It's safer in the dark....

Animal Collective's upcoming album Strawberry Jam stirred up quite a fury with their record label after 3 of the songs leaked onto the Internet. Read the story here:
http://www.shoutmouth.com/index.php/news/16150

Meanwhile, Animal Collective member Panda Bear seems to have a completely different outlook on the leaks (after another three songs off the album were leaked):

"The only thing we’re really upset about with the leak is that it’s only parts of it. I think there are six songs out there now. People aren’t even able to get the full experience of the album, which bums us all out quite a bit. So if you’re listening leakers [speaking directly into the tape recorder], put up those other three songs, man, pronto." (Shout Mouth)

Talk about a bunch of laid-back, cool guys. In honor of Strawberry Jam's release in September, here's an excellent song (that is not going to be on the new album) that perfectly shows-off AC's stoner-rock, doing whatever the hell they want, style of music:

Animal Collective - Safer

ps. Since the time of the interview, the entirety of album has been leaked onto the Internet apparently on the Fourth of July (according to Wikipedia)......maybe as a present to the US, in honor of its "birthday".

Buy the album when it's released: Amazon

It's raining.........yuck.

Due to the fact that it's been raining for the good part of the day (preventing me from getting to go to the pool.), I've decided to make this post rain/weather themed.

I'm aware that it's not the most original idea. Oh well.

Enjoy,
Belle & Sebastian - The Fox in the Snow
Bishop Allen - Rain
Jarvis - Heavy Weather
Ryan Adams - City Rain, City Streets

....and finally:
Ween - Purple Rain (live cover)





Like the songs? Buy the albums from Amazon

Uhhh....

So, between work, playing my guitar (very badly), corresponding with my friends, and trying to design a cool image for the blog's header-thingie, I haven't had time to make a decent post today, and this pattern will probably continue until I get a break in action (Wednesday at the earliest).

I apologize for this disappointment to my fans, and I advise you to go read one of those great blogs that I've [ever-so-kindly] linked to on this page. At least until I get a legitimately good post up here, then you can (and should) give me bask some of you love (trust me, I need all the love I can get...)

All apologies,
calvin the super genius

Prince loves you.

...just not as much as that guitar of his.

Sorry.

With a new single Guitar of his upcoming album Planet Earth, Prince returns to the music game a little of a year after his previous release 3121, with yet another catchy love song. This time he's brought a bit of a twist along. Instead of proclaiming his love to [yet another] lovely lady, he's decided to chose a different subject to receive his affection. His guitar.

With an opening riff that sounds like it should belong to the Edge, rather than the King of Platform Shoes, this song brings out Prince's more rocking side. And yet, even with its catchy choruses, and pretty sweet guitar solos, this song seems to lack as a whole. The substance that is apparent in his more "epic" songs, (Purple Rain, Sign O' The Times, Black Sweat, Kiss) are unfortunately, absent in this tune. Another degrading factor is the fact that the guitar riff (which is prevalent through out the entire song) becomes quite annoying after only a few listens.

All-in-all, this is a decent song, but it in no way, lives up to the standard that is expected this super-short genius named Prince.

Try the track out for yourself:
Prince - Guitar

ps. Those Prince fans lucky enough to live in the UK, read this, you'll be happy: "The greatest newspaper giveaway... EVER!"

Buy Planet Earth (from Amazon) when it's released on July 24.

I am a sheep.

I've been recently asked (by the one person that actually reads [some of] this blog) about the origins of this blogs's name ("i am cow..." in case you were to lazy to scroll up the page to check). As a result, with this post I've decided to "shine some light" upon the mysterious inspiration behind the title of "i am cow..."

The title of this blog is taken directly from a song by Canadian comedy band, the Arrogant Worms, simply called I Am Cow. I thought the line "i am cow..." fit the witty, interesting, and semi-original frame that bog title's (in general) seem to fit. Plus, my first choice for a blog name ("I Am Not Afraid of You, and I Will Whoop Your Ass") didn't quite roll off the tongue in the way I originally expected.

I could write a biography of the Arrogant Worms for you, but that's what Wikipedia's for, right?

Back to the song. It's strange, no denying that. It can be described as an anthem for the cattle population of the world. With lines like, "I am cow/ eating grass/ methane gas comes out my ass/ and out my muzzle when I belch/ Oh, the ozone layer is thinner/ From the outcome of my dinner", it can also be considered a very informative and...umm...pleasant song.

At 1:59 it is just short enough to be funny (any longer and it'd start to lose it's humor, and would seem more weird...), yet long enough to be considered a "real song" (do you know what I mean? Thought not.)

For your listening experience and pleasure (hopefully you'll find some entertainment in this song):

Arrogant Worms - I Am Cow


This song can be found on their album Dirt! or their greatest hits compilation Gift Wrapped. (Amazon)


ps. I'm working on trying to make these posts shorter to help encourage people to actually read the content instead of just browsing the page for links...

A plane takes off from Baltimore, and touches down on Burbon Street.

Just another one-hit wonder band from the nineties. That may be one way to describe the Primitive Radio Gods, but that would imply that this band can be clumped in with a group of ordinary bands who had a "lucky streak". The problem then, would be that the Primitive Radio Gods should not be in such a group, because they are not an "ordinary nineties band".

There is no denying that the music on their career-launching album Rocket contains the qualities that are overly apparent in the popular rock music of the nineties (catchy choruses, driving guitars, witty lyrics, falsettos. umm....maybe not-so-much on the last one.) And yet, even within their most popular song with mainstream audiences, Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand, the abstract heavily overrules the familiar.

The song starts off with the sound of a phone being dialed. Simple-yes; inventive - yes; clever - kinda; cool sounding - definently. And as fast as you can blink the song suddenly launches into a hip-hop style beat, and B.B. King's howling voice preaching to the listener" "I've been downhearted baby, ever since the day we met." (a sample taken from the song How Blue Can You Get?)

With a vast array of sounds and styles, the Primitive Radio Gods show that they are not a one-trick pony, and instead are a prize-winning stallion.

Primitive Radio Gods - Motherfucker

Primitive Radio Gods - Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand

Primitive Radio Gods - Who Say

(all three of these songs are off their album Rocket)

The Primitive Radio Gods fourth (and most recent) album Sweet Venus (along with their other albums) are available for purchase on their website.

A Pleasant Surprise...

Thanks to the blog Bag of Songs (which I've just started reading again) I have just been informed of one of the greatest discoveries of the summer: in honor of the 1 year anniversary of the release of their album Dog Problems, The Format (starting on June 25th (tomorrow), and ending on July 15th) will be hosting the entire album on their website to download for free.

No DRM. (in short: DRM=not fun.)

No strings attached.

Are you happy? I know I am.

Bag of Songs' Original Post (which also has links to two songs to download, I highly recommend the song "Dog Problems")

The article on The Format's website: Click on "Summer Tour Dates and Your Dogs for Free"

Just a little "Dad Rock"

As I mentioned previously (check 2 posts down), I won tickets to see one of my favorite bands live: Wilco. As this was my first time seeing said band, I was excited, but unsure of what I was going to experience. It was amazing.

If you've never seen Wilco live, you have no idea what you're missing.

I went into Merriweather with high hopes. I came out speechless.

As soon as the sound check started, I knew it was going to be a special night. As we walked down the pavilion stairs to our seats, the band was performing a little jam. (at that time Jeff Tweedy was nowhere to been seen, but what did we care....alright, we cared, but still...) After 5, 10 minutes he appeared from backstage. After playing a song or two, he put the muti-instrumentalist Pat on the spotlight, informing us that it was Pat's 26th birthday; to which one of the audience members replied saying that it was her birthday. Tweedy asked her if there was a song she wanted to be played, and after he denied her first choice (he told her that they'd play it later in the show for sure, and that they didn't want us being bored by hearing repeat songs), she settled on the new album-opener, Either Way (to which Tweedy said "How'd you know we needed to practice this song? You must have been there when we played it the other day?") After taking a few more requests (Muzzle of Bees, Hell is Chrome, and a few songs I don't remember), the band announced that they were going to go take a nap in preparation for the actual show later that night.

After we were escorted out of the amphitheatre, we had a few hours to kill before gates opened, and in that time we: walked through the entire mall; walked back to Merriweather to find out that despite what our tickets claimed, the gates opened at 6 not 5; got rained on, a lot; walked back to Merriweather around 6:30 to realize we still had an hour until Low came on.

Previous to this concert I had no idea who Low were. While I would like to say that they blew me away with their set, I would be lying (and judging by the reaction of the people in the audience, I wasn't alone in feeling this). Don't get me wrong, they were good; just not great. I do have to say that they had their moments, especially when Nels Cline joined them for a song (or two?) on a slide-guitar thingie.

And finally, 5 hours and 40 minutes after I originally arrived at Merriweather for the sound check, Wilco took stage (for real), to a sizable crowd.

They started their set with energy, and an aura of pure joy [to be there], and they ended the night the exact same way, not once showing any sign of waning energy. Nels Cline was amazing (no surprises there). While he acted subdued during the sound check, he was a mad man during their set, never letting the audience down.

Drummer Glenn Kotche was simply incredible, especially during his solo(s) in Via Chicago (after which, he took a well deserved "breather").

Pat the previously mention birthday boy, and keyboardist/rhythm guitarist/various other intrumentist , caused an uproar of applause when he started doing windmills during I'm a Wheel.

While the others in the band (Tweedy, pianist Mikael Jorgensen, and bassist (and other ex-Uncle Tupelo member) John Stirratt) never let up, pat Gleen and Nels showed that they "came to play."

Unfortunately they didn't play my favorite song of theirs (Radio Cure), but that just gives me an excuse to keep going see them live until they play it, right?

Might I add just one more thank you to the folks over at Wtmd for assisting me embarking (where do I get these words?) on this wonderful opportunity.

Setlist:

A Shot in the Arm
Side with the Seeds
You Are My Face
I am Trying to Break Your Heart
Kamera
Handshake Drugs
Via Chicago
Shake It Off
War on War
Sky Blue Sky
Impossible Germany
Jesus, etc.
Hate It Here
Walken
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Hummingbird

[Encore 1:]
California Stars
Poor Places [which faded directly into:)]
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
[Happy Birthday (for Pat)]

[Encore 2:]
Heavy Metal Drummer
The Late Greats
I'm Always In Love
Outtamind (Outtasite)
I'm A Wheel

[Encore 3:]
What Light

All in all, I don't think I would have preferred to be anywhere else in the world that, as it will be a night that will be remembered for all the right reasons, and none of the [few] wrong ones.

Upon the tapers' requests if these people are willing to tape these shows and make them available to us, I'm willing to follow their requests) I won't post "lossy" format (mp3, wma, etc.) version of this show on the blog, but here's the link to the entire set of Wilco's in .flac (this is a bittorrent link, I'm gonna try and find alternate links (in .flac) for those less tech savvy fans...): http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=507604

(most media players (such as iTunes) and mp3 players (such as the iPod) are compatible with .flac files, so I recommend googling "flac converter" and converting the files for yourself)

And finally, one last thanks should go out to the band, for permitting people to tape their shows.

Also, see my previous Wilco posts (1 & 2) for some mp3's and links to buy the albums...

ps. Have any macrame lying around your house? (don't lie, I bet you do), Wilco would love it if you to send it to them.

It's only the first [half] day of summer, and I've already bought two new cd's...

What better way to celebrate the end of the school year, then going out and buying not one, but TWO cd's...? As soon as I entered Borders' Music section (there are no "local" music stores within a reasonable distance from where I live, unfortunately), I knew I had one hard decision on my mind.

After sweeping through the "Bargain" racks, and the "New Releases", I had a stack of eight cd's to choose from, ranging from Zappa's Sheik Yerbouti to Imogen Heap's Speak For Yourself, Elliott Smith's (fairly) new New Moon to the Replacement's Tim; I settled on the White Stripe's brand new Icky Thump and Okkervil River's Black Sheep Boy: Deluxe Edition (it contains both BSB and BSB Appendix).

Of the two I was already familiar with the Later in its entirety (as I know a friend who as both albums...), and the purchase of that was more for the sake of having the cd than for new music. I highly recommend this album.

Next comes Icky Thump, The White Stripes' new masterpiece, and Jack White's first album under the title of the White Stripes, since he took a break to work on his side project, The Raconteurs.

First off, I refused to "illegally download" this album before it was released: I felt I owed that to myself (plus I didn't want jack White knocking at my door bringing a lawsuit (or at least a barrage of harsh criticism of my moral character)). So, up until today I had only every heard the title track, and a snippet of You Don't Know What Love Is... After finally getting my hands on the album, and listening to it in its entirety numerous times, I can only come up with one conclusion. Whatever expectations I had for this album, Jack and Meg out-did them ten times over. This masterpiece is just that, a musical masterpiece by arguably the best rock band of modern times.

Whatever I try and say about this album could never do it justice, so I won't try. Instead, listen to these, then go buy the album and experience the genius for yourself:

The White Stripes - Icky Thump
The White Stripes - Rag & Bone
The White Stripes - Little Cream Soda

Like the songs, buy the album (duh!): Amazon

I need a kamera, to my eye.

So, to my shock, today I got a call from an certain intern from the lovely radio station WTMD. Basically this phone call consisted of me sounding really dumbfounded, and the intern informing me that I was runner up in a contest to win Wilco tickets and cd's.

So, I won two tickets to see Wilco in concert on Thursday at none-other than Merriweather Post Pavilion. I was ecstatic. I AM ecstatic. I love this band, and was planning on going anyways( I hadn't gotten my tickets yet), but now I get to see the sound check too! (how geeky did that sound?)

So, in honor of my good fortune, here's a few of my all-time favorite Wilco songs for you to enjoy:

Wilco - The Lonely 1
Wilco - Hummingbird
Wilco - Radio Cure (My favorite Wilco song, coincidentally it was the song that introduced me to Wilco.)

Like the songs? Buy the albums: Amazon

It's just a bad movie, where there is no crying...

...is the opening line to Okkervil River's new single Our Life Is A Movie or Maybe from their upcoming album Stage Names.

Let me say, this album can't come out soon enough. Will Sheff and his cohorts have yet to let me down once, and I don't think Stage Names will be any exception.

If this song is anything to show for their new album, I can guarantee you, it won't disappoint. With palm mutes, a backing choir, and just about any other thing you could ask for in a song, this song is a perfect example of what music should be.

Only one conclusion needs to be made from this song, and that is: Okkervil River is where it's at.

Okkervil River - Our Life is a Movie Or Maybe


Get more Mp3's and buy the albums from their Label's Website: Jagjaguwar

That, that don't kill me, can only make me stronger...?

If Kanye's new single is a reliable sign of what to come on his forthcoming album "Graduation", then we have a few things to expect already. First, it's gonna be sample heavy. This song is no exception to Kanye's pattern of using samples in his song. The sample in question is from Daft Punk's seemingly [in-]famous song "Harder Better Faster Stronger." I bet you can guess what part of the song is used in "Stronger".

Second, with lines like "there's a thousand you's there's only one of me", and "you should be honored by my lateness, that i would even show up to this fake shit" you can expect West's ego to me apparent in his songs, as ever.

Third, he's still go it. This song shows that he is still in his prime and that we can expect many more number 1 singles to come.

Kanye West - Stronger

and as a bonus (in case you don't already have it):
Kanye West feat. John Mayer - Bittersweet

Like the songs, buy Kanye West albums: Amazon

I wanna run away, I wanna bring you too....

First off, I'm no very familier with Liars' work. I've heard Drum's Not Dead a few times, but aside from that, I've heard nuthin'. I wasn't even planning on listening to this song, but I scummed to the hype and took a listen courtesy of Pitchfork. (who were streaming it for 48 hours only)


Sometimes peer pressure can be good.


I've come to find that I'm addicted to this song. It's just so good. It's pure [rockin'] energy. The driving guitars, the creepy-ish vocals, the same two sentences repeated over-and-over again, the incomprehensible verses. It's all there. It somehow manages to be super catchy, yet not poppy at all.


Plain and simple, it's a gem of a song, one rockin' gem....


Enjoy,
Liars - Plaster Casts of Everything



Like the song? Buy the album (Amazon), when it comes out on August 28, 2007

It's been one helluva week...

...and that's my excuse for not posting. I honestly haven't had time to post, I've been busy with finals, my internet was down, more finals, some really bizzare storms (don't ask)..... and did I mention finals?

Maybe I'll make a legitimate post this weekend. It'll probably be on the new Liars song...or not. We'll see.

Thank G_d for Weeds*

First off, why am I always the last one to jump on the bandwagon? (especially with tv shows): Let's see, I was slow on getting into American Idol (started watching in Season 3, then stopped watching last season), Lost (started watching in Season 3), The Office (guess what, I started watching in Season 3...), Heroes (started watching about 3/4 of the way through Season 1)......and finally, Weeds (I just started watching it on Friday.)

Now, with Weeds, it might be that I don't have Showtime, but somehow this show was completely under my radar. Up until Friday, all I could probably say about it, was that it was probably about.....well, you know. And then on Friday, a series of events occurred (it started out with me on imdb looking up cast members of The 40-Year old virgin), and I started watching the show. 4 hours and 7 episodes later, I was hooked. It's funny, clever, and most important of all, good. (plus, some of those actresses....)


Even if it wasn't one of (if not the) funniest shows on television today, it still has one helluva soundtrack. From Sufjan Stevens to Martin Creed, of Montreal to Regina Spektor; every single song relates back to the plot of the show; be it about the show's namesake, or just stickin' it to the man in general, these two seasons have contain some of the gems of the television soundtrack world. (I can't believe I just said that).

Now, if you haven't seen the show already, and you haven't heard about this already, the highlight of the soundtracks would easily revolve around the show's theme song: Melvina Reynolds' Little Boxes. What's so special about this, is that for the entire first season, this was used as the them song. For the second season, instead of using the original version, the producers used a different cover version of Little Boxes for each show, starting with Elvis Costello, and ending (for the finale) with Melvina Reynolds' original version. Along the way, versions were provided from none other than Death Cab For Cutie, Regina Spektor, Tim DeLaughter (of the Polyphonic Spree), plus many more.

All we can hope for is for the third season to bring us yet another lovely music surprise.

Melvina Reynolds - Little Boxes
Elvis Costello - Little Boxes
Regina Spektor - Little Boxes
Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice - Little Boxes



Official Weeds' Music Page (includes links to stream many of the songs used)


Clips from the show (warning, mature content/language):
A Boy's Most Valuble Lesson (Youtube)
The Greatest Graduation Speech, Ever (Youtube)


*The show, not the plant(s).
ps. Don't ask about the "G_d"...it's an inside joke.

Yeah, I've been busy,

Finals are coming up, I've had projsects to do, etc. .....but I do promise that I WILL make a decent post tomorrow. I give you my word.....

....although I'm not sure if there happens to be anyone out there, reading this, to take my word.....but at least it's out there for some passerby to see, and take me up on.

I'd love to see you in that dress...

So, I logged into blogger with the intent to write a post about the new-(ish) Okkervil River song (Our Life is a Movie or Maybe), and while I logged on I (of course) was listening to it on my itunes. So, I had on the playlist of music that I've been meaning to make into a mix tape (cd to be technical, i just think "mix tape" rolls off the tongue in a more pleasant way), and when "Our Life..." ended, a Maxïmo Park song came on (Our Velocity). I had forgotten how good those guys really were (are...whatever).

After that song, I could care less about Okkervil River (not really, but work with me...), so I obviously had to write about them instead...

...So, here it is:

Maxïmo Park is all that the Arctic Monkeys wish they could be. They have unparalleled energy, tons o' talent, amazing charisma, and the knacking ability to create some of the catchiest, [good] songs known to man. (might I put emphasis on the "good" part (....fall out boy, take note.)) You know that potato chip slogan (I think it's one of Lay's): "You can't eat just one" ....well it's the same with the Maxïmo boys. You can't listen just once. I've personally been listening to the same three songs for the past half-hour.

When I was working at the Killers' concert two years ago, I was always asked; Who the fuck are Maxïmo Park?(that was lame, I know), but no one knew who they were; and yet not a single person who I talked to that went to that concert had forgotten about Maxïmo Park even weeks later.

With some of the greatest Brit-rock songs, and two of the most consistently good albums to arrive in the 00's (plus a phenomenal b-sides album), I present to you, Maxïmo Park:

Maxïmo Park - Apply Some Pressure

Maxïmo Park - Girls Who Play Guitars

Maxïmo Park - Graffiti

Maxïmo Park - Our Velocity

Buy the Albums: Amazon (A Certain trigger), Amazon (Our Earthly Pleasures), Amazon (Missing Songs)

Singin' Songs of Freedom.

As my current job is selling refreshments at Merriweather Post Pavilion, and has been for over 2 years now, people watching has become second-nature to me. And last night while I was working at the Fall Out Boy concert (yuck. ....although the blink-182 spin-off, +44, were rather impressive) and particular observation struck me; there has yet to be one concert that I've been to (working, or just attending), where I've failed to see at least one person wearing a Bob Marley t-shirt. That includes both Martina McBride (double yuck), and"Sunday in the Country" (no comment).


So, I decided to dedicate this post to the man who produced too many children to count, the late Bob Marley.


As is apparent by his widespread group of fans, Marley is a legend. His music is indescribable, so I won't bother trying because I am aware that I am unable to do his songs justice.


Don't take my word for it (as I haven't provided one in the first place) ....listen to these songs, and experience the magic for yourself:

Bob Marley and the Wailers - Get Up Stand Up
Bob Marley and the Wailers - Buffalo Soldier
Bob Marley and the Wailers - Redemption Song
Bob Marley and the Wailers - No Woman No Cry
Bob Marley and the Wailers - Three Little Birds (My favorite song, ever.)


The Best Bob Marley and the Wailers: Legend (Amazon)

Green Day wants you to be a....Working Class Hero.

Before I begin, I have two things that need to be said in order for you to completely understand my opinion on this song.

First, I will openly admit that I like Green Day. About two years ago, they were my favorite band. I've seen them live twice. Both times they were compleltly captivating. Both times I "had the time of [my] life." Honestly. Although they are no longer my favorite band, I still find enjoyment in listening to their music.

Second, I am one of those people who firmly believe that NO ONE should ever cover a Beatles or John Lennon song. Peroid.

The unfortunente thing is that this song perfectly proves the second statement. This cover is not that good. Now, mind you, it isn't horrible. I will give Green Day props for three things. First, it definently could be worse. Second, it takes guts to do a Lennon cover, no matter if it is for a cause or not, it takesguts to put out a Lennon cover. And third, and the most obvious, this song is for a good cause (I'll talk about this later.) ....oh, and the choice to end the song with a clip from the original version was a bit o' class.

As you may or may not know, this cover is off of a soon-to-be released John Lennon tribute album called "Instant Karma" (the name of a John Lennon song). All (or most of) the proceeds go to Amnesty International to be used towards helping "save Darfur", and that (in my opinion) is enough reson to go out and by the album. It will contain all John Lennon cover songs, by bands such as R.E.M., Green Day (obviously), The Flaming Lips, The Postal Service, Regina Spektor, Snow Patrol, Jack Johnson, and......Christina Aguilera!

So, in a nutshell: not great song, but a worthy cause. And go buy the album when it comes out, because the proceeds go towards Amnesty International. Plus, it might just have that "hidden gem" that you won't be expecting, you never know...

The Song:

Green Day - Working Class Hero

The Video:

Green Day - Working Class Hero (You Tube)

Please, please, please, buy the album when it is released on June 12: Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur

Review: Wilco - Sky Blus Sky

The first thing to be said, is that this is definitely not Wilco’s best; far from it. This album is lacking in the experimentative energy that is apparent in Wilco's more recent albums. The laid back, alt. country style that is Sky Blue Sky, is the style of music that Wilco has supposedly matured from, not the other way around. Although this may sound like I’m saying that this album is a piece of crap, I’m not. What I mean to say is that this album is good, but not breathtakingly good (as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot rightfully was.) This album shows a more passive, and clean side (yet not too passive or distortion-free) to the Wilco that we all know and love. It lacks those experimental-style, distortion heavy, 10 minute songs that we got on “A Ghost Is Born” (Spiders…Less Than You Think), and it lacks the complete passive clean side that we got on “Being There.” (Lonely 1…).
While the album has the elements of both styles (the title track as the “clean, passive style”, and Shake it Off, as a more “loud, aggressive” song.) it fails to reach out of its comfort zone (the area in the middle of the distortion heavy style, and the passive, clean style), and produce an epic, unforgettable song, that are common on Wilco’s other albums.
Saying this, the album does have its good tracks. What Light, and Side with the Seeds, both live up to the potential that this band was; and Impossible Germany’s guitar solo is impressively pretty. Tweedy’s voice never fails to grab the attention of the listener, and Cline’s solos never cease to amaze.
All in all, Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky is a decent attempt to recreate their more mellow days, but as a whole, it lacks the the qualities necessary to do so. Despite this, as a Wilco fan I am still impressed by this album, and can’t bring myself to award it anything lower than 3.5 out of 5 stars…

Highlights:
Wilco - Impossible Germany
Wilco - Side With the Seeds
Wilco - What Light

Buy the album: Amazon

Review: The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

The first time I listened to this album, I couldn't get past the first two songs. I had to just keep listening to those songs. They were like heaven in song form. The Crane Wife 3 being one of the best album openers I have heard in a long time, and The Island being one of the most impressive songs ever. Its instrumental parts keep your attention and before you realize it, the next section is playing and you're the happiest person in the world. As soon as You'll Not Feel The Drowning comes on, you know that you're about to hear what is the most moving song that has come out of any band in a long time. Then I got to Yankee Bayonet, and my mind was blown. I couldn't believe my ears. What I was hearing was beyond belief. Further listening revealed O Valencia! and The Perfect Crime #2. Two great songs that help brought me back down to Earth. Even the repetition of the phrase "it was the perfect, the perfect, the perfect crime..." was not the least bit annoying even though it has the potential to be.

Next comes When the War Came. This song contains that perfect amount of electric flavor that any album can use, and no album has too much of. Following When the War Came is the melodic, acoustic, and somewhat creepy Shankhill Butchers. This song uses the power, beauty, and edginess of the acoustic guitar sound as a compliment to the raw and rough singing. The background singing adds a gracious tone to the song, which makes me cry every time I hear it. With the strain in his voice on the lines "'cause everybody knows..." displays a graceful rawness that is extremely rare and most impressive. Next comes the catchy, subdued, and still energetic, Summersong.

As the album comes to the final lap, the Decemberists reveal that they have no intent of going down quietly. The epic Crane Wife 1&2 begins, and you know this roller coaster is far from over. As the Crane Wife 1 progresses the essence of real music is apparent. By the time part 2 arrives, you are transfigured into the song. It has completely captured all you're attention, and you are ready to let go of all around you, and become one with the song. And when the last minute comes, the drums kick; you are ready, you start singing along, oblivious to that that is around you. And then, it ends…..and as Sons and Daughters starts and you breathe for the first time in 6 minutes. And you listen and can't help but to find yourself singing along yet again. You can’t help but to notice those subtle backing vocals with which, help form the perfect melodies for this song. And as the infamous "hear all the bombs fade away..." build up, the complete album finally arrives, and you can’t help but realize this voyage that the Decemberists have led you through. And you can't wait for it to start all over again.

Highlights
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 3
The Decemberists - The Island...

and a b-side that wasn't on the album, but still deserves a listen (or two)...
The Decemberists - After the Bombs

Buy the album: Amazon