Art is the music we make from the bewildered cry of being alive. ~Maria Popova
09 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: never you mind, semisonic
Semisonic: “Never You Mind” (1998)
Nice song, great left-field treat for Trekkies in the third verse. Fans of the Kirk/Spock original series will chuckle.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/06/23/recommended-albums-50/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2014/11/08/songs-you-may-have-missed-517/
09 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: good hearted man, tift merritt
Tift Merritt: “Good Hearted Man” (2004)
Tift Merritt has never enjoyed commercial success commensurate with her critical acclaim. Here she channels Dusty Springfield over a classic Memphis soul arrangement to sing about that kind of guy every woman wishes to find.
05 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: love like you, paper tongues
Paper Tongues: “Love Like You” (2010)
Credit for introducing me to this song goes to Julie and Mike, who will enter their reception this Saturday accompanied by it. If you have a weakness for flat-out passionate, unapologetic love songs, or happen to be in the throes at the moment, this one’s gonna hit you where you live.
I’ll be the first to say
“I do love you so”
Be the last to walk away
From what we know
You can’t invent a Jones
Like us in this world
It only happens once upon
A time for boys and girls
I’ll never find another love like you
Who wants to be in love the way I do
Better is a day standing by your side
Your heart is like a castle in my sky
I’ll never find another love like you
Who wants to really be my rainbow
I could only start to imagine how
We survived to see this day
Only if I had the words to paint the moon
I would paint it on a star just for you
Then we’d get inside a boat made of clouds
And we’d never turn around, we’d go all out
I’ll never find another love like you
Who wants to be in love the way I do
Better is a day standing by your side
Your heart is like a castle in my sky
I’ll never find another love like you
Who wants to really be my rainbow
I could only start to imagine how
We survived to see this day
And mockingbirds they sing upon my tree
And the tower bells they ring and I believe
And I’m asking you to be my everything
I’ll never find another love like you
Who wants to be in love the way I do
Better is a day standing by your side
Your heart is like a castle in my sky
I’ll never find another love like you
Who wants to really be my rainbow
I could only start to imagine how
We survived to see this day
I’ll never find another love like you
Who wants to really be my rainbow
I’ll never find another love like you
Who wants to be in love the way I do
04 Aug 2013 2 Comments
in Recommended Albums Tags: blumljud, moon safari
Moon Safari: Blomljud (2008)
My current musical infatuation, and the stuff I’ve been playing at antisocial decibel levels lately, is that of Swedish prog band Moon Safari. For fans of sunny, uplifting, non-metal influenced prog (as well as bands like Styx from a bygone era) this prolific band is worth checking out.
Moon Safari feature perhaps the strongest vocals in all of progressive rock. Their harmonies are like nothing in the genre, sounding more like a combination of 70’s bands such as Ambrosia and 50’s close harmony acts like the Four Freshmen–or even the Beach Boys.
Songwriting too is an obvious strength. These Swedes have mastered classic long-form prog, but keep things appealing throughout, with guitar and synth lines that grow on the listener with repeated listening. You won’t find the staggering musicianship of Yes or ELP here–song, melody and harmony are the areas of greater focus. But then again, the only 20+ minute song I’ve ever found worth listening to from beginning to end was by this band and not one of the aforementioned classic acts.
They seem to keep to the type of release schedule more befitting a 70’s prog band as well, with a massive double album due this September adding to two other releases since 2010.
Listen to: “Constant Bloom/Methuselah’s Children”
Listen to: “Bluebells”
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/16/songs-you-may-have-missed-465/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2025/08/31/songs-you-may-have-missed-789/
04 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: mason jennings, your new man
Mason Jennings: “Your New Man” (2008)
Mason Jennings entertains a live audience with the tale of his ex and her douchy new BF.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/01/05/songs-you-may-have-missed-276/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2016/11/04/songs-you-may-have-missed-596/
04 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: it's only life, shins
The Shins: “It’s Only Life” (2012)
Like A.C. Newman of the New Pornographers, James Mercer’s brand of indie pop has a way of tapping into timeless elements of pop and rock yet simultaneously sounding fresh and of the moment. The band’s fourth album, which features Mercer’s songwriting, vocals and, in large part, instrumentation, is awash with lush melody and fresh turn of phrase–another characteristic Mercer and Newman share.
These two guys are among the most appealing songwriters in the genre, and I’ve got the feeling the originality of their work will be recognized for many years to come.
“It’s Only Life” in particular seems a towering achievement to me. I just can’t believe how many appealing turns of melody Mercer crams into this tune.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/04/30/songs-you-may-have-missed-404/
Every Moment Has A Song 