Art is the music we make from the bewildered cry of being alive. ~Maria Popova
19 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: awolnation, wake up
AWOLNATION: “Wake Up” (2011)
Aaron Bruno’s AWOLNATION is a project marked by ambition and eclecticism. Throughout the 50+ minute debut album Bruno takes a bold, kitchen sink approach that ensures there’s something on the record for almost everybody.
“Wake Up” stands out for me, combining the urgently delivered message of the verses with an irresistible hook in the chorus.
19 Mar 2013 2 Comments
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: the bleeding heart show, the new pornographers
The New Pornographers: “The Bleeding Heart Show” (2005)
There are certain so-called indie rock bands whose stuff will better justify the “classic” label years down the road. The Shins, certainly. And, for similar reasons I think, the New Pornographers. The combination of A.C. Newman and Dan Bejar’s smart and hooky songwriting, Neko Case’s contributions as vocalist, and the always-tasteful referencing of classic pop and rock of the past are the strengths that put them near the top of their class.
“The Bleeding Heart Show” eschews typical alternating verse-and-chorus structure for an arrangement that gradually builds momentum from beginning to end, a trademark writing style of Roy Orbison and…few others, actually.
The song was featured in the 2007 Morgan Freeman movie Feast of Love, as well as TV ads for the University of Phoenix and eMusic.
And just one more thing: I’ve never understood why the band didn’t sequence this as track one. If ever a song was suited to open an album this is it.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/03/14/songs-you-may-have-missed-52/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2025/08/31/songs-you-may-have-missed-788/
19 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: caitlin rose, no one to call
Caitlin Rose: “No One to Call” (2013)
I’m fascinated by songs that straddle genres, defying you to neatly categorize them. Nashville singer-songwriter Caitlin Rose’s voice draws comparisons to country legends like Loretta Lynn, but despite some pedal steel in the arrangements, this is music that doesn’t want to be wrangled into the country category. Of course, any young singer whose musical heroes include Gram Parsons and Linda Ronstadt is (as that initial guitar blast makes clear) unlikely to end up sounding like a Nashville traditionalist.
On “No One to Call” Rose’s voice is awash in a wall-of-sound arrangement similar to some of Dwight Yoakam’s early 90’s stuff. In other words, it’s country music that a pop fan can get behind.
17 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: every moment, guster
Guster: “Every Moment” (2011)
Guster, whose B-sides sound like another pop band’s career highlights, do their best mid-’70’s America impression in the chorus of “Every Moment” from the On the Water EP, a follow-up to their amazing Easy Wonderful album.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2015/01/31/songs-you-may-have-missed-521/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2019/03/23/songs-you-may-have-missed-633/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/03/01/recommended-albums-9/
16 Mar 2013 1 Comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: blueside, rooney
Rooney: “Blueside” (2003)
Boosted by an appearance on The O.C. in 2004, Rooney’s bright, vintage-pop influenced debut helped to keep power pop at least marginally relevant (along with bands like Weezer and Superdrag). At the height of rap music’s chart dominance, Rooney was the rare new artist that fans of ELO and the Beach Boys could get behind.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/11/01/songs-you-may-have-missed-211/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/06/30/songs-you-may-have-missed-436/
16 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: looking back, oscar lopez
Oscar Lopez: “Looking Back” (2002)
Oscar Lopez was born in Santiago, Chile and relocated to Canada to further his musical career. His ventures into different styles of music as a member of several bands broadened his musical palate, enabling him to bring multiple influences into a fusion with the nylon-string flamenco style of his homeland which he plays today.
A winner of multiple Juno awards (Canada’s Grammy equivalent) Lopez is a world-class guitarist with a real knack for melody.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/02/11/songs-you-may-have-missed-11/
Every Moment Has A Song 