Belle & Sebastian - O Little Town of Bethlehem, Low - Blue Christmas

Belle & Sebastian - O Little Town of Bethlehem

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Low - Blue Christmas (such a gorgeous rendition!!)

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The Long Winters - Christmas With You is the Best. The Long Blondes - Christmas is Canceled

The Long Winters - Christmas With You is the Best

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"We both hate the holidays
Our parents act crazy
And the mall is insane
Let's skip it all
And have a non-traditional non-denominational celebration

Christmas with you is the best
We'll have no turkey or guest
Sleeping late but before we get dressed
I want to give you a present

It was fun when I was a kid
And then it started getting strange
I got too old for toys and games
And now i have you
And I think we should choose
A non-traditional non-denominational celebration

Christmas with you is the best
We'll have no turkey or guest
Sleeping late but before we get dressed
I want to give you a present

We both hate the holidays
Our parents act crazy
Let's have non-traditional non-denominational celebration

Christmas with you is the best
We'll have no turkey or guest
Sleeping late but before we get dressed
I want to give you a present
I want to give you a present
I want to give you a present
I want to give you a present"

The Long Blondes - Christmas is Canceled

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"Came back from late night shopping
Saw your shadow on the curtain
I presumed you let your self in
with the key you'd yet to return
You asked me how I'd been
And if I'd seen much snow
Skilfully avoiding things that happened here a year ago

So she's turned you out has she
well I cant say I'm surprised
After last years festive past
I find it hard to sing goodbyes

I slipped through slush on Boxing Day
the shops were shut no films were on
You swanned around to hers and left a note to say you'd gone

Stood by the fire place
You look ridiculous
You cant just come and stay here
like you did last Christmas
You know what you did wrong
and Christmas well Christmas is canceled this year

The last thing I expected
was to come and find you knocking
at my door waiting for a treat in Christmas stockings ( how shocking)
Don't take you jacket off this is not you home
Just raise you glass to two more people spending Christmas day alone

Stood by the fire place
You look ridiculous
You cant just come and stay here like you did last Christmas
You know what you did wrong
and Christmas and Christmas well Christmas is canceled this year

No mum don't worry about me il just have fish and chips for tea
I'll watch the queen and go to sleep
I'll watch the queen and go to sleep

Stood by the fire place
You look ridiculous
You can't just come and stay here like you did last Christmas
You know what you did wrong
and Christmas and Christmas well Christmas is canceled this year
You know what you did wrong
and Christmas and Christmas well Christmas is canceled this year

No mum, don't worry about me, just have a happy Christmas x 2
Christmas is cancelled this year"

Low - Just Like Christmas, Daniel Johnston - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Low - Just Like Christmas
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"On our way from Stockholm
Started to snow
And you said it was like Christmas
But you were wrong
It wasn't like Christmas at all

By the time we got to Oslo
Snow was gone
And we got lost
The beds were small
But we felt so young
It was just like Christmas"

Daniel Johnston - Rock Around the Christmas Tree
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"Rock n' Roll 'round the Christmas tree
Everything is you and me
Rockin' the night away
Rockin' the night away

Gonna rock the Christmas tree
Everything is you and me
Rockin' the night away
Rockin' the night away

da da da da da da da da da daaaaah

Rock n' Roll 'round the Christmas tree
Everything is you and me
Rockin' the night away
Rockin' the night away

Gonna rock the Christmas tree
Everything is you and me
Rockin' the night away
Rockin' the night away

da da da da da da da da da daaaaah"

Flaming Lips - Christmas at the Zoo, A Change at Christmas (Say it Isn't So)

I love the Lips so much. I've already covered their (unfortunately rather lackluster) version of "White Christmas," but today here's two originals that fare off much better. "Christmas at the Zoo" is one of the highlights of off their underrated 1996 record Clouds Taste Metallic. It's about going to the zoo and freeing the animals on Christmas eve, but the animals don't wish to leave, yet are flattered that you thought about them enough to do so. Very nice.

The second song, "A Change at Christmas," comes from 2003's Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell EP and comments on how everyone is so much nicer to each other during the Holiday season and how much better the world would be if this period never ended. Very true. However, what would become of Christmas season then? Would we have to be even more pleasant?

The Flaming Lips - Christmas at the Zoo
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"There wasn't any snow on Christmas Eve
And I knew what I should do
I thought I'd free the animals
All locked up at the zoo

I opened up the fence where the peacocks were
The lamas were unleashed
The snakes and seals could all get out
But they refused to leave

All of the animals agreed
They're not happy at the zoos
But they preferred to save themselves
They seemed to think they could

The elephants, orangutans
All the birds and kangaroos all said
"Thanks but no thanks, man
But to be concerned is good"

It started to snow on Christmas Eve
In the middle of the night
Walking through the state park zoo
And everything is white"

Promo-video


The Flaming Lips - A Change at Christmas (Say it Isn't So)
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"I know everything changes
Yeah, it's strange how time marches on
Maybe there'll be some time in the future
Oh, tell me I'm not wrong

Oh, if I could stop time
It would be a frozen moment just around Christmas
When all of mankind reveals its truest potential
And there is sympathy for the suffering
Yes, there is sympathy for those who are suffering

And the world embraces peace and love and mercy
Instead of power and fear
And as sure as I'm standing here
I swear it really does appear that a change comes over us
Yes, some kind of change comes over us

And it's glimpsed for one shining moment
And this change feels like a change that's real
But then it passes along with the season
And then we just go back to the way we were
Yes, we just go back to the way we were

Say it isn't so
Tell me I'm not just a dreamer
I'm talking with a friend and he knows how it ends
He says it's easier, that's just the way we are
That's human nature and that's just the way we are
Oh, say it isn't so!"

The Flaming Lips official website

The Sugarcubes feat. the Jesus and Mary Chain - Christmas Eve

The Sugarcubes feat. the Jesus and Mary Chain - Christmas Eve
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Yo La Tengo - It's Christmas Time, Luna - Egg Nog

Yo La Tengo -It's Christmas Time
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Luna - Egg Nog
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The YLT track comes from their 2002 Merry Christmas from Yo La Tengo EP, and the Luna one is from a 1992 special promo 7" on green and red colored vinyl.

Yo La Tengo online
Luna online

Ladybug Transistor - Christmas Extravaganza, of Montreal - My Favorite Christmas (In a Hundred Words or Less)

An Elephant Sixmas! Wow. First there's Ladybug Transistor's "Christmas Extravaganza," which sounds like listening to an amazing holiday party. I picture a group of good friends who can't decide what carol to sing, so instead they sing a handful of them, meshing them together to form a single song. It really is a Christmas extravaganza. The song originally comes from the long out of print Kindercore records compilation Christmas Two.

Ladybug Transistor - Christmas Extravaganza
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The next song is also from an out of print Kindercore compilation, Christmas in Stereo. The album has in interesting concept: gathering bands from the label together and giving each of them 2 weeks to write and record a Christmas song. Here's of Montreal's offering, a memoir of the perfect Christmas.

of Montreal - My Favorite Christmas (In a Hundred Words or Less)
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"Do you remember that one Christmas
When we didn't think we'd be together?
We were almost separated by the weather
But I ran through the snow
Right up to your window and smiled
Because I was so absolutely happy to be with you

All our relatives were too afraid
To drive through the snow
We got to spend the day alone
I swear it was the most beautiful day I know

We sat by the fire and opened the presents
That we'd gotten for each other
Then after you telephoned your mother
We cuddled on the couch
Drank cocoa by the tree
And you smiled
Because you were so absolutely happy to be with me

The day went by so fast
And as night approached we laughed at our luck
The snow had let up
After the roads were cleared
All our relatives suddenly appeared
So we blew out the candles and replaced
Frank Sinatra with Phil Spector's Christmas record
Our grandparents filed in all plaid and checkered
With their arms filled with gifts
And delicious desserts and we smiled
Because we were so absolutely happy
So very, very happy to be together"

The Ladybug Transistor official website
of Montreal official website

Beat Happening - Christmas, Cap'n Jazz- Winter Wonderland

Lo-fi, lo-musicianship, lo-suckage. Hi-awesome.

Beat Happening - Christmas
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"I had sex on Chrismas
I had sex three times today
Three different women taught be how to be bored in their own separate, sweet, little ways

I feel like hell on Christmas
And I feel like hell today
I feel like Hell
When I wake-up, I can tell that I'm never gonna make you stay

Okay, here it goes

I didn't get no presents on Christmas
And I sure didn't get none today
Learned my lesson
Life is one long session of disappointment, heartache, pain

Disappointment
Heartache
Pain

...and despair"

Cap'n Jazz - Winter Wonderland
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(lyrics just because I don't have a long write-up today and otherwise this picture fits funny)

"sleigh bells ring, are you listening? in the lane, snow is glistening.
a beautiful sight, we're happy tonight. walking in a winter wonderland.
gone away is the bluebird. here to stay is a new bird. he sings a love song
as we go along, walking in a winter wonderland
in the meadow we can build a snowman. then pretend that he is parson brown
he'll say: are you married? we'll say: no man, but you can do the job when you're in town.
later on we'll conspire, as we dream by the fire.
to face unafraid the plans that we've made walking in a winter wonderland
in the meadow we can build a snowman, and pretend that he's a circus clown
we'll have lots of fun with mister snowman. until the alligators knock him down
when it snows ain't it thrilling? though your nose gets a chilling.
we'll frolic and play, the eskimo way. walking in a winter wonderland"

Beat Happening - Beat Happening @Amazon.com

Cap'n Jazz- Analphabetapolothology @Amazon.com

Feist - Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming, The Dismemberment Plan - This Christmas

Today's entry is going to be a brilliant one. First we have Feist's rendition of the 16th century traditional piece "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming." The song is from German origin, its original title being "Est ist en Ros entsprungen." No one knows who the original author of the lyrics was, but German composer Michael Praetorius is responsible for the tune as we know it today. It's incredibly beautiful. This is along the lines of the the type of Christmas songs I like best- the classy, traditional ones... those associated with Christmas rather than penned for the occasion.

Feist - Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming
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"This Christmas" could not be anymore opposite than "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming." It was written in 1970 by Donny Hathaway and today is frequently performed by a multitude of lame artists such as the Cheetah Girls, Ruben Studdard, Chris Brown, Elliott Yamin and Dru Hill to name a few. Frankly, it's crap. So the Dismemberment Plan doing a cover of this...how could they transform this sentimental fluffball of a song into something completely awesome? I don't know, but you will be rocking out hard to "This Christmas." You'll then realize what you're rocking out to, stop for a second, shrug, and then rock even harder. Now this is a cover!

The Dismemberment Plan - This Christmas
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Feist - Let it Die @Amazon.com
The Dismemberment Plan - Emergency & I @Amazon.com

Tom Waits, Neko Case - Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis

I don't think Tom Waits should be covered...ever. It's just always a bad idea. Don't tell that to Rod Stewart. While it's interesting to hear this song song sung by a female, without the gravel it's just too clean, you know? This is one where you take out your flask and sigh...



Tom Waits - Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
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Neko Case - Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
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"Hey Charlie, I'm pregnant
And living on the 9th Street
Right above a dirty bookstore
Off Euclid Avenue
And I stopped takin dope
And I quit drinkin whiskey
And my old man plays the trombone
And works out at the track

And he says that he loves me
Even though its not his baby
And he says that he'll raise him up
Like he would his own son
And he gave me a ring
That was worn by his mother
And he takes me out dancin
Every saturday night.

And hey Charlie I think about you
Every time I pass a fillin station
On account of all the grease
You used to wear in your hair
And I still have that record
Of Little Anthony & the Imperials
But someone stole my record player
Now how do you like that?

Hey Charlie I almost went crazy
After Mario got busted
So I went back to Omaha to
Live with my folks
But everyone I used to know
Was either dead or in prison
So I came back to Minneapolis
This time I think I'm gonna stay.

Hey Charlie I think I'm happy
For the first time since my accident
And I wish I had all the money
That we used to spend on dope
I'd buy me a used car lot
And I wouldn't sell any of em
I'd just drive a different car
Every day, dependin on how
I feel

Hey Charlie for chrissakes
Do you want to know the
Truth of it?
I don't have a husband
He don't play the trombone
And I need to borrow money
To pay this lawyer
And Charlie, hey
I'll be eligible for parole
Come valentines day"

Tom Waits - Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis

Maria Taylor, Aimee Mann - White Christmas

Ah, "White Christmas." Such a nice song. We heard versions by the Pipettes and the Flaming Lips yesterday... why not two more today!? The first comes from the Bright Eyes' 2002 release, A Christmas Album, but rather than Conor Oberst singing, Maria Taylor (of Azure Ray performs the song.) The second comes from Aimee Mann's Christmas album One More Drifter in the Snow, released last year. Both are similar in execution, stripping the song down to its core, with only sparse acoustic guitar accompanying the vocals. However, each has a different feel, the Aimee Mann version more plaintive and longing, while the the Maria Taylor version sounds more innocent and wishful. She is 16 years younger than Aimee, so its not surprising that these two versions sound like they're coming from different places in life. Yet both are undoubtedly beautiful.

Maria Taylor - White Christmas
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Aimee Mann - White Christmas
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Bright Eyes - A Christmas Album @ Saddle Creek

Aimee Mann - Another Drifter in the Snow @Amazon.com

P.S. Does anyone know any good free mp3 hosting sites? The 500 meg bandwidth limit at filefreak just isn't cutting it...

The Pipettes, The Flaming Lips - White Christmas

Today I bring two different versions of "White Christmas," one by the Pipettes and the Flaming Lips. The Pipettes version is fantastic, emphasized with gorgeous vocal harmonies and a wonderful upbeat arrangement. It's short and sweet. The Flaming Lips version on the other hand, while interesting and untraditional, it sounds like its being sung by a bad Kermit imitator. I love Wayne, I really do, but this just isn't his finest hour. I've found a video of the song being performed live during 1999, and it sounds a little better there, performed on an actual megaphone. Maybe if you can shake the Kermit thing...but I just can't. Maybe I'll think of it as a forgotten song from the Muppet Christmas Carol. It's been far too long since I've seen that.

The Pipettes - White Christmas
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The Flaming Lips - White Christmas
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The Flaming Lips - White Christmas (Live)


The Pipettes official website
The Flaming Lips official website

of Montreal - Christmas Isn't Safe for Animals

Here's the first Christmas original that I've posted so far. "Chirstmas Isn't Safe for Animals" is one of the highlights from of Montreal's 2003 tour only EP If He Is Protecting Our Nation, Then Who Will Protect Big Oil, Our Children? They actually reissued the album last month, so it's widely available for the first time. Sadly, it's one of their weakest releases. This song is really cute though and closes that said EP, so at least it ends on an up note.

of Montreal - Christmas Isn't Safe for Animals
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"Is Christmas safe?
Is Christmas safe?
Is Christmas safe for animals?
Soft and squishy animated mammals
Tapping so lightly on their teeth with a gun
My god, are they cold?

Is Christmas safe?
Is Christmas safe?
Is Christmas safe for animals?
Crippled with fear of the sparking wires
On an electrical beach
Plagued by the thought
That a bird cannot smile

Why rent when you can own your own washer and dryer for $225 each? Put it on your Sears card!
Why rent when you can own your own washer and dryer for $225 each? Put it on your Sears card!
Put it on your Sears card!
Why rent when you can own your own washer and dryer for just $250 a month? Put it on your Sears card!
Why rent when you can own your own washer and dryer for $225 each? Put it on your Sears card!
Why rent?
Put it on your Sears card!

Christmas isn't safe
Christmas isn't safe
Christmas isn't safe for animals"

of Montreal @ Polyvinyl Records

Belle & Sebastian - The Twelve Days of Christmas, O Come All Ye Faithful

These come from a 2002 Christmas Party Peel session. The band sounds like they're having a lot of fun while playing, especially on "The Twelve Days of X-Mas" which in turn is fun for us listeners. "I was very taken with the turtle dove..." As these are only a few of the Christmas songs Belle & Sebastian covered during that session, I'm sure that I'll cover some of the others later on.

Belle & Sebastian - The Twelve Days of Christmas
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Belle & Sebastian - O Come All Ye Faithful
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Belle & Sebastian @ Matador Records

Cocteau Twins - Frosty the Snowman

Cocteau Twins - Frosty the Snowman


Here's a little history on this unexpected proto-shoegaze cover by the Cocteau Twins:

"The only sounds heard from them between Heaven or Las Vegas and Four-Calendar Café were "Frosty the Snowman," which was originally recorded for the Volume CD Magazine Issue 5 in 1992, and the Guthrie/Fraser version of "Be Still"—a song on the Peace Together compilation, which was a benefit album for Northern Ireland.

Simon explained "Frosty...": "There's a Christmas record that comes out on Capitol Records (the Cocteaus' US label) every few years. And they were trying to get all their bands to do a cover version of a Christmas song. I didn't think that's what it was at the time. I thought it would be like sitting next to Frank Sinatra. But in fact it would've been, y'know, Skinny Puppy, doing 'Merry Xmas Everybody.' Anyway they'd said, Would you do one? And Liz suggested—it must have been for a joke—'Frosty The Snowman.' Then Robin went, Yeah, good title, people will think it's a normal Cocteau Twins song with a title like that."

"Once we'd got the music down, I wrote down the lyrics on a piece of paper and said to Liz, Hey, look at these, and we were laughing away. As we were going through it I was listening to Liz's reactions and thinking, this is never gonna get done. She was going, 'He's a very happy soul'—me sing that?! No way, I could not in a million years... 'with a broomstick in his '—you've gotta be fucking kidding!'"

"I just didn't think she'd do it." [Volume 5, 1992]

...But she did, and "Frosty the Snowman," which eventually appeared on the very-limited release, Snow, with "Winter Wonderland," was a "Holiday '92" favorite, and can still be heard at Gap stores around the world at Christmas time!"

Cocteau Twins Official Website

The Fall - Hark The Herald Angels Sing

So I just finished watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Despite its cornball nature, I just feel incomplete without seeing at least some of it each year. Of course, I won't sit down and watch the entire thing- I'll wake up, put it on, and then drift in and out of consciousness with it on in the background. One thing it did do for me this year was cement how annoying I find most Christmas music, at least when it's at its most commercial and float-worthy. Now that's why I'm doing this blog!


Here's the Fall, certainly the longest existing post-punk band out there (existing from 1976 to the present and never breaking up) doing a version of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." It comes from their Peel session box set, compiling a total of 24 Peel sessions that the Fall recorded. They were John Peel's favorite band. This song comes from a session recorded on November 20th 1994 where "Jingle Bell Rock" was also performed.

The Fall - Hark the Herald Angels Sing
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The Fall - The Complete Peel Sessions 1978 - 2004 @Amazon.com

Deerhoof - Little Drummer Boy

With yesterday's Daniel Johnston entry and today's on Deerhoof, this may be shaping up to be a very strange and twisted holiday season... exactly the way I like it. Not this twisted though- no thank you. Let this Christmas be quirky but not metal. No metal and Christmas, please.

Deerhoof's version of "The Little Drummer Boy" comes from their "The Perfect Me" 7" picture disc from earlier this year.

Deerhoof - The Little Drummer Boy
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Deerhoof @Kill Rock Stars

Daniel Johnston - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Raindeer

I know I've been a bit spotty with entries lately...I've been busy, or otherwise didn't know what to write about. However that's all going to change as the Christmas season now nears and I'll have a timely theme. I personally feel that the rush of Christmas merchandise into stores immediately after Halloween is more than a bit excessive, but this week, the week of Thanksgiving, is a perfectly acceptable time to get into the mood. It snowed today- something that immediately jump started my holiday enthusiasm. I really love this time of year. I'm so ready for the winter. Lots of great Christmas music lined up for the next month or so, so check back in! It's going to be great.

I'll start things off with Daniel Johnston's version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It's originally from a radio-promo only album called So This is Christmas that Atlantic records put out in 1994. Yes, that period where Kurt Cobain had the record industry so tightly wrapped around his finger that he could start a bidding war between two of the biggest record labels over an artist who was more well known through a piece of clothing rather than his actual music. Actually, I'm pretty sure the labels never even heard his music. That major label period was a major failure commercially, but regardless some solid music came out of it. Plus a Christmas song!

Daniel Johnston - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
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Daniel Johnston Official Website

The Beta Band - Dry the Rain

Rob Gordon: I will now sell four copies of "The Three EPs" by The Beta Band.
Dick: Go for it.
[Rob plays the record]
Beta Band Customer: Who is this?
Rob Gordon: The Beta Band.
Beta Band Customer: It's good.
Rob Gordon: I know.

-High Fidelity

The Beta Band - Dry the Rain

"This is the definition of my life
Lying in bed in the sunlight
Choking on the vitamin tablet
The doctor gave in the hope of saving me
In the hope of saving me

Walked in the corner of the room
A junk yard fool with eyes of gloom
I asked him time again
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain the rain
The rain the rain the rain now

Dusty brown boots in the corner
By the ironing board
Spray on dust is the greatest thing
Sure is the greatest thing
Since the last since the last

Walked in the corner of the room
A junk yard fool with eyes of gloom
I asked him time again
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain the rain
The rain the rain the rain now

I asked him time again
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain
Take me in and dry the rain
The rain the rain the rain now

If there's something inside that you wanna say
Say it out loud it'll be okay
I will be your light
I will be your light
I will be your light
I will be your light

If there's something inside that you wanna say
Say it out loud it'll be okay
I will be your light
I will be your light
I will be your light
I will be your light

I Need Love, yeah
I Need Love

If there's something inside that you wanna say
Say it out loud it'll be okay
I will be your light
I will be your light
I will be your light
I will be your light

If there's something inside that you wanna say
Say it out loud it'll be okay
I will be your light
I will be your light
I will be your light
I will be your light

I Need Love
I Need Love"

The Beta Band - The Three EPs @Amazon.com

Beat Happening - Cry for a Shadow

This song saved me today.




Beat Happening - Cry for a Shadow








"I see you crying
I see the patterns
They come and go
Leave you shattered
You shed for so many untrue
Can you cry for a shadow
Can you cry for a heart crying out for you
Can you cry for a shadow
No one asked you to

They don't deserve your priceless tears
And the whisper
Fill your ears
A reflection of a love long due
Can you cry for a shadow
Can you cry for a heart crying out to you?
Can you cry for a shadow?
I've cried for a few

Can you cry, cry, cry?
Dry the tears and try try try?
Stop cryin'
It doesn't matter
Just come closer
So I can gather
every drop of yr precious tears
Can your cryin' for a shadow
Can your cryin' for a heart cryin' out to you
Can your cry for a shadow?
Like I cried for you"

"Cry for a Shadow" live in a parking lot


Beat Happening - Jamboree @ K Records

Mojave 3 - Love Songs on the Radio

Country tinged shoegaze. You wouldn't think it'd work, but it does. Mojave 3 formed after Slowdive disbanded, containing three members of the band. Yep, that's where the 3 comes from. This song is gorgeous.

Mojave 3 - Love Songs on the Radio
or
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"She looks just like an angel
When she walks across the room
She shines tonight
Her golden light
Is everything I need

Lovers all around her
She wears them like her jewels
My friend says she's all he needs
To feel alive

Love songs on the radio
His sweetheart lies in bed
She's dreaming of the things he said
She's hoping that he's well"

Promo video:


Mojave 3 - Ask Me Tomorrow @ Amazon.com

Suicide - Frankie Teardrop

This is the most frightening song I've ever heard. I'm sometimes scared to even listen to this alone during the day. But at night, wearing headphones? No way. Never. The dreams that could come out of this song....

We're all Frankies.

Suicide - Frankie Teardrop

"Frankie teardrop
Twenty year old Frankie
He's married he's got a kid
And he's working in a factory

He's working from seven to five
He's just trying to survive
well lets hear it for Frankie
Frankie Frankie

Well Frankie cant make it
Cause things are just too hard
Frankie cant make enough money
Frankie cant buy enough food

And Frankie's getting evicted
Oh let's hear it for Frankie
Oh Frankie Frankie
Oh Frankie Frankie

Frankie is so desperate
He's gonna kill his wife and kids
Frankie's gonna kill his kid
Frankie picked up a gun

Pointed at the six month old in the crib
Oh Frankie
(scream)
Frankie looked at his wife

Shot her
(screams)
"Oh what have I done?"
Let's hear it for Frankie

Frankie teardrop
Frankie put the gun to his head
(screams)
Frankie's dead

(screams)

Frankie's lying in hell
(screams)

We're all Frankies
We're all lying in hell
(screams)"

Suicide - Suicide @Amazon.com

Lou Reed - Halloween Parade

Lou Reed - Halloween Parade








"There's a down town fairy singing out "Proud Mary"
as she cruises Christopher Street
And some Southern Queen is acting loud and mean
where the docks and the Badlands meet

This Halloween is something to be sure
Especially to be here without you

There's a Greta Garbo and an Alfred Hitchcock
and some black Jamaican stud
There's five Cinderellas and some leather drags
I almost fell into my mug

There's a Crawford, Davis and a tacky Cary Grant
And some Homeboys lookin' for trouble down here from the Bronx

But there ain't no Hairy and no Virgin Mary
you won't hear those voices again
And Johnny Rio and Rotten Rita
you'll never see those faces again

This Halloween is something to be sure
Especially to be here without you

There's the Born Again Losers and the Lavender Boozers
and some crack team from Washington Heights
The boys from Avenue B and the girls from Avenue D
a Tinkerbell in tights

This celebration somehow get me down
Especially when I see you're not around

There's no Peter Pedantic saying things romantic
In Latin, Greek or Spic
There's no Three bananas or Brandy Alexander
Dishing all their tricks

It's a different feeling that I have today
Especially when I know you've gone away

There's a girl from Soho with a teeshirt saying "I Blow"
She's with the "jive five 2 plus 3"
And the girls for pay dates are giving cut rates
Or else doing it for free

The past keeps knock knock knocking on my door
And I don't want to hear it anymore

No consolations please for feelin' funky
I got to get my head above my knees
But it makes me mad and mad makes me sad
And then I start to freeze

In the back of my mind I was afraid it might be true
In the back of my mind I was afraid that they meant you

The Halloween Parade
At the Halloween parade
At the Halloween parade
See you next year - at the Halloween parade"

Lou Reed - New York @Amazon.com

The Shaggs - It's Halloween

Ah, the Shaggs...the best worst band in the world.

Yay!

The Shaggs - It's Halloween

"It's Halloween
It's Halloween
It's time for scares
It's time for screams
It's Halloween
It's Halloween

The ghosts will spook
The spooks will scare
Why, even Dracula will be there

It's time for games
It's time for fun
Not for just one
But for everyone

The jack-o-lanterns are all lit up
All the dummies are made and stuffed
By just looking you will see
It's this time of year again

It's Halloween
It's Halloween

All the kids are happy and gay
There doesn't seem to be a cloud in their way
But when it's over and they've had all their fun
They'll wish that Halloween had just begun

Oh, there are witches, goblins, Frankensteins and zombies
And there are tramps, Cinderallas, pirates, angels and gypsies
So let's have lots of fun and give many cheers
For Halloween comes but once a year

It's time for games
It's time for fun
Not for just one
But for everyone

It's Halloween
It's Halloween
It's Halloween
It's Halloween

It's Halloween!"

The Shaggs - Philosophy of the World @Amazon

The Fall - There's a Ghost in My House

The Fall - There's a Ghost in My House

The Fall cover a R. Dean Taylor song... and It's kinda Halloweeney, I guess. Forget it's a metaphor. This song hit #30 on the UK charts upon its original release, the highest chart position the Fall ever achieved.

"There's a ghost in my house
The ghost of your memories
The ghost of the love you took from me

Well, our love used to be
Only shadows from the past I see
Time can't seem to erase
The vision of your smiling face
Though you found someone new
I can't get over you
There's a ghost in my house
I can't hide (ghost in my house)
From the ghost of your love that's inside (ghost in my house)
It keeps on haunting me (ghost in my house)
Just keeps on recalling me (ghost in my house)

In my mind I know you're gone
But my heart keeps holding on
To the memories of those happy times
To the love that once was mine
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
There's a ghost in my house
I can't hide (ghost in my house)
From the ghost of your love that's inside (ghost in my house)
You're still such a part of me (ghost in my house)
Still so deep in the heart of me (ghost in my house)

I just keep hearing your footsteps on the stairs
When I know there's no-one there
Every day I love you more
So much more than the day before

Sittin' in my easy chair
I feel your fingers running through my hair
Lookin' down in my coffee cup
I think I see your face lookin' up
All alone without you
You voice that goes through
There's a ghost in my house
And I can't hide (ghost in my house)
From the ghost of your love that's inside (ghost in my house)
It keeps on haunting me (ghost in my house)
Just keeps on reminding me (ghost in my house)"

Promo-video:


The Fall - The Frenz Experiment @Amazon

Flaming Lips - Halloween on the Barbary Coast

Here's a good one...proof that the Flaming Lips were really great before The Soft Bulletin. It's too bad their albums before Transmissions... often go overlooked. I'm a big fan of Clouds Taste Metallic (and realize that comes after Transmissions.) This one, Hit to Death in the Future Head, is definitely underrated. I'm pretty sure it's the only album ever to end with 30 minutes of channel jumping static. That also means I've never listened to the entire album.

This song is one of the highlights, has a way cool lick, pretty much nonsensical lyrics, and contains "Halloween" in the title. Perfect!

The Flaming Lips - Halloween on the Barbary Coast

"Well, the retards laughed
When the evening came
The 'librium makes them
All the same
And boy, you still got
Shit for brains
It's Halloween on the coast again
Well the clowns roll in
And the line never ends
We get the last part
We get the bends
And the bends always last
Till the blast
And they sucked us down in the hole again
And it's Halloween on the Barbary Coast
Well, the mothers smiled
When the morning came
Under the Christmas tree
They looked all the same
And boy, you still got
Shit for brain
And it's Halloween all over again"

The Flaming Lips -Hit to Death in the Futurehead @Amazon

Sonic Youth and Mudhoney - Halloween

As we've now nearing the end of October, I'm dedicating this blog to "Halloween songs" for the rest of the month. I'll be covering songs that not only have Halloween in the title, but also feature Halloweeny themes like monsters, candy and ghosts. I'll also do a couple of straight up frightening songs...tracks that you want to avoid listening to alone in bed with your headphones on.

Today I'll begin with Sonic Youth's "Halloween" which comes from Bad Moon Rising, one of my favorite Sonic Youth albums (way underrated) and is as a whole a great record for this time of season. Just look at the cover art!

Kim Gordon does the vocals on this one...it's very atmospheric, one of those quiet noisy songs. It could play during the credits of the best horror film about a musical cornfield and a human-snake concoction that has yet to be made.

Sonic Youth - Halloween

"There's something shifting in the distance
Don't know what it is
Day's as dead as nights
Except for the feeling that's
Crawling up inside of me as you
Sing your song as you
Swing along and you're
It's your, your song

It's the devil in me
Makes me stare at you as you
Twist up along you
Sing your song and you
Slipping up to me and you're
So close i just a
Wanna touch you and i
Sing your song and you
Don't know what's going on but you
Wanna me to come along as you
Sing your song and you're
Fucking with me as you

Slither up to me
Your lips there
Slipping twisting at my
Insides and singing on
You're just a
Swinging man, it's not your
Swinging song and now i
Don't know what you want but
You're looking at me and you're
Falling to the ground and you're
Twisting around fucking with my
My mind and i don't know
what's going on

Swinging in your song
Twisting me on as you
Slither up to me and it's gotta be
And i don't know what you wanna do
And you're looking at me with your big dark eyes
And you're rubbing your body

Twisting"

Now here's Mudhoney's cover of the same song. Actually, this version would be more suitable for the end credits of that aforementioned movie. It's a little more cinematic, though less creepy and more...ghoulish?


Mudhoney - Halloween


Sonic Youth - Bad Moon Rising @Amazon

Mudhoney - Superfuzz Bigmuff Plus Early Singles @Amazon.com

Nico - The Fairest of the Seasons

Mid-term period. Sorry for the lack of updates. This song is one of the prettiest songs I've ever heard. Perfect for this time of year in my opinion when the leaves are at their peak color.

Nico - The Fairest of the Seasons

"Now that it's time
Now that the hour hand has landed at the end
Now that it's real
Now that the dreams have given all they had to lend
I want to know do I stay or do I go
And maybe try another time
And do I really have a hand in my forgetting ?

Now that I've tried
Now that I've finally found that this is not the way,
Now that I turn
Now that I feel it's time to spend the night away
I want to know do I stay or do I go
And maybe finally split the rhyme
And do I really understand the undernetting ?

Yes and the morning has me
Looking in your eyes
And seeing mine warning me
To read the signs carefully.

Now that it's light
Now that the candle's falling smaller in my mind
Now that it's here
Now that I'm almost not so very far behind
I want to know do I stay or do I go
And maybe follow another sign
And do I really have a song that I can ride on ?

Now that I can
Now that it's easy, ever easy all around.
Now that I'm here
Now that I'm falling to the sunlights and a song
I want to know do I stay or do I go
And do I have to do just one
And can I choose again if I should lose the reason ?

Yes, and the morning
Has me looking in your eyes
And seeing mine warning me
To read the signs more carefully.

Now that I smile,
Now that I'm laughing even deeper inside.
Now that I see,
Now that I finally found the one thing I denied
It's now I know do I stay or do I go
And it is finally I decide
That I'll be leaving
In the fairest of the seasons"

Video for "Frozen Warnings." Lots of cool Factory footage here and cameos by Bob Dylan, Andy Warhol, and of course various Velvet Underground members..


Nico - Chelsea Girl @Amazon.com

The Gentle Waves - Falling from Grace

The Gentle Waves...better known as Isobel Campbell...better known as the girl from Belle & Sebastian. I first heard this song in the underrated Christina Ricci film Pumpkin, also featuring Belle & Sebastian, Emiliana Torrini and Mercury Rev on its soundtrack. It's a gorgeous song, one that grabbed upon first listen, even before I had completed it entirely. What a voice...and lyrics! Not to mention the arrangement.. Wow.

The Gentle Waves - Falling from Grace

"You make me satisfied
You only want to ride
But that's alright by me
We happen to be free
For what tomorrow brings
No peace and broken wings
It may have been so good
But now it's understood
'Twas just a night

If I could tear my heart
And keep it miles apart
From love of beast or man
And never give a damn
If I could learn to lie
And never show my pride
I'd be just like the rest
Be someone I detest

I'm always looking for the sun
I'm always looking for the sun to shine

Love...
Destroys the best of us
Then leaves the rest of us
Thinking perhaps we'll die
Yet still we stay alive
Lost in a hollow frame
With lonely tears remain
Not knowing our life's worth
Dragging around the earth
How false the light

You make me satisfied
You only want to ride
But that's alright by me
We happen to be free
And if we fall from grace
At least we had a taste
Of something more than this
Unresolved black abyss

I'm always looking for the sun
I'm always looking for the sun
I'm always looking for the sun
I'm only looking for the sun to shine"

Promo-video for "Falling from Grace"


The Gentle Waves- Swansong for You

Exclusive!: New Of Montreal - Feminine Effects

Last week Of Montreal did a radio session over at MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) where they performed, "Feminine Effects", a song from their mysterious next album Skeletal Lamping. During the interview part of the session Kevin mentions October as the release date. I'd assume he means 2008, but who nows- maybe he'll follow the path of Radiohead and just unexpectedly drop the album later this month. I can only hope.

The album was first revealed through a Kevin Barnes myspace blog rant about a month ago. Here's the parts specifically relating to the record:

"It feels good to let the ego rage. I'm sure it does feel good. In fact, I can say from experience that it does feel good, because I am doing it myself on my new album. Ha.
Actually, that is what this rant is all about. I am exploring the dark and gloriously detestable sides of my consciousness. A lot of the people I've played the new songs for have been confused. I'm probably going to lose some fans but I don't care. I don't care because, I'm enjoying myself. I don't care because, I'm following the organic path of my muse, or whatever. Most of all I don't care because, the indie rock world is too polite and likable and I feel it needs the drunken uncle to show up, uninvited, to the birthday party and vomit on the couch. Not every year of course, but at least once in a while".

So the new album will be the equivalent of your uncle showing up drnk to your party and throwing up all over the place. I'm intrigued. "Feminine Effects" is as far as I'm aware Of Montreal's first piano ballad. It's really pretty, minimalistic and certainly a different turn for Kevin Barnes.

Of Montreal - Feminine Effects

The mp3 is ripped from the real audio session. Yes, it's not exclusive per se, but I did rip it from that inaccessible realaudio stream to the much more convenient mp3 format. Have fun. Here's the entire session in mp3, also featuring Lindsay Buckingham and Who covers.

Of Montreal Live in MPR Studio 10-5-07

Of Montreal @ Polyvinyl Records

Yo La Tengo - Autumn Sweater

Yo La Tengo - Autumn Sweater

"When I heard the knock on the door
I couldn't catch my breath
Is it too late to call this off?

We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better?
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater

I tried my best to hide in the crowded room
It's nearly possible
I wait for you, oh, most patiently

We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better?
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater

So I looked for your eyes and the waves looked like
They'd pour right out of them
I'll try hard, I'll try always
But it's a waste of time
It's a waste of time if I can't smile easily
Like in the beginning
In the beginning

We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better?
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater"

I like this interpretation:

"I think the song describes an awkward meeting near the beginning of an intimate relationship. As the narrator recounts the events in the song, he primarily recalls the insecurity he felt. Throughout the song, references are make to nakedness or exposure that stand in sharp contrast to the you of the song, who is described only as wearing a sweater. Ira converys the bittersweet lyrics in a vocal style that sounds soft and plaintive, almost humiliated. The music also supports the theme of nakedness; each instrument stands apart from the others. The instruments seem concentric rather than coordinated -- that is, their distinct repetitious rhythms give the impression of something working together almost by accident rather than intent. At the point of narration, I get the feeling that the narrator has conquered some of the basic insecurities that he struggled with in the beginning of the relationship, but he still struggles with similar insecurities. These insecurities prevent him from moving into a completely conjoined and selfless relationship with his significant other. But I don't get the feeling that the relationship will break up. In fact, the relationship seems to be both strong and tender. I get the feeling that the struggle between self and selfless or I and we will continue as long as the relationship is alive, eventually gaining the consistent and essential qualities of a heartbeat".

Sorry to be hosting using zshare... filefreak simply does not allow enough bandwidth for me to get through a day. I miss minorcrisis so much.

Autumn Sweater Live at Lollapalooza


Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One @Amazon.com

Tullycraft - Twee

I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH.



Tullycraft - Twee




"Well she wakes up every morning
to the sound of Sarah records
On a compilation tape
her friend had sent to her from Paris
Well it's not to say she didn't like
the college station
But her days left in this town
were counting down to graduation
She said hey hey hey
with less than three weeks to go
She tried to justify the goth scene
but the relevance was low
And she said hey hey hey
Won't you listen to me
Well you can keep the punk rock
Ska rap beats and house
Fuck me I'm twee

She packed her little teddy totebag
saved some tickets for herself
Picked out her favorite Lucksmiths single
took the Cher Doll off the shelf
She grabbed her Slumberland guitar case
and her 14 Iced Bears ring
Took down her IFOJ poster
and 'the band who would be king'
And she said hey hey hey
I'm taking 2nd to steal
You know you won't meet Barker's beauties
unless you learn to spin the wheel
And she said hey hey hey
Won't you listen to me
Well you can keep the punk rock
Ska rap beats and house
Fuck me I'm twee

She said i may not beat my sister
at this stupid game of uno
But at least i know the difference
between a Boscoe and a Bruno
Sick of stickin' around just like those magnets on the fridge
But when I finally leave this town
Please don't throw Aggi from the bridge
She said hey hey hey
there's just one thing I know
You'll find more Posies in the used bin
than there are people at the show
And she said hey hey hey
Won't you listen to me
Well you can keep the punk rock
Ska rap beats and house
Fuck me I'm twee"

Tullycraft - Beat, Surf, Fun

Vashti Bunyan - Rose Hip November

Vashti Bunyan makes some of most beautiful music I've ever heard. I've covered her in detail with a previous entry, having a life story that I find to be more interesting than just about every other musician I listen to. Actually on the top on my head I can't think of a more interesting story, so I'll just go right ahead and crown Vashti with the the most amazing lifetime award, and one that still seems to be far from its close. Check out the linked "previous entry" for more on that- it's too good to just summarize.

Continuing on with the Autumn songs, this is an obvious choice, along with practically any track from her debut (and only album for a span of 35 years) Just Another Diamond Day. Its not only one of my favorite records for establishing a particular mood, but one of favorites in general. Thankfully today she's finally getting the recognition she deserves, an appreciation that was criminally absent three decades earlier.

Vashti Bunyan - Rose Hip November

"Rose hip November - autumn I’ll remember
Gold landing at our door, catch one leaf and fortune will surround you evermore

Pine tree very tall, waiting for snow to fall
Mist hangs very still, caught by dawn in castle moats around the sleeping hill

Now a pipe is heard happy is the shepherd
shepherdess and dog, father of the pastureland and mother of the flock

Rosehip November - autumn I’ll remember
Gold landing at our door, catch one Leif and fortune will surround you
Evermore
evermore
evermore"

Fan video for the song with some gorgeous scenery



Vashti Bunyan - Just Another Diamond Day

Golden Shoulders (featuring Joanna Newsom) – The Honey, the Power, the Light

I'm mildly obsessed with Joanna Newsom. She's my favorite performer at the moment and the connection I feel with her music and love I hold for it has been rivaled by only a few other bands in my life. Actually, that may be an understatement. I recently contacted Benjamin Vierling, the painter who is responsible of the cover art of Ys, and thew down $150 for a limited to 100 print of the original painting. Over the weekend I took it into AC Moore as they had a 50% off all custom framing sale and picked out a super nice wooden frame with high-end glass for $180, original retail being $360. Okay- I LOVE Joanna Newsom. My obsession with her music is only exceeded by that of my 9th and 10th grade Weezer obsession, though in terms of emotional connection to the music, Joanna wins no contest. When I want happiness, I turn to Joanna. When I'm down in the dumps and I'm looking to cry it out, I'll again turn to Joanna. "Sadie" and "Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie" during those times particularly turn me into a bumbling wreck, but of the greatest sort. Rather than some emo wallowing in your sadness state, it's more a re-affirmation of life...a different type of tears. It feels so powerful and amazing.

The love I hold for the Newsom also means that anything she touches, anything she recommends, I'll undoubtedly look into. When I heard she contributed to three songs on a Golden Shoulders record, a semi-obscure rotating line-up band from Nevada City CA, Joanna's hometown. She appears on 2002's Let My Burden Be, a year before Joanna even started to record her own music and while she was still an active member of the Pleased. Out of the three songs with her "The Honey, the Power, the Light" is my favorite. It's a great song, where Joanna duets with Adam Kline, the primary guy behind Golden Shoulders. The song is minimalistic, only acoustic guitar and occasional percussion bells.

Golden Shoulders - The Honey, the Power, the Light

Lyrics aren't anywhere online...I just ordered the physical album myself, so hopefully they'll come with that.

Here's a very literal unofficial video for the song. This is definitely better than lyrics:



Golden Shoulders - Let My Burdon Be @Amazon.com

Full Set!: Devendra Banhart Live in Boston, MA 9-25-07

That's right...this show happened last night, and it's up and ready to download already!

Thanks to the awesome Dave who also recorded the Wolf Parade show about a month ago, as this bootleg is the work of him. The show was so much fun: a gradual progression in the truest sense of the word. Devendra and his band took stage initially with acoustic instruments, hair tied up in a bunch and concealed with a bandanna. They all sat initially, giving the gig a coffee house feel, albeit a large coffee house. After a few songs, they stood and grabbed their electric instruments. However it wasn't until Devendra and every else with long enough hair tore off their bandannas and let their hair flow that the gig really got going. At any other show, that would be a minor move, yet when it's Devendra whose mane could front its own band, it's a big deal. The response was huge. The band picked up momentum fast, and the gig became a dancefest. Midway through he asked if anyone in the audience has written a song recently, which resulted in a girl named Marianne hopping up on stage and performing one of her own songs. I've never seen something like this happen at a show before. Devendra took things down a key again with the much-beloved "Little Yellow Spider," the end of the pre-encore set. Devendra then emerged shirtless to at least 4 times the response of him letting down his hair and ended the night with "This Beard is for Siobhan" and "I Feel Just Like a Child." He headed over to the merch table after the show and signed really elaborate autographs, actually more like customized drawings, for anyone that wanted one. I left feeling the biggest musical high I've had in a long time.

Here the link:

Devendra Banhart - Live at the Roxy, Boston MA 9-25-07

It's a 256 kbps rip...FLAC will be posted on dimeadozen soon...


The setlist varies a bit in order from what was played. I love all the Zs.


Here's a video I took of "This Beard is for Siobahn." It's a little jiggly at times because I had two people swaying back and forth in front of me at intermittent intervals. I superimposed the bootleg audio over my video. Therefore mediocre visuals + superb audio. How often to you get that in the youtube world?



Compilation of various clips from the show:

Devendra Banhart - Autumn's Child

I'm seeing the guy tonight. Autumn song #2. Pretty pretty pretty. Off to Boston!!




Devendra Banhart - Autumn's Child





"Autumn's child
Raise your head
Autumn's child
You sweet young thing
Stay dead horse
Stand dead horse
Run river run
Sun shine sun
Sing child sing
Sing your song
Sing your song
Autumn's child
Come raise your head
Autumn's child
Sweet young thing
Sweet young thing"

"This Beard is for Siobham" + "Autumn's Child" Live in Boston 2003



Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands @Amazon.com

The Olivia Tremor Control - I Can Smell all the Leaves

Yesssss. I'm back! I have a new host, and a new series: Autumn Songs.

However first on the host: I'm hoping minorcrisis gets resolved soon and this switch is only temporary. The bandwidth minor crisis allowed far exceeded that of my replacement, filefreak. Filefreak allows me 500 megs of traffic a day, and when taken in account about 4 or 5 megs per song, and the amount of downloads, I likely won't last a whole day. Each entry I do gets an average of about 200 hits, with a range from maybe 25 to 2,500. This could get crazy.

So the autumn- I absolutely adore this time of year, only to be beaten by winter, my favorite season. Perhaps the more barren, cold, and dead the environment is, the more I like it. Maybe weird, but something about this time of year makes me feel more alive than ever.

I've had entries about the Olivia Tremor Control before. I've proclaimed my love for them... their two brilliant albums... their underrated songwriting and gorgeous melodies juxtaposed with mindmelting experimentation. They're just such a great band.

For a song that welcomes the coming of Autumn I can't think of a better one this this track from their debut "Music From the Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist Castle." After all, the opening line outright introduces the season. Other than that obvious note, it encapsulates the feel of the season very well, the sensory overload, and in my opinion the closeness of the season- how it just feels more personal than any other. Even if you're alone, Autumn leaves you feeling full and wanted. There's also Halloween. Hallowen is awesome.

The Olivia Tremor Control - I Can Smell All the Leaves

"Autumn is here
I can smell the leaves
Little by little it gets colder

Take the bus downtown
Ride a bike
To the park
With your trip

People everywhere
Immediate processors
Writing books and climbing stairs

Just a few hours
The sun goes down
All the people hanging around go back home
or stay downtown

Autumn is here
I can smell the leaves
The color of fire
I look at the trees grow older"

The Olivia Tremor Control - Dusk at Cubist Castle @Amazon.com
OTC Live in 1999 (Full-set!)