no one is awake:

irresolute.

2006-11-20T21:11:00.000-05:00

This time, it may not be an idle threat.
I seem to be losing no one is awake steam.
This is in no way a final decision. I just feel inclined to let the few faithful readers I have know.
Please keep the faith for a little while. I may turn around and find my drive again.
Your comments or advice would be helpful as I weigh out my possibilities.
Maybe January will bring a no one is awake version 2.0.
I'm sure we'll find out together.
If you leave me your name and e-mail, I'll try to let you know (if a lack of updates happen) when there is a resurgence of material to listen to and read.

For right now, I ask of you your patience and support, in any capacity.
For January, I ask that you spend money on Menomena's Friend and Foe and Of Montreal's Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? as I can tell you that they are positively spectacular.
Menomena is my Savior.

Bound Stem's "Andover"
& "Western Biographic"

THIRTY-FOUR DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

130bpm is not too slow.

2006-11-19T21:49:00.000-05:00

I will most certainly be in Detroit's Magic Stick on March 14th to see Of Montreal play with Grand Buffet.
Oh boy, will I.
Of Montreal has two new songs from their January release, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, on MySpace.
Polyvinyl is now selling new Of Montreal vinyl. "Faberge Falls For Shuggie" and "She's A Rejecter" get some special pressings.
In addition, the sensational PV mailorder store is now selling The Late B.P. Helium music. Get going.
Just over two months before Hissing Fauna, and just under four until I finally see the squad play with my inexplicable favorite duo, Grand Buffet.
Hooray!

I've been having a busy and enjoyable weekend. I'll make it up here. You know I'm good for it.

just a you and me house.

2006-11-16T08:16:00.000-05:00

i'll get a real job.

2006-11-15T21:05:00.000-05:00

If you are in the least bit creative and/or would have any idea how to go about making a fantastic shirt design, now is your time to shine. Threadless loves Owen. Or vice versa. Their contest is for the best shirt design inspired by Owen's quaint At Home With closing track, "One Of These Days." What's your motivation? Oh, very little. Just a grand prize of the following:

Autographed Owen "At Home With Owen" CD
Autographed Owen poster
The entire Polyvinyl Records catalog on CD! An incredible 80 CD package!
Owen / The City On Film limited edition silkscreened UK tour poster
Owen hoodie in the size of your choice
A gift pack of Owen's top 5 favorite CDs!
Super comfy "I Heart Threadless" tee in the size of your choice
1-year 12 Club subscription
$300 Threadless Gift Certificate
$1,500 in cash

Yeah, so it's hardly worth it, really. Someone let me know if you'd like to submit something under my name.
Get to work.

Owen's "One Of These Days"
from At Home With Owen

39 CALENDAR SQUARES TO CHRIST OFF BEFORE X-MAS
Eef Barzelay's "Joy To The World"

the years have been unkind like a winter clementine.

2006-11-14T20:41:00.000-05:00

Starting out by telling you to go to You Ain't No Picasso to hear Beck cover Of Montreal is a poor way to keep you here. So is advising you download Bishop Allen's November Sixth show at the Troubadour from Fabulist. A stronger start would be by coming right out and saying:
It's Bishop Allen EP Day!
After today there will be just two additional days where excitement reaches a fever pitch and Christian, Justin and the Bishop Allen gang unveil their EP for the most recent completed month. To refer you to You Ain't No Picasso for a second time, Matt confirms that plans are set for Bishop Allen to release their sophomore album in the Summer of 2007. I don't know that this will be an alternate universe version of their long-awaited Clementines. A bulk of the original and continuously re-worked Clementines songs have reared their pretty heads throughout the EP project. Today, Bishop Allen release October and are previewing the EP with the song "Clementines." This is the first time I've become overwrought with sadness that the EP project is near completion.
Bishop Allen is an exceptionally and important band.
I rough drafted that sentence with an additional "to me" at the end. It seemed tacked on, needless, and false.

Bishop Allen's "Clementines" from October

Bishop Allen's "Like Castanets" from September
Bishop Allen's "Click Click Click Click" from July
Bishop Allen's "The Same Fire" from June
Bishop Allen's "Butterfly Nets" from May
Bishop Allen's "Flight 180" from April
Bishop Allen's "The Monitor" from March
Bishop Allen's "The News From Your Bed" from February
Bishop Allen's "Corazon" from January

I just realized how I really have spent nearly a year with Bishop Allen during this project. Sure, every month I was excited to place an order. And every month I was thrilled to get a package in the mail. And every month I listened to four new songs and smiled. But now, upon the release of the tenth of twelve monthly EPs, I recognize the significance of this series both from the band's standpoint and more pertinently from my own.
Christmas is partially as special as it is because it goes hand in hand with the new year. It's a time for remembering. And at a time in my life, when I couldn't be looking more forward to my future, it's refreshing to look back quite fondly at the events that have lead me to where I am and where I'm going.
Maybe I subconsciously steered you elsewhere to set myself up to unexpectedly talk candidly and privately. Maybe I just like Bishop Allen.

CHRISTMAS: 40 / BOWLING GREEN: 49
Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime"
Tom McCrae's "Wonderful Christmastime"
Sleeping At Last's "Silver Bells"

all up in my space.

2006-11-13T18:08:00.000-05:00

I can't seem to download songs from MySpace lately. I wonder if I'm the only one having such a problem. In any case, I'd really like it if you spent some time going to the following destinations, courtesy of MySpace.

Cale Parks has a new demo up that's really just as good as most of his Illuminated Manuscript material. I assume that you know how good his album is.
Baby Dayliner also has a new demo up called "Dolemite" as well as several videos. If you're not hip to Baby Dayliner already, he's like a disco Morrissey and a club Bowie giving birth to an urban kid with equal amounts attitude and ego. Dig it.
The One AM Radio will release This Too Will Pass at the end of January. He's posted the first song on his MySpace. January is going to be bloated with grand music.
Tenebre is an Californian instrumental outfit who like to have fun with their guitars the way I like. For fans of Owls and Don Caballero.
Massimo is another instrumental melodic guitar outfit. This time the origin is Tokyo and the Mike Kinsella influence is American Football.
Sharks and Seals are always a good listen, and are tight with no one is awake chums, Them, Roaringtwenties.
Them, Roaringtwenties are still fantastic, and be sure to seek out their members' solo stuff through their own accounts. Drawing Trees, Summerteeth and James Beesley are my main points of emphasis.

C-MAS IN 4-ONE

you've got a lot of f***ing nerve.

2006-11-12T21:49:00.000-05:00

Before New Sense (song links won't work) and Decibully was Camden, a fantastic Milwaukee secret that represents the rock roots of what would become Decibully. Recorded by Chris Walla (what isn't?), Camden's Reel Time Canvas is a downright spectacular album that could be openly welcome and well received if released today, but is now over six years old. Really, I can't find many flaws in the Decibully related projects and Camden's one full length and one EP are both absolutely tremendous releases that fully engross me. I simply cannot say much more than thank you to William Seidel and Ryan Weber as well as Eric Osterman and Brian Zimmerman. Find more at Camden's MySpace page, including several more downloads.

Camden's "Mike, Who Is Diary?"
& "Darling, Applaud"
from Reel Time Canvas

Camden's "Bread: Side A"
from Pieces of Places

42 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
John & Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"
The Polyphonic Spree's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"
Sense Field's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"
Snowden's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"

harold just counted brush strokes.

2006-11-11T17:52:00.000-05:00

We're going to see Stranger Than Fiction tonight.
More to come.

Spoon's "The Book I Write"
The Free Design's "Love You"
from Stranger Than Fiction

if i was a marching band.

2006-11-10T21:18:00.000-05:00

Over the last several months, I have infrequently checked on the progress of the third Burn To Shine DVD. Today's labors were rewarded fruitfully, as the third in a series of DVDs that capture the last day in the life of a house is now available. Skip what I have to say and just go order it.
Burn To Shine's concept is quite simple. Take a house that is scheduled to be demolished and spend it's last day as a lived-in structure to file bands from that city in and out to play one song each, before the demolition commences. The first two installments took place in Washington D.C. and Chicago, and combined brief documentations of each house's history before showing several hometown artists set up and play. The films have a gritty, real feel from which they derive their power. As difficult as it is to grant the premise that the demolition of a house the viewer has never seen will have any impact, the finale of each piece is strikingly impacting.
The line-up of artists that gathered together in D.C. were Bob Mould, Medications, French Toast, Q And Not U, Weird War, Ted Leo, Garland of Hours, and The Evans. In Chicago, Wilco, Shellac, Tortoise, Freakwater, The Ponys, Red Eyed Legends, Tight Phantomz, The Lonesome Organist, and Pit er Pat brought the house down. In the latest installment, that took place on June 15, 2005, performances from Sleater-Kinney, The Shins, The Decemberists, The Thermals, The Gossip, Mirah, Quasi, Lifesavas, The Planet The, Tom Heinl, and The Ready were the last hurrahs for a home in Portland, OR.
I highly recommend seeing these DVDs at some point. As I said, they're surprisingly affecting. It was the performance by Jeremy Jacobsen (Lonesome Organist) that took me most by surprise. Jacobsen attaches himself to an impressive amount of instruments, and plays them all quite well. His energy must be off the charts to keep this up for an entire set.
Here are two examples of Lonesome Organist's unique style from 2003's Forms and Follies which was accompanied by a thick flipbook (not unlike the unique 2004 debut album from Menomena).

Lonesome Organist's "The Moped"
& "One of Me"
from Forms and Follies

4ORTY4OUR
PAS/CAL's "Little Red Radio"

sink into oblivion.

2006-11-09T21:42:00.000-05:00

As the blog buzz dies down and the number of corporate magazine articles incriminating blogs for killing bands, I find myself finally delving into Cold War Kids. You can read up on the Kids just about anywhere, and as my week winds down, I need the weekend more and more.
Tonight is a perfect night for eye-resting and Cass McCombs albums.
Well. Could I have interested you any less in Cold War Kids?
Let them do the work. They've got a new free downloadable EP at their website.

Cold War Kids' "We Used To Vacation"
& "Hospital Beds"
from Robbers & Cowards

THE VIRGIN MRS. CLAUS GIVES BIRTH TO JESUS IN 45 DAYS
Steve Martin's "Five Wishes For Christmas"

donde nunca jamas nadie haya ido.

2006-11-08T22:55:00.000-05:00

Draining days lead me to music with some mystic quality. Luckily for me, I came to Cafe Tacuba today. The outfit's 2003 Cuatro Caminos was called "the Rock En Espanol Kid A" by Alternative Press; an album that "fans of intelligent, forward-thinking music in any language won't want to miss."

Cafe Tacuba's "Cero y Uno"
& "Camino y Vereda"
from Cuatro Caminos

FOUR SIX TIL CHRIST MAS
Dan Wilson's "What A Year For A New Year"
Phantom Planet's "Winter Wonderland"
Ron Sexsmith's "Maybe This Christmas"

will nature make a man of me yet?

2006-11-07T18:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's tribute to the discography of Rainer Maria was the closest no one is awake has come to a Tuesday Spotlight in quite a while. So I refer you to the plethora of songs immediately below this for that reach back to the days of the Spotlight. I won't rule them out for the future.
I could cite today as the start of a new feature, but I know it will be difficult to continue with any regularity.
Today's focus is one of the most popular songs in The Smiths' catalog. Released as Johnny Marr and Morrissey's second single just over twenty-three years ago, "This Charming Man" serves as a quintessential Smiths song, representative of Marr's jangly guitar, and Morrissey's characteristic lyrics and vocals. "This Charming Man" is a Smiths mainstay, and any fan knows it by heart. Fortunately, some of the most influenced fans have become legitimate musicians themselves and so we have many additions to my much loved musical world of cover songs.
I won't pull any punches. This is just an innovative way for me to feature Stars' rendition of the song for a second time. This song was among the first I shared when I started no one is awake just over seven months ago. It would be nearly impossible for me to enjoy going back to Stars' Nightsongs any more than I do, when I get the urge to break it out.
What else can you do but play this song through over and over, covered in vastly different ways by a few influential groups?

The Smiths' "This Charming Man" from The Smiths
Stars' "This Charming Man" from Nightsongs LP
Braid's "This Charming Man" from Movie Music
Death Cab For Cutie's "This Charming Man" from You Can Play These Songs With Chords

CURRENT NUMBER OF UNLIT BULBS IN CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHT COUNTDOWN: 47
Peggy Lee's "Happy Holiday"
Clearly & The Mainstream's "Christmas Is Coming"

now there's just a piece of atmosphere.

2006-11-06T18:37:00.000-05:00

Timing couldn't have been more coincidentally unfortunate in my delving back into Kyle Fischer's solo album. Fischer was one third of the long-running Rainer Maria. That's right. Was. The trio decided to hang it up after a few final shows at the close of 2006. After six LPs, several EPs/singles, and a live album standing as a testament to their powerful show, Rainer Maria made an impact on the world of music they set out to join in 1995.
Pitchfork writer Amy Phillips owns up to always admiring Caithlin De Marrais, and enjoying every Rainer Maria album, even though Pitchfork hasn't been too kind to the group in recent years. I feel that I can internally relate. I've modestly enjoyed Rainer Maria since turned on to them by Jeff, but I've never overdosed on any one album or been more than a passing fan - a passing fan with every release. I'm sorry, Rainer Maria. You will be missed and appreciated posthumously. Oh, and thank you most of all for "Long Knives." It's admittedly been my favorite since it first made my ears ring from over-playing it.
I almost hate to say that both Kyle and Caithlin have more dynamite solo material in them, and it would be a shame if we didn't hear it. I don't mind saying, however, that I hope for parallels between Rainer Maria and Rilo Kiley to be made. I can only hope that Caithlin has a Rabbit Fur Coat in her.

Rainer Maria's "Rain Yr Hand"
from Rainer Maria

Rainer Maria's "Tinfoil"
from Past Worn Searching

Rainer Maria's "Breakfast of Champions"
from Look Now Look Again

Rainer Maria's "Atlantic"
from Atlantic EP

Rainer Maria's "Artificial Light"
from A Better Version Of Me

Rainer Maria's "Ears Ring"
from Long Knives Drawn

Rainer Maria's "Long Knives" (Live)
from Anyone In Love With You (Already Knows)

Rainer Maria's "Catastrophe"
from Catastrophe Keeps Us Together

Q: ARE THERE FORTY-EIGHT DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS?
A: Harry Connick, Jr's "(It Must Have Been Ol') Santa Claus"

what comes is better than what came before.

2006-11-05T16:05:00.000-05:00

Remember, remember the Fifth of November. The Gunpowder Treason and plot; I know no reason why Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.

Cat Power's "I Found A Reason" (The Velvet Underground)
from The Covers Record

I had forgotten how beautiful Kyle Fischer's Open Ground is. Fischer is the guitarist for Rainer Maria. RM's Caithlen De Marrais offers her sweet logical vocals to a few songs, Mike Kinsella lends his drumming skills, and cellist Matt Turner leaves a solid impression. Open Ground is about five years old, and Fischer's second, Black Milk may have been scrapped, but that doesn't mean a thing in relation to this album's soft, simple beauty.

Kyle Fischer's "Should Your Way Ever Need Finding Back"
& "Christopher Isherwood"
from Open Ground

CHRISTMAS IS COMING IN 7x7.
Cap'n Jazz's "Winter Wonderland"

i almost touched your blouse.

2006-11-05T12:58:00.000-05:00

I'd be more reliable if I had let you know that PBS's Austin City Limits has Sufjan Stevens and Calexico on, prior to the day after it airs. Hopefully, you knew and didn't miss it. I was watching Borat in a see of loud guffaws, and had the episode taped. I'm not in the TiVo generation yet. In any case, you can see a few clips on PBS's website.
More later.

Sufjan Stevens' "Casimir Pulaski Day"
from Come On Feel The Illinoise!

i'm on your side and we're always right. it's perfect and worth it.

2006-11-04T16:09:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, an album can be on my "to buy" list for so long that it becomes too built up, too epic, or too old for me to ever actually buy it. Luckily, not much has changed in the last six or so years. Back in the days of my "Today's Song" Angelfire website. Well, a lot has. I know have an absolute appreciation for The American Analog Set. At that time, upon my first listen, my tastes were all over the place and I think I was excited for "Punk As Fuck" to sound punk as fuck. It was the irony that drew me in then, but the song itself was enough to help shape my ideals of mellow melodic synth pop.
The American Analog Set's Know By Heart is finally a happy member of my growing record collection, and his home couldn't be more welcoming. It's nice to have another album in such close alphabetic proximity to The Album Leaf and, well, my other American Analog Set albums.
This stopped being interesting about a hundred words ago. AmAnSet has been around for the better part of a decade, and their most recent release, Set Free, on Arts & Crafts is damn fine. You can currently download an album's worth of Set Free demos from American Analog Set's website. These are definitely worthwhile extras from an appropriate soundtrack, like most AmAnSet albums, for a drive on a cool Fall day.
Oh hell. What doesn't make for a good listen, driving on a cool Fall day?

American Analog Set's "Punk As Fuck"
from Know By Heart

BONUS: American Analog Set's "Born On The Cusp"
from Set Free

CHRISTMAS IS STILL IN FIFTY
American Analog Set's "Desert Eagle (All I Want For Christmas mix)"

NOTE: I am starting to get a better feel for the new EZArchive. But I know that older links are not working, and will continue not to work until I get a surge of energy and free time to change them individually.
Oh hey. What're you listening to a lot of lately?

nobody can see us.

2006-11-04T10:17:00.000-05:00

I did lag behind on the first wave of blog buzz surrounding I'm From Barcelona. I didn't miss it. I watched the "We're From Barcelona" video several times and sang and swayed along. Emanuel Lundgren wrote an album full of overwhelmingly fun pop songs and gathered nearly thirty of his closest friends to flesh the tunes out for Let Me Introduce My Friends, a positively positive experience of clap-reinforced, dance-inspiring, sing-along infectiousness. Where The Polyphonic Spree's size is often quite apparent, I'm From Barcelona could very well be a solo album. The songs derive their power through their simplicity, but the knowledge that almost every sound in a song is created by a unique individual gives the album a sense of beautiful unity.
This is the kind of album that is too good for you to listen to too frequently, but every time you brush the dust off of it, you're affected the same way as the first time you listened. Smiles ensue.
Shopping around online for an import won't set you back a regrettable amount, but Lundgren just announced that Mute will release the album in North America in early 2007.

I'm From Barcelona's "We're From Barcelona"
& "Treehouse"
from Let Me Introduce My Friends

CHRISTMAS IN FIFTY
Barenaked Ladies' "Green Christmas"
Barenaked Ladies' "Deck The Stills"

wearing the face of concern with your free medications.

2006-11-01T17:20:00.000-05:00

If you take into consideration my adamant adoration for both catchy pop music and all things uncomfortable and/or awkward, it should come to no surprise that I was taken just by judging The Awkward Stage by the cover of their debut, Heaven Is For Easy Girls. Headgear (not the sporting kind; the pubescent kind), a sex doll and a youthful, fun looking bunch of musicians. Noticing that a female band member eerily reminded me of the main character from the McGee & Me videos of my cult-led upbringing clinched this album as having a fighting chance before the first note.
The first note came and went. The melodies, hooks, over-the-top pop, pianos, choirs, and guitars came and stayed. Though it's been years since I've dusted off my Travis CD's, I find that if I can note specific similarities to those "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" saps, I enjoy them all the more. My dangling preposition, them, referring to, in this case, The Awkward Stage.
Skeptics beware. Simplicity is an attribute worthy of achieving.

The Awkward Stage's "The Morons Are Winning"
& "We're Going For A Ride"
from Heaven Is For Easy Girls

FIFTY-THREE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Ferrante and Teicher/Les Baxter's "Sleigh Ride/Santa Claus Party"
Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel's "Baby, It's Cold Outside"
Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song"
Burl Ives' "A Holly Jolly Christmas"

don't forget who's taking you home.

2006-10-31T16:58:00.000-05:00

I've got the makings for a thoroughly loathsome cold. But as I sit down in front of the comforting glow of the computer screen, I find a silver lining. It's been several days since I came near no one is awake, for a plethora of reasons. Not to be overlooked is that EZArchive has been updating and understanding the process was a challenge. That's your answer as to why songs are working correctly. I'll have to go in and manually change any song I want to keep up for your listening pleasure. My efforts may only take me as far back as the beginning of October. But I've missed this outlet, and feel a genuine sense of guilt in seeing that roughly the same amount of people check in on a daily basis.
It's nice to be able to take a breath. To delve into an album with scarce thoughts of 'keeping up' or sharing. I've made mention that it's been increasingly difficult to enjoy music the same way I have in the past. But sometimes a nice deep breath puts everything in better perspective.
Of course, I'll be explaining something as a metaphoric breath at this point. I know that it's everywhere and you see ads on Pitchfork (which hosts a less than glowing review) and everywhere else, but "Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen is an absolute eye-opener. I occasionally feel guilty about finding an appreciation for an artist through another's cover songs, but in the past month I've swallowed my pride and allowed Mike Kinsella to open my eyes to the undeniable influence of The Velvet Underground, and I've played The Walkmen's album of Harry Nillsson tributes no less than a dozen times in a week.
"Old Forgotten Soldier" is as effective now as it ever could have been. "Loop De Loop" should play at every party ever. Everyone has wished that "Rock Around The Clock" could sound grittier and sped through, and some songs (though you've heard them many times in your life) can have a new profound and moving impact on you. "Save The Last Dance" is one of the best songs to have spawned an awful film of the same name.
Bows + Arrows is superior to Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone and denying that has set me back for too long. I vow to not go another week without owning A Hundred Miles Off, and Harry Nillsson will no longer be neglected in my record collection. Thank you, Walkmen.

The Walkmen's "Save The Last Dance"
& "Loop De Loop"
from Pussy Cats

Here are a few more things I've been listening to a lot lately, served as a peace offering for neglecting you for almost a full week.

Blake Zweig's "Say Goodbye"
What Made Milwaukee Famous' "Hellodrama"
Decibully's "Uncle Sam's Yard"
Bishop Allen's "Things Are What You Make of Them [Reprise]"
The Format's "Janet"

I will start making up Christmas songs as well, but today I must offer a few songs that have been heard a lot in the last week, and their presence has been more than appreciated.

Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters"
Bobby Boris Pickett's "Monster Mash"
North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative's "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?"

such a sight to see.

2006-10-26T21:07:00.000-04:00

EZArchive is undergoing an update and may quiet things around here for a short period of time. I estimate a triumphant return during the weekend.
In the meantime, stop not listening to "Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen.
And do NOT watch "Hey Santa" by Wilson Phillips. Don't.

the birds all envy me.

2006-10-25T17:59:00.000-04:00

fingerings lost in the motions of our hands.

2006-10-25T16:17:00.001-04:00

Included in yesterday's spirit-rejuvenating loot was an album that I had every intention on buying new from my dearly missed friends at Music Saves, but at $2.50, how am I supposed to turn down Califone's [Roots & Crowns]? It was obviously a wise investment and I strongly suggest you make the same investment, even if you are forced to spend five times what I lucked out in paying. The latest from the legends in their own right continues their credential building with an overall subdued, divine collection of wonderfully orchestrated songs of equal parts unequivocal bliss and heartaching warmth.
When deciding on whether or not to risk buying an album from a band I don't know, I find myself finding the list of instruments played, and had I not already been sold on Califone, I would have made my decision based on the following:

Joe Adamik [drum kit, bass clarinet, wurlitzer, piano, organ, vibraphone, dr. sample, bells, melodica, prepared metaliphone]
Jim Becker [violin, banjo, vocals, guitar, bass, loops, electronics, percussion, xylophone, cajun accordian, mandolin, kalimba]
Ben Massarella [batterie,; lensdrum, pistons, zuni rattles, shu{3}lai{2}bao{3} treasure counting stick, bronze fork, gourds, shakers, glass, oak chimes, ribbon crasher]
Tim Rutili [vocals, guitars, piano, electronics, field recordings, organ, synthesizer, banjo, loops, bowed balalaika]

Brian Deck [synth, electronic manipulation, vibraphone, organ]
Michael Krassner [harmonica, loops, electronics]
Wil Hendricks [bass]
Alan Scalpone [trumpet]
Michael McGinley [trombone]
Anthony Gilbert [viola]

I'm sorry. Banjos and gourds?! Sign me right up. Califone is predictably abstract, and while they occasionally get too into the groove to remember how they got there, they are always able to take a breath and start again, beautifully.

Califone's "Pink & Sour"
& "Spider's House"
from [Roots & Crowns]

A NICE FAT ROUND 60 DAYS UNTIL SANTA FOLLOWS THE STAR TO THE MANGER
Dave Lawson's "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"

the fire's what keeps us warm when winter rolls around.

2006-10-24T20:58:00.000-04:00

My Monday began and ended in very different ways, but the start and the close had one biting thing in common. Two completely separate harbingers of happiness in my life offered almost identical commentary on my life. I'm sparing you almost all the details of my personal life and it's recent elemental dramatic nature, but the bookends of my Monday, which were nearly nineteen hours apart, are of fundamental relevance to this very website.

October 23, 2006, 7:03am: "I find comfort in knowing that in a couple years, [he will be] sitting alone in his downtown loft with only the company of his records and computer screen..."

October 24th, 2006, approximately 1:30am: "I like music on the radio, like country..." (It is important to note that this was stated somberly toward the top of a list of factors potentially working against a vital friendship)

These instances, especially given their proximity to each other, have worn on me severely today. In all honesty, I intended on simply typing those two summaries of the flaws inherent in my adoration of music, followed by Ben Folds' cover of Dre's "Bitches Ain't Shit," released today on his supersunnyspeedgraphic collection. But I dragged myself out to pick up The Walkmen's Harry Nilsson tribute, Pussy Cats, and wound up finding several things that abstractly happy about music. One find, in particular, absolutely redeemed my faith in mankind. Of course, with that kind of introduction, it could be Sufjan Stevens releasing a song for song remake of Pet Sounds with Devendra Banhart and Jenny Lewis accompanying him, and you'll be let down.
In November, Southern Records will release six mighty songs as one EP (CD/10"), bearing the title Hallways of Always. This is a collaboration between Erase Errata singer Jenny Hoyston and underground folk-blues powerhouse William Elliott Whitmore.
Recall the first time you saw William Elliott Whitmore live - and if you still haven't, for shame - after the silent awe breaks (which lasts until his last breath on stage), the hand-shaking subsides, and drinks are shared, imagine Whitmore returning to the stage with a mysterious and equally worn-looking woman (his former roommate). It's now a party, and Jenny and William don't mind if you're drinking and talking and carrying on. They play to you.
Try to keep up with Jenny Hoyston's many endeavors through her MySpace, and make sure you track down the closest Whitmore show on his tour with Rocky Votolato and Lucero.

Music is my life. I may be merely a listener, but I couldn't be more content with who I am. In the words of the great Aesop Rock, "I'm not an asshole, I'm just a little confused."

Jenny Hoyston & William Elliott Whitmore's "Feast Of A Thousand Beasts"
from Hallways of Always

IT'S TWO MONTHS UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE
Brian Wilson's "Christmasey"

what are we going to do about this?

2006-10-24T02:02:00.000-04:00

The Notwist have a DVD coming out, and aside from quickly finding and watching it, my one hope is that there are subtitles. Of course, I can't imagine there won't be. In any case, my prediction is that it will be mesmerizing to watch and backed with a soundtrack that is the damn near perfect Neon Golden. I forgot how felicitous this album is, and it was exactly what I needed to be reminded today.
Here is a trailer for the DVD, On/Off The Record, a documentary of seventy days spent with Germany's electronic pop pros, as Neon Golden was made, thrown out, remade, thrown out and remade again. Below are some reminders as to how well-suited The Notwist are to score your soundtrack for just about anything.
Neon Golden is one of the first featured Album Downloads. Give it a try. They're trying to "save the album."

The Notwist's "Pick Up The Phone"
& "This Room"
from Neon Golden

BONUS: The Notwist's "This Room (Four Tet & Manitoba Remix)"

THE WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS IS DOWN TO 62 DAYS
The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping"
Kylie Minogue's "Santa Baby"

she's going to smile to make you frown.

2006-10-22T18:01:00.000-04:00

The southern half of my town was inexplicably without internet from Friday evening until late Saturday. Truth be told, I'm relieved to have a legitimate excuse for having not been updating all weekend. I've been spending quite a bit of time with some truly great people, and some truly great music. I spent a fraction of what I could have on some fantastic finds. I've finally let The Velvet Underground and Nico wow me, and two Morrissey albums and a Smiths record added to the exploration of days passed. I got a few more things that I will hear and potentially pass along to you, but for now I've been in more a reminiscent mood than an exploratory one.
So, before I catch you up on some Christmas goodies, allow me to take you back to March of 1967, when Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker, and Nico offered to the world an album that would influence hipsters and nerds for the next forty years. Produced by Andy Warhol, The Velvet Underground & Nico captured the essence of this powerhouse's performances. Of which The San Francisco Chronicle once said, "Shatteringly contemporary-the electronic music, loud enough the room and mind vibrate in unison-Nico, the beautiful flaxen-haired girl, the noise, the lights, the film and the dances build to a screeching crescendo."
Usually high on notable 'greatest albums of all time' lists, the phallic album was originally shunned by many radio stations and stores due to it's references to drugs, prostitution, S&M, transvestites, et al. As tends to be the case, time would prove this hesitance foolish and shameful.

The Velvet Underground & Nico's "Femme Fatale"
& "There She Goes Again"
from The Velvet Underground & Nico

CHRISTMAS IS HAPPENING IN A MERE 63 DAYS
The City on Film's "A Christmas Waltz (O Holy Blanket)"
Canada's "Little Drummer Boy"
Mike Spence & Chris Hatfield's "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

we are feeling so erroneously unknown.

2006-10-19T20:07:00.000-04:00

Maybe I gave one song a chance. Maybe I didn't like their name. Maybe I didn't like album art. For some reason I had dismissed The Dears. Unfortunately they don't play the quirky, instantly appealing music that wins me back over. It took a depression-induced buying spree for me to pick up their new (Arts & Crafts) album, Gang of Losers, and then another week to give it it's due listen. While I still wouldn't quite know what to say to someone who dismissed The Dears as boring, I would be content knowing that that person is missing out. For those keeping a sentence word struggle tally: Consecutive sentences using "it it's" and "that that."
The Dears rake together a thick, layered pile of leaves that could be easily passed by. But, if indulged, one can find an explosion of colors, warmth, and a timely sense of acceptance of his current state, which would theoretically be at the bottom of a thick, layered pile of leaves.
If you live in the states, you may be better off seeking out Gang of Losers from your local carrier of decent independent music. Otherwise, Arts & Crafts may offer you a good deal. Oh, and buy me The Most Serene Republic's Phages. I cannot stress to you how much I need this EP.

The Dears' "Ticket To Immortality"
& "Bandwagoneers"
from Gang of Losers

CHRISTMAS COMES IN SIXTY_SIX DAYS
Dean Martin's "Let It Snow"
Dean Martin's "The Christmas Blues"

we got a new house.

2006-10-17T18:28:00.000-04:00

One would think that my praise of Horse Feathers would negate the possibility of my even mentioning Le' Hospital Rule. One would be wrong, but have valid points. Le' Hospital Rule boast faint pained vocals that evoke a truly folky feel. Lyrics are echoed off of down home acoustic guitar and brushed percussion. And their two songs from MySpace (and here) clock in at just under twelve minutes. I'll be brief, since Le' Hospital Rule aren't, are more captivating for it.

Le' Hospital Rule's "Our New Hides"
& "O'Paul"
from Miss. Tropics

CHRISTMAS IS COMING TO TOWN IN 68 DAYS
Ryan Adams' "Hotel Chelsea Nights"
Bleu's "Mele Kalikimaka"

cry yourself to sleep.

2006-10-17T10:57:00.000-04:00

I just came across the music of Justin Ringle and Peter Broderick and couldn't be more pleased. The duet is called Horse Feathers and their indie folk music is layered with lush pop ideals and more strings than a Cosby sweater. Ringle and Broderick both sing and play banjo and percussion, and while Ringle pulls guitar duty, Broderick adds the sweeping and earthy arrangements on cello, violin, viola, mandolin and piano. Words Are Dead was released within the last month on Lucky Madison, and I need to get my hands on a copy, due in part to my one complaint for Horse Feathers. Brevity. Maybe that's where the appeal is drawn from, in that they keep their songs short and sweet, for fear of diluting them by allowing themselves to keep playing. The three songs they have available on MySpace (and that I have here) total less than seven minutes in length. Still, one couldn't ask for a more enjoyable seven minutes.

Horse Feathers' "Finch On Saturday"
& "Blood On The Snow"
from Words Are Dead

Horse Feathers' "Like Lavender"
from Vicious Are The Mouths That Taste (DEMO)

wrap yourself around me.

2006-10-16T23:12:00.000-04:00

I get a lot of satisfaction from responses to what I share on a (nearly) daily basis. Jeff from Jeebus Loves You and from life compiled his own Fall mix. He swears that it's perfect for couch dwelling romance. So here's to all of you that are so lucky this crisp, cool season.

N. Lannon's "The Catch"
Nedelle's "Heatstroke"
Hayden's "Woody"
Decibully's "Skipping Over Goodbye"
Matt Pond PA's "Counting Song"
Clem Snide's "The Curse of Great Beauty"
Lullaby For The Working Class' "The Wounded Spider"
David Garza's "Baptiste"
Richard Buckner's "On Traveling"
Aloha's "Ferocious Love"
The Boggs' "On North Wood Ground"
Tortoise & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's "Thunder Road"
Damien Jurado's "Johnny Go Riding"
The Twilight Singers' "Follow You Down"

And for Mike...
American Football's "Never Meant"
& Songs: Ohia's "Come Back To Your Man"

TIME TO BRING THE SONGS BACK WHEN THERE ARE 69 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Kevin Devine's "Splitting Up Christmas"

i've made big steps with small strides.

2006-10-16T11:34:00.000-04:00

I made the first no one is awake mix. Most of it is not anything you haven't heard before. It's a mood-based mix with a hopeful finish. I don't feel compelled to share what has been going on in my personal life. I'm all but unsatisfied that the first mix I've made for this site bears it's emotions on it's digital sleeve. In any case, the entire reason I put this together was to properly display Menomena's "Gay A," a song only seeing release on their Wet and Rusting EP. The wildly different versions of "Wet and Rusting," bonus songs, and album artwork make this EP/single a wise investment to whet your appetite before Friend and Foe is unleashed in January. You can now purchase the EP through Barsuk Records.
The setting of my first hearing "Gay A" was a long aimless cold drive alone, spent engaged in thought and a less than positive outlook. "Gay A" grabbed me with it's baritone sax and bells and inspiring ideal and turned me around. I spent the duration of the evening in a serenely peaceful state, enjoying having several hours to myself.
Obviously, every other song on the first no one is awake mix is quite good. It's far from the endlessly uplifting Fall mix I set out to make, but I think that gives it more poignancy. I hope you enjoy it, and I'll make up for the lost days in Christmas tunes later on.
Thank you for reading and listening to no one is awake.

The Brothers Creeggan's "You Walked Out"
The Album Leaf's "Into The Sea"
Cass McCombs' "I Went To The Hospital"
Cub Country's "Could Be The Moon"
Now It's Overhead's "Estranged"
The One AM Radio's "I Think This Is My Exit"
Ryan Adams' "Please Do Not Let Me Go"
Chin Up Chin Up's "Why Is My Sleeping Bag A Ghetto Muppet?"
Owen's "Bad News"
Blake Zweig's "Better Without You"
Beck's "The Golden Age"
Menomena's "Gay A"
Headlights' "Centuries"
Aloha's "Let Your Head Hang Low"
Matt Pond PA's "Halloween"

As always, your thoughts are welcome and appreciated. Since this is not the Fall mix I set out to make, let's hear some of your favorite Fall albums and songs.

March and April's songs have now been removed, with the exception of Tuesday Spotlights. At least May, June, July, and August will be removed by the end of this month. Take advantage while you can.

the click and clatter of my feet.

2006-10-13T21:29:00.000-04:00

Every month I get a lay-up, and there couldn't have been a better day than today. Stop not giving Bishop Allen your money. They've been giving us tremendous songs all year and they only have three EPs left to record. September is finally available for your purchasing pleasure and in an act sheerly lacking in creativity, I'll direct you to what Christian had to say at Bishop Allen's website on September's EP.

September is here, featuring "Like Castanets." Justin was invited down to Chile just a bit ago because his movie was screening in festivals there. He walked around Santiago, through the streets and the antipodal Winter. If I remember right, he flew back and then we hopped in the van to go on tour. When we returned to New York, we recorded this song first thing for the new EP, and it remains our favorite.

It would be a shame if you let the entire year go by having not gotten over your fear of PayPalling money to New Yorkers in a band, pushing product on you each and every month.

Bishop Allen's "Like Castanets"

COUNT BACKWARDS FROM SEVENTY-TWO.
The Flaming Lips' "A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn't So)"

it's written like chapters.

2006-10-12T20:24:00.000-04:00

Somewhere between Neko Case and Gregory & The Hawk, Shelley Short is playing her heart out. Short is not a Chicago native, but collected a group of players after moving there to record her second album, Captain Wild Horse (Rides the Heart of Tomorrow). She stumbled upon violinist Tiffany Kowalski of Bright Eyes and a several more established musicians, resulting in an album of rugged folk pop that belongs on the same label roster (and alumni) as Norfolk & Western and The Decemberists. And it just so happens that this is the case. Hush Records has done little but impress me lately and Shelley Short is no exception.
Be sure to listen to "Vie En Rose" on Shelley's MySpace.

Shelley Short's "Tomorrow Night"
& "Like Anything, It's Small"
from Captain Wild Horse (Rides the Heart of Tomorrow)

SEVENTY-THREE
The Beach Boys' "Merry Christmas, Baby"

we both wait for nothing.

2006-10-11T18:08:00.000-04:00

I suppose it was only a matter of time before Unique Chique made their way into my ears and built a nest all up in there. The Chicago-based quartet are friends with no one is awake pals Them, Roaringtwenties, and have earned the praise and respect of Rainer Maria, Colossal, and Bob Nanna of Braid, Hey Mercedes and The City on Film. Bob Nanna has said of Unique Chique, "Think Jeff Buckley singing for the Sea And Cake. Yeah, it's that good!"
Though I have made my way to Unique Chique's MySpace page, their impact wasn't felt until listening to their latest seven songs, Ethica, which the band graciously sent me this week. Their sound is really pretty moving in a sinking way. Melodic and textured, profound and honest, driving and hypnotic, Ethica hosts subtly jazzy melodic guitar hooks and pounding forward-moving rhythms. With self-proclaimed influences (Radiohead, Rainer Maria, U2, Hum, American Football) that can be heard, Unique Chique is creating original music with more power than you may originally give it credit. Several listens are a must, so I suggest heading to their MySpace and listening to three songs from their 2005 LP. You should additionally give due consideration to purchasing It Never Fails Forever. Their latest EP is incredibly worthwhile, but may just leave you wanting more (in length, strictly speaking).

Unique Chique's "Long Dead Naomi"
from Ethica

IF x=27, THEN 4[(x + 10) / 2] = DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Decibully's "Like A Child on X-mas Day"

the world is spinning and no one can stop it.

2006-10-10T18:42:00.000-04:00

I gave PAS/CAL a no one is awake style introduction early on in my blogging in March. I've got to admit that it can be downright difficult to be so much in love with a band before they even release a full length album (See also: The World vs. Voxtrot, myself included). Well, all that is changing. PAS/CAL will finally release Citizens Army Uniform in January of 2007. If you're keeping score at home, that's Of Montreal, The Shins, Menomena, Youth Group, and (though my personal interest is fading) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah all slated with January releases. 2007 may, by definition, destroy.
PAS/CAL is making up for lost time with their third EP, Dear Sir, becoming available in less than a month. The EP will house six songs, though history shows that being that the bliss output will be inevitably high, diminishing the relevence of length. One can only assume that Citizens Army Uniform will deafen you with it's pop perfection. The first two EPs were surprisingly wise investments at $10 a pop. You can order them through PAS/CAL's record label, Le Grand Magistery or through their website. There you can also find vinyl with more PAS/CAL songs, including their rendition of Wham's "Last Christmas," a holiday favorite of mine.

PAS/CAL's "C. A. U. (Sans Muscle)"
from Dear Sir EP

T MINUS 75
Low's "Blue Christmas"

Anyone who has ever had the need to listen to "Blue Christmas" has nothing to relate to in versions by Elvis Presley, Porky Pig, or even the seemingly (always) crying Bright Eyes. Low have captured the true desperate bleak feeling of this horrendously depressing holiday hymn.

storyboard the light.

2006-10-09T17:52:00.000-04:00

I keep telling people about The British Calendar Act of 1751. This event has such an impact on me and I'm not entirely sure why. But I'll clue you in on the three main contributing factors.
First of all, while I'm no history buff, and am certainly not as worldly as I'd like to be, I've never heard of The British Calendar Act of 1751. In addition, I found no reference to this somewhat monumental period in history on my go-to source, Wikipedia.
Secondly, I let my thoughts go admittedly deeper than they should when I try to fully grasp what The British Calendar Act of 1751, in effect, did. It's this factor that requires I actually explain (if you aren't aware) what The British Calendar Act of 1751 was. I keep saying the full name so you remember and tell your peers. In 1751, King George II and British Parliament finally faced the problems with the Julian calendar, in order to switch to the Gregorian calendar. The delay in facing the 200 year old problem was actually Catholic in nature. Martin Luther's "Ninety-five Theses" was construed to believe that following the Gregorian calendar would be "bowing to a Papal decree." If you're still with me, this is where it comes together and gets good. The problem with the Julian calendar is that it lacked Leap Years, which had added up to set the world precisely eleven days behind where it theoretically should be. To correct this problem in switching to the Gregorian calendar, two major steps were taken. The first was changing the beginning of the calendar year from March 15th to January 1st, presumably to make all the "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" songs more appropriate and timely. The second step that The British Calendar Act of 1751 did, was to correct the eleven day surplus by eliminating eleven days in 1752. On September 2nd, 1752, when the clocks struck midnight it became September 14th, 1752.
This just baffles me. Even my old standby explanation of anything ("It's only language") doesn't get me through it. Everything we explain and believe in the world is expressed through language that we created. I can get lost in thought about that. But still, all the language-based possibilities are what impress me. For instance, we are living eleven days in the past. It should be eleven days from now, and Fall wouldn't have even begun yet. Equally impressive, in a language-problem manner of speaking, is that the dates of September 3-13, each year, are days that have been lived less than any other day of the year.
In any case, The British Calendar Act of 1751 thoroughly intrigues me, which brings me to the third factor as to why. If I didn't listen to the music that I listen to, I may have died having never known about September 3-13, 1752. Granted, not knowing wouldn't have changed my life very much, it still impresses me that it is due, in full, to Make Believe's sophomore album, Of Course, that I am able to say that I know about the eleven missing days in World History.
So to Tim Kinsella, as well as Nate Kinsella, Bobby Burg, and Sam Zurick: Thank you.
I hate to say, however that I think you miscounted days. Am I wrong?
Of Course is available now on CD from Flameshovel and on LP from Polyvinyl. It's quite good, and "Pat Tillman, Emmitt Till" remains my favorite and album standout.

Make Believe's "Political Mysticism"
from Of Course

BONUS: Joan of Arc's "The Cash In & Price"
from Joan of Arc, Dick Cheney, Mark Twain...

76 LINKS IN THE PAPER CHAIN
Domotic's "Christmas for Berry"

you come barring down like an atom bomb.

2006-10-08T19:56:00.000-04:00

I had forgotten about Longwave. Around four years ago, I was not quite into the independent music scene, so when my favorite now-closed record store (My Generation) offered "back-stage passes" with the purchase of Longwave's The Strangest Things, I hopped on board. As I drove home, being delighted with the rock album I was being introduced to, I found some ex-girlfriend to go to the concert with me. I think maybe Stellastarr opened. Longwave were extremely impressive. They gave off kind of a Walkmen meets The Strokes with more sincerity, occasional shoegaze beauty, and an ability to be more up front about their love of Television.
In any case, There's A Fire came and went last year, and The Strangest Things remains just as important to me. Sure, I learned that night that backstage passes are for fans of bands who tour stadiums; not clubs, autographs are far more awkward than simple conversation, and a good rock concert is irreplaceable.

Longwave's "Wake Me When It's Over"
& "Everywhere You Turn"
from The Strangest Things

THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE BEGAN TODAY 135 YEARS AGO.
Rilo Kiley's "Xmas Cake"

It should be noted that I cannot stand the word "X-Mas" in print. If you know be, you know that it is not in any way a religious sentiment. I simply think it looks dumb and is a senseless abbreviation.

As I grow closer to filling my alloted space on EXArchive, I am faced with the unfortunate task of taking down old MP3s. I will probably start next weekend by removing songs from the first two months of no one is awake. That will be approximately 200 of over 800 songs I've shard with you. I don't like doing it. I'd rather have everything available for anyone at any time, but that appears to be slightly overzealous. I probably won't become a dot com, and I probably won't pay for more storage space. I probably will continue to do my best for you.

i bet you would hate to hear half the things i say.

2006-10-07T22:32:00.000-04:00

I'm thinking about becoming a dot-com. I haven't had notable problems with Blogger. I'd just like to get no one is awake seen more. After an eye-opening affair with GoDaddy, I learned that I don't know enough about domains and hosts to make the move just yet. If anyone has any helpful advice, please let me know. I'm out of my element.
I'm also out of sorts lately. It's getting harder and harder not to be.

Husband & Wife's "Don't Change"
from Operation: Surgery

78.
Christmas2004's "Feliz Navidad"

do you hear what i hear?

2006-10-06T22:51:00.000-04:00

You may or may not be surprised (based on my other musical interests) to know that I kind of like Copeland. I was actually modestly excited to learn of their new album when looking up Denison Witmer. Copeland's third full-length is due out at the tail end of this month. Sure, there's all sorts of possibilities in releasing anything so close to Halloween, but with Aaron Marsh's breathy sweet vocals and Copeland's overall harmless existence, there will be absolutely no irony or coincidence with the October Thirty-first release date of Eat, Sleep, Repeat. Copeland are evolving, be it subtly and without straying from the pleasant sound that has won over fans in all different cliques, scenes, groups, etc. With more piano, vibes, strings, and layers of oozy goodness, Copeland is after an even larger fanbase.
They won me over with 2004's Know Nothing Stays The Same EP, on which they covered Phil Collins, Carly Simon, Billy Joel, Berlin, and Stevie Wonder. The albums that surrounded that release were very solid, but lacking the range that could make Copeland more than emo kids' ironic guilty pleasure and credible addition to otherwise painful record collections. We'll see if Eat, Sleep, Repeat slowly widens Copeland's range, or takes huge leaps toward excellence. Either way, it should be a captivating listen.

Copeland's "Eat, Sleep, Repeat"
& "When You Thought You'd Never Stand Out"
from Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Copeland's "Take My Breath Away"
from Know Nothing Stays The Same

THE SPIRIT WOULD GROW EXPONENTIALLY IN THE SEVENTY-NINE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED
Copeland's "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

music for one apartment and six drummers.

2006-10-05T22:38:00.000-04:00

amalgam: a striking critique of self and drums.

2006-10-05T18:05:00.000-04:00

There are many things that I strive for with no one is awake, and there are several specific things I try to shy away from for good reason. What, as a general basis, I do is share what I like, musically. That's not out of the music blog ordinary. Two things that I, as a rule, try not to do are detailing lengthy personal accounts and negative reviews. Let me quickly qualify what I just revealed. Anything ever written that can be found interesting or enjoyable reading material has had some personal flair from the writer. I'm simply stating that I identify this as a music blog and not a personal journal. I presume you're here for music, and don't dilute myself that you, the reader, are all that interested in my personal life. I also claim to remain positive in reviewing music. That doesn't, however, mean that I lie with recommendations or exaggerate to show everything in a positive light. Sure, enthusiasm fades and every song I share might not be my favorite at that time, let alone months from then. I simply choose not to discuss music that I'm not particularly fond of. I've made no mistake in professing my distaste for xbxrx, and I've probably spoken out against Arctic Monkeys as well as a few others, but I don't pretend to like anything that I don't, and I don't take up much space with artists I have little or no use for.
This brings me to yesterday's lapse into personal territory. I've gotten more feedback (through comments and other communication) about Robot and Lily than any Bishop Allen post or even Joan of Arc related music (where I believe I have a decent following). So I question the few standards I've set for no one is awake and will disobey both aforementioned rules today. I've already written a lengthy bit of material that is more inwardly focused, and will now discuss something I have less than positive feelings about (though I have a feeling I will convince myself, through negative critique, of the opposite of what I believe now - and what I believe now is that this is an impossibly long parenthetical thought which finishes an admittedly poorly written paragraph).
I have a difficult time escaping my love of most music that shares any one of the several traits inherent to that of the now defunct Pele. Instrumental avant-jazz driven by frenetic yet melodic guitar, rolling bouncy bass and some of the best jazz drumming around. It's all right here. My overwhelming respect and devotion for this music has led me to discover many bands that I otherwise would never have had the distinct pleasure of hearing. This allegiance, as well as my collection-driven OCD, has also driven me to purchase as many pieces of work that Pele percussionist Jon Mueller (founder of Crouton records) has been a part of. I never seem to learn my lesson. Even when he re-teams with former members of Pele and Collections of Colonies of Bees (namely Jim Schoenecker), the pieces of music are drawn out synthesizer experimentations. My untrained (but not deaf) ear can rarely pick out any distinguishable percussion, save for extended drum rolls that act as a waving pulse of sound. I try and I try. I continue to believe that this is phenomenal music that is just above me. And maybe it is.
There are very few sections of any Pele song that leave an imprint in my brain such that they repeat for days, but while I am listening I couldn't be more content. The music I own and have listened to once on CDs like The Interview, Amalgam, Ears Only, Supershells, and the Crouton released collaboration between Mueller, Schoenecker, and Bhob Rainey are not so much testaments to patience (see: Sandcats) as they are insignificant. Maybe it's about the live presentation, but even then I couldn't imagine finding much, if any, enjoyment from the shrill sound of a headache incarnate.
Will I part with any of these CDs? Probably not. I know they represent something, and even though I'm not exactly sure what, I cling to the hope that this is something far above me. The musical experiments dangle in front of me a greater sense of being, a higher sense of enlightenment that truly talented musicians can achieve and create perfection, indecipherable to the uninformed. Jon Mueller may be a percussionist of Greek God proportions, gracefully presenting his powers on a select few albums that few will hear and fewer will own.
The doubt that this is true grows exponentially every day, along with my wish that Pele would return.
Try as I might, I can't let this be completely sour. I'm currently listening to Hat Melter's Unknown Album, a limited Crouton release, and I find it's inversion of cellos experimenting in place of synthesizers far more tolerable. More importantly is the compilation entitled Just Drums. As is completely inferable, it is a collection of drum solos (seventeen to be precise) that left me far more satisfied than anything else I've just referenced. At times it sounds like the percussionist is just warming up, or has no intent on "getting to" anything. At almost no time would any listener say, "Man, that cat can really cook." But at almost all times, the drum solos serve as perfect music to read, study, write or talk by. They can actually be listened to, sure, but they're much more effective as a source to drive thought and conversation; even the five minutes of stop-and-go by Jon Mueller.

Jon Mueller's "Pop"
from Just Drums: Drummer Compilation
(Currently available - along with most other Mueller-related releases - through Polyvinyl Records)

LINKS LEFT IN THE CHAIN: 80
Bright Eyes' "Little Drummer Boy"

you be just who you are.

2006-10-04T20:58:00.000-04:00

I briefly wanted to share that I was thinking about my two kittens that I had to give up almost exactly one year ago. They were brother and sister and their names were Robot (short for Robot II: Electric Boogaloo, naturally) and Lily. They lived with me for many months from the day they turned six weeks old. They would play with each other with fierce vivacity and, seconds later, fall fast asleep in my hands. Lily would fall asleep on top of the back cushion of the couch on which I am currently sitting, and gradually slip in between the cushion and the back of the couch. I'd have to check before sitting down that she wasn't sleeping there, or I'd cruch her.
I'm sorry. I know this is far more personal and gag-worthy than no one is awake ever gets, but it's important to me and so were they. Below are Robot, Lily, Robot and Lily, and the origin of Lily's name.

Matt Pond PA's "Lily One"
& "Lily Two"
from Four Songs EP and Emblems

CHRISTMAS ARRIVES IN 81.
Math and Physics Club's "A Marshmallow World"

this is not my tune, but it's mine to use.

2006-10-03T21:24:00.000-04:00

Really, the first in Eric Metronome's weekly offering of one cover song for every week in 2006 should have been the one that he shared on September 20th. The entire argument being the lyric quoted as the title of this post. That said, let's backtrack.
Eric Metronome is from Columbus, Ohio. He used to be in a band called Tiara. He's legitimately "big" in Japan, and we are now within a month of the release of his eighth solo album. You Should Be Happy will be his first for a "real" label. That label is Sunken Treasure Records, which is also home to The Celebrity Pilots. Eric's new album, which has already started to become blog buzzworthy, will make 2006 an important year for him, and in pre-celebration, he brought US gifts. He's been recording a cover song every week this year. Covered artists have included Pedro The Lion, Spoon, M Ward, The Mountain Goats, Syd Barrett, Sufjan Stevens, The Promise Ring, Band of Horses, John Lennon, Pat Benetar, John Vanderslice and more. These songs have offered new ears a great chance to get to know Eric Metronome through songs they already know and, in all probability, love. The goal is that those won-over ears will communicate with their owners to pick up You Should Be Happy, which displays Eric's own splendid songs. As good as any of the aforementioned covers have been up to this point, "Call It A Day" is that much better. That said, let's come full circle.
Joanna Newsom has turned a lot of heads and built a steady following since 2004's The Milk-Eyed Mender. She was perhaps described best by Owen's Mike Kinsella in November of that year in an interview on WBWC. "She really makes me wanna throw myself off a bridge. She plays a harp and sings and she's got an incredible voice and it's kinda like simple but complex. It's pretty perfect."
About three weeks ago, Eric covered Joanna Newsom's "Sadie," a song which I've had in my head numerous times since my girlfriend first introduced Joanna's harp-n-sqwalk to me. The truth is that I've never enjoyed repeatedly failing to love a musician so much. It's that quality that I do thoroughly enjoy about Joanna Newsom, and I have every intention to believe that her next (epic) album, Ys will make a believe of me, and that her live show with a backing orchestra will seal the deal.
Eric Metronome, on the other hand, has already sealed the deal for me. And I imagine it won't take much for him to convince you too.

Eric Metronome's "Call It A Day"
& "Time To Destroy"
from You Should Be Happy

Eric Metronome's "Sadie"
Joanna Newsom's "Sadie"

ONE COULD ARGUE THAT CHRISTMAS IS IN EIGHTY-TWO DAYS.
Erlend Oye's "Last Christmas"

you'll become a resolution.

2006-10-02T17:00:00.000-04:00

It has been quite a chuck of time since I've mentioned how fond I am of a band that my girlfriend introduced me to nearly two years ago. I tried to simply dismiss the lo-fi songs I heard under the simple pretense that she described them as her friend Jasen's band. I feel like an ass even admitting that. I didn't expect Page France to be so good. It was impossible that she or I could have guessed that they would get as much of the deserved attention as they have. The song that captured my interest was "A Dozen Dimes," and I've agreed not to host it as it's unreleased and apparently unpolished. But such is the appeal of Michael Nau's indie pop sensation Page France; their material is sweet and touching in any form, be it live, mastered and mixed recordings, or unfinished demos.
Daytrotter is currently making this evident with four songs recorded live in a session a couple months back. You can download the four recordings here, so you can have an additional version of "Chariot" to play on repeat.
Suicide Squeeze just re-released their sophomore album Hello, Dear Wind, which means that it can legitimately top just as many lists this year as it did last year. It also means that this is your second chance to pick up one of the most painfully beautiful collection of sincere pop gems that paint a brighter hue of blue to any sky and emit enough light to make any tear or smile twinkle.
My most sincere gratitude goes to Ashley and Jasen for both directly introducing me to Page France. Who will you thank?

Page France's "Air Pollution"
& "Rhythm"
from Come, I'm A Lion!

Page France's "Junkyard"
& "Bush"
from Hello, Dear Wind

Page France at Daytrotter.
Page France on MySpace.
Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw also play as The Broadway Hush.
You can purchase their albums or their rough draft EP's, Pear & Sister Pinecone through Fall Records.

CMAS83
Arcade Fire's "Jingle Bell Rock"
Neil Diamond's "Jingle Bell Rock"

anything worth doing is worth getting hurt for.

2006-10-01T21:34:00.000-04:00

For quite a while I've owned five albums by The Faint and have no lasting impression of any one of them. I may have not even listened to all of one or two or three of them. I don't dislike The Faint, but until yesterday I've found no real attraction to their original brand of electronic/dance/punk/rock. Today I made the decision to make a conscious effort to go back and listen to Media, Blank-Wave Arcade, Danse Macabre, and even Wet From Birth.
Why would someone so preoccupied with pop and indie-lectual artists make such forced plans to listen to the back catalog of such a dark, quasi-industrial, dance-punk band? There would be almost no reason were this individual not so obsessive compulsive and prone to being a completist with collections. I've always burst with pride about my complete collection of Polyvinyl releases, save for two initial cassettes, but my hubris about my owning more than half of Saddle Creek's catalog has come under recent self-criticism. A recent resurgence in Saddle Creek interest, caused by fantastic albums by Eric Bachmann and Now It's Overhead led me to finally pick up Saddle Creek 50, a two-disc collection of 22 songs by 11 artists, half of which were already available upon 50's release in early 2003.
Eleven unreleased songs finally sounded like a worthwhile ten dollar investment, and it still might be. I can't tell because I can't seem to get much further than the second track on the first disc.
The Faint's "Take Me to the Hospital" was already well-known by the time I got to it. It's been downloaded nearly 200,000 times from the band's MySpace page. But it was new to me early this weekend and has delighted me ever since.

The Faint's "Take Me to the Hospital"
from Saddle Creek

CHRISTMAS: EIGHTY-FOUR DAYS LEFT
Snowden's "Christmas Time Is Here"

two guitars, two humans.

2006-09-30T20:42:00.000-04:00

I haven't gone out on a limb for a little while, and would like to do so, proudly, with Ecstatic Sunshine (or ECSTC SNSHN) from Baltimore. ECSTC SNSHN is a duo of guitar wizardry, that "Sounds Like Mick Barr vs. John Fahey." Matt Papich and Dustin Wong have come from different musical backgrounds to do just about anything with guitars that they can think of. There's not a whole lot you can do other than listen and be impressed. Granted, that has it's down falls. If you need easily comprehended time signatures, quotable lyrics, danceable beats, or catchy melodies to find music enjoyable, you'd best stray from Ecstatic Sunshine. Otherwise, buckle yourself in and catch them as they tour with Make Believe through November and release their Freckle Wars through Carpark Records.

Ecstatic Sunshine's "Pocketknife"
& "Little Big Dipper"
from Freckle Wars

ROMAN DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS: LXXXV
The Pipettes' "White Christmas"

whatever it is you think you are, you aren't.

2006-09-30T10:42:00.000-04:00

Just a little bit more Polyvinyl propaganda. The new 31K Polemics EP I've brought up is available for pre-order now at Polyvinyl's Online Store in addition to 31 Knots' rare debut album, ClimaxAntiClimax, which is not being re-released but rather dug up and sold while quantities last.

31 Knots' "Sedition's Wish"
from Polemics EP

If that's not enough reason for you to visit the Polyvinyl store, then it's almost a sure thing that Owen's At Home With Owen finally being available for pre-order will entice you. Whether or not you've heard any or all of the eight new songs, including my personal favorite (and the album's lengthiest), "A Bird In Hand," this album will be the best ten dollars you spend this year. Mike Kinsella's latest is a deeply personal series of stories about his changing life; getting married, owning a home, subscribing to cable (and XBox Live), losing his father, and growing fatigued by the life of touring and writing music. He even tries his hand (and succeeds) at writing the closest thing to a pop song he's written yet with "Bag of Bones," complete will bells and "aww-worthy" lyrics. The album opener (featured below) transforms the stripped down live version of a painfully honest critique to something far grander, while still brutal and somehow sweetly sincere. In short, At Home With Owen is not an album you can afford to be without.

Owen's "Bad News"
from At Home With Owen

And, just like with Shock of Being, Polyvinyl is releasing the vinyl version of Make Believe's second album, Of Course. It's shipping now and completely worth it. The vinyl even has a bonus song from this focused, solid, quickly recorded album by the perfectionist, ever-practicing Make Believe. And be sure to check out the newly redesigned and pleasently put together Joanfrc.com

i saw the line between sleeping and death as i stepped over it.

2006-09-30T00:33:00.000-04:00

Saturday Looks Good To Me is three full albums in to their pop reign, complete with a 30 track album off odds and ends and a slew of 7" for fans and collectors of their simple pop that sounds decades old, worn in, and still fresh and riveting as singer Fred Thomas' lyrics. Unfortunately the rumor is that the next SLGTM album will be the last. This is mere speculation that even Thomas can't know for certain, but with his move out west, it seems all but inevitable. Fortunately, while the additional members give Saturday Looks Good To Me it's signature sound, Fred Thomas is the driving force, and he's already proven that his musical career is not dependent on this band's state of being. SLGTM's entire existence has been somewhat a fluke of constantly changing members, all supporting the production, songwriting, and multi-instumentalism of Thomas. In fact, at least 75 musicians have played with SLGTM since its conception almost seven years ago. Playing Motown-tinged chamber pop with punk ethics, Thomas and his crew have toured with Saves The Day, Ted Leo, Rainer Maria, Mates of State, and more.
Fred has just released his third solo endeavor, and it's characteristically fantastic. Sink Like A Symphony is packed with Thomas' personal feelings and observations that sound like thoughts that you may just have had yourself. His ability to write new songs that sound so familiar is a gift; one that has made Saturday Looks Good To Me one of my favorites, and will most likely keep all his future endeavors towards the top of my list.
Listen for yourself and purchase albums that Fred Thomas has crafted by himself, with Flashpapr, and with SLGTM at Polyvinyl. Contact Fred's Ypsilanti Records about Sink Like A Symphony. Insound also has the vinyl and CD, and says it's "akin to the hyper-worldly spiritual side of Neutral Milk Hotel or the experimental lo-fi alchemy of The Microphones."

Fred Thomas' "Holland Tunnel"
"Fire"
& "Susceptible To Ghosts"
from Sink Like A Symphony

DAYS REMAINING: 86
Saturday Looks Good To Me's "Blue Christmas"
& "Christmas Blues"

i will hang my head low.

2006-09-28T20:27:00.000-04:00

It's relatively difficult to believe that there are just a few days until The Decemberists' Crane Wife will be available in every major and independent record store between the Pacific and Atlantic. They've been number two on hundreds of lists, right below Neutral Milk Hotel (due to their infamous state), for several years and many people wrote them off the minute they signed to a major label. I said it just yesterday: If the label treats them right, then more power to the both of them. I'll guarantee that The Crane Wife outsells Her Majesty within months, regardless of superiority. And the truth may just be that The Crane Wife would have been the same album if it were released by Kill Rock Stars or even Hush.

My points are contradictory. I do appreciate the ideals of independent labels and artists, but I can't find a reason to stop enjoying a band after they sign to a major. Really, in the specific case of Colin Meloy and The Decemberists, they deserve it. They've been working diligently for years creating some of the absolute best music in my (and most others') record collection. With the right contract, it may be time for the band to continue to do what they love to do, how they love to do it, and become significantly more successful with it.
The actual scoop on The Crane Wife is, as best I can tell, that it's solid Decemberists material. Less bombastic than the recent epic full-lengths, The Crane Wife does boast two songs that rival "The Mariner's Revenge Song" in both length and story-telling. It's probably a better bookend companion to Castaways & Cutouts, but that's just me talking. I can't not say that I find less pleasure in "Summersong" and "The Perfect Crime" than most Decemberists songs. I do however quite enjoy "Shankill Butchers" and the title track.
Colin Meloy will be gracing us with his presence for years to come. Let's stay by his side, lest the best is yet to come. And maybe, just maybe, more solo cover EPs.

The Decemberists' "The Crane Wife 3"
from The Crane Wife

Colin Meloy's "Charlie"
from Colin Meloy Sings Trad. Arr. Shirley Collins

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: EIGHTYSEVEN
Of Montreal's "Christmas Isn't Safe for Animals"

save you now.

2006-09-27T20:36:00.000-04:00

In a perfect world, you were a fan of Denison Witmer long before the Pitchfork-fueled hoax involving Sufjan Stevens Rosie Thomas and a baby. In a perfect world, for news regarding Witmer and his most recent album, Are You A Dreamer? and upcoming re-release of his debut, Safe Away, you wouldn't have to go through a label's front page, urging you to vote to get Cartel on TRL. Obviously, I believe that Denison Witmer's placement on The Militia Group is odd and unsettling, but they appear to care for the folky sound that got the attention of Mr. Stevens himself. I wish I didn't have to bring him up either, but the two are friends, play together on Denison's latest, and have a very similar sound. I would very comfortably wedge Witmer between Rocky Votolato and Sufjan Stevens. It's certainly a clearer picture of Witmer's sound than explaining how his Philadelphia Songs was recorded with a lot of help from Ohio and Suicide Squeeze's own The Six Parts Seven.
If I were to ramble my way to a point, it would be that Denison Witmer emits a delicate sound of folk pop, that is essentially a man singing beautifully personal songs about love and life. Sure, it's been done, but very rarely is it this enjoyable and sad and relatable.
Are You A Dreamer? was released last year, and Denison's first album will be re-released on October 17th with a bonus CD with the Are You A Sleeper? EP and live songs, collaborations with Saxon Shore and Rosie Thomas and more. Listen to more at Denison's MySpace or his website.

Also, I learned that Denison released an album of cover songs, written by such greats as Neil Young, Gram Parsons, Graham Nash, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, Big Star, and more.

Denison Witmer's "Los Angeles"
& "Meant To Be"
from Safe Away

Denison Witmer's "Little Flowers"
& "Are You A Dreamer?"
from Are You A Dreamer?

CHRISTMAS IN 88.
Sufjan Stevens' "I Saw Three Ships"

...know that you'll see me one day, better.

2006-09-26T19:42:00.000-04:00

Cale Parks has been brought up here at no one is awake probably as much as Mr. Stevens, but the one absolute advantage Parks has is that he's put his fingerprints on so many albums with so many artists, that he's been a part of something in so many subgenres that almost anyone can find something he's done to enjoy. Cale's full time band is Aloha, but he's also considered a full-fledged member of or has recorded and toured with Joan of Arc, Cex, and Georgie James (Laura Burhenn, John Davis of Q and not U). You can additionally hear his contributions to albums by Pit Er Pat, Chin Up Chin Up, Owen, and The Love of Everything. However, it wasn't until Aloha recorded their most recent, Some Echoes that Cale endeavored into the world of solo albums. But the floodgates opened, as Cale recorded enough material to release an album and a half worth of material? Does that just mean an album and an EP? Nope. Stiff Slack Records (31 Knots) released Illuminated Manuscript earlier this year with thirteen moody pieces of ambient and experimental vibraphone-led pop songs. Today, Polyvinyl releases Illuminated Manuscript as it's own twelve song entity. The albums vary though, and while they share eight songs, each has a handful of songs unique for it's country of release (Japan and America). Luckily for us, the outrageous import and shipping prices are waived, as Polyvinyl's mail-order service is offering each album for just ten dollars. If you're doing the math, that's twenty dollars for seventeen blissful tracks of perfect background music for just about any task or event.
I've shone the spotlight on Cale's most predominant musical outputs, and briefly mentioned Illuminated Manuscript in the past (Aloha, Joan of Arc, Cex, and Cale), but Parks is deserving of his own bright Tuesday Spotlight, complete with a new Chin Up Chin Up song (Cale contributes talents to almost half of This Harness Can't Ride Anything's songs).

Cale Parks' "Late Show"
& "Wet Paint"
from Illuminated Manuscript (both versions)

Aloha's "Brace Your Face"
from Some Echoes

Joan of Arc's "Miss Cat Piss and Peppermint"
from Eventually, All At Once

Cex's "Chicago" (featuring Tim Kinsella)
from Actual Fucking

Chin Up Chin Up's "Mansioned"
from This Harness Can't Ride Anything

Georgie James' "Need Your Needs"
& "Cheap Champagne"
from Demos at Dance Place

Love of Everything's "Nothing Left To Use"
from Superior Mold and Die

Pit Er Pat's "Solstice"
from Pyramids

89DAYSUNTILCHRISTMAS
Matt Pond PA's "Holiday Road"
from Winter Songs EP

one can only be too sure of nothing.

2006-09-26T18:13:00.000-04:00

Just a brief update on 31 Knots. I mentioned at the beginning of last month that 31K were finishing up their next album, that Polyvinyl will release in early 2007. But there are two 31 Knots releases to look forward to even before The Days and Nights of Everything Everywhere drops. On November 7th, along with Owen's fourth full-length, PV will release 31 Knots' Polemics EP. Also slated for release is a re-issue of the Portland trio's first album, ClimaxAntiClimax. Buckle up for a welcome slew of abstract progressive guitar rock from those who brought you Dilute.

31 Knots' "Vanish"
from Polemics EP

Please note that in related November 7th EP release news, Voxtrot's Your Biggest Fan will be the third Voxtrot EP to tantalize your ears.

you have to care for it to keep it together.

2006-09-25T21:20:00.000-04:00

John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus won't likely stray from the strangely sexual, aesthetically pleasing yet harmlessly unsettling themes that made Hedwig & The Angry Inch a cult phenomenon. One major difference, however, is that the music (while it still may have an integral part of the film) is not sung by Shortbus' characters. In fact, Team Love will release the soundtrack in November, and it will boast already cherished songs from Azure Ray, The Hidden Cameras, Yo La Tengo, Animal Collective, Gentleman Reg, The Ark, Scott Matthew, and more. I can't imagine the buzz about the movie will stop for quite a while. Even I'm quite interested based on two statements alone from Eye Weekly and Variety.
"...plays like Woody Allen's Manhattan with money shots..."
"Unquestionably the most sexually graphic American narrative feature ever made outside the porn industry."
Well hell, maybe the soundtrack will be the least enjoyable aspect of the movie. Well...
See more about Shortbus here and enjoy some original songs for the film by Scott Matthew on his MySpace.

Azure Ray's "If You Fall"
& The Hidden Cameras' "Boys of Melody"
from Shortbus: The Soundtrack

Ninety days until Christmas:
Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You"
BONUS: Billy Mack's "Christmas Is All Around"
(Is it shameful to enjoy Love, Actually as much as I do?)

the sooner the better.

2006-09-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

Like I could not join the swarms of people ecstatic about this.

Herman Dune's "I Wish That I Could See You Soon"

in the morning of our lives, i'm not afraid of trying.

2006-09-24T20:08:00.000-04:00

Friends and worshippers of Karl Blau, Lake are from Washington and have yet to turn to many heads very simply due to their relative newness. They are, for lack of a better term, a supergroup of musicians involved in other (not yet nationally known) musical projects, that came together to play lo-fi songs of choral melodies, atmospheric layers, female sweetness with piano and banjo notes flourishing atop hard snare hits. They've recorded an album, but you'll be hard pressed to find it outside one of their local shows or contacting them personally. You sure can do so through MySpace though, and you may want to based on their solid, downloadable, upliftingly somber songs.

Lake's "Helicopter"
& "Higher Than Merry"

Sleeping At Last's "Silver Bells"

the autumn night we realized we were falling out of love.

2006-09-23T21:27:00.000-04:00

It's been more than six months now since I started no one is awake, more or less, on a whim. And while putting this event off for a couple days, hoping that something grandiose would put itself together, I now celebrate 200 posts. That averages just about exactly one post per day, and I'm quite proud of that. It's been a genuinely enjoyable experience to force myself to either discover new music, put into words my feelings on my favorite artists or albums, or simply open the ears of a new listener to any artist on any given day. I'm flattering myself. I have a fairly small (yet thankfully loyal) group of regular readers. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of however many of 200 posts you've seen.
A dusty acoustic guitar, a keyboard stored in a garage, a long-neglected trumpet, and several lost or disregarded notebooks are a testament for my undying passion for music. No, it's not a unique trait, but my inability to focus on contributing something to the culture has been my defining trait. Maybe a blog about music isn't anything significant in this world either, but it's the most I've focused on doing something on my own. I flatter myself that you, the reader, is even interested enough to read all of this self-indulgent commentary with any sentiment. But to be fair, in a world where everyone s blogging, I feel great pleasure that this, no one is awake, is my blog.
Thank you very much for reading, downloading, listening, and coming back. You are the future of no one is awake. Start letting me know how you feel about what's going on here. Let me know what you're having trouble taking out of your ipod, car stereo, cd player, record player, or head. Let me know, whether or not the featured music sparked your attention or not. Let me know who you are and why you come back here. I do this for you faceless readers, but you hold the power to make yourself heard.

Yesterday was the first day of Fall, the air has already gotten cooler and crisper (quietly requesting that Transatlanticism proudly resurrect itself) and we are almost exactly three months away from Christmas. I, for the most part, spare you the amount of Christmas music I'd like to share at any given day throughout the year, but for the next three months, it will be unavoidable. In fact, I hereby vow to share at least one holiday-inspired song every day leading up to December 25th. Don't worry. I'll do it. Whether you like it or not. ...Please like it.

For now, just enjoy a few songs from the 2001 Polyvinyl Records sampler (three of which were otherwise unreleased), and your first in a series
of ninety-three days of Christmas/Holiday music.

American Football's "Never Meant"
Matt Pond PA's "A New Part of Town"
Pele's "Gas the Nutsy"
& Aloha's "Warsaw"
from Re Direction: A Polyvinyl Sampler

Death Cab or Cutie's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

something's been wrong a long long time.

2006-09-20T21:44:00.000-04:00

I'm still in the process of getting used to my iMac, but with such attributes as a 500GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM, wireless keyboard and mouse, built in camera, and let's not forget over 250 square inches of viewing pleasure with no "tower" (it's just a "monitor!"), I imagine I'll grow into it in no time. Oh, and in a timespan of seventy-two hours, it travelled from Shanghai to Anchorage to Indianapolis to Cleveland to my house. The world really is amazing.
Hrishikesh Hirway is, albeit a less grand of a scale, also amazing. He's finished recording his third full-length as The One AM Radio, which should peak it's presumably beautiful head in early 2007.
While we wait, however, we can indulge in the music of The Young Toughs. Hirway has joined up with David Slade (of American Princes) to create a perfect blend of the alt-country rock Slade has grown into and the sweet electronic tinged folk that Hirway is know for.
I can only find reference to The Young Toughs on MySpace, but four grand songs await you there.

Hrishakesh Hirway and David Slade are The Young Toughs and on MySpace.

I promise you a triumphant return of fleshed-out posts very very soon. In fact, this is my 199th post since I began in March and I feel something mighty is in order for the big 200. Let me know if you've got an idea!

haggis-on-whey.

2006-09-20T08:41:00.000-04:00

Please excuse a slight lull in no one is awake updates. I have been busy preparing for my future and celebrating the past two years. I will be in the process of transferring everything to my new iMac (24") this evening and no one is awake should be back to steady business as usual.
In the meantime, have fun with this amazing Californian experimental guitar, et al duo.
Two dollars if you are a big a fan of the origin of their name as I am.

Giraffes? Giraffes! "Fucking ants man!Where they coming from? (Let's hang the Carroll footnoteitsists)"
& "She looked up from examining the freckles on her arm and shouted, "Jesus! I'm fucking god-damn tired of all this make-up sex!" and he just stared off."
from Superbass! Black Death Greatest Hits Vol. 1

Giraffes? Giraffes! website and MySpace.

the words burn my soul.

2006-09-18T21:48:00.000-04:00

After wrapping up their tour with Mates of State, this quartet of pop over-achievers will head out to the west coast with Bishop Allen. Their third album, Drowaton, is a successful blend creation of complex and compelling "bubblegum psych." The album wasn't, honestly, what I was expecting at first listen. Then, days later, I forgot what CD was in my player, and was amazed. I couldn't remember what it was and couldn't bear to stop it long enough to take it out and remember.
I have a nasty habit of "burying the hook" and for that I apologize. The band is Starlight Mints. They are a part of the current Barsuk powerhouse and if you've managed to get through nearly six months since the release of Drowaton without it, take this as your warning that your next six months could be a great deal better.
Drowaton is "something very grand: one marvelous piece of orchestrated, catchy surrealism after another."

Starlight Mints' "Pumpkin"
& "Inside of Me"
from Drowaton

Ten minutes of "Studio 60 On Sunset Strip" have aired and I am in love. The Aaron Sorkin of "Sports Night" is back.

we are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams.

2006-09-17T22:31:00.000-04:00

Fact: I was supremely excited for Tim Burton's "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory" and subsequently severely disappointed.
Fact: Gene Wilder performed with a fantastic creepiness that was and is unrivaled, even by the not-to-be-discluded Johnny Depp.
Fact: Though penned by musical soundtrack magician Danny Elfman, the update was vastly inferior to Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's original 1971 score.
Fact: Not one of you would have seriously considered purchasing this 35 year old album, even if it were presented to you at a discounted price.
Fact: You [expletive] love this music.

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Original Soundtrack
Main Title (Golden Ticket / Pure Imagination)
The Candy Man
Charlie's Paper Run
Cheer Up, Charlie
Lucky Charlie
(I've Got A) Golden Ticket
Pure Imagination
Oompa Loompa
The Wondrous Boat Ride
Everlasting Gobstoppers / Oompa Loompa
The Bubble Machine
I Want It Now / Oompa Loompa
Wonkamobile, Wonkavision / Oompa Loompa
Wonkavator / End Title (Pure Imagination)

Fact: None of the above "facts" were made up entirely or partially of factual information.
Fact: I should give the Burton remake another shot.

i guess all there is to do around here is just live.

2006-09-16T20:20:00.000-04:00

Brian Moss is not one for leaving recipes stagnant. Upon reading a brief review of 2004's We Are All Natural Disasters, I set out to find this debut album from Chicago's Hanalei to find out firsthand if it was as good as it sounded. Hanalei became one of those bands that I looked for out of habit any time I was in any record store. During a period of time when I didn't have internet access readily available, this was how I found music. The dark ages. I never did find that album, and by the time I found their sophomore record, Parts and Accessories, earlier this year I couldn't quite remember anything about their debut's review or why I was so interested.
Parts and Accessories impressed me nonetheless. It's a solid rock album with charming crisp vocals and guitars that bounce and jangle. It wouldn't be out of place next to a Weakerthans record or even one by The Ghost, Moss' old band. But tonight everything about that initial review came back to me. Comparisons to The Postal Service and Her Space Holiday were mentioned as easily as to Death Cab and The Shins. In listening to Parts and Accessories now it's easy to concede why I couldn't remember what intrigued me about them from before I had even heard them. However, Brian Moss would have to do quite a bit more to distance himself from Ben Gibbard comparisons. Tonight was also the first I had heard any of that debut album, We Are All Natural Disasters, and was exactly what reminded me of that fateful review in the first place.
This is all extremely wordy and interesting to, I'm sure, nobody but myself. But it's cathartic to get it all out.
Hanalei has always written great tunes that have the ability to charm the socks off any listener. They've entirely eliminated the fairly heavy electronic feel of their first album for a slick indie rock sophomore release, and if you forget what they sound like and the contents of this (pseudo-)review in two years, you may be discovering something completely new.

Hanalei's "Action Drum"
"Josh & Sarah's Belated Wedding Present"
& "Anza Ninety Three"
from We Are All Natural Disasters

Hanalei's "Resonate Remain"
"Sloth Art"
& "Nothing Works"
from Parts and Accessories

I've heard that Moss' first self-released EP, though the songs would be largely remolded into Natural Disasters songs, sounds more akin to Calexico than anything else. In conclusion, someone find Hurricane We for me.

i'd rather just relax or not exist.

2006-09-16T00:10:00.000-04:00

"Belle & Sebastian would strangle their worship group leader to be able to come up with something this good."
-Play Louder

"An occasionally incredible listen... line after line that has you gasping. Another flawed gem."
-What's On

"Near Perfection."
-Tasty

"This is an exercise in frantic self-depreciation intertwined with melancholic but dissonant country with the odd rock song thrown in for good measure. In other words: it's fantastic. It's good to finally see Rough Trade, back on track."
-Subba-Cultcha

"...Remarkable offbeat talent... it's only a matter of time before Lewis becomes an indie hero."
-The Independent

"Compared to the flash of the Strokes, Lower East Side boy Jeff is a thrift shop minstrel from the more interesting side of town. An excellent urban addition to the new American folk of Sufjan Stevens and Devendra Banhart."
-Daily Mirror

"Jeffrey Lewis is a god, there's no denying it."
-Drowned in Sound

You probably didn't even notice that you haven't heard of those sources. And well you shouldn't, because the high praise of neo anti-folk singer/songwriter/comic book artist Jeffrey Lewis is deserved. Well, he's worth at least one listen, that's for sure.

Jeffrey Lewis' "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror"
& "The Singing Tree"
from City & Eastern Songs

Jeffrey Lewis' "Don't Let The Record Label Take You Out To Lunch"
from It's The Ones Who've Cracked That The Light Shines Through

breathing is really cool.

2006-09-14T18:37:00.000-04:00

I went through a Jimmie's Chicken Shack phase nearly a decade ago. More relevantly, I went through a Jarflys phase two or three years ago. Jarflys was and is Jimi Davies' Chicken Shack side project, with more prevalent elements of singer/songwriter and jam band. Neither are particular sources of excitement for me now, but I retain the absolute heart-wrenching love of one song. I was introduced to it through a Jarflys bootleg concert, offered on their website, and reminded just this year on a cheap old used Jimmie's Chicken Shack EP in a budget bin. It was offered as an unreleased bonus track on what was essentially a promo for Bring Your Own Stereo and "Do Right" single. Please tell me you remember that song (and video)! Well, if you'd like to sample Jarflys' jamming bar band aesthetic, they've got a concert available for download here, an album available for purchase here, and a new one on it's way.
The point is that I still feel very much elated when listening to Jimi Davies' inspirational "Smiling." And I find I actually still enjoy "30 Days" as well.
Bear with me. I'm reminiscing. And I couldn't find my live CD, so you'll have to get the drift from a slightly sped up, full band version of "Smiling."

Jimmie's Chicken Shack's "Do Right" (Ha.)
& "30 Days"
from Bring Your Own Stereo

Jimmie's Chicken Shack's "Smiling"
from Slow Change EP

you threw the key away.

2006-09-13T21:35:00.000-04:00

There's not really a whole lot of bad things happening over at Hush Records. You'll recall I brought up several acts in an Esperanza Spalding write-up in July. Most importantly is Hush founder Chad Crouch and his band, Blanket Music. This year, they released a two CD package of earnest love songs just oozing with poppy goodness. Over thirty-three songs, Crouch and company play twelve eclectic originals and eleven interpretive covers. Covered artists include M Ward, Kind of Like Spitting, Norfolk & Western, and The Decemberists. The Love / Love Translation is available for a reasonable double-disc album price of $15 at the Hush store. You should be there already. You can learn more at the Blanket Music MySpace, but that should only be a pit stop before ordering their music.

Blanket Music's "I Love You"
from The Love

Blanket Music's "Red Right Ankle" (The Decemberists)
from Love Translation

i got to believe it come from rock and roll.

2006-09-13T19:20:00.000-04:00

I'm going to go ahead and guess that Mr. Cross was, in some fashion, inebriated.

Spoon at Bumbershoot

Spoon's "The Beast and Dragon, Adored"
& "Sister Jack (Piano Demo)" (BONUS)
from Gimme Fiction

the secret will travel.

2006-09-12T22:44:00.000-04:00

Sure, it hasn't even been a month since news broke that Menomena had signed to Barsuk and that their second album Friend and Foe would drop on January 23rd. But when Menomena rocks, Menomena rolls, and they announced today that they'd bring a new EP with them on their upcoming tour with What Made Milwaukee Famous and The Long Winters. The EP is a sort of single for their latest, "Wet & Rusting," with three versions of the song and three additional, unreleased gems. Tour dates were posted here, and the EP is available online here. Also, if you're on the left coast, Menomena will be visiting you with 31 Knots later this year. Get ready.

Menomena's "Wet & Rusting"
from Wet and Rusting EP

cut the cord with a kitchen knife.

2006-09-12T22:26:00.000-04:00

Well, it's taken a bit longer than most months, but it's also more than three times the length. Bishop Allen decided, after being almost entirely cooped up for seven months, to tour throughout August. This brought in to question their ability to make good on their EP-every-month promise. Lo and behold, a logical response: a live EP of an entire set from the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. The EP is still just five dollars and includes several songs from this year's EP project, two Charm School songs, and two brand new songs. Next month will be back to four new songs, but take advantage of August's extended live EP by ordering it now.

Bishop Allen's "The Same Fire"
"That Summer"
& "The Flood"
from August

you're the last thing on my mind.

2006-09-12T17:31:00.000-04:00

I give you full permission to judge me for the following Tuesday Spotlight. I reserve the right, however, to not care. The following band was my absolute favorite band for several years, and still has a sizable place in both my heart and record collection (one and the same?). They've been around for nearly twenty years and released their seventh proper studio album today. They moved away from a major label to create their own, with distribution through Nettwerk (see The Format and Anathallo), and have been doing a great job in keeping up with the times and public demand for more (digital) material. In addition, I wouldn't be me without mentioning, in high regard, that they've released a Christmas album that rivals most in my book. Again, their latest album is available in stores today and is called Barenaked Ladies Are Me.
Barenaked Ladies went from unknown Canadian goofballs to college radio gods through their numerous singles in the mid to late nineties. They have always boasted two phenomenal singers and songwriters in Steven Page and Ed Robertson. When they started, they boasted classically trained brothers on stand-up bass and piano/percussion. Jim and Andy Creeggan also play together in an aforementioned side project. Andy left the band to pursue other musical options and the band welcomed Kevin Hearn as their keyboard/dozens of other instruments player. Shortly after Hearn joined the group he underwent a serious bout with cancer that he would recover from completely. Barenaked Ladies Are Me is BNL's fourth proper album with Hearn's contributions and his addition to the band is not to be understated.
I'm more likely to connect with songs on BNL albums that don't have a "single feel" and I'd like to share those with you. Most of these songs represent the slowest and most somber moments of every generally lively album, but they are the songs that stick with me. After all, you've heard "One Week" enough, I'm sure.

Barenaked Ladies' "Brian Wilson"
from Gordon

Barenaked Ladies' "Am I The Only One?"
from Maybe You Should Drive

Barenaked Ladies' "When I Fall"
from Born On A Pirate Ship

Barenaked Ladies' "If I Had A $1000000 (Yellow Tape Version)"
from Shoe Box EP

Barenaked Ladies' "Break Your Heart"
from Rock Spectacle

Barenaked Ladies' "Some Fantastic"
from Stunt

Barenaked Ladies' "Tonight Is The Night I Fell Asleep At The Wheel / Hidden Sun"
from Maroon

Barenaked Ladies' "Thanks That Was Fun"
from Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits (1991-2001)

Barenaked Ladies' "War on Drugs"
from Everything To Everyone

Barenaked Ladies' "Christmastime (Oh Yeah)"
from Barenaked For The Holidays

Barenaked Ladies' "For You"
from Au Naturale: Live in Denver, CO 08-02-04

Barenaked Ladies' "Bank Job"
from Barenaked Ladies Are Me

there is no way to say and there is nothing i can do.

2006-09-11T18:06:00.000-04:00

Today was the first day I'd heard anything by Herman Dune, but I'm determined to make sure it's the first in a line of many rather than a first and only. There's plenty to learn about the extraordinary amount (and quality) of work that Sweden's Herman Dune has done in the last decade, not to mention the impressive list of side projects. But most pertinent is the new full length album called Giant. It will be released in October and will absolutely floor you. I could say that HD is somewhere between The Mountain Goats and Talking Heads and Acid House Kings, but that would leave out a lot of the majesty and be counterproductive. Just listen to "I Wish That I Could See You Soon." You'll understand. Again, learn quite a lot more than I'm providing you with at the website or listen to more on MySpace.

Herman Dune's "I Wish That I Could See You Soon"
& "Nickel Chrome"
from Giant

And from last year's Not On Top, Herman Dune's "Not On Top"

And because they seem destined to play back to back on any mix...
The Mountain Goats' "This Year"

we can barely afford the gas...

2006-09-10T22:10:00.000-04:00

Decibully have been closing their recent sets with a new song called "If I Don't Work," and if the rough demo version on their MySpace page is any indication, the new album will replace the previous as my favorite exponentially faster than Sing Out America! replaced City of Festivals. And for perspective's sake, their debut became an instant favorite of mine, and the sophomore album is still in heavy rotation in my car over a year and a half later. It was a sleeper hit for me for some reason.
If you dislike puns or convenient song title placement, just skip this next sentence. If I didn't work tomorrow, I'd listen to Sing Out America! twice and the new demo at least a half a dozen times.

Decibully's "Megan & Magill"
from Sing Out America!

Listen to "If I Don't Work" on Decibully's MySpace.

Additionally, Decibully appear to be label shopping for their third proper album. If you've own an independent label with fantastic distribution, tell Ryan, William and the guys you love them. Everyone else appears to be gravitating towards Barsuk, but maybe Polyvinyl is still in the running.

you're already buried in a cemetery.

2006-09-10T16:18:00.000-04:00

Polyvinyl Record Co. is simply one of the best independent labels in existence. While it can be argued that their distribution is not as solid as other indies', they more than make up for it with a tremendous mail-order system, a 50/50 relationship with their artists, and the artists themselves. Polyvinyl continues to sign and release music by exquisite artists that create a superb roster of today's best musicians.
And I don't think I'm overstating anything.
On October 22nd, Polyvinyl will re-release the debut album one of from Missouri's finest independent pop bands, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. The buzz around and wonderment of this little band that could is evident in the praise of Chris Walla, Spin, Pitchfork Media, and countless bloggers. Furthermore, the excitement about this band will not fizzle once Broom is released nationally as they stand to hold on to a growing loyal fanbase as well as The Shins, Of Montreal, and even Belle & Sebastian.
There's absolutely no reason to base your (dis)agreement on my praise alone. Daytrotter held a session with the SSLYBY guys in March, and there are four free songs available here. There are clips from each Broom song on the band's website and a few songs on their MySpace. And of course you can continue to scroll down this page as I have for you two songs from Broom as well as two songs from their limited run (250) of handmade split EPs with the tremendous Michael Holt. My copy has penguins! Praise be to Polyvinyl Records and the little blog/label that could, Catbird Seat

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's "Oregon Girl"
& "Anne Elephant"
from Broom

SSLYBY's "Lower The Gas Prices Howard Johnson"
& "Go Upstairs"
from Someone Still Loves You Michael Holt: A Scrapbook For You

what's cooler than being cool?

2006-09-10T11:58:00.000-04:00

Now if only someone had their cover of Feist's "One Evening."

Obadiah Parker's "Hey Ya"

are you the serious kind?

2006-09-08T22:21:00.000-04:00

I'm fairly predictable. That applies vaguely to many aspects of my life that will not be elaborated upon. But suffice it to say that if you know a band that has original drumming and melodic, undistorted electric guitar with equal parts focused math rock and open jazz flair, I'm probably going to like them. If you throw in the occasional trumpet (or any brass instrument), I'll keep my focus on them exponentially longer. If you throw in a second drummer, and do it correctly, I'll be smitten and come back to their album frequently. Colossal do it correctly. Their 2004 full length debut, Welcome the Problems, is that album. The band members, who have come and gone frequently over the band's first few years, are more akin to the punk scene than the indie scene, which is moderately surprising. Colossal has toured with The Alkaline Trio and includes members of The Lawrence Arms and The Smoking Popes, yet they can easily draw fans of American Football and Pele. And accuse me of making too many Pele comparisons all you want. Jon Mueller's innovative percussion style and Chris Rosenau's guitar work have been major influences on my musical tastes. Colossal are now writing and recording their second album after taking some time apart.
So, if Matt Skiba had formed a band in Chicago in the late nineties and shared practice space with Steve Lamos and Steve Holmes, they may have stumbled upon a sound that Colossal has made their own.
Extra credit if you understood that without looking anything up.

Colossal's "The Serious Kind"
& "I'll Look At You When The Dying Starts"
from Welcome the Problems

there isn't nothing all us little animals can do.

2006-09-07T20:37:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite finds of 2005 was Music Saves' recommendation of Phosphorescent's Aw Come Aw Wry. I bonded with this album at the beginning of 2006, in bizarre conjunction with Of Montreal's Gay Parade. There was even a period of several weeks when I was content listening bipolarly to Of Montreal's "Old Familiar Way" and Phosphorescent's "Joe Tex, These Taming Blues." But enough about that happier, peppier end of the spectrum.
Phosphorescent is Matthew Houck. His crackling, sad voice and uniquely orchestrated folk don't stray too far from the styles brought forth in his other band, Castanets. But his own blend of atmospheric Americana and piano and horn driven soul folk set him apart from his Asthmatic Kitty partners. Houck is occasionally heavy on the atmospheric aspect, most notably on the nineteen minute closing track, "Nowhere Rd., Georgia, Feb. 21, 2005," made up entirely of the background sounds present at the time. It can absolutely be boring or dismissable but the first forty-one minutes of Aw Come Aw Wry set the mood so well for it's anti-climax to leave to in a very relaxed yet very conscious state.
The high points of Phosphorescent's sophomore release are undoubtedly the aforementioned "Joe Tex" as well as "I Am A Full Grown Man (I Will Lay in the Grass All Day)." Certainly enough to build your interest for a new album, supposedly to drop by the end of the year, or to revive your adoration of Castanets; a meaty portion of Phosphorescent, with a side of Page France, washed down by a glass of Will Oldham.
Enjoy my favorites from Phosphorescent's Aw Come Aw Wry as well as both Castanet albums.

Phosphorescent's "Joe Tex, These Taming Blues"
& "I Am A Full Grown Man (I Will Lay in the Grass All Day)"
from Aw Come Aw Wry

Castanets' "Three Days, Four Nights"*
from Cathedral

Castanets' "Good Friend, Yr. Hunger"
from First Light's Freeze

Phosphorescent's "Pretty" at The EARL in Atlanta, 04/15/06

*It was here, the sixth song on Cathedral, about twenty-two seconds in that was completely sold on Castanets. It's the little things.

every little thing is gonna be alright.

2006-09-06T22:05:00.000-04:00

For those of you who know (and presumably adore) the music of Ida, your ears could not possibly snuggle up any more to the idea of vocalist Elizabeth Mitchell singing warm children's songs with both folk sensibilities and children themselves. But this isn't a completely new idea. She's been doing this for a while now, and is currently releasing her third collection of simple masterpieces; fourth if you include the children's book and album she completed with college bandmate Lisa Loeb. Mitchell's voice is angelic and sweet and paired with delicate acoustic guitar picking, she sounds like she's singing from a small homey cottage down the river from where the sirens seduced Everett, Pete, and Delmar in O Brother, Where Art Thou?

I'll keep this brief to allot you enough time to actually go to Mitchell's and Daniel Littleton's (Ida) site for their music and literature dedicated to kids. There you can listen to several songs from each of the three albums in the series, You Are My Flower, You Are My Sunshine, and You Are My Little Bird. Simply click on "Flower," "Sunshine," or "Little Bird" at their website.
I'd share a song if I was able to attain one. But, I'll most likely be ordering one or all of these albums in the near future.

Segue: Mitchell's Ida signed to Polyvinyl Records, the largest shareholder of Kevin Barnes' Of Montreal.

Of Montreal has released a track listing for their upcoming Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, which will be released in January. The simplistic and easily understood song titles are as follows...

01: Suffer for Fashion
02: Sink the Seine
03: Cato as a Pun
04 Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse
05: Gronlandic Edit
06: A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger
07: The Past is a Grotesque Animal
08: Bunny Ain't No Kind of Rider
09: Faberge Falls for Shuggie
10: Labyrinthian Pomp
11: She's a Rejector
12: We Were Born the Mutants Again With Leafling

Now you just have to wait a couple months to hear any of them. Bide your time by ordering their recently released two LP remix album, Satanic Twins, through Polyvinyl. You can also stream the entire album here.

two hundred solemn faces are you.

2006-09-05T18:49:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned this before but I briefly maintained some Angelfire site called "Ben Folds (Five) Song of the Day." It didn't last very long, but certainly longer than it legally should have. But can it be true that I've never dedicated a proper post to the talented Mr. Folds? For shame. But it does present the perfect way to bring back the Tuesday Spotlight. Maybe I'll generate a graphic for Tuesday Spotlights in the near future. Or if you feel so inclined to create a no one is awake style Spotlight graphic, you could win the very appropriate prize of seeing it here on Tuesdays. I'm sure you've already opened Photoshop. E-mail submissions to devoutinfidel (at) hotmail.com.

Ben Folds has releasing music properly and steadily for about a dozen years. Alongside drummer Darren Jessee and bassist Robert Sledge, Folds founded Ben Folds Five. The trio had three magnificent albums as well as a rarities collection and a slew of singles. When the three parted ways, Folds had the clear advantage in having his name already out there and held in high musical regard. The world was stunned when he released his solo debut on September Eleventh, 2001. Though, to be fair, they had a bit more on their plate than his record of twelve solid stories, ballads, and jams. Folds soon followed his debut's success by releasing his first live album with a playlist that spanned his career with the Five, his solo disc and a mighty fine Elton John cover. Now with two children, Folds was feeling the need for a creative make-over and released a slew of three EPs to keep fans aware that he had not lost it. Last year, Ben released his epic Songs for Silverman, where we see him fully evolved into a grown-up and parent, whose fingers still hit each and every key on the piano correctly, and quite often his lyrics and voice follow suit.
On October 24th, Ben will release a remastered and retweaked collection of his 2003 EPs, allowing the correct (copious) amount of people to hear the fantastic songs that were released in limited runs online. I would highly recommend you add this to your collection (if only for the Dr. Dre cover of "Bitches Ain't Shit") in addition to the absolutely spectacularly performed Complete Sessions at West 54th DVD. While, compiling this list of my favorite or most notable tracks from each release, it's more than apparent that I'll be in a Ben Folds kick for a little while. Whatever And Ever Amen retains it's place as one of my all-time favorite albums.

Ben Folds Five's "Philosophy"
from Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds Five's "Song for the Dumped"
from Whatever And Ever Amen

Ben Folds Five's "Underground" (Live on 8/12/1995)
from Naked Baby Photos

Ben Folds Five's "Don't Change Your Plans"
from The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner

Ben Folds' "Still Fighting It"
from Rockin' The Suburbs

Ben Folds' "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces"
& "Emaline"
from Ben Folds Live

Ben Folds' "In Between Days"
from Speed Graphic EP

Ben Folds' "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You"
from Sunny 16 EP

Ben Folds' "Rent A Cop"
from Super D EP

The Bens' (Ben Folds, Ben Kweller, and Ben Lee) "Bruised"
from The Bens EP

Ben Folds' "You To Thank"
from Songs for Silverman

Ben Folds' "Hiro's Song"
& "Rockin' The Suburbs"
from Songs for Goldfish

your strange imagination. you threw it all away.

2006-09-04T18:46:00.000-04:00

It's finally coming. Six years in the making (with only one year off), is Sufjan Steven's Songs for Christmas Box Set. Get more information here. There's no exact release date yet, but I'm going to go ahead and say it'll be some time before Santa's birthday.
Below is the track list for all five CDs. Be sure to check that link for all the bonus materials that will make it worth your while, though you have at least three of them downloaded.

Sufjan Stevens' "Sister Winter"
from Songs for Christmas, Volume 5

Noel: Songs for Christmas, Vol. I (recorded December 2001)
1. Silent Night
2. O Come O Come Emmanuel
3. We're Goin' To the Country! *
4. Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming
5. It's Christmas! Let's Be Glad! *
6. Holy Holy, etc.
7. Amazing Grace

Hark!: Songs for Christmas, Vol. II (recorded December 2002)
1. Angels We Have Heard on High
2. Put the Lights on the Tree *
3. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
4. I Saw Three Ships
5. Only at Christmas Time *
6. Once in Royal David's City
7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
8. What Child Is This Anyway?
9. Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Ding! Dong!: Songs for Christmas, Vol. III (recorded December 2003)
1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
2. Come on! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance! *
3. We Three Kings
4. O Holy Night
5. That Was the Worst Christmas Ever! *
6. Ding! Dong! *
7. All the King's Horns *
8. The Friendly Beasts

Joy: Songs for Christmas, Vol. IV (recorded December 2005)
1. The Little Drummer Boy
2. Away In A Manger
3. Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time! *
4. The First Noel
5. Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!) *
6. The Incarnation *
7. Joy To The World

Peace: Songs for Christmas, Vol. V (recorded June 2006)
1. Once in Royal David's City
2. Get Behind Me, Santa! *
3. Jingle Bells
4. Christmas in July *
5. Lo! How A Rose E'er Blooming
6. Jupiter Winter *
7. Sister Winter *
8. O Come O Come Emmanuel
9. Star of Wonder *
10. Holy, Holy, Holy
11. The Winter Solstice *

* denotes original songs by Sufjan Stevens

that joke isn't funny anymore.

2006-09-04T17:34:00.000-04:00

Thank you for your silent support of the week of comedy. Now let's get back to the music.

The Smiths' "This Charming Man"
"That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore"
& "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
released together on Singles

Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)"
"Hey You"
& "Comfortably Numb"
from The Wall

Fleetwood Mac's "Second Hand News"
& "Never Going Back Again"
from Rumours

The Beach Boys' "I'm Waiting For The Day"
& "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times"
from Pet Sounds

this is where i keep pie.

2006-09-03T18:21:00.000-04:00

I vote Comedy Central devotes months ending in 'y' or 'r' to 24 hours of Comedians of Comedy. If you've missed this show, which is likely given that it's aired on very rare occasions, you've missed the incredible interaction between four fantastic comics. Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Maria Bamford, and Zach Galifianakis represent what is right about stand-up comedy in this generation of it's existence. The following are audio clips from Maria's CD, The Burning Bridges Tour, as well as Zach Galifianakis' fairly dated "Comedy Central Presents" episode and a pilot that Patton and Brian did for Comedy Central based roughly on who they are. Maria just recorded her second "Comedy Central Presents," Zach has a new DVD on it's way, Brian recently re-released his LIVE In: Nerd Rage CD, and Patton is going back on tour with Brian and Eugene Mirman and will record a new CD at the end of November.

Maria Bamford's "Crazy Cult"
& "Vennette"
from The Burning Bridges Tour

Comedy Central Presents Zach Galifianakis

Zach Galifianakis and Maria Bamford on "Comedians of Comedy"

"Super Nerds" Starring Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Sarah Silverman, and John Ennis (of Mr. Show)

i don't have a hammer.

2006-09-01T17:16:00.000-04:00

Comics with a frat boy following and an extensive library of dick jokes have roughly the same amount of credibility to me as Arctic Monkeys. Oh. Yeah. I don't care for Arctic Monkeys. The point is that America is at a sort of renaissance of comedy, where a thinking man can now have a variety of "favorite" comedians. Case and point: no one is awake's "week of comedic proportions." But all of our tastes had to originate somewhere. While I could sit and try to recall some credible names in comedy to cite as the firsts to impact me, the truth is that one of such funny men was Stephen Lynch.
You remember, he had that Comedy Central special, where he stood in front of a gigantic book, and he played guitar and sang censored and watered down versions of songs that made him a hit on Opie & Anthony-type radio shows. Slightly over a half a decade later, and Lynch is playing Adam Sandler's character in a Broadway rendition of The Wedding Singer. I'm sure that's good. ...Sometimes even type can drip with thick juicy sarcasm.
But my point is that Stephen Lynch's twisted songs of cringe-worthy topics made shamefully funny have progressed into memorable pop songs. Rather than just the punchlines lingering with you for days, Lynch is able to write melodies that have the same lasting effect.
Get more information on Stephen's gig in The Wedding Singer or his new Wal-Mart only release, Stephen Lynch: Cleanest Hits, at his website. Or don't.
I'm anxious to kick start the weekend, so I'll leave it at that. Music is coming back next week, so enjoy a few more days of laughs.

Stephen Lynch's "Vanilla Ice Cream"
& "Baby"
from The Craig Machine

Stephen Lynch's "Love Song"

Stephen Lynch's "If I Were Gay"

why don't you try making five beats a day?

2006-08-31T21:03:00.000-04:00

If there's a more obvious choice of a comedian for an independent pop music blogger to have a big boy crush on, it's Aziz Ansari. He's best known for his short films which he makes in conjunction with Human Giant, but what draws folks like you and I in is his own blog and his adamant love of (what readers and the writer of no one is awake would deem) good music (Neutral Milk Hotel, Talking Heads, Pavement, etc). Additionally, though it offers no real insight on his comedy and serves more as a school girl crush description, but you simply have to nod in respectful agreement with this list of Aziz's "favorite movies:"
Spinal Tap, Before Sunset, Before Sunrise, Annie Hall, The Graduate, Vanilla Sky, Broken Flowers, Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, The Royal Tenenbaums, Office Space, Being John Malkovich, Fight Club, Reservoir Dogs, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, & The Squid and the Whale.
To the point; Aziz is funny and a lot more people are noticing every day.

Aziz Ansari on Invite Them Up

Aziz Ansari's M.I.A. Story with Eugene Mirman

Aziz Ansari in Shittiest Mixtape Boombox Blast

Aziz Ansari in Other Music

Aziz Ansari in Clell Tickle: Indie Marketing Guru

Check out a few more videos at Aziz's website, including the series Shutterbugs. Really. Do it.

god is glorifying us with his magnificent fluorescence.

2006-08-30T20:21:00.000-04:00

I shouldn't have to set up today's comedian in any way, shape, or form. Nevertheless, the subsequent paragraph:
David Cross doesn't stop. He's been in an overwhelming amount of films, television shows, music videos, and obviously much more. His roles (while sometimes seemingly in Eugene Levy-ian multitudes) have been the highlights of movies otherwise not worth mentioning (Scary Movie 2, Pootie Tang, Men In Black, She's The Man, etc.) and the surprisingly memorable small parts in extraordinary films (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Melvin Goes To Dinner, Ghost World, Waiting For Guffman). He's also lent his voice for recurring characters on what are arguably three of the best [adult swim] shows (Home Movies, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Tom Goes To The Mayor) as well as for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Halo. Throw in gigs on The Ben Stiller Show, Dr. Katz, The Drew Carey Show, Crank Yankers, NewsRadio, Tenacious D, as well as several appearances on the spectacularly irreverent Wonder Showzen and the finely-tuned Colbert Report, and you've got almost all the background information you need. But David Cross has starred in two television shows that were both miraculously brilliant and tragically overlooked. If one could base his sense of humor on only 83 half-hour television episodes, he certainly couldn't do much better than Mr. Show and Arrested Development.
Still, Cross is best understood through his stand-up which has been summed up with two Sup Pop CD releases as well as a DVD documenting the tour behind the 110 minute, Shut Up, You F*cking Baby!. Cross combines political, commercial, personal, and absurd commentary in enthralling storytelling that remains relatable while passionately pushing envelopes and the buttons of the easily-offended. I don't know what that synopsis does for you, and I obviously struggle with reviewing or explaining stand-up comedy. For that, I apologize. But for presenting the following bits from David Cross' career, I am not.

David Cross' "Lunch With Frankenstein"
& "Diarrhea Moustache"
from Shut Up, You F*cking Baby!

David Cross' "Women, Please Rinse Off Your Vagina and Anus!"
from It's Not Funny

David Cross on Last Call with Carson Daly (September 15, 2005)

David Cross on Wonder Showzen

Trailer for Let America Laugh DVD (including exclusive footage)

The New Pornographers' "Use It" Video

David Cross on Dr. Katz

David Cross and Michel Gondry in Gondry's "One Day..."
(hint: Cross is the one playing a turd)

David Cross on Mr. Show's "Blowing Up The Moon"

David Cross on Mr. Show's "The Audition"

David Cross as Tobias at an Audition in Arrested Development

flesh becomes water. wood becomes bone.

2006-08-29T17:48:00.000-04:00

Keep hope alive. It's time for say two of...

Perhaps a comedic trio that needs no introduction is one that goes by the name Stella. On the other hand, their short-lived Comedy Central show received a discouragingly tepid response, all but eliminating the stable ground for a future for Stella. The three comic treasures that have been working with each other for over a decade are David Wain, Michael Showalter, and Michael Ian Black. The three of them starred on MTV's last good show, The State, albeit underappreciated and short-lives itself. The team then created Stella as a live show in the mid nineties, which helped introduce other up-and-comers at their frequent performances at New York's Fez. They recorded quite a few shorts that spread the Stella ideal, and enough interest was drummed up to spawn a cable network television show. The first (and potentially only) season of Stella will be available on DVD in just two weeks, and you can watch over two dozen of their pre-TV shorts over here. I recommend you watch a few of these before watching my favorite, "Day Off," as it represents more of a break from their absurd dialogue-based (or would it be trialogue-based?) humor.
They've all appeared at Invite Them Up, which I mentioned yesterday, and Michael Showalter's presentation with Zak Orth (as The Doilies) is one of my favorite bits from the recently released Invite Them Up 3CD+DVD package. Listen below. You can also hear David Wain's attempt at a love ballad with "Bagel." It follows Stella's ongoing theme of awkward failing comedic moments. And let's face it, failing is funny. Michael Ian Black is a mainstay on every VH1 countdown show, but also a recurring guest on Adult Swim's brilliant Tom Goes To The Mayor.
Enjoy some great YouTube finds of the boys at their best. YouTube is also just about the only place to find episodes of The State. Here's one here. Explore More Videos to find even more.
Oh. And they starred in the David Wain written and directed Wet Hot American Summer.

The Doilies' (Zak Orth and Michael Showalter) "Story of a Shark Attack"
from Invite Them Up

David Wain's "Bagel"
from DavidWain.com

Michael Ian Black on Tom Goes To The Mayor

Stella in "Day Off"

And for no justifiable reason...
David Wain in a deleted scene from Anchorman

Local note: Michaels Ian Black and Showalter will be at Cleveland's Grog Shop on October 12th. Anyone care to accompany me? Check Showalter's website to see if they'll be near your place of residence.

this is a bag of dandelions.

2006-08-28T13:20:00.000-04:00

I've decided to make this a special week at no one is awake. It's going to stray from the general theme of this place, but upliftingly so. Because as pleasant as it is to find a person or group of people with a similar taste in music, the conversations can head south to dullsville rapidly. So, it's far more enjoyable to find a group of people with a similar sense of humor. Thusly, I present to you several days of laughter and spirited monologues and jokes.
Ladies and gentlemen...

As an introduction, a man who helps introduce new and innovative comedians to the world through the weekly comedy show, Invite Them Up, in New York's East Village. Alongside the energetic Bobby Tisdale and Holly Schlesinger, Eugene Mirman has drawn quite a following with his inventive and bizarre videos on his own website. His first album was released by the ever-surprising Suicide Squeeze, while his latest effort is in good comedic company on Seattle's Sub Pop Records.
Listen to samples from both of his albums and watch two of my favorite Mirman videos right here. But there are plenty more (read: "all") at Eugene's website, right here.

Eugene Mirman's "Hello, Credit Card, Fidelity, Kids Say The Darndest Things"
from The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman

Eugene Mirman's "Joking and Lying, Jack in the Box, Extreme Bowling"
& "Letters to Nouns"
from En Garde, Society!

Eugene Mirman's "Secret Agent" Video

Eugene Mirman's "Canada" Video

what about what's good?

2006-08-27T21:13:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone who helped me modestly celebrate a moderately insignificant birthday. Truly, your thoughts were very much appreciated. I've spent much of this weekend playing God of War, which has made me that gamer kid, and watching season three of Arrested Development, and at nearly seven full hours is no small trick*.
I'm just going to be sharing with you two songs from very different places in the musical spectrum and my collection, both from legends in their own right.
The first from recently deceased James Yancey (J Dilla), who was claimed by cardiac arrest as a result of a life of suffering from Lupus. His production work has changed the hip-hop game, or at least highlighted what makes it great. On the recently released The Shining, several of J Dilla's conspirators, friends and fans come together to celebrate some of the final material Yancey concocted.
The second from an indie great whose work has made a huge impact, be it as The Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon, or simply Mark Kozelek. Ghosts of the Great Highway was presented (pun intended) to me with the indication that "Carry Me Ohio" is an absolute masterpiece. I've found difficulty arguing a case to the contrary.

I'm working on something special for the week ahead. Be prepared to be happy.

J Dilla's "Baby" (Featuring Madlib & Guilty Simpson)
from The Shining

Sun Kil Moon's "Carry Me Ohio"
from Ghosts of the Great Highway

*It's an illusion.

the day looks a little too long.

2006-08-26T14:34:00.001-04:00

I can't imagine that it's possible that no one has referred to The Pipettes as "the god damn doo wop band." The ironic opposite reaction is that I'd wager that the band actually called The God Damn Doo Wop Band has been accidentally referred to as The Pipettes. Three girls singing harmonies and present day doo-wop pop songs with a talented male backing band and the undeniable allure of the bleating saxophone.
I would like to see The God Damn Doo Wop Band live and, over the course of one set, count each and every clap.
That's that.

The God Damn Doo Wop Band's "Talk Too Much"
& "Rooftops of Bangor"
from Broken Hearts

BONUS: The Pipettes' "Pull Shapes"
from We Are The Pipettes

i'm playing the part of the playwright.

2006-08-25T18:24:00.000-04:00

To be honest, Get Him Eat Him sounds more like a band I'd go nuts about two years ago. To be fair, that's not such a horrible trait. To be honest again, I still have a place for them today. They are a fun pop rock (emphasis on pop) quintet from our country's geographically smallest state, that have no problem making intelligent songs sound fun and uber-danceable. They are signed to Absolutely Kosher, a label that is quite familiar with left-of-center pop, having released material by The Hidden Cameras, The Mountain Goats, Pinback, +/-, Sunset Rubdown, Xiu Xiu, and (do not vocally admit to enjoying) Goblin Cock.
My introduction was through my new inspiration, Catbirdseat. I also, found room in my collection for their latest homemade EP, Get Him Eat Him Challenges YOU to a Game of Basketball, complete with a toy basketball game. You can take them up on their challenge by purchasing the EP, or any of their other recorded works at their shop. Also, you can listen to more songs on their sammichey MySpace.

Get Him Eat Him's "Exposure"
from Do As I Tell You EP

Get Him Eat Him's "Present Tenses"
from Challenges You To A Game Of Basketball EP

The release of Owen's At Home With Owen is drawing nearer, and Mike has just updates his own MySpace with a second album track ("Use Your Words") and a song even newer than his yet-to-be-released new album. The demo version of "A Fever" is of course that song that he's played with the stunning "You f*cked a fever in me" opening line.

on a hill in the lazy moonlight.

2006-08-24T22:31:00.000-04:00

I'm going to try to put together a better, fresher, newer look at Utah's Foxes In The Attic, but for right now I'm just going to refer you to the two songs I know that I shared back in May. I've been listening to them quite a bit lately and hope to find out the band's status and capability of getting me some more material by any means necessary.
So read May 20th's post here.

Additionally, you can hear two new Sharks and Seals songs on their MySpace.

i am so far from where i wanted to be.

2006-08-24T18:27:00.000-04:00

I've got many personality traits that, when combined, make it very easy to hear new music.*
I got five CD's in the mail from Fall Records today. My intention was to simply purchase In Ink Please's Formica Table for Two, but compulsion took control. I'm interested to hear the label's back catalog and roots, but as it stands, I'm very much content with their present.
In Ink Please is Vanessa Palmer and Jerik Hendrickson. Together, when not toying with Black Sabbath covers, they play acoustic piano-driven pop songs that may very well remind you of Lisa Loeb with better instrumentation and more clapping or Gregory & The Hawk with a softer view of the world and better recording quality. You can attribute some of the sound quality to their latest album being mastered by none other than Page France's Michael Nau. This is an interesting side note and not a basis for musical comparison, though both bands are making some damn fine indie pop songs, the similarities end right about there.
Nevertheless, In Ink Please are a fine listen and Formica Table for Two is a worthwhile investment from Baltimore's budding and precious Fall Records.

In Ink Please's "Rick Allen"
& "Carlo Rossi Jug Band"
from Formica Table for Two

BONUS: Gregory & The Hawk's "Boats & Birds"
& "The Bolder Thing To Do"
from Gregory & The Hawk Demo

*And very difficult to keep money.

for years and years i chased this day.

2006-08-24T17:50:00.000-04:00

Jimmy LaValle has been a member of Tristeza, Sigur Ros, The Black Heart Procession, GoGoGo Airheart, Swing Kids, and the Locust. There's no way he could've gotten around this much on looks alone. As a solo artist, LaValle assumes the pseudonym The Album Leaf, and he is about to release his fourth full-length album in October through Sub Pop Records. With lush, ambient, glitchy pop music in the same realm that Her Space Holiday had all but perfected, The Album Leaf takes you on a floating tour of the city at night. The lights and movement below keeps you anchored to the real world, but LaValle effortlessly lets you experience that several feet above where you're used to being.
No doubt 2004's In A Safe Place got your attention, but let LaValle expand his place in your listening ears with Into The Blue Again.

The Album Leaf's Into The Blue Again is available for pre-order at Sub Pop. If you order the CD, use coupon code "blooballzcd" for $2 off.

The Album Leaf's "Always For You"
from Into The Blue Again

searching for this band who writes songs about girlfriends.

2006-08-23T17:24:00.000-04:00

Rocky O'Reilly and Shaun Robinson are Irish. O'Reilly and Robinson are Ireland's happiness-accepting dance floor-driven answer to The Postal Service. O'Reilly and Robinson are Oppenheimer, and if their self-titled album, released by Bar/None Records, grants as many bobbing heads, smiling lips and genuine interest as it should, they could become the standard. It would be nice to hear less reviews that use the term "Postal Servicey," wouldn't it? Granted, that term still pulls it's weight, and perks your interest, and you'll (only seemingly) reluctantly buy Gibbard's and Tamborello's next instant classic. It does, and you will. I know that.
But Oppenheimer draw from many influences, including Kraftwerk, Stereolab, My Bloody Valentine, and (believe it or not) The Like Young. They've got a firm grasp on what the words "pop music" are all about. Warm, fuzzy, bright and embracing, Oppenheimer is a worthwhile album of melodies that will surely stick with you. O'Reilly and Robinson will sing you to the dance floor, to sleep, to drive, and to remember why it is you always come back to pop music, no matter how obscure your preferences get.

Oppenheimer's "Breakfast in NYC"
& "Saturday Looks Bad To Me"
from Oppenheimer

It doesn't take much to make me ache for Saturday Looks Good To Me, specifically Every Night, so this seems an obvious segue. Enjoy National Hug Your Sweetheart Day.

BONUS: Saturday Looks Good To Me's "The Girl's Distracted"
& "When The Party Ends"
from Every Night

i love it when you blink your eyes.

2006-08-22T22:40:00.000-04:00

For the second night in a row, I've all but conceded not posting and have been greeted with Barsuk Records news.
In a downright predictable - but nonetheless exciting - move, Chris Walla has begun recording a solo album, and will release it through Barsuk in March. You of course now Walla from his work in Death Cab for Cutie, but you're more than likely also familiar with his production and recording work, alongside such bands as The Decemberists, Nada Surf, The Velvet Teen, Hot Hot Heat, and many more.
The solo album, not under his former Martin Youth Auxiliary moniker, should be good. There's not much more that can be said as of now. Listen to a recent Clinic cover he recorded. I've never cared for Clinic, but this song may make me reconsider.*

Chris Walla's "Distortions"

I know you could have read roughly this same thing at forty dozen other locales. Thank you for choosing no one is awake. I went to see Snakes on a Plane for a second time, and am whooped... Pooped? ...P0wn'd?

Today was new release Tuesday, and I got seven packages in the mail. Mind you none of them were actually released today - many quite a while ago - but it does mean quality fuel for the rest of the week. Definitely some good reasons to stay tuned. ...Stay connected? Stay URL'd? Stay p0wn'd?

*I doubt it.

close your eyes if it helps.

2006-08-21T21:21:00.000-04:00

Menomena is not a secret, nor is my adoration for their odd jazzy funky style. Don't just take my word for it. Actually, please do.
So, after a recent extended apparent slumber, what has Menomena announced? Well, here are some hints:
Rocky Votolato, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Starlight Mints, Smoosh, Jim Noir, Mates of State, Viva Voce, (and Harvey Danger?).
Menomena has penned their names at the bottom of one or several sheets of paper that may or may not have printed on them a small dog with a record in his mouth.
Menomena has signed to Barsuk records.
Catch them on tour with The Long Winters and What Made Milwaukee Famous this Fall (See dates below).
Spend hours wrapped up in I Am The Fun Blame Monster.
Anxiously anticipate Friend and Foe's arrival in early 2007 on Barsuk Records.
Thank your lucky stars for Music Saves*.

*Pertains specifically to me.

Menomena's "E Is Stable"
from I Am The Fun Blame Monster

September 22, 2006: ATLANTA, GA [ Smith's Old Bar ]
September 23, 2006: CARRBORO, NC [ Local 506 ]
September 26, 2006: CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA [ Satellite Ballroom-UVA ]
September 27, 2006: BALTIMORE, MD [ Sonar ]
September 28, 2006: PHILADELPHIA, PA [ World Cafe Live ]
September 29, 2006: NEW YORK, NY [ Bowery Ballroom ]
September 30, 2006: BOSTON, MA [ Harper's Ferry ]
October 03, 2006: MONTREAL, CANADA [ La Sala Rossa ]
October 04, 2006: TORONTO, CANADA [ Lee's Palace ]
October 05, 2006: DETROIT, MI [ Magic Stick ]
October 06, 2006: CHICAGO, IL [ Subterranean ]
October 07, 2006: MINNEAPOLIS, MN [ Triple Rock ]

All dates with The Long Winters & What Made Milwaukee Famous

i should have stayed with your brother at home.

2006-08-21T17:52:00.000-04:00

In the next two months, they will play with Art Brut (whom I have to admit I have a low tolerance for), Man Man (in Cleveland, no less), and being a tour with Tapes 'N Tapes. They've been mentioned in the same breath as Animal Collective, The Arcade Fire, and Broken Social Scene, and they've just signed to Ace Fu (Tunng, Man Man, Devotchka). All of the above information means you'll be hearing a lot about these guys until their record is released in October. And who knows? Maybe even for a little while afterwards. At this time, I've got to add fuel to the fire. Ace Fu has released three songs, and they are all quite fantastic.
The band is Annuals and they are from North Carolina. Trust me, you'll hear more and more in the next two months. I don't want to overexpose you this early on.

Annuals' "Brother"
"Bleary Eyed"
& "Dry Clothes"

NOTE: Hail Social's weekly song is "One U Luv," and it's another reason to look for ward to the future of Hail Social. Listen at their MySpace.

spending time together is easy.

2006-08-19T20:22:00.000-04:00

~~I'm going to see Bishop Allen tomorrow night no matter what.~~

Bishop Allen's "Corazon" from January
Bishop Allen's "The News From Your Bed" from February
Bishop Allen's "The Monitor" from March
Bishop Allen's "Flight 180" from April
Bishop Allen's "Butterfly Nets" from May
Bishop Allen's "The Same Fire" from June
Bishop Allen's "Click Click Click Click" from July

Bishop Allen's "Things Are What You Make Of Them" from Charm School

Buy any one or all of them here.

And a trailer for the tremendous Mutual Appreciation by Andrew Bujalski, starring Justin Rice of Bishop Allen

love will tear us apart again.

2006-08-18T18:17:00.000-04:00

Nouvelle Vague plays new wave covers. But Nouvelle Vague plays all bossa nova songs. The combination of these two grippingly addictive music styles is exactly the sum of it's parts. You'll want to hear Nouvelle Vague play every vaguely new-wavey song you've ever heard. Their latest boasts covers of songs by Echo & The Bunnymen, Billy Idol, Blondie, New Order, Bauhaus and more. That's all for early Friday evening.

Nouvelle Vague's "Dancing With Myself" (Billy Idol)
& "Blue Monday" (New Order)
from Bande a Part

BONUS: Nouvelle Vague's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (Joy Division)
BONUS: Calexico's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (Joy Division)
INDIE CREDIBILITY DEPLTETION BONUS: Fall Out Boy's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (Joy Division)

i've had it with these manner manning snakes.

2006-08-17T18:46:00.000-04:00

The poster should have, in plain text, simply read, "Snakes on a Plane: No Tagline necessary." The world would have still been sold. I'll be attending the local premiere tonight at 10PM, and I'll be helping Jake advertise for his recently booming CafePress store. He currently has more than thirty "Snakes..." related items for sale. You can purchase any design on any format, including T-Shirts, aprons, baseball jerseys, bibs, boxers, thongs, camisoles, calendars, dog shirts, tiles, golf shirts, cards, journals, infant creepers, hoodies, baby dolls, tanks, mugs, messenger bags, tote bags, mouse pads, pillows, postcards, magnets, posters, steins, bumper stickers, teddy bears, coasters, clocks, and tracksuits.
It all started with a group of us talking about alternate locations snakes shouldn't be that rhyme with 'plane.' Jake's store started with the modest "Snakes in a Drain" design (pictured below) and exploded with creativity and crudely drawn worm-like snakes. The shop was recently featured and published in a widely distributed book entitled Snakes on a Plane: The Guide to the Internet Sssssssssensation and is being viewed by exponentially more people every day. I guarantee you won't want to be without these items that commemorate Samuel L. Jackson's greatest accomplishment in life.
I ordered my "Snakes in Chow Mein" (pictured below) shirt this week. I'll wear it when I see the film for the second time. That much you can count on.

Jakes on a Plane!

Man Man's "Engwish Bwudd"
& "Black Mission Goggles"
from Six Demon Bag

akinsellapolothology.

2006-08-16T21:26:00.000-04:00

Chicago Public Radio aired it's local show "Chicagocore," on Sunday with a special interview entitled "AKinsellapolothology." If over fifty minutes of the music of and interviews with Tim Kinsella and Mike Kinsella intrigue you, you'll find great joy in this download. Whether or not you're a fan of Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Make Believe, Owls, American Football, Owen, or any of the various projects the two Kinsella brothers have been a part of, you'll be fascinated by two men around the age of thirty talking about their music-driven lives and how their family and reviewers respond. And Chuck Norris.
Spend an hour listening to this interview.
"Music for music's sake doesn't particularly interest me."

Chicagocore: aKinsellapolothology - an interview with Tim and Mike Kinsella

Joan of Arc's "Eventually, All At Once"
Tim & Mike Kinsella's Guitar Duet

Recall some of my coverage of Make Believe, Joan of Arc & Ow en.

few feign a frown or forget their towns.

2006-08-16T17:55:00.000-04:00

Tuesday's twelve hour lack of electricity (and several rousing games of Uno) made presenting a Spotlight nearly impossible. But today is new, and it's being made up to you.
The seven members of The Hidden Cameras have been releasing only slightly-odd hymnal pop songs occasionally with kinky and frequently homosexual themes. And you'd be damned right in saying that there's nothing wrong with that. Song writer Joel Gibb and his six-additional-member cult plants melodies solidly in the dirt, allow them to grow with only a small amount of added fertilizer, and climb them up through the clouds. They also make quite sure they make plenty of time for fun along the way. There are times when Gibb's voice could be mistaken for Owen Pallett's (Final Fantasy), and you'd be damned right in saying that there's nothing wrong with that.
The Hidden Cameras recently signed to Arts & Crafts, who will release the band's third full-length, AWOO, in September. The title track alone is enough to make the one month between now and the album's release seem an eternity.

The Hidden Cameras' "Boys of Melody"
from The Smell of Our Own

The Hidden Cameras' "Music Is My Boyfriend"
from Mississauga Goddam

The Hidden Cameras' "Death of a Tune"
& "Awoo"
from AWOO

chicken on a plane.

2006-08-15T22:17:00.000-04:00

I have just a few random items for you due to a twelve hour power outage strangely altering my day.

Daytrotter held a session for Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin back in March. Check it out here.

I brought up Blake Zweig in this blog's infancy, but feel like reminding you of his gorgeous acoustic tendencies.

Hrishikesh Hirway, better known as The One AM Radio, performed "Buried Below" exquisitely on KFJC. Listen for yourself.
The One AM Radio's "Buried Below"

I shouldn't have brushed off Bishop Allen's newest EP song so quickly. You really should listen to it several times and then send money to the band in return for July's EP.
Bishop Allen's "Click Click Click Click"
from July

Remember, quick shipping time means you're still able to order your Snakes on a Plane related merchandise in time to sport it to your SoaP cherry-poppin' at Jakes on a Plane.

I've only got one Belle & Sebastian tidbit thus far. (See next post.)

And finally, a charming Devendra Banhart B-Side...

Devendra Banhart's "Chicken"
from Heard Somebody Say (Single)

that crazy avenue of trees, i'm living there still.

2006-08-14T22:15:00.000-04:00

I held off on picking up The Life Pursuit by Belle and Sebastian until I could find a reasonably priced limited edition book copy. That day was yesterday, and it was as worth the wait as it was a mistake to not have listened to it for however many months it's been since the release.
As far as my writing goes, you'd be better suited re-reading the Shelly Blake and Eric Bachmann write-ups. Sunday is a much easier day to write. As far as reasons to go back to Belle and Sebastian or pick them up for the first time, you're in the right spot. I honestly hadn't given B&A the time of day until 2006, but better late than never.

Belle and Sebastian's "Another Sunny Day"
& "For The Price Of A Cup Of Tea"
from The Life Pursuit

How about this... Leave a comment giving some type of little-known or well-known fact about Belle and Sebastian. You could even explain the first time you heard (of) B&A or your favorite song or album.
Anything you want. You do the research or inspiration drawing today.
I'll go to sleep, exhausted.
Thank you for your continued supporting of no one is awake.