more songs than a song convention

31/01/2012

Bison- “Switzerland”

Be not put off by the lame YouTube image for Indie/Rock Playlist. This paltry, pixelated image says nothing of the large soundscape and soaring vocals set off by the charming pluck of the banjo’s strings. This song is a run through the forest; a pair of boots in a steady stream; a flannel shirt in a warm breeze. I have enjoyed having this song stuck in my head for the past couple of days when I was actually running through the forest in a pair of boots and a flannel shirt. Give it a listen and go outside.

Happy to be back and posting,
Matt

Video posted at 13:40

30/01/2012

THE BEACH BOYS-FOREVER

When I first heard this song it was on Full House, and I really thought it was a Jesse and the Rippers song. Thank God it wasn’t.

Dennis Wilson got this one so right. The song lyrics are pretty basic. I don’t think there are more than 40 or so different words in the whole thing…but the first line of the song is one of the most beautifully profound and simple things I have ever heard. “If every word I said could make you laugh I’d talk forever.” I think as a “funny guy” that line just sticks with me. Making people laugh is one of the best ways that I know how to make people happy…and the thought of making someone happy forever is probably the greatest thing anyone could do for someone else.

That is such a fleeting, simple thought in a way. It’s like one of those things that someone who is married says to their spouse while they are doing the dishes, and the other replies “Oh, shut up and hand me the dish soap” but they smile at each other during the exchange…and it would be something that might be lost forever. Or I like to think.

Dennis Wilson didn’t get as much shine as his brothers did a lot of times. Brian Wilson has said that this song is one of the most beautiful and harmonic songs that The Beach Boys did. He called it a rock and roll prayer. That is a huge compliment coming from Brian Wilson.

Thanks John Stamos.

-Justin

Video posted at 00:01

24/01/2012

The Dismemberment Plan - The Ice of Boston

AWWWW FINE MOOMMMMMMMM HOWWWSSSS WASSSHHHIINNNGGGGTOOOOONNNN!?!?!?

- Brady

Video posted at 00:16

23/01/2012

thedailywhat:

Things That Are Real of the Day: An official, Disney-approved, Joy Division-inspired, Mickey Mouse-themed Waves tee “for Adults.”

From the description:

Inspired by the iconic sleeve of Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures album, this Waves Mickey Mouse Tee incorporates Mickey’s image within the graphic of the pulse of a star. That’s appropriate given few stars have made bigger waves than Mickey!

Ian Curtis is rolling around in his noose.

[pitchfork / bwe.]

More Songs Than a Mouse Division?

Photo posted at 19:08

19/01/2012

So I made a Top 10 list…

Dear MoreSongs readers…

Brady sent the MoreSongs contributors an e-mail saying we need to list songs and albums of the year. He also stated that any list of our top ten music related things would also be great. So I made a “Things That Were Great About Music” list, and Brady of course did not use it because I didn’t ask him to the annual MoreSongs Sadie Hawkins Dance. Jealousy is a motherfucker. So here is my list for you to read, and/or ignore while you are trying to find new jams to dig.

Be aware that at once point I was a rapping-ass-rapper, so my list is very rappy. Deal with it.

10. Odd Future Wolf Gang on Jimmy Fallon/OFWG in general.- I still do not know whether to hate these guys or love them. That might have something to due with my Transitional phase from my 20’s going into my 30’s and neglecting immaturity for maturity…somewhat. The video for “Yonkers” and the song itselt, Free Earl Movement, the hype that Goblin got, the internet going nuts, and ultimately the acceptance from the mainstream and then taking a piss in it…that shit cray. They had a helluva year.

9. Elzhi’s Amazing Homage to Nas.- Hip Hop is a music that has a foundation in thievery, and hip hop could make a king a thief. Loops and breaks were stolen (I guess the proper nomenclature is sampled) and new hits were made from what was left behind…a renaissance. Styles, cadences, and lyrics were stolen (I guess the proper nomenclature is “bit”) and rappers moved ahead of those who came before them. So when Elzhi decided to pay homage to Nas’ seminal debut “Illmatic” with “Elmatic” it rode that fine line between bitiing Nas’ style and jacking the beats from “Illmatic” while making hip hop fresh again…beautifully. Ellmatic is cray. Mixtape of the year.

8. Lil B dropping a dope verse on XXL Freshman cypher/cyphers in general.- Lil B can rap for real when he wants to. Cyphers are just a bunch of different rappers rapping (in case you offay whites didn’t know). This year’s BET cyphers were dope. The one with Busta…pshh. That shit cray. The one with Slaughterhouse…pshh. That shit cray.

7. Kanye’s fame and audacity to sample whatever the fuck he wants.- Otis. Seriously. Sampling “Try a Little Tenderness!” Sampling the most notable moment/break of the song. Constructing a beat of almost entirely a vocal sample, drums, and bass. Killing the whole rap game in the summer with one fell swoop. That shit cray.

6. Jay Z and Kanye making a Maybach a dune buggy in the “Otis” video.- Talk about swag. Rip apart a Maybach, and drive around the desert with some models. Cray. I pray every day that this music video becomes my life. Fireworks, automobiles, New York Yankees, factoriies and warehouses, hot women, formerly dirt poor self-made millionaires, the American flag in the background, shit talking…that video is the most American thing since Rocky beat Ivan Drago.

5. Adele.- Let’s get married.

4. Beats, Rhymes, & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest.- I am a sucker for music docs, and this one is no exception. Since I was 6 years old rap music had been the primary music that I have identified with, and been influenced by. A Tribe Called Quest was one of the first groups that I gravitated toward. I used to rap Phife and Q-Tip verses at school, and tell people they were my own. I think I like music docs so much because it lets me look at people who I admire like the people that they are…not the celebrity that they are. Michael Rappaport…you cray.

3. Adele.- Seriously. I am not joking. I don’t have fame or success, but I am really honest, trustworthy, and could probably make you laugh. I am a decent cook too. And I won’t pressure you to do or be anything that you do not want to do or be.

2. Friends giving you could advice on tunes.- Let’s be honest…this one is timeless.

1. The phrase “That shit cray.”- I mean, it IS cray. Thanks Moresongs readers…see you in 2012 for our “It’s the End of the World as We Know It…and I Feel Fine” list…songs about the apocalypse.

I wrote that in 2011 so I thought that last one would be a great send off. THE FUTURE MAN! THE FUCKIN’ FUTURE MAN!

Love,

Justin.

Text posted at 19:46