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.

Posted on

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

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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)

Posted on

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.