On Cyprus Avenue

Return of the Enigk

2006-07-24T19:56:00.000-04:00

In honour of his upcoming show at the El Mocambo, I've decided to share some of my favourite Jeremy Enigk songs.

The former Sunny Day Real Estate and The Fire Theft frontman is expected to release his second solo album later this year, and judging from the two new songs posted on his MySpace page, it's unlikely to dissapoint.

>>>>Jeremy Enigk
Abegail Anne from 1996's Return of the Frog Queen
Return of the Frog Queen from 1996's Return of the Frog Queen

>>>>Sunny Day Real Estate
Seven from 1994's Diary
Pillars from 1998's How It Feels To Be Something On

>>>>The Fire Theft
Heaven from 2003's The Fire Theft

Mystery White Boy - The Movie

2006-06-28T12:59:00.000-04:00

Below I've posted the frustrating news that arrived just recently to my inbox via the Jeff Buckley International Newsletter. Despite the rationalization of Mary's reasons for greenlighting the movie, it is to me nothing more than another case of "if somebody's going to make money off of my son's legacy, it might as well be me". Somewhere, principles do still count for something.

From:newsletter@jeffbuckley.com
Subject: JB Biopic - Mystery White Boy - The Movie

It has now been nine full years since Jeff's passing and not a single one has passed without someone approaching me on the subject of making a feature-length film based on Jeff's life and music. From the beginning I was adamantly opposed. I had many good reasons: 1) it was hard to point to any Hollywood biopics that weren't sappy, oversimplified, and glamorized the subject's life to the point that it only bore a passing resemblance to reality; 2) no matter how good the screenwriter is, reducing anyone's life to under two hours of screen time is fraught with pitfalls; 3) none of us (my family and Jeff's closest friends) wanted to see our characters and lives portrayed through someone else's eyes on the big screen; 4) last, but by no means least, is the fact that I KNOW FOR SURE that Jeff would have had nothing to do with a feature film made about his life - were he alive, today. And, that's the catch. The fact that Jeff is no longer with us means that anyone can make a film or write a book about him without anyone's permission or our participation, which nearly became reality last year. That fact really got me to the point of re-thinking my stand on the subject. Nine years later, when I looked around, I saw films like "Ray", "The Aviator", "Walk the Line", and "Finding Neverland" making it to the screen. Also, I had to come to the realization that I did not want someone else to be in control of how the script was written and on what information that script was based.

Even David Browne admits that no-one could write a proper screenplay simply by adapting his book for the screen. I want Jeff's bandmates and the people who were really a part of his life to be able to convey IN PERSON what it was like to work with and be around Jeff. The bottom line is - I changed my mind and started looking for a producer and a screenwriter - in that order. My first jackpot was in contacting Michelle Sy (Executive Producer of "Finding Neverland"). We met several months ago, and she agreed to cast about for a screenwriter who would have the right take on what we wanted to accomplish, and she up with an amazing young film-maker. His name is Brian Jun. His most recent film "Steel City" was screened at Sundance, last year, and you can see his bio and reviews of the film on the Sundance website. He's currently in negotiations to secure a distributor, so you will be able to see it in theaters and buy it on DVD in the near future. In the mean time, suffice it to say that Brian has eagerly plunged deep into my Jeff Buckley archives and will be spending the next few months interviewing Jeff's friends and associates, and absorbing everything we have saved of Jeff's personal effects in preparation for submitting a first draft by the end of the summer. Having had a chance to speak with him at length over the past two weeks, I feel absolutely confident in my choice. I will be doing everything to make his work easy and to open any door he needs to walk through to do his job well. I would not have chosen him if I wasn't ready to give him every kind of support he needs. Even if it means putting him together with people I feel were less than positive influences in Jeff's life. I can tell Jeff's fans with complete confidence that Brian is not the sort of fellow to sugar-coat or manipulate the facts. I've looked into his eyes and I know that he's a straight shooter. There's a depth of character to Brian, surprising in someone so young, and I have seen from his film-making that he has the courage and the skill to do this the way it should be done.

So, now, my friends, you can swing on the chandeliers speculating about which actors will play which parts - BUT, DON'T ASK ME! (Read my lips, you actors, out there!) We will not be making any decisions about casting a film we don't yet have a script for. As soon as the word gets out to the media that we are moving forward, I won't be able to walk the streets of Hollywood! Talent agents will be jamming Michelle Sy's voicemail. However, all of that will be to no avail until we have a finished script, which should be some time in the Fall of this year.

As usual, I will do my best to keep you all posted as this project finds its way (hopefully) to a theater near you.

Jeff Buckley - The Way Young Lovers Do (Live At Sin-E)

If You Don't Call My Name, I'm Leaving On A Midnight Train

2006-06-20T08:59:00.000-04:00

First update in a long time, but to be fair I wrote a lengthy post about 6 weeks ago that got swallowed by a faulty internet connection and have been abstaining since then out of spite.

Danny Michel - Midnight Train
>>>>Last week Danny Michel held the CD Release Party/Concert for his new album Valhalla at The Mod Club Theatre. As one of the best performers this country has to offer, Danny never dissapoints in concert. His band was as tight as ever, and the addition of the excessively hot Emm Gryner on bass only improved the night. "Midnight Train" is the first single of Valhalla. Check out Danny's website and MySpace for more sounds, including a demo of Danny and Danmheit Doyle covering Bob Marley for her upcoming release.
> Website > MySpace > AllMusic

Kris Roe - 747 (Kent Cover)
Kent - 747
>>>>A couple months ago Atari's frontman Kris Roe began circulating an EP of him and his guitar floating through some very interesting cover songs. Far from your standard cover fare, it was this cover of Kent's brilliant 747 that I was prepared to thoroughly hate. Fortunately though, Kris didn't bastardize my favourite song from the underrated Swedish rockers, and so I'll share both his version and the original here.

========================================

Below are a bunch of songs that I had uploaded previously, but don't want to re-write blurbs about them. I highly suggest using them as a starting point for each artist. Enjoy:

The Pipettes - Pull Shapes

Regina Spektor - Fidelity

Sambassadeur - Kate

Sunset Rubdown - Three Colours II

Muse - Supermassive Black Hole

Amos Lee - Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight

Lastly, Pitchfork has recently uploaded a great new feature, 100 Awesome Music Videos. Although they didn't rank them in order, they wisely included Blur's flawless "Coffee & TV" on the first page. If you've never seen the Milky McCarton-staring clip, click the link above as they've included YouTube versions of all the videos.

Vicarious I Live While The Whole World Dies

2006-04-14T22:47:00.000-04:00

I returned from the Brian Byrne show tonight to find that their was a new Tool single to worship.

Originally scheduled to hit the radio airwaves next Monday, a record company mistake (gasp!) has brought millions of Tool fans an early Easter feast. Tool has called their new album (10,000 Days, released on May 2) their heaviest recording to date.

The first single "Vicarious", and the few early album reviews that were permitted to be published, indicate the band was not kidding with that statement.

Chaos Tastes Minty

2006-04-14T14:35:00.000-04:00

Despite not getting over the fact that Thursday had to drop off the tour earlier in the week, the Taste of Chaos show yesterday turned out to be worth the horrific bus ride it took to get to the venue. Although The Deftones also put on a great performance, the show was all about Thrice to me, and they did not dissapoint.

Things that I learned, I am:
(a) still too tall for the mosh pit, as the bruise on the side of my head will attest
(b) far too old for the mosh pit, as my sore body will also attest
(c) dissapointed in myself for actually paying $6.25 to drink Molson Canadian(s)

Thrice - Deadbolt
>>>>As great as all of the new material from Vheissu sounded live, it turned out that the highlight of the night for me was when they unexpectedly closed the set with an outstanding version of "Deadbolt" from 2002's The Illusion of Safety. Download the album version above.
> Website > MySpace > AllMusic

Kanye West/José González - Get 'Em High/Lovestain
>>>>I'm usually not much of a fan of mash-ups, and it's very rare that I come across one where I think it's improved on the original tracks. However, when I Guess I'm Floating posted this track last week I had to briefly jump the mash-up fence. It seems that Los Angeles DJ/Producer Dert has taken José González's brilliant Veneer album and "...reworked and blended with verses from some of today’s most elite underground and mainstream emcees..." to create the album Sometimes I Rhyme Slow. Since in its original form, "Get 'Em High" was likely my least favourite track on Kanye's debut album, I recommend checking out this more laid back version that Dert has crafted using the backbone of González's "Lovestain". To learn more about, and hear other songs from Sometimes I Rhyme Slow check out Dert's Myspace page.

I Mother Earth - 0157:H7
>>>>I have two reasons for posting this track: 1) this blog severly lacks in IME content, and that just will not do; and 2) tonight I will be checking out the first of Brian Byrne's bookstore performances. The former frontman for IME, Byrne will be performing at a series of Chapters/Indigo stores for free around Toronto in April, and then other parts of Canada next month. Check out his recently renovated website for more details, and check my earlier post to hear some of his solo work.
> Website > MySpace > AllMusic (I Mother Earth)

God, You've Got The Strangest Sense of Humour

2006-04-09T16:41:00.000-04:00

Head Automatica - God
>>>>In 2004, Daryl Palumbo and Dan the Automator came together under the guise of Head Automatica to release the inspired dance-punk album Decadence. Two years later, the guys appear to have dropped off the dance-punk train and are riding much poppier rails. Check out "God" from the recently released Pop Rocks EP, the song will also appear on the new LP Popaganda when it is released later this year.
> Website > MySpace > AllMusic

Thrice - Of Dust and Nations (live)
>>>>From the recently released Red Sky EP, this live version of a track from last year's Vheissu improves on the already powerful song. Check out Thrice's MySpace page to hear the original, and other tracks from Vheissu.
> Website > MySpace > AllMusic

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Satan Said Dance (live)
>>>>For my friends at the CYHSY concert last night, a live version of the "satan song" to enjoy.

Love Your Newfie's

2006-03-11T19:07:00.000-05:00

For the last 2 years, ex-I Mother Earth singer Brian Byrne has been playing local shows and working on his first solo album. As an obsessive IME fan, its safe to say that I've been anxiously awaiting the result. Well, the results will finally be released on April 11th with the album Tuesdays, Thursdays, and If It Rains.

Luckily though, the wait is over to hear it as Brian has posted the majority of the songs on his official website. The music is a strong mix of rock, folk, and country, while Brian's Eastern Canadian roots shine through.

I've posted direct links to a few of my favourites, and you can download the rest at his website.

Brian Byrne - Long Way From Saturday

Brian Byrne - Paper Girl

Brian Byrne - Nova Dashboard

I Get Up In The Evening, And I Ain't Got Nothing To Say

2006-02-17T00:28:00.000-05:00

A little of this, a little of that. A few covers and a few new songs to share.

The Streets - When You Wasn't Famous (radio edit)
>>>>New single from the best band in the UK. Their next album, The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living may be the album I am looking forward the most to in the next few months. It's scheduled to be released on April 10th. This song doesn't dissapoint, and I can honestly say that Mike Skinner is the only man I would listen to sing about how he cannot get himself a celebrity girlfriend. Priceless. Official Site.

The New Amsterdams - Turn The Light Out
>>>>Since we'll never get another Get Up Kids album, we have to make due with Matt Pryor's offshoot The New Amsterdams (even if the last two NewAms albums have been weak). "Turn Out The Light" is the first single from the upcoming NewAms album Story Like A Scar which will be released next month. The song gives me a little hope that the new album will be a solid one, returning to the strengths of their early releases. Check out the NewAms official site for more info, and more downloads including their entire "Killed or Cured" LP from last year which can be downloaded for free.

Guns N' Roses - I.R.S. (demo)
>>>>Seriously. This leak hit the 'net last night and reading the responses of the die hard salivating Gn'R fans was amusing. I have no comment on the song. However, I do think that if I were to spend more than a decade, and 10 million dollars making an album, I would be damn sure to be keeping better control over my demos.

Petra Haden - God Only Knows
>>>>As wrong as it seems to cover this song, everyone seems to do it anyway. So, I will publicize Petra Haden because her rendition is faithful to the song. Listen to the song, and naturally think to yourself, "I wonder what it would sound like if she covered Michael Jackson's Thriller?"...then go find out.

Pete Yorn - Dancin In The Dark/Murray (live)
>>>>Pet Yorn prefaces one of his best songs with a cover of the Springsteen classic. Not sure what Pete's been up to lately, but check out his MySpace page for more music.

The Russian Futurists - Paul Simon
>>>>No real reason to share this song, other than the fact that it's been stuck in my head all day for no reason, and its a nice upbeat way to end the post. Visit the official site for more from The Russian Futurists.

I'll Come Running With A Heart On Fire

2006-02-10T00:41:00.000-05:00

Current playlist. Repeat as necessary.

Jens Lekman - Pocketful of Money
>>>>Still trying to track down an MP3 of Beat Happening's song "Gravedigger Blues" which Jens samples so perfectly in this song. Jens Lekman is cooler than you.
> Website > AllMusic

Jens Lekman - Black Cab
>>>>"You don't anything / so don't ask any questions / just turn the music up / and keep your mouth shut"
> Website > AllMusic

Rocky Votolato - White Daisy Passing
>>>>Rocky Votolato was a nice little secret this morning. Tonight his "OC" cherry was broken, and by the morning he will be the fantasy of millions of 16 year old girls. Watch out Conner, he's coming for your title.
> Website > MySpace

Syd Matters - Black and White Eyes
>>>>The best thing to come out of France since...(insert your own joke here).
> Website > MySpace

Meg and Dia - Setting Up Sunday
>>>>With a sound that's somewhere between Tegan & Sara and Eisley, these girls are my favourite new discovery in months. Check out their MySpace page below to here more great tracks, especially the standouts "Masterpiece" and "Indiana".
> Website > MySpace

Rosanne Cash - Black Cadillac
>>>>This song, and the rest of those on Rosanne's new album are self-explantory, and amazing. I think i'll be writing about it more at a later date.
> Website > AllMusic

Synonyms Need Not Apply

2006-02-06T19:28:00.000-05:00

According to his official bio, half-Swedish, half-Spanish singer/songwriter Daniel Cirera is a legend in his homeland of Sweden. After listening to his soon to be first North American single "Motherfucker Fake Vegetarian Ex-Girlfriend" I was surprised to find out that he was both a) from Sweden and b) legendary.

It's not that his music isn't good enough to garner rave reviews, but I was surprised that so many people would appreciate his philosphy of straight forward lyrical content, no matter how abrasive it may sound. In his own words: "For me, words are like spices – you use them to enhance the flavor. This is exactly what I do. Why even bother looking for a synonym of what you want to say just because the word you have in your head is politically incorrect – it’s just a waste of time…and flavor."

Recently signed to Tommy Boy Records in North America, it'll be interesting to see how he's received here.

>>>Daniel Cirera - Motherfucker Fake Vegetarian Ex-Girlfriend

Click here to listen to a few more of songs, "Roadtrippin'" has single potential, and the cover of "Anarcy In The UK" is interesting.

Bonus-Can't-Get-It-Out-Of-My-Head-Song:
>>>>Animal Collective - The Purple Bottle

I'm Not Addicted To Oil, It Tastes Funny

2006-02-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

Julia (Anne) - Autumn and Her Magic Tricks

Julia (Anne) - The Sparrow Song

>>>>Julia (Anne) I hardly knew you...in fact I hardly know you...because there is absolutely no information about you on the internet. It's always fun to hear something from a new artist when you've heard absoutely nothing about them, its actually quite rare for me to be able to do so. At times Julia sounds like she's just channeling Tori Amos, but I like her voice. Songs from "Flight EP".

I've been ripping some of my cd's from the 90's into MP3 this week; I miss Can-Rock:

Salmonblaster - Freeway

Sandbox - Curious

Pluto - Sweet Sound

Links:

Cyndi Lauper ft. Adam Lazzara from Taking Back Sunday - Money Changes Everything (Video)

The Ultimate Showdown (credit to Dean or he'll bitch)

Cover Me With Care

2006-01-30T09:46:00.000-05:00

Some random cover songs to share on a Monday morning.

Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins - Handle With Care
>>>>Don't know the original? Learn. Bonus points if you recognize any of the men singing with Ms Lewis.

Ted Leo - Since U Been Gone
>>>>Don't know the original? Lucky you.

Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats
>>>>Don't know the original? See last post.

Jose Gonzalez - Love Will Tear Us Apart
>>>>Don't know the original? Seriously? Turn off your computer, stop listening to music, and never come back.

Do You Hear What I Hear

2006-01-24T23:34:00.000-05:00

Just a few of the songs that have been getting 'repeat' treatment from me over the last week.

The Knife - Heartbeats
Genre: electro-pop
>>>>The Knife are Swedish duo Olof Dreijer and Karin Dreijer Andersson. "Heartbeats" is the standout track from their 2004 album Deep Cuts. You can hear more songs from that album, and their soon to be released album Silent Shout on their MySpace page.

Fashionmagazine - The Cold
Genre: indie-pop, brit-pop
>>>>I (accidentally) stumbled across Fashionmagazine's first promo release Better Than Sumner the other day. Having never heard of them, I gave the 5 songs on the EP a few listens and was pleased. After doing some research, it turns out Fashionmagazine call thier Switzerland home and this promo is their first recorded release. Check out "The Cold" and a few other tracks on their MySpace page.

Birdmonster - All The Holes In The Walls
Genre: indie-rock
>>>>Birdmonster is a San Francisco based band that has the potential to break out huge this year. Having already drawn rave reviews for a 3 song EP released last year, and hyped up tours with indie rock darlings The National and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Birdmonster recently started recording their first LP. Read all about it in their Studio Blog while listening to "All The Holes In The Walls" or the rest of the EP.

Joseph Arthur - In The Sun
Genre: rock, singer/songwriter
>>>>I first discovered Joseph Arthur about 3 years ago, and every few months or so I break out his records and become obsessed all over again. Well, thanks to it's perfect appearance in last week's Scrubs episode I've once again been obsessing over "In The Sun" and the rest of his Come to Where I'm From album. If you've never heard of Joseph Arthur, check out his official site to hear more.

The End Is The Beginning Is The End

2006-01-21T08:54:00.000-05:00

I've always been a fan of well crafted albums and one thing that can really influence my view of an album as a whole is the song sequencing. In my opinion it is one of the most important decisions an artist can make, and when i'm listening to an album I find it easy to tell who does, and doesn't care about the order in which they present their music. Well planned sequencing is what distinguishes an album from a collection of songs.

With that on my mind, i've decided to do a themed post today. Below I'm sharing several of my favourite closing tracks of the last year or so. All of these songs come from great albums, and their placement was well planned. In the future I think i'll revisit this theme with some of my favorite albums of all time, but for now enjoy these.

Wolf Parade - This Heart's On Fire

>>>>Wolf Parade's debut album Apologies To The Queen Mary justifiably made them one of 2005's biggest buzz bands. There is not a weak track on the album, and the collection is closed off with the epic "This Heart's On Fire". It's the best Springsteen song that The Boss didn't write.

The Constantines - Windy Road

>>>>The Constantines are masters of contrasting their numerous styles through song sequencing. With "Windy Road", the closer to 2005's Tournament of Hearts, the band is heard at it's most delicate and wistful moment to date.

Iron & Wine/Calexico - Dead Man's Will

>>>>Last year Iron & Wine and Calexico proved that the sum truly is greater than it's parts. As much as I love both bands, I was not prepared for just how great the collaborate EP In The Reins would be. If not for being just 7 songs, it would have no doubt been my #1 album of the year. "Dead Man's Will" provides the perfect ending both musically and lyrically to what will hopefully be the first of many collaborative efforts from these artists.

Jack's Mannequin - La La Lie

>>>>Something Corporate singer Andrew McMahon had a busy 2005, before spending a large portion of the year beating Leukemia, he released a solo project under the monicker Jack's Mannequin. Leaving some of the angst of his other band behind, McMahon crafted a remarkably upbeat album of songs, ending with the anthemic "La La Lie". Some may consider this band to be a guilty pleasure, but there's no reason to feel guilty for enjoying fun pop music if it's good.

The Hold Steady - How A Resurrection Really Feels

>>>>It took me a long time to appreciate The Hold Steady's 2005 LP Seperation Sunday. The first few times I listened to the album I didn't even make it all the way through. It wasn't until I let myself get all the way to the album closer "How A Resurrection Really Feels". Not long after realizing that this was my favourite song title of the year, I found it was also one of my favourite songs of the year, and it helped me to go back and appreciate the rest of the album. Though they often come off sounding like the band that should be playing your local dive bar, the epic Jim Steinman-like instrumentation on this track shows just why they were one of 2005's most talked about indie bands.

Lydia - December

>>>>At times while listening to Lydia's debut album This December; It's One More and I'm Free it becomes hard to tell when one song ends and another begins. Though this is usually just the sign of a derivative band, Lydia manage to weave the lyrical and musical themes of the album in and out of songs in a way that keeps it interesting and engrossing. The album closer "December" does a good job of wrapping together all of these themes and giving the album a grand sense of finality.

Hype Hype Hooray!

2006-01-17T01:44:00.000-05:00

With this post I've decided to share a couple of bands that are starting 2006 in different stages of the internet hype machine.

We Are Scientists walk the same indie-rock-dance-punk line that has made bands like The Killers, Bloc Party, and Franz Ferdinand international stars.

The New York trio released their first major label LP in the UK last fall. Taking full advantage of the months of hype that was built by early rave reviews, last week they released the album, "With Love and Squalor", in North America. With an album chalked full of catchy radio-ready singles, We Are Scientists are likely to come out of 2006 with legions of fans, legions of haters, and a guest spot on The O.C.

Check out their official site for additional music.

We Are Scientists - Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt (first single)
We Are Scientists - Inaction (gets my vote for second single)

---------------------------

The hype around the oddly named Eagle*Seagull has just begun. Their story and music has recently begun popping up in several of the more influential MP3 Blogs and the great praise has made them early front runners for 2006's first "Next Big Thing". The surprising part? They're not from Montreal!

Of course this hasn't stopped people from comparing them to Montreal's favorite sons The Arcade Fire. Though the comparison may be setting the bar a little high too early, there are definatly musical similarities that warrent relating Eagle*Seagull to previous "next big thing" champions like TAF and Wolf Parade.

The 3 songs below are available for download from their official web site and you can hear more over at their MySpace page

Eagle*Seagull - Photograph
Eagle*Seagull - Your Beauty Is A Knife I Turn On My Throat
Eagle*Seagull - Death Could Be at The Door

The Band Most Likely To...

2006-01-16T22:13:00.000-05:00

The Boy Least Likely To make some of the happiest music that could ever be considered indie rock. Brilliant songwriting surrounded by unique, often childlike instrumentation and lyrics brings to mind the youthful energy of early Beatles singles.

Though their debut album The Best Party Ever stands as a great recording on its own, I think the best is yet to come from this group...as long as they don't get lost in the hype along the way.

In addition to the songs below, you can hear more of The Boy Least Likely To at their official site or their MySpace page.

The Boy Least Likely To - Be Gentle With Me
The Boy Least Likely To - Monsters
The Boy Least Likely To - I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star

The Only Magic Number is 6

2006-01-13T01:07:00.000-05:00

The Magic Numbers eponymous debut album, which was nominated for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize, is one of the most unexpectedly comforting mix of styles i've come across in a long time.

The Numbers are a little brit-pop, a little 60's pop, a little blue-eyed soul, a little folk, and have a penchant for writing intoxicating harmonies for singing siblings Romeo and Michele Stodart.

Switching easily between folk-pop harmonies akin to the Mamas & the Papas to Leonard Cohen-esque dirges from song to song (and sometimes within the same song) leave the album with nearly no time stamp that would date it to 2005.

Check out these two songs below, and visit the band's Official Site to hear clips from the rest of the album.

The Magic Numbers - Mornings Eleven
The Magic Numbers - I See You, You See Me

Somewhere There's A Drink With My Name On It

2006-01-09T02:57:00.000-05:00

Sunday night is the most depressing night.

Depressing nights require alcohol.

Depressing nights and alcohol require a fitting soundtrack.

The Replacements - If Only You Were Lonely
Paul Kelly - Every Fucking City (live)
John Lee Hooker - Hittin The Bottle Again

And since I can't get it out of my head:

Ben Folds w/ Rufus Wainwright - Careless Whisper (live)

Come On! Feel The Illinoise

2006-01-07T19:35:00.000-05:00

Since I haven't found anything new and interesting this week I'll post some songs from another of 2005's best albums. In 2003, Sufjan Stevens announced that he was going to release an album inspired by each state in America. He then released the first installment Greetings From Michigan The Great Lake State.

Perhaps nobody told Sufjan that there were 50 states because it took him 2 years to release the second installment, Come On Feel The Illinoise. As it turns out, it was worth the wait. Just about every knowledgeable "Best of 2005" list had this album at or near the top, including Pitchfork who ranked it #1.

Sufjan Stevens - Come On! Feel The Illinoise! Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition / Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream
>>>> I just wish this song had a more descriptive title.

Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
>>>> Because sometimes we all feel like a homicidal maniac.

Sufjan Stevens - They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhhh!
>>>> I always wondered what it would sound like if Zombie Cheerleaders rose from the dead and rocked out to a kick ass bass line.

He’s The Thrill of the Abecedarian

2006-01-05T23:15:00.000-05:00

Far and away my favourite album of 2005, Okkervil River's - Black Sheep Boy. An album so good that it warrented it's own Appendix EP. A true "album", Black Sheep Boy is best listened to from start to finish without any interruptions.

Click here to read lead singer/songwriter Will Sheff's explanation of how the entire album was thematically inspired by a Tim Hardin folk song.

>>>> Okkervil River - For Real
>>>> Okkervil River - Black

Visit the Okkervil River website for older MP3s

On A Friday Found On A Thursday

2006-01-05T18:48:00.000-05:00

Looks like i'm a few days behind on this but some very old, and (formerly) very rare, Radiohead demo's from 1988 have popped up across the net recently.

For those that don't know, the band went by the name On A Friday in those days. Far from the Radiohead of today, these songs are still enjoyable and "To Be A Brilliant Light" offers some glimpses into the sound and style of Pablo Honey.

>>>> On A Friday - Happy Song
>>>> On A Friday - To Be A Brilliant Light
>>>> On A Friday - Sinking Ship

Why? Because I'm Bored, That's Why...

2006-01-05T18:36:00.000-05:00

...and all the cool kids are doing it.

Those perfectly valid reasons aside, i'm actually starting this so that when I come across music that I am obsessively compulsed to share, I no longer have to individually send it to 1,2...5...10 people, etc.

Don't like the music?
Don't like MP3 Blogs?
Don't like me?
Never underestimate, how little I care.

All complaints handled by Milky McCarton.