I moved [again] last week so I’ve been without internet which is why there wasn’t any new music from Heycoolkid! these last few days… I’m about to make up for it in a big way.
If you can’t find something to love with your entire being on this week’s mix maybe I could direct you to something more your taste: Link. There’s a little bit of everything mixed in from just released to mid-nineties greatness, all genre’s are touched upon and each song I’ve been digging on a personal level for a few days now.
Also, I realize I’ve been neglecting the playlist aspect of HCK! for a few months, which is personally one of my favoritists things in the world, so in the coming weeks I’ll be making up for lost time with one hell of a Summer mixtape and a four part series I’ve been compiling for over a year now. Yesterday I asked via Facebook for suggestions to be included on said Summer Mix, if you’ve got any input head overthereand make your opinion official.
I realize on a good day my writing is bordering on elementary yet I do want to point out that it is four-thirty in the morning and I’m sitting at a coffee shop (internet is still down) trying to get this up before going home and calling it a night so there may be some outrageous errors due to a lack of opportunity to proof-read and still get this up without putting it off another day. Enough of that… here’s the music to help find some comfort within the chaos, hopefully it will help us in realizing something new about ourselves.
I owe an apology to everyone for slacking last week and not having a playlist up. I’m now part of the Listen Before You Buy family doing “New Music” posts and this is my first week involved with them it’s something I’m excited about. Having never cared about editing or formatting and only about getting solid tracks out for people to hear has been different. So far it’s a little more stressful than I’m use to feeling from music but once I settle in I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.
Don’t think that anything will be lacking on this end because there’s enough great music coming out to go around and my focus has always been on creating playlists while there’s is on being the first place you go to for individual songs, videos, and honest motivation on what albums are worth picking up. I highly respect them so it’s a great feeling to be a part of it.
I would also like to make sure to give a huge THANK YOU to The Meaty Sauce Review for making my week exponential better with their Heycoolkid! mention in their recent post.
Every week I set out with the thought process that I’m only going to do ten song playlists so i can post more often and have each person that hits on the site less likely to skip over a great song. The problem is I’ve got so use to the 20-22 songs that can fit onto a cd when making a playlist for a friend/cruise/adventure that it’s almost impossible for me to create something with the right flow to it with only ten songs and that’s how I’m defending myself for the following twenty-five songs. [anyone know how to put up zip files I NEED HELP my knowledge of music is far stronger than my knowledge of working the internet. I'm getting better though... I think]
Take the effort to download these tracks because each song is more than worth it:
The way this song slow builds itself and jumps off at the chorus is more than great. This is one of those tracks that i catch myself unconsciously singing along with at four in the morning, i should probably ask my roommates if they notice since I’m doing it with my headphones on. Find out more about Scattered Trees here.
If your a fan of Fleet Foxes i feel like Colossal Gospel should be a band you start paying attention to since they carry many similarities yet with a more upbeat touch.
.I’ve tried taking the name out of the equation to approach this song from a different angle but even with that i can’t help but be drawn towards how much this sounds like a modern touch on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Cecilia”. I wish more bands could channel S&G the way Luke Temple has with “Ophelia”. Bon Iver being the only recent artist that comes to mind, possibly Local Natives but maybe I’m just thinking of their phenomenal cover they did.
With my first post onListen Before You Buy I chose Baby Monster’s song/video for “The Fear Of Charlie Sunrise” and for good reason. I focused on the undercurrent in that post but when taking in the lyrics and the oh so amazing overall sound of this song there’s a lot less longing involved and whole lot more just down right upbeat indie perfection. Check the post out here I’m rather content with it and it would mean the world to me to know you guys are getting a chance to see what else I’ve got my hands in right now.
.Solid rock at it’s finest. Arctic Death just dropped their self titled album at the beginning of July. Take a chance to listen through the tracks over on bandcamp I think you’ll find the motivation to get the album for yourself.
“Spot Remover” makes me think of a more garage based Alkaline Trio or Themovielife. There will always be a special place in my emo heart for bands that find a way to channel that early 2000′s energy in songwriting without making themselves come across like some throwback nostalgic carbon copy.Dead North have their own sound that is anything but a copy of anything other than solid music.
There are still bands creating great shoegaze and Greater Thieves are one of them. I’d actually thought this track was an instrumental and in the process of just letting it drift on through my speakers realized that “Nothing To Do With Space” lets in on some sparse lyrics that allow this song to develop into something that’s complete and completely fitting to have on at four in the morning. Pick up their entire self titled EP for free over at Bandcamp.
I’ve been kicking myself ever since my first Young Buffalopost for having introduced these guys with a cover. Be it an amazing cover it still hardly does justice to how phenomenal, not to mention genre crossing, this band truly is. Young Buffalo are one of the very few bands where every song sounds different and nearly indistinguishable to tell that it’s them by merely listening. Having three members who take turns with the front man position from track to track obviously helps with this. This track starts off with a very Fever Ray vibe and completely switches the tone with the onset of their rhythm section.
One major strength of Young Buffalo is their strength live here’s a video to demonstrate.
The list of great summer songs to come out this year is nearly impossible to keep up with.I wish that I would have caught “Think In Stereo” back in June rather than the tail end of August…better late than never I guess. This one from Boy + Kite is good enough to carry over to next year though so it’s not really a loss.
“Apple Tree” may be my favorite track on this weeks mix. If you haven’t figured out by now my full on passion is for any song that is ideal for driving late at night and stirs up a bit of forgotten sadness. Some people avoid it, some people make it a point at least not to surround themselves with it. I choose to embrace it and Grand Hallway flourish in it.
The best thing Feist has ever done was stepping out from Broken Social Scene and showing us what she’s capable of. Up until this point i thought i had figured her out but “The Park” has me questioning what i had limited myself to believe she was and more importantly was not capable of. With “The Park” she has stripped away the pop sensibility that she carries with such ease, turns out that’s not the only cross she can bare. I get teared up each time i hear this song and it’s her voice that does it, the way she draws so much emotion with those fragile vocal chords of hers. Someone give her a hug.
I made a huge error last weekend when i passed up going to this show. The amazing Accordians had a house show in Fountain Square along with Saintseneca that I had originally planned on attending. Like happens from time to time my friends backed out for something much lamer and left me to make the decision of going to this show alone or not. Normally I can more than enjoy myself at a show alone, the chances of running into a friend is likely and if not I’m not typically one that minds going out on my own. House shows are the only exception i can think of because who really wants to be in someones house with twenty people you don’t know feeling awkward chain smoking and staring at your phone? I will always regret choosing not to go because on Monday i finally took the time to check out the Saintseneca tracks i had downloaded. WOW! Thats the only word that comes close to describing what i instantly thought about this band from Columbus,OH. I have pulled up some live videos and continue to be impressed. DOWNLOAD THIS SONG! That’s not a request. This band is everything that can be right in music. I guarantee I won’t miss seeing them play in town again.
“Cruel and Kind” has a steady pace that just edges you along in passive comfort. Seems like it would be more than fitting to add onto and independent film’s soundtrack, that’s what i’m hearing with each play anyways. Get to know Gold Leaves a little better over at facebook.
Every day this week when riding my bike to work I have started off with “Cosmonauts”. This may not seem like something worth mentioning but it really is because i never repeat listen. My ride to and from work is the only time i get to relax while listening to the songs that i’ve enjoyed each day, the only chance i get to really experience them. I noticed on day one that this song gives off that eighties movie vibe that is in the action/music scene which is a great way to get you motivated about going into work (think Iron Eagle when pappy gets told to shove his rules “i’m doing it my way” and slips the tape in, the opening scene with the feet from footloose, or i’m trying to think of a good dirtbike/bmx scene from a movie but have drawn a blank- you get the idea though). I guess what i’m trying to say is Kites With Lights have created a song which is a perfect track for doing shit.
Is it just me or do Yacht remind you of what Matt and Kim would be like if they quit worrying about being “scene” and looking “hip”. I just hope yachts don’t follow along the same path. (Congratulations M&K for making me eat my words for supporting you guys by taking part in that Garbage of a song for converse. Andrew WK? Soulja Boy? Hope you’re proud! Converse is owned by Nike so if you think you’re going to soften this blow with “chuck taylors” it’s not happening… sell-outs. At least your songs fit in well with the scenes on “The Hills”)
Typically i rank R&B/Soul right next to reggae and drum circles on my list of music I don’t appreciate. Jamie Woon for some reason breaks through the misconceptions I have about his chosen genre to mix into his usually more dubstepish tracks and gets me to at least admit that, although few there are still people making decent music within the genre.
My slack in staying up to date on Heycoolkid! has made me just another part of the machine on this one instead of being ahead of the curve but i don’t even think that is of importance since it isNeon Indian and there is going to be blog hype behind whatever he puts out no matter what, being first holds no significance this time.
Travis Egedy comes across as one of the most natural, and at the same time comfortable, electronic artists around. He manages to prove what he’s capable of without it being forced or unnatural, i wish every person who sets out to mix up something electro were able to do the same thing.
After looking over the Leagues website and seeing the kind of background these guys have I a suspicion it won’t be long before i regret posting this song. It just seems like Leagues has “Big” commercial radio ambitions and there is no denying with the catchiness and mainstream structure this song carry’s that it is very likely I will be sick of this song, and the people who will get into, before the year is out (think Foster the People). Still the song is good and enjoyable at this point so there’s no reason i shouldn’t give Leagues a fair shake.
Anyone else dig when cute girls turn out to be super talented and creative? Just from what I’ve heard from her so far I’ve come to the conclusion that as long as she doesn’t secretly love Kid Rock or have an obsession with Jersey Shore we may actually be meant to be. But then again people like Jenn Mierau have standards which rules me out either way:) At least I can be a fan.
Taking second only to Yu(c)k on my shows I’m stoked about list, Cymbals Eat Guitar will be here on October 22 with Hooray For Earth (!). “Definite Darkness” doesn’t do much to show how great these guys are on their instruments (or at least not as much as previous recordings have- but it does show case how solid of songs they are capable of making. I do without a doubt love the vocals on this track quite possibly more than any other CEG song. I am completely ready to sweat with these guys in October.
Songs that speak for themselves should not be this rare. What can i say that you won’t figure out in three minutes on your own? If you think of something let me know and I’ll edit but I don’t see it ever happening. I hope there are bands taking notes from The Roadside Graves at this moment.d
Sandro Perri helped create the level of recognition that experimental-electronic music has now reached and still proves that he has a place firmly planted in the psyche of modern indie music. “Impossible Spaces”, his first album in five years, comes out on Oct 18th.
This weeks post is most definitely longer than usual but it seems the amount of great music touching my ears these days is nearly impossible to keep up with. I can embrace that with a smile. Just think of this as a double post.
Also: I got a confusing message last week telling me that I should include downloadable links to the songs I mention in my blog. Everyone learns at their own pace I guess. So to avoid the confusion the words in red are links to places where you can gets em on your computer for free (and hopefully love them enough to get a physical copy of the album/want to check them out live when they come to town/ buy their merch at said show for your little brother in hopes that he takes that stupid justin bieber poster off his wall and in some round about way have faith that by the time he gets a real crush on a girl in his class that he has a solid idea of what decent music sounds like before he starts listening to Coldplay and wearing polos to impress her).
Sleepy Vikings are gaining force in my list of favorite bands this year. Can’t wait to see them live (that is if they ever come to Indy) and when I do this is the song i’ll be begging for them to play. want to know more: Sleepy vikings home
also tessa may be my biggest front women crush right now . Hey these things matter
As of this point in 2011 Tamer Animals is the strongest album to come out. Although it’s little too clean but most likely that’s what the band had been hoping for when they brought Joey Waronker in to produce for them. The songs are still solid and, although controlled, the instrumentation is highly enjoyable. Try it before you buy it here: Tamer Animals Album stream
Something in me settles every time I hear a Secret Knives song. Time seems to slow down to a perfect pace allowing me to fully appreciate not only the song itself but everything that’s happening around me. The “Northwest States” is my personal favorite from the band .The simple lead that comes in at 1:15 seriously causes tears to swell for me (I realize it’s the opposite of heterosexual to say that but it’s true). There’s something about music that feels like it were written to be experienced on your own that should never go under-appreciated. My heart appreciates Secret Knives. Pick up both the “Affection album” and the 2008 the “Wolves EP” for free here: Secret Knives free album downloads
Another great release from Brooklyn based Body Language. Up until recently they’ve been handing out their self-titled ep, which they dropped in January, for free through bandcamp but they’ve hit the brakes on that sometime over the last few days. Most likely they’re adding another track to the release. Here’s the link hopefully it’ll be useful soon: Body Language bandcamp
Beverlay have a flawlessly crafted album with “Boardwalk“, honestly it’s probably the best EP out this year. I really don’t know much about these guys outside of it being the new project of Matt Raudsepp (honheehonhee) and Nico Ormiston (winter gloves) and that they’re from Montreal.Sandcastle is probably the strongest taste of how great “Boardwalk” is. Gets the entire album for free here: Boardwalk EP by Beverlay
Over the last few years I’ve learned to just bite my tongue when talking about Peter Bjorn and John because it seems there is always someone who gets really angry that I don’t jump on the “this band is brilliant” wagon. For the most part I find them overrated and where once i did enjoy their one flavor of the week (I don’t even need to say it you’re probably already hearing the whistle) it’s taste has since grown bitter. This song does nothing to really change my mind but it does remind me that PB&J do know how to write songs that are immediately catchy.
I’ve been paying closer and closer attention to Geographer ever since I accidentally came across one of their tracks a few months ago (read about it here: heycoolkid- this playlist is better than most relationships ive been in). There doesn’t seem to be anything this three-piece can’t do REALLY well and that includes transferring a very electronic/effects driven sound into something tangible and involving live which is something that so few bands have been able to do since the electronic shift started happening a few years ago.
Outside of this being a really great song that gets even better with each listen there is another underlying reason. I’m a huge Friday the 13th fan( except for parts 5, 7, 8, jason vs. freddy, and jason x those suck -jVs.F was watchable 7 kind of is as well) and in honor of this past weekend being one of those fridays it seems more than fitting to put a song up from an album completely based on the Friday the 13th movies. Read more about it over at One Track Mind: One track minds hi ho silver oh review
I guess these guys are now going by Master and Dog. I’m not sure if they plan on going in a different direction but lets hope not I just don’t see a reason to change anything.
Once again something needs to be made clear. Caleb McCoach is the best songwriter in Indy, this is fact, but unfortunately you’ll have to see him live to grasp this yourself. His recorded songs, although still great to hear, don’t come close to seeing him transform so much emotion, sadness, hope, heartbreak, and self reflection into this stage presence that is one of the most unique you’ll ever experience.
Rather than pretentiously standing on a stage and saying “check out my songs” like most solo artists do, Caleb actually falls back into this somewhat shy shell and releases these songs that immediately steal your breath and attention. I’ve seen Caleb play six or seven times and have been blown away each and every time. Outside of quick said the bird, Caleb is the most overlooked artist in indianapolis and this saddens me. Maybe if he threw six other people on stage and created some sort of incoherent noise the scene kids might actually start flocking to his side. If it sounds like i’m bitter it’s because i am. Caleb McCoach is the best this town will ever have to offer and i’m afraid through his lack of arrogance and the snubb acoustic artists get around here that Caleb may one day quit bringing his unequaled art out into the light for us to see. The streets of indy should weep if ever that would happen. (*I’m not sure what the actually name of this song is. The tracklist didn’t load from the CD i grabbed from his show at the Melody INN a few months back.)
I’m utterly pissed at every band made up of kids who look thirteen, use autotune, and make the term “emo” seem like you are putting a band down . Dark Mean are drastically close to being on a level of being able to comfortably compare them to bands like Pavement, Built To Spill and The Magnetic Fields. EMO when it was depressingly real. Emo in reference to a genre of music that somehow combined with americana and created what most people mistakenly call “indie” today. Dark Mean could be a modern taste of an evolved form of emo or simply put they could be a band just good enough that they’re songs will bare significance for the rest of our lives.
.Their last.fm page says “Accustomed to playing shows that almost always get raided before playing, Love Boat usually stand in a corner of the party(dubbed “the kick it spot”) and try to look good”… I think what they’re trying to say is even if you don’t know these guys YOU KNOW THESE GUYS.
It’s no secret that the scene in indy is fueled by kids with a heart wrenching passion for drug-singed music and those bands that create it. This explains why Burnt Ones are a cool kid favorite around this town (especially in fountain square) Burnt Ones do what they do well and that’s important.
If you were one of the few people not to have the highly concupiscent best coast melting down your ipod last year let me know and i’ll send you a link for a free godsmack download because you obviously have no idea what good music is. A friend of mine posted some of the lyrics from Goodbye last week and reminded me once again why it is my favorite song off of the covetedcrazy for you.
There aren’t many songs by Dan Mangan that don’t have at least four stars in my itunes. This one is littered about in random playlists of mine, not because it’s his best song, but because it’s the best song to listen as part of a mix. His consummate lyrics are still intact but not as up front as in other great mangan songs such as in you silly git, tina’s glorious comeback, Et Les Mots Croisés, or his growingly popular road regrets. Can’t wait for Mangan to come south to the states again.
For all of the phenomenal bands in Indy right now it shouldn’t be as hard to find recordings that embrace their strengths but for seem reason that’s the case. The studios these guys are using do a really great job and the labels they are on treat their bands just as good as any of the best labels around. But i’m afraid that this artistic freedom these labels show to their artists around town may actually be holding the artists back by not giving them that extra push they need when recording. Jascha is a band that stands as a perfect example of this. Live they’re a soulbearingly intense and magnetic band and even though There’s Nothing Like Love for Making You Miserable is a solid album somehow it just seems flat in comparison. This is still a great song and worth more than one listen. I’m just saying, if you only “kind of like” this song you should make it top priority to check Jascha out when they come to town because seeing them in all their sweat covered intensity transforms “kind of like” into love.
I should probably elaborate on how Quaker Parents are the most ideal band to see in some sweaty basement but instead here’s the link to the free album so you can see what i mean for yourself : Quaker parents free huge mask download
I’ll never get tired of this perfectly written song from one of the best bands ever. No real reason for having them on this weeks playlist other than i brought them up at work the other day and the person i was talking to hadn’t ever heard of The Appleseed Cast and i was afraid they might not be the only one.
It’s hard to find a blog out right now that hasn’t dubbed James Blake’s self-titled album as being the best this year has had to offer. I don’t see it quite the same way but it is a highly listenable piece of vinyl that slips perfectly into the background…good enough for me.
I was starting to stress out when i thought this was going to be the only new skrillex track for a while since he lost both his laptop with the new album and had no backups. Once that news came out i spent days scouring through posts from the last four months looking for those early leaks i refused to download since Sonny Moore was so blatant about how unfinished and unhappy he was with them being leaked so soon. But it seems like he’s still got new songs about to come out and that it wasn’t as big of a loss as i had taken it. Which is good for all of us. I’m still holding onto the new tracks for a few minutes before posting them, sorry, i’m kind of that way with skrillex tracks. So that being said i’m going to put up what i thought was going to be the last decent new track for a while which had me bummed because I absolutely hate anything Lady Gaga. I only have been able to tolerate this one because as should be obvious by now, I love anything Skrillex and love should always conquer hate. God the bandsaw(ish) into intense scream(ish) at about 1:10 makes me wish I could be in a room with sonny when this magic happens. this guy is electronic perfection. Seriously Skrillex is one of the few things that dub-step has gotten right.
Am I the only one whose used a girls love for the notebook as a gateway into indie music? “Oh you like ryan Gosling? you should check out his amazing band Dead Mans bones.” Anyways one of the best movies i’ve ever seen is blue valentine (which I went to see in theaters four times, dragging a different friend each time). Somehow in the last week i’ve found myself randomly clicking on DMB tracks and watching half-nelson again. I also in the process came across a video of ryan gosling on the mickey mouse club twenty years ago with justin timberlake which literally put me in tears. The link for that one is up on the heycoolkid! twitter page if you care to see for yourself. —quick side note. I have a gut feeling that gosling had a hand in creating the mysterious penny and the quarters song from the blue valentine soundtrack—-
Like a better Delorean with a lyrical rhythm Tim kasher would be proud of I’m still not sure how Netherfriends continues to float under the scene’s radar. They’ll be in lafayette at the beginning of june but lafayette’s a far cry from indianapolis, or even a decent place to play a show for that matter, so i’m going to take this opportunity to make a personal request— hey, Netherfriends, come to indy, the girls are sweaty and the beers usually lukewarm it’ll definitely be worth your time.
I’ve been more or less listening to this song lately just to keep the spark alive as far as my love for ha ha tonka goes. It seems that when I take time away from their songs I kind of forget about them. I haven’t a decent reason for this. I love everything about them and am still kicking myself for missing their set at locals only two years ago.
It’s not four minute mile but it’s also not 1998. I’m just glad to see the get up kids doing something as a band that’s both new and highly listenable. Everything pryor writes is good but it’s even better when it’s with the get up kids.
Slightly poppy and infectiously catchy this is my first taste of the submarines and with all honesty i’m curious to see which genre the rest of their stuff settles into.
there’s not a single time that this song has come on where my initial reaction isn’t to skip it …quickly. The overall sound just doesn’t sit well until the lyrics suck me in. Auditorium are like a more vocally in your face mixture between sufjan stevens and nick morrow (two great artists) they’ll probably grow on me because they definitely know how to put some heavy lyrics into their songs.
I can’t believe i’m about to say this but David Bazan has somehow become a much stronger artist after moving past the whole pedro the lion thing. Pedro was great but Bazan seems to really have found himself since those sad emotional days(wait his new stuff is sad and emotional too…um it’s better because it’s that but …different).
I was really set on putting Caleb on this playlist but couldn’t choose between the two. Both are perfectly crafted songs. This one takes second to brother in the kitchen, unfortunately i’m yet to have a copy of it to listen to or share. This one’s also a nice closing song for a mix with this much length. Hope you guys enjoy.
although the qualities not phenomenal here’s an alright version of brother in the kitchen:
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As usual if you or a band you represent would like some content removed from the page I’ll be more than happy to do it. I’ll also never recommend the music again in a positive light. It still amazes me the amount of bands, and especially labels, who expect people to go out of there way to check a band out by paying for it first. It’s art! The money will most likely come wouldn’t you like to do it without being greedy? that’s my rant. If there’s any music i’m missing or missing the point on here’s the comments section let me know about it.
Today’s take me back before music made me pretentious moment comes from the summer of 2003. I realize before even making this list that it will bring obvious flaws in my taste of music to light which is something i’m fine with. My entire premise behind heycoolkid! has always been to present music that may or may not be “scene” enough for other blogs and at the same time bring attention to the music that i love and wish others would as well. (“others” meaning people whose opinions i actually care about, i’m pretty sure those people do exist, god i hope they exist)
The only line of defense i’ll use is that i do come from a small town in indiana where they still consider the stoned temple pilots as a relevent band. Whenever i’m home someone inevitable will ask me if i’ve “heard the new three days grace song”, no offense to my friends because in most other departments they were phenomenal but anytime i tried to play the stuff i was really into it fell onto deaf ears because it didn’t sound generic enough to be played on our coveted clear-channel radio station. Seriously these guys will line up hours early to get tickets for a godsmack show and still didn’t have time to listen to three minutes of an American Football song, rest assured i still pray for them daily. That being said the only connection to anything other than the cest pool of praised mediocrity i was drowning in was through alternative press so you can already get a general idea of the genre line this playlist will fall under. I probably should have been reading spin so i’d gotten to know more of things indie but when i was in junior high they made tasteless comments about good charlotte being christians and i never bought another copy. Not that i felt that close of connection to the madden brothers nor was i religious by any means, at that time i was a passionate atheist (i didn’t become a christian until years later) but i refuse to support something that judges someone for having religious convictions especially from a magazine that regularly promoted the black eyed peas. Okay here’s what i remember about the summer of 2003 i’m only putting up video links because at this point i’m not doing much to help someone check these bands out for the first time but possible this might help preserve these songs in some of our memories (or at least give me a laugh at what my life once revolved around):
1. Senses Fail- free fall without a parachute
This was my toe in the water in what eventually would become a committed dive into hardcore and screamo. I still prefer screamo even if it is leaps and bounds less talented but at least they’re not pretending to be hard and too cool for school. I was already a fan of Tokyo Rose and the fact that Mike Glita was now in SF gave me a good enough reason to track From the Depths of Dreams album down. Buddy’s lyrics have always connected with me more than just about any body else. Senses fail also are one of the few bands i still will go out of my way to get their new albums and to check a show out. Today this is probably my favorite song off the album but at the time i screamed my soul out to steven and the ground folds.
2. Brand New- Seventy Times Seven
Although i bought deja entedu first, i’ve always had a habit of buying everything i can find from a band i like which led me almost immediately to pick up your favorite weapon. Brand New’s first three albums are all equally great. Even if the band hates the songs from your favorite weapon i don’t and this song is still the best they’ve written ( eventually i’ll put up a playlist of my all-time favorite songs and this one inevitably will be on it).
Here’s a bonus song because Iron and Wine will be coming to town in a few weeks and i’ve found myself crossing my finger that this song makes it onto their setlist:
3. American Football- The Summer Ends
Cap n’ Jazz will always be a band i try to mention whenever humanly possible. They are probably the most underrated band that comes to mind and probably the most influential midwest band over music in the past twenty years. But if i’m being completely honest with myself I probably love Kinsella’s post jazz work more. Whether it be joan of arc, owen, or american football they equally helped shape my own love for music.
4. Say Anything- Walk Through Hell
Max Bemis you stole my heart in the most heterosexual way possible.
5. The New Amsterdams- Hanging on for hope
When The Get Up Kids broke up part of me did as well. Some artists just have something that needs to be said in a different kind of way. Matthew Pryor falls firmly into that category. I walked into the convenient store in broad ripple a few months ago and the guy behind the counter had four minute mile playing. He seemed surprised that i new what it was, which as my friend katie pointed out, seemed ridiculous in itself because that’s a pretty common album. I mentioned the terrible two’s to the guy and he seemed appalled at the idea of pryor playing children’s music, personally i think it’s kind of awesome. If you haven’t heard any of it check this out:
6. The Dillinger Escape plan- 43% Burnt
Dillinger remains to this day the best band to skate to followed maybe by youth of today or sun kil moon. This song made me believe I actually could do something without killing myself, to some extent i assume that was true
7. Saosin- Seven Years
Another song i’d easily say is one of the best songs ever written. This one helped with a lot of personal depression it’s a shame the band crumbled the way they did pretty much out of the gate. The drums deserve mention as well because they are pretty much mentally unstable.
8. Dashboard Confessional-The sharp hint of new tears
I’d be kidding myself if i’d try remember the summer of 03 without Swiss army romance or the places you’ve come to fear the most. Dashboard to this day remains my favorite band, go ahead and say what you want i’ve been catching trash for it ever since day one and i’m still not budging. Carrabba puts on the best live show possible and is one of the very few bands i’ve been willing to drive more than five hours to see (which i’ve done four times) which is the only way i get to see them since dashboard has played indy only once. Speaking of drums Mike Marsh is one of the best drummers around, don’t let the genre fool you. Similar to when Pryor left TGUK Chris’ departure from Further Seems Forever had me for a moment losing all faith in the future of music and with all honestly the first time i heard Dashboard i hated everything about it then two weeks later my girlfriend and i ended our two year relationship. I went for a late night drive through the country and started tossing cd’s out of my window because every song had some lame memory attached to it. A hundred dollars later i put the swiss army romance in and kept it there on repeat for hours. The next day i picked up the places you’ve come to fear the most and as far as i can remember only listened to those two albums for the next month. Every album they’ve put out i’ve loved and i’ve never been disappointed by one of their shows be it full band or solo. They are the one band i couldn’t care less if anyone else likes for some reason dashboard is personal to me.
Also: This video has always bothered me. Because it’s further seems forever’s Carrabba replacement made to look like he’s singing when it’s not his vocals on the album. They should have just shot a video without the band in it instead. Song’s still amazing though
9. The Honorary Title- Everything I once Had
This is the one song no matter what’s going on that if it comes on by the time the bridge hits i’m screaming at the top of my lungs along to. I feel sorry for anyone in a car with me and my brother when it’s playing as well only he actually sounds good singing it so it’s probably not as bad.
10. alexisonfire- .44 caliber love letter
i mentioned a post or two ago about a mixup i’d had with alexisonfire and tv on the radio and how it bummed me out completely. This is what i’d been hoping to be a part of when tv took the stage.
11. Underoath- never meant to break your heart
I once got into an argument on a flight out to DC over Underoath. The guy sitting the row over from me felt offended by my headphones being up too loud and forcing him to hear “satan’s music” All that needs to be said is that the guy was a close minded idiot and after telling him i would try to be more considerate with my headphone volume I then proceeded to turn my ipod up louder. I have no issue with being passive aggressive towards someone who without saying it obviously was a bush supporter and most likely only knew of what was in the bible from what he heard nightly from his favorite tv evangelist. I didn’t even tell him that underoath were christian, probably wouldn’t have made a difference if i had.
Also if you you’re looking for something to read that will both take you back a couple of years and get a few laughs in the process pick up Everybody Hurts: the essential guide to emo
which includes one of my favorite quotes. When describing something they say that it is “more emo than jake gyllenhaal drinking a red bull at a bright eyes concert” which when i read it in 2007 i thought it was rather funny.
well that’s it. Hopefully the new playlist will be up within a week
