Please accept this as a token of my sincere gratitude I’m not jokin’ Today’s PJOTD is taken from last year’s album by The Radio Dept, Clinging To A Scheme, but I think it sums up the last week of my life well: I have so much for which to be thankful. I met so many … Read more
Photo by Marte Solbakken I ain’t too old to give a shit… I ain’t too young to regret… Well, we’re on a roll this week at Speakers in Code. I don’t think we planned for this to be The Week of Melancholy, but we’re three for three with Pajammy Jams of the Day. You know, … Read more
I know you’re fine God, I studied all the lines Of the dress, you know, your lover bought you And these drinks turn into maps Of places we will never go But for once, don’t get sentimental on me “Ah, shit. It’s gonna be one of those nights,” Ryan Adams mutters into the microphone before … Read more
Could it be that we already have 2011’s Cover of the Year? A definite possibility if ever one did exist. It will be tough to top James Blake’s cover of “Limit to Your Love,” written and originally recorded by Feist on her 2007 record, The Reminder (check out a live version by Ms. Feist HERE). … Read more
Photo Credit: Robert Bellamy After a string of plaudits for remixes of artists as diverse as Bloc Party, Burial, Wild Beasts, and Amy Winehouse, it wasn’t long before Banjo or Freakout, aka Alessio Natalizia, joined the shortlist of bands with true buzz surrounding them. Their first EP, Upside Down, was also received to critical praise … Read more
Short and sweet, Delta Maid knows how to get it done. The twenty-five year old from Liverpool is a self-taught guitarist, and her voice reminds you of the sweetest winds blowing across the South. Clocking in at a little over two minutes, today’s PJOTD reveals a youthful talent with a bright future ahead of her. … Read more
“Silverlake” is actually the very first song recorded by the women (Orenda Fink, Maria Taylor) of Azure Ray after spending six years apart, musically speaking. On the track, Fink and Taylor sing, “Laughing all night long/ For the sake of the song/ Like we used to…” And wow, along with those “reunited and it feels so good” … Read more
Lucinda Williams has always been good at telling the truth. Songs like “Those Three Days” and “Essence” reveal a woman who knows what she wants and also a person who isn’t afraid to ask questions. Williams, in my opinion, is a confronting songwriter – one of the best alive, male or female. So when I … Read more
Real Estate’s second LP, Days, will be released on October 18th (Domino), and the Brookylyn (via Jersey) band has released a new single in advance of the record that showcases the group’s growing expertise in breezy, psychedelic surf-rock. “Green Aisles” starts with an extended, mellow intro that finds Real Estate in an airy zone, doing … Read more
Hey, are you awake? Yeah, I’m right here Well, can I ask you about today? If you’ve ever lost someone, listen to this song. If you’ve ever fought with someone, listen to this song. If you’ve ever really loved someone, listen to this song. If you’ve ever felt something or someone slowly slip away, listen … Read more
Photo by Caleb Chancey O Black River O Black River Come wash over me Music can be oh-so healing at times, especially during this time of year when winter is slowly knocking on our door. We’re reminded that the ground will start to freeze, the birds won’t soon greet us with their voices in the … Read more
Deerhunter, the ever-evolving and prolific Atlanta quartet, led by charismatic and wildly creative front-man Bradford Cox, has come a long way from 2007’s exceptional, but occasionally impenetrable, psych-space-noise debut LP Cryptograms. With each passing year, Deerhunter’s music becomes more and more accessible, without sacrificing the band’s unshakable originality. With its latest release, Halcyon Digest (released … Read more
Union Tree Review is Saint Louis’ answer to genius indie folk. Today’s Pajammy Jam of the Day, “Let Me Be,” instills a sense of longing in me that can’t be undone. It’s an chugging, acoustic train, reminiscent of Ryan Adams: brilliant lyricism, piano in all the right places, plenty o’ references to booze and regret. The track … Read more
Oh, Cotton Jones, what have you done to me? From the very first moment I heard your track, “Somehow To Keep It Going,” I got chills, relentless chills. Creepy-crawly rivers of numbness trickled over my scalp. I got the shivers, persistent shivers. Yet, I couldn’t – and can’t – stop listening. Michael Nau and Whitney … Read more
Carl Broemel, guitarist for My Morning Jacket, is set to release his debut solo album, All Birds Say, on ATO Records on August 31st. The album is an intimate and honest collection of musings on life, a distinct departure from what MMJ does, at least sound-wise. Some would even describe it as “zen-like.” “Heaven Knows,” … Read more
Sometimes I close my eyesAnd hum the songs we lovedYour dress was blue and you Were as bright as ChristmasAnd down through all the streetsThe air was cool and sweetAnd all we knew was briefBut seemed eternal The first time I heard this song, I saw Matthew Ryan perform it live, solo-acoustic, at Off Broadway … Read more
Don’t let the name fool you: Thunder Power definitely does not dally in the earsplitting death metal scene. Instead, this Omaha band creates warm and cheery indie pop, reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian and matt pond PA. For me, I’m more than happy it’s the latter. Their single, “Heartifact,” is crazy catchy, using both bells … Read more
Photo credit: Cam Archer Emily Jane White’s “Liza” starts off with simple, soft, somber guitar and the haunting lyrics, “I woke up today/ and I thought that death had swept me away.” Clearly, White isn’t one for sugarcoating unpleasant topics. In fact, she notes, “I don’t write happy music. I’m drawn to writing sad songs… Reflective, … Read more
Photo credit: John Meloy As much as I love keeping up with the most buzzed about and hyped up bands out there right now, sometimes nothing makes me happier than a dude with an acoustic guitar that isn’t afraid to bare his soul in a song. When Kasey Anderson contacted me to see if I’d … Read more
This song hurts. I mean that in the best way, I really do. But, when KDHX played it on my way to work yesterday, I wanted to turn my car around, go home, and get back under the covers. The pain contained in the “Little Bird” lyrics is palpable. The weary voice, the absolute desolation, the … Read more
Photo Credit: Allison Kaye Guess what? I’ve got another awesome, sad tune for ya. Autumn makes me this way. The air gets crisp, the days grow shorter, and my mind often settles in on songs with deep meaning. I’m pretty sure I’ll always be this way. Sharon Van Etten’s music is new to my … Read more
Last week, we brought you Deerhunter’s “Helicopter.” Well guess what? It’s back. This time, reworked and remixed by uber-talented producer Diplo (along with Lunice, a remix master and pop-lockin’ savant out of Montreal, Canada). The re-imagined “Helicopter” now has a bit of a street swagger and a synth-driven gangsta lean in the hook. It might … Read more
Chicago duo Houses recorded the upcoming LP All Night in Hawaii, where they lived for a brief stint in a little cabin, practicing sustainable living, until the money ran out. While there, the two “melted into one person,” and that melding of souls is apparent on today’s PJOTD, “Soak It Up.” I am a total … Read more
“I can’t tell how you’ve changed me/ And I am grateful/ But I am angry.” Damn that Jill Andrews. She probably wrote that line in five minutes. I’ve been searching for those exact words for five years. Simple, I know. But simple usually wins in my world. Jill Andrews’ world has been turned around in … Read more
The fantastical lead single from Seabear’s sophomore album, We Built a Fire, features percussion sprinkled like fairy dust amidst soaring brass and cheerful violins. Frankly, the fact that it was recorded in an Icelandic basement studio with apple carton-covered walls makes me love it even more. How can something so otherworldly, in actuality, be so … Read more
I know that Jay Farrar teaming up with Ben Gibbard and Jack Kerouac for the One Fast Move Or I’m Gone album is all the rage these days. I get that. I do. But I’m going to throw you a Farrar curve ball on this wonderful Friday and go back to The Slaughter Rule soundtrack. … Read more
“And I have been so fuckin’ alone…” Ok, so the chorus may seem cheesy to some, but I love it when Lucinda Williams gets a little fiesty, and on this tune, she’s definitely pissed at someone. There were rumors that some of the songs on World Without Tears, where you can find this song, were … Read more
Winter has never really been that good to me. For the past seven days, I have been content to stay indoors and only acknowledge the snow, the cold, the blanket of grey through my balcony window. Winter and I are not friends. However, I don’t always mind the inevitable disposition-altering effects that this season has … Read more
Well, if this isn’t DIY, I don’t know what is. The sirens, the hushed and hurt voice, the simple lyrics that tell a story. You get what you see with Jacob Golden. I adore songwriters who take their time but also know when a song is supposed to end. On “Zero Integrity,” off Revenge Songs, … Read more
While we’re all waiting to see if Mr. Adams is going to unveil any new material in 2010, I recently remembered this unreleased live cut. I don’t believe it has a title, and I’m pretty sure this is the only time he’s ever played it, so if you haven’t heard it yet, well, Happy Monday … Read more