Fast robots

I'm not sure if today's tune should soundtrack propaganda films about the efficiency of Soviet factories or porno films starring cyborgs. Maybe it's the same movie?

Kissing The Pink - Frightened In France

Affectionate punch

OK, how about we step back from exquisite pop and air out a post-punk chestnut. Alan Rankine's weird, slightly spiky pop sense and Billy Mackenzie's near-operatic vox take a moment to get used to, but it's an association I can get behind. This one sounds a lot more tense than amused.

The Associates - Amused As Always

Call you appetite

I'm not sure why I keep falling for songs that pair fancy chord changes and a general feyness. And I wish terms more interesting than "sophisticated pop" came to mind. This stuff totally disarms me, and yet, I find myself humming harmonies through a stone-faced frown, walking down the street, darting past human interruptions. I guess there's some irony in that. Seriously though, go find their Steve McQueen album. It'll make you like 1985 a whole lot more.

Prefab Sprout - Appetite

And because I can't get enough if it right now, here's a little bonus with some even fancier moves.

Theme Week - Dream in sound (5/5)

Well this seems like a good place to round out Elephant 6 week — a band that exists mostly in the dream realm. Combining wax cylinders and wire recorders with talk of aliens and astral visions, we get a fantastical collision of a re-imagined earthbound past and interdimensional possibilities. Somewhere between a twisted lullaby and the will to change the grammar of consciousness. (Mang.) Ending this little journey, I don't know whether I'm coming home or blasting off again.

The Music Tapes - Nomad Tell Us

Theme Week - Dream in sound (4/5)

Here's a band that had so many ideas they seemed to stumble over themselves getting to them all at once. The Black Foliage album is kind of their masterpiece, but its dense restlessness makes me a little queasy. Too often it ends up screwing with its ideas before the listener has a moment to absorb them. And then there are the 10+ minute tape experiments, which are...you know. Bummer, because there are some stellar moments, like this track. I had this one in queue, and some recent sleep deprivation has given it extra resonance right about now.

The Olivia Tremor Control - A Sleepy Company

Theme Week - Dream in sound (3/5)

The Apples in Stereo are probably the most straightforward of the E6 bunch. Which is just fine when you write sterling pop songs. I suspect that if '60s jangle pop hadn't existed, guys like these would probably have invented it. Give me angelic bah-bahs and a chorus full of burly horns, and I'm a happy Songblague.

The Apples in Stereo - Silver Chain

Theme Week - Dream in sound (2/5)

Seeing Of Montreal put on their massive, elaborate stage show a couple weeks ago, I had to marvel at how far the band has come. Who'd have thought from from those ultra-twee, ultra-dense/kaleidoscopic early albums that Kevin Barnes would come to inhabit the sci-fi space-glam, emotionally-wrenched character he now takes from town to town. The songs are a little simpler now, but conceptually just as ambitious and sometimes just as inscrutable. Barnes has never been short of ideas or ambition; that's for sure. He could probably write an album in his sleep, and then record it the next morning. Makes me feel positively lazy. Anyway, here's a good one from those bright splashy color days.

Of Montreal - Penelope

Theme Week - Dream in sound (1/5)

I've been listening to a bunch of Elephant 6 bands lately. For those unfamiliar, here's a little primer on what that circle of bands was all about. Something still appeals to me about a group of creative folks fumbling around with nascent ideas, consolidating influences, making some stuff, and then scattering out into many permutations to give their musical whims the proper attention. With some distance from the heyday of that scene, my fondness only grows.

No need to bother with descriptions of the "Elephant 6 sound." You either already know it all or you'd rather just hear the music bear it out. So here goes. The first salvo comes from Elf Power, a band as charming as their name is silly. They're still rocking it out of Athens. In fact, I saw them play a couple weeks ago, and I was happy through and through. And this song title is as good a summary as any for the whole business. Extra credit if you can identify the song they're referencing in the middle bridge section.

FYI - this week's little survey will sidestep the Neutral Milk Hotel, who I believe were kinda overrated. Feel free to argue with that assessment.

Elf Power - We Dream In Sound

I dream of many things

Apt song title. Indeed, I am the October man. It houses my birthday, and every time it comes around, its air gets deep inside. Here's a song that fully belongs to the season. Sparkling and crisp. And while we're on it, let me re-iterate my ongoing admiration for Bill Nelson, who is shaping up to be my MVP of 2010. Past posts certainly get at some of his appeal, but I keep finding reasons to live inside his albums from 1979 to 1983. Do check 'em out. Meanwhile, let this majestic track accompany the nice slide of arms into long sleeves.

Bill Nelson - The October Man

PS - enjoy the weekend. A new Theme Week starts on Monday. You may be interested in the previous ones.

Art official

More DIY sounds. I've heard Nite Jewel referred to as the soundtrack to the blurry moments at the end of a night out. But this song feels more like early morning to me. Like a nature film on fast forward—all the animals stirring and shaking off sleep as little rays of light peak through the sky. There's nothing artificial about that intelligence.

Nite Jewel - Artificial Intelligence

Downstairs, can I read it too?

Love is overtaking me...not only a fine compilation of the brilliant/eclectic Arthur Russell's more singer-songwriterly ideas, but also a beautiful sentiment in itself. Taking you over and also getting a little past you. That's what love does, right? Here's a simple song. It's probably unfinished, but still full of grace, unstrenuously poetic, and warm as a hug from someone you want to see every day.

Arthur Russell - The Letter

Plus minus

Wow, accidental double dose of instrumental introspection. I think something zippy is in order today. Nothing earth-shattering. Just a crisp, honest slice of guitar pop from that album where Scott McCaughey had Wilco as his backing band. Which explains the vibraphone and kinda pointless fall-apart ending. Wistfulness goes nicely with bendy riffs though.

The Minus 5 - Where Will You Go

The sound of aftermath

There are long, weird nights that produce sharp cringes when you wake up. And then there are those unfortunate mornings that mock the conscious mind's attempt to impose a narrative onto the subconscious. Here's some music for surveying the landscape and not knowing how to step into it.

Daniela Casa - Noia

Homespinning

I've spent enough time cruising flea markets and Etsy to appreciate the handmade economy and envy the many talents I don't seem to possess. Of course, music is the most natural thing to tinker with at home. But since any yahoo with a laptop and some ideas can realize his self-indulgent dreams, you need to be a selective browser. That said, this dude from Portland gets a much-deserved Songblague salute. Talking nice minimal synth mystery goodness from the quiet corner of a neon planet.

Shermstixx - Crystal Throne of Winter

Two car garage

I wanna rock. Or, more precisely, I wanna listen to a group of musicians rock, and then, with all deliberate action, shake my head vigorously in alignment with the aforementioned rocking, and in that totality of motion, pronounce myself a participant. And I want to share the specialness with you. In 2 parts, like a 45. First stop, Sweden! Pick slides, pumping fists, and accents bent to the international rocking standard.

The Hellacopters - All I've Got

These guys do it a little more angular. But the chorus makes me go full-on air guitar, so it's a win-win.

Hot Snakes - Unlisted

The walrus was Paul

As a rule, I try not to get involved in Lennon vs. McCartney debates. Arguing about the Beatles' catalog is like arguing about the periodic table. But solo albums are another matter completely, and as far as Songblague is concerned, Band on the Run is clear evidence of Paul's superior post-Beatles work. And the next time someone tries to lay some crap on you about John being the more "experimental" one, just point them in the direction of McCartney II, if only for the pure weirdness of this one.

Here's another tune from that record. I like to think this is what Paul's dreams sound like. I also like to think that he wakes up every morning with that facial expression he's wearing on the album cover.

Paul McCartney - Dark Room

Have you seen the concert boy?

Talk about sins of omission. How could the American pop radar of 1983 have missed this Italo gem? I feel my childhood was diminished by its absence. But I partly made up for it the other day, spending hungry hours playing along with it on my little keyboard. How could I resist? It pushes nearly all my synthpop buttons — classy hummable melody, clutter-free groove, and a chorus that stirs in a little drama sauce. A classic, in short.

Cube - Concert Boy

Reductio ad absurdum

Well, it seems Songblague has been inscribed in the Book of Life. And not just because your humble host is still breathing. As chance would have it, this is post #366. The actual one year anniversary was in early March, but I was a slack mf-er and went on vacation. So, putting calendar markers aside, let's say this marks an occasion.

Segueing out of Yom Kippur, here's one that's fully secular, but — as conflicted love songs go — has a sensibility that's 100% Jewish. The outro feels like an incantation, and before that, a peculiar laundry list of love's unpolished elements. Who would have thought Mr. Bongwater had this tender side?

Kramer - It Never Stops Being Absurd

Repent!

I hope it doesn't seem like I'm scrambling for some Judaica to rock pre-Yom Kippur. Last year's fasting jam may have been more mood appropriate, but who doesn't love some good klezmer, especially when it's mixed with a noisier jazz spirit. I'm note sure if these guys are still around, but I was way into them in college. Zorn and his gang called the stuff Radical Jewish Culture, and I still like that idea. Of course, this was before I knew anything about the trad klezmer canon. I have a habit of always learning these things in reverse.

Is it me, or is there just something fundamentally rascally about the clarinet? Anyway, l'chaim, you filthy sinners!

Naftule's Dream - Oy Tate (Oh Father)

Wear the weary hours down

Steely Dan have always been the elephant in the room around here, responsible for my fondness (obsession) for musics of a smooth and greasy character in recent years. It wasn't always this way. I'd long given them the grapefruit face, holding them with the same contempt I reserve for jam bands and subway preachers. And then suddenly, a switch flipped. There was no blinding light or burning whatever. A friend dropped their catalogue on me all at once, and as I dug in, I found that my ears were tuned directly into it.

In retrospect, it shouldn't be surprising. There's the snarky lyricizing and raised-eyebrow perspective that I reflexively appreciate from my Zappa days. Couple that with the prog-precise musicianship of their many collaborators. And then, what could be the dealbreaker, that fusion-y '70s-ness — exquisite chords, mustaches, cocaine, and perfectionism. Ironic or not, there it is. And even that irony has its layers. You love it or you don't. And I love it. A star in the constellation that stretches across my musical cosmos.

It's a tough choice for which tune to go with. I should devote a week to them, maybe two. But this one is pretty instant in its gratification. And yes ma'am, that is one Michael McDonald on the backing vox.

Steely Dan - Rose Darling

Come on, let's (po)go

Another old favorite makes a return. Superchunk come roaring back after nearly a decade of musical silence, except of course for building that powerhouse of a label (or at least a semi-functional business model, I'm told) — Merge Records.

This is a feel-good comeback. Who didn't like Superchunk? Nerdy indie rockers triumphantly rocking in their cool, no-fuss fashion. You saw them in college, and you jumped around and loved it, and then you went home to listen to more challenging music, though with a lot less joy.

They have a new album, and it sounds exactly like...them. In fighting trim. Which is great. You do what you do and you do it right. Yessir. Here's one to make you jump around like the big happy dork you still are.

Superchunk - My Gap Feels Weird

Fake can be just as good

Talk about smoothing out the edges. Blonde Redhead have come a long way since the clamor of their youth — a musical arc as old as the process of growing up. The scraped guitars and nervous bashing are gone, but a lot of implied violence and dread still live in the minor-key gauziness that envelops their songs these days. It lends character to their pretty faces. So they're going full steam ahead with dream pop, and maybe you don't think that's a good look for a band that took their name from this. I don't think it fully suits them either, but when they wear it well, it's a stunner.

Blonde Redhead - My Plants Are Dead

Fell into fall

You can't turn your back for a second. I jaunt off to LA and come home to find they've replaced the air! Labor Day weekend was a radiant patch of late summer bliss. Summer finally got its shit together like a stumbling performance that somehow nails the encore. But nature is decidedly unsentimental and has taken its inevitable turn without issuing a memo. Why does this ever come as a surprise? I wonder if the season's change could ever feel less binary, if we could dip our toe in autumn first rather than suddenly finding ourselves surrounded by its air. Here's a song for that imaginary slide.

1000 Mexicans - Diving For Pearls

Labor party

As Labor Day approaches, I find myself again compelled to swerve away from American tunes. It still bugs me that the holiday is a totally neutered version of an actual salute to Labor. Forget about a nod to unions, and how even the khaki-est of office drones has benefited from their struggles. I'm not a fan of politicized national holidays, but a little knowledge of roots would be nice. But then, this is America, and we are dumb by profession.

Apropos of that, here's one from an obscure Belgian prog band that was loosely associated with the stridently lefty Rock in Opposition crowd. Nothing strident about this track though. The guitar even has a whiff of mellow sunsets about it. Forget that it's in 5/4 time, and you might even find yourself putting this on come barbecue time.

So, between the holiday and a little bizness trip coming up, Songblague is gonna lay low next week. Cool? See you back on 9/13.

Cos - Zuviel Manner

Hooray for the day

It's been baking outside these last couple days. Hopefully, it's the last gasp of the cruel summer heat. Does Songblague Nation wilt in response? No! We choose to embrace the sweat and rock it out. And I sound this battle cry with the full weight of my office. Literally, I'm sitting in my very climate-controlled office. But still, onward!

In addition to its blissful rock out-ness, this little nugget ranks as one of my favorite GBV song titles, right up there with this one. Can't say I'm too interested in their reunion tour though. Let 1996 stay 1996. As for today, I keep finding myself focusing on the harmony vocal, which I think is an important marker for spiritual development.

Guided By Voices - Your Name Is Wild