High School Kids Kill the Radio Star

Love this. Originally seen here. Here's their myspace page. Haven't had a chance to hear their other stuff, but I thought this video deserved to be shown, because it just makes me happy.

New Lonely Forest Album Streamed for Your Pleasure

So this band I've been talking about for over a year finally released a new album yesterday, and I forgot. The plan was to buy it in the morning on iTunes and have it on the ipod by the time I left for work, which then became today's plan because of how crazy yesterday was. So I will not be able to tell you what I think til later (but hopes are very high for a good one), but you can check it out for yourself. A little try before you buy, if you will.

We Sing the Body Electric

Hope you enjoy it and support a great local band. Oh, and see them in Seattle this Friday (since I will be out of town... damn)

Mike's 104 Songs to Hear Before You Die: Song #8

Photo by Mike

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird

Who: Lynyrd Skynyrd, the kings of Southern rock.

What: Free Bird, over 9 minutes of rock ballad, blazing glory. The song is on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is VH1's 26th Best Hard Rock Song

When: 1973, although I heard it on the radio in the 80's probably. I liked the song, but I don't think it was until 2005, and, this is not a joke, the movie Elizabethtown, when the band Ruckus (which mostly consisted of My Morning Jacket) plays it at the end of the film. All of a sudden I realized why people yell it out at concerts-- it's that good.

Where: Jacksonville, Florida. I have been to the bar, Free Bird's, to see a concert before. Jax loves their Skynyrd

Why: Ok, I don't have to say too much about this one, because I think it is a lot cliched for me to put this on my list, but man, 5 minute, 3-guitar solos that have that much power don't come around very often. Free Bird is listed 3rd on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar solos of all time, but I think that's ridiculous. It's #1 for me without a doubt. This is one of only 3 songs my my list greater than 7 minutes long-- most songs just can't hold your attention for that long. Anyways, you've probably heard the song before, but try listening with fresh ears and see if you can deny loving it.

If I leave here tomorrow

Would you still remember me?

For I must be travelling on, now,

cause theres too many places Ive got to see.

But, if I stayed here with you, girl,

Things just couldnt be the same.

cause Im as free as a bird now,

And this bird you can not change.

Lord knows, I cant change.



Bye, bye, its been a sweet love.

Though this feeling I cant change.

But please dont take it badly,

cause lord knows Im to blame.

But, if I stayed here with you girl,

Things just couldnt be the same.

Cause Im as free as a bird now,

And this bird youll never change.

And this bird you can not change.

Lord knows, I cant change.

Lord help me, I cant change.

Here are all the songs covered so far


...plus some free bird covers- the Built to Spill guitar solo rocks- I need to get ahold of some more of their CDs




Here are the previous posts on my list:
#1) The Smashing Pumpkins - Muzzle (for teaching me how to be a teenager)
#2) Sufjan Stevens - Vito's Ordination Song (beautiful sounds, transcendent lyrics)
#3) They Might Be Giants - Number Three (goofy lyrics, unstoppable foot-tapping fun)
#4) Counting Crows - Four Days (beautiful harmonies, sweet metaphors)
#5) Drive-By Truckers - Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (heartwrenching lyrics, heartstring pulling slide guitar)
#6) Architecture in Helsinki - It'5! (fun!)
#7) The Thermals - Power Doesn't Run On Nothing (intensity, indignation, insanely good)

And John87's list:
#100) Sonic Youth- The Diamond Sea
#99) Ani Difranco - Both Hands (Live)
#98) Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
#97) Eels - P.S. You Rock My World
#96) Vienna Teng - City Hall

Mike's 104 Songs to Hear Before You Die: Song #7

Photo by Mike

Read a review yesterday that prompted me to pick this song, as the band just released a new album this year.

Here it is, numba 7:

The Thermals - Power Doesn't Run On Nothing

Who: The Thermals, Power Trio from Portland, OR

What: " Power Doesn't Run On Nothing, from their 2006 breakout album The Body, The Blood, The Machine, loosely based on a "young couple who must flee a United States governed byfascist faux-Christians."

When: '06, although I probably heard it in '07 (thanks to John87), but it sounds like it came from a distopic near-future, thanks to its "no-fi" production and paranoid lyrics.

Where: U.S. I suppose

Why: Righteous indignation pounded into your ears whether you like it or not, baby! The Thermals are not afraid to take on religion and government throughout this album, but this song is their most effective. The description of the U.S. as "just a child," and "old as hell," both ring true just a minute apart. The immediacy of Thermals' singer Hutch Harris' voice drives the song forward. When he shouts "we need the land you're standing on, so let's go!" you can see him leading the charge. That's pretty much it for this song- hardcore lyrics and righteous indignation- but it definitely makes a strong point using very little more than some power chords and shouting. If you like it, check out the whole album (none of the songs standout quite the way this one does) or check out their new one (that I believe I will be purchasing and reviewing soon, based on the strength of the title track) Now We Can See.

We are just a child
we are just a child
we are wide awake
but our legs are shaky
we're unaware
we're hyper-active
we stare into space
with grins on our faces
so give us what we're asking
for cause either way,
we're gonna take it
our power doesn't run on nothing
we need the land you're standing on
so lets go
move it

we are old as hell
we are old and tell
the children when to kill
and when to sit still
everyone doing what we say
till our dying day,
till our breath is empty
so give us what we're asking
for cause either way we're gonna take it
our power doesn't run on nothing
we need the land you're standing on
so lets go
move it
yeah you need to let it go
move it
yeah we're, more equal,
we'll move you people,
off the planet cause goddamn we need the fuel

so, so let the beat roll over,
the beat roll over,
everyone in line, one in line
so, so let the beat roll over,
the beat roll over,
everyone in line one at a time
they'll give us what we're asking for,
cause God is with us, and our God's the richest
our power doesn't run on nothing,
it runs on blood, and blood is easy to obtain
when you have no shame
when you have no shame
so let the sun bathe
let the sun bathe
we'll still have life,
we'll burn even brighter
we'll drain the well, turn all to hell,
leave the earth's surface to the worthless dirt
let the beat roll over,
let the beat roll over,
to everyone in mind,
everyone in line
you think we'll cease?
to see a reason,
to think it's fair?
to think it's fair,
to think we care?

Here is the song with all the previous songs on my list:

Previous songs on my list:
#1) The Smashing Pumpkins - Muzzle (for teaching me how to be a teenager)
#2) Sufjan Stevens - Vito's Ordination Song (beautiful sounds, transcendent lyrics)
#3) They Might Be Giants - Number Three (goofy lyrics, unstoppable foot-tapping fun)
#4) Counting Crows - Four Days (beautiful harmonies, sweet metaphors)
#5) Drive-By Truckers - Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (heartwrenching lyrics, heartstring pulling slide guitar)
#6) Architecture in Helsinki - It'5! (fun!)

And John87's list:
#100) Sonic Youth- The Diamond Sea
#99) Ani Difranco - Both Hands (Live)
#98) Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
#97) Eels - P.S. You Rock My World
#96) Vienna Teng - City Hall

Mike's 104 Songs to Hear Before You Die: Song #6

By the way, John, you are not ahead. You've done 5 songs- this is my 6th. So haHA sir, haHA. Anyways, in case you aren't familiar

#1) The Smashing Pumpkins - Muzzle (for teaching me how to be a teenager)
#2) Sufjan Stevens - Vito's Ordination Song (beautiful sounds, transcendent lyrics)
#3) They Might Be Giants - Number Three (goofy lyrics, unstoppable foot-tapping fun)
#4) Counting Crows - Four Days (beautiful harmonies, sweet metaphors)
#5) Drive-By Truckers - Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (heartwrenching lyrics, heartstring pulling slide guitar)

And John87's list:
#100) Sonic Youth- The Diamond Sea
#99) Ani Difranco - Both Hands (Live)
#98) Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
#97) Eels - P.S. You Rock My World
#96) Vienna Teng - City Hall

Song Numero 6:

Architecture in Helsinki - It'5!

Who: Architecture in Helsinki

What: It'5! A delightful little pop thing... I can't describe it really

When: 2005 on their second album (that I thought was their debut) In Case We Die

Where: Australia, not Helsinki

Why: This one came on in the car today and I was like, "oh man, I love this song". Then I tried to think of why I love this song, and I just don't know. It might be the video that Dan sent me soon after the album came out. It might be the falsetto (I'm a sucker for falsetto). Or maybe it's just the frantic pace, the crazy lyrics, the random guitar and horn licks, the sheer fun of the song. The lyrics are actually a bit of a downer, but there's just so much joy in the sound of this song. And you know, this was also probably my first foray into indie pop. I think at the time this song came out I had heard a lot of new music, like indie rock, alt-country, alt-folk, brit rap, etc, but I hadn't heard any of the pop genre of the indie side, except maybe a little Polyphonic Spree, which I considered to be something all its own. So maybe that was why I latched onto this song. But anyways, it's a fun song, I highly recommend this album (much better than the debut) but especially this song is just... well, FUN.

Stranger danger,
Danger stranger,
When you gonna follow through?

The mistake you don't make,
Or the rain cloud covers above your house.
Steal the feelings,
Don't focuse on the flames girl.
Have I failed to impress you?
Could've sworn that wine
And one and four made two,
But it's 5!
It's 5!

Can I ride with you
Until the sunset gets all red?
And we'll get chased by the moon

Hope the passion don't fade
Since you decided he's your spouse.
Wheeling, dealing,
Joking things will change girl.
Have I failed to impress you?
Could've sworn that wine
And one and four made two,
But it's 5!
It is 5!