Friday, November 21, 2008

#9 (Folk You Very Much Edition)

There are few things I enjoy more than a beautifully-crafted, simple folk song.

I get even more excited when a beautifully crafted folk song like is written in 2008 and mentions dogwood trees, angels, and getting raised by wolves.

Enjoy the story, the melody, and the Bob Dylan "babe"'s in there. There's so much Dylan here: the speak-singing, the vocal inflections, the arrangement, the harmonica playing. There's just a lot to like. Sub Pop just continues to sign awesome, awesome bands.

Blitzen Trapper, "Furr"

Let me know what you think,
Nick

Friday, November 14, 2008

#8 (Hello Again, NYC Edition)

Hello Again, New York.

Hello Again, Music Friends.

I will greet you with:

ANNUALS!!!!

My favorite band currently playing with two drum kits on stage is back with a new album called "Such Fun." While I've yet to hear more than two tracks, this friend I have named Ryan W. has listened to it and says that he no longer has socks (as they've been rocked off).

Annuals have 6 members, hail from Raleigh, NC and write consistently thoughtful, complex music that is deeply personal. "Such Fun" marks their second full-length album. As with many bands with two drummers, Annuals like to get polyrhythmic from time to time, and that's more than ok by me. They can veer towards the experimental, but at their core, Annuals write beautiful melodies and exciting arrangements.

This song "Hot Night Hounds" has the time tested, early baroque song structure of:
Glory Piano--Crazy Cracked Out Bridge Section--Glory Piano--Glory Guitar

Annuals, "Hot Night Hounds"

I do hope you enjoy. I highly recommend sticking around and listening to "Sore" on this site afterward.

Change You Very Much,
Nick