A playlist featuring Weerd Science, Magnolia Electric Co., Tom Waits, and others
1. Weerd Science- The Seer. WS is Josh Eppard, most notably the drummer from coheed and cambria. I think he’s a super creative artist and cool person so I'm biased to like most things he does, including this, his long time venture into hip-hop. This song flows really smoothly and has a lot of clever lines, presumably about atheism, which I find relatable.
2. Magnolia Electric Co.- Hard To Love a Man. MEco. is fronted by Jason Molina, that’s about all I know of the band itself. My father suggested him to me as kind of a downer singer-songwriter (my preference) with country and folk influences. He collaborated with many artists when he was alive, such as My Morning Jacket and Will Oldham. I found the lyrics to this so strikingly stark and beautiful.
3.Tom Waits- Christmas Card to a Hooker in Minneapolis. Wonderful showcase of tom waits’ expert ability to spin a curiously sad and humorous narrative over subtle, longing piano playing. Feels like I'm listening to a poem by Burroughs or other like beat poet era writers. He offers complexity and a specific vibe that is unavoidable, leaving you craving a cigarette and a bad day.
4. Trembling Bells & Bonnie “Prince” Billy- I Made a Date (With an Open Vein). Turned onto this song because of the collaboration with BPB (Will Oldham) so I know very little of Trembling Bells. They provide a hazy, simple, dancey wall of sound underneath BPB’s always amazing lyrics and raw, creative melodies. The lyrics can be read like poetry, I highly suggest it.
5. Angels & Airwaves- Voyager. I heard this in the new Tom Delonge documentary on youtube. Always been a fan of him, but I tend to be hit or miss with AVA. This song has a good pace and catchy hooks. All around a fun listen!
6. The Distillers- Drain the Blood. My mother is a big Brody Dalle fan, so I heard this via her. Great opening track to a record. I’m sure its a hacky comparison, but I was first struck by how she sounded like a better (IMO) Courtney Love, no offense to her, I'm just less partial to Hole.
7. Jeff Hanson- You and I Alone. Jeff has taken me awhile to get into. Another deceased singer songwriter, he has a subtle vibe and requires just the right mood to engage with. He’s very soft, sweet, and sad. Lately though, he has been right up my alley with the recent gloomy winter days.
8. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds- Higgs Boson Blues. Generally unfamiliar with Nick Cave, but he has been growing on me. Just watched “20,000 Days On Earth” his recent documentary, and theres a live performance of this song. I found the whole film to be moving and inspiring as an artist, but when it got to this and another performance, I was sold. Love the lyrics in this song. He has a Leonard Cohen vibe to me. He has mythical artist persona that I find very compelling.
9. Birthmark- Sounds Can Be So Alarming. I recently dropped acid for the first time and listened to this album a few times thru. It was VERY engaging. Played loudly, you can hear so many subtle quirks to the composition of the songs on this record. I was one with the music, but so was the room, which breathed with the music’s natural wonder, curiosity, and positive vibes.
The last time I saw Richard was Detroit in '68,
And he told me all romantics meet the same fate someday
Cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark cafe
You laugh, he said you think you're immune, go look at your eyes
They're full of moon
You like roses and kisses and pretty men to tell you
All those pretty lies, pretty lies
When you gonna realize they're only pretty lies
Only pretty lies, just pretty lies
He put a quarter in the Wurlitzer, and he pushed
Three buttons and the thing began to whirr
And a bar maid came by in fishnet stockings and a bow tie
And she said drink up now it's gettin' on time to close
Richard, you haven't really changed, I said
It's just that now you're romanticizing some pain that's in your head
You got tombs in your eyes, but the songs
You punched are dreaming
Listen, they sing of love so sweet, love so sweet
When you gonna get yourself back on your feet?
Oh and love can be so sweet, love so sweet
Richard got married to a figure skater
And he bought her a dishwasher and a Coffee percolator
And he drinks at home now most nights with the TV on
And all the house lights left up bright
I'm gonna blow this damn candle out
I don't want Nobody comin' over to my table
I got nothing to talk to anybody about
All good dreamers pass this way some day
Hidin' behind bottles in dark cafes
Dark cafes
Only a dark cocoon before I get my gorgeous wings
And fly away
Only a phase, these dark cafe days
A playlist featuring Courtney Barnett, Fugees, Manchester Orchestra, and others
1. Courtney Barnett- Pedestrian at Best. Usually late to new artists like this. Fantastic lyricist, enjoyed her use of the word “Homely” as well as rhyming it with scorpio.
2. Fugees- The Beast. Masterpiece of an album. Final verse by Pras is my favorite. Foreshadowing a track on this playlist as well!
3. Manchester Orchestra- Every Stone. Really grown to love the tone of this record, very warm, dulled guitars. This song is just so catchy!
4. Bon Iver- 22 (OVER SooN). I am unfamiliar with his work specifically, but I am aware of his place in music, generally. Heard this on NPR, loved the warm and floaty vibe it has. Fun little sample as the hook, reminds me of an early Kanye sample. Theres a really lovely guitar lick at 0:59 seconds that mimics the vocal melody. Great detail and perfect tone on the guitar. His vocal recording style is interesting, sounds like he sings the melody falsetto and sings the harmonies in a lower register, then buries them in the mix.
5. Bob Marley & The Wailers- Concrete Jungle. Classic Marley track. I really enjoy the chord progression in this. Has the movement of a dark/melancholy pop tune to me. His melody is catchy with just a hint of angst.
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