Beirut - East Harlem
This song just started making its way around and has blown up - for good reason. It’s quite a tune and I’m totally hooked. The onslaught of songs demanding to be played all summer has officially begun. My guess: it will take less than one complete listen for you to enjoy this song. And for a great value add, Google the lyrics if you can’t quite make them out.
Another rose wilts in East Harlem…
Phosphorescent - The Mermaid Parade
Heard about this band, and particularly this song from a couple of places, including here. I’m not totally sold on the album as a whole (gonna give it a few more listens), but this song is a winner. Folky, twangy, endlessly sad and frustrating; great combination in my book.
But god damn it, Amanda/oh, god damn it all
Sufjan Stevens - The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
Superman? Jesus? It’s not immediately clear who or what this song is about. Probably both of them. Regardless of the subject(s), it’s a lush, engaging track. I’ve been listening to this album (2005’s Illinois) to get ready to try and tackle Sufjan’s new one, The Age of Adz. There’s probably another track from him coming in the near future.
Bright Eyes - The Biggest Lie (live, Elliott Smith cover)
I’ve never posted any Elliott Smith and, even worse considering the volume of my listening, I’ve never posted any Bright Eyes*, so this tune sort of kills two birds with one stone. The track is off Motion Sickness which is a live Bright Eyes album. I suspect people will dislike Conor’s voice here and say that he butchers this song, but I think it works fantastically. Caution: This song is depressing. Hat tip.
*One Monsters of Folk song doesn’t count…
I live in New York. My interests are varied.
