Song Of The Week Archive

Dec 25, 2009 — Joy To The World by Three Dog Night

When I was in college, my residential house had a (surprisingly WASP-y, even for Boston) tradition of getting together to drink and sing Christmas carols one evening each December. The faculty member who oversaw our house was a music scholar, so he'd lead the singing. My senior year, a fantastic fellow in my class by the name of Nick Weiss was there and volunteered to accompany on the piano. He was naturally talented, and rolled along holiday song after holiday song, playing and singing with the crowd. As the evening came to an end, Nick opened the music book to the wintry carol "Joy To The World", announced the title, drew in a breath, winked at the crowd, and then slammed down the opening riff of the Three Dog Night song by the same name, yelling "Jeremiah was a bullfrog!" Thirty people followed his lead through the whole thing, glasses raised.

Merry Christmas!

"I'm a high night flier, and a rainbow rider,

a straight-shooting son of a gun."

Dec 17, 2009 — (This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan by Dntel feat. Ben Gibbard

This is the original collaboration between Jimmy Tamborello (aka Dntel) and Ben Gibbard (frontman of Death Cab for Cutie). From Dntel's "Life is Full of Possibilities" album (2001), this song worked so well that the pair went on to create a full album of songs under the name "The Postal Service." It's somewhat of a challenging listen, but will reward your attention with a beat and a song rising up from fuzz, outlining the (titular) dream, and then receding back into the haze.

Song of the week bonus: Some of Ben's Favorite Albums of the 2000s.

I've been consuming music (I could say collecting, or buying, but neither alone captures the act) since middle school, but only in the early to mid 2000s did I get really serious about it, with weekly trips to the record store and frequent live show attendance in Seattle. As this decade closes, it's not a bad time to look back and take stock of music I've heard this decade that has worn its grooves into my brain forever. It's just one view-- I'm going with albums, and not songs, and they're not in an especially special order, but the important criterion I imposed is that I have to love the entire album; there's no track skipping when these albums are on. Got your own list? I'd like to hear it.

1. "Give Up", The Postal Service (2002)

It was late at the Sasquatch Festival on Memorial Day Weekend in 2004. We were at the Gorge, an outdoor amphitheater on the banks of the Columbia in nowhere, Washington. We were tired, it was getting dark. But one friend (and current SOTW subscriber) demanded that we stay for one more group, these Postal Service guys. The 45 minutes that followed was probably the best show I've ever attended, Jimmy Tamborello in the back spinning and making beats, and Ben Gibbard (otherwise of Death Cab for Cutie) frantically switching between guitars and drums while singing immediately likeable electronic pop songs.

I play their sole album when I miss Seattle-- you can hear the drizzle and see the grey clouds reflected in the lakes throughout. "Give Up" had some instant classics: "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" and "Such Great Heights". Over time, other tracks revealed their excellence, and now, half a decade later (!), my favorite has come to rest at "Brand New Colony." Only the final instrumental track is a misstep here; everything else is of equal brilliance.

2. "King James Version", Harvey Danger (2000)

Long-winded and intricate, packed with tunes, a masterpiece by an underrated band. Fundamentally a pop song outfit, Harvey Danger created its own stylistic space by adding the snarl of punk to lyrical wit over electric guitars and organs. Come for the songs, stay for the conversation-- KJV is home to some of my favorite lyrics:

"The moon is a toenail, the stars are a guardrail, my heart is a sandpail. And you're Toluca Lake."

"She took one last gulp of his soft city condescension, and blasted off from her little launch pad to points West."

"It's so much harder to be underfed than under-understood, he said."

"Let's empty all the minibars and leave this town in flames."

Harvey Danger was briefly famous for a flash in the late 90s with hit "Flagpole Sitta", then they shrank back to being just a northwest indie band. (Maybe their lasting legacy is having supported local unknowns Death Cab for Cutie.) I saw these guys many times live in small venues in Seattle, each show excellent. They've disbanded for good as of this year, and pop music has lost something.

3. "Transatlanticism", Death Cab for Cutie (2004)

By turns contemplative, wry, loud, and pained, this (concept?) album is heartache over gorgeous soundscapes. Distance, coming of age, and the intense sense of winter are writ throughout the record. No other Death Cab album before or since has come close to its consistency and its raw personal pleas. Highlights: the long, building title track and "We Looked Like Giants."

4. "Charm School", Bishop Allen (2003)

These guys write catchy, witty little pop numbers and perform with carefree glee. Bishop Allen released a bunch of music this decade, including two more albums and a series of 12 (!) EPs. But their debut album remains the most consistently excellent yet thematically broad set of songs, ranging from the hand-clapping singlalong "Penitentiary Bound" to the Talking Heads homage "Empire City," and its unironic joy throughout makes it the real keeper.

5. "Smile", Brian Wilson (2004)

The Beach Boys' intended response to 1967's Sgt. Pepper's, a mythically unfinished album that grew in legend for three decades before Brian Wilson came out of rehab to finally piece it together. Even for being a step out of its time, it resonates and uplifts, psychadelic surf pop as an Americana concept album. Would have given Lennon and McCartney a run for their money back in the day. Highlights: finally contextualized recordings of "Heroes and Villains" and "Good Vibrations". See also "Surf's Up," the pivot point of the album.

6. "Vampire Weekend", Vampire Weekend (2008)

These guys are young and inexperienced, but there's something wonderful and unique about their sound. It's carefree, danceable pop (some critics call it "afro-pop", which seems wrong to me, but does describe the drums) with unusual instrumentation and neat little lyrical figures. It's a summer day in the park, captured on tape. Highlights: "Walcott", "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance", "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa".

Some Honorable Mentions:

"Chutes Too Narrow", The Shins (2003)

"Fox Confessor Brings The Flood", Neko Case (2006)

"Electric Version", The New Pornographers (2005)

"Golden Delicious", Mike Doughty (2008)

"Comfort Eagle", Cake (2001)

...along with others I've surely forgotten.

Dec 9, 2009 — Proud Mary (Live) by Ike & Tina Turner

Came across a great live concert recording of Ike & Tina Turner from 1971. Their cover of Creedence's Proud Mary ended up being one of their signature songs over the years, and it's great live-- it's rearranged from the original to be less country, and lot more soul. I like how their version starts slow and gospelly, breaks into rock n roll, and turns into a party over the course of 8 minutes. Plus, check out Tina's intro-- who knew she was so hot?

Dec 2, 2009 — 16th & Valencia Roxy Music by Devendra Banhart

I'm a sucker for a local reference; I'd like to imagine this is about Saturday nights at Delirium. Disco/funk/folk? From the new album "What Will We Be."

Nov 27, 2009 — The Disappointed by XTC

From 1992's Nonsuch. This song pairs a surprisingly infectious tune with a total sad-sack story.

Nov 20, 2009 — The Ballad of John and Yoko by the Beatles

This was a recent find for me-- it's a breezy, bluesy autobiographical song by Lennon about the people who were getting all up in his business about his thing with Yoko. It's notable for being recorded on all instruments by Lennon and McCartney; George and Ringo happened to be out of town when inspiration bit, so they missed the boat. For such a late Beatles track, I like how straightforward it is. Released as a single in May '69.

"Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton

Talking in our beds for a week.

The news people said, "Say what you doing in bed?"

I said, "We're only trying to get us some peace!"

Christ, you know it ain't easy..."

Nov 15, 2009 — Days by Sambassadeur

New boppy pop single from Swedish group Sambassadeur, off of their upcoming unnamed album. Good listening, although the backing track writes a check that the song ultimately can't cash. (Reminds me of "Bittersweet Symphony" in this respect.)

****

In other news, Song of the Week is back after an (unintentional) monthlong hiatus. For those keeping score at home, this month marks the first birthday of SOTW. "Days" is the 48th (!) installment. The subscription list has grown from 9 to the current 29 (as always, let me know if you want off). My least favorite pick, in retrospect, is Bishop Allen's "South China Moon"; that album had several better tracks. The most prescient was "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire, which at the time I called "trashy", which was apparently code for "Oscar winning." Based on iTunes play counts, the three newly-found songs that I have ended up listening to the most are "People Got A Lotta Nerve" (Neko Case), "In For The Kill" (La Roux), and "Money Changes Everything" (The Brains). Let me know if you've had any sleeper favorites. Thanks for listening.

Oct 16, 2009 — Last Train to Trancentral by The KLF

From 1991's "The White Room". I was not a connaisseur of "late-80s acid house" when I ordered this album as part of the 10-CDs-for-a-penny deal that I got from Columbia House in 8th grade (!). I'm no more of one now, but apparently critical history has been kind to the record. (Unlike with the Amy Grant CD that I ordered at the same time.)

Anyways, I'm not much for hard core dance music unless it's got a melody, and this has that and then some. The style's also apparently referred to as "stadium house". If you find it a little in your face up front, try putting it on your workout playlist. You might also recognize this song from the end of the original Blue Man Group show.

Awesome grace note in this track if you listen carefully: buried in all the synthesizers and production, in the middle of the bridge, there's the single organic sound of a horse whinnying.

Have a great weekend.

Oct 7, 2009 — Horchata by Vampire Weekend

Newly released advance track from their second album "Contra", which is due in January.

This song isn't really especially memorable on its own merits, but it's shiny and new and has the trademark sound that makes Vampire Weekend one of my favorite bands. Enjoy it for the warm vibe as we head towards colder weather.

"In December, drinking horchata

Look down your glasses at that Aranciata"

(N.B. I reserve the right to send out another of their songs when the new album is fully out.)

Sep 30, 2009 — Spinning Away by Brian Eno and John Cale

I'm not always in the mood for this song, but this morning I am. Get past the dated production and pretend you're in a movie montage: on top of a mountain, smiling up at the sunshine, turning around with your arms flung out. Turns out, sometimes the world is wonderful place to be in after all.

From the album "Wrong Way Up" (1990). We've seen both Eno and Cale on this list before-- the first for his collaboration with David Byrne on "Strange Overtones" in Feb, and the latter for his awesome "Hallelujah" cover in April.

"... as the day dissolves, with my pencil turning moments into lines."

Sep 23, 2009 — I Saw Her Standing There by John Lennon and Elton John

Live at Madison Square Garden, in November 1974, from Elton John's "Here and There" album.

(This is Beatles month, with their full catalog remastered and reissued on CD, but this is a recording you won't find in the box sets.)

John Lennon was four years past the Beatles and never performed live anymore when he lost a bet to Elton John, agreeing to join him on stage for a few songs at one of Elton's concerts. This was the last of three songs they played together that night. and as fate had it, was the very last song Lennon would ever play for an audience. How fitting then that "I Saw Her Standing There" was also the first track on the Beatles' first record in the UK.

This live track, with rock piano by Elton, guitar by Lennon, and vocals by both, kicks the ass of the then-decade-and-a-half-old original version. Check the tambourines, the guitar solo in the bridge, and Lennon's whimsical description of his former songwriting partner.

Sep 14, 2009 — Parentheses by The Blow

From 2006's "Paper Television". Indie electro pop from Oregon.

Sep 3, 2009 — Sleepyhead by Passion Pit

[Today's a twofer, since I skipped last week.]

Now back to our regularly scheduled indie stuff. This is off of last year's "Chunk of Change" EP, which is basically a one-man computer-synthesized song cycle. The guy recorded it for his girlfriend, and then apparently decided that other people should hear it. Good call: he and his band are playing the Treasure Island Festival next month. Or not: the girlfriend in question is referred to in press as his "then-girlfriend." Oh well. It's got a unique sound and a hook too.

Sep 3, 2009 — Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Sorry to be both late to the party and so obvious, but the implanted memory of this song woke me up every couple hours last Saturday night. It has no real staying power, but rocks a mighty hook.

"Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin'..." Classy lady.

Aug 20, 2009 — Beggin' by The Four Seasons

From 1967. Frankie Valli and his troupe put out a bunch of awesome songs in the 60s (and 70s). About the mid-60s, their style turned more from pop/doo-wop to rock. This track has an unusually excellent groove to it.

"Don't even stand a devil's chance to win my soul."

Aug 14, 2009 — Heartbeats by The Knife

The Knife is a reclusive Swedish electropop duo. This is from 2003's "Deep Cuts." Might take a listen or two to find the hook.

This song was slightly more recently covered in a surprising acoustic version by Jose Gonzalez and used as the theme track to the best Sony/San Francisco ad ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zOrV-5vh1A [definitely click the "HD" button if you haven't seen this yet.]

Aug 8, 2009 — Holiday Road by Lindsey Buckingham

John Hughes died this past week. He was the 80s film writer and director behind Ferris Bueller and The Breakfast Club, among many others.

This song is the title track from National Lampoon's "Vacation," one of his early writing successes. Lindsey Buckingham (formerly of Fleetwood Mac) wrote the song, and it's a hard one to track down-- the soundtrack album for the movie hasn't ever been widely in print in any digital form. The song is awesome-- it's basically one hook repeated for two minutes. It's ripe for some sort of Kanye treatment.

"Jack be nimble, Jack be quick-- take a ride on a West coast kick."

Jul 29, 2009 — Singular Girl by Rhett Miller

From "The Believer" (2006). I came across an oddball acoustic version of this song for a few years ago, and loved it then-- upbeat with nicely quirky lyrics-- but only recently rediscovered it when I found with the full album it originally came from. That's the attached version. Rhett Miller is also known for being the frontman of the Old 97s.

"Talking to you, girl, is like long division."

Jul 22, 2009 — Peace of Mind by Boston

Maybe I'm the only one that didn't hear this epic classic rock track until recently, but if you haven't either, it's worth your time. From the 1976 self-titled debut album by Boston. (The very same album that brought you "More Than A Feeling", and "Foreplay/Long Time", and "Motownphilly". OK, not the last one. But it's a solid album.) Crank up the 8-track in your Firebird!

Jul 15, 2009 — Fitz and the Dizzyspells by Andrew Bird

From this year's "Noble Beast." Bird is one of indie pop's current darlings, known for whistling in his songs. This track's got a nice hook to it.

"Soldier on, soldier on..."

Jul 10, 2009 — Wanna Be Startin' Something by Lulu Joppert

Song of the Week returns from summer vacation in Asia to note the sad passing of pop luminary Michael Jackson. This is a fun bossa nova cover of my favorite MJ track.

"You're a vegetable, and they hate you"

Mamma say mamma sa ma ma coo sa, indeed.

Jun 17, 2009 — Combination Pizza Hut And Taco Bell by Das Racist

High concept track by these guys, remixed by somebody named Wallpaper. I mainly just love that there's a song inspired by conjoined fast food restaurants. ("Hah! Ha-hah!").

Jun 11, 2009 — Vine St. by Harry Nilsson

This one kicks off with a great 60s pop romp, but don't be fooled; it's just a song within a song that ends too soon, to serve a meandering narrative that you have to pay more attention to if you want to like it.

Harry Nilsson was an influential pop artist, and this song is from his "Nilsson Sings Newman" album from 1970. The unusual record featured only covers of songs by then-unknown artist Randy Newman, who helpfully played the piano for it. Newman had decades of quirky successes, including recently scoring a bunch of Pixar films.

Jun 5, 2009 — Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear

Indie pop by Grizzly Bear, from their new album "Veckatimest". This song's been a grower for me; it gets by on being more of a soundscape than a tight track.

May 28, 2009 — Don't Stop Believin' by Glee

If Katy Perry counts as a "guilty pleasure," then I don't even know what to call this. Is it Thursday already?

May 22, 2009 — Meet Me In The Garden by Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele

From the aptly named "The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele" album. This track is an unholy mix of retro lounge crooning and polynesian tiki bar. Grab a Mai-Tai and a seat at the bar; this might be just the backgrounder to kick off your long weekend with.

May 14, 2009 — Don't Trust Me by 3OH!3

From the Department of What The Kids Are Listening To These Days. This is a worthless rock/dance track with a catchy chorus that they stole from lots of other songs. The grabber lyric "Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips" would be subtler if they didn't repeat it so much. Former residents of Colorado might recognize the band name as the local area code there.

May 7, 2009 — When You Were Mine by Prince

Early Prince, from 1980's "Dirty Mind." A fantastic song, which was also covered by Cyndi Lauper on her debut record (like "Money Changes Everything", from a long-ago song of the week mail). Prince is one of the best contemporary pop songwriters, and he's a talented musician (especially underrated as a guitarist) as well.

"You were so strange; you didn't have the decency to change the sheets."

Apr 29, 2009 — Words Unspoken by Steve Martin

You know him for his awful movies, but maybe you know his amazing 1970s standup comedy... in which case you probably also know that Steve Martin is an unusually talented banjo player. Earlier this year he released his first album of original banjo songs, called "The Crow," with the help of several notable collaborators (Earl Scruggs, Dolly Parton, even Eugene Levy).

This track is "Words Unspoken," and it's something like bluegrass, not at all like comedy. But if you need a fix of both, try the theme from Ramblin' Man.

Apr 22, 2009 — Hallelujah by John Cale

I've known this song for a long time, but I've only became fixated on it over the last couple weeks. It's originally a Leonard Cohen song from the mid 80s, but it's better known from several cover versions, especially Jeff Buckley's. I never liked either of those performances very much, but realized that the underlying song is a lovely combination of evocative story and a simple/classic chord progression.

I found John Cale's 1991 version, attached here, which strips the song to a straightforward piano-vocals arrangement-- it's much better. Cale is best known for forming the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed in the 60s. His accent is Welsh, if you're curious.

I could quote any bit of this song here as a teaser, but instead here's the final verse of the Cohen original, which doesn't appear in any of the covers even though it nicely concludes the story.

"I did my best; it wasn't much.

I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch.

I've told the truth;

I didn't come to fool you.

And even though it all went wrong

I'll stand before the Lord of Song

With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah."

Apr 14, 2009 — Then He Kissed Me by The Crystals

"And then he kissed her"... with his gun. In honor of legendary record producer Phil Spector's conviction on 2nd degree murder charges this week, Song of the Week presents one of the best examples of his revolutionary "wall of sound" production technique from the 1960s. Spector was behind a ton of excellent music that you probably know, and he co-wrote this song as well as produced it; it's a pretty amazing pop song.

Spector is a scary dude, though. The only thing he's on record as saying about the murder charges is: "She kissed the gun."

Apr 8, 2009 — Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon

I think this was a huge hit last year and I missed it. There's something I really like about the sound, even though I can't understand any of the lyrics or figure out why it should have been so popular, and I've listened to it on repeat for a few days. Thanks to Aditya to sharing it with me last week. For whatever this is worth, it feels like a rainy-day version of Stereophonics' Dakota.

Apr 2, 2009 — Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley

My favorite Elvis song. His eighteenth and final #1 hit, released in 1969.

Mar 27, 2009 — Assknocker by Bob Schneider

I'm going back to the well this week. This is a ridiculous yet awesome song by Bob Schneider, recorded live in Seattle at a great show I was at way back in 2004. (Thanks to Pat for that.) His best songs are a southern-rock/quasi-rap fusion, sometimes with a latin tinge, and often NSFW. On a beautiful early spring day like today, nothing goes better.

"Stop over with the goodies and get it on!"

Mar 18, 2009 — Ahoy, Supercool! by Love Hotel

The only "single" by my favorite band that nobody's heard of. Sadly, the only trace that remains of one of this former Seattle group is a vestigial MySpace page. This is the fun lead track from their one recording, an EP called "Masculine Feminine."

"Please call me when you get there..."

Mar 11, 2009 — Play Your Part (Pt. 1) by Girl Talk

Girl Talk is the name a Philly DJ goes by; his deal is that he constructs entire albums of music by mixing and matching samples from all across the board. There's generally a rap vocal over beats and melodies that come from the pop/rock world. He's very skilled at this, and the result is manic but surprisingly compelling to listen to. At the very least it makes for good workout music.

This is the first track from last year's "Feed the Animals" album. If you like it, the whole album is available for download off his website as a donate-whatever-you-want thing (including nothing).

http://74.124.198.47/illegal-art.net/__girl__talk___feed__the__anima.ls___/

Mar 4, 2009 — South China Moon by Bishop Allen

Bishop Allen's new uber-poppy album "Grrr..." is out this week, and this track grabbed my ear. These guys have been favorites of mine for years. I haven't listened enough to the whole album to know if this is the best choice, but I'm going with it for now. If you like them, they have a few more freebie downloads from their website, including 2 more from the new album.

This is a great week for good music. Neko Case's album Middle Cyclone is finally, and it's wonderful. U2 also has their first in a half-decade out.

Feb 25, 2009 — In For The Kill by La Roux

La Roux is a new 80s-ish UK synthpop act (sounds like somewhere in the Eurythmics area of the map). This is their current single, and took me a couple listens before it lodged in my head, but now the chorus is firmly stuck there. Thanks to my sister Emily for directing me to this one (and as always, having more respectable taste than me).

Song Of The Week would like to congratulate December alumnus song "Jai Ho" (from Slumdog Millionaire) for its recent Academy Award win for Best Original Song.

Feb 18, 2009 — I Got The Drop On You by Mike Doughty

From Golden Delicious. Doughty is turning quickly into my favorite folk-pop artist. He is most well known as the frontman for the awesome 90s "slacker jazz" outfit Soul Coughing. The newer solo music is very different. I had a hard time picking one song, and this one is more raw than almost any of the rest of them. (Let me know if you like it enough to try another, poppier track.)

"I got the drop on you, it was easy-Japanesey.."

Feb 11, 2009 — Strange Overtones by Brian Eno & David Byrne

My New Favorite Song. From last fall's "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today". You know Byrne from the Talking Heads, and Eno is a longtime "soundscape" pop experimentalist/producer. This collaboration album feels something like the Postal Service, in that you got one guy worried about the sounds, the other guy crafting the sounds into songs. The chorus features a neat word-painting with a sort of unusual sixth? or tritone? resolving on the word "harmonize". (If you know music theory and can tell me what's happening there, you get a bonus free song next week.)

"Your song still needs a chorus; I know you'll figure it out.
The rising of the verses... a change of key will let you out."

Feb 4, 2009 — Miss Shanghai by Shanghai Restoration Project

From the self-titled 2006 album. These guys blend hip-hop and electronica with traditional Chinese instruments, specifically inspired by the rapid changes in the city of Shanghai. Or something like that. Anyways, they're stylistically all over the place-- this song is much more straight pop than some of the other ones, but that's probably why it catches my personal ear. Sample some others if the style is interesting.

We also welcome new members Jon, Sean, and Christine this week. (Coffee will be held on the front lawn after the listening.)

Jan 29, 2009 — People Got A Lotta Nerve by Neko Case

From her upcoming album "Middle Cyclone". It's a typically catchy country-tinged pop song with wingnut morbid lyrics. Listen for the bit where she compares herself to a killer whale. I love her music; the recent(ish) "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood" is a dark masterpiece.

Jan 21, 2009 — Photobooth by Death Cab for Cutie

This is an oldie, from their now-old-school "Forbidden Love EP", but it's my favorite of their songs. It's got a good beat, a nuanced story, and is thoughtful without overstaying its welcome. I also highly recommend their latest album ("Narrow Stairs"), which I didn't think much of at first but has really grown on me recently. (But it's no "Transatlanticism.")

Jan 16, 2009 — Golden Age by TV On The Radio

A little late this week.. This is from last year's "Dear Science" album. TV On The Radio is a tough one for me to describe-- they're somewhere between disco funk and indie rock, and pretty good at that.

Jan 7, 2009 — This Year by The Mountain Goats

From the album "The Sunset Tree." This song, like last week's, is about a new year, but is not as simple or happy as the Zombies. It is catchy, though, and tells a sparse, interesting little story. One of my longtime favorites.

"I played video games in a drunken haze; I was seventeen years young."

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