When the summer started, and I had bought countless new albums I've been meaning to get, I told myself I would listen to at least one or two a week. I was successful until I listened to At Dawn by My Morning Jacket, which I have since listened to every day, over and over again.
I enjoy music that cannot easily be categorized into a single genre, because the variety of instrumentation, vocalization, and apparent influences makes an album all the more complete. I've always said that I hate country music, and if I hear the K102 radio station I invariably become quite angry and my head starts to hurt. But some really good bands have country influences, and I am not against that at all(recent additions to my favorites include Jenny Lewis, Neko Case, Brandi Carlile, and of course Ryan Adams). When trying to describe MMJ's sound to newcomers, I've said it's a mix between folk, rock, country, and jam band styles.
Ultimately, though, their sound is their own; clearly rock with southern influences, lead singer Jim James utilizes long phrasing and harmonizing, often soaked with reverberation. The songs are decently long, and I was therefore shocked when I first looked up the lyrics to this album and found that there were so few words. But that's the really amazing thing about their music; they don't need a lot of words to get their ideas and their feelings across--it's all in the way that he sings and the way that the band plays.
The first time I listened to this album, I listened to it straight through, and afterward I knew I'd just heard a masterpiece. I just sat there, and said "wow" to myself. Then I started playing it again. But the true genius of the album didn't hit me until I really started to delve deeper into each individual song, examining the possible meanings behind the lyrics, and focusing on the intricacies of the music itself. The songs on this album cover the spectrum of human emotion, and a great deal of relevant experiences, especially with respect to relationships (obviously).
The album starts with the haunting but hopeful "At Dawn" in which he asserts his ability to make it in the music industry despite the admonitions of everyone else, which adequately serves as a metaphor for anyone trying to rise above.
The album picks up on "Lowdown" which centers on the importance of his love for another, and that she doesn't need to worry because she never has to fight with him, she never has to bleed for him, and she's only gotta dance with him.
"The Way that He Sings" has been deemed the "quintessential MMJ song" by one, and this may be true simply because of MMJ's description of their favorite band within the song: "Why does my mind blow to bits every time they play that song? / It's just the way that he sings, / not the words that he says, or the band. / Im in love with this soul, it's a meaning that I understand." There's a point in this song, when Jim James croons "Why's it so great just to wake every day, alive and by your side." that I get really, really happy-every time! The song consists of a number of questions that focus on the injustices of war and the state of the world itself, love, and music--specifically wondering how these things affect us individually.
The next track, "Death Is My Sleezy Pay" is a slow, sad song about longing for someone, how time seems to slow down when you're apart, speed up when you're together, how someone can be so sweet to you you can't stand it, and how death is better than not having that someone.
"Hopefully" is my favorite track on this record. This song is meant to be listened to without distraction, preferably cranked up so you can hear the crickets in the background and allow Jim James's vocals in the chorus to pierce through to your soul. (Can you say cliché!?! haha.) But seriously, that's what it feels like. This song is about a couple who's fallen on hard times, but he knows how much he loves her and he's determined to make it right. It's by far the most emotional song on the album, and when James starts the chorus, you'll know. Everytime this song starts, with James whispering "I'm ready when you are" before the guitar starts, I get sucked in and feel it.
As much as Hopefully sounded like a song you have to listen to at night, I've listened to "Bermuda Highway" in my bed before I go to sleep more than any other song. It has a soothing poetic rhythm to it, telling two short stories about loneliness and concern about being "carved out" from her life, and about her abandoning her dreams. I can't figure out exactly who he's talking about at the end, when he says "Sometimes I wonder why that meek guy got all the fame, / maybe im to blame for his short bitter fucked up life."--whether it's himself, and he's referring to regrets about the man he's become, or someone else... (Actually, the whole song is rather hard to understand exactly--check out the lyrics and tell me if you're not confused by the fourth line) Either way, this song hits you; they do
such a good job of evoking the mood of the lyrics through their music--THAT is their musical genius I've been talking about.
"Honest Man" is one of the true rockers on the album, with twangy guitar solos and screams, which delivers a good change-of-pace from the previous slow songs. It wakes you up. James once again, as if out of the depths of sleep and/or depression, asserts that he's going to try his hardest to be an honest man and to "make it on this earth."
"Xmas Curtain" is wonderful! More upbeat, but not a rocker, actually infuses a bit of reggae in it with metal drums in the bridge, it serves as an interesting switch up. And its subject matter is so obscure that it carries with it somewhat of a carefree attitude, unlike much of the rest of the album. My guess is that the "lawbreakers who never break the law" are men stealing (and behaving badly with) women's hearts.
"Just Because I Do" may be an affirmation of independence, which centers on attempts to help her get better and be her normal self, so he can leave her and/or get over her.
"If It Smashes Down" consists of just Jim James and his banjo, thumping and plucking away, as he slowly recounts "lovely trips" with his lover. His voice echoes and fills wherever he was, and contributes to the feelings of solitude that this song evokes.
"I Needed It Most" is the fourth longest song on the record, and is another acoustic song soaked with reverb. It is perhaps the most poetic, and James utilizes the longest phrasing in the album (not many words, but each line takes a while) which is equally tempo'ed to give it all equal weight. He's looking back on his past, and reflecting on the state of his current relationship with the one he loves. He's telling her that despite their differences, and despite the really hard times that make them feel they'll crumble, all that matters in the end is that they're there for each other, that they've both got someone to hold when they need it most.
"Phone Went West" is a quest for answers, and for something to happen. The pragmatism of the lyrics, "Is there a doctor in the house tonight? / If there's a wrong, he could make it right." contrast with his longing to know what's going on in the uncertainty of his relationship ("Tell me I'm wrong, tell me I'm right. / Tell me there's nobody else in the world."). Not knowing whether or not he gets his answers, we see that he chooses to act, as he repeats "There will be a knock on your back door." at the end of the song. It seems that finally, after everything that's happened, he's chosen to just go see her.
Some people have said that "Strangulation" doesn't belong on this record because of its bits of heavy rock, but I argue that this song is the perfect end to this album. It starts off softly, with the words "strangulation / I don't wanna feel a thing," and covers the heaviest subjects on the album: although living in such despair and apathy that suicide seems to be the best option at times, James comes to the conclusion that despite it all, he believes that someone up there is looking out for us and helping us with the pain. This song serves as the perfect catharsis: sadness for our lost loved ones and our depressing lives, anger for how unfair things have seemed, and finally, knowing that we aren't alone, hope for the future.
Sample these MP3's from their site (right-click "save target as"):
Lowdown.mp3
Bermuda Highway.mp3
Friday, August 10, 2007
My Morning Jacket's Masterpiece: At Dawn
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Sia - Lady Croissant
Sia's live album was released on April 3, 2007, and here's the product description: Astralwerks is thrilled to release a new mini LP by Sia, Lady Croissant, which was recorded live at Bowery Ballroom in NYC. The recording includes eight songs from both the Zero 7 and Sia catalog. This live performance captures Sia at an incredible height, performing such songs as "Numb", "Don't Bring Me Down", "Distractions" and "Breathe Me". This release also includes a brand new studio track titled "Pictures".
Although the track list isn't long, it definitely includes some of Sia's best songs from both her solo career and her work with Zero 7, showing how well she is able to play material from both of these projects at once, coalescing such different stuff into a streamless, beautiful whole.
Her band plays flawlessly on this release, but by far the most compelling talent is Sia's voice. Live, her voice changes from a soft, airy crooning to a strong, piercing wail that blows you away with its power. The two Zero 7 tracks, "Destiny" and "Distractions" are awesome live, but the real stand outs are her earlier track, "Blow it all Away" off her debut, which gains a much fuller sound live, and my favorite, the amazing "Lentil" which was previously unreleased. Lentil builds from a melancholy reminiscence to an all-out cry for forgiveness. Every time I listen to this song, time seems to stop and my entire being is drawn into her world...something her emotional performance always seems to demand. That's what really good music is all about--you don't hear Sia's music; you feel it.
Get it here.
Haley Bonar
So a week after I did my radio show on women in music I've discovered in the past couple years, I found a musician who rivals them all. I'd just bought a few cds from considerably bigger names--musicians who had some in with popular culture (movies, national publications, etc.)--and here's a cute, quiet 22-year-old playing a college show who just floors me...Her name is Haley Bonar, and her music is incredible. She has a beautiful, soft, and mature voice, and her songwriting is honest, lyrical, and intimate.
Apparently she started playing at bars and clubs around her home town of Sioux Falls, SD, when she was just 15, and she released her first LP, entitled "...The Size of Planets," in 2003 when she was 19. She has since dropped out of the U at Duluth and has been touring extensively, playing alongside some pretty big names (Mason Jennings, Arcade Fire, and many more), and released another album, "Lure the Fox" last year.
She's recorded both of these in the twin cities area, so she plays a lot of shows at the Minneapolis/St. Paul venues. I highly recommend seeing her live; she has this striking ability to pull you in so that it seems like you are the only one she's singing to. Her sound is right on, utilizing two types of guitar, keyboard, and backed by a drummer, and bassist / vocalist. Granted, her music is probably better for some occasions/moods than others, as a friend of mine suggested, but she's just really, really good, and deserves to be checked out.
Go to her official website to see news, tour dates, discography, photos, press links, and most importantly, to hear some of her songs streamed: listen to the beautifully poetic "Hawaii," the twangier "Drinking Again," the longlingly commiserate "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy," and the haunting, incredible "Car Wreck."
Vienna Skyline
This really makes me want to be in the city, or travel, or travel to big cities. Only a few more months!
Spirituality
Seeing Saul Williams (poet, rapper, speaker, activist, etc.) last night reminded me of this photo. By the way, Saul is INCREDIBLE. If you ever get the chance to see him, don't pass it up, he has some amazingly true and life-changing ideas, and his poems are awesome, to say the least.
Catherine Feeny
I saw Running with Scissors last night (see the trailer here). It was really, really good. It had some of the best usage of music in a film I've ever seen; throughout all the emotional scenes the selections of songs perfectly complemented and enhanced the mood.
One of those songs was "Mr. Blue" by Catherine Feeny...it was so beautiful I could hardly believe it, but believe it I did upon immediately buying her album Hurricane Glass on iTunes (it's also available at cdbaby). Her music has been called "beautiful melancholy," and "intimate but radiant folk-pop." Soft instrumentation pervades, utilizing guitar and light strings, her voice is beautiful and light, and her lyrics are intimate and thoughtful.
Listen to "Mr. Blue" at her myspace page, and check out "Touch Back Down" and "Hush Now" as well. Here's her official website with a nice little bio, news, tour dates, and you can actually stream her entire album under the "music" link! This woman shows a lot of promise and I'm excited to play her on my new radio show.
Dave Matthews Band Live Trax 8 Now Available for Purchase
This show, played on 08.07.2004 at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI is part of DMB's exclusive online releases of their live shows over the years, which they call "Live Trax." This show was actually my first Alpine experience, and man it was an incredible show. This was the tour they started playing their new songs, some of which would go on Stand Up. For this particular show, they actually covered "Super Freak" in homage to Rick James' passing...but it was an incredibly good setlist, one you fans of DMB won't want to miss, especially if you were there!!! An excerpt from the buying site:
"The Alpine Valley show was a near perfect setlist from the show opener greeting, Hello Again to the encore featuring Typical Situation followed by Warehouse. New song Sugar Will was played as a long jam and another song making its debut that summer, Joyride, was also featured on the setlist. A special highlight of the Alpine night one Live Trax recording is Crazy Easy, never before released live!
A true surprise of the show included Super Freak, DMB’s tribute to the late great Rick James, which sent the crowd into a frenzy! Other highlights included Dave singing parts of #36 on the outro of Everyday, the solemnly beautiful I’ll Back You Up and Bartender, which was dedicated to the troops working hard to keep the world safe for us."
Go here to see the setlist or buy.
What do you think they are jabbering?
This picture blows me away, I can't believe how human these two look; it definitely gives me a good laugh every time I see it. First of many Flickr posts!
Cat Power - Lived In Bars
Cat Power's voice is mature far beyond her years. When I first heard this song I envisioned a fourty-something woman singing in a smoke-filled jazz club...I love this video, she looks and sounds fantastic. So much personality, yet she makes you wanting more. Cool how her athletic jacket lends tribute to the album's title, and more? Chris Ott over at Pitchfork seems to capture her aura well in his review for her previous album:
"Liz Phair was a grifter. Using sexuality as a weapon, she turned the tables on obsessive boys and set their hearts aflutter with brazen lyrics, from the flagellant lust of "Flower" to her dead-to-the-world praise for doin' it doggie-style, "That way we can fuck and watch TV." Yet, forgiving a few heartfelt ballads like "Explain It to Me", Phair was in many ways a coy tease, partying and watching porn with guys she'd never date, despite their lust for her.
Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) was never such fun, never crude or masculine; she's the opposite fantasy, the porcelain art-school doll whose blissful confusion you could never hold in your hands. She's the girl that never called you back, that made you lose your cool and leave two messages. Every time you see her on the street, or a mutual friend tells you, "Yeah, I saw her at Cokie's, she's dating the guy from so and so," it ruins your weekend.
The cagiest of modern songbirds, Chan has a famously fragile ego and skittish countenance. She's wrestled with the consequences of baring a relentlessly observant soul to the world, and bagged on any number of shows when heckled or simply "not feeling it."...read the rest of the review here: You Are Free Pitchfork Review.
Check out her myspace page.
Regina Spektor - Fidelity
I was introduced to Regina just a few weeks ago and now I'm going through her back-catalog and let me tell you how talented this woman is. Her stuff is different, but her sound is beautifully unique and varies from album to album and song to song. Her most recent album is definitely the most approachable...Anyway, check out this video and you can actually listen to almost all her music, and view the videos for On the Radio, Samson, Better, and Us on her website. Go here: http://www.reginaspektor.com/
Fog (Again)
Dave Matthews once said about Radiohead:
"[Radiohead's music] can take you down a quiet street before it drops a beautiful musical bomb on you. It can build to where you think the whole thing will crumble beneath its own weight - and then Thom Yorke will sing some melody that just cuts your heart out of your chest. There's a point on the album Kid A where I start feeling claustrophobic, stuck in a barbed-wire jungle - and then I suddenly fall out and I'm sitting by a pool with birds singing. Radiohead can do all of these things in a moment, and it drives me fucking crazy." (thanks meg)
I have two suggestions from them:
1. listen to "Let Down" (Ok Computer) really loud, over and over again.
2. listen to "Fog (Again)" [Live], well, just listen to it, it's pretty incredible. It's off the Com Lag: 2+2=5 [EP], and you can download it on iTunes...There's something about the short sad songs with a slightly upbeat guitar riff or piano beat that really get me (e.g. Dear Chicago - Ryan Adams).
Eyes
I decided to start up a blog today after I came across a really cool blog from a guy somewhere over in Germany who posted good music, videos, photos, and thoughts on there. I come across stuff that I want to share with people so often that I'm glad I finally can. When I heard this song, I immediately wanted other people to hear it, because there's something so uplifting about it. I was watching Heroes, episode 5, and I know I'd heard the song before on the show, but I finally found it; it's called "Eyes" by Rogue Wave. Here's the lyrics:
Missed the last train home
birds pass by to tell me
that im not alone
well im pushing myself
to finish this part
i can handle a lot
but one thing i'm missing
is in your eyes
have you seen this film
it reminds me of
walking through the avenues
well im washing my hands
of attachments, yeah
i will land on the ground
but one thing I’m missing
is in your eyes
Anyway, you can hear it streamed at http://www.myspace.com/roguewave. I love this song so much! It reminds me of walking through city streets, thinking about that girl you like but always seem to miss. It really makes me want to be back in the city....I guess that's what it's supposed to remind you of, haha. Anyway check it out.
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