You know who Bright Eyes are, but you don’t know you did. Bright Eyes are an Indie Rock band, lead and focussed on Conor Oberst, a twenty something from Omaha. From the age of just two his mother said he’s been “banged his hands on the piano”. Thankfully he’s mastered playing it properly, and in fact, shows mastery of the art as a whole.
Today’s feature is a wonderfully simple and poised song, composed and performed by Conor. Released from the I’m Wide Awake and It’s Morning album in 2004, the song depicts the daily struggle of two people facing depression. The title of the song comes from the Portuguese word for moon, and possibly a number of Hawaiian language references made throughout the verses.
Enjoy the song, and remember to quote the Flaming Lips;
“It’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning round“
I went to Glastonbury some years ago, in fact it’s probably ten years ago… and despite having returned their on numerous other years, it was the year i saw Moby that stood out. At that time he wasn’t a massive superstar, and played the 8pm set on the second stage. Little was I to know he was to be bigger than any other act there… six foot taller in fact.
For those of you who have never attended, imagine Glastonbury as a smelly field, but imagine it too as a place that weird moments can just lift you up and take you somewhere you never imagined. I’ll admit I’d had a few beers (and nothing else), but when Moby played his final tune of the night… the sun was setting directly opposite the stage. The crowd weren’t lively, they were stood watching in amazement at the beautiful melody that Moby creates again and again. Repeating himself, but seemingly never repeating himself.
Not the biggest hit of all, but I’d heartily recommend you put this on your alarm clock, and let it wake you up for a week. You’ll feel truly alive.
Regards as always,
d
November 1st, 2009
Categories: Music . Author: Dave . Comments: 1 Comment
Pearl Jam, a band I remember from a long time ago, yet feel like I don’t know at all. It was the album Ten that got me started, after seeing the video for Jeremy on VH1 almost the first day I got satellite television (18 years ago). It was evocative, powerful, and balanced yet angry. A mix that music rarely achieves.
The rest of the Ten album is masterful too, an almost perfect debut pitched against a 90’s teenage youth full of angst with the world. They met it head on, and clashed beautifully with its raw power and force. Ultimately it would propel Pearl Jam into the limelight, hitting the top 20 in six countries. If you had an older brother in the nineties, this is what he listened to.
It would be easy for me to select a song from Ten, they are all wonderful. But you should buy it, play it endlessly, and wonder how you lived without it.
I’m choosing Do the Evolution, track 9 from the 5th Jam album Yield.
Enjoy
d
October 29th, 2009
Categories: Music . Author: Dave . Comments: 1 Comment
Who remembers McAlmont and Butler? Probably not you, but by the time you’ve read this and watched the video you’ll either remember them or love them anyway.
McAlmont and Butler formed in 1994 with both Butler and McAlmont having already experienced success in the music industry. Butler was the guitarist in the indie band Suede, until his departure during recording of their second album. McAlmont, a soul singer with a 3-octave range, had been part of the duo Thieves with Saul Freeman, who released a few singles and had opened for Morrissey during their career. An album of their sessions was subsequently released under the name McAlmont in 1994.
McAlmont and Butler’s first single, “Yes”, was released in May 1995, and reached number 8 in the UK Singles Chart. A second single, “You Do”, reached number 17 in October. They made a handful of television appearances, but before they could tour, the band had an acrimonious breakup. Their recording sessions had produced enough material for an album: The Sound of McAlmont and Butler was released early in 1996 and made number 33 in the UK Albums Chart.
After pursuing solo careers for several years, Butler approached McAlmont about working together again, and the duo resolved their issues. The first single of their new collaboration was Falling, released in 2002, which reached number 23 in the UK singles chart. The second single, Bring it Back, and an album, Bring it Back, were released later that year. They also contributed a cover of Take That’s “Back for Good” to the NME’s charity compilation War Child.
Several additional songs were written and recorded with the idea for a third album, but this project was put on hold when Butler joined his former Suede bandmate Brett Anderson to form a new band, The Tears.
I for one hope they return together, and reach the wonderful highs of “Yes”
