Despite my proclamations that winter was never going to get here earlier this week, Mother Nature up and dumped a mixture of snow, cold rain and wind on us last night. Whatever. What’s outside the window isn’t going to stop me from enjoying ‘I Will Love You,’ a short, sugar sweet song from Summer Twins that I’ve been unable to pull from repeat most of the afternoon. I’ll blame/credit the handclaps and that bouncy 50s-pop vibe for my afternoon infatuation- and for the fact it’s that’s already penciled in as part my summer playlist. It’s Friday. It happens. Enjoy.
A few weeks ago I finally got around to watching I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, the documentary on the making of Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, an album that pretty much soundtracked my first year in college. ‘Cars Can’t Escape,’ an absolutely gorgeous, heartbreaking song recorded during the sessions but never released, has been haunting my playlists ever since, and I’ve been waiting for the just right day to post it around here. Today felt like the right day. Enjoy.
‘Final’ version
‘Alternate’ version (this is the version I’ve been stuck on)
There are any number of cliche words I could use to describe the music of Donovan Woods (heartbreaking, sincere, engaging and honest come to mind first, in case you were wondering) but none of then precisely explain why I love what he produces. I don’t have one that does, quite honestly, I just know that there’s something about the songs he writes that strike a chord in me, something about the warm urgency in his voice and the lush sounds he coaxes from the guitar and piano that back him up. That something is on full display during this take of ‘Put On, Cologne’ that he did for the Studio A Sessions.
Donovan Woods is currently putting the finishing touches on the EP from which ‘Put On, Cologne’ comes, Don’t Get Too Grand. You’ll certainly hear about it once it comes out, but until then you should do yourself a huge favor and check out the brilliant album he put out in 2010, The Widowmaker. Enjoy.
I’m going to be blunt about this (because this is about the 7th time I’ve tried to write this and I’m tired and fancy/big words aren’t working for me today): ‘Gold’ by Wake Owl is a monster of a song. It’s a song you’ll love the first time through and love even more the 30th. Everything, from the smoky, raspy verses, to the bridges that build with perfect intensity, to the soaring, triumphant choruses, works. It is, quite simply, a great song.
Wake Owl is giving away the Wild Country EP, their debut release on which you can find ‘Gold.’ It goes without saying, but you’ll want to take them up on their generous offer. Enjoy.
I’ve always had a mental block when it’s come to listening to summer songs during the winter months, finding tunes meant for open windows and sticky heat to feel as foreign as reading right to left when I’m all bundled up from head to toe. There has been no winter this year (aside from one real snow storm), and so I’ve found myself comfortably listening to (and enjoying) more and more summer jams during the months with long names, songs such as ‘Boxes in the Attic’ by Eternal Fair. Full of handclaps, a bouncy, contagious beat and a chorus that’s meant to be screamed as you cruise through the streets with the stereo blaring and the windows down, ‘Boxes in the Attic’ is tailor made for summer playlisting, and for the next few months it’ll be part of my mild winter soundtrack.
Eternal Fair has made Eternal Fair Vol. 1, their debut EP, available for free, so you can add this song (and the 3 others) to your personal soundtrack- they’ll make summer not seem so far away. Enjoy.
On Twitter I share links each day to various stuff that I think is great and/or worth people’s time. But not everyone that comes here is on Twitter, so I gather up the best of those links each Monday and post them here so everyone can get in on the fun. If you’ve missed any of the past Monday links (or just want to waste some time), check the archive of posts here. Enjoy.
The Lumineers’ debut album doesn’t come out until April 3rd, but you can stream it in full right now over on Soundcloud. It…well… it’s really freaking good. (edit: Annnnd… it looks like the record company pulled their own stream already. Which is unfortunate. I’ll let you know once it’s back- hopefully sooner rather than later) Oh, and be sure to head on over to Paste to grab their 4 song Tracks From the Attic EP for free (your email address is free).
Also hooking everyone up with a free download this last week were the Alabama Shakes. For free (again, your email is free) you can get ‘Heavy Chevy,’ a blistering little piece of rock & roll that won’t even appear on their debut album that’s due in April. Just go here. You’re a fool if you don’t take advantage of this deal.
NPR is streaming the upcoming albums from Y La Bamba and Fanfarlo. If you’re interested in either (or even if you’re not- they are both worth a shot, honestly), now’s the time to listen before you buy.
The Seattle Times’ Andrew Matson curated an exceptional 4 part Damien Jurado cover series last week featuring covers from Pickwick, Jon Russell from The Head and The Heart, Dolorean frontman Al Green and Jeremy Enigk from Sunny Day Real Estate. You’ll want to head on over there and give them a listen/download them (it’s free either way).
Speaking of Damien Jurado… his new album comes out tomorrow. The fact it’s not out yet didn’t stop John Heart Jackie from laying down an absolutely gorgeous cover of probably my favorite song so far this year, ‘Working Titles.’
Blind Pilot stopped by Yourstru.ly and spent a day rearranging their song ‘Half Moon.’ The below video is the (wonderfully tasty) fruit of that little project.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day this last week the band Boat To Row released a video of them covering Paul McCartney’s ‘Calico Skies,’ a criminally underappreciated love song. My big sister walked down the aisle to this song when she got married, so I’ll always have a soft spot for it. That and this is a really nice little cover.
This article on Deadspin about children’s music a) made me laugh and b) gave me nightmares about what could potentially happen when I have kids down the road. I will try my damnedest to make sure it doesn’t.
I’m starting to believe we aren’t going to have anymore winter/snow and that I should just move on to thinking about spring, so in that spirit I thought I’d mention the mix I made for the season that hasn’t been one last time, hope is January white. I’ll be taking down the zip of the mix pretty soon, so if you missed it before and would like it make sure you grab it ASAP.
My buddy Jessica over at New Music Collaborative reminded me Friday about this video of Matt Bishop from Hey Marseilles playing a solo version of ‘Rio.’ Man. I forgot how much I loved it.
And finally, we end this little update like we’ve ended a good number of other ones: with a video of a new song from Pickwick. This new song makes me even more impatient to hear that debut album they’ve been working on, and it strengthens my belief that people at SXSW are going to freak out when they see these guys next month.
Another lazy Sunday, another day waking up with the desire to hear a song I hadn’t listened to in forever, this time ‘There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve’ by A.C. Newman. You don’t hear too many songs employing a pseudo-regal call and response between timpani and cymbals. Enjoy.
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Last update: 2/16
Suggestions are always welcome. If you've got anything you think I should hear, don't hesitate to let me know at songsfortheday@gmail.com. Or you can simply add the music to this Spotify playlist so I can take a listen.
