Bows + Arrows

Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura

2008-05-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

Like anybody who has followed Pas/Cal since The Handbag Memoirs came out in 1976, endless delays on the LP saw hopes fade, along with the band, into obscurity.

Now it's coming out; the proof follows.

Pas/Cal - You Were Too Old For Me
I Was Raised On Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura (Le Grand Magistery; 7/22/08)

Wow, that's good.

Going To...

2008-05-14T18:06:00.000-07:00

Say what you will of John Darnielle's voice, but concede perfection when you're lifted by the ears and thoroughly shaken.

The Mountain Goats - Going to Bridlington
VPRO Session 1996

Ah! As young and possessed as I've ever heard him. "Going to Bridlington" was never released.

Archery

2008-05-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, you may remember, Page France caused considerable commotion in these pages through their stunning full-length, Hello, Dear Wind. The album showed true bravery in simple, memorable songs, examining an idiosyncratic view of Christian faith and love which contrasted nicely with another popular album which considered a nominally similar, yet very different faith. Page France's, or perhaps more accurately Michael Nau's, world was fantastic: dancing animals, windy days, kings, queens, and angels, all in a circus-- a wonderful amalgamation of a metaphor which served a very real purpose. In singing and dancing and stomping Nau embraced and overcame the inevitable mortal restrictions-- the ringleader's direction, if we're running with this-- through a beautiful and absolute faith in good. To say that this sophomore effort was accomplished would be an understatement.

Since then, and I can't really hold this against them, Page France has all but dissolved over the course of a few EPs and a full-length which never quite captured their successor's easy brilliance (Sean at Said the Gramophone voiced this well last year). And now we have Nau as the Cotton Jones Basket Ride, and I'm still not quite certain if the music is better, or I'm just more receptive after the name change. There's more soul and groove, though the sound is still small and comfortable-- give it a chance.

Cotton Jones Basket Ride - Midnight Monday and a Telescope
The Archery EP (Quite Scientific; 2008)

Cotton Jones Basket Ride - Had Not a Body
Paranoid Cocoon (Quite Scientific; 2007)

Brother Run Them Down

2008-05-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

At first, as the synth wash gives way to staccato electric piano, it seems we're in for a mindless Big Moments 70s re-run, but then Music Go Music keep nailing it, and it becomes clear that this is no joke. The production, the perfectly thrumming guitar, the phased drums, the phased everything; it's all there, but it's the abandon the LA goof troop brings which sends "Light of Love" soaring.

Music Go Music - Light of Love
Light of Love (Secretly Canadian; 2008)

***

Kensington Heights is a killer album by one of my absolute favorite bands, but why does it always feel like nobody's listening when it comes to the Constantines? Especially now, when everybody's so quick to draw Springsteen comparisons-- if honesty and fire and compassion are the basic tenets of a Boss sound, then why haven't we realized this truly worthy band as deserving of our highest praise? Damn.

Constantines - I Will Not Sing a Hateful Song
Kensington Heights (Arts & Crafts; 2008)

***

I'm listening to Anywhere I Lay My Head right now, and it's much more listenable than I had expected.

Teen Creeps

2008-05-08T23:23:00.000-07:00

I've made a Muxtape. Due to their restrictions it's a dumbed-down version of a longer mix, although maybe that's okay-- the real one's just too special.

***

I've begun purchasing vinyl instead of CDs, and Nouns came in the mail yesterday. There couldn't be anything more perfect than that.

No Age - Eraser
Nouns (Sub Pop; 2008)

This has got to be the most undeniable band in existence. In a way, everything I wanted punk to be when I was a teenager, to the point where I'm almost embarrassed at the optimism and empowerment I get from their perfect music/movement/aesthetic synergy.

Plus bands that skate are bulletproof.

Special Levels

2008-04-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

Today's McSweeney's front page is "Acoustic Citizen": Live the embittered existence of a folk legend in the latest expansion pack for the successful Guitar Hero franchise... You'll sing on subjects as diverse as pickup trucks, sparrows, the cost of battle, and gypsies.

***

"...sounds like Conor Oberst screaming from the bowels of hell."

Hey, that's what I got too! I've given The Airing of Grievances a few listens and it's totally refreshing. For reference, the most Oberstian of the bunch:

Titus Andronicus - Fear And Loathing In Mahwah, NJ
The Airing of Grievances (Troubleman Unlimited; 2008)

***

I'm really feeling 2008, you know?

My Photo Album

2008-04-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

Though I am, sadly, 0% excited for their new album, Death Cab's recent Daytrotter Session finds me giddy at the inclusion of three cuts from The Photo Album. I tend to claim We Have The Facts as their finest hour, but I now realize TPA is truly my favorite.

Death Cab for Cutie - Steadier Footing
The Photo Album (Barsuk; 2001)

Death Cab's Daytrotter Session

Dawn & Delta

2008-04-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Do any of you live in Davis? My reason for asking is two-fold: first, I don't consider B+A to be as geographically-oriented as many other music blogs, so I've never really thought about the Davis contingent of my vast readership. I'm curious.

Secondly, if you do happen to live in Davis (or surrounding areas), I'd like to recommend you come to the Delta of Venus cafe tomorrow night. The Chapin Sisters, Two Sheds, and Dame Satan are performing, and it's the latter of the three that I'm excited to see.

Dame Satan sent their latest, possibly first, album, Beaches and Bridges, and it's spot-on. I've had it for two days and I'm pushing it-- that never happens. Immediately striking was the music's resemblance to two traits seemingly at odds with each other: Fleet Foxes' stateliness and Akron/Family's gloriously buoyant weirdness. Now, these are the characteristics that define my love for these bands, and to find them in something equally realized but essentially different from either is wonderfully impressive. If you're even remotely fond of this West-Coast-weirdo-collective love sound, come out to the show, or buy the album and listen to it outside, in the evening.

Dame Satan - Suffering Daughter
Dame Satan - The Golden Iranian
Beaches and Bridges (Ghost Mansion; 2008)

stream the entire album!

Two Minutes Forty Two Seconds

2008-04-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

I, like Kevin at So Much Silence, wanted to know which songs in my collection were "the perfect length" after reading this funny Morning News article. (Also like SMS, I had 42 songs, and many of them we had in common).

The list:

Arthur Advocate - Four Forty Eight
The Beach Boys - Forever
The Beatles - Michelle
Blood on the Wall - Junkeee... Julieee...
Bob Dylan - Song To Woody
The Books - All Bad Ends All
Caribou - Hello Hammerheads
Cat Power - Half of You
Chris Isaak - Forever Blue (Acoustic Version)
Chris Thomas King - Hard Time Killing Floor Blues
Conway Twitty - To See My Angel Cry
Crystal Castles - Alice Practice
Emitt Rhodes - You Should Be Ashamed
Eric Bachmann - Lonesome Warrior
The Fiery Furnaces - Ex-Guru
Franz Ferdinand - Swallow Smile
Guided by Voices - Echos Myron
Holopaw - 3-shy-cubs
Julie Doiron - I Left Town
The La's - There She Goes
Let's French - Start A New Life
Lily Allen - Alfie
The Lovin' Spoonful - Full Measure
The Magnetic Fields - Xavier Says
The Mendoza Line - Golden Boy (Live)
Microphones - Something
The Mountain Goats - Slow West Vultures
Nancy Wilson - Lucky Trumble
Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
Nina Simone - To Love Somebody
Okkervil River - The President's Dead
Rosie Thomas - All The Way To New York City
Sam Cooke - Twistin' The Night Away
The Saturday Knights - Ass Kicker's Haircut
The Shangri-Las - Past Present And Future
Sufjan Stevens - Super Sexy Woman
Tap Tap - Little Match (Big Fire)
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Criminal Piece
The Terrordactyls - Decoration Daniel
Them ft. Van Morrison - I Can Only Give You Everything
Uncle Tupelo - Discarded
Yo La Tengo - Center of Gravity

Okay... okay. I'm surprised to not see more Mountain Goats songs. And no classics. Whatever-- being able to share Conway Twitty with you makes up for any disappointment.

One more re: Merge

2008-04-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

This American Life played a lovely Portastatic song in between the first two acts of last week's show ("Nobody's Family Is Going to Change"). "In the Lines" transcends its crisply-strummed anysong opening with above-average songwriting and that weary voice, perfect in this instance.

Portastatic - In the Lines
The Summer of the Shark (Merge; 2003)

***

Stereogum has new Wolf Parade! Stereogum has new Wolf Parade! I cannot wait to hear Dan's songs from the record.

I'm Working But I'm Not Working For You

2008-04-10T10:36:00.001-07:00

Continuing on the Radar Bros. tip, here's a gift from the band and Merge.

Radar Bros. - Slack Motherfucker

I'm guessing they were forced to do this (it's a Superchunk cover), and that's why it sounds so good.

And, speaking of Merge, did you know the new single for Spoon's "Don't You Evah" is out? A new song, along with 84 remixes and The Natural History's original version (which I don't think was ever released, right?).

nasty!

Skinny Love

2008-04-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

Back On Stages #2 Bon Iver - Skinny Love
by lablogotheque

Doesn't this footage invest "Skinny Love" with some Powerful Force of the Classics? It totally does. For Emma, Forever Ago is really a good album, for those who have yet to hear.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love
For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar; 2008)

***

So Much Silence shows us Mt. Wilson Repeater, or Jim Putnam of our beloved Radar Bros. And we thank him.

Someone Loves You Very Much

2008-04-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

I am guessing we've all downloaded Enjoyed by now, Stereogum's star-studded tribute to Bjork's Post. Admittedly, I have never heard the original album, and my excitement stemmed from the inclusion of Liars, No Age, Grizzly Fantasy, and especially Evangelicals. I have become consumed by this band, championing them and their stunning new album, The Evening Descends.

At first, an Evangelicals song seems like a lot. A lot of noise and a lot of swirling, though it holds together surprisingly well as a legitimate, catchy pop tune. By the time you realize this, though, it's apparent that something beyond saturated noise lies within the song. This-- the best part-- is the band's calling card: a complex of lighthearted humor, paranoia, and truly heavy emotion. Take "Midnight Vignette", for example. The faux-b-flick soundtrack that runs throughout the entire album gives way to something more seriously frightening

Please don't tell my mother, she wouldn't wanna know/ I've been going crazy/ Right outside her door

a desperate plea, invested with heartbreaking love and unhappiness. And next, in "Skeleton Man", the album's finest moment, Guitar Hero crescendos assist another wrenching tale, this time of emptiness

Skeleton Man, he says, 'I don't care'/ A chest left empty of the heart's affairs/ Well it can carry other things that weigh much less/ And a head all hollowed out leaves me alone/ So I can get some rest

and it all comes together-- the emptiness, the stubbornness, the loneliness-- in the last line

When someone loves you very much/ YOU'RE FUCKED (emphasis theirs)

Altogether The Evening Descends is a singularly compelling listen, filled with moments like these investing real heart into the most ridiculous characters-- b-movie stars and skeletons-- but making their problems more terrifyingly real for it.

Evangelicals - Skeleton Man [mp3]
The Evening Descends (Dead Oceans; 2008)

Get their cover of Bjork's "You've Been Flirting Again" as part of Stereogum's Enjoyed: A Tribute To Bjork's Post.

And if you like "Skeleton Man", I would highly suggest its other half, "Skeleton Man's Bone Crushing Depression (If I Get Well)", available as part of the single available at Other Music's digital store.

The Click Wheel Five V

2008-04-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed Moistworks' version of the Click Wheel Five yesterday, and thought it time for another installment of my own.

The Cure - The Walk (Acoustic)
from Greatest Hits

I don't really like the inclusion of acoustic recordings of all the band's hits on this compilation. They're not the intimate re-readings or hushed affairs one would expect from the (Acoustic) tag; instead it's the same song with horrible acoustic-electric guitars and xylophone and the same drums as before-- a disaster. Though, I suppose, it's not so disappointing when it's an alternate version of a song I don't really know anyway.

Pavement - Angel Carver Blues/Mellow Jazz Docent (live)
from Slanted & Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe

I don't listen to a lot of Pavement in the colder months. Something about their gum smacks and gold soundz makes much more sense in the loose clutches of heat and boredom, and with that said, I'd like to celebrate their return.

Pretty Girls Make Graves - The Nocturnal House
from Elan Vital

R.I.P. RIPPERS

Richard Hawley - Who's Going To Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet
from Coles Corner

"It was a performance entirely and wonderfully out of time, flawlessly and tastefully executed without an ounce of pretension. I can't imagine anyone not liking Hawley's music, which isn't to say it's innocuous or uninteresting. It's just that, despite its obvious strength, music this classically good can feel well-known, and in the neverending search for the new and different it's much too easy to dismiss Hawley as an (admittedly teriffic) oldies-fetishist. Ironically, it is his music which stands out from the majority, nearly flawless and particularly stirring."

Okkervil River - The Next Four Months
from the For Real single

Writing this morning, looking out the window, blue sky's efforts to overcome some weird and unwelcome coastal grey were distinct and commendable. Okkervil River in the Black Sheep Boy-era were a band of black and fire-red, and that does not bode well for my morning. Daybreak recedes.

Kinda boring, I know. We'll do better next time.

The NME Can Burn in Hell

2008-03-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing that can wake the mighty B+A from its slumber, it is a (great) new Mountain Goats record. Or in this case, defamation of not only a (great) new tMG record, but the group itself. In their review of Heretic Pride, the New Musical Express posited that the album is "... business as usual: string-laced Americana that ranks alongside other literate types such as The Shins or Midlake."

The Shins or Midlake.

The Shins are an obtuse band which has been relegated to an eternity of being simply likable, and if that's true then Midlake is merely pleasant. The Mountain Goats can muster more passion, wit, anxiety and humanity in a two-minute song than most bands will ever achieve. Shame on NME; this scandal deserves more apologies than the Black Crowes/Maxim yawner.

Triumphantly: Sax Rohmer #1!

The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1 [mp3]

and a demo (song for Vamsidasa Babaji):

The Mountain Goats - Michael Myers Resplendent (demo) [mp3]

Buy Heretic Pride, if only for the album title. Wait a week and get all the vinyl too (thx Catbird).

R.I.P. Sheldon Brown

2008-02-05T13:19:00.000-08:00

Sheldon Brown, bicycle/life enthusiast and, as one person put it, "the reason I own zero bike maintenance books," has passed away. The wealth of knowledge Brown leaves behind has been invaluable to myself and most anyone else who has attempted to fix or build a bike, but it's his encouragement and passion that will be most sorely missed.

Poetry Aloud

2008-01-11T01:04:00.000-08:00

Mr. Z. Pennington, whose work I find fascinating and (it follows) whose opinion I value, has lauded Family Fodder as one of the most important and overlooked bands in post-punk history. His description of the group (long defunct) and its leader, Alig Fodder, betray a fan's passion: brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! So when we learn that his Society plans to release Fodder as part of their conceptual Pregnancy series, it's impossible not to share his excitement.

Idol Fodder - Death and the Maiden [mp3]

Listen to the insistent staccato note that runs through the song-- a ticking clock; a clucking tongue.

She takes her clothes off in a bus
She doesn't want to make a fuss
She susses what there is to suss
She takes her clothes off in a bus

She takes her clothes off all alone
And strips her skin back to the bone
Eyes, lips, teeth, hair and mobile phone
Death and the maiden all alone

Listen to the progression: the beach, a tree, a bus, a car, a void, my dreams. A cloud, alone. In the tension I can't tell if we're zooming in or out.

Bäbytalk, the sixth installment in the Pregnancy series, is out in limited numbers on Tuesday.

My Favorite Albums of 2007

2007-12-09T22:34:00.000-08:00

8. St. Vincent's Marry Me

I love the recent crop of unique, fully-realized new bands (White Rabbits, Yeasayer), and I think Miss Clark tops them all.

listen to "Now, Now"

7. Magnolia Electric Co.'s Sojourner

Let's put it this way: Few artists can release 33 song sets that I can sit through, let alone enjoy, like this.

listen to "Trouble in Mind" [+ more]

6. Josh Ritter's The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter

What Ritter's doing right now strikes me as significant. Perhaps because his brand of Americana is clearly well-informed but also timely and (best of all) delivered with charming, hopeful abandon.

listen to "Right Moves"

5. King Khan & the Shrines' What Is?!

The Black Lips are hot shit right now, but this is SO much better and you don't even know it.

listen to "(How Can I Keep You) Outta Harm's Way" [+ more]

4. Bright Eyes's Cassadaga

It's a strange album, and I still don't know how to write about it-- and everything I read seems to miss the point.

listen to "Coat Check Dream Song" [+ more]

3. Radiohead's In Rainbows

I'll be kicked out of the Bloggers' Guild if this isn't Top 3.

listen to "All I Need"

2. Okkervil River's The Stage Names

This is, for an Okkervil River album, astoundingly fun. And make no mistake, it's an Okkervil River album through and through, all ink and spit and flame.

listen to "A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene" [+ more]

1. LCD Soundsystem's Sound of Silver

I like Hua Hsu's description of this album in his Slate article: posteverything. It touches on everything under the sun, but the part we identify with is purely James Murphy. Outstanding.

listen to "North American Scum" [+ more]

Up for Sunrise

2007-11-28T22:19:00.000-08:00

The Catbirdseat has compiled an interesting little list, naming five albums we didn't hear in 2007. Among these is Dolorean's You Can't Win, which reminded me of a Dolorean song I enjoyed from a sampler/comp called Outta Sight! and had since forgotten. "Morning Watch" recalls Damien Jurado (who, interestingly, soundtracks a wonderful short film featured on Dolorean's website) in its weightiness and worn melody.

Dolorean - Morning Watch [mp3]

I'll post the film here too, since it really is good. As Mr. Dolorean says: simple and emotional. Plus, you can hear Jurado's "I Had No Intentions".

buy You Can't Win from Yep Rock.

Bows + Arrows is Two

2007-11-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who has shared music, insight, time and excitement with me over the last couple years. It's slow going around here, I know, and it's because I still haven't found the perfect way to do this. There has been interesting discussion, especially recently, about the purpose of music blogging, or something to that effect. It's kinda disheartening, the current state of music blogs, though clearly I haven't done much to change that. Still, about 2.34 times/month inspiration strikes and I'm reminded that this can be an enjoyable endeavor.

To celebrate I'd like to share a song which I've been (halfheartedly, of course) searching for over the past couple years. It was my introduction to the Weakerthans and, in many ways, indie rock, an alternate take on the beautiful "Everything Must Go". Long after, when I picked up Left and Leaving, I would hear the song in a slightly different form and realize that it's missing something. The drums! In the perfect version, they start and end the song, cast a grey drizzle over the affair, hush Samson's words and guitar.

The Weakerthans - Everything Must Go (Alternate Version) [mp3]

I hope this thrills at least one of you out there.

***

The brains and heart behind It's Hard To Find A Friend offers a wonderful holiday album, with some special tracks, for seven dollars. Though it's not the songs that should entice you when all-proceeds-go-to-charity! Check it out here.

I Sold Myself Out

2007-11-12T23:48:00.000-08:00

Pitchfork wasn't so far off in their review of Christopher Denny's Age Old Hunger: it's an out-of-time record from a man in Arkansas, a lovely album of songs, old and new, sung genuinely. I do think, however, that two things need be mentioned in conjunction with the album, points which I find most appealing about Mr. Denny's work. First, there is a very strong resemblance to the wonderful Tom Brosseau which extends beyond the obvious vocal comparisons (is it appropriate to call it "high lonesome," or is that something else altogether? It fits.). Knotty punctuation aside, a shared affinity for trains and a lost generation of middle-America and its mannerisms ties the gentlemen-- at least in my mind.

Christopher Denny - Age Old Hunger [mp3]

Secondly, the Pitchfork article makes no mention of the title track, the strongest point on the record, even if it's not the most accurate representation. "Age Old Hunger", unlike the album's other tracks, can't be reduced to C&W or old-timey-anything. Too direct and too stark, it's-- and I hate to use this word in this context-- hungry.

I sold myself out, and I didn't get nothing in return
I sold myself out, not one thing did I earn.

I damn near lost my mind, trying to think like somebody else
And I about lost my heart, trying to feel like somebody else.

proclaims Denny, with what can only be described as sheer conviction, over two smoldering chords. And later:

I wanna feel this hole in my soul, just how I don't know
I wanna feel good like I did when I was younger.

it's powerful and simple, recalling Dylan's "Most Of The Time" (musically too!). Please, take it with you and listen, this will all make more sense, really.

purchase Age Old Hunger, out now on 00:02:59.

No. 300

2007-10-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

Lou Reed - Street Hassle [mp3]

As much as I love this song for its gorgeous refrain and its singular Reed lyrics, I think it's the structure that I find most fascinating. A three-part tone poem is unique on its own, but "Street Hassle" is flawlessly crafted to be a thoroughly moving meditation on an epic scale, where even the inclusion of Springsteen doing spoken word seem in-place. Amazing.

Buy Street Hassle. Also included on the Squid and the Whale OST.

***

Stereogum Presents... Drive XV is available for download! A tribute to R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People, featuring Wrens, hooray!

Happy October!

Night Windows

2007-09-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

A binding disclaimer from John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats regarding the unreleased "From TG&Y", recently made available on the band's forums:

DEAR JOHN D., I want a copy of the version of "From TG&Y" (which you have also called "For TG&Y" at various points, omg which one is correct) that you and Peter recorded at Electrical with John Congleton last fall. I understand that by accepting this file, I agree not to be El Gran Senor Intenet Douchebag, saying on various forums or lj comments threads how this song ought to have been on the next album instead of whatever other song I have blindfoldedly singled out, it being quite clear that this song's theme is rather more in line with the Sunset Tree. I understand that you would not be the guy to just shove a Sunset Tree style song onto another album, since that would be so lame. I agree that the terms of this agreement are reasonable and awesome, and that they apply to me whether I grabbed the song directly from these forums or from some other source, and hereby state that I agree to them whether I have read them or not. Yours most sincerely [Brian]

Try it:

The Mountain Goats - From TG&Y [m4a]

***

The Weakerthans' Reunion Tour comes out tomorrow, and I'm wracked with anticipation. Their catalog has only grown on me since I picked up Fallow all those years ago, and already the new single "Night Windows" has become my most played song recently.

The Weakerthans - Night Windows [mp3]

buy Reunion Tour.

***

So Much Silence has another National radio session to add to your collection! Featuring "You've Done it Again, Virginia".

Our Age

2007-09-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

There have been a few interesting pieces on LCD Soundsystem's "All My Friends", surely one of the year's best songs, but Mark Richardson's Resonant Frequency plays a slightly different angle. It examines John Cale's version, found on the All My Friends single, as a mature and telling counterpoint to most of today's new music. Looks like I hadn't given Cale enough credit, as listening to the song now I am much more affected.

John Cale - All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem cover) [mp3]

buy All My Friends-- also featuring Franz Ferdinand's rendition-- here.

***

Clear Tigers came yesterday from Catbird! Terrific!

Aaahdaadaadaadaadaa

2007-09-15T10:54:00.000-07:00

Kanye's Graduation is the first of his albums which I can listen to front-to-back, its 52-minute running time seeming more like a half-hour. Let's all be thankful for the absence of skits. All this considered, I've listened to it many times since Tuesday, and it's even better than I expected. Still, I think Kevin was right about West's ...unique style. Hit or miss I guess.

I don't know if everyone caught the A-Trak remix of "Stronger" at Pitchfork the other week, but it's got the perfect Daft Punk:Kanye ratio. I had my reservations about the album version of "Stronger", though I admit it's grown on me.

Kanye West - Stronger (A-Trak Remix) [mp3]

Also: Tom Breihan's 10 favorite Graduation scenes.