SotW for Feb 4, 2009

Check out Bon Iver's performance on the Late Show with David Letterman from December. What a fantastic song this is. It's been a while since we have played it on Green Eggs and Ham but I think that will change this week. I still cannot believe Matthew and I have not featured it yet.

Everyone, consider this my premature Song of the Week.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love [mp3]

Song of the Week for Jan 28, 2009

"Love is no big truth. Driven by genes, we are simple selfish beings."

Whether you have recently been dumped or if you truly don't believe in love, this week's Song of the Week will make you feel good about your cynicism.

Love Is No Big Truth is from Kings of Convenience's 2004 album Riot on an Empty Street and I hope they release something new soon. (Their myspace says they have nine new songs ready but nothing recorded yet.) Until they do, however, we can all enjoy this song.

Kings of Convenience - Love Is No Big Truth [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

Amy Honey [myspace] is an artist based in Seaforth, Nova Scotia. Judging from her myspace page, and the sampling of music to be had there, she is an artist with a sense of humour. Songs like Woods Hag (which details her desire to move to the woods, stop bathing and sleep in a lean to) or like Pioneer Woman (which is a hard rock/bluegrass experiment based in the theory that Honey herself is a woman pioneer living in a sod hut) are perfect examples of her delightful ability to poke fun at her own music. 

But those aren't the songs I'm trying to tell you about. That song is called Farley Mowat and it's something of an ode to the prodigious Canadian authour and D-Day Dodger. Mr. Mowat's own soothing voice is featured on the track and Honey's vocals blend seamlessly with it. It's an impressive bit of musicianship and after listening to her myspace music, I'm looking forward to hearing even more from her in the future.

Amy Honey - Farley Mowat [mp3]

BONUS TRACK!

I'm also giving you a song by Entire Cities, a band which has captured my heart in a way usually reserved for puppies, the laughter of children and the slow release of a well mixed Gin and Tonic. 

Entire Cities - The Woods [mp3]

Playlist for Jan 28, 2009

Two Norwegian bands on one show? No, you are not dreaming. We played My Little Pony and Kings of Convenience in the second hour today. Erlend Øye, one of the "kings," will be releasing and album in March with his other project The Whitest Boy Alive. We also played them. Wow, what a good show we had today...

1st Hour
Receivers - Petrograd
Timber Timbre - Demon Host [mp3]
Jens Lekman - You Can Call Me Al (Paul Simon cover)
Dirty Projectors + David Byrne - Knotty Pine (from Dark Was The Night compilation album)
The Decemberists - The Rake's Song
Bishop Allen - Busted Heart [official site]
The Urban Aesthetics - Dead End Street Scene
Entire Cities - The Woods [mp3]
Donovan Woods - My Cousin Has a Grey Cup Ring
Amy Honey - Farley Mowat
Coconut Records - Drummer [mp3]

2nd Hour
Or, The Whale - Call and Response
Birdapres - Toothpaste [mp3]
Buck 65 - Indestructible Sam
The Danks - Treaty Connector
Two Hours Traffic - Nighthawks
Andrew Bird - Fitz and the Dizzyspells [mp3]
The Whitest Boy Alive - Island
Kings of Convenience - Love Is No Big Truth
My Little Pony - I Don't Know Pt. 1 [mp3]
Hilotrons - Emergency Street
Cut Off Your Hands - Turn Cold [mp3]
Creature - Who's Hot Who's Not

Matthew's Finest

Well now, let's get this show on the road. 

I may have been kept out of the studio today by a freak hunting accident/wound acquired during the commencement of my duties as a firefighter, but you didn't come here to be told of my various exploits which may or may not involve arson and selfless heroics. You came here for a healthy dose of the bet that we have to offer. 

This week my song is an old one. Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia, Said the Whale's first full length album, was released last year on Upper Management Records. My truest joys come in the avenues of a newborn babies smile, a stunning sunset or a delightful surprise; this song counts as one of those. Often I'll get comfortable with a band and forget what I liked about them in the first place; this is the reason I try to avoid listening to songs too much, but sometimes after you forget, something happens to make you remember it all again. Walking home late at night, a bit drunk, amidst a soft snowfall is one of those such happenings. 

The song, Howe Sounds, is one of the title tracks and it's easy to see why. The instrumentation transitions from soft to powerful seamlessly and the lyrics are the typical mix of whimsy and sweet sincerity that Said The Whale exhibits frequently in their songs.

Said the Whale - Howe Sounds [mp3]

[Bonus Track]

Today Ishmael played a song by Deer Tick which was actually a cover of a classic Paul Simon song. It's actually inferior to the Simon version, but much more relevant, so in lieu of actually playing it I'm posting the classic version here.

Paul Simon - Still Crazy After All These Years [mp3]

SotW for Jan 21, 2009

The names Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino may not mean much to anyone. But if you drop their last names, you get one of the most danceable groups in all of Christendom. Matt and Kim have been gathering a significant following ever since their self-titled 2006 album which featured the infectious hit Yea Yeah.

On Tuesday the couple released their follow-up Grand from which I have plucked my song of the week. Lessons Learned is another simple arrangement by the duo with nothing but drums, keyboards and some half-yelling by Matt. Maybe it's that simplicity, the feeling that you could probably play these songs yourself, that makes Matt and Kim so much fun to listen to. If you're unfamiliar with these Brooklynites but you love a good indie-dance tune, have a listen to Lessons Learned.

Matt and Kim - Lessons Learned [mp3]


[BONUS]
Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare is a slower track from Grand and available at their label's website.

Playlist for Jan 21, 2009

It's the day after one of the most important days in history. I am of course referring to the release of Andrew Bird's new album Noble Beast. We played music by Mr. Bird as well as a host of other artists. Take a look and have a listen.

1st Hour

Danny Michel - Motorcade [myspace]
The Love Machine - Love Is On Your Side
Trevor James & the Perfect Gentlemen - Mazer [mp3]
Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left [website]
Said the Whale - Howe Sounds [mp3]
Deer Tick - Still Crazy After All These Years (Paul Simon cover)
Lightspeed Champion - Tell Me What It's Worth [mp3]
After the Weather - Charles Manson Is A Saint
Entire Cities - The Woods [mp3]
Mates of State - California (Phantom Planet cover) [mp3]
Land of Talk - Weighty Ghost (Wintersleep cover)
Jens Lekman - Sipping on the Sweet Nectar

2nd Hour

Sam Roberts - Bridge to Nowhere
Factor - (Pray f. Ceschi)
Noah23 - Torn Again (f. Jim Guthrie) [mp3]
Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Shampoo
Handsome Furs - I'm Confused [myspace]
Oldfolks Home - I Hate Dell [mp3]
Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve [myspace]
The Decemberists - The Rake's Song
Dan Auerbach - The Prowl [mp3]
Parachute Penguin - Your Crimes
Matt & Kim - Lessons Learned
M. Ward - Never Had Nobody Like You [mp3]
Project Jenny, Project Jan - Train Track
Andrew Bird - Oh No [pitchψ]

SotW for Jan 14, 2009

This week's featured song is by San Francisco's Vetiver. What is a vetiver, you ask? As far as I can tell, it's a type of grass indigenous to India. (For pronunciation, see Answers.com.)

Singer/songwriter Andy Cabic is the man behind the band and he will be releasing Vetiver's fourth studio album with Sub Pop, whose roster continues to attract the best bands in indie music. Tight Knit will not be available until Feb. 17 but it is already a best seller on the label's website.

The song is Everyday and its soft melodies and soothing lyrics make the 3 mins and 49 secs fly by. My favourite bit of the song:

I always seem to make something out of nothing
But I can't make you appear
While I'm away just know
I'll play this song for you and wait

Vetiver - Everyday [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

This week my song is from the Liptonians, a Winnipeg band. The song is called Charlie's Back and it has a sort of Mighty Casey type storyline, with all of the excitement and circumstance that one would expect from such. 

There isn't a lot to say about the song itself. The title reminds me of our blogs unofficial mascot, who will kick that fucking ball one day. 

It is a good blend of vocals, story, instrumentation and even some unrelated screaming, but really the best part happens and is over within the first few seconds. Regardless, it has earned it's place on the blog simply because it has an opening that makes me want to scream; if only for a second or two.

The Liptonians - Charlie's Back [mp3]

Playlist for Jan 14, 2009

What a foggy day in Saskatoon. Here's the playlist: 20 songs and a bunch of links. Remember to support the blogs we link to by checking out their stuff as well. Stay warm.


1st Hour
Entire Cities - Cop Song
Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision
The Notwist - Boneless [mp3]
Corey Isenor - Why Do You Believe In Love?
Daniel Martin Moore - It's You
The Rural Alberta Advantage - The Air [mp3]
The Great Outdoors - The Garbage Man Song
The Deep Dark Woods - All The Money I Had Is Gone [myspace]
After The Weather - Jyoti Found Herself In A Horrible Mess
AC Newman - Submarines of Stockholm

2nd Hour
The Liptonians - Charlie's Back! [mp3]
Matthew De Zoete - Not On Fire (ft. Jenn Grant)
Girls - Hellhole Ratrace [mp3]
The Online Romance - Ladybug, Don't Smile [mp3]
New Villager - Rich Doors
Sleepless Nights - Allyson Got Robbed [mp3]
Broken Social Scene - It's All Gonna Break
Lykke Li - Little Bit
Vetiver - Everyday
Of Montreal - An Eluardian Instance [mp3]

SotW for Jan 7, 2009

Better late than never. This week I'm crazy a song by The Magic. While perusing the various top songs and albums of 2008, I heard No Sound on Wolves, Hawks and Kites and I fell in love with it.

Investigating the band revealed The Magic is from Toronto/Guelph and consists of Geordie Gordon, Evan Gordon, and Sylvie Smith. Their other songs on MySpace and NMC are worth checking out but here's the one that caught my attention first.

The Magic - No Sound [mp3]

Matthew's Finest

This week I'm presenting a song by Conor Oberst. Oberst enjoyed a prominent position in the hearts of every teenager when he was making music under the moniker Bright Eyes. The music he made then, while enjoyable and legitimate unlike everything else that could be viewed in the same category, was highly depressing. It was music thta you had to be in a mood to listen to. 

His new project, however, seems to be a direct challenge to that. Ragtime piano, rockabilly guitar, blatant country lyrics; the man is not afraid of change. The song, I Don't Want To Die (In The Hospital) is actually kind of unremarkable until you consider just how different it is from his early work. Then when you finally realize that this is Bright Eyes playing an up tempo song, albeit one about death, it becomes even more surreal. And finally once you get over the shock of that you can settle comfortably into enjoying the song for what it is; a good listen.

Conor Oberst - I Don't Want To Die (In The Hospital) [mp3]

Playlist for Jan 7, 2009

1st Hour
Pearson - A Fade Out Is A Cop Out [myspace]
Slow Down Molasses - I'm An Old Believer
The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
Arizona - The Glowing Bird
Andrew Bird - Tenuousness [hype]
The Darcys - I've Been Sleeping
Whale Tooth - 6 Billion
Entire Cities - Coffee [mp3]
Corey Isenor - When You Fall
The Dodos - Ashley [mp3]
The Magic - No Sound

2nd Hour
The Walkmen - In The New Year
Hacienda - She's Got A Hold On Me
The British Columbians - Gasoline Handshake
Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened [mp3]
Conor Oberst - I Don't Want To Die (In The Hospital)
Sleepless Nights - Got Caught [mp3]
Library Voices - Step Off The Map & Float
Tim Gilberston - Palm Trees & Postcards
Charlotte Hatherley - This Is Pop
Paper Moon - What Are You Going To Do With Me [mp3]
In Endeavors - You've Got Your Friends, I've Got Mine
Sports: The Band - Cast Lots

SotW for Dec. 31, 2008

Here's an extra song not included on the playlist. Recently, I was urged to get the Jens Lekman CD by my ladyfriend who is a big fan. I thought I liked Jens but I had no idea. The man is a musical genius. The song I'm including is from his 2007 album Night Falls Over Kortedala. Kortedala, by the way, is a neighbourhood in Jens's hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden.

A Postcard to Nina is the true story of Jens posing as his lesbian friend's boyfriend to her parents. Our Swedish hero sings about the awkward family dinner he endured while Nina's father (pronounced "fodder" by Jens) asks him questions. The comedy, sadness, and tenderness with which Jens sings has melted my heart and I have been listening to this song for the last two weeks on repeat.

Jens Lekman - A Postcard to Nina [mp3]