Stuart Murdoch: “Another Saturday” (2009)
Belle & Sebastian singer-songwriter Stuart Murdoch offers some perspective on this, another Saturday…
Songs You May Have Missed #407
04 May 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: another saturday, stuart murdoch
Songs You May Have Missed #406
02 May 2013 4 Comments
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: calliandra shade (the cappuccino song), ian anderson
Ian Anderson: “Calliandra Shade (The Cappuccino Song)” (2003)
Although Jethro Tull albums are written chiefly if not solely by Ian Anderson, his solo stuff tends to be a complete contrast. 2003’s Rupi’s Dance, as well as The Secret Language of Birds of three years earlier, appear to be more of an outlet for the laid-back, more acoustic work Anderson seems to increasingly enjoy recording and performing these days.
“Calliandra Shade”, as the album’s first track, is a perfect declaration of intent for such a pastoral record. It’s a song too inconsequential, too casual for a Tull album, and a perfect slice of Ian’s other side. Here he simply invites you to join him at his favorite table at an outdoor café, sip a designer coffee and enjoy the warm sunshine and loose conversation. It’s deliberately about nothing–the anti-Jethro Tull song. And it’s delightful.
I sit in judgment on the market square
I have my favorite table and I have my chair
Natives are friendly and the sun flies high
All kinds of crazy waiters, they go drifting by
Hours last forever in the Calliandra shade
Conversation going nowhere and yet everywhere
Kick off those sad shoes and let the bare toes tingle
Slip off that shoulder strapless and the thick black hair
Come, sit with me and take decaf designer coffee
Come, laugh and listen as the ragamuffin children play
Lame dog and a black cat, now they shuffle in the shadows
You got cappuccino lip on a short skirt day
Electric afternoon and shrill cellphones are mating
Lame dog is dreaming, dreaming of a better life
Where bed is fluffy pillows, table scraps are fillet mignon
Flicked indiscreetly by the lazy waiter’s knife
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/06/04/songs-you-may-have-missed-118/
Songs You May Have Missed #405
02 May 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: butch walker & the black widows, day drunk
Butch Walker & the Black Widows: “Day Drunk” (2011)
A nice slide guitar riff, a philosophical lyric about growing older, and a cathartic release of a chorus. It’s a simple and effective formula here and elsewhere on the second Butch Walker release to feature his new backing band the Black Widows.
The album’s swaggering, bar-band feel is equal parts roots rock and power pop–a great throwback party band sound.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/04/09/songs-you-may-have-missed-73/
Songs You May Have Missed #404
30 Apr 2013 3 Comments
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: gone for good, the shins
The Shins: “Gone for Good” (2003)
From one of the best releases of 2003, by one of the best bands of any era. James Mercer’s songwriting is subtle and seemingly effortless, and the band’s arrangements combine elements of classic pop music and other styles in fresh and interesting ways, such as the layers of twang dripping like chocolate syrup all over this pretty tune.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/04/songs-you-may-have-missed-453/
Songs You May Have Missed #403
27 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ocean gypsy, renaissance
Renaissance: “Ocean Gypsy” (1975)
Annie Haslam, an operatically-trained singer with a three-octave range, brought a touch of class to the 70’s prog scene. However, the band Renaissance may have been the victim of its own classical ambitions.
Although songs like “Ocean Gypsy” still sound good today and have influenced latter-day “Renaissance faire rock” acts such as Blackmore’s Night (who did a cover version of “Ocean Gypsy”), even their best albums are laced with some of prog’s pretentious tendencies.
Some prog acts withstood punk’s late-70’s takeover better than others; Renaissance was not one of those that continued to thrive.
Songs You May Have Missed #402
27 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: allison weiss, making it up
Allison Weiss: “Making it Up” (2013)
Some superb old-fashioned girl-group angst from one of Altpress’ 100 Bands You Need to Know in 2013.
Allison herself says of the song’s inspiration:
Sometimes this thing happens when you break up with somebody, where you go from being best friends, to not even speaking. Sometimes it happens so fast you can’t even remember if you were actually together. I wrote this song in a hotel room in Florida. I was doing a college show and decided to stay an extra day to get out of the city. I drank some wine and wrote in my journal. It was pretty emo. This song came out of that.
Every Moment Has A Song 