June 10, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Fanfarlo – Fire Escape Fanfarlo – “Fire Escape” This is one of a few songs from this British pop band’s record Reservoir that we have added to our playlists. You might have heard the orchestral sounds of “These Walls Are Coming Down” or “Harold T. Wilkins”, directed by Swede Simon Balthazar. The band’s name comes… Read more »
June 9, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Roky Erickson w/ Okkervil River – Goodbye Sweet Dreams Roky Erickson (with Okkervil River) – “Goodbye Sweet Dreams” From the recent collaborative record True Love Cast Out All Evil, former 13th Floor Elevators frontman Roky Erickson growls this featured track over the barely restrained backing clamor of Austin’s Okkervil River. Shortly after disbanding the Elevators,… Read more »
June 8, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Calexico – Alone Again Or Calexico – “Alone Again Or” This cover of the classic Love song gives it the signature Calexico treatment – taking listeners on a trip through the American Southwest. Though they impose their sound on this 60’s psychedelic rock tune rom their EP Convict Pool, it keeps the spirit of the Arthur Lee-penned… Read more »
June 7, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Neil Young – “Cripple Creek Ferry” This track, from Neil’s 1970 masterpiece After The Gold Rush, is a classic album track — never a single, but a song that people instantly associate with playing the record through its entirety. Featuring a young Nils Lofgren (later a longtime member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band) on… Read more »
June 4, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Murry Hammond – Lost At Sea Murry Hammond – “Lost at Sea” The Texas native (who named his son Tex), better known for being the bass player, background vocalist, and dark horse songwriting champ of the Old 97’s lives in California now, where he leads an old-time gospel service at a local church. This solo record,… Read more »
June 3, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Janelle Monae – “Cold War” Try as you might, you are going to have a hard time fitting Janelle Monae into any boxes. A Kansas City native, she moved to Atlanta and started the Wondaland Arts Society with Outkast’s Big Boi. He guests on this record, The ArchAndroid, which combines suites 2 and 3 of… Read more »
June 2, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Arcade Fire – “The Suburbs” The Arcade Fire have been critical darlings since the arrival of their debut full length Funeral in 2004. The follow-up Neon Bible came out to great acclaim in 2007, and the fervor surrounding this upcoming release, The Suburbs, has been greater than almost any release this year. This song bounces… Read more »
June 1, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Elvis Costello – “Radio, Radio” In honor of his appearances in North Texas last week, including two nights with the Dallas Symphony at the Meyerson, here’s the man born Declan Patrick MacManus with one of his defining songs. Closing out 1978’s This Year’s Model, “Radio, Radio” is a biting criticism of what Costello felt was… Read more »
May 28, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Hayes Carll – I Don’t Wanna Grow Up Hayes Carll – “I Don’t Want To Grow Up” Hayes Carll is quickly becoming a Texan treasure. Originally from the Houston area, he moved to Crystal Beach, near Galveston and played haunts like the Old Quarter, the same places that his heroes Guy Clark and Townes Van… Read more »
May 27, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
R.E.M. – “Nightswimming” This classic from the Athens, Georgia-based band came from what many consider their best record, 1994’s Automatic For the People. Named for the sign of a favorite restaurant near Athens, this record found R.E.M. mining the American South for influences, both lyrically and musically. The strings on this song were arranged by… Read more »
