Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine, The Shins, Andy McKee
Today, we shall allow ourselves to be guided by the sweet sounds of guitars tinted by folk and indie rock hues that immerse and spark emotion and memory. There is so much music out there, it seems like listeners are presented with the daunting task of choosing a bunch of musical tastes and pursuing them based on some sort of pre-concieved reasoning. I know many people who will either only or never listen to something based on its “popularity,” which while we all can agree is a subjective measure, it has an agreed-upon existence, and there are artists who are clearly in or out of this group, often for very short periods of time. For reasons unbeknownst to us listeners, we may inadvertently pass over what could have been the greatest song we’ve ever heard, based on that split second decision whether or not to hit the play button. While I’ve now gone off on a tangent, I think I’ve made an important point– always give it a shot, if not for a mere 3 seconds, what could be more worthwhile than finding that next tune to narrate your life’s story?
are an example of how we can benefit from just pressing that play button. No combination of words or descriptions or reviews (no, not even these) could do justice to listening to the tune itself. These guys caught me off guard while I browsed the Hype Machine’s zeigeist, thinking of how it reminded me of the establishment-challenging film of the same name. It’s one thing to read about influences like Bob Dylan and Neil Young, neither of whom am I a die-hard fan, but it’s quite another to listen to it being incorporated into what would make it the #1 blogged-about album out there. This track is actually from their older Sun Giant EP however, since their current release clearly needs no extra help.
I’ve posted here before, a few months back. Sam Beam has released a whole bunch of unreleased tracks from over the years, called Around the Well. I am clearly partial to those older-style tracks, that signature lo-fi recording quality, filled with some of the best songwriting and lyrics I’ve ever heard. Turns out this track is a cover of a tune…I’m super picky when it comes to Stereolab, but there’s no contest Sam’s take is my favorite of the two.
Here’s a throwback, sometimes there are songs that capture moments, like a warm wind blowing against your cheek. This track is a classic example of what was once a seldom heard-of indie rock band that gets recognized and is permitted a taste of stardom by the powers that be. This track’s lyrics are what captured me, sort of a strange, yet triumphant sense of contension pervades throughout.
Finally, sort of crossing over to the other side of the fence, there is an entire world of acoustic artists out there, I know has enjoyed some recognition, but not nearly as much as should be given. It makes you wonder why so much effort is spent promoting artists with zero talent in lieu of people with true gifts. The progression that happens toward the end of the song is like a painting, it captures a walk in autumn for me.
Fleet Foxes – Drops in the River
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Iron & Wine – Peng!
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The Shins – The Celibate Life
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Andy McKee – She
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