The Rocky Road to Dublin - Traditional Irish Song

Another of my session favorites, I had the entire song memorized at one point. Too bad it's long and speedy, so I've forgotten nearly all of it. I was trying to re-memorize it yesterday, and I suppose it worked! I was singing it all night in my sleep...

Good Morning!

Drilling - Minus the Bear

The song opens with a reference to a "western Atlantic coast." At first, I'm confused. Then I remember that the rest of the world outside of America exists, and all is right again (at least mentally).

I, however, woke up with the chorus on my mind. I'm moving to Italy in a few weeks, and it's been wearing on me a bit, when my sense of adventure ebbs. Songs about ex-pats tend to drag me down a bit.

My favorite part of this song (or anything by Minus the Bear, for that matter) is the guitar parts. I love bands that actually have musical talent. I don't have Synesthesia, but the cacophony of the various instruments gives me the impression of a colorful whirlwind; chaotic, but with a sort of organization as well.

Meh Morning.

Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers

The first time I listened to "Hot Fuss", this song stuck out like a burning flare on a foggy night. I honestly played it on repeat for at least an hour before continuing on to the rest of the album.

This song is so polished and pretty, which contrasts with the apathetic tone of the vocals, and the downright bummer lyrics. The music video is also pretty cool, if I remember correctly. I could never figure out how Mr. Brightside became a hit single, but this song got relatively nothing. Ah, whatever. People don't know what they're missing.

Good Morning.

Tragedy Bound (Moon Version) - The Bravery

This song kicks so much ass. I love how the blurry bassline contrasts with the sharp guitar. And then the synth kicks in to bubble along in the background. It's almost too much to take. The beautifully tragic lyrics kind of float along, condensing into a powerful dirge in the chorus. I can't help but love the Bravery. Everything is catchy.

Good Morning!


(From July 25)

Effect and Cause - The White Stripes

Grr. I love the old-timey twang of this song. I'm also pretty enamored of Jack White as well (don't tell the boyfriend!). I am terrible with keeping up-to-date with what gets radio play these days, but I cannot remember a single song past "Seven Nation Army" garnering spins on any of the larger radio stations in my area. I really appreciate that the White Stripes aren't in music to appease the media. And hey, Jack keeps pumping out music that I love, so whichever band he happens to be recording with makes me happy.

I really want to start exploring the influences for this music. I've seen several interviews with the White Stripes (or just Jack) and it seems that he gets his inspiration from old scratchy 45's. Time to start scouring the Selvo's.

Good Morning!


(From July 24)

Bad Sun (Sun Version) - The Bravery

The album "The Sun and The Moon" has an interesting history. It was originally released as a regular album. Personally, I wasn't a fan. I just assumed that it was the typical sophomoric burnout that tends to be the rule amongst bands who just can't hack being on a schedule with a real label. THEN the band reworked every single song, and re-released the album as a two disk version, with the original album renamed "The Sun" and the re-recorded album titled "The Moon." This new perspective gave me a whole new appreciation for the songs. Suddenly, it wasn't a blunder - it was brilliant!

This song is hopelessly sweet and catchy, as the sun version. It kicks off with whistling, and puts me in mind of that "Young Folks" song that was popular a few years ago. Whistling is totally under-appreciated. Then again, I've only heard a handful of superb whistlers in my time, all of them crotchety old men working blue-collar jobs.

Good Morning.


(From July 23)

Autoclave - The Mountain Goats

I had no idea what this song was even called, and it was stuck in my head this morning. So I looked it up. The lyrics are something like "my heart's an autoclave." Odd...

Since I then had no idea what an autoclave actually was, I had to look that up, too. It's some sort of pressurized machine that sterilizes whatever you put in there with steam and high pressure. In retrospect, my tattoo artist definitely has a little one next to the copy machine. Autoclave...

I mean, there are lots of instances where song lyrics make no sense, but this one is kind of crazy. I'm of the opinion that the writer meant SOMETHING by it, but I feel like it would have made more sense if his heart was IN the autoclave. See, it's a sad song, and self mutilation and suffering are great ways to show a girl you like her.

Good Morning.

The Parting Glass - Traditional Irish Song

There is an Irish tradition called a "seisun." Basically, everyone in a small town would get together with a few instruments and plenty of drinks and sing, play music, and tell stories.

Although I do not live in Ireland, there is a decently active Irish community in the area, with several weekly seisuns. I prefer the smallest of the lot, held after hours in a German-Irish pub. In a typical week, there are about eight attendees.

Last night was my first seisun in a long time; since before May. I found that one of our members had passed on. His chair was tipped, and a shot of whiskey sat at his place.

At the end of every seisun, we sing "The Parting Glass." It's a song about bidding farewell to your comrades. I've never been good friends with someone who has died before. Now, the song is for Jim.


Sad Morning.

Live Alone - Franz Ferdinand

This whole album, "Tonight" is kind of ridiculous. I've read somewhere that it's supposed to detail a night out on the town, and then the repercussions afterward. I guess it fits.
This song in particular is full of groovy bass and silly synth sounds. It's practically impossible not to dance to. I love how Franz Ferdinand took a detour from their speedy guitar and drums to write an album that practically forces you to shimmy for the better part of an hour.

Good Morning.

Everything (As it Moves) - Idlewild

Idlewild is one of my very favorite bands. I've been a fan since about 2005, which luckily was a great time to find them. They had just put out a phenomenal record, and I was caught, hook, line, and sinker. Retroactively discovering that their first two albums were really nothing special, I appreciated their new music even more.

This song is off of their most recent album, Make Another World. It's a whirlwind of noise, and I can't get the little riff in the chorus out of my head. And that's despite the crushing beat and relentless lyrics.


Good Morning!



(From July 18)

In the City - The Jam

"Livin' in the city, there's a thousand things I want to say to you..."

One of my old friends DJ'ed a party last night, and played some great music, but nothing you would hear in the typical bar or club around here. A decent amount of it was old 70's punk.
I love the snap of British New Wave music. This song sounds rather desperate and forced - quite passionate for a genre notorious for poor musicianship. Unlike many of their fellow bands, the Jam were classy - they could actually play their instruments, and performed in suits (thanks, mods!)

Good Morning.

Set the Fire to the Third Bar - Snow Patrol, featuring Martha Wainwright

Male/female duet songs can easily fall victim to the sickly sweet cuteness of couple-y happiness. Thank goodness this song is depressing as all hell.

I woke up with the intro, just some soft piano and quiet harmony. The song soon develops bass, percussion and guitar, while the vocals build to hold some strength before everything gives up and reverts back to the soft status quo of the verse.

One of my friends used this song in a video detailing his father's beaver trapping expedition one winter. The falling snow and shots of frost tainted windows fit the song so well, impressing upon one a real feeling of isolation and loneliness. The music and the video fit together in a tragic sort of perfection.

(Don't watch past 2:45 if you don't actually want to see a dead animal. Growing up around hunters and livestock makes it not such a big deal for me, but I understand that others have a different view on the appropriateness of hunting.)

Despite the sad song, Good Morning!

One Tree Hill - U2

This song has an echo-y, warm intro, and that's what I woke up to.

Last night, I saw this kickass documentary called "It Might Get Loud." It was basically about getting The Edge, Jack White, and Jimmy Page all together to talk about being guitarists, and then to jam. It was really inspirational, and while I'm fans of both U2 and the White Stripes, I had never really given much thought to Led Zepplin. I guess I'll have to start.

Throughout the movie, guitar riffs from the various artists were played as background music. Every time something from U2 was dropped, high school came back in a rumbling rush. It figures that my dreams would want to hold onto the U2 I heard last night.

Good Morning!

Waiting for the Siren's Call - New Order

I remember when this album came out (also called 'Waiting for the Siren's Call'). I was confused. "What? I like a band who still puts out albums?" The fact that it was a good record made my life for the next few weeks. This particular track is a sad song about regret. At the time, it felt wholly appropriate - they KNEW me. Being an angsty teenager was lame. Being a cynical twenty-something is much more fun, and booze is a lot easier to acquire.

But, as to why this was stuck in my head this morning? I have no idea. It's about thirteen degrees cooler than it was last week. Maybe all those frenetic songs were a result of never getting a good night's sleep.

Good Morning.

Girl Talk - The Donnas

Ugh. I don't know what my subconsciousness is doing. This might be my very least favorite Donnas song. I woke up with the ever so catchy spelling part: "G-I-R-L-T-A-L-K, girls talk!" It reminds me of that stupid bananas cheerleader song that was on the radio for a few months of fame. I hate every song with spelling like this. The closest I come to accepting it is "12XU" by Wire.

However, I love when bands count to "1-2-fuck you!" If I was a drummer I would write everything in 4 so I could use that. I would also pretend to be a teenage boy so I could excuse my lack of taste, thin arms, and nonexistent beard.

So, since I woke up to SUCH an annoying song: Bad Morning. Have a great fucking day.



(From July 12)

Burn it All Down - VHS or Beta

This band has quickly become a summer favorite for me. I admit, I'm a sucker for music that's danceable. I love the almost apathetic tone that's sung when they're detailing all of the things they'll be burning down. It's almost like a sillier Joy Division. Too bad Ian Curtis was totally depressed. He would have never written or sung this song.

Protip: This song kicks so much ass as a driving song. Stick it in your cd player or if you're one of those fancy kids with an aux plug, jam it into your already packed iPod. Then, turn it up!

Good Morning!



(From July 11)

What Do I Have to Do - The Donnas

Ok, before you write this off as lame girl rock, remember that some of us have dreams about rock stardom, and the Donnas are better role models than the Runaways. I mean, it's nice to have a rock band that I like that's not run on pills and booze.

So, the night before was pretty fun - I went to Penn State to meet some of boyfriend's friends. I felt a bit awkward at first, but then I remembered that I'm awesome, and proceeded to drink lots of homebrew and German beer, and socialized like I'm not an engineer. I'm hopelessly gregarious, and parties are just so much fun when I know no one, but have an in... like everyone knowing my boyfriend.

There's just one thing - I'm really bad at hanging out with boyfriend at large social gatherings, or maybe he's bad at hanging out with me. Either way, we don't really see each other until we wake up the next morning. I feel like this song is my subconsciousness's way of being jealous of everyone. The line goes "What do I have to do to make you want me?" Pssh that's a jealous subconscious if I ever heard it.

A lot of the Donnas' songs are kind of bitchy and predatory. This is one of their more vulnerable songs. It's not the typical "fuck you I'll just find someone better," or "come get it" tune. It's nice to have a realistic take on relationships for once.

Good Morning!



(From July 10)

Bender - Big D and the Kids Table

Upbeats about getting wasted... It sets the perfect setting for this weekend. It could definitely be the theme song for epic times if you ignore a few of the more bummer lyrics. I was listening to "How it Goes" (the album) yesterday, and yeah, there are a ton of catchy songs on it. What's up with this two morning faux ska kick? The combination of boyfriend's music and summer makes this bouncy happy sounding stuff so addictive. And embarrassing.

Still... Good morning!



(From July 9)

Relocate the Beat - Big D and the Kids Table

"The nightclub's closing down they say! The nightclub's closing down they say!" was ringing in my ears.

As one of Big D's slower songs, it's not really something you would probably hear live. In fact, the two times I've seen Big D, I thought they were some sort of pop-punk-ska hybrid; a "gateway band" through which teenagers could get into real music. Well, they still have some terrible stuff, but their slower stuff with a dub feel doesn't feel too much like a guilty pleasure.

Good morning.



(From July 8)