Band – Sonic Youth
Song – Sympathy For the Strawberry
Album – Murray Street
Before Murray Street came out, I was a casual Sonic Youth fan. I discovered them when the 100% single was released off Dirty when I was in high school, bough Daydream Nation and really didn’t think much about them. Then I was introduced to the album Murray Street. This was a very spiritual time in my life and the droning washes of sound that were so strongly featured on the album really spoke to me. The album is exceptional from start to finish and correctly follows through the experiments they attempted (and mostly failed at) on their NYC Ghosts & Flowers album.
I generally don’t like the songs Kim Gordon sings as much as the ones Thurston Moore takes lead on, but Sympathy For The Strawberry is a huge exception. Dissonant notes and a wash of sound introduce what melts into a chant-like vocal performance by Gordon and back into sonic praise for techno-god. I used to crank this song on my way home from a job I hated, to help bring me down and lift me up.
HERE’s a pretty cool video of the band rehearsing the song (visit Amazon to hear the album version)
Hear Also: The Empty Page and Rain on Tin
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Doors - The Soft Parade
4.8.09
Band – The Doors
Song – The Soft Parade
Album – The Soft Parade
Unless you’re a pretty heavy Doors fan, you probably aren’t aware of the album The Soft Parade, other than its main single Touch Me. Released in the depth of Jim Morrison’s drug addiction and while the band was drawing in countless hangers-on, the tension works and this is, in my opinion, the ultimate Doors album. From the majestic intro of Tell All The People to the full-on country of Runnin’ Blue, the band is developing faster than it’s ability to cope.
The song The Soft Parade is a journey in itself (and far superior to the other 9 minute epic The End) with a spoken intro, baroque transition into an almost disco section, all brought together in the end with a stomping jam. It also has some of the best Morrison lyrics like, “When I was back in seminary school, there was a person who put forth the proposition that you can petition the lord with prayer,” and “This is the best part of the trip, the trip, the best part… I… I really like.”
It’s not pretty, but it’s a 100% Doors.
The best place to hear snippets is on the Amazon page HERE.
Hear Also: Wild Child and Do It
Band – The Doors
Song – The Soft Parade
Album – The Soft Parade
Unless you’re a pretty heavy Doors fan, you probably aren’t aware of the album The Soft Parade, other than its main single Touch Me. Released in the depth of Jim Morrison’s drug addiction and while the band was drawing in countless hangers-on, the tension works and this is, in my opinion, the ultimate Doors album. From the majestic intro of Tell All The People to the full-on country of Runnin’ Blue, the band is developing faster than it’s ability to cope.
The song The Soft Parade is a journey in itself (and far superior to the other 9 minute epic The End) with a spoken intro, baroque transition into an almost disco section, all brought together in the end with a stomping jam. It also has some of the best Morrison lyrics like, “When I was back in seminary school, there was a person who put forth the proposition that you can petition the lord with prayer,” and “This is the best part of the trip, the trip, the best part… I… I really like.”
It’s not pretty, but it’s a 100% Doors.
The best place to hear snippets is on the Amazon page HERE.
Hear Also: Wild Child and Do It
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Witch's Web
Band – …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead
Song – Witch’s Web
Album – So Divided
Misunderstood and overlooked Trail of Dead is one of the few “modern” rock bands that I think is still relevant and developing as artists. The album So Divided was completely ignored by everyone and has been all but disowned by the band, which is a shame because it’s fantastic. It skillfully combines the raging excitements of their early records with the wide-range concepts that have crept into their later albums.
Witch’s Web is an acoustic epic, and an oddball song in the group’s canon, complete with guest vocalists and lap-steel guitar. The lyrics tell the tale of failure and recovery, and where that leads you when you reach the end of the road. There will always be something better, so don’t worry too much about your current troubles.
You can listen to the whole album on their Myspace page HERE.
Hear Also: So Divided and Eight Day Hell
Song – Witch’s Web
Album – So Divided
Misunderstood and overlooked Trail of Dead is one of the few “modern” rock bands that I think is still relevant and developing as artists. The album So Divided was completely ignored by everyone and has been all but disowned by the band, which is a shame because it’s fantastic. It skillfully combines the raging excitements of their early records with the wide-range concepts that have crept into their later albums.
Witch’s Web is an acoustic epic, and an oddball song in the group’s canon, complete with guest vocalists and lap-steel guitar. The lyrics tell the tale of failure and recovery, and where that leads you when you reach the end of the road. There will always be something better, so don’t worry too much about your current troubles.
You can listen to the whole album on their Myspace page HERE.
Hear Also: So Divided and Eight Day Hell
Monday, April 6, 2009
Morrissey - I'm Not Sorry
Band – Morrissey
Song – I’m Not Sorry
Album – You Are The Quarry
I’ll admit it. I thought this album was going to be a joke when I heard about its upcoming release. Morrissey has gone so far beyond self-parody that when he’s going to keep releasing albums that have good songs on them, you’re going to have to dig for the good stuff while you try no to laugh at the self-deprecating lyrics. However, I was honestly impressed the first time I heard You Are The Quarry and could immediately tell that some of the songs would turn out to be classics. Also, a song like America Is Not The World had a particular poignancy when I was living in South Korea (which was when the album came out.)
I’m Not Sorry is a fantastic song, not because it avoids any of the Morrissey clichés, but because it dives in and completely embraces them. In fact, it dives in so deep that it adds a whole new depth to his music. No longer is he just the poor-little-boy that no one loves, but this same boy also has a dark past that he lived in direct reaction to his alienation. And he has no regrets.
His Myspace page streams this song and most of the album HERE.
Hear Also: America Is Not The World and I Have Forgiven Jesus
Song – I’m Not Sorry
Album – You Are The Quarry
I’ll admit it. I thought this album was going to be a joke when I heard about its upcoming release. Morrissey has gone so far beyond self-parody that when he’s going to keep releasing albums that have good songs on them, you’re going to have to dig for the good stuff while you try no to laugh at the self-deprecating lyrics. However, I was honestly impressed the first time I heard You Are The Quarry and could immediately tell that some of the songs would turn out to be classics. Also, a song like America Is Not The World had a particular poignancy when I was living in South Korea (which was when the album came out.)
I’m Not Sorry is a fantastic song, not because it avoids any of the Morrissey clichés, but because it dives in and completely embraces them. In fact, it dives in so deep that it adds a whole new depth to his music. No longer is he just the poor-little-boy that no one loves, but this same boy also has a dark past that he lived in direct reaction to his alienation. And he has no regrets.
His Myspace page streams this song and most of the album HERE.
Hear Also: America Is Not The World and I Have Forgiven Jesus
Friday, April 3, 2009
Fugazi - Ex-Spectator
4.3.09
Band – Fugazi
Song – Ex-Spectator
Album – The Argument
Here’s another punk band I didn’t expect another album from (see Social Distortion), let alone the best release of their career. If you’re a Fugazi fan and don’t own The Argument, go out and buy it NOW! It will take a little while to sink in, it’s not going to be as immediately earth shattering as 13 Songs, but the depth and skill that went into this album is a culmination of everything the band has learned over the length of their musical career.
Ex-Spectator features a dual-drummer into that should be enough to knock your socks off during the first listen. The song builds in a dirge-like quality to a meticulous bridge that explodes in anger and outrage. They even use bells to deepen the atmosphere! It’s heavier than Marin Walker and Repeater combined, and a hell of a lot harder to play.
You can sample the whole album off Dischord’s site HERE.
Hear Also: Life & Limb and The Argument
Band – Fugazi
Song – Ex-Spectator
Album – The Argument
Here’s another punk band I didn’t expect another album from (see Social Distortion), let alone the best release of their career. If you’re a Fugazi fan and don’t own The Argument, go out and buy it NOW! It will take a little while to sink in, it’s not going to be as immediately earth shattering as 13 Songs, but the depth and skill that went into this album is a culmination of everything the band has learned over the length of their musical career.
Ex-Spectator features a dual-drummer into that should be enough to knock your socks off during the first listen. The song builds in a dirge-like quality to a meticulous bridge that explodes in anger and outrage. They even use bells to deepen the atmosphere! It’s heavier than Marin Walker and Repeater combined, and a hell of a lot harder to play.
You can sample the whole album off Dischord’s site HERE.
Hear Also: Life & Limb and The Argument
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wilco - Pieholden Suite
4.2.09
Band – Wilco
Song – Pieholden Suite
Album – Summerteeth
This song is the point where I realized Wilco wasn’t just another alt-country/roots-rock band that was going to be putting out songs like Box Full of Letters and Outta Mind (Outta Site) the rest of their career. It sneaks up on you because on the surface, Summerteeth is a simple, sunny-day album, but repeat listens reveal something deeper. This song made me take another listen to the album with a different perspective. It also made me realize that Wilco is so much more than just Jeff Tweedy and that they are completely a sum of their parts.
The start of the song is pretty much what you’d expect from any alt-country song, but the moment the banjo kicks in, augmented by a horn section, it’s obvious this is a song (and album) as meticulously put together as Pet Sounds. If you’re a Wilco fan who has glossed over Summerteeth, it’s about time you revisited it.
Go to Amazon.com to get some samples of the album HERE.
Hear Also: How to Fight Loneliness and My Darling
Band – Wilco
Song – Pieholden Suite
Album – Summerteeth
This song is the point where I realized Wilco wasn’t just another alt-country/roots-rock band that was going to be putting out songs like Box Full of Letters and Outta Mind (Outta Site) the rest of their career. It sneaks up on you because on the surface, Summerteeth is a simple, sunny-day album, but repeat listens reveal something deeper. This song made me take another listen to the album with a different perspective. It also made me realize that Wilco is so much more than just Jeff Tweedy and that they are completely a sum of their parts.
The start of the song is pretty much what you’d expect from any alt-country song, but the moment the banjo kicks in, augmented by a horn section, it’s obvious this is a song (and album) as meticulously put together as Pet Sounds. If you’re a Wilco fan who has glossed over Summerteeth, it’s about time you revisited it.
Go to Amazon.com to get some samples of the album HERE.
Hear Also: How to Fight Loneliness and My Darling
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Social Distortion - Don't Take Me For Granted
4.1.09
Band – Social Distortion
Song – Don’t Take Me For Granted
Album – Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
I had pretty much stopped expecting anything from Social Distortion before Sex, Love and Rock n’ Roll came out. Mike Ness had put out the fantastic swan song White Light, White Heat, White Trash and several country tinged solo releases, so it seemed like a respectable end to a punk-rock career.
Then Sex, Love and Rock n’ Roll came out. Hold shit, what an album! This wasn’t a retread, it was a bona-fide classic Social Distortion album with an energy they had never shown before. I’m not sure if it’s their best album, but it’s top notch and as good as any of their ‘classic’ albums.
Don’t Take Me For Granted is a tribute song to all the experiences you have (good and bad) growing up. It’s particularly poignant because Mike Ness himself isn’t exactly a youngster and know firsthand the toll of live of excess can have on a person. Yet, he sounds both 16 and 65 as he reminds us that you should enjoy these lifetime experiences while they’re happening because they make us who are are.
The song is currently streaming in their myspace page HERE.
Hear Also: Reach for the Sky and Live Before You Die
Band – Social Distortion
Song – Don’t Take Me For Granted
Album – Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
I had pretty much stopped expecting anything from Social Distortion before Sex, Love and Rock n’ Roll came out. Mike Ness had put out the fantastic swan song White Light, White Heat, White Trash and several country tinged solo releases, so it seemed like a respectable end to a punk-rock career.
Then Sex, Love and Rock n’ Roll came out. Hold shit, what an album! This wasn’t a retread, it was a bona-fide classic Social Distortion album with an energy they had never shown before. I’m not sure if it’s their best album, but it’s top notch and as good as any of their ‘classic’ albums.
Don’t Take Me For Granted is a tribute song to all the experiences you have (good and bad) growing up. It’s particularly poignant because Mike Ness himself isn’t exactly a youngster and know firsthand the toll of live of excess can have on a person. Yet, he sounds both 16 and 65 as he reminds us that you should enjoy these lifetime experiences while they’re happening because they make us who are are.
The song is currently streaming in their myspace page HERE.
Hear Also: Reach for the Sky and Live Before You Die
The Beach Boys - A Day in the Life of a Tree
3.31.09
Band – The Beach Boys
Song – A Day in the Life of a Tree
Album – Surf’s Up
Those familiar with the Beach Boys’ history know that the album Surf’s Up was the apex of Brian Wilson’s departure from reality. The rest of the Beach Boys really had to step up and take the reigns of the group, which they do, both as songwriters and producers trying to tie together the frayed genius of Brian Wilson’s ramblings.
Knowing all this, A Day in the Life of a Tree is still an oddity in the Beach Boys’ catalog. True to its title, the song is sung from the perspective of a tree that is dying from the mounting pollution. Stranger still, Brian Wilson has a non-Beach Boy sing the song, their manager at the time Jack Rieley". I’m still amazed this track made it onto an album am more ‘in-awe’ of it than actually enjoy it.
The best place to sample this song, and the fantastic Surf’s Up album is on Amazon HERE.
Hear Also: Until I Die and Surf’s Up
Band – The Beach Boys
Song – A Day in the Life of a Tree
Album – Surf’s Up
Those familiar with the Beach Boys’ history know that the album Surf’s Up was the apex of Brian Wilson’s departure from reality. The rest of the Beach Boys really had to step up and take the reigns of the group, which they do, both as songwriters and producers trying to tie together the frayed genius of Brian Wilson’s ramblings.
Knowing all this, A Day in the Life of a Tree is still an oddity in the Beach Boys’ catalog. True to its title, the song is sung from the perspective of a tree that is dying from the mounting pollution. Stranger still, Brian Wilson has a non-Beach Boy sing the song, their manager at the time Jack Rieley". I’m still amazed this track made it onto an album am more ‘in-awe’ of it than actually enjoy it.
The best place to sample this song, and the fantastic Surf’s Up album is on Amazon HERE.
Hear Also: Until I Die and Surf’s Up
Monday, March 30, 2009
I'm From Barcelona - Andy
3.30.09
Band – I’m From Barcelona
Song – Andy
Album – Who Killed Harry Houdini?
I’m From Barcelona’s first album was about as close to pure Twee-Pop as you can get. The band (actually from Sweden) is a music collective of 20+ members that sound more akin to Nick Drake than to the Polyphonic Spree. Rather than combine all the instruments at once like a crazy chamber-pop orchestra, each instrument is given it’s own time to shine.
Their 2nd album really impressed me by showing a muscular development in their songwriting skills and overall atmospheric feel. Any song on this album could have been highlighted, but I chose Andy because it demonstrates the band’s newfound ability to create a creepy atmosphere (something completely lacking on their first album) and balance it with a sunny chorus and catchy hook. The lyrics are simple, but intriguing. I really want to know which Andy they are singing to and why they want him to join the band.
You can hear the song on their myspace page HERE
Hear Also: Paper Planes and Rufus (the Giant Silver Labrador)
Band – I’m From Barcelona
Song – Andy
Album – Who Killed Harry Houdini?
I’m From Barcelona’s first album was about as close to pure Twee-Pop as you can get. The band (actually from Sweden) is a music collective of 20+ members that sound more akin to Nick Drake than to the Polyphonic Spree. Rather than combine all the instruments at once like a crazy chamber-pop orchestra, each instrument is given it’s own time to shine.
Their 2nd album really impressed me by showing a muscular development in their songwriting skills and overall atmospheric feel. Any song on this album could have been highlighted, but I chose Andy because it demonstrates the band’s newfound ability to create a creepy atmosphere (something completely lacking on their first album) and balance it with a sunny chorus and catchy hook. The lyrics are simple, but intriguing. I really want to know which Andy they are singing to and why they want him to join the band.
You can hear the song on their myspace page HERE
Hear Also: Paper Planes and Rufus (the Giant Silver Labrador)
Welcome!
Welcome to my song of the day blog.
I started this because I always get random songs stuck in my head and thought it would be fun to write about them, and to share these thoughts with others. I also had a song of the day calendar last year and though I could have done a much better job.
I’m going to try really hard to avoid songs you’ve heard a million times and try to keep the list to some of my favorite songs of all time. I’ll also try to include a link where you can hear the song online.
The entries will generally be 2 paragraphs long. The first paragraph will give an overview of the band, while the second paragraph will go into more detail about the chosen song. I’ll also list 2 more songs by the artist I think are worth listening to for newcomers.
Have fun!
I started this because I always get random songs stuck in my head and thought it would be fun to write about them, and to share these thoughts with others. I also had a song of the day calendar last year and though I could have done a much better job.
I’m going to try really hard to avoid songs you’ve heard a million times and try to keep the list to some of my favorite songs of all time. I’ll also try to include a link where you can hear the song online.
The entries will generally be 2 paragraphs long. The first paragraph will give an overview of the band, while the second paragraph will go into more detail about the chosen song. I’ll also list 2 more songs by the artist I think are worth listening to for newcomers.
Have fun!
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