Posted on

Four for Friday

Okay, here is some music to get your weekend started right.

Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out // “I am done with my graceless heart, so tonight I’m gonna cut it out and then restart.”

Coldplay – Paradise // Very Coldplay-ish, which is therefore very awesome-ish.

Wilco – Art of Almost // I like Wilco, but they are mostly on the fringe of my musical taste. With their latest album, they have moved a little closer to home for me. This song even had some Radiohead-like moments going on. That’s a good thing.

Ryan McAllister – Music for a Rainy Town // Rainy town indeed.

Later.

Posted on

Four for (Labor) Friday

Well, it is a holiday weekend and currently I’m a bit cooped up (in case you couldn’t tell). I obviously have no idea what your Labor Day weekend plans hold for you, but here’s some music to pass the time.

M83 – Midnight City

The Civil Wars – I Want You Back

Brooke Waggoner – So-So // This one comes courtesy of my friend, Jessica.

Josh Garrels – Farther Along

Posted on

Four (to see/hear) for Friday

Little Rock’s live music scene is just about right for me. Certainly, most of the bands and musicians I enjoy don’t find their way to Central Arkansas, but that is probably a good thing. I really don’t have the time or money to go see some live music once or twice a week. As it stands, I probably end up seeing about half a dozen or so shows a year.

That being said, this fall, Little Rock will be graced with the musical talent of no less than four artists that receive my stamp of approval. It is rare that everything works out for me to actually make it to these shows, but if any of you are interested, I might make a special effort.

Blind Pilot – Keep You Right / October 8th – Stickyz / Saw these folks a couple years ago in Chicago. Really great. Brand new song off an album being released soon. This is a can’t miss show.

Mutemath – Odd Soul / October 11th – Rev Room / These guys are some pretty creative dudes. Need proof? Head over HERE and see how they have put the wonderful world of the internets to use.

Generationals – Ten-Twenty-Ten / October 30th – Rev Room / They are appearing with Mates of State, which ain’t so bad either.

AA Bondy – The Heart Is Willing / November 11th – Stickyz / A perennial favorite is back again. This new track is a bit darker than some of his previous work. But no matter, I’m still looking forward to going.

BONUS…

Ben Rector – Autumn / October 26th – Juanita’s / All my college friends are nuts about this guy. I like him too. He has a new album out that you can DOWNLOAD for whatever amount you would like to donate… even free.

Happy Friday!

Posted on

Four (More Daytrotters) for Friday

A while ago, I mentioned this great music site. If I only had one source for music greatness, this would be it for all kinds of reasons.

But instead going into all that, I’ll just share four artists I really like who have done sessions with Daytrotter recently.

Andrew Belle – The Ladder (Daytrotter Session)

Seyrn – River Song (Daytrotter Session)

The Head and The Heart – Sounds Like Hallelujah (Daytrotter Session)

James Vincent McMorrow – Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree (Daytrotter Session)

Later.

Posted on

Four (from the 80’s) for Friday

Last Saturday evening, I had the privilege of seeing some talented students perform in The Rep’s Summer Musical Theater Intensive (SMTI). This year’s production is “That 80’s Show: We Built This Smitty on Rock and Roll.” It wasn’t until the lights dimmed and things were underway that I realized just how deep the imprint this decade has left on my life. I hate to admit it, but there wasn’t a song performed that I didn’t know every single lyric. Sad, I know. So in honor of this penultimate decade of musical genius, four drum-machined and synth-ed songs for your listening pleasure. By the way, they are reprising the production in the fall. If you ever had parachute pants, leg warmers, Member’s Only jackets, highly teased bangs, or God forbid – a mullet, this is a show for you us.

In fact, let’s do this… how about we play a little game of name that tune. I’ll leave all the song info blank, and you can tell me if you know title and artist. Don’t strain yourself.

You should probably stripped of all music listening privileges for life if you don’t know this one.

Posted on

Four (Weeks) for Friday

It has been a month to the day since my last post. Just over four weeks. And since it is Friday… well you’ve read the title. Here is what’s been up with me over the last four weeks.

Week 1 // KAA – Fortunately, my pardner in crime has done a pretty extensive write-up of the week. So, I’ll leave you with a song and a picture.

Tedashii – Dum Dum (feat. Lecrae)

That’s Lauren Foster (one of our 9th grade students) about to launch herself from the top of a thirty-foot telephone pole. This photograph is a snap-shot of what the whole week was about… risk, facing fears, trust, and leaps of faith.

Week 2 // The family loads up and heads west. It is no secret that I love the mountains and that they regularly provide the backdrop for our family’s adventures. Alison has shared some here.

Josh Garrels – Pilot Me

Week 3 // We are joined by more family and friends and bikes… and games. There was easily a game of Settlers a day. Many days, more than one.

Leagues – Mind Games

Hiking to Judd Falls

Taking “5”

One of the “floats” at the 4th Parade

Week 4 // The infamous Senior Backpacking Trip.

Mumford & Sons – Home (possible title live)

This one started off this way…

and ended like this…

It has been a very good four weeks.

Posted on

Four (almost all covers) for Friday

I’m not a super huge fan of covers, but every now and then I’ll come across one that I like. Today, you’re getting three! The fourth song is so good that someone should do a cover.

Derek Webb – Living on a Prayer (Bon Jovi Cover) // That’s right! A Bon Jovi cover. I never thought I would live to see the day, but what can I say… I kind of like it.

Taylor Swift – White Blank Page (Mumford & Sons Cover) // While we are on covers that I never thought possible, here’s one everything in me wanted to despise. And yet, I couldn’t. It is just so good. Shame on me.

Mayer Hawthorne – Don’t Turn the Lights On (Chromeo Cover) // As my friend Bryan Jones sometimes says, “I’m out of words now…”

Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Atlas Hands // The only non-cover in the line up. This album is destined to become one of my most listened to of the year. This song will be one of the reasons why.

Happy weekend!

Posted on

Four for (a different) Friday

Howdy folks. Today we’re branching out a bit. Never fear… I’ll be sure to include my trademark ultra low-key depressing music in there somewhere. Let’s do this.

Canopies – Rebels // Not to be confused with Canopy Climbers. Don’t we all need a little more synth in our lives?

Emanuel and the Fear – Dear Friend // Not really my cup of tea, but it might be yours. I can sort of get behind it.

Foster the People – Waste // Don’t know why I like this song so much, but I do. Maybe it is because it’s awesome.

Seryn – We Will All Be Changed // Ok, I’ve regained my sanity, sort of. This one is much closer to home.

And for being willing to go down the road of expanding our musical horizons today, your reward is a little more of the goodness that is Seryn. The video is a bit confusing, because it says “This Is Where We Are.” I believe that is the album’s name. The name of the song is “The River.”

No ‘thank you’s’ will be necessary.

Posted on

Four for (Another) Friday

I trust your Memorial Day Weekend plans are in full swing. Here is some music to help pass the days…

Widespread Panic – C. Brown // This one comes by special request. Jamey brought it to my attention that these fellas will be opening up Riverfest tonight.

Arcade Fire – Speaking in Tongues (feat. David Byrne) // I believe this song is going to be included in some special re-release of Suburbs later this summer.

Ivan & Alyosha – Glorify // While we are working with biblical allusions for song titles, here’s a song that strays a bit from what I think St. Paul was after.

Typhoon – Summer Home // Saved the best for last…

Happy weekend!

Posted on

Four for Friday

What do to after you’ve had your mind blown by my man N.T.? That’s easy… take in some great tunes.

Been a good music week, so let’s get to it.

Blue Scholars – Cinemetropolis // Title track from their brand new album.

Bon Iver – Calgary // Vernon and company have been working on a new album as well. Here’s the single they’ve released.

Pinback – Sherman // My nearly hitched friend introduced Pinback to me a few years back. I’ve been a fan ever since.

Canopy Climbers – Break // Another friend turned me on to Canopy Climbers last Sunday and their songs have been the soundtrack for the better part of my week.

See you next Friday! Unless, of course, the world ends tomorrow.