Wednesday, April 22, 2009

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)

Sunday, April 05, 2009

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