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Four for Friday (the 13th)

Sort of pressed for time today, so this is going to have to be quick.

First, none of these songs have anything to do with today being Friday the 13th. I’m simply noting that it is in fact the 13th.

Second, I realize that I didn’t supply the music goods last week. While I don’t think I have legally breached any any contractual obligations with you, I understand that we have something of an informal agreement. I post music, you listen to it, your taste in music improves, and then when we hang out (like that ever happens) you and I can enjoy the same music together. Everyone wins. Love wins.

Third, I’ve used up all my time for any sort of commentary on the songs themselves. The tracks will now be posted comment-less.

Manchester Orchestra – Apprehension

matt pond PA – Lovers Always Win (feat. Ariel Abshire)

Teddy Afro – Hab Dahlak // Thanks Jacob.

Other Lives – For 12

And as penance for missing last week…

Blue Scholars – John DeLorean

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A (Royal) Four for Friday

The title may be a wee bit misleading. None of the music hear has anything to do with the marriage that I hear has garnered some media attention. I have even heard that they showed it on T.V.!!! I guess that means it was a big deal.

Instead, the music is just as it always is… great. But in honor of the royal nuptials, every song description will have a regal term slipped in. Here we go!

The Salvadors – Eliza Jane // I don’t know who Eliza Jane is, but there was once a queen of England named Jane Grey that only sat on the throne for nine days. Ok, so you see how this is going to work.

The Head and The Heart – In The Summertime // I’ll be continuing to pummel you with THATH (that’s right, they get an acronym) until you realize that they rule.

David Bazan – Wolves At The Door // I hear that if you live in a palace, you don’t really have to worry too much about wolves. If they start bothering you, your soldiers shoot them.

The Civil Wars – Disarm (Smashing Pumpkins Cover) // I wonder if the Royal Family refers to the American Revolution as a civil war.

See you next week.

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Four for Friday… again.

Ok, not quite “all-time” low, but pretty close. My standard for blogging failure is when I go from one week to the next without anything to post other than a few lame songs at the end of the week. And so, here we are. Four more songs.

TV on the Radio – Will Do // I think something didn’t work as it should have last week, so you may have missed out on the goods here.

The National – Exile Vilify // This song is old news. Like maybe three days or so. I believe that it was written for a video game. Strange. Anyway, whoever was able to get The National to record a song for a video game should probably get a raise.

The Head and The Heart – Sounds Like Hallelujah // Did I mention that I’m liking this band right now?

Freelance Whales – Girl U Want (Devo Cover) // Speaking of bands that I like, who knew that Devo could sound so good? I’m pretty sure Rob Bell listens to Freelance Whales… or Devo. I think Charlie Sheen does too. It really doesn’t matter. You know why? Because “LOVE WINS!” I’m ending most of my conversations these days with those two words. Try arguing with that. You can’t. 

Well, maybe next week I’ll be able to put some stuff together besides the very best in music.

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Four for Friday (lights out edition)

Alright people, this is going to have to be short and sweet. Mother nature wants to keep me from getting the music out to you. But thanks to a little iPhone wizardry, Four for Friday is yours.

Death Cab for Cutie – You Are a Tourist // Brand new Death Cab. Enjoy.

The Head and The  Heart – Lost in My Mind // Can’t get enough of this band. Plus, I really like the name… both the band and the song.

TV on the Radio – Will Do // Solid.

Beastie Boys – Make Some Noise // Never quite sure what to make of these guys. They are the Rob Bell of hip hop. I’m not sure what that means, I was just looking for a way to get his name somewhere in the post.

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Four (Avetts) for Friday

Last Saturday, Alison and I took Cole and Ben to their very first concert experience. And I have to say that I’m afraid we may have ruined them for life. Seeing The Avett Brothers live sets the bar pretty high for every subsequent concert experience. The thing that puts an Avett Brothers concert in a class all its own is that it just feels like the they show up ready to have a really good time. I’ve seen them twice, and both times the fellas held nothing back. I love listening to their music recorded, but their live performances take it to another level.

Ok, enough fawning. Here are four that were played last Saturday. Enjoy!

The Avett Brothers – Distraction #74

The Avett Brothers – Spanish Pipedream (John Prine Cover)

The Avett Brothers – Swept Away

The Avett Brothers – Blue Ridge Mountain Blues (Cover)

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Phour phor Phriday

Let me introduce you to Jacob Slaton. He’s a photographer, so I’m sure I’m breaking some sort of law by putting a tampered with image of his up here. I’m going to risk it.

He and his family have been coming to our church for a while, and I’ve recently had the pleasure of getting to know him a bit better. I’ll let his online presence speak for himself.

Anyway, it didn’t take long for our conversations to turn towards music, and I think he was appalled when he discovered I wasn’t more familiar with a band that is near and dear to his heart…

Phish.

He graciously put a introductory compilation into my hands and I have been listening to it on and off for month. And during that time, I’ve grown in my understanding of the Phish phenomenon. Forgive me for making comparisons, but they have a sound that is reminiscent of The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, and Dave Matthews. All of whom, by the way, have massive cult followings. And deservedly so.

But I tarry. Let’s get down to the music. It was a little challenging to pick four, but I persevered. And here’s what I came up with…

Phish – Limb by Limb

Phish – Down with Disease

Phish – Heavy Things

Phish – Prince Caspian

Ok, so if there are any other Phish phanatics out there, I’d love to hear what your favorites are.

Many thanks Jacob for helping me see the light.

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Four for (Spring Break) Friday

Around here, we’re in full-get-ready-for-Spring-Break mode. Here’s some music to launch you into what I’m hoping will be a great week for all.

Nate Dogg – Oh No (feat. Mos Def and Pharoahe Monch) // First order of business… honoring one of rap’s finest. I’m certain you’ve heard that Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (aka Nate Dogg) passed this week. He will be missed.

Architecture in Helsinki – Contact High // I tried to think of any other context in which “Contact High” might mean something other than what I’ve known it to mean. I couldn’t think of any.

The Head and The Heart – Down in the Valley // I’m guessing you might tap out early on this song. That would be a mistake. “I wish I was a slave to an age old trade.”

Ravens and Chimes – Division Street // Good and depressing.

Regulators… Mount up!


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Four (sxsw) for Friday

Alright folks, one day it will happen. I’ll be able to attend the music event that someone custom made for me… sxsw. Until then, I’m sharing four of the (hundreds) of shows that I would have gone to had I been down there. Since we’ve recently been over my affinity for Andrew Belle, James Vincent McMorrow, The Civil Wars, The Romany Rye, and so on, I’ll share four more that would have been great to see/hear.

Noah and the Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N // I think I’ve mentioned my distaste for clever song names that make me type more than I want to.

Vandaveer – The Waking Hour (A Minor Spell) // You may not love this song, but I’ve got a good feeling that they are probably pretty great to see live.

Maps & Atlases – Living Decorations // This band is a little quirky, but they end up getting more play around the office than is probably warranted. Again, I’m guessing a pretty interesting live show.

Lupe Fiasco – The Show Goes On // Once again, my rap-guru from the NW hasn’t steered us wrong.

Let’s go ahead and decide now. We’re all going next year.

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Four (so-so songs) for Friday

Promising title, eh? I’m sure you just can’t wait to dive in.

Well, when I go from one pretty average Four for Friday posting to the next without anything else substantial in between, this is what we’re left with.

That said, these songs really aren’t all that bad.

The Strokes – Under Cover of Darkness // This one is off their upcoming album, Angles, due out later this month. Not my normal kick, but nothing wrong with branching out a bit.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Belong // Also off my well-worn path of ultra low-key, but there are things to like about this song.

Jamie Barnes – Approach My Soul, The Mercy Seat // Now this is more like it.

Mumford & Sons – Sister // So word is that they were on the Grammys. That’s big time. Of course, it also means that now that they’ve gone “mainstream” I’m probably all done with them. That’s not entirely true (just mostly true). I’m actually glad that some quality music got a little well-deserved recognition.

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Four for (a snowy) Friday

So you probably should have seen this coming.

That’s right, songs about snow.

What sets these songs apart is that you don’t need snow to appreciate any of them.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Snow // Ok, I know that this song isn’t really about snow. Who cares? “Hey Oh. Listen what I say oh.”

Matt Pond PA – Snow Day // Something we’ve had a few of around here lately.

William Fitzsimmons – Covered in Snow // I never miss a chance to fill your ears with more of “The Beard.” Mr. Fitzsimmons deserves an honorary doctorate in #Blife.

Sleeping at Last – Snow // This song comes from their intriguing “Yearbook” project. You are getting the added bonus of the video for two reasons. One, it’s really good. Two, it was edited by my brother-in-law.