The Sad Bear

November 5, 2010

#029

A weekly sampler of what we're listening to (new and old), and what we think you might like, too.

{LISTEN TO THEM ALL}

JACK:
Song: "Misfit Love"
Artist: Queens of the Stone Age

For some reason, this song suddenly popped into my head the other day. Most know my abiding love for anything and everything that Josh Homme touches, but this one is a curveball. I've been listening to the Queens off and on for the past month or so, but hadn't spun Era Vulgaris in a while.

After hearing this one again, I'm not exactly sure why I let it lie in remission for so long. This song contains all the things that I love about Homme & Family, combining them into one convenient package: falsetto vocals (likely spurned by that ultra-low cock-punching bass groove), weird guitar wankery, armor-piercing drumming and a cathartic outro with lots of high harmonies.

Also, note Homme's rock moves in live clip: He's tweaking out like he just smoked week, drank beer and ate some pizza within a span of five minutes and can't control his bodily functions. Excellent.

TONY:
Song: "1st Things 1st"
Artist: Phantom Planet

An unsung hero of sloppy rock albums. Finally found my burned CD copy, scratches and all.

CHASE:
Song: "My Sister Rose"
Artist: 10,000 Maniacs

My thought about this song is that nobody here is really going to dig it. However, this album In My Tribe was almost as important to me growing up as Paul Simon's Graceland. It's an album I re-discovered this year, and the more I listen to it, the more I appreciate its spot in my life. 10,000 Maniacs remind me a little bit of The Sundays, and maybe even The Smiths. My mom used to listen to this album while making dinner, and hearing the songs now remind me a little bit of growing up...before I found my own musical tastes wrapped up in bands like The Smashing Pumpkins.

I think this album is executed very well and the music incredibly listenable.

ECON:
Song: "Watch the Glow"
Artist: Museum of Bellas Artes


GOAT:
Song: "The Time Warp"
Artist: Richard O'Brien (The Rocky Horror Show)


EVAN:
Song: "Future Primitive"
Artist: Papercuts

I just like this one a lot. The "da da da. . ." section where he harmonizes with the guitar while the organ rises is really beautiful, one of those oddly haunting and yet emotive moments that I really enjoy.

DUNN:
Song: "You're Just A Baby"
Artist: Belle & Sebastian

MARK:
Song: "How Come That Blood"
Artist: Sam Amidon (aka samamidon)

Really gorgeous album. Intriguing song.

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: DAN CAO
Dan is a good friend of Chase's from Louisville. They met through mutual friends during junior year of high school and shared, among other things, interests in music, tea, Dan's mother's shrimp and elitist jabs at one another. When Dan and Chase spoke last on the phone, Chase learned about the pet peeves of pharmacists and Dan listened to Chase speak about his trip to Boston (Chase was on a Megabus at the time).

Song: "All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)"
Artist: Sufjan Stevens

I, like many people, discovered, became smitten with, overplayed, and developed Sufjan fatigue. It is after this indeterminate period of Sufjan abstinence that I found this gem of an EP. I hated it at first. It seemed bloated and self-congratulatory. I mean, the first track is 11+ minutes! On a second listen though, I was reminded of why I fell in love with Illinois in the first place. Each instrument contributes little more than a simple line, but layered altogether makes for an ambitious piece that feels more than the sum of its parts.

This track (as well as the original) reminds me of that nearly transcendental first listen-through of Illinois. Plus, I love Sufjan's penchant for banjo.

Labels: mid-week mixes, music

by JHitts at 2:28 AM |