Ásgeir
This column is like the title says - its intention is to fill the gap for those of us who were satiated musically in the '60s and then searched desperately as we aged for music we could relate to and get the same buzz from nowadaze. iTunes was the answer for me in 2003 and I have been following the new releases every Tuesday ever since I realized there was an endless stream of music I could enjoy there.
I also include older items that I felt were obscure originally and might not have been heard back then. The reason I am writing this column is to make sure others don't miss this wonderful music. These are not top ten items; but they SHOULD'VE been!
Below is a jukebox containing all the songs I picked this week. After you read about them below, go back and listen to whatever you like by just clicking on that title in the jukebox, or stream the whole playlist by clicking on the "play" icon at the top. It's free and it's the entire song. We're not selling anything. We're just in the business of hopefully making your days better by listening to great music.
We apologize to our readers/listeners who are trying to enjoy the playlists via mobile devices like iPhones/iPads and are finding that they can't; these are, unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control. At present, Grooveshark is not compatible with those operating systems, and in order to stream the playlist, you will need to use a PC or Mac.
1. "When I Die" — The Revivalists (3:02)
Like other bands that originated in the Crescent City, this band’s basic motif owes a great deal to N’awlins music like a few of their forebears, such as The Subdudes or Galactica. They lean a little nearer to the white side musically, however, more like The Band or Little Feat. They started at Tulane University and by 2007 they had started playing around town. I believe this is from their third album, City of Sound, just out last week. Nice overall track, and between live and studio cuts there are 19 (!) tracks on this album for a regular price. Such a deal...
Can we get a plain cupcake cut into seven pieces and a glass of water, please? We're on the road…
2. "In Harmony" — Ásgeir (3:23)
And now a quick jump from Louisiana to Iceland ... huh? Well, ya know I listen waaay before I read the details, and this was a lovely cross between Brian Wilson and ABBA, so I bought it. THEN I read that this guy was born in 1992, and there’s probably a lot he hasn’t seen — but he’s obviously heard a great deal. Oh — and his dad writes the lyrics! Wouldn’t have worked well for me or Brian Wilson, but to each their own, especially when they’re freezin’ their asses off. Seriously, this kid is VERY talented and there are more good tracks on his new album, In the Silence, all in English.
3. "Thholyghst" — ††† (Crosses) (3:44)
I liked the chord changes in the verses and that’s what hooked me at first. The production is interesting, so that kept me there 'til the end. This started as an offshoot of Deftones singer Chino Moreno in 2011. Two EPs came out between 2011 and 2013. The actual first album just came out last week. They are comparatively new and I like their musicality. Now if they can work on their song-title spelling and perhaps add just a pinch of Jewish mysticism, the world could be their oyster.
The only thing is if you backlight us, the other guys usually... C'MON GUYS! WAKE UP!
4. "Come With Me Now" — Kongos (2:50)
This name took me back to the late '60s when there was a singer named John Kongos who always preceded me alphabetically in the record racks. He was South African and played that kinda music. Well, these are his kids and they sound great on their debut album Lunatic, which this is from. Who’d-a thought white South African music was so darn Cajun-sounding? Love this.
Whaddaya mean "no accordions allowed"?
5. "Do You Good" — Morcheeba (3:08)
This started in the mid-'90s when the Godfrey Bros. Paul and Ross moved from Kent to London and got serious about a music career. Once they met female singer Skye Edwards, they had a voice for their vision and the rest is history. They were always on this side of the disco/dance line and that helped them sell records. In 2003, the brothers packed it in and let Edwards go. A few years later the brothers made a couple of albums with guest vocalists and Skye worked on a solo career. They reunited in 2010 and all three were much better equipped to work together and the music got better on their release Blood Like Lemonade. This is from their latest, 2013’s Head Up High. This is straight ahead disco music with more of a nod to the ‘70s than to electronica. It has a good beat and you can dance to it; Dick Clark is smiling down from the Bandstand in the Sky(e).
Skye Edwards and her accountants. Huh? Oh, sorry, that's the other guys in the band… my bad.
6. "Unrequited" — Lyn Christopher (2:48)
In 1971, I wrote a song about a girl that single AI was seeing who was in an open marriage. I recorded it on my solo album Naked Songs which was released in 1972. The song was very Bacharach-influenced musically and shortly thereafter this cover version came out. It never occurred to me that a woman could sing it by just changing the gender. I’ve always loved this version and I just got a clean copy of it so here you are. It was out on Paramount Records back then but is being re-released by someone else now. If you like this, it’s now on iTunes.
7. "Pathetic" — Erik Hassle (3:00)
Someone from Iceland juat wasn’t enough this week. Erik was born in Sweden in 1988 and popped into the top 30 there in 2009. This track is from his latest EP released a month ago on iTunes. Erik is a soul-pop vocalist and toured the world opening for Mika, who has also been in this column. We’re very international this week — not that any of the material sounds like it.
Is there a mirror I can see? It feels like you cut off too much…
8. "No One's Gonna Love You" (Live) — Band of Horses (3:18)
This seems to be just one acoustic guitar and a vocal from within the band live. It’s pretty captivating for a solo performance from someone who is not billed as a soloist. The vocal and guitar playing are immaculate for a live recording. I believe this was done at the famous Ryman Auditorium, original home of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Also let me acknowledge that it is pretty damned good songwriting as well. A perfect package as it were, as it is, as it always shall be.
No electricity for two miles? That's okay — just send someone for 20 extension cords and we'll start acoustically...
9. "I Think I'm in Love" — Daniel Merriweather (2:21)
Holy moly! Now this act is from Melbourne, Australia. I guess I pretty much just liked music made overseas this week. Danny Boy is reaching for a much younger audience than our demographic in this column. My first clue was the lyric where he proclaims to the girl of his dreams: Tonight we’re going to a show / We’re seein’ TV on the Radio / I’ve had these tickets for weeks and I got the best seats / And they’re nearly coppin’ all my dough... That band they’re gonna catch has NEVER been in this column for the three years we’ve been posting. Makes me wonder why I’m posting this song. You’re lucky this week, Mr. Merriweather. Y’all play this one for your kids (or, in my case, grandkids!).
Al: "Danny boy, lemme play ya some of my AC/DC 45s..."
10. "Sh*t Shots Count" — Drive-By Truckers (3:35)
Now here’s some good ol' southern Americans influenced heavily by a UK group from the ‘60s. Let’s just say they’re Keith-worshippers and this track could’ve been on the Sticky Fingers album. Then let’s say we’ll see ya next week with great music no matter where it’s from!
Hey!! YOU!!! Quit starin' at us and just read the next line and then piss off 'til next week!!
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