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Pajammy Jam of the Day | WATERS – Mickey Mantle

Photo by Marte Solbakken I ain’t too old to give a shit… I ain’t too young to regret… Well, we’re on a roll this week at Speakers in Code. I don’t think we planned for this to be The Week of Melancholy, but we’re three for three with Pajammy Jams of the Day. You know, … Read more

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James Blake Covers Feist’s “Limit to Your Love”

Could it be that we already have 2011’s Cover of the Year? A definite possibility if ever one did exist. It will be tough to top James Blake’s cover of “Limit to Your Love,” written and originally recorded by Feist on her 2007 record, The Reminder (check out a live version by Ms. Feist HERE). … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Banjo or Freakout – Go Ahead

Photo Credit: Robert Bellamy After a string of plaudits for remixes of artists as diverse as Bloc Party, Burial, Wild Beasts, and Amy Winehouse, it wasn’t long before Banjo or Freakout, aka Alessio Natalizia, joined the shortlist of bands with true buzz surrounding them. Their first EP, Upside Down, was also received to critical praise … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Delta Maid – The Changes Made

Short and sweet, Delta Maid knows how to get it done. The twenty-five year old from Liverpool is a self-taught guitarist, and her voice reminds you of the sweetest winds blowing across the South. Clocking in at a little over two minutes, today’s PJOTD reveals a youthful talent with a bright future ahead of her. … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Real Estate – Green Aisles

Real Estate’s second LP, Days, will be released on October 18th (Domino), and the Brookylyn (via Jersey) band has released a new single in advance of the record that showcases the group’s growing expertise in breezy, psychedelic surf-rock. “Green Aisles” starts with an extended, mellow intro that finds Real Estate in an airy zone, doing … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | The National – About Today

Hey, are you awake?  Yeah, I’m right here  Well, can I ask you about today?  If you’ve ever lost someone, listen to this song. If you’ve ever fought with someone, listen to this song. If you’ve ever really loved someone, listen to this song. If you’ve ever felt something or someone slowly slip away, listen … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Hannah Miller – O Black River

Photo by Caleb Chancey O Black River O Black River Come wash over me Music can be oh-so healing at times, especially during this time of year when winter is slowly knocking on our door. We’re reminded that the ground will start to freeze, the birds won’t soon greet us with their voices in the … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Deerhunter – Helicopter

Deerhunter, the ever-evolving and prolific Atlanta quartet, led by charismatic and wildly creative front-man Bradford Cox, has come a long way from 2007’s exceptional, but occasionally impenetrable, psych-space-noise debut LP Cryptograms. With each passing year, Deerhunter’s music becomes more and more accessible, without sacrificing the band’s unshakable originality. With its latest release, Halcyon Digest (released … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Union Tree Review – Let Me Be

Union Tree Review is Saint Louis’ answer to genius indie folk. Today’s Pajammy Jam of the Day, “Let Me Be,” instills a sense of longing in me that can’t be undone. It’s an chugging, acoustic train, reminiscent of Ryan Adams: brilliant lyricism, piano in all the right places, plenty o’ references to booze and regret. The track … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Carl Broemel – Heaven Knows

Carl Broemel, guitarist for My Morning Jacket, is set to release his debut solo album, All Birds Say, on ATO Records on August 31st. The album is an intimate and honest collection of musings on life, a distinct departure from what MMJ does, at least sound-wise. Some would even describe it as “zen-like.” “Heaven Knows,” … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Matthew Ryan – We Are Snowmen

Sometimes I close my eyesAnd hum the songs we lovedYour dress was blue and you Were as bright as ChristmasAnd down through all the streetsThe air was cool and sweetAnd all we knew was briefBut seemed eternal The first time I heard this song, I saw Matthew Ryan perform it live, solo-acoustic, at Off Broadway … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Thunder Power – Heartifact

Don’t let the name fool you: Thunder Power definitely does not dally in the earsplitting death metal scene. Instead, this Omaha band creates warm and cheery indie pop, reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian and matt pond PA. For me, I’m more than happy it’s the latter. Their single, “Heartifact,” is crazy catchy, using both bells … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Emily Jane White – Liza

Photo credit: Cam Archer Emily Jane White’s “Liza” starts off with simple, soft, somber guitar and the haunting lyrics, “I woke up today/ and I thought that death had swept me away.” Clearly, White isn’t one for sugarcoating unpleasant topics. In fact, she notes, “I don’t write happy music. I’m drawn to writing sad songs… Reflective, … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | EELS – Little Bird

This song hurts. I mean that in the best way, I really do. But, when KDHX played it on my way to work yesterday, I wanted to turn my car around, go home, and get back under the covers. The pain contained in the “Little Bird” lyrics is palpable. The weary voice, the absolute desolation, the … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Sharon Van Etten – Love More

Photo Credit: Allison Kaye  Guess what? I’ve got another awesome, sad tune for ya. Autumn makes me this way. The air gets crisp, the days grow shorter, and my mind often settles in on songs with deep meaning. I’m pretty sure I’ll always be this way. Sharon Van Etten’s music is new to my … Read more

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(REMIX) Pajammy Jam of the Day | Deerhunter – Helicopter

Last week, we brought you Deerhunter’s “Helicopter.” Well guess what? It’s back. This time, reworked and remixed by uber-talented producer Diplo (along with Lunice, a remix master and pop-lockin’ savant out of Montreal, Canada). The re-imagined “Helicopter” now has a bit of a street swagger and a synth-driven gangsta lean in the hook. It might … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Houses – Soak It Up

Chicago duo Houses recorded the upcoming LP All Night in Hawaii, where they lived for a brief stint in a little cabin, practicing sustainable living, until the money ran out. While there, the two “melted into one person,” and that melding of souls is apparent on today’s PJOTD, “Soak It Up.” I am a total … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Jill Andrews – Always Be Sorry

“I can’t tell how you’ve changed me/ And I am grateful/ But I am angry.” Damn that Jill Andrews. She probably wrote that line in five minutes. I’ve been searching for those exact words for five years. Simple, I know. But simple usually wins in my world. Jill Andrews’ world has been turned around in … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Seabear – Lion Face Boy

The fantastical lead single from Seabear’s sophomore album, We Built a Fire, features percussion sprinkled like fairy dust amidst soaring brass and cheerful violins. Frankly, the fact that it was recorded in an Icelandic basement studio with apple carton-covered walls makes me love it even more. How can something so otherworldly, in actuality, be so … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Jay Farrar – Gather

I know that Jay Farrar teaming up with Ben Gibbard and Jack Kerouac for the One Fast Move Or I’m Gone album is all the rage these days. I get that. I do. But I’m going to throw you a Farrar curve ball on this wonderful Friday and go back to The Slaughter Rule soundtrack. … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Postdata – Tobias Grey

Winter has never really been that good to me. For the past seven days, I have been content to stay indoors and only acknowledge the snow, the cold, the blanket of grey through my balcony window. Winter and I are not friends. However, I don’t always mind the inevitable disposition-altering effects that this season has … Read more

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Pajammy Jam of the Day | Ryan Adams – Unreleased

While we’re all waiting to see if Mr. Adams is going to unveil any new material in 2010, I recently remembered this unreleased live cut. I don’t believe it has a title, and I’m pretty sure this is the only time he’s ever played it, so if you haven’t heard it yet, well, Happy Monday … Read more