Jam of the Day | David Ford - She's Not the One

Usually when I listen to David Ford, I want to spend some time in deep thought. The British singer-songwriter has penned some of my favorite heartbreakers in the past few years -- tunes like "I Don't Care What You Call Me," "What Would You Have Me Do," and "I'm Alright Now." I could listen to these songs for hours -- laughing and crying at the same time.

But, also to my delight, Ford does have a lighter side, and it's equally marvelous. Case in point: "She's Not the One," a wonderful track off Ford's new album, Let the Hard Times Roll. If you're not already familiar with Ford's music, today's Jam of the Day is a great place to start.

David Ford - She's Not the One

Ted Leo + The Pharmacists Cover Tears for Fears

Photo credit: Shawn Brackbill

The A.V. Club has kicked off a new Undercover project: 25 bands, 25 cover songs, 1 small, round room. Bands stop by, pick a song off the list, and rock out. The later one arrives to the party, the fewer choices of songs to cover. I might even say that the last band could get royally screwed. Regardless, I am so into this idea.

There are no words for the thrill I felt when I saw that Ted Leo and The Pharmacists were the first band to give this the old college try, covering one of my '80s (and I'll just admit it, current) faves: Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." That song kicks some ass, plain and simple.

Other options on the list include: Starship's "We Built This City" (yes!), Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" (premature tears being shed already), and Journey's "Faithfully" (hello, high school prom). I pity the fool that gets stuck with "Kokomo." It's seriously going to be awesome.

Jam of the Day | The Lonely Forest - We Sing In Time

Two nights ago, I went to a concert at The Old Rock House in Saint Louis to see We Were Promised Jetpacks. However, The Lonely Forest, one of the night's openers, stunned me with its frenzied enthusiasm and indie rock purity. One of my favorites of the night happened to be today's JOTD, "We Sing In Time," particularly because of these lyrics: "Let us pretend we've got it together/ Let us ignore the coming sun/ We'll sing the body electric until machine and soul are one..." Gotta love a Walt Whitman reference.

After the band's set, I chatted with guitarist, Tony Ruland, and he was pretty psyched that Death Cab's Chris Walla just signed The Lonely Forest to his new label, Trans. The foursome was headed to Austin for SXSW later that night (the ultimate overnight roadtrip!), but they seemed happy enough to live in the moment with a little Saint Louis celebrating before their departure.

Stream/download the amped up version of "We Sing In Time," but you can also enjoy a mellow, acoustic version recorded live at The Woods in Portland with the video below.

The Lonely Forest - We Sing In Time

We Sing the Body Electric! is out now.

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds and a Sound

"Now I see you, 'til kingdom come/ You're the one I want/ To see me for all the stupid shit I've done..."

Late last year, I made a huge mistake and missed seeing Blind Pilot in concert. Granted, I knew little of their music at the time, and it was a difficult time in my life. But still, I usually suck it up and go to the show.

This time, I didn't, and I'm still pissed. Just a bit, anyway.

If you have yet to check out their last album, 3 Rounds and a Sound, I suggest you get to it immediately. Turn it up, drink a few, let the good times roll.

And check out the title track below!

Sia Announces New Album, 'We Are Born'

Sia, the lovely lady that helped make the Six Feet Under finale the most perfect ending to a television series ever, has announced her new album, We Are Born to be released on June 8, 2010 on Monkey Puzzle/Jive Records. The album features contributions from Strokes guitarist, Nick Valensi, and Inara George from the bird and the bee.

Six songs from the album are now streaming on Sia's website, including the first single "Clap Your Hands."

New Inlets Video for "Bright Orange Air"

Inlets (Sebastian Krueger) debuted the video for "Bright Orange Air" over at Pitchfork today.

Inter Arbiter comes out April 20, 2010 on twosyllable Records.

Matthew Ryan, Jack Spencer Team Up for "The World Is..."

"This is an invisible song/ From an invisible man..."

Thanks to Jack Spencer, Matthew Ryan's got a new video, and it's a beauty. And it wouldn't surprise me if this particular song, "The World Is...," which can be found on Ryan's latest, Dear Lover, is featured in a movie down the road. It's got that feel to it.

That's not to say that anything will outdo what Spencer has already created, though. Here's what Mr. Ryan says about Spencer and the video:

Jack is the kind of fella you read about in history books. I run the risk of hyperbole here, but if you knew him and his work you would understand. He is a monument for art for art without limits. His work hangs in galleries and museums around the world. To have him make this video was a real honor. And to be honest, it speaks directly to what I would hope more of us will do, that is, to collaborate and create things of hopefully timeless beauty with no expectations. We made this video for $16. And while I've never been particularly comfortable with looking at myself on film or in pictures, I love Jack's composition and feel here. I hope you do as well.

Friday Finds

Hear the new Dr. Dog single, "Stranger" from the upcoming Shame, Shame LP (Rolling Stone)
The Tallest Man on Earth talks about his new album (Paste)
Watch the new She & Him video (Pitchfork)
The National debuts the first track off the new album on Fallon (TwentyFourBit)
Caribou announces world tour! (Merge Records)
Check out an exclusive Rogue Wave video clip (I am Fuel, You Are Friends)
PS22's elementary schoolers take on Phoenix's "Listomania" (I Guess I'm Floating)
Pegi Young interviewed by Spinner (Spinner)

Jam of the Day | Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Sleeps With Angels

Today's jam is a spooky jam. It scares the hell out of me.

It's probably one of Neil Young's darkest songs, from one of his darkest (yet somehow hopeful) albums, Sleeps With Angels. If you aren't familiar with the album, it contains three songs that are, in my opinion, crucial to understanding Young's music -- "My Heart," "Change Your Mind," and the title track, "Sleeps With Angels."

There has been a lot written about how "Sleeps With Angels" was written for Kurt Cobain, who, if you remember, quoted Young in his suicide note. The lyrics Cobain used, in case you didn't already know, were "it's better to burn out than to fade away."

I've always wondered what was going on in Young's mind when he recorded this song. The guitar sounds possessed, bloody, and hungry for death. And the way song ends always gives me chills.

Too late...

Too soon...

Too late...

Too soon...

Too late.

See, I just got them again.

Listen to "Sleeps With Angels" here.

Members From Deer Tick, Delta Spirit, & Dawes to Debut at SXSW

Ooooh. This looks like fun.

Although it's another reminder that we won't be at SXSW, which isn't so fun. Here are the details from the press release:

MG&V stands for McCauley, Goldsmith, and Vasquez...more specifically, John McCauley - frontman of Deer Tick, Taylor Goldsmith - frontman of Dawes and Matt Vasquez - frontman of Delta Spirit.

Notoriously adverse to sitting still, John McCauley felt the urge to write and record during some of Deer Tick's recent downtime. Deer Tick chose Dawes to support a leg of their summer 2009 tour, during which McCauley and Goldsmith developed an affinity for each other's songwriting. McCauley decided that Nashville would be the perfect location to write some new songs, and invited Goldsmith to join him. As the project began to take shape, McCauley and Goldsmith decided Matt Vasquez was the man to complete their vision for the project. A few days after tape started rolling, Vasquez arrived in Nashville - never having met McCauley. The three songwriters immediately bonded and proceeded to make a timeless masterpiece. Dawes drummer Griffin Goldsmith also joined the group to contribute percussion.

MG&V will make their world debut at the Coda Agency SXSW Showcase at the Ale House on Friday, March 19th at 1 AM. Album details will be released later in the year. Expect MG&V announcements at Twitter. 

Party on, dudes.

Jam of the Day | The Mynabirds - Numbers Don't Lie

Almost a year ago, Laura Burhenn, one half of the now-defunct Georgie James, traversed the country, set up shop in Oregon, and recorded the debut album of her new band, The Mynabirds.

Burhenn, "always want[ing] to make a record that sounded like Neil Young doing Motown," does the blue-eyed soul genre proud on "Numbers Don't Lie." Interestingly enough, the band gets its name from the fabled R&B group formed in 1964, The Mynah Birds, which at one time featured Neil Young himself. And Rick James. So, there's that.

Growing up, my family raised me on the oldies station, WQRL. This track reminds me of that music we blasted from the radio of my dad's baby blue Ford pickup. Songs like Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billy Joe" and Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man" are sleepy and soulful and southern, and "Numbers Don't Lie" transports that perfect era of music into a modern setting with grace and ease.

Plus, the lyrics are so damn catchy. "Baby, if you wanna be right, I will let you be right/ I will let you be right/ You know that the numbers don't lie, oh no, the numbers don't lie/ Two wrongs will not make it right..." The best argument is a logical one, oh yes.

And to me, the best song is a sweet, soul gem.

The Mynabirds - Numbers Don't Lie

What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood comes out April 27, 2010 on Saddle Creek.

Meaghan Smith (The Interview)

If you're Canadian, can sing, and you're an awesome songwriter, there's a great chance I'll probably love you.

Luckily for me, Meaghan Smith fits that bill. Her cover of "Here Comes Your Man," which can be found on the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack, and was produced by T-Bone Burnett, had me from the first little sounds of her Omnichord.

And here comes Miss Smith, with her newest album, The Cricket's Orchestra. It's an album that sets a particular mood -- the sun is going down, you're about to drink that glass of wine, forget every worry in the world, and pretend you're quitting your day job. It's "new" old timey greatness from a wonderful Canadian.

It's so very awesome that my newest favorite singer-songwriter took some time to answer a few questions about comparisons, recording her album, the Omnichord, and performing live.

1. So, I hear they're calling you the female Michael Bublé. How do you handle that comparison?

I realize that I'm going to be compared to all sorts of people till I establish myself. And being compared to people as successful as Michael Bublé is fine with me! I think what sets me apart from a lot of other music out there is the fact that I write all my own songs, and I'm not just recreating an old era. I like to call my music modern-vintage. I'm taking old influences and injecting them with modern elements. Besides the old timey vibe, my songs feature samples, beats, and I even do a duet with Kid Koala, a DJ who scratches overtop a string quartet. I'll take whatever sweet comparison I can, and hope to reach as many people as Michael has someday soon! ... And I wouldn't be opposed to doing a sweet little duet with Mr. Bublé...Waddya say, Michael?

2. In addition to that, The Cricket's Orchestra is about to get some love in the New York Times. Your feelings on that?

I'm floored!!! I can't wait to see what the New York Times has to say about little old me! (Read their review here)

3. Tell us a little bit about the recording process of The Cricket's Orchestra. What were your favorite moments?

Recording the Cricket's Orchestra on my own dime in Toronto, mid-winter, was rough but SO rewarding! It was two months of spending four years of savings on music! Who wouldn't enjoy that! I was pinching every penny I could to put on the record. So, I couch surfed for two months
while hustling all over the city on the subway lugging my guitar and gear everywhere. One of my favorite moments was recording my dad -- Les Smith's whistle solo on "I Know." My heart melts whenever I hear his beautiful solo!

My producer, Les Cooper, is a musical genius and another favorite moment was first hearing his horn arrangement on "If You Asked Me." I also loved seeing all the talented musicians come in the studio and lay their parts down so pro.

The piano player on the record is a man named Dennis Keldie. One of his hands is literally the size of my torso! He wailed on that piano when he played "Take Me Dancing," and did some beautiful accordion parts on "Soft Touch." I felt lucky just to see him play! I felt the same with everybody that had a part in making this record. I met so many amazing and talented people!


4.T-Bone Burnett produced your cover of The Pixies' "Here Comes Your Man." What was that like? And what exactly is an Omnichord?

T-Bone is probably one of the most down to earth producers in the world. He is so genuine and getting to work with him was an honor! We recorded in his home studio in LA. He was totally open to hearing my ideas, which I think is something that makes him so amazing. He's so collaborative. So when I suggested we do the bed track for "Here Comes Your Man" on the Omnichord, he was into it! The Omnichord is only one of the greatest instruments (in my humble opinion) to come out of the 80's!! Imagine an electronic harpsichord, but with sick smarmy 80's beats and a touch sensitive "sparkle strip." Oh, and you can play any chord imaginable!

5. Finally, let's say you're performing in front of a group of people who have never heard your music. What do you play to win them over? What do you say to them?

I want to bring people with me into my world when I'm on stage singing and playing for them. I pour my heart into every song I perform and I hope that people can feel that. Most of all I want to uplift people. Or at least entertain them. I tell my stories and sing my songs and have a blast with my Peeps on stage. And if the crowd's into coming with me, well that's when amazing things happen.

Shout Out Louds Unveil Mini-Documentary on the Making of 'Work'

The Shout Out Louds have just released a mini-documentary directed by the band's bassist and video director, Ted Malmros. Titled Shout Out Louds ... at Work, it provides insight into the process involved (the good, the bad, and the ugly) with creating the new album, Work, which is out now in stores and online.

According to the press release, "the alluring moving images and stills taken from interviews with the band and Phil Ek, their producer, to the Washington woodlands where Work was recorded, the mini-documentary presents itself as a diary that captures all of the emotions evoked from the pressure, as well as the excitement, of creating such a highly anticipated release."

The Shout Out Louds are set to tour with Brooklyn buzz band, Freelance Whales, for much of May. That, my friends, is a hot ticket.

Shout Out Louds ... at Work:

Jam of the Day | Paul Simon - Graceland

“As if I didn’t know that/ As if I didn’t know my own bed…”

I heard this song for the first time in years last week, and damn, it hit me hard. I thought of how great a songwriter/musician Paul Simon is, and how he might even get overlooked at times. I thought of how perfect a song “Graceland” is; I liken it to Neil Young’s “Cortez the Killer” in the sense that he’s talking about a story, and then he hits you with a line about how “ losing love is like a window in your heart/ everybody sees you’re blown apart…”

I love it when you think you have a song figured out, and then along comes the surprise, musically or lyrically, that reminds you of why you listen to music in the first place: to be moved.

“Graceland.” There’s more to the picture than meets the eye.

New Port O'Brien Video for "Leap Year"

FACT: Port O'Brien put out one of the best albums of 2009, threadbare. FACT: if you haven't listened to it, you are missing out.

Here's the new music video for "Leap Year," directed by Ben Chappell and Aaron Brown of Focus Creeps (Cass McCombs, Girls, Cold Cave). My other faves off threadbare include "My Will is Good" and "Oslo Campfire."

The band is also contributing a cover of "Military Madness" to Songs for Beginners: A Tribute to Graham Nash which comes out May 25, 2010, along wtih a cover of The Ramones' "My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg)" to the PEACE project. That compilation will be released on April 12, 2010.