Woods-Pushing Onlys (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 31: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

"Pushing Onlys" wraps up 31 great songs of 2011 so far because, well, it's so downright pleasant....

The War On Drugs-Come To The City (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 30: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

"Come To The City" is one of several hazy rock songs steeped in 70's and 80's AOR at heart but with enough haze and atmosphere to make it a now classic. The album "Slave Ambient" is available now, you should probabl give it a try.

 

M83-"Midnight City" (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 29: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

"Midnight City" is what I pitcured music to sound like in 2011 probably 15-20 years ago. And I like it! Thank goodness there's a full double album coming out in October from Mr. Gonzalez and his French outfit M83 to continue this indietronica haze.

Montana (50 Songs For 50 States)

Back to the road trip with across the United States and to "Big Sky Country", where the bison roam and the clouds (I picture) are big fat cumulus ones that float in the blue sky. There are less than a million people in Montana and there are three entrance ways to Yellowstone National Park. You can also find Glacier National Park in Montana. I've never been to Montana, but they say it is "The Last Best Place"....sounds like a road trip should be in order.

So we're giving Montana a song about a cowboy collecting dental floss. Only Frank Zappa could bring us a treat like this from his seventies album "Over Nite Sensation". The original version actually has Tina Tuner singing the backing vocals, something I'm sure Ike didn't approve of and in the live video below, a young Steve Vai joins Zappa onstage in a mashup version of...."Montana".

So get your crop of dental floss ready folks, we're heading to Montana with Zappa. Only he would want to be a dental floss tycoon in Big Sky Country.

Charles Bradley-"The World (Is Going Up In Flames)" (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 28: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

"The World..." is just a gem of a soul tune, with Bradley giving out more oohs and aahs then James Brown and Otis Redding put together. The best 70's soul throwback in over a decade (since D'Angelo?) to these ears...and from a 62 year old's debut album. Oh YES!

Iron and Wine-Tree By The River (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 27: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

Two days behind! Gonna have to make it up by Wednesday. So how about that new Iron and Wine? More fit for the autumn ahead? Probably...."Tree By The River" sounds like a lost 70's AM Gold hit...a good lost 70's AM Gold hit, very nice.

Washed Out-Amor Fati (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 26: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

As far as 2011 "chillwave" goes, I'm digging this more than a lot of other stuff. "Amor Fati" is as sexy as the album cover of the new Washed Out LP.

Foo Fighters-Walk (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 25: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

I honestly dig some of the new Foo Fighters album, especially the last track where Dave Grohl channels his inner Springsteen in the chorus. Hands down favorite for "Hard Rock" album of the year at the Grammys in February. Put your money down now....

Sex Pistols-Never Mind The Bullocks, Here's The Sex Pistols (JHO Hall Of Fame)

Late 1977 had to be an exciting time to be a music fan in the UK. Too bad I had just turned four and was learning the lyrics to "Fly Like An Eagle" as a young lad the time. No, it wouldn't be until around junior high school until I found the anarchist rallying cry of "Anarchy In The UK" as someone lent me a dubbed over cassette of "Never Mind The Bullocks...." (and if I remember correctly, that friend was big into Eric B and Rakim at the time...which seems odd, but makes sense). It wasn't like "Never Mind The Bullocks" became essential at that moment for me, but I was intrigued. I thought the opener "Holidays In the Sun" brimmed with energy that you couldn't really find at the time, in the mid eighties, with "alternative" music leaning more towards post punk musings of Ian McCulloch or Michael Stipe as the statesman for the generation. But I listened to "Never Mind The Bullocks" quite a bit from that moment forward. How could a young teen resist? Johnny Rotten snarled through all the twelve tracks with a ferociousness that you couldn't resist. No, I never fancied myself as a punk...but dammit, I loved revisiting the sound and energy from its music.

Flash forward to 1995. It seems "punk" has made a comeback, or so that is what it is being labeled with a slew of So-Cal bands borrowing from their forefathers. I'm in college now and like the energy of some the stuff. But I'm still clinging on to an updated CD version of "Never Mind The Bullocks", one of the first "CD's" I had to transfer over through one of those 13 albums for free from Coulmbia House. I feel well prepared after several years with the album to greet any Rancid or Green Day fans with the snide quote, "Well yeah, they say it's punk, but here is where it got its start really..." (It's amazing how looking back one can be a music lover who's gone snob when you're in your early 20's....it's a trend all must grow out of for eternal music happiness, really). College radio shows I DJ'd were treated to a heavy dose of the Sex Pistols' comparison to the queen and her fascist regime ("God Save The Queen") or

PJ Harvey-The Words That Maketh Murder (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 24: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):
It's Harvey's best album in 11 years and it's chalked full of England after the apocolypse thrillers like "The Words That Maketh Murder".

New Music Review: The Horrors-Skying

I must admit I was pretty excited to give the latest release from English band The Horrors a listen and after a run through on NPR a couple weeks ago decided to give these guys my money for support. Their third release, titled "Skying" is an LP full of vintage keyboard lines, thumping bass and drums (almost in a Madchester kind of way, a good Madchester kind of way no less) and guitars that flutter above the whole tightly wound groove. It's a throwback to eighties bands such as Echo and the Bunnymen or probably more so, Simple Minds (at least that's what keeps coming to my mind the most). And while the trend has been to borrow from this time frame abundantly lately, a lot of "Skying" feels like an album in the now...which works to its advantage and is perhaps the biggest strength on "Skying": some excellent production and songs that never repeat themselves. Sounds like a winner right? Well, I'm kind of mixed now after several listens. And here's a few thoughts that keep ringing in my head about "Skying".

The title "Skying" pretty much is the blueprint. These guys are showing the endless possibilities that their music can take...just look at some of the song titles: "Changing The Rain", "Endless Blue", Dive In", "Moving Further Away"...they all deal with infinite possibilities. The arrangements are spot on as well with each song reaching for exuberant heights, you can't help but get caught up in some of the moments. Take "I Can See Through You" which starts off as Human League "Dare!" era before exploding into a revved up pop escapade with lead singer Faris Badwin coming out smelling like roses in the infectious chorus. Or how "Endless Blue" starts off as a slow shoegaze tune before turning on its head into the most volatile song of the bunch with guitars buzzing replacing the lush horn keys that preceded it. And then there is the Stone Roses like baggy beat of "Dive In" or "Changing The Rain", both gliding by into another atmosphere that makes you want to follow. Lyrically, there's nothing groundbreaking, but Badwin's vocals become just another element to the band's newfound dreamy sound...one that is miles away from their much edgier material on their first albums.

The cornerstones here are "Moving Further Away" and "Still Life". "Moving Further Away" works a keyboard into dizzying territory with Badwin delivering the song to unknown horizons. "Everybody, moving further away" he sings as the instruments become a glorious hodgepodge of sound until they incorporate seagulls for an otherworldly effect. "Still Life" is straightforward 80's modern rock with each instrument playing its correct part before concluding in a chorus that will stick in the head for days, "When you wake up...you will find me." It's reminiscent of early Simple Minds right before their ambitions broke them to a larger market.

So are the Horrors moving further away into that larger market? They're probably going to be up for a Mercury in their home country this year with "Skying", I'd put money on that.

Bon Iver-Holocene (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 23: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far): 

Justin Vernon continues a winning streak with several heartfelt melancholy tunes on latest effort. "Holocene" may be the most earnest/human song of the year and the video just makes me want to go explore Iceland some more.

Smith Westerns-All Die Young (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 22: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

"Dye The World" is easily an album I could recommend to just about anyone even if it's not an odds on favorite of the year to me. But with "All Die Young" and its big build up to a jubilant ending, its just one of ten reasons (songs) on the LP that will keep you coming back. Heart and Soul.....never know....

Top Ten: Stalker Anthems

Feel like buying some infrared goggles and stalking someone? Looking for the perfect soundtrack to your ventures into stalking. station to station is proud to present....The Top Ten Stalking Anthems of all time. Each one brims with the mere possibility of stalking, or being stalked, or whatever trick of the trade needs to be addressed with a song. The top two are so over the top with stalking goodness, we had to make them one and 1a because as lovely and loved as they are...they are pretty much downright creepy. The other eight are only a tick behind. Now, we don't recommend stalking...it's a terrible obsession. But if you must, use these songs for your escapades. 

1. The Police-Every Breath You Take
Troubling Lyrics: "Oh can't you see, you belong to me" or "Every vow you break I'll be watching you".
Diagnosis: If this is being played at a wedding or used to show someone your love, the best idea would be to use anything else. Sting is obsesses here to a point of watching every move, every smile,

My Morning Jacket-Holdin' On To Black Metal (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 21: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

I'm still holding on.....how about you?

Tune-yards-Gangsta (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 20: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far): 

Between Gangsta, You Yes You and Bizness, I'm torn at a favorite from the latest Tune-Yards LP "Whokill". I'll just go with "Gangsta" because it is everywhere, literally falls apart half the way through and kept the phrase "Bang Bang Bang...never move to my hood" in my head for the whole month of June.

The Antlers-I Don't Want Love (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 19: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

As their sophomore albums title, "Burst Apart", suggests, The Antlers are bursting apart at the seams lyrically and emotionally. The lead off "I Don't Want Love", with an unlucluttered and spacious chorus, is the first ascent into gorgeous melancholy.

Fleet Foxes-Helplessness Blues (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 18: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far): 

Who knew Fleet Foxes would return this year with an even better offering than their already outstanding debut album. But as the self titled song "Helplessness Blues" shows, the harmonies win every time....

Personal Favorite: The Jesus And Mary Chain

I haven't much time to write many proper posts lately as it's been a busy mid-summer between work, play, concerts, visitations, etc. etc. etc. So I've filled up August with some of my favorite songs of 2011 so far...Next couple of weeks I'll have new music reviews up for the new Horrors, The War On Drugs, and Stephen Malkmus by the end of August (hopefully). Also coming soon is an Artist Spotlight on Oasis (been on my mind since Adzilla was out a couple weeks ago) and some decent top tens, an "On Second Thought" category perhaps and for goodness sake, gonna try to fill out some more states! Also, look for a Pearl Jam countdown for twenty years after Ten with their re-release of their debut coming in late September. That's what's on the platter, how much will get done, we'll soon see.

In the meantime (Spacehog anyone?) let's do a tradition we used to do in college at the college radio station WGLZ 91.5 West Liberty State College via sometime around 1994? or 95? We would make fun of how

Wye Oak-Holy Holy (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 17: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

Many a runs have been powered by Wye Oak's "Holy Holy" this year. The payoff when the song hits it's stride at the latter part is worth the wait. Sublime.

TV On The Radio-Will Do (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 16: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

With a solid strings of fantastic albums under their belt, TV On The Radio release perhaps their most touching single yet with "Will Do".

Destroyer-Kaputt (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 15: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

Dan Bejar brings 80's schmaltz on his latest release "Kaputt". The title track is a guilty pleasure with which makes you want to get your wine thirty on.

Toro y Moi-New Beat (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 14: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

 A little bit funky but just enough hazy and lazy elements to remain chillwave. If leader Chaz Bundick ups the funk next time around, the dance groove may be as undeniable as "New Beat.", a standout from "Underneath The Pine".

The Strokes-Under Cover Of Dakness (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 13: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

When "Angles" came out it was mediocre at best. But "Under Cover" still packs a great punch with drum fills and guitar fills that make you feel like "Every one's been playing the same song for ten...years".

The Horrors-Still Life (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 12: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

1985 called and wants to know why the Horrors are doing Echo and the Bunnymen and Tears For Fears better then they did. "Still Life" is an outstanding opening single from their new "Skying" album available now.

The Rapture-How Deep Is Your Love (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 11: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

Dig it. Just when I was about to write off the Rapture, they release this dance rock mind bender, complete with a great sax part near the end of the song. Full album release in September.

 

The Best 2:20 Songs Of All Time (Or At Least In My iTunes)

So driving home from work Wednesday night, I've got my playlist on the IPOD going with new and old favorites when Wire's "Ex-Lion Tamer" from their absolute stunner of an album "Pink Flag" came blasting through the speakers. I thought, "What a great song...the chorus is killer and the energy is bar none." And the way my "Mathematical" mind works (a Spoon reference or for those who know me well, very sadly true) I thought what a great to post this on the blog..songs that are killer under two minutes (because a lot of "Pink Flag" has under two minute classics on it). But I ran into a problem as the song ran down to it's climactic ending...."Ex-Lion Tamer" is 2:20. "No, this can't be????" But alas. 2:20.

Wire, The Star Player of the 2:20 Club.

So my new idea. A post with the best 2:20 songs of all time...or at least in my iTunes. Criteria is simple enough, be 2:20 in the time column in the iTunes. And low and behold, I've got 25 songs (from Springsteen to the Beatles to Pearl Jam to Beach Fossils) in that time frame. But I'm not including Hayseed Dixie's version of "Money Talks" or the Drive -By Truckers creepy "You And Your Crystal Meth". Nine seems like a fair number (Starting baseball roster, right?) and I don't feel like giving this a top ten tag. So check out the 9 below that are 2:20. And check your own iTunes or whatever device you have for music on your computer and see if you've got anymore to add. I'll feature my favorite 9 and list the other seventeen at the end of post.

So here is a topic worth divulging. The best 2:20 songs life has to offer (I highly doubt I'll do this with 3:34 songs but don't push...that could be coming in November if the feeling is right!) YouTube times may not reflect the 2:20, but we're not going with that.

The Starting 9:

#1 2:20
Artist: Wire
Song: Ex-Lion Tamer
Album: Pink Flag
The Money Line: "Stay glued to your TV set"
2:20 Thermometer: 100%



#2 2:20
Artist: The Beatles

The Dodos-Don't Try And Hide It (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 10: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far): 

A nice acoustic romp with guest vocals from Neko Case, the Dodos latest album provides enough moments to keep them ahead of the 2011 curve of acts.

The Beastie Boys-Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 9: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far): 

Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 is an unexpected joy...a Hello Nasty 2. "Don't Play No Game That I Can Win" with guest vocals from Santigold is the reggae/dancehall nugget of the bunch. The guys still have something to offer...

The Year Was ...1995

Adzilla guest stars on this addition of "The year was..." and examines the year in music of 1995 with pinpoint reminiscing....The playlist focuses on the directions music had to offer that year, the open letter is where Adzilla wandered off to for awhile. He wants to let everyone know he's happy he hasn't lived a life based on the music of "Cotton Eyed Joe". And we are all thankful for that as well.


Random Playlist For 1995:
12 Songs (12 Directions Adzilla could have went) 

1. Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio (Rap)
2. Any Man of Mine – Shania Twain (Country)
3. Ruby Soho – Rancid (Punk) 
4. Waterfalls – TLC (R&B) 
5. Lump – Presidents of the United States (Weird Alt.) 
6. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something (One Hit Wonders) \ 
7. Beautiful Life – Ace of Base (Bad Dance Music)
8. Run Around – Blues Traveler (Jam Bands)
9. You Oughta Know – Alanis Morrisette  (Angry Female) 
10. Kiss From A Rose – Seal (Batman Forever Singles) 
11. Hey Man, Nice Shot – Filter (Alternative)
12. Only Wanna Be With You–Hootie and the Blowfish (Darius Rucker)

7 Albums Worth Revisiting From 1995:
("Looking at releases from 1995 these albums make me want to go put them on and listen to immediately.")

1. Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins
2. Garbage-Garbage
3. Deluxe-Better Than Ezra
4. A Boy Named Goo-Goo Goo Dolls
5. 100% Fun-Matthew Sweet
6. Let Your Dim Light Shine-Soul Asylum
7. (Whats The Story) Morning Glory-Oasis

Random Quote From A Song From 1995:

"Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage." "The Zero Man"

Random Thoughts On A Song From 1995:

Dear Noel and Liam,

            In 1995, I was at a musical crossroad. A 17 year old senior in high school, I had many decisions to make. Some would think that these decisions would be what to do with my future and they would have been correct, but it wasn’t for what my major would be or what career I would have, it was about what type of music I would listen to.  

            After hair metal and grunge had faded away I was conflicted with what type of music to listen. Would it be the Notorious B.I.G. or Mariah Carey or Dave Mathews or Shania Twain or Ace of Bass or The Presidents of the United States or The Smashing Pumpkins, I just did not now, there were too many paths to take.

Then one fine day at the beginning of my senior year I heard the great words “Today is gonna be the day…” and I was hooked.  At the moment where the back-beat of the word on the street that the fire in my heart for music was out your music hit me with a rejuvenating spasm of what I wanted my musical experiences to be.  Oasis led me to a refreshing spring of music that came from a little place called England which led me to rediscover old music (The Beatles, the Stones, the Who,  Led Zeppelin, Queen) and discover new music (Radiohead, Blur, The Verve) as well.

               So thank you for helping a confused boy help to choose what his musical ideology would be. It may be the most influential song I ever heard, because up to then all the musical roads I walked were winding and all the musical bands I saw were blinding.  I guess that after all Oasis was my Wonderwall

                                                                                                                                Thanks,

                                                                                                                                Adzilla

"There Are Many Things I'd Like To Say To You...But I Don't Know How..."

Elbow-Lippy Kids (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 8: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

It's the best Peter Gabriel song he never wrote. As a matter of fact, all of Elbow's latest album "Build A Rock Boys!" owes a lot to Gabriel's best work and is a joy to listen to.

My Morning Jacket Setlist: 8-7-11 Indianapolis, Indiana, The Lawn At White River State Park

I can cross My Morning Jacket off of the ten bands I'd love to see perform live and they didn't disappoint with a fantastic show on a Sunday evening in downtown Indianapolis. The Lawn At White River State Park was the perfect setting for their mix of alt southern rock and traditional rock songs. Their new material (opener "Victory Dance", Circuital", "Holdin' On To Black Metal") mixed perfectly with some older favorites ("Gideon", "Off The Record", "Christmas Curtain", "I'm Amazed"). Standouts for me were all out rockers "Mahgeetah" and "One Big Holiday" from their third album "It Still Moves" (an album I now NEED to purchase) and the standouts from recent albums "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2" from "Evil Urges" and "...Black Metal" from their newest album "Circuital". Lead man Jim James kept chatter with the crowd to a minimum but showed a big personality. During "Circuital", his acoustic guitar was clearly out of tune...stopped playing, handed the guitar off, sang another verse and then got handed a more practical guitar as the band nailed the rest of the song perfectly. James also joked about the Kentucky/Indiana border war since everyone but guitarist Carl Broemel (who's from Indianapolis) is from Louisville. James said forget the war..."I love Indiana" which got a big cheer from the crowd. The only thing I'd personally would have liked was "Anytime" or "Lay Low" from my favorite album "Z" (Maybe cut down "Dodante" from 22 minutes to 16 next time and throw one of the two in..) but that's just my own preference. At 2 hours and 25 minutes, it was a perfect Sunday night show. Recommend seeing these guys when they come to your town, their live show outshines some of their studio moments. Missed opener Neko Case because the pre-show beer and conversation with my brother Adzilla was smooth over at the Claddaugh, will see her one of these days (preferably with the New Pornographers.)

It was...ONE BIG HOLIDAY!

My Morning Jacket Setlist:
Victory Dance
Circuital
Off The Record
I'm Amazed
Gideon
Outta My Sytem
Golden
Carried Away
You Wanna Freak Out
Mahgeeteah
First Light
Slow Slow Tune
Christmas Curtain
Smokin' From Shootin'
(End Of) Run Thru
Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2
Movin' Away
Phone Went West

Encore:
Wordless Chorus
Day Is Coming
Holdin' On To Back Metal
One Big Holiday

The Go! Team-Buy Nothing Day (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 7: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

Best Coast meets Brighton. One of the sunniest songs of 2011 with a feel good chorus that makes you want to seize the day.

 

J Mascis-Not Enough (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 6: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis is known for bone crunching classics. "Not Enough" is Mascis at his most poignant as he shows off a great acoustic side.

 

Battles-Ice Cream (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 5: 31 Songs In 31 Days (The Best Of 2011...so far)

Perhaps the work out to the best standard groove of the year, "Ice Cream" from the latest album from Battles, "Gloss Drop", works an organ line into pure frenzied fun.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart-Belong (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 4: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far):

The perfect combination of eighties throwback with just enough muscular guitar, "Belong" is a treat for fans who grew up in the late 80's or the current crop of indie pop fans.

New Music Reviews: Woods-Sun And Shade, Death Cab For Cutie-Codes And Keys

Woods-"Sun And Shade"
It seems like the saying "It's not another summer until you've heard the new Woods album" is becoming commonplace. Their fifth full length player "Sun and Shade", and their third album in three years is full of all the things Woods' fans have become familiar with. Jangle, indie folk in the vein of the Byrds with a nice touch of lo-fi quality. I could give you a look at last year's review on my feelings about their last album "At Echo Lake" and still give my feelings that they're more "McGuinn" than "Garcia" purists. One of the "knocks" I had against "At Echo Lake" was some of the songs felt short and not fully realized. On "Sun And Shade" the band actually improves this quality providing more fleshed out songs, "Any Other Day" and "To Have In The Home" are two great examples of the band at it's strength: mixing melancholy with jangle-noise folk.

And on the two standouts the opener "Pushing Onlys" and "Who Do I Think I Am", lead vocalist Jeremy Earl continues his poignant, frail take on nostalgia "Pushing onlys to waste the years away / In these same tattered clothes that I pushed through yesterday" or an honest look in the mirror, "Who do I think I am?/Who am I to be running around?/Bringing anyone but my own self down" are two of my favorite songs ever released by Woods. So with the upside of some fully realized songs instead of noodling here or there is some space long suites (7 & 9 minutes apiece) that shows the band at their "trippiest". Bongos appear on "Sol y Sombra" and a continuous drone underscores "Out Of The Eye". For me, I could do without either of them. I enjoy these guys when they're out their jangliest (new word folks!) and there is a plenty a jangle to go round on "Sun And Shade". More of the same with more to like and dislike, but in different ways.

Grade:B+

JHO Picks:
Pushing Onlys
Any Other Day
Be All Be Easy
Who Do I Think I Am




_______________________________________________________________________________

Death Cab For Cutie-"Codes And Keys"
It appears that Ben Gibbard and the rest of his mates have gone off and fallen in love. You can tell by the breezy atmosphere and warmth that surrounds a lot of the songs on their seventh proper album, "Codes & Keys", that these aren't the same moody poets with guitars ready to "rock" your coffee shop loft.  And while long time fans may scratch their head a little at the comfortable corner Death Cab is sitting in, there is still enough of their trademark knack for melodies to keep the faithful satisfied. Musically, this is a "studio" album in every sense of the word "studio". Everything is placed in it's space to make the sound feel much more open than some of the claustrophobic/strangled feel of older Death Cab material. Does it work? Well, if you're looking for a more spacious Death Cab...I guess it sounds alright. They said they were aiming for a Radiohead "Kid A" vibe (not nearly as experimental here as you'd think, different, yes...but not that different) on "Codes and Keys", but I hear more of the warmth of a "In Rainbows" instead. Why? Probably because of all those aw shucks lyrics that Gibbard is throwing at you ears reminding you he's in love...he ain't the moody bastard he was on 2008's "Narrow Stairs". His recent marriage to Zooey Deschanel has Gibbard hearing symphonies on "Stay Young, Go Dancing" or coyly saying "Some boys don't know how to love" on "Some Boys"  or waxing "There's no one in the sky/Just our love" on "Unobstructed Views". Does his new-found love get in the way of Death Cab's knack for plaintive moodiness? Um, sort of. It's not gushy though.

I mean here's the thing. It still is a Death Cab For Cutie album to the core. They have the instinct to write some great songs here. Whether it be on the lead-off single "You Are A Tourist" with it's cool shimmering guitar line, the sweet bouncing pop of the lovely "Underneath The Sycamore" or the barroom piano opening to the title track, they've got the chops still. But at times, maybe on the more "obtuse" sounding songs (like, "Doors Unlocked And Open"), they feel like they're playing from a great distance away and lack a great deal of the intimate energy they're best known for. So I'm feeling "Codes and Keys" to be a mixed bag of sorts. Fine and easy to listen to, but besides the aforementioned songs and a couple others, not exactly necessary or needlessly...there for show. The guys are growing up fine here, they're just moving on to surprisingly new places for the band and I'm not sure I'm willing to move on with them. Love is great in song. Divorce can be devastatingly as good as well....

Grade: B

JHO Picks:
Codes and Keys
You Are A Tourist
Underneath The Sycamore
Stay Young, Go Dancing

The Decemberists-Down By The Water (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 3: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far....)

Sure it sounds a bit close to classic R.E.M., but the latest album from the Decemberists, "The King Is Dead", has a lot of sturdy songs steeped in Americana. "Down By The Water" is "The One I Love" and "Maps & Legends" wrapped into its own classic.

Kurt Vile-In My Time (31 Songs In 31 Days)

Day 2: 31 Songs In 31 Days (Best of 2011...so far....)

Kurt Vile's latest album "Smoke Ring For My Halo" has a handful of standout songs, "In My Time" is my flavor at the moment. This could change seven more times by the time we get to December, but that's the beauty of the album.

Tuesday's Top Ten: Winter Songs

It's hot. Record number of days in Indianapolis for 90+ heat may be broken. I'm personally rooting for it. My inspiration? This picture I dug out from my phone from back in February. LOOK AT IT! Our yard is covered in ice. The Penguins and Capitals could have staged an epic game in our side yard...and I would've blindsided Ovechkin...just because! What I'm getting at is this. We complain when it's too hot out that we wish it was winter. We complain in winter that we wish it were warmer. I'm taking the side of the heat. It may be my bones are enjoying hot days (not to run though) much more than the bitterly cold.

So I say bring on the heat. Let's break that 19 days of 90+ weather. And in the meantime, here's ten of my favorite songs with "winter" in the title to remind us of what's in store in 5 months.

1. Screaming Trees-Winter Song
2. Animal Collective-Winter Wonder Land
3. The Doors-Wintertime Love
4. Fleet Foxes-White Winter Hymnal
5. Mumford & Songs-Winter Winds
6. Cinderella-Long Cold Winter
7. Yeasayer-Wait For The Wintertime
8. Simon and Garfunkel-A Hazy Shade Of Winter
9. Steve Miller Band-Winter Time
10. Tamaryn-Choirs Of Winter

Cut Copy-Need You Now (31 Songs In 31 Days)

During the month of August, station to station is showcasing 31 songs in 31 days from the 2011 year so far that are favorites and will end up in the year end song countdown somewhere in the top 100. True there are still 4 months to go (who counts December? Really!) so there are a lot of opportunities for some other songs to climb board the 2011 train. We'll start things off a couple hours late (this may happen a couple times in the month of August because of prior commitments, but I will run off 31 songs) with "Need You Now" from Australia's Cut Copy. It has a sweet synth, great pulsating dance groove, and a killer chorus that any pop radio station would love to get their hands on (if it was 1986!) Look for the updated 31 Songs in 31 Days on the sidebar as we have now just 30 songs to go. In the meantime, if you haven't heard "Need You Now" or any of the other songs being put up "For Your Consideration" for song of the year, take a listen. And enjoy! Or hate! That's the beauty of music (be subjective), pick your poison, but at least pick it.