Category: Song Spotlight

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Song Spotlight – Paul McCartney “Come on to Me”

I actually first heard this song…unknowingly…on James Cordon’s Carpool Karaoke.  When I went back and visited my family in Indiana my sister was lovingly showing me her new favorite show called Carpool Karaoke.  I forgot all about it and somehow someway I heard from someone that I had to watch the Paul McCartney one.  It was most likely Alyssa that told me but who knows.  Anyways, we sat down and watched it and it was amazing.

I already loved the Beatles and respected Paul McCartney, but the episode really kind of gave an inner look at just who he was as a person.  I honestly think he’s a genius.  I heard a story about how on the latest Foo Fighter’s album they brought Paul McCartney in to help write and drum on the song “Sunday Rain”. Dave Grohl was amazed at how easy the song together and Paul just simply said “It’s always that easy”.

His matter of factness really stuck with me. I’d like to live my life like that.

Anyways, “Come on to Me” was in the episode and I finally listened to the full album and recognized it immediately.  There’s many songs I like on the album, but this has got to be my favorite.  Just a cool, simple, straight forward song. Great writing and super catchy. Check it out, and if you dig it, I highly recommend the whole album.  You can tell he had a lot of fun making it.

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Looking Back – Kings of Leon’s “Mechanical Bull”

This was not the post I was going to do. In fact out of all of Kings of Leon’s albums this is not near the top.  I am a fanboy, and I do love all their albums, but  this would  not be near the top.

HOWEVER

When I first moved to Seattle it conveniently kind of lined up with the release of this album.  I first bought my Kia Rio and this was about the only CD I had in my car for months.  Every song and note became ingrained in my head.

I can still recall going to the bowling alley in Burien jamming “Supersoaker” and singing out loud with Collin.  Or being stuck in traffic on the way to work listening to “Comeback Story”.  Or just having parties at Theresa’s house and jamming the out to “Family Tree” and that masterful bassline.

No real point to this post, I was on the computer and this album came on and I was hit with a wave of remembering. Truly an album that puts me in a very particular place. Arguably, a better, more carefree place!

 

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Song Spotlight – Death Cab For Cutie “I Dreamt We Spoke Again”

Wow, what a return to form for these guys. I was perusing iTunes like I tend to do and was surprised to see some new Death Cab out and about.  I didn’t have high hopes at all, as honestly I haven’t been a fan for a while.  Luckily I’m way wrong and am so happy that I am.

This song brings me back to doing adderall, drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, and driving around trying to write lyrics with my buddy Laren back when we were 18/19.  Back then we listened to “intellectual” stuff like Death Cab and Bright Eyes to try and get inspired to write better lyrics. Not sure it really worked but nevertheless, the sound of Death Cab definitely brings me back.

I love the drums in this song and the cool, twangly (yes I’m creating that word) guitar sound.  I’ve tried to do a similar tone on some Po’ Brother songs but always fell short.  The production on this song is amazing and honestly if I still smoked weed I would blaze it up to this tune. Great track, I highly recommend checking it out!

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Song Spotlight – “Baby Bluebird” – Fruit Bats

I don’t know what it is about certain songs that just make me listen to them over and over and over until I literally wear myself out on them.  For this song though, it think its the random diminished or dissonant second chord thats played in the verse progression. Unexpected and, if I DARESAY, beautiful.

Then when his vocals hit for the chorus.. “If you’d given me most of you, I’d of handed over all of me”. Pretty powerful stuff.  Makes me want to go driving on a cloudy day…away from just about everything.

No drums are in this song which I guess just goes to prove that a good song is a good song in its own right.  While I’ve been writing this I’ve listened to the song 3 times and still can’t get enough of it. Funny how when your feeling down you just want to listen to “down” music.

Anyways, totally recommend this song to everyone. Even your grandma will like this. Below is a cool alternate version he plays on piano…may be even better.

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Song Spotlight – “Come to Me Now” – Kevin Morby

Here’s another one I found on the recommended for you by iTunes.  I for sure thought this was The War on Drugs but I was wrong! Not too sure on the history of this Kevin Morby guy but I love this song and that’s enough for me to say I’m sold.  Production is rock solid…I’d imagine if I smoked weed like I used to this would be a perfect song to kick back and zone out to.

There’s a real zen quality to this song and I really got into it during some stress in my life.  This song was a great relaxing escape for me and I meant to write this post a month or two ago to get the word out.  I’m so glad I didn’t forget.

Moral of the story. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try kicking back at night on your porch, outside, or wherever…just make sure this song is on in the background.  I think you’ll have a good time. You let me know.

 

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Song Spotlight – “Toy Soldier” by The Menzingers

Sweetness! I was so excited to hear this song by accident on my iTunes “recommended for you” playlist.  Its kind of freaky how the algorithms can guess what kind of music you’ll like just by your play history.

In any case I was immediately hooked to this song.  Drums are heavy, chunky guitar riffs, and a nice raw, growlin’ voice. I love the lyrics too.  I would personally love to open for these guys in my band Dirty Rugs…maybe down the road I can make that happen.

10/10 highly recommend this song! just a good cruising, party song.  Let me know what you think!

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Song Spotlight – “I am the Cosmos” – Chris Bell

So my girlfriend turned me on to a documentary on a little known band called Big Star from the 70s.  Big Star never made it on mainstream radio, but were loved by critics.  Bands like REM, Wilco, and Elliot Smith have all cited them as a major influence, so definitely check them out, and if you dig what you hear, check out the documentary! It’ a good use of your time, I promise you.

Anyways,  one of the founders, Chris Bell,  made a solo album after creating the first album with Big Star (arguably their best album). His solo album was tragically never released until after he died at the infamous age of 27.  “I am the Cosmos” is from this post-humous album and it  just really hit me hard. There is so much pain behind the lyrics.  The song starts off with: “Every night I tell myself I am the cosmos, I am the wind. But that don’t get you back again”.

I don’t know what it is but I just love that line so much, which is why this is the song spotlight!  I think its the realization of how we are so important and a “miracle” yet sometimes you have to grapple the fact that even so, there are things beyond your control.

Anyways, here’s the link. Listen, and let me know what you think:

 

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Song Spotlight – Jim James – Just a Fool

I really need to get better at updating this website.  Life just flies by and unfortunately I let good songs come and go without recording them on my website.  Every now and then one jumps out at me though and this new song by Jim James is one of the first songs in a long time that I’ve just had on repeat nonstop.

I relate to the lyrics, to the guitar hook, and to the bass line that backs it all up.  So simple and straightforward, but great nonetheless.  I’m writing this down at midnight on a Thursday so I won’t ramble on about it. If you got a different opinion let’s talk about it …leave a comment!

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Song Spotlight – Conor Oberst – Gossamer Thin

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a song spotlight. This one is strange because I haven’t listened to Conor Oberst (or Bright Eyes) in probably 8 years, and for years this angsty emo-ish music has been out of my bloodstream. This song though, “Gossamer Thin”, really got to me though.

I noticed on NPR a year ago that Oberst had released an album called Ruminations, which I took a half-assed listen to and immediately disregarded.  Long story short here we are, after months of grey, rainy weather in the PNW, I turned on some Bright Eyes. Really brought me back to when I was younger. Back to when I was playing music all the time, drinking too much coffee, smoking too many cigarettes, and drinking way too much alcohol.

Anyways, it’s been a while since I’ve really paid any attention to lyrics, I’ve been a guitar guy for years now, and like I said before this one really got to me. I could copy and paste lyrics here for you to read but who am I kidding, this whole blog is for me to read and really no one else.  Just posting it here so I can look back on it and reflect. With how its been stuck in my head for weeks now I ‘m not sure this one will ever really slip out of my memory.

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Song Spotlight – Baroness – “Shock Me”

As you can tell from my last Dio post, I’ve been getting back into metal lately. Blame it on the grey clouds! Anyways, I’m really loving/digging this song by Baroness, Shock Me.

It’s just honestly a beautifully written song that incorporates something I think everyone can love.  Guitars, Drums, great melodies, and an amazing catchy chorus.

I’m not gonna act like I’ve been into this band for a long time, honestly this is the first song I’ve really gotten into, but ever since hearing it I’ve had it on repeat. Anyways, here’s a video for your listening pleasure, enjoy!