Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

Because I'm a) bored and b) completely full of myself I figured I'd start a music thread so people can both simultaneously laud and deride me for being an "emo gay hipster."

I'll be posting individual tracks that I get into with short write-ups. I'll try to keep them both obscure and accessible so while you might not have heard of a band, I'll make it as easy as possible to download and listen immediately (even if that's hard with some of these bands). Most of them will be recent as the bulk of music I listen to comes from the last 5 years, but I'll probably throw it back every now and then. Others are encouraged to chime in, post stuff of their own, and rip me a new [censored] for liking whatever.

The first track I'm posting is Why?'s "Sanddollars." Why? refers to a band fronted by Jonathan Wolf, a member of cLOUDDEAD and a former Anticon MC (that went by the moniker). If you don't know what Anticon is, you'd probably hate them. They were a label full of angsty white rappers that occassionally said something witty, but usually made you want to punch them and tell them to grow balls.

Thank god Wolf isn't like that.

Wolf blurs the line of rapping, speaking, and singing with a nervous, yet, pleasant nicotine-stained voice. Backing him is a live band with guitar, drums, and whatever else they feel like using. The songs range from charmingly catchy to awkwardly catchy, with music and lyrics that sometimes don't quite fit but I can't help but love anyway. The album's probably best described as a rapper trying to rock, not quite succeeding, and making something both uncomfortable and accessible at the same time.

"Sanddollars" is the closest thing to flat out rock on the album with an infectious dance riff playing throughout the song and accompanying Wolf's voice here, which really shines in the chorus.

Click Here to download "Sanddollars" by Why?

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

eh.

Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shoreline)
 

In 2003 you couldn't discuss indie rock without hearing somebody rave about Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It In People. It inspired a wave of people to proclaim it the best record of the year, and another wave of people to say "eh, 'Cause=Time' is nice.'" And while many of the first group are disappointed with Broken Social Scene's self-titled follow up, the rest of us finally have something to talk about.

Click Here to download Broken Social Scene's "7/4 (Shoreline)"

Re: Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shoreline)
 

This is a great idea, thanks for doing it.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

Quite an interesting idea. Should keep me amused for 5mins every day. Carry on.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

Nice work. Though this is not my sort of thing at all, this sort of thread lifts OOT, so game on!

Re: Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shoreline)
 

I really like Broken Social's new disc. Not as much as You Forgot it in People, but it's still good stuff.

GoT

Wolf Parade - \"It\'s a Curse\"
 

Like most others, I heard the hype of Wolf Parade's Apologies to the Queen Mary. Before I'd even pushed play, I'd heard all about how the band's good friends with the guys of Arcade Fire, how Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse had produced much of the album, how it's one of the best releases of 2005, and how if you don't like the album you're a [censored]. I'm here to tell you if you don't like the album you're a [censored].

When I first heard "It's a Curse" my initial reaction was "Arcade Fire meets Lonesome Crowded West." My second reaction was "no [censored]." My third reaction was "this is pretty good."

So, download Wolf Parade's, "It's a Curse." It's pretty good.

My Morning Jacket - \"Anytime\"
 

I first heard My Morning Jacket about 3 years ago after getting reccomended the album; everything I heard about the CD At Dawn was true: it was haunting, unlike anything I'd heard before, and lead singer Jim James's voice was beautiful. I hated it. Iron and Wine dipped in two tons of reverb did not appeal to me in the slightest, but I couldn't doubt the talents of Jim James.

I decided to give It Still Moves a shot, because sometimes an artist surprises me with the second album I hear. I was pleasantly surprised and liked the more accessible disc, but it still didn't click for me.

That is, until one night while watching Conan, I heard My Morning Jacket would perform. They played "Anytime" off of their new album Z and I was hooked. The reverb from the previous albums has been cut by approximately 50%, and the electric guitars have been kicked up a notch while still maintaing an ethereal and free feel that keeps me double-clicking on this track in iTunes ten times a day.

Download "Anytime" by My Morning Jacket so you can double-click it 20 times a day in iTunes

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

By the way, if any of you have requests or suggestions, feel free to pm me. If you like any of the music here, I'll be more than willing to hook you up with full albums or similar artists.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

Great stuff my friend. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Wish I had heard of Broken Social Scene before their show here last week. I like this track alot. What other notable tracks of theirs should I look into?

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

Re: Wolf Parade - \"It\'s a Curse\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Like most others, I heard the hype of Wolf Parade's Apologies to the Queen Mary. Before I'd even pushed play, I'd heard all about how the band's good friends with the guys of Arcade Fire, how Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse had produced much of the album, how it's one of the best releases of 2005, and how if you don't like the album you're a [censored]. I'm here to tell you if you don't like the album you're a [censored].

When I first heard "It's a Curse" my initial reaction was "Arcade Fire meets Lonesome Crowded West." My second reaction was "no [censored]." My third reaction was "this is pretty good."

So, download Wolf Parade's, "It's a Curse." It's pretty good.

[/ QUOTE ]
I liked this one.

The Eames Era - \"Talk Talk\"
 

I had the pleasure of seeing the Eames Era in a smoky bar/café about a mile from my apartment. They played after a band so boring that the chick next to me whipped out a PSP (and made about four guys instantly fall in love with her in the process). When the Eames Era took the stage, you can be assured the PSP was promptly put away.

Lead singer Ashlin Phillips is the star of the band, as is the case on most girl-fronted bands. The comparison everyone immediately thinks of is Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis, and it's a close match both vocally and aesthetically. I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Ashlin. She's charmingly average: her hair's a faded red, her eyes are a little too far apart, and her body has no curves to speak of whatsoever. She's the most beautiful girl in the world. From the moment she got on stage (and adorably squeaked when the mic gave feedback) until the last note of the set, she commanded all attention.

SPIN.com feature on the Eames Era
Download "Talk Talk" by the Eames Era
The Eames Era MySpace

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

Canadian pop supergroup The New Pornographers released their third and best album, Twin Cinema, this year. For those who don't know, the New Pornographers are lead by a trio of vocalists: Carl "A.C." Newman, "Destroyer" Dan Bejar, and alt-country songstress Neko Case. All three have successful solo careers, but it's together that they really shine. Newman spearheads the project, composing the music, writing the lyrics, and singing much of the music.

Much of Twin Cinema and their previous works are simply straight-up pop, employing infectious hooks and catchy choruses. And honestly, who can't love a band named The New Pornographers? One listen will have you bobbing your head and squeaking "sing me spanish techno" in your highest-pitched voice. In the privacy of your on room, of course.

Download "Sing Me Spanish Techno" by The New Pornographers
Pitchfork Interview with Carl Newman

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

I heart Neko.

GoT

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I heart Neko.

GoT

[/ QUOTE ]

Who doesn't?

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I heart Neko.

GoT

[/ QUOTE ]

Who doesn't?

[/ QUOTE ]
TTIWWP

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

NSFW

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

TYTYTYTYTYTYTYTYTY

I didn't like their song. Bland.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I heart Neko.

GoT

[/ QUOTE ]

Who doesn't?

[/ QUOTE ]
TTIWWP

[/ QUOTE ]

We weren't talking about her looks.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

I'm having a tough time getting into the New Pornographer's album. I do like These are the Fables but a lot of the rest of it is really eh to me.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm having a tough time getting into the New Pornographer's album. I do like These are the Fables but a lot of the rest of it is really eh to me.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's really a grower. I think just about everybody that got it at first was "eh, it's okay" and then about a week later was like "wow, this is their best stuff yet."

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm having a tough time getting into the New Pornographer's album. I do like These are the Fables but a lot of the rest of it is really eh to me.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's really a grower. I think just about everybody that got it at first was "eh, it's okay" and then about a week later was like "wow, this is their best stuff yet."

[/ QUOTE ]
I concur. I recall telling people how disappointed I was with it then taking it all back a few days later.

Spoon - \"I Summon You\"
 

I got a message from Soul Daddy last night:

[ QUOTE ]
So, I met our mutual man-crush tonight, Britt Daniel. I felt a bit fanboyish, but whatever. He stayed after the show and just hung out with a bunch of fans, signing autographs, taking shots, talking. Really cool, down to earth guy.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just another reason why Spoon’s the best rock band on the planet right now.

Download "I Summon You," by Spoon

Update
 

By the way, I've started posting the songs to a livejournal account. Feel free to friend the account so you can get updates as I post them there. The livejournal also has the benefits of tags, so you can see all posts under a certain genre or year.

Re: Update
 

I interviewed B. Daniel when I was writing for an indie rock magazine. He seemed nice at first, when we were eating burgers at a place down from the venue, but once the tape recorder started he got very attitude-heavy, like he thought he deserved to be a rock star and was pissed that he wasn't. He danced around most of the questions and took a holier-than-thou, my-music-tastes-are-the-best tone when speaking about the world of indie rock. It came off as snotty and he didn't seem to appreciate getting media coverage.

Plus, the live show wasn't as good as the record. Overall, meh.

Iron and Wine - \"Evening on the Ground (Lilith\'s Song)\"
 

While it's unusual to bestow such an honor on a release that plays less than 24 minutes, it's not much of a stretch to call Iron and Wine's six-song EP The Woman King one of the best albums of 2005. Folk singer Jim Beam grows into something more than 2004's fantasic release Our Endless Numbered Days - in all it's beautiful lo-fi, Beam shows that he can be so much more. Woman King opens with the titular track - full with distortion and percussion accompanying Beam's whispery voice and acoustic guitar. It's not so much of a reversal from Iron and Wine's previous minimalist releases as much as a logical step.

To go along with the added layers of music, Jim Beam shows that he can [censored] bring it with a couple of rockers that'll having you tapping your feet.

It's hard to choose a song from this album. Four of the six represent a departure from the previous works but the two that would seem right in place in 2004 - "Jezebel," and "In My Lady's House" are both strong tracks, the former in particular might be the best track on the EP.

However, "Evening On The Ground (Lilith's Song)" probably best combines the elements of old and new. The acoustic guitar is the strongest on the album and fits right into layers of harmonica, electric guitar, and percussion to make a surreal sound. The lyrics, too, while scant, might be the strongest of the record with lines such as "we were born to [censored] each other one way or another." It also has the advantage of being the shortest song off the album, which makes my uploads and your downloads quicker.

Download "Evening On The Ground (Lilith's Song)"

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

I was first introduced to Ladytron sometime soon after 604 was released in 2002 through my friend Cimon. Cimon was into the quirky stuff – ATDI, Bjork, etc – and Ladytron was certainly quirky. But while the English and Hungarian lyrics awash in synthesizers and bouncing on blips was certainly catchy, like planet Earth it was mostly harmless. Their next release, Light & Magic offered a slight shift in the band's sound, but you got the feeling they were running in place. However, Like yesterday’s spotlight, Iron and Wine, Ladytron’s latest release The Witching Hour represents a step forward. This time, the step goes from “harmlessly catchy” to “flat-out awesome.”

Download Ladytron - "Destroy Everything You Touch"

Architecture In Helsinki - \"Do The Whilrwind\"
 

WARNING: QUIRKY, POPPY, DANCY, CATCHY GOODNESS AHEAD. IF YOU CANNOT HANDLE PURE JOY IN MUSIC FORM DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS SONG. ALSO, YOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER KILLING YOURSELF.

Boy, did Architecture in Helsinki’s previous release, Fingers Crossed, blow massive amounts of chunks. People will disagree with me, and if they care enough, they might try to convince you otherwise. They’re wrong, though. I still decided to give In Case We Die a shot, though, out of the goodness of my heart. I’m glad I have a good heart, too, because In Case We Die is everything Fingers Crossed is not: a full, dancy, catchy, all-out great pop album that should get even the most timid, or most hard-ass of people to shake their rumps.

“Do The Whirlwind” is the first single off the album, and while it might not be the best song off the album, it’s the most consistent and danciest pop song off the album. Whereas other songs (“It’s 5,” “Wishbone,” “Maybe You Can Owe Me”) show greatness in spurts in 50 to 90 seconds, “Do The Whirlwind” brings the pop goodness for a solid four-and-a-half minutes straight, getting the nod from me for Track of the Day.

Download "Do the Whirlwind"

Re: Architecture In Helsinki - \"Do The Whilrwind\"
 

Hmm.. again I think Maybe You Can Owe Me is the best song off the album. Whirlwind is a solid pick though.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

WTF? My upload rate is [censored], I can't get the track of the day uploaded. Sorry.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

Keeping in line with my quirky pop songs, and celebrating the release of the critically scourged Rehearsing My Choir, I’m going with a song off of Fiery Furnaces’ 2005 ironically titled EP. Ironically, because the damned thing is 41 minutes long. Of course, picking the song is the hard part, and everytime I chose one song I immediately want to chose another. So, I’ll stop trying to decide and just upload “Here Comes the Summer.”

Download it here

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

Also, guys, feel free to upload stuff here, make suggestions or requests or whatever. I wanna listen to some new stuff, too.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

This’ll be the last post until Sunday, as I’ll be in Texas all weekend to see Against Me!, The Epoxies, Smoke or Fire, and the Soviettes in the Fat Wrecks Chord Tour. In order to celebrate, I’m going ahead and upload a song from Against Me!’s Searching for a Former Clarity.

Despite their “punk” label, the opening riff “Unprotected Sex With Multiple Partners” would fit right in on a Gang of Four album. The song’s shimmery, uh, dancepunk morphs into a scathing criticism of the record business that’s more yell than song. However, the denigration surprisingly fits right in with the dance-goodness that creates and odd, juxtaposition, yet anger’s never been so damned catchy.

The song’s lyrics and Tom Gabel’s throaty voice give the impression of a business and road vets, touring and pumping out records for decades. Yet, those who don’t know are usually surprised to find that the band’s fairly young (lead singer Gabel is only 24). Still, the band has more in common with Fugazi than other 24 year olds.

See you guys Sunday (with a full trip report, natch).

Download

Re: Iron and Wine - \"Evening on the Ground (Lilith\'s Song)\"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Folk singer Jim Beam

[/ QUOTE ]

SAM Beam.

What was on your mind while writing this review? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Iron and Wine - \"Evening on the Ground (Lilith\'s Song)\"
 

ah, you caught me. lol. I always just call him the beamer anyway.

Re: Jack\'s Track of the Day Thread
 

hm can i play too ?

i suck at the whole description write up thing.
but the modern lovers are a protopunk 1970s band out of boston led by jonathan richman. this song is from their debut album which rocks.

the modern lovers - she cracked

Anatomy of an Album - Rubber Soul
 

Anataomy of an Album? Wazzat? Well, it’s where I take things in a different direction and focus entirely on one album, and I post a different track from it each day. I might do all the tracks on the album, but I’ll often end up just doing around 7. Most of the albums will be considered classics, but I’ll also do very good albums released recently. I’ll still try to keep things obscure, but, let’s admit it, not everyone has heard everything considered classic. Expect some diversity, from the Beatles to Springsteen to Public Enemy. I’m also open to suggestions, so go ahead and post any classic albums you’d like to see done.

Walking home the other day, I saw a guy wearing a Rubber Soul shirt. I complimented him and he smiled and thanked me. I’d like to think he did it because we’re both part of the minority of Beatles fans that know what their best album is. Most everyone talks about Sgt. Pepper’s or the White Album – and, well, they’re wrong. Okay, this isn’t exactly an objective science or anything, but they’re still wrong. Anatomy of an Album: Rubber Soul

Anataomy of an Album? Wazzat? Well, it’s where I take things in a different direction and focus entirely on one album, and I post a different track from it each day. I might do all the tracks on the album, but I’ll often end up just doing around 7. Most of the albums will be considered classics, but I’ll also do very good albums released recently. I’ll still try to keep things obscure, but, let’s admit it, not everyone has heard everything considered classic. Expect some diversity, from the Beatles to Springsteen to Public Enemy. I’m also open to suggestions, so go ahead and post any classic albums you’d like to see done.

Walking home the other day, I saw a guy wearing a Rubber Soul shirt. I complimented him and he smiled and thanked me. I’d like to think he did it because we’re both part of the minority of Beatles fans that know what their best album is. Most everyone talks about Sgt. Pepper’s or the White Album – and, well, they’re wrong. Okay, this isn’t exactly an objective science or anything, but they’re still wrong.

Rubber Soul packs 12 near-perfect pop songs, 1 perfect pop song, and a Ringo song into under 36 minutes. Who thought Ringo singing lead was a good idea? At least Ringo isn’t as bad here as he is on “Yellow Submarine.” Still, “What Goes On” is a minor hiccup on one of the strongest albums to ever be released. Over the next 13 days, I’ll be reviewing all of the tracks on the album (save “What Goes On,” because I’d like to pretend it doesn’t exist) in the order they appear on the album.


Rubber Soul packs 12 near-perfect pop songs, 1 perfect pop song, and a Ringo song into under 36 minutes. Who thought Ringo singing lead was a good idea? At least Ringo isn’t as bad here as he is on “Yellow Submarine.” Still, “What Goes On” is a minor hiccup on one of the strongest albums to ever be released. Over the next 13 days, I’ll be reviewing all of the tracks on the album (save “What Goes On,” because I’d like to pretend it doesn’t exist) in the order they appear on the album.

Re: Anatomy of an Album - Rubber Soul
 

The album opens with the McCartney’s “Drive My Car.” You’ve probably heard this song; if not on the radio, perhaps at McCartney’s Super Bowl halftime performance (he opened with it). The song, clocking in at two-and-a-half minutes flat, wasn’t available on the original U.S. release. The song begins with a great guitar riff, a catchy bass line, and what else but cowbell? By the time the chorus hits (“Baby you can drive my car / yes I’m gonna be a star” … “And baby I love you / Beep beep! Beep beep! Yeah!”), Paul’s started banging on his piano. Overall, an incredibly fun and rocking track that solidly opens the album.

Download it here.