Back Sunday coming out on Tuesday, the 28th. What makes this album seem special is the fact that it has the original line-up that was present on their (let's just fucking use this word) 'legendary' debut album. But, judging from the album's opening track, "El Paso," it seems like they focused too much on making heavy, bold, scream-conscious rock and roll, rather than steal with their whiny, lamenting brand of rock greatness. Intead, they come off like frustrated high-school semi-metal heads. Like most people say...every band must evolve. I'd just rather look the other way. You can view the video with the song below.

Back To The GARAGE...

I begin this entry with a question: What is a music blogger to do when they've gone months and months without listening to music due to a hectic lifestyle and they've just been blessed with an immense amount of free time? Well, I'll tell you. We play catch-up! And so, due to this fun game of catch-up, I have been listening to music nonstop for the past week or so, and because of this, my music listening has gone toward a jumbled mix of various genres, like Paul Robeson's Favorite Songs, Adele's 21, and my favorite...The modern garage, psych revivalists!

Though I've mentioned these artists before, I have to pay them props again to further explain myself...Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall.

I first came across Thee Oh Sees after watching them play at the Mohawk during SXSW, and they put on an excellent show. The energy was perfect, and the music was thrashy enough to not understand what the singers were yelling, but perfect enough to catch the key changes, and have a good idea of what would come next. I've been listening to their album The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending a Night In. It's got some great tunes (ie: "Visit Colonel," "Grease 2," and "Adult Acid"). In case I wasn't too clear, this was a recommendation.

Another recommendation comes in the form of me flaunting my admiration and astounding appreciation (wow, a lot of A's) for Ty Segall, another garage, psych prodigy (sort of). I've been listening to his 2010 release Melted, though Segall just came out with a new album, Goodbye Bread though I cannot comment on it because I haven't listened to it. But, what I like about Melted is Segall's youthful spontaneity and lack of uniform ideas. Though the album is one uniform concept, it still maintains a lack of structure, but it's a decent listen. Listen to tracks "Girlfriend" and "Imaginary Person." You won't regret it.

Oh, and check out The Kelley Deal 6000's Boom! Boom! Boom!. It's kind of the shit. Peace!

Oh Boy!

The real start of summer comes with a variety of factors/attributes/signals/etc. The days are longer, the nights are shorter, the heat presses on, and people naturally carry a more laid-back attitude, and for good reason. I've always enjoyed summer because summer also brings about more time to focus on music-listening, music-creating (in terms of ideas), and writing.

But this entry is going to focus on the summer bringing us the much-needed spirit of...BUDDY HOLLY! Yes, Fantasy Records and the Concord Music Group are giving us BH fans a fantastic gift, which is a tribute record, featuring the likes of My Morning Jacket, She & Him, Fiona Apple and John Brion, Patti Smith, and so much more.

I was a little apprehensive at first, when I saw the wide array of artists that would be providing their stylistic renditions of Buddy Holly's music, but after hearing some of the songs that are going to be on the album (which is to be released on June 28th), I placed all worry aside, and have been enjoying the songs for what they are, which are welcomed homages that represent the magic and dynamic rock and roll stipulations that Buddy Holly was famous for, before his unfortunate passing.

I think fans will like Julian Casablanca's version of "Rave On," for he carries a tinge of vocal styling that is very reminiscent of Buddy Holly's style, so in that sense, it's a very truthful cover, yet still remains original. My favorite song, so far, would have to be Fiona Apple and John Brion's cover of "Everyday." Her smokey vocals, and the song's production evoke the same ethereal quality as Holly's original version. Safe to say, I am very excited, and very much looking forward to this compilation.

If you want to listen to some of the songs, they are streaming here

Peace!

After I graduate...

So...After recently graduating from college, everything is pretty much in the air. I haven't been writing so much, which is pretty apparent, considering I haven't published a blog entry in about three months. Hot damn, that's a long time.

Music listening? It's been at a stand-still. That last bands I got particularly excited about were Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall. I guess I'm in a more garage state of mind these days. That's just where I find my home when I'm listening to music. I like when the songs are a little out of tune, the drums have very little production, and you can barely hear the lyrics. It's pure magic to me.

On a purchasing note, I took a break from buying records/cd's/tapes, and took to buying...BOOKS! My goal for the summer is to read at least one book a week, in the hopes that my speed-reading will take flight, and I'll be able to read as quick as lightning, and not just any particular book, but the hard classics as well. I recently acquired Jude The Obscure by Thomas Hardy, Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol, and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Let's just say, I'm pretty stocked up for the next month or so. I've also been reading like mad...I finished reading Eat, Pray, Love a week ago, then finally finished Sexus by Henry Miller, and I'm about 40 pages from finishing Franny and Zooey (if you don't know the author, shame!). So, it's safe to say that my summer goals are well under way, which include working out, eating better, finishing some unfinished art pieces, and reading as many books as I can until my heart is content...

...oh, and finding a job of course. I had an interview today for a place called Bankers Toolbox, Inc. which designs software for banking systems. I think the interview went okay, but we shall see if I'm marketing/sales assistant material in due time. Until then...the job search continues. I'm secretly hoping one of the many newspapers I've called and sent my resume to, will call me back, and realize that I am the writer they've been searching for their entire lives, and need me immediately. Snap to reality: let's just take it one day at a time.

Until next time...Peace!

Polly Jean still Reigning Queen?

With her new album, Let England Shake, PJ Harvey has delved into some unforeseen territory. Always a sucker for change, Harvey has altered the state of her vocals, added some instrumentation like the auto-harp (especially when one considers her last album, White Chalk, was a string of piano ballads), and she also took her inspiration not merely from circumstance but from worldly events.

Harvey studied war for the past three years, while writing poetry pieces and song lyrics about how human beings deal with war, showing that she is not just a singer that matches wits with basic personified emotions, but rather a explorer that delves into the psychology and methodology of why these situations occur.

When listening to the album, the change is welcomed. For instance, “The Last Living Rose,” shows Harvey in an angry/sympathetic/remorseful/contemplative state. The song starts off “Goddamn Europeans!” However, by the end of the track, she is admiring her natural surroundings, contemplating the longevity of everything around her. “The sky move, the ocean shimmer. The hedge shake, the last living rose quivers.”

A few other key tracks on the album include “Written On The Forehead,” (though her voice sounds something akin to Bjork, with the insanity and spatial quality to match) “Hanging On The Wire,” “Let England Shake,” and “The Words That Maketh Murder.” While Harvey’s new album may not reach the highest peaks of the music mainstream, it is a music masterwork that will most likely expand to future generations.