Was super excited when I woke up Friday morning, and received news (via twitter) that the digital download of The King of Limbs was available a day early. While I listened to it while at the office, I was able to give it a proper listen today and so far – my fav track is Codex.
Even though I am already over this topic – I do have to say one (xs 20) thing(s). Not knowing who Arcade Fire are – doesn’t make them random nobodys. It makes you musically ignorant to think of them that way. There is a crapload of music out beyond the top 40 people.
So congrats Arcade Fire.
Who, by the way dropped their first album in 2004. Their last album – “The Suburbs” sold 165,000 copies within the first week alone. In addition, when it was released, it debuted as #1 in the US (and Canada, and Ireland). They have had songs in commercials, trailers to films etc. You may have even seen this page shared via facebook some time ago http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/
This year, sadly, I felt I haven’t been as focused with my music discovery as years past but when I started thinking about this list – names and songs came flooding in. The criteria is that all of the songs had to have been on albums released in 2010 (duh). Oh, and be awesome to my ears. This time – I start with my most favorite. Enjoy.
“And in between there’s always someone -they don’t get you but you reach and smile And maybe this slow burn treason is better than the crash of a quick rise”
Video is from Zebulan – a jazz bar in my soon to be new ‘hood – Williamsburg Brooklyn!
You must speak your life into existence
This intent is so much more
Than just a means to
End all of this suffering
This needless pain that stains your face
It doesn’t need to be
I went to see the National on the 29th – and it had to be one of the best concerts I’ve seen til date. Their second opener – Suckers, were amazing and I am now obsessed. Studio versions are good, but can’t compare to how absolutely amazing they sound live. Love lead singer, Quinn Walker’s voice and eccentricity. Delivering vocals, while either strumming a guitar or banging on a drum; I got emotional a few times. They NEED to be seen live. Oct 1- Webster Hall, I am there :)
Few select tracks from their first full length album, Wild Smile
“I hate pressure, I hate responsibility, I always show up late and it takes me so long to leave, but if you’re willing to accept my flaws, save your love for me.”
2 Eyes 2 C (mp3) This song live with the percussion…blew me away
You were afraid to test the water, I was a brave lamb to the slaughter,
You are a child, I am a child…I should have been the one to doubt it, you never gave two shits about it, you are a child, I am a child…
I love him…I love Sigur Ros. The music always makes me insanely happy – an overwhelming feeling in my heart like it’s going to explode from sheer happiness. I remember when I saw Sigur Ros live — inside I felt like running full speed, smiling- tears streaming down my face through an open field…but all I could do was stand still…barely breathing listening/watching in awe. As the tears began to swell – I looked around me – and was surrounded by people having the same experience. It’s in moments like those that I wonder how anyone can not be obsessed with music …
Life seems to be changing positively…and what better way to open this new chapter than with music that makes me feel euphoric.
‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure
Meli playing some Neko songs in the office today made me nostalgic for her album – Middle Cyclone which I always liked (“This Tornado Loves You” was one of my picks for ’09) but haven’t really given it a proper listen. I fell asleep while listening, having the most vivid odd dreams – woke up, and played it back from the beginning again. Beautifully composed, strong intense voice, matched with equally powerful lyrics; I fell in love.
And that’s a dirty, fallow feeling
To be the dangling ceiling
From when the roof came crashing down
Peeling in the heat
Vanish in the rain
The next time you say forever
I will punch you in your face
Just because you don’t believe it
Doesn’t mean I didn’t mean it
You never know when I’ll show you the never
It’s easy to become accustomed to someone, and their ways…to believe and trust that what they say they feel is truly how they feel. You ignore any/all actions that completely contradict what they tell you because they are your “home” – your love. Until one day – you are sick of trying to hold up the foundation yourself as it collapses all around you. You take a long hard look at the ruble, the mess, the chaos and decide there is no rebuilding that can be done. It isn’t home anymore, it isn’t safe, and sadly/unfortunately, “forever more” becomes “never again”.
You spoke the words,
“I love girls in white leather jackets”
That was good enough for love
It was good enough for me
I listened in
When you thought you were alone
Calling the sphinx
On a tornado’s phone
Who knows what you meant
I only heard what I wanted
You said I was your blue, blue baby
And you were right
Wandered the halls of the nighttime
My body burned
My legs ached
But you never came to bed
You just left me there awake
You kept me wanting, wanting, wanting
Like the wanting in the movies and the hymns
I want the pharaohs
But there’s only men
She stated this was about “imaginary boyfriends” – or making up the love you want while not receiving the love you need from someone. That person never living up to the ideal you have of them/ the love they can give you. I think it is easy to put the person you love on a pedestal…The bad thing about that is, they will always, no matter what fall off. To love truly – is to love completely …faults, imperfections and all.
The most beautiful version of this song I can’t seem to ever stop listening to can be found via pitchfork.
The whole session is amazing actually … I know I’ve featured The Antlers and this particular song before but for some reason I’ve been playing this non stop the past few days. Maybe it’s because I have been thinking of dedication and loyalty a lot lately. While the narrator here is speaking of his steadfastness regarding his dying lover – being by her side even if she is being intolerable, I can relate. Though, fortunately, I never experienced loving someone terminally ill.
No – not a depressing post… Stumbled across this track by Oceana on RCRD LBL and find it so catchy… It’s good to mix up my itunes with feel-good music as most of it is heavy hitting and emotional…
Never heard of this artist before – so I’ll be checking out some more tracks soon.
Here is a remix of Cry Cry – and the video for the original can be seen here. Anyway – Enjoy.
I have no delusions of grandeur, no dreams of becoming famous or well-known. My insomnia keeps me busy--both a curse and a blessing. I express my thoughts best through written form and music. I am completely obsessed with music and welcome you to share in that obsession with me. Enjoy.
No spam and keep any hate letters to a minimum, my heart could only take so much :) All mp3s on this site are shared with the intent to support artists and spread the word. In other words, it's all out of the pure love and passion for the music. If you own the rights to any of the content within and would like it removed, please feel free to contact me at daniwrites[at]gmail.com. If you don't - and like what you hear - buy the albums, see a few shows, tell your friends. Do the right thing ;)
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