Today's Quick Mention: Tonight I'm joining up with some people from
work and heading down to the Austin Chronicle/Grounded In Music's first ever
Mind Over Music trivia competition. It'll probably be pretty
difficult, but my guess is that it will also be equally fun. Anyone
else out there have a team?
Sorry for no podcast this weekend. As I tweeted, my PC was having a
variety of issues (not even sure if it's fixed now) and I just couldn't get
it done. On the bright side, I picked the five best songs I had
planned on putting in it and posted them up today. Enjoy.
:The
Tallest Man On Earth - King Of Spain:
It's weird, I've definitely heard this folk-ish, alt-country
sound from acts like Deer Tick, Langhorne Slim and many
more, and yet somehow this, which isn't even close to being
groundbreaking, feels as fresh as ever. Is it the
voice? Maybe the songwriting? I'm not sure. But
I'm anxious to hear more so that I can figure it out.
Dead Oceans will release The Wild Hunt on April 13.
:Electric
President - Safe And Sound:
A number of years back this band's debut had me excited with
what was - to me anyway - an interesting take on the Postal
Service. These days though, Ben Cooper and Alex Kane
have shifted gears from their very electronic ways of the
past to something that feels a bit more organic. Thank
whoever it's still good.
The Violet Blue
is due February 23 on Morr Music.
:Man/Miracle
- Hot Sprawl:
I wasn't too fond of this track the first couple of times I
checked it out, but after a while I noticed an incessant
need to revisit it as often as possible. There's just
something about its odd vocal delivery and bizarro-pop
arrangement that eventually wins you over, pulls you in and
doesn't let go. Third Culture Records will release
The Shape Of Things on February 23.
:Best
Coast - When I'm With You:
While there's a part of me that does think noise pop reached
a point of over-saturation in 2009, there's still some great
songs out there, and this is definitely one of them.
Now if only everyone else would learn that it's not all
about seeing how much fuzz can be jammed into three minutes.
This single is out on 7" now, and on February 9 you'll be
able to get a new one titled Something In The Way.
:Joanna
Newsom - 81:
Despite not being an artist who releases a ton of albums, I
think I've gotten to the point of taking the lovely Joanna
Newsom for granted. Is this song beautiful? Yes.
Just as I knew it would be. And the next LP, will it
be as grand as anything she's ever done? Of course!
That can be the only reason for why it's three discs.
Way to spoil me, Joanna. Drag City will release
Have One On Me on February 23.
- John Laird -
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