I just wrote a dirty blues song. About, if you're inclined to be literal, leaving a lover for an illicit affair with the city. And I like all of it. This basically never happens -- it's rare that I write songs at all, and usually I end up feeling like significant chunks of the lyrics or the chords are either too pat or just phoned in. But this one ( Read more... )

Re: the Jenny Lewis show -- completely inspired, I got up this morning and taught myself "Pretty Bird" and "Acid Tongue" on the base. Turns out, her vocal range and mine are the same.

If you're not streaming Neko Case's about-to-be-released album Middle Cyclone from npr.org, you're missing some of the best music on the internet right now.

Have just downloaded first and second albums from the Boxer Rebellion off iTunes, after hearing a song of theirs off a KCRW podcast and then streaming most everything off their website. They're not revolutionizing the world of music, but they do a certain sound I like and they do it very, very well. Think the energy and driving rhythm of early ( Read more... )

I haven't picked up my bass for two and a half weeks and I have a massive headcold -- this means it's time to sing y'all some Tom Waits! I screw up the bassline about six ways to Sunday, but I promise you it's worth it for my emphysema blues voice.

Up at Sendspace (Ana, if you want this, I'll just email it to you): Tango Til They're Sore.

Even if I somehow manage to pick out the bassline -- and with the way the track is mixed on the album, my ears can't manage it yet -- me and four strings are just never, ever going to approximate the sound of all five members of Wolf Parade unleashing the epic awesome that is "Kissing the Beehive."

It's time to scale back this dream.

ETA: So, ( Read more... )

American Music Club: I almost, almost really like them, but jesus, they're pretty much the saddest of all sad bastard music ever, and I can't make it past that awareness for more than one song out of six.

Internets, if any of you have heard them -- agree or disagree?

I totally forgot how blisteringly awesome "Sue's Last Ride" is.

By the way, if any of you are generally interested in listening to what I'm listening to, you can check out my Pandora stations.

The best two are Wheatfield Joyride and Listening In on the Inheritance, though Sue's Last Ride (freshly renamed because this track kicks such thorough ass ( Read more... )

Went out dancing last night and stayed up waaaaaaaaaaaay too late reading and winding down afterwards. Sometime in the next 24 hours, I'm going to regret that ( Read more... )

So, as a lot of you know, I make mixes -- soundtrack, time capsules of my life, songs to match particular activities ... and when I've got the time to do them properly, theme mixes. And a couple recent musical acquisitions led me to this idea: I'd really love to try to compile as many contemporary war songs and protest songs as possible. I'm ( Read more... )