A constant aching for the Dandy Warhols.

With a lead vocal whose biography claims him as the "acceptable face" for augmented humanity and states he has left Earth thanks to boredom, one can not help but pray for their return. Courtney Taylor-Taylor (this front man) describes the band's forming as a group of friends who "needed music to drink to."
While influenced strongly by The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkle, I can comfortably say that The Dandy Warhols have contributed to setting the standards for the indie genre of today. Right up there alongside Pinback, it is not often I go a day without Dandy.

"The Last High" (album: Welcome to the Monkey House)

Built to Spill's discography...

...is a necessary notch to have in your mp3 player's belt. Respected indie forefathers, these artists can sing and instrumental into my extroverted ears all they desire.


Here's a piece of the most recent album (released in 2009):

(There's no video, it's the only mp3 stream I could get a hold of.)
"Things Fall Apart" (album: There Is No Enemy) (The trumpet session is epic.)

"I'll do everything you want me to..."

The personal favorite from Ben Kweller. No, it isn't a new release at all. But, I'm not exactly a "new release" blog. This is just a tune that I've been singing out loud to as I go about my business today. :) My favorite line starts about... "I wanna start going on a morning walk". This gem will never crack.

"Sundress" (album: Self-titled)

Help I'm Alive.

"Help I'm alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer...beating like a hammer."

"Help I'm Alive" (album: Fantasies) (artist: Metric)

FW addiction.

This "Weathervanes" album has shaken up my world. I'm impressed. I thought tonight about Freelance Whales coming across a tie with Pinback for my artist of choice. If not a tie, close at second. A voice slightly like Christofer Drew Ingles from Nevershoutnever, but a sound like Iron and Wine (at times), or even...Freezepop (at other times). A mixture like that sounding okay? You better believe it.

"Broken Horse" (album: Weathervanes)


"Generator ^ First Floor" (album: Weathervanes) (It kicks in at 0:40. This track is the one that will help you understand my Chris Drew reference, starting at 1:44.)

Have you prayed to the Ace of Base gods lately?

Calling my friend Mason "Mase of Base" has reminded me of the excellent reggae-ton 90's piece "All That She Wants", and since then I've been appreciating it daily. Yes, it's been overplayed... yes, it was what your parents listened to if you're in my generation... But, what my parents listened to during their teen years is what I listen to... all the time. Even further back to the 80's, and to the 70's.... Then back to what my grandparents listened to. The 60's, 50's, and 40's, even 20's.

The 80's were the first to whip out some seriously strange tunes and videos using technology and succeeding in their popularity on the radio and MTV*.
But, there were quite a few gems in the 90's, Ace of Base being one of them.

"All That She Wants" (album: The Sign)


*"Video Killed The Radio Star" by the Buggles being the first music video shown by MTV...ever.

"I believe regardless, I believe in everyone"

This is the refreshing message Joanna Newsom shares with us in her new piece "'81". This is the sort of song I would like to hike to for a spell, followed by floating on a log down a calm river for 31 days straight, with meditation after. Honestly, anybody who shares especially pronounced ears like mine has my companionship, but anybody who can pluck a tune out of a harp such as this... Appreciated. It's beautiful. Not for you mainstreamers.



"'81"
click here to listen on zshare