Neptune Ave. - Sammy

Ok, I know I skipped a few here but what can I say? Life is bananas. 

These guys are great - I saw them in Spain in 1996. Geffen won't allow embedding of their video for this song so here's the link: Neptune Ave. This album is called "Tales of Great Neck Glory". This held great sentimental value to me. I grew up spending my Summer's there. 

I wish that I knew ya,

That you weren't made up 

Hear the fog in your voice 

See the way that you strut 

Down Neptune Ave. 

Show me around, tell me a story 

'cause I'm a history hound

Yeah, I wish that I knew ya

Not a sketch in my book 

See the lines on your face

Your hard boiled look 

Down Neptune Ave. 

Yeah, show me around

Tell me a story 

'cause I'm a history hound 

Become more than a character on the page 

Description and dialogue that I saved 

oh-ho

I wish you were real 

I wish you could talk 

I wish you could feel 

I wish you could walk me 

down Neptune Ave. 

Show me the town 

Tell every story to this history hound 

Whatever happened to you on this beach?

Whatever happened to you in that bar?

Whatever happened to you on this street?

Whatever happened to your old guitar? 

Whatever happened to you on this ride?

Whatever happened to you in that club?

How did life ever take such a slide?

Where you learned to be someone no good? 

How do, how do you do?

How do, how do you do?

How do, how do you do?

I'd say how do, it's nice to meet you. 

How do, how do you do?

How do, how do you do?

How do, how do you do?

How do, yeah it's nice to meet you. 

How do, how do you do?

How do, how do you do?

How do, how do you do?

How do, yeah it's nice to meet you.

Queen of the Surface Streets - DeVotchKa

I have way too much shit to do each day and though it's great to be occupied, sometimes I don't even know why or what exactly I'm doing it for. Somehow this song (besides slipping under my feet and pulling me up) explains why and what - even if it's just imaginary... 

Well this is one place where
Your gods can't dwell
It's like walking in
To the mouth of hell
Sweating our dignities out on the subway
At the beginning of another long, long day

As for my mortal remains
I couldn't care
'Cause when the day is done
She'll be waiting here
That's when I love the accommodations
In a urine smelling transit station

I'll move these rocks
For you my love
I will tear them up out of the Earth
And I will bend my spine
'Til it's quitting time
'Cause I know what your time is worth

And I'll give my days to the Neanderthals
With the classic rock
And the wrecking ball
I'll go swimming in the wet concrete
And I'll cast my pearls at the unpaved streets

I don't mind the mental atrophy
'Cause when the lids come down, you're all I see
You're like a lovely hallucination
You get me through my current occupation

I'll move these rocks
For you my love
I will tear them up out of the Earth
And I will bend my spine
'Til it's quitting time
'Cause I know what your time is worth

See I'm towering
Above mortal men
I'll emerge from the darkness
And there you stand
You're the Queen of all the surface streets
I'm a wiener boy, that you're here to meet

I don't need the money
I couldn't care
'Cause everything I want is standing right here
I would live on the street
In a cardboard shack
Just the worship the feet
And the curve of your back
You'll be my only preoccupation
On a permanent vacation

Now I will move these rocks
For you my love
I will tear them up out of the Earth
And I will bend my spine
'Til it's quitting time
'Cause I know what your love is worth

What your love is worth
What your love is worth

Break Out the Make Out - The Maynards

In Toronto today. 

Torontonians could learn a little thing or two about making out from Montrealers.

I hereby dedicate this song to them...c'mon - Break out the make out!!

You can catch The Maynards this year at Pop Montreal...

Cast your vote for more lip lockin'

This year should be about less talkin' 

It's a fact that I have found

The benefits to go around 

Step 1: I start to dance 

Step 2: Begin romance

Step 3: You and me 

Step 4: Dance some more 

At the mall or in the hall

Eyes are wandering 'round like a stakeout

At the bar or in the car

Everybody's itchin' to break out the make out

B-b-b-b-break out m-m-m-m-make out 

B-b-b-b-break out m-m-m-m-make out 

B-b-b-b-break out m-m-m-m-make out 

B-b-b-b-break out m-m-m-m-make out 

Cast you vote for more lip locking 

This year should be about less talking 

Please heed my philosophy 

And everyone should get busy 

Step 1: I start to dance

Step 2: Get in their pants

Step 3: You and me 

Step 4: Dance some more

Passion's the latest fashion

It's time to show us what your style is all about

Heavy petting is what you should be getting 

Get yourself ready to break out the make out 

Break out the make out 

B-b-b-break out the m-m-m-make out. 

m-m-m-m-make-out

b-b-b-b-b-break-out

More great music by The Maynards can be found here

Panda - Okay

Today I had Tonkinese soup after a little Kung Fu fighting, and watched the sunshine come in and out of the day. A man on the metro dislodged his teeth and pushed them out and in, then out and in, and out and in again. We walked on a moving sidewalk uphill and made time for errands.


The simple songs are the ones that get me.


Sunshine, baby, sunshine
Comin' right out, right out of you
Right into my eyes, into my eyes
And I can't help but look at you

Sunshine, baby, sunshine
Comin' right out, right out of you
Till I feel it's mine, till I feel it's mine
And I have to, I just have to

Sunshine, baby, sunshine
Keeps comin' right out, right out of you
Till I feel it's mine, till I feel it's mine
And I have to, I just have to
I just have to, I just have to
let it go, and goes, and goes
where no where goes

I think you can download Huggable Dust for free somewhere...anyone?

The Myspace link is here.

Catherine the Waitress - Teitur

I've been on vacation for awhile, I've missed a few Saturdays - but now I'm back...


I love hearing pop songs in other languages, well most other languages...like welsh and dutch or spanish and oh yes, danish.

But, I am no good at typing out lyrics in other languages and who the hell knows what it means - I suppose you can make it up...or try to find a translation...sometimes the words matter enough to change the song. I think.

Just to make this post better, I've added the video for Ongir pengar...tell me, do you like listening to songs in other languages? Do you make the words up? Or do you wish you could find them out?

Teitur sounds like he was born a few decades later than intended...

Waitresses work their asses off. Well - some of them. I was a waitress once.

There are a bunch of great oooo-ooo's at the beginning of this song.

Besides, Tim likes it too.

Catherine the waitress,
if you only knew where my mind is.
"Is there anything you'd like?"
If I could only tell you!
You haven't even noticed me,
but, oh you are so good to me!

Catherine the waitress,
I don't intend to seduce you.
I'm not a resident, I'm not a regular.
But if I lived here this would be my favourite bar!
Cross my heart and hope to die,
I'm not drunk, and I'm not high!

The accident happened one year ago,
according to the lines in my hand.
A requiem is playing behind my eyes,
but you don't see it, Catherine, do you?
Do you?

Catherine the waitress,
if you only knew where my mind is.
"Is there anything you'd like?"
If I could only tell you.
You haven't even noticed me,
but, oh you are so good to me!

Myspace here. 

What Do You Want Me to Say? - The Dismemberment Plan

Ah...great live band. 1993-2003 Maybe they will reunite (again)?

I lost my membership card to the human race
So don't forget the face
Because I know that I do belong here

Go down the checklist let's see:
Feelings are good
Dishonesty is bad
And keeping it inside is worse still

You want a problem well I guess we got one now
I really don't know how
There's injuns over every goddamn hill

What do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do?
To let you know that I do mean it
What do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do?
To let you know that I do mean it
What do you want me to say, yeah, yeah?

I see it coming from a million miles away
What else can I say?
The only way you know that I love you

And there's no eye-to-eye just Moses on the mount
Or I'm in for the count
You need your man above or below you

I cannot cry at will but I do wish I could
'Cause it'd do you some good
When every joke I make is treason

There was a time when you could make me laugh at will
And you can do it still
But never is it for the right reasons, yeah

What do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do?
To let you know that I do mean it
What do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do?
To let you know that I do mean it
What do you want me to say,
What do you want to hear?
To let you know that I do mean it
What do you want me to say, yeah?


What do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do?
To let you know that I do mean it
What do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do?
To let you know that I do mean it
What do you want me to say?
What do you want to hear?
To let you know that I do mean it.

What do you want me to say, yeah?

The Dplan Myspazz here

By Your Side - Beechwood Sparks

Exciting news this morning! (this is for you, and you know who you are)...

Off to California in a week to a wedding...made me think of these guys and their cover of this song.  

They are the tallest band I have ever seen, they look like two scarecrows in a cramped field onstage. 

You think I'd leave your side baby
You know me better than that
You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't do that
'cause I'll tell you you're right when you want
and if only you could see into me

oh when you're cold
I'll be there
hold you tight to me

When you're on the outside baby and you can't get in
I will show you you're so much better than you know
when you're lost and you're alone and you can't get back again
I will find you darling and I'll bring you home

and if you want to cry
I am here to dry your eyes
and in no time
You'll be fine

You think I'd leave your side baby
You know me better than that
You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't do that

I'll tell you you're right when you want

And if only you could see into me...


oh when you're cold
I'll be there
hold you tight to me
when you're low
I'll be there
by your side 

oh when you're cold
I'll be there
hold you tight to me

oh when you're low
I'll be there
by your side 

oh when you're low

I'll be there

by your side

oh when you're low

I'll be there 

by your side, baby

oh when you're low

I'll be there 

by your side, baby

Here is the original version live by Sade

Everybody's Down - No Age

Punk rock and Xanax...this one's for the kids. 

Not afraid of laughter
Sense of feeling too

All the things they feed with dirt
Make me feel like I can't do it

Everybody's down
Everybody's down

It's time to call someone to fall
But no one is around

I'm exhausted too Roy
Fighting for two bits

Makes me feel like I can't
Makes me feel like I can't do it

Everybody's down
Everybody's down

In every soul
In every town

Everybody's got me goin' ooooo
a-ooooo, a-ooooo, a-ooooo

We only hope when we're dead
Get no joy always hate within

No Age Myspace

When Water Comes to Life - Cloud Cult

I'm going to see Radiohead this summer. These guys remind me of Radiohead.

Cloud Cult makes their recordings using geothermal energy and tour using biodiesel.

Craig Minowa who founded the band lost his son Kaidin when he was 2. The child simply did not wake up one morning. Sad.

and when the angels come
they'll cut you down the middle
to see if you're still there
to see if you're still there

and underneath your ribs
they'll find the heart shaped locket
an old photograph of you in daddy's arms

and then they'll sew you closed
and give you back to the water
from where we're all born
from where we're all born

and you'll feed the ghosts
and you'll feed the living
you'll be a stranger
and you'll a friend

you'll be the leper
and you'll be the healer
you'll be the hero
and the tragedy

and when they sew you closed
they'll give you back to the water
from where we're all born
from where we're all born

and when they burn your body
all thats left is sand crystals
two tiny handfuls
all the rest is water, water, water

all you need to know
is you were born of water
you are made of water
you are living water, water, water

all you need to know
is you were born of water
you are made of water
you are living water, water, water




Their Myspace page.

The Music Lovers - Destroyer

Destroyer is a pretty hairy guy I've been told.



Feeling fine, but it must be the wine
Cause it's April 27th and my baby's still dying on me
We stole a gondola to sea
And ditched the chaperones on jewel-encrusted roans who called us 'unprofessional'
Deep down they knew,
Oh that we were the music lovers

People say - "They just didn't want it enough"
Here, the people say - "They just didn't want it enough"
Oh, but we were the music lovers
People say - "They just didn't want it enough"
Hear the people say - "They just didn't want it enough"

The time of your lives has been had
And your wives have been bad
And look, the private sector's not denied you for the last time
They're saying - "Those grapes go rotten on the vine"
Oh, but once we were the music lovers

People say - "They just didn't want it enough"
Here, the people say - "They just didn't want it enough"
Oh, but we were the music lovers
People say - "They just didn't want it enough"
Hear the people say - "They just didn't want it enough"

Sister, the world cannot hold us...
Brother, you can go your own way...



Original Fleetwood Mac here (embedding denied)

More Destroyer here.

Happy Saturday!

Time To Pretend - MGMT

Yeah - I know everyone is listening to this. I never said that the blog would be groundbreaking. I just said that the songs, they'd be good.

This one is all about fate. It describes the shiny glam rock dream laced with sarcastic overtures that bring you right back down to reality. Luv it. And in the collective discussion about "sexy" indie rock that goes on, these guys are just that.


I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, in the prime of my life
Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives
I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin, and fuck with the stars
You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars

This is our decision, to live fast and die young
We've got the vision, now let's have some fun
Yeah, it's overwhelming, but what else can we do
Get jobs in offices, and wake up for the morning commute

Forget about our mothers and our friends
We're fated to pretend
To pretend
We're fated to pretend
To pretend

I'll miss the playgrounds and the animals and digging up worms
I'll miss the comfort of my mother and the weight of the world
I'll miss my sister, miss my father, miss my dog and my home
Yeah, I'll miss the boredem and the freedom and the time spent alone

There's really nothing, nothing we can do
Love must be forgotten, life can always start up anew
The models will have children, we'll get a divorce
We'll find some more models, everyting must run it's course

We'll choke on our vomit and that will be the end
We were fated to pretend
To pretend
We're fated to pretend
To pretend

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

You can watch the video here (embedding has been banned)

More from MGMT on myspace (but you'll hear them 'cause they're out on Columbia)

You! Me! Dancing! - Los Campesinos!

LC played at a venue I don't like but I saw the show with people I like. It started way too early and so we were let in free of charge. What I expected wasn't much, what I saw was pretty awesome. Especially for a bunch of kids...or make that because of it?

They do a pretty alright cover of Pavement's "Frontwards".

This song is about dancing, one of the better ones on the matter. If I had a song choice about pool-side lounging that would have been ok too. Any suggestions?


The beats, yeah, they were coming out the speakers
and were winding up straight in your sneakers.
And I'm dancing like every song who spends his bizzle
like all my dance heroes would if they existed.

And yeah it's sad that you think that we're all just scenesters
(and even if we were it's not the scene you're thinking of)
to taking props from nineties boy band fashions
all crop tops and testosterone passion.


If there's one thing I could never confess,
it's that I can't dance a single step.


It's you!
It's me!
And there's dancing! (x2)

Not sure if you mind if I dance with you,
but I don't think right now that you care about anything at all.
And oh, if only there were clothes on the floor,
I'd feel for certain I was bedroom dancing.
And it's all flailing limbs at the front line.
Every single one of us is twisted by design
and dispatches from the back of my mind
say so long as we're here everything is alright.


If there's one thing that I could never confess,
it's that I can't dance a single step.


It's you!
It's me!
And there's dancing! (x2)


The video is sweet too. We should all get down with the dancing...



You can find more music from LC here.

One with the freaks - The Notwist

It's raining and a lot of people are leaving town this week.




You'll no longer be kissed and kind
as you long for intuition
as you have to learn the lesson twice

You'll no longer be kissed and kind
as you long for intuition
as you have to say the password twice

Have you ever?
Have you ever been all messed up?
Have you ever?

Have you ever?
Have you ever been all messed up?
Have you ever?

You're the pincard
You're the lifeguard
You're the information guide
But things look much bigger on your knees
on your knees

Miss the signal
Miss the signpost
Miss the exits to it all
And all of a sudden
you were one with the freaks

Have you ever?
Have you ever been all messed up?
Have you ever?

Have you ever?
Have you ever been all messed up?
Have you ever?



Their Myspace is here.

Steel Your Girl - Neon Neon

Gruff Rhys can do no wrong in my book - but then those who know me already know that. 

His most recent collaboration with Boom Bip is a concept album inspired by the life and times of John DeLoreon. Much of it is side-splittingly funny and generally reminds me of the soundtrack to The Breakfast Club, Prince and Paula Abdul.

Here's my fav. song on the album. I also like Raquel (great baseline).

As a bonus, I've added a clip of the duo being interviewed by Lastfm at SXSW. Gruff's sax commentary -  "it has a vomit inducing quality" makes it. 

Videogames are nothing but illusion

Illuminate me with thoughtful interaction

Girlfriend I think we've reached a bad end

The future tense impossible to comprehend

So say goodbye for the final time

I'm gonna dance all night 'till the morning light

I'm gonna steel your girlfriend and end this show

For the final dance before it's time to go 

So say goodbye to your Valentine 

I'm gonna dance all night 'til the morning light 

And then steel your girlfriend and end this show 

For a final dance before it's time to go 

On a clear day I can see solutions 

To all the heavy shit facing revolution 

On a drawing card a time of no admission

On the condition I still get my permission

Parentheses of new light dry ice melts emotion 

You are forbidden fruit you are my temptation 

So say goodbye for the final time

I'm gonna dance all night 'till the morning light

I'm gonna steel your girlfriend and end this show

For a final dance before it's time to go 

So say goodbye to your Valentine

I'm gonna dance all night 'till the morning light 

And then steel your girlfriend and end this show 

For a final dance before it's time to go 

So shake your shaksi up and down 

Take a holiday, we're out of town

I'm gonna lay on the beach and surf in the sea

And by the end of this day, I'll be you, you be me

So say goodbye for the final time

I'm gonna dance all night 'till the morning light 

And then steel your girlfriend and end this show

Fo a final dance before it's time to go 

So say goodbye to your Valentine

I'm gonna dance all night 'till the morning light 

And then steel your girlfriend and end this show 

For a final dance before it's time to go 

'Cause I'm the CEO...

Listen to Stainless Style streaming entirely online at Neon Neon's myspace. 

I Need a Life - Born Ruffians

(drumroll please..) 

Hands down my first choice for this week..

I'm looking down
come help me up
and stumbling 'round
trying to fill my cup
it's half empty
Been that way all my life
So come pour some in
and take me out tonight

The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
and we stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night

I need meaning
I need a mission
I need a path
I need conviction
I need a life I've never had
I need much more good and much less bad

I need meaning
I need a mission
I need a path
I need conviction
I need a life I've never had
I need much more good and much less bad

The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
and we stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night

I found a meaning
I found a mission
I found a lord
I found religion
I found something I never had
I'm not sure what but it's not half bad
and I'm glad
I'm so, so glad
Those party habits are gone and dead
I'm turning in my old sinful ways
For a dull new life so I can pray, pray, pray

The sun is shining but we stay inside
Oh but we go out at night
We stay in looking for a better life
Oh but we go out at night
We put up curtains, block out the light
Oh but we go out at night
and we stay in bed until we feel all right
Oh but we go out at night

Oh but we go out at night
Oh but we go out at night
Oh but we go out at night

I need a life
I've never had
I need so much more good, lord
and much less bad




More here...

Audience - Dirty on Purpose

Short and sweet is this one.


You were full of liquor and lines and you said it was serious
you could not see straight
and you thought the audience in the room was the same
On a perfect day for a cigarette (not quite winter yet)
you're an easy mark to disappear
Oh skinny you're sleeping in your car

You fake a smile the lights are so bright they're blinding you
You close your eyes (like there's something to see inside of you)
Words fail tonight you can't get your jaw to cooperate
You change your mind

We bought every record in the dollar bin
every single one of them was a frozen cry
We sat and watched the city go to sleep every night
There will be big blue pools for swimming in and swings for sitting in
We'll get off the grid
We'll drift like continents
We'll never be missed

You fake a smile the lights are so bright they're blinding you
You close your eyes (like there's something to see inside of you)
Words fail tonight you can't get your jaw to cooperate
You change your mind

For more from DOP visit their myspace page

Don't You Forget Parts 1 & 2 - Micah P. Hinson

Here by request - a notable feature of the Saturday's Song blog (one that more of you should be enjoying) as well as dedications which have also been made...the deal is that whatever I get as a request/dedication goes up in addition to the pick of the week (see Fatalist Palmistry post for today). So keep 'em coming kids. 

This one comes all the way from Japan (far from home for sure). Carol and I have some fav's in common including Sea Foam by Land of Talk (which incidently might make it on here someday soon). In my last message to her I alerted her to their cover of Wintersleep's Weighty Ghost which is pretty sweet. She has returned the favor with this one. 

In her words: 

"I am a huge fan of the crescendo song. 

Land of Talk Sea Foam is a standout....many Loney Dear songs....

and.....

Micah P Hinson (he actually has a bunch) - Don't You Forget About Me (Parts One and Two) is the best though. I save it for the dingy elevator that takes me to my dingy office. I go in raring. 

I especially like the brief pause before the buildup begins.

And who doesn't want someone not to forget about them...especially when you are far from home. Memories tie us to people...and our own histories."

There are things
That I say
That don't mean a thing anyway

There are things
That I say
That don't mean a thing anyway
They don't mean a thing anyway

And don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
And don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
forget about me

And there are things
That I do
That don't mean a thing anyway

There are things
That I do
That don't mean a thing anyway
They don't mean a thing anyway

And don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
And don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
And don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
And don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
forget about me

Don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
Don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
Don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me
Don't you
don't you forget about me
forget about me

For more Micah P. Hinson follow this link and for that Land of Talk cover click here

Fatalist Palmistry - Why?

Warren and I saw Why? open for Yo La Tango last year and we really liked their sound but we were also convinced they didn't have good "songs"...boy were we wrong about that. 

These lyrics are published online but I am not convinced that the fill is truly "Anna, anna, anna, anna, ovation." I think it sounds more like "And I fit in, and I fit in, and I fit in, and I fit ovations." I'm a purist (with a pretty healthy imagination) so if someone knows for certain and I am way off, message me. 

I sleep on my back cause it's good for the spine
and coffin rehearsal
I know a psychic who reads her own palms
and the findings are personal
she keeps her fists shut tight and she sleeps on her side
well maybe she knows something I don't know

but I am still alive and loved
and wide eyed in my time
I'm not a mummy shrinking in its box
your cat clawed out my eyes while I's
distracted by your smile
and now my sockets sit like empty catcher's mitts waiting
and you ask me is there anybody else that I'm dating

And I fit in, and I fit in, and I fit in ovations...

but your painted pony is fading
lost like a snakeskin in high grass
and out to thrashing like a pet bird caught in a jet stream, that's me
you count them blessings cause your net worth
oughta be less cream in your best dreams
but god put a song on my palm
that you can't read

I'm lucky to be under
this same sky that held
the exhale from your first breath
like a ring on a pillow of clubs
I knew my tongue may stutter
but my gift heart screams clear and swells
to burst between your red lengths
of its bone briden self

and I am still alive and loved
and wide eyed in my time
not a mummy shinking in its cloths
there's a moth flock in my gut groan
I tug at my groin like tides trying to
pull women towards them, I can't ignore them
and when we say your name our tongues catch flame
and you wonder why we ain't got nothing to say

And I fit in, and I fit in, and I fit in, ovation at your house.

but your painted pony is fading
walks like a snakeskin in high grass
and out there thrashing like a pet bird caught in a jet stream, that's me
you count them blessings cause your net worth
oughta be less cream in your best dreams
but god put a song on my palm
that you can't read
I'll be embalmed with it long before you'll see

You can here more Why? music here
Where they do a pretty sick cover of "Close to me" by The Cure. 

Hewlett's Daughter - Grandaddy

I will never see this band live. This makes me sad. Not because I think they're the greatest band ever, but because of this song.


Hewlett's daughter
Loved her father
And I think she loved me too
For a little while

Hewlett's daughter
I forgot her
Now I'm treating (treading) water
And waste at night

High above the wrecks
On ice shelves and glaciers
I spy below the mess
And measure the pressures
Where sofas float on roads
And somebody stole your guns
Well sir I'm the only one
To get back your stolen guns
I should have been your son

High above the wrecks
On ice shelves and dressers
With crash united sewn
On all of my dress shirts
They firefell the roads
And somebody stole your guns
Well sir I'm the only one
To get back your stolen guns
I should have been your son

Yes sir, I'm the only one that should have been your son.



You can hear more Grandaddy here

re: Stacks - Bon Iver

So...been out dancing all night and still this song kills me.

This guy was isolated in the woods for a period and this is what he made...



This my excavation and today is kumran
Everything that happens from now on
This is pouring rain
This is paralyzed


I keep throwing it down two-hundred at a time
It's hard to find it when you knew it
When your money's gone
And you're drunk as hell


On your back with your racks as the stacks as your load
In the back and the racks and the stacks are your load
In the back with your racks and you're un-stacking your load


I've been twisting to the sun I needed to replace
The fountain in the front yard is rusted out
All my love was down
In a frozen ground


There's a black crow sitting across from me; his wiry legs are crossed
And he's dangling my keys he even fakes a toss
Whatever could it be
That has brought me to this loss?


On your back with your racks as the stacks as your load
In the back and the racks and the stacks of your load
In the back with your racks and you're un-stacking your load


This is not the sound of a new man or crispy realization
It's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away
Your love will be safe with me

Hear other Bon Iver music here

Advice to the Graduate - The Silver Jews

So...my last class was on Thursday. Exams start Saturday...officially semester ends...

Someone recently told me they "never really go into them" in reference to the Silver Jews.

If you asked me to choose my favorite SJ song, I would not be able to choose just one - but hey - let me know what yours is...


If you got a message leave your name and number
And we'll get back to you...

Sleep on your back and ash in your shoes
and always use the old sense of the word
Your third drink will lead you astray
wandering down the backstreets of the world

On the last day of your life don't forget to die
the things that you do will always make your momma cry...
Well I know you gotta lot 'a hope for the new men
well I know you gotta lot 'a hope for the new men - m-a-a-an

So you got no friends and you wander through the night
and now you watch the sunrise through a rifle's sight
Well don't believe in people who say it's all been done
they have time to talk because their race is run

So get in some licks and hold your head up
and soon you'll be drinking from that crystal cup

Well I know you gotta lot 'a hope for the new men
well I know you gotta lot 'a hope for
so much hope for so much hope for
so much hope for so much hope for

Good morning to the new world, to the new world, to the new world...

I want hope for I want hope for I want hope for...

To the new to the new to the new to the new...

Am I a Good Man - Them Two

You know when you have that special someone you'd do anything for and they go off and take it all for granted? Ya. You know. 

This song is originally by Them Two and was surreptitiously introduced to me by Band of Horses who I saw perform it at La Tulipe last fall. Their cover is surprisingly soulful and was a highlight of that show. 

A special thanks to Nic for reminding me what the song was and for sending me over the file. 

Am I a good man?

Am I a fool?

Am I weak? 

Or am I just playin' it cool?

I have a woman and I know she's no good

but still I keep my head up high 

and try to do the things that a good man should

Am I a good man? (am i a good man?)

Am I a fool? (am i a fool?)

Am I weak? (no) somebody tell me

I play it cool

She has made my whole life a mess

but still I work day and night for her 

so she can always have the best 

Am I a good man? (am i a good man?)

Am I a fool? (am i a fool?)

Am I weak? (no) somebody tell me 

Or am I just playin' it cool?

You know what - the best of her love she gives to someone else

But still before I hurt the little girl

I'd rather hurt myself 

Does that make me a good man?

Am I a good man? Am I a good man?

Am I a good man? somebody tell me 

Am I a good man?

She's made (she's made) my whole life a mess 

but still I work day and night for her 

so she can always have the best 

Am I a good man? Am I a good man?

Am I a fool? Am I a fool?

Am I weak? Somebody tell me

Am I just playin' it cool

You know I love her and I need her, 

even though she do me so wrong 

Am I just too blind to see?

Maybe I been in love too long

Hey, hey am I a good man? Am I a fool...

To The Dogs or Whoever - Josh Ritter

I know two posts in one day  - violates the concept of one song on a Saturday. 

If this keeps up I can see what will happen...cue mirage wave...I'll re-name the blog to "Saturday's Set" making it bound to become wildly popular with all the kids, syndicated and widely read by media consultants and academics alike which no doubt will lead to pots of money and loose women. 

Keep those requests and dedications coming!

This one is special, special by request. 

Going out to Ez from Alixxx with love.

Deep in the belly of a whale I found her
Down with the deep blue jail around her
Running her hands through the ribs of the dark
Florence and Calamity and Joan of Arc
I love the way she looks in her underwear
I lose my page then the plot then the book then I swear
She makes the most of her time by loving me plenty
She knows there'll come a day when we won't be getting any

The stain of the sepia the butcher Crimea
Through the wreck of a brass band I thought I could see her
In a cakewalk she came through the dead and the lame
Just a little bird floating on a hurricane
I was flat on my back with my feet in the thorns
I was in between the apples and the chloroform
She came to me often
I was sure I was dying
It was always hard to tell if she was laughing or crying

I thought I heard somebody calling
In the dark I thought I heard somebody call

Joan never cared about the in-betweens
Combed her hair with a blade did the Maid of Orleans
Said Christ walked on water we can wade through the war
You don't need to tell me who the fire is for
Oh bring me the love that can sweeten a sword
A boat that can love the rocks or the shore
The love of the iceberg reaching out for a wreck
Can you love me like the crosses love the nape of the neck?

Was it Casey Jones or Casey at the Bat
Who died out of pride and got famous for that
Killed by a swerve laid low by the curve
Do you ever think they ever thought they got what they deserved
Pity the bullet and pity the man
Who both find their place in the same sad plan
Who both are like the barrel going over the falls
Crying all the way down I never asked to be involved

I thought I heard somebody calling 

In the dark I thought I heard somebody call

General George began the day by taking pink little pills
Sent his men to the top of some hell of a hill
Through the whisper of trees came artillery breeze
He said I love the way the wind comes a'tickling my knees
Jane shot the apple right between the eyes
I was thinking of her when you came outside
Lemonade on your breath sun in your hair
Did I mention how I love you in your underwear?

Deep in the belly of a whale I found her
Down with the deep blue jail around her
Running her hands through the ribs of the dark
Florence and Calamity and Joan of Arc

I thought I heard somebody calling
In the dark I thought I heard somebody call

I thought I heard somebody calling 

In the dark I thought I heard somebody call

California Girls - The Magnetic Fields

I celebrated my birthday this week. I talked shit with friends, ate well, drank a lot, danced, kissed and cuddled. I also froze my ass off. As such, I doubly hate California girls. 

When I hear this, the envy I have for the warm breezes that run through their fingers and the bright California sun on their skin makes me want to grab my battle axe. 

Oh, and it rocks too. 

See them on their big bright screen

tan and blonde and seventeen 

Eating nonfood keeps them mean 

but they're young forever

If they must grow up 

they marry dukes and earls

I hate California girls

They ain't broke, so they put on airs, 

the faux folk sans derrieres

They breath coke and they have affairs 

with each passing rock star 

They come on like squares 

then get off like squirrels

I hate California girls

Looking down their perfect noses

at me and my kind

do they think we won't

well, never mind

Laughing through their perfect teeth 

at everyone I know 

do they think we won't get up and go?

So 

I have planned my grand attacks 

I will stand behind their backs

with my brand new battle ax

Then will they taste my wrath 

They will hear me say 

as the pavement whirls 

"I hate California girls"

A Break In the Clouds - The Jayhawks

So the BIG question is why don't more people listen to the Jayhawks?

I know a couple who do. They also continually introduce sweet and special moments into my life.

This is by request from Ez to "his gal Alixx"...

I just want to remember you
The way you’re standing there
With that hurry home looks in your eyes
And flowers on the table

Sometimes I see too much
Sometimes I see too little
Sometimes shadows fall, darken all
And cover up the fable

Every time that I see your face
It’s like cool, cool water running down my back
Cool, cool water running down my back

Sometimes I see my memories
Like a film that never stops
Although I know how it ends
Still I can’t help but watch

There’s a break in the clouds
As I feel myself shiver
Still there’s no light coming through
No reflection on the river

Every time that I see your face
It’s like cool, cool water running down my back
Cool, cool water running down my back

Every time that I see your face
It’s like cool, cool water running down my back
Cool, cool water running down my back......


More from The Jayhawks here

Sandy - Caribou

This is happily referred to as the "Sandy" song - Sandy being a golden retriever in the extended family....it affords us hours of kitchen dancing and has been eagerly anticipated here on the blog. I did say that I will take both requests and dedications. This one is for Eden. 

Now I'm divided

Like a flock of birds when excited

And picture circles in the sky 

You can't believe me 

Like all of the others who leave me

And feel their shapes across the aisle

Twirl things around us

And the shadows they left as they found us

Or running fingers through your hair

It's life that ended 

And the tracks that they left as they ascended

They'll picture circles in the air

Sometimes in her eyes I see forever

I can't believe what we've found

I know in time we'll be together

And now our love will make this sound

Now I'm divided 

Like a flock of birds when excited 

And picture circles in the sky 

You can't believe me 

Like all of the others who leave me

And feel their shaped across the aisle

Sometimes in her eyes I see forever

I can't believe what we've found

I know in time we'll be together

And now our love will make this sound

Sometimes in her eyes I see forever

I can't believe what we've found 

I know in time we'll be together

And now our love will make this sound

Here the whole song here: Sandy 

White Tooth Man - Iron and Wine

This song is excellent fiction, or at least a good comic book. 

Said the plain clothes cop to the beauty queen "I've seen nothing but a spoke in the wheel"

So she gave up her crown to a kid with a crutch and they both felt cheated after closing the deal

When the white tooth man I ran with then got all cut up from pissing out in the weeds

And a fight upstate with a broken blade and a wife whose finger never wanted a ring 

Said the plain clothes cop to the Indian Chief "I've made nothing but an honest mistake"

And the postman cried while reading your mail and we all got trampled in the christmas parade 

When the white tooth man who sold me the gun a map of canaan , and the government bonds 

Said "I love this town but it ain't the same" his ski mask ripped as he was putting it on

Said the plain clothes cop to the holy ghost "I've heard nothing yet that wasn't the wind"

And we all got sick on a strip club meal while the state house pardoned all the witches again

So the white tooth man with his kids in the car and a wad of money that was already spent 

Said "I love my dog but she just ran away and she'll keep running like the world never ends"

You can hear the full song here:  Iron and Wine

Beacon in the Darkness - Gruff Rhys

Inspired by the SFA show at the Cabaret last week, I had to go back and listen to Gruff's solo album "Candylion".

Now I can't stop listening to it. 

Here are the lyrics from what I can tell - 

Lighten up the dark

alleyways with golden (gold?) glow

Raindrops filled my eyes 

tears falling (pearls farming?) 

With a pocket full of aspirin

I gather up my everyday

As the target for assassin

disappears and blows away 

For you-ooo are a beacon in the darkness

and you-ooo shine

a shining light at night

People in the way

different times that we were playing

Get there all inside 

growing like a big balloon

'Cause if we lived on different planets 

of parallels that pulled away

And the breathing aparatus is out of date and in decay

For you-000 are a beacon in the darkness

and you-ooo shine 

a shining light at night

You solve the mysteries of illusion

And you are a puzzle that's complete

Gather all the bargames that we played when we were young

Father, mother, brother, sister, daughter in the sun

For you-ooo are a beacon in the darkness 

and you-ooo shine 

a shining light at night 

You-ooo solve the mysteries of illusion 

And you-ooo are a puzzle that's complete

a-ooo-ooo-ooo

RUSH has also used this lyric in their 1977  A Farewell to Kings in the song "Madrigal"....

Madrigal

When the dragons grow too mighty

To slay with pen or sword

I grow weary of the battle 

And the storm I walk toward

When all around is madness

And there's no safe port in view

I long to turn my path homeward

To stop a while with you

When life becomes as barren 

And as cold as winter skies

There's a beacon in the darkness

In a distant pair of eyes

In vain to search for honor

In vain to search for truth 

But these things can still be given 

Your love has shown me proof

Gruff Rhys - Candylion