Bon Iver - Beth/Rest

Bon Iver is a band...well, I guess technically it's a guy from Wisconsin. Justin Vernon is his name, and he has a knack for creating some really relaxing psych-folk that shares a bed with art rock. For his last album, For Emma, Forever Ago Vernon made it pretty big with the song "Skinny Love" and the woodsy folk album sold incredibly well.

His new album, simply titled Bon Iver is much of the same goodness, but with a little bit of other genres thrown in to the mix including electronic and prog-rock. The weirdest, but also I think my favorite is this song, which sounds like it could be at the end of a John Hughes movie. You know the part I'm talking about? When the main character (I'm assuming Molly Ringwald) finally gets asked to dance by the nerdy, yet lovable love interest. Then they share a dance under the cheesy lasers and disco ball reflections while the synths and echo-ed Vernon lulls them along to a dreamy fade-out. This is a strange direction for Bon Iver, but it still has that Vernon touch to it. Give it a listen, its kind of funny, but also a decent song.

Errant heat to the star
and the rain let in
the hawser rolls, the vessel’s whole and Christ, it’s thin

well Iʼd know that you’d offer
would reveal it, though it’s soft and flat
won’t repeat it, cull and coffer’s that
for the soffit, hang this homeward
pry it open with your love
sending lost and alone standing offers

it is steep / it is stone
such recovery
from the daily press, the deepest nest, in keeper’s keep

all the news at the door
such a revelry
well, it’s hocked inside of everything you said to me

it was found what we orphaned
didn’t mention it would serve us picked
said your love is known
I’m standing up on it

aren’t we married?!
I ainʼt living in the dark no more
it’s not a promise, Iʼm just gonna call it

heavy mitted love

our love is a star
sure some hazardry
for the light before and after most indefinitely

danger has been stole away
…
This is us 

Arctic Monkeys - Baby I'm Yours

Here's an arctic monkeys jam in celebration of their new (yet mildly disappointing) new album Suck it and See. This track is from an older EP but, hey its better than their new stuff. Don't get me wrong though, Suck It is still pretty good its just, eh. Here listen to this, my favorite track from it, and see for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKK9JP7UOb8

But this post isnt about the new stuff. Its about "Baby Im Yours." A cover of a motown hit made popular by Barbara Lewis and written by Van Mccoy. I dont feel like describing it so just listen to it, baby.

Baby, I'm yours (baby, I'm yours)
And I'll be yours (yours) until the stars fall from the sky,
Yours (yours) until the rivers all run dry
In other words, until I die

Baby, I'm yours (baby, I'm yours)
And I'll be yours (yours) until the sun no longer shines,
Yours (yours) until the poets run out of rhyme
In other words, until the end of time

I'm gonna stay right here by your side,
Do my best to keep you satisfied
Nothin' in the world can drive me away
'Cause every day, you'll hear me say

Baby, I'm yours (baby, I'm yours)
And I'll be yours (yours) until two and two is three,
Yours (yours) until the mountains crumble to the sea
In other words, until eternity

Baby, I'm yours
'Til the stars fall from the sky
Baby, I'm yours
'Til the rivers all run dry
Baby, I'm yours
'Til the sun no longer shines
Baby, I'm yours
'Til the poets run out of rhyme
(fade out) 
 

She & Him - I Thought I Saw Your Face Today

She & Him (ampersand!) are one of music's greatest collaborations. Zooey Deschanel's baritone voice (maybe. correct me if i'm wrong here music majors) and M. Ward's rough voice are a great combination and when you throw in his virtuoso guitar stylings and her soulful, 50s songwriting you can't lose.

This track is an upbeat piano rumination on falling in love at the sight of someone. Her sorrowful yet playful voice lulls you in to the orchestra swells and swishy drums. The cheerfully sad mood of the song pops out especially  in the surprise whistle solo! Suprise! Whistle!

Also, check out Zooey Deschanel's interview with the guys from Nerdist here:
http://www.nerdist.com/2011/06/nerdist-podcast-97-zooey-deschanel/

I thought I saw your face today 
but I just turned my head away 
Your face against the trees 
but I just see the memories 
as they come 
as they come 
And I couldn't help but fall in love again 
No I couldn't help but fall in love again 

I saw it glitter as I grew 
and love did what I never knew 
I thought this place was heaven sent 
but now it's just a monument 
in my mind 
in my mind 
And I couldn't help but fall in love again 
No I couldn't help but fall in love again 

The cars and freeways implore me to stay way out of this place 
My mother said just keep your head and play as it plays 

(whistling) 

The cars and freeways implore me to stay way out of this place 
My mother said just keep your head and play as it plays 

I somehow see what's beautiful in things that are ephemeral 
I'm my only friend, am I? 
Love is just a piece of time 
in the world 
in the world 
And I couldn't help but fall in love again 
No I couldn't help but fall in love again 
No I couldn't help but fall in love again 
No I couldn't help but fall in love again 
No I couldn't help but fall in love again

Brian Eno - On Some Faraway Beach

Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno. Not many people know the name, but he is responsible for a LOT of good music. Having collaborated on many influential artists like Genesis, Talking Heads, Coldplay and many more, Eno has been throwing his touch into the music world since his early days in the band Roxy Music. He's also added so much to the production aspect of music and his musical mind is still going at it.

This song is a relaxing chill-out song with its lulling piano repetition and calming mood. I'd really like to enjoy this song at night on a starry beach somewhere with a warm breeze rustling through my beard and a cool drink in my hand. And while we're in my fantasy world I also have a super cute nerdy girlfriend and a robot dog with tank treads for feet. Anyway the  lyrics in the song touch on death and finality and come in as almost an afterthought and gently fade away suggesting the feeling could go on forever. Great!

Given the Chance
I'll Die Like a Baby
On Some Far Away Beach
When the Season's Over.


Unlikely
I'll Be Remembered
As the Tide Brushes Sand in My Eyes
I'll Drift Away.


Cast Up On a Plateau
With Only One Memory
A Single Syllable
Oh Lie Low Lie Low.

The Sleepy Jackson -

The Sleepy Jackson are an Aussie band headed by Luke Steele (sounds like a super spy name to me). They formed in 1998 and went through many different lineups, but only produced two full albums. The album Personality (One was a Spider, One was a Bird) is their most successful album and just a solid album. Steele is a great songwriter, but I guess he's hard to work with, hence the lineup changes.

The song "I Understand What You Want, But I Just Don't Agree" is a fun, dancy tune with a full epic disco sounding orchestra and high pitched backup vocals complimenting Steele's unique voice.  Steele's got a thing for flare and it shows with the great breakdown that dramatically builds back up into the chorus. Also, you have to dance like he does when you listen to it. If you don't, you die.

Running home in the bleeding snow,
I played with colours filed as learn alone.
They don't mean bad when they fooled you on the phone.
The way they walked led them to dream on their own.
4.30am in a creeping low, 
I played a courtroom on my witches doe. 
I'd hang on to the only one, 
Where all the lovers turn and pray on the phone.
I understand what you want. 
I understand what you need but I just don't agree. 
Close my eyes and there will be crying.
Clost my eyes and there will be love.
My eyes turn around at you.
I understand what you want.
I understand what you need but I just don't agree.