Voxtrot - Start of Something

Voxtrot was a band from Austin, TX who only played for a few short years. But during those times they released some pretty rad stuff. They've got a great pop/low-fi feel to them and wrote some solid, upbeat songs but alas they just recently broke up.

"Start of Something" is from their early ep Raised by Wolves. This song is probably one of their funnest songs. It sounds a lot like it could have been a Smiths song because of the bupbupbah guitar work and the vocals that channel Morrissey himself. The subtle orchestra adds a unique touch and the lyrics are hopeful yet melancholy making for a great combo. The lead singer, Ramesh Srivastava's got some wicked prose.

This time of night I could call you up
I'd get angry with athletic ease, break common laws in twos and threes
If I die clutching your photograph
Don't call me boring, It's just 'cause I like you
Take me on back... take me back
To the place where I could feel your heart
Is this the end or just the start of
Something really, really beautiful
Wrapped up and disguised as something really, really ugly, 

Won't you...

Come by and see me, I'm a love letter away
I'd break your name before I'd say, "I really love you, love you,"
I don't care if you saw, I watched every inch of film 
Flash across your Roman features, 
And I loved it, loved it; I don't care if

You think I'm eager to shut your eyes, well 
I'm sorry-everybody knows you can't break me with your gutter prose
Would you believe it, she sent me a letter, 
The ring, it nearly weighs her down, she's got another boy, oh boy
Steady your ears... read my lips
Poetry is not a luxury, it's how I'll break this home
And when I'm really ill, won't you cradle me?
Man is not a noble animal, but maybe woman is, remember, 

I heard you...

Inside your room, you said, "You never really live 
Until your back's against the wall," oh did you really mean it?
I never break my gaze, if just to see this scar remain reflected in your eyes
I think it's time to go home

[GUITAR SOLO]

Oh, tell me your thoughts, tell me your thoughts on liberty, 
See there's a place where I sink to sleeping
Oh, my vote is as red as my blood
Will you join me for another round? I haven't had the chance to speak yet

God speed...

I break the law once every week to feel your touch, 
What's a book to you in bed, Do you feel better, older?
This just makes me ill, your name is dripping from my pen
Still you're not around to curse, 
I'll drop the gun now, I'm still under you...

Marianne, let the ghosts sleep tonight.
Marianne, let the ghosts sleep, just shut your eyes and burn the past away

Beach Boys - Heroes and Villains

I used to HATE the Beach Boys and for good reasons too. You see the only material I heard from them at first was their terrible surf crap. "Little Deuce Coupe"? Shut up Brian Wilson. But then I discovered everything after the brilliant masterpiece Pet Sounds when a friend pleaded with me to give them a chance. I am so glad I did, because they are now one of my most inspirational bands.

This song was also on the Fantastic Mr. Fox soundtrack, so it gets bonus points. Its an exciting, fun-filled blast of harmony, and instruments. Its set up in a way that makes it feel like a play, or a classical piece. There are so many different parts in it and each "scene" has its own unique feel but they tie it all together with a recurring melody. Since Brian Wilson was such a picky little rascal there are a ton of versions of this song, including one with a ragtime section in the middle which is my favorite but I couldn't find it.

I've been in this town so long that back in the city
I've been taken for lost and gone
And unknown for a long long time

Fell in love years ago
With an innocent girl
From the Spanish and Indian home
Home of the heroes and villains

Once at night Catillian squared the fight
And she was right in the rain of the bullets that eventually brought her down
But she's still dancing in the night
Unafraid of what a dude'll do in a town full of heroes and villains

Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done

Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done

Stand or fall I know there
Shall be peace in the valley
And it's all an affair
Of my life with the heroes and villains

My children were raised
You know they suddenly rise
They started slow long ago
Head to toe healthy weathy and wise

I've been in this town so long
So long to the city
I'm fit with the stuff
To ride in the rough
And sunny down snuff I'm alright
By the heroes and

Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done

Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done

Dr. Dog - Say Something

Creepy video, yeah? But awesome song. This was one of the first songs I heard by Dr. Dog and it got me hooked. This one's from the early album Easy Beat, which I highly recommend.

"Say Something" is a psychedelic-ish rock that kind of feels like a jam band if jam bands didn't suck. The guitars in the chorus scream Beatles and the harmonies are so solid. Harmonies are one of my favorite things about music and these guys have got it down with their "ahhhhs" and "lalalas." Great stuff.

long distance, no need to shout 
close quarters, ain't talkin out loud 
and I gotta know 
all over your open mouth 
words hang like they're just hanging out 
but I gotta know 

where are you going crazy 
in your mind or in everybody's mind? 

cold shoulders have run out of luck 
who knows what they're runnin from 
I gotta know 
you're holding up an endless line 
putting pressure on my precious time 
but I gotta know 

where are you going crazy 
in your mind or in every inch of your body? 
say something 

Fleet Foxes - Mykonos

Get your folk fix today. Fleet Foxes are Seattle based psych-folk outfit who are known for their mood setting jams filled with harmonies that rival the Beach Boys or America. They've got a new album coming up called Helplessness Blues so I figure I might as well get prepared for it.

"Mykonos" is from the Sun Giant EP and doesn't disappoint in the harmony department. With all six members taking up the vocals at several parts it gives you this great mysterious curiosity. During one of the breakdowns, the guitars, drums, bass and keys stop and the Foxes go all a cappella all over the place. I imagine myself wondering through some enchanted forest and hearing some baroque choir off in the distance.

The door slammed loud and rose up a cloud of dust on us 
Footsteps follow, down through the hollow sound, torn up. 

And you will go to Mykonos 
With a vision of a gentle coast 
And a sun to maybe dissipate 
Shadows of the mess you made 

How did animals in the snow tipped pines, I find 
Hatching from the seed of your thin mind, all night? 

And you will go to Mykonos 
With a vision of a gentle coast 
And a sun to maybe dissipate 
Shadows of the mess you made 

Brother you don't need to turn me away 
I was waiting down at the ancient gate 

You go 
Wherever you go today 
You go today 

I remember how they took you down 
As the winter turned the meadow brown 

You go 
Wherever you go today 
You go today 

When a-walking brother don't you forget 
It ain't often that you'll ever find a friend 

You go 
Wherever you go today 
You go today

Smashing Pumpkins - Cupid De Locke

Smashing Pumpkins double disk Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is widely regarded as one of their best albums and I tend to agree. But don't listen to me because I really don't know too much about them otherwise, I only have a few albums by them and have never really delved too much into their music.

That being said, "Cupid De Locke" is a fantastically beautiful song. Its the song that really made me appreciate them as a band. The harp and guitars fit together in a cloud-like melody and the bass carries it along while Shakespearean lyrics discuss the troubles and tribulations of love. Overall its a very relaxing song from a band that you wouldn't really expect to create relaxing songs.

Cupid hath pulled back his sweetheart's bow
To cast divine arrows into her soul
To grab her attention swift and quick
Or morrow the marrow of her bones be thick
With turpentine kisses and mistaken blows

See the devil may do as the devil may care
He loves none sweeter as sweeter the dare
Her mouth the mischief he doth seek
Her heart the captive of which he speaks
So note all ye lovers in love with the sound
Your world be shattered with nary a note
Of one cupids arrow under your coat

And in the land of star crossed lovers
And barren hearted wanderers
Forever lost in forsaken missives and satan's pull
We seek the unseekable and we speak the unspeakable
Our hopes dead gathering dust to dust
In faith, in compassion, and in love

Radiohead - Supercollider

I was pretty bummed I missed Record Store Day this year because I really wanted to pick the EP Supercollider/ The Butcher up on vinyl, but much to my surprise I checked my inbox yesterday and Radiohead themselves sent an Mp3 version of the EP to all those who had bought King of Limbs from their website. "Cool beans", said I.

"Supercollider" has been popping up at live shows since 2008, but this is the first appearance of the studio version. Played live, its just Thom and a piano, which is good, but this version's got some kick to it. The added drum machine beat and synths make it feel a bit more complete. Thom's voice has more room to wail in this version too, so he can really belt out those lyrics. The song as a whole reminds me a LOT of Amnesiac era Radiohead, and is especially reminiscent of the B-side "Cuttooth." Good job, blokes.

Super collider
Dust in a moment
Particles scatter
Parting from the soup

Swimming upstream
Before the heavens crack open
Thin pixelations
Coming out from the dust

In a blue light
In a green light
In a half light
In a work light

In a B-spin
Flip flopping
In a pulse wave
Outstepping

To walk the shadows back into
The boxes

I am open
I am welcome
For a fraction
Of a second

I have jettisoned my illusions
I have dislodged my depressions

I put the shadows back into
The boxes


I put the shadows back into
The boxes

:Space Week: Eric Idle - Galaxy Song

Space week has come to a conclusion. And I still see no spaceships in my driveway, chumps. Still we listened to some good space related tunes. Here's a few Honorable Mentions:
"Space Dementia" Muse
"Space Rock" Weezer
Space Truckin'" Deep Purple
"Night of the Star Child's Funk" Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground

As a finale, I leave you with simply this video. Enjoy! Remember, keep watching the skies! And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere out in space cause there's bugger all down here on Earth.